Agony of De-Feet

Perhaps agony is an overly strong word. This weekend DH and I made our annual pilgrimage to the Philadelphia International Flower Show. The always-wonderful show seemed larger than some years, with more exhibitors and vendors, also fewer chairs. The consequences were predictable, sigh. Ah well, we got to see (and smell and buy) some pretty things.



DH wanted to see the controversial exhibit of the show, stagey displays inside battered, graffiti'd cargo containers arranged as if their contents had shifted. One had Spanish moss covering the walls and ceiling, as if it had grown out of control during transit. This one was titled, "The Accident." What say you: Genius? Memorable but silly? Something else?



I was more drawn to this Beatles-themed cottage garden exhibit in honor of the retiring Pennsylvania Horticulture Society president, Jane Pepper. She would seem to be a woman after my own heart. Notice the whimsical Yellow Submarine mailbox in the left foreground and the Trek 7700 bicycle (with basket laden with peppers) crossing a symbolic bridge.



Speaking of the agony of defeat, there was the dark side of my Ravelympics: I was so busy with frogging and spinning that my Piscean Socks failed to progress. Alas, they are exactly the same as they were on the second day of the Ravel*****s. At least I have until March 31 to finish them for February Sockdown.



Then there's the cuff of my March Sockdown project, Snow Queen by Janel Laidman, which is really really tight on my Frankenfoot, which does not bode well. Hm.



This beautiful pattern is meant to suggest falling snow, but it makes me think of falling cherry blossoms. (Yes, I know snowflakes have six points and cherry blossoms have five petals. A minor quibble.) The yarn is equally lovely, Brooklyn Handspun Signature, in colorway Pale Petals. I love Marie's stuff.



Tomatoes never fail to get my attention, even at a flower show. Apropos of that, a biker friend in Philadelphia is trying to get a CSA started. The location would be Old First Church, in the Center City at 4th and Race Streets. If you're in the area and interested in participating, please respond to this survey.

Redacted 6/26/12: The Ravelry event formerly known by a name that rhymes with and supposedly infringes on the Olympics™.

Thrill of Victory

My 2010 Ravel*****s wound to a happy close Sunday night. Wound would seem to be the operative word, too – the niddy noddy, swift, and ball winder all got quite a workout. Despite the many temptations posed by the many attractive Olympics and Special Olympics handknits, oftimes it seemed that my Ravel*****s was all about yarn. That focus was not entirely a bad thing. On the upside, I collected four medals.

The first two medals were for frogging, or the Aerial Unwind, of two languishing UFOs, Peace Socks and Titania. The hard part was deciding to do the deed (the doing was easy enough), yet no sooner was the yarn reconditioned and reskeined than the trauma was forgotten. I felt no pangs of regret – just a vague sense of freedom.



The third, and happiest, medal was for the Flying Camel Spin. I surpassed my goal of spindling enough fingering weight yarn for socks. That not only was a Ravelympics goal, it's also a fibery resolution for this year and, indeed, for last year as well. Curiously, no sooner was the goal achieved than others beckoned. It's a milestone, not a destination.



That said, I'm inordinately pleased with the yarn. After a lot of fussing with plying techniques, one skein did end up with more of the deep rose tones and the other with more of the gold and pale pink, but the colors are decently well distributed and the skeins are very close in yardage, 249 yds and 246 yds (227 and 225 m). I'd say that's pretty good spin control.

My last Ravel*****s project, a NJ washcloth for the Platter Lift, was a spur of the moment thing, started and finished during the Olympics closing ceremony. I made one the last time. It's turning into a tradition. Which is bizarre, as I used to dislike knitted washcloths.

Discerning readers may have sensed there was more to my Ravel*****s than is mentioned here, and indeed there was a dark side. That will be addressed in due course, but for the moment, behold Ravel*****s glory.





Uh-huh, it's not that dazzling, but I'm proud of my handiwork.

Redacted 6/26/12: The Ravelry event formerly known by a name that rhymes with and supposedly infringes on the Olympics™.

