"You Wouldn't..." (an off topic blog)

Think of all the ways you can end a sentence that begins with "You wouldn't".

1. You wouldn't want to have the flu.




2. You wouldn't want to be caught in a tornado.




3. You wouldn't want to be carried off by flying monkeys.




4. You wouldn't want the airline to lose your luggage.




5. You wouldn't want your Weight Watcher leader to see you having that extra piece of strawberry cheesecake...after all your points for the day are used up.

Well, you get the drift. I am remembering today that even though most sentences that begin this way end up negatively, that is not always the case. My own husband "proposed" to me using those very words. "You wouldn't.......want to marry me, would you?" Thing is, I did want to marry him, but he was so very certain that I was too good, too beautiful, too wonderful, too va-va-voom, too smart, too fun and on and on...to ever want to marry him. Confident guy, yes?

To make a long story shorter, we were married. Twenty-two years ago today. And I can't imagine being happier with anyone else. I have never been caught in a tornado, or carried off by flying monkeys. The airline always has come through in the end, my Weight Watcher leader is nowhere in sight when I'm scarfing down cheesecake, and the flu...well...can't win them all. But I will always appreciate the two little words that no one really wants to hear. "You wouldn't". Those words were the beginning of a beautiful future together. And we are still living happily ever after.

Happy Anniversary, Pinky.

Love, Pinkie

Comment...I think that the Westinghouse refrigerator says it all. Some folks just have flowers to decorate the church. We used appliances.
Married in the Special Education Classroom at our church, next to the fridge. Real ambiance.
He looks kind of worried here, don't you think? And this was before he knew how much of a yarn budget we would be needing someday!

One month???

Since my last post was on September 20, I couldn't let today pass without at least a paragraph! I don't have any photos, but have plenty on the way. I need to catch you up with what I'm doing these days. I am on the waistband of the leggings, have finished one of my pink socks, and after giving some hats to Ben Franklin for their chemo hat drive, have decided that this week would be perfect for working on some more to donate, since I have some nice pink Lion Brand Wool-Ease that I'm always wondering what to do with. I'm thinking about Novembers project for Elizabeth's Year. The Moccasin Socks look like a pretty quick knit compared to some socks I've knit in the past. If I could just have more time in each day...the common prayer of every knitter in the world.

I picked up a copy of the new Vogue Knitting Holiday 2007. Filled with dreamy projects. I'm dreaming of the Alice Starmore Oregon Autumn Cardi. Wow! Here it is on her website, Virtual yarns. Even if I were ambitious, talented and crazy enough to embark on that beauty, the cost of those gorgeous yarns exclude me from even trying.

So much to catch up on, but I'm leaving for work soon, so it will have to wait.

"Deadline" Pillow Finished

The pillow for Ben Franklin is finished. I am working now on putting the pattern on paper. I just made it up as I went along, since it is such an easy project. Now I'm trying to type it up and it sounds more complicated than it is. Hope it doesn't scare off newbies. I will give the pattern in another post when it is complete. Writing a pattern isn't as easy as I thought. If a pattern this easy can be difficult, then how do those amazing designers who create complicated knitted sweaters do it???

The Diagonal Garter Stitch Pillow is made of import yarn, inexpensive and fun to play with for a project like this one. There were all kinds of colors and textures to choose from. I just chose 4 colors that would compliment each other and they worked beautifully. This pillow would look very nice in stocking stitch, also.

Having a blog sure illuminates to one when one's life is boring. I think sometimes of posting and then wonder, "But what will I write? Nothing is happening that anyone would be remotely interested in!" Work, knit, sleep, knit, eat, knit...sneak in a chapter here or there of a good book. (Right now is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) No, my life isn't made of the extraordinary, but I have had enough drama, difficulty and crisis in my past to realize what a blessing the mundane can really be. So when it is ordinary day after ordinary day, I thank God humbly and say a prayer for those who are having dramas, difficulties or crisis right now. Hopefully, that does not describe you today, Reader and Friend. But if it does, please remember that you can endure just about anything for "a while". This too, as they say, shall pass. And even if it doesn't, as some of my own life has shown me, we can be all the stonger for having endured and fought the fight. To quote Elisabeth Elliot, one of the women I most admire, "Underneath are the everlasting arms..."

P.S. Since I brought up Elisabeth and suffering, I might as well recommend her most excellent book A Path Through Suffering. It was the book that helped and comforted me through my parents divorce, and other painful times of crisis and loss. As those times of hurt leave us feeling vulnerable and alone, I advise the thoughtful reading of it to any who are in need of encouragement and assurance during trials of any sort.

