Compulsive ~ a strong, irresistible impulse to act (i.e., to knit) and
Obsessive ~ to occupy the mind excessively (thus this blog)
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| Knit by Nora
Compulsive ~ a strong, irresistible impulse to act (i.e., to knit) and
Obsessive ~ to occupy the mind excessively (thus this blog)
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Thursday, May 22, 2003 Vacation All I Ever Wanted We will be in Telluride for the weekend, then hitting the road in southwest Colorado. I will be back on-line at the end of next week. The flight time in the air is six hours each way, plus airport waiting time. I expect to accomplish much knit-wise as Milano (tank!) and Bucket O’Chic (to match Pagan) are going west, also! 
Today’s Knitting News Pagan is done being knit! If I have time tonight, it will be blocked. Do you think ASC will roll after being pinned for a week? The best part of this knit-along was seeing everyone’s different approach to the style and technique aspects of Pagan. I learned from each of you! I used the three-needle cast off for the shoulders and like it better than the bumpy shoulder seams on my white Pagan. And I definitely want one more Pagan this summer done in the round with sherbet colored stripes in a v-neck! posted by Nora | 1:43 PM Wednesday, May 21, 2003 New Temptations I received the 2003 Summer Supplement from Patternworks. It features a ton of scarves. This trend just keeps picking up steam. I like a pattern from Rebecca #25 for a summer cardigan that would work at the office instead of a blazer. Layering clothes is necessary as it is usually refrigerator-like at my office when steamy outside in the summer. It calls for a linen yarn, but I really need to knit down stash at this point. My blog has been a dog this week (no offense to puppies intended), both the editing portion and the site really suck. It is really slow to load; I am surprised anyone is reading it. Blogger has this to say, “Heads up. Over the next couple weeks, we will be moving people over to a new version of Blogger. It's basically the same, as the old one but should work better. So if things look different one day, don't be too surprised. (FTP users: Be sure to read the release notes about passive FTP and the new IP.)” Should work better? Don’t they know? Today’s Knitting News I knocked a lot of Pagan off last night watching television and will get a little in today at lunch. Photo of progress will be posted tomorrow. I totally cried during Buffy’s last episode. My favorite, poor Spike was toasted saving Buffy. I loved his Billy Idol look. Mark and I played Idol’s White Wedding when we married. Billy Idol has a great live, acoustic CD out. I cannot get it off of Mark. So, Farewell Buffy, I will miss you kicking butt each week. posted by Nora | 10:29 AM Tuesday, May 20, 2003 Catnip Mouse Knit-Along 
I would be a bad cat mommy if I did not join Wendy’s catnip mouse knit-along. Mick and Bowie already have hand-knit mice, these they received at Christmas made to match Mark’s sweater! This was a free pattern I found on-line that can also be felted. Mark’s sweater is a kit from Ram’s Wool. I will post details in the gallery soon (pattern, yarn, etc.). I am still working back in time at photographing older knit work and trying to locate the details about each garment. 
Today’s Knitting News I finished the front of Pagan and made it through 4 decreases on the back. Even though Pagan may not be blocked and seamed before my trip, I would like to finish the knitting. posted by Nora | 10:33 AM Monday, May 19, 2003 Oh the Anxiety! I could not find my yarn bobbins and did not have time to go buy more. In an act born of desperation, I made my own from cardboard . They worked well enough, although I need more practice at intarsia with multiple colors on one row (a two color sweater and stripes were cake-walks in comparison). There have been many moments of anxiety and panic this weekend with my cutting away the 15 rows of Hello Kitty to do it over again. Modifying the chart slightly for the bow also was tense. But all in all, it is done (nominal lumpiness) and I am satisfied. Today’s Knitting News Steamed Pagan a bit to take this photo as it is the curliest yarn I have used. The hearts look better in person and, yes, those are Mark’s and my initials. This week will be hectic as I fly off at 7:45 A.M. on Friday and have to be at the airport at 5:45. My to-do list is a mile long for lunch hours and evenings, so my knitting will suffer. I decided to still take Milano on vacation as the circular needles will be easier to deal with, I need an experience of knitting a sweater in the round and I am dying to use my new stitch markers. Pagan will be on hold until post-Colorado. 
