tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29315385993441662242024-02-06T21:32:09.625-05:00My Husband Is a Yarn Widower*Yarn Widower n. oft-neglected male spouse of knitting enthusiast
*Yarn Widow n. feminine form of Yarn Widower should the knitter happen to be male
*Yarn Widowmaker n. referring to my yarn stashSungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-8981273054627738852011-12-08T04:20:00.002-05:002011-12-07T17:07:15.414-05:00Cookies were indeed swapped...Oh and the cookies! Check out the haul!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We each brought 3 dozen cookies and took home about the same. Some highlights:</div><ul><li> Orange nut lace cookies dipped in chocolate</li>
<li>Cranberry cookies with lemon zest icing</li>
<li>2 different kinds of gingerbread</li>
<li>Praline Cookies</li>
<li>Shortbread</li>
<li>Chocolate Chunk Cookies</li>
<li>Potato Chip Cookies</li>
<li>Cocoa Meringue Cookies</li>
<li>Eggnog Cookies</li>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then there came the party favors (my favorite part):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Carolyn is quite the quilter so she made us each a Mug Rug - a coaster big enough for your mug of hot chocolate and a little snack to accompany it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And Charity, being Charity, raided her extensive shawl closet and brought us each one to take home. This is an incredibly generous gift. Charity has a great eye for color and design. Each shawl is a one-of-a-kind work of art requiring hundreds of hours. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSY2y8yw7kK7nINV_lJqSmq53cgy55wiFIEleSRuZ2RIQk3Al4dkwzAV4OmuzoT-uywUoSASclytQFctkLJ3jN8YTWeGX4YO569RWykKEJ2FWjYqrhwSsfFZnZFouJdZpxINkZyIQgd3k/s1600/December+2011_3203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSY2y8yw7kK7nINV_lJqSmq53cgy55wiFIEleSRuZ2RIQk3Al4dkwzAV4OmuzoT-uywUoSASclytQFctkLJ3jN8YTWeGX4YO569RWykKEJ2FWjYqrhwSsfFZnZFouJdZpxINkZyIQgd3k/s320/December+2011_3203.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jamie displays her chosen shawl</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We each selected one and we all agreed that each shawl matched the recipient quite beautifully. Except Jamie somehow ended up with my shawl... Funny, that.</div>Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-15256670824336324982011-12-07T15:33:00.003-05:002011-12-07T18:47:57.134-05:00Cookie Swap 2011This year, the annual Cookie Swap was hosted by Melissa. She very graciously opened up her home to us for some nibbling and knitting.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookies to share </td></tr>
</tbody></table> That's Jamie in the corner. Yes, sometimes we do put Baby in the corner. Speaking of babies, Caryn is currently incubating one. Atta girl, Caryn!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of us are shy</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZ-J4u5KBApQKJSOlLg0lsqS1iqadZ8aWvAphLbsqUTrvbJgD9Rle5uh-V-GbtchZTKf1achEE8D8CNiJQ6HsmF9UP6TOypfPUePyLHe_6smn3Vd7tZVRKatRG5e6yUd7ncr2f_7-rYU/s1600/December+2011_3187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZ-J4u5KBApQKJSOlLg0lsqS1iqadZ8aWvAphLbsqUTrvbJgD9Rle5uh-V-GbtchZTKf1achEE8D8CNiJQ6HsmF9UP6TOypfPUePyLHe_6smn3Vd7tZVRKatRG5e6yUd7ncr2f_7-rYU/s400/December+2011_3187.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But not these two</td></tr>
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That's Auntie Carolyn checking on the incubation progress. So far, so good.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoHB53suYhH3ZhNyGzcUVQtcD9irtgeowgVz0gH8qzEBVLap1xzIQTRJ2lv3t-s1RdIIdobp704UD0vcFYRfStE55oFRCbPiv2r6PCLneSGMHsu5C0rd6DSZu8BQ9qREgEgLDeWvmPss/s1600/December+2011_3184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoHB53suYhH3ZhNyGzcUVQtcD9irtgeowgVz0gH8qzEBVLap1xzIQTRJ2lv3t-s1RdIIdobp704UD0vcFYRfStE55oFRCbPiv2r6PCLneSGMHsu5C0rd6DSZu8BQ9qREgEgLDeWvmPss/s400/December+2011_3184.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The usual suspects: Rebecca,Charity and Faith</td></tr>
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Yes, it's true. We have two of the virtues (Faith and Charity) in our little knitting group. We are currently looking for Hope,. Patience, Prudence and Temperance. If you know of their whereabouts, please send them our way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QgJA4eEfJDKs1i-5dEK9xOTDqvgQtBQJUsZB075Gie3BXi6APjXEHnp4k8h3BTCAN_823LVvMlEmVhlFQ2FyDTUmjqihFjgpNexhHhk0_LpRo9VbbMZ25NNDFHI4phUnSIx0kxNGu68/s1600/December+2011_3186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QgJA4eEfJDKs1i-5dEK9xOTDqvgQtBQJUsZB075Gie3BXi6APjXEHnp4k8h3BTCAN_823LVvMlEmVhlFQ2FyDTUmjqihFjgpNexhHhk0_LpRo9VbbMZ25NNDFHI4phUnSIx0kxNGu68/s400/December+2011_3186.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The elusive and mysterious Kerrilyn, our resident Sock Guru</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5FB-fMRNAhQmE6UKJ9WncV0dV_l9bpgWyoRXvgEibJXtKyErOj3Qw97KoaxgeDTnqsAa1lEw8r-CBWvCF64RVqf6yiRv68NMt_3lZDzJ9q2QNFRKE_yuqNj6PbDh4dlT3BRcq3c8lsM/s1600/December+2011_3190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5FB-fMRNAhQmE6UKJ9WncV0dV_l9bpgWyoRXvgEibJXtKyErOj3Qw97KoaxgeDTnqsAa1lEw8r-CBWvCF64RVqf6yiRv68NMt_3lZDzJ9q2QNFRKE_yuqNj6PbDh4dlT3BRcq3c8lsM/s400/December+2011_3190.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faith and Helen discussing serious knitting matters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Shhhhhh. They're doing math.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2JZk6jAKXqjPVLCptxDOldVvz55gLU5D5QvyG-0_VTIQSgxfnGIHwjhQlhi9IEyfNjL8-cwtT2aqAP8gEGOnt3hiSl_dHz2pPjcJvawU-LeaoTCN53NcPVI_TsE6tj2TTIi41H2JqtI/s1600/December+2011_3188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2JZk6jAKXqjPVLCptxDOldVvz55gLU5D5QvyG-0_VTIQSgxfnGIHwjhQlhi9IEyfNjL8-cwtT2aqAP8gEGOnt3hiSl_dHz2pPjcJvawU-LeaoTCN53NcPVI_TsE6tj2TTIi41H2JqtI/s400/December+2011_3188.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resident Yarn Taster</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This is Nabokov. He likes to chew on yarn.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEBQ7y8v35Nv6AZHfvWkKJg860QWXXOloqmbK9jyY5xMTug5tu6hpxoqULlEEs2u0UmRWXjHsZ08-TtezZdAVKmUR-JF7pfN7CmRFK2gboupP8QH6_M-c0hsUDv9u8yofPH-OXtGBqoo/s1600/December+2011_3185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEBQ7y8v35Nv6AZHfvWkKJg860QWXXOloqmbK9jyY5xMTug5tu6hpxoqULlEEs2u0UmRWXjHsZ08-TtezZdAVKmUR-JF7pfN7CmRFK2gboupP8QH6_M-c0hsUDv9u8yofPH-OXtGBqoo/s400/December+2011_3185.JPG" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hostess in a rare moment of relaxation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This is Melissa. She's cool but she's very particular about where she sits in knitting group. Middle seat facing the baristas; that's just how it is and it's not up for discussion. Of course, in her home she is no different. This is "her" seat. Only she (and the Grinch) are allowed to sit in the Seat. No one else.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZn73VnkMHro6XL-4xV-HBVcCv9hKYAA-ypQ3VgCBWBg1Q_FRhuebjAkLUNvLVzWIaX1DNPYDp31lbsrj_OygU7UGKVcIYCtoqo6X7aXxYU6LkAiAi3UvQyHofONeSmKisLKXlAxGtkSw/s1600/December+2011_3211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZn73VnkMHro6XL-4xV-HBVcCv9hKYAA-ypQ3VgCBWBg1Q_FRhuebjAkLUNvLVzWIaX1DNPYDp31lbsrj_OygU7UGKVcIYCtoqo6X7aXxYU6LkAiAi3UvQyHofONeSmKisLKXlAxGtkSw/s400/December+2011_3211.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh no she didn't...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIhKbFlIMz3PNAgfppdCv3p1fbAD5s3f_PLpQoGc_BMrXyhC6fJRnyRDa2LM_FzFaoOZ5LjuL7SjvCeCuwQpcfsaTfUgIP06Q_M0c77HbO7F1kNflL58Awd1F-5do0VK7P_uBUoX8OIo/s1600/December+2011_3213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIhKbFlIMz3PNAgfppdCv3p1fbAD5s3f_PLpQoGc_BMrXyhC6fJRnyRDa2LM_FzFaoOZ5LjuL7SjvCeCuwQpcfsaTfUgIP06Q_M0c77HbO7F1kNflL58Awd1F-5do0VK7P_uBUoX8OIo/s400/December+2011_3213.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melissa trying to act nonchalant and failing utterly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Vdmp-QeDTRYehAK3e98-Q9h_eU_MFAIU_ueo0mchU0kvKNeTtZJC0zFW5KPhy7gNDMp43ho7DRKIYBMzBplI6EtNj4nqk8lUaQ9gqoYqZagU4OMU6sjiVxbbmx4w0OV21HP8HQpgGFE/s1600/December+2011_3206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Vdmp-QeDTRYehAK3e98-Q9h_eU_MFAIU_ueo0mchU0kvKNeTtZJC0zFW5KPhy7gNDMp43ho7DRKIYBMzBplI6EtNj4nqk8lUaQ9gqoYqZagU4OMU6sjiVxbbmx4w0OV21HP8HQpgGFE/s400/December+2011_3206.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nabakov says he can sit wherever he wants</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1286059508"></span><span id="goog_1286059509"></span>Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-44413267342485259302011-12-06T10:18:00.000-05:002011-12-06T10:18:11.760-05:00Holiday CheerIt's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Well, not really - it's 70-80 degrees out and not to make you Northerners too envious but I sleep at night with the windows open. Such a nice reprieve from the brutal heat and humidity of summer.<br />
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Anyway, what's a holiday season without cookies. Every year, my knitting group holds a cookie swap. This year, I made Yarn Widower's favorite: Gourmet Magazine's Basic Butter Cookies decorated with rainbow non-pareils. Recipe can be found <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Basic-Butter-Cookies-108915">here</a>.<br />
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I make them with Plugra butter (higher fat content than regular butter; Whole Foods usually stocks it) and I have to admit, they are some mighty fine cookies. I would make them more often but I always make a mess of it. Flour everywhere. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk60dyjjO1OwjJlD3Mff5Ejj4BW6F8XvbqpcXGgfbKtWpYr91Mh8tOjLlqPpKnT6AgtHIDM9Ul2Hl_u56C0FRECYbrwFhS9Du8HIVH9Hda1XoaIAbQIN4i01XeUjKN7mJdX1s_pRxt8YM/s1600/December+2011_3160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk60dyjjO1OwjJlD3Mff5Ejj4BW6F8XvbqpcXGgfbKtWpYr91Mh8tOjLlqPpKnT6AgtHIDM9Ul2Hl_u56C0FRECYbrwFhS9Du8HIVH9Hda1XoaIAbQIN4i01XeUjKN7mJdX1s_pRxt8YM/s400/December+2011_3160.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where is that dang sous chef when I need him?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
On my second batch, I had a eureka moment. I loosened the beater from the mixer and manually stirred in the flour to combine it just enough before reattaching the beater to do its job. And voila, no mess this time. I don't know why that has never occurred to me before. Maybe it's because I don't bake very often - too fussy, too messy, too highly caloric.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnn_w4WS3BWdCneHdUwTstiaal-qrmuQ_9FKZDyXq8K8v2xNHTsdHEKb4veptOkVla3ni1WqHAqVYJBaRh4SK8MgJxr-XoCG-_OWHtCIy8m4szK9suEJwFWYsBtUa5JFORcJpDX6KVcU8/s1600/December+2011_3161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnn_w4WS3BWdCneHdUwTstiaal-qrmuQ_9FKZDyXq8K8v2xNHTsdHEKb4veptOkVla3ni1WqHAqVYJBaRh4SK8MgJxr-XoCG-_OWHtCIy8m4szK9suEJwFWYsBtUa5JFORcJpDX6KVcU8/s400/December+2011_3161.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Messy crumbly deliciousness</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHWFQqeHsnAMZ-V_N59ILVb1CPO0OPv4JoOBWKFhWhSAUPRkVvLKosByxJF9kM2RAsGRHNlQbOmGRsdBsvZQsI2EHMaPzibhw4l4eNqTzI3ExJkicppch37ml5k3C1KtdpX2Z0Buj438/s1600/December+2011_3164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHWFQqeHsnAMZ-V_N59ILVb1CPO0OPv4JoOBWKFhWhSAUPRkVvLKosByxJF9kM2RAsGRHNlQbOmGRsdBsvZQsI2EHMaPzibhw4l4eNqTzI3ExJkicppch37ml5k3C1KtdpX2Z0Buj438/s400/December+2011_3164.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highly caloric cookie log</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGimShwtSUXDuBbGNWfY8-dWP5_0Q_bN3vW1lXi_LffsF-Ggallqi22YU4ZNPoPar6unDJt-XxMsW5YayOgexM4b3bbfLnUO1qRMTXER-dU9Lth37TESlQOL2xm2LXYxf5K8I22DI-JE/s1600/December+2011_3166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGimShwtSUXDuBbGNWfY8-dWP5_0Q_bN3vW1lXi_LffsF-Ggallqi22YU4ZNPoPar6unDJt-XxMsW5YayOgexM4b3bbfLnUO1qRMTXER-dU9Lth37TESlQOL2xm2LXYxf5K8I22DI-JE/s400/December+2011_3166.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-UpgfgOAnVj1UugFZOnjQpnzP7TXFr6nT1aaA159SCxwc5nMHHg6sj_eWUpDrWGix4P3OJZkelKo7D4U5E3tlXR2cMq3eAMkjnGqH-xZRuGlaDaUq-58unjDPHTRil1QqRjqeO4X2EY/s1600/December+2011_3167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-UpgfgOAnVj1UugFZOnjQpnzP7TXFr6nT1aaA159SCxwc5nMHHg6sj_eWUpDrWGix4P3OJZkelKo7D4U5E3tlXR2cMq3eAMkjnGqH-xZRuGlaDaUq-58unjDPHTRil1QqRjqeO4X2EY/s400/December+2011_3167.JPG" width="400" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UhrQ3yWbKaZZXmdnQ881GNPO30Xnin08IZGPliGRUHxqCOkFcr4gNhpWGg2knV7Zj13mXCVFVuRFAEifnETK1GofFagGBvv9MUF8flvcArnoYi6PPl3yWgUwYwyr5Mm2EDtlC7uiDj8/s1600/December+2011_3169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UhrQ3yWbKaZZXmdnQ881GNPO30Xnin08IZGPliGRUHxqCOkFcr4gNhpWGg2knV7Zj13mXCVFVuRFAEifnETK1GofFagGBvv9MUF8flvcArnoYi6PPl3yWgUwYwyr5Mm2EDtlC7uiDj8/s400/December+2011_3169.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>More to come...Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-32060409653542699252011-12-01T10:31:00.000-05:002011-12-01T10:31:55.087-05:00La DomestiqueSome people decided that sock knitting would be a great competitive sport: Tour de Sock to benefit Doctors Without Borders. I'm a little fuzzy on all the details - maybe one of you competitive sock knitters can fill us in. My home team decided to call themselves Team Toe-tally Socksome. (And yes, there are teams apparently all with equally punny names.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMZCVOyEarJ-hnNjvS6qE9z90sX_0M9L8q65lAXJlklJ9vRZZ_UgaDJ7cYo7xToQks9BYfRCt52ePm_USAHZDj_8t7BpeRYJLNTq6RlO30XTBZf_cFh7DdrZmByVfssrn4hGxpE2dIqw/s1600/Tourbanner2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="51" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMZCVOyEarJ-hnNjvS6qE9z90sX_0M9L8q65lAXJlklJ9vRZZ_UgaDJ7cYo7xToQks9BYfRCt52ePm_USAHZDj_8t7BpeRYJLNTq6RlO30XTBZf_cFh7DdrZmByVfssrn4hGxpE2dIqw/s400/Tourbanner2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Unfortunately, Team Toe-tally Socksome quickly became Team Toe-tally Sucksome as knitter after knitter dropped out. Speed knitting is grueling work. Which is why I much prefer to watch on the sidelines. I'm lazy that way.<br />
