Eileen knits

2009-12-15T18:48:00.000-06:00

2009-12-11T09:19:00.002-06:00

Chag Samaeach, everybody!

http://www.nbn.org.il/flashmob/

2009-11-11T14:28:00.000-06:00

Thankful to the veterans, both past and present.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard among the guns below,

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To your from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

....John McCrae, 1915

2009-09-14T12:19:00.001-05:00

This weekend was my high school reunion. It was an interesting experience. I love it when people say you look exactly the same. It makes you wonder how bad you must have looked 40 years ago.

It's amazing to see how people have blossomed and how much we've done. What a variety of life paths. Those of us who felt invisible in high school are certainly not that way now. I wish the microphone had gone to some of those incredible people, instead of the so-called "popular" kid who just told stories about himself, who he kissed, and what mischief he and his friends got into all those years ago.

I was telling a friend from Seattle that I guess I was anti-social in high school and she laughingly answered "You think???" So that answers that. It's regrettable to have spend those years just waiting for high school to end so I could get on with my real life, but that's what I did. I'm glad my kids didn't.

2009-08-26T15:50:00.002-05:00

Question for anyone under 50---what do you think?http://www.limelinx.com/files/4402c88eb12887e8c778f8dea170ae95

2009-07-25T22:21:00.001-05:00

Big media week for me.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jul/26/msnbc-fox-television-cnn-politics

2009-07-21T17:33:00.002-05:00

When I'm not knitting, this is what I think about.

http://www.stlbeacon.org/in_the_news/cronkite_was_an_icon_but

2009-06-29T11:21:00.005-05:00

Just back from Chicago and my nephew's wedding. All my siblings were there:

A variety of nieces and nephews as well:

My boys made it...along with the next in-law to be:

Andy my hand looked pretty cool...if a little dry:

2009-05-21T17:39:00.002-05:00

One down, one to go. It was a magnificent ceremony in chilly weather, thus the lovely sweatshirt.

2009-05-02T09:56:00.003-05:00

I just finished socks for my husband out of Dream in Color Smooshy. Great yarn, boring knit. Two by two rib in gray. Yawn.

I'm now working on the Juno Regina shawl for a Knitty Couture knitalong. I'm making it in a Bambino sock yarn, which is so fabulous that I'm about to cast on for another pair of socks in the same yarn---haven't decided on a pattern yet.

2009-04-26T08:47:00.002-05:00

I'm half a block from a major intersection, so this was a pretty surprising sight this morning.

2009-04-16T09:33:00.001-05:00

Kind of looks like I just could not sit still long enough to get my bangs cut straight. That's probably what happened. Pre-knitting, by the way.

2009-04-03T08:47:00.004-05:00

I love this kind of thing. I wish I had been there. Don't miss the remix in the middle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq6b9bMBXpg

Thanks Rachel, for the link.

2009-03-29T08:45:00.003-05:00

Heh, heh. Don't brag, you eco-snobs.

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/2defe22fe0/andy-richter-car-commercial

2009-02-13T12:25:00.004-06:00

This is so funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcU4t6zRAKg

Finished the Must Have Cardigan and some socks and hats.

2009-01-04T11:00:00.004-06:00

Among finished items are a pair of socks for Alexander and this sweater for him as well:

It's the Ribbed Cardigan from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, and it looks fine zipped up, but he's a little too cool for that.

2009-01-02T11:31:00.002-06:00

Not knitting related, but I was tagged in facebook to write 25 random things about myself. You are supposed to then tag 25 people, which I don't want to do, but I thought I'd post it anyway.

1) I am the fifth of six children, and though I did not have many hand-me-down clothes, I didn’t have a girl bicycle until I was in sixth grade.
2) My kids are the greatest achievement of my life.
3) One of my fondest memories of my father happened one Friday night dinner when I was quite small. He asked me to go get him a handkerchief and when I went to get it, I found the bride doll I wanted sitting next to his nightstand. That’s right, a bride doll. It was the 50’s.
4) I love Shirley Temple movies…even wrote a paper about them once.
5) My husband and I married less than two weeks after we met.
6) I have lived in LaSalle, Illinois, St. Louis, New York, Boston, Miami, Baltimore, Tucson, and Edwardsville, Illinois.
7) I never could pull all-nighters, not even in college.
8) I saw the Beatles in concert and am still convinced that Paul McCartney and I made eye contact.
9) I stand with Israel.
10) In Germany covering a story, I convinced a rent a car person who said there were no cars to give me one as I was with CBS news….which was not entirely true. CBS was kind of mad at me.
11) I have this weird way of clearly remembering clothes from random moments in life. I remember the red dress I wore to my brother Jerry’s Bar Mitzvah. I loved that dress. I also remember what I wore the first day of Junior High, the first outfit I bought for a boy-girl party, a green plaid dress with a red belt from summer camp when I was nine, a random black dress with a cute bolero jacket I wore in the 80s, the coat I wore my freshman year of college and what I was wearing at most of my job interviews. It occurs to me that most of these items were dresses. I miss dresses.
12) I can’t believe I voted for someone named Nixon. It was Jay Nixon, the next governor of Missouri and a Democrat…but still.
13) I think Steve McQueen was the greatest. I must have seen The Great Escape 30 times
14) I always try to vote, even in bond issue elections. I get stupidly sentimental about it.
15) I wish I could sing…and fly.
16) I worked with Oprah. She was nice.
17) The mother in Back to the Future was originally named Eileen. Look it up. I grew up with one of the screenwriters.
18) I was almost named Elyse. I think it would have been easier for people to spell, but maybe not.
19) Knitting makes me feel both productive and calm. It’s a good combination.
20) I hated high school, but I did get a pretty good education.
21) The best chopped liver I ever had was in Tucson, Arizona, at Feig’s deli.
22) One of my biggest achievement in tv news was breaking a story that caused the bells to ring on the national AP wire.
23) After a concert, I got to meet Bruce Springsteen backstage in his dressing room. I was almost unable to speak.
24) Seeing the Anne Frank house was one of the most moving experiences of my life.
25) I am inordinately fond of black licorice.

