Slow but steady

So, I did not finish the stole before the closing ceremonies--but I'm very proud of what I have done with my first lace weight project. Here it is in its current state.

I'm about 25% done.

This little guy was in my garden this morning. He let me get very close. He blended in with the leaves and grass very well.

Wendy's challenge

OK Wendy--I copied this off your blog, and since I'm back to work tomorrow, and will probably not have time to breath for a few weeks, I'll give it a go now.

1. WHAT TIME DID YOU GET UP THIS MORNING? 9:15--God I love those new Legos.

2. DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? Pearls

3. WHAT WAS THE LAST FILM YOU SAW AT THE CINEMA? The last Harry Potter movie--I really don't get out much

4. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOWS? Good Eats, Fraiser, currently obsessed with the Olympics

5. WHAT DO YOU USUALLY HAVE FOR BREAKFAST? Cup of tea, maybe some toast.

6. WHAT IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME? None

7. WHAT FOOD DO YOU NOT LIKE? okra (shudder)

8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ALBUM? I almost never listen to music these days.

9. WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE? Honda Civic

10. FAVORITE SANDWICH? Caprese from Dominics

11. WHAT CHARACTERISTIC DO YOU DESPISE? Dishonesty.

12. FAVORITE ITEM OF CLOTHING? Red fleece top

13. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ON VACATION, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? India

14. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BATHROOM? White and blue

15. FAVORITE BRAND OF CLOTHING? Levis

16. WHERE WOULD YOU RETIRE TO? Maine with frequent visits to Italy

17. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? none--although all the Olympics has been fun.

18. FURTHEST PLACE YOU ARE SENDING THIS? Don't know that anyone beyond New England reads this--if you do, leave a message

19. WHO DO YOU LEAST EXPECT TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? No one, because I'm not sending it out, I'm just posting it here.

20. PERSON YOU EXPECT TO SEND IT BACK FIRST? No one, see above!

21. FAVORITE SAYING: Screw you guys, I'm going home.

22. WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY? 10/26

23. ARE YOU A MORNING OR NIGHT PERSON? Night.

24. WHAT IS YOUR SHOE SIZE? 8.5

25. PETS? none

26. ANY NEW AND EXCITING NEWS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US? I finally got to the beach this past week--woohoo

27. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE? A veterinarian.

28. HOW ARE YOU TODAY? Annoyed about have to go back to a mound of work tomorrow

29. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDY? cinnamon gum

30. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER? Tulips.

31. WHAT IS A DAY ON THE CALENDAR YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO? First week of Sept--more vacation!

32. WHAT IS YOUR FULL NAME? Catherine

33. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The dehumidifier.

34. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Blueberry coffee cake

35. DO YOU WISH ON STARS? Nope, but I used to wish on eyelashes.

36. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Pink

37. HOW IS THE WEATHER RIGHT NOW? Cool and clear.

38. FAVORITE SOFT DRINK? Lemonade.

39. FAVORITE RESTAURANT? Blu Fin

40. SIBLINGS? 2

41. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR? Thanksgiving

42. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD? I was more of a book kid.

43. SUMMER OR WINTER? How about Fall?

44. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs (I'm known to wipe off slobbery kisses)

45. COFFEE OR TEA? Tea

46. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA? Vanilla.

47. YOU WANT YOUR FRIENDS TO E-MAIL YOU BACK? Only if they feel like it.

48. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Don't remember

49. WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED? Foam kids mats that I use to block my knitting!

50. WHO IS THE FRIEND YOU HAVE HAD THE LONGEST? Traci, 23 years next month.

51. WHAT DID YOU DO LAST NIGHT? Watched the Olympics and knit on my lace.

52. WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF? Something bad happening to my son.

53. SALTY OR SWEET? Salty.

54. HOW MANY KEYS ON YOUR RING? 3--two car, one house.

55. FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK? Saturday.

57. HOW MANY TOWNS HAVE YOU LIVED IN? 12.

58. DO YOU MAKE FRIENDS EASILY? Nope.

59. HOW MANY WILL RESPOND? ??? Anyone else out there going to give this a try.

Interview with J

While J was cleaning up after dinner, I got a chance to interview him.


Me: What is your favorite thing about my knitting?
J: That it makes you happy doing it.


Me: What is the best thing about me having a knitting hobby?
J: That you found something that is fun, and it doesn't involve alcohol.


Me: Name something I've knit that you really like.
J: My scarf. It's cool.


Me: Do you think knitting is an expensive hobby?
J: Ah, no (in a the distance a little voice says, "Yes! Yea it is, I told Mommy that")

Me: Do you have any hobbies?
J: Do I have any hobbies? I don't know if I have any hobbies. Do I have any hobbies? I like to ride my bike and I like to travel.

Me: What's your favorite style of dance?
J: I do not have one.

Me: Does it embarrass you if I knit in public?
J: Only if you are naked, so I guess the answer is no.

Me: Do you know my favorite kind of yarn?
J: Noro. Is that the right answer?
Me: I don't really have one.

Me: Can you name another knitting blog?
J: Aaaaa, yes.
Me: What is it?
J: The Yarn Harlot.

