See, I recently joined a community choir and was in need of some readable, non-photocopied versions of music. It took some doing but I found one of the last places in [...]]]> My plan was a simple one. Buy some music then come back home. But this turned out to be the day where nothing happened as expected.

See, I recently joined a community choir and was in need of some readable, non-photocopied versions of music. It took some doing but I found one of the last places in Chicago where one can purchase sheet music. It’s called Performers Music and it is located in one of my old haunts, The Fine Arts Building. Mindful of the photographic possibilities, I grabbed my camera on the way out the door.

Today was my day! The weather was perfectly sunny and just a bit crisp. The bus came right away and within minutes, I arrived at my destination. It was as I remembered. Dark. Vaulted ceilings. Ornate brass cage elevators and marble stairs. Entering Fine Arts is akin to stepping into a time machine.

Alas, my music was not in stock so it had to be ordered. No matter. Stepping past the porticos and massive columns is always a treat. Even seeing the same elevator operator from many years ago was comforting.

Back in the sunlight, I decided to go buy two skeins of yarn to match the gray Aspen I’m using for a cabled neckwarmer design in progress. Fifty-one yards doesn’t go very far with chunky yarn. Wow, is my bus karma holding. Just as I was taking a photo of the Congress Parkway Equestrian statues, the bus came and I was at the store pronto.

Again, what I desired was not in stock. The yarn I wanted had already sold out but there were two skeins of a coordinating color of mid-range blue that would do just fine. I felt good so, instead of heading home right away with my bounty, I kept on walking.

Just so happens there was another landmark from Chicago’s musical past just down the street that I kept meaning to check out: the old Chess Records Studio. Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters – even the Rolling Stones all recorded in this modest, legendary space. The studio is now home to Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation and an adjoining outdoor performance space.

I even ran into an old friend whom I had not seen in two years. Some days, it was her guidance and positive disposition that made all the difference between a bad day and a tolerable one.

So I wrap it up in a bow and consider it a gift. Today was just one of those days where you go looking for one thing and find something altogether different and wonderful.

Ha. Who am I kidding? The truth is that I’m slowly trying to get back in the game, reconnecting with friends of the yarnish persuasion and making a few small things, like a baby hat [...]]]> I’ve been a busy woman lately! Between starting occupational therapy and hobnobbing with the knitterati, I haven’t had a moment to myself.

Ha. Who am I kidding? The truth is that I’m slowly trying to get back in the game, reconnecting with friends of the yarnish persuasion and making a few small things, like a baby hat and one (yes, one) toddler-sized fingerless mitt from some yummy fingering weight leftovers. No pattern, just rib, gusset and go.

I did finally meet Colleen, aka Subway Knitter, in recent weeks. We gabbed like fiends over the Sunday buffet at India House. Smart lady with a beautiful smile. I wish that we’d had more time but planes to catch, etc.

The Book Report
Hot off the presses, we have Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne of Mason-Dixon fame “Knitting Outside the Lines“. The cross-country book tour hit Chicago this weekend, and I caught up with the FO show and tell at Loopy Yarns. Just one pass through the latest hardcover tome and I’ve got at least 5 patterns marked. Big plus? They signed one just for me. And the other people standing in line. OK, I may not be special but I do declare (in my best Southern belle imitation), this sophomore effort is worth your time.

Patterns in the book shown here include the Stephen Colbert socks, Dotty, Kiki Mariko.

Also spotted in the crowded two-story store were Mary Neal Meador, Bonne Marie Burns (ChicKnits) and Franklin Habit (The Panopticon) with the first copy of his new baby, “It Itches“.

Franklin, beaming like a proud papa, lovingly passed around the new book, delivered late last week after months of intense labor. “It Itches” will be officially launched later this month in upstate New York at Rhinebeck. More tour dates are available here.

This last bit is kinda cool and I rate it as my favorite scene of the night. Here we have Ann Shayne, on her break from the book signing upstairs, shyly asking Franklin for his autograph on the special Loopy Yarn bags he designed.

I do love my knitters! They welcomed me despite my long absences from their midst. I’m just bummed I couldn’t make it to YarnCon this year though, on second thought, my wallet is probably grateful.

I’m back in the shop for repairs (or something like it). I’ve scarcely purchased any yarn. The books and magazines that cross my threshold tempt but [...]]]> No, your feed reader isn’t on the blink. I haven’t posted since late June. If it seems I’ve fallen off the face of the Earth, perhaps it is because I have.

I’m back in the shop for repairs (or something like it). I’ve scarcely purchased any yarn. The books and magazines that cross my threshold tempt but do not inspire me enough to action. Those projects that do get started sit so long that they’ve irretrievably crossed the invisible divide between “In Progress” and “Unfinished.” The longer I wait, the harder it is to start again. My only creative pursuits these days involve photography (Flickr).

I definitely think I’m still falling.

