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I would transfer you automatically, but I don't know how and Dani and I haven't gotten together for her to hold my hand yet.

Arrrrrgh

Yesterday the ATT guy showed up to connect the new TV service. Imagine my surprise to find out we were also getting the new internet service as well. Wasn't ready for that. Actually, I supposedly have both at the moment. I can receive email, but not send it. So much for notifying the multitude who have my email address that it might change.

My computer skills are just good enough to mess things up even more and fix nothing. I can feel my blood pressure rising even as I sit here.

Knitting related--Riverbed sock number 3 is dead. Sorry, Cristi. It didn't fit and I wasn't having any fun. I frogged it and cast on a top down sock. I designed a simple cuff of K6, (yo, k2tog)3X over 60 stitches. Even number rounds are straight knit. Row 3 is K6, (k2tog, yo)3x. So why am I telling you? To explain my ah--ha!

I was knitting during DD#1's chamber singers concert and was having trouble remembering which row I was on. Finally, I did what I tell my students. I really looked at the knitting. Then I realized that when alternating yo, k2tog and k2tog, yo, all you must remember is to place the yarnover one stitch away from the old yarnover. Pictures would make this much clearer, but I have no camera at the moment.

I am enjoying my new sock.

The linen skirt is coming along. I hope the extra yarn will arrive early this week. The two tone shell will be finished soon and I will need to focus on a special project for the Greek trip coming up.

I've destashed two garbage bags of yarn. More to do.

Now to try to fix this darn email.

Local Art

Remember Hieronymous Bosch.




This sculpture is a public piece in Athens, Georgia. I couldn't get any info on it. It looked up close as if it had been sculpted out of duct tape---but it was metallic hard. It is amazing. My favorite moment was watching two 8 year old boys in baseball uniforms looking at it. They were mesmerized. Art and athletics. Nice combo.

On the needles--too much

This is from my top down class. I've done most of the short rows for the bustline. The quasi-sweetheart neckline is a new one for me. I simply increase two sts every other row instead of one. I wanted a slightly higher neckline so my necklace would not get lost.

The center is created by alternating the center st with navy and lavendar. Neck edging is crab stitch (backwards single crochet). I added the edging as soon as I finished the neckline so I could prevent it from stretching as I threw in in bag after bag to cart it around.
This is a sock. The third attempt at the Cat Bordhi Riverbed architecture. Turtlegirl76 is mentoring me through this. Problem is, I don't seek her help until I've gotten in too far.
This is the increase for the ankle/gusset area. I know I could have kept it in pattern (the big deal about this design is the ability to knit the whole thing in a pattern), but I really want to clearly see how this shaping works. Hold your breath that this one works. It's in Sockotta by Plymouth.
My skirt!!!! This is Louet Euroflax and I am adapting the Sasha skirt pattern. I've figured out a way to chain stitch through the fabric to create a row of stitches which will allow me to knit my ruffles as assymetrical, sloped lace pieces. Anything to avoid horizontal lines on this body.

Also knitting another Curvaceous scarf, a new lace scarf pattern. Enjoying all.

Athens Art show

$30 for this really cool ring. It's some kind of glass in a sterling setting. Heavy and big and in your face. I just love it. Of course it goes with every thing I own.
This is a shibori scarf in great shades of blue. Honestly I don't (didn't) own a blue scarf.
Erica and I played in the booth and tried several on. Then she reminded me that Mother's Day was not far off. Hence, the gift was chosen. She even picked out one for her Grandmother.
Susan Ellis designed and dyed the scarf. Here's here info. Check out her etsy site.

Last look. Color is best in second pic. Loved the wrinkles. They match my cotton and linen clothes.
I have such great children.
Tomorrow, some real art from this site of the art show.

My guy

Getting a hit in your ballgame . . .
and getting a second hit . . .
fielding the ball and getting some outs . . . .
checking that Nana is watching carefully . . .
tucking in and looking good.

It is all priceless. No wonder he gets handknit sweaters.

Not my best day

Trying to do the right thing, even when it feels a bit wrong, can be costly. $800. That's costly.

Last night was my final responsibility to the knitting guild on whose board I have served forever. I needed to be there to present the awards for the annual guild show. And I did try.

Dear close friend's mom went to hospital late afternoon; very serious and I wanted to be more help to her. DSIL were to her home to get the dog to bring here. Couldn't reach anyone from guild to help, so had to go to take the entries.

Huge rain--no, HUGE rain started as dog arrived. By the time I got to my car, the lower end of my street was flooded.

Headed out the top end of the street. Traffic lights out, radio warning of tornadoes. Why did I not turn around and go home? Stupidity, sense of duty, general insanity? I'm putting my money on the insanity thing.

Traveling down Runnymeade, at the light at Colony, there was serious flooding. I got through it and was exhaling with relief when---going uphill--- the road just disappeared and I was floating. Scary. Pulled out of it and drove on. Heading down Sharon Amity, the yellow Check Engine light came on, then all the lights came on and the engine quit.

Why is it that when you lose your power steering you are left with no steering? Can't you just be left with non-power steering like cars used to have? I got off the road and into the driveway of one of the BIG houses. Didn't think I'd be welcome there. Called Steve who said Hmmm.

Sat for a while and tried to crank the car. Eventually it did catch and I went home at a slow speed, constantly vigilant for a place to pull off if it quit again. The yellow Check Engine message flashed the entire way.

Steve took it to the dealer this morning and I'll be without it for a few days. Drowned some major electronic computer thing. It is an $800 computer thing.

Time to dust off the bike.

New Purchases

The last Stitches post, I promise. I thought you'd be interested in what I bought. The above is something from Universal Yarns. When I made my first trip through the market, Jean was busily working on the computer and phone. Hal was sitting peacefully knitting on a really funky scarf. I couldn't resist and the pattern is free on the Universal website. The "cocoons' of cotton really look like silk cocoons. You only knit the small string between. Takes two balls. I think Jean designed this pattern.

Can you spinners guess who dyed this?

Yep, it's Gale's Art. It is luminous. I just hope I can do it justice on the wheel.

I bought Habu because I don't have a clue when I'll be near some again in the future. The darker purple is silk with a rustic texture. The lighter is the silk and stainless steel stuff. They may work together or I may do something separate. Don't know.
This was my totally out of control buy. These plus a bag of Louet Euroflax solid in a violet will be a skirt. I saw the Sasha pattern made up and fell in love. I bought this from Yarn Paradise from Asheville, NC. Jan and Lisa were working there. Jan loves my Curvaceous pattern. Nuf said, I was suckered in.
The colors and a bit more intense than this. Too much light in my photo. I have no intention of doing the pattern as written. Horizontal ruffles on my BgBt. I don't think so. I've been drawing and I think I can put the ruffles at an angle and get a better effect. I'd better. This skirt will cost a fortune.
Yes, the yarn is Claudia Hand Paint.
Speaking of great dyers. I bought sock yarn from Ellen of Ellen's Half Pint yarn. I think I mentioned it earlier, but here's a picture.

This was my book buy. I want to knit an amulet necklace. I don't care that the fad has passed; I'm still here. There is a sweet bracelet in here that I might try too.

That's it. Lots of projects, more than I have time for. Nothing new there.