Monday, May 31, 2010

Airport Reviews Continued - Final Trial

It's all a dim (dulled) memory now... I tucked myself into a window seat for my 4th and final flight in 24 hours, pulled out my knitting and promptly nodded off.  Sometimes, you can't beat the purr of jet engines--I'm not kidding!  When I came to, we were passing over a totally barren, snow covered area.  It's much different from Rocky Mountain barren.  There are no peaks, just rocky, broken down mountains at such a far north latitude that trees can't survive.  It was mid-afternoon, the flight was 40 minutes long, and I slept for 2/3's of it.

My mistake was asking a question of the man seated next to me, at which point he took me as being more interested in the geography of Norway than I really was.  I simply asked if he knew what the body of water below was (it was obviously a fjord, and I was hopeful that it was something I would recognize).  Alas, I hadn't heard of it and he continued for the next 15 minutes to point out visible and unseen places which would help me orient myself.  It didn't.  His accent was just different enough, that I found myself guessing and giving up at guessing what he was talking about. I appreciated that he pointed out Bergen on our approach... FINAL DESTINATION!


I happened to hit quite the musical week:  In Oslo: Eurovision Song Contest and in Bergen: Festspill. A cello case greeted our baggage and chauffeurs with signs looked for out-of-town musicians.
whew!!

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Airport Reviews Continued - Trial O

Where I left off yesterday, I was in a bad mood, and I really wanted everyone to know how ticked I was with the whole past hour, but instead, I was seated next to a young Norwegian couple who were returning home from a wonderful, romantic, New York City long weekend-- calm and rested and totally at peace with the world.  Nothing to fuel my fire, so I listened as they recounted roller blading in Central Park and down to the Staten Island ferry, about kids at home, and the perfect long awaited vacation.  The roller blades had sat in a closet for many years waiting for just such a weekend.  Ahh, I said!  Something I will never do... and smiled!  I took out my knitting.
The flight to Oslo was quiet and uneventful.  I nodded off a few times, watched the movie "Up in the Air" and wished I could get uninterrupted sleep like the young woman next to me.  And I knitted.  Inches of sock, and I HIGHLY recommend a chart holder.  I felt like I was zipping along with my handy magnets keeping my place.  Really, why didn't I join the 21st century before this? (This sock is the first time I used the chart holder.)

Oslo
Do airport managers TRY to make things inconvenient?  As we rolled up to the gate, I remembered this experience from 2 months ago (same trip itinerary) and began to think about the long walks and wait for baggage to clear customs, and the wait in line to barely connect to Bergen.  And there was indeed exactly all that, except my flight to Bergen was long gone by the time I got to the counter for check in.  I swear, the airport can't be that big, but our flight arrived at one end of the terminal, the passport control was at the other end, and the baggage carousels were at... yet another end of the terminal!  OK, three ends, I know.  Eventually my 3 hours of waiting for the next flight were filled with photo-ops

 and a delicious shrimp open-faced sandwich.  $15 well spent (includes tax and tip).  Lucky me the european currencies are weak today.
Knitting a bit here and there, staying on my feet until my gate was posted, noticing the civilized touch of selling candy bars as greeting cards:
What do you want most from your birthday wishes?  I want to eat chocolate!

There were signs for the Eurovision Song Contest which was this week, and Norwegian flags to wave (the 17th of May not long in the past) and abundance of candy for travelers.


Feeling rather sure that if I sat down I would nod off and miss yet another flight, I parked myself at the gate among people sure to notice me as boarding was called.
I awoke to find myself sitting alone!  With a start I turned around, and there were still people in the boarding line... so much for relying on my fellow travelers!
I had been up for 25 hours at this point.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Airport Reviews Continued - Trial N

How DO you get to Norway from Farmington.  Lots of possibilities:  I'd like to think that heading East is best, but it also involves North.  This time our crew from Denver to Newark expected storms and adverse winds in the Mid-West to make travel longer than expected (over 4 hours) and we were going to fly up to the Canadian border to avoid them. I'm all for avoiding storms! And there was turbulence which happened just as I poured a cup of diet Sprite.  Then I was holding on to a can, a cup, my pen and my Ken-Ken book.  My knitting was stowed in a bag around my neck, and I was "sandwiched", yes, SANDWICHED between an oversized person and a not so oversized.
When we landed in Newark, the flight attendants started making comments over the PA about the pilots.  They were two women, and since they didn't have to ask for directions we landed "on time"!  One of the men attendants also pointed out that there was some hardship because they weren't allowed to go to the restroom in pairs.  I thought things were going to be fine, but then we got off the plane in.... Newark!

