Did I mention that the Regia sock 2 is much more ladder-free than sock 1? I think I really was holding my needles wrong all this time. I also did a pretty good job of matching up the starting point of sock 2 to that of sock 1 so the stripes match almost exactly on both. I seriously considered making them NOT match, because not matching entertains me, but then I thought it would be interesting to see how close I could get. The only place where a difference can be seen is the heel -- at that point it is obvious there is one row off. I'm 2/3 done with sock 2. I'd like to have them done by bedtime because I'm going to a party tomorrow and wish to wear them. Luckily, my sweetie-pie husband got me The Scorpion King on DVD for Christmas. I can't remember -- does The Rock bite the head off a scorpion in this movie, too, or is that only in The Mummy Returns?

Merry Day After Christmas!

My Silk City Gummy came today. This is the first ribbon yarn I've had, and I admit I was a little hesitant. I had this idea that I would be expected to keep the ribbon flat while working. Before I ordered it, I dug out the issue of Interweave Knits with the article on ribbon yarn by Shirley Paden (who I greatly admire), and read to get a professional opinion. Shirley Paden's professional opinion is that twisting is fine. Hot damn!

Gummy is lace weight: sometime soon half of this batch will be a Pacific Northwest Shawl for my sister-in-law (who doesn't know about this blog.) "Splash" turned out to be more blue than green, and it is a little bluer on one side of the ribbon, and a little greener on the other. I think it is going to work up beautifully. I want to swatch it RIGHT NOW, but I'm making such good progress on the Knotty-but-Nice AV pullover that I hate to put it down.

We went ahead and took off for the movies about 11am Christmas Eve to see The Two Towers. The weather was clear, but forecasts were ominous. When we left the theater, there was already a couple inches of snow on the ground and the sky was POURING snow. The trip home, which would usually take about 50 minutes, took an hour and 45 minutes. Why did we do that? Are we CRAZY?

The movie was AWESOME. It was wonderful, cool, spectacular, fabulous, amazing, thrilling, exciting, uh, cool, uh, hold on, I need a thesaurus...It was magnificent, superb, breathtaking, fantastic, electrifying.... Really, I could go on and on.

Knotty, knotty yarn....

I have 20 balls of Adrienne Vittadini Trina with which I am making the Fall 2002 Vogue Knitting AV pullover (I think it is design #25). Of the 12 I have opened so far, 5 (that is 5!!) have had knots in them. That seems like a lot to me. It is a shame because I really like this yarn. It is 55% merino, 35% microfiber and 10% cashmere, VERY soft with that nice, subtle, microfiber gleam. It retails for just under $8 a ball. I won this kit at Stitches Midwest and the balls were packaged in bags when I got them, so I really think this knot thing is just the luck of the draw. Trina is heavy worsted and the fabric it makes is gushy and warm and feels wonderful against my skin. I am SO looking forward to having this sweater to wear. At 18 sts/ inch, it is working up fast, too. I now have the front, one sleeve, and almost 1/2 the back done.

Since I returned to the AV pullover tonight, I packed my remaining stripey Regia sock and yellow WoolEase glove into a bag. I thought they would be both be easy things to work on while visiting for Christmas. I wrapped the last present tonight -- the cabled socks I made for mother out of cinnamon-colored Mission Falls 1824. They were last because I still had not woven in my ends! I hope she likes them -- they should at least be very warm.

Another good round of Stargate episodes tonight. The one about the harmonic plants was particularly interesting. I really knew the green goo was an important clue, but for a while I was really taken with the idea that the planet’s inhabitants were being poisoned by the anger and hostility that Jackson and O’Neal were generating between them. I am a little tired of the Child In Crisis storyline. What does this make now, three? I’m starting to feel manipulated. Does this make me sound mean? Of course these poor children make me feel sad, but is this the only way these writers know to make me feel sad? Or is this the only way they can think of to develop their character’s “softer” sides?

I’m going to see The Two Towers tomorrow if it doesn’t pour down snow. Just say NO to a white Christmas Eve! (It can snow at night.) 8-)

Long, long ago (three years?) when I first started knitting on double-pointed needles, I read somewhere on the wonderful World Wide Web how to avoid ladders in the work at the needle joins. The key was in the position of the needles: which was on top and which was on bottom. It worked beautifully and I never had a ladder until, earlier this year, I suddenly started seeing ladders in my socks. I couldn't figure it out. I could not understand why I should have ladders after years without them.

