Pischi Days

The Finish Line

2008-08-24T16:10:54-04:00

Against all odds, finished. On the podium, err, grapefruit tree hangs the Flutter Scarf, my entry into the Scarf Stroke for Team Canada at the 2008 Ravelympics.

First some stats. The scarf is the latest MimKnits design. For those of you don't know, MimKnits is the talented Miriam Felton, author of the Icarus Shawl that I knit earlier in the year.
I chose Knitpicks Shimmer in the Cumulus colorway. An appropriate choice of color for the type of weather that we had the last few days. I staggered in just under the finish line, Sunday, August 24, 2008, at 11:55:00 AM, knitting furiously, while downing my morning coffee. I quickly wove in the ends and gave it a good blocking under the Florida sun. I had no live model this morning, so the grapefruit tree had to do. To liven things up I picked a few hibiscus, Chinese Lanterns, in brilliant red.

I am disconsolate now that the Olympics re at an end. I thought the last two weeks gloriously entertaining. I was a little sad when the swimming ended. We were glued to set during both men's and women's events. Who could take their attention away from Michale Phelps.
It was a turbulent last week for me. I started a new job and revisited the exhaustion that only food service can bring. I now punch this.

I folded tons of these.
I put paper liners in these.
There were plenty of these to wrap.
I won't bore you with further details. I also made plenty of coffee drinks, served masses of scones and cookies, and made gallons of smoothies. Working in a bakery is very tactile and full of wonderful smells. I come home with the scent of steamed milk and freshly ground coffee in my clothes.
I also started a couple of my classes. The ones I could get a head start on were online. My first live class was canceled due to Fay and all the flooding. So, next week looms without the spectacle that was the Beijing Olympics, the first day of school starting all over again, and the second week of the "new job" .
Tonight I will wear my Flutter Scarf to the telecast of the closing ceremonies and look forward to new beginnings and thought my Winter Ravelympics project in Vancouver.

080808/08:08 Let the Games Begin

2008-08-08T23:32:06-04:00

It's here, another Knitting Olympics and I have my needles clicking in the Scarf Stroke for Team Canada. My sports paraphernalia of choice is the Flutter Scarf by Miriam Felton. Yarn from KnitPicks, I chose Shimmer, a baby alpaca and silk blend in colour Cumulus knit on Clover bamboo needles. All cleverly chosen with an Asian theme in mind.
I have been enjoying a much needed two weeks in between working woman and college girl. In that time I've been sorting through closets, organizing papers and doing a little shopping online.
I received yarn from the Neighbourhood Fiber Company. It's called Penthouse Silk in the Sheridan Circle colourway. I have it earmarked for the Hanami Stole.
In the blue green theme, I have this lovely sock yarn called Lost Lake from Impulse of Delight. She is an indy dyer from the Whistler area of BC.
When I heard that Lorna's Laces was contemplating a series based on well known knitters, I had to jump on the charter skeins based on of my favourite knit bloggers, Franklin Habit. The colour is called Franklin's Panopticon.
Next up is yarn from Elliebelly. I just received it today. From another indy dyer, this is a seacell/merino blend in the Florida colorway.
I have fallen in love with stitch markers and can't seem to enough of them. These are tiny and I bought several sizes to fit several needle sizes. They are hammered sterling silver and copper from Spindle Cat Studios.
My last purchase was a biggie. I treated my self to a nifty little MacBook. It was wonderful until I started to load my Office for the Mac and found out the optical drive is kaput. I have had several wonderful visits to tech support per telephone but the problem requires a trip to the Genius Bar. So, off I go on Monday in the hopes that I don't have to leave it there. Erik is looking forward to a quick trip to IKEA and I hope that the problem is quickly resolved so that I can accommodate him.
In conclusion, let me thank Michele, McKnitter, for inviting me to knit with the Brevard Coffee House Knitters. We met up in Melbourne at the Barnes and Noble. It was great to meet new knitters. I have to say though that our Sunrise Bread Company can't be beat for comfy chairs and atmosphere. I hope that the knitters I met can make it north one Saturday morning so we can repay their hospitality. I'm looking forward to the winter when snowbirds return and our group really benefits from all the knitters from up north and overseas.
Wishing you much happiness throughout these Knitting Olympics!

