After a thorough search of my knitting, sewing and crafting bags and boxes, I admitted to myself that the elastic thread was gone. I simply assumed that I had thrown it out because I would never use it for socks or anything else. I even dug around the "yarn ends" drawer at Yarn Central Thursday evening in hopes of finding a wayward spool of elastic thread or yellow reinforcement yarn for socks. No luck.

Friday morning, I gathered some bills and paperwork from my dresser, and what did I find?


So far, not so good. Knitting with elastic is not an easy task, especially on Denise Needles. Even though I have switch over to my KnitPicks Options, the process is not enjoyable. I wonder how anyone manages to knit in elastic on small sock needles without taking giant steps to the looney bin.

My approach to finishing and seaming the Ostrich Approach -- bury the project in a bag or basket and wait for a visit from the knitting pixies or a miracle. This is not a good plan, as I recently discovered two forgotten projects in my office! While I vaguely remember buying the yarn, I do not remember casting on.

Like a spoiled child, I resent seaming and finishing because it is "extra work", and as such, I approach the task with the mindset of slavish obligation. Such a mindset feels crappy and does nothing to motivate me to the task.

However, I am trying to reorient my thinking towards tasks such as seaming and housework. Most often, the work we dismiss as mundane is the work that must be done, regardless. Maybe I would feel better about the task (from beginning to end) if I saw the value of the work -- seeing the devotion rather than the obligation of it? When I look to such fine examples as Fluffa and the Wry Punster, I realize that half-assed seaming and finishing is a complete disservice to my knitting and me.

My desire to finish (and finish well) Nerissa was overshadowed by the physical discomfort of wearing the Tubular Camisole. Knowing that the suggestions to try it with a different shirt and skirt were probably easier, I decided to more fully explore my new attitude and tweak TC.

I should have photographed the yarn carnage from cutting the top ribbing, but I was too absorbed in the task for photo opportunities. I wanted to reknit the ribbing (with a strand of clear sock elastic) before bedtime.

*cue irony music*

I cannot remember where I stashed the elastic during last week's yarn reorganization frenzy!

Recently another blogger shared her dismay (and that of another knitwear designer) over the language many knitters use with regard to patterns and yarn. While I think the propensity to compare knitting and yarn to an addition and drugs is worth a giggle, I can understand how it might bother some.

But there is no denying the magical properties of yarn (or embroidery thread or fabric) and patterns. I have had this same conversation with women in my knitting group and other bloggers: every new crop of patterns and yarn is the stuff of dreams. So much possibility exists, and yet, the biggest challenge is to select out those patterns that are not only pretty and appealing, but that will "fit" you.

As an illustration of the divide between desire and reality...

The Glampyre Tubular Camisole

The Glampyre patterns have consistently appealed to both my aesthetic and my figure, but this is one that fits the aesthetic but not the figure. I will admit that I was seduced Glampyre's great photos. I was seduced by the possibility...

The possibility of becoming a tall, willowy redhead? Clothing can be magical and transformative, but there is a limit!

New York Metropolitan Transit Authority and counties of the Hudson and Harlem River Valleys,

As evidence, I submit to you one of my knitting projects, Nerissa. During a March 16th odyssey between Southeast and Ronkonkoma Stations, I was able to swatch and knit a significant portion of the back of the garment. Since that time, I have worked on the garment sporadically. The irregular meetings of my knitting circle can most assuredly be held accountable; however, the real culprit is commuting.

As a resident of Dutchess County, I can avail myself only of public transport to points south. Mind you, I must drive 30 minutes east or west to reach public transportation...which is precisely my point. Within the confines of the splendid Hudson River Valley one can only travel north or south via Metro-North, however there is no public transportation system for east-to-west travel.

While I respect the individual's desire to guzzle gasoline and partake in our fine nation's cellular system while deftly maneuvering a vehicle of might, I would ask that your agencies consider implementing sidewalks and public transportation in the very near future.

Senior citizens, the unlicensed, the ambulatory-starved and all manner of needle crafters would enjoy the ability to walk to Stop 'n' Shop without perishing in a ditch on the roadside or to live near the Harlem River Valley but commute to work near the Hudson River Valley without spending $40.00 per week on that OPEC liquid addiction. As an example of my own train-commute productivity, note that all of the knitting above my iPod was done during the 86-minute ride from Grand Central Terminal to Beacon Station. Admittedly, it might not look like much work to you, but I am not a fast knitter. What I need is time -- time that is stolen from me because I have to drive everywhere.

If public transportation and sidewalks are too aggressive and forward-thinking, could consideration be given to car- or tractor-pooling?

Sincerely,
Gina, a reluctant driver

Too often, the temptation to "stick it out" and "put in some effort" take more out of you than you thought it would. I am not a quitter, but I have learned when to call it quits. There is no shame in having the courage to know when it is over.

