pepperknit

2006. The most tumultuous year of my adult life. I started it in a stable relationship of nearly 10 years, at a good job of nearly 7 years, in a comfy apartment where I’d lived for nearly 3 years, in my adopted city of nearly 7 years. I’m ending 2006 in no relationship, in a new job of 2 months, in a comfy apartment where I’ve lived for 2 months, in a completely new city. I couldn’t have predicted the sheer amount of change I’d go through.

As an aside, I’ve learned of this astrological thing called Saturn Return. Did you guys know about this? Now, I’m quite a skeptic, but sometimes this astrology stuff gets me very intrigued. This phenomemon apparently occurs over the course of time from when you are 28 to 30 years old. It describes a time of “challenge, fear, doubt, confusion, difficulty, seriousness, heaviness, and hard lessons, among other more positive things such as structure, significance, accomplishment, reflection, power, prestige, maturity, and order” (from Wikipedia) and another site quotes an astrologer who describes it as “one of the most important times in your life. . . a time of endings and new beginnings.” Is this uncanny or what? Because, uh, I turned 29 on Thanksgiving this year.

My dad has declared “2007: The year of Erin,” and I’m going to live by this mantra. Only positive changes from here on out, right?

But this is really a knitting blog, though there’s no strict rules or anything, and as for the knitting retrospective, let’s take a look back.

I finished 17 of the things that I started in 2006. Six pairs of socks, four toys, and a lot of gifts. The only things for myself were the first pair of Pomatomus (orange), the headband, and the Kiri shawl. The second pair of Pomatomus (blue) has been regifted to me, actually, so I did score one other thing for myself. I hadn’t really looked at the sum of the year’s knitting in one place before, and I hadn’t realized just how little I knit for myself. That is all going to change in the coming year, let me tell you. I’m also a little frustrated by the number of FOs total. (Oh, wait! I also designed a baby sweater, but I still have the idea that I will write up the pattern and submit it somewhere for publication, which is why I don’t show it here.) It seems high–17 things over the course of 12 months–but so many of these things were impossibly small (a headband, two small toys, a hat). All over the blogosphere, people are finishing things left and right; it makes me insanely jealous. It’s so silly to be jealous, but the emotion is there. How to resolve this burning emotion? Uh, knit more, stay more focused, and complete the things you start.

Because I started quite a few things that haven’t been finished. Several pairs of socks crowd my knitting basket and are occupying perfectly good sock needles, and someday I’ll get back to them, I swear. For most of them I hit a stumbling block–not enough yarn, or the need to decrease before doing the heel and an inability to decide how to do it–and it sidelined the project entirely. Must sit down and resolve these remaining issues, and get some things off the needles.

Coming up for 2007, I plan several knitting-related things.

• Use up the stash. No yarn buying until the stash is reduced by 1/3.
• Finish the Cambridge Jacket for me.
• Knit Sahara from Stitch Diva for me, using some kind of fabulous yarn. (Still need to buy the pattern, the yarn, etc.)
• Explore the different yarn stores in New York City, getting familiar with them in advance of being allowed to buy yarn.
• Finish more projects!!

I’m also going to make a few nonknitting-related resolutions.

• Get back on track for doctor’s visits, including the dentist, allergist, etc. Perhaps try for allergy shots or acupuncture to control the allergies.
• Get to bed at a decent hour every night. No more procrastinating sleep.
• Eat lunch and dinner every day, at least. It’s pathetic to spell this out as a resolution, but I am prone to not eating big meals. I know everyone says breakfast is the most important, but I will allow that as my expendable meal.
• Generally start saving more money, which means eating in more often and packing my lunch.
• Explore New York City! Make it my own. Do so in the company of my absolutely fabulous friends.

I hope everyone is recovering from the Christmas/Hanukah blitz and getting ready for New Year’s! My Christmas week was busy, but really good. Actual knitting content is at the end, in case you want to scroll down . . . I promise.

Friday night after work, my friend (Zokni girl), her mom, and I jumped into the car and drove to Maryland. (I so very much need a nickname for her that makes sense. I’m tempted to use “Laura” (not her name, but appropriate), but there are too many other Lauras I might be talking about. I’ll think of something eventually.) We sang along with the Christmas songs on the radio and had a delightful time, despite the rain.

On Saturday I met up with Lolly for a nice long afternoon of knitting. In all we spent 4 hours together, and there was never a lull in the conversation. We talked about the intricacies of blog statistics, “celebrity” bloggers, books, New York, life in general, and more. It was sheer delight. I worked on a pair of socks for my friend EB (I don’t want to blog about them until I’ve resolved the heel), and she worked on the socks for Kris that she recently blogged about. We were too caught up in the intense talking to think to take a picture, bad bloggers that we are. Next time.

