Thanks, Secret Pal!

Yesterday found me in a daze of a fever and pounding, congested head. I didn't even get more than a few rows done on the Noro scarf - it was that bad. The order of the day was 3 hour naps interspersed with bad daytime television. Thank goodness I wasn't able to concentrate - which is the only way to be able to tolerate daytime TV.

This package could not have arrived at a better time.









I've never tried "Soak" before - this actually makes one look forward to having to block something.

Have you all seen Franklin's book? It's a must for your Christmas list if you don't have it!

And Lantern Moon needles! Forget all my WIPs, this is a reason to cast on something new.

Thanks, Secret Pal! You rock!

Jumping On The Bandwagon

Most knitting on my different WIPs has been temporarily suspended.

All because of this.



Oh, this bandwagon passed me many times and I resisted - resisted a long time.

Then I see the Harlot's.

That did it.

Open the pen because here comes another sheep. Baaaaaaaaaaaaa!

It also didn't help that one of my LYS has Noro Silk Garden in abundance. (How lucky am I that I can say one of my LYS?)

This scarf is a testament to the wonder that is the ever-changing palette of a skein of Noro - because really, folks, I hate 1 x 1 rib. I'm a slow knitter as it is and this rib slows me down even more (and I really didn't think that was possible for me to knit any slower).

I am so taken with watching the color changes that I might have to do another. I think I'll be a copycat and buy the same colors that Jared knitted up. I love how his scarf is made up of hues you find in very old stained glass - like this found in one of the cathedrals in the UK.

SP13 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
As the blog title says, I’ve never met a yarn I didn’t like. I love unique hand-dyed yarns. When I travel, I like to find yarn from the region or country I am visiting. I don’t particularly like acrylic yarn, but with 13 nieces and nephews, I do use acrylics, for knits for kids when it needs to be nearly indestructible. I realized that cotton tends to make my hands sore, so I tend to stay away from 100% cotton for larger projects.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I forget who of my knitting buddies inspired this purchase (see pictures below). I love this case. The case is divided into 2 identical sections. On the inside of the front and back covers there are 4 small zippered pockets that I keep scissors, stitch markers, coil-less safety pins, etc. In the main sections I have plastic bags for my needles, one side holds my circular and the other holds my DPNs. It's very portable.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I’ve been knitting since 2003 and learned in a class offered at a local university. I’d say intermediate. I’ve knitted lace projects, sweaters, scarves, hats, etc. I have yet to make a “life-size” pair of mittens or socks. I’ve knit miniature mittens in a Latvian mitten class and have knit 1/2 a sock numerous times now.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No, I don’t – sorry.

5. What's your favorite scent?
I like cinnamon, vanilla, citrus scents, cedarwood, frankincense, pine (woodsy scents).

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Yes, yes, yes! Love any milk chocolate. Don’t care for dark or white chocolate as much. Cinnamon Altoids are a staple I carry in my purse. I like citrus flavored hard candy or gummy candy.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I used to do counted cross stitch. That hobby had been on the back burner since I learned to knit, but I’ve been doing some lately for special projects and for Christmas gifts. As for do-it-yourself, our entire house is just one do-it-yourself project after another.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I can play music on my computer. I like many kinds – since the exceptions are less numerous, I’ll list the exceptions – country western, electronic (club/rave), heavy metal. If you listen to Brenda Dayne’s Cast On podcast – I love the music she selects for her episodes.

I actually listen to more podcasts than music MP3s. The exception is around Christmas, when I love having Christmas music playing. I love the “classics” Christmas songs recorded in the 1940’s – 1960’s - like Bing Crosby’s version of White Christmas, or the Nat King Cole Christmas Album.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I don’t care for neon bright colors or pastels for myself, but use them for kids’ items. I love fall colors and jewel tones – brilliant, deep blues, reds, greens, golds, rich tans and browns.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I’m married, no kids, just 2 cats who think they’re our babies. (Gee, wonder where they could have gotten that idea?)

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Haven’t owned a poncho since 1973 - somewhere in the family slides there is photographic proof I wore one at age 7 or 8. I wear scarves (but am pretty tall, so my scarves are 5-6 feet long) and I never can wear the one size fits all mittens or gloves - the fingers are never long enough, they are usually not wide enough across the hand, and the wristbands are usually too tight. I have large hands and wrists.

