Thursday, November 16, 2006
A couple of weeks ago I got it in my head that if I didn't knit myself a pair of gloves then I will not be able to live. It is because of Steph's Mermaid Gloves that my life hangs in such a balance. They've been on my knitting radar since I saw them in March but I wasn't ready to knit gloves then. Oh no. How can you knit gloves when you're still deciding whether or not you hate knitting socks? But miracles of all miracles, I mastered the sock, I loved the sock, and even wrote a pattern for the sock.
And now I am ready for the glove.
Isn't it exhilirating, if a little bit nauseating, when trying something for the very first time? Like Steph, I scanned the entire internet for free glove patterns and I don't know, I can't read off screens very well. Everything was a run-on sentence. Nothing made sense. The brain was in agony.
So I flipped through every knitting book I had, trying to find a pattern for gloves, and BINGO! there it is in my very-neglected Loop-d-Loop book, a pattern for gloves with the ruffled cuffs. Hooray! I will just ignore everything except how to do the thumb gusset.
Shudder. That thumb gusset. But remember: you are only frightened of what you don't know.
Luckily the instructions in L-d-L are pretty clear and readable, and so even though I'm not 100% I'm doing this correctly, it would appear that I am making a thumb gusset.
If I pull these off, the gloves will be MY GREATEST CREATION EVER MWAHAHA! Thank you Steph for doing this first!
****
Now...onto a meme, from Lady Scout. I'm really bad at memes (have you ever seen me do one?). Just so you know.
1. How and when did you learn how to knit/crochet? Who taught you?
My mother is an avid knitter/crocheter/seamstress and I have asked her twice to teach me to knit. The first time I was 10. I was not ready to knit at 10. I had ADD (self-diagnosed twenty years later). There were other pressing matters like collecting Garbage Pail Kids and watching/pretending to be Jem and the Holograms. (Anyone out there in the same age group remember this?) So I retired from knitting after completing 3 rows.
Two years ago while at my parents' I spotted my mom's knitting basket. Something sparked and I asked her again to teach me how to knit. It was kind of out the blue, but maybe the feeling that knitting was becoming a not-so-strictly-geriatric hobby prompted me. All I know is at that moment I was ready. Actually the first thing she did was teach me how to crochet. Then how to knit. For the first two months all I did was crochet.
2. How has this craft impacted your life?
Well. My posture sucks. My hands are gnarled. I can barely see. I pretend to listen to my husband when he talks to me while I'm knitting. I pretend to care. (haha just kidding! i care. deeply. yes. so. what did you say?)
But I cannot stop. I've had many interests and hobbies over my lifetime, many many many, oh so many, and knitting is the ONLY ONE that I have stuck with, day in and day out. Voluntarily. I can watch TV and knit. Sit in a car and knit. Perform jury duty and knit. Work and as I wait for code to compile, knit. Every free second occupied by knitting! Time is never wasted! All the time I am productive, creative, fulfilled by knitting.
I am focused. I am never bored. I am never idle. And with one more thing to have in common, I am closer than ever to my mother.
3. Pick at least one person to talk about who you have met through the knit-world and why you are thankful to have met them.
Well this is easy. And slightly pathetic. I have met only one person through the knit-world, and she told me to write this:
"Scout taught you a lesson about having faith in humanity and trusting scary internet people you've never met... HA!"
Heh heh heh. It figures I have to drive across the nation to meet my first knitblogger. I'm very very glad we did, and afterwards I felt all gregarious and I told myself Once you're home, you will contact all the Boston area knitters you know of and have a sleepover! And then I don't know what happened. I got back home, the sun disappeared, and I reverted to all my mole-like ways. Sorry Scout!
So maybe I haven't met any one else in person, but there have been so many others who've done nice things without any prompting except that we have this crafting thing in common. For example:
- Bonnie sending a copy of Cafe Pasqual's cookbook, because she knew I was missing Santa Fe.
- Cirilia sending a skein of Regia yarn from her stash, after reading I had run out of that colorway for a complete sock.
- Veronica sending handspun cashmere after I spent $0.39 mailing her a pattern.
- Various readers sharing tips and advice, unsolicited.
- And all those who comment regularly even when I don't.
I'm in awe of the generosity, the thoughtfulness, and the time that people give to this knitting universe of ours. It's so cool.
Filed Under: General Knitting | Gloves | Mermaid
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
When the weather outside is gray...