See that yarn? It is the kiwi Rowan Calmer that started life as Elspeth. Sadly, Elspeth met with an unfortunate end, but the Calmer was resurrected as CeCe. I am afraid to say that CeCe is keeping company with Elspeth. As pretty as the pattern it is, I had to admit that it just did not suit my figure.

Just Runway Knits. The patterns are lovely and wonderful, but somehow they are just not right for me. They are close, but in the end, it comes down to my learning and embracing what flatters and fits -- not just the outside, but the inside as well.

As for the shoes, I thought they fit. I really did. As it turns out, they are just a tad off the mark. Not only do they give my left "ring" toe pain, they are not the right sort of wacky to fit in my armoire.

Admitting it is over is painful, but soon enough the pain of losing Elspeth, CeCe and my little plaid stilettos will be softened by the welcoming of new patterns and new shoes into my life.

The "blahs" continue, and you know things are bad when the idea of running home to your parents is an attractive option. Quite frankly, things are pretty bad when the mail brings a new, free knitting book and it fails to cheer.

KARABELLA ...
The name alone makes me sigh. The patterns are delightful. The yarns inspire rapture. Naturally, I assumed that a book of nothing but Karabella patterns knit in Karabella would be a slice of heaven. While the patterns in Runway Knits are very pretty and very "Karabella", I feel rather lukewarm about them.

Of the thirty patterns, maybe two or three really knocked me off my feet -- a rather easy task judging from my ability to do it myself. This morning I caught my heel in the back of my floaty skirt, resulting in a rather lengthy show of (covered) crotch and a bobbling balancing act in the parking lot of Adams Fairacre Farm.

So what does this have to do with Runway Knits? Frankly, I cannot hear the word "runway" without the image of Carrie Bradshaw (Sex & the City) falling on her face at the charity fashion show, which makes me think of my rather indecorous catwalk to my car this morning. So, you see...they are all linked in the logic thread in my mind.

For my money, Fitted Knits and Lace Style are two books with a larger crop of outstanding patterns -- and I am not even a lace knitter!

I speak not of my dwelling, as quite a bit purging, carpet cleaning, painting, rearranging furniture and such is required before this house will be "in order".

Rather, I am getting my knitting house in order. My stash is accounted for on a spreadsheet, and I have committed to knitting from my stash. I will be honest, that is not going so well. I have stockpiled some new yarn -- store credit yarn and souvenir yarn -- but even worse is the callous manner in which I abandon projects.

Twisty Turns is a fluffy, puffy candy-colored disaster.
I am in the home stretch on the Aurora Raglan-Cap Sleeves Top. Double Moss Stitch Boredom keeps me away.
Molly Ringwald needs sleeve caps and either severe shrinking or severe tailoring.
I am second guessing my color selection for Tubey. Too harsh?
CeCe has an unsightly gap of stockinette at the sides. I could have avoided this with superior Wry Punsteresque planning.
Katrina Rib is still awaiting underarm surgery.

As a yarn buyer I still have a good deal to learn, and the wisdom of the Wry Punster cannot be denied. Too often, I buy with shining eyes, rather than intention, and the Decadent Fibers Crème Puff (for Twisty Turns) is a prime example. I was swept up in the frenzy of the NY Sheep & Wool Festival.

It is not just yarn that blinds me with lust. I have bought patterns and have started projects with shining eyes as well. Even if Twisty Turns (as a pattern) suits me, the strong, variegated yarn does not. To be honest, as cute as CeCe is…I am not entirely certain that the shape of the garment will flatter my figure. Waist shaping is an absolute must for me, and I do not have the wherewithal to rework the body to add waist shaping and omit those huge gaps of stockinette stitch.

In order to get my knitting house in perfect order, there is a good deal of pondering -- and possibly a bit more ripping -- that needs to be done. At least I will be going into the fray with my eyes open. And full of intention.

Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
November 11, 1922 - April 11, 2007

Advice for the young writer:
"Don't use semicolons. They are transvestite hermaphrodites."
University of New Mexico, 2002

Some time ago, I decided that my excessive attention to Points, calories, fat and such was leading me to become more obsessed about food, and I abandoned it. So far, so good.

It is rather interesting to finally have the great epiphany that I know how to eat like a person who will see food again. I am proud of myself for not only modifying behaviour, but for modifying a mindset as well. And without the mental modification, I do not believe that this round would have been any more successful than previous attempts to control my size.

However, something has gone horribly wrong over the past few days, and I feel powerless to stop the madness. It seems that my body is craving...nay, demanding...meat and potatoes. Read: hamburger and fries. For three consecutive days, I consumed a bacon cheeseburger and fries, a chicken cheeseburger and fries; and finally, a jack cheeseburger (with avocado) and fries.

