Zeneedle...needleart as life

For A Good Cause

The best laid plans are always interrupted, squashed, changed and well, just plain thrown out! It looked like a great weekend to knit, with snow expected by the shitload boatload Sunday and not much in the way of obligations to deal with, either.  But then, my dear pal Norma threw a wrench in the plan and all thoughts of knitting for myself went out the window.

Last week Norma had a post about knitting red scarves for orphans.  When I read about the plan (this is her post and there is more info here) it hit me in the heart and I knew I had to knit for the young, struggling college students. The young people who are being honored by the OFA are like the phoenix, creating a future out of the ashes of their pasts.  A bit of encouragement in the form of a warm red hug is the least I can do.

I couldn't think of a single red yarn in my stash, however, and with the StashAlong hanging over my head I was unsure what to do.  After pulling out the stash and digging through I found a wonderful barn red Brown Sheep Bulky yarn that Carole had gifted to me. The plan was to make a large felted bag, but it felt right to pay it forward and make a nice warm scarf instead. (You don't mind do you Carole?)  I looked through my books and adapted a pattern from Weekend Knitting to fit the yarn weight and cast on.  In one evening (with time off to go out for Chinese) I had a fabulous lacy scarf.  Moxie was kind enough to model it for me, but he was a bit indignant, as he is in need of grooming. (How can you do this to me, mom?)

One scarf just wasn't enough and it was then I remembered the gift certificate from Christmas. I headed to the LYS on Saturday and found a yummy red yarn from Cascade called Pastaza.  It is llama and wool which should be very warm.  Again I adapted a pattern, this time from Stephannie Roy’s Heart scarf in Knitty's Breast Cancer Edition. My StashAlong hopes remain intact. 

This scarf should grow quickly, too and I might have time to make another scarf or two before the January 30th deadline. One of my office mates is crocheting up a bunch to give and we'll drop them off at the Einstein Bagels across the street from our office.  Knit Red!!

 

B is for Brighton and...

Click to enlarge.

..Big Cottonwood Canyon.  If you've been reading this blog for even a short time you know we love the canyons of the Wasatch Mountains.  In just five short minutes from our driveway we can be at the mouth of the long and winding road of Big Cottonwood Canyon.  Every mile of this road is breathtakingly beautiful and constantly changing. You'll see rugged rock, sheer cliffs, open meadows, a meandering creek, a variety of vegetation, and perhaps a small or large animal.
Solitude Ski Resort is about 3/4 of the way up and Brighton Ski Resort is at the top. Both resorts are favorites for local skiers and boarders. Brighton is the oldest ski area in Utah. You may also be aware that our favorite spot for Sunday breakfast is the Silver Fork Lodge just below Solitude.

We love to visit SFL in all seasons as the view is unforgettable year round. Spring summer and fall we enjoy our  meals on the deck, but it is covered with snow most of the winter.  After breakfast, during the warmer months, we usually head up into the town of Brighton and take a short walk around Silver Lake. The boardwalk the encompasses the lake is just under a mile.  There are many trail heads, just of the main path, that lead up into the surrounding peaks.  In the winter months you can snowshoe or Nordic ski around the lake as it is completely covered with snow.

Summer

Winter

From a trail above.


There are so many hikes in Big Cottonwood Canyon that you can find something for everyone.  We took a very special hike last year, the  Willow Heights Trail, that took us up to a lake created by a beaver dam that had a very large lodge right in the center. (You can see it in the picture at the right.)  The pictures of my  Hanging Vines Stole were taken there. We will revisit this very remote and beautiful spot as soon as wildflower season comes and again in the summer and fall. You can't go wrong in any season on any of the many hiking trails. We often wonder that so few of Salt Lake's residents visit the canyons.  It seems they are a well kept secret, so please don't tell anyone else about them. 

It is going to be a fun challenge to find something in Utah for every letter of the ABC-Along. Thanks Anne for a great idea! You'll find an ABC-Along Photo Album on my side bar, too.

And if you love to watch the sky like Sandy does (and I do), there is now a button just for you! Save it to your own server and be a Sky Gazer.

(It's her first button--not bad, grrl!)

Tell Me Please...

Sahara left me a comment a couple of days ago after she found my blog through Utah Grrl, Isela.  She complimented my knitting and embroidery, so I know she took some time to check out my blog.  I did the same when I went to her blog from the link she left and found it full of interesting knitting and fascinating posts. It's the type of connection I love in Blogland.

