Eastburn Adventures

I have posted a few times about the ladies at work who are joining the knitting craze that's sweeping the country.  Here's the latest update.  Jeri has been completely sucked into the knitting world.  After starting on the basic dishcloth pattern, she found a pattern for a seed stitch dishcloth and made this one entirely on her own:

Next, she wanted to try a scarf, so she made this lovely grey number in the Feather and Fan stitch pattern:

 Here's a closeup: 

Her daughter was so impressed, she put in her request (isn't that just like a non-knitter!).  So Jeri started another F&F scarf in this yummy yarn:

In true knitter form, Jeri is also planning her next project - a prayer shawl in this gorgeous Rowan tweed she bought at the LYS (it hurt a little to spend some hard-earned moolah on this, but she got over it really fast!):

Jeri is off and running, but she's not the only one!  Judy wanted to learn to knit, watched me one time, and came in the next day with a dishcloth half finished!  I showed her the K2tog decrease and she finished the dishcloth the next day.  She cranked out several for Christmas, and each one was perfect!

She found a great pattern for a Moose dishcloth on the web (I'm going to have to make this one myself!), so I gave her a quick lesson on how to purl and she's got it!  I've never seen someone pick this up so quickly!  Here's Judy purling on her own:

And here's the rest of our group (clockwise):  Judy, another Judy (hidden behind Judy), Traci (just observing to see if she wants to learn), Sharon, Jeri, and Stephine (cut out of the photo - sorry Steph!) (not pictured:  Brenda and Karen).  

Here's a better shot of Stephine:

I didn't know when I learned to knit almost 2 years ago that it would open up such a great sense of community.  Knitters really are something special!

Wow! I can't believe it's 2007 already! Robert and I were really blessed in 2006, and we are looking forward to what's in store for this year. Every New Year's, we sit down together and review the prior year and set goals for the upcoming months. Some are the old standards - lose weight, get healthy, get organized, continue the debt snowball, read the Bible through, etc. But this year, I get to add knitting goals to my list!

I started with a review of a portion of my stash that I know I want to work with this year (yes, my stash may need to go on a diet as well - maybe we could do a yarn swap):

1. I resolve to knit my first sweater this year. Probable first choice, the short-sleeved v-neck tee from Knitting Pure and Simple in Elsbeth Lavold Silky Tweed.

Runner up (simply because I want one sweater behind me before I start this lovely pattern), the Lace-Edged tee from Knit Picks, in Brick Crayon.

2. I resolve to knit my first afghan this year. First choice, the Aran Afghan from an episode of Knitty Gritty, in Plymouth Encore, light green.

Running a close second, the Lizard Ridge Afghan (inspired by Zarah) in assorted Noro Kureyon (I'll need to buy more to complete the afghan).

3. I will make a hat, and wear it. I have had this gorgeous Diakeito in my stash that I knew wanted to be a hat, but I just didn't have the right pattern. Google brought me right back to my new friend Zarah, who made this Short-Row Hat out of the same yarn in a similar colorway.

4. I will try new sock patterns (using my Christmas gifts). Stash options include Universal Yarn's Ditto in colors 4809 and 4815 . . .

. . . and Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn in Tuscany

5. I will make my first shawl using Knit Pick's Rectangle Cover Shawl pattern and Plymouth Baby Alpaca Brush yarn. I scooped up all of this yarn at the LYS when it came out and will probably have leftovers to make something else with. Carol suggested that I combine it with Cascade 220 in gold, so I had to buy it as well. It was on sale - and how often does one find Cascade marked down?

6. I will make the Moss Grid Hand Towel found in Mason Dixon Knitting using a pretty Merlin Tristan linen yarn in fuschia. It's in a ziplock bag because Carol warned me the ball would implode if I didn't do that (and she was apparently speaking from experience!).