An Opportunistic Frog

I'm not entirely sure every instance of frogging is a Ravel*****s-worthy feat, but the organizers saw fit to include Aerial Unwind as an event and I'm doing my humble bit. Does that make me a hypocrite? At least I didn't rail against it, vote against it, then seek to take credit for it (click if you have about 10 minutes, and hold on to your blood pressure). Ahem.

Moving right along, here's a languishing UFO, Peace Socks by Wendy Johnson, posed with Monday's print version of the NY Times article on a ritual unique to ice skating, kiss-and-cry:



Apropos of that, here it is after frogging, about 92 yd (84 m):



Most toe up socks just don't fit my Frankenfeet, yet hope springs eternal. Sigh.

Redacted 6/26/12: The Ravelry event formerly known by a name that rhymes with and supposedly infringes on the Olympics™.

Danger, Will Robinson!

Betwixt working on Ravel*****s projects, I finished three singleton socks. Each showcases fascinating technique. For me, they're pure temptation and sheer knitting bliss.

There's Split-Toe Sweethearts by Priscilla Gibson-Roberts, in Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn.



I've blathered on about the tabi toe visible above, but the sock also boasts an eponymous intarsia in the round heart and a seamless turn (it looks like a seam, but it isn't) which are no less entrancing to knitters who enjoy technique.



Then there's Traveler by Janel Laidman, in The Enchanted Sole, with its cables, beads, and secret pocket.



And there's Love Me Knot by Alice Bell, a pretty illusion knit revived from suspended animation. For the moment this static pic must suffice. If I can figure out how to upload a video, I'll show off the illusion effect.



I'm determined to keep them all off the Clothesline of Shame. Gentle readers may wish to indulge in a genteel guffaw and/or to recite the immortal admonition: Danger, Will Robinson, danger!

Ravel*****s spinning continues, although according to a great and powerful mod (her preferred form of address), Ravelry is for knitting or crocheting or weaving projects only. There can be handspun stash, but no spinning projects – spinning projects constitute a Core Spirit Violation. Huh. I'm inclined to think that's simply a limitation of the construct and no reflection on either fibery reality or my personal state of grace. However, if some wish to construe it as sin, then let me sin boldly. Go Team Spindlers!

Redacted 6/26/12: The Ravelry event formerly known by a name that rhymes with and supposedly infringes on the Olympics™.

Going for Gold

Bobicus Maximus has declared the Ravel*****s open, and I'm going for gold.

It was tempting to consider an easy event for an early win (frogging old WIPs is a Ravel****c sport), but I dutifully started with my top down Piscean Sock. I added an Estonian twist to the cast on – in gold, of course – to increase the degree of difficulty, also to forestall any doping inquiries. For all that, at the moment the sock looks less Ravel****c and more like I'm rooting for UMich.



The ribbing was proceeding uneventfully when it occurred to me I know I can knit a pair of socks by the Ravel*****s deadline at the end of February and certainly by the Sockdown deadline at the end of March – the challenge is not if I can, but if I will. However, I've never spun sock quantities of yarn – the challenge is quite different. So I switched to spindling, which for me is an excellent companion activity for mass quantities of television-viewing.



Half the top is now 480 yds (438 m) of fine singles. This batch will get a rest on the niddy noddy before plying and finishing, then there's the second half to spindle. I'd peg current project progress at 30 percent.



By chance, all the gold is in the portion already spun. Plan A was to spin each half of the roving and ply it back on itself to maximize yardage. However, I'd like to have the gold distributed throughout the finished yarn. The maximum capacity of my spindle is half the roving. Hm. In the quest for gold, Plan B is going to involve some dross.

Redacted 6/26/12: The Ravelry event formerly known by a name that rhymes with and supposedly infringes on the Olympics™.

A Ravel*****s Triple Cast On

While I've been known to boycott the Olympics, I'm happy to participate in the nutty goodness that is the Ravel*****s. The outpouring of generous creativity in the form of blog buttons alone is enough to sway me. This year I've joined three teams and amassed a project queue sufficient for a triple cast on (so to speak) on February 12.

