Wool & Words

My cable has been out for a couple of days now, so I'm writing this from the very spiffy computer lab where I spend my MWF afternoons guiding first-years through their emma experiences and troubles. With any luck, I'll be up and running again tonight when I return home.

The weather event was quite eventful. Saturday around midnight I heard a big bang, saw a bright light, and was plunged into darkness. Since I'd already watched Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, I took a look outside and saw, well, darkness. Power out and, as I eventually discovered, a powerline down near my car. Needless to say, I wasn't keen on touching it. The nice firemen came eventually, moved the line, and said it was safe to touch my car, which was a Good Thing, since the dome light was on inside and apparantly had been for the entire day.

I bundled up that night for bed--sweats, hoodie and my new mitts, the ends of which I had to weave in by candlelight since I'd been too lazy to do that before when I was blessed with electricity. I can see now why people lived by the sun back in the day.

Power was restored around noon Sunday, so I got to actually take a shower and have heat. Cable, however, was not. Steve came over and we watched movies and cooked a lovely pot roast, sweet potatoes, steamed veggies and two hearty loaves of whole wheat bread. Mmmm.

I got a good bit of knitting done on the Leaf Shawl, although I doubt that it will be ready for its intended purpose. My friend will, I'm sure, forgive me and be glad to have it when it's done.

Posted by KnitNut at 04:32 PM | Permalink

Please keep the people of Iraq in your prayers, especially on this weekend where dangers are higher than they have been. I pray for a peaceful and sucessful election. I am not so naive as to think that Iraq will miraculously become stable. But I have to hope and pray that there will be peace and that good will come from all of the bloodshed and suffering.

I also pray for our troops, for the Iraqi troops, and those serving Iraq in the interim government. For those who have been taken hostage, for the innocents, and, well, for everyone whose life is affected by this situation.

And I pray for the insurgents/terrorists--whatever you like to call them. I pray for them as part of the human family.

May God guide us all and His will be done.

Posted by KnitNut at 11:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

My friends up north will laugh at these photos, but be gentle! Remember, I'm a southern girl, and this is not the norm for us.

First, my car.

And Charlie, my little cement bulldog, surveying the landscape.

I know, I know. This is nothing compared to the people-tall snowbanks up north. Still, for GA, this is pretty much debilitating icyness. Nothing else to do today but knit. Well, there's laundry to do. And house cleaning. But aw, shucks! I just want to watch movies and knit.

Of course, I need to keep warm. Ideas for you folks out there who are really cold:

Stephanie's mittens, made from her first handspun yarn!

Any chilly household appliances? My friend, Ashley, knit up this baby from the most recent Knitty using one skein of Manos and some Lamb's Pride Worsted.

Mmmm--cosy!

Posted by KnitNut at 11:44 AM | Permalink

So we're driving back from our visit to Unicoi State Park, where we did our presentation, and we decide to stop off at a bakery in Helen, GA's "Alpine Village". I can't enjoy the sweet baked treats (more on that next week), but I did find an issue of Sandra, which calls itself "The Knitting Magazine." It's a German publication translated into English and I'm tickled by the awkward use of idiom and expression.

Take, for example, this gem from the cover: "No Chance for Minus Degrees!"

Indeed! The sweaters are fabulous and I'm amazed at the number of them. I can only hope that the patterns are clearly written...and translated!

Posted by KnitNut at 02:37 PM | Permalink

Thanks to everyone who commented on my community musings. I've been making a real effort to get out and be among people, an effort assisted by the fact that I'm working on more community-oriented projects for my research anyway. Humanities Computing is extraordinarily tied to group endeavor. Tomorrow I'm part of a group presenting the project to the Regents System English Dept. heads, and that's so very different than the types of presentations made at formal conferences. When we met to parcel out the work, everyone considered what they could contribute to the whole endeavor. Very cool.

And a couple of days ago I spent the better part of the day working with an colleague on a project for the Economics department. It was so great! I think I would get high marks for "playing well with others".

All this to say that I neglected the nature of the work that I'm doing, that it is community-oriented, in my sense that I was supposed to be off hiding somewhere scribbling in isolation. I feel as though in the last week or so I've regained my sense of balance.

