knit and tonic

Even Though My Legs are Quite Warm, Thank You

You know how it is. You have this itch to knit something that you have no business knitting (leg warmers), because, after all, you'll wear them exactly once, if that (leg warmers). You have the perfect yarn for them (leg warmers); even so, you know in your heart that they will go out of style in a blink of an eye (leg warmers).

You even go so far as to ask your knitting friends if they happen to have a knitting machine because you'll never find the time to knit them (leg warmers). You know that you don't like knitting flat, but if you can get your hands on a knitting machine you won't mind settling for knitting them (the leg warmers) flat, and then seaming them up.

Not to mention, you have the perfect boots to wear them with!

Aye aye aye aye.

Such is the life of a knitter who has lost her mind.

Does anyone have a knitting machine I can borrow?

(Leg Warmers)

On the Fritz

First the hip, now the dishwasher's on the fritz. Day before yesterday, the air conditioner followed suit. Now I'm wondering what's next.

But, I've done some thinking and I spoke to a bunch of doctors and news is, I've decided to go in for surgery. Luckily, it's not serious like a hip replacement, but if they go in there and find that they have to do more than just a little repair work, I'm told I will be on crutches for as many as four weeks. Fingers crossed, because I want to be on my feet by TNNA in January. (Surgery is on December 3rd.)

Things could be worse. I suppose they'd be worse if I didn't have use of my fingers or arms or hands or something related to knitting. I'd go crazy if I didn't knit. No, I take that back. I wouldn't go crazy if I couldn't knit.

What would drive me crazy is knowing that I couldn't knit. Because there are days and sometimes a full week that go by that I don't knit. It's the knowing that I couldn't if I wanted to that would bug me.

It's sorta like having a bunch of warm chocolate chip cookies on the counter that you just knew you couldn't eat versus having the cookies on the counter but forgetting that they're there.

I bought some Jade Saphire cashmere the other day and I'm whipping up some cabled fingerless mittens. If they turn out well, I will lay out a pattern, print it, and send it to my pattern distributor for the Holiday rush. Next year, I'll be smarter and start earlier. Sheesh. This year, I actually noticed Christmas trees at Macy's the week after my birthday, like October 1st or something. Yikes!

So Now We Enter the Crate

I came home today to find that Rocko hopped up onto the dining table, opened the latch of my purse and helped himself to an emergency stash of Oreo's as well as an airplane pack of mixed nuts. Not sure if either one will bother his system, especially the airplane pack of "nuts."  From my recent experience, there may have been only two and a half nuts in there, and they were probably brazil nut remnants, to boot, plus a couple fake cashew chunks minus the curves.

That said, HWWV is at the pet store right about now and is purchasing a new, ugly plastic crate, along with a combination lock. That guy, Rocko, he must have retractable thumbs even though I've never seen them in action. He's either a little man disguising as a wire hair Dachshund or he's a crazy  pre-menstrual terrier with a wicked hunger for carbs.

I just got back from a book signing in Denver. Boy, that was a whirlwind trip. People were talking of snow and I had to run through the rain at one point, on the way to the pub across the street with my brother, my sister-in-law and my neice. Weather! The only weather I get in California is hot, warm, earthquake and fire. I became jealous when I saw people in caps, scarves, arm warmers, undershirts, fleece underwear, cowls, ear muffs, hand muffs, general muffs, and your basic long sleeved shirt. Heck, today, as I pretended to pump iron at the gym next to a woman napping on one of the weight benches, I spotted a gal wearing a long-sleeved cotton tee. It took all of me to stop myself from strolling on over and asking if she had adopted a yang diet to keep herself so cool.

At my rate, I'll be wearing a Speedo by next November.

BTW: I discovered a yarn store just around the corner from the Tattered Cover called String. Of course I had to indulge a little bit. Not to mention, two wonderful friends brought some goodies for me to tell you about. First, the stitch savers above are a dream. I first discovered them on Scout's Swag awhile back, but it gets better. The gal who makes them brought some special ones with my name on one, and John's on another (John, give me your address and I'll send it to you--you know who you are). These are great because they don't take up too much room and they really are a life saver when you drop a stitch or find yourself in a dark alley and need a reasonably blunt object.

Mary-Kay, someone who I met online awhile back and who now lives in Denver, brought me some yarn she dyed on her own. These are gorgeous colorways and I plan on making some cool leg warmers to wear with my boots. Her yarn feels just like Kioguuuuuuuuuu and she has a real eye for color. Keep posted for more info on her yarn. (You gotta love the indie dyers, knitters, spinners, and such).

