I'm gonna love it

I will love this shawl when it is done.
It will be done.

I started it back in April as a shop sample. The Cozette is a soft yarn with a nice rustic feel from the silk.  Paired with a pretty lace pattern, it seemed like a nice quick Spring project.
This lace is kicking my butt.
I'm not new to the shawl game, or lace. It's a DK, so not even tiny yarn to challenge me. I have no idea why I can't get through a row without a mistake.
I finally got the nerve to tink back to a glaring booboo 7 rows earlier. (Couldn't see it until the pattern became obviously wonky.)
I PUT IN A LIFELINE.
I'm not a lifeline user, but if the knitting gremlins are watching me, maybe that will discourage further mischief.
I guess I'm blogging this to publicly document my determination to FINISH.
It's gonna happen.



Sleeping kitties and tea help.

ocean waves

The best start to a day:



The end of March was our 3rd 'spring break'/my birthday getaway. This year, T let me pick the beach. I can spend hours just walking along the coast. The weather was a bit frightful (lotsa chilly wind,) but the sunrises were perfect. Warm enough, calm air, and I usually had a long stretch of the beach to myself.




Of course, I had to do a vacation LYS tour. First up was Island Knits. The owner was pleasant, and I picked up some Mirasol for Beth to thank her for the sock cast-on, and a ball of Linen Isle for myself. I decided I don't need stash, but expanding my fiber exposure for a washcloth was necessary for educational purposes...

Our second yarn store visit was Joyfilled gifts. T found some cuff links by a local artist, and I got 3 balls of Hempathy in ocean-y colors for a towel (again, purely for fiber experimentation!)

Back home, the SnB gang checked out the latest digs for Fiberge followed by a trip to OPH. I picked up some Lantern Moon ebony straights...it only seemed right to have the vacation yarn knit up on yummy needles!




After a lot of searching for ocean-themed washcloths, I finally picked this version of feather and fan. I love the feel of the waves, and the pink with sandy tan flecks takes me back to my sunrises.

We left the cats at home with this critter...they deserved some ocean fun, too!

(olly the octopus from The Book of Yarn.)

Finally, just in case I forget my mornings, I brought home 12 seconds of bliss.

ways to cope

This was one of the worstest weeks ever. (wow, how's that for a chipper intro....)

T got me these. (so beautiful. so me. so sweet.)



I got me these. (photo stolen from World Market site since my pic wasn't so hot.)



My room has always been green/blue/purple/yellow, soft tones. My life is changing; I'm ready for a red room.

And a yellow hat. (pic to follow as soon as there is some light.) Using a sunshine-y (read:oh-so-bright-yellow) smooshy soft lovely Malabrigo. My secret weapon to 1/1 cables? A toothpick, baby. Yes, a toothpick. And it works just great. My lust for this hat was a product of seeing Beth's lovely orange one.

I promise I'll try to use real words and real sentences as soon as the world feels real again. Thanks to all who have been sweet, supportive, and encouraging. I'll be really darn grateful to have you around in the coming days/weeks/????.

Happy knittin'.

reclaimed!

I need a nap.
I spent the past week just trying to remember my blogger login.
Finally found my way in from my flickr pics.
New knits are there, and I try to keep up on Ravelry (whimZknits.)

Friends/family have hounded encouraged me to blog, tho, so I'll try to get this going again. Miss y'all anyway.

see you soon.

I'm in.

I couldn't resist.

I'm awed to find out there are more knitters in the Knit Olympics than athletes in Torino.
Wow.
I'm in.
The games have begun.




The supplies are ready.
1. Yarn is KnitPicks palette. Not pictured is their pattern for Northern Lights mittens (see below.)
2. Aluminum US3 DPNs. Took advice from locals and went up a few sizes. Thanks, Beth. The stitches aren't as pretty, but having a mitten that fits is...well...practical.
3. Wine. duh.
4. Chocolate. Again, duh. Junior mints are my fave movie candy, and the DeBrands chocolates from Fort Wayne, IN are the best in the world, IMHO.
5. Munchies. World Market's Lime and Salt Cashews are irresistable.
6. Reading Glasses. sigh. I know.



6 p.m. 02.11.06
18 rows done. 180 or so to go. Plus thumbs. No ends to weave in, tho! I'm taking the pattern's advice and just catching the new yarn on the back before I need it. If I still had finishing to do after knitting, we'd be looking at the 2010 Olympic finale more likely...

Think I'll have my own version of these before the 26th?!?



Post your own progress pics on the new Flickr group Keli started! (Thanks, Keli!)

Happy Knitting, fellow Olympians and all!
---
sigh. I'm really happy. I know I finished the last post with that, too. There are frustrations in my world for sure (work is insane and an old problem popped up with a Hi, I'm back!,) but there are oodles of good things going on. My family rocks, my coworkers are a joy, and I'm seeing a guy that's pretty darned swell. Add in my knit pals (thanks for the great notes Karen, Nancy and others that I've also neglected writing back,) a couple cats, and the basket of knitty goodness above...
well...
I'm smiling.

and a Red Scarf in a pine tree.

