11March2010
Posted by Holly under: Knitting.
after spending the day in Upavon (Trenchard Lines) I was completely brain dead by the time I returned home.
I couldn’t face anything complicated.
Straight stockinette with some increases – possible.
30 rows down
and only a couple of dozen to go….
(150 gm ball of Regia in color Irland. 6 fach on 4.5 mm Nadels)
10March2010
Posted by Holly under: Knitting.
it might just be ok
Using the reddish – adding it as 40% of the total ridges – it does change the balance from light to dark, but if I do the whole back this way ……
9March2010
Posted by Holly under: Knitting.
So I have these four colour options none of which are really what I want, but hey, I want this sweater done. It is either 75% complete (and I knit a solid upper back) or 50% complete and I reknit the side extensions and upper back throwing in a supplemental yarn.
The Mole likes black. He figures it is always great as an accent color.
adding black
up close, it was a possible. When I looked at it from across the room, it overwhelmed everything else. There just is not that much black in the basic yarn.
So there is this grey -
wrong grey family
but it just looks wrong, too dark, and a bit too blue for the fabric. I also have to admit that both the black and the grey are never present as solids which might contribute to their being a bit suspect.
Looking at the orange, I could not make myself try it. I really, really don’t wear orange. A bit in a pattern is one thing, but adding 40% orange to the mix is just beyond me.
With an hour knitting time each way on the party bus to Andover (don’t ask – it is another military reorganization and relocation for no one’s pleasure or convenience) for the day’s briefings – I went ahead and jumped in with the red.
the reddish color
It is lighter than the rust red and obviously a whole lot darker than the orange. I think it gives the impression of the pattern being spread out a bit more. I am going to have to think about it.
The pattern on the back extension is 4 rows of garter followed by a short row. I elected to add the reddish on either side of the short row in order limit the addition to 40% of the yarn and make sure that the grey and black would not completely disappear.
Now if I can just keep plugging away and resist starting something new…..
8March2010
Posted by Holly under: Knitting.
I have pulled my mind back in from screaming over the edge and am now looking for solutions:
1) frog the whole thing and move on to a different yarn
Perhaps purple?
2) try a new gauge
but the hand does not feel right
(and find that I don’t like either the way that the pattern comes out or the drape of the fabric. Doesn’t matter, even at the new gauge the yarn amount that I have is still a few grams short of supplying the needed square area).
3) work in a couple of balls of a solid color yarn on the back where I will not see it. Going through my stash – these are the options:
four options from stash that are in the ball park
bit better a look at the color choices
None of them are a perfect match to any of the colors. The reddish and grey are Knit Picks Palette, the orange is Patton’s baby wool and the black is Rowan 4 ply. Not going to buy any more yarn. No, not going to do it.
I thought looking for more of the sock yarn but have hung that as not prompt or efficient. And, it would involved spending money. Yarn from stash…..
7March2010
Posted by Holly under: Knitting.
Once again, it is the month of March.
For a select few of us there is March Sweater Madness. Started by Michelle of the SweetSheep Shop, this is my third year. Barbara is also playing (you need to see the sweater she started during the Olympics).
I started out with a bang on Drops 120-45, a lovely garter stitch cardigan calling for Fabel. According to the instructions, I would need 400 gm of yarn. Since I had a bag (10 balls=500gm) of sock yarn bought on sale I figured I was all set.
Never mind that I had a bit of problems with reading the instructions so that my first attempt got me here -
single increase on the end.....
Somehow I can’t figure out why it took me a full ball of yarn to realize why my knitting did not look like the Garn Studio picture. Perhaps I was out to lunch or engaging in wishful thinking.
Starting again,
double increase gets you a corner...
I finished the left front – including the lower back extension.
Forging ahead, I knit the right front and started on the lower back extension. Grabbing for a new ball of yarn…
Hummmm, why do I only have two balls of yarn left?
I counted ball bands. Yes, I had eight in the bag, proving that I had lost neither my mind nor yarn.
Admittedly, I have only six or so rows of garter left on the lower back so that should not take all that much. But that still leaves the complete upper back to knit. There is no way that two balls of yarn are going to be enough. The pattern said 400gm, which I have already used. I need another 100gm?
It is at this point I figure that something is not exactly straight up. I am using 3.00 needles and getting gauge just like I am supposed to. The fabric feels a bit dense, but I like the drape.
Just in case wastage is more than I thought, digging through the bottom of the yarn bag I can account for about another 10 grams of yarn. You know – that yarn cut from the beginning of the ball so that the pattern matches up? Doesn’t come anywhere near solving my problem.
