Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE to knit?!?
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This isn’t the best color representation – it’s much more yellow, almost like a butterscotch. But the pictures are taken with my new OLD camera, which seems to be working fine (although all my settings were wiped out!) |
I’m on the 16″ (which I could’ve switched to MUCH earlier – damned DPNs!) and I can probably move up to the 24″ – if I didn’t have three freaking projects currently on #7 24″s. Lucky 7s I guess.
You all made me feel SO much better! I was feeling completely incompetent, like any decent knitter could cast on five stitches in the round, increase to ten the next round and start doing YOs two rounds later. Thank you, thank you for making me see that this task was completely ridiculous!
But guess what? At about 1:45 AM I fucking did it.
[Okay, I promise that’s the last fuck for awhile. I’m sure I’m scaring away readers (while at the same time gaining some? ;-)) The combination of fucking and big humongous boobs can’t be good for the googlers out there!]
Was it the cake? Was it the chocolate IN the cake? Was it the wine? After literally cutting away half a skein (thankfully I’ve got a lot) to get to some good yarn and throwing the sticks across the room (and then immediately scrambling to find them – I mean c’mon, I just lost two of those buggers, I wasn’t about to lose five more. They’re expensive – even if they are killing me), I left the house to pick up Georgie at work. We went to dinner. I had some wine. Some delicious meatloaf and mashed potatoes (read: comfort food) and some triple mousse chocolate cake for dessert. I was frankly a bloated cow and more than a bit tired on the way home. But at the last light before our house, I had a realization.
When I was casting on, I was actually casting on six stitches because I like to do a K2TOG at the join of the round – so I was casting on six and splitting them up as two, two, two – and then I’d move the last stitch to the first needle for the join. That lonely last stitch kept getting dropped as I tried to knit the round. Every single fuck sorry time. So while we were sitting at the light and I was half a sleep feeling a tad nauseous, I thought, why not leave the one stitch on the MIDDLE needle, not the end. Maybe it would somehow be tighter or something so it would stay on. Honestly, I think that’s what did it. I came home, immediately sat down with the yarn and while it didn’t work right away, I could tell pretty quickly it was going to work. It still took another ten tries and I’m going to have to change out the yarn sooner than I thought, but I did it. And it looks pretty good if I don’t say so myself. I did about twenty rounds before I went to bed last night – and I don’t know if the center is actually right or not, but it looks really nice – it’s all closed up and has a neat little circle around it before the pattern starts. I’m going to work hard to get it on the 16″ Addis today. I really don’t like DPNs (did I mention that?) although, as promised, they’re getting easier to work with as the rounds progress, but I also really hate wood needles. I’m using Crystal Palace bamboo and between the wood and the cotton, everything keeps getting stuck. Very NOT nice. I want my Addis and I want them now.
I promise to have a picture soon. Very soon. As soon as I get them on my circulars. But, again, I thank you for making me understand that this was not an easy task. I am very, very proud right now.
Have a wonderful, fantastic, spectacular weekend. And I leave you all with this:
PS – Don’t forget, Sunday is International Pajama Day! Are you ready?
I’ve tried to fucking cast on five fucking stitches about fifteen fucking times and I can’t get it to fucking work. I can do one round, and then when I have to start increasing, I fucking lose it. Even sweet Jen tried to help me, and I did fix one thing I was fucking up, but this is crazy. I am so fucking frustrated.
I might be back. Or I might not. Depends on how many people I take out with these fucking DPNs.
Georgie and I are laughing our asses off! Everyday, without fail, someone hits my site looking for big boobs. big heavy boobs. All because of this post.
It’s pretty fucking funny. Those poor lurkers – so disappointing for them I’m sure.
Beforewarned, this post will have little to no new knitting news. That’s right folks. I’ve got nothing. No progress, just inertia. The best I’ve got is that I’ve decided on a pattern for the baby blanket I’m knitting for my new niece or nephew. Actually, despite my best Stephen Wright impression, I’m exceedingly happy about the choice. I look at the picture everyday and think this will be perfect! Oh, yeah, here’s the pattern.
I’m going to use the All Season’s Cotton mentioned here and I’m going to try to find some kind of variegated silky acrylic type stuff for the border. I can just imagine my future favorite baby all wrapped up in it. I’m excited. I really am.
