Saturday, August 05, 2006

The heat broke- we can think again!

Finally, the heat and humidity broke in NYC. Gorgeous summer day here today. It will be a great evening as well, since it is almost the full moon...
Petal Collection's Calla Lily socks are finished. I am very happy with the way the yarn “happened” in my pair. Less structured than the way it appeared in many pairs at the KAL, and in Sundara’s picture. I followed the pattern as written, except to shorten the toe a bit. As Sundara said, its a simple sock with a little detail to make it fun. I was going to give this pair as a gift, but while I was testing them on my foot, I decided to keep them. I did not tell the intended recipient yet that she is about to receive socks from me, so no harm done… she’ll get the next one.
I also finished my Noro Blossom pillow cover, and now I must get all the pillow covers finished with fabric backs. Today I’ll take a little trip to the fabric store. I don’t have a sewing machine, so I have to take it to the tailor to get it done. They charge a fortune to do it. I guess I should invest in a little sewing machine, for these little projects. Any suggestions? Remember, I live in an apartment in NYC, space is limited!

Here is my birthday gift to myself this year (July baby): Nancy Crow’s book of quilts.
It is fantastic. Really, words can’t describe the creativity you witness here.
Dave is right, drinking wine from the glasses displaying your two socks together is very hard, and that’s why you have another glass with the wine in it… in this case, a light chilled rose’ for a warm summer night. Cheers Dave!
By the way, these are not apples in the TGF_ECF picture. These are the fruits of Cornelian Cherry. The cornelian cherry, a shrub or small tree with bright yellow flowers in early, early spring and red, olive sized sour fruit, is a member of the dogwood family. The fruit is used in jellies or preserves, pickled like olives, or used to make wine. Also known as dog cherry and Siberian cherry. I have never tried to make jelly with it, but it sounds intriguing.
I did get a camera recently, to help me with my “once a day” photo shoot of the Pond in Central Park. Since May 1st; I have been taking a few photos of the Pond every day. Same place, and more or less same time. Here are a few samples, unedited.
Here is my camera progression:
I used to have a really big camera, which had a huge carrying case. I went down a bit for a few years ago, and this year, I got a pocket one, and it has great features, and yes Mary, a good micro. It is however so small, that movement in slow exposures is a problem (you can’t brace it against your face.) Plus, looking at the LCD to get a good idea what is going on, requires glasses. Yikes! So I do a lot of guess photography, to surprisingly good results…
Hopeful and Austermann Step socks are moving right along. I’ll post photos when they are more interesting.
What is next- Well, it seems like a few knitters out there, inspired by the Mason Dixon book no doubt, jumped on the log cabin wagon in various forms, like Cara, and Wendy and tilkkupeitto, and Musttaa Villaa. I have wanted to make a crazy log cabin blanket or pillow for a while, with odds and ends. This is kind of inspiring.
Plus, I found a yarn I think will be great for the razor cami. Classic Elite Premiere- 50% Pima Cotton, 50% Tencel I think I am going for the Keylime. As soon as I am done posting, I am off to Purl Soho, to get it. They seem to be the only store in NYC to carry it today, and of course, there is no way I can wait to get it online, is there?

Here is an interesting concept- knitting graffiti: Knitta - a gangsta crew who "tag" public monuments and objects, just like graffiti artists, except for one difference: they do it with knitting. The Knitta taggers are wrapping trees, street lights, car antennas and door knobs in knitted coverings. I am not sure how I feel about this.

Oh, I have been corrected to inform you that the right way to say the phrase I shared with you a few posts ago is (and that it is an old Swedish proverb):
"A sorrow shared is but half the trouble, but a joy that is shared is a joy made double."
Ok. But you got it my way as well, right?

13 comments:

Annie said...

Your socks look so cool! I still haven't finished mine, ah well. Is that a Canon digital Elph camera? (I have one too!) Cool trick I learned is to breathe out when snapping a photo. It helps to still the camera. Try it! And hooray for macro! Really helps with that yarn porn, oh and flower porn.

HPNY KNITS said...

yes, its Canon Power shot SD450 Digital ELPH. and I do love it. I'll try the breathing trick!

Dave said...

Lovely Callas ... I understand completely why you decided to keep them :-) Thanks for the info about the Cornelian cherry; the macro shot fooled me completely! That quilt book looks gorgeous, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing your log cabin.

gail said...

Congrats on those spectacular socks, and on surviving the heat wave. Our a/c in the car finally was fixed--the day after the heatwave ended. But, we're still enjoying the a/c anyway. thanks for your comment on my blog. I am almost finished with my replacement Violets by the River shawl and hope to have a photo to post sooooooon.

Rain said...

The socks look great. I'm not surprised you decided to keep them.

Harlem Purl said...

Your socks are so lovely. I would've kept them for myself also.
I have a small apt in NY too and I have a full size Singer sewing machine. I find very inventive ways to make do with the space issue but somehow I always manage to get the job done.

Anonymous said...

Really great socks! And the pillows are fantastic!

Mary, Mary... said...

I have a super low-tech Kenmore sewing machine that I have driven into the ground with quilts and odd outfits. DO NOT spend good money on a machine unless you're totally into it. Cheap&cheerful will work for most basic projects--pillows, skirts etc...your Sundara socks are killing me--I can't knit fast enough!

Mia said...

Hey, I think I have that same Olympus camera! Just HAD to have it.. but so many bells and whistles, it's been sitting on a shelf, quietly gathering dust... I do love my digital elph though.. and I use that daily... but really... I'm feeling the guilt now about having spent all that money on a shelf sitter.. must find direction manual...

Anonymous said...

Hi Hila,

Check craigslist for your little sewing machine. I bought one for 25 bucks, and now I'm slowly teaching myself how to sew. I store it right on a table, and then when I need the table I throw it right under neath.

HTH
Necia

Garngamen said...

ANOTHER PAIR OF SOCKS? You are having a sock- virus ;-) And of course as beautiful as ever. It is always such a treat to read your blog. Did you find the yarn at Purl Soho? I agree, those log cabins are inspirational. That will be good for my future to. Have a Look at HF (Hanne Falkenbergs) Pagod! Also log cabin.
Heat is still on here, so I envy you. Take care!

Nana Sadie said...

Neat progression of the pond photos! And love those socks!
(((hugs)))

C+SK said...

Oh I love your Calla Lilly socks! What a beautiful colour and pattern! How is the Austermann Step? I bought a skein as well and I can't wait to start! Thanks for visiting my blog!