Where did I put my sunglasses?

Elle est tres belle, n'est-ce pas?

(Don't miss seeing this close up -- click for big.)

Pattern: Clapotis
Source: Knitty
Yarn: DK Silky Merino from Sundara Yarn, "Sunny Day," three 250-yard skeins
Needles: 4.5 mm/US 7 Addi Turbo
Modifications: I made the scarf a bit wider by increasing until I thought it was about time to stop; it's about 23 inches wide, give or take. I also made it longer by delaying the decreases until I had just about 150 yards of yarn left; it's 78 inches long after blocking.
Comments: Sundara is a Yarn Goddess.

Progress, plans and a postcard

I'll tell you right now, this could take a while. I got home from work last night, wondered why I had to drag myself up the stairs, why I could barely eat my little bowl of soup, why I needed to stretch out on the couch to knit...Ah, could it be because I haven't stopped running for more than a week? Perhaps.

I'm nearing the end of the clapotis. This is all the yarn I have left, and if my calculations are correct, it should be just right (someone posted a formula on KR -- you need 20% of your yarn for the increase section, 60% for the straight section, and 20% for the decrease section).

I love the pattern so much that I'm going to cast on right away for a smaller clapotis, with 400 yards of Schaeffer Laurel in "Elizabeth Blackwell." This just might be the perfect present for my sister S, whose Big Birthday is in May. I've been saving the yarn for something special, after all. It's a really soft cabled cotton that looks like it will knit nicely on 7's or 8's.

Progress. My mom is making progress at last. She's had too many setbacks in the past three months, but last week she turned a corner. She's up and around more, happier, and more like her new old self (the one we've been getting used to since she had the stroke almost a year ago). We sat and talked, looked at photographs, told stories, and there was one point when all three of us dozed off. My niece and I visited with her as much as we could, and we fit in an evening with my brother and his family, a short visit with my dear friend V, some shopping for my mom, a stay with my sister E and her family, and -- wait for it -- two yarn store experiences.

The first shop we visited was Knit and Stitch=Bliss in Bethesda. I remember when it was the Needlework Attic, way back in the olden days. We had a great time poking around, and the staff was wonderful. R picked out some yarn for a friend's birthday, and she fell in love with this Mountain Colors Bearfoot in "Thunderhead." She'd like a pair of gloves, and I think a few cables are in order, don't you?

The next day we were on Capitol Hill, and E, R and I went to Stitch DC on 8th Street SE. I was in Yarn Heaven! Here were all the yarns I never get to see in person -- Habu, Hemp for Knitting, Claudia, Alchemy, Karabella, Blue Sky. Oh, the delicious agony of the Alchemy! I restrained myself somewhat and purchased this Claudia fingering merino in "Passion Fruit" and one skein (but enough for a little scarf) of Alchemy Silk Purse in "Scarlett's Dark Secret."

I also fell in love with two Habu yarns. The pink one is Paper Ring in "Madder" (it's linen with a cotton core) and the other two are GEAR linen, which looks like corrugated paper. One is white, and the other is a deep purple/brown. I have no idea what I will end up doing with these yarns, but they are amazing. They would make an interesting bag or household piece. I'll add them to my small collection of Really Intriguing Yarns, and we'll see what happens.

My wonderful niece the Big R has declared her desire to knit. We had so much fun playing with yarn, and getting all excited about the fibers and the colors that she must have caught knititis right there and then. She left Stitch DC with three balls of Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk in a bright cinnamon color and a pair of Addis. I had to catch my plane, but E taught her how to cast on, knit and purl, and I guess she's working on a scarf by now.

All in all, I'd say it's been a good week. I'm so relieved that my mom is doing better. I hope she keeps improving, even though we don't yet know what's next for her. More than one person has said I look like I've had a weight lifted from my shoulders, and they're absolutely right. Good news works wonders, and so does having your mother's arms around you.

~:~:~

I finally made it to the Post Office at the end of the week, and there it was -- my eagerly-awaited Project Spectrum Postcard Swap envelope. Sydney sent me this sweet card. I just love it!

Coming in for a landing

Approaching Fire Island on Wednesday afternoon. Trip report to follow soon. Involves stash enhancement.

All packed up

And ready (sort of) to go to Maryland for a short visit with my mother. I'm meeting up with the Big R, and we'll get to have a nice visit, too. I'll be back on Wednesday night with most of a clapotis, two more socks, and some new yarn. That's the plan, anyway.

Firenze

F is for Florence! My favorite foreign city!

The Cathedral, the Campanile and the Duomo in the late afternoon.
September, 2004.

Via del Strozzi in the morning.

The Arno River, from the Ponte Vecchio, in the afternoon. The Uffizi is on the left.

The Duomo from Via Dei Servi (I think; we were a little turned around) in the afternoon.

Florence from Villa San Michele in Fiesole, in the morning.

I return to that magical week in Italy whenever I can, in pictures and happy memories. I don't like cities much (well, not at all, really) but Florence is a city I would love to explore. One day...

