Love you, Scary Pal 8

This morning (this gloomy Saturday morning) I amused myself with a bit of internet window shopping. Somehow I decided to check out the BUST Magazine homepage. I saw this:

The BUST Boobtique: "She had not yet decided whether to use her power for good...or for evil" Journal

and thought that the caption was pretty much made for me and that I would love to have it.

I swear to you, I had never seen this product line or referred to it in any way. I just loved it at first sight.

Now, here's what the mailwoman brought a few hours later.

Is that scary or what?
SP8, thank you so much for the card! Not only did it absolutely brighten my day and I love it, it also showed me that I must be rather transparent.

Oh, and your last email arrived, too. Only our server thought it would be a good idea to spit out that week's emails in increments of two a day for the next week. This as a dire warning for anyone using my "non-anonymous" email address. It doesn't happen often, but happen it does.

People, do not get excited about the picture. I took it with an ancient webcam (after I couldn't find this particular card anywhere online) and I'm not going through that again for anything except to show y'all the coolness that is my Secret Pal. However, my dad tells me that my camera-less days are numbered, because he sorta fixed it to the point where I can sorta use it until I can buy a new one. We shall see.

Am I the only person who frogs perfectly good FOs, just because I think they would look better if I did something different with them? I did that with the BGK Blueberry Bomb top, because I put a ball of my green and blue Wolletempel yarn on top of it while it was blocking (I was absentminded and the top was dry). On passing the arrangement a while later, I decided that this would be a great colour combination and the border I had done was much too frilly for the summer tweed anyway. Frogging ensued. I was right, it does look much better now. I do this all the time. Also frogged, while I was at it: Waterlily. After reading the great booty post by Crazy Aunt Purl , I came to the conclusion that a) Waterlily's main problem is its upper part and b) even if I starved myself (and believe me, I have done this before), my boobs are just not going anywhere. And they shouldn't have to.

In an amazing fit of willpower, I finished the sleeve of the blue crochet hoodie this week. Now all that's left is the, y'know, hoodie. I don't know why I can't seem to finish this thing. I love the stitch and the yarn and the book the project came from, but still ... Well, I'm not taking it with me to my parents, so maybe next week.

Speaking of which, now comes the fun part: What DO I take with me to my parents? Can't take the Chocolate-Covered Cherry, because it's too big and fidgety at this point. Also because I would finish it during the week and I can't block it at my parents' house, which would drive me nuts :o). Trust me, springing new activities on my dad is not a good idea. He might build a new table if I ask him where I could put my stuff to block. Last week I asked him for an old blanket to put on the floor for my exercises. Immediate hysteria, an hourlong search and plans for buying a new blanket (where? when would he leave? what sort of blanket do I need?), because dear God there wasn't one! I'm not being disparaging, it's a fact. My dad is hanging on by one ply of a thread. But I digress.

Other than the Chocolate-Covered Cherry I don't have anything exciting on the needles right now, except plain vanilla Regia Bamboo socks (still). And socks don't really count. Sooo ... What's next? I'll have to think about that. Not that I'm lacking a "To Knit" list, mind you, I'm just not sure what I'm in the mood for. I'll keep y'all posted (with pictures, I hope).

Typing is done without yarn

And a damn shame it is, too.
Sorry about the nonexistent updates, but between work and not having a working camera, it's been a week that hasn't been too blog-friendly. I'm getting kinda tired of those pictureless descriptions, and my new novel doesn't translate itself, either. A big flaw, if you ask me, I wish authors would think of that.
Since the demise of my dictation sweater - not a long story, it's ugly and the yarn sucks - I haven't been knitting anything at work, because I'm raaather tired of stockinette stitch, which is all I can knit without looking or concentrating. I tried dictating Chapter Six with a 2x2 rib, but that didn't work too well with either project.
I think I could be swayed in favour of acres of stockinette by the Meryl coat in BGK, but I can't decide on a yarn - and I also can't put the contenders up here (see above: no camera). Arrgh.

I did manage to find some lovely stuff for my One Skein Secret Pal, only I'm having a hard time with the one skein idea. I got her first skein, but I haven't sent it yet, because I'm still contemplating adding a second one "just in case". I'm a yarn glutton. No, seriously, the idea of giving just one measly ball as a gift to an accomplished knitter is really weird. For a beginner, yes, take this and go play, but ...
I'll get over it.

The Blueberry Bomb is done (I know, I know, I can't give image evidence, I'm working on it). You know, the BGK Cherry Bomb Top in Summer Tweed Blueberry. Lovely yarn, if a little bulky. I made some changes to the pattern. I added a row of eyelets and some additional shaping under the boob part for a tie and fake empire waist, and I made it longer, because I make everything longer (did I mention I'm 5'11"?). For length I added a few rows of the lace pattern from the accompanying Chocolate Covered Cherry Jacket, and it does look nice, if I do say so myself.

The top looked lonely on its own, so I decided to give it the above mentioned jacket as a partner. Finally a use for the lovely but much abused Lang New Angora in a smoky blue with a little touch of purple, so it goes well with the Blueberry, which I've used as the accent colour in the lace. Right now, I'm struggling with the hood.
Does it surprise you, too, when you are doing something right? I swear, at the end of every lace row I'm, surprised that I have the right number of stitches remaining, or when I count my stitches, I'm happily astonished that I do have the number I should have. I'm not making all THAT many mistakes usually (we will not discuss Waterlily at this point), but still the surprise is there.

