audioknits

A bully day in New York

And I mean 'bully' in a Teddy Roosevelt way, which I'll get to in a minute. 

As most of my students were on field trips Friday, I took a day off and got a lot of errands done.  One of which was a visit to Eneri Knits to use my customer discount before it ran out.  I needed some staples (stitch markers, a circular needle), the second issue of Jane Austen Knits (!), and some yarn for a couple of giftie projects I won't mention yet.  When I arrived, I wished I'd brought my knitting along as the store was filled with Friday sit-n-knitter friends.  When summer comes I'll be able to join them regularly.  Several knitters will be taking part in a Classic Elite Knit Along (the link is from last year's KAL but the principle is the same).  I seriously considered taking part, but as I have some deadline projects and know another deadline would be overwhelming, will just join in spirit.

Saturday Kate, Dan and I went to see my sister Leslie in New York.  We drove to the commuter train in New Haven, a first for me.  Very convenient, and cheaper than the sponsored bus trips I've always taken.  Les met us at imposing Grand Central Station.  

It was the hottest and most humid day of the weekend, but we had a good time.  We visited Theodore Roosevelt's birthplace, a National Park Service museum. The gallery containing many items from his life, (including the bullet-holed shirt he was wearing during an assassination attempt in 1912, along with the glasses case and thick speech packet which saved his life as the bullet passed through them) was closed for renovation.  However there was a tour of the restored rooms of his childhood home.  Heaven help anyone who was disabled in these townhouses with their endless flights of stairs! After our recent tour last month of FDR's Hyde Park home, it was interesting to hear some of the overlapping family background of these distant relatives who both became great presidents.

We enjoyed walking down main streets and side streets, browsing and people watching.

Union Square:

Washington Square, with people cooling off in the fountain:

 

 A hazy view of the under construction One World Trade Center:

This was taken from Varick Street, where we were looking for a street fair in progress, but it must have been farther down.  Other stops on our journey included Molly's Cupcakes, mmmmmmmm...; Pearl River Mart Chinese store, crammed with so many things that you never knew you needed/wanted!; a vintage clothing store where I got a breezy India print skirt; and dinner at the Thai restaurant across the street from her apartment-our second time because it is so good.  And because she is a frequent customer they brought us dessert to share on the house!

The kids will be celebrating their one year anniversary tomorrow, can you believe it?!?!  Which also happens to be Memorial Day this year.  As they'll be celebrating, we're having a little cookout today instead of tomorrow, on the new grill D bought while we were in NY.  Now the trash collector can cart away our little rusty old grill, complete with hornet nest inside.

Scoop Pullover

I finished my second Cathy Carron pattern in a row; I do like her designs.  

Pattern: Scoop Pullover

Designer: Cathy Carron

Source: Interweave Knits Fall 2009

Yarn: Cascade Sierra

I used a size 9 needle for the yoke and sleeves, then changed to a size 7 for the 2x3 ribbing. I’m thinking I could have done the yoke in size 7’s or 8’s, but then might have lost its scoopy drape.  The shape is a little different from the original as I made the increases immediately after the yoke to avoid a row of eyelets right across the middle.  I think it came out pretty nice.

Fiber Festival

I took a quick trip to the RI Wool and Fiber Festival at Coggeshall Farm.  D and I went  three years ago on the motorcycle.  (Hmmm, I still haven't knit up the papaya yarn I got that time.  I started the Swallowtail Shawl with it, but it kicked my butt as is so often the case for me with lace patterns.)  The festival is nice and small and not overwhelming, yet still has a good variety of fibery things.  

The Rhody Warm booth had some wonderful items, including this stadium seat cushion, and a little kitty blanket for Cow.  The Play at Life booth caught my eye with its beautiful colors, and I bought some rainbow colored roving and fingering weight yarn.

My son sent me Nancy Marchant's Knitting Brioche for Mother's Day.  This is a challenge I've always wanted to try.  A good summer knitting goal!