2008-10-22T15:21:00.005-05:00

I've finished a few things since my last entry. First, the February Lady Sweater in Cascade 220.

Also, the Vintage Beret from Rowan 44, in Rowan Wool Cotton.

There have also been three other hats, a couple of which are in the store, and a pair of socks in Lorna's Laces, which are also in the shop.

I'm also working on the Men's Zipped Raglan from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I'm making it for my son, and using Eco Wool.

2008-09-15T18:32:00.003-05:00

I've been working on it forever, and I've finally finished the Barclay Jacket from Simply Shetland 3.

It's for my Aunt Betty and is made from three different colors of Cascade 220. TJ helped with the finishing---and I could never have done it without him.

2008-08-06T07:54:00.004-05:00

No blogging, but there has been knitting. Two Clover cardigans---one for a class(Blue Sky Alpaca Cotton) and one for Elyse (Eco Wool).

I also completed the Capri from Rowan 43 out of Calmer. It's actually closed with the snaps called for, but I used the buttons for show. Got them last year at the Victoria & Albert Museum and love them.

Currently working on the Deep V sweater from Erika Knight's Classic Knits in some Knitpicks Sport Shine I've had for years. Planning to do the Neaty sweater from Rowan 42 for the Knitting Olympics.

2008-05-24T10:17:00.002-05:00

First monkey sock for Alicia, made from Cherry Blossom Supersock yarn from Cherry Tree Hill.

2008-05-21T08:38:00.003-05:00

Finished my first Baby Surprise Jacket. It's part of the Knitty Couture knitalong. It will be donated to Knits for Newborns, a partnership through the shop. I used Lorna's Laces superwash, along with bits and pieces of other yarns from my collection of leftovers.

It's a remarkable pattern that requires a real leap of faith. I can't wait to make another!

2008-04-09T17:08:00.004-05:00

I'm pretty proud of this:

I finished my Pi Shawl. It's in Interlacements Toasty Toes, color Southwest.

I must stop kvelling.

2008-03-11T09:23:00.002-05:00

It's spring break, and while many are off to Jamaica, Cancun and Florida, I went to Worden Illinois yesterday to visit an Alpaca farm. No tan, but a fabulous trip! Thanks Lida Murphy, for your incredible hospitality.

2008-03-02T08:05:00.002-06:00

After a very sad week, Lolly has inspired me to be positive.

So this week, I will try to finish my Pi shawl, grade 30 internships assignments, continue to take my mother for short walks as the weather permits and remember to appreciate all the good things in my life.

Thanks, Lolly.

2008-02-02T11:04:00.000-06:00

Third Annual Bloggers Poetry Reading

A lesson in humility worth remembering--

Ozymandias

I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert . . . Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which still survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed:
And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing else remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.

... Percy Bysshe Shelley

2007-12-30T07:55:00.000-06:00

Eleven down, one to go...hats that is. I've knit 11 stocking caps in the last month or so...that's a lot of hats. It started when I taught a class on simple caps at the shop. I didn't want to violate anyone's copyright, so I made up my own. That took two hats...one for figuring and one for counting. I gave one of those to a son, who loved it and asked for a warmer one, and thus it began. I finished the 11th on Friday and finished a pair of socks for my oldest last night. He's got size 15 feet, so they were in Dream in Color classy, which is a worsted weight.

I am also making a pair of socks for my mom and a wrap/jacket thing for my aunt. Knitty Couture is having two knitalongs that I am taking part in.

I'll apparently finish my Must Have Cardigan some time in 2009.

2007-12-18T09:19:00.000-06:00

The boy has rhythm. Must come from dad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lveQoJ5oVOE

2007-11-27T22:26:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, I gave a talk as part of a "Last Lecture" series. I was one of eight professors chosen by students to present a talk that could be about anything we wanted. I talked about what I've learned from students. It was quite an honor, but what meant the most was that both my kids and my husband were there. My oldest had a two o'clock flight, so the noon time was good; my youngest had been up till 4am writing a paper that he e-mailed the teacher--thus missing class.

Anyway, I've been knitting socks and caps. My son (of the size 15 feet) wants a pair of socks, which I'm finally making for him. And the caps are in preparation for a class I'm teaching at the shop tomorrow evening. Should been interesting.

2007-11-22T13:19:00.000-06:00

Thankful
for a houseful of boys--mine and one of my brothers.
for a husband who still thinks I'm cute--or pretends to.
for our good health.
for a job I like.
for a part time job that's lots of fun.
for friends and family.

