Are you still there?

It has been inexcusably long since my last post, having said that I'm still going to excuse myself and just chalk it up to holiday nerves (the stepped on, frayed, can't face the blog ones).

But, life soldiers on and there is much to do and see and be happy about.

Knitting: I have two socks on the needles, and the Estonian Garden Lace wrap.  The lace is getting attention in one hour spurts here and there, maybe a pattern repeat or two a week.  I like having a long term project and try not to drive myself too hard with them.  I started a ubiquitous stockinette sock in Trekking - a gorgeous colorway full of burgundies and blues - with little flecks of gold every so often.  I love knitting with Trekking, I can't put it down because I can't wait to see what it does next.  I also have a pair of Grumperina's Jaywalker socks on the needles for the first time.  I had thought it was an OK pattern - I was dead wrong.  It is a brilliant pattern, truly brilliant.  It takes yarn (say, Lorna's Laces or some-such) that looks so pretty in the skein that you almost can't breathe (but looks flashy-pooly-not-satisfying when knit) and makes it look like your obsessed brain wants it to look when you are fondling the skein and saying "maybe this time it will be different".  These socks (OK it is LL in the watercolor colorway, yes it is the third sock pattern I have put this yarn to - it's sticking this time) are beautiful.  My stomach kinda thrills when I stop to admire my knitting.  Where are the pictures?  When the socks have been gifted the pictures will go up.

Spinning: I haven't spun in 7 days.  I was holding off of starting a new project in hopes there would be some yummy christmas fiber.  There was yummy christmas fiber - soft and snow corriedale, ounces and ounces of the lovely amethyst merino, even a bag of scoured-but-that's-it alpaca (from Gino and Don Giovanni, two alpacas who live here in western Washington).  I was thrilled to get more fiber, I even know what I want to do with it - but in a fit of holiday anxiety (of the parentally induced flavor) my neck froze in a bent rictus of pain and I have not been able to regard my knees since Friday.  It's getting better, but I'm still off spinning for a couple more days.  Why is it that I don't know I'm stressing myself to the breaking point until I actually break?  Oh well, it's passing - and at least I've been able to knit for the last two days.

Funniest thing of the last week: At christmas dinner I was relaying the story of the Friday night phone call from Mom to the people assembled at the table.  My mother had called and exclaimed that she was in trouble!  I have 14 years experience in caring for a diabetic father - my brain went into fix-it mode and I was simultaneously scoping out where my shoes were, remembering the ferry schedule, and planning to MapQuest the Jefferson County Hospital. I said to the table "I was thinking about what had to be done to get Mom medical help."  BLING chimed in: "I was thinking about what had to be done to get Mom bail." 

Everybody gasped and looked at Mom - who busted out laughing.  Her daughter in law had nailed her and she never saw it coming.  She deserved it too - she was IN TROUBLE because she had made too many cookies.   Sheesh Mom, whatever happened to "Hi"?  BLING gets the award for "Best Quick Comeback" of christmas 2005.

Comments

[Linda "K"]

"....needed to make bail?" Bling you are too funny! Late apologies to you Elaine - when I saw the wheel you got on the first post about it I assumed you were sorta new to spinning and was trying to say encouraging words. You're obviously NOT - so, embarrassment city!

I'm dying to make those Jaywalker socks - being the Queen of jaywalking in most cities I've ever lived in but I have two problems. a) No more sock wool with me - used up my Koigu making fingerless mitts for us both for the Scotland portion of the trip, and b) jaywalking here is an oxymoron - the very concept makes me look like a total wimp. Street runner or street glider might be more accurate. Somehow you have to insert yourself in traffic, and while making sure to be seen by those that would run you over (everyone) -sylph your way through everything and arrive alive on the other side.

Sorry about your kneck! Do you ever use quills when spinning on a handspindle I've been meaning to ask?

Ciao for now,
Linda "K"

[Lisa in Oregonl]

I wanna do Jaywalker socks...and the likelihood of my making it through a pair is about -10. I'll enjoy yours vicariously.

The bail crack is hysterical.... :)

[Elaine]

Linda you big flatterer! I spun my very first single six weeks ago today. I haven't tried a drop spindle - maybe I'm waiting for you to return so I can get a lesson? The reason I thought I might be getting fiber for christmas is spinning has been my only topic of conversation for the last month!

Lisa - they are great, and super easy. They look big on the needles because the pattern holds them out (did that make sense), I tried them on and they fit wonderfully so I'm feeling confident about them fitting their intended wearer.

[Ryan]

Of course, we are still here!

Hope your neck is feeling much, much better, Ms. Elaine!

Happy New Year to the two of you!!

(Wow. How many exclamations marks can I use in one short comment?)

[Carry]

Still here and glad you're back...Ok, ok, you (and a whole bunch of others) have talked me into trying the Jaywalker socks...I even have a couple of skeins of LL in the rainbow colorway...maybe these socks would be the right pattern?

Where did you find the Trekking yarn? Did you order it online or find it in a nice lys...I haven't been searching overly hard, but haven't noticed it around myself

(ok, beat your too many exclamation points with far too many ellipsis)