string*THEORY

It Is What It Is

My sisters, dad, hubs and I (yes, the WHOLE family) love to tease my mom when she throws that line out "It Is What It Is". It's usually her declaration of "okay, we've been talking about this too long, let's move on"....or "get over it, people"....or "I have no idea...it is what it is".

We usually follow-up with "ooh really, mom? Are you sure It Is what it Isn't?"....or some other smart-ass remark along those lines.

But, really, sometimes It Really Is what it Isn't, isn't it? Are you dizzy yet?

Like Hypercolor T-shirts from the early 90's - remember those? You put the pink shirt on in the morning, and it's blue by the time you get to school. Or Green after you finish playing soccer (but only in the arm-pits and the center of your back.) Why anyone would want to expose their body's regional climate changes like that is beyond me.

Apparently, "Tussah Silk" is also one of these "It Is What It Isn't" types of things. Because IT IS silk when your knitting with it....but then it turns into COTTON after you've blocked it. You think I'm kidding, don't you. Check out the side to side comparison of the yarn before it's been hit by water + then after (click to enlarge):

   

See, told you. Notice the sheen & vibrancy....and then how it magically fades away? Hmmm....It Is What It Isn't.

I'm okay with that. I'm just glad that I finally picked up the needles again and finished something knit. It's been a long time, and for some reason (I'm pretty sure it's the weather) I haven't been in the mood. And for some reason, maybe it's this journal, I've felt guilty for that.

Of course, you know your looking at the Forest Canopy Shawl - again, right? For someone who can't stand to do the same thing twice (patterns, movies, books, places to travel to...), I sure have taken a certain comfort in knitting this pattern over and over and over again. No promises, but I'll say now that this will be the last time. Again, no promises. Ahem...

I love to knit lace, but all the other lace projects I looked at where down-right frightening.

1. I'm not comfortable with casting on 5 million stitches - it needs to be a project that starts at the neck with just a few stitches. This requirement eliminates like 50% of lace projects out there. What's up with projects starting like this?
2. I looked at both Kiri and Leaf Lace Shawl. Both looked easy enough + satisfied my neck-cast-on requirement, but what the hell does this mean?:

"Using provisional yarn, cast on 3-stitches. With shawl yarn knit 14 rows. Using shawl yarn knit up 1 stitch from each garter-stitch ridge".

Arggg....I'm just not advanced enough (or patient, really) to figure that all out. But I will be next time, because I'm determined, damn-it, to knit beyond my lacey comfort zone.

Specs if your interested:

• Needles: Size 4 bamboo straights (I know, I know, not the best choice for this project. Circulars would have been much more practical).
• Yarn: About 250 of the 650 yards from a skein of Tussah Silk purchased from Yarn Barn of Kansas at Stitches West. (Yowza, they're selling this for $73.05 on their site, I bought mine for $30 at the stitches market).
• Pattern: Forest Canopy Shawl by Susan Lawrence Pierce
• Time to Knit: On + Off for a month.
• Dimensions: 58" along the top (neck + shoulders), 37" along each side of the triangle, 25" down the middle of the back.
• Modifications: Besides the yarn + needle size, I did 3 more pattern repeats, I should have done an additional 5, it's a little small.

~Enjoy your weekend, people. It is what it's going to be~

Seven Random Facts

I'm usually not a huge fan of meme's just because they remind me of those spammy-chain letter thingy's people used to forward back in the mid-90's when email started to become really popular. This one is different though, it's very personal, & some of the responses I've been reading are hilarious! I was secretly hoping that someone would tag me. Thanks, Laura, for making my secret dream come true.

Rules: Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs the 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag 7 others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog.

[one]

I'm a very very loud sleeper. I talk a lot and grind my teeth - very very loudly. I had a friend in junior high who's parents made me sleep in the far corner of their house when we would do sleep-overs, so not to disturb the rest of the family. So so sad.

[two]

I'm very indecisive. I went to 5 different colleges (and I don't even have a Masters). I've lived in 7 different cities within 3 states and 2 countries.

