tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83892756514429622942024-03-07T03:40:44.097-05:00hooked on the needleKNOT ADDICTED - A CRAFT ODYSSEYIamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.comBlogger189125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-57199303518684191882014-09-25T21:38:00.000-04:002014-09-25T21:42:50.586-04:00What's in a Name? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJZ2MmLG3kxbrP7L2hJ5k_XdD-MzVkHOEezaLW23AaKhCC9Twqm4di_RBA5iMctg6d0qW2amjVhiXDguu-tUB4zYbmH1cuuDHwr3A_uVLIDnzkIdiG2z0DeE-tEROf_jx9Xhd8gjl2Gkt/s1600/IMG_2733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJZ2MmLG3kxbrP7L2hJ5k_XdD-MzVkHOEezaLW23AaKhCC9Twqm4di_RBA5iMctg6d0qW2amjVhiXDguu-tUB4zYbmH1cuuDHwr3A_uVLIDnzkIdiG2z0DeE-tEROf_jx9Xhd8gjl2Gkt/s320/IMG_2733.jpg" /></a></div>Since the inception of my blog, every year I post a photo on 9/11 as a tribute to the tragedies of that fateful day. As a native New Yorker, it still kinda wigs me out that there's no World Trade Center on the horizon as I drive down the West Side Highway. It was "the landmark" that oriented me from any position in lower Manhattan. This year, I visited the Memorial. It was crowded and I couldn't find a place at the edge of the fountain to peer into the cascading waters. I just wanted to reflect on the loss, say a prayer and remind myself that this was once the site of special times that involved school trips, out of town family visits, dinners atop Windows on the World and one of my first post-college jobs at an insurance company whose name totally escapes me now. I walked through the park questioning why anyone would want a smiling, goofy selfie at the fountain edge and I was truly curious about the mindset involved in such a seemingly odd juxtaposition. <br />
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I finally found a spot and bellied up to the rail to look over the edge. It was more powerful than a thought and surprisingly loud yet so peaceful. I had a moment of private contemplation and then after a minute, looked down where my hands were resting at the base of someone's name as they are carved into the entire perimeter of the memorial -- all 2,606 names. There was a man's name, no one I knew but someone I immediately connected to in the blink of eye. There … carved into the ledge of the memorial was my surname. I didn't personally know anyone killed in the 9/11 attacks, nevertheless a family member. It was surreal to say the least and cosmically "wow", that the universe and throngs of people had directed me right to that spot. Even though it's late and passed the anniversary date ...tonight, I'll say a special prayer for all the victims, their families and s special one for <i>Michael</i>. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6WXGXO5bjyJsXk-eljJ1XwY1dKHTKZJO8xkkb3Xm3fx8mC5ZQBEvr_S-a7Ds2MjN2Ocj2ca4v5XiqWqQCrLTUxS9J2gjpluk0Z0EylmPLc49SgcrGRc7Upubfl_tCD8h2xMxBa7pnTlf/s1600/IMG_2731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6WXGXO5bjyJsXk-eljJ1XwY1dKHTKZJO8xkkb3Xm3fx8mC5ZQBEvr_S-a7Ds2MjN2Ocj2ca4v5XiqWqQCrLTUxS9J2gjpluk0Z0EylmPLc49SgcrGRc7Upubfl_tCD8h2xMxBa7pnTlf/s320/IMG_2731.JPG" /></a></div>IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-27840402591719136202014-09-24T17:18:00.000-04:002014-09-24T17:18:37.614-04:00Fountain Pen Madness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBQPvi_4ksn5b1YKmT2Vsps33DAh1aDvuXRks-2jP4w6NiByzUI6hNu_za27eJYEe4WeCoBBZL1S3LNWIY3ws-dqFueR1uSmBzHOcYfPxkfJXE7m5yT6K52mQoVtSjKQILiz_UT-b76Ly/s1600/IMG_2846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBQPvi_4ksn5b1YKmT2Vsps33DAh1aDvuXRks-2jP4w6NiByzUI6hNu_za27eJYEe4WeCoBBZL1S3LNWIY3ws-dqFueR1uSmBzHOcYfPxkfJXE7m5yT6K52mQoVtSjKQILiz_UT-b76Ly/s400/IMG_2846.JPG" /></a></div><br />
My DIY Pen Box pictorial….<br />
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There aren't any truly noteworthy pens here but I like each of them for one reason or another but they were starting to add up. In the end, a home was required to satisfy the neat-nick that is IamKnitGuy! <br />
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The box….it was an old valet. <br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/9177117176/" title="Untitled by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5443/9177117176_68588a1d43.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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Built the supports with paint stirrers. Note to self, cutting paint stirrers with an exacto knife requires a lot more strength than knitting and penmanship practice develops....<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/9174903159/" title="Untitled by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3777/9174903159_a3bb5f157d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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Bottom layer….because who in their right mind would think one layer of pens is enough! <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/9177129318/" title="Untitled by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2818/9177129318_b288e93559.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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Support for top tray. I have no saw/cutting mechanism but the exacto knife so I improvised with some balsam wood. Really easy to cut but had to layer it. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/9174913833/" title="Untitled by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/9174913833_74bc99e63f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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Top layer with tabs to lift top tray out to get to bottom layer of pens…..how clever is that! <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/9174918163/" title="Untitled by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3759/9174918163_b1b0eda6b2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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Finished except for some sanding, additional glue and polishing/touch ups on the wood...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/9175060915/" title="Untitled by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5324/9175060915_2c6ebb05b7.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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The top of the box has a lovely spot for a photo but I wanted it to be just plain glass so you could see the pens. Unfortunately, I couldn't anchor the glass and stop it from rattling about when I opened and closed the lid. In the end, it was pen p0rn to the rescue and this project was written! <br />
Hey, they're not all golden! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bRWDUM8RI-hRs5I1gexh7hra7nurT_MpcTmVrkiXFg6743OoIc86ho5RzMS216X416-rKc4KfHUT6NQlUtaE1XTW6cl9mjNaonEGc1HLG__XFi8h-rqKkWCqwuN9myV2YwxsWbcVwfkE/s1600/IMG_2843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bRWDUM8RI-hRs5I1gexh7hra7nurT_MpcTmVrkiXFg6743OoIc86ho5RzMS216X416-rKc4KfHUT6NQlUtaE1XTW6cl9mjNaonEGc1HLG__XFi8h-rqKkWCqwuN9myV2YwxsWbcVwfkE/s400/IMG_2843.jpg" /></a></div></center>I'm not a handy guy, a bit crafty but not handy. In the end, I'd have to say, anyone could do this and I recommend it to any pen enthusiast! Thanks to FPN and all their posters, I would have never figured this out on my own! IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-197681721034448992014-09-18T23:05:00.000-04:002014-09-18T23:05:02.172-04:00Should This Be That? <center>So I'm thinking once the Henry scarf is done … this stunningly soft, white alpaca (that I got while attending one of the men's spring knitting retreats) should become this cowl! This yarn is one of those yarns that has to be made into something that has the freedom to move about and brush up against you. And yes, it's that yummy! </center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TVEzRRC5XZmp0U-BfEw5R9ILuu3nyQQCbSuFVK1BVc7ygLG6Sd2xHvoOhb63r69xhJlSyGYCCyined_je3YyJNPxf6rj-nBYkZ53r-cb5XbLUlNfF2t2UxNnzJerl-Ur_DlaDLa8qI0E/s1600/2+this+to+that.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TVEzRRC5XZmp0U-BfEw5R9ILuu3nyQQCbSuFVK1BVc7ygLG6Sd2xHvoOhb63r69xhJlSyGYCCyined_je3YyJNPxf6rj-nBYkZ53r-cb5XbLUlNfF2t2UxNnzJerl-Ur_DlaDLa8qI0E/s400/2+this+to+that.jpg" /></a></div>IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-60520496472473293892014-09-16T23:53:00.004-04:002014-09-16T23:53:50.104-04:00La Maison d'IamKnitGuyAlmost a year! In my last entry, Fall had just begun and I had just returned from an amazing trip to Tuscany and Paris. I haven't done much knitting since then. Florida isn't really conducive to knitting, it's too hot and it's hot all year long. <br />
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I really hate when people insert colored paper inside their Christmas cards and type an 'update' about what's been going on in their lives. "Suzie laughed at her first fart and Dave laughed and then I laughed and before we knew it, it was Spring!" Yes, I hate that catch-up/catch-all but here's my Christmas card insert in one paragraph…. <br />
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I turned 50 this year. It's kind of big but comes with surprisingly, little, midlife fanfare. I was in Paris at the stroke of 50 (yes, yet again), having cake at Cafe Carette on Place de Vosges in the Marais. It's my favorite place in Paris. I'm determined that while I live, breath and have access to a Visa card, I will go there every year. I've been studying French as well. I hired a tutor from France and I'm taking an online class from the local college, first college class in 30 years! I'm not sure I understand how you can get a degree online (there's so many easy ways to cheat) but it's working for me and my motto of "Fluent in '15", so we persevere on! I will return to Europe this Winter with destinations in Amsterdam, Dusseldorf/Cologne and Paris. My fantasy of seeing Paris under a veil of snow and me bundled up to walk her streets with Mother Nature has been foretold in my mind's eye so I'm setting off to make it so. <br />
