yarntherapy

Vacation, all I ever wanted

So Supershuttle is picking me up in, um, 4 and a half hours. Ack. That's 5:00am, if you haven't checked the time of this post. I just got home from work. And I am not packed yet. Actually, packing won't take long, but I don't know if I should even try to go to sleep. Frankly, I'm so damn tired right now that I'm afraid I won't wake up. I can't believe how stressed I am about this. I need this vacation really badly! I'm looking forward to leaving my job behind for a bit so I can do some thinking about what needs to happen in my life.

Not much knitting in the past week. I didn't finish Honeymoon in time for my trip, but it will be super-quick to finish up when I get home. I intend to do a whole lot of organizing after my vacation so hopefully I'll figure out some projects to do out of the stash that is currently eating my hall closet.

OK, people. I'll be back in a week. Everyone have fun knitting while I'm gone - I'm looking forward to reading what everyone's been up to! I hope to have many pretty pictures to show you next time I write.

later on Sunday morning:

My phone rings at 3:00 am just as I've laid down for an hour of sleep. It's Supershuttle informing me that they can't take me to the airport this morning as there are no drivers in my area. I booked this two weeks ago, I have the confirmation in my hand, and the charge has already gone through on my Amex! Tough, I am told. Apparently their online booking is useless as I am told  that they like their customers to call to confirm booking, not that I can find anywhere on the website where this is stated. They claim that there is nothing they can do and that they will refund my Amex (damn right they will.) Avoid this company, people. This is not how you run a business.

So I guess I will get on the subway to the AirTrain which is probably what I should have done in the first place. Crap. Not how a vacation should start.

Wish me luck!

Holy home runs, Batman!

I cannot believe that I checked the score of the Yankee game during the first act tonight and was depressed to see that we were losing 10-2 in the 5th, so I didn't bother with the rest of the game - then I walked in the door right now just as the Yanks won the game 20-11! 13 homers in the 8th! Gawd, I hate that my stupid job keeps me from going to more games. I only get to watch at work if the Mets fan who controls the TV isn't around.

Something went terribly awry with the stitch count on my Honeymoon Cami and I couldn't for the life of me figure it out, so I just plunged ahead anyway. I'm done with one side and it looks OK except for that extra stitch.... I'm working on the other side and hoping that it all works out in the end. I know there's a way to make the castoff edges look prettier, but I wasn't near a computer to look it up on Knitty when I wanted to move ahead on it so they're a little choppy.

I got Vintage Knits last week, and I'm really looking forward to making something from it - there are some really lovely cardigans which I can really use more of. I am right at the upper edge of their sizing with a 38" bust so I guess it's time to learn how to adjust patterns on my own now.

I also got a couple of books from the library to peruse (oh, how I do love the NYPL website where you can search and reserve books to be sent to the branch of your choice!) - Scarf Style and Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Love the former, I'll probably end up buying it. The latter is cute but the only pattern I can really see myself making is the Hourglass Sweater, so I guess I'll just rely on the library when I need it. Have I mentioned that I love the NYPL?

I need a vacation!

Geez, what a frustrating week. I had this whole awesome post on Saturday that TypePad ate. I had a gnarly burn on my arm that I was afraid wouldn't heal before I went on vacation, then I got an annoying cold that I thought wouldn't go away before vacation! I screwed up some math on my Honeymoon Cami and got tired of trying to figure it out so I just plunged ahead - one stitch won't make a difference. My landlord replaced all the mailboxes in the lobby but we have to pick up our mail at the Post Office (the slowest PO on earth, of course) until they install the locks. Who installs mailboxes before you have the locks ready? And it's a new building manager, so I don't think I'm getting the bathroom renovation the previous guy promised me.

And this morning (TMI alert) I woke up with cramps so painful I could barely move. I'm still sort of curled up in a fetal position with a heating pad. Actually, I'm glad this happened now instead of next week when I will be on VACATION! And not a moment too soon, let me tell you.

One week from today I set sail on this baby. Can't wait. This will not be a knitting vacation - I need to pack light and all my current projects require too much thinking. I do not plan on thinking much past "Swim or lie on beach? Rum or beer?" For a week. Have a mentioned that I can't wait?

I'm hoping to finish Honeymoon before I leave. Not sure how I'm feeling about it right now - love the pattern, but I think I wish I had nicer yarn. But for a total cost of twelve bucks, I can't really complain about the Elann Endless Summer I'm using. I can always make more, right? I'm dying to try the Knitpicks Shine. Several people in the knitalong have used it and love it.

