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In an earlier post, I wrote of a knitted cowl I was making.  It was my very first ‘legit’ lace project and I loved every minute of it!  I know you have been waiting with bated breath for the finished photos.  Not being one to disappoint, here they are:
The image to the left reflects the true colors of the yarn.  It is peppered with golds, blues, purples and greens.  Absolutely stunning.  The two photos below give you an idea of the drape and delicious ‘halo’ this wool possesses. 
 
For more details on the yarn, as well as the pattern, please refer to my earlier post Kuusk

I have always loved the The February Lady Sweater based on the timeless knitting of Elizabeth Zimmerman. I have a beautiful skein of yarn from last year’s sheep and wool festival that would knit up beautifully, resulting in a cool, crisp,  three-season sweater.  Looking for inspiration, I perused the 1,000+ variations of this pattern on Ravelry.  What struck me immediately was the variety of colors, fits and details knitters injected to make this pