We’ve moved…

…to our new home.

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I’m Raveled!

Got my invitation to Ravelry tonight and there went the evening. Been wallowing around over there and it’s looking grand. Lots of the known goddesses of knitting over there (and Gods too) and I think I am dehydrated from all the drooling I’ve been doing. I now have an embarassingly huge queue of projects I want to do and I haven’t even been through all the patterns (something like 64k of ‘em).

The site is going to be a major boon and success, that is obvious. The system they have set up is easy to use, ties in with Flickr and will make a lovely place to “journal” all my work. I think they have done a splendid job and they’re not even done yet.

Took some more pictures with the “good” camera so that I could attach them to my WIPs over there (the Airy for Oma and the scarf that is going to make me crazy even though it’s so simple). I’m chicken to start looking at the yarns because I’ll cave in and buy. I just know it. And this month is not a good month to be buying any more yarn or knitting related stuff. I’ve plenty, anything else would just be greed.

I hate bein’ rational.

Ravelry is a great resource. I’m thrilled to be in there and looking forward to what comes from being there. All those real knitters!

Knitting and I

Err, me.

Been knitting for about a year now. I enjoy it greatly. Even when I hate it. I’ve been thinking about it a lot as time goes past. What do I want to do with my knitting? Do I want to be a sweater maker? Churn out lace? Do complex patterns? Design?

I’m not sure. Worse, I’m conflicted. I see works all over the ‘Net by folks who completely blow me away with their talent. In all cases I appreciate the work but in a strangely large percentage, I don’t care for it. I’ve been trying to pinpoint why. Is it a subconscious thing where I decide I don’t like it because I don’t think I could ever do it and am, therefore, jealous? That might be part of it but then, it is really a matter of two stitches done in different orders and ways. I suppose that I could. If I wanted to and usually, I don’t.

So I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m an old fart and prefer…”classic”. Or stodgy. Or anything that is definitely “not hip” (for example, I just don’t “get” some of the amazingly clever and talented stuff I see on, say, Craftster. ). Me? I love a beautifully executed scarf. Or a simple, classic sweater (although I do admit that Aran sweaters cause me to get all tingly but then, I’d call them “classic”.). An afghan one can burrow into for years? That’s my idea of “worthy”.

I was saying that I didn’t like anything that wasn’t “useful” but I realised that’s so subjective that it just doesn’t cover what I feel. To me a lacey scarf or shawl is about as “useless” as it gets and that is ONLY because of how I live and who I am. Lace and I are not acquainted nor will we likely ever be. It’s just not “me”.  When I see things like this from the Yarn Harlot I absolutely think it’s gorgeous. But not something I would ever, ever use. If I took the time to make that it’d sit, carefully wrapped, somewhere forever or until I found someone else who would use it and I don’t know of anyone else who would. To me a shawl should be something to keep you warm on a winter’s evening whilst…knitting! Or to toss on when you run out to the mailbox or to let the dog out. Not something so gossamery (probably not a word, but meh) or lovely that I’d have to have hysterics if someone even came near me whilst wearing it.

I’m a simple person who can admire (deeply) the works of those for whom the delicacy and beauty of intricate patterns, yarns and designs is a goal. But for what I want in my life, coming from my needles? Sturdy, down-to-earth, practical.

And I can always see the beauty others create whilst I am snug in my stodgy, practical stuff.

Knit on, folks, there’s beauty in all of it!

I always have a mindless knit on the needles

Sometimes I just want to knit and not have to think about what I’m doing. Works nicely when I want to read or surf the ‘Net. Usually works out just fine…a scarf or a pair of booties or a hat etc.

I had seen Yarn Harlot’s One Row Scarf (gorgeous yarn she had) and wanted one. So I got my Twilley’s Freedom Spirit and cast on. This was the scarf I set on fire. So I’ve started over. And I keep messing it up. How in the hell does one mess up K2, Kthruback, purl 1 repeat?

I manage. I’ve had to tink several times since starting over. It’s embarassing! I was getting angry until I saw the humour. I don’t think this scarf wants to be knit. Is it the yarn? Seems perfectly fine to me. I like it rather well. Needles? John Rivers commuters of which I am inordinately fond (I like short needles). Don’t know. Whatever it is, this simple scarf has become symbolic of my refusal to give up.

I expect that before this is done (and it was almost done before I lit the damn thing on fire) I shall have had several more arguments with it.

Sometimes I wonder what knitting is trying to tell me. I suspect this item is screaming something at me and I’m just too thick to get it. We’ll see.

