tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196171882024-03-07T14:05:08.668-08:00Jennie sits and knitsA journal of my knitting trials and triumphs, and dreams.Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.comBlogger286125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-86303788314031176352014-01-03T10:35:00.000-08:002014-01-03T10:35:21.028-08:00Knitting RulesI have two rules of knitting. Only two. But they are very important, and breaking them results in heartache. And usually, lots of cussing.<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Don't panic. Think something's wrong? Take a moment, breathe, maybe put it away for 5 mins or a day or a month. Then come back and reevaluate. Very often, this has helped me avoid ripping--or forgetting this rule has caused massive rippage.</li>
<li>Read the directions. Yes, really read them. No, don't just scan: <b>read them</b>. All the way through. Now read them again.</li>
</ol>
These two rules have helped me avoid much pain. Conversely, ignoring them... oh, the sadness. Simple rules. Obey them. Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-55989701995787787012012-01-10T12:15:00.000-08:002012-01-10T12:30:17.846-08:00Starting overI haven't blogged for quite some time, but felt the need to write down what's going on in my life.<br /><br />I'm aiming my life toward being more active and eating better. My former therapist once said, "I don't make resolutions; I make decisions." Last year, I decided my watchword of 2011 would be <i>Simplify</i>. This year, in the spirit of recycling, I'm using the same watchword. It worked well for me last year to make my life less complex when faced with a decision.<div><br /></div><div>My doctor told me last week that exercising 5 or more days a week reduced one's risk of heart disease by 60%. I have been getting up at 6 anyway, but not really doing much. So starting last Tuesday (Monday being a holiday), I got up, put on exercise clothes, and turned on the Wii. I have <i>Let's Dance 2</i>, <i>DDR Ultimate Dance Party 2</i>, <i>Wii Sports</i>, and <i>Wii Play</i>. Lots of options. I exercised 5 out of 6 days. I'm keeping it up this week.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also got hooked into the <a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/">100 Days of Real Food</a> blog. I not only want to eat better, but I want to buy less prepared food. I got three slow-cooker cookbooks at Christmas, and made up a menu on January 1 for the next week and a half. Drew up a shopping list, showed up at Trader Joe's... which was dark. Bleah. Had to shop at Safeway, and was astonished at paying $95 for basics (NO prepared food of any sort). That included a bulk pack of chicken wings for an astonishing $2.99/pound. (The soup recipe called for 10 c of chicken stock, and the book included a recipe to make the chicken stock in the slow cooker, so I tried it out. It was ok... but I'm not sure I saved <i>any</i> money!)</div><div><br /></div><div>I did a week of recipes out of the 100 Days blog last fall, and most were well received by DS. The whole-wheat biscuits were not--I failed to take into account that they would not rise much, and they were pretty much like thick pieces of cardboard. But I'd like to steer that way in general--whole grains, preparing foods at home, and bringing them for lunches at work. I also want to freeze a fair number of them to keep on hand for last-minute meals instead of something instantish.</div><div><br /></div><div>We're well on our way, I think.</div><div><br /></div><div>My menus: </div><div><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220); ">I </span><a href="http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&key=d2f6dc3d61fd72ef48d01980d6bfec29&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fapril2000playgroup.yuku.com%2Fsreply%2F131186%2FI-actually-have-some-this-time&v=1&libid=1326227288072&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FIndian-Slow-Cooker-Healthy-Authentic%2Fdp%2F1572841117%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Fs%3Dbooks%26ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1325566508%26sr%3D1-1&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fapril2000playgroup.yuku.com%2Fforums%2F88&title=Monday%20Menus%20.%20.%20.%20in%20General%20Discussion%20Board%20Forum&txt=got&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13262271945981"><span ><span style="font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220);">got</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220); "> </span></a><a href="http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&key=d2f6dc3d61fd72ef48d01980d6bfec29&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fapril2000playgroup.yuku.com%2Fsreply%2F131186%2FI-actually-have-some-this-time&v=1&libid=1326227288072&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FItalian-Slow-Cooker-Michele-Scicolone%2Fdp%2F054700303X%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Fs%3Dbooks%26ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1325566544%26sr%3D1-1&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fapril2000playgroup.yuku.com%2Fforums%2F88&title=Monday%20Menus%20.%20.%20.%20in%20General%20Discussion%20Board%20Forum&txt=3&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13262272125512"><span ><span style="font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220);">3</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220); "> </span></a><span ><span style="font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220);"><a href="http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&key=d2f6dc3d61fd72ef48d01980d6bfec29&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fapril2000playgroup.yuku.com%2Fsreply%2F131186%2FI-actually-have-some-this-time&v=1&libid=1326227288072&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FCooker-Revolution-Editors-Americas-Kitchen%2Fdp%2F1933615699%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Fs%3Dbooks%26ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1325566581%26sr%3D1-1&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fapril2000playgroup.yuku.com%2Fforums%2F88&title=Monday%20Menus%20.%20.%20.%20in%20General%20Discussion%20Board%20Forum&txt=cookbooks&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13262272306593">cookbooks</a></span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220); "> for Christmas, and my son was reminded that he has the Emeril Lagasse </span><span ><span style="font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220);"><a href="http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&key=d2f6dc3d61fd72ef48d01980d6bfec29&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fapril2000playgroup.yuku.com%2Fsreply%2F131186%2FI-actually-have-some-this-time&v=1&libid=1326227288072&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FEmerils-Theres-Chef-Recipes-Everyone%2Fdp%2F0688177069%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Fie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1325566462%26sr%3D8-1&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fapril2000playgroup.yuku.com%2Fforums%2F88&title=Monday%20Menus%20.%20.%20.%20in%20General%20Discussion%20Board%20Forum&txt=kid's%20cookbook&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13262272434834">kid's cookbook</a></span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220); ">--and that he says he wants to make 3-4 dinners a week.</span><div style="min-width: 0px; max-width: 99%; color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220); "><br style="min-width: 0px; "></div><div style="min-width: 0px; max-width: 99%; color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220); ">Monday--Spaghetti & Meatballs (Emeril), make chicken broth, turkey meatballs (Italian)</div><div style="min-width: 0px; max-width: 99%; color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220); ">Tuesday--Turkey Meatball & Escarole Soup (Italian, but using chard instead of escarole)</div><div style="min-width: 0px; max-width: 99%; color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220); ">Wednesday--Lasagne (Emeril)</div><div style="min-width: 0px; max-width: 99%; color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220); ">Thursday--leftovers</div><div style="min-width: 0px; max-width: 99%; color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220); ">Friday--Yellow Lentils (Indian, but using the red lentils I have and cumin seed for the carom seed that I don't have)</div><div style="min-width: 0px; max-width: 99%; color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220); ">Saturday--leftovers</div><div style="min-width: 0px; max-width: 99%; color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220); ">Sunday--make white bread to use in meatloaf, Top Ramen soup with lots of