tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40547429770406699622024-03-05T02:04:37.217-08:00So Many Ponchos, So Little TimeTwo hip chicks blog about knitting, life and love (and love of the knitting life) in Southern California.Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890632654480667496noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-71705795205954409242009-03-01T10:44:00.001-08:002009-03-01T11:30:22.485-08:00Something red, blue, and greenDear Anna,<br /><br /><br />I have to say that I'm totally sick of the drama between Gina and Kelly on BH 90210. I really think that Dylan and Kelly need to stop fooling themselves and admit that they are meant to be.<br /><br /><br />Gah!<br /><br /><br />Well, with that confession out of the way, I present to you my <a href="http://http//www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/something-red">Something Red</a>:<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbKauwyRjqnxLA1JshZS32IotLVgfl3RhuxltBEkrsGDrgv6pA_dD_eEHZ6piTfpoK9M3QKDTy42hangM4svZgZyzEBNvNXsFekG_3kKpqwz9e_mWCHrlvM1p6EqSD49bKCGLSzkqe2I/s1600-h/100_0238.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308300432319648018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 353px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbKauwyRjqnxLA1JshZS32IotLVgfl3RhuxltBEkrsGDrgv6pA_dD_eEHZ6piTfpoK9M3QKDTy42hangM4svZgZyzEBNvNXsFekG_3kKpqwz9e_mWCHrlvM1p6EqSD49bKCGLSzkqe2I/s400/100_0238.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The photo isn't great (it's hard to do a self-pic of a sweater) but I am really pleased with the way it turned out. The button band truly became a labor of love - I ripped and reknit it at least five times and it's still not perfect (the ribbing doesn't line up because I picked up too many stiches on one side compared to the other) but no one can tell unless you look closely . . . especially with it buttoned.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/elsebeth-lavold-angora">angora</a> is blissfully soft but it's totally unpractical for southern California weather . . . however, it's perfect for the air conditioned office. In fact, I wore it to work once and got a lot of compliments - the best was "I love your sweater, where did you buy it?!". I think that any knitter can agree that THAT is the best compliment ever. Another co-worker commented that she didn't know a person could knit "something stylish". Ha! We knitters are very industrious!</div><br /><div>My <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/22-garter-yoke-cardigan">Garter Yoke Cardigan</a> is coming along really great - I'm nearly done with the first sleeve. So far, it fits great and I see myself getting a lot of use out of it when it's done. I only wish I had splurged on nicer yarn. The acrylic blend <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/ella-rae-amity-solid">Elle Mae </a>that I bought when we went on our most recent San Diego yarn crawl isn't bad . . . it just isn't particularly soft. But, the good thing is that I'm sure it will hold up really well in the wash.</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6awyNxi26CVEOWtwSFmC4ncdU2w7nDPbaeegDEPDpcKvOVqUQc4xu1q7OTgeMpTl0B4nZvwQj0IUck-TqGuRSEZIKQ4gOel8cRH6SkNvBDAdYef0MgQRZSjY58eOZc1ajDCaMuIHEY-0/s1600-h/100_0340.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308300681813918178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6awyNxi26CVEOWtwSFmC4ncdU2w7nDPbaeegDEPDpcKvOVqUQc4xu1q7OTgeMpTl0B4nZvwQj0IUck-TqGuRSEZIKQ4gOel8cRH6SkNvBDAdYef0MgQRZSjY58eOZc1ajDCaMuIHEY-0/s400/100_0340.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Since I'm rounding the last corner on the cardi, I was compelled to cast on for a new project. I started the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shetland-triangle">Shetland Triangle </a>from <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/wrap-style">Wrap Style</a>. I bought the yarn at Black Sheep with a gift certificate that Ron got me for Valentine's Day. As I mentioned in my project notes, I really wanted Rowan Kid Silkhaze in a creamy white or light blue but they didn't have anything suitable. So I got the next best thing, SRK Oration which has a similar blend (75% mohair/25% silk compared to Rowan's 70% mohair/30% silk). Ravelry didn't recognize the yarn brand when I entered in the project details so I have no idea if this is a little known gem or a really bad knock off . . . I guess I'll find out! </div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6AmlazBucTYnUB-CoOlcOZbBMpP0_fw0whU2pZ_QFo2_BLsAfeGoKknpXk-meZIwUCPSwCnX4NXq9xNhiYUSwlE_PXxxK70cE74zaGDBLIBne_wJssgwegBLJXMg0e-dhh-DepAiD3I/s1600-h/100_0339.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308300931056055474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6AmlazBucTYnUB-CoOlcOZbBMpP0_fw0whU2pZ_QFo2_BLsAfeGoKknpXk-meZIwUCPSwCnX4NXq9xNhiYUSwlE_PXxxK70cE74zaGDBLIBne_wJssgwegBLJXMg0e-dhh-DepAiD3I/s400/100_0339.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So far, I am enjoying the Shetland Triangle pattern so much more compared to the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/enes-scarf">Ene Scarf </a>(both are lace triangle shawls). With Ene, you start with casting on over 300 stiches (which I had to do multiple times). With the Shetland, you also start at the neck but you cast on only two stiches . . . it's a really odd construction but it's kinda cool to see it grow. </div><br /><div>Oh, I just watched <em>Mama Mia!</em> last night and I loved loved loved the set design. It made me want to paint my whole place ocean blue.</div><div><a href="http://www.movieswelike.net/i_01/mama_mia_01.jpg"><span style="color:#0066cc;"></span><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 364px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.movieswelike.net/i_01/mama_mia_01.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.collider.com/uploads/imageGallery/Mamma_Mia/mamma_mia_movie_image_meryl_streep.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 450px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.collider.com/uploads/imageGallery/Mamma_Mia/mamma_mia_movie_image_meryl_streep.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />So. . . whose up for a girls trip to Greece in 2010? :-)Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13681262945085426085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-78936655275745121842009-01-01T10:28:00.000-08:002009-01-01T12:58:03.809-08:00Auld Lang SyneDear Mmmmmargaret,<br /><br />Well. I woke up this morning with volumized hair. And the blog has been updated twice in one week. I believe this bodes well for 2009, don't you? We just returned from a trip to Philadelphia, where The Professor diligently interviewed for a job at many Universities throughout the Midwest and Canada. Will 2009 be the year we move to a cornfield in Nebraska? Or perhaps to an igloo in Alberta? At this point it's impossible to say. <br /><br />HOWEVER, I did get to wear my new mittens:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirr-ksxQ8N9z9Nw8itt65ivbnlubJkyExecVf76oHPhkoHo2sqGFl6WN32na85xC1k9Il_IkU1fQUCyXeQuoX-683w0hZ4Rz-aONCk52zVVRU0MORlPizC_VZvXEaRPxaQR1KCma-hfME/s1600-h/DSCN6007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirr-ksxQ8N9z9Nw8itt65ivbnlubJkyExecVf76oHPhkoHo2sqGFl6WN32na85xC1k9Il_IkU1fQUCyXeQuoX-683w0hZ4Rz-aONCk52zVVRU0MORlPizC_VZvXEaRPxaQR1KCma-hfME/s320/DSCN6007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286410159566670786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And take a trip to Loop, where I purchased 1000 yards of chocolate brown <a href="http://shop.royalyarns.com/Lornas-Laces-Fisherman-Chocolate-36NS_p_2514-6757.html">Lorna's Laces Fisherman Wool</a>. I'm thinking of using it to make something from Custom Knits... maybe <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ingenue">Ingenue</a>?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JZRj1W4-Jinami3-c20qJQvp88YXqP6sVWRsYyz23btotEcJFsqgLn3e-w9_7O7vk_CQOT8wFU4BLRTgWleBh37uvIVU2P7jdaHlSTeofgt4KNT6mSVeLuSU2AuyIDuyXib5BXwZONo/s1600-h/DSCN6008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JZRj1W4-Jinami3-c20qJQvp88YXqP6sVWRsYyz23btotEcJFsqgLn3e-w9_7O7vk_CQOT8wFU4BLRTgWleBh37uvIVU2P7jdaHlSTeofgt4KNT6mSVeLuSU2AuyIDuyXib5BXwZONo/s320/DSCN6008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286410418250228770" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Thanks to you and Rose for the birthday gift card!!<br /><br />I just checked the Rav and apparently I finished kind of a lot... clearly I have no life. And Neal will be gone most of January, so my lack of social engagements will continue and maybe I can even finish a sweater or something. The offical list of 2008 projects is:<br /><br />3 hats (<a href="http://www.knitteroo.blogspot.com/">Jenny Cloche</a>, <a href="http://shop.interweave.com/store/Koolhaas-Hat-P211C0.aspx?AFID=12">Koolhaas</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/annamarie/shedir">Shedir</a>)<br />4 shawls (two <a href="http://knittingasfastasican.com/forest-canopy-shoulder-shawl/">Forest Canopy shawls</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/summer-lace-shawlette">Summer Lace Shawlette</a>, <a href="http://www.monnibo.com/knit/eyeletcapelet.html">Eyelet Capelet</a>)<br />3 pairs of socks (<a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter05/PATTthuja.html">Thuja</a>, <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTmonkey.html">Monkey</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/annamarie/basic-sock-recipe-3">plain Yarn Harlot recipe</a>)<br />2 scarves (<a href="http://www.kimhargreaves.co.uk/acatalog/HAVEN.html">Haven</a>, <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2006/10/12/one_row_handspun_scarf.html">Yarn Harlot One Row Scarf</a>)<br />1 baby sweater (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/childs-placket-neck-pullover">Child's Placket-Neck Pullover</a>)<br />1 pair of mittens (<a href="http://www.kelbournewoolens.com/giveahoot1.html">Give a Hoot</a>)<br /><br />And a few random dishcloths, but I don't really keep track of those. Phew!<br /><br />I am determined to finish a sweater this year. For reals. I will do it! Maybe I will even do two. My Mother also commissioned me to make her a scarf, so I'll have to get to that soon.<br /><br />Also, check out this totally Rav worthy pic from Philadelphia:<br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKvTndGP2BTyaNLlD0vN1qClCFYnxCVIWXNXyC5RagDllYrIa67qfBz2Zz0evdrkXvLKPvLgDXEf_pl0Gl_DYA6pZMfv9d77NiUoasCWsywDsO6YuSTyAW9JeP_MEvfi2WiscsePeA5E/s1600-h/DSCN6059.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKvTndGP2BTyaNLlD0vN1qClCFYnxCVIWXNXyC5RagDllYrIa67qfBz2Zz0evdrkXvLKPvLgDXEf_pl0Gl_DYA6pZMfv9d77NiUoasCWsywDsO6YuSTyAW9JeP_MEvfi2WiscsePeA5E/s320/DSCN6059.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286431557234318066" /></a><br /><br />Seriously. I could be a Knitty model. It was taken in <a href="http://www.forkrestaurant.com/">Fork</a> - they had Coca-Cola in BOTTLES, my friend. Tiny glass bottles. So obviously I had to have one. And I'm wearing my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/luxe-neck-warmer">luxe neckwarmer</a> from Knit2Together. I love the blue and green combo. <br /><br />In other news, I tried to spruce up the blog a bit so let me know what you think. I added a book list! I've been wanting one for awhile now. And I changed the background just for funsies. Feel free to edit as you see fit. I'm not really planning to take up any new hobbies but since we will be moving away from So Cal this summer I am working to get rid of AS MUCH STUFF as possible before then. It's a frightening proposition, I know. I will become a cleaning machine. Just as soon as I get out of these pajamas.Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890632654480667496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-37503032831877154002008-12-30T09:32:00.000-08:002008-12-30T10:35:54.654-08:00Happy New Year!Dear Anna,<br /><br />So, It's only been since August . . . averaging one blog post every five months . . . pretty much we rock at blogging!<br /><br />Actually, the lack of posts is my fault as it has been my turn but haven't had any photos to share since my crappy digital camera passed away earlier this Spring. But Dear Ronald got me a new shiny camera for <span>Christmas! Yay!<br /></span><br />Looking back on 2008, I realize it has been a good year for knitting. I completed:<br /><br />2 scarves (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chevron-scarf">Chevron</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dimple-shale-lace-scarf">Dimple Shale</a>), 2 wraps (<span>Clapotis</span> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/enes-scarf">Ene</a>), 3 pairs of socks (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jaywalker">Jaywalkers</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/artichoke-socks">Artichoke</a>, and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lichen-ribbed-sock">Lichen Ribbed</a>), and one hat (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MargaretAnn/koolhaas">Koolhas</a>).<br /><br />My favorite project of the year was hands down Ene, which I completed in November:<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8EQIy9K_X8tUSFmyGT8Go9xchWFIeG-vX2-KeHFyx66OoXq9EzQXf7zc_PXT-ArisNc23SHv35GKtD1cjFOtVoTKiVAXWyUxNAJqvjO6IT2bVVBwzJ6S6ugkSfo_4mqei5hLjQ5NOz8/s1600-h/100_0005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285639622149760546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8EQIy9K_X8tUSFmyGT8Go9xchWFIeG-vX2-KeHFyx66OoXq9EzQXf7zc_PXT-ArisNc23SHv35GKtD1cjFOtVoTKiVAXWyUxNAJqvjO6IT2bVVBwzJ6S6ugkSfo_4mqei5hLjQ5NOz8/s400/100_0005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p>By the way, the table cloth in the background is my favorite unnecessary splurge of the year (from Anthropologie). Ene was my first major lace project. I used Mmmmalabrigo lace weight held double throughout for a slightly thicker and springy-er fabric.