Sunday, May 31, 2009

One of my titles at The Tangled Web (other than Assistant Yarn Detangler, Executive Pattern Decoder, Chief Stitch Picker-Upper) is Executive Director of Educational Programs. Ha ha - not really, but if I ever look for another job, that's going on my resume. In reality, I'm in charge of choosing and organizing classes and Knit-Alongs at the store. It is a wonderful and endlessly fascinating job, but after 7 years sometimes Mary and I just stare blankly at each other and have no ideas at all.

We had a moment like this the other day and finally Mary, in her brilliant way, said, "Go downstairs and look through the old magazines, Maybe we have 6 [class limit] copies of something." This was a great idea. We had 6 copies of last winter's Interweave Knits (how can that be?). So I went home and pulled out my copy and got knitting.

First this, Harvard Square Cap by Sean Kelly, in Cascade 128:

This was an interesting pattern - the swirls are made by carrying a 2nd color and picking it up in a left twist every 5 stitches. Look at the top:

Neat, eh? This would be a great class - quick project with an interesting TWIST! Get it?

I also made this, Handsome Mittens by Cheryl Niamath in Berroco Peruvia (one of my all-time favorite yarns, I have dozens of skeins lying around, so this was a perfect use-up for two.):
[oops - picture coming!]

The interesting texture is because they're worked in reverse stockinette - purled every row. I could have worked them inside out so I could have knit every row, but I thought for once I'd actually follow the ding-dang pattern. These would also make a good class because they're quick and fairly interesting (it's weird to purl every row and you change colors every row), but I'll probably choose the hat because it looks more interesting in a picture. I adore these mittens though.

I also want to bring in more crochet classes, which Lucia teaches. These are more problematic, since I don't crochet really well, but I am so taken with amigurumi animals these days that I bought a pattern, pulled out a crochet hook and some yarn and got going. Here is the result, Tiny Acorn by Anna Paula Rimoli:

Aaaaaggghhhh!! That face! So cute!! It actually needs to be worked on a smaller hook so that it looks not so, uh, crocheted. But it's a good start. And if I could do it, anyone could.

I'm still chugging along on the Lady Eleanor Stole, but had to take a break because I ran out of yarn and am waiting for more to arrive. Fwiw, learning to knit and purl backwards is one of the most useful things I've ever learned. If you ever take on an entrelac project, dear reader, I strongly urge you to figure it out - it's not hard, but it's so weird I think it must be great for your brain.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

One more White House photo, for clarification:

For Dad, yes, there's Romero, behind the trophy. And Utley behind him. And Coste and Lopes still do not have ties on.

Now, in knitting news - I've started a Lady Eleanor Stole. We're doing this project as the September/October Knit-Along at the Tangled Web this fall and we need to have a sample. I thought maybe there was something complicated about it, but it's basically just a big honking entrelac rectangle. Entrelac is fun - it's mindless once you get going, but something is always going on. I also taught myself to knit backwards so I don't have to keep turning it around after every 8 stitches. And that is a very useful skill to acquire! Here it is, in its unblocked baggy glory:

I'm using some Noro Silk Garden that I bought up in New York. I definitely do not love how it is pooling in big splotches of green. I love this colorway of Silk Garden - black, charcoal grey, green and blue. But I'm not going to do anything about the pooling - down that road lies Crazy Town, and I'm not going there..

I finished my February Lady Sweater, wore it to work, felt eh about it and gave it to my friend and co-worker Carole after she asked to try it on for size. She looked great in it, so why not? Look at her!! It's perfect on her!


American Idol finale tonight! I would have voted for Kris but I couldn't get through and then I fell asleep. I hope he doesn't lose by 5 votes - that would be my fault.*

*he won - the other ONE HUNDRED MILLION people who voted got me off the hook.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Okay, here are some great images. The Phillies went to the White House to meet the President!!! I'm so proud of my team and my president. But Coste and Lopes - you go to the White House and you can't even put on a tie????!!!!! That's just wrong. I mean, look how gorgeous the rest of the guys look! Look at Milt Thompson, next to Lopes, working the light-colored tie - he looks amazing! Even Gillick, with his crazy red Willy Wonka tie looks great. Hrmph. Got that out of my system...


When universes collide! Here are the two greatest Americans from October-November 2008:


He looks like he could play! (He's probably the same age as Moyer!)

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Reason To Patronize Your Local Fast Food Purveyor

Gus stayed home "sick" today - at 8:45 he came into the room and said, "Can we go to Burger King for lunch?" (which apparently he associates with staying home from school when he's "sick"; being the ideal parent that I am, I somehow have allowed this to happen...) But then we got this:

When you press the button on his back, he says "Kirk to Enterprise". And it is awesome.

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Soggy Spring

Poor Coach Matt! He's been desperately trying to get his many PMP Orioles rain-cancelled practices rescheduled. But then those rescheduled practices get cancelled because of the rain. I don't usually mind a sprinkle or two, but c'mon, Mother Nature, give us a break already! [please note that in approximately one week I'll be complaining about how hot and sunny it is...]

In the middle of a particularly dicey Phillies game last week I took down my Phillies flag and put up the American flag. Raul Ibanez promptly hit a home run and the Phillies haven't lost since. You're welcome, Philadelphia Phillies.

I've been sort of floundering, knitting-wise. I finished Lucia's baby tank, which was really fun, and then got stuck. I finished the body of the February Lady Sweater and was not sure it was long enough, but since it's knit from the top down, I'm not sweating it since I can always add length on later if I need to. So I started one of the sleeves last night. They're extremely pleasant to knit because there's no increasing or decreasing. No wonder this sweater is so popular. I'd like to make some variation of it with a stockinette body I think. Someday. Here's a progress shot - I've finished one sleeve.
 
I also wanted to show you the super-awesome buttons I settled on (from Granny's Sewing Den in Glenside, which has a great button selection), but they are not to be found. Gus and I searched every inch of the house and I can't find them! Where did they go?? I just bought them 2 days ago and they're gone. Of course, if I go and buy replacement buttons they will immediately show up. Hrmph.....%&$*(% magic button-stealing house elves....

I feel itchy to start a new fun project, but with the TNNA show a month away I feel like I should be knitting Momogus stuff. But there's not much I can do in a month. I did start and finish this:
It's a ruffled neckwarmer that I think will be a fall Momogus Knits pattern. I'd like to do a ribbed one for a guy and sell them together. Neckwarmers rule.

Gus and I watched "American Idol" raptly last night. The guest mentor was Slash. Yes, Slash. Laura and I were debating whether Slash has become that uncool or AI has become that cool. Perhaps they're meeting in the middle, coolness-wise. I was hoping Adam would sing "Paradise City", but he sang "Whole Lotta Love", which is not my favorite Led Zeppelin song. It was okay. My favorite Kris looked overwhelmed and chose a Beatles song ("Come Together" - also not my favorite Beatles song) which seemed unwise. He did okay, but I fear that he is gone.*

(*nope - he was safe!! yippeeeee!)

Saturday, May 02, 2009

testing....

I did a May Day post yesterday, but it never showed up. What's up with that??

Friday, May 01, 2009

Happy May Day .....

....from my epimediums to you!