The owner of the Evil Crack Den gave me a slightly battered copy of Classic Knits for Real Women (German translation)with my Rowan purchase. It's a nice book, but it ain't BGK. I like some of the cardigans - I like cardigans :o) - but there are quite a few project I wouldn't do, not to mention the moment when I saw the loopy pompom hat and thought, wow, they even have a pattern for a Halloween wig. They didn't. They were seriously suggesting a ball-shaped hat covered in lilac loops as a chic look. And you can knit the matching shagpile scarf and handbag. Little hint: do not go out in public looking as if you did cruel and unusual things with your bobtail puppy. It's just not a good look in any size.

The dinner went well. My mom had a blast, and it was nice to see how everybody wanted to sit next to her. My dad's friends are really special people. Many times, my mom gets the reception of "Oh, yes, that's Gunther's poor sick wife", but not with that bunch. They just like her and are happy to see her whenever she can manage it. If you have ever tried to negotiate a situation where you thoroughly enjoyed yourself while at the same time your heart was being shredded, you will know that these occasions are a mixed blessing. But a blessing all the same.

Rowan, Rowan, Rowan your boat ...

Just me with a brief update from Chez Parental Units.
Exciting things happening (well, I'm excited, anyway). Saturday will be the day of the Big Outing, wherein the entire family will actually leave the house together and have dinner at a friend's house. Yep, Momma 'n' them included. Half the town is a-twitter with the news. I'm not kidding, since it would appear that half the town is invited. Did I mention my parents live in a small place?
So right now, Mom and I are in the middle of The Great Outfit Issue of 2006. It has to be light, cool (temperature-wise) and roomy enough so people won't see that she's not wearing the fake boob, although the last item has become negotiable since we realized that the only garment able to conceal this little fact would be an oversized steel breastplate (see light and cool above).

On the knitting front ... I'm in the middle of the second sock of the second lot of Regia Bamboo - and there must be a way of rephrasing that dreadful sentence, but I can't think of it. Love the bamboo fiber, I strongly recommend it for summer socks.
Also, a visit to the Evil Crack Den brought forth my first project from BGK - Cherry Bomb, only with modifications to make it an evening top. The yarn? Rowan Summer Tweed in Blueberry. Oh, yeah.
I really tried to stay away, but the urge was too strong. Really, I tried.
Now, the silk-wrapped package tied with hand-woven strings made from Highland heather will arrive at the Crack Den on Saturday. I can't wait! Blueberry Bomb, you will be mine! (cue in deranged laughter)

Book Report

The mailman must have heard my whining yesterday, because about half an hour after I wrote that One Skein isn't here yet, he appeared at my door with not one but two packages.
In addition to One Skein, I also got Knitting Over The Edge . Wow! Nicky, how do I love thee, let me count the ways. This book is so great that I'm actually glad that Mariposa turned out too short, because now I can add an edge. I am also contemplating the purchase of an old childhood nemesis, the Knitting Nancy, to produce i-cord for the funky edges in the book. Here in Germany, they call them "Strickliesel", Knitting Lizzie, by the way. Just some international knitting trivia for ya.
I like most of the ideas in One Skein. I think the mini clutch is adorable, and I'll definitely make a pair of the silk sleeves, and in terms of the Secret Pal exchange, I'm glad that the one skein idea also includes using different partial skeins, because I have something in mind for my pal that wouldn't work otherwise.
Overall, it was a good book day.

No pictures of the instant gratification project, because the camera, it is dead with a capital headstone. A solution must be found.

One Skein Secret Pal

Okay, here's an opportunity for a picture-free entry (sigh), the One Skein SP Questionnaire:

1. Which yarn is most like your personality?

I'm thinking I'd be either a dark red or rich green silk blend, or periwinkle cotton. Hobby psychologists, have at it! :o)

2. What is your favorite color yarn to knit/crochet with?

Non-yellow

3. Have you ever used variegated, or magic, yarns?

Yes, lots. In fact, I bought I don't remember how many pounds of sorta variegated yarns in that ebay-store clearance sale about a month ago. The colourway really has to appeal to me though.

4. Do you tend to favor certain fibers when choosing yarns?

I like blends that contain cotton, merino or silk. I rarely knit with any "pure fiber" except for felting.

5. Do you prefer to work with center-pull or traditionally wound balls of yarn?

I don't care either way.

6. Have you ever worked with organic yarns or are you interested in trying them?

Uh, organic as opposed to man-made fibers? Or organic in the environmentally friendly sense? Whatever, I've used it both ways.

7. How many and what projects have you made in the last year?

Three cardigans, a shawl, two scarves and the cotton monster that was an ill-conceived sweater in a previous life. I know, I have to get more pictures up. Also, two WIPs, cardigans again.

8. Will you be knitting any gifts this year?

Yes, felted slippers, socks and a sweater.

9. What is your favorite one skein project?

Haven't got the book yet. I don't know why, German Amazon is usually very reliable.

10. How much yarn do you have in your stash and how do you store it?

I store most of it in a huge red chest of drawers in my room, the overflow (ahem) wrapped in boxes, all with lavender and sandalwood stuff in them.

11. Do you have a yarn in your stash that you love so much you can never use it or part with it?

I have yarns that go through several swatches and plans, before I come up with a project "special" enough for them. I do want to knit with them eventually though.

12. Do you knit less or differently in the summer?

Not really, I almost never knit with really warm or fuzzy fibers anyway.

13. Do you belong to any knitting groups (online or offline)?

Well, the decision to go online and "knit in public" is a recent one, so I'm just getting started on looking at groups and all that, although I have been lurking in blogs and on message boards for a while. Offline? I'd love to, but I can't find any.

