Krafty1

Travel Tips

As Dorothy said, "There's no place like home." However, there were two things that contributed to making our trip go smoothly...two books that were invaluable.

My parents loaned us their copy of The Next Exit.  This book is sold primarily at  RV retailers and lists the retailers and petrol providers at each exit along the US interstate systems. It even includes places RVs are allowed to park (the red listings) for the evening if a campground is unavailable. 

But, for anyone long distance traveling, especially with children...What a fabulous book!!!! (Go ahead...click on the photo to the right...check out the listings and you'll see.) No more wondering whether or not there is another exit coming up OR (more importantly) what might be at the exit.  It's THE perfect guide for parents in order to determine where the next food/potty stop will be.  It was invaluable on our trip.

Secondly, this little 4x6 photo album.  In the past, I've carried a binder with sock patterns when traveling...just in case.  Binders seemed a bit much to carry on this trip. (Okay, they seem a bit much on all trips!) Something more manageable maybe, since there usually are only 5-6 (okay, maybe a couple more) that must always be with me...just in case.

Necessity truly is the mother of invention.  This little photo album was the perfect place to stash pattern copies and needles.  They all fit neatly in my purse. Imagine, patterns and needles all in one spot neatly tucked away in a purse...just in case.

Two little known books that provided a great deal of comfort to our travels.  If either can do the same for you...it's with my pleasure to share them with you!

   

Spring Break=Three Pairs

When we left Vicksburg, MS it was 82 degrees (28C) and by the time we stopped in Effingham, IL it was 42 degrees (5C)!!  In fact, in the car I finished my NOLA socks and immediately put them on my feet in order to keep warm!  Phew, finished in the nick of time!

Three pair finished while on this trip.  That represents a lot of car and trolley time!  Not really my intention to finish three pair, but Doogie wouldn't relinquish the steering wheel to either of the other two drivers he had with him.  Then again, I think he likes the bragging rights it'll give him come Monday morning at work.

Left to right: Colinette Jitterbug Gauguin Monkeys (these were worked toe-up with a short row heel), Regia Bamboo On-Your-Toes and Lion Brand Magic Stripe On-Your-Toes.  Yes, Lion Brand...an old skein that I bought early in my knitting days five years ago with the intent of knitting myself a pair of socks while visiting New Orleans. (Previously, Panda and Fairy Godmother have been recipients of similar Mardi Gras themed socks.) Three pairs finished...but then the "stash scale' was rebalanced a bit as well.

Panda requested the book, Amigurumi World, in the hope of modifying one of the patterns in order to create a panda of her own.  She also put in the request for the Jitterbug Kingfisher (blues) colorway.  (She wondered aloud if her Mum would knit her a pair of socks for her birthday.  Little did she know.)  Jitterbug Tapis (reds) for me.

The "big find" was the Panda Cotton Mardi Gras.  Sure, now that I'm home I can find it at other places, but mine is from the shop that collaborated with Crystal Palace to come up with the right blend of colors.  Totally worth.  In the meantime, that also means that we'll have to travel to New Orleans again...so the Mardi Gras socks can be knit as souvenirs from yet another wonderful trip.  Just say the word and my bags will be packed.

Heading North

We have said our "Good-byes" to New Orleans and are once again heading North. We'd planned to visit Vicksburg National Park in the afternoon, but our late start and knit shop stop postponed enough that the park was closed by the time we arrived.  Oh well...it'll still be there in the morning!

Over the past few days, we've eaten BBQ ribs, catfish, alligator, crawfish, crab, jambalaya, and beignets. (Yes, even the kids!)  However, with our thoughts turning towards home and our bellies in need of something "regular", we stopped at the Golden Arches.  Special K was thrilled with the tableside video games.

Before heading to the park in the morning we stopped at the Visitor Center.  When they say it's like coming home...they mean it!  The tourist information centers along the interstates in MS are gorgeous...a "welcome center" that is actually welcoming!  Plus, the staff greets you as you enter and offers a Coke product for your enjoyment.  Too bad they close at 6:00 (or was it 5:00?), I could imagine a knit group gathering right there in the welcome center!

