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| a bit of a break... | | Date Created: Mar 16, 2005, 07:22 PM |
Hello, all. I have no idea how many peruse this blog on a regular basis (and I thank all of you that do) but due to a family emergency, Postcards from Cleveland will be taking a short hiatus.
Hopefully, we'll have more posts soon...you can subscribe to bloglines in the meantime by clicking that nice little button in the right margin.
Take care, all, and keep on knittin'!
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| Funkee Hat! | | Date Created: Mar 09, 2005, 07:54 PM |
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| So, this is the newest addition to the hat family...the funkee hat! My dear friend Cora, with whom I share an insatiable appetite for all things Malabrigo, knit me this little ditty. I sent her a link to the yarn, as I do most days to further enable her yarn habit, slyly believing she would make a pair of socks from it. Ah, how wrong I was...but delighted that I received such a wonderful gift. I recently received a big puffy coat from The Ceramist and the greens match spot on, so now I will be brightly appointed for the winter months...(and given that winter is not leaving Cleveland anytime soon, I'll keep my noggin toasty warm!). |
| A treasure trove... | | Date Created: Mar 06, 2005, 12:26 PM |
 Last week, The Ceramist and I went home to see my parents and bring my mom some cheer (remember...February sucks). While there, I decided to rummage through some of her crafting boxes. My mom is one of those people who crafted...actually, she didn't craft so much as churn....the master of sewing, crocheting, knitting, crewelwork, cross-stitch...one of those people. And, given that enormous amount of skill, she has a library to match, but I never remember any knitting books...except for this... |
Yes, that is Knitting without Tears, and just any KWT, but a first edition from 1971, with and intact dust cover. I stood in the basement dumbfounded. Just where was this book when I was struggling with nasty acrylic on pink aluminum needles in 1976? And again in 1982? And when I finally took up knitting for good in 1995?
Mom said she forgot about it...and quite honestly, I can believe it. She has quite the treasures in the basement...and there are 10 boxes of yarn to peruse at the next visit. Stay tuned...we used to live by a Phildar store in the early 80's... |
| Ribbed... | | Date Created: Mar 02, 2005, 06:15 PM |
 Ahhh....the Diagonal Rib sock. Ask not why I decided to try my hands at socks with this pattern, a bit challenging for the novice socker. Having missed signing up for Sockapalooza (several times), I decided to start my own sock fest, since I can take these to work and knit them easily. And, having seen Julia work her own magic with footwear, I decided I need a challenge (Hey, if the woman can knit Kilronan for her FIRST sweater, I can stop with the scarves already!)
So, my choice? Diagonal Rib Socks, by Ann Budd, for Interweave Knits Subscriber-Only web section.
The details:
Yarn: Kroy Socks in Hickory
Needles: Clover US2 dpns
The Pattern:
Quick learning curve with regard to the rib. The first inch, I was not convinced I would like the pattern. However, once the leg began to appear, I was convinced. I would NOT recommend knitting with the "new" Kroy Socks...it frayed rather easily, stuck to itself more than not (or knot), and was generally annoying. That said, I'm just one inch into Sock 2 and a bit frustrated. However, I like the pattern and the finished product, so I will persevere!
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| Sock it to me, baby! | | Date Created: Feb 28, 2005, 05:58 PM |
So, no recent posts for awhile...my apologies. I've had some family issues (at some time more info) and then the gals came in for the weekend...yes, five women, one yarn store...who knew the detructive tendencies! We've now converted one (welcome to the club, Jennifer), watched another driven to quilting, bought wonderful retro scarves with wild abandon, and made the Ceramist our lacky for a few days, which he did with much aplumb and enthusiasm.
I'd love to post pictures, but somehow with all the shopping and excellent dining, we forgot, despite having 3 digital cameras and one DVR -- d'oh! I'm hoping that the ladies will send pictures of their works, be it in progress or otherwise...oh wait...here's one. Yup, got to see the booties go through multiple gauges, sizes -- all cute as a dickens!
Now, I also was privy to the Koigu KPPM as used here...very nice, I must say. The online pictures do not do it justice, and the other colors pop much more than the yellow; it seems a nice contrast rather than a Rastafarian manifesto.
After seeing the yarn, the socks, and knowing that my dear friend Cora Lee made enough [wonderful] socks to make life worth living, I decided that I should stop imaging myself knitting footwear and just do it. |
| Critters, Part Two | | Date Created: Feb 16, 2005, 08:46 PM |
 This is the canine component of the group, Ada. She's holding her piggie, a 13-yr old stuffed toy my mother gave me for Easter one year (Yes, it's the Easter Pig). Ada loves her pig, almost as much as she loves the cats. And let me tell you, those cats are loved, despite all their effort to the contrary. |
 This is Ada when she was a puppy. (Isn't she cute?) We adopted her from the local shelter; her litter had just been placed into the cages. When we opened the cage, she walked right up to us and licked our noses. She came home with us that day. She slept for the first week of her life with the Ceramist and me. She hasn't slept since. |
 She's part Golder Retriever, part German Shepard, part Plain Brown Dog. Not too big, about 40 lbs. We love her, but she's not a rocket scientist. Her three favorite items in the world are snow, cheese, and Edison. (Suffice it to say, Edison does not share those favorites.)