[three]

My ear's are strange. If I get too hungry (especially if it's the first meal of the day), I loose hearing in my left ear. I won't get it back until about 4 or 5 hours after I finally eat. I can also wiggle my ears without moving my face. And, if I get too tired, my right ear turns bright red and gets really hot.

[four]

I'm really sensitive to music. I become fixated (almost angry, it's weird, I know) if the music doesn't fit the environment. One of the worst most irritating offenses (in my dysfunctional eyes..or ears, rather) that a business owner can make is to put the radio (with commercials) on in their store. I've been known to walk out of a restaurant due to irritating radio commercials. I know, super-irrational, see number three. On the other end of the spectrum, I get fixated to songs or albums. When I find something I like, I'll listen to it on loop for hours. Annoying for my passengers or house guests.

[five]

I've never ever lived alone.

[six]

I spelled my name wrong for the first 14 years of my life. No one (not my parents, not a single teacher, no one) thought to correct me. I realized this when I was required to hand over my birth certificate when I registered for high-school.

[seven]

(Hubby wanted me to put this one in): I have an "uncanny" ability to monitor & report on several conversations in a room while actively maintaining my own. Restaurant conversations are my favorite. Perhaps this is why I can't stand commercials ? It gets in the way of my eaves dropping.

Ok, I've said too much. I just realized that most of my facts have to do with my ears. Strange, very very strange. I tried my best not to get too personal as my husband put it "do you really want that on the Internet?". Well, yes...I mean no, I guess. So if we ever meet, ask me, and I'll tell you the other seven random things I couldn't publish.

I'm tagging: Nico, Cynthia, Maritza, Lolly, & Beth.

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Last thing, the contest for Madame Mannequin's name is still going on. I'm willing to consider names outside of the French or Italian languages, as long as it's something good...and, uuhm fashionable.

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One more last thing, those photos? Yeah baby, I picked up the needles again last night. First time after an 8 week break. My longest eva'. Guess what I'm knitting though....kinda embarrassing.

Little By Little

Little by little, the sunshine and peacefulness is steaming back towards me. I'm starting to feel normal, and I'm realizing now, that I was really just overwhelmed and distracted with work & the obligations of keeping up with the house and you know, life in general. And now that I have that under control a bit, I can re-visit the other things I love & need in my life to feel balanced and relaxed. It's amazing what a week of vacation and relaxation will do to make you feel chaotic and overwhelmed once returning. Is it supposed to work that way?

Another reason I'm feeling normal? Why the return of my camera, of course. My unfortunate luggage-losing experience found me without use of my camera. I didn't realize how attached I was to that thing until I lost the ability to use it. So, it's back now (not the luggage, buy my ability to charge my camera and upload the photos) & was able to set free these photos for you.

I've been nervous & twitching, waiting, ooh so impatiently to show you these photos - my finished  Forest Canopy Shawl - Part III. I wasn't able to gift this to my grandmother myself due to the blocking taking longer then expected. But my parents, sent in as the delivery ambassadors, reported that she was so happy and proud that she didn't take it off for the remaining week my parents spent with her. Some people really are so easy to spoil.

This was created using Lorna's Laces, Lion & Lamb (50/50 silk & wool) in the Lakeview colorway. This was my first time knitting with silk & I absolutely loved it - this fiber with it's complicated hand-dyed charm kept me entertained during that massively long journey across the Atlantic. Using size 8 Addi Turbos, I knit until I completely finished 2 full skeins - a total of about 400 yards. I knit about 3 or 4 extra pattern repeats and was happy with the finished size.

I won't go on and on about the irritating mishap involving running out of yarn during the cast off row and having to rip out like 10 rows to re-knit and bind-off, mostly because this is the 2nd time I've done that & I feel like a ding-dong for not learning my lesson the first time. So there you go....we live and don't learn. Over. And. Over. And. Once. Again.

