Light as a Moth

Squee!  It’s been a great weekend.  Did you Knit in Public yesterday?  I did.  I’ll tell you all about SoXperience and the most excellent Edie Eckman tomorrow.  Today is The Moth’s day to shine.

Happy Father’s Day too.  We had a great visit with Pop and some of the extended family, but it’s also sad because the Knight has yet to hear from the Page, and a favorite cousin’s stepdaughter (follow me?) learned just about noon that her maternal grandfather had just died.  An aunt and her husband were late because their 18 year old cat died this morning, and the Knight’s parents broke down on their way home from their camping trip.  (Nothing major…)

But first, a peek at another GypsyKnits bag that landed in my mailbox.  Purples are hard to photograph accurately, and this is a little too blue to be quite right.  (Follow the link above for a better photo.)  I just couldn’t help myself.  It’s my new favorite bag.  It’s so happy and pretty, but it’s functional to boot.  One feature I don’t think I’ve mentioned before about Kathy’s bags is the lining.  (Click on photo #3 in the GK link.)  It’s a water resistant nylon, which also means the yarn never gets bound up inside the bag, or caught in a corner.  No matter what, it slides on out as you need it, which makes this knitter very happy.  One of these days, I might run out of things to say about Kathy’s well-designed bags, but I doubt it.  Project bags are a necessity for those of us void of project monogammy.  I’m up to three of Kathy’s, but one is permanently tied up as my spindle bag.  (And no, I’m not going to tell you how many projects I have on the needles.  A girl has to have some secrets.)

So, The Moth’s report card:

Pattern:  Wing of the Moth Shawl/Scarf by Anne Hanson    I just can’t say enough about this pattern.  It’s well-written, both in text and charts, with several photos, including one of the scarf version.  I want to own all of the Knitspot patterns now.  There wasn’t one moment in this pattern, whether reading words or charts, where I went, “What!?” and flipped around.  There wasn’t a single row where I couldn’t make the chart make sense and flipped to the words, or vice versa.  If you haven’t tried an Anne Hanson pattern, what are you waiting for?

I chose this pattern, in the scarf size, because I had one precious ball of Superior  to make a lush, summer shoulder wrap for me.  Unfortunately, because the pattern is a little more complex than some, I couldn’t just knit to the end of the ball and do the edging.  Since this was by far the most complicated lace pattern I’ve done, I wasn’t confident enough to expand any of the segments to make it a bit bigger, but I’m still very pleased with the results. 

Yarn:  Filatura Di Crosa Superior, in Light Pink.  The first few rows with this slippery stuff were frustrating, but once I got the hang of it, it was a treat to have this cashmere silk yarn slipping through my fingers.  I have enough left over to make another small project, I’m sure.  It is worth the trouble; it blocks up softer and lighter than Kidsilk Haze.  Before blocking, the scarf was pretty enough, but at roughly 13″x30-something, it wasn’t exactly functional, except as a shawl for a doll, or maybe Sissy.  However, after about 20 minutes in Eucalan with lavender, it blocked out to a whopping 18″x48″.  It will be exactly what I wanted, aside from the points being a bit narrow.  It just floats on the back, across the shoulders (literally), and the points are long enough that it will stay put, I think.

Needles:  Plymouth Bamboo #6 24″ circ.  NOT a new favorite.  The points are too dull, but I did like the way the stuff stuck to them, so I suffered on.

All in all, this is a new favorite FO for me.  I finally have done some “real” lace, albeit a small, SMALL shawl.  It was very much what I had in mind, but don’t look for more lace right now; I’m in sock mode again. 

What’s that?  Oh - my sock is calling.  Enjoy the rest of your Father’s Day!

 

Ooh, Shop-shop

The Knight is already rather grumpy with me, because he had to have an insurance physical this morning.  He’s going to cross the line to peevish when he checks his email (we share a Paypal account, sadly…).  I might not have so quickly made my purchases this morning if he hadn’t been such a grump!

