A little of this, a little of that

I'm still working on the Ribwarmer in Icelandic from Blue Moon Fiber Arts.  I'm about 2/3 way through the second half.  This goes to the BSD Project and I'm hoping to have it done in time to block it and deliver it on Wednesday Knit Night.  I"m not sure what I"ll do next; maybe another sweater for me.  Or maybe a vest?  I have enough gray alpaca or this one.

Now that DWTS is over for the season, I've been hunting around for something I can watch on Monday and Tuesday evenings while I knit. I tried watching my Knitting Workshop and Knitting Glossary DVDs but I found myself doing whatever Elizabeth was demonstrating instead of what I was working on!  She's pretty demanding, that EZ!  Last week, I watched "Glee" and really enjoyed it.  Yes, I'm a little late to the party, as usual.   Tonight, I'm trying "Sing Off"; so far, so good. "On The Rocks" from Eugene, just performed Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" and did an excellent job. I'll be looking forward to watching them next week.

ToolMan usually talks to DS a couple times every week, plus a couple calls on Saturday and Sunday to talk about whatever game they're watching on TV.  This last Saturday though, it was DIL who called.  DS was really sick and she had taken him to Urgent Care, who sent them on to the ER.  He had extreme abdominal pain, a really high fever, and a white blood count more than double what should be normal.  After tests and CAT scans, turns out he has diverticuloitis and a small rupture in his colon.  He's on mega-dosages of antibiotics and pain meds by IV and was feeling much better by the time we saw him on Sunday.  He's on "nothing by mouth" currently although he might get clear liquids by tomorrow.  He'll be in the hospital until he can tolerate the clear liquids for a couple days and then soft foods for at least as day before they cut him loose.  He'll be on soft foods for a couple weeks at home before he can return to normal diet in about 6 weeks.  Guess I'll have to teach DIL how to make my custard that DS loves so much.

Out With The Old? In With The New?

First, Out With The Old. Here's a recap of last year:

What I Knitted:

ToolMan’s Driving Cap
Barbie Clothes
Queen Anne’s Lace Shawl
Dryer Balls
White Mohair Cowl
LaLa’s Simple Shawl in Sea Wool
Storm Cloud shawlette
Hot water bottle cozy from handspun
LaLa’s Simple Shawl in StitchJones (gifted)
Readers Wrap in Twinkletoes (may be frogged)
Baby Surprise Jacket for trtlbby
Clapotis in BMFA handspun
Socks for me
Bamboo & Ewe socks for ToolMan
Wool socks for ToolMan
Transitions short sleeve cardigan for me
Sample sock for StitchJones
LaLa’s Simple Shawl in Glam Sock Yarn
Swallowtail for me
Yak Hat for ToolMan
Fingerless Mitt (6 pair) for coworkers
Hat for Nic
Scarves (4) for coworkers
Coffee Cup Cozies (12 or 13, I lost count) for coworkers
Felted Bowl for Jane
Elf Hat
Fulled Bags (gifted)


What I Spun:

Lots and lots of yarn in lots and lots of different fibers


New Things I Learned:

Went to a sheep shearing and processed the fleece
Drumcarded batts for the first time
Went to alpaca shearing
Processed and spun the exploded clown fiber


Other Stuff I Did:

Unraveling Sweaters Tutorial
Dryer Balls Tutorial
World Wide Knit In Public Day
World Wide Spin In Public Day
Demonstrated at Multnomah Days
Assisted at Sock Summit


Of course, there's the other stuff that happened last year: Although there were some really great things that happened last year, like Sock Summit, the basket of hearts from Knit Sibs, there were also the really not-so-great things that happened last year. Like ToolMan's heart attack and colon cancer, got a new job in The Big Company and changed offices, Andy Rooney became diabetic, my brothers faced health issues, and I continued battling sarcoidosis. I wasn't sad to see the end of 2009. As far as I'm concerned, it went on way too long.


Now, In With the New. Here's what I've got planned, so far:

Pattern Writing:

There are a couple patterns rolling around in my head that I'd like to get published this year. I signed a contract for one to be in a book, so one of them will be released into the world this year. As for the others, we shall see what develops.


Knitting:

I've cast on a new project: a pair of socks for myself in Bamboo and Ewe. I loved the way it felt when I knitted that pair for ToolMan and decided to make myself a fancy pair in red to wear with my black mary janes. I must have been suffering from temporary insanity because I picked a pattern with . . . are you ready? A 72 row repeat. That's right, A SEVENTY-TWO ROW REPEAT. I started it three times before I quit arsing it up. I thought for a moment, and only a short moment, about knitting them the way I usually do: two at once on separate sets of dpns. Except that in this pattern, the socks are MIRROR IMAGES of each other. So you knit one sock reading the chart from left to right and the other from right to left. Even thinking about doing them at the same time seemed like a big ole' piece of crazy pie that would surely come back to bite me in the ass. So, one at a time it is. Gotta say though, I'm almost to the heel on the first one and it is seriously beautiful.


Spinning:

I'd like to get through a lot of the stash. There are some really luxurious fibers in there that I've been holding onto until I felt I was good enough to spin them. I think I'm ready now.