</p><p>A view of Ene in action:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8Hv3KtS2zhWDMh7PhiTznG4SjbNlq-a5czmri4NqXd_LNHZygRqaO5_CNtbSTbX_CgiPambdd1TT0WZYrKAkjvGRY94kQ1P60I9ttYJzbSn7_dyhaDzwjdwd7r8h8HWiGI78Q7XuVU4/s1600-h/100_0015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285640924743980082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 259px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8Hv3KtS2zhWDMh7PhiTznG4SjbNlq-a5czmri4NqXd_LNHZygRqaO5_CNtbSTbX_CgiPambdd1TT0WZYrKAkjvGRY94kQ1P60I9ttYJzbSn7_dyhaDzwjdwd7r8h8HWiGI78Q7XuVU4/s400/100_0015.jpg" border="0" /></a>My knitting new year's resolution for 2009 is to try my hand at color work and finish a sweater (hopefully the one in progress now). </p><p>Since about Thanksgiving time I've been working diligently away on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/something-red">Something Red </a>by Wendy Bernard. Considering we moved the first week of December and I didn't pick up my needles for about 7 days, I think I've made quick progress. </p><p>As of this past weekend, I had begun the button band (the last step) but decided that I really would prefer a few more inches on the body of the sweater - so I ripped back the button band and commenced knitting a little longer.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fpSJ7Jefr1ApxmM64trWXBwJfaRlX8V_QO4jSc7uY1b1qBohVt1jSoOY9MhRrGK6FBBtj-tw6prLuDzD9cKOspMI-okAVKxQhAeZb-H5ePIag9hl9HHsklIkoflX04RYAiSkdsrYCqI/s1600-h/100_0062.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285643734883961874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fpSJ7Jefr1ApxmM64trWXBwJfaRlX8V_QO4jSc7uY1b1qBohVt1jSoOY9MhRrGK6FBBtj-tw6prLuDzD9cKOspMI-okAVKxQhAeZb-H5ePIag9hl9HHsklIkoflX04RYAiSkdsrYCqI/s400/100_0062.jpg" border="0" /></a> I'm using <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/elsebeth-lavold-angora">Elsebeth Lavold's Angora </a>(60% Angora, 20% Wool, 20% Polyamide - whatever that is!!) which is as soft as a bunny rabbit. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLQpqQqPoM49kLZUzxeJ5WukMuvShS1ulcQvPP6EGQVHip16aapu17vfjQ4iDyd2UXK3noO1vX4v95VnnuAuwwwBrWhoCYZFkwm_w5EMFm5WG9jDPTHky9kWrjnW7m4phqWnTTbF12-I/s1600-h/100_0061.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285645360678924306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLQpqQqPoM49kLZUzxeJ5WukMuvShS1ulcQvPP6EGQVHip16aapu17vfjQ4iDyd2UXK3noO1vX4v95VnnuAuwwwBrWhoCYZFkwm_w5EMFm5WG9jDPTHky9kWrjnW7m4phqWnTTbF12-I/s400/100_0061.jpg" border="0" /></a> The halo of fuzz on this sweater is incredibly decadant - I have no idea what sort of use this will get in San Diego (probably not much) but so far I'm in love with this yarn and the fit.<br /><br />In non knitting news, I'm planning on trying to garden a bit. The new place we moved into has a small, neglected bed perfect for a small kitchen garden with veggies and herbs.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvhoPaY7UVQUiOlLgVkGrOcVpC2atl6UdiIFEboGkvvBtSfOpW0qp5xVIiRPK-bqbYhr8p6YMoWntuw0v4eDA6HRKuNll0kwuBvnVs-6BOSEmNol9Hs7ZNFsu3BTfg2W4Usp0cQ0lTZE/s1600-h/100_0065.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285648168501984882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvhoPaY7UVQUiOlLgVkGrOcVpC2atl6UdiIFEboGkvvBtSfOpW0qp5xVIiRPK-bqbYhr8p6YMoWntuw0v4eDA6HRKuNll0kwuBvnVs-6BOSEmNol9Hs7ZNFsu3BTfg2W4Usp0cQ0lTZE/s400/100_0065.jpg" border="0" /></a> Right now, there appears to be lavendar (the big bush on the right), aloe (in the back, left), and a lot of mint and various weeds running amuck. I don't know jack about gardening but this weekend I plan to get out there to dig up the weeds, buy some soil and fertilizer, and plant new shiny plants and seeds. Hopefully it works - I'm pretty terrible about killing house plants but I'm really trying to keep my new ones alive, including this:</p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6qSLYxlXlqAPxx8TjL_L2Zd0HquttvoznILoAL4vyPLg0YaysDKah50hyo2TesR-7kNRI33iSZIn_NgHY8jQX9_NMNIpWaN0vRTqCp0Zrm1_CU9Bw1myq1FPv6iLNGjlNkU_rJgXXxE/s1600-h/100_0058.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285649035655536482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6qSLYxlXlqAPxx8TjL_L2Zd0HquttvoznILoAL4vyPLg0YaysDKah50hyo2TesR-7kNRI33iSZIn_NgHY8jQX9_NMNIpWaN0vRTqCp0Zrm1_CU9Bw1myq1FPv6iLNGjlNkU_rJgXXxE/s400/100_0058.jpg" border="0" /></a> I'm <a href="http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8531.html">forcing a daffodil bulb</a>. Supposedly, it will bloom in 3 - 4 weeks. <br /></p>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13681262945085426085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-9469367232876400792008-08-29T18:11:00.000-07:002008-08-30T09:49:08.472-07:00Introducing Knitpix!Dear Margaret,<br /><br />The Professor has decided that we should start a business photographing knitwear - he has determined it shall be called KnitPix, which I hereby copyright (I expect to hear from the KnitPicks people any minute now). BEHOLD, the wonders of a brand new Nikon D40 with accessorizing lens filter! Ooh and ahh! Prepare to be amazed!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMus3QtK4N1xwTap75OdabtujK1gLKBbti-79HBEUbGJgB1GN8Z91R8jGEAtwwV8UEQl-2oZ3hxlhkU7k_loBu-mWKY1QadxloV_i-jH-CnhLe-sSF9OrUYdg7ei0OxdaRPIUm7xWdqzM/s1600-h/DSC_0002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMus3QtK4N1xwTap75OdabtujK1gLKBbti-79HBEUbGJgB1GN8Z91R8jGEAtwwV8UEQl-2oZ3hxlhkU7k_loBu-mWKY1QadxloV_i-jH-CnhLe-sSF9OrUYdg7ei0OxdaRPIUm7xWdqzM/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240126854335412450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Or not. Whatever. As you can see, the back of my Sunshine Cardi is almost complete. Phew! It has taken awhile, and I still have the front panels, arms, blocking and finishing to do. A knitter's job is never done, as they say. Or as I say. I love how soft the yarn is and the seed stitch (or is it moss stitch? I always get them confused) looks fabulous, but the cotton/silk combo makes it quite sheddy, which I find endlessly annoying.<br /><br /><br />Oh, and the wedding was lovely and most everything went smoothly (except for a slight ringbearer meltdown, but 2 year olds are not known for handling these things particularly well). We didn't take shawl pics until the post-wedding brunch, but you get the idea. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4ijIZfqYrmJ_CTyWnkFF9Fz4Kmldhn2qyGUEVCAWaRnNamCbAyn6_8E2fGf19boUcvT_L72Dk5FKJOw3Es-xM-DAAAfG6dG03yCg7xsS7K17dmoINjDLjquaPhyphenhyphenIPxpHYEO7btPsZJA/s1600-h/shawls"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4ijIZfqYrmJ_CTyWnkFF9Fz4Kmldhn2qyGUEVCAWaRnNamCbAyn6_8E2fGf19boUcvT_L72Dk5FKJOw3Es-xM-DAAAfG6dG03yCg7xsS7K17dmoINjDLjquaPhyphenhyphenIPxpHYEO7btPsZJA/s320/shawls" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240127521456208610" /></a><br /><br />The idea that basically we are hot. Hott, even. Geez, I totally need to work on my posture. I'm the slouch queen. <br /><br />Oh, and here's something to keep you occupied while I'm in Ireland for two weeks. My friend <a href="http://www.therealjcrew.blogspot.com">Jenn</a> had it on her blog and I love the random mingling of Flickr photos:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5_PqUOwYfovNo8Fp6ifvHtypL3xPhhR1I4jEyCEjUeTju1HB8GMB4oNIXcqsbDdvCZwagijjhqHYdr3-77duDvCFNvT0UYzKGZigpeE9LaJ4weUN1LmgTdltGZOuQnVim-UjdSdfDPI/s1600-h/mosaic"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5_PqUOwYfovNo8Fp6ifvHtypL3xPhhR1I4jEyCEjUeTju1HB8GMB4oNIXcqsbDdvCZwagijjhqHYdr3-77duDvCFNvT0UYzKGZigpeE9LaJ4weUN1LmgTdltGZOuQnVim-UjdSdfDPI/s400/mosaic" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240134664485910242" /></a><br /><br />Concept:<br />1. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.<br />2. Using only the first page, pick an image.<br />3. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.http://www.flickr.com/search/http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/mosaic.php (choose four columns and three rows, also choose individual URL's)<br /><br /><br />1. What is your first name? <span style="font-weight:bold;">Anna</span><br />2. What is your favorite food? <span style="font-weight:bold;">Thai</span><br />3. What school did you go to? <span style="font-weight:bold;">WWU</span> (Western Washington University)<br />4. What is your favorite color? <span style="font-weight:bold;">Green</span><br />5. Who is your celebrity crush? <span style="font-weight:bold;">Elijah Wood</span> - shut up, he's not gay!<br />6. Favorite drink? <span style="font-weight:bold;">Coffee</span><br />7. Dream vacation? <span style="font-weight:bold;">Africa</span><br />8. Favorite dessert? <span style="font-weight:bold;">Chocolate Chip Cookies</span><br />9. What you want to be when you grow up? <span style="font-weight:bold;">Happy</span><br />10. What do you love most in life? <span style="font-weight:bold;">Domesticity</span><br />11. One word to describe you. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Knitter</span><br />12. Your nickname. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Stitch</span> (thanks Ben)<br /><br />Cool, right?! Give it a whirl.Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890632654480667496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-73069956455603012932008-07-30T20:42:00.001-07:002008-12-08T19:14:10.053-08:00No knitting content<div align="left">Dear Anna,<br /><br />This post is long over due. I wish I had a really exciting FO to show off but alas. Not only have I not had a FO in over a month but I still haven't gotten around to purchasing a new camera. What there has been lately is lots of change, especially at work. I've been putting in long hours . . . it's been good but definitely challenging. I have so much to learn and I'm trying scare myself that this is the slow part of the year! School starts in less than a month and work will really pick up.<br /><br />I'm making slow but good progress on my Ene scarf - I'm finally on chart 3 - and I've got 49% of my artichoke socks complete. So there IS some knitting going on. . . lately it's just been on the weekends, if that.<br /><br />Over the weekend I got my hair cut much shorter - I brought these photos to my stylist for inspiration:<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DbHFFRQ8MCOs7N01WdqZTI1oP63fJ1-E12rXRNfGOOBRP-MooOdyzw7YnSxqET5-A2BZibCiF34l7hqameu4NvJ2W50A-PU0ze4IheeaDCQIAvZg_bHq9I4SjQdQrTjYVVnPIiWJzq4/s1600-h/hair+kimberly.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230452327863450754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DbHFFRQ8MCOs7N01WdqZTI1oP63fJ1-E12rXRNfGOOBRP-MooOdyzw7YnSxqET5-A2BZibCiF34l7hqameu4NvJ2W50A-PU0ze4IheeaDCQIAvZg_bHq9I4SjQdQrTjYVVnPIiWJzq4/s400/hair+kimberly.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimcQbETtN7s5MgGahDTTvF8Av4UCns5vmu2BNm9ANKQ6rr0BMdjpQe2QcL8FRi88f1Gs4124A2JcQ11dRLb9PxEjpEM30p4hn-OFIhBtLXUY9FMbO_wS52Ei1FQx5aIdQLjgqwcFdLMI/s1600-h/katie+hair.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230453922791113202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimcQbETtN7s5MgGahDTTvF8Av4UCns5vmu2BNm9ANKQ6rr0BMdjpQe2QcL8FRi88f1Gs4124A2JcQ11dRLb9PxEjpEM30p4hn-OFIhBtLXUY9FMbO_wS52Ei1FQx5aIdQLjgqwcFdLMI/s400/katie+hair.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />That's Kimberly from Hollywood Season of "The Real World" and Katie Cruz-Holmes. The result was really cute - cuter than I expected. And even though it's short I really don't miss the long hair at all. I can't even remember what that looked like on me. Again, if I HAD a camera I'd post a photo but unfortunately that will have to wait. I also went to the eye dr last week and they determined that I'm in need of glasses - so I picked out frames and am waiting for them to come in this week.<br /><br />I'm hoping that the hair cut and glasses will give me a slightly more sophisticated look. I realized that I need to take my "look" up a notch when I had my first meeting with a reporter and he thought that I was a student and not the person he was there to talk to about a newly installed statue on campus.<br /><br />My new favorite thing:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRViH9svvMdoY6TYZeLR4fPCavnSUn4_Kv03Nd2cmAWkzxbVnd6zY9UCnpUOFviwugoLgTzBkpWXszMBtRQ7kRpXkBlaigu9ZaYcty4VGsQ8RXE48nejnahBExRiOSv-vlydwMyJFqcM/s1600-h/seacret.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230456286738393906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRViH9svvMdoY6TYZeLR4fPCavnSUn4_Kv03Nd2cmAWkzxbVnd6zY9UCnpUOFviwugoLgTzBkpWXszMBtRQ7kRpXkBlaigu9ZaYcty4VGsQ8RXE48nejnahBExRiOSv-vlydwMyJFqcM/s400/seacret.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a><br />The "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seacret-Ocean-Dead-Manicure-Collection/dp/B000J677GK/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4?ie=UTF8&s=beauty&qid=1217810136&sr=8-4">Seacret Dead Sea Nail and Manicure Set</a>"</p><p align="left">The buffer is the best part of the whole kit and you can buy that separately for $4. But the cuticle oil was the main reason I bought it - my cuticles are mangled and I have a bad habit of cutting them or biting them. After one use my nails look like I came out of a professional manicure. I'm totally sold. </p><p align="left">Anywho, back in a few weeks with some actually knitting content.