novamade

seven years happy

I have always thought it interesting that there are traditional and modern gift giving tables to celebrate anniversaries.  I suppose some people need parameters to work from.  Being one who likes to give gifts, I don’t always find these gift giving tables all that helpful, sometimes they can actually be limiting.  But for this year, I rather like the suggested gifts.  While I have no use for the modern seventh anniversary gift of a desk set of any sort, wool (the traditional gift) is always something I can find a use for.  Special K gave me a gift certificate to purchase wooly goodness of my very own choosing from Adrian, so that makes me uber happy.

But did you know, there are also colors for anniversaries?  I did not previously know this, but I was curious, so I googled it, and sure enough, suggested anniversary colors.  The color for my anniversary this year is the very sexy celebratory color of “off-white.”  Not ivory mind you, that is for the 14th anniversary, off-white.  Being one who likes to follow rules (or in this case, suggestions), I thought it fitting to gift some off-white wool goodness to my contest winner.  Of the 4 people who guessed correctly, Kim was selected as the winner from the drawing.  It's some laceweight loveliness to knit yourself (or some special someone a shawl).  Because you know, summer is here.

So yes, seven years ago Special K and I tied the knot, as they say.  We were young and very lovey dovey (as most people who get hitched are).  But both having gone through the shared experience of a service academy education, we were wise beyond our years…(or something like that).    Whilst going through the pictures from my wedding, I had a few thoughts (that I am recording here just so I can revisit them at a later time: 1) I was once reasonably fit--likely a by-product of being forced to exercise for 2 hours a day for 4 years, 2) white is really not a very flattering color; but, I like it very much, 3) Rhobidium orchids are lovely, they shouldn't be reserved only for wedding days and proms, and 4) I am just as happy today as I was seven years ago; actually, I am happier.  So yay for seven years!

Thank you all for the well wishes and the guesses.  As I said, most guessed 6 years, but there were a few who guessed lower, no one guessed more than 7 years, way to do your math.  Of all the answers, I found Rachel's and EarthChick's the most entertaining.  So because it's my celebration and I can celebrate anyway I want, I felt that there should be consolation gifts or prizes (as it was a contest).  Because Rachel and EarthChick had me laughing for days after I read the comments, I would like to send them something as well.  So winners, please let me know where to send you fun stuff.

So enough with all this real life prattling, when next we chat, I will have some knits to haul out.  Because there has definately been some knitting going on; and, this is a knit blog...allegedly.

I hope you all had good relaxing weekends.

i just want to celebrate

May has been a  month of celebration for me.  Special K says I must think of it as "the month of me."  It's a celebratory month, sure, but there have been a lot of things to celebrate this month not just my birthday (but yes, that was really great!). 

Every time I skein my newly plied yarn, I feel like I am celebrating a little bit of success (have I mentioned how much I love "making yarn" with a drop spindle?  It's magic, people). 

So, celebrating new skills, that has been big this month.
 
I got a chance to celebrate being a mother (as most mothers did this month).

That was pretty cool (but maybe not as cool as standing all by yourself).

And really, I got a chance to celebrate childhood. Not just my own, which is (in some small way) part of a birthday celebration, but also Little Sir's. 

He has a lot of fun, and I have fun watching him do the kid thing.

And it's always fun celebrating not being just a mom, but also a wife.

So, celebrating family, if you will.

As May comes to a close, I find there is one more thing to celebrate.  It's the whole wife thing again.  Special K and I have a wedding anniversary coming up this weekend.  That's a reason to celebrate, right?  Unfortunately, Special K isn't going to be around this weekend, so that means I have to celebrate alone...or do I?  How about I celebrate with you?  Contests are very celebratory, so let's do that. 

Here's how it goes, leave your guess as to which wedding anniversary Special K and I are celebrating (or how many years we will have been married) in the comments of this post.  You have till Sunday (the 27th) 0600/ 6:00 a.m. EST to enter.  I will draw a name from those who answer correctly.  And just to be sporting, if you received an invitation to my wedding, then you can't play...that just wouldn't be fair, now would it.  Winner gets a gift package o' fun (you know, yarn and other stuff).

