Big woolly stripey thing, revealed

My baby sister got married this weekend. I intended to make the happy couple a Log Cabin blanket as their gift. Unfortunately, it's taking much longer than expected and will probably continue to take a long time since I start grad school in a couple of weeks. Fortunately, reliable sources tell me that I have up to a year to give a wedding gift.

I had been keeping this project a secret, or at least making an attempt in places where Brecka would see it. However, the happy bride decided that she wanted to see her gift in progress. Which means that I can now share pictures.

Here's a somewhat recent shot. Since this was taken I've added the next dark green stripe and started picking up for a small stripe of burgundy, which will be used as the border color as well after one or two more repeats of the three-color pattern.

Balcony Gardening

I said I'd post some pictures of my favorite flowers. The ones that bloom all summer long even when I only water them once. Well, here you go...

Don't they look nice?

Ugly hat

There are some things that just beg to be frogged.



It all started out so innocently. There was a sale on blue yarn for Father's Day. I bought yarn with blue in it, hoping to make a hat for my dad. I bought a top-down hat pattern to use with the yarn, thinking it would be fun. I started knitting and eventually got this. It looks ok in the photo, but imagine it on my dad's head - it just didn't work. At all. So this yarn, which I really do like, has been re-balled and is waiting for fresh inspiration. Poor yarn.

Why I love KnitPicks

I ordered some more yarn for a project on Sunday. This morning I had an email saying that it would be here in three business days. And I just got home from work to find my yarn sitting in front of my door. Yay!

Admittedly, I did pay for 3-day shipping because I wanted to make sure that I'd have what I needed by when I thought I would be ready for it. But getting it today pretty much makes it 1-day shipping - at least by my calculations.

:)

Update: Ok, now I like KnitPicks even better. I ordered a bunch of different things, including a skein of Felici sock yarn, since I was dumb and only ordered enough for one sock before. I asked them to send me another skein in the same dye lot, if they had it available, and they did! But that's not all - I was also ordering extra yarn in a bunch of different colors, and for every single color they sent me more yarn in the same dye lot as what I already had! I didn't think that would even be possible - I'm so impressed!

WooHoo!

My Ravelry invitation came today. I guess that means I no longer have the joy of checking to see how many people are ahead of me in the list... But now I can photograph yarn and projects and organize needles to my heart's content. :)

I see much procrastination in my future...

Lots of stripes...

That's what I'm working on right now. Lots and lots of never ending, woolen stripes. I can't say much more, and there will be no photo posting until the last stripe is complete. You'll just have to imagine the woolly stripes for now.

As of midnight tonight (or whenever UPS delivers my copy to me) I have a new dilemma: how do I read Harry Potter and knit woolen stripes at the same time? If only I was obsessing over a new movie or tv show - then I could multi-task. I think the plan is going to have to be as follows for the foreseeable future (or, at least, the free-time portion of it): Knit as long as I can stand it, then read until I feel guilty for not knitting.

Let's just say that by the time comes for me to start school in August, I think I might be tired of knitting. Maybe. :)

Ideas

Ok. I'm going to have to add this pattern to my list of ideas for making blankets. It looks great. And like it would be lots of fun. And I've never done a blanket in the round. :)

Credit goes to Grumperina for introducing me to it.

Wicked

Last weekend, among the many activities that demanded my time, I had the chance to go see Wicked in Columbus at the Ohio Theater with some friends and both siblings. The theater is gorgeous. The show was amazing. And this was my view:

I would make a snarky comment about tall people with good posture and big hair, but Marianne might feel she had to retaliate (and I wouldn't want that). I'll just say that things got much better once my seat-neighbor started slouching a bit. And I feel sorry for whoever was sitting behind me - I'm sure they got tired of me moving from left to right and back again to watch the show...

Update: I feel I should mention that Marianne is not featured in the above photo. She was sitting next to me, getting frustrated at the person in front of her who was moving from left to right and back again to watch the show... :)

Elmore-Pisgah Update

I'm a little late with this, but I didn't want to leave the impression that I was having difficulties with Elmore-Pisgah or their yarn. It turns out that my purchase was returned to them as having been damaged, when the box had only been crushed a bit. So they repackaged it and sent it out again (without charging me more for shipping, wahoo!), and I had fun tracking it on the internet. Now I have my yarn, in colors that I had forgotten I'd ordered, and I am proceeding to feel guilty about not using it very much. :)

Yikes!

I can see that I'm quickly slipping back into the never-posting-anything mode that this blog suffered from for quite a while. So, in the interests of preventing any further slippage, here is a small update.

Somehow, I have gone from being a "one-large-project-at-a-time" knitter to a "too-many-small-projects-to-keep-track-of" knitter. I spent almost a year doing nothing but blankets. Want to know what's on the needles (or stitch holders) right now?

• Irish Hiking Scarf Reversible Cable Scarf - started on the way to Colorado in February. About 1/3 done. No progress since February.

• Fingerless gloves - Started sometime this spring. No progress since I realized I wasn't sure how to do the thumb.

• Cherry Tree Hill socks - Started not too long ago (0k, maybe 2 months, or 3?) Approximately 1 1/2 socks done. This would go faster if I stuck it in my purse, I suspect.