</p><p align="left"></p><p align="left"></p>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13681262945085426085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-13477403402178837572008-07-11T20:15:00.001-07:002008-12-08T19:14:10.434-08:00How's It, Brudda?Dear Margaret,<br /><br />I am currently rolling my eyes at you and your beloved - The Bachelor? Really?? You guys must be the people who keep that show on the air. Although we watch <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_the_Bounty_Hunter">Dog the Bounty Hunter</a> so I guess we're just as bad. But Dog is out there to HELP people, Margaret. He's cleaning up the mean streets of Waikiki so people can get their surf on in peace. He's not, like, hanging out with blonde chicks in a hot tub for cash. Unless he is... because it IS paradise, after all.<br /><br />Anyhoo you are so right - our public (all three of them) is longing to see Stitch N Pitch photos! (I also mourn the loss of your camera. a digital camera is a necessity for the high quality knitter. Maybe you could find one on Craigslist or something?)<br /><br />So here are the three of us in our matching hats looking super cute:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeirbrUCpAkJVkD44Gp5J36nqdtVG8twm6gx-ghgjnkXSJ1h-pNdHrqlye75IvyZH6AOcCebM2fXL1N43YY-vfPfI0baKzrB3APBs2MdSRGFnLq1N17U8DhSROUs7Qm6O2X3TlNdks2Y/s1600-h/DSCN5832.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221962193365056882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeirbrUCpAkJVkD44Gp5J36nqdtVG8twm6gx-ghgjnkXSJ1h-pNdHrqlye75IvyZH6AOcCebM2fXL1N43YY-vfPfI0baKzrB3APBs2MdSRGFnLq1N17U8DhSROUs7Qm6O2X3TlNdks2Y/s320/DSCN5832.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And some random knitters:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NuuLwWpoWltFOAq5WVEuUeQP1PZrbLLY7QO0QA5Ok13eRmt04Zq9wuV29O7-pgaUjLLkOcosR5iCyTxPeip64soon0vMprseL0BOQzJU7Ci0Wuw70veA-MVbrvKwaglhxSfj10KTNhU/s1600-h/DSCN5846.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221963703194873202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NuuLwWpoWltFOAq5WVEuUeQP1PZrbLLY7QO0QA5Ok13eRmt04Zq9wuV29O7-pgaUjLLkOcosR5iCyTxPeip64soon0vMprseL0BOQzJU7Ci0Wuw70veA-MVbrvKwaglhxSfj10KTNhU/s320/DSCN5846.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I must say that the event was a little less organized than I would have thought, so that was a little disappointing. And everyone was over the age of 45, which is fine, but doesn't really represent the Ravelry crowd, you know? I am shocked - SHOCKED - that we didn't see one measly piece of Rav wear. Very strange indeed. And seriously, what is up with the drama about those tote bags? I mean, they're fine (a little Mom-ish for my taste but whatevs) but you'd think they were signed by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Zimmerman">Elizabeth Zimmerman</a> herself the way people are carrying on. Sheesh.<br /><br />But everyone seemed to have a fabulous time in spite of the fact that the Padres suck big time and lost by approximately 27 points. I did enjoy the ice cream-in-a-helmet... although we got the chocolate/vanilla swirl and it was WAY more chocolate than vanilla. Blech. Which leads right into the next part of my post, which is my "Six Random Things About Me":<br /><br />1) I like chocolate in general and love brownies but hate chocolate cake and chocolate ice cream.<br /><br />2) I wake up a full hour before I have to (5:30am) just to have an hour to sit and knit and drink my coffee and watch something on the DVR. I hate rushing around in the mornings - I need to ease myself into the day.. especially a work day.<br /><br />3) I like the labels on all my bottles in the shower/medicine cabinet/etc. to face OUT. it just bothers me if they don't. However for the Professor's stuff I don't care.<br /><br />4) I love eating horseradish on saltine crackers as a snack.<br /><br />5) The Professor and I don't have pets and we don't intend on ever having any. I just don't see the point of them (although I totally understand/appreciate/respect pet people and their devotion to their animals. some of them ARE pretty cute).<br /><br />6) I am one of the most un-athletic people ever - I am healthy and workout, but when it comes to organized sports I am terrible.<br /><br />So yeah. It took me like 3 hours to come up with that... mostly I am very boring.<br /><br />Now to totally change the direction of this post (yes AGAIN), check out the pic I took at the beach on the 4th:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7h8LDPIrXk-_RRXqIWMNmpAVW7tzg6LofNtnOvtZwduwiehbc6YkQzosTt9ocinCEfwqPie23n1XXlbt90EChtnRW6BRad57hGD_xx0y-_xnBCsRJPc5tuHgJqyKw8Ko-Ufa9PY07Ra4/s1600-h/DSCN5861.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221965125822646242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7h8LDPIrXk-_RRXqIWMNmpAVW7tzg6LofNtnOvtZwduwiehbc6YkQzosTt9ocinCEfwqPie23n1XXlbt90EChtnRW6BRad57hGD_xx0y-_xnBCsRJPc5tuHgJqyKw8Ko-Ufa9PY07Ra4/s320/DSCN5861.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I mean, doesn't that look AWESOME?! She looks badass in a casual way. I don't know why but I LOVE THIS PHOTO.Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890632654480667496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-35655041337702357402008-07-07T11:03:00.000-07:002008-12-08T19:14:11.044-08:00RIP 2003 Canon PowerShotDear Anna,<br /><br />I know you will be saddened by the news. It is time to officially say good bye to my dear Canon PowerShot. You were a good camera and lasted longer than expected. We had good times together.<br /><br />It's finally time for me to invest in a new camera - probably a point and shoot with a few upgrades from my last camera. This will be something to purchase before going to San Luis Obesbo this September (and Hawaii this winter). In the meantime, knitting photos will be lacking . . . which is a shame because I have some good stuff on the needles!<br /><br />I've actually been suffering from projectitis: the need to cast on for a new project on at least a weekly basis. At the moment I have <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/enes-scarf">Ene</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lace-ribbon-scarf">Lace Ribbon Scarf</a>, Jitterbug Socks, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/artichoke-socks">Artichoke Socks</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/koolhaas">Khoolhaas</a>, and My first Toe-up socks (might be frogged due to size/color pooling issues) . . .oh and I just remembered I also have <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/foliage">Foliage</a> on the needles too. Despite all this, I am contemplating using the Cascade 220 from my to-be-frogged Wicked to cast on for the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hemlock-ring-blanket">Hemlock Ring Blanket </a>. . . and I'm sort of in the mood for knitting a sweater too! Ack!!<br /><br />In lieu of awesome and amazing photo updates of my projects, the recent Stitch N Pitch outting, or 4th of July fun (I'll leave that to Anna to post if she's up to it) here's a run down of other things I've been in to/doing a la <a href="http://www.notmartha.org/">Not Martha</a>:<br /><br />Loving:<br /><br />Tomato & Cucumber Salad Chilled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcLIGh8tiPqQhVLfltG9GEM4WzHIvdLmS_3FqICqq5agu5GrTJUJS2c8y3drntIqp2T10frAtn1qMvy4hoMa4wf4kCKwx1Cj5dZmUCiYLbPAkXOWHV4VwvTAABX0yxIj3W1L-AACPync/s1600-h/tm1a04_tomato_salad_e.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220342331068909602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcLIGh8tiPqQhVLfltG9GEM4WzHIvdLmS_3FqICqq5agu5GrTJUJS2c8y3drntIqp2T10frAtn1qMvy4hoMa4wf4kCKwx1Cj5dZmUCiYLbPAkXOWHV4VwvTAABX0yxIj3W1L-AACPync/s400/tm1a04_tomato_salad_e.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />(Cucumbers, red onions, and tomatoes - simply sliced, salted, and drenched in apple cider vinger - crumbled feta cheese optional)<br /><br />Using:<br /><br /><p>CVS brand Mint Julep Masque . . . at $3.99 it's a bargain!</p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihe9zHbZgh_VEu76h2E6oQbzUNygbQTE4BPTh8CEIuMzaR3DHBzAyWuUNRiYs2TuDv41_qGPIlDbZvw0h2ZWt8vRvooDlNL5qVg2wzcEiVBG-PMF9HYORp3TwA_HBcERrr1GLgBDRCzAU/s1600-h/604397.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220343266149221666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihe9zHbZgh_VEu76h2E6oQbzUNygbQTE4BPTh8CEIuMzaR3DHBzAyWuUNRiYs2TuDv41_qGPIlDbZvw0h2ZWt8vRvooDlNL5qVg2wzcEiVBG-PMF9HYORp3TwA_HBcERrr1GLgBDRCzAU/s400/604397.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Looking Forward To:<br /><br />The finale of the Bachlorette -- tonight (no rolling of the eyes, yes I DO know how rediculous this show is) !! I'm rooting for Jason even if he does seem a little over zealous.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eI4gSMvQ0UwEY-oEEUALyEBIaq6CGIYlk1WprROrE5H0JgX6Iwx3ZfSLHYCn1ewszkZjWpRPCq3QABeENmv7Na3IZvAhPrUYE3bs6HrATpzABDYYKrmrWrrdL4Oyg_mXEkVVB26IUwI/s1600-h/bacgg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220344639069530274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eI4gSMvQ0UwEY-oEEUALyEBIaq6CGIYlk1WprROrE5H0JgX6Iwx3ZfSLHYCn1ewszkZjWpRPCq3QABeENmv7Na3IZvAhPrUYE3bs6HrATpzABDYYKrmrWrrdL4Oyg_mXEkVVB26IUwI/s400/bacgg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Buying:<br /><br />The Ped Egg - it was at CVS for $9.99!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97cjlaWbF7pLJFCZbDmhPTgVCYCurlU0oYIWxIeSKU8H6ZyGMQiMZMPz4VBoWL71fSW6gpQvT2SumJEexzmSLVX-3UCbV8piIkhlLeXSYIThcYtOwO9UvPqAw3slsQHkOu5poQtklF5k/s1600-h/p32996b.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220345289187877858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97cjlaWbF7pLJFCZbDmhPTgVCYCurlU0oYIWxIeSKU8H6ZyGMQiMZMPz4VBoWL71fSW6gpQvT2SumJEexzmSLVX-3UCbV8piIkhlLeXSYIThcYtOwO9UvPqAw3slsQHkOu5poQtklF5k/s400/p32996b.jpg" border="0" /></a>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13681262945085426085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-61508175100486878762008-06-12T19:57:00.000-07:002008-12-08T19:14:11.504-08:00Feelin' Hot Hot HotDear M,<br /><br />So it's 95 degrees outside and I'm knitting stocking hats. Typical.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUR2n6iEQsX9aNLJcKC79B0GruBWtjjmzN6sqCF1m9FgcQUqAxTqCWBJjY5z5HshKXv4PUPZ0fCbI4-Vi4nGlcJLSfIcYU6chxQscKCIOJXT8llcUrQlOMz2Joss4eguQ6dEyamPZ0tCU/s1600-h/DSCN5782.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211202204324776322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUR2n6iEQsX9aNLJcKC79B0GruBWtjjmzN6sqCF1m9FgcQUqAxTqCWBJjY5z5HshKXv4PUPZ0fCbI4-Vi4nGlcJLSfIcYU6chxQscKCIOJXT8llcUrQlOMz2Joss4eguQ6dEyamPZ0tCU/s400/DSCN5782.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I finished my Shedir chemo cap and it turned out fabulously. It contains as many good vibes as I could fit in. Hopefully it fits the recipient, but it fit me pretty well and I have a large head (runs in the family, try not to be too jealous) so it should be okay. It was my first time using a Cascade other than 220 - Cascade Cash Vero. It's sooo soft and lovely, I will definitely be using it again. As per usual, I knit more loosely than gauge so I only did three repeats rather than the five or so the pattern calls for.<br /><br />My MiL was in town this past week and she is dilligently working her way through a few West Virginia washcloths. We went to the Angels game on Saturday so we got in lots of knitting time!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCCno4BF0veI30nfr8M9R0uVRTOLxLOFuKrqTmxe77PxJVv9_IfI2aecTB1XU9Cwxc7O7dqyxg9OqhajRt82z3EpAOoQvT7Zs2Qn0MlhOAXog_Q_ynHrhHQwK2hERW5CN5YFGmahpxB4/s1600-h/139828597306_0_ALB.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214199260449553666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCCno4BF0veI30nfr8M9R0uVRTOLxLOFuKrqTmxe77PxJVv9_IfI2aecTB1XU9Cwxc7O7dqyxg9OqhajRt82z3EpAOoQvT7Zs2Qn0MlhOAXog_Q_ynHrhHQwK2hERW5CN5YFGmahpxB4/s400/139828597306_0_ALB.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />How cute is that picture?! It warms my heart. We took her to <a href="http://www.huntington.org/">Huntington Gardens </a>as a late Mother's Day gift. I LOVE that place. If we had the money and lived closer I would definitely get the yearly membership and just wander around whenever I felt like. As it is I need to go back just to look at the artwork in the mansion. There's so much that I don't think we even made it through half the house. However we were very intellectual discussing the art. And stuff.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaY5GqRA4sRN6VbhJX0M7VnPjN4g1R6Nz7FbwxSeOVYNBHtbaLl31ywS6BBClLoSx8phkGnDLNHYDQvQo0c4JPjpTiGKbivhchBV-wMUeKw5g6GXvzLCRpyEuwOiC8EP6DbRAMu82g4s8/s1600-h/DSCN5817.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214199735848437346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaY5GqRA4sRN6VbhJX0M7VnPjN4g1R6Nz7FbwxSeOVYNBHtbaLl31ywS6BBClLoSx8phkGnDLNHYDQvQo0c4JPjpTiGKbivhchBV-wMUeKw5g6GXvzLCRpyEuwOiC8EP6DbRAMu82g4s8/s400/DSCN5817.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Oh, and I'm totally buying some of this <a href="http://www.knitty-noddy.com/index.php?option=com_phpshop&page=shop.yarn_flypage&product_id=2714&category_id=8ce994f047220b8984516f5938126429">Handmaiden Fine Yarn Casbah</a> sock yarn to make <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/francie-2">Francie</a>. Rose has some and it is sooooo wonderful. Of course, seeing as how she has tiny little girly feet and we have manly clodhoppers, there might not be enough yarn to make a pair. A skein is 350 yards, is that enough? It doesn't seem like all that much. Maybe we should buy three skeins together so we can split the cost of the second skein.