Will Wonders Never Cease November 27, 2007
Posted by La in Design Ideas, Filter Purge.add a comment
I wasn’t expecting to post today. Until just a few minutes ago I thought I had nothing to say. And let’s face it. I’m tired. I’m tired in the way a person is when they carry on a conversation for way longer than it should have been, well…carried on. I brought it on myself, you know. Taking personal responsibility for daily posts, and feeling disappointed in myself when a day went by without one. But, when you do that, the conversation suffers, doesn’t it? Talking for the sake of filling the silence is just useless blather, and can be excutiatingly boring at best and downright agonizing to witness at worst. So, as of last night I made a promise to myself. Following Jen’s suit, no more blogging for the sake of blogging, and only posting when I have something worth saying, something worth reading. Which, guess what? I do, obviously.
I need to get something off my chest:
Why do non-knitters think you can just whip up hand knits? To quote Wen:
“Why sure! I’ll just crap that outta my magic asshole.”
I wasn’t planning on doing any Christmas knitting, really, I wasn’t. Oh, back in July I had toyed with the idea of doing a couple of Wisps, a peasant cap and a cute little simple seed-stitch scarf to match, but get real! Next thing I know it’s November 1st, and I was still working on my baby blanket and CPH, so yeah…no Christmas knitting this year.
Then, on Thanksgiving, mom casually informed me that she and dad are taking an Alaskan cruise in March and oh, wouldn’t it be so nice if my 80+ year old dad could have a nice thick hand-knit scarf to go with his new coat to keep him warm, and oh by the way, do I know how to knit fingerless gloves, you know, the type that go around each finger?…and how nice would those be for her on the trip, and then to keep her hands warm while she takes her early-morning walks.
So I guess I’ve got a scarf and a pair of convertible gloves to churn out. I’m thinking something warm and thick with a cable knotwork motif for the scarf. That one I’m pretty sure of. But I’m not quite sure which pattern or yarn to use on the gloves. Any recommendations? Some thing simple and possibly mindless until we get to the fingers part. Also? I think if I learned how to knit while driving, hire a maid, stop cooking, eating, sleeping and showering, I just might have enough time to do both since I’ve never knit a glove in my life, let alone 2.
So uh, where DOES one buy a magic asshole?
Big Damn Post November 21, 2007
Posted by La in Baby, Design, Free pattern, Knitting.Tags: Baby Blanket, Cable, Lace, Serenity
7 comments
There’s no place I can be
Since I Found Serenity
Stats: Baby Blanket
Pattern: Serenity
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease, just a smidge over 5 balls. Worsted (9wpi)
Needles: US Size 7 [4.5mm] circs. I used my Denise Interchangeables so I could expand the circumference as the blanket grew
Started: August 2007
Finished: November 2007
Mods/Notes: Well, since this is an original design there haven’t been any modifications, yet.
This is a square baby blanket combining cables and lace, knit from the center out with cabled corner spines and a slightly scalloped edge. Would it be vain of me to say I really enjoyed knitting my own pattern? Well then, bring me my magic mirror, cuz knitting enjoyment factor for me? Pretty damned high. Like, “beyond the rim” high. Among other things, I cabled without cable needles for the first time ever! And constantly, as in, unless it’s a seven-or-more-stitch cable, I don’t need no stinkin’ needle! Many an hour of my commute was happily spent intensely conjuring the engineering of this blanket; which elements to introduce and where, what kind of edging did I want? How was I going to build the stitch count while a la Veronik Avery, working the newly-added stitches directly into the cable & lace motif. And how to best achieve the overall look I was wanting in the simplest yet most engaging way possible; and how to put it all down on paper in such a way that other people besides me can understand it.
The only issue I have with this pattern is that you can’t add more repeats of the cable & lace motif than what the pattern calls for unless you’re prepared to do some serious slap-dashery and number-fiddling. I tried, but to write it all down in the pattern made my brain all ‘splodey. Besides, at 42″ x 42″ I don’t see much need for it to be any larger, unless you’re wanting to use a finer-gauge.