7. I will make the Bacchus in the Bath accessories using KP's Shine Worsted in Grass and Terra Cotta.

8. I will make a baby gift using Berroco suede - and that's all I'm going to say about this now!

9. I will not be ashamed of knitting dishcloths using the inexpensive Sugar & Cream yarn. The Mason Dixon Girls say it's okay, and - I have registered for a monthly dishcloth KAL (and am eagerly awaiting my membership approval)!

10. I will figure out something to make using this yummy stash enhancement yarn I purchased on my last trip to Alaska.

Blue Sky Alpaca in Paprika (isn't that fun to say - "Alpaca in Paprika!") (Gimme a break - I've been working on this post for 90 minutes now!):

Blue Sky Cotton in Toffee:

and Rowan Denim:

And this is only a fraction of what I purchased on that trip up north.

Whew! What am I doing still updating this post? I've got some knitting to do!

Happy New Year!

I did it!  I joined my first Knit-Along ("KAL")!  It's the monthly dishcloth KAL, and I get to check one of my resolutions (see #9) off my list!  And it's only the 2nd day of January!

Here's the start of my first dishcloth:

Not a bad start to the year, eh?

Tonight was a very good knitting night.  Kathy came over to provide me with some knitting motivation and company while the boys were gaming.  She's working on a very pretty scarf:

And - are you ready for this?  Mr. UPS Man rang the doorbell and delivered my Christmas swift!  I'm very excited to go through my stash and wind everything in sight!  I may have to purchase some more hanks just for the fun of it!  (I'm not sure this is the best spot for it, but it'll have to do for now.  This is my little desk in my yarn room guest room.)

I finished today's KAL rows . . . 

. . . and finished all but the thumb on the last pair of Knitty wristlets for a while!  Pretty sad, since this was a Christmas gift for someone.  She's patiently waiting, though.  I'll be glad to finish them tomorrow, and then this weekend start some gauge swatches for my new projects!  Hmmm, what should I start on next?  Any thoughts?

So there I am, knitting along on the final pair of Fetching, like I've done 5 times before - I don't need to pay attention; I don't need to follow the pattern.

Oops. 

Let's just say that I've paid my dues for being cocky.  I finished the second glove, with a lovely picot edging, if I do say so myself, and searched for its match in the ol' knitting bag.  There it is!  Let's tie a ribbon around them and deliver the already belated Christmas gift to its new owner.  But wait.  Something's not quite right, here.  I apparently can't count.  The second glove is shorter than the first - a lot shorter.  The next problem - I've woven in the ends so well that I can't find where to try to rip it out.  I give up.  I'm starting over.  Know any three-handed persons?

(The one on the right is the rogue glove.)

Ok, but in the end, the final pair looked okay - the stripes even lined up (accidentally, of course):

I was so relieved to finally rid myself of this albatross, Christmas knitting, that I casted on for projects I was eager to do - the Short-Row Hat, and my secret surprise knitting.  I taught myself the provisional cast-on to begin the hat, and knitted several rows.  It's not turning out right - I'm doing something wrong - so I frogged it.  (Zarah, help!)

My super secret knitting is not hard, and it should be a quick project.  Emphasis on should.  I actually finished part of it, and like the glove, the size isn't right.  Rip, rip, rip.  I need fewer stitches to the inch to get gauge, so I switch to smaller needles.  Did I mention that I'm pretty tired while I'm doing this, but I'm determined to have some success at knitting?  Nope.  How many of you caught my error?  I should have switched to larger needles to reduce my stitches per inch.  Rip, rip, rip.  I give up.

On the plus side, I did finish my KAL January dishcloth, and thus achieved one of my resolutions!  One down, nine to go!  (Resolutions - not dishcloths!)

Actually, Robert and I are on track for another of our 2007 goals - we've recommitted to going back to the gym.  We're really inspired by The Biggest Loser and pray that this year we'll be successful in getting healthy.

I'm going now to try another gauge swatch.  Maybe third time's the charm!