By popular demand (and only a little ballot box-stuffing), my Team Jersey project will be Piscean Socks by Jessica, also known as singleton Sock of Shame #6



Ordinarily, completing a Sock of Shame project would mean knitting one sock for the WIPs Dancing event, but in this case I'll be attempting a pair. That's because the sock pictured was a test knit of a toe up pattern and, alas, most toe up socks don't fit my Frankenfeet. This sock, lovely as it is, is no exception (sigh). So I'll modify the pattern for top down with a Frankenfoot flap heel and gusset, knit two, and enter the pair in two events, Sock Hockey and Nordic Colorwork Combined. I'm not going to frog Aerial Unwind the toe up singleton unless I run out of yarn.

By a happy synchronicity, an SKA mod gave the nod to new iterations of old UFOs. So cuff down Piscean Socks also qualify for February Sockdown. If I don't finish in time to medal in the Ravel*****s, I'll have until the end of March to finish for Sockdown [g].

My Team Spindlers project is this cheerful Spunky Eclectic Superwash Corriedale roving, colorway Tahiti; the event is the Flying Camel Spin. My goal is to spin, ply, and finish enough fingering weight yarn for a pair of socks. The old STR put up was 320 yds (292 m), which seemed scanty to me, so I'll call that my minimum yardage to medal.



I'd like to measure my spindling speed, too. I've read that the mighty Abby Franquemont averages between 200-300 yards (183-274 m) of singles per hour. Talk about Respect the Spindle! I've never timed myself, but would be amazed if I clocked in at half that rate (we'll see). I imagine speed is a matter of skill, materials, equipment, and technique. Regarding the last item, I usually sit and therefore wind on frequently, a time-consuming step – for the time trial maybe I should try standing or perching on a high stool.

Finally, my Team WIP projects include two instant gratification Aerial Unwind entries, Peace Socks (toe up socks just do not fit right) and languishing Titania. I'm trying hard to resist adding a WIPs Dancing entry, singleton Sock of Shame #2, which ran a distant third in the year end poll (Fox Faces (#11) was second, but it's already finished). Must resist.

Unlike last time, this Ravel*****s projects may be added or edited after the torch is lit. It's strangely reassuring to this process knitter to know that the option to lose my head altogether exists.

Redacted 6/26/12: The Ravelry event formerly known by a name that rhymes with and supposedly infringes on the Olympics™.

Year End Sock Poll

Behold, the Singleton Socks of Shame at year end 2009!



Left to right (click to embiggen): 1-Pink Beads, 2-solid Meadowlands, 3-variegated Meadowlands, 4-Scar, 5-Fawkes, 6-Piscean, 7-Green Merino, 8-Juta's Stocking, 9-Julesokker, 10-Clouds, 11-Fox Faces, 12-Chain Link.

At year end 2008, there were 9 singletons, now there's 12. Alas, as 12 > 9, I've obviously failed in my fibery goal to reduce the official number of singleton socks buzzing roundabout Exit 151. ::gusty sigh to match today's gusty winds::

But knitters knit on through all adversity. So here's a poll and a new vow: vote for your favorite by leaving a comment. I'll knit a mate for the sock that gets the most votes during the Ravel*****s.

Redacted 6/26/12: The Ravelry event formerly known by a name that rhymes with and supposedly infringes on the Olympics™.

P is for Progressives

P is for progressives. It's the vision thing.

If Monday night's DNC tribute to Ted Kennedy wasn't enough to make me feel that I'm ::cough:: well into my middle age, during my last eye exam I was asked the fateful question, "Are you sitting farther away from the computer screen than you used to?" Uhhhh....

It turns out that for me presbyopia is all about the middle distances. It's no problem to thread a needle or to pick out street signs, but somehow my arms aren't long enough to read the paper. So I got progressive lenses.

Alas, I hate them. I find the intentionally variable vertical focus to be nausea-inducing and the unintentional lateral distortion greatly increases the size of my blind spot when I'm driving. Perhaps I'll do better with plain old reading glasses or maybe these snazzy DIY reading clip-ons.

