See You Next Week!

WWKIPD

Saturday was World Wide Knit In Public Day and the nearest one to home was at Citrus Park mall. When I arrived it was nice to see a mix of both old and new faces. The organizers had a little raffle and among other prizes there was a skein of Noro sock yarn that I would have loved to get a better look at. I hope Susan brings it to the UnMeetUp on Wednesday!

A little guide to navigating the faces at our knit out:

Thanh, Sharon (better known as Madame DeFarge), Kathy, Kim, Susan, TobeyL, Linda (thanks for those two names Kathleen), Sandy, Kelly, Lori, Me, and Kathleen.

Kathy was crocheting a mystery shawl with some Paton's Lacette that was just so pretty I'm feeling inspired to use it to make this for my mum for Christmas. In addition to the creative stimulation floating around there was, of course, fibre. Kathleen brought me a bag of black Shetland (I think) roving to play with. Surprisingly enough I even tried! Today I took the wheel down from its perch between the television and fish tank (fish tank is currently empty and dry) and took a legitimate crack at making yarn. No pictures because there is no yarn but I did manage to conclude that my drive band was a little messed up. A length or two of tobacco string and some Ravelry surfing later I had my double driven wheel spinning in the right directions but it's still not quite right. We'll mess with it tomorrow and hopefully get it going nicely.

Mememememe!

1. What is your first name? Robyn


2. What is your favorite food? Today? Chicken with Broccoli and steamed rice (searched chicken broccoli rice)


3. What high school did you go to? T.L. Kennedy (an actual photo of the school. I was quite surprised)


4. What is your favorite colours? purple and green


5. Who is your celebrity crush? Heath Ledger (loved Knight's Tale . . . in spite of Shannen Sossamyn)


6. Favorite drink? Chocolate Martini


7. Dream vacation? Right now? Cottage with Mathboy and the dogs.


8. Favorite dessert? Ice Cream . . . for the moment


9. What did you want to be when you grew up? Veterinarian


10. What do you love most in life? Mathboy


11. One word to describe you: Quirky


12. Your flickr name: Cornsss

Want to play too?

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.

b. Using only the first page, pick an image. (I misread this and simply chose the first image that came up . . . Mathboy, your pretty eyes were still on the second page of that search)

c. Copy and paste each of the URL's for the images into Big Huge Lab's mosaic maker.

d. Leave me a comment so I can come see what you came up with.

Credits:

1. Robyn Weeping Willow, 2. Chicken Broccoli Casserole, 3. Cooksville, 4. purple and green, 5. Jake Gyllenhaal's tribute to Heath Ledger, 6. dark chocolate martini, 7. to my friends in the south, 8. Flickr meltdown, 9. Amelia Update: Desperate Times, 10. DSC00643, 11. Eye Candy, 12. Old Blanket

Last but not least . . . a photo that much better represents my beloved:

Spinning my Wheels

Still not spinning my wheel though. My latest excuse alternates between "gee, I should really have another bobbin or two so I won't have to worry about stopping once I fill this bobbin" (note the optimism that I seem to be feeling about reeling off a whole bobbin when I've barely ever touched a wheel or drop spindle) and "gee, I shouldn't really start anything on the wheel before I've properly refinished it". We'll see what happens this week when I'm all by myself with it for eight hours a day.

The Champagne Mimosa is . . . well I'm still only on the fifth row. I've made it to the eighth row a few times but I keep needing to rip it back a row or four. It's all good though. She'll be beautiful when we're done with each other. I think.

The front garden bed is moving right along. We (read *Mathboy*) are nearly finished digging it and the mulch and ground cloth are waiting patiently to be put into place. Even better, it seems like maybe the rain is here for the summer so we'll be back to a nice evenly green lawn again. w00t!

Are We There Yet?

My countdown widget tells me that I've got fewer than 21 hours before I'm officially on Summer Vacation. I've got to tell you that it can't possibly come soon enough. Not only have the kids this year been exceptionally trying (like the creepy twerp who spent his entire ride today tying the seat belts into knots) but it's just plain ole' hot. I'm tempted to take a thermometer on the bus with me but somehow I suspect that verification that it's 100+ degrees would be disheartening to say the least. Now, in knitterly terms, how hot is it? Almost too hot to knit with linen for Pete's sake. Your hands get really sticky and the yarn just won't glide smoothly along the way you need it to.

