Knitting to Keep My Sanity ... Well, Sort of

Death...by Lace (better than Death...by Chocolate)

It promised to be a quiet evening when I came home tonight.  The day had been relatively routine - programming, coding, cursing the computer the SAS God (I love to live dangerously).  The evening would be filled with piano lessons, and competing basketball games - would our beloved Spurs and Rockets prevail.  And don't forget the Astros.

As I walked up to the porch, there was a small brown package bearing a German postage mark.  Ah, an eBay find has arrived!!  It isn't the infamous Lyra - hereafter referred to as the Hope Diamond of Knitting.  More on that sordid story of intrigue later.

The first pattern book is Orella 1, Kunststricken, eine alte   Technik neu entdeckt, für Anfängerinnen und Fortgeschrittene,   Modelle von Erich Engeln (translated: Orella 1, Art Knitting, an Old Technology Newly Discovered, for Beginners and Advanced, Models of Erich Engeln or amazing lace to knit, no matter what the language!!) and the second is Orella 2, Spitzenstricken von Erich   Engeln, 1984 (translated: Orella2, Top Knitting of Erich Engeln or even MORE amazing lace to knit!!!).

Just to whet you appetite, here are some pictures of these amazing pieces of work (from the amazing website http://www.blatt-und-bluetensammelsurium.de):

Are you drooling yet........?  Me, the keyboard is kind of gross.  But then there's this:

OOPS - my beloved just brought me a bib!  Must control myself.  But who can resist:

And the worst part --- as luscious as these patterns are, there are MORE.  Also in the package was Kunst Stricken: Grosse und Kleine Decken (translation: Art Knitting: Blankets Large and Small) which includes patterns by Herbert Neibling.  Here is a taste:

From Z's momma (http://yarnandnomoreoil.blogspot.com/) - there is Anemone:

I can hardly contain myself - the challenge, the itsy-bitsy-ness, the sheer knitting machisma of attempting and completing just one, let alone **ALL** of these patterns --- and the others that I have on the way.

But, what to do about all of the other projects I have on the needles?  Is it possible to have more than 24 hours in a day?  If I learn to knit with my toes and do it under my desk - is that the ultimate multitasking or will I get busted at work for knitting on the clock?

God grant me the serenity to accept that I cannot knit all things...
the courage to finish the things I start...
and the wisdom to know when to frog...

What is WRONG with me??????

Here I am, perfectly happy with Isis and Orkney - lacing around the circulars, getting into the rhythm, progressing along.

Isis continues to surprise me with the elegant simplicity of her pattern.  As I think about designing, I think about this design and wonder how to even approach trying to do something this creative.

And then there is Orkney - his design is easier to comprehend.  I can actually see how to wrap my head around designing a Pi shawl.  The motif size is small (not so small that I don't mess it up once it a while) but it isn't overwhelming like Isis.

Anyway, life was peaceful, serene and uncomplicated --- but then, they came into my life.  They were packages in the post.  Yes, I ordered them - but they disordered my order - such that it was.

 

The package on the left came from the Netherlands - specifically Astrid's Dutch Obsessions.  The package on the right came from England - specifically Heirloom Knitting.

Inside the package from Astrid's, yarn for two projects.  The first is the Kauni Cardigan and a sweater from Garn Studio.   From Heirloom Knitting, cobweb yarn to start Unst Bridal Shaw.

So, do I keep with my perfectly satisfying project?  Do I dig into the amazing Heirloom lace project (or the other three in my stash)?  Speaking of stash, what about the other projects waiting, languishing, particularly patiently? 

No, I cast on the Kanui with a particularly unchallenging k1p1 border.  Why would I bypass my beloved lace to start a simple stockingette sweater?  I think it's the color that pulled me away. 

I guess a girl can't live by yarn overs alone!!

Stash Mis..management

It started simply enough - a simple desire to get organized, to clean up, to find some needles.  But I think the urges were much darker than that.  I had kept the secret so long that it was the moth eating away at my woolen soul.

I started working on the family room stash (not to be confused with the study stash nor the bedroom stash) where we have a coffee table/chest with a large drawer.  I pulled open the drawer and inside was a portion of my secret - my stash.  I pretended at first to be looking for needles, so I just pushed the yarn aside.  But as I pushed, I found it wasn't enough - I had to squeeze it as I pushed.  And the squeezing turned into holding it into two hands.  The needles were forgotten as my mind began to be lost in the swirl of alpaca, cotton, mohair and silk that lay before me.  I began slowly and tentatively, on skein at a time, pulling them out into the daylight and giving into the seduction of "I can get this project done by Christmas".

I am touching - I am fondling - I am unabashedly fantasizing.  It is a live yarn porn show, right in my family room.  And, I am ashamed to admit - my kids and husband could have walked in at any minute.

