The Knitting Knotebook

Trouble Has Arrived

Baby Girl M, born Wednesday, May 6th, 11.33am, 6 pounds, 4 ounces, 19 3/4 inches and perfect in every way.

Where has the time gone?

Anyone know?

Let's see, since I last posted, I've almost finished the cardi I talked about in my last post. I need to deal with the collar, but I just don't have the patience right now. Shanti and I came up with a plan for how to deal with it, but I just can't focus on anything bigger than socks right now. My current goal is to be able to wear the cardi when it gets cool again in the fall. Plenty of time, right? Because I don't have anything else going on this spring/summer...

I did, however, finish a pair of socks.

 

I'm calling these the Grapevine Socks. The yarn is from last year's Socks that Rock Club, and the stitch pattern is from one of Barbara Walker's books, cleverly called "grapevine lace". The picture seems a bit more blue than purple, but trust me, the yarn is purple.

I've started a new pair using some tomato red Koigu, using the Nine-to-Five Sock pattern. Haven't taken any pictures yet, sorry.  But I'm rather pleased with how they're turning out. I did reduce the number of stitches I cast on (from 72 to 64) because I like a snug fit to my socks. I'm just 12 rows from starting the heel, which is what drew me to the pattern in the first place.

And in baby news, only 4 more weeks to go, although I will not be surprised if Trouble decides to come early. Although I would appreciate it if s/he would mind waiting until May 1st.

Happy New (?) Year

I guess 2009 really isn't all that new anymore, is it? Sorry for the radio-silence. I'm not sure I really have an excuse beyond the fact that I just didn't have a whole lot to say.

That said, know what is new?

My February Lady Sweater. Not the best picture -- I took it just before leaving for work earlier this week, but it's the best I have right now. The yarn (Mondial Super Wool) GREW when I blocked it, so it's nice and long (read: it covers my ever growing hips). I had to tack the cuffs up a bit because otherwise they would have gone way past my fingers. And even though I like nice long sleeves, even that was a bit much. The buttons were from my Grandmothers button stash.

Still no pictures of the newly blocked Origami Cardi. I'm so glad I did block it, because the armholes fit so much better than before. You'll just have to trust me on this one.

I've started a new sweater -- Linear by Norah Gaughan  -- I'm using some Rowan Wool Cotton (in "Lavish") that I had in stash. Plus 4 extra balls that I had to order because otherwise I wouldn't have had enough. I started to panic when I saw that the color had been discontinued, but thanks to the interwebs, and Yarns Unlimited, I found the extra that I needed. The best part? It's the same dyelot! Excellent! I'd share pictures, but there's nothing much to see at this point. Just a whole lot of stocking stitch with some ribbing at the bottom. Also, I haven't taken any pictures, but that's just a minor technicality, that's all.

In local(ish) non-knitting news, unlike Shanti, I'll be staying far FAR away from the inauguration festivities this weekend. While I would like to take part -- it is history after all -- I just can't deal with all the crazy logistics that will need to go into trying to actually get there. Also, while I will be at work, it will be way warmer there than it will be outside on the National Mall, or on Pennsylvania Avenue, or really, anywhere in DC that isn't inside.

Also, how crazy is it that this

 

Is in this?

Whoosh

Where did October (and most of November) go? It seems like such a blur now.

It's okay though, because while I've been gone, I've been making stuff.

I finished the Origami Cardi, but keep forgetting to take pictures (and it's upstairs and well, I'm not). I think I like how it turned out. I'm debating about wet blocking it because I feel like the armholes are a titch too tight. I'll try it on again at some point and decide then.

I finished Mr Knotebook's birthday socks. A few weeks late, but I don't think he minded the wait.

I had him try them on for a photo shoot before I wove in the ends, and he decided not to take them off. I think he likes them!

Quick recap: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in "Black Watch", 2.5 mm needles, cast on 70 stitches, k3p2 ribbing.

After I finished the Cardi, I decided to start the February Lady Sweater. I'm using Mondial Superwool in a sort of dusty grey blue color and 5.0mm needles. I'm only a few repeats into the lace pattern, but so far, I'm very pleased with how it is turning out.

Last week, Mr Knotebook and I (along with some friends) went to see the Steelers play the Redskins at FedEx Field. When we arrived (after kickoff -- traffic was TERRIBLE), the Steelers were down by 6. By the end, however, they were up by 17.

(Click to see the score.)

Here's a view from our seats:

(I zoomed in as far as I could for this picture. If you click on it, you might be able to see Big Ben.)

So I'm feeling a little socked-out right now, so I think I'm going to take a break and just work on the sweater. If I need some travel knitting, maybe I'll start a quicky scarf or something, but for now, I'm just going stick with one knitting project. Especially since I have an even bigger project in the works.

(Trouble. Due to be finished in May, 2009)

Figures

As I was nearing the end of the second front (and the last piece) of the Origami Cardi, I started to panic. It was looking more and more likely that I would have to break into a third hank of the Brooks Farm Four Play. I was hoping to avoid that, but in the end, it was inevitable.

This is in the middle of row 81. Row 82 was the last row before I had to bind off. Figures. So I carefully wound off just enough (well, a little bit more than enough) to finish the last 2.5 rows. Now the pieces need to be lightly blocked before I can start seaming.