Newark
This could have been Prague, or Bangkok!  The system was... scary for someone who likes sign-age.
 I had an hour between flights, which was enough, but, to get to the international terminal everyone relied on two attendants at one counter to look at your boarding pass, give you a gate number and instruct you to wait for the "ground transportation" in an area that held 10 people comfortably. There were WAY more than 10, spilling out into the corridor of people passing.  One person mistakenly thought she should open the door herself, and set off a very piercing alarm. Then the bus arrived:
EVERYONE went through the same door, down stairs and outside onto a bus, with someone every 10 feet saying, "A or  C, A or C, A or C..." and pointing to a bus.  I guess we were "B" but who knew? Not a big bus either.  This bus made turns and U-turns and there was nothing to tell us we weren't being swept away to Estonia.  Eventually the bus stopped and everyone was told in an unclear way to exit the bus and take another bus if you were going to C (which I was).  "That bus over there," as the driver pointed.  Lucky for me, he was right.  Unlucky for me, time was passing and I began to be concerned.
  My boarding time for the next flight had passed... so I began to walk briskly with my knitting around my neck, a purse (dang, that purse was small) and a carry-on.  My mission was Gate 131 which was about 100 gates away.  As I got to the gate, boarding was in process and I smoothly got in line just as they were calling my row.  But something came up flagged on the computer, and I was told to go stand next to another man while they checked something.  Now he and I stood and wondered why all of these foreign passports were waved through, with green tourist visas being collected, or not, and a young man at a nearby counter pounded furiously at a computer terminal, exclaiming at intervals, "What do I do? I did that, it's not working.  What else should I try?" and the woman taking boarding passes shouting out intermittent instructions to him.  They were at least 50 feet away from each other.  Eventually he came over with the other man's passport, (mine hadn't left my sight yet, and I was within 5 feet of grabbing it...) and said it was "OK".  Now it was time for him to work on mine.
I was unhappy, having ridden two buses and being a crazy women walking "briskly" to get here on time, and then, sort of, sent to the end of the line...but I was a knitter, and knitters prevail, one stitch at a time, and I was indeed allowed to board although now all rows were boarding and I was in row 30.  At my appointed row, I put up no fuss when asked if I would trade seats 10 rows closer to the front so a couple could sit together, and several people and flight attendants gave me adoring/relieved comments about my willingness to do so.  I was beaten, and I knew it would be a long flight, and a short night.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Airport Travel

I'm the expert!  Yessiree... 5 airports in 24 hours.
Farmington
Friendly personnel! At the ticket counter I heard an employee of Great Lakes Airline ask the man in front of me if he had been to Denver airport before, and when he said no, she took him aside, asked him if he was right or left handed (? don't know the point) and drew him a map showing how to transfer to another terminal.  Farmington is so tiny that even the TSA people speak with you. I like it because they open the bags and hand check everything.  I checked the backpack from Hxxx. There are 11 sets of buckles, 6 zippers, and several loops. (I'm sure they are cleverly placed, and I could use a user's guide. My bags are underutilized.)  I would completely understand if it arrived with straps ripped off, and sections of it missing, and always am completely surprised that I see it all at my destination.  Maybe gray and orange is difficult go astray? When I arrived, an hour before my flight, there were 2 people in front of me, the atmosphere is relaxed, the flight to LasVegas took off with 2 passengers, and I pulled out my yarn and cast on.  I had time for exactly the Estonian cast-on of 64 stitches for my sock.

 A 19-seater with a dozen passengers somehow makes for camaraderie and someone asked our pilot (who is also the flight attendant) if his father was the pilot.  We all chuckled nervously. Yes, he was young, and spoke up to ask if it was the passenger's first flight.  The pilot then added that it was his first, too. It was the smoothest flight over the Rockies I've ever been on, with a bit of turbulence on the approach at DIA.  This was the flight experience of the 50's which ends with a walk across 100 yards of parked planes to the gate in a section barely attached to the terminal.