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And with that, my Christmas card is completed and I set off with a renewed vengeance back to my blog … my knitting blog! We're going to Europe in Winter and that my friends will require hats, gloves, scarfs maybe a cowl or even fingerless mitts with pop over little mittens in one! There are so many patterns stuffed in my knitting queue, I don't know where to start! With all this swirling around in my head, I decided there's no better place to keep track of what I'm doing than back here at La Maison d'IamKnitGuy! <br />
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First project up is a blast from the past … the Henry Scarf that I started years ago and have knit over the years in spurts of 5-10 rows every 4-6 months! Needless to say, it's gotten a bit longer over time and about 5 rows to the last ball of yarn. I discovered a mistake about 30 rows back and actually, successfully pulled the needle, ripped back and got the needle back in! Yes, I had to use the 10X magnifying lamp fully equipped with the "I could land a plane in the African jungle" light but we ripped and we got the needle back into 49 beautifully, righted stitches. Big deal in these parts! <br />
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Expect to see a mix of project progress and pointless chatter about fountain pens & French!<br />
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I'll leave you with a few shots from my birthday trip … and photos don't count as additional paragraphs, I don't care what you say!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1F2EUIPRRHnxyf2ZK_iifbmimsvLWVUvz3nEhKzNOR2KHk3wCCEbC4hXBUeZGa8fUB0Isr-PT9p8lZy8egCaUKT6n2HNR8gdc8JNwybkjuNuInVEX40RjnSG-PwM3RKpYwlt9sYvwkALC/s1600/IMG_1793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1F2EUIPRRHnxyf2ZK_iifbmimsvLWVUvz3nEhKzNOR2KHk3wCCEbC4hXBUeZGa8fUB0Isr-PT9p8lZy8egCaUKT6n2HNR8gdc8JNwybkjuNuInVEX40RjnSG-PwM3RKpYwlt9sYvwkALC/s320/IMG_1793.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<center>Flew first class for the first time and arrived to this view from the hotel</center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboOun4jBib19eLPKmHCTdCguucFq89PuZ5a9TGmFODYspDxSyhYN0Ilfk6bO1W5rqcYdLuNZ21usZELrglfHq5gE-X5Oc1wlKThqbKpFMFke1PF9rHbEOLIjXeJbunyg_75v1C62vn-zJ/s1600/IMG_1843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboOun4jBib19eLPKmHCTdCguucFq89PuZ5a9TGmFODYspDxSyhYN0Ilfk6bO1W5rqcYdLuNZ21usZELrglfHq5gE-X5Oc1wlKThqbKpFMFke1PF9rHbEOLIjXeJbunyg_75v1C62vn-zJ/s320/IMG_1843.JPG" /></a></div><center>Visited famous monuments, statues and castles.</center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66ZX5kFnTG0ViReE3XGnofX_tEYdXk-e7MdBVnGSPM2xpazfo_ISoNXuL2bzyyLZXFJv5ndqq_ocaZAVxvJkfjaZM5asBwZ7qYpFLv6FxvrcORDs_3a2TgUW_w3kLe2_Q47ruvwWTJAjH/s1600/IMG_1920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66ZX5kFnTG0ViReE3XGnofX_tEYdXk-e7MdBVnGSPM2xpazfo_ISoNXuL2bzyyLZXFJv5ndqq_ocaZAVxvJkfjaZM5asBwZ7qYpFLv6FxvrcORDs_3a2TgUW_w3kLe2_Q47ruvwWTJAjH/s320/IMG_1920.JPG" /></a></div><center>Had cake on my birthday and a lot of Veuve Clicquot!</center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXte73ycRSJ7kD7-bIIrgLtTtomhe6qrLQ1cCmCY1Ps5uTXRzWIUIjRxB399P2Vtac7iCS8li4g-qGMGzsBcLMgJOoOkZIhBzQM4d42IjRuDcjR9Lgph_tGQM_TtRhIzFZV-SnLHluFoO/s1600/IMG_2093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXte73ycRSJ7kD7-bIIrgLtTtomhe6qrLQ1cCmCY1Ps5uTXRzWIUIjRxB399P2Vtac7iCS8li4g-qGMGzsBcLMgJOoOkZIhBzQM4d42IjRuDcjR9Lgph_tGQM_TtRhIzFZV-SnLHluFoO/s320/IMG_2093.JPG" /></a></div><center>Took a cooking class and learned to make chocolate croissants!</center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUqFV0If94tMe5VgfD_gcJfnjdkVv7Wx9trUByzsyZZOYTsnFO51uPgAi2lMQZIC9YtQhQOZP-z3RDU3XgN-Ww6c_9OMXaWYrEJlKqj1OsJKCWJO3tgmW3qKv0uGp-_nNDlooCf8e42tQ/s1600/IMG_1815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUqFV0If94tMe5VgfD_gcJfnjdkVv7Wx9trUByzsyZZOYTsnFO51uPgAi2lMQZIC9YtQhQOZP-z3RDU3XgN-Ww6c_9OMXaWYrEJlKqj1OsJKCWJO3tgmW3qKv0uGp-_nNDlooCf8e42tQ/s320/IMG_1815.jpg" /></a></div><center>Visited the hall of mirrors at Versailles so I could take a selfie. See, old yet very progressive!</center><br />
À bientôt mes amis! J. IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-19794954388103490182013-09-21T18:02:00.000-04:002013-11-07T19:45:43.494-05:00It's been a while and a lot has been happening at casa IamKnitGuy. For starters, we're back from Joe's European Adventure! I had the good fortune this Summer to be invited by old friends to their amazing palazzo in Tuscany. With about 10 seconds of decision making time, I decided to go and add on a week in Paris for fun! <br />
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My hosts couldn't be more wonderful! I haven't seen these friends in about 17-18 years and when I emailed them via StupidFace (I suppose it has its merits) and said we should have dinner in NY over Christmas, they were elated. In ten additional seconds, they had made reservations at an amazing french bistro in Greenwich Village and from there, the plan to join them in August in Italy was laid over several bottles of wine! <br />
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Honestly, I didn't think it was a bonafide offer but when the email came in June with all the details, I knew an adventure awaited. I arrived exhausted in Rome in the early morning and set off for Tuscany via taxi, rail and donkey. <br />
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To say these friends have done well for themselves would be an understatement -- I hate them. LOL. The house is spectacular and with the bounty of a stocked garden, we ate like kings in that simple, Tuscan style. Who knew tomatoes had so much flavor? I devoured pizza and drank coffee like a guy on death row! The view from the patio, overlooking the Tuscan countryside greeted me every morning! <br />
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At every meal, I was overwhelmed by the simple beauty in every detail. <br />
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While I was in Tuscany, I was fortunate to attend the Palio in Siena. It was an incredible parade of medieval couture and crescendo'd with a 2 minute barbaric, high-speed horse race around the square for 10 bareback riders! It was absolutely exhilarating! I have never seen the running of the bulls but it had that same quality! These medieval "games" were celebrated all over Tuscany with the locales flying their "contras" flags in support of the their "parish's" local boy in whatever race was happening in that town. You can't tell from these photos but 10,000 people were in the square and what erupted at the end of the race was something else!<br />
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This was in Chuisi and the boys were jousting in the town square!<br />
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They even "threw the flag" like in Under the Tuscan Sun with Diane Lane!<br />
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No photo can do it justice, so here's a video shot at the Palio just this year. If you look into the distance, you can see me sitting in the stands. I heard someone say that one year, they want to be on the "floor" of the square. I thought, "yeah, and New Year's Eve at Times Square always sounds like a good idea until you're there". It's worth the watch - it's only 3 minutes! And the mayhem at the end of the video is not to be missed! <br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YG0doo0nKNY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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One night, our hosts had dinner engagements, and we were left to our own devices. <br />
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Fran: We should have wine. <br />
ME: OK<br />
Fran: Where is the wine? <br />
ME: In the little "cellar" off the kitchen. <br />
Fran: OK<br />
[in the cellar]<br />
Fran: OMG, this bottle is 450 Euros<br />
ME: Put that one down. <br />
Fran: This one is 500 Euros<br />
ME: Don't break that. <br />
Fran: This one has a note attached to the neck of the bottle. "To my darling, on the year of your birth". <br />
ME: Step away from the wine and let's just have gin and tonics.<br />
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As chance would have it, I happened on a box of wine on the floor. We knew we'd be safe with that one and starting filling pitchers. In the morning, with the half empty box of wine on the kitchen counter, we were questioned why we would drink boxed wine when there were so many other choices. We laughingly told him of our predicament and repeatedly said things like "my darling, from the year of your birth" in our most aristocratic accents but he just laughed telling us he didn't even know who gave him that bottle of wine. We stopped laughing at that point but made a plan to have one of the other bottles later that night. But in the end, I didn't get a hangover from the cheap stuff so it was a win/win! <br />
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I swam away the afternoons, wrote in my journal, read my tawdry gay romance novel with the two hunky FBI agents while my pals read the history of the Arch Duke Ferdinand. Pish. <br />