Sunny Day

The clouds have been blowing madly across the sky. It's wild, and energizing. And cold.

Great Art is never created without disorder, and neither is a Project Spectrum Postcard. It's on its way to my Pal, in a envelope because I just couldn't bear to let it take its chances. I had so much fun making it!

The Sunny Day clapotis is coming along nicely. I like having this big thing to work on alongside the socks I am always knitting, and it's fun to get to the part where I drop a line of stitches. I am still so in love with this yarn that I will be sad when my scarf is finished.

~:~

My fear of having Only One Project seems to keep me from finishing anything too quickly. I'd rather savor each one, and work on it when the mood strikes, than commit myself to finishing one at a time. Funny, this thought never occurred to me before the Knitting Olympics! Those sixteen days of monogamy were pure, sockless torture.

I've always started whatever, whenever, fretting only when the Pile of Knitting begins to obstruct my path, or when all my size 7's are in use, or when nothing I start satisfies me. That's when a deep breath is in order, and some ruthless frogging, too. I have plenty of big ideas, the yarn to make them happen, and -- best of all -- no deadlines!

Sidetracked

I know, I know, it's still red and pink month.

But what's a woman to do? This is a clapotis, of course. I'm not very far along yet (I just dropped the first little row of stitches), but I can't help myself. My red socks will be there when I return from the land of KTBL and PFB. This yarn, which I wrote about the other day, is over-the-moon amazing. I am besotted. I do believe Sundara must get it from Yarn Fairies.

Pattern: Clapotis from Knitty (do you really need a link?)

Yarn: Sundara Yarn DK Merino Silk, "Sunny Day"

Needles: 4.5mm Gauge: about 4.5/inch

This is the very best project for a damp and rainy, sort of headachey Sunday. I'll bet it's just as good on all the other days of the week, too! I'll let you know...

Little E

So far, E has been the most difficult letter in the ABC-Along. I've been rolling ideas around for days, indecisively, but it wasn't until this afternoon that the right E came to me.

E is for Emma. I hadn't planned on trotting out pictures of all my old pets, but this is Emma, for goodness' sake. She came to me in 1983, fluffy gray tail and all, and stayed by my side until 1999. She was a little thing, very long haired, quite talkative, a bit sassy, and often persnickety. But she was also, along with my dog Jillaroo, a wise and steadfast companion. She had a habit of staying close and watchful, often on my shoulder or in my lap, and being my little fur guardian.

Oh, that little Emma.

She's still watching out for me, she is. I take it for granted that she is on the bed at night, next to the pillow, and Annabelle seems to know it, too. How many times have I felt a cat walking across the covers, only to look down and see that Annabelle's not even there? It's Emma, come to sleep by my head.

Emma was also, apparently, a good sport. This is a picture that should embarrass the average cat (or the chaotic kind), but she must have "agreed" to pose in a teddy bear hat and scarf I made for one of the kids. I think my niece, the Big R, took this picture when she was about eight years old. Emma was about nine. I'm sorry, Little One, but it fit you perfectly.

Not a day goes by that I don't remember something nice about Miss Emma. Finding this picture made my day!

Once more, with fingers crossed

Is this not some of the most beautiful yarn you have ever seen? It's Sundara Yarns' DK Silky Merino. The color, you ask? Why, "Sunny Day" of course! It is even more lustrous, soft, and just plain exquisite in person. Now, what to knit? Clapotis, I think. Maybe. Oh, I don't know. I'm open to suggestions. I have three 250-yard skeins.

Now, let's see about those Project Spectrum photos I tried to post this morning:

And last but not least, the fluffy little Dulaan scarf:

I feel better now.

Rosy goodness

What do I want to make in Project Spectrum hues? Socks, of course! This is the beginning of the pair I started last night. I like 'em! I tried a lacy pattern with YO's and stuff, but it was too fussy. This is perfect for the stripey yarn.

Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock, "Irving Park."

Pattern: Just your basic Ann Budd Sock Formula. K1P1 ribbing. Stitch pattern is "Stansfield #10" from Sensational Knitted Socks.

Needles: 2.25mm Gauge: about 9 st/in

The lace scarf is still sitting in the basket, but not because it's not going well. I've been too tired at night to do any knitting that requires concentration or sharp eyesight.

~:~

There must be more knitting somewhere. Oh, right...there's a Dulaan scarf, whose picture just doesn't seem to want to appear despite several tries. Curses on Blogger! I just had to have a ball of frou-frou yarn (Patons Cha Cha, half off at Michael's!), and I just had to knit it up right away. I combined it with some leftover red Dale Sisik, so it's thick and warm. It's all pink and red and purple, sort of like the socks. I guess I have to ask you to use your imagination.

You'll also have to imagine the colorful photos I tried to post for Margene's Project Spectrum meme. Blogger ate them, too, when I tried to edit just now. I'm trying not to be cranky.

