At least something's getting finished around here!

Exhibit 1: Scarlet
Project specs: Oat Couture's Tropical Tee knit in Classic Elite's Classic Silk (a cotton/silk blend), Colorway 6953 on Size 10 circs (bias neckline done on #6 dpns.) I used just under 7 skeins. Pattern mods: Horseshoe lace hem, knitted bias neckline. (And yes, that is a primed wall you see behind me.)

Exhibit 2: 2008 Red Scarf #1
Project specs: Pretty much the same as #2. I used Lambs Pride in "Khaki" for the main colorway, with the remnants on the ends. Finished length is about 63". (I still have a little steam blocking to do.)

I've decided to backburner MS3 for a variety of reasons. Even if I decide to frog it, I've learned some good lessons: I can bead and I like lace on a smaller scale. In fact, I've got a project mulling over in the back of my mind even now.

And speaking of unfinished stuff - Mr. Cat loves me enough not to care if he has to nap on the taped-off floor.

Way too much

There's just too much stuff going on in the Catty household for the likes of a relaxing summer. (Who am I kidding? I think I had a relaxing summer back in 1980. Maybe.)

I've got 4 WIPs, 3 on the launch pad, and a couple with due dates in the fall. The only project I'm on the fence about is MS3. After Clue 5 was posted yesterday, I knew I wasn't going to knit it as designed, but go with a straight stole (as someone in the forums noted "Like a table runner.") My fence-sitting arises from the fact this is a 'knit-at-home-only-doing-nothing-else-including -watch-TV' project. Hmmm. I've just started Clue 2 and from what the discussion boards have been saying, things get easier from here on out. Hmmmm. I'm going to let this mull around a bit while I try to clean off my other needles.

Red Scarf 2 is done. Project Specs Cascade 220 remnants on #10 needles. Pattern: Stephanie's One-Row Handspun Scarf. Finished dimensions are 6.5" wide by 65" long.

Red Scarf 1 is about 65%:

These size 14 socks? Might be done by Christmas. They are for my neice's boyfriend - she got stuck in the process and I told her I would finish them. Before I heard he had size 14 feet. (And btw, Norma and Cookie rock the sock information! Thanks, girlies!)

Scarlet is progressing: I've just got to seam her up, finish the sleeve ribbing and tack on the neckline. I decided to do a bias neckline as described here. I think I will like it very much!

And to top it all off, I've been setting up housekeeping over here:

Now, if I could just get the upstairs painted, the housework done, and find time for a nap....

We have a winner!

It's Ms Alotta.Knittin! I had fully planned to get an action photo of Jack picking the winner out of the sap bucket, but he decided after reconning the paper, he was going to play chase with it (and me.) I would love to send each of you a giftie, but I'm pretty sure The CatMan would think 27 packages a bit excessive! Thank you all for the shout outs and emails!

(BTW, I'm not going to reveal Ms Lotta's giftie here and spoil the surprise. You'll just have to check her blog out in a few days.)

Meanwhile, back at the knitting. In just a few days, it's the next Project Spectrum combo and I'm a bit excited! My plan is to have Scarlet and the two Red Scarves finito by next Saturday. That should leave plenty of time for some socks and the dastardly Mystery Stole 3 (why yes, I'm still at clue #1 ...why do you ask?)

It's a party (and a contest!!)

Next Saturday I celebrate my third year here at Gathering Wool. Since I'm all about the party and the subsequent cake, I'm having a little contest! All you have to do is show up by leaving a shout out in the comments OR dropping me an email** anytime from today through Saturday, July 28. On Sunday July 29, all your names will go into the prize patrol (read: sap bucket) and one name will be randomly drawn (read: recon'd out by Jack the Cat) to win a lovely little giftie as my way of saying "Thanks for reading/lurking/commenting/just being you."

**Send the emails to: the muse medusa AT yahoo DOT com (delete the spaces and change the caps to the appropriate symbols) - enter "PARTYCAKE" in the subject line.

The only knitter still on clue 1.

The week after vacation can really be a bear. As in big, hungry, cranky grizzly. So not much was done in the way of Scarlet (and she's sooooo close to being done!) But I did frog and reknit my Mystery Stole. This pic is up to row 56 - and there is a lifeline.

