late spring

i've got new greenery for the back patio waiting for planting. it's a variety of herbs, tomatoes, peppers, and flowers.

in addition to all the human babies being born (to the lovely mama's i call my friends) in the past months, i have also been the proud on-looker of baby birds. their nest in the tree outside our front door has been a flutter of activity. in fact, i saw them early this morning (this picture is from last weekend) stuffed into their little home, but upon returning from errands they had taken their first flight and were gone.

Knitting

my own fingers have been a flurry of activity trying to finish up the last of the moderne baby blankets for said arriving babies. unlike the other blankets knit, this one has a babe-in-waiting for it-- born a little before (my) schedule... and so, it must be done!

of course, there are other temptations lurking on the needles. i didn't have Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitter's Almanac added to my library for more than 24 hrs. before i had the wee February Sweater cast on (and crankin' along) using left over Cotton Comfort (i'm keeping this one for my own hope chest).

another batch of organic cotton has been purchased to make a baby blanket for the auction at my school/work later in the summer. my intentions were to knit it up in a garter-entrelac pattern, but the yarn camouflaged the pattern. needless to say, i'm going to use the same slip stitch i used for the previous organic cotton blanket. i guess i'm not done with the simplicity of the pattern yet.

and yet one more project cast on this week. using Lorna's Laces shepherd worsted in the sand ridge colorway, i'm making a lacy (like the easiest "lace" to knit: *k2tog, yo, repeat from * across. purl next row. repeat these two rows) scarf. it's part of a two-gal knit along (with rules: must use LL Shepherd worsted that was purchased while shopping together, must use same needle size, cast on same number of stitches, and must must must work on it ONLY when knitting with each other).

Organic-rama!

organic cotton baby blanket off to another babe (4th of 5th blanket to 2007 baby, tho i might just do a 6th for the school auction this summer. i'll keep ya "posted").

slip stitch pattern using 2 color-grown colors of Blue Sky Alpaca's Organic Cotton (i retained its chemical free nature by washing it in the machine with Boulder Laundry Detergent) on size US 8 needle. Garter stitch border. Used approx. 4 skeins of each color.

Cotton Comfort Sweater:

i'm simply in love

raglan/cap sleeve style from the neck down. picot-hem edges on sleeve, collar and bottom edge.

natural wood buttons along a garter stitch placet.

length to top of hip. gathered style waist in front and back.

fits like perfection.

did i mention this is my own design and pattern.

Cotton Comfort from Green Mountain Spinnery (and yes, i retained its chemical free nature by washing it in Soak before lighting blocking), approx. 8 skeins, size US 6 needles, and last but not least, i didn't write a damn thing down about it-- i figured it all out as i went knitting along.

here's a little meme i've seen around town. bold the ones you have done, italics the ones you plan to do, leave normal the ones you're not planning to do.

Afghan/Blanket (baby)

I-cord

Garter stitch

Knitting with metal wire

Shawl (wrap?)

Stockinette stitch

Socks: top-down

Socks: toe-up

Knitting with camel yarn (i even have it in my stash already)

Mittens: Cuff-up

Mittens: Tip-down

Hat

Knitting with silk

Moebius band knitting

Participating in a KAL

Sweater

Drop stitch patterns

Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn

Slip stitch patterns

Knitting with banana fiber yarn

Domino knitting (modular knitting)

Twisted stitch patterns

Knitting with bamboo yarn

Two end knitting

Charity knitting

Knitting with soy yarn

Cardigan

Toy/doll clothing

Knitting with circular needles

Knitting with your own handspun yarn (already have that in the stash too)

Slippers

Graffiti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street)

Continental knitting

Designing knitted garments

Cable stitch patterns

Lace patterns

Publishing a knitting book (sure, why not?!)

Scarf

Teaching a child to knit

American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)

Knitting to make money

Button holes

Knitting with alpaca

Fair Isle knitting

Norwegian knitting

Dying with plant colors

Knitting items for a wedding (remember the tedious but lovely hush-hush?)

Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cozies…)

Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars

Olympic knitting

Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn

Knitting with DPNs

Holiday related knitting

Teaching a male how to knit

Bobbles

Knitting for a living

Knitting with cotton

Knitting smocking

Dying yarn

Steeks

Knitting art

Fulling/felting

Knitting with wool

Textured knitting

Kitchener BO

Purses/bags

Knitting with beads

Swatching

Long Tail CO

EntrelacKnitting and purling backward

Machine knitting

Knitting with self-patterning/self-striping/variegating yarn

Stuffed toys

Baby items

Knitting with cashmere (because who won't want to?!)

Darning

Jewelry

Knitting with synthetic yarn

Writing a pattern

Gloves

Intarsia

Knitting with linen

Knitting for preemies

Tubular CO

Freeform knitting

Short rows

Cuffs/fingerless mitts/arm warmers

Pillows

Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine

Rug

Knitting on a loom

Thrummed knitting

Knitting a gift

Knitting for pets

Shrug/bolero/poncho

Knitting with dog/cat hair...

Hair accessories

Knitting in public

pass it along.

acquisitions:

Lorna's laces, shepherd worsted in color way Sand Ridge, 2 skeins. maggie and i went to a sale (danger, danger!) and we each got some; her's is the mother load color way. we decided we'll make the same project.

also at the sale: cotton comfort (the label speaks for it's self). i bought 10 skeins, and i'm dreaming up a cardigan sweater for myself (you know, the one you make and the one you love and the one you wear everyday). i've been scheming of the possibility to buy only organic or low-process yarns-- i don't know if i can hold to it because there are so many wonderful yarns out there. i do think i can make more projects with those yarns however.

close up on comfort cotton, silver

also new to the stash, is the 50% wool, 50%mohair custom spun yarn maggie gave me for my birthday (don't you just love when your birthday lasts a whole month?). she found it while on adventure in Taos, NM. It's so lovely, soft and special.


Progress Report:

after 3 attempts of starting (#1: sure it was fitted, a little too fitted. #2: dye lot issue with skein 2, pulled out 2 and started with another skein. #3: dye lot issue not resolved. thought. pondered. checked labels. ah ha! the first skein was the "odd man out". pulled the whole damn thing out and started again) Rusted Root, i'm finally making progress. the actual color is not as fushia, but rather deep red. many thanks to meike for her motivation to continue, because really, i was starting to think it wasn't meant to be.

the slip-stitch baby blanket is growing. i'm in love with this project-- partly because i am in love with organic yarn-- but you knew that already. i think i'm going to crochet a border around the edge when it reaches the proper length.

here's a picture of the Nursing Shawl-- i really need a new name for it because i'm not making it with the intent to use it for nursing a wee babe. made of beautiful baby alpaca from blue sky alpaca on size US 8 needles. the lace and cable pattern is the perfect combination of easy knitting without being mindless (and being one of tara's patterns, she would want me to be mindful while i work on it-- and i am.).

in other non-knitting news:
i'm looking really forward to planting in the gardens at school. i've become increasingly enthusiastic about biodegradable soaps, compact florescent bulbs, and collecting compost. ski season has ended and now i am thinking about hiking (because walking is really the only "exercise" i enjoy). i've got a few places in mind to go this spring (i've even got a hiking buddy), so i can be ready for a 14er (or 2) this summer. the babies, who i have spent many hours thinking of (and their mothers) while knitting for them, are starting to arrive (just as spring does) and that is rather exciting and happy.

it's probably terrible to post such a thing, but finding a worm in the gardens at work recently was the exact glimmer of spring we all needed. it's predicted to snow LOTS in the next few days-- so the gardens will have to wait a while longer. on the knitting front i can now show you 2 more of the log cabin moderne baby blankets i made (crappy photos, sorry). both made from brown sheep cotton fleece, size US 6 needles.
one for alex
and one for erica

the third is for katie, who received her's with the needles still on, cause honestly, i have until june to finish it-- and i'm gonna take advantage of the time.

sure there's more going on (like the 3 times i had to restart my rusted root... thank the knitting gods that Meike started one too and i was totally inspired to try it again. oh, the all the new yarn i am the proud mama of. okay.. that's another post.) bye.

Now that this has been sent to the proper babe, i can reveal it to ya'll.

Log Cabin (guidelines from Mason Dixon book) cotton blanket for a Boy.

Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, needles US 6

when you see some of the other baby blankets (coming soon) you'll see i've been in Garter Stitch Land... or channeling the spirit of Elizabeth Zimmerman.

