Work avoidance

Posted on December 3, 2010 by Suzanne

I should be quilting. Everything else is more fun.

Like going to the post office in my small town, and having the carrier see me, and grab the package that was waiting for me and handing it to me over the counter — it wasn’t so much that he was being kind to me, as it was that this meant that when he delivers my mail later, he won’t have to get out of the car and bring the package up to the house. I don’t fault him, it’s flipping COLD outside, and I would try to stay in my car as much as possible, too.

I knew the package was coming today, and I knew it was yarn, and I wanted a glimpse, so I tore it open in the car and had a slight freak out because my first glimpse was BROWN.
IMG 0024 Work avoidance

And I was pretty sure I had ordered green yarn.

Well, it didn’t take long for me to realize it was just brown tissue paper, but I didn’t get my first look until I got home:

IMG 0029 Work avoidance

I had trouble capturing the color, it’s actually darker than that, but suffice it to say: it is super gorgeous.

IT’s going to be this, hopefully:

(The pattern is Elphaba Pullover, if you click the picture it will take you to the Ravelry pattern page. I’m planning on long sleeves, and I got more yarn than necessary, I figure this way I can make matching socks. The yarn is Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in Moorland.)

One of the many things I had to do yesterday was accompany a middle school choir concert. I decided I needed new jewelry, something that was not huge and in your face, but more than a simple pendant. This is what ended up with:

It has matching dangly earrings. It’s substantial, in a delicate kind of way. (Which totally makes sense, you know it does, don’t try to argue with me)

I tried to take a picture of myself in the mirror wearing it, but I used the Hipstamatic program, which made the necklace and earrings look OK, but it has green tinges around the edge, which did nothing positive for my chin. It looked like I had a fatal skin disease.

I just realized that my new necklace will look totally gorgeous with my new sweater. Too bad I haven’t made the sweater yet. TOo bad I have million other things to do first.

Knitting a scarf

Posted on January 26, 2010 by Suzanne

I tried to think of a more exciting title, but nothing came to me.

As you probably guessed from the title, I am, indeed, knitting a scarf. I’m using Cascade Baby Alpaca Chunky in Black, with some Brown Sheep Company Lamb’s Pride (a wool/mohair blend) in Strawberry Smoothie.

I’m using size 7 needles, and it is turning out to be a very fast knit (for me, anyway…). I’ve got 26 inches down, I’m think I’m going for about 72 total.

It’s a pretty simple 1×1 rib, with a slip stitch edge. I basically used the instructions for the Noro Silk Garden scarf that was (is?) a big craze, except I’m obviously not using Noro Silk Garden, nor am I striping the whole thing. I was worried the 1×1 rib would drive me crazy (ribbing on hand-knit socks makes me a little bonkers), but…I’m not crazy yet. OK, crazier…

I did teach myself how to do a Tubular Cast-on, which is pretty cool, and when I finish I’ll have to figure out how to do the matching Tubular Cast-off. My cast-on is not beautiful, but it was my first time, I assume I’ll improve with practice…

The scarf coordinates with the mittens my Mom made, though it occurs to me that i don’t have a picture of those right now. I’d go get them, and take a picture, but that seems like too much work at the moment.

More girls knitting

Posted on March 20, 2009 by Suzanne

Three of the Girl Scouts came back this afternoon, after school, to work on their projects some more. It was much more subdued than yesterday’s chaos. They got started and seemed like they were OK, so I went back out front to continue the endless bookkeeping that I’m so far behind on, it’s not even funny.

But then someone needed me, so I went back in to the classroom and decided, to heck with the bookkeeping, I’m going to sit and knit. These three were actually getting it, and made some good progress. They were even starting to be able to figure out what was wrong if they were having trouble.

It was funny, though, they were concentrating pretty hard, so it was quiet, but I didn’t want them to think I was totally lame and I tried to ask them some stuff.

I’m pretty sure they thought I was lame.

Afterwards, though, I realized that when I was 12, I had trouble relating to other 12 year old girls, so perhaps it’s no wonder that I still have trouble relating to 12 year old girls.

No more bison

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Suzanne

Or buffalo either.

How about a shop window, instead?

I’m finding it hard to get good pictures of the windows, perhaps I’m not trying the right time of day?

Plus, the dark red quilt hanging in the background does not show well at all, it’s just too dark, and the reflections in the window make it even harder to see.

Oh well, it’s red, and that was the idea for the February window. As you can see.

For some previous posts, with much better pictures, you can go here: red wholecloth.

Look deep into my eyes

Posted on February 16, 2009 by Suzanne

WEll, my kid’s eyes, anyway.

I have seriously got to stop trying take pictures at the end of the day when there is no light. How many times have I said that? Sheesh. I hate it when I have to learn a lesson over and over and over.

So the other day, I was debating between knitting and sewing.

I did both.

I’m several more rows on since this picture. This yarn is so yummy. This is a kit, came with several different kinds of yarns (different fibers and textures) that were dyed to match. It’ going to be a ripple afghan, and it’s pretty easy to knit, doesn’t require too much brain power, but just enough brain power that it isn’t boring.

This still needs borders. And a back. This is what Joe is going to quilt for the Kids Can Quilt competition. We’re goign to start to run out of time to do this, so I’d better get busy.

This was from a kit that I got last year at Road to California. A large part of the quilt top is the printed stripe. I pieced the stars and the square in a square blocks in the middle. The pattern was from the manufacturer and had an error. Ugh. The star points? They had you cut them 1/4 inch too small. So…it’s lucky I have such a large and varied stash, as I was able to find something in the right color that would substitute.

I think that’s all I know for now.

TTFN-

Suzanne