In other news, we had a house guest this weekend: Katie. The rest of her family was off at a wedding, so we said we'd look after her. She's one of the best house guests we've ever had. Well, she was up until this morning, when this happened as I was reading the paper:

I guess she likes the Style Section.

And just so the other Kids don't feel left out, here are some recent photos:

[Ana is clearly ready for her close up.]

[Indie is bored. Or unimpressed. Or just his normal sad self.]

[And Scannie is just too tired to deal with anyone.]

Year 7

There are defining moments in our lives, that everyone can relate to because we can all share a story about where we were or what we were doing at that moment. And we all come together because we all shared a similar experience, no matter how different that experience was. I remember coming home from school when Ronald Reagan was shot and not being allowed to watch television because our housekeeper thought I was too young to watch. I remember being in school the day the Challenger blew up: it was a snow day for the public schools, but the middle school I went to was open; I remember watching the news on a small television in the cafeteria; our science teacher had applied to be on the shuttle. I remember where I was when the World Trade Center was attacked the first time and wondering why the firemen walking through my college dorm weren't downtown helping. And I remember where I was when the Murrow Building was bombed in Oklahoma City.

And I most definitely remember where I was and what I was doing on September 11, 2001. I remember the nausea as I watched the first tower fall. I remember the numbness when I couldn't get in touch with my parents after hearing that a plane had gone down in "western Pennsylvania." I remember running home from work, up hill, carrying my sneakers in my gym bag because it never occurred to me to change my shoes. And I remember the feeling of utter relief when my Aunt finally got through to me on the phone -- she had been trying for over an hour. And I remember Scan sitting on the bed with me while we watched the news, not touching me, but just close enough so I knew she was there. And I remember Rabbi White explaining on Rosh Hashana, that we were all sitting Shiva and that's why it felt the way it did.

I remember other things too. I remember the first time I saw the changed skyline of New York City. And the smell of what we now refer to as Ground Zero. And the rebuilding of the Pentagon (if only everything in the Government worked as quickly or as smoothly). I remember the memorial service I went to on the first anniversary. And the lunch I had with friends later that day. And I remember the phone call I got from my parents that night -- they were in China and it was already September 12th where they were. And I remember Flight 93 every time I drive on the Pennsylvania Turnpike because, if I want to, I can take a tour of the crash site. And I remember the second anniversary and how on that day, I decided how I would commemorate the day from then on. And so tomorrow I will remember again. And I will commemorate in my own way with my thoughts and with those I love. And I hope that you will do the same, together, in your own way.

Added September 11, 2007: I was able to go to Ground Zero in June of this year, and while I knew it would look and smell and feel different, I was surprised in a way at just how different it was. I marveled at just how quiet that whole area is -- I've never heard New York that quiet. For the most part people were respectful and quiet and reverent. (There were those few who were selling "souvenirs" -- they were admonished by my friends when approached. Thankfully, no one came up to me.) But the thing that got me most was not my visit to the actual site, but to the top of the Empire State Building. I don't think I truly appreciated the change in the skyline until I was standing at the top of what is now the tallest building in NYC, looking south.

New Socks

After a week of trial and error, I've finally found the right pattern and the right yarn for Mr Knotebook's 2008 Birthday Socks.

Lorna's Lace's Shepherd Sport in "Black Watch."

Simple 3 by 2 rib on 2.5mm needles.

I'm planning on carrying the ribbing down the whole sock. When I get to the foot, I'll transfer the stitches so that the top of the foot starts and ends with a p1.

Work continues on the Origami Cardi -- I just have one more front and the seaming to do.

I Really Should Update More Often

So, here we go. In no specific order. [Click project name for more details.]

Rainbow Socks:

Simple Knitted Bodice:

 

Vine Lace Socks:

Origami Cardi:

[The color in the picture is somewhat washed out. It's not this light in real life.]

Next up: Mr. Knotebook's birthday socks and an as-yet-to-be-determined lace project.

Still Here

I've even been knitting. I finished the Lacey Lattice Stole just after we got back from the beach. I would have finished it before we left, but the second edge was giving me a hard time, so I put it away so it could think about what it had done.

[Here it is just off the needles. Scan seemed to be unimpressed.]

[Here it is blocking on the floor of the guest room.]

I haven't made much progress on the Vine Lace Socks. I've been ignoring them in favor of finishing the Simple Knitted Bodice before the Olympics start so I can work on Torino again [I haven't picked up Torino since the end of the 2006 Winter Olympics]. I wove in the last end of the SKB about a half hour ago. I'll take pictures after I block it.

Speaking of the Olympics, we're gearing up here at Chez Knotebook. We'll be watching the Opening Ceremonies on Friday with friends while eating Chinese food [What? It seems appropriate]. And now that I've got the SKB done, I'll be solely be working on Torino over the two weeks. Only to put it down again until the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.

Back to Reality

We spent last week at the beach [Cape Hatteras, NC] and now we're back and having to face reality once again. We spent time at the beach, in the sound, learning how to crochet, going to Ocracoke Island, eating, splashing in the pool, drinking, and of course laughing.

Here are some pictures from the week:

[Open shell in the sound. Just feet from our house.]

[Sunset.]

[That's the first Vine Lace Sock. Finished in the car on the way down to the beach. I'm only about 30 rows into the second one.]

[View of the ocean from our house.]

I'm not sure I was ready to come back.