<br /><br />Anyhoodle, I really need to be more disciplined about my blogging. How do you feel? I figure if I include a little more life stuff as well as the knitting stuff I'll post more. Maybe. I don't want it to become a burden though, you know? Hm. It's gearing up to be a stinking HOT Summer so maybe I can use some of my valuable weekend time in the airconditioning blogging. Good idea, right?<br /><br />PS: I forgot to do the six things thingy thing - I will do it next time though!Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890632654480667496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-81581174419503049472008-05-30T19:16:00.000-07:002008-12-08T19:14:11.727-08:00Finally! A knitting post from MargaretSo, it's been awhile since I last blogged about actual knitting . . . but I finally have some items to talk about!<br /><br />Please excuse the poor quality of the photos - my camera is crapping out.<br /><br />I FINALLY finished the Dimple Shale Lace Scarf (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dimple-shale-lace-scarf">Ravelry Link</a>). I started this back in November with Bristol Yarn Gallery Buckingham yarn so it seems I'm averaging about 7 months to complete a scarf . . . awesome. This yarn is absolutely amazing - and I loved every moment of knitting with it.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEfmSt7OPySfykilvoA2NsKVNJ6QSCB8BewYkANCQO6L5LPlElIFv_PIyIMjAk3Ch5Q5gjQ2oHtxE7Tx5g2oz_Jf7YeLfVgVyfsal2X5RVt9Bzhg9q4lOgy66MBYC7BusRDYQkA3yk9w/s1600-h/toe+up+sock+012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206362702693394226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEfmSt7OPySfykilvoA2NsKVNJ6QSCB8BewYkANCQO6L5LPlElIFv_PIyIMjAk3Ch5Q5gjQ2oHtxE7Tx5g2oz_Jf7YeLfVgVyfsal2X5RVt9Bzhg9q4lOgy66MBYC7BusRDYQkA3yk9w/s400/toe+up+sock+012.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p align="left">I knit weekly with <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/yarnnut">Gail</a> who inspired me to finally try knitting toe-up socks. For some reason the cast on always made me nervous but I finally sat down with some double pointed needles and a skein of Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock Yarn Multi and gave it a go. I actually got it on my first try! I used Wendy's Generic Toe-Up Sock Pattern with a Figure Eight Cast On. I used <a href="http://www.helloyarn.com/wp/?p=390">Hello Yarn's tutorial</a> as well as <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/FEATtiptoptoes.html">Knitty's tutorial</a>.</p><br /><p><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6t-rInLPntqRwluRTkhSYueDFO2r-wvwHdAGZGI2BasWYeP5ZXq819BXgH5GkEERoqNrKav8jpTpBFtBcfm8oERJrlmbpzaFK4o0w5Rw9r13kW3QDhsapgVkUCEjiLgcROyO7s_xLyQ/s1600-h/toe+up+sock+052.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206365073515341634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6t-rInLPntqRwluRTkhSYueDFO2r-wvwHdAGZGI2BasWYeP5ZXq819BXgH5GkEERoqNrKav8jpTpBFtBcfm8oERJrlmbpzaFK4o0w5Rw9r13kW3QDhsapgVkUCEjiLgcROyO7s_xLyQ/s400/toe+up+sock+052.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p align="center">Ugh, crappy photo does not do my sock justice!!</p><br /><p align="left">And finally I'm working on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/knitty-spring-2008">Lace Ribbon Scarf </a>from the Spring 08 Knitty. I've been having a little bit of trouble with the pattern - I have to really pay attention or I get thrown off and end up with too many stitches or not enough stitches at the end of a row. This is definitely not the project to work on while watch Lost.</p><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7yEti1LDFVaW4D6hDAqrMW_HmXiYxeQigmUSna5VAo83H7jB1OaqZubDNzw0Hon2xQs1GAln2ZGaEyHXDxagwRSvcGzw0BlcbwnCbh8CGBjxbAmKI2iHslBlsddJ_Mj5fqrlbplAUsA/s1600-h/toe+up+sock+059.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206367444337289042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7yEti1LDFVaW4D6hDAqrMW_HmXiYxeQigmUSna5VAo83H7jB1OaqZubDNzw0Hon2xQs1GAln2ZGaEyHXDxagwRSvcGzw0BlcbwnCbh8CGBjxbAmKI2iHslBlsddJ_Mj5fqrlbplAUsA/s400/toe+up+sock+059.JPG" border="0" /></a> <p></p><p>Awhile ago, <a href="http://gailknits.wordpress.com/">Gail</a> tagged me for a survey and I'm finally getting around to doing it. Eeep! Thanks G!<br /><br />Here are the rules for this meme:<br /><br />1) Link to the person who tagged you.<br />2) Post the rules.<br />3) Share six non-important things / habits / quirks about yourself.<br />4) Tag at least three people.<br />5) Be sure the people you tagged KNOW you tagged them by commenting what you did.<br /><br />So… Here goes.<br /><br />-I played the Clarinet in grades 6-9. I was in band for one year in high school until I decided that I'd rather do sports (X-country & Track).<br />-I love cream cheese and black olives on whole wheat English muffins.<br />-I talk to my cat like she can understand me. I also give her lots of nicknames like: Bear, Lu Lu, Fluffy Bunny Feat, and Feather Pants<br />-I drink a Tall, Non-Fat, triple shot Latte almost every morning. I have a 40 minute commute to work so it helps me perk up for the drive.<br />-Ever since I moved in with Ron (aka Mr. Clean) I make the bed EVERY morning. I never used to do that but it's really nice to come home to a made bed every evening. It makes a big difference in the overall look of the bedroom.<br />-I am BEYOND excited about the remake of Beverly Hills 90210. I really hope it's not lame. It probably will be but I can hope.<br /><br />So, I tag:<br /><br />My co-blogger Anna<br /><a href="http://spinsterbat.wordpress.com/">Rose</a><br />and anyone else that feels like doing this!<br /><br /><br /><br /></p>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13681262945085426085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-47339648812412895232008-05-11T19:21:00.000-07:002008-12-08T19:14:11.943-08:00Heavenly HavenDear Margaret,<br /><br />I am saddened to hear of your recent unfortunate knitting woes. You've sufficiently scared me out of starting a sweater anytime soon. Fortunately for me, in that respect, I have miles and miles of lace shawl that needs to be finished by August in order to be ready for my sister-in-law's wedding. The bride's shawl is complete but the bridesmaids? Well, I feel like I've been knitting the <a href="http://knittingasfastasican.com/forest-canopy-shoulder-shawl/">Forest Canopy Shawl </a>for years. I can do the pattern in my sleep (well actually, I don't even trust myself to work on it early in the morning or late at night because it is SO EASY to screw up lace). But you know what I mean. <br /><br />I enjoy making them and I'm happy to do it... but laceweight is just so LACEY. Oy. It's like knitting with dental floss. Thankfully the Malabrigo is heaven once it's knitted up (duh. when is Malabrigo NOT heaven? I'm considering naming my first born Malabrigo in tribute) but still. I have a side project to keep me sane, which are those Thuja socks from knitty, but once those are done I think I'll get started on the Koolhaases. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_27JulwtIEbLZ_qBBN9Le1hhSQrY45RjfItkuav6YPwxpYL2wgBMMVHUsb03PnV3T6SS0qeGjd9RY2pb-TSkonmvs_boHik_a_10XDE-5rsjQ6LfEYJUxFnVYLYfEE8KWwYYTMIQMW-c/s1600-h/DSCN5470.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_27JulwtIEbLZ_qBBN9Le1hhSQrY45RjfItkuav6YPwxpYL2wgBMMVHUsb03PnV3T6SS0qeGjd9RY2pb-TSkonmvs_boHik_a_10XDE-5rsjQ6LfEYJUxFnVYLYfEE8KWwYYTMIQMW-c/s400/DSCN5470.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199315337238370450" /></a><br /><br />Know what else is heavenly? Rowan. Why did no one tell me?! When Rose gave me <a href="http://www.kimhargreaves.co.uk/acatalog/HEARTFELT_The_Dark_House_Collection.html">Heartfelt </a>for Birthmas last year I was stoked, since it's such a pain in the booty to order the thing and have it sent over from the UK, but WHOA I love it! The yarn is superb, the models in the book are fantastically over the top and the patterns are lovely. I can’t wait to make more Rowan patterns! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iiVs3ArQwiIv2szNwxOrkh2sXKTpe0f-AMi0KTB3g1l-ywLo-r_q-JBcAcRy9yZfFM02Q7hkIOf6LtjJzwjHwnV8zusbwnwXER2pHv6WUL86KONgKNka7TVrWuwi54Xpioql-AVdXOE/s1600-h/DSCN5469.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iiVs3ArQwiIv2szNwxOrkh2sXKTpe0f-AMi0KTB3g1l-ywLo-r_q-JBcAcRy9yZfFM02Q7hkIOf6LtjJzwjHwnV8zusbwnwXER2pHv6WUL86KONgKNka7TVrWuwi54Xpioql-AVdXOE/s400/DSCN5469.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199315517626996898" /></a><br /><br />Don't I look all introspective and Rowan-esque? No? Do I just look really mad at the photographer? He wasn't supposed to take a picture of my FACE! But hey, so what if all my pics aren't super happy? I can be pensive sometimes, can't I?! Sheesh. I only did 26 repeats instead of the 27 called for, but it blocked out super LONG (please see above photographic evidence) I think I’ll be alright. I have almost an entire skein left over so I’ll probably make a matching hat or some such.<br /><br />I hope you're enjoying your camping weekend (you do realize Rose is living it up on a <a href="http://mycruiseplanner.net/seasocks/">cruise ship</a> right now, headed for our northernmost state, and schmoozing with Brenda Dayne and Amy Singer, right)? Not to make you all depressed or anything. Tent camping with beer is almost the same. Except I doubt anyone is teaching sock classes... but if they ARE give me a call because I am so there.Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890632654480667496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-10470137471988043312008-05-06T09:45:00.000-07:002008-12-08T19:14:12.046-08:00No knitting but NKOTB!<div>For some reason I've been on a bit of a knitting hiatus. I think Wicked sucked the knitting mojo out of me. All that stockinette and for what!? My knitting heart will go on but sometimes a little break is good.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>As a result I don't have much of a knitting update. I'm working on my Dimple Lace scarf and hope to be done with it by the weekend after next. It's an extremely late Christmas Gift for my step-mom. I'll also be giving my dad his Christmas scarf as well . . . I've gotten a lot of use out of it over the winter so I'll be sad to see it go. We're going to see the <a href="http://www.sdnhm.org/pompeii/">Pompeii</a> exhibit at the San Diego Natural History Museum in Balboa Park.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This weekend, Ronaldo and I are going camping for 5 days/4 nights so I'm sure some knitting will get done then. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The highlight of my day was listening to a radio interview with none other than Donnie Wahlberg of New Kids on the Block!! They also played their new single "Summertime" which is pretty darn horrible but hey, it's the New Kids! It's a walk down memory lane to when I wore my Jordan Knight pin on my jean jacket every day . . . coveted my best friends NKOTB sleeping bag because my parents wouldn't buy me one . . . and watched the cartoon every Saturday morning.</div><br /><div>They've released tour dates for the East Coast but not the West . . . YET. You better believe I'll be there . . . whose with me!?</div><br /><div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywNjwevkWI_nhqbMO1ZJsNUSBJII_NDclNMxVfNwq64b2usAKJVQb4AGTkDk3PHO5WRRZzGljs0oKWAFbKQ2lfh9SVgIpXd08QtjowcVMJJuOB2DjNX2mJ4kcPPsYyjB5OkiNx0iZWXU/s1600-h/NKOTB18.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197310665358490002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywNjwevkWI_nhqbMO1ZJsNUSBJII_NDclNMxVfNwq64b2usAKJVQb4AGTkDk3PHO5WRRZzGljs0oKWAFbKQ2lfh9SVgIpXd08QtjowcVMJJuOB2DjNX2mJ4kcPPsYyjB5OkiNx0iZWXU/s400/NKOTB18.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And now back to your regularly scheduled knitting content . . . <br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13681262945085426085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-25035741788736434282008-04-23T09:40:00.000-07:002008-12-08T19:14:13.155-08:00SFGYW@TB!Dear M,<br /><br />So last weekend was our Super Fun Girls Yarn Weekend At The Beach! Rose showed off her finished <a href="http://spinsterbat.wordpress.com/2008/04/16/done-and-del-mar/">Central Park Hoodie</a>, three hooligans chased us out of the hot tub at the Doubletree, you gave directions to the restaurant whilst inebriated, we ate cupcakes. Basically, a good time was had by all.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhHSnrNRNCiTsjTCopG9Q85Q3ueF4wqzBPuE3O-i4bMddym09CrPz1Wpg34LPXd81KyX0kuJdrTEdMXt-VMAFp_MdPAJIEs3mL1rWuYqGEFHoTGDU4sHhLOZpZ6CFgM1_DF7pb97Ygs0/s1600-h/cupcakes.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192482382876894562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhHSnrNRNCiTsjTCopG9Q85Q3ueF4wqzBPuE3O-i4bMddym09CrPz1Wpg34LPXd81KyX0kuJdrTEdMXt-VMAFp_MdPAJIEs3mL1rWuYqGEFHoTGDU4sHhLOZpZ6CFgM1_DF7pb97Ygs0/s400/cupcakes.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I also increased the stash. but I have plans for ALL of it I tell you! These are destined to become Koolhaas hats for the Professor and me (I sort of wished the colorways matched so we could be even more pathetically adorable, but alas it was not to be).