Last week's post, had it happened, would have been all about this scarf.



yarn: debbie bliss SoHo, color 09, 2.5 balls
pattern: Multidirectional Scarf with alternate ending
needles: Denise US9
dates: 1.25.06-1.28.06

I mailed it off for the Red Scarf Project last week. I was so happy working on this; I love the concept of the project. I hope the student that receives it really enjoys the wearing as much as I did the knitting. I had started another scarf in Manos, but knew I wouldn't make the deadline. Quick trip to LYS and the SoHo was a good sub for a similar look with an easier pattern.

The scarf is my first completed project for the group I recently joined. (button over yonder in sidebar.) I really like the idea of using the joy knitting brings me to add a little something extra to someone else's life.

I started a baby hat after that, but the word on the street is that I have no idea how large a baby's head really is. All the mothers that saw my wee knitting laughed hysterically and assured me newborn heads are BIG. I was just following the pattern! (but, um...maybe not the gauge.) So...doing my usual...I have the cuff of an adult sock started, not a baby hat.
The baby gift is now going to be the thumbless mittens from the 2006 page-a-day calendar. Moms have assured me these will fit the li'l hands. sheesh. I'm doing them in Cascade fixation. Funky yarn, there. It's stretchy!

New logo time for me. I need to work up the graphics a bit, but it's done enough for a gift tag:

Swoosh time for whimZknits!

Life is good these days. Working like crazy, but happy. Definitely happy.

(I'm trying to make up my mind about the Knit Olympics. The northern lights mittens are my obvious choice. I'm just not sure I can commit to the timeline with the other things going on those weeks! We'll see.)

When my modified patterns start going awry, I let the object morph.
I finished a scarf today.
It's now an earwarmer.
It's a cool pattern, and maybe it works in the intended yarn. It was twisting too much for my taste and was pretty skinny. Ends together, it's a dandy headwrap to keep the ears toastie.


pattern: cable scarf
yarn: zitron loft 500
needles: US9 brittany DPN (didn't need DPN, tho easy to work with for this.)
dates: 01.19.06-01.22.06
note: I knit this almost entirely continental!

and one hand can stay warm, too. Other mitten to follow. and a scarf, apparently.


The sweater has had its public debut, and even tho it doesn't rival Mindy's first sweater, I'm pretty darned happy I finished it.



pattern: cropped mega chunky cable sweater
'big needle knits to wear' booklet
yarn: lion wool-ease thick and chunky, sky blue 106, lot 30332B
needles: bates plastic circ US13
dates: 09.13.05-01.07.06

Yeah, maybe bulky sweaters don't warrant sriking a pose, but...gimme a break...first sweater 'n all.

---

If you look over in the sidebar, I'm hoping to crank out a scarf this week for the Red Scarf Project. The mailing deadline is the 28th. To encourage myself, I got Manos like Rock Chick's, and am gonna try the So Called Scarf. Charity knitting, yes. Selfish yarn lust, yes.

I'm getting into a knitalong mood. I joined the hatalong (does my earwarmer count??) and have a few others bookmarked to join this week. I was explaining to a friend today the community aspect of knitting. Being a part of the online (and face-to-face) knitworld is so heartwarming. It makes me wanna spread the joy with charity knits and joining others working toward the same goals (be it patterns or themes.) Awwww...we're just a big ole happy knit family, eh.

Knit on.

Romance Is Random

Any boy that survives me gets that and doesn't waste cash on roses (don't like 'em) or chocolates and jewelry (do like 'em.)

Yesterday I was a bit moody, thinking Boy was ignoring me. Turns out he'd lost his cell and didn't get my message. (ok, messages.) He calls at 12:30 a.m. (knowing that sorta thing is legal with me.)
"hey, sleepyhead."
"hey."
"mad at me?"
"nope. mad at me?"
"nope."
He's in car driving, we jabber, he's hungry, 30 minutes later he's on my couch with White Castle burgers for him and a milkshake for me.
I agree to help with the burgers.
I require ketchup. I'm wrapped in an afghan that requires 1 hand, the other hand is trying to keep burger off afghan. Opening the ketchup packet is challenging. I pitifully request help. He opens it.
I'm finally persuaded to go for a 2nd burger. It's sitting on my lap. I'm looking at it.
He reaches into the bag and silently opens a ketchup and hands it to me.

It's romance, baby.

15 minutes later he's on his way home, and I'm back in bed with a full belly and a silly grin.
I really need to relax and let the world spin on Faith.
---
A romance of another kind...



Made a hat this week. Love it. Wearing it.
It goes with PJs at 2:30 in the afternoon.



1. Cotton Ease stash, anyone?
2. Aromatherapy heating pad teddy bear from Bro/Kids this Christmas.
3. 2 sleeping cats (only top of Murr's ears.)
4. PJs. Luscious wear-all-day Karen Neuburger PJs.
5. oh yeah, the hat. With charming camera over the head in mirror pose.



yarn: Zitron Loft 100% wool. soft soft wool. color 500, I think.
pattern: Chunky Cable Beanie with modified decreased top that I figured out on my ownsome!
needles: Denise 10.5/16" cable, brittany US9 DPNs or 10 3/4. I forget.
dates: 1.9.06-1.12.06

I had to modify the pattern a bit for different yarn gauge, my big head, a desire to cover my ears, and to create a rounded top.
(cast on 1 extra repeat of pattern, knit a few extra inches, and kept decreasing in pattern down to 3 stitches. Yes, I'm gloriously proud of the cute top the hat has.)