~:~

I seem to be having one of those weeks. Where did the time go? I think work is beginning that slow acceleration as summer draws near; more books are arriving every week, there's more activity in the village, and I feel busy again after a few weeks of quiet.

I enjoyed my visits to all the back yards, and I'm flattered by all the nice comments on my snowy photograph. I think I'll print one up and give it to the S's (my landlords). They're some of the best folks around, and they take care of Herself when I'm out of town, to boot.

I'm beginning the mental preparation for a trip to visit my mother on the 19th; the physical prepararion (the laundry and cleaning) will commence soon. She's been having a difficult time, and I miss her.

I'll be meeting up with my niece R, who will be on spring break and is flying in from Chicago. I haven't seen her since last summer, and I can't wait to spend a few days catching up. She's the least gabby of my two Chicago nieces, but we'll end up hoarse anyway! I'm blessed to have two sets of R's in my life -- they have exactly the same names. The Big R's are in Chicago, and the Little R's are right here.

Knitting circle this afternoon -- must remember to take my Olympic sweater to show it off! It's probably too warm to wear it, though. That thing weighs a ton.

Back Yard Greetings

7:00 am, March 5, Southampton, NY

It's a beautiful morning -- there's not a cloud in the sky (and it's become bright blue now), it's crisp but not too cold (fine enough for an early-morning photo shoot), and Thursday's snow still conceals the end-of-winter dullness. The deer have been by this morning, and the chickadees have been making themselves heard. Annabelle has had her Sunday morning tour of the bottom of the stairs (yes, my cat is weird), and I'm back inside to warm up and have another cup of coffee. I'm glad you could stop by!

These are the stairs up to my apartment in a greener time of year (last September). I live in a sweet little place, which happens to be above the garage of my landlords' house (they are the best in the world -- D even shovels the snow off the stairs for me!). I've lived here for six years. Boy, does that sentence make me shiver. I've rarely lived in one house for six years! Does that mean I've settled here?

This is for Becky's virtual field trip, by the way. Check out her sidebar and join us!

~:~

My lace scarf project is not the easy knitting I'd hoped. It's not that it's difficult, really, but that it requires my attention at all times. You lose one yarn-over, and there goes your evening. Here it is, in all its 293 stitches of rumpled glory, with cat toes for scale. It's not much to look at yet, is it?

I'm also knitting away on the second sock for that R. I'll finish the pair this week, and I'll finally have something new to report to Amie's 2000Socks count. Have you seen that ticker on her blog? It's at 1026 socks, and it's barely March!

It's time to get on with this beautiful day. It will involve a road trip to Target for supplies (cat toes must be fed), but I'm planning to visit a lot of back yards, too!

Field trip, anyone?

Want to join me? I'm going on a Knitblogger's Field Trip tomorrow. Becky at Knitting Interrupted had the idea -- on Sunday morning, March 5th, take a picture of your back yard (or find an old view that you like) and post it on your blog. Easy, no? Click on Becky's link for the full story. It will be fun to click around to see a lot of knitters' back yards (or in my case, front, back, and side, all at the same time). And at this time of the year, I could really use a little field trip, even a virtual one. Spring is always very slow to arrive on this little tip of the island, so I hope I'll get to see a few signs of it tomorrow!

And tomorrow morning I'll have more time to post about the progress I'm not making on my PS Diamond Lace scarf project. Right now, I have to get ready to go and tell people what to read.

If it's March...

... it must be time for Project Spectrum! This month the colors are red and pink. I think I have just the right yarn for a few knitting projects.

There's Lorna's Laces in a color called "Irving Park" and the lovely Schaeffer Anne in, well, a color with a lot of deep pink in it. I'm going to cast on for a scarf in the Anne -- Diamond Lace Dress-It-Up from Heartstrings.

The Lorna's might become some lacey socks, but not until I finish the ones I'm working on now -- the STR Moss Agate socks that have turned into a stripey pair for one of the exquisite R's. The other exquisite R will receive a pair of socks that I knitted a long time ago, with no particular feet in mind, but they are just her colors and just her size.

I have a few ideas for the Postcard Swap, too. I have a huge folder of pages I've ripped from magazines -- colors, photos, settings, miscellany -- and lots of bits and pieces of paper that I knew I'd want someday. I like to make collages, and I'm still very fond of the big one that I made when Judy and I did The Artist's Way together (we almost finished the whole thing, and it's had a huge influence on me nonetheless). My postcard will be a collage, then.

So it looks like I'm all ready to start this exciting month of projects. Thanks, Lolly!

~:~

I wore my Olympic sweater to work on Monday. Not only was I proud and wanted to strut through the store all day, but it was really cold and I actually needed it. At one point I was in the office, and I heard my co-worker J saying to someone up front, "Sixteen days!" I knew just what he was talking about!

This was by far the most invigorating knitting experience I've ever had. Stephanie's February 28 blog post says it all.

And hey, I've made a head start on Project Spectrum, too -- my sweater is a full-spectrum extravaganza, don't you think?