Budding Lace Shawlette

Pattern: Heavily modified Swallowtail Shawl meaning I only knit the budding lace porition of the pattern because it’s so easy and brainless and fun.
Yarn: 1 skein Malabrigo Lace in colorway Vaa
Needles: US 3 addi turbos extra pointy
Verdit: My new favorite scarf. I never thought I could do the whole triangle scarf thing, but if it’s the right size then you don’t get the old lady immage so badly

Is there anything better than Malabrigo in any incarnation? I say no. All we need now is a Malabrigo Tweed

Lace Detail

I also finished my own version of the Textured Shawl.

Textured Shawlette

Yarn: Temptation Sock in Hazardous
Needle: US 5
What I did: 6 rows of st st, 4 rows garter st, 6 rows st st, 5 pattern repeats texture st then repeat from beginning. I also opted to have YO’s for the increases instead of M1 which was only to help me keep my place
Verdict: I dig it. The color is a little hard to coordinate, but it’s a good sized scarf & smooshy to boot.

I bought Cookie A.’s book last night. Yeah, I’m probably the last person to jump on this band wagon but the book didn’t immediately call to me. At first glance I only liked one pattern, but then, last night, the overwhelming urge took me and I started to really look at the book. I think I love almost every single pattern (quite a feat for any book!). So I am busily knitting away on kai-mei.  I was so overwhelmed by all the pretty pictures that I made the Mr pick a sock pattern and not surprising at all he picked the most architectural one of the bunch.

This weekend I’m heading back up to Solvang to my friend Mette & Tom’s ranch (Ranch of the Oaks) because they are shearing all the animals.  Not only do I hope to just spend some friendly alpaca time but hopefully also be some help! I will come back with the standard 500 pictures I’m sure because we are staying up there all weekend.

And since I haven’t given you a Bob picture in almost a week here you go.  (Why so much Bob and no Sue or Ed? Because he’s the only one that constantly needs to be near me, the orange cats do their own thing during the day.)

Bob Toes

I’ve applied to a few different types of jobs, nothing insane because I know there are things I won’t do and things I can’t do.  I won’t work mind numbing manual labor (that’s not saying I won’t work with my hands, it just has to be stimulating), I won’t sell, I won’t work in a restaurant.  Things I can’t do include accounting,  and IT.  If I could go back to my post high school self I would have whispered this nugget of brilliant.  “Dear Preita, you should double major in accounting and computer science. Then you will never ever be unemployed”

I took per the Mr’s insistence 3 full work days off last week.  3 days where I did not go completely nuts looking for a job.   I slept in till 8 am, had coffee, watched Good Morning America and had many more doctors appointments than I’ve had in the last year.  I had an ultra sound, blood tests and a consultation.  I really love my new doctor and feel so much better than I have in months.  I feel so much better than I have in at least the last 6 months and the only thing that has changed is that I am no longer employed at my previous company.  Two days after being laid off I slept through the night and awoke feeling refreshed for the first time.   I can’t think that isn’t a coincidence.

I have caught up on my Unitarian Universalist podcasts and have had my heart filled by my family and friends. I have written and knitted and found renewed strength.   I spent the week with my niece and am once again amazed how she and her mom always seem to be around when they are needed most.  How at some of the hardest times in my life that little girl has pushed those fears away with her laughter and unbiased bottomless love and healed my heart.  I have received heartfelt much appreicated emails and notes from friends, some of whom I have never met in person and feel fortified by each and every one.

So the hunt is officially on and we are tracking that crafty fox.  In my spare time (because I have been having a normal work day, on the computer by 6:30 to look for jobs, an hour for lunch and done for the day at 5) I have spun the rest of my yellow merino.

Yellow Merino Handspun

I spun this looser and thicker than I normally would then plied it tight.  I really love the smooshiness of the end result.  I still have to work on spinning a bit thicker, I feel really out of control with it.

Yellow Merino Detail

The Mr also finished spinning some yarn.

The Mr's handspun "Zoo Blend"

This was 4 oz of Ranch Of The Oaks “Zoo Blend” which means it had quite a few different animals in there.  Llama, alpaca, Icelandic wool & I think maybe some curly the angora goat.  Either way it’s totally delish and so damn soft.  I think it needs to be some mittens, this yarn should be close to the skin and I think also that it will be super duper warm.

I also finished one Froot Loop sock. I always loved the pattern since I first saw it on Knitty but the pattern looked complicated and though I love cabled socks I rarely knit them because I can’t stand the thought of a cable needle on socks.  This one should have had a exclimation at the top proclaiming “No Cabling Required!”