Leggings and Deadlines

Working away on the Nethers. Going 'round and 'round. Making me a bit dizzy, but still kinda fun! The first picture is of the increases I'm doing on that back of the calf. The pictures are weird, since taking photos of black yarn is difficult for my camera, but the flash helped me to show a little of the detail. I'm doing a simple M1 to increase on both sides of two stitches on every third row.
Here are both legs. The longer one is a side view so you can see how those increases are working. I slid the long one there on some waste yarn that Josh had in his knitting supply bag and then tried it on Danielle. She sat on the floor with her leg in the air like a Radio City Rockette (should have took pictures of that, I know!) until her foot was falling asleep while I tugged and patted and smoothed and counted and measured. Poor girl. She didn't know what she was in for when I suggested these leggings for her! First was the indignity of the measuring, and now she realizes that the fittings will be numerous. She is a good sport, though, my Danielle.

I sort of volunteered (along with others in the Friday Night Knit Group) to complete a demo for the store. Fortunately for me, mine is a small project. But I have a *drumroll please*..............................DEADLINE! Now I know why the word deadline includes the word "dead". First Pi, where my "deadline" came and went, and now this. My deadline, because it will help me to confess it and be accountable, is September 30. Well. Doesn't seem too difficult to design a pattern, swatch it and knit it up. Two weeks. It is just a pillow. Nothing spectacular, because the yarn is beautiful and textured, and so it can be just a simple pattern. But why is working with a deadline so daunting for me when knitting is concerned? I must explore this facet of my personality. But then again, some things are better left unexplored.

On this day

September 11. I want to recognize this day by reminding everyone to take a moment to reflect on their blessings, to cherish their country, to hold close their loved ones, to breathe deeply and to remember that there is a God who loves us.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Nether the less

On my way out the door, to go to work this morning, but just wanted to pop in and show you what I've been working on since Friday. These are the beginnings of the leggings, i.e. "Nether Garments" from the Knitters Almanac. I am making them in black Knit Picks Swish, as Danielle requested. So far I casted on, knit 14 rows in garter stitch, then knit a bit, doing some increases for the calf and now I am about up to the knee. I will cast on the second leg today and bring that one to the same point before continuing. I love working with this yarn so far. It has a lovely hand and drape. If I must knit in black, at least it feels luxurious!

Ok, as I say toot-a-loo, I must thank everyone for all of your sweet comments and compliments on the Pi. How nice to hear your feedback. Again, thanks to all of you! And Mom, Pi is in the mail today! Love, love, love you!!!

Introducing...Pi!!!

I've not dropped off the planet at all. I have had trouble finding time to blog this past week, but here I am at last. And here is Pi! After all the groaning and whining I have done, the shawl is completed at last and I have pictures to prove it. So those with dial-up, my apologies, but this post is very picture heavy. Be patient with me and wait for them to load, it is worth it, just as knitting Pi was worth it!

I began knitting Pi on July 3rd. I believe. I finished knitting on Saturday, September 1. Taken from the Knitter's Almanac, by Elizabeth Zimmerman, the pattern was supposed to be July's project. So I can safely say that EZ was capable of knitting at least twice as fast as I!!! Are we surprised? Here are some blocking pics to start the ball rolling. Josh took these shots.

The day after Pi was completed, Lizzie and Josh helped me put together my huge foam interlocking blocks, purchased for this occasion from Toy's R Us. I had envied the blocks that The Knitting Doctor uses for this purpose, and decided to try a less expensive version for now. I washed Pi gently like a baby, and rinsed and rolled Pi in a few towels. Then we went to work. I didn't have enough pins to pin out each and every loop on every scallop of the border, but it didn't matter. We used three pins per scallop and though it looked a bit weird while blocking, it came out just beautifully, and looks as if each space were pinned. Goal accomplished. Pi was stretched out to a wonderful 72" across. I didn't measure before washing, but this did stretch it significantly.
Here is Pi yesterday, lying around in the backyard, taking it easy.
Closeup of the gull stitch and also the border, which I found here. It is #46, Kilgorie edge. A lot of knitting around, but totally worth it, as you can see.
After knitting this project for the past couple of months I can say that it has taught me a lot of myself as a knitter, and a human being. This will be one project that will be remembered fondly and with joy. Long after it is shipped to my Mom as a Late Birthday Present, I will be thinking of Pi and the good times we had together. Thanks to the Yahoo Group "Elizabeth's Year" and Knit Picks Kelley Petkin for the help and support. The September Nether Garments are next on the list.

And now for the most fun: I had a photo shoot with Lizzie and Pi. For Pi's public debut, we went to the Tacoma Museum of Glass. We walked over the Bridge of Glass, and had a thoroughly wonderful time photographing Pi and observing the wondrous glass exhibited there. If you are ever in Tacoma, it is a worthwhile stop to make.

The Bridge of Glass spans Highway 705, that comes into the City Center in Tacoma. It is a walkway leading from one side of the highway, where the Museum of Glass and the Marina is, to the other, where downtown is. Here is a view of the bridge. And here are some views from the bridge.

Here is a glimpse of the marina, viewed through one of the glass displays, a reflecting pool with panels of glass.

This is a large display of glass sculptured "flower vases". Beautiful colors. Here is Lizzie and Pi, next to a beautiful vase.

Here are some more glass photos. This is a small portion of the glass "overhead". As you cross the bridge, you walk through this covered portion, this glass is in the ceiling overhead, with the light shining through. Photos can't begin to do it justice.

