bag 'n' trash -- home of monster yarn

Happy Halloween!!!!

First Storm of the Season

today's sky is gray.  it's been raining all day, perfect for watching tv and knitting.

i taught my first crochet class today.  by myself.  i think it went well. 

A Bear in Sheep's Clothing

so of course there was shopping.  i bet you i'm the only girl to come home from rhinebeck with one of these..

grrrrr.  now that's a bandsaw.

   

but that's not all i came home with.

my first purchase, a little sheepy ornament ...

from carolina homespun i picked up one of these tubes of fiber

and 4 oz of multicolor merino in Baltic (and some additional denise cords and needle points)

from cloverleaf farms i picked up 9.5 oz of blue faced leicester

(the colors are off here, i mucked around with the light balance and still couldn't get the colors right)

from "i don't know where" i got a big ball of "i don't know what" -- i think it's merino.  i was taken with the color.

and from two places that i also don't remember, i got this lovely ashford niddy noddy (thanks laurie for advice on what to look for) and two skeins of trekking sock yarn.

mmm watermelony...

on sunday morning, i finally made it to The Fold where things were pretty picked over (i too saw the line on saturday, and said "fuck it") but there was still this poor little lonely skein of STR left... poor little guy. 

i mean, think about it.  people stood in line for hours to get a hold of this stuff, and yet this little guy in olivite was left.  i couldn't just let that be!  i had to give him love.  it was a matter of his little sock yarn self-esteem!  so although he didn't come in a color i would normally choose, i took him home anyway.   you could tell he was happy to be loved. 

look how happy he looks with the skein of blue moon worsted wear in "flourite" that i also picked up!  it warms my heart.  me and madonna, we're really two peas in a pod.

hmmm.  that's about it, this time around.  oh and of course, the very awesome bandsaw.  i'm just dying to try that bad boy out. 

 

And Its "Fleas" Were White As Snow

so i went.  it was my first time to Rhinebeck.  3 days later, i'm still recuperating. 

by now, you know about the crowds.  and the bloggers.  it was wonderful seeing everyone i already adore and meeting new folks that i've corresponded with over the past couple of years, but i felt there wasn't enough time.  not enough time to properly shop and see everything.  not enough time to hang with my boston girls.  (except for stitchy who is quite the task master and diva.  just sayin')  not enough time to sleep or eat properly (although i did).   not enough time to just sit and chat.  not enough time to take pictures of everyone .  and then there were several awkward moments that reminded me of freshman year sorority rush when i would feel in my heart that i just wasn't going to make the cut.

wearing "the scarf" turned out to be a good idea.  it helped identify me as a square.  i also had a lot of people, non-bloggers mostly, stop me asking if it was "the scarf from scarf style."  i'm not sure i convinced anyone to actually make one of their own -- probably not -- but it was the first time most had seen it "in the wild."  two ladies remarked that they had made one, but if that was the case, WHERE THE HELL WAS IT!!!

the weather was incredible.  on saturday the sun was shining and the air was crisp and clean.  on sunday, the skies were grayer and mistier but no less beautiful.

and then there was the shopping.  everything from dresses with sheep.

yarn and fiber, of course.

brooms just in time for halloween.

and bathroom sinks.

there were animals (finally an alpaca -- or is that a llama -- not showing me his ass)

and an organ grinder with his monkey.   

i also saw paulina porizkova -- did anyone else see her?  i saw her twice, so i'm pretty sure it was her.  she's still as beautiful as ever.  who knew she was a fiberholic like the rest of us mere mortals.  unfortunately i didn't take a picture.  i didn't want her to think she was being stalked by papparazzi or anything like that.

all in all, my first rhinebeck was a lot of fun.  but physically and emotionally exhausting.  i'll probably be back next year -- better prepared.

Happy Anniversary to Us

it's been three years.

thank you for choosing me

I Don't Like Mondays

this morning, i was on this train, in the second car. 

i was one of the many lucky ones.  my knee's a bit sore, from when i hit the seat in front of me when we stopped short, but i'm not complaining.  it could have been so much worse.

the local police and fire departments were on the ball, as were the train crew.  people that normally don't make eye contact with you, were helpful and concerned.  and everyone remained unbelieveably calm.  there were a few grumbles, but i think we all felt a little bit lucky that for the majority of us, the worse would be that we'd get to work a little late. 

