almost finished hat
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Not so instant gratification
Regardless of the fact that I feel that I have nothing to say today, here I go:
I have been a little lackluster about my knitting lately, and therefore a reflection of my life in general, I suppose. I went to the library to get an infusion of yet more knitting books. All the projects I was looking at were large and time consuming. I needed something more instantly gratifying.
Yesterday I started and today I finished a hat by Jo Sharp. It was a style that i wanted to learn how to make. Upon reading the pattern, I decided that the measurements would make far too shallow a hat. I added a couple a centimeters--to my dismay. In the end, I think the pattern knew far more about the proper depth for this kind of hat. Anyhow, I'm working on the duplicate stitch embroidery. Not going so well. I don't know why these stitches are hard for me to figure out. Perhaps it's the scale I'm working on.
So, I like the style enough to make it again, this time properly. Meanwhile, I may and try to find a quick fix for this one because the colors came out so nicely.
When I feel really emotional, It find it hard to knit. I wonder what that's about. That's when I need to knit the most! I'll work on that one today, a beautiful autumn day...
I have been a little lackluster about my knitting lately, and therefore a reflection of my life in general, I suppose. I went to the library to get an infusion of yet more knitting books. All the projects I was looking at were large and time consuming. I needed something more instantly gratifying.
Yesterday I started and today I finished a hat by Jo Sharp. It was a style that i wanted to learn how to make. Upon reading the pattern, I decided that the measurements would make far too shallow a hat. I added a couple a centimeters--to my dismay. In the end, I think the pattern knew far more about the proper depth for this kind of hat. Anyhow, I'm working on the duplicate stitch embroidery. Not going so well. I don't know why these stitches are hard for me to figure out. Perhaps it's the scale I'm working on.
So, I like the style enough to make it again, this time properly. Meanwhile, I may and try to find a quick fix for this one because the colors came out so nicely.
When I feel really emotional, It find it hard to knit. I wonder what that's about. That's when I need to knit the most! I'll work on that one today, a beautiful autumn day...
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Knitting Sunday
Now THAT was a really bad poem.
Sundays are generally pretty good these days.
It's the day that I meet with my local knitters.
Well, mostly it's just the 4 of us, but we are really becoming friends.
The best kind, those with whom I really have something in common. Those commited to being somewhere every week to connect.
Portland seems like the rest of the west coast in terms of reliability of it's inhabitants. Not much. I just want people to follow through with making plans to get together and actually do it. It's hard for me to make plans because I never know if when the day and time comes if I'll actually want to get together. But, I do see the neccessity of making plans and I do generally stick to them. Here it seems like folks are always waiting to see if a better option will come along. Or, perhaps an option that will take the least amount of effort to accomplish.
I don't want to be negative but that's where I find myself right now. Maybe when I lose that vibe a bit, things will change.
Sundays are generally pretty good these days.
It's the day that I meet with my local knitters.
Well, mostly it's just the 4 of us, but we are really becoming friends.
The best kind, those with whom I really have something in common. Those commited to being somewhere every week to connect.
Portland seems like the rest of the west coast in terms of reliability of it's inhabitants. Not much. I just want people to follow through with making plans to get together and actually do it. It's hard for me to make plans because I never know if when the day and time comes if I'll actually want to get together. But, I do see the neccessity of making plans and I do generally stick to them. Here it seems like folks are always waiting to see if a better option will come along. Or, perhaps an option that will take the least amount of effort to accomplish.
I don't want to be negative but that's where I find myself right now. Maybe when I lose that vibe a bit, things will change.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Hat
I wore a hat to work today
it made me swing
it made me sway
I felt self conscious to the stares
as if they asked me
do you dare?
I wore a hat to work today
and made a point
to really say
I said I will
I said I dare
For all to see, but not my hair.
it made me swing
it made me sway
I felt self conscious to the stares
as if they asked me
do you dare?