Denver
Completely different atmosphere with thousands of people doing thousands of things, grouped into areas to wait, eating and shopping.  I didn't see anyone knitting...  Heading to the gate with a 3 hour wait, I detoured to the second floor to find the Paradise Bakery.  Seemed worth a visit, but I was only scoping it out for lunch since it was 9 AM.  I found the bakery, which had sandwiches and a long line, and... AND... I found the perfect knitting spot.  My body just doesn't like to sit yoga style on the floor, even in those rows of seats at the gate.  And here around a corner were lots of people quietly camped out in soft easy chairs, with addition (detached) side tables and most of them had great lighting!  Knitting Knirvana, I tell you!  The hours sped by, and suddenly I was ready for lunch and happy with my progress.

PS  It was light here (Bergen) until 11 PM tonight.  Oops I nodded off thinking of something else to say...

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Eagle Activity

Sockin' it through airports yesterday (or was it the day before...overnight flights, you know).
All is well and the clouds and sun mixture is just right.  More details tomorrow.


Nature!  You gotta love it!
Eaglet Feeding

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Gadgets

There are lots of gadgets out there, and I try to be discerning... but the other day while looking for something I found myself attaching a "Blog Search" gadget.  You can see it to the right called "Search Previous Blogs".  I thought it might come in handy for me to see if I've been over-using a topic.  I saved it to my blog, and then didn't think about it, which means I didn't use it.
Yesterday, in a dull moment, I thought, "What's this about?" filled in the word "socks" and clicked "Search".
WOW, was I surprised!  I suddenly had everything in front of me, and not just my blog!  Try it! Remember some word or event that you know you saw somewhere?  This just might be your ticket to re-call.
I like it!  Have fun playing!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

What to carry, what to pack?

By the time you read this, it will be decided, but up to this point, I've been lying in bed at night considering being away from my stash for 7+ weeks.  I'm sure you can see my conundrum! 
It's not like I will be even 50 feet away from an LYS, but I have so MUCH... Of course, I'll return with a bag full. (I'll have room if I leave behind clothing...)
Looking through my queue, and magazines, I'm overwhelmed.  I've learned that on long flights, time flies (pun intended) when you are glued to an intricate chart--with headphones. 


Situation #1:  Travel duration (Trans-Atlantic flights and layovers) of 21 hours.  Needs a complicated sock project. Check!  I'll start my second sock for my only child.
 Situation #2:  Visiting almost one year old granddaughter.  Not a lot of time, but there will be sleepless nights!  Check!!  My daughter has a headless Mr. Foster waiting for me:




Situation #3: Three weeks later, I might need another project.  No check.  Thoughts:  Something from new Creative Knitting magazine.  Nice summer tops in cotton DK.  I happen to have some of that!


Situation #4:  Travel for 4 hours by plane.  Will the sock be finished?  Probably not, but maybe!


Situation #5: Trans-Atlantic flight: 14 hours.  During the "longest day" I'll need something to keep me occupied.  New project:


Situation #6:  Visit, 10 hour car ride (twice) and cruising the Maine coast... 


Situation #7:  Eight hours travel home.  


Of course there are Ken-Ken's and magazines, and sleep, but I'm happiest if I'm... knitting.
PS: What didn't make the cut? The gray handbag, and the teal sock yarn.  Created lots of space...

Monday, May 24, 2010

Nothing to "Owl" about!

I couldn't resist--as usual!
No resistance #1: I met a fellow knitter (A) through Ravelry, and discovered we live a mere 20 miles apart. By SW standards, we're neighbors. I invited A to join us some "knit night", however, alas, she hosts a knit night on the same night.  Finding that we don't always meet, I invited myself to hers along with friend, J, and we had a great experience last week.  
A is less than 1/4 of J's and my ages combined, yet she was refreshingly full of knowledge.  She is very Ravelry minded; I mean I thought I was obsessive, but she really knows her stuff, and takes advantage of it.
One of the things that impressed me was her "Owl" top.  Little miniature owls, some with pearl button eyes... Too cute!
No resistance #2:  That owl has to be mine... In the toddler dress in progress, I realized I had missed my chance, so I dropped 6 stitches down 12 rows and proceeded to knit an owl.  
What did you expect?  Maybe blocking some of the surrounding stitches will straighten it up, after all, I DID create this as an after thought... And the voting can begin:  Owl or Alien?  Eyes too big?  They can easily be reduced, and now as I'm staring at it, they will be reduced.


Thanks, A, for your inspiration!

