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It's Girl Scout Cookie selling time again, which means it's time for the self-promoting MeMe Roth (really, that's her name) to push for a boycott of Girl Scout Cookies. Apart from the health issues, Ms. Roth objects to the image of girls in the kitchen baking. Geez, you'd think a long-standing fundraiser would be free of critique, wouldn't you? Fortunately, most commentators have a sense of humor about the issue, and recognize that cookies do not make us fat, overeating them does. Girl Scouts supports many fitness and health programs for their members, as well as science education, leadership, outdoors, and other cool programs. So, if you'd like to risk binging a bit on Thin Mints, and want to support a good organization, buy cookies from my kids! Send me an email and I'll hook you up with a troop near you, or if you live near me I can arrange delivery at a nearby yarn shop! Our Brownie Troop has voted to use half their earnings for a charity project to "save the animals", and the rest to have an end-of-year party. If you have any ideas about saving animals, I could use them... something about saving Snow Leopards and Tigers was mentioned by the girls... The San Mateo Knitters helped out with a few orders. Ada (rav: AdaKnits) and Christina (ChristinaB) knit large projects, and we heard more about Christina's adventures in felting.  Laurie (TheClam) was working in the Boucle Vest, still. The project is driving her nuts but she still plugs away. What dedication!  Liane (SpaceStitch) was making a bunny.  And Christa (periodicmumbling) showed off her completed Tuscany Shawl.  Thanks for another great evening, ladies! | | |
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We saw lots of WIPs and FOs at San Mateo Knitters this week, held at Nine Rubies (as usual!). The Finished DH Sweater  The Brilliant Noro Sweater  The Damn Boucle  The Nifty Handwarmers  The Purse in Progress  and the Tuscany Shawl  I showed up late, knit a row, tinked a row, and maybe got 3 done before closing time. But I laughed a lot! Thanks ladies for a great evening! | | |
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It was time for a San Mateo Knitters meeting last night, and we had a great turnout. (Jocelyn, we missed you!) I showed off my purchases from Copenhagen, which you've seen already. Lenore showed us the front of her multidirectional tank, knit in Baywood Yarns Light Creme (Azul Vivo colorway). Lenore really is the expert on this pattern - I think she's finished at least three by now!  Christina presented the Tuscany shawl she is working on from No Sheep for You, This is a gorgeous pattern and I might buy the book just for it. She's using Baywood Yarns Luxury DK in Blackberry Jam.  Ada showed off the crochet shawl she made - she designed it with Knitware. This was made with Baywood Yarns Superwash Sock in Ollalieberries, double-stranded. She said the crochet went really fast, but we all talked about how our hands hurt after doing a lot of crochet because we're not used to it!  Laurie is still working on her funky vest, which uses three yarns - I'm not sure what the solids are but the mohair boucle is from Baywood Yarns.  We also had Rebecca and Susan, who finally moved to San Mateo from San Francisco. (Welcome!!!) And, we had a lot of red wine... I'll have to check whether I need to tink any of the darn zigzag tank today... | | |
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At San Mateo Knitters this week, Lenore said she finished a multidirectional scarf with Baywood Yarns Creme de Soie (100% worsted-weight silk). She emailed a photo today. Isn't she a great knitter!  I finally finished all the pieces of Eloise, but need to seam her up... Off to Vail for the weekend! And get this - it's just me and my DH... no kids! | | |
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Holy cow, where have I been? Um... West High School reunion, Mid-Pac High reunion, and work. The Mid-Pac reunion (for DH) was in Honolulu, and we went without kids! I got a lot of knitting done on the plane flights. DH's only comment on my completed front and back for the Cable-8 was "Wow, how anal-retentive of you to do that compulsively during the plane flight instead of taking a nap!"
Well, I worked on crocheting it together at Wednesday's San Mateo Knitters group, and finished it off last night. I tried it on, and DH said...
"That really looks good."
That's probably the greatest compliment I've ever received from him for my knitting. I nearly swooned.
Without further ado, I present Cable-8:
Detail of the side, where the cable meets crochet:
Cable detail...