2007-11-04T11:01:00.000-06:00

My son took my digital camera to school, but since it is actually his high school graduation gift, I guess I shouldn't complain.

In any event, no pictures. I did finish the burgundy Cascade 220 pullover. I'm delighted with it. Cascade is such a terrific workhorse yarn. I'm working on the Must Have Cardigan from Paton's Street Smart pamphlet and enjoying it.

Did a bit of part time work this weekend in a new LYS called Knitty Couture. It was terrific--a great addition to the city and a yarn store that's actually pretty close to me. I hope they use me again because I enjoyed being there.

It's getting to be that point in the semester when students realize they may be behind in their work and emotions are kind of close to the surface. Ah, these kiddos.

2007-09-24T22:09:00.000-05:00

I'm working on a pullover from the Cascade 220 website.

It's mostly stockinette, but it has a fantastic woven rib pattern at the bottom. The sleeves and yoke will be in this stitch as well, and are knit in one piece.

I love that woven pattern.

I went to a knitting group yesterday and enjoyed it. I went to another one a few months back. Both were made up of very nice women.

2007-09-15T10:18:00.000-05:00

I am very proud of this. Where can I wear it? Oh, who cares---it's pretty. Must do more lace!

An ice cream truck playing Clare de Lune just went by. I feel so cultured.

2007-09-14T14:23:00.000-05:00

I thought I was so smart getting a blocking board, but it wasn't big enough for blocking this shawl. I'll be straightening it out for the rest of the day.

Forest Canopy Shawl
Pomfret (discontinued Brunswick yarn from who knows when)
Size 6 needles

I can spot a few mistakes, but for my first real lace project, I'm happy. I know understand the appeal of lace. It's so lovely when it's stretched out. I feel like starting another shawl immediately.

2007-09-03T15:48:00.000-05:00

I haven't written here since June and I think that's because I now lurk on Ravelry way too much. I still haven't done much with my profile there, either.

Summer was good--my trip up east was very relaxing and my class in London went quite well. I had a great group of students who all got along, showed up for everything and did all their work so far---they still have a final paper due, but I am confident in them.

London was busy and crowded. I spent two months there in 1999 doing some administrative work for the university during my sabbatical, but it seems busier to me now. Probably a combination of being 8 years older and going in August rather than in March.

In any event, I have been knitting. I've completed a pair of Monkey socks in Tofutsi---a yarn that was okay, but I would not buy again.

And a pair of Not Cable Socks by Sockbug, a free pattern online. I made these in Lorna Laces, which I would buy again.

I also completed a turtleneck from Erika Knight's Classic Knits. This is done is Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted. I may frog this.

I did frog a sweater I made a few years ago and reknit it into a shawl collar cardigan I found online.

It's kind of 80s, but I know I'll wear it a lot. I hear the 80s are back, anyway.

I'm currently working on a Forest Canopy Shawl in a sportweight yarn called Pomfret. I found it at a yard sale.

2007-06-26T11:00:00.000-05:00

Still no pictures. The camera I use is actually my son's, and since he is home, it has retreated into the chaos of his room.

Tomorrow I will drive my older son back to Philadelphia, where he will take a second session summer class. After I drop him off, I'll drive to my sister's in Charlottesville, Virginia. We're going to Virginia Beach for a few days. Then I head back here for a few weeks until the beginning of August, when I'm off to London to teach a two week class. It will be busy from here on out, but up till now I've been a total slug. We did paint all three bedrooms, and I've been knitting, but that's about all.

I finished the Classic Turtleneck, but have yet to put it together. Maybe I'll do that today instead of packing.

2007-06-11T11:58:00.000-05:00

I got an invitation to Ravelry. I can't spend all day on it. I think I'll use it as a reward for getting my actual work done.
Did anyone knit in public on Saturday? That was me at Northwest Coffee working on the turtleneck from Classic Knits.

2007-05-25T12:50:00.000-05:00

No pictures, but there is knitting. Still working on the blue cotton cardigan, and I also started a turtleneck with some Brown Sheep Worsted. It may be too itchy, but I'm trying it.

School is out and I'm enjoying some quiet. My youngest got home almost a week ago. He's sleeping late and "looking" for a job. I'll give him till after Monday. My oldest will be home on Sunday. He got out of school in early May and has been on a trip to Israel. He'll only be home for a month, but I still need to clear out his room, which has become my computer/sewing/yarn storage room. I have no idea where to put all this stuff.

2007-05-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

The daughter of a colleague had twin girls, so I made them teddy bears from stash---look at the difference in gauge. It's amazing.

I felt kind of bad at first, but they're both cute. So it goes, as Kurt would say.

I've been taking a spinning class at Myers house. I'm not very good, but it has been interesting. The teacher keeps telling me to do things in slow motion, which actually helps quite a bit. I do always seem to want to barrel through things.

Graduation is next weekend, thank goodness. And, for the first time in years, I'm not teaching this summer.

2007-04-25T08:46:00.000-05:00

An interview, courtesy of Deborah at ephemeralchaos.blogspot.com

1. What do you teach & how long have you been teaching?

I teach Broadcast Journalism and have been teaching for 17 (yikes) years. Four were at another school, 13 at my current (and preferred) university. Previously, I worked in radio and tv news as a writer, producer and executive producer for about 14 years. Only one of my degrees is in journalism, however. The others are in English lit and American Studies.

