Spring Walk

I love Barton's Cove. Little duck in the middle performed for me. Notice any snow? No! But nippy just the same. Areas north and south of us were snowed on, heh, heh.
Further down the bike path...
It was a gorgeous weekend.
"Even I got to go outside, it was awesome! And my halter still fit."

And So It Grows

I had a very bad day Thursday. Well, not as bad as one of our senior citizens, (one of which I'm very fond of) that had him seeking medical attention here at the Town Hall. The kind of attention that after the ambulance leaves finds you in your office with the door shut and locked because you're too emotional to deal with anything else. I haven't heard any updates on his condition and that makes it worse. He's in my thoughts.
I went right for the knitting when I got home. Emotional therapy.

I Got Nothing.

"Don't look at the camera no matter how much she snaps her fingers and makes kissy noises."

The Screaming Green Sweater body is-dare I say-almost finished. A few more increases, a bind off, then on to the sleeves. Proportions are much better. I'm pretty sure it won't fall off when I put it on this time. And that's all I've got today.

Mulligan Ugh.

So I was buzzing along, round and round and I started to hear a little beep in my head. I ignored it, knit round and round and the beep got louder. Finally , I put my work down and voiced the words I hate to hear myself say. "The gauge is off." Yep, there was no doubt about it. Once again, the swatch LIED. So the blob of screaming green fabric turned into:

This neat little pile of string. Disappointing, yes. After taking swatch measurements from the now gigantic beginning of my sweater, no wait, I was half done, I redid the math and started again.So far so good. The designer changed the decorative front from 3 "holes" to 1x1 rib straight down the front.

"I helped her calculate the second time. Sometimes ya just gotta step up to the plate."

Hey Lady, Your Sweater's Too Loud

Perky color, eh? Andrew is graciously modeling the latest creation. Yes, the holes are intentional. The same pattern MAY show up elsewhere. Depends on how the designer feels. She's NOT loving the yarn. Splitty. The designer is still entranced with wide/boat neck openings but this one may have gotten away from her. There will be a fitting once the body/sleeves have been separated. No, no, it won't be frogged. The designer will just come up with something creative for the finished edge to uh, take up the slack. She's done it before.
"Yeah, yeah, blah, blah, blah. I'll handle the remote, you just pay attention to your knitting."

That's Just Cruel

We had 2 days of gorgeous warm, sunny, in the 60's, ditch the coat, I-can-see-grass days and this morning I drove the ride from h*ll in sleet, snow and freezing rain. Lost control of the car on a flat section of road going 25 mph. No accident, fortunately, but legs were a bit shaky when I reached my destination. The 8" of snow we got last weekend was enough thank you and easier to drive in.
On the up side the scenery is beautiful and very New Englandy. No longer is there grass peeking through, just a cover of white. Evil white. I'm gearing up for the challenge of the drive home.

"she's gotta learn to relax."

From A Pile of String

And there it is. An asymmetrical cardigan with a lesson learned to boot. For those who crochet a steek and are thinking about picking up stitches directly behind the crochet row and not at least a half inch back--your steek will fall apart. You heard it here. My brain told me it would work. The yarn Gods set me straight.
The body is of Valley Yarns "Stockbridge" the edging Valley Yarns "Northfield". A merino/alpaca combo.

"I could have told her the steek idea wouldn't work but she's got to learn these things on her own."

Random Nothingness

My sentry on duty. Not a squirrel, free range cat or bird goes unnoticed. He has several posts around the house. You can tell by the nose prints on the windows.
This blob of black is the latest w.i.p. I'll leave it a mystery for now. Okay, a small tidbit. It's a cardigan with a special feature. Special meaning I haven't attempted it before. Many of y'all will think-"big deal, I've been there, done that."
Andrew finds my hand knits quite acceptable. Plenty of other sleeping accommodations in the house but the smallest surface with wool is the best nap spot.
We're having off and on snow today with a promise of rain. I also received mail from FiberTwist. Interested in everything fiber with a strong showing for hooked rugs? Mark your calendar for September 26 at the Greenfield High School.