I've got an exciting instant gratification project planned for today, and there will be one last stab at camera CPR, so there might be two entries today, since I'm leaving again tomorrow.

Palling in comparison

Well, I've got my two secret pals - or rather the women who will have me as their secret pal. One from SP8, one from One Skein. Buttons, you say? I know, I know. Getting there.
I'm really happy with the choices the hosts and hostesses made. Both pals seem like very nice, interesting women and their interests and favourite things are stuff I can relate to, but just different enough to make finding the right "spoilage" for them interesting.
I love this idea. And I love giving gifts. It's like miniature Christmas.

In other news. Have I mentioned that I dropped my camera about a week ago? It worked for a bit, if I pressed down on the little lid that holds the batteries in, but now it's dead. That's raaather unfortunate. I had this vague idea that I would get a nicer camera one day (in the very distant future), but now it looks as if I'm once again stuck with whatever is cheapest out there. On the other hand, my little cheap-o Jenoptik did a good job for five years, so who am I to complain?

So, due to equipment issues, today's progress report will be 100% bandwidth-friendly (you just have to know how to put the right spin on a problem - for how-to reference, check out statements on environmental policy issued by the government of your choice.)
Mariposa is done. Even though the measurements were just right when compared to tops I like to wear, it turns out to be a little short on (my) person. So now I'm thinking of attaching some sort of crochet edging for an extra inch, which is not easy, because Mariposa's edges are seed stitch. The only other solution would be longer straps, but that might be a little more cleavage than I'm prepared to show in public.
Also done: socks in Regia Bamboo, toe-up with my own half-butted "so, what do you want to do with these?" pattern. I like the yarn a lot, but I'm not overly fond of the colourway, "Passion". I was told that the 5 colours the store had on display were all this yarn came in, so I chose one, because I wanted to try the bamboo, only to discover later that there are, in fact, 13 colours available. Grrr. I should have known though. I mean, does any Regia yarn have fewer than 10 colours?
(Not having a camera really stinks.)
The Goof Off Scarf is coming along.
Sigh. I really want to start the Meryl Coat from Big Girl Knits. Lovely pattern, and I have the right yarn for it that will work pretty much all year long (with a little layering in winter). Only ... it's miles and miles of stockinette. Again. As was the unfortunate Waterlily. As was Mariposa. As are the eyelash parts of the scarf (and the other parts are 2x1 rib, how riveting). I love the projects, but I'm BORED. I need to find something with at least two different stitch charts. This would be the perfect moment to try a lace shawl, but I haven't got the nerve.
Remember I mentioned the Lang Yarns "Twin" recently? Yeah, I shouldn't have mentioned it to my mom, because she insisted on giving me a sweater's worth. What with treatment costs and care and everything, I don't want her to make these lavish gifts, but she shut me up by telling me that she wants to spoil her girl while she can. Now I can't even look at the yarn without crying. I wish I could make her something wonderful, but I know that most things except very thin cotton nightdresses and PJs make her uncomfortable. She wears the shawl I gave her last winter, but I can tell that it makes her uncomfortable, too, and that she only wears it, because I made it. Same for the socks. I made her a little crochet cosmetics bag last week, because she said she needed something for her hand lotion and assorted things that clutter up her bedside table. Strange, isn't it? Usually, a knitter expresses love by making something fabulous for her loved ones. I express love by not knitting for my mom.
She loves to see me knit though and watch the progress. In fact, we've founded our own Stitch & Bitch group. I sit by her bed knitting, and she tells me stories about the family (and if you knew my family, you'd know that those stories make me lose stitch count on a regular basis).

Hmm, I guess Lang Twin it is, tears or no tears. And I'll find something more "showy" (read: interesting to watch it grow) than the Cinxia I originally intended to make with it (no disrespect intended, I love the Cinxia pattern, but ...). Stay tuned, I'll resolve my camera issues ASAP.

German Mother's Day is on Sunday. My mother issued strict orders to ignore the occasion. I'm not even to mention it in her presence. But here's the thing. I'm fortunate in actually being aware that my time with my mother is very limited and even more fortunate that my life and job situation allows me to spend a lot of time with her. So, y'know, go hug your mom. Or call her to make plans for a visit, if she lives too far away. Or, if your relationship with your mom is strained, try to think of at least one positive thing or fond memory about her.

This gratuitious public service announcement was brought to you by Gratuitious Public Service Announcements 'R' Us.

Secret Pal 8 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I think I said this before, if it's pretty and soft I love it. I can't wear pure wool next to my skin, but wool blends are fine. I'm definitely not a "yarn snob" as they say.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

Straight needles and dpns - a vase on my desk. Circular needles - a dark red fun fur bag that's supposed to be for cosmetics, I think. Crochet hooks, sewing stuff, tape measures etc. - another big cosmetics bag.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I've been knitting and crocheting on and off for about 30 years (mostly off during my 20s, totally ON for the past five years). I'd say my skills are intermediate with an adventurous spirit. Basically I think if I can read the instructions I can knit it. Eventually :o).

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Not at the moment.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

Anything citrus-y or otherwise fresh, like melon, cucumber, green tea (although I still don't know what that smells like, really)

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

See entry about being a big chick :o). Favourite candy: peanut butter cups, bars, bits and pieces. I don't care, as long as somebody's peanut butter is in my chocolate.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I make bead jewellery and I get the occasional paper maché fit in the summer, when I can work out on the porch. I love any crafts involving fabric, yarn, paper, dye, beads and candles. Except, I don't do scrapbooks. I love to look at them, there's some amazing stuff going on, but it's not for me. I've never dyed or spun yarn. I'd love to try, but where I live supplies or classes aren't easy to come by.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I'm so not in the loop where music is concerned. But I like all kinds of music, except the really, really heavy metal and songs where people recommend to kill or rape other people. On my play list right now: "Tyrone" by Erykah Badu, REM cover versions of pretty much anything, "Variations on a Shaker Hymn" by Aaron Copeland, the soundtrack from Chicago, "Lady in Black" by Uriah Heep and "Hard Candy Christmas" by Dolly Parton. Get the picture?
And it's yes on the MP3 thing.

