The World's Most Expensive Sock Yarn

See this innocent ball of Opal? Yeah, it's vintage. Yeah, it's pretty. But is it worth more than $500??

Here's the story....

Last week I decided to join Cara's Jaywalker Knit-a-Long so I shopped the stash that ate Ft. Lauderdale. I wanted something unique cause I have a special recipient in mind. And I came upon this REAL EXPENSIVE skein of Opal.

You see, about 2 years ago, I signed up to participate in the "Great Stash Redistribution Project" but I was reading more and more disappointing reviews of huge boxes of Red Heart and the like transversing the nation! And my yarn snobby soul grad student's budget said "NO WAY am I spending my yarn $$ to mail a half ton of Red Heart to Outer East Jabip, Nebraska!" So I bowed out.

Then to my delight I was contacted to join the "Snob Stash Redistribution Project" so join I did! SNOBBY.YARN. ROWAN!!! The SSRP guidelines were you could only put in "a projects worth of yarn - no snippets and left over ends, Rowan and other 'snob-worthy' yarns, and only high end acrylic blends like Rowan Calmer or All Seasons Cotton." NO RED HEART. NO LION BRAND HOMESPUN , NO POUND OF LOVE :::::shudder::::: I was so excited, I even agreed to "donate" stuff to start the box off. I donated a Philosopher's Wool Cardi Kit - $200, ten balls of pure French Angora - $200 and two hanks of Charisma New Zealand Wool - $40. Posatge to mail all this to South Dakota - $30

Now, dear reader, you know JUST where this is going don't you? (yes, there is a sucker born every day and her name is DEBI!)

Again, the snobby yarn morphed into lots of acrylic, kitchen cotton and the like. Then the box totally disappeared never to be heard from again!! (why do people sign up and act like this?? - sheesh!!)

To try and make things right, the organizer started a new box....which finally arrived about a month ago. I had earmarked some new donations which then allowed me to "double dip" since I had already donated a bunch of stuff. I put in some Bryspun DPN's, some Addi Turbo Circs, the book "Style at Large" and 4 large skeins of Shetland yarn- enough for a shawl - that totalled an additional $100 or so. What was in the box? It had improved from the dreck that it started out as but still it was small lots of many yarns I've never heard of, lots of novelty acrylics, some cottons in odd colors and a very few "name brands" like a bag of 20 odd balls of Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran and some cotton/silk blends.....

And what did I take out of the box? One skein of Opal Sock yarn! ~~~

Yarn donations and mailing costs: $500 plus

Skein of Opal yarn: $15 (or $500 - $15 = $485!)

Lessons learned: Painful but priceless!

But the good part is the yarn is lovely, I think it looks great in the Jaywalker pattern and in honor of the special person I'm making them for, I'm changing the name from Jaywalkers to L.A. Walkers (hint hint) and she's definately worth the world's most expensive sock yarn!

Today I got the most amazing package! My friend La (who lives in L.A. - imagine that?) sent me all sorts of comfort type goodies for my ongoing "still living in a hovel without doors" distress....chocolates, candles,chocolates, herbal teas, chocolates, yummies for Pumpkin....oh, and did I mention chocolates? AND THE MOST AMAZING YARN!!!!

LOOK! PUMPKIN YARN!!!

She hand dyed this lovely sock yarn to match my P-Man!! How cool is that??? La, I'm overwhelmed and amazed and crushing on you, big time!! I can't wait to make some Pumpkin Yarn footies for me!! And look, it's P-Man approved too...... (please excuse my cement living room floor!)


One second after this shot, he did the "Bite, hug and kick like crazy with your back legs because you're so happy" cat dance so I know he loves it! And isn't it s great match??** Thanks La for the unique and gorgeous yarn and for being a great friend to both me and the P-Man!! (tell the furries and Mr. La thanks too!!)

I finished the Neighbor Thank You socks which are on the blocking board drying as I write and the dreaded Ocean Lace Stole has grown slightly despite days of knitting so both will be available for their close ups next week Mr. DeMille!

Enjoy the weekend and knit lots everyone!!
** in person, Pumpkin's actual color is much more orange than brown as it appears here and in person the yarn and the P-Man are a much closer match!

If you're looking for GREAT Knitting pics...

Don't look here :)

I'm plugging away on the Ocean Lace Stole and I'm convinced this thing is laughing in my face! I knit, knit, knit and the thing never seems to get any bigger nor the "skank" any smaller!! I even place a stitch marker on the last row when I pick it up for the day....I knit, knit, knit and the marker shows me I've knit 4 inches....I hold up the stole, and it's the same length it was yesterday!! D'OH!! So no pics til this thing is finished (if ever?)

In addition, because I am so focused on the stole, the Neighbor's Thank You Socks go untouched. I WILL have both of these projects done sometime next week, I WILL!!

As a distraction, I've seen this on so many blogs and found them all so interesting! After reading a friend's list and sharing some similarities, she encouraged me to do my own list so here goes!!

