Step Into My Thimble

This weekend we had a little party for Rodney’s 30th birthday. Every year he chooses a new dessert, and since he has some type of phobia about birthday candles, that means we get to try all kinds of non-cake things.

This year Rodney requested a cannoli party tray, from the nearby Turano pastry shop. The idea of one giant cannoli shell filled with many miniature ones is quite appealing, and Turano delivered on its promise. It even came with three extra containers of filling so we could smash up the empty giant shell afterward and dip the pieces.

(A sidenote to Marty: We had no idea your dad loves the cannoli. Next time we come home we’ll try to bring one of these, and then you’ll get your chance to smash the giant shell.)

Today there is no knitting news. Kyoto is made up of a few too many boring rectangles of stockinette to inspire me. I remember why I gave it up the last time around…but this time I am determined to finish it. Good thing we have a lot of beer left over from the party to get me through it, because it looks like that is what it has come to.

Happy Monday!

Read this for more.

This project might not rock like Peter Frampton but it will get done, one day soon!

It’s the Kyoto sweater from Knitty. Yeah, I’ve had an -along button on this blog for about a year and a half now, maybe more. I realized when I got this out of the bag the other day that I have bought more needles I thought I didn’t have, but of course, they were hiding with the Kyoto parts. That’s a good reason to finish what you start, or at least put stuff on scrap yarn if you know you’re setting it aside for a while! Duh.

This Kyoto is being made out of Cascade Sierra in colors 2 (black), 31 (gray) and a green that appears to be discontinued. I really like the yarn–I think it will be great for early spring.

I thought this time of year would be slow and dull, but the last two weeks have been complete chaos for me. I have had to deal with a crew of construction workers in my archives, installing a new smoke alarm system which involved me having to relocate four shelving sections’ worth of materials, and my office network connection getting destroyed (again). I have had more than five reference questions a day each day this week (when my average is one question every other day). WordPress has a new version out that I really want to install. I just Interlibrary-Loaned Alice Starmore’s Aran Knitting. We might have overnight houseguests this weekend. Etc. Etc. It doesn’t stop.

On top of it all, Rodney is turning THIRTY! On the 24th of February! Which might be the day you are reading this! So happy birthday to Rodney, 30 is a good age to be.

This is hands-down the cutest thing I have ever knitted, I think. It’s a mini version of the Leftovers vest, made from the same Andean Silk yarn from KnitPicks. The ribbing is all in Olive, the back is Lettuce, and the front is stripes of Olive, Lettuce and Cinnamon.

It’s for Mary, from KIP, who is expecting her first baby in about a month. We had a shower for her today, so now that the little vest has been given away I can show it to you. Mary doesn’t know if it’s a boy or a girl, but I had suspected she would be the type not to worry too much about gender-specific colors. I’m that type too–I really don’t care. And anyway, since the vest is newborn-size, the baby will only be able to wear it for a very short time before it becomes too small.

I think I’m going to write up this pattern eventually. If I can make myself put in the effort to figure out a couple larger sizes, maybe I’ll even submit it someplace.

Congratulations Mary! And Clark too of course.

From Andrea

1. How much space is left on your TIVO or Comcast box?

Don’t have one, no plans to get either anytime soon.

2. Have you ever bought a DVD of a tv series and if so which one?

I have never bought any DVDs (except for one Queen concert DVD for my brother in law). But when Rodney’s brother gave us the DVD player he included “Dream On” for us. It was an HBO TV series that was on in the early ’90s.

3. What was the last tv show you watched before reading this message ?

ER. I used to really like that show but it kind of feels like the formula has been done, and redone, and they’re still doing it over again. My favorite character is Susan so I am glad she came back after a few years off. I love her hairstyle.

4. List five shows you won’t miss:

America’s Next Top Model
Gilmore Girls
Coupling (BBC show)
Last of the Summer Wine (BBC show)
And if I had cable, which I don’t (and I don’t want it either) I would be glued to all those hospital reality shows on TLC.

5. Three peeps to pass this on to?

I’m still thinking about it…