wip it out

Thanks to Elspeth for suggesting we post our works in progress to keep us honest and for encouragement to get some stuff done!

WIPs (Works In Progress): There aren't as many as I'd thought… or I can't find them all… Thank goodness I got a couple things done in the UFOlympics.

1. Interweave’s Super-Simple Wrap Jacket (Spring 2002). Only one more sleeve to seam in, plus the other side seam… This was one of my Knitting Olympics UFOs, but I didn't manage to finish it. I hate seaming! I also have to knit a belt for it. I think I started this sweater two years ago. It is dragging on, partly because I hate seaming, but also because I don't think it will fit very well on me.
2. That cardigan is getting overtaken now by my Neckdown Pullover for Women by Knitting Pure & Simple. I'm about done with the body of it, and then need to finish sleeves and neck. Yarn by Teseo.
3. I love portable projects! I love Magic Loop socks! I love my husband! So here are socks I'm knitting for him! Part of the Cirque du Socks knit-a-long. Yarn is Trekking. Size 1 needles.
4. Drop-stitch scarf in colorful ribbon yarn. But the ribbon isn't quite as colorful as the photos make it seem. The colors are more autumnal than the photos show. I made an identical scarf for the Bicycle Alliance auction last year; it was a hit; and since I had more yarn left over, I thought I'd make another one. Turns out it's boring to knit… And boring to knit exactly the same thing again. Plus the yarn constantly twists itself as I'm knitting. In reality, every yarn twists somewhat since I learned continental (pick) knitting, but this ribbon stuff is the worst.

 

 

IKQ (In the Knitting Queue): Just a sampling… I realized I've got many more projects in the queue — I bought the yarn and have every intention of making the project but haven't started. And keep buying new yarn for yet other projects…

1. Silkroad's DK Tweed to make a sweater for Jeff. He wants me to "recreate" a sweater which was his dad's and which is disintegrating now. This is obviously a challenge. I bought this yarn last year. But for Christmas, I found him a similar sweater at Eddie Bauer, so I bought that. We'll see what happens with this yarn…
2. Pretty purple Sirdar Snuggly Bubbly yarn for making snuggly baby blankets. Two of my girlfriends are pregnant, both are due in July. I haven't determined what pattern to use yet. Any suggestions? I'd like to do something that brings out the bubbly texture of the yarn.
3. Red sock yarn which I'd like to use to make these beautifully-patterned Eleanora Socks. The red is very different than the heathered brown Mim used (hers look antique like the socks they are patterned after), but I love the pattern and the yarn, so we'll see how well they match up.
4. - 4,000 All the other projects I've bought yarn for and havdn't started yet.

 

 

 

socks and more

I'm almost done with the cuff!

I'm really enjoying this Magic Loop (one long circular needle) method. Easier than two circs, even. Although I think it helps to have worked with two circulars to understand this method. The Trekking yarn is great to work with, it doesn't split at all. I did a K1P1 ribbing for a bit and now the main pattern is K3 P1.

Here's Cooper with a new cat toy, the Feather Flutter Wand, I just bought today. It is: plastic stick + long fleece string + red feather. The fleece part is really long, so it's got a great reach for attracting lil' nervous kitty Jasmine. It's made by Posh Feline, makers of their other favorite toy, the Glitter Pom Wand.

Saturday I stopped by my friend Ruth's house and she wasn't there… But cutie kitty Ginger was! And they have a sweet flower-filled window box I just had to share.

The New York Times is reporting that the French are eating more maghrébin — north African — pastries. And they provide some yummy-sounding recipes including the classic baklava and cornes de gazelles.

spring burst

spring has sprung.

See more of my bloomin' photos at Flickr

book lovers

I love books, too. But I'm not crazy! Most of the books I read these days are from the library, so I don't have the $5,000 per year book storage costs that this couple had before they built shelves on every wall of their condo.

The Washington Post story about true bibliophiles. (Thanks for the link, Mom.)

I am on a book-buying moratorium (which I mostly adhere to), since we ran out of additional shelf space years ago. I even donate books occasionally! Jeff sold an entire bookcase of military history books on Ebay over the last six months. But I guess that just seems to have made room for more of my books. I have to admit that all my Russian textbooks are still in boxes somewhere. But that's because… what if I want to start studying Russian again? And all the French language books my grandmother sent me on birthdays and Christmases… I can't get rid of those because, well, it would just feel wrong to get rid of them. And so on…

Speaking of books, I just finished reading the Autograph Man by Zadie Smith (a library copy). It's the story of a 30-something (alcoholic) man searching for the autograph of his career. On the way he (drinks a lot,) discusses Zen and Judaism with his childhood friends, (drinks some more,) travels to New York for an autograph conference, (gets completely drunk there,) hurts everyone he loves, and searches for the meaning of life (while completely plastered). Just like real life, huh?The writing is beautiful — both colloquial and lyrical.