In which I pretend to knit lace

Bit the bullet and started the Oma Scarf which is actually the “Airy Scarf” from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I went with exactly as recommended in the pattern (e.g. Rowan Kidsilk Haze and 6mm needles, in this case Lantern Moons, more about which later).

It looks like a hamster exploded at this point…

…but I am assured that is normal. Gawd, I hope so. This is a crappy shot, I know but I was too lazy to go downstairs and get the Canon. This is courtesy of GnomeCam (cell phone).

What I’ve learned so far:

1. Lantern Moons whilst lovely, marvelous, a sight to behold, are not the best for this work. Points are too blunt for this fine a yarn. This, of course,  could be rectified by getting a sharper needle but I am not sure where I’d find ‘em ’round here. And Addi Turbo lace needles don’t seem to come any larger than 4mm whereas this calls for 6mm. Wah. So I shall soldier on and unless this still looks like an exploded hamster after blocking (of course I’ve no idea how to block lace but hey, that bridge’ll get crossed when I come to it). Then I will be more arsed to find, pointier needles. Enough of the Rowan to, supposedly, do two of these scarves.

2. The Rowan Kidsilk Haze. Ye gods and little fishes. I’m bleedin’ knittin’ with sewing thread here. I am enchanted, though, with this yarn. I sat here tossing a strand up in the air and watching it float down to the desk (yeah, yeah, easily amused). And it feels lovely. My eyeballs are crossed using this stuff (probably and indication that I need a new prescription for my glasses) and I’m doing this mainly by feel. Dangerous since I’m a complete novice here.

3. My instincts are telling me to go down one or two sizes in the needle. Or maybe it’s my “clenched” tendency. I have a strong preference for a firm fabric. Not strangulated, mind you, just firm. So why am I doing lace? Because my Oma is special and deserves it. Still, I may do another 2 of these (they aren’t very time consuming) one of which will be done on a 5mm and one on a 4mm, adjusting for gauge changes. How someone manages to do an entire shawl in lace? I dunno but major kudos to them. I don’t think this is my thing.

Will replace this picture with a better one when I arse myself to get the Canon and will update when fist one is finished.

Test.

Glitter Graphics & Comments

Oh my.

Apparently due to using the word “Hell” 3 times and “Queer” once.

Goodness.

Check yours here.

The Knitting Gods Smote Me

Today I reached a new point in my knitting journey. I set knitting on fire.

I smoke (yeah, yeah, epitome of evil…but it’s my last bad habit. All the others are gone.)

Well here in the EU cigarettes are incredibly expensive. A pack of 17 is 4€ (approx. $5.80) so we make our own using a machine thingie that you put the tobacco in and then stick a tube of paper with the filter on into the machine and out comes something that resembles a cig if you’re enough of an addict (raises hand) to accept such as a cig. Problem is that sometimes they aren’t exactly packed right and you can have a bit of a disaster with falling bits of burning material. Usually this does not occur until you get to the filter end but, today, that all changed.

I was 3/4 of the way done with my Yarn Harlot One Row Scarf and I had been checking it for goodness (okay, I was petting it) and I set it down on my desk in front of the keyboard whilst I continued my fondling jag with some Rowan Felted Tweed in the bin nearby the desk. Before I got up from the desk, I put my cig in the ashtray to the left of my desk, thus passing it over the knitting. Apparently, some burning bits descended. Upon my knitting. Upon my beautiful Twilley’s knitting.

I smelled a sheep on fire. Didn’t register at first and then. OMG! There it was, a nice, smouldery hold in the middle of the scarf.

I’m sure the neighbours heard what came out of my mouth next as I was bashing away at the scarf trying to put the smouldery bits out. The Dawg came running because he finds it interesting when The Mama starts yowling and jumping up and down.

The damage? A honking big circle of burnt bits right in the middle of the scarf. I had no idea how to fix this so…ripped back to the first third of it and removed the nastiness.

No pictures because I didn’t have the wit to take any.

I will cry, later, in the privacy of my bedroom.

And then I will thoroughly kick my own ass.

Almost There–Ravelry.com

Although I think I’ll be waaaay outclassed there, I’ve been waiting patiently (well mostly) for my invite to show up. Looks like it might be happening soon. I found the following when I checked today…

patiently awaiting your invite?

If you’ve added your name to the invite request list on our front page then you can use this form to check your place in line.

Email address: hidden, sorry! look me up!

 

Found you!

• You signed up on October 5, 2007
• You are #39944 on the list.
• 567 people are ahead of you in line.
• 12276 people are behind you in line.
• 67% of the list has been invited so far

When I started I was like a brazillion * and now? Down to 567. So, soon!