So, please excuse me while I go and celebrate...another day of living...

the randomness of me

I really enjoy reading these lists when other people write them; but I never think I have anything all that compelling to share so I usually breathe a sigh of relief when I am not tagged.  But Christy tagged me and then Kristy tagged me (and who is going to argue with two wonderful women named Chr/Kristy?  So in coming up with 7 random things, I feel like I should think of a few things that might be of interest that aren't already in my "100 things" list.

1. I had a very regimented childhood.  My dad served in the Army and had an appreciation for order in all things.  He also had a weird preoccupation toward physical fitness.  He would wake me up at 5 in the morning for "morning calisthenics" (and if you are wondering, this started when I was 6 years old--I thought all kids did this until I realized one morning that I was the only kid running on the road at 5 in the morning).  I think this is the basis for my hate of running and most things that could be described as exercise.

2. I attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and had the time of my life (no, really)--well, except when there was the running....oh, and the push-ups (and there were these weird, tortuous leg lift things, butterflies they were called--I hated those). 

When you grow up in a regimented setting, military life is the only thing you know and it becomes very easy--I took comfort in it, actually.  I liked the rigidness and the structure of it all.  It helped me frame my world--it gave me a box to think outside of, if you will.  And then I was medically discharged for a jaw joint disorder for which...

3. I had my jaw broken, reset and wired shut for 6 weeks.  During those 6 weeks, my mother became a culinary expert on things that can be blended with broth and juice.  Delicious, right?   The surgery was totally necessary.  My jaw joints don't lock open or shut, I don't get migraines all the time like I once did, and I don't suffer from facial pain anymore, which was a huge issue...the one unfortunate thing from the surgery, is that...

4. I have a crooked smile.  My smile is not symmetrical (the asymmetry is pretty obvious) and I am really self-conscious about it. 

I don't love being photographed so much (though I recognize that being in a camera crazy family, it is a necessary evil).  My mother asked me about my smile for the first time two months ago.  She didn't say anything sooner because she didn't want to hurt my feelings (it's been years people).  Yes mother, I know my smile is crooked.

5. I have a ridiculous laugh.  It got me in trouble quite a bit while I was living through #1 and #2 (I did a lot of push ups...a ludicrous amount, actually).  When I really get going, my laugh works in stages.  First there is the high pitched giggle that becomes inaudible as I run out of air and then there is the snorting that happens when I try to breathe while laughing.  It is ridiculous and unfortunate.  When I was a kid, my dad used to say "it's best if you don't laugh."  He said it a lot.  It made me laugh--it still does.

6. I am very close to my dad, closer than you might think given #1 (I think it helps that he doesn't wake me up to run with him anymore). 

He is a little anti-social (and usually not a baby person, but he thinks Littler Sir is the cat's pajamas)--I am one of the few people who understands him, which is too bad.  He is really funny and very entertaining, if you get the chance to know him (which most people don't).  I was scared that my dad wouldn't like Special K.  I shouldn't have been concerned.  My dad LOVES Special K (he refers to him as his "son" not his son-in-law. 

He thinks my husband is brilliant and the best son ever.  Yeah, he totally is.

7. When I was pregnant, I slipped and fell on a patch of black ice in my drive way (stupid New England weather).  I was hospitalized and put on medication so I wouldn't deliver early (at 26 weeks).  I didn't have a maternal bone in my body until the moment I thought something would happen to "my baby."  I am the clumsiest person alive (I think this has been mentioned before), and really, I fall all the time; but that particular fall was life changing.  I was no longer just an oven with a bun. 

It's nice to know that Little Sir hasn't suffered too negatively from my clumsiness as of yet.  That doesn't mean that he won't need therapy one day though.  As a favor to Little Sir, I am trying to tone down the crazy, I wouldn't want him to go all Augusten Burroughs on me and write some sort of tell all about his wacky childhood because of his screws loose mother or anything.

So there's seven random things, but maybe they aren't so random since some of them are related to each other.  Though they are things that I probably wouldn’t bring up in the course of "normal conversation" on this here blog.