AND HE DID!!!!  My husband walked in and caught The Full Force of The Stash*

And I was in the middle of it - not embarrassed until I looked up and saw his shocked, blood drained face.  In his eyes was the betrayal - I had only told him of 12-15 projects of yarn, not was laid out in front of him.  Would he ever trust me again to go to the "grocery" store after all those times of coming back empty handed?  In the back of his mind, I can see him starting to re-think my stories about the grocery store running out of food.   

"Please, love, let me explain", I pleaded - but he was gone.  Gone, to get a Scotch to help deaden the pain and shock of what he had just seen. 

My mind raced - How can I explain what he just saw? Can I buy one of those memory zapping thingys from Men in Black on eBay? What was I going to do with 1300 yards of Alchemy Synchronicity?

I sat for a while - torn by what I yearned to do and what I needed to do.  Reluctantly, I let the Malabrigo Merino Laceweight drop from my fingertips, dragged my foot over the Jade Sapphire Cashmere-Silk and went to atone for my transgressions.

"Love? Love?" I whispered, hesitantly, as I searched the dark house "Where are you? Can we talk?"

I found him - sitting at the computer in completely dark room.  The ghostly blue glow lit his features and I made out his jutting chin resting in his hand.  He was staring at the screen so intently I wasn't eager to have his eyes bore into me.   These weren't good signs, but I took a deep breath and plunged right in.

I put my arms around his neck, kissed his ear and whispered "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Huh, what?"

"Do you want to talk?  You looked really upset in there."

"What are you talking about?" He turned to face me and I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that he had been staring at a computer game and not apartment listings.

"A moment ago - in the family room - you looked so shocked - all the yarn" (I don't know how to type a quivering voice, but just go with it).

"What - Oh! I was just surprised to see you cleaning rather than knitting! Doesn't happen all that often."  And he gave me a kiss on the cheek, sent me on my way and went back to shooting aliens.

I stopped - stunned - my anxiety falling away.  As I stood there, my love turned to me and said "Why were you so worried?" and a small, teasing smile started "What's in there that is making you feel so guilty?"

"No, nothing, nothing" I said quickly "I just was confused - no problems - really - nothing to see - I'm just tired - misunderstood you.  Can I get you another Scotch - a really strong one?"

Breathing heavily, I darted back to the family room, re-stashed the stash, and vowed to never be seduced again unless I was completely alone - it was just to dangerous.  I need to remember secret stashes, like the moths we abhor, are creatures of the dark.  When examined during the light of day, the seductive fire of the passion lit by phrases such as "Oh, I love this pattern", "FEEEEL this cashmere" and "Sure, if I cast on today, I can finish this Alice Starmore sweater by this weekend!" can lead to the  wild reckless abandon that I had fallen into - (almost) the full frontal stash exposure to those not yet of sufficient maturity to process it.  I could have scarred my beloved for life. 

I shudder to think about the consequences.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*I must give credit to the TMC Ravely Group, specifically E. for the fabulous phrase "The Full Force of the Stash".  Wish I could have thought of it, but no such luck.

Orkney dukes it out with Isis .....

There is just something about casting on a new project.

On Ravelry, I admit to 7 WIPs (including 2 which are hidden in my stash), but in reality there are many, many, many more. Most of my stash is not documented and most of my WIPs are discovered when digging in my storage containers - usually for stitch markers, rulers or yarn needles. Now, on one level - the discovery is neat - a little like Christmas. On the other hand, it is a little disheartening - Can I never finish anything?

But then, the new skein, cone, or hank beckens, temps and calls - and my resistance weakens. And so it was this weekend. I was happily working on Isis, with her soft, gentle alpaca working simply through my fingers.

Isis - Dry Block
Originally uploaded by chrisnicel

She was growing - the pattern easing into a comfortable rhythm, suitably intricate, but not boring. I have a goal of finishing her by early August for a trip - very doable without a lot of pressure. But not doable with distractions.

MEET THE PRESSURE

Jamieson and Smith's 2 ply Supreme Lace Weight in Black for the Orkney Pi Shaw
Originally uploaded by chrisnicel

This is the shetland lace I bought for the Orkney Lace KAL design entitled Northern Lace designed by Elizabeth Lovick.

So, last night I decided to start -- after the LYS was conveniently closed -- and thus the search was on for 4 mm needles was on -- either 2 circulars or 4 dpns. Into the bins, drawers and closets I go - hmm, forgot about that projects!! Oh yeah, that's what happened to that sweater!!!! But where are the blasted needles - here is 1 circular and 3 dpns - we will make this work until tomorrow.

