Thursday, June 18, 2009

T is for Traveling


My fave new t-shirt
Man alive my life has been consumed by work-related travel as of late, and there are no signs of it letting up. Not that I'm complaining mind you (although my brother is FURIOUS that I have somehow managed Northwest Silver Elite status and am having my ass upgraded left and right. Sorry sucka!!!), but the traveling is a. hard on the digestion (because I seem to eat corn at every meal) and b. despite airplane knitting, not so great for the craft that keeps this blog going. I have finished one paltry item since last posting, and believe me, it ain't that impressive in the whole grand scheme of things. N.B: The t-shirt above is brought to you courtesy of the Human Rights Campaign shop in Dupont Circle, Washington DC.
Textured Shawl Recipe
Specs
Pattern: Textured Shawl Recipe by Orlane
Yarn: Malabrigo Silky Merino, two skeins of Smoke
Needles: Size 8
Time: A week or two, off and on.
Textured Shawl Recipe
This is a great concept--I only wish that mine had turned out to be like 2.5 times bigger. After blocking it's still a smallish triangle, which is fine, it's just that I have more than a few shawls this size. I suppose the answer is to wear it as a scarf and forget that it has 'shawl' in the title. Once again the Malabrigo Silky Merino is a giant winner of a yarn--the color and sheen are stupendous.
Textured Shawl Recipe
Unfortunately the junior crew will not be making blog appearances for the next month or so--they are visiting their dad, step-mom and baby sister in NYC and are thus unavailable. This makes me sad but also frees up the day for extended cocktail hours, insures that my life will be 100% Twilight free and means that I can listen to Lady GaGa without anyone telling me to turn it down. Also, it means that I get to make the Curmudgeon model my garments--this fact alone might make me finish what I have in my queue.

While in Louisville I stopped by one of my fave LYSs around, the Knit Nook. I love that shop and the friendly ladies who knit there. I bought the pattern for Rusted Root and more balls of Calmer (to add to the ones I bought there last year ) and am now on my way and am almost ready to divide for the sleeves. Fun pattern! Love that lace panel! While there a Louisville author stopped by to work on a sock--can you guess who it might have been? [Hint: the title of this post.]


Above you see an in-progress Amtrak shot, a train ride that held many surprises, including the joy of knitting in the Quiet Car (sshh!! no talking or cell phones, please) and sitting across from an Amish boy reading a book about bullets. As I joked on Twitter, that must be like Amish porn--so forbidden.

I am hoping to finish Rusted Root and the Diminishing Ribs cardigan before my next slate of travels begins next week, as I don't really fancy lugging sweater-quantity batches of yarn around in my suitcase. Not that it matters to a Silver Elite traveler, as I check my luggage for free:) Brucie that comment is just for you...

26 comments:

sophanne said...

Is the quiet car for silver elite only? Not that I'll be able to use it next week but maybe in August.

Kirsten said...

Silver Elite status is pretty sweet.
Thanks for the t shirt link. I just ordered one.

YawnOver said...

Love the t-shirt. Enjoy your mommy-free status while you can - it'll be over before you know it ;)

melissa said...

you're pretty awesome, lady. i'm off to buy that shirt!

Funessa said...

Your kids are telling you to turn the music DOWN? The rule in our house is, If it's too loud, you're too old!

Love that shirt!

Beverly said...

Very cool shirt. I"m off to check out the link!

Sarah said...

Your t-shirt is awesome, as is the shawl (shawlette?). I still have not experienced the pleasure of silky merino. I think I'm always afraid to buy it because I know I'll get it home and think it's not worthy for anything, meaning it'll go used. Yeah, I have to get over that, I think.

sophie said...

ooooh, the 'shawlette' is very very pretty. Love the stitch details and the colors!
The curmudgeon will be modeling ? I'll keep my eyes peeled ;-)
Cheers !

Knittymuggins said...

Lovely shawl! And enjoy that Lady GaGa sans junior crew - you deserve it ;) Margaritas help too!

knittymuggins

Angela said...

Rusted Root may be happening here soon, too. Love the shawl/scarf--looks lovely! I'm gonna guess the author was Sue Grafton...though I'm too lazy to Google her to find out if she is from Louisville.

nicole said...

I'm with you on Prince, Tori, REM and all things Morrissey. But Lady GaGa? Love the persona, not sure about the music. (Poker face? Howsabout hot pokers piercing my eardrums so I don't ever have to hear it again!)

One thing I DO love is that shawl! But like you, I'd want a gargantuan Malabrigo bear hug instead of a little shoulder squeeze. The colour of yours is SO freaking pretty!

And that t-shirt is priceless.

Anonymous said...

T-shirt is awesome!

I like the shawlette. Most of mine end up being that size because I get sick of knitting and say screw it and bind off.

I lose my son for a week each summer and it is very bittersweet. Love the freedom, but I ache for him.

Kim said...

The Quiet Car is da bomb. Last time I went to DC I was in the quiet car. Your scarf/shawl is lovely. That's an awesome colorway. Like a dove.

Happy travels.

Heather said...

Your shawl is lovley. I have to have the t-shirt. It rocks. Thanks for the link.

I relish the extended cocktail hour for the uninterrupted conversation. Time well spent with your loved one. Cheers!

weezalana said...

Fab scarf!

Silver Elite Status, LOL! Sounds like Double Secret Probation. But probably a lot more fun.

Becky Holmes said...

Welcome back! I really missed you! Don't stay away so long next time, even if you have no new knitting content. We'll happily hear you blather on about anything.

Sonya said...

Sue Grafton is a knitter!? Who'da thunk it. I haven't read her last couple; I'll have to read them now. The textured shawl is lovely. I never cease to be amazed at the beauty of Malabrigo.

marnie said...

Lovely shawl. Love the T too! No sullen teenagers... oh wait may be that's just mine... I'd be dancing!!

Joan said...

I see Sonya has beaten me to the punch... So is Kinsey Millhone going to pick up the needles in "U" is for Unraveling?

a friend to knit with said...

a whole month to knit and play music and have cocktails and knit and have cocktails and work and knit and have cocktails. wow. i must say..... that sounds divine!

earthchick said...

Oh, the shawl is GORGEOUS. you did a fab job, per usual. I have yet to knit with the Silky Merino, if you can believe it. Must rectify that soon.

Any chance your ex would like to host a pair of five year-old boys for the next month as well? Because I have to say, your child-free month sounds delish to me!

nova said...

I think the SCARF (or shawlette, if you like) is pretty remarkable. But then, my benchmark for remarkable is pretty low in comparison to others, I am told. Happy travels, you Silver Elite traveler, you.

tiennie said...

That shawl is gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Thanks for stopping by! We always enjoy it and will miss you next year when your grading is in Cincinatti!

AllyB said...

Shawl - beautiful! T-shirt - awesome!

Rima said...

Your shawl is beautiful! Great color!

Rima
www.yarnydays.com