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

Deep, rich reds, earth tones, all blues and most greens. I wear a lot of olive gree and terracotta, because they just look really good on me although I wouldn't say they are my favourites as colours, if that makes sense. And I'm a denim kind of girl.
I don't wear white much. And I have yet to find a shade of yellow I like.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

No kids, no pets, though I love both. If I had my way about things, I'd have one kid of each kind, one tuxedo and one orange tabby cat and a pug. A girl can dream :o).

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Love them all, except for the ponchos. Never wore them, never will, because I'd be the Strange Case of the Walking Tent.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I don't really have favourites. Whatever strikes my fancy, with a tendency towards tanks with a cardigan or shrug rather than sweaters, and scarves and socks. One of these days I'd love to try a lace shawl, but haven't worked up the nerve. Oh, and BAGS. Love the BAGS.

13. What are you knitting right now?

A top (Mariposa, from Knitty), my Goof Off Scarf with eyelash yarn and a pair of Regia Bamboo socks.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Of course.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Not particular there either. Whatever works with the project, doesn't hurt my hands or snag the yarn. My knitting needles are mostly INOX, because that's the main brand here in Germany, most of my crochet hooks are US aluminum. Next time I'm in the States, I'll try to get me a pair of those aluminum knitting needles in the funky colours.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

My yarn winder's name is Andy :o). So, no, I own neither.

17. How did you learn to knit?

My grandma taught me to knit and crochet when I was 5. I loved her a lot, and since she died when I was 10, I love the fact that I have a lasting, living memory of her.

18. How old is your oldest UFO?

About three years. A crochet cardigan with too tight sleeves that I need to frog.

19. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas.

20. Is there anything that you collect?

I collect giraffes and armadillos. You'd be amazed how few things are giraffe- or armadillo-themed.

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Since I live in Europe, I covet all things American, as customs officers checking my bags when I return from the States can tell you. Especially all things for making bags, frames, handles etc. I subscribe to Interweave Knitting,and I buy the German magazines at the store.

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

See lace shawl above. I'd also like to try hairpin lace and do more felting. I love vintage-style hats, but I have a big head, so felted hats will be my next major ambition.

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Love the socks. My feet are huge. I'm 5'11", 180 cm, and wear a size 42 German, 10 1/2 American.

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

November 4. (1970, in case you're wondering)

The freak show folded its tent

Okay, the most embarrassing thing first: I cried. A little bit.
Granted, I just returned from a very emotional week with my parents, so it may have been one of those moments anyway. Along with my mail, there was a package waiting for me, and I knew it could only mean one thing:

Big Girl Knits. Let me say it again: Big Girl Knits.

The book is amazing. Actually, I think I'm in love. Not just with the projects, but with the whole approach to the subject of the female body with the sheer audacity to have a waist of more than 25 inches. There's been a lot of hype about this book, and as far as I'm concerned it's all justified. If you are a big chick, or even in the vicinity of biggish, go and buy the book. Right now. I'll wait.
If you want to know where Jillian Moreno and Amy Singer are coming from, all you have to do is flip to the back of the book and look at the essential reading list. Rita Farrow, Catherine Lippincott, Wendy Shanker? Gimme more of that. And they do. Even if you are not a knitter, this is some of the best fashion advice out there. Because it's as real as the title promises. And because Jillian and Amy treat the big sisters with dignity and respect and a GOOD sense of humour. Could it be that we are really not just freaks who literally don't fit in?
Big Girl Knits is - excuse the psych lingo - absolutely empowering. I can't even tell you how many times I found myself nodding emphatically at sentences like: "... very few sock patterns take into account that your big bits don't stop at the knee." Or laughing at observations like the baffling fact that yarn store salespeople don't fall over themselves to help a big chick when she comes in, because she will spend about twice as much on yarn as a skinny woman. Strange, innit?