I wore a hat to work today
and made a point
to really say
I said I will
I said I dare
For all to see, but not my hair.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Laboring Day
People love to make jokes about the name of this holiday. Here in America, it is now just simply a slightly sad celebration of the end of summer.
Because of my continual traveling these past years, this will be the first time in a long time that I will actually see a change in seasons. The rain will come. The light is already changing. Earlier this summer, the days were so long. The sun was up at 5:30 and set at 8:30 or so. I've never experienced something like that before. So, I'm adjusting again to an apartment on my own (again) and getting up to clouds and less sun.
I'm knitting to pass the time like know one's business. I don't want to make any changes to my place until I've gotten some feedback from friends. I can't see so clearly now about how to do things...
Because of my continual traveling these past years, this will be the first time in a long time that I will actually see a change in seasons. The rain will come. The light is already changing. Earlier this summer, the days were so long. The sun was up at 5:30 and set at 8:30 or so. I've never experienced something like that before. So, I'm adjusting again to an apartment on my own (again) and getting up to clouds and less sun.
I'm knitting to pass the time like know one's business. I don't want to make any changes to my place until I've gotten some feedback from friends. I can't see so clearly now about how to do things...
Friday, September 02, 2005
LIfe just keeps changing...
...and changing. Those of you who know me, know what I'm talking about. On the other hand, those of you who do not know me also know this to be true.
The nature of what's going on here in America is blowing me away. The strife in the Gulf states eats at me.
To take a little time from the drama playing out on tv, I went to the library here in Portland to pick up some knitting books I put on hold. So far I rate them (of a possible 10):
Viva Poncho by Christina Stork and Leslie Barbazette:3
Jean Frost Jackets, by Jean Frost: 7.5
Module Magic: Ginger Luters: 8.5 (more for the designer)
I'm looking forward to spending some time trying out techniques from that last book, but it takes time and I often rather just throw myself into a project rather than fiddle around. Hmmm. True of many things.
I knit a quick scarf in Crystal Palace "Fling" in a sort of nude/white mix and combined it with off white microfiber for drape. Came out nicely. Hope to photograph that soon (if my older camera is working okay)
I also remade the lavendar tank top pictured a while back. It was just too plain to stand on it's own for me. Got bored with it, so I added ruffles at the bottom and crochet at the neckline. I STILL have some of that Berocco Smart Cotton left.
The LGBT knit list is offline right now and it's driving me crazy to not have that email.
Watched Finding Neverland last night. Too sad, and not in a way I like...
The nature of what's going on here in America is blowing me away. The strife in the Gulf states eats at me.
To take a little time from the drama playing out on tv, I went to the library here in Portland to pick up some knitting books I put on hold. So far I rate them (of a possible 10):
Viva Poncho by Christina Stork and Leslie Barbazette:3
Jean Frost Jackets, by Jean Frost: 7.5
Module Magic: Ginger Luters: 8.5 (more for the designer)
I'm looking forward to spending some time trying out techniques from that last book, but it takes time and I often rather just throw myself into a project rather than fiddle around. Hmmm. True of many things.
I knit a quick scarf in Crystal Palace "Fling" in a sort of nude/white mix and combined it with off white microfiber for drape. Came out nicely. Hope to photograph that soon (if my older camera is working okay)
I also remade the lavendar tank top pictured a while back. It was just too plain to stand on it's own for me. Got bored with it, so I added ruffles at the bottom and crochet at the neckline. I STILL have some of that Berocco Smart Cotton left.
The LGBT knit list is offline right now and it's driving me crazy to not have that email.
Watched Finding Neverland last night. Too sad, and not in a way I like...
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Friday, August 26, 2005
A day off, chai and company
I checked out a Chai house that was new to me today to meet a friend. The company was great, the chai was not really to my taste. But, they do have 8 other kinds, so there may be hope.
I was a manic knitter this morning, finishing my black shrug. I now realize that this is the garment that my wardrobe has been missing for years (pictures to follow, I hope). Now onto designing other ones in silks and cottons, etc. This time I WILL write down what I'm doing as I go along. There's no good reason why I can't develop some patterns out of my recent design binge.