See, while reading Jessi’s blog, I caught a glimpse of some lovelies in her Etsy shop.  I just *HAD* to have the handspun, and when I saw that the sock yarn was named Outer Banks, I couldn’t resist. 

I wouldn’t be ashamed if not for the online shopping I’d already this week.  It started when my pusher, er… friend Ann, sent links for me to see what she was doing while working.  (Hey, it’s not her fault it was a boring meeting!)  I fell in love with one of the colorways, and according to the USPS tracking number, it will be in my mailbox this afternoon.  I purchased two skeins, because I love the colors, love bamboo blends, but most of all, because as a child, there was a MASSIVE Hemlock tree in our front yard.  When thing got rough, I’d sprint across the yard and crawl under the great lower limbs, which brushed the ground, but left a nice space for little me near the trunk.  I grew to love the dainty hemlock cones, and since that house and tree are just a distant memory (both still stand, but I’m not one to visit former homes now owned by strangers), I want to make myself a hemlock shawl.  (No, I doubt it will be the Hemlock Ring, as I already have one of those, gifted to me in green even!)

But wait!  There’s more!  Cass is another pusher.  I have friends with great eyes for what I like, and thus, I followed Cass’s link to Knitspot.  I didn’t buy any of the patterns my friends whom had already discovered Ms. Hanson’s designs are using or coveting, but the Wing o’ the Moth in its scarf version is just what I was looking for to knit up that lone ball of the luxurious Superior I purchased last week!  Purchased and downloaded, and I will likely cast on this weekend, as soon as I get caught up on the RCK Mystery Lace KAL.  (Ravelry link only… sorry!) 

Oh, and I haven’t showed you what mine looks like, have I?

I love this yarn, and the color is just fabulous!  Here’s a shot of part of clue one.  That part on the needles has eight repeats, only one of which is shown there.  I did another last night, and hope to finish that up plus start on clue #2 tonight.  Yes, it does look rather like a scarf.  I’m using the #6s called for in the pattern, because I like the way the stitches look.  A lot of women are using #9s, and everything in between, to get a bigger stole.  The designer insists my little wad there will block to 20″, and I’m going to trust her.  Those Bryspuns are 14″, so it’s not totally inconceivable…

My other project that wants to jump on the needles is the Lace Ribbon Scarf.  The KAL began on Monday, but I told myself that I must complete clue #2 on the RCK KAL first!  I’m actually going to use the suggested yarn in the pattern, Alpaca Sox, but only one skein, as short me only needs the 60″ one skein will supply.  Plus, pat me on the back after all the stash building I’ve done this week, I had that in my stash!  It might turn into a gift, but right now, it’s for me.  I’m being a very self-centered knitter, it seems.

Monday is one of the precious few paid holidays we get here at the family business, so I’m making the most of my long weekend.  As you can tell, I have lots of knitting planned.  Stardust is coming right along too.  I’ve started on the left front now.  I’ve joined the tie to the side panel, and I’ve moved up into the eyelet portion already.  I’m also planning on organizing my crafting supplies, but the big project for the weekend is introducing Sissy to the invisible fence.  The wild girl loves to stretch her legs, and the vet said that a couple of weeks after her surgery, we could start the training.  That’s today, and we’re not going to waste a minute!

How ’bout you?  Any exciting plans?

Butterfly Away

(That’s the desk the Knight and Uncle Bobby share in the background…)

Well, it’s done.  My ever-faithful model MJ is sporting the Butterfly Lace Stole, from the current Knit ‘n Style.  I love this photo of her.  She says her eyes are closed, but it’s just because she’s really smiling hard.  Photos of happy people make me happy!

Pattern:  This pattern is getting a bad rap on Ravelry.  I loved it.  It was as close to mindless lace as it gets.  I knitted on it at our retreat.  I hung my GypsyKnits bag on my left wrist and knitted on my feet while I played with Sissy and Mugsy in the yard.  I knitted at the S ‘n B.  I did 44 repeats, 3 fewer than the sample for the pattern, but I do believe it will fit its recipient perfectly, and she is 4 inches taller than MJ, with much longer arms.  On me - 5′3″ with fairly short arms - once blocked, it hit below my fingertips.  I think it will be the perfect lightweight wrap for my mother.  (Shhh!  I think it’s embedded enough that even if she does read my blog she won’t notice!) 

