Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Whoops.
Yesterday was Rick's birthday. (Happy Birthday, sweetie!) Unfortunately, I was really unprepared for it. I tend to think about the gifts I give for a long time, completely and unnecessarily stressing myself out over giving THE. PERFECT. GIFT.
But not this year. Still hung over from Christmas shopping, I waited until the last minute to start thinking of a birthday gift. By that time, it was too late to rope in other folks to go in together on a large gift or to order something online.
I also forgot how old Rick was. I told at least four people that this birthday would be his 39th. Then last week, Rick mentioned his 38th birthday coming up. Like an idiot, I politely tried to correct him.
"Um, sweetie? Do you...I mean...Is that how old you think you will be?"
"Um, yes. Because that is how old I'll be."
Whoops. So I accidentally aged my husband a year, putting him much too close to forty for comfort, scrounged up a gift that was something he could use but definitely not something he wanted, and then. Then he opened his birthday card.
"Oh, I always love this card."
Excuse me? You always love this card? That's right. I have apparently given him the same birthday card several times in the last ten years.
Sorry, sweetie. I'm going to start thinking about your gift for next year's birthday RIGHT NOW. But you may want to remind me occasionally that you're not turning forty yet.
But not this year. Still hung over from Christmas shopping, I waited until the last minute to start thinking of a birthday gift. By that time, it was too late to rope in other folks to go in together on a large gift or to order something online.
I also forgot how old Rick was. I told at least four people that this birthday would be his 39th. Then last week, Rick mentioned his 38th birthday coming up. Like an idiot, I politely tried to correct him.
"Um, sweetie? Do you...I mean...Is that how old you think you will be?"
"Um, yes. Because that is how old I'll be."
Whoops. So I accidentally aged my husband a year, putting him much too close to forty for comfort, scrounged up a gift that was something he could use but definitely not something he wanted, and then. Then he opened his birthday card.
"Oh, I always love this card."
Excuse me? You always love this card? That's right. I have apparently given him the same birthday card several times in the last ten years.
Sorry, sweetie. I'm going to start thinking about your gift for next year's birthday RIGHT NOW. But you may want to remind me occasionally that you're not turning forty yet.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Trouble in Scarfsville
So I'm knitting and knitting and knitting away, and suddenly I stop and look at the progress because it looks like I've knit almost a foot! I'm almost a fifth or sixth of the way done! Go me! And then I see...
The curl. Check out the curl on this scarf. Especially on the left side there. I've tugged it, I've pulled it, I've tried my darnest to ignore it. But it just keeps curling. So I googled "Forbes Forest curl" and sure enough, lots of blogs pop up that essentially say, "I loved knitting this scarf, but I wish it didn't curl so much."
Hmmph. So now I have a dilemna. I can either 1) ignore the curl, pretending that it won't be there when it's done and my scarf will drape just as prettily as it does in the book, 2) continue knitting, pretending that I'll be able to block the curl out even though every tutorial on blocking ever written tells you that you will not be able to block a curl out, or 3) frog it and start a different pattern for the pink scarf.
Number One really isn't very bloody likely. There is just no way I will be able to ignore the curl. If I continue to knit this pattern, I'm likely to hold it up every couple rows just to confirm that the curl really is as bad as I think it is.
Number Three is probably the most rational choice, because I am sure that I will not like a scarf that curls up like that. How will I show off my pretty cables if they're inside a curl? And doesn't this wonderful yarn deserve better?
Unfortunately, I don't feel very rational or practical. In fact, I'm inclined towards Number Two. Partially because I spent a week or so deciding on this scarf pattern and then carefully picking my yarn and then patiently (very patiently, remember all the ice here) waiting on my yarn to arrive. But mostly because I love this pattern so much, and I really, really want things to work out between us. I want it so bad (and here's the crazy part) that I start to think I might actually be able to WILL THE CURL AWAY.
So what would you do, knitters? Any tips, suggestions, or references to loony bins? Thank you.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Pretty in Pink
It probably looks like I'm about to bind off on the world's fanciest washcloth...
...but believe me. When this baby grows up, she's going to be a pretty pink scarf.
The pattern is Forbes Forest by Kathy Zimmerman, from Scarf Style, and it is so fun to knit. It took only a few rows to memorize, and now it's easy to knit and yet much more interesting than my usual mindless stockinette or ribbed scarf, because every other row there are cables and bobbles to make!
Back to knitting!