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In the end, Kerrilyn stood alone atop the leaderboard but even she couldn't knit quite fast enough and without her team to back her up, her light slowly faded as other knitters overtook her lead. OK. I'm being a bit dramatic for the sake of the story but Kerrilyn did prove herself to be one of the top 10 fastest sock knitters in the world. Sock Domination on a global scale is no small feat. Kudos to K-Ro! <br />
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But enough about Kerrilyn (she's got her own <a href="http://www.krossecretblog.blogspot.com/">blog </a>- I don't need to go on and on about her like I am wont to do). Enter Melissa of Boynton Beach who decided to start knitting socks just for this competition. She even trained beforehand - that's how dedicated she was. But alas, she succumbed to the dreaded Second Sock Syndrome. When she told me about this, I offered to step in. I would be her domestique.<br />
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In cycling, a domestique is a team player. This is someone who is willing to pull for the leader; i.e., give the leader a break by letting her draft behind for a bit, someone who will fend off attacks from other riders, dole out water bottles and power bars as needed. I am that person. La Domestique. Actually, come to think of it, I'm more like a pinch hitter but let's stick to one sport metaphor per post. <br />
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So I knit some socks:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sd_Z5vHSB03TwPdgwFxkmHMyMsaU7R9iUwNZhecX5CUZ3wRIGn988-P6ZTh-kD2-NHhYXznT4x9uUXzVeInkJkgI-bHXjHT4Io1Fn0cuazJPXlnmf_U3NLGVBSWVfQafoSa7wmr5IRg/s1600/August+2011_3153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sd_Z5vHSB03TwPdgwFxkmHMyMsaU7R9iUwNZhecX5CUZ3wRIGn988-P6ZTh-kD2-NHhYXznT4x9uUXzVeInkJkgI-bHXjHT4Io1Fn0cuazJPXlnmf_U3NLGVBSWVfQafoSa7wmr5IRg/s400/August+2011_3153.JPG" width="267" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pattern: Calable by Regina Satta available via Ravelry or <a href="https://shop.strato.de/epages/63348396.sf/de_DE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/63348396/Categories">here</a> if you are fluent in German. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yarn: Araucania Ranco Solid (Fingering / 4 ply - 75% Wool, 25% Nylon. 376 yards / 100 grams)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">colorway unknown - I don't have the label</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">0.75 skein used or approximately 282 yards for size 8</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Needles: US 2</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div>I ended up frogging Melissa's first sock because it was hard for me to match her tension. Also, for the sake of simplicity, she had used one cable pattern for both the front and back of the sock. I like the cable on the back of the sock.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOSBhr91dI5BCYKMdKyOv6WGH_geA6_b1lPclZFSEayi3im85b0TRAtEqPNoaFXmpBTxbTGNetVnFIKGQo-D19E7EFBhC48Oh5Y6Prx1KDUfvh02EbXSFOXDQHX_p794S_jLmapcDig8/s1600/August+2011_3154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOSBhr91dI5BCYKMdKyOv6WGH_geA6_b1lPclZFSEayi3im85b0TRAtEqPNoaFXmpBTxbTGNetVnFIKGQo-D19E7EFBhC48Oh5Y6Prx1KDUfvh02EbXSFOXDQHX_p794S_jLmapcDig8/s400/August+2011_3154.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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I always worry that cables make socks too bulky but this wasn't the case here. The cables are smooth and lie relatively flat while still providing some visual interest and texture. I like cables - they're fun to knit especially if you knit without a cable needle.<br />
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However, I would not recommend this pattern for someone who hasn't knit a bunch of socks before. Melissa is a fine knitter (she's knitting a <a href="https://www.virtualyarns.com/store/alice-starmore-classics/luskentyre/">Alice Starmore bohemoth</a>; ergo, she is a total rock star) but this is not a good pattern for Sock No. 3 (Sock No. 1 being her practice sock). The pattern is charted but it's unnecessarily complex and lacks the conventional charting symbols thus rather defeating the whole purpose of visualizing the end product. And what little text there is, is poorly translated from the author's native German. Having turned a good number of heels, I muddled through okay and am reasonably happy with the results:<br />
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I hope Melissa is too!Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-23423032305392088122011-11-21T14:25:00.000-05:002011-11-21T14:25:42.066-05:00SADI feel compelled to explain my long absence. I'm back in Florida now - have been for almost two months. And for a variety of reasons, I've been taking my sweet time getting back into my daily routine: reading, writing, knitting, cooking. Some things come back faster than others.<br />
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For instance, I've been reading some great stuff: Ann Patchett's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/State-Wonder-Ann-Patchett/dp/0062049801"><i>State of Wonder</i></a> was the highlight of my summer, and recently I read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ready-Player-One-Ernest-Cline/dp/030788743X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321900573&sr=1-1"><i>Ready Player One</i></a> by Ernest Cline - a Young Adult novel for those of us who are definitely beyond the Young Adulthood phase of our lives. I've been slowly getting back into the knitting (more on that later). And the cooking - well, I do have to eat.<br />
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But the writing has been slow to return. Sure, I scribble stuff down in my journal but that's not really fit for human consumption. I blame the weather for my relative reticence. This time of year when the days are noticeably shorter, I slow down. I hibernate, cocoon, whatever you want to call it. To be more precise and clinical, I have Seasonal Affective Disorder. For me, April is not the cruelest month; November is. <br />
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When I lived in New England, it was very pronounced. But being young and melancholy at the time, I just thought I was depressed and if I waited long enough, it would pass. It wasn't until I moved to Philadelphia that it occurred to me that I might have SAD. Now that I live in Florida, Autumn is much, much better. Moving to the Sunshine State - instant cure for SAD!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwg0ofVlsqIXqXTKkQLu4treTnjpL_TkmJ6t4lmh3OFWO5E_zhhsPnsgZZyB5YDUDSQb4HvV-43mCQ0UQGpTSSCzlCPmWvK9frVsEDxZ6ntzSLqVigG8SeMbXkelvU4i8LOPobT7zNfUE/s1600/rain-1024x768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwg0ofVlsqIXqXTKkQLu4treTnjpL_TkmJ6t4lmh3OFWO5E_zhhsPnsgZZyB5YDUDSQb4HvV-43mCQ0UQGpTSSCzlCPmWvK9frVsEDxZ6ntzSLqVigG8SeMbXkelvU4i8LOPobT7zNfUE/s400/rain-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.soupandsun.com/wallpaper/wallpaperimages/sadrain/rain-1024x768.html</td></tr>
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Except, it's been a particularly rainy Fall this year. Did you know that West Palm Beach is the fourth rainiest city in the country? <a href="http://www.livescience.com/1558-study-reveals-top-10-wettest-cities.html">It's true</a> and after these past few months, I believe it. There's been a lot of cloudy days. A lot of rain.<br />
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Everytime I look into buying a sun lamp, the real sun comes out for a day or two. A small reprieve to brighten my mood. Here's a little sunshine to end a rather somber post - a photograph of my friend Teagan sporting the duck booties I knitted for her way back when. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuRPJmo2vIPA766fHjsMjNTLvw9_I-Bwu6m2CNnd9eA0xSVd7qLXX1SdvvIjB5bMIpFaVOsS3ppoLv5AHngKtDqidSoUh7-BSYbPkOktizozvsUba2fdif0olyMgZiXdeyeRNKOxnhqM/s1600/Teagan+and+Duck+for+Email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuRPJmo2vIPA766fHjsMjNTLvw9_I-Bwu6m2CNnd9eA0xSVd7qLXX1SdvvIjB5bMIpFaVOsS3ppoLv5AHngKtDqidSoUh7-BSYbPkOktizozvsUba2fdif0olyMgZiXdeyeRNKOxnhqM/s400/Teagan+and+Duck+for+Email.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Teagan's grandfather (the artist <a href="http://kashino.com/welcome.htm">Mark Kashino</a>) concocted the duckling in baby booties. Just what I needed.Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-56354851540066381112011-09-01T12:37:00.000-04:002011-09-01T12:37:48.419-04:00Not much knittin' going onIt's true. The hot dry heat of the desert has completely chased away my knitting mojo. I brought two projects out here with me and they both languish in neglect. Poor things. <br />
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Of course when I informed my knitting buddy Kerrilyn, the first thing she said was, "This worries me - you better not stop knitting altogether."<br />
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pause<br />
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"But if you do, can I have dibs on your stash?"Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-58146515388003931402011-08-11T17:48:00.000-04:002011-08-11T17:48:56.498-04:00UnpredictableI know it's been a while. And I had such plans too. But life can be unpredictable and this past month has been exactly that. Suffice it to say that there was a family emergency that launched me and the Yarn Widower into crisis mode and seriously it's taken us this long to recover. The family member in question is doing very well, thank you for inquiring. <br />
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However, I'm now in California. How long I'll be here remains to be seen. It's nice enough out here although I have to admit that I much prefer coastal towns to the more inland desert. Guess where I'm located right now. 108 degrees in the shade. And yes, it is a dry heat but there's little difference between baking and braising; the end result is still the same.<br />
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More later. Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-51793970368107385232011-07-05T08:49:00.000-04:002011-07-05T08:49:27.560-04:00For the BirdsTo tell you the truth, I've never really paid too much attention to the critters. Living in the urban Northeast, birds were just part of the landscape: pigeons, doves, orioles, bluejays and the occasional cardinal. But it's different in coastal Florida. For one thing, birds are everywhere. And they're big (relatively speaking).<br />
