16

It turns out, you 16 is the precise number of knitters who fit in the living room of my duplex, though no one will have much room to walk around. That's okay - only need room for knitting, and wine glasses!

That's a partial action shot for the l'il stash swap Heather and I conjured up, as a way of getting the DC, VA and MD knitters all in one place. Mid-Atlantic represent! There were some awesome chicas, winey goodness, some fantastic knitting, and a general good time had by all. Oh, and the yarn. GOOD GOD, THE YARN.

That's just the main table. Then, there was "overflow" on the kitchen island so that the yarns wouldn't be so crowded.

I unloaded some Cotton Tape and some sock yarn that just weren't speaking my language. In return, I picked up some All Season's Cotton for a tank top, some Cotton Fleece for a baby blanket, and some coordinating Cascade 220 and Lamb's pride that will be a felted bag of some sort.

I feel like it was a karmically good swap. There was a TON of good yarn... unfortunately, most of it wasn't in my color palette. Or maybe that's fortunate... I know it went to good homes.

I'll confess I was a teensy bit nervous--many of these were folks I only knew from the INTERNETS, after all, and some I didn't know at all--but it was totally, unequivocally, absolutely, a fantastic time. Everyone was a class act, and totally worth the sugar hangover I had on Sunday. And I came away totally inspired by other folks' projects, especially Chelsea's cute-as-can-be Jaywalkers and Sarah's Tubey. [Is it me or did everyone who saw the Tubey immediately add it to their project list?]

Special shoutout to Rossana for bringing along some killer brownies, and the cupcakes that Heather brought were completely sinful [Heather dear, you missed a mad rush for the cupcakes about 10 mins. after you left. Word quickly spread that they were divine.]

And the knitting was great - many a sock were in attendance, including some fantastic Jaywalkers with a little ruffle on top, and some great lacy leaf ones, and some in Trekking, which I'd never seen before in person (I get now why people lust over the stuff). As for me ... I knit a few rows on my latest project, but then goofed, then tinked a few rows, then I switched to something a lot more simple: a Ruffles scarf for my sister, which is now about 80% done.

Midway through the night, Holly was having project ennui, so we switched. It felt weird to knit garter on 10.5s... the largest I've been using lately has been 6s. And actually, I've been mostly doing 1s... I have sock fever!

This is my latest sock, an Elfine sock for my sockapaloooza pal. My pal's feet are bigger than mine, so I'm hoping that this fits her. I picked this pattern because it has two techniques I haven't tried yet: it's toe-up

And it has a short-row heel--my first!

I'm using Tess sock yarn, acquired at last year's Maryland Sheep and Wool, in a stunning lilac/periwinkle color that changes hue every time I look at it. It's gorgeous, even if it does discolor my fingers. And the pattern is really nice all stretched out:

And, I only have a few more rows to do on this one before it's done! That's happy indeed.

MeMe

Umm... no knitting to speak of right now. I have my yarn picked out for Sockapaloooza, and went to cast on last night, but realized I'd left the toe-up cast-on instructions elsewhere. So I'll be casting on tonight at Knit Happens, where smart folks like Holly can tell me if I'm going wrong. In the meantime, that chica tagged me for a meme:

Instructions: Remove the blog in the top spot from the following list and bump everyone up one place, then add your blog to the bottom slot:

mebeth rambles
nakedie knits
y(e)arn
knitgirl's stash
fidget

Then add 3 people to tag (you're it... in a very non-pressure kind of way, of course):

Erin
Shanti
Maeve

What were you doing 9 years ago?

Hmm. 1997. I was going to KU, juggling a job at J.Crew, working at the school paper and serving on student senate. And going to way more concerts than I should have.

What were you doing 6 years ago?

In 2000: I was working nights and weekends, contemplating my next career move so I wouldn't have to spend my social life at a desk instead of out having fun.

What were you doing 1 hour ago?

Getting coffee.

Name 3 movies/tv shows you can't turn off if you stumble across them on TV:

Save the Last Dance
Say Anything
Pretty In Pink

Name 3 things you want to improve upon this year:

Finding an organizational strategy that I can stick to
Making more time for my friends
Experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen

Name 3 things you can't live without (aside from knitting):

hot baths
sleep-in Sundays
coffee

Name 3 things you could live without:

travel anxiety
parking tickets
crowded shopping malls

Name 3 things you really like about yourself:

I have wicked trivia recall.
I have many lifelong friends.
I laugh a lot.