vegetables</div><div style="min-width: 0px; max-width: 99%; color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220); ">Monday--Green Lentil & Rice Porridge with lowfat yogurt (Indian)</div><div style="min-width: 0px; max-width: 99%; color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220); ">Tuesday--Slow Cooker Meatloaf (Slow Cooker Revolution)--I made this over Christmas break and it's YUMMY</div><div style="min-width: 0px; max-width: 99%; color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220); ">Wednesday--Chicken Enchilada Casserole (make with canned sauce) (Revolution)</div><div style="min-width: 0px; max-width: 99%; color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220); ">Thursday--</div><div style="min-width: 0px; max-width: 99%; color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220); ">Friday--</div><div style="min-width: 0px; max-width: 99%; color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220); ">Saturday--</div><div style="min-width: 0px; max-width: 99%; color: rgb(51, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(245, 245, 220); ">Sunday--</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-9344591359935894452011-05-05T15:10:00.000-07:002011-05-05T15:27:29.202-07:00Bicycle basket linerI bought a <a href="http://www.rei.com/product/780116/topeak-basket-frontQ">front bike basket</a> for my bike a few months ago. The main idea was to have a basket in which my little dog, a Chihuahua/Pug mix, could ride. The first one I bought had wires with significant room between them--but was nearly half the price of the Topeak basket that I've linked.<br /><br />When I went to put it on, the directions were confusing... and I found it had to be permanently mounted. If I wanted to remove it, it would require screwdrivers and wrenches. No, thanks.<br /><br />The Topeak basket was a b*tch to install, and required some creativity for how to attach a bike light in front, but it's been great. It's not too heavy, not awkward to bike with (I was afraid that it would prevent me from seeing road hazards), and removes easily. The one thing we learned quite quickly was that its mesh is nearly exactly the size of my Chug's nails--that was a painful, bloody lesson. :(<br /><br />I went Googling, and found a series of <a href="http://www.noodle-head.com/2010/06/bicycle-bucket-tutorial.html">bike-basket</a> <a href="http://www.greenpeople.org/webpage.cfm?memid=39062&pmtlevel=0&linkpage=http://www.pouchlife.com">liners</a> that folks had made. <a href="http://thimblesbobbinspaperandink.blogspot.com/2010/07/bicycle-basket-liner.html">This </a>was my favorite, but unlike others, it has no pattern. I mused and pondered, and today I made a paper pattern.<br /><br />My son and I have been watching Project Runway, but we rarely saw people make patterns--the show is more likely to show people fitting, sewing, cutting. They mention pattern-making, but don't show much of the process.<br /><br />I'm here to tell ya: It's <span style="font-weight: bold;">hard</span>! I was lucky to have some newsprint from a recent <a href="http://www.campmor.com/">Campmor</a> shipment, but holding it in place inside the basket and making a pattern was definitely a trial-and-error (and mostly error) process.<br /><br />Then I went looking in my fabrics. I don't have a lot (thank God--I do, however, own 31 <span style="font-weight: bold;">miles</span> of yarn), and rediscovered some lovely flower-print fabric that I'm newly enthused about making into curtains. But I did have a good-sized piece of some lovely gold-patterned fabric. I don't know what I'd intended it for (and it now occurs to me that I'll have enough left for pillow covers--new look for the couch!), but I'm using it for this, now.<br /><br />I have patterns for the base of the basket liner (to be stuffed with fiberfill or with batting, for comfort) and for the outside. I'll put the seam at the back of the basket, and add some sort of stiffener inside. I'm torn between stiff interfacing and plastic mesh. (Opinions welcome!) I do want to include a pocket or two for his leash and maybe my phone.<br /><br />I can't wait to have a liner--my deadline is June 5, the next <a href="http://alamedabicycle.com/events.html">Family Ride</a> (scroll down a bit and click on Family Ride). We did the May 1 one and had a blast, but my makeshift basket liner slipped and poor Chester did get his nail caught for a bit--I managed to free it before he injured himself, but it was tense for a moment there.<br /><br />I'm not sure if it'll be fine as is, or if I should add ties or some sort of magnet-tie-that-sticks-to-itself thing.<br /><br />Really am looking forward to my basket liner, though!Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-85761601154073981232011-04-14T17:31:00.000-07:002011-04-15T13:42:13.832-07:00Fun memeA meme I spotted elsewhere (no one tagged me)--<br /><p>Out of the top 50 yarns on Ravelry (by number of projects):<br /><strong>Bold</strong> the ones you’ve used and would use again,<br /><del datetime="00">Cross out</del> the ones you’ve used and would not use again,<br />and <em>italicize </em>the ones you’ve never tried, but would like to.<br />Add comments as desired, and then pass the meme along to 5 knitters/crocheters.<br />Link back to <a href="http://featherandfan.wordpress.com/2008/04/09/yarnmeme/">this post </a>and to the person who tagged you.</p> <br />(Comparison to 2008: The only yarns that stayed in the same place were #1 Cascade 220 and #26 Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino.)<br /><p>Ready? Here’s my list:</p><br /><p><strong>1, Cascade 220 Wool, 69497 projects – </strong>I like it, great yardage, good colors, could be softer.<br /><em>2, Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted, 61991 projects</em>. Never used it, but I've felt Mmmmmalabrigo in the stores, and am a little afraid of loving it. Spendy!<br /><strong>3, Red Heart Ltd. Super Saver Solids, 56976 projects </strong>I wouldn't necessarily choose it, but sometimes it's a necessary evil.<br /><strong>4, Caron Simply Soft, 51663 projects</strong> One of the nicer acrylics, a friend introduced me. This one gets to stay.<br /><strong>5, Lily Sugar’n Cream Solid, 47378 projects </strong> I do like making dishcloths, even though this hurts my hands a bit.<br />6, Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice Solids and Heathers, 40658 projects<br /><strong>7, Patons Classic Wool Merino, 40223 projects – </strong>Love the sweater I made with this. A little too many short fibers for my taste, but the price is right.<br />8, Lion Brand Wool-Ease Solid, 38033 projects I have some of this in my stash, but haven't knit with it yet. Seems soft enough, and the price was right.<br /><em>9, Noro Kureyon, 30153 projects</em> I've used Kochoran, so I know how enchanting the colors can be. But I also know weird plasticky fibers will be mixed in! Bleah! Plus, spendy.<br /><strike>10, Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Worsted, 27181 projects </strike>Ugh. The mohair makes me crazy.<br /><em>11, Cascade 220 Heathers, 26893 projects </em>Got some of this in my stash.<br />12, Lion Brand Cotton-Ease, 25755 projects<br /><em>13, Noro Silk Garden, 25585 projects</em> If I find it on sale...<br />14, Knit Picks Wool of the Andes, 24959 projects Seems scratchy to me. My sister has some.<br /><strike>15, Lion Brand Homespun, 4296 projects </strike>Yuck.<br />16, Pisgah Yarn & Dyeing Co., Inc Peaches & Creme Solids, 22560 projects <br />17, Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, 22225 projects<br /><strong>18, Lily Sugar’n Cream Ombres & Prints, 22139 projects </strong>I love my dishcloths out of this.<br /><strong>19, Cascade 220 Superwash, 21386 projects </strong>Seemed even softer than regular 220 to me. Plus, it has a soft spot in my heart, as it's the first yarn DS ever bought me!<br />20, Patons Classic Wool, 21006 projects Classic Wool Merino is up there at #7. Why are there two entries? Neither has much, if any, merino, IIRC.<br /><strong>21, Plymouth Encore Worsted, 3573 projects</strong> Affordable, washable, and soft enough; this one's a staple.<br />22, Pisgah Yarn & Dyeing Co., Inc Peaches & Creme Ombres, 18685 projects<br />23, Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Bulky , 17260 projects<br />24, Koigu Painter’s Palette Premium Merino (KPPPM), 5094 projects Lovely stuff, but way too pricey.<br />25, Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock – Lightweight, 3723 projects Too rich for my blood.<br />26, Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, 16850 projects Hate the low yardage in all the Debbie Bliss yarns.<br />27, Berroco Ultra Alpaca, 2286 projects Maybe some day, but maybe not.