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Like every sunset throughout my stay, a week of amazing food and great company came to an end far quicker than expected. Travel day to Paris was a complete race. We left late for the station, barely had time to figure out how to buy a ticket at the kiosk ... in Italian. I had 4 minutes to make my connection in Florence due to a late arrival. There were only about 16 tracks in the entire station but of course with 4 minutes to spare, I arrived at track 15 and my connection was on track 1A. Really? Scrambled to make the train and I arrived at the Pisa airport exhausted for the worst flight ever with RyanAir -- a commuter airline in and around Europe. No seat assignments and when the masses boarded, I could only think I was back at the Palio! I had paid the best $10 Euros ever and was lucky to have an actual seat so I avoided the horrible bunch of pushing people. They actually charge something like $40 Euros for every kilo over 15 kilos your suitcase weighed. What? My suitcase was 16 kilos but I just smiled at the agent and a hand was waived and my bag went right through. Hey, I still got it, what can I say? <br />
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I arrived at Hotel du Louvre and was astonished. I saw this hotel, meer steps from the Louvre museum on my trip in 2011 but didn't realize it was the one I was going to be staying at this year. The location is amazing and the view from my room was directly up the road to the Opera House in the distance. Floor to ceiling french doors overlooking the street and I sat there in the window every morning with my morning coffee, wearing my plush hotel robe and watched people making their way around the city. <br />
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I'm just going to say it. Bread is a religious experience in France. There's no way to get around it, it's consistency is just something else! I indulged quite a bit ... at every single meal! <br />
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Since I was there in 2011, I didn't have too many touristy things on my list. I had a handful of fountain pen stores that I had to see as well as some yarn shops. A paper store that I was told was amazing and plans to wander the Marais in search of the perfect jeans. The Musee d'Orsay and Beef Bourguignon rounded out the week. <br />
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This was the paper store everyone said I had to see. It was right out of a period film and the owner was as nice as can be. I wanted to live upstairs but they told me ... well, no. <br />
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I found the jeans, struck out on the pens and had my Beef Bourguignon and a couple of surprises along the way. I was feeling pretty awesome in the new jeans until I saw 1) the price tag and 2) practically EVERY guy in Paris looks like this guy. And yes, I took a photo of a stranger's ass. Hey, I'm the tacky American. No one seemed to notice, I think it happens a lot! <br />
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Rented a bike one day to tool around the city. They should put up a sign...death machines, ride at your own risk. I can not tell you how many times, I almost got run over. I took a trip down the Seine, went to see the Eifel tower do its nightly, disco light thing and went out quite a bit for cocktails! <br />
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And of course, there was dessert every night. <br />
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And got some great shots of the Louvre when I visited Musee d'Orsay. These giant clocks pepper the perimeter of the museum and once to the top of the building you can look out these clock images and onto the Seine and Louvre. I was feeling artsy this day! <br />
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Once I got to the next destination, that was a bit outside the center of town, I didn't really mind because the view was spectacular and the metro got me right into town in 10 minutes! <br />
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And yes, I tried to crop out the air conditioning vents and banquet space rooftops but hey, look out there ... you can't beat that view! <br />
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And this hotel had a dessert bar, as much as you want! <br />
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I didn't really mean to hit places like Notre Dame and the Louvre but you can't help yourself when the noon bells at Notre Dame start tolling and street performers are on every corner, you just seem drawn to it! <br />
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I went off in search of the gay district of Paris and totally got lost the first day. Yes, I went back. But I wandered around and happened upon a bunch of fun things and it was the day I used the giant public toilet that self cleaned itself between every user. I was pretty happy since I have the weakest bladder in the free world! <br />
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This homeless guy was feeding pigeons and singing on the top of his lungs across from this family moving out of their apartment. The moving guy told me that the doors are too small so they use the french windows and the hydraulic lifting machine thingy brings the furniture down to the street to be loaded right onto the truck. I said to the moving guy "well, necessity is the mother of all invention" He told me, "we have that phrase in french ... La nécessité est la mère de toute invention." I didn't remember it, I looked up for the post. ;-) He was really nice to me and chatted with me like he had nothing else to do but I did have the new jeans on. joking...price tag, remember...1 euro = 75 cents! <br />
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In the end, an amazing time all around. I can't remember if I ever took 2.5 weeks off from work and really disconnected from the world. No email, no phone .... no nothing. Everyone should do it! <br />
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I promised myself I wouldn't go back to France again unless I learned enough French to get around. Well I'm certainly not staying away from that bread, so when I got home I immediately enrolled in a conversational French class at the local college. Step 1...check! <br />
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I'll leave you with some random shots ... and a hearty Bonne Nuit! <br />
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And yes, no trick ...it's Dr. Who in French! IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-58284705775842433422013-09-11T21:56:00.001-04:002013-09-11T21:57:21.819-04:00Special Prayers Tonight...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJ84fglDSWFdLP6Na7ab_Ztt602nZdB-rbnDnXsWpF3WcEejsYZ3sxPq4vbmley61Okbrx0IZTbkFoKKVzWhcMga4LawWojj-uWqEdavcAxXO0MnnIhh84Pt9dzOruMrqFaPUPMFLX_zH/s1600/9+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJ84fglDSWFdLP6Na7ab_Ztt602nZdB-rbnDnXsWpF3WcEejsYZ3sxPq4vbmley61Okbrx0IZTbkFoKKVzWhcMga4LawWojj-uWqEdavcAxXO0MnnIhh84Pt9dzOruMrqFaPUPMFLX_zH/s400/9+11.jpg" /></a></div>IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-30644586254935617242013-08-05T22:30:00.001-04:002013-08-05T22:30:58.475-04:00NSFW - Peter Capaldi is the new DoctorI'm have mixed reviews on the new Doctor Who choice of Peter Capaldi but my biggest gripe is that he's already been on Doctor Who. He shows up in one episode and he's an antique dealer from Pompei and then he's THE DOCTOR ... BUT the swirl on the Internet is amusing me immensely!<br />
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I warned you....NSFW (not safe for work)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qIzEgax3nOQ" width="480"></iframe>IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-89502640478835241762013-03-03T12:58:00.001-05:002013-03-03T16:06:12.088-05:00And the winner is? Yes, we have a winner! Sorry for the delay in getting this out to you. I had two, small surgical procedures this week. One to my left hand and one to my right hand - nothing life threatening. These were not conducive for typing, picture taking, dressing, cooking, piano playing, knitting, putting on a wrist watch, changing the television channel....you get the idea. I'm back in business as they say and congratulations are in order to Judy!!! It was a close race, both Judy and Lisa guessed my favorite color (6643 - lots of grey with a pop of color) so their names went into a hat for this hand-dyed Scout's Swag yarn! I've had it a long time and I think it'll make a great pair of socks or two! Judy, PM me on Rav and I'll get it to you shortly. I'm notorious for not getting to the post office in a timely manner but I will get there eventually. Yes, the post office is next door but that doesn't seem to help my success rate. You'd think it would. ;-)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/8525363116/" title="Untitled by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8232/8525363116_ce6e276cc7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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Thanks to everyone who entered! Happy knitting! <br />
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IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-84590649854446660592013-02-18T22:17:00.005-05:002013-02-18T22:17:45.891-05:00Too much yarn? Really?I never thought having too much yarn was a problem but as I plug along mastering a sock recipe on my CSM, I'm going through a lot of yarn. I rewind most of it but in the process of it coming on and off the machine, you inevitably need to cut it. Some of these skeins have been cut so many times, it would be impossible to make a sock out of them that wouldn't slice your foot open in about an hour from walking on all the knots! Periodically, I start a new skein but I've gone through most of the ordinary stuff and in the words of my CSM pals...all that's left is the <i>farty</i> stuff. That means expensive, hard to come by, hand-dyed and stuff you don't dare waste. <br />
