timing is everything

My computer woes have managed to follow me into my second term of school. You may not remember, but I bought a new macbook back in March (it arrived March 28 to be exact). July 14th or so, after being in and out of the Genius Bar 6 times since March I took my computer in again. It was supposed to take 5 days to replace the logic board and anything else that was being persnickety and then I would have it back. No problem I said. I will have it back before finals week and be set. I can handle that.

Well, it's finals week. In fact I only have 3 days left of school and I just found out yesterday that once they fixed everything (basically gutted it and began anew), it refused to work. In fact, while running their diagnostics it just kept shutting down on it's own. Now that's a problem I never had with it (thank goodness). Timing is definitely everything. My new brand new computer will be here sometime next week. The delay is because I had it custom configured and they have to match the specs.

Thank goodness Mr. Fireman has a computer and doesn't mind if I monopolize it. So for the moment, to control the stress of not having my OWN computer, I have been knitting. And not studying. Somehow, it is less effective stress management. Hopefully soon I will have photos for you of a Clapotis (halfway), the Print O' the Wave Redo (just need to kitchner 17 piddily stitches) and the Boyfriend Socks (actually finished much earlier in the month).

Hope all is well and I will post when I am back in computer land. Or at least with my own computer again.

New Yarn Store in town

I went to the latest addition to great yarn stores in Portland today. It is way up north from my house, but well worth the drive. Twisted lived up to its homepage promise of friendliness and unique yarns. The women running the shop (I apologize for forgetting to ask their names) were warm, knowledgeable, friendly, and people I would love to hang out with and knit. They were eager to share their store and yarns and I can't wait to go back! They carry unique yarns like yarntini and Karen's Heavenly Creations, as well as more well known brands like Debbie Bliss, Noro, and Schusterman. It was fantastic to see all of the choices and to know that more are coming every day. I'm sad to say for Lorie's sake that they arrange yarns mostly by brand and not by weight (her favorite way of organizing), but I felt like the owners were so friendly and knowledgeable that if I were seeking a specific weight, they would be eager to help me find it. Definitely a must see on any trips to Portland!

Rich is still in Australia. Word has it that he has purchased 12 (TWELVE) skeins of yarn for me. At least 6 are JJ's and 6 are Australian. He went to a lovely yarn shop in Sydney called The Knitting Room. The owner helped him select yarn for me and I can't wait to see what he's purchased. Rumor has it, she will ship to us up here too. So if anyone needs new JJ's, you know where to find it. If you haven't experienced JJ's yarn yet, it's lovely. Fiber Trends carries it in the US, but its more expensive than purchasing it in New Zealand or Australia. And her colorways are fantastic.

Writing of colorways, I purchased two skeins at Twisted today. I got a skein of Noro Silk Garden Lite in a pink multicolored skein to make a scarf for Miss Hannah, since I made her sister a new scarf. I also couldn't resist a skein of Karen's Heavenly Creations in Confetti to make a fun scarf for myself. I'll photograph later. If anyone knows of a ruffly scarf pattern for a five year-old, please send me a link. I need something cute and easy for this scarf.

Photos, photos, photos

First news, I bought a bike! It's a Marin Kentfield in a charcoal color. I've put on silver fenders, a black rack, a silver bottle holder, and a pretty floral bell! I love my bike. I rode it to work yesterday and fell off on the way home. My knees are scraped and bruised and my thighs hurt like a son of a gun, but I'm game to go again as soon as it cools down. It was over 100 degrees today and I'm a wuss in the heat. I'm getting up early tomorrow to ride, but not take the bike to work. Oh, and I got a spiffy pink, silver, and white helmet to accessorize with. Now for the floral basket that Leslie is forbidding and I'll be set!

Okay, I dug out yarn I don't believe there are photos for. Here is a montage of sock yarns. The turquoise/teal is Koigu. The red/orange blend is Lorna's Laces. The black/grey/pink is Scout's Sock Yarn, and the blue/orange/Green/purple/brick is Socks That Rock in a millend that you can't have.



Here is a photo of the beautiful alpaca I purchased outside of Hood River.


Here is the di.ve Autunno as well.


And now for two finished Amanda's Squatty Sidekicks with coin purses. The rusty one is out of Manos and the purple/green is out of Malabrigio. I did not like knitting with the Malabrigio compared to the Manos and I'm not sure I would purchase it again. I can't explain in words why I didn't like it, but in my hands it wasn't as pleasant to knit with as the Manos. I also did not like the colors pre-felting. They were really muddy to me. They lightened during felting and now I like it much better. I would also say that knitting this pattern in thick/thin yarns (as both Manos and Malabrigio are) was somewhat of a mistake. The bottom is knitted as a rectangle. With the Malabrigio purse, the rectangle was wider at one end than the other. During felting, this went wonky and the whole purse is now somewhat mis-shapen as a result. I stretched and worked it during the drying process, but could not erase this effect. So beware the two yarns when felting a shaped article!


I just purchased three knitting books from amazon.com. I got Knit 2 Together, Stitch and Bitch Nation, and Never Felt Better. I love Nicky Epstein's new felting book. It is a work of art. I highly recommend it to everyone out there who felts regularly and wants a clearer understanding of felting with lace, cables, or colorwork. It's brilliant.5

Finally, the felted Noro Kureyon purse I made last year redone. I tried to give it to Susan and when I saw it in her hands I could see that it was all wrong. It didn't just feel wrong it was. I went to JoAnn's for buttons for the Squatty's and bought handles for the Kureyon. I cut off the old handles, tightened up the ripple effect and sewed in one handle. I feel that it doesn't need two, but I may change my mind and add the second after I try to use it. Anyway, comments are welcome.



Finally, I knit a baby hat for my friends Mark and Natali, but I neglected to photograph it before sending it off. It was a great pattern that I will share at a later date.

I'm madly trying to finish socks and the scarf before Rich gets home, but I'm not getting much done in the heat.

Any guesses as to what this is? Lorie already knows...