Model dog

Paul's scarf is grey like the Dodgeman.

Across the Universe

I saw Across the Universe this weekend and really enjoyed it! There was a song or two I probably would have edited out, but if you love weird movies and Beatles songs, you'll enjoy this movie!

Scary cute

Last week I visited my sister Abby and bro-in-law, Chad, in Chicago. Abby and I went to a pumpkin-carving party and carved this kitty pumpkin.

Knitting projects update: the weather suddenly turned fall cool this week, and I thought I'd better get started on Paul's scarf, since the Red Scarf Project took me a lot longer than I expected. I'm doing the same Yarn Harlot pattern, but with four fewer stitches--this seems to make the knitting go more quickly!

I'm knitting the second cuff of the Retro Redux shrug (you knit cuff to cuff, then pick up stitches for the collar and body). I took this project to Chicago, but failed to pack a second ball of yarn--I had knit all the yarn I brought the first night--and sadly I didn't take anything else to work on.

Instead I read a lot in Sin in the Second City: Madams, Ministers, Playboys, and the Battle for America's Soul by Karen Abbott, which was just the nonfiction, salacious, Chicago read I desired for my trip. I had a great time!

Guest bloggers: Red Scarf Project

Susan C.






Scarf 1
Yarn: Lion Brand / Vanna's Choice / 100% acrylic
Color: Brick
How much: approx. 250 yards
Hook Size: U.S. K
Pattern: 20 stitches wide in a single crochet
Finished dimensions: 7 inches by 60 inches

Scarf 2
Yarn: Lion Brand / Vanna's Choice / 100% acrylic
Color: Dusty Green
How much: approx. 250 yards
Hook Size: U.S. K
Pattern: 20 stitches wide in a double crochet
Finished dimensions: 7 inches by 60 inches

Notes/thoughts:

These were really easy to make and went by really quickly. I'll have to make some more. Even though the yarn is acrylic, it is super soft. I normally avoid all things acrylic because I find it too itchy, but I will be making one of these for myself. I think my favorite is the double crochet. It's more lacy (but not necessarily feminine), and I love the green color. On a different note, I love to think that my scarves will help keep someone warm whom I have never met. Something about that just gives me a warm fuzzy. :-) I hope he or she enjoys it.

Leslie H.


Yarn: Patons / SWS / 70% wool & 30% soy
Color: Berry
How much: approx. 330 yards
Needle Size: U.S. 9
Pattern: 26 stitches wide in 2 X 2 rib

Sarah H.




Yarn: Knitpicks / Swish Superwash Worsted / 100% superwash merino wool
Color: Red Pepper
How much: approx. 375 yards
Needle Size: U.S. 7
Pattern: 34 stitches wide in Yarn Harlot's pattern (*K2, ktbl, P1, repeat to end, K2)
Finished dimensions: 6 inches by 63 inches

Notes/thoughts:

I love this yarn. I wove in the yarn ends and threw the scarf in the wash because I had been sick while knitting part of it. I didn't want to give a germy scarf! It did not shrink or felt in the wash, but came out softer and lovely. I ordered this yarn online and was surprised by how bright red it is! I hadn't knit a scarf in a year or so--I forgot how time-consuming it can be. I got a little bored near the very end, but knitting for the Orphan Foundation was inspiring. I'd like to do it again next year.
Doesn't Dodger look demure?

What now?

I've been working along my bulky poncho, making pretty good progress, although a week ago I read the cable pattern backwards and had to spend what felt like two hours tinking back the stitches.

But now something truly bad has happened--my beloved Denise needle broke! Now that the poncho is longer, it is very heavy, and my hands get quite a work out when knitting it; I'm sure there was a lot of pressure on the needles. Maybe the cord was twisting and I didn't realize it? It just popped as I was knitting.

I am a devotee of Denise interchangeable needles and use them almost exclusively for everything I knit. Luckily, I can order a new cord. I guess that's all there is to do? Order a new cord and transfer the knitting to it? It's a very long length and I had to connect two cords together to make it; I don't have another laying around!

What I'll probably do very soon is start a new project.

Lost in the shuffle

Here are some things I made in July as presents for my friends. I just realized I never blogged about them. The first is a bunny that I made for a care package I sent my friend Leslie when she moved from Memphis, Tennessee, to Mountain View, California.

The set of four napkins were for my friend Andy, and I hope they are a bit of payment for all the help he and my very good friend Candyce, his wife, gave me when I moved this summer! Moving my half ton of stuff in extreme heat was no easy task, and I owe everyone big time.

Click on the napkins to see a larger image. The embroidery patterns are from Sublime Stitching.

Gettin' tired

I'm excited about participating in the Red Scarf Project this year. But I have scarf fatigue! When will the scarf end?!

FO and WIP

Cabled Poncho in progress, and a Nautie for Paul all wrapped up (or should that be woven in?). I'm finally using that bulky green yarn! I think the nautilus should be suspended from a ceiling with fishing line.