And then, the park did NOT disappoint!!!  Amazing!  We have dozens of photos, too many for here, but the views were spectacular and the knowledge we gained from our day here was overwhelming.  Special K has just started her Civil War history in school...she now has a whole new appreciation and will bring a new aspect to the class discussions of battles.

The park rangers had told us that it generally takes people about 2 hours to tour the park...we did it in three and enjoyed every minute of it.  Sadly, though we were soaking up the sunshine and 82 degrees, it was time to continue heading north.  Back to winterish spring.

"Honey, one more stop please!?!"

We've had a great time here in New Orleans, but now it's time to start our way north again.  But first we have a few other stops in mind.

The past two times that I've been here, visiting the Garden District Needlework Shop hasn't been possible...my visit dates and their hours just never matched up. But, this time, because of our "tardiness" in starting our day, a stop is possible this time.

TOTALLY WORTH THE TRIP!!!

The place is HUGE!! Unlike the other shop in the Quarter, this one has wool...sweater wool.

...and cotton, and soy, and bamboo, and corn and MILK!!!

This place has multiple rooms, comfy chairs, a lovely collection of books, and a pleasant and attentive staff.  I hate to admit it, but I didn't even ask what was upstairs!  There was already so much to take in...but, of course, you know where I headed...the sock wall!

The ladies told me that a majority of their sales were tourist dollars.  They are only just beginning to see the return of tourists.  Due to the decline, they're only open Wed-Sat each week.  If you're in the area, please consider stopping.  You will NOT be disappointed!  Time to hit the road again.

Tops and Bottoms

A few stolen moments on the streetcar allows for a bit of knitting, but for the most part we have been "on the move"!  TIP: If you visit New Orleans, ask at your hotel desk about a VisiTour Pass.  For $12, your pass will allow you to hop on and off the trolleys and buses as many times as you'd like for three days! We get one whenever we visit.

We've spent the past couple of days doing a bit of geocaching.  As many times as I've been to New Orleans, I've never seen it from this vantage point. Nothing quite like being at the "top" of the city!  Absolutely beautiful!!!

One of the wonderful aspects of this city is that it would be difficult to run out of things to do.  Each time that we've been here, we do a few of our favorite things and then try out a few new things.  The aquarium & zoo are spectacular, 40 museums would keep you busy for awhile and, of course, riding the streetcar never gets old! However, Geocaching this time allowed us to look at the city from an entirely different point of view...literally and figuratively!

Something else is that we took a ride to the end of the delta...to Venice...Louisiana, that is. This is the heart of "ground zero" for Hurricane Katrina.  The rebuilding is an interesting thing to see.  Both the size and the scope hits both ends of the spectrum...but we'll save that for another day.

As for my girls, they have now been to both ends of the Mississippi River. They've walked across through the headwaters and played at the edge of the southern delta...at the bottom of Louisiana.

Happy Easter

What could be better than my favorite cup of coffee in one of my favorite coffee shops in the US?

We escaped the snows of the North and managed to make it to the sunshine and warmth of the South.

We are surrounded by green and there are many places that are in bloom.  For someone like me who is not a huge fan of green in her knitting, the landscape covered in green (vs. white) is greatly appreciated!

What could be better than the knitting and coffee?  The best part is that we are all together! Enjoying the sites, the sounds, the parades, the food...

A bit of surgery

It was suggested that Luke should put on a little "weight" before hitting the road.

Beans, Luke needed to have a few beans like many of his stuffed counterparts.  TWO pounds!!! Poor guy won't be able to eat all of those!

But then, how to "feed" a mouse "beans"?  Tools at the ready, it was time to perform a bit of minor non-invasive surgery.

With the aid of a chopstick, a muslin "implant" was stuffed into an opening in the neck.  No cutting was necessary since there was a small gap from a decrease/increase in the neckline.

Then the funnel was placed in the opening of the muslin pouch and the beans were "fed" into our dear little mouse.  Once finished, the pouch was sewn shut and the neck opening washed with hot water to re-felt the opening shut.

And, VOILA!!! Our little buddy is ready to join Shaun up front to head out for a bit of a ride.

Then again, this mouse LOVES to travel!  His journey will once again be blogged over here (beginning Saturday night).

Note: Luke has appreciated all of the offers that have already come in for his "Year of the Rat World Tour".  He will make his first international flight on April 1.   