Enjoy the day!

Posted by KnitNut at 03:45 PM | Permalink

Yesterday, you saw the stash. Today, see what I've actually been knitting.

First up, socks.

These are gifts for my friend, Katie. There's a pair in the works for her boyfriend and my office mate, Matthew. His will be much manlier.

These are my first 2 circ socks. I love my DPNs, but must admit that the circular methods will have an enormous impact on my SKFD*. I'm much quicker with the circs.

Next up, my first toe-up sock. I'm taking a class at my LYS, and it's been great. The sock is knit in Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport.

This is my first 1 circ or Magic Loop sock. I am an addict and slave to my Addis.

They have been put to use for other small roundish projects. Behold the first of two Garret Mitts.

I think every starving grad student (who just dropped a bucket on yarn) should have a pair of these for scribbling/typing/reading purposes in their oft-cold garrets. I made them long; I can fold down the tops when necessary.

And, because I just can't get enough, a shawl. A Very Special Shawl.

This is the project being knit in the no-longer-milled Sirdar Balmoral. That's all I'm going to say for now. But, Eileen, I gotta tell ya, it's delish!

BTW, Eileen was my Secret Pal in SP3. She is the one who sent me all the yummy yarn and goodies! Sorry I'm so late in giving you your props...things haven't been totally right around here.

And, in case you're wondering, Jackie was the person I got to spoil. Added bonus: I got to send treats to Ty too!

Other Thoughts:

1. My weather pixie looks (at 9:30 a.m.) as though she is standing in flurries. The sun is out. What is she not telling me?
2. Peter Pan Low Sugar Peanut Butter is an inferior replacement to their No Salt, No Sugar Added Peanut Butter, which they apparantly felt the need to get rid of. I must have been the only person on the planet who bought the old one. Sigh. I'll have to go back to the natural peanut butters.
3. Life is good.

*SKFD=Sock Knitting Fantasy Disorder. See yesterday's post for details.

Posted by KnitNut at 09:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I have been a very naughty and busy girl. Forget the yarn diet, baby!

Lots of Wildfoote for my wild feet:

They will be socks. Go figure.

Next, more sock yarn (Opal, along the top), my Largeish Samples from KnitPicks new line, and Red Heart Cotton Twist for a Chickami:

A couple of comments here. The Largish Samples are of Wool of the Andes (Cranberry), Merino (Moss), Andean Silk (Chocolate). There are Real Projects planned for these: hat for my sis in the wool, scarf for a buddy in Merino, and something yummy for me in the Andean Silk.

Yes, I've bought a lot of sock yarn. I already have a lot of sock yarn. I am obviously beset with a Sock Knitting Fantasy Disorder (SKFD). Do not try to treat. Just let it run its course.

Especially after you see this:

Sock yarn for a pair of as-yet-to-be-designed Mardi Gras socks. Must represent the heritage. Especially on my feet.

If you're sick of the sock-o-rama, feast your eyes on this.

Elann Peruvian Highland Chunky in Malt Heather. Mmmm. There are 24 more balls of this. They will be a Serious Sweater for Steve. But no cables. Those will have to wait! ;-)

Finally, the least planned.

More Elann goodness. Baby Cashmere in Parchment. 20 balls. Very Special Project. When the time comes, I'll tell you all about it.

There's also a set each of Baby Cashmere in a purple, deep blue and pewter. They will be Fabulous Christmas Gifts for 4 Special Ladies. They will constitute the Christmas knitting.

I feel better now that I've confessed. Tomorrow: What I've actually been knitting.

Posted by KnitNut at 07:48 PM | Permalink

Knit on, my sisters (and brothers), knit on...but only if you want to:

How to Avoid a Designer Tea Cosy

Posted by KnitNut at 02:58 PM | Permalink

One of the things they don't tell you about grad school is how isolating it can be. Once your done with coursework, you're really on your own.

I've done my best to maintain contact with people, but today I realized that there is this whole little underground community of grad students, people I entered with but no longer see around the catacombs we call our offices. These people are popping up at the library.