100 Things About Me

1. I am a Florida native, born in Hialeah
2. I grew up in a small town on Long Island, New York
3. I’ve lived in Florida since 1989
4. I’m a published contributing author of a professional textbook
5. I’m very superstitious and collect good luck charms
6. I have one sibling, a younger brother
7. When I get dressed I ALWAYS put my right shoe on first
8. I’m very sensitive and cry easily, sometimes just as a release of stress
9. My parents have been married for 52 years and I’m very proud of that fact
10. I don’t think I want to get married
11. I’ve been engaged 3 times
12. I will never have children
13. I’d love to be a foster parent to an older child
14. I have very strong nails and can grow them quite long
15. Almost every day, someone comments about my nails when they are long
16. I always start conversations with strangers when I’m out and about
17. I hate flying
18. I’m currently in grad school for the second time in a field unrelated to my profession
19. I lost both my precious cats, Jaxon and Mickie this year (2005)
20. I had my tonsils out when I was 25 and my gallbladder out at 32
21. I love the color green but look terrible if I wear it
22. I wear only cool, blue toned colors like blue, gray and pink
23. I’ve been fluffy my whole life
24. I think diets suck and make people miserable (and fatter in the long run)
25. I love veggies and try to eat a least 5 a day
26. I am trained as an Oncology (Cancer) Clinical Specialist
27. I smoked for twenty years – 1 ½ to 2 packs a day
28. I myself am a cancer survivor
29. My Mom is a cancer survivor too
30. I miss my childhood sweetheart sometimes
31. I am really very shy but know one knows it
32. I am very confrontational
33. I have been an assertiveness trainer
34. I am a very eloquent speaker and writer, especially subjects I’m passionate about
35. I often think I would like to run for Mayor of my city and probably will someday
36. I worry about America’s future and fear for it’s children
37. I wanted to be an ichthyologist when I was young
38. My favorite toy in my youth was Play Doh Fun Factory and Creepy Crawlers
39. I have owned 5 cars in my lifetime: an orange Plymouth Vega, a blue Ford Maverick, a silver Honda Civic, a blue Mitsubishi Gallant, and a green Toyota Camry
40. I lust after a Porsche Boxster in Midnight Blue (of course I'll need the jaws of life to get me out of it! hehe....)
41. I am not religious but believe strongly in God
42. I believe God has no religion and we are all his children
43. I’m a registered Democrat but always vote my conscience
44. I pray often
45. I love swimming in pools but hate swimming in the ocean except in the Keys
46. I’m pro-choice
47. I am very fairskinned and burn like a lobster in the sun
48. I love to fish in the ocean
49. I’ve never freshwater fished
50. Someday I dream of catching a Black Marlin, but I’ll release it
51. I think about becoming a vegetarian but I would miss fish a lot and chicken a little
52. I met Sissy Spacek while shopping in Kroger
53. I stood next to Harvey Firestein during the opening ceremony for the Names Quilt in Washington DC
54. I learned to crochet when I was 8
55. My mom tried to teach me to knit then too
56. I couldn’t warm up to knitting
57. About six months later I wandered into a LYS near my home and the “old ladies” there taught me how to knit again and that time it took
58. My Mom still thinks she taught me…I let her :)
59. I knit until I moved to Florida and then stopped completely for about 15 years
60. In 2002 I re-discovered knitting via the Internet
61. Now I knit just about every day
62. My favorite food is pasta
63. I love Thai and Sushi when eating out
64. I love to cook but don’t do it all that much
65. I’ve only had one non-romantic roommate once in my life for one year
66. I did not go away to college but lived at home
67. I went to Adelphi University in Garden City, NY for my BSN
68. When I took my nursing boards, it was a 2 day long test held in Nassau Coliseum. If I failed, I couldn’t re-take the test until December
69. I took boards in July and didn’t get results til November. Now nurses go to a proctored computer center, take a computerized test that shuts down when you get to the question at which point you fail or continues to the end and tells you you’ve passed on the spot. If you fail, you can reschedule at a test center in two weeks
70. I went to the University of Miami for my MSN
71. I’ve only been to one football game in my life, the Peach Bowl in Atlanta
72. I love baseball but only live (in Joe Robbie Stadium!!! Go Fish!)
73. I was at the World Series when the Marlins won it their first year as a team
74. The first person I ever met from the internet was a Dutch ex-pat living in San Jose. I was in Cali visiting my brother and I met Frans – I was unable to recognize him from the pic he had sent, it was that different!
75. I was engaged to a man I met on the Internet
76. He had a nail fetish, we met in a “long nails” chatroom on AOL that I popped into thinking "what on earth could people be talking about in here??"
77. I moved to the convent shortly after ….just kidding :)
78. My favorite place to visit in the whole world is the Florida Keys
79. Looe Key is the #1 dive spot in the continental United States and in the top 5 in the world. I have snorkeled there many times
80. I am fascinated by tornados and would love to see one someday but not one that hurts anyone
81. I would love to see a waterspout too
82. I almost never remember my dreams
83. A recurring dream I do remember is about many tornados spinning around a city
84. When I was young my dad had an office in the Empire State Building on the 84th floor
85. He used to take me with him to work and he would take me to see the World Trade Towers being built
86. When I was about 4 my Dad had a horrible case of chicken pox that nearly killed him. It was so bad he had pox on every inch of his body including in his mouth, eyelids, “privates”
87. I slipped into the room despite my mother’s admonitions and two weeks later had one lesion on my forehead, no fever, no other pox or symptoms.
88. I have one tattoo, a small flower on my left upper arm
89. I don’t like cut flowers, I think it’s very wasteful
90. I have horrible insomnia and sometimes go 2 or 3 days without sleeping at all
91. I’ve often been told I have a very soothing/sexy voice and once auditioned to be a phone sex operator on a lark – I got the job but turned it down
92. I have a phobia for elevated highway on and off ramps and will NOT use them and ask people I am driving with not to either. If they must, I close my eyes and sing as a distraction so I don’t freak out
93. I’m very romantic
94. When I die, I really don’t care what happens because once my soul is gone, who cares? It’s not “me” any longer
95. When Jaxon died, against everything I believe, I took his ashes – somehow they gave me comfort and I am still comforted looking at his urn
96. I’m a perfectionist in many ways and in other ways things can go to hell in a handbasket and I’m unconcerned
97. I used to cross stitch all the time and have a closet full of floss, fabric and charts. I haven’t touched them in at least 8 years
98. I find intelligence very very attractive
99. I once worked for a brilliant Oncologist who I had such a horrible crush on I sometimes couldn’t speak - the feeling was mutual :) the other women in the office realized it when he nick named me “Pookie” – our feelings remained unrequited :(
100. Writing this list was a real adventure in “flight of ideas” and it was easier than I though it would be
101. This list was my clever ruse for your distraction from the absence of the %#$@* Ocean Lace Stole....muahahahahahahaha.......
102. I'll be back soon with a finished stole and socks, promise!! :)

Happy Thanksgiving to those that celebrate and happy knitting to everyone!!

