Catena Expressions

socking right along.

Frisko is minding the aquarium. You know how sneaky fish are - how they will disappear.

I'm minding my knitting needles.

The karatsu socks are slow going - the pattern repeat is something like 18 rows. Since I'm knitting 2 pair concurrently, you can imagine how slow it's going. I'm also knitting a 3rd pair of leftover sock yarn - mindless stockinette and that's going much faster. I can knit those almost anywhere which is refreshing after paying close attention to the karatsu pattern.

Also on the plate - and half finished - is updating my desktop PC - 1 g of RAM helped speed it up along with AT&T's new dial-up. I have a new dial-up connection out of Greeley which is wonderful. I can not only read blogs but leave comments (except for Dawn's Slant on a Hillside - for some reason am still unable to comment). I hope to get the laptop on line when I get a new CD from AT&T. The last one they sent was incompatible with Vista. Nothing like spending last weekend trying to figure that mess out only to discover, well, gee, not with Vista!

And I wrote a post which disappeared in the wonders of typepad...I can't recall all the witty things I said or the wonderful links I added but you can imagine how terrific that post was.

I know I nodded all the way through Laurie's recent post - so much spoke to me.

I know I raved about this (shared by June)

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Miroslava

Snow forecast for the weekend. Jesse and Bridgy have their spot staked out and think I should snuggle in (and watch Book TV)

but Riley thinks we need to go for another brisk walk.

Friday

I've read this passage from Grassroots   the Universe of Home by Paul Gruchow several times.

"The Latin word from which our own word culture derives has several meanings: to inhabit, to till, to worship; these are, in fact, although we have forgotten it, intimately related actions. To inhabit a place means, if one is attentive to the idea from which the word comes, not only simply to occupy it, or merely to own it, but to dwell within it, to have joined oneself in some organic way to it; it is the place where one's heart lives. The word till comes from an Old English word meaning to strive after, to get. The word worship is a contraction: it was originally worthship, the homage one paid to whatever one valued. So the idea of culture encompasses not only the arts and inventions of a people, but also the place within which they dwell, all that they strive after, and everything that they find worthy."

Antique Pattern Library has many new additions to the book list. I probably downloaded over 50 in the last few days.

I've been thinking about crocheting new curtains for the study and workroom so I'll look at the patterns and think about it. It would be nice to have motifs. We'll see. So far, my favorite booklets are Beehive Shawls, Sophie La Croix's booklets, Emma Farnes booklets, Filet Brode (which Lacis carries in a bigger book format) and Fitch Filet. The edgings in La Croix and Farnes are especially enticing - who can choose?

So my living room looked like this as I sorted the printouts and labeled the notebooks - dark because it was snowing outside.

and the workroom and the study shelves now look like this

 

 

gah

M and I should have made a NY resolution "keep away from the sickening crowds". We've been sick most of January (is it over yet?). He's back to work and I'm sniffly, sneezy and all of those other seven dwarves of Colddom.

Knitting has happened.

 

I finished 2 pairs of Cauchy from Cookie A's Sock Innovation on size 1 circulars. I knit mine of burgandy tweed yarn and went knee high which I love. My neighbor's blue pair followed Cookie A's pattern so are about 6" high. 

I'm currently knitting a pair of leftover sock yarn and am at the heel flap. These are just stockinette. Nothing exciting to show there.

The new pair on the needles are a blue pair for my neighbor and a grey pair for me - karatsu from Judy Sumner's Knitted Socks East and West. 

I wondered about the cast on of 96 but I need high boot socks - with a few inches to fold over the top of my boots and these, I think, will work splendidly. You can see the size difference compared to the knee highs I just finished. I'm following the pattern to the letter for my neighbor but am adding a few inches to the ribbing so my socks will be plenty tall enough.

Because I prefer 3-needle bind-off for my sock toes, B loaned me some 4" sock needles last weekend - lovely! Yesterday we went into Loveland to Woolen Treasures where I bought a set for myself. I put the toe stitches on safety pins, turn the sock inside out, transfer the stitches on to the needles and bind the toe off. It seems to last longer then other methods I've tried.

On our way to Loveland, we watched about a half dozen eagles (probably balds) soar over Duck Lake. Can't tell (LOL) if they are migrants heading north, or lingering here, in the south (for them) or the residents. M took this photo of a resident bald near its nest along the Cache La Poudre River the other day.

socks again

My first 2 FOs of the year both knitted with size 1 circulars:

 
One is cuff down plain stockinette of Trekking yarn based on Anne's Ceilidhl pattern. I think this skein was bought in Estes Park with Leslie - when she was here for the Wool Market. I love love love the color.