896 Square Inches

Joy of joys, the scarf that never ends is done! I've been a busy bee on it this past week, trying to get it off the needles. I cast off on Sunday at Knit Happens, and took it home to block:

The pattern really spread out, and became lovely and squooshy and textured.

And then I spent late night last night adding fringe. [I thought I'd gotten out of the fringe when I ran out of yarn, but I found the leftovers from this scarf and added the fringe at JT's request.] Nice long fringe, 4 pieces of yarn per fringe-knot. [The fringiness is largely due to Phyl, Holly, Aimee and Jasmine, who advised me on all things fringe. It was my first time in the fringing fray.]

Here it is modeled on one of the shop forms:

And here it is modeled on JT, who has a cold and therefore would only sanction a photo from the neck down. But he loves the scarf, and wore it proudly to work today. [And it looks smashing with his leather jacket.] Awww, seeing how much he likes it makes it all worthwhile.

Pattern: Mine (posted below), based on a Harmony stitch guide pattern
Yarn: Sportweight black alpaca, doubled. Two 8-oz skeins. Purchased from Recycled Lamb.
Needles: US7 Addi Turbos.
Finished Size: 14" x 64", excluding fringe
Started: Jan. 7, 2006
Finished: Feb. 15, 2006
Gauge: 4.75 stitches/inch
Comments: This is a simple, easily memorizable pattern. It was sort of like knitting a baby blanket--it's great to see all the progress, but also pretty irritating because progress comes slowly. 100% worth it, though, for an appreciative recipient. And alpaca is quickly becoming my yarn preference for scarves. (Since I can't afford cashmere, natch.)

****
Pattern: Windowpane Scarf

CO 67 stitches
Garter stitch for 4 rows.
Pattern stitch to desired length.
Garter stitch for 4 rows.
Bind off. Fringe if desired. Enjoy!

Pattern stitch:
Row 1: k3, pm, k4, p1, k1, p1, *k7, p1, k1, p1*, repeat to last 7 stitches, k4, pm, k3
Row 2: k3, p4, k3, *p7, k3*, repeat to last 7 stitches, p4, k3
Row 3: as row 1
Row 4: as row 2
Row 5: as row 1
Row 6: k all stitches
Row 7: k3, *p1, k1* to last 4 stitches, p1, k3
Row 8: k all stitches
Row 9: as row 1
Row 10: as row 2
Row 11: as row 1
Row 12: as row 2

pm=place marker to separate garter border from main pattern

Ohhhh the Cuteness.

Cutest Thing Ever.

TwoFO

First things first: Anyone have any tips on making hair grow faster? My stylist got a little scissor-happy yesterday. A good cut--just about 3" shorter than expected. What are the odds that my hair will grow 3" in 3 months so it will look good in wedding pics?

Okay, now onto the good news: I have not one but two finished objects!

First up, the photographic proof of completion of the Go With the Flow socks:

Pattern: Go With the Flow socks by Evelyn A. Clark
Source: Interweave Knits, Summer 2005
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM, shade P334
Needles: US1, done on 2 circular Addi Turbos
Gauge: 7.5 stitches/inch
Comments: Totally addictive little sock pattern--perfect subway knitting. I only did 17 repeats on the cuff instead of 20. They're snug-fitting, but very stretchy. An easy four-row repeat, and they knit up very quickly, even on 1s. I'm sure that's due in no small part to the fact that I love, LOVE this colorway of KPPPM in all its autumnal glory.

Next up, the project that is only getting presented as a finished object:

All done!

Pretty decreases

It fits!

Pattern: Coronet by Alexandra Virgel
Source: Knitty, Winter 2003
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, Shade 202 Silvery Blue (2 balls)
Needles: US8 Denises
Gauge: 4.5 stitches/inch
Technique notes: I realized I didn't have any US8 dpns, so I decreased using 2 circs ala socks. What a clever, multipurpose technique for knitting in the round! And Courtney taught me how to do a provisional cast-on, so no more fear there. Also grafting cables! (see below)
Comments: I've had this hat on my to-knit list for seriously? Like two years. And for the past two winters I've been telling myself that it would be a great hat to have to keep my ears warm. Plus, I love knitting hats, and haven't made one in a while. I bought the yarn for this on Saturday, finished it Wednesday. That's quick-gratification knitting! I made the medium size but made it an inch shorter than the pattern called for because even with big hair, I am a pinhead.

