Who is this babe?

The Windy City Knitting Guild has a new "spokesmodel", as of yet, un-named. She is still, well, developing.

Quite a few people stopped by to contribute to her dress, and hang out and chat.

Here is the extraordinary Franklin Habit adding some stitches and style.

We enjoyed many contributions of time and talent and good fun.

Thanks Franklin!

I ran into JP, from the Knittyboard, and Mike.

A Bird for a Buddy

The egg side of the toy and then you flip it over and...

In C#2's school all incoming 1st graders are paired up with a 5th grade "buddy". Every year the kids are assigned new buddies until 5th grade when they themselves become buddies. C#2 has been very generous and kind to his buddy this year, and really wanted to give her a special gift. She loves birds, and originally he wanted me to knit her some mittens. 

A quick search on Ravelry, and I found this: Egg to Bluebird and a Little Nest, Too by Susan B. Anderson. He decided that it would be perfect for her, and I agreed. I think I even followed the pattern, except for the nest which I just quickly crocheted to the best of my dismal crochet ability.

Tadaa! It's a little bluebird!

Beak is wonky looking, but I thought the little wings were cute.

I even finished it on time!

That was FUN!

Have I mentioned how much I love Socks that Rock by Blue Moon Fiber Arts? I loooooooooooooooove this yarn, it was an absolute delight to knit with and my socks just flew off the needles.

Look, they are very colorful, aren't they? I don't usually go for oranges, but this colorway just grabbed my attention - repeatedly. I tried to ignore it, but it kept yelling at me and it won. I bought it at The Fold booth at the Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Fair last year.

Socks & Ollie

Whose socks are cuter?

Sniff test.

Colors are close here, but nowhere near as vibrant as they really are...

See that column of purls on the sole? That's a handy dandy trick I learned at Sock Summit 2 years ago in Heather Ordover's class - it is especially handy for those of us who don't count too carefully.

 

I love how the heels turned out!

The pattern, Scylla, was great, and for those of us who aren't particularly careful about counting rows, it worked out very well. I got through the heels quickly, this pattern was great for those of us who lack the capacity to think too hard about heels.

I can't wait to wear them!

Found

 ...at Circus boy's bus stop this morning.

 

 

 

Papa Y.

Another death, also not entirely unexpected, but this one is just as difficult. 

When I am in Japan, the Y. family always treats me with such kindness and generosity, and has always treated me like a member of the family.

Papa Y. and I always got along so well, even before I could communicate adequately in Japanese, our gestures and minimal language served us well and helped establish our relationship.

He had such tremendous energy and was an amazing man.

播州電装　取締役会長　米田興一は、かねてから病気療養中でしたが、
5月12日　77歳にて永眠しました。
尚、通夜・告別の議は下記の通り合同葬にて執り行います。

米田家・播州電装株式会社　合同葬

　　　　葬儀委員長　　総務グループ長　　仁井　聖史
　　　　喪　　　主　　長男　　　　　　　米田　昭彦

1928 - 2011

This is a photo of my beloved father-in-law Frank. He was born in Mola de Bari, Italy, and moved to the United States when he was 8 years old. He built quite a successful life for himself here, and was a wonderful, generous and kind man. A true gentleman. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 12 years ago. It was hellish at times for all of us, I can't even imagine how it must have felt for him. It was incredibly painful to lose him to Alzheimer's, little by little, day by day, and to have him lose the ability to speak and communicate.

My children never had the joy of experiencing their grandfather, who loved them so dearly. They were too young to remember how he would hold them and beam proudly at "these guys". Instead my children had a grandfather who required their love and affection and attention without any real reciprocation. They always did an amazing job of touching him and lavishing him with their love, they made me so proud.

Goodbye Frank, I have missed you, and I have always thought the world of you.

Socks that Rock

Last year I was at a fiber fest, and the Fold had their booth right behind our guild booth. Well, this color "Boobie 2" really caught my eye. Over and over again, and finally, I caved and bought it. I loved the colors, but then I wondered what on earth I had been thinking because those colors are pretty loud and bright. So it sat for a bit, and then it went into my Yarn Harlot inspired "sock club". I was planning some weekend away knitting and lo and behold this was what I grabbed.

 

In no way are these colors accurate. Pattern is Scylla, by Fiona Lucas.

 Holy cow!

I am in love with this yarn, it knit up super fast and has been heaven to work with - it has a wonderful squish and spring, and the colors are so vibrant.

 

Closer but not quite yet.

I have already finished one sock and the other is in the works, about 1/4 done.

These socks do rock! Totally awesome yarn.