Once in awhile someone will ask a question in the comments that leaves me wondering if the person read my post or checked out the blog at all before asking.  Often the answer is in the post or one from a day or two ago.  There are 5 days worth of posts on the front page and many times the posts hold the answers.  So I have this question to ask of you. How do you blog? 

Let's say you come across a new blog you haven't seen before and it looks interesting, full of pictures, and knitting you like.  Do you read the first post or two only or do you really look around the blog?  Do you check the FO photos, the archives and/or the links on the sidebar? Do you let the person know you like what you see and that you’ll be back?

When you go to a blog that you read daily, or whenever you have the chance, do you check to see if they have added anything new to their blog? (Some of you do, I know.)  Do you read every word of a post or do you scan it, skim for content that catches your eye? Do you check the links and/or comments?

Do you generally blog on the fly and hit as many blogs as you can, or do you take you time to visit only a few blogs and read them thoroughly and leave a comment?

What is it that attracted you reading a blog in the first place? If you blog do you enjoy new bloggers stopping by to comment so you can go check out their blogs, too?

As the on-line knitting community grows it becomes increasingly hard to visit as many blogs as I'd like, and it seems to become more impossible each day, as new bloggers come out of the ethernet.  The best way for me to find new reads is when someone stops by and leaves a comment, as time to check the ever-growing Knit Ring is limited.  So, let me introduce you to some of the new blogs I've found.

Liz of Athena Dreams knows how to take beautiful photos that show off her incredible knitting. When you visit, don’t forget to look at her Multi-Media Album.  The "A" for the ABC Along made for very interesting reading, too. (See my side bar for the ABC Along ring and make the rounds for many good posts beginning with "A".)

Theresa of Knitting Underway also has an interesting blog and like many of us has to join as many KALs as possible.

Chris of Stumbling over Chaos has a very nice looking black cat, Chaos, who reminds me of my one and only feline friend, Chico. She’s got some good knitting going, too.

Laura of Sugar Bunny Boulevard has pictures of her darling children and her very nice knitting, too.

Beth S. often left comments on my blog and then started her own. She's a fabulous knitter.

Plain Jane just came to my attention just recently and she has great pictures of her fabulous knits, too.

Alex has also been a fun read and I love the name of her blog.

Alison does some beautiful knitting and also makes small dolls. You must see her latest.

Thank you to all of you for coming by and introducing me to your blogs.

Leave a comment if you are also a fairly new blogger. We all would like to get to know you, too.

*******

And just to keep the sock mania in a frenzy, Amie is keeping a count of all the sock knit in 2006. Can we together knit 2006 socks in 2006? (Button on my side bar.)  You can join many SockAlong groups for inspiration and ideas. Let's knit up a sock storm!

I leave you with the beautiful view of Mt. Olympus in the Wasatch Moutains (here in our valley). It was taken Tuesday while walking my boyz.  It always takes my breath away.  You must click to get the full effect.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Bitcher's Party!

Our Stitch 'n Bitch group is 2 years old!  We had a fabulous celebration Tuesday night with the core members all in attendance. Our Green Eyed Grrl, Laurie, started the group and it has become a very important part of our lives.  We are a diverse group, for the most part, and that's what makes it fun.  A few months ago several members decided to exchange scarves.  Each person picked a yarn they liked and gave it to someone else to knit. Every scarf turned out to be fabulous!  The grrls:
Gwen, Susan, Michaele, Heather, Teri, Eliza,
Jessamyn, Laurie, Karen

Every scarf is unique and beautiful and some were designed by the person who knit them.
Karen crocheted Susan's fabulous scarf and knit the flowers!  Doesn't Susan look thrilled?

She was very smug about her fabulous scarf and, in fact, everyone deserved to be smug about what they knit and what they received. Good job, grrls!!  Next exchange is for hand knit bags.  That ought to be interesting, too.

In the comments yesterday Laura stated that Wendy knits only one item at a time and that is the reason she can knit something so quickly.  There is one reason, one main reason, I don't/can't stick to one item. After 6 hours with Rosarie, even with regular breaks, my hands were cramped and sore from being in one position for so long.  When I turned to lace that evening my hands relaxed and there were no problems, as might have been if I'd gone on with Rosarie.  As my mother said, "A change is as good as a rest." 