2. What was your worst job ever?

That's a good question. I've worked at some lousy places, but pretty much enjoyed most of my jobs. I guess the worst was working at a summer camp that was supposed to be intellectually stimulating for kids, but really just kept them inactive inside of classrooms all day. They ended up paying me less than promised.

3. I notice you like David Sedaris. He's one of my favorites too. What do you like about his writing?

He's so funny. Few writers make me laugh out loud. Sedaris is insightful and biting, without being mean. Plus he zeros in on the idiocy of things we just sort of accept in our culture.
At the suggestion of my 21-year-old son, I'm currently reading "Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs" by Chuck Klostermann. The essay on soccer alone is worth the price of the book.

4. What are your blogging pet peeves?

I'm wary when people start promoting themselves too much. I'm not sure it rises to the level of a pet peeve, though.

5. And, of course, when did you start knitting?

My European grandmother was a great knitter, but kind of high strung and not much of a teacher. When I was about 12, I decided I wanted to learn to knit. My mother decided it would be a really bad idea for my granny to teach me, so she sent me to another knitter who was a bit more patient. I guess mom figured if I tried with my grandma, I'd never stick with it. I will note that my mom never knit, so she must have been acting from experience.
Anyway, this lady was terrific and I was a bit of a knitter for awhile---scarfs mostly. I then dropped it for about 15 years, picked it up again for long enough to make my first sweater. I stopped again for almost 20 years and picked it up again about 5 or 6 years ago so I would have something to do during high school football games.

Now it’s your turn to play if you wish:

Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.” I will respond by asking you five questions in the comments here on this post so check back here. I get to pick the questions. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

I finished another pair of jaywalkers last night. I love the color of these.

2007-04-17T15:43:00.000-05:00

In class today two sirens went by and all my students visibly stiffened. So sad.

I REASON, earth is short,
And anguish absolute.
And many hurt;
But what of that?

I reason, we could die:
The best vitality
Cannot excel decay;
But what of that?

I reason that in heaven
Somehow, it will be even,
Some new equation given;
But what of that?

--Emily Dickinson

2007-03-28T18:33:00.003-05:00

I've been grading, advising, teaching and knitting.

First a basic pair of stockinette socks:

Currently working on a cardigan from Debbie Bliss' "Cotton Knits for All Seasons" in Knitpicks Shine, Hydrangea color. This is not quite halfway on the back. It's going to take awhile.

It's spring here. Everything is in bloom and baseball season is about to begin...which probably means it will get chilly again.

Now back to grading.

2007-03-11T12:04:00.000-05:00

Finally finished the second Jaywalker. The first had been languishing in solitude for months. Got a lot done at yesterday's Knitter's Guild meeting. Everytime I finish a pair of socks, I want to immediately cast on for another pair. However, casting on that second sock is not usually so enticing.

2007-03-08T10:56:00.000-06:00

I must say, it sure looks a lot better on him than on the chair. Quite the cutie.

2007-03-04T19:41:00.000-06:00

Another baby sweater. This was supposed to be for the older brother, but this one and the green one look about the same size.

I'm still not ready to go back to the husband sweater. Perhaps a pair of socks.....

2007-02-25T09:00:00.000-06:00

I was compelled to put my husband's sweater aside for a bit, after I realized I had made a mistake with the armhole decreases on the already completed back. The fix involves ripping out at least 25 or 30 rows, and I just couldn't face it.

In the meantime, I made this for a new baby in the family:

Cute, isn't it? I think the buttons make it work. It's based on a free online pattern from Bernat. I've also started a Wallaby for the new baby's older brother. When it's done, I'll try to return to my big sweater project.

Yesterday we went to the Soulard Farmer's Market, figuring it would be quiet on a rainy day. I love going there---and thinking of all the people who've traded there since it began in 1779.

2007-02-16T08:33:00.000-06:00

Not knitting related, but certainly blog related---my dean sent me this link today and I thought it was worth sharing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE

I imagine teaching communications always involves desperately trying to keep up. That's what's fun about it.

2007-02-11T09:30:00.000-06:00

Diligently working on the sweater for my husband. I've finished the back, and I'm about a third of the way on the front. It's not exactly hard to knit, it's just that it takes a lot of attention. You can't just knit without thinking on this one. My next project is going to be mindless, I'll tell you that.

A student of mine asked me about knitting for something he is writing. I said that I think it is interesting how women (and men, but let's face it, mostly women) are returning to the domestic arts. Perhaps they never left them, but I think the increase in younger knitters can be read as a victory for women. We feel able to express ourselves through traditional crafts because we are no longer limited to them. Does that make sense?

2007-02-02T08:06:00.000-06:00

Today is the second Bloggers ( Silent) Poetry Reading. This has always been one of my favorites.

SOUP

I saw a famous man eating soup.
I say he was lifting a fat broth
Into his mouth with a spoon.
His name was in the newspapers that day
Spelled out in tall black headlines
And thousands of people were talking about him.

When I saw him,
He sat bending his head over a plate
Putting soup in his mouth with a spoon.

--Carl Sandburg

((This is a corrected attribution---as Seymour pointed out. Thank you, baby boy.)

