Category: I may be knitting a ranch house

I finally finished the sewing on my Pillow of Sei Shonagon from Larissa Brown‘s Knitalong.  The knitting was fast; making a pillow form and sewing on the backing took longer.  Well, technically, they only took an afternoon, but I procrastinated. 

This was for Blog-free Kim’s birthday in early August…I’m keeping up a tradition of giving her half-finished gifts when we celebrate!  I was a bit tricksy earlier in the season and asked her for suggestions for poems that she liked.  She mentioned T.S. Eliot’s "The Wasteland," and I used the first two and a half stanzas for the text of the pillow. 

This was a satisfying and fun project.  Now I have to persuade myself to give it up!  Ravelry details here.

Last week I forgot to celebrate my three-year blogiversary, so I decided to post a little bookmark pattern as a belated celebration.  If you make one, let me know–I’d love to see it!  I named it after Neal’s favorite spot on Cape Cod as books and the end of summer and beaches seem meant for each other.

Here’s the pattern if you want a little bookmark of your own.

Supplies needed:
Hairpin lace loom
US 0 crochet hook
Ambrosia yarn (any thin yarn will do; adjust hook size accordingly)

If you haven’t tried hairpin lace before, there is an excellent tutorial at Stitch Diva.  Hairpin lace was my first fiber craft.  I made my boyfriend an afghan when I was 14.  He moved on with the blanket, but I was hooked on fiber!

Set the loom’s prongs to a 1.5 inch width.  Begin, being careful to keep center of strip aligned properly.  When you have 60 loops on each side, cut the yarn and tie off.   
Next, with working yarn, SC (single crochet) every two loops together.  Repeat on opposite long side.  Leave long tails on each end.

Using those tails, SC 5 on either side of the bottom and top loops.  Weave in ends and block lightly.

Meanwhile create a tassle.  I like the one in Last Minute Knitted Gifts.  Once the bookmark is dry, attach the tassle.  I made a SC chain that I looped through the tassle’s chain, but you could also leave a really long tail on the bookmark and use that to wind the head of the tassle, thereby attaching it.

I plan to try this pattern in linen next–tres elegant for a gift.  I may even get into some beading with this!

Please let me know if you have any questions about the pattern.  This is the first time I’ve written up a pattern to share publicly, and I want to make sure there are no problems!  Enjoy!

I know, I know, it’s good for the garden.  I had plans for biking this morning, though, and I won’t bike in the rain.  No, I’m not all afraid I’m going to melt.  It’s a safety thing, people.

I guess instead of biking, or even weeding (I don’t do that in the rain, either, because I fear I might melt), I’ll have to tackle something else.  But what? What?  Sure, there is reading to be done, but what I really want to do?

Start on February Lady. 

Sit down for this one: I swatched in my yarn last night.  This morning, in fulfillment of my promise to Laura,  I washed the swatches.  Now I’m all sorts of confused as the gauge changed (aha, that’s why the washing!!), and I don’t know which way is up in terms of my next move with needles.  In any case, the 8s and 9s are giving me washed fabric that is 4 sts/inch instead of 4.5.  I’m playing dumb here a little, but not entirely.  I’m going to knit up a swatch on 7s next and see what happens.  I’ll let you know!

ETA: I swatched on the 7s (which, btw, I did last night and ripped out as I got 5 sts/inch.  Shoulda washed and blocked!), washed, blocked, and perfecto gauge!  Wait until you see how pretty the red, red yarn is on my ebony needles. 

Ali is hosting her Summer Knitting Goals Contest.  I’ve had some knitting ennui of late, and I’m hoping that the setting of goals will bring meaning back to my knitting.  Or something.

Finish:
1.  Lady of the Lake needs sleeves.  I should be able to knit sleeves, don’t you think?  If I can just pick up the dang stitches, I’ll be practically done.
2.  Tuscany.  I’ve started her three times, and I think this one is a keeper.  I had intended to give her as a Christmas gift, but I like her too much. 
3.  Grocery tote. 
Start (and complete, for crime in Italy)
1.  February Lady Sweater.  What is not to love about this beauty?   All hail  Pamela, clever stylish chica.
2.  Secret things for people who are now nicknamed Tubby and read the blog.  I, mind you, don’t subscribe to this nickname.  But it’s hot, and there are two little ones in the oven, and maybe a mama-to-be needs a giggle.
3.  Apollo and Artemis.  A girl needs socks, and these suit me perfectly.  All hail Kirsten, pattern writing queen and elegance embodied (and generous, too!).
4.  Lace.  I’m thinking a red shawl to replace Tuscany, the Goddess knits  mystery shawl, and  a Swallowtail.  You don’t need links, right?

