Knitting at the Beach

This past weekend - I spent some time knitting at the beach. The day was so unbelieveably beautiful! I love the beach! I would live there if it weren't so fiduciary irresponsible to my current status. tee hee.. I made two flower dishcloths and one that says yarn girl. I'm working on another one with the words yarn ho on it - but I don't want to give it to someone who would be offended. But those who are yarn ho's (and you know who you are) may just find one in your mail box in the near future... I found these patterns here.

I met some really nice ladies and tried to save a jellyfish that just wouldn't stop washing up on the beach. So I left it alone and let it finish its life. I even left my knitting needles for about an hour and walked down the beach with my new friends. I should've taken more photos - but I was so enthralled with all of the nature at the beach and just happy that the weather was balmy and I even got a little bit of a tan....

Book Covers...

How many times have you come across the unexpected in your knitting? Well last week when I was out and about – I came a across a man who was crocheting. Yes a man. He was sitting outside the McArthur Bart Station in Oakland and I saw him and thought hmmm….a homeless guy who crochet’s for money. Ok that’s a good idea. I smiled – and said hello and told him that I knit and he said he – if you’re a knitter you should have your needles with you! But of course I did – what other reason is there to carry a big purse. He then explained that he can’t knit but would be happy to teach me anytime how to crochet.

I started to walk away and get back to my travels and then decided – I want to learn something new today. I wasn’t hesitant to sit and crochet with a stranger because of the smile he had on his face and the people he spoke to while he was making a hat.

The truth of the matter is – he like everyone else has had some tough times. He had a period in his life where he wanted to jump out of the rat race and just be anonymous. He said that his grandmother had given him a Bible and told him he needed to go to church. Well – he ignored her plea – but kept the Bible. He dropped out of sight for about three to four months and his family was crazy with worry about him. As it happens on Bart sometimes – there are incidents on the train that news crews happen to show up. His sister’s saw him on the news and were thrilled that he was alive.

Anyway – he said his life started to turn around because he picked up the Bible his granny had given to him and read it cover to cover (thank God for praying grandmothers). He also said three to four months ago – he could not have cared less about his Bible - nor could you have spoken to him about religion in any shape form or fashion. He now has folks coming to pray with him, have Bible study with him and just give him a kind word.

There was a bus driver there when I met him and after he walked away to finish his route, Rick told me that the bus driver walked up to him one day and said – you will make 200 hats this week…don’t worry about where the yarn is going to come from. He said Nicol – do you know that I made 500 hats that week and the yarn just kept pouring in from all kinds of people.

Turns out – he’s not homeless (didn’t Mom tell you not to judge a book by its cover?). He decided this is what he wants to do. Crochet hats for a living. He is self taught and has in the last three years created over 5,000 hats. He’s donated some to the Oakland’s Children’s Hospital to the kids in the cancer ward. He’s given to mothers who have lots of children but need warm hats for the winter. A kind hearted soul.

During the time I spent learning how to crochet – about 10 or so people got off the train and said hello, said I will be back for my hats, or placed an order with him. The longer I sat there – the more I knew I’d made a good judgment call stopping to get a free crochet lesson. By the way – he crochet’s one hat every hour. He’s there everyday and would be happy to teach you how to crochet if you ask. By the way - if you stop by there – tell my new friend Rick I said hello. (Oh yeah – I had my son take two boxes of yarn to him in exchange for my free lesson)

Glutton for Punishment

Am I a glutton for punishment or what? I was perusing my local yarn store on Sunday to learn a stitch I’d not done before. Nothing wrong with that – people do it all the time. I saw this beautiful lace shawl and decided – I can do that. The yarn is so sumptuous and soft and I know I should have kept my hands to myself – but how does one go into a yarn shop and not fondle all the pretty yarn?

So I read the pattern and thought hmm this looks fairly easy – the instructions are clear. I mean really – how hard can it really be? I’m an intelligent person who can read patterns. This can’t possibly be that hard. I was more wrong than two left shoes. It makes the Lady Eleanor shawl look like knitting 101. How come nobody told me that the silk yarn will slide back and forth over the needles causing you to drop stitches that you can’t really see because the yarn is so fine? How come nobody told me that you need peace and quiet to do lace? And how come nobody told my I would stab my fingers way more than I do when I check my blood sugar? I guess I’m just a glutton for punishment.

