G is for Gander

ETA at bottom
as in, take a gander at this. Come to find I have my own magic marble at home. I bought it after reading about using it for color knitting well before I ever thought I could really knit with colors. The dark in the middle is the shadow of the camera.

Magicky Marbley Babette





not really saying this out loud, but the simplicity of double crochet was a little tedious last night

Edited to Add: "How did you do that?" Go To Knit Picks and get one of these:


I think I got mine at one of the famous 'burg's dollar stores.

Put your camera lens in the eyehole (as opposed to the pie-hole-love that word don't get to use it much) and make yourself late for work as you try to unsuccessfully capture the colors and light that fully represent what's really there.

F is for Football and our Fair Weather Fowl Friends

If nothing else this al-fa-bet-along makes for good titles.

Meanwhile back at the ranch... Last night Mr. Sophanne and I noticed a speedy driver on a rural-ish road. This was the conversation:

mrs- Hey he should slow down. that's dangerous
mr- yea, there are deer out here.
mrs- and turkeys. Now that it's turkey hunting season in WV all of the turkeys have been coming to PA
mr- yea because they don't have a pro football team.

It doesn't really mean anything. It just makes me laugh the stuff that makes for surreal conversation. (my favorite kind)

At knit night last night J's mom talked about a spinner she knew retiring her last sheep. That made me (and really not many others) laugh like crazy. Does the sheep get social security? How about a gold watch? Is it engraved with Baa-aa? I can so entertain myself.

During a discussion on appropriate baby colors when you don't know the sex of the newborn to be, I said, "the yellow I knit for a baby with was pretty girly-" She said, "you have to be careful of yellow, they can make a baby looked jaundiced." I said, "and the greens because then they make them look like aliens."

KNQD had a "magic marble" kaleidoscopey sort of contraption. I've always loved those but if you've never played with one in a yarn store, you are so missing out on the magic. Get thee to a thrift store and then to the LYS and enter the psychedelic world of yarn through a marble.

More colors for Babette. That Mr. Sophanne is starting to catch on. Last night he asked- "Aren't you going to a yarn festival? Why did you buy more yarn now?" I cleverly said, "Oh yeah, oh well."

E is for Everything from the last post in pictures.

Extra Secret Birthday Surprise Doily (should have put something in the picture for scale- it's too big to fit on a 12"x12" cork square. It's maybe 16" in diameter- is that the right word?)



My new best friend- Babette- won't it be fun to watch her grow? These are slightly overexposed and not indicative of the vibrancy of the yarn. The light color is a fluorescent green and not the yellow it appears to be. There will be much more dark purple- that's sort of the main color and it won't be so orangey. Tomorrow at knit night I'll figure out some additional colors. I must say that taking a picture and looking at it makes it easier to see what I "need" colorwise than actually looking at it in real life. That's strange.

D is for Dining out and Desperate Measures

Anyone with Deductive reasoning skills can figure out that Mr. Sophanne inDulgeD in McDonalD's tonight. That is a Desperate measure. While observing the local MickeyD culture he suggested that with prices the way they've been going, soon brides and the bereaved will look to fast food for their catering needs. That cracked me up.

What didn't crack me up so much were the side effects of him having a tooth pulled at the Dentist. With blood thinning Drugs it took forever to clot and we had several hours of cold chills. He's better now but it was really weird. Anyone have a similar experience?

In the fiber front, I believe I've gone over the edge. Why is it that it never occurred to me to crochet with GOOD YARN? There has always been this formula in my head that goes Crochet=RedHeart. Big old "Doh" for me. Granny squaring with good yarn is like crack cocaine to this fiber lover cause I'm a speed demon natural.



I pulled this picture from the Interweave site (hoping they won't mind) but it was this one on Ravelry that made me say Let's Go!




I'm using the colors from:


but I've added a smoky lavender and a darker and dustier blue to the mix. I am in love. Given that the pattern calls for Koigu and I'm using Cascade I may end up with the king-size version. It's the perfect project to compliment some of the harder things I have on the needles. And woe is me, I'll have to pick some more colors on Tuesday.

I didn't complete the whole doily pattern but it looks like a doily. No need to go overboard on something he might not want.

But Sophanne, where are the pictures?

all in good time.

C is for crafty mr. sophanne

This morning as I woke up Mr. Sophanne said, "Hey honey, I got you a present yesterday."

Usually this means that Norfolk Southern (he's a railroad conductor) has given away another trinket to prevent employees from reporting safety concerns. safety incentive. So I was expecting a ball cap, key chain, or travel mug.

Instead he walked down the hall with the gem you see above. I was sure it was worth a fortune but after a quick ebay/amazon search I found that the only bargain he got was paying $3 instead of the $5 asking price. Just another instance of the trash vs. treasure phenomena

The title page says that Alice Carroll was a consultant on the American Red Cross Knitting Manual- it's published in 1947. Under the picture reads

This attractive suit represents the versatility of modern knitting, a far cry from the days when knit garments were intended to keep one warm but not necessarily attractive



What I couldn't capture were the pages of the Three-piece Cape suit. Cape, jacket, and skirt knit on size 1 needles at 8 stitches to the inch. Also missing are the men's swim trunks. All will be revealed in good time (which means when I get to the scanner or figure out how to photograph documents)

B is for Bags at Knit Night

After discovering that I was traveling with no less than 11 projects (3 socks, forest canopy shawl, Christmas stocking, Holiday knits Pillow, crochet doily, and I accidentally forget the rest), I realized that a smaller bag to put in my knitting bag was a must.

