They Let Me Back into the Country!

3 weeks in London - done.
6 days til I do it again [only a week this time]

Only 6 days until the beautiful New York Mets begin their 2008 season! This is the last season at Shea Stadium as well. Pretty soon, we'll all have to start referring to the Mets' home field as CitiField. Yuck. Along with Opening day, March 31st I get to board another Virgin Atlantic flight London-bound. Sounds crazy all of this London-ness, but here is some prettyness for all [4] of you.


My walk to work usually involved this pretty park. Buckingham Palace on one side and this awesome castle on the other.


Off to iKnit in Vauxhall, and I left with yummy only-UK yarns. First, some lucious blue dk wool spun & dyed in Yorkshire - Wensleydale Longwool. Nice and lightweight and great yardage. Hopefully a cute spring/summer top. Second is more sock yarn [cuz I needed it] from Easy Knits. Spun and dyed in South London and ONLY available at iKnit. I just HAD to buy some. How could you not with great color names like Venus as a Boy, Big Spender and When Doves Cry?


I frogged an attempt at the Crusoe socks and casted on the Fancy Gentleman's Socks. I had my stepdad try them on, and they are a touch too big. We'll see what happens. I'm using Trekking that my mom gave me for Christmas so the yarn will come full circle!

Still in London...

Wondering where I am? Well, I've been calling London "home" for the past couple of weeks. Work shuttled me here, and I won't be gracing the states with my presence for another few days. But don't worry, I've managed to:

1. Buy yummy yarn at iKnit
2. Drink lots of Guinness
3. Adopt quid, loo and lift into my vocabulary
4. Decide on an Asian trek for my big-bad summer [July-ish] vacation

Yarn pics soon! And if you've been to India, Tibet, Nepal or Bhutan, please let me know!

miss me!

What did YOU do this weekend?

I learned to [finally] be a ski instructor! I went out to the Poconos to visit my mom and learned to teach the wee ones how to french fry and pizza. What an amazing time! And I also bought some new toys - new ski boots. Check these out


And yes, I have finally broken through my fear of my CPH and started on the hood. I have stolen Tina's idea of continuing the cable up over the hood. Don't hate me, Tina! And finally... I'll be flying across the pond for work for 3 weeks this weekend. Yes, 3 weeks! Don't worry, I've already scouted this knitting group.

Just Do It!

The Plaited Cable Scarf is coming along deliciously. The gauge is rather tight but steam blocking with change that. The Kraemer Yarns Summit Hill is one of the smoothest, softest yarns - no cashmere but it'll keep me warm. Then again - will it get cold again? I'm a ski nut so having barely any snow this New York winter is breaking my heart.



And the Central Park Hoodie. Oh the red-headed stepchild in my knitting basket. Poor poor hoodie. But wait! I think I found some mojo to start seaming and finishing you. The finishing article in my new Interweave Knits!



Just my quick flip of the new issue, I already have 3 patterns I want to make:
1. Flutter Sleeve Cardigan
2. Banded Peasant Blouse
3. Drawstring Chemise [but that neckline might need some alterations]

Last on my nike catchphrase list is an overhaul of my stash storage. The Container Store is one of my best friends [since I'm a crazy organized person]. Suggestions for what I should use to store my stash? Wicker baskets are just not cutting it!

1. Clear stackable drawers
2. Canvas stacking drawers

All suggestions/ideas/handmade gifts welcome!

Too Productive?

Back from wonderful skiing and what do I have to prove for it?

1. Finished Anastasia socks, to be blocked.

2. 3 wristlettes, one that my wonderful cousin permanently borrowed


3. Beginnings of the Plaited Cable Scarf


4. A continuous fear of seaming my CPH
5. More yarn!!



6. A team to cheer for in Sunday's Super Bowl. Go Big Blue!

That's what I got from spending a week at 10,000+ feet above sea level. What about you?

Don't Work - Play with THIS!

KnitPro will generate any image into a knitting/needlepoint pattern. I'm in love.

Bring on the Snow!

The annual family ski adventure will be upon us starting tomorrow. My crazy, silly, loud ski-obsessed family will be embarking on our pilgrimmage to Frisco, CO for MLK weekend o'snowy fun. Hopefully, apres ski trip, I'll have more finished knitting and maybe some new yarn...!

Speaking of knitting:

Sock #1 of the Anastasia Socks. Such a fun sock and now that I've down my first toe-up, I'm in love! Why would I ever do a cuff down again? Allena, you were right!

Now, the CPH. I'm having a stupid moment with the hood. Pattern states to knit across holder stitches [of the front] but my yarn is on the other side [from original stitches, not with new ball of yarn]. I'm assuming that the knitting police won't come and get me if I just fudge this ... right?

