Twists of Fate

Sunday, 30 March, 2008

So, I’m sort of a geek

Filed under: knitting — moiraeknittoo @ 5:14 PM

Which for anyone who has met me, is kind of apparent and sort of an understatement.

I have to say that my knitting really, really helped me out this weekend. I’m at a fancon in the Puget Sound area, and while I’m loving most of it, I feel completely out of touch with most of my fellow con go-ers and just generally am having a really hard time connecting with people this weekend. I ended up hanging out in my suite most of the time with a very small group of people I already know. Which was *awesome!*, don’t get me wrong. But I had hoped I’d be a little more able to be outgoing and make some new friends and stuff. Alas, this was not to be. Part of it is my physical state right now – I’m still totally burned out and exhausted and even the thought of going out for dinner makes me want to weep. So I ordered room service. Anyway, super tired, keep having to nap, feeling like a loser.

It got to the point where I felt totally claustraphobic in this room earlier, and while I dealt (poorly) with it by taking a nap, that same feeling was there when I woke up. You would think by now that I’d immediately reach for the soothing feeling of yarn running through my needles, and the rhythmic clicking that inevitably lowers my blood pressure better than just about anything else on the planet. But I’m so out of it I completely forgot that I’m still surrounded by a ton of fiber (yes, I brought four projects with me when I’m about 30 min from home…don’t you?) and generally had worked myself into a right fit before I plunged my hand into my purse to pull out something else and….

Ahhhhh. That blue merino/silk/angora blend that I’d ripped out earlier? Totally saved the day. Before I arrived at the hotel I’d cast on for a different scarf. Bigger needles, still a super simple pattern (some chevron scarf variant) and while it’s not totally as brainless as garter stitch (I still have problems purling without looking), it’s close enough.

Knitting. Good for exhaustion, social anxiety, headaches and potential blood pressure issues. Ahhhhhhh.

Dinner, then I try to get my geek on again. If not, well, that’s OK too. There’s always my knitting.

Tuesday, 25 March, 2008

Practical or horrifying?

Filed under: knitting — moiraeknittoo @ 6:59 PM

I have all this really lovely fiber and yarn. I mean, I have a LOT. And I love it all and I daydream about what I would like to make from it.

The reality is, if I don’t get off my ass and make something easy, it’s all going to sit here and rot.

And so, I am going to be practical, and I am going to rip the lovely little scarf I started but didn’t get very far with a truly awesome hand dyed merino/angora/silk blend, and I’m going to make…a simple garter stitch scarf.

Because I need to do something with my hands, but don’t have the energy do to anything else.

Should I hide my head in shame, or rejoice in my totally logical approach to my craft?

Sunday, 23 March, 2008

Dye another day

Filed under: dyeing — moiraeknittoo @ 2:53 PM

OK, every time I think of yesterday in that context I giggle. Thanks to Embe for the phrasing.

Yesterday I was lucky enough to be invited over to Embe’s house for a dyeing party! I gratefully accepted, because I think this group of ladies women (heh) are a wonderful bunch, and I really enjoy myself every time I’m around them. They’re all so smart and funny and fabulous, and very very generous. I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t contribute much this time around. I went looking for my box that has all my dyeing supplies in it, as well as my box o’ Cormo roving, but couldn’t find either. Thankfully, these wonderful women had everything necessary for successful dyeing, and then some.

Evanne had brought some indigo, which was amazing and really, watching the fiber come out of the yellow-green murk to magically turn that beautiful, vibrant blue? Probably will never, ever get old. I’m not sure who brought the amazing variety of Jacquard dyes, but boy howdy did I appreciate it! And LindaK walked me through creating a custom purple with Mother MacKenzie’s Miracle dyes. And she showed me how to do the “Sandy’s lasagne” method of dyeing, which was really cool to watch. I may have heckled a bit, because my middle name should probably be “smart ass”, but it was in good humor and really, her final product was incredible! And, well, watching Janine in action with her color creations is always groovy and, well, a bit intimidating. She’s all about color. Me? I’m trying to go beyond your basic black, grey, green and blue in my wardrobe. And you know what? The twins are just full of fabulous with a side of awesomesauce.

Plus, all these folks are great cooks. I had a very happy stomach after lunch.

I don’t have many pics of the day, because I suffer from chronic camnesia, but I did manage to snap this with the Crackberry. I finally remembered to take a picture of this but only because I was calling the yarn “Blackberry” and lo, I had a Blackberry with a camera in my purse.

