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.

Clapotis: Finito

The beginning of this story starts about a year and a half ago, on a bumpy but beautiful train ride through the Javanese country side.  A wee (newlywed) string*THEORist started on her Clapotis. And then abruptly stopped, when she realized that she didn't know what half the stitches meant and would be left to an excruciatingly painful dial-up connection in a smokey cafe to figure it out.

Fast forward to January 24th....(and out with the 3rd person stuff, it's a little creepy).

As you know, I picked it up again after giving up on a monster of a lace project, and needing something simple and interesting. Something to show off this beautiful Noro Cash Iroha.

I "caught" Clapotis (apparently it's also a sexually transmitted disease, according to Beth). It's the most attractive diseases, in my opinion. And it's warm too. I remember Stacey telling me about this when I met her Clapotis in person a couple of months ago. I smiled and nodded, thinking "she's nuts, how could a shawl with a million gaping holes be warm?" Kinda like those itchy knit eyelet undies that your mum used to make you wear? Not sure how that correlates, but the point is that Stacey was right.

What do you think about the fabric? Why is it so drapey & light rather then bouncy & bubbly? Well, I would answer you the same way if you asked me "why doesn't your Elf Cap look...uhm...elf-ish?". It's because I have a big head. Wait...uuhhm...and I blocked it too aggressively(?). The truth is, "I don't know"....and "can you tell me?" There's something charming & sophisticated about the flowing drapeiness about it, but I'm curious why it looks nothing like it's millions and millions of blood relatives out there in Clapotiville....

I'm not going to pretend that I loved this pattern from the start. Let's be real here, people. There's a whole lotta stockinette going on...but you learn to love it. The increases and decreases keep you awake and the constant goal of getting to "row 8" where you get to purposely drop stitches is enough to keep you coming back for more.

And now for the specs....

Pattern: Clapotis by Kate Gilbert

Needles: Size 8 circular Addi Turbos

Yarn: Noro, Cash Iroha. In color 84 "burgundy" which is more like a "magenta". You would laugh if you saw how much I had left of the original 5 balls (490 yards total) from Destash. About 1 yard....and then another 2 full skeins from my "I ran out of yarn scare".  (I'm still kicking myself for that one!)

Modifications: I did one less increase set (section 2) so it wouldn't be so wide. I also did one additional "straight row" set (section 3) which is why it's so long. I like my scarves loooooong, (you know, so I can share).

Time to Knit: Jan. 24th to Feb. 13th, 2007. About 3 weeks.

Other posts on the subject: Starting the Project & Running Out of Yarn, Just Buy More Yarn, Found my Yarn! Sneak Peak

Sneak Peak

One of the things I love about living in San Francisco is all the interesting noises sounds I hear. Especially when I'm sleeping. Like the beautiful chirping of jack-hammers and the beep beep beep of a tractor backing up. For six hours straight.

Ahh....music to my ears.

It didn't stop me from some blogging though! No worries there...did you see some of the new "future projects" I added to my Flickr? Who'd a thought that Lion Brand would have some cute patterns (okay...end of snobby rant <here>!).

What's the sneak peak all about up there? Could it be a blocking of a somethin' somethin'? And maybe a long awaited prize for a certain someone? Hmmmm, only time will tell!

Confessions of the Disorganized

::february 3 of 28::

Remember my problem? And, then remember when you helped me find the answer? So I took your advice and headed down to Imagiknit. I usually go over-board in these types of situations, walking home with like 40 skeins of yarn.

I showed some restraint this time & only bought & wound two. So then where did all that yarn come from, you ask?

Confession: Please knitters, forgive me, for I have sinned.

My house was really messy. While organizing...I magically found (the remaining) 300 yards hidden in some random suitcase stuffed under a desk.

And now, with my tail tucked tightly between my legs, the apologies....

--> Cash Iroha, sorry for accusing you of being cursed & cursing me.

