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Don’t you think that is what the beads on my fairy purse look like?  I’m calling it Drosophila in honor of all the little lab fruit flies whose shiny red eyes have stared up at me.  The beads aren’t actually that red, though - more irridescent - but I sure couldn’t capture that with the camera.

I started this years ago and got the bag part knit in a hurry then was stymied on how to handle the straps.  It’s a cutey, I have no idea what I’ll ever do with it (cell phones have eliminated the need for a nice girl to have change on hand for an emergency phone call), but it is fun to share. Susan Rainey’s recent Sunburst Bags were my inspiration to get it posted, combined with the serendipitous discovery of the unfinished mite as I was cleaning out a drawer. And with Susan’s suggestion to use the straps from her Beaded Amulet Bag pattern (free on her site), I now have ideas for the cording.

Another fun thing to share - my souvenir from my Toronto trip - Canadian hemp yarn.  It is Hemp for Knitting’s AllHemp6Lux.  I am thinking the most fun dishtowels ever.

And that is what makes my life so darned exciting.

Love,

Ellen

Dear Ellen,

It has been hot here…very hot for Colorado Springs. We’ve been in the mid-90s most of the week. So, I decided that at knitting group yesterday I would have to work on something that would evoke visions of crisp autumn air. I dragged out the project bag containing my efforts at Bernat’s Fitted Cardigan from brochure 530132, Get Smart. I call my version Autumn Glory because the colors of the yarn I’m using capture for me a golden sun-filled day with the leaves all in their colorful death throes glory. All I have left on it is the remainder of one sleeve, piecing and the neck and button bands. It is a bit fussy given that the striping pattern has you working with 4 balls of yarn, (and I did choose mohair to add to the fussiness — can you see the blue and green solid stripes amidst the variegated?). I think that is one reason it became a UFO. The other is that it got packed up for the move from my apartment in Norfolk to the house in Portsmouth about a year ago. I was content to leave it packed till I got here and got my organization plan in gear for my office. Then it was in plain sight…and it kept looking at me, shaking its head and making those little “tsk tsk” noises. I did get about 4 inches accomplished at knit group and it is in my active knitting basket, so I declare it is no longer a UFO, but now a WIP. It made me do it.

Speaking of group, we had a very good time Saturday. We all accomplished a lot given that we took over this corner of the coffee shop for about 6 hours! We are lucky to have venues that let us REALLY relax. The thing that caused the most stir was the fact that Anne started a crochet project…and with acrylic yarn at that! Those who have been with the group since its beginning were amazed as the Anne we know and love does NOT crochet or use acrylic. A banner day for her open-mindedness. The yarn she was using was the Berocco Comfort yarn, and I have to admit, I really liked the feel of it. How great for baby stuff! I brought some mint plants and cut mint to MJ. She in turn brought me the Teosinte pattern that I had left at group last week. A good trade.

I was there for about 4 1/2 of the 6 hours and worked on my Teosinte socks as well as the sleeve of the cardigan. (I had to frog about 2 inches — hadn’t paid attention to the striping, and though it’s subtle, I would have known. Love frogging mohair — especially that has been carried in a twist up the side!) I didn’t make the progress on Teosinte as I’d hoped while traveling. The problem of traveling with folks from work is that you actually do work during the flights! That’s okay, I’m at the heel gusset now. It’s an interesting one — not the one called for in the pattern, it’s one I’ve adapted from a Wendy Knits freebie.

The rest of the weekend has been quite enjoyable too. The dogs and I (of course) have taken several walks and counted many bunnies. I shot a few pictures this morning. The bunnie pattern is to sit up and take notice of us and then to freeze. If it thinks we’ll get close, it will then transition into a flattended crouch to try to pretend that it is really just a rock and nothing to which anyone should pay any mind. When you get to about 10 feet away they take off in a flash of bumping white tail speeding off into the distance.

I also got a box with some VERY lovely gifts . In it was hand spun Betsy Viola yarn in a gorgeous magenta and blue-grey colorway, the Harlot’s Things I Learned While Knitting book and a really great CD by Regina Spektor. I didn’t even know Regina Spektor. She’s awesome. I think my favorite song is probably “That Time” — so cheap and JUIcy! The gifts were for my belated birthday from my twin. I know she remembered the birthday, so I’m not upset the actual recognition came a few days later. In fact it rather extended my birthday enjoyment.

Dear Ellen,

I love your post regards the character of our country and how we are maturing. I think you nailed it.  And speaking of a person of color running for President.  I got to meet him this past week.  He came to our command to learn about defense of the homeland.  I got to be at the table for the briefing.  He shook everyone’s hands and looked you right in the eye when he did it.  While I like a stronger handshake, I imagine he’s been schooled in not clenching (and hurting) people’s hands as he campaigns.  He made it clear he was there as a Senator, learning more to be able to do his job better, though at the end when he thanked us and committed to continued support, he did acknowledge that if he were to get a promotion, the briefing and discussion would be very valuable.  He asked good questions…and made connections quickly and with solid relevance.  His reputation as a quick study seemed validated.  Finally, there was no flash and bang — and no sense of any political agenda.  He really seemed to care.  Seeing that Karl Rove is now advising McCain and the very positive impression I had of Obama in person, I am leaning very much in the latter’s direction.