Isis .... what Isis .... I don't even think about the progress I could have made while digging for an incomplete set of needles that I can't replace because the the LYS was closed. No -- the stage was set -- I HAD to start Orkney - It had to be on the needles tonight.

And so it was - and like all circular starts -- it was on multiple times. On and off and on and off and on and off. Addi turbos - not so great for starting itty bitty tiny circulars, but terrifically great for ensuring that there is no catching, snags and snarls in the opening stitches -- mainly because the stitches aren't on the needles for very long. And, as if predestined, about the time I am ready to toss yarn, pattern and needles - I look up and the the LYS will open in 10 mins. Quick trip - full set of birch 4mm dpns and I am in business.

Orkney Pi KAL - casting on
Originally uploaded by chrisnicel

Once on, it grows quickly and soon enough - the exiled Addis are called back into action. I am now on the fourth increase - not bad for a couple of hours work - excluding the cast-on experience.

Orkney Pi KAL - fourth increase
Originally uploaded by chrisnicel

But then, I looked over on the coffee table and Isis was sitting there looking petulant - I felt guilty. I should put it in perspective. I feel guilty about most everything. But I decided to introduce Orkney and Isis

Isis meets Orkney
Originally uploaded by chrisnicel

Orkney and his Shetland wool is organic, a little rough around the edges, and, because he is a Pi shawl, there is a certain randomness about him. I can consider designing a Pi shawl - I understand how the Pi works and I can see how one can build complexity into one.

Isis and her Misti Alpaca is softly elegant - so smooth, but not so easy to understand the construction. Don't think I can get my head around this design to understand how to build something similar - it is a true original.

Both are amazing and challenging, both comfort and please me. If you have the opportunity - try either or both. They are different experiences, but both will make you go.

But the $64,000 question - which will win out for evening knitting - which has the priority??? I am smart enough to turn it over to the Oracle - HE, and he alone, will decide. If not, he pounces.

Smokey the Oracle
Originally uploaded by chrisnicel

I am blessed with the riches of multiple projects, interests and the ability to access fabulous yarns. For that I am most grateful!

Peaceful and positive thoughts only ...

Via the always interesting Dr. Helen

Created by OnePlusYou - Free Online Dating

I used to spend a good bit of time using "blue language", but I found that the tension it was supposed to relieve wasn't and I just became more agitated.

Lately, I have realized that I am squishing some anger that needs to be expressed, so obviously I went a little too far in the other direction.

Balance is a bitc .... oopsy, bummer!!!

Working on the Veil of Isis

This has to be one of my favorite projects that I have worked on in a long time - The Veil of Isis from Bad Cat Designs. I have to say that reading this pattern was intimidating, but once I started knitting it - the beautiful elegant simplicity of this project became apparent. The brilliance of Andrea (Miss Bad Cat herself) is so evident in this pattern.

Anyway, this project started as another one --- I bought the yarn in Salt Lake City a couple of years ago, but I ended up not liking the pattern. So the yarn aged in my stash, fondled every now and then - but, Yes, mostly ignored.

Then, I ran across the Veil of Isis pattern - so beautiful, so tempting - and I almost bought new yarn. Then I remember -- sitting in my stash was some beautiful Misti Alpaca Lace in a Medium Sage Green --- a perfect compliment to my red hair and pale ruddy skin. And amazingly, I had just the right amount. The pattern required beads - let's go for the gold. And so, I started...

Quickly, I reached the sea urchin stage - where people look at what you are working on and ask "Why? It's a blob!!!" But for me that is the beauty of lacework - it is the ultimate in faith-based knitting.

There is a beautiful quote in the introduction of "A Gathering of Lace" which describe lace as sitting politely in your lap while you knit. To me, that sounds like a dainty lady - ankles and hands crossed - sitting in a parlor, waiting for her introduction. Elegance. Grace. Lithe.

While I want to think about lace like that eventually - after blocking, after finishing - just like a lady -- She is finished. For me, lace under construction is more like the "The Ugly Duckling". Knitters making sweaters, scarves, vests or gloves - whether fair-isle or cable, plain or simple - can hold up their work and everyone can "Oooh" and "Aw" and SEE what it will become. Lace knitters hold up their blobs and charts and people go "Huh" and "Oh, OK" and pretend to get it.

Isis is under construction, but here is a little snippet of the beauty that she will be.

I can hardly wait to meet her.

And I am .....

I haven't been knitting as I have been setting up my little blog, my Ravelry space, writing grants, getting kids signed up for college, high school and re-enrolled in their elementary school. Makes me sad, because I feel non-productive.

But in the meantime..a little bit about me:

You Are 40% Weird

Normal enough to know that you're weird... But too damn weird to do anything about it!

How Weird Are You?