[Edited to add] I very much appreciate your concern and support. I do feel lost and rootless and I suppose that’s some of what I’m really trying to convey. Even the intensive rehab program is on hold until I readjust my expectations of my wellness potential. Just a bit wonky is all. Retooling core definitions of success and of self is disorienting work.

This is my first foray into working with hemp and it won’t be the last. As mentioned, I did not block the scarf because [...]]]>

Pattern: Boteh Scarf by Kathy Merrick from Interweave Crochet, Spring 2007
Yarn: 2+ skeins of allhemp6LUX, color: alioli
Hook: 4.5mm (G)
Modifications: 11 triangles instead of 16 called for in pattern yielded a 68″ scarf, unblocked.

This is my first foray into working with hemp and it won’t be the last. As mentioned, I did not block the scarf because it seems to have maintained its rounded, organic shape. I’m told by those who know such things that the fiber will soften with washing. It’s already kind of soft – at least as far as hemp goes. According to the yarn store owner, that softness and subtle sheen is why it is considered “luxury” hemp. Someone on Ravelry likened it to buying jeans that are already broken in.

In other news…
I’m toying with using one of these two patterns for the birthday yarn: Eva’s Shawl or Crocus Bud Shawl. Yes, I’m still in the crochet mood.

I just found out that I’ve been approved for one of the intensive pain management therapy programs at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. I’m hoping this will ease the pain enough for me to knit once again.

Oh, and one more thing. My cousin Simone will be going to the Olympics in Beijing as part of the USA women’s basketball team. Pretty cool, eh?

A box of cat. Formerly, a box of cat food.

Saw: Gifts of contemptuous jewelrySays: Gifts of contemporary jewelry

Saw: Light was in the glitter guild meetingSays: Last night was the knitters guild meeting

Saw: Plenty of time to execute the guy thoroughly.Says: Plenty of time to evaluate the guy thoroughly.

Could it be that I have some [...]]]> Saw: Today I grew a new person
Says: Today I, the new person,

Saw: Gifts of contemptuous jewelry
Says: Gifts of contemporary jewelry

Saw: Light was in the glitter guild meeting
Says: Last night was the knitters guild meeting

Saw: Plenty of time to execute the guy thoroughly.
Says: Plenty of time to evaluate the guy thoroughly.

Could it be that I have some wires crossed in the cerebral cortex or some such? I used to think that my “creative reading” was just amusing but now I wonder if it goes deeper. I swear that I’m not making this stuff up. Could some latent visual perception dysfunction be emerging? Is there a neuroscientist in the house?

Well there’s no mistaking this: FREE YARN!

Yes, it’s my birthday May 29th but you get the gifts. Leave me a comment from now through midnight (CT) May 30, 2008 containing your best birthday haiku (English 5/7/5 style), along with your color family and weight preference. I’ll pick three names at random, then announce the winners on Saturday, May 31, 2008. Be sure to include a valid email address so that I can contact you. For now, I leave you with this:

I never really thought about the whole colorful, messy business of dyeing and distributing yarn. I learned a thing or two during the Hyde Park Knitting Guild’s behind the scenes glimpse into life at Lorna’s Laces. It was exciting for me to see how yarn moves from color concept

to realization

to a yarn scavenging frenzy. [...]]]> *Picture heavy post*

I never really thought about the whole colorful, messy business of dyeing and distributing yarn. I learned a thing or two during the Hyde Park Knitting Guild’s behind the scenes glimpse into life at Lorna’s Laces. It was exciting for me to see how yarn moves from color concept

to realization

to a yarn scavenging frenzy. We got our pick of mill-ends, one-of-a-kind and the occasional oops dyed yarns – some as low as $1 per skein. Believe it or not, I left empty-handed, merely chronicling the event.

I think I was most surprised that the operation (and the people) behind this now-famous brand is nothing fancy or pretentious. Owner Beth Casey and her sweet Great Dane Pearl welcomed us as we reached the 2nd floor landing at the door of their space in this sprawling warehouse.

Pearl roams around the main rooms beneath the high ceilings and suspended PVC poles holding freshly dyed and drying yarns. Bare yarn lies in wait next to dye pots and utility sinks. The walls are lined with yarn-filled wire baskets fronted by handwritten signs bearing the names of a yarn shop near you.

Perhaps that is part of the appeal of our crafting adventures. It is humble. It is imperfect. It is one REAL thing in a culture often consumed with artifice. It is the work of our hands.

While I wait for things to clear up, I’ll continue to [...]]]>

Can’t you just hear the birds sweet songs and feel the warming sunshine upon your face as it beams through crystal blue skies? Welcome to the first storm of Spring ’08, where some areas to the north of here expect upwards of 8 inches of snow.

While I wait for things to clear up, I’ll continue to beaver away at my second Monkey sock. The hand rash has cleared by and large, thanks to a prescription cortisone ointment, so finishing at least one thing seems reasonably in order. Happy stitching, all!