I tried

Final endorsement is, um, pending...

Happy Nor'Easter

Rainy Day Knitting


It's pouring, it's dreary, and it's windy. Boy, is it windy. The tops of the trees are doing that wild whirly thing that makes me wonder why they aren't snapping, but then I remember that they're doing exactly what's in their nature. Trees are flexible.

I'm flexible, too. It may seem like I am all socks, all the time, but no. I have other skills. I can knit a giant diagonal washcloth, full it, and call it Annabelle's blanket. I cast on 4 stitches with two strands of Elann's Peruvian Collection Sierra Aran on size 17 needles and I'm doing the good old k1, YO increase.

I have way too many balls of this color (Deep Forest), enough for more than a sweater, so I think I can spare a few or four for a cozy kitty blanket. Annie loves her spot on the couch, and she seems to like a little thing to sleep on. I'm going to knit until I've used two balls, then start decreasing for the second half. When I'm done, into the washer it goes.

Color Inspiration



I have been thinking a lot about blues and greens lately. Pale water, sandy shore, white sunlight...

These three colors have joined the other beloved sock yarn in my stash. First is Fleece Artist Sea Wool in Peridot, which I ordered from Simply Socks Yarn Company. The colors -- so quiet in this skein -- remind me of the shallow water at the edge of the bay. The yarn is 70% Merino and 30% Seacell. It's new to me, and I love the way it feels. Next are two Nature's Palette colors from Naturesong Yarns -- Dark Indigo and Seafoam. I am drawn to anything Indigo, so I want some Indigo socks. Seafoam just makes me smile.

Annabelle's Response to the Paparazzi

"Please. I told you, I do not like the candid photographs."
(for Chris)

I swear, I had something else to say. I've been sitting here at the keyboard for what seems like forever, but it's not coming back to me. I think I'll just go back to the comfort of the garter stitch blankie.

A little consolation

Happy Easter, or whatever!

It's been a long week -- busy at work, busy at home. And for the first time in about eight years, I have to work today. The Schedule Goddess (that would be me) tried, but she saw no other way. How could I ask my coworker with the young child to come in today, when her son was up and dyeing Easter eggs with his grandmother when she left for work yesterday?

So the two of us who will be at the store today will be ready. You know, in case someone needs a magazine or something. Or The Velveteen Rabbit. We'll close in time to get to the wonderful dinners that will have been prepared without our hanging out in the kitchen with our families and friends. They'll be happy to see us when we get there, tell us they love us, and then sit us down to a delicious meal and lots of fun. That's how I'm consoling myself, anyway.

Would you like to see a little more of my New and Improved home? This is where my shelves and desk used to be:

Peaceful, sweet and refreshing. The clutterless state of this side of my apartment is a joy (you won't be seeing any panoramic shots, for good reason). And as I look at this picture it comes to me: everything in it has to do with my friend K. The Real Reeves wheel. The amazing Shaker chair, built by K and R, and on permanent (I suppose) loan. Even the little footstool was found when we were on an antique store crawl on the Eastern Shore. It's not a shrine, I swear. It just demonstrates that I hang out with people who have excellent taste!

I do knit. Really, I do. I have so many socks going on right now that I don't know where to turn, but once the pair I'm knitting on a deadline is finished I might just cast on for a Backyard Leaves scarf. I have some pretty geen yarn that just might do.

Some knitting, at least

Knitting this sock is like sitting by the Caribbean (or so I imagine). It's warm and bright and oh-so-blue. Crown Mountain Farms Sock Hop yarn is extra-extraordinary. The day may be damp, dreary and chilly, but who cares when I have this to work on?

I've been doing lots of not knitting this week. I accomplished the next phase of my life reorganization. I didn't start out thinking of it this way, but it's become a real overhaul. After moving, shifting, shoving, and tossing for most of yesterday, I now have more open, uncluttered space in this little home than I've had for the seven years I've lived here. It feels wonderful. There are still piles and boxes and baskets all over the place, but now I can take my time and go through each one. They're just the little parts of the big picture.

When I walked into my apartment this afternoon it felt peaceful. Not busy, not overwhelming. Restful. I spend every day in very busy surroundings. It's not just active and loud; the bookstore is also visually busy. There's nothing to rest your eyes on, because all those books and lights and things are practically vibrating. It's energizing, for the most part, but I'd begun to crave something at home that I wasn't getting.

It's coming now. I'm making it happen. Slowly, perhaps. But slow and steady wins the race!