Me: Do you mind it when I go to yarn stores?
J: The operating word is when YOU go to yarn stores. I don't like to go shopping. So as long as it is just you going I don't mind, as long as you don't come out with bags and bags and bags.

Me: Do you understand the importance of a swatch?
J: Yes
Me: What is it?
L: You can feel and see what the fabric is before you invest in it.

Me: Do you read my blog?
L: No

Me: Is there anything in particular you'd like me to knit?
L: Ahhhhh, not really.

Me: Anything else you'd like to add?
J: I'd like to know what the average knitter spends on yarn in a month--and what do you all have against the poor sheep you are cutting the fleece off of.
Me: We love the sheep.
J: Talking to the sheep "You're such a nice sheep" makes buzzing noise.

Interview with L

Since everyone is doing it, I'll do it too.
Here is an interview with my lunch companion. A transcript follows:


Me: What is your favorite thing about my knitting?
L: Knitting, I like it.

Me: What is the best thing about me having a knitting hobby?
L: We play pirates.

Me: Name something I've knit that you really like.
L: Socks.
Me: What kind of socks?
L: Colorful socks

Me: Do you think knitting is an expensive hobby?
L: nods, eyes bulging, while eating soup
Me: Why?
L: 'Cause it is.

Me: Do you have any hobbies?
L: shakes head no.

Me: What's your favorite style of dance?
L: Irish dance.

Me: Does it embarrass you if I knit in public?
L: nods, eyes bulging, while eating soup

Me: Do you know my favorite kind of yarn?
L: nods
Me: What kind?
L: Colorful yarn

Me: Can you name another knitting blog?
L: Aaaaaaaaaaaaa, knitting needle.

Me: Do you mind it when I go to yarn stores?
L: Yes.
Me: Why?
L: Because I do. I like looking at the yarn. I like all the pretty yarn.

Me: Do you understand the importance of a swatch?
L: nods yes
Me: What is it?
L: I don't know. Why are you writing what I said?
Me: For the interview.

Me: Do you read my blog?
L: nods yes. I said yes and no, so you do yes and no.

Me: Is there anything in particular you'd like me to knit?
L: Socks. Colorful socks.
Me: What colors?
L: Red, orange, yellow, green. We're about to finish our lunch.

Me: Thank you for your kind interview.
L: giggles, sips milk.

Me: Anything else you'd like to add?
L: No. Did I say no? Why are you writing it down??

And that concluded the interview portion of lunch. We are now back to playing pirates.

Figuring out the lace

After much unknitting, I think I've finally got the hang of this lace thing.

Here is what I've got so far, just over one basketweave repeat. That row 7 really kicked my butt, but I showed it who's boss.

I feel like I can read my knitting a bit better now.

I also finally finished Hedera. It had been in the naughty corner, but I needed a project to work on during playground time, and doctor's waiting rooms. My other projects were not not transportable enough--so out came Hedera. And in two days I had it done. Just finished off the toe today.

Kool Aid Swap 2

Yesterday I received part 2 of my Kool Aid Swap, all the way from Sweden, with a little detour to Maine.

I sent Kariola Kool Aid, and she dyed up some yummy yarn for me. As a bonus she also sent a hand knit wash cloth and scrubbie. All in colors that I LOVE. I wonder if this was the yarn that she made to be self striping? I'll have to knit it up and see :)

Lace 2

Last night, I spent a lot of time tinking. I have fewer stitches then I should. Where did they go? Must tink back through that confusing row with pattern over/through the stitch markers. Must be where I screwed up.

Must find those missing stitches!!!

Lace

Just a little more tacking down of the band and my sweater is done. In the meanwhile. . .

I've decided to attempt my first lace shawl as my Olympics project. I am making Hanami in a dark dark blue. And I even used the beads.

I didn't think I was the beading type, but I've got to say, it was fun, and I like the way the beads look. Here's how far I got during the opening ceremony. (Notice the lifeline--I'm sure I will be needing it).

I'm hoping the rain stays away a bit this weekend. Things have been very wet around here.

Progress

After all those photos yesterday, I haven't got any photos today. So just a progress report.
1--Bought eggs, been eating them all weekend.
2--Found shoes in pile, but they are unbelievable uncomfortable (how did I ever wear these things) so I may be running out to the store in a bit.
3--As you saw, the steek has been cut. By some miracle the whole sweater did not unravel into pieces and I am now working on the collar/bands. The finishing on this sweater is taking considerably longer than others. This is surprising to me since it was knit in the round, has no real seams and only 10 stitches were bound off. But it does have a lot of hems to tack down, and that has been slow. I also grafted the underarms and hand stitched a reinforment for the steek.
4--I did some weeding--but really it is an endless task.

As some of you know, the Hedera socks are in time out. I made a silly error. To correct it means ripping back to above the heel flap. I don't want to do this, so I will make them wearable. They won't match the other sock exactly, but it is unlikely anyone but a knitter looking very very carefully would see the difference. In the meanwhile, I'm still too annoyed to look at them--so I've been focusing on the sweater.

I'd like the sweater to be done by the opening ceremony of the Olympics--so I can start some new projects.

The Cut

notes to self

1) never offer food to a child unless you know you have it

2) buy eggs

3) check pile of shoes for something that can be worn to Sunday wedding

4) prepare sweater for steek (hand sew reinforcement)

5) weed garden