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Something Old, Now Something New

I haven't been only starting things... (even though I wish that was a worthy goal, sigh)
I finished a sock!  Maybe that isn't exactly finishing because it's one sock of two, but there's a feeling of completion since it's the same sock I cast on on my return trip from Norway in March.


It's the sort of sock where 
you I have to watch the chart all the time.  And it's the kind of chart I wouldn't be able to use on the Know It All bag.  It can only help you with repeated patterns up to 10 stitches. The Vilai sock is a symmetrical pattern on each side or a 32 stitch repeat. This link from Marguerite shows the huge difference yarn/color makes in pattern.


Now for the Old that has become the New!


Remember this, anyone?  I knitted this years ago (BR = Before Ravelry).  Lucky for me, and my obsessive mind, I started keeping a log of projects in April, 2008.  I was frustrated with myself for -- guess what--starting things, and returning to them years months days hours later, the needles missing, and having no idea what I was thinking!  Voila!  I have info on this Celtic Tote from Interweave Knits, Winter '07 (p. 98).  In the summer of '06, somewhere in Eastern Ontario, I bought roving, for the first and only time.  I really didn't know why or what I could do with it, but later, in the Spring of '08, I rounded up my knit group to help me un-ravel it.  It was in 5 plys, so I rolled it into single ply balls, and knitted it without spinning.  It felted beautifully!  I'm just dang lucky... I used Cascade in white for the trim.  
Knitted in May '08, finished May '10.  (All it needed was the lining...)

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Shut Yo' Mouth!

Have you ever seen something new in knitting that just leaves you talking to yourself, shaking your head, and your mouth dropped open?  I just had one of those moments, and maybe you will too:  Know It All (Use THIS LINK to see the whole business + YouTube explanation.)

Yep, this bag knows everything. It knows your row number, the chart for your stitch pattern, and where you are in that stitch pattern. Unlike the other know-it-alls in your life, it will gladly share information with you by displaying your row number and a chart for the current row of your stitch pattern in lights! (Though of course there are limitations; you can generate a custom chart for the bag, but only for stitch patterns up to 10 stitches wide that use k, p, k2tog, ssk and sk2p).
The bag is part of a growing project category called “computational textiles.” Computational textiles is a scary phrase often applied to projects that are complicated, difficult and fun but don’t do much. Still, I found myself obsessed with the idea of mixing knitting and technology after making an origami crane with light-up eyes at a computational textiles workshop at Indiana University.
This bag is the result of that obsession. The 10 LED lights act as a row counter and a charted pattern. And more important: just about any knitter could pull this off.
Really. Any knitter with a thirst for adventure and a few projects under their belt can do this.
You can make and use this bag if you can:
  • Knit
  • Purl
  • Seam using whipstitch (not even mattress stitch!)
  • Thread a needle without poking yourself (for the sewing, and my weakness)
  • Poke yourself while threading a needle (for the needle felting; in fact, this was my first-ever needle-felting project!)
  • Read knitting charts
  • Sync an iPod or cellphone with your computer
It's just so out there that I need to try this!

By the way, I have startitis...  I'm trying to limit myself to an hour of websurfing because I come up with new ideas every 15 seconds...

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Starting and Stopping

Yes, we all do that, but I'm talking about knitting projects.  


Starting: I <3 starting projects.  That's why I have several on needles, including two "almost" finished socks that don't match.  I was so excited to get started on a dress for Juju that I started.....two.  Yep.  One because it's going to be a challenge, and I was afraid I would need some Scandinavian help with the instructions in Danish, and when it seemed OK, AND I realized it had beautiful long sleeves, and we are approaching Summer in the Northern Hemisphere, ....  Well, it just seemed the wrong thing to work on for now.


I started a second dress for a one year old.  It's the Picot Dress by Debbie Bliss using the same cotton/silk yarn from the Lace Tunic.
 I'm celebrating:  I'm finished after 39 days, and a few other things, and ready to pack my suitcase.  The amazing Kindle arrived today within 48 hours of calling Apple to replace the broken one.
Hmmm.  The colors in these two pictures should be identical... in real life it's somewhere between the two.  Silky!!  (Click to enlarge!)  It will be modeled: Later Gators!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Another News Flash from Norway:

After all of my lovely thoughts about Norway and the 17th... please read the reality blog at:
Jujubebaby for May 18th.  If you've seen my pictures of my granddaughter before, you'll really laugh at this one... (well, C didn't laugh)

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Next?

