BeverlyArmyWilliams – Page 102 – Beverly Army Williams

I Made a Case

Tomorrow I have a lunch date with my girl Cae to celebrate her birthday. We met when we were 11, in Mr. Phelan’s class, although I knew who she was in Fifth Grade. We were on synchronized swimming together one summer, and throughout high school were as thick as thieves. After we graduated, we saw each other less and less, but a few years ago got back in touch. It’s amazing to me how despite the years of not knowing what each other was up to, our lives were pretty parallel…one of the ways is that we both became knitters.

Cae amazes me as a knitter. She has an elegant style, and she’s not at all afraid to tackle complex projects. And she loves double pointed needles. She loves the process of using them. And so to celebrate our friendship, our kindred spirits, and her birthday, this morning I made a festive dpn case. Here’s the inside of it, bursting with Cae’s favorite flower, lilies of the valley.

I kept the interior simple. I wanted to try different types of pockets for small notions, but in the end, I liked the simplicity of a single-sided case. I’ve been playing around with sewing these babies as I would love to sell them one day, when I get just the right style created.

For now, though, I’m pleased with my day’s craftiness!

A Finished Object, Of Sorts

I began knitting in November of 1997 when Martha Stewart Living had an article about knitting. I’d wanted to learn for years, but never took the time to figure it out. I’d crocheted for a long time, and I was a quiltmaker of modest skill…enough crafts for one girl, I mistakenly thought. I made a lot of mistakes with that first scarf, but it hooked me. I took a class the next January, learned cables in the second week (my lovely teacher was of the school of "nothing’s too hard") and made my first sock. The small group decided we wanted an intermediate class, so we selected to each make this vest. I wanted to make for my ex, and he helped me to pick out the colors. They are a bit awful, I think now, but tastes were different then, I guess. Ignore the colors and look at the colorwork. I’m pretty proud of it too. I learned a lesson, though. I did a three-needle bind off at the shoulders and, with great pride, handed it to F. to try on…all I had left to do were the blue bands around the front and neck and sleeves. Um.

It. Didn’t. Fit.

Not even close. It’s cotton, but I couldn’t imagine it would stretch enough in blocking. I’d even woven in the gajillion ends from all those color changes. I’d even done a gauge swatch (I’m slightly allergic to them). Lesson: do a gauge swatch in the actual colorwork, not just of the plain garter that makes up the bottom of the damn thing.

Over Lent I suggested to my SnB that we finish something that’s been languishing in our UFO pile. I didn’t finish this…I was too busy with my Sockapaloooza socks and a more-than-full academic schedule. And really, what for? What was the point? Even the little cousin I’d hoped to pass this on to was too big for it. And now it had become a sort of awful metaphor for my marriage…it seemed like a perfect fit, but only when I’d gotten really far into it did I realize it was too small. And that didn’t change when I stopped thinking about it. So the neck band sat around on a really long circ, stitches falling off when I’d drag the beast out to make fun of myself.

Until my girly Sara had a sweater-knitting disaster. She whipped out a beautiful v-neck men’s sweater in no time flat, on circs, for her sweetie. Before she picked up stitches for the sleeves, though she realized that the sweater lacks shape. It just doesn’t hang right the way a pieced sweater would. She was going to frog the whole thing and start over, when I suggested that she steek it. I promised to read up about steeking online, and I had the bright idea that I might get a few practice runs in on the vest. The awful vest would have a purpose again. So last night I bound off the stitches, spent a few minutes thinking of my memories knitting the thing, and committed to cutting.

I made two lines of stitching on my sewing machine, and then, snip, snip. I’m not sure if this is really the way to go for Sara’s sweater. Any advice is welcome. What I do know is this. Cutting that vest made me feel really good. Like all those hours of work have somehow finally paid off.

