Finish on Friday!

I just finished this pair of Aquitanes today.  They are the first items dedicated as Christmas 2012.  I cast on last week an blew through them in less than a week.  I love this pattern by Sivia Harding.  I joined her Mezzaluna Shawl club last week too.   Every other month she will send a kit with one of her beaded shawl patterns complete with beads and yarn from Indie dyers.  It starts in August, I can't wait!  If you've never knitted one of her patterns, you simply must.  They are well written--a joy to knit.  I made a list of all the projects I have on the needles in order to figure out what order I should finish-there also is a list of things I am itching to cast on.  I wound yarn for an Anemone hat.  I have these socks underway to0---


I am knitting these for a friend in Iowa.  The
one on the left, with the brown stripes was knitted first, up to this point.  Then I mailed it to her so she could check the circumference,
length and fit of the heel.  She mailed it back to me, and I knitted the blue one with the
changes.  I mailed it to her to double check the fit.  In the interim I started the mates for these two, as shown below.


Yup, as you might observe, I am knitting them two at once on one circ.  Once I get them up through the heels they will be caught up with their mates.   Should be good fora few comments when I knit on them out in the real world.

What do you have on your needles?

Hmmm....What knitting shall I work on?

This was hard to decide--I need to set aside some knitting to work on over the next few weeks.  I have to be strict with myself.  The whole purpose of this exercise is to pull out the WIPs that I really want to finish, preferably before I cast on anything new.  Sounds easy.  If you are a knitter, you know it is never, never easy.  So here are the WIPs (the only ones that I will admit to.  The hidden message here is that there are more of them lurking around in the dark corners of my Yarn Sanctuary, aka extra bedroom, but we won't talk about admit to them).


Starting at the top, 12:00, there are two socks, one in the browns and one in the blues; under the blue sock is my Osprey scarf in Elsebeth Lavold silk that is a KAL with Shirley and Helen; under that is the raspberry-and-chocolate-beaded-shawl-that I-was-going-to-wear-to-Weston's-wedding-in-November-but-didn't-get -done(whew!); at the 7:00 position is a vest-drapey thing out of Rowan recycled yarn that I got at Churchmouse in April 2011; under that is a scarf out of Alcemy's Haiku fro Twist in Manhattan Beach (have!); at about 10:00 is my Stephen West KAL shawl in green, eggplant and multicolored sock yarn from Hazel Knits (Wildfibers in WA, April 2011) and in the very middle is the oldest of these WIPs, an Urban Bubble Scarf out of Blue Moon's SilkKidMo for my daughter-in-knitting (but don't tell her!)--it was so long ago that I started it that I am embarrassed to admit it. (??Christmas 2010?)

Also-not in the picture because I am working on it now--my Sweet Georgia travel socks (April 2012) in Tundra.

It would be nice to have all 8 9 of them done, but I will be happy if I finish 5 of them.  But don't ask me to designate which 5.

And here is the box of new things that I will work on.  Starting top R, 2 sets of Hiya Hiya interchangeables and my new KA Switch bamboo interchangeables,; 12 to 2 is Brooklyn Tweed's Loft for my Cambridge Shawl (Churchmouse April 2012); just below is Louet Linen Sportwt for a beaded shawl and Araucania linen blend for a Dragon Spines beaded shawl (there are two skeins here, for 2 shawls); below is 2 skeins of Pashmina in Betty Draper's Blues; bottom R Swish Worsted in Truffles for several Deer Hats; at 7:00 STR in My Blue Heaven for Karen's  socks; above that are 2 skeins of STR for a beaded Belle Nuit in the color way Rosemary Rocks(future bridal shower gift perhaps?); above that is more sock yarn for Karen.  Somehow, my unfinished Kusha Kusha scarf sneaked over from the other box.  Also poked in around the corners of this box are a liberal sprinkling of beads, some ChiaoGoo steel lace circa and a set of Addi Turbo Lace Clicks with the 5" tips (fav!).  One of the Dragon Spine scarves will get the first nod-it needs to be delivered early July.  I know I am itching to dive into the Loft Cambridge shawl.  It is fiddly to start but I hear that after a few inches it is an easily remembered repeat.

Check back for updates!

"You've got to be kidding me!"

Have you ever tried to explain the origin of the Yuma High Criminal?

Curt did last night, to Coach Rodriguez.

Here's how it went----

Curt: I am a Football Coach at one of the high schools here.

RichRod:  Which one?
Curt: Yuma High, you know, the Criminals.



RR:  You've got be kidding, that's what they're called? How do you get away with that?

Curt:  The original school downtown burned and the students were sent to the Administration Office at the Prison for classes for a couple of years.  They played one of the Phoenix schools sometime in the 1920's and won when they weren't expected to.  It was said by the fans of this school that the game had been stolen, and  Yuma High played like a bunch of Criminals.   With that and the fact that they had attended classes in the Prison for a time, the nickname stuck and became the mascot (can you tell he's a History Teacher too?).