Or...

I'll recruit my Sit-n-Knit helpers!!

Leading off: Central Park Hoodie
I finally threw my fears of "it won't fit" into the wind and blocked my CPH. It's almost dry and is looking yummy. Yes, my sleeves will probably be too long but who cares! I want to wear my first sweater already... even if it is 65 degrees out.

Second batter: Just Like a Peasant Cap
Such a fun pattern with the most delicious Malabrigo yarn. Unfortunately, I ran out of the yarn and need to find more. I put a call into What's Needling U in Frisco, CO where I bought it. Knit NY also has some, but it's not the same colorway. Hmm...


Newest Arrival: Anastasia Socks
My first toe-up socks! Go me! And it was fairly easy. With a crochet cast-on as my provisional and a straightforward short-row toe [from the pattern and on knitty], I was good to go. I was rather impressed with how it worked. And the pattern is fun, easy to memorize and does work well with a variegated yarn. And the yarn - Colinette Jitterbug in Fruit Coulis I got at Loop in Islington, London.


Batting clean-up: More Yarn!
No pics yet, but lovely mommy gave me trekking sock yarn and some fresh-from-the-farm handspun from the Poconos. Yup - yarn handspun from sheep raised in the Poconos. Thanks Mommy!

Next up: Finish these damn projects, young lady!

I Was Good This Year!

First up... a new ipod! Finally! My current [2nd generation] ipod has gone through many mutations. If your ipod dies for real reasons [not "I dropped it in a puddle while drunk on the LES"], you can submit a request to apple and get a new free ipod [of the same model, though]. I've been doing that for 4 years. On my fourth one, I'm tired of doing this so I got a new ipod!

Next up... notions! Lovely brother and sis-in-law got me a box o'love. My Stash Enhancement 07!


And the grand finale... YARN! First up, my first installment of Cascade 220 in great burgundy-pink. I've never knit with it... what should I?


Next up... sock yarn. Sock yarn #1 is the envy of all sock yarns... Koigu. Finally, koigu for ME! And what an eclectic color! It'll probably look just as good in stockinette as in a pattern so... first toe-up socks!


And last, but certainly not least, is another yummy addition to my Araucania yarn that I got in Rhinebeck. This is my favorite. Fun socks or maybe a neck cozy or a bandana.



And my FOs made a great hit on Christmas morning. On top of that, family friends' kids got knit kits for Christmas so I became the teacher for the day. Start 'em young! And for the climax of our post - my new project - my Just Like a Peasant Cap! Now, it calls for double-stranding but my head is never THAT warm.... hmm...

And... What Time is It?

A.) It's 1:29am.
B.) It's technically Christmas Eve.
C.) It's FO time!

First up: Fetching


Cute fingerless gloves courtesy of knitty.com will soon keep my stepmother's hands warm. In a wonderful Wool of the Andes from knitpicks, these darlings are also the same that I chose to knit up for my knitting group's holiday party. If only I had more time for a hat, scarf or neck cozy...

Second: Monkey Socks


Finally! These god-for-saken "Who are they going to be for? They are too big. Woops, I have three extra rounds of repeats on one sock" socks are FINALLY DONE! The random repeats had to cut out. Yes, cut. Yes, I applied scissors to my hand knit socks. Penelope started and I finshed. It hurt but now... you can't tell! These will also be under the Christmas tree tonight for Papa Bear.

Third: Urchin


On a whim, I cast on this great looking beret with some random Gedifra yarn [yes, yes, acrylic.] I thought that my 12 year-old sister would be the perfect recipient. Two balls of orange and one of green. Let's just say that the hat as a lovely green patch. Hopefully she won't get beat up in school for it... You know kids these days.

Last, a wonderful co-worker/great friend surprised me with these adorable stitch markers:


Such a great friend. Let's just see what ends up under the tree for yours truly [and my needles!]

I'M ALIVE!

After a few weeks of work traveling, then thanksgiving, then more "let's work a LOT," my poor knitting got the shaft for ... ooh ... a while. Yesterday, was the first time since pre-turkey fun that I knitted. I'm ashamed.

So.... what did I do?

I made Fetching for Sit-n-Knit's Holiday Gift Exchange. My knitter made me this adorable neck cozy.


Finally, I'm knitting again!! CPH should be done soon....

Fina-freakin-ly!

An FO! A real FO! Look mom! I CAN finish something.



Yarn: knipicks' Gossamer in Rose Garden
Needle: US 3 circular
Pattern: Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts.

What a wonderful way to begin two tremendously arduous weeks at work. This is peak art season and what does that mean for me? For starters, there won't be much time for knitting. Secondly, I will be going to Geneva [leaving in 10 minutes] back to New York and then to London. Sounds more glamorous than it is. Ten-twelve hour days away from stash.

