Gidget Casts On

In The Loop

Just bound off my new Paris Loop, and I've been wearing it ever since - - have I mentioned lately how much I love this thing?

I took a few liberties with Stefanie's terrific pattern; because I was enjoying the loopiness of the purl stitches so much, I purled the whole thing. I also made it a bit smaller than the pattern specs, being a small girl. Once again, I'm on the fence about blocking it - - the neck rolls in a bit, but it's not bothering me much right now. I'll probably just wear it as is. And wear it and wear it and wear it...

Loopy Lo-o-o-o-ve

Imagine the above title, if you will, purred directly into your ear by the late Maestro, Mr. Barry White. That should give you an idea of the state this latest project has put me in. Seriously, I haven't fallen this hard for a Knit Object since...well, ever, actually. I'm bowled over by the yarn; the texture, the color, the way it's knitting up...I can't finish this fast enough. The pattern pic in no way prepared me for the luscious loopiness of the purls:

Pix were taken Sunday, during the Martian's first trip to Central Park. We had a grand old time feeding ducks,

cheering the dancing robots,

and visiting the petting zoo for the first time, of which I sadly have no pictures because I had my hands full with the Martian trying to climb the fence so he could hug the llama. I was REALLY disappointed by the sheep, which were so dirty and matted that they looked like they'd been carelessly felted. Though I was pleasantly surprised to see a couple of my personal favorites, the Jacob Sheep. I've mentioned them before - I found out about them through eBay, of all places, when I was searching for handspun yarn. I found some offa these critters, and fell in love when I saw my first picture. Apparently, they can have two or three sets of horns, which vary dramatically in size, shape, curliness...they're bizarre, spectacular animals. The zoo specimens were a little dusty and unspectacular, but I was glad to see them just the same.

But back in the Loop; it really is a wonderful pattern, and the yarn (Gedifra Cicco) is great fun to work with. G'wan, check out Froggy's finished version in red. See what I'm saying? Lo-o-o-o-o-o-o-py. Lo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ve.

I'm hung up - no doubt.

Like Lightning

Which we saw quite a bit of this afternoon, but I'm referring to the speed of this post, which I'm squeezing in as the Martian is finishing up a very late lunch (or an early dinner, depending on your perspective.) But I had to put up pix of the (finally) finished baby sweater. It's my first top-down raglan - hell, it's my first completed sweater EVER. And I'm pretty darn pleased with it. Long shot first:

And a close-up, giving you some of the detail in the raglan increases (and the buttons, which are pretty frickin' cute if I do say so m'self.)

The pattern is 'Tasia's Cardigan', purchased from the Michigan Masters of Mayhem, using slightly less than 4 skeins of Classic Elite Flash in Monterey Magenta. The size is supposed to be 6-12 months (and yes, my measurements match those in the pattern,) and all I have to say is that's gotta be one big, honking 6 month old. The Martian could just about fit this, and he's pushing 22 months, god help us.

And now I have to go, as there appears to be a Brown Rice Bath in progress at the far end of the living room.

In My Head

Please bear with me - - I'm nursing the mother of all head colds, and may consequently be a bit fuzzy in my logic (and don't think I didn't hear that 'Mah Nish'tanah?' from you in the back.)

To catch up on last week's teasers, I had a lovely lunch with Jenn at Swagat, which might well have the best Indian food this side of Queens. Subtly flavored, succulent entrees, veg and non-veg options amply represented. I can't get enough of this place, and it seems as though every time someone comes a-visiting for lunch, this is where we go. And since one can never tell how long any New York restaurant will be around, best to make the most of it while you can. My favorite dishes (so far) are the Lamb Saagwalah (with 'spinach gravy') and the Chicken Hariyali with fenugreek.

Sublime, just sublime.

We had a mini-yarn exchange, too; she jenn-erously offered me a skein of R2 Paper in yummy pink (which'll stripe nicely with the boring grey I chose for Tasty,) while I brought her some Boa and Fun Fur in sober Soho black.

I'd like to tell you more about the Sock Mafia, but then they'd have to kill me, or at least hide a sheep's head under my duvet. Suffice to say that I've been feeling some subtle pressure to get the hell over my stupid sock-fear, pick up a coupla circs and the Bible and let fly. OK, the book's been ordered and the yarn's on deck - just a couple of things to finish up and then I'm ready to jump.