The Denise needles were great for this. I used my ShopHop winnings to get the set. (oops. I never blogged that I got 2nd place in ShopHop! $100 GC to LYS!!!) I was able to switch to smaller cables before resorting to DPN's. Nice. I hadn't expected to like plastic needles and got the set for convenience. Have ended up using them more often than my Addis lately!

I plan to make mittens and a scarf to go with the hat.
I wasn't sure I bought enough yarn.
Planned a trip to yarn shop. Was delayed a day.
The yarn had been there for over a year (thus me getting it on sale.)
It's not there.
NOT THERE.
"Someone came in this afternoon and got it to finish a project."
No, I needed it to finish my project.
Fume. Sorrow.
voicemail from (blogless)Karen the following morn "hey, was at yarnstore yesterday and grabbed the rest of your hat yarn so you'd be able to finish."
I fell off my chair laughing.

keep the faith, folks.

*added 02.11.06: romance truly is random; it strikes and leaves, heh. No complaints, tho. I think I've found something even better than midnite burgers.

'A' is for...

alpaca.

OK, I'm gonna cheat. I found out about the alphabetalong too late, so I'm just gonna do it on my ownsome. Anything to inspire a blogpost or 2 or 26.

Alpaca.


yarn: plymouth baby alpaca chunky in gray, navy, wedgewood (my color names, not theirs)
needles: Denise 10.5 w/19" cable
pattern: none. 180 garter stitches lengthwise, random rows as the mood struck
dates: 12.16.05-12.18.05. knittin' to the clock.

Closeup of the 'front.'

This was my first Christmas knit. I had a friend visiting that often brings nice gifts, so I thought I'd whip up some yarny goodness for him. Yes, perhaps this was also an excuse to use the yarn I had some serious lust for. No, no...it was all about the gift. [nods vigorously.] He seemed to love it and declined the addition of fringe (the perfect way to avoid having to weave in ends on a last-minute gift scarf, eh!) If you haven't enjoyed this yarn yet, go for it. It's worth it. (Bob...it's sitting in your stash. You wound the balls up. Now, use it!)

---
Perhaps I'll be one of those organized knitters and start working on my holiday gifts for '06...like...now. Perhaps Not. I really would love to give handknits out, though, and starting the last 2 weeks of December doesn't seem to work out so well. This Christmas past, I found a pattern that I thought clever, funny, and practical, so I cranked out 4 of them for family members.
Ice Scraper Cuffs
Ingredients:
1. an icescraper. Not one to skimp, I got nice ones with the extra squishy handles.
2. 3 strands of acrylic worsted yarn. I wanted something that would survive snow but be pretty/soft/warm. I did 1 in Caron simply soft (red/black/gray,) 1 in TLC lustre (dark red,) 1 in TLC Essentials (variegated denim blue,) and 1 in Hobby Lobby Airy (deep red with black Elf eyelash on cuff.) The last one...not so much on the durable, more so on the snuggly.
3. size 10 3/4 DPN's. 10 3/4??? Yeah, that was the best option the LYS had in Brittany's. Worked out swell.

It's an easy pattern and a great way to get comfortable using DPN's. Particularly after my boss showed me the right way to knit on them. Apparently I was working backwards, inside-out, somethin'. All better now.

I figured the parents were usually in the car together, so Dad got the scraper (even though I'm sure Mom sweetly takes care of this chore often,) and I made a muff for Mom's ever-chilly fingers. Take some white Hobby Lobby Airy (2 stranded,) CO ~33 stitches, knit a few inches, switch to TLC Essentials (3 stranded) to match Dad's scraper, knit several more inches, repeat the fluffy stuff, BO. And there ya have it, Hand-Warming-Muffy-Goodness.

(I only got pic's of the blue scraper. multiply by 4 in different colors and you get the idea.)

---

Yesterday, I finished my sweater finally. Started in 09.05. It will never be a fashion statement, but it's off the UFO list. Pics sometime later...maybe.

---

The Knitpicks Northern Lights mitten will be frogged. Yes, NEKnitters, I'm admitting defeat. While a dislocated thumb and restricted blood flow don't sound soooo awful, I think I'll start over using larger needles and the correct color (brown instead of fawn, hopefully?) For those out there that haven't tried this pattern yet, gauge seems to matter. harumph. And the pattern colors don't match the pic. You've been warned.

---

To end a post that's already too long, a tale of 2 cats.

What to my wondering eyes should appear but my cats actually TOUCHING each other and NOT fighting!

she awakes.

your leg is between mine, dude. move it.

Normalcy returns.

phwew.

byebye '05

I'll try to post some pics of the past 4-5 months knitting projects soon, but today I just wanna wish y'all a wonderful New Year! Thanks for hanging in there with me this fall/winter. I see that I still get a lot of hits even without posting! I'm gonna work on that.
Be happy, be well, and Knit On!