For a better review check out Powells.com.

sock progress and Lucy

Thank goodness for Knitwit’s photos and instructions for Magic Loop sock knitting. I read through the instructions in the pattern I have and they made absolutely no sense! But seeing the photos at Knitwit’s site helped me get going. And then I remembered I’m supposed to be doing K2 P2 ribbing. Rip, rip.

So this evening while watching The Godfather movie part one, with Jeff, I got to here:

Yesterday my niece Tabitha was sick, so I picked her up from school. She was in the nurse’s office, oh, remember those days? She was asleep underneath blankets and her coat. She awoke right away, we gathered up her coat and bag and walked through to the main office. I had to sign her out, and as I signed I recited, “Date, 3/23/06. Time, 12:25. Student name, Tabitha Potatohead.”

“Heyyyyy!” she laughed.

Back at her home, she snuggled up on the couch with their dog Lucy so we could all watch Madagascar (I hadn’t seen it yet).

It’s hard to get a photo of a niece when she’s sick. But a niece’s dog, piece of cake!

sock “started”

I was feeling left behind by the other knitters at Cirque du Sock, so I finally bought the proper size needle to start the Knitalong. Size one needles. I’ve never knitted with anything smaller than, what, a size two… Ones seem a lot smaller. Especially since my two recent projects were on size 9 needles. Espcially since it’s a 40-inch long circular needle for doing Magic Loop socks.

Anyways, I did a small gauge swatch at knitting group tonight. I know, I know, I should do a larger gauge swatch, and do ribbing on the edges so it lays flat, but hey. The fact that I even swatched at all is an improvement over past projects. So there.

I think I made gauge…

lego knitting machine

On this description of the top ten strangest lego creations, scroll down to number 4.  Yes ladies and gents, that’s a fully functional knitting machine made entirely out of legos.

gnarly knitters?

Check out the recent Seattle Times article on “Gnarly knitters” which includes photos of a knitted digestive track and some zombies!

melanoma walkathon May 6

Please join me for the second annual Melanoma International Foundation’s Safe from the Sun Walkathon! The walkathon will take place on May 6, 2006 in three US cities, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Seattle.

Seattle’s event includes a 2-mile walk through the scenic Lake Sammamish State Park, a Kid’s Dash, free skin cancer screenings and a Health Fair with focus on skin safety and skin cancer prevention. The MIF Walkathon is in memory of Warren R. Olson. Last year’s walkathon raised over $200,000 towards melanoma awareness, education and research in addition to providing support to families suffering from melanoma.

If you cannot join me in supporting this important cause, please consider making a donation in my name. No amount is too small; your support is essential to stopping this deadly disease. The link for donating is: http://www.active.com/donate/SeattleSITS2006/JKogut14

Why am I working for this cause? See my skin cancer page for additional information.

springtime in Seattle

My jaunt downtown last week: Smith Tower with Columbia Center (black box) in the distance behind it. Check out the website, where you can see a slow animation of ol’ Smithee being built, with photos from the period. “The Smith Tower opened on July 4, 1914. At the time, it was the fourth tallest building in the world and weighed 48,650 tons. It remained the tallest building west of the Mississippi River for almost 50 years.” Oh, and Jeff and I got married in the Chinese Room, on the top floor below the point of the Smith Tower. I just found some cool new virtual tours of the Chinese Room and Smith tower on VR Seattle!

This photo also illustrates why they created the song “The bluest skies I’ve ever seen are in Seattle.” In March, at least, when the smog hasn’t started to build up yet.

Here are some interesting murals I spotted on the construction site on the block west of the new City Hall and Civic Plaza.

And springtime by our house:

(Mosaic created with Flickr Toys. Lots of fun stuff to try out!)

Lastly, the cats: Cooper on the cat tree, enjoying the setting sunlight.

Jasmine found her spot in the sun:

springtime in Paris

CSM is reporting that the US loves France again. Mais oui! Vive la France!

Jane and Brian are in Paris right now. Lovely, lovely Paris in springtime. Although it appears they’ve got mist or light rain for a few days.