And the other is Anne's Ceilidhl pattern -knitted with her Mountain Glen superwash fingering yarn and actually following her directions. I tried to sharpen and brighten the photo to show the lace patterns. I especially appreciated her gussets and heel flap. First time (I think) I've knit without wrapping.  This pattern was(is) a favorite - I knit 3 pair of socks with it - 2 toe-up.

I knit both these pair a bit higher then usual - obviously after one day with -27 low and high of -7, I began to think of warmth. That day also led to replacing blinds and crocheted curtains with lined drapes in the bedroom, study and workroom. I'll have to (oh gee) design new curtains to fit the different dimensions of the study and workroom. Right now, it's ever so pleasant to let the unblocked sun shine in during the days and turn on the fans to let that lovely warmth circulate throughout the house (passive solar). Usually I want the crocheted curtains to diffuse the sunlight for the houseplants but I did some rearranging so the cacti and succulents get the full force.

My neighbor came over while I was knitting the above socks and I had her pick out some things as belated birthday (she just turned 35) and Christmas gifts.

Therefore currently on the needles are 2 pair of Cookie A (from her book Sock Innovation) "Cauchy". Her socks are of a deep blue and mine are burgandy (I like to knit 2 at a time). Then there will be 2 pair of Judy Sumner's (from her book Knitted Socks East and West) "Karatsu". Mine are of Lisa Souza's Milk and Honey (again, lost the band a long time ago - time to get this yarn out of stash) and hers will be of a denim looking yarn.

After that, from Kristeen Griffin-Grimes' French Girl Knits will be "Bijou" in periwinkle and white cotton. I think it will look stunning on my neighbor. It will also be a fast knit - on size 7 needles - talk about speeding right along!

So that's my Jan and Feb projects - of course there's always a monkey wrench - called to jury duty.

Oh yes, and I went through my leftover sock yarn drawer and packaged 4 oz of different colors to knit stockinette as mindless knitting. My first pair is already 4" long (cuff down) and will be knee highs. These are purples and blues. Another bag is cream, oranges, browns and another is variety of reds, blues and greens. I think this will be fun to grab and go.

socks

 
The Christmas gift socks went over well. I'd post more photos but my computer is running slow today.

I'm still working on a pair of Anne's Ceilidh socks - this is with her Mountain Glen color way. The design is easy to memorize - which makes sense - this is the 3rd pair I've knit. The previous pairs were knit with size 2 and from the toe up to fit bigger footed people then me. This pair is on size 1 needles and following Anne's pattern. I'm not much for cuff down socks but these are going swimmingly and I am rather enchanted by the process.

So enchanted, I started another cuff down pair of plain stockinette with Trekking - size 1 needles..

My granddaughter - the tree worshipper.

socks

 
The Christmas gift socks went over well. I'd post more photos but my computer is running slow today.

I'm still working on a pair of Anne's Ceilidh socks - this is with her Mountain Glen color way. The design is easy to memorize - which makes sense - this is the 3rd pair I've knit. The previous pairs were knit with size 2 and from the toe up to fit bigger footed people then me. This pair is on size 1 needles and following Anne's pattern. I'm not much for cuff down socks but these are going swimmingly and I am rather enchanted by the process.

So enchanted, I started another cuff down pair of plain stockinette with Trekking - size 1 needles..

My granddaughter - the tree worshipper.

spots before my eyes

no, actually, it is tiny snowflakes as the next system slithers in.

The last few weeks have been busy - not with Christmas stuff but general fall cleaning while the weather was pleasant enough to throw open the windows. M replaced all main level light fixtures (exceptions are the bedroom fans which were done the first year we lived here). It makes a big difference to have a kitchen light fixture with 4 bulbs which actually can be aimed at the counters instead of the old one which shone straight down on the floor. M replaced the two living area ceiling fans which are lovely - not fancy - just not the 3 decorative light fixtures which always seemed more for bedrooms then for living areas.

I pulled the appliances out and cleaned behind them - contributing long lost dog crunchies and cat and dog toys to the general kitchen mayhem. It's pretty funny how thrilled the dogs are to have a toy (and crunchy) but, of course, the cats jumped in and knocked the toys around and back into hiding. I'll leave them for a few months (spring cleaning??).

The book reading did slow down - still working through the Lackey books tho I also am reading the Bly and Gruchow books - dip into them whenever I need a break from fantasy. There are probably a dozen Lackey/Bradley books in the to-read pile.