I do not know if I should moo or dig in the dirt.

Hear me now, rekindled hibernation instinct and hormones...you have gotten your fill of meat, salt and grease. Do not push me, or I will devote an entire weekend to eating apples and drinking dandelion tea. Let us enjoy a simple niçoise salad, shall we?
Thank you.

Spring: the season of renewal and rebirth. Even the word makes you smile. Everyone loves spring except me. For some reason, I am gripped by ennui and an overwhelming sense of melancholy every spring.

This unsavory stew of emotions only fermented when I picked up my paycheck. I make over 50% less today than I did five years ago at a job in fashion which also afforded me a clothing allowance and annual travel to Asia and the south of France. And the reality of us picking up and relocating in the next year or so is depressingly slim. Joe has been with his company for 15 years, and he is solely responsible for his 19- and 17-year old sons. Quite frankly, I feel trapped, and feeling trapped is precisely why I avoided marriage and children. Stay tuned for radical changes. Or not. We shall see which way the wind blows.

I left my knitting (Retro Redux Shrug) at work yesterday in order to focus on filing and cleaning. I find that doing a little bit each night is actually making a dent in my clutter battle. In fact, it seems to be easier to keep things tidy and organized if there is already a semblance of tidiness and organization in place.

As a reward for my filing and cleaning, I pulled out Nerissa, compared front to back and worked one pattern repeat. This tactic will not move my knitting along quickly, but it allows me to feel as if I have accomplished a good deal in short amount of time.

Tomorrow is a work holiday, and it will be a day of balancing errands and fun. My plans to spend the long weekend in NYC were thrown asunder by the weather and my financial epiphany. However, I can find diversions to enjoy closer to home. Sharyn and I are meeting at Yarn Central for an hour or so of knitting and socializing.

Regardless of your weekend plans, may you manage to fill your days with knitting, sewing, and other forms of fun and frolic.

Well, I am not making much progress on Nerissa. I am, however, chugging along slowly on the Retro Redux Shrug. The pattern is a simple two-row repeat, and I am proud and delighted that I have not bungled it. I know it is simple, but I have managed to bungle simple stockinette in the past, so I celebrate all small knitting victories.

At the start of the year, I made a rather big pronouncements about increasing my walking (100 miles by April 1st) and reducing my spending (no yarn, no knitting patterns, no knitting books, no books in general, limited eating out, etc.). How successful was I? Simply put, that line about the best-laid plans sums it all up. I doubt if I even came close to walking 50 miles between January and April 1st.

As for my vow to eschew purchased and library books in favor of those that I own, I made nary a dent in my TBR (to be read) pile. Additionally, I cancelled my Audible.com subscription because I have yet to be converted to a book listener. In fact, it took me exactly four months to finish Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress.

After my weekend in Philadelphia, I am more convinced than ever that Joe and I need to formulate a plan to escape Dutchess County, if not the state of New York. I long to live someplace that is affordable, livable, walkable, manageable, enjoyable and cultural. If you are so inclined, feel free to toss some suggestions our way.

Souvenir Yarn

The Italians have a word, nostalgia (no-stale-gee-a) that is closer in context to the American word "homesick" than "nostalgia". It is a sense of longing and missing, and it sums up how I feel when I visit places I have lived before.

Thursday night, I arrived in Manhattan around 4:30pm, and within twelve minutes, I spotted an old friend, Q, as I was crossing the street. Q and I met in Philadelphia in 1993 at a now-defunct computer training company. Eventually, Q moved to NYC, and I moved to Seattle. When I moved back to NYC from Seattle, we ran into each other on the street, and we resumed our lapsed friendship. This time, the sight of Q flooded me with memories and an intense longing to live in any place but Dutchess County.

My terms of Knit from Your Stash, allow for souvenir yarn (and patterns). Thus, I visited three yarn stores in Philadelphia, and came away with some goodies. The bolero pattern (Fantine) and the light grey Bemidji Woolen Mills handspun is from Sophie's Yarns. The Rowan Big Wool (for Fantine) and the other pattern (Fifi) are from Rosie's Yarn Cellar. I stopped by Loop, but I was feeling too guilty to purchase more.

As for my knitting/travelling dilemma, I resolved it by bringing just the front of Nerissa. As was going well until I realized that I had not made proper notes as to the modifications I had made on the waist shaping. Without the back piece for comparison, I refused to knit further. I tucked away Nerissa, and enjoyed B.D. Wong reading Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress. As I have discovered that it is never a good idea to be without a knitting project on a trip, I could not possibly make the return trip without something to work on. Swatching the Bemidji for the Retro Redux Shrug from Lace Style was a very good travel companion.