There’s about 1000 yards of this, which should be enough to do something groovy.

All of the fiber I used yesterday was from Hanna a Romney ewe from Skylines Farm, my favorite fiber producer ever. Hanna is, in fact, a full blood Romney ewe, and the fiber I used yesterday was from the ‘07 fleece linked above. I sent it to Spinderella’s in Salt Lake for processing. Half the fleece was made into pin-drafted roving, and the other half spun to a yarn that’s solidly in the middle of their “sport weight” classification. I was thrilled at how many of my new dyeing friends asked if there was silk in the mix, and they were pretty surprised at how soft a Romney this was. It just goes to show that Melissa produces a truly amazing Romney fleece y’all.

Anyway, 1000yds of Hanna is done in Blackberry. 1800 or so was done up as “Tree Frog” (thanks to Embe’s wonderful man for the name!), and an undetermined amount of roving was dyed with the indigo. More pics when I can dig out the camera and when the sun returns.

Thank you everyone for the good times yesterday! I truly enjoyed spending time with everyone, and learned quite a lot. ::happydances!::

Thursday, 20 March, 2008

Ostara

Filed under: pagan, personal — moiraeknittoo @ 9:42 AM

I feel like heaving a huge honkin’ sigh of relief. It is Ostara, the Spring Equinox, and I finally feel like I made it through another grey season intact.

Now, to me, we’re halfway through Spring rather than it beginning today. We do transition into Aries though, and believe me all the fiery energy is kicking my bum already at work. It’s a little easier to take now that it’s nice enough outside to go and take a deep breath and smell growth and renewal rather than just…wet. Still not fun, but better.

My ritual habits are very simple. Usually a small bit of food to reflect the season.


Apologies for the poor pic, but it’s still pretty low light here today. I don’t know if you can see the “trees” in this, but I picked this up at that shop in Port Townsend and immediately felt the energy buzzing up my arm. It was the offering bowl I didn’t know I was looking for. It’s perfect and gorgeous and I love it.


Again a poor pic, but this one looks like the ripples and streams of a slow moving stream are captured within the grain of the wood.

I have a very small vase that matches the bowls that I’ll use for a flower as an additional offering, but of course I forgot to take a picture of this! I think Fire and Air will be represented by the incense and candle I’ll burn during ritual.

All are hand crafted from California redwood. Holding them brings to mind a small, secret clearing nestled among the towering elders, where shafts of sunlight pierce the morning fog and brilliantly illuminate the loamy forest floor. In my minds eye I can hear the calls of the birds and animals that live within the forest, and hear the trickle of the stream as it winds it’s way through the area. It is very peaceful, and perfect, and even though it’s in my mind’s eye only, it’s a refuge and a sacred space that I am grateful to visit.

This new year, beginning with Ostara, I hope to use these tools to celebrate the turning of the wheel of the year, and give thanks for all I’ve learned, have and will become.

May your year be bountiful and amazing, and filled with joy, love and laughter!

Tuesday, 11 March, 2008

Sad

Filed under: personal — moiraeknittoo @ 7:03 PM

Just one of those days when I am at the end of my physical, mental and emotional resources. Work was hectic, though I did get to come home early. But there’s drama and now I don’t know what to do, as I was apparently not supposed to know I might be leaving and I asked someone for advice and maybe they blabbed and now it’s a swirl of hard feelings and broodiness worthy of a Shakespearian play.

I just want to be able to work 40-45 hours a week and do my own thing the rest of the time. I didn’t think this was so much to ask? Am I wrong about that? Regardless of when my work end date is, I’ll do the job and do it well right up to the last minute. I can’t physically handle anymore 60 hour work weeks, but for the time I can devote to the job I will give my all and then some.

Which is probably how I ended here, now that I look back. It was the “and then some” that set expectations too high and now that I’m burning out, people are frustrated that I’m not as available or responsive. Or, apparently, polite. Which, in the middle of a launch cycle, might be forgiven. It’s not ideal, but when you’re up against a gigantic global marketing push and trying to …. *sigh* You know what, just…nevermind.

This is one of those times when I wish I had a friendly mew to curl up and purr me to sleep. Unfortunately, though nearly as soft, the Posh Yarn order will have to suffice. It’s not mobile and it doesn’t rumble soothingly or give me loveblinks, but it’s soft as kittens and it’s fairly absorbent if I should happen to cry all over it tonight.

