May
15
Part of me is very excited for this upcoming weekend; part is dreading it.
I am taking part of the Spring Men’s Knitting Retreat at Easton Mountain in Greewich, NY. Several blogger acquaintances and friends will gather for 3 days and knit, spin, and enjoy each other’s company.
There are several people I’m very much looking forward to meeting after only knowing them through the internet.
But…it’s a 3 1/2 hour drive. I hate driving long distances! Yes, yes, I know that New Englanders don’t really know what it is to drive a long distance. But it’s all relative, isn’t it? I leave from the shop on Friday afternoon and travel the entire length of the Mass Pike into NY and up past Albany to Greenwich.
Hopefully I’ll learn a bit more about spinning on a drop spindle, put cares aside and relax in the company of some great guys. A full report will be given upon my return.
I’ve finished the work on my Summer Shirt. I really love how it turned out…exactly as I sketched it and I wore it yesterday. It was a bit too chilly for that shirt alone, but I really wanted to wear it. It’s going to be great for the summer!
May
9
So, Sad…So Embarrased!
Filed Under Shame | Leave a Comment
We’re taught to be proud of America…proud of our heritage, our democracy, our strength. But after viewing the following video I am appalled at the abuse of power, especially since we’re supposed to have been freeing the Iraqi people from the oppression and rights abuses of the previous regime.
I do understand, and sincerely hope with all my heart, that these actions are those of an extremely small minority, but it breaks my heart that even these few incidents are happening. Those poor children and that poor, poor puppy! I know that I/we shouldn’t judge all of the members of the US military by the actions of these few, but it’s soo soo har not to feel deeply ashamed.
Be warned, this video isn’t at all easy to watch. I think we need to write our congressmen and ask what they’re doing about this.
Shame on you, George Bush for allowing this to happen.
May
1
A Summer Shirt
Filed Under Knitting | 2 Comments
Ever since Elsabeth Lavold’s yarn, Bambouclé arrived in the show, I knew I wanted to knit with it. It is a wonderfully textured cotton, bamboo, and linen yarn. And I started swatching right away. What I’m planning is a short-sleeved shirt knitted in the round, ala Zimmermann. Right now I’ve got the body knitted up to the armholes and the sleeves mostly knit. I plan on joining them in the next few days, I hope to join the body and sleeves and work a modifies saddle shoulder. I’ve never done one before so it’s little nerve-wracking/exciting and I’m not quite sure how the rib pattern is going to work where the pieces are joined, but it should be fun to find out.
Here are some pictures of the progress. I can’t wait to wear this!
Apr
28
Seduced By Lace
Filed Under Knitting | Leave a Comment
Not sure where I’ve been for so long. I’ve just been working and trying to get some rest when I’m not working. Recently there was this terrific episode of the YKnit Podcast. I think they’re incredible…funny, topical…relevant. And it’s gotten me to start thinking about lace again. The draw to knit lace is so strong. When i knit lace I am drawn in by the delicate structure, it really is a joy. But I can’t get a lot of other knitting done while I knit lace, as many know. And the progress is somewhat slow, so showing pictures of the progress aren’t going to be too exciting. But, luckily, I can’t knit the lace on the bus and white in the shop, I can’t focus as much as I need to, so I have a few other projects going on a the same time.
I’ve been searching for the lace project to knit. But everything I swatch just doesn’t do it for me. And I know why. Now, first let me say that I appreciate almost all form of lace knitting…some just blow my mind. But no matter how much I swatch, I’m still drawn to Orenburg. I can’t quite explain it…can’t put it into words because, really…it’s pretty simple when it comes to lace. No ssk’s, no purling, just Knit, K2Tog, and a few K3Tog…that’s it. But for me, it creates the most wonderful product. Here is the beginning.
Perhaps it’s the yarn; an incredible lace/angora blend that I can’t stop touching. I am a bit worried, though. I’ve come this far before and either given up or been unhappy with my knitting. But, I think I’ve gotten the technique and understand the pattern enough to succeed. As I progress through the shawl, the middle section will be a solid block of garter stitch. I’ve avoided it up until now because of this thinking that if I’m going to do this much knitting, it isn’t going to be garter stitch. But the resulting fabric in this yarn is nothing short of heavenly. Stay tuned for updates.