Using the 20 questions from Karmicknit
1. Name of Project: Cable-Eight Top
2. Pattern Source: Interweave Spring 2005
3. Yarn: Organic Pachuko Cotton. I can't find it on Yarndex, nor can I find it for sale on the web.
4. Fiber: Organic undyed cotton - undyed
5. Color: I think they call it Forest. It's a natural color of the cotton
6. Where did I get the yarn? Elann
7. Is it the yarn called for? Yes
8. How long did it take to knit? About 6 weeks
9. Did I change anything? Not intentionally. For the crochet edging, the pattern says you should get about 90 stitches, but I got about half that. I was picking up every other stitch. I think the effect is nice.
10. What would I have done differently? Nothing! This might be the first time I've ever said that.
11. Were the instructions clear? Yes, once I downloaded the errata from Interweave's website.
12. What did I learn? This was the first major cable project I've ever done, so I gained confidence with cables.
13. Was it worth it? Oh yes.
14. Would I do it again? Maybe. It's a cute top, don't you think?
15. What seaming methods were used? Crochet edging on each panel (identical front and back), and then crochet to seam the edges and top.
16. Will I knit with the yarn again? Yes, if I can find it. It's very soft.
17. Do I think I’ll wear it? I'm wearing it right now.
18. Process or Product? Both.
19. Do I have shoes to match? Yes, Clarks green shoes!
20. Final Thoughts: This is a great pattern for a quick knit - and a good way to learn a new skill
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In the process of getting photos organized, I realized I hadn't posted pictures from the San Mateo Knitters meeting 2 weeks ago! It was at Nine Rubies, as usual.
This is Wiz showing off her fizz top. It's done now but I don't have a photo. Don't bother with her blog because she hasn't updated it in ages (hint hint, lady, get with it!)....
This is Lenore. I think she's on her 15th variation of the modular tank pattern. Pretty, isn't it? (Her too.)
Laurie is hiding behind her modular tank, which the previous time had been frogged quite a bit. Note in the foreground the cashmere samples that were sent to me by ColourMart. They are nice, and the prices are quite impressive. However, we all agreed that the new Artyarns Cashmere is the softest stuff at Nine Rubies. We all want to bathe in it. It's absolutely amazing, and it also was one of the less expensive Cashmere yarns we compared. (Not as inexpensive as ColourMart, but definitely a top-end product.)
Here is Ada with... uh, Ada, help me out here. If any of you want to be a sample knitter for the Knitware software, go to the Great Knit Designs website!
And Saloni, with a very pretty modular scarf.
Saloni was kind enough to pull out the basket of Baywood Yarns - that is, my yarns. And, a few hanks sold. I need to get busy with the dyepot soon. Saloni and Sudha said they have been asked for sweater quantities and heavier weights. We'll see...
This weekend, DH and I are going to a wedding in Healdsburg... no kids again!
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A long week, a late night. DH has been in Singapore on business. He also had dinner with his uncle, aunt, and cousins, who he had not seen in about 9 years. Cousin Irdah has 3 kids now, similar ages to ours. Of course the trip involved a ton of food (makan!) and many suggestions that we bring our kids there for a visit. I think we will in a couple of years. It's a long trip and we want to be sure the kids will appreciate it when we finally do it. K is ready now, but CJ needs another year or two. DH gets home tomorrow! I have been alternating nights working - trying to catch up! - and watching movies DH isn't interested in. I finally saw Whale Rider while working on the sleeves of that butterfly cardigan. I didn't make enough new progress to bother photographing. San Mateo Knitters was Wednesday - I brought the embossed leaves socks. I love that pattern and understand what the fuss was about! Finally, my special package arrived - 4 pounds of Henry's Attic superwash for dyeing! I mailed in the applications for a DBA (doing business as - fictitious name registration), home-based business license, and reseller's certification. I am going to dye yarn this weekend (at least some of it) and should be ready to offer some to Nine Rubies on consignment after my vacation in early July - maybe sooner, if I'm lucky. I don't have any thoughts that this will produce much money for me, I view it as a way to keep up the enjoyment of dyeing yarn and making it a self-supporting hobby. Plus, with the yarn dyeing I could produce thousands of yards of yarn I would never have time to knit! If I can get a few people to buy it then I won't have a major stash growth problem ;) Photos later, maybe I'll post some of the yarn I dye this weekend soon... | | |
