Thursday, July 03, 2008
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Since I am using very small beads and not-so-smallish yarn, I've created my own rather messy method for knitting with beads. Instead of stringing beads directly onto the yarn, I'm stringing them onto a heavy sewing thread (silk beading thread would work, too) and then I carry that thread along with my yarn, two-stranded-style. When I'm ready for a bead, I slip it into place, work it and adjust it to show on the public side of the piece.
Very simple. And very tedious.
If you want to avoid this tsouris, Art Yarns, Be Sweet and Tilli Tomas have pre-beaded yarns
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
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The other day on my peregrinations, I stopped at the bead store. I had it in mind to make a necklace--for a gift--and needed a few beads to embellish a knit edging. I bought very little, bead stores being singularly frustrating in their approaches to merchandising. You might have to visit three or more to come away with a proper bead needle, a string of reasonably priced freshwater pearls and the right-sized seed beads. But maybe that's just the nature of the beast.
Anyway, my original thought was to string beads directly onto the yarn--Silkience by Ella Rae--but that proved too heavy. I would love to knit this entire garment from Art Yarns' or Tilli Tomas' beaded silks, but my inner skinflint would never allow it. So that means a whole lot of stringin' is goin' on.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
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Because I work at home, people often ask me, "Don't you have problems disciplining yourself"?
Not in the morning. In the morning I'm all fresh and clear headed and annoyingly cheerful. And sometimes I even feel like writing. I make the bed. Water the "farm." Blog. Make calls, write, tie up loose ends. Answer email. A vertitable blur of activity.
After lunch, it's another story entirely.
I'm tired, sluggish, stupid and self-indulgent. This is when I try to schedule meetings.
Yesterday afternoon in an effort to stave off napping, I decided to take the car in for an oil change, a task requiring a trip to the dealer. To make the most of this trip, I stopped at Target, the bead store (is it just me or do bead stores have weird vibe?) and then the dealership. Soul-killing places, these waiting rooms. Like being stuck in a Samuel Beckett play, only everyone has cell phones.
I had my knitting. And while everyone else was flipping their cell phones open and closed, open and closed, incessantly, I knit and while I knit, thought, "As long as there's knitting, nothing is a waste of time."
OK, so it's not the most profound idea you've read all week. Remember, I'm stupid in the afternoon.
Monday, June 30, 2008
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One of the great things about a knitting vacation is, well, knitting. Not only did I start the Habu sweater, I also made great progress on the Three Sisters Jacket, featured in Cheryl's upcoming book, Knitted Jackets.
The yarn is Cheryl's Reflections in Crimson, an almost-irridescent blend of merino and mohair.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
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Yesterday we visited the Lonesome Stone ranch and mill where we were treated to the sight of a two-hour-old baby alpaca--Isabella, a young lady who decided at one point that my crotch was her mother.
Bet she's more mature, today.
Other girls with new hairdos.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
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I feel like Alice who's just fallen down the rabbit hole. Only there's no Mad Hatter and Wonderland is full of yarn and other knitters.
Just to give you a picture, I'm at Cheryl Oberle's Knitaway in the Rockies, ensconced on a viintage lodge-look sofa at this funky cool lodge in Winter Park. There are hummingbirds dive bombing a feeder off the deck outside. And views of the Rocky Mountains. And lots of lots of wonderful women who have a lot to say about knitting and other stuff.
Mom and I think we have died and gone to heaven.
Yesterday, Cheryl did a trunk show of all the vests in her phenomenal book Folk Vests, a book I bought even though I rarely wear vests because the garments are so striking.
I shot the Crofter's Slipover under not-so-optimal conditions. See?
FYI: The vests are even more amazing "in person" than they are in the book.
Friday, June 20, 2008
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I bought the bike as a 30th birthday present to myself. Three or four years ago. Ahem. It was back when the mountain bike craze hit and I thought that peddling on dirt roads accompanied by cool mountain breezes sounded just great. Until I tried it.
Straight up dirt roads. Careening down steep grades. Not my thing. I'm slow going up and even slower going down. Mitch and I agreed long ago that this was not a sport we could enjoy together.
Happily I didn't invest in a serious mountain bike. Mine is more of an all-terrain ride, which I bought because of its pink accents. Perfect for peddling around town, which given the state of the world and my weight, I've taken to doing more often.
I've been lusting after these cute cruisers; I saw one at the store the other day with streamers and a basket. Caused a wave of nostalgia that just about knocked me over. When I was a kid I had a navy blue Schwinn outfitted with a white basket with flowers on it. That was before my grandfather updated it with sting-ray handle bars and a banana seat.
Anyway, Mitch just updated this bike with a rack on the back where I can hang panniers, which is a much more comfortable way to carry groceries than a backpack. We're seeing a lot more bikes and scooters in the 'hood these days, which makes it easier for me to venture forth. Fewer cars equals less fear.
Anyway, it may not be a cruiser, but it's a sturdy ride nonetheless. The bike that is, not the cat.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
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What with the swatching for dollars and domestic knitting I've been doing lately, I can't get these sweaters out of my head. My cranium runneth over. See?
There's cool ones in here:
Here:
Not to mention the Habu kit and the sweater I'll be stitching at Knitaway next week. Surely there's a song to describe my plight. Where's Glenn Campbell when you need him? (Not that I'm old enough to remember Glenn Campbell ;-)
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
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You know. You hear the stories. But think it could never happen to you. How could it? You can't tell a Hubbard from a delicata.
Then one morning you venture into the garden. And you see it. And you are very, very afraid. (I've told the cats to give it a very wide berth.)
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
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I was remarkably temperate in my spending Saturday. In a fiber sated state of mind, I s'pose. Walked away with three skeins of Brooks Farm Solo Silk, a gorgeous 50/50 wool-silk sport weight. (I'm currently entertaining all suggestions for shawl patterns.) And a fine Tunisian crochet hook from Jenkins Woodworking.
I also scored an early birthday present from Mom--a stunning silver bracelet shaped like a curved knitting needle that converts into a shawl pin--from Mary Snyder Design. Exquisite. And so clever. Thanks, Mom!
