I’m not one of those smart bloggers who can plan ahead and say, I’ll save that one for Friday because I already have something to talk about for Thursday. This has always just seemed to me sort of like a little coffee klatsch with yarn thrown in. So I talk about everything all at once. Because that’s what I do when I coffee klatsch. Sometimes I’m sitting at the table knitting by myself (yes, I realize that means I’m talking to myself too). And sometimes I’m joined by a few friends. Every now and then it’s more like a few thousand friends.
Using free blogging software and being my own webmaster: Worth every penny (ha ha).
Being linked to (in the nicest possible way) by both Wendy and Grumperina on the same day that I boast about the completion of Clapotis #2 on the Mason-Dixon Knitting Slogalong: Priceless. Welcome visitors! Pull up a chair and I’ll pour you a cuppa.
But the sudden 12-fold spike in bandwidth usage (sinking back now to its normal level of semi-obscurity) did point out the need for a few tweaks around here. I’ve been working long hours and what few blogging minutes I’ve had have been mostly spent in shoring up the framework. WordPress is really great software. But I sort of hack it around a bit. So PI is kinda held together with baling twine and bubble gum. I think the comments are working OK again, and hopefully the pages will load a little faster now. I added a bit more baling twine (knitted into I-cord) and propped it up with a couple of extra 2x4s.
I’ve been working long hours the last couple of weeks to get ready, because — drum roll please — I’m on vacation! Ahh…
My cousin Margaret lives near Boston. For years she’s been trying to get me to come over to the right-hand coast for July 4th. Last year around Thanksgiving I told her that this year I would come for sure and she could plan on it and we were both really excited and I made arrangement to take the time off no matter what. And I kept thinking that really I should call her and let her know that really I was coming… really. There’s a 3-hour time difference. And Margaret and I both keep rather odd hours. I usually remembered to call her around midnight here, and I thought she probably didn’t really want to hear from me at 3:00 AM, even if it was with (hopefully) good I’m coming to see you news. But I kept thinking I really needed to call her. And I kept remembering at midnight.
Then I realized that it was… June… and I still hadn’t called her. And wouldn’t she be surprised if I just showed up on her doorstep? Did she remember that I was coming? And would she even be there? So maybe I really, really needed to actually call her. So I tied a piece of yarn around my finger and remembered to call at a reasonable hour. ring… ring…
Margaret: hello.
Me: Hi. It’s me! How have you been?
Margaret: oh! How are you! It’s great to hear from you!
Me: I’m great. How has your summer been? (Then, because I’m not sure if she remembers I’m coming and I don’t want to look really pushy and such if she’s got other plans) What are you doing for the 4th?
Margaret: (in a sad, slow voice) Nothing. I’m sitting here all by myself. (a slight exaggeration, as her son lives with her)
Me: Would you like some company?
And that was how I ended up planning to travel to the Boston area for a few days around the 4th. But I took extra vacation days, because I need them.
Margaret was not sure she could find things to entertain me with. Although she knows, and I reiterated, that I don’t require much in the way of entertainment. Besides, as I told her, there’s probably a yarn shop or two in Boston. Margaret, who is a muggle (but a very much beloved muggle), said I think there’s one in Marblehead.
So, gentle reader, if you know where the best Boston area local yarn shops are, please comment so I can go armed with a list. 😉 Don’t know if I’ll be able to make it to any, but here’s hoping.
And here are the starts of the Java leaf socks for my Sockapalooza pal. I’m finding this yarn hard to photograph. Of course, it can’t be my skills as a photographer that’s to blame. It’s the yarn. (Right) So I plopped them right on my window sill where I’d get the best possible light.
I wanted to start the leaf pattern right at the end of the toes. But I didn’t want lace all the way at the end, because I didn’t think that would be very comfortable. So I started with stems twining up into the leaves. There are two brioche stitches on either side of the leaf panel. I had planned on a knit/purl sort of diamond pattern on the sides, but as I knit up an inch or so I didn’t like the way it looked. It just wasn’t defined enough on the dark yarn. (It’s darker than it looks in this over-exposed picture.) So I laddered the sides back down and made them stockinette. I’m now planning to twine stems up the sides to the ankle, and have four leaf-panels around the legs, separated by the brioche stitches. And maybe brioche instead of ribbing at the top.
It’s still a work in progress.
The leaf pattern is a fun knit, though. Not so complex that I can’t do other things like watch TV, but still lace and complicated enough to keep my interest.
And I think I mentioned that there might have been a little purchase from The Loopy Ewe to assuage my Blacksheep-Gathering-less self.
