pepperknit

I’m an apathetic blogger and blogreader these days–apologies! I’m just crazy busy all day long. I did have some time to set more photos as “favorites” in flickr, though. Here’s another taste of those shots.

More mojo-flowing encounters . . .

As you all know, I was a pathetic contest runner, in that I had no prizes at the time of the contest. So I arranged to meet Beth at The Point; she could pick her prize, and I’d get the same for the other contest winners. And we’d get to knit together, so it was the best of all worlds. I decided sock yarn was appropriate, what with me being such a sock knitter. Funnily, she chose the very yarn that I was using on the sock that killed my mojo! (I don’t blame the yarn, of course.)

Claudia Handpainted! She and Elinor each get 2 skeins of “Blue Sky,” a gentle combo of blues and creams, and Liz, the 2000th-comment winner, will get 2 skeins in “Donna’s Favorite,” which is olive greens, creams, and browns.

Aside from shopping for yarn, I also sat at the large table to knit with the rest of the Spiders. I was sitting next to a woman, Nancy (not a blogger), who was working on socks–I didn’t pay much attention. At a lull in the conversation, when I was readying to say, “So, what are you knitting?,” I looked at the project on her needles. And my brain did a doubletake. I recognized the pattern. I think I reached into her lap (how forward of me!) and grabbed one of the socks and cried, “These . . . these are my socks!” She stared at me with confusion–and perhaps horror–and then she realized what I’d meant, and I explained further. Oh, wow, it was such a thrill to see her Anastasias.

(That’s Brooklyn Handspun in the background and Katy of TeamKaty between her and Nancy.) This was my first in-person sighting of someone working on socks I’d designed, so needless to say I was rather giddy. The project I’d brought along to work on was a garter stitch scarf. Now, I’m not a scarf knitter. I don’t much care for knitted scarves, especially if they have a right side and a wrong side. But Annie has this garter stitch scarf whose width hit the color repeat in just the perfect way, and whenever I see it I find myself inexplicably drawn to it. I wanted a scarf just like it. The best yarn I had on hand to make it out of was the Hill Country Yarns in those autumnal colors–the ones I started the leafy socks out of. I never finished them, because I didn’t have quite enough yarn to finish either sock the way I’d designed them (damn top-down socks!), and anyway the variegation’s pooling on the socks wasn’t making me happy. But it’s working pretty well in the narrow scarf. Not as perfectly as in Annie’s, but it’s nice.

It’s boring knitting, but you can see steady progress, and that’s quite satisfying. I’ll knit on it from time to time; I don’t see it being finished for a while.

But that’s OK, because I just ordered yarn. I’m going to make THIS! That’s the “Shocking!” Skirt from the Winter 2004 Interweave Knits. Blogsearching reveals that this came out too soon to have ever been blogged–really, as far as I can tell, it was never knit at all. (Because if it hasn’t been blogged, does it exist? I’m not convinced.) I ordered Wool of the Andes despite it not being superwash wool, because I preferred the color choices (ok, and because I’m cheap), though I went with the same gray and black; my accent color is “iron ore,” a sort of salmon red. I’m really excited about knitting this skirt–I know people are always saying they would never be caught dead in a knitted skirt, but I’ve seen successful examples, and I’m sure it will be great. I cannot wait to cast on for it! I foresee myself embarking on more large projects–I need a break from socks.

LOST: Knitting mojo.

Sunday night, after posting the contest results, I was finishing up the first stockinette sock done with my Claudia Handpainted sock yarn. Usually when I get to the top of the first sock I put it on scrap yarn, just in case the skeins aren’t exactly the same length. This time, however, I decided it was silly–”the socks are just for me! they’ll be close enough!”–so I applied the EZ sewn bindoff. When I went to try the finished socks on, I discovered to my dismay that the cuff was too tight, cutting across the widest part of my calf.

Sigh. Time to take it out. I got 1/3 of the way around the cuff and . . . Just. Lost. Interest. I cast it aside and didn’t touch any knitting again until Thursday. I definitely haven’t touched that sock again. I even lost the urge to blog.

I was worried. Where had my mojo gone? Was it the sock rut that killed me? Since Leyburn, I’ve knit 4 socks (one pair, two individuals, none blogged). I was cranking them out fast, and I think that just ruined it for me. I need to do something else. I ordered a cross-stitch kit, but that’s not here yet despite my intense desire for it to get here already being psychically emitted into the universe (it shipped on Tuesday. WHERE IS IT?). I also found a knitting project I really want to make. A project that requires picking colors and buying yarn. Still, the mojo wasn’t back enough to really get me going.