2007-01-27T10:34:00.000-06:00

It's not knitting, but I am proud of this apron I made for my sister. It will match her lime green kitchen.

I haven't really sewn much since junior high, when I was crying so hard over putting a zipper in an a-line skirt that my grandma finally just did it for me. I don't think I will be tacking zippers anytime soon, but look--pleats!!!

We just put in new windows, and I'd like to make some tab top curtains. I think I can do it.
I've also been working on my husband's sweater. It's not an easy knit and last night I ripped out twelve rows because of a mistake. That broke my heart. I think it is looking pretty good.

I've also been doing a little hand spinning. Now that is relaxing.

I finally changed to the new Blogger. So far so good.

2007-01-19T10:50:00.000-06:00

I saw this and I liked it.

The Page 123 Meme
1. Grab the book closest to you.
2. Open to page 123, look down to the 5th sentence.
3. Post the text of the next 3 sentences on your blog.
4. Include the title and the author's name.

"I was in Chicago. I was broke. I was sitting at the window of my hotel room on North Clark Street and the most delicious smell rose to my nostrils from the bakery downstairs."

It's from On The Road by Jack Kerouac. Though I haven't read it in a million years, I keep my computer in my son's room. If I were in my room, it would have been Abraham Lincoln, The Prairie Years by Carl Sandburg.

As far as knitting goes, I made a simple ribbed cap for one of my boys out of leftovers from the vest I made for the other. I finished one Jaywalker sock and cast on for another, and I've been working on my husband's sweater, which is a lot of work. It's a pattern which changes almost every row and I'm not used to that. I told him it will take awhile.

We did lose power during the recent ice storm, but only for a day and a half this time. School is back in session so I've been busy and stressed with kids changing classes, adding classes, changing majors and generally freaking out. I do enjoy them and their drama. No sarcasm there---I really do like them.

I don't have any pictures because we had new windows installed yesterday and my husband took lots of pictures. I don't know where he stashed the camera.

2007-01-12T09:52:00.000-06:00

About 400 picked up stitches later, here it is.

I hope he likes it. After it dries, I'll send it off to my baby boy, along with half his wardrobe, left behind when he went back to college.

BTW, I've been reading about this STR bank snafu and I just can't believe it. It makes me want to join the sock club but it's just a bit too costly for me.

2007-01-10T18:43:00.000-06:00

I hate picking up stitches.

2007-01-06T11:49:00.000-06:00

Estate sale find.

They saw it as a shoe storage system.

I saw it as a yarn storage system. It was 50 cents, and Trixie likes it too.

2007-01-03T20:28:00.000-06:00

I've had a couple of busy, yarn infused days.

I took my youngest back to school in Indiana yesterday for winter term. After dropping him off, I went over to YTC Wool and Ewe in nearby Cloverdale, where a lovely woman named Yvonne--and her adorable daughter Adie, helped me out. YTC is a local yarn producer, with handspun and roving galore. I got some handspun, and invested in my first drop spindle and handful of roving. Yvonne made it look easy, but I don't know. I drove to Terre Haute and checked into a hotel and messed with the roving a bit, but I didn't know what I was doing. I'll get it eventually.

I stayed over even though it is just a 3-hour drive, because I had plans for today. First I went to RiverWools in Terre Haute, which is a nice little store. I bought a skein of bamboo yarn because I just want to try it. Now I can't find it. ( It was under my other stuff---it's Southwest Trading Company Bamboo in the Butter colorway. I think it will be a spring/summer scarf)

At the urging of my husband, who was back in St. Louis, I went to Champaign, Illinois. He wanted to stock up on Papa Del's Pizza, which is the best pizza anywhere. I did that, but not until I had visted Needleworks, a fantastic yarn shop just down the street. It's really something. I bought Shannon Okey's book, Spin to Knit, and a few odds and ends.

Then, instead of coming home, I went to Springfield, where I went to the new Abraham Lincoln Museum & Library. I'm a big fan of Abe's and a big fan of Presidential sites in general and this one is well-done. It made me wish my kids were younger, because it employed a lot of special effects that kids would really enjoy, like holograms and explosions with actual reverberations and smoke. I didn't even get to the Library, since it was after 5.

Quite a day. Lots of fun.

2006-12-27T15:22:00.000-06:00

A whole lot of cables going on--

Most of the back of a vest for Ben.

2006-12-20T10:46:00.000-06:00

Today is the 21st anniversary of the due date of my first son. He was actually born on the 28th--all 9 pounds, 9 ounces and 21 and a half inches of him. He's now 6-2 with a size 15 foot. Actually a nurse commented that he had big feet when she took his footprints, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
I remember that week of waiting. We tried something new everyday--pizza, Chinese food, a roast beef and apple pie dinner to simulate nesting. That's the one that did the trick. My water broke at about 11:30 and after15 hours with no progress beyong 3 centimeters, I had a c-section.

That was then. This is now.

2006-12-19T22:10:00.000-06:00

Most of my grades are in, Ben is home and Alex is due Thursday, and I've finished my cardigan in Classic Elite Lush.
I'm happy with how it came out, though I suck at finishing. The shoulder seams are terrible. (btw, what looks like a spot near the bottom is just some dampness from last minute blocking)

The pattern was On the Button from Design Source Collection 2, which is also called Serendipity.
It was a simple pattern, but I think it is elegant.
Next I start a vest for my younger boy, which puts my husband's sweater back in line.

