February 007

Winter finally came to visit us this month. Its been nice to see some snow, but icy sidewalks and frigid winds, combined with my little constant companion, keep me inside instead of out and about stalking for photos like I had hoped to do.

Running out of Time

I've been blog-hibernating since finishing Ariann. However, there are fibery things to tell you about. PumpkinGirl and I jaunted up to Portland last weekend for a few hours of friendship and fiber at SPA. It was wonderful to see old friends and meet some new ones too. P-Girl seemed quite at home admidst all of her honorary Aunts and was happy to let me shop and visit as I needed wanted to. One of these years I will be able to spend the whole weekend and not just the day.

On kind of a whim, I've started The Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I'm still not sure if this is going to work for me at all, but I continue to knit it. The reasons I am dubious about it are twofold.

1. I am not entirely convinced I should be knitting a somewhat form fitting sweater with the current state of certain areas of my body.
   
2. The yarn I chose, K1C2 Angora Soft, is making a super drapey fabric. Normally this would be a fabulous thing, but given my concerns listed in item one, this thing might end up clinging in all the wrong places.
   

Despite these things, I am trucking along with the realization that I may finish it and never wear it, and I am OK with that. The plain stockinette is very soothing and I am really just enjoying the process on this one. If I end up pleasantly surprised, then I'll call that a bonus.

Speaking of hourglasses, this week marks my last week of maternity leave. I imagine the next month will be utter chaos as I adapt to being a working mom of two. The logistics of getting a preschooler and an infant up and out of the house each morning before 7am, ready for an hour long commute puts me in a cold sweat. I have been blessed that P-Girl is such an easy baby, as I've been able to continue, and even increase, my fibery pursuits practically uninterrupted while on leave. Heading back to work will most certainly slow me down, but someone's gotta put yarn in the stash food on the table.

Lightning Fast

There is not much to say about Ariann that has not been said by others who have knit it. Fun, fast, flattering - all true of this knit. I had hoped to get this done in time to wear upoon my return to work, and I made my goal with two weeks to spare. It's a good thing, as not many of my pre-pregnancy clothes fit me in the right way anymore.



Project Specs:
Pattern: Ariann, by Bonne Marie Burns; size 43"
Yarn: Cascade 220; color 7809; just over 5 skeins
Neeedles: #6 and #7 Denise
Notes: I may go back and block this a lot more severely than what you see above. I knit the sleeves a tad longer, as I really hate sleeves that are too short. I am skipping the belt idea, as its just not my style. I think this will be a much-worn piece of my wardrobe.

Sneak Peek

Guess what's blocking!

Heads up for Moms- to-Be

How to entertain a small baby :

1. Lay baby on her back on the floor
2. Stand over her
3. Split and pre-draft multicolored roving
4. (optional) Sing silly songs

Because I know I will get asked - the fiber is merino, dyed by methis morning in a rush to have something to spin that doesn't need close attention at tonight's spinning group.

Saturday Spinning

A little Saturday yarn pØrn for you....



Project Specs:
Fiber: "Victorian Lace" Merino/Angora/Silk (40/40/20) from The Woolen Rabbit
Stats: 4oz, 675 yards 2ply, 15WPI, fingersport ™ weight
Wheel: Kromski Minstrel
Notes: As always, a pleasure to spin Kim's fiber. I'm thinking shawl for this, perhaps an Icarus, as I think it is simple enough to accentuate the halo of the angora without being overwhelmed by it.

Bloggers Silent Poetry Reading

First Lesson by Philip Booth

Lie back, daughter, let your head
be tipped back in the cup of my hand.
Gently, and I will hold you. Spread
your arms wide, lie out on the stream
and look high at the gulls. A dead-
man's-float is face down. You will dive
and swim soon enough where this tidewater
ebbs to the sea. Daughter, believe
me, when you tire on the long thrash
to your island, lie up, and survive.
As you float now, where I held you
and let go, remember when fear
cramps your heart what I told you:
lie gently and wide to the light-year
stars, lie back, and the sea will hold you.



What is the Blogger's Silent Poetry Reading, you ask? click here