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Last Wednesday (has it been a week already?), San Mateo Knitters met at Nine Rubies (known as 9R around here).  Spinnity showed off her crocheted starfish and the very cool ducky blanket she is finishing for a friend.  WizKnits showed off her Husband Sock and something else that I can't figure out in this photo! (Hey, Wiz, update your blog!)  Laurie and Angela checked out the very cool sock yarns. (Did you buy any?)  And Sudha was her wonderful, helpful self, working on a Debbie Bliss Silk sweater for Saloni. (That yarn is awesome.) When I got home I found this:  You'd think that Forrest and Xoyx have become friends or something! Update on my knitting: I got the dye-o-rama yarn, so a little bird will indeed get some dyed yarn in the next few weeks! I plan to dye this weekend. I am up to row 60 or so on the Bella sleeves, so I have only about 45 rows to go. Oh yeah, and blocking. And seaming. And crocheting the borders. And hooks or buttons. Never mind about the almost done thing. So, say it with me now: I WILL NOT CAST ON A CLAPOTIS FROM CHASING RAINBOWS WOOL-SILK IN DOVE. I WILL NOT CAST ON EMBOSSED LEAVES SOCKS IN MAMA-E YARN. I WILL NOT CAST ON ANYTHING UNTIL I FINISH ONE OF THE THINGS ON THE NEEDLES NOW! | | |
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Sometimes mail order is like getting Christmas presents. You get home from work and there's a package waiting... which item is it? Will I like it as much as I hope? Ooh, the excitement of opening boxes! But sometimes mail order is the ultimate exercise in delayed gratification. So here are my delays. 1) White Lies, more yarn for Bella. I'm about 1/2 way up the sleeves and don't want to work more because I might need to do the alternate-yarn-every-few-rows thing to blend in the new stuff. I mailed my yard of yarn on Monday and am waiting for a phone call about whether she could match it and how much it'll cost. I really want to finish this sweater! It is looking beautiful so far and the weather here in SF is perfect for something warm but not too warm. The summer fog has set in... 2) Project Spectrum sock yarn from Mama-E. I haven't been doing Project Spectrum - after the Knitting Olympics I can't take the pressure - but the yarn looks nice and it'll push me a bit on my sock-knitting. 3) Blank yarn to dye for the Dye-O-Rama! I have a buddy to dye some yarn for, in the WTF Am I Doing category. She's a newer blogger, and I'm trying to gauge from her blog what she likes to knit, and what colors. So I gave up and asked her via my new anonymous Google email address. I also heard from the person who is dyeing for me - she goofed and her full name was visible in the return email address, but that really doesn't tell me much... without finding her blog what do I really know??? I have the dye already, from Dharma Trading. But I can't do a thing until I get myself a dyepot and that superwash yarn! In the meantime, I'm knitting on the Butterfly Sweater, last seen here. I'm loving the Island Cotton from White Lies. I'm done with buttonholes and nearly ready to split for the sleeves. I'm doing a simple bottom-up raglan, with the button band knit integrally into the design. It's an experiment! Wait! Did I hear you say you want some photos??? Well, here are a few from our San Mateo Knitters meeting at Copenhagen Bakery last week. Attendees were Jocelyn, Ada, Saloni, Rebecca, Laurie, and myself. Laurie, working at the sleeve of the never-ending diagonal sweater (it's looking really good):  Jocelyn created a stir by dropping one of her toothpicks sock DPNs on the floor. Or so we thought. We dug around under everybody's chairs and then found it under a napkin on the table!  Rebecca was one of the four of us knitting socks! It's all Ada's fault. Rebecca is showing off her Husband Sock here a swatch from TKGA. She's farther along on the DH Sock than I am!  Next meeting: Nine Rubies, Wednesday May 10, 7pm. Be there! | | |
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How stunning. I finished the fronts of the Bella sweater! I was so excited, and then I realized... The fronts were cast on with 49 stitches, 129 rows. I still have 100 rows on the back to do (94 sts across). And then the sleeves, which are cast on 49 stitches, and they will be at least 110 rows. Thus... I'm barely over 1/3 done. Yipes. At least I was able to work on this with San Mateo Knitters at Nine Rubies, with Laurie and Rebecca, and we met a lovely woman named Toya whose first project is a ribbed cotton sweater. How ambitious! This project monogamy thing might not work out. I'm thinking a bulky knit sounds really refreshing now, except the minute I get it done it'll finally be spring here. But there's more progress. I finally revised the survey we're supposed to field within a month or two, and I also didn't stay up too late last night getting my lecture notes done. Whew! Oh yes, and I made big headway on some other work things this week so far. | | |
