Whew! What a weekend! I photographed a birthday party Friday afternoon then hopped a train to Philly. When I got there, since G was working all day Friday and Friday night, I joined my sister and the kids at an elementary school carnival. No rides, just lots of games and about a zillion kids hopped up on cotton candy. CRAZY!
Saturday morning I lounged around and then G and I had babysitting duty. We watched the baby while the rest of the family went to see The Lion King. We ended up in Rittenhouse Park, with my brother, and I was looking for all those crazy Philly KIPers, but I couldn’t find any. We got there around 3 – I guess everyone had left by then. We had a fun time pointing at planes and dogs and squirrels and birds and eating applesauce and then the rest of the family met up with us.
G and I had adult time at dinner that night – at Pod. Eh. The service sucked – well – not sucked really, but we had 9:30 reservations and they didn’t seat us until after 10. Okay. Fine. I understand that you can’t control how fast people eat and all and everyone else with reservations was waiting as well – BUT this couple came in, a couple that can only be described as acid washed – nuff said – and they were all kissy and huggy with pretty much everyone from the hostesses to the bus boys and guess who didn’t have to wait long for a table? And then got a PRIME table? And then guess who got seated at a dirty table so that the guy could clean it off right into my lap and I had the smell of moldy cleaning fluid in my nose the whole time? I actually yelled at the hostess. I said you sat us a half hour after our reservation but you couldn’t wait the five minutes to set up the table? They attempted to take care of us with a free appetizer and free dessert – which was GOOD. They did the right thing, but it was almost too much and they fucked up other parts of the order and in the end I wouldn’t waste my time again. The food was decent, but I’m sure there’s better out there. So much for the amazing Stephen Starr.
Besides the kids and hanging with my man, the best part of the weekend was right outside my hotel window:
Sunday was the Philadelphia International Championship, which went right by our hotel at Logan Circle. Very cool! Check out that Peleton! The whole time I was snapping away I was thinking of our Claudia – who’s riding for MS. Have you donated over there yet? I know I’ve been asking you for money nonstop, but Claudia’s raising for an extremely good cause, so if you can’t give here – give there. Or give to both. That’s what I’ve done. I matched my Heifer donation with a donation to fight MS. Thank you!
There was KNITTING TOO! Look what I did!
Two more squares!! Nona asked for a real life progress shot so here you go:
I’ve finished NINE completely and I’m already well into No. 10. I LOVE THIS PROJECT! I’m not sure how I’m going to put all the squares together – I’m going to wait for input from The Master. Oh and for all those asking about the yarn – it’s Socks That Rock, heavyweight version, in Limestone (light), Jade (medium) and Beryl (dark.) I’m getting lots of questions and comments about this blanket and seems like you all love it as much as I do so I thought, you guessed it, time for a KNIT-A-LONG. (You know, because I didn’t learn my lesson from the last one.)
I’m still working out the details on how I’m going to do this and I’m pretty preoccupied right now with Spin Out stuff, so let’s say it’ll have a July 1st opening. Details to come! Watch out for it!
And finally, I was over at Six and A Half Stitches where there was some talk of piles. That’s one of my favorite things about my log cabin squares – feeling the heft of the piles – the way they line up or don’t line up – the alternate colors peeking through. Here is my pile:
Thanks for reading! Have a great day!
YAY! Time for my first knit-along! I knew I had to wait for the right one, and this is definitely it! I’m in! I’m in! -Carla
Oh, how I love those shades of green you’ve got there!!!
Wow, your edges are lovely! Well, the whole block is lovely but I’m really noticing how nice and even your edges are. Did you slip your end stitches? I’ve been (obsessively)knitting since 1969 and it is so nice to finally have others I can meet over the internet, etc. Gee I only had to wait for about 35 years to get some knitting buddies. I have the Mason/Dixon book, which I just love but haven’t started any projects yet – too busy with work – which is knitting too but that’s “work” knitting. I hope to get going on one of their projects this summer. Love to read your blog.