 

Brimfield

D and I went to the Brimfield flea market Saturday, a pleasant way to spend a few hours on a beautiful spring day.  We just scratched the surface, hitting only two fields, and didn't buy anything except lemonade.  I'm sorry to have missed Sherill's booth, and I know there was a huge textile area somewhere which we also missed.

At this month's guild meeting, members brought along a favorite knitting book and shared why they like it.  That was a tough assignment.  I chose Anne Macdonald's No Idle Hands: The Social History of American Knitting, a perfect combination of two of my favorite things, knitting and American history.

I tried Scoop on after going down to size 7's and it looks like it's going to work.  Now just several more inches of K3,P2 ribbing, plus finishing the sleeves in the same ribbing, and it'll be done.

 

Local history

You know how sometimes what you are reading/hearing/doing seems to overlap, coincidentally  or maybe not?  That's happened to me lately.

Above is my first attempt at spinning- don't laugh- as part of a free workshop last week sponsored by the Carolina Fiber and Fiction Center .  The class description read:  The Carolina Fiber and Fiction Center is offering educators a weaving, writing, and spinning workshop that will give teachers a hands-on approach to the textile production as well writing opportunities geared to the classroom. Participants will create simple frame looms from canvas boards to weave what was called “Slave Cloth.” The process of making thread from shorn wool using a simple drop spindle will be introduced, and the use of writing as an emphatic entry into nineteen century history will be explored. Teachers will be supplied with the tools and instruction to complete the spinning and weaving projects, along with suggested lesson plans that can be adapted in the classroom. 

I couldn't pass that up.  The participants all were given handmade spindles to attempt spinning.  We didn't have time to weave the little bag but were given the instructions and indigo- and madder-dyed yarns to create it.  

One of the speakers gave information about the New England textile mills.  Though New England abolished slavery early on, the mills were integral in perpetuating slavery through the production of 'slave cloth', a cheap and scratchy woven fabric used to clothe slaves in the South.

A valuable resource which I'm sharing with the art and social studies teachers are the lesson plans and writing themes geared toward middle schoolers, such as telling the story of a cotton boll's journey from plantation to factory and back to the plantation as clothing for a slave who might have picked it; and writing with empathy when imagining being a slave wearing such uncomfortable, inferior, and scanty clothing.

This weekend I went on a walking tour of Wickford which focused on Black and Native American history in the village.  It was fascinating, and I plan to go on a second tour in a few weeks in the Lafayette Mill section of town which will focus on the same populations in relation to, once again, the New England mills.  Tim Cranston emphasized how, though New England states were 'free states' and supposedly not involved with slavery, they were heavily involved with two arms of the triangle trade- rum and molasses- which supported slavery, the third arm.  The stories of African Americans and Native Americans in RI are intertwined, as both groups were sold into slavery in the Caribbean, where they intermarried.

Wickford Town Wharf, where slaves were unloaded before abolition, and where rum and molasses continued as part of the triangle trade long after abolition.

Tour guide Tim Cranston in front of a house that was built for an African American/Narragansett Indian woman in 1869 and remained in her family until the last descendent's death in 2009.

The Domini Smith house was built in 1786 by a free black who was a first mate.  It was the first house in RI built for a black family.  

The beautiful Old Narragansett Church, where we sat in the balcony where slaves and servants sat.

This organ, built in the 1600's, is the oldest organ in the U.S. still in use when the church has services.

  

This big old crooked house is affectionately called "Ol' Yeller", and was bought after the Civil War by a husband and wife, both former slaves.  The husband served in the War and was an active member of the veterans group in Wickford.  Their daughter lived all her 109 years (1876-1985) in the village- and our tour guide was her paperboy!

 The tour made the front page of Sunday's Providence Journal.

This fairytale cottage was not part of the tour, but is representative of the dozens of quaint houses and gardens in Wickford.