Your Personality is Very Rare (INFP)

Your personality type is dreamy, romantic, elegant, and expressive. Only about 5% of all people have your personality, including 6% of all women and 4% of all men You are Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving.

How Rare Is Your Personality?

and .... matches my hair

Your Passion is Red!

You've got that spark - a good dose of intensity, power, and determination. You do whatever you want in life ... to hell with what anyone thinks! With so many interests and loves, you're always running around doing something new. You have fire in your eyes, and it shows. Bet you're even wearing something red!

What Type of Passionate Woman Are You?

And just what does knitting mean.....

I have just begun to become active on Ravelry, quite frankly the most ingenious creation to hit the crafting world since....I don't know....needles and thread.  One of the things that I really, Really, REALLY like about the site is the ease setting up user groups.  I have set up one myself (but that is for another posting), but one I joined right off the bat was a group of alumni and students for the college my eldest son was planning on attending. 

You see, I wanted to have a little taste of the culture, a little taste of his experience ... OK, I will be honest ... I didn't want to let go.  But, my excuse was that I needed to know what kind of clothes and accessories did I need to prepare him with since we were woefully ignorant, down here in the deep South, of the needs of the frigid North.

So I went on my pilgrimage to The Yarn Barn and there I picked up some carefully, thoughtfully, poured over the Lopi yarns and patterns - in which I could just imagine my first born, warmly nestled in the loving stitches of my needles - (if I couldn't make him warm and protected, my knitting would).  And, on the way back to my mum-in-law's house, dreaming about the prayers that I would say while knitting, the joy I would see on his face when I gave him his sweater (alright, this is MY fantasy) and the comfort I would take when hearing about the -1000 degree temperatures in MI, it dawned on me - this child doesn't remember to eat lunch sometimes if not reminded.

And it made me think - how much of this is about ME - wanting to have a little piece to go with him, to hold him, to comfort him, to protect him.  After all, this is my baby ... my first-born moving out of my nest, away from my protection - where I can dab his boo-boos, wipe his tears and promise with a kiss that "Mama will make it better".

When he puts on a sweater, scarf or mittens that I knit - will he realize that I am there with him, helping him through this transition - standing, not with him, but behind him.  A young man cannot ask for help from his mother - no, that is not right.  But a son wants his mother to see him grow into a man.  Maybe I want the clothes I make for him to be the hugs he can't ask for, but he may just need. 

Or maybe, just maybe --- I need them to be more than just knit and purl stitches.

Well, this is kinda cool...

Meet MeSelf!!!

Get a Voki now!

I have a little robotronic greeting for you - Push the play button! I really shouldn't be so delighted by such silly things!!

I wish I could say that this was a true and accurate representation of me ... it was ... a couple of children ago.  However, the tunic-loving, wild child is always present.  Unfortunately for the above mentioned children, that side is not hidden.

Easter .... A New Beginning ... in the most superficial sense

Well .. When last we last we left, I was heading to a very sad pilgrimage to The Yarn Barn of San Antonio, thinking that it would be the last trip to my ideal LYS - old triangular building, slightly mildewing scent to the building - no slam to Bobbi, just to the age of the building - and said with the love of someone who adores clawing into old library stacks.  True research cannot be done without allergies :-)

So I pick out some Lopi from my son's sweater, some fantastic Barraco Folliage and some wonderful bamboo yarns as well as loads of notions and books.  And with HEAVY heart (and basket), I make my way to the check out counter - to talk to Marge.  Where I hear the enlightening news that the shop has been sold ---- it will continue ---- and while we try to get my gift card worked through, I reflect on why this matters so much.

I don't really know.  Was it the odd shaped building - not really, I would be back whether the building was triangular or square or circular.  Was it the vintage storefront - that was part of it - I can't lie.  There is something about going into an older storefront.  That was also true with the original location for the Houston location for Yarns 2 Ewe.  It is not to say it is a necessity, but, for me it is a plus.

But LONG STORY SHORT  ---  There is a fabulous new owner for The Yarn Barn of San Antonio, and thus there will be a continuity of my potential dream LYS.  While they were working out my gift card issues (don't worry, they have it all sorted out!!), we visited, and she is absolutely fabulous!!  I am so excited.  I am also so excited for Bobbi as she moves to the next phase of her life --- she should get sooooo much koooddooos for what she has built in SA.  She is an amazing entrepreneur and I don't believe that she gets the snaps that she deserves.

Sooo - I bought more yarn that I needed and I found out that YBSA will be there as the "mothership" for years to come.  I hope that I am not being a complete blaspheme when I say "Yarn-wise === It is a good Easter"

Non-yarnwise === He has Risen !!!  Proclaim His Victory!!!

Happy Easter!!