Just a little.
Left to right —
Stonebarn Fibers Gypsy Girl Creations in Crocus Valley (I love the twist on this yarn and it’s going with me to Boston!)
Seacoast Handpainted Superwash Sock in Meadow (The label says 100% merino, but it feels wonderfully soft and silky.)
Dream In Color Smooshy Sock Yarn in November Muse. (Smooshy is a perfect description for this yarn!)
Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in Peacock (Needed more to see if the first was an aberration or I’m going to fall in love with this yarn as others have before me.)
Scarlet Fleece It’s Tubular X 2 in Lapis Woodland (thick and warm and I think it will wear well)
I notice a preponderance of minty green, orange/brown, and purple. Hmmm… I don’t have much in the way of these combination in my stash. Well… just a little, maybe. I wonder if my color sensibility is shifting. Or maybe it’s the season.
Now… what projects to take to Boston with me…
What town are you going to? There are lots of yarn stores in Massachusetts but if I were to pick only one, it would be WEBS for sure! WEBS is located in a college town so there are lots of funky restaurants and shops to explore, too!
http://yarn.com/
You can’t beat WEBS for prices and variety. Good luck!
1Remark from Kate/Massachusetts — Thursday, 6/28/2007 @ 1:56 PM
oh my goodness – where in Massachusetts is she? If you’ll be in Boston then try Woolcot & Co. It’s owned by Sean Reilley of this blog (http://www.sprboston.com/seanssoapbox.html) – he’s been running it for a year and recently purchased it. Woolcott is very old, very established but has a few modern twists 😛 (http://www.woolcottandco.com/Welcome.html)
2If you’re in the better half of the state (what I call Western Massachusetts – WEST of Worcester – and where I live) 😆 then definately go to WEBS in Northampton, not far off Interstate 91. But if you go to WEBS be prepared to be overwhelmed and thrown into sensory overload by the warehouse. ❗
Remark from Leslie — Thursday, 6/28/2007 @ 4:39 PM
In downtown Boston on Temple St. go to Windsor Button Shop – great selection of yarns, needles & books. In Cambridge, go to Harvard Square and visit Woolcot. There are other great yearn shops around, but these 2 are availaable by public transportation.
I love the 4th in Boston. My family gathers at my parents’ place, right in Back Bay, and go up to the roof for a great view of the fireworks. Enjoy your visit!
3Remark from Suzanne Ress — Friday, 6/29/2007 @ 9:13 AM
Okay so go to The Blue Blog and search a bit…maybe two weeks back or something. She and a friend went on a Boston area yarn crawl. Also get this: About 6 months before my accident, I was in Boston on business and went into a yarn store (I think it’s called Newberry Yarns or something…look it up) and the owner was on the phone talking with someone about the horrible car accident her daughter had just been in. My heart went out to her. I thought of that after the accident quite a bit. Anyway, it’s worth going to although a bit small and they have high shelves. Good yarn, though.
4Remark from LeAnne — Friday, 6/29/2007 @ 9:16 AM
Go visit Rhonda – http://mitstitchingnut.blogspot.com/ – she lives in Salem, travels to Cambridge for work at MIT – knows all the great places! Have a great time!
5Remark from julie — Friday, 6/29/2007 @ 11:12 AM
vacation! yes! and you are not that far from NYC either…
for Massachusetts store check this list, and have fun!
http://www.woolworks.org/stores/ma.html
but the Loopy Ewe loot looks like it was just right…
6Remark from hpny knits — Saturday, 6/30/2007 @ 4:35 AM
Imagine that! Normally, we’re almost 2,000 miles apart, but this 4th, we’ll be only a couple of hundred! Sure wish I’d known early enough to finagle a meet up somewhere in the middle….
Hope your 4th is marvelous! and that there is a yarn store adventure in the trip somewhere…
7Remark from Helen — Sunday, 7/1/2007 @ 8:00 PM
I second all the previous suggestions, and would add Mind’s Eye Yarn in Porter Square in Cambridge, and A Good Yarn in Brookline Village. Both stores have web sites for hours and directions, both are close to public transportation. Have fun!
8Remark from paulanancy — Sunday, 7/1/2007 @ 11:14 PM
I agree with Kate. If I were ever in Massachusettes, I would go to WEBS in a heartbeat! It’s not going to be a small quaint store, but they definitely have an abundance of yarn and supplies to keep your head reeling a bit.
Have a wonderful and safe trip. I’m so envious!
9Remark from ~Kristie — Monday, 7/2/2007 @ 1:16 PM