Today's outlook
Filed Under: Life
Monday, November 13, 2006
Geez louise. Writing patterns is hard dude. You can fine-tooth comb what you write until the cows come home and then you'll hit PUBLISH! and then 6 comments too late you'll spot the glaring error that you missed over and over. Never again will I bitch and complain when I see errors in a pattern, even ones that I've paid for. Well no, maybe I will complain, because I mean money was invovled. But I just won't complain AS MUCH because damn. Writing patterns is hard.
Filed Under: Socks | Zephyr
Monday, November 13, 2006
ZEPHYR SOCKSThese socks are knit top-down with your standard slipped stitch heel flap and heel turn, standard gusset, and standard wedge toe.
The pattern is a 9-stitch, 16-row repeat.
MATERIALS
> Cherry Tree Hill Supersock yarn [420 yds], 1 skein.
> 1 set of 4 US2/2.75 mm dpn
> Tapestry needle
APPROXIMATE GAUGE
9 stitches in pattern = 1.125 inches (that's 1 inch plus half of a quarter inch), slightly stretched.
31.5 stitches = 4 inches in pattern stitch, slightly stretched.
Leg circumference is about 7 inches.
DIRECTIONS
I. CUFF
CO 54 stitches. Divide sts evenly onto 3 needles (18 sts on each needle). Join round.
Round 1: *k2, p1*
Repeat ribbing until cuff is about 1.5 inches
II. LEG
Pattern Chart
Note: The charts are mirror images, which actually isn't so obvious in the knitted sock. But just knowing I'm wearing symmetrical socks is enough for me! So you can knit mirror imaged socks, or just use one chart for both.
  
Work the 16 rounds of the Pattern Chart. Knit the Pattern Chart a total of 4 times, or to desired length. After last row is completed on Needle 3, turn work. Wrong side should be facing.
III. HEEL FLAP
Set up heel flap stitches as follows (WS): sl1, p17 from Needle 3, then p9 from Needle 2. Turn. (27 sts total on heel)
Move the remaining 27 instep stitches onto one needle.
Work heel stitches back and forth:
Row 1 (RS): *sl1, k1* to end
Row 2 (WS): sl1, p to end. Repeat these two rows for a TOTAL of 26 times. End with RS row and turn.
IV. HEEL TURN
Row 1 (WS): sl1, p14, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 2 (RS): sl1, k4, k2tog, k1, turn
Row 3: sl1, p to one st before the gap, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 4: sl1, k to one st before the gap, k2tog, k1, turn
Repeat Rows 3 & 4 until all stitches are worked. 16 sts remain.
Divide these stitches onto two needles, 8 sts on each. They are now designated as Needle 1 and Needle 3.
Stitch count before gusset:
Needle 1: 8 sts
Needle 2: 27 sts
Needle 3: 8 sts
V. GUSSET
Needle 1: Pick up and knit 15 stitches along side of heel = 23 sts
Needle 2: Knit in pattern* = 27 stitches
Needle 3: With empty needle pick and knit 15 stitches along other side of heel, then knit the 8 heel stitches = 23 stitches
Round 1: Knit even
Round 2: Needle 1 - knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k.
Needle 2 - knit in pattern**
Needle 3 - k1, ssk, k to end of needle
Repeat Rounds 1 & 2 until there are 12 stitches on both Needle 1 and 3 = 24 sole stitches. ** When knitting the instep, omit a starting YO or an ending YO in
the row, and do not do its corresponding decrease. In other words, if
you are at a row that begins with a YO, just knit the first 9 stitches
straight. If you are at a row that ends with a YO, knit the last 9
stitches straight.
Continue in est. pattern until you reach base of toes. End with Row 8 or Row 16 of chart. On final row before toe, OMIT all YOs = 3 sts decreased = 24 stitches.
Stitch count before toe:
Needle 1: 12 sts
Needle 2: 24 sts
Needle 3: 12 sts
VI. TOE
Round 1: knit even
Round 2: Needle 1 - k, k2tog, k to end k to 3 sts from end, k2tog, k
Needle 2 - k, ssk, k to 3 sts from end, k2tog, k
Needle 3 - k, ssk, k to to end
Repeat Rounds 1 & 2 until 16 stitches remain - 8 on sole and 8 on instep needles.
Slip sts from Needle 3 onto Needle 1. Graft to stitches on Needle 2. Weave in ends. Wear!
Pattern & Images © 2006 Li W.
Filed Under: Patterns | Socks | Zephyr
Monday, November 06, 2006
Pattern: "Zephyr" socks, my own pattern HEE HEE!
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill supersock in Emerald City, one skein. Love love LOVE this yarn.