The Knitters Ultimate Question

"What to pack?"  Knitters know how daunting it can be trying to decide what knitting to pack when traveling!  Imagine a trip that includes 17 hours in a car, each way!  That's a lot of knitting time. (Unlike some knitters, I don't get sick while knitting in the car.)

At first, the temptation is to pack something large.  But, large also means that it can get a bit bulky as it grows.  This vest might a bit much for the car ride.

Special K thought she'd help with the decision process.  She went through the leftover yarn box and chose these...enough to make six pairs of "leftover footies".  Short, quick and can be added to her suitcase once completed.

Hmmmm, each one only takes a few hours, so this could be a possibility.  But, I usually have my postal scale when I'm using leftovers to ensure I have enough.  Hmmmm, should I pack the postal scale too?  Or, would a side trip to a grocery store or office supply to use their scales be necessary? Hmmmm.

Then again, it could get boring after awhile just knitting footies.  Plus, when we get home, I wouldn't have a pair of souvenir socks for myself.  Hmmmm, these are the latest candidates for my own pair of Monkeys. 

But, which knitting bag/daypack do I want jammed between the front seats of the car?  Hmmm, if I keep adding knitting projects, the knitting bag could be classified as a side impact air bag!

Hmmm, what knitting to pack?  One of the hardest questions a knitter faces!

E...is for Erin Go Bragh

My blood is absent even a single drop of Irishness.  (Thankfully, Doogie's has a drop or two...now our kids have the complete European set!)  But, for those of us without Irish roots, March 17th comes and we ALL become Irish (at least for the day).

So I jumped at the chance to make St. Patrick's Day themed cards for this month's Ravelry Card Swap.  Who wouldn't jump at the chance to display a bit of green during these waning days of winter!?!

There won't be corned beef and cabbage at our house tonight...but there will be Guinness Stew!  (And of course, a few shamrock cookies!)  Thanks to Twinsunplus1, One Sweet Tart, Iansfav, and  Archeologie for adding a bit of the green to my day!

Question for my Ireland pals: Doogie's ancestors were from County Tyrone...a place named Plumbridge.  The question is what is the pronunciation for Plumbridge?  Is it "Plum bridge" or is the "b" silent for "Plum ridge".  Just wondering.

Me oh my...monkeys and pie

Friday was 3.14 aka Pi Day.  Late in the day we decided to celebrate accordingly with pizza pie and apple pie. 

The Monkey socks decided to contribute a bit of humble pie as well.  While knitting the second sock, I discovered that not all of the decreases had been worked on the first sock.  Since the socks were knitting up so quickly, it seemed frogging back to the decreases would not be difficult.

Success!! Simply marvelous Monkey socks.  The reduction in stitches made a better fitting foot and added a bit of striping. This was my first experience with Scout's yarn, it will NOT be my last!

Monkey was a delight to knit!  All of the excitement and frenzy was not without reason.  I've already pulled out 3 more skeins from my stash that would be well suited as Monkeys.  However, the next pair WILL be knit toe-up.

Snowbunny Monkey

Like Alice, I've headed down the Monkey rabbit hole!  The first sock is finished, the second one cast on and I'm already contemplating which yarn should be knit up into the next pair of Monkeys.

As Trek noted, Scout's Snowbunny colorway really does play nicely with the pattern. It'll be a challenge to pull another rabbit skein from my hat stash that will play as nicely. 

And outside...the snow bunny tracks are starting to melt.  We have a bunny (or two) whose hole leads to the underside of our deck. 

Did you notice the phrase "starting to melt"?  We can hardly believe it!  It's as incredible as daylight at 7PM!  The weatherman did rain on our enthusiasm tonight.  The temp got all the way to 48 today, but he had to remind us that it was 72 a year ago.  What's with these guys?

Wednesday...of trees and mice

It's amazing what having a blog does to your daily conversations.  For instance, Upon entering my parents' house, my father asks, "Did you read about those knitters in the paper?" Huh?  What knitters?  It's 8AM...what paper has he read already? (My Dad reads a lot of stuff!)

He tells me a bit about the story and which paper had the article.  I mistakingly think I know which knitters he's talking about.  Head out the door and start my workday.  Boy, was I wrong.

