Life's a Stitch

I haven’t worked on something so addicting in a long time. Charlotte’s Web is one habit forming knit. It is so much easier the second time around. I made a mistake at Row 43, ripped back 6 rows and went merrily on my way. This one is taking less time partly due to familiarity and also the fact that I’m using one colourway. Koigu P113 has so many brilliant colours, magenta, greens – olives to bright lime, purples, blues and little turquoise; it’s beautiful on its own. Knitting merrily away this weekend, cockily adding an additional 32 rows, you can predict what happened. Picture this: row 172, 347 stitches across, 42 stitch markers, a very tired Li, how the heck did I get to the 48th stitch without realizing I was knitting in the wrong direction? A deep breath later, the S1, K2’s, SSP’s were carefully undone and I’m into the home stretch – 15 rows to go! I’m starting to think of the finishing, maybe a ruffled edge this time instead of fringe, like on my Yarn Harlot poncho. Hoping my next photos are of a blocking Charlotte, but you never know what might happen! As my ninth grade math teacher used to say, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."

The colours in the photo look quite accurate. See you on Friday.

We went to the movies for the first time since seeing Chicago two years ago. This time we saw Sideways. I have no vulgar intentions in writing this, but what it the opposite of a chick flick? It’s a prick flick. Sideways is a prick flick, two guys hanging out being guys and getting into guy trouble (think the prick word). I thought it was a movie about wine. It is, but that’s secondary. The most fun part was listening to the guys in the audience laughing. It is a little raunchy but I’d see it again, it does have a message of decency that shines through in the end. Chuck told me he’s offended by the term I’ve coined, but it does make sense when you see this movie and what’s wrong with a little artistic license?

On to "purer" thoughts; I hope you all had a good Easter weekend no matter how you celebrated. We are Easter traditionalists and it gave me a chance to reflect on the many blessings in our life right now.  A big thank you to all for your positive thoughts. Life is a funny thing, isn’t it? There’s so much you don’t have control of. The blogging community is such a positive part of my life these days. Thanks to all.

This will be short. I’m still away and only have dial up access – very slowwwww. I solved my closure problem on the Garter Stitch cardigan with a trip into Vancouver’s Chinatown. A very helpful woman in a fine linen shop found me these buttons:

Isn’t that what they say about bad luck? The first night after my knee injury, during the two hours of sleep I managed to get, I had a dream about breaking two mirrors. I figured I was in for 14 years of bad luck or seven years of really really bad luck.

So this past week I had the migraine from hell, the knee thing and now I have received a letter from the mammogram clinic that I had a bad mammogram and need two further tests, scheduled for April 4th. Thank goodness for mammograms, as nasty as they are. Mine clearly showed something abnormal even though neither my dr or I can feel a thing. So, that makes three pieces of dubious health news, quite enough for me.

Just at the right moment this week, as this trilogy of bad luck comes to a close, I received two wonderful surprises in the mail. Not one, but two RAOKS!  A lollipop and a magnetic calendar designed especially for RAOKing from Alison, and stitch markers and a note pad with b-day greetings from Renee. Thank you, I think your timing is amazing.

I have made a major decision regarding my Charlotte’s Web shawl. I’m at row 154, technically the officially end of the project. I had already made the decision to increase it by another set of 16 rows, but in taking a closer look have decided to go for 32 more! A glutton for punishment I am, as I feel ready to have it done. I just know, though, that I’ll like it a whole lot better in a slightly larger size. I have the yarn so all it will take is time. I’ve found that a Charlotte in one colourway requires three skeins of Koigu, plus an additional skein for the fringe; one less than required for the multicoloured shawl. I think it’s quite economical for a hand painted project.

Here are a couple of pictures from Banff, one of the conference centre, one of the view:

Have a wonderful Easter weekend, I’ll be back after the long weekend.

I finally have time to write more about my trip. When I arrived in Edmonton and Elina and I drove straight to Stoney Plain, Alberta, a tiny little town. Yes, we missed the turn to the town centre when we blinked. Stoney Plain is home to one of the young RCMP officers who was killed recently with three others in Alberta. It’s a very sad time around here. Three of the constables were in their 20’s. If you know a cop, hug him. This one’s for you, Greg.

Stoney Plain is also the home to Pam’s Woolly Shoppe. Pam has yarn from floor to ceiling and in every nook and cranny. I arrived there once after a long drive from Jasper, AB and asked to use the washroom. She explained that she had one if I could find it, but I wouldn’t be able to close the door for all the wool. Doesn’t it sound like knitter’s heaven?

I found (it truly is a find to locate something in Pam’s) Estelle Watercolour solids, just what I was looking for to pair with Tonga, to make a shawl as a thank you for the woman who has been Elina’s guardian angel in Edmonton for her four years of school.

They had quite a selection of Sirdar Denim Ultra and I bought enough for two sweaters. My friend Marsha and I have been on the lookout for yarn to make this. Hers will be in lavender and mine in beige/cream variegated. This is a very quick knit, requiring seven skeins and we are both looking at it as a long weekend knit.

Finally, Elina convinced me to knit her a shawl for her graduation banquet. I do not like knitting with this kind of yarn unless it’s held together with another type, but she convinced me! It’s Midas and it was way too expensive! She gave me that look and I couldn’t resist. How often do you get your degree?

