I'm on Ravelry!

I've been invited to join Ravelry, and that's been a lot of fun posting my projects on and seeing who else is making/made the same thing or who else is stashing as much Magpie as I've been. To check it out, go here.

Check out the 3 hats I finished up for the Ships Project. I redid the red part of the slip stitch striped one (it has the vertical stripes); the red on that one is Beaverslide Dry Goods wool/mohair, otherwise the rest of the yarn is Rowan Magpie.




I'm still not a huge fan of doing color knitting; cables and texture and lace will always hold sway in my heart. But I can almost conceive of doing a real Fair Isle project one day. Lord knows I've spent enough time drooling over AS' colorways and I do love color, especially her use of color.

I must have some second sock syndrome; I'm nearly done with the second watermelon sock (past the gusset and about halfway up the sole) and just am not interested in working on it. And I"m nearly done with the Baby's Breath socks I started out of Meilenweit (the pattern is by Jeanie Townsend; her website is called Just Me Jeanie). Instead, I started Evelyn Clark's Lupine socks out of a skein of Sundara sport merino in Blue-Violet over Cotton Candy. This is so much fun to knit; I like her sock patterns a lot. Think there's an Evelyn Clark Sock Pattern fan club out there somewhere. I'll have to join.

My Kate Spades came into the optician's last week. DD#2 says they look better on me than the old Escadas; DD#1 says they look modern, unlike the Escadas. So why do I miss my old Escadas, which didn't even fit as well as the Kate Spades, so much?

DD#2's debut at Lincoln Center

Here she is, yesterday right before her marathon 8 hour rehearsal and concert debut with the NYC Opera, George Manahan, Music Director conducting. Program: Excerpts from "La Boheme." Yes I know she's in front of the Met Opera House; the lighting was better. OK, how's this:

Got the whole picture this way, right? I took more photos, you can see them here.
Of course I took some knitting, since I had to be there the entire day. Here's a new hat for the Ships Project, yarn is Rowan Magpie, and the pattern is on the Ships Project website (link is on the sidebar).
Is that great for a soldier to wear or what?

And I did get my Kate Spade glasses. DD#2's verdict- better than the Escadas. So there! Tomorrow we are off to Baltimore, my home town, where DD#2 will have her college interview with my alma mater Johns Hopkins and DD#1 will have a mole removed from her foot by the Chief of Plastic Surgery at Johns Hopkins, whom I've known since he was Chief Resident and I was a student. He's a great person and of course his skills as a surgeon are nothing to sneeze at. DD#1 couldn't be in better hands.

Those wildfires in SoCal have been much on my mind. I've been calling my parents, e-mailing friends. My husband can't believe that the fire cut a swath through to the beach where he used to work in San Diego County. We'll still be going out to LA in January but what a different feel to the trip. Hope the Santa Ana winds really do break tomorrow as forecast by the weather service.

What a Week

When we went to Lincoln Center for the Philharmonic Concert little did we know that I left my very expensive prescription sunglasses with Escada frames and brand-new lenses at Mike's Bistro! it was dark when we left Mike's and headed back to Lincoln Center, it rained the next few days, so by the time I needed them and figured out where I'd left them, they were history. Maybe because the frames were sooo pretty. Maybe because they are now impossible to reacquire. Aaaaargh! So a trip to the optician's was in order. Did I find more Escada frames? No. I found these terribly expensive Kate Spade Vita frames instead:

That was Monday. I was promised the new glasses to be ready on Friday. Meanwhile they are not ready today, maybe not tomorrow, and I get blinding migraines from the sun. So I can't drive at all in the daytime. I've gone through a pack of Maxalt XL this week, plus added painkillers for break-through pain (and I take a migraine preventive too). I have not suffered this much from migraines in years. Tomorrow cannot go to the optician's because it is DD#2's concert at Lincoln Center (where I have to be all day; she has to be there at 8 am for rehearsal. Concert time is 3 pm if you want to drop by State Theater. She'll be playing the first clarinet part.) So a bit of pampering was in order. I had to get this lipstick color, a limited edition, supposedly what Princess Graces wore on her wedding day.

Then because I am going to LA for 2 weeks in January, I had to get this one to wear with a fake tan:

And this to wear while tootling around the hotspots: Malibu, Beverly Hills (where I'll be staying part of the time), San Marino (all right, near San Marino! Duarte, if you must know), Hesperia (the High Desert, dahling), and so forth.

And of course the new clothes, since we are all going for my youngest nephew's bar-mitzvah, and we need all sorts of new outfits for for a chssidic bar-mitzvah in Southern California in January. If that isn't a sartorial challenge, I don't know what is!

