Ha!

He confessed to me at breakfast this morning that he ordered the Viking Frying Pan.

Guilt absolved.

Wool Piggie

wool pig (n.) 1.a person who hogs handknits; 2. a person who buys too much yarn. 3. a pig in a sweater

That would be me. (The second definition, anyway.)

I first heard the term, "wool pig'" from The Yarn Harlot's blog, where one of her daughters called the other this term because they were arguing over who got a fabulous scarf their mother had just made.

This morning my husband (on his day off, mind you) got up at 5:30 a.m. He was checking the bank account online, and he saw a few of my yarn purchases. On a whim (read: let's just see how much she is spending) he added up what I have spent this month so far. He then (gleefully) sprang the total on me at breakfast: $138.

I was a little taken aback at the total. After all, it is only the 19th today. But then when he told me that he could buy a Viking frying pan for that price, I thought, "Aha! So this is what he wants. He wants justification to be able to spend a ridiculous amount of money on cookware." So when I told him to go ahead and do it, he said he wouldn't because we are trying to save for a trip to Greece.

Aha. He's trying to make me feel guilty. Well, it worked. I am properly shamed.

But it is hard! I keep finding things I want to make. For instance, I bought 2 skeins of Misti Alpaca laceweight in Cilantro Melange. I am going to make myself a nice little shawl out of it. I don't know why I am so desperate for a shawl. I found one in my Grandmother's things, and I have been wearing it around the house. I love the warmth it gives, even though it is full of holes. My grandmother must have made it in the 70's. It is white, and a crappy acrylic yarn (which is what most of the available yarn was in those days) and is crocheted. But I love it, and I want more.

I also bought 4 skeins of Crystal Palace Merino 5 in Violets. This is another shawl I am going to make. It will probably be the first one since it is a simpler pattern. And shut up. I do too need lots of shawls. It's been chilly around the house. It was 62 degrees inside when we woke up this morning. Getting out of the shower was a little brutal.

Anyway, the pattern I am going to use with the Crystal Palace Merino 5 is the cinema shawl. I was browsing through free patterns online when I ran into this one. It is pretty, and pretty simple. I am really excited to get started on it.

And I didn't just spend all that money on wool either. I bought 2 books as well.

The first is this one: The Chicks with Sticks Guide to Knitting, by Nancy Queen and Mary Ellen O'Connell. It is a beginning knitter's book that has patterns for working on building different skills. (And yes, there are shawls in it.) I had checked the book out of the library and loved so many of the patterns I figured I might as well own it.

I don't know what I shall make first out of it. There is a really easy little felted clutch in it, and there is also a cute little stripey ribbed hat in it too. I suppose I will have to wait to make anything out of it since I would need to buy more yarn to do it. I don't think I should go down that path just now. Maybe next month.

The second book is another I had checked out of the library and I am completely smitten with it. It is called, Yarn Bombing: The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti by Mandy Moore (no, not the singer) and Leanne Prain. I am totally enchanted by the idea of yarn bombing. That is where you "tag" public places in your hometown (or on vacation, or where ever) with little bits of handknit color. And you do it surreptitiously so people will be surprised when they come upon it. It really isn't vandalism, since you aren't defacing anything, just adding a bright, happy spot of color to the world. I just might try it, so look out!

Finally, I am working hard on my project for the Ravelympics. I finished knitting the body of my felted needle case last night. I am just working on weaving in the ends, and I'll probably felt it Sunday. In the meantime I can start working on the cables strips that hold the needles in place inside. Oooh, and I have to find buttons! Crap. How can I? Well, I can always scrabble through my button box. That was another thing I inherited from my Grandmother. I don't know if there are any appropriate for this project, but we'll see. I have been enjoying watching the Olympics on TV as I knit. I used to just catch the figure skating, but this year I've been watching all sorts of fun stuff: downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, curling (!), and speed skating. I loved the snowboarding, I can't believe the height those men and women get on the half pipe.

I have to work tomorrow. (Craptastic!) So I won't be knitting all day. But next week I will have a three-day weekend. (Must. Not. Spend. Money.)

I'm taking up the torch!