What's to finish? Well, there's a secret gift for a coworker whose wife is about to have a baby - like, tomorrow. So, um, I'm cutting it a little close, but it's almost done, really. Even if I miss the birth, the gift is sized for 6-12 months, so it's not like they'll be needing it right away. Still, I have to get it done so I can start on my fall projects, first of which are two patterns by the talented Stefanie: Paris Loop and the Boobholder.

OK, now that REALLY sounds like a bad '70's movie, possibly a prequel to "The Duchess and the Dirtwater Fox." Which I actually saw in Israel many years ago, though with the amusingly translated title of "The Princess and The Naughty Person."

Movie titles and dialogue often translate with unintentionally hilarious results; since I don't speak many languages well, I only tend to notice it in English subtitles, though I'm sure there are plenty of howlers going the other way. This website has a list of English subtitles from films made in Hong Kong that are pretty dang funny - here's a small sampling.

* I am damn unsatisfied to be killed in this way.
* Fatty, you with your thick face have hurt my instep.
* Gun wounds again?
* Same old rules: no eyes, no groin.
* A normal person wouldn't steal pituitaries.
* Damn, I'll burn you into a BBQ chicken!
* Take my advice, or I'll spank you without pants.

I seem to remember a website that contained a database of American film releases and the titles they ended up with when distributed in foreign countries, but I can't seem to find it. Anyone know what I'm talking about? Or is it an anti-histamine-induced hallucination?

Mail Is Good

Especially if you're taking part in umpteen crafty swaps. Yesterday I received this little treasure trove from my Secret Pal 2 Secret Pal (shhhhhh!)

Look just a wee bit closer at the name on that box of yummy green and white tea...

That just cracked me up. I love the flip-flops - though the Martian was pretty quick to claim a pair for himself. Heck, I love everything here - thanks, SP!

For my Craftster Swap (courtesy of the talented Jennie), I got a wonderful bag made from some beautifully trippy fabric:

and a very adorable magnet:

and some yummy incense, too. Finally, I got a nifty Booga kit from my Knitty Secret Pal (Swap I):

Amazingly enough, this might be the one shade of Kureyon that I DON'T already have. Fabulous colors, and gorgeous, gorgeous fabric suitable for lining. Thank you, KSP!

There's so much more I'd love to report, but it's far too late and I'm much too sleepy. Tomorrow I'll tell you all about my Argentinian yarn haul, chicken vindaloo with the Nipper, and the Brooklyn Sock Mafia.

Ah, wouldn't you like to know.

Knitting's Big Bang

Every day there's a new reason to thank your divinity of choice (or Al Gore) for the internet. Without it, I never would have seen yesterday's Port Townsend Leader Online, which had a truly amazing story about a local woman who apparently was knitting so fast that one of her needles exploded.

If for no other reason, go there NOW to see an amazing photo of the blasted needle.

I'm considering switching to bamboo. Though I guess if you really knit fast enough you could start a small fire, or send small splinters flying every which way (and who can hear their mother saying RIGHT NOW, "You'll put your eye out with that thing!")

Going, Going...

Newly vibrant yarnhead Cari has a lovely, thoughtful post about the fleeting nature of summer when you're an adult, how it never seems as blissfully long as when you're just a kid. Which makes it difficult to accomplish all the things one sets for oneself to do over the course of those few months; books to read (or write), art to make, and all those gorgeous lightweight yarns begging to be knit up. Impossible, really, to get everything done before the first leaves hit the ground in September.

But hang on a minute; when you're seven or eight or nine and summer is years and years of time, how much do you actually 'accomplish'? Is accomplishment in the number of fireflies caught (and freed, of course), the gallons of ice cream consumed, the pounds of sand carted home from the beach in your underwear? Childhood summer was never so much about getting things done as it was about just basking in the long, humid days. Celebrating them with all your senses, even if you were just lying in a drowsy heap on a blanket in the backyard, listening to distant lawnmowers and insect buzz. It's been too long since I had a single summer day like that, without even thinking about the thousand things I SHOULD be doing.

Speaking of which, I believe I mentioned a little while back that I might be a little...let's say...fond...of swaps (and that pounding you hear in the background would be the Understatement Police banging on my door.) At last count, I'm taking part in, uh, six.

That's right, SIX separate swaps. That would include:

1. A year-long Secret Craftster swap
2. Knitty Secret Pals 1
3. Knitty Secret Pals 2
4. The Heidi-hosted Secret Pals 2
5. Stateswap Fall Swap of Mystery
6. Erica's Candy Exchange

Oh, and there are a couple of stash redistributions I'm involved in as well. OK, so I've had to set up an Excel chart to keep track of what's going where and when it went out, but I truly love the whole business of shopping for someone, putting little packages together, figuring out what your recipient might like...and, of course, getting fun things in the mail is just dandy, too. There's actually a Secret Pals 3 forming right now, if you'd like to try some swappage yourself.

