Rainbow Chills

Knotions!

Have you heard about Knotions?

Knotions is a new online knitting magazine created and edited by my very good friend, Jody. Jody has been a technical editor for a number of well known designers. She is a master at sizing patterns and modifying patterns to fit a variety of bodies. She has impeccable taste in designs and yarn, understands fit (do I sound like Michael Kors on Runway? You really understand a woman's body.), and is the best knitting mathematician I know. Jody also always seems to know what's going on in the online knitting world and is open to the suggestions of what will make Knotions a great magazine for all of us.

If you are interested in contributing to Knotions, check out the submission guidelines.

If you are excited about Knotions and want to help make it great, fill out the survey.

Subscribe to the Knoted blog so you'll be up on all the news about Knotions.

Congratulations, Jody! I am so happy for you.

Sometimes when somebody loves you

Sometimes when somebody loves you
Miracles somehow appear
And there in the warp and the woof is the proof of it
Charlotte's web

There must be something more to us than you and me
It must be tangled up somehow with destiny
I used to think the sum of one and one was two
But we add up to more, me and you

How very special are we
For just a moment to be
Part of life's eternal rhyme
How very special are we
To have on our family tree
Mother Earth and Father Time

Specs:

• Pattern: Charlotte's Web Shawl
• Pattern Source: Knits from Painter's Palette (Koigu single pattern)
• Designer: Maie Landra
• Yarn: Koigu in 5 colors, color codes forthcoming
• Yarn and pattern purchased: at Loop
• Needles: US 7 Knit Picks Options
• Started: February 18, 2008
• Finished: February 28, 2008
• Knit for: my Mom for Mother's Day
• Modifications: I didn't knit any edging on it. I may add something but I doubt it. I will definitely not be adding fringe.
• Notes:

My mom and I went to Loop on MLK day and she fell in love with the shop sample. I have never been a big fan of this shawl because I think the color variegation obscures the lace but my mom just adored it. She's been a crocheter for my whole life but had never stepped foot into a real yarn store before that day and was just bowled over by all of the options. I went to Loop last Monday and took advantage of the President's Day sale and got the yarn and pattern for this. Michelle is doubtful that I'll be able to resist giving this to my mom before Mother's Day but I'm going to try.

Two things made this knit go so quickly-- my love of knitting lace and the joy that is koigu. I really love to knit lace. It's so interesting. I will admit to having a problem in the rows between 30 and 50. I just couldn't get it. I kept ripping back and starting those rows over and over. But after that, I got it and it just flew off the needles. I haven't worked with Koigu in quite a long time. I may have only used it one other time- about 4 years ago for a pair of socks. I really loved knitting this.

I blocked it using my blocking wires. I think I'm doing something wrong with them. I keep reading that blocking wires make things so much faster but I feel like it takes much longer for me. Threading the wires through is a pain. Michelle suggested that perhaps it is taking longer but that I'm doing a better or more thorough job. That's possible. I don't know. Does anyone have any blocking wire words of wisdom?

Thanks for your contest guesses. No one guessed that I was knitting Charlotte's Web, a Koigu pattern that made the rounds about four years ago. Have no fear, there will be more opportunities for winning yarn in the coming months. Michelle and I will be launching our fundraising for the Arthritis Walk on March 1.

Note: All lyrics are from songs in the Charlotte's Web animated movie released in 1973.

Blanket

Specs:

• Pure and Simple Baby Blanket
• Source: Easy Knit Baby Blankets by Bev Galeskas
• Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece
• Needles: US 9
• Start date: May 2005
• Finish date: February 2008
• Gifted to: Rachel Louise

Katy gave me this yarn three years ago after I admired her version of this blanket. I'm so glad I have finally finished this.

Relief!

Annetrelac

I picked up some Noro Kureyon sock yarn back on MLK day when I went shopping with my mom. Craig and Laura mentioned that a fellow sock enthusiast at the shop, Martha, was knitting Annetrelac socks with her Noro sock. It sounded like a great idea to me so I cast on about a week or so ago.

I absolutely adore the process. I have never knit Entrelac before and when I realized how much turning was involved, I thought it would annoy me. Nope! I love it. It keeps me engaged in the same way that knitting the Curlicue does. One of the things I like best about these socks is that there's a very clear pausing point. When I get to the end of each level of blocks, I ask myself whether I want to knit another round of blocks or not. I like neat stopping points. (I hate to stop reading in the middle of a chapter, too!)

Specs:

• Pattern: Annetrelac by Sandy Beadle
• Source: Interweave Knits, Holiday 2007
• Needles: Knit Picks Harmony Wood double points in 2.5 mm (did I mention that I got the dpn set for Christmas from Michelle? I love it)
• Yarn: Noro Kureyon Sock, colorway 184, lot A

I had a thought when I cast on for the second sock last night to try to make the colors line up but in the end, I just cast on and started knitting. When the colors are this loud, does it really matter if they match? Not to me!

I'm taking sock #2 on our trip. We're heading to Alabama tomorrow to visit our very good friends, Michael and Suz. We're going to meet Rachel whose baby blanket I finished on February 4, her 2nd birthday. I started this blanket in May 2005. Before I knit my Pi Shawl. Before the first of three Curlicue Blankets. I'll take pictures before I give it to her. Stay tuned.

Jody asked me recently if I'd ever again knit another baby blanket. The first thing I need to do is finish the one other blanket I have half finished right now. It's the second of the Moderne Baby Blankets for the twins. I know that it's terrible that Aidan has had his blanket for a year and Jenna still doesn't have hers. Argh. Anyway, after I finish that, I do think I'll continue making baby blankets. Contrary to what this post indicates, I have given blankets to people before the baby has been born in the past. Or, at least gotten it to the parents before the baby can walk around the room carrying the blanket.