And you know what? Jane sent out her thank you notes already — the wedding was Saturday and the thank you note arrived in the mail on Thursday. Now that’s organization. Yes, it was personalized! It even had a photo of us taken on Saturday!

They really deserve this springtime honeymoon in Paris.

lighten up

It’s been a tough week, after a difficult counseling session Wednesday morning. I feel confused, frustrated, furious, terrified, vulnerable. Last night reading Sark’s A Creative Companion I came across the page called Welcoming a New Baby. It includes these words: “You are deeply wanted. We’re so glad you’re here… How do you like earth?” I cried. How long has it been since I’ve felt welcomed like that? Ever?

I wrote that paragraph this morning feeling so sorry for myself…

Then, I just listened to a Weekday interview with Eman Ahmad Khammas, an Iraqi journalist and human rights activitst. She said that under Saddam, “It was bad, but it’s worse now.” A beautiful, impassioned woman, Eman is now visiting the U.S. as a member of the Iraqi Women’s Delegation. Code Pink organized the delegation as part of the Women Say No to War campaign and International Women’s Day recognition.

Here is Eman’s profile from Global Exchange:

“Journalist, translator and activist. Married with 2 daughters, she lives in Baghdad. Eman is a member of the Women’s Will organization which focuses on defining and defending women’s rights outside political party interests and opposing incarceration of women as hostages. Eman regularly publishes articles on women’s conditions in Iraq under the occupation in a monthly newspaper called Oqol (Minds). For the past three years she has been documenting crimes committed by US and Iraqi forces. She will be bringing video documentation of these crimes. Eman is also involved in mobilizing emergency relief (medicines, food and clothing) for victims living under the occupation, especially women and children living in refugee camps.”

She will be speaking tomorrow night (March 18 at 7:30pm) here in Seattle, at Trinity United Methodist Church. More info here>>.

***

The world feels way too big and scary sometimes, but listening to strong women, mentors, helps me feel and act stronger. This Iraqi journalist was discussing horrible conditions, including the mental trauma many Iraqi citizens are now living through, and yet she remains hopeful and active. She sees that she must act, or die. She must act, and might die trying, but otherwise there is nothing but the dark deep hole.

Lighten Up collage is about trying to climb up and out of that dark hole, where I try to protect myself with a plastic coating because I can’t deal with the world. Even knitting can help, I can surround myself with cloud-soft knitted protection, and still go out there. I can seek out powerful women, strong positive statements, and feel glad to be here on Mother Earth. And with that as a foundation, I can act.

Lighten Up collage (click image for larger view).

OTN: top-down sweater

Knitting stuff at last… here is what I’ve got on the needles (OTN) right now: the Neckdown Pullover for Women by Knitting Pure & Simple. I’m taking a class to learn this top-down method at the Fiber Gallery.

The sweater relaxing after I’ve separated for the sleeves (the sleeves are held on yellow waste yarn):

Teseo yarn (55% wool, 45% microfiber), is so soft it feels like knitting a cloud. And gotta love those random stripeys. I can’t wait to see how different the stripes are on the sleeves, since they should be taller stripes.

Jane & Brian

Saturday was my dear friend Jane & Brian's wedding. It was held in their beautiful freshly-remodeled house in Edmonds. Jane's dress was designed and made in Korea.

Jane & Brian (parents-to-be) with the papparazzi.

And the cake was… a replica of their house!! Très cool! I figure the window slice signifies a window on the new life of a married couple.

Jeff and I on the deck overlooking an Evergreen backyard… And friends Kojay and Priti (also parents-to-be…).

red stuff part 2

A few more red things I forgot! My car, called “Platy,” since she looks sorta like a platypus. She’s not as shiny now as when this picture was taken…

And the VERY best red item I have: the “I CAN” doll Cheryln made for me! Very happy, sweet doll with a twisted-hanger body, yarn hair and a red knitted dress. How could you not love her?

color the world red! (and pink!)

Project Spectrum is a neat way to explore color, or “notice the colors in your world” as project creator LollyKnitting says.. Not sure what I’ll knit that is red yet, but I think my clapotis can cover for the pink part! Here are some items around the house. (Clickez les photos for a larger view.)