I took the pattern's multiple 8.5 x 11 pages and messed with them until I got Clues 1 & 2 onto one 11 x 17 piece of paper. It's making for a much tidier knitting bag. I've also finally figured out that black just ain't gonna photograph well. I'm quick that way.

Well, at least I can read about it...

Can I get a Woo?

(That would be the car's antenna bisecting the pic. The CatMan is not Herb Ritts)

Or more like a 'whew'. There was some broilin' (floppy brim hats only work when you remember to take them to the beach), some drankin' (though there weren't many Southern accents where we were), some knittin', and a lot of laughter. The trip was looooooooooong, but luckily we had satellite radio to keep us occupied. Funniest satellite moment? Listening to Spinal Tap during Live Earth: "'ello Wimbledon!"

Part of the joy of unpacking is making up to the cats for leaving them alone in the care of their friend Judy who spoils them to no end. Izzy is not amused that I took my knitting, but not her.

Project specs: Opal Silk/Wool sock yarn, color #1120 (Tiger...rawr!). Knit on Brittany #2s using the tried and true pattern.

I yam what I yam

My tote and I share some similar qualities: structured, uniform exterior, slightly wild interior, and a little girlie girl icing.


Project specs: 12 mitered squares using hemp twine on #8 Brittanys. I made a plastic mesh frame for reinforcement which I placed between the lining and the tote. After lining, I used this scarf which I knotted on the side after I tacked it in place.

And here's Miss Bizzybellie sacked out for the count. I have no idea why she is choosing to sleep on the CatMan's stiff Carharts when there are two soft t-shirts right next to her. But then again, I have no idea why she does what she does anyway.

So we are off later today for the Chicken Vacation. The car is packed and I've just got some cleaning to do around the house. But it appears they've turned the water off. This could prove interesting. See you all next week!

Another Conversation

in the continuing saga of the Chicken Vacation. On the phone with CatDad last night:

CatDad: "Oh, hey there. I thought it was your aunt calling back."
Me: "??"
CatDad: "Yeah, she called me a few minutes ago to find out where we were going on vacation."
Me: "But I thought she was going with us?"
CatDad: "She is. I just never told her where we were going."
Me: "??"
CatDad: "Well, we got to talking and I just never got around to telling her the actual location. She knows now, though."

*Note to self - get more gin.*

Learning some lessons

with the white, blowing curtain and the angle of sunlight, this picture is quintessentially summer to me.

I started on Scarlet Thursday night. Instead of 1x1 ribbing, I adapted a one-repeat lace pattern (pssst- it looks strangely familar, eh?) I'm checking my progress each step of the way to avoid another Ed situation. So far, I've dropped my needle size down to an 8 (recommended was 9/10)and I'll be decreasing a bit from the waist to underarm. I am enjoying the Classic Silk slubbiness and it's knitting up so quickly, I might get to wear this on the Chicken Vacation!

However, some lessons take repetition to be valid. Note below:

The yellow exclamation point is the end of my red remnant. Yet 13 stitches remain to the end of the row. Since this is a lengthwise knit, I am not relishing the tinking of a bazillion stitches . So Red Scarf #1 is on hold until I make a LYS run. KYarns has a loverly little basket of wool remnant skeins which are perfect for projects like Dulaan and Red Scarf; I know I'll find enough to finish this row off. A visit is scheduled this week anyway since my niece has decided on socks as her "learn to knit" project. Her favorite colors are green and blue which are woefully lacking in my stash. So I've added needles and yarn to my "buy for vacation" list, right under the Bombay and tonic.

Enough with the swatching!

I feel like I've knit half the stole already! After consideration, I'm going with the 3rd swatch (#6s). I really love the look of the 2nd swatch, but at 5" for 35 stitches and Melanie indicating there would not be allowance for extra pattern repeats (whine but I'd only need one more /whine), I know I wouldn't be in the ballpark for the finished width of about 20".

I picked up some great beads from here - metallic dark blue iris - think of oil with the rainbow sheen on the surface.