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We live on a lake so everyday I see ibis, egrets, ducks, geese and the homely turkey-duck (Yarn Widower calls them "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turducken">turduckens</a>"). They're noisy but pleasant neighbors. A few days ago, we had a special visitor: a roseate spoonbill.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCubT-TthSi2MAt0DfcouNLrEX6nAZegJ2bQve9riqln5eBzGOgix2LcWL6VeOqAVnxfqd-Z76RPjzQnfE0Q77DIf1SIH2i3j2tT418TDK8it4PqzraVlsjrd-bRUxMih5exbx54aW2M/s1600/RoseateSpoonbillStallingThumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCubT-TthSi2MAt0DfcouNLrEX6nAZegJ2bQve9riqln5eBzGOgix2LcWL6VeOqAVnxfqd-Z76RPjzQnfE0Q77DIf1SIH2i3j2tT418TDK8it4PqzraVlsjrd-bRUxMih5exbx54aW2M/s320/RoseateSpoonbillStallingThumbnail.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">http://www.richard-seaman.com/Wallpaper/Nature/Birds/Waders/index.html </div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I'd never seen a pink bird before and I was enthralled. In my own backyard no less! Our showy guest flew away before I could get out the zoom lens for my camera - birds can be notoriously difficult photo models. Plus given the choice of seeing with one's own eye versus through a camera lens, I'll take the former every time.<br />
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But I particularly like the eye of the late graphic artist Charley Harper:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDh-TjNTsOV9Sg0DEZNGKlLHThxU-KZ5DgnoIjRnuzOrbDQZdOWhdhcE5Pi5MDqgz7J8IbwO4D_quTkrQAnnpU58BMD9QL-GVY_O87IY6cJCQWsNNdW8QtZ8JNvE58GwYJII-t2GQOBbI/s1600/ft_large_Roseate+Spoonbills_UF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDh-TjNTsOV9Sg0DEZNGKlLHThxU-KZ5DgnoIjRnuzOrbDQZdOWhdhcE5Pi5MDqgz7J8IbwO4D_quTkrQAnnpU58BMD9QL-GVY_O87IY6cJCQWsNNdW8QtZ8JNvE58GwYJII-t2GQOBbI/s400/ft_large_Roseate+Spoonbills_UF.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.circlecityframes.com/Description%20Pages/ft_roseate.html</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-78905935717182034692011-06-23T07:05:00.000-04:002011-06-23T07:05:31.320-04:00Lalique<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocyMseF8Hy686W-9feooR39e8GyyvSOK14x5rlosSqRY4Tdl-r8UFt0fBO53lSB7ZCeNJZv83fmggvLg14dA5qDxIYOdaKhcy2WZcdP0D0N0gGOWiVESTgTSd33mWKyao28Z3lrwTsZ8/s1600/lalique1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocyMseF8Hy686W-9feooR39e8GyyvSOK14x5rlosSqRY4Tdl-r8UFt0fBO53lSB7ZCeNJZv83fmggvLg14dA5qDxIYOdaKhcy2WZcdP0D0N0gGOWiVESTgTSd33mWKyao28Z3lrwTsZ8/s320/lalique1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.antiques-prices.com/lalique-glassware-pricevalue-guide-240</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rene Jules Lalique</b></span> was an Art Nouveau jewelry designer and glassmaker. With a name like that, how could he have become anything else? For some of us, a name is more than simply a moniker; it's destiny. A rose may smell as sweet by any other name to Juliet but in this I disagree with the Bard. Chilean Sea Bass is far more appealing than Patagonian Toothfish. Names are important. Ask any ad exec or new parent-to-be.<br />
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This is Lalique. I suppose Lalique would be just as pretty if it were named something else, say, Sarkozy. On second thought, I don't think so.<br />
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In the pictures that come along with the pattern, there is a button fastening at the front of the neck. But no instructions for a buttonhole. When I asked the designer about this, she said that the front button/pin had been an afterthought added on by The Sanguine Gryphon, who commissioned the design. I tried on my finished cardigan and found that I much preferred a fastening of some sort. The above pin is lovely but too heavy for the delicate cardigan. <br />
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For the modeled pictures, I settled on this little crescent moon pin. It will suffice until I find an appropriate lightweight button, and then I might add on an i-cord loop in lieu of a buttonhole.<br />
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</div>Some things I've learned about lace knitting:<br />
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1. I have to knit much looser than usual. Maybe it's the delicate nature of the yarn. More likely it's the impossibility of manipulating tiny stitches wound tightly around tiny needles. Ease up, girl!<br />
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2. Blocking is absolutely necessary. See previous post.<br />
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3. Blocking is magical. See previous post.<br />
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4. Lifelines are for sissies. Just kidding. Despite the intricacy of the lace, all those feather and fan repeats made the body relatively straight-forward and I found I didn't need one. A good thing because the Tess' Designer Yarn <i>Superwash</i> Merino Lace felts at the slightest notice. Ripping out my mistakes was an exercise in patience.<br />
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5. I really like the way the edging at the bottom hem and sleeves is constructed. It's the first time I've encountered a vertically constructed edging. For instance most knitting starts at either the top or bottom and grows up or down. In this edging, one starts from one side picking up a live stitch from the hem on every other row. I know that probably sounds confusing - I was certainly puzzled but the end result was well worth all the head-scratching.<br />
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It's a lovely garment - as lovely as its name. The lace was just what I needed after my stockinette overdose and happily, it turned out to be one of those projects that I couldn't put down. I'm very pleased with it. I've worn it once so far (aside from modeling the pictures). It's really hot outside right now and wool lace is surprisingly warm but just the thing for overly air-conditioned coffee shops.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvbMsOvpXhF3eRhKL45XDJcH0WNHFC7AxOTQQrLgt_IE18VOFt2f-9jtSythcziNbdWN24G8EWNdZnjxnbZ91cX7l92dUYPkQi0PIfmyiABB_jWJ_KLS4VEbRbHmXQ7k2Swlb3nNsJbU/s1600/June+2011_3075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a>Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-81913172259277310052011-06-21T09:34:00.000-04:002011-06-21T09:34:38.698-04:00From one extreme to the otherI made a lace cardigan. First I bought the pattern and thought about it. <i>Don't bother me, I'm <strike>counting</strike></i> <i>thinking about knitting!</i><br />
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Then I joined a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/lalique-kal">KAL (Knit-A-Long) on Ravelry.</a> <br />
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And then I swatched.<br />
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Pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lalique">Lalique by Laura Patterson</a><br />
for <a href="http://www.sanguinegryphon.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=22_105&products_id=3414">The Sanguine Gryphon</a> yarn company<br />
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Yarn: <a href="http://www.tessyarns.com/">Tess' Designer Yarns</a> Superwash Merino Lace (100% merino)<br />
1.25 skeins or approximately 625 yards<br />
colorway not specified but I would describe it as a pale golden brown<br />
I picked up this yarn a few years ago at <a href="http://yarnwidower.blogspot.com/2008/05/maryland-sheep-and-wool-may-2008.html">Maryland Sheep & Wool</a>. A fine souvenir from a memorable day.<br />
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Needle size: US5<br />
Actually, the above swatch is done in US4 and the gauge is just a wee bit too small. Instead of knitting a new swatch with a larger size needle, I just guessed and dove right in. I know! Knitting without getting gauge - gasp! I'm so reckless! <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's a close-up of what will be the front edge of the cardigan. The bellflowers totally make the garment for me. So pretty. Some folks are beading their cardigans. But after some experimentation, I decided against it. Delicate lace is already a stretch for post-modernist stockinette-loving me. I'm not quite ready for beading just yet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxulWAvzA9h6dx2o9A5nNHK7OBqqr_Z3Ztf5mRHauAELk0s_lbtlO60rv8XEYrrloH6Yjn2wJz3rBFbtj-HwFDWCVMveVRwgrITHUs108ff25IgWkRQ4bTkzLKXrdNVvIz7GOymXkyheY/s1600/May+2011_3018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxulWAvzA9h6dx2o9A5nNHK7OBqqr_Z3Ztf5mRHauAELk0s_lbtlO60rv8XEYrrloH6Yjn2wJz3rBFbtj-HwFDWCVMveVRwgrITHUs108ff25IgWkRQ4bTkzLKXrdNVvIz7GOymXkyheY/s400/May+2011_3018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The body is feather-and-fan repeats.</div><br />
After admiring my swatch for a bit, I cast on and knitted and knitted and knitted. Then I knitted and knitted and knitted some more (I can be quite obsessive.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WYcGHG-gmWvazuLxt4NgRK_7K1vYhgG4IcIZuqCAmnAgHJO0hFKfTfJF3V9Xp8ANo48VxH83Va79SN9GPcK8GWv-AXpRMbLA7hB4wSbIx8ukr8actOjDXVCK1yRr5yGiIReaSIUC0nc/s1600/June+2011_3033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WYcGHG-gmWvazuLxt4NgRK_7K1vYhgG4IcIZuqCAmnAgHJO0hFKfTfJF3V9Xp8ANo48VxH83Va79SN9GPcK8GWv-AXpRMbLA7hB4wSbIx8ukr8actOjDXVCK1yRr5yGiIReaSIUC0nc/s400/June+2011_3033.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The result: the body of the cardigan in all its knitted glory. Pre-blocking, it's just a hot mess. But I had faith in the blocking process.<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifF9JVDo4gELwjRsHf-1fPBjSKiFIm4TAIyykpSNeHjP7kGkQ-vxVFVR7umIWpkiTMus_qeNOQSwt2CJgTvhqweKNQ8pO298RNNkAOiuWKa-9KHXPaifkEbClNGLMDH7Xq0Fq8Islgv5I/s1600/June+2011_3035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifF9JVDo4gELwjRsHf-1fPBjSKiFIm4TAIyykpSNeHjP7kGkQ-vxVFVR7umIWpkiTMus_qeNOQSwt2CJgTvhqweKNQ8pO298RNNkAOiuWKa-9KHXPaifkEbClNGLMDH7Xq0Fq8Islgv5I/s400/June+2011_3035.JPG" width="400" /> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A few wires and a plethora of pins later! One great tip that I got from the KAL, block the garment in half so that each side matches. If you look closely, you can see the wire that bisects the body. I didn't thread it through the lace - I just simply folded the lace over the wire. I did thread the front of the cardigan through a wire and used a flexible wire for the armhole. Everything else was pinned in place (including every single point of the hem which gave it a nice scalloped edge where the feather-and-fan meets the bottom edging.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another tip to anyone knitting this pattern: Specifically for the edging, ignore the charts at first and just follow the written directions exactly. In my opinion, the charts for the edging are too confusing since they don’t follow traditional charting conventions (i.e. there is no RS or WS). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next up: sleeves and finishing!</div>Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-90226776090568463582011-06-16T15:33:00.000-04:002011-06-16T15:34:43.827-04:00A Love Letter and a Song of DespairDear Stockinette,<br />
<br />
You know I love you. I will always love you. You are elegant in your simplicity. You comfort me. You entrance me. There is no other stitch pattern quite like you.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWiDV2F0x1E10qKq98fqRKMVXWMD2DOjPmXamwn7PTYqaJ9izWhrXOK66H4NRETjZ-T1C-F72B-Bgsuf0AtGZuDbBUpbGZgGv1HVuR948ar3yLELS2E6Qh1u9-D2_fA9cMr3T0uqFOwQ/s1600/stockinette-both-sides.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWiDV2F0x1E10qKq98fqRKMVXWMD2DOjPmXamwn7PTYqaJ9izWhrXOK66H4NRETjZ-T1C-F72B-Bgsuf0AtGZuDbBUpbGZgGv1HVuR948ar3yLELS2E6Qh1u9-D2_fA9cMr3T0uqFOwQ/s320/stockinette-both-sides.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You and me - we had a really good thing going. <br />
<br />
But we need a break from each other. And here's the reason why:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxEWPF95NGldxOrXZFee3OlZ0eIx_m8E190XqRDCdFraow28qFo3oofvRSnVaK3zwv1pJxzpbbU0Gwxch9Hlsuz1CTJ6_tKvxzz7HqlE3N73Gg5m-2C0VBAKW0y7jRhxkjm-ao08bL8Y/s1600/June+2011_3057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxEWPF95NGldxOrXZFee3OlZ0eIx_m8E190XqRDCdFraow28qFo3oofvRSnVaK3zwv1pJxzpbbU0Gwxch9Hlsuz1CTJ6_tKvxzz7HqlE3N73Gg5m-2C0VBAKW0y7jRhxkjm-ao08bL8Y/s400/June+2011_3057.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
Pattern: Jill's Dress by Kristina McGowan<br />
from Modern Top-Down Knitting<br />
<br />
Yarn: Knit Picks Simply Cotton Sport (100% cotton) in colorway Bittersweet Heather<br />
11 skeins or approx 1804 yards<br />
<br />
Needle size: US 4<br />
<br />