I seriously considered taking Turtlegirl’s threat advice, and thought about submitting it to IK, Magknits or Knitty, but I really didn’t want to have to sit on the pattern and the pictures until February (and I’m still mad a Knitty for the last rejection). And even though I’ve been threatened about giving the pattern away (busted kneecaps…okay, I might be exaggerating a might), I can’t bring myself to charge money for it. That’s not what we’re about. So, if you’re interested, there are 3 ways to obtain this pattern.
1. Click the Big Damn Button.
2. Find it in the Dizzy Blonde Designs page.
I’m rather curious to see this knit up in something other than cotton. So, if you knit it, let me know.
Shiny!
(click on the word)
Emergence November 19, 2007
Posted by La in Baby, Family, Miscellaneous.add a comment
This weekend was exhausting, but VERY rewarding. Saturday evening, around 8:05 I got a phone call. It only took 2 sentences and 10 minutes to find me on the road, driving out to the 909 (Yes, I’m a refugee from the I.E. Well, so’s Violet, and you all like HER well enough! shut up) for an indeterminate amount of time.
1. They’re at the hospital again.
and
2. Your brother is asking for you
So 10 minutes later found me a quick change from jammies to something less…er…casual (and by casual I mean frump-comfy) with a freshly-blocked, newly-knit baby blanket stuffed unceremoniously into the CPH knitting bag; scribbled down directions, gassed up, road coked, and I was outta there, arriving 72, 52…errr, one-million (pinky) miles away by 9:00. I took CPH to work on, not knowing how long I was going to be waiting, but I only got 2 rows done. They wanted me to remain in the delivery room with them, so I chatted with them, but especially talked with big sister Kelsie, and held her hand, hoping to help allay her fears for her mother every time a contraction came. And at 9:50 (less than an hour after I got there), and less than 3 hours of intense labor, he arrived…
How YOU doin’?
19 inches; 7 lbs. 2oz. of concentrated bundled love named Levi Thomas. And I’m sure, once he grows out of his old-geezer-looking newbornness, he’s gonna be cute as hell!
Tom is my only friend???
By the looks if it Thomas, your number of friends just doubled! (I swear that shirt isn’t photoshopped, he actually wore that!)
So, yes. The baby blanket’s done. I’m just waiting for the thumbs-up from my diligent test knitter, which will be any day now.
Scattered November 16, 2007
Posted by La in Assorted Nonsense, Baby, Family, Miscellaneous.add a comment
So I get a call from my mom about 2 hours ago. My pregnant SIL, Donna is at the hospital. She’s 4 cm dilated, contractions are about 7 minutes apart, but her water hasn’t broken yet. And, get this, her labor isn’t painful. All she’s feeling is pressure. Bitch. Then I get a call about 10 minutes later telling me that they sent her home. Serves her right for not having painful labor!
Needless to say, my mind’s not on much else today. Looks like this weekend will see another tiny soul enter this world, and knowing my brother, he’ll be kicking and screaming and making his presence known (the baby, not my brother, though it actually COULD be. We’ll see). Marie knows what that’s all about! I guess I need to get cracking on the finishing touches of the baby blanket!
Almost there!
Now, I’m sure most of you are familiar with Cute Overload. Well this one’s even better! Hell, the caterpillar post alone is the stuff of nightmares, and is worth subbing for. Bleh! Now, let’s not go ruining it by getting all kinda LoLcats-carried away, deal?
For those of you who answered my plea for help regarding a beautiful boxer dog named Sugar Ray, there’s been some very encouraging news. As of yesterday, Sugar Ray has gained 3 pounds! They’re still accepting donations, but I wanted to thank everyone who has donated so far.