Blogging:

I've thought about giving up the blog. Not shutting it down or anything, just not being as regular about posting as I have been in the past. Oftentimes it seems that this blog is a lot of self-centered navel-gazing for me. I mean, really, I don't get all that many comments, although when I do, they're great. Usually, when I get to thinking like that, I get some great comment like the last one from Anonymous. Or my Google Analytics Report comes in and shows a bunch of hits from all over the world. Estonia? Really? Do you know how flattered I am that an Estonian knitter (you are a knitter, right?) come to read this? And Iceland? And China? And Japan? And New Zealand? And Brazil? So then I decide that I'll keep it up for awhile more. But really, see that button on the side bar that says "Would it kill you to comment?" I meant that.

My Gall Bladder:

OK, so this is new to the blog but it really should be up there in the Out With The Old. For at least 3 or 4 years, I've had near constant heartburn and reflux. About 3 months ago, nearly everything I ate made me nauseated. We finally figured out it's the dang gall bladder. So, next Thursday morning, out it comes. We'll have to see how that 72-row repeat sock gets along on pain killers.

Sock Summit 2009, Day 1

Today at Registration, the line wasn't quite as long as yesterday, but there still were people coming in.

I hitched a ride with Tami, and we arrived about 8:30 a.m. The place was already crawling with knitters.

Every chair at every table had a knitter in it.

There were KnitStars to be spotted; if you look carefully at that front table below, you'll see the Knitmore Girls. That's Jasmine with the bright pink hair and Gigi to her left.

I also spotted Sandi Wiseheart, Amy Singer of Knitty fame, Joan Schrouder, Chrissy Gardiner, Deb Accuardi who does the "At the Kitchen Table" podcast, Cat Bordhi, Morgaine of Carolina Handspun, Jess and Casey (and Bob) from Ravelry, and Judy Becker. I spotted them and either I was running an errand for one of my teachers or they were in the midst of something, so I didn't get pictures. I'll try to get shots during the book signing tomorrow.

When class time came, the concourse looked practically deserted.

See, there were even empty chairs at Starbucks!

I had been assigned to be the volunteer teacher's aide for Nancy Bush, but when I got to the classroom and introduced myself, Nancy said she was pretty self-sufficient, but . . . . And then Stephanie poked her head through the door. Nancy explained that she really didn't need an assistant, but Judith McKenzie McCuin was next door and her usual assistant was not able to come with her. So, I was tagged to cover both teachers!

Judith's class today was "The Gentle Art of Spinning for Socks", and I can tell you that even without a wheel, I learned a tremendous amount. I think I probably have enough new information to build several lesson for Portland Spinnerati!

Classes let out at 4:30, so Tami and I hit the Marketplace. We made a beeline to the SockSummit booth and each of us snagged a great knitting bag with the Sock Summit logo on the front.

We made a quick swing around to see StitchJones' booth and decide we needed a plan before tackling the whole thing. Thank goodness we have 3 more days to snag whatever we can't live without!

Now, I've got to unpack the two bags I hauled today, consolidate into the new bag, and rest up for tomorrow. I plan on Kinneering as many KnitStars as I can.

Sock Summit 2009 Early Registration

So, ToolMan and I trekked downtown to the Convention Center so I could register early and get my final volunteer instructions. We worked our way over to the Dragon Boat, under which was the registration desk. Holy cow; the lines were already waaaaay long! I whipped out the camera to take a picture, pushed the power button, and . . . . nada. Dead battery. So you'll just have to take my word that the PDX Knit Bloggers were there in force. Some were working the desk, and others squatted at a table and were knitting. MonicaPDX was there; so was Judy Becker, whom Rachel and Angela embarrassed by going all fangirl on her (like they couldn't get her autograph any Wednesday night!). And the Knitmore Girls, who came over to schmooze and snuggle trtlbby. Of course, Tina was there, and Stephanie, and RachelHoftheComm. I also spotted lots of others, too many to mention really. And we met some new friends who came for the Summit. I got my credentials and my marching orders: I am to be the teachers aide/bodyguard/nanny for Nancy Bush for the duration. But I will be sneaking out from time to time to take pictures for the nightly blog posts. Provided my camera works. And yes, the battery is charging right this very minute.

I don't have words

to describe how much I have been spinning lately and how pleased I am with what's been coming off my wheel. So I'll just have to show you.

First, from Fantasy Fibers in Canby: 3.5 ounces of mystery batt in soft greys with a few streaks of blues, greens, and rose; approximately 150 yards; 6 WPI; singles spun at 6:1, plied at 3:1 for a lofty, woolen thick/thin bulky.











Next, from Blue Moon Fiber Arts: 8 ounces of superwash Merino combed top, an Oops! dye of Rooster Rock; approximately 880 yards; 12 WPI; singles spun at 12:1, plied at 6:1 for a firm, springy worsted.











Two very different preparations, two very different colorway, two very different outcomes, and I love them both!

