Quick post while we prepare for Tropical Storm Fay!
So a friend from L.A. calls me the other night. The highlights...
Me: Hello
Jane: Hey, it's Jane.
Me: Oh my god, I haven't heard from you in forever. What's new?
Jane: So much has changed, I'm getting divorced, lost 40 lbs., adopted a wheat-free, gluten free diet and came to the conclusion that I'm a lesbian.
Me: pause ... What's gluten?
So my friends, we welcome another sister into the brethren!
And yes, The Golden Girls are truly universal, there's a YouTube clip for any occasion!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Well I had a blast in Tampa at my cousin's wedding. She was radiant, I walked her down the aisle, the day was truly sublime and I can't tell you what a moving experience it was for me. It was such a special day!
While in Tampa, I did two of my favorite things... I ordered room service every morning - I love me some Cuban French Toast and I visited a great little yarn store. Knit 'n Knibble is a small store but jam-packed with yarn and the staff just couldn't be friendlier. Jenny rules! I didn't once get the "why is this man in our store" vibe and even the customers were simply interested in my projects, not my gender.
I found a great superwash wool for my Antler's scarf (more on that later) but better yet, I found some great Regia sock yarn. I finally controlled myself and bought a solid sock yarn. Every time I buy sock yarn it looks like this...
but this time, I bought this,
It's a tweedy yarn and will show any pattern but still have some interest on its own. I love the self patterning Lorna Laces but it ends up as simple stockinette socks every time and it's time for me to branch out. Wish me luck.
On a separate note, I finally gave up trying to find the exact pattern for this unknown cobweb yarn I bought years (and I do mean years) ago. No ball band, no info, no nothing. I've been inspired by the Terttu Shawl. Granted, I haven't done much to the pattern but change it from a triangle to a rectangle but to me that's design central. This pictures sucks but this unique yarn is pale blue with an iridescent twist.
It's beautiful but it's on the back burner, the queue is full!
While in Tampa, I did two of my favorite things... I ordered room service every morning - I love me some Cuban French Toast and I visited a great little yarn store. Knit 'n Knibble is a small store but jam-packed with yarn and the staff just couldn't be friendlier. Jenny rules! I didn't once get the "why is this man in our store" vibe and even the customers were simply interested in my projects, not my gender.
I found a great superwash wool for my Antler's scarf (more on that later) but better yet, I found some great Regia sock yarn. I finally controlled myself and bought a solid sock yarn. Every time I buy sock yarn it looks like this...
but this time, I bought this,
It's a tweedy yarn and will show any pattern but still have some interest on its own. I love the self patterning Lorna Laces but it ends up as simple stockinette socks every time and it's time for me to branch out. Wish me luck.
On a separate note, I finally gave up trying to find the exact pattern for this unknown cobweb yarn I bought years (and I do mean years) ago. No ball band, no info, no nothing. I've been inspired by the Terttu Shawl. Granted, I haven't done much to the pattern but change it from a triangle to a rectangle but to me that's design central. This pictures sucks but this unique yarn is pale blue with an iridescent twist.
It's beautiful but it's on the back burner, the queue is full!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Every Man's Drug
Some day I'm going to have to ask a doctor what it is about the sugar content of pure maple syrup that is an absolute narcotic for me. Granted, when I'm off from work, my sleep schedule is a bit odd. I went to sleep at 4AM last night (the middle of the night is totally my time of day), the accidental nap from 8-10PM didn't realy help.
I woke up at 10AM, just six hours later and ready to start the day. I puttered around the house, did some laundry, went shopping, cleaned up a bit and decided to have some breakfast. French Toast was in order but I know I have this reaction to maple syrup so I was very careful not to have too much at around noon.
By 2:30, I was fast asleep on the couch and 3.5 HOURS later, I arose from my afternoon's slumber. Damn, if you're looking for me, I'll be aimlessly wandering the Internet tonight - all night tonight!
On the knitting front, the cashmere booties are great but haven't been sewn together yet. As soon as I'm awake (when there's sunlight), I'll snap a few photos!
Edit: 2:36AM and going strong! Oiy.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Dial B for Booty
I went to the "other LYS" today (I'm pleased to say they were very nice) and bought a beautiful skein of cashmere yarn for a pair of booties I've been meaning to make for a friend's new baby. Of course, I wasn't going to risk a $25 skein of cashmere yarn on something I'd never made regardless of its ease, I had to test the little bootie pattern with some crap from the stash. After all, as Yarn Harlot's book diagnosed, I'm a Scientific Knitter. I liked it so much I gave it a little bow with a length of Tiffany ribbon. I think it's really sweet but alas, it will have no pair, not while there's cashmere in the house!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Yarn Porn, Dinner Porn & WTF
Knitting Essentials first! My purchase from Ironjohn04 arrived in the mail a few days ago and I couldn't be more pleased. My niece wanted socks in exactly these colors so the search is on for a pattern that won't be lost in the colorway. Any suggestions? Now don't get carried away, I've only made one pair of stockinette socks so we can't be getting too technical or intricate. Don't forget how little help I have here in the knitting mecca that is Florida when I run into a problem.