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJa1KGsEmO8tI-CQxfC7o856d4sQKEtDbHbGAmhXt1FGXlu0OrX5nVmNyZBgxt4igTKdxCRk86XkzAGdXL19beIhduf9eOPHlHeB08hUZyrV__Lz-wxboD-K3K9owGG4XE2siiA4ux2MA/s1600-h/DSCN5462-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192628154066920818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJa1KGsEmO8tI-CQxfC7o856d4sQKEtDbHbGAmhXt1FGXlu0OrX5nVmNyZBgxt4igTKdxCRk86XkzAGdXL19beIhduf9eOPHlHeB08hUZyrV__Lz-wxboD-K3K9owGG4XE2siiA4ux2MA/s200/DSCN5462-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTF80AG3q6SBl2EDu-2klpd54HnV6du5rQ8ErttDQVxyQcE1eSwSsXe6Sd29HXiIxIp2j-LVx0lPN9oVHjrvBId3CTOREYW0zSHbyXlx-Lmf59BhavBPcOi4xkO2vHajSoJi_6bZTixQ/s1600-h/DSCN5463-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192628360225351042" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTF80AG3q6SBl2EDu-2klpd54HnV6du5rQ8ErttDQVxyQcE1eSwSsXe6Sd29HXiIxIp2j-LVx0lPN9oVHjrvBId3CTOREYW0zSHbyXlx-Lmf59BhavBPcOi4xkO2vHajSoJi_6bZTixQ/s200/DSCN5463-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is going to become Snicket Socks from the now defunct halls of Mag Knits. It's tough to find plain sock yarn that's not TOO plain, you know? This is a nice sort of tan/white blend.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUWOUxqZiPFLyfTcMkx2bLcezSDuPVXgFWmnzEgghL2FXGAdhl1dJDZXRg9QP7amHPg8S71OoAvKfvjG4GJ6zvI4cwbjD4ClUrtC3A3bU_WokQK3zWlZ0JbQlGu_-niWFup9uqx1xrMY/s1600-h/DSCN5464-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192628514844173714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUWOUxqZiPFLyfTcMkx2bLcezSDuPVXgFWmnzEgghL2FXGAdhl1dJDZXRg9QP7amHPg8S71OoAvKfvjG4GJ6zvI4cwbjD4ClUrtC3A3bU_WokQK3zWlZ0JbQlGu_-niWFup9uqx1xrMY/s200/DSCN5464-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />What was this for, again? I'm such a sucker for the Debbie Bliss on sale. Maybe <a href="http://knitandtonic.typepad.com/knitandtonic/2006/07/sizzle.html">Sizzle </a>or something similar... I'm sort of undecided at this point. I love the pink color though.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9nyml9c1w4yqP1me8VgtqVc4TM-4dGpxI3Z3cXR0XhgHsgiGEUPt_pY9WxpxXjrWuQN2QpTaC6SXJ-GhpzJFwT2sUFFPt6YlPZvTgoW90wpTCVbwFd6CXch94jXyuWtbJ6AiLkoomA0/s1600-h/DSCN5466-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192628647988159906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9nyml9c1w4yqP1me8VgtqVc4TM-4dGpxI3Z3cXR0XhgHsgiGEUPt_pY9WxpxXjrWuQN2QpTaC6SXJ-GhpzJFwT2sUFFPt6YlPZvTgoW90wpTCVbwFd6CXch94jXyuWtbJ6AiLkoomA0/s200/DSCN5466-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Haven is quietly blocking on my living room floor... I'm pretty sure it is HUGE. Oh well, seeing as how it's just going to get folded up and put in the closet until December I guess it doesn't much matter at this point. I have a lot of yarn leftover, so maybe I'll make a matching hat... something cute and beret-like, maybe. There are tons of such patterns on Ravelry, so I need to wade through them to see what will work best. Maybe something like <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gretel">Gretel</a>... although really, how many cabled hats do I need to make? And why does everyone else look so cute in the berets but I just look like I'm trying way too hard? Blah. Ooh, maybe this <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/robins-egg-blue-hat">Robin's Egg Blue Hat</a>. Then I can buy a badass button to sew on. And since I only need ONE I could even get it from Wildfiber and be able to afford it. Woot!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSvPruyM_EnqNOrOu8dDPcGIxdvEEoPqTW01biEIF3ECHNbf_t1cqCw9QwCdLqcsVASs0FaBD03UktuSrgWkFzqh-Bd0PFuCIOOf53XD4jMZC69xlmR1toSqpoKaJIM5jBN0_prGxO5w/s1600-h/Denis_hayes_1980.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSvPruyM_EnqNOrOu8dDPcGIxdvEEoPqTW01biEIF3ECHNbf_t1cqCw9QwCdLqcsVASs0FaBD03UktuSrgWkFzqh-Bd0PFuCIOOf53XD4jMZC69xlmR1toSqpoKaJIM5jBN0_prGxO5w/s320/Denis_hayes_1980.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192630125456909746" /></a><br /><br />Also, as it is Earth Day (well okay, it was yesterday, but let's just say it's Earth Week) I have a little factoid for you: did you know that the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denis_Hayes">dude </a>who started the whole thing went to my high school?? That's right, good ol' Camas High. Nice suit, right? He gets his own Wikipedia article so clearly he has made it in the world. Go Papermakers go!Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890632654480667496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-11906952917222955812008-04-11T09:11:00.000-07:002008-12-08T19:14:13.329-08:00Bobmas Eve at The Grove!Dear Anna,<br /><br />I went to my first Ravelry event/meet-up of other San Diego knitters! It was really fun and I'm glad I went, I got to meet so many people. It's kind of strange when the on-line world of Ravelry merges into "real life". I actually recognized some folks from their <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">screen name</span> photos. Weird but cool!<br /><br />I brought my camera but left it in the car. I got permission from <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/smittenknitten"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">SmittenKnitten</span></a> (Ravelry link) to post one of her great shots (thanks again Jessica!):<br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQ65Fw2IDuoB1FwQGZrYTLr5P99Srj15H5lIT2Z3FTJYfISBW7KPGkzwaJpAsKwYS5LAG3m9lv2lnQU-npfEJga3kDcavIeZ10kQqwqM2E7SVXh8lWkevACKObd1vfGF3VO3eU3bCq_A/s1600-h/2404261453_bc112b3639_m.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188023252293241218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQ65Fw2IDuoB1FwQGZrYTLr5P99Srj15H5lIT2Z3FTJYfISBW7KPGkzwaJpAsKwYS5LAG3m9lv2lnQU-npfEJga3kDcavIeZ10kQqwqM2E7SVXh8lWkevACKObd1vfGF3VO3eU3bCq_A/s400/2404261453_bc112b3639_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />That's me in the tan working on my Dimple Shale Scarf. I haven't worked on it in months but I don't know why! It's a beautiful pattern and the yarn is super soft. It is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">definitely</span> going into regular rotation again. There are more photos from Bobmas (including a photo of some great cupcakes with marzipan balls of yarn that some crafty knitter brought) on SmittenKnitten's <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lalaknits/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Flickr</span></a>. </p><p>The great San Diego Knitting Adventure and Yarn Shop Crawl is only one day away!!!! Whoot!<br /></p>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13681262945085426085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-61433060739450215152008-04-02T19:26:00.000-07:002008-12-08T19:14:13.724-08:00A Small TragedyDear Margaret,<br /><br />So basically, Lantern Moon rocks my socks.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LYUQI08xBqX7DghMSKJPcgPAsT4OvZShkeSX7l8wJMbMkTp71Cl4Zv3UTOsQGbSUdK7JbfR48P3r8hAIrCdLxlED03jvLiOP9ddIJUmT7KGkNaT9oq2L62jAwRrahO7KWtUSn67ADXc/s1600-h/DSCN5410.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184853919853272962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LYUQI08xBqX7DghMSKJPcgPAsT4OvZShkeSX7l8wJMbMkTp71Cl4Zv3UTOsQGbSUdK7JbfR48P3r8hAIrCdLxlED03jvLiOP9ddIJUmT7KGkNaT9oq2L62jAwRrahO7KWtUSn67ADXc/s320/DSCN5410.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />While enjoying lovely Palm Springs this weekend (speaking of which, have you been up that aerial tram thing? It's pretty great) with my parents, one of my rosewood 7" size 1 dpns SNAPPED IN HALF whilst in my knitting bag. Fortunately I tend to be overprepared, so I had a 5" birch in my bag and could continue on my <a href="http://www.knitty.com/issuewinter05/PATTthuja.html">Thuja </a>uninterrupted, but I was not happy. Those needles cost $24! That's like 5 bucks PER needle!! They should not snap or bend. They should carry on forever and I should be able to be cremated with them if I so choose.<br /><br /><br />Anyhoo, I emailed the company and they are sending me a new one, free, no questions asked. Hooray! Customer service!! And did you know that they are socially responsible and have a good environmental policy? I feel better about the expensiveness of their yarns now. I am okay with paying a little more if it means I'm saving the earth. And getting kickass needles. Hear that Lucy Activewear?? Why is a little hoodie $70? Am I supporting a woman's cooperative in Uganda or something else similarly worthwhile? Because if not, your prices are redonk.<br /><br />But back to my LM story, since I know you're dying to know. Prior to getting smart and emailing the company, I got online in a furious rage and ordered the Knit Picks <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/6+Nickel+Plated+Double+Pointed+Knitting+Needle+Set_ND90298.html">set of metal dpns</a>. I'm assuming they cannot be broken, even when stuffed into a purse or sat upon (although that would hurt, so I won't test that theory). And you know how if you spend $50 it's free shipping? Yeah, they totally saw me coming. I ordered 8 skeins of <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/merino%20style%20yarn_YD5420104.html">this stuff </a>("asparagus") in order to make <a href="http://yarncrawl.typepad.com/fittedknitsalong/puffsleeved_feminine_cardigan/index.html">this</a>. Why, why why?? I have no idea. I just decided that I NEED to make it. Like, soon. I also ordered a cool little <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/slip-n-snip%20scissors_AD80011.html">pair of scissors</a>. Again, why? It's just COOL.<br /><br />Oh, and then I was still high on Knit Picks love, and ordered this freaking adorable little <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10666971">cupcake tape measure</a>! I heart Etsy so much. I really want to buy every little home accessory I could ever think of from there, but fortunately my apartment is small so I can't fill it with too much crap.<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRS-l05RxPNe9ZpXQGCvTj4H9jrEf_mot4Jxx-bYe-08Dd0x-bgjSbWvKjp__zOlM4-IaMgJc7smlbi3Aq9YtQsx4rm1J18XCdvlcWhUxjnw4RbHBTFS6SW7wdGWNj20SoUr89SgXiPE/s1600-h/DSCN5405.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184854259155689362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRS-l05RxPNe9ZpXQGCvTj4H9jrEf_mot4Jxx-bYe-08Dd0x-bgjSbWvKjp__zOlM4-IaMgJc7smlbi3Aq9YtQsx4rm1J18XCdvlcWhUxjnw4RbHBTFS6SW7wdGWNj20SoUr89SgXiPE/s400/DSCN5405.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On the knitting front, I'm working away on my Haven (artfully arranged on my patio furniture). I'll probably finish it in time for Summer. In Southern California. Sigh. Fortunately we'll be in Philadelphia for Christmas this year so The Professor can go to his interviews, but still. I'm making it in Rowan Cocoon, which is lovely and soft and wonderful, but rather sheddy. I've been knitting it on my lunch breaks and finally got the brill idea (check me out, I'm British) to put my pashmina (okay, just a scarf from Target) on my lap FIRST so I don't go back to the office with little white bits all over my black pants. For some reason the sheddy stuff doesn't stick to the polyester cheapness of the pashmina, so it's a win/win! </p><p></p>Your Wicked looks GORGEOUS, by the way. I love that heathered Cascade 220. And really, better arm holes too big than too small, am I right? I love the neckline too.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianhKqHXgUmQ1KQy7bonJnmIJ1zwTkLGg8B7xdn-17EBSovtJ6_R_feVr8wvaGUkFl6y0BOdlEbmj053FqZXEW9_U176bFdw_gF9sHDMdkXxy6jFlB1zAT_0aI0b6iCjL-ZWWH1GiMmF0/s1600-h/DSCN4767.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184857828273512354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianhKqHXgUmQ1KQy7bonJnmIJ1zwTkLGg8B7xdn-17EBSovtJ6_R_feVr8wvaGUkFl6y0BOdlEbmj053FqZXEW9_U176bFdw_gF9sHDMdkXxy6jFlB1zAT_0aI0b6iCjL-ZWWH1GiMmF0/s400/DSCN4767.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Oh and PS: how much does it suck that the Yarn Harlot is totally skipping CA on her tour? Look at the crowd! I shake my fist.Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890632654480667496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-2907390647779713952008-03-30T14:21:00.000-07:002008-12-08T19:14:14.772-08:00High Fashion Beer Can Hat?Dear Anna,<br /><br />I'm so glad it's spring! St. Patrick's Day always signifies the beginning of the Spring/Summer months that I love. The only downside is that there is less opportunity to wear wooly knits. That's why I'm working like crazy on my Wicked. I want to finish so I can wear it once or twice before it gets too hot.<br /><br />I've actually made real progress - I've been working on Wicked almost exclusively all month and I'm about 3/4 done.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxVYLo4DYfLiUZwoBwVfW_dOwEHl2R8KTd7RZ9n5kGdfUg7ir0lDw-Pqn1qwRQkuk2PVmc2UUGNOC8xrjYCS2aHb8QbwirwBLYe9rdG1tz-cbqUNr_MXDkcQdSAkRLM-t4WMGs9FJA6U/s1600-h/sock+yarn+017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183650025917825714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxVYLo4DYfLiUZwoBwVfW_dOwEHl2R8KTd7RZ9n5kGdfUg7ir0lDw-Pqn1qwRQkuk2PVmc2UUGNOC8xrjYCS2aHb8QbwirwBLYe9rdG1tz-cbqUNr_MXDkcQdSAkRLM-t4WMGs9FJA6U/s400/sock+yarn+017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAk6jJOnfasQ3R8-HT_GzsiuZm9hd6leQ9CmCkzwx5lCPPlTluBDJ57w4Eo1M8qpFJ6Dh1E5q2FR6C4zW62z7tYhe_fMmvt3-WMWt3TLAGqEjq6O28YNMTCHSVT29ULEtwmrRDj6IwWZo/s1600-h/sock+yarn+007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183650124702073538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAk6jJOnfasQ3R8-HT_GzsiuZm9hd6leQ9CmCkzwx5lCPPlTluBDJ57w4Eo1M8qpFJ6Dh1E5q2FR6C4zW62z7tYhe_fMmvt3-WMWt3TLAGqEjq6O28YNMTCHSVT29ULEtwmrRDj6IwWZo/s400/sock+yarn+007.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I just finished the last decrease round for waist shaping and now just need to add a few inches of length before starting the increasing around my hips. My only concern right now is that the arm holes seem a little big - otherwise the sweater fits nicely.