In The Pink

Kung Fu Knitting

Seeing as I'm not so good with the segue (why does this word have to be spelled all fancy pantsy?), and I can't seem to post once without posting twice, I have to mention the get-together that we had on Friday night.

It was a nice, intimate group (6 of us), which means that I made enough for probably a solid 25.  There's something about me, I don't know what it is, but I have this primal fear of running out of food when I entertain.  Not to be a horn tooter (ok, maybe a little, which is going to seem really ridiculous when you see the picture), but I'm most happy with these.

I made sushi cupcakes.  Here is a closeup of one.  While I would have changed the recipe a bit (more coconut and less sour cream for the icing- there isn't a ton of use for sugary coconut goo in my house, and there were at least 2 cups left after all was said and done), I'm happy with how they came out, and were infinitely easier than the Teletubby cupcakes I made for Junior Pink's first birthday (you try rolling 65 gumdrops flat with only a Cholula bottle to help).

I had a great time meeting some new people to the group- Tami, who cast off for her very first FO while she was here, and Michaele, who brings a new aspect to zen knitting- first, giving away a pair of Addis for the best haiku, plus she's knitting her sister's baby 32 (no typos here) items.  I don't think I have knit 32 things total.  Of course, Lesley, Stacey and Wanda were there as well, and everyone pitched in on helping me pick out colors for the afghan I hope to start as soon as the yarn arrives. 

Isn't it amazing what the universe will bring to you?  It seems I rarely get what I expect, and while that is sometimes nervewracking to me, it brings mostly pleasant surprises.  Like my secret pal, whose blog I had never seen before, but she does link to several of my friends, which makes me happy.  I already have a list of things I'd like to send to her, so I can't wait to get started.

And in small unpleasantness, the newest Google searches to hit my site (and I thought they were going to involve the c or f words)-

Incredibles Cameltoe (seriously, what is it about this movie that inspires such low mindedness?)

and the second one I don't even want to type because it's so gross, but let's just say that it involves yearning for a certain backside exit, in the color of my blog.  As much disgust as I have for some of that stuff (to each his own, but come on....did'ja really think you were going to hit the jackpot here?  For free?), it pleases me a little too, because I can just see some crazed-eyed perv, thinking he's going to find the photo of his wet dreams and instead comes across my knit blab. 

Take that, patriarchy.

You gotta know when to hold 'em

It's not totally finished, but close enough for government work.

The Boobholder sweater, by the ever-talented Stefanie Japel.  I've never knit one of her patterns, but I know this won't be the last.  This almost ranks as an OSK, but I think her One Skein Wonder may be more fitting for that category.  I'm typically a person that needs a lot of handholding through a pattern (i.e. updates after all the increases as far as how many stitches are on the needles), but it was good for me to unclench a little bit and just go with the flow.  Here is another shot, even more Vaseline-y.

This isn't completely finished due to my extreme indecision (which should be a big surprise for all of you).  At first, I wasn't sure how I was going to like the garter stitch border, and was toying with doing the triangle edging, but I think I'm happy as is.  Secondly, the fastener.  What is on there now is a pin I bought at Target for $3.25, but I also picked up some buttons at Joann to see if I liked those better.  (Warning- all fastener pictures came out like doo doo.)

The one button that has fallen by the wayside has a bit of iridescence too, but is a little sturdier than the ones on the card.  I'm thinking I may do one of the white ones, and then I think I could try pinning the pin on top if I felt like that look. 

For those of you not dieting, Handworks Gallery is having a 20% off all Rowan sale, with 30% off the new Classics line (all of those ones that begin with Cash).  I know that's not a smokin' deal, but how often do you find all Rowan on sale?  And in that same love/hate vein, Cascade is introducing a new yarn called Teseo (thanks for the tip, Jessica!), which looks a lot like some of that impossible to find Granbia I bought a while ago (Brynne, are you listening?).

Our holiday weekend was nice, filled with much grilled food and much rain.  All is not lost- we did hire a gardner.

Maybe hire is too strong of a term.  This baby bunny seems to be without parents, and we can't figure out how he got in.  I bought a live trap and hope to catch him soon, so that I can release him out to find his family.