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So I went through the stash and tried to decide what I was willing to lose -- none! Well almost none. I'm so close to perfecting a ribbed recipe that includes a 1x1 ribbing to start, into a 2x2 rib (my own special blend), pre-heel, heel, 2x2 foot ... toe. Sorry, I was just thinking out loud there. <br />
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So what's a guy to do? Buy new yarn of course! Did we just meet? <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/8488088182/" title="smokey eyes by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8237/8488088182_227166b3e4.jpg" width="500" height="450" alt="smokey eyes"></a><br />
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I found a source for Opal Smokey Eyes sock yarn in some nice colors for only $9.00 a skein with a minimum buy of 10 skeins or 9 skeins for $10.00 a skein. Seriously, I can't remember and anyway ... I don't make the rules, I just follow them and authorize Paypal. These 10 skeins should be more than enough before I move onto the farty stuff. I'm a little concerned that it's got polymide in it which is great for socks but last time I tried Regia (which has a similar blend) the machine hated it with a capital H! Ten skeins? I think it's worth the risk... it's a $100 investment that should last a good while and if they actually become socks ... they're superwash wool (that means washer and dryer friendly to the non-knitters out there) and in nice enough, self-striping colors! Are you convinced? More importantly, I think I convinced myself. <br />
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So what do you think of the colors? Got any favorites? CONTEST!!! Guess my favorite in the comments and anyone who guesses correctly by 2/25/13 will be put in a drawing for something from my stash. Multiple correct answers will be put together and one winner will be randomly generated. That's pretty simple and you could win yarn! One guess per person and please use the color numbers in the comments. No guesses like, "ooh, the orange one!" ;-) <br />
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Are you feeling lucky?IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-10110830309233811832013-02-10T21:53:00.000-05:002013-02-10T21:53:34.633-05:00It's been a busy yet lazy weekend and it started with a trip to the Salvador Dali Museum. Personally, I don't get his art but with the help of a recorded, guided tour I got a new sense of his talent and imagination. Albeit ... not much more of a fan. <br />
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See what I'm talking about? What's this about?<br />
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Living in this part of the country, you take the weather for granted. With Nemo bearing down on a good part of the northeast, I'm especially mindful of that. It's scorchingly hot and sunny most of the time but sometimes we get a really gorgeous day. That was yesterday, cool in the shade and deliciously warm in the sun. With year-round sunshine, you take a great day for granted and sometimes, don't get outside enough to really enjoy it. I am definitely the pastiest Floridian but I hope my lack of vitamin D will be my saving grace from the aging effects of the sun. Anyway, I was a bit out of sorts at the start of my day having had a bit too much "fun" on Friday night but I regrouped after lunch and really enjoyed the rest of the day. The museum grounds are lovely and art space is pretty impressive with a giant glass enclosure in the center that surrounds a giant, circular staircase. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3lBBzj65qW-QnrKV-D47pAP8bYsllCqdhC7abvFgsZQzZeeYdtb8KBD19BYTTI3pKptCiS9MtSQadw5hkihKvY4aRlplZBvjM7MtYcojZBSzIcFXjk0JTNHBkSKAKGDBshqkTCTOr-we/s1600/dali+building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="218" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3lBBzj65qW-QnrKV-D47pAP8bYsllCqdhC7abvFgsZQzZeeYdtb8KBD19BYTTI3pKptCiS9MtSQadw5hkihKvY4aRlplZBvjM7MtYcojZBSzIcFXjk0JTNHBkSKAKGDBshqkTCTOr-we/s320/dali+building.jpg" /></a></div><br />
We had a great time. I really need to do things like this more often. <br />
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Today has been a massive sock endeavor with very little to show but a really messy workspace and several unpaired socks. If nothing else, these will make for great kitchener practice. <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/8463797578/" title="Untitled by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8242/8463797578_95374dce08.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
</center><br />
Unfortunately, I think these yarns are done. I've cut them and tied them together so many times, the knots when knit into the foot will be like walking on rocks! It's too bad, the grey and black yarn was one of my very first, purchased sock yarns. I always had hopes for socks from it and saved it in the stash for over 8 years. On the plus side, I'm one step closer to the Wollmeise and making them into socks! <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/8103046421/" title="Wollmeise Collection by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8195/8103046421_56d00c1906.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Wollmeise Collection"></a><br />
</center><br />
I'll keep you posted. In the meantime...stay safe, dry and warm! <br />
IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-46096245632314014902012-12-09T20:47:00.002-05:002012-12-09T20:49:14.926-05:00In the Wild....Today I wore a pair of my CSM socks to church. This pair with my latest slim-fit, size 30 trousers (thank you very much), a grey button-down and a cranberry vest. It was so nice to hear my friends ooh and ash over them instead of all the usual comments... What's that about? You know you can buy socks at Walmart for $10 for 10 pairs, right? I left services feeling even lighter than usual and more in tune with my world than in quite some time. <br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/7721341320/" title="Untitled by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8433/7721341320_d77f48aa4b.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
</center>Tonight, in my funky downtown neighborhood, the marine layer is coming in fast and furiously off the Gulf. From my vantage point high in the sky, I can see the yuppies, homeless and Scientologists mix. By Florida's standards, it's cold but with toasty toes, I venture out onto the balcony to enjoy the seasonal weather with a glass filled with my favorite adult beverage. I can hear the Community Center's nightly Christmas Karaoke just beginning with a operatic, pre-recorded version of Silent Night and listened to it slice through the mist. I had a flash from the film, Shawshank Redemption, when Andy plays the Marriage of Figaro recording over the PA system but then I realized I wasn't in jail and free to enjoy any music of my choosing (back to Silent Night). ;-) <br />
<center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SzaK4PmWCjE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
</center>The recording was lovely, totally enhanced by the misty haze and I relished in how this beautiful voice just came out of the night. I was sorry to hear it end and have the crowd move onto Santa Baby, Jingle Bells and Rudolph so I guess you need to savor the simple pleasures life offers when they're offered up to you. Today was a truckload! <br />
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So light your tree, pour some wine and listen along with me. It'll make for a beautiful and un-silent night!<br />
IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-54465290090440812072012-12-02T21:42:00.000-05:002012-12-02T21:42:39.334-05:00Fair Isle on a Sunday AfternoonI'm starting to notice a trend that when I do post here, it's usually on a Sunday night. I think for 2013, I'm going to try to post every Sunday night. Hell, it's that time of year when we make grand gestures and I know there's not a snowballs chance in Florida that it's ever going to happen but we'll give it a go. Who knows, let's get crazy and see if we can reach 100 page loads in a week. LOL<br />
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The holidays are coming and as usual, I'm not knitting a damn thing for gifts. It's too stressful and takes the fun out of knitting (at least for me). I got the tree up this weekend and it's lovely but the house is a wreck so a photo is going to have to wait until ... maybe next Sunday! Yeah, it was cheesy but I'm in a festive mood!<br />
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I finished up around 7 and decided to try my hand at a Fair Isle technique I've seen for the Circular Sock Machine. It's the perfect accent for boring work socks, just enough to make them interesting. <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/8239108525/" title="1st Fair Isle on CSM by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8070/8239108525_53a293af72.jpg" width="500" height="294" alt="1st Fair Isle on CSM"></a><br />
</center><br />
I think it’s pretty good for a 1st go but damn, it's such a twisted mess, so tedious and as expected, tirelessly time consuming! And no, you may not see the other side. If you're a knitter, you'll get that, if not...Happy Holidays!! <br />