posted by Nora |
10:35 AM
Friday, May 16, 2003 Slipped One In This month for Mother’s Day, I had a commission for a triangle scarf in red so I used Crystal Palace Splash from my stash for a quick knit. Here is a photo of the final product folded in half and tagged to go (actually gone now). It is cool enough in the Pittsburgh area to wear scarves recently! Last night at the salon where I get my nails done (and sold scarves a year ago), I was commissioned for two lightweight triangles. Chris, a hair stylist, has two exchange students from Italy and want the scarves for their girlfriends. I told her the yarn I use is Italian, will be made up in the US and go back to Italy! The boys do not go home until July so I have wiggle room for my personal knitting. Today’s Knitting News Pagan Update: I completed about 50 rows of the front of Pagan and will begin the Hello Kitty motif today. Yes, I am doing the front before the back since I have made this pattern once already. I also selected the crew neck again, not the v-neck. I am curious what versions of Pagan everyone is knitting? Hopefully the front will be done by Monday for a photo op! posted by Nora | 9:56 AM Thursday, May 15, 2003 Introducing a Modern Twinset: Maude Tank & Shrug. 
When I have the shrug on, the combo gives the impression of being one long-sleeve sweater. I think it is very modern looking. The shrug will also be great as a cool weather throw-on for plain colored tees this summer, especially with my perennial favorite, black. 
I changed the color of the crocheted fringe around the neck and back from Merlot to Lichen. Merlot was the least used yarn in the stripes and I think it was selected to use up the ball. Lichen, the color that anchors the tank’s neck and sleeves, made a better shrug trim. I have a lot of yarn left, enough for 2 or 3 Vera Bags or maybe the Backpack if I re-arrange the colors for the intarsia. Today’s Knitting News I pulled out my All Season Cotton (ASC) last night and plan to cast on the back today or tonight. I still need to chart a row of hearts for the border and decide what row to start the Hello Kitty motif. The aqua color I am using for Hello Kitty’s dress will also be used in a matching Bucket O’Chic Hat (already cast on). ASC makes a perfect summer bucket hat , try it if you have an extra couple balls. May2003.pdf posted by Nora | 9:44 AM Wednesday, May 14, 2003 Yummy Yarn I had not heard of Anny Blatt yarn or so I thought while reading L'Atelier catalogue I mentioned last week. I had seen this yarn at a great yarn shop in Princeton, NJ on a business trip in February (pre-blog). Notice that knitting permeates my work life? This Anny Blatt kit includes one skein of variegated angora yarn with matching color coordinated ribbon yarn and pattern. I saw the scarf made up and was so very tempted. The ribbon yarn reminds me of the skinny wrapping paper ribbon that you can make curls from for packages, except shinier, and the angora, is well perfect, like a cloud. 
I was not in the mood for an “Instant Gratification Project” at that time and bought the Rowan All Seasons Cotton I am going to use for the Pagan Knit-Along. I wish I had stashed this yarn, but am psyched that it is on-line. Next month, it might be my anniversary present to myself (14 years married to Mark as of June17th). Today’s Knitting News I finished Maude Shrug last night; the trim needs steamed a little to lay better. (No household chores done!) The fit was improved by making the back piece in medium. In retrospect, I would have done the sleeves in medium for a less snug feel on the upper arm. Going up at least one size in the shrug is needed for this pattern, which is strange considering how well Maude Tank fits. Pictures tomorrow! In the meanwhile, I finished my Hello Kitty chart for Pagan in navy All Seasons Cotton. This means I can start tomorrow on the 15th -- yippee. I would also like to do some color around the hem such as a row of hearts to match the two hearts by the motif, but may change my mind. Even though I swatched my last Pagan, I am thinking of swatching the motif to make certain it has good proportions. posted by Nora | 9:52 AM Tuesday, May 13, 2003 Direct from the UK 
I received another trade item last night, this time from Kerrie in the UK. Can you believe she found issue #18 of Rowan Magazine? It is incredible. In the next month or so, I may clean out my yarn stash. Trading is way fun. Today’s Knitting News I was able to complete a new back last night (2 1/2 hours) for Maude Shrug. It is still a bit damp from blocking and I am drying it on top of my computer. Since tonight is laundry night, it most likely will not get a lot of attention until Wednesday evening. Thursday is May 15th, the start of the Pagan Knit-Along and I want to get started! Take a look at my before photo and see the difference a new centerpiece will add for ease across the back of the shoulder blades. I have to say again that I love the crochet edge on this garment. I love the lavender cuffs! 
posted by Nora |
10:22 AM
Monday, May 12, 2003 My Alter Ego Emily is a character that is a lot like me about 20 years ago. (During the time I graduated from high school in 1980 until after college when I started up with Mark.) My NYC friend, Joan, gave me an Emily tee because I have a black cat, Mick, and she was my roommate during those years of badness. I think one of Emily’s redeeming qualities is being a cat lover. I like asking her black ball questions, try it! 
