One With the Knit

Gettin' one with the knit, that's all I'm sayin'!

You know (or may not) that I am a HUGE rules girl. Well except for sometimes the speed limit and that doesn't count. I follow the rules, and am in fact sometimes inextricably tied to them-- as suffer the normal thought processes.

That is I think much of my problem when it comes to knitting. When I sew or quilt I don't follow the rules, I feel it in my bones and stitch by the seat of my pants. It all works out, I feel it, I know it, I am one with it.

Knitting? Hmmmmmmm. I have indeed known how to knit since small kid time but my knitting has been sporadic, dictated largely by the locale in which I lived and had need of wooly goodness. For a large part of my past I have not knit past the occasional baby sweater or schmooty item of small consequence. Because of that I was a slave to the rules. For ages and ages and ages I could not knit lace from a chart, patterns from a chart were right behind that. And I did prevail over the chart thing. I still could not knit without a stitch marker for each pattern on the needles and I was very closely tethered to the instructions. Marked clearly and encased in a sleeve of plastic protectment!!! If something happened, even ever so slightly and something went awry (because as we all know that DOES happen) I was screwed. Totally screwed.

My lovely cardi in progress has been my oneness knit, maybe (just mayyyyyyyyyyybe) the knitted piece that will turn my corner, make me one with the knit, might well make me a KNITTER. It was the damn seed stitch pattern that made me crazy from go. I don't know why, I can't tell you. No simpler stitch exists. But until you are one with that (or any stitch to be honest) and you sink into it......... can watch it, be organic with it........... you don't move past the first door. And what is behind door number 1? The 'watch' of it. The knowing that it is time to do something when it is time just because you know that you know, not because you are told to by markers, or counting or the pattern sitting there at your hip.

Perhaps it was week two of this boogerin (and I think I mean that literally) cold that has fried my brain, or the lack of sleep or the intricate combination of N*yquil and Chai, I have seen the light. I'm not using the instructions.............. and haven't for quite a few rows now. I seem to see the piece as more than the piece but as this lovely happy wooly bit that I have a relationship with. Dare I say I think it is the beginning of control?

I've almost finished the (ongoing and going) back of the cardi.... adding a few more rows because I (yes...... I) have chosen that it will be prettier at the shoulder where the panels join fronts to back if I knit on a little longer and make the diamond pattern narrower. I'm very close to this point and might manage to get it off soon. The resulting extra length really doesn't mean a heckuva lot when you are a boxy comfy cardi to begin with.

Perhaps not, and maybe I make no sense at all. But I do to ME, and after all that is all that matters. I might just be on to something!

Countdown Begins at 19

My flu has morphed into the mother of all colds. I have no voice. None. Those around me perhaps consider this a good thing, harumph.

Another wedding show has been signed sealed and delivered leaving me once again to believe with all my heart that in most cases either the bride or the mother of the bride is certifiable. One or the other, I'm not kidding. When they are both off the beam we're booked for their date, no room for possible future insanity thankyouverymuch.

Today we change internet and cable tv providers at home. Such delight, such upheaval. Although I do love my creature comforts I'll confess to missing the simple things as well when faced with the necessity of changing all log in's and details as well as notifying those in my email address book that I've departed the fix.

Knitting? Not much, a row here and there. I had an hour and a half break at the wedding show yesterday and hoped to knock back a row or two but found myself engaged in lively conversation over coffee instead. As knitting is often a solitary sport I enjoyed the banter.

Quilting? Sort of----- The quilt top is pinned and ready to be set together. I have discovered that in order to make this big enough for my queen bed (with enough drop for the fattie mattress and height of the bed) I'll need another couple rows of some kind of border. I need the top together so I can make a trek to the fabric store. NOT a bad thing I assure you.

The week starts with a tremendous bang, a whir and a flurry. I need more K*leenex.

Nineteen (count 'em, 19!!!) days until vacation. I. Can't. Wait.

Is it time to EAT?

Thanks Lisa, for sending over a photo that warms my heart (and makes my tummy growl!).
Nothing like a big ole' plate of scrambled eggs, Portugese sausage and two scoop rice to make a girl set to rights! From the BK on Kauai comes the shot above. I'm still giggling. And still hungry. For the record, yes any of those food items are not likely to be a good choice in reality, but they SOUND good............ health must be right around the corner.

I managed to knit for a couple of lovely hours last night---- and I'm hungry! I think I may live after all. Way too much work to catch up on and a big wedding show this weekend. Thankfully it is supposed to be at least 50 today so things are (for the moment) looking up. And the back of the cardi?????? Almost ready to bind off! Less than one more repeat of the diamond, things are looking up. You have no idea how I long to bring you a photo of empty needles, ready to cast on for the right front, the left front, or the sleeves. Something other than the back.

Get Knittin'!!

Like a Mole

Somehow I feel like a Mole. In writing that my flu addled brain added Whack-A-Mole and Like a Virgin. Both of which I am not. Maybe whacked, but that is beside the point. I have not ventured very far from either the couch or my bed for a couple of days and honestly have no desire to, hence the mole reference. Because it is super cold only compounds that decision. It will be 50 tomorrow so I have hope.

When I woke up this morning it became obvious very quickly that work would not be a happening thing, not much of anything else. Nada.

I did however complete a very, very important task 4 minutes after it was possible to do so.