<br /><strong>28, Knit Picks Palette, 1765 projects </strong>Wish I could bold it twice. LOVE Palette. Pleasant to knit with, wonderful for stranded projects, lots of colors. My two small peeves: they keep discontinuing colors, and it felts. <br />29, Malabrigo Sock, 15036 projects<br />30, Red Heart Super Saver Multis/Ombres, 14548 projects<br /><strong>31, Rowan Kidsilk Haze, 3203 projects </strong>Yes,I know why it's called Cracksilk Haze.<br />32, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, 3751 projects <br />33, Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica, 14030 projects Some odd colorways. Not crazy about the price/yardage.<br />34, Malabrigo Lace, 13692 projects<br />35, Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock Multi, 13534 projects<br />36, Knit Picks Swish Worsted, 12397 projects<br />37, Dream in Color Classy, 1838 projects SO spendy!<br />38, Knit Picks Stroll Solids, Heathers & Tweeds, 11834 projects<br /><em>39, Zitron Trekking (XXL), 3348 projects </em>I have some in my stash. It's really fine. Knit on size 0s? Gad.<br />40, Berroco Comfort Solids & Heathers, 11771 projects<br /><em>41, Noro Kureyon Sock, 11661 projects</em> I have some in my stash. Super thin and sometimes uneven. But the colorways, oh the colorways.<br />42, Dream in Color Smooshy, 11601 projects<br />43, Wollmeise 100% Merino Superwash, 11598 projects<br />44, Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool, 11473 projects<br />45, Garnstudio DROPS Alpaca, 11351 projects<br />46, Bernat Satin Solids, 11148 projects<br /><em>47, Cascade Ecological Wool (Eco-Wool), 11107 projects</em> Not the softest stuff, but the yardage is great, and the new colors are amazing.<br />48, Colinette Jitterbug, 2090 projects Beautiful colorways, but absolutely crap yardage, especially for the price.<br /><em>49, Red Heart Soft Yarn Solids, 10851</em> It is really soft. For my friends who would felt something made from Cascade 220.<br />50, Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn! Solids, 10741 projects. I might knit with this, but we have no Hobby Lobby.Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-45785177121269326372010-04-23T14:56:00.001-07:002010-04-23T15:16:25.501-07:00I love kid socks<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/renaissancewoman/4544293150/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4544293150_6af09779e1_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.9em;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/renaissancewoman/4544293150/">G's first sock, done</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/renaissancewoman/">RenaissanceWomn</a></span></div>I think this is the fastest pair of socks I've ever finished: 9 days. He loves them, and while I was knitting on them yesterday and showing him my progress, he asked me to finish them (1' of cuff ribbing in contrast color) so he could wear them today. I had to weave in a number of ends, but it felt great to lay down the pair on the chair by his bed at the end of the evening!<br /><br />The yarn is from my friend <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Rabbitch">Rabbitch</a>, and I got it from her at Stitches West this year (along with some other riches). I made a full pair of socks for me, and G asked for a pair "just like yours"--except not: without the patterning, just a generic sock but in the same yarn. Fortunately, the skein was a generous 430 yards, so even after finishing the pair, I have several yards left over. I had thought to knit up the calf as far as I could go and then finish off with the grey, but once I got as high as it was, G said that was long enough.<br /><br />I used the toe-up sock with heel flap pattern from Charlene Schurch's first "Sensational Knitted Socks" book, which is a little Chinese-menu-ish (For XX stitches, do this; for YY stitches, this; etc.), but most of it is pretty straightforward. The transition from the heel flap to the gusset stitches was a little challenging, as it required switching the yarn and then picking up stitches in an order different from theirs (as theirs didn't have contrast heels), but it worked out.<br /><br />I also got to finally implement an idea that's been bumping around my head for a while: the use of a marked poker chip to keep track of sock-toe increases and of heel decreases. I started using it on the first sock's heel, so I marked one side "K" and the other "dec" with little pieces of sticky notes. Then, when I was on a "K around" side, I had the "K" side up, and as I got to the back of the heel, I just flipped it over. This way, when I got to the other side, I could just glance over and know that this was a dec round--and not end up with extra, undecreased stitches on one side and not on the other, which <span style="font-style: italic;">always</span> seems to happen.<br /><br />I used it again when I started the (patch) toe for the second sock: one round has M1 on the 2nd stitch in from the edge, all around; the other round is just a K round. It meant that the increases were even, rather than ending with 12 stitches on all needles but one, which had 9 or 10 (this always seems to happen, too). I love this new method. And when I walk away, or knock it off, I can carefully study my knitting to know which side to put up, and then don't really have to <span style="font-style: italic;">think</span> much for the rest of the toe (or heel).<br /><br />Oh, here's my socks from the same yarn. The bottoms of the soles are the same pattern as his. I love the pseudo-stripiness. The yarn is between an aqua and a teal, if the color seems a little turquoisey. They're called "Percy Jackson socks" because the pattern is Poseidon by Elinor Brown. If you don't fully get the reference, read "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-n28Hv4AjNPAov55npBbuvKVgmvrOUIQPXocSrKSMD54gqGYCVyIwda9XXi3ajUw5DkTRuLas7tYLWOmUMOR7eXSX2TlQVoRAgPZeX4P6pduTRUTBhWy3BwGz8SQ45LkfZb9/s1600/PercyJacksonSocks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-n28Hv4AjNPAov55npBbuvKVgmvrOUIQPXocSrKSMD54gqGYCVyIwda9XXi3ajUw5DkTRuLas7tYLWOmUMOR7eXSX2TlQVoRAgPZeX4P6pduTRUTBhWy3BwGz8SQ45LkfZb9/s320/PercyJacksonSocks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463459518946392002" />Percy Jackson socks</a>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-38228098525418690162010-02-22T21:39:00.000-08:002010-02-22T21:50:50.049-08:00Long time, no writing about knittingI've decided to start up writing about my knitting again, rather than publish 140-character comments.<br /><br />I'm currently working on Alice Starmore's "Henry VIII" from "Tudor Roses," and it is a challenge... but apparently one I'm up to. I'm on row 30, which is great except when you realize I need to be past row 64 and well into the second set of 64 rows for the Knitting Olympics/Ravelympics. Well, at least it all looks good, and the worst mistake I've done lately is to knit two 10-stitch sections wrong, an action that was easily undone in the next time around.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/renaissancewoman/4379609264/" title="Henry, row 30 by RenaissanceWomn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4379609264_2cec1ec7fe.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Henry, row 30" /></a><br /><br />The body is steeked (I didn't end up including it in the photo) so as to make a cardigan, and the openings for the arms will be steeked soon, in the second repeat of 64 stitches, I think. I made a tea cozy for me with steeks to give myself some practice. (No whiskey needed.)<br /><br />Next on my queue is <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall07/PATThenry.html">a smart scarf</a> for G's teacher, for an end-of-the-year gift. I've chosen my Rowan Wool-cotton for it that I got on some sale or other. It's a sort of steel blue.<br /><br />Coming up are some more fingerless mitts for my mom, who suffers from Reynaud's syndrome. Her fingertips go completely white sometimes. My theory is that if I can warm the pulse, the warm blood might help avoid some of the Reynaud's. I have a silk/wool size S sweater I'm going to unravel, retwist, and knit with.<br /><br />And then, another sweater. I got some nearly-kelly-green yarn from Herrschner's in a bumpy, tweedy blend. I'm hoping it'll do nicely for a <a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/knitting/patterns/rosemarys-swing-jacket.html">Rosemary's Swing Jacket</a>.<br /><br />I could go back and list the projects I've done since I last blogged, but I'm choosing to move forward on this. I'll try to update on projects and thoughts for the future. For now, I'm really enjoying what I am working on.Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-39477492758365523492009-07-10T10:57:00.000-07:002009-07-10T11:05:00.817-07:00Phew, it's doneFinished the tea cozy (felted, steeked, buttons and i-cord applied) and gave it to Mom for her birthday. She seems genuinely pleased. (I'll post a finished picture of it later.) It is still too large for her teapot, but does look nice, really. (Glad I felted it down!)