This dress. It nearly broke me. Two straight months of stockinette. Let's just say it was too much of a good thing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ub5eOfFs8tA4cbZPpzmp1RsECJmD_lmwh5KC9TmxfAxxAMVbgTI8GhVXoTTsyC1nKDjCkgl_xCOZgZWcKRUcuyWB6k7nI6H7JE9IHaOBUAVLwv5aCDcomOh2pEtyIsetyjZaDN1hFRw/s1600/June+2011_3043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ub5eOfFs8tA4cbZPpzmp1RsECJmD_lmwh5KC9TmxfAxxAMVbgTI8GhVXoTTsyC1nKDjCkgl_xCOZgZWcKRUcuyWB6k7nI6H7JE9IHaOBUAVLwv5aCDcomOh2pEtyIsetyjZaDN1hFRw/s400/June+2011_3043.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
Please don't be upset with me. You are my first love and I will always come back to you. I just need some time.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumTB-jwf2tchPjIbDYIkZv1sqjes2PlFW2hSa_5eL2FBUvOD8XqzIYswZplblOfRC5yEiKKSjK-U6uJBrolp4-XPI4oPoSdFCM0oTK1UMXA509r-QkcUQXlU4kNbx9jLQDZ7SAYwQUq4/s1600/June+2011_3050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumTB-jwf2tchPjIbDYIkZv1sqjes2PlFW2hSa_5eL2FBUvOD8XqzIYswZplblOfRC5yEiKKSjK-U6uJBrolp4-XPI4oPoSdFCM0oTK1UMXA509r-QkcUQXlU4kNbx9jLQDZ7SAYwQUq4/s400/June+2011_3050.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Surely you, too, must feel the effects of all that prolonged time together. I know I can be difficult and demanding at times. Forgive me. Maybe I want too much...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZB6lSx9vlH_-Sz57YusyK-JtS2B6CYO5ahEDE_ZxhPUtDYuV2J_Ci53ehq76uPyy2dTCmkEo9mp8nkxGrPaovGaxuPW8Q0egxr9f_r1ltmATs8wlZTU1CrQ_PVCmtsohyphenhyphen1E4f0RPuXq0/s1600/June+2011_3053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZB6lSx9vlH_-Sz57YusyK-JtS2B6CYO5ahEDE_ZxhPUtDYuV2J_Ci53ehq76uPyy2dTCmkEo9mp8nkxGrPaovGaxuPW8Q0egxr9f_r1ltmATs8wlZTU1CrQ_PVCmtsohyphenhyphen1E4f0RPuXq0/s400/June+2011_3053.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
But for now, I need some time to explore and figure things out. I know I will return to you. I can't say when and I can't say how. But believe me when I say I will always come back to you.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Me<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=myhu0c-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1584798610&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-42032302563390655882011-06-08T09:20:00.000-04:002011-06-08T09:20:50.054-04:00My stars!So I knit this top.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJaqK62mevy2u1GH3q83HI9urgsGVZk37w4EiXSYvX9xOuVoIlHtQUUAg-wzE5ATt7u5iLa968NiIeLQhvWXiFGdUB1tq8R6lHHc8jWuTm3_dxuHw7R5f6MGQE6KI39kbMetMRwHZ-0I/s1600/May+2011_3023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJaqK62mevy2u1GH3q83HI9urgsGVZk37w4EiXSYvX9xOuVoIlHtQUUAg-wzE5ATt7u5iLa968NiIeLQhvWXiFGdUB1tq8R6lHHc8jWuTm3_dxuHw7R5f6MGQE6KI39kbMetMRwHZ-0I/s400/May+2011_3023.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
And at first, I got really excited because of its unique construction. It's made from the center of the star outwards.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSMABz8J4_oz4-W7rs-UIdINZv8onc9x5W8SZaVRYkCQUsOQOK0CiggZdUPm1qzX6WXNe9pR-q28o_Khyphenhyphenk-o2A-mOkJ9NcHKxL6VKFG4gEAbSpxfWMEMfCLn9ZuU45yTNW8i-7wDnYiM/s1600/May+2011_3026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSMABz8J4_oz4-W7rs-UIdINZv8onc9x5W8SZaVRYkCQUsOQOK0CiggZdUPm1qzX6WXNe9pR-q28o_Khyphenhyphenk-o2A-mOkJ9NcHKxL6VKFG4gEAbSpxfWMEMfCLn9ZuU45yTNW8i-7wDnYiM/s400/May+2011_3026.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Pattern: <a href="http://store.vogueknitting.com/p-1419-star-camisole.aspx">#02 Star Camisole by Mary Lynn Patrick</a><br />
Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2009<br />
<br />
Yarn: Be Sweet Bamboo DK - 100% bamboo<br />
7.5 skeins or approx 825 yards<br />
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Needle Size: US 5 for the center of the star and the ribbing<br />
US 6 for the rest of the body<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8s53M71vbShEDqtprBl2ABPYJAvmlKKyW0_igIPkP_qQ8LoqgjnewzYbzKPZjUN7-1A462teq3O_bB4PFxxJ1T0p2Z7aWeKSdw0wP09U7lRWLw9GVkh6eO5ohzKcYRIvQQ7OtlCDcj0Y/s1600/May+2011_3024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8s53M71vbShEDqtprBl2ABPYJAvmlKKyW0_igIPkP_qQ8LoqgjnewzYbzKPZjUN7-1A462teq3O_bB4PFxxJ1T0p2Z7aWeKSdw0wP09U7lRWLw9GVkh6eO5ohzKcYRIvQQ7OtlCDcj0Y/s400/May+2011_3024.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
But then, it wasn't so great. When I followed the pattern as written, the armholes hung down to my lower ribs. After a few days of experimentation, I managed to engineer something. Now that I look at other people's versions of this top, I realize that perhaps the neckline should have been much higher and that would have helped my problem with the armholes. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6WpTWFGFmtqdK70aMTWAyxAkwIo8RXmFMeJT2xHErQaTQEsxdPbslFqeOZ_sSLqYN_UOBVDcJHLLRX8iB6mscb3rNDZTjJlFZOdu9WPMqz8BvEb8bkPnipORA-56rm4P2gWLCedemkw/s1600/May+2011_3028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6WpTWFGFmtqdK70aMTWAyxAkwIo8RXmFMeJT2xHErQaTQEsxdPbslFqeOZ_sSLqYN_UOBVDcJHLLRX8iB6mscb3rNDZTjJlFZOdu9WPMqz8BvEb8bkPnipORA-56rm4P2gWLCedemkw/s400/May+2011_3028.JPG" width="267" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I ended up crocheting the edges of the straps to counteract the drapiness of the bamboo. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9graVklqajGiFJF6C-vfV7gopBCuGAxUyG1zxF1__3mPIUF1LFG2JUliILjCMXYO45D6F6ch7OG2RqDM0V5a7IUIAv7mBfOM1IAQrLXJoWbM2MzPyrxh4ueJmPODnCMCDX1MNnmNX20/s1600/May+2011_3022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9graVklqajGiFJF6C-vfV7gopBCuGAxUyG1zxF1__3mPIUF1LFG2JUliILjCMXYO45D6F6ch7OG2RqDM0V5a7IUIAv7mBfOM1IAQrLXJoWbM2MzPyrxh4ueJmPODnCMCDX1MNnmNX20/s400/May+2011_3022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>It was interesting to knit but I'm not sure how much I'll wear it. For whatever reason, I just don't feel all that comfortable in it. I like how it looks on other people but I'm not so sure if I like how it looks on me. I suppose that's one big problem about knitting a garment. With store-bought items, you can always try things on before purchasing. But with most hand knits, I'm never quite sure how the end product is going to look and feel before I commit to it. C'est la vie. I can always frog it, n'est-ce pas?Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-43997810634524113782011-05-31T09:09:00.000-04:002011-05-31T09:09:43.199-04:00Got my Mojo BackSome sneak peeks:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6Am2nXLl_rxXguSHsyvWU8A7cfGGat9o0BelLFN8A111XNmg9ZTZzdwZ2vYZtcWqNIi-u1on9DJAkrhO6P2qlzzHeFMpBHvjlHi4hHV3c7NbepLsq_4JBRZEGU03d4bs2StTY-O5fc4/s1600/May+2011_3020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6Am2nXLl_rxXguSHsyvWU8A7cfGGat9o0BelLFN8A111XNmg9ZTZzdwZ2vYZtcWqNIi-u1on9DJAkrhO6P2qlzzHeFMpBHvjlHi4hHV3c7NbepLsq_4JBRZEGU03d4bs2StTY-O5fc4/s400/May+2011_3020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbydtRcHIg4hDQxSXj5xbCslS42GFpo6ls1GD40mDWkJAQA26fS3odlZWQGVJ1jXG49Oik1xs435BVhXz-_CBMwnEojG2ke7FSObtolGysd_F6bLX9i1759vnSwz9ZK30tTWGaDww4U30/s1600/May+2011_3019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbydtRcHIg4hDQxSXj5xbCslS42GFpo6ls1GD40mDWkJAQA26fS3odlZWQGVJ1jXG49Oik1xs435BVhXz-_CBMwnEojG2ke7FSObtolGysd_F6bLX9i1759vnSwz9ZK30tTWGaDww4U30/s400/May+2011_3019.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJ696_JU8YZIK-_LCDVQEtb_eWKMbPyuZNl8u3mI9aOylJUCUPh9mRXIt7tdzbM0nVFhs-uxraMGxNinaxf1G-1c13CvnF_7naicGRlNKehhtl1wEkPHbXCgLQMaI46YKnBftwx-3-GI/s1600/May+2011_3016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJ696_JU8YZIK-_LCDVQEtb_eWKMbPyuZNl8u3mI9aOylJUCUPh9mRXIt7tdzbM0nVFhs-uxraMGxNinaxf1G-1c13CvnF_7naicGRlNKehhtl1wEkPHbXCgLQMaI46YKnBftwx-3-GI/s400/May+2011_3016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-57799144841672223792011-05-25T15:32:00.000-04:002011-05-25T15:32:07.919-04:00Drape Neck TopIt's hot. High 80's Low 90's. The only nod to the concept of "Spring" is that the humidity is not too bad right now. 50-60%. Next month it will be 90 degrees with humidity in the 90's. Summer will last from June to mid October. Sigh.<br />
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The first summer I spent in South Florida, it felt like I was having one long hot flash. I learned very quickly that daily dips in the pool and light loose-fitting clothing was necessary for survival. Life without air conditioning is just not possible.<br />
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This summer I'm going to focus my knitting on summery things. My first foray: lace panels provide built-in ventilation.<br />
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Pattern: #3 Drape Neck Top by Jacqueline Van Dillen<br />
from <a href="http://www.vogueknitting.com/magazine/spring_summer_2011_fashion_preview.aspx">Vogue Knitting Magazine Spring/Summer 2011</a><br />
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Yarn: Narvik Young Touch Cotton DK 100% cotton<br />
12 balls or approx 1368 yards<br />
Shade 7500 (white)<br />
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Needle size: US 4 for the neck and cap sleeves<br />
US 6 for the body<br />
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</div>The cotton yarn was a gift (thanks, Bobbi!) and perfect for this pattern. It knits up into a crisp fabric. Despite that, I wouldn't recommend it as it was extremely splitty. It is very loosely plied and I had to redo a lot of stitches to avoid snags.<br />
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Modifications:<br />
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1. The gauge I got with this yarn was 6 stitches per inch (pattern gauge is 4.5). After swatching the center panel, I decided I liked it enough to rework the pattern to fit my gauge.<br />
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2. I opted against the split bottom hem and made the entire hem 10 rows of garter stitch. <br />
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3. After completing the collar and trying it on, I decided I didn’t like all that fabric around my neck - too warm! I frogged and reknitted it so that there’s only three rows of garter around the sides and back of the neck. Left the front neck at 20 rows so that it would drape accordingly.<br />
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4. I turned the sleeves into "cap sleeves" and made them more fitted.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A little winter white for what promises to be a blazing hot summer...</div>Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-38627052054076739572011-05-13T15:55:00.000-04:002011-05-13T15:56:34.015-04:00Seaming TipThere are many great tutorials about seaming (Knitty.com has a good <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring04/mattress.html">one</a>) so I won't go into that here. Just thought I'd share a handy little tool for "pinning" the pieces together before you seam.<br />
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Hair clips - the kind that has those interlocking spikes - I believe they are commonly referred to as Claw or Jaw Hair Clips. I find that the smallest ones are invaluable when it comes to seaming.<br />
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They're easy to use and snag-free. Even on slippery bamboo. I don't recommend using orchid clips (they look the same but are used to hold floppy orchid stems to wooden stakes) as they tend to have rough edges. Bad for knits.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFzp05TyCAyBLtm19sTEUoteGyGjODlxYwxY4fSQybyPvR2zgVXMpd8dySYbcfKErsfekvHVQvA1aICvrl_J91gftJ6yq9KuMndrKSBoGvma6XF_aJVLY1XAnN97XqCB1L4kQRvn3Hqk/s1600/May+2011_2990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFzp05TyCAyBLtm19sTEUoteGyGjODlxYwxY4fSQybyPvR2zgVXMpd8dySYbcfKErsfekvHVQvA1aICvrl_J91gftJ6yq9KuMndrKSBoGvma6XF_aJVLY1XAnN97XqCB1L4kQRvn3Hqk/s400/May+2011_2990.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>They're tiny...<br />
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but quite sturdy. I also use them to "baste" pieces together to check for fit before committing the time and effort to seaming. For the blue bamboo camisole (more about that later) I used my clips to baste the strap onto the body so I could try it on to see if I needed to shorten or lengthen it.<br />