Update & Other Babbling

Northfield sweater has been blocked. Warning: Valley Yarns Northfield streeeetches. Good thing it was a rib pattern or I'd-a-bin swimming in sweater. Other than that I love it. My new favorite sweater. Looking forward to working with VY Northfield again. Broke my own swatch and wash rule so no one to blame but myself. Did I swatchandwash Stockbridge? Why no, since you ask. But since I designed it for a snuggy fit I'm not going to worry about it.

So here I was whining about the snow going away, blah, blah, blah and we get a snowstorm on Sunday that lasts all day. By Sunday night it was mush. By Monday morning it was frozen and my car doors had to be persuaded to open-again. A good hip-check did the trick so I didn't have to recruit my hair dryer. Now it's just bitter cold. Ahhhh.

Pick of the Harvest

There it is. "Northfield" with its planted rows creating patterns on the landscape. It's still drying and I'm anxious to wear it before the weather becomes too warm. I'll definitely go back for more of this yarn.

Grass is beginning to show with the waning snow. Sorry to see it go. What! Were I not complaining not too long ago about the crappy weather?!? Of course I was. That was then, this is now. With tomorrow's rain-sleet-rain prediction I'll be whining again. So it goes.

Next project? Well, for some reason I blew by the cotton yarn and went for Valley Yarns "Stockbridge" in my stash. I know very little about Stockbridge though I've been there several times. Doubt it will be a theme knit. It has alpaca and merino like Northfield but lacks the silk so is not as smooth and "silky" as the last project. I like the wide neck of "northfield" so I'm designing same with a raglan sleeve. I'll decide down the road whether it will be a cardi or pullover. As it is black there will be stockinette stitch period. But that could all change tomorrow with the rain....

Inspiration

Years ago, our ancestors knit garments that told the observer something. Irish knits and their knobs, baubles and cables relayed information about family, social status, where they lived...you get the picture. We've lost the art due lack of needing it. For about a year I've been tossing the process around in my head. I've sketched out combinations of stitch patterns representing areas of Franklin County I'm familiar with. With the purchase of Valley Yarns "Northfield" I have adapted a simple pattern that represents part of the actual Norhtfield.
Northfield is a agricultural town situated on both sides of the Connecticut River. Corn, potatoes, hops are a few of their harvests. With the VY "Northfield" I made the pattern simple with a representation of planted rows using a 6 x 2 ribbing. "Like a Poor Boy sweater?" you may ask. Yes. Just like that. So no one will know or give a hoot but me. I thought of tinkering and throwing in the river but this yarn is soft and snuggly I stuck with the plain rib.
As we're having a bit of a thaw, cotton knits designs are roaming around in my head along with other useless knowledge that keeps me in Trivial Pursuit shape. I picked up this screaming green after I had told myself, "self, you need more neutrals so stop buying fashion colors." I don't listen to myself.

"She doesn't listen to me either. Hopeless."

Just Thoughts

I have finished the second Araucania sock. Read the description in the link for Ranco and that's what it is. Basic, smooth tight twist and a pair of socks for 8 bucks. The color is not consistently solid which is fine by me. It's one of the reasons I go back to the Araucania line. If I have any negative remark about the product in any weight, and I've used fingering to bulky in this product, is the pilling that occurs but I haven't found a 100% wool that doesn't. With the tighter twist the pills are easily removed.
I knit my socks on size 0 needles and gave the leftover yarn a spin on size 2's. Nice stitch definition and of course a bit drapier. I could see me using it for a larger item. Then again, I don't think I've ever said no to a yarn adventure.
On the weather front around here..grrrrr....the sleet, freezing rain is ruining perfectly good fluffy snow and makes driving an adventure I'd rather NOT participate in. Let's not even go into the problems trying to shovel the stuff. I was late, late, late for work yesterday morning because rain on top of snow had frozen and encased my tires 1" up from the pavement. The chopping process ruined a perfectly good hair day. Oh and that took place after I had recruited my hair dryer to get the door open. A half inch of ice covered the car-very shiny. Hmmmm. My love of winter took a serious hit.

