Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Now that ain't RIGHT!
Yesterday the high temperature was 58 F. It was rainy, overcast, and raw. I had to wear shorts because BOTH my pairs of pants were in the wash (yes, it also ain't right that I only have 2 pairs of pants). It's MAY. Late May, in muggy, hot Southeastern PA. It ain't right we had the heat on, and the fire going. When I got ready for bed I had the urge to wear some warm wool socks to bed (this is brand new for me, and it ain't really right either). But what REALLY ain't right, is that I loaned my last clean pair of handknit wool socks to my mom last week and when I got ready for bed last night my sock drawer was bare. I'm hereby announcing my intention to knit a lot of socks so this NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.
posted at 10:37 AM #
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Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Stranded Knitting
I've been wanting to try some colorwork in my next project, so I've been browsing here and there and looking for the perfect thing. I've looked at Folk Socks, Folk Mittens, Latvian Mittens, and Family Album and I finally found inspiration. Over here at Needle Beetle. I really like the motifs in these socks, and there are only three colors in each pair. Since I have no idea what I am doing, I didn't want to tackle anything too complex. I'll have plenty of time to do my research on fair isle techniques before I get started, because I'm just decreasing through the gusset on my second red croc sock. Yup, still plugging away on those. In the reminder picture (from LAST May), the sock was trying to be toe up. I wasn't happy with my tension, and I don't really like a short row heel so after ripping 4 or 5 times the sock is now a happy cuff down sock with heel flap. Here's a reminder picture of my lattice scarf (also from last year). It's survived the frog pond and is now waiting to be blocked. After that, maybe I'll even shoot some new photos...
posted at 12:13 PM #
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Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Back in the Saddle
We've just had a whirlwind of activity during the first three weeks of May: a visitor from the Pacific Northwest, a visit to Maryland, and a second visitor from the Pacific Northwest. It was great fun, the days flew by, and now I'm pooped! This week is delightfully empty, so I hope to get Lydia back onto a regular eating and sleeping schedule and I hope to get my sewing room back in operational order. I'm in one of those fidgety slumps where the time is suddenly available again, I'm itching to use my hands, but everything is so messy or undocumented that I don't quite know where to begin. I need a day or two to pack away the "guest room" (otherwise known as an air mattress on the floor of the nursery) and sort through the piles of junk that I tossed into the sewing room before locking the door.
Yesterday I finished the lacy scarf from last year's MSWF haul. Although I am glad I finally was successful (this project has seen the frog pond more times than I care to admit), I was really sorry to put the last few stitches in the only project I can find the instructions for. Tonight is stitch-n-bitch, so I've got to put a little thought into my next portable project. Should it be my new MSWF socks, or a sweater for Lydia? Or what might I have sitting around just waiting to see the light of day....?
My at-home projects need a quick dusting off too. I haven't forgotten my gridlock quilt-- that's still in progress, as are the sundress bloomers for Lydia's second outfit, and I plan to whip up a nightshirt for myself out of this Kaffe Fassett fabric.
Yeah, it's a little more muumuu than I expected too.
And wouldn't this be a cute sunsuit for Lydia?
And if I decide to take up needlepoint, wouldn't this look great with my living room curtains?
And then.... and then.... and then.... Yup, I'm back in the saddle.
posted at 9:10 AM #
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Sunday, May 08, 2005
Fan-freaking-tastic Weekend
I got TWO hot showers (the trick is to wait until after the baby goes to bed at night, although this means I still have dirty hair all day), a full day at the sheep and wool festival, a trip to my favorite nursery for peat moss and plants, and tilling help in the front bed. The baby never really napped, but that's okay. We just hauled her from pillar to post and let her absorb all the sights. She didn't really sleep, but she didn't complain, either.
I feel GREAT!
As usual, I thoroughly enjoyed the sheep festival, even though I hardly bring anything home. I love the location and the sights and the food and the animals. And I love to window shop, so this place is heaven. I bought some notions-- a chibi, more sock needles, a color wheel - and a beautiful variegated sock yarn and an irresistible skein of chrome yellow, worsted weight merino that was dyed with natural dyes (likely osage orange!). It's from the same vendor who sold me my pink yarn last year-- the yarn that almost became a lattice scarf 300 times. Well, I started it AGAIN, and I'm 7 repeats in and counting. My concentration is better now that the initial shock of motherhood has worn off, I guess.
I have 48 hours to prepare for our first house guests, so pictures may not ever appear. Instead, picture my front porch filled with pots of plants waiting to be put in the ground. Picture the front bed tilled and raked and waiting for peat moss and aforementioned plants. Picture my house completely un-childproofed and quite untidy waiting for me to whip it into shape for my dear friend (who's expecting twins in the fall!) and her 2.5-year-old son. Picture me about to lose my mind!
Thank goodness for fulfilling weekends.
posted at 9:34 PM #
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Friday, May 06, 2005
What I Want for Mother's Day
I was recently asked the above question by an innocent, well-meaning relative. Here's my list:
- A shower. A shower with adequate soap, a razor, good shampoo, and no time limits. And I want to be in the room by myself.
- A nap. This is an unselfish request, as I want this nap for my daughter, not for myself.
- An hour or two to plan my shopping list for Maryland Sheep and Wool. First I need to decide if the fact that every skein of yarn I have ever purchased at MDSW is still sitting, unknit, in my cabinet, should prevent me from buying more yarn. (The yarn has been knit actually, it's been swatches and the beginning of one scarf 300 times, but it has never achieved finished object status. It's all been rewound into balls.)
That's pretty much it! Unless someone wants to finish prepping my garden bed by digging in the peat moss. That would be awesome.
Happy Mother's Day! To all you moms out there, may you have an uninterrupted shower and a peaceful night's sleep. And if you can't get either of those, may you have time and funds for retail therapy in Maryland. I'll see you there!
posted at 3:00 PM #
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