Inspired to list it and 'live out loud' by Crazy Aunt Purl, I'll let blogville see my good intentions (we don't do resolutions in WhimZland.)

(again stealing from Laurie, I'll chop it up in categories)

Home:
1. Just get the closet cleaned out already. I bought a shelving unit, and most of the closet's contents need to go away. I'm not likely to be skinny and 25 again, and the memory keepsakes can be in my head instead of my closet. JUST CLEAN IT OUT.
2. Give the bedroom some style. Paint it, clean it out, get some carpet, make it look like a place for a grownup to live.
3. Buy a dustmask and attack the basement storage again. I know there's a sewing machine down there SOMEwhere. (really, this one is only slightly my fault. If ya knew my landlord...)

Me:
1. Lose a few pounds. I'll be happier.
2. Do yoga. It feels good.
3. Sleep more, read blogs less (ack!)
4. Keep trying to smile when in public. The smiles I'm getting back, especially from tired holiday shoppers, feel great.
5. Dance at home. I used to boogy all the time; it's a good way to rev the engine.
6. Communicate better with my family.
7. Stop being so cautious.
8. Save up $ for a cool trip, or...um...pay off more bills. (getting there!)
9. Be a better friend. write more, call more, listen more. Don't let people drift away from neglect.
10. Plan my time out better. Why, that could be done with a list! And then, um...stick to the list.
11. Consider getting haircuts more often than once or twice a year...
12. Volunteer somewhere. Do charity knitting. Make some of this blessed existence spill over to others.
[added 1.1.06 ~ I've been working on a 'gratitude attitude' (ugh. just made that up. sorry.) the past few years. I saw a blog entry that addresses this quite well today. Check it out.]


Hobbies/Activities:
1. learn to use that sewing machine!
2. keep learning new knit skills, don't let it become a faded hobby!
3. use a few of the beads, eh. (thank goodness collecting beads isn't a spacehog.)
4. start/keep up a knit journal on paper. Blogging rocks, but I love looking through others' knit journals, and it's a good place to keep yarn scraps, etc.
5. get the violin out. Actually learn to play it again. It's beautifully restored, music makes me happy....stop being so shy about the neighbors and squeak away!
6. work harder to find time for reading. It's getting more balanced, but not as much as I'd like.
7. decide an update schedule for the knitblog, either quit blogging, or work on it. ditto bookblog.
8. Have fun with the watercolor painting page-a-day calendar. It's all about not being afraid of things I'm not sure of. (The "C" I got in the college art class crushed me, and I TRIED!)


This is just a quick list while sipping my first glass of champagne for the year (or...eh...the close-to-last-glass of 2005.) I'm sure the list will be edited plenty!

---
Thank you, Aunt Purl, for inspiring knitbloggers and single gals...being a solo catlady with a yarn obsession can be lonely business, but you do it with grace and laughter.

Thanks to my Knit group for being a faithful source of creativity, friendship and giggles.

Thanks to my family. You're...my family. I love you. (Princess and Murr can get lumped in here for now, too.)

I'm ending this year happy. Strangely happy. Mr Right didn't appear, my apt is messy, I'm not a zillionaire. I am safe, fed, warm and loved. It works. Happy New Year.

I'm home.

It smells like home.

Mom was surprised when I asked her for tips on making her beef stew. Yeah, I'm usually vegetarian. There are moments when sentiment, or manners, win over animal ethics. (Feel free to flame if you're hardcore veggie. I know.) The stew is cooking, and I feel like I'm home.

I haven't blogged in months.
Life had some twists, and I chose to spend my time reading, knitting, and socializing instead of blogging. (If anyone wants to provide me with DSL that could all change! Dialup does not make photo-blogging a quick process.)

I had thought of just slinking in to the class, sitting in the last row, and hoping no one would notice my tardiness. I once read a complaint about bloggers that were absent and then apologized about their reappearance. True. She's back. Not really worth READING about! Slink I shall.

I have been knitting.
I have been reading about knitting.
The joy of feeling yarn, seeing new stitches, finding new project ideas...all alive and well.

Tootsie is done.
I made a sweater. I haven't woven in the ends. I'm stalling on that.
I've made a few washcloths and the angelic (blogless) Karen made even more. They're for a charity project for the office mgr at work.
I started a breast cancer ribbon scarf in a yummy sparkly pink mohair blend.
I started a lacy scarf in Rowan summer tweed that I will be frogging.
I'm ignoring my clapotis.
I've started the 2nd strap for my quattro bag.
I still need to make my Dad's footies with his father's day yarn. (nope, dad, didn't forget!!)
I started some wrist warmers in Orangeade cottonease (hi there, cottonease followers!) and Target fun fur.
I started a multidirectional scarf using DiVe Teseo. I love love love it. It's browns and oranges and yummy.

and

I hopped.
And shopped.
and shop-hopped.

I have a lovely bag full of yarn, 500 miles on my car, and 12 stamps on my shophop card. 12 stores across Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio had a contest. I had a vacation day and an urge to spend some time alone fondling yarn. The fall leaves were lovely. I had a soft bed and quiet room in Georgetown, KY. My stash is bursting at the seams. It was fun, and I got lots of new ideas for projects.

I might post pics soon...of projects, and new stash.