I've also decided that just because i don't know absolutely every knitting technique, that doesn't mean that I can't design with the knowledge I do have.
Also frequented the thrift shops for some clothes, as I often due around here on my time off. I seem to have better luck than in San Diego. Bigger women up here? I think so. At least taller.
I was a manic knitter this morning, finishing my black shrug. I now realize that this is the garment that my wardrobe has been missing for years (pictures to follow, I hope). Now onto designing other ones in silks and cottons, etc. This time I WILL write down what I'm doing as I go along. There's no good reason why I can't develop some patterns out of my recent design binge.
I've also decided that just because i don't know absolutely every knitting technique, that doesn't mean that I can't design with the knowledge I do have.
Also frequented the thrift shops for some clothes, as I often due around here on my time off. I seem to have better luck than in San Diego. Bigger women up here? I think so. At least taller.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Thursday's Blues-day
Working more on a computer then knitting.
Leaves me little for a coping mechanism.
Drinking too much tea.
Knitting a shrug in Black microfiber that just won't seem to get done. The yarn is splitting terribly and the black is hard to see. I put the work in it, but because I'm designing as I go, there's a fair amount of frogging when I don't remember something correctly. I figure it will be done in a day or two.
Ugggghhhh.
I'd like to make my own buttons and I've found a book on it. Love buttons...
Leaves me little for a coping mechanism.
Drinking too much tea.
Knitting a shrug in Black microfiber that just won't seem to get done. The yarn is splitting terribly and the black is hard to see. I put the work in it, but because I'm designing as I go, there's a fair amount of frogging when I don't remember something correctly. I figure it will be done in a day or two.
Ugggghhhh.
I'd like to make my own buttons and I've found a book on it. Love buttons...
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
yarn yearn
Okay, so it's driving me nuts that I can't buy yarn right now. I'm finishing projects left and right, and although my current stash should last me another couple of years, it makes me nervous. I know that I'm not alone. If truth be told, I actually go to all these yarn websites, plan what I'm going to buy and then just "click off." Sad. Better than spending, though.
If I were to spend some money on yarn, most of the time it would be here:
http://www.elann.com
I went online to the local library and found over 300 knitting books. I put about 25 on hold. I figure if I really like them, then I'll buy them. There was a time that I belonged to a book club and bought all these books and then didn't really use them. I ended up selling them to used books stores. Pass it on, pass it on...
If I were to spend some money on yarn, most of the time it would be here:
http://www.elann.com
I went online to the local library and found over 300 knitting books. I put about 25 on hold. I figure if I really like them, then I'll buy them. There was a time that I belonged to a book club and bought all these books and then didn't really use them. I ended up selling them to used books stores. Pass it on, pass it on...
A cool day waiting for the tea
Considering that this blog has "tea" in the title, I write very little about my tea obsession.
Lately, I've come up with the idea that I can keep my caffeine intake down and tea flavor up by using a decaf teabag and a few grains of really tasty tea like Scottish Breakfast. I feel a lot less deprived and am buzzing a little less now.
Seeds and such
Deb's "bushwalk" collection of botanical samples
everything Deb goes out walking, she picks up all sorts of botanical material that's new to her. When we lived in San Diego, most of it was common to Australia as well. All this Oregon stuff is new to her, and she is completely fascinated.
As the days pass, they wrinkle and rot so I thought I would keep a digital account of some of the collections.
First cable sweater
Zimmerman Cables in Wool and Mohair
I knitted this a couple of years ago and am only now getting to photograph it.
(I used to be a quilter, and NEVER took pictures of my work and now deeply regret it...)
So, it weighs a ton, is an outside sweater, for sure, and tested my patience. But, I love it, especially the blueberry/inky color of the yarn.
Now whenever I look at a Zimmerman cable design, I just want to start it. Trouble is, most of my stash is short on the ammounts a cabled design takes to complete.
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