Froot Loop Sock

 We are also dog sitting again which actually works out well since I’m off work.  I only wish I would have had the MIL set up a grooming appointment for the dog so I could have taken him while they were gone. 

Next weekend we are joining the parents up at June Lake next to Yosemite National Park. I can’t tell you how excited I am.  They rented a two bedroom cabin and I heard tell there is fishing equipment involved!  I know absolutely nothing about fishing other than 1. I love it & 2. I will catch a larger fish than you.  That’s the proven method and it usually does drive people nuts as I cast willy nilly and sometimes with out even bait   What it will allow is some great pictures, some excellent father son time for the Mr & his dad and lots of smiles. I really can’t wait.

Bob says Howdy, he is helping me apply for jobs & is polishing up his typing skills in the process.

I am a Unitarian Universalist and I try very hard to practice “The inherent Worth and Dignity of Every Person” so even if I don’t like you or don’t agree with you I still think that you should be treated with respect, kindness, and dignity.  This was tested  pretty rigorously last week reaffirming my belief that if you are not here making the world a better place you have no place in the world.

Enough of that rant. I did what my moral compass compelled me to do and now feel much more rational about the whole thing.

In other news I have UFOs Knitting has been going slowly for some reason. I feel as though my endless pararde of finished knits from last year stalled out somewhere this year. Maybe it’s because I’m more picky about what I knit or maybe it’s because I’m just trying to use the stash.  Either way it’s a little bit slower in the final production.

February Baby Sweater

February Baby sweater in cotton fleece for my niece Amelia For some reason I put off knitting this sweater though I can’t remember why. Maybe it was the incredible growth spurts my niece is prone to (you may say this is normal, but man, the girl is TALL) or that every time I think about this knit it’s summer in Arizona where she lives.

Either way, I found out that my BIL, SIL & niece are coming for a visit early next month and I thought that it was a great time to knit it. Not only would the weather be perfect, (warm days but the nights are still cool) but I would be able to get some modeled shots.  I made the sleeves 3/4 length so that mom wouldn’t have to roll them up & I made it out of a sturdy but light cotton. So at least it will get one springs worth of wear. I just need to sew the sleeves, wash, block & find a toggle for the front

I also finished my first cornrow sock last week at knitting.

Cornrow sock.

This isn’t a great picture and I don’t really like socks with out feet in them, but I don’t have two socks to model so there you go.  (also, I love my moose sock blockers) I decided to continue the pattern down the heel flap because the sturdiness and flatness of the stitch pattern really lendt itself well to it. Hopefully by the end of the week I will have two finished socks and a free pattern for ya all.

I probably didn’t mention but two weekends past the Mr and I snagged some fish out of my MIL’s pond for our own pond. How many grown adults does it take to herd gold fish into a net? At least 3, and only if one is on her knees with her arm in the water up to her elbow.

Not sated with the 5 beautiful fish we managed to snag from them the Mr wanted a Koi. So we stopped by petco and picked up a just delivered bag of koi. Two butterfly koi which I am really totally in love with.

Koi for our pond

One is a fantastic mind blowing yellow and the other a lighter orange/gold than the comets we have in the pond already. Everyone seems to have settled in quite well and Mr Mellow Yellow there is apparently king of the fish as they all follow him around and won’t make a move with out him which I find funny.

We also had a small skirmish at the house this weekend. All was peaceful as it should be till the great Bob-zilla, unhappy with his complete rule over the lands of Floor, Couch, and Bed decided to attack the good hearted lego people of Dining Room Table.

It was a brutal battle, every man that could carry a weapon turned out to defend the walls. There were indeed times when it looked quite grim as the beast seemed impervious to arrows and spears.

A sneak attack from the back of the castle was tried gaining the great Bob-zilla access to the castles rear courtyard, but trusty knights were quick to flock to the dangers.

In the end a truce was proposed by the King of all Legomen & Dining Room Table.

The truce was accepted by Bob-zilla because after all, it was close to naptime.

Nameless Sock Design

I’m really loving the texture of the pattern so far. It’s a really easy two row repeat but its creating such a fabulous almost ribbing effect. Though people, there is no purling except for the cuff (and when the heel flap is worked flat) so that is a plus in most peoples books I know.

Here's a detail of the st

I’m using Malabrigo Sock in colorway Turner and I think that this design really breaks up any inclination the yarn may have to pool. I’m really quite happy with it so far.