And to make matters worse – I stumbled on to a blog that has the tessellating fish afghan on it. I know the colors that I want to use – of course none of them are already in my stash…that would be way to easy right? In order for me to create the fish blanket – I gotta de-stash what I have now. I have decided to only buy yarn for projects that I am currently working on. Yeah I know every knitter goes through this – but I will do my best to make it happen. Am I laughing while typing this? Absolutely!!! I mean it! No more random yarn buying! OK now I’m laughing so hard I'm crying! I managed to tickle myself with that one. Seriously…stop laughing! It’s not funny…ok I’m still giggling…

SANDAL PLEDGE

Please raise your BIG TOE and repeat after me: As a member of the Faux Paux Sisterhood, I pledge to follow the rules when I wear sandals and other open-toe shoes:

1. I promise to always wear sandals that fit. My toes will not hang over and touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. And the sides and tops of my feet will not pudge out between the straps

2. I will go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh,intact and chip-free. I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe

3. I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow

4. I will shave the hairs off my big toe

5. I won't wear pantyhose even if my misinformed girlfriend,coworker, mother, sister tells me the toe seam really will stayunder my toes if I tuck it there

6. If a strap breaks, I won’t duct-tape, pin, glue or tuck itback in to place hoping it will stay put. I will get my shoefixed or toss it. No matter how much it hurts

7. I will not live in corn denial; rather I will lean on my good friend Dr. Scholl's if my feet need him

8. I will resist the urge to buy jelly shoes at Payless for the low, low price of $4.99 even if my feet are small enoughto fit into the kids' sizes. This is out of concern for my safety,and the safety of others. No one can walk properly whenstanding in a pool of sweat, and I would hate totake someone down with me as I fall and break my ankle

9. I will take my toe ring off toward the end of the day if my toes swell and begin to look like Vienna sausages.

10. I will be brutally honest with my girlfriend/sister/coworkerwhen she asks me if her feet are too ugly to wear sandals.Someone has to tell her that her toes look like they've beendragged behind her car on the way to work and no sandal in the world is going to make her feet look good

11. I will promise if I wear flip flops, that I will ensure theyactually flip and flop, making the correct noise while walkingand I will swear NOT to slide or drag my feet while wearingthem

12. I will promise to go to my local beauty school at leastonce per season and have a real pedicure (they are about $15and worth EVERY penny) I say spend another $15.00 and get a even better one.And finally...

13. I will promise to throw away any white/off-white sandalsthat show signs of wear...nothing is tackier than dirty whitesandals...

Dog Days of Summer

Do you knit, or crochet, or do both? How long have you been knitting\crocheting? I am currently a knitter…would love to learn how to crochet

Have you knit dishcloths or dishtowels before? I have only knit a set for myself

What are your favorite cotton yarns? Is there a cotton or linen you’ve been dying to try but have not? My favorite is Lion Brand’s Cottonease but would love to dry the CotLin that Knitpicks sell

Are there any cotton yarns you don’t enjoy knitting with? I haven’t met a cotton I don’t like

What type of needle do you prefer using? (Metal/Wood/Plastic) Metal – addiTurbos all the way

What other projects do you enjoy knitting or crocheting? I am learning to like socks.

Do you have other hobbies or enjoy other kinds of crafting? I make jewelry as well

What kind of treats do you like? Chocolate? Candies? Nuts? I love Lorna Doones and Pecan Sandies and those pink Peanut Patties I can only find in Texas

What colors are your kitchen and bath decorated in, if any? Black & White

What are your favorite colors and what colors do you dislike? I love all colors!

Do you drink coffee? Tea? Other beverages? I drink Might Leafy Tea (mightleaf.com) my favorite flavor is the Mint Tea

Do you have any kids (human or pet variety!)? I have two boys

Do you have any allergies? Allergic to smoke

Please share 3 tidbits about yourself that you think your pal and other swappers might find odd or interesting. I absolutely love to eat peanut butter and cheese sandwiches. I refuse to ever eat sushi/shashimi again (it ain’t natural). I love to buy shoes – but you will find me barefoot most of the time.

iPhone

I cannot say that I don’t want one. I do – but not for practical reasons . I wanna be one of the cool kids on the block with the cool new toy. I don’t need it. I want it. I am currently riding public transportation to work (BART) and having a cell phone and an iPod in one unit would be more ideal for me. I don’t like having two devices to navigate while knitting. I mean really – what knitter wants to put down her needles and take off her head phones to answer the phone for a “Mom, can I ………? (insert previously denied request here) call. My time with my iPod and my needles are my sanctuary from Goldie - you know the guy with the nappy chest hair who wants to talk to you and you haven’t given him the slightest reason even speak to you. OK granted the knitting needles are always an open invitation for the perennial – what are you making question – but I don’t wanna be hit on! Anyway – with all of the hype – I wanna be caught up in the hype and have a cool new toy to play with use. I tell you I couldn't convince Honey Bear to spring for one. I’ll quite playing the role of the spoiled brat and be happy that he hasn’t commented on the yarn stash that doesn’t seem to be depleting no matter how man projects are on the needles. *SIGH* still lusting after the iPhone….

