She Had Me at "Old Navy"...

As one who lives in So Cal attired in a wardrobe of Old Navy t-shirts and jeans, my handknits don't get near the wear I would like. So when I saw Bonnie-Marie modeling her Mondo Cable Vest over an Old Navy top, I knew it was destiny.

Knit in Silk Garden, it's lightweight enough to get some wear out here in our not so icy temps and goes with most of the shirts in my closet. I feel so hip!

It was a super quick knit and I'm glad nobody's grading me on my seaming because I threw the pieces together at superspeed. The only modifications I might make if I had it to do over again, would be to knit it in the round and attach the shoulders with a 3 needles bind-off... or maybe simply seam them a wee bit better than I did. Doesn't matter though... I still love it!

On Hormones and Heights

I find that hormones are playing a more and more significant role in my overall (at least my monthly) behavior these days. Aside from a mild tendency to yell at bit... which actually makes a couple of my children laugh when I get going (mainly because when I start yelling about commas, they know I've lost it), I suffer extreme knitting mood swings as well.

I either decide I hate everything I'm knitting, cast on for something new, decide I absolutely must purchase yarn for a new pattern, or I determine in a very possessed, sort of maniacal way that I must finish something TODAY!

Such was my mindset as I sipped/gulped my Venti Iced Mocha this morning. I pulled out the Silk Garden Mondo Cable Vest because I figured it had the best chance of getting finished. Then I proceeded to knit through 4 yo games, math, writing, reading, and Latin questions (which I couldn't answer - my 12 yo is taking a high school Latin class and getting an A. Me - I can say "Hola" after 3 years of high school Spanish). Fortunately the older boys didn't need me too much today... then again, I wonder why that was... maybe I should take a closer look at what they did.


Anyway, since I have a school computer sitting on my kitchen table for some work I had to do for them, I am now blocking Mondo Cable in the middle of my living room floor. Yep, we are literally going to watch my vest dry as we watch 24 & Prison Break tonight. (I'm bummed that we're going to miss the new show, Rules of Engagement as it looks very funny, but with Lost and Survivor returning this week, I'm pretty much in TV bliss.)

I've been in such a frenzy that I totally overlooked the whole dinner thing... then, since we were out of dog food (and clearly I couldn't be interrupted with such trivial things as running out to the store for dog food), I fed the dogs our leftover beef stew from last night. It wasn't until I was opening some chips and guacamole, and the kids were making hot dogs that it occurred to me that we could've eaten the leftover stew. Hmmm...

As for heights (or in this case depth), Donna shared the following photo on her blog this morning and it's tormented me all day. I could never live near this... it would be like a giant magnet to me. I'm sure I'd accidentally drive into it. I can't ride my mountain bike on a trail along aside a ditch or between 2 fence posts without crashing. I once rode a motorcycle into a large solitary rock sitting in the middle of a huge open field. I'm telling you, it was like a magnet! (Click on the picture to read more about it.)

Okay, now I gotta go, my 9 yo just made me a quesadilla (yes, I'm spoiled) and then maybe I can finish my scarf (ha) before Prison Break comes on and Wicked knitting begins (recovering from a serious set-back on this one... waist shaping... I don't know why I add waist shaping to anything... wishful thinking I guess).

BTW - why won't the new blogger remember me?? Are you all having this problem? Argh!

Saturday Night in Boy-World

It's a quiet Saturday night (yes, you heard that right... quiet... here in boy-world) and I'm really enjoying my boys. My middle boy has been begging me to teach him to knit so today we finally sat down and gave it a go.

He caught on pretty quick but truly needs a much better teacher than me. I do okay with the math, writing, and reading but not so great with the motor skills. I have yet to teach a child to tie their own shoes... my husband (and a dear friend of mine) have taken up that task. Actually, now that I think about it, I'm not sure my 7 yo even knows how... he's got all velcro action on his shoes.

Little guy enjoyed some games and videos at the Nick Jr. website.

And, after his bath, D threw on some casual duds and played some golf in the living room. Wait... what? Yes, he did. Apparently the stick had caught his fancy today as being just the right shape so, well, I guess he just felt like playing some golf.

BTW - he is truly not trying to get attention or entertain us... he is just being himself.

Oh, the stories I could tell... just hope you're never with him in a crowded post office when he spots a rather shortish bearded man who he is sure must be Gimli (the dwarf in Lord of the Rings). Yes, let your imagination run wild here, and keep in mind my son was wearing a cape and carrying a quiver of arrows at the time. Well, technically it was a Tyco rake sticking out of the back of his shirt but he called it his arrows. Granted this was a couple of years ago but a mom just doesn't forget moments like this... no, she lives in fear of them.

And there was knitting... oh yes, there was knitting.

So what did you do Saturday night??

A Different Type of Stash

I finally used a gift card I got for Christmas and received these books in the mail today. I chose The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency and No Idle Hands mostly based on the suggestions of Laura (she is an avid reader and does a great job reviewing books).

Aunt Jane's Hero was written by Elizabeth Prentiss, the author of the much beloved Stepping Heavenward. I had never heard of this one before but didn't hesitate to invest in it. It says that she was "the youngest daughter of one of the great revival preachers of the early 1880's..." and features recommendations from Elisabeth Elliot, Susan Hunt and Martha Peace on the back!

At any rate, any one of these books is sure to be a step up the literature ladder from my current fun read pictured with Wicked. (Gotta love a good knitting mystery.)