Last year I found a pattern while in Norway called Rose Cardigan for newborn to toddler sizes.  C and I went shopping for the yarn, and buttons, and I went happily back home to complete it.  Once I was home, I realized that the roses were duplicate stitched, and the whole booklet was in Danish. Never mind; I still was able to figure it out. It was stunning!  And I knitted it up. 

 On the same page in the booklet is a dress with roses on it, and with the fussiest gorgeous borders in crazy colors... just awesome, but the smallest size is 1 year. Here it is: A year later, and the Danish really is a problem.  I studied it, wrote out rows, and I think I made sense of it.  It's not easy to describe in Ravelry, but here's what I have so far:
Can you tell there are 6 colors?



Monday, May 17, 2010

17. Mai 2010 - Special Edition

I couldn't resist posting this, especially since we have most of the day left.  Taken earlier today in Norway at a school yard on the island of Karmøy. Pictured in traditional "bunad" are Aud, Celina, and Julia Aud.  And best yet:  The sun is shining. (That's typically the biggest concern of the day: No rain for the morning parade.)

Birding

Since I've been around for 60+ years, it shouldn't be surprising to say:  "I've done that!" But others are surprised... and I'm surprised at their reaction. It's called living and curiosity.  


I find that now I've returned to many things. It's not like learning something entirely new, but more like picking up where I left off.  

One of those things is "birding". I've never been an expert or hardly an amateur; I enjoy looking at birds, identifying them, and most of all, listening to them.  I don't enjoy catching them in the house after a cat has brought them in for show and tell.  I especially don't like to return home to find my closet full of feathers, even when there's no tell-tale body.


Yesterday was the perfect day:  I sat inside as long as I could, with the sun shining, and air calm, the birds tweeting, and so much to do outside, yet... knitting was calling.  Or more accurately, my hub was calling.  He doesn't often ask for help, but there's this 1/4 ton bird bath that needed to be moved and assembled. And it takes two.  I was happy to have an excuse.  I had already soaked my last piece of the lace tunic and blocked it.  I had already given attention to a pattern that had me running scared, yet I cast on in spite of the danger ahead.  Outside I went, and what a glorious day.  The birds rewarded my venture by showing up whenever the cats took a break, and I realized I haven't sat and admired them in a long time.


Here's what I saw:
The most common of birds around here: House Finch.  This is a great photo that I must say I didn't take nor anyone I know.  I found it at this website, and rather than risk copyright fines, I refer you to these beautiful images.  At this site, you'll see the following birds that I have seen in the past few hours. (Of course, I had to look up most of them in my bird book.)
Brewer's Blackbird, House Finch, Mourning Dove, American Robin, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Black-Headed Grosbeak, House Sparrow, and Mountain Chickadee.
In addition, today I saw an Indigo Bunting which was quite surprising, 


and a pair of orioles.  I heard a Meadow Lark, but never caught a glimpse (they are so very loud, and make you think they are nearby).
Yesterday, we tried to rescue a Western Tanager from lovely kitty (Bonnie).  Hub put it over the fence in the field while I corralled the cats in the house for a few minutes.  It wasn't there later in the day, so we are optimistic.
Such is the way of the backyard.  We are very lucky to have ponies, cattle, pheasants and alfalfa in our extended backyard. 


Gratulere med Dagen, Norge!

Sunday, May 16, 2010

A piece a day!

That's what it feels like:  One piece of the tunic everyday.  Four pieces (front, back, 2 sleeves) and I'm blocking #3 today along with knitting like a maniac to finish #4 for tomorrow's blocking session.
I'm putting my new lace wires (rods) and blocking mat to good use:
I'll explain: It's a sleeve with the shoulder in the upper left corner. It's all-in-one: left yoke, sleeve and side (which will connect the front and back).  


What really makes me celebrate is that I received a belated Mother's Day gift from Chopped Tomatoes.  My daughter selected the yummiest of lace yarn (100% Mongolian cashmere) in her favorite color! :-)
Hmm.  What can I make with 1420 m of laceweight?  See you later!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Hands

What incredible instruments we carry around:  Hands!!
Fingers, especially... what they do for us.
And what we use them for--mine are pretty well trained to knit, sew, play keyboard music, and... a multitude of other things.