Now that you will be having a knit-a-long, I guess I can tell you that I’ve been busy knitting up log cabin squares with left-over STR. They are so pretty–thanks for the idea!
I’m in for the KAL! Just today, I bought some Provence in three different colors (light green, deeper green, dusty pink) to make a log cabin blanket. You were my inspiration for making squares using only three colors.
Poor service is my biggest pet peeve. Sorry you had a bad experience. Another KAL, and such a tempting topic. It’s good it won’t start until July. That will give me pleanty of time to come to my senses.
Hellooooo? Cara?????? Another Knit Along? Are you mad?
Cara, that was a GREAT peloton picture. Thanks so much for the shout-out, you generous thing, you.
Yes, Carole, she is. As a hatter.
I do love those greens and those squares.
You do nice piles.
Sounds like a great weekend — except the sucky service part.
OMG are you sure!? It does sound fun and I love your squares enough to consider joining.
I just love your log cabin squares! Could you share how much total yarn of each color is needed for this project if you are working with the STR heavyweight?
sign me up! i’m on my fourth square after a pause for a design dilemma … which i didn’t solve but decided to wing. oh well!
Oh lord, just what I need is another KAL. But, of course, I can’t exactly say no to this one! Better warn Blue Moon!
I have been log cabining as well and know just what you mean about the pleasure of piles (that would be a good google!).
I’m in like a loud lacoste shirt. Got a pile o’ Provence (didja see the new loot- holy Moses) and Rowan Denim waiting to become a baby blanket and Biscuit’s Big Boy Blankie. Abe Lincoln ain’t got nothing on me. Bring on the knitting by candlelight!
Your squares are coming along so beautifully! I love seeing your progress!
Sorry you had poor service at the restaurant. 🙁
I’ve done several “patchwork” blankets lately and the best way I’ve found to put them together is to single crochet around the edges of all the squares, then line them up and whip stitch them together. I was amazed at how great it looked when sewed together and I didn’t lose any of the square to a seam.
Pod? Really? Okay, the scallops with the sesame seeds appetizer is really good (if it’s still on the menu, 4 years later), but the rest… eh. Next time: Buddakan, Tangerine, or Morimoto. Much better. Really. Their website is awesome, though.
Count me in to join the KAL. I have no idea when I’ll find the time, but the log cabin has been calling to me since I received my MDK book. Can’t wait to hear the details!
The last photo reminds me of a stack of pancakes. Mmmm, pancakes… Such a beautiful project, Cara!
Those squares have had me in their spell since you first posted. That medium green looks just like a neat page colored with new Crayola crayons. I’ve never done a knit-along, but I might be getting drawn to the dark side.
I really love this blog.
Hello! I have been reading your blog religiously, following the course of your beautiful blanket. I keep going to Blue Moon’s web site to try to purchase yarn (I would LOVE to do the KAL!) but can’t seem to find any of the colorways that you’re using. Are they yet to be released? I’m totally captivated by the picture you took of the myriad of colors of STR a couple of weeks ago!
Hi. My name is Kay. I hear there’s a log cabin knitalong. Can I please join?
(Do I have to start a new one or does the one I’m working on now count?) (I think I know the answer. You’re such a hardass!!!!!!)
xoxo Kay
Your Pile is amazing. Question: How do you get your edges so, so, so clean? Are you doing a knit the back of the loop or some other esoteric thing?
I am making the baby log cabin blanket from the log cabin queen book, and tho mine do not look terrible, when I look at yours, I think I need to be doing something different. I’d be ever so grateful for a clean edge tip. Thanks
Oooh. A log cabin knit along! Count me in. I’ve been hooked ever since I purchased the MDK book!
Your squares have me green with envy!
ooo so pretty!
There is a log cabin knitalong here if setting up your own is a bit overwhelming! We welcome any ideas, contests, etc you want to add!
C, those greens you are using are SO amazing!
Great pics of all of the cyclists!
Come on! How beautiful are your log cabin squares! Thanks for giving me the layout view — I cannot tell which square is knit from the new yarn. As for the knit along, count me in!