But, I'm still on vacation, and it smells like home.

no knitting news here

nothin'.
I haven't finished any projects since last post.
Tootsie Roll pillow has seen progress.
My social life has seen progress.
but,
I got nothin'.

(I will pat self on back that I've resisted all craft/yarn purchases for a couple weeks now!)

My secret pal asked me to post an ACTION! pic of the bag she made me. Without further ado...

Project updates

just knitting.
No exciting recipes to share, no tales to tell, no sunsets to view.
just knitting.

Tootsie Roll makes my hands happy. I'm starting to wobble on its beauty as a pillow, but it's a divine knit. I hung out at starbucks friday nite listening to an unexpected 'concert' and worked a few inches (with plenty of curious glances regarding this bold KIPing.) How often does one innocently head out for a chai and get to listen to really good guitar/singing? Tootsie recorded it. Last nite, I watched the Aviator (good enough movie, but kept thinking...END already!) and did another few rounds. So...pillow: 3 movies, 1 sunset, 1 concert.



---
In early July I sent my secret pal a big ole package that was enough to cover my SP obligation, but I feel bad that I haven't been sending her other little goodies. Mail is always a good thing. So, I tried to whip up a washcloth for her this week. My knit group didn't really make me think that this would be the bestest gift to get (the pattern disappointed me.) I've kept my last 2 washcloth experiments...debating whether to go ahead and send this, just so she knows I'm thinking of her. hmmmm....



pattern: tiny cables washcloth
yarn: sugar and cream daisy ombre
needles: US7 fiddlesticks bamboo
dates: 8.1.05-8.2.05

---
quick pic of felted quatro. Still need to make the strap, having a few problems with color choices. I knew what I wanted in my head, but found that wouldn't work with the i-cord. Back to scheming.



(including before pic again to compare)


--
SP: I wasn't able to get a pic of your bag in action yet. My camera batteries died at SnB last week, and it's hard to take a pic of myself USING something. It's being enjoyed, tho...I promise.

Speaking of knitting group...we're officially part of Barnes & Noble's roster now! We all grabbed our cameras to get pics with the store sign. Knitters...taking over the world. One coffeeshop and bookstore at a time... A bunch of this group is heading to Toledo in a few months for a knitfest. Non-knitters are picturing grannies sitting around being boring. Ha! Maybe there WILL be some grannies, but I promise that the knitters WON'T be boring! Maybe a hotel lobby full of partying gals (and guys...?) with sticks 'n string will help that image change! I've already taken the day off from work for the festivities (no pressure there, Bonnie! heh.) Still need to decide on workshops, hotel, etc.

Cotton Ease Hoarding (CEHD) is still in need of a cure. I think we've at least wiped the town out of stock. I had a big score this week...7 balls of Strawberry Creme. I'm planning to use it for the Sitcom Chic cardigan (with a bit of tweaking,) and perhaps a tank under it. I got Bob and myself some Licorice. The stash is maxed out. NO MORE.

I'm being summoned now to go out for some Indian yumminess. It's been so hot still, eating isn't really a priority...good for waistline, tho! I'm sure a samosa or 2 will have my name on it anyway!

cheers.

it's all about faith.

Quatro (the bag) is knitted.
It's FELTED.
It was 22 longx17 high.
Now: 20x12.
This means I have about 112 inches of strap to knit...

A few minutes into the felting process, I just had to peek.
Oh no.
My lovely quatro yarn was ugly mud. The top of the bag hadn't felted and was a stretchy mess. I KEPT THE FAITH. 2 cycles later....a lovely felted bag emerged! Amazing!
It's still drying, so no 'after' pics yet. Here's a view of its final moments as a knitted bag:



I'm actually pretty excited about it. I've been working on this for several months now. It's a lot larger than I anticipated, but will make a great tote/bookbag...um....yarn bag!?! I'll keep y'all posted for felted pics and the strap.

---
Here's a shot of the bookmark before I handed it off at work. It was fun enough to make. I think I'm cured of my itsybitsy toothpick knitting obsession for a while now, tho. (I accepted that my own Potter bookmark on DPNs just wasn't happ'nin. I can live with that.)


pattern: 15 st wide garter, with border that used CROCHET HOOK, Bob.
yarn: #5 DMC floss, colors 312 and 400 (blue and bronze)
needles: boye US 0 circ
dates: 07.17.05-07.24.05

---
Thanks to Karen showing off her latest pillow creation, I started another new project this week on a whim. (whimZ has whims? hmmmmm.) She had made a bolster pillow cover that looks like a tootsie roll...long tube, tie up the ends. Hers was CottonEase. Mine...isn't. I was at the LYS and found Blue Sky Alpaca Organic Cotton, color Sand. Soooooo soft. I found a comment by someone using this that compared it to knitting clouds. REALLY soft. I'm using Lorna Lace Grace Mohair/Wool Boucle in pinkish-purple/chocolate/sage for random stripes. Lovin' it, lovin' it, lovin' it. AND...it's the first project I've ever been able to knit without having to watch my hands at all. Perfect for...
knitting while watching movies.
Which I did twice this weekend.