Something in the normal course of conversation...a contest, a real one.  Stay tuned, it's May, and I have one more thing to celebrate.  Why not make it a party? 

post-chevy obsessiveness

I was so dedicated to finishing the second Chevron scarf that I let some other projects fall by the wayside.  I don't have as many works in progress as some, but there is at least one sweater for Little Sir that I would like to wrap up.  And then there is this, my newest obsessive knit:

I started this ages ago, but because of my inability to read the pattern properly, I had to rip and start over (if you are doing a left twist --at least for Trellis-- don't forget to knit in the backs of the loops when knitting two together...just some advice from me to you).  This is a gift for a friend of mine.  I have till the 16th of June to finish it.  If I was a monogamous knitter that would be possible--easy even; but monogamy in crafts has never worked for me...especially with stuff like this lying around:

How am I to resist the call of Koigu?  Koigu is so obsession inducing, I can't fight the power.  And this Koigu is so Project Spectrum.  I was tempted to knit simple but fun toe-up socks, but I wonder if I have enough yardage to do these...

And then there is my newest addiction.  Do you remember that "learn to spin" kit a got at MDSW?  Well, I worked through the freebie roving in the bag

While it may not be all glamorous and beautiful to you, I am ridiculously giddy and impressed with myself.  Special K was really impressed too (I think he was more impressed with my make-shift lazy Kate--which we are now calling the "Lazy Nova"  which is so extraordinarily appropriate, it's a little sad).

So yes, this spindling thing, in case you didn't know, it's as addicting as knitting. I just ordered a new featherweight spindle from the Goldings (I love them, go order a spindle and give them some of your money so I don't feel compelled to give them all of mine) to try spinning some lace weight that I will try and knit a shawl from for the Spun Stitches KAL, I figured it would be a nice summer challenge for myself; because as lazy as I am, I still like a challenge. 

It's a little scary how one obsession ends and another or others begin.  Scary; but fun.  What about you, obsess much?

chevy nova 2.0, se

The second chevy is done.  I understand that there was, not just a little, obsessiveness involved in the production of this scarf.  I didn't want to be a copycat, but I also wanted to produce a scarf that I liked.  Kirsten used the same colorways to do her Chevron Mitts (which are ingenious, by the way, if you haven't seen them, go check them out). 

I wanted all the brightness and all the color of the first chevy nova minus the pink, because--as you know-- I am just not into pink.

Clearly, I am not the only fan of this new iteration of the chevy.

Do you want the book model shot?  You know you do.

 

He was such a fan, I just couldn't resist.

I love this new scarf and can't wait until chilly temperatures necessitate the need for a flashy good- time scarf.

Chevy Nova 2.0, SE
Pattern: Chevron Scarf in Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson
Yarn:  Socks that Rock Mediumweight in Lemongrass and Farmhouse
Needles: US 5 straights
Modifications: Yarn substitution (which makes for a considerable heavier--read warmer--scarf) and I switched up the yarn pattern sequence for the first 4 and last 4 rows.  I also ended at 65 inches of scarf and not the suggested 72 inches (or whenever you run out of yarn, there is plenty of yarn left...enough to make booties even).

I am sufficiently happy with this scarf.  And since I am so happy with the end result, I don't feel the need to ever knit this scarf again.  Not ever.

Hey, Lolly I am ready for Chicago, how 'bout you?

thirty

As always, my birthday celebration was very enjoyable.  Again, I say, if you are ever given the opportunity to celebrate yourself for 8 days, you really should.

On Saturday, I thought I was going out on a lunch date with Special K.  My pal Al was babysitting Little Sir, supposedly they were going to the aquarium. 

No, not so much...

I would have never thought that it would occur to Special K to throw me a surprise party.  I was woefully mistaken.  There was a fun gathering of my (local) nearest and dearest at this place to celebrate my day.  It was fun!

And there was cake (which I didn't make!)...

And there were, of course, presents...for the knitting me...

for the crafty me...

and the most exiting gift...