My second bit of porn was dinner tonight. It's my new favorite meal, I call it Lemon Shrimp Pasta and it's a Rachel Ray creation with protein. You take chicken stock, soy sauce and sliced, zested lemons and let that go a while. When the pasta is almost done you add some shrimp to the mix and add the drained pasta. Throw in the reserved zest and some chives! It's so simple, bright and fresh. I love it and have it regularly these days. When there's whole wheat pasta in the house, it's actually pretty healthy!
And finally, WTF is growing all over the lawn? These disgusting mushrooms are popping up all over the well-manicured lawns of my community. They're ugly and mushy and yet another piece of proof that Florida has the worst, hot, sticky, and frighteningly humid weather on the planet. Too strong?
Bon appetit and happy knitting!
My second bit of porn was dinner tonight. It's my new favorite meal, I call it Lemon Shrimp Pasta and it's a Rachel Ray creation with protein. You take chicken stock, soy sauce and sliced, zested lemons and let that go a while. When the pasta is almost done you add some shrimp to the mix and add the drained pasta. Throw in the reserved zest and some chives! It's so simple, bright and fresh. I love it and have it regularly these days. When there's whole wheat pasta in the house, it's actually pretty healthy!
And finally, WTF is growing all over the lawn? These disgusting mushrooms are popping up all over the well-manicured lawns of my community. They're ugly and mushy and yet another piece of proof that Florida has the worst, hot, sticky, and frighteningly humid weather on the planet. Too strong?
Bon appetit and happy knitting!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Back in Business!
The pleasant clicking of needles is back at Chez Knitguyla. I'm pleased to report that after months of pondering why my knitting mojo was lost, I concluded that I needed to stop worrying about mojo and knit something, anything, and it would right itself. Although the act of knitting itself has been non-existent, pattern hunting and project ideas have been swarming all over the place. I have great friends who are expecting their first baby ... soon! I've been trying to find the right project but one that I could do on my own. By now, everyone knows there's little help from the local knitting community (and I use that termed lightly) in this area. I found this lovely faux-cable pattern that was interesting so I decided to try it.
It's not a baby blanket but it's turning into a fun little kitchen towel.
On other knitting fronts, I read Knitting Rules by famed blogger and author Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. It's a clever little book and a really fun and quick read. There's a section where she classifies knitters. I won't list them here as I don't want to be sued by the Yarn Harlot for reproducing her work but according to her, I'm a Scientist knitter but verging on a Pretender since I haven't really been knitting. Well that lit a fire under my ass! And a fine ass it's becoming but that's another post about my new exercise routine and my new bike I call Gert! This post is the result.
Thank you Yarn Harlot!
It's not a baby blanket but it's turning into a fun little kitchen towel. On other knitting fronts, I read Knitting Rules by famed blogger and author Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. It's a clever little book and a really fun and quick read. There's a section where she classifies knitters. I won't list them here as I don't want to be sued by the Yarn Harlot for reproducing her work but according to her, I'm a Scientist knitter but verging on a Pretender since I haven't really been knitting. Well that lit a fire under my ass! And a fine ass it's becoming but that's another post about my new exercise routine and my new bike I call Gert! This post is the result.
Thank you Yarn Harlot!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Frogging
That's all I seem to do these days. The frustration level is getting higher and worse yet, getting to me. I miss Edith. There, I said it. When I lived in L.A., I'd often make a mistake and simply head over to Ventura Blvd. the next day and get it fixed and merrily continue on with my project. Tonight I tried to knit back, gave up and tried frogging a few rows but I couldn't get that damn needle back in appropriately. Again, 30 rows are gone and I'm left with a beautiful ball of yarn. I love the yarn but loved my project more.
I hate my LYS, every time I bring something in to be fixed she looks at me like I have 10 heads. It goes something like this...
LYS Owner: What kind of stitches are these?
Me: Trust me it's not that complicated, here's the pattern.
LYS Owner: A pattern, why don't you just do garter stitches.
Me: I like a little variety.
LYS Owner: I think you need to start over.
ME: Why?
LYS Owner: Because you can't fix this when there are all these stitches in there.
Me: I know I can't fix it that's why I've come to the woman who owns the yarn store and is supposed to be an expert.
LYS Owner: Why, we just knit garter stitch dishcloths and fun fur scarves.
