My Christmas scarf

So my lovely daughter made me a gorgeous crocheted scarf to wear during my visit. I left it in Colorado for future wintry visits, but I have this picture to remind me of it (I wish I had gotten a full-length shot because it is one long mother of a scarf). The cute kid is my granddaughter Lexie.

Inspiration

I was reading Jane's blog (and forgive me for still not figuring out how to insert a link with just a title - call me lazy) http://yarnstorm.blogs.com/knitblog/ and she mentioned Jack Sprat, so I thought I would post these pictures of 3 trivets my dad made in the late 40s. They are too fragile to use as trivets so have been hanging on various kitchen walls for the last 30 years. There are also photos posted here of my mother's head, and a wood carving of a nude. The wood is mounted on a black background, and is hung in an angled alcove. Inspired by Jack Sprat, I took these other shots. I have a few other pieces of dad's work, but no paintings. Now, inspired by the thought of paintings, here is a really lovely Christmas gift I just received from my sister. Cherry blossoms, which inspire thoughts of my grandmother, who had a cherry tree in her back yard.

Our new addition

We captured him running in the wash, and he captured our hearts. Buster knows "sit", and "stay". We are working on "down". He's 7 months old (approximately) and is now at the vet being neutered and microchipped. I just love this boy. Greta is doing the kissing and Max is doing the racing.

Saturday skies

Thinking about sleeves

Since I want to add some color to the sleeves, I need to figure out where and how to add the vertical stripes. When I put the stripes in the body I didn't take into account the fact that I hadn't done fair isle in a long long time and my gauge was a bit tight. This worked to my advantage, though, since it gives the sweater some nice shaping. Bonus picture: Max says "Hi!"

Sweater news

I finished the body of the sweater I cobbled together from a few patterns. I bought a ton and a half of Cascade 220 a few months ago to make Jardin Anglais that was in knitty.com. I decided that the sweater was just too much, but I still loved the color combinations. So I started a Knitting Pure & Simple top down cardigan, with a few changes, added colored vertical stripes at the waistline (seen somewhere a long time ago), and finished at the bottom edge. I was working on a circ that was a bit small so I could never really tell how it would fit. Tonight I got to slip it on, without the sleeves, and it's just a perfect fit. I would take a picture but I'm too tired from casting off about 50,000 stitches in seed stitch. OK, maybe I exaggerate just a little. I'll start a sleeve tomorrow. I have a little time before I have to start thinking of how to incorporate the colors into the sleeves. Now, good night!

I can't believe it

In my town, which just hit the million people mark (yup, it made headlines), there were 5 yarn stores, not including my friend Kathy's shop, which has no commercial yarn. There are now 3. I walked into one of the former lys and only saw a small wall with a sad collection of yarn. When I asked where the yarn went, the owner said, "Well, we made a business decision, to either sell yarn or make money." I am so disappointed! Two of the remaining 3 shops are owned by the same people and the snob factor is high (not to mention the prices). Looks like I'll be going across town to buy yarn. I know I said i was not going to add to the stash for a year, but I really really need some cotton to make a couple of gifts (I know I have cotton around here somewhere but i just can't seem to find it). I am now thinking of maybe opening a little place myself. Then I could quit both of my jobs and do something I love. Hmmm.

Spinning, critters 'n stuff

A few pictures to make up for a lack of words...

I've been reading and commenting on several blogs and groups lately, and realized that I haven't updated my own blog, so here goes:

Old hard drive is still dead, bought a new pc and have been spending quite a lot of time recreating files and learning how to streamline (not to mention backing up).

I've been spinning nearly as much as I've been knitting, which had better change pretty darn soon or I won't have any gifts finished in time for giving. Here's the newest yarn I made:

It's a blend of Romney and mohair, and was a pleasure to spin. Here is a closeup:

I went to the 2nd annual Tucson Wool Festival, which was a success for everyone involved. Small and sweet. I bought a handmade spool for the Louet, and a pair of beautiful handmade wooden needles.