You're laughing now, saying "Anita, you're in grad school. Surely you frequent the library enough to know that your buddies are there." Well, my friend, you're wrong. Yes, I have the required too-small-and-drafty-and-quiet study carrel in the library, yes, I check out library books. But I never hang out there long enough to come into contact with the students who are hanging there on a regular basis. I need to be one of them. There's so much writing to do.

Posted by KnitNut at 12:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

This is so wrong. So very very wrong.

Ski Masks

Teach your children well, lest they grow up thinking these are a Good Idea.

This has me wondering--has anyone knit up a Dumb Donald cap? You know, the Fat Albert guy with the ribbed full head covering?

That, I suppose, will have to wait until I finally knit up my Velma costume. Ah, the 70's. Even the cartoon characters wear cool knits.

Hey hey hey!

Posted by KnitNut at 10:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I have found the Perfect Yarn. Sirdar Balmoral. It is no longer made. It is knitting perfection.

Wool. Alpaca. Silk.

Sorry to tease. I just needed to share. I weep that when this is gone, I will not find more.

Posted by KnitNut at 11:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So, quickly to recap. There was a party on New Year's Eve at my family's house. It's a tradition, so we generally do the same things every year.

First, my dad makes a huge pot of gumbo outside.

Then, family and friends come, we eat, drink, and play games. This year, it was Scrabble.

We wish Roland (my brother) and Steve a happy birthday (Roland is 12/30 & Steve is 1/1).

And then we light a big bonfire. Burn out the old, ring in the new.

Next up: Real actual knitting content.

Posted by KnitNut at 01:11 PM | Permalink

I couldn't resist this little infection passing around the web. Pics this weekend when I have time (and energy) for doing them up right.

Favorites!

Grooming Products
Shampoo--That Pantene for straightening
Moisturizer--Oil of Olay, sensitive skin
Cologne--really, perfume--Opium
Razor--Gilette Sensor--love the colors
Toothpaste--Mentadent

Electronics
Cell phone--Motorola T720. I have put it through hell. It is considering forgiving me.
Computer--Dell Inspiron 5100 and an old Dell Latitude that's hooked up to Keyboard and Monitor Life Support.
Television--A Sanyo and a Panasonic
Stereo--Sony

Home
Sheets-- Whatever's cheap and comfy. The higher the cotton count, the better.
Coffee-maker--A Black Proctor-Silex at home, a white one at work.
Car--1997 Honda Civic
Stationery-- Anything by Crane

Beverages
Bottled water--Brita Pitcher at home, anybody's bottle away from home.
Coffee--Community Coffee
Vodka--Grey Goose
Beer--Abita Amber
Wine -- Love me some Shiraz

Clothes
Jeans--don't ask
T-shirt--Lyle Lovett concert t-shirt
Briefcase or tote--My knitting bag
Sneakers--Gotta love the Keds.
Watch--When I left school administration, I left my watch behind.

Favorite Places
Home (mine and parents), Steve's house, LYS...and other locales. Basically, when I'm with Steve, it's all good

Necessary Extravagance
Yummy yarns, books, books, chocolate

Posted by KnitNut at 08:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

OK, so I didn't get this up when I wanted to...very busy weekend, but first, here's what happened before all the gift giving.

As usual, my mom set a beautiful table. She and my sister, Emily, chat and wait

while the boys enjoyed the football game.

We did eventually sit down. Meet the family.

First, my dad

Next, my mom

My brother, Roland, and his son, Trey

Kevin, my brother-in-law, and Trey

You know, it occurs to me that there's no photo of Emily. That's because I respect her far too much to post the pic of her taking a picture of me taking a picture of her. And the one that Kevin took with his camera is fun, but not flattering. So you'll have to use the process of elimination from the family photos in the last post to figure out which one she is. Hint: she's as wee as my mom.

That's about all I can manage tonight. Next time: New Year's Eve (finally!) and the Tuttle Family Christmas (which we just had yesterday).

Oh, and I am knitting. Socks. Socks. Socks. Socks. Did I mention I'm knitting socks? Perhaps a pic or two of those will be forthcoming as well. I'm trying out the circular needle techniques and really liking this two circular thing.

