Knitting 40 shades of green

NAKNISWEMO finished object

Proof that it is off the needles. However, there are still a few of the gajillion ends and it needs a good soak (that will hopefully even out the color and a good block as well for the lace edges on the armholes.

When I started this sweater, I thought that it was a good choice for the knit along because it wasn't too complicated and I should be able to finish it in a month. However, with finishing my mother's sweater and other distractions I didn't even cast on until November 6. However the knitting was cruising right along and I wasn't too tempted to stray (especially since my devoted knitting time was limited so having a simple stockinette project fit well) so I thought I might finish early. That was not to happen when I noticed that the yarn had been dyed with fugitive dye (thanks for the terminology Phyl) and I would have to do lots of ripping to be happy (especially since I had been living in denial). Then I realized I was in denial about how much I was bothered by an end that resulted due to knots in the yarn. You guessed it, more ripping. Finally, I finished the stockinette parts and was able to move on to the lacy bits. So while my rough calculations put the sweater at around 42,000 stitches, I am sure that with knitting and ripping and reknitting I have knit the required 50,000 stitches for the challenge.

Despite all of my troubles with this yarn (a few knots, the fugitive dye) I really liked knitting with it. It has a sort hand and is not as difficult to knit with as some other cottons that I have knit with (is the difference mercerization?). I would knit another project with this yarn. I will try to get a formal FO post up early next week

Goals for the years end

As I have recently been updating my photo albums of finished objects, I realized that I had 12 finished objects last year (actually 13 one is not posted) and there were only 3 posted for this year before I added my mother's sweater and Ronnie. Well, surely I have knit more than that (and then you can look at the list of 15 or so projects on the needles and see that maybe I have but I sure wasn't finishing much. So I thought I would pick up a few more abandoned items before the end of the year.

My goals are to finish

• my current pair of socks (potamatus)
• to finish the Silky Wool striped jacket
• the Aztec Sun Vest
• the Baby Trellis which is now too small for its intended recipient.

If I get all that done maybe I will

• dig out Via Diagonal
• start the seams on the log cabin blanket which hasn't seen a tapestry needle since whenever it was that I finished knitting it.

As for my sweater looks like it will be done just in time.  I have one seam left and I need to find a button for the collar since it seems I have a big head and it wouldn't fit over if I sewed up the entire collar.

DDELC, week 7

I didn't manage a post last week for the Dark Days Eat Local Challenge. With the holidays and other obligations I wasn't at liberty to take the time to create a wholly local meal although at this point most of my meals are at least partly local in their origins -- that is just how I shop now. For me the eating local movement and my participation in it is not about denial and giving up things. It is not about eschewing something because it can't be sourced locally or eating something that soaks up resources just because it is. For me eating locally is about supporting small farmers, knowing where my food comes from and living in balance. (Sometimes I will buy those imported organic raspberries so that I can douse them in chocolate). The reason that I participate in the challenges and post about my food choices is because it makes me more mindful about my food on a daily basis. It pushes me to try new foods and new preparations. It makes me show off a little and in so doing I eat a balanced meal with a couple of different dishes instead of just a one pot meal that I might otherwise eat or the cheese and crackers I have been known to declare as dinner.

Having said all of that, this meal is none of that -- I have had a couple of meat centric meals lately and just wanted some vegetables prepared simply. So here it is...

I was so excited to find Brussel sprouts at the market on Sunday. They are a vegetable that I hated until I had them fresh (rather than frozen). I tossed them with a little oil and balsamic vinegar and roasted them in the oven. They turned a little dark but tasted wonderful.

I also sauteed up a pan of onions, greens and sun dried tomatoes. Just simple, filling food.

The official FO entry for mother's sweater

Well, I presented my mother with her sweater when I was visiting over Thanksgiving.  While we had good intentions for a photo shoot, the unseasonably warm weather made that impossible without much discomfort.  (I am of the mind that giving someone a gift and making them suffer in it is not good practice).  So I will present you with the pictures from my own photo shoot upon finishing the sweater.

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I was remaking the first sweater I ever made (although this one was in a bit heavier yarn) since my mother loved it so much and wanted something warm to throw on when she went out to feed the chickens (and the old one was starting to show wear after 18 or so years).

The pattern is a basic one that I am sure is out of print. It gives directions (or calculations) for the sweater in three different weights of yarn. Of course my gauge didn't match any of these so I used a different set of numbers to create the sweater to the measurements she had given me.

Personally, I find the sleeves a little short although I made them to the measurements she supplied (they are bracelet length) but it will keep her from having to roll up her sleeves and I guess if it is really annoying I will tear out the seams and add an inch or two. [Let me know mom even if it has been a few months, I would rather you wear it.]

• Pattern:  Brunswick Classic Keepsakes (1988)
• Yarn:  Carodan Farm color: Bracken
• Started:  September 6, 2006
• Finished: November 6, 2007
• Notes:  I reworked the math for this sweater and was easily able to find a size that matched my calculations. Otherwise, this was a fairly straightforward pattern and was as easy the second time as it was the first time. If I had to make it again I might think to jazz it up a little with a cable up the pocket or something.

Random Monday

This wasn't what I had planned to post for today but since the hour is getting late and I feel uninspired after watching my team lose this evening.  Here it is a couple of random things.