It also turned out to be a great lace project to learn how to fix otherwise frogthewholedangthing mistakes.  Thanks Grace for the coaching!  When I was showing the shawl to MJ, *I* couldn’t even find the fixed booboo.

Yarn:  My beloved Tofutsies, in colorway 847.  Yes, this yarn splits.  I found it split less with the bamboos than with the Bryspuns, but I’ll talk about that more in the needle section.  However, it’s machine wash and dry, which makes it great for gifts.  Tofutsies blocks well with just a steam iron, which is what I did this time.  I would have liked to wet block it, but it had to get in the mail. 

Needles:  I started with #6 Bryspun straights, my lace needle of choice.  Everything was going swimmingly until Sissy seriously chewed the tip on on one needle.   I can report that Pampered Chef Kitchen Shears will hack through Bryspuns, not that the average gal needs to know that.  I then used the remaining Bryspun for the knit/lace rows, and a wooden needle from Peace Fleece for the purl rows.  That system sucked, as the point on the wooden needles was too dull for the K3togs.  The Crystal Palace Bamboos I picked up in town were better.  The points were fine, but if I ever use these suckers again, the Knight will have to sand on them; there were a lot of invisible rough spots that grabbed constantly.  I did notice that the Tofutsies splitting was less of an issue with the bamboo though, so that’s something to consider.  I tested some more Tofutsies with Addi Bamboo dpns last night, and there was no splitting to speak of.  For me, matching the right needles with the yarn and pattern is another key to happy, pretty knitting.  That’s why you’ll see me use dpns, circs, straights, metal, whatever my Bryspuns are made of, bamboo and wood, in all kinds of combinations. 

Again, I really was pleased with this project, although stoles do seem to go on and on forever.  I don’t think I’d make it again, but that’s just because there are so many lace wraps and so little time.

I haven’t forgotten my tea blog along  post this week.  I’ve taken a couple of photos, and will likely blog tomorrow, since I forgot to bring my camera to work today.  Today’s a busy day.  We dropped Sissy off for her spaying this morning (should be complete by now… I’m sure the vet will call soon!), and Mugsy is in the office for a change, so that when we pick her up, he can get his annual shot(s).  Sissy’s also getting micro chipped while she’s under.  We didn’t chip either of the boys, but since we’re headed to the beach several times a year, it seemed like a good idea.  Needless to say, this will be a quiet weekend for us as we try to keep the wild woman calm!

 

R&R

In my mind, “R&R” means “recruitment and retention” a key element in volunteer organizations.  However, I am aware that for many, it means “rest and relaxation.”  Right now, I’m counting to ten, doing some yoga “centering” exercises, and trying to release my anger and frustration somewhere other than at Sissy.  There are no photos, but I’ll be switching my Butterfly Lace to another set of needles.  My #6 Bryspun straights are dead.  Well, one anyway.  I thought she was in the study with Mugsy and me.  The good news is, the lace - about 25% done - is only slobbery wet, and still on its mangled needle.  Only the tips and the inch or so at that end of the needles (laugh with me!) are ruined.  I’ll have to wait for the Knight to get home, and have him cut the tip off while I protect the stitches on said needle, but I’ll be able to pick up where I left off.

Sissy NEVER bothers anything but Tofutsies.  Can that hound nose smell the chitin?  (And y’all think she’s so cute.  She is, isn’t she?  She just still requires CONSTANT VIGILANCE.)

Now, I can’t even remember what else I was going to blog about.

Oh yeah.  My lace in progress.  Ha.

That’s it, minus the during the thunderstorm repeats.  See my pretty, happy needles?  Yeah.  I’m going to have to order more, I suppose.  If Sissy got an allowance, I’d make her pay for them, and the yarn that I’d have to order too, just because, well… you know…  I really don’t like lace without borders, but this is nice and light.  It’ll block just fine, as did the first Tofutsies shawl.  It doesn’t require much to make it behave, unlike Sissy… (Who REALLY is a great girl, as you know.  I’m just mad, mostly at myself.)