In keeping with the purple theme, here is a pretty sunset from last week . That's the moon.

In dogs news, Greta was diagnosed with pannus, which affects German shepherds and can cause blindness, so we are regulars at the vet and Greta is making a fashion statement when we go in the sun (UV rays aggravate the condition). She is such a good girl, tolerates the doggles even though she hates them.

And here's a critter we found in the garage - not the best photo - he was scooting into the plant to hide. He will grow up to be a Rustic Sphinx moth. The caterpillar is about 5 inches long, a real big boy!

Here's a Sphinx that was on our wall a couple of years ago

not getting better

Among the files I lost were all of my knitting files. Patterns, worksheets, photos, ideas, in every format. Some were patterns I purchased and downloaded and never printed. Oh, my aching head.

Now what?

Have you seen the ads that show a photo of, say, a car's back end sticking out of an upper floor wall of a parking garage? It just says, Now what? It's for state farm insurance, and the ads are clever and eye-catching. Anyhow, I am wondering about a one-picture ad that shows a person tearing her hair out and weeping because she bought a new computer and an external hard drive enclosure for her old computer's hard drive, which would, in a perfect world, act as a backup for her new computer, which is why she didn't back up 99% of her files before she installed the old hard drive in the enclosure. You know, the hard drive that stopped functioning that very same moment. Programs are gone, hundreds of files are gone. She now wonders what the hell she is going to do to reconstruct these files. They represent years and years of work. Can you think of what the photo would be? (Hint: it would be something involving me.)

It's Alive!

(Moon is from a couple nights ago)Well, I am back. Been a sort-of busy summer, and I have just not been motivated to write anything down. Went to Chicago for my sister's 50th, and as a result was unable to go to her wedding reception 2 months later (damn that budget!). Went to San Diego with dh and granddaughter for a couple of days - had a nice time at Sea World. Worked alot, got better at spinning and knit plenty (I will post pictures later). Well, "plenty" is a relative term, if you consider plenty to be 2 pair trekking socks finished, 3 shawls started, 1 camisole nearly finished (only need to do the straps - what IS my problem?), 1 sweater started, many projects planned.

It has also been very rainy here in the desert. Last summer we had to mow our little lawn maybe twice. This summer we have been mowing every 2 weeks and the lawn is lush and green. Mushrooms abound. Allergies are at peak level (ah-choo!). Cacti are blooming and my roses are coming back from near-death. I'm glad it's almost fall.

Oh, it's so awful

This is the street in front of my house.

We are calling it Lake Running Bear. The water is emanating from our driveway. The water department hasn't shown up yet. The insurance company hasn't called us back. Water is scarce in Tucson, and having it leak, nay, pour away (unfortunately I can't post the gurgling sounds the driveway is making - you can almost see the water move in this picture)

is a terrible thing.

Trekking badness

I was nearly finished with first TS when I decided to try it on (for length) and wouldn't you know the whole damn thing was too small - could barely fit it over my heel - so it has been frogged and restarted. My gauge got so tight it was like knitting chainmail. I trekked with it to the Antiques Roadshow taping but since no cameras were allowed I couldn't take a photo. AR was lots of fun, had a book and ring appraised. Everyone was nice, the crowd was huge, and we had a great time. There was a couple there carrying around a 18x24 shadowbox frame. I kept trying to see what was in it. I finally got a glimpse. It was a 3-D picture of Ronald McDonald. Really. After the first glimpse it was like a horror movie where each time I looked, there it was. We had a good laugh anyhow.
After I frogged the sock I decided to finish the pretty pink prairie tunic I had started a couple of months ago. It's done but for the blocking, and I will get a picture up soon. In the meantime, this will have to hold you over. A gaggle of cousins, including me on the right, all the way in front. This is 1957. Back when we were all so adorable.

Pretty bird!

In my back yard, I caught this critter at rest - I got to within about 5 feet from her. She kept looking at me and threatening to fly off. I was surprised at how still I could stand. PS It's a teeny tiny hummingbird.