2006-12-08T12:47:00.000-06:00

I'm spending the day at home---what a treat!

My last class was yesterday so now it is all about finals and grading. I hope to get through it in the next week and a half, so that I can enjoy my break---and plan to improve one of my courses substantially for the spring. It was a grad course I taught for the first time this fall, and I know I can make it better.

Still working on my Lush cardigan---a sleeve and a half to go. I also have to complete another pair of Fetching gloves this weekend.

In honor of grad students everywhere, I'm linking to this meme: http://acephalous.typepad.com/acephalous/2006/11/measuring_the_s.html

Thanks Melanie, for directing me to this.

2006-12-06T10:41:00.000-06:00

My husband just called---the power is back!!!!!!!!!!

2006-12-04T10:38:00.000-06:00

It is time to rant.

It is Monday, December 4. My home, and about 40 percent of my zipcode, has been without power since just before midnight, Novermber 30. This is getting old, not to mention it is the second time in 5 months that there has been a major power outage affecting at least a half million people in this community. I know ice storms are an act of nature, but this is ridiculous. I've been staying at a friends, but my husband is sleeping at the house with the dogs. We're lucky of course--we have options. There have already been half a dozen deaths from this ridiculous situation.

On the plus side, I have done quite a bit of knitting on my Lush sweater. The back and left side are done, and the right side should be complete soon.

2006-11-27T09:47:00.000-06:00

The boys are gone and it is back to work time. The house feels so empty. I don't think they ever both left on the same day before. Here's a picture of them teaching my mom to be a badass.

2006-11-24T16:19:00.000-06:00

We had a lovely Thanksgiving. I think I have actually found the key to family harmony---at least for me. It's called a chocolate cake, and there is certainly no flour involved. Combine equal parts Frangelica and Vanilla Vodka, drink it as a shot and then take a bite of lemon. It tastes exactly like a piece of cake...delicious. (I'm not a big drinker, but sometimes it really is just the right thing.)

I'm really loving having the boys home. They're such nice guys. I'll be so sad when they leave on Sunday. At least I'll have my knitting.

My next big knitting project is a sweater for my husband with Galway Highland Heather in green. I'm trying the Amhara'n Gra' pattern from knitpicks and it is a little tough. No tv watching with this pattern.

2006-11-22T12:19:00.000-06:00

Alexander came home last night and Ben has been here for a few days. I'd forgotten how lively everything gets when the house is full. We picked up Alexander at the airport and weren't home for five minutes when he and Ben went out to Steak and Shake---which isn't possible in Philadelphia. Alex came home without Ben and was home for a bit when Ben came home with four high school buddies. They hung around for half an hour then headed out to see Borat. Alex had already gone by the time they left. At about 12:30, Alex came home and at 3:30 the doorbell rang since Ben apparently forgot his key. This morning the remains of my halloween pumpkin were scattered in my front yard. I suspect firecrackers.

2006-11-19T10:58:00.000-06:00

I've had some Classic Elite Lush for a couple of years, and I've finally decided to turn it into a cardigan. The pattern is pretty simple with a lot of purling. I just cast on Friday and I've been a bit obsessed--mainly because I can't get over the way this ribbing looks like pleating.

I think this is just so cool. I can't believe what a kick I get out of it.

2006-11-14T19:42:00.000-06:00

I feel like I am careening toward the end of the semester. There's so much I have left to grade and cover in class. It always feels this way when Thanksgiving is close. Both boys are coming home and we're really looking forward to that. I'm not sure what Alexander is going to say when he sees his room...I've outfitted it with an extra table for my sewing machine. He's likely to feel a bit cramped, but I think he will adjust.

I finished this Irish Hiking Scarf for Ben.

I also just finished another beret and should be able to wrap up a pair of Fetching mitts during House, which is coming up shortly.

We went to Indiana to see Ben's last football game---he didn't play, but he doesn't think he will even go out next year so he wanted us there. I'd kind of forgotten what it was like to sit in the rain and cold for 3 hours, hoping that no one gets hurt. I used to feel like if I wasn't there, one of my kids would get hurt and it would be my fault. Ah, motherhood---it makes for rational decision making, doesn't it?

2006-11-08T12:51:00.000-06:00

I'm delighted the election turned out the way it did. Not only did we elect a decent senator, but we passed the stem cell initiative, assuring that Missourians won't be left in the cold when it comes to medical advances. I'm so relieved. And the icing on the cake? No more Rumsfeld! Oh happy day.

2006-10-28T12:17:00.000-05:00

Coming to you from the home of the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals!

The end of the World Series means the end of baseball---so summer really is over---in case those 40 degree temperatures were not a clue.

My knitting injury is behind me, so I am making holiday presents:

Berets and fingerless gloves for the people who make my life a lot easier at work. I still have a way to go since there are a few really helpful people

My knitting break came at the same time as my fall break, so I took up something new. I am trying to learn sewing and eventually quilting. It's odd that I have this strong urge to create tangible things of late. It is relatively new to me.

2006-10-15T12:08:00.000-05:00

Never done this before, but it seemed like fun. Remember, I can't knit and I don't feel like grading.

