Now Norma Knits

Fun With Dyeing

Rowan Magpie, bought a long time ago on eBay at a deep discount (probably because nobody wanted white Magpie).  Originally white, now a wonderful mottled coral/salmon color.  Intended for "Moonlight" by Kim Hargreaves in Rowan 34.  (I bought the red Rowanspun for this, but I think I'm going to use it for something else.  I presently feel the Magpie suits the sweater better.  This assessment is, of course, subject to change.)

Cascade Pastaza, bought on deep discount from Little Knits (sensing a theme?).  The red was originally called burnt orange, and it was okay, but I thought a bit dull and muted; the middle color, which is a brownish-purplish-reddish (raisin?) color which somewhat defies description (and which I adore), was originally soft mustard gold.  Intended for Button Me Up! by Laura Chau.

Big plans for a woman who can't seem to get her knit together. 

A Spike In Stash Activity, or Happy Valentine's Day To Me

Well, apparently the [mumble-mumble] sweaters' worth of yarn is not enough.  I'm doing pretty well at knitting from my stash, but I keep hearing all that red!  red!  red! shouting from the peanut gallery.  And this is Valentine's Day, after all, so red is the color of the day.  So I pulled out some of my favorite red yarn and I wanted to start a sweater from it.  This is the yarn I was going to knit the Central Park hoody with, but discovered I didn't have enough for a sweater. So I swatched up some of that red Irish yarn with some of the green.  They're supposed to be the same yarn.  Not. The red at that gauge, which is the recommended gauge (18/24 on US 8s) is kind of limp and loosey-goosey (I'm not partial to limp and loosey-goosey) and the green has much more body.  I like the green better, but the astute of you will notice that it is not red.  They're both a bit better after washing, but I can see that if I'm going to like the red, it's going to have to be at a tighter gauge.  The unmatched gauge also makes it a problem to knit them together in the same garment.  Maybe skinny-skinny stripes would be all right, and that might be fun, too.

Meanwhile, I'm in a red mood all around.  My face is very red at the moment (in a good way), because I'm just back from Bikram class. I'm listening to The Red Tent on the recommendation of the professor in the English class on the Bible that I'm doing CART translation in.*  This is a fascinating course, and everyone -- EVERY.ONE -- should have to take it, especially those people who so very selectively read the Bible to fit a certain agenda, and that's all I'm going to say about that.  Have I mentioned that I love my job?

*a cute aside:  I'm doing the Bible class for an older student.  I was telling my younger student about it.  Our conversation went something like this:

HIM:   The Bible?  What department is this course in?

ME:  Yes, it's a close reading of the Bible, in the English Department.

HIM:  Close reading?  Like closed-minded reading?

ME:  (after cracking up)  No, definitely not closed-minded reading.  An analytical reading of the Bible as literature.

HIM:  (a dubious look on his face)  I was an altar boy, so....

...whereupon the conversation was cut short due to my laughter-induced asphyxia.  Rock Chick?  Mrs. Robinson, indeed. 

And so I should change the subject now to something more banal.  I've been buying some things on eBay. 

For example, this:

and this:  Purple is red, too.  Or if it isn't, I bought it to stripe with the red (or maybe the green) in the above swatch.  They are all the same Kilcarra of Donegal Irish yarn, all bought from the same vendor.  I hope they will stripe or colorblock (perhaps for Ribby?) together in a pleasing way.  Now there is the also the question:  Will the purple be like the red as far as gauge, or more like the green?  Or will it be different from them both?  I'll keep you posted.

Happy Valentine's Day.  I hope you are able to spend it the way you want to.  We are fixin' to have a blizzard here, so we might be hibernating.  Well, what could be more romantic, really?

Heads Up!

I'm feeling weighed down by my stash.  Please help me to lighten it up by taking a look at my Yard Sale album.  Email me if there is anything in there that interests you.  I'd prefer Paypal for convenience and quickness, but I trust my readers and will take a personal check if you'd prefer that.  Thanks!

P.S.  I've found the BWA yarn (phew!) but the Cash Iroha is still eluding me.  This is pathetic.  Uh!

Wanna Trade?