What's all this doing to the Mimosa (ravelry link) that I'm working on? Well, I can't count any more and have to keep ripping back a row or five because I can't even figure out where I've gone wrong. I had hoped to be done with the border chart by the end of the week and it's just not going to happen. I spend my days knitting in between trips and my nights correcting the mistakes I made during the day. Oh well. I might be able to make up some time once I'm not captaining the cheese wagon seven and a half hours out of the day.

In other news, we're putting in a front garden bed. It's kind of a learning curve for me. I had a pretty decent little garden in Ontario but stuff that works in zone 4 or 5 will probably be deeply unhappy here in zone 9. Take Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra) for example; They're one of my favourite plants but they like moist, rich, well shaded soil. They're probably not going to do really well in our southern exposure, full sun from about 11:30 to sunset, sand/clay soil. It's all good though . . . Year round Canna Lilies will be nice. And more roses!

The Problem With Monogamy

. . . is that I get so focused on one thing that I ignore everything else. And no, it's not the spinning vortex. I'm feeling a little intimidated so I haven't really gotten past the "okay, lets get the wheel going consistently in a single direction" stage. In the period of time since I blogged last I've completed a Mimosa shawl (Designed by Sivia Harding (more Sivia here) for Big Girl Knits)

It was a gift for my mom and I had the marvelous Chris of Scotts Mountain Crafts design a matching set of earrings and shawl pin to go with it.

I've also finished a pair of Blue King Cabled Mitts (which I insist on typing mitss for every time)
Last but not least I knitted a doggy doorbell for Bairu. Instead of asking to go outside he just sits next to the back door where we can't see or hear him. He's in the habit of nudging the doorknob with his muzzle (we keep the doors locked or he might just be able to go outside . . . he can open round door knobs) so we hoped that if we hung some bells for him he'd learn to ring them. He's mostly connected the dots so I'm calling it a qualified success.

Ome's okay with the dogs going out. . . she just doesn't understand why we insist on letting them back in.

About a Wheel

The Friday before last I was on a hunt for Kumquat Pie to take with us for our weekly card night on Saturday (we're such party animals!). I parked my car on the edges of Hysterical Downtown Dade City (more antique shops than people) and headed for a shop that was rumoured to sell the creamy treats. It was about 20 minutes past five and as I approached I saw a woman collecting a sandwich board from the sidewalk. Since the board was in front of the store where I was going I assumed that the lady with the board would be able to assist me with my quest. Well, I was right . . . but not the way I'd thought. It turned out that the first store was actually closed and Penny, the sandwich board lady, was the proprietor of the antique shop next door. She told me where I could go for kumquat pie and, as I had to go past her store to get back to my car, I asked if, by any strange chance, she might have any spinning wheels in stock. Of course she did and I went in to take a look at it. The wheel was tucked away in a corner (evidently it's far too tempting for patrons children for it to be left in easy reach) and when I flipped the price tag I was shocked to see it was only $85. I guess my surprise showed because she hastily said "that price isn't firm". I smiled and said that I needed to think about it.
Upon my arrival home, I told Mathboy what I'd found, how much it was, that the price was negotiable, and made a point of saying how very crazy cheap it was even without bargaining. On Saturday, I mentioned it again and made Mathboy drive past the shop just so I could oh so very casually point it out. I'm sure I was about as subtle as a cast iron frying pan to the face.
Monday I was home sick (otherwise he would have been home before I finished work) and when Mathboy was on his way home he called and told me that he'd done some shopping and asked if I was feeling up to giving him a hand with his purchases. I was and when I heard him pull in I went outside. He popped the trunk on the car and went to grab the mail and when I lifted the trunk lid, there she was! He's a sneaky critter!
The wheel's going to need a fair amount of work before I can start spinning. At the very least I need to find a drive band and the whole wheel has got to be cleaned and oiled/polished. It's possible that the treadle requires replacing as there appears to be a crack or split along the length of the left side. There may or may not be other parts that I need to find as well so I think I'm going to wander down to Palm Harbor soonish and visit Uncommon Threads with the wheel and get some advice.