Well, i took out the ripple stitch blanket-- i didn't enjoy knitting the pattern. so now i am doing a slip stitch pattern. sure, i've made a mistake, but it doesn't bother me much so i'm leaving it. and yes, it is yet another baby blanket; number 5 of 5.
in an oops-my-credit-card-slipped-at-kpixie moment, i am now the very proud owner of 8 skeins of blue sky alpacas 100% baby alpaca, sport weight in a natural (duh!) color. i am using it to make a shawl from Nature Babies. love it! have mentioned in this post yet that BSA is my favorite yarn company? well, it is! also part of my order was the pattern for Rusted Root (i need help picking a good color) and Samantha.
In an effort to save The Fiber Whorl, my pal in Helena Montana has become of vital member to fund raising. one of their campaigns is a calendar-girls style calendar. she was kind enough to send me copy in part because it features my handiwork (does that mean i am now published?). i made that brown triangle shawl you see in mid-line-up.
see here: i made these socks
You're probably so tired of hearing about these socks, but i'm darn proud of 'em. Needless to say, the Fiber Whorl needs lots of support. If you find yourself near Helena, MT make sure to give them some love.

now, back to my luscious organic yarns.

So, for the last 6 years i have been celebrating my birthday with especially kindred spirits: My dear knitting pals. Mary is one of the dearest. I met her in a knitting class neither one of us needed to take. i was there because i needed to get out of my small apartment, out of my own depressive head, and just be out with people. (We learned to make gloves/mittens.) Meeting her literally changed my life. During many a friday evening knitting together she served as teacher, companion, woman of wisdom, sympathizer and second mother. We discovered that, although there were many years in between, our birthday's were just days apart; her's on the 3rd. We absolutely needed to share this event. The first year, is fondly remembered for the blizzard that postponed the sharing of homemade chocolate birthday cake. the following week the weather was slightly better. On the way to meet, my car slide backwards on an icy hill downtown (i was an extremely nervous and uncomfortable driver at the time) and when i finally arrived at the coffee shop it announced, "this better be the best god damn chocolate cake ever!". and it was-- and without it none of the following birthdays would have ever happened (the second year was positively the most beautiful spring day in the world. i gave Mary a huge bundle of hyacinths and daffodils, i knit my first sweater with out a pattern in 21 different colored stripes {i turned 21 that year} and we had our birthday party in the morning over coffee and oatmeal. the third year was grand once again-- at yet another coffee shop. the fourth year was a full blown party, we hauled in the loot and proclaimed, "the best way to have a birthday is with a group of knitters!". The fifth year I was so sick i couldn't get off the couch and had to cancel which broke my heart (we rescheduled later in the spring, but it wasn't in March and it wasn't quite the same).

This year was another great one: with nine knitters in attendance, muffins, fruit salad, chocolate birthday cake and a whole load of presents!

Mary and I always sit together and open our gifts.
We littered the floor with a rainbow of tissue paper. i'm obviously thrilled about something (more home/hand made soap)!
We compared presents.
and shared cards. notice we have the same gift? We each got this.

In years past mary and i gave each other very similar gifts. I made her a quilt the same year she gave me a vintage cotton quilt top; i knit her a white lace scarf the year she knit me white lace socks; i knit her a lace shrug the year she made me a cabled shawl.

this year we didn't match, but we still have the same amount of love for each other than all the years of the past.

a very merry birthday to ME! yep, march the first: the day i turn 26. i'm pretty happy about it, but i am one who enjoys my birthday every year-- alway have, always hope to. twenty six however has a slightly different feeling than all the others i can remember (i'd say since the last 25, but i don't honestly remember the first several). i don't know how to put it into words, but there is something around/about it that seems different from all the others. as i child, my birthday always seemed like one year older, one year closer to the next grand thing (13, 16, 20-- although as i think about those years, i'm not sure i liked them. 13 was awful, full of adolescent anxieties; at 16 i refused to learn to drive and had absolutely no interest in learning; and 18-21 were awful. i experienced a difficult 'leaving the nest' with my parents, a heart breaking death and grief experience (don't regret a day of it, would do it all over again if i had to, but it was still hard) a major break up with a boy, and a job change-- those were turbulent years) but at 26 i don't have the "next up" feeling. overall years 22-25 have been happy, full of love and new 'meant to be' experiences; feelings of satisfaction and contentment. Perhaps this 26 feeling is the wonderment of what will be next rather than the sense of what is supposed to be next. yes, that seems right-- i think i will sit with that thought for a while and see how it feels.