So what’s the problem you ask – since I’ve got 24 skeins of the aforementioned ASC. No needles. I don’t have DPNs to start it. I don’t have needles for anything these days. I lost two of the DPNs I was using to knit the sock, so the KBS hasn’t gotten any air play – no needles, no knitting. (Besides, now I really want to make these socks in the same colorway. I’m really loving both the retro rib and the Koigu color.) I’m awaiting my Flower Basket Bag yarn shipment – but it won’t matter because, you guessed it, no needles. [they just called from the lobby, I have a package – bet you it’s the yarn!]
But Jen is saving me. Today we’re heading up to Handknits and I will hopefully have a nice long shopping list. Needles, for sure (Jen – DON’T LET ME WALK OUT WITHOUT THEM!) and yarn. I want to buy some yarn. Because it’s not like I haven’t spent a shitload of money on yarn lately. But I want some red yarn for valentine’s day. For this and for this. And maybe some blue Koigu, if they have it, for those retro rib socks.
In other news, my class is kicking my ass. They are a very smart bunch – with lots of good criticism. They write long though, and I try to be very precise with my critiques. We’re halfway through, so that’s good, but I always feel very hungover the next morning. (This morning.) Takes me a day to get going. I don’t feel like thinking at all. So I watched TV this morning. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but I really, really like The Gilmore Girls. It’s corny I know, but I look forward to seeing it everyday. (They show the re-runs on the ABC Family channel – right after the 700 Club. Blech.) They’ve got some kick-ass knits on this show – anybody every notice? Someone on there is a knitter because these are not your run of the mill knits. Anyway, saw a good episode this morning. Made me cry. Happy tears. I’m such a sucker for love.
I’m done now. Thanks for hanging. And as a reward for my legions of faithful readers, (you two know who you are! š ), I’m starting a contest. As of the writing of this entry, I have received 332 comments. I will give a fabulous prize to the 500th commenter! (Prize details to come as soon as I figure out what it will be.)
So get going.
My feeds aren’t updating, so I’m posting this as a test. If you have had a bloglines update today, and want to drop me a note, thanks!
Back to regularly scheduled programming.
Apparently the crisis was averted. My feeds are updated, thanks in no small part to Cassie (she will claim that she had nothing to do with it, but I know it was her magic email that turned the bloglines updating machine back on!)
Thanks everyone for letting me know they were working for you!
At Kerstin’s insistence…
1. The last movie you went to see in a theater:
Bend it Like Beckham. Which is pretty funny because it was Georgieās idea to see it ā he thought it would be all about Soccer and it ended up being something of a chick movie. We liked the music though.
I should mention that we rarely, if ever, go to the movies. We used to go ā when we could agree on something to see – but in the last five or six years I can count the number of movies Iāve seen in an actual theater on one hand. I used to go all the time ā especially by myself, in New York City, to all kinds of artsy fartsy movies (read subtitles). Somewhere along the way I began to hate the noise and the people and the fact that even when thereās only three people in the goddam theater the whacko weirdo guy STILL has to sit two seats away from you so that you canāt concentrate at all on the movie ā all you can think about is the psychokiller next to you. So I stay home and watch on my big TV and knit and pee whenever I feel like it and eat whenever I feel like it. Thank god for Georgie ā heās always so sweet about picking up the candy wrappers on the floor.
2. The last movie you watched at home:
Ooh. Tough one. With the advent of cable, itās incredibly easy to watch 864 movies in a day and never see a whole one. The last movie we actually sat down to watch, together, as an āeventā if you will, was Spiderman 2. I dropped like a million stitches trying to knit in the dark.
3. How many movies do you own?
A decent amount. Not sure of the number though ā maybe fifty? We always buy a couple of flicks before we go on vacation for DVD watching on the plane. Who can forget the cross-country flight watching Dr. Strangelove? Classic. Or the time we luckily turned off Mulholland Drive right before the Sapphic scene ā I bet the Mom with the kid behind us watching the movie wouldāve been pissed! Also, since itās so freaking expensive to go to the movies we tend to have the āitās cheaper to buy the DVD and watch it in the comfort of our homeā attitude ā so we buy them. I also have the complete collection of Scholastic DVDs ā they are the greatest videos ever. Puts the Disney crap to shame. And I have two Rugrats movies. So sue me.
4. Got Netflix (or a similar service)?
Yeah, itās called digital cable with a gazillion stations and lovely On-Demand. We donāt even have a decent video store nearby ā so no, no Netflix or a similar service.