For me it's like having food in the house after going to the grocery store. If I don't see it, we don't have it and I forget all about it. I probably have at least 6 months worth of knitting in that one bag, but what a relief. Might be time for a WIP post.

Conversation topics included pondering about the checking of $20 bills with highlighters. Why not check fives and tens-now there's a counterfeit market. Debbie decided she was just going to scribble on any bill anyone hands her. I suggested yellow crayon.

The other laughs came from imagining Debbie in the RV being circled by her husband on his Harley with Riley, the African parrot back seat driving from the passenger seat. An option much better than husband riding next to the driver's side with a bullhorn. This hasn't happened yet but we're expecting it.

Finally an episode in first grade at the end of my day cracked me up. Levi says (at the beginning of class) "Can we play xylophones today?" I say, "sure." Levi (not his real name) proceeds to act like a little squirt for the next 30 minutes. As we proceed to the xylophones, I am placing students where they need to be and turn around to see Levi practicing standing on his head.

As I pointed out at knit night, I'm not opposed to head standing. In fact I voted for it yesterday. But there's a time and a place.

I sent Levi to a little time out area (no xylophones for him)and, being the good teacher that I am, later went to him and suggested that maybe he shouldn't stand on his head in music class. He informed me that he "had one foot on the ground."

So glad for open blog letters

Dear immediate supervisor (for the sake of any potential recriminations, not MY immediate supervisor)

A surprise luncheon was scheduled on this 2 hour early dismissal day for the secretary that has to sit in this office with you all day long.

Ample time was given had you wanted to take the lead on this but as we are not ones to do things at the last minute, we did it ourselves.

That is was to be a surprise was indicated both verbally and in writing.

Is it because you're the boss that you feel you must ruin share this surprise with our administrative assistant 5 damn minutes before it was to take place?

Have you been watching "The Office" for ideas?

Are you related to Michael Scott?

Are you an Ignoranus (thanks Yvonne)- both stupid AND an a$$hole?

Again, not my boss. Or perhaps I should say "not the boss of me."

AND while we're at it...

Dear Mr. Sophanne,

How is it that 95% of the time you have no idea at all what I'm doing with sticks and strings on my end of the couch and yet yesterday you looked over and said, "Are you making doilies now honey? Did you ever get to see the doilies my mother made?"

FYI

I can crochet the snot out of doilies when I feel like it.



Mr. Sophanne's birthday is in 2 weeks. I'm putting together a calendar of pictures and birthdays (at his request.) He was orphaned at age 13 but one thing that he remembers about his childhood were turquoise crocheted doilies.

This isn't really turquoise but I plan a little note that says it combines the turquoise of his mama's doilies with the purple that is me and the dark blue of the man he has become.

He doesn't accept gifts well and if it's not exactly the same as what he remembers, it may mean nothing to him so Claw, if he sniffs his nose at it, this one's yours. This is all assuming that I'll finish it in two weeks.

Off to do laundry and knock out some more dc's. Does it crack anyone else up that I'll be able to work on this while we watch t.v. together and he'll never even once wonder what I'm doing?

You're All Celebrities!

So if I meet any of you at MDSW, please be warned that I will respond to finding out who you are as if I were a star-struck fan.

I met up with Knit'nat (Yvonne) -which was who I was expecting to meet and then Cheryl arrived and I learned she was none other than chezclutter and I was beside myself for a moment or five.

You know it's some good knitting when you start at 11:00 am and then suddenly it's 2:45 p.m. and you wonder where the time went.

I of course am much more fabulous on the blog than I am in real life so there was that hurdle to get over but I must say that I'm looking forward to having Yvonne as a traveling friend to MDSW and meeting Kim once we get there.

Knitters= Good Funny People

Come to find the dog did not eat last year's birthday present. One earring was in the clothes room, one earring was in the bedroom. I have shiny ears again.

CMUS(F) 13 yr old edition

These are the last names of people whose signs I have seen before elections:

Pitlick
Holepit

I am so 13 in my head.

A is for Knit Night

(heh heh- twenty-five more knit night posts where I don't have to think of a title)



This post is humbly dedicated to Lisa and the other lurkers in the blood department at Mercy Hospital. Not because there's anything significantly relevant for you but just because it makes me smile hard when Gina comes to knit night bragging about my blog!

It was a night of knitted toys. Debbie was working on about the cutest knitted bunny I ever did see and Dee was stocking up on yarn for Tucker the Monkey.

When asked what she was knitting, Dee was heard to say "You remember that monkey I did before..." Maybe it's because I'm still a novice regarding my knitting vernacular but it Cracks Me the H-E- Double Hockey Sticks Up to put things I hear at work or play in the context of the real world.

This can be further evidenced by the fact that when Darla told Chris (who was doing some stranded sleeve knitting) that she needed to put her balls in separate baggies I said, (before I could consider the possible inappropriateness) "Yea, well Darla, you need to put your a$$ in a bucket!" I don't really think Darla (or anyone's) a$$ needs to go in a bucket but there it was.

Are there other professions that have the same sort of hystericalness of speech when it's removed from context and thrown into general reality? Is the sense of humor of a 13 year old boy mandatory to make it funny or is it just an added bonus for me?