I have also been spinning.

Sunshiny Yellow Merino

This is the beautiful sunshiny yellow merino I bought in Minnesota from that amazing shop The Fiber Studio. Seriously, I love that shop and miss it. I wish it was right next to Anacapa Fine Yarns so I could have the worlds most well stocked knit shop & the best fiber shop ever

I broke out the high speed flyer for the first time the other weekend.  It took a little bit to get used to it, but I think I’m on the right path. I have a weird beginners spinning issue with not putting enough twist into the single & then trying to over ply the yarn.

Poor Bob is once again humiliated on the interweb

Bob suffers from this kind of attention more than our other cats because he rarely ever gets fed up and leaves.  If the Mr does it then whatever “it” is must be ok with the Bob.

Popcorn toes

Funny enough, Bob hates people food. He has no interest at all in it, though Special Ed loves cheese in all forms (especially fake cheese on Mac & Cheese, he will suck it right off the noodle) and A Boy Named Sue loves (and I mean loves)  sourdough bread.

First up, this little guy has been sitting around done for a couple of weeks and never got blogged. All together now “aw, sad”. So here I introduce you to Sid the Squid (some of you may even get the reference, if not, fear not, you are just not as big of a dork as me).

Sid hangs out with ripened oranges and well watered succulents.

Let me take your attention away from the cute as a button squid for just one second, looking past him into the background you see such a fantastic blurriness.  That would be because I have now in my possession a brand spanking new 85mm prime lens. I am in love. 

I have also finally washed the blue cable scarf. It is now even more fantastic.

So cabley!

I also finished my test sweater for my Matthias pattern. It will be available by Wednesday for those of you looking for it.

Side view (not seriously flattering though)

I really wanted to make sure everything was as perfect as it could be since I plan on offering this knit for sale.  I’ve had a few people write me confusing emails about my entrelac cowl pattern (and entreleac is confusing enough with out having to think about it in the round) even though when I knit it (from my own pattern) everything comes out fine, so I don’t want any of those emails on a sweater scale.

I think the most difficult part for people will be the collar (you knit it almost 2″ shorter than the actual measurement of the neck hole opening) and shoulder/epilet transistion. I’ve tried to write it as clearly as I can but I expect emails.

In other news, we seem to have a marauding giant cat attacking Innocent castles & chomping on helpless lego men.

Bob Smash

God speed little lego warrior.

One sleeve is right side out, one is inside out. I'm just not sure which one is which yet.

Spring has also come to California. The flowers are blooming, the bugs are alive, the lizards are getting fat once more & the cats are allowed outside. Not my cats mind you, my cats aren’t at all interested in the “outside”.

Mr. Ghetto of the big eyes & head.

 My inlaws are now back from Arizona so that means that we are done dog sitting for now. I still don’t understand how it’s fair that they got the baby (our niece) & we got the dog.  Tyler is deep down a good dog, but he’s such a bad mannered spaz I often forget that. Let’s just say that I’m relieved he’s gone. 

Today my new lens is being delivered and I’m just about hopping out of my chair with excitement! Also, it’s just under a week before I’m heading to Minnesota which is awesome.  My list of places to go, see, and photograph is ever expanding.  There are so many things you do not do in the state you grew up in.  So many things that seem normal but are truly beautiful.  Maybe this is why I do all the “dorky” stuff in California & why I insist on stopping to take pictures whenever the whim hits me.  Thankfully, the husband seems to fully understand.

Roses roses everywhere.

 This weekend I have set a goal of 5-7K worth of words to write, plus adding the edits I did earlier last week. Thankfully, it seems to want to rain so I don’t have to feel bad about spending time indoors on the computer.

Actually, it’s not worse, not by any stretch of the imagination.

Swallowtail Shawl in class "preita" pose with only 1/2 my face showing.

Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Sock
Neeldes: US 6 circs
Mods: I worried about running out of yarn and after researching ravelry (isn’t that lovely, just think, 2 years ago you couldn’t do such a thing!) I found that I would run out, so I omitted 1 section of the lily of the valley lace.

Verdit: Love.

Not as big, but just as pretty.

The second version is not as big due to my yarn choice. I love it.  The size is absolutely perfect, PERFECT I SAY.

It’s so purpley and happy, I love this knit. I think I might make one more for the grandma. Though I might not.

LOVE. Seriously.

In other news the Mr is one proud papa.

If I didn't know better I'd worry he loved this more than me!