12. What is/are your favorite items to knit?
Scarves are an old standby for traveling/visiting knitting as it’s easily portable and the patterns usually don’t need much concentration so I can knit while talking – amazing how difficult it can be to do those two thing at the same time. I love lace knitting. I have many projects in my queues (the one in my head and the one on Ravelry). . Sweaters are great fun – especially for kids as I can finish them quickly. Sweaters for myself take forever.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Wow – what am I NOT knitting. Check out my projects on Ravelry. I’ve a number of sweaters on the needle, a shawl, a number of scarves, a hat, baby sweater.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Definitely.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I learned to knit using circular needles. I’ve never used straight needles yet. I would like to try them. I don’t care for Susan Bates needles. My favorites are Addi Turbo and Addi Turbo Lace. I’ve purchased some metal short DPNs for socks as I’m a really tight knitter and found I bent the wood DPNs. I also like Inox needles. I use all 3 types, depending on the “stickiness” of the yarn that is being knitted up.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes, I do.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
6 years – since I first started knitting. I never finished the sweater I was making for myself. It’s all stockinette – a raglan. Gads, that was boring – and A LOT of stockinette as I’m not a small woman. And the yarn wasn’t a pleasure to work with, either. I was too new a knitter to know better.

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?
We observe Christmas and I love decorating for Christmas, especially the tree. I think we’ll easily be able to get a 10 foot tree in our house this year.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Yarn, yarn, and yarn. I especially like to find “local” yarn when I travel – something unique that I could not find in my local shops.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I have subscriptions to Vogue and Interweave Knits. I pick up the occasional Piecework when there are any articles about knitting. The most intriguing magazine is Wild Fibers.

Books I’d like to get are: Cornish Guernseys & Knit Frocks by Mary Wright; Poems of Color by Wendy Keele; The Lerwick Lace Shawl by Sharon Miller; any patterns by Sharon Miller (I have none).

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Intarsia. Also, I’ve done 2 color knitting before but would like to try a fair isle item.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I’ve taken a class – ended up frogging the sock. I would like to learn both toe up and cuff down to decide which I like better. Socks for me take forever to knit. My shoe size is US women’s 12 or US men’s size 10 in width D. I'd have to measure for more specific measurements.

23. When is your birthday?
July 18th. I hope you do not need the year.

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
Yes. I’m stashhaus on Ravelry.

Bounty

At our guild meeting this month, we had the pleasure of having Jane Slicer Smith talk to our group.



Unacquainted with her knit designs? Check out Signatur Handknits. She has some wonderful stuff. Another item (or items) to be added to my Things-To-Save-Up-For list.

I can't tell you how proud I am of my fellow guild members. We had a spur-of-the-moment food drive at our meeting this month. The only notice they had was our newsletter that went out at the beginning of this month.

They showed up with this and there were 3 other boxes that didn't make it into the picture.



Many said they forgot their contribution. So they voted to have another food drive next month.

Knitters are fantastic people, aren't they?

But, then, you already knew that.

This and That

Old Man Winter left another calling card last week. I'm happy to say it didn't stick around.


We had an exciting time at late night knitting on Friday.


Can you believe this mitten is crocheted?





I've been knitting...

a baby sweater for my massage therapist...


and another Farrow Rib scarf - my mindless knitting project.


I think I need to look for another photo layout assistant.


There's been lots more activity here, but alas, it's not blog material...yet.

I'm gearing up for Secret Pal 13. I found out who my Spoilee is - this is going to be fun!

We Shall Not Forget

At Armistice Day ceremonies in the UK, three men who served in WWI were in attendance.

Are you interested in marking Veteran's Day here on our side of the pond in a knitterly way? Here are some ideas:

Knit Your Bit Campaign by the National WWII museum in New Orleans.

Operation Toasty Toes.

Resource for charity knitting - nationwide and by state.

US Dept of Veteran Affairs.

"Let us rededicate ourselves to keep a sacred trust with all who have worn the uniform of the United States of America: that America will serve you as well as you have served your country," President-elect Obama, Chicago, 11/11/08.

I Gotta Wear Shades

What an incredible day it was yesterday. I don't know about you, but it was the first time I've cried tears of happiness on an election night or during an acceptance speech.

Everywhere so many people seem to be overwhelmed with emotion. Gratitude, thankfulness, relief, hope - for our children, for our villages, towns, and cities, for our states, for our country, for our place in the world.