Me: I hate you.
LYS Owner: Honey, here's some cotton, go wild!
Me: Die.
Okay, that last part's just in my head.
It's so frustrating but this too shall pass. Luckily, I had some diversions this weekend. I had a blast in South Beach! The east coast is beautiful and the ocean is so different than the gulf, although much cooler. I even got a lot of sun - unheard of for me. It's sexy on me, too bad it kills you. I loved the drive across the Alley as long as I didn't open the windows. Who knew there were so many mosquitos in the Everglades? I saw an alligator, ate tremendous Cuban food and met a few skimpy bathing suits.
Enough of that, it's time to cast on, AGAIN!
I hate my LYS, every time I bring something in to be fixed she looks at me like I have 10 heads. It goes something like this...
LYS Owner: What kind of stitches are these?
Me: Trust me it's not that complicated, here's the pattern.
LYS Owner: A pattern, why don't you just do garter stitches.
Me: I like a little variety.
LYS Owner: I think you need to start over.
ME: Why?
LYS Owner: Because you can't fix this when there are all these stitches in there.
Me: I know I can't fix it that's why I've come to the woman who owns the yarn store and is supposed to be an expert.
LYS Owner: Why, we just knit garter stitch dishcloths and fun fur scarves.
Me: I hate you.
LYS Owner: Honey, here's some cotton, go wild!
Me: Die.
Okay, that last part's just in my head.
It's so frustrating but this too shall pass. Luckily, I had some diversions this weekend. I had a blast in South Beach! The east coast is beautiful and the ocean is so different than the gulf, although much cooler. I even got a lot of sun - unheard of for me. It's sexy on me, too bad it kills you. I loved the drive across the Alley as long as I didn't open the windows. Who knew there were so many mosquitos in the Everglades? I saw an alligator, ate tremendous Cuban food and met a few skimpy bathing suits.
Enough of that, it's time to cast on, AGAIN!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Ants in My Pants
Well, it's been an interesting Tuesday/Wednesday weekend at casa knitguyla. I woke up at 5:00am itching all over. The laptop was on the bed (left over from the night before - listen to the Y knit podcast, it's great) so I opened the monitor to cast a little light on the situation. I was half asleep but figured I was having an allergic reaction to seafood or something like that. What I discovered was a horror show of ants crawling all over the laptop, bed and ME! Within 30 seconds every light was on, I was dancing around stripping my bedcloths off as quickly as I could and into the shower I went.
After scalding myself in the shower to a beet red skin color, I went to survey the situation. Yes, there were in fact ants all over my bedroom. Strip the bed, curtains, and every piece of clothing within a 12 foot radius of the epicenter. 10 loads of laundry later and bleach washing everything in sight, they weren't leaving. Hours later, I discovered a pot pourri and dried fruit basket that I had under the sink and shrink wrapped since I received it. I found it under the bed and unshrink-wrapped. Once that was tossed out the window, I started to win the battle. The cleaning lady decided that the smell would permeate the room from under the bed. Can you say welcome back to El Salvador!
I sprayed, trapped and battled ants in hand to hand combat and it was finally over. I'm still doing laundry, you have no idea how much time it takes to dry a pillow!
With that done, I was off to the spa. There's nothing that a salt glow, healing wrap, anti-aging (yes, shut up) anti-aging facial and an 80 minute massage can't fix. In the locker room, trying not to drown in the 12 head shower, I was still feeling the itchy remnants of my fright fest so I had a pedicure just for good measure. I'm glowing and silky smooth with no one to touch me so I'll be signing off now, to touch myself!
After scalding myself in the shower to a beet red skin color, I went to survey the situation. Yes, there were in fact ants all over my bedroom. Strip the bed, curtains, and every piece of clothing within a 12 foot radius of the epicenter. 10 loads of laundry later and bleach washing everything in sight, they weren't leaving. Hours later, I discovered a pot pourri and dried fruit basket that I had under the sink and shrink wrapped since I received it. I found it under the bed and unshrink-wrapped. Once that was tossed out the window, I started to win the battle. The cleaning lady decided that the smell would permeate the room from under the bed. Can you say welcome back to El Salvador!
I sprayed, trapped and battled ants in hand to hand combat and it was finally over. I'm still doing laundry, you have no idea how much time it takes to dry a pillow!
With that done, I was off to the spa. There's nothing that a salt glow, healing wrap, anti-aging (yes, shut up) anti-aging facial and an 80 minute massage can't fix. In the locker room, trying not to drown in the 12 head shower, I was still feeling the itchy remnants of my fright fest so I had a pedicure just for good measure. I'm glowing and silky smooth with no one to touch me so I'll be signing off now, to touch myself!
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