{I've been knitting again. A return to a peaceful rhythm of creation and balance.}
Winter neckwarmer, 100% cashmere. Decadent. Can't wait to wear it!
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Friday, July 23, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Happy
It's my birthday weekend and I'm feeling lighthearted today. Contributing to my happiness, in no particular order. . .
:: Getting together with friends for a birthday meal this weekend.
:: Making these! I think I see a table runner in my future. . . or placemats. . . or a quilt if I'm crazy enough. . .
:: A surprise knitting project on the needles. For a baby!
:: That I'm wearing sandals. . .in March!
:: That I have a piece of writing floating around in my head that's almost ready to be committed to paper.
:: That it's Friday. Happy Weekend!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Friday, October 03, 2008
FO – BSJ
If you don't knit, you were probably just thinking, "WTF?"
It's knitter-ese for Finished Object! Baby Surprise Jacket!
If you do knit, and you didn't know what FO – BSJ was, you better just surrender your knitting needles right now. The Zimmer-maniacs are on their way to your house I write this.*
This Elizabeth Zimmermann pattern is something of a benchmark for knitters. If you can figure out the piddly little amount of instructions to actually knit the thing and have it look like a baby jacket you are on your way to becoming a "real" knitter. This pattern is surrounded by folklore, gushing praise and outright Zimmermann worship.
It is a cool piece of knitting. But I get tired of all the Zimmer-mania. She was an incredibly gifted visionary and marvelous knitter. But if you never knit an EZ pattern in your whole life, you can still be a "real" knitter.
There.
I. Feel. Better. Now.
The genius in the pattern is the engineering. You knit up a weird looking little squarish blob of garter stitch then fold it just so and (hopefully!) you have a cute little jacket!
Now I just have to come up with a baby to give it to!
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Crossing the Finish Line
Mexico, 1968
Out of the cold darkness he came. John Stephen Akhwari of Tanzania entered at the far end of the stadium, pain hobbling his every step, his leg bloody and bandaged. The winner of the marathon had been declared over an hour earlier. Only a few spectators remained. But the lone runner pressed on.
As he crossed the finish line, the small crowd roared out its appreciation. Afterward, a reporter asked the runner why he had not retired from the race, since he had no chance of winning. He seemed confused by the question. Finally, he answered:
"My country did not send me to Mexico City to start the race. They sent me to finish."
Findlay, Ohio – September 4, 2008
Although the Ravelympics ended with the Olympic Closing Ceremonies on August 28, 2008 – a mere six days ago – I limped to the finish on my Hemlock Ring blanket. I could be very dramatic and say that my knitting fingers were bloodied and battered, but the truth is, it's just been too freakin hot to sit around with a lap full of wool blanket!
Still, I pressed on through 95 degree days in September. My pride didn't just get me into this race. . .it forced me to finish!
These photos are before blocking. The finished size of this beast will be about 6 feet across!
Out of the cold darkness he came. John Stephen Akhwari of Tanzania entered at the far end of the stadium, pain hobbling his every step, his leg bloody and bandaged. The winner of the marathon had been declared over an hour earlier. Only a few spectators remained. But the lone runner pressed on.
As he crossed the finish line, the small crowd roared out its appreciation. Afterward, a reporter asked the runner why he had not retired from the race, since he had no chance of winning. He seemed confused by the question. Finally, he answered:
"My country did not send me to Mexico City to start the race. They sent me to finish."
Findlay, Ohio – September 4, 2008
Although the Ravelympics ended with the Olympic Closing Ceremonies on August 28, 2008 – a mere six days ago – I limped to the finish on my Hemlock Ring blanket. I could be very dramatic and say that my knitting fingers were bloodied and battered, but the truth is, it's just been too freakin hot to sit around with a lap full of wool blanket!
Still, I pressed on through 95 degree days in September. My pride didn't just get me into this race. . .it forced me to finish!
These photos are before blocking. The finished size of this beast will be about 6 feet across!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Ravelympics 2008
"Your challenge should you choose to accept it, is to start and finish a project during the 2008 Olympic Summer Games."
Official Start: 8pm Opening Ceremonies, Beijing time
Official End: 11:59 pm, apx. end of Closing Ceremonies, Beijing time
The only rule is that whatever you choose to knit or crochet must be a challenge for you.
I'm a bit more than half way through my project – another Hemlock Ring Blanket. This time, I used 100% wool and I'm a much happier girl!
I have a full week left. Closing ceremonies are Sunday, August 24 at 8:00 so I'm guessing I'll have til about midnight if I need it! Don't know how much I will get knit this weekend. We are headed to Toledo for the International Festival at the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo on Saturday. I've always wanted to go and this is finally the year! Tours, arts, foods, expanding my horizons, learning about different cultures and religions. . . can't wait!