The Jury Finds You…

Neal had a court date today, so he left the house looking mighty dashing. I decided to dabble a little in law myself when I saw this criminal evidence. It’s a patch of dug grass. The defendent, Ms. Madrid Mulligan, a.k.a. Maddie, pled not guilty. Her defense attorney, Auntie MB, stated for the court that Ms. Mulligan was expressing her desires to participate in the landscape design of her home, further, that she was bored by all the rain, and finally, it could have been Ms. Tilly Two-Tone who committed the crime.

The evidence against her was too strong, though. After a prompt and sound scolding, Ms. Mulligan was set free.

She was not remorseful, I’m sorry to report.

Jaycrawlin’ Along

What’s that? What’s inside that Converse? A Jaywalker? You betchya. One Jaywalker, though. One. Don’t want to get any of my ABQ SnB girls too excited. This sock posed a real challenge for me. I changed my knitting technique in order to get gauge without using 0000’s, thanks to Scout, Carole, and Mona. After consulting with Cookie, I decided that I’ll do the second sock toe up. I’ve been blathering for a while about how I want to use this technique, and although the two socks might look a little different from each other, hey, they’ll both be learning socks for me! I’m participating in Summer of Socks, and I want to knit two socks toe up on two circs before the end of the summer. So one sock toe up on two circs…not a bad place to start!

Last night I knit with my girlhood friends Cae and Sara. We’ve been trying to get together once a week, and eventually hope to have a Granby, East Granby, or Windsor Locks SnB. I finished a 3-hour capelet that Sara and I each made last summer…we just had to add ribbon as a closure. And closure for the 3-hour and one-year capelet.

This morning I thought about Cae and Sara, as well as my Albuquerque girlies, the Hat City Scissor Squad, and the many blogland knitters with whom I’ve connected. Yahoo news is running an article about how many Americans feel isolated, lacking in close friends. I’ve been fortunate to have good friends my whole life, and I’ve been doubly fortunate to widen my circle of women friends, mainly through knitting and blogging. As I went through the separation and divorce from my ex, I learned what those friendships meant to me; I learned how a wonderful group of strong, smart women is a must have. Take my laptop, take my ipod, take about everything I own, just leave me my women friends. You guys make me laugh, challenge me, support me when I’m discouraged, and help me to be a better woman, a better friend. So, thanks, my friends. XX

Oops! I almost forgot!

What are your favorite colors? black, pink, green

Are you a new sock knitter? How long have you been knitting socks? I knit my first sock in 1998. I’ve knit most of a Jaywalker and a pair of Sockapaloooza socks. So, no, not new. But not overly-experienced, either.

Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn? I love variegated yarn.

What fibers do you prefer in sock yarn? Wool. I haven’t tried any blends, but would be glad to.

Where do you usually knit socks? I’ve knit while reading, riding in the car, on the train, in my chair, during presentations, at SnB. Wherever I can!

How do you usually carry/store small projects? In ziplock bags that are then stashed in my purse or my Madison bag.

What are your favorite sock knitting patterns? No favorites yet. I like the Sensational Knitted Socks book. I think the claim that it is the only sock knitting book you’ll ever need is almost true. ‘Cept I love knitting books!

What are your favorite sock knitting techniques? I’m in major love with two socks on two circulars. LOVE. True love. If I could, I’d marry it.

What new techniques would you like to try? Two toe ups on two circs.

Do you prefer circulars or dpns for sock knitting? Circulars. Inox, which have the nicest joins, IMHO.

What are some of your favorite yarns? Hm…Brooklyn Handspun, Scout’s Handpainted Swag, Mama-E’s fiber, Dave’s Cabin Cove.

What yarn do you totally covet? I’d love to knit cashmere socks.

Any pattern you would love to make if money and time were no object? Cat Bordhi’s cape in the first mobieus book.

Favorite kind of needles (brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)? Inox Circulars.

If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be? Today I would be a Superwash sock yarn…easy to take care of!

Do you have a favorite candy or mail-able snack? Anything ginger always rocks my world.

