Saturday, April 16, 2011

Resurfacing

I've been getting messages lately from people asking me if everything is ok or if I'm still alive.  (Fluffbuff, I don't seem to have any way to contact you, which inhibits my ability to reply to your emails.  I'd love to be able to do so.  If you'd be so kind as to email me at yarndudeknits AT gmail DOT com or send me a message on Ravelry with your email address, I'd finally be able to reply to you!)

I didn't realize that so much time had passed since I last blogged.  Quite a bit has been happening around here as the year is quickly coming to an end and everything, as always happens, seems to be happening at the same time.

I feel like I've been performing every other day around here (which may be a little bit true).  I even found myself playing a concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, but I was only there for about 18 hours and didn't actually see any of the city (it was rainy and foggy.  Where are those famous monuments, anyway?)

The bus ride did allow me to do some knitting, though.  Just in time, too, as my friend's birthday was on April 7th and I wanted to get these things to her as quickly as possible.  (Hmmm, the DC trip must have been the weekend of the 8th, then.)


Also while I was off not blogging, Spring seems to have happened.  It's a bit of a shame because those are mittens and mittens are not needed in the springtime.


However, I think they sort of look like Spring, and that's gotta count for something, right?  The pattern is Clepsydra by Kirsten Kapur and I knit these ones using Malabrigo Worsted in Tuareg (with a bit of Lettuce for the cuffs).  It's not the most practical yarn choice for mittens, but I couldn't help myself.  I started them back in February when I desperately needed some Malabrigo in my life and the colors gave me hope that Winter would eventually be over.


 I should have known that Spring was just waiting for me to finish these mittens.  I apologize to everyone who was waiting for Spring to come, it's my fault.  (Also my fault was the last snowfall.  I may have said something like, "I think we're in the clear.  Spring has to be just around the corner..."  I know, I totally shouldn't've, but I can't take it back now.  I already apologized (out loud) to the whole city of Pittsburgh.  Oh well, that's in the past now.)

Because mittens no longer seemed to be the perfect gift I thought they would be back in February, I also had to include something that might still serve some sort of purpose before next October.


I had a skein of MadTosh Sock in my stash in the colorway "Oak" and, well, the Cedar Leaf Shawlette was a natural candidate for a pattern.  The pattern actually calls for a DK weight yarn, but I clearly didn't care.


I think it worked out just fine and the recipient loves it.


But how could anyone not love those leaves?

With two weeks left of class, I am going to disappear from the blog (and knitting, sadly) again for a bit, but expect me back in the beginning of May with some new projects!

Happy knitting.

18 comments:

  1. good to see you have resurfaced. Good luck in your final few weeks (do music grad students have finals?)

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  2. Beautiful shawlette. :)

    I just sent you a message on Ravelry with my email address. I didn't realize that it wasn't showing up in the comments.

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  3. 1) Dude, didn't Mary go see your concert in D.C.?

    2) My birthday is in February. Next time you want to knit something seasonally-appropriate, you can send it to me!

    3) Glad to hear you're still alive.

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  4. Great update! Those mittens are happy and fun feeling! The shawl is breathtaking! Great knitting!!!

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  5. That blue is gorgeous, and those little leaves make me squee. Dunno why I love knitted leaves, but I occasionally think about buying that wine-themed sock kit just for the leaf pattern.

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  6. *ahem* Mittens often are needed in spring in the northern tier, so don't rule their utility out just yet. Unless, of course, the recipient happens to be in Texas.

    Also, was just thinking of you. We've got a rain check for a Boston Pops concert this spring after we were snowed out this past winter, and our favored option at the moment is to see John Williams conducting some of his own cinematic pieces.

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  7. Welcome back and your photos are amazing - just perfect backdrops for both your projects, which I love by the way :D

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  8. Are you telling me that all I have to do to make it spring is finish up a pair of mittens? I'm such a fool. I've got a pair of mittens that I started... last April (SHHH!)... maybe them being unfinished is what has caused Portland to stay below 60 degrees for the longest period in history... my bad.

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  9. You did it! The mittens are exquisitely beautiful and the leaf scarf is the perfect spring green color. I've been wondering when you'd return as I miss you and your knitting when you're away too long. Take care and I look forward to see more of you in May!!

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  10. Thanks for poking your head out like Punxatawney Phil. I love the mittens, and even though Malabrigo might not be a smart choice, seeing yours certainly tempts me to try it out myself. As for your argument that it's too late for mittens...well, apparently not quite. Besides, those mittens are darling enough to sit out on some table or hook on the wall and bring delight all summer long, where they don't have to be moved for a bit.

    You're right about the leaves. I can't not like them.

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  11. Doesn't your sister still live in San Diego? *L*

    Gorgeous knitting! I'd like a bit more wet weather if you can do anything for me, sweetie. I'm in complete denial about summer coming.

    Take care of yourself, remember to eat and drink water, and sleep!

    xoxox

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  12. Beautiful gloves and scarf! I'm glad things are going well for you. The end of the semester is always crazy.

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  13. Hoorah!! Good to hear from you. I too have been away from the blogs and hope to make a comeback once I can get a handle on life. I don't have school anymore, so it should theoretically be possible...

    Anywho, I'm glad to hear you're still alive and still knitting. Can't wait to hear more from you soon!!

    Your Cedar Leaf Shawlette looks absolutely gorgeous amongst the moss-covered rocks, btw. I just love it!

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  14. Gorgeous! Great springy color on those mittens... like Mel said, you might find yourself wanting them for another month or so. The shawlette is wicked gorgeous too!

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  15. Beautiful knitting. Good luck with all things scholarly in the next few weeks. Hopefully you'll get a chance to at least enjoy a few outside moments of spring.

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  16. I like the mittens. Blue is one of my favorite colors. =)

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  17. Very clever way of positioning the knits against nature. Love the colors.

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