Thursdays are for What the Hell is This?

This post removed at the request of the designer.

Indecision 2006

What to do, what to do? My mind keeps flitting from one project to the next. I still have a decent amount left to go on all the major projects in my sidebar but my mind keeps drifting to what's next. After the shocking realization that I own yarn for fifteen sweaters for me, I knew I had to cast on for one of those projects really soon. At first I was leaning towards Retro Prep Redux. I wear my Retro Prep sweater at least once or twice a week. A woman at a spin in mentioned that every time she saw me I was wearing it. I need another one. So I went to dig out the yarn. It went like this.

Here's the Hauk. This doesn't look like enough. Oh yeah, I bought it thinking the pattern was for sport weight when it's really for DK weight. This probably isn't enough. Hey, what's this? Peruvian Highland Wool. Oh that would make a good Ribby Cardi. Hmmm. How much would I need? How would I mix the colors? Is that Cash Iroha? Right! I want to make the Knot Cable Jacket. Let's see, where is that pattern? Oh Isla! Is the Koigu around here? Fleece Artist! Which socks was I saving this for? The Shell Pattern? No, I want to do the Shell Pattern in Essential. That's in here, right? Oh yeah. Lorna's Laces in Watercolors. Which socks did I want to use this for?

It went on like this for about an hour. I had yarn stuffed in all my pockets and patterns spread all over the room. In the end I wound a ball of Cash Iroha for the Knot Cable Jacket, found my needles and then set it aside, like a good girl. I can't start this yet.

But then Stephanie threw a monkey wrench into all my planning with her . Now the next project needs to be something I think I can knit in 16 days. Actually, I'll have less than 16 days since the event kicks off in the middle of Madrona Fiber Arts and I think I'll be too busy spinning and making Estonian Lace to start a new project. So I'll really have about 14 days for this. What can I do in that much time? At first I thought socks. I'll have to wait and see what the next socks for the Folk Socks, Vintage Socks and Knitting on the Road knitalongs will be. I'm sure I could do one of those. And I still haven't knit the Shell Pattern socks from the Vintage Socks KAL which I'm supposed to be done with by the end of this month. But I won't start until I finish the Country Socks for the Folk Socks KAL. (I just finished the gusset decreases last night on the first one when my needle got all splintery at the tip. I've sanded and waxed it but it's still slowing me down a lot.) But now I'm thinking Ribby Cardi. Can I knit the whole sweater, seam it and sew in the zipper in two weeks? I still haven't sewn the zipper in Sam and that was done months ago.

So what to do? It made me feel better when I sat down at the computer to see that other bloggers are having similar problems as well.

Spring is Sprung

The IK preview is up. Looks like some cute stuff and waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many bobbles. But there's a cool looking sweater by Kate Gilbert and a scarf by Evelyn Clark so I'll have something to knit.


Via Cosmicpluto Knits

Olympics Fever

I don't like sports. I don't give a hoot about the Olympics. (Sorry, everyone.) But when Stephanie announced the knitting Olympics I was all ears. Since I have never been a monogamous knitter. I have no idea what I can accomplish if I work only on one project for 16 days. I'm going to wait a bit to pick out my project. And as a bonus the event starts during the Madrona Fiber Arts Retreat. And Stephanie and I will both be there. Cool.

Natalie had a groovy idea too. The UFOlympics. Finish those UFOs in 16 days. You can do it.

Small Pond Syndrome

As further proof that Seattle is a very small town I have ended up with a very prominent photo in the local paper for the third time in 10 years.

So please let me share some words of advice with you all. When you are told that a photographer from a local paper is coming to take your picture try to a) wash your hair and b) close your mouth. I forgot both of these things and am pretty ragged looking in the picture.

Free Yarn!

Okay, not quite free but Cucumber Patch has Rowanspun 4ply for $19.99 a bag with free shipping! If I didn't have a sweater's worth sitting next to me right now I would definitely buy some. So instead I beg all of you to take advantage of this really good deal and save me from myself.

Martha's Back

I've restored the Martha knitalong list. Sorry about the glitch, folks.

I Really Do Knit

For the last week I have been diligently plugging away on Durrow, at home, and the Leaf Lace Shawl, at my knitting groups. Durrow is now a 14-15" tube depending on how "slightly stretched" I make it and the Leaf Lace has 8.5 repeats done. As you can see from the photo the cast on edge of Durrow looks ruffly. I must have cast on a bit too loosely? I think when I finish the body I will cut off the cast on edge and bind off. Or maybe when worn it will look fine.



I think we're on our 26th or 27th consecutive day of rain. The record is 33 days. I'm hoping to break it. Sandy always asks for pictures of the sky. What sky?



Standing on my front porch there is no sky, only a blanket of gray.

And I know I'm a little late in the game but it's Delurking Week. Come out, come out, wherever you are!

*

*button from Paper Napkin

Arrr, Thursdays be for What the Hell is This? Gar.

[Text available in English below for those who do not speak Pirate]

Aye, dear Editors o' Knit1 Magazine,
I see that you have noticed that pirates and pirate-themed stuff is cool. We're all lookin' forward t' this summer (and the summer after that) t' see what kind o' crazy shit Johnny Depp is up to. And you may have noticed how much I recently admired another knitter's pirate designs. I see that you have a spread in your upcomin' magazines on pirates, called Treasure Island.

I think perhaps you have gotten lost on your way t' Treasure Island and instead have landed on the Isle o' Badly Dressed Sluts. Aye, me parrot concurs.





Arrr, what the hell is this? Gar.

Sincerely,

Captain Bess Bonney

Dear Editors of Knit1 Magazine,
I see that you have noticed that pirates and pirate-themed stuff is cool. We're all looking forward to this summer (and the summer after that) to see what kind of crazy shit Johnny Depp is up to. And you may have noticed how much I recently admired another knitter's pirate designs. I see that you have a spread in your upcoming magazines on pirates, called Treasure Island.

I think perhaps you have gotten lost on your way to Treasure Island and instead have landed on the Isle of Badly Dressed Sluts.

Translation provided by Talk Like a Pirate Day

Rowan's Version of Where's Waldo?

It's called Spot the Handknit.*

Can you find them in the cacophony of pattern and texture?





*This game is a lot more challenging and fun with a crappy old super-dark monitor like mine. I can barely make out the people let along the clothes!

Adrian Rocks

In case you didn't know, Adrian rocks. First she came up with the pirate hat. Then the pirate mittens. And now a blank mitten chart that you can fill in anyway you like. Genius.

Running With It

You've got to admire someone who takes an idea and runs with it.







I found this impressive collection of knitted food (with a British flair). I don't think I'll be knitting any food myself any time soon but I love that there are people out there making it.