A secretarial question

For my dear, loyal readers:

Why are Areli and Elizabeth the only commenters (it's a close relative of slickeriness) whose comments, when automatically forwarded to my email Inbox, contain a reply-to address?

I want to be able to reply to each of you, and I know I rarely revisit comments I've left to see if the blogger has responded, so I guess others may be the same way. So then I would have to go to the commenter's profile, find their blog, and leave an unrelated comment on their blog. Seems awkward, no?

Is this problem solved by using HaloScan? Or another way to phrase it, is this why many folks use HaloScan? Or, why do some bloggers use HaloScan?

I want to be a good, responsive blogger, what to do, my readers, lurkers, fans?

Please leave a comment. I will respond.

Glittering Gold

My Olympic Project,

Clapotis,

shining in the warm Colorado sun

Gently moving with the cool breeze

(notice the famous Clap curled edge, despite blocking)

Nestled in the birches

It was a close race, I saved much of it for Saturday and Sunday, but victory was mine.

Pattern: Clapotis by Kate Gilbert

Yarn: No No Kitty Yarns Monty Wool, colourway "Snow Day"

Needles: Size 7 US Addi turbos

Pattern modifications: I added two (2) extra repeats in the straight section, and it's just long enough.

Thoughts & Reflections on the pattern and the Olympic process: I prefer long wraps, so if I had it to do over, I'd make it longer and wider. I would also use a worsted weight, silk blend, as the designer suggests, for weight, drape and slickeriness (yes, that's a real word.).

The pattern was much easier than I thought it would be. A blessing. I don't like knitting to deadlines.

I'm pleased and proud to be a medalist.

I've hit the wall

Ok, I hit the wall on several days ago. No Olympic knitting so far this week. And it's Thursday night - blogging rather than knitting. Yes, you read it right. No Olympic knitting this week. Not that much knitting at all this week. And what knitting I did manage, I just ripped out. Or the sweet way of saying it: I frogged it.

What's it? It is this: (yes, I nicked the pic from zib's blog. Thank you, zib.)

Elizabeth's Hyde Park Pullover

It's the ultimate Stashalong project for me - a pattern that I can use the Donegal Tweed I have had for y e a r s. About six (6) months ago, it was a 75% completed to-be-felted bag from Knitter's Stash. I decided I would never use it and could someday use the yarn for something else. Elizabeth brought me that something. The to-be-comfy Hyde Park Pullover.

So I immediately abandoned my Olympic knitting to make a gauge - OK, I made several, that's another post - and cast on. Yeah, well, I botched the broken rib (not mistake rib, as previously posted, and very ironic. Is it ironic? Is that the word I want?) pattern by over-thinking it while increasing, just on one row, and further botched it by trying to drop stitches to the row that needed fixing. So rip.

And that's been my CRANKY knitting week. Oh, I was sick with a stomach bug on Monday, which was a work day for me. Instead, I languished uncomfortably near the bathroom. Perhaps that's what has set the delightful tone.

I'm feeling better, just cranky.

If you're in the final days of your Olympic quest, keep the faith. For those that have bowed out of the competition, you are a true hero for even trying.

The Obligatory Olympic update

Clapotis in progress

There she is in all her glory...

According to Miss Tangerine on the right, it's 10F outside, hence the office window picture. Here in the Banana Belt, we're used to warmer weather and snow that lasts about 2 hours. We're well into the 36-hour time frame and its charm has worn off.

Looks like I'll be busy this weekend, only five (5) stitches dropped so far.

My color commentary for the event thus far: Last night, I was watching boardercross (please, just call it that, not snowboard cross, how cumbersome), turned to purl a row, purled three (3) stitches and I saw it. Crap! I dropped a stitch! So I tinked back to the knit side, started picking up the stitch, and then remembered what the *F* I was knitting - a drop stitch wrap. I laughed at myself, then grew concerned about early-onset Alzheimer's.

No, really. It's a true story.

This and that...

A few mid-week details to share:

As you may know, I have chosen to knit the ever-popular Clapotis by Kate Gilbert for the Olympics. My fiber choice is Monty Wool dyed by Danielle, the former No No Kitty Yarn guru, in the colourway "Snow Day." The colors actually make me think of spring, so I'm enjoying it in this dreary February.

I have not done any Olympic knitting in two days. Not sure what that's about, but I'll be knitting tonight. Yes. Tonight.

Thus far, however, I have learned a little more about swatching. I mentioned earlier that I swatched four (4) times. Torture? No. Learning? But, of course. Mostly, don't be a novice swatcher and watch a CSI episode while swatching. You may not read the yarn label, even though you know it's not worsted weight and that's what the pattern calls for; you may forget which way to go with the size of your needles; you may not write down your measurements, thereby forcing you to re-knit a swatch with size 7 US needles, your final choice for the project; and you may stay up way too late. But I swatched. :: pat, pat, pat on my back ::

I have dropped three (3) stitches so far, and barring the fighting I'm doing with the 100% wool - let go of one another! - it's going along well.