Workings of the Day (& Night)

It's Santa's work shop around these parts, I'm telling you. I've been buzzing about at a few projects that will be soon be hand delivered to my family next week in Toledo (I'm still trying to get used to the idea). Above you see (besides those cheeky little birdies that seem to sneak their way into all my pictures these days), another  Forest Canopy Shawl. Yes, it's my 3rd. I know, I know, there are millions of lovely lace patterns out there, why is it that I keep making the same one over and over again? The pattern has become a security blanket to me. I know I can knit it, in just a few days, with relatively no pains or headaches. And best of all, I know it will look nice. Can you tell I'm trying to convince myself that this is okay? I'm obsessive compulsive, I'm beginning to realize...

And lookie here...is that another bird I see? It really is spring, isn't it? This is the beginnings of what may become an apron...or a coin purse perhaps...I'm not really sure to tell you the truth and suggestions are welcomed. I was feeling uninspired and over-stimulated with ideas last night and just started cutting and cutting and sewing and cutting and this is what I came up with. Sometimes I have to give into this way of creating I think. It's usually a sign that I'm overthinking and over-doing it, and often, I'll just let go. And give my hands a turn to do the making.

...and because any crunch-time-rush-about is not complete without some random time-consuming procrastination. I've started on my embroidery hoop kitchen decoration. It's absolutely important that this is done and my kitchen is decorated with lovely fabric before I leave...I must not board that plane before...my.kitchen.is.pretty...so so important...ahem.

...okay...and back to the procrastination work shop.

Forest Canopy Shawl - Part II

ooookay, here we go again, folks. Remember Part I of this song?

I said it once, and I'll say it again; this is a great pattern.

I've already gushed on and on about this awesome pattern, so I wont bore you with the details....

So, on to the knitty gritty:

Pattern: Forest Canopy Shawl by Susan Lawrence Pierce
Yarn: Fiber Elements; Superfine Alpaca in a natural grey - fingering weight., about 650+ yards.
Needles: Size 10 metal circular Addi Turbo's.
Time to Knit: 3 Days.
Note: I'm an idiot. To achieve a "thicker" shawl, I doubled the yarn. I thought to myself "no prob, I only used 250 yards last time. So doubled up, I should only use 500 yards - leaving me about 150 yards when I'm done). Uhhmm..duh!! If only I hadn't increased my needle size. I started to sweat on my 3rd to the last row when my little ball became awfully thin and limp. Completely running out of the yarn half way down the bind off edge pretty much put more over the ledge. After I picked myself up off the floor, I grabbed a ball of that similar-but-much-darker sport weight Misti Alpaca and finished up the 2nd half of the bind off. You see, I'm too cheap & lazy to buy more yarn. A 2 hour car ride and $25 bucks a skein, no thanks.

It looks pretty tacky if you look closely, which is why I'll never bring it around the knitting circles.

Do you see my neighbor's undies up there? How about down here...

This shawl is still beautiful and warm, and if it wasn't for my beloved grandmother, I would keep it for myself. So instead, I'll just wear it until April when I'll re-block it and give it to her for her birthday. Tacky again? Yes, but I'm okay with that.

 

Forest Canopy Shawl - Done!

This is Part 2 of the "Forest Canopy Shawl" talks. Part 1 can be viewed here.

What can I say other then "Damnit, I'm addicted"?

Lace knitting is a million times better when you actually take the time to do it correctly AND when you're knitting up a pattern that's appropriate for your skill (as in NOT Ene's Scarf - more on that later).

That brings me to my "Tip's & Tricks of Lace Knitting". But before I go there - the stats...

Pattern: Forest Canopy Shawl by Susan Lawrence Pierce
Yarn: Mountain Colors: Weavers Wool, about 250 yards or so.
Needles: Size 8 metal circular Addi Turbo's.
Time to Knit: 4 Days (you think I'm kidding).

And so, now on to my "Tips & Trick's of Lace Knitting":

I'm sure your wonding how doing 1.5 lace shawls suddenly gives me the authority to write my own "tips & tricks" page. Well, so am I. But I'll tell you, I learned quite a bit these past few weeks about this new little skill - and I'm just trying to help a sista out. So take it with a grain of salt as I'm a newbie too.

1. For your first pattern, pick something easy. This will prevent you from starting something...counting....counting....counting...ripping...counting...getting super-frustrated...throwing your yarn across the room...& turning an otherwise pleasant evening into a miserable one for all of those around you.

