Finally, It's A Hat!

I've been looking at my artyarns supermerino all winter and finally finished a hat, just in time for spring! I am most proud of this hat for the way I completed the top. After knitting the hat once, I realized it was too short to fit down over the ears. So, I frogged the top 1/3, planning to finish off the top with a good length of Knit Picks' Andean Silk, chocolate.

After a few rounds, I saw how the Knit Picks chocolate blended so nicely with the Artyarn that I ended up striping the chocolate with the Artyarn for what I think is a beautiful finish. Now that the hat is all said and done, the remaining artyarn measures only about 20 inches - that's calling it close!

Pattern: Barbara Albright, Ooh La Loopy Hat, Interweave Knits Gifts Holiday 2006
Yarn: Artyarn Supermerino #114 and Knit Picks, Andean Silk, Chocolate #23514.
Needles: US 5 dpns
Note: I did not do a gauge swatch. For this hat CO 88 sts, K even to 71/2" fits a 20" head.
Start Date: 3/09/07
Finish Date: 3/24/07

Economics 101

Today at the grocery store a man stopped me as I was choosing a cantelope from the display at the front of the store. "You don't want that cantelope. You don't know anything about Economics. The cantelopes in the back are better. They put the lousy looking ones up here. Let me tell you a story, I'll keep it short. I used to work for Pep Boys and one day the manager had me bring some ugly looking sunglasses from the back. We put them on display up front and jacked up the price and they sold like hotcakes! That's Econonmics 101." The man walked out of the store.

Yes, I went to choose a different cantelope.

3-29-07 Post updated to show actual photo of actual cantelope purchased.

Farm Visit

Today we visited Springton Manor Farm, a lovely county park that always feels like an escape from the hustle and bustle around us. When we go, we usually find just a few other visitors there. In the barn we saw piglets that were 10 days old and kids that had been born the night before. What a treat! The kids looked much older to me. They were already walking around and had their eyes wide open.

I did not take my camera, so I'm not posting photos today. If we go back soon, I'll be sure to take my camera.

Writer's Block

I'm experiencing a bit of writer's block. Is there such a thing as blogger's block? Maybe if I just get on here, it'll come back to me. Recently, my time has been spent toying around with some new-found interests: my iPod and the NYT crossword puzzle.

My husband returned from a business trip with a present for me, an iPod shuffle. The shuffles were given to all attendees at the conference, he already owns a nano, so I got the shuffle! I have finally broken into this whole new way to experience music and other downloads. I'm still in awe that it's so small. I can't wait to clip it to me at the gym.

The idea of doing NYT crosswords came from wanting to exercise my brain more. I did the local crossword for a day or two then we watched "Word Play". After seeing that movie, I wanted to do no puzzle other than one edited by the puzzle master, Will Shortz. I'm starting out slowly, so as not to fry my brain. I buy the Monday NY Times. Once I master Mondays puzzles, I'll move onto the puzzles later in the week that get increasingly more difficult.

SP10 Questionairre

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

My favorite yarns to knit with are soft cottons, merino wools or cotton/wool blends. I’d like to experiment with yarns of unusual fiber content like bamboo. I do not like eye-lash or bulky, fluffy yarn.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

My circular needles are in a zippered case, my dpns are in a manila envelope and my straight needles will hopefully find a new home in a felted case that I intend to make (see my Nov 1, 2006 post)

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I have been knitting for about 35 years. I first learned English knitting from my mother and later my aunt taught me the Continental style of knitting. I consider my skill level to be intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

No, but if you need ideas, I could give you some via an e-mail message.

5. What's your favorite scent?

I like lemon and lavender.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Yes, I have a sweet tooth. My favorite candies these days are malted milk balls and Belgium Chocolate.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

Though I haven’t made one for a long time, I like to make Ukrainian Eggs. I do not spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

Joan Armatrading, Joni Mitchell, The Indigo Girls, John Prine and Cowboy Junkies are some of my favorites. I like being introduced to new artists, so go ahead and send some if you’d like - my computer can play MP3s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

My favortie color is green. Hey, I like purples and orange too. I really can’t stand teal.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I am happily married to a great guy and have 2 amazing daughters. We have a dog, he is a big Akita who is 14 years old.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I do like to wear hats and mittens and an occasional warm scarf. Ponchos? No.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I really enjoy knitting socks - the turning of the heel seems like magic to me.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Last night I just binded off my red scarf project. I will have it all ready for the 2008 collection.
I’m knitting my first toe-up sock.
I’m knitting a hat for my husband that doesn’t fit his head yet – after 2 attempts!

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Oh, yes.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I prefer to knit on bamboo needles, straight or circular are fine.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

A child’s sweater in need of repair – I knitted it 20 years ago and 5 years ago it resurfaced in need of repair.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

I enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas very much. But as for a favorite, I’d have to say Groundhog Day. I like that you don’t see Ground Hog Day displays in the stores. On that day, I like to bake spicy ground hog cookies and watch the movie, Ground Hog Day. Some day I’d like to have a GroundHog Day Party – would you like to come?

19. Is there anything that you collect?

I collect cookie cutters – some old, some new, some metal, some plastic and all fun!

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Someday I hope to add Cat Bordhi’s Second Treasury of Magical Knitting to my collection. I'd like set of wooden or bamboo size US 1.5 double pointed needles. I subscribe to Interweave Knits.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I’d like to pick up an old project from a class I took awhile back to relearn fairisle and a steek. The instructor had us make wrist warmers to learn these techniques and the concepts never really sunk in for me.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Yes, I knit socks. My shoe size is US 8.5 with medium width.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

03/17