Apr
15
You’ve STILL Got it Wrong
Filed Under Life | 6 Comments
“It’s difficult for me to understand how it was possible that priests betrayed in this way their mission to give healing, to give the love of God to these children,” the pope said, adding that the church would work to exclude pedophiles from the priesthood.
“It is more important to have good priests than to have many priests,” he said.
Forgive me, but although the acts of these priests are reprehensible, the true crime was that the “church” protected these priests by moving and hiding them ALLOWING them to continue preying on children. Although the individuals violated these children, the Church perpetuated this activity.
Nice way to address this issue Benni!! NOT.
Forgive my vitriol. This is a sensitive topic for me.
Apr
12
The Thorpe Parade
Filed Under Knitting | 2 Comments
I have joined the Thorpe Knitting Party! Seems many people have knitted and enjoyed this pattern, me included. Such a wonderfully simply, yet satisfying pattern to knit. I needed a little diversion from what I’m knitting (a summer shirt, ala EZ) and this really did the trick.
Although, here in Boston the weather is HARDLY hat wearing weather. What a gorgeous day today! But it’s (almost) never too nice to knit and Malabrigo chunky is such a joy. But…now I need another diversion! LOL. The pattern is available for free from Ravelry (search for Thorpe) as well as from Through the Loops in the “Free Knitting Patterns” section in the side bar.
Apr
11
I had never read the NY Times article following the death of Elizabeth Zimmermann. Schoolhouse press is celebrating their 50th anniversary and there was an article written in Ravelry’s WRIR #11 (the week in Ravelry). And I discovered this quote. Perhaps, to me, few have said it better:
The products of science and technology may be new, and some of them are quite horrid, but knitting? In knitting there are ancient possibilities; the earth is enriched with the dust of millions of knitters who have held wool and needles since the beginning of sheep.
Apr
9
So Ingrained…what to do?
Filed Under Life | 6 Comments
Hi all. I don’t want to bring this blog down to too serious a subject but it’s been percolating in my brain and it needs release.
I had a relaxing day on Sunday…knitting, baking, watching TV. One of the shows I watched was Step Up and Dance. I can’t explain or justify, it’s just amazing to me to people watch even if it’s somewhat scripted and manipulated. But I was horrified hearing the judges comment on one of the performances as not masculine enough. That in itself wasn’t the offensive part. The guy himself asked if he “looked like a fag.” The judges agreed and, instead, wanted him to “man up.” Perhaps I’m just a little sensitive to the subject. Wanting a more “masculine” performance isn’t in itself offensive. It’s suggesting that being a “fag” or looking like one isn’t being a “man.” But it didn’t seem all too controversial. But shouldn’t it be? Asking a woman to be more delicate or feminine in her dance wouldn’t make her less of a woman. It’s a style to reach for.
Why do we worry about appearing “gay”? Those of us who are…ARE gay. If it weren’t (I believe) for some deep seeded AND seemingly universal acceptance of homophobia, this wouldn’t be accepted as some sort of put down. And those who aren’t gay, calling them “gay” wouldn’t be the worst kind of insult. For me, it’s far too pervasive and ingrained in our conversations…sigh.
Anyway, the sun is out today (Monday) and I couldn’t be happier. Enjoy your week, everyone!
Apr
7
Finished Butterfly Jacket
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
I finished Jayla’s Butterfly Jacket last week. But it’s taken me to this post to get pictures up here. The design is nothing short of lovely. I think you’ll agree.
Pattern can be found in Schoolhouse Press’ new Wool Gathering.
Apr
4
Cookies
Filed Under Food | 2 Comments
While researching the No Knead Bread on Cooks Illustrated.com I found a wonderfully crispy, chewy free chocolate chip recipe. This site is fast becoming my go-to site for recipes. These cookies are GREAT. Try ‘em!
The only problem…trying not to eat them all in one day!
— keep looking »