I'm probably last to the party on this one, but did you know that there is a network that is entirely reality shows?  (No, it's not CBS.)  It's called Fox Reality (you know you're a liberal when you think that's an oxymoron), and Mr. Pink and I caught two episodes of Last Comic Standing (first season).  I really loved this show, all three incarnations (seriously, what network exec was the moron that dumped this show one episode before the finale?  It was really doing worse than Father of the Pride?), and am sad it won't be back this summer.  We'll always have reruns....

This yarn diet is great!

Ok, so the yarn really isn't for me, it's for others, but it was fun to come out of the store with a gigundo bag of yarn.  By the way, if anyone is still interested in Cotton Ease, there are a few colors left and I would be more than willing to do a trade.

In a mad dash to procrastinate on my design knitting, I've cast on for two projects within the last 24 hours.  First, Lelah, which I loved when I first saw it, and figured I could adapt it since my girls can't do all the work themselves.  Ribbon straps to the rescue! 

Secondly, the Boobholder, made with some of the vintage wool that Lib graciously gave to me.  I think I will do the embellishment, there should be some good brown yarn in the stash to spice it up.  We're supposed to be going up to the mountains this weekend, so I'm hoping that I can have this finished (at least without the triangle-y bit) to wear.  Of course,  starting it while watching the past two weeks worth of Alias wasn't the best idea, as I had to rip eleventy billion times.  (And sadly, I thought the most brill thing was the new Kate Winslet American Express commercial.  Love her.  Want to be her.  Would marry her in Hawaii.)

And I just have to include a small life musing...I think there are more people endowed with a sixth sense than just Haley Joel Osment.  Like the construction workers in our basement seem to know *just when* the kids fall asleep, so that they can start drilling into the concrete.  Or how my kids know that I will get all Stepford on their ass when they do something wrong, all the while I'm thinking 'Why did you just rip off your diaper, the very one that costs as much as one on Mommy's lattes, because you peed half of an ounce in it?'  Or how I just know, even though I've told the universe so many times that I'm ready, that the $215 million is going to someone else this Saturday.  But I can't stop trying.

Who, meme?

So I've wanted to do this as a meme for a long time, and while it's not terribly original, it's my favorite part of the show (I don't think me thinking about Will Ferrell's impression while James Lipton talks really counts).  So here they are- the Inside the Actors Studio questions.

1.  What is your favorite word?  I like serendipitous.  Persipacity.

2.  What is your least favorite word?  Used in context, some of the euphemisms for my girl parts aren't good.  Box.  Beaver.  Cunt.

3.  What turns you on creatively, emotionally, spiritually?  Creatively, color really gets me going, or just seeing what other people have made, whether it be someone I know or Tom Ford's latest runway collection (why did you leave, Tom?  Why?).  Emotionally, I would say vulnerability (ew, that sounds creepy, I don't mean it like that) and openness.  Spiritually, mostly quiet and some nature.

4. What turns you off?  Long fingernails on men.  Cameltoe on women.

5.  What is your favorite curse word?  Fuck.  I wish it were something more arty, like balls or bollocks, but fuck just comes so naturally.  [And yes, I am ready for the deluge of Googles to my site after this answer and number 2.  Bring it.  It can't be much creepier than the person who was searching for a porn pic of Violet from The Incredibles.]

6.  What sound or noise do you love?  The ice cream truck, my kids laughing when I tickle them, the slot machine noises when I first get to Vegas.

7.  What sound or noise do you hate?  Aside from the givens (nails on chalkboard etc), food smacking in people's mouths.

8.  What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?  Movie critic for Entertainment Weekly.  Professional knitter.

9.  What profession would you not like to do?  Fear Factor taste tester.  Stripper.

10.  If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?  This isn't really something I've ever given any thought to.  "Job well done."  That or "Here is your ever-full Starbucks card, unending yarn stash, and a TiVo with 3000 hours of memory."

I am not going to tag anyone specifically, because I know there are quite a few anti-memers out there.  But seriously- I love memes, I love reading them on other people's blogs, and nothing would make me happier than to see lots of people answer these.  So what are you waiting for?