Four jobs I've had:

Copywriter
Producer
Professor
Camp counselor

Four movies I can watch over and over:

The Great Escape
The Magnificent Seven (a bit of a Steve McQueen thing going on)
He Said, She Said
Anchorman (I know, just forgive me)

Four places I have lived:

Boston
Baltimore
Tucson
St. Louis

Four television shows I love to watch:

House
The Office
Law and Order CI
Gray's Anatomy

Four places I have been on vacation:

Estes Park
Israel
Pick a beach, any beach
London

Four of my favorite dishes:

Grilled cheese with tuna
Cheesecake
Bananas Foster
Fresh peaches

Four websites I visit daily:

CNN
Crazy Aunt Purl
MSNBC
Eonline

Four places I would like to be right now:

Pick a beach, any beach.
Jerusalem
Paris
At a Cardinals playoff game

2006-10-14T09:39:00.000-05:00

You know you are getting old when you doctor puts you on an anti-inflamatory medication and tells you to stop knitting for a week. I am suffering from a knitting injury, according to one of my sons. This seems to crack my husband and sons up. I, however, am not amused.

The offending wrist attached to the weakened hand. Besides being wrinkled, big and ugly, it now doesn't even work right. Plus it need a manicure.

2006-10-09T19:04:00.000-05:00

Fall is here, and I just couldn't get past the frustration of a recent failed cardigan. So I made this simple pullover with something called Smile. It was so fast and easy that I didn't even have time to mind all the stockinette. So now I have a football game sweater, though with my kids at college, I'm not going to many football games. Still, it's nice to complete something and put the bad vibes of a lousy project behind me.

2006-09-29T13:13:00.000-05:00

I finished this for Aunt Purl's grandma and am finally putting it in the mail. I also finished some socks awhile ago, and now that fall is here, I'm getting a lot of use from them.

2006-09-01T18:59:00.000-05:00

Empty nest time. Everyone is off to college and I'm back at work. I've finished a few things this summer. Most recently, a Sunrise Circle Jacket:

2006-07-22T12:48:00.000-05:00

About 20 minutes after my last entry, my power went off for the second time in two days. We lost power during a monster storm on Wednesday, along with about 400-thousand other people. It was almost 100 degrees on Thursday, so I spent the day at my office. I'm a college professor, and don't need to be there much in the summer, but there was power and I used it. Our own electricity came back on about 21 hours after we lost it, but only lasted for about 15 hours, when another storm came through, with winds up to 80 mph, and knocked us out again. This time, we were joined by closer to 600-thousand, but the weather cooled down considerably so it wasn't so bad. I lost everything in my refrigerator and learned that I am way too dependent on electricity.
I did do some knitting, using one of those miner type lights that you wear on your head. My husband uses it for biking. It was kind of cool and I may use it again for knitting in the car at night.

2006-07-21T08:26:00.000-05:00

It's been an odd month. My son Ben has been in Israel since the day before all the current fighting. He's fine and the tour he is on made adjustments. He'll be back on Sunday, but the focus of my time has been spent watching the news. I've done some knitting, finishing both socks of the Child's First Sock pattern before ripping the first one back to the heel to redo the gussets. I should finish this weekend and then Ben will be home and we'll need to get him ready for college.
We had a preview of the empty nest sydrome this past month with both boys gone. It's not as bad as I expected. The overwhelming reality is that life is kind of boring without the kiddos. Need to find something, other than pointy sticks, to do.

2006-06-20T14:35:00.000-05:00

The picture is blurry, but I am sure enjoying knitting with red yarn. It's different to follow a pattern instead of just going round and round. I went to Threadquarters this morning and got some Lopi, and a few more sock yarns, including some Trekking yarn in an olive tweed. I've wanted to try this yarn and I figure at 30 percent off, now is the time.

2006-06-19T17:17:00.000-05:00

Hello out there. It's been awhile, though I have been knitting up a storm. To the left are shots of some plain socks and a felted knitting basket. I also finished a plain trinity stitch shawl and am working on a sweater, some red socks and a cotton top. I don't think I am a long term fan of cotton, but we will see.

My new cell phone has a camera and I hope I will inspired to post more often. We'll see.

I have been listening to knitting podcasts. What an interesting concept. I'm going to have to figure out what this new type of communication is going to mean in general. My kids laugh at me as I space out, plugged into my Ipod listening to Brenda Dayne. I'm not quite the demographic.

I'm trying something other than plain socks this time--Child's First Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush. Just started last night. Perhaps I will have some pictures in a day or two.

2006-05-22T10:47:00.000-05:00

I'm working on another pair of socks and two different shawls. Note the felted knitting bag in the picture of me and the boys at my younger son's graduation.

In just a few months it will just be Rick, me, the dogs and the kitty in the house. I'm not sure how the "empty nester" thing is going to be. Alex has been gone for two years, and I miss him everyday. Ben makes me laugh, when he isn't making me holler and now that will be over...especially since he hates to talk on the phone. You never stop being a mom, but the day to day stuff, which defines you for 18 years, is about to end for me. It will be quieter, with no need to ask for music to be turned down, shoes and towels to be picked up or lights to be shut. It seems so trite and predictable to even talk about. What's different, I think, is that life begins to shrink, after years of expansion. That can be good, I guess, with more focus on your spouse and yourself as part of a couple. But it is a loss, nonetheless.