Meet the Ribbys

Meet Manly Ribby....

I'm always knitting socks for Dad but haven't knit him a sweater in about 25 years and I thought it was about time to revisit that even tho we don't need warm woolies very often 'round these semi-tropical Florida parts. We *do* have seasons and it's all relative as we Floridians are acclimated to HOT so when the thermometer hits um, 60, we're all freezing!! :)

I wanted a nice, warm comfy sweater for the 'rents and Ribby fit the bill!

I knit the Mom Ribby a few months ago and finished up the Dad counterpart during my powerless Wilma days! Here's Dad's....

Specs:

Pattern: Ribby Cardi designed by Bonne Marie Burns of Chicknits - flat front, ribbed back, collared version Size 44 - 45

Yarn: Elann Peruvian Highland Wool in Redwood - 13 skeins

Needles: US #7 (4.5 mm) and US #8 (5.0 mm) Addi Turbo circs

Mods: I knit the sleeves to 20 inches and the body to 17 inches before the raglan decrease for a more manly fit. I also did the sleeve increases as a flat panel rather than increasing in rib to decrease the cling factor. Despite these mods, I used less yarn than the pattern specified...odd!

Custom length separating zipper from Zipperstop - mailed them a butterfly of my yarn and in 3 days I had a perfect zipper for $5 including shipping!! I HIGHLY recommend Zipperstop for your zipper needs!

Wonderful pattern...well written and super easy to follow but we already know that about Bonne Marie's patterns! Just a great all around basic sweater for any member of the family that I plan to knit again and again! And now I present

The Ribby Family....

Even tho my photography skills are rubbish (it was too sunny, yeah, that's it!) I'm including this pic so you can see my "new" post Wilma view! There used to be two huge trees outside my balcony that now R.I.P....as do so many now. So many that I practically have an "ocean view" condo :(


On that note, post Wilma update: things are still pretty ugly at FKD and the rest of south Florida. Some people are still without power! I finally got a service guy to come and give me an estimate on the door repairs....almost $7000 for "just" my front and sliding glass doors! I may have to sell a kidney :) I keep telling myself "that which doesn't kill me, makes me stronger!" and I know there are people worse off than I. At least I have my blog buds, knitting and the P-Man! See, he's chillin'...


What? Me worry? Doors? We don't need no stinkin' doors!
I'm working on sock #2 of the Neighbor's Mountain Colors Thank You socks and yes, I am still working on the Ocean Lace Stole. It's not like me to procrastinate on a project like this but I really hate the yarn!! I'm not a boucle lover and it's the first time knitting is more a chore than a pleasure! So I'm determined to finish soon so I can move on to some fun knitting.

Enough whinging, is it December 1st* yet?? :)

One last note.....Thanks for the great response to my Fluffy Hurricane Sock pattern. Seems many of my fluffy footed bretheren have been making do with very cold feet while knitting "regular" socks for everyone else! I know when you are outside the "average" it can be daunting to change a pattern to suit your needs. I've been knitting socks, so many socks, for three years now and the Hurricane Socks are only my second pair! So enjoy the pattern and keep contacting me if you need a copy. I plan to design more fluffy socks that I'll share as they develop. No foot should be unsocked no matter how fluffy :)

Knit on, friends!!

*hurricane season ends on November 30th, please God!!

Me again :)

Posting five days in a row.......Boy this power thing vs. battery is addictive! Who knew? :)

I've gotten some nice feedback on the Fluffy Hurricane Socks and since the pattern is my own, I'm glad to share it with the fluffy-footed among us (or those that knit for the fluffy-footed!) The pattern is written based the stats of my *huge* feet but they are easy to adapt and customize.

They can also be made in a manly color for those *husky* footed men in our lives (I didn't think the "XY's" would be thrilled with the fluffy moniker, hehehe)

If you're interested in the pattern, send me an email and it's yours!

Happy weekend, happy knitting!!

Thank you, more aftermath and a promise kept

First and foremost I and the P-Man want to thank everyone for their ongoing support and kindness during the acute phase of this horrible situation. Without all the wonderful comments and generosity I'm sure I would not have been able to cope! I am truly grateful for the kindnesses of "strangers".

And now the aftermath begins.....I have yet to hear from FEMA or my condo association's insurance carrier....real surprise, right? There was so much damage sustained in the south Florida area that there is a THREE MONTH waiting period for repair appointments at places like Home Depot or Lowe's. Late last week I began calling repair services in the phone book and left over 30 messages! I follow up every other day... and so far I've gotten only ONE call back! And he can only work on my front door, not the sliding glass door and he's not sure "when or if he can fit it into his already very booked calendar" altho I suspect for the right price an opening would magically appear! I have a rudimentary door rigged in the front just so I'm not living "al fresco" but I am unable to lock it and there has been lots of looting and theft in the county and I'd really like to hang on to the few possessions I still have left! Soooo, I can't really leave my condo for any length of time.....No one in the area has television because all the cables were badly damaged and stores remain very low on supplies.Debris is still everywhere and combined with non-functional traffic lights, driving is more than treacherous The litany goes on and on.....