18 Degrees

It's brutal out there. Another gust of brrr chill from our Canadian friends. They're spreading the love. The couch, blanket, knitting and remote made the weekend. We're expecting snow "with accumulations" by Tuesday night. (read: you'll be shoveling Wednesday morning dude)
I tried a new sock yarn. An Auracania solid with a Staggered Gull Wing design for giggles. I got tired of the design and quit when I got sick of it because Elizabeth Zimmerman said I could. Sock 2 is on the needles. I'm interested how much of a change there will be once blocked.
As I mentioned earlier, no buttons have been found for the sweater below. No whiskered fambly members have owned up to their whereabouts. What would I do without these markers? (Get off my arse and buy new buttons that's what!)

You KNOW what will happen once I do that don't you? That's alright. Once they show up I'll design something around them.

Gloves & Chinese Knots

I jumped on the I-cord finger gloves method and gave it a resounding...hmmm. Here they are in process.

They made up very quick and the I-Cord finger manufacture was painless but....
I'm not happy with the grafting part of the project. I'll be searching for an alternative method before attempting again.And yes, they fit like a glove, thank you for asking.

As for the Chinese Knots section of the title, I decided to try something different than buttons and buttonholes. After attaching my button bands I knit up lengths of I-Cord and fashioned them into buttons and closures. I wish I could tell you exactly where I got the idea but I don't want to give credit to the wrong source suffice to say it was an email from a knitting source with a link to creating said fasteners from a recently published book. If I find it I'll post an addendum with the info. Here is the w.i.p.

I used the leftover yarn to create the gloves: Auracania from the back room at Webs. Stitch pattern is double broken rib. You're seeing it in its unblocked state and I have to tell you, it won't look much different blocked. If you wander back to last summer's posts I fashioned a grey and white pullover with same stitch pattern. Yup, it's a favorite. We have a running joke in my family about flamingos and my dislike for the plastic lawn ornaments and such. Given my family and friend's sick sense of humor I get alot of flamingo stuff. When purchasing the yarn the first thing that came to mind that the colorway is very flamingo-ey to me. Pink, coral and yellow. Check out a flamingo...you'll see.

Are you asking about the buttons for the Gryffindor sweater? The ones lost? Oh, yes, they're still lost but it hasn't stopped me from wearing the cardi in the house, complete with stitch markers (the ones that look like little locks) marking where the buttons SHOULD BE. It kills me! I bought the perfect buttons for it and bought out the supply. They're in the house somewhere I just know it.

And now for something unusual: me getting emotional over an inauguration. That was a first.

I Can't Find My Buttons

Anybody seen them? Yup, the ones that WERE in my purse are no longer and no one in the house claims to have seen or moved them, though I have my doubts about Beau's claim to innocence.There's just something about that face...

So now I have two 99% finished projects that I have not photo'd because Western MA refuses to allow sunshine to get through when I'm home, (the sun shines fine while I'm at work.) for a decent shot. I also find myself contemplating what to do next project-wise. I have a stash of Valley Yarns "Northfield" (same name of the town I work in) and though I usually look at yarn like a sculptor looks at a rock and says: "You're going to be a (fill in blank)", I get nothing. It's a blend of merino, baby alpaca and silk . For you dyers they have a larger hank (625yds), just so you know. I may have to put it in the marinating drawer for now. That'll teach me for buying yarn based on its name.

I also find myself thinking spring/summer even though winter has just begun and Mother Nature is slapping us up side the head every couple of days with the crappiest winter weather. Snow is fine but this sleet, freezing rain garbage is a back breaker for shoveling. Snowblower? Hah, it refuses to deal with such slop. I swear I hear it laughing from the garage.

Time to Ring in the New Year

Western MA got alot of rain over the weekend to seriously damage the nice fluffy snow. On the plus side I gained a snowman (compliments of my niece)in my backyard because it was VERY packy. He has a frenchy beret thing going. His eyes are roasted chestnuts, or shall I say over roasted chestnuts that smoked the house up and made it smell kinda like burnt popcorn and exactly like burnt chestnuts. So much for bringing Dickens in to Christmas. One strike against the microwave version. The oven roasted nuts were fine accompanied by a Pinot Noir.