Squee!

Now if only I knew what to do with it. . .

There Are No Words

Breakthrough!

Evidently wonders will never cease. Last night on our way home from the home of some friends Mathboy said "If they're open, next week when we're up here, let's check out Mystic Fibers"

SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! What?? Wait! Who are you and where is my husband?

It turns out that my theory has been right all along. Mathboy has been reluctant to agree to any sort of major investment in the knitting thing and it's because Mother of Mathboy is an enthusiastic crafter. In her crafting life, she's done ceramics, plastic canvas, bunka, quilting, cross stitch, stained glass work, knitting, crochet and a host of other things. She's been very enthusiastic about each activity and, as a result, has a home that somewhat resembles a small, very well stocked, Michaels. Mathboy was afraid that I would show the same enthusiasm for knitting as his mother had for each of her hobbies but then, like his mother after gathering every tool ever thought of, move on to the next shiny thing. Evidently though, in the two and a half to three years that I've been knitting, I've proven my devotion, particularly through some trying times in the last month or two that really made me rethink this passion of mine, and he's realised that I am a Knitter and it's not going away any time soon. Woot! Onward and upward.

P.S. If you haven't already, go HERE and sign up for some squares. There's a little boy out there who could really use our thoughts, prayers, and some wooly love.

Somebody Loves Me

ETA: Go read Miss Scarlett's post here and if you can spare some yarn, kick in a square or two won't you?

Valentine's day yesterday was nice in spite of Mathboy being at school until fairly late. He received his traditional pear jelly beans, peanut butter cup and assortment of cards secreted in various locations, and I found this little guy waiting outside for me when I stepped out to get the mail.

In other mail related news, I purchased some Rowan Soft Baby from Christine of Three Dog Knits (she's still got some destashing to do and her prices are really really reasonable. Go Here) and it came on Wednesday. The yarn is a (sadly) discontinued single ply wool/cotton blend and it's softer than teddy bear fur. I can't wait to make a Baby Surprise Jacket from it (I think that's what it wants to be) and since the stuff is handwash only (good thinking there Rowan) I guess I'll be forced to put it in my own hope chest* rather than inflicting the handwash only madness on some poor unsuspecting new mom.

















*it's a hope chest because we're not actually trying yet. Just sayin'

Is it a full moon?

People these days are lunatics. Lunatics I tell ya.

When did everything that happens in one's orbit become all about them? What am I talking about? Here are some examples:

a) A certain blogger who shall remain nameless says (and not for the first time) that she doesn't wish her readers to go nuts with their concerns about her health and start firing uninvited medical advice and one of her readers becomes very affronted and states that it's not all about the blogger . . . well, um, it's her blog isn't it? If it's not about her, who pray tell, IS it all about? It's certainly not all about the blog readers.

b) I made a comment in my last entry about the Austermann Step that I'd just received. It turns out that the person who so passionately disliked Step still reads my blog (this honestly astounds me since evidently the very thought of me drives her to tears) and took great offense to my offhand quote and decision to think for myself with my yarn selection. Evidently it was a grave insult. Since when does my opinion about yarn of all things amount to derision? Furthermore, what's wrong with this woman that she thought I was making a personal attack? I used the quotation because it's stuck with me since the first time I heard it. It struck me as oddly naughty sounding (try googling hairy splitty slimy and see what comes up) and still makes me giggle. Other than recalling that I didn't think about her at all and my opinion one way or another had absolutely nothing to do with her.

I guess my final thought on all of this is just that some people need to get over themselves or seek therapy or something. It's not all about you . . . unless it's your blog *grin*

The puppies know that it's actually all about food.

The Postman Cometh

What came in the mail this week:

Monday brought Austermann Step in mint (#30) from the Loopy Ewe . I've heard this yarn derided as "hairy, splitty, and slimy" but I'm looking forward to trying it. In particular the aloe and jojoba infused fiber should be paradise for my poor dry fingers and toes.