The process is alive and well here even with multiple projects.  The only rule at Zeneedle is to be flexible.  You can have a goal, but there should be no attachment to reaching the goal.  The ebb and flow of life comes into play and all knitting is good knitting. And, as Snow said, "We knit because we love to knit, more than anything else." 

Expectations

The weekend was rather productive.  While not feeling up to par, I was well enough to knit and knit I did. A bit of knitting was accomplished on nearly every piece that is currently in progress.  Sally’s gauntlet worked to the point that I could stockinette away while at our Stitch ‘n Bitch party last night.  During the party I had expected to make more progress than actually happened, however.  The second Voodoo was finally cast on properly and is in my purse ready for any unexpected waiting.  Jaywalkers also grew faster than expected and I unexpectedly cast on a new sock, too.  Are you catching the theme of this post?

When I first started Rosarie my expectation was that a pattern repeat (which is 38 rows-not to mention nearly 300 stitches around) could be knit each week.  That would mean the body would be finished up to the armscyes in three weeks.  By Friday of the first week I could see that this expectation was part of my 'delusions of grandeur' problem (which seems to be ongoing and unchanging) and it was an impossible goal. I already knew I did not have the ability to knit at Wendy speed, but delusions can create an alternate reality of expectations. It was only by sitting ALL DAY Sunday that this high expectation was met. 

Last week was quiet with more nights at home than usual, and to top that off, there was the rare chance to sit all day Sunday and knit for a long period of time. (I'd rather play in the mountains on Sunday if possible).  In fact, I sat while doing laundry (the best way to take much needed breaks and stretch from time to time) and knit for 6 hours on Rosarie. She now measures just over 5".

As expected the colors are rich, vibrant and blend together beautifully.  Every row bring more depth to the pattern. However, I will be working to keep my expectations in check and let Rosarie grow as she can without attachment to the end.  It is, after all, the process of knitting that is important and not the number of inches finished.

That said, unexpectedly there hasn't been any forward progress on Rosarie since Sunday.  In this sea of too much to knit, the siren call of lace has been strong and taken me off track.  Seaweed’s (aptly named?) simple 6 row repeat will forever be etched into my brain, but that has made her a delightful companion.  She grows so quickly and has now reached the 3' mark (unblocked). She warms my legs, as she covers my lap, and the process of knitting her rich soft wool continues.

As a public service announcement I give you one more reason to knit socks. (You need one, right?)  Last year there was Sock It To Me. This year the Purling P’s are hosting 200SOX (thanks Janet for the link).  Sock mania will continue indefinitely.

For the Love of Socks

Socks have been a part of my knitting since the early 1990’s.  It was Brigitta, first owner of the Wool Cabin, who taught me to knit my first sock. It was largely unsuccessful, but mostly because she had us knit with 100% cotton yarn (?). After a couple of years the idea of socks became more real as Nancy Bush, who owned the Wooly West, published her book Folk Socks. It was then I went back and finished the cotton sock, with the knowledge it would be much nicer in wool.  The magic of turning the heel had hooked me, too.

Even when my main hobby was  needlework there was a sock on my needles. They were small, portable and made traveling much less stressful and boring. For about 5 years all I knit was socks. As more books, patterns and fabulous yarns hit the market knitting socks became even more exciting.  You can knit socks forever and never use the same pattern or yarn twice. Every single pair would be as magical as the last.  At one point I realized that all the time put into a pair of socks could produce a sweater and I expanded my knitting knowledge and repertoire.  Socks, however, have remained a main part of my knitting.

Friday night, when I could feel a cold coming on, I sat with the Jaywalker's in hand and watched a movie. (Thank you for your kind words and I am feeling much better.) The comfort of knitting a sock was like watching a movie with an old friend and good progress was made. As is usual with hand painted yarns, the second foot was turning out a bit different than the first.  The first spiraled and the second kept the stripping pattern of the leg.  You just never know, but it is fun to watch how each sock develops its own personality.

You'd think that getting close to the end of the Jaywalkers would have kept my knitting monogamous, but that just wasn't the case. Cara’s Prove It All Night just would not stay quiet. (It could have been my non-stop listening to and watching Bruce the past week, too.) Let's just say curiosity got the best of me.  What would the color look like in the knit fabric? How did it feel to knit with STR? Cara is totally hooked so there must be something really wonderful about this yarn.  So yes, I caved and began another sock before the JWs were finished.  It's the Fancy Silk Sock from Nancy's new book. Oooo...aaaahhh...it's gorgeous!  Just enough knitting ensued to quiet the shouting and I can now finish the Jaywalkers in peace.