It's Too Dark To Take Pictures

so i'm doing a meme ...

48 Things You Could Care Less About (ok before i go on, shouldn't this be "48 things you couldn't care less about?"  because if what i'm supposed to be doing is listing things that one might not care about at all, then it's wrong.  if there are things out there that i could possibly care less about, then i can live with that)

1. FIRST NAME?
    Maryse

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
     Kind of, indirectly.  My mother told me that i was named after Maryse Bastie.  I think she just liked the name.

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?
     When my parents were visiting.  i'm not a cryer so when i do get weepy, i hide it, and if i don't, it's pretty serious.

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
    Usually, but only when i'm paying attention to write nicely and i've got the right paper, and pen, etc.

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT?
     You know, i don't really have a favorite.  I rarely eat lunchmeat.  But if i had to pick one, i'd say turkey.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?

    Sure would.  I'm a loyal, caring friend.  Oh and I can keep a secret.  I'm a vault.  I'm easygoing and compassionately honest (so i won't tell you that the pants make you look fat, but i might suggest another outfit.)

7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL?
    Right now, it's just this blog. 

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
    Nope.  I had them removed when I was 4.  And yes, i got to eat a lot of ice cream.  I remember my dad going to Howard Johnson's to pick up Chocolate for me (they used to sell ice cream by the half gallon). 

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
    Nope.  Sounds like one of the dumbest things ever.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
    Quaker Oats Squares. 

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
        Not usually.  I just slip them off. 

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?

    Compared to who?  I'm certain strong-willed.  And I probably could crush a man with my thighs (or at least I once could have.)

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
    Cookies N Cream

14. SHOE SIZE?

    11.  I kid you not. 

15. RED OR PINK?
    Red.  I've tried pink, but i'm just not a pink girl.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
       Slot, gluttony, envy, anger ....

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
      Friends with whom I've lost touch.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
      No, just let leave me a comment.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?

    Gray paint splattered sweat pants, my black "poop*" shirt, and black socks. 

*protest outrageous oil profits

20. LAST THING YOU ATE?
   Chicken and mushrooms with pasta.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
    The TV

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
      hmmmm.  neon carrot or turquoise.

23. FAVORITE SMELL?

    Crackling fire.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
    A project manager from one of my sites who is a big pain in my ass.

25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO?

    Their hands.

26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON you stole THIS from?
       I think so, although we've never met.  but maybe we will at rhinebeck.

27. FAVORITE DRINK?
    Coffee, black no sugar.  Dunkin Donuts Tropicana Coolatta.  Diet Pepsi.  Harpoon IPA Beer. 

28. FAVORITE SPORT?
    Spectator -- soccer or any of a variety of Olympic sports from the ridiculous to the sublime.

    Particpant -- when i'm not such a lazy shit, cycling. 

29. EYE COLOR?
    Blue/green/gray -- depends on the light

30. HAT SIZE?
    Huge.  I have a massive cranium.   Good thing considering the size of my feet.  At least my extremities are proportional.

31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?

    Yes, sometimes. 

32. FAVORITE FOOD?

    Chinese

33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
    I like movies that make me think about the characters after the last scene.  But if i had to choose, I prefer scary.

35. SUMMER OR WINTER?
    I prefer the fall, but if i had to choose, Winter.  Summer is the season i dislike the most.

36. HUGS OR KISSES?

    From the general populace i prefer hugs.  From my J, both. 

37. FAVORITE DESSERT?
    Pie

38&39 deleted because they were stupid and irrelevant.

40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING?

Color: A Natural History of the Palette and Spin to Knit

41. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE Pad?

    I don't have one at home. At work, I have a pad with this very vibrant graphic design on it, with squares and circles in tons of colors.