I want to make every damn project in the book. Some are stronger favourites than others and I would make changes in some of the patterns - but here's the best thing: they tell you how to make those changes.
It's my sweater (or tank or skirt or wrap), so I should be able to make it so it fits and flatters ME. According to MY taste and specifications.
That reminds me of my one and only attempt at custom-tailored clothes. We have a dressmaker's shop right around the corner. And one day last winter, I screwed up the courage to go in there. Y'know, a strange woman would take my top-secret measurements and all. Never got that far. I explained to the (tiny) dressmaker what I wanted. I'm a socialphobe and being a big girl doesn't help, so I wanted an evening top - deep, square neckline, slight empire waist - that would really fit me so I could just slip it on and feel good about the way I look without giving it any more thought. I was willing to shell out € 110 (about $130) PLUS the price of the fabric if it would help me solve the problem of what to wear on a night out once and for all. Only the dressmaker wouldn't do it. It wasn't that she was all booked up, the woman just refused to make the top I wanted. What she wanted to make for me was a "loose" (read: tent-like) tank with a "loose" (ditto) blouse to wear over it. No matter how many times I told here that I've got that combo in 27,000 variations and that I thought the point of having something tailored was that I could get something I really wanted and couldn't buy at any department store (for a fraction of the price I might add) - it didn't happen. She told me that she was a size 10 and SHE wouldn't wear the top I requested. Was I aware of how FAT I would look in that?
Yeah, it was full frontal freak time. Pretty humiliating. Never tried it again.
Now I think I'll knit myself an evening top from the book I may have mentioned in passing here :o). Strangely enough, deep, square necklines and empire waists are exactly what's recommended for my body shape. Either my idea of what suits me isn't so freakish after all or there are more freaks like me out there. Either way works for me.
Here's something else I found interesting. I'm a person who is very aware of real body shapes (how could I not be?), and I actually like the look of some flesh on the bones. Jennifer Aniston, while a big (tee hee!) favourite with the male population of my life, is not exactly my beauty ideal. However, when I first looked at the models in the book, my reaction was not positive. I thought they looked big. DUH, Kay, they are big. Like you. You know why this happened? Because even the large size section in most knitting or sewing magazines is modeled by skinny women. I know this is not news, but I was amazed at how much that fact had distorted my perception. Apparently, I'm so used to being lied to in the context of fashion photography (yeah, we shot this sweater on a size 8 model, but it'll look just great on your size 20 body. Honest.) that I don't even realize it anymore. At a second glance though the models looked totally gorgeous. And very much in keeping with the premise of the book, because a lovely, well-cut sweater won't make you look skinny, it will make you look GOOD.
Now excuse me, I gotta go swatch for my Trinity Bay Skirt.

Whoops!

It's been five days, huh?
Sorry about that, but there is not a lot of knitterly excitement going on here. Okay, there is some, but I don't have my camera with me. I'm about done with the front of Mariposa (excuse the linklessness, but if you were sitting at my dad's computer, you wouldn't mess with that stuff either). Love the yarn, love the pattern, but it sure looks huge. I think I'm having top issues, last one - too small. This one - too big?

Like a dumbass (I think I mentioned), I left a half-finished sweater here when I went home last, but I took the pattern with me. Need I mention that I didn't bring it back? I THINK I could work on it for a bit without the pattern, but then again I THOUGHT I had the calculations for Waterlily right. Less thinking and more pattern reading sounds like a plan.

Of course I had to enter the Den of Evil yesterday, and the Wicked Temptress plied me with Lang yarn. Forget Rowan, this stuff is my crack. I bought one ball of Lang Twin, a cotton blend, in Perfect Red. I don't know what they call the colour, I call it Perfect Red. I swatched for a summer cardigan (a modification of Cinxia from Knitty - again without the links), and now I shall go forth and torture my budget. Maybe I should knit me some willpower.

The SP8 questionnaire is up! Need to put it up - and the button, too. Again, I'm going to have to do that on Sunday when I get home. I'm so excited! My first Secret Pal exchange, yay!

Parting Shots

Okay, I'm leaving for the land of the funky internet connection, aka my parents' house, this afternoon. I'm going for at least one update next week, but you never know with the delicate ecosystem that is my dad's computer.

I'm still torn how much of the sad stuff I want to put into this blog. It's about hooks and needles after all. I'm sure caregivers of terminal cancer patients have their own webrings. So I could blog about it all and join one of those communities, only I don't want to do that. I want my blog to be a place that is not all about the tragedy, I need it to be a place that is about the things that help me stay reasonably sane.
There are two things. Writing and yarn stuff - and I can't really blog about the writing, because ... uh ... what would I say? Had coffee while killing an obnoxious reporter totally dead with a shotgun? Now, that might be sorta entertaining, but waaaay too meta. Yeah. Meta is when the cool blog kids talk about blogging. On their blogs. Learned that. But in my opinion, a writer who talks about writing too much and in too much detail is not being meta, but foolish. Stop telling people how you are going to write the novel and how cool it's going to be and what great things will happen, just, you know, do it. Learned that, too. From my mistakes.

Which leaves me with the yarn stuff. Good thing, that, because I love all things yarn (really, I'm hoping I'll be done ranting soon, so I can show you Waterlily and my new felt swatch). Not a good thing, because for me the subject doesn't exactly lend itself naturally to tragedies bigger than not getting gauge. It will have to do though.

For the past two years and a bit, the fact that my mother is losing her decade-long battle with cancer has soaked through all layers of my life. And only now, in what her doctor solemnly calls "the last stages", the changes become apparent. Apart from the daily sadness and fear of yet another new way of suffering she may have to go through, I dare anyone to be plunged into the matters of fate, faith, mortality and the meaning of life and emerge unchanged. Doesn't happen. I know that underneath all the things I do, all the things I am every day, something else is emerging. Changes happen. I guess it's a little like test-driving a new car (talking out of my butt here, since I do not know how to operate an automobile), everything is sort of in its place, but it handles differently.
So far, this test-drive of the new me turns out to be a rather bumpy ride. We'll see where it takes me. And what it does with this blog.

Right now, all I know is that by tomorrow afternoon I will sit by my mom's bed in the living room. I'll show her what I've knitted this week and what I've cast on. She'll probably have cut out some magazine picture of a gorgeous model in an expensive handknit sweater, and she will tell me - with the loving blindness that is reserved for mothers - that this would look much prettier on me if I made it. Then it will be 3 p.m. and we will watch McLeod's Daughters and ... that other thing ... with Amy the judge and Tyne Daly ("Detective Lacey" to my mom). I'll knit and lose count, either of the stitches or the plot of the show, Mom will fill me in on whatever I'm missing. And we'll both collect another two hours of happiness. That's something.

Now with the knitting.