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Best of all, they're inexpensive and easy to find. I picked up mine at Target. Online, they're available <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scunci-Effortless-Beauty-Thick-18-Count/dp/B0045HYPIM/ref=pd_sim_dbs_bt_4">here</a>. Happy seaming!Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-56341420326512373462011-05-02T11:50:00.000-04:002011-05-02T11:58:04.164-04:00At the Dog Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsJpaaL79UfKwM9VoFdyBI9zgO2pJpFPC5DD4IAv9B7QjA-g4SFSd8h1B_knJMW1A19v2MM9xmcatNiT7vkZIyE1w_ui52URrLxP-9HFJf74j77fx_klUvKFvLQ6ULwn2JVuY6TJlL-k/s1600/August+2010_2429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsJpaaL79UfKwM9VoFdyBI9zgO2pJpFPC5DD4IAv9B7QjA-g4SFSd8h1B_knJMW1A19v2MM9xmcatNiT7vkZIyE1w_ui52URrLxP-9HFJf74j77fx_klUvKFvLQ6ULwn2JVuY6TJlL-k/s400/August+2010_2429.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Watching dogs play is the best antidepressant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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After all, canine joy is abundant and highly contagious.<br />
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However, there's little concept of personal space.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A lot of good-natured posturing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My, what big teeth you have...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFU8MWIwFOblc8wcdhs9s9uoFHnGUq_2HiMpX3NjsxE2b3M0MR_z8IxLUZtQK5ORXcWGnPKspXCU1HxhGdbJDeBKEyD3kIL7Kk0LH74TntwHmVPHPAATN7su87Dbp1d4gpJaTwOT0HCcU/s1600/August+2010_2510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFU8MWIwFOblc8wcdhs9s9uoFHnGUq_2HiMpX3NjsxE2b3M0MR_z8IxLUZtQK5ORXcWGnPKspXCU1HxhGdbJDeBKEyD3kIL7Kk0LH74TntwHmVPHPAATN7su87Dbp1d4gpJaTwOT0HCcU/s400/August+2010_2510.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Disclaimer: no animals were harmed in the making of this photo essay</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jppnmw3vF9HVXSRt7QoDe4r2Yw35R_KOUzyitBjvVslE2N_RXTepD8H-dmb2S_lGGwWZ06TIGdF2fjwuZHurfO2EkjXtNOAIlTzfcELHlJ69q3VWzvime-H-uTfjgEkW5_TOCTC8I8w/s1600/Sept+2010_1879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jppnmw3vF9HVXSRt7QoDe4r2Yw35R_KOUzyitBjvVslE2N_RXTepD8H-dmb2S_lGGwWZ06TIGdF2fjwuZHurfO2EkjXtNOAIlTzfcELHlJ69q3VWzvime-H-uTfjgEkW5_TOCTC8I8w/s400/Sept+2010_1879.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's always a trouble-maker</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAGllO0CiljPtlEl5l5M31twea6sG68fkFtsmj-eOLE860-O33_9vjJxnK3drJzoPRMaRnrFAUgDsyvesTOsRjOXvwluknF1H9Uv6W6pIqCq6-V8rXaux-b7MqNVKPHLiEr7ovGTkf8A/s1600/August+2010_2544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAGllO0CiljPtlEl5l5M31twea6sG68fkFtsmj-eOLE860-O33_9vjJxnK3drJzoPRMaRnrFAUgDsyvesTOsRjOXvwluknF1H9Uv6W6pIqCq6-V8rXaux-b7MqNVKPHLiEr7ovGTkf8A/s400/August+2010_2544.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Group Run</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some prefer to relax</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xZy4v6tmOWw0qCVBhuN0SC_ee6T_j5Z02DGeTcflP588RtFQAPzdpQSMU7RHZ8xFNyoF2ZSaHKg5iHSJNHu5SjGH0nVR-lY-bLoDsiuymJuUxCxWoqfEW5XiuYUml0RxJb3gPDupeho/s1600/August+2010_2494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xZy4v6tmOWw0qCVBhuN0SC_ee6T_j5Z02DGeTcflP588RtFQAPzdpQSMU7RHZ8xFNyoF2ZSaHKg5iHSJNHu5SjGH0nVR-lY-bLoDsiuymJuUxCxWoqfEW5XiuYUml0RxJb3gPDupeho/s400/August+2010_2494.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDUlLM4bZ3jugQufMzYp_FCuEBELUCG0BJJ51skV0WtjU_TVo9Nnnoi8oaTUX4dCwIaOfLzzk9vBBOjfmXLG_gcaQZnNrm2-PJ-5ia_Y32Wt_4Yk8IiDXdsmuEzR9FtR65faJcsp3GeM/s1600/August+2010_2464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDUlLM4bZ3jugQufMzYp_FCuEBELUCG0BJJ51skV0WtjU_TVo9Nnnoi8oaTUX4dCwIaOfLzzk9vBBOjfmXLG_gcaQZnNrm2-PJ-5ia_Y32Wt_4Yk8IiDXdsmuEzR9FtR65faJcsp3GeM/s400/August+2010_2464.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">THE END</span></div>Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-2955928010185748532011-04-28T10:45:00.000-04:002011-04-28T10:46:18.052-04:00Bennan is TwoThere have been some requests for Bennan photos. So here they are.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsL92zVz8veePmEFLMgRZnCZ6SyifaIYHupZ6nI-Ve21bQg-CAG4Ah5aAxEIunnffJ33sElssuQAjWOeD6dDgFoLnhBnNR3pGd2zuBftTOtPuyLLoG4C7ybNeROZ7rJIpnb01nSLSfJR0/s1600/April+2011_2955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsL92zVz8veePmEFLMgRZnCZ6SyifaIYHupZ6nI-Ve21bQg-CAG4Ah5aAxEIunnffJ33sElssuQAjWOeD6dDgFoLnhBnNR3pGd2zuBftTOtPuyLLoG4C7ybNeROZ7rJIpnb01nSLSfJR0/s400/April+2011_2955.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Life is really hard for the little guy<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSs9BpFLlVWp6BMIzJvCg71k62bK_nbe7VnlX-QzH0XqQx1CdN6HWqsV8PV8FHj0OPwUeiPBRCMO6tKvCC3JuHnPWOXzUXCWgnuoRz62skpJUV1-tmzjJF0aiAsU2OPdFNUcHeCGoJwEI/s1600/April+2011_2956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSs9BpFLlVWp6BMIzJvCg71k62bK_nbe7VnlX-QzH0XqQx1CdN6HWqsV8PV8FHj0OPwUeiPBRCMO6tKvCC3JuHnPWOXzUXCWgnuoRz62skpJUV1-tmzjJF0aiAsU2OPdFNUcHeCGoJwEI/s400/April+2011_2956.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Getting a tan is exhausting work<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6ooANJusi4mJYR975Y2dMGFxtsvxnmSGwmmw5Qx8jjnP4ILKLy_Deuhzdp4PUuPh1yAgnyNHp90HlzM1cBwandUfrW1c-t0NPH-i43Gi2tmxEROMbjwbqV5LbN1cTHByJZGI3ArOIzw/s1600/April+2011_2957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6ooANJusi4mJYR975Y2dMGFxtsvxnmSGwmmw5Qx8jjnP4ILKLy_Deuhzdp4PUuPh1yAgnyNHp90HlzM1cBwandUfrW1c-t0NPH-i43Gi2tmxEROMbjwbqV5LbN1cTHByJZGI3ArOIzw/s400/April+2011_2957.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Bennan and the Yarn Widower like to play in the pool<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKhjS8fUvIgFFyobbcqoLfQ7d03dnDWDKpjJ7yaS_eSBmR4ND3oROBMekOQhN1pjevaUPcmUwwlv_yZy-Oym0LVMKN6xMGreqM2nlsPrwF62Zn0Y5SSsftBImlNFECuZL5xSW1rhsvc0/s1600/April+2011_2973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKhjS8fUvIgFFyobbcqoLfQ7d03dnDWDKpjJ7yaS_eSBmR4ND3oROBMekOQhN1pjevaUPcmUwwlv_yZy-Oym0LVMKN6xMGreqM2nlsPrwF62Zn0Y5SSsftBImlNFECuZL5xSW1rhsvc0/s400/April+2011_2973.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But they also like to chill out</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklZRKGozs9PauZZkKTKb6kDV-OoZwhBU2VihBH02ajINSsBmTtJy2Ed2T7Xg5UBvL9dF21eaTtddKtE0KuRQF0_A9oZ_BCJATMWdtdDvkVsSaTEMkyc70VbsFKBYDvuzQATdu9RPUcDE/s1600/April+2011_2964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklZRKGozs9PauZZkKTKb6kDV-OoZwhBU2VihBH02ajINSsBmTtJy2Ed2T7Xg5UBvL9dF21eaTtddKtE0KuRQF0_A9oZ_BCJATMWdtdDvkVsSaTEMkyc70VbsFKBYDvuzQATdu9RPUcDE/s400/April+2011_2964.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and have deep conversations (Bennan does most of the talking).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mqQmB1rwDzzebvLRlKHGqZMrv-XqsDy05LsB3JrYZd-ErDG54lYK4ynZq4nC4mXhGQaEi9knLtsMIgLq5zlehPzuhKobnvzujaHOZ_pYwlMJCPyGJpBRzaKzz4PVLealqzUtpAUQgic/s1600/April+2011_2965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mqQmB1rwDzzebvLRlKHGqZMrv-XqsDy05LsB3JrYZd-ErDG54lYK4ynZq4nC4mXhGQaEi9knLtsMIgLq5zlehPzuhKobnvzujaHOZ_pYwlMJCPyGJpBRzaKzz4PVLealqzUtpAUQgic/s400/April+2011_2965.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Still quite flexible</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpp_qvLOgf6jEADuK6vONweGOML-OTwj2ofQiHYtMGQ7F6PF1A1IycjD3zNZQ9ZXmOUDSjCTIVKZiY7Spr_cF8ZmWiqIDD-jJHYbJO5zJlHnzbHfNOAlMug5b6baIt7cfbwcRvflYTNw/s1600/April+2011_2969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpp_qvLOgf6jEADuK6vONweGOML-OTwj2ofQiHYtMGQ7F6PF1A1IycjD3zNZQ9ZXmOUDSjCTIVKZiY7Spr_cF8ZmWiqIDD-jJHYbJO5zJlHnzbHfNOAlMug5b6baIt7cfbwcRvflYTNw/s400/April+2011_2969.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Happy birthday, Bennan.Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-60190674902147909162011-04-22T11:18:00.000-04:002011-04-22T11:48:15.267-04:00Earth Day - CompostingI'm not much of a gardener but I compost. It's very satisfying to take kitchen scraps, shredded newspaper and the contents of my dryer's lint screen (<a href="http://www.compostthis.co.uk/">yes! lint is compostable</a>) and somehow magically turn it all into rich loamy dirt.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GzQJiEMc3MtvskL6VBSk06rVFltDxP87aG1EuHjELGSNvVXL9jkvbKUcHkJFQYnI-bf90vpd5313_XkT0pojkU0lrQB1cV84pi-iukHZodmJraupYX-uLF7XXrFV1jhl0kiDqpSgOVg/s1600/hands_in_compost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GzQJiEMc3MtvskL6VBSk06rVFltDxP87aG1EuHjELGSNvVXL9jkvbKUcHkJFQYnI-bf90vpd5313_XkT0pojkU0lrQB1cV84pi-iukHZodmJraupYX-uLF7XXrFV1jhl0kiDqpSgOVg/s400/hands_in_compost.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://compostingcouncil.org/">http://compostingcouncil.org/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>It's almost as amazing as watching seedlings grow. Mother Nature - she's so crafty.<br />
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Compost is good stuff - it dramatically improves soil quality not just in nutrients but also in pH, structure and water absorbing abilities. And it isn't just for vegetable gardening. I use it to top off my potted plants, enrich the soil around my trees, bushes and other landscaping plants.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-iqb3mq-gTYFOSjTtUBjy7aKlLn7zNgVNR07OgZGsijhUoGf-cNURPcc0jfn8OiYgRm1YQ0vwU-JnCMnhLC_K9JBDqUU7IgyXUXPFi0_RAct2FWK5oflMadBfctZdpre1Jr7yZeaP1zo/s1600/April+2011_2986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-iqb3mq-gTYFOSjTtUBjy7aKlLn7zNgVNR07OgZGsijhUoGf-cNURPcc0jfn8OiYgRm1YQ0vwU-JnCMnhLC_K9JBDqUU7IgyXUXPFi0_RAct2FWK5oflMadBfctZdpre1Jr7yZeaP1zo/s400/April+2011_2986.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bromeliads love compost too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
But mainly I compost because it cuts down on the volume of trash that gets trucked to the landfill. Along with recycling, composting has drastically reduced the amount of trash our little household generates on a weekly basis. Less trash means less fuel used by the garbage trucks and the landfill bulldozers. And of course, less trash to occupy our already burgeoning landfills. (Florida is so flat that if you see any kind of hillock, you're probably looking at an old landfill).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LvAVXJS5W7cQOUljfd4jEB0oME_dAwPeHgGQ5kSYAa9_HNao_XxfEiC9gfNFf5R7GQKnhL418_YKum0ZTFoDY9FSXqnec4wSr5DD5Uj_UfWQrGKPBuKsZnJIXHdzqwgSAdRRWJIZjRg/s1600/April+2011_2983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LvAVXJS5W7cQOUljfd4jEB0oME_dAwPeHgGQ5kSYAa9_HNao_XxfEiC9gfNFf5R7GQKnhL418_YKum0ZTFoDY9FSXqnec4wSr5DD5Uj_UfWQrGKPBuKsZnJIXHdzqwgSAdRRWJIZjRg/s400/April+2011_2983.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twin composting bins</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
You can buy all sorts of compost bins but after doing a <a href="http://video.about.com/greenliving/Homemade-Compost-Bin.htm">little internet research</a>, I made my own with a plastic garbage can and a drill. Not only was it one of the most inexpensive options out there, it meant that I could easily move the bin in case of a hurricane warning. Compost pile as hurricane projectile is just not a good idea. I made two so that after I filled one, I could invert the contents into the second bin thus giving me access to the finished compost at the bottom of the heap.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2-ol-oxoOnRkrezJW-LRx2YPY1UyIXWV7LTnjHUmckQUvzjme-q-lQCLjBrU_WmRb_qFd1Bcx88JkkR4cDqN-wLCsVS1wAURmstkuGbRzqeLP7oRzih6ySyhTIYNwc82GKKhl6GLAYI/s1600/April+2011_2985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2-ol-oxoOnRkrezJW-LRx2YPY1UyIXWV7LTnjHUmckQUvzjme-q-lQCLjBrU_WmRb_qFd1Bcx88JkkR4cDqN-wLCsVS1wAURmstkuGbRzqeLP7oRzih6ySyhTIYNwc82GKKhl6GLAYI/s400/April+2011_2985.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">newspaper, onion skins, egg shells, etc.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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It's not pretty but it works. People always ask me about the odor. I keep the bins right next to our patio door for easy access. The lid helps contain any smells and insect activity. As long as I keep the contents well balanced (<a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/506279/adding_green_and_brown_composting_ingredients.html?cat=32">brown vs. green</a>) and keep out any meat and dairy, no one ever seems to notice. Although once one of our neighbors asked the Yarn Widower why on earth his wife was rolling a garbage can around the yard. (For aeration of course!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbhhyQV0n1HjxM9vp7AeQBv88g8BuzKNSo68fdMDuAmMtW-TSguZMzitdXjSaDgHmKJ8wTqi4JBJX9n0PlXy1xeqhMhMi9pXJFav0YFQtTTZVGsSWbVIH4E5fgx0qXWF8G3b2fn4BlVg/s1600/April+2011_2978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbhhyQV0n1HjxM9vp7AeQBv88g8BuzKNSo68fdMDuAmMtW-TSguZMzitdXjSaDgHmKJ8wTqi4JBJX9n0PlXy1xeqhMhMi9pXJFav0YFQtTTZVGsSWbVIH4E5fgx0qXWF8G3b2fn4BlVg/s400/April+2011_2978.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fruit salad for the compost bin</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Indoors, I keep a compost pail for random kitchen scraps. I always line it with shredded newspaper so that it's easy to empty out later. I got mine for $15 at my local Homegoods store. It comes with a replaceable carbon filter in the lid.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyehyphenhyphenKA0lMB2erG57AfSZ9cUonNrIZOzkc6WSQxRCL0XTbvFhxwk8PE8mEPqqgaCHoKGW1fxwHvlBYbe8o5JPAdh1Iwm8IJgq5Y73PRCa94JxVUDQSY9m_8eyRlF04DxpnNCZ3iCnrek/s1600/April+2011_2981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyehyphenhyphenKA0lMB2erG57AfSZ9cUonNrIZOzkc6WSQxRCL0XTbvFhxwk8PE8mEPqqgaCHoKGW1fxwHvlBYbe8o5JPAdh1Iwm8IJgq5Y73PRCa94JxVUDQSY9m_8eyRlF04DxpnNCZ3iCnrek/s400/April+2011_2981.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