What’s your favorite animal? beavers, dogs, horses

Do you have pets? What are their species/names/ages? Yup. Maddie, border collie/daft dog mix, aged 2 and Tilly, blue heeler/German shepard smarty pants mix, aged 3.

If you were a color what color would you be? Black.

Describe your favorite shirt (yours or someone else’s). Today it’s a long-sleeved sailor shirt with a hood from Old Navy.

What is your most inspiring image, flower, or object in nature? Ferns. I also love the brook in the woods where I walk the dogs. Water always makes me happy.

Tell me the best quote you’ve ever heard or read. "Never complain, never explain" –Coco Chanel.

Do you have a wishlist? Yup.

Anything else you’d like to share with the group today? I’m so glad you’re all in this with me!

Mid-Hudson Night’s Dream

I spent a lovely day on Wednesday sunning myself with one of my best NY girlies by the beautiful Hudson River. After enjoying the lap, lap, lap of the waves and the rustle of a breeze in the trees, we packed up our picnic and went home to get ready for a second picnic, and my favorite event of the summer: a visit to Boscobel for the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival.

I’ve been going to the HVSF for over ten years now, and I’ve never left disappointed. Not only are the grounds at Boscobel spectacular for a relaxed picnic, but the plays are always innovative and fun. I don’t write about my obsession with Shakespeare much, but the many times I’ve been fortunate enough to see productions of his plays have been among the most fulfilling of my life. I won’t blather on about this, but I adore Shakespeare, even more when I’m seeing him outside.

On Thursday I picked up a few boxes of quilting supplies that I’d stored in 2000 at the barn on my ex-in-laws’ place. I had a nice visit with my ex-SIL’s new baby (and her four-year old daughter, and of course, her), then I stopped at Wondrous Things in Croton to pick up a baby shower gift (I didn’t finish the project I’ve been knitting) for my former co-worker. After lunch with my Mercy pals, we sat back and watched the adorable mom-to-be open her gifts. The shower was book themed, which I thought was a great idea. Can’t start reading too early!

I headed to Danbury to meet the lovely Hat City Scissor Squad. I wish it wasn’t such a long drive, because I’d be at their knit night every week–what a fun group! I learned something really cool–one of the places they meet has karaoke. You may not know this, but I’m a karaoke virgin. I don’t intend to be by the time summer is out. I’ve even got my cherry poppin’ song chosen. Yeah, baby! I was able to purchase these beautiful stitch markers before they went up on Etsy, too. Kitters, you may want to contact Mary about some for your kit!

The Scissorinas rock…Sarah, Mary, Michelle, and Anne, thanks for a fun night!

Blue Book Meme

Neal finished my bookshelf this weekend, so Noelle’s timing is perfect–the boxes of books that have been stacked in the dining room are finally being shelved. I was tempted to look for a particular blue book (not that I had one in mind, just wanted to pick something wonderful), but I grabbed the first one on the second shelf (poetry is on the first shelf, no blue books there): Brenda Ueland’s If you Want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence, and Spirit.

Closest Blue Book Meme
1. Grab the nearest book with a blue cover.
2. Open the book to page 86.
3. Find the first full paragraph.
4. Post the text in your journal along with these instructions.
5. Don’t search around and look for the coolest book you can find, just the closest blue book.

"Beneath the harsher sound of the wind, I heard a low moaning–that was from the row of willows below the garden. And that was what I liked best. I lay back to listen with closed eyes, and felt myself slipping away–deliciously away. The windows rattled but I liked that too. It was all familiar, assuring-and safe. Never was there so satisfying a time or place for the pleasure of sleep–cradeld by the wind, and know that at the end of the soothing darkness I should awaken to the sight of friendly faces, and the sound of kindly, well-known voices." (by Elsa Krauch)

Ueland is quoting this passage to illustrate how she (Ueland) would not tell her students to write a certain way…really she’s writing about encouraging students to find their own voice. If you’re an artist or a craftsperson, you might find this book a good read.