2006-05-07T12:32:00.000-05:00

I'm working on my first lace project and the socks for my sister are done. This is really just an excuse to show my handsome sons. One is just back from college and the other was on his way to prom. Cute, huh?

2006-04-27T11:38:00.000-05:00

I saw the Yarn Harlot at the St. Louis county library last night. She's hilarious. The library was pretty shocked at how many people showed up...we were spilling into the book aisles.

2006-04-17T10:50:00.000-05:00

Besides the socks for my sister, I am also working on a shawl. I had about six skeins of Microspun left over from an earlier knitting incarnation. I've become a total snob since I bought it, but it is soft. The only real problem is that the yarn splits so much. In any event, I am using a Trinity stitch and will see if I have enough to make it wearable.

2006-04-14T11:10:00.000-05:00

So it's been awhile. I could say that I've been busy, but the reality is that I've been lazy, and I don't actually think anyone is reading this, so I suspect no one has noticed.

In any event, I am now on my third pair of socks. The first two are mine, but these are for my sister Bonnie. I am just using a simple pattern with and inch and a half of ribbing and then stockinette stitch. Next pair I will try something a bit more exciting.

I also knit a vest for my mother and a little dress for my niece. The vest was an Olympics project and the dress is Project Spectrum April. I think it's pretty cute.

2006-02-12T10:15:00.000-06:00

I'm going to learn how to knit socks. Class begins today at Knitorious.

2006-02-03T09:41:00.000-06:00

My aunt in the Tzarina cape. Pretty cute, huh? She loves the varigated yarn, and I must say, working with that malabrigo has spoiled me for everything else.

I am trying to make a little teddy bear for my niece. I've never made a toy before, so I'm not sure how it will turn out, but I am working with a cheap acrylic, and after that wonderful malabrigo, it feels like sandpaper.

2006-01-30T10:49:00.000-06:00

I finished the tzarina wrap this weekend. I'll post a picture when I give it to my aunt.

I'm working on finishing up a seed stitch coat from Fall 2005 Vogue knitting. It's a bit boring. I think I am ready for something new. After I make the vest for my mom (Olympics project), I think I am going to give socks a try. The idea intimidates me, because the work is so small. We'll see.

I'm interested in this idea of a "knitting lifestyle." What does that mean exactly?

2006-01-27T11:10:00.000-06:00

So how to I get this image over to the side?

2006-01-26T09:45:00.000-06:00

I've joined the Knitting Olympics! I'm planning a vest for my 85-year-old mother.

Almost finished with Tzarina. I'll have to find something to fill in the gap between now and the start of the Olympics. Maybe I can finish (or work on) that Vogue magazine coat pattern I started last fall. It's almost spring, so I should be able to wear it.

2006-01-21T11:37:00.000-06:00

I'm about about two-thirds done with the Tzarina wrap from Wrap Style. I figure if I buy a book, I really need to work it.
I'm making it for my aunt, who picked out a malabrigo yarn. It is wonderful to knit with, but I don't really like the varigated pattern.

I guess it reminds me of the 70s. I remember seeing a lot of stuff like this--usually in orange. Some people are sentimental about that period, but it makes me cringe to remember how arrogant and self important we were.

My aunt picked out the yarn, so she obviously doesn't share my feelings!

2006-01-16T21:26:00.000-06:00

With my son Ben and my lovely new wrap

I finished Twisty Turns and spend hours trying to put it together. I felt like such an idiot. I'm sure the directions make sense to someone who knows how to READ directions, but I was doing everything wrong. I went over to Knitorious, which is without question the best yarn shop in this town, and Sandy helped me figure the whole thing out. I'm pretty proud.

2006-01-10T13:04:00.000-06:00

So winter break is almost over and I am racing to finish this twisty turns project. Next I am committed to a Tzarina cape from Wrap Style for my aunt, a scarf for my son, and completion of a coat project from the fall Vogue magazine. Not sure why doing more than one project at a time has such appeal.

I am looking forward to getting back to work, an emotion I am sure I will lose quickly. I miss being on a more regular schedule and seeing my students.

2006-01-04T14:53:00.000-06:00

Row after row.

I like the way this Twisty Turns project is looking, but I am getting a bit bored with the repetitiveness of the pattern. I'm sure it will be worth it eventually.

After a non-work related meeting yesterday, I asked the chair if she was offended when people pulled out their knitting needles in the midst of budget discussions or whatever. She admitted that she was. I'm glad I didn't take out my project.

2006-01-01T14:17:00.000-06:00

A new year, an old addiction.

It seems to be time to write about knitting. I'm not sure why anyone would be interested, but I read other blogs about the subject, so why not?

I've been knitting sporadically since I was about 14. My grandmother was a talented knitter, but not a teacher. My mom sent me to a kindly neighbor for lessons.

My needles lay dormant for decades, but last year I began again, knitting the obligatory fun fur scarves for co-worker holiday gifs.

Since then, I've become obsessed. I consider myself only an advanced beginner, but I'd like to try new and more difficult projects.

Right now, I'm working on Twisty Turns, a shawl/wrap from the Wrap Style book. I'm working in Nashua Creative Focus Worsted, and just ripped out 40 rows to begin again. There was a flaw I couldn't stand.

Thoughts, responses? Anybody out there?