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 Gulliver tolerates Ada and will even take a lick or two. However, like the cat he is, Gulliver believes Ada is beneath him.
More on yarn (and other goodies) in the next few days.... |
| So, when you're upset... | | Date Created: Feb 15, 2005, 05:28 PM |
 Knit garter stitch scarves!
Yup, nothing says I need to keep my hands busy like garter stitch. How to make it interesting? Ahh....Ironstone's Boquet of Flowers (78% mohair, 13% wool, 9% nylon) in Rambler (sorry, I can't find a good link). The scarf on the left is knit in garter stitch on US15, knit 11 stitches to 30 inches for...another scarflet.
The scarflet on the right was knit on US11, with 101 stitches to 5 rows in garter, eyelet, 2 rows, 5 rows in garter, then cast off! Easy and quick!
These scarves add to the other FIVE scarflets currently adorning people's necks...these, too, will go to those who need some fiber candy. |
| When you can't be with one you love... | | Date Created: Feb 14, 2005, 05:30 PM |
 Wind the one you're with!
OK, onto a better post...here's some yummy yarn for those of you on a yarn diet...since I haven't been as stash-happy as most, I've been buying some more "splurge yarn" for some projects in the works.
Bottom row: The lovely alpaca yarn from my mom...she's so awesome! I still have that delightful smell on my fingers!
Row 2: 2nd Time Cotton in Irish Linen from K1C2. I'm planning on knitting Aibhlinn from this fun stuff.
Row 3: Supermerino by ArtYarns in color 114 --Socks? Scarf? Any thoughts?
Row 4: Supermerino by ArtYarns in color 101 -- Anklets, I think. I only have 2 skeins. |
| There's more to come...and that means more winding! |
- Knitting > When you can't be with one you love...
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| February sucks. | | Date Created: Feb 13, 2005, 02:06 PM |
February sucks and I'll say it again. Don't ask, it just does.
And I'm not blaming the rodent...he has nothing to do with it.
Oh, and if you're ever knitting in a hosptial, don't be trying to finish a pattern to which you must have some semblance of attention. Bring a garter stitch scarf. Otherwise, you'll be in the pond with all the other frogs.... |
| 6 more weeks...Ptooey! | | Date Created: Feb 06, 2005, 09:46 AM |
 Who cares what the rodent says...it's time to start thinking spring! However, if warmth is a concern, how 'bout some nice, warm KidSilk Haze in a springy color. Look a the yarn, so fresh, so bright -- fun colors like Marmalade, Jelly, Dewberry -- how can you not resist? |
 What to knit? How 'bout an Airy Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts? Light and delicate like spring blooms, and warm as blazes for the next few weeks before spring actually becomes apparent. Hey, Julia approves!
The scarf is an easy knit -- about four hours total, only because I have a pathological need to count my stitches every few rows. I love the book and all the patterns and have now made 4 airy scarves, one chevron scarf, one kerchief, and several other pieces in the works.
Oh, and did I mention that you can get about 3, count 'em, THREE, airy scarves per skein -- c'mon, you can knit one for you and have three additional presents to share!
Embrace the upcoming spring -- start now to wear the bright, fresh colors that say Spring! Don't let the groundhog keep you down!
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| The critters, Part One | | Date Created: Feb 04, 2005, 06:12 PM |
 As the Yarn Harlot stated, it must not be a knitting blog without a cat or two.
Well, I've got two, and they are the cutest darn things on the face of this earth.
The black one is Gulliver and the surly tuxedo is Edison. This is their normal state -- laying on our bed, Gulliver grooming Edison because Edison is lazy, Gulliver loves Edison, and well, Edison loves Gulliver. Sometimes too much, if you know what I mean... |
 Edison, when not being groomed, likes to frequent boxes. What kind of boxes, might you ask (because you know you would) -- any box will do. Like this one... |
 Or perhaps this one...you get the picture. You can't open a box in the house without finding him in it. He's almost been thrown away a few times (much to the Ceramist's delight -- he has a love-hate relationship with the cats). But we rescue him, and, just as before, he climbs into another box.
Gulliver, however, fetches. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of him doing this, but he will play fetch for about 30 minutes, until he tires of it, or Edison needs to be groomed.
Part Two to come... |
| Tag...I'm it. | | Date Created: Feb 02, 2005, 05:40 PM |
 OK, so I've only been blogging for, what, a week, and I'm already tagged for the questions! I'm not certain I should be honored or offended...I'll go with honored, Azuredrake!
1. Total amount of music files on your computer? ITunes says the iMac/iPod contains 721 songs, 8.6 days of music, or 4.21GB. May I also add that I have only placed about 1/3 of my CD collection on the computer. Plus, the 100 or so tapes I really should digitize and load onto the computer. I need more disk space. Donations?
