Petting and Peeving

Petting

A little while ago, I was one of the winners in a contest that Nora held. The prize? Merino Cashmere Sock yarn which is "cheerfully handpainted" from The Knittery. Their yarn is so yummy that it was on back order for a short while, but it arrived this week. (Although it was indeed just a short while, one of the other winners has already finished a pair of socks with her prize.)

Anyway, mine is now sitting on my desk so I can look at it, and pet it. And pet it. And pet it.

It's gorgeous, and it feels wonderful. Thank you, Nora! The colour, by the way, is Moonlight.

While I was corresponding with Nora and making arrangements, she was amused to note that we Canadians, like Australians, spelled "colour" like ... well, colour. Nora, I hereby promise that I shall savour this glamourous yarn, endeavouring to honour this wonderful favour. Knitting these cool colours will surely help to calm the clamour of everyday life, providing harbour from everyday stresses. I will valourously and rigourously labour to maintain the soothing flavour and demeanour of your gift. In all candour, I hope my skills are sufficient to produce a pattern that truly reflects the vapourous quality and behaviour of Moonlight. Eventually. But first I want to pet it some more.

Peeving

I don't normally rag on people for things, much prefering to live and let live. However, several times this week I've run across something that has raised my rancour. (Ha! Found another one!) People: the word "infamous" does not mean "very famous." According to Webster's, it means "having an evil reputation." It can also be defined as detestable, or, legally, as deprived of certain rights as a citizen, as a consequence of conviction of certain offenses or pertaining to offenses involving such deprivation. More simply, according to the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, it means "when someone or something is famous for something considered bad." If you want to be nice to someone, please don't call them "infamous." If you use that word, you are likely saying the opposite of what you intend. Please save it for Lee Harvey Oswald, or Marilyn Monroe, depending upon which conspiracy theory you follow. Thank you.

Private note to the legal-type people representing Marilyn's estate, her heirs, etc.: The reference above to Marilyn Monroe was a small attempt at humour. (Ha! Even another one!) I by no means believe that Marilyn was involved with UFOs, the Bermuda Triangle, or conspirators. I view her death, and that of RFK, as one of the great tragedies of our time. Thank you for your understanding.

SAM3 - June - done!

Many thanks to everyone who suggested various options for my mis-matched Spunky Pink Elephant yarn. You came up with a lot of really good ideas! Some of my favourites included the Stash Buster Spiral pattern, which has been on my to-do list for a while; going with dark leg and light heel and toe on one sock and light leg and dark heel and toe on another, which I may try some time because it sounds interesting; and mixing them up with another skein, possibly doing a stranded or mosaic pattern. Many of you suggested various forms of striping, either alternating several rounds or (gulp) alternating single rounds. I know that can be done, because Pat has done it with some Koigu, shown in the top entry here , and near as I can tell she's still quite sane. :-) But, it really sounds like more work than I'm prepared to do for a sock, so I took the other piece of advice that popped up quite often -- put it aside and use it for something else.

Instead, I decided to make some new black socks.

Or rather, some socks using my New Black yarn.

Spunky Eclectic fingering weight, all in one hank, and the colour is consistent throughout.

I admit, though, that I was quite surprised to see the taupey colour come out, because it wasn't at all evident in the hank. I guess it got over-powered by all that pink.

I like it! They look quite snazzy with my new runners. :-)

So, back to the Pink Elephant. I decided to knit them up a bit to see just how different they were. Turns out they were as different knit up as they were in the ball.

The pattern is Elvis the Elephant and a lot of fun. Although the pattern calls for the trunk to be knit up separately and then sewn to the head, I just made an extra increase round and carried on with the body instructions. These are each knit with one strand from each ball on 2.5 mm needles. And because they're babies, I figured they needed a mommy.

She's knit double-stranded, using one strand from each ball, on 5 mm needles. I left out the tusks on the babies and didn't bother with the mouth pieces.

I can now go make first post to the Knitted Toys KAL, which I joined eons ago but haven't knit any toys since then.

Knitters Tea Swap - parcel received!

My partner in the Knitters Tea Swap swap was Allison, of Simply Socks Yarn Company. How lucky could I get?!! I was very much looking forward to seeing what she was going to send, because she had sent me such a fantastic package in Yarn Ahoy. She didn't disappoint. :-)

Yummy! Ceylon Breakfast -- one of my favourites! And a great assortment of other teas to try. Some shortbread, some chocolate and a tea infuser. Perfect!

Oh, and what's that in the upper left? Might it be ... yarn?

Oh, yes, yarn indeed. A gorgeous hank of Smooshy sock yarn, hand painted by Dream in Color. Look at those colours! I've been drooling over this stuff since Allison first listed it, and I am so pleased that she decided to include it in the swap package.

Thanks so much, Allison -- you've certainly got me pegged!

Knitter's Virtual Vacation Swap Questionnaire

Yes, I am a swap-a-holic.

Knitter's Virtual Vacation Swap Questionnaire

1. If you could visit any state in the US, which would it be and why?

Massachusetts. Because I want to go to Boston. Lotsa history and lotsa yarn stores. Sounds perfect to me.

2. If you could visit any country in the world, other than your own, which would it be and why?

Australia, because there's sunshine and beaches. And wool No, New Zealand, because there's green galore and interesting landscapes. And wool. No, Spain. I dunno why, but I've always wanted to go to Spain. Is there wool in Spain?

3. Have you ever driven across several states/providence/countries?

Yes, I've driven across Canada.

4. Have you ever visited someplace you consider exotic? Where was it?

According to my dictionary, "exotic" can be defined thusly: of, pertaining to, or involving stripteasing: the exotic clubs where strippers are featured. I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may incriminate me.

5. What was your favorite "travel" vacation? Why?

It was a thwarted attempt to drive the Pacific Coast Highway from Vancouver to San Fransisco. I ended up spending too much time in Seattle and had to turn around and come back. Even though the ultimate goal was not achieved, it was such a relaxed and go-with-the-flow type of trip that I didn't mind one bit. But I'd still like to drive the Pacific Coast Highway some day.

6. Have you ever played tourist in your own home city/state (if international, country)? Explain.

Frequently. Since my early 20s, I've always lived away from family, so when they come to visit, I get to do the things that I wouldn't necessarily do as a local. It's fun!

7. Are you a museum visitor, beach comer or an amusement seeker?

Museums, yes. Beaches, yes. Bungee jumping, no.

8. What's your favorite type of yarn?

Something about sock yarn just makes my heart go pitter-patter.

9. What's your least favorite type of yarn?

Something about fun fur just makes my stomach churn.

10. What items do you like to knit/crochet?

Mostly socks. I have a limited attention span, so I don't have a good history with larger items.

11. What do you pack, knit/crochet wise when you go on vacation?

Socks.

12. What other crafts do you do/would like to do other than Knit/Crochet?

I used to do cross-stitch but haven't for quite some time. I don't really have time to get into much else.

13. Are you allergic to anything? (Yarn wise or treat wise)

Nope.

14. What is your favorite color? Least Favorite?

Favourite: bluegreenbrowngrey. Least favourite: yellow.

15. Sweet or Savory (Treat not personality)?

Either.

16. Anything else we are forgetting to ask that you think your partner desperately needs to know?

Desparately needs to know? I hope not.