Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Don't worry

Dear friends,

Yes, it's been a while... and it will be a while again, as Andy and I are going on a little trip to NYC. Without the baby. (blinks back tears) But we know we are going to have a great time, and she gets to spend the whole week with her Mimi and Papa, not to mention her cousins, so she won't even miss us.

Anyhow, I finished an all-knit Monkey, and it looks great, but you'll have to wait until we get back to see it because I've been too busy getting ready to go to take pictures of it. We're taking the train, not flying, so I'll probably have the second one done by the time we return.

See you in about a week!

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Briefly

The bathroom has tile. I have a pair of Monkeys.We've got the final Harry Potter book.I'll see you all in a couple of days.


Sunday, July 15, 2007

One Monkey done

Isn't it pretty? I can't believe how excited I am about a sock, for cryin' out loud. It took me a week to finish this first one. That's the shortest it's ever taken me to knit one sock. Must be the pattern.

I found this link to a knitter who used all knit stitches in her Monkey, and it looks amazing! Aren't they lovely and swirly and smooth? I'm going to borrow this idea for my next pair. Which I'll probably start as soon as this pair is done. I'm ill, I tell you.

A good time was had by all at the Wyandotte Street Art Fair this past week. The weather was just perfect. It was cool, breezy, and sunny. We saw two artists who really impressed us. One did Chinese-style paper cuts, and we bought this from her:
The other was exhibiting several really outstanding works of art, and this was his business card:Craig M. Linderman. Please check out his stuff -- it blew my mind. If you can find the one entitled "Face It" (it's under pen and ink), take a look at it. That was my favorite. I may have to order a print from his website.

Also had good, good friends visit from out of town. Monica and her family, including little Luke, who came to be deeply loved by Rose in a very short period of time.
Here they are bonding over Rose's Sesame Street toy. A very good time was had by all.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Green Gable update

I wore this sweater to church the weekend I finished it, and yes indeed, the neckline was too big. It felt like it was just about to slip off my shoulder all morning, and I was not comfortable.


I picked up stitches over the back and two sleeves, leaving the top of the lace panel alone. Then I worked ribbing in short rows. The ribbing slopes down nicely to the front two raglan lines where the lace starts, and pulls the neck in just enough. It's still an open, summery feel, but now I'm not worried about my bra straps showing, let alone my entire shoulder.

p.s. I should have straightened up the lines of the sweater for these pictures. It's not really all slanted and off-center. Sorry about that.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Feelin' the Monkey love

I have to say, when I started blogging, I never would have imagined typing the title above. Ahem.

But I SO am!Why does an interesting pattern seem to fly off the needles, while a similar length of stockinette feels like it takes days? In the meantime, here is Kiri with four repeats of the second chart. This will likely be the last picture I'll be able to take of this shawl all spread out, unless I buy a longer cable for my Options.
Our new tub (under its blankie) and walls. Tile should be going up soon -- I'm starting to get excited!

Saturday, July 7, 2007

So much to share

but so little energy.The pair of toe-up socks are finished, and I am pleased. I like the short-row heel, and I like the striping pattern. These are supposed to be for my sister, but I am very tempted to keep them for myself. Yarn: Steinbach Wolle Strapaz Cotton Effek. Started: April ?, 2007. Finished: July 7, 2007. Pattern: Wendy's Generic Toe-Up Sock.I cast on for a pair of Monkeys right away. I've been daydreaming about these all through knitting the second toe-up. I don't usually hop on the "popular knits" bandwagon, but Cara has been an effective evangelist for these, and I really do think they're cute socks. I'm using Regia Bamboo, which feels beautifully soft and springy in the skein.

Tagged along with my parents to Ikea yesterday. Holy cow. I haven't the words (or, again, the energy) to describe that crazy store. I wasn't going to buy anything. How all that stuff got home with me I'll never know.

Then Andy and Rose and I attended CityFest this morning, and, well, City Knits is right there. Honestly, how could I help myself?

That's Cascade Ecological Wool up above, and at 478 yards per skein, I'm expecting to get two sweaters out of those four skeins. Below is a selection of sock yarn; two skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in pewter and some Brown Sheep Wildfoote. I've never tried either, but I've heard lots of good things about Lorna's Laces, and I've never been unhappy with any Brown Sheep yarn I've ever tried.

So much more to share, but I'm so wiped out from all the shopping and the constant battle with the construction dust. We have a bathtub and walls now, though!

Sunday, July 1, 2007

Green Gable

Green Gable is finished. I could have made it a size smaller, but I really am happy with how it turned out. I think I may still modify the neckline a bit. We'll see.
I used the recommended yarn, Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece. I love it. This has become one of my favorite yarns. This project was started on May 5, 2007, finished June 29, 2007.
P.S. Happy Canada Day, Peg!