This lovely piece of work on the right is not mine. It belonged to Another Shopgirl, who used to be my upstairs neighbor. I inherited it from her when she moved to NYC.

We are different sizes (I must have 80 pounds on her!), so there was no hope of me completing the project. So, what to do? Salvage what I could and add it to the stash! Hooray! More yarn! Thanks, Ann.

This past weekend I started working with it on my first stranded knitting. Just two colors, the gray and white. Man, is it hard. As someone who’s never had gauge problems, I finally get it. I’ll finish knitting it tonight and will futz with it this weekend. I’m hoping some fine-tuning by tugging at floats and aggressive blocking will help solve the diversity of stitch heights.

Famous last words?

My favorite Threadless t-shirt was just reprinted (and on sale!). I can’t go into detail as to why, but it involves a former coworker who loved butterflies and inspired a certain feeling in those around her. Coincidentally, at dinner on Saturday, I said if they ever re-released it, I’d never have to buy another shirt from them… guess I’m done!

If you’ve ever wanted one of these AWESOME shirts (and there are some sheep and knitting ones), it’s a $10 sale until Sept. 3.

During a visit home for a friend’s memorial two weeks ago, the thick, humid night reminded me of everything I left behind six years ago. My sweating pores, inscribed with a history of East coast summers, felt eerily at home among friends from my past, in a city that I love as memories collided with my present.

I wrote that around this time of year, in 2002. I’m now older than Sara was she passed away. YouTube wasn’t around then, but luckily, the most touching part of the night was recorded.

Watch to the end of the song, to hear the additional lyrics Brendan wrote to Sara’s song. If you’ve ever lost friend, this may resonnate with you. I can’t believe it’s been five years… you’ll stay with me forever, Sara.

Now I am missing you so much
Now I feel like I’ve lost everything I’ve ever had
Now I am happier for knowing you
And sadder than I’ve been in my whole life
Now I wish that we could be dreaming our superstar dreams
And talking about the haircuts on the TV screen
I’d make you laugh and you’d make me happy
Now I have to close my eyes just to see you again
Now I was so proud just to be your friend
And We’ll be together again my friend
Its just a moment in time

… in a good way!

If you like blue;

and,

if you like sock yarn;

and,

if you like German things,

you’d better hurry up and go read Bockstarkknits to get in on her first “Taste of Germany” sampling.

I’m feeling pulled in may directions by my knitting. On the precipice of feeling scattered-brained and wanting to start three new projects. Torn between design, production, gifting and being selfish.

I have three active-ish socks, a truckload of yarn to photograph for Ravelry and re-organize by weight, new yarn sitting at work awaiting my first issue of IK that I’m buying tomorrow night, Cat’s new book (who’s two baby socks samples I’ve already knit) begging to be begun in earnest, the imminent arrival of BMFA sock club shipment, as well as Scout’s. And I still haven’t sent my sister her package of socks, Knitty Gritty half-done bag to finish, and her xmas presents.

On top of all that good friend at work is leaving to focus on his art career who deserves this (and for which I’ll have to buy a US3 circular. Dear friends (her blog, not his) just had their second son (BSJ in STR? need another circular US3). Luckily they are both easy knits, and only Brancusi 2.0 is competing for my immediate attention (about to start on the heel flap).

If anyone would like to win the lottery and sponsor my life so I can devote more time to knitting, I’d greatly appreciate it. Working 9-11 hours a day really cramps my style.

So, it’s been over two weeks since I received this fabulous present in the mail from the even-more fabulous Scout. Part of me was shy about posting this, as not to mix my business life with my knitting life. But I trust you all. Now you you know where I work. Don’t get me fired (or Dooced!)

She’s done it again… surprising me with her color sense, her dye talent and her generousity. I’m so lucky to know her, even though we’ve yet to meet in person. Did you hear her on Sticks and String? She mentions on her blog that she also just recorded an interview with another popular podcast that involves citrus fruits and flowers (airdate TBD).

Sorry for the blog silence here of late. It’s extended to emails, blog reading and general socialbility. The injury (which is feeling better, thank you), combined with too many hours at work has drained me of any will to write. Oh, and I discovered LOST (through seasons 1 & 2, dabbling on online streaming season 3 episodes).

I have been a-knitting, so more is forthcoming: EZ BSJ, son of Brancusi and Cat Bordhi’s INSANE new book. But for now, thank you, Miss Scout: for thinking of me, for sharing your gift with the world at large, and for being my friend.

I’m really Stephen, but play along for the sake of the title.

Last week a skein of Adam’s Yarn Nerd 900MHz sock yarn in Ting! arrived chez me. Blue, orange, steel gray… what’s not to love?

I love his company name so much, I’d proudly wear some swag. In the meantime, I’ll have to settle for this t-shirt:

Sorry for not mentioning the pattern, Vinnland from The Anti-Craft. So simple you can knit an extra repeat (see ripped bits on right).

Yarn: CPY’s Panda Wool, bamboo and wool blend.
Needles: I mixed it up here, casting on with 2.5mm at the toe, switching to 2.25mm for the sole and finishing with 2.25mm for the entire cuff.

I’m not the biggest comic fan, but should this colorway be named after Dr. Bruce Banner’s alter-ego’s wardrobe instead of Violets?

I just finished weaving in the ends of these this weekend. Such a speedy and simple knit. I really loved this pattern. It took a smidge more than a week (with a few days of vacation) to pound these socks out.

It was my first time using Crystal Palace Yarns Panda Wool, bamboo and wool blend. It’s also a joy. I’ll be knitting with yarn again soon, were it not that I had so much more sock yarn. (Damn you, Ravelry, for making me face my stash!) I’d go so far as to say it’s my favorite commercially-produced sock yarn.

As is, they are a little tight on me, so I think my sister may be getting them. She’s butch like that green guy who wears purple.

I got to spend the other night knitting and chatting with the woman attached to these famous feet. Perhaps you’ve heard of her?

We got along like old friends, picking up where we left off the first/last/only time we met for 20 minutes or so back in December chez Knitty Gritty. I’d hang out with this lady whenever given the chance. I’ve always wanted to go to Toronto. She’s a hoot, a holler and a handbag all in one!

It was my first time to visit my new favorite South Bay LYS, Purlescence. I’d met co-owner Nathania at Sock Camp back in April. Like her, her partners in crime all happen to be published on Knitty, Sandi (of Spanish Dancer fame) and Chloe Sparkle (of Twinkle Toes infamy, no relation to Janie Sparkles). The welcomed me warmly, with open arms, and sent me home with a couple hundred yards of Colinette Jitterbug and Amy‘s book.

In addition to seeing Nathania, it was a reunion for one of my mom’s and my super-duper dinner dates from camp, Debbie! I hope it’s not another 3+ months before the next time we hang out. (It shouldn’t be. She’s going to be up in the city next week for an ASL interpreter’s conference.)

Now if only every weekend started out with this kind of laughter and late night-knitting with the girls and (lest we not forget) some handsome fellows (whose blogs I do not know)!