My new little town, Smalltown, is in a rural county where SIXTY percent of the vote was for Obama. That, my friends, is a miracle.

Senator McCain gave a very gracious concession speech. I only wish those in the crowd of his supporters had responded in kind.

Come January 20th, I hope we're all going to be ready to work.

Like he said, "The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you – we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it’s been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years – block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand."

Amen.

The future's so bright.

A Brand New Day

Hope is in the air.

Everyone seems to be in a happy, upbeat mood. At the gas station I stopped at on my way into work, the clerk and the customers were all smiling, greeting each other. In a city where this normally does not happen. Typically no one makes eye contact and just wants to pay for their coffee and gas, and don't think you're going to skip me in line, thank you very much.

I don't know if the collective good mood is partially the result of the great relief that the seemingly unending election season is over. I don't remember feeling this way in any election since I was old enough to vote. (OK, that was 1984, you nosy Nellies.) Could it be that people can tangibly feel the shift in attitude? Could it also be the unseasonably warm weather we're enjoying?

DH and I went to the polls shortly before 9 a.m. We had to register to vote as our address has changed. It was heartening to see, in this small community of around 2400, that there were 3 people also registering at that time.

I was voter #183. Where DH and I used to live, that number would be reached at the local polling place within a half hour after opening time. In Smalltown, the ladies manning the polling station said they've never been this busy in prior elections.

This phenomenon of an national change in mood is happening all over. Go check out Juno's experience. She describes it much more eloquently than I can.

This is a historic election.

Get out and do your part.

The Desperate Hours

How desperate can they get?

False rumors of Michelle Obama ordering room service at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel - when she was actually on an airplane. The New York Post retracted the story.

The New York Times is calling the McCain-Palin campaign "one of the most appalling campaigns we can remember."

They are still trying to connect Obama with Ayers - see this Washington Post article for the facts.

They're trying to claim Obama was trying to persuade the Iraqis to delay any agreements with the Bush administration. This was denied by Republican Senator Chuck Hagel, who was there.

Really, now. This stuff is almost laughable. Almost.

Do people seriously believe this stuff? Apparently they do! Look at the Daily Show's video of people heading to McCain-Palin rallies, calling Obama a terrorist, a baby killer. Did you all know that if Obama is elected, he's going to be wearing a turban in the White House and we're all going to be shot? WTF?!?!



There are even attack ads in our Smalltown weekly newspaper. This is an actual ad placed by some seriously misinformed person: "ATTENTION AMERICA!! A quote from Barack Hussein Obana's own autobiography, The Audacity of Hope: 'I will stand with the Muslims should the political wnds shift in an ugly direction.' Check it out for yourself. BE IMFORMED. GET THE FACTS. Authorized and paid for by Jane Doe, Another Smalltown, WI."

If only she had taken her own advice about being informed and getting the facts. If only she had actually read his book for herself. If only she had actually quoted from the correct book.

Here's the full quote from Dreams Of My Father: "Whenever I appear before immigrant audiences, I can count on some good-natured ribbing from my staff after my speech; according to them, my remarks always follow a three-part structure: “I am your friend,” “[Fill in the home country] has been a cradle of civilization,” and “You embody the American dream.” They’re right, my message is simple, for what I’ve come to understand is that my mere presence before these newly minted Americans serves notice that they matter, that they are voters critical to my success and full-fledged citizens deserving of respect.

Of course, not all my conversations in immigrant communities follow this easy pattern. In the wake of 9/11, my meetings with Arab and Pakistani Americans, for example, have a more urgent quality, for the stories of detentions and FBI questioning and hard stares from neighbors have shaken their sense of security and belonging. They have been reminded that the history of immigration in this country has a dark underbelly; they need specific assurances that their citizenship really means something, that America has learned the right lessons from the Japanese internments during World War II, and that I will stand with them should the political winds shift in an ugly direction." Pages 260-261.

And Joe The Plumber is still a hot topic for McCain-Palin. Can no one in that campaign vet anyone? See the real deal on Joe here.

Have you read the whole exchange between Joe the Plumber and Obama? Go here.

Compare that discourse with McCain calling a high school student "you little jerk" and joking that "you're drafted."



It is amazing to me how nasty the McCain-Palin campaign has gotten...and how desperate.

It is up to us to see that their horrendous tactics do not work. Not this time.

Get informed.

Get out there and vote.

Vote Obama!