<div><br /></div><div>I had her try on the stranded sweater I had been making her, to prove to both of us that it was way too big. Yeah, by about 7". She does want it to be big, but it's ridiculously big. I unraveled it to the start of the stranding and will try again with size 9 needles, and see if I can still get gauge.</div><div><br /></div><div>The other projects going on are</div><div><ul><li>iPod cozy. This started out as a project for using up leftover sock yarn, and was to be a cover for purse-sized tissue packs. Then I needed a cozy for my new iPod, which was being protected by a cotton ankle sock. Finished it and it works great. (I still have another ball of that yarn and will make a tissue cozy for it. Unfortunately, Ravelry has no tissue cozies written for sock yarn!)</li><li>Birch from Rowan. I'm definitely getting on to the end, but still have more than 10 sections between stitch markers, so even though they repeats are getting faster as I have fewer stitches, it is not really racing to the end line. No matter; I've finally memorized the pattern and can do it anywhere. Still loving the Smoke-colored Cracksilk Haze.</li><li>Square for a love quilt. Lovely Witt passed away and we're making a love quilt/blanket for his partner. I struggled with it and forgot the wool at home (because I couldn't bear to think about it, I think) and bought a ball of blue-green Cascade 220 Superwash at a Portland yarn store. Found a neat heart-shaped cable pattern in a Melissa Leapman book, but the swatch is already too wide and I lost my place as to which line of the pattern I was on. *sigh*</li></ul></div>In other news, I've worn my Swallowtail nearly every day, as despite the warmer-than-usual weather most days, the house is still a bit chilly, and Mom is averse to turning on the heat or making a small fire in her woodstove. I love that the alpaca is so light yet so warm.Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-86669076823016555352009-06-24T17:54:00.000-07:002009-06-24T18:00:29.378-07:00Ta-dah!So I put aside Birch last night, picked up the tea cozy, and zoomed on it. Here it is, draped on my teapot:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/renaissancewoman/3656476059/" title="Tea cozy, knitting done by RenaissanceWomn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3606/3656476059_986c5b02a6.jpg" alt="Tea cozy, knitting done" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />What's left to do: wash and block, cut steeks, sew back, put on i-cord loops with buttons for faucet and handle.Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-43010557252097186372009-06-22T14:23:00.000-07:002009-06-22T14:27:51.746-07:00I should have knownI recently picked up a project I'd set aside months ago. It's Birch from one of the Rowan mags. I'm still enchanted by the pic in the magazine, and by the Cracksilk Haze in Smoke, a gorgeous medium grey with those enchanting silky highlights.<br /><br />But my mom's birthday is coming up, and my sister wisely advised me to finish the tea cozy I've started from the Inga hat pattern. If/when I finish, it will be a lovely cozy that Mom will likely love.<br /><br />The problem is, I can't put Birch down. And I'm not sure I'll have enough time to finish it and the cozy, both. Argh! Blast you, Cracksilk Haze! And you, lace knitting addiction!Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-29317065446983305172009-01-02T10:12:00.001-08:002009-01-02T10:25:55.446-08:00How can this be so hard?I love knitting socks toe-up. It makes so much more sense to my brain.<br /><br />So I started some socks on vacation with the Turkish cast-on, and went up to 52 stitches (dk weight), and knit along on my merry way. About 2.5" short of the heel, I stopped and went searching for a heel method.<br /><br />Well, there are so few toe-up sock patterns, and it seems like the majority use short-row heels! I really like the heel-flap heel, so I searched around and ended up on <a href="http://mimknits.com/wordpress/?p=86">Miriam Felton's blog</a>, and followed her directions for the heel flap, but totally missed Step 2: gusset increases. So once had the heel flap done, I didn't know what to do, and picked up stitches like I normally do for top-down socks. I tried it twice, and they always looked peculiar, with a sort of extra heel at the top of the heel flap, which might work if you have especially large ankle bones that go right in to small ankles.<br /><br />I finally flipped through "Sensational Socks" (or maybe "More...") last night and she has a GREAT example of toe-up heel-flap socks, all knit in different colors for the different sections. And there, I saw my folly: no gusset increases <span style="font-style: italic;">before</span> the heel flap. I'm so much more used to top-down (as I like patterns and tend to follow them to the letter) gusset <span style="font-style: italic;">decreases</span> that increasing before the flap never occurred to me.<br /><br />So just now, I looked at the MimKnits link I blogged above and found my error. Back to it tonight.<br /><br />I also started these on my Knit Picks Options Nickel sock dpns, in size 3 (the largest in that set). They are smooth and sharp (I really stabbed myself in a healing spot while at my sister's, and OMG, that really hurt), but pretty long and stiff. I saw a mention of shorter sock dpns on Ravelry, and remembered I have several sets of Bryspun dpns from when my LYS was closing. I pulled out the 3s, and it is really different. I think I like them better for socks, but am not sure. Also, they go down to 0, which I'll probably have to use for my Trekking. (OMG, people, the set is <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/6+Nickel+Plated+Double+Pointed+Knitting+Needle+Set_ND90298.html">on sale for $19.99</a>! Snap 'em up!)<br /><br />I haven't actually done any knitting other than these socks. And I got so much more done over vacation than this week. Darn that work, getting in the way!Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-400613980738389722009-01-01T00:19:00.000-08:002009-01-01T00:35:08.179-08:00Lost my yarn-buyin' mojoAfter a serious review of my finances and the Christmas list, I made a vow on November 20 not to buy any more yarn. I kept it, but it was hella hard at first. It seemed like everyone had saved up all sorts of luscious and affordable yarns.<br /><br />Then, I adjusted. I did buy fiber, but no yarn. (The only exception is some yarn I exchanged at a LYS, for no extra cost.) The pull was still there, but weaker.<br /><br />I was tried when I got a gift certificate to a yarn store up near my sister. But once I got there, there was no yarn I felt like I just <span style="font-style: italic;">had</span> to have. (It didn't help that the store is a bit upscale and the prices match.) Luckily, this yarn store also supported weavers... and spinners. The fiber room upstairs yielded some beautiful merino/bamboo roving that was calling my name.<br /><br />Ironically, the above trip was after Christmas. I had forgotten that my vow was to resist buying yarn till after Christmas!<br /><br />It turned out that I had lost my yarn-buying mojo. My stepsister sent me a GC to an online store I love. I peruse their yarns, and... am not excited, not even for the dyeable yarns. I found a project in my Ravelry queue for which I didn't yet have the yarn, but after I'd put suitable yarns in my shopping cart, I wasn't all that enthused about buying them. I clearly won't get to that project until 2011. I have plenty queued up till then!<br /><br />My wise sister pointed out the GC won't expire. She says, "Let's just knit what we have."<br /><br />Sounds good to me.Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-40555987108506124102008-12-16T15:00:00.001-08:002008-12-16T15:20:30.973-08:00Choosing contentednessI haven't had much to post here lately, since I've been working on the same sweater since--I won't even look it up--about April, and messed it up more times than I can tell.<br /><br />But I have done some things. I started and finished a cute little stocking ornament for an ornament exchange on my April 2000 Playgroup bulletin board (we were in an Expecting Club when we were all due in April):<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/renaissancewoman/3101999173/" title="Mini stocking by RenaissanceWomn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/3101999173_caaa03d4fa.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Mini stocking" /></a><br /><br />I also started and finished an ice cream cozy for a good friend who's going through trying times. (She also removes the lid to Ben & Jerry's or Haagen Dasz and <i>throws it away</i>. I know.)