En Pointe Pullover or Not My Best Project

Over a year ago Natalie came up with a pattern, the En Pointe Pullover by Alice Tang. She loved the pullover and wanted my help knitting one.  She sweetened the pot by purchasing me some silky, Malibrigo Mora for the projects.  I am easily bribed when it comes to yarn.

The first problem was the 100% silk yarn.  It was slippery and knotted up easily.  I kept having to untangled my cakes and re-ball the yarn.  I got frustrated and quickly got tired of the yarn.

Then I started to look at the construction of the pullover and the completed projects on Ravelry.  I noticed this pattern would be flattering on a slender figure, but maybe not so much on a fuller figure like mine. I got kind of depressed about the En Pointe and threw it all in a bag, shoved the bag in a closet and tired to forget it.

Fast forward 9 months and my sock project failed me (or I failed the sock).  Anyway, as I was shoving the failed sock project in the closet the failed pullover fell on me.  Begrudgingly, I thought finish this dratted thing.  I was so self conscious about the flaws in this project I avoided taking it to my knit groups for fear of being ridiculed.

Finally, the project is done.  I did modify the pattern by adding bell sleeves to hopefully make the silhouette a little kinder for my figure.  I will say the silk yarn has a nice drape, but it is not forgiving at the seams or for weaving in ends.

I am hoping with my help Natalie's turns out better than mine.  As for mine done is done!



Returning to the Land of Ponchos

I am in the early stages of planning a return to the Land of Ponchos.  The pattern is picked, the yarn selection is being fondle, and the needle size considered.  Only this time I am taking a small posse of knitters with me.  Cue the theme song from the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

Memorial for a Friend

Today I lost one of my oldest friends to cancer.  I met Don when we were 14 and 15 at a speech meet in Belle MO.  We were competing against each other in poetry reading.  Immediately, he introduced himself and asked who I was.  Don had beautiful blue eyes and the warmest smile.  He didn't care that we were competing against each other or that I was from a different school he just cared that I was a new person to know.

 That's just how Don was, he loved meeting new people.  He always wanted to include everyone in everything, no exceptions.  His generosity of spirit believed every person was a new friend.  I never knew him to exclude anyone.  We dated on and off in high school, but truly we were always more friends than a couple.  After high school I ran into Don at a gay bar, which made us both so happy to reconnect.  We stayed in contact over the years even ending up in the same city.  Seeing him was a treat and he always welcomed me with the love of an oldest and dearest of friends.  Again that was how Don was, all of us were old friends he was overjoyed to see.

Today the cancer he has been fighting for the last 2 years finally won the battle.  His baby sister broke the news on Facebook.  We all knew it was coming, but still we all cried as our hearts were breaking.  A world without him in it seems less.  All I can do is cry and remember that warm smile including me in his inner circle of friends.  An inner circle which is legions of friends all heartbroken by his passing.  We will miss you my friend.

Love Jamie

Knitiversary

Today is my 10 year anniversary!  10 years ago I crossed the stockinette bridge to a land of yarnovers, purl bumps, ufos, dpns, and yards and yards of yarn.  I love being a knitter and will schlep my project bags anywhere I go.  The joy of a new pattern or freshly caked skein of yarn thrills me as much as a chocolate cupcake (most days).  I love talking about my projects and bragging about mastering a new technique.  But you know what I love most about entering the clan of knitting?  All the amazing knitters I have encountered along the way.  They are legion and I thank them for knitting me into their community.  Sending out the knitting love.

51 & Holding

Today I turned 51.  It has not been a great year.  With all the bad politics & conservatives trying to turn back the clock and take away equality, it has been rough for this liberal lesbian.  The thing that is getting me through is my beautiful wife. Today for my birthday (51) & our 6 year anniversary she just let me run her day.  We didn't do anything special, but be together.  Sometimes that just makes all the bad stuff seem less.  I am a lucky lady.

Why I Am Afraid

Today we left the safety of our urban environs for a country locale.  After lunch and shopping we scampered back to a more urban area.  While in the country Natalie and I didn't touch, kiss, hold hands, or say I love you at all, but we were watched with open hostility by many around us.  I have not been that uncomfortable in a long time.  We kept asking ourselves was it like this before and we just didn't notice? Or is this new?  I don't know the answer, but it made me afraid.

Done with this week

First there was real family drama.  2nd came the soul crushing results of the election.  My wife had serious problems at work.  I had to break up with a friend,.  Finally, Leonard Cohen died today.  I am so done with this week.