What else? Reviewing the bidding
1) needles – 3.00 – check
2) yarn – 400 gm, I have 500 gm – check.
3) gauge – check
Drops patterns call for Fabel, I have substituted Fortisima Colori, also a sock yarn. Looking at the ball bands – it mentions gauge of 22/10 cm on 3-4mm needles.
Huh? That does not sound right. That would make it 6 ply, not 4 ply. I would not have done something that stupid, would I? Substituted yarn of 125m/50 gm for yarn of 210m/50gm in a pattern then expected 1250 meters to cover the same amount of area as 1640?
Yes. That is exactly what has happened. Close out yarn – no way am I going to be able to get more of the same dyelot, especially since I would need 4-5 more balls.
Now what?
6March2010
Posted by Holly under: family.
It was a Saturday, 17 years ago, when Ms Maus agreed to come into the world. A bit of attitude then which has altered over the years to her own bit of humor and fun. Contributing to the challenges of all (including the bother who is 2 years and one day older).
6March2010
Posted by Holly under: Uncategorized.
For someone of his age and generation
Even better, I got him out and about for dinner tonight for his birthday.
I think he might just be still awake but reading Terry Pratchett
15February2010
Posted by Holly under: Uncategorized.
Just on a whim, I turned on my laptop while sitting outside Gate 122 in Dubai. Imagine my surprise – Internet! Free Internet at that.
I have been through most (but not all) of my email accounts but still have to download all the pix off my camera which means that it will be a day or two before I can share pictures of Dubai, Oman, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and the ship.
What can I say? 8-15th in the Arabian Gulf with sunshine, smooth seas, warm temps, more food that anyone in their right mind would eat and a relaxing time spent with the Eldest. No snow, no rain. No shoveling, cursing or cars that slide across the road and into a ditch.
I still have an hour before flight time. A quiet transition when not quite on vacation but not yet returned to the world of deadlines, laundry, house repairs and uniforms.
I knit a scarf while underway, half a shawl and the body of a raglan sweater. Never did get to the socks….
7February2010
Posted by Holly under: Travel.
I have a late night flight out of the UK. I am taking the eldest on a cruise for her birthday. We are meeting in Dubai tomorrow and boarding the Brilliance of the Seas on the Royal Caribbean Lines.
This is a week of warmer weather and a break from the cold and damp of both the UK and Germany.
I have clothes, I have knitting, I have my camera and I have the laptop. Don’t know if I will be on line but I hope so.
And yes, it might seem like a lot of extra weight to haul along the laptop just to be able to send off a few emails with photos. But please consider; if I want to relax in the evenings, I have unwatched episodes of Star Trek Voyager and CSI…..
5February2010
Posted by proseknitic under: home.
It was months ago when I discovered the leak staining the ceiling of the utility room. It took a few months more before I was finally able to convince Modern Housing that I needed someone to look at the mess, then repair it.
After four reschedules do to bad weather and their lousy scheduling, the plumber showed up this morning. Ready (are you ready for this?) to replace the float.
I kid you not. I showed him the problem, he remembered the issue from when he had come out to shut the water off. He called in and argued with the people for fifteen minutes before they finally agreed that, yes, he should take out the toilet, just like the surveyor asked.
We have no clue about the float – I have called five times about the mistake. I keep being told they will fix it. Never mind, do not underestimate the ability of a bureaucracy to perpetuate an error.
finally - bare boards
leaving the throne on its own outside since I vetoed it resting next to the tub..
behind the house
The joiners arrived just before 1400. Their work order said (and I quote)
replace a floor board
They looked, pulled up the linoleum and two hours later were here -
not just "a" floor board
Obviously it was too late for them to finish. Having it open to dry out for a few days is also a good idea. Perhaps the three sorts of molds and fungus which had been gracing the floor and air will not be happy.
They will be back Tuesday week.
I think knitting is much better for me than worrying about the next disaster
4February2010
Posted by Holly under: Knitting; family.
Knitting is fun, knitting is great. Unlike life, Knitting gives you do-overs.
About five of them so far today. Same project, third yarn, second set of needles. Not counting a change on the way I am doing the edges.
Then, I took a good look at my yarn and changed pattern which was perfectly fine since the stitch count a few rows in matched a couple of other lovely choices in, Wrapped in Comfort. You know Alison, right? SpinDyeKnit Alison?
Any way – now headed to BigFoot
a few rows, more than a few stitches
Borrowed Season 1 of Monk from the library.