I may have found new cheap yarn for felting. Told you, it's not that easy here. What I can get is the handspun, hand-dyed wool of sheep with royal lineage. I may be enamoured with felting, but that seems like a waste.

This is Schoeller & Stahl Wonderwool, 51% wool, 49% acrylic, after a hurried, half-assed attempt at hand-felting (as in: I kinda kneaded it a few minutes in a bowl of hot water with the wrong kind of soap). The colour bled a little, but overall I think it has promise. Not too fond of the seed stitch felt, but that might change with proper felting.
For the bag I have in mind, I'll have to use double strands and smaller needles, I think, but I was amazed that it would felt at all, what with being half plastic and all. (Love the plastic, have I mentioned?)
Last week, on a whim, I bought two skeins of Schachenmayr Brazilia Fantasy Color in 392 ("Diana", I think), just because I liked the colourway. I've never worked with eyelash yarn, so I decided to start something simple to try it and to swatch some of my "WolleTempel" yarn as well (I do love it, but it comes without any information about yardage or anything). So, here's the Goof-Off Scawl.

On the non-eyelash parts, I'm doing a 2x1 rib, which gives it some shape and makes the eyelash parts look fluffier when it's not stretched out. The width is 15 inches, which is right between a scarf and a shawl for me. Planned length: until the eyelash yarn runs out (I have three skeins now, and the first is almost finished). This is as much "novelty" as I've ever done, but I like it. It's fun and light and fluffy. And SOFT!
The blue regular yarn stripe is smaller than the brown, because the yarn has a lurex thread in it. Since I'm planning on wearing it as a shawl, too, I don't want too much lurex on my skin.

The Waterlily, she is finished. And I have no idea what happened. I swatched. I washed. I swatched again. I calculated. I swatched in the round. I calculated. I knit. I measured. It's too small. Where did I go wrong? I have no idea. All I can say is that the whole Weight Watchers shebang better keep working, because I want to wear that thing.

The yarn is WolleTempel again. Pink on Olive. Much prettier in person. I haven't seamed or blocked it yet. When I realized that it would be too small, I wanted to stay away from blocking until I had calmed down enough to not try and stretch the crap out of it. I'll finish it when I return.
Hey, I still have enough yarn left over to do another, bigger one. I'm tempted, but while the top is really pretty, I'm not too much in love with the pattern. So, I left the Pink on Olive alone and cast on for Mariposa by Sarah Sumner-Eisenbraun (Knitty, gotta love the Knitty) in "Poppies in a Wheat Field". I'll post a picture when I have more than a couple of inches, because it doesn't show off the pretty colours yet.


Also, scary acts of mutilation have been perpetrated in this innocent household.


These are the remnants of a pair of old canvas Mary Janes (excuse the icky-looking parts, it's glue from the old lining).
I'm not quite sure what to do yet. But I know this. I adore shoes and handbags (and jewellery, but that would be a beadwork topic). I can already make handbags. Now, we'll see about the rest.


That's it for now. I'm off to pack and catch a train.

10 Crafty Things About Me

(Instead of a progress entry. There's progress, but my camera is half-broken, and I just didn't mess with it today.)

1. I used to sew a lot some years ago. Then I returned to knitting and crocheting, because it means making clothes without the big production sewing turns into (if you do it at the dining table). So, I think that there is basically no garment that can't or shouldn't be knit and crocheted. I very much embrace the notion of knit lingerie and crocheted tuxedos.

2. I'm not a fiber snob at all. I'll work with anything, as long as it's pretty and soft. I'm also not a tool snob. I'll work with anything, as long as it gives me gauge and doesn't snare the yarn.

3. I rarely knit for the people in my life. Unless they ask me for something - enthusiastically. If they do, I'll make them anything they want.

4. I don't think there is a craft I wouldn't love to try. I have tried many and loved them all. Some did not love me back. I am spectacularly talentless when it comes to silk painting, origami and everything involving wood.

5. I don't get the Noro craze. Shun me now.

6. I always have at least five "live" projects going, because I have one for every routine situation of my day. One small "to go" project for public knitting, one by the bed, one by the TV, one for work (the dictation sweater du jour) and one for concentrated escape knitting.

7. While it can take me a while to make the rounds and finish my projects (see above) I only have one abandoned UFO. It's a crochet cardigan that needs to have its sleeves frogged and redone.

8. I'm a part-time perfectionist. Sometimes I will frog the same rown three times until I get that one stitch under the armpit right, other times I call it creative license and thus good enough.

9. I have never bought the original yarn for a project. I like the "designer" patterns, but hell if I buy the € 15 per skein yarn for them. Also, I'm a plus-plus size. That's an awful lot of € 15 yarn. I'm really good at adjusting gauge and cast-on stitches.

10. Right now, knitting and crocheting are my life savers. I would recommend them to everybody in a crisis.

In other news: Waterlily is almost done. But I totally messed up the gauge despite excessive swatching (see above, the thing I'm really good at. Right.) I'll reserve judgement until blocking, but I don't have high hopes for it.

The one where I almost kill myself

Last night I was sittin' here knittin' (Waterlily, in case you are wondering), and suddenly my hair started to bother me. Baby blue hairbands and all, it had to go up up up - I'm like that sometimes. Since there were no scrunchies or barettes on my desk - an almost unheard of state of affairs - I decided to be all cool and casual and knitterly and secured the long heavy twisted sausage that is my hair with a pair of 2 mm dpns. What can I say, it worked. No more bother, and I did feel all cool and casual and knitterly.