But last night was Represent!, and I went with, what, 650+ other knitters to FIT to see the Yarn Harlot speak. Rachel was in town for business, so saved us seats among those reserved for Sit ‘n’ Knit New Yorkers. (Rachel joined the group just to RSVP for this event. Anne-Marie, who had her first baby less than a week ago [her name is Anastasia!], was amazing enough to arrange for reserved seating for us. Thanks!) So we were in the second row. Jessica and Kristy stopped by to say Hi to me, which was so nice, and I must apologize for my scattered mood–I’d just arrived, I felt like I was late, and I was trying to get a picture of what felt like mayhem. There were so many people!

As others have reported, there was yarny goodness awaiting each of us. Needles, a ball of Patons SWS, and an entreaty to knit a blanket square for Warm up America. HERE’S where my mojo came flooding back.

No, not because of the charity knitting. Not because of the communal knitting (though I enjoyed that; everyone was clicking away!). It was the challenge. Can you finish a 7 x 9 square before the Yarn Harlot is done talking? When you have no idea how long she’s planning to speak?

Oh, BRING IT.

I cast on and whipped up a blanket square. While working on it, we all listened to Stephanie’s well written and nicely delivered talk, about the relationship between knitters and the rest of the world. The yarn cited a 5 st/in gauge, but with the called-for 35 stitches, mine turned out more like 8 inches wide. I figure these things can be fudged with seaming. I did seed stitch, which I love.

I finished, and then I got antsy. So Rachel shoved her half-knit square at me, like a mother attempting to keep her bratty child quiet and occupied, and I completed the garter stitch version. (I am fascinated by the vagaries of individual gauge. My stitches turned out taller and narower than hers.)

I twiddled my thumbs once it was done, but by then it was clear Stephanie was nearly done talking. Though if I’d started another when the “Q” & A started, I’d have finished another, because that dragged on and on and on. But whatever, it got me itching to knit. I’m going to order yarn tomorrow.

So, FOUND: Knitting mojo! Thanks, Yarn Harlot!

More about the return of knitting mojo, the contest prizes, and meeting more bloggers coming up soon. Like, tomorrow.

I did not take any of these photos; rather, they’re ones that I marked as “favorites” in Flickr. Lately I’m responding to bold, colorful pictures, apparently. Please click on the photo to get linked to all the individual shots, and see more from each photographer.

“What!” Sydelle Pulaski cried.

I repeat: Wrong! All answers are wrong! Partnerships are canceled; you are on your own. Alone.

Erm . . . wait, this isn’t The Westing Game (the best book ever written–and if you’re a fan, as all those who’ve read it are, you must click on that link). But that’s what I always think when something is wrong. Amazingly, despite 75 entries, no one hit on the number of knitting books I own exactly. Let’s take a look at the numbers.

The average was 40.5.

The median (middle) number was 42.

The mode (most common) were 27, 33, 42, and 44 (three each).

The highest offered, by Robin, was 112 (egads!).

The lowest offered was a tie, MeBeth and Elinor, at 17.

How many books do I have? I’m practically embarrassed to reveal it now. Let’s take a look at my bookshelf.

That’s it. I swear. 16 books. See, what you guys don’t seem to know about me is that I am cheap. My stash is rather small too, though the way I talk about it you might not realize it. I mean, what all do I knit? Hats that I make up myself, mittens that I modify for myself, sweaters from magazines, and socks. Small things. Free Internet pattern things.

The bookshelf is not usually this “organized,” but for the photo I moved the Interweaves and other magazines to one side. My most-used books are, of course, the Barbara Walkers–both stolen from my mom. Some were gifts, but as I’ve said before, no one really gives me knitting stuff as gifts. It’s not as if I don’t love knitting books, and not that I don’t find inspiration from them. The collection is growing–I’ve added a bit in the last few months–and I expect to see it grow. There is, however, one more book that I could put on this shelf, but it’s not a reference so I don’t, but I can’t deny that it’s got knitting content. It’s also the most hysterical book I own, and I’m proud to say I worked on it.

That brings the total up to 17, so I’m going to award the contest to both MeBeth and Elinor. (How could I pick just one or the other?) I meant to get to a knitting shop this weekend to see what I could get for the prizes, but I was crazy busy and didn’t get around to it. Both of you guys email me your mailing addresses, and I promise to come through soon. MeBeth, maybe we meet at The Point and I send you on a (small) shopping spree! We’ll get another of whatever you get (or something of equal value) for Elinor.