The third thing that tied into the theme of colonial America, inequality, etc. is Caleb's Crossing, which I'd just listened to.  It was OK; the narrator was not to my liking.  (Did the colonists really pronounce the article 'a' like the letter A?  'A' book, A man, A hat...it drove me nuts.)  I  never finished Geraldine Brooks' March , based on her imagining the early life of the father in Little Women, because I felt it portrayed him out of character.  I blogged years ago my disappointment with her A Year of Wonders- maybe I should stop reading Geraldine Brooks.  It's not like she'd miss me; she has a huge following.

 

 OK, knitting- the scoop part of the Scoop Pullover is finished, done on size 9's, above.  A few inches into the body ribbing I tried it on and decided to go down to size 7's for that section, as it seemed too loose.  We'll see how it fits after a few more inches.

Cast on frenzy

Usually I try to keep a reasonable number of projects in progress, but lately I've been casting on a rather unreasonable number.  (The Eggstra Special Socks and the Umari Throw were both started last August, and haven't been touched for months.  When school is out they will return to the top of the pile.)

In progress are:

Garter Stitch Jacket, Cascade 220 Superwash, as a stand-by baby gift.  I've only been working on this when at meetings, like today at Eneri Knits final Sunday knit-in until fall, because it is so mindless.

On the heels of completing Cathy Carron's Gamine Tank, I started another of her designs- the Scoop Pullover, in Cascade Sierra.  It's zipping along!

#24 Lace Wrap by Lisa Daehlin, in Lamb's Pride Worsted.  I made another of her wraps years ago, the Lacey Kerchief Scarf:

I love her stuff.  I don't much wear wraps and shawls, but enjoy making these with their heavier yarn and needles.  

I wound the qiviut and put it safely in a bag with labels so there will be no more mix ups.  Now to cast on another Wavy Feathers Wimple.

 

At Eneri today I bought Classic Elite's Silky Alpaca Lace as Kate wants the Barton Cottage Shrug from Jane Austen Knits.  There was no rush for this, but then someone posted on Ravelry looking for knitters in the area who would like to meet at Barnes and Noble to work on JAK projects and, well, I thought I might as well get the yarn and be prepared...

 Lastly, I'm awaiting some Lion Brand Wool-Ease (20% off from the website) to make these cute Duffle Coats for the twins' first birthday in July.  That's really the only project that has a deadline.

Faux qiviut demi-Wavy Feathers Wimple

I'm steadily losing my faculties.  I wanted to knit up one of the skeins of qiviut my son had sent for Christmas, and found a cute pattern using the yarn.  The 3 1/2 pattern repeat plus borders is supposed to use up the 220 yard skein, but I was only able to eke out 2 repeats.  And the yarn was kind of scratchy and not qiviut-soft.  Hmmmm.  Somehow I had mistaken an unlabeled ball of alpaca for one of the qiviuts I'd taken the label off of.  Oh well, we'll call this a practice cowl, and now I'll go ahead with the real thing.  You can't see the wavy pattern when it's worn, so I pulled it over a towel bolster to make it easier to see.  Kate also demonstrates  how it can be turned into a wide headband `a l`a Mad Men.

Gamine Tank

The Gamine Tank, above, was formerly the Ruched Tee, below.

I liked the Ruched Tee in theory, but in reality did not like its fit and knew I'd constantly be fiddling with the slip-slidey neckline.  So it was frogged and some months later resurfaced as the Gamine Tank.  I'm very happy with the fit, and it can be dressed up or down.  I didn't wash the frogged yarn before reknitting, but after blocking the completed tank the yarn relaxed and the kinks disappeared.

Stats:

Pattern: Gamine Tank 

Designer: Cathy Carron

Source: Interweave Knits Summer 2010

Yarn: Tahki Cotton Classic (a favorite!)

The pattern was easy and fun, and I made no mods.  It's knit from the top down, and the collar is folded to the inside and sewn in place.