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/renaissancewoman/3107739927/" title="ice cream cozy by RenaissanceWomn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3278/3107739927_2964390a23.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="ice cream cozy" /></a><br /><br />I tried it last night on some Haagen Dasz (I had to make sure it fit! and it was on sale. Coffee, and mint chip). Fit great.<br /><br />And I did finally finish the sweater from ... well, I love it, so it's not from there. I think I do want to pick up stitches and knit around the collar and v-neck. It wants to fall off my shoulders all the time. But I was afraid I'd hate the color after all that blasted work, and... I adore it. Chilis and chocolate, it's called.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/renaissancewoman/3108849858/" title="And me in it! by RenaissanceWomn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3223/3108849858_eb39b8bede.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="And me in it!" /></a><br /><br />Hem looks a little weird in that photo, and yep, it's big, but I can wear it right now, and did you notice I got the sleeves to match? No mean feat there. By pulling out yarn from the balls to make the long repeats match, I now have like 10 small balls of yarn. And one full ball left. If you make it, you'll probably want to buy as many balls as they say, just to be safe.<br /><br />I'm finishing up a rolled-brim hat for my son's Y-Kids teacher, my favorite one. And of course, she tells me <i>last night</i> that she was given a box full of knit hats. *sigh*! But I hope she'll like this one very much. It does seem her style and is a lovely teal. No pics yet; soon.<br /><br />After that, I think I'll finish this tea cozy, after a pattern that's supposed to be a hat and more than half the knitters said it was big. Yep, it's big--much bigger than my teapot. I'm going to try to felt it down and cut steeks to let the handle and spout through. We'll see. I'm pleased with it anyway. It was my first attempt at Alice Starmore-esque stranding. I left the white as a solid and graduated through shades of red, with a splash of accent green, for the rest.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/renaissancewoman/3020886849/" title="Inga "hat" cozy by RenaissanceWomn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/3020886849_e904bde06f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Inga "hat" cozy" /></a><br /><br />The white is Elsebeth Lavold's Silky Wool, and the rest is sticky/itchy Rauma Finullgarn from our LYS that closed.<br /><br />I also picked up some Patons Soy Wool Stripes at Micheal's and started making cozies for the coffee cups at church. They're quick (crocheted) and really pretty, I think. These are to discourage people from taking two cups, as the coffee is very hot and it's sometimes hard to hold your cup. They can use these and return them afterward. I think I've done four. Here's the first one:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/renaissancewoman/3021717960/" title="coffee cozy by RenaissanceWomn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3053/3021717960_681b8d336d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="coffee cozy" /></a><br /><br />As for the title, I've been wrestling with "I don't knit fast enough!" and trying to get to the point of "however fast I work is good enough, and I love what I knit." I'm even looking forward to picking up set-aside WIPs and finishing them. I have 3 (maybe 4) balls of Cracksilk Haze for a Rowan shawl I've wanted to knit forever. The cast-on is 299 stitches and it's challenging, but I decided if I have to put stitch markers between every 8-stitch repeat, so be it. The grey of the KSH is so gorgeous and the silk adds such a lovely sheen.<br /><br />And, after I finish the hat, that's IT for the due-on-Christmas knitting. <br /><br /><i>Unless I make soap for the other Y-Kids teachers and want to wrap them in dishcloths...</i>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-40352867878560632772008-12-02T14:30:00.000-08:002008-12-02T14:36:02.161-08:00Not much news hereI had planned to take my fuzzy orange Merino Stripes sweater up to my sister's, all knit up and seamed, but my lack of brain cells got in the way of that plan. I have now knit the front approximately seven bajillion times. First, I knit it just fine but didn't carefully strand the wool when I added a new ball, so it had that horrid stripe across the front instead of a careful gradation of colors.<br /><br />Then, after I ripped back and stranded a new ball in, I put the V-neck way over on one side. Ripped. Did it again. Ripped. Put the v-neck in the middle, knit the full depth of the armscye, held it up to the back, realized I'd knit only 8" before doing the armscye decreases instead of 13.5".<br /><br />Sighed a lot.<br /><br />Ripped back <span style="font-style: italic;">again</span>, restarted, carefully centered the v-neck, not too low (I hope), knit up to the end of the v-neck decreases... 3 too many stitches on one side. Sheesh. Did a couple of decreases, knit, knit, knit... "I must be done by now"... lay it over the back, looked good. Thought twice, held both up... nope, at least another inch more.<br /><br />Finally finished that inch last night, but didn't do the 3-needle bind-off or any seaming.<br /><br />Seriously, do you blame me?Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-32340741748559171202008-12-02T14:29:00.000-08:002008-12-02T14:30:39.634-08:00DisturbingGood <span style="font-style: italic;">God</span>. What do they do to the poor sheeps' bodies to make them into yarn?<br /><br /><a href="http://tinyurl.com/6e8wqh">100% sheep yarn</a>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-23799905265168201762008-11-19T18:27:00.001-08:002008-11-19T18:43:40.942-08:00Knitting at HolidaysAs opposed to Holiday Knitting, of course--I'm knitting a hat for G's aftercare teacher and that is IT this year.<br /><br />No, knitting at holidays. We're going up to my sister's this Thanksgiving, and I have to plan out what to take and work on. I hope to have my orange sweater done (holy cow did you realize it's NEXT WEEK? Good thing all I have to do is finish the V-neck, 3-needl3-bindoff the front to the back, sew the sleeves in, and sew the underarm/side seams!), so I'll bring that.<br /><br />I also want to bring the grey FI sweater for my mom. I decided <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> to make it as a gift or even as a surprise. I want her to be involved, and to be able to say, after I do the waistband, 'Oh, that pattern doesn't appeal to me' so I can just rip back 4 rows and start over. It's also in a bulky yarn, so it should go quite quickly. It being a pullover (no steeks, no buttonbands, no buttonholds, no buttons) helps, too.<br /><br />I also want to finish and bring (or vice versa) the FI tea cozy I've started. It is huge (as most folks found the pattern to be), but I'm hoping it'll felt right down to a good size. Or maybe she has a really big teapot.<br /><br />Beyond that? Oh, I'm absolutely <span style="font-style: italic;">itching</span> to start something new. (Whoah, big surprise, eh?) I'd love to start my Philosopher's Wool sweater, but I need to do more thinking on shape on that one. I was going to give it waist shaping, but then I realized that lots of folks in colder areas than this find their sweaters <span style="font-style: italic;">too hot to wear most places</span>. This is due mostly to their method of weaving in the floats on every stitch. I could skip that, but I'm afraid that doing too much shaping will still cause it to have too much insulating properties. Also, I've heard the yarn changes after you wash it, so <span style="font-style: italic;">bummer!</span> that I've already wound several colors into a ball, as now I have to re-skein it to prepare it for a bit of a bath.<br /><br />In other fiber news, my beginning spinning class met for the first time last Sunday. It was <span style="font-style: italic;">great</span>. I learned the long draw, over the fold. It is so much easier to learn this stuff firsthand than from a book or website. And so gratifying when you finally <span style="font-style: italic;">get. it.</span> I had been worried that I would be too advanced for the class, having learned once (ha!) and spun off and on for over a year. The great news was that everyone else had at least spun on a spindle, so the learning curve was much easier all around. Yay! The teacher gave us Blue-faced Leicester to spin, which I'd been given a hank of before and found it harder than hell to spin (6" staple!), but spinning over the fold makes that long staple a benefit rather than a struggle. Our "homework" is to spin the rest of the 4 oz she had given us. Whee, homework that is fun!