The construction technique was new to me. You knit the cabled band and then graft the ends together. I was pretty nervous about this, but it turned out only slightly wonky:

Then, you pick up the stitches for the hat from the wrong side of the cabled band, so that when it flips up, the band's integrity is maintained and you can't see where the stitches were picked up. This was less daunting than I thought. I would make this hat again in a heartbeat.

Still on the needles is the windowpane scarf for JT, but I got a ton done yesterday en route to Baltimore for the first performance of the Stoop Storytelling series. [Fantastic!] I'm down to the final 10 inches, which is truly the homestretch. I can start thinking about what to knit next!

Winner!

I'm camera-less today, so you'll have to forgive the lack of pictures. I have, however, been knitting like a busy little bee. I've spent a lot of time at Knit Happens lately, what with a knit and nosh on Friday (or should we rename it knit and sip? Holly? Stephanie??) and then headed back there Saturday afternoon--after running errands in the rain in Georgetown (aka land of impossible weekend parking), I needed a little knitting zen. And now the Go With the Flow socks are DONE! DONE! and I even wove in the ends on Saturday at the happy place, while learning all about pot roast techniques. So, sock pictures soonly. I've even started on another little project, but you'll have to wait to see it.

But for now, I have an important announcement to make:

Congratulations Winnie! Winnie was one of only two people to guess the correct color -- blue! (Go congratulate her and check out her kickass Jaywalker!) But yeah, blue -- it surprised me too. I think it's funny that most of people who know me in real life guessed green--if you'd asked me before the yarnventory, I would have said green too. But, blue makes up about 45% of my stash -- shock! I guess you'll be seeing me in a lot of blue knits in years to come.

Oh, and the total yardage? Was more than you people give me credit for. I'm clocking in at 33,813 yards of yarn that I own. Yes, I gobsmacked myself. That's more than 19 miles of yarn, which is terrifying. I could knit myself from my house to Tysons Corner, via the Beltway! (Okay, that mental image cracks me up... a knitter making her way along the side of the Beltway.)

In any event, Sarah of Crafty Snargle was the closest guess at 28,512, so she'll get a little something for her smarts. And to everyone else, thanks for playing!

***

Okay, and now, since I have no pictures to show you, go check out the amazing new designs from the Rowan Yarns Classic line (and come back soon!). Clearly, this is where all the good designs from the Rowan shop are going now, since the Rowan 39 preview leaves a lot to be desired. But I must make this, from Rowan Classic Art:

and this, from Rowan Classic Summer (though without the odd ribbon trim):

and this, from Rowan Classic Beach:

So I guess all three of those will be joining my book stash when they hit the shelves. (And yes, um, I am a cable/lace/texture girl at heart, but we knew that already!).

Bloggers (Silent) Poetry Reading*

Sea Fever

I must go down to the seas again to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sails shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume and the seagull crying.

I must go down to the sea again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife:
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow rover,
And a quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trip’s over.

--John Masefield

* I missed the announcement on this, but I loved the idea too much not to participate. Reading hosted by Grace's Poppies and found via Purl Jam.

Short List

(Yes, Erin, I'm ripping off your last post.)

* The alpaca for the windowpane scarf arrived yesterday. Knitting on it resumes today!

* (It might actually snow this weekend. What a concept, that it would be cold in February.)

* I hate Groundhog Day. The day, and the movie. Pointless both.

* The heel has been successfully turned on the second Go With the Flow sock. Thank goodness for subway rides.

* I really admire all those Knitting Olympians, but I won't be participating.

* I will, however, be doing little sprints on Demi.

* I was really irritated that Lost was a rerun yesterday.

* Thankfully, Project Runway was not.

* I tend to get a little stir-crazy when I don't have a vacation planned somewhere. That's now solved. Next up: Nashville, for Presidents Day weekend.

* While I was cleaning something the other night, I discovered an errant little bag of some yarn skeins. They've been added to the yarnventory. Don't forget to enter the contest!