An Ode to Ysolda

or Who I Spent Summer with...

If you are on Ravelry, you can't NOT know who Ysolda Teague is. But in case you aren't, or don't, let me tell you. Ysolda is a 20 something designer of the first rate. Her designs have appeared in the on-line knit 'zine Twist Collective as well as several print magazines. She has just self published her second booklet, Whimsical Little Knits 2, and has many other designs available on her site. Though I have yet to meet her personally, I did spend my summer with her in the most enjoyable way. By knitting her designs, one after the other.

In August I showed you some of Ysolda's hats I was making, though I never got around to showing you the final pic of Rose Red Redux:

And my first post back was all about Ishbel. Here are some of the other things I didn't blog about this summer:

Ice Dragon

Pattern: Snapdragon Tam

Yarn: Madeline Tosh Worsted

Fiber: wool, merino

Colorway: Iceberg

How Much: 1 hank

Needles: KP Options 4 mm and 4.5 mm

Ice Dragon Flippity-Tips

Pattern: Snapdragon flip-tops

Yarn: Madeline Tosh Worsted

Fiber: wool, merino

Colorway: Iceberg

How Much: 1 hank

Needles: KP Options 4 mm

Damson

Pattern: Damson

Yarn: Sundara Fingering Silky Merino

Fiber: 50% silk, 50% merino

Colorway: Secrets Kept

How Much: .8 hanks (400 yds)

Needles: KP Options 4 mm

Oh My, What a Lovely Cape you Have

Pattern: Emily capelet

Yarn: Madeline Tosh Worsted

Colorway: Duchess

How Much: 2 hanks

Needles: KP Options 5.5 mm

(This has been finished and blocked. I just need a good photo, so you'll be seeing this again!)

But wait, there's more. Because I still plan on making... to be continued

It's the Little Things

The summer was mostly a blur of Selfish Knitting. Shawls were the order of the day, with hats second and gloves/mittens in third place. But it seems those days are numbered. I have things to knit for other people. Sad but true.

My niece T just turned 7 there is a sweater needing to be made and sent back with her grandmother in just a few weeks. There is a poncho needing to be started for a dear friend (and believe me she must be a dare friend because Tante don't do no ponchos!) and hat still to be made for the Cheerleader. I have given her the opportunity to decided if she still wants Gretel or something more Married Ladyish.

And then there is the set for Mimi. Mimi's mommy is my friend and co-worker and Mimi's mommy wanted a nice hat and mittens to go with Mimi's new charcoal gray Shabbos coat.

A Hat for Mimi
Pattern: Child's Lace Cap CH-3 (Fibertrends)

Size: 4-5 yrs

Yarn: Berroco Pure Merino

Weight: Aran Weight, put up 50 g, 92 yds.

Used: 2 balls

Colorway: Posy

Needles: KP Options 4mm & 5mm

Mittens for Mimi
Pattern: Basic Cuff Up Mittens

Size: 4 yrs

Yarn: Berroco Pure Merino

Weight: Aran Weight, put up 50 g, 92 yds.

Used: less than 1 ball

Colorway: Posy

Needles: KP Options 3.5mm & 4mm

Fortunately there are a few balls left over because Mimi's mommy also wants a matching scarf. I want to incorporate the lace pattern. Still working on ways to stop the edges from rolling, a garter stitch edging is just not what is called for. I'm thinking of a i-cord edge. It's something I've been using for a soon to be blogged about project and I like how it's looking. I'll keep you posted.

Resurfacing?

Hello Blog World,

I know I have been absent for a good, long while. Certain friends remind me of this quite often. I've been a private place for a while. It was a hard return back to reality after my trip home. I felt restless. And wordless. So I just made some quiet time. Gathering my thoughts. Contemplating life. And knitting of course.

And now that same restlessness that took me away from my writing has sent me back. So stay tuned. I have pictures and stories and knitting to share. And just to prove I really mean it, I'll leave you with a couple of FO photos and a lovely piece of news:

Dirty D'Ishy

Pattern: Ishbel by Ysolda Teague

Size: Large

Yarn: Sundara Fingering Silk Merino

Colorway: Dirty Denim (Limited Edition yarn)

Yardage: about 375 yds

Needles: 4 mm (US 6)

And the news... The Cheerleader is engaged to be married! Mazel Tov!!!!

Nearing the Zero Hour

My time here is slipping away. I now look around with a hint of sadness knowing I am saying goodbye to my family once again. Perhaps for another year...

I had a great time at the cabin. Even took a few pictures which I hope to post once I get home. My dad's cabin was much less rustic than expected and I especially loved my bedroom. The bed was the most comfortable I had ever slept in and a work of art as well. It came up to my shoulders and I had to climb a couple of steps to get up there. (Yes I took a picture!) The property has work to be done, which is what my dad wanted, so I look forward to seeing the progress the next time I come back.We visited several little cities/towns near Pioneer like Sutter Creek, Amador, Volcano and Pine Grove. They all had cute little shops and we just wandered around them. My dad had noticed a little yarn store in the Pine Grove and we decided to stop in and see what they had. 95% acrylic as expected. But there was also Cascade: 220, Superwash, Luna and Sierra. And most excitingly the owner had just brought in some Pagewood Farms Yukon and Denali that I picked up for an incredible price. Seriously!