Ask, and you shall receive

Here are my secret pal answers- warning, this goes on forever.  I was feeling a little guilty that I like to talk about myself so much, but really, don't all bloggers?

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?

I am not a yarn snob, and I have disdain for people who are, which I suppose makes me a bit of a snob anyway.  I will knit with almost anything- I am most attracted by color and how a yarn feels.  A price tag doesn't innately make a yarn great or horrible.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?

Nope to both.  I have a few crochet books, but I'm not great at it and hope to take a class one day to improve.  I have absolutely no interest in spinning.
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It's sow easy to fall in love

Inspired by Lolly's garden post, I decided to spruce mine up a little.

Meet Willy Pink, the newest member of our garden family.  I've actually had him for about two years (thank you, Julie!), but he's been used as a doorstop for the playroom (hence the battle scar on his hat) until I could get the garden homey enough for him.  I didn't really do a whole lot yesterday- spread some more soil, fed the flowers and spread the mulch. [Note to self- when spreading gagillions of tiny splinters around, wear gloves.]  I'm not crazy about the mulch- it looks too rustic (and yes, I'm fully aware of how lame it is to say something outside looks too rustic) but I'm hoping that the plants will grow enough in a couple of years so that it won't be too visible.  And Paul James, my gardening guru because he talks to me through my TV, says that mulch is essential.

It was an awesome mail day yesterday- two new knitting books and the Patternworks catalogue.  But actually, here are all of the patterns that I have recently acquired.

First, I have to say, I know that I have said earlier that I am not a poncho fan- not because of the garment itself, but because I cringe at the thought of laboring over a one-of-a-kind garment and seeing someone wearing the exact same thing, begging their child not to lick the Krabby Patties at Hancock Fabrics, just like I did this morning.  That and so many of the patterns involve novelty yarn, which doesn't really belong on any garment. 

Viva Poncho, however?  So great.  Not only is the book itself cute (can you tell what size it is?  About the size of a regular, hardback knitting book cut in half, horizontally), the patterns in there are nice and simple and well-photographed without being dull.  Call me crazy, but I like to see the stitch pattern before I knit it, I like to have a vague idea what the garment is going to look like, and not vague in the 'I just drank three margaritas and can't really tell' sort of way.  I would definitely recommend the book, and that's not just because I think it's super cool that someone I know (albeit only through the internet) wrote it.  I could go on and on about the silly things I love about it (a paperback book that has flaps!), but seriously, check it out at your local book/yarn store .

Gorgeous Knitted Afghans- love it too.  I love that the patterns are different but not difficult, made with yarns expensive and cheap, and clear photography and descriptions.  I think I might make my goal of actually knitting an afghan next year (although not my holy grail, as I can't find enough yarn....yet).

Knummer

[Please tell me I wasn't the only one disturbed by this past weekend's pattern in the Knitting Pattern A Day calendar.  I said Knillow about eleventy hundred times because I couldn't stop saying it.]

Whoever said that summer is a terrible time for knitting just didn't look around.  As Karen so aptly mentioned, our very own fiber festival is just 28 days away.  I'm hoping that we can have a big meetup on Saturday, around lunchtime.  Any locals up for that?  I'm thinking it's the perfect get-together to wear one of these.  I know that Margene is flying in with a few friends- any non-locals coming out?  Lastly, does anyone want me to pick something up for them?  I don't know most of the vendors that will be there, but I do know Brooks Farms is planning on being there, and if I can beat Cyn down with a stick before she buys the whole booth, I can try to snag something for you.

The other exciting event of my summer?  Mrs. Wendy Bookish is planning a trip out west, and I hope that we'll get to meet up.  I am definitely planning on hosting a knit group for her and her friend Juli, but only if she promises to sign my stomach with a Sharpie.

FO-a-go-go

I feel a little guilty, using this name and not posing any of them in the ubiquitous Rachael, but none of them really lend themselves to the stance.

I finally finished the Child's Placket Necked Pullover, for my sweet cousin Ben.

I suppose this is the non-filled out version of the Rachael.  And probably my favorite part?  The buttons.  I figured this yarn being on a mystery cone from Lib, is most likely 100% acrylic, as it was not forgiving at all in blocking, and in some ways looks less even after the block.