Let’s go back to my front porch, yesterday afternoon.  Anita went to a little fiber festival recently, and guess who got a care package?!  ME!!!   That’s really a darker, almost jewel toned mix of blues and reds in a corridale blend.  I can’t wait to give it a spin, but I want to twist up all the pink merino on the spindle first.  (No, I didn’t spin last night and it’s not looking good for tonight either.  My blackberry wine is looking good though.) 

 

Anita also included this lush, angora blend.  I wonder if I’ll ever spin well enough to feel I can do it justice?  Almost looks like cotton candy, doesn’t it?  Feels MUCH better though.  Sorry to the Knight and the cotton candy fans out there.  I don’t care for the stuff, but this?  Ahhh…  I have no desire to taste it, but I could be content to just hold it and pet it.

 

 

This morning was also River City Knitters meeting time.  What a great group!  I wish such a guild for each of you.  There’s an informative training session at every meeting, and this month, it was machine knitting.  It was neat, but for the same money, I could buy a wheel…  I also don’t knit for “production” purposes (although the deadlines I create for myself sometimes make me feel differently), so I don’t care about grinding out some stockinette in a heartbeat.  I like the feel of the fibers slipping through my fingers, as one of the other ladies mentioned.  Still, I’m a curious bird, so it was good to actually see a machine in use.  A few ladies gave it a try, but I returned to my seat to chat (imagine!) and work on my butterfly lace (so Sissy could have an after dinner snack, evidently).

Darlene (blogless) brought me these little wonders.  DPN tubes.  The blue and red one with the slot is a wonderful little creature that will allow me to take my DPN sock on the road, because you know that after Magic Loop, two at a time becomes routine, I will still want to do a sock (or two?) on DPNs again.  I’m fickle like that, but in the meantime, my pretty Harmony DPNS can live in sunny little homes, designed just for them.  Thanks, Darlene!

Today also marked the start of the RCK lace KAL.  It’s my first ever mystery KAL, so I’m excited!  Of course, I have no fewer than three yarns I’m considering for it, so stay tuned.  Once I get the Butterflies out, I’ll cast on.  We get one clue every month, and even get to name the shawl.  Fun, no?

 

 

After the meeting, Rosanne and I went to Lettuce Knit.  I was shopping for a couple of specific things, but I ended up just grabbing a couple of patterns and the TyDy colorway I’d wanted to try for the Clapotis.  I might go back for more for a baby blanket if I don’t mind knitting with it.  I think that’s going to become a regular stop for us when we’re in Richmond.  They carry yarns I don’t see everywhere else, and I like that!

 

 

The pink flamingos are for Christmas gifts.  That’s all I’m sayin’.  The Plymouth bowl/wine cozy pattern was purchased just because I can’t put my hands on the Fiber Trends version.  It too will be Christmas gifts, including a smaller version for my dessert wines too.  (Erm… that’s for me, not a gift, obviously.  Gotta’ treat ourselves too, right?!)

Thanks so much for helping me put some time and distance between the slaughtered needles, Sissy and me.  All that matters is that Sissy didn’t eat the yarn and require a trip to the vet, right?  Add in that the lace is safe and sound, and I’ve really been crying over spilt milk, eh? 

 

Run, Don’t Walk

Have you seen the Winter edition of Knitty? 

Wow.  I want to knit almost everything there.  Quant is already printed, and will be cast on as soon as Mugsy’s coat is finished, as my non-lace project.  Justify, Stardust, Slippery Socks, Azure, Chevrolace Socks and Jeanie are also going in my Ravelry queue. 

That’s in sharp contrast to my Dec/Jan issue of Creative Knitting,  which FINALLY arrived yesterday, where only ONE pattern got dog earred.  I’m due to renew, and I don’t think I will.  It never arrives in a timely fashion, and I haven’t knitted a single pattern in the year that I’ve been getting it. 

