JenLa

…And it’s all mine. And it came in the mail in an itty bitty package. With a hand-made card just for me! Mine. MineMineMineMineMine! Wanna know what it is?

How much do these rock? Seriously. I think there was actual squeeing involved, and La don’t do squee…well, not very often. And then it’s not so much of a squee as it is a Holy Shit! But I think this time it might just have been a genuine (that’s JEN-yoo-INE just so you know) squee.

Stacey, you’re TEH SHIT! I don’t give a damn WHAT Jen says about you and your obscure foreign phrasology (just kidding, I’m the one who talks smack about you! *insert winky emoticon here*) Thanks ! You’re planning to selling these eventually, right?

Makes me want to cast on some lace, just so I can use them. Cuz Morning Glories? Aint happening, at least not until the weather warms up and the cold is effecting my hands less. The Berroco Linet is definitely NOT the softest yarn known to man. In fact, I think it’s safe to say that it’s the exact OPPOSITE of softest; softness’ antithesis…it’s the antisoft. At any rate, the stuff’s killing my hands, so back into the time-out closet it goes.

I think I may just have to cast on Ice Queen or Jeanie. I know! Who’da thought I’d be drooling over Knitty patterns! Yup, hell has done froze over, because those aren’t the only ones I’m jonesing…errrr, jonzin’, ah hell…compelled to either stashdive or go on a looting…er, shopping spree in order to cast on for right. exactly. now. The 3 Tams are amazing, and I’m not a tam kinda chick, and even though it’s unfortunate name threatens to either send me into convulsions, or send me screaming, running in the opposite direction due to the recollection of old rentard memories best left repressed, Tudora not only looks to be a great practical knit, but a quick source of stash-busting. Just don’t quite know exactly how I feel about the weird sticky-uppy-thing by the chin. And yeah. I don’t know whether it’s the cuteness of the kid, the yumminess of the yarn, or if I actually REALLY like it, but Laughing Carrot is also speaking to me.

And even after my declaration to Jen along the lines of…OMG, not only is it a shrug (emphasis on UGH!) it’s a SHRUG for a DOG. It’s a DRUGH. How ridiculous is that?…Cables & Bits is starting to grow on me. Yes, I DO realize I just opened myself up to all manner of mockage. Thank you for noticing.

Hell, usually I’d be hard-pressed to find 6 patterns in an entire year’s worth of Knitty, let along a 6 in a single issue, 2 of which are tempting me to say screw-it to Dad’s Christmas scarf so I can cast on for them now. This must be the best Knitty ever. I fucking hate it when I’m wrong about shit.

Just think. 6 patterns on which I can use my new perfect-for-me stitch markers!

Life is good.

If nothing else, for handing me something to write about today because I was coming up with nothing on my own.

yawn…zzzzzzzzzzz

Wanna know what that was? Yup, that’s my initial reaction to the new Fall Knitty. It seems like a hodgepodge of SOSDS (same old shit, different season)…yet again. Well at least they’re consistent.

1. They almost managed to balanced a totally weird scarf/mitt…thing (wtf? what do you call that anyhow? skmitts? glorfs?) with a wonderfully textured, non-psychedelic classic manscarf.
2. So used to her intricate, complicated, instantly addictive lace patterns, (I’ve already got 1 on the needles, and 2 more in my queue) it’s nice to see Anne’s simple yet equally lovely Totally Autumn throw.
3. At first I was frankly surprised to see how many sweaters are included in this issue. But upon closer inspection, Mr. Greenjeans is the only one I’d be remotely interested in knit for me, but only after a few simple yet necessary modifications, The only other one I’d remotely consider is Cherie Amour, and only for my 13 year old twiggy-shapped neice.
4. In this age of Sockphoria, where EVERYBODY and their third cousin by marriage twice removed, is a sock designer, and every issue of every magazine in the entire universe has no fewer than eleventy lacy, chevrony, cably, holey socks patterns, it’s sure nice to see a magazine excercise some restraint and limiting themselves to only 4.
5. If you’re only offering one baby pattern in the entire issue, you’d better make it so ridiculously cute your head explodes. And it better resemble something straight from the pages of a Dr. Seuss book! And then you need to put it on a kid that’ll make everyone want to go out and have 4 of their own just like him.
6. 1 word…WOODINS!!!!!!!! Brilliant!