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Finally, a photo of the complete ensemble for Davis...  And the scarf for Christine  The glitter fringe is a bit "crispy" but I think it might soften with time. It looks pretty cool. This photo does not do it justice but the sky is dark today so I don't think I'll do better. I finished the chemo cap for Betty:  It turned out to be the right size, and I hope she likes it. I hope even more that she doesn't need it for long due to a quick recovery. At San Mateo Knitters this week, I worked on the No Smoking backless tank. I hate the yarn. It's beautiful, but it splits like crazy and has absolutely no give. And the pattern is getting rather boring. And each row is about 160 stitches so it takes forever. It will be pretty when it's done, if it fits, which isn't guaranteed. Oh yeah, and will my back look nice enough to show? Well, nonetheless, I'm doing the armhole decreases now so each row is becoming more tolerable.  I made progress on the Broadway scarf (and that hat) at the Moore Foundation nursing summit yesterday:  Easy and fun, perfect for my purse... but I'm bored with it and want to try lace. Finally, some photo porn for you:  | | |
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I couldn't resist. I cast on some old Mission Falls 1824 Cotton for a chemo cap. I chose Jane's Cap from the numerous good choices on the web. I'm about halfway through it already, so Betty is sure to have it before all her hair falls out. At least I hope so. I got my Girl Scout Cookies yesterday and have been pigging out on Thin Mints. San Mateo Knitters meet tonight! A highlight of the week. | | |
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San Mateo Knitters will be at Nine Rubies tonight... I'm looking forward to a night finishing the other sock. brcmapgirl's blog sent me to this:  Reds are motivated by POWER, seek productivity, and need to look good to others. Simply stated, REDS want their own way. They like to be in the drivers seat and willingly pay the price to be in a leadership role. REDS value whatever gets them ahead in life, whether it be at work, school, or in their personal relationships. What REDS value, they get done. They are often workaholics. They will, however, resist being forced to do anything that doesnt interest them. Reds need to appear knowledgeable. They crave approval from others for their intelligence and insight. They want to be respected even more than they want to be loved. They want to be admired for their logical, practical minds. REDS are confident, proactive, visionary, and can be arrogant, selfish, and insensitive. When you deal with a RED, be precise, factual, and direct. What Color Are You? brought to you by QuizillaMore later. | | |
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It's a big report from me, to make up for all those past weeks I haven't posted.
1. There is a new yarn shop in town, Nine Rubies. I dropped by today, as did Elspeth. It's a nice shop and the owner is very nice. They have a good selection to open, about 10 labels, and are planning to expand. They have some beautiful Schaeffer, and lots of Rowan. I hope they do well. Their hours are longer than Vanessa's, which is the ongoing complaint about Vanessa's. I like Vanessa's also, though, and hope everybody can stay in business!
2. I'm finally posting photos from San Mateo Knitters a few weeks ago... you can see a few of our projects are moving along weel!
  
3. As for my own knitting... I have several things on the needles now...
* My first sock, in Tess Yarn! I'm also down to the foot part - I have only one more decrease row in the gusset. Oh yeah, and the second sock...
* A tie-back sleeveless top from Vogue Knitting in progress using No Smoking yarn, which is a royal bitch to work with. The yarn has absolutely no stretch and is generally unforgiving, and it splits! I thought I'd be able to whip up this little top in a week, but it drags on.
* a poncho for Kaylie, which is the mystery yarn poncho. She wanted it to be turquoise, and we ordered some bulky merino from Elann. But she rejected the yarn because it is "too green". So we dug in my stash and pulled out some Classic Elite Bravo in turquoise... but it's only about 100 yards which is definitely not enough. I pulled out some cotton (7 rows Bravo, 3 rows cotton) but still thought it wasn't enough. So now I'm working in some Colinette Athene... it is a bit crazy but it's all in the same shade of turquoise and Kaylie tells me it looks good to her so far.