<br /><br />With the beautiful weather outside I could resist and cast on for a pair of Jaywalkers in sunshine yellow:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobTgXld0O8IaSehZJ2VhYItdE1lI9mNSn-vhxZaSXHEot57YvrZ27XlNtYM5dmS_aLdjqywMvxEB6eHnktwx1dhRnZ1E2uGCrvs4dhF8jKhheOPZcW5sbqnDKVlJl1ySZhKv2kr0UAHw/s1600-h/sock+yarn+005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183651765379580626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobTgXld0O8IaSehZJ2VhYItdE1lI9mNSn-vhxZaSXHEot57YvrZ27XlNtYM5dmS_aLdjqywMvxEB6eHnktwx1dhRnZ1E2uGCrvs4dhF8jKhheOPZcW5sbqnDKVlJl1ySZhKv2kr0UAHw/s400/sock+yarn+005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />St. Patrick's Day is an interesting holiday because it generally involves beer . . . and that can lead to some UNIQUE fashion choices . Ron and I were at a pub that Saturday and there were a few poeple wearing beer label crochet hats. Yes, I did just say "beer label crochet hats."<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvQcCZaSwgHwJn12YsC-cn5uNQPQAehM-kP88cLlf1nZPVTxG25DfIJFB71JPgWwRDTiNuhuSdKmsXbATuXkz0hbBX5PsMNbDICnZcbhvmK-UBKEa8X_pKbWb19scozfh02-eZZth9O4/s1600-h/sock+yarn+013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183652826236502754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvQcCZaSwgHwJn12YsC-cn5uNQPQAehM-kP88cLlf1nZPVTxG25DfIJFB71JPgWwRDTiNuhuSdKmsXbATuXkz0hbBX5PsMNbDICnZcbhvmK-UBKEa8X_pKbWb19scozfh02-eZZth9O4/s400/sock+yarn+013.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsc_px1NBwKKeL4jKWHEevwUIMtSWX9WofxbH6Ha9YzotFfu5CH4vBYExt_VpfFGh-LtFNRRfiO4RaPhDUnp2jkI9KK1_gVyfth1-lBoT297RJfA8i2d-tGnKKwCmNFT_c1n1WbAhocM/s1600-h/sock+yarn+012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183653040984867570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsc_px1NBwKKeL4jKWHEevwUIMtSWX9WofxbH6Ha9YzotFfu5CH4vBYExt_VpfFGh-LtFNRRfiO4RaPhDUnp2jkI9KK1_gVyfth1-lBoT297RJfA8i2d-tGnKKwCmNFT_c1n1WbAhocM/s400/sock+yarn+012.JPG" border="0" /></a> The quality of photos aren't so hot because I was trying to be incognito with the camera (not as easy as it may seem . . . .). I googled the pattern but couldn't find one but I did find this jewel of a photo! Behold:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkEWBmvDlcxEARu7EqwV5yrh5YMHpMxPL365uSwrf79QyS043RTDq5US0_81JxFsDgl1TIUlINMA6-IP6_IlHqoEf4u0zeAnjVjW5LqEMs5jFXltKplHB-5uadj0FYicbfjNVan-M1UA/s1600-h/beercan+bucket+hat+fashion.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183656683117134594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkEWBmvDlcxEARu7EqwV5yrh5YMHpMxPL365uSwrf79QyS043RTDq5US0_81JxFsDgl1TIUlINMA6-IP6_IlHqoEf4u0zeAnjVjW5LqEMs5jFXltKplHB-5uadj0FYicbfjNVan-M1UA/s400/beercan+bucket+hat+fashion.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Apparently there is a designer named <a href="http://www.meghanfabulous.com/">Meghan Fabulous </a>who incorporated the beer can crochet hat into her 2007 collection. I don't even have the words. . . just. . . woah.<br /><br /></p><br /><p></p>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13681262945085426085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-20536758771723971562008-03-17T19:25:00.000-07:002008-12-08T19:14:15.338-08:00Éire go Brách!Dear Margaret,<br /><br />On this day of Patrick the Saint, allow me to take the opportunity to say that I heart <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000058/">Maureen O'Hara </a>.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178937376172469746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqAqB7ZZ9kxVW4Phy5DkI1_8EBg6giDH0z6mS-X22Zu-EhPWWjnuK9Ed6UsmY22ZCXnqa5shqeV4EALXZXQTagDzQE4GRXwLkeCJoKwjja_c5x1YM5k7CbOlI3WkVG8l6r5fYyod_LO8/s400/maureen-ohara3.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />She's beautiful, was born in Ireland and has THE BEST hair color. In case you're wondering where you've seen her, she's the Mom on the original Parent Trap. She looks like a pretty pretty princess in this picture and it makes me happy. I've been thinking a lot about Ireland lately, as we're <a href="http://www.theemeraldisle.wordpress.com/">planning a trip </a>for September. Before we started our research, most of what I'd known about the country was based on Lucky Charms commercials and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052722/">Darby O'Gill and the Little People</a>, so I'm not all that educated. I’m getting better, though. I just watched a whole hour on the History Channel about the history of St. Patrick’s Day and everyone knows the History Channel makes you smart.<br /><br />So I've been working diligently on Gustavo's scarf, which is long and very hairy. I made it in <a href="http://www.yarncountry.com/SearchResults.aspx?Strname=ultra%20alpaca&catid=313">Berroco Ultra Alpaca</a>, which is a 50/50 wool/alpaca blend. It's my first alpaca experience and I'm a little annoyed with the shedding issue.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178939364742327810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1wf5UePvQOTJT_Me9gM8KpOX8ZyGdaHGkSvwNuYPPpozSZWwwzzDKpx9dBg-I9IHjhAB-v7me7QwWcqq-alCasLpkbek2lIut5ptoWS9RKJibLWOqn9crfEVGzb-Hp1OcpN_pZmAyLo/s400/DSCN5341.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />It seems like it will be warm though, which is important since Gustavo is originally from Argentina, moved to Calfornia and now lives in Massachusetts. It like, snows there and stuff. I used the Yarn Harlot's pattern for the One Row Handspun Scarf. It's good because it's not too girly and looks impressive, even though it's super easy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPDGXg920lkVHMZBv_c2SEOiQ41w7nd-PpTpH1x0N40bqqI2YNWG3N85yg0FFFCxbb5nKSXT87CgSORUz45oQx1ejiRvtSNxGSq5XG9rHby3Vx5YSqrMABYnWokIvVAv0nxxznMaNcMQ/s1600-h/DSCN5343.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178940039052193298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPDGXg920lkVHMZBv_c2SEOiQ41w7nd-PpTpH1x0N40bqqI2YNWG3N85yg0FFFCxbb5nKSXT87CgSORUz45oQx1ejiRvtSNxGSq5XG9rHby3Vx5YSqrMABYnWokIvVAv0nxxznMaNcMQ/s400/DSCN5343.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />He'd requested black yarn, but I just couldn't do SOLID black - so I chose a nice charcoal instead. I think it looks quite nice. Especially with the track jacket on this attractive model. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCdVK2PFx6wjSZa6iBibr6jC-zrmn6TxHNWsqIRu_Hri_PFmCDIxSYwsdrsZ301S3AmoLvueG7cqm0E9ZIuA2X8nK25z56rGMIrA2rjrLu15o23tmE53zpsShn3epUh8QdFBAas4GUq4/s1600-h/DSCN5345.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178940451369053730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCdVK2PFx6wjSZa6iBibr6jC-zrmn6TxHNWsqIRu_Hri_PFmCDIxSYwsdrsZ301S3AmoLvueG7cqm0E9ZIuA2X8nK25z56rGMIrA2rjrLu15o23tmE53zpsShn3epUh8QdFBAas4GUq4/s400/DSCN5345.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I have some leftover yarn, so I'm making him a pair of fingerless mitts to go with. I'm using the pattern in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Last-Minute-Knitted-Gifts-Joelle-Hoverson/dp/1584793678/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205814853&sr=8-1">the book </a>you gave me for Christmas last year (or was it my birthday? so hard to keep track). I may have to modify it a bit as I go along - so far I've only done the ribbing for the cuff.<br /><br />Dude, speaking of cupcakes I had a brilliant idea the other day. Someday when we live in a place with more than one bedroom AND we have a daughter - I am totally decorating her room in cupcakes and/or baked goods. So cute! Little knitted cupcakes everywhere. Or maybe like a French Provincial theme? Knitted baguettes and berets! I have a vision, and it is lovely.<br /><br />We'll bake with the butterfly cupcake thing for the baby shower, okay?Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890632654480667496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-34399476327565648962008-03-10T20:10:00.000-07:002008-12-08T19:14:15.759-08:00WickedDear Anna,<br /><br />The lace shawl is really impressive! What is even more impressive is that you are knitting shawls not only for the bride but for the bridesmaids too!! Plain old stockinette socks will be your friend after the wedding is over.<br /><br />I don't have much to share this week. I cast on for Wicked (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wicked-worsted-weight-version"> Ravelry link</a>) by <a href="http://www.zephyrstyle.com/home.html">Zephyr Style </a>last Thursday at knit night. I was drawn to this pattern because of all the options . . . you can knit it in worsted weight or lace weight yarn . . . with short or long sleeves . . . with or without the front pocket. Some knitters have even converted it into a cardigan (like <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Ziggy/wicked-worsted-weight-version">THIS</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/flintknits/wicked-worsted-weight-version">THIS </a>super adorable example). My plan is to knit a 3/4 length sleeve without the front pocket.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIEVy9q3wFz1lHdx3N7uFHIwwzhJaj_AMXxlvySOzjabECUXAXPsnmpTqCA7rSwGzxnTQxys9B9Ga8AypkpiuexipVwHdy_JgJw387-34ywnq-5jqCOf0xu0LOL6X8-d4Za4XTbB_x7w/s1600-h/wicked+008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176320571559870498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIEVy9q3wFz1lHdx3N7uFHIwwzhJaj_AMXxlvySOzjabECUXAXPsnmpTqCA7rSwGzxnTQxys9B9Ga8AypkpiuexipVwHdy_JgJw387-34ywnq-5jqCOf0xu0LOL6X8-d4Za4XTbB_x7w/s400/wicked+008.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><em>Wicked at Mission Bay</em> </p><p align="left">Hey, did you know that <a href="http://www.target.com/b/ref=in_se_pagelist/602-0200209-2019038?ie=UTF8&node=189227011&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=189227011&rank=pmrank&viewID=leaf&field-pricebin=&store=&rh=&page=1&fromBrowse=1">Target.com </a>has three whole <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">web pages</span> dedicated to cupcakes??? Check out this train and butterfly cupcake mold! If I had kids I'd be all over these for birthday parties. And the cupcake courier solves that age old question of how to successfully transport cupcakes without spillage or frosting getting all over the place.....<br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAmkYpqW6ytKF3pU4hrLK1xD09_UBT6c_zd5vR0O_o65sKBahB6OxrDgZkjNFREAehuqU0MeZuMbd5fPIq6x4io4jHualoan-TDG7KXpuoqHQS2vMAxo5BN-qACNCPOKiBGip1D2hoDs/s1600-h/train+cupcakes.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176324479980109874" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAmkYpqW6ytKF3pU4hrLK1xD09_UBT6c_zd5vR0O_o65sKBahB6OxrDgZkjNFREAehuqU0MeZuMbd5fPIq6x4io4jHualoan-TDG7KXpuoqHQS2vMAxo5BN-qACNCPOKiBGip1D2hoDs/s400/train+cupcakes.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIdK7gyhwUN0BYIn-wGNiIEBz2Q3T01YblaP5WunmcKYZy7hjiQvhOZBF146pIlkOdaNDWcCz_aX1nA478mbdI1P-ylmbPA9PdXUEj7MfnesaD8FHu4MD8LrK74x3lz0DaIcvi_CcL1I/s1600-h/butterfly+cupcake.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176324806397624386" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIdK7gyhwUN0BYIn-wGNiIEBz2Q3T01YblaP5WunmcKYZy7hjiQvhOZBF146pIlkOdaNDWcCz_aX1nA478mbdI1P-ylmbPA9PdXUEj7MfnesaD8FHu4MD8LrK74x3lz0DaIcvi_CcL1I/s400/butterfly+cupcake.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left"></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBCp7QQzd_ImqE1a5ovrZfWrxbW6Ltqll5ZyfDrSzDrLGAF4uINIWCNZgNsXlMEsviEve-8k9VbrpOLzFmZ40cpDqz4epgiCjnhIc9LySrCeFdDqRXr_ZgL9pZPhv_NOPuzIZvs0VZj4/s1600-h/cupcake+take.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176325708340756578" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBCp7QQzd_ImqE1a5ovrZfWrxbW6Ltqll5ZyfDrSzDrLGAF4uINIWCNZgNsXlMEsviEve-8k9VbrpOLzFmZ40cpDqz4epgiCjnhIc9LySrCeFdDqRXr_ZgL9pZPhv_NOPuzIZvs0VZj4/s320/cupcake+take.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13681262945085426085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-33584207222872328942008-03-04T19:29:00.000-08:002008-12-08T19:14:16.318-08:00Almost FamousDear M,<br /><div><br /><div>OMG, OMG, OMG, that is the greatest picture ever. That Ronald is a brilliant photographer. If he ever wants to give up his career as a surfing biologist, he could totally do knitwear photos for a living. But seriously though, that thing is huge. I like the idea of a wearable blanket, do you think your Mom would make one for me? I'd ask my Mom but she hasn't really done any fiber work since she cross-stitched me a Christmas Ornament circa 1981.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div>Did <a href="http://www.notmartha.org/">notmartha </a>design that? Wow. And also, why does notmartha rock so hard?? Every time she posts I learn something new. Must be because she lives in Seattle. </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>In knitting news, I have been working hard on Staci's wedding shawl and it is FINISHED!<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174100222255749890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2B7sOPnNaDF0UVxyTvT-L8inIulB2P-tT3FPheO3h5XLf4zwlgZsJ6c7tisoSRq74qRHEDC33dTy6J7hxKFTC42rPJ8-GTO6me0-Qw56fyewvYKU5QTzei3WXlq0Yl1BgbcIV4HwEGQ/s400/DSCN5307.JPG" border="0" /> </div></div><br /><div>We took these pics on Sunday, which was INSANELY windy so please excuse the crazy hair and rather hurried photos. I almost didn't want to do it, but then I thought of the fans and was determined (must have been inspired by your previous post... also I was on a sugar high from eating too many Thin Mints). I think it came out pretty good, right? Does it look bridal enough? Grandpa said it "should be fuzzier" but I don't think the bride would be thrilled by that prospect.