Penguin Girl

I’m not sure if this will become a “regular” post or not. I’d like it to be. We’ll see how my energy holds.

With my new camera which lets me take macro shots (YAY!!!) I’m seeing the world anew and trying to capture what I see, both in close detail and at large.

I’m also trying to get used to having a camera with me at all times.. I can count many things over the past weeks which I’ve wanted to take a picture of but didn’t because I didn’t have the camera out and ready or I was embarrassed to take a photograph.

- A new (still shrink wrapped) R-something train undergoing testing on the N/Q track at Union Square last Friday. It pulled into the station and I was standing right near the door and could have taken BEAUTIFUL shots. I was soaking wet and carrying eggs. That’s my excuse. It still pains me greatly.
- A bird taking a bath in a puddle on my walk home yesterday. By the time I fumbled for my camera it had flown away.
- An accident on our way out of JFK after dropping off E’s parents this evening .. I found the light pole that was hit at an interesting angle and found the ring of personnel around it fascinating. It appeared that everyone involved was physically ok.
- A woman playing harp in Bryant Park one morning about two weeks ago. I took two photos, but they are terrible, she’s really far away and you can’t see the harp profile at all. I was too embarrassed to walk back and try again.
- Not really taking any at Maryland. I don’t know why I’m embarrassed to take these types of photos, E does all the time (but hasn’t updated his site in eons as he’s really busy with b-school).

So what might end up here? I expect my thoughts as I better learn lighting and style and “framing” of each shot. Maybe my favourite photo of the week. Discussion of other photographers (besides my husband) who inspire me. I’m really not sure.

Time will tell.

First: I’m sorry it’s so cold in NYC today. I put away my winter clothes this weekend. I’m not responsible for the rain. It’s a Monday, what more do you want?

As I submitted my Project on Friday my other hand was grabbing for needles and yarn.

What was I casting on for?

A Hug for Mum
Weaver’s Wool Mini Shawl by Peggy Pignato
Debbie Bliss Merino Aran (3 balls of steel blue, 1 ball of grey)
6.5mm bamboo circs
CO: 20080509 around 11am
… שׁבּת …
BO: 20080511 @ 1:30am
This is the pattern that has made me like garter! I just wish I had more yarn to make it a bit longer, but mum says it’s ok. Why did I make this? Mum said she gets really cold at her work in the summer and her swallowtail is too delicate. May she wear it in good health and stay warm.

I’ve been chugging away at many other things too.

On the way out to see mum I finished the front of Anouk and started the back. I need to check my stitch count at the top, because no matter how I do it, I end up with 4 stitches for the shoulder straps and that doesn’t sound right. I’ve not taken photos of it because it is so grey and dismal outside and the colours really do need sunlight to look nice.

Speaking of grey I’m nearing the end of the Earl Grey socks. I’m not totally thrilled with the cable definition or my lack of ability to flip the chart but I am chugging on anyway. They make me happy and I have a feeling I’ll make them (or similar) again. I’m not sure what’s up next after them, but do need to decide soon. I hope to finish these soon.

And, in a nod to Maryland last week (yes I bought a lucet (which I’ve only used for about five minutes), my other purchases were some silk (which refuses to be photographed as it’s shyer than I am, which is why my MDSWF experience wasn’t quite as I had wanted so I probably won’t write more about it).

I also bought a new spindle. And wow. I can spin cotton now. It’s all about not trying to do wool-type drafting (aka remembering the staple length is much much shorter) and using a support spindle and something to support it with. I’m using a kitchen prep cup which seems to work quite well as one side is higher than the other so it works well in my lap, but I’m not yet married to this.

Hopefully next week I’ll still have survived to write about some other projects (seraphim, teasing on some stealth projects, the summer of clapotis and socks) and the results of fessing up the full contents of the stash to E (well… almost)

(”real” posting will resume after 09 May)

I really want to show you beautiful photos of the Dragon Wrap I completed [finally], but it’s still pretty damp. Why? It’s very dark, grey, and wet outside. I don’t think that the photo I took of the blocked stitch detail is very exciting or good (despite the new camera, I’m blaming the weather), so I’ll wait until next week to share. It took me long enough to knit, waiting an extra week to share the details shouldn’t bother me too much. My goal is to mail it tomorrow if it’s dry and I can find Miss J’s address. A terrible photo of it blocking may be found on flickr.

Next up is finishing Anouk, then onward to knitting for more boys and girls both big and small. Maybe I’ll finish my Veste since I seem to be trying to clear the WIP list.

Last night, as soon I could get to the yarn and a crochet hook, I started making my camera case. At least I tried to start. I’ve now swatched three different attempts and none make me pleased or really represent the case I have perfectly designed in my head. I have a feeling that the hook will be laid aside and needles picked up. Unfortunately, switching hook sizes did not produce the miraculous change I was looking for in the fabric .

A short post so I can devote words to the other Final paper and presentation I must write and give for tomorrow and to leave fodder for the remainder of the week. I must state that I bought the last box of rice chex this afternoon. And it was good.

It always amazes me how time does funny things in the last days, hours, and minutes erev shabbat or yontif and things that you don’t think will come together do.