Knitting has such a rich history, and I thought it would be interesting to search out references to knitting or fibers in the Bible. These are by all means not exhaustive, but they are some of my favorites. A search on Bible Gateway made it fairly simple to search multiple translations and paraphrases - please note that your favorite translation may not use the word knit as it is used in other translations. In any event, I believe the fact that we are knitters may give us some additional insight into these words from the Lord. Blessings!

Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

Job 10:8-11 (NIV)

8 "Your hands shaped me and made me.
Will you now turn and destroy me?
9 Remember that you molded me like clay.
Will you now turn me to dust again?
10 Did you not pour me out like milk
and curdle me like cheese,
11 clothe me with skin and flesh
and knit me together with bones and sinews?

Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV)

12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

1 Samuel 18:1 (NASB)

1Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself.

Colossians 2:2-3 (NASB)

2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Ephesians 4:16 (New King James Version)

16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Lamentations 1:14 (NASB)

14 The yoke of my transgressions is bound;
By His hand they are knit together
They have come upon my neck;
He has made my strength fail
The Lord has given me into the hands
Of those against whom I am not able to stand.

Proverbs 27:23-27 (MSG)

23-27 Know your sheep by name;
carefully attend to your flocks;
(Don't take them for granted;
possessions don't last forever, you know.)
And then, when the crops are in
and the harvest is stored in the barns,
You can knit sweaters from lambs' wool,
and sell your goats for a profit;
There will be plenty of milk and meat
to last your family through the winter.

Romans 14:10-12 (MSG)

10-12 So where does that leave you when you criticize a brother? And where does that leave you when you condescend to a sister? I'd say it leaves you looking pretty silly or worse. Eventually, we're all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren't going to improve your position there one bit. Read it for yourself in Scripture: "As I live and breathe," God says,
"every knee will bow before me;
Every tongue will tell the honest truth
that I and only I am God."
So tend to your knitting. You've got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God.

I've never been a fan of paraphrases of the Bible, but I have to say, I love The Message's take on the following!

Proverbs 31:10-13 (MSG)

10-13 A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.

Acts 10:11 (KJV)

11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

Knitting has such a rich history, and I thought it would be interesting to search out references to knitting or fibers in the Bible.  Therefore, I've created a new page with some Scriptural references to knitting.  I pray that you will be blessed by this brief look into God's Word as it relates to the hobby that we so enjoy. 

I especially enjoy The Message's paraphrase of Proverbs 31:10-13 about the attributes of a virtuous woman.  ". . .She shops around for the best yarns and cotton, and enjoys knitting. . ."  Praise God!  He knows us so well!

Wow.  I have been complaining about not having a real winter here for many years (and am somewhat jealous of all the snowfall in Colorado and Alaska), but I wasn't meaning this.  We were hit last night with a major ice storm that left about 2 inches of ice.  The freezing rain started yesterday afternoon, and didn't stop until well into the night.  We fortunately didn't lose our power until about 11:00 p.m. last night, and both Robert and I are warm-natured, so we weren't freezing (our cats weren't very happy with us though).  The power came back on about 30 minutes ago, but there's no telling how long it's going to last.  The forecast is for another round to hit us today and a third, even stronger round to dump on us tomorrow.  Several trees have been destroyed, and I'm sure it's just going to intensify.

Here's some photos from my neighborhood taken this morning:

Can I say it again?  Wow.  So I'm going to go get ready for Rounds 2-3.  Please remember, folks, pets are family members, too - so make sure you take care of them in this weather.

As for me, I'm just glad I broke down and bought, on a whim, some lighted knitting needles.  If and when the power goes off again, I'll be ready.  After all, a girl's just got to have her knitting!

Well, the second round of the storm fizzled out on us last night, and we're thankful to still have power.  Over 60,000 people in Springfield remain without power, including my sister and her family, who are moving in today to weather out the remainder of the storm.  While we got off somewhat easy last night, Round 3 is supposed to be the worst. 

I took some more photos of the same trees as yesterday - the accumulation is worse, the skies are grey, and the grass is a frozen tundra.

You can read more about the storm here and here.  (In knitting news, I did finish my super secret suede baby gift - Resolution #8 and started my gauge swatch on my first sweater.)

It's bad - it's really bad.  We lost power again last night about 6:00 p.m.  It's supposed to be 8 degrees tonight, and it's snowing a little.  We're just trying to stay warm, and I'm taking advantage of the computer at church.  We're trying to take care of the parents, too - I just pray the power comes back on soon.  More updates later!

Praise the Lord!  Our power returned yesterday morning around 8:30 a.m. (after I took my Chi to work to straighten my hair)!  Since this past weekend, my sister and BIL have been staying with us, my BIL's parents, and my nephew and his wife and two kiddos spent one night.  We've got a big house, though, and were glad to have them!  My parents stuck it out in their living room with a gas log (we're on the same grid so their power is back on now, too).  We helped them survive the first frigid night by nailing a thick insulated work blanket over the opening to their living room.  But picture this - I'm holding the flashlight, Robert's holding the blanket, and my dad has hammer and nails in hand.  But wait.  "Oh, I've got the wrong nails."  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  Nope.  So there he goes to the garage with the flashlight to get the right nails.  Because - when you're freezing to death, it apparently does matter which nails go into your woodwork.

So we were supposed to get above freezing temps today so the ice could start melting.  Which, in and of itself, could cause additional problems because the trees would spring back and could take out more power lines escalating the issue further.  The good news is that City Utilities and hundreds of workers from all over have reduced the number of those without power from 75,000+ to under 20,000.  The bad news is that there's still about 20,000 without heat, lights, and water, including Zarah.  So while we want to have the ice melt, we don't want it to happen so fast that those who have regained power lose it again.  Oh, and did I mention that we're expecting 4-6 inches of snow this weekend?  Normally, I'd be ecstatic - I really do love winter - but the ice is another story.

I would caution folks to be careful to not slip and fall on the ice, but right now, I'm not one to talk.  Plus, it doesn't take ice for me to be a major klutz.  This morning I apparently forgot that we have three steps from the house to the garage and missed the last one.  I have a really bad sprain and some ruptured tendons, and get to wear an air splint for a week or so.  Good thing I already had a collection of crutches!  The worst part of this - I'm just not in the mood to knit.  That's just wrong on so many levels!

So I'm cold, tired, crabby - it's been a long week.  Even though the ice started melting this afternoon, we still waited for 45 minutes to get gas at the Stupid Super Center.  Everyone's trying to prepare for the worst with the forecast for snow this weekend. 

Now that I have power back, I'm trying to catch up on my blog reading - have you noticed that this stuff is addicting?  If we're not knitting (and unfortunately, there are times when you just can't), then we're reading about knitting, or blogging about knitting, or reading someone else's blog about knitting.  And when we can't read our blogs - we get crabby.  At least I do.  Which is why I left a comment on the Harlot's blog explaining that I was less than sympathetic to her laptop woes when we had people who were going on a week without electricity.

I still can't believe what happened next.  She responded to my comment (quite nicely, I might add).  I actually had an e-mail in my inbox from Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.  It said so - right on the screen.  I get lots of e-mails at this address because I subscribe to a couple of Yahoo! groups.  Still, I saw the message and thought - "Why do I know this name?"  It actually took me a minute or two to realize that this was the Yarn Harlot, and she'd actually written me back!

This is huge!  I'm humbled - I'm honored.  She's a real person!  This is like meeting Elvis, the Beatles, Barry Manilow!  (Okay, I'm not ashamed to admit I'm a real fan of his.)  I just don't know what to say!  You know what - never mind.  Only a Knitter would understand.  

(Thanks, Steph! And I really am sorry about your laptop.)