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Until Sunday! IAKG<br />
IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-63792047224017743782012-10-28T23:46:00.002-04:002012-10-28T23:50:46.358-04:00Had a crank-tastic weekend! On Friday night, with Sandy making her way up the Atlantic, I decided to drive to Florida's east coast. Elaine and Dennis (two other, Florida crankers) and I had decided to get together for this weekend. We all drove up to Elaine, who lives farther than I thought...north of Daytona Beach and a good 3.5 hour drive! I left work early on Friday and tried to drive the majority of the trip in daylight. When it got dark and I still wasn't there and it started to rain and I realized the guy at the oil change place wasn't lying to me when he said "you really need new wipers", I was not a happy camper! <br />
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Arrived safe and sound and got up bright and early. Now when you go to one of these things, there's no such thing as packing light. The machine alone in its case is the max you can get on a plane. Then there's the accessories that weight about 20 pounds more (another case), then there's yarn (another bag), then there's the work table (giant, cumbersome, foldable thing) and in proper society ... then there's a change of clothes, deodorant and a hostess gift. Living in Florida, I threw a short sleeve shirt, shorts and a pair of sandals in the yarn bag and headed out the door. It was freezing when I got up for coffee at 8:30AM. The storm had really cooled things down. I was sure happy to see Target right next door to the Dunkin' Donuts because I knew a hoodie was in my future! It's so comphy, I put the air down a few degrees and wore it all day! I hear the judgment but when you live on the surface of the sun, you have to take what you can get, when you can get it, however you can get it! <br />
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Anyway, we had a great day! We shared ideas, talked about techniques, taught Dennis how to make heels, totally failed with Elaine trying to produce fair isle on the machine, had lunch and for me, simply enjoyed being with other people who enjoy working with these machines. <br />
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I learned that I needed a handle on my latch tool and a much bigger screwdriver for my yarn carrier. Some polymer clay and a trip to Lowe's today and both were accomplished. I fashioned the clay to the handle and had to bake it in the oven. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/8133135890/" title="Untitled by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8473/8133135890_963684a80e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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<b>CRAFT STORE INTERACTION</b>: <br />
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<b>Me</b>: How does this work? <br />
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<b>Craft Store Employee</b>: You shape the clay, stick your metal tool inside it and just bake it in the oven. <br />
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<b>Me</b>: But will the metal part melt in the oven? <br />
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<b>Craft Store Employee</b>: No, you have to bake it at 200 degrees. <br />
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<b>Me</b>: 200 degrees sound hot to me. <br />
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<b>Craft Store Employee</b>: Your tool is made out of steel. <br />
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<b>Me</b>: (Before I could stop myself) So steel doesn't melt. <br />
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<b>Craft Store Employee</b>: (with just the right amount of sarcasm) Not at 200 degrees. <br />
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<b>Me</b>: Fine, I'll take it. <br />
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<b>Craft Store Employee</b>: What color do you want? <br />
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<b>Me</b>: Ooh, really? colors? <br />
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<b>Craft Store Employee</b>: (dripping with sarcasm as he walked away) Have a nice day!<br />
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<b>Me</b>: (in my head) What? No can I assist you with anything else? <br />
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Both tools came in very handy today! The ribber worked great for the leg! <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/8133111675/" title="Untitled by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8052/8133111675_bb914f81b9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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But after I finished the heel and worked down the leg, I had a perfect latch tool scenario waiting for me inside the cylinder. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/8133479483/" title="Untitled by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8054/8133479483_398802ba5b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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This is usually the end of the line for me, a definite start over but with the new handle on my latch tool, I was able to fix the problem in no time plus the instruction from Elaine! Thanks Elaine!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/8133670981/" title="a6a1f02f-377b-43fc-9504-f842567dd923 by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8192/8133670981_a6d6ceb317.jpg" width="418" height="500" alt="a6a1f02f-377b-43fc-9504-f842567dd923"></a><br />
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For those of you who may use a CSM and read my blog...I made this sock with Jenny Deters Wrap Heel. If you're using the "1 UP 2 DOWN" heel, try this wrapped heel. Look at that decrease line...no holes at all! <br />
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I love the fully ribbed leg but I'm still not sold on the 1x1 rib, there's definitely a 3x1 rib in my future.<br />
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That's a wrap! Get it? yeah, yeah, they ain't all golden. :-)<br />
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For those of you actually in the path of Sandy, stay safe!IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-3501496830125016012012-10-09T21:59:00.001-04:002012-10-09T22:02:39.647-04:00Laura's PostMy cousin Laura got an iPhone and has miraculously found interest in my blog with the aid of this new technology. A tap on her phone's desktop vs putting my URL in her computer's favorites and visiting every now and then is apparently supremely easier! So after what, 6 years of blogging and increasing my readership by one, she's harassing me if she doesn't get a weekly update. "Do you know you haven't posted since 9/11?" Keen detection Ms. Marple, I'll get right on that. I love her to death, she's my best friend but I think it was easier to force her to visit periodically when I posted something significant. <br />
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Anyway, a few weeks ago I took a trip to Sarasota for a little R&R. Lovely trip ... beach, eat sleep...repeat. One of the highlights of the trip was a little jaunt to the local yarn shop...A Good Yarn. Nice location, great selection of yarn, amazing customer service and not once did anyone give me the "why is this guy in the store?" vibe. I've posted about them before but in their new location, I enjoyed it even more!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VVlh3oWzhEO2THySM2Pib4AjTNRvnO6KlDa2_ZLDpCisHr1u_CYTZ61_kFflyaN9ncrXTuiXXegowMXeJnKHiRgtelAKPC73JXBa_1ziPRffkLmKzkEjqbRaNyDAcn0EjWKf1jDU75_K/s1600/a-good-yarn-header1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VVlh3oWzhEO2THySM2Pib4AjTNRvnO6KlDa2_ZLDpCisHr1u_CYTZ61_kFflyaN9ncrXTuiXXegowMXeJnKHiRgtelAKPC73JXBa_1ziPRffkLmKzkEjqbRaNyDAcn0EjWKf1jDU75_K/s320/a-good-yarn-header1.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If you remember, when I lived in Bonita Springs, I would occasionally shop at one of the LYS in Naples if I needed a needle or something specific. There was an elderly woman whose daughter regularly dropped her off at the store like it was a senior center and every time I walked into the store she'd SCREAM, "there's a man in the store, there's a man in the store!" She'd clutch her purse and stare at me until I left. The owner shouted at her once, "We know him, stop screaming, he knits and better one than you do!" The other patrons would all look at me with that blank stare, "isn't that cute" and inquisitively wonder what was wrong with me or what happened to me that forced me to turn to knitting instead of meth like any other normal guy facing adversity in his life. I was self-conscious the first time and subsequently, always annoyed. <br />
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This trip was needless to say, refreshing! I was so genuinely welcomed as just another knitter and even invited to join them at the table! In knit-speak that means you're on the A list! With a skip in my step, a little stash enhancement was in order. <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/8072538216/" title="Untitled by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8171/8072538216_9d2727c326.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
<i>Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock - loved the boldness of this and can't wait to see the color repeat!</i></center><center><i><br />