Today’s Knitting News Maude Shrug is done except for the crochet trim on one sleeve and around the neck and back. I hope to debut it on Wednesday or Thursday. My big dilemma is I had planned to start Milano as a vacation project, but the Pagan Knit-Along beckons. What to knit next? In the meanwhile, Bowie has no problems filling his time with play. I thought Maude Shrug was close to done until I tried it on after crocheting the 2nd sleeve trim at lunch (but before doing the neckline trim). It is too tight across the back, so I will undo the seams as the sleeves fit well and knit a new back square tonight. Right now it is about an 8" x 8" or 20cm x 20 cm. I would like a couple more inches across for comfort, the length will not change so it will still work with the current sleeves. No need to frog as I have a ton of yarn left, at least 6 complete balls and as many partials. New goal: Maude Shrug by the weekend! posted by Nora | 9:47 AM Friday, May 09, 2003 Lady Bug 
These beautiful stitch markers came from Alissa at KnittingFairy.com yesterday, the result of my first trade! I love them (hated my plastic ones), especially love the cats. Knitting Milano with these markers will be much more fun. The ladybug marker is a motif I also like as you can see from this Ladybug! Today’s Knitting News Maude Shrug sleeve #1 is done (ends woven in and blocked) and sleeve #2 is half way done. I practiced the crochet edging on my swatch and after a loose start, mastered the stitch. It is really strange feeding yarn from my left hand rather than the right (I am self taught on crochet so this may not be right). The first round is single crochet; the second is slipstitch, chain five, slipstitch, chain five, etc. and you end up with a ruffle. If I can do this, maybe I can learn to make granny squares. 
posted by Nora | 10:35 AM Thursday, May 08, 2003 My Top Ten Places to Knit Since I work full-time, have a husband and a home on 18 acres of property, time to knit is precious. These are the places I knit: 1. Anytime I watch television or a movie; 2. At lunchtime at my desk; 3. In the waiting room during doctors appointments; 4. Waiting for my car to be serviced; 5. At my hair styling salon; 6. At family functions, such as birthdays and holidays; 7. At the airport and on planes when traveling; 8. In hotels/motels when away on business; 9. At Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, Borders and other bookstores/coffee shops, and 10. In bed, but very rarely! Today’s Knitting News Sleeve #1 is knitted, ends woven and blocking. Sleeve # 2 is cast on and has about 30 rows of 180+/-. I want to practice the crochet edging on my swatch in the next day or two as it is more than a single crochet. At work there are at least 6 ladies that crochet, I am the only knitting oddball. posted by Nora | 3:16 PM Wednesday, May 07, 2003 Knitting Dreams Last night I received a catalogue from a California knitting company called: L’Atelier . It is very glossy, full of color and design inspiration. However, these people are nuts! For $75.00 a year, you can obtain a tote bag, 11 patterns, 25% off yarn and not much more that I can discern. Another snag is the yarn prices are not listed in the catalogue or on their website. Given the pricing of their yarn kits, I am guessing yarn is no deal, either. L’Atelier has put together a very sleek, high-end yarn business with expensive marketing materials. Today’s Knitting News Speaking of shrewd shoppers, I won 550 yds.—250 grams of beautiful Kabuki Red Berocco Zen on E-Bay yesterday. I have three hanks of a pale, shiny gray in the jelly closet for a tank top that I saw made up at my LYS and the Zen pattern booklet somewhere, along with the free Lucy Lu pattern from Berocco. This is a someday project, not even in the basket yet. I swing between the need for color (my current craze) and my love of neutral colors (black, taupe, gray, etc.). I will finish knitting Maude shrug sleeve # 1 today when I spend some quality time at the Subaru dealership having my car serviced. 
posted by Nora |
9:46 AM
Tuesday, May 06, 2003 It’s Me! I had to wear Maude to work today since the fit is so nice. The lichen (gray-green) trim matches one of my best silk suits perfectly! So for better hair day or worse (this is not a good hair day), here I am at the office. On a positive note, I learned how to use the timer on my digital camera, a useful feature for vacation. 