Photo Descriptions (starting top left):

• Red bamboolicious bowl (made by a fair trade family workshop in Hanoi) given to me by Christa – with the red poppies Cheryln gave me in the background!
• Red tools: swiss army knife, Richard Nixon Library pencil given by my mom & Fred, and Jeff’s shiny 4-in-1 screwdriver
• Red box – this was the first gift Jeff ever gave me circa Dec 2001 (with loose leaf tea in it)
• Red box contents – telecartes, European (predominantly French) phone cards collected by my grandmother
• Red télécartes
• Pink télécartes
• Red ladies! Russian nesting dolls.
• Red ladies and ladle
• Red tag special: The Russian tag on the bottom of one of the Russian ladies. (I used to call these my Polish dolls since I’m half Polish until I finally noticed this Russian tag!)
• Red ladle: made in USSR but printed in English. Huh.

Lastly, I just luuuv this little mouse knittin’ his red sweater.

feelin’ socksy

I’m excited to join the Cirque du Socks knitalong which Elaine just created! See Jeff, I really do plan on knitting your socks… And now I have a deadline of April 30.

Here is the yarn. It’s called Trekking (XXL), made in Germany, 75% new wool, 25% nylon. It calls for size 2 – 3 mm needles.

true experiences

Today, Keri Smith discusses really getting to know a work of art. Museums don’t encourage our taking the time to understand a work of art, or to grok it as I like to say. It might be more fruitful to delve deeply into a work of art, by spending more time in contemplation of a few pieces, rather than skimming the surface of an entire gallery. “How many things,” Keri asks, “are missed at first glance?” Complex works need time and space if we are going to get to the deeper meanings.

One of the commenters of her blog states, “You’ve reminded me that I need to go for true experiences instead of experiencing everything.” But long contemplation of a work might seem, in some ways, contradictory to true experiences. Personally I tend toward the intellectual, trying to wrangle out meanings, rather than enjoying something in the moment. If I don’t have much to say about a book I’ve read, I feel guilty, as if I read too fast: someone’s blood, sweat and tears treated like fast food. It feels disrespectful. The contemplation of a work seems to honor it more.

On the other hand, sometimes I read too much into things, and might be happier if I could skim the surface more frequently, enjoying a book as a pleasurable fictional experience, without struggling for deeper meaning. How to accept what comes and not analyze it to death?

I’ve been wondering what my purpose is in writing this blog. It’s fun to experiment, try out new technologies, and communicate my ideas. Is there an audience? I’m not sure, and not sure it matters at this point. But the quote about true experiences — and Keri’s blog in general — reminds me that I aim to dig deeper, to look for more full experiences. Part of writing is about figuring out what truly I think and feel about something. I often don’t know what my ideas are until I try to write or talk about them. Writing can be a primary way to grok, for introverts like me.

I have wondered if writers don’t experience as fully as they could, because they are always sifting experiences in their head, watching for documentable moments. Instead, I want to drink deeply and be full from the moment as I’m experiencing it, whether it is sorting socks after the laundry (feeling the static-filled heat of the dryer as I try to distinguish dark blue socks from the black ones) or learning the crawlstroke at Greenlake Pool (I can scarcely tell what my limbs are doing, since there is not yet a habitual pattern to tell me if they are in the proper position or in sync).

Living in the moment is the only way we can truly experience something. After the moment is over, isn’t it simply a memory? Contemplation — of a memory, a work of art, or a book — can feel ivory-toweresque. I quit my job to figure out what I really feel, but the most deeply useful intuitions in my life are those which come from the gut or the heart, rather than from the head.

In a counseling session a couple months ago, I re-experienced and then released from a traumatic experience.  After, I intuitively created this collage, Escape to Peace, as my visual cue to releasing the trauma. This was not my head speaking, but my body.  It feels true to me.

on the wire 9 Mar 06

According to a recent UN agency report, almost 20% of the world’s population (one billion people) still lacks access to safe drinking water. Also, 2.6 billion are without adequate sanitation. Currently, almost 70% of freshwater is used to irrigate agricultural crops, and as our population increases that figure will only increase as well, drawing more freshwater from our drinking sources to our food sources. Source: BBC News.

—

And many sarcastic thanks to Congress, which has caved yet again… this time, on investigating Bush’s unwarranted wire-tapping of US citizens. As Slate magazine’s Patrick Radden Keefe points out, doublespeak is rampant and “Orwell would be proud.”

gold juggler

My mom forwarded me this link – check out this movie of a wayyyyy cooollll juggler! Requires Flash plugin. Keep watching, it gets better and better.

http://marketplace.espeakers.com/movie.php?sid=5290&aid=10558

a blustery tuesday

On this chilly, blustery evening, Jeff and I drove to the Hilltop Pub at the top of Queen Anne to grab a bite to eat — and I wore my new clapotis wrap. I know you still can't see it very well but there wasn't much room for Jeff to take a picture.