2. The CD you last bought is?
Toni Childs "The Ultimate Collection" -- I couldn't locate "Union" on iTunes Music Store (I'm an addict, really).
3. What is the song you last listened to before
reading this message? The song that is currently stuck in my head? That would be "Free fallin'" by Tom Petty. Real? "Einstein on the Beach" by the Counting Crows.
4. Write down 5 songs you often listen to or that
mean a lot to you.
a. "Penguins" by Lyle Lovett. They are so sentitive...to my needs.
b. "You Get What You Give" by New Radicals ... it just captures the joy of college.
c. "Shelter" by Lone Justice...listen...Maria McKee rocks.
d. "Go Your Own Way" ...Fleetwood Mac...I sing this whenever someway makes me angry. Somedays, I sing this a lot.
e. "Edge of Seventeen" by Stevie Nicks. Stevie rocks.
5. Who are you going to pass this stick to?
a. Julia -- because she'll terrorize me until the end of time.
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| And how much does Mom love me.... | | Date Created: Jan 31, 2005, 02:43 PM |
 This much!
My mother is wonderful. We didn't get to spend Xmas together, due to the inclement weather pervading most of the Midwest, but the package I (we) received had 4, count 'em, 4 skeins of lovely Hooiser-bred alpaca and the cutest sheep ornanment. I thought the sheep needed to be in a heap. Sorry for the no-flash picture, but the others had a bit much glare.
The alpaca was washed in the most lovely smelling wool-wash -- I'm thinking it must be Euclan lavender. Every time I see them, a skein must be smelled in a slow, deliberate manner. And how does one maximize the aromatherapy that is alpaca -- keep the wool on the dining room table. C'mon, who really needs to eat when you have wool... |
- Knitting > And how much does Mom love me....
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| Desert Stash #1 -- Merino | | Date Created: Jan 30, 2005, 04:48 PM |
 Ahhh...Artyarns. I have come to know the beauty, wonder, and peace that is.... Super-Merino! I heard about the yarn through the knittyboard's Clapotis knit-along, although had never seen the yarn in person. After a lengthy search, I was able to locate 5 skeins at my not-so-LYS and snatched them up, all in colorway 101, full of dark blues, purples, and olives.
Yes, this is my merino of choice. Not that I've been exposed to many others -- Mission Falls 1824, Patons Classic, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino, some Brown Sheep from several years ago. And, I still have yet to be exposed to the joy that is Aurora 8 (don't ask). But this is different. Much different. Impressive colors, oh so soft beneath the fingers. Behaves well on aluminum & bamboo. Yum.
And, machine washable. For babies, for moms, for dads, for everyone -- you're all warned.
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| Clapotis... | | Date Created: Jan 30, 2005, 11:57 AM |
 I loved this pattern -- Kate Gilbert is an absolute genius. A simple, yet elegant pattern, fun to knit, fun to drop stitches. I could go on, but I think the web and the knittyboard are completely inundated with reviews of the pattern. And, I really have nothing to add. Rather than reinventing the wheel, let's discuss the yarn, shall we? Novelty Boutone from handpaintedyarns.com |
 The Yarn
Before I go any further, I should probably disclose -- I have absolutely, no fiscal or monetary ties to the company. I just like the yarn and the price.
I discovered this yarn through the Lakewood, OH, SnB when they ordered from Serendipty in South America (their eBay name - the company also sells directly now). I originally bought 10 skeins to make an afghan for The Ceramist (my DH). However, The Ceramist decided there would not be enough contrast with our couch (it's a nice medium-to-dark purple) and I'm left with extra yarn. Oh darn.
The yarn is listed as worsted weight, knits on US8, and knit about 18 st/25 rows on US8. It is composed of 2 colored plies with a cotton thread; one of the plies will become the slub about once every 8-12 inches. Very smooth knitting, despite the slubs.
Each skein is about 260 yds, which I find generous for the price. The hanks were very easy to wind into skeins (a feature that I will revisit in future posts). Note the "buttons" in the picture -- nice, no? They knit well and form lovely little bumps on the surface of the fabric; I can see a multitude of uses -- sweaters, baby blankets, afghans, scarves. Hand wash cold and block; dry with either a super delicate dryer setting or block -- both work well from the test swatch.
I must add, however, that the yarn did have some inconsistencies. Sometimes there were slubs of roving, either where the yarn was not spun or where the button was not fully formed. I would expect this in handspun yarn; it's part of the character. Purists, however, may not appreciate this aspect of the yarn. I noted this about 6 times per skein. I'm not too certain if that is too much or too little, but just note it anyway.
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 Conclusion:
While this is not a Desert Stash yarn (see entry dated 1/30/05), the Novelty Boutone yarn is a fun alternative to DK, with a wide range of uses. I would, and will, use the yarn again, but most likely keep it for scarves or light-weight sweaters.
Thanks for looking! Feedback is always appreciated -- just click on the copyright below for email link. |
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