Today’s Knitting News I re-evaluated the time the shrug will take to make and will be happy to have one sleeve knit; the ends (200+) woven in; and the blocking done by the weekend. Next week will be the 2nd sleeve. I want to take this “twin set” on vacation. Can you tell that I am counting the days? (Only 16 to go.) posted by Nora | 10:37 AM Monday, May 05, 2003 News There is a new yarn store in the Pittsburgh area called Knit and Bead. When summer is in full swing (June or July), I plan a pilgrimage to check it out. Knit and Beads is located in one of the older, trendy sections of the city with many privately owned shops as well as national shops (Sephora, flagship Banana Republic, etc.) While perusing for knitting news, I ran across an article about an author who seems to detest knitting but is willing to publish a book for $24.95 about the topic. Two knitting blogs are mentioned (Knitology and TwistedSpinster), as well as our knitting blog culture. This is definitely a book NOT to purchase. Today’s Knitting News Introducing Maude Tank!! It is interesting that my carpet at work is very similar to Mission Falls color Lichen. I stayed up until almost midnight to finish it last night and I am paying for it today. Part of my compulsive-obsessiveness is a devotion to deadlines, partly originating from my work in healthcare. I am the editor of our employee newsletter, write monthly/quarterly progress reports and write proposals in response to request for bids from various States--- all deadline oriented. It carries over to my knitting. So when I said I would have a photo of a completed Maude on Monday, I was unswerving from the goal. 
posted by Nora |
12:28 PM
Saturday, May 03, 2003 Surprise! I am online at home on a Saturday! My office set me up with a laptop and connection (for work, of course, not blogging). I left my digital camera connection is at the office. photos might be a weekday activity as to spare the expense of a 2nd cable. Do you believe me? Take bets on when I get a 2nd cable this summer. Also, the connection is so much slower. Now I see why many bloggers keep knitting at hand. I will have to set up a new knitting basket by my desk. Perhaps I can make it faster by having you click to view photos rather than displaying all on the daily blog. Thanks to everyone who is patient enough to wait for my site to load, I appreciate it. Today’s Knitting News Went to LYS yesterday, just for magazines. Alas, some yarn following me home. My addiction to All Seasons Cotton (ASC) knows no end. But the ASC was not solid but mixed shades of grays with white and denim blues with white, along with other colors such as coral, aquas, etc. I purchased two balls of each, I’ll admit it, for two more Bucket O'Chic hats. I have enough ASC for four, yes four hats with no thoughts of gifting, just me…. The positive slant is that I can whip one off in a couple of days. After 3 more tanks. Also, picked up brown mix Cubetto for a belt, later. Maude shrug is on her way. I knitted the square for the back that the sleeves join onto and it is blocking. I am about ½ way through sleeve # 1. Sunday I will finish Maude tank that is also blocked, then back to the shrug. My goal is to finish knitting by next weekend. Photos on Monday! posted by Nora | 3:24 PM Thursday, May 01, 2003 Take A Closer Look These books and booklets are available for a trade. See the April 29th blog entry for more information. Mission Falls East & West has gone to the UK as of 5/3/03! Colinette.pdf Books.pdf posted by Nora | 12:04 PM Circa 1988 As I am knitting limbo with blocking a finished piece and casting on a new one, I am doing yet another retrospective. But instead of recent work, I pulled out my very first sweater. This red wool with black nubbies was done in January and February of 1988. The coral mohair with black windowpanes followed. At the time, loose, tunic style tops were hot over skinny little leggings (black with both of these) and tight little boots. There is no shaping in the body, not even for the sleeve inserts. I made large shoulder pads for the coral sweater and it was so stylish, I was offered $200 for it that year. I do not think I used patterns at the time but had an "Elizabeth Zimmermann" type of mentor. Things have really changed in knitting and fashion. I made one more sweater that year, for Mark. We were not married at the time and are in our 14th year of marriage. The boyfriend myth is not reliable. I will show you his knitwear in the future.  
I am out until Monday, unless I learn how to connect this weekend from home by dialing from a new laptop into my work computer and jumping on-line. If that happens, the possibilities open up for home surfing! posted by Nora | 11:39 AM |
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