The reality, if the past serves as a means to measure, is that I’ll maybe get one thing done.  Unless I crank the a/c.  Maybe then I’ll have a knitting resurgence and fall in love with every project I touch.  Instead of, you know, knitting an inch and casting it aside, fickle summer knitter that I am.

What are your summer craft goals?

Here’s a little sneak preview of an actual, finished object at Chez Golightly.  I’m hoping to press Neal into service for a photo shoot tomorrow.  Until then, here are some random bits of information for you.  Okay, a complaint or two as well.

1.  I signed up for the Goddess Knits mystery shawl.  I know, I did so well with MS3 last year (ahem) that it’s a natural fit, right?  I was going to dye my own yarn, but I fell in love with this (mine is more of a blackish color).

2.  I bought fabric to make a laptop protector.  I have yet to name my Phineas-replacement computer, but I think I might fall a bit more in love with her when she has a swank cover.  I’m using Asian-inspired prints and Amy Butler’s pattern.  I hope to sew it this weekend.

3.  My allergies are out of control today.  I thought maybe it was the luscious bouquet of lilacs I’d gathered yesterday, but it’s more serious than that.  I’d forgotten how terrible my allergies are in CT.  There’s something here that was not in New York, and it bothers me fiercely!

4.  I was supposed to leave for Greece tomorrow.  I’m not bitter; we’re staying home for valid, serious reasons.  I’m just a little bit disappointed is all.

5.  I started taking yoga on Thursday nights.  I really like the class, and I even bought this book so I could practice at home more easily between classes.

6.  I’m thinking about running another kit swap this summer.  Remember the KSKS?  And KMKS?  Well, what do you all think about KLKS:  Knit Lace Kit Swap?  Anyone game???

7.  Sunday is my Ravelversary!  I intend to have a giveaway, so take a peek back here, ok?

Last spring I made my first lace project for my wedding.  It only seems fitting that with the hope of another big event on the horizon, that I knit lace for it.  I wanted to make something special for my dissertation chair.  She and I met about 18 months before I started my MFA program.  Not only has she taught me so much about writing, but I admire her as a human, too.  When I think about my ideal job, I usually say to myself "I want to be S."  She’s a writer, of course, a teacher, and administrator, directing not just my writing program, but also a successful, wonderful summer writing conference.  Despite the frustrations inherent in administration, I find it satisfying.  I miss my grant writing job sometimes; I was pretty good at all that admin work.  All this is to get at the fact that I want to create something lovely so that S. will know how much I appreciate having her in my life. 

I planned to spin yarn for this (sound familiar?  Like when I planned to spin my wedding stole yarn?), but spinning is low on the things I put time aside for right now.  I’ve realized, too, that I like to spin outside on my deck.  I’m not as into spinning inside.  Funny, no?  Anywho,  once I accepted that yet again I wouldn’t reach the goal of spinning for a shawl, I started to troll for yarn just the right shade of turquoise.  I favor Sleeping Beauty turquoise (before I moved to NM, I had NO IDEA of how many different types of turquoise there were.  Check me out–now I have a preference!) and wanted something similar to that. 

At a recent late Friday at Creative Fibers, Judy pulled out a few skeins of Claudia Hand Painted Silk lace yarn.  When I saw the turquoise, I was smitten.  It took me about a week to cave, but back I went to bring a skein (with a whopping 1,100 yards) home.  This stuff is gorgeous!  I trolled around for the right pattern and was torn between a few.  At last Friday’s Creative Fibers kal, Jen mentioned the Shetland Triangle from Wrap Style.  As soon as I saw it, I had my pattern.

So, spring 2008 means lace 2008 for me as I knit this dissertation shawl. 

What does spring make you want to knit?

I stayed up until after one on Friday night (or Saturday morning if you prefer) to finish the Forest Canopy Shawl.  This morning I soaked her in some SOAK (acquae–it’s dee-vine) and blocked her on the mattress.  The magic happened.  The blob that left me unimpressed became delicate and wonderful. 