Posted by KnitNut at 11:07 PM | Permalink

There was actually a previous entry before this one, but I inadvertently erased it. Ah, well. I'll try repost later when I've gotten over my stupidity. For now, you'll have to just enjoy the gift giving.

Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of pics of the gift giving. We were kinda busy. For years, we've pulled names, thereby cutting down on the number of gifts we have to buy and the amount of money we have to spend. This year, I pulled my mom's name, and she got her shawl (the Estonian Garden one), My Fair Lady on DVD (to add to her Audrey Hepburn collection), and a gift certificate to her local department store (her request).

My sister pulled my name. She got me this bevy of silliness:

and this fantastic book I've lusted after for quite some time.

Thanks Em!

My friend and office mate, Matthew, had sent along gifts for Steve and me from him and his girlfriend, Katie. What delights!

That's a cute book using lyrics from songs to tell a story and a CD of Matthew's recordings of original tunes and standards. Really awesome stuff!

Steve spoiled me.

The lamb (as yet unnamed) was from Merc & Zeus. There was also a box of chocolate covered cherries from Santa. Steve hit a home run with a Latvian Mitten book (a purchase inspired by the Harlot herself), Napoleon Dynamite on DVD (Gosh!), Keane's CD, and three skeins of Artful Yarns Fable in Little Red Riding Hood that will become a spring Clapotis. Thanks baby!

The next day we took family photos. I've got many, but here are a few highlights.

The ladies of the family.

A goofy family pic.

All of us, save Michael's girlfriend, Mindy.

Mindy was not, however, to be just a "girlfriend" for long. On the Tuesday following Christmas, Michael popped the question. Here's the happy couple with champagne.

Oh, and because you've been so indulgent, here's a photo of my mom in the Estonian Shawl. She is wee. The wrap is long.

And that, my friends, concludes the Christmas merriment. New Year's Eve up next!

Posted by KnitNut at 12:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Today is January 6. It is Epiphany. It is the end of Christmas. And that, my friends, can only mean one thing...

It's Carnival Time!

The Mardi Gras season begins on January 6 and continues to the actual Mardi Gras day, which is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Our layover in Louisiana allowed me to pick up a King Cake filled with yummy chocolate filling...mmmm.

I'm absolutely wiped out. We drove home yesterday, then today I helped a friend move AND brought my car in to the shop because the Check Engine light decided to make an appearance. Thankfully, the repair was covered under the warranty and I only had to pay for the oil change.

That is important, because I was seduced by Elann's Peruvian Collection Baby Cashmere. Mmmm.

I'm finally catching up on my blog reading and will start the cavalcade of holiday photos tomorrow. So much to show and tell!

Oh, and in case you're wondering--here's some info about the Second Line. Grab your hankies!

Posted by KnitNut at 11:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I should be at home right now, doing some laundry, making coffee, planning out my week, checking my mail, enjoying my cable modem--you know, just puttering around.

Instead, I type this from my mom's house, where I'm reinstalled for a few days while we get Steve's transmission sorted out. He's had an ongoing issue with his transmission, one that the folks at the transmission place he brings his car to (a chain that will not be named) haven't yet seemed to have figured out. As we were leaving yesterday, the transmission just stopped working, and my parents came out to get us and called a local towing service to bring the car to the Chain That Will Not Be Named.

So here we wait. I've been working up web templates for my spring course pages as a way to feel productive. This afternoon I'm going to read a few articles in hopes that I can get some more work done on my dissertation proposal which is just languishing. And at some point in the next day or two I've got to get more done on the stylesheets for the economics department project.

And, of course, there's knitting. I'm still doing Christmas knitting--gasp--so it's a socksy looking week for me. I'm trying to master the circular methods, and am currently doing a pair on two circs. The next will be attempted on one circ. I love my dpns, but I'm kinda liking the circs at the moment.

I've got so many pics to upload--perhaps I can get to a Kinko's and take advantage of my t-mobile wireless connection to upload them.

Cheers!

Posted by KnitNut at 02:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)