I can see the light at the end of the unpacking tunnel. By the end of the weekend I think our place will look pretty darned good. I even allowed myself to take a bit of time last night to cast on for a pair of socks. I was very tired and watching Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, so I managed to confuse the increase and straight knit rows and had to rip out and start over. As a result, I only have a nub of a toe started, but it’s something on needles! (I only have one UFO at this point. A great cardigan on which I only have 1/2 a sleeve to knit and then the finishing. How is it that I stalled at that point? Oh, yeah, I moved from Norfolk to Portsmouth.) There’s not much there, but I now have something to just pick up when I have a few minutes. None of that browsing the patterns (or deciding to make one up), browsing the stash, settling on needle type, et al. I don’t know exactly what I’ll do with regard to stitch pattern after the toe, but I’ll make something up when I get there. And, by posting the picture of my progress, I can also show off my Celtic Swan hand-forged sterling silver needles!

We go to a barbecue with old friends this afternoon…and will head home early so Max isn’t traumatized by the fireworks. Ruby can hardly wait for them.

Love, Jan

Dear Ellen,

I’m so glad you had a chance to reconnect with Jeanne and that you posted some pictures from the trip. I know she enjoyed seeing you and it looks like the food was both tasty and fun! We do look a lot alike, don’t we?! As Jeanne looks pretty good for her years, that hopefully bodes well for us.

The last few weeks have really highlighted for me how truly important are the connections between family and friends. I feel like our knitting and this web site have helped us draw our connection closer and for that I’m very grateful. I’m also finding that when I knit for friends and family I feel more connected to them in the process. Knitting the shawl for Marie’s wedding was a labor of love and gave me lots of time to explore my feelings and hopes for her as she builds her life with Heidi. I was pleased to see Karen’s coverage of it at White Coat Knitter.

These links between us and the others about whom we care has certainly made it easier for me to deal with everything that has happened lately and has made me feel incredibly blessed with what I’ve been given — in terms of those I love and who love me, spiritually and even materially. Your thoughts about Joy mirrored mine — and are amplified as I think about the 19 year old Sailor we lost two weeks ago to meningitis and especially as I work through my god daughter Laura Mae’s death. The fact that we four (you, me, Marie and Karen) were able to toast her at Kramerbooks and then commit to finding all the joy we could possibly find in the wedding the next day did make it easier for me. I was able to make it to Massachusett’s to be there for Cheryl for the viewing and the funeral — so very sad, but such an enormous outpouring of sympathy and love from the community. She would have been 16 in a few weeks.

I am knitting a scarf and hat to warm Cheryl’s body and soul in one of the colors of Laura’s brilliant blue eyes. As I used Marie’s shawl to meditate on the joys of her future, am using this knitting to meditate on Laura Mae and what she gave us while she was part of this world. The yarn is “Kid Seta” by Madil and it is easy to imagine one is knitting a cloud. Cheryl is Catholic, I hope it will make her think of the heavens and give her some warmth.

From the funeral I headed out to Colorado Springs and due to many weather and operational delays had loads of airport knitting time. I finished the front of the Classic Silk Lace Top from the May-July 2007 issue of Cast On. It’s in Elann Callista, a very nice cotton, linen, viscose blend. I had previously finished the back, so now we just have to see how long it takes me to do the finishing.

If you look closely, you might make out the doggie prints from where Max immediately assumed I was spreading out a blanket on which he could sunbathe. I wouldn’t allow him to do that, so he and Ruby decided they would curl up in the mulch. I snuck this picture from a window after I went inside — had I gone outside to try to get a better angle they would have started bounding around the yard expecting me to throw something for them.

Spring has definitely made inroads into the Tidewater — my camellia is blooming beautifully, though it’s kind of wet and the flowers are browning quickly. Even so, they’re beautiful and they help me remember that all things renew in their own way.

Love, Jan

Hi…I mean, anyong haseyo,

It was fun to spend a week or so with another knitter. Jenny was working on washcloths (Kim’s mom is a teacher who wants to give washcloths to a group she is in, so she started a sweat shop of Kim and Jenny). Here Kim and Jenny kill time before having fish eat their feet.

I worked hard on Liz Nields’ Cabernet Ribs from Interweave Knits Winter 2006. I am calling it Kalbi because grilled ribs, or kalbi, are the specialty of Suwon, the town (of 1 million) where Jenny lives. I finished the back and am about halfway through the front. That k1p1 ribbing sure takes awhile. I have mastered purling in continental style, via combination knitting.

I saw inspiration for designs all over. Doesn’t this wall look like a cable pattern? And I thought that these colors and designs scream fair isle pullover. Let’s see if I act on that sometime.

Bye for now…I mean, annyonghi kyesayo,

Ellen