</i> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/8072541384/" title="Untitled by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8449/8072541384_43b334bce8.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
<i>Mad Tosh Merino Light - this color is spectacular IRL, iPhone can't do it justice.</i></center><center><i><br />
</i> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/8072545002/" title="Untitled by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8312/8072545002_f92b31b94f.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
because I couldn't decide between the red/grey vs. this green/gold!</center><center><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/8072551934/" title="Untitled by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8029/8072551934_58345829bf.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
<i>TriCoterie - not from the shop but Vicki's Destash. She's having dental work, I had to help, I'm a good friend. </i></center><br />
I also picked up a lovely, deep red sport weight, Scrumptious by Fyberspates. I know, you're thinking sport weight not sock weight? Yes, sport weight! Contrary to all appearances, I do still hand knit as well as CSM. That big holiday with the guy in the red suit is coming and apparently, I'm supposed to finish projects and give them to people I love on the guy in the red suit holiday. <br />
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Like that's gonna happen. Did we just meet? And that's knitting content!IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-62596505288646872072012-09-11T22:31:00.001-04:002012-09-11T22:31:18.779-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivz02eGZHf1509ki0yOazIi_lWCZI_8po-n0jTCF8gThxz180V-yyShlTGN5GJfiYY2nIaqI1JVFW6cdp42Rg4FSP94_qigmIHjJRsEL5_hC4oy468SbT7q_vplzAIo7dZR6ZYpbMyF__a/s1600/sept11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="189" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivz02eGZHf1509ki0yOazIi_lWCZI_8po-n0jTCF8gThxz180V-yyShlTGN5GJfiYY2nIaqI1JVFW6cdp42Rg4FSP94_qigmIHjJRsEL5_hC4oy468SbT7q_vplzAIo7dZR6ZYpbMyF__a/s320/sept11.jpg" /></a></div><br />
IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-6873886771798108992012-08-22T01:15:00.001-04:002012-08-22T01:16:54.429-04:00And the Gauntlet is Thrown...My dear friend Chris has posed the challenge for a "Crank-a-thon" to see who can knit the most socks over the next two weeks. There's prizes involved and the spirit of friendly competition and camaraderie is in air. And honestly, all you have to do is make socks and post photos of them. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWOvwF6uk7iJ0NLwgH7m1781g35eDNRSP0xJAmCwmH_eJafg5PSYSTe15rGlJX7T5pJbUDrEaygcbLm_W7gi7JU7cgzzPIKJ2LkTWfpGXKXaeOgIMzKf_ZHcB5OY-Axu2Ox3pcwzYFAos/s1600/winners+circle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="225" width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWOvwF6uk7iJ0NLwgH7m1781g35eDNRSP0xJAmCwmH_eJafg5PSYSTe15rGlJX7T5pJbUDrEaygcbLm_W7gi7JU7cgzzPIKJ2LkTWfpGXKXaeOgIMzKf_ZHcB5OY-Axu2Ox3pcwzYFAos/s320/winners+circle.jpg" /></a></div>The task...to see who can make the most projects overall vs ribbed socks vs plain socks vs CSM projects other than socks and the list goes on. In theory, this is a fun idea. In reality, I'm lazy and a hopeless procrastinator. Perhaps if I had played more sports as a kid I'd be more competitive but it's just not in my nature. I posted the following diatribe to give them an idea that although I'd participate, it would be unlikely that I'd actually succeed. <br />
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<b>Day 1</b>: Look thoughtfully at the stash <br />
<b>Day 2</b>: Wind yarn <br />
<b>Day 3</b>: Decide I want to use different yarn <br />
<b>Day 4</b>: Wind new yarn <br />
<b>Day 5</b>: Start cranking with no success for some unknown reason. <br />
<b>Day 6</b>: Decide a gin and tonic with friends is more fun and go out instead of cranking. <br />
<b>Day 7</b>: Decide it’s the yarn so look at the stash some more. <br />
<b>Day 8</b>: Choose new yarn and wind it up. <br />
<b>Day 9</b>: Make a complete sock in about 1/2 hour. <br />
<b>Day 10</b>: Think, "I got this, I made a sock last night in 1/2 hour, I’ll crank out 6 or 7 tomorrow." BBQ something nice. <br />
<b>Day 11</b>: Ribber hates me, make a 5x1 mock rib pair instead but don’t close the toes. <br />
<b>Day 12</b>: Force myself to work on the ribber. <br />
<b>Day 13</b>: Finally finish the second ribbed sock but don’t close the toes.<br />
<b>Day 14</b>: Come to the realization that I will come in last place and close the toes on the 5x1 mock-rib but since I don’t want to screw up the ribbed pair and it’s already dark, wait until tomorrow when I have/need natural light.<br />
<b>Day 14</b>: <i>In the evening</i> Lie and say I left my camera at work and the phone is dead but I’ll post the ribbed pair tomorrow. It’s worked for Vickie but in the end she'll tell me I’m a liar and to "bite me" because I missed the deadline.<br />
Day 15: Feel the shame and avoid the list entirely.<br />
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Tongue in cheek, maybe not? Tonight was Day 1. Here's what happened... <br />
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<b>Day 1</b>: Looked thoughtfully at the stash. Started cranking, phone rang, talked to Laura for 259 minutes and sit here now posting this nonsense at 1AM.<br />
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Definitely should have taken Little League more seriously. IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-30040996074904872262012-08-12T22:30:00.003-04:002012-08-12T22:40:59.827-04:00The Ribber has been Conquered!!!So to answer your question <a href="http://www.queerjoe.com">Joe</a>... no, I do not plan on giving up on the ribber attachment! I do still love the 5x1 mock rib socks but the ribber had to be mastered! <br />
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It's a classic 1x1 rib cuff, followed by a 3x1 rib for the leg/foot. I was too high from tonight's success that I didn't even try to close the toe. We'll tackle that another day! If I do say so myself, Beauregard and I are definitely friends now! <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/7770183386/" title="1x1/3x1 Ribbed CSM Socks by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8441/7770183386_d26a04e7c4.jpg" width="353" height="500" alt="1x1/3x1 Ribbed CSM Socks"></a><br />
</center><br />
If you can't tell, I'm thrilled with this milestone and I finished it before the end of the closing ceremonies. My own personal Olympic goal! Do you think if I send a pair to Olympic diver, Troy Dumais, he'll come to my house and thank me? It could happen, he's not always in the pool.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0CzPJtm8UlmwBn3Sc3dIDF2Mf3btCVt5h3w0LmswyHMjs_uKXehqkK1AmCHu7RvbpZK8k7ucxQX9KlLbUbbOLFqzHPt_ImScUCalBW2Y9-Cfp10yECvYKzShLMUbHDgTybyKZ02hSBSM/s1600/troy+collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0CzPJtm8UlmwBn3Sc3dIDF2Mf3btCVt5h3w0LmswyHMjs_uKXehqkK1AmCHu7RvbpZK8k7ucxQX9KlLbUbbOLFqzHPt_ImScUCalBW2Y9-Cfp10yECvYKzShLMUbHDgTybyKZ02hSBSM/s320/troy+collage2.jpg" /></a></div>I had no idea I was so interested in diving!IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-25634343616741957652012-08-05T20:50:00.002-04:002012-08-05T22:04:04.449-04:00Three Day WeekendI had a 3-day weekend last weekend and it was great! I had Monday off for what my building claimed was an inspection of the fire alarm system. I thought they were going to come in, check the fire detectors and inspect the sprinkler system. This is what happened at 8:00 in the morning on my extra day off. I added the graphic so I could post it to youtube and embed it here. There was no actual fire. <br />
;-)<br />
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<iframe width="540" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WTFJGXBc7TY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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This went on for 15 minutes, every 25 minutes and was blazingly loud (my crappy iPhone audio can't remotely compare to it live)! While it was going on, some guy knocked on my door. When I opened the door, he screamed at me over the audio from my unit combined now with the hallway audio. <br />
<br />
Him: Can you hear it? <br />
Me: Can I hear it? Of course I can hear it. They can hear it in Cuba. <br />
Him: You're on a call with Cuba? <br />
Me: No, I can hear it. <br />
Him: Exactly, can you hear but in your unit? <br />
Me: Yes, are we done. <br />
Him: No, it's not done, it'll play until we check every unit. <br />
Me. Thank you, do you need to come in? (I'm still thinking smoke detectors, etc)<br />
Him: No, I don't. I'm sorry to interrupt your call. <br />
Me: [Closes door]<br />
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Morale of the story...don't play games during a fire emergency test. <br />
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Anyway, after that, I had the whole day free. It was rainy, I ordered Chinese food, broke out the ice cream, turned on the Olympics (there was men's gymnastics, men's synchronized diving and men's swimming ... figure it out) and of course, Beau was home! I've been playing with tons of tension options to get the very best/tightest gauge possible on the machine. I'm still completely enamoured with the 5x1 mock rib. It's really a good looking combination. I think I like it even better than the 1x1 rib but I haven't tried a 5x1 actual rib. It's coming! <br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/7721341320/" title="Untitled by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8433/7721341320_d77f48aa4b.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