Someone asked why in the world we wanted to go to an Islamic Festival. . .my answer was that we might live in Findlay but we don't have to act like it. That was the end of that conversation. . .
Dang. . .and I didn't even get to point out that more people have been killed and more violence committed in the name of Christianity over the centuries than by the followers of Allah. . .
Have a great weekend!
Official Start: 8pm Opening Ceremonies, Beijing time
Official End: 11:59 pm, apx. end of Closing Ceremonies, Beijing time
The only rule is that whatever you choose to knit or crochet must be a challenge for you.
I'm a bit more than half way through my project – another Hemlock Ring Blanket. This time, I used 100% wool and I'm a much happier girl!
I have a full week left. Closing ceremonies are Sunday, August 24 at 8:00 so I'm guessing I'll have til about midnight if I need it! Don't know how much I will get knit this weekend. We are headed to Toledo for the International Festival at the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo on Saturday. I've always wanted to go and this is finally the year! Tours, arts, foods, expanding my horizons, learning about different cultures and religions. . . can't wait!
Someone asked why in the world we wanted to go to an Islamic Festival. . .my answer was that we might live in Findlay but we don't have to act like it. That was the end of that conversation. . .
Dang. . .and I didn't even get to point out that more people have been killed and more violence committed in the name of Christianity over the centuries than by the followers of Allah. . .
Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
An Old Friend
I've found an old friend. . .
I haven't knit a lot since we moved into our new house in March. There was just so much to do to get settled in. Then I found some new and interesting activities like sewing and beading that I dabbled in for awhile. But a few weeks ago I returned to my old friends the knitting needles.
This is what brought me back.
As Republicans tell me that this economic downturn is "all in my head" and the price of everything continues to climb while my wages do not, it's easy to get overwhelmed. The cost to heat our homes this winter is estimated to rise as much as 30% in some parts of the United States. It's becoming more and more common for people to keep the thermostats in their homes set below 60 degrees in the winter. For some of us, all of this is just an inconvenience and an aggravation. For others in our communities, this is a crisis.
I can't solve this energy mess. But I can knit warm things. So, I do. And I have to believe that it will make a difference, not just for an individual, but someone it can help the world.
I finished this very large scarf/shawl yesterday afternoon and it's already on its way to Maine. I pray that it warms that heart and body of someone very special this winter!
I haven't knit a lot since we moved into our new house in March. There was just so much to do to get settled in. Then I found some new and interesting activities like sewing and beading that I dabbled in for awhile. But a few weeks ago I returned to my old friends the knitting needles.
This is what brought me back.
As Republicans tell me that this economic downturn is "all in my head" and the price of everything continues to climb while my wages do not, it's easy to get overwhelmed. The cost to heat our homes this winter is estimated to rise as much as 30% in some parts of the United States. It's becoming more and more common for people to keep the thermostats in their homes set below 60 degrees in the winter. For some of us, all of this is just an inconvenience and an aggravation. For others in our communities, this is a crisis.
I can't solve this energy mess. But I can knit warm things. So, I do. And I have to believe that it will make a difference, not just for an individual, but someone it can help the world.
I finished this very large scarf/shawl yesterday afternoon and it's already on its way to Maine. I pray that it warms that heart and body of someone very special this winter!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Chevron Scarf Goes to The Lion King
For Christmas, Ali and I bought three tickets to see The Lion King at the Stranahan Theater in Toledo. We gave one ticket to her mom, along with a certificate good for transportation to the theater and dinner. Saturday night was our date.
It’s fun to go do something like that because it feels like a special occasion. We figured out what we were wearing and I got my Chevron Scarf done just in the nick of time. In fact, I was finishing blocking it 10 minutes before we were supposed to leave!
We had a great meal at El Camino Real and then headed over to Maumee. There was time to kill before the show so we stopped at the huge antique mall on Reynolds Road and snooped around for awhile.
Of course, The Lion King was the highlight of the night. I’ve never been so moved by art as I was that night. When the “animals” came down the aisles of the theater during the opening I was completely shocked to feel hot tears sliding down my cheeks. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. There were human gazelles, zebras, birds, giraffes and elephants. There were human voices, singing, in the most beautiful South African chants I’ve ever heard.
There were masks set above the actors’ faces that put them into animal characters. There were shadow puppets, hand puppets, aerial dancers, inflatable set designs, off-stage performances and so many more things that transported us out of our everyday existence and into a completely different world for the next three hours.
A huge part of this world on stage was created by director Julie Taymor. In 1998 she made history by becoming the first woman in theatrical history to win the Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical.
The most incredible voice and presence on the stage was the actress who played Rafiki. Hers is the actual voice from the soundtrack and it gave me chills.
The funniest and most outrageous characters were Timon and Pumbaa, the meerkat and warthog duo who live under the philosophy of "Hakuna Matata" (no worries) and Zazu, the hornbill who serves Mufasa’s highest servant.
