September 2004 Archives

Friday afternoon we left L.A. for points north...

... both longitude- and altitude-wise. Saturday was spent hanging on this rock. What an epic it was: we left the city at 5.00p, got to our campsite at 2.30a, got up at 4.30a, ate, packed up and started the hike at 6.45a, got to the base of said rock at 10.30a, started climbing at 12.00p. Topped out 2000 feet later at 9p. Yup, 9 at night. You could see campfires, lights, cars down below. Started the looong 8.2-mile hike down (it's long when you're tired and it's dark) and got back to our cars 2.30a. Passed out at 2.31a. I lost 5 pounds and must have eaten twice that amount the following day, I was so friggin' ravenous. The 4 of us who stuck together looked like civil war refugees... It was quite an experience and I found that there's some crazy part of me that likes long, multi-pitch trad climbing. I would definitely do this again!

Got some goodies from my Secret Pal! Peruvian alpaca/wool/cashmere, scented with gardenia or jasmine! And chocolate-filled pretzel sticks, which I've already inhaled. Thank you so much, you've definitely enriched my stash!

Moonstone is coming along. Slowly. Here's 10 rows. I started this early in the morning so I was pleasantly surprised to see the colors blend so beautifully. This is now going to be a scarf for my mom (she really fancied the yarn) so I'm going to make something else for my gran.

Another quick winter knit: mittens part two for the incredibly petite friend with childlike hands. Like the first pair, this is in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in Old Rose. This should be a snap to finish up. Uh oh, did I just jinx myself?

I've been busy. It's work, that 8-hour period (plus a lunch hour) in the day where we scramble with deadlines, missing assets and clients who want. Their Stuff. Now. And the nightmare drive in the morning that is the 405 North to the 10 West, exit Cloverfield right. And the nightmare drive in the evening too. And dinner, bills, other work, the gym. Oh, and BF.

So here's the mantilla:

Just being funny. Actually, I'm starting this evening.

And some winter knits, otherwise known as three beanies, otherwise known as The Acrylic Purge, 2004:

Two stockinette and a 2x2 rib for some friends who wear and lose them frequently. So this is a good way of ridding the stash of acrylic. No guilt here!

Things to note: Clara is shutting down her blog. All her knits were lovely, and I hope she comes back. Anita just finished an awesome Birch, and now I want to knit with Kidsilk Haze. I've been an MJ-come-lately to Emma's story about Oliver's birth, but it's worth reading. Finally, here's a cautionary tale on blogging about your job. Unless you're self-employed, don't.

See you next time. Yummier projects hopefully!

I know, you're tired of seeing the sleeve. Me too! I measured my favorite sweater's sleeve length, cuff width, and armhole width. Guess what? Its length is 19" (same as my projected length), cuff is 1/2" smaller, width is only a 1/2" smaller than Grace's. In other words, negligible difference. Maybe that ribbed cuff threw me off, it's so narrow. So I figured that Debbie Bliss must know what she's doing and continued with the decreases. Here she is 1 pattern repeat from casting off. I've actually finished it and am continuing on the second sleeve. I'm taking this puppy to work, determined to finish it by this Friday.

Here's the promised picture of beautiful Natalie yarn. It's a thin strand with loops woven into it. Very nice stuff, Secret Pal! I may make a Latifa with this, using this instead of the Koigu. (I've narrowed down Secret Pal to 3 people and I'm very close to unmasking you! Heh heh!)

Speaking of Knitty, I think they did a great job of the fall issue. I wasn't thrilled with the summer issue (meh), but this one has some great projects, like Blaze, Giraffe, Clapotis, and Tigger. This article was also timely, as I'd been playing around with Grace's sleeve when I read it.

Also, the newest issue of Rebecca is out! Yay! I already know I'm getting this. I like their patterns, and their instructions are very clear. Anyone doing a knitalong from this magazine?

This is one of Grace's sleeves. At 9" I have about 18 more increases to go, which makes it into a sleeve worthy of gigantor-forearmed sailors. Sorry, it's just not me. So this weekend I'll be ripping back 5" of cables and reconfiguring the increases, as well as the armhole length on the body pieces. I read somewhere to use a favorite, well-fitting jacket or sweater to base the measurements off of, so I'll be doing reknitting for the remainder of the weekend.

Work has been busy so knitting has been minimal and blogging even less. I know I have to update my links list. And I want to try some new backgrounds for the blog. It will probably take me 2-3 weeks to get used to a full-time schedule again, having freelanced for close to 2 years. *sigh*

Oh, wait! I just picked up the mail and guess what was there! Yummy yarn from my Secret Pal! Two lovely balls of Adrienne Vittadini Natalie in a winey red called Jewel (Professionally style artsy photo to come). So pretty! I think it's time to for an easy winter knit, so I'll be making a scarf out of this. Thanks Secret Pal! Hope you had a lazy Labor Day!