d-made: February 2005

Here I am at Stitch N' Bitch (Purlygirls Seattle) tonight sporting my new ribby. Zipper is complete and fabulous.

And with my two-way zipper in action

My wishes for my next sweater out of this pattern to be perfect: sleeves 1 inches longer and body 1 inch longer. I think this is my favorite sweater I've made so far! VERY comfy.

Swiftsure Internation Yacht Race
Looks like J & I (+crew) will be entering this race from Victoria B.C. over Memorial Day Weekend.

I only knit 2 rows of my lace shawl this weekend.

We went sailing Saturday afternoon - but wind was too light.

Sunday we jogged around Greenlake and at the end, did interval training. I didn't realize I had several sprints in me after over two miles of jogging! A perfect sunny day - I am glad I was able to enjoy it this weekend since it is offically raining all this week.

Nonstick 10-Inch Griddle/Crepe Pan

I just have to say I am really happy with this pan... Pancakes WILL NOT stick! What a joy.
I don't recommend it if you want to make a roux for soup.

I was naughty today and ordere YARN from Elann...
I am going to make Clapotis - like a good lemming knitter and other stuff too ;)

I have basted the zipper in (which I had to cut short at the top) and I love the way the sweater feels. The yarn was much softer on my arms than I expected. And I think if I made this in a Grey all rib, it could pass for a men's sweater too.
I used the Peruvian Highland Wool from Elann.com.

Also done with the Pinnacle Chevron scarf! I used Grignasco-Nature and it was wonderful. A 50/50 Alpaca Merino.

Herringbone Scarf

I really don't want to start another scarf.... but this one is cool - and I have 2 skeins of beautiful Manos to be used. I think 30 stitches seems a little wide for my taste though. I REALLY do have too many scarves... and need to get a stylish bin by my front door so I never leave without a scarf on.

If anyone has any scarf doorway container ideas other than a big basket from JoAnn's - I'd love to hear it. I gave away my hall tree - which was what I though worked well before - but wasn't quite so stylish I was told.

This story will make your eyes water!
BBC NEWS | Glue removed from Thai monk's eye

Last night I stared at my Ribby Cardi - J has convinced me to get the 26" zipper and cut it. I think this could work!

I also have to finish installing my DSL...

I think I'm on row 99 of my Pacific NW shawl. I like how I can tell if I am making a mistake. I mean, you have to be observant, but it's easy enough to keep a watch for disaster. The fear of messing up keeps me focused. A dropped stitch would be a bad thing. I haven't ran a safetly row lately. I better do that before I Knit in Public with it.

I bought yarn on Knit Picks today for a special sweater. I've decided to test the boyfriend curse! I got a good pattern and am excited about it.
I ALMOST bought yarn on Elann and Smiley's also today - but when the shipping comes into play, I back off and close the browser. Smiley's is a great deal, but $10 shipping is lame.

For my birthday I got a gift cert to Hilltop and Weaving Works... what to get... I'm thinking supplies for that Chicken Viking hat!

Nice long weekend! and a fun birthday too...

I am getting close to finishing the Chevron scarf for J.

I am really enjoying this blue sky pattern - the rain will come along eventually.

Pacific Fabrics has it's regular holiday sale yesterday and I stocked up on Knitting notions and even got a HOW-TO book on tatting, for a rainy day...

I can't find a purple 22" seperating zipper! I'll try at lunch today. I am so close to being able to wear Ribby Cardi!

The beginnings of birthday celebration :)

Corey here at work made a cake for Ariane & I - YUM! It's like quadruple chocolate cake.

I am doubling the collar (mock turtleneck). When I got to the point to turn - I did a row of all PURL on Right Side. Then reversed the pattern of the rib. This makes the ribbing lay together when folded down. The purl row makes a natural crease for the turn.

Now I just need to measure for a zipper!

Crochet kit
This is pretty cute - I'm still not sure granny squares are truly fashionable though....

Sterling Silver Knitting Charm

I want it!

I am almost done sewing together my Ribby Cardi. I just have one more arm to attach and the collar to pick-up and knit. Of course the zipper will need to go in too. So close though! It could happen late tonight.

The New York Times > Opinion > Op-Ed Columnist: God and Evolution

This is a pretty interesting article. I think that humans do covert faith in any format. It must be in our DNA - how else can it be so consistent across the planet?

Knitting news: none! Maybe tonight before bed :-)

Valentine's Day was fun! J took took me to Fins then the Laugh Lover's Ball. Maria Bamford was fun and very quirky. I have a beautiful vase of roses on my dining table too! I must say it's probably the best Valentine's Day ever - since certain people in the past preferred to ingnore the holiday... I must say it's fun to make an effort (not like it's hard!) to be extra loving for a day. It sure feels good!

Last night I went to visit my photos at Cascades Gallery in Issaquah and found out that my "Trees on Beach" photos is sold - in fact it was sold before opening night when a couple came into the gallery and saw the photos being hung. I think mine is the only one sold so far - how flattering :) The owner said they only sell a few per show.

Other good news is that I have passed my problem with the Ribby Cardigan and can now finish it. I think that I MIGHT be wearing it next week. I'm still not sure I want to be wearing a purple sweater around town, but as long as it's not with a "red hat," I think I'll get away with it.

I have also been secretly working on my NW lace shawl and have completed the seagulls section and am embarking on the trees. I am excited that past the first trying 15 rows, no noticable mistakes have been made. I think it's best I don't knit this one in public - I should be sure to keep focused and not screw up this lace. A dropped stitch spells nightmare.

I will have one of these cars someday... or at least ride in one.
SMART CAR

I have Laryngitis

The Seattle Times: Living: Die-hard DIY Divas

Purlygirls made the news :)

Gallery Show Photo update:

There were a total of 219 entries and 74 have been selected to be exhibited. (3 are mine)
My image 'Trees on Beach' received an Honorary Mention from the jurist Ron Hammond!

Knitting progress update:

All but one of my projects has a mistake I have to research. NO FUN!!

My Braid sweater is coming along - hopefully I only need to got back one or two rows...

This one is going to be driving me crazy all year I think...

This bag seems to be floating around my house - no use for it but I'm still happy it felted up. At first I thought it wasn't going to shrink.

These are the 1 hour booties that were a hit. I imagine they'll never be worn twice. That's OK- it was fun to make them.

My Photo Friday Entry

This weeks theme is YOUTH...

OK... back to knitting...

last night I really figured out my cabling problem. Solution: right on the pattern instructions! Turns out there is more than one specific way to read cr4L. It depends on the cable. Argh.
Soo.. I got through one ball of yarn on that sweater.

At the last moment last night I decided to attempt the Pacific NW shawl. After casting on for the 5th time - it's actually going! I am ready to move past the starting rows to the seagulls section. I better figure out how to run a safety line before I do something terrible to the thing. Also I need a fancy looking stitch marker for this - my scrap of yarn is behaving badly.

ok- I better be taking photos of this tonight! Sorry, I just babble on.

Three of my Holga black and white photos will be on display/sale at the Cascades Gallery in Issaquah, WA from February 4th - March 25, 2005

Eiffel Tower - Paris