1 Scarf, 2 Scarves

A few years back, a friend gifted me with a beautiful scarf that she'd made and decided wasn't the right colors for her. Ever since, I've wanted to return the favor. As the scarf was given to me before I'd taken up knitting in a way that involved nice yarn and a "stash", the scarf has been a sort of demarcation gauge for what I've learned.

My own version of the scarf was seed stitch, as was it's model, but mine was knit up from Noro Kureyon colorway #40 (nearly 3 skeins) and the model was made from Malabrigo (1 skein?). The color changes were fantastic, and there was always some color surprise in each skein. It was fun to knit, and after washing and blocking that sucker was over 80 inches without fringe. Yoiks.

I sent off the package and that was my job done. I had returned the favor.

Today, the story of the scarf continues. The friend I sent it to is a welder in Seattle who rides her bike to work. In order to have something lovely and colorful to wear to work and yet retain a bit of scarf that doesn't turn black with soot and metal, my friend cut her scarf in half and retied the fringe. That just genius!

Where Has The Time Gone?

The internet, which holds great value to me as a place to learn about new yarns, is also a place I'm supposed to do things like maintain a blog and keep up with Ravelry. All in the good name of yarn, true. But what a time sink.

This week we introduced ourselves to Fios, which is four times faster than our previous service. Things don't load, they appear. Since then, I've uploaded all my current projects to Ravelry. I guess it's time to start working on my blog again.

I'm back to knitting socks for myself now that the holiday is over. I've even begun working on the Sunrise Circle Jacket, though after finishing the back and half the left front in a size 41 I discovered my gauge problems were really going to mess things up. I've decided to knit the fronts in a size 37 and the back in a 41 with fewer rows.

I've finished my first (and last) pair of socks in Schaefer Anne. The colorway is very wonderful (dark reds, blues and purples), but the dye comes out on my feet when I wear them. I have enough yardage left to make a third sock. Oi.

I think I've learned my lesson about Christmas knitted gifts. Fewer and with less ambition next time.

Changing Faces

Mostly, I just aspire to knit. Lately, I've been aspiring to knit a sweater from an actual pattern. Frogging ensued, of course. Every once in a while I aspire to color changes to keep up my own interest. A little creative meddling. Right now, I'm trying to blow just enough life into one of the rather drab blog template choices to lessen the blah. If it's a little garish around here at the mo', I apologize. (Watch out, I've been experimenting with new fonts as well.)

Addiction is My Addiction

I think I have a problem. A yarn problem.

The actual truth behind my inability to think about something other than yarn might be that I tend toward obsession. For example, when I was really into school (University), I went seven quarters in a row, took extra classes, and got perfect grades. I didn't do anything but go to school. I did work enough to pay the bills, so of course I self-destructed after a while.

I think knitting might be a bit different, as I have a family that means the world to me (good anchor), a job I actually like on occasion, and a better sense of who I am and what path I'm on. However, my approach doesn't seem to have altered much: I obsess about yarn or patterns when I'm not knitting, I spend lots of time knitting instead of things like dishes and laundry, and most of the people I'm making friends with here in Oregon are either knitters or knit bloggers. None of this is bad, but what happens when the obsession ends? Will I quit knitting the way I seldom pick up a book anymore? (I'm an English major. 'Nuff said.)

There is always the possibility that after four years, I may have outlasted the obsession and taken up a genuine vocation. What I could never accomplish before (maybe I was a little too interested in things like boys and parties) I can now achieve because...oh gosh, can it be true?...I've settled down a bit. Does that mean my 10 skeins of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool will eventually become the Tangled Yoke Cardi? Possibly, although I refuse to give an actual cast-on date. A swatch is good start, I think.

Contrary to the appearance of this blog, I have been a knitting who-oor. I don't recall if I posted a list, but here's how things stand:

1. Blanket for in-laws, though half-knitted, has become blanket for brother and future sister-in-law.

2. Socks for spouse. Done. (Thank goodness he isn't a reader.)

3. Socks for BF: heels gussets in progress on Sock #2.

4. Sweater for nephew: knitting done, pattern turned out cute as heck, must sew up.

Etc: sweater/hat set for incoming niece needs final touches, shawl for Mom is on hold (will Pie R Square never be done?!), slipper socks for BF's Mom not even designed (whoops).

I guess commercialism will have to pick up where big-hearted ambition fell a little short. I knew there was a reason why my mental theme for Christmas this year was "Consumer Spending". Thanks to the State of Oregon for that lovely kicker.

Good night all. See you on Ravelry?

Sleepless

About once a week, I lay in bed next to my fam and stare at the ceiling. I toss. I fidget. I try to get comfortable. And yet, I can't seem to nod off.

I guess there's a lot going on inside my head after dark. The things I don't get time to think about during the day, like larger financial matters, seem to erupt into a chorus of what if's and scenario processing once my child is safely asleep. Even after a nice and busy shift (in which I seem to be running non-stop) at work, I'm still overly awake.

Eventually, my stomach starts to growl and then I'm really hosed. I can't go to sleep hungry. Several years ago I worked graveyard and trying to convince my body to eat when it thought it was supposed to be asleep must've created a hang-up. A glass of milk and that would've resolved the issue back in the day. Thanks, lactose intolerance. Soymilk just isn't the same.

I know all those things I'm trying to figure out right before nodding off probably don't warrant all the energy it takes to get around them. I worry for worry's sake. House? Condo? Lawyer? Rent? House? Apartment? Beaverton? Vancouver? I'm the money-juggler in our house, which is all fine with me. But sometimes I get a little overwhelmed by the number of balls in the air. Choices have consequences, and so do market down-turns. How much risk do I take?

Honestly, I can't figure everything out on my own, and 2am isn't the time to do the figuring anyway. I'd rather this didn't continue, but I suppose I'll learn to live with it or trick it.

(Sorry for the extreme whine today. Low blood-sugar, as per usual.)

Canon Makes Great Toys

Toys for adults, that is. I'm borrowing my BF's mom's Canon Powershot S2 IS, and I'm way in over my head. I have to start experimenting somewhere, so why not with the socks in just finished for my mother's birthday present. Hurry, get those suckers in the mail!

Specs:
64 st Vanilla sock with reinforced heel.
2.75 mm Crystal Palace DPNs.
Dream in Color Smooshy bought here.

This yarn is heaven to knit up: quick, soft, fantastic color variation. The yardage is exceptional for the price and I have a ton left over to make myself a pair of green knee socks with purple cuffs, heels and toes. I'm thinking this colorway will go with my purple wonderfully.



Oh no! Mom is at again!

Arrrr

Tell me this isn't a darn cool tee shirt. You know you're a geek when your wardrobe consists mostly of comfy clothes, all black clothes with obscure band names, and entertainment-factor clothes .