Do you subscribe to a knitting magazine?  I also get Interweave Knits, and it arrives on time and never disappoints me, other than the fact that I have to go hunt down the special editions when they come out. 

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must return to my job, which at the moment has nothing to do with my source of income.  A busy snow day here in the construction world; MJ is watching Bold and Beautiful, the Knight is playing with a new test kit (for water sampling), and I’m going to get back to my responsibilities as a supporter of online commerce.

Let’s Go to Vegas!

Luck is a man. He’s hot, and he’s dancing with me. I wonder if the Knight would like to skip work and scoot to Charlestown? He’s a natural card shark, and Luck is with me.

PHEW. That’s me, breathing a sigh of relief. Amanda got her socks, and they fit! It was a great little pattern, and I’ll be doing it again when ankle socks seem in season. It does my heart good to know that the second pair of socks made for someone else fits. That means that statistically (did I mention before that I love statistics, the math concept?), I should stop fretting over the Monkey socks for my Sock it pal. They fit me, and I wear very “average” socks, and pal says she does too. The wicked Knight suggested I should keep them, but I won’t. With a little luck, by week’s end, both my Sock it pal’s package and my Tea pal’s package will head in their directions.

And speaking of Sock it to Me, guess what?! I hereby renounce my right to pout out loud that I never win anything. Contest #2 simply required me to gush about my favorite yarn. In return, I’ve won gift certificates to here and here! Thank you, thank you!!

There’s really not a lot to report here, but what else to do in the middle of the night when sleep is elusive? Monkey #1 will be done Tuesday evening, and my search continues for just the right things to send with them. I bought the ribbon for my Mandy’s Candy Bag Monday night. Those of you who scrap or sew already know you can buy ribbon with ANYTHING on it, but I was still filled with toddleresque glee when I spotted it. No, you can’t see, but you’ll get a finished object photo soon enough, maybe even in the next day or two!

Dishcloth Square Blocks

Meet Dishcloth Square Blocks. Or at least, that’s what I’m calling him. He’s #2 in what seems to be a weekly series of dishcloth patterns, being designed by Anne. He’s done in Lion Cotton Red, with #7 straight needles, in my very Continental method. You can find the pattern here, but be sure to note the contest rules for both cloths.

And don’t worry. He’s not going to live on the tree. The Knight has already claimed him as his own, and I suspect that before the sun sets, DSB will have been called into action.

I was impressed with the Lion Cotton. It was soft! I’ll have to see if I can’t find some more, since I don’t recall where I picked up this ball, but I do remember that it was the only color they offered…

Now, what next?? You’re not going to get to see Amanda’s socks while she’s on vacation. That just doesn’t feel right. If she was here to taunt - er, make that see them herself - that might be different, but since she’s out in the middle of the ocean enjoying some alone time with her beloved, I think the socks will just quietly head north on Monday, and you can pop over to her blog for a shot of the finished pair. I *NEED* to start on my Sock it to Me pal’s socks, but her yarn won’t be here until next week. I am going to send my pal a little package next week too, but the socks obviously won’t be included. I guess that forces me to figure out what I’m going to knit for my tea swap pal, huh?

Mandy’s Candy Bag

If you’re looking for a cute way to present your latest small item, or a few swap treats, here’s your bag. NH Knitting Mama has released her first pattern, and I couldn’t wait to try it out. The only change I made was I skipped the i-cord (Anne?) and created my first crocheted chain! (Don’t look too closely.) I am in love with Peaches & Creme’s Sea Mist colorway, despite how much coarser it is than the Cotton Rich. This bag might be used to present a new baby (mom’s more than ready for you to come out - it’s hot!) his first pair of booties, *IF* indeed it is a boy. Mom doesn’t care much for pink or pastels, so I need a back-up plan, because I know someone else who is sure to love these colors.

Why are you still here?! Scoot over and tell NH Knitting Mama how much you like her pattern, and then make one of your own! She has a contest going too, so be sure to enter.