The Mole is back at school in Rochester for the duration of the week and all of next while I am out of country. He is not thrilled, but looks to have it under control for the moment. Meanwhile, he has started to study US History and US Government on his own since the GED exam is one option out of the current stalemate. If anyone knows what their local High School is specifically using for 11-12th Grade textbooks, I would really appreciate recommendations.
I counted it up: grades 1-2 in Wuerzburg, 3-4 in Muenchen, 5 (three schools in Heidelberg with the last also being the location for grades 6-8). 9-10 in Stuttgart. 11 in DSL with a switch to Rochester mid year, last.
Makes it 8 schools for 13 years of education (yes, it adds up. grade 5 x 2). Not exactly continuity of education.
Week at a time, I guess.
Ms Soprano went to 7 different schools and Ms Maus only 5.
3February2010
Posted by Holly under: Knitting.
Mostly pictures – few words, just to catch you up to date on the other Lotus Blossom I knit in CA.
Lotus Blossom in Scarlet
Blocking
looking better
Scarlet Lotus Blossom detail
and while I was at it – I took another shawl – Twinings that had been languishing since the end of August
almost 2 meters Blocked
close up detail
and it really looks lovely drapped
2February2010
Posted by Holly under: Books & Tapes; Prose.
We have all studied literature in school. Defined by me as that portion of writing in prose in which a point/commentary is delivered through the expression of the story.
Fiction on the other hand, is all about the story.
The difference is the writer’s intent. Not what professors of language, literature or social analysis decide later, but what the author intended in the first place.
For example, it is fairly clear that Jonathan Swift and Mark Twain were using the medium of storytelling to provide commentary on their societies. Both have even commented so in non-fiction essays.
Similarly, in genre fiction there is little question in most people’s minds that mystery stories are all about solving the puzzle and romance is about relationships.
That leaves Science Fiction – which is about some kind of future – based on technology rather than magic. The wisdom about 30-40 years ago was that authors wrote their vision of the future. Meaning that science was going to lead to outbound travel while really not fixing much of anything with the people involved. Postulations of doom and gloom abounded.
What was also noticeable were the characters – present day attitudes superimposed on future science. Makes as much sense as an enlighted man of the 13th century expressing 21st century US views about the roles of men and women in society.
And then along comes Ursula Le Guin with The Left Hand of Darkness portraying a society different in concept from the known and accepted in her time. If you need a summary, perhaps you want to detour to Wikipedia or an excellent discussion of gender roles in science fiction and society by Rebecca Rass.
I originally read Left Hand of Darkness in 1969 when it was first published and was stunned by the book, the thought and the society portrayed. It is not an action adventure which was what I had quietly assumed was most science fiction (see Andre Norton, Robert Heinlein, James Blish……..) but a thoughtful portrayal of what was certainly alien to someone fighting basic gender discrimination in school.
Since this is the first one on my Classics of SciFi List, I am still decided how to approach the commentary. Assume that you will hear once to several times about each book since I am as interested in how they strike me now as when I first read them.
Perhaps that is my definition of classic – a book that keeps appearing fresh with each re-reading.
.
1February2010
Posted by Holly under: Books & Tapes; Knitting.
Smart name from Raverlry last year right about this time.
What better way to deal with the mid-winter doldrums than to knit a nice vest?
Rather than something complicated, fine yarn and fiddly, I decided to choose an easy, fast pattern. In fact, Drops #115-24, a cabled top looked to be right about my speed.
Purchased a few years ago, I have this bag of Shakespeare by Artful Yarns, 100% wool in a lovely combination of blues and purples
Color #5
Casting on 95 stitches (yes, that is around. Total number that 95!) on size 8.00 needles to set up the pattern before moving up to 9.00 needles with two strands held together
cables plus ribbing
it has not taken long to get three balls (135 yards each worked from inside and outside) into the project.
not quite to the underarm, but close.
I am rather pleased to think that I will shortly have a nice warm vest.
I did look through other’s projects: Nicole knit a lovely version without sleeves, as did Katharaina. Then there is Donna’s (which is located here on her old blog) which I hope she ports everything over from Blogspot as she has such a nice collection of pictures and finished things.
There were another three or so finished vests, but none of the rest have projects that seem to be posted outside of Ravelry.
The Mercedes Coffin – Faye Kellerman. A Peter Decker & Rina Lazarus mystery, this was one of several downloaded from iTunes a few months back when they had books on sale ($6.95 seemed like a really good deal).