RR:  Nobody made them change it?

Curt:  Yuma High is 103 years old and we are still the Criminals.

RR:  That's got to be one of a kind!
*************************************
Yes, and we are proud to me one of kind!  I think we should send him a Criminal Football t-shirt, how about you?  Please vote!  Leave a comment if you like!

My Sock and the U of A Coaches! and Wilbur!

     OK, now I know that this doesn't hold much importance for the jocks in the world, but I just took some superb pics of some of the University of Arizona coaches holding my sock.  I know that it doesn't seem like much of a big thing, unless you are a sockSock Knitter.  And then of course, it is a big deal.
     There was a gathering tonight at Lute's Casino hosted by the U of A Alumni to meet and greet the new Head Football Coach, the Men's Basketball Coach, and the Women's Basketball Coach and her Assistant..  We got there at 5:30 and the place was absoLutely (get it?) packed.  I spotted an older couple quietly eating their burgers across the room, on the side by the Endurance Flight photo and they looked like they didn't know what was going on, why the place was suddenly packed.  I went over by their table and hovered  at an adjacent table with some fellow Cibola people so I could snag the older couple's table when they left.  After a while, I put my knitting bag on one of the empty stools to stake out the table, with their permission of course.  Of course I had my knitting.  Why do you even ask?

     When the couple gave me the nod that they were leaving, I slithered off of my stool and onto the new one.  Curt was socializing with some other people.  One of the Women's coaches sat down by me and said "I am mesmerized by your sock-that is a sock, right?"  Which opened up the door for conversation.  They had driven down today, some of the other coaches flew.  She was glad that they had driven since it was windy outside.  Then the emcee asked for everyone's attention.  He did a little intro for Niya Butts who is the Head Women's Basketball Coach.  She was really nice.  Lisa Salgado is her Director of Operations and was the one I had been talking to.    Here they are- Coach Butts on the left and Lisa on the right.  They liked my sock.  They have great smiles too.

After Coach Butts talked, the new Head Football Coach, Rich Rodriguez, was introduced.  He talked for a while then sat down at our table to eat.  He is new, from Michigan most recently.  He had been talking to Curt.  There was a place that was reserved for them to all sit, but they sat and stood at my table.  I asked him for a favor.  I told him that at football games I always sit in the stands and hear people trash talking the Coaches, including my husband.  Because of this, I started bringing my knitting and sitting a bit away from everyone else.  He said "Oh, you're a football widow."  I asked if he would mind me taking a picture of him holding my sock.  Here  is the first one----







Then he said he wanted to look like he was really paying attention and getting into it--- here is that photo.

Next they introduced the Head Men's Basketball Coach.  His name is Sean Miller.  He sat down last.  Here he is holding my sock.  He wasn't as into it as the other Coaches.  Maybe I should have waited until he was done eating?

And no U of A gathering would be complete without Wilbur the Wildcat holding the sock.  He looks pretty wicked up close.




This is the first time I have ever asked anyone to hold my sock for a picture, I think.  Definitely the first time I asked anyone of any notoriety to hold it.  Not exactly like someone who is possibly going to be the most powerful man in the world.  But nonetheless, plenty cool for this Knitter!  They will probably forget 99% of the people they talked to tonight, including me, but I bet they don't forget the sock.











BTW, I think I am going to use Blogspot from now on.  They have revamped it and it seems to have more options.  Back to my sock!

I am getting more and more organized for my Yarn in the Yard, the 1st!.  I haven't been posting on blogspot as I am trying to wean myself off of it and onto my own site.  You can find me at
AllThingsKnitterly.com  !

I have moved!

My blog after 8/2011 can be seen at

allthingsknitterly.com

See you there!

Mystery Shawl KAL

My mystery shawl Color choices in the Steven West knit along on Ravelry

Sparkly and all that...

Organized my beads tonight.....

So if you don't like knitting socks, how about some beaded wristlets?

Stockholm

I visited a Viking Museum while in Stockholm. We had a guide that took us through the exhibits--I was surprised that they let us take photos. This picture shows a recreation of a Viking dress.

This stone is a Celtish pict stone-found along a roadway showing directions. Sweden has an interesting program to help preserve items of historical interest such as these. If you find something like this on your property and report it, they allow you to deduct the appraised value from your taxes. Even items as small as the bracelets in the next photo.

This skeleton is believed to be a 6 year old girl.

This bracelet and ring are reproductions of Viking jewelry. I bought them in the Museum gift shop. They are heavy silver.

This painting depicts the burial grave of a Viking king. He is buried with items that he used (weapons) and things that are considered his prize possessions (see the horses, dogs) Our guide told us that the VIkings are always depicted with horns fixed onto their helmets, but that this is acutally not how they were used. The horns, according to her, were actually used for drinking and when these people were buried the drinking horns were set on either side of the head next to the helmet. She also said that they had been misrepresented in history as being berserkers but they were not at all like that. Interesting.