P.S. The above link to Forbes Forest takes you to a picture of it on Knit Picks' website. The picture doesn't give much detail, but the description beside it made me laugh. I just think it's funny that this pattern is described as masculine. I suppose it's a masculine scarf. Clearly I'm supposed to think it's masculine since a MAN is wearing it. But I guess I just don't see why it's not feminine as well. What constitutes a masculine scarf or a feminine scarf? Must a scarf have lace or fringe to be feminine? Anyway, I guess I'm making damned sure it's feminine by knitting it with pink yarn! Or maybe it's a masculine scarf that's in touch with its feminine side.
...but believe me. When this baby grows up, she's going to be a pretty pink scarf.The pattern is Forbes Forest by Kathy Zimmerman, from Scarf Style, and it is so fun to knit. It took only a few rows to memorize, and now it's easy to knit and yet much more interesting than my usual mindless stockinette or ribbed scarf, because every other row there are cables and bobbles to make!
Back to knitting!
P.S. The above link to Forbes Forest takes you to a picture of it on Knit Picks' website. The picture doesn't give much detail, but the description beside it made me laugh. I just think it's funny that this pattern is described as masculine. I suppose it's a masculine scarf. Clearly I'm supposed to think it's masculine since a MAN is wearing it. But I guess I just don't see why it's not feminine as well. What constitutes a masculine scarf or a feminine scarf? Must a scarf have lace or fringe to be feminine? Anyway, I guess I'm making damned sure it's feminine by knitting it with pink yarn! Or maybe it's a masculine scarf that's in touch with its feminine side.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Stash Enhancement!
The UPS man finally delivered my newest bundle of hopes and dreams.
Many a time I have taken home a single skein of yarn from a local yarn shop, something so colorful or soft that I just couldn't leave it behind. But shopping for yarn online is more methodical. I've never ordered yarn that wasn't for a specific project. A couple weeks ago, I decided it was time for new projects and I ordered enough yarn for three new scarves. Because I love the scarves, you know.
I now have two colorways of Malabrigo for two different scarves, because I've always wanted to find out what all the hype is about. Let me tell you, this yarn is FABULOUS! I know that technically I haven't actually knit with it yet, but it is quite wonderful for smooshing cheeks into. And the colors! So pretty! So mesmerizing! So unable to be captured by my meager photography skills. And also, from Uruguay! So I can feel like some kind of globe-trotting knitting fool! I can't wait to get my needles into this yarn.
But first, I am going to knit myself a pink scarf. When Rick read my Knitting Goals post, he said, "Oh, just go ahead and knit a pink scarf already." So I decided that if I was going to knit a pink scarf, it may as well be a really, really, really soft scarf. I couldn't afford the Lobster Pot (Some day, baby! Some day.), so I purchased a cashmere blend. This Rowan Cashsoft DK may only have 10% cashmere, but I think it's the softest wool I've ever purchased. And machine washable! I wonder if I'll actually risk it, though...
Bring on the winter storm weekend!
Many a time I have taken home a single skein of yarn from a local yarn shop, something so colorful or soft that I just couldn't leave it behind. But shopping for yarn online is more methodical. I've never ordered yarn that wasn't for a specific project. A couple weeks ago, I decided it was time for new projects and I ordered enough yarn for three new scarves. Because I love the scarves, you know.I now have two colorways of Malabrigo for two different scarves, because I've always wanted to find out what all the hype is about. Let me tell you, this yarn is FABULOUS! I know that technically I haven't actually knit with it yet, but it is quite wonderful for smooshing cheeks into. And the colors! So pretty! So mesmerizing! So unable to be captured by my meager photography skills. And also, from Uruguay! So I can feel like some kind of globe-trotting knitting fool! I can't wait to get my needles into this yarn.
But first, I am going to knit myself a pink scarf. When Rick read my Knitting Goals post, he said, "Oh, just go ahead and knit a pink scarf already." So I decided that if I was going to knit a pink scarf, it may as well be a really, really, really soft scarf. I couldn't afford the Lobster Pot (Some day, baby! Some day.), so I purchased a cashmere blend. This Rowan Cashsoft DK may only have 10% cashmere, but I think it's the softest wool I've ever purchased. And machine washable! I wonder if I'll actually risk it, though...
Bring on the winter storm weekend!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Reason #117 Why I Don't Have Children
This morning I found Shiva playing with her favorite new toy. The Exacto Knife.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Who knew I was such a prolific knitter?