5. List five movies you adore (or mean a lot to you.)
[Warning: Carolyn accused me of being very sentimental in my music meme choices ā so if you disapprove of sentimentality ā turn your head here. š ]
In the they-always-did-it-better-in-the-old-days department:
Gone With the Wind. I couldāve easily chosen Casablanca or Rebecca or Laura or Dark Victory or Now, Voyager or Mr. Skeffington or Rear Window or ā¦.but Iāll stick with GWTW. Why? Because for my eleventh birthday my father gave me the book and I loved it like only a very imaginative romantically blossoming eleven year old can. When I first saw the movie, I loved it almost as much. Rhett and Melanie in the nursery after little Bonnie dies and Scarlett and Rhett after he rapes her and sheās so happy (my god ā what was I thinking). The movie is perfectly cast and when the fiftieth anniversary came around and they showed it on the big screen at Radio City Music Hall and I was living in New York, I bought myself a ticket. Went by myself. Iāll never forget it.
In the quirky-only-I-love-it department:
Baby Itās You by John Sayles. Set in mid-60s Trenton, I love this movie for its teenage romance, that Rosanna Arquette falls for the big, bad Sheik (I did the same thing once), that the one and only sex scene is awkward and awful and still endearing, that I have a huge crush on Vincent Spano. I didnāt say anything about the Springsteen soundtrack because I may have loved this movie before I loved Bruce ā but clearly it must be mentioned that when Spano walks into the cafeteria and Hard To Be A Saint in the City is cranking in the background we have the Best. Movie. Scene. Ever.
In the comedy must-have-every-line-memorized department:
Beetlejuice. School of Rock may replace this someday, only because itās gotten much more air play as of late, Flirting With Disaster is on the list and Midnight Run holds a very close second ā but in the end I have to go with Michael Keaton as the ignoble, irrepressible, grotesque Betelgeuse. Love the Harry Belafonte. Catherine OāHara is fabulous as Prince Valiumās bride. Who can forget Otho? Dick Cavett makes an appearance and Winona is brilliant as the depressed, suicidal teenager whoād rather be dead than live with her step-monster. Never trust the living.
In the banished-from-the-US-for-sex-crimes department:
Frantic. Roman Polanskiās masterpiece (okay, maybe I’m the only one who thinks this). The best movie ever where Harrison Ford gets to say āWith an S, for shitheadā and āYouāre talking about my wife, but you must be thinking of yours.ā Iāve discussed this movie before, so I wonāt go into it here. Letās just say I canāt turn away. Ever.
In the Merchant-and-Ivory-couldnāt-have-done-it-better-if-they-tried department:
Sense and Sensibility. I saw it in the movies with my sister and we cried and cried. Then for her bachelorette party we got big thick milk shakes and rented it. And cried and cried. How about when Willoughby
comes down and sweeps Marianne up on her horse. Or when Eleanor cries to her sister that even she can produce evidence of a broken heart. Let’s not forget the scene when Edward Ferrisā sister gets into the fight with Lucy. And oh my god Alan Richman is, I don’t know, so noble in this movie! The whole thing is just lovely. Really and truly lovely. I just love this movie.
In the I’m-adding-an-extra-movie-because-I-can department:
A Little Romance. Because Diane Lane was oh so beautiful and because her character was smart and sassy and Daniel was French and romantic and had a temper and because Laurence Olivier was old and frail and charming and just a little bit scary and because the music was beautiful and the scenery was beautiful and everything was beautiful. And most of all, because, when my sister and I both went to Venice, separately, with our husbands, we believed that if we kissed under the Bridge of Sighs while the bells tolled at sunset, we would be in love forever.
6. Whatās in the Netflix queue?
Well, since I donāt belong to Netflix, Iāll give you a list of the movies Iād like to see, but will wait until theyāre out on DVD or whatever format theyāre using when I get around to watching them: Sideways. Hotel Rwanda. Meet the Fockers (even though I heard it sucks.) Million Dollar Baby. Closer. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. Whatever Crap Shows Up On Cable.
7. Name three people you are going to send this to:
Iām going with the Jās today:
While we were driving back from the Canon Service Center (details to come), my best friend said to me:
her: I’ve got some bad news.
me: What?, I said, my heart starting to beat wildly.
her: The poncho. It’s toast. The neighbor dog got to it.
me: Oh thank god!
her: I cried. Delenn cried. We all cried.
me: Did you bury it in the backyard at least?
I can honestly say I was slightly ahead of the poncho fad. I made the RetroPoncho pattern, available in the Summer 2003 issue of Knitter’s (the one with the uncomfortable looking guy on the cover) for my best friend’s daughter, in the Summer of 2003 – the end, more like Fall. I used Patons Classic wool and it was the first project I made that included knitting in the round and increases. It was actually my first wearable project. Delenn had grown out of it, but my best friend’s younger daughter had taken to wearing it everywhere with her Disney princess shoes.