Book post will come on Thursday, bli neder.

Made:
Summer Shawlette
by Sandi Wiseheart
Interweave Knits, Summer 2006, also published at Knitting Daily
less than 1 skein Lavendersheep Espresso Tencel Sock Yarn [50% Superwash Merino Wool, 50% Tencel, 4oz/112 grams; 400 yards]
CO: Thu 10 April 2008
BO: Wed 16 April 2008 (yes, it really is fast)
Needles: Addi lace© turbo, 24" US 5/3.75mm
Mods: er, a few unintentional ones on the lower lace border. I’m not a huge fan of the arrow-head lace but I didn’t want to tempt my timing by pouring over stitch dictionaries. ;) (back detail) Also none of my photos do justice to the beauty that is this yarn. There is a slight shine, and it softened considerably while I was working with it and even further upon Soak’ing and blocking. I’m not quite sure if I’d want to make a pair of socks out of it, I’ve discovered that I wear socks really really hard, but with my leftovers (once weighed) I will explore the option.

Made:
Simple Matzoh Cover
by Me
Verdict: Smiles around, so I think that’s positive. It’s a step up from the disposable napkins we use in the past and hopefully less wasteful. I still want to make a fancier version, but may just continue to build upon this one each year.

Supplies:
- 4 cheap 2/99¢ nice-looking-but-hopefully-machine-washable napkins
- embroidery needle
- embroidery hoop (mine is 7", I think)
- 1 spool Gütermann Metallic Effect thread, #41 (Silver)
- regular thread, to match the napkins as close as possible or contrasting, or whatever you grab first
- a source for the lettters, I used both my Complete Guide to Yarmulka Design and a haggadah. I wanted slightly my letters to be seriffed for a “traditional formal” look.
Caveats: It’s been eons since I’ve embroidered. Back when I wanted to be Laura I practiced all the time (I wonder where all those things went). Sure I’ve done a few little things here and there, but nothing that I was sharing! My lack of practice definitely shows.
Step 0: Determine that crochet is not working out. (it was pretty though, proof)
Step 1: Wash & Iron the napkins
Step 2: Find center of nicest looking napkin and put in embroidery hoop.
Step 3: Look at clock and utter numerous profanities.
Step 4: Knot thread and start with the Mem (of Matzoh)
Step 5: Look pleased at the size & shape
Step 6: Decide not to pencil it (b/c you can’t find the disappearing fabric ink pen) and eyeball the Tzadi.
Step 7: Repeat step 3.
Step 8: Lightly sketch the Hei to make the tazdi look like a planned design feature instead of the large monstrosity it became.
Step 9: Be very pleased with results.
Step 10: Pin the four layers together and sew at the hem ⅓ of the way down from the upper left corner along those two sides (top & left). This will create the envelope.
…
Step 17: realize you forgot to make an afikomen pouch. (next year, b’Yerushalayim)
Step 18: spill grape juice and wine all over! :)

Have a great week. I read a TON this shabbat and yontif, so I hope to write up my reviews by Thursday, I’ll get done what I can and try to post something.

I don’t often do this, but a personal request: Please think good thoughts for both me and a classmate between 6-9pm on Wednesday as we do our formal Final project presentation. I can easily help tweak others presentations but not my own. *sigh*

A quick post (hopefully) as everything has taken me much longer to do today and I’m terribly far behind on my writing and editing deadlines.

Crochet: I’ve decided I’d really like a new hat for pesach. I don’t really have enough yardage (or a colour I like) in the stash so today a $3 of Bernat Satin in Mocha followed me home and jumped onto a hook. I’m not sure it’s selection of my salmon pink H hook was right but I’ll let a few more rounds go before I jump in and intervene. Given time constraints I am not sure how smart this is, but since another pair of socks is misbehaving it might not be too bad.

Spin: I still haven’t taken it off the spindle. To ply or not to ply is the current dilemma.

Stash: I am very very slowly owning up to the full contents of my stash. Constant grey gloomy skies make for terrible photography, especially with my poor skills. So please, as I add to flickr don’t think I bought all of it recently. I try to put the date in the description. I recently rediscovered my cache of Berocco Love-it for example…

Knit: On Sunday I bound off for the main portion of the dragon wrap, mostly as per my goal. I still have an extensive punch list before this can be blocked and sent off to it’s growing recipient but I’ve accomplished the big part. Immediately upon snipping the thread for the dragon wrap, I cast on for Anouk. After dusting C’s blanket I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m not in a blanket mood. I’m knitting the 12mo size and hoping that C stays little like her mum and aunts. I’m stash busting so we’ll see how creative the pockets become, and when reality sets in and I remember that I have to knit both the front, AND the back. ;) Many many thanks to knitter-E for inspiring me to try an Anouk of my own. (ps a belated Happy Birthday! I’m a dork and forgot.) The simple socks are progressing as long as we ignore a little bit of oddness in one heel and that I am able to have a stern talking to them and successfully untangle the mess that occurred on the train this morning. It was so terrible that I didn’t knit on the way home. I outlined this post. I have another pesach deadline which may or may not involve this ball of yarn. I’ve had grand plans for it for a while. We’ll see what happens.