2. By "easy pattern" I mean something that starts with just a few stitches (like the 5 stitches of Forest Canopy Shawl) not, like the 375 stitches that Ene's Scarf requires (do I sound a little bitter? Well, I am).

3. Stop, Look & Listen. Stop, Drop & Roll. Crawl under your desk or a door-jam. Well you get the picture. Just because you're on an odd - all purl row- don't stop paying attention! This is when you can correct mistakes, count your stitches, catch a castrophe before it's out of hand.

4. Don't knit on metal sticks. Just don't. It's annoying, dangerous & slippery & your bound to screw up as a result - grab those bamboo's, lace knitting is perfect for all the wood you have layin' around the house.

5. Insert a Lifeline - no matter how skilled you think you are. Because when the yarn hits the fan and your at the end of your 450 stitch row with 5 too many stitches & not nearly enough sleep - you'll thank me. What's a lifeline you ask? Well, my little pretty - a lifeline is a long peice of waste yarn that you weave into your knitting (throw the waste yarn on a darning needle and just slip it right in to all the stitches along your circular). That way, if you do find yourself in a pinch, you can just frog back up until the lifeline with out messing with yarn-overs, backwards knitting and slippery yarn.

6. If it doesnt FEEL right, it IS'NT!!: Meaning, if you have too many stitches at the end of a chart - you screwed up. If that "slip slip stitch" just isn't as smooth as normal - it's probably becauase it's in the wrong place. Take the time to count back and figure out where you messed up.

7. Stay Awake. Or, don't lace knit when your tired. This might seem obvious - but it's easy to do once you've become to addicted - you know, knit all night. Lace knitting when your tired is a lot like eating worms. Gross & painful.

Need some other tips? Check out Eunny's page for lots and lots of lace knitting advice, including blocking instructions.

And how about eye candy? Lace Knitting KAL, Scarf Style KAL & my ol' blogging buddy, Miss Alice Faye has lots and lots of pictures you can marvel over.

Forest Canopy Shawl

I'm pleased to announce that "the stars have aligned".

My mission (as dictated by my sweet sweet mother-in-law): "I want a shawl. A maroon shawl. Something beautiful & small. Something that will give me reason to brag about you to my friends."  (i know, the last part sounded bad, but I mean it when I say that she said it with no malice at all. i'm serious when I say that this woman is made of sugar).

I searched. I failed. I searched again. I conqured: It's a beautiful story, I tell ya.

Details of my adventure: Let me start by saying "I dont doooooo charts". I also don't do lace (this is the extent). So you can imagine how huge this challenge was going to be for me. I needed to find something easy. I mean like - easy for a 5 year old. I also needed to find something that would use my Mountain Colors: Weavers Wool. On top of that....it needed to be something that I could make with under 350 yards - because I only had one skein of the stuff...& no option to stash enhance. Did I mention that it had to be easy?

So, I searched and searched. And I found Ene's Scarf from Scarf Style. I screwed that up - for many reasons, all of which I'll get into on another post (it raises my blood pressure thinking about it).

So...I searched again. And this is when the sun started shining down on me. How is it that I found lace pattern designed for beginners...with instructions on how to read a chart....using less then a skien of Weavers Wool?  Should I be surprised that it was written by the same woman who wrote "Branching Out"? A match made in heaven, really.

I'm talking about the Forest Canopy Shawl by Susan Pierce Lawrence. It's the easiest and quickest knit ever created on the face of the planet (yes, I'm exaggerating again - it's a terrible habit). I'm not kidding though - this thing took me four days to knit. It was so fast that I've casted on for a second - and I never knit the same pattern twice - I'm just not built that way. The best part about this project is that - I'm now officially addicted to knitting lace and I LOVE CHARTS!! Can you believe it?

The Technical Side of Life: I made no modifications - I knit it exactly as written (including needle size). This pattern is SPOTLESS. The only thing I might change on my 2nd is to add a couple of repeats for the sake of creating a slightly larger shawl.

....soooo, this baby will be blocking using Eunny's instructions...and final pictures to come next week ~ voi la!