love is all you need

Yesterday Joey and I decided to ride down to a nearby park to sit on a blanket in the shade and enjoy the beautiful weather we're having in New York this week.

Joey read aloud from Cash by Johnny Cash while I cast on for a February Baby Sweater.

We headed back home just in time to miss a sudden cloudburst. It only lasted about 10 minutes, but it rained so hard that the drops were speeding down sideways. When we headed back out for some dinner, the sky was absolutely stunning.

It was a wonderful and peaceful afternoon.

Yes sir, yes sir

Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann is a book I picked up last Monday when my mom and I went shopping in Dallas and by Wednesday night I had already finished it. It is about a flock of sheep who find that their dear shepherd has been murdered and they set out to solve the mystery of his killer. I found it cute and clever and fun to read. When I was done, I was a little disappointed that I had read through it so fast as it has been a while since I've read a book that I didn't want to put down.
If you're finding it a little too hot this summer to knit, this book is a good way to enjoy some wooly fun.

Okay yall, I have a secret to tell. I'm moving to New York in June! I'm doing what any crazy-twentysomething-married-to-a-musician-and-can't-help-it-girl would do: the band is going to New York and so am I. I'm actually REALLY excited cause like most everybody else, I heart NY and have always dreamed about living there. Plus, they have some of the awesomest yarn stores... But I digress. The whole point is that I am going to be broke. Broke as a joke. You know, moving's not cheap, and New York's really not cheap. So I'm doing what any not-crazy-wanting-to-stay-afloat-girl would do and am selling anything that I can part with. Plus, it will keep the moving expenses down if I have to lug less stuff across the country. So, please feel free to peruse the following knitting books that I'm selling. Some of them aren't exactly dirt cheap cause hey, I don't want to get rid of them; I need the cash! Some of them are even gifts that were given to me. If you gave me one of these books please don't be sad that I'm selling it, just know that I have loved and enjoyed these books for a long time now but they didn't want to go to New York with me- they said so. Anyway, the first person to comment on a particular book saying they want it gets it. I will send you a paypal invoice for the sale amount plus a flat $4 shipping fee and if the invoice is not paid in 48 hours, I'll relist the book.

Knitticisms ...And Other Purls of Wisdom by Voyageur Press $6
This book was given to me by a SecretPal, Kim (www.wovenspun.com) and it is full of cute little tidbits like, "Happiness is a nice skein of a low-fat cashmere-wool blend." Which I can't agree with more.
Not Just Socks by Sandi Rosner $10
I bought this book to give to a SecretPal, but it was gifted to her by someone else before I could give it to her. I'm sure you have some extra sock yarn sitting around that you want to do something a little different with....
The Knitter's Bible Knitted Accessories by Claire Crompton $10
I was generously gifted this by SecretPal Kim (www.wovenspun.com) and I earnestly meant to knit the mittens from the cover. I've still never gotten around to it, and don't think I will in the next three months. Plus, I've convinced myself that mitten patterns are pretty easy to come by and I don't need to tote an entire book across the country in the off chance that I decide to knit them. Dang, I really want to keep this one. Hey, if you buy this book maybe you could knit me the mittens and send them to me in NYC? I'm sure I'll need them this winter!
Mason Dixon Knitting by Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne (Autographed!) $12
What, you don't have this book yet? I would have purchased it for the ball band dishcloth pattern alone, even though it apparently comes free on the inside labels of Sugar 'n Cream cotton! Seriously, this is a really cool book with awesome patterns (as if you didn't know that.) And now you can join the bandwagon and have your own autographed copy! I was given this in a SecretPal swap from the wonderful Abby (http://barefoot-knitter.blogspot.com) and I really wish I could bring it along with me. I want a log cabin blanket but lack the stick-to-it-ness.
Singer Quilting by Machine $10
Okay, I know this is a knitting blog, but a lot of us are dabblers. I dabbled a little too and plan to dabble a little more sometime before those cold NYC winters hit.
Hollywood Knits by Suss Cousins $10
A nice destash-gift from Kim (http://handeyecrafts.wordpress.com). I would really love to have the bright orange ribbed turtleneck on the cover that was designed for the Velma character in the Scooby Doo films, but I don't think I'll ever actually do it. If you ever do... email me a pic... It's just so simply cute!
World of Knitted Toys by Kath Dalmeny $8
Oh, I had such high hopes for this one... I failed miserably at knitting the snakes that my niece and nephew begged me for. I started one and skimped on the length, and he ended up looking rather phallic. Can't give a phallic-shaped knitted snake to your niece or nephew, now can you? Heck, if you buy this one, I'll see if I can dig up the phallus in question and send him your way. Just add eyes and stuffing and you can have your own (trouser) snake!
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Big Book of Needle Arts and Crafts $8
Because sometimes knitting makes you feel like an idiot.
Crazy Aunt Purl's Drunk, Divorced and Covered in Cat Hair by Laurie Perry $6
I read this cover to cover in a day and a half and laughed my ass off. Laurie knows all about decluttering, so I know she won't mind that I'm not hanging on to something I've already read. You'll definately enjoy this one.
200 Ripple Stitch Patterns by Jan Eaton $12
This book is the holy grail over at the No End In Sight Ripple Along (http://neisripplealong.blogspot.com). It is also the book I used for my Ripple afghan.
Knitting for Dogs by Kristi Porter $5
Daisy and Henry are pretty pissed that I never knit them anything out of this book. They're probably gonna be even more pissed when they find out I sold it. Oops. I think Daisy can read.
Stitch N Bitch The Knitter's Handbook by Debbie Stoller $10
What can I say that hasn't already been said about this book? It was my first knitting book, and now I have to get rid of it! Gosh, now I'm gettin all emotional....(sob)
Stitcn N Bitch Nation by Debbie Stoller $8
Okay, (sniffle) I'm over it. Many more cute patterns abound in this one as well. Oh, and someone may have spilled a beer on the back of it resulting in a few wrinkled pages, but I'm not saying who...
Vintage Knits from Rowan $12
I was sucked in by the cover sweater, Salina. That Kim Hargreaves sure makes some beautiful sweaters! I might hunt you down after a few months and demand you give this book back. But for now, I'm selling it.