Gold medal of Patient Teacher to KNQD. There is a knitter working on the "class sock" from a book. Each week she has come seeking guidance and admits herself that she's concerned about driving people crazy with her questions. She is plenty friendly but there is a certain helpless quality in her requests for assistance. I am NO GOOD with that. Can't. Won't. Do it. KNQD, on the other hand, was a paragon of patience. She repeated and rephrased all of her instructions as many times was necessary.

Three Cheers for a teacher that doesn't insist that her students learn as fast as she does.

And while we're at it, Three Cheers for Gina and the blog readers at Mercy for validating this blog for another week.

And why not Three Cheers for Darla for still not knitting a gauge swatch on her most recent knit.

Chris should have Three Cheers for picking up and redoing sleeves that I would have burned with glee as a sacrifice to that wily Knitting Goddess

Three Cheers to Dee for doing another monkey.

And Three Cheers for out of context speech that Cracks Me Up!

and.. lest I forget... Three Cheers to me for finishing a pair of socks.

Monkey See Monkey Do

I am a tactile sort. When I go to knit night, I look at what everyone's doing when it's show and tell but afterwards I secretly imagine what it would feel like to knit/crochet what someone else is doing. If I like the way I think it feels I am the copycat girl. At least that's the reason I'm giving for crocheting a few warshrags this weekend. KNQ Debbie's looked so fabulous and I was jealous of her hands.


Also, does sewing on a button count as a finished object?


Mr. Sophanne was indeed the ho-ho-hoer in yesterday's post. He's such a sport.

Shortly after I finished the post I realized that there needed to be more said about The Claw. (In case you didn't read the comments Claw, there were multiple requests for more. You're a Star!)

Christmas in April

Back in October at a Harvest Festival I bought this box of sleighbells for $20.



I have a talented friend at the music store. I call him The Claw. He renovates toy pianos, plays with wood, and just "does stuff" with wood, metal, bamboo, light fixtures, whatever comes his way. He is also a master tailor and requires no patterns when sewing. Just look and cut. The Christmas in March stocking was a gift to him after he requested one on or about December 21st.

There's a whole lot more to say about The Claw (including the fact that his ENTIRE HOUSE is circa. 1950 with NO modern day aberrations other than a computer) but I must stay focused.

Several years ago, The Claw and I looked at sleigh bells in antiques places, marveling at the magical sounds and exorbitant prices. When I found this box of sorry-a$$ed bells I delivered them directly to him. They sounded great but had seen better days.

Last Thursday on my visit to the music store I received these:



And they sound like this:




Solvents would not clean them and his hands were wounded and chafed from the wire brush needed to make them happen but I think it was well worth it! What a great friend I have.

IWITTWFF (I Wish I Thought This Was Funny Friday)

Welcome to a new feature- "I wish I thought this was funny Friday." I'll wait and see if it catches on.

Yours truly has been the faculty senate president going on about 10 years now. I agree to this each year because I can keep the meetings down to 30 minutes (as opposed to 3 hours) without stepping on too many toes.

I may have failed in that mission today but sometimes toes just need to be stepped on.

Teacher: Why can't we make any copies on these machines? Why don't these other machines work? What are we supposed to do?

This would be a valid concern if not for the fact that we have this same conversation in one form or another at EVERY faculty senate meeting.

Sophanne: Here are the answers to your questions and the things that have been done to in an effort to solve these difficulties. If you have trouble with a specific machine, you really need to talk to Miss Parent Volunteer.

Miss Parent Volunteer is a priceless mainstay at the school. Always Always Always there to do whatever crap work needs to be done so that teachers can teach. You have to be pretty offensive to get her riled up.

Teacher: Some of us are afraid of getting our heads bit off because Miss Parent Volunteer goes into a rage if you ask her.

Sophanne: I'm sure we're all adults here and can find ways to communicate with Miss Parent Volunteer in a respectful way so that we can all get what we need. We're all on the same side.

in my head: HEY A$$hole! If Miss Parent Volunteer loses it on you, it's time to do a little self-check to see what stupida$$ thing YOU did to make it happen. Also given that you are the COLLEGE EDUCATED TEACHER and not one of your first graders and not a volunteer who gets dumped on all of the time, why don't YOU do YOUR OWN conflict resolution. This is not in my hula hoop!

Some of you may see this post for what it really is- a chance to spout the in my head statements so that I don't break anyone's ankle (as opposed to stepping on their toes) What's that one Irish blessing about God breaking the ankles of our "enemies" so we can see them coming?

Really cool Christmas post coming soon! It pays to knit Christmas Stockings in March.

Phenomena of Five

I know some of you have kids this age, some don't. Maybe this happens at home, maybe not.

Picture a large room full of various musical instruments and a giant area carpet. There's a music teacher in there who has about 5 minutes between classes to put away materials from one class and get ready for the next. This music teacher doesn't fall high on the neatly put things away bell curve. In fact she's on the low end.

Also a factor is the fact that the students that filter in and out wear shoes. Shoes that they have worn outside to recess. Sometimes they get to dance on the area carpet.

Now imagine kids that are 5 come into the room. As they sit waiting to see what delights await them, they explore their immediate surroundings. Some of these kids (thanks to good parenting I'm assuming) score off the charts on the neatly put things away bell curve.

These children pick up any random object within the invisible force field that surrounds them, bring it up to said music teacher and announce "I found this."

In my head- You didn't FIND it! It was laying in a disorganized mess in our general area!

