Monday, December 22, 2008

Update from America's Icebox

So uncool.
We have arrived safely in Minneapolis for some Family Holiday Funtimes, a place where it is currently -8 with a forecasted wind chill of -36 later tonight. Seriously. Well at least I'll have my fingerless Evangelines to keep me warm. Oh wait.
Evangelines in Prairie Goldenrod
The Specs:
Pattern: Evangelines
Yarn: Lamb's Pride Worsted in 'Prairie Goldenrod', i.e. the most amazing color in the history of the world.
Needles: Size 7 addi turbos.
Mods: None.
Since arriving, my brother and I have been trying to cook up schemes for making extra ca$h during the economic downturn. He suggested making batches of fingerless mitts as they seem so hobo-appropriate for these hard times.
Evangelines in Prairie Goldenrod
This is a special photoshoot as is is brought to you from my parents' greenhouse. During the much more prosperous 1970s, my parents presented the family with two options for an addition to our house: a pool or a greenhouse. You can imagine what the kids wanted, but for maybe the only time in our family history, my mom got what she wanted instead. Looking back this was such the better decision as it has brought so much joy to everyone.
Evangelines in Prairie Goldenrod

The drive here from Pennsylvania was truly special with a personal highlight being watching my husband take the Shokay Koolhaas I made him last year off his head at a Wisconsin rest stop and wipe the windshield with it. Yes, he rendered a hand knit into a rag. I informed him that for this infraction he would be taking me on a shopping spree at the Twin Cities LYS of my choice, which I am now plotting. Yes, he will pay. Happy Holidays everyone!

35 comments:

knithound brooklyn said...

Shokay as a rag???!!! Is he nutz?
You really deserve a big shopping spree after that sin.

Oh and you're right about the color of those Evangelines.

nicole said...

I actually gasped when I read how your hub violated the Koolhaas. He owes you BIG TIME!

As a deep North Canadian, I'm tempted to snicker at your -6, but that would be rude, wouldn't it? It's certainly cold enough to justify lovely handknit wearing (not that anyone needs justification to wear handknits). Love the goldenrod Evangelines!!

Have a great time! Joyeux Noël et bonne année!

Kerry said...

Wow! I love the way the variegated works with these mitts! It really adds some depth to the cables. Great choice!

Have fun on that shopping spree! You totally deserve it. ;-)

Anonymous said...

The mitts look loverly! I hope it warms up there so you can hit all of the LYS's! ALL OF THEM! Using a hat for a rag indeed!!!

Merry Christmas!

Sarah said...

Oh. My. I think my husband would have been left outside the car at said rest stop if he had done that. Be sure you get some very, very nice yarn on that shopping spree of yours!

peaknits said...

OMG, I laughed right out loud here in WI imagining the scene with your husband and the hat - hilarious - to a bystander of course. I love the hobo mitts idea - they are so nice, for fancy wall street hobos perhaps?

Veronique said...

*gasp*! Both about the cold and the Shokay abuse.

Michelle O said...

Yes. It is cold here. I ventured outside for the first time today a bit ago and I don't think I'll do that again for a while. Well, until I have to go to work tomorrow. Shucks!

Love the color of the Evangelines!

Alison said...

Hehe, enjoy your LYS shopping! Silly man.

Your pics make me wish I actually used the greenhouse attached to the rear of our home- shame on me, I know. It would be so neat to keep geraniums through the winter...

Take care & happy knitting!

ps- how long are you in town for?

a friend to knit with said...

i love the fact that your husband thought the koolhaas was "sturdy" enough to use! see. just another use of our knitting. (now go shop, young lady)

and glad your mother got that greenhouse! how cool that must have been.

Tiny Tyrant said...

Love the mitts.

My husband would totally do that too.

Perhaps that is the reason I haven't made him a hat yet. Hmmmm...

Sharon said...

Yeah, that's something my Alan would do, too. Enjoy your shopping spree!

My MIL will be in town on Wed. She's flying in from Minneapolis. I told Alan that I wasn't about to fly out there for the holidays. -36? I can't even imagine what that would feel like.

Sonya said...