Hey! How about a pair of socks? Cute, huh?

And for a trekking sort-of-still life (with turtle):
The Trekking yarn is so pretty! I've just turned the heel on the first one. This yarn is a pleasure to work with. I'm making a basic sock with a 72 stitch cast on and I'm using size 1 needles. The fabric is extremely dense. These'll be good. Or else.

Random

I am almost finished with the second sock - about 4 inches to go, then ready to start on my trek socks.
Inspired by http://yarnstorm.blogs.com/knitblog/, I chose a couple of paintings I would steal if I had the chance. Here are 2:
O'Keeffe White Rose with Larkspur, and Mary Silverwood, Willow Creek (this is the print that is hanging over my desk, and the true colors are much more vibrant than this reproduction, but it's the best I could find).

Sock it to me!

Here is my first sock in many years (Unst from Knitting on the Road), and it's going swimmingly --- and here is the yarn I found for the trek KAL. I really must apologize (again) for the crappy layout of this blog. I swear I will try to find some time to either a) fix it, or 2) change servers. I am thrilled, though, that I discovered the macro setting on my camera. It only took me a year.

More stuff

Jeez, is it ever enough? Don't answer that. Here is what I bought. Thanks to Yarnbow who supplied this picture. Lorna's Laces shepherd's sock yarn.

At last

First of all, I am trying desperately to figure out how to make paragraphs on this site. So far, no luck. Anyhow, I just want to drop in my 2 cents about self striping yarn, you know, the stuff that makes cute little stripes and checks. I really hate the stuff. I made 2 pair of socks a few years ago, and hated every minute of them. I hoped that I would recover and learn to love the yarn again, but it hasn't happened and I'm sick of waiting. So I went a bought some Koigu and cast on for Unst socks from Knitting on the Road. I was inspired by the arrival of my wonderful ESK from Cassie a few weeks ago (it has been stocked and made ready for any sock emergency which may arise, now that I'm motivated to make socks again). (By the way, the workmanship on this is excellent and I highly recommend getting one for your own sock-y selves.) I will post a photo when I have more than 12 rounds done.

Try, try again

Well, I tried to post this twice already, and it has been blown to bits both times. 3rd time's the charm. I had a couple of busy weeks: went here, did this. Susie loved her shawl and is in the Bahamas right now getting ready to be married. Not too much else happening, trying to beat the heat and get some work done (not necessarily in that order). Started dance class with Greta today, but she didn't seem too interested. We'll see. All knitting projects are finished so I am back to my forest shawl that was started in 2003. I won't post a pic until it's finished since it looks like nothing more than a big mess. It has been fun to work on it again. I can complete a section in an evening, and I have 30 or so sections to go before I can do the border, so let's say Labor Day goal, since I will take time to do the Trekking with Trekking KAL http://zeneedle.typepad.com/trekalongwithme/2006/05/go_take_a_hike.html#comment-17240000 and also the Sivia Harding Hanging Garden KAL. Maybe I should move my Forest shawl goal back a month or so. I'm not in a hurry.

A finished shawl

This is the completed-on-time-for-my-sister's-wedding-gift shawl. It was begun on April 1st, with 2 skeins of Alpaca Cloud from KnitPicks, from the same Estonian lace pattern I used for Jaime's purple cotton scarf. It is 2 patterns wider, and is as light as a feather and very soft. Susie is on her way here for a short visit before hightailing it to the Bahamas for her wedding (color me green), so I will be able to present it to her in person (I was afraid that I would have to ship it).

I've fallen for an English Garden

In the new issue of http://knitty.com I found this sweater (Jardin Anglais by Dorothée Moulé) (here's a shot of the sleeve): It is so lovely, although I think I may leave out the ruffles on the body. I already ordered a sh*tload of Cascade 220. This one's for me!

