Friday, December 21, 2007

Let the panic begin!

T minus 9hrs 25min until take off... It's gusting up to 60 mph here in good old El Segundo, and I get to climb into a metal tube and the thrust up into the churning, surging air later. Oh goody! Will I keep my cool? I'm almost certain. Will I be quietly sh***ing myself? Well, yes, yes I will. But I'll also be kn***ing myself. (See what I did there?) If we get stuck in an airport for 4 days, I will not run out of knitting. If we get snowed in for the duration of our 5 days in Oklahoma, I will not run out of knitting. Of course, I'll probably get next to no knitting done once we get there, but carrying so many projects with me is a risk I'm willing to take. I will begin my trip knitting with the gloves I started, 'cause something tells me that I'm gonna need 'em. Forecast for tomorrow is highs in the 30s. I know to some of you that is nothing. I know it's just what winter is supposed to be like, but I'm sitting here in California in the 60s with some wind and I'm freezing my ass off.

I also have two pair of socks, my capelet, which is getting very closed to finished, and an unstarted hat, again, 'cause I'll need it. What do you think about Malabrigo in Apricot on size 8s? Quick, easy, and it'll look great with my hair!!

So the bags are packed, the last panic before the panic will of course be this: Getting to the airport and through the lines in time. Senor's anticipated arrival home is at about 3:30. 10 min ride to airport. We will be arriving, if all goes smoothly, less than 2hrs ahead of time. There's nothing for it. We'll just have to hold our breath, be extra sweet and kind to the airport staff and hope for some sympathy and cooperation. At least we are not flying Southwest.

If all goes well and the plane stays up, I'll try to drop a note from OK sometime tomorrow.

Take care, y'all. (I'm practicing)

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Christmas Spirit: I Almost Has it.

While generally a Grinch this time of year, though not a total Scrooge, I have found a few moments that have helped me get it up for Christmas... my spirit, I mean.

- Seeing Senor's Big Boss doing the splits with her V.P.s at the department Christmas party last night... Oh, booze, you are a beautiful thing! Especially when you are free.

- The annual parade of scented candles and candy from my dance students began last night. I'll be chubby with acne, but at least my house will smell!

- New winter coat for early Christmas. Watch out Oklahoma Ice Storm, I'm comin' to melt you 'cause I'm looking so hot (and so warm).

- Lox and Bagels and hot Ham/Cheese/Croissant sandwiches on the same day?! Yes please!!!

- Christmas shopping is officially finished. Phew! Now begins the thumb sucking, rocking and face twitching that comes along with recovering from having been "out there."

- One more dance class to teach and then two weeks off from "Bailey, stop falling down on purpose! Kelli, no hanging on Audrey! Girls, stop tapping while I'm talking!!" Sweet Sweet silence and rubber soled shoes for two whole weeks!!!

- Waitin' on the Countdown. Nuff said for now.

- Rain.

- An article about Sock Wars ran in the Wall Street Journal this week. Front page. I didn't participate this year, but knice knews coverage, Knitties!!

- www.icanhascheezburger.com When you need a pick-me-up.



I think that pretty much sums it up.

Friday, December 07, 2007

When I can't do it...

... I feel like a stupid person. I know that I'm not. So why can't I do it?

I discovered some chronic stitch pattern errors in my Print o' the Wave stole. That was the deciding moment. I cut it from the ball without hesitation. I was looking for a sign, and I discovered it in the moment of clarity where I could finally see my mistakes. I knew they were there, but I didn't see them until now. They were riddled through it like lace cancer and the only way to fix it would have been to frog back all the way anyway. So it's done.

But I've got an itch for lace, so I found another pattern to attempt, the Lilly of the Valley stole from Lace Style. I cast on last night, no problem and got to work.

So why is it that an intelligent person such as myself cannot count properly? I've already got stitch pattern issues that I can't explain and I'm only an inch and a half into it. I looked, I found one, I ticked back and redid that row. Guess what, still not right!!!! I'm really pissed off! Sure, I make mistakes often in my life, and I'm okay with that because no one is perfect... but WHY CAN'T I FRICKIN' FIND THE MISTAKES?!!!! RAAAAAUURRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!

It's over. I'm breaking up with the Lilly of the Valley Stole. Whatever.

Does anyone know of a pattern that's so easy even a smart person can't mess it up?

Why are we out of wine?!

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Revisiting


Hi, Amembah me?

I haven't touched my Print O' the Wave stole since last November... at least, that's the last I remember touching it, the weekend of my Father in Law's wedding, which was also Thanksgiving weekend. If I've touched it since then, I guess it wasn't very memorable.

At this point, I have no idea what row I am on, and I know there are at least a mistake or two somewhere in there. I am hesitant to continue where I left off, knowing that I am a much better knitter now than I was a year ago and could possibly do it perfectly if I were to start over. I am also hesitant to frog inches and inches of work...

So here is the deal I am striking with myself: I will investigate in hopes of uncovering which row I was on. I will finish that pattern repeat and knit another. If I am unsatisfied with the overall look of the thing, or if there is a significant guage change due to experience, or if the thing is just too tainted with my frustration to be enjoyable... I will frog and start over. After careful consideration, I have decided I still do want a Print o' the Wave stole of my very own... but I'm not sure about this particular incarnation of it.

I have brought it to work with me. We shall see, oh yes, we shall see...

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Back to Knitting

The knitting resumes with a vengeance, and as I am sure all my knitting friends would agree, December is a time for quick finishes. Do it now, get it done, have it on hand. So that is what I've been up to.


These bitty baby socks flew off the needles. I'm not crazy about the pointy toes as I don't think I know any people having elf children... so if I make them again, I'll try a little something different.



This loopy alpaca scarf, while not exactly flying off the needles, is progressing fairly quickly and will only be a shortie. In real life it's a much better chocolatey green color than the photo indicates. It's for when you need a little ruffle in your day.


A few hours and a few fewer increases and you have Calorimetry Lite, same great taste, less filling.


A glove. Though it hath not fingers now, it shall in the offing. White ones. Its mate is being knit presently. Ask not the source of the bizzaro language. I Wassail... Heedless of the Wind and Weather!!

And one last thing, just 'cause it's wee...