Here’s a picture of Delenn and the poncho when it was brand spanking new:
Doesn’t she look so happy!?! Rest in Peace RetroPoncho. May you wear well in knitty heaven.
In response to RP’s untimely death I’m going to make both girls new sweaters in Artyarns Supermerino! I’m also going to make my best friend a scarf (which she requested) using the famed Clapotis pattern. She can’t wear any kind of wool, so it looks like it’s silk for my best friend! (I’ve got time though. I was informed that spring is just around the corner in Las Vegas, so the sweaters will be for next fall. The Clapotis will be for my best friend’s May birthday!)
Thanks for all of the pick me ups. Seems I was a tad premature in feeling sorry for K1R2 – the converstation is hopping.
The camera will be fixed for free, by the kind folks over at Canon. I have to say I was a tad triumphant. The guy intimated that maybe, just maybe, they would try to get it to work and it would be fine. Happens all the time, he said. Ha, Ha, I told him. The shutter’s shot! This baby ain’t working for no one no how. And I was right. The shutter’s shot. They will be fedexing it back to me when it’s all better.
[Full disclosure: I was kind of hoping they’d say it wasn’t fixable (like they’d do that!) I wanted another brand new baby. I know. Gluttony never looked good on anybody. But it’s a WORK thing. It’s my JOB! wink wink]
My best friend and I then headed back to my house where she so wonderously indulged me by listening to all my knitting adventures. After I had pulled out all the stash and shown her all the intended projects I asked her: “Do you really want to hear all this?” She, in her best best friend voice said, “Of course I want to hear it because it makes you so happy.” A better best friend has yet to exist. Thank you, thank you! I miss her so much since she moved away.
Then it was off to dinner in the big city. We had a marvelous meal at Gigino’s in Tribeca. The food was great, company even better. After dinner I dropped her off at her hotel and said goodbye! Thankfully Georgie was home for lots of cuddling last night. I needed it.
But I feel refreshed today. It’s off to the shrink and needle shopping at Purl. Maybe some red yarn.
I’ll be back later – Kerstin tagged me on the movie meme. (Can someone please tell me what exactly a meme is? I looked it up in the dictionary and can’t find it. Is this the answer?)
Oh and I want to send some big, fat, suffocating hugs to all of you out there surviving the infertility torture test that life sometimes surprises us with. It sucks more than anything could possibly suck. To the root, to the core, to the depths of our hearts and minds. Hug your mates really tight and be kind. To your partner and to yourself. Be truly, necessarily kind.
Love, Cara
I’m depressed. And while this may have A LOT to do with it (Kerstin, have you seen this?), it’s not the only thing.
I think I caught the January blahs going around. Before I left on vacation I was doing good. Now I’m feeling overwhelmed. My house is falling down around me, literally. As I write this there are men on a platform HANGING outside my windows (yes, three windows, covering three rooms – it’s a big fucking platform) drilling into the side of my BRICK highrise. If my head doesn’t explode first, I’m going to kill someone. Preferably beginning with the guy who waved to me as he hung by my bedroom window.
I have taxes to prepare. I bought TurboTax thinking any accountant I lay out big bucks for is just going to plug in numbers to TT anyway. So I bought it. The taxes are now my responsibility. I spent all day yesterday getting my business in order. My sister is going to help me set up Quickbooks, but until then, it’s sort of a pencil and paper operation. I think I got it all – but I still get nervous I’m missing something. Credit cards are actually a good thing sometimes. I try really hard to charge everything for the business – so I can just do a data dump from the credit card company for all of the charges.
My poor camera is still dead, and dying more and more as the seconds go by. I’m actually pretty sad about it. This was the camera that started it all. I’m taking it in to the Canon hospital today – but I’m not expecting any miracles. (Maybe secretly I just want yet ANOTHER new camera? SHHHHHHH! Don’t even think it!)
On the knitting front, (that’s why we’re here, I guess) I started the first Picot-Boo sleeve and I actually did some work on my Ribby Cardi. I’d like to get that done pretty quickly – it should be an easy knit. I enjoyed what I knit of it this weekend, so we shall see. In my mind I’m also designing my father’s sweater, a cardigan for myself and the new baby’s blanket. I was toying with the idea of placing hearts around the blanket in squares – maybe hearts and stars, but I may have given up on that. Too much thinking and I just want to knit the blanket. I may think about forgoing any kind of pattern and doing stockinette (it’s so soft!) and a ribbon/satiny border, you know something soft for baby. We’ll see. Too many projects in my head. I can’t concentrate.