I highly recommend this pattern for lace knitters of any skill.  I used the first installment of Erin’s Year of the Sock club yarn (Jewel) and size 8 needles.  The pattern directions were so clear.  If you look closely I imagine you’ll find a few wonky places, but those are my fault; the directions are impeccable.

It feels great to have this WIP off the needles.  Actually, I’ve been wanting the needles for another project, but that’s going to have to wait just a bit longer.  See, I’ve gone and entered Skeins Her Way’s Finish a UFO 2008 contest.  My goal is to finish the languishing Lady of the Lake jacket by the end of January.  I have the sleeves and collar to knit, then I’ll be wearing my first adult-sized sweater.  How’s that for a good start to the year?

I don’t know about you, but I’ll be planted in front of PBS for Sundays with Jane.  I’ve been a little giddy at the prospect all day.  Are you watching it, too?

Let me leave you with a Forest Canopy close-up shot:

The new Knitty is up, but you probably knew that, right?  I haven’t made it through all of the patterns yet, but Romi’s Ice Queen is making me light headed from its swoonyness (yes, that is a word.  I said so.).  I plan to make it and wear it often, living out my fantasies of being the Ice Queen myself.  Ok, the Snow Queen, but I’ll be ice skating and my heart will be as frozen as the water below me.  I"ll stop now.  You get the drift, though, right?  I love that pattern with all the coldness of a Snow Queen.

Right.

So there is a new month on the calendar, another 26 days in which I can Clean my Slate for 2008.  I’ve done some frogging, and I’ve done some finishing, and I’ve done lots of knitting.  Mostly I’ve been pushing to finish Socks for Maggie.  I’m nearly done with the heel, and then it’s a fast cruise to the toe.  I hope to finish this weekend; I want to turn my attention to some Christmas knitting next week. 

I’m nearing the end of both of my semesters–one as a teacher, one as a student.  My novella is with my dissertation chair, and I’ll be spending the break on revisions.  As a teacher, I’ve got a pretty light week next week.  Conferences on Monday and Wednesday, wrap-up day on Friday, and collect papers the following Monday.  This full-time teaching load has been great in terms of the extra income, but it’s been a real struggle to handle it in addition to my dissertation work.  If I didn’t take breaks for knitting and reading blogs and seeing my crafty chicas, I’d be outside, crying in the icey snow, no Ice Queen to warm my bursting head.

Those breaks, along with walks in the woods with my mutts, keep me in some sort of semblance of balance.  What do you do for balance?

And, hey, as long as your commenting, what are you loving in this new issue of Knitty?

Thanks for your kind words about my student.  His family will be in my thoughts for a long time. 

I’m about to start another day of grading.  I finished one class’s papers and returned them yesterday, and I want to see if I can get two more sets done today.  The biggest distraction, though, is this.  I adore knitting these socks; I’ve never knit anything so quickly.  I’m stalled out now.  I’m simply uncertain about what heel will do the most justice to the, um, bright stripes of this yarn.  I’m thinking the forethought heel, but as I’ve been trolling the Web, I can’t find a tutorial, and I just don’t "get" the directions from Sensational Socks.  Can anyone suggest another heel that will let me maintain my striping (clearly, the afterthought heel, too, but I’d rather try the forethought)?  Should I just find some solid yarn to do heels and toes?

I had planned to take part in NaKniSweMo this year, and I’ve even got the yarn and pattern (Ribby Cardi).  Margene’s post today made me pause and rethink, though.  She mentioned wanting to finish up or frog projects that are on the needles before the New Year.  I like that idea of starting fresh with projects in 2008.  I’ve decided to bow out of NaKniSweMo and re-dedicate myself to cleaning out the UFOs:

1.  Forest Canopy shawl
2.  Lady of the Lake cardi
3.  Giving Flower mitts
4.  Shadow Shawl (frog this one)
5.  Wound Too Tight socks
6.  Dulaan hat (need to decide on a new charity to get this one)
7.  Chickami
8. Adele (frog–don’t like the yarn)

eta: 9.  sushi wallet–needs felting!

While I deal with these UFOs, I also have a bunch of holiday crafting to do.  I’ll likely knit 50,000 stitches in November; they won’t be on the same project is all!