Now I have a wonderful stack of books next to my beautiful basket of yarn to look forward to. Yippee!

Knit from Your Stash?

Okay, I think it's fair to say at this point that the pretty little yarn button on my sidebar is hardly more than decoration. I mean, I barely notice it anymore and, heck, it doesn't actually stop me from buying new yarn. It's not like it's coded with an automatic credit card or paypal blocker that fires up whenever I attempt to make a purchase. And now that I've pulled together all my spare change (unused yarn) and returned all my sweater leftovers for new yarn, I'm feeling a little less, well, comfortable with this whole knit-from-my-stash thing. And you know what? I think the button is actually taunting me, daring me to buy yarn. Yes ma'am, I think it is.

Did you see the new Knitty surprise pattern, Thermal? Did you? A sweater for less than $34? I want this in the worst possible way, and lightweight is good for here. Yep, sure is. (Somebody shouting at me about the insanity of me attempting to knit a whole sweater on size 2.5 needles would be good here.)

As for the sidebar list... it does provide moments of clarity. It's very helpful to be able to glance over all of my options and, on occasion, some common sense, or dose of reality, does seep in when I realize the impossibility of knitting everything I already want to knit... then there's the stuff that I will want to knit (have you seen the Spring Interweave preview... the Clementine Shawlette, Cable-Down Raglan, Bonsai Tunic?) But the list... well, it can be changed... or, even, deleted.

I'll admit that it's harder to ignore (and impossible to delete) the sky high stack of bins at the top of my stairs... but it only rarely fills me with a pit of guilt and gluttony anymore. It's really more like a piece of furniture at this point.

And isn't "what's next" part of what knitting is about? I thought it was, but some wise women over at the Knitty board were commenting that since it would take longer to knit Thermal, you would actually get more mileage for your money... in other words, for very little money, you would get a lot of knitting. I have a feeling they may be right but I can't quite tweak my instant-gratification brain enough to get there. It's kinda like trying to grasp that whole eternity/beginning of time thing. Kinda.

I really do think it would be nice of me to take some of that Hand-dyed Alpaca off of Supercrafty's hands. Wouldn't that be nice? I wonder if it could fit in the drawer next to the Artyarns Handpainted Supermerino that I can't figure our what to do with...

Electric shock... now that might work. I really don't like pain.

PS... Pictured is my progress on Wicked. Love this yarn!!

Greetings

First, I want to say "Hi" to all of you who are popping over from Wendy's blog after her mention of my Sahara. It was a very interesting and enjoyable pattern to knit and I encourage anyone who is considering it to go for it. The instructions are clear, easy to follow and offer plenty of advice and tips for customization if you desire.

If the cost of the Tilli Thomas yarn puts you off, there are plenty of other yarns to choose from. I loved the Cascade Pima Silk that I used for the SKB and Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece would be another even more economical option that matches gauge as well. (I plan on making a sleeveless summer version in one of these options in a few months.)

I used a DK yarn which knit up at 22 st/4 inches and went up a pattern size. Had I thought it through, I could've also gone up a needle size and gotten gauge with the DK weight as well. (What can I say... thinking ahead is not my strength, casting on is.)

On another note... I became aware today of a fellow knit blogger whose infant son has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. In addition to requesting your prayers, I would also like to refer you to Supercrafty, her business, so we can support her financially as well. While I've never met Allison personally, I have done business with her and have always been impressed with her selection, prices, and speedy delivery. So, check out Supercrafty for any knitting or craft supplies you may be looking for and support a fellow knitter in need. (Heck, I bet she has some great options for Sahara!)

Lastly, my Noro Silk Garden Mondo Cable Vest stole my attention from Wicked last night (I'm captivated by the colors) and accompanied me through both "24" & "Prison Break" (both great shows... but is anybody else slightly bothered by the thought that it all comes down to Jack and his brother who, between the two of them, are apparently the masterminds of instigating and solving all terrorist plots in the USA? I guess the world really does revolve around Jack. It makes me think they should just sit down and arm wrestle and get it over with.)

Anyway, the vest... bad idea for intense TV viewing knitting... especially when I'm at the shoulder decreases... which were done... and redone... etc. But the back is done and I'm ready for the front which concerns me because I tend to like things lined up and I know the front is unlikely to match the back. Again, lack of forethought left me unprepared for this moment. (Good thing I'm only a wanna-be perfectionist so I will proceed instead of frogging and re-knitting it in the round... at least for now.)

Socks

Some serious sock knitting (and finishing) going on here...

Vesper Socks in Neapolitan

K3 P1 Rib, Size 0 (gulp) needles

I knit the second one in 4 days (a record for me) then started this today...

Grumperina's Jaywalkers

Claudia's Hand Painted Yarn
(I love the rich colors!)

I'm trying the Magic Loop with Knit Picks size 1 circular needle.

I'm really liking this method as I get the hang of it. Nice even stitches, no gaps, long smooth rows... and the Knit Picks needles are so pointy, slick and flexible.

It was certainly awkward at first but once I got the hang of it, the needle switch at the end of a row is not much more effort than moving between dpns.

I think I'll give 2 on 2 circulars another shot on my next pair. I liked this method a lot... I just wish you could get color coded needles to make keeping track of the dangling ends easier.

But for now, several days of itty, bitty needle knitting, has left my hands crying for mercy so the Jaywalkers will have to wait a bit for more attention.

That's okay... tonight is 24 and Prison Break which means a couple of roundabout hours on Wicked.