幸福

Obama in My Backyard

2008-08-02T17:26:18-04:00

A few days ago, if you would have told me that I would be in the same room with a presidential hopeful I'd have collapsed in gales of laughter. I have my opinions about the state of the economy, the ever increasing cost of living, my decreasing income, the war, health care, et cetera, with the realization that or present state is akin to a huge ship that can't be turned around so easily. I am among those who don't feel that we are better off than we were four or even eight years ago. So when I heard that Barack Obama was coming to our fair city of Titusville, I had to make an effort to hear him speak in person.
The Berlin speech made such an impact on my family over in Germany. My aunt found his speech to be eloquent and his ideas to be grounded in the interests of the American people. I didn't hear the full speech myself. Instead I read sound bites in our local paper. I felt some shame that my aunt was better informed than I was.
Friday morning I stood in line and received two tickets to the town hall meeting that took place this morning. A friend and I arrived at the gymnasium two and a half hours early and were fortunate to get great seats three rows back from the podium. As we waited, the rest of the gym started to fill up with friends, neighbours, our local politicos in office, and those currently running for office. Secret service were in evidence as was our local police, sheriff, and fire department. As we sat, we got to know the people around and next to us. We traded quips and took pictures of the surroundings. We sat still as school children as the New York Times photographers requested so they could take pictures for the NYT magazine. The gym was rapidly heating up and I saw political pamphlets doing duty as fans to cool those high up in the bleachers.
I looked around and spotted several friends included in those chosen to sit in the stands behind the podium.
After the minister, the politician, local Democratic party leader, state senator, and concerned citizen spoke, it was time for Obama to make his appearance. He did to hoots and howls and foot stomping.
I listened closely to the message of "Change". It was a great speech but I'm not a good judge of political stump speeches. I did agree with what I heard. Affordable health care, a living wage, affordable college education ($4000.00 credit per year) for those who agree to give back in the form of community service. Long term prosperity, solutions to the energy crisis and global warming, winding down the war in Iraq, shutting corporate loopholes, and ending tax cuts for the wealthy.
Who wouldn't want those conditions? Can they be delivered and how long will it take? No one really knows. Someone asked that question in the Q and A session afterwards.
As I listened, I had to nod my head in agreement. Our local economy is closely tied to the space program and so many livelihoods rely on what the next administration's view of space is. It all sounds promising...but can it be delivered?
When it came time to leave, I was surprised to be lead into a back by a charming fireman who asked if I wanted to meet Senator Obama. I dried my clammy hands and queued in the hall with a few others who were lucky enough to get up close and shake his hand. I thanked him for coming bringing our community together. He smiled and squeezed my shoulder and thanked me for coming.
An hour or so later, on my way to my son's swim meet, I passed the dozens of police on motorcycles heading west to Orlando. As I approached the traffic light, the big black bus was turning the corner off US 1 onto Garden Street and following the escort. I rolled down my window, honked and waved. Maybe he saw me and wondered why I didn't pull out my knitting for the photo op. I guess I just wasn't thinking straight. Larger issues loomed.

Who Would Have Thought...

2008-08-01T13:42:04-04:00

...that our fair city would be on the tour. I wonder if I can slip in my knitting and get a photo of the three of us? I have an extra ticket...

But Wait, There's More!

2008-07-27T19:39:06-04:00

So, sometimes life hands you many changes.

I took part in my first Triathlon relay. I was the biking part. My son swam, my husband ran. My butt hurt. I had not ridden a bike for more than a mile or so in years. I rode for four and...and swallowed a fly. The tri was to help cancer patients and their caregivers. We raised almost 10K Yeah! That's my Tom racing toward the finish and chasing him the recipient of the sock chronicle below. Susan came straight from the hospital (and her second round of chemo) to the race and stayed to watch all her friends and relatives swim, bike, and run. It took a lot out of her but she couldn't stay away.

Oh...and I quit my job.

This past Thursday I learned the art of spinning on a dreidel, I mean a top whorl spindle. I drafted the fibre and I'm pleased to say that I can spin some lumpy, though yet not too uneven fibre. I receive the spindle as a gift from one of my knitting groupies. I didn't think that I would enjoy this pursuit. Wrong, its very soothing.

Did I mention that I quit my job?

I signed up for a full course load at the local college because I want to become a nurse. I'm taking 10 credit hours this fall. To help keep the money coming in, I will be working in the same bakery my son works at. I can make a mean latte, fill sugar, do the creams...and I can mop a floor.

...and I am starting a new job. I'll have time to knit, to read, to sew, to garden, and catch up on my blog roll.