I just hope I get the first clue before I leave on the Chicken Vacation.

What AM I thinking?

Well, at least the yarn I picked goes with this month's Project Spectrum.

A Conversation

A conversation with the CatBro this past week re: The Chicken Vacation -

Me: "So instead of staying overnight in Dover, we are staying in Salisbury. We'll meet you there instead."

CatBro: "But we aren't going through Salisbury."

Me: "If you're driving through Dover, you have to go through Salisbury. It's on the same road."

CatBro: "Salisbury is out of our way."

Me: "I'm looking at the freakin' atlas; there's only one main road down the center of the DelMarVa peninsula. It goes through Dover AND Salisbury."

CatBro: "We didn't go through Salisbury the last time."

Me: "I'm telling you. One. Freakin. Road."
CatBro: "Google doesn't say anything about going through Salisbury."

(continued bickering for a few more minutes.)

CatBroWife (exasperated, in background): "We have to drive through Salisbury just like the last time."

CatBro: "Oh."

We shall not discuss the conversation that occured re: getting on to the Outer Banks.

All knitting is completed on Hip2B. Just the sewing remains. So can you guess what I started?

Saving the day

So Ed is a Frogged Object. *sigh* I think the biggest mistake I made is using a #8 to knit - I got gauge, but Ed turned out to be way too drapey in the wrong places. So I'm gonna think about it some more and maybe try the pattern again in a few months.

Good news? Red Scarf 2008 is up and running. I think after the Ed disappointment, finishing Hip2B, and getting ready for The Chicken Vacation, I would enjoy a little scarf knitting. And it might be the perfect introduction for teaching my niece.

Cuteness alert: This morning, I was stopped by parade of 6 adult geese and 13 goslings of various ages crossing the road. Were they having a play date? Headed home from a late night? Early morning skinny dip? Only the geese know for sure.

hmmm

I finished Edward over the weekend and I'm not feeling a warm sense of satisfaction. The fit isn't what I was hoping for - the final decision will be made after blocking. There is enough cotton in the Wildflower DK blend to be stretchy - with the previous frogging and the abandonment time out, I think it might need a bit of refreshing. So stay tuned for either a FO or a F(rogged)O.

Hip2B is down to the last two squares. Tonight I'm hoping to start the lining with project completion slated by the end of the week. I'm holding off on starting anything new until these are done - that should help my motivation.

Project Spectrum Wish List

There are certain items that will always be my Holy Grail. 3 of them happen to fall into this month's colors.

Item 1: The perfect red lipstick. Not too loud, not too opaque, not too shiny, not too orange or blue.

Item 2: The perfect silver hoop earrings. Matte, not shiny. Maybe hand-hammered. Big, but not Sade-sized. (For the record - I adore Sade and want to be her when I grow up. I just don't want those earrings.)

Item 3: A black suede fringed coat. No, I'm not a biker babe or a cowgirl - I just have always wanted one.

And thank you to those who commented and emailed with clothing suggestions. I heard ya and ordered - stay tuned for the outcome.

Finishing is the hardest part

I'm cruising along with Hip2B - well, cruising might not be the right word when knitting with hemp twine. I've got about 11" left of the side panel and 3 mitered squares of the back panel. Then there's the whole sewing together, figuring out the handles, and making the lining bit. But I'll be glad to be done with the knitting portion - I'm starting to feel it at the base of of my fingers and thumbs.

I'm hoping to dig Edward out of hiding very soon - he was set aside (read: tossed in the closet) to make way for some deadline knitting at the beginning of April. My goal is to finish him in time for the Chicken Vacation.

And while we are speaking of The Vacation, anyone have suggestions for nice, lightweight cropped pants that do not rest on or about 'MuffinTopLand'? Seriously, I'm 45 years old with hips and would like to look like I still have all my wits about me!

Boxed up and away

Dulaan 2007

5 scarves, 6 hats, 5 pairs of socks.

I didn't make the Magic 28, but I did do my 5 + some.

EOM

"EOM" is the abbreviation my company uses for "End of the Month". This month has been a weird one weather-, work-, and other- wise. On one hand I'm glad it's over. On the other hand, I wish I had enjoyed May more - it has always been one of my favorite months.