The whole night while I was watching this spectacle, I was thinking about the human capacity to create.
cre·ate
1. to cause to come into being, as something unique that would not naturally evolve or that is not made by ordinary processes.
2. to evolve from one's own thought or imagination, as a work of art or an invention.
There are so many things that human beings create that don’t bring any positive energy into the world – war, homophobia, racism, most shows on TV. . .it was really nice to sit back and revel in such simple joy. It was the best three hours I’ve spent in a long time.
It’s fun to go do something like that because it feels like a special occasion. We figured out what we were wearing and I got my Chevron Scarf done just in the nick of time. In fact, I was finishing blocking it 10 minutes before we were supposed to leave!
We had a great meal at El Camino Real and then headed over to Maumee. There was time to kill before the show so we stopped at the huge antique mall on Reynolds Road and snooped around for awhile.
Of course, The Lion King was the highlight of the night. I’ve never been so moved by art as I was that night. When the “animals” came down the aisles of the theater during the opening I was completely shocked to feel hot tears sliding down my cheeks. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. There were human gazelles, zebras, birds, giraffes and elephants. There were human voices, singing, in the most beautiful South African chants I’ve ever heard.
There were masks set above the actors’ faces that put them into animal characters. There were shadow puppets, hand puppets, aerial dancers, inflatable set designs, off-stage performances and so many more things that transported us out of our everyday existence and into a completely different world for the next three hours.
A huge part of this world on stage was created by director Julie Taymor. In 1998 she made history by becoming the first woman in theatrical history to win the Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical.
The most incredible voice and presence on the stage was the actress who played Rafiki. Hers is the actual voice from the soundtrack and it gave me chills.
The funniest and most outrageous characters were Timon and Pumbaa, the meerkat and warthog duo who live under the philosophy of "Hakuna Matata" (no worries) and Zazu, the hornbill who serves Mufasa’s highest servant.
The whole night while I was watching this spectacle, I was thinking about the human capacity to create.
cre·ate
1. to cause to come into being, as something unique that would not naturally evolve or that is not made by ordinary processes.
2. to evolve from one's own thought or imagination, as a work of art or an invention.
There are so many things that human beings create that don’t bring any positive energy into the world – war, homophobia, racism, most shows on TV. . .it was really nice to sit back and revel in such simple joy. It was the best three hours I’ve spent in a long time.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
The Mojo is Back!
I was starting to worry for awhile. The knitting gods were frowning on me here in my little corner of paradise. I didn't feel like knitting! It seemed that every thing I touched that was fiber related turned to a small, cursed bundle of mistakes.
It hung on for about two weeks and I didn't like it. Until last week.
Nothing cures the funk like color!
The pattern is "Chevron Scarf" by Joelle Hoverson from the book "Last Minute Knitted Gifts." The yarn is Socks That Rock, colorways "Watermelon Tourmaline" and "Farmhouse."
The mojo is back!
It hung on for about two weeks and I didn't like it. Until last week.
Nothing cures the funk like color!
The pattern is "Chevron Scarf" by Joelle Hoverson from the book "Last Minute Knitted Gifts." The yarn is Socks That Rock, colorways "Watermelon Tourmaline" and "Farmhouse."
The mojo is back!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Juno Regina and Hemlock Ring Blanket
This is the project I worked on for about three weeks around Christmas. I finished it on New Year's Eve but only got around to blocking it yesterday afternoon.
I'm very happy with the way it turned out. The pattern is Juno Regina by Miriam Felton from the fall issue of Knitty.com. I knit it in Knit Picks Shine - burgundy, size 5 needles.
I plan to wear it to the theater when we go see the Lion King in March!
That is my "good" project! My "bad" one is the Hemlock Ring Blanket. Jared Flood re-worked an vintage doily pattern to make a very interesting and beautiful lap blanket. The pattern is wonderful. . .my choices left quite a bit to be desired.
For the first time in my knitting life I went with a cheap yarn choice. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease. 80% acrylic, 20% wool. IT WON'T BLOCK! I soaked it. Pinned it. Finally ironed it.
Lesson learned. . .you get what you pay for.
I've ordered and received Cascade Eco Wool to do this beauty again!
I'm very happy with the way it turned out. The pattern is Juno Regina by Miriam Felton from the fall issue of Knitty.com. I knit it in Knit Picks Shine - burgundy, size 5 needles.
I plan to wear it to the theater when we go see the Lion King in March!
That is my "good" project! My "bad" one is the Hemlock Ring Blanket. Jared Flood re-worked an vintage doily pattern to make a very interesting and beautiful lap blanket. The pattern is wonderful. . .my choices left quite a bit to be desired.