The rest of the pics will be of Lizzie and Pi, save one. Enjoy.

A Little Shoppin'

Just popping in: I got these today at Borders along with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The magazine Simply Knitting always comes with a gift...this time it is that row counter that looks like a sheep. It has a lock, too. That way I won't be accidently pushing the buttons if I remember to actually USE the lock. We will see.

The little bag can fit inside my knitting bag for work and has just enough room for me to carry a sock in progress with the needles. Perfect. I hate digging around for the needles in the bottom of my knitting bag and also things get bumped around and I have dropped stitches sometimes when I go to work on my project. Love that.

Cheating on Pi (A Confession)

I'm cheating. Ok? Only 10 more repeats of the border on Pi, and instead of buckling down and doing it, I have been cheating. Sneaking around with a sock. You have seen it before. A knitter, perfectly happy and content with their project. Committed and enjoying a good knitting relationship suddenly gets the urge to "be bad". At first it was meetings in the car (previously discussed). Then, carrying the sock into work to have a little quick knit in the breakroom. Now, I have to admit to blatently knitting out in the open, in my livingroom, while Pi looks on, dejected and weary in it's knitting bag. Even taking pictures.

Forgive me, Pi. It's just that I have to have a break. I feel like the guy in the hot dog eating contest who has to choke down that last few bites. I just need some time to myself. Our time together is special. You have been faithful to me, I know. But a knitter needs some variety. Some spice and excitement. I will come back to you. I will. And the time we spent apart will help our relationship. Really.

Thinking about September

I had some time for car-knitting the other day, stopping at the park with a hot cup of Starbucks. I can't carry Pi in the car anymore. Too cumbersome. So the little Waving Lace socks have been my companion in the car and also in the breakroom at work during my second break each day. It is so refreshing to work on something small.I am thinking about September. The Sept. project for Knitter's Almanac and Elizabeth's Year group is "Nether garments" or simply put, Leggings. I am really debating this one. I have some acrylic/wool yarn that I was tempted to use, but I have a sweater that I knit in that yarn and it lost it's shape ages ago and can't be tempted back. I really don't want to work on leggings and then have them unwearable in a short period of time. The other thing is, Danielle, who I am knitting them for wants black. Black. Black.

Boring. Leggings-'round and 'round with black. I'm not sure that I am up for it. Yet, I think the lessons in shaping the legs would be good for me as a knitter. Knit Picks Swish would work just fine for them and would be washable and soft. Hopefully it would hold it's shape better than the "Other Stuff". I'd have to order it. Well, you can see the quandry I'm in. After Pi taking me so long to finish, I don't know what to expect with these leggings. And the October project is definitely one I want to knit. So I will have to find time to finish the leggings in one month. I know. Famous last words...

Good Friends, Good Knit

Does anyone recognize this sweater? If you have read my blog for a while, you'll realize that it is the Icy Blue Shell. You can look under the June and July posts if you can't remember it. Doesn't it look great? Now. Ask me if it's mine. Go ahead.

This beautiful and almost complete sweater has been knit by Nancy, my friend at the Friday Night Knitting Club ( I usually just say Knit Group, but the official name was taken from the book. Now I'll move on with the post quickly, since if I linger here I may begin whining about how much I wanted to knit this sweater and couldn't get the gauge right. But then, you know the story. This wonderful knitster above is Judy. No, she didn't put her shirt through the dryer and forget to remove the sock that got stuck to it. (hate it when that happens). Rather, she is wearing her sock as a badge of honor since it is the first one she completed! Now she is working on #2 and is fearlessly working round and round, knowing that in the end, she will have a perfect pair of warm socks to warm her tootsies. Behind her in the picture is Milly. Sorry...that is a terrible shot of her. I know she was saying something funny and encouraging to Nancy or Leslie in that moment. I just know it, because she is always full of ideas and fun. Milly works in the Yarn Dept at Ben's (Franklin) and keeps us in line as well. She has been knitting for years and years, and can do practically anything with yarn and needles as a result. Across the table from Judy and Nancy is the Mother/Daughter team: Jane and Leslie. Now these two have it all together. They are so much fun and full of new ideas and plans. Both of them are making projects to display in the store because they are so talented. Jane is holding up a wonderful knitted tote she made completely out of plastic grocery sacks! I wish you could see it up close. It is so adorable.
Leslie doesn't knit, but works on cross stitch and I must say she does the most delicate projects and beautiful work.
Right now she is working hard on these Christmas ornaments for a friend. If you notice the size of them next to the scissors, you can see they are tiny and just perfect for one of those small, little, itsy-bitsy Christmas trees.

Corinne and I make up the other Mother/Daughter "team" in our group. Here is Corinne working on her Hobo Bag. She found the pattern on my knitting calandar ( a different pattern on each page) and bought a bunch of different yarns and is knitting it up in lots of different colors and textures. So cute.

And of course, there I am. Working on what, you ask? Pi. What else.