By now, most of you have heard/read about the KnitKnot tree in Ohio. (Eva's linked to an article and she's in Luxembourg!)  Finally, after a bit of digging, I've found the tree's "official site" with a cool slide show as pieces were added to the tree.

However, when my Dad described the story, there was an entirely different project going through my head...something akin to "knitting graffiti" that has been around a LOT longer than the KnitKnot Tree. 

Knitta, Please

In addition to that link, you can also check out their myspace or their flickr.  They've been around a long time (2005 according to this article)...a lot longer than the Ohio pear tree.  Sorry.  The Ohio story just means that knitting graffiti has become more mainstream and acceptable...kinda like tattoos. ;-)

That got me thinking...April Fools is coming up.  That gives each of us two plus weeks to knit something that can be "art" in our communities.  My mind is already selecting locations for my April Fools Knitting Graffiti.  Who's in?  We could be "Fooling Around with Knitting". If interested, let me know. 

While my mind is racing with creative mischief...

Luke has returned to the snows of WI.  Not for long, he'll head south to New Orleans for Easter but then what?  This is the Year of the Rat and it got me thinking that maybe Luke should go on a world tour.  A box could be fashioned into his "travel pod" along with a "family" photo and a "passport". 

He could travel to meet any of you (bloggers and non-bloggers alike), not as a swap but as a means to travel, visit for a bit and brighten your day. In exchange, you'd agree to sign the passport with the arrival and departure dates along with a local "stamp" then post Luke to the next person. If you're interested in hosting a mouse (much like the Flat Stanley Project) let me know.

And since this is Web Wednesday, how about a reversal of sorts.  Luke is headed from Chicago to New Orleans along I-55 or 57.  What shops should he stop at along the way?  Any ideas? 

The Brown Bag Sock Club

Back in January, the Brown Bag Sock Club was devised as a means to further reduce stash.  Four yarns and patterns were selected and placed in brown paper bags for future knitting.

In the past couple of days, a number of people on Ravelry have started talking about receiving their first installments from various sock clubs.  Time for me to open a bag...first up: March Monkey.

For a long time last year, Monkeys seemed to be on everyone's needles except mine.  What better way to kick off my personal sock club than with a pattern that's evaded my needles.  2007 was the year I fell in love with toe-up designs and Monkey was not toe-up.

This particular pair is the first that has been on my needles top-down in over a year!  Of course, the whole time I'll be devising a toe-up version, but for the inagural run (and since these will be for someone with small feet and I won't have to worry about running out of yarn) these are being knit as originally written.  They will be "authentic" Monkey socks.

The yarn is Scout's Snowbunny (merino/ tencel blend).  At first I worried about the pooling on the cuff, but not anymore...the random, non-striping is fantastic!  And...the Monkey pattern...is totally addictive!!! 

These were cast on Monday night and here they are Tuesday after work...waiting for the evening knit session.  Super quick!  When knitting toe-up, the foot goes fast because half the stitches are stockinette.  Then things tend to slow a bit once the ankle starts with pattern worked across ALL stitches.  With as fast as this ankle has worked, I can only imagine the foot's speed!  Before you know it, I'll have a second pair on the needles. (Oh, wait...I'll have to stop to refresh my memory on kitchener stitching!)

One note about the Brown Bag Sock Club.  I haven't looked into the bags since they were assembled.  When March Monkey came off the shelf, I noticed that April Brigit is up next.  Over the past couple of weeks, while knitting  Brigit for the first time, it had slipped my mind that the pattern was already in another "queue".  Now the thing is...I haven't a clue which yarn is in the Brigit bag!  No cheating...just like a real sock club, we won't know what's in the bag until it "arrives". 

Icarus takes flight

The spare bed hasn't been used by a person in awhile...at least it can fill in as a blocking board!  The shawl's finished size is 80x36".  Good thing we have the extra double bed!

But the finished product is so, so worth it beautiful!  The yarn shortage didn't damage the end project's size much.  It drapes nicely and covers more than sufficiently. 

The only glaring difference between my adaptation (due to the previously mentioned lack of yarn) and the original design is that the points are "off center" from the lines down the back of Icarus.  It is neatly packed and delivered to the local Meals on Wheels office for an upcoming fundraiser. 