Now, tonight, as I sat here knitting on the toe of Regia sock 2, I took a really good look at it. I think I've been holding my needles wrong! Somehow, somewhere, I had switched back my needle position and had Never Noticed. My mind is boggled by this. How did this happen? Did my cranial computer have a power failure, and then lose info when it rebooted? I'm sure I had that data saved.

As I mentioned, I finished sock 1 and began sock 2 today. Since I'm doing these socks toe up, I was worried about my bind-off. I ALWAYS bind off too tight and I particularly wanted this leg edge to be loose so it would fit comfortably. I got out my Book of Knowledge (Vogue Knitting) and selected the “knit two purl two bind off,” which I had seen done but never tried myself. It worked! I thought as I started that it had so many steps I would never get it memorized, but towards the end I found I was no longer looking at the book.

My elbow is feeling better, so I hope to resume work on the AV pullover soon. I also have a yellow glove to finish. I’m just not interested in working on gloves when I don’t need them. It is so foolish because, as soon as it gets really cold, I will want my new gloves RIGHT NOW.

I just passed the heel on Regia sock 1. I used OzYarn’s No Wrap Short Row Heel which is now my new favorite. These stripes are so pretty: bands of purple alternate with bands of lime, true blue, teal, and lilac.

Here are my reviews of last night's Movie Rentals:
The Importance of Being Earnest -- WONDERFUL music. Was it a musical? No.
The Cat's Meow -- This was a far more interesting movie. It is supposed to be based on a true story but confesses immediately that no one knows the truth. Was studio head Thomas Ince murdered by William Randolph Hearst during a 1924 pleasure cruise on Heart's yacht? If so, how? Why? No one knows the true nature or location of Ince's death, or the exact events that took place on the yacht or even who exactly was on board. Provocative, no? The story as it is portrayed here, however, is no mystery. Events lead to an obvious conclusion: the character bits are really what draw you into the movie. William Randolph Hearst is compelling and strangely pitiable, his mistress, Marion Davies, is spunky and sympathetic, and Thomas Ince is so desperately sleazy that, although he seems Karmicly responsible for his own death, I felt a little sorry for him. All the actors were great, but Eddie Izzard is a bit of a revelation here. I’ve never thought of him as sexy, given that I’ve seen him most often in higher heels and more makeup than I’d ever wear, but his Chaplin is pretty hot. And I’ve never really thought of Chaplin as sexy, either.

Three days of folding notices and stuffing them into envelopes at work has left me with an aggravated elbow, so I have laid aside the AV pullover in favor of something lighter. Tonight I cast on socks with the Regia Mini Ringel blue/purple/green that I bought on the Election Day Shopping Spree. I thought it would be fun to make socks on the little short Bryspuns I bought for glovemaking, and it IS. (But, really, when in making socks NOT fun?) I only hope the fabric isn't too loose. The smallest size I have is #3, which is still within the use parameters of Regia. Since I'm a tight knitter, I thought it would be okay. Fingers crossed as best as I can with knitting in my hands.

Ordered my Sisik today! Called Woodland Woolworks on lunch break and ordered that and one of this past year's issues of Rowan -- the one with the charcoal cardigan with intarsia flower trim. Last night I ordered a cone of Silk City Gummy ribbon lace yarn. The color is "Splash" -- a turquoise type color. I hope it's pretty. I bought the yarn to make a shawl as a gift. There should be plenty on the cone for at least two and maybe three, so, shawls for ME, too.

Got two movies to watch tonight while going 'round and 'round with Regia: Cat's Meow and The Importance of Being Earnest. I've been particularly looking forward to the latter. I liked the play when I read it in school and I LOVE Colin Firth. Should I mention one on-line critic characterized his performance in this movie as "constipated?"