I mention all this not for pity or sympathy but because I feel it is a story I MUST tell....so many people have said "now you can get back to normal". Well, normal will elude South Florida for a very long time! And it kills me that there is barely a mention in the news across the country!! When did Brittany Spears latest brand of diaper become more important than "WE THE PEOPLE......?"

Ok rant over.... for now :)

On to knitting content!!!

I got tagged for this meme that's been floating around Knitbloglandia by my good bud and knitting *goddess* Agnes (hurry over and see her amazing Old Tile -- intarsia in cotton, WOWIE, WOW, WOW!!) and I promised I would do it as soon as I was on power vs. battery juice so here goes......

What is your all time favorite yarn to knit with?

In the animal fiber department it’s a close tie between Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sport and Mountain Colors Weavers Wool. Both nice and soft and such beautiful colors!! In vegetable fiber, I really love Blue Heron Mercerized Laceweight Cotton, Rowan Calmer and Rowan All Seasons Cotton. All wonderful to knit with and no hand/wrist pain! Lastly, I don’t love knitting with it but the finished product is amazing…….Euroflax Linen.

Your favorite needles?

I’m a total needle ho so I have TONS of needles! In fact I have an entire piece of furniture to hold them all and it’s completely full :) All circs, except for my really extensive DPN collection. The needle I use depends on the project and if it’s a new yarn I will swatch with all my types of needles. I have Addi turbos (wool, some cotton blends), Addi naturas (great for what the turbos can’t play with), Crystal Palace bamboo circs, Denise Interchangeables and Aeros/Inox Grays (my choice for laceknitting and linen). I prefer DPNs for sock knitting and there I have Brittany’s, Pony Pearls, Addi Metal, Addi Bamboo, Plymouth Bamboo, Aero Teflon, Bryspuns, and Crystal Palace Bamboo which I love, love, love and use more often than all the others. Listen, I don’t do drugs, I don’t smoke, rarely drink so I might have a lil needle addiction, ok? Don’t judge.

The worst thing you've ever knit?

No pics cause the evidence is long gone! When I was about 12 I was a new knitter who knew nothing about gauge. My first ever sweater was navy blue worsted weight wool with rainbow stripes across the bust supposedly for me. The sweater came out beautiful….for an ELEPHANT! I mean, I was a fluffy kid but not this fluffy!! I remember thinking “it will probably fit better once I sew it together”…….um, no! And the really weird thing is as huge as the sweater was, the neck opening was so tight it wouldn’t fit a Cabbage Patch doll! It’s I wonder I wasn’t put off knitting for good! Thankfully things have improved enormously since that fiasco!

Your most favorite knit pattern? (maybe you don't like wearing it...but it was the most fun to knit)

Hands down, my Shaped Triangle shawl! Lots of interest and pattern changes so no boredom! A really fun knit that I will do again!

Most valuable knitting technique?

“Spit” splicing and the Russian Join. Love the smooth, finished look these two techniques give my knitting and not having ends to weave rocks my knitting world!
Also, discovering the German Twisted Cast-On, which I use almost exclusively cause it’s attractive and nice and stretchy.

Best knit book or magazine?

I have many but the one I turn to most often is The Big Book of Knitting by Katarina Buss – great pics and easy to follow instruction. Second place goes to Vogue Knitting. I think Interweave Knits is the most appealing magazine for me and I love that they almost always include a great sock pattern.

Your favorite knit-a-long?

I haven’t joined many KAL’s but I loved the Ample Knitter’s Cabled Tee KAL. I made a lovely tee in lilac Calmer that fits me *perfectly*. I also have been in both of Alison’s Sockapaloozas and had lots of fun knitting for other sock knitters and got my own beautiful hand knit socks (my first!) in the bargain. Being part of Wendy’s Seasons of Lace has been great too.

Your favorite knitblogs?

As many have said, there are too many great blogs to single out just a few favorites. I’ll just say that I’ve learned a lot, shared a lot and made some wonderful friends! I’m so glad to be part of this community!

Your favorite knitwear designer?

I love Kathy Zimmerman’s intricate cables, and Evelyn Clark’s patterns are exceptionally well written and user friendly. Kim Hargreaves for her classic styling but I wish she would remember us fluffy knitters, too! 2XL is NOT 40” !!

The knit item you wear the most? (how about a picture of it!)

I wear all of my shawls a lot as they are the perfect covering for Florida in my opinion. Lately, I’ve been wearing this all the time! Why, it's my Shaped Triangle shawl again.....and one of my favorite P-Man pics!

Who to tag?

With all that’s been on my brain of late, it’s hard to remember who has or hasn’t been tagged already.Jen and La, if they haven’t, Kris, Beth, Liz and Ada.

Last but not least some FO's and WIP's.....

Here are the *Hurricane Socks* whose heel I turned in my closet during the Hurricane. Not really sure how I feel about these, even tho I think they are beautiful, they do illicit some not so great feelings. I figure if they aren't meant to be, the heel or toe will blow out within a week, hehe....they are Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in the Potluck Blue/Green colorway. This was my first time with CTH and altho it's very soft and lovely, it's already pilling like crazy and I haven't even worn em once! See? maybe they know they were knit under extreme duress! I would donate these socks to charity so someone else could love them but altho the socks look deceptively "average" in the picture, I have REALLY wide, fluffy feet and legs and being made to fit fluffy me I don't think they would fit anyone else! Alas they are short and VERY wide, just like me :) We'll see how they fare....

