knitigator

Hypoteneuse

 

May I present Hypoteneuse, which I know will be a Fall staple.  At New Hampshire Sheep and Wool, I ran back into the iced tea building and literally grabbed three skeins of CVM from The Spinning Bunny.  It's yum.  I misplaced my pattern well into the third skein -- no problem, it was easy to pick up and finish. 

 

I gave it a good soak and then let it dry -- no pinning -- it measures 9 1/2 x 54.

Bunny!

A bunny bunny!

This winter, my daughter had a request -- a knit bunny made from handspun bunny.  So, at SPA, I picked up a few ounces (2.3) of 70/30 cormo/angora from The Spinning Bunny.  I spun it into approximately 175 yards of  sport/dk-ish three-ply.

For the knitting, I chose Kate Gilbert's Bunny pattern.  My daughter and I are both in love with her new friend.  The bunny is soft and squishy and has a wonderful halo.

Teacher Gifts

Last year, I knit my daughter's two teachers beautiful scarves.  So, this year, I knit for my son's teachers.  They are both young, hip, and adorable (as well as nurturing, firm and smart -- my favorite kind of teachers).  Since teachers need their fingers (to do the "quiet" signal), but it's New England and it's cold in the fall and winter, I decided to knit these faves.

I knit them in Cascade 220 in two different heathered colors.  I finished the knitting on Sunday night during the Celtics/Lakers game, gave them a soak and then out to dry.  But, it's been humid here and despite being blasted by a fan all yesterday and last night, they were still a touch moist this morning.  Into a hot dryer for just under 10 minutes was all it took to get them dry.

Loving Day

Did you know about Loving Day?  Thanks, Carla for the link.  I am thankful that my children, born to parents of Mexican and Eastern European descent, are part of a more accepting and more diverse America.  I think we'll talk about Loving v. Virginia tonight during our Shabbat dinner. 

Have a great weekend!

Reunion

I spent this past weekend at my college reunion.  Even all these years later, I am dazzled by so many of my classmates -- smart, engaging and lovely women.  Some random thoughts about the weekend.

• We've all aged pretty well.  I have a "reunion theory" about this -- my theory is that those who are unhappy with their present state stay home.  (Except guys, but I went to a women's college, so not applicable.)  It's an untested theory though. 
• While some of my classmates are working and have never considered staying home and others happily left the paid work force, many of my classmates desire a balance between working and home.  That said, many had trouble finding flexibility in corporate America despite claims of "family friendliness."   
• It felt like Rhinebeck -- so many people to catch up with, so little time.  But that same feeling of camaraderie.  I desire a SPA-like reunion with a smaller number of people.
• My husband continues to rock.  It was about 95 degrees on Sunday and he showed up at our alumnae parade with water and cups.  He's a keeper. 
• I talked about knitting and spinning several times throughout the weekend -- always greeted with "cool."
• I love the ease in which my best friend and I just pick up where we left off despite the fact that she lives in Pittsburgh, I live in Boston and we don't see each other in person very often.  So comfortable.
• Nine of my college friends attended my wedding in 1992 -- I got to catch up with six of them last weekend and I have plans to see the other three this summer.  Some of my friends I had not seen in a long time -- I adore these women and need to find a way to be better in touch. 
• I was inspired by the big vibrant pack from the Class of 1948 -- all dressed in white and marching in the parade.  Think about it -- they started college during World War II.  

"H" is for . . .

Herbs!  I've been planting like crazy since Memorial Day.  Herbs -- sage, chives, flat parsley, rosemary, cilantro, basil and oregano.  I moved chives from a whiskey barrel that was falling apart and added some new plants.  Want a look?

I also popped tomato plants into my boxes this year as an experiment.

The garden, which consists of two five-by-ten boxes, has been planted too.  Let's hope for a hot, sunny summer.

To Market, To Market

I have a cute new bag to take to my CSA this summer. Although my family doesn't think I should fill it with freshly picked (dirty) veggies.

Before:

 

After:

French Market Bag from Knitty in Cascade 220 - brown and turquoise heather.

Many thanks to Ellen for hosting this knit-a-long!

Hmmm, maybe I should stuff it with fiber and yarn this weekend if I'm going to keep it clean!

Cherishing Time

If I could, I would bottle the sounds and scents that I heard this morning of Mother's Day, 2008.  The scurrying about of my kids making a special breakfast for me to eat in bed, the sshhs of my husband trying to let me sleep late and, at the same time, my kids hoping I'd wake up so they could wish me a great day.  I would capture and put into a locket the hugs and kisses and the love in their eyes and poured into the cards.  I would freeze time -- for just a bit.

Happy Mother's Day!

Go Be Powerful!

Around these parts, we've been watching Akeelah and the Bee pretty much non-stop.  If you haven't seen it, it's a wonderful movie.  This passage plays prominently in the movie and it makes for an inspirational Friday.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?

So, go embrace your brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous selves this weekend.

"G" is for . . .

Yesterday, my son and I went shopping at Trader Joe's.  Tonight, when I came home, he came bouncing down the stairs and said, "Don't forget, we've having the New York Yankees for dinner tonight!"  Be still my Red Sox heart.  New York Yankees for dinner?!?

Of course, Yankees!  "G" is for gnocchi!  I've heard "gnocchi" pronounced many different ways, but I think this is the funniest!

"G" is also for green, which is a close second for my favorite color.  (Red still reigns.)  Some lovely Fleece Artist "Peter Rabbit" from my fave Purl Diva.

And this "Dark Olive" beauty from Dye Dreams, a gift from Manise.  She brought me back a little bit of Connecticut Sheep and Wool!