I most noticed my grandmother's hands.  She would proudly hold them up to display how her fingers would point off in different directions--around corners even!  They were an amazing mess, but they produced the best fried walleye, autobiographical stories in her scrawling handwriting, quilting, sewing, knitting, crochet, paintings, cakes, breads, ROLLS (who could forget her rolls?), and...and... the best advice, compassion.  She couldn't surprise me with new projects; that was to be expected. But often she would make, what I consider, progressive-thinking comments about events, people's actions, etc that were totally the opposite of what one would expect from a woman in her 80's or 90's. She was always open to new things.


Yet I most remember her hands... I see them everyday now in my hands!  How surprised she would be to realize that my hands are becoming like hers.  Not only in shape but also by what they produce.  It's as if I can't type fast enough, or knit fast enough, or ... it's our productivity.


Here's a glimpse of my grandmother's hands: (Mine)


And Hers, 26 years ago:

Friday, May 14, 2010

Spring or Summer

Can't seem to make up its mind... Every day seems to go from cold to hot, or hot to cold.  Our temperature swings are huge: 40's to 80's are common.  And the flowers love it!
Colors are great in the SW:
And the yuccas are in various stages, growing quickly!
One day there's nothing, and the next they are barely there.
OK.  I guess I don't inspect them every day.
Here's one with a visiting ladybug:


And happy birthday to my uncle and neighbor!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Lace Tunic

Let's not get excited;  I'm not finished, not by a long shot!  But it looks like I'll make my May 25th deadline!
An hour after I posted yesterday's blog, bad mouthing the delivery of my toys, they showed up at the door. And I got to work... more knitting, and soaking one of the round pieces (front or back). 
Progress:  I learned that wires are great for stretching out lace.
And that it takes time to thread the wire through to make it even.
It made me look carefully at my work too!
If you click on the picture you should be able to spot at least one place where I'll have to do a little repair.
But overall, I'm very excited!  This is the prettiest part of the tunic.  Although I'm kinda glad that there's some straight stockinette on the sleeves.  I can knit and talk again!
Oooo. Lace tunic over a black bathing suit!  In a month you'll get to see it!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Another Day!

It's a wonderful day here!  Cloudless sky, 34ºF this morning, and best of all, NO wind.
Yesterday, the sky was gray with dirt from the wind, I stayed inside to avoid breathing problems, and my eyes were grainy. I knitted... and I waited... and momma's not happy when the Fed Ex delivery says 2 more days...  I'm SO sure my package will show up today, that I decided to break my silence, and admit I was wrong about it coming on Monday.  Yes, according to tracking the package had left the Denver terminal on Sunday afternoon, meaning it had to be in F'ton by Monday morning.  And it was there Tuesday morning, yet now it's Wednesday!  What do those people do?

I'm ready for the blocking:
But miles to go:
This is arm #1.  Construction?  The front and back in the top picture are connected by the skinny piece under the arm (attached to the sleeve in the lower picture).
I haven't heard from Vogue about my suggestion that there's a mistake in stitch count for the larger sizes.
Time for some piano time.  I'm replacing someone who was "fired" because they couldn't play a piece.  Hopefully I'll get it done. (gig on Saturday, meet with vocalist today)

Celina: How is my picture formatting?  Are you still editing?

Monday, May 10, 2010

Ready for the next step...

I would like to think I've done a lot of things in knitting;  a lot of things well, I mean.  One thing that has me running scared is "lace".  I LOVE to do lace, and I've finished my daughter's projects with no qualms... as long as I don't have to block them.


Lace takes time, talent, and the right physical environment.  I have most of these: Time (ya, sure), talent (OK, perseverance), and physical environment (high desert SW with the driest of atmospheres=quick, thorough drying in half the time compared to either coast).  What I lack is a space with the right surface.  


When I finished off C's lace Icarus shawl, I pretended that wrapping it up for the postal service and unwrapping it 10 or so days later...well, if there was ANY moisture in there, it would be ruined. Right?  Therefore, no blocking on this side of the Atlantic!  It worked...C did a beautiful job of blocking.
It went from this to this:
Delicious!!


Today I graduate (because it is the month of graduations) to a "blocker."
Any moment now the doorbell will ring, and Emily (a fellow norskophile/knitter) from FedEx will have dropped the box at the front door with this:


And this:
and a few other little toys...


I will anxiously be knitting like a fiend on my lace tunic to have it ready for travel by May 25th.


Also, you can all hold your collective breaths while I work through some instructions in the pattern that don't add up stitch-wise.  I'm forging ahead, but I check daily at Vogue for possible corrections.


See you on the other side!

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