1. In case you were wondering if it was possible... someone has tried nailing jello to the wall.
2. My cousin, Nancy, (actually a a cousin once removed) and I have always had a special connection because we share a birthday.  When my grandmother died several years ago I claimed the painting that she had gifted to my grandmother.  Just today I got a postcard for her gallery show and opening.  I am tempted to head out to CA to check it out (although I doubt I will). If the gallery has a link, I will be sure to post it.
3. I think this is amazing and she sources her fiber locally -- how cool is that?  Knitting local.

Well, that is all this tired brain can manage.  But I hope for a couple of good posts before the end of the week -- my mother's sweater, my NABLOPOMO sweater, a local meal from all the yummy things I picked up on Sunday, and who knows what else...

Cookie Saturday

As a child my mother was constantly making up new family traditions.  One of my favorites was called "Cookie Saturday".  This was a ritual for an early weekend in December.  The female members of the family would assemble at my grandmother's apartment (and later at our own house) and bake cookies, tons and tons of cookies.  I remember the entire dinning room table covered in different types of cookies.  We would then pack the cookies up into coffee cans (remember when we bought our coffee in a metal can with a removable plastic lid?) which we decorated in wrapping paper for the holidays. These cans would be distributed to friends and neighbors through out the holidays.

Well, my friend Kirsten decided that she was going to have a cookie baking party at her house this Saturday and while it is a little early for Cookie Saturday, as the Saturday after Thanksgiving it should surely count.  I came for the early shift and helped her to make the spritzes (you know the cookies made with a cookie press?)

I also helped with the Bavarian (?) Nut Horns (Kifles if I am to believe my Google search) and making a batch of ginger bread cookie dough.  After I left they made chocolate chip pecan cookies, a cranberry bar cookie and chocolate mint fudge.

In the next couple weeks I have plans to make a few more holiday favorites.  If you should be in the area, stop by for a couple of cookies with milk or tea.  There are plenty to last throughout the month. 

As an added bonus, I stopped by to pick my cookies up this morning and was able to catch the Dupont Circle farmer's market to pick up some seasonal fresh vegetables and dairy for local meals this week.  (Sorry for skipping that feature last week but with all the travel and family meals I was not able to pull off  a mostly local meal.)

NAKNISWEMO update

After much ripping and knitting and ripping again, I think I have come to peace with this yarn and its fugitive dye.  I have completed the front and back of the sweater and sewed the shoulder seams (although I did skip the blocking step).

Now I am working on the lacy part.  I have picked up stitches for the neck and have started knitting in pattern.

Avoiding any unforeseen complications this sweater should be finished shortly.  I did some calculations and while the NAKNISWEMO usually assumes 50,000 stitches and this sweater has closer to 40,000, I think I have more than made up for it by knitting large sections of it twice to avoid faded yarn and knotted skeins that ended in unfortunate places.

Now I am off for an early version of cookie Saturday.

Happy Buy Nothing Day (Black Friday!)

For Thanksgiving my older two nieces decorated the table cloth for the children's table.

This first picture represents Grandma, Aunt Jas and baby Rosemary (as represented by the letters G, J and R).  The second picture is of Squanto the Indian.  I spent the day with the four girls and my sister, brother in law and my mother.  After a lovely meal I spent the night in Fluvana and then drove home in the morning.  For National But Nothing Day

I did OK until I went out to the local VFW for a few beers with some friends.  But at least the only things that I bought were consumable.  If you missed the celebration of this day today go ahead and choose another day which you would usually go shopping.  Think about your purchases before laying down that credit card.  Do you need it?  Do you really want it?  Will you use it?  So many times we are drawn into the excitement of consumerism, the deal, the new thing, and really we don't need or want the item we are getting.  Get rid of the clutter and the unthinking buying of stuff and simplify just a little.  Buy quality products that will last and can be fixed.  In this season of consumerism try to support hand made, locally produced, locally owned businesses.  Try to make your dollars matter, not just add to the clutter.  Our purchases should be conscious decisions, not just mindless buying.

Lets take the holidays back from the stores and make them meaningful again. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Greg Mortenson

Some time ago I read the book Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson after Shanti reviewed it on her blog.  I wrote about it and placed on the sidebar under books I had read with 5 stars.  A professor at West Chester University is sponsoring a talk and must have been a little concerned about attendance so close to the Thanksgiving holidays because he did a Google search and sent me an invite to the talk.

Well, he needn't have worried about attendance since every seat in the place was taken and there were even a few people who stood in back. While I left with plenty of time (4 hours 15 minutes for a 2 hour 30 min drive), the traffic was horrible although the foliage was remarkable on the early part of the drive so I arrived just as they were turning down the lights. I guess one of the disadvantages of having a talk at a university after Thanksgiving break has started is that there is no one who understands how the light and sound systems work so this was a bit of an issue through out the talk and kept me from taking any pictures.

Greg Mortenson isn't a dynamic speaker. Rather, he is a dynamic person with lots of stories to tell who dislikes public speaking.  He is very personable and takes time to speak to everyone as he signs books and greets people, like another author I have been to see.  However getting there so late, I missed the pre-talk session.  Afterward I was so tired that I was not able to have him pose holding a sock although I thought about it. 

Greg is the most regular person that you could ever meet.  He just happened to make a promise to a little girl and then found himself with the unenviable task of keeping that promise.  Once he had learned how to do it and saw the smiles on the children's faces, the positive impact on these small villages, how could he stop.  Greg builds schools.  He builds schools for girls in a place that often fails to educate its girls.  If you get a chance to see him, I highly recommend it.