I’m sure it’s been well established that I’m a big Annie Modesitt fan. So when I was asked to review her newest book, Romantic Hand Knits I jumped at the chance. But I then realized, once I received the book, that I’d have to put my Geek Girl aside and go through it with a more neutral eye.

My first impression is that the book is extremely visually appealing; beautiful models in breathtaking settings modeling a wide variety of garments and accessories knit, for the most part, in lovely yarns. Its lay-out makes sense and is very easy to follow. The patterns themselves are well written, the charts are nice and clear, and include schematics! In addition, Annie has included useful information encompassing a wide variety of additional techniques like embroidery, crochet and lace knitting applications.

The variety of patterns, yarns and application of knitting techniques will appeal to a broad spectrum of knitters ranging from the traditionalists to the trendy. Basically, the book’s got a little something for every knitter, of every skill level.

Now upon closer inspection, the patterns, for the most part, did not elicit a strong response from me one way or the other. Some were too embellished, fussy or frilly. Others were knit up in unappealing yarn, while still others lacked the proper shape to draw my eye. There were, however, several wonderful exceptions …

Casablanca - I love everything about this pattern, the the lace, the yarn, the color, the lines. Well, everything except for the neckline. I’m not so thrilled about the whole “sweater falling off my body” look, you know?

Dark Victory - In my opinion, Annie hit the ball out of the park with this one. I now have to go out and buy that exact yarn in that exact color to make that exact sweater, except that I will lengthen the body, and slit it at the hem. And I have to do it…Right. Now.

A Streetcar Named Desire - Oh, so romantic! My SIL who lives in Florida drooled on the book when she saw it and practically BEGGED me for one. I guess we know what she’ll be getting for her next hand-knit, don’t we?

An Affair To Remember - (on the cover) This is a beautifully curve-hugging skirt with a bit of flair at the hem. Yet another example of the wonderful shaping Annie is famous for. Remember her Corset Tank Pullover and her Red Carpet Convertible? Yup, it’s that good…just not on me.

Cleopatra - Though I would probably never knit this, it’s just so beautifully done! Love most everything about it, except for the prospect of knitting THAT long of a garment. And again, WAY too young and form-hugging for my 40-something-year-old curves.

In the Accessories section I love the patterns for Silk Stockings, and Some Like It Hot (lace opera gloves,which I might convert to just-above-the-wrist fingerless gloves for my MIL). She even has a couple of lace hats with a section on basic millinery techniques included.

Even in the patterns that didn’t appeal to me, I found bits and pieces of lace knitting and other techniques I could apply elsewhere, so those are not a total loss. Included in each design pattern is not only the yarn used, but the yardage needed of similar gauge yarn in case you want to substitute, which I almost always do. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being outstanding, I give it a 7.

aka
The Great South Denver Yarn Crawl of Aught-Seven

DANGER! Lengthy, picture-heavy post to follow. This will be your only warning

As Ruth and I were departing for destinations wooly, the DH asked his usual (assish) question, “So, when will you be home?” As I viewed the cargo capacity of the Hoopty, I was sorely tempted to respond impudently “uh…sometime next week?” (cuz, see…home was actually in CA and not in CO at all…anyways…) Instead, I muttered some sort of approximation later on in the day too wrapped up in the fantasy of filling the van to capacity with yarn, books, and all things fibery to really give a rat’s ass…

We met up with the majority of our compatriots at our first stop, where the unthinkable happened: I bought absolutely nothing, but not for lack of wanting. In my opinion, the store was organized poorly, with a plethora of novelty and fun fur. Besides, they were snotty to Ruth on the phone when she tried to arrange small discounts. I started to feel guilty that we were standing around in their space and using their air, but I got over it.