I’m going to catch up on cleaning chores today, and I hope to get the rest of the books up. Tomorrow I head to New York to visit with my chums there, and on Thursday I’ll have knitting time with the Scissorinas. By the way, if you spin, be sure to check out FiberFly–great colors…I purchased Big Rock Candy Mountain (Woody’s voice came into my head when I saw that, and I couldn’t resist) and A Grape Farm on a Summer’s Day. Lusty Lady is tempting me now, but I have to remember I’m a jobless graduate student. Anyone want to hire me? Will work for wool!

Before he left for work this morning, Neal told me about the morning walk’s excitement: Maddie went zipping into the woods (not unusual for her…this spring she’s learned that squirrels are fun to chase), and then Tilly went zooming after her. Tilly’s the smart one, so we don’t worry quite as much about her. Maddie just loses her head, though. Neal called and called, then realized they were chasing a BEAR! He called again after he heard a big growl, and the girls came running. Thanks to JessaLu, I know what to do if I come across a bear, and now it sounds like I might one evening.

Happy Father’s Day, A Gift, KSKS, and a Cruise

I’m a daddy’s girl through and through. I adore my dad, and he adores me (ok, and the other four kids, too) right back. My father is one of the most gentle and ethical persons I know, and he has a heart as big as…well, the universe. His favorite gifts are little treats, so this year, it was "straight up" rhubarb pie.

A big, happy thank you to Kirsten of Through the Loops. I discovered her blog through Dye-O-Rama and have enjoyed getting to know her…and when I won a contest for the 100th comment on her blog, she sent me this lovely. Wonderful colors, and the card has a recipe for chocolate cupcakes–yumsters! Kirsten was also gracious enough to post her original Sunkist Cardi pattern–I can’t wait to make one for myself.

I’m happy to report that I just finished sending out the last of nearly 200 e-mails for the KSKS participants. I felt badly taking longer than I had promised, but I can sleep well tonight knowing that’s done.

Finally, have you heard about Mama-E’s Sea Socks 2007 Cruise? It sounds like Noelle is thinking of going, and spending time with her and Mama-E is enough to entice me! I don’t have my dissertation defense date yet, and it’s bound to be sometime in April, so I can’t commit to it. There are rumors of a Fall ’07 East Coast cruise, which I will be on if it’s a go!

I’m getting off the computer now. I’ve been attached to it for too long over the last few days and need to finish up some knitting (gasp–did she say knitting?).

One Word and Proximity

Until I get some pictures taken to show you what I got in the mail yesterday, here’s a meme from Cara via Gromit Knits

Please leave a one-word comment that you think best describes me — it can only be one word long. Then copy and paste this into your blog so that I may leave a word about you.

And here’s another seen at Strange Little Mama’s and Cari’s blogs. If you’re reading, you’re tagged.

Take a look around you. Apart from your computer and its peripherals, and your computer desk/table/milk crate and chair, what, in order of their physical closeness, are the five things nearest to you right now?

1. Baby bib I’m knitting for next Thursday’s baby shower.

2. Madison bag with Heartbreakingly Cute Baby Kimono in progress.

3. Mason Dixon Knitting.

4. Cup of coffee.

5. Large plant.

196

One hundred and ninety-six of you signed up for KSKS. I’m astounded. When Scout and I first started talking about setting up this swap, we decided that if 25 folks wanted to join, it would be a go. I’ll be working on matches all week…the timing is good as my only work right now is writing my comps and playing with the dogs.

I’m having perogies and roasted veggies for dinner. One of the joys of living in this area is Polish food. And good Italian. Sorry, NM, you’ve got it all over the Northeast on Mexican and New Mexican, but I’m happy to have a decent pizza again. And Polish food. Then, I’ll be off to knit with my childhood pals. Still looking for an SnB that suits me time/place-wise…anyone??

Author: BeverlyArmyWilliams