Ride. Knit. Read.

In Rainbows

Radiohead's latest album, "In Rainbows," has been in constant play in my car since last week. It often takes me a while to become comfortable enough with a new release to let it run straight through like old favorites--"In Rainbows" is instantly familiar and interesting without being distracting. I may just know the songs from their latest tour but it's just the music I need right now.

Job search progressing on the hood of a snail, it seems. I knit on...

Marlo is showcasing my love for The Fibre Company's Terra blend. I knit my Sienna Cardigan out of this yarn last year. Elated, of course, to have found a batch of Black Walnut on sale at Woolgirl. Reverse stockinette is a nice treatment for variegated yarn, especially over sweater-sized expanses. Thor became impatient with my Ott-Light photo shoot taking over his side of the couch.

   

I may have abandoned a few projects mid-row in favor of working the single ply merino/silk/alpaca goodness of Marlo. I'll come back to the Shawl-Collar Cardigan and the Minimalist Cardigan soon. There are at least two other piles of sweater parts that need to become FOs in 2008.

P.S. The office sheep (part of a pair) was an art project abandoned by the owner's daughter after graduation.

doh!

I had a rare five consecutive days off...plenty of time to make good progress on the debutante cardigan. I finished the remaining front piece. Sadly, I did not enough time to knit it twice. I knit the right side one size (one repeat) more narrow than the left. doh! In my defense, the stitch pattern pulls in quite a bit and appeared to be the same as its partner. Debutante is wearing a dunce cap in the corner, in case you need her.

Monkey + Spunky Eclectic + Papaya = Soothing

I drove out to Northampton for the Yarn Harlot book event at the Calvin. Her voice is deeper than I imagined and she's funny. A good speaker.

I caught a cold on vacation so I'm going to sink into nyquil sleep while the children spell words like triticale on tv.

Lucy Debut

Somehow, between marathons of The Adventures of Pete and Pete and Bleak House I've still managed some knitting.

In a fit of weather-related angst I set aside the grey-grey-like-the-skies Debutante cardigan and started Lucy in the Sky (with Diamonds) in the most vivid color pink. Think plastic flamingoes.

Unrelated, but touching, gay flamingo story here.

Still-life with lilacs in the spirit of the Corners of my Home pool on Flickr, which I love.

Debutante Back

Cherry Blossom-ed

No blossoms to festival this weekend but Sundara sent me some of her Cherry Blossom yarn!

Friday night I met an old friend at the Tabard Inn for drinks. Go! We had our cocktails in a "great gatsby" livingroom lounge with lots of charm.

The rest of my weekend in D.C. was spent in the wonderful company of my friend and her fiance. I'm glad I had the opportunity to spend time getting to know him--I expect they will have a happy marriage. They both have such generous spirits. The weather was pretty crummy for us but we did go over to Georgetown for a stroll. I never realized how much character there is in District architecture. Their maine coon, Orion, oversaw our watching the Red Sox, making brunch, and working on a puzzle.

The flight back through/into a nor'easter was not a good time but at least I wasn't running a marathon the next day. Word is we might finally see sun on Saturday so I'm going for a ride. Here's what the beach near Manchester looked like yesterday:

Ms. Marigold

Ms. Marigold is about an inch shy of the start of ribbing. I'm still highly skeptical about whether or not I'll like this project once finished, but I needed to use this yarn and the pattern worked with the yardage I have available.

She's seen posing with the cups that just arrived this afternoon from Volkstricken. They are so lovely. Here's a closer look:

I hardly have the heart to tell Lacey that the wings on one suffered on the trip to reach me.

Woolapalooza

I'm thinking of going to this event at Drumlin Farm on Saturday. Anyone else going/want a ride? Let me know!

(P.S. If I'll be solo, I'll attach a bike ride (or just ride Sunday).

Woolapalooza

March 31
10 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Join Drumlin Farm for a day to celebrate sheep with fiber crafters, food, and fun! There’s something for everyone at this one-of-a-kind event.

More Information

Domestique

I spent the weekend engaged in various ways with my Le Creuset 5.5qt French (Dutch) Oven.

Generally, I need bandwagons to roll-on-by before I get interested in an activity so it's a good thing this habit didn't prevent me from enjoying the No-Knead Bread spectacular.  This is seriously good bread, folks. I made it for a second try Sat-Sun and it was met with glorious praise from all. It really is as easy as it says. Stir flour, yeast, water until doughlike; ask it to sit patiently for 18-24 hours; drop in dutch oven; bake for 45 minutes. Crusty, toothsome, delicious.

Homemade soup is always a fine complement for a nice boule (or the other way 'round?).  For week-two of my weekly soups routine I managed a healthful and tasty black bean soup. Not quite the smooth texture I like but I'd lay blame more on my submersion blending technique than the recipe, which is in Vegetable Soups from Deborah Madison's Kitchen. The book has high quality photos and represents a broad selection of vegetable/legume/pulse soups.

I started Ms. Marigold on Friday night but any progress shots will have to wait until the replacement adapter I ordered on 3-20 (!) arrives so ibook can be powered. Am I the only one who thinks 7 days is excessive when shipping costs are over $10?   

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In cycling news: Some nasty crashes in Milan-San Remo.

Sienna Cardigan

Pattern: Sienna Cardigan by Ann E. Smith for Interweave Knits Fall 2006
Yarn: Fibre Company "Terra" x 8.25 skeins in "Red Onion"

Notes: This is my favorite finished item. I would wear it every day if social mores would allow for such behavior. The yarn is luxurious and rustic all at once, which fits my personality perfectly. The pattern was flawless. I considered changing the garter stitch of the collar but am happy with the easy quality it lends to the sweater. The yarn is the exact color of red onions and posseses a handspun/casual look. It was an unusual substitute for the called-for Blue Sky Alpaca. The Terra was originally intended for a two-tone kimono-style sweater that I am grateful to have abandoned. (Means I still have 5 skeins of this yarn!)

Murano Glass

Late to the party, but I finished my first-ever jaywalker. The yarn is superwash sock by the incomperable Sundara in the "Murano Glass" colourway. It's been admired in the stash for too long (she doesn't even have the same small skein putup anymore). Hope to complete the pair by this weekend.