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174100540083329810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajE8ZC2OGYw1Cfo57EvPlJoA0rleFy_tgtFPztmvXigny2wDas08y_U9_uRPKiVQ0UPQWLvKoopRWoEP0S70DRIiHe5yMFQICHZ8hiGItgpfmcUht9rW3L7vEPtickf1H83m1uTcJI6s/s400/DSCN5308.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Also it will look better over a wedding dress rather than a $7 t-shirt from Old Navy, but you get the drift. It only took 3 skeins of the <a href="http://www.yarnmarket.com/yarn/Debbie_Bliss_Yarn-Cathay_Yarn-2115.html">Debbie Bliss Cathay </a>I bought on super sale at <a href="http://www.wildfiber.com/">Wildfiber </a>(I mean come on, $5 a skein for DB?!). You cannot pass that up. It's nice and soft and blocked out well, but is a tad splitty so it was sometimes a little annoying to work with.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174101064069339938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupoHopAl6KPNA8B0NKPDGInBztGeAnqLGWQoVGKtQNiPFQycTn2ErYyy1kZQwRigiQVV9kdPzMy4F7e1tNVsPXjmIcJ4NF5Icti2Fy8-YFgtjpagDXY2dy4ETwzOtUK-iNo40ZHegYOc/s400/DSCN5314.JPG" border="0" /><br />Wow. You can TOTALLY see where I arsed (warning: I am a Yarn Harlot groupie) up the shoulder seam. Yikes, that is so not cute. I guess it's time I come clean and let you all know that I am not that great of a knitter. I can sort of follow a pattern and sometimes understand gauge, but for the most part I'm pretty hopeless. Whenever I actually swatch (which is almost never) I have to take it to Knit Knight so <a href="http://spinsterbat.wordpress.com/">Rose </a>can tell me which needle size looks best. I am telling you - hopeless!<br /><p>Anyhoodle, in other news I totally forgot to tell you that I am (slightly) famous! Amy Singer loves me!! Okay not really. But I DID make it into the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amyknitty/2035465603/in/set-72157603197170972/">2008 Knitting Calendar Contest Honorable Mention Gallery</a>. Woo hoo!! I only recently discovered that I had been given such an honor for reasons that are too embarrassing to divulge here (namely that I was bored one day, Googled myself, and found that I was listed under Knitty in Flickr). See? Embarrassing. I will understand if you no longer want to be friends. The list has been up since November. Oops.</p><p>Neal was understandably disappointed that our joint venture (I bought the yarn <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/PATTmancalamia.html">knitted the bowls</a>, felted the bowls and posed for the pictures - he took the pictures) was not going to be forever immortalized in an official Knitting calendar but since there are 87 photos <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amyknitty/sets/72157603197170972/">in the set </a>and 12 more made it into the calendar... that means some people didn't make it into anything at all, right? Right?! Tell me I'm not totally delusional. More than 99 people entered pictures, I'm sure. Probably. </p><p>Love and marriage,<br />Anna</p></div></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890632654480667496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-74146415531348403842008-02-24T18:17:00.001-08:002008-12-08T19:14:16.759-08:00This one goes out to the fans . . .<div align="left">Dear Anna,<br /><br />I covet your Monkey socks! And I am reminded of my Monkeys that sit languishing in my frog pile. Maybe I'll pull those out again this week. Big sigh.<br /><br />Anyway. I thought you might want to see my new poncho! I did not knit this . . . my mom did. A few years ago when I was just picking up my needles I had made a comment in passing to her that I thought that the <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall03/PATTponcho.html">Villa pattern from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Knitty</span>.com </a>(<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/villa-poncho"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ravelry</span> Link</a>) was cute. In my defense, it was an innocent statement about a garment that seemed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">whimsical</span> yet comfortable - mostly I think I just liked the picture of the girl, I don't think anyone can argue that she doesn't look cute. Anyway, my mom - God Bless - is not one to forget about things like this. I thought the Villa poncho was long forgotten until a few months ago when she told me she was knitting one for me. Now, you can't tell your mother - <em>the woman who gave you LIFE</em> for goodness sake- that she shouldn't knit you a poncho. Of course I was enthusiastic and told her that I couldn't wait! A few weeks ago I saw her and she gifted it to me . . .<br /><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Is6k7N3ySPZWr4w284BWw29r1pxbkjIZFcEaODJ3yljcO8hHNFGd01kKIGPxyg539Mu-OYKVgOKp-KRAl8yU5bONsJq2kAsvqgSVOUo7U6piVGSrvKYTYnlq9cEVnbn1Turdu4IHpWY/s1600-h/Poncho+001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170740572983558706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Is6k7N3ySPZWr4w284BWw29r1pxbkjIZFcEaODJ3yljcO8hHNFGd01kKIGPxyg539Mu-OYKVgOKp-KRAl8yU5bONsJq2kAsvqgSVOUo7U6piVGSrvKYTYnlq9cEVnbn1Turdu4IHpWY/s400/Poncho+001.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a><em>(My over the top poncho . . . pun intended. . . <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">har</span>. </em><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><em>R helped me recreate the photo from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Knitty</span> - pretty good, right?!)</em></p><p align="left">I have to be careful when I wear this that I also wear pants . . . or else it could look a little <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">cave woman</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ish</span> as R so helpfully pointed out:</p><p align="left"></p><p align="left"><em></em></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwecSuUN2KFXwYRepAVdtIRvVzHL_CaiuwM_Zr0NKTRkvcn61Rv-LtTzASlnTimCXFwtZD2uVd5U5LFGeyla2OQ11tPrDv8HhXjQV5TUSZx-iSxtz8ZJzHOoaUhCEgL8Qo2OKp7IS09o/s1600-h/Poncho+003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170744451339027010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwecSuUN2KFXwYRepAVdtIRvVzHL_CaiuwM_Zr0NKTRkvcn61Rv-LtTzASlnTimCXFwtZD2uVd5U5LFGeyla2OQ11tPrDv8HhXjQV5TUSZx-iSxtz8ZJzHOoaUhCEgL8Qo2OKp7IS09o/s400/Poncho+003.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></a></p><p align="center"><em>(Me as c<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">ave woman</span> . . . possible Halloween costume this year?)</em><br /></p><p align="left">In the end, this poncho is probably not something I would venture out into public wearing but around the house it is amazingly warm! It's made out of some sort of mystery mohair but it is surprisingly not scratchy. Plus, I am always looking for ways to stay warm around here (read: no heater . . . RON). I guess the whole theory that a poncho is functional like a mitten<em>, </em>trapping body heat close to the body, is true. So, there you go.</p><p align="left">I do have a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">FO</span> to share:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4jRkRLtzGXFXOzse4FDdtS8Bd6APWBnX5S8hLKPpY2_mTLmZb-7pbUXrGMoi7FdSf0Gh5NWbMu5wjnAjH5UE8C5BtPXkXujltD6lRbP_UxxZbZU30LxdZbvdDxfrW_Oc9NAN9kF3CYw/s1600-h/Poncho+009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170746083426599506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4jRkRLtzGXFXOzse4FDdtS8Bd6APWBnX5S8hLKPpY2_mTLmZb-7pbUXrGMoi7FdSf0Gh5NWbMu5wjnAjH5UE8C5BtPXkXujltD6lRbP_UxxZbZU30LxdZbvdDxfrW_Oc9NAN9kF3CYw/s400/Poncho+009.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p>These are my Lichen Ribbed Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush. It has a Welsh Heel and a Star Toe of Three Points. I used <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Noro</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Kureyon</span> Sock yarn that I bought at the Needlecraft Cottage in Pacific Beach. I really liked this pattern and will <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">definitely</span> knit it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">again</span> although I'll use a different toe . . . I prefer the toes that use grafting rather than the ones that require you to draw the tail yarn through the end to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">cinch</span> it closed. </p><p>I have a mixed review of the yarn itself. The colors are gorgeous and I liked the fact that it had a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">hand spun</span> quality with thick and thin spots . . . but I HATED all the flipping knots! Seriously, I had to pause every few rows to untangle the yarn. Plus, toward the end of the second sock there was a splice and the joined yarn wasn't <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">consistent</span> in color . . . but since I was at the toe it wasn't that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">noticeable</span>. I made these socks "fraternal" - meaning that I didn't try to match up the stripes in the socks. . . I wanted to just go with it. Overall, I'm really pleased with these socks!</p><p>Before I sign off, I'd like to give a shout out to the fans. I think I can speak for both of us when I say YOU are the reason we blog about our knitting adventures - the highs the lows. Knitting is a lot like life in that way. . . </p>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13681262945085426085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-79187401772632404612008-02-14T19:59:00.000-08:002008-12-08T19:14:17.144-08:00The Nerdiness WithinDear Miss Margie (why didn't I think to call you this before - it's just like Big Love... I'll be Nikki),<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43jxe_0wY9z9E_61RfDs_XupMAO8W9ty7bl0RzR-0v77KnFxbZ5iL-ssG4sZ7fB7mCc8CHg3GlWYVtU_fyXHEgEqIoOyBppcgW6gosqp0I-paIVB2tbp1aUXF_KrKOunhZ8SVeYqutWU/s1600-h/monkey1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167060019357029794" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 217px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 245px" height="233" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43jxe_0wY9z9E_61RfDs_XupMAO8W9ty7bl0RzR-0v77KnFxbZ5iL-ssG4sZ7fB7mCc8CHg3GlWYVtU_fyXHEgEqIoOyBppcgW6gosqp0I-paIVB2tbp1aUXF_KrKOunhZ8SVeYqutWU/s320/monkey1.jpg" width="205" border="0" /></a><br />Your Koolhaas hat rocks my world. I am just in awe of that colorway... makes me think of the season(s) that Southern California is sorely lacking. And tell your "friend" there that it makes his head look very youthful.<br /><br />Anyhoo, I finished my Monkey Socks! They are so gorgeous and comfy. I may wear them until I die. Or until bed. The pattern is so lovely to work with and they knit up super fast (at least for me). It could be that I am a hand spun/dyed sock yarn convert, which sounds expensive so that must be about right.<br /><p><br /></p><p></p><br /><p>The socks, admiring some art: </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167061196178068914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuZb4Haalkpok8ABXUWg34aRjC2KRfiSfOEhwg7se7YgMexAGOQm94jlEcfj8RuXkid_ZtEqBlUkgJYCADZOyMgfSYl5Xn6Yfbqw8uG3FAXWvPGMVxR3zifWqSfbtI9kNNpTsqSaM8Vo/s320/monkey3.jpg" border="0" /><br />We are travelling to San Luis Obispo this weekend and I'm hoping to stop at at LEAST a couple of yarn shops along the way to experience some fiber goodness. I started Staci's wedding shawl, but haven't even purchased the yarn for the bridesmaid shawls. I'm having trouble deciding if I want worsted or lace weight. Maybe Malabrigo lace? But I don't want it to be <em>too</em> light and fluffy. Sigh. My life is tough.<br /><br /><br /><br />Also... yo, check it:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EFgIrl_z_uYW9Ctq0ZdfTo02nZhgDeVtl1mCP6diuT2BfBSNkU4F8PSOoLX-J8jgx3c6ipEJ7uHezDLrM-EER7LPqzzemY8gefzLh0g581HKrO1CT_cSKNwcNSowmuAux28of4gvzAE/s1600-h/yogurt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167057442376652178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EFgIrl_z_uYW9Ctq0ZdfTo02nZhgDeVtl1mCP6diuT2BfBSNkU4F8PSOoLX-J8jgx3c6ipEJ7uHezDLrM-EER7LPqzzemY8gefzLh0g581HKrO1CT_cSKNwcNSowmuAux28of4gvzAE/s320/yogurt.jpg" border="0" /></a> The expiration date on my yogurt is February 29th! Am I wrong to be excited by this? I think it's super cool - but then, I am probably a huge nerd. I am also currently flipping between "Father of the Bride" (1991 version) and "Parent Trap" (1998 version - oh Lindsay Lohan my heart weeps for how adorable you were) so if that makes me a nerd then darn it, I embrace the nerdiness within.<br /><br /><br /><br />Think I'll go have some yogurt.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890632654480667496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-20762197779891610142008-02-10T18:55:00.000-08:002008-12-08T19:14:18.375-08:00Koolhaas - A Day at the Beach (and Park)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bp7QEUFmsack6f6xU2emyfF6evQgjbYBLiTUWSaxL45Mv0MDsUBMatvJCcut_GLKF0bQIXO6_tQH6aBxMjLGlarH9wRRdXitzw4yyDfdRvbX6FfORJCJY3minE7FoARu02Dp9afep0c/s1600-h/koolhaas+051.JPG"></a><br /><div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWYkY1FoVx6jrGixFC58xYj8EU0-iyD5mM2U0zhSluyu_Gn6rJHnChiYGTpJjxNUwAaaD3qsGqKFmDJrX3vgJvmSH9L5l98SOHfOqbUpJK2UTyeHwOG3dsxobuU_ptB1aIvLjfs2R-Xo/s1600-h/koolhaas+016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165551200223002978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWYkY1FoVx6jrGixFC58xYj8EU0-iyD5mM2U0zhSluyu_Gn6rJHnChiYGTpJjxNUwAaaD3qsGqKFmDJrX3vgJvmSH9L5l98SOHfOqbUpJK2UTyeHwOG3dsxobuU_ptB1aIvLjfs2R-Xo/s400/koolhaas+016.