They "find" pebbles, erasers, pieces of sticks, earring backs, minute pieces of string. You name it, it's been found. Their finds are either artifacts left from a previous class or a random shaker or drum that I've failed to properly put away.

One time with a particularly clever student teacher, I "planted" things to be "found." They had a 100% success rate and found things that weren't even part of the experiment.

All I'm saying is if you've got kids that complain about not being able to find important things, just tell them to pretend they're in the music room.

Quit Quite (knit night)

A summary report-

Chris didn't bring any knitting. She just showed up for the entertainment.

Debbie crocheted a potholder

Darla worked on Calorimetry.

MaryMac MakeMeLaugh told of getting a thank you note from a shoe store (after purchasing 3 pairs of shoes, a purse and a bracelet) and a free shoe horn from another store. What is the protocol on shoe horns? Are they reusable or disposable. Was she treated to a special treat or do they do that for everyone?

I finished a sock.

I love knit night. Even in it's quieter moments. I've been quieter lately. I wonder if the two are related.

Interesting blog fodder has been elusive this past week. On Monday I was tempted to post a Seinfeld-esque diatribe on pillows. How many do you need to fall asleep? What's with the feather pieces sticking out? Why does the thought of having to put on clean pillow cases (the effort involved) make me think I don't really need to change the sheets- even with dog bone pieces in them? I also considered looking at the rest of the week through Jerry Seinfeld's filter. So far it hasn't happened other than the pillow talk.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are having a "bring your dog to the game" day on August 29. We are SO there. The "static" collar is doing it's job. Liza playfully romps outside and is never too far afield.

that's all I've got.

Removing the Funk

Hey thanks for making me laugh. Puberty=Poverty - too funny.

Things I've done this weekend to avoid being cranky-

1. Read Wicked. Not done yet. Some of you who asked me for a review will like it. Others won't.

2. Found a sock pattern that I like knitting (beaded rib from Sensational Knitted Socks) k2p2 then a K row.

3. Got 75% of a sock done in that pattern in some Koigu KPPMMMM

4. Mailed some yarn to Ruth

5. Started the Forest Canopy Shoulder Shawl in Cherry Tree Hill. The FairyGodknitter is such an inspiration. Think good post-op thoughts for her.

6. Laughed my a$$ off at Carol's idle musing.

7. Took the dog to Petco so she could get in some retail therapy. Also acquired the euphemistically named "static collar."

That's about it and now it's back to school Hooray that knit night is but 2 days away.

CMUS? Not so much

I've got my crank a crack-a-lackin'.

SOMEBODY MAKE ME LAUGH PLEASE!!!!

snit snight

Bonnie said, "I spin."



This Cracked Sophanne Up.

UsAirMary asked Debbie if she needed any yarn. (scrap yarn to hold stitches).

In spite of knowing this, it also Cracked Me Up-given that we were in a yarn store.

Bonnie's got serious connections to the Waynesburg Sheep and Fiber Festival- as in she's one of the "Sheep to Shawl" contest judges. She's connected. I'm hoping to get made. I hope there's no initiation.

I don't know who those Spinning Kids are- I just "you tubed" them. Crack a lacka me up. (By the way "get crack-a-lackin" is my new favorite thing to say to kids- thank you Yarny Old Kim.)

more opposites

Biking Dog

Sleeping Dog

this concludes the gratuitous cute dog posts.

another Saturday afternoon of opposites

High Dog

Low Dog

Scouting Dog

Still Dog

Good Dog

Bad Dog

Day Five Spring Break

So, anybody that knows me will realize that I must be bored out of my gourd if I spent the afternoon at the mall.

I was able to score some short sleeve shirts in case it ever gets warm and the air conditioning at school doesn't work (a given)


I found something to read after I finish re-reading Atonement.


Just in case anybody tags me for the book meme again- here's page 123 sentence 5 and three more. (that's my only CMUS I've got for today)


And I got the Essential Illustrated History of World Art for only $9.99! I'll likely disassemble this book and brighten up my classroom with it.

Day Four Spring Break

Rain.

This is what I'll play with today.



The only other thought I have to contribute is that as I ate a hard-boiled egg this week I wondered what would happen if a person tried to fry a hard boiled egg. I didn't try it.

Day Three Spring Break

What was I thinking? Running around in the windy cold or staying home watching movies and knitting. I can be so misguided sometimes. This time I came to my senses and the Pittsburgh adventure will wait for warmer weather and the Three Rivers Arts Festival.

I found a new project last night at knit night (much to the relief of everyone there who no doubt grew weary of me complaining about how boring the socks were.) I've now cast on for Regal Frost Cushions (ravelry link) from Handknit Holidays.

The bonus is that I'm using a book from my stash and I found a reason to use Elsebeth Lavold's silky tweed (another ravelry link.) It's a deep royal maroon for the background and a dark gold for the stranded pattern. Pictures once I charge the batteries on the camera.

The pattern has it knit in two pieces which means stranded purling and sewing the pieces together. Not my favorite thing to do. i'm doing the front and back at the same time and instead of a plain back I'm going to do the pattern on the back as well. Don't even ask me how long it took me to figure out that solution. Suffice it to say that I didn't cast on for it until this morning as my brain finally figured out what to do.

A relaxing knit night was had by all- the words "impacted bowels" came up twice on separate occasions (the second mention hadn't even known about the first) and therefor it seems something to report. I have a feeling that there was some entertainment value in my manic search for a project. I have to believe it was enjoyed particularly by Chris who is a much more plan ahead-er type than I am. If there's such a thing as opposite friends, we're it.

