and knitting

oh mine papa - project #15 is finished!

Yeehaw! I finished my father's scarf on Sunday night. I just need to tidy it up a bit with some gentle blocking.

PHOTO UPDATE: The photo below is just a last minute one I snapped (wet hair and all) before I had to wrap up the scarf and head out to celebrate Christmas. The weird giant boob shelf view is a result of a wide angle lens so certain objects appear much larger than they are in real life. I'll post a better photo when I can.

The Project: Oh Mine Papa Scarf
The Yarn: Patons Classic Merino Wool in Dark Grey Mix purchased from Needlework Unlimited
The Needles: Crystal Palace 4mm
Started: October 21, 2004
Finished: November 28, 2004

you're my knitspiration

I have about twelve inches to go on the scarf I am knitting for my dad. The main body of the scarf is done in seed stitch or moss stitch or whatever you prefer to call it, with a ribbed section to wrap around the neck.

Miss Froggy, knitter extraordinaire, is currently working on an absolutely gorgeous seed stitch project, which I very much admire, bright autumn. She has also made a lovely seed stitch sweater from Rebecca magazine.

I just adore knitting seed stitch. It's rather slow going, but the texture turns out so lovely.

I had a lovely Thanksgiving this year. My Thanksgiving-related duties weren't too taxing. I purchased the dessert (key lime pie) the night before at my favorite local market. Walter Mondale was purchasing pies there too, which was awfully cool. Day of I made two side dishes; scalloped potatoes au gratin and the requisite green bean casserole. I'll have to contribute a bit more next year.

Becaue I had it so easy I spent the morning perusing knit blogs and knitting my dad's scarf. It was nice, but I'm now suffering a bit of knit envy. There are a lot of knitters out there who are working on beautiful projects. My sister has me brimming with jealousy with her almost finished Ash from Rowan #36. It's ridiculously gorgeous and one of her best projects yet. The girl is a knitting fiend! She had better start blogging soon!

Umm

Well, I suppose it might be more fun to snark about it as many have (especially those card carrying holier than thou knitters), but I actually liked knit.1 magazine. Sure it tries too hard to actually be cool, but the size is awfully convenient and there are a few rather cute patterns inside -- at least as many as I usually find in other magazines. My favorite is the u-neck vest, which I will make in a yarn a bit more appealing to me than that specified in the pattern.

The main complaint I've read is that the mag is co-sponsored by Lion Brand yarns. I don't understand why that is such a big deal as that fact is clearly mentioned at the top of the masthead.

My biggest gripe is that the Lion Brand ads are awfully heinous. I think I threw up in my mouth a little bit when I first saw them. What were they thinking?

one of us

I'm so proud! Here is a photo of my pal Kelly just after binding off her first knitting project. I taught her to knit in one quick lunchtime session. Kelly was the mystery friend who was the recipient of a scarf I knitted a few months back.

I feel like a real knitter now that I've taught someone how to knit. It helped that she is awfully crafty and learns well on her own. Now on to purling! Congratulations Kelly!

Speaking of crafty, an organization Kelly is involved with called Open Arms of Minnesota, is having an event to sell South African Beadwork to Benefit HIV-Positive People in South Africa. Do come if you are in Minneapolis.

aah silliness

Take the quiz: "Which American City Are You?"

Seattle
Your dark exterior masks a caffeine driven activism. You'll take up a cause and you'll get ugly to advance it.

I found this quiz via Digital Yarn. I've had many moments of pure rage these past few weeks, but those who know me will laugh because the second sentence is so not true. I'm just not the type to get ugly and march down the street with the giant puppet brigade and go out and smash up a Starbucks. However, like others, I have lately been finding myself a little less humorous and a little more earnest. It's hard to find that balance.

status report

Why yes, it's time again for a status report. To save myself from feeling guilty I'm not even going to post about the two projects that are currently living in limbo.

I'm about halfway there on the scarf I'm knitting for my dad. It's coming along very nicely, if I do say so myself. Pay no attention to the bizarre color in the photo. I'm not sure why, but my camera just can't seem to get it right.

TGIF

I wish I had known about these needles sooner. Aren't they cute? I purchased similar, but not as adorable, susan bates needles last weekend (needed to make Molly's scarf). Will I even be able to knit with plastic needles this honkin' big?

Wishin' there was more to report here. I'm mostly dutifully working on the scarf for my father. It's not a Christmas gift, but I'd like to just get it done. Frida is on indefinite hold because I'm suddenly no longer fond of the color red. Hmm, wonder why...

I'm blue

Like others, I've been in a horrid mood since the election. Using Elizabeth Kubler-Ross' stages of grief as a gauge, I believe I'm in the depression phase right now. At least this is a better place to be than the well stoked rage I felt about a week ago, where it was probably best that I stayed away from sharp, pointy objects like knitting needles.

Now that I'm a bit calmer, I've picked up the needles once again. My dad's scarf is coming along nicely. I've made it to the ribbed section and will hopefully finish it over the next few weeks.

Yesterday, hoping to find the new R2 collection, I even got over my angry hermity ways and paid a visit to my local yarn store of choice. They did not have the new R2, but I did pick up the Rowan Ribbon Twist Collection pattern booklet. I'm planning on making my lurvely wee sister the Casey scarf (Though yikes - cables and bobbles!!! What have I gotten myself into?!?).

Said sister purchased the new Stitch 'n Bitch book. After being disappointed by some recent knit book releases that shall remain nameless, I was glad to see there were quite a few cute patterns in this one. Exhibit A, the furry pom pom bedecked hat pictured here on the right. Is 32 too old for this? Don't answer that becaue I'm going to make it anyway.

project #4: Newcastle United wins!

The Project: Newcastle United scarf for Luke
The Yarn: Plymouth Encore worsted weight yarn in black and white - purchased at Amazing Threads
The Needles: 5-1/2mm
Started: March 2004
Finished: October 31,2004

I finally finished Luke's scarf, and just in time for his birthday.