This is the sock I'm currently working on. It's just a 4x2 rib in Mountain Colors Weavers Wool in the Wilderness colorway. These socks are a thank you gift for my kind and generator endowed neighbor!


This was my first time using the Tubular Cast-On for socks and I love it!! I've used it for flat knitting but never in the round. So stretchy and neat, see?


All my knitting reference books said this was not a good cast on for 2x2 rib, it was only for 1x1. In her book "Cool Socks, Warm Feet" Lucy Neatby says it works for 2x2 so I figured, why not give it a try? Well I think it looks great, no twisting or wonkiness and not *too* hard to do! I will use it again without a doubt and if there is an interest, I can even do a tutorial :)

Now I leave you with a picture of the **best** change that Wilma brought into my life....even tho things were/are kinda terrible here at FKD, I got to meet two very special men......

"Spiderman" is Dante - 5 and "Buzz Lightyear" is Darren - 3. These are the children of the generator endowed neighbors and made me smile more than I thought possible. They are also crazy about my Pumpkin. I'm crushing big time :)

Time to go play Cootie with the guys! See ya!!

To celebrate my return to civilization (sort of)

Look what my good friend La made me:

I'm so excited!! I guess this means I'm not velveteen any more, I'm REAL!!!

Thanks La!!!!
(Feel free to yoink my button from my sidebar but please don't steal my bandwidth!!)

Dude, where's my power??

RIGHT HERE, DUDE!!!!!!!!

About an hour ago, Casa de FKD moved back into the 20th century! I say 20th cause I still have neither front, nor back door, ripped out carpets, a very empty fridge/freezer, ect. but I see the 21st century in the distant horizon! All hail Florida Power and Light!!

OMG....a HOT shower*.....BLISS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Later, Dude! :)

*for the record, I have showered in the last 3 weeks (thanks a lot Rob!!) but they were the icy cold, gasping for breath, heart stopping, wash the crucial bits and get OUT kind, not the nice, leisurely HOT one I took today :)

Happiness is a new mousie!!

Thanks to everyone for your continued support and kindness.

Week 3, still no power *sigh* Pumpkin and I keep hoping tho! Altho much power has been restored, many people are still without. One thing that is very dangerous is that still more that 60% of the traffic lights are still out in Broward County. And with tempers high and stress levels soaring, you can imagine what that means...LOTS of road rage!! I think once you get into week 3, the thread of kindness that a disaster brings out in many people starts to fray.

One thing I find very interesting is that when I query my friends in other states, or even other parts of Florida, they tell me there is virtually no mention of this situation on the news.....scary, isn't it?

I noticed changes in Pumpkin's behavior too in response to the stress of all the changes in his world..... for one I found him trying to lay in his litter box! Anyone that is owned by a cat knows that they are usually fastidious about cleanliness and would find laying in their own "litter" completely abhorant. I was so worried especially since the only other time I witnessed this behavior was right before Jaxon died in February! I know he was doing it for comfort but it freaked me out!

It's very difficult for me to ask for help despite the fact that many of my internet friends were right there for me ready to send food, water, YARN....you know, the essentials! When a certain someone asked if there was anything she could do, as hard as it was, I reconsidered for the good of the P-Man. You see one of the casualties of that bitch Wilma was the P-Man's beloved mousie. It was knit of sock yarn and stuffed with cat nip and he loved that ratty old thing to death. It got soaked with God knows what in the big blow and I didn't want him putting it in his mouth any longer. I know the loss of his mousie was making a bad situation even worse for my P-Man. Enter salvation :)

See, this certain someone is a very speedy knitter. And she has an excellent quality control supervisor to help her along. So I asked this knitter and her supervisor to knit my Pumpkin a new mousie and happiness abounds at FKD!! Just look:

Pumpkin is beside himself with happiness and hasn't stopped playing since I opened the mail. This wonderful someone also included a bunch of yummy treats for my furry one and some yummy YARN for me and even used her own beautiful *handspun* to make this wonderful and generous gift!!! So THANK YOU WENDY! THANK YOU LUCY!!! The P-Man and I send many hugs and many chirrrps of joy for your kindness and generosity and friendship!!

Like the Energizer bunny...

I wrote this post the day before the hurricane and planned it as my next post.

Wilma had other ideas.

I'm posting it now, as written, because altho things have changed drastically for Pumpkin and myself, knitting is still an integral part of who I am and knitting has made me part of an amazing, generous, loving community. Knitting has kept me whole in a time when feeling fractured is my norm and brought so many really special people into my life....FRIENDS.

Thank you all for your continued support and friendship. Hopefully my next post WILL contain actual knitting content from the comfort of my living room (such as it is) with a computer that's running on my electrical current rather than battery power!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Originally written October 22, 2005:

The birthday celebration keeps going on and on and on......not that you'll hear any complaints from this fluffy knitter!

Now they say you can never be too rich or too thin so since neither of those are likely to happen I'm sticking with "you can never have too much yarn!!"

First we have this lovely yarn from a special friend, Judy. Some lovely Sockotta in my favorite color combo of pink, orange and yellow - I just love cool cotton blend sock yarn. The dark skein is some super soft Mountain Colors Bearfoot in the colorway Lupine - isn't this just so rich and glorious? And last but not least, some Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in the Glenwood colorway - orange, yellow and green in the softest sock yarn, yum! Thank you so much Judy, I love the yarn and it was an unexpected surprise!


Then my postman gave me a package that really made my heart flutter....it was all the way from the Netherlands from my good friend (and I believe, my sister -we were separated at birth, hehe...) my dear, sweet Ada.