In honor of the Slayer (If the First Evil can only take the form of those who are dead, why can it appear as Buffy?) here is an excerpt from one of my all-time favorite books:

He should be able to knock [the last chapter] off in an hour or two, and that would leave the early morning for proofing and final corrections, which need not be too extensive. Some post-teen English major enslaved to the publisher to proof copy could go through and make sure that Runewind's horse was not black on one page and brown on another. Really, he didn't know why they bothered. The demented fans who read the series had hours of fun devising plausible explanations for his sloppiest screwups. They would churn out endless articles in their unreadable mimeographed excrescences trying to explain why Runewind's sword changed lengths or why his mother was known by two different names. So far, the two likeliest explanations -- apathy and Chivas Regal -- had not been suggested.

-- Bimbos of the Death Sun by Sharyn McCrumb

I caught myself doing this -- rationalizing the irrational -- when I was reminded of this passage. All Sci Fi fans should read this book. It is hilarious and kind of painful -- like the truth. The sequel, Zombies of the Gene Pool, is also wonderful, but it’s a little different kind of book.

Okay, so when they said "apprentice" they really meant it. They were Slayers who hadn't been called yet. This makes a certain amount of sense, if you've come to terms with the fact that the Rulers of the Buffyverse can't seem to firmly get a grip on their doctrine regarding a Slayer's life before she's called. (For instance, Kendra's parents gave her to her Watcher to be trained from the first moments of her life which suggests that everyone knew she was one of the Chosen. However, another chosen one, Faith, seems to have been totally ignored by the Council until she was called. She was raised by a neglectful, drunken mother and evidence indicates she was abused and sexually exploited.)

Giles is back and yet the question remains: Giles, alive or dead? There is a faction falling behind the belief that he IS dead and his appearance is a manifestation of the First Evil. I've decided to take the opposing view, but how exactly did he duck that huge axe thing that swung at his head?

I've cast on for the back of the AV pullover. Yeah!

Brand new Buffy tonight. According to the television listings, Giles is returning to Sunnydale with THREE apprentice Slayers. Ever since this was posted the question has been: THREE? How did we get three? It was easy to calculate two. Buffy died at the end of Season 5, and that would have called another Slayer; then she flatlined from a gunshot wound at the end of Season 6 which MIGHT have called another Slayer, but three? There are theories but we’ll know the truth by 8 o’clock.

I was off row gauge on the AV pullover in the most irritating way. I had perfect gauge according to the ball band, 16 sts and 22 rows, but the pattern gauge was 16 sts and 24 rows. This pattern was produced by Adrienne Vittadini for use with this yarn. How come the discrepancy? Now, I have a problem with the shoulder.

This sweater is a raglan, all stockinette, except that, at the bend where the arm becomes the shoulder, a beautiful wide cable pattern begins and goes over the shoulder and up the side of the neck. So, because of my gauge problem, the right length to match the front and back will end up cutting me short 2 rows of cable pattern. Of course, the two rows are cabling rows and critical to the look of the piece. I have three options: just not do them and live with it looking bad, rip back and start the cable two rows earlier, or go ahead and do the two extra rows and just work the extra fullness into the seam. I think, if the discrepancy were any more I would go with second option, but, as it is, I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with the third.

On a happier note: Stargate is back! After two weeks of absence I can once again enjoy Stargate SG:1 Monday. Four whole episodes in a row, Whoo Hoo! Last night's selection was wonderful. Shapeshifters are so cool. And I was tickled to see a show with a Native American theme that didn't wallow in cliché. Was I the only person having MacGyver flashbacks when Colonel O'Neal was building the Super Energy Device?

I just looked over my page. You'd never guess I proof this stuff before I post it, would you? I need an editor.

I am SUCH a Good Girl. Last night, for the first time in my knitting career, I finished something and seamed it RIGHT AWAY. It was a hat, but still.... So, all the Charcoal WoolEase Christmas Gift hat needs now is its tassels. I wish this book (Vogue Knitting on the GO! ) was a little more specific about their finishing techniques. I'm Winging It!

It would be soooooooo nice to have the Adrienne Vittadini pullover done to wear at Christmas. Wouldn't it? I would particularly like to get it done before I lose any more weight. However, this coming week I have: a Christmas lunch at the Country Club Tuesday, a Christmas dinner out with officemates hosted by my boss Wednesday, and the County's actual employee Christmas party lunch Thursday. Am I going to lose any more weight this week? Seems unlikely.