Help!  I've fallen and I can't knit!  Okay, granted it was almost a week ago when I took the stumble down the stairs, spraining my ankle and rupturing a few tendons in the process, but shouldn't the fact that I'm trying to stay on the couch with my foot up encourage me to knit?  It's not working.  I am lacking motivation, inspiration, you name it.  It's not like I didn't do any knitting during the ice storm, but nothing worth posting photos of.  I finished a moose dishcloth, and I did finish my super secret gift (but haven't seen the recipient yet, so I'll post photos of that FO later), but I can't seem to get started on the next project.  I'm not doing the mid-month dishcloth KAL since my internet was intermittent when the e-mails were coming in.

I've casted on twice for the Short-Row hat, and I've frogged it twice.  I did a gauge swatch for my first sweater, pronounced it "good enough," cast on, and began knitting.  Oops - beginner delusion.  I've read the horror stories, but I didn't listen.  First of all, good enough is not good enough.  I must get gauge.  Second, I failed to wash and block my gauge swatch, so who knows what the gauge really is?  I'm going to do it right, so I'll be frogging the couple of inches I've already knit.

Jeri and Stephine in my work knitting group want to graduate from dishcloths and scarves to socks!  Socks!  I'm so proud.  I want to knit socks.  I've knit one pair of (mismatched) socks.  I can do more - I want to do more.  I got sock books for Christmas.  I've got sock yarn in the stash.  Knitting socks was a knitty resolution.  But which socks?  Which yarn?

I just have this problem starting projects.  It's a little like dating.  You're attracted to the pattern, you really like the yarn, so you start spending time together.  Then, it's not quite what you imagined, or not working out as you'd hoped.  When I was working on the scarf that never ends, that was a long-term relationship.  When it was finished - the relationship was over.  And that was a good thing, but it was comfortable.  We understood each other.  It was always there for me, and now it's not.  I just don't think I want to be monogamous (in my knitting, people! I loooooove my Robert)!  I so admire those knitters who have the OTN charts on their blogs, with multiple projects going - and they're making progress on each of them.  I want to do that. 

Please! Help me get over my knitter's block!  I don't even have a plan for what to take to the Knit-In this Friday at Simply fibers.  (Don't worry - I'm going - I have gift certificates.  So even if I don't have a clue about what to knit, I can still buy yarn!  There's some Malabrigo and Manos del Uraguay I've had my eye on for a long time!)

Isn't the knitting circle of life great?  We feed our obsession by stash enhancement, which gives us great pleasure, spend hours of enjoyment knitting that special item, and then, in many cases, just give it away so that we can do it all over again.

I had the pleasure of finally knitting these adorable "Ugg" baby booties and then surprising my friend Corinn with them Wednesday night.  I used Berroco suede as the pattern calls for, and some random white furry yarn for the trim.  The only issue I had with this pattern (it's very easy), is that I am not around babies very much, so I had a distorted view of how large or small the booties should be.  I frogged them 4 times before I took one to work and all the "baby people" said the size was just right for a 12-month old (which is what I wanted).  Next time, I'll ask for help sooner!

Just enjoying Corinn's surprise face was enough for me, but then yesterday was my birthday, and I received two gift certificates to my favorite LYS!  I still haven't used my certificates from Christmas, as I was saving them to use with the birthday coupon from Simply fibers!  So at the Knit In tonight, I may not have a clue of what to knit, but I'll not be short on inspiration!

I love knitting!

So I created two posts earlier today, came back to check my blog, and now all of a sudden my sidebar is below my last post.  I didn't change anything with the sidebar.  Any WordPress users out there that know why this may have happened and how to fix it?  Or is it my computer?  Does the page look strange to everyone else?

Hopefully, I can get it back to normal soon!

