Stasia's Place Of Grace

Friday, January 07, 2005

 

'Piphany Present!

Oh look, oh look! I got an Epiphany Present from Kary!

She made this scarf for me - isn't it beautiful? It's my favorite color! See how my eyes look all teary from gratitude? Thank you, Miss Kary - it arrived just in time for Russian Christmas!

And so did the snow:

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In Fibery News...

Jeff's nightcap in sage Rowan "Calmer" is coming along well. Once again, my calculations were off, but that is part of the experimental process. I had the circumference of the top figured out correctly, but when I started down the sides in my K2P2 ribbing, my gauge changed, and I didn't take into account the actual thickness of the yarn, so the hat was once again too big around, despite the top being correct.

I switched, about 2" down, to K2P1 ribbing, and that has tightened it up a bit, without making too noticeable a difference in the appearance. Phew!

Then, my needles started stabbing me! I love using two circulars for in-the-round projects, but I abhor metal ones - especially sharp and pointy Inox needles. Unfortunatly, that was what I had on hand and had been using. I finally had enough of sore fingers, and went to the LYS today and got some fabulous Skacel 8" bamboo DPNs.

I'd never seen these before (and a quick search doesn't turn up much on these online) but they are wonderful! Nice and smooth and somewhat "grippy" (not slippery is what I mean, but easier to slide stitches on than some of my beloved Brittanys - their indented size markings on the shafts slow things down a bit.) I would compare these to Clover bamboos except that the tips on these are somewhat scoopy, like the Balene needles! And the finish seems a bit smoother. I've never seen scooped tips on a wood or bamboo DPN, and because of that lovely scoopiness, the needles are really easy to use and definitely worth the price ($11.50).

The LYS is strangely organized, to say the least... piles and piles of everything, everywhere, and things tucked waaaay high on precarious shelves, or stuck into cubbyholes (an old library card catalog is what comes to mind - I bet it really is one!) All of the DPNs were in those cubbies, and you had to ask for them - so I don't know if these are some ancient, discontinued models or what... but if you find some in your area, be sure to snap them up!

Some very badly-behaved Noro Silk Garden jumped into my bag as well. I gave it a firm, "NO!" and pointed back to the shelf, but it obviously hadn't been trained very well and would not obey. It kept staring at me with its big, soft, brown/gray/blue shininess, and I couldn't resist. "Oh, fine! You can come home with me. But you had better behave and not make me frog you!" It sat happily on the passenger seat of the car for the long drive home, and has now taken up residence in the - sigh! - giant in-progress pile on the piano. I have a hat and cowl in mind...

Will these things ever stop following me home? I swear, they can always sense the one who's a pushover in the family...

And I'm not even going to tell you about the Fiber Trends crochet and knit patterns that tagged along.

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Let me know you've been here, and have a GOOD weekend. Be sure to just sit and BE for a while... that's what January's for - contemplation.

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