Friday nite, I watched Hotel Rwanda. I don't even know what words to use for it. Intense, horrifying, inspiring? It made me question humanity. My fingers poured that into the yarn, stitch by stitch.
Saturday, Bob, Jeff and I went to Cheesecake Factory for lunch, then saw March of the Penguins. Go See This Movie!! It's everything a film should be...funny, educational, moving, beautiful. Bob and I measured out the penguins' long journey in lengths of yarn in the dark theater. (yeah...mohair boucle is NOT ideal movie yarn. It didn't come out too wonky, tho.) I love that my feelings seem to be pouring into this project. The first few inches were done during a stunning sunset at a park near my house. I wished on the first evening star that day.
I'm gonna love this pillow when it's done for more than just its beauty and softness!

The title of the post is a recurring theme for me...in life, in writing, in blogging.
Must. Have. Faith.
I feel like my world is becoming a continual lesson of that right now.
I'm trying to listen.

ohmy ohmy!

secret pal...you rock.

I was kind of 'waiting' on the last package, so finding it on my porch was gleeful, but not Unexpected. Tonite...
I was in a fairly crabby mood coming home (good day in general, but some stress I didn't need at the end,) and it's hot out. Very hot out. I stepped onto the porch to see...

my mailbox wasn't closed. There was a big ole box stickin' out of it.

Crabby mood GONE.

I ran inside to see what the treat was...and I'm stunned! I can't sew a thing (my mom did my 4-H project for me after my attempts at machine sewing were going to cause excessive frustration for all parties involved.) My buddy made me an awesome satchel (knitting bag) with long straps and inside pockets. She MADE it! It will make a fabu knitting bag, altho I love it so much, I might use it for a market bag (can sling across neck.) If that weren't excitement enough, I peeked inside....

bubbles. me 'n the kitties love us some bubbles. (I'm not a grown-up. really I'm not. I kept saying I was going to go hide in my treehouse during stressful moments today.)

Jelly bellies. I have an official Jelly Belly dispenser. Love them JB's!!

A festive looking collection of mystery stories, Malice Domestic 6. It will be great lunch time reading since the stories are fairly short.

A really nice note on a cat postcard.

sigh. I needed this today. I love this. Thank you so much!

p.s. The JBs were a good choice...the chocolate surprisingly survived the heat before...I think even air would melt today!
p.p.s. I don't see what you were worried about with the bag. I think it looks perfect!

(pics will follow, but I just had to get a post up ASAP.)

the Big zucchini and a new knitter

Thursday nite the big zucchini began as this.


[wine bottle for size comparison only, of course.] [darned good wine, tho.]

Poor thing. He soon was this.



and then this.



Joy, oh joy...before noon the next day, he was this!



The coworkers set a record devouring one of my baked goods offerings. Made me smile.
chocolate zucchini cake. Can't really post the recipe since it was found in a comment on someone's blog. Feel free to mail me for it if you're interested.
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Like everyone else is saying...it's hot. Really hot. Too hot for meaningful posts. Can't complain, tho...at least I have A.C. (unlike poor Aunt Purl!)
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Knittin' news:
finished Ravenclaw bookmark. I'm just telling everyone an 8 year old child made it. Sides are kinda wonky. (aside: wonky has hit my fave word list in the past few weeks. odd.)

Clap has had 4th drop. Totally digging the pattern, but kinda dreading how long it's gonna go on. (ADD 'n all...)

I got a sudden burst of inspiration to work on Quattro last nite. (ok. I was watching a movie...Princess Diaries...very cute/sweet, and it's the only straight garter project already OTN.) There's even a chance I'll finish the bag today and MAYBE felt it. The strap will have to wait.

Friday was very exciting in knittingland. A coworker (the recipient of said bookmark) was begging me to teach her to knit. I agreed to do it during lunch. I taught myself to knit from a book OVER A WEEKEND. She had a half hour. With my same yarn and needles (11s and icky acrylic,) and another knitter's advice (2 knitters providing more style options,) she actually got a garter swatch done. I was very impressed. She spent the afternoon walking around with the yarn in her labcoat pocket, knitting away. I'm sure our supervisors were just loving that I've created yet another addict. (Director came in and said to me...you just HAD to do that knowing her OCD, didn't ya....I evilly grinned.) I'm curious if she's gonna still be interested on Monday. I'm guessing yes! If anyone reading this happens to have some needles (probably 11 and up for beginner's scarf) and soft green yarns that they aren't wanting...give me a holler, and maybe I can buy them from you. I promised her purling and better supplies if she practiced! (she HATED the acrylic, but it's a good learning yarn because it doesn't split.)

stay cool, everyone!

colors of the sky

In Girl With a Pearl Earring, Vermeer opens Griet's eyes to clouds not being white. They're full of colors. That was the moment in the book that has lingered with me the most. Since then, I've spent hours studying stormy evening skies, intensely desiring to be able to piece together the colors to pin that moment down. As a knitter, I study the clouds for colors fibers could be. Could I ever make a sky as beautiful as tonite's in yarn?



closeup:



who knew I could drive and take pics at same time? heh. Yes, with hands at 10 and 2 even.
...
Ravenclaw bookmark almost done. Worked on it tonite at Meetup with a nice group of gals at a great li'l coffeehouse. Chai 'n knitting. Life is good.

li'l bit of this, li'l bit of that

The advantage of daily blogging is not having to catch up, I can see.

