Saturday, January 20, 2007

First FO of 2007

I never thought I'd enjoy knitting with DPNs until I started and finished Ann Budd's Cowgirl Slipper Socks (with a yarn substitue, of course Using the suggested Buffalo Gold would have cost me $60/skein or $120 for the pair of socks!!!). I initially learned how to knit socks using the Magic Loop method, but now I think I've been converted, since it's a lot easier to move the stitches around using more than one needle. This little project dispelled notions that the stitches would be so slippery on DPN's that a jolt from one of my kids would send stitches flying off the needles, triggering a cardiac arrest and then causing a traumatic incident in front of two kids under the age of five. Using DPNs was quite the contrary despite using aluminium needles and not bamboo.

So how do you like my very own variegated, hand-dyed, handspun yarn? Luverly, isn't it? This is my first project using my own handspun. Totally exciting! As a bonus, I even learned the stretchy Norwegian cast-on method. Can't wait to delve into the next project! Just choosing one is the problem......

Cowgirl Slipper Socks
Started: January 1, 2007
Finished: January 12, 2007
Pattern: Cowgirl Slipper Socks by Ann Budd in IK Winter 2006
Yarn: My own, acid-dyed, handspun merino (fiber bought from Paradise Fibers)
Needles: 3-1/2 mm aluminium DPNs
Notes: Cute simple sock pattern for instant gratification! No modifications other than the yarn substitution.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Desiderata

So, this is what I've been thinking about and reading lately, a poem introduced to me by a fellow co-worker and friend. As the new year begins, I try to remind myself of Max Ehrmann's words to get through the chaos of a messy house, the deluge of incoming bills, the lack of time to relax, the lack of communication between the people closest to you, and the perplexing "thing" we call life.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

Saturday, January 06, 2007

Amazing Jellyfish!

Happy New Years Everyone!

Look where the boys and I went on Thursday......the Vancouver Aquarium! The Aquarium has recently set up a room to highlight their beautiful collection of moon jellyfish. They're just the coolest looking creatures up close! D is looking at the biggest jellyfish that we found in the room. They're called Lions mane Jellyfish.

After the Aquarium, I couldn't let the opportunity slip to pay a visit to Dressew, since I was passing through the downtown area. Some call me crazy to take two young boys to Dressew where there is such a big potential for the two of them to get into trouble, but I've been thinking of going there for the past three days!. Besides, R was so tired after the Aquarium that he fell asleep in the car and I only had one child to deal with while the other one slept in the stroller. Just look at the great buttons I found for my Flora that's waiting to be finished. And look a little closer at the prices!!! When the selection and prices can't be beat, I'll risk being yelled at by a Dressew salesclerk who might tell me to stop my boys from spinning all the button racks all at once or having other customers give me the dirty looks, because the two of them are running up and down the busiest aisles. (Yes, these aforementioned things have actually happened to me before at Dressew on other occasions.) The only difficulty of this visit to Dressew was carrying the stroller down two sets of stairs with a sleeping R in it to the basement where the buttons are located. C'est dommage! There's no elevator at Dressew.

So, this is what I've been working on lately with my latest hand-dyed, handspun. Care to take a guess? I'll post the FO as soon as I can.