In 29 days, I'm on "Family Vacation" with the CatMan, my parents, siblings, and their children. Today I nicknamed it the "Chicken Vacation" because I plan on marinating and baking myself. It's good to have a plan, eh? I scored a bathing suit on loan (I really don't want to spend $100.00 on something I'll wear for a week and then never again) and all I have left to do is rent the car and burn a few more CDs for the trip.

I also have to plan the trip's knitting bag - the drive will be 14 hours each way (done over the course of 2 days). In addition, my nieces have politely suggested THIS would be the time to teach them to knit. Maybe I'll need a "knitting suitcase"...

Oh the indignity of it all

I just figured out why the June/July Opal sock yarn appealed to me:

Queen Cashew was not as flattered as I thought she'd be.

Here's some progress on my Hip2BSquared Tote. The front panel is made up of 12 mitered squares. I soaked, then blocked this section to get a true read for the panel that will act as the sides and bottom of the bag. This section is measuring at 12" x 15" and I'm gauging the side panel to be about 8". I think these measurements will give me a useful but not unwieldy tote.

The CatMan and I are attempting to enjoy the long weekend - last night we cooked out with friends, tonight is the roast beef dinner fundraiser for a local fire department, and tomorrow might be lunch at the Shed if the weather holds out. Enjoy the holiday!

Just around the corner

Our colors for the next two months are red, black, and metallics.

I've decided on Oat Couture's Tee in some Classic Silk (cotton/silk/nylon blend)

(this is the very cool flooring in my kitchen - see what I mean about its most excellent camo abilities?)

And socks for June/July will be fun golden and black tiger stripes - did you really expect me to do true metallics?

Orange you glad I'm done?

I know I am!

Before:

Scary, huh? The wallpaper is a lovely little vinyl number in yellow, olive, and orange floral stripes. The flooring was the whole mustard spectrum - brown, yellow, and Dijon. Hello 70's! Where is that Seals and Croft album anyway?

Today:

Wall color: Exciting Orange by Sherwin Williams. Trim: Popcorn White by Glidden. Mmmm..soft orange (think cantaloupe in the AM light, adobe in the PM light) with french vanilla trim. The flooring is a wonderful cathair/food/mud concealing linoleum that resembles slate. I love my kitchen now!

Linked up to join The Nester's Paint Party!

Next up? Repainting the entire upstairs (did I tell you about the cobalt blue trim??)

Been Eyre and done that!

Here's a long view of March/April Project Spectrum's Eyre Stole.

Project specs: 8 skeins of Frog Tree Alpaca knit on #6 Inox needles, using FTA's Cape Cod Shell scarf pattern, (doubled pattern repeats for width and lengthened to 5.5 feet). Color #009, a soft dove grey. J. (the landlady) came out to ask me why I was taking pictures of my laundry.

Here's the completed Sock-It-To-Me set. I opted to do baby socks instead of the hat. As of now, baby Micah has still not made an appearance. Whew, I just made that deadline!

Project specs: Plymouth Sockotta in color #6673 on #1 and #2 needles ; sweater pattern is from here.

Here is the Mali newborn hospital knitting. I ended up with 11 hats and 4 sets of booties. I'm also glad to have used up bits and pieces hanging around.

In kitchen news, most of the main painting is finished and the trim is primed. I have a few touchups and the final trim painting to finish. I decided to reprime in white and went down a few tones in the main color. I am very very happy with the results (and will post a before and after pic when I'm done!)

And now for intermission

(And no this doesn't mean anything - I just really like the lyrics and the video. )

Opinions needed

This morning I've been thinking. I could either -

A) Suck it up and put 2 more coats of Mango on the walls, with no guarantee that it will work

OR

B) Paint over the current fiasco with a white primer and start over.

Thoughts?

When in doubt, drink a beer

Today that's my motto and I'm sticking to it.

I'm very very distressed about the kitchen painting. Coat #2 is not covering the grey primer completely. I'm almost in tears over the thought it may take 4 coats to finish this project (thanks, hormones and paint store lady who I really really hope is not there tomorrow when I take back the second can of primer!)