The rest of the weekend was a blur of seeing old friends (one I hadn’t seen in 10+ years), eating good food, and cooking, cooking, cooking. Christmas day, after opening our gifts, my mom and I went directly into the kitchen and didn’t surface until my friend (yes, her again. still no nickname.) and her family came over for an extensive, many-hours-long meal. Traditionally, we get together on Christmas Eve (ever since my friend and I were 5 years old, with a few years off) and do zillions of appetizers at one house and many desserts at the other, trading off from year to year–no proper “dinner.” But this year was the first year after the other family moved, so we couldn’t travel from home to home. So my mom planned our first Christmas dinner together–still with zillions of appetizers, but three different entrees (salmon, braciole, spaghetti pie), and just one dessert (bananas foster tarte tatin, from the latest Martha), with three different kinds of my dad’s homemade ice cream (vanilla, cinnamon, and vanilla-raspberry swirl). There were only six of us eating this meal. We all went up a pants size that night.

My parents drove me back to New York on Wednesday, which was great because how else would I have gotten my gifts home? I must report that I received no crafting gifts–in general, I get cooking gear rather than crafting gear. The most important is the new, slim TV–I can get rid of my hulking old tube TV that I’ve had for about 12 years and which is taking up far too much space. I also bought myself new sheets, some shoe organizing stuff, and new towels!

We spent the whole day on Thursday at the Met. I’d never been, except for a lunch with a friend. We barely scratched the surface of all the museum has to offer. The American in Paris exhibit was very nice, and the rooms of Asian art were pretty empty, giving us time to stroll through at a leisurely pace. Having my parents here visiting was a lot of fun; I even taught mom how to do Magic Loop, and she’s eager to get a sock on the needles.

I stopped by the office today to get some work I need to do before Tuesday, and what did I have but a package from Laura!

Some of her own hand-dyed yarn, in a very Affiknitty color, which smells of Kool-Aid, and stitch markers that had me squealing with delight: They’re little peppermints. How utterly perfect. With a handful of starlight mints thrown into the bag, I couldn’t be happier. Thank you so much Laura!

In my down time I’ve been knitting away on the cardigan for me using the reclaimed yarn from a sweater I knit for the Ex years ago (it didn’t fit right, so I took it out last year to knit him a new one). I chose the Cambridge Jacket from Interweave Knits Summer 2006, and I finished the back yesterday. It’s knitting up fast–size 8 needles are such a change from size 2s, since I’m usually knitting socks. Here’s the progress:

I hope to have the fronts done by Monday, at least!

My mom started collecting these glass Christmas trees when we lived in Taiwan; they were supercheap and pretty. When we got back to the states, we were surprised to discover that they sell here for a great deal more money. Needless to say, Mom’s collection didn’t grow after that. Still, she has dozens, and puts them out every year on their glass dining room table. It wouldn’t be Christmas without them.

A Christmas wrap-up post, with an eye to 2007, to come . . .

More holiday decorations in my new city! My dear friend Num Num said that she loves seeing her city anew through my eyes. I hope you enjoy it, too. Another friend used a photo of these lights as his Christmas card from last year; I had to do it for myself, too. Consider this my holiday card to all of you: I couldn’t get it together to mail any out for real this year.

I actually made a video, so you could see the changing colors and hear the music, but at night my camera wasn’t quite capable, and the stars got all washed out. When I was there during the day, I don’t recall the music playing. No synergy for the video. Sorry!

I got a request for the full songlist of the CD that Rachel gave me, and here it is. I finally listened to the album in the past few days–I’d been unable to locate the cord to connect my ipod to the computer, but then it turned up next to my bed, not where i thought to look. Anyway, the album is awesome, and it quite often put a silly smile on my face. It exposed me to a few artists that are new to me, and I will definitely be looking for other things by them. Mix tapes are awesome that way–sometims I don’t want to listen to a whole album by someone new, but a mix gives me enough of a taste that I am hungry for more. Thanks again to Rachel, with Ashley’s input. Oh, and I’m not going to link all these artists; you can put them in the search engine of your choice!

1. Daydream Believer, The Monkees
2. Sing Me Spanish Techno, The New Pornographers
3. Wishing Heart, Lisa Loeb
4. King of Spain, Moxy Fruvous
5. Volare, Gipsy Kings
6. Come a Long Way, Michelle Shocked
7. Bridhouse in Your Soul, They Might Be Giants*
8. Under African Skies, Paul Simon
9. I’m on My Way, The Proclaimers
10. Take Me Home, Country Roads, John Denver
11. Superstar Okay, Fooled by April
12. Radiation Vibe, Fountains of Wayne
13. Tribute, Tenacious D
14. The Dark of the Matinee, Franz Ferdinand
15. Some Good Thing, The Wailin’ Jennys
16. Float On, Modest Mouse
17. 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy), Simon & Garfunkle
18. Godhopping, Dogs Die in Hot Cars
19. The Long Way Around, Dixie Chicks
20. Send Me on My Way, Rusted Root

*How did you know this is my favorite TMBG song of all time!?

My friend and I renewed our lapsed annual Christmas cookie decorating party this year, unfortunately without one of the original founding members and former annual host. I got to her apartment bright and early and we baked until our backs ached!