Needles: US2 dpns
I started these right before we hit the road, wound the yarn myself into an apple-shaped center-pull ball. The colors in this yarn are so gorgeous I could bite into it.
And then I had 2,500 miles to knit and complete a pair of socks.
I love the stitch pattern, it swirls and sways, churns one way and then the other like a wave, a breeze. I found the stitch pattern in one of my Japanese stitch dictionaries, but modified it a little bit. It's fast, fun and easy to remember, a great and productive way to pass the endless hours in a car.
There are some modifications to be made I think, one to the toe (don't decrease down so much), and one to the length, and maybe gauge. This stitch pulls both in horizontally and vertically, which annoys me a little because I don't want to be pulling up my socks so much. I can either go down a needle size, but I think increasing the length of the leg will do the trick, so it will hug the calf. Or maybe an elastic band would help.
The pattern fits perfectly around the feet though.
Pattern to come when I have enough time to write up something properly. If anyone's interested that is. I'm just so pleased to have constructed my very own pair of socks, hee.
Update: Thank you for all of your A++ comments! shuffle shuffle blush blush. I'm super swamped with work at the moment, so hopefully I'll have a pattern written up by next week. Or as soon as I can find my notes.
Filed Under: Completed Projects | Socks | Zephyr
Monday, November 06, 2006
Dry terrain of northern New Mexico, headed to Colorado.
Corn fields of Nebraska. Or was that Iowa?
Country cookin' at the Cracker Barrel somewhere in Indiana. It's everyone's first time at the CB, ow! We have chicken 'n dumplings, mac 'n cheese, collard greens, corn muffins and a Reuben sammich.
Snow in Ohio. Boooooo. Hate you snow, hisssssss.
Sunset in upstate New York. Not quite as IMPRESSIVE as sunsets that have been seen in other STATES, but. It will do. It will have to do.
And finally at home, making new friends, sharing a snack.
Aaaaah yes. It's nice to be home, cooking in your own kitchen, eating from your own bowls, watching your own tv while lounging on your own couch, and especially sleeping in your own bed, snuggly pinned down on either side by two purring cats who may or may not have noticed you were gone but seem happy to be near you anyway.
So why the tears? Why? The tears?
I feel like we've been in a time warp and Santa Fe has just been a lovely, warm, adobe-colored dream. When we left, summer was still in full swing. Now suddenly the green things outside are dead and this house is doing that thing where it can't retain any heat and I have to wear my parka indoors. Is it that time of year already?
Yes, we're back home, and our adventure has officially ended! *Sob*
Filed Under: Postcards from Dottie | Travel | Santa Fe
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Goodbye to Santa Fe...
Knitting in the Plaza
Goodbye to the beautiful terrain...
Tent Rocks. I call these formations "Queen's Court"
Goodbye to the delicious green chiles...
Goodbye to the stunning sunsets...
I'll miss you guys the most.
So until we find the road to Santa Fe again...goodbye!
Filed Under: Travel | Santa Fe
Monday, October 30, 2006
Last night the car decided it wasn't leaving Santa Fe.
What a horrible sound metal makes when it is dragging on asphalt. Shudder. At least it happened as we were pulling into the parking lot at 15 mph, and not say, as we are hurtling on the freeway at 70 mph come tomorrow. If this gets fixed by then.
Look at that rusted underbelly. The last several months the car has been doing baaaadly. We're hoping to milk another two years out of it. The good thing about being back in Boston is that we won't have to drive anymore. Hang in there buddy!
Here's a much prettier, rust-free photo.
Filed Under: Travel | Santa Fe
Sunday, October 29, 2006
FRIDAY NIGHT
Margaritas, chile rellenos and sopaipillas at Maria's
Dottie takes a swig of her first margarita...
...and doesn't quite make it to her sleeping bag...
"Uuuuuhh..."
SATURDAY
Sight-seeing and shopping around Santa Fe Plaza...
Left: Vintage Route 66 that runs through the Plaza.
Middle: Jewelry vendors in front of the Palace of the Governors. I did all my Christmas shopping here!
Right: Dottie models a pair of hammered silver earrings
...then green chile hamburgers - again! - at Bobcat Bite for a late lunch.
Bring your knitting, no matter the time of day, the wait is loooong
A woman sat next to me in the booth at Bobcat and ordered a grilled cheese sandwich. I know it's on the menu, and this is America and all, but I'm going to make a wild assumption and say it's there mainly for the kiddies who come in. With their highly carnivorous parents. Then...
WOMAN: I'd like a side of potato salad with that as well. Oh wait, does that have meat in it?