</center>In the meantime, its pair was not part of the plan last weekend but today, with my new yarn carrier (the slotted kind) worked like a champ so no more knots under foot! But in the same breath, there were several mishaps in the process of pushing the gauge as hard as I did. I few destroyed needles, a dropped stitch on the toe that I didn't even see until I grafted it and a bobble on the grafting itself. We'll call them house socks! I love this machine!<br />IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-8116293087478811052012-07-22T14:20:00.001-04:002012-07-22T14:20:30.985-04:00Socktastic!I've been plugging along on my CSM, Beau and I have had our moments and I was definitely ready to move up to the next level but halted by kitchenering from waste yarn. <br />
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Well, enough mucking around, a trip to Colorado for the 2012 Circular Sock Machine conference was simply required. It was a blast! I enjoyed it last year and I enjoyed it equally, if not more this year. I had the privilege of meeting and spending the majority of my time with Chris, Vickie and Jill, you know who you are and I can't thank you enough for all the insight and expertise! <br />
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They got me kitchenering and even helped me understand how the dreaded (insert impending doom, horror movie, don't go in the basement style music here) ribber works. <br />
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You may have seen some these socks before but never with toes! Kitchener was a success! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmmZxe9EwYAh_F-XndW9DjsWgMchS5MkRWPMvffFDwhyutcIAEdPdqKZ3IpWEpfB7iXAw3VQijgqkYEr3gRyuBVvwE6shvdeylohjH-pbn4myOd0GEePjynwrBl8TWC9VS7vP-eo_Ad0F/s1600/7623322284_dfee7a829d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmmZxe9EwYAh_F-XndW9DjsWgMchS5MkRWPMvffFDwhyutcIAEdPdqKZ3IpWEpfB7iXAw3VQijgqkYEr3gRyuBVvwE6shvdeylohjH-pbn4myOd0GEePjynwrBl8TWC9VS7vP-eo_Ad0F/s320/7623322284_dfee7a829d.jpg" /></a></div><br />
And I love this little montage frame app. Expect to see a lot of these! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMue6GQCDdEKABcjFtnTjCpczcIVnvwtuyZ2mZuXpwH5SPuDochKyqwGUUgjako3zJ13R0-z1LBGOH85RwVz8JpuirBrNMsiKFd86AMcvhXeCZ4PVf-icYyihYJHNI0DyVVoGBxVMWlb2n/s1600/first+sock+collection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMue6GQCDdEKABcjFtnTjCpczcIVnvwtuyZ2mZuXpwH5SPuDochKyqwGUUgjako3zJ13R0-z1LBGOH85RwVz8JpuirBrNMsiKFd86AMcvhXeCZ4PVf-icYyihYJHNI0DyVVoGBxVMWlb2n/s320/first+sock+collection.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Next steps are all about the ribber. It's an attachment that goes on top of the cylinder of the CSM to create a true rib effect. It's frighteningly temperamental and it totally covers everything that's happening in the cylinder so it's kind of like driving blind. At the conference, I got it timed...thanks to Chris, Mary and Jacquie. We struggled for hours and Jacquie came over and gave it a whack and exclaimed, "It's just too high." We all just looked at each other but it worked. Here's the proof but we'll see if we can incorporate this skill into actual socks! Keep you posted! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vtz7wOhrLNGfDxChYL5C_Lt09kBzS-e1kO_MJzzP501_X8ryDysgtDMDl0oxLeW875K7s6yaS6VfJMbKKIhOrkBLKxKNgZeYleU7YqhaS6s1zeZBC2uZlWZ_FwYbM_U6D799JckJDAn6/s1600/7623329674_0ff86116ae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vtz7wOhrLNGfDxChYL5C_Lt09kBzS-e1kO_MJzzP501_X8ryDysgtDMDl0oxLeW875K7s6yaS6VfJMbKKIhOrkBLKxKNgZeYleU7YqhaS6s1zeZBC2uZlWZ_FwYbM_U6D799JckJDAn6/s320/7623329674_0ff86116ae.jpg" /></a></div>IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-90823827688203449162012-05-21T20:21:00.004-04:002012-05-22T06:45:50.321-04:00Well, I've come and gone and another Men's Spring Knitting Retreat is complete. I love this event. I love seeing the guys at these events and the amazing creations that have been knit over the year. One of the things I love most about this retreat is the locale. A quiet spot in the country filled with trees and hills! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj329SQrO0qZOmg0QWqueaxNfdLLaz1GXaLA4LvVWoln4nFPIIzSp2bhUhV4qcTjRWZD-uY3v8GV0y1YJRKeIk1EDa_E9AcW88HxQJtGVdpYuXq7AXP61sg7hFPetQSsAtmDKii0njy4kZ0/s1600/tree+covers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj329SQrO0qZOmg0QWqueaxNfdLLaz1GXaLA4LvVWoln4nFPIIzSp2bhUhV4qcTjRWZD-uY3v8GV0y1YJRKeIk1EDa_E9AcW88HxQJtGVdpYuXq7AXP61sg7hFPetQSsAtmDKii0njy4kZ0/s320/tree+covers.jpg" /></a></div><center>This spot was lovely until the geese attacked the rental car. The horn didn't even slow them down. Protecting the young is serious business</center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbG-CO9WyWgyhukKHzKmqLuKyzLiTOriHoB12_eGyUVr7KviWHTx4Rair4oM4mdM48V7n7HtxupIFojjDP8iR-S8dRXaZfQyJM3XqBqsi6Cb3NpJoS-OXPINYbxcC80PRZJtyC7NiKjgx/s1600/photo-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="177" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbG-CO9WyWgyhukKHzKmqLuKyzLiTOriHoB12_eGyUVr7KviWHTx4Rair4oM4mdM48V7n7HtxupIFojjDP8iR-S8dRXaZfQyJM3XqBqsi6Cb3NpJoS-OXPINYbxcC80PRZJtyC7NiKjgx/s320/photo-6.jpg" /></a></div><center>They were everywhere and all over the grounds.</center><br />
Although I love the locale, the venue itself has lost some of its appeal for me. Granted, the meeting space is spectacular! It has amazing light and an openness to the outside world that can't be beat but the sleeping quarters are well, I don't know how to dress it up, they're, well, not my speed. <br />
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I didn't join in the fray nearly as much as I have in the past. I very purposely did not take any classes and when I ripped my shawl to the lifeline for the second time on day two, I never picked it up again. Instead, my fantastic roomie, MDV, taught me to properly crochet and I even made a very rough version of the granny square that my intended crochet blanket is based on. Here's the blanket and here's the square! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VLBMt9TA5-ci3TgPjyaislNGitigx5XWoSjd-qhAqZJhCvuDtKw1DMmSD8yZKXllLi2m8mcyDoAEl-jgCLGaydmLN9djSsmiKKrPxKOKz7rOglX6dlxur33M9mIKrMYpLq9jUKI5fs-D/s1600/granny+blanket+attic+24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VLBMt9TA5-ci3TgPjyaislNGitigx5XWoSjd-qhAqZJhCvuDtKw1DMmSD8yZKXllLi2m8mcyDoAEl-jgCLGaydmLN9djSsmiKKrPxKOKz7rOglX6dlxur33M9mIKrMYpLq9jUKI5fs-D/s320/granny+blanket+attic+24.jpg" /></a></div><center>granny blanket photo copyright the designer <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/summer-garden-granny-square.html">Lucy</a> at www.attic24.typpad.com</center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9657NWLljGlvYlUvERgKW_FU0UI-mjSdM-37iJhqVa2yNcaO-4WHXcQGGodaDCdgwydm3UOtlMfLiIzvGi2cDc5PFObaQZ3fyVzrrU2EnpjL-T9vTfcg5KRBPfSSI_FBqo9dqyR4GjJ4U/s1600/square+frm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="315" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9657NWLljGlvYlUvERgKW_FU0UI-mjSdM-37iJhqVa2yNcaO-4WHXcQGGodaDCdgwydm3UOtlMfLiIzvGi2cDc5PFObaQZ3fyVzrrU2EnpjL-T9vTfcg5KRBPfSSI_FBqo9dqyR4GjJ4U/s320/square+frm.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I had wheels this year and if I return, I will always have them. I escaped to town and had breakfast at this really quaint, little eatery, found real coffee (I never thought I'd be so happy to see a Dunkin' Donuts), took a few long drives through the country and snapped some photos along the way. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bFnoUt2f5VQ-ZJFyeMwsdBBQcJ8UsdRZXcPcr7BxOsm3iuDS_hMSROnrFsIsWqzZwJCJ26yYBbS47vCwtmZ8bgzkKcxNBb4rB15KvOjV7y8IctNhcLy8SSl6YAvr27S7wuaJW6lrBYT4/s1600/lake+at+easton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bFnoUt2f5VQ-ZJFyeMwsdBBQcJ8UsdRZXcPcr7BxOsm3iuDS_hMSROnrFsIsWqzZwJCJ26yYBbS47vCwtmZ8bgzkKcxNBb4rB15KvOjV7y8IctNhcLy8SSl6YAvr27S7wuaJW6lrBYT4/s320/lake+at+easton.jpg" /></a></div><center>the lake at Easton</center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihW1T72qUQijBtfr67f2G85qFryS5ctls54Mea3qmHyYDxvbHzq7qlkGi7nDOF-2g9rDCjaqrNYvnX6xSt0IHicw5SlNp4OkXmJUQSsruvWb-MbIkO7bgLVMsnRMdb9wplfOcgGdbKM2ra/s1600/valley+view+at+easton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihW1T72qUQijBtfr67f2G85qFryS5ctls54Mea3qmHyYDxvbHzq7qlkGi7nDOF-2g9rDCjaqrNYvnX6xSt0IHicw5SlNp4OkXmJUQSsruvWb-MbIkO7bgLVMsnRMdb9wplfOcgGdbKM2ra/s320/valley+view+at+easton.jpg" /></a></div><center>A Drive in the Country</center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtjKs0WqVg0kNqQuE3qT9salljmm7YP7fM3jEsfU6V8a6jGqnIKNbHCOyWRf2rcZVyBDfmye7a390ExnPOheQEgLNEBiV5mEsB-lMyRn-C_GFggbs2Lt5pYlAM_ufmo6IN9LQPGkpN-4E/s1600/breakfast+place+at+easton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtjKs0WqVg0kNqQuE3qT9salljmm7YP7fM3jEsfU6V8a6jGqnIKNbHCOyWRf2rcZVyBDfmye7a390ExnPOheQEgLNEBiV5mEsB-lMyRn-C_GFggbs2Lt5pYlAM_ufmo6IN9LQPGkpN-4E/s320/breakfast+place+at+easton.jpg" /></a></div><center>Breakfast is served</center><br />
A great trip overall and a great getaway; just what the doctor ordered! Not that doctor silly. ;-)<br />
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Edit: Kystal, I swear I'm going to send you the Tosh yarn....soon! <br />