Cow looks miffed because K interrupted his sun nap.  Though none of us enjoy the every other day fluid injections, he is a good boy and resigns himself to it.

Birthday trip

My husband had a *significant* birthday last month, so I planned a little get away during my week off. We stayed in Poughkeepsie- don't laugh, it's a nice place with a lot of interesting things to do in the vicinity.  We visited the FDR homestead in Hyde Park.  Coincidentally, it was the 67th anniversary of the death of this remarkable president.  I forgot to bring the camera on the tour, but got it out of the car and went back for a photo of the statue of Eleanor and Franklin.  

We had an elegant and fantastic dinner at the CIA (Culinary Institute of America), also in Hyde Park.  What a beautiful campus and main building- of course I forgot the camera again.  There are several restaurants, all staffed by students.  We ate at the American Bounty.  You know how at many restaurants you have to use the same cutlery throughout every course?  Not here- multiple knives, forks, and spoons were brought and removed throughout the evening, some whose purpose was a mystery to us.

Oh- I wore my completed Gamine Tank to dinner.  I absolutely love it, and will take pictures of it soon.

Friday we went to the Motorcyclepedia museum.  I didn't know he'd been there before, but it was worth a second visit.  There is a complete-except-for-two-models timeline of Indian motorcycles.  My favorite display was the bright orange Flying Merkel.

The weather was beautiful for a walk on the Walkway Over the Hudson.  I actually didn't know about this beforehand, but as we were driving about we noticed this way tall bridge over the highway and river with tiny little people traversing it.  After googling it, we walked it with scores of others- this was a Friday afternoon before tourist season, so imagine how crowded it must be in the summer.  Lots of people were walking their dogs on the bridge.  There were pet watering stations on either end, and signs warning that the pavement gets hot, with a digital thermometer to show the pavement temperature.  

Some of the historical sites I'd have liked to visit were not yet open for the season- lots of Colonial and Revolutionary War places.  I also intended to take D to West Point on our final day, but he preferred to drive through the Catskills instead, which was a pretty ride.  We found ourselves driving through Woodstock and pulled over to walk through the town for a few minutes and take pictures. Duh- I didn't realize until looking for a link that Max Yasgur's farm wasn't even in Woodstock, but 43 miles away in Bethel, NY.  That doesn't stop the town of Woodstock from capitalizing on its name.  

 

 

April vacay

The weather looks promising for a nice spring break this week.  Easter was at my sister El's, and all her grandchildren managed to sit still for a few minutes for group photos.  Today is perhaps the only day of the week that I don't have something planned, and I hope to summon up the energy to tackle some housecleaning.  My son's old room is still filled with kitchen stuff that was stored there during remodeling.  I had planned to make that my craft room, but now my husband is eyeing it.  So I may claim my daughter's room,  which is larger but less sunny, and without a closet.  Ahhh, the rewards of an empty nest.

This month marks our chickens' third birthday.  We started out with a dozen chicks but are now down to 3.  No, we don't eat them, but other critters do.  Plus we have lost a couple to being egg bound, I believe- not a happy way to go.  The upside of the diminishing flock is that with only 3 I can finally tell them apart, and call them by name.

Flossie with the floppy comb:

Millicent with the handsome, perfectly proportioned comb:

And Pip, with the crewcut comb:

After several days of not eating or acting normally, our ancient cat Cow has been diagnosed with chronic renal failure (CRF), which will eventually claim him.  However, it can be managed and he can live comfortably for an indefinite time.  The vet showed me and Kate how to administer subcutaneous fluids at home, which we are doing every other day at this point.  After his first treatment at the vet, he has been pretty much his old feisty self.  This site is full of valuable information which will help as we treat him.  

 

 I really want to finish the Gamine Tank within the next day or two so that I can wear it when D and I go away for a few days at the end of the week.  Of course that means the housework may need to take a backseat.  Here's a detail of the lace border.