I feel like talking about yarn. As this is a knitting/literary blog I can do this. I am currently torn between a love/obsession of two fibers, alpaca (you know you are my true yarn love) and bamboo. I am now on my second lace project with South West Trading Company bamboo yarn. They are lovely verigations that can be mixed in with other yarn colors in the line because of how they create their verigated yarns. My simple lace scarf was done in azul and the Icarus shawl is being done in butter. Azul goes from teal to green with lovely shades of blue. Butter goes from a Sunny yellow to the same green. It's fascinating to me how the designers create this.
Currently on TV: Nothing

I finished the first chart of the Icarus shawl. I now have to knit the chart repeat 5 more times. I'm not sure how to go about it. The really bad news is that the second note of Veronica Mars Season 2 is scratched. I have to return it to Amazon, but they are sending another set out UPS Red. Grr.
Edit: I finished the first of 5 repeats of chart one on the shawl. My eyes are screaming for a break from knitting. I promise pictures at some point.
Currently on TV: Veronica Mars Season 2

I went to Unwind and received the much needed help on Icarus. I'm now 10 rows into chart 1 which equals 18 rows into the shawl. What I found out however is that you can not knit lace and watch Veronica Mars. Damn Rob Thomas for his wonderful writing. I messed up in several spots because I paid more attention to the show than the pattern. Asana Tank saved the day there mindless stockinette to knit while watching TV. Pictures coming soon.
Currently on TV: Veronica Mars Season 2

I caved and bought yarn for the Icarus shawl from Interweave Knits Summer 2006. It's bamboo yarn from Soy Silk in butter. The problem is I seem to be a very ignorant knitter. I don't get the pattern at all. I know it is feasible. I see the pattern; I see the 5 casted on stitches. I do not see where to go from there. I'm stuck and now am just knitting on the Asana tank for my mother while reading for my thesis. Help please anyone.

A website to the wonderful amazing bag (plus they are made handmade near Burbank) I bought yesterday www.boogybags.com. I also thought to post some photos of my trip to Disneyland and of my latest scarf.




Disney is a lot of fun even if you are from FL like me and think it can't be fun anymore. I've been to Disneyworld so many times. The Materhorn rocks though and I saw Mickey climbing it. The photo of the D is outside of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride which is one of the original rides at the park and Disneyland hasn't torn it down like Disneyworld did to put in the Winny the Pooh ride which isn't that good.
Also I'm taking a poll should my next project be the Icarus Shawl from the Summer 2006 Interweave knits or the long sleeve Simple Fitted Bodice from http://www.stitchdiva.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=SDS-026
Edit: One vote for the fitted bodice
Currently on TV: House Season 1.

I had to replace my air mattress today. It was sad because the new queen mattress is smaller than the old mattress but I won't need to fill it up three times a night. It was also on sale much to my surprise. I splurged on House Season 1 while at Target (it was on sale). I also bought a much needed hammer and new candles for my scounce.
Lunch was wonderful at Sweet Chari-tea where I finally caved and bought two of their wonderful handmade, leather tulip napkin ring holders in yellow and blue. I was able to read during lunch. Anne has just found out the truth about Mr. Elliot. She never liked him but this is the icing on the cake.
After lunch I went to Unwind to spend my birthday coupon. I was look for potential yarn for Carmen. I found nothing but a new bag for me and the summer and fall Interweave Knit. I also found out about new dpns coming into the store. I must have them.
On my needles is a scallop and fan scarf in a varigated blue running from a blueish green to teal. The yarn is made from Bamboo. I love it, and Sean picked it out. Photos to come.
On tv: Nothing I'm listening to Insubordiknit podcast.

I finished the knitting for my niece and before she was a month old. I am waiting for the bolero to finish drying and then will pack it up and mail it to her along with a book by Doreen Cronin.