42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV?
    Friday Night Lights.  I'm intrigued by the premise because it's so totally foreign to me.  I mean, highschool football, who gives a shit.  right?  (I taped gilmore and veronica mars)

43. FAVORITE SOUNDS?
    Rolling surf.  J's laugh.  Purring cats. 

44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES?

    Beatles

45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME?
    Tehran, Iran although at the time it was my home, so scratch that.  Lagos, Nigeria then. I was in college in PA and visiting my family for christmas.

46. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT?
    Hmmm special.  I have a few.  I can bend my left pinky finger down to my palm without my ring finger wanting to follow along.  I can stand with the backs of my heels touching and my toes turned out to the sides.  When I lay on my back, the outer edge of my feet lie flat against the bed.  It used to freak a roommate out because under the covers it looks like i have no feet. Oh, i can type and talk at the same time about something totally different.  And my favorite talent is making people laugh.  I love when I make someone laugh.

47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
New York, NY

48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
I borrowed it from carolyn

I'm A Square

ok, so i'm going to rhinebeck.  but i'm not really ready.  well i am, but when i read about all of the preparations that i haven't thought about, i think "what the fuck!? am i supposed to plan for that?"  vendors?  what vendors?  list of vendors?  should i plan?  make a spreadsheet? commit the fairground map to memory? sign-up for shit? meet-ups?  what? there's a meet-up?  i'll just follow kellee.

then there's the blogger bingo.  i'm a square.  on saturday.  thank christ i'm not playing because of course i would lose because i wouldn't have prepared ahead of time.  see, this rhinebeck thing has kind of caught me off guard.  i was sure i had at least 2 more weeks. 

since i'm a square, i'll follow julia's lead and give you a couple of clues.  first a recent picture.

ok.  yeah. that's not me.  that's sophie marceau.  hey, i know people named sophie.  and well i have a french name.  so it's almost like i could be her.  and my hair is similar.  kind of.

well go here, and here, and here.  my hair's longer these days, with bangs.  and i'm rather robust (that's being kind), around 5 foot 7. and i'll be wearing this.  and you might see J with me.  maybe.  if he doesn't drive down to Grizzly Tools for the day.  it's only a 3.5 hour drive from rhinebeck, he says.  freak.

ok. that's it for now.  i have to pack. what do i bring? are people bringing wheels? do i bring my wheel? what should i bring to knit? i have to ball yarn before i can pack! what clothes do i pack? do we bring the mini or the truck? will it rain? will it be cold? can i fit in an eyebrow wax? i need a manicure ....

is it any wonder that i'm not excited yet?

Inspiration

S is for

Sunflowers

one of my favorite flowers.

they're the radio city music hall rockettes of the flower world, the syncronized swimmers of nature, following the sun as it cruises from east to west across the sky.

i love their big giant heads and the fact that they can grow to be taller than i am.

hearty and easy to grow, they provide beauty and nourishment. 

and they make me smile.

Knitting Lace

thanks to cheryl being "la lantern rouge" in the wing of the moth competition, i was the happy recipient of a wonderful prize from ann.

hand-dyed by ann,  mohair lace weight.  enough for a shawl.  more specifically, the wings of the moth shawl.  yes, i'm going to make one.   

but not until i finish the charlotte i started this weekend.

after dozens of false starts this weekend (and previous tries -- koigu frogs beautifully by the way -- over and over again), i'm well on my way to finishing this project that's been languishing in my stash for close to two years.  you lace knitters are crazy. 

More Yarn Porn

so you didn't think that my WEBS trip was the only reason i was freaking about about the buying of the yarn, did you.

HAHAHAHAHAHA

oh no...there's more.

you see, Graceful Stitches had their annual fall sale.  and so, again, remember it's for charity, i had to buy.   to be fair, i've actually lost my head far worse than this.

Point 5 Colinette -- 50% OFF!!

Berroco Optik -- 50% OFF

Cherry Hill sock yarn -- 20%  OFF!!!!   i love this colorway so much that i'm posting another picture.

