the unexpected

In honor of the most ravishing weekend in memory I wanted to show you what the creek usually looks like.

Yes that really is 12 foot difference in water level.  The most astonishing part of it all is that twice in the past few years it has actually been higher than that - that's when neighborhoods a few miles from here flood completely and the water appears to stop flowing - neither of which happened.  This time.

Further down the creek there are all kinds of saplings with fantastic things hanging in their branches - filthy, but fantastic.  I wasn't willing to walk in what I would have to walk in to show you well.  If I can figure out an angle that works, I will.

A little piece of eden in its own odd way.  I do love my neighborhood.

I thank Stephanie and Cassie for separately coming to the conclusion that I need a birthday greeting tidal wave.  The approximately One Million birthday greetings are not something I would have sought, but found charming and warming and delightful and happy making as a surprise gift from my friends. Thank you all for giving me something to grin over all day.  Well, all day and many times since.

It was an unusual birthday for me - I kept forgetting about it.  More often I am of the school of thought that the more celebrating the better, and organize some kind of event, or even several.  Drinks are involved.  And lipstick.  This year it wasn't where I was, perhaps because my relationships are so widely scattered now that the chances of having all my best and most favoritest people in one place to celebrate with me are a lot smaller.

Maybe its the shock of being.....thirty-eight.  And finding it a completely not stressful thing.

So it was a quiet week, but in a pretty good way mostly.  Did some work.  Had two people call me in the middle of the night with stylistically very different but equally beautiful birthday wishes.  Received a couple of perfect gifts, surprising ones too in some ways, and not necessarily for my birthday specifically.

Does that sound asinine?  Maybe.  But there is something particularly moving about a gift that is really chosen for you.  An amusing photo montage, a coveted batch of yarn out of left field, singing in the night.....perfect moments, you know?  Moments that make you believe you might be doing something right for the universe to reward you thus.

One thing that came in time for my birthday, but was really not technically a birthday present I do have to show you - not to brag on my own stuff, but to brag on the creator, the blogless and talented S. Kate.  She told me once she wasn't a knitter with a capital K - which is utter and complete nonsense, but in addition to being a Knitter, she is also a fiber Artist of no small talent and creativity.

And she made me a present. 

Tortoiseshell sock yarn.  Could you die?

Moxie's been pretty pissed at me for the past week, so I haven't seen much of her, but I did manage to get her to pose with S. Kate's extraordinary gift. For three seconds.  Note the dirty look.  (Piss off Foolish Human.)  (I was an idiot and upset her domestic arrangements.  I have learned my lesson.  I am being forgiven.  Slowly.)

She's got an Etsy shop too.  S. Kate I mean, not Moxie.  If you want some Tabby Noir of your very own she might make some more......

As for knitting.  I've been extraordinarily distracted this past 10 days, with one thing and another.  Otherwise I might be showing you a three week sweater, rather than a three week sweater body.

I made this fitted - very fitted - to allow for the relaxation of the yarn and sweater.  But lost my nerve last night with the snugness of the waist and washed the body.  After the highly technical roll-and-stomp drying method, I dressed Ivanna in the damp sweater body.   I'm becoming a  big fan of blocking on the dummy - it lets you get a real sense of the role gravity is going to play.  I think now it might actually be too long....

I also think I need to reset the measurements on the dummy - to matching my ribcage and upper bust, and then slap a bra on her to match my bust.  The differential is wrong on the way the taper goes from breast to body.

But I'm pretty pleased with my palate cleansing sweater.  Still working along increasing and decreasing with no real plan other than just trying it on every little while.  Still seems fantastic that you can do that - just knit and shape and it all works out.  But it does.   Another gift.

 

Comments

[dharma]

Tortoise shell yarn - so cool. Nice sweater body.

[Emily]

Juno, 38 *rocks*...trust me. :)

[Chris]

The tortoiseshell yarn is wonderful! Heh, for a second I thought Moxie had kittens... I just ordered some gorgeous kitty notecards from S Kate yesterday.

[lanea]

Water is tricksie. That's all I'm saying.
I hope Moxie is cheering up.

[carrie]

oooo, sorry kitty is mad at you. She looks really pissed! I loved the sock yarn, and your sleeveless sweater. I'm concerned with getting a dummy to fit my body measurements exactly, too, so I'll watch and see how you do =)

[Laurie]

Great match! And thanks for the link. I went over and bought some great stitch markers. That S Kate is so smart.

[Lissa]

That sock yarn! You're going to do socks, right? So we can see what the colors do? *grin*

[Stephanie]

Singing in the night? Someone really loves you.

[claudia]

Catyarn. That's a great idea.

[Romi]

I like the still life: cat with yarn. They match beautifully. :)

[miss ewe]

That yarn is genius. GENIUS!

[anne]

i've worked on dress forms a lot over the years and they ARE really helpful for fitting around the body. but you might want to reserve your opinion about the length till you get to try it on yourself; the form just doesn't approximate well how much "take-up" there will be once you start moving, reaching and walking in a garment. unless, of course, they do that at night, when we are asleep . . .

[Michelle]

Moxie is nearly my Toby's twin! (Except the light side of Toby's face is on the other side.)

I hardly ever see cats that look so much like her. And the tortoishell yarn to match is awesome! I'll try to find a picture of her to post when I get home tonight. :D

[Diane]

Love the sock yarn!! Glad the wild weather is over for a few days. Nice pics.

[Amanda]

I LOVE Spindle Cat! I have a skein of her handspun that is gorgeous! I've got an eye on one of her lightweight spindles, too! Very nice yarn, matches the kittyface perfectly!

[Emily]

The yarn is perfect! How will you ever be able to knit it up?

[Amy]

I just came upon your blog and I completely understand the whole turning 38 thing. I will be in June and for the first time ever I am not fussed about it in the slightest. I love the tortise shell yarn.

[ysolda]

I think the bra dressform idea is a good one. If mine is anything to go by those things are designed to be an a cup on the smallest setting - I guess they're designed to be 'padable'. Suppose it makes sense, it's better than me having to try and give mine a breast reduction by hitting it with a hammer or something!

My mantra with my blocking to guage sweater is 'trust the maths', because it looks so teeny. So far I've resisted washing it but that hasn't been easy.

[Kat with a K]

I love the tortoiseshell yarn!

[Michelle]

Moxie socks...paging Dr. Suess!

[Kristy]

The Tortoiseshell sock yarn is dead-on! That's so cool. The sweater is looking great :)

[denny Mcmillan]

my "post" button seems to be O.K. though, soory

[denny Mcmillan]

happy monday to you.

Sorry thats all I got today ... running on empty (almost)

[denny Mcmillan]

happy monday to you.

Sorry thats all I got today ... running on empty (almost)