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I finished Koolhaas this weekend! I won this yarn in a bet with Ronald a couple of months ago during fantasy football (my team beat his - yeah, that's right). We went to the Needlecraft Cottage and I picked out this gorgeous skein of malabrigo in Autum Forest. I tried knitting a Coloromitry with this skein but didn't like the way the colors pooled. Here you can see how the green and brown pool but it's not as bad - in fact I like the way the colors sort of spiral around the hat.<br /><br />I had a heck of a time with the first decrease round. I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong until I realized that I was reading "K2tbl" as Knit two together through the back loop instead of just Knit two through the back loop. I will say that this hat required a lot of concentration in general. Next time maybe I'll learn how to cable without a cable needle . . . I knit Koolhaas for my brother who turned 31 on January 11 . . . ooookay, little late but he'll love it (well, he better if he knows what is good for him!).<br /><br />So today is Ron's birthday! The big 36! We did whatever he wanted . . . which meant we woke up early and went to the beach - no big surprise there. While he surfed I wandered along the sand and took photos of a few of my WIPs and FOs:<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Lb74c1GEouPN1xAnS80RqGYcb5S7X3pNH2ozPcfXAt8IYxR5Iv3XvJlJ1WCCtg4cA0fTvT3HqfUY3Epq8xwZCODxSpNx9HtnDyqh5PEr1weXrjmCO6HSfxdi1ZdmRJ9D917ve6-uYBE/s1600-h/koolhaas+004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165553721368805746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Lb74c1GEouPN1xAnS80RqGYcb5S7X3pNH2ozPcfXAt8IYxR5Iv3XvJlJ1WCCtg4cA0fTvT3HqfUY3Epq8xwZCODxSpNx9HtnDyqh5PEr1weXrjmCO6HSfxdi1ZdmRJ9D917ve6-uYBE/s400/koolhaas+004.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><em>Ron points out where he's going to sit once he gets in the water.</em></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALdl0-kczv_JxrmF-FHtz0qjNzPfMjL-pX7BgFxMD5XVA_2ivJrKPucPtVnODdHs0yaxmTAC8PEaNM0Bl2PxaNBZck5TAWu68Fww38hgp0QSVv3Ae0RLIFBWn_hAF-F96ynQdrwnyuOg/s1600-h/koolhaas+003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165554717801218434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALdl0-kczv_JxrmF-FHtz0qjNzPfMjL-pX7BgFxMD5XVA_2ivJrKPucPtVnODdHs0yaxmTAC8PEaNM0Bl2PxaNBZck5TAWu68Fww38hgp0QSVv3Ae0RLIFBWn_hAF-F96ynQdrwnyuOg/s400/koolhaas+003.JPG" border="0" /></a><em> I'm quite proud of the top view - all the pretty decreases that I labored over!</em></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1WboH7Lpoqt9ahK2XjHFWOj8hgbxhx9eawkZqdK7bjv3Zus3ZReYU9EIj7iDqEDlhgC5MdQWaN9OfvEhUW_peJ8yMKbzbrZq1KtvvfSf_4x01_QFSONiXGgtr0cPOwv-NRzN-8LQ3AE/s1600-h/koolhaas+017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165555452240626082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1WboH7Lpoqt9ahK2XjHFWOj8hgbxhx9eawkZqdK7bjv3Zus3ZReYU9EIj7iDqEDlhgC5MdQWaN9OfvEhUW_peJ8yMKbzbrZq1KtvvfSf_4x01_QFSONiXGgtr0cPOwv-NRzN-8LQ3AE/s400/koolhaas+017.JPG" border="0" /> </a><em>Noro Sock in its natural environment</em><br /><br /><p align="left">I LOVE this sock yarn. I love the way the colors transition from greens to blues to browns. I think these are going to be perfect for camping especially - wooly and warm. </p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TDfWwzoOucV-gHgZq4WyRbixrf0pFD5_k3DqUdqtth3WZue35LPCnmlYqRgJ9-mf_FgdNAEXAp92GudYXyIYxFTfCMdmgItw_x4MT0SK_iWsmcmsTTPaTAEVlX1xVV0j6ASAN61tRbo/s1600-h/koolhaas+057.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165559914711646722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TDfWwzoOucV-gHgZq4WyRbixrf0pFD5_k3DqUdqtth3WZue35LPCnmlYqRgJ9-mf_FgdNAEXAp92GudYXyIYxFTfCMdmgItw_x4MT0SK_iWsmcmsTTPaTAEVlX1xVV0j6ASAN61tRbo/s400/koolhaas+057.JPG" border="0" /></a> After the beach we had breakfast at St. Tropaz in Encinitas (super good outdoor cafe) and the weather was PERFECT - a balmy 70 degree day. We did a little shopping at the mall (I bought a pair of sunglasses but I think they are too big for my face . . . cripes!) and then because the weather was too nice to go indoors we went to the park where I worked on my second Noro sock and contemplated my next project. Ron fell asleep, as he does: </div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje8PwnjEUi9HmuesJyo9zektcGlXUVg4iGCxLiJ5fuDSH54qFcSrfAzWRZyx_a0EbqdkSAFdrfTP07PWANOyImeaLSJFsoz_DkXSPn3p_YBeWQpJv281lbLe3am64hD_GAXYFES58-wDU/s1600-h/koolhaas+052.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165560498827198994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje8PwnjEUi9HmuesJyo9zektcGlXUVg4iGCxLiJ5fuDSH54qFcSrfAzWRZyx_a0EbqdkSAFdrfTP07PWANOyImeaLSJFsoz_DkXSPn3p_YBeWQpJv281lbLe3am64hD_GAXYFES58-wDU/s400/koolhaas+052.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />So. . . I actually SWATCHED (I never do that!) for my next major project . . . I've decided to knit a 3/4 sleeve version of <a href="http://www.zephyrstyle.com/catalog/item.cfm/2367447/3974522">Wicked</a> (with or without front pocket - haven't decided yet). I'm going to use Cascade 220 in a pretty heathery purple:</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgv1OBI5LxEZ3i9MwEnJqIX4vwW2lhs70cDbyVkbS6cLYSTIxuD-JeBwWA8U3JWrv9UDqEaz2zMnBypZqOlKiHsaMukbWgZrBn_SLemx7Ac4O6-B5utKwRTfn_JGwxvfsWi38u488jGg/s1600-h/koolhaas+049.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165561448014971426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgv1OBI5LxEZ3i9MwEnJqIX4vwW2lhs70cDbyVkbS6cLYSTIxuD-JeBwWA8U3JWrv9UDqEaz2zMnBypZqOlKiHsaMukbWgZrBn_SLemx7Ac4O6-B5utKwRTfn_JGwxvfsWi38u488jGg/s400/koolhaas+049.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>My gauge came out spot on so I can move forward with the pattern . . . but FIRST I have one more small project I want to get out of the way for February . . .<br /><br />Oh! And I almost forgot . . . I saw my mom this weekend and I got my poncho! There WILL be photos coming - stay tuned you will not want to miss this!Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13681262945085426085noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-90299528770894580622008-02-03T12:27:00.000-08:002008-12-08T19:14:18.522-08:00First Post, part deuxWe haven't really figured out how we're going to do this whole blogging thing yet. You'll note that Margaret wrote the first post, I am writing the second, etc. We kind of have <a href="http://masondixonknitting.com/">Mason-Dixon </a>thing going on... except that neither of us have kids, only one has a husband, and we live about an hour apart. With Southern California traffic that translates into about three... but still, kind of similar. <div><div><br /><div>We chose our completely long and arbitrary name on a whim whilst at the Los Angeles Public Library awaiting the arrival of the Yarn Harlot. We got there approximately 4 hours early (nobody was around save for the security guard who eyed us suspiciously and then left when he saw that we were harmless knitters - ha!). I ran upstairs and grabbed an armful all the knitting books that caught my eye. One of them contained this little gem of a line and I jokingly told Margaret that "when we have a blog, that's totally what we're calling it" and voila. Aren't you happy to know that absolutely no time or thought went into the naming of this thing? You're very welcome.</div><br /><div>I've been knitting since, oh, around 2004 when I took a knitting class through the local community college. It was a good way to learn since the class was small and I got plenty of individualized attention. I floundered around a bit before taking on the more intricate stuff - I went straight from hats/scarves to socks, thanks to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Rules-Yarn-Harlots-Tricks/dp/1580178340/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1202071348&sr=8-1">Knitting Rules</a> and its encouragement to make mistakes and see what happens. Clearly Stephanie Pearl-McPhee has had a strong influence on me.<br /></div><div><br /> </div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162865583315913378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIWFeAnSkvSjlEQ-w0B3toYWhr-38EDrNPGCKSq_7kse666K0bvbK7mYSo5rdlmG4s2Y0ENyWr17EOnBgsU1um40UqONjBbZowhZ10-5MgvP1KXQkvpm8gfphQQ4XtNsYk1dyBTyZAQM/s320/sock1" border="0" /><br /><div>Amazingly, Margaret and I are working on the same sock pattern <em>at the same time</em>. Whoa, tha<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGYQIp_38NtDBaNliBTdwZoqQ0vRU7ODjAvUgb2fDE0HvXCACjYc8qch8Jo_4JILJ-D49vB7p4H1FR_4iGOOAOVy7dNCxsaUZbxAW-4JXsGi9OtGP2UolAIOkXafc2LCQl8Yt2NCkdvo/s1600-h/sock2"></a>t never happens. I'm using some gorgeous handspun I bought in Portland. So far I only have one finished... I did try to take photos outside, but it's raining (yay!) so they ended up looking like something out of a scary movie. </div><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162865699280030386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0jsMWy1CYS6j3D0MePli6DMbchMRfoe8Cf4xeU97mJ5-7595d7A6kWOmUN0Zke2buP4iKFSWJLMcoAh51tkT1M9YOxOzP-s5Jxpg2oCB3Drnnzl_hl3DsZtnJMrjin5oS-kDNDmn10o/s320/sock2" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>It's like artistic. Or something. </div></div></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890632654480667496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4054742977040669962.post-9901989673770823992008-01-29T19:40:00.000-08:002008-12-08T19:14:18.749-08:00First Post! And . . . a Jitterbug issue.Hey! It's the first post - very exciting! And strange . . . but mostly exciting.<br /><br /><br />Another thing I'm excited about (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">heh</span></span>, nice <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">segue</span>) are my Monkey socks. I bought the yarn - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Colinette</span></span> Jitterbug - at the stylish and fancy yarn store Knit Cafe a few months ago. I think it cost $21/skein. I didn't think anything of it at the time - I mean, I had heard fairly good things about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Colinette</span></span> and the colorway was beautiful and the yarn very soft to the touch. Sure, it was a bit more than I would typically spend on a skein of yarn but I considered it a yarn indulgence.<br /><br /><br />I cast on last week and knitted up the first sock in record time. I think I finished it in just over a week . . . and I'm not a fast knitter <em>at all</em>. But as I started the second sock, I looked at the remaining ball of yarn and became . . . <em>concerned</em>. It seemed as though I didn't have very much yarn left - not enough for another whole sock. I squashed that voice in the back of my head and continued knitting. Then a few days ago I read on the Tall Knitters group on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ravelry</span></span> that another knitter had issues with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Colinette</span></span> and every time she knitted a pair of socks she ran out of yarn. Today I ran across a thread on Ravelry about issues other knitters have had with the yarn - everything from yardage problems to multiple knots per skein to dye-lot changes in a single skein (now that just seems crazy!!). I tried to create a link to the thread but unfortunately couldn't figure out how to do it. Run a search in the forums under "Jitterbug" and you will see what I mean! My skein of Jitterbug didn't have any problems in terms of knots or dye lot changes but my fears where confirmed about the fact that I'd probably run out of yarn.<br /><br />So this is what I am dealing with:<br /><br /><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71SXs3QQSXoYTBmdwbsobI02qm3glQvhzsgKHVahNpkfJwXqLyoDwDD9ZmQ4WbIUqP8A3OiAauXnrNRmiRjmd9AgB0feJp8GCB2RMIDz02eL4Q3rtL3NrspKxq0PY1aSFCN6gYFgHj0c/s1600-h/Monkey+Sock+005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161120145973805538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71SXs3QQSXoYTBmdwbsobI02qm3glQvhzsgKHVahNpkfJwXqLyoDwDD9ZmQ4WbIUqP8A3OiAauXnrNRmiRjmd9AgB0feJp8GCB2RMIDz02eL4Q3rtL3NrspKxq0PY1aSFCN6gYFgHj0c/s400/Monkey+Sock+005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p><br />It's probably hard to tell from the crappy picture but that's the second sock .. . I just finished the gusset and have five pattern repeats to go before I get to the toe. I'm estimating that I have enough yarn to to an additional three pattern repeats - but it's hard to tell.</p><p>So, what do I do? I'm considering a few options....</p><p>1) Rip Rip Rip and make the leg shorter or make them ankle socks.</p><p>2) Rip back to the heel and use a contrasting color to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">reknit</span></span> the heel and toe of each sock. I have some Lorna's Laces in a stripey purple that might work.</p><p>3) Buy a second skein of yarn and hope I can find a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">similar</span> dye lot . . . right now this is my least favorite option. Seriously - a $42 pair of socks!?? I heard a rumor on R<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">avelry</span></span> that it might be possible to purchase a half skein. I haven't done any research on this though.</p><p>4) ???</p><p>Curses!<br /></p><p><br /><br /></p>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13681262945085426085noreply@blogger.com0