OK, enough crankiness for now. Time to run to Target for a few VACATION provisions!

how do you pronounce "Zire", anyway?

Woohoo, I got a new toy! Like Rachael, I treated myself to a bit of technology this week:

(I am not either of those girls. I do like the pink & orange top, though.)

I had a Palm m515 that I loved until it just stopped talking to my computer - it functioned perfectly well as a planner on its own but wouldn't sync anymore, which kind of rendered it useless in the long run. I was annoyed to have to spend money when I thought I liked everything about what I had, but that was before I got my hands on that cute little Zire!

Now, besides all the normal datebook/phonebook stuff, I have so much space that I can use Documents To Go and Acrobat Reader to store knitting patterns, work notes and more. I converted the Honeymoon Cami pattern to a PDF, loaded it in, and I'm ready to go!

Now that I can sync again, I can use Vindigo once more! I love Vindigo - it's a city guide that gives you movie times, restaurant reviews, even bathroom locations! It's great if you live in one of the cities they cover - I use it daily in NYC. It's even more useful when you travel - it gives you subway info and even detailed walking directions which was an absolute godsend in London.

And of course, there's the knitting software! I've used CountAble for ages, and I just downloaded the KnitAble demo so I can finally record my needle and yarn info.

And, best of all, it has a camera! So I will always be ready when random knitting excitement happens nearby. I love when technology and knitting collide.

too darn hot....

Ugh, it's hot and I have a cold. How fun! And I fear that my air conditioner isn't working properly. Not fun at all.

Hey, I finally finished Crumpets - I was afraid little Charlotte would be driving by the time I finally got it done.  Here is the finished cuteness:

I made the six-month size - as I mentioned, little Charlotte was born a preemie so she won't be wearing it for a while. I have matching organza ribbon to lace through the eyelets which I unfortunately left at work. The ribbon might be a bit much for such a teeny little dress but I'll see how it looks before I give it to her dad. I crocheted chains for the straps in two parts to be tied at the shoulder since I didn't have a measurement for straps. Crocheting the bottom edging was a bit of a challenge - I completely forgot the little I knew about how to crochet so I had to unravel my first attempt and dig out my Hip To Crochet book for help. The yarn was really annoying and splitty at this point, I found, but I like the way it turned out - see:

Pretty!

Sunday I went to the American Crafts Festival at Lincoln Center. I didn't get out of the house as early as I had planned so I didn't have much time to explore. I only got through two of the three sections - not much knitting except for one booth selling cute handmade kid's clothes, and Morehouse  Farm was there as well. I didn't buy anything from them, though I was really tempted by the gorgeous handpainted lace yarns. I really need to knit up some of my stash before I go buying more yarn. Really, I do. And I will. Well, I'll try. I hope.

So I didn't buy yarn but I did buy this indescribably cool bracelet that is handmade from borosilicate glass - Pyrex! As several people pointed out, it can go from the freezer to the oven! Well, it could. If I felt the need.

The photo really doesn't do it justice. Plus my wrist looks really wrinkly! I love it - it fits perfectly and it's surprisingly comfortable to wear. I was afraid it would be clunky but it's not, and it adapts to your body temperature so I barely notice that it's there.

I am almost as much of a bracelet whore as I am a shoe whore.

 

screw knitting....

Well, for the moment. Can we talk about TV for a minute? How freaking awesome is Dancing With The Stars? Rachel Hunter looking like an Amazon goddess while rhumba-ing to Aerosmith? And my buddy Joey Mac doing the quickstep to the tune of......"You're The One That I Want"? From Grease? The movie, not the Broadway show? I don't know why I find that so funny on so many levels. But I can't imagine better summer guilty-pleasure viewing than this. I mean, Joe Mac and J. Peterman? Come on! Thank goodness Trista got the boot - I don't think I could stand week after week of Ryan having to approve her every move. Plus her partner was icky. Buh bye.

And - in the bestest news I had all day - GSN (the Game Show Network) has made a deal to air previous seasons of The Amazing Race! It will air nightly, starting with Season One, beginning July 11. I can't wait - I only watched a bit of the first couple of seasons, and even though I know how every season ends thanks to Television Without Pity, there are so many moments I have been dying to see for ages! Yay!

Thank you, Pal!

Wow! I have the most awesome secret pal!