Aside from all the gifts, I received so many cards and letters that made me smile all week, it was great!  My friend J decided to get in the kitchen and make some Chai mix as well as Tandoori spice mix so I could experiment in the kitchen with Indian food (and she always writes the most beautiful letters.

Speaking of cards and letters, this would be the appropriate time to mention that Brooke won my contest/giveaway.  I ended up using a random number generator (no time for cutting of names friends, I had a birthday to celebrate!).  Thank you all for celebrating my birthday with me! I really enjoyed reading about the ways you all celebrate and the fun gifts you received!

I hope everyone had a great weekend and that Kara, Risa and YaiAnn had good birthday celebrations as well! 

Now that all the hullabaloo is over, I have some reading to do!

hug it out

In the midst of my birthday celebrations, I thought I'd share a finished object.  I provided a little tease last week, but I got around to sewing the buttons on, so it's actually done now. 

I had this gorgeous yarn from the Sheep Shop Yarn Co. that didn't work out for a Chevron Scarf and I felt like I had to do something with it to justify its purchase, it was kind of a splurge.  For whatever reason, the green cake was longing to be used first, so I tried to figure out what I could do with one hank of this wonderfulness...and then I remembered this little neck hug concoction that Ashley provided a recipe for. 

So simple, but a great idea.  This yarn is super soft and screams for next to your skin wear (unless you are allergic to wool, if that's the case its not screaming to you at all...).  The silk in the yarn makes it scrumptiously soft and the wool makes it cozy.  I love it, but I knew it would be a gift as soon as a settled on making it. 

At this rate, I will have no Christmas knitting at Christmas time...not a bad deal, I suppose.  In any case, it's a genius of a thing.  Warmth, comfort and a little style (pearl earrings optional).  I like it buttoned with two buttons, but the recipient might button all three, I think her neck is a bit skinnier than mine, I just like the button flash, to be honest.

Neck Hug
Pattern: Neck Hug available at dogged (Thanks Ashley!)
Yarn:  Sheep Shop Yarn Co. (the green one, obviously--I don't have the tag anymore), G130
Needles: US 10 (Bamboo)
Modifications: I knit the yarn doubled (since I was working with DK weight and not bulky), cast on 4 extra stitches and I crocheted the buttonholes (mostly just because I could)

This took no time at all.  The only thing that took any sort of time commitment was finding buttons and actually sewing them on.  A fun little utilitarian knit.  I like it, and so will my friend come Christmas.

And hey, there is still a little birthday contest thing happening around here, have you joined in on the fun?

celebrate good times, come on!

It's no secret that I am all about celebrating a birthday.  But I especially like the celebration if it's my birthday.  For a few years, I had a "birthday week" celebration; but, because 7 days  just isn't enough, I now celebrate Novakkah (8 days of celebration, genius, isn't it?!).  I can think of few things better than an 8 day celebration of one's self (truly, you should try it sometime...it's especially fun when you can get your friends and family to play along).

So while Cinco de Mayo is a celebration in itself, I chose to celebrate that day (the first of Novakkah) at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival.

It was good times.  There was livestock!  Even better, I got to meet people I only knew online through knit blogs, and I also got to see a friend that I met at Rhinebeck last year.  I also ran into a classmate from my college days (no, seriously), but that is a story for another time.  I had a lot of fun.  I got a drop spindle and some roving.  And then there was the yarn.  I am pretty pleased that I showed a modicum of restraint (Special K, perhaps more so).

But all the MDSW fun aside, I am still in the midst of celebration. 

Won't you celebrate with me? 

Leave a comment to this post between now and May 12th, 6:00 am/0600 EST telling me about the best birthday gift you have ever received OR how you celebrate your birthday (or if you are feeling really spicy, share both); it's an international free for all, all commenters welcome.

 

I have a rather festive skein of Socks that Rock in Fire on the Mountain (medium weight), and some other fun celebratory randomness, for the commenter selected. 

I will draw the name on my birthday sometime (that would be Saturday).
 

good, better, best

I intended to put this post up last month--on the 30th to be exact, but I decided to observe blog silence; but, then I forgot, better late than never I suppose.   