Wiping the windshield with Koolhaas?! Right in front of you?! Your going to need one heck of a shopping spree. The greenhouse must be a wonderful respite from the weather. I get an ice cream headache every time I step outside.

Jodi said...

A greenhouse in Mpls? How lovely! Your new Evangelines are the most perfect, cheerful color.

I'm heading up to America's icebox on the 24th. It has reached a balmy degrees here in Chicago today, after we spent the weekend well below zero. Brrr...

Which yarn store will you hit? I usually go to Needlework Unlimited while I'm home, since it's near my parents' house.

Janet said...

Oh, for goodness sakes -- he DID NOT use his Koolhaas as a rag!!!!!!

The Evangelines are Be-autiful! I have to agree that it may be the most amazing color in the history of the world. Nicely done!

I cannot believe that you drove to Minneapolis from PA. I am driving to Detroit with the fam, and I thought I deserved a metal!

Anonymous said...

I love reading your blog. It's always so enlightening and entertaining.
Men! sometimes you gotta wonder.
Have fun at your shopping spree!
Happy Holidays to you and your family.

Anonymous said...

Love the Evangelines. That is some serious cold! Stay warm and enjoy your spree!

weezalana said...

*gasp* I... og... as a rag... *sputter* I can't comprehend...

Gorgeous Evangelines!

Sarah said...

Welcome to the arctic circle! We welcome you. Yeah, you're going to need something a little warmer than the Evenagelines (though they are lovely). To help with making your husband pay (Seriously!? What was he thinking?), I recommend m y favority LYSs - The Yarnery and Borealis, both in St. Paul and within easy driving distance of eachother. Have fun!!!

James said...

You knit with the golden tones I dream about wearing, but which make me appear diseased. Alas. And btw, IT'S COLD. For real.

Anonymous said...

I would add Needlework Unlimited in south Minneapolis (near 44th & France) as a potential destination. It's a LLYS (Large Local Yarn Store).

Orinda5 said...

Welcome to town! It's been great weather for woolies around here lately.

Love the mits! I've been wearing mine around, but my fingertips are getting cold and dreaming of thrums.

My go to LYS choices are Needlework Unlimited and Borealis - one near home and one near work. ;)

Christine said...

Oh no he didn't! And knit in Shokay??? I hope you gave him a guilt trip on that, too.

Have fun on your S.E.X. at the LYS--remember, his stuff can go on the roof of the car to make room for your lovely yarns in the trunk.

Stacey said...

You are so right - that color is AMAZING! I have wanted a greenhouse for a couple of years now. It seems like such a great escape from the long, blah New England winters!

Anonymous said...

Non, vraiment. Ne nous gênons pas. Oh, au fait, l'I-phone a le format idéal et juste la bonne prise en mains pour grattouiller la glace sur le pare-brise le matin. Just sayin'.

Cheers and happy holidays !

Jess said...

My hubby recently decided that his alpaca mittens I made him would be better used to blow his nose into than warm his hands.

Enjoy your shopping spree!

spajonas said...

oh god! koolhaas as windshield wiper?! that's crazy. and that is so cold too! -8 outside and 60 inside? yikes.

Anonymous said...

Oooohhhh is it ever cold there!!! Those are gorgeous evangelines! Happy holidays to you!

Courtney said...

Which TCLYS will you choose? I'm about to call Needlework Unlimited to see if they are open today for a little pre-Chirstmas fix. Enjoy your time in the icebox.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful mitts - gorgeous yarn and nice job on them. I'm speechless about your husband using the hat.

kaetrn said...

handknits as a rag?!?! the horror! enjoy the shopping spree! and i love the evangeline yellow gloves with the pink shirt, like a sunset!

Angelika said...

I love the goldenrod color and the idea of selling gloves has crossed my mind before too. Make your husband pay for the yarn you used on the hat, but choose a silk or cashmere yarn instead, something really nice and expensive. That will make him think twice, before he does that again.

Unknown said...

Lovely mitts! Love the color.

Jessica said...

My boyfriend constantly refers to me as a hobo when I wear my fetchings! Too funny! Hope you are thawing out by now.

Lazuli said...

He used his handknit hat as a rag?!?! For shame!