So then it was on to A Knitted Peace.

Heaven in a LYS

Where they treated us like royalty. They had fresh coffee a-brewing, which they served up and BROUGHT TO US!!! I’m sure they locked their doors behind us, brought out their best yarns, buttons, notions and books exclusively for us. The ladies were engaging, willing to help, chatty, considerate and really REALLY nice. They had several knitting areas, all with kitzchy-you’d-only-find-in-a-craft-store-but-so-non-tacky comfy seating. I wanted to move in. Instead I scored!

2 of the 3 MUST HAVE! books and some beautiful local yarn
(not going to go into detail, but you can click the pic to embiggen and get details)

I also bought 2 balls of Plymouth wool/asscrylic blend in a pretty sage colorway for my Colorado SIL who, up until I got my hands on her, was crocheting baby blankets for preemies with *shudder* red heart. Put a stop to THAT right away, let me tell you! She accused me of turning her into a yarn snob. Oh well. The burden one must bear to make the world a better fibery place.

We took a break and lunched at Chammps, where we met up with Blogless Rachel (need to do something about that) and there was much food and likker and laughter (mainly at the expense of MEHn) to be had. Taking one for the team has a whole new meaning now!

On the way to our next stop, we passed points of interest…

and

…for example

We arrived at Colorful Yarns, where Wandawoman joined us! This was a small, but delightful shop on the ground floor of an office building. They had yummy homemade brownies and ginger cookies set up in the back just for us! Mmmm, chocolate and ginger…2 of my favorites! I walked out of there a good pound heavier, both from the brownie I ate, and the yarn I scored.

Pretty in Pink
(again, click to embiggen and get details)

Our last stop was String where the owner was having a 50% off everything blue (except the books) in celebration of the birth of her grandson! So, I bought blue…

mmmmm…Ahhhhhh-lpaca!

…and Marly fell in love

can I has tribbles?

The Whack

From left to right:
Marly aka Smiley
Ruth aka Wheels
Rachel aka The Hooker (she crochets)
Wandawoman aka…well, Wandawoman
me and my sensible shoes
Imbrium aka G33k Girl;
and Leslie aka Nekkid Needles

It was the perfect day, and one never to be forgotten, mainly due to the company and conversation of the 6 totally fiber-whacked wonderful women, but partly to the Hoopty’s impeccable timing…

~~~~~~~

This post was brought to you by the numbers 13 and 42 and the word UPGRADE. As in we did, finally…upgrade. Let us know if you’re still having issues…TECHNICAL issues, like with commenting and the like. Well, let Jen know, I’m still a techtard.

Something’s missing here, but what? Perhaps the lovely pile of knots that went with this until about, oh, an hour ago?

Not-Quite-An-Effed-Oh-Faina

Whew! At least she’s off the needles. Now a quick soak, some blockage and a healthy application of fringe and we can call her done. What’s next? Still haven’t decided. I have to consider which would be the best airport/plane knitting. It’s a toss-up between Morning Glories and Eris.

So last week I went on a book-buying binge. First was the 4 books I got at the IK Hurt Book Sale, but then I went wild at the Knitpicks 40% off summer book sale, which arrived on Tuesday. It might be shitty-assed yarn, but it certainly gets to you wicked-quick! Wanna see what I got?

And I still had to buy 2 balls of the not-as-shitty-as-most-of-their-yarn Essential just to get free shipping. 2 hardcover and 1 paperback books AND 2 balls of yarn, all under $50? What a deal.

Oh! From now on you call just call me Charlie, cuz I think I just got the last Golden Ticket. Thanks Katy (though I still think you could have sold it to the highest bidder and made a FORTUNE)! I’m KnottyLa, and I’ll be the one elbows over assholes submerged in OCD paradise. Come visit!

*To get the full effect, should be read with a vorlon in your head.