* a sweatear for CJ, the one with the butterfly buttons, which I haven't worked on because I owe Kaylie a sweater and don't want Kaylie to be upset if CJ gets two items in a row.
4. We're leaving to ski tonight! Lots of knitting time in the lodge coming. | | |
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We had our usual monthly San Mateo Knitters meeting at Cafe Lele on August 17. Yeah, yeah, I'm late in posting the pictures!
So... here is Lenore, untangling the yarn of her sock. Note the great technique made possible by the use of dpn's! (That's not enough to keep me off my 2 circ's...)
Diana was experimenting with crochet, the heretic! And, oddly, her crochet was crooked...
We thought it would make a nice potholder or nosewarmer...
Laurie was just awestruck by the whole scene.
And she is working on that Debbie Bliss red sweater.
Finally, Rebecca brought a friend, and I am ashamed to admit I don't remember her name...
Rebecca also was wearing the White Lies cami under that blouse!
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The San Mateo Knitting Group was at it again tonight!
Ada, our fearless leader, was knitting socks.
Laurie continued on her Debbie Bliss cardigan in beautiful red.
Rebecca, who we have known about in theory but never seen, was working on a cami from Vintage Knits.
And Diana had the striped sweater she has been working on for about 3 years.
A couple of us had wine, a coffee was downed, and Ada's beautiful and nice daughter dropped by. I decided to not embarrass her with a photo.
And, Ada showed us her perfectly matching socks!
I tell you, this woman is on to something!
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Last night we had the San Mateo Knitting Group meeting at Cafe Lele, as usual. We had a great group of 5 people this time, two on socks, Lenore on a beautiful top, Laurie starting a sweater, and me with the darn Tagliatelli.
Here's Ada showing off one of the three socks I saw in her bag
And Laurie with her new project...
(Thanks for the apricots!)
And Lenore with her gorgeous sweater in King Tut cotton (the colors are horrible in this picture)...
Linda left before I got her picture...
We talked about the Knitting Guild of America convention, which is being held with the Crochet people in Oakland in July. Ada and I registered for "Go Gently Into Socks", and I registered for color work with short rows. So... I'll be going there Friday and Sunday. It should be fun. Maybe I'll knit DH some dress socks... | | |
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Last night was the meeting of the San Mateo Knitters, at Cafe Lele in San Mateo. We used to meet at Borders Books but they were about to remodel and also were not tremendously welcoming. Cafe Lele is great and has good food and drinks. They even have wine and beer!
We had only 3 people, and Ada our fearless organizer was there. She was knitting a sock.
I'm still working on the Colinette Tagliatelli sweater. The tank top is done and now it's the cardigan. I'm working on the back. The yarn is so soft, and I'm using #11 needles, so it's pretty quick.
We all talked about the Yarn Harlot's bookbookbook and agreed it is a riot. I have her date to visit Stash in Berkeley in my calendar already.
After we adjourned the neighboring movie theater had long lines for the opening of the new Star Wars movie. People came in costume.
You can't see it in this picture, but this guy has braces. I guess Star Wars still appeals to those a bit younger than me!
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Well, late work be damned. Little girl had been sick all week, forcing me to leave work early Monday and be home Tuesday and Wednesday. Oh yes, and nanny was out sick Monday. I was able to get some work done Tuesday thanks to Pooh videos and nanny. The same was mostly true on Wednesday but we had a visit to the NP in the morning to shake things up a bit.
By late Wednesday afternoon only one minor item on the week's to-do list was done. It seemed like a good reason to skip the monthly San Mateo Knitting Meetup. But... the meetup is only once a month - how could I miss it? Plus, I volunteered to let the cafe know how many would arrive. So... I managed to revise that journal article revision that was 2.5 weeks overdue and got to the Cafe right on time!
I finished about 20 rows on sleeve #1 of the Hermione sweater, so I'm not shaping the shoulder cap.
The real fun after I returned home was learning that the hot water heater sprung a leak and extinguished its pilot light in the process. We had no hot water and gas to turn off to boot... | | |
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