Unintended PJ Day

Sandy said (as she always does) "Show me your sky!"  Here you go, dear grrl. It was dreary and cloudy with rain in the valley and snow in the higher elevations. That's been the usual weather pattern this winter. But Sunday morning we did have a patch of blue show through before more rain and snow blew in.

We did talk about taking a trip into the mountains, but the thought of showering and cleaning up felt like an insurmountable task. A cold had taken grip of my sinuses the day before, which help in the decision to join Celia  and her gang in the first International PJ day of 2006. Usually sitting around in PJs is the last thing I want to do on a Sunday, so this may be my first and last IPJ Day, but I did enjoy it.

With knitting nearby, a healthy treat, a warm cup of ginger green tea, an iPod full of music and a friend (or two) I relaxed in my decluttered junque room/studio.  Moxie and Murphy stayed close while I knit and relaxed.  The swift is attached semi-permanantly to one end of the futon and the ball winder at the other, but they didn't bother me us one bit. The boyz relaxed and slept and I made good progress on the second Jaywalker sock.

Now I ask you, with get up like that (but doesn't it look comfy?) who needs a fugly Yahoo Icon?

Must Finish Jaywalkers

Dear Beth:

You asked if I how I was resisting the urge to throw aside my Jaywalker socks and cast on the Prove it all Night STR. Thanks for asking...I am doing my best to remain very ‘Zen’ about the situation and finish the few small things I have on the needles now.

I've been lollygagging and taking much to long to finish this poor pair of Jaywalker's. One is now finished and the other has been cast on.  The incentive of STR in the Prove It All Night colorway is strong, especially when I listen to Bruce (as I have been doing quite a bit lately). I want to play with my Prove it All Night. Well, not just play (I've been doing that), but KNIT IT. (Must remain Zen.)

Now I wonder why I had to make the cuff so long and why is my foot a 9 1/2 when a size 6 would be finished much sooner?  (Breath.) I understand you have much smaller feet so you cannot feel how painful this really is. Oh wait, yes you can!  You knit a pair of socks  for me for Sockapal2za.  I dearly love them and wear them often and thank you again. As we know from our blog pal Stephanie, a single sock has over 17,000 stitches. Knitting socks is a commitment, especially for someone else.

I did get a little side tracked with a pair of  Voodoo's made from alpaca and a lovely Koigu gauntlet, too.  I had so much trouble with the second Voodoo, which is simple 2x2 rib, but I started it with a 1x1 rib and then cast on again with only 46 stitches instead of 48...gah! (Breath...think Zen.) My excuse is that I was at Stitch 'n Bitch and you know how distracting Susan can be. The second gauntlet will be started in time for our SnB party next week (we're celebrating our 2 year anniversary!). It is easy stockinette and will clearly a good project for 'non-thinking' moments. Wish you could be here to join our fun.

I know you still miss Lotus (it was just too big for my 'new' body to continue) and I know you will keep a close eye on my progress with Rosarie. She is a beauty and has been my main knitting.  I don't want to set aside Seaweed for long as Cassie is excited about her progress.  It is just too bad that there is so much beautiful yarn, so many fabulous patterns and grandiose ideas floating around this house.  It's a good thing I'm in the StashALong that Kim started so I can get a handle on all this knitting. (I will be Zen enough to get through it.)

Well, I best be off to see if I can get a few more stitches in this Jaywalker.  Will I finish it this weekend, find time for Rosarie and maybe put a few more rows on Seaweed? Or will all those little things distract me again?  I'll let you know next week. Enjoy your weekend.

Your friend,
Margene

PS. This silly meme was started by JenLa and La just wouldn't let me pass. You can see I'm a Western Grrl.  (La, is that ugly enough?)
 

Rosarie

Rosarie is Red, Red, Red
With a background of Blue
And a little Green thrown in for You.

Kelpie (Dk. Blue), Red Rattle, Clover, Poppy, Calluna ( Dk. Green), for Rosarie, which won the vote by a landslide.

Late on New Years Day, I sat down and cast on to begin a new project for 2006. It has been too long since color work has been on my needles.  It felt good and rewarding to watch the checkered hem grow.  But after about 2 hours my left hand was stiff and tired.  I'm a thrower (I can knit with either hand but, have less stress problems when I throw) and my left hand isn't used to working much. I had too tight a grip on the needle.  It took only a little time and effort to learn to relax and get back into the 'two color swing'.  By Monday night my grip had relaxed and I knit easily without pain.