<br />IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-68430107675375862962012-05-13T20:46:00.000-04:002012-05-13T20:46:34.924-04:00In the infamous words of Doctor Who....It's a bit "wibbly wobbly timey wimey". Yes, the wine glass has come home from the kiln. I can't get a good photo of it, just my luck, the day I get it back from the studio, "Florida, the Sunshine State" decides to go cloudy on me. The stem is clearly a little bit off-center and the middle of the stem ended up a bit over-twisted and it's not exactly straight up and down ... but I love it! It twisted so much that I'm afraid to wash it fearing the stem will just crack in two but there's wine in my future and yes, it's going from this glass to my lips! Since I can't get a good photo of it today, here are a few birthday present photos... <br />
<center><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/7192395786/" title="doctor who case by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7094/7192395786_c40621da08.jpg" width="200" height="400" alt="doctor who case"></a><br />
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Yes, I'm obsessed with Doctor Who, can't get enough of it so a Doctor Who inspired phone case was just the ticket! My very own Tardis! If you have no idea what I'm talking about, get over to Netflix and queue the series. If you like science fiction that's a tad ridiculous, you'll adore Doctor Who. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitguyla/7192405318/" title="my new backpack by IamKnitGuy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7095/7192405318_90bed4054a.jpg" width="200" height="400" alt="my new backpack"></a><br />
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And my new knitting bag! It came all the way from Kuala Lumpur and it's fantastic! I adore the hardware and its overall design. It's really cleverly made, you have to love Etsy! Half the fun was tracking it on DHL as it made its way across the planet. Believe it or not, it got to Cincinnati (via Hong Kong) in 2 days and then proceeded to take 5 days to get to Florida, go figure? Welcome to America!<br />
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And since it's my new knitting bag, that's knitting content! Golden! <br />
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Happy Mother's Day Ladies!IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-81538182351057329392012-05-05T20:02:00.002-04:002012-05-05T20:02:47.097-04:00Bonus, I still have Eyebrows!Had a blast today! My cousin and I had a little outing to a local glass blowing studio. We took an introductory class to make wine goblets. Well, we didn't actually make the goblets but instead, just the stems. I'm rather proud of my very, misshapen glass stem but alas, it's still in the kiln (so no photos yet). Instead, here's a video from another customer of the studio highlighting our amazing instructor Josh! This is something I definitely want to learn more about.<br />
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Thanks for the gift L!<br />
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<iframe width="525" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jNNj4aUDUgU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-78481903607663430772012-04-23T18:56:00.000-04:002012-04-23T23:38:22.358-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9_joSubgpJmC0iBDu7Q1RKyWqvLGCOoO4mKwel3PWJ85wZVpsyk-e0ZPBebKrScQqNKDLEMfnOxDClQ2PKztTlbWN-PJe8OKVCG0xBK4zBKRsoIpqzHzBW_-uwQ_1-ARV_GX65aPqyII/s1600/kreativ_blogger_award_copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9_joSubgpJmC0iBDu7Q1RKyWqvLGCOoO4mKwel3PWJ85wZVpsyk-e0ZPBebKrScQqNKDLEMfnOxDClQ2PKztTlbWN-PJe8OKVCG0xBK4zBKRsoIpqzHzBW_-uwQ_1-ARV_GX65aPqyII/s320/kreativ_blogger_award_copy.jpg" /></a></div>Okay, <a href="http://www.garretknitsohio.wordpress.com">Garret</a>, he's like the son I never had, has nominated/given me a Kreative Blogger award. As soon as I find out what that is, I'll let you know. I am apparently supposed to blog 7 random things about myself. I usually don't take direction so loosely but I'm trying to be more flexible. <br />
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Let's see...<br />
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One: I'm allergic to apples but I love them and eat one every afternoon. I don't go into anaphylactic shock from them but my throat sometimes gets dang itchy. <br />
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Two: Once in Barbados, I was bit by an iguana. They took me to a witch doctor for first aid. <br />
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Three: I have a black thumb when it comes to plants. They rarely stay alive in my presence. <br />
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Four: I have rubbed people for money. <br />
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Five: In 1976, I painted the fire hydrant in front of our house red, white and blue with the boy down the block. What the hell was his name? <br />
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Six: I have two bathrooms and for some unknown reason, one is for one and one is for two. How's that for sharing?<br />
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Seven: Contrary to what you may think, one through six are true. <br />
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Oh, oh and apparently, I am also supposed to nominate a couple of bloggers to keep the "kreative blogger" thing going! <br />
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Let's see...<br />
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<a href="http://villageknittiot.blogspot.com/">Kerry</a>, he's a pal of mine from the Men's Fall & UK Knitting Retreats and an all around good guy! He's a bad blogger like me so we have to stick together. He travels a lot for his job and just recently returned from Jakarta and actually blogged about it. He's also a freakin' amazing knitter! <br />
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And <a href="http://www.knittingknoobie.com/">Knitting Knoobie</a>, I don't <strike></strike>really know her but I really like her blog. I read her regularly. She lives in NYC (my hometown). She's a great knitter and has an amazing sense of humor about her family, her knitting and her life. And she just finished the project I posted yesterday! It was meant to be! <br />
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Edit: Click on their names and visit their blogs. There's some cool stuff going on out there in the knitting universe!IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-16521175812274235402012-04-22T14:03:00.001-04:002012-04-22T21:40:27.861-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUsyxBcycpoafok0TSfG_hBWSGnDiAltKp8v75R0vQ2NkcrRBCTA3bOtJrNiTYxfQtrFJ_iPWVMF7EJFyJ6e2NXwLaxcmA-wSKAvLLhFeqVFG-P0xXt1VQB-Nl3mFpR2H82j3UeSDLo4i/s1600/phone+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUsyxBcycpoafok0TSfG_hBWSGnDiAltKp8v75R0vQ2NkcrRBCTA3bOtJrNiTYxfQtrFJ_iPWVMF7EJFyJ6e2NXwLaxcmA-wSKAvLLhFeqVFG-P0xXt1VQB-Nl3mFpR2H82j3UeSDLo4i/s320/phone+image.jpg" /></a></div>This one is on the fly but i came across this Madeline Tosh pattern that I really like. I'm apparently in a cowl mode! ;-) I've got this amazing alpaca in a sport weight that I bought at the spring retreat a few years ago that would be heavenly against the neck. I only know the weight not the yardage so how do you figure out if you have enough?<br />
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Also, do you think the halo of the alpaca will denigrate the stitch definition? <br />
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And don't tell me to swatch, I know that but importantly, know how lazy I am! <br />
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Any ideas are appreciated! <br />
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Edit: Am I the only one loving this blogger app! And now with photos!IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389275651442962294.post-51306335360627233902012-04-16T17:38:00.003-04:002012-04-16T18:35:21.450-04:00Hey all! I finally got a photo of the cowl. It's unblocked and probably never will be so I figured I'd post it before 3 months elapse. I actually love the off-centered buttonband because when I wear it, the bottom edge flares out and it doesn't creep up - bonus! I tried to get a photo of it on my neck but we're au naturale at hookedontheneedle today -- off from work, pj's, sans shave and pool/hat hair. Not a good look for blog photos! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ufSU2p8KtQO7YKfuf9TjxVJkEzxLR9jjjzO7Xs3nLhYfdIdw5ng6nczRUYvlgCMiXjg-ZmeYrd2WE6PBlqn888__zgW2P9NGXVpM52oq5n2WdKpFjyrF5rR8JeOVi78l57odBVmQ4vo7/s1600/7085186633_093bfed39a-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ufSU2p8KtQO7YKfuf9TjxVJkEzxLR9jjjzO7Xs3nLhYfdIdw5ng6nczRUYvlgCMiXjg-ZmeYrd2WE6PBlqn888__zgW2P9NGXVpM52oq5n2WdKpFjyrF5rR8JeOVi78l57odBVmQ4vo7/s320/7085186633_093bfed39a-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<i>In the comments...<br />
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Garret, I am not easily offended, be yourself! And Krystal, everyone should knit with Madeline Tosh yarn. We are going to have to get you to a fiber festival so you can fondle some amazing yarns. In the meantime, I hope you like the green skein because it's my gift to you! Let's call it ... Random Acts of Generosity day at casa IamKnitGuy! PM me your snail mail (over on Rav) and I'll send it to you but you have to promise to make something grand and post plenty of pictures! <br />
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Next up...Koolhaus in the red Cascade posted earlier! I know how to cable but I've never done a project with them. Let's see how that goes. <br />
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Question: What's your favorite baby blanket pattern? I'm looking for recommendations.<br />
<br />IamKnitGuyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428266041011778397noreply@blogger.com4