I made him stand there next to the new baby, because I’m a dork, and I force my dorkiness on others.  I believe in sharing the horor.  I also just realized that I think this picture captures every one of my favorite things.
1.The Mr (obviously)
2. Computer complete with writing
3. Ugly fish!
4. Moutain Dew
5. Knitting!
6. TV (I won’t lie, I love tv)
7. Spinning Wheel (you can just barely see the treddle by the Mr’s feet)
 

Wow, that picture really do represent my big loves!   It would only be complete if the Mr had a cat in his arms, one on his shoulder and a mouth breather in my face.

What mouth breather you ask? This mouth breather who thinks that personal space means the 2cm between your nose & his!

1. I’m teaching a class on how to use Ravelry  at Anacapa Fine YarnsJan 15th, which is this Thursday. There will be a manual provided so you can take it home and get your butt on Ravelry already. This class is free and open to all.

NEXT!

2. I’m heading to Minnesota March 26-30th. Mostly to visit my family, but I will be free for a lunch or two, and I’m trying to remember if I know of any Minnesota based knitters or flickr users. If so email me! We’ll have a meet up, dork style.

NEXT!

3.  I’ve developed a severe case of hybrid road rage. Seriously, if your little hybrid prius, civic or toyotta can’t go above 40 mph, get your ass out of the fast lane. Especially on the 101 going through LA. You people make me conteplate getting a gun and I’m really not that voilent of a person.

NEXT!

4.  I played rock band for the first time this last weekend at Will’s house and it freaking rocked.

NEXT!

5. I’ve been knitting. It feels like I haven’t completed anything in forever. But I’m close on two (three? four?) fronts. So here are some UFO sightings.

The sleeve to the Mr's newest sweater. He picked out the cable & I'm really enjoying it.

I would love to say that I’m done with this sleeve, but I got worried about the width, and seemed it up, then I realized if it fit me perfectly, it would not, most likely, fit the husband. I’m now 1/2 way through the new sleeve that is cannibalizing off this.  This time though I’ve added two cables next to the seem stitches and it is going to freaking rock.

Cabled Scarf in Lambs Pride

This scarf is nearing 1/2 done. It’s an easy cable once you get started and pretty easily memorized, I love how complicated it looks. This cable is from the Vogue Stitchinary Vol. 2.

Close up

Is there anything that Lambs Pride isn’t good for? Seriously (and I know some people don’t like the mohair addition, but I love the fuzz) I think it probably could protect us from nuclear fall out.  It’s breathable, incredibly warm and the mohair collects rain drops & fog condensation with out getting you wet. Pretty damn impressive I would say.

NEXT!

6. My cousin shamed me into getting on facebook, now all I do is look up those popular people who were terrible to me for 8 years of Jr & High School and smile that they are loosers. Sucks to peek in high school, where do you have to go from there?

NEXT!

7. I would probably be going to hell for that last one, but I’m a Unitarian and snark is in our nature!

NEXT!

8. Cat pictures, because I am that woman:

SUE: he's cute and fluffy, but usually pretty slashy!

Bob couldn't look pretty if his life depended on it. The most I can hope for is "Slack Jawed Yokle" as he's a mouth breather.

But he does have cute toes.

Ventura Pier, California

It has been raining here for the last few days (the “storm” has since moved on), but it takes realatively little weather to change sunny California in to a new exciting place. This picture was taken saturday with my sister in law in tow. I’m sure that the lifeguards would have appreciated me NOT wandering near the tide under the pier but it called & called hard.

I take pictures like I talk. I rarely think about anything between the time I deside to take a picture to when I do it. That usually involves me running around & stopping suddenly.  I’m probably not a very fun person to follow at these times because when something strikes me as beautiful it fills my chest like a hot air balloon and I’m off. Sometimes I even remember I have people with me.

I rarely edit. Editing is for art students and people who understand computers. I am neither. I understand color though. The orange on the left couldn’t be more perfect.

The swells were over 10ft tall and the rangers had closed the pier.  People are notoriously stupid in bad weather.

And a random picture of Bob (amazingly with his mouth CLOSED!)

From the garden at the Ohio House.

Cleveland Sunset

Owl Eyed Butterfly, botanical gardens Cleveland OH.

Ed on top, Sue on the bottom. Love my boys!

Sweet Ed

Bob’s usually not this photogenic.

Sue is always a pretty boy.

Edison/Ford Estates, Fort Myers FL

Sanibel Island FL

Glacier Grooves. Putin Bay Ohio

My Buppa

Raku, Channel Islands University, California

Miss Mi

God I love this man!