I was waiting around for a delivery today - more shoes from Zappos, I'm afraid. I can't help it. I get so happy when the weather warms up and I can wear summery shoes. I'll spare you the gory details, but I will say that Zappos' notification email system totally rocks - I snapped up the last pair of Kenneth Cole espadrilles that I had been eyeing for a while when they finally got my size back in stock.

Anyway, Fedex delivered the shoes and I was about to leave the house when the doorbell rang again - it was the UPS guy with a mystery delivery from Amazon. My secret pal has gifted me with a copy of Teva Durham's new book, Loop-d-Loop! There is a lot of cool stuff in this book, y'all. A lot. Stuff to make you think about knitting in whole new ways. And the patterns! Even things I probably wouldn't make for myself I can see making as gifts. I already have my eye on the Lace Leaf pullover, the Corkscrew scarf, the Ballet top, and the Cashmere Lace blouse for myself. And that's just for starters.

Thanks so much, secret pal! You rock!

In other news, not much knitting happening this week due to other projects. I had the enormous pleasure of watching one of my good friends win a Tony Award last night, and there was much fuss last week leading up to the big event. The Tony telecast was not as good as it could have been, which usually is the case unfortunately, but it's always pretty damn cool to see your friends and coworkers up there on the Radio City stage. Nice to see the awards spread out this year - no big surprises except maybe for Bill Irwin's win for Best Actor in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Haven't seen it, but I adore him so I was thrilled when he won.

I'm soooo close to finishing Crumpets & Honeymoon! Soon, I promise!

Yoohoo, oh Secret Pal!

It's June, which means Secret Pal 5 has begun! I am thrilled to be taking part in this, and I'm really looking forward to spoiling and being spoiled. Here's my questionnaire:

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?

Mostly a bit of snob, I'm afraid. I do like some of the Lion Brand basics, though. Definitely prefer natural fibers or blends with a bit of something else for durability/washability (like Cashmerino.)

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

Trying to teach myself both!

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)

Nope.

4. How long have you been knitting?

Three and a half years.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yep, Amazon.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

Citrusy things, like lemon or grapefruit. I also love mint.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

Not really - though I do love really dark chocolate and black licorice. Also mint. Actually, I have more of a salt tooth :-)

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

I like to try a lot of things - jewelry, sewing, home decorating things. I've been sewing since I was six and I have a love/hate relationship with it. I mostly knit because I love it and it's easy to carry around with me.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I like rock & roll mostly - faves are Bruce Springsteen, U2, Ryan Adams, Rolling Stones. I can play MP3s (I have an iPod.)

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

I love olivey greens, purples, grey and black. Also corals and pinks. I don't like yellow or orange, or anything neon.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Sadly - single, no pets. Got a brother?

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)

I love to travel. I want to visit all 50 states, and at least 75 countries. (So far I have about 30 of each!) Other than that, I just want to make a happy life for myself.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

I love Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, and Filatura Di Crosa Zara. I've been really pleased with everything I've used from Knitpicks - great quality and value. For felting, Cascade 200 can't be beat. I've never worked with 100% cashmere but I can't wait to splurge on some.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

100% acrylic, ew. It's squeaky. I also don't like novelty yarns or anything too fuzzy.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

Lace and felting!

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I love knitting clothing items - sweaters, etc.- because they're practical. Scarves and shawls are great for learning new stitch patterns and techniques. And felted bags are great because the knitting is easy and portable.

17. What are you knitting right now?

Geez, what am I not knitting? A Honeymoon cami, a Crumpets dress, and a Branching Out scarf. Audrey, Flower Basket, and a Vogue Ruffled scarf are waiting in the wings

18. What do you think about ponchos?

Eh. If someone wanted, I'd make one for them. Not my thing, though.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Circular.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Addi Turbos mostly. I also like Susan Bates Silverados and I just got a Denise set. I only really like bamboo for DPNs.

21. Are you a sock knitter?

Nope. Just doesn't interest me. I don't even like wearing socks if I don't have to!

22. How did you learn to knit?

Bugged my friend Gayle until she taught me! I learned the basics from her and have figured out the rest for myself with the help of Vogue Knitting books and Debbie Stoller.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

Hmm. Couple of months for the Honeymoon cami, but I have yarn purchased a year or more ago for projects never started.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?

Hello Kitty?

25. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas!

26. Is there anything that you collect?

Not really. Knitting and craft gadgets, I guess.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Only Rowan. I usually do buy Vogue Knitting, Interweave, and Knit 1.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?

Knitting On The Edge, definitely. Loop-d-Loop looks pretty cool as well.