The fun of festival weekend in my hometown will wait.
The fun of Tuesday knittin' last week must wait.
The pic of batman shawl will wait (tried to take pic without daylight. blech.)

So...
on to This Week:

I think I'm noticing a trend in my obsessions hobbies. I enjoy studying them at least as much as the actual practice of them. I can tell you a lot more about knitting/cooking/reading than I've actually done. I don't think it's a bad thing, it's just less visibly productive. However, it makes for a very crowded kitchen and sizeable stash... I think I'm gonna work on more action, less theorizing in my life!

Things done recently:
reading - I'm gleefully off in Harry Potter-land again! Wanted to go to a bookstore party friday nite, but felt kinda silly going solo amongst the kiddies. Picked it up Saturday morning instead. Started a bit slow, but the cloak of Potter-ness is starting to wrap around me in a happy way. These books are just the most amazing escape. They've even spilled over into my...

knitting: working on 2 HP bookmarks.
One I'm doing flat in Ravenclaw colors for a co-worker (I'm a Ravenclaw, too, it would appear! What are you?)



pattern: 15 st wide garter
yarn: #5 DMC floss, colors 312 and 400 (blue and bronze, not sure which is which!)
needles: boye US 0 circ
dates: 07.17.05-present
p.s. look, Mom! the bag from the clinique goodies you gave me (love 'em, btw!) is much fancier than my usual CVS/ziploc bag small-project-holder.

and the other...
I started my first DPN circular project using Gryffindor colors. Note to self...learning DPNs on size 0 with #10 crochet thread...maybe not ideal plan. I probably should have read how to use these first or had a buddy help...naaaah.



The clapotis is being neglected until the bookmarks are done. I'm anxious to get back to it!
(it's darker than this pic, I think. more of a burgundy.)



Quattro is just gonna have to wait until cooler weather. (yeah, that's my excuse.)

Belatedly, I made it to the LYS going-out-of-biz 50% off sale. Without patterns in mind, I wasn't really tempted very much. Got a great Jo Sharp pattern book, 1 bamboo circ needle, 2 novelty balls, and 2 sock yarn balls. VERY behaved compared to Anita, Bonnie, and others! Finally stopped by another LYS (1 More Stitch...can't find a link) that has hours clashing with my schedule. Rather crowded place, but really good collection of Rowan yarns and Addi's/accessories and back issues of mags/patternbooks. Good to know it's there IF I can get there! (got one old issue of IK. NO YARN! amazing, eh!)

and that's what's been hap'nin' with my knitting.
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Wanted to send this out to the world...
y'all should know my parents are some pretty darn sweet folks. My mom was a doll and did up my laundry last weekend (I really took it there planning to do it myself!) and I'm always gleeful to find cards/hugs from her in my mailbox (the envelopes instantly do not look like bills or ads!) We won't even go into her yummy cooking... And Dad....is dad. He's sweet and generous and is where my 'green' soul came from. There's a safe feeling knowing the dwarf's little girl's daddy always has her back. love ya, m/d!
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This week:
I hope to make it to 2 knit nites.
I hope to finish both bookmarks.
I plan to get back to my clapotis!
I'll be reading reading reading HP!
Maybe I'll start a mini-project for my secret pal. (note to self: send her a card this week!)
Speaking of sp5...if mine stops by...hi! Hope you got at least one of the thank you's I sent!

and...of course...I'll be busy blogstalking. heh.

Blogiversary

...and so it continues.

My blogiversary is today. Not whimZknits, but my first blog. It was an outlet for me to combine a journal with creative writing. Some days were successful. Most were pointless babblings. It was exciting and scary and vulnerable and funny (to write.) I managed to finish writing my first (last?) short story during that time. Readers moved on, my interests shifted, and that blog faded away. The notion of blogging wasn't lost, tho. I still hope to turn whimZknits into something more like the blogs I rush to read most days. Regardless, I love being able to share things that matter to me with people that understand and offer support and laughs. I heart you blogville!

Looking back at my first post, times have indeed changed. Who would have guessed that the memory of the boy would have faded away and dating would be replaced with a love of yarn! (ok...I still hope to date someday. For now, tho, there are some pretty soft yarns out there to snuggle up to, they rarely make me cry, and they ALWAYS let me have the remote!) Thanks, R, for giving me my blog...it was more than a cure for EH. It was a door to new friends and the beginning of me finding my voice in the world.

Just for giggles, here was my first post ever:

Genesis
07-06-04 07:05 pm
...and so it begins.

Beginnings are tricky things. (eh, so are endings for that matter.) I've been writing since I was 3, I think. I can't remember a time when I didn't want to pin what was in my skull onto a piece of paper in words. I also can't recall a time that I wasn't frustrated at my lack of ability to do so. Sometimes need overrides quality, and my musings are recorded.

A few years ago, I met a guy. Yeah, I know...that happens all the time. The newsworthy portions were that he inspired me to write more. and that he sometimes made me think the babblings weren't total crap. and that i thought i was in love with him (that can be debated at different times, different days.) and that he's a web junkie that one day said "you should start a blog."

