Purlewe

promises, promises

I try very hard to keep promises. Sometimes when it is a promise to myself I can let myself down. I don't try to let this happen too often, but it happens. Life gets in the way. The goalposts move. But when I make a promise to someone else I really try to not break it.

2 years ago a friend asked for mittens from me. He knew I loved making mittens. He bought me 2 cones of yarn. I then tried to make him the mittens he wanted and.. failed miserably. I tried other times as well.. and failed. I then set them aside. I knew I wanted to keep my promise, but I couldn't find a way.

It was gauge. Gauge can be a cruel mistress. This set isn't any better. I am down to US0s, even tho I am supposed to be knitting this on US2s. But I am getting them to work. And I only have the thumbs left before I can fulfill my promise. (Let it be noted: thumbs can sometimes be my nemesis.)

Soon I can say I finished my promise. Just a little late.

I really do knit

There has been knitting going on. Frankly there is ALWAYS knitting going on. But I haven't blocked quite a few things since before the vacation.

Thing #1: Bandana Cowl, by purlbee

This is something I finished before the retreat. I even took it with me to the blocking class. It is a present for Sue made out of the same yarn my wedding shawl was knit out of. It is pretty dang wonderful, the cashmere just gets softer from use. I mentioned to Sue that I didn't have a foto for the blog and she protested. "You took one at the Grand Canyon!"

Yes, I did.. but it isn't like this pic screams, "KNIT PROJECT 3 O'CLOCK!" I knit this on US9s and just kept short rowing until I ran out of yarn.

Thing #2: Contorno Shawl, by Amy Swenson

I finished this while we were at the Grand Canyon, but I didn't block it until this week. US7s, KPPPM and Claudia Handpaint make this a fantastic looking project. I really loved knitting this. And I might make another without the short rows just as a way to use up different yarns and make scarves.

Thing #3: secret pal project: Spectra, by Stephen West

This was a fun knit with 1 skein Jojoland Melody and 2 skeins Valley Yarns Huntington on US5s. I got 90 windows there out of that much yarn. Pattern calls for 86, but I would even knit this longer. It is a quick and easy knit, even with the shortrows. I didn't even do the wrap and turns. They all flattened out just fine.

I hope the recipient likes it! Now I want to knit one for me!

 

More vacation stuff...

We are almost reaching a month since we went away.. and I still am behind in showing off the fun we had. Sorry about that. Work life is so not great in comparison to home life. Home life is great, but then I don't want to get on a computer.

ANYWAY!!!

We went to the MIM! What is the MIM? It is the Musical Instrument Museum!

It was Fan. Tas. Tic. The first floor held a experimental room where you could play some of the instruments. Plus there was an artist room where musical artists have donated or loaned instruments to the museum. And a Mechanical Music gallery where they explained all about different kinds of ways to make mechanical music.

But I forgot the best part. The BEST part is a headset and earphones that you wear thru the gallery and when you get in front of an exhibit it automatically "tunes in" to whatever exhibit you are in front of.

So upstairs you have the whole world of music. We started in Africa, went thru the Middle East, Oceana, and Asia. Ended with Americas and Europe. Each country had an exhibit with a video of instruments being played and instruments all around.

I won't drive you mad with all my MIM fotos, but it was so wonderful. I recommend you go if you are in Phoenix.

We also went to the Heard Museum. It was very nice. I loved their rug exhibit. And their exhibit of Boarding schools for Indian children was very enlightening/sobering. It was a wonderful museum. And Sue enjoyed their gardens outside.

We also had some great company while in Phoenix. Two dear friends showed us their town and also took us to some AMAZING restaurants. What a great way to experience the city and see dear friends. We really loved our visit with them and plan on going back to see them as soon as we can.

Next up.. I've been KNITTING!!!

How to have a proper holiday with the RieMils

First, book something months in advance and wait.

Then, arrive after it is well and dark, so you have NO IDEA if it is going to work out.

Wake up in your cabin

And squeal like a little girl at the site out of your window

Make her wait thru hundreds of pictures,

before you even start the day.

Be glad she puts up with middle schoolers, so she can have patience with you.

Go for hikes and geological talks. Be glad she doesn't mind stopping for a few more pictures.

Drive out a different way you came in to see the Watchtower Mary Colter built.

suggest the scenic route, which just btw re-opened after a snowstorm. With some seriously tour de france hairpin turns.

And you take fotos out the sunroof of the car.

Stop at a place where they are serious about martians.

And leave town as the sun sets.

Stop of in the city for a few days to see old and new friends. (Which will be another picture story another day.)

2011 knitting recap

I finished 30 (ish) projects in 2011. I am actually OK with that number. I finsihed 16 projects in 2010, and I had a slump that yr. So this is me mostly back on track.

8 shawls, 1 capelette, 2 pair of mittens, 2 pair fingerless mitts, 4 hats, 4 cowls, 1 adult sweater, 3 children's sweaters, 2 pair of socks, and 2 scarves. Also 3 squares for a bigger blanket of 26 squares for a group gift.

I am most proud of finishing some very old projects in my bin. Boy, do I have a way of putting something off!! I am surprised (ok not too surprised) that I have only 2 of those in the ME pile, and the rest was given away, or is in the give away pile. hmmm. Sounds like I need to knit for ME more often, yes?

Right now I have 6 things on needles (ah that holiday rush to fill the void on the needles) but 2 are for me. A MUCH better balance I think.

measuring time out in knitting rows

I realize this isn't everyone's way to measure out days gone by. But it works for me.

Dec 24th:

And after a wonderful 7 days away:

Technical stuff: Darjeeling Socks by Cat Bordhi, Knitter's Book of Socks, Cherry Tree Hill yarn, US1s.

random mishmash

a) Helped my one of my knitting groups make an afghan for the owner of the cafe we use. She is such a nice person who lets us invade their space every week. Now she is a nice person with a nice afghan!

b) I was merrily working on my Contorno Scarf when I pulled the needle out of the work by accident. It went into time out until I had time to pick it up. (I was in the middle of a short row section.) I picked them up this weekend and was about 18 rows from finishing when I looked down. I picked up with the wrong needle. BIG difference between a 4mm and a 2.75mm. I need to rip back out and pick back up. *sigh.

c) Sue's mom made me a bee quilt and a bee tea cozy for xmas. I *love* them. Sue got me 3 geeky tshirts. I am so lucky to have family who gets who I am.

d) I started working on a new pair of socks. (I was trying to wait for the end of the contorno, but I had nothing else with me but the socks.) Darjeeling Socks... these are for you.

Philly Postcard no. 12

Dear Philly,

Since it is the holidays you are dressed up in your finery. But you keep surprising me. Reminding me to look at things differently. And making me smile. Thanks for that.

brought to you by Island Blue

In 2010 someone brought some lorna's laces worsted to the swap table. I picked it up thinking I could make my niece a sweater. I ended up fearing I would run out of yarn.. so I made it a sweater vest.

Not bad for some yarn from someone else's stash and made into something useful for a niece.

But I still had a skein and a half left.

So I present the first sock of 2. I have the heel turned of the 2nd sock. I am pretty pleased with this as well. And it looks like I might get to the end of the ball and have 2 actual socks. (I worry I'll run out of yarn. This is what you do when you get swap yarn. Is it ever "enough"? And if not, what do I do with it???)

If nothing else I've had a lovely time knitting with Island Blue. It is a color I don't mind knitting a 2nd project with at all.

supervisor cat sez:

UR SEAMING IT WRONG.