Redundancy rocks

I know, I know, not another sky shot, but really, after 2 years here, the Tucson sky continues to take my breath away. I took a short movie clip of this sky since I couldn't fit it all in the still frame.

something pretty

This was last night. It caught my attention because the air in the house was pink. Can't talk about what's on the needles 'cause it's a sort-of-surprise. Let's just say it involves baby alpaca and estonion lace charts.

Life is not too exciting around here

It's been 3 uneventful weeks since my last post - so you didn't miss much. Except it was Jaime's birthday on Wednesday and I surprised her with that felted bag I wrote about. I think she liked it. Getting ready to get Max started on his Pet VIP program (he will be doing pet therapy at a nursing home). Speaking of Max, here he is communing with his favorite cat, Stinky, who is 14 years old and fearless. Max just wants to kiss her. On the needles is the Prairie Tunic from the latest IK, which will be a gift, so I can't post a pic. I'm almost done with it, and it looks lovely. Getting ready to start my sister's wedding shawl, which will be done in alpaca lace. Not sure what patterns I'll use - but I think I'll make it a stole rather than a shawl. I need to be quick about it, since the wedding is 6 weeks from now and my knitting time is limited (damn that tax season anyhow).

It was a long wait

but today it rained! For the first time in over 4 months, it rained. The smell of wet streets, the sounds of the birds chirping their little heads right off, the beautiful sunset...well, can't prove the smells or sounds, but as for the sunset:
That lumpy thing in the background of both shots is Sombrero Peak, which is at the eastern edge of Saguaro National Park. The shots were taken about 5 minutes apart.

the results are in...

Hmmm, 2 posts in one day - only because I failed to post my entry from several days ago. Bonus. I finished the tote bag last night and threw it in the washer with fingers crossed. It took 2 cycles to get it to shrink just right, and it came out even better than I had hoped for. Here's a before pic, taken on my ottoman so that there is a size comparison . Would you just look at the size of the thing! Then there are the "afters". The beautiful colors are the Noro Kureyon. So easy to knit, and it's like a little story unfolding as each color blends and then appears and then blends into the next. I thought maybe I should match the straps but I really love the fact that each is completely different. Note the beautiful Cascade 220 bottom. The fabric it creates when felted is so thick and uniform - I am thinking about making a felted jacket out of this stuff (only in a different color - I am sort of purpled out). I folded in the sides and I'm debating putting buttons in so that the sides can be opened or closed, but will for sure put a button and loop at the center so it doesn't flop open. The straps are just long enough to go over the shoulder. My apologies for the lousy layout of this post. I just can't seem to get the hang of this, can't even figure out how to start a new paragraph!

Heaven, I'm in Heaven

Thanks, Norma, for the wonderful chocolate-y gift you sent! I am planning on dipping fresh orange slices in this delightful stuff after dinner tonight, although it may take some doing, as husband starting doing some serious salivating once he set his eyes on the jar, and he do love his chocolate. 2 extra special things about this: (1) it comes from someone I've only met online, but who still thinks I'm worth thinking about; and (b) it's REAL Ben & Jerry's! From Ver-freakin-mont, the very home of B&J's!

So what's new with you?

Not much happening. Working (slowly, slowly) on new felting project. I was at a WW meeting last week and met a nice woman who was carrying a felted bag and knitting on a pretty blue and yellow sock. She was wearing the sweetest pink socks she had knit, with a heart motif (valentine, anyone?). So I have made a new friend, and I promised to bring my bag project to show her this week. For lack of anything new to show you, here is the leaf scarf made from homegrown/sheared/dyed/spun kid mohair from http://www.uniquedesignsbykathy.com/, which is where the Tucson Wool Festival was held in November. The site features a couple of my photos (my favorite being a closeup of Absinthe the goat), and this is where I met some of the nicest people! This is just about the worst photo in the world, but the color really is true - from my comforter to the yarn. I was in a hurry to get this packaged in time for holiday delivery so didn't take any time to get some natural light. Maybe Susie will get a better shot of the scarf with a bit of snow.