i took a little (like 1/2 an hour) break from baby blanket knitting to make gnomes. or rather korknisse. (norwegian, gotta love it. The Knitter's teased me about my Nordic winter. I laughed and said, "I know, what will i do in the summer?" A fellow knitter quipped back, "Norway has summer too!" Though perhaps not known for their summers, i'll have to do a little cultural research.) they are so charming. i want to make a whole village . they remind me of this-- tho for my birthday i would need more. people, please send me your wine corks!

speaking of baby blankets, i've finished another one, tho i can post no photo just yet. three down, two to go. however, i'm not feeling the love for this blanket-- i'm tempted to rip it out because i don't enjoy knitting the pattern, but don't have good design for it's two toned color (i.e not enough of one color to make one whole blanket, thus the color dilemma), any suggestions?

well, i think that about wraps up the news. wish me well as i turn 26.. or as my Poppa (who shared my birthday season with and i miss greatly during this time-- his death happened during those turbulent late teens) used to say, "As you begin your 27th year".

p.s. updated side bar. check it out.

I'm all about the ski weekends-- this one landed us at Devil's Thumb outside of Winter Park and Fraser. It was beautiful. Just when we thought we would go a whole week without snow fall, we got some flurries during our time outdoors.
I have however received a new "injury" (this one will not effect knitting, whew!) a lovely red blister that i managed to tear open while skiing. lovely.
in knit-knews: i'm makin' burp cloths. they're easy and functional. and for a gift. edit: i used the pattern from the Mason-Dixon book, size US 6 needles and cotton sugar 'n creme yarn.
gotta run, Rome is on.

i had another ski day today. what's that you say? You're wondering if it was windy? Just a little. Oh, yeah, part of the mountain was closed. Why? Gust of 100 mph at the top. As for the nordic skiing? well... let's just say that my 'ski day' turned out to be a day of knitting in the truck.

Yep, that wind (and icy packed snow) isn't for me yet. i'm still a fair weather skier ( i got about 100 yards away from the nordic center)

i was pretty disappointed. i wanted to feel that 'good mountain air in my lungs' again.

but the knitting was good.

Apparently, Anne and i have more than knitting in common. we went to Eldora today for the thrill of trying to stay up right while on cross-country skis. it was great. i fell a lot. i still think i love my new sport. driving down the canyon, i announced, "oh my lungs feel so good with all the mountain air!" anne, probably thinks i am a dork .

the knitting front is good and busy (except for the "injury" i received while at an eatery this evening. i sort of pinched and tore a hunk of skin out of my left pointer finger-- also known as the dependable pointer finger that pushes the knitting needle. i can sort of do it with my 'tall man' or if my pointer is wrapped in a wad of band-aids. ) but i must admit that with all the babies arriving, i won't be posting many pictures of it all-- until it's been received. i can tell you this: 5 blankets needed; two blankets done!

oh and to add to my nordic winter, i now am the proud (down right beaming!) of this-- i thought i was going to have to make a 'special' trip to Telluride-- the last place i had laid my pretty little hands on it!

Random Thoughts:

• i wanted to show a picture of the holiday ornament that is inspiring my Nordic sweater. The swatch is still in the "swatching" form-- which means i haven't done anything new to it. I'll keep ya posted. I used Cascade 220 for my swatch but now i am wondering if i want to use Knit Picks Telemark (i think might be better for a "two layer" garment and way cheaper), or O~wool's Classic (i think the yarn is too thick?)-- both would require some new swatching for mathematical sake.

• During the time at home i took a small break from gift knitting to make myself a Calorimetry. It took a little knittin'-and-rippin' to get a good size and the short row holes resolved. I used Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran on size US 6 needles and by mere chance had a perfectly-pink button in my jar. And by golly, it sure does help to keep me warm when i have my hair pulled up.

• And i feel i need to make a public statement: hi my name is emily and i am a yarn snob.I got a Lion Brand catalog in the mail the other day. Now while i am a yarn snob, i do not refuse to look through a catalog, but didn't think i would be interested in anything.Well lookie there: Lion Brand has Organic Cotton! (which i would happily link you to, but can not find it on their site-- hmm?) Hot damn! "Now i can get loads of organic cotton on the cheap, " i cleverly thought to myself. Let's do a little math shall we?
  