In her final glory, Charlotte.

Part of me is sad that there is no edging, but I like her as she is, and I'm happy with the colors.  I'm so glad I decided to block again, as I think the lace pattern looks much nicer.

You didn't think that I would be able to resist the craze that is sweeping our Mile High City, did you? Please excuse the lousy pic- it was taken late last night after 7 glorious epis of Sex and the City (Season 2, the best season, as far as I'm concerned).  I didn't use jump rings and instead decided to twist the remaining pin into the circle shape.  The top row are my coffee and tea set, and the bottom are my travel set.  There is one more set that I made, but it will have to wait until the intended recipient receives them to make their debut here.

Still no photo of Tempting, as my face has not seen makeup for days.  Also missing- Just Beachy, as I have run into crisis mode on that.  I am happy with my seaming, however, I think I blocked all of the short rows out.  I didn't stretch it at all when I pinned it, but now that I've sewed it, there's no ruffles whatsoever.  I'm not really sure what to do- should I reblock and try to get the poofiness back?  Should I pretend it was supposed to be the way it is? (I'm not crazy about that, as it's just a little too boring.)  Or do I need to reknit, and try to add more short rows?   

And to see some really amazing FO's, check out Amy's blog.  Her wedding ring blanket is breathtaking.

Luxury is so out

In a reassessment of our budget, I have come to the realization that my yarn money has dried up.  Our property taxes tripled this year, and in what can only be thought of as irony, I live in what could endearingly be called the Detroit of Colorado.  Granted, the neighborhood I'm in is more of the 'Yay, we're hosting the Super Bowl!' part of Detroit, but the majority of the city is fairly 8 Mile-iscious.

Where does that leave me?

I'd really like a jersey, or at least a commemorative patch to sew on to my knitting bag, because it sounds like something that I should be burning calories for.  I am allowing myself one exception- there is a Very Special Present for a Very Special Person, and I haven't picked out the yarn yet, but I will allow myself to get that.  Otherwise, I'm thinking that there's no yarn 'til Christmas.

It's ridiculous that I feel sad about this- my stash is too enormous to list in one post, to knit in 5 years, but the piggish American in me is a little maudlin over the fact that I won't be acquiring more of what I already excessively horde.

There is hope, though- I am doing SP5, and I can't wait to spoil someone with knitting fun.  And the best things in life are free, right?

Eighth Deadly Sin

I'm sure there are many vices that could compete for that highly coveted slot, the newest deadly sin, but I'm here to propose one that is ridiculously underrated. 

Bribery.

People stop me and ask all the time, 'Cathi, how do you get your children to beg to go to the yarn store?  How do you keep them so well-behaved?'*  It's really a simple balance of punishment and reward.  If you behave in the yarn store, we can go have a treat.  If you don't, there is a strong possibility that you will become Mommy's ball-winding bitch.

Today we made a journey to Woolen Treasures, a shop in Loveland and not that long of a journey from my house.  They had an amazing selection, but I managed to escape with only some fun needles.

I like those shortie DPNs (ok, only in theory, since I've never used them) and that Clover was just too fun.  I wonder if I could use it for a sock?  I'm sure the writing on it says 'You paid way too much for this silly plastic needle, which will have no practical use whatsoever' but I'm ok with that.  The shop is definitely worth the drive, and I know there are some other good shops up north as well. 

On the way home, I introduced the Shrinky Pinks to one of the great prides of the American way of life.  Truck stop food.  Here is the half of the cinnamon roll we just couldn't eat (or I wouldn't let them eat, as I wanted them to sleep sometime before they left for college).

 

Johnson's Corner is one of the big truck stops out west, and are famous for their cinnamon rolls.  I didn't really have anything in there for scale, but that spindly looking piece of metal?  My knife.  I wanted to take a picture of the icing pitcher, but I was afraid Captain Mullet, who was sitting next to it, would have beat my ass when I told him photographic evidence of his diner stay was going on my blog.  Rest assured, that pitcher was bigger than the gallon of milk in your fridge.

All in all, not a bad day.  And it's not even 2:30 yet.

*Ok, so no one really asks me this, but it's keeping the momentum of the post going, so why don't you just shut your yapper?