One of my favorite knitting bloggers (the Yarn Harlot) is once again hosting the Knitting Olympics, and I have decided to join the team. The object of the Knitting Olympics is to choose a project that will be challenging to complete. You are to cast on during the Opening Ceremonies (this Friday night!) and finish before the torch is extinguished. I am scared and excited.

I want to knit this:

It is called Flower Basket Lace Shawl, and I love it. I have always wanted a really pretty shawl, and I think I can tackle the pattern. Of course, I'm choosing a different color, because beige ain't my thing. I might do a pale pink, I don't know. I am going to buy the yarn tomorrow because (Hallelujah!) I have the day off.

I have also joined the Ravelympics at Ravelry.com. I will enter the same project there.

Otherwise, life is going on the same. Work is tough, time off precious, and knitting is great. After being engaged in knitting for a month here, I can really see the attraction. It is so meditative. I can sit and knit without TV, or music, or radio, and just be in the moment. This is a huge thing for someone like me who is a chronic worrier. Seriously. If worrying was an Olympic sport? Gold right here, baby. My poor little brain is more often than not turning things over and over, until my thoughts are as finely polished as tumbled rocks. Actually, I don't think the thoughts ever look that good. I am that person that will sit there and rework a conversation I have already had until it comes out to my satisfaction. I will spend hours coming up with things I should have said. And I will imagine future interactions with people, only they never come to pass the way I think they should. I ruminate...please send chocolate.

However, knitting does help with that. Every now and then I will have a night where my brain will not shut off, and I have to get up and read. If I don't I will toss and turn and fret that I am not sleeping. Perhaps in the future I can try knitting to quiet my mind. That might be nice.

All right. I am ready for my four day weekend now, please.

It is a week now since we have returned from Minneapolis. I am back at work (though blessedly, not today) and we are returning to our normal routine. I still feel like bursting into tears at weird random moments, but I figure that is healthy considering. This week was rather emotionally draining, and I am glad I finally have a day of rest.

We aren't actually home a lot, my husband and I. We work late on Monday nights, Tuesdays and Thursdays we are at our friend/writing partner Sarah's house working on scripts, Thursday nights my husband has a standing dinner date with an elderly friend. Fridays we usually go out for dinner to celebrate the end of the work week. And during tourist season (January - Easter down here) one or the other of us is usually working on Saturday. Yesterday that would have been me.. So Sundays are generally for relaxing and thinking about all the housework we should be doing. I am in charge of the laundry and I think there is a mutiny forming in the closet. How can two people dirty so many clothes?

Sunday mornings we usually make breakfast and a large pot of coffee, then read. Kosta is a nut for Greek history and usually surrounds himself with the book he is reading plus all of the other resources he needs to check foot notes. He is a huge nerd and I love him for it. I will most likely be found reading either historical or young adult fiction. I am thisclose to finishing Fire by Kristin Cashore. So good.


I have been working on a birthday present for my good friend Beth, which I finished and would love to post a picture here, but it will have to wait until after her birthday on the 15th. After I finished this present, I whipped up this cute little dishcloth I found the pattern for amongst my friend April's Ravelry projects. It knits up so fast, and it is totally useful, even here in Florida. I think I might make a bazillion of these. I bet they will make great stocking stuffer. (I know it is February. Shut up.)


I also finally have pictures of the teapot hot pad and coaster set I finally finished. I actually finished it before I got sick, but I never got around to taking a picture of it until this morning. I really set up the shot too. I photographed it outdoors on our lanai (that's Floridian for patio) because the light was good. I brought out a nice tablecloth and set up the set with the teapot and coasters. Well, you be the judge.

I mostly like it, but it was my first foray into felting. I did  the felting in the washing machine, and it took two runs through before it looked like it had shrunk enough. But I didn't think about weaving in the ends before I did it. I don't know why I didn't. I can't imagine weaving them in post felt. Silly me. Anyway, the loose ends got all tangled together and made the coasters pull out of shape a little. Most of them were able to be fixed, but some of them I think will have permanent over-pointy corners. Lesson learned.

Still, I am more or less pleased with the effort. Now let's see if I will ever use them. (My suspicion in the hotpad will be, but the coasters will go to the cupboard to die a slow death of neglect. Shh... don't tell them!)