Day Two Spring Break

Yesterday went as described except for I managed to finish this long lingering ufo Cable Shell by Farmhouse Yarns out of a 75% cotton 25% rayon blend called "Allergic to Wool" (which I'm not but I liked the color.) It was a very easy knit and is a pretty good fit. Mr. Sophanne came home and took us for a walk and ice cream at the DQ. There are things you can do with a dog that you would look silly doing without one. Walking on a playground and eating ice cream from the back of the SUV in the cold are two of them.

Today's to do list-

Vet
Park
Grocery Store
Taxes
AAA

One would think the taxes would be something to dread but Mr. Sophanne found an error in the deductions of our local taxes and there's a windfall on the way (we may end up with matching furniture after all if we can find a way to get it from Big Lots to our house!)

Going to AAA is in preparation for an adventure if I don't chicken out. Pittsburgh's public transport train (The T) has a station in South Hills Village (a place I know how to get to.) I've been wanting to be in Pittsburgh (as opposed to just around it) but am not the most confident city driver. However, I do excel at public transportation involving trains. A little bit though I don't really know where to go once I get on said train so if your from Pgh and have some thoughts- put them out there (if you have thoughts on where NOT to go- they would be welcomed as well.) I'll do some research at knit night tonight. The adventure is on Wednesday so if you don't hear from me after that, likely I didn't get any advice on where not to go. I will listen to the news today and stay away from any areas where there have been shootings reported.

ETA I've been tagged twice for the book meme and haven't had a chance to bring the book from the bedside to the computer. Fortunately Paknitwit is reading the same thing!

Day One Spring Break.

What this means for you- more Sophanne posts in your Google/Bloglines Reader

It's 10:20 a.m. and already I have done some laundry, blocked the stocking, run an errand, walked the dog in the park and read all of the new blogposts. I'm thinking other than another load or two of laundry, I'll call it a day.

Thought for this morning- why can't the rest of the world operate on a school schedule, summer's off and all-or at least a month or two off. It's not like we really get paid for the summer, they just take some money from the months I work and pay it to me later.

Come to think of it, wouldn't that improve employment statistics? Companies could hire more people to cover the months that others have off. You might have to take a slight pay cut but I think you should have that option.

PSA

Please consider this a CMUS public service announcement-

When you are working in the round of a long forgotten ufo and have a stitch marker before the first stitch, this also indicates where the last stitch is.

In the words of the Yarn Harlot, "ask me how I know."

Further Sophanne elaboration, "don't ask me how long it took me to figure that out." 4 days on and off

CMUS for those embracing irony

Ironic is all I can say about it being the first week of spring and I've finished the cashmere bird in hand mitts and a Christmas stocking (from a kit-Annie's Woolens-Holtsclaw-this has your name on it-not literally).



Both need blocking and clearly there are some ends to weave in on the mitts.

If you're thinking about this kit. Maybe not so much. The pattern is lovely- weird short-row after thought heel/toe construction that was new to me but I figured out. The wool in this kit felt like twine. Get a nice pattern, pick your own fiber. That's my plan next time.

If you're thinking about stranded knitting- this brain loved loved loved it. I have a little celebration in my head when the pattern comes out even on the needles every row. (there were 110 little celebrations on the stocking)

Sort of in the project lull. Kind of a nice place to be. I'm going to try to knit only socks until I get to the MDSW in May.

If you're looking for a way to add some sunshine to the world, visit Ruth and then send her some yarn for a fundraiser. Then click on over to Janet's and leave your favorite way to make/eat mac and cheese and make us laugh at all of the possibilities. Maybe I'll try some of those recipes already listed as something to keep me entertained during spring break!

Cheesy crack me up contest

Hey Gang- Uber started it- it's totally her fault!

She bought some smack and cheez orange acrylic for a baby sweater- check out the post- it will crack you up.

Janet is making it an event! Go to her site and post your favorite mac and cheez recipe she'll send you a gift card if you're the random number and I'll send you some orange acrylic as a souvenir.

Let's make this another knit-blog event because Uber CRACKS ME UP and I do love my knit-blog community action.

khnit nyhte

Note to self- don't eat fast food before going to knit night. Our knitnight friends were their usual delightful selves last night however I felt like I was in some sort of drugged semi-conscious state thanks to the BK BigFish I inhaled before arriving. I thought- gee I'll feel better if I eat a little something. BKBigfish does not equal a LITTLE something- FYI.

It is with regret that I must report that I have no recollection of interesting and engaging things discussed- though I'm sure they were there. One thing I do recall is a conversation on the price of gas and groceries. If knit night is a random sampling of the world out there (albeit not a very diverse one) we might again embrace the mantra "It's the economy, stupid."

One thing that struck me is how the same people are- Claire finished and gifted the baby blanket to her expecting daughter. Chris started her second sock. New sock knitter Connie was getting help from Miss MaryMac make me laugh. In between help, Miss Marymac make me laugh was working on a shawl to wear to the opera. Jennifer was weaving in the ends of an entrelac scarf. Darla was facing the ill effects of not knitting a gauge swatch. I was struggling with a little in-between projects- lost my mojo moment.

Remove the names and insert new ones and it's "Knit Night, Anytown, USA." There is some comfort in that.