Status of my Central Park Hoodie: shoulder caps on sleeves. Put them down somewhere in between. Hopefully my notes are accurate. Thanks to Penelope and Tina - a simple measurement of my arms was all I needed.

As for my Monkey socks [daddy's birthday socks], I better get back from Geneva and have them finished...

only time and flying will tell...

Boston Wins & LA Loses

It's all about the Sox! Now, yes, the wonderful Boston Red Sox have won their second world series title this millenium. Yipee! Go Sox! Speaking of socks, I should be finishing my dad's monkey socks, as his birthday is in 7 days. The mammoth of all mammoth socks should be finished... soon.

Why does LA lose, you ask? Because my beloved wonderful friend, Katie, is moving back east. The painfully bright sun was too much for her and decided that delicious New York winters were more her style. Yeah!

Aside from the monkey socks, I also have the Chevron scarf on the needles. Almost done...


Knitpicks' Gossamer yarn is so freakin' long! 440 yds per skein. Wow. For-e-ver [please say a-la Sandlot].

And the Central Park Hoodie. The sleeves are coming along. I might have to alter the sleeves slightly. I'm making the 40" bust [as the bust fairies blessed short me with a non-A cup frame] but I'm only 5'2" so my arms aren't 7 feet long. We shall see what happens. Any tips or suggestions are greatly appreciatly


What else do I want to make?
- secret of the stole with knitpicks Shadow
- gloves/mittens with yummy Nu Leafe Alpaca I got at Rhinebeck
- fetching out of something from my stash
- hat/scarf set with some Malabrigo Worsted

So much to knit! And honestly... I am considering holiday gifts, but man, I don't think that I have the time, what with all that I have to make for ME!

Personal news!

I moved. I moved!! Such a wonderful time for me. I moved in with some friends, and boy am I happy. My previous situation was not the best so these new digs are spantaculous. No local yarn shop though, boo. Then again, I have enough yarn. That's right! I said it!

Signing off in baseball news - David Wright on the Daily Show on 10/31/07. Check my boyfriend out!

London vs. Rhinebeck

Pop Quiz!

Who noticed I was gone for about 2 weeks? Thought so. Where have I been, you might now be wondering. London! Business again and too much work me did. The best way to unwind after a marathon work session is to ... go to the NY Sheep and Wool Festival!

1. Yumminess
Shepherd's pie. Okay fine, I wouldn't know that yuminess since I gave up meat about 8 years ago but you wouldn't find those tasty treats at Rhinebeck. Instead, homemade fudge, organic wine and bufala mozzarella for $4! But but BUT! London has some of the most eclectic international cuisine [best Indian!] led by some of the world's best chefs. As much as I love kettle corn from the "farm," the British Isle might trump this one.

London = 1
Rhinebeck = 0

2. Pretty Factor
Oh come ON! Fall foliage abound on the Thruway as we drove up to the "yarn expo." London, keep your rain!

London = 1
Rhinebeck = 1

3. Smiling Faces
Getting lost in London, some nice locals pointed me in the right direction. While I groped lots of yarn, wool purveyors happily discussed any crazy topic I desired. This might be a draw

London = 1
Rhinebeck = 1

4. Financial Impact
$2 grilled cheese, $10 entrance fee, free sheep petting!
£3 oyster card [without the money on it!], £5 guinness, need I say more?

Okay... I'm ignoring the bank I dropped on yarns but ... let's ignore that for now.

London = 1
Rhinebeck = 2

5. Yarniness
Uh, yeah. Here's what I molested yesterday.

Liberty Ridge Farms had about 1000yds for $30 of some delish DK alpaca/merino/silk cream-colored yarn. Fingers crossed I have enough for a sweater. An amazing deal that I couldn't pass up.


Carodan Farm Wool Shop from VA had some amazing tie-dyed Araucania Yarns that I fell in love with! Patagonian-raised sheep and hand-dyed, who can resist this? About 750 yds, I'm not sure what to make but this. Ideas??


The cream of the crop. The splurge. The "buy it and love it." The edible 100% Alpaca from Nu Leafe Alpaca. As I type, I'm drooling over this. Some ultra-warm gloves/mittens this yarn will be. But it's too pretty!


So who do YOU think won this fight?

P.S. Go Sox!

But I'm Still a Fan

They choked.
They crumbled.
They crashed and burned.
They broke my heart.

But I'm still a fan.

Counting down...

Postseason is almost upon us. Given that my stomach feels like it has been on a rollar coaster for the past week or two, I felt the need to hark back to a simpler time. A time when I wore keds and side ponytails. But more importantly, a time when my Kings of Queens were Kings of Baseball. Enjoy.