This is Anna's in Gamlastan---the old part of Stockholm. Bought some interesting locally spun lace weight.

Sweden is an archipelago with many, many islands. Cruising into and out of the port you pass many islands like these with summer homes. They were beautiful--if they are home they have banners flying--

I was waiting for the bus to go back to the cruise ship and ate at this hot dog stand. Check out the hanging bags of mustard and ketchup.

This is part of the Royal Family's residence. Stockholm itself is built on many islands connected by bridges. It was very clean, very beautiful.

Helsinki 14July2010

The moon at Helsinki. This photo was taken as we arrived in port in Helsinki. Beautiful. And the city turned out to be one of my favorite port.

The Farmer's Market near the city center is unbelievable. You could dive into these strawberries and eat yourself silly.

Like wise with the greens.

This cobblestone was on the pier when we exited the ship. Mesmerizing pattern, very inspirational

Menita was one of the yarn shops on our itinerary. They had a whole 12 foot high wall of mohair in every color imaginable. Alas, no air conditioning though:(

This couple are regular merchants selling at the open air Farmer's Market. They grow the wool and do all of the processing in between. I bought a couple of mitten kits from them and some single skeins of yarn.

The Design Museum was just up the street from Menita. It was very interesting. The exhibitions covered all things Finnish from furniture to textiles to glassware to clothing. I bought this bag in their shop. I love it!

Monkey-Cat-Rabbit were joined by some new friends-finger puppets that I found in the Design Museum Gift shop. They are knitted, crocheted, and felted. Pretty cute!

Next: a day at sea and then Stockholm!

St. Petersburg, Russia 13July2010

Ahhh. St. Petersburg. I signed up for an excursion to The Hermitage, considered the largest museum in the world. With no AC and very few open windows. If I had it all to do over again, I would have taken one of those bus tours or a riverboat tour, where you drive by the historical buildings and you get a sense of the whole city. We had been cautioned about striking out on our own, as it is just not a good idea in this city. Also, as you will see later, the cruise boat terminal is new and on a reclaimed delta of the river Neva that runs through the city.

Our tour guide was a fountain of knowledge, this guy must have had a master's in Renaissance Art. However, he did not know much about the architectural history, which would have been kind of interesting because it took about 30 minutes to get to the Hermitage.

Now, I failed to mention earlier that on the day we actually boarded the ship I started to have problems with my feet. The day we went to Berlin, for some reason, my feet started to swell. REALLY swell. I have no idea why. They got so bad that I bought some Birkenstocks-the Arizona style with the two straps. My feet were so swollen that the pooched out between the straps.

Keeping that in mind, think of wandering around a huge museum with a guy who is uber-art-articulate, especially inregards to the Dutch and Flemish Baroque artists of the 17th century. Mind you, there was a Picasso exhibition that he did not comment on and did not stop for us to see. He started by showing us this exhibit hall. I think this is Czar Nicholas. The smaller paintings around him in the second photo are his Generals--the ones who won their battles. Apparently if you didn't win, you couldn't hang with him, literally. The best part about this part of the museum was that these were interlocking gi-normous rooms with a few benches and seats.

I was proud to recognize this painting as the Grand Canal in Venice and the Rialto Bridge. The second one is of St. Mark's Basilica and Piazza.

Most of the paintings that he wanted us to see were dark, 17h century Flemish and Dutch painters. Rubens, Rembrandt, etc. And lots of them portrayed Baby Jesus and Mary. Naked Baby Jesus, I might add, in all of them. After about 12 of these I kind of got numb and silly. The last one that I remember showed a Naked Baby Jesus at about 5 years of age with one of his home boys who was also naked. Mary was sitting on a chair. Naked Baby Jesus was holding a tablet with some kind of scribe and he looked like he was writing. I thought to myself that if he has the fine motor control to hold a pen of some type and write, why can't they get him to wear some britches?

About this time, we got to what really make the museum trip for me, which was a tour of the "Gold Room" in the basement. It is temperature (yes!) and humidity and light controlled because these peices date from the 4th millennium BC to the early 20th century AD. And there were a lot of Viking and Celtic influences in these pieces. Shortly after this, when some of the others on our tour rebelled by going to the restroom, the tour guide stopped, although he was kind of miffed at us for having to go potty. I ditched out along with another person. We had had enough.

This is our ship--

This photo shows the reclaimed delta and the buildings in it are apartment buildings. Very severe and austere looking. Reminds me of the apartment buildings I saw in East Berlin when Carson and I were there in Spring 2005. Very stark and no color, very depressing.

There were a lot inspirational patterns and motifs within the Hermitage, as these photos demonstrate.

At the cruise terminal, on the Russia side of Customs were a series of little gift shops. I texted these hats to Carson to see which one he liked best. We were in port for 2 days, but day 2 for me was a spa day (loved it!).

And here is the one he chose.

Up next: Helsinki Finland!