It’s summer somewhere

What with viruses (does anyone use the plural viri?) and near-constant migraines for the past week, I’ve been a little out of the loop. Maybe more than a little, if we’re being honest. Well, logged into ravelry and noticed another design had been added to my designer profile:

The Buttoned Up in Lace Shrug from Creative Knitting, Summer 2013.  This design was a source of pride at the time (not that I could talk about it), because it utilizes three traditional reversible lace patterns (two are Madeira and one is Shetland), worked on a garter ground with two sets of knitted-on button bands so the “shrug” can be worn in several ways as different garments.  Which is why I was a little disappointed to see it only modeled as a shrug (love the photos, though, they did a fantastic job styling!).

Good thing I snapped some pictures on Gertrude before sending it in, eh?

as a wrap, to the side

as a cowl

For other ideas, see my ravelry notebook listing.  The yarn was Imperial Yarn’s Tracie in 114 Dusty Rose.  Loved the color and the yarn – and currently have quite a bit stashed.  The buttons are antique shell lovelies from my grandmother’s stash.

In other news, several patterns are imminently forthcoming from Rose City Knits.   Keep an eye out!

I’ve never been to Coxsackie

But I already hate it.  This Spring marks my second experience with Coxsackie Virus in the past year.  Ugh.  The entire family has been laid low and I’ve fallen so far behind on everything that I’m almost ahead.  Oy.

But, focusing on the positive, I have gotten some stuff done – including a pattern and the samples for a sock club, and finally (oh, finally!) organizing my knitting needles. Or, rather (more honestly), beginning the extensive process of organizing my needles…

Needle storage solution

Opus and I had been discussing for months various methods of containing and orgazing the needles, and had narrowed the options to a tool chest or an old-fashioned library card catalog.  After months of frustrated searches for a reasonable option, I threw my hands up in the air and went onto other crazy ideas.  Which is when, of course, Mum found a tool chest at Goodwill (you wouldn’t believe the things she finds thrifting) and brought it home for me for a grand total of $14.99.  I should give up on stuff more often.

Once it had been cleaned and measure, I went on to make labels and drawer dividers out of milk board (easier said than done, btw) for needle sizes 0 – 19.

And needle organization

This afternoon, I went through and sorted all the loose needles in various containers.  First thoughts?

• I have way to many 3.00mm/ US 2.5 needles
• Why do I have two dozen 2.25mm/ US 1 dpns?
• Where the heck are my 7′s and 9′s?

Also, what am I going to do with all these needle organizers I’ve collected over the years?

Well, it’s something and that’s not nothing ;)  Next time, I have more news!  A new design and other fun stuff in the works.

Girl Rising

The past week has been kind of crummy – nothing working the way it should, etc. – but it was all put into perspective last night when I went to see Girl Rising.  Featured on both OPB and Jezebel, Mom and I decided that we had to see it (trailer below).

So, I reserved tickets through Gathr and waited to see if our screening would go through.  It did, and I went last night without Mum (who got sick at the last minute).  Opus stepped in valiantly.

As expected, it was heartbreaking and uplifting.  Tragic and beautiful.  If you’re able, I strongly recommend seeing it.  Portland-area residents are blessed with a variety of options for seeing Girl Rising in a theater.  I’d also recommend that you bring tissues.  Narrated by numerous big name actors and musicians, the stories are intense; but, it was absolutely heartclenching to listen to Liam Neeson recite abysmal statistics (such as 50% of the deaths of girls 15 – 18 in the undeveloped world are due to childbirth complications) in his lush brogue.

After, Opus and I sat quietly in a Starbucks.  She broke the silence with “I’m so American.”  It was a funny, enlightening response… and so true.