First she sent me all sorts of Dutch goodies....Dutch chocolates, Wine Gums (my favorite!!) some Stroopwafels and some Stroopkoeken! Even Pumpkin was excited - you can see a bit of his tail on the left side of the pic....one second later he turned around and gave the box of chocolates a big bite! Of course his Mom then *had* to taste the chocolates to make sure they were still good :) I can't wait to try the "cookies" with a nice hot cup of coffee as Ada tells me that's the best way to enjoy them!


Mr. Nosey Pumpkin found this part of my gift from Holland quite interesting as well - some Fa body wash that smells so fresh - it's heavenly! Some bath confetti in a delicious Fruit scent and some lovely sock yarn in my favorite colors again...pink, orange and yellow!! I best get knitting and these are all gonna be socks for me, me, me!!


But wait, there's more! I saved the best for last....LOOK! Adorable little porcelain "wooden" shoes with windmills on them! Now what could be more Dutch than these? Ada knit the adorable little pouch for them as well AND she even made a lucet type cord with her fingers!! She did this before I bought my Lucet or ever mentioned one to her - see? sisters separated at birth! Thanks for the wonderful gifts Ada-sis! You made my everlasting birthday extra special!


Since it's all about the P-Man at FKD I've been wanting to capture one of Pumkin's cutest features....his tail!! He's got this really chubby tail that he swishes like mad when he's happy or excited! It's it cute? My brother calls it his "beefy" tail.....I just think it's another thing that makes him devastatingly handsome, don't you?


Next up, actual knitting content....imagine that! See ya then!

Hurricane Wilma Week 2 or BITE ME REALLY HARD, JEB!!!!

First off, Pumpkin and I want to thank everyone for the support. Every single comment means more than I can hope to convey because it helps me feel connected in this surreal tableau that continues into yet another week...

We are still without power here at the hovel I now call home Casa de FKD. I have a rudimentary door out front that doesn't lock and the back glass door maintains it's precarious perch unchanged. Water is dwindling and food is getting pretty scarce, last's night's meal was some defrosted pasta sauce, hold the pasta :) -- ya gotta have a sense of humor, right? My carpets have all been ripped out because the mildew was running rampant on my saturated floors. Power may not be restored until NOVEMBER 22!!! And because my life isn't interesting enough, I now have a wicked cold that I'm convinced is bird flu with the luck I've been having!

Here's the latest FEMA fubar...I registered for assistance on Oct. 27. At that time I was told that the agent would attempt to contact me but if he couldn't he would "just show up". I called back today to make sure my claim was in the system and verified with the FEMA phone person that the agent did NOT need to contact me directly for an inspection to be made because I still have no phone service and no where to charge my cell (but for the kindness of a neighbor with a generator but I hate to impose!) and this time I was told "oh no, the agent will attempt to contact you three times and if he can't reach you, WE CLOSE THE CASE!! Fucking GENIUS!! And just how is he supposed to do that when I HAVE NO POWER?? Sheesh!!

I have a few minutes computer time now and again thanks to said kind and generator endowed neighbor so I'll say hi when I can.

I finished the Hurricane Socks, now I'm on Wlma's Week 2 Socks.

Pumpkin's hanging in there, still really jumpy and nervous but still a handsome devil and keeping his Mom's spirits up!

And asshat Jeb?....I HAD provisions for three days....YOU DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THREE WEEKS!!!!!!

Wilma - 1, Fluffy Knitter Deb - 0

I'm posting this mainly to have a permanent record. Pumpkin and I are ok, Casa de FKD is not!

This morning at about 8 am, Wilma arrived at FKD with a vengence. The winds had been clocked at 120 miles per hour (category 3) and were howling like a freight train outside and rain that sounded like machine gun fire was pelting every window. The front wall of Wilma was to last about 90 minutes, the eye about an hour and the back wall another 90 minutes. She made lanndfall on the west coast of Florida and headed for Broward County with a spiteful gleam in her eye.

The winds were so brutal and frightening, Pumpkin and I retired to the safety of my walk-in closet. I brought my knitting for comfort, some Diet Coke for me and Greenies for the P-Man, a cell phone and a flashlight and we hunkered down to ride out the storm, thinking that all would be well by noon.

At about 8:30 I heard an enormous BOOM and my whole condo shook!! With trepidation I peeked out my bedroom door and to my shock and horror, saw that my front door had been blown right off its hinges and a giant, twisted hunk of metal was wending it's way over my threshold and right towards me!! I quickly shut the door and ran back into the closet.....

Suddenly, another huge BOOM....the pressure from the missing front door caused the huge sheet of glass that was in the the sliding glass door in the back of my condo to be sucked right out of door frame, sucking the vertical blinds out with it!!! And the wind and rain that was now ripping thru my HOME was almost strong enough to knock me off my feet! I grabbed on to my bedroom door and with Herculean effort slammed it closed and ran back to the relative safety of my closet where I could do nothing but shake and cry. I have never been so frightened in my entire life!! Poor Pumpkin was curled up in a firghtened ball way in the back of my closet. I know he was crying too!

At about 9:30 everything became eerily silent....the eye of the storm was passing over. I ventured from my "bunker" to see what damage had been done....OMG! I returned to my closet and my uncontrollable sobbing, as the raging wind and rain again began to batter my condo in resumed fury.

At about 11:45 am the winds began to slow and the pelting rain to taper. I has gained a modicum of composure by this point when I heard a male voice calling my name...my downstairs neighbor Alberto, had come to see if I had survived. I thought it was the voice of God.....

