Tagged, huh.

I thought to tag was this, but I guess it's this, and I've been tagged. So I'll do my best, but just thinking about my favorite anything causes me paralysis and shortness of breath, so if I don't get thru it, it's cause I've hit the deck. No, not this kind of deck. This kind.

Four jobs you've had:
Professional sea kayak instructor
English teacher
Waitress
School Counselor

Four movies you can (and have) watched over and over:
Tommy Boy
Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (if that's part IIs title)
Star Wars
Any Steven Seagal flick

Four TV shows you love to watch:
CSI
CSI: New York
24
Prison Break, but since that's not on right now, I'll say NCIS (I went to high school with Tony DiNozo a.k.a. Michael Weatherly. Gotta support my peeps. OK, who am I kidding with that sentence?)

Four Places you've lived...variety is the spice of life:
Beloit, WI
Wolfeboro, NH
Albuquerque, NM
New York, New York

Four Places you've been on vacation:
Baja, Mexico
Sarasota, FL
Prince William Sound, AK
Santa Fe, NM

Four websites you visit daily...are you noticing the job hunt?:
Knittyboards
AISNE
NAIS
Zibibbo Is Good -- A shout out to Monkee. I don't want you think I'm slacking on my fanhood!

Four of your favorite foods...bring on the comfort foods right now!:
Kiwis
French fries
Homemade lemon poppyseed bread
Macaroni & cheese

Four places I'd rather be right now...than at work, you mean?:
Tucked into bed in freshly clean sheets after a long, hot shower
in WEBS, so I can see what all the hype is about
Hawaii
with my pets and friends Nick & Elsa in Santa Fe

Fini.

There's a whole lotta pressure with tagging someone else, so can I skip that and not get naughty blogger points? Hope so.

And cause every post should have a something to look at, here's The Wingnut. Why the crap blurry photo you ask, and are frankly a little annoyed about? Because she does not stop moving, EVER. OK, that's not entirely true. 20% of the time she's in a light, teeth-grinding coma, but 80% of her day is spent being very, very busy. Very busy throwing her stuffed lobster around (how else am I gonna teach her she's a displaced New Englander?). Then chasing Max. Or Abby. Or both of them. Flytackling Jerry. Using her talons to get my attention. Back to the lobster. Or the elf. More barking, protecting us from coyotes. Bark. Drink lots of water. Nibble. Sit for a cookie. Try to eat it before Jerry the Alpha comes over. Eventually pass out next to the human who's on the stinkin' computer or using those tasty ebony sticks...ah, the life of Cassidy. (And before you start assuming I'm some big Dead Head, she came with that name.)

In Stashalong news: I'm still staying strong, and I will finish the damn seam on Bobblicious this weekend.

Edgar at the base of Mt. Princeton

Edgar designed by Silke Hupka
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden, I don't know which color; 1 skein used - it's 2 repeats longer than the cravat in the pattern, if I recall correctly. I wanted to use as much of the skein as possible. And I did.
Needles: Size 8 US addi turbos
Finished measurements prior to blocking: 4 inches wide by 39 inches long

Edgar is a handsome scarf, and a fun knit. I learned how to do a cable cast on, which is exciting! And I really enjoyed watching the Silk Garden color progression. This was my first project with Silk Garden, and I really like it. I will have to block the scarf and see if I still like it afterwards, particularly since I didn't do a gauge swatch.

Edgar was originally slated for my Dad, but it's a bit too flashy for him, so I have started an Irish Hiking Scarf for him instead.

I had a lot of fun trying to take quality pictures of Edgar in between sessions with students...one day I will not take pictures under duress. Edgar is pictured here just outside of Buena Vista, Colorado, at the base of Mt. Princeton's chalk cliffs, at about 9000 feet, on a typical crystal clear day.

Below, two other pics I just couldn't leave out. Thanks to Jen for tolerating her first model shoot.

Elegant Ella...

Modeled by the lovely Miss Diane is...
Ella designed by Wendy Wonnacott
Yarn: Four Play by Brooks Farm Yarns in Golden Splendor 2; 270 yds per skein, 3 skeins used
Needles: Size 10 US Clover bamboo circular
Finished measurements taken after a full day of wear: Panel width: 16 inches wide
Outer tip to center bottom: 50 inches

The measurements are a bit larger than Wendy's Ella. There may be several reasons for this:
1. My gauge may have been slightly off - totally possible given my well known gauge handicap.
2. I took the measurements after a full day of wear. The yarn certainly looks more stretched out than it did this morning.
3. I may have blocked it a little too zealously. As I look at the close up picture, I notice white between the stitches. I am a complete rookie blocker.
And it could be a combination of all 3.
Please feel free to share your thoughts with me. I'd appreciate it.

I really enjoyed knitting with the Four Play - it's soft, with a subtle sheen. I think it's the first silk blend I have worked with, and I will definitely work with it again. Another Ella even. The pattern requires concentration, but it's such a cool looking pattern that it was worth it. And really not too difficult.

And this, I believe, I will keep. For me.

Glorious Gioia!

I am thrilled to present:

Gioia designed by Wendy Wonnacott for The Garter Belt
modeled by the ever-lovely Miss Paula, whose matching shirt was a delightful coincidence

Yarn: 100% Merino wool, handpainted by Malabrigo in Lime blue; 215 yds per skein, less than 1 skein used
Needles: Size 11 bamboo
Finished measurements: 22 inches wide by 30 inches long

I churned this little beauty out over the weekend. The pattern showcases the handpainted yarn quite well...Miss Paula was hesitant to return her after the quick photo shoot.

My one reflection on this project is that if you're a tightish knitter like me, don't use crap round tipped bamboo needles - it made for challenging stitch work at times...otherwise, the pattern is a gem, and the Malabrigo unspeakably soft...just dreamy...

I will most likely send this to Gramma - to help stave off the raging AC in Florida. Doesn't every almost-93-year-old deserve soft, hand-knitted fabric around their neck?