On a Whim

I started a new project yesterday on a whim. Normally I don't like really bulky knits since they make me look, well, bulky. But I was intrigued by Teva Durham's Leaf Lace Pullover. It's construction is really unusual and I can't say no to leaves in lace. I had briefly and half-heartedly looked for yarn for this project on the many, many shopping excursions I've been on lately but I couldn't bring myself to plunk down $70-100 for a sweater I might hate and never wear. Then I remembered a big bag of chunky wool I got in the January swap. It's Swa Laine 100% wool with an interesting cable construction in a horrifyingly puke-like color. Held doubled and knit on 15s I got gauge with it. I plan on knitting the sweater and over-dyeing the whole thing when I'm done. I've already finished the lower body and have started on the upper body. Photos tomorrow.

What Came Home from Weaving Works

What Came Home From Portland

News and More News

Hmmm...apparently I thought yesterday was Thursday. I think that gives you an idea what my week's been like.

I'm going back to camp! And best of all many of the wonderful women I met last year will be returning. I'll be at Camp 2. If anyone in blogland is coming, I'd love to hear from you.

I've made good progress on several projects. The top-down bolero is growing and looks like an actual garment now. I have just a bit longer to go then I'll add an eyelet ribbing to the bottom, knit the sleeves (short) and add the ribbing around the front bands and neck.

I started Branching Out on Friday in some Noro Lily that's been in my stash for over a year. It's lace and a stash buster. Woohoo. It's a very easy lace project made even easier by the silky yarn that never splits or snags.

I'm also on row 8 of the Faroese Shawl. I can't take my eyes of this one for a second or it all goes to hell. I actually dropped a few stitches and just half-assedly grabbed some back up. The yarn overs looks very odd now. Oh well. I guess it'll just be odd.

Secret Pal 4 is over. Tam at Knit One, Purl Forever was my pal. She sent me so many wonderful gifts. I feel very spoiled. Thank you, Tam.

I was given the task of being Rock Chick's Secret Pal. When I read the email I immediately thought, "I am screwed." Why couldn't I get a secret pal who is dull with low standards? I had so many ideas. Wes and I were going to take the yarn I was sending to her around the city and photograph it in Pearl Jam significant locations. But the baby sitter cancelled on us. Seriously, how lame is that? Then there was the stitch marker making debacle. I tried to make those skrinky dink stitch markers using some of RC's inspirational photos. Total flop. They all came out too big and curled up and burnt and awful. Secret Pal was a lot of fun though. I'm seriously considering Secret Pal 5.

Thursdays are For What the Hell is This?

While shopping at Farmhouse Knit Shop in Beaverton I spent a few minutes flipping through some of Maggie Jackson's books. How do you say "What the hell is this" in Gaelic?



I was having a hard time choosing between this one and this one. Wes preferred this one because it has a "Road Warrior/Sheena of the Jungle thing going on." Since it's his birthday today I have to defer to his opinion.

Portland Pix!

I have so much to say about our trip to Portland. I'll start with some photos and fill you in on the detail later!


Marti was about 10 minutes outside of Seattle when she whipped out her drop spindle for some car spinning.

Our kitchiest rest stop, The Poodle Dog in Fife.

Jill models the Portland edition of What the Hell is This? Work it!


A trip to Pix Patisserie, recommended by Mariko.


And here's what I came home with.

More later. I'm off to Purlygirls.

More Secret Pal

I was shocked to hear that my secret pal was going to be sending me even more stuff. What did I do to deserve so made goodies? Koigu! I may faint. Thanks so much, Pal.

Pooped

I'm all wiped out from my trip to Portland. I have pictures and lots to tell but it will have to wait until tomorrow. Good night.

Dulaan and On and On

Here's the group shot of my Dulaan knitting to date.
13 hats, two pairs of socks and one sweater. (I forgot to include the garter stitch scarf.)

I'm off for a weekend in Portland with my knitting friends. This will be the fourth time I've spent a night away from the kids (in seven years) that did not involve a trip to the hospital. Hallelujah!

Thursdays are For What the Hell is This?

This has probably happened to you. You are flipping through a knitting magazine. You're looking at new patterns, yarn, ads for new shops, etc. And then you see this.



And the words fall from your lips.

What the hell is this?


Thanks to Molly for scanner assistance!

Father-in-Law Update

Thanks so much for all the kind comments and emails. My FIL has bronchitis and is back at his hotel resting.
And on the parenting front, I'm sure they'll be driving me out of my mind for the rest of my life. I'll get used to it eventually.

Surrender

It's been a wild ride here at Rose-Kim Knits. I'm an emotional wreck right now over some child issues (won't go into it but, you know, being a parent is hard). On top of that we had a very strained and silent dinner last night with the in-laws. They're not staying with us. Thank goodness. My father-in-law was feeling sick and feverish and last night around 10:30 my mother-in-law called to say she wanted to get him to the hospital for antibiotics (she's a doctor). So Wes spent most of the night and early morning at the hospital with them. I spent the night trying to figure out my problem on the Faroese Shawl. I can't find it. My stitch count must be off or something. It needs to be ripped. I can't face it right now. I've turned to even more mindless knitting than yesterday's hat. A garter stitch scarf in super bulky acrylic on size 15s. Never in my life would I think I would knit such a thing.