In Stashalong news, yesterday was a free day. I took advantage of it to prepare for my March knitalong. Please notice the new button to the right - the Pearl Buck Swing Jacket Knitalong. It's another Kate Gilbert pattern from Interweave Knits Winter 2005, and will by my first sweater that I will finish, meaning sew together myself. Whoa. I chose to purchase 12 skeins of Jaeger Matchmaker Merino DK. It is cheaper than the Jaeger Extra Fine Merino DK the pattern calls for, and machine washable, a fine quality for someone like me and my hairy, dirty family. Since ordering yarn online without sample cards has always proven an adventure for me, I'm looking forward to its arrival. I chose the colourway buddleia, and, yes, I purchased an extra skein or two, just in case.

In sockapalOOOza news, yup, a sock exchange, I have purchased and received the yarn for my sock pal. It's Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock. It is SOOOOOOoooooooo soft. I'm excited to knit with it. Nervous to make socks since I haven't made any in years, and back then it was only one (1) pair, I believe. A nice pair for Dad, but it was so long ago, it's like I never made them. I was smart enough to put myself in the beginner group, so I have that going for me - lower expectations. I hope.

Lastly, I'd like to thank Elizabeth for her fair isle color choice guidance as I dream about a future project (see fuzzy-picture-I-could-not-defuzz below). I love the shape and design of this sweater, particularly the neck shaping. LOVE IT. But I look almost-dead/viciously hungover in gray, so I put the query out to the Knittyheads about changing colors. Miss Elizabeth responded promptly and brilliantly...and most importantly, she said, don't make a sweater in a color that "doesn't suit" me. I won't.



That's what's knews around here. Keep on keepin' on, Olympians!!!!

My sweet Angel Valentine

Charles Marshall, swaddled in handknit auntie lovin'

Sweetness and light he is.

My love.

My angel-nephew.

My Charlie.

He'll always be my true Valentine.

I miss him.

Yes, there are horses in Ireland

Pattern: Irish Hiking Scarf designed by Adrian of Hello Yarn
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in Indigo; 98 yds per skein, 2.75 skeins used
Needles: Size 8 US Lantern Moon in Ebony
Finished measurements: 48" long by 5" wide

This one's for the Big D. He does not wrap scarves around his neck, so I did not need to make it very long. Dad chose the color over the phone - a man after my own heart with his love for dark blues.

Due to scheduling conflicts with my model, and my promise of back to back posts, I apologize for the absence of action shots.

Perhaps you can notice in the close-up photograph some light colored fiber that contributes to a subtle halo. Can you see it? They are very fine. They are delicate fibers from the stunning and rare Cassidy-beast, as well as Maxalicious, Abbini, and the precious tail fiber of Jerry.

What a truly special treat for my dear, pet-loving Dad.

Olympic update: No knitting last night. I'm tapering before tomorrow's big opener. I will be going to bed early and carbo-loading tomorrow morning.

Best of luck to all the athletes!

Notice those satellite dishes

My little mink has parked those ears of hers on my mother's Bobblicious every night for at least four weeks now.

"Who, me?" She says.

You'll notice Miss Abby is also sleeping in traffic: knitting traffic. The orange binder contains printed copies of assorted Knitty patterns I'm working on, or hope to be working on some time soon (soon = before 2008).

Laptop to cruise Knitty and my favorite blogs and job search sites. (Dear Cassidy & Laptop Fairy, please stop taking the keys away - I don't have the keyboard memorized, so missing letters makes cruising, commenting, and posting hard. Thank you.)

Red plaid pouch is an attempt to corral knitting tools, but the scissors, stitch markers, ruler, and pencil are all under my precious petite feline.

Plastic bag filled with yarn purchased by Ms. D from Sakonnet Purls for a scarf she's commissioned me to do. They will match her green snake-skin cowboy boots.

And the light blue, peach, and brown lump is my Manos afghan that I completed for my Master Work in 2002. Yup, a knitted afghan for my Masters degree. Great program. Great afghan. Manos not so great for extended blankie use. But that doesn't bother Abby.

See...


Stay tuned. I will seam Abby's Wool-Ease Thick and Quick dream. And tomorrow I'll unveil Dad's Irish Hiking Scarf. That's back to back posts, folks. Hang on to your hats.

In Olympic training news...I knit FOUR different gauges last night. That should say it all. I didn't get gauge, but I'm persevering. That's what Olympic athletes do. And I'm going to do it performance enhancers-free. Wish me luck with my Clapotis.

Because I'm so cutting edge...

...and have been far too busy this week to form fresh sentences or find a few moments to knit.



Make your own word cloud.

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?