BTW: If you click through to Scout's Swag and see that those stitch savers are sold out, hang on. Scout just wrote me an email and said she'll have tons more in stock later today or tomorrow.

Because I Prefer the Circulars

One voodoo doll down. Two more to go. (Oh, and truth be told, I finally found a use for some dpn's that were hanging around.)

BTW: I managed to crochet this sucker from the top down, in the round and in one piece. Hooray! No seaming! At least there was one thing pleasant about it. Not to mention, that Paton's Decor: Very Hard on the Hands. But, if I may say so with the utmost sincerity, it sure fires up like nobody's business.

The Thankful Knitee

A made-up meme. Even though I don't like memes. I actually like memes less than I like getting flu shots or having cavities filled, but today I feel like sharing.

Things I haven't told you.

Our mom was runner up to Homecoming Queen at the University of Minnesota in something like 1961 or thereabouts. Our dad told us all about it, and showed us newspaper clippings but mom never commented.

I used to work as a marketing manager at a publishing house. In order to get an extra 25 bucks more on my paycheck every two weeks, I'd walk 8 miles a day to and from work and I'd listen to Prince's Lovesexy all the way. Then I'd run during lunch. Those were the days.

My step-dad died last year and I'm executor of his trust. We just discovered that someone defrauded his estate to the tune of more than 300 grand (and she probably has the news clippings of mom on Homecoming Day in her garage). Scout tells me that I need to knit a few voodoo dolls. One for my big brother, one for me, and one for Dooze to utilize. I'm trying to go the "Serenity Now!" route, but lately I'm beginning to wonder.

Just yesterday, I sat in the LYS for an hour or so. A lady came in and said with indignation: "I want to knit a cashmere sweater."

So, the LYS gal galloped over and immediately began showing off the cashmere in stock. Us folks sitting at the table knitting exchanged looks.

A back-and-forth conversation ensued about gauge and what the pattern would be, etc. etc. and after a half-hour or more of contemplation they/we in the audience decided on some worsted weight cashmere to the tune of thirty-five buckaroos a pop. Then, the LYS gal, after examining Ann Budd's directive on yardages for knitwear, decided that the buyer needed about 1500 yards of the cashmere, with each skein at 200 yards.

Although I am sorely math-dumb (I was a statistician at one point in my career; go figure), I did the math in my head and then the buyer said:

"You know, this is my first sweater. I want to thank all of you specialists for helping with my yarn choice and all. I owe it all to you." Then, she pulled out her credit card and all was said and done.

Discuss.

BTW: I finally finished Girlfriend's socks out of the Raupe Opal Sock yarn I got from Supercrafty. Girlfriend wears a uniform to school, but she can wear these on "Spirit Day" when they wear their school colors which are green and white. The thing I love about Girlfriend is that she sits there when I'm casting off and pants like a dog as I weave in ends. Well, not like a dog exactly. More like a six-year old.

Then, she tries the stuff on with glee. I couldn't be more thankful.

BTW: I'll be in the Denver area this coming Monday, Oct 20 7:30 p.m. at the Tattered Cover, Highlands Ranch, along with Leigh Radford, author of Alterknits and One Skein.

Bounce-y

I was just thinking, as I flew home from Seattle yesterday, that it's okay, some of the time, to be on your own while traveling. When you do, you get to talk to all sorts of new people and notice interesting things like the guy sitting next to you nibbling on the buttons of his shirt while reading his novel. Had I been with Girlfriend and HWWV, I wouldn't ever have noticed that, or had been bumped up to first class on my way up. The only downside to the first class thing was that the flight was early in the morning and I didn't dare ask for champagne, a mimosa, or a bloody mary. I will confess, I wanted some, though. Well, at least champagne or a mimosa. Bloody mary's don't appeal. I've always suspected that they taste like cold spaghetti sauce.

The trip to Seattle was quick, but fun. I did a signing at Renaissance Yarns and one at Third Place Books. Both were lots of fun and I think we had a good turn out. Listen, I'm no Yarn Harlot, that's fo sho', and I don't do readings (what would I say? "Starting out with a knit stitch, knit thirty-two stitches for size small, knit thirty-four stitches for a medium..."), and it's a good thing, because if I did, everyone would be asleep or groaning by row three.

Next weekend, I'm at the Tattered Cover in Denver. I'll let you know the particulars later, after I get my itinerary.

