Sunday, February 10, 2008

I really want to post pictures,

but I can't find the camera cord. Cause we're moving, and our house is covered in boxes. Now I'm pretty sure I didn't pack the cord, cause that would mean that I found it first, and would have stopped there and proceeded to upload my pics. It's here somewhere, but where...
I also have not managed to take pics of my birthday present, cause it won't stop snowing. I really want to take pics outside, but there is eleventy billion inches of snow on the ground, and I would have to shovel out a photo spot. So I will tempt you all with the mere knowledge that for my birthday, my mom and dad got me...

A SPINNING WHEEL!

It took little searching. I had a pretty specific list of requirements, including castle style, reasonable price, double treadle, scotch and double drive tension, and pretty. This narrowed my choices down to 3-4, with a couple others tossed in cause they looked fun. In the end, the one I chose was only the third from my list I spun on, but I knew INSTANTLY that it was the one. I couldn't have treadled more than a dozen times, and I was hooked. Now, as a tidbit, this is unusual for me. Past "major purchases" (like goretex pants, climbing shoes, and eyeglasses) have included spreadsheets, anal-retentive comparisons of features, and driving great distances to "just try it on". The search usually wraps up with statements from my husband like "it's a friggin' whitewater helmet, who really cares if it makes you look like a pillbug? Just PICK one." So I was very impressed with myself at the speed and steadfastness of my decision making.
Anyways, so yes, I now have a spinning wheel. A very pretty one, that my dad, Mr. VT, and I stained in a very pretty color and waxed, so it is the perfect color and finish. I'm still in the phase of ownership of feeling like it is too good and I can't take my first spin on it, cause "it's not the right time". And we pick up the keys to our new place in five days and I'm a little preoccupied with packing. But ohhh, the anticipation is killing me!!!

Friday, February 08, 2008

MY Ultimate Knitting Bag...

After MUCH searching, I have finally found my perfect knitting bag. For me, it has to double as a purse so not be too big, but have LOTS of pockets for all the little things that end up lost in the depths otherwise. And I like it to have room for smaller knitting projects, scarf, hat ect. And it has to look cool, and have an adjustable shoulder strap, and did I say pockets? I finally found it...

The Sherpani Trevina...it's perfect (I hope) and is bring shipped here as we speak.

Friday, February 01, 2008

The Secret of the Scarf

It has been my secret for a while that I do not knit scarfs. Now, it's not that I don't want to knit scarfs, as I have seen many patterns that I like. It's more that I think it's a cool pattern for the first 4 inches and then decide that it's akin to what happens when Dulce the cat tries to digest plastic. I've started, among others, the Column of Leaves, Little Pyramids, Henry, the Window Pane Scarf, and the Irish Hiking Scarf. All started, all frogged. I do believe that it is the length of the unchanging, same-as-same five feet of commitment that does me in. I mean really, THE SAME PATTERN, for six feet? No sleeves? No decreases, or increases? Even with some snazzy yarn-overs and lots of cables, it makes me want to stab my eyes out with a dpn. Actually I take that back, cables make scarf knitting slooooower and exaggerate the pain. The most troubling thing about my anti-scarf feelings? I decided in October that my dad really needed a handmade scarf for Christmas. Open the abyss and dive right in, huh? No just a scarf, a scarf with a deadline.

I imagine it goes without saying that true to form, my dad did not get a scarf for Christmas. He should have gotten Henry, all blocked and ready to wear. Instead, he got an options 30 inch circular needle, 3.7 balls of yarn, and one inch of Henry. Henry came back home with me, grew by maybe a row (and I'm probably overestimating), and was frogged due to the fact that it was not ever, ever going to happen. (on the bright side, if anyone would like the now-discontinued Jaeger yarn in the exact color called for in Henry, it's up for swap : )

BUUUUUUUT...dad will get A scarf. A lovely scarf that is currently longer that it is wide, and is knitting up quite fast. And I am so proud of myself that he just may receive it while he can still wear it, this season. Don't worry dad it's coming. But it's still a surprise.