Downward Facing Wick

So, there it is. The yoga sock done in Wick. (That’s color #9 on the site.) You can find the pattern here. I can’t say enough about the yarn. It’s a bit like chenille, but it stretches, so while I might never knit with chenille again, I love this stuff and will be ordering some to make Christmas presents. No, I don’t know how practical the socks are, as my toes are generally what gets cold first, but check back with me after the temperature drops, because I’ve slipped into my sad version of Lotus more than once, just to get my feet off of the cold even through the mat floor!

Hey, look! They aren’t green. How ’bout that!? Pink and brown, and although you can’t really see it, there is some sage-ish green in there too, along with the cream and some - get this, Sharon! - purple. If you’re looking for non-wool fibers, give Wick a try. Yet another soy love affair happening here.

This is also a good time for a little book review. Devon sent me a copy of this for my birthday last month. Sue told me early in our swap-born friendship that Interweave published the best books, and this certainly makes a good case for that argument. Have a problem? (Like needing to cast on 22 stitches in mid-yoga sock?) Just flip to the index in the back, and viola! There it is, with pictures and gooblette-proof text. Even at 10pm, I was able to make it work, rather successfully, if I may say so myself! Now that I have a nice, roomy tote (thanks, Stacey!), this book will go wherever my knitting and I go, unless I am 100% positive there’s no way I’ll need it.

Of course, there are many more books to review, but Mugsy says it’s time to sit together on the sofa and talk about our day, which for him, included escaping into the great room to hang out with Fred. He’d been baby-gated in our room, which is adjacent to the great room, so that they could see each other, but Mugsy couldn’t bother Fred the sore grump and provoke a fight. Evidently, Mugsy knew Dr. Nancy would insist that Fred isn’t as bad off as we thought… Thanks for all the kind wishes. He’s mending, slowly but surely. He’s still a rather old basset with a very bad back, but it seems he’s going to be around a while longer.

Still Green

Friends, I think I’m in a rut. It’s a lovely cloth in a cotton-linen blend, but it’s a sage green. Green. It’s all I seem to be able to reach for these days, but that will change. It must! I’m going to knit a little something for my KVVS pal, so unless she’s really into green, there will be a different colored finished object soon enough. I love this pattern. It’s in a booklet the awesome Anne gave me, and it’s called “Soft Texture.” Indeed. I think Mark wants it for his own, but no dice. I also must announce that I care not the least to knit with linen or linen blends. Ick, yuck, and almost yuck yarn worthy. Scratchy. I will do a linen face cloth for Mark (and let’s all hope he doesn’t adore it and want more), and mostly likely, he’ll get a twin to this one too, just because I’ve got the yarn, and it’s good to keep the Knitter’s Knight happy.

I did find the link for the Petal Dishcloth (pictured a couple of posts before this). In a true gooblette moment, when I unfolded the page, which was merely folded in half, there was the link, across the bottom of the page. Imagine…

I also shoved the Sockza socks on blockers. Follow the link to note that you’ve knitted your socks, sent your socks (tomorrow, for me!) and again when you receive your socks. Maybe all of y’all knew to do that, but I needed my dear Devon to point that out, so I’m returning the favor. I really do love that pattern, but there are so many others I want to do that it will probably be a while before I knit the same pattern twice again. I’m pretty sure the June Tofutsies Sock Club is next for the needles, and yes folks, that will be a return to the two circs. method. I like dpns a lot, but they wore out their welcome (snapping, poking in the palm, etc.) with that last effort. The yoga socks in Wick remain on the needles in a fancy Ziploc bag, but when Mugsy isn’t sleeping on said bag, I am picking them up once in a while, because I love the Wick.

Thanks for all the Fred good wishes. He’s better, but not much, so I’ll call Dr. Nancy in the morning, and either tomorrow or Tuesday, the big boy will go see her. It’s heartbreaking, but I still have hope…

There’s still time to sign up for the tea swap. We’re rounding up some nice prizes, and the first contest isn’t far off, so don’t wait until the last minute to sign up or to post your questionnaire!