Ride. Knit. Read.

FO: Lightweight Pullover

Pattern: Lightweight Pullover by Hannah Fettig 

Yarn: Madelinetosh Pashmina (Fawn) x 2.5 skeins

Mods: Elbow length sleeves

Photo: Impromptu @ Work (Courtesy of Kate)

Notes: Sorry for the glare! If sunshine ever deigns to grace the East Coast I'll try to get some more photos of this sweater. I wore it to the office today (as shown above) and then paired with jeans for a solo sushi dinner. Versatile, comfortable, & the pattern is well-written. A long-sleeve version on the list for completion this Fall, definitely.

 

Arête

"Arête is only possible when one is striving;

those who think they have attained arête have lost it,

and have passed in hubris."

Aethlon 

I've seen this somewhat obscure virtue, Arête, (Greek) defined as "working towards completion as a total human person." Arrogance is unloaded from ambition leaving the suggestion that striving for excellence is good but that excellence is never to be attained. That there should be meaning in the negative spaces between successes. Light more perceptible against dark. 

Once upon a time I was a philosophy student? Now I am writer who knits owls and watches the Olympics every night.

 

FO: February 2010

Pattern: Owls by Kate  Davies

Yarn: Tahki Lana x 7 skeins

Olympique

Ravelympics: To compete in the honor and glory of knitting. 17 days start now.

I cast on for Owls tonight while watching the fabulous opening ceremonies from Vancouver.  If you are inclined, please send a few good thoughts along to Scotland, where the incomparable Kate Davies recovers from her recent stroke. 

What are you knitting?

Toast

Easy. Early and Light.

2010 Sweater Project

FO: January 2010

Pattern: Trellis & Vine, Interweave Knits Fall 2009 

Yarn: Sundara DK Silky Cashmere (4.75 skeins)

Modifications: Omitted patterning at sleeve cuffs and waistband. 

I finished this in the last few hours of January and so begins my attempt to finish a sweater each month in 2010. Hoping this will motivate me to finish some long languishing projects and fill my dresser drawers with pretty sweaters. 

 

FO: Tea Leaves Cardigan

Pattern: Tea Leaves Cardigan by Melissa LaBarre

Yarn: Hedgehog Fibres "Hurricane" Cashmere/Silk

Buttons: Windsor Button (Boston). 

Notes: Photos taken in soggy, soggy Spain. I finally met up with my travel companions in Granada after five days of blizzard and other Philly-related delays. First class upgrade not worth the hassle but still very much appreciated.  

Epic rainstorms did not leave many chances to use the camera but I was determined to take my sweater out for a spin. The spanish know their way around eggplant, tapas, and fried food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We drank wine and took siesta in between visiting museums and beautifully ruined architecture. More delays trying to fly from Madrid to Paris where we experienced the surreal Supermarket Sweep-meets-United Nations free for all unique to cancelled and rerouted flights at a major international airport hub. At one point French, American, Chinese, and Spanish travellers traded rumors and translated bureaucracies. First world problems indeed. 

Still glad to have unplugged from my routine in favor of a week of exploring with two smart, funny women.

 

 

The Wheel of Excellence, Paris, December 31st 2009 Happy New Year!

 
 
  
 
 
  
 

 

FO: Lima

Yarn: Rowan Lima x 9 skeins

Pattern: Alana (Rowan Lima Booklet)

Buttons: 1890s-1900s Mother of Pearl from Green Ray Productions Etsy shop

Mods: Added 2 extra buttons to band otherwise knit the smallest size as indicated.

Like a Hurricane

I was wearing my Garter Yoke Cardigan when I ran into Melissa LaBarre at WEBS on Saturday.  Love her simple but thoughtful sweater patterns. Of course I cast on for her most recent design the day the pattern was released. 

Pattern: Tea Leaves Cardigan

Yarn: Hedgehog Fibres

Lipizzaner Stallions

The conclusion of Birthday Week ^(TM) included tickets for tonight's performance by the World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions. The horses are beautiful and the riders talented. Although, it was incongruous to see dressage in a hockey arena and I still regret not seeing a show when I was in Vienna. 

So, who has a dressage pony for me?

 

C is for Cormo...

Like many knitters on the eastern seaboard I travelled to Central New York last weekend for the New York Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck.  The wintery mix that had been forecast held off and we had a cold but pleasant day to enjoy. I forgot that I had my camera, so no photos of cute dread-locked sheep and goats or the amazing parade of handknits.  Before the Ravelry Party (which was great fun, as usual), our group of knitters settled in at Bread Alone to drink coffee and knit.  The four of us occupied the row of barseats in the front window and found ourselves the subject of photos and fancy for many of the strolling visitors in the town. Reverse people-watching. 

At the festival, I focused on "farm yarn" and my loot has as much cormo as I could convince myself to bring home.  First, a sweater's worth of 100% Cormo Wool Cross from Foxhill Farm in Lee, MA. After much deliberation I picked this sheepy light grey/brown.  I think I will cast on for Claire Bennet after I finish my current sweater. 

 
 

A single skein of Bijou Spun 50 % Yak 50% Cormo for a hat or cowl. Very squishy and warm!

My bargain find of the show was these two skeins (enough for a sweater!) of yarn from a NY craftswoman.  She only sells at Rhinebeck and I couldn't find any info for her online.  I wish I would have bought some of this same yarn in white. Not Cormo, but also very squishy and soft.

I bought some fun buttons at Crippenworks and a pendant and sock yarn at the Jennie the Potter booth.

Next year I would love to visit Eleanor Roosevelt's ValKill and maybe go to the festival both days.  I also need to take Monday off. Re-entry is hard!