Olympic Spirit

For the past week, I've been mulling over the idea of participating in the Yarn Harlot's 2006 Knitting Olympics. The premise is simple: complete a project (from start to finish) during the 2006 Winter Olympics. The only catch is that it's supposed to be a challenge for you to complete during the 16 days of the tournament.

Today I finally decided that I would compete. My entry? The Jaywalker Socks from MagKnits. My very first pair of socks, ever. They're neither plain nor terribly complicated, and based on the reviews I've seen around the Web, I suspect a decent pattern to cut my teeth on. I've chosen something small because while I've been known to whip out giant kitty beds in a couple days, I've been struggling to knit more than a few rows a day lately.

So socks it is. Now I just have to gather my tools, start swatching, and wait for the opening ceremonies.

Maybe Someday

I haven't mentioned much on my knitting progress, partly because my current project is super-secret. I can at least tell you that it's for Bubba, Nick and Carol's impending bundle of joy. Carol is due August 23, in the midst of my wild wedding week, although I predicted she'll be a day early. I'm starting to wonder whether the gift will be done in time for Bubba's first birthday, let alone arrival.

Even so, I'm dreaming of other projects. Like this sexy tank by Annie Modesitt. It's so pretty. And the pattern comes in my size. Maybe someday, after I've finished up a bunch of other projects, I'll indulge in it.

Web Savvy

I wish more yarn stores were web savvy. And I don't mean that they have to be HTML gurus or slick webmasters. They don't even have to have online stores. They just have to know good from bad. Any maybe how to hire someone who makes good web sites. No flash, no frames, no flashing text. Just good content and a little photography.

Come to think of it, I wish all companies were more web savvy.

I have turned into such a web snob. I almost didn't go to Ewe'll Love It in Nashua because their web site wasn't so hot. Not to mention unfinished. From the looks of the site you'd never know that it was a great big store with all kinds of yarn I've only ever dreamed about touching. It was like one big yarngasm. I wanted to stay all afternoon, but they did have to close after all. Because they really don't have a store front on the street, they could really use a super spiffy web site to help generate traffic. Maybe I should ask them about it next time I'm there.

Flower Power

While I was at the Wool Pack today trying to get a replacement screw for my swift and looking for sweet little indulgences for my secret pal a couple patterns on the front table caught my eye. Cute and sophisticated knit flowers called Meadowsweets. They're a creation of one of the staff members and form the basis for a quick (and an inexpensive $15) weekend class. They immediately gave me the idea to knit corsages for my wedding. Instead of real flowers that would wilt or silk flowers that would just collect dust, these little knit beauties could become heirlooms; pins that our mothers and grandmothers could attach to a purse, hat, or coat and wear for years. They're that nice. I just have to remember to sign up for one of the classes before it fills up.

Secret Pal to the Rescue

After my lousy afternoon it felt really nice to come home to a package from my secret pal. She sent me some amazing looking tea in reusable silk tea bags, Sublime mohair in a firey red and purple colorway, and cute little catnip mouse for Tia (or Silly). Best of all was the HeartStrings Soft Cables Mobius pattern I've been after for months. As suggested, I think working on the mobius while sipping tea and watching my cat play will help me relax.

Clutch

The little cabled clutches at Margaret Nicole are so cute. And since I'd like to practice my cables and use up a few spare balls of yarn rolling around my stash, it seems like a good project. In fact, I picked up a dowel to make the handles with earlier tonight.

KRSP3 - Part 2

I got another e-card from my secret pal today featuring Botticelli's La Primavera. According to the card:
Spring is on Her way, and a package from your Secret Pal will accompany Her...
...or follow, depending on my timing, but it won’t be too long a wait!
Wee! Fun spring surprizes are on their way to my doorstep, along with some neat goods I won on ebay for my own pal.

Secret Pal -- First Contact

I got a quick e-mail from my secret pal this morning, and I will be sending a note to my own pal this afternoon.

For those of you scratching your heads, I signed up for the Knitter's Review secret pal exchange a few weeks ago. So, for the next three months I get to brighten someone's day with a few thoughtful gifts. It also means I'll be getting a few random packages myself, which is always fun. Real cards, letters, and packages make all the bills, catalogs, and junk just disappear.

Kitty Hat

I didn't have time to mention it, but I knitted Ainsley a cute little kitty hat for her first birthday. It was a great way to occupy my hands during the debate last Thursday. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the adorable little thing, so hopefully Amy will have some of the tot wearing it. I used two strands of Red Heart Baby Teri in white, which has two acrylic strands and one fleecy nylon one, on size 10.5 dpns. Originally, I was hoping to knit her this fuzzy hoodie with Polarspun or Pixie but I couldn't find either yarn locally and didn't have time to order it anywhere. A few frustrated days later I found a simple pattern for a toddler hat with ear flaps in an old knitting magazine and decided to adapt it by adding a couple kitty ears. Although I'm not a big fan of acrylic yarns, the Baby Teri was perfect for the job. It makes a super soft and cuddly fabric. I have quite a bit left (250 yds white, 200 yds pink) but I'm not sure what to make with it.

A Little More Yarn

I like Winslow Homer's work, but this image of a woman knitting is really grabbing me right now. I haven't found a print anywhere online yet.

Knitable

I forgot to mention that the little knitting group at Barnes and Noble on Friday night was fun. Besides Jami, Amy, and I, there were only three other knitters there. It turns out they only meet once a month. But it was nice to meet new people and talk about knitting. We actually ran into one of the women, Joan, during our book club meeting at Panera the next day. I worked on the kitty bed at the meeting, working several rows in the round. Jami had one of her fun fur scarves and Amy cast on for a cute poncho for Ainsley. Unfortunately, Amy has never knit in the round, or done much in the way of increasing, so she had to start over a few times. At one point, she lost the first four stitches that she cast on and I was sure I could add them in reverse. I swore it wasn't crazy talk because I could totally see how it would work in my head. I just couldn't make it happen with the needles. So now Amy thinks my new Indian name should be "Crazy Talker." I still think it's not crazy talk, but I'll have to find a more advanced knitter to find out for sure.