The week’s notes

1.  Harvey and I have been watching Season 1 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (from Netflix, naturally) over the last week or so.  I must say, I had friends who loved this show when it was actually on TV, and I scoffed and shook my head at them.  But no more!  Now I see the appeal.  Thanks, Harve.

2.  I’m about to get to the first corner with the edging on Rumpelstiltskin.

Rumpelstiltskin 6-13-07 

It’s a long haul down those long sides, let me tell you.  And another one still to go!  Just keep knitting, just keep knitting…

3.  That cone of cashmere blend yarn is a fabulous prize.  In case any of you have forgotten, here’s what I made from my cone of the self-same yarn.

Handsome Triangle shawl

The Handsome Triangle shawl from Victorian Lace Today.  The cone that Ellen gave me had more than enough yarn on it to make the shawl with a whole extra repeat of the main pattern and that ruffled edging.  With a little bit left over for security’s sake.

4.  I have indeed been working on a cabled swatch based on the cream-colored sweater that Cameron Diaz wore in The Holiday.  Except that mine is red.

red cable swatch 

It’s early stages yet, but the plan is for that center cable to split into a v-neck in front and split in the back (like the sweater in the movie) for visual interest/shaping.  Oh, and it will be a pullover, not a cardigan.

5.  Harvey and I hit up the thrift stores in St. Joe today, and found some great bargains.  Sometimes you can get really lucky, you know?  What we were in search of was an old but still serviceable saucepan that we could use for popping popcorn (because I am one of the few people left in this country who make popcorn in a pan with oil instead of in the microwave–it’s lots cheaper that way and makes a girl feel like she’s actually cooking), which we found along with several other things.  For example, I found a perfect little shot glass–just one!–which I guess is really all you need when you live alone, as I do now. (Except when Harvey is with me, and I wouldn’t be doing shots with him anyway, now would I?)  I also found a very cool pair of elastic-waist rayon pants in a batik-like print.  Apartment pants, my sister-in-law would call them.  And now that I live in an apartment (for the time being, anyway) I can really use those kind of pants.

6.  I’m starting to get a little nervous about packing for the trip to CA.  Oh, not the clothes.  Clothes are just clothes, after all.  No, no.  The knitting.  What knitting should I bring?  Should I bring Rumpel?  I could get lots of edging knitted on the plane.  Or maybe the pink baby blanket I started a month ago?  Perhaps I should start a new pair of socks; that’s always good travel knitting.  Of course, I’ll have to bring more than one project, since it would be unthinkable to finish the one project you brought on a trip and then have nothing to knit!  In fact, I can’t imagine the horrid feeling of getting on the plane for the return trip without something to knit.  Or, more accurately, I can indeed imagine that desperate, sinking feeling.  Don’t want to go there.

See you all in California!

7 Responses to “The week’s notes”

  1. Ellen Says:

    A wonderful start on The Holiday sweater. Looks great!

    Good luck packing! I’m in the same boat, plus I have to haul a 27 pound wedding gown, at least four pairs of shoes, and something that resembles a corset.

  2. Rima Says:

    Rumple is just gorgeous! I LOVE seeing the progress.

    Re:6 I thought I was the only one who stressed more over what to take on a trip re: my knitting and of course – who could take only one project?

    I went to PA last weekend for a funeral and decided there was enough stress in my life at that moment and left ALL my projects at home and took a book.

  3. debsnm Says:

    Take at least 2 projects – in case you get bored. For the trip home, I suggest kidnapping Ellen and visiting a LYS and getting your “travel home” project. Souvenir and stash-building all in one! 😀

  4. bobbie Says:

    Oh, I think Rumple should definitely go with you. And then pack either the baby blanket or the makings for a pair of socks. And then take debsnm’s advice and visit an LYS for souvenirs. You certainly don’t want to run out of knitting on the plane home; not having anything to knit makes one hyperventilate and that would scare the other passengers! Things could get ugly!

  5. Desirae Says:

    Okay, I tried to watch Buffy before. Really. But it just seemed like dramatic vampire fluff… but I’ve seen so many references to it on knitting blogs. Maybe becoming a knitter has changed my tastes though. Does it seem to showcase a lot of knitwear? What is the appeal that I’m missing?

    Your start on the cables looks gorgeous! I’ve not gone back to cables since i tried that swatch last month. I think cable are beautiful, but I don’t understand the construction yet. 🙁 I don’t know what I did wrong yet, just that it sure didn’t look right!

    I know all about the packing enough to keep you occupied. Can you imagine packing enough stuff to keep you occupied for Six Months away from Life As You Know It! I packed all sorts of things for my deployment – books and movies and yarn. But, Amazon.com has been my savior. Except buying yarn online has to be the hardest thing to do. I left with only a few skiens of acrylic stuff from Walmart and a basic needle starter kit… I knew I wasn’t going to be happy, but I didn’t have the time to do better. 🙁 I did make a purchase of some cotton yarns and a Denise needle kit online. I love it!

    I’m itching to get home and visit a real yarn shop. And a I’m pretty sure I’ll be getting some basic spinning tools too. I want to try spinning and dying so badly!

    Well, that’s pretty wordy for a ‘comment!’ Can you tell I’m avoiding starting on my homework!

  6. Ariel Says:

    Another Buffy convert – hurrah! And “apartment pants”, aka “happy pants” (in my apartment), are most excellent for watching Buffy reruns on DVD. Enjoy!

  7. Vicki Says:

    did you make up a pattern for the cable movie sweater?