Screwy

This has been another of those weeks where nothing is quite working.  The children finished their school year, but Phillip didn't.  So the smallies went to Grammy's House (lucky them).  But rather than embrace our childless evenings, Phillip and I managed not to even see much of each other (he worked late doing end-of-the-year things).  I have gobs of knitting work to do, but I fell asleep before 10 PM every night this week.  I remembered my cell phone, but forgot to charge the battery.  I found my lost debit card, but there was no money in that account.  There is some cosmic balancing act afoot, and I seem to be on the receiving end.  Not that anything horrible has gone wrong, exactly, but nothing has gone extremely right, either.  Oh well, can't complain: as long as I have yarn.

Next week (not sure yet which day) I am planning to offer my very first self-published pattern for sale.  You will find it here, and on Ravelry too.  I've been working on this one since the middle of February, so I hope you will think that it's worth the wait.  It's called Sommelier, and it was inspired by all things Wine.  The buttons (funny how often it begins with a closure) have grapes on them, which inspired me to think about all the colors grapes come in, and the design unfolded from there.  It's fun to knit, really versatile, and doesn't require too much yarn.  There are two variations in the pattern, and you could easily work out others, by changing lengths, openings, and sleeves.  It's a great jumping-off place for your own ideas, or you can keep it simple and make it just as directed for a relaxing summer project. 

Next week I will also be announcing the winner of the "Name the 6-Bobbin Kate" Contest.  It's not too late to enter - just post a comment or use the contact form to send me your idea of the perfect name for the wee beastie.

And if that weren't enough to fill up next week, I'm also off to the Black Sheep Gathering, to learn spinny stuff, and stimulate the economy Mary Scott Huff-style:  Fiber Procurement, Baby, and lots of it.  I have barely any stash at all, which flatly will not do.  I'm also going to play with my friends, and hopefully make some new ones.  If you are going too, drop me a line!
 

R and R

The Smallies and I seized the three-day weekend to drive North for a long-overdue family visit.  Phillip stayed home to write a paper for Grad School.  We missed him, but he got a lot done in the thunderous quiet of our absence. 

The weather was extraordinary, which resulted in barbecues, bonfires, stargazing and tent-sleeping.

And I knitted.

Liberty Hill, Whidbey Island, WA

My sister and I planted flowers around the base of the new flagpole.

And I knitted.

Monica modelled her new purse, seated on her motorcycle

The Dreadful Damsels Motorcycle Club (that would be me, my sister Susie, and our sister-in-law Monica.  We're an extremely tough motorcycle gang) took its first ride of the season.  Where did we go?  To a shoe sale, naturally.  We may be tough, but we're not savages.  Then to the grocery for chips and beer (the 2 food groups), where several nice gentlemen admired our motorcycles, and tried not to look jealous.

After that, I knitted.

Mom humors me by smiling for a photo

My mom loved her Mothers' Day hat, both for its looks, and its fire-retardant qualities.  She suggested that I try spinning asbestos next.

Then I knitted.

What Smallies (and their cousins) do for fun in the country

Our visit culminated in a celebratory tractor-ride for the Smallies, which ended just in time for us to catch the ferry for home.  During the ferry ride, I knitted.

One of the best things about being away from home is getting to return to it.  Phillip had done no small amount of housework while we were out from underfoot.  Either he really missed us, or he badly wanted to do something other than work on his paper.  Either way, I'm happy.

And today it's re-entry.  Back to the trenches.  The rest and family time really revived me.  It seems like Summer is finally on its way, and I'm looking forward to what's next.  

I hope the rest of you fared better than I did in the bloodbath that was Sock Summit registration today.  I did get one of the seven classes that had been on my wish list, so I dare not snivel.  I know there are many (some who already had plane tickets, even) who weren't as lucky.  Take heart, would-be Summit-eers:  We didn't even know we have been in with the Cool Kids all this time.  If a bunch of knitters can create that much chaos in that short a time, world domination can't be far away.

100

Here's the little handspun cable again, awaiting some more fiber to be procured and spun up to go with it.  Looks a bit like a long straight stretch of highway, no?  Not that the knitting road is ever straight; maybe that's why like this picture.  Looking at it reminds me that knitting itself is straightforward:

Idea + String + Pointy Sticks = Fun. 

It's all the other stuff we add to the mix that makes it challenging; things like rules and expectations and other stake-raisers that can reduce the fun side of the equation if we aren't careful to keep a little perspective.

Today is my 100th blog post, in honor of which I have created the following list of

Things I Have Done 100 times Since Beginning My Blog

            Frogged 3 or more rows of knitting

            Asked the Smallies to turn off the bathroom light (x 10)

            Stayed up way too late knitting

            Talked myself down from the brink of blowing the grocery money on yarn

            Failed to talk myself down from same (What can I say? My success rate is 50%)

            Wondered what I have done to anger the Knitting Gods

            Wondered how I ever got so lucky as to have become a knitter

            Wished I were as clever/knowledgeable/experienced as my heros

            Noticed I'm getting better, just by virtue of the constant repetition

            Explained to a non-knitter that I know you can buy sweaters at the store

            Lost my stitch marker

            Lost my place in the chart

            Lost my patience

            Found inspiration

            Found solace
            
            Found Religion

100 times I have come here to spill my guts to you.  100 times I have asked myself "Who cares about that anyway?".  100 times I have surprised myself, challenged myself, laughed at myself.

Thank you for being here to do it all with me.  Here's looking at the next 100 stitches.