I am counting my blessings, my stash, my pennies in my shrinking 401K.

In the interim I will be knitting for Team Canada in the 2008 Ravelympics. I vacillated as to which team I should knit for. I went with my home country. The Flutter Scarf by Miriam Felton is entered in the Scarf Stroke as my event of choice. I am using KnitPicks Gloss in Sterling and hope that I can acheive gold.

I managed to finish a pair of socks in obscure yarn that's been marinating in my stash for several years. It was a gift from a friend who attend Maryland Sheep and Wool a couple of years ago. The socks will be gracing the feet of another friend. Hopefully she will find just the right penny loafers to complete the look.

The pattern Embossed Leaves is from Interweave's Favourite Socks book. The yarn is Blue Ridge Yarns Kaleidoscope Superwash Sock Yarn. I wish that I could buy some more. It was great to knit with, smooth and springy. I made these using Lantern Moon ebony DPN's. Unfortunately I broke two needles in the process. I'm just not a luxury wood needle woman. I think that if I get my pennies saved I will invest in the Signature Arts DPN's.

Arwen is growing and I want to Viking Patterns for Knitting that will help in mitring the cables for the collar. I am knitting away and trying to wrap my head around knitting the collar to the body in one piece. I think that it can be done. Hoods on a 50 year old, I'm just not sure.

So, stay tuned and wish this school girl luck with her new job and her pending collar modifications.

Of Caramels and Chemo Hats

2008-07-20T11:25:23-04:00

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."

I have a weakness for caramels and Susan saved a precious caramel for me. Her Mum brought them all the way from Iowa, one pound of soft, sweet, buttery goodness. The little package was part of her dowry for umpteenth trip to the hospital for treatment. I have been hunting a recipe to rival the flavour and texture ever since. I think that I have found a recipe that closely resembles the taste but not the texture. Making caramels in 80% humidity is not always a success story. The first batch turned into caramel goo, sorry, I meant sauce. I presented my "sauce" to Susan upon her arrival home from the hospital. The glass dish was accompanied by several Granny Smith apples. It was lapped up by all and sundry. I had a hit. There was one more small glass jar that I had put in the refrigerator. When the daughter of the house arrived home she, too, wanted a sample. The door was opened and we heard the crash. The sauce was history. We wore two sad faces.

Back to the sauce pan and onto the recipe. It does harden if you take the time to really boil the concoction slowly and use the thermometer. I will be cutting these up and wrapping them this afternoon.
Susan is heading out for the beach on Monday morning for her second round of a five day chemotherapy treatment. I sending her off with more caramels. Here is a link for her CarePage.

I talked about my friend in past blog posts. She is an aspiring knitter, garter dishcloths are her specialty. We will be working on the purl stitch soon, I hope! Here she is with her trusty cat, Bella, making sure that garter doesn't get too easy.

So, as it happens, Susan has lost what was her crowning glory. The hair came out overnight in large patches on her pillow. Even though we live in mind numbing heat, hair keeps the body temperate. It was time to make some hats. My first attempt was the Belliveau Cove, a crochet bucket like hat. I was not pleased with the results due to the lack of depth in the crown, too Mother Hubbard. I like the pattern, it took two hours to whip up, so I made a second version with three extra rows of shell pattern. It looks much better. The flowers are a friends creation and make the hat extra special. Suz will be in the hospital all next week. I hope she remembers to take her knitting.

As I was boiling the caramel concoction above, Susan was sitting in my kitchen and telling me about the overwhelming feeling of walking into these cancer centers, head spinning, fear and confusion reign supreme. On her last stay at Cape Canaveral Hospital, she was showered with visits and cards. She told me of one patient that had been there for months and had no one and no place to go. Her daughter found this to be so sad so she came up with the idea to set up a table at the race filled with paper and art supplies for anyone who wants to make cards to take to fourth floor next week. Susan talked about how she would like to be part of a network to help those without family to provide a hand to hold, a story read aloud at bedside, or a ride to a treatment. Here is the address should you feel inclined to send a card.

Cape Canaveral Hospital
4 E/W Oncology
701 West Cocoa Beach Causeway
Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Our little town is coming together to partake in a special triathlon for cancer survivors and there caretakers. Lots of us will be racing for Susan. I know that knitters have big hearts so please just turn your thoughts south this Friday evening and send us positive energy.

Here is a recent article that ran in our local paper.