It is so enjoyable to be knitting Fair Isle again.  The colors of Hebridian 2 ply are rich and the yarn is so much softer than Jamieson's Shetland.  It is entertaining to watch the as the pattern forms and the red shades stand out against the dark tweedy background colors of blue and green.

This isn't the first time I've knit with Hebridian.  My first experience was the Birdsfoot Scarf (color Limpet) and Seaweed (color Tormentil) is a also the same yarn.  You can only buy it (and the Rosarie kit) from VY, but they have great customer service and quick delivery.  Seaweed hasn't had much time spent with her as I spend my knitting time with Rosarie (at least for now).  Seaweed will stay in my knitting basket and when a little lace is needed she'll grow again.  This may turn out to be an Alice Starmore month between the two projects. Nothing could be finer.

One of you who leaves a comment in the next couple of days will win a prize.  You need do nothing more than that. Sorry to report that I'm keeping all my STR, but you will win some Opal Pearl for a pair of socks and 3 balls of Kid Silk Haze in a dark blue (maybe for Birch?).  I'll let you know as soon as someone wins.

 

Marie in Texas won the prize! Thank you to everyone who commented.  I have enjoyed hearing from many new people. That's a big part of the fun in blogging.  Thanks and you can still comment;-)

Zeneedle...needleart as life

Posts: 510  |  Comments: 10000  |  

Around Blogland

It has been 2 years since I entered Blogland (no it’s not my Blogiversary, yet) and it was two months later that I started my own blog. It has been such an enjoyable experience and become more a part of my daily life than I first thought it would.  Every day new bloggers visit and leave comments. It is part of the daily process of blogging to find new reads and build friendships. Blogland friendships have been amazing and fulfilling even though most of us have never met face to face.  May this year be the time to change that so we can be friends in reality, not just virtually.

Jenla, two very funny, creative and fabulous grrls, have an end of year wrap up of who’s who in Blogland. You’ll not only be introduced to some new blogs, but you’ll get the lowdown on what’s happening here and there.  Enjoy a good laugh and wish them Happy Blogiversary, too.

Neena had the pleasure of meeting Carolyn over Thanksgiving and I was a bit envious. But Friday a package arrived from her which held a fabulous pair of Latvian Mittens. Carolyn visited a dear friend in Finland last fall and while there visited other Baltic countries. Her saga of trying to find Latvian yarn, THE Latvian yarn is a hoot and I feel very privilege to have this lovely soft and warm pair of mittens. Please wish Carolyn well as she starts a new life adventure away from the corporate world.

Jane also sent a 2006 calendar which  features pictures from her blog. Jane takes fabulous pictures and the calendar (rats, I forgot to take picture) hangs above my desk. Her blog pictures are always fabulous and she knits beautiful socks.

Liz is one of my favorite reads.  She lives on a farm in Maine and works to be self sufficient.  I find her way of life enviable and interesting.  Her post, which links to Holly, is a very good way to look at New Years resolutions.  Liz and Holly think very much alike and both posts are worth your time to read.   

I did start Rosarie (pictures tomorrow) on New Years Day and also joined Kim’s StashALong.  Friday I made what may well be my last trip to the LYS for awhile, just so I could spend the very nice gift certificates from Christmas.  At the first shop the yarn for my Bi-Colored Cardi was in...Louet Gems Opal in Eggplant and Grape. (You really didn’t think I’d go for the green in the IK did you?)  Then at the next shop the beautiful JaegerSpun Zephyr (Lady Slipper) was just too perfect to leave behind.  I also got two skeins of Douceur et Soie, in a gorgeous blue, for a lovely lace scarf.  There is still bit money left on the GC so if I MUST make a yarn run, it should keep me from being dumped from the StashALong.

And last (but not least in the least) is CARA!  That grrl, that grrl who just can't let anyone get one up on her.  Monday (a Holiday mind you) right after my return from the gym (and a shower), the doorbell rang.  It was a special delivery!  I now have my very own Prove It All Night STR and BRUUUUCE!  THUNDERCRACK!  As Cara says, I’m very verklempt.  I will hurry to finish the second Jaywalker sock just so this yarn can be knit up soon (like now!).  Feel the love, spread the love, be the love. This grrl Rocks hard. Me and my iPod (not to mention Smith) are very happy, indeed.
Mwwwwaaahhh!!