<br /><br />Speaking of school, I went in on Monday and taught 10 third-graders, including my son, how to dye wool. The teacher allowed G to pick 9 others to dye with, and he chose all the boys! Agh, the pandemonium at times. But no one died or was strangled with wool, and they all seemed pleased with the colors going into the steamer. G said they rinsed and hung them yesterday and his was a very bright orange (should be, he used up almost all the orange dye liquid!). I had brought some backup Kool-aid packets, and mixed up second amounts of all colors, but they all got theirs dyed in the end, barely before the bell rang. Friday, the girls. We'll see how different. Wish I could find more colors of Kool-aid; the two huge stores in our city each have the same 5 flavors (including our behemoth $afe way).<br /><br />Next, we'll knit!Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-63672446480628495822008-11-04T13:49:00.000-08:002008-11-04T14:21:30.907-08:00I'm having a tough dayI just cried in the office's shower. Life is kicking me in the ass <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> the head today.<br /><br />This morning was G's IEP meeting. Partway through, I thought, "I'm going to be sad after this," because I had that feeling coming over me. I realized that it wasn't so much the content of the meeting (more on that in a sec), but like the first meeting, it is just hard to sit there and talk for nearly an hour about my son's shortcomings. I have to be firm and strident about them if I want him to get help, which is a bit change from being upbeat and optimistic way I usually approach them.<br /><br />And yes, I was sad afterward. What added to that was that he doesn't have an IEP, and won't for the foreseeable future. Ironically, he improved so much over the summer that the aggressive and unsocial behavior we saw so clearly last Spring is nearly gone--so much so that he doesn't qualify for help under Special Ed.<br /><br />Bittersweet, eh?<br /><br />My kid is doing so well overall that the help I wanted for his remaining social-skills challenges is just not going to happen, at least not through the school. They ever so earnestly encouraged me to turn back to Kaiser for the social-skills group they have there. And here's another kick in the gut: that group meets 3:30-5:30 on Mondays. Ah. "What do parents do who <span style="font-style: italic;">work</span>?" I asked. "Um, they leave early from work," she replied. Nice. That's 3 hours of every week I'd have to make up in some way. Thanks for the non-support, Kaiser.<br /><br />I inquired further, and Kaiser does offer a support group for kids with Asperger's Syndrome on Tuesdays from 5:30-7:30 (and as I write this, I'm wondering when those kids get to <span style="font-style: italic;">eat</span>)... and that completely conflicts with G's martial arts. Well, he's been wanting to quit soon anyhow. <span style="font-style: italic;">Wish granted!</span> Crud.<br /><br />The IEP meeting ended with just me and the school psychologist, who had me in tears with a story of a boy who's now in college and "still has his quirks" (ah, thanks for <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span>) but had challenges like G and got a lot better. The mother had said, "How can I send him out in the world? <span style="font-style: italic;">Who will love him like I love him?</span>"<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sigh.</span><br /><br />Her report was littered with phrases that, to me, highlighted his ongoing social-skills deficits: "little eye contact," "wouldn't walk with me in the hallway, but walked in front of me," "scowled when I came to pick him up for the testing," and the like. I was asked in the meeting what my concerns were. I'd thought about this ahead of time, and said that my concerns hadn't changed from the first meeting--I wanted him to have help/support with his social skills and some sort of special treatment in the case of expulsionable or suspensionable behavior. I was offered a 504 plan, which is the ugly stepsister of the IEP, but it's all I'll get.<br /><br />And more bittersweetness: I should be happy he doesn't qualify for an IEP. The criteria for qualifying for an IEP under autism are pretty extreme:<br /><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" cols="3" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="basicfont" width="18"><br /></td><td class="basicfont"><a name="IN;17"></a>(g) A pupil exhibits any combination of the following autistic-like behaviors, to include but not limited to:</td><td class="basicfont" width="1"> </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" cols="3" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="basicfont" width="36"> </td><td class="basicfont"><a name="IN;18"></a>(1) An inability to use oral language for appropriate communication.</td><td class="basicfont" width="1"> </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" cols="3" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="basicfont" width="36"> </td><td class="basicfont"><a name="IN;19"></a>(2) A history of extreme withdrawal or relating to people inappropriately and continued impairment in social interaction from infancy through early childhood.</td><td class="basicfont" width="1"> </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" cols="3" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="basicfont" width="36"> </td><td class="basicfont"><a name="IN;20"></a>(3) An obsession to maintain sameness.</td><td class="basicfont" width="1"> </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" cols="3" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="basicfont" width="36"> </td><td class="basicfont"><a name="IN;21"></a>(4) Extreme preoccupation with objects or inappropriate use of objects or both.</td><td class="basicfont" width="1"> </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" cols="3" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="basicfont" width="36"> </td><td class="basicfont"><a name="IN;22"></a>(5) Extreme resistance to controls.</td><td class="basicfont" width="1"> </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" cols="3" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="basicfont" width="36"> </td><td class="basicfont"><a name="IN;23"></a>(6) Displays peculiar motoric mannerisms and motility patterns.</td><td class="basicfont" width="1"> </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" cols="3" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="basicfont" width="36"> </td><td class="basicfont"><a name="IN;24"></a>(7) Self-stimulating, ritualistic behavior.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />See? Bittersweet.<br /><br />So I wandered out, teary and spent. Carted away the yogurts and pastries I'd picked up (I'd brought croissants and some other things to the first meeting, too, as it's a 7:30AM meeting and I do appreciate these folks taking time out of their days to get this done--and yes, I know it's their job, but <span style="font-style: italic;">7:30am</span>!!).<br /><br />On the way back home to drop off my hockey gear that I'd been too lazy to unload the night before, I went past my polling place. (I already voted by absentee ballot.) But I was so, SO pleased to see five people on the sidewalks with signs saying "No on 8." I honked, did the thumbs up, honked again... and then did a U-turn at the next light, going back and double-parking so I could run across the street and give them the rest of the pastries from the meeting. They were so appreciative and I was babbling about how important it was to have this presence and got all teary (affected, I'm sure, by the morning's events) and they both gave me hugs! The guy was all smiles especially. Bless them and their hard work.<br /><br />Back at work, I couldn't concentrate much. Futzed around with little things until it was time to change for swim class. Went to swim class with zero energy and sore muscles from last night's stick time. By the time we were done with some serious warm-ups, my shoulder, which had been sore and tight, was completely fine. Then the teacher drops the bomb: we're swimming the mile today. Well, I knew I wouldn't be able to finish in less than the full 50-minute class time, but that still meant swimming nonstop till we got to the end, with the teacher recording how far we did get (48 laps, maybe 1250 yds for me; she counts 66 laps as a mile). I was feeling so proud of my accomplishment as I got out of the pool and just barely heard the beginning-swimming teacher say, "Now, what's going on here?" and as I turned my head, the lifeguard dove in and brought up an unconscious girl. (The beginning swimming class works out in their 3' pool most of the time and moves over to the big pool, shallowest depth 6', later in the semester. Today was that day.)