About the knit cap. I always say I don't read other blogs (at least not too many) because you run the risk of comparing yourself to someone else, but when I saw that Scout made this same hat and showed a pic of her blowing a kiss, I just had to do it too. Meaning, I had to make Bounce, and I had to blow a kiss, too. I don't know who she was blowing a kiss to, but mine is for John John.

Scout even retouched my photo for me so my pic looks similar to hers. Having online friends is so cool.

(Oh, and yeah: One skein Malabrigo Worsted in Merlot.)

Fair Enough

After I got so many requests to redesign the children's pattern, Drive-Thru, for adults, at first I thought I never would. I just couldn't envision it on a grown-up woman's body. Not to mention, why grade up a little girls' pattern without taking into account the stuff that makes us feel pretty like a little womanly shaping, a motif that doesn't steal the show, and a fit that can take you from day into night.

So here it is, folks. Fair Enough features just enough fair isle color work to keep things interesting but it won't overpower your knit with too much fuss. Using the beloved Karabella Aurora 8 (comes in too many colors to count!) and knit in one piece from the bottom up a la the typical round yoke sweater format many of you have knit before, you'll knit and purl and use just a little bit of fair isle patterning using two colors at one time. The body is knit in one piece up to the armpits, then the two sleeves are knit in the round from the bottom up. When they're complete, you'll join the sleeves to the body and work even yoke decreases up to the neck. Buttonhole and button bands are added last, then all you have to do is weave in your ends, choose some snazzy buttons, throw on your new sweater and get down with your bad self.

Size shown: 34.25" with approximately 2" of negative ease.

Difficulty: Intermediate Beginner

Finished Sizes:
32.25 (34.25, 36.75, 37.75, 42.25, 47.5, 52)" bust, buttoned

Gauge:
18 sts and 22 rows=4" in St st on larger needles

Materials:
MC: Karabella Aurora 8 (100% Merino Wool, 50gm/98yds); #1712, Heather Fuschia 7 (7, 8, 8, 9, 11, 12) balls
CC1: Karabella Aurora 8 (100% Merino Wool, 50gm/98yds); #48, Dark Heather Grey 1 ball
CC1: Karabella Aurora 8 (100% Merino Wool, 50gm/98yds); #1148, Black 1 ball
30" or longer US Size 7 (4.5mm) circ needles, or size to obtain gauge
30" or longer US Size 6 (4.25mm) circ needles
Double point needles in each size, for working in the round, optional
Stitch markers
Scrap yarn
10 - 12 7/8" buttons

Click on the button below to buy a copy. It will be sent to you in a zipped PDF file via email when payment is made or the eCheck clears. Thanks!

$6.00

Sneak Peek

Fair Enough is almost complete. We're just doing a final edit and it'll be available very soon!

Devil Dog

This isn't a dog blog. I promise. It is a knit blog. But I tell you, when you have a handful like this guy around, you begin to run out of ways to make him behave. After he un-stfuffed my favorite raw silk throw pillow for the third time, we resorted to Dog Humiliation Tactics.

I have a feeling it won't work.

We'll be getting him a kennel very, very soon.

On other news, I'm nearly finished with my second Somewhat Cowl out of the BSA Alpaca Silk. I don't normally knit anything twice, especially things I've knit and re-knit and re-knit for a design or pattern, but this pattern, even though it isn't a perfect one, is fun and turns out well. If I work hard and quit typing, it is reasonable that I'll finish it in another day or two.

BTW: Yesterday, I went in to see those three male models acting as Main Orthopedic Doctor, Resident and Radiologist.

When I walked in, the male model playing Resident said, "So, how does your right hip feel?"

"It feels fine," I said. "It's my left hip that's bothering me."

"We know, it's just that the MRI shows a cyst on your right hip. Are you sure you aren't having any pain?"

So I said yes and he said, well when you have a cyst it sometimes means you have a tear there, like on the other side where you definitely have a tear. And then the male model acting as Main Doctor strolled in and said surgery was my only option for recovery and when can we do it? I told him I'll talk to HWWV and then the three male models acting as doctors squired me out of the room and escorted me to the check-out area where the male model acting as Radiologist asked me about the socks I had been knitting and I said, "This is what I do all day: I knit."

And then he winked at me, bent down and whispered: "Better watch out for that. All that repetitive motion and all..."

Someone put me out of my misery. Quick.

Oh! I almost forgot. My editor, Melanie Falick, has put some alternative covers for Custom Knits on her blog so you can all see the various covers that were among the ones they were deciding would be the final one of Custom Knits. Click here if you want to see!