I have been spinning Shetland (dyed green)/black alpaca/silk roving now and then - as I have the time and inclination. (and Cyndy...I am bouncing around all the Super Mario levels having a swell time!)

I finished 2 pair of Wendy Johnson's Diagonal Lace socks. M likes his socks about ankle high and I like mine almost knee high. I used size 2 for the instep (M has very high arches) and size 1 for the sole and made both pair the smallest size. I noticed that if I make the larger socks - they are too big for M's feet. I have been machine washing and drying the socks from Johnson's book - which works out very well. My socks are Lisa Souza's sock yarn - I bought the skein years ago and since lost the band so I don't know what colorway these are. I always wash my LS socks separately since the yarn tends to run. The colors stay vibrant though. I have another skein's worth of LS sockyarn in stash - probably for one of Cookie A's sock patterns (my neighbor fell in love with one of Cookie A's designs).

Next on the needles are 2 pair of Anne's Ceilidh socks - again, using size 2 needles for the instep and size 1 for the sole. I am knitting these from the toe up rather then cuff down as Anne designed - mostly because I am on a roll with toe up and I know how the sock yarn (Paton? Or something from Hobby Lobby - bought on sale months ago) works with my gauge and the feet they are destined for. I am finishing the gussets on the last pair and heading for the turning of the heels. I hoped to have these finished before Christmas but who knows.

I'd sure like to get out to Red Mountain Open Space or Pawnee Grasslands for walks next week if the weather and my ornery knee will cooperate. I think we are all ready for some nature photos (and the northern bald eagles have migrated south to our area!!)

In the meantime, have a happy holiday season and I'll see you in the New Year!!!

Nov/Dec on the nightstand

In addition to reading Mercedes Lackey (3 or 4 more in the Valdemar series on backorder + the ones B loaned us which are still being read) and the Marion Zimmer Bradley Darkover series (3 or 4 also on backorder), I read a number of Spenser books by Robert Parker then put them in order and reread all of them straight through (still missing a dozen or so but that's not high on my book order agenda).

In early November I went through, reorganized and cleaned out my 7 bookshelves (about 200 books per bookshelf) and M cleaned out his 4 or 5 bookshelves before we took over 100 books to Anthology Bookstore in Loveland to either donate or trade for credit. With that done, I bought and read (not to mention the Zimmer Bradley or the Lackey or the Parker) these:

John Sandford's Rough Country

Dick Francis' Silks and Under Orders

Ruth Reichl's Garlic and Sapphires  (she still slays me)

Jessamyn West's Hide and Seek (camping along the Colorado River in the early 70s). I loved West when I was a child and first discovered the Friendly Persuasion - then in my 20s her The Woman Said Yes amazed me. I found the mention of Hide and Seek in Sisters of the Earth anthology and made a point of looking for it. I loved it - but then, I will read and read most everything West writes. Some people might find H&S a bit dull but it gave me another glimpse into the life of one of my favorite writers.

Linda Hasslestorm's Windbreak I quarrel sometimes with Hasslestorm. I want her to be less cranky and more more more... something, I dunno. I want to like her more then I do. I want to see her life in a less gray-glassed detail. Hell, I dunno what I want from LH's books and essays. I know whereof she speaks and I guess she's like a neighbor I needed when I, too, raised cattle on the family place and dealt with bossy parents (in-law, in my case) and all that jazz. I know whereof she speaks and yet, I want her to be different. I am asking too much and I know it. I have a LOT of respect for her and I should admit that I reread her books and am looking forward to her new one.

as well as Susanna Lewis's Knitting Lace I bought this one to see what the knitted lace sampler looks like. I have pounds of hand spun Shetland in stash that I've been saving for just the right project (you've seen Leigh's Shetland sampler sweater and Cyndy is spinning the same fleece). In case you don't recall, I bought a lot of Shetland fleeces of a range of colors and types to experiment with and shared with a few friends. My samplers are 3 ply (a bit tooo heavy for the original concept of Fair Isle) and 2 ply and singles (better for something else) but I don't know what. Yet.