Composting Resources:<br />
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http://www.howtocompost.org/<br />
http://www.compostinstructions.com/<br />
http://www.composting101.com/how-it-works.htmlSungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-44108597774486915132011-04-20T10:09:00.000-04:002011-04-20T10:09:48.339-04:00Doldrums<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGApOw9fc0RT7oP9nRpHKqENEQZFWTVO27qRzdd4UOI9mHpyHpRjfrm_Ag1zrcAN5ih1HAwDqOoqkbNGlEOcxd-ddS1N-Wv5rcCTTvMmn-mWayJuexku4pFAKyylVLzm6S1XTWxnunb0/s1600/doldrums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGApOw9fc0RT7oP9nRpHKqENEQZFWTVO27qRzdd4UOI9mHpyHpRjfrm_Ag1zrcAN5ih1HAwDqOoqkbNGlEOcxd-ddS1N-Wv5rcCTTvMmn-mWayJuexku4pFAKyylVLzm6S1XTWxnunb0/s320/doldrums.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Every Spring, as I transition from knitting cozy warm sweaters to much lighter fare, I have a period of relative inactivity. I have a few projects on the needles but nothing that demands my constant attention. So things tend to stagnate/hibernate for a bit. That's where I'm at right now.<br />
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All I can say is, thank goodness for my knitting buddies. I can rest assured in the knowledge that they will see me through. At least once a week I know I will be among them and laugh and be inspired. <br />
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No matter what, I always make sure I have some straight stockinette to take to knitting night. Every now and then someone shows up without any knitting. This is always a bit weird to me. Perhaps they have forgotten it at home or they brought the knitting but not the pattern. Once at a DC Stitch n' Bitch, one of the women came straight from work and had forgotten to pack her knitting that morning. She sat amongst us in a state of mild agitation - she left early. Itchy fingers. <br />
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For a while there was a man who would routinely show up at knitting without any knitting. That was really weird. And somewhat awkward. Once I gently suggested that he should bring his knitting because after all, we are a <i>knitting</i> group. He stopped coming soon after.<br />
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My point? Oh right. My point is that despite my knitting malaise, I always have at least one project to take to knitting night. I have faith that if I just keep at it, my knitting mojo will return to me once again. Hopefully soon. I'm running out of stuff to blog about.Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-56829071296459625442011-04-13T19:20:00.000-04:002011-04-14T08:34:34.563-04:00My Husband is a LuthierYarn Widower built himself a guitar. From scratch. For real.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNf0cuPjLRYAy2GWOk4zHkZ1Pza3Ps3LWVdLOCOpKs0iXOl83gcHmRCBLHFEu6_-uxCHJUWmTduDgMZvTdSN-ycKdFh8RAAwS3msU_3XFH7cxqCsadFgCfnIF5KrLw_03mdz-tZQWrvo/s1600/Guitar+Build+057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNf0cuPjLRYAy2GWOk4zHkZ1Pza3Ps3LWVdLOCOpKs0iXOl83gcHmRCBLHFEu6_-uxCHJUWmTduDgMZvTdSN-ycKdFh8RAAwS3msU_3XFH7cxqCsadFgCfnIF5KrLw_03mdz-tZQWrvo/s400/Guitar+Build+057.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guitar Innards</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
A little over a year ago, Yarn Widower started to play the guitar. He bought a clunker from some dude on Craigslist and started messing around with it. He replaced the strings, shaved down the saddle and the nut (they determine how high the strings sit off the frets) and started to think about upgrading to a nicer guitar. He did a little research and stumbled upon this guy who <a href="http://acousticguitarbuild.blogspot.com/">built his own guitar in his kitchen</a>. <br />
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Now ever since I started knitting, Yarn Widower has complained that knitting distracts me from my one true love: him. "Not so," I say, "See, I can knit and talk to you at the same time. But not right now; I'm counting." What's a Yarn Widower to do with all his spare time while I am busy counting out my stitches?<br />
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While he golfs on a weekly basis and enjoys going to the driving range, his creative side yearned to make something. There's something so viscerally satisfying about making stuff. I get that and I bet most of you do as well. Thus, my Yarn Widower started to build his own guitar.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3an8JaWz9_2o83IXsb6xVj5BjYhCvaJuodwWakkByP_q3NMb4z-h1bwCZJxDt7WioXfsg7IktuhRIZXH2UCJc5uIJyqUatGCgRSLcoNU_nlGtBc7qMMeIFMizouHxiwLb94XWbQcYbG0/s1600/Guitar+Build+147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3an8JaWz9_2o83IXsb6xVj5BjYhCvaJuodwWakkByP_q3NMb4z-h1bwCZJxDt7WioXfsg7IktuhRIZXH2UCJc5uIJyqUatGCgRSLcoNU_nlGtBc7qMMeIFMizouHxiwLb94XWbQcYbG0/s400/Guitar+Build+147.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guitar-Shaped Box</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
In about a year, he built this lovely thing - inlaid trim and hand-polished wood that glows. Recently he put on the strings and began to play it. It sounds like a real guitar!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEUgzt6HxJRZM85kmQoT3jfnyjpaiTWaqFbn8ADplOwF8ZrQa_bAFJApahyTiULh6DFXkuQSsH5V2nvfVIMv-6c2XDcQaYPICzuowvbnSr09yXRhNcI3Ia0M8aWTVoy4kqfU0bZ-_EI8/s1600/Guitar+Build+2+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEUgzt6HxJRZM85kmQoT3jfnyjpaiTWaqFbn8ADplOwF8ZrQa_bAFJApahyTiULh6DFXkuQSsH5V2nvfVIMv-6c2XDcQaYPICzuowvbnSr09yXRhNcI3Ia0M8aWTVoy4kqfU0bZ-_EI8/s400/Guitar+Build+2+034.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now he can practice playing his new guitar while I knit. Yes, it's pretty awesome to have live acoustic accompaniment while knitting - I'm a lucky girl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfCl7xJBTNAyYLPlBbwLwS4Tq3fMqBJD3Hge2E_RkvxT3_KsBNXJXZ0_yzA4ipnLd_vyOZc4CJVnHjVb0Rb5fRzI5MAvmuwqLUcOOfkbBWaOjbdN8UKkP_JoXt7ZqIpPLlAr5waPeZ9w/s1600/Guitar+Build+2+041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfCl7xJBTNAyYLPlBbwLwS4Tq3fMqBJD3Hge2E_RkvxT3_KsBNXJXZ0_yzA4ipnLd_vyOZc4CJVnHjVb0Rb5fRzI5MAvmuwqLUcOOfkbBWaOjbdN8UKkP_JoXt7ZqIpPLlAr5waPeZ9w/s400/Guitar+Build+2+041.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out his <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/gregory.c.schmidt/TheGuitar?authkey=Gv1sRgCOqH0ryWoLrdoQE&feat=content_notification#">photo stream.</a>.. </div>Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-46745284529766584382011-04-11T11:36:00.000-04:002011-04-11T11:36:09.806-04:00KoolhaatsI have a couple of projects going on right now but nothing ready for presentation. And then I remembered that I had some gift knitting to report on. Actually two gifts that have since been given. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCT-wwJEFvsao7_ltJ_16wcufx9LcgJJqzS4G4LOnmEH3e9WnEQTh3o7Y8T3WaFHfVNZ76i31VXMc9UWmZI8T43V_KzoQrIzFCYo2h5n_2zENLdIPE6JLimE1NhJShRU_rP6j6p115uS4/s1600/Oct+2010_2632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCT-wwJEFvsao7_ltJ_16wcufx9LcgJJqzS4G4LOnmEH3e9WnEQTh3o7Y8T3WaFHfVNZ76i31VXMc9UWmZI8T43V_KzoQrIzFCYo2h5n_2zENLdIPE6JLimE1NhJShRU_rP6j6p115uS4/s400/Oct+2010_2632.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">model: Yarn Widower</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Pattern: <a href="http://brooklyntweed.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_4&products_id=9">Koolhaas</a> by Jared Flood<br />
<br />
Yarn: Rowan RYC Cashsoft Aran (57% Merino, 33% Microfiber, 10% Cashmere)<br />
1.5 skeins or approx 143 yards in Colorway SH 014<br />
<br />
Needle size: US 6 & 8<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rem_Koolhaas">Rem Koolhaas</a> is a Dutch architect whose geometric designs are brilliantly displayed in the Seattle Public Library, the inspiration for this hat. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LaJQ4-iSl_lPkTzCjruH7ZHAJDl069t9yTZEQLxOdVRw5uVly6hyphenhyphen0lZmQpxLPDUVk9rlGi01RS8X77VCC6PT63WVsM89NfakBzf3fKEommCSuo_lh4GczuDK6UZlkOHo_53AaeQp_5A/s1600/Seattle_Public_Library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LaJQ4-iSl_lPkTzCjruH7ZHAJDl069t9yTZEQLxOdVRw5uVly6hyphenhyphen0lZmQpxLPDUVk9rlGi01RS8X77VCC6PT63WVsM89NfakBzf3fKEommCSuo_lh4GczuDK6UZlkOHo_53AaeQp_5A/s400/Seattle_Public_Library.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Seattle_Public_Library.jpg</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
This is a classic pattern. One that can be appropriate for men and women. Before starting, I learned how to cable without a cable needle and found this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6DB6WhAKvY">video </a>very helpful. This is a great technique for small cables - I think of it as simply re-ordering the stitches on your left needle prior to knitting or purling them. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4601IqN6xUFGFIethSGqjOgZGvWY7CCmd9cGtz7w_9v3KqITO0BiqS_sAtvsKOnfv4EeRqftHWe1GSNojK9zb85e_yB1_EoXvZsBsw07LYZrsu-Ft12JWQJs7teiv5gJ-gyZjlUyTtVQ/s1600/Oct+2010_2636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4601IqN6xUFGFIethSGqjOgZGvWY7CCmd9cGtz7w_9v3KqITO0BiqS_sAtvsKOnfv4EeRqftHWe1GSNojK9zb85e_yB1_EoXvZsBsw07LYZrsu-Ft12JWQJs7teiv5gJ-gyZjlUyTtVQ/s400/Oct+2010_2636.JPG" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lot of cables</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Makes for a fun knit. So I made another one.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKWThHTY2bP62D1cjkKDxFl0oRKniTAusippDJtV16m_LKN3-HzhSCdcQ6Bn_K-xhcraUcdiTq94I3nPLUEwPEB98dC-izSLYG9C8yOLdANuGSniNfqnj7iUhFsRGMQSD7Tl2LXk1Jaw/s1600/Oct+2010_2649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKWThHTY2bP62D1cjkKDxFl0oRKniTAusippDJtV16m_LKN3-HzhSCdcQ6Bn_K-xhcraUcdiTq94I3nPLUEwPEB98dC-izSLYG9C8yOLdANuGSniNfqnj7iUhFsRGMQSD7Tl2LXk1Jaw/s400/Oct+2010_2649.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">model: me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Royal Silk Merino (51% silk, 49% merino)<br />
1.25 skeins or approx. 140 yards in colorway 0003<br />
<br />
Needle size: US 6 & 8<br />
<br />
Actually, I think my friend Ida models this one much better:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjV5r24BUiyTGKAy8GqQYBt_f8m9NPagsT8GT7uG-0vQjCAwC8u6T-p2B4D58nkNU0zKYYFmg4YvOZZEaNAcL_wpPzP4qxyGJL7ildHaIhHhwwyjsZEN6jMKyPedeBg8ZPcToH0c7NKI/s1600/IMG_1998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjV5r24BUiyTGKAy8GqQYBt_f8m9NPagsT8GT7uG-0vQjCAwC8u6T-p2B4D58nkNU0zKYYFmg4YvOZZEaNAcL_wpPzP4qxyGJL7ildHaIhHhwwyjsZEN6jMKyPedeBg8ZPcToH0c7NKI/s400/IMG_1998.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">model: Ida Akiko Rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEPhRznqeVG8XZ5JVmT69vHuhSJFAz2-1s1Kuxex8XENVaJMHv72wwf4dC3Hk66Z72UckInvPK3iP1F5zzdzPpeQ81m8IVWhfrCGgATxZ27bXHrSjvwiAcJDhlwIo6SrEhvA6swwycKk/s1600/IMG_1997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEPhRznqeVG8XZ5JVmT69vHuhSJFAz2-1s1Kuxex8XENVaJMHv72wwf4dC3Hk66Z72UckInvPK3iP1F5zzdzPpeQ81m8IVWhfrCGgATxZ27bXHrSjvwiAcJDhlwIo6SrEhvA6swwycKk/s400/IMG_1997.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://idaakiko.blogspot.com/2011/02/cold-bright-days.html</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-5858281170341863122011-03-30T11:09:00.000-04:002011-04-22T11:34:33.164-04:00Knitting Groups<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eW_ahtUjyPHLQXkgDRDj8TXFc7N9A3m8o5yjc1024DwN4_sCi7ZlyCyGLIuAFJyEAWRQPWyJT0Wo-Ypvs9eTeF62rjJp8xhDg_-5Pon7geR3AMDe2bRTrNavHPZEnsNK-lOIxARLwoQ/s1600/HU032666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eW_ahtUjyPHLQXkgDRDj8TXFc7N9A3m8o5yjc1024DwN4_sCi7ZlyCyGLIuAFJyEAWRQPWyJT0Wo-Ypvs9eTeF62rjJp8xhDg_-5Pon7geR3AMDe2bRTrNavHPZEnsNK-lOIxARLwoQ/s320/HU032666.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.corbisimages.com/Enlargement/HU032666.html</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Recently, I have been thinking a lot about "knitting communities". Of course, there's Ravelry, the Mother of all online knitting communities. (If you're not familiar with Ravelry, it's like Facebook for Knitters if Facebook was created by a really cool couple - she knits, he codes - who are committed to actually creating a sense of community and not by some ruthless Harvard grad who is more interested in stealing ideas and information for his own profit.)<br />