Is it Nirvana who has the album New Miserable Experience? I had a root canal three weeks ago and today went to have the permanent filling put in and get fitted for my crown. I think if I had had more time in the waiting room to knit I would have been more relaxed, but I only got 2 rows done.

On a happier note, my eBay yarn came yesterday. The seller described this yarn as "Heather Green" and posted a picture that did not look green AT ALL, so I knew I was gambling when I bought it (for about $1.30 per 50gm ball.) I think I would describe it as Olive, heavy on the brown tones. It's not too bad, though. Very soft. So, last night I spent a happy couple of hours with my knitting books and mags playing, "What does this yarn want to be?" I think it has a lot of potential as the green-on-green fair-isle trimmed Aran pullover in the Fall Vogue. I loved this sweater when I first saw it. They designed it with Baabaajoes 8-ply, which is DK. This yarn is on the light side of worsted so I think it may work.

However, it will have to wait. I must finish: my yellow WoolEase gloves, my charcoal WoolEase Christmas present hat, the palest possible green Adrienne Vittidini raglan with cable trim pullover, and the mock-turtle Homespun pullover in the color "Antique" (aka very dark pink. Cerise?) And, after all that is done, the last cold-weather thing I make will be the Dale Sisik Aberdeen cardigan. Then on to spring and summer.

I just cast on 120 stitches to start a new project, wheee! Alas, I'm not done with all my gloves yet. Have the last finger and thumb to do on #2 of the Dale pair, and have just reached the fingers on #1 of another pair, this one WoolEase. This WoolEase pair is from a lone ball of Butterscotch from my stash that, luckily, coordinates with one shade of stripes on my new Kureyon scarf. However, I'm getting a little bored with the gloves and so, for a little excitement, I thought I'd start a hat to give as Christmas gift. How long till Christmas? Two weeks? Oh, that's LOTS of time.

So, what color Sisik should I buy? The nature of this sweater is that it is a light color with dark accents. It is shown in the pattern book with Olive on Pewter, and Navy on Curry. At this time, Sisik appears to only come in three light colors: Pewter, Curry and Camel. Of those, I think Pewter is the best choice for my green-eyed, pale and freckley, golden blonde coloring, plus it's the one I like best. Should I go for the Olive with it then, or choose Navy for trim. How about purple? (They call it Aubergine.) Such tough decisions.

It's Tuesday but no Buffy party tonight. ANOTHER rerun. And tomorrow I have to go back to work. My last vacations days are gone and I all did is, uh, oh yeah, GLOVES.

Are there words to describe how much I love Dale of Norway? I love their yarns and I LOVE their patterns. I just bought the Dale Sisik book #116 because I want to make "Aberdeen." I had considered substituting yarns, but now that I see the close-up photos, my heart longs for Sisik. Is it tweed or is it flecked? Either way, it's beautiful.

I'm becoming a yarn snob. The more nice yarn I have, the more I want. I never thought I would become the sort of person who would drop big bucks on yarn with no project in mind, but witness my stash. 20 balls of stoplight red merino DK: no clue what to with it. Ditto the 20 hanks of tweedy green Rowan Chunky. And I just HAD to have that hank of black alpaca fingering even though it's only 900 yds and what can you do with 90 yds of fingering weight alpaca? It's not enough for a shawl and too much for anything else.

Here's my Blog. Hopefully, it will improve as time goes by. The main focus here will be knitting with occasional forays into things like my Sci Fi TV addiction, how I'm a thwarted movie critic, and how I spend large blocks of my time reading trashy fiction.

To begin today, in the category of knitting: GLOVES. I'm working on glove 2 of a set made from super-soft and machine washable Dale Baby Wool. For some reason, most glove patterns are written so that the knitter works the index finger first, then down the line to the little finger. Then, THEY DON'T FIT RIGHT. So why do they do it? I think it's just because they ALWAYS HAVE. Happens all the time. So, I say, do the little finger first. Then, work a couple more rounds on the remaining finger stitches and do the next three fingers. Works better, fits right.

Since it's Sunday, a short Sci Fi note. How come Andromeda makes no sense? This show has everything going for it: Neat ship, yummy guys, and kick-ass girls who get to wear cool clothes. But the stories make no sense. 20 minutes into every episode, I'm saying, HUH? I don't think it's just me.