*drool*

Two Weeks To Rhinebeck...

and i'm going on a yarn diet.  i know, that is crazy insane.  but i have to.  my yarn stash has gotten FAT FAT FAT.  and you're probably thinking, "so what's the problem?"  the problem is this .... i have all of this beautiful yarn -- and i'm not making anything.  it's just wrong.  (and i'm not even counting the fiber i've amassed.  i have to stop ordering from adrian because although i'm sure she's happy with the business, she'll start thinking that i need to have some sort of intervention.) 

so, in the hopes of getting a handle on things, this weekend i think i may actually do inventory on my stash.  with the geeky excel spreadsheet.

in the meantime, i present to you my latest acquisitions.

from WEBS two weeks ago ...

19 skeins of the most glorious dark teal colored noro cash iroha.  (there were 20 skeins, but i lost one between the warehouse and the cash register.)  i'm ok with a prime number's worth of skeins.

3 lbs (yes 3 lbs) of rug wool yarn.  and yes, i know it's too scratchy to make a sweater, and yes i know it's rug yarn.  and yes i will probably make a rug with it or some other item that need not be worn.  that is if i live long enough to get to it.  i have plans for this.  i really do.

three more skeins of noro kureyon for the lizard ridge. 

and two skeins of noro iro because the blues got to me.  DO NOT JUDGE. 

well that's it for now.  i'll show you more tomorrow or over the weekend.

And Then There Were Socks

i've been quite the little joiner this fall -- with the socktoberfest and the warm hands -- but with the parental visit, since i've lost pretty much the will to live, planning projects has been at a standstill. 

but i still have enough presense of mind to be able to give lollygirl the low-down on my sock history.  (that's when i'm not in a corner in the fetal position rocking.)  it's a short one really.

• When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class? -- I started making socks less than a year ago.  january, 2006 to be exact.  it's funny because i've been knitting for most of my life and yet i was very very afraid of knitting socks.  WHAT IS UP WITH THAT?  anyway, i'm cured of that.  i taught myself.  it was like an ephiphany.
• What was your first pair?  How have they "held up" over time? these were my first pair.  i followed the sock pattern from hip to knit.  for socks since then, i've followed ann budd's sock pattern.  i used some yarn i had dyed with kool-aid.  they've held up fine as i've barely worn them.  they're too thick for shoes.
  
• What would you have done differently? nothing really.  i cut myself some slack for my first pair.  i love the colors and was just pleased as punch (what does that mean by the way) that i had gotten over my fear of socks.
• What yarns have you particularly enjoyed? i have a stash full of gorgeous sock yarns -- socks that rock, sundara sock yarn, opal, regia, claudia handpaint, cherry hill -- and all i've used except for a couple of exceptions is sockotta.  i do that.  i save the beautiful skeins.  because i'm afraid of ruining their perfection.  yes i'm a big weirdo.  i hope to work through that dysfunction in the coming months.
• Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method? dpns  baby.  5 of them.  i tried magic loop and wasn't all that convinced.  besides, why fix it if it ain't broke.  those dpns by the way -- bamboo.  the yarn sticks and the needles don't go flying.  you could poke an eye out that way.  i doubt i'll ever crochet socks.  too thick to fit in shoes.  but you never know.  i've learned not to say never.  a year ago i was anti-handknit socks because i couldn't imagine working on something that i'd stick my big smelly feet into.  yesterday i wore a pair in shoes.  i wanted to show people, i was so proud.
• Which kind of heel do you prefer?  (flap? or short-row?) flap.  it's all i know ... for now.
• How many pairs have you made? 10 i think.  you can see them all in my album to the right there...under  "i finished this in 2006."

the parentals are leaving saturday.  i hope to be my old loveable self (ha!) oh maybe about 30 seconds after we wave them through security. 

Good Stuff!

orsorry, no pictures yet.  but soon.

in the meantime ....

Go wish Elisa a Happy Birthday.  She's a grown-up today!

And who knew that my color-on-color scarf would bring me fame and fortune?!   I made Issue 2 of Eve's Yarnival!  

All My Thanks

i want to thank you all for your support to my last post.  i'm uncomfortable with public navel gazing.  it seems so indulgent.  but writing that post really helped unload that 300lbs man that was sitting on my chest.  and posting it so that's all out there helped for the reality check.  i thank you all. 

you really really helped.