And oh yeah- Happy Sophanniversary to Mr. Sophanne and I. We've been married for 4 years today. We wore our matching Carhart carpenter pants and went to Family Court to be married by Judge Culpepper and then honeymooned in Niagra Falls just so I could type that 4 years later.

Your task should you choose to accept it? Practice saying Judge Culpepper in your best Tennessee Williams sort of southern accent- that should crack you up and make up for any missing crack me up knit night moments you've come to expect here.

the prizewinner and the bookfair

Random Integer Generator says 28 is my random number for the contest. Angela won a prize! woohoo! Thanks to everyone who entered and everyone who checks in and says "hey."

Today's adventure was a book event for our school in conjunction with Barnes and Noble. Mostly the librarian worked her a$$ off to have great goings on at Barnes and Noble, brought in a big crowd, and then the school gets a percentage of profit from the day's sales (if they mention the fair when they check out.)

I love our librarian. She loves books. She loves kids. I had to include this adorable picture of her reading The Greedy Python on the 100 acre wood stage.



I read/sang the book Summertime which is actually an illustrated version of Gershwin's classic. It's a beautiful book. Note the spring colored Flair Swing Coat. It's a little sloppy but it matched the hat and the mood.



No, no, I didn't buy any books huhuhn- have you seen my book stash? No way I could fit any more books in this house- except maybe a couple of the "necessities" as recommended in the book stash post. I have officially acquired enough knitting patterns for this life and the next.

Happy Dog Happy Dog

Liza doesn't sit still for anything- Glad I found the "action/sports" setting on the camera.

What's better than a trip to the LYS?

When someone else goes to the LYS, buys the yarn, makes you a present and buys more yarn and a great pattern and sends it all to you!



Even better still when it's a Crack Me Up kind of present Suzanne (a.k.a Yarnhog) was around very soon after I first started knit-blogging. One of the first projects documented early on was the Messenger Bag in Knitting for Peace. After many fruitless and failed attempts, including references to being "dumber than a box of hair," I finished a messenger bag- it didn't turn out "like the picture" (does it ever?) and I called it a day. Yarnhog followed the trials and tribulations and in the end I sent her a copy of Knitting for Peace. It seemed the least I could do.

Today when I got home a "real" Knitting for Peace Messenger bag (meaning it DOES look like the one in the picture)was in a box on my porch for me along with the pattern to Fibertrends felted clogs and enough matching yarn (Lana Grossa!)to continue my felting saga. And it's green. And it's got some fuchsia. And the patch is on it (which I had no clue how to make happen).

Yarnhog, you are the best! Thank you Thank you Thank you!

This is the first time I've been the recipient of a knitted gift and man, did it feel great. I am completely overwhelmed with gratitude. As I say to my kids at school, "it made my heart feel so good."

11-14-9-20 14-9-7-8-20

(secret elementary school code that spells “knit night.”)

Knit night was all about numbers last night.

Chris bought 66 skeins of yarn. While we are the same in that we both love and buy yarn, we are opposite in many ways- of which I believe we both embrace and appreciate about each other. Noted differences:

She had a shopping list of the exact yardage she would need for 3 different projects already planned in her head. I bought 3 skeins to start with.

She checked the Great American Afghan web-site to play with color combinations. I thought purple was talking to me.

Her final color choice- muted tans, browns, and blues.- likely to match furniture and other items in her home. Having no fine furniture to match, I can pick any color I want.

Dee was back and had a story about her lab who ate a size 13 men’s hand knitted sock that took 3 days to “pass through” and when it did, the lab promptly attempted to eat it again. I was thinking (hope you’re not eating lunch) that maybe a little string came out and she had to frog it.

I have nine rows of thumb left on the 2nd bird in hand mitten.

I have one size 2 needle that likes hanging out at the Knit Shoppe. Left it there last week-it tried to stay again this week.

Given my numbers, do you think I have enough delegates to win?

Miscellany

Click here for the Rowan Giveaway
Knitting- well I’m playing with the Great American Afghan. Too early for pictures.

The thumb on the left bird in hand mitten will happen tomorrow at knit night.

I’ve also been playing with mitered knitting and stash. Since all of my stash is generally green or green, it may match. Being the exploratory knitter that I am, I was not content to maintain a pile of perfect squares. I’ve been adding rows in between k2tog rows. I’m also planning on not doing it at the exact halfway point.

With the handspun Wicked done, it’s a relief to have some smaller things going on. It’s also a necessity if MaryBeth has her way and convinces me back to the sewing machine. Must. Stay. Focused.

Doginess- The puppy is recovering nicely. Mr. Sophanne took us for a Dairy Queen adventure today. Yum.

Dog story at school- PreK teacher has a young boxer who favors her Victoria Secret bras. I told her she needed to buy the Gabes $4 kind. She said “I do, but she only likes the Victoria’s Secret kind. I think it’s the padding.” To which the custodian said, “all we need to do is add a squeaky thing in them”. That CRACKED ME UP! Pre-K teachers are hug-central. You don’t have a chance at dodging those running arms. Can you imagine the surprise on the little one’s face if her hug was accompanied by a little “weewah” of a squeak toy? My Mommy’s don’t do that.

ETA apparently the above has already been marketed. click here for details

CMUS- a dog's life

Click here for the contest post

Hey gang- Liza is home and recovering. Vet instructions suggest that she not run- go up steps-etc. As if I could control that one bit. With the hopes of a speedy recovery I give you one of the favorite Mr. Sophanne dog stories.