Now for the other winner. My 2000th comment came from Liz K. from Crossroad Knits! And I couldn’t be more thrilled that she hit the number exactly, because she’s such a delightful and loving person, who I’m so happy to count as one of my friends. A long while back we discovered a shared love of great cheese, and we would email with Philly restaurant recommendations and reviews. Since I moved to New York, she’s been an enormous source of support, sharing her own stories and just being there for me if I needed someone. Her blog (which she shares with two other amazing women) is a great read, too! So Liz, please email me your mailing address, and I’ll get something (again, a mystery–bad contest runner, Minty! [slaps hand]) to you soon.

Thanks to everyone for playing! I have a lot more blogs to add to my out-of-control blogroll, and I hope to see you more often in the comments section! And since I’ve revealed my pathetic knitting book collection: What’s the book I should own that I don’t? Recommendations?

So, I know I’m a fast knitter. I’ve always been speedy, but my time knitting socks on the bus has really gotten me in an amazing groove of late. I knit a whole pair of socks in one week and then another single sock in the next two/three days. I’m nearly done with yet another sock (not a match to the aforementioned one), which is looking as if it’ll be a kneesock (yay!).

But it was all driven home to me today, when two complete strangers took the time to say something. On the bus to work this morning, a woman leaned over and said, “You are SO FAST! I’ve been watching you . . . just . . . mesmerized.”

The best compliment, though, was this evening on the subway home from dinner. A group of hipsters came on–three women and a man–and they were chatting animatedly. Suddenly they got a bit quiet, and I heard the guy say something and gesture with his hands. I looked up, and the guy repeated his hand gesture, which mimicked my knitting movements, and repeated what he’d said: “Like a ninja!”

I replied, “I can kill a man with these moves.”

They had a hearty laugh, and they asked me what I was making. I showed them the simple stockinette sock, and they asked how it changes direction, or if that’s too difficult to explain. I said, “Well, if you increase and decrease the number of stitches in a particular way, it turns the piece.” They got it. One of the women said she knit half a scarf, once. Another joked, “That’s why after Christmas everyone is wearing short scarves. Because a friend learned to knit . . .”

• • •

I am loving all the responses to the contest! I wonder: Are you guessing based on how many books you have, or just how many you think I have? Hmmm. I am not sure if I should say this, but . . . so far no one’s guessed the exact number.

Contest is open til 8pm EST Sunday! Oh, and only one guess per person. I’ll leave you with a shot I took admist the sleetstorm we had here today. My expression says it all, doesn’t it?

So that picture from the last post, of me knitting at the post office? I took it myself. Really! I used the self-timer, and I set the camera down on a woman’s package that she had propped on a small pylon. It’s totally staged–I set the camera up, set the timer, and got my hands into position. (For those who asked: the yarn is in my purse, over my right shoulder.) The self-timer is pretty long (10 seconds?), so I had plenty of time.

I’ve been using this feature and playing with my camera a lot so far this year. Why? Well, maybe partly because I live alone and if I don’t take them myself, who will? (Don’t you always wish you had a staff photographer, who would follow you around and document your life, the way presidents have?) But I’m bonded with my camera–and have no qualms about taking it out to set up a self portrait in public–because I’ve undertaken a project for the year.

I’m taking one self portrait a day. 365 days, 365 self portraits. I figure, it’s 2007: The Year of Erin, I should have a solid visual record. The photos above are just a sampling of the ones I did using the self-timer, including one on the subway, one running down the hall, and the one today, celebrating the first lunch outside of the year. I’ve taken more while holding the camera in my hand, because it’s easier–check out my Flickr set to see the rest. Edited to add: I’m participating in the 365 Days Flickr group, with nearly 3,500 other folks–some of whom started on Jan 1, but plenty of others who started on a random Tuesday. It’s just 365 Days, not necessarily 2007, so if you’re interested in participating, don’t wait!

Today is day 73, and I see no signs of flagging. I really like it. Most days, I try to think of what that day was all about, and I try to find a way to capture it. Like the post-yoga bliss after my first class since moving to New York, or my first burger at Le Parker Meridian, or heading to a potluck brunch at a friend’s. Of course, that’s not the case every day–it would be impossible–but looking back at the photos so far recalls specific memories, and I’m so happy to have them. It’s also a way to be honest with myself about where I am, what I’m feeling, how I look, who I am on this journey into my new life.