I would like to say that I am a student of photography, but really I just point and shoot and try to figure things out as I am going along.  There are so many great (exceptional, really) photographers in our "little" knitting community, they are inspirational (especially the professional ones).  I wonder if they read manuals to understand their cameras...I should try this manual reading thing, it seems like a plausible road to success.  In any case, I am trying to figure out how to take non-blurry close-up shots working with available light. I think it might be more of a lens issue (ISO, what's that?), with some of the pictures I have taken, but whatever.   In an effort to take some close-up shots while also highlighting "the good, better, best" nature of my April, I am giving you three photos.

The good:

buttons, green buttons for some green goodness... It took me a while to find the right buttons for my little project. Happiness is finding appropriate buttons, my friends.

Striving for better:

truly better than some past iterations of this scarf; better than my last try, at least.

The best way to end any month?  Well, food.  I make things for people.  Besides the knitting there is food, I cook for people, sometimes for no reason at all, most times because they can't cook for themselves, for whatever reason.  And you know, people have to eat.  So last weekend I made dinner for some friends who had a baby.  They asked me to make this cake for them. I am known in my circle for this, the best of chocolate cakes. It's flourless, it's sinful, it's easy, well, sort of.

I want to take better food shots.  I wish I could convey through a photograph how good this cake is. It's called la bete noir, French for "the black beast."  In French or English, this cake is just good, no the BEST.  I guess you will just have to make it for yourself if you don't want to take my word for it.

monkey business

Lest you all think I am a one trick pony, what with all the Chevron scarf obsession, I am posting a finished something.  I finally finished the Monkey socks that I decided to knit in March (which really wasn't all that long ago when you consider that it's only the first day of May--oh, happy May Day).

So these socks actually knit up a great deal faster than my knitting skills seem to demonstrate.  I actually left the second sock unknit for a long time (because I was a little occupied with the scarf of many colors).  In any case, the second sock took maybe two or three nights of knitting, it's a pretty speedy sock since the pattern is pretty easy to memorize and execute. 

As with most lace socks, or I guess any socks with fine stitch detail (okay, really anything you knit), the yarn you select is going to make a huge difference in what the finished product looks like.  I have seen quite a few pairs of these socks in the blogosphere and on flickr, and I have to say that I am partial to the ones in a solid, semi-solid or slightly variegated yarn.  I think the stitch detail of this sock is gorgeous.  I think yarn that is too busy would totally detract from the genius of the patterning; but, that's just me.

I knit the socks out of Socks that Rock medium weight yarn (a Rhinebeck purchase; yes, I was one of those people that waited in that line), so they are pretty substantial socks, so substantial that I probably won't be sporting these socks until the fall and winter, they are super warm.  For whatever reason, I didn't think that the medium weight yarn would make all that much of a difference, well sometimes I can be ridiculous.  Obviously the weight of the fingering weight yarn makes a difference; but, a nice one, it makes for a warmer sock.

I really enjoyed working with the Socks that Rock yarn, I like the different shades of blue and how the variation in hues highlights the stitch detail.  I like Cookie A's designs and I think she is a sock design genius.  Clearly, I am not alone in my way of thinking.  I now want to knit every single one of her patterns.  Even the knee-his, which I would probably look kind of ridiculous in.

Monkey
Pattern: Monkey from knitty by Cookie A.
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Socks That Rock Medium-weight in Midsummers Night (one of the shaded solids, love)
Needles: US 2 bamboo and US 1 aluminum dpn's
Modifications: Yarn sub, and switched to size 1 dpn's for the last leg repeat and rest of the sock (which really didn't make that much of a difference given the weight of the yarn)

These socks were fun to knit and pretty easy.  After finishing up the grafting of the second sock I got excited about knitting more socks.  Unlike this pair (that I actually knit for myself and am actually planning on keeping and wearing and extracting every bit of knitted goodness out of...yes, I know--I will wait while you recuperate from the shock of my knitting for myself), the next pair will be for Sockapalooza, which I am really excited about.  Do you Sockapalooza?