I got my participant certificate from the Yarn Harlot. Remember, boys and girls, the words I CAN are in PARTICIPANT.

Here is what Jeff worked on during the olympics: an M.C. Escher jigsaw puzzle. He deserves a medal for this!

And Cooper was working on… his tan! Lazy-bones kitty.

Last night I finished reading Fannie Flagg's Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man. A sometimes laugh-out-loud, sometimes tearful coming-of-age story, Daisy Fay is a quick read providing interesting commentary of 1950s US society.

voila, clapotis

It’s all finished up! With suggestions from folks up at the Fiber Gallery, I snipped the stitch I’d forgotten to drop; dropped it; and needle felted the snipped ends together.

Woah, was that a scary moment before cutting! But later when I was showing Jeff, it took me a couple minutes to figure out which one was needle felted. Pretty awesome to have learned this new “magic.”
4
Here are the photos (I’ll get Jeff to take one of me wearing it soon):

1. The arena prepped for surgery.
2. Close-up of the newly dropped area. See if you can see the stitch I cut! I can’t anymore!

Details:

• Clapotis Pattern available on Knitty.com, by Kate Gilbert.
• Knitted in Debbie Bliss Soho (100% wool), color 37508. Seven skeins I think…
• On size 8 US (5mm) straight needles.

That random number 4 above was typed by Ms. Jasmine Catminski. I had to shift in my chair and she dashed off, typing that mysterious code as she fled. I guess Jasmine gets her photo here too. If she looks a little sad, I think she’s actually grumpy with me for moving when she was all comfy on a warm lap.

scarfie, c’est fini

Scarfie is complete!

Knitted and then slightly felted in the washing machine. This was the first item I’ve ever designed myself. At times I wanted to scrap the whole thing, but I’m fairly pleased with it now.

Materials:

• Lion brand Landscapes for large sections and fringe, 1 1/2 skeins
• Rowan 4-ply Soft Daydream stranded together with Rowan All-Seasons Cotton Pale Lime for thinner sections (used leftovers of this from other projects).

As for Clapotis, I’m going to do it. I’m going to CUT the one stitch I forgot to drop, then needle felt it. Wish me luck!

new beginnings

Today was the last day at my job. Or, as my counselor puts it, my J-O-B. Part of me hopes it will be my last day at any job, but let’s not get out of hand (yet). This is the third job I’ve quit since 2003, and I’m still grasping at straws to understand the dynamics at play. At least I’m now committed to not rush back into the fray until I learn more about what I need and want.

Somehow, I’m simply not “made” for the 40-hour per week, 50-week per year “traditional” US job. I find it frustrating at best and completely stifling many times. Efficiency and dedication I’ve got in spades, and every former boss would label me one of their top worker bees, but somehow I can’t continue with it. Essentially, I can’t be myself in the traditional work structure.

Worker bee revolts!

My counselor encourages me to accept that the System doesn’t fit everyone. I guess that’s difficult for me to accept because the American Work Ethic is so deeply ingrained in our society, and in me, like it or not! Gotta save for retirement, buy a house, live the American dream, have 2.5 kids and a mortgage, or you won’t be fulfilled or safe.

But what could I really do if I had the freedom, the space? Who would come out and play? What ever happened to sitting under a tree watching it bloom… to petting a cat without a care in the world… to drinking deeply of the spring-scented air? In this modern world of cell phones, e-mail, faxes, cost-efficiency, and rushed living on the clock, what ever happened to savoring real life? With all this modernity, we’ve lost something to peace and tranquillity.

Lynsey said to me this morning, “Happy Freedom Day!” I hope to keep my new freedom open, unrestrictive… This new period sans work is a blessing for which I’m extremely grateful. Why work when it’s driving you to distraction? Why work when your partner is willing to support you for a while, it’s completely do-able, and the only thing holding you back is societal convention and a four-letter word spelled F-E-A-R?

What could come out of this fertile new ground? Kitschy hand-knitted gifts for every acquaintance near and far? A cleaner house? A new career in editing or French translation? Art? A book? Political and practical renewal? From where I now sit, anything is possible.

View from our deck: camellia and cherry blossoms join in their own riotous new beginnings.