This is what I saw when I emerged....pics by Alberto. Click to see a larger view.

door from outside


door from inside


wood from door frame


giant metal roof piece

roof chunk in living room, flattened door behind it


living room

shattered glass curio cabinet


kitchen

kitchen 2

sliding glass door to balcony


back door with bowed out glass, verticals sucked thru

I have no power and my computer battery is about done. I have no front or back door so I can't leave, and I've had no word from Mom and Dad who live an hour north! What else don't I have? Well, that would be homeowner's insurance.....I'm a "starving" Grad student, remember? I do however have leaves everywhere, a completely saturated carpet and a melting fridge and freezer, torn screens on my porch and raisins scattered everywhere as they were sucked from my kitchen cabinets. The good news? I , and my condo association president I might add, do see this as clear culpability on the condo's part since the giant, flying metal thing that caused all this just happens to be big hunk-o-condo ROOF!! ( there were other peices hanging from tree branches and scattered around the property) Between the condo association's insurance and FEMA, we should be ok altho it will take a while and I'm not sure where I'll be staying or when I'll be able to post again but thanks for all your well wishes! Imagine if the P-Man and I didn't have those? ::::shudder::::

Oh, and knitting content? I actually turned the heel of a new sock thru my tears by flashlight, in my closet.

Hope to be back soon.... addendum: Bro in Sanfrancisco spoke to the 'rents, they are fine, no damage but no power.

Follow up on using the Turkish Cast-On

I've gotten a lot of feedback on this technique and how I used it for the socks and the little pouch.

For the socks: I cast on 12 stitches (6 wraps) and worked the first two rows per the instructions. I then switched to 4 DPNs - 3 stitches per needle - as this is my preferred method for knitting socks (those that use magic loop or 2 circs can easily adapt this for your preferred method) I wanted to use a "star toe" so I increased 4 stitches EVERY row as follows: At the beginning of each needle K1, M1, knit to end. I increased in this manner until I had a total of 24 stitches and then increased EVERY OTHER ROW until I had 64 stitches (for a woman's medium and an 8 inch circumference). At this point you can add whatever pattern you choose - keep in mind that the pattern you choose, if you are designing your own sock, may decrease (lace) or increase (cables) the number of stitches you need.

If you prefer the standard wedge toe: Cast on 12 stitches (6 wraps) and work the first 2 rows as instructed. Distribute stitches on 4 DPNs and increase every row as follows: K1, M1, knit to end of needle 1. Knit across needle 2 to last 2 stitches, M1, K1. K1, M1, knit to end of needle 3. Knit across needle 4 to last 2 stitches, M1, K1. Continue to increase in this manner EVERY row until you have 24 total stitches then increase EVERY OTHER ROW until you have 64 stitches. For magic loop or 2 circs follow the above with 6 stitches per needle to start.

For the little pouch: I cast on 40 stitches using the Turkish Cast-On (20 wraps) I worked the first 2 rows as instructed and 2 additional rows. I then increased 4 stitches: On the next row K1, M1, knit to last 2 stitches, M1, K1. Turn. K1, M1, knit to last 2 stitches, M1, K1. I then worked even for 3 inches. Next row K2, yo, k2 tog repeat to end. Turn. Repeat eyelet row. Work 2 more rows even then bind off. Make a cord of your choice ( crochet, lucet, I-cord, twisted) and thread thru eyelets. No SEAMS! Voila!

Feel free to leave any questions in the comments or email me!

Enjoy!

Knitting Made Easier - Turkish Cast On Tutorial

The Turkish Cast-On was recently featured in an article by Meg Swansen in the fall issue of Vogue Knitting.

I found this technique so brilliant I thought I would share it.

The Turkish Cast-On is an invisible cast on that forms a closed end. It is perfect for things like sock toes, mittens, glove fingers, pouches and purses....as I worked it I even thought, "wow this would be a great cast on for the legs and arms of a stuffed teddy bear!"

To work the Turkish Cast-On you need two same sized circular needles. For this demonstration I used two US # 7 (4.5mm) needles - a 24" Addi turbo and a 26" Crystal Palace bamboo so you can differentiate between each needle.
ETA: This technique is easily adapted to the magic loop method, using one circular needle to execute the technique rather than two. However, using two different types of circs as I have for this tutorial does make the technique a bit easier to visualize when first starting out.
STEP 1:

On the bamboo needle make a slip knot.

Hold both needles paralell and in your left hand with the tips pointing to the right and the silver needle on top.Hold the working yarn behind the silver needle.

STEP 2:
With the working yarn behind the silver needle, working left to right, wrap the yarn loosely around both needles.



Wrap as many time as equal to HALF the total numer of desired stitches. In the sample below, 15 wraps = 30 working stitches.



STEP 3:

With your right hand, pull the bottom (bamboo) needle to the right so that the wrapped loops are now on the cable of the needle. Allow the bamboo needle to dangle.




STEP 4:

Grasp the non-working end of the silver needle and bring it up to knit into the loops on the silver needle.






STEP 5:

After knitting the loops on the silver needle, turn the work.
Slide the bamboo needle loops on to the tip of the bamboo needle.





And slide the silver needle to the right so that the loops are now on the silver needle cable and the silver needle is dangling.



STEP 6:
Slide the slip knot off the tip of the bamboo needle and undo it, just allowing it to hang. With the working yarn coming from the last stitch on the silver needle knit across the loops with the bamboo needle.





Step 7:

Pull the bamboo needle thru to the right so the new stitches are on the cable and the bamboo needle is dangling.
Turn.
Slide the stiches to the tip of the silver needle and knit across with the other end of the silver needle.




Repeat from Step 5 alternating needles with each row. As you alternate between the two needles a firm, seamless two sided "pocket" will form.