Now here's a gift...

Beau gold in Tiffany blue.
Nobody in the house got anything from Tiff's so heaven knows where the bag came from. I think Beau looks grand don't you?
The holiday (read: food) went on for days. Wednesday: Lasagna; Thursday:Lasagna again; Friday: Lasagna...again and bacon*; Saturday: Baked Ham and fixins; Sunday: holiday buffet complete with ricotta pie, turtle cheesecake. No lasagna on the buffet-phew.
*Not planned. In re-arranging the freezer the 4 lbs of bacon was left out and defrosted prompting a marathon bacon cooking session. Being one of my favorite smells I didn't have a problem with it. Too bad the burnt chestnuts took over.....

As Ready As I'll Ever Be

A view during the storm on 12/19.

Add a foot of snow to the top of the garage (and everywhere else!) and that's where we stand today. Figure in a wind chill at -5. Funny, Beau and Andrew haven't asked to go out on the porch.
The shopping is done. The schedule is set(unless the weather in un-cooperative). Patience-gone. Knitting is steady. Did I tell about the flamingo colored cardigan? Yes, I did. Still no picture. 'Magine that. All the jewelry present ideas...psbtbt! Maybe next year. Still trying to master some techniques. It's getting there just not to my satisfaction. Okay, I'm ready.

Present Revealed

I received a phone call at work yesterday from my mom asking me if I had left red sock yarn out at home. I pinched my eyebrows together and replied,"no, why?" Her reply, "Well, there was a skein on the second floor landing and one in the cellar." Mom didn't find the stash drawer open, it was a puzzle. Then it hit me. Andrew. Only Andrew could open two plastic bags to steal two hanks of sock yarn out of my bedroom on the second floor, deposit one on the landing and carry the other downstairs, through the cat door and into his room in the cellar. "Uh, Merry Christmas mom. Those were supposed to go in your stocking. I'll have a chat with Andrew when I get home."
"What sock yarn?"

Storm

A contented Beau watching the snow fall. Or maybe our resident squirrel.
We're gearing up for another big one. Fill the tub with water! Get the lanterns and candles ready. Batteries. Non refrigerated food. Mindless knitting.

London Town

Who knew London was so hilly? This is the neighborhood of Ebenezer Scrooge. The gaslights glow around the parks (there's more than one) and are perfect for an evening walk.

With a flash view it loses its ambience. Big Ben on the left keeps pretty good time....if you put a fresh battery in.

My cats have behaved as well as they can with all that temptation. The village continues to the left and back farther to the right. The excess snow has settled and been vacuumed or de-linted from every possible surface.

I'm working on one of those projects where you knit, knit, knit and it seems to never get longer. That's the reason there is no picture, it doesn't look like anything yet. Maybe tomorrow.

London's Calling

The construction of Dicken's London is ongoing in my living room. Apparently snow was heavy this year because it's everywhere in the house. When finished there will be no room to place Christmas gifts under the tree. Pics of London at a later date.

My gryffindor inspired sweater has no buttons. They're in my purse. Although the distance between my purse and sweater are mere feet I have not joined the two. Could it be my mojo is

waining? Hmmm, more like a case of startitis. I have another project or two going but indeed having issues finishing things up. Probably because I need another sweater like a ....you can finish that sentence. I'm thinking the London snow is not enhancing the pic or the sweater, but that's just me. (I can't stand it, it's EVERYWHERE!)

In our effort to conserve heat in the Town Hall I constructed a pair of fingerless mitts to wear on our frostier days.

The pattern is a broken rib and the yarn is a cotton/acrylic. Not wool? No, these will get filthy and I want to just throw them in the laundry. Yes, I've heard of superwash wool but I didn't have any at hand and as you can see they are constructed of bits and pieces of other items. I made of bunch of hats for our Warm the Children collection out of the original skeins. Did you notice the bracelet? Did you? I taught myself to do a bit of stringing. I call this creation my Chanel bracelet. Matte black and pearl white beads with a touch of gold for bling. I prefer to create wire jewelry but want to explore other venues because you never know when it will become helpful. There are those that knit with wire. I can't say I cherish anything I've seen yet.