Another one bites the dust

That's right, another FO has been added to the Christmas present pile! I finished up Lillehammer while watching music videos this afternoon. No, I wasn't watching old Queen videos, I stumbled across a show called "Crossroads" on CMT. The show takes a country music star and an artist or group from another genre and puts them together to talk, share stories, and perform each other's music. First on today's episodes was Robert Plant and Alison Krause, followed by an episode with Maroon 5 and Sara Evans. It was really interesting to hear them interpret the other guest's music. Apparently, the show has been on awhile since he website lists dozens of shows; and you can watch back episodes on the website.

I managed to talk ToolMan into modeling the hat for me, even though it wasn't completely dry when I made him put it on.



It's really not that pointed on the top; I pulled it up to show off the pattern better. The bright green yarn for the stripe is slightly thicker than the black and white and it made the brim roll up; I think with blocking, it will even out, but I ran some elastic thread around the inside of the ribbing just to make sure.



This pattern is supposed to be gender neutral, but it strikes me as being masculine, so I'll be searching for a scarf pattern to go with it. Maybe a reversible cable in black? I'll have to go search Ravelry to see what I can find.

Even though I didn't sign up for Le Tour de Fleece this year, I have been spinning. I joined the "Ten Minutes a Day" spinning group on Ravelry and have indeed been spinning for a while each evening. In fact, I have three bobbins with Blue Moon's Sheep to Shoe in Rooster Rock.



This was one of the "oops" that I bought at the Destashing Sale last fall. (Has it really been nearly seven months ago?) It spins up into alternating sections of dark, saturated colors and lighter neutrals. I still have another bobbin to spin but I really want to see how it plies up. I think I'll wait to see what it wants to be until after I ply it.

The Harlot was here!

Actually, the fun actually couple days ahead of her arrival. Blue Moon Fiber sponsored an "Inexplicable Knitting Behavior Scavenger Hunt", complete with a long list of Portland related sights for "Socketeers" to take their own sock-in-progress for pictures. The idea was to gain points and win prizes which were to be awarded at the Harlot's appearance. I had to work that day, so I didn't stand a snowball's chance of getting enough points for the big prizes, but I did manage to snag a couple of pictures worth sharing.

My boss, to whom I had to request that he hold my sock three times before he agreed. Not because he's dim or anything, he just couldn't understand why I would knit a sock, or ask him to hold it, or take a picture of it. I think he only agreed because it seemed harmless at the time.



Don't anybody tell him about our plans, and maps, and strategies to take over the world, OK?

And his boss, who never really understood why someone shoved this in his hand and then took a picture.



Immediately after I snapped the pics, each one of them said, "This isn't going to show up on the Internet someplace, is it?" After all, they ARE attorneys, you know. So let's just keep this our little secret, OK?

As soon as I could escape the office, I made my way to MAX and the World Forestry Center and found my peeps. In the lobby, Blue Moon was selling all the Harlot's books, as well as skeins of yarn they dyed especially for the event, with all the proceeds going to the Harlot's favorite charity, Doctors Without Borders. If you didn't make the event, or did and want another skein of yarn, Blue Moon said it would be available on their site in a few days.

Cindy, Kathleen, Kerin, and Monica had arrived early and snagged a bunch of premo seats for the PDXKB crowd:



We were there 2 hours early, so we talked about our knitting projects.



That's Roxie down there on the right, wearing her "Lizard Queen" hat. It's got everything: pink, sparkly, flowers, lace, beads, and dangles. What else could you possibly add?



I was surprised to see Judy there; especially since she was supposed to be in a conference back east.



And look! She even brought her socks-in-progress!

Man, the crowd was huge! And loud! Just listen:



Then, we started to look around at some of the other fantastic knitted things. There was this great cabled ruana:



The picture really doesn't do this justice; it was a beautiful berry red and the cables were perfection!

This poor guy must have been dragged here by his lady friend. He wore this great hat, but spent the whole time reading his e-reader. I would be surprised if she didn't go home with whiplash, though from all the knit ogling she was doing.



Badger came walking by the PDXKB group and garnered not only some cat calls, but had the possibility of picking up some extra money as $ bills were being waved at him as he turned the corner. He said the sweater is for his dad, but he hasn't gifted it yet, so he swore us to secrecy.



Yes, I took pictures of the Harlot, and of Duffy's "bring the house down" serenade. But none of the shots came out. Because I had the flash on the wrong setting. Clear evidence that my camera is are afflicted with the dread disease: PICNIC. "Problem In Chair, Not In Camera." So, wander on over to some of the PDXKB gang's blogs and get good pics and some videos.

I did eventually get it working again, just in time for Stitch Jones to make it to the head of the line:



That is one happy PDXKBer!

She presented the Harlot with a special skein of her yarn, dyed especially for her in Harlot-y colors.



It was about this time that the PDXKB group "thread jacked" the line for signatures. I think we scared the Harlot a little.



Thankfully, we'd all bought pre-signed books or I think she would've made a break for the door. As it was, we got her to pose with all of us, including Judy, and her traveling sock. Unfortunately, none of us took the picture. I hope it shows up on her blog! And I hope she had a much fun as we
did!

Edited later to add: If you really want to see what scared the Harlot, then go here and see for yourself.