Sock-It-To-Me is done. The green buttons I bought? Way too big. The white buttons I found in my sewing box? Perfect size. The white thread to sew on said buttons? Disappeared. So I used green thread which made the "X" in the 4 holes of the button decorative. Right? I SAID RIGHT??



Alrighty then, the CatMan should be back in a minute with the Corona and I'm going to limit myself to just rolling up some stash skeins into balls. I think it's safer than my needles.

Spring on the farm

Some Project Spectrum daffodils -

The girls out for a morning stroll -

Meet Elvis, the newest member of the farm (and Punkin, his mom).

Unfortunately, I haven't finished Sock-It-To-Me - I still have the button band and a bootie. But Baby Micah hasn't made his appearance, so I'm not officially late.

Today was spent priming and first-coating Tropical Mango in the kitchen. I'm a little upset the 'light gray' primer recommended by the woman at the paint store wasn't light. At all. Unless you consider the color of the USS Nimitz 'light'. So I'll be returning the unopened container for what I wanted in the first place.

Feeling tropical in Project Spectrum way

I have a vision in my head -

- and this is part of it. I'm wrapping up the Sock-It-To-Me cardi set this weekend and then onward to a tote for my beach trip this summer.

The thing about serious, indepth cleaning is finding those items you thought you 1.) lost, 2.) got rid of eons ago, or 3.) now have a use for. I'm an organized soul, so there haven't been too many "oh my dog how did THAT get HERE" moments, however there has been purging - mainly accumulated documents and some yarn remnants which really are too small for any useful purpose. What can I say, I'm a remnant stasher.

Cocktails and yummy Italian foodstuffs were consumed on Saturday, and the hotel was showing one of the CatMan's favorite movies The Bourne Identity. I started on the Sock It To Me cardi set and seemed to be having issues on the counting front (which became apparent when I tried to match up the left front panel to 3-needle bind off with the back panel). All is remedied now and I'm cruising through the right front panel.

Here's a pic of the Pink Piggie socks artfully arranged against the new kitchen drywall.

Project Specs: Plymouth Encore Colorspun, color #7990 (think pink ragg wool) knit up on #8 Brittany DPNs. I didn't mean to use the #8s, but grabbed them by mistake on my way out the door to teach my friend sock knitting. These anklets are destined to be next winter's bed socks. But given the Vermit weather of the past few days, I'll be getting some use out of them now!

A little break

The messy parts of the renovations are supposed to be done today. So the Catman and I are going to treat ourselves to an overnight vacation tomorrow. There will be some of this -

and a little of this -

and definitely some of this!

This old house

Note to self - it's very hard to knit when there is drywall dust floating around. Ayep, the CattyAbode is getting a not-so-extreme makeover. The CatMan and I have lived in this apartment for 10 years and we are finally getting some new flooring. Woot! And drywall in the kitchen and upstairs! Rootie toot woot! I've picked out my paint colors: Serengeti Plain for the upstairs and Tropical Mango for the kitchen. (Pics forthcoming once I feel safe in uncovering the computer.)

Maybe I've had a little too much Vermit winter, eh?

On the knitting front , I'm almost done with Pink Piggie sock #2; my coworker is just about to start the heel flap on #1. The baby knitting is flying along - I've got 8 hats, 2 pairs of baby socks, and a serious dent in the baby yarn stash.

Not just rain showers!

It's time!

However, April has other plans for me. Besides the fact I haven't finished Ed or Eyre, I've got some charity knitting due this month. The Women for Missions at my church are throwing a baby shower for a newborn hospital in Mali and have asked if I can organize some knitting projects. Hmmmm...let me think about that....use up stash yarn...small, instant gratification projects....enjoy pretty spring colors? Oh yeah, baby! (pun intended)

I do have some other little projects on the April May PS docket: a pair of pink bedsocks for me and this cardi set for a friend who is due at the end of the month.

If you are local to the Burlington area, come on down for the baby knitting - April 17 from 6:30 - 8PM at the Essex Community Center. You can email me at themusemedusa AT yahoo DOT com for patterns, info, and directions.