Living in the Ohio Valley in the 70's meant hard times for a railroader in the Rust Belt and Mr. Sophanne was forced to drive a city bus on Wheeling Island He actually lived across the river in Bridgeport Ohio. There he was married to the z-wife (he opposes the use of the word ex- maybe he had a run-in with a xylophone) with 2 kids and a dog named Claudia.

There are many bizarre "it could only happen to Mr. Sophanne" stories connected to nearly every word in the description above but this one involves Claudia running away. Claudia ran away and was gone for a week. Hope was waning. He was on his daily route with a busload of Ohio Valley passengers when a dog crossed his path. You guessed it- It was Claudia. She hopped on the bus and got a ride home. Those familiar with the Ohio Valley and/or the definition of the word "Island" have figured out she had to cross the Ohio River to find him!

When I tell the story to kindergartners, I pretend that she actually knew it was his bus stop and she was hanging out waiting for him. Actually when I retell it to myself I do the same thing.

some questions answered re: knit night and a contest!

I was writing answers in comments but you can never be sure if people go back and read them. So- if you're a new reader, find a better post to introduce me (unless you're just here for the contest)

Anonymous Bonnie (if you decide to have a blog, I think that would be a great name.): When you finish with this post, search my blog for "knit night" and you'll be up to date.

poly_dactyl: I do share the blog with knit nighters. I don't really say anything I wouldn't say while I was there. I'm pretty sure the less than favorite Mary doesn't read it but I did suggest as much as I wrote while I was there that night.

Kristin: A KAL support group- do I need this? Is this part of the whole KAL experience? This is my first one. Yes I'm a KALVIRGIN. Am I going to regret this decision?

Brain Attack follow-up: what I didn't tell you was that Gina was a little worried I was having one because I couldn't finish my Bird in Hand thumb and have a conversation at the same time.

Low-Grade Anxiety follow-up: I am so clearly not alone in this phenomena. In fact.... what say we have a contest.

I never did have the patience for that thin Rowan 4-ply. Check Sophanne on Ravelry to find out what's left. (you can also see the colors somewhere on this blog if you're not a Raveler) I think there's purple, midnight blue, and squirrel gray (Rowan had better names but they escape me at the moment)- many skeins of each- great for fair isle somethings or to pass on to some unsuspecting contest hungry blogger.

At any rate- share your low-grade anxiety moments and win a prize. Have someone mention your blog when entering and get another entry. Random number winner take all. Let's make this the best contest ever! (BCE), a delayed 1 year blogovorsory, an "I finished the second Wicked, "Liza gets spayed", "losing your KALVIRGINITY" contest. Number will be drawn after dark on the Ides of March.

What is the cure for low-grade anxiety?

Knit night of course.

For those of you not familiar with LGA (low-grade anxiety), it’s a condition that I’ve made up. Symptoms include-

Worrying about whether you should be doing something inside when you’re outside playing with the dog.

Worrying about whether you should be outside playing with the dog when you’re inside doing something

Reasons why knit night is the cure:

A chauffeur there and back. No driving except for one exit on 79N.
I know when to get there and when to leave.
I know what to do when I’m there.
I know that Mr. Sophanne is happy where he is and can relax.

Last night brought 3 new kn-er’s. Yippee. Some of the old standards haven’t been back since the mother goose and queen of Debbie episode.

Claire suggested a KAL a few weeks ago and I bought the Great American Afghan book and convinced at least Chris and Claire to play. I think it was when I said “I’m going to KAL this afghan whether anyone joins me or not,” that Chris felt sorry for me and bought the book.

I’ve also got some relationship news. Purple and I might be hooking up. It’s a little early to tell and, of course, quite overwhelming, but purple’s been making eyes at me for the past few weeks and we exchanged some ideas about the afghan last night. Blue stepped in suggesting a wider spectrum. I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Chartreuse and orange seriously thought they’d make a nice splash but I think that might be a little risqué.

On the medical front, Gina told us that “brain attack” is the new word for “stroke” in the world of medicine. Strokes aren’t one bit funny but calling it a “brain attack” cracks me up just a little.

Pictures of purple patterns when the sun peers through and I have the persistence to potograph- I mean photograph.
.

The Games We Play

This is a dog post.

I don't have a picture. The dog doesn't sit still until 9:30ish.

Right now she's entertaining herself with one of those cat toys where the ball is stuck inside a donut shaped plastic thing. We've put all of her toys in a container for her to pull out and "find." We've treated, chased, and frolicked in the sun.

And still- in an effort to be the perfect pet owner, I went on-line to see if there was more I could be doing. I googled Games for Dogs to Play. I found this site which includes a list of things that kids like to do with their dogs. I hope that I don't find myself resorting to what Gina (age 12) from New Mexico does:

Me and my dog, Snoopy, play a neat game. It's called 
'Round Them Up'. Here's what I do: I dress up like a cow, then I hide 
somewhere in the house. Next I say "Yahoo!". Snoopy will sniff for me and 
when he's just about to find me, I run down the hall mooing like a cow.
Snoopy will snap at my heels trying to put me in my room.Tip: It really only 
works with sheepdogs.

Plus Liza isn't really a sheep dog and I don't have a cow costume.

happy birthday!

Dr. Seuss

Dear August Self,

I know as you endure temperatures of 90 degrees with 95% humidity, you are longing for the weather pictured below, imagining it to be comforting and cozy. Just so you know, this stuff makes your brain as foggy as excessive heat so picture spring, picture fall, but DO NOT picture THIS:

Yes.