I also have the promised picture of me in the Honeymoon Cami and a photo of my wall. My apartment is almost done being decorated.
Currently on TV: Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

I have finished with the left sleeve of the baby bolero and am on the right sleeve. Pictures soon.
Currently on TV: Coupling Season 3

I've stopped the selfish knitting for a spell and am knitting for my niece. I've already finished a baby hat and am working on a baby bolero jacket both from One Skein projects. I've started with the sleeves.
On the reading front, I've started on At Knits End. It's light bedside reading. I was given Forbidden Magic by Alok. I finished it out of love for him. I finished the Uglies Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld. I enjoyed it but it parellels Brave New World. Also read and finished Nightingale's Lament by Simon R. Green. I really like his stuff. I finished Edith Warton's last work The Buccaneers. I really enjoyed it and have started on The House of Mirth which I also enjoy. Today I took advantage of Book Castle's 50% closing sale 7 books for less than $11. I picked up another copy of Pride and Prejudice, a work by Ursala Le Guin and Octavia Butler. I also bought the books that another customer pulled out thinking I would enjoy them. He was cute in a grandfather way. If my paternal grandfather read Scifi it was something he would have done. I miss him. There was also an experience at Movie World, but I wrote of it in another entry not here as it doesn't pertain to knitting or reading. I'm on Abhorsen in Garth Nix's Abhorsen trilogy. I'm taking a break from Nix though I feel I'm getting overwhelmed with his work. I feel like I've read more but I can't think of anything.
Currently on TV: 10 Things I Hate About You

I finished the Honeymoon Cami. Pictures to come when it's not 102 degrees F. It's an alpaca wool so it's warm. The armholes don't completely line up but I'm happy with the shirt. I'm not sure I would knit it again. The pattern writer had some mistakes in it. But my waist looks tiny in it, which makes my chest look like a barrel.

I received news that every knitter longs to hear. I am an aunt. My sister had her baby today Elisabeth Anne. I now have an urge to knit baby things. I quickly went to B&N to see if they had any pattern books for baby things. They had three. Two I didn't like and one I had a few things already from other books. I did pick up Knitting Nature. I love the patterns and the photographs are lovely. Who needs coffee table books when pattern books are so lovely.
On the reading front, I finished Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell. I loved it. I searched for her other works today at the bookstore but didn't see any. I feel that Gaskell picked up in the same area where Jane Austen left off. I'm keeping my eye out for other works.
On TV: Middlemarch

This past weekend I was in Las Vegas. It had it's ups and downs. The misplacement of my debit card (it fell in the back seat of my car) was definitely a down. I had a wonderful time with Sean and his family. I admired the Madame Alexander Banshee doll and was about to purchase her when Mrs. Nixon bought her for me. It brought tears to my eyes. She treats me very well. I have finished the bust increase of the sweater. Now it's just under 4 inches of the simple repeats. After that I have the trouble of finishing the front and back. I'm worried about messing it up.
On the reading front in Vegas, I focused on the book club book On What Grounds. The author established the characters for the series. I felt she/he (it is a writing team) skimmed on mystery part of the story. I had Wives and Daughters with me but it was way to large to carry around Vegas. I am still enjoying Wives and Daughters and can't wait to finish it. I am finally in the 400s and chapter 40s of 60. I also have picked up Edith Warton's House of Mirth. I enjoyed the movie when it was in theaters.
On TV: Berkley Square

I'm on the bust increase of Honeymoon Cami and the start of the body design for Asana Tank. Asana was called darling by my mom. Good thing, it's her Christmas Present. I found a great pattern to knit for Sean's parents but it's really an expensive project. I'm thinking of making the baby blanket pattern and calling it a lap blanket.
On TV: Lain disk 2 Knights

I've finished the waist shaping on the Honeymoon Cami from www.knitty.com. My first sweater shaping, I'm so excited. Now I knit in the round for two inches before I start the bust shaping. I'm so excited.
Edit: I'm getting nervous about the shaping and construction of the v-neck. I hate the instructions work as the right reverse shaping as necessary. Any help anyone has would be greatly appreciated. I'm starting to try to map it out in word. I'll send it to any knitter who offers to help.
Also for the two people who are shopping for my birthday the Amazon wishlist has been updated (again)
On TV: Jim Henson's Storyteller Fearnot and Sapsorrow