Good God, I hope I knit something other than washcloths in 2007. On the other hand, I think I'll start boasting that I already have four finished objects this year. Let's see, I don't think I could say that until August of last year....
I ordered some yarn a little over a week ago. My stash is just not doing it for me right now, and I have been patiently waiting for new yarn to arrive...but I just had to knit something over the long, cold weekend. Why hello, trusty washcloth! With the bright cheery colors! I'm not sure which is brighter, the reflection off the ice or my Sugar 'N Cream yarn.
And here is the shot that shows that I have a two-foot ice-drift outside my front door. I just hope the UPS guy isn't too afraid of it to deliver my yarn....
I ordered some yarn a little over a week ago. My stash is just not doing it for me right now, and I have been patiently waiting for new yarn to arrive...but I just had to knit something over the long, cold weekend. Why hello, trusty washcloth! With the bright cheery colors! I'm not sure which is brighter, the reflection off the ice or my Sugar 'N Cream yarn.And here is the shot that shows that I have a two-foot ice-drift outside my front door. I just hope the UPS guy isn't too afraid of it to deliver my yarn....Wednesday, January 10, 2007
You are an obsession.
Bloggers are great. In just about no time after publishing my nerdy desires last night, I was sent to Library Thing. And now I have just what I needed: a new obsession. I stayed up way too late last night, creating my account and then checking out other member's accounts. LibraryThing is the perfect combination of two of my favorite past times: list-making and voyeurism.
With LibraryThing, you can catalog your own library, rate books, write and read reviews, and get suggestions. In this way, it is very much like Netflix (have I told y'all how much I heart Netflix?). You can also check out other folks' reviews, ratings, and book stashes, and you can even join discussion groups based on like interests. And yes, I already checked: there is a knitting group AND a Harry Potter group! Squee!
The only thing I wish it had was a Wish List section (and who knows, maybe it does and I haven't found it yet), something like Amazon's Wish List. I'm finding a lot of books that I want to read, and it would be handy to have an easily accesible To Read list.
If'n you're interested, here is the online library I started last night. Click on "see catalog" for my list. I haven't had time to enter in more than a few books, but I plan to enter my entire library eventually. And if you are already a member or would like to start up a membership, please leave your profile URL or catalog URL in the comments. I'd love to stalk, I mean, check out your library!
With LibraryThing, you can catalog your own library, rate books, write and read reviews, and get suggestions. In this way, it is very much like Netflix (have I told y'all how much I heart Netflix?). You can also check out other folks' reviews, ratings, and book stashes, and you can even join discussion groups based on like interests. And yes, I already checked: there is a knitting group AND a Harry Potter group! Squee!
The only thing I wish it had was a Wish List section (and who knows, maybe it does and I haven't found it yet), something like Amazon's Wish List. I'm finding a lot of books that I want to read, and it would be handy to have an easily accesible To Read list.
If'n you're interested, here is the online library I started last night. Click on "see catalog" for my list. I haven't had time to enter in more than a few books, but I plan to enter my entire library eventually. And if you are already a member or would like to start up a membership, please leave your profile URL or catalog URL in the comments. I'd love to stalk, I mean, check out your library!
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
A nerd can dream.
So, I was just thinking to myself, "Man, I really wish there was a Netflix for books," when I realized, "Duh! It's called the library!"
At least I didn't say it out loud or anything (or does putting it up on the Internet count?). And though I love love love having an online card catalog, in a way that the teenagers of today will never understand because they've always had an online card catalog, what I would really like is a rating system like Netflix has for movies.
That way, I could check up on my friends and see what books they're reading, what books they want to read next, and what books they've liked or think people should steer clear of. You get the drift. Wouldn't that be fun?
And also, maybe the library could deliver the books in big red envelopes.
At least I didn't say it out loud or anything (or does putting it up on the Internet count?). And though I love love love having an online card catalog, in a way that the teenagers of today will never understand because they've always had an online card catalog, what I would really like is a rating system like Netflix has for movies.
That way, I could check up on my friends and see what books they're reading, what books they want to read next, and what books they've liked or think people should steer clear of. You get the drift. Wouldn't that be fun?
And also, maybe the library could deliver the books in big red envelopes.
Friday, January 05, 2007
The first of many, I'm sure.
Simple, functional, and made of cheap, durable cotton. Washcloths are my comfort knitting.Thursday, January 04, 2007
The Knitter's Resolve.
I have really enjoyed reading New Year's Resolutions on many blogs this past week. Resolutions are such an insight into a person, what their goals are, what they want to do, what they want to change about themselves. And since most of us that read blogs are a bunch of armchair voyeurs, there has been some great reading this week.