As always, Sheri included a little treat with my purchase and this time around it was a teeny tiny little "Loopy's Red Sock Kit" (that washed out card in the background is the pattern)

Wednesday brought a treat from the bonus rewards on our evil plastic money. I've wanted a foot spa for ages and it's nice to finally have one that massages and stuff . . . instead of just a plastic bucket that I put hot water in *grin* In addition to the toy for me, Mathboy get a bench sized drill press, and we both got a shower clock/radio/ mirror gadget.

Today, from Susie at Perchance to Knit... (second link is her Etsy shop) a skein of her stunning handpainted 20/80 cashmere merino in Waikiki Sunrise won in her recent Funny Farm contest. It's gorgeous, as is the little matching Swarovski crystal stitch marker.

Lastly, also in todays mail, a power cable for my laptop. Badly needed because not only had *someone* decided to taste the cable but the plug itself was frayed and worn. Nice to have the laptop working properly again.

I think we have a Wiener . . .

Or an established yarn identity anyways.

Meet SeaWool:

and Basic Merino Sock:

Thanks Christine and Ravelry !

Oh, Crud.

Remember these pictures?

Notice how there are no tags or ball bands on these skeins of yarn? I had them, I just pulled them off in the interests of showing the yarn to it's best advantage. Now though I find I have a problem. The pictures are titled as "Merino~brown and gold" and "Sea Wool~pink and brown". In my stash though, the former is wearing the Sea Wool label and the latter is dressed as Basic Merino. I guess it's not a huge deal, since both sets of socks (once made) will be mine but it bothers me SO MUCH to not know which is which.

Any ideas on how to get 'em properly sorted out?

Yarns and soaps and pussycats

Nashua Handknits "Ivy" in Natural, Dark Teal, and Seafoam. It's 50% alpaca, 45% merino, and 5% "Estellina" and so very soft. Someday, the twelve skeins I received (well, they gave me six, three each of natural and seafoam, I rounded it up with a third colour to make a sweater's worth) will become an hourglass sweater from Last Minute Knits.




















Tonnes of gift certificates for the Loopy Ewe have, thus far, netted me a bottle of Soak in the "Celebration" fragrance (since sold out), Wendy Johnson's pattern for these socks, and four skeins of Dream In Color "Smooshy" in Wisterious. It's been a full twenty four hours since I last went into the stash/guest room to pet it, but I think of it often *grin* It's going to be a Jeanie when I finish my current home wip.















Speaking of that . . . . it's a Mimosa in all of it's linen and bead glory. I darn near killed a certain cat today when he took it upon himself to liberate the shawl from the cone of yarn I was working from. While I was working on it! I didn't even know what he was up to until the connection was severed.















Maybe he was registering his objection to the amount of attention I've been giving my knitting?? After all, while I was photographing the yarn, he was doing this at the door . . .

I Gotcher Pictchers Right Here.

Alright, I owe you folks about ninety seven photos so let's get right to it.


Six Teeny Red Sweaters . . . and one "Big" one




Pinwheel Jacket for Miss Em.




















Paton's SWS and a Circ for my Secret Santa Victim














Innocent Kitty who just wanted a nap in a cozy place for cryin' out loud.














Tomorrow (or eventually anyways) Yarn Porn! Mimosas! (A whole 8 rows!)

Spooky accurate Batman!

K, most of these blogthings are wildly inaccurate but I did this one today and holy cow did they ever hit the nail on the head! For me anyways. Mathboy answered the same one and it was way off.
Anyways, without further ado . . . My inner child:

Your Inner Child Is Sad

You're a very sensitive soul.You haven't grown that thick skin that most adults have.Easily hurt, you tend to retreat to your comfort zone.You don't let many people in - unless you've trusted them for a long time.

How Is Your Inner Child?

No promises about the posting of any pics, but there are some. Completed pinwheel being modelled is not among them . . . silly me. I was so tickled by Mathboy and Miss Em's daddy making Princess Leia jokes that I didn't even pull out the camera.

Coming up for air. . .

Resurfacing briefly from the sea of miniature red sweaters that I'm flailing around in to say "go look at this!" It's a Clap! But it's got Cables! I adore it.

What to do, what to do?

Secret Santa drawing started today at work and I got a crocheter! We have a ten dollar minimum but not a set maximum. I was thinking maybe a Brittany hook, a pattern, and the yarn with which to act upon the the pattern . . . Crocheters? Any suggestions?