We went walking around during the day and at night we watched a video (yes video, as in VCR!). There is no television reception so they've acquired a decent sized collection of videos from thrift stores. As the honored guest I got to choose and while we watched Breakfast at Tiffany's I finished Milkweed. I added 6 extra rows since I had the yarn, and got a bit more width out it. I haven't blocked it yet, waiting until I get back home to my blocking wires, but I think it's beautiful! I even got in some time on Clapotis and my Melody Shawl (more to come on that one!)

Thursday evening finished with a visit with my grandmother and then back to my mom's house. Friday morning a successful foray into the City and, finally, some decent shopping. Macy's One Day Sale was announced for today, which was of course off limits. Fortunately their Preview started Friday. In fact, according the receipt, I saved over $600. Everything was about 75% off and with an additional 25% coupon, so I'm good for a while!

So all that's left this evening is to install some software on my mom's computer, pack and put away all my kitchen stuff. Tomorrow I am having coffee with my cousin, meeting up with the Mill Valley Knitting group until 12, finishing up anything that needs finishing at my mom's and then it's off the spend the afternoon and evening at my sister's, including babysitting the kids for a couple of hours. My flight isn't until late so I plan on making the most of the day.

The next time I post will be from my home computer. Hopefully with pictures!

Living the Good Life

Blue skies. Sunshine. I'm happy indeed. I've even been able to wear my hair down, an almost impossible feat in New Jersey. Sunday I had a great time with the Mill Valley Knitting Group. It was great to see everyone and I look forward to doing it all again this Sunday!

I've spent the last couple of days with my sister and family. I'd include my B-i-L but he's been so busy at work I've barely seen him. I ran lots of errands with my sister yesterday and even managed to get a manicure. Something I think I will have to start doing with regularity! The kids, of course, are absolutely fabulous. The big ones (S & T) are starting school this morning! And of course their mother is chairing the Back to School Coffee Whatever. So N, who starts Kindergarten at a different school, and I are hanging out. In fact we are going to head over to Starbucks to get Tante's fix as soon as this is posted.

In about 90 minutes my dad will be here and then it's off to his cabin in Pioneer. No cell reception, and I'm sure no internet, so I won't be reporting in again until Friday. I can tell you vacation knitting is going well. My Milkweed Shawl, dubbed Cosmic Milkweed since I am using Sundara Sock in Aurora Borealis, is almost done. In fact I could have cast off already but there is plenty of yarn still so I've decided to add a few more rows. I've seen people add 2 or 4 but I'm going for six. I should be finished by the time I get to Pioneer. But fear not, I have plenty of other projects to work on!

I can't believe I'm at the half way mark on my vaca. So not ready to leave! Still, I'm not thinking of any of that now. Just enjoying the now. Now, off for my caffeine fix!

Home Sweet Home

Just a quickie to say I arrived safe and sound! The fishing trip was a blast and I came close to catching a couple good ones, but one got tangled on a co worker's net and escaped and the other jumped off the hook before I completed reeling it in. It was my first fishing trip so that was ok with me. Besides, what would have I done with the fish since I was going straight to the airport!

All that fresh air made me exhausted. Although prepared with two projects for some airplane knitting I actually slept the entire flight! And I still managed to fall asleep once I got home. I can't tell you the elation I felt as I crossed the Golden Gate bridge! The moon was absolutely stunning, half full and golden yellow, lowish on the horizon. I wish I could have captured it on film to share with you. In true tourist style I asked my mom why the bridge was red and she told me she asked my father the same thing, in earnest, the first time she saw it. For those of you who might expect a gold bridge, it is indeed red! The golden refers to the Golden Gate, the straight that connects the San Francisco bay to the Pacific Ocean. For me, the bridge is a symbol of Home and I am indeed happy to be here.

I'm taking a quick break from the Shabbos cooking now. Challah has been kneaded and is rising away. The soup is up, as is the gefilte fish. Chicken is marinating for a stir fry and the cholent pot is almost ready to hit the stove. Just before I started cooking my sister called to say she and the kids were coming and could I make matzo balls for the soup, so there is still that to do, salads etc. But I'm pretty on track and very excited to see everyone earlier than expected.

I doubt there will be any pictures before I get home, but I hope to take plenty! Especially when I with my dad up to his cabin near Tahoe next week. It promises to be quite picturesque! Until Monday then...

California Dreaming

It's been hard to stay focused lately. It's summer. Not, of course, the type of summer I am used to. Thunderstorms and endless humidity are still quite foreign to me. I dream of blue skies, of a yellow sun that warms us with its rays. Of walking along the ocean. I dream, of course, of home.


And after waiting an interminable amount of time, the dream comes true tomorrow! Tomorrow I will go coast to coast. Literally. My company's yearly fishing trip is tomorrow and we will make our way down to to Point Pleasant for six hours of fishing on the Miss Michele III. It's the fourth year they are going, but my first. And it promises to be quite fun! And then it's straight to the airport. Before midnight I shall be touching down at SFO, then crossing the Golden Bridge as I make my way into Marin. I'll try to check in when I can. And by the time I return I hope the knitting world has made its collective turn towards Fall knitting. The groove should return. I dearly hope so!

Though I've slowed on my blogging a bit this summer, the knitting has continued. It has been the summer of the Shawl and few hats thrown in for good measure. I'm I'm already work on my next shawl and still deciding what to take with me on my vacation. When I come home I hope to take some serious time for concentrated (and concentration) knitting on Hanami. I'd like that ready for Succos as well. And there are always baby presents to be made. Why, a new little girl came into the world just yesterday and is in serious need of hand knit goodness...