Knitting stuff: Finished my mystery hat pattern. Take a peek:

That's the obverse. Here's the reverse side that faces you as you knit:

I suppose which side shows is a matter of preference. The way I have it is traditional but I kind of like the reverse side too. Guess if you knit it right it could be reversible (I had a knot so it didn't work out for me). The yarn is Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride worsted in Turquoise Sea (a bit more green than the photo shows) and the needle size was US 7 (Inox Express). Haven't done any more on Rogue; the warm autumn weather isn't inspiring me to finish socks, hats, or sweaters. Maybe when I get my sunglasses and my eyes go back to normal I'll be motivated again. still, this afternoon we trekked out to see "The Nightmare Before Christmas" in 3-D. Loved it even more this time around. Why isn't Danny Elfman in the movie composer Hall of Fame next to Howard Shore, please tell me? We'll see if wearing the 3-D glasses gives me a migraine. Sure hope not. Better go take the meds now; wouldn't do to have migraine during DD's debut tomorrow!

Some Colorful Knitting and Marvelous Music

Is this blindingly-colorful and super-patriotic or what? The pattern can be found through the link on the Ships project site, it's the slip stitch pattern, and soo easy. The blue and cream are Rowan Magpie done with size 9 circs. (and yes, that's a Guernsey cast-on to start) while the red is Beaverslide Dry Goods wool and mohair on size 7 circs. I redid the red part but didn't photograph it, just did not like the dec instructions, so did my own to make a smoother finish. Also made the hat longer, more like 9"long. And not pointy at top anymore either. What was I thinking?

Last night DH and I went to this concert. The NY Philharmonic was in top form, as was Loren Maazel. The guest cellist was superb. Don't tell Glenn Dictorow, but I half-expected a clarinet to tune the orchestra! DH is not yet convinced that DD#2 deserves an upgraded clarinet, though she lobbies hard... she wants what Stan Drucker the Principal Clarinet for the NY Philharmonic plays (in case you are curious, that would be a Buffet et Crampon model R13, in grenadilla wood).
That would also be about $4800 list for the thing, not including mouthpiece,ligature, barrel, reeds, and other assorted parapharnalia. Hence DH's reluctance. Though he did say last night that he could see (and hear) DD#2 sitting in Stan Drucker's place, leading the Fifth Symphony......

Rogue is done with the entire back and the left front is nearly completed. This is going much faster than I ever dreamed. So satisfying to watch it grow and grow. Did I mention how much I love Magpie? I'm sure that's more than half of it.

Check my side-bar to see the new Trees hat pattern I put up for the Ships Project. Each pattern is only $3.25 and all proceeds go straight to the Ships Project to defray the cost of mailing items to our troops. Which comes to $2000 per month.

My New Toy

At work I was abusing using a laptop computer for years, mainly because I sort of inherited it. I liked it fine but it started complaining (its fan was on all the time) and I started worrying that the thing would up and die on me at the most inconvenient moment. So I decided to make my life much easier: the iMac you see about has an Intel Duo Core chip in it, so it can runs Windows along side the Mac OS (Not that I care to do Windows; but some imaging software I need for data analysis requires it). And this thing is so speedy, seriously. And was so easy to set up and have all my files and settings migrate to from an external hard-drive (if you don't use one for storing photos, music, etc and for back-up, you are computing on the edge but not a cutting edge). And I can submit my federal grant applications much easier (well, I wasn't able to connect to the Federal server for weeks before the iMac came, to be honest).
We now return you to your regular knitting blog.

I Caved to Temptation

I bought 6 skeins of this luscious Merino by Jaeger from Jannette's to make the Swan Lake stole, after exchanging some e-mails with Susan. She actually will print and send the pattern, but you have to e-mail her directly for that option, rather than ordering through the website. So even though I still think it is a pricey pattern, I bought it 'cause I love swans so much. And I fell in love with this yarn and needed a project for it! It's Jaeger Matchmaker Merino 4-ply. I still cannot believe that Jaeger is being discontinued in the US (or is it everywhere?). Major tragedy, imo.

As for the lovely Lang patterns I rediscovered, DD#2 saw this one and asked for the sweater (and model too, if possible; she's 17 after all). Can't deliver the latter but can deliver the former. Now I have the challenge to size-down the pattern for her petite frame. Fortunately, the shaping is simple- dropped shoulders bound off straight across, a normal DK gauge, and charts. The smallest size given in the book is for a 46" chest. If I take 4 sts off each diagonal motif I calculate I'll get between 39 and 40" around, and that should give her 3 to 4" of ease.



Between the traveling cable, the diagonal panels alternate seed stitch and garter rib (I think that's the name of that stitch with horizontal lines). Pretty easy, almost callls out for a gansey-type pattern. DD#2 wants it in cream and with a jewel neck. Now the V-neck is worked as a V, and the ribbed part is worked separately. I don't like that, wish there would be a way to continue the 2x2 ribbing up to the shoulders. Bleah!

If anyone thinks or knows of a way to just continue knitting without having to create 2 more pieces (honestly, if I could sew that well, I'd sew as well as knit!), please let me know.

