pokingmyeyesout

COMMENTS is BROKEN sorry ... no comments for me :(

I have been making short trips to Cali. (Translate: tiny projects for travel) but wait.... I have to tell a story.

Last night, I packed my notion bag, two circular knitting needles, crochet hooks, some yarn, books, glasses + clip ons, change purse, mouse ... in my suitcase, along with my clothes and shoes. This morning at airport security screening... I took off belt, shoes.. put them and laptop in a bin to run through x-ray, along with my carry-on. I've seen some puzzle TSA-xray-screener ... and I thought I read a screener's lips "circular needles" along with hand motions in previous trip. This time, TSA-person yelled at me.. "whose shoes are these? absolutely NOTHING on top of the laptop." WHOOPS. not paying attention, it is really early in the morning and I have not had coffee. "Nice pink laptop thought!" .. er.. "Thanks. Sorry.." Then they stopped my carry-on...

TSA-searcher: "do you have any sharp objects?"
... finds notion bag (and mouse and change purse ..) in carry on ...
me "no" (I reviewed the TSA list. I have ALL of my tools .. including my little scissors.)
"what is this?"
me: "a row counter, you click it to keep count of the rows?"
"you a knitter?" ... "how long have you been knitting?"
me: "a few years... I have to fix my dad's sweater when I get there."
"have you been to that ... Renaissance Yarn in Kent"
me: "yes! it is a very nice shop."
.... she digs up the glasses case and etc... "ah.. they should be pack flat, so we can see [through x-ray]" .. she takes everything and run through again. returns..
me: "thanks. sorry. You should go to Renaissance Yarn. It is very nice!"
"I don't know how to knit."
... the end...

Clearly, I should pay more attention when I am packing and putting my stuff through security. I know better. doh. anyways... back to some travel and knits ...

Continue reading "Small things ... " »

Posted by E at 1:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On the brighter side of unemployment, there is time for road trip and knitting. In mid-April, I went to Vancouver BC (Vancouver set on flickr) with my Mom and Aunt. I worked on Inspired by Ruffles ( Ravelry link ).

In beg-May, I went to Kalispell (Kalispell set on flickr) with DH, in-laws, to visit his brother & family. On the drive, I finished a pair of booties (pic on flickr), soap cozy for G (pic on flickr) . The next morning I started a string bag (pic on flickr) (Ravelry link) with yarn from GD ... The chair where I spent most of the week is very comfortable and has a gorgeous view to The Swan. At that pace, I would run out of projects. So, I dragged everyone to Camas Creek Yarn - I selected a simple Araucania Ranco Solid for the Lace Ribbon Yarn. I managed to finish it before we were on the road again. On the drive back, I finished the string bag and took a nap... a. lot. of. knitting. time.

Posted by E at 8:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I started this sweater (details on Ravelry) when I was sitting with DH in intensive care. It was most frightening. He is home now but who knows what the future will bring. I didn't manage to do any lace for the last few weeks. I've been trying to straighten out work, trying to manage budget, and driving to/from hospital & medical appointments in biggest snow storm of the last few decades. Good friends and good neighbors helped me a lot, and my mom and special SiL have been very supportive.

I will return to knitting lace soon. And a huge welcome back to J! I am so happy you (and N) are back. Our first fun crafty trip was to the Japanese bookstore in Uwajmaya Village and I got a couple of books Couture Knit #12 and Knit Concerto. It was quite a splurge :D

From one of my all time favorite movie ... Tempted by Squeeze

Posted by E at 9:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DH and I visited family and friends in DC metro area. I exchanged prez for some yarn and patterns :) (click on photo to see details on flickr or My Projects page on Ravelry) (<- lazy)

SiL liked her fingerless mitten - Dashing. She especially like the the fingerless part. Woo! FiL said "You are getting good at knitting. This is like store-bought". Er. Heh. My SiL commented "That's a Lapland pattern". I think I have a name for that hat now. :D MiL was puzzled at the cupcake, but thats ok. She appreciated it. The next morning, FiL was looking for the hat so he can wear it jogging, but it was nowhere to be found. We think MiL put it away for 'safe keeping'. J immediately put on her scarf :D Nola, the recipient of Tomato, promptly took the hat off as soon as Mom put it on :D. She is adorable :) and looks a lot like her proud parents.

The yarns are trades from J. She is doing a lot of destashing and cleaning to prep for moving back here. Yay :) See you in a few weeks!

We visited Aylins Woolgathering in Falls Church and Uniquities in Vienna. I rescued (ahem) some pattern books, including Dale 187, a couple of back issues of Interweave Crochet magazines, and Debbie Bliss Rialto Classic.

I came home to a [dried] Dumpling, that is ready to be finished. J and I didn't find appropriate fabric at the usually reliable G Street for lining. So the search continues. I also finished Fetching (prez) and Habitat (more prez). (finished shots later). I used the newly acquired J destash Knit Picks Elegance yarn to start a small project - flower scarf. I didn't like how the flower turned out, so I will be ripping and re-doing the flower.

Phew. It was a good crafty week - lots of airport, visiting family and friends knitting time. Kooler has an eye infection so we will be going to the vet this afternoon.

Posted by E at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

... being the dork that I am. I am starting a shopping list for trip to visit J,

Oct 21st - thinking about trip to Bay Area. In particular, Lacis in Berkeley. They now have LYRA (reprinted) - link on Ravelry

Oct 13 - I cleaned yarn today and updated my Ravelry stash. It turns out I have a few 'lost' balls here and there. But now I am coveting Zephyr Wool-Silk, so purty...

Oct 11 - Rebecca #31

Oct 6, started list - Dale of Norway #187 for this sweater

Posted by E at 10:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

There is this island nearby, Bainbridge, that has a very cute yarn store Churchmouse Yarns and Teas. I havent made it there. ( Called me lazy, but finding time, taking a ferry, blahblahblah ... name any ol'excuse). GD suggested we make a date and just do it.

Continue reading "Island" »

Posted by E at 11:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Me: Ring Ring. Cultured Purls (LYS) is having a sale on ALL yarn
GD: Don't buy all the black yarn.

Hrmph. No fun.

Continue reading "Baby yarn" »

Posted by E at 2:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I made a list for our fun play date. I tried to stick with the list..

Continue reading "Yarn day" »

Posted by E at 5:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

J has a Seattle Plan. And here is my companion to her plan.

Continue reading "Companion list for J's list" »

Posted by E at 11:23 AM | Permalink

I had lunchie with a friend GD today in Old Town Bellevue. I couldnt not help but stop at Parkside Wool. I took this picture for J - this one is for you :).

.. yarn, patterns, and a copy of Aran Knitting (not for sale at any price!) ...

Posted by E at 3:48 PM | Permalink

Planning for J's trip in Feb/March. Last time J visited, we went to six shops. For this visit, we want to visit new-to-us shops (and food!) and some old favorites.

LYS:

• Acron Street
  
• Hilltop in Queen Anne
  
• Pacific Fabric
  

Since we are big time nerds, we will actually get store hours, traffic & route, and combine the food places to create a PLAN. Afterall, we do have specific secret items we must procure.

Here is the Food list:

• Jak's Grill
  
• Portage Bay Cafe
  
• Agua Verde
  
• Essential Bakery
  

Continue reading "J's trip planning" »

Posted by E at 2:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I took a detour from regular scheduled programming and spent a couple of days with my parents in the Bay Area (after a brutal meeting in Brisbane). I found a list of Bay Area Knits from http://ashascorner.blogdns.org/home/yarnstores.html

Continue reading "Bay Area Crafty Stores" »

Posted by E at 11:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)