I’ll be back on Thursday.

I got to fly home first class. Of course it took a note from the ER dr saying I needed to keep my leg extended and elevated. Here is my souvenir from Banff:

That would be a $120 worth of full leg hinged brace, not from skiing, which would be the logical reason for visiting the ER in Banff, but as the result of a close encounter with an icy sidewalk outside the front door of the hotel. Lovely. I did enjoy the complimentary glass of cab-merlot on the plane. I’ll let you know more after I meet with the surgeon this week.

This will give me plenty of time to complete Charlotte, currently at 100 rows:

Another guest blogger entry – this time from my sister-in-law. I figure if Bryant is the Son of a Stitch then Ellen is the Stitcher-In Law:

This week I’ve been feeling a little sorry for myself.  After a “balmy” 56-degree day on Sunday, my corner of Minnesota has settled into a week of freezing drizzle, wind, snow, and cold temperatures.  Add to that all my traveling friends: Peg is leaving for a Caribbean cruise on Saturday, Faye is in Cozumel, Beth just returned from Cancun, (and of course there’s Li going to tropical Alberta), and I’m here.

This afternoon, however, I found a little respite, a little bit of sunshine, close by in Rochester.   My husband came home from work on Tuesday, saying he’d found a yarn shop across from St. Mary’s Hospital and that maybe I’d like it.  Being spoiled by the shops I frequented while visiting in Vancouver, I critically thought to myself, “Right.  A yarn shop in Rochester.”  Today I was delighted to put my cynicism aside and enjoy the warmth of the mother/daughter owners, helpers, knitters, a good cup of coffee, and shelves of quality yarn.   I also indulged myself by leaving with a rather large bag filled with fun yarn.  I think I’ve found a new motto for myself:  If you can’t join them, knit.

I’m super busy with the course I’m attending in Banff. It’s a wee bit colder here than in Vancouver!

At Chicks With Sticks last week I was teaching a beginner knitter. She gasped when she looked at my hand. What is it, I asked? she observed that I had a highly developed muscle between my thumb and forefinger and dubbed it my "knittoid muscle" obviously from daily knitting. We were rolling over laughing comparing our various knittoids. Mine was the largest. It is not nice looking but it is the best, most developed, muscle in my body. To view your knittoid hold your hands in front of your face, palms facing away from you. Press your fingers together and out will jump your knittoid. This is the measure of a serious knitter.

I’m still in migraine hangover phase but certainly not as bad as before. Sometimes I fear they are triggered by knitting. Don’t laugh, a neck spasm can cause terrific headaches, just like in whiplash. I have to be really careful how I sit when I’m knitting.

OK, now, how many of you checked your knittoid?

I have a guest blogger scheduled for Friday, see you next week.

Hi From Edmonton where I’ve been sick with the mother of all migraines for two days. I usually measure the severity of a headache by comparing it to one I had on a train travelling from Bremen to Amsterdam a couple of years back. It started early on in the trip but gained considerable strength after the train was delayed when someone in rural Holland decided to meet his end by diving under our coach. We arrived in Amsterdam in the middle of the night, but due to problems with the track we were let out at a downtown station instead of the airport. Lugging too much baggage we found our way to the airport, but it involved a disgusting ride in an elevator sloshing with pee and another train ride with a loud cursing Scottsman. It was 2:30 a.m. and we had missed the last shuttle to the airport hotel, a $20 cab ride away. When we finally made it there, seven hours ahead of our flight I was never so glad to see a bed, no matter the cost. I thought that was the worst headache of my life until now. An arsenal of drugs large enough to cause major organ damage hasn’t made a dent. My main task for the day will be getting to a medical clinic three blocks away and figuring out a way to feel better by the time my course starts tomorrow. This is not the way I intended to spend my birthday.

I’m so lucky to be in the company of my daughter who is T minus five weeks from her BscN. She made me chicken noodle soup just like I used to do for her. We had a really fun first day but I’ll write about that later. Hint: yarn shop and too much money.

Thanks for all you comments yesterday. That post exudes 14 year old ego and I’m sure he’s thrilled to hear from you. And your sweet comments about his mom were most appreciated.

Charlotte at about 80 rows:

Hello everybody, I am Bryant, son of Li. I enjoy doing many things such as unicycling, sleeping, eating, playing guitar and occasionally knitting. For me knitting is a procrastination system so I can avoid my homework. Someday I will start a infinite scarf so I’ll never have to do homework. My stash consists of one ball of camouflage yarn.

I can’t believe that people actually come to this site. Before my mom made this site I was placing bets with her. My side of the bet was that nobody would actually come and she would be stuck pressing the refresh button to make the hits go up so she would feel better. I was wrong but I still think she presses the refresh button ; ).

LATEST HEADLINES IN BRYANT’S LIFE

Velvet Revolver coming to town, Bryant has ticket!

Bryant bought new Ramones shirt, it kicks @$$.

Bryant might be an actor, for he just got an agent!

Bryant is too lazy to type.

That picture is me trying to look all cool… psst… if any of ya knitters have any nice single 14 year old daughters, please contact me immediately 🙂 .

So there ya have it. Me – The son of a stitch.