When the Malabrigo made its way into my shopping bag last summer, I had NO CLUE what its purpose would be.  In fact, it seemed destined to be a "petting yarn" for awhile due to its extreme softness.  Imagine my pleasure at both knitting it and finding a charitable home for it.

There were other lace purchases last summer that don't have homes purposes yet.  There are other lace patterns that are SO enticing.  Maybe a few can get matched up.  So much knitting, so little time!

Bucket Update

This is what's left in the bucket from last month...an unfinished shawl and pair of socks. 

To review, here's how it looked in February.  Enough yarn for two shawls, four pair of socks, and two wash cloths.  It feels pretty darn good to only have two items left in the bucket!

You've seen the Socks for Panda and socks for me. But these, are the ones that started at the dentist office. These have been in my queue for a long time: Brigit by Momma Monkey (#8).  They got moved to the top of the queue after new of her death hit blogdom. Since then, her blog and patterns are gone.  But there are Ravelers working with the family to get these gems reposted for everyone.  I'll keep you posted.

Of course, mine were modified to be done toe-up.  It has me itching to write a few more patterns.  Maybe once vacation rolls around.

In the meantime, back to the other items from the bucket...Icarus is finished and blocking.  Tomorrow should be its big day in front of the camera. That left the wash cloths.  Christmas past (pre-blog), I knit at least 15 of the flower washcloth pattern.  They made great last minute gifts.  This year, my goal was to have a few stored up for those last minute needs.  Imagine my delight at finding an even easier pattern!  The swirl in the middle is delightful too compared to the original pattern.

The pink was knit with US 6 and the white with US 5.  In the end, the pink used 36 grams and the white 33 grams.  Still can't quite get two from one skein (white leftovers from Christmas past did the trick for these).  Time to get creative with all of the leftovers...but that's another bucket!  They haven't made their way into the next one.

Two pairs of socks, one scarf, one shawl, one market bag.  But, I'm itching to make something a bit larger...something that won't fit in a bucket...what's a girl to do!?!

Goodbye...Hello

It was a day of "mourning".  We knew we'd have to say "good-bye" at some point, we just hoped it wouldn't have to be so soon.

No, I'm not talking about Brett Favre's retirement.  Though for the past few days it seemed that flags should be lowered as there was wall-to-wall coverage of the news.  Even at work, everything stopped and we gathered in the conference room to watch Brett say his farewell.  We haven't gathered in the conference room around a TV since 9/11!

Closer to home, we said "good-bye" to a vehicle.  Yes, a vehicle.  For the past month, while my parents were traveling, we had use of one of their vehicles.  Panda has been in heaven with her own transportation to and from school, to and from work, to and from countless activities!  Special K has enjoyed an extra hour of sleep afforded by the lack of transporting Panda to school each morning.  They each said "good-bye" to the freedom that came with an extra set of wheels around the house.  But spring is supposed to be right around the corner...scooter season will return as well!

In exchange for returning their vehicle (It was mine for the past month), my parents brought wool from one of their stops...Bay St. Louis, MS.  Sock yarn from a local shop was out of the question. When Mom & Dad arrived, there were people busily loading trailers...the shop was moving to a new location and the sock yarn was already on the trailers.  This is what Mom was able to find. She says that the colors are truly representative of the local area (even if they aren't of my color palette).  Aren't they WILD!?!

Araucania Nature Wool Multi...aran weight...color #404.  That's right, they are all the same color!  There are no dye lots.  It's hand dyed from Chile.  It knits up beautifully though...(ravelry link) Slouchy Cardigan is made of the same color.  I've got a vest pattern that calls for bulky yarn that I'm considering an aran/worsted solid to knit up over two strands to acheive the 13 sts/4 inches.

Good-bye wheels...Hello Mom, Dad and Nature Wool!

Web Neighbors

Boy, miss posting Web Wednesday one week and links really start to pile up!