Lots of people came, lots of sugar was extruded onto gingerbread cookies and sugar cookies, and there was even a contest (in which two of the judges were color-blind. Note for next year: Have judges who can actually see the cookies for all their worth). I managed to not take any shots of my cookies this year, and instead ate my favorite (a butterfly) today. Oops!

Here you can see how the table became totally filled with decorated cookies. (I’m there in the center of the table (no Last Supper composition for me, however). Astute viewers will note that the woman sitting to my left and I are wearing the exact same shirt. We bought them together, but lived in different cities at the time!) The cookie decorating was a great time. I’m totally excited for Valentine’s Day now!

today, we’ve got some global warming in effect.

Girl, it is December 14. I don’t care that the high was 60. You just can’t wear a khaki skirt and Old Navy flip flops to work today. You just can’t.

Growing up, the accelerated class track was called “gifted and talented.” Yesterday, I was gifted by talented folks!

Ashley and Rachel got to talking and decided to make me a CD of all cheerful, happy music. Look how happy it is, it shows it right on the CD case!

I would tell you some of the songs, except I left the CD at home and I’m still at the office right now. But suffice it to say that I’m sure this will be the only CD I will be able to listen to for a while–music is just so dangerous these days!

Rachel, who mailed me the CD, included a lovely card (which I didn’t take a picture of), and this cute thing:

Computer as background for a sense of scale. It’s a keychain! She knitted the little sock. It’s absolutely adorable. I actually have a friend visiting, and was completely lacking a keychain to put the spare keys on. Now I do! It’s beyond cute.

Yesterday was really a crazy day for packages. Because I also got a package from Ashley! This one featuring an adorable card with funky string closure and a hug in a padded envelope–and what a luscious hug it is.

One of her patented* neck hugs. Mine’s in the same delicious yarn, Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk, as the one the link leads you to, in the same perfectly Minty color (excuse the yellowish light in my bathroom; it’s the brightest room in the apartment though). It’s not cold enough to wear it today (why is it back in the 50s? Remember late last week when we thought winter had arrived?), but I will get plenty of use out of it in the new year, I’m sure.

I was so touched by the sweetness of my blogger friends. I’m like Tai in Clueless, when they propose blowing off “7th and 8th” and going to see the “new Christian Slater,” and she says “Oh, you guys!” But you really have to hear it the way Brittany Murphy says it in that scene. It’s squeaky and very cute, and with the arrival of every package I say it to myself.

In other gifting news, I received the Adrienne Vittadini pattern book for the Allegra top (yay!), and Christmas presents from my mom’s brothers’ families. I can’t resist opening a Christmas present when it arrives, so here’s a peek at some of those goodies:

a little pillow that has a string to be hung (also a bar of lavender soap, which I neglected to photograph)

an amazing wreath, which smells amazing.

Not to be outdone, my houseguest went on a secret trip to get me a wreath and some pine fronds as well (before the wreath from my aunt and uncle arrived). I now have two wreathes in my home–me! I’ve not decorated for the holidays in 7 years! (I got a tree my very first year living alone.) My apartment smells amazing.

Note the apron my mom gave me at Thanskgiving: “Amateur chef, professional knitter.” Ha!

Thanks to everyone! It really brightened my Monday.

*Ok, she doesn’t really have the patent on this. But she’s the only person I know who makes them!

I always knew knitters were good souls. I knew they were a generous bunch. And when I was feeling low last week, I knew I could turn to some tried-and-true bloggers, who’ve known me from almost the very start, for some sympathy, emails, and more people to gmail chat with if I needed.

I didn’t expect the amazing responses I’ve gotten–from thoughtful suggestions for what to knit, to taking the time to share personal stories with me, and now? Sending me care packages!!

Laura, knitter over at Stream of Consciousness and editor extraordinaire, gave me THIS:

Two skeins of Koigu KPPPM, featuring greens and browns–maybe a little bit mint-chocolatey, hmmm? The card is a sweet little Hello Kitty card.

Three different kinds of chocolates–featuring a lot of almonds, which I adore, and delicious dark chocolate. Back when I filled out that 48 things you didn’t want to know, it asked about favorite flavors, and I totally neglected my beloved almond!

Gosh, Laura, thank you so so, so so much. I’ll definitely knit something special out of this yarn. Care packages really deliver on their name: you feel so cared for!

(I feel in the interest of not playing favorites, I should say publicly that my old coworkers sent me a care package last week. It featured next to no knitting content (though they did give me a copy of Subversive Cross Stitch), which is why I didn’t post about it. It sure made me laugh, though–it was as if someone walked down the hall saying, “Let’s cheer Erin up!” and they all grabbed whatever was handy to send me. I got plastic toys (some I recognized from people’s desks), copies of funny resumes, and even some allergy medication. Oh, also last week one friend sent a cute bouquet, and another Godiva chocolates! All the love fills my heart to bursting, everyone.)

I leave you with another shot of lights on trees. I found this whole courtyard full of them and made a special detour, despite the freezing, windy weather, to snap some shots tonight.

Thanks for all the comments on the last post! The spam is back under control. But keep commenting!!!