Only, dumbassery, thy name is Kay, I forgot about my dpn updo until bedtime. After the usual nighttime rituals (maybe I should mention that I have body image issues at the moment, so I avoid looking in the mirror), I breathed a huge sigh of tired relief and plopped down on my bed. The 2 mm dpn? Went into the back of my head. Screams, blood, general carrying on. And when everything was cleaned up and band-aided, I started thinking about what could have happened, had the dpns be placed slightly differently or had I hit a harder spot on my bed. And fainted. Well, almost.

I strongly recommend you don't try this at home.

In less lethal dumbass news: We have feltage.












I think I mentioned that I read every felting tip and instructions available to me, but the blasted bag just wouldn't felt!!

Yeah. The one thing I didn't read? My washing machine instructions. I never use the really hot cycle, so apparently I had no idea how to set it. Once I figured it out - magic.
I love this bag so much! It's not perfect, and it pilled because I forgot the time and reached the machine when it had already started the spin cycle. But still. I love my bag. And I want to make more. Must find feltable wool. Now.

Still knitting

Sorry about the long pauses between posts right now, but I am still trying to adjust to my new schedule of spending a week with my parents and a week catching up with work. I can't say that I'll always keep the sad stuff out of this blog, since caring for my mom is such a big part of my life right now, but for the moment this is all I have to say:

"Knit on with confidence and hope, through all crisis."

Elizabeth Zimmermann

And there has been knitting. Lots of it. I only had time to take a picture of one project, but I'll try to do more tomorrow.

Better late than never I've started the Waterlily Top from IK Knits, spring issue. It's my current work knit, since the "Dictation Sweater" has reached a point where I have to pay attention to it. Unfortunately, Waterlily has almost reached that point, too.

I might be able to finish the second sleeve of the crocheted hoodie during tonight's episode of Little House on the Prairie (don't ask), so it might be done at the end of the week and I might be able to block it before I leave again.

For some instant gratification, I've been making hairbands. Hang on a sec ...


It's amazing how hard it is to take
a picture of the top of your own head. But you get the idea. It's a light blue cotton with three rows of twisted rib in the middle. I made a few more in other colours and patterns, but they still have to be seamed and blocked.

I've been looking for the right yarn for my first felting project for a while now, and I thought I found it at that great yarn store in my parents' town. Alas, it didn't work out, because after three washer runs and painstaking observation of felting tips everywhere, it still didn't felt properly.

It's not all bad though, because I have some embellishments in mind which will work better with a not too densely felted fabric.
I'll keep looking, but the problem is that whenever I ask whether or not the wool I want to buy will felt, the salesperson feels compelled to reply (indignantly), "Of course not!" Maybe felting needs to become more popular in these parts.

And now I'm off to some pasta and my hoodie.

Bedsocks

Well, here they are.


The Mom Bedsocks.
The yarn (Fabiani Micro-Plus) is totally wrong for socks, as you can see from the inconspicuously mitered toes and heels, but totally right for Mom's feet and Dad's laundry skills.
She loves them, that's all I care about.

I bought some Regia Silk in a lovely blue grey for the next sock experiment, The Sock 3.0 - Regular Version.

How pathetic is it that the highlight of my day is the fact that the new Sabrina is out? I can't wait to go get it and add more "things I'll knit one day" to my list.

Away

Not a lot of updating going on. I'm with my parents for the time being, helping with taking care of my mom, so there is not a lot of blogging time.
There has been knitting though!
First of all, The Sock 2.0 is getting close to completion (the pair, that is). Since the recipient - my mom - is monitoring the process, I knit them according to her specifications. Much shorter than I would have made them on my own (good to know) and with a bit of a ruffled edge.

Also, leave it to my parents' small town to have a fantastic yarn shop - The Red Thread. I got some lovely (discontinued - of course) wool there for a felted bag and the owner is going to get me a few more leftovers for a pair of slippers. The bag is about half done.

Tomorrow, I'm going to try to get my dad's camera to work for some pitchers.

Suddenly Stash

You know, before yesterday my yarn stash consisted of a few balls of home-mixed, two skeins of sock yarn and the yarn already involved in current WIPs. I couldn't have flashed if my life depended on it.

Not anymore.

I give you "Da Stash".

The peach, pink, pistachio and indigo in front were free yarn (long story) and there's lots of each. The rest is my ebay order from the magical WolleTempel, also with tons of unexpected freebies.

Okay, I know it's a lot - but I don't care! :o) They are all natural fiber mixes, and I already know that they knit, wash and wear like a dream. The colours are a little off in my crappy photos (like the brownish yarn on the left - it's a rich chocolate bunny brown in person). The lovely extra surprises were "Pink and Olive" on the far right in both pictures on the left (you can only see the pink part, sorta) and "Green and Blue" next to it, both yarns I really wanted, too, but refrained from bidding on.

Sigh. I guess it's time to go to bed. No, Kay, you will NOT take the yarns with you!

Soccess!

Achievement #1: The Sock 2.0 is off to a good start. It's not perfect, but I resolved the toe issue and the holes issue - so after a little relaxation with some simple twisted rib, I'm quite optimistic that I can figure out the heel this time.

Achievement #2: The Sock 2.0 matches the colour of my Swiss ball exactly.

Sock Suck

Hooo boy!

What can I say?
I didn't rip it though, but saved it to serve as a warning for future new techniques. Never just pick instructions off the internet unless you found positive reviews of them on at least three blogs.
It's all for the best, anyway, because I just found out that my mom can't wear wool anymore. So, I'll start The Socks 2.0 in my beloved Micro-Plus. Don't be horrified, it's not like Mom will go on three day hiking trips in acrylics.
Gotta go cast on.

I heart artificial fiber

Yes, you heard me.