~ I'll trade you my Fluffernutter for your Twinkie.  ~

I'm in a swapping mood.  You?  Here's what I've got to offer:

[GONE]  -- A ginormous 10-ounce skein of Tongue River Farms laceweight Icelandic in natural oatmeal color.  This is soft stuff, for Icelandic, and has a lovely sheen.  I'm just not so much into the lace thing, and I've got plenty more laceweight where this came from. I only bought this, at Rhinebeck Festival 2005 (get that?  AUGHT-FIVE) because of peer pressure and for no other reason.  There is no yardage marked on the skein, but it's BIG.  The purchase price was $35.00

I'd like to get something of equal value that I will actually use.  I'm thinking Noro Silk Garden in however many skeins would equal $35.  Or I'd gladly take some GGH Via Mala if anyone has any of that (in a color I like or that I can overdye to a color I might like) in their stash. Or if you have something else you think might interest me (including spinning fiber, books [my wish list is linked in the sidebar], Ashford Traditional spinning wheel bobbins, and lovely handmade soap), don't hesitate to speak up.  No sock yarn or laceweight, please, and I'm allergic to angora.  Otherwise, my mind is completely open.  :) 

Next up:

A $36 value.  A kit for a dark chocolate brown alpaca lace scarf from Vermont.  I don't know.  I started knitting this and was not enjoying it.  See "lace" above.  The pattern calls for "sportweight," and I feel that the yarn that was packed in it is laceweight, not sportweight.  I could be wrong, but that's my impression.  Not feeling the love.  Tempt me with something of equal value, and it's yours if you'd like it. (if the kit is to be believed, it's 260 yards, but I can't swear to it)

[GONE, AND IF ANYBODY HAS ANY OF THESE THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO TRADE AWAY, IT SEEMS THAT EVERYBODY WANTS ONE.  LET ME KNOW, AND I CAN TRY TO PUT PEOPLE TOGETHER IF YOU'D LIKE.]  Fiber Trends Huggable Hedgehogs kit -- includes pattern and all yarns needed to make a felted huggable hedgehog.  $34.95 purchase price. 

We'll each pay shipping in our respective directions, eh?

Email me at norma.knits[at]gmail[dot]com with "swap" in the subject line if you want to swap. 

Stashalong Free Day

UPDATE, UPDATE, OHMYFREAKINGGOD, A WONDERFUL VALENTINE'S DAY UPDATE:

Go see Gale's blog. She went and helped out at the Red Scarf Project and documented it for us!!!!!!!! 

Today is Valentine's Day, yes. Blah blah. But perhaps more importantly to those of us taking part in the Stashalong, it's a "vacation day." We are free to buy yarn for ourselves today. But I've decided I'm not going to. My mind is on different things, and maybe next week I'll regret not taking advantage of the free day, but if one thing has been made clear to me lately, it's that I feel like my stash is weighing me down and I really don't need or want any more. I'm happily knitting away on things in my stash -- scraps, even -- being the Good Yankee I am and all. I've ordered several books and some additional tools (such as additional sets of sock needles) recently, and some things for my Better Pal recipient. And that's really doing me just fine.

Some keen observers noticed that the red Calmer cabled secret project was off the needles in the photo yesterday. Here's the story: I was watching the tragic goof-up of Apolo Anton Ohno the other night, and I managed to miscross an entire row of cables, so I ripped it back. Thankfully, Calmer tinks really nicely, so it's no problem. Last night I knitted a few more inches on it. I just love this project, and the Calmer is working so nicely for it. I had some gauge fears, but I think I'm overcoming them.

My sister was discharged from the hospital, with more questions than answers, and not generally feeling any better. They ruled out heart attack and coronary artery disease, and then told her a long litany of things that it might possibly be, but then did not take the extra step of figuring out what it is. GRRRRR.

She had to be on oxygen the whole time she was in the hospital, but they discharged her with nothing of the kind. There is the additional complication that she now has a deep aversion to hospitals, so I fear that she won't report symptoms because she doesn't want to go back there. We're keeping a close eye on her, as close as we can without everyone actually moving in with her. It's enough to make me SCREAM. But at this point, she just wants a decent night's sleep, which she certainly did not get there.

I hope you get to enjoy Valentine's Day in a way that makes you happy.

