cosmicpluto knits!

saturday morning coffee

I really can’t handle the caffeine from coffee or tea (boooooo) so I’ve just not been drinking them. Then I realized that do have some nice decaf beans! Hurrah! Made some strong espresso in the mokapot and having it in my favourite mug from Anthropologie.

Starting a new swatch, too – Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock in Douglas Fir.

good-bye 2009, hello 2010!

Well, I’m not going to start 2010 with a clean knitting slate, that’s for sure, although the hat above is off the needles! It’s just a simple chunky beret out of yarn that I bought at Maryland this year – Solitude heavy worsted. It’s gorgeous (and a lot heavier than what I’d consider a heavy worsted!).

2009 had its ups and downs for me, of course, but all the travel I did this year was definitely new and exciting! Back on my big trip in January, February and March, I went to Tokyo, Kyoto, Shanghai, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Chennai, Delhi, Agra, a few other towns in India, and Scotland as well. If I had to pick, I think I enjoyed Japan the most. I’d love to go back.

In May I went to the Maryland Sheep and Wool for the first time, and in June I attended TNNA in Ohio as a designer! In July I went to Hawaii for vacation with my family (and came back with lots of coffee).

In October I went to Boston, and Rhinebeck – always one of my favourite events of the year. I already can’t wait for the next one. And in the midst of all this, I moved to my own apartment and managed to knit just a bit too!

Many thanks to all of you who’ve bought my patterns or book (hopefully both!), chatted with me at events or on twitter, and everyone who reads this blog! I couldn’t have had such a nice year without you.

Happy New Year – let’s make 2010 a good one.

a PSA

I got back from Boston and Rhinebeck today (which was a blast by the way).

I’m usually good about new stuff and reciepts and all that, but I got caught with undeclared stuff after a thorough search. I had to deal with a jerk of a customs officer and now I’m on a blacklist where I’ll be searched coming into the country for the next 7 years (or maybe more).

Don’t do what I did.

I’m gonna go have a drink.

snippets

I decided to knit up ysolda’s snapdragon tam while I was editing the pattern – fun! I finished it in about 24 hours, but still haven’t blocked it (which it really needs). When the cooler weather arrives I’m sure I’ll be a little more motivated!

There’s a certain fibre event coming up next month, that starts with the letter “R”. People knit new things for it. I have blue Koigu on the needles. Now, I’m not saying that these three things are related, but you never know.

Thanks for all the well wishes; I’m feeling much better after a couple days hibernating and a LOT of sleep. And oatmeal raisin cookies!

a return to the needles

Thanks for all the sweet concerned comments! Luckily I didn’t have too bad a reaction, took some Advil and the swelling went down overnight. Today was a rainy day, I stayed in and worked on various things, including the switch/reorganization/weeding out of winter to summer clothes, and did my taxes. Sadly I’m not getting anything, but neither do I owe. So it could be worse! (I am getting the GST credit, though – and that’s over $300!)

The other day I had the crazy idea that I could knit something new for Maryland, and I’m trucking along:

Jo Sharp Silkroad DK tweed – makes a really lovely fabric and is nice and light! I just might need a little something in the morning and evening, the way the forecast is looking.

As for the new wheel, no photos yet – I had a bit of an allergy attack to it due to it coming from a cat home (I never thought I was all that sensitive before, but it might be getting worse) and it’s in a bit of quarantine after a wipe-down. Any ideas for de-allergen-ing a wheel?

my finger hurts now.

So I headed down to the basement to work out – I’ve been doing Jillian Michaels’ 30-Day Shred DVD. As far as the workout goes, it’s great! I’ve done nearly all of levels 1 and 2. You’re supposed to do 10 days of each level (there are three levels). I’m definitely feeling stronger, and there’s a bit of a visual difference as well, although I haven’t really lost any weight or anything. Today was going to be day 10 of level 2!

I picked up my shoes to put them on…and felt something sharp. I thought it was just something sharp in my shoe (I still had to put my orthotics in them) but then the pain increased! I dropped my shoes and saw…a wasp.

I got stung in the finger, an important knitting finger (left pinky; I knit continental) by a wasp hiding in my shoe in my own house.

And now I can’t work out (need hands for pushups and holding weights!) or knit.

This sucks. It also hurts!