I signed up for the Secret of the Stole but am not sure what yarn to purchase. Three options: Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud in Sand Heather, Shadow in Lost Lake Heather or maybe a Zephyr 2/18 but I can't find one that I like. Ideas?

Knitting with my cohorts on Saturday, we discussed my [insert your own adjective here] evening plans going to Dave & Buster's for a birthday. Oh. My. Well, it did allow me to drink large beers and win useless crap. Like this biting elephant. Cuz everyone needs a ... biting ... elephant.






Thankfully I didn't knit drunk. Or did I. Why, you ask? This one middle cable looks a tad longer than the rest. Does this mean that I can't count to ten?

Speaking of counting...

Who Loves September?

Well, I don't. The weather has been lovely. Austin was fantastic. Work hasn't totally killed me. So why don't I like Septembers?

Baseball, that's why. The regular season is coming to an end, and the Mets [originally] had the pennant in the bag. In a suitcase. Dude, that pennant was signed, sealed and delivered. But instead, they decided to make it interesting. Too interesting. They are making it too easy for the Phillies to steal [that's right STEAL] the pennant. They better wake up because if they want to keep THIS fan [don't worry; they will], they better start playing real baseball.

In other baseball news, check out New York Magazine's latest article on my grandfather's favorite and only baseball team - the Brooklyn Dodgers.

In knitting news, my left front of the CPH has been complete [yeah!]. After a short "where the HELL did that needle go" fit at 11:30pm tonight, I immediately cast on the right front.


I also signed up for the Secret of the Stole and am using some of my Skacel Alpaca Seta yarn in a delicious light camel color. Unfortunately, since I only have 600 yards, I need to track down more. Who knew knitting from your stash would mean you need to buy more yarn?

Look What You Missed

Austin. Wow. While you were sitting in your air-conditioned apartments, I paraded around a 14+ acre park with tens of thousands of music fans in scorching heat. Here's why you need to get your tickets to Austin City Limits 2008.


1. Heat. 95 degrees, limitless humidity. Gray tank tops turning black. 8 hours in this was ... there are no words.
2. Bob Dylan opening with "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35." Unfortunately, he sounded like someone was stepping on his vocal cords the whole time. But it doesn't matter. It's Bob Dylan!
3. A car. You need one of these to get around. Especially if you want breakfast. Otherwise, you'll end up having brunch at the 4 Seasons since you can't find anything else.
4. Tom's Shoes. Every time you buy a pair of these totally comfy slip-ons, "Tom" donates a pair to shoeless children in Argentina. And they're cheap. Buy a pair!
5. Marley. Ziggy. Stephen. Wow. Too bad Damian didn't show up out of nowhere, but more unbelievable sets.
6. Fire. No, not a bonfire but an actual fire! Flames and billowing smoke were a sight to see after a trailer caught fire during Pete Yorn's set. Thankfully no one was injured. But... wow.
7. Some unbelievable funk/jazz/alt-country coming from the WaMu tent. My top two - Railroad Earth and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
8. Katie had to leave early to work yesterday. Boo.
9. $3 cocktails! $3 cocktails! I have been living in NYC too long.

10. KNITTING! That's right!

Thanks to Allena, I made the $30 cab right to The Knitting Nest and picked up a sweater's worth of Peace Fleece, one of Allena's project bags and a few skeins of Kathmandu Aran in a delicious heathered green. Stacy was one of the nicest women. We chatted about yarn, ACL and NY knitting shops for a while. She has free WiFi, a great selection of yarn and fiber project bags and will print projects for you. I will definitely be returning.

So much more to talk about - big floppy hats, Pat the coolest cab driver, dumb-as-rocks "concierge" at our hotel.

What a concert. What a town.

What are You Doing on Sunday Night?

I'm seeing Bob Dylan! Why? Because I'm going to Austin City Limits!



More knitting when I return!

Charts Aren't English

I have never read a chart before. Any pattern that I have seen has had the row description below it, so I just jumped to this row-by-row explanation and ignored the chart. Onto the CPH. How hard could it be, I thought. Well, my cables are now reversed.


My lovely knitters at our mini-BBQ alerted me of this. Wabi Sabi Allena said. Hmm, maybe this looks a lot yummier than the written pattern. I'm using Lorna's Laces Worsted and it was well worth the purchase. The most luscious, springiest yarn. I can't wait to finish it.


And the other projects that have kept me busy - Chevron Scarf and the Monkey socks. Remember, silly me, mediumweight means some heavy sock yarn! These huge socks would never fit my lovely Philly friend. Oh well. At least Daddy's feet will be warm.

Sock Number 2