<br />
But what about real face-to-face, person-to-person knitting communities? Circles, Meetups, Groups, Stitch n' Bitches, whatever you may call them, groups of women (and men) who meet on a regular basis to knit, crochet, and spin together. Recently<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/palm-beach-co-knitting-and-spinning/1546931/1-25#22"> I posted on a Ravelry board</a> that there is a knitting group that meets every day of the week (except for Sundays and Fridays) in Palm Beach County. And these are just the ones that are publicly posted. So I set out to visit each one throughout the month of March. Afterwards I posted a short review. <br />
<br />
So here it is - the end of the month and to wrap it all up, I thought I would review the two knitting groups I frequent the most: Boca Raton Knit & Crochet, The Fiber Freaks of Boynton Beach.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1ioOzvvyxUU5c7I-sQuzlFGjxNaSJxLThTAmma9L8IpBWHSRgpI1ccqvB3LqwxICsB0Um_pirtMriVSG4IJxEzMqlWGE-41R3Rdca37iLP9xZlzwoy7ud5EtR3Dh_IDvIlZk5Wx_8P0/s1600/BocaRatonKnitCrochet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="51" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1ioOzvvyxUU5c7I-sQuzlFGjxNaSJxLThTAmma9L8IpBWHSRgpI1ccqvB3LqwxICsB0Um_pirtMriVSG4IJxEzMqlWGE-41R3Rdca37iLP9xZlzwoy7ud5EtR3Dh_IDvIlZk5Wx_8P0/s400/BocaRatonKnitCrochet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <b>Boca Raton Knit & Crochet</b> meets every Thursday night at a Starbucks on Glades Road. This is a moderate sized group with anywhere from 6 to 15 members on any given night. The members are mostly women (one intrepid man) whose ages range from early thirties to beyond. Of all the groups I've encountered in Palm Beach County, this group skews most towards younger knitters with most members in their thirties, forties and active fifties. But like all the other groups, there is a wide variety of skill levels (beginner to experienced) and preferred modalities (crochet, spinning, needlepoint). Group members will often meet up outside of "Knit Nite" to visit various yarn stores (<a href="http://www.theknittinggarden.org/">The Knitting Garden</a> in Coral Gables is a frequent carpool destination), celebrate a holiday or birthday, or watch a movie. <br />
<br />
The staff at Starbucks is very friendly and accommodating (our favorite baristas treat us well). We usually take up a corner of the store and spread out over a few tables. There's always room to pull up another chair although the upholstered ones are usually the first to go. Conversation is sometimes loud and bawdy (depending on the participants) but always interesting. I always find myself looking forward to Thursday nights.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPwcY2i9dCAJ1zszyJ6JcrolDoxCVtGPP1CygWUeT0rpKMwyYZnv-L_Cz0B6Jg-HSIvfWIgDxYgE7ycX3AyWkg6u_GLQWVsnHqL7a8N1wqtDE2c0MX22whG1w174AzC5xN1JvzQ7UfSs/s1600/FiberFreaks_banner2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="51" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPwcY2i9dCAJ1zszyJ6JcrolDoxCVtGPP1CygWUeT0rpKMwyYZnv-L_Cz0B6Jg-HSIvfWIgDxYgE7ycX3AyWkg6u_GLQWVsnHqL7a8N1wqtDE2c0MX22whG1w174AzC5xN1JvzQ7UfSs/s400/FiberFreaks_banner2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>Fiber Freaks of Boynton Beach</b> was started by two members of the Boca group who became close friends and wanted to supplement their Thursday night knitting sessions with more knitting. They chose a roomy Starbucks near their homes and decided to invite all comers. This tends to be a smaller subset of the Boca group - usually 4 to 6 people. Since the numbers tend to be smaller, most members post on the group's Ravelry board as to whether or not they can make it that week. Most arrive around 9:30A and stay until noon. Sometimes we orchestrate an effort to meet earlier so we can snag the big table - we have an ongoing battle with a lone man who likes to hog the table and insists on keeping all the chairs for his (imaginary) friends - it's actually quite comical.<br />
<br />
And that, my friends, is my Stitch n' Bitch Crawl. It was fun - I got to meet some new people, saw some old friends and knit in new places. I would urge every solitary knitter out there to try a group (or many groups). Everyone needs friends and knitting friends are sometimes the best of friends.Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-39286402453019743222011-03-16T10:53:00.000-04:002011-03-16T10:53:05.195-04:00Still Waters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtA4oq9hOdV6LFF3QrX0kLodlZiLXTfOZV8SArdlrAtIZaZy64ICXXb4-2R-ABcWI9etHAzRCCO9ZbOfgMfxW4p0cVdSL6vur3W7Ffwbt6RJcZY-oWlTsogXit5JpaMiyeT7olRpkQXI/s1600/March+2011_2949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtA4oq9hOdV6LFF3QrX0kLodlZiLXTfOZV8SArdlrAtIZaZy64ICXXb4-2R-ABcWI9etHAzRCCO9ZbOfgMfxW4p0cVdSL6vur3W7Ffwbt6RJcZY-oWlTsogXit5JpaMiyeT7olRpkQXI/s320/March+2011_2949.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I love pockets. I love pockets in dresses. And I especially love the pockets in this dress that I recently knitted up for myself.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2MOTzpW-Qz8nPE6FFMA3yBhyEl7g-UytXnDKFmWEuL5X4x3MXQuHR9A76zOm3P6J1knXshUJgOq45JK8pYKd2gsDmLv4vcmKtnwerFh1OOzdKshhfXSnSgfsdM6lWnkWoqeV_CWvU_s/s1600/March+2011_2921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2MOTzpW-Qz8nPE6FFMA3yBhyEl7g-UytXnDKFmWEuL5X4x3MXQuHR9A76zOm3P6J1knXshUJgOq45JK8pYKd2gsDmLv4vcmKtnwerFh1OOzdKshhfXSnSgfsdM6lWnkWoqeV_CWvU_s/s400/March+2011_2921.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Pattern: <a href="http://100-rain.blogspot.com/2010/05/still-light-tunic.html">Still Light Tunic</a> by Veera Valimaki<br />
available on her website or for download via Ravelry.com.<br />
<br />
Yarn: <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Simply_Cotton_Sport_Yarn__D5420198.html">Knit Picks Simply Cotton Sport </a>(100% cotton)<br />
12 skeins (approximately 1968 yards)<br />
colorway: Prussian Blue<br />
<br />
Needle Size: US4<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xZz5QavlLqV-qCbGYcj8o1sSdeP7-iBpIgpeOA6iL5_Jlsq8v4b23h85Wr0L8v9IeX5Cyb_HqQrA7xIPaMDhunjY_NHMBs5bVPTXJgRrpZm2JLdlJnmpqQyu3cUCpxVbeppl4Dc9D_8/s1600/March+2011_2954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xZz5QavlLqV-qCbGYcj8o1sSdeP7-iBpIgpeOA6iL5_Jlsq8v4b23h85Wr0L8v9IeX5Cyb_HqQrA7xIPaMDhunjY_NHMBs5bVPTXJgRrpZm2JLdlJnmpqQyu3cUCpxVbeppl4Dc9D_8/s400/March+2011_2954.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
This is a top-down garment from Finnish designer Veera Valimaki. I've often admired her designs for their clean lines and classic silhouettes. When I saw this tunic, I jumped. For some reason that I can't explain, I had been wanting to knit a dress for a while. <br />
<br />
The pockets are an integral part of the design. I love that they add a vertical element to an otherwise bottom heavy garment.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgys59qlBOFn5dw5Zur8XbfTfIgRa_u_NzzJC5CKbFE2fh-mkmBQNi3dhVnwcY6mR3WFx64dRbzq3Bb2ewQfvhzF_WYKRWG2fNR97jfDGwE-x0vCCps8D8IX0-lzuDpNhOwac9ncDDHAtY/s1600/March+2011_2931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgys59qlBOFn5dw5Zur8XbfTfIgRa_u_NzzJC5CKbFE2fh-mkmBQNi3dhVnwcY6mR3WFx64dRbzq3Bb2ewQfvhzF_WYKRWG2fNR97jfDGwE-x0vCCps8D8IX0-lzuDpNhOwac9ncDDHAtY/s400/March+2011_2931.JPG" width="267" /> </a></div><br />
<br />
Modifications:<br />
<br />
1. I knitted the sleeves in a smaller diameter to better fit my slimmer biceps. I also added a few inches to the length of the sleeve so that it hit right at the wrist.<br />
<br />
2. I knitted 2 extra inches at the hem as I knew from previous experience that this cotton yarn likes to shrink lengthwise.<br />
<br />
3. I made a detachable cowl neck. Basically it's a big loop that I made out of 2 skeins of leftover yarn.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEoVT0sXSG6CWM3bUNy15uXVt2Wsd-e7y048BEZAoE-9C8gv5-HwFJQ70DuLkWq8nc3_m5Kc7xqaLvk8PuCBPDk7erMaWc4U001dQeivSxAMHDsmWOOkPOhhYNBZAVKxPEyHaUIBNNz8/s1600/March+2011_2914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEoVT0sXSG6CWM3bUNy15uXVt2Wsd-e7y048BEZAoE-9C8gv5-HwFJQ70DuLkWq8nc3_m5Kc7xqaLvk8PuCBPDk7erMaWc4U001dQeivSxAMHDsmWOOkPOhhYNBZAVKxPEyHaUIBNNz8/s400/March+2011_2914.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<b>How to knit a cowl:</b><br />
<br />
1. CO 500 stitches and join in the round.<br />
2. Knit 2x2 rib for approximately 5 inches lengthwise.<br />
3. Knit stockinette for 2 inches.<br />
4. Bind off and sew in ends.<br />
5. Drape over neck as desired.<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXa5K4SurvGlNAH8G7-JQHB8wdKfmWtP2ltxP4T1oqlZapoSl4s9COYrHp1LiC2iVrRTB6qqG99iNoVN5op2ZWcVX2Kbstmj7LpPFm7YQYuQNLlyaUdaUfSNkXN3bXci5eZVdGnsp50c/s1600/March+2011_2918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXa5K4SurvGlNAH8G7-JQHB8wdKfmWtP2ltxP4T1oqlZapoSl4s9COYrHp1LiC2iVrRTB6qqG99iNoVN5op2ZWcVX2Kbstmj7LpPFm7YQYuQNLlyaUdaUfSNkXN3bXci5eZVdGnsp50c/s400/March+2011_2918.JPG" width="267" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I named this garment Still Waters as a play on the pattern name Still Light. The yarn is a deep saturated blue flecked with grays and purples. It's a really lovely color that makes me think of a pool of water on a gray overcast day. I like the feel of the cotton and the way it drapes - I wanted it to be a little roomy and not too clingy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTe7O3VMoEA_aMr3hYK1CvdFQUHINVrsf0Z8GeSESblKtFEkCFc_mrMQUh2zIK7M0R3J5w7yvsm163tR_nJnaOqoFF8arvEw6AoNGoModgH7nhrBsstRcWuhjotWwk4qX8s5UDTmbAOiE/s1600/March+2011_2935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTe7O3VMoEA_aMr3hYK1CvdFQUHINVrsf0Z8GeSESblKtFEkCFc_mrMQUh2zIK7M0R3J5w7yvsm163tR_nJnaOqoFF8arvEw6AoNGoModgH7nhrBsstRcWuhjotWwk4qX8s5UDTmbAOiE/s400/March+2011_2935.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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I love knitting top down garments because it's so easy to ensure the right fit. In the end I got a great looking tunic/dress that's comfortable and easy to wear - kinda like a long cozy sweatshirt. However, tights and boots aren't so easy to wear. I forgot how gravitationally challenged I am in heels.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeCJPk22rZvHKX1k0MoPfA8DQET47CDp8DeRAlYMgH6calApPJNa0Y32aPZWG7zgLUfz5yRCIUsl8S9bxAjGJXa5oMcg3fAX7oVNO31RhynS9dYs3mKTkpzQDeidNedSYq_8PQfRX9WE/s1600/March+2011_2929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeCJPk22rZvHKX1k0MoPfA8DQET47CDp8DeRAlYMgH6calApPJNa0Y32aPZWG7zgLUfz5yRCIUsl8S9bxAjGJXa5oMcg3fAX7oVNO31RhynS9dYs3mKTkpzQDeidNedSYq_8PQfRX9WE/s400/March+2011_2929.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
The price one pays for fashion.Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-38618034676964980052011-03-10T16:23:00.000-05:002011-03-10T16:59:35.992-05:00Sweet and SaltyI love salted caramels, pretzel M&Ms, anything that deftly combines the two great tastes of Sweet and Salty.<br />
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Lately, I have been obsessed with kettle corn. Freshly popped corn swathed in a very light coating of buttery caramel and sprinkled with just a little bit of salt. The smell of it makes me swoon. How can something taste so sweet and salty, airy yet so rich all at the same time? It's just delicious.<br />