Titusville mother is one tough competitor
PATTI SPONSLER
FREELANCE

PATTI SPONSLER
FOR FLORIDA TODAY

Susan Slayman is a tough competitor -- both on a triathlon course and against cancer. One month after finishing the 2006 Family Challenge Triathlon, the Titusville mother of three was diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma, requiring surgical removal of a tumor in her lung.
She returned to last year's race with a new appreciation for what she could do, even though an ominous lump had appeared on her leg and the results of her biopsy were not yet known.
"I had seen an article about a man who had lost his leg to sarcoma and was still doing marathons," she said. "I thought about how grateful I was to still be able to participate in the race."
During the last few months, Slayman has undergone surgery and radiation for the sarcoma that returned to her lung, as well as her diaphragm and leg. Her July 4 holiday was spent in the hospital receiving the first of several five-day rounds of chemotherapy.
The cancer has forced her to broaden her definition of participation this year.
"I was getting a little teary-eyed and feeling sorry for myself that I will probably have to be a spectator this year instead of a participant," said Slayman. "During my quiet time, though, God showed me that out of fear or because of lack of time management or whatever reason, many of us really don't participate in many areas of our lives. We just let life and opportunities to touch others pass by."
Slayman chooses to do otherwise and will be fully engaged while encouraging those who are well enough to swim, bike and run in the Cancer Challenge Triathlon.
"I know that even as a spectator, I can choose to participate while cheering others on," she said. "Cancer is not going to stop me from participating in life, no matter what."

DuhCapo... Oh, I Meant DaCapo

2008-07-13T10:17:35-04:00

I can't quite remember when I first discovered the Hanne Falkenberg sweater collection. I think that I saw the Mermaid Jacket written and pictured in a Woolworks catalogue. Anyway, I was in love. I trawled the internet and found a treasure trove of Hanne sweaters at a Danish company that shipped overseas. I found the DaCapo and was stunned at the range of colours on offer. I couldn't resist the pink/orange/red combination. It seemed very daring, so, decision made. Ordering from Denmark turned out to be far less expensive than buying a kit in the US.

I remember when the box arrived and I unpacked a clear tote filled with yarn and a 2 page instruction booklet. The presentation was minimal and the yarn was thin and coarse. I loved the packaging but was still so naive about yarn and insecure about my skills and started to wonder if I were foolish in spending so much money on a garment that I would have to make. Did I have enough know how?
The package sat on the buffet for several weeks while I shopped for the proper size circulars. Once the needles arrived, then I procrastinated some more. One day I just decided to cast on and be damned. The sweater starts in the middle of the back with 5 stitches and grows in a mitered triangle while incorporating a clever knitted I-cord onto the bottom edge. After countless fits and starts I was on my way.

The jacket back grew quickly in the beginning, but slowed as the triangle grew to almost 300, tiny, tiny stitches. Garter stitches galore grated on my nerves. Soon other yarns and projects seduced me and I set the jacket aside. Early on I had it on display in a variety of containers, kind of like art. It would receive some attention and then be tossed back in the bowl. I would experience guilt every time the bright colours caught my eye. Soon I jumbled the jacket and the yarn into a closed basket.

As months passed I would pull it out and in a burst of energy, knit. Soon I was at a point where the geometry and holding needles came into play along with colour changes. Setting the jacket aside for long periods caused much confusion as to where I was in the pattern. At one point I was so lost and confused that I called the company to ask for clarification. They referred me to Hanne herself. I was shocked when the phone rang and she answered. She was gracious and patiently answered my frazzled questions. The jacket was momentarily back on track. I had knit a sleeve and joined it with the rest of the jacket and knit the placket. Then, fool that I am, set the whole thing aside again. By now a few years had elapsed. I was so close.
A few weeks ago I pulled to jacket out of its basket. This thing had been on my WIP list on Ravelry for far too long. I didn't want to move it the ZZZ section at the bottom of my projects page. I wanted to finish, no matter what. I took the jacket to our group at the bread store. I received a few skeptical looks as to the size. It looked tiny. Mary Beth had me slip on the jacket, needles, holders, and all. It looked a tad small but not hopeless. I fed off the encouragement that my fellow knitters gave me. I sped through the placket and cast on the last bit, the orange band around the collar. Once I cast off, I cheered. Unfortunately I was the only one to hear. I sewed up the sleeves, the only two seams in this ingenious design. Then I tried it on. It fit!