I doooo like chain maille. I'm hoping Santa will put a Byzantine Chain Maille kit in my stocking this year.

If you'll excuse me I have to get the lint roller and remove the snow....from everything.

Thanksgiving 2008

Back from Plymouth, VT; birthplace of Calvin Coolidge. The dinner was yummy, the weather co-operated. Traffic was nothing until I hit Brattleboro, VT on the way home and even then not horrible. The biggest shock was leaving Massachusetts Thursday morning with the sun shining, the grass green and the temp balmy. The farther north I went the greyer and darker it got and eventually I noticed blobs of white stuff on the sides of the road. Then all non-asphalt areas were coated in snow. When I got to sister's house they had plowed and the driveway was a giant ice sheet. There I go again, wrong wardrobe. I managed not to fall off my 2.5" heels walking with pie and sweet potato casserole. I should know better too, snow starts in October up there. Okemo was open and I could see tiny dark specks skiing down the mountain.
I have the Town Hall to myself today and quite frankly it's spooky in here. We all know it's haunted. Doors open and close upstairs but there are no footsteps. That hasn't happened today --yet.
I think I'd rather go home and finish my fingerless mitts.

Let The Season Begin

The holiday season cannot possibly start without a trip to Yankee Candle Village. Younger sister and niece came up from NJ. Here they examine ornaments around a gigantic Christmas tree. I forget what they call this room. I live minutes away from this. It's like a second home.

I tried "kinnearing" bears in the Enchanted Forest. For no reason mind you, photos are welcome, I just wanted to see what I got. I got more tree than bear. I did manage to scare the crap out of a kid walking by just when the flash went off. It looked like lightening. You should have seen him jump. oops. The Enchanted Forest is dimly lit and forecasts snow every 4 minutes. I have to say it was dead on with the forecast.

At home Beau decided there were critters under the couch.

And they moved down to the other end. (Wild imagination that one.)

Then he came in for his close up.

After the relatives bolted for home I found a WEBS bag behind the couch and in it was a hank of SOCK YARN! WOO HOO! I thought I had busted my stash of sock yarn. Now I really have. The colorway is remniscent of my Brownie uniform. (No I don't still have it... I don't think). Back in 196(blah,blah, blah) we wore brown dresses, socks and beanies with orange accents. Those are the colors in the variegated yarn.

The next holiday gathering will be Thanksgiving and I was dealt sweet potatoes as my assignment. I need to find inspiration...and soon.

What Season Is This?

When ya gotta bloom, ya gotta bloom, regardless if you're a Christmas Cactus and it's not Christmas. This gang lives on the front porch all summer and the shock of outside to inside causes spontaneous blooming.

So be it!

I finished Gryffindor cardi and must do button shopping. I also need a method to remove rust marks from my white (of course, couldn't happen to a dark color) vest. I didn't notice the pins had gone bad when I blocked it. If anyone lurking knows of a sure fire removal system I'd appreciate the help.

I'm at a project stand still. Maybe a romp thru my stash will bring inspiration. Better yet, a romp thru WEBS.

Don't Blink, You'll Miss It

I have the oddest Burning Bush. When all the other burning bushes are flaming red, mine remains green. I wait and wait. And then, within 24 hours, it turns red and the leaves fall off. I took this picture this morning. By the time I get home this evening at least half of the leaves will be gone. I swear it's an offshoot of the Whomping Willow from Harry Potter.

It used to be conical shaped but I clopped the top off of it this summer. It's going to get more shaping next spring because it's getting too wide. Why is it in the middle of the lawn? Well, when I bought the house it had an old brick path leading from the back steps straight down to where that bush is then it turned to the left to a little storage shed behind the garage. My neighbor tells me there was a grape arbor over the path at one time. By the time I got it most of the path had been overgrown with lawn. I planted the bush at the inside corner. The shed fell down during the first winter. I dug up the brick and reused it for a tiered white garden. That left the bush smack in the middle of the backyard. It has it's advantages. If I'm out back on the swing I'm out of sight from the neighbors and passersby on the street. I like my privacy. But enough of that.