 

Knitting continues today as I’m not up for much more. Something has invaded my digestive track and I’m a bit wobbly. Wobbly enough where Himself took pity and did my first-of-the-day walk of The Dawg.

 

Also received shipment from the folks at Kangaroo Yarn. Rowan Felted Tweed and Rowan Scottish Tweed DK plus two more sets of John Rivers commuter needles (6mm and 7mm ). I love those needles for scarves and other small bits. Pictures when I get the ambition to set up the shots.

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* For the “brazillion” to make any sense, this helps:

 

Donald Rumsfeld is giving the president his daily briefing.

He concludes by saying: “Yesterday, 3 Brazilian soldiers were killed.”

“OH NO!” the President exclaims. “That’s terrible!”

His staff sits stunned at this display of emotion, nervously watching as the President sits, head in hands.

Finally, the President looks up and asks, “How many is a brazillion?”

ProMa? Meh.

Tired, been busy! Went out today to do some marketing and forgot that it was the opening of the new mall in Markdorf (ugly thing that it is). It’s not quite done but it was done enough I guess to be opened. Place was a freakin’ zoo. Only reason we went in was to check out the “Outdoor” store (Himself is still in the market for another winter jacket). They had some nice stuff. Actually had a jacket I’d consider wearing but both of us wanted to get the hell out of there. It was wall-to-wall people. Seriously. Not sure where they all came from but they sure were there. And hey! Markdorf obviously needed more shoe stores. I think there were at least 2 of ‘em in that mall, maybe three. Mall also has a shortage of bookstore, yarn store and computer store. So, meh. Did take a couple shots of the hideously ugly building which has ruined the ambiance of Markdorf.

Ugly not-finished building. Was a beautiful day though. This place just jars me every time I see it. Markdorf is such a pretty town with some beautiful old buildings. Then they did this. It seems to me they could’ve echoed the architecture of the town, at least the lines but they had to go and put what looks to me like the ass end (stern) of a ship. Inside is all manner of bright, shiny surfaces with lights glaring on everything. They did manage to get the escalators set up “correctly”. I’ve noticed that many escalators down here have the “up” side on the left side which is contrary to what I was used to. They did it with “up” on the right side in this mall.

Side entrance (from Edeka parking lot) with shoe store (how unusual…not) windows. The stair going up to that entrance are not quite done and easily tripped on. I discovered this for myself. Looks like the building also has offices and maybe apartments, not sure on the latter. What kills me is that there is a section of Markdorf off to the east where there are quite a few tech companies who have already set the tone for modern architecture. That is where they should’ve built this. It’s convenient, lots more space for parking and wouldn’t have mucked up old Markdorf.

I shall now attempt to get over it.

A storefront just around the corner from us which has been the home of several small businesses, none lasting very long saw the opening of a pet store. Very convenient for us! Looks like they have a decent stock of fancy food for cats and dog. A somewhat mediocre stock of toys and leash/collars and treats. Nice cat trees and beds though. So we got a couple small bags of fancy stuff (dog and cat) and a new scratching post for the DemonCats. I shall introduce them to it this evening.

Got my shipment from GetKnitted (speedy as usual!) which contained my Rowan KidSilk Haze, Lantern Moon needles (oh my, they are lovely) and a sock kit. Pictures when I take ‘em tomorrow and natterings about the stuff. I had gotten the laceweight yarn for Oma’s birthday present. Going to make her a Airy Scarf (Google for a large selection of shots of others’ FOs) from Last Minute Knitted Gifts which I think would make a nice, quick (oh, optimistic me!) gift for her. Dainty, something she could use to dress up a dress a bit for Church. I’ve never done lace before so I decided to go with the recommended Rowan yarn and I splurged a bit on the Lantern Moon needles. I started it and completely lost my mind due to interruptions and had to rip back and re-start. So now I’ve got about 4 inches of it done. It looks like a hamster exploded just now but even I know that blocking will help that. More on that tomorrow.

Got another couple inches done on the Yarn Harlot One Row Scarf and declare it about half done. I like it. It is simple, elegant and the yarn (Twilley’s Freedom Spirit) is very nice. I might just keep this one for me! Not a scarf fan but this might just change my mind. If not, I’ll order a bit more and make a neckwarmer/cowl from it.

Been searching for a quick pattern (crochet or knit) for some slippers. I’d like something to stick on in the house when I’m up here in the office in the evenings. Been rummaging, haven’t found anything that screams “DO THIS” yet but haven’t been looking long. Maybe something for Himself too, he gets so cold easily.

Oh well…need to write a letter, get something hot to drink and try to make it an early night. Could do with a bit of extra sleep.