Just Noodling

Sometimes, when I've finished one project and I'm casting about in my mind for a new one, I like to just swatch stitch patterns. This one is from a series of "translations" of patterns from The Art of Knitting, 1897 done by Cindy Moore. They can be found at her Fitter Knitter website.

This one is almost but not quite symmetrical in the eyelet arrangement. To my eye, there's a nice little swing or lilt to it.

Dear Karen,

Thank you for dropping off the book for me to borrow. I'm sorry to say that the cat ate it.

Well, not all of it. Just several pages, and some goodish bits of the cover. The book was in the dining room, Mr S. was in the kitchen. He heard strange noises and rushed to investigate; but, alas, the damage was done.

The cat's motive is unknown. Up to the time of this incident he had not been known to have attacked a book, only paper bags, and tissue paper, and the shredded toilet paper rolls. Maybe the toilet paper rolls should have been a tip off. Perhaps it is time for a closer examination of the book shelves and magazine rack. Unfortunately, he (the cat) appears to be unrepentant and has failed to respond to questioning.

I have ordered a replacement copy. It should be here by the end of the month.

Most Sincerely Yours,

Cindy

A Fun Evening

We went to Madison yesterday for dinner with some old friends. Barb and Marty used to live just down the street, and we miss them a lot, so it was a real treat to get together. Added bonus, we got to see their beautiful granddaughter. Extra special treat for me, said granddaughter's Mom is a fairly new, very enthusiastic and adventurous knitter, so we got to happily compare notes and talk shop. It is so gratifying to find a new sister knitter.

*****

Note to Kate (hi Kate!), I was really pleasantly surprised by the blocking results and think it's worth trying. Before I did it, I went to the Ravelry forums, did a search on "killing acrylic" and read through the discussions, which provided helpful information. Key information: there is no turning back. That is, once the fiber is heat set you can't return it to it's original condition. So experiment on a swatch, start with lower heat and less steam and work your way up.

Well Golly!

Steam blocking a/k/a "killing" acrylic really does work.

I took Elizabeth's very good advice and practiced on a swatch first, then moved to the real thing. It was still slightly unnerving, hovering a steaming iron over the piece, If the iron had actually touched the fabric it would have been melty goo and a ruined project. I worked a section at a time, standing at the ironing board, smoothing out a section and lightly steaming it, then pinning a bit more stretched and giving it some good hearty shots.

It grew considerably in size. I don't know how much (if any) of that was actual stretching of the fiber and how much was just the lace opening up.

It was an interesting experiment.

Now, as for what I might do for the third shawl of the year, I haven't a clue.

All But the Button

The name tag bag is essentially done. I still need something for that loop to fasten on to. Nothing in the button collection seems right. Maybe I'll knit a sort of bobble-ish thing.



In use it looks rather like a demented sporran, but cheerfully demented.

*******

A little more New Orleans

(clicking on the pictures will make them bigger)

Back Again

We had a wonderful trip to New Orleans.





Saturday was cool and rainy off and on.



We took the streetcar out to the art museum in City Park. When we came out again the sun had emerged.



Unfortunately, the St Charles streetcar line was having difficulties, so we never made it out to the Garden District. But that's OK. Just means we will need to take another trip down there.

That night we went to Donna's for jazz. Bad picture, but great music. The trumpeter on the left is Leroy Jones. The trombonist is Katja Toivola (splits her time between Helsinki and New Orleans). At one point they were joined on stage by a couple of young players from Japan.




Sunday was sunny and warm. There was a big marathon taking place.

Our main "event" for Sunday was jazz brunch in the Courtyard of the Two Sisters, then more strolling in the French Quarter: more street musicians out than on our last trip - some of them very good. Both Mr S and I thought the coffee at Cafe du Monde was weaker, or had less chicory than we remembered. There were more local artisans at the French Market (though still plenty of imported schlock). The renovation of the farmer's market was done and very nice.

Up early on Monday for the trip back to "real life".