I finally got around to seaming the Deco Ribbon top. The pattern is from Downtown Yarns, though the color distribution is mine.

The rear view:

It took a little less than 4 balls to make, and was a very easy pattern. It hasn't responded as well as I'd hoped to the Mental Block (see July 29th's entry), and I'd prefer it to be a wee bit longer, so I think I'll break out the Dos Equis and have me a little block party this weekend.

I'm Kvelling

Only 21 months old, and already he's mastered knitting on 2 circs.

OK, so he didn't really do much more than tap the needles together, but it's a step in the right direction.

Not much going on around here, I've been feeling a bit blah-ed out lately. I finished a baby hat in Summer Mistral, which was a quick and satisfying project and only took about half a skein.

Oh, and I visited the new yarn store in Hoboken where, I'm pleased to say, the owner had NOT been frightened off by my overly effusive welcome message, and was in fact very gracious and helpful. Right now they have a nice stock of Manos, Cascade and Rowan yarns, and she says they'll probably be adding more based on demand. In the spirit of supporting a new business and...ah, screw it - some pink Manos leaped off the shelf into my arms begging to become a mini-sweater; I want to make this N-O-W, though Stephanie's Rowanesque photo shoot is a tough act to follow.

I think I'm gonna go crawl into bed now with the remaining sleeve of Frida and see if I can't wrap this up before I succumb to the call of the boobholder.

'Call of the Boobholder' - one of the lesser-known films by Russ Meyer?

Squeeeee!

I hadn't even dared to hope that this might someday happen; I have an LYS again!!!

Granted, I work in New York City and am lucky enough to have access to some truly great yarn stores in a variety of neighborhoods, but ever since the wonderful Handknits left Hoboken for the greener pastures (and more commodious retail space) of Englewood, I've been without a yarn store that was close to home. It makes a difference, you know? The idea of someplace I can walk to on weekends, drop by in the evenings...I'm going all tingly just thinking about it. Mind you, I haven't even seen the place yet - a coworker handed me one of their flyers a few minutes ago - but I don't even care. It's called Patricia's Yarns, and I just left them a slightly (maybe more than slightly) hysterical message of welcome that hopefully will not backfire and frighten them off.

And I just received an email which I'm posting in its entirety for your general amusement:

At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated, "If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25.00 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon."

In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release stating: If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics (and I just love this part):

1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day.

2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car.

3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.

4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.

5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on only five percent of the roads.

6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single "This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation" warning light.

7. The airbag system would ask "Are you sure?" before deploying.

8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.

9. Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.

10. You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off.

What A Long, Strange Trip It's Been

It's been three days since the Martian and I returned from the Ohio jaunt, and I'm just starting to shake off the effects. I don't know if it was the proliferation of pork products, the complete absence of fresh greens (unless you count iceberg lettuce, which I don't), the Chief Wahoo tattoos, or the teenage dad-to-be nephew slinging barbs with his pregnant (and hugely overweight) girlfriend, but I came away from visiting the husband's family in a fog of unreality that's only just lifting. Don't get me wrong, they're sweet, decent people who've always been very kind to me (and truly love the little Martian). I'd hate to think I'm being a snob or a judgemental elitist, because that's an attitude that runs rampant through the Orthodox circles in which I grew up, and I've always despised it. Still, there were plenty of moments over the weekend where I found myself thinking, "What's WITH you people?"

I did manage to get a fair amount of work done on Frida ; I'm down to the sleeves, and hope to finish and attach them tonight. Once that's done, I want to get back to the Euroflax sweater, which still needs a sleeve and a third, and then I have a couple of baby gifts to crank out by next week. And since my Secret Craftster is now in possession of her gift, I can post the pix:

My first pair of mittens! It's a 2-needle pattern that I found here and I used about 2/3 of a skein of Patons Divine in Orangina. I forsee several more pairs on my needles this fall; I love the fuzziness and the Patons palette. Yes siree, I'm definitely ready to put aside my summer yarns and take up the wool again - Dog Days be damned!

I'm giving up on finding a graceful segue to this next photo, because I don't think there is one.

Mummified Boston Market, anyone? Apparently, someone in ancient Egypt wanted to make sure that whatever might happen in the afterlife, he'd at least have a home-cooked meal. Guess they couldn't figure out how to preserve the mashed potatoes and biscuits with gravy.