I'm crazy, right?

Note: These pictures suck but so does the light here. I miss the sun.

Rhinebeck Bound

Only a few short hours until we depart for Rhinebeck. Jody, Heather, my girl Michelle, and I are heading up tonight.

I'm in search of my knitting mojo and hoping I can find it somewhere in Duchess County.

We'll be at the festival on both Saturday and Sunday, though Michelle will only be there on Sunday. I'll be wearing my Hourglass sweater on Saturday, at least in the first hour or so. The two of us look sort of like this, only much less dressy.

Say hi if you see me (I'm the one on the left). See you there or on the flip side.

Vacation Continues

Day 5 of vacation (it is Wednesday, right?).

Michelle is sleeping in today. I'll wake her in a bit to make sure she's up in time for her massage appointment today.

We're having a great time. We've done a bunch of outlet shopping as well as tons of browsing (and a little buying) in the boutiques on the main street. I've finished two books- Whistling in the Dark by Lesley Kagan and The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett. I loved them both. Today, I'm going to start The Kite Runner or Water for Elephants. Haven't decided yet.

I can't quite get enough of the beach. Michelle said to me yesterday "I don't think I'd ever get tired of this" and I agree. In all of the years I've vacationed at the shore, the weeks I spent with my grandparents as a kid, I have never once woke up in the morning and thought, I don't feel like going to the beach today. Michelle's going to drop me off before her massage appointment today. We'll see if she makes it down. It doesn't matter what Michelle does- she has gotten sunburn every day this week- multiple applications of sunscreen, a cover-up, sitting under a towel, under an umbrella- she still gets burned somewhere. She may need to take a break today.

We're planning on seeing a drag show tonight at one of the restaurants/bars in town. There's nothing like live entertainment.

I've been knitting a tiny bit- more squares with the sock leftovers. I brought a sock with me and the aran sweater but haven't worked on either one. I stopped at the yarn store in town and, for the second time, was disappointed. I was hoping to find some sock yarn but the pickings were slim- one colorway of Lorna's Laces, one colorway of Trekking, two colors of Tofootsies (one of which I have in my knitting bag with me) and a few balls of Fortissima, none in colors that appealed to me. Bummer. I left empty handed. I gave it a shot. I had the same experience two years ago when we were here.

Speaking of two years ago, my thoughts today are with those families who are still living with the fallout of Katrina. God bless them.

Wing update

I feel like I owe you pictures of the wing but frankly, I think the wing looks much the same as last week.

Non-pinned pic:

And a close-up:

This is what I've been doing when I haven't been knitting the wing:

Don't ask me what it is. I have no idea. It does, however, use up my sock knitting remnants. It's very mindless knitting and I love it. I just grab a ball and pick up stitches and go, without regard for what will go well with the rest (obviously). I'm trying not to be bothered by the two miters that are facing the wrong way. Seriously, is that what I should be worried about? Who can focus on that when I've used that many colors in a square foot. This thing could go on forever. The edges of each square are 20 stitches per side. You can do it too. I know you have leftovers like I do. I like this better than doing log cabin strips with sock ends. Too many stitches to pick up that way. I did most of this while watching the first season of Friday Night Lights on NBC's website for free. It's a great show and I can't wait for the new season.

What else is up with me?

Well, I'm at home now with WORK to do but instead, I put iTunes on Party Shuffle and I'm blogging. So far, I've heard U2, Raffi (yes, that Raffi), Beck, Jump Little Children, and Alanis Morrissette.

Coming up:
Elton John
STYX
Dave Matthews Band
Gwen Stefani
Peter, Paul and Mary
The Killers
Indigo Girls
Ani DiFranco
Madonna
Colbie Caillat (was an iTunes free download)
Aimee Mann
Dixie Chicks
Tim McGraw

Weird, huh?

Wings and baby feet

We had a visit with Baby N last night. Michelle took this picture of his baby feet in his booties.

Then his mom gave me permission to put his picture on the internet. His father does not get the blogging thing at all but he did not protest.

I adore this kid and he's only been here for a week!

The wing

I finished knitting clue 5 (the start of the wing) on Monday night. Since then, I've been a restless knitter. The only thing that keeps me occupied is booties. 

I love the wing. I can't wait for the next clue. 36 hours, I think.

More bootees for baby

Specs:

• Pattern: Slip-Ons
• Pattern Source: 50 Baby Bootees to Knit by Zoe Mellor
• Yarn: Louet Gems in Willow, held double
• Needles: US3 Clover double points
• 1st Bootee knit- August 2
• 2nd Bootee knit- August 6

I started another pair last night. These are so much fun.

Stripy Bootees from the same book.

New Releases

Melanie posted the newest clue and the theme for Mystery Stole 3 this morning at 7:30. I was on the computer and refreshing the files page beginning at 7:00. Sick? I think so.

I love the concept for the rest of the stole (a wing) as the theme is Swan Lake. Melanie's interpretation of the theme is really strong and she provided an explanation of the elements of the stole that echo the theme. She's clever, that one. I knit the first 23 rows of the new clue this morning (short rows so they went quick) and can't wait to knit some more.

This is what I knit last night while waiting for the clue to come out this morning:

I met and held the newest Curlicue baby yesterday. He is darling and I couldn't resist casting on for some booties to fit his tiny skinny feet. These are from 50 Baby Booties to Knit which I ordered from Knitpicks in their summer book sale (40% off). Incidentally, this is the first of the three Curlicue recipients who is a boy. 

For scale:

My copy arrived yesterday. I think Eunny did a beautiful job with this issue.