Yesterday I gave it a bath and spun out the extra water in the washer. I laid it out on my butcher block and hand blocked it into shape, trained a fan onto the surface and let it dry. By dinner time it was ready for a trip through the garden.

My model is a tough critic and her approval was all I needed to top off my pleasure. I still can't believe that I am done. Don't get me wrong, there are mistakes. I read some of the instructions incorrectly, but only an experienced Falkenberger would know.

In my haze of accomplishment, I purchased a colour card for the entire Jamieson & Smith yarn line. According to several bloggers, the Spindrift Shetland 2 ply is the perfect match in fibre and weight to knit a Falkenberg. Is there another DaCapo in my future? Who knows, they say love is better the second time around.

Monumental

2008-07-04T16:25:26-04:00

Construction may be slow in the rest of the country but Atlanta is getting its bit of Paris and so am I. Well not quite Paris but a bit of European architecture.

In the spirit of July 4th and in the wake of oppressing humidity, my neighbour strolled over for a chat. As we were sitting and talking about mindless things, Tom mentioned the Millennium Gate. He read about the project in the paper. I had not heard about it but you can read about it here and make up your own mind. Evidently the placement is less than ideal and it frames an IKEA. Well, they tried.

Since the day was slow Lisa I had the bright idea to build our own monument. I have been the proud owner of 3 boxes of Anker building blocks that I brought back from Germany in 2001. These blocks have a long, colourful history and are based on the father of kindergarten, Friedrich Froebel's, wood blocks. I purchased these thinking that my son would enjoy them but I m the one who secretly plays with them. To me they are a box of happiness from the moment I slide back the lid and inhale the first blast of linseed oil. I never cease to marvel at the precise order each box is in, all the pieces in their place according to the drawing on the lid.

The stones are still made in the same moulds that were used in the 19th century using an original recipe of quartz, chalk, linseed oil, and natural pigments. Unfortunately the stones are a little fragile and if dropped, they chip.

The plans, although accurate, are not always easy to follow. This makes for quite a challenge. We chose to make the guard house out of all the pieces in all three boxes. We started out on shaky ground. The Portico was tricky and fell apart on the first two tries. Once we had the roof going, the rest came together. It took us a good hour construct our monument and we cheered when the last block was in place. Now I'm ready for box 10A. Santa, baby, I'm putting this on my on my Christmas list.

I Can See Myself in This

2008-06-30T15:05:03-04:00

On those days when I want to keep the world out.

A Little Blue Swallowtail

2008-06-22T20:45:35-04:00

The first weekend in November is always reserved for Pioneer Days in Barberville, a two day celebration of everything that is old time Florida. The Florida that was once home to sprawling cattle ranches, pineapple fields, and orange groves. We always go on a Saturday morning and get there right at 9:00 AM, just in time for the first batch of biscuits to come off the wood fire. My husband slathers his with home made apple butter and I always go for the country smoked ham.
Then we make our way to the old homesteads to admire the weavers, caners, lace makers, and listen to the sounds of the cracker cowboys snapping their whips.
This year I found a group of spinners on one of the front porches. In the background was a large rack of home spun wool of many breeds. What caught my eye was a small skein of teal blue. It turn out to be finely spun silk. I introduced myself to the spinner and told her that I really admired her work. At first she was cordial and then I showed her my knitting. Cordiality turned to mutual admiration and that we shared Ravelry. That was the magic that it took for her to sell me the precious hand-spun. I know that I didn't pay enough. It took a few months to find just the right project for this special lace weight.
After plenty of Ravelry browsing, I chose Evelyn Clark's Swallowtail Shawl. It is the currently the number one lace weight shawl according to Ravelry's pattern browser with 1856 shawl on and off the needles and ready to knit in 2052 queues. After I blocked my shawl and gave it a test twirl around the garden, I can understand why.

As lace goes, this is an easy and a rapid knit. I used a US 3 Knit Picks nickel circular, 32" in length. The yarn was fairly easy to knit with. As it is a hand made yarn it was filled with lots uneven thickness. This was a something that made knitting the silk special. I imagined how the yarn must have been difficult to spin and how difficult it must be to maintain and even thickness. I love the way the colours stripe and close up the ply is also subtly different. This time I was successful in blocking points. Casting off as loosely as possible is the secret. I learned my lesson the hard way when I knit the Icarus Shawl and the points along the apex didn't point .

I am keeping this shawl for myself and plan to wear it at Pioneer Days this year. I just hope that Elayne will be spinning at her spot on the front porch.