The instructions may seem a bit verbose and daunting but if you "Just Do It" it's really very easy...get 2 different circs and some yarn and work step by step and it will all become clear once you put the tutorial into actual practice!
I used the Turkish Cast-On for my toe-up Chervon Lace socks...here's a close up




I found the Turkish Cast-On much easier than all the other toe-up cast on's that I've tried and I prefer not having to worry about any waste yarn.
I also used it to whip up this little pouch for a special friend to store her stitch markers in. Notice the seamless construction of the Turkish Cast-On and the lovely Lucet cord :)





I really like this cast on and I see so many practical uses for it....I hope you give it a try and enjoy it as much as I have!




Happy Knitting!




**FOR MORE DETAILED INFO ON USING THE TURKISH CAST ON FOR SOCK TOES OR MAKING A POUCH, SEE THE OCTOBER 21, 2005 ENTRY IN MY ARCHIVES HERE!**

What Debi Needs or Debi's busy preparing her next "Made Easy" tutorial....

I'm still on Sleeve Island despite all Pumpkin's help and diligently at work on the next "Made Easy" tutorial for the Turkish Cast-On so no knitting pics today.

Instead I nicked this from Liz cause I thought it was funny....feel free to nick it from me too!

Google Your Name needs as in "Debi needs" and see what comes up. Here's mine......

Debi needs historical updates

Debi need to raise at least $2500 ("at least"...that's for sure!)

Debi needs help copying, collating, stamping, and stickering

Debi needs some help with a history project

Debi needs a haircut (and some serious Loreal Preference Medium Auburn)

Debi needs water wings and an inner tube (huh? FYI, *fluffy* FLOATS!!)

Debi needs silence (tutorial genius at work, hehehe...)

Debi needs to leave (but she'll be baaaaaack!!)


Because the P-Man is such an important contributor to FKD I gave his name a google just for giggles....his hits are much better than mine!! Must be the season.....

Pumpkin needs to be more noticeable (YAY!!)

Pumpkin needs to live

Pumpkin needs to grow (see below)

Pumpkin needs satisfaction (don't we all?)

Pumpkin needs a vent hole (YIKES!!!)

Pumpkin needs to break 1000 pounds (and with our new Greenies supply he's well on his way!-- thanks Lucy and Auntie Agnes!)

Pumpkin needs the most amount of space

Pumpkin needs to be Pagan (sorry, we run an non-denominational cat household here at FKD)

Here's the P-Man getting himself busy with grooming chores and catnip mouse activities while he too waits for some knitting content!

I didn't want to steal the thunder from all the Rhinebeck Returnees and their spoils so I'll be back on Wednesday with the tutorial. See you then!

...Oh, Debi says bye too :)

I've got a new toy and I return for more punishment

I always wanted one of these and now I finally have one! Any guesses what it is?

It's a bloodwood LUCET

What's a lucet you query? Here's the definition from Wickipedia:

Lucet is a method of cordmaking or braiding which is believed to date back to the Viking era. Lucet cord is square, strong, and slightly springy. It closely resembles knitted I-cord or the cord produced on a knitting spool. Lucet cord is formed by a series of loops, and will therefore unravel if cut.
The only tools necessary to lucet are a length of yarn and a lucet, also called a lucet fork. The lucet fork is normally made of wood, with two prongs at one end and a handle on the other. It may also have a hole through which the cord can be pulled. The yarn is wound around the fork, forming loops, which are then lifted with the fingers over the working yarn and tightened to form the cord. The cord is wrapped around the lucet handle as it grows.
Lucet cord can be used for decorative edging, draw-strings, lacing, and any other use where a strong cord is needed.

I love exotic wood and this bloodwood lucet matches another of my special knitting accoutrements, my bloodwood darning egg, right Margene?

I have a design rolling around in my head that calls for a drawstring so rather than knitting miles of I-cord I thought a lucet would be much more fun! I practiced with the little cord in the pic and it is FUN!! It seems to be much sturdier than knitted I-cord and a bit faster so all in all, I'm really enjoying this new toy! I got mine here if you want one too.

And the gifts keep on coming.....
I got some $$ for my birthday with the express instruction to "buy myself some yarn with it" so I did :)

I know I must be a glutton for punishment but I went back for more Euroflax laceweight LINEN (eek!)
This time I picked some in the color Sage. The color in the pic is pretty true, it's a dark Sage cause it's much darker than the [Martha Stewart for K-Mart] Sage blanket it's resting on! All kidding aside, it's a really lovely color and it will make another beautiful, drapey, lightweight shawl someday soon (I'm addicted too, Catherine!) I also bought the lovely Cherry Red Louet Gems Opal yarn for some juicy red socks for ME! See, I finally knit myself some socks and now I'm unstoppable, muahahahahaha.....


I also wanted to share my dealer source for Euroflax Linen. It's Nancy at Handknitting.com Nancy is very helpful with great customer service, excellent prices (and frequent sales too!) and the yarn comes coned directly from Louet so you get the best right from the source! She also has lots of nice sock yarn and other interesting wares....go pay her a visit and try a little linen, you know you wanna.....

As far as knitting here at FKD, I've knit maybe another inch on the Ocean Lace Stole so no pics there but I did finish both fronts of the Manly Ribby Cardi and I've now cruised over to Sleeve Island!


I'd like to finish quickly so I can order the zipper and get this project done but I'm sure with the assistance of my lil helper, I'll be rescued from Sleeve Island real soon! See.......


Such a helpful lil guy, my P-Man is :)
All those fiber lovers lucky enough to be off to Rhinebeck this weekend bite me have a wonderful time!!! And to those of us left behind, remember misery loves company :) Have a great weekend no matter where you are!!

Next week as promised, a pictorial on the GREAT Turkish Cast-On so see you then!