<br /><br />One of our classmates was sent to the blue Emergency calling box to call 911 and we waited anxiously until the girl threw up and started breathing. I dressed slowly, hoping to wait until the ambulance arrived before leaving so that it would feel "OK." By the time I left, easily 10 minutes later, the ambulance still hadn't arrived. The campus security guard/cop was really fairly useless. He got the lock off of the big gate so the ambulance could get in, but gave up on opening the gate almost immediately ("It's rusted"). My teacher strode over and, with the help of a P.E. coach standing outside the gate, got the gate open with a little extra muscle.<br /><br />While I was driving out of the lot, I saw an ambulance take the exit off of 880. If that was destined for Laney, wow. It probably took all of 15 minutes or more to get there. That's pretty scary.<br /><br />Seeing that girl being brought out of the water unconscious made me feel like all my values are screwy, you know? I was so proud of doing better than 2/3 of a mile... while she was potentially losing her life.<br /><br />I cried in the car at a stoplight on the way back, feeling emotionally ground under a heel. Then, as I drove into Alameda, spotted a "Yes on 8" sign (the first I've seen in Alameda), and then another, with a guy setting them up. Honked angrily and gave him the thumbs down. I couldn't get my window down in time to yell. <span style="font-style: italic;">Ugh</span>.<br /><br />After my shower, I found the Alameda Police non-emergency number and reported the signs being put up on public property. There were other signs for causes I support, but I'd rather see them all come down than tolerate one Yes on H8 sign. Families first, my ass.Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-7751607097160421962008-10-29T10:45:00.000-07:002008-10-29T11:05:03.176-07:00A few done, a few gone, and (oops) a few startedLet's see. I've recently finished a 100% washable wool blanket for our minister's darling son in the 4 colors of Mission Falls 1824 Wool that I had on hand. I pretty much knit till I ran out, and did a seed-stitch edging of the remaining three colors. Turned out kind of dark/muted, but I liked it. Given to the minister (wife was home, sick, with son) on Sunday.<br /><br />Saturday, I put two of my knit things (plus a fabric book) in the silent auction. Ugh. I'm done with that. The shawl, made from Great Adirondack 50/50 silk/wool yarn, went for $15, and the cowl, of Louisa Harding Grace silk/wool, for $20 (and that was a pity bid from my friend on my silent-auction committee). Both for far less than the yarn alone cost. Next year, a plate of brownies.<br /><br />Well, I didn't think the Grace was a good color for me, and I had lost my liking for the G.A. yarn, so it's good that they're gone. (shrug)<br /><br />I'm plodding along on the Shedir, in the repeat section. I just don't tend to pick it up. But I'd like to be done with it. The intended recipient keeps showing up to church in these bulky hats; it'd be nice to give her this more delicate options.<br /><br />I had a hard time picking a project to bring along to two events recently, as Shedir requires a chart, as does <a href="http://www.schoolhousepress.com/christmasstocking.htm">Eli's Christmas Stocking</a>, and the division for the v-neck for the <a href="http://www.straw.com/cpy/patterns/merino-stripes-bellsleeve-pullover.html">Bell Sleeve Pullover</a> wasn't done yet and was too much to bring for a simple project. I finally settled on the fronts of "The Very Thought of Him" (no link available), as they're mistake rib and pretty easy to do without looking, as long as you get the first stitch right. It worked well, after I started one ball for one side--I had tons of yarn barf and wound up the extras and then started. All this at a workshop for my son's school, on school safety. His teacher glanced at me a few times, so I asked her if it was bothering her, and she said No, it was fascinating that I was knitting without looking!<br /><br />I also had the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/chevronscarf/">Chevron Scarf</a> with me, at least at the Sunday-evening meeting, but the directions I'd scrawled down just didn't make sense (turns I'd read too fast, and they were wrong). I got it started at home later that night and I've done about 5" of it so far. I do like it, but my yarn choices are a bit unusual. Pics soon.<br /><br />I got a shipment from Knitivity recently, of "Graffiti" and a Yuletide Affinity kit for the above-mentioned stocking. (I'd started one in Knit Picks Palette, which I adore, but not for this; the original greens are <span style="font-style: italic;">shudder</span> bad and the reds are very pinky. I'd planned to shade through the colors in the stocking and see how it went, but when I got the Affinity kit, I tossed the Palette one aside and started a new one. I'm working on 2s but the fingering is marked "light fingering" with reason--it is very light. I may switch to 1s for more substance.<br /><br />I had decided to knit NOTHING for Christmas presents this year, but I realized that one of G's aftercare workers would love a handknit scarf or hat, so I think I'll do that one thing and nothing else. I mean it.<br /><br />And I just figured out what to get for G's teacher for Christmas, phew!Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-81908430514966401542008-10-20T09:54:00.001-07:002008-10-20T10:11:57.643-07:00Getting projects doneI realized Saturday that while starting another project for our church auction was out of the question (the auction being Saturday and the deadline for items being Wednesday), I actually had to push myself to get the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/RenaissanceWoman/pashmina-cowl">Pashmina Cowl</a> completely done that night. It only had 2" left to do before the purl row (and 5 st st rows after that, plus a bind-off), so I got to it and finished it. I decided to do the k2tog, put the stitch back on the left needle, repeat to the end bindoff. It wasn't stretchy at first, but when I loosened my knitting, it was very stretchy and not picot-ish, which I've had happen for other bind-offs (such as Mom's Schrapnel Socks). I wove in the ends for it, and the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/RenaissanceWoman/shetland-triangle">Shetland Triangle</a>, put them on hangers, and took photos.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/renaissancewoman/2954350349/" title="Christmas Cowl by RenaissanceWomn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3150/2954350349_7c084dcf40.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Christmas Cowl" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/renaissancewoman/2955196034/" title="Shetland Triangle Shawl by RenaissanceWomn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/2955196034_10649faa56.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Shetland Triangle Shawl" /></a><br /><br />Then I took a good look at my remaining projects, and although I really want to throw myself into finishing the Bell Sleeved Pullover, I really need to get the latest Shedir done. I worked hard on it last night and got through row 40, which is about halfway done.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/renaissancewoman/2958695060/" title="Top-down Shedir by RenaissanceWomn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3002/2958695060_5e72754517.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Top-down Shedir" /></a>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-23657099879098410962008-10-02T11:45:00.000-07:002008-10-02T11:51:29.335-07:00On finishing, mistakes, and roadblocksI have just started yet another project, but one which is a stashbuster and has an end date. It does, however, up my WIPs to 12.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Twelve</span>.<br /><br />Good number for the days of Christmas; bad number for WIPs. I tried to push myself to finish one or two before I started, but got hung up. One feltable project is liable to bleed, so I have to get together a load of dog towels to wash with it. The other one, argh, has a mistake: the long strip with a slit in the middle has a TWIST on one side that I have to snip and fix.<br /><br />So, whaddya do? Cast on another project that is full of hope and promise and will never get screwed up. <span style="font-style: italic;">Right.</span><br /><br />I seem to be hitting roadblocks left and right. My "Inga Hat," which I'm making to be a tea cozy with changing shades of red, looks great, but is so fuhreakin' huge. I considered abandoning the pattern and making it shorter, but I just can't handle that kind of mental gymnastics. So I may try to felt it down afterward. Argh.<br /><br />Well, onward and upward.Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-49190845889653380992008-09-16T08:51:00.001-07:002008-09-16T09:03:30.489-07:00Moving slowly forwardI have had a bit of a problem with Creeping Startitis, as projects call to me, "I'll be quick! I'll make you happy! No midproject snafus with me! C'mon, you know you'll love me!" But at least they were from stash:<br /><br />I started a Pashmina Cowl from <span style="font-style: italic;">Last Minute Knitted Gifts</span> in Louisa Harding Grace Silk & Wool, four balls of which I bought in 2007 during my huge visit to WEBS. I had no plans but knew I couldn't leave behind this gleaming ruby yarn. Now that it's marinated in my stash for a while, I know that there were no projects calling to me for this yarn. Since my church's Halloween fundraiser auction is coming up, I decided to make the cowl out of this delicious yarn on spec, hoping someone will be excited enough to bid on it.<br /><br />I also started a Log Cabin Blanket for my minister's baby out of Mission Falls 1824 Wool, which I adore. Soft as anything, machine washable, and great colors. I had four balls of, well, let's say "manly colors," and thought they'd make a handsome blanket for this handsome boy. It really was great fun. I thought I might hate it because of picking up the stitches, but honestly, it wasn't bad at all. I think part of it is that picking up stitches in garter stitch is easier, and perhaps, too, I got better at it as I went along. Hey, maybe this is training for Faina Letoutchaia's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/forest-path-stole">Forest Path Stole</a>! My library got <span style="font-style: italic;">The Best of Interweave Knits</span> and I'm so happy to have access to this pattern.<br /><br />I have been knitting on The Very Thought of Him periodically, but it's still slow going on the fronts (two at once). And then I'll have the sleeves... maybe by next fall!<br /><br />I've been thinking of picking up the Bell Sleeve Pullover and once and for all tackling the bust darts I want to add to it. I bought little hair clips at Target last weekend for the sole purpose of clipping together the pieces of sweaters for trying on. (Hey, I could also use them for simulating bust darts, come to think of it.)<br /><br />I've had to set aside the Windowpane Socks because the tiny needles were irritating my tennis elbow, which is finally improving, <span style="font-style: italic;">phew</span>. Of course, now I'm absolutely itching to knit socks.<br /><br />The top-down Shedir is working quite well. I brought it to an autism presentation last week and found an error in my sketched-out pattern, but fixing it was very straightforward. I really need to get it done; we haven't seen Barbara at church for a month now. :(<br /><br />I'm hoping to finish the baby blanket in the next few days (I'm doing a seed-stitch border with the remains of the balls of yarn) and give it to them, and continue the momentum with finishing other projects. Go, go, go!Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-65373779008718643752008-08-27T15:34:00.000-07:002008-08-27T15:43:04.736-07:00All set for Stitch 'n' PitchI just bought our tickets to the local Stitch 'n' Pitch game, which will be on September 14. The Oakland A's will play... baseball. (Texas something. Lone Stars?)<br /><br />The wonderful gal at my newly discovered LYS (11 miles away as the crow flies, 15.4 miles if the crow drives a Subaru station wagon) has discovered that we are definitely getting goody bags. This was a big selling point at home.<br /><br />"You know, I bought us tickets to a baseball game."<br />"No. I don't want to go."<br />"It's called Stitch 'n' Pitch, knitting and baseball, isn't that cute?"<br />"So it's like knitting baseball?"<br />"Um, kinda."<br />"Cool. As long as it's not the A's."<br />"Um... it is the A's. But they'll have goody bags."<br />"Oh, OK."<br /><br />Should be fun! Even if baseball is deadly boring to me most of the time. I hear they sell large beers. And we can take transit there. Plus knitting? Sold!Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-37011093092351821832008-08-26T10:33:00.001-07:002008-08-26T10:41:50.269-07:00219.Oh, good God. I have just updated my stash photos again, and now have 219 yarns in my stash list on Ravelry. That's 219 types of yarn, not 219 balls. Holy cow. (654 total balls. Holy cowherd.)<br /><br />I think I'd better get knitting!<br /><br />Fortunately, the back of the purple "summer" sweater is finally going well. I'm within 2 rows of casting off for the neck shaping. And then I can move on with my life--perhaps with a pair of fronts!<br /><br />The Windowpane socks are ready for heel-turning, which I may do during G's martial arts class tonight, after I've done a bit of shopping (TJ's is close by).<br /><br />I'm still a little overwhelmed by the stash thing. My Ravelympics task was to organize my stash, which I have been doing, and taking photos and entering info is a big step toward that end (oh, I just realized I have many more balls of the Finullgarn downstairs, uncataloged. <span style="font-style: italic;">sigh.</span> It's going to be great for stranded knitting, but it is a little defeating to consider!).<br /><br />I do need to get all the sock yarn <span style="font-style: italic;">together</span> in one place. It's now in at least three. (And yes, I have even more sock yarn than I thought I did. Can't wait for Ravelry to allow subsections of yarn, so I can sequester off the sock yarn and really know how much I have. I had never even entered in the Trekking skeins I have. And some "Hot Socks" that came from I know not where.)<br /><br />But I am enjoying my projects currently (as they are currently behaving), and seeing a little teeny light at the end of the tunnel. And, as always, itching to cast on still more projects...Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-53462667799002391142008-08-21T14:33:00.001-07:002008-08-21T14:36:27.307-07:00Serenity NOW!Finally finished the back of the purple cardigan, up to the neck shaping--and it was as the Yarn Harlot has said, you knit and knit and knit and you measure and have made zero progress. Then you knit and knit, and you've actually shot past your goal. Well, I didn't shoot past it, but I did make it, and set out to do the decreases for the neck shaping.<br /><br />Too many stitches. <span style="font-style: italic;">Damn</span>. When I ripped back to make the back shorter, I bound off 8 stitches on each side (God forbid I look at the pattern to double-check) and continued on my merry way.<br /><br />Small consolation: I should have bound off 11 on each side, and when I redo the top half of the back <span style="font-style: italic;">for the third time</span>, at least it should go faster, as it will be on fewer stitches. (Yes, my math whizzes, 6 whole fewer stitches, but hey, it should go faster, right?)<br /><br />I have already started ripping. I really want this cardigan to be done!Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-75196652456004299242008-08-04T10:02:00.000-07:002008-08-04T10:12:18.340-07:00Here's to being transportedI just started the Windowpane Socks from the latest IK--not that I always pick out a project from the latest magazine and just cast on, but that the needle size & gauge matched the yarn I wanted to knit with, a chocolate-brown Opal 4-ply. The pattern calls for a solid and a variegated yarn, and when I spotted it, I thought of a mainly-orange-toned yarn I'd been given in a swap a bit back. When I got the yarn, I kinda cringed and stuffed it into my sock-yarn box.<br /><br />But now that I'm knitting with the two, I'm enchanted, absolutely transported. The pattern itself is very simple (and could be more exciting, I think), but it really works so far.<br /><br />I'm knitting them on two 2.5mm circulars instead of the dpns I was given at Christmas. I think I like it better, at least for stranded knitting.<br /><br />But I'm looking forward to the solid-color heel!Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19617188.post-34743027962678312232008-08-01T16:25:00.001-07:002008-08-01T16:33:27.918-07:00When you can't knitI have a hard time with my limited knitting time as it is. Makes me jealous, if just a little, of those who have jobs where they wait for the phone to ring, and kind of get paid to knit. I always want to get <span style="font-style: italic;">more</span> done, more things knit, more things started and finished.<br /><br />But now, with my lovely <a href="http://www.nismat.org/ptcor/tennis_elbow/">lateral epicondylitis</a>, I'm even more fidgety. I knit two rows night-before-last before quitting due to that prickly feeling in my elbow. Dang it.<br /><br />Maybe I can put my time to designing mom's round-necked pullover on paper instead.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">sulk.</span>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231116607977696313noreply@blogger.com1