That said, I am not going to make any resolutions this year. I'm all resolved out. I have some core resolutions that stay the same from year to year (i.e., get in shape and get out of debt), and I'm likely to work on them or not work on them regardless of the list I make.
Instead, I have just a few knitterly goals that I'd like to share. It's also a good idea that I keep a record of these goals here, so I can go back to it in October of 2007 and get to work.
1. Knit a pink scarf. The entire reason I wanted to learn to knit was because of a pink scarf I saw at the Gap. The inner miser/do-it-yourself-er in me exclaimed, "Forty bucks! For a scarf? I could make that for less than forty bucks!"
That's right. I thought I could knit a Gap-worthy scarf for about 6 bucks or so with some Red Heart from Hobby Lobby. Little did I know that a) it would take me over a year to figure out how to knit, and b) I'd soon be spending a heck of a lot more than forty bucks for a scarf. But guess what? I still haven't knit myself a pink scarf.
2. Learn to magic loop. No matter how many little projects I make on DPN's, my hatred of them has never waned. I'm afraid that if I'm ever going to be able to complete a sock, I'm going to have to learn to magic loop it.
3. Organize my knitting needles. I have circular needles in every room of the house. Nuff said.
4. Knit a Katie-sized sweater. To date, I have attempted one Katie-sized sweater and one Katie-sized vest. On the attempted sweater, I learned that since I don't weigh 100 pounds soaking wet, I won't look good in a sweater made of super bulky yarn at 2 stitches per inch, no matter how good it looked on the model. With the vest, I learned not to try to make a garment bigger than it should be. Deciding to knit a 40-inch vest to fit my size 36 bust just made for lots of extra material that didn't know where to go. And while I was making this item too big for me already, I had the great idea to add some horizontal stripes. Because, you know, I just didn't feel big enough already.
So, this time, I'm thinking a simple, one-colored, top-down raglan sort of thing. Picovoli? Somewhat Cowl? Green Gable? Something like that. We'll see.
And that's it, folks. I'm keeping my goals simple this year. I have a feeling that as nursing school approaches and then completely overwhelms me, there will be a lot of comfort knitting going on (read: mucho pictures of washcloths). Exciting, no?
That said, I am not going to make any resolutions this year. I'm all resolved out. I have some core resolutions that stay the same from year to year (i.e., get in shape and get out of debt), and I'm likely to work on them or not work on them regardless of the list I make.
Instead, I have just a few knitterly goals that I'd like to share. It's also a good idea that I keep a record of these goals here, so I can go back to it in October of 2007 and get to work.
1. Knit a pink scarf. The entire reason I wanted to learn to knit was because of a pink scarf I saw at the Gap. The inner miser/do-it-yourself-er in me exclaimed, "Forty bucks! For a scarf? I could make that for less than forty bucks!"
That's right. I thought I could knit a Gap-worthy scarf for about 6 bucks or so with some Red Heart from Hobby Lobby. Little did I know that a) it would take me over a year to figure out how to knit, and b) I'd soon be spending a heck of a lot more than forty bucks for a scarf. But guess what? I still haven't knit myself a pink scarf.
2. Learn to magic loop. No matter how many little projects I make on DPN's, my hatred of them has never waned. I'm afraid that if I'm ever going to be able to complete a sock, I'm going to have to learn to magic loop it.
3. Organize my knitting needles. I have circular needles in every room of the house. Nuff said.
4. Knit a Katie-sized sweater. To date, I have attempted one Katie-sized sweater and one Katie-sized vest. On the attempted sweater, I learned that since I don't weigh 100 pounds soaking wet, I won't look good in a sweater made of super bulky yarn at 2 stitches per inch, no matter how good it looked on the model. With the vest, I learned not to try to make a garment bigger than it should be. Deciding to knit a 40-inch vest to fit my size 36 bust just made for lots of extra material that didn't know where to go. And while I was making this item too big for me already, I had the great idea to add some horizontal stripes. Because, you know, I just didn't feel big enough already.
So, this time, I'm thinking a simple, one-colored, top-down raglan sort of thing. Picovoli? Somewhat Cowl? Green Gable? Something like that. We'll see.
And that's it, folks. I'm keeping my goals simple this year. I have a feeling that as nursing school approaches and then completely overwhelms me, there will be a lot of comfort knitting going on (read: mucho pictures of washcloths). Exciting, no?
