In Which I Begin a Clapotis

I went, innocently enough, into the Wooly Ewe Friday. And it was innocently enough, I don't care what anybody says. But I was looking around, and not getting overwhelmed, and feeling fiber, and chatting with the wonderful ladies that work there, and I found this:



No, not Roxie. The yarn. This is Araucania "Ulmo Multy" Color 710. There were only 4 skeins, two were the lighter color there, and two the darker. So I bought them, had them wound into balls, and headed to my parent's house, where I am staying this week while they get to go to fabulous North Carolina. (I am not upset by this at all, even if I am stuck here in hot Texas while they go somewhere fabulous and cooler. Have I mentioned yet that every day last week was over 100 degrees? EVERY DAY.) This makes my commute an hour and a half one way again. There is a serious lack of public transportation here, which would make the commute bearable, because I could knit on this:



This is my Clapotis. I have wanted to knit this pattern for years, but haven't yet been inspired by a yarn that I could afford. The Araucania Ulmo inspired me. It's cotton, and soft. And I read the instructions on the tag before I got two far: "As there are no dye lots, we recommend buying enough yarn at one time to complete each individual project. Knit with two hanks in assorted rows (2-4). This will assure an overall blended effect." I am, and it is. I am oh-so-pleased.



I have been discussing these project with everyone, and everyone has been giving me the same appreciative sighs I give my brother when he discusses draft picks... but that's allright. I'm pleased with this project so far, with every bit of it. The pattern is simple, but with enough change to keep me interested, and the yarn is all of my favorite colors, so I am thrilled. I knit all day yesterday. My wrists didn't even hurt so bad with the bigger needles.

Hooray!

A Rachel Visit

After some boring nights home alone:



My oldest college friend, Rachel, came for a brief visit last night on her move across the country. She likes big dogs, and playing with them:



Naturally, Roxie was thrilled:



And I was, too. We had some great times together "back when," when we shared happy vegetarian meals on Sunday afternoons. My dear dear Rachel. I really enjoyed listening to NPR with her and eating breakfast and wish we'd had longer.

Self-Striping Sock

This is my 2nd self-striping-sock yarn sock. It's OnLine Supersocke 100 in "Savanne Color" that I bought last Friday at my first trip to The Woolie Ewe. So far I'm just delighted with the stripes.



Lovely colors!

Public Service Announcement

If you go to Barnes and Noble:
Go ahead, sit in those comfy chairs. But don't spread a book across your belly. Don't shut your eyes. And please, please don't snore. (Everyone feels uncomfortable as they walk around you.)

The Self-Improvement Continues

Last week:
1. 13 pounds gone!
2. New jeans.
3. A haircut:


(Just to brag a little.)

Saturday Happenings

Good day today.

This morning I went to a Prayer Shawl Ministry Meeting and sat and knit with some neat new people. I was so glad to find a group here, since I miss my ol' Lubbock group so much.

This afternoon, my new pillows arrived. I bought them from an etsy shop, "Zillow Pillows", where Mandy makes "zany pillows with personality," and indeed they are both of those.

I picked out an earthy one with trees that Roxie likes:



But the one I really wanted, the one that made me buy these pillows, is this one:



It is called "Knit Until You Die" and I absolutely love it. Look carefully; there is a Roxiedog dragging around some knitting, a kitty wrapped up in knots, chinese takeout (or is it Thai? I hope it's Thai!), a girl dressed up in too much knitting (reminiscent of one of the most wonderfully ridiculous websites, Stitchy McYarnpants), and a skeleton still holding some dastardly yarn and needles with a book called "Quick and Easy Knitting Projects" at her feet. The knitting propped up next to it is my latest sock project, a basic self-striping sock that I'll post details on when I finish.

To celebrate my new pillows I went out window shopping for other green living room items, came back with my bank account still full (nothing could measure up to those pillows!), and invited myself to dinner.

I cooked fish and had fresh cherries and carrots with it. I turned off the television and sat at my table, enjoying my new space. Rox was good mannered and kept herself under the table at my feet.

Despite my best efforts, it's a good thing that myself is nice. She didn't mention that the fish was overcooked (it was, badly) and she washed up after dinner.

Now I have a few weekly chores to do and then I will sit and knit for a while, with Roxie and myself for company. :-)

Dinky

This is just a little portrait, a sketch for a larger one:


I had some trouble getting a good picture. The color is right on that one, but here is a darker version where you can see Dinky better:


Dinky is a Shih Tzu dog that belongs to some family friends. She's darling. I'm working on a large portrait for them, but I think I may send them this little teaser.

(Sometimes you need a teaser, as Abby knows...she's been waiting on her portrait for years. She didn't even get a teaser. Ahem. I'm a bit slow... I made no promises to Dinky's parents.)