This has been a very hectic summer, full of rushing to and from camps and lessons, Janelle Monae, fresh vegetables, and guinea pigs. I have, however, completed some crafting, most of it in the last two weeks.
Knitting
Finally finished the Cat Bordhi Discovery Sock.
Pattern: Discovery Sock from Personal Footprints for Insouciant Sock Knitters
Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Sock in Oak
Knitting this sock was an adventure. I learned new techniques (knitting on two circulars); I now have my first completed fingering-weight project; I probably spent more time looking at my own feet than I did as a six-month-old; and my mind was generally blown.
Knit myself a little scarf.
Pattern: Kink by Jodie Gordon Lucas
This would mark the first time I have ever cast on and completed a Knitty project within a month of it going live. I am so proud of me! It was a fun, easy to memorize pattern, too, my purse knitting for three weeks or so.
Yarn: Malabrigo Silky Merino in Nocturnal
I must have had this yarn for three years or more. I bought it right when Malabrigo first rolled out the test skeins, from Imagiknit. I’ve cast on three or four projects with it, but it was only one skein and they never worked out. This one did, and now I have a slinky little merino/silk scarf to throw ’round my neck dramatically before driving off in my convertible Duesenberg.
Started a Top Secret Colorwork Project. FUN.
Pattern: It’s a Secret to Everybody.
I cannot tell you what pattern this is, because then it would be immediately obvious what I am up to. I will say that I like the two-row instant-memorize pattern. The prettiest TV knitting I’ve done.
Yarn: Stitch Nation by Debbie Stoller’s Full ‘o Sheep.
Yarn snob here, no apologies. But! I found Full ‘o Sheep at Beverly’s, and it’s really nice, so far. The colors are gorgeous together, and the yarn is pretty soft for 100% wool. It’s like Brown Sheep without the itchy. I like!
Sewing (I still do this!)
Sewed an envelope pillow on a whim.
Pattern: made up
Knitting will always be my first craft love. But there is something about thinking, “Hey, what if there was a pillow here?” and going away for half an hour and coming back with a pillow that is terribly appealing. Knitting does not work this way.
Fabric: Amy Butler
Not making an Amy Butler quilt leaves you with A LOT of upholstery-weight fabric). When I am done with the storm of sewn handcrafts I plan to unleash on my home in the coming months, we will be an all-Amy Butler household.
Finally taught myself blind hand stitching so I could finish the pillow I pretended to have finished last summer.
Running
Ran two 5Ks and a 10K. Saw the return of Runner’s Knee while training for a half-marathon. (Why, no, I don’t tend to overdo things. Why do you ask?) Back to physical therapy, it appears. I walked for half an hour today without problems; hoping to start limping around Golden Gate Park by next week.
Other things I did
- Roasted parsley root from my CSA with potatoes, carrots and cubed pancetta.
- Acquired two guinea pigs despite having a lifelong aversion to nonhuman mammals.
- Evaluated a lovely new shul (very favorably, I might add). I think we have found a keeper.
- Started a new rewrite of an ancient manuscript. What was once 18th century historical romance has become 18th century alternate history paranormal (she said with a straight face).
- Figured out how to adapt FlyLady for my own personality: by making simple routine lists and keeping to them.
Plans for the rest of the summer
- Continue to write said 18th century alternate history paranormal (continuing to maintain a straight face).
- Finish Top Secret Project.
- Blog Mad Men.
- Get back to training for a half-marathon (hopefully the San Jose Rock ‘n Roll in October).
In short, writing, knitting, blogging, running. Wish me luck!
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