I read it (library book( when first released in hardback) and enjoyed it then. It is holding up well on listening, the reader is a pretty gruff sounding guy which seems to suit the story well.
By the simple expedient of heading into London, the Mole managed to avoid returning to school this afternoon.
On return, we had a serious conversation about what comes next. He is a good kid, knows that the budget is not unlimited (school year prepaid) and that transferring schools – except to mean mom’s – is not likely.
No one really lost their temper and we will talk on the way to Croughton in the morning.
31January2010
Posted by Holly under: home.
I started this morning with great intentions. I would clean and organize while listening to podcasts and audiobooks. Household chores do have to be done.
Butl, cleaning the bedroom is boring and requires me to decide what to do with all the miscellaneous stuff as well as admitting that things are out of control. Tackling the living room falls into the same category – right now it looks fine on the surface…
Laundry was a possibility, blocking the two shawls I uncovered would have been a great idea, not burning my dinner under the broiler because I forgot about the hash brown patties…
I have to be completely honest here. I have an infinite ability to start things. Whether it is knitting, sewing, reading books, or initiating a clean-up campaign, I (mostly) do not find it difficult to start. But seeing it all the way to the end? Now that is another story. I find endings not always pleasant.
On a better day, I can use the excuse of having “stuff.” After all, as should be obvious to all right thinking adults, having a place for everything and things in those places means it is hard to make progress on anything.
Out of sight means out of mind.
If projects, books, papers, are visible then it becomes easier to prioritize which should lead to finishing of those items under work.
It is a great theory. Unfortunately it conflicts with the known phenomena of becoming overwhelmed when there is too much to do. Assuming, of course, that I am going to enjoy finishing things; and there in lies the rub.
The solutions to this problem are many fold; the hardest of which is to just go ahead and complete up all those books, projects, papers, phone calls, vouchers, claim forms……
Another option, which seems to be the one favoured by many knitters, is to start something new when everything under way just does not seem right.
All of which lead to the decision to plan a new vest for the Vest-uary Group on Ravelry. Drops pattern 115-24 knit from double stranded worsted weight yarn I already have on hand. It should go rapidly on size 9.00 mm needles, ignoring the sweater for Ms Maus lacking only the front, the quick steek needed on a cardigan, a couple of items meant for the frog pond and a real desire to knit another shawl.
Tomorrow I will go to work, be good, make a list of due-outs, and work down that list. Leaving aside dropping off the car for service, taking the Mole back to school and attending about three meetings…..
30January2010
Posted by Holly under: family.
Having never been a teen aged boy, I have absolutely no clue what goes on in their heads. Besides the gender issue, my adolescence was worlds and distance from his.
I can tell you that the Mole is brilliant; other people tell me that he is bright, polite, well spoken and charming to have around. He goes out of his way to help others; I wish he would help himself a bit more.
All the moves we have made due to jobs over the years have not been kind to him. Unlike the social butterflyness of the girls, he takes longer to fit in, find friends and his place in that difficult location called a peer group.
This is his last year of secondary school and he is not a happy camper. Neither of us have a good clue as to what is next on his horizon. He tells me that he wants medicine - Paediatrics in specific. Switching from European schools systems’ of educating to the US multiple choice test is difficult at best and extremely challenging.
As a parent, I think we always want the best for our children. Unfortunately, it is not possible to take away all the bumps and bruises of growing and learning. That is probably as it should. But on many days communications can be a real challenge.
Should I just settle for a moderately clean room?
28January2010
Posted by Holly under: Travel.
The good thing about out of town visitors is that you can get to places otherwise not on the daily commuting trail.
Guarding the river bridge
Ostensibly, the visit to Bath was a detour for lunch on the way to a nearby Casern where an afternoon meeting was scheduled.
In reality, I think it was because of a desire on the part of the group to have lunch here -
Sally Lunn's - complete with bread
Lunch was delicious, the meeting was productive and I got to drive home.
26January2010
Posted by Holly under: Knitting; military.
Certainly you remember Robbie Burns and sing a song from one of his poems every New Years.
Being in the UK, it is easy to join the tradition of celebration when his birthday rolls around every year. This marked my third (and last) Burns Night celebration at the Mess.
Altho there were about the same number of people as last year, someone got a bit more creative with the seating, making up five tables of 9-10 diners rather than a head table with long lines down the sides. It made for much more congenial conversation at dinner.
I had managed to complete another Lotus Blossom Shawl, never mind that I blocked it last night. Note, blocking board propped up against a register leads to rapidly drying shawl.