In December, because I had to order some Bradley and Lackey to finish off the series we are both reading, I went ahead and ordered (and haven't yet read, still finishing Lackey's Storm Breaking):

Sue Grafton's U is for Undertow

Paul Gruchow's Journal of a Prairie Year and Grass Roots

Carol Bly's Letters from the Country

I discovered Bly when I read Kathleen Norris's Dakota and am rather addicted to Bly's writings. I can't remember how long ago I bought Gruchow's the Necessity of Empty Places but it's an annual favorite to reread. It has to be about 20 yrs, or so it seems. I didn't think to look for more of his writings - so many writers I like seem to be one-book wonders - essays or short stories so I need to think about looking more thoroughly on-line.

brrrrrrrr etc etc

My streetwalker (letter carrier) friend in NV says it's -9.2 degrees this morning. Personally I think that .2 is a bit much - she shouldn't even make a note of that. She's an ultra marathon runner. You know 25 miles +. I don't remember her whining like this when she ran from Sacramento to Auburn or some such - in the summer time!! Or in the American River Canyons. Really!! She shouldn't even whimper the way she does when it's cold out. I ask you, are there no heroes? She's obviously not Luigi...* ++

But then, who is?

We are, or were -7 this morning. I woke up to all 5 cats and all 4 dogs piled on the bed in furry lumps. Even Guppy who sometimes will not admit to social skills. Oh yes, there's a 6th cat - Bunny - who has taken up residence in my workroom (with the doves) and refuses to come out. She has her own private cat food, water, litter box; but the prime pieces of real estate are the window and the pillow near the heat vent. Okay, fine. She's never been one for much patting even tho Guppy adores her and pleads at the screen door (my workroom solid door was replaced with a screen door years ago) to either come out or let him in. He wants to snuggle and she thinks he's contemplating taking over her pillow. He is a bed hog. I see her point.

Socks are progressing. 2 pair are almost to the heel, the other 2 pair have toes cast on. I thought if the toes were ready, I'd be able to jump into finishing a couple of gift socks. (LOOK!! A band of sunshine - the first in over a week!!!)*

There are things getting between me and the finish line:

Reading books B loaned us. I have 2 more on my bed stand.

and the wii - Mario is progressing - at over 100000000 points and 3rd level - mostly all by myself (okay, with a bit of help from Luigi's super guide)!! In the old days, I would rely on my son to get us through the fortresses etc. I'm so happy - I go back and redo the fortress just to prove I can. I love it.

I refuse to turn it on to document my achievements - it will only lead to abandoning this post and going all out again. I now have to set a timer to challenge myself to put down the controllers. I'm a grown woman, I should have more self-discipline.

OTOH, it's only 0 now and who the hell cares if I make a pot of coffee ((I've gone from 4 cups a day to 10... what the heck??) and contemplate my next world to conquer.

*(Gee, I hope it doesn't hit the TV screen, that could mess me up).

++ Also, my friend is over 50 - so I guess she deserves to whine a little bit.

bbrrrrrrrr....wwwwhheeeee....wii

I've worn my winter sweater practically everywhere since it dried - and came to the conclusion it don't need no buttons. I have plenty of cardigans that button - why not leave this one alone?

That settled (didn't take much effort), I went through my hand spun stash to see what was in there. M and I took the dogs for a walk 10 days ago on a windy day and my neck about froze. Time for a heavier moebius  scarf. I plied a couple pounds of yarn on the Symphony (Kromski Saxony with the Kromski Sonata bulky bobbin).

One pound went back into stash - it's now 4-ply (or cable) of silk, alpaca and rambo (darker shiny ball). This is fingering weight - perfect for a lacey something or other for February project when my fingers want something bright to play with.

 

The 2nd pound of Bliss merino, rambo (I had lots of purple rambo), silk and alpaca became a bulkier yarn for the new scarf.

Details? Size 6 47" circulars. Cast on around 170 stitches. Knit 3 patterns of the lacey porcupine pattern from one of Barbara Walker's Treasuries. The scarf is big enough to pull over the top of my head while still doing a good job of protecting the back of my neck. I like it.

I finished and washed the scarf a couple days before Thanksgiving and tossed it over my desk chair to dry. Of course, it turned cold and of course B and I both wished we had scarves on one evening when we went out for dinner. Live, freeze and learn!

I took sock yarn along with me to B's and worked on diagonal lace pattern from Wendy Johnson's toe-up sock book. I've made several pairs of socks from her book and there's a few more patterns I intend to make. Meanwhile, I'll be looking over Anne's shoulder as she knits socks from Joy of Sox - since that's next on my sock agenda.

I personally feel 3 degrees is much too cold to walk any of the dogs - tho the almost full coat sheltie could disagree if he wasn't curled on M's recliner in an afghan. Such a tough life. You can catch of glimpse of Riley in the dark portion of the photo of the scarf above.

M asked me what I wanted for Christmas - always a tough question.  I feel I have everything! But, upon thought, I asked for a nintendo to play Mario. And that's what we got last Monday. It's been a blast. I've had to limit my hours of playing (so like when my son was young!) in order to get other things done.