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After a lot of trial and error, I figured out a way to make it at home.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqLzUFfo7Dyw74cc6tAFHGYPHnjD0ofO8fXXRDlTWvhTfHfK7W8uSMYRWzwTFlGJLbiZx6RIWyEp75okK7glJM6d3CUqiSXF3F0avih1AGAagq_FVYyVFB1A3nvTCSiGYL7LeGag_HRY/s1600/March+2011_2895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqLzUFfo7Dyw74cc6tAFHGYPHnjD0ofO8fXXRDlTWvhTfHfK7W8uSMYRWzwTFlGJLbiZx6RIWyEp75okK7glJM6d3CUqiSXF3F0avih1AGAagq_FVYyVFB1A3nvTCSiGYL7LeGag_HRY/s400/March+2011_2895.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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First off, you need a special stovetop popcorn popper. A Whirley Pop<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=myhu0c-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00004SU35&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> is basically an aluminum pot outfitted with a crank that stirs the contents without having to remove the lid. A regular pot with a tight fitted lid may suffice for popping plain old corn since all you need is a few shakes of the contents. But add sugar and butter? - all you get is a hot burnt mess. Maybe like me, you already have too many kitchen contraptions. But this one's worth it. Get rid of that bread machine that makes subpar bread anyway and make way for a Whirley Pop.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfy5dKTumogeThHySGnNKrdIUBb6MwpqV_NK5Soz6nYN5WfiMtKzItnnJCsmhloLqUNXsimONh70i0LstQQS0GYJ0cFlQj6ybFqdLnEWR2eSKIoFjEYmgqNndWfXZleD5Y3JWGM0WS9s/s1600/March+2011_2896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfy5dKTumogeThHySGnNKrdIUBb6MwpqV_NK5Soz6nYN5WfiMtKzItnnJCsmhloLqUNXsimONh70i0LstQQS0GYJ0cFlQj6ybFqdLnEWR2eSKIoFjEYmgqNndWfXZleD5Y3JWGM0WS9s/s400/March+2011_2896.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Ingredients: have everything at hand before you turn on the stove<br />
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2 Tbsp of vegetable oil<br />
1/2 cup of dry kernel popping corn - Orville Redenbacher's works just fine.<br />
1/3 cup of white, granulated sugar<br />
2 Tbsp of butter (optional)<br />
Popcorn salt or any fine grain salt<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyTFGZQ3qrbqcjGngxjKbnGSqmFu8loDZ6GrvYynATPkONQSF_Pi8TxRdKypf5JlGi__q_pcfmTxOHjdOaSwwiYMRZij4diy1EDnpqvGz9WGwThWb4UyV7YKwM1JkLVUb2-sExdeoWSo/s1600/March+2011_2897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyTFGZQ3qrbqcjGngxjKbnGSqmFu8loDZ6GrvYynATPkONQSF_Pi8TxRdKypf5JlGi__q_pcfmTxOHjdOaSwwiYMRZij4diy1EDnpqvGz9WGwThWb4UyV7YKwM1JkLVUb2-sExdeoWSo/s400/March+2011_2897.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Other helpful tools:<br />
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A large bowl to toss your popped corn<br />
Wooden salad tongs or some other tool to help you toss that hot and sticky corn <br />
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Step 1: Turn on the stove to high. Set the Whirley Pop on the stove and quickly place your vegetable oil and a few kernels of corn inside it. Close the lid. This gets the oil to just the right temperature which will be when the first kernel pops. Immediately turn the stove to medium hot.<br />
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Step 2: Here's where you have to move fast. Carefully open the lid and dump in the corn, the butter and the sugar. Close the lid and give it a good stir with a few cranks. The sudden insertion of all the ingredients brings the heat down so that neither the butter nor the sugar burns. Instead they both melt and then congeal into that delicious substance we know as caramel. The vegetable oil acts to keep the butter from burning (the oil has a higher smoke point) - you can leave out the butter if you want but don't leave out the vegetable oil.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4RZrFlbDvsdXwOPVDhw0cHqZiCUF_iO5GSXKCJxiLMicAmS8oB1MyTaFlfsuDTgJ0OkC2ICaTNWyb0uFGC9VvdzRw502succqVaENKcztMr3SznUS11yS6JKWuGxeq6W6Y3PRKC3V4Y/s1600/March+2011_2900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4RZrFlbDvsdXwOPVDhw0cHqZiCUF_iO5GSXKCJxiLMicAmS8oB1MyTaFlfsuDTgJ0OkC2ICaTNWyb0uFGC9VvdzRw502succqVaENKcztMr3SznUS11yS6JKWuGxeq6W6Y3PRKC3V4Y/s400/March+2011_2900.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Step 3: Crank every 30 seconds or so while things start to sizzle. Resist the urge to open the lid - you don't want a faceful of hot oil. Be patient as it takes a few minutes for the sugar to caramelize while the steam in the kernels builds up. When you hear the first pops, keep cranking - more often now. When the contents get downright furious, crank the handle continuously. All that popped corn gets sticky and if you stop cranking, the handle will get hard to turn thus defeating its purpose. You're almost there!<br />
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Step 4: When the popping dies down, open the lid and shake the contents out into a large mixing bowl. Wait 1 minute - the makers of the Whirley Pop say it helps make the popcorn crispy. I do it mainly because I always forget to get out the popcorn salt so I have to root around in the cupboard for um, exactly one minute. Toss the popcorn with salt - it may be clumpy at first. I use a pair of wooden salad tongs. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqwxL5WNPUgJyQOwX7Nn-U2-q78q9bj8_3kCv-tWr7g8JapU_Q1j-mnQzI5ch9iSr9SqW_gOsGaVy4u_4Lj7zeZGXIy_VjyhGDN-7znQboLdNgbaV6QfSE7y2CGZeaw0HfZQku470hL8/s1600/March+2011_2903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqwxL5WNPUgJyQOwX7Nn-U2-q78q9bj8_3kCv-tWr7g8JapU_Q1j-mnQzI5ch9iSr9SqW_gOsGaVy4u_4Lj7zeZGXIy_VjyhGDN-7znQboLdNgbaV6QfSE7y2CGZeaw0HfZQku470hL8/s400/March+2011_2903.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Serve immediately.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZa8qARuc7tF62pvlx11MDTYMjcm3cHSQVmWY6j1EACZvz2xph7qDNukOl5sS2WGoCdJF-OtwDfJQz7AJ78biaaBc_K5j7bDn_yrDsDNajIhtZpqzHj4_dqN7UPto8mHCGQLOKtvdQ7Q/s1600/March+2011_2905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZa8qARuc7tF62pvlx11MDTYMjcm3cHSQVmWY6j1EACZvz2xph7qDNukOl5sS2WGoCdJF-OtwDfJQz7AJ78biaaBc_K5j7bDn_yrDsDNajIhtZpqzHj4_dqN7UPto8mHCGQLOKtvdQ7Q/s400/March+2011_2905.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
A few pointers:<br />
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Whatever you don't eat will keep for a day or so in an airtight container. But if your kitchen is humid, the popcorn will get soggy pretty fast. Either eat it right away or seal it up for later.<br />
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If you're making another batch, there's no need to wash the pot. But if not, just fill the pot with some hot soapy water and the residual caramel comes right off.<br />
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If all this sounds like too much hassle, I understand. Instead, simply invite me over for dinner, I'll bring my Whirley Pop and a good DVD. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRN0dOzs1dp6NjlnlZjPyMYvuOcdB_Stj1WlpdknHw8T0znhcoZUqDJ5bkYMlc8mj9nCVIXFzP5nWs2vW_mSupMPorp-r_lrTmWmjrH-CKM0y1XGMmQPL1EBU2wVCZ2NHO7aAjgZ7I0x8/s1600/March+2011_2907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRN0dOzs1dp6NjlnlZjPyMYvuOcdB_Stj1WlpdknHw8T0znhcoZUqDJ5bkYMlc8mj9nCVIXFzP5nWs2vW_mSupMPorp-r_lrTmWmjrH-CKM0y1XGMmQPL1EBU2wVCZ2NHO7aAjgZ7I0x8/s400/March+2011_2907.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931538599344166224.post-84943929773798330452011-03-08T11:42:00.000-05:002011-03-08T11:42:32.160-05:00Shawl Collar PulloverI've always loved big collars. Maybe it's the dramatic effect. I like something unusual framing the face.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUl3JdRzcXkAdLi6TqG7Qr5oDDEqNDUCUicun1g5TBnnCfRsSRZgk2xFtqLxGsDUTvnnN2I8QY-GxkU8VKuZ6Phc6aSjDRHDloP6Ecpt_MQpVySrcKunbCfbrxdEW-2M-dRH6Uj4JaY-g/s1600/March+2011_2882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUl3JdRzcXkAdLi6TqG7Qr5oDDEqNDUCUicun1g5TBnnCfRsSRZgk2xFtqLxGsDUTvnnN2I8QY-GxkU8VKuZ6Phc6aSjDRHDloP6Ecpt_MQpVySrcKunbCfbrxdEW-2M-dRH6Uj4JaY-g/s400/March+2011_2882.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Pattern: #23 Shawl Collar Pullover by Adrienne Vittadini<br />
<a href="http://store.vogueknitting.com/p-61-vogue-knitting-200405-winter.aspx">Vogue Knitting Winter 2004/2005</a><br />
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Yarn: <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Simply_Cotton_Organic_Worsted_Yarn__D5420186.html">Knit Picks Simply Cotton Organic Worsted</a> (100% organic cotton)<br />
6.5 skeins (approx 1066 yards) for a size medium<br />
colorway: Marshmallow<br />
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Needle size: US 7<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsXevhhQKwV71m_YWRIrazIy-2aQWXrpVURUxee9XOK7QvHjMutmvXKnzjnXRwSIXNWyYIZVp6bYkoUHSrNl1RRs2WeoKL73iGRf7wH70pegtsLnJHXQ0xySP_9whCeEmJMMnfvngHP8/s1600/March+2011_2885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsXevhhQKwV71m_YWRIrazIy-2aQWXrpVURUxee9XOK7QvHjMutmvXKnzjnXRwSIXNWyYIZVp6bYkoUHSrNl1RRs2WeoKL73iGRf7wH70pegtsLnJHXQ0xySP_9whCeEmJMMnfvngHP8/s400/March+2011_2885.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Such a classic sweater design. I just need to add suede elbow patches to feel like I belong on a college campus circa 1950s in some short story by J.D. Salinger. Ah, disaffected youth!<br />
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Modifications: <br />
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Instead of knitting the collar separately and sewing it on the main body, I picked up stitches after sewing the shoulder seams together. First I picked up 40 stitches across the back of the neck, knitted across in pattern, and then picked up 4 more stitches for each new row.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEg5VqVV5gl-2C1JLsAFOqVNRHfn2ql-IK-HiSYrMdUx59BnFi_8f4G8io_WXIl2XnvBeES8e4rlUgmhOjaQCzHxXVvO163ZqzBf0SzmrasvIQPRh6BQ3kbAYNewac2tpfir0mQmO7eo/s1600/Feb+2011_2819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEg5VqVV5gl-2C1JLsAFOqVNRHfn2ql-IK-HiSYrMdUx59BnFi_8f4G8io_WXIl2XnvBeES8e4rlUgmhOjaQCzHxXVvO163ZqzBf0SzmrasvIQPRh6BQ3kbAYNewac2tpfir0mQmO7eo/s400/Feb+2011_2819.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoJ8bbrJMOOoyEkmz_uGjYPktSScpuHAE1F_Y_2kBxWK-WngUFkj8xd5VMCNqx9aBn63pP9GgnJXQi0iudwj5v6ZoLBW-ATvuBVo79BGRJ7H9hx3Zs2RuZNm162JG4XeYqshGU8CXz_E/s1600/Feb+2011_2820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoJ8bbrJMOOoyEkmz_uGjYPktSScpuHAE1F_Y_2kBxWK-WngUFkj8xd5VMCNqx9aBn63pP9GgnJXQi0iudwj5v6ZoLBW-ATvuBVo79BGRJ7H9hx3Zs2RuZNm162JG4XeYqshGU8CXz_E/s400/Feb+2011_2820.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Here's a closeup of the picked up stitches. There's a little bar along the inside seam for the first stitch picked up on every new row.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLgcX2Xu7u77sgOwlDIRydNvJZHck_O5ZkzZwgah2f1llhUjokvMIgEHXDVVKvSi_DibIxmO8ycRC2_58KvdI23XyFyYcDBlx7J9uyzPJElMLTtcGj91hMAks7-Qks3Y6TA5aURF0CmU/s1600/Feb+2011_2822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLgcX2Xu7u77sgOwlDIRydNvJZHck_O5ZkzZwgah2f1llhUjokvMIgEHXDVVKvSi_DibIxmO8ycRC2_58KvdI23XyFyYcDBlx7J9uyzPJElMLTtcGj91hMAks7-Qks3Y6TA5aURF0CmU/s400/Feb+2011_2822.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
But luckily this doesn't show at all on the right side of the work.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZu7ehqhGqjG9GkBaX1rHgDpEiwN0KPXofMGEJIKIT05ju24bd4bVTqHVgsNvGFb-8eeC-MQSEngiyVTWw_glVF9eFT-tCWAG0PoBFhh8yeBAWC5fMTiprH0IgOs1IirTZ8DKwgccXvU8/s1600/Feb+2011_2824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZu7ehqhGqjG9GkBaX1rHgDpEiwN0KPXofMGEJIKIT05ju24bd4bVTqHVgsNvGFb-8eeC-MQSEngiyVTWw_glVF9eFT-tCWAG0PoBFhh8yeBAWC5fMTiprH0IgOs1IirTZ8DKwgccXvU8/s400/Feb+2011_2824.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
When I got to the straight vertical portion of the collar, I picked up all the stitches in one row (3 stitches picked up to every 4 rows of knitting). Collar with all stitches picked up:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvd3YhUxzqD2byZMWxW_gpyzkIAQw6C6zZeZ-2S_nvIZiBDmFYkIUW18FK_BWszQS5hkRypUSvtUSwnWKG8gCSyGlrtU1-HA3M58_lxPIxKEKpBhVa7K_a8-1Rla5AdicJ0Es1vnT3YQA/s1600/Feb+2011_2828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvd3YhUxzqD2byZMWxW_gpyzkIAQw6C6zZeZ-2S_nvIZiBDmFYkIUW18FK_BWszQS5hkRypUSvtUSwnWKG8gCSyGlrtU1-HA3M58_lxPIxKEKpBhVa7K_a8-1Rla5AdicJ0Es1vnT3YQA/s400/Feb+2011_2828.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
My other big modification was to knit the sleeves directly onto the main body again by picking up stitches in a similar manner as the collar. After knitting the cap of the sleeve, I joined all the stitches and knit the rest of each sleeve in the round.<br />
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The cotton creates a cozy soft fabric that's perfect for layering. It doesn't keep its shape as well as wool - it stretched out a bit even after one wearing. But it's just enough warmth for a chilly spring morning.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBZSvmyHVh4uJa1c2ppFDO_0XGJweHntdOSWgXM_dfXk98SslNLfoXnsO-ml_NEDkbsXfJJm_6eGhU4Z_07yoTvN2ROcM__u4MFmpDkcTyrfESzmwbtYckOgRnEpe3_hmQwn93jD8vok/s1600/March+2011_2888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBZSvmyHVh4uJa1c2ppFDO_0XGJweHntdOSWgXM_dfXk98SslNLfoXnsO-ml_NEDkbsXfJJm_6eGhU4Z_07yoTvN2ROcM__u4MFmpDkcTyrfESzmwbtYckOgRnEpe3_hmQwn93jD8vok/s400/March+2011_2888.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>Sungopolishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14004853895688004979noreply@blogger.com7