Fair Trade, or How To Get New Yarn Without Bending The Stashalong Rules (Too Much)

UPDATE:  I've updated the link to the Cloud Hat pattern to a more current (and perfect) version.

One of the most fun parts of Claudia's get-together on Sunday was a stash swap. I put in two skeins of A Touch of Twist - a yarn from a small vendor I bought in....ummmm, Maryland? New Hampshire? I can't remember (Ms. Moth Heaven took it) and a mondo skein of Helen's Lace. (who took that? speak up)

I took: two balls of mohair and a skein of Claudia's lovely handspun. See how nicely the colors coordinate? I plan to make Dulaan Cloud hats with it. There is a pdf of the pattern here. I like to warn (and be warned) when a click is of a pdf because pdf's freeze my computer if I don't right-click and open them properly. It's a pet peeve of mine when people don't warn me of it. So now you know. DON'T DO IT. peeve, peeve.

and: three skeins of Cash Iroha!!! Who was crazy enough to put this in the swap? Of course, someone probably thought the same thing about my Helen's Lace. This is going to be something for ME. I'm so excited about it. It has just a touch more green in it than appears in this photo. More tealish.

The stash swap was HUGE. There was handspun, there was fiber, there were tools and books and yahn. At the end, there was still a lot left, and Claudia said if it didn't go, someone was going to suffer bodily harm. So the last I saw, someone was stuffing the remainder into a huge bag and making away with it.

I'm a big fan of stash swaps. All knitters' and spinners' get-togethers should have them. Thanks again, Claudia!

I also took a little side trip with Claudia to her LYS. Though I was sorely tempted on a couple of items, I remained virtuous. I just bought yarn for my Better Pal, which I am not going to show here for obvious reasons. Although it might be fun to taunt the Better Pals, I won't. Oh, all right, there's a pic of it here if you really want to see it. But it won't be going out until the February package, which is the final package in this round.  taunt, taunt

And I bought a skein of Trekking sock yarn for a gift. AND Carole gave me a skein of Vesper sock yarn that was her part of a trade that we engaged in a while back. Pretty, hm?

The red yarn for the scarf came in from joann.com, but guess whaaaaaat? Work, work, work is still coming in, in, in, and keeping me busy, busy, busy. I should still be able to finish my two scarves -- Friday evening and Saturday morning before the post office closes, if nothing else. So I'll "see" you when I come up for air every once in a while.

Brav-O! to all the commenters who are doing red scarves. I think those program organizers are going to plotz when they get their mail this week and next, don't you?

'sTime to Talk Stashalong

I very quietly, a while back (last week, I think? week before?) joined the Stashalong hosted by Kim.

Should be doable.

Says she, in a dubious, but hopeful, voice.

I mean, really, it's eminently doable. I've got enough stash to knit through two lifetimes. I think that's the requisite amount to keep me satisfied and in good standing with fiberholics everywhere, right?  Two lifetimes?  Enough, eh?

So, I'm just quietly sitting over here, trying to mind my own business and keep my car from veering too far off course toward my local yarn shop and my mouse from clicking too close to all those online temptations. So far, so good.

And there are ways to keep me entertained in the meantime. See?

A:

Knit from the stash.

Duh, by definition of "stashalong." No-brainer.

B:  Spin from the stash. (admittedly a recycled picture, but this is to give the idea)

C: Read from the stash.

D:  Take stock of the stash. (sorry, no photo. Gimme a break. This will take some time.)

E:  Dye some of the stash.

F:  Wind up some of the stash.

G: Trade some of the stash for a book. No photo here, either. You will have to use your imagination.

H: Get free books from Amazon. This takes some doing. First you have to get an Amazon Visa card. You have to buy lots and lots of things using the card so as to acquire points. (some of this can be yarn before you join the Stashalong, for example) Then Amazon sends you a gift certificate for, say, $25. You then get free books from Amazon. It's all very sexy.

I:  Another Riesen to eat chocolate. (sorry. Couldn't resist the pun. I'm yarn-deprived; what can I say?)

J: Oops......Play Scrabble with daughter.  She is urging me to come NOW, so this post will have to end very unceremoniously. Ciao for now!