Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Who has time to blog?

Not me, apparently.

So far I've had a very busy and most excellent summer. Which leaves no time for Defective Typewriter!

I've had a fabulous vacation to Mackinac Island, made especially nice this year because S and the rest of his sailing team took FIRST PLACE in their division of the Port Huron to Mackinac yacht race. So aside from some quality alone time on an idyllic island, I got to hang with some pretty happy sailors.

I've learned how to knit! And I'm knitting up a storm. I've progressed from kitchen items to shawls. I'm making my mom a shawl for her to take to church with her. (See the pattern here.) The body of the shawl garter stitch (knit every row) so you'd think it would go pretty fast, right? Wrong. See, the whole "new knitter" thing is working against me as I have to go slow to keep my stitch tension even. At one point, I had to rip out a dozen rows and reknit them because they looked awful. But, the more I knit, the easier it is. I've got the continental knitting style down-pat, let me tell you. (I took a 'learn to knit' class at Joann's at the beginning of June which was invaluable for learning knitting basics. The teacher taught us the 'throwing' method which, in my opinion, is super inefficient. While searching the interwebs for videos on how do different stitches, I hit upon this video which is what I used to learn the continental method. An interesting article discussing the merits of both methods is here.)

So here's the shawl in progress:

S think it looks like a loin cloth.

I've got about 11 1/2 inches done on each side. The shawl is supposed to be 40" on the sides and 60" across the top. I figure I'll get it done sometime in 2011.

The yarn is wonderfully yummy: Moda Dea Bamboo Wool. It's 50% rayon from bamboo and 50% wool. It's scrumptious and I love knitting with it.

Enough about knitting.

Bart is here! I've had him for a week and I am enjoying him so very much. Pictures from last Thursday evening:



Been working a lot at my part-time job, too. It's a blessing and a curse, I tell you. Blessing because, let's face it, having that extra bit of cash is nice and it's a curse because it's summer! And who has time to work a second job? Me, apparently.

Which is why I have no time to blog!

5 comments:

Ree said...

I love the shawl. And that dog is soooo adorable. I'm glad you're having fun - although missing summer kinda sucks (but then summer this year? kinda sucks, too.)

Anonymous said...

Hi Tuli!
Welcome back to blogging and back from your vacation. Sounds like you got a well-needed rest on Mackinac; quality alone time and a happy significant other. Did you add any yummy Mackinac fudge to that quality time?

I'll look forward to the picture of your finished knit shawl in 2011, haha. I'm sure the bamboo/wool combination feels like a silky little lamb and you'll want that shawl finished when winter comes. I can't sit still long enough to knit...I've tried it...so you'll never see any shawls from me.

Glad you finally got your Boy Bart. I love his sleek ear sleep mask. He looks so comfy on your couch.

The Coffee Lady said...

Glad you're enjoying the knitting. I went back to it this year after a 20 year gap, and did it for about 2 months, before getting over it all over again.

penny said...

I've been wanting to learn to knit, but I haven't found the time. The shawl is looking very nice! Can't wait to see the finished pic!

Coal Miner's Granddaughter said...

I can't wait to see the finished shawl. It is going to be gorgeous! I've always wanted to learn to knit, but I think that's going to have to be a hobby I learn when the kids are all in school and I have more time. :)