More good news: yesterday the 100th person signed onto K1R2! I find that absolutely incredible. Today starts the discussion of The Plot Against America. I posted at around midnight last night, so excited, and as of yet no one’s commented. I know, I know. I shouldn’t expect people to be losing sleep over this, but it’s like, you know, my baby. I want it to be great.
Back to feeling sorry for myself and getting some work done. I have to pick up my best friend at the airport today. She’s in for about 24 hours. She’ll hold me up; she always does.
Thank you Secret Pal for your warm introduction! I’m looking forward to hearing from you again. Here are some more items to help you get to know me:
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high- a nd/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
Yes, I would say I am definitely a yarn snob. I can honestly say I’ve never knit with Lion Brand OR Red Heart. I’m also all about touch. If it feels icky, I don’t want to knit with it.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
No. I can crochet a border on a knitted blanket, but that’s the extent of it. I don’t really have a desire to crochet or spin at this time.
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
No allergies, per se, but I don’t have any animals because I’m not really a pet person. Don’t wear perfume because most of it is overbearing. I don’t smoke because it’s disgusting. For fiber allergies, see question #1. š
4. How long have you been knitting?
About three years, I think. Yes. Three years.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No, but I can make one….
6. What’s your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I’m a citrousy type person. Lemon Verbena (L’Occitaine) is a particular favorite, nothing too strong.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Is the Pope Catholic? I like gummy, fruity stuff just a tad more than chocolate. And milk chocolate.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
None, really.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I can play MP3s on my computer. Music I like – I don’t like Country or Heavy Metal. I love, love, love Bruce Springsteen. I’ll try anything once.
10. What’s your favorite color? Or–do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer?
Greens. Blues. I’ve been into pinks lately. A fall palette. I’m not really choosy.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married. No kids. No pets.
12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
Lucky me, I’m kind of living the dream. I write. I’m a photographer. I knit. I have a wonderful husband who loves me more than anything and a great family. Terrific friends. I know. You hate me. I’m sorry. I really am.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Right now, I’m absolutely LOVING ArtYarn Supermerino (or Ultramerino) and Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran – tweed or otherwise.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I’m not really into cottons. Unless it’s Rowan Calmer or All Seasons Cotton.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
I’ll try anything – I’m going to be taking a class on color knitting soon, and I love cables.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Sweaters. I like the big, complicated patterns.
17. What are you knitting right now?
My first pair of socks (not so thrilled with them). A sweater for my niece. A ribby cardi. I’m about to start another sweater for my father.
18. What do you think about ponchos?
I made one for myself, one for a friend’s daughter and one for my niece. I think I’ve made enough.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I pretty much only knit on Addi Turbo circulars.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
See question #19.
21. Are you a sock knitter?
Not really. I’m making my first pair as we speak, but it very well might be my last.
22. How did you learn to knit?
My grandmother taught me.
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
About six months old. I have a few scarfs/shawls that are unfinished, bascially because I don’t really care about them. I’m generally a really good finisher.
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Hmmm. I’m not sure I have one. Curious George if I have to pick, because of my husband.
25. What is your favorite holiday?
New Year’s Day! š No, really. I’m not a big holiday person, but how about Arbor Day?
26. Is there anything that you collect?
You mean besides yarn, right? Books. Books and more books.
RIGHT NOW!
Everything’s gone down hill since I’ve gotten home. I won’t bore you with details, but I will give you this little tidbit:
I’ve been taking pictures forever. I’ve been open for business for over a year. I’ve been using my camera for that long and have NEVER EVER had a problem.
Yesterday I had a job. I didn’t bring the new camera because I’m not comfortable with it yet – I haven’t tested the flash, shot with all the lenses, played with it – you know. So I leave it home. I get to the job, get everything set up, go to take pictures with my old camera, which I’ve NEVER EVER had a problem with – I hit the shutter and WHAMO, or I should say BLAMO – the damn thing dies.
ERROR 99
The death knell.
In the end, I ran home to get the new camera and everything went well, but still. My heart.
I’m tired and I’m cranky so I bought my yarn for The Flower Basket Bag. I’m using Cascade Magnum, which I found for a great price over at Hello Knitty. I need some big ass needles, but I’m on my way. I hope it’s fast and fun. I could use some of that.
On a brighter note, I received my Secret Pal‘s name. I’m excited to spoil someone from a far – I’ve never done one of these before, so I’m hoping it’s lots of fun.
Have a nice weekend everyone! Hope it’s full of brightness and cheer. We could use some.