The Ravel*****s may be over, but all the nutty goodness continues to amaze and delight, particularly the Parade of FOs and the tribute to the Bobicii. My second and last contribution to the parade is this pair of Spring Forward socks (my ::cough:: first complete pair for Summer of Socks), pictured with golden Jersey tomatoes.



I have a third Ravel*****s project still in progress – no medal there, but that's as expected. It's for a swap and will be revealed presently.

Redacted 6/26/12: The Ravelry event formerly known by a name that rhymes with and supposedly infringes on the Olympics™.

O is for Omnivore's Hundred

O is for Omnivore's Hundred. I usually decline to participate in memes, but couldn't resist this one originated by Andrew Wheeler of Very Good Taste and first seen over at Dragon Knitter's. There's no tagging – participate or not as you wish.

Andrew says the meme is a "list of 100 things that I think every good omnivore should have tried at least once in their life. The list includes fine food, strange food, everyday food and even some pretty bad food - but a good omnivore should really try it all." His further rationale is both thoughtful and thought-provoking.

The rules:
1. Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2. Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3. Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4. Optional extra: Post a comment on Very Good Taste, linking to your results.

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart (aka dirty water dogs)
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl (I prefer a soup plate)
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar (smoke is a seasoning, but ew)
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects (bugs accidentally ingested while cycling don't count)
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV (I'm counting chocolate stout)
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin (as a medicinal)
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor (I prefer Maine-style lobstah)
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

I find the list highly personal and a bit odd – some things are seasonings, some eatables, some drinkables (one smokeable), some are meals, some seem tilted more toward bravado than culinary enjoyment, and some omissions baffle me. Ah well, to each his own. Of Andrew's 100, I've eaten 80 items and wouldn't consider 3 items. Of the remaining 17 items, I can't say I'm really pining to try anything. A meal at a Michelin Guide 3-star restaurant would be nice, although I find tasting menus a bit fussy. Hm. Perhaps I need a list of my own or multiple shorter lists of favorite things, things I'd like to try, and (especially) things I'd like to grow. Hm....

Meanwhile, knitting has been occurring roundabout Exit 151! I'm on track for the UCC scarf swap. There's no spoiler photo of the scarf, but here's my first sock for the Ravel*****s sock put, Spring Forward by Linda Welch, worked in Black Bunny Fibers (a Summer of Socks sponsor!) BFL Sock in colorway Audacity, with a gold toe. Perhaps some would call that elitist, even though the sock is pictured on a DIY sock blocker.



I lovelovelove the lustrous yarn and the pattern. I'm less happy with the contrast toe – the concept is fine, but the color and texture are not quite right. Nancy was kind enough to offer some of her amazing semi-solid hand-dyed, which I think will work much better, not to mention it's a noodge to finish that second sock, just to see what it will look like.

The extra bit of motivation is welcome, as my wavering attention has already turned from the Ravel*****s to the upcoming U.S. political conventions. Here's my favorite sign so far, which will greet Republican conventioneers in Minneapolis.

Redacted 6/26/12: The Ravelry event formerly known by a name that rhymes with and supposedly infringes on the Olympics™.

N is for Non-Olympics

N is for non-Olympics. This year I'm feeling rather sour on the Olympics, but I've been enjoying the nutty goodness that is the Ravel*****s. Here's my first FO, a New Jersey washcloth (pictured with gold Jersey tomatoes, of course), and the sweet bloggy bling of victory.

   

Speaking of home stuff, N is for the New Jersey State Fair & Horse Show. Last Saturday I looked for but somehow could not find Kelli and her thrice-ribbon-worthy entries. However, I did bump into Kim. And I saw some fainting goats and some jumping horses. The one on the left is more my speed – that's "only" a junior fence, the Grand Prix fences were much higher. (Click on photos to embiggen.)

   

And N is for New Jersey: The Movie – see the trailer. Made me smile although I'd venture to say the narrator has a Pennsylvania accent.

Redacted 6/26/12: The Ravelry event formerly known by a name that rhymes with and supposedly infringes on the Olympics™.