• Lorna's Laces Jaywalkers - Started more recently than the CTH socks. Making slow progress, because I keep ignoring them for too long and then forgetting the stitch pattern.

• Mason Dixon Knitting washcloth - Started somewhat recently. 1/4 done.

• Funny looking hat. Started on a business trip. Tried it on Dad, the intended recipient. It's going to need to be frogged. It just didn't look right. At all.

• Fuzzy soft lovely gift something - Bought yarn Wednesday. Not started yet.

• Big huge gift something - Bought yarn Wednesday. Waiting for it to arrive from KnitPicks.
• Mason Dixon Knitting Baby Kimono - Bought two different types of yarn to try this with. Not started yet.
  

I'm sure I've forgotten something in there. Probably. The comparison to my old "one-blanket-at-a-time" method is making me feel rather guilty.

Consolation Prizes

Well, my yarn hasn't come yet. But a few things are making up for it this weekend...

1. My new needles from KnitPicks came in the mail. I'm using their 32 inch size 1 (2.50 mm) circular needle to start some Jaywalker socks, Magic Loop style.

2. I won the "free sock club" drawing at sock club this morning. Yay for people who choose green yarn from a basket and then ask us to guess the color. What other color would I pick, really?

Damaged in transit

I ordered some Peaches & Creme yarn from Elmore-Pigsah. It was recommended in Mason-Dixon Knitting for making baby sweaters, wash-cloths, and such. I tracked my order on the UPS website and was excited to see that it would be delivered yesterday. And I was conveniently at home instead of work when it should be delivered (the result of a visit to the dentist and a numb lip). But the package never came.

I checked the UPS website again. Somehow since I'd checked in the morning, the status had changed from "On Schedule" to "THE PACKAGE WAS DAMAGED IN TRANSIT. UPS WILL NOTIFY THE SENDER WITH THE DETAILS;ALL MERCHANDISE IS BEING RETURNED. UPS WILL NOTIFY THE SENDER WITH DETAILS OF THE DAMAGE".

Now my yarn is scheduled to be delivered tomorrow, when I probably will be at work. Hopefully one of the neighbors will be around to receive the package.

Here's my question: How does a package of yarn get damaged in transit? Did they drop it in a puddle? Run over it with the truck? It seems like, of all the things I could have ordered, yarn should be one of the least likely things to be easily damaged. But maybe that's just impatience speaking.

Anyway - tomorrow should bring yarn. Lots and lots of yarn. Many shades of blue yarn. :)

Update: Boy was I mistaken. My yarn will be delivered today, but not to me. UPS evidently regards returning it to the shipper as delivery. So Elmore-Pigsah should be receiving my yarn (or what's left of it) today. :(

New authors, new book

I love my library. They have almost anything I want to read, for free (other than the $10 late fees I pay every 6 months or so). In this instance, they had Mason-Dixon Knitting (by Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne), which I've been wanting to read since some blog (probably the Yarn Harlot) mentioned it.

I really like this book. I may have to add it to my wish list. It has some really neat ideas for blankets, with pattern ideas other than the checkerboard squares that my sister & I have been cranking out. Plus, washcloths, cute baby kimonos, & all sorts of other ideas. I have some yarn on the way (recommended in the book) so that I can try things out.

Old author, new book

I just finished Off Armageddon Reef, a new book by David Weber, the author of the Honor Harrington series...

Parts of the plot remind me of Sharon Shinn's Samaria books. That's not a bad thing. (Ok, more conceptual ideas than plot, really. But still good.) There was lots of military action, which is to be expected from David Weber, but it was all (ok, mostly) sea-based naval rather than space based. An interesting twist, I guess.

"How many times have you seen them?"

Asked Sarah (about Over the Rhine), at Taste of Cincinnati last weekend. I think I'll try and count. Here goes:

• That free concert at Eden Park when I was in junior high.
• That free concert at Xavier when I was in college (with Faith).
• That free concert at Taste of Cincinnati. Chris and his mom; Mike, Elena, and Sophia; and Sarah. 2007.
  
• That Little Brothers concert with Sarah & Faith & friends
• That Little Brothers concert with Kate
• That Little Brothers concert where Lissa used my ticket because I was stuck in Cincinnati because of snow.
  
• That Canal Street show where we couldn't get in because Melissa forgot her ID.
  It was in the car on the way home from this one that Faith introduced me to Enter the Worship Circle.
  
• That Canal Street show where we sat on the hard benches. Kelly came to this one.
  
• That Canal Street show where we sat on the hard chairs next to the hard benches. I think this was the one where the real opener didn't show up and some guy filled in.
  
• That Canal Street show where we sat at the white tables and Kim Taylor was the opener. 2005?
  
• That Canal Street show where we sat at the white tables and Trent Wagler was the opener. 2006?
  