I know, it's all about the cashmerino and the angora and the silk and the wool from sheep who can trace their ancestry to the herd owned by King Charles (you pick which one). But I love me some good plastic :o).

I don't love them all equally. There is a lot of crap out there, and I think it depends a little on the natural fiber they are trying to "mimic". I don't like most of the acrylic stuff that poses as a wool substitute. Not a chance. The ones I know are scratchy and awkward - maybe I don't know the right ones.

My absolute favourite of the plastiques is Fabiani Micro-Plus. I think it's the home brand of one of the big department store chains here. It's soft like you wouldn't believe, has incredible stitch definition, washes well, doesn't lose shape and comes in all kinds of terriffic solid colours. And it wears well, too, all year round. (Maybe I should mention that our climate isn't really extreme. I don't know how it would wear in, say, Texas.)
Oh, yeah, it's also dirt cheap.

Next on the list of favourites is cotton/acrylic mix. I like it about 50-50. It wears and breathes like cotton, but it doesn't morph from a sweater to a tent after the second wash. I'm all about the progress, people. Embrace modern times, buy plastic!

Part of my love for artificials comes from the fact that I'm a scatterbrained klutz. I will spill coffee on my clothes, eventually I will throw handwash only stuff in the laundry basket and my sweaters will get pulls. Knowing this about myself, I can't imagine knitting something with yarn that's € 20 per skein. Not for myself, that is. I would probably buy the yarn and never work with it, because it's too precious. And if I ever worked up the nerve to actually knit with the good stuff, I wouldn't ever wear it. Because, you know, it's too precious. What's the point?

That doesn't mean that I don't lust after all that hand-dyed-cashmere-silk goodness. I'm as big a yarn addict as the next knitter. Sigh, but it's just no good.

In other news: gratuitious, blurry sock update:

Getting there. Slowly.

We've got a live one!

I think I mentioned recently that I have been knitting and crocheting for a long time. My grandma taught me when I was five, I did it for about six years and then I didn't do it consistently for about 20, except for the occasional quickly abandoned UFO.
Now I do it again.

After 30 years of knitting history, Kay In Stitches proudly presents:

My First Sock


This is an unusual development.
Normally, I only knit what I like. It doesn't necessarily have to be intended for me, but I have to like the item in general and see its justified place in the universe, or I'm not interested.
Me? I hate socks. I would (and did) go barefoot in winter boots. My feet are almost always warm to hot (yeah, I'm a very sought-after snuggle partner) and come April 1, I abandon all pretense and go sockless until people look at me funny in October.
Knitting socks never really occurred to me until I thought about new stuff to give to my mom the other day. I used to give her nice hand lotions, funky magazines, aromatherapy anything and the latest chocolate developments - all the things my dad wouldn't necessarily think of. Now, however, the time has come to think of other kinds of comfort, because Mom can't enjoy most of those things anymore.

A little explanation here: my mom is dying of cancer and has now entered the stage where she can't leave the bed anymore and takes meds that impair her mental clarity. She doesn't wear shrugs or shawls, because she has to turn frequently and gets tangled up and uncomfortable in anything but simple cotton PJs. (Mom would kill me dead for mentioning her PJs in public. :o) And after a total of six years of chemotherapy, she has about 27,000 chemo hats. She also has hair at the moment.

So, socks seemed to be a good idea. She wears them in bed all the time, and let's be honest here -my first pair of knit socks will be something only a mother could love. Perfect.
The yarn is Regia Color 5025, very cheery and springtime-y, and much prettier in person. You will note that I'm doing without any sort of sophisticated pattern, yet I still managed to mess up the "idiot rib" a few times.
I'm not sure that I'll fall in love with sock knitting, even though I do drool over all the cool patterns out there. On the other hand: if my mom actually likes them, this blog will turn into Sock-A-Gogo in no time.

I don't think it's an accident that knitting and crocheting play a big role in my life again. Lately, when I'm doing yarnstuff, I am overwhelmed with memories of the women in my family.
My grandma (dad's mother, we don't talk about mom's, for she was evil) was a wiz with needles. She'd look at you once and knit a sweater that fit you perfectly, no measurements, patterns optional. One Christmas, my dad made a wooden doll closet for me, complete with mirror inside the door (plastic, of course), shelves and all. And Grandma filled it with an entire collection of knitted clothes for my dolls in three different sizes. It was the best gift ever - and even today, people would be hard up to find something that could fill me with the same joy and amazement.

My mom knit her way through the 70s and 80s. I shudder to think of those creations from the original days of the bell-bottom and rainbow effect yarn, but she wore them with zeal, and so did I. Especially that grass green sweater made from bulky cotton that could have harbored me and three fugitives at the end of its life. She owned a business and had 70-hour weeks, then took care of assorted ailing family members on the weekend. Knitting was for sanity.

My grandma died when I was ten, but my memories of her are still vivid, and I don't think I'll ever lose my appreciation for the love and creativity that defined her life. Letting go of my mother is a long and hard process, and I'm not about to say that the craft is turning it all into a Lifetime TV movie. I wish. But the memory and appreciation of someone you love is never just about one thing, it is about the many connections between your life and that person's life, and you need to cherish as many of these connections as you can. In our family, wielding hooks and needles - like having big hips and boobs - is a tradition that connects at least three generations of women (I have photographic evidence of more, but I never knew these women personally). Compared to all the other gifts my mother and grandmother gave me, knitting is certainly a small thing (especially compared to those hips :o). On the other hand - a part of my soul remembers them every time I pick up a knitting needle. It's not always conscious, but it's always there. And so are they.