It is 9 outside. There is snow all about. My foggy brain is in cold weather hibernation. The phone rings at 7:10 a.m. The automated voice speaking for the superintendent of schools tells me that schools are closed today. The fog relaxes and spreads knowing that it has permission to stay the rest of the day. There might be an FO in my future.

And then there were four

Only four tonight, but what a fine four we were. Mr. Sophanne and I got home early because of inclement weather so it's a knit night post hot off the press.

Tonight's knit night story comes from a discussion of Liza Jane's impending spaying.

I said, "She's a girl dog. Why is she humping pillows?"

KNQD: For the same reason boy dogs do.

And then came the story of the lesson KNQD learned when she didn't have one of her dogs fixed. Said dog dug a hole in a bag of clothes in a closet, stole the t.v. remote, and the cordless phone (and possibly other things I didn't hear) and growled when the items were retrieved. Come to find poor puppy thought these items were her puppies and she had to undergo some medical treatment to relieve her of this stress. Can't you just hear it now- phone rings, Scooby Doo puppy voice on the other end says "Mama." Confused would be mama-dog looks at the remote and says, my little puppy, what a red eye you have. (all the better to change your channel with mama) After some guilt and a few weeks of re-training no one was permanently damaged in this incident. (unless KNQD indicates and or elaborates in the comments otherwise.)

One of the greatest parts of knit night tonight is that I got some knitting done. Halfway through the second Bird in Hand mittens. EXCEPT (and now comes THE best part of knit night) along the seam, where there should have been a brown stitch, there was a white one. Just about 14 rows down. On beyond my only amateur skills of picking up and fixing stitches. KNQD says "give it here", and in a matter of seconds it is fixed.

As a girl who's had to do everything for herself in the big picture in life, this little act of "Here, let me help you." was just about the greatest thing that's happened to me in a long time.

I've got issues

and I'm not even counting those. Gifts are shown because I probably would have purchased them at some point anyway. Magazines are not- for no good reason. Not pictured are the 2 books on Latvian knitting I ordered from Amazon last week.

First the Big Picture



Books for the Designer



I'd like to report that these are recent purchases, but no. Instead, once I go the hang of knitting and purling, I was fairly sure I'd be off designing in no time. After all, I read Knit and Tonic. I feel pretty good that I have read or used everything pictured (except the 2007 calendar-which was a gift.) at least once.

Books for Help



The Vogue book has been the go-to book since day 1. The knitting basics book- not so much- it was purchased before I paid attention to anything. The top four are purchases I don't regret but I use sparingly. Why look at a book for help when it's so much fun to try to figure it our yourself or take it to knit night. The book of finishing techniques was an especially good buy for the girl trying to seam a sweater.

Books of patterns/techniques



Love the Ann Budd Books.

Haven't done one damn knitted toy but it's a cute book.

The Interweave Knits was a purchase to prevent me from purchasing every last back issue there ever was since I've only been knitting fro 3 years or so.

Simply Beatiful Sweaters, Silk Knits, Freeform Knitting and Crochet, and Module Magic are up for grabs. MAKE ME AN OFFER. These looked so much like something I'd be interested in and then I discovered various facts about myself that make them useless.

Smaller Project Books


These were mostly purchased when I was looking for something inspiring while working on boring stockinette of some larger project. The only one I've actually made anything from is the Messenger Bag in Knitting for Peace (and we all know how that worked out.) The top one (bad photography) was a recent acquisition Scarf Style. Not pictured was the Folk Hats purchase from a few weekends ago. Nope haven't knitted anything from it either.

Stephanie, Socks and one trashy-a$$ed novel



Yea, I succumbed to yet another yes, you too can knit too socks with the magic loop temptation. That was a recent purchase. I've used two of the sock leaflets pictured. Mostly just one, I have it memorized and I grab patterns from the sensational socks book except wait- I mostly use only one pattern from that book row 1 k3 p3 row 2 k1 p1. Not sure I needed the book to figure that one out but there lies so much potential in it.

No need to explain the Yarn Harlot books ( I have the meditation one hiding around somewhere too.) Has anyone read the one on top- Cast on, Bets off? It started with a sex scene that seemed to be written by a horny man and I haven't gotten past that.

The EZ collection



Also included is a book on scandinavian knitting and one by Meg Swansen. I've made a moeibus. That's about it. I watched the first episode about making a hat on the dvd but haven't followed through. But I feel like I can't be called a "real" knitter if I don't own those.

It's refreshing to relieve myself (somewhat) of the truth in my books. I've used more of them than I thought I had. It's the ones that I haven't used that nag and laugh at me every time I buy a pattern on-line or look for the latest book at the LYS.

I know I'm preaching to the choir when I suggest that these all were "MUST HAVES" at the time I purchased them. Feel free to reassure me. Also if you have a successful FO from any of them, tell me about it. I'm a copycat mostly.

More Importantly- If there are any "MUST HAVE" books that are missing from my collection, PLEASE DO SHARE!

ETA~ As if all of these weren't enough, KNQ Debbie just sent me THIS link guess I'll spend some time printing today.

stay tuned

Having just had one of those PMS, I have a $100 bill, I think I'll stop at Barnes and Noble moments, it suddenly occurred to me that it might be interesting to find out the "knitting books to items knitted from them" ratio. (kbtikftR) I'm feeling a CMUNS (crack me up not Saturday) post in the near future.