Lost Treasure Reclaimed

I made this sweater in the winter of 1993-1994. I remember making this sweater that horrid winter when the snow fell so deep and so fast I couldn't let DD#2 out of the house, for it was over her head most times! I ran into this book, Lang Tricot Actuel #120 in a knitting store on the Upper East Side while walking to the NY Academy of Sciences for a meeting. The entire book is full of yummy sweaters like this one, mostly for DK-weight yarn. I took the book to my LYS, which was having an after-Christmas sale on Filature di Crosa 501 (among other things) and bought some in lilac, and had lots of time to knit during snowstorms as it turned out. Here's the result:

Does look better on her though. I must say she's a brave lady, wearing all ivory and holding a paint brush ever so casually. Why do I write this post? I lost the book! It is long OOP, even Velona doesn't have it (and Velona wanted $60 for it!). BUT I found it, along with Lang #131 on eBay for something like $5, plus postage. And the sweaters in Lang #120 are just as gorgeous as I recall. Here's the cover:
Don't you just love the harmony of textures with the little bit of colorwork? And doesn't the cable through the V-neck make it look more polished than just a ribbed V-neck? I love the aqua color. Don't know about the double scarves 'round her head though. What were they thinking? For the most part, the photography is very sharp, the models appealing, and there's a bit of a hunting theme with the props in a lot of the photos. Very Mittel-Europaische. No Tyrolean sweaters though, too bad; one in loden green with metal buttons would have fit right in with the rest. Now look at this twin set:

I'd make the cardi, in that mocha color, in a heartbeat (as if I need another cardi, but that's another story).
Men do not get short-shrift either, check this beauty out:

I'd make it for myself since DH only wears vests (it's his mishegass, that's Yiddish via Hebrew for brand of nuttiness). I'm not a yellow person but I do like that color. More like butternut squash or almond or evening primrose plus something else.

British-looking, no? Reminds me of Sasha Kagan or Susan Duckworth, though not nearly as intricate. Elegant. I'd probably making a different neck though. A cowl neck in merino or wool/angora might be too warm for wearing all day.

And then there's lace. Not full-blown lace, but still, it's a pretty set. Maybe forget the skirt if one is not shaped like a pencil (I speak of myself, truly). Would like to see the scarf extended. The French text calls it a chale, which means shawl. I do like it, think it's a candidate for a silk blend, something fine and drapey. See what I mean about the hunting thing? The pheasant feathers. Why else is she wearing them? Seriously, they detract from the look of the suit.
Do you know how to say swatch in French? It's echatillon. Now if we all say echatillon instead of swatch, maybe it'll sound more enchante (enchanting, as in "Enchante de faire votre connaissance," or "Pleased to meet you"). These are my favorite sweaters, there are lots more. Now how much do you want to bet my original copy will show up in the house? If it does, watch for it being offered.

Check This Pattern Out- Then Check Its Price

I love swans. "Swan Lake" is my favorite ballet. I used to have a website to sell my jewelry designs; it was called "One Black Swan" (all the other swan names were taken already). My house is decorated with swan-themed items, like Lenox porcelain, Fenton glass, needlework I've done and framed, and so forth. I have quite a collection of swan figurines from all over the world and my collection of swan jewelry has been included in a book of costume jewelry too (by Harrice Miller, if you are into vintage costume jewelry perchance). So of course I had to visit a website that offers a knitting pattern for this stole, called the Swan Lake and Lily Stole. Oh yes, it is gorgeous. But check out the price here. Does $25 for a mere pattern sound, well, a bit astronomical to you? It does to me when entire books of shawl patterns cost less, and when Evelyn Clark's extremely intricate shawl patterns can be had for $5.95 or so. But I'm open to being accused of crankiness here, and I might even plunk down $25 and download the thing (or better yet, Chanukah is coming, maybe ask for it as a present). Somehow, for $25, I sorta expect it to come laminated on card-stock, and spiral-bound. Maybe the spiral should be 24K gold too.

Helping The Ships Project

Some of you may know that I knit hats for our troops overseas through a group called The Ships Project. When I started knitting for them, I had no idea how many devoted and talented knitters were busy knitting hats, slippers, scarves, gaiters, etc. for these young men and women. The mods shell out hundreds of dollars a month in postage to send everything. I've been donating monthly, then it occurred to me that knitter want to make hats for this and other charity- or non- projects. I started designing simple hats that knit up quickly in worsted/Aran weight yarn to raise funds for The Ships Project. I'll try to put a new hat or other item a month up on the nav bar at left. Patterns are $3.25, payable using Paypal. Right now you e-mail me and I invoice you, then send you the pdf file. Help is always an e-mail away. I'm trying to chart and write text for patterns, and any corrections from knitting readers will be welcome.
First up is the Anchors Aweigh hat. I have the Trees hat pattern done, and the Sand Rib Mystery hat nearly done (it's still a mystery to me how I'll tackle the dec rows). I have at least 4 more patterns floating around in my head.