I see from my email from WEBs they have some Cascade 109 on their closeout specials. I like tweedy yarn and it's bulky which equals quick. I may have to toddle down there to give it the tactile test. I could use a new throw.

It's one of those cold, damp fall days. I think instead of being in this drafty old building I'd be happier at home with one cat snuggled beside me, the other sprawled on the headrest of my chair, a cup of chai tea and the Gryffindor cardi. Oh, and watching those Rock Solid guys on DIY. Yes, I'd be much happier.

There's Got To Be A Morning After...

I know, the last thing you want to read about is the election. Well, I'll just update the non-political stuff for you that occurred at Town Hall on election day.

Remember the Pie people? They sold pie outside. It was a gorgeeooouus day. Great for selling pie. They sold alot of pie.

The Bake sale in the downstairs hallway? Sold out. People get hungry standing in line and at 7am cookies are GOOD.

I counted 10 phone calls from people wondering if they were registered to vote. No planning ahead for THOSE people, no-sir-ee.

Did you know if you don't answer your street census you're listed as inactive on the voting registration list? Yup, doesn't mean you can't vote but you have to fill out paperwork proving you live in the town your voting in so save yourself the grief-don't argue with the election clerk and fill out the paperwork they hand you or answer your street census. Wasn't that easy?


Oddest/dumbest (my opinion) question of the day? "Where would I get a map of Greenfield?" (the question was asked in the town hall, which is not in Greenfield.) After staring at him with one eyebrow hitched up and wanting to say, "In Greenfield." I restrained myself from stating the obvious and responded, "Try the Assessors office. They're the only room with maps." Off he went. I'm sure he was very disappointed to find out they only have maps of our town.


Cutest moment: a small child was waiting in the voting line with his parents. He said he was very excited and hoping Barack Obama would be in the voting room when he got there. We all smiled. His parents tried to explain that they didn't think Mr. Obama would be there.

Honking for support. Does it reeaallly do anything for the cause? Is there a special count for "honk if you support...?" Where do they tally those honks? I've never seen a news broadcaster report an election that included: "So & So was trailing by 57% of the votes but s/he won by a landslide with 90% of the honks." No acceptance speeches have included the phrase, "We won this election by a honk!"




















Andrew says:
"Now with voting over, will they stop canceling NCIS and House?"

It's Here!

And I've never seen anything like it. I've been voting for 30 years and I've never seen anything like this. I got to work by 7:30am (after I voted in my own town. Small line, 5 minute wait) and drove around the parking lot for 5 minutes. I finally gave up and drove down the street and parked in a restaurant parking lot. I've never had to walk to work before. The Town Hall main hallway is wall to wall people. There's a little one out there that's starting to get a little bored with the whole thing. Or maybe it's an adult, sometimes it's hard to tell around here. It's only 8am.

On the knitting front, yes, contrary to the latest posts I do still knit, I'm still working on the cardigan with 2 color section. Or, the Gryffindor cardi as I refer to it due to it's red wine and gold colors. I paused from the body work to get the sleeves done so I can use up all the leftover wool to lengthen the body as much as possible. I want this one to cover my bum. I know you all wanted to know that so there you go.

(I wish you could here some of the conversations outside my door)

Ah yes, it's going to be an interesting day. Join the excitement-go vote!

















Beau is exhausted from the excitement of voting.

One More Day To Go

Monday before Election Day. The buzz is getting louder....
Can you hear it?

Noon is the deadline for absentee ballots to be administered.

The Town Clerk's office has been the hub of excitement and whining.

After noon, the place will become eerily quiet. Kind of like the movie "High Noon".

From noon on the calls will come in asking what time the polls open and close.

I took wee breaks from knitting this weekend to create some bling. I'm

not sure the Christmas cactus appreciated it. After all, it has

it's own bling going on.

Andrew wasn't impressed much.

"Mom won't let me knit, won't let me do jewelry. BORING!

"Hey Lucy, come on over. Heat comes out of these holey things

and it's really warm, though, when the hot wind first comes out of them

it scares the bajeevees out of me."