I asked for it, and I got it!  First, when I got home yesterday, I had a package from Michelle for my birthday.  Inside was this really cool metallic yarn:

AND, my very own Fern Lace Wrap scarf, which is absolutely GORGEOUS in alpaca and silk.  She did an AMAZING job!  I'm so blessed to have such an awesome friend.  (It's really a dark burgundy - aubergine - eggplant shade - not so much purple, but the camera/lights do funny things to the color.)

Being still fairly new to Bloglandia, I'm learning that there's apparently some blog etiquette regarding “tagging” our blog friends to post meme's.  Amy tagged me for the following, so I can't let her down! 

Six Weird Things About Me
THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the 6 weird things about you. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged' in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

1.  My fingers are double-jointed and I can pop my toes.

2.  I can usually taste the difference between the colors of M&M's.  I won't eat Christmas M&M's because the red and green dyes are really different from the regular red and green ones.  I also don't like blue M&M's, and wish they would bring back tan.

3.  I have lived in the same zip code for all but 2 months of my life, although, as Robert reminds me, I owned property in another zip code when I married him because I then immediately became a joint owner of his house.

4.  I have never seen a James Bond movie.

5.  My grandmother (on my mother's side), and my great-grandmother (on my father's side) were born 2 days apart.  So, Grandma and Great-Grandma were the same age.

6.  My grandfather was killed by a coffin and died on Halloween.  Seriously. 

I don't know six blog friends well enough to tag them, so I'm picking Zarah and Lana.  (Looking forward to learning the weirdness about each!)

So earlier today I posted the "Six Weird Things" and "Knitting Inspiration" posts.  Suddenly, my sidebar was not, in fact, at the side, but at the bottom.  I couldn't figure out what to do to fix it, but found a similar problem on the WordPress Support site indicating that there was "offensive code" in a post that broke the sidebar.  So I deleted my two posts from today (which also deleted comments) and re-published them.  Yes, if you looked at the site earlier, they were in a different order, and slightly different. 

Anyway, my sidebar is back where it belongs now, but I have no clue how this happened.  I'm going back to knitting now.

Okay, it's been a good weekend.  Even though I did not find success at actually knitting at the Knit In, I was inspired to get the needles going again.  I did cast on again for the Short-Row hat - and yes, I'm probably ripping it out again because I'm having trouble closing the gaps with the yarn overs.  This pattern doesn't seem like it should be hard, but it's not written in the most conducive manner.  Don't worry, I'll keep trying.

So to keep my motivation up, I cast on for the first Lizard Ridge square.  Can I just say - I am now addicted to Noro Kureyon.  I had seen it before, and was not really impressed with how it felt - sort of scratchy, and there's some inconsistency in the thickness of the fibers.  However, once you start knitting with this and see the amazing colorways, none of that matters.  It's absolutely wonderful!

Not only did I start a Lizard Ridge square - I finished it! Zarah came over yesterday to hang out and knit - she's always an inspiration - and after she left, I kept going until I was done with the first square (23 to go - this is going to be one of those ongoing projects).

The bumps are part of the pattern - but look how cool it blocks out!

This is going to be a gorgeous blanket, and a long-term knitting relationship.  It's nice to know it's going to be there for me for a long time, and I don't have to struggle with the knitter's block I recently experienced.  Plus, I don't have to worry about being unfaithful to this project when I start others!

I'm think I'm gonna go cast on for some socks now!

Yes!  I have succeeded in my quest for playing the knitting field!  Don't worry, my dear Lizard Ridge, I'll make time for you - you're so handsome.  In fact, I've casted on for your second square:

But wait - Short-Row Hat is calling - I do like a challenge!  I know we've been on again, off again, but I so want to be on again with you.  Can't we give it one more try?

Oh, but wait - who's this?  McDreamy. . . the Dream swatch (I think you want to be a belt - not a headband).  You're so easy to be with; you're so much fun!  (Thanks to Amy and Madalyn who put me onto this pattern.)

I'm so fickle.  I just can't help myself.