• • •

Shifting gears: We’re about to cross a milestone comment number here at Pepperknit. The 2000th commenter is going to win a prize. And because I like for contests to have a, you know, contest element, there will be two prizes. To win the second prize, guess how many books on knitting I own. (This does not include Interweave Knits issues, which are not books, but does include Rowan Magazine, because it’s so booklike.) If more than one person guesses correctly, I will do one of those random number generators to pick a single winner. (The 2000th commenter will be exempt from winning the second prize.) I haven’t decided yet what these prizes will be, but I’ll think of something. Besides, you don’t really care what it is, right? It’s all about winning, not the prize! (Or is that just how I play these games?) Anyway, it’ll be yarn or something knitterly. And if you’re a nonknitter (I know there are some of you), I’ll think of something else suitably appropriate. Contest closes on Sunday, March 18, at 8pm EST.

I finished another pair of socks this weekend. In fact, I started them late on Saturday the 3rd (did the toe while watching a movie with a friend) and officially finished them Friday night. I blocked them this past Saturday, and they were dry and ready to go by this morning. (Hello, how’s that for a fast pair of socks! One week, start to finish.) Here’s a photo of the start of the second sock, which I worked on while waiting in line at the post office. (And can I just say that the post office features the world’s slowest-moving lines that are completely full of little old ladies . . . and that night, me. On the plus side, I got about 3/4 of an inch knit while in line!)

I’d started knitting with this yarn a while back, on my way to Philly for the weekend, but that design was laid to rest. I’m not sure if I’ll go back to what I was doing there ever; I completely lost interest in it, and it was tricky. Here’s what they looked like back then (I know, totally different, right?).

Since finishing this red pair, I’ve cast on and done 3/4 of another sock that’s based on their pattern–a refinement/perfection. And I can’t show any of this knitting to you, if I ever want to try submitting the patterns. Which is just so wrong.

I hadn’t realized just how much I relish posting an FO–getting feedback, hearing similar stories. Most of all, I like the showing off! Sure, I bring FOs to work and share them with appreciative friends there, and the recipient is certainly going to be thrilled and will dance around. But it’s just not the same. I’m going to have to start something new asap so that I’ll have something else to talk about in the meantime!

I’ve got mittens to think about. Ashley mentioned this awesome resource for color charts, and I’m going to have to take some time with that site.

I’ve got new yarn I purchased and want to play with, but it might just become stockinette socks–not all that thrilling to post about.

I’ve got a dinosaur promised to an old coworker (she wants Stegs in orange). As you all understand, knitting something you’ve knit before just doesn’t have that zing. Oh, and I’ve got my own version of an apatosaurus in the works, but I’m still not entirely satisfied with the neck/body junction, though the neck is nice and curvy.

And I’ve really got plenty of stash to be planning for and using up. MD Sheep & Wool is in just under two months, and I’m allowing myself some big purchases that weekend, I think. Yes, I’m going to get over my childhood aversion to MDS&W and join you all in the fibery goodness! KnitBlogCon, right??

Ashley was on a vacation to the East Coast and managed to meet up with a few bloggers in various cities (maybe more than the three I link in this post, I don’t know); naturally she saved the best for last!

Megan had mentioned how tall Ashley is, but I still wasn’t fully prepared for her height. I am a shrimp compared with her, and I was even wearing my “tall” boots! She helpfully crouched down for this photo.

She’s just as delightful as she is on her blog–and hanging out with her was just like seeing an old friend again. I let her in on New York’s best kept secret–which apparently isn’t a secret at all, based on the length of the line to get in. It’s the burger joint in the lobby of Le Parker Meridian; the burgers are to die for, making the line and the fight for a table worth it.

Ashley and I showed each other the socks currently on our needles–mine a “top-secret” pair that I’m giving to a friend and might further develop into a pattern worth submitting, hers some pink and white self-striping Jaywalkers. Hopefully next time we’ll have more time to hang out and can actually knit together. Our lunch yesterday was perfectly delightful, and put me in the best mood for the day–anticipation before, basking in the happy times for the afternoon.

Thanks for all the Leyburn love! The recipient was thrilled, and she is as excited as I am that others want to make the socks as well. Those of you who’ve encouraged me to submit some patterns have definitely got me thinking; this means I can’t show you what’s on the needles right now (and is practically an FO), so I ought to get knittin’ on something else in the meantime that I can show. But today is Eye Candy Friday. A Project Spectrum-worthy entry, too! I took these last Saturday, when the weather was starting to get warm and feel like spring. Tamar and I ate lunch in the park and took a long walk; it was one of those excellent New York afternoons.