Now, after the last major fuck up, and serious toe-steppage, I’ve completely sworn off memes. Nope, not gonna do it. And thet Anti-meme button you see over there on my “About Me” page? I’m gonna have that tattooed on my ass so if I’m ever tempted to show it again, I can just look down and be reminded to drop the meme and back away slowly. But quizzes, on the other hand, are still fair game. Though most of them are lame, this one was irresistible. You should go do it. I’ll wait.
And here’s a little gem of nature on crack, courtesy of Dark Roasted Blend
Supurb Bird of Paradise from New Guinea
Meet the Peeps…the Family Edition November 2, 2007
Posted by La in Family, Miscellaneous.add a comment
Don’t worry, I’m not going to post pictures of my entire family. There’s not enough bandwidth for that. But there IS a very special event coming up, and it’s all about this little branch on the Wilson family tree:
This is a wedding picture of (read from right to left like a knitting chart) my brother Thomas, his bride, Donna, and Donna’s daughter Kelsie, along with one of my other brothers, Matt, whom you should ignore, cuz this isn’t about him. So disregard the guy with the shinier head red tie. I just didn’t have a decent single picture of just the 3 of them.
Okay. Before I continue, I want to direct your attention to the fun wedding decorations. Yep, I did that.
But enough about me.
It’s quite obvious that autumn is this family’s favorite time of year. Last year, Tom & Donna got married in October on Friday the 13th. They were already expecting their first child (Coleman) which, unfortulately, they lost at the end of October.
Well, guess what?
Both pictures were taken back in September. Knitworld, meet Levi Thomas. Levi, meet the best group of people on the face of this earth.
Pretty amazing what modern medical science can do. He’s not even born yet, and we have his first snapshot. But, would it be completely ungenerous of me to say that in-utero picture is a little creepy looking? If so, then I said nothing!
Anyhow, this weekend is all about him…and them, cuz Auntie La, (along with Auntie Cathy and Auntie Sophia, who, as a trio, were tempted to show up as Flora, Fauna and Merryweather, except Sophia’s stuck in Colorado) is throwing them a baby shower! And OMG I’ve been having such a good time! Also, it’s a couples’ shower. That’s one of the many things I admire about my baby brother. He wants to be a part of EVERYTHING. No archaic gender roles, no out-dated male posturing. How refreshing is that? My mama done raised that one right shore-nuff!
I’m just hoping he’ll actually be ABLE to attend. Keep your fingers crossed and your awesome mojo going will ya?
Knit-wise I’ve been busting ass and taking names. Unfortunately, what I’ve been busting ass on is a BIG project and won’t be done in time to give for this Sunday’s baby shower, however it WILL be done before Levi’s due to make his grand entrance into this world on November 25. Actually, I’m on the last 17 rows of the baby blanket, with my test-knitter not far behind!
I’ve also been working on Central park Hoodie.
I’m loving the pattern. It’s clearly-written, straight-forward and simple to follow. AND, get this…I’m cabling without a cable needle!!!! But I’m not so sure about the yarn, and I’m pretty sure I’m hating the needles.
The yarn is more rugged than I’m used to working with. Whether it’s cotton or cashmere, I’m used to yarn that just flows through my hand. This stuff is course and rather grabby, and it’s taking some getting used to. Though, as you can see, the color is amazing, and that alone may be worth the adjustment. Besides, Marie assures me that the yarn softens and blooms once washed.
But the needles? GAHHHH! The needles can bite my ass…sideways. Those cheapy aluminum, nothing-slides-across-these-of-their-own-free-will dull-as-dirt points and their twisty, coily, uncooperative- – - ly, stiff-as-ass cable can just FOAD. I’m hitting A Stitch In Time on the way home for some Addi turbos.
Holy hell, I almost forgot! We’ve had our 10,000th comment on this incarnation of our blog. And since we’re in the mood to give something away, that commenter (commentor? commentator?…whatever) gets a prize. So…Sarkasmo…come on down!