Virtual Vacation Swap

This is my virtual vacation swap questionnaire. I read this and realized I am getting really boring in my old age….

1. If you could visit any state in the US , which would it be and why?
Florida – I love the weather and the beaches

2. If you could visit any country in the world, other than your own, which would it be and why? Greece – It’s a beautiful country that still looks untouched by tourists.

3. Have you ever driven across several states/providence/countries?
Yes – I’ve driven from Dallas to New Orleans on a girls only road trip.

4. Have you ever visited someplace you consider exotic? Where was it?
Not yet! (unless you count las vegas - I saw some exotic looking people while there )

5. What was your favorite "travel" vacation? Why?
My favorite vacation was to New Orleans . The food and music were incredible.

6. Have you ever played tourist in your own home city/state (if international, country)? Explain. No

7. Are you a museum visitor, beach comer or an amusement seeker? Beach comber

8. What's your favorite type of yarn? Debbie Bliss Cotton Denim

9. What's your least favorite type of yarn? Red Heart acrylic

10. What items do you like to knit/crochet? I love to knit dishcloths – instant gratification

11. What do you pack, knit/crochet wise when you go on vacation?
dishcloths, small baby items

12. What other crafts do you do/would like to do other than Knit/Crochet? jewelry

13. Are you allergic to anything? (Yarn wise or treat wise)
walnuts – all yarn is safe with me

14. What is your favorite color? Least Favorite?
Favorite color is any shade of blue or green. I don’t have a least favorite

15. Sweet or Savory (Treat not personality)? Sweet

16. Anything else we are forgetting to ask that you think your partner desperately needs to know?
No
http://virtualvacationswap.blogspot.com/

So I was visiting one of my favorite blogs Grumperina and she had this cool looking blanket called the Curlieque Coverlet on her site. I went on a mission like a mad woman to find this blanket – ordered it and began. Now I realize that I should have heeded the warning about it being a difficult project. That wouldn’t be any fun if I did that. I with my cotton yarn and KnitPicks needles in hand went on a mission. I completely struggled through and frogged the first section of the blanket – fourt times. Once I finished Section one – I went on to section two. This is my progress so far. I’ll keep ya updated. I’m sooo ready to pull my hair out working on this one right now. I need to concentrate on this with no one in the room. Lots of counting – but I refuse to give up on it.

Wahoo!!!!

Today is my birthday!! Most people don't celebrate their birthdays once they get past 25 - which I find hilarious. I heard a lady once describe her 36th birthday at the 11th anniversary of her 25th birthday - i thought ok. So I am celebrating the 12th anniversary of my 25th brithday! I will post photos later of some stuff that I do today....I'm almost done with my Denim Lady Eleanor Shawl from the book Scarf Style by Pam Allen - editor of Interweave Knits. Down to one skein!!!!! This is soooo ecxiting! I know it's to warm to wear it right now - but this is a feat to be reckoned with. I started this shawl one week after mothers day - so I'm excited that it's almost done. Since I've been taking BART to work and knitting a lot of comments - all positive on how intricate this pattern really is. One man started to tear up because he said he'd not seen anyone knit since his mother knit in Japan years ago as a child. He said that it made hime remeber all of the good things she used to knit for him and his ster. A couple of best friends said they couldnt figure out how to do this - so I let them practice a few short rows on it. Another lady completely unrolled it and fondled it while I was knitting on the other end. I had no idea how many people were enamored with knitting. And the one day that I didn't have it with me - apparently I'd made an impression because another lady who rides the train asked me where was the beautiful shawl I was working on! I have to say - you can make friends anywhere when you have some knitting needles in your hand! oh yeah....happy birthday to me!!!

I know I know I haven’t updated this blog in awhile. I’ve been working! YAY income is always good. Anyway – I gave up on the pink Lady Eleanor Shawl I started. I had too many mistakes in it and tried very hard to frog the shawl. Imagine my surprise when I found out that when knitting with small needles with Noro Silk Garden – it tears every six inches or so. So I had to just throw it all away. Oh the pain of tossing all of that work. That lesson has been learned. So what did I do? I purchased some more Noro Silk Garden in the hard to find denim color way and used the correct sized needle and would you believe I’m almost done? (The photo on the left of the greenish blue is actually hanging form my dining room chair.)I thought that it would take me about three or four months to complete it – but it’s been only since mother’s day (about five weeks) that I’ve been working on it and look at my progress. I’m soooooo stoked and ready to wear it. Never mind that it’s 87 degrees right now – but fall will come again soon and Lady E and I will become close friends.