• Lion Brand Organic Cotton: 82 yards at $6.99 per skein would be $0.085 per yard.
• Blue Sky Alpaca Organic Cotton: 150 yards at ~$9.75 per skein (that's what i paid just recently) would be $0.065 per yard.
• Henry's Attic Inca Cotton (100% organic): 650 yards at $21.00 per bag (you have to order in bags, 2 hanks per bag) would be $0.032.
• Clearly i should be ordering from Discount Yarn Sales for my organic "fix", but that yarn is slightly thick and thin. So, I am happy to report that I can continue to be a snob and buy Blue Sky Alpacas and not completely through money away.

• I was knitting in the tea shop the other day. I was approached my a child curious about my knitting. She smiled at me, i half smiled back. Then she came over and sat down right next to me, with out talking to her mother, and proceeded to interview me about knitting and what i was making. I thought the whole experience was a little odd, given the mother's complete lack of attention to her child. Then is struck me: this is clearly a child raised in a "It takes a Village" mentality. She was a Village-child. And then they left.
  

That's all for now. I'll try to post again before another entire month goes by.

New Year's Meme (a little late...)
First Things First:
What is the first thing you did in the new year? after waking from a restful slumber (of which started in the "old" year) i got in the shower.

What is the first thing you ate in the new year? Scrambled eggs with cheese, 3 slices of bacon, a glass of orange juice.

What is the first thing you knit in the new year? still cranking away on the log cabin baby blanket.

What is your first ‘blessing’ of the new year? i didn't break any limbs while "gracefully falling" down a hill on the new x-country skis.

What is the first thing you will do to make the world a better place in the new year? teach the wee-folk i care for that you don't have to be friends, but you do have to be respectful. (I am also adopting strong recycle-reuse-reduce practices this year-- including composting,)
Post the first photo you took in the new year!

After my first real x-country "adventure"!

Happy New Year... may your year be filled with peace, prosperity, and compassion.

Nordic Winter

I wouldn't normally be one to brag about my Christmas loot, but i must share a few things.



These boots (this blog is now all about boots and socks) i've had for a few weeks-- and thank goodness i have plenty of snow to wear them in. They are wool boots, with wonderful rubber soles (perfect for packed and icy snow). They are hand made in Norway... i ordered them from Alaska.

I also got my VERY FIRST pair of skis-- in my entire life. As a colorado native, i've never once been on skis, gone skiing, or been to a ski resort with snow-- it's a long story, but it never peaked my interest. But i was recently thinking about trying cross-country skiing-- warming up the idea of renting a pair and trying. Then the snow fell-- lots of snow fell. And while out one snowy day Tom cleverly drove me by the North Boulder Park-- groomed for cross country and skate skiing. I was down right giddy with excitement sitting in the truck, mesmerized by the activity. And then everything fell into place (sale prices, discounts and friendly tech information) and i found myself (and Tom too) set up ready for skiing--anytime there is snow. I'm pretty darn excited-- better go treat my new ski boots (also part of the christmas haul along with new wool socks, gaiters, wool base layer, snowshoes, nordic "Norway" hat, and a Johnny Cash cd) with water proofer.

Knitting



With the school-closing blizzard last week i found myself with much desired time home. I got all the elfie holiday tasks done: made peppermint bark, wrapped packages, make pecan treats, and knit, knit, knit ( i forgot to take a picture of the lace alpaca scarf i made for my mother). I started yet another organic cotton baby blanket ( have i mentioned i know 6 pregnant women right now).
I swatched (I only do when i absolutely have to) my thoughts for a new Nordic (of course) sweater based on a kindred childhood character (which also inspired the Saint Lucia Christmas)-- who i have in ornament form. Turns out it will be a bit of a modified fana sweater-- and i'll create/write the pattern.


The swatch was especially helpful as it was my first steek experience. It was a little spooky, but went well. Next up, washing, blocking and measuring. Then the math piece and yarn purchasing and i'll be casting on.


The snow has been falling again and quiet inspiring-- not to mention I got another snow day at home (i.e 3 day weekend became 4 1/2 day weekend).