And so I can leave you with thoughts of me living a glamorous, yarny life in NYC, I leave you with one of my favorite pictures that Joey took on our trip there in 2005. I think it reflects how I'm feeling about the move: in awe, but also kind of dizzy.

Two things that have been on my mind lately; The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs and The Knitting Guild of America's Master Knitter Program.
I started reading The Friday Night Knitting Club when I was in the Burbank, California airport after having arrived early only to find that my flight would be leaving an hour and a half late. This book helped the time "fly" (pun intended) during the long wait. I'm about halfway through- so no spoilers, please.
The Knitting Guild of America's Master Knitter Program is something that has been in the back of my head for over a year now, and I only recently decided that I wanted to do it. If you don't know about it check out tkga.com for what its about, what it involves, etc. I really love knitting and I think this will be a great learning process for me. Just be prepared for lots of advice-seeking and swatch pictures in the near future...

After rushing out to buy this book yesterday and finishing up reading it today, I feel like a complete yarn genius.

 

A good friend over at handeyecrafts tagged me with the following:
Open the book you’re currently reading to page 161 and read the fifth sentence on the page, then think of 5 bloggers to tag.
From Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin: "If you were one of my journalists, you'd be finished by now."
Hmm... not a whole lot of symbolism to glean from that one. I don't have enough brainpower right now to select 5 other bloggers to participate- so if you want to share what you're reading, please do.

I got Harry Potter on Saturday around noon and finished it Sunday night. It was wonderful!
Lately, Joey has been really into Man Vs Wild on the Discovery channel, and his obsession has transferred over to become my newest obsession as well. We watched tivo'ed episodes last night, while I completed the 35th ripple of color on my ripple afghan. The 35th ripple is the unofficial halfway point. If I continue on at the same rate I've been going (extremely slow), I'll be finished by early September. I guess that's not too bad considering it doesn't get cold in Texas until around November! (I plan to finish it sooner, though).

Today is definately winding down to be a better day than when it started. I came home to find my reveal gift from my Secret Pal 10, Kimberly of www.wovenspun.com! She sent me many lovely goodies. Let's have a closer look, shall we?

Here's a close-up of two of her beautiful handspun and handdyed yarns and a cute retractable measuring tape.

Then there's the cute stitchmarkers, bracelet and yarn cutter! (If you look closely and try to unblur my bad photography, you'll see one of the notecards she included with a cute little sheepie.)

Cute little sheepies abound in this gift- she also included some Lindor chocolates, (I love that they included the black sheep!) and a Pez (yum!) but also check out the great knitted accessories book. It has the most wonderful glove patterns in there that I know I'll find handy. And the knitticisms book will surely be a good read.
Now, I know you're thinking this is a pretty wonderful haul, right? Well, check out the HANDWOVEN scarf she made!
Amazing. Thanks, Kimberly!