For the first time in my knitting life I went with a cheap yarn choice. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease. 80% acrylic, 20% wool. IT WON'T BLOCK! I soaked it. Pinned it. Finally ironed it.
Lesson learned. . .you get what you pay for.
I've ordered and received Cascade Eco Wool to do this beauty again!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Less Fear
In the last week three people have asked if I intend to write for this blog any more. I told them I didn’t know.
I’m not exactly sure why I stopped writing. I think it mostly has to do with the fact that I wanted this to be a place where I could express myself without censorship. Turns out that’s harder than it sounds.
But, I have some kind of need to express myself that won’t go away so here I sit. Again.
Perhaps it would be appropriate to return to writing with my goals for a new year. They aren’t resolutions. Just ideas. And they revolve around the need to live, write and love with less fear in 2008.
I found the perfect expression of my desire in the writings of Franklin Habit, author of my favorite knitting blog “The Panopticon.” He was writing about creating things with sticks and string without using a pattern – just your imagination and an idea.
“I've decided it boils down to having these things at your command:
1 enough curiosity to want to deviate from written patterns, or make up your own;
2 a willingness to pause and examine what's in front of you;
3 a willingness to try different approaches until you create what pleases you;
4 a working knowledge of basic moves in knitting, including increases, decreases, and the basic effects on the fabric created by knit, purl, and y/o;
5 patience; and
6 the understanding that it's just knitting, it's done one stitch at a time at your own pace, and you can undo it if you don't like it.”
From “The Panopticon,” January 6, 2008 by Franklin Habit, www.the-panopticon.blogspot.com
Curiosity. Really looking at where you are and where you want to go. The courage to try new things. Basic moves. Patience. One day follows the next and each one is mine, to live the way I need to.
I feel better already.
I’m not exactly sure why I stopped writing. I think it mostly has to do with the fact that I wanted this to be a place where I could express myself without censorship. Turns out that’s harder than it sounds.
But, I have some kind of need to express myself that won’t go away so here I sit. Again.
Perhaps it would be appropriate to return to writing with my goals for a new year. They aren’t resolutions. Just ideas. And they revolve around the need to live, write and love with less fear in 2008.
I found the perfect expression of my desire in the writings of Franklin Habit, author of my favorite knitting blog “The Panopticon.” He was writing about creating things with sticks and string without using a pattern – just your imagination and an idea.
“I've decided it boils down to having these things at your command:
1 enough curiosity to want to deviate from written patterns, or make up your own;
2 a willingness to pause and examine what's in front of you;
3 a willingness to try different approaches until you create what pleases you;
4 a working knowledge of basic moves in knitting, including increases, decreases, and the basic effects on the fabric created by knit, purl, and y/o;
5 patience; and
6 the understanding that it's just knitting, it's done one stitch at a time at your own pace, and you can undo it if you don't like it.”
From “The Panopticon,” January 6, 2008 by Franklin Habit, www.the-panopticon.blogspot.com
Curiosity. Really looking at where you are and where you want to go. The courage to try new things. Basic moves. Patience. One day follows the next and each one is mine, to live the way I need to.
I feel better already.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Project 365 - Day 68
"I think winter wear is communal. You get some gloves and a scarf from a lost-and-found box, wash them, wear them for a while until you lose them. Then somebody else does the same thing." –Adrian Grenier
Monday, November 05, 2007
Project 365 - Day 64
“May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night and a smooth road all the way to your door.”
Irish Blessings quotes
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Project 365 - Day 60
Thank God for dirty dishes,
they have a tale to tell;
while others may go hungry,
we're eating very well.
~Author Unknown
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Project 365 - Day 24
1,800 yards of fibery goodness! What is it that you want to be?
“The greatest waste in the world is the difference between what we are and what we could become.” -Ben Herbster
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Project 365 - Day 23
This is my interpretation of a classic Dr. Who Scarf. It's about 6 feet long at this point. Got another two feet or so to go!
Winter is nature's way of saying, "Up yours." ~Robert Byrne
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Project 365 - Day 16
I've been playing with beads! Handmade knitting stitch markers! I'm going to send them to my Ravelry Scarf Exchange partner. Hope she likes them!
"The only place where housework comes before needlework is in the dictionary." ~ Mary Kurtz
Friday, September 07, 2007
Project 365 - Day 11
This is the finished scarf for my Ravelry exchange partner. (See "Prayer Scarf" blog entry from August 24, 2007.) I send it with warm thoughts and prayers for peace!
I am on my way to Kentucky. My grandmother is in the advanced stages of death. I love her very much. (See "Lightening Bugs and Outrageous Love" entry from December 13, 2006.)
"We can do no great things, only small things with great love."
Mother Teresa
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Project 365 - Day 8
Stringing 1,650 beads to knit with requires a bit of patience! The outcome is worth the process!
“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself.”
- St. Francis de Sales
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