WAITRESS: [...] Uh. No. I'm sorry, but. Who puts meat in their potato salad??
WOMAN: Oh I know! I'm a vegetarian, just had to be sure!
WAITRESS, and ME: ?!
SUNDAY
Breakfast at Cafe Pasqual's, downtown Santa Fe
ME: Two eggs on corn tortilla, topped with fresh peas, fresh tomato salsa, feta cheese, black beans, green chile, and side of fried bananas.
DUCK: Chorizo burrito
Like Bobcat Bite, Cafe Pasqual's came at the recommendation of Scout. Thank you for making us as dependant on green chiles as ever! We'd passed by this place many times before but somehow I forgot about it. Thank goodness she brought it up last week when we were at her house, because this place is FAN.TAStic. A little on the $$ side, but totally worth it. There have a been a lot of great places that did not come up during my food research, whether it be in travel books or online, and Pasqual's is one of them. Strange. I'll have to revise my list of Best Restaurants. We're thinking of going back for dinner tonight to make up for our ignorance.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON, or right after I finish this post
Laundry, cleaning, and packing.
WAAAAAAAAAAAAH. Check out the yarn and WIPs and FOs I've accumulated since being here.
Most of them are from the usual online orders, a few are gifts, a few skeins are from the wool festival in Taos, and a couple skeins are from Needle's Eye here in Santa Fe. Those would be the bright blue and orange skeins at top right, colors of the sky and of the adobe walls, to remind me of our time here.
:-( Sniff sniff. But on the very bright side, The Boys await our return. OK not anxiously, but we can pretend.
Filed Under: Postcards from Dottie | Travel | Santa Fe
Friday, October 27, 2006
"How do you do?"
Dottie is a sweet little knitted kitty cat who is seeking a little adventure and fun overseas. Guess who will be the provider of said adventure and fun?
ME. Of course. Because I'm just chock full of both those things. Right?! But hold on I'm getting ahead of things...
"Across the pond and across the country in 2 days!"
Dottie hails from London. Yep, she has already had a bit of traveling under her knitted belt just to make it here.
"Hi. Let's party."
Dottie came with her own "sleeping bag" (hee hee), two Lion Bars (make that A bar. I just ate one) and a surprise skein of sock yarn from Curious Yarns!
So what is she doing so far away from home?
WELL, Dottie is here as a Travel and Adventure Ambassador on behalf of her mum, who is unable to travel and adventure herself. Just last week Hazel sent out a request for an adoption and I immediately responded. Like her, I agree this will be a very amusing swap. After a small flurry of emails, Dottie was quickly produced, packaged, dispatched, et voila! Here to party!
So for as long as Dottie is having fun, I as her host will be showing her around this grand country of mine, and post photos of her various shenanigans for her owner to see.
It's kind of like stealing your neighbor's garden gnome and sending photos back of him in various locales. Except this was a consentual swap, a drama-free and efficient adoption process. (Madonna probably should have considered adopting a knitted cat as well.) (Wait! I kid!)
"Hmm this loft is a bit of a mess."
Dottie has arrived just in time to spend a drunken last weekend with me in Santa Fe. Lucky girl! This afternoon we'll be doing some Christmas shopping in the Plaza, sipping margaritas and chowing on stuffed chiles at Maria's, and if I'm conscious enough afterwards, we'll get some knitting in before the night is over.
And in just a few days, Dottie will be on an exciting if butt-numbing 4-day road trip through the vast states of Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, and Massachusetts - WOW! - before we settle again in Boston where I will introduce her to The Boys, the joys of steamed lobsters, clam chowder, and baked beans 'n molasses.
And, because this trip should be as much instructional as it is gastronomical, I will show her various sites where long ago American insurrectionists laid some whoopass on the Crown of England!
This is going to be a lot fun, and I imagine I'll be taking a lot of pictures of things I normally wouldn't otherwise. Sometimes I'm too lazy to whip out the camera, sometimes I have problems deciding whether a shot is worthwhile, other times I'm too self-conscious. Like taking a photo of your entree at dinner.
Not that photographing a knitted kitty in public won't seem a little odd, but she's an excuse to be just that. I can say, "I'm doing this for a friend! For a good cause!" You know? And hopefully Hazel will enjoy seeing them!
Just a few more hours until we take Dottie out and about. Until then, she surveys her new surroundings: the faux adobe, the brilliant sky and the snow-covered mountains in the distance. Soak it all in Dottie! For we won't be here long! More adventures await...
Filed Under: Postcards from Dottie
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