After all, a girl DOES have her priorities!

Tis the Season...

The SuperBowl party was great, good fun, and for those of us who say every year that we just want a good game, this year we were not disappointed!! My team lost (sniffle)...... oh well. I hadn't made that crab/cream cheese dip in years and years as for such a long time it was the go to dish that everyone seemed to bring out for every occasion. I've remembered how a block of cream cheese, a can of lump crab all deliciously drowned in cocktail sauce and served on crackers can be. Crap Dip and Bruce seemed to make even the non-football people very happy.

I've been really smug about my flu shot this year, tempting the fates I suppose. So now here we are sick as can be. Could it be possible that a truck did run me over in my sleep? Bare minimums have been done at the studio and I'm headed for bed with no interest to knit. Tells the tale doesn't it? :)

When ill and feeling puny chocolate and alcohol do seem to perk a girl up----- bring it on!

Decadent Fragile Baby

• 3 cups whole milk
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup Hershey's Dark Cocoa
• 6 Hershey's Kisses
• 2 tsp. good quality vanilla
• pinch of salt
• 3 oz. Frangelica Liqueur (Hazelnut) or to taste
  

Heat the milk in a heavy pot, do not allow to boil. In a small bowl combine the sugar, cocoa and salt. Add a bit of milk to the cocoa mixture, very slowly........... and then add the combination back into the heating milk. Drop in the Kisses. When very hot add the liqueur and the vanilla.
Stir and pour into pretty mugs. Depending on the size of your mugs, should serve 4 frozen people.

Stay warm! (As I typed, "stay warm" it occurred to me that there are plenty of you out there who do not need to think warm thoughts as you are living in paradise. I don't think I want to go there at the moment. It is 10 here, without the windchill!)

Snow Day

I love a good snow day. Love Love Love! Having said that, a good snow day by my definition is one where you don't have to go outside. For any reason, even to shovel if you don't want to--- and I did not.

Only 4 inches on the ground, more powdery stuff coming so why in the world go out to shovel when you're just going to have to do it again. This is my motto and I'm sticking to it!

It's also lovely when you can work from home, have been to the grocery store and have M&M's in the house for medicinal purposes. I'm in the middle of an artsy fartsy project for the studio involving the website, a new blog background, and a totally new project so my mind is pudding. What do people do with pudding brains when they do not knit, quilt, or have creative pursuits that allow them time for unwinding?


And there is the sweater back in all of her cabley goodness. See, she does look somewhat like an afghan. This is the point at which the instructions say to bind off for the back and it isn't nearly long enough. So on I go. Just not today.

A couple of hours were spent working on the quilt---- and catching up on podcasts. Today I listened to the last two Cast On (love me some Brenda) and feeling totally away from the world. The block(s) above are in the blue tones, there are 4 blue blocks in the mix.


It's starting to snow again------------ so pretty when you're inside!


The red blocks are laid out and ready to pin together and stitch. Five red blocks and once they are done it will be time to lay out the quilt and bind.

Boy dog Prince seems to like the green blocks, I think he would like a quilt for himself! :)

When I'm in the sewing room especially I make lists for myself. The air is clearer in there or something, I can work out the problems of the world when I come back to it but I have to write down those errant thoughts or they'll be gone. Normally I have a cute little notepad that catches the mind dribbles but the last time I was in there on a mission, it was nowhere to be found. I did scribble on a loose piece of paper and today when I looked at what I was sure was going to be wonderful and inspirational I found two words. Skirt/Underpants. I'm still perplexed to say the least! I do not routinely USE the word underpants and why I was having a thought so earthshaking about them and a skirt as to write them down----- still escapes me.

I circled it in a red pen hoping that the creative muses might sneak in while I'm sleeping and jot a note as to what the great thought was in the first place.

Knitting, Quilting, Cookies, and Brides

Thanks to everyone who so sweetly popped out an email to send virtual hugs regarding my brother and his need for a liver transplant. Very sweet, and Very appreciated! He is still sort of in denial and the rest of the family continues to be in shock. We're a tough bunch, we will prevail.

It is Monday, pre-snow storm and post-wedding show. So in the aftermath of a crazy show (including the setting up-taking down-putting away) and my inability to string together words today, life seems to be a hodgepodge. We met a lot of brides yesterday and the calendar in the studio is starting to fill up with appointments. I am happy to say that most of the brides we met do not fall into the overly needy and/or psycho column. Hope springs eternal!

I've still (STILL!!) not bound off the back of the sweater and it is OKAY. Really. Even though I really really really want to cast on for "Armay" knit in Latitude from Berroco.

It is just crazy cute----- love the t-back, and oversized look, it would be really adorable over a summer t and some jeans.

The front is cute too, simple, like a favorite easy vest. LOVE this pattern---- and the yarn is pretty cool too!

Regardless------- the cabled cardi marches on. I'll knit the front next and then both sleeves before finishing with the back. I do have concerns about the boxyness---- the bigness. After my last three sweaters having some waist shaping, the back of this sort of looks like an afghan! :)

The joys of working from home (so I can stay off of the weathery roads and shovel for the most part) mean that in between handling work and brides I can knit a bit and quilt a bit and bake a bit.

Warm gooey traditional chocolate chip cookies and a cup of tea............. any takers?