For now...a good portion of this will probably relate to the above paragraph. Assuming my life has some new paragraphs in store...that will likely change. But, for now...the story begins with..."A few years ago, I met a guy."

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I have a couple rules in my writing. I try not to edit. I think that it's cheating to alter what you obviously meant at the time it was written to what feels tastier right now. I try to record the time and events surrounding my writing. I'm notorious for spewing words right after seeing movies, drinking wine, etc. I try to use good grammar and spelling, but give exceptions to "i, tho, nite." ...and perhaps a few others. and i use non-capitalized sentence fragments. ...and I use dot.dot.dot a lot.lot.lot. deal with it.

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...and so it begins.

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Knitting news:
~ribbon shawl had its dinner debut. woohoo! no pics yet, tho.
~clapotis groweth. I love a pattern so easy to memorize that's more exciting than garter!
~working on a strange project for my dad. Let's just call it fiber experimentation.
~quattro is waiting patiently. I think it's resigned to perhaps needing cooler weather to be resumed.
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Raise a glass of champagne (or Kool-aid. I'm not picky)...happy 1st year of blogging!

what have we here?

ok. we all know that work is kicking me in the behind. I figure this is fair considering my slacker days a decade ago. Still, I drifted through the past 2 weeks a, ahem, kinda cranky zombie. I have hopes this was just an extreme few weeks and the future will allow the work/play ratio to return to balance. (fingers crossed.)

So, I drag meself up the front steps on Thursday headed for the mailbox. but...what is this!? a package sitting above my mailbox? Could it be?!?

It was.

I had mail.
ever so LOVELY mail.

I thought about leaving the package for a more ceremonial moment of opening. nah. dropped my bags, scratched the cats' ears quickly and reached for the knife (tape slicer.)

ta-da!


SecretPal5 goodies!

As I opened the box, I could smell it before I saw it. In a really good way. My buddy didn't know this, but I had a 'scent' issue last week. I was working on a project, and kept feeling like something was missing. Lavender, I realized. I keep a Michaels lavender air freshener in my yarn bin, and the current project had never been in there. I had to go to Michael's to stock up on them last week. So, buddy, imagine my delight that you had pre-scented my yarn and goodies! My nose has been buried in the yarn several times in the past day (hey...only cats for witnesses. ...and I'm not the only yarn sniffer out there!)

Contents of the box:
~2 balls of Elann Endless Summer Sonata sock yarn in pretty light blue (so that I can cave in to that urge to enter the sock world!)
~2 balls Wool-Ease in purple/rose/teal twist (quite soft...will be fun to use)
~A little white knitted lavender sachet (more nose burying. Tho, twas funny...at first I thought it a cat toy and Murray thought so, too. As I read the note saying it was a sachet, I snatched it back and he's pouting that it's mine now. heh)
~a twirly purple drink parasol
~incense in lavender and magnolia (buddy doesn't know of my days working in hippy gift/jewelry shop. LOVE incense!)
~lavender glycerin soap (she suggested pretty smelling hands before using nice yarn. I agree!)
~burt's bees handcream (again, my shop sold Burt's. love the brand.)
~a neat hemp/beaded friendship bracelet. I wore it to work today, just kinda knotted up. I think I'll put a beaded clasp on somehow, even tho that breaks friendship bracelet notion. Not sure I can get away with wearing it 24/7. :-) I'm pretty sure it's my new lucky bracelet, tho!
~Dagoba is a fantabulous chocolate bar that stunningly survived on my 90 degree porch without even melting a teensy bit. It's organic dark chocolate with lavender and blueberries in it. Truly divine.
~a skein winder tool. (the white thing in back on right) I'm gonna have to study this a bit more. I think it will be a really cool useful tool once I figure it out. I want to try some kool-aid dying soon, and this sounds like the way to prep for that!

Pretty fantabulous goodies, eh!? THANK YOU, SECRET PAL!!! (I enjoyed your note, too. I like the feeling of being a kid with a pen-pal! I appreciate the time/care/thought you put into my goodies.)

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quick knitting update:
-the ribbon shawl is REALLY close to being done. (AKA the batman shawl in my knitting group.) I just have a couple ends to weave in still (Bob sweetly did the rest.) Will try to post a pic/details this week.
-The quattro bag is still chugging along. I can see finishing the body of it fairly soon. It's just getting so big that it's HOT to knit with it on my lap! I really, really hope I like this once it's felted!
-The bookmark is still in need of official finishing (starch? tassels? beads?)
-(rolls eyes embarrassed at cliche....) I started a clapotis last weekend. I have a couple balls of Wool-ease in 'strawberry twist' that I picked up at Tuesday Morning during a CEHD (Cotton-Ease Hoarding Disorder) moment, and thought I'd play with the clapotis pattern using it. Almost done with first rep of increase section. Based on a poll of my knitting group last Tuesday, I believe the entire knitting world has either finished, started, or contemplated a clapotis. (But have you tried it in Cotton Ease, Bonnie?)
~so many other projects planned, it's insane. I'm guessing the next thing on the needles is gonna be socks, tho!

Happy 4th, happy knitting, all!