My friend Jen posted about yarn store adventures in Cambria/SLO. I have discovered I hate the yarn in the Asana tank for myself. So I as I was going to the yarn store today to ask about a curious bit of instruction in the sock pattern, I also was going to see how hard it would be to salvage the Asana Tank yarn into yarn for the Honeymoon Cami I had planned to knit for my mom. My mom however says "I'll take it; I'll take it" about the Asana Tank, thus saving me from returning the 4 balls left to Ball and Skein. Because while at Sit "n Stitch today I found a great color and yarn to make the Honeymoon Cami from www.knitty.com. It being an ecru color in alpaca (at a cheaper price than the cotton yarn would have been) I had to make it for myself. I have casted on and also have now started Christmas Knitting. Yippi!!! Jen, I have not forgotten about your fingerless gloves. I also have a skein of the alpaca/silk blend up for grabs to make another pair for anyone intersted. No shopping for me for the next bit of time.
Edit: I've knitted a few rows on the Honeymoon Cami and already made a mild mistake darn twisted stitch eyelet border. No one but I will ever notice though. I love the yarn I'm working with. I also have 3 rows on my first sock. Now who to gift them to when they are done. Ponderings of importance indeed.
On TV: Pride and Prejudice (A&E version)

I finished Sabriel by Garth Nix. I really liked it, and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I think I'm going to stop on the Asana sweater because the yarn is wrong. I've finished the lower band and the waist tab. It's to rough and it still has to be hand washed. I can't exercise in something that has to be hand washed.
On TV: The Vicor of Dibley

I spent a great weekend with my friend Jen. The quote of the entire trip was "Stop molesting the Alpaca". It was an amazing find. I also found Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkiban on sale with a $5 rebate. I now only need the second movie.
I've talked a lot about current and recently finished knitting projects (which by the way Carmen do you like the fingerless gloves I made. I have enough of the yarn {silk and alpaca blend} to make another pair.) Also for the one person who knows my current project I'm on row 11 of 23 of the lower band of the shirt.
I am currently reading Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskel. I love the 1999 miniseries based on the unfinished work. The ending was based on notes Gaskell outlined before her death. I started Sabriel by Garth Nix. I chose it because Jen in all of her wisdom recommended it to me. I intern recommended Markus Zusak's work. I swear if I lived in Sydney and didn't have a Sean, I may possibly stalk him. Alas I do not live in Australia and I do have a Sean. Jen said she would look into his work. Considering i am the messenger is now out in paper back it's a good idea. Go to the library get his work.
I have seen two movies this weekend: Superman and The Devil Wears Prada. I really liked Superman, Kevin Spacey was a perfect Lex Luther. The story was really well done and there were scenes that it looked like we were looking at Christopher Reeve. The Devil Wears Prada is all about Meryl Streep. She, Anne Hathaway and Stanley Tucci were great. It was fun. I'm not sure I want to own it though. That was my reaction to The Lake House.
On TV: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkiban

I decided to do the only bit of seaming that the Asan shirt has the rest is sewing. It's my first piece of seaming so be kind.
Currently on TV: Akira (It hasn't aged well story wise)

I spent the long weekend at my friend Jen's. She's one of my favorite people in CA, and I love her town. I finished the fingerless gloves and she gave me baby alpaca to knit her a pair. We also stopped into Ball and Skein in Cambria for yarn. I have enough to knit Asana from knitty.com. I have finished the two waist tabs and have started the lower band.


On the literature front I finished Hex and the City by Simon R. Green. I love his Nightside series. It was the fourth book in the series. Also Jen gave me a framed photo she had taken of the beach across from her house. It's now hanging in my bedroom by the window near my bed.
On TV: Ballykissangel Series 2 disk 2

Yesterday was the worse day ever. The only good thing about it was I finished the glove I was working on. I had to cut one row short however, and I started the second glove. There is something about knitting moss stitch on size 6 dpns that relaxes me.