I got this giant cone of turquoise silk yarn at Art Fibers in San Francisco. I wanted to make something really stunning that would remind me of the trip, made in honor of surviving Matt and I’s first year of marriage. I started with a Tuscany shawl then a Clapotis then an Icarus shawl then a Swallowtail Shawl. I realized two things 1) I hate triangular shawls and 2) a Clapotis simply isn’t good enough.
So, any suggestions?
No, I haven’t been deathly ill, just very busy. There’s a million things I’ve been meaning to blog about but most will have to wait until later (or never). I just returned from a week in Ohio. I know, great vacation destination. Here’s a quick photo essay รก la Jocelyn though my photos aren’t nearly as fun as hers.
July 9th/10th – Overnight flight from LA to Cincinatti then quick hour flight to Toledo. Met up with my parents. I arrived with a giant headache. Drove from Toledo to Findlay, my mom’s home town.
July 11th – Drove from Findlay to Cleveland via the scenic route. Very little traffic mid-day in Cleveland. Explored the whole area near where the wedding was. I got a ton of knitting done, including finishing the first sock for Rachael (Spring Forward from the latest Knitty). Got to see Lake Eerie, twice. Cold, cold water.
July 12th – Visited a yarn shop in downtown Willoughby called the Cast On Cafe. Talked Ravelry and yarn with the owner and her friend. Bought yarn to make my mom a Brea bag as well as two skeins of beautiful sock yarn.
Joanna’s wedding was in the evening. It was so great to see all of my extended family for the first time, well, since my grandmother’s funeral. We got our first family photo in fifteen or so years.
July 13th – Took the scenic route from Cleveland to Athens, home of Ohio University where my parents went to grad school. They showed me around campus which is really pretty yet built on a steep hill. I don’t envy students there.
July 14th – More exploring of Athens then headed to Hocking Hills State Park. Short walk to a really neat cavern. I really wanted to take a good, long hike after so many hours in the car but it was too darn hot. After the park we headed (slowly) back to Findlay.
July 15th – Exploration of Findlay, mainly. Visited in Alpaca Farm, saw a free concert in a random alley, and saw my favorite courthouse.
July 16th – Off to Bowling Green, where my mom went to Undergrad. Took lots of photos of my parents inside and in front of Prout (wrong spelling) Chapel where they were married 27 years ago. As you can tell, I look nothing like either of my parents. Ha.
Also visited Grand Rapids, former home to lots of craft stores but now just a small town of restaurants.
Sat and swung on the river-adjacent swings.
July 17 – Got up early to fly back home. Flew first class sitting next to a guy named Vic that my mom went to high school with (Remember a Vic, Mom?).
I’m really glad I went though going to Ohio always feels like a time warp and traveling with my parents made me feel like I was 10 again. I really hope I can make it back in less than 9 years next time…
When I started these, I was the recipient. Learned a lesson on about gauge which resulting in them going to Lora instead. I really liked the Monkey pattern, despite previous issues with it. The Knit Picks yarn is super soft and easy to work with though the splitty factor got to be at times.
I think I can now say I’m not afraid of lace patterns and know how to make a decent pair of toe-up socks. I hope Lora likes them!
Pattern: Monkey
Designer: Cookie A
Alterations: None
Recipient: Lora (remember the free socks give away?)
Yarn: Knit Picks Essential
Colorway: Arugula
Amount Used: Approx 350 yards
Needles: Size 1
Started: May 18, 2008
Finished: July 2, 2008
Most of the details are here but, in case I missed some, the rest are here