• The House That Yarn Built is helping to rebuild one of my favorite cities: New Orleans.  Knitters from all over are contributing to help build new homes through Make it Right.  Plus, Stash & Burn is encouraging knitters to join in by holding a contest as well.  When we head to New Orleans next we'll see if we can check out the project/neighborhoods first-hand.
• Speaking of neighborhoods, March 20th has been designated as THE day to honor Mr. Rogers, our favorite neighbor, on what would've been his 80th birthday! "> I plan on NOT missing out on the celebration.
• What I did miss was the fact that the third day of the third month was Hinamatsuri Day.  If only I'd known enough ahead of time in order to fully celebrate it properly...next year.
• Do you also feel like you've "missed" an opportunity or two to celebrate.  Or do need a reason to celebrate? This'll help.
• And finally...it's nice to see that knitting in public is "borderless".  According to the BBC (photo #5), this woman is knitting during a Chinese stock exchange rally.  Guess she's a knitting neighbor.

Pulling Teeth

Two mornings spent in the dentist's office while the kids had appointments provided additional "taxi knitting".  From cast on to gusset increases in two mornings, not bad.

Funniest moment...

Mother-son conversation...

Son: Drags, with much effort, this tooth stool across the waiting room floor.

Mom: Sweetly asks him to stop. 

Son: Without missing a beat, says, "But Mom, I'm pulling a tooth!"

The Mom rolled her eyes. I laughed.  It was cute.

Sock sagas

Prior to Saturday's (#7) sock madness, my own pair of Firestarters became pair #6 for 2008.  Mother-Daughter socks...pure happiness. 3 skeins were enough for a pair for Panda and a pair for me.    Lorna's Laces never fails ...as long as we remember NOT to put them in the dryer. 

The progress on the stash front is starting to show.  Look, an empty shelf! It's so exciting to have an empty shelf!  (Would it excite you as much if it were yours?)

Top row

Cube 1: empty.  Cube 2: lace yarn.  Cube 3: sock skeins.  Cube 4: multi-colored sock balls

2nd Row

Cube 1: Note cards and photos. Cube 2: worsted and "petting yarn" (what else would you do with Misti Alpaca Chunky!?!)  Cube 3: Dale of Norway Cube 4: solid-colored sock balls.

Everything on the shelves is recorded in my Ravelry stash.  101 entries.  74 sock yarn entries.  At current pace, there's enough sock yarn on the shelves for the next two years!!!  That fact is both comforting and terrifying. It's nice to know it's there but there are time that it feels like I'm falling behind...or that I shouldn't buy anymore because I have "enough".  And then I remember, "Sock yarn stash doesn't count." (However, my year end goal is "75 used" in my Ravelry stash which currently says "35 used".)

Crazy about socks

Crazy...totally crazy!

The first event for the Sock Knitters Pentathlon began on March 1st.  The pattern, Jacobean, was released at midnight EST.

A brief bit of knitting (90 minutes) just after release.  Another 2 hours first thing in the morning.  A few volunteer commitments AND THEN it was time to knit in earnest.

By 9:00 PM the pair was finished!  Approximately twelve hours of knitting for one pair of US7 socks.  A quick photo in order to post to the group site for my "place"...fifth place!  (It's hard to photograph navy blue at night!)

Things I learned: I can knit a pair of socks in a day.  (Something that's good to know for the upcoming Sock Wars!)  I shouldn't knit a pair of socks in a day...my eyes hurt, my hands hurt, my arms hurt.  (Navy blue Sisu and Size 0 needles.) Plus, knitting like that doesn't allow any time for "zen".  Thankfully, Event #2 isn't till May 1.  That'll give me some time to "exercise" my muscles.

D...is for Dutch

In case you've missed it...my blood is pretty thick with Dutch ancestry.  Den Boer, Wondergen, De Kok...all flow through my veins.  (And so do German, French, Norwegian bloodlines.)

What to photograph? Chocolate, bunket, or any number of other foods?  Not to mention the diamond houses we visited while in Amsterdam.  In the end, it had to be tulips...  along with my favorite Dutch teas. 

But my prized knitting related possession is my copy of Knitting in the Netherlands.  My Dutch ancestors were farmers, not sailors...but there may have been a sweater or two knit by the farmers as well!  The next time I end up in Amsterdam, I'll need to find a spinner in order to purchase "local wool" to design and knit into one of the sweaters from "home".  I'd wear it with pride...Dutch pride..."You're not much, if you're not Dutch!"