• That Canal Street show where we sat at the white tables and Ellery opened. That was earlier this year with Brecka. Steve's friends brought us barbecue to eat while we waited in line. 2007
  
• That Christmas show where we sat on the floor and my family came. There were a bunch of openers.
• That Christmas show where we sat on the floor and not all my family came. Griffin House opened, with somebody else, too.
• That Christmas show where we sat in the balcony. I think Kim Taylor and the lady who sang the sandal song opened. Faith was at this one. Christmas 2005?
  
• Christmas 2006. They had the audience sing a Christmas carol. It was good.
  
• That show at the Music Mill in Indianapolis. 2005?
  
• That show at Moonlight Gardens. 2005?
  
• That show at Southgate House with Kate and Faith.
• That show at Joseph-Beth with Kristin, Erin, Dean, and two friends whose names I can't remember. 8/30/2007.
  
• That show at Moonlight Gardens for the Trumpet Child album launch with Faith, Susanna, and Beth; Brecka and Drew; Dave and Krista; Kate; Steve and Sarah. 8/31/2007.
• The 2007 Christmas Show at the Taft Theater with Brecka, Drew, Joe, Chris. Faith & Mike were there, too. 12/15/2007.
• Canal Street w/ Joe. Sometime springish 2008.
• Christmas Show 2008: The first decade. With Joe, Brecka, Jennifer, Josh, & Hope.
• Christmas Show 2008: The second decade. With Joe, Brecka, Drew, Sarah, & Joe's friend James.
• St. Elizabeth's Christmas 2008. With Joe, Faith, & Mike. We stood back behind the coffee bar and got to meet Chuck the coffee-guy.
  

I don't think this list is quite right, but you get the idea... :)

Oops - I forgot one:

• That album-launch show (for Drunkard's Prayer) where Karen dressed up like a chicken for April fools. 20th Century Theater.

If I count correctly, the current estimated total is: 24

Updated 9/2/2007 with Joseph-Beth (8/30/2007) and Moonlight Gardens (8/31/2007).
Updated 12/19/2007 with Christmas Show 12/15/2007.
Updated 1/27/2009 with 2008.

Sock!

I finished my first sock! I even did the Kitchener at the end (much thanks to KnittingHelp.com and the Queen of Sock, who taught my sock class).

I think some photos are in order:

• The sock on one of my couch pillows. It (the sock) looks kind of big, doesn't it?

• The sock on my foot. It is pretty big. This might have to be a house-only sock. I don't think it will fit in my shoe... (Ok, I realize that it doesn't look that big in this picture. What you can't see is that it's pretty really stretchy and a much larger foot/leg could fit in there instead.)
  

Now only one question remains: Am I on my way to becoming like the Queen of Sock? Having finished this one, I'm tempted to move on and try for a better fit. But then this poor lonely sock wouldn't have a friend, and I don't often find a need for a single sock...

Lessons for Gardening on a Balcony...

This is my fourth (can you believe it?) summer in my condo, and thus my fourth try at planting things on my balcony. I'd like to believe that I've learned a few things along the way...

1. It is better to perform the actual potting of your plants somewhere other than on your balcony. It will make your downstairs neighbor much happier. Plus you don't have to haul huge bags of dirt up the stairs and through your living room.
2. There isn't enough room on a balcony (or, at least, on my balcony) to plant a vegetable garden. In other words, you can't grow enough green beans in a planter box to make it worth your while. Same thing goes for carrots...
   
3. It is best to carry full planters by the bottom when transporting them across your living room. (Ok, I didn't actually learn this the hard way, but the thought did occur to me this year as I was hauling full planters up the stairs and through the living room to the balcony. The last thing I want is the little bottom tray popping off and scattering dirt and stuff all over the carpet.)
4. Just because a plant is listed as "full sun" does not mean that it is qualified for balcony life. Particularly if said balcony does not come equipped with a hose. If the instructions for the plant call for watering everyday until water runs out the bottom, just walk away. Unless you really think you'll enjoy hauling gallons of water from the kitchen to the balcony every day.

That said, my Portulaca's are doing nicely this year. I'll post some pictures once they have a chance to really start blooming.

What more could you ask for?

Tasty food and free Over the Rhine. What could be better? Maybe a little less rain, but other than that?

Sunday I met some work friends and my sister Sarah at the Taste of Cincinnati for some food sampling and concert listening. It was pretty crowded, but we had a good time. I think that's the farthest I've been from the stage in quite a while, but there was a big video screen, so we could still see everything. The torrential downpours were a bit of a problem towards the end, but in general a good time was had by all.

Shopping List

One of the girls at sock club this morning took some time to show off some of the purchases she'd made in Ithaca - Spinning Bunny sock yarn, in the Blueberry Patch colorway.

If anybody out there feels the need to give me an unexpected, really early birthday or Christmas gift, this would be a great idea. :)

Sock Class

After reading about the Yarn Harlot's travelling socks, I thought it might be fun to try one of my own. So I signed up for sock class at Yarns & Fabrications, my local yarn store. I bought some yummy Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn and a loverly 40-inch Addi Turbo circular, and started learning how to use the Magic Loop method to make a sock.

I had some issues at first. Somehow I kept making an extra loop of yarn around the needle whenever I went to switch sides. Which was giving me an extra stitch every time. Not so fun. But we eventually got it figured out, and now I'm making good progress. See?