Lotus Blossom
tossing it over a fancy white blouse, floor length plaid skirt and country dance away the evening.
Shawl – Lotus Blossom from Fiddlesticks Knitting. Three skeins of Louet Gems in Pewter knit on 3.75 mm needles. Started in SF and finished up a few days ago.
18January2010
Posted by Holly under: Travel.
From SF to Frankfurt
16January2010
Posted by Holly under: Books & Tapes; Knitting; Travel.
Managing a wander up Oxford Street early this morning.. well, early apparently for Berkeley. Not even joggers out and about at 0730 on a Saturday morning, just homeless blockaded into doorways by their laden carts.
I was looking for Beth-El and the 0830 Minyan. Having the address was good, the building is not signed. Held in their smaller Beit Am, the group and folding chairs felt more welcoming than many of the formal, decades established Shabbas services, complemented by a locally produced prayer book designed for all levels of Hebrew ability and vision.
Sliding out before the Torah study, the walk back to the hotel is downhill. Hill direction can be terribly important when you are on the edge of the foothills. Having a house seven blocks from Shul is good. Would be much better if those seven blocks were not straight up hill…
Feeling truly fortunate, I spent a lovely afternoon with Ruth (aka the Scrabblequeen). I also met her husband, one of those great guys willing to take a Saturday afternoon and wander a section of Solano so that we could visit.
Part of the plan had been to visit Stash. Well, it seems that they had moved. No sign in the window of the old location. We wandered through other shops and books stores, totally missing looking up the street from where we had lunch. Stash, as it turns out, was just around the corner.
Tea, Chai and knitting were also in order for the afternoon. Ruth’s current sweater project has a lovely look and feel and she is such a warm and welcoming person. There are those times when you can feel awkward meeting someone who you know only through email. Both yesterday with Alison and today with Ruth it was sitting down with old friends, picking up threads of conversation like no time had passed at all.
Wanting to read old science fiction/fantasy classics, I was facing a dilemma. Few of the books I will be re-reading are currently in publication and rarely in hardback, eliminating the library as a source for the books. I probably have most of them, somewhere in a book box.
But then there are used books stores and I found:
I still have to track down:
What is on your reading list?
15January2010
Posted by Holly under: Fiber; Travel.
First, the good news:
I had a great time visiting with AlisonH. We met at a lovely coffee shop, enjoyed cocoa and talked for hours. She is one of those people who looks just like her blog picture, only younger.
So there I was, on a friendship high when I trucked back to the hotel. Meeting up with the DH, we went to see our new house.
Guess what? There is a basic difference in communication styles and perspectives between men and women. Guys can see the positive and figure that the rest will work out. Me? When I say that I want a house I can live in for the rest of my life, that is what I mean. A house that is accessible and safe. Not one that is up on top of a hill, with a drive that I can’t manage, with stairways, paths out side and stairs all over the place inside. Not a house that, had I been along on the house hunting trip, would not have been worth getting out of the car.
Back to my knitting. I love him, he is still alive and I am done throwing up.
13January2010
Posted by Holly under: Uncategorized.
nor am I completely confused. Again, just behind with a number of drafts built up while I try to sort out photo issues.
Meanwhile, this note is coming to you from the Marine Memorial Club & Hotel in San Francisco. It is Jan, therefore JP Morgan has its Medical Technology annual meeting. Smaller every year, I think they would rather pay themselves bonuses than fund this conference which is not at all cheap.
Anyway, expect to see a bit in the next couple of days.
-H
10January2010
Posted by Holly under: Travel.
Canadian Mountains
Golden Gate
Golden Gate, second pass
Yerba Buena
Ignoring weather and the minimal delays in arriving at the airport and flight take off, I had a wonderful flight. Seats were comfortable, I could listen to my audio books and knit. The food was even edible (note, sometimes there is real silverware!)
7January2010
Posted by Holly under: home.
Just in case there was any question in your mind, we have had snow.
From my office window
bowing down with the weight of snow
Now, being originally from Minnesota, I really don’t understand why this has been viewed as such a big deal. Shovel a bit, put on appropriate clothing and go to work.
Those who routinely wear utility uniforms do not seem to have a problem with the concept. On the other hand, the idea seems to be a bit foreign to the group that I think of as the “skirt and pantyhose brigade.”
2January2010
Posted by Holly under: Travel.
Took the girls out for a bit of history. Oldest ancient burial site on the plains, probably in the UK.
Salibury Hill
the burial mound
hiking the area
And for those of you who like references – go here!