A Christmas Knit...Cozy

Miss Linda, my Secret Elf recipient, and my brother's girlfriend, is modeling the little beauty. The photos of just the Cozy are pre-blocking pics - I had a TERRIBLE time getting these photos posted, so forgive the layout. It's awful.

The specs are:
Pattern: Cozy
Fiber: 8 skeins of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Chestnut
Needles: size 8 US addi turbo circulars
Measurements: pre-blocking: 18" wide by 63" long; post-blocking: 19" wide by 78" long

Please excuse the rushed photos. Miss Linda doesn't like to have her picture taken, and I was fixated on finishing and gifting the Cozy. Especially since I didn't finish knitting it until late on Christmas. Gifted the morning of the 26th. Worth the wait though, I hope...and my Mom broke her right wrist a few weeks ago, so the Mighty Righty needed help.

And now I have to finish Bobblicious. I thought it would fit comfortably over her cast and help keep her warm during this damp New England winter. And Edgar for my Dad. And a Nantasket Basket for my Mom. And a Cozy for my sister. Yikes.

The pressure is on!

Yup, the big day is bearing down on me...and I should have at least one lovely Cozy done for the big day. Provided I get some knitting time. But there's so much to do, and so many people to see!!!!

I promise to post FO pics sooooon. Certainly by the 25th :-).

Happy holidays to my brave blog readers! And thank you!

Serena is soaring to Virginia...

I completed Serena, the beauty, and she's tucked safely in a padded Fed Ex Pak winging her way to Miss Isabel right this very moment...

I knit her, tucked all those pesky ends in, gently soaked her in some newly acquired Eucalen, and then blocked her. What an experience blocking is...after 24 hours, I was fearful she wasn't going to dry, so late last night, I put a fan on her and WHOOSH, she was dry in no time.

Looking elegant and regal, here, on my dear model-friend Paula, I present to you, Serena:

The details:

Pattern & incredibly prompt and gracious pattern help:
Serena by Wendy Wonnacott for The Garter Belt
Finished Measurements: Width: 13 inches Length: 67 inches
Yarn: Panache by Knit Picks in Moss; 68 yds per skein
Yardage: 522 yards
Needle: Size 11 Addis

It's a stylish pattern which appears more difficult to knit than it truly is...

Serena, stopped dead

So I think this is possibly a great learning moment for me, I'm just not sure if I'm clear about what I need to learn, but I suspect it has to do with gauge...Here's my Serena so far:

I am using Panache (68 yards a skein) from Knit Picks, and size 11 needles. The pattern calls for a gauge of 12 sts/17 rows=4 inches. And I really did do a gauge - for about the 3rd time in my knitting life - not that that's long, but still...and I was only off a little. Maybe .5 at the most on the row count. So I thought the knitted piece might be a little small, since I purchased the yardage that the pattern called for: 270 yards. But here I am, only on row 115 or 235, and I'm out of yarn. All 4 skeins gone. So what did I do wrong?

Oh sweet Ella

Here's my progress on miss Ella...designed by Miss Wendy. You can find her prowess at www.thegarterbelt.com She's my new hero. I'll wax on more about her later...
My little Ella is being done in Brooks Farm Four Play, colorway Golden Splendor 2, on size 10s, although I think I told someone somewhere I was on size 8s. What? This progress report is brought to you courtesy of Ali.

For the love of Freds

Meet Fred. And Fred. Aren't they cute?

Fred is one of Silke's designs. She's dreamy. You can find her work at www.smallknits.com. The light blue Fred is made out of Reynolds Lopi, and the coal/mist Fred is made our of Sierra from Knit Picks. You can see Ella peeking out of my Fred...

These are my first forays into felting. Fun, easy. And mistakes are gone *poof*, and I just adore bags. Fred is considered a basket. So I guess I'm fond of baskets too.

Anxiety of the blogging and finishing kind...

So, as you can see, I'm not much of a blogger.

I have abandoned the sweater pattern that kicked off this blog - the gauge is off a little AND I need a break from the project no one seems to know what to do with...

I finished Fred. Perhaps I'll post a picture soon. It's Fred, a felted basket, from Small Knits (www.smallknits.com). Silke is my hero. I found her website thru Knitty.com - she designed Edgar. Fred came out well, my first felted project that is larger than a Christmas tree ornament. I just received some Sierra from Knit Picks - my first experience from Knit Picks - NOT to be confused with knitpixie!!!! - and I'll let you know how the yarn knits up and felts.

I'm also working on 2 hats for Charlesie. He's 2.5 and was just diagnosed with leukemia. The doctors think he's going to be OK...he's going to be bald for about 3 years, so I better get on those hats.

I also have a scarf going - a pattern of Silke's. You like that? Her first name, as though I know her. She as VERY nice via email - at least I can say we've exchanged emails.

Do you ever have finishing anxiety? I HATE finishing work...