--> Friends, sorry for "crying wolf yarn".

--> Thanks again for the suggestions, I've already begun the striping, which as my punishment (juggling two balls and a really long scarf is a little tricky), I will have to continue for the rest of the excruciatingly long Clapotis...

February & "You Guys Were Right"

Thank you for taking the time help a sista out. I was seriously trippin' about my little Noro Cash Iroha travesty. In the spirit of democracy, I've opted to go with the most popular opinion in the comments of "chill out & buy more fuchsia". I'm on my way doing 2 rows of the old stuff & 2 of the new....you know, to "blend". And honestly, it's working out fine, the yarn tends to be a little "stripey" to begin with. So there you go.

Now, if only I could reconcile the demons in my head punishing me for knitting a $200 scarf.

On to something new.

February & "new beginnings". I'm excited about February for lots of different reasons....it's going to be a good month. I just know it.

-->I'm only traveling for work ONCE this month (& it's to Seattle - yeah!)

-->Hubby's turning 30 (sorry hub's for broad-casting that!)

-->Mama's birthday, Phil's and Susan's too! A special birthday trip to Lake Tahoe...and ooh how I love birthdays!

So, in the spirit of celebrating February, I've decided to document the month in a series of photos. One photo a day, for 28 days. Kind of like "A Day In the Life Of...." books. Do you remember those? I had "A Day in the Life of Spain", my parents gave it to me for my 10th birthday (yes, I was a strange kid). It was my blogging at the time, photos and photos, snapshots of people going about their day....in Spain.

So let's start it off with a shot I grabbed while (finally) organizing my house today:

::february 1 of 28::

::colorful cookies for visiting cousins::

::antique table cloth treasure from antiques by the bay::

::re-upholstered dining room chairs re-vitalized by japanese fabric from berkeley::

Trials & Tribulations of Cash Iroha

Today marks the 15th day this month that I've actually got to spend in my house. And boy did I revel in the "home time" this weekend.

::sipped tea while catching up with tivo::

::spent time with my sisters::

::a little shopping & girl talk with a friend::

::went to a really really bad movie::

That photo above? It's a good movie, called Clapotis. And it was a long time starting. Do you recognize the yarn? You shouldn't , it hasn't made it's debut here yet, but it's been making me uncomfortable for awhile.

The story of this yarn begins in blogistan and has traveled about so much that I could probably write a children's book about it.

I've always wanted to knit with this super soft cashmere...wool...silk blend snuggly stuff, but could never bring myself to footing the hefty bill for mediocre yardage. Until, of course I found a bargain on DeStash blog. Awesome. All of a sudden I found myself owning like 600 yards of the stuff.

Noro, Cash Iroha = beautiful yarn with a vibrant sheen & organic feel.

See that gnarly mistake? That's supposed to be a solid border of garter stitch....

I quickly began work on Ene. This was the perfect "special" project for this "special" yarn. I spent a couple of weeks working through this monstrosity of a first lace project.....losing count....mis-judging the chart....basically going crazy.

Then I ran out of yarn.

.....and then I realized that the yarn was really really old with no chance of finding the right dye-lot not to mention that I was 13 stitches short of what I was supposed to have. Yikes.

I put it aside. Took a deep breath. And started a more realistic project.

After I got over the fact that I had "wasted" 2 weeks of my knitting life (I know, I know, you learn something from every mistake), I frogged. And frogged and frogged....and started clapotis.

Ooh and guess what....I'M RUNNING OUT OF YARN AGAIN! I'm only half way done....DAMNIT!!

My questions to you:

1. Am I cursed?

2. Is this yarn cursed?

3. Am I just stupid & trying to blame that on this poor innocent yarn?

4. What do I do?

5. Do I buy more of the same color, after all, it's a scarf & the dye lot won't be that noticeable.

6. Do I switch the color mid-way? If so, what color would look nice with this fuchsia?

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.