I also took a picture of another project I made a few years ago. It was a scarf I was making for a friend who moved to Montana, but I lost touch with her before the scarf was ever completed. (Obviously we weren't too close -  I think it was more of an excuse to knit than anything else.) I found the scarf when I pulled out my knitting things in December. All I had left to do was put on the fringe and block it, which I did. Here is the finished product:

It was a simple basket weave scarf made out of purple yarn that if I remember correctly that half merino, half alpaca. It is lovely and soft with an almost magenta sheen to it when it hits the light. Well, it is something I can keep in my gift arsenal. (By the way, I just created my gift arsenal. There will be many dishcloths forthcoming to add to it.)

I didn't go back to Gabriella's Yarn Shop last week for the group knit. I was just too tired. (Still coughing a bit and all that.) I just sat on the couch, watched Bones and knit. I really hope to get back there next week. Lily the Maltese puppy must be photographed for your edification before she gets any bigger. Not that she will, being a Maltese, but she will lose her puppy cuteness. Weeks make a difference in Puppyland.

Grandma Eileen

I haven't posted for a while because last week my grandmother passed away. I was home sick when my Dad called saying she had gone into the hospital, and that the doctors were saying we had better come. So I flew out last Tuesday and got to see her one last time before she passed in the wee hours of Wednesday morning. Her funeral was last Saturday, and I volunteered to speak a few words. The speech I gave is below.


My grandmother was wonderful and handwork of all kinds. She was a fantastic knitter, making me many sweaters as well as clothes for my dolls. She also crocheted, beaded, embroidered, and sewed. She was a remarkable woman. I inherited her large collection of knitting and crochet needles. Every time I use them I will think of her, and I will knit with the love she always did for me.




My grandmother was just sixteen days short of being on this earth 95 years. Woodrow Wilson was president when she was born, and she lived to see sixteen more men be sworn into the office.  She lived through two world wars, and the Great Depression. She had two boys, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, two of whom just started college. It is a remarkable span of a lifetime.

I was fortunate to have my grandmother in my life for 35 years. As most of you know, she came to live with us when I was just a year old, and she was there with us until I was about 16 when she went to live at the Lilac Parkway Apartments. She has always been a part of my immediate family since I can remember. And when my mother went back to work she was the one who looked after me. She got me ready for school in the mornings, and was there after I came home from school. She took care of me when I was sick. I remember one time when she just wanted me to eat anything, and she sat there and mentally went through the entire contents of the kitchen until I was able to agree on something that sounded palatable. I think it was celery.

And even though she spent such a long time with us, she had a whole lifetime of memories and experiences by the time she reached her life with us. She used to tell me stories of her life as a little girl, and her grandparents and parents. Many people my age don’t know a lot of where they came from. I am rich in the knowledge of my heritage and family because of her.

Just like everyone, Grandma had challenges to face, some very difficult. Growing up in the Great Depression wasn’t easy for anyone.Grandma actually had to postpone graduating from high school so she could help work to support her family. She should have graduated in June of 1932. But because of her determination and independence, she graduated in January of 1933.

Obviously one of the greatest challenges Grandma faced was her paralysis. When she had her surgery in 1970, she didn’t know she would never walk again. And even though she spent forty years in a wheelchair, she didn’t let that stop her from living her life to the fullest. She travelled, she helped raise me, she lived on her own for the last 20 years of her life. She didn’t let anything stop her from doing what she wanted to do. I know that up until last month she was taking Metro Mobility up to Target to do her own shopping. She used to tell me that her father would tell her she was too darn independent. What a wonderful thing to be.

Grandma taught me many lessons in life. I know that even though deals hard knocks sometimes, it doesn’t do any good to complain. You just need to soldier on and get to the good times. She taught me that being independent is important. There is a certain pride and satisfaction in knowing you can do things for yourself. Crossword puzzles and reading keep the mind sharp. Always measure carefully when you bake.

I think the most important lesson she taught me was that it is always important to be kind. Warmth and sincerity are always the right path. And I think everyone here today can agree with me when I say that all these things made a great, great lady.

 I love you, Grandma, and I'll think of you every day.