Monday, 10 March, 2008

Amen sister

Filed under: knitting, personal — moiraeknittoo @ 3:51 PM

Right on.

I’m not as evolved as this lovely person, but oh yes do I know how most of this feels. Most days, I’m ok with the fact that running up some stairs would probably cause a seismic event of some kind. Would I love to be healthier? Sure! I hope, once my contract is up, to spend more time walking. Just walking. Around outside. Stretching. Doing some yoga specifically designed for fat folks. Which would be fantastic and awesome and so refreshing.

And, thankfully, my contract will be ending early by mutual agreement in mid-April or so. I don’t fit with the current boss and marketing staff, and frankly it’s time to move on to something new. I’m burned out, and while I adore my current team? I need at least two weeks off. Maybe a month. I’m that t’rd.

I had a really wonderful time this past weekend at a lovely fiber salon getaway that a wonderful friend organized. And oh, it was *wonderful*! A lovely rental place in a lovely lovely area that I was too tired and hurty to explore, but one I hope to go back to. I bought a *ridiculous* amount of stuff at The Artful Ewe in Port Gamble, and I already cast on for Evelyn Clark’s Seafoam Scarf with the lovely springy alpaca/merino/silk blend yarn. It’s a sport weight, which will probably be fantastic for a wraplike scarf, and I can’t wait to work on it.

I hope to start some socks with my recent Woolen Rabbit purchases, and some fingerless mitts too, with the Elemental Shetland from Judith via Heidi. And I want to have an orgy with the Posh Yarn that came the other day in the mail. I’m not sure what it’ll be yet, but it is soft like kittens and I *heart* it like crazy.

And, just to show you that sometimes I really do knit, here’s my finished Kauni hat that I started at Madrona.

Look ma! Kauni!

This is in the just-finished-knitting-YAY state, aka unwashed or blocked. It’s too small for me, and possibly too small for most adults, but it might fit my sister’s boyfriend perfectly. He’s got a small head (big ears, but small head) and this could be perfect for him. I’ll take it with me the next time I go and visit with them. I’d probably use the same needle size next time (US 4s) but add another section and make sure the floats are looser. I have a lot of hair, even after a lot has fallen out due to stress, and it just doesn’t fit me.

But it’ll fit someone, and it was a great first two-color project, and I can’t wait to work on some of the other patterns Ruth has in the handout from her class.

Saturday, 1 March, 2008

New month

Filed under: brain_dump, knitting — moiraeknittoo @ 10:37 AM

New growth. I see directly across from me a bush (with aspirations to become a tree…I wonder what it is?) draped in that particular “new leaf” green that’s so shocking and yet so very welcome after a long, cold, grey winter. YES!!!

I made bread-in-a-tube this morning and managed not to burn anything. Obviously, watching all that Food Network is paying off. I have managed to conquer Pillsbury! Excellent!

And I may have found something I actually want to make for myself. I’m a little leery of it being 100% linen yarn though. And did you know that there’s a massive number of free patterns on this site? Even for me-sizes? It would be nice to have a big range of tunics like this in a variety of yarns. I’ll have to check it out and hell, maybe doot around the yarn stores tomorrow for this yarn.

It hardly seems like it was only two weeks ago since I went to Madrona. KnitterPatter MUST come and go with me next year. We’ll rent a room, hang out, stitch, bitch, drink, feast and generally just say “neener!” to the world and all it’s troubles. We will knit and I will Borg her into the spinning world, and a good time WILL be had by all. Dammit. Because we both have had a rough year, and we deserve some goodness!

I had all these truly awesome thoughts in my head about Madrona, but then work interfered, and it’s all I can do not to drink the weekend away after a truly craptastic week, so let me just say this in case I haven’t already. I want my own pocket!Ruth Sorenson. I went out and glommed four big ass balls of Kauni from VY&T last weekend with the intent to make hats and fingerless mitts and stuff. And I’m almost done with the hat I started at class, which for me is an amazing feat, given I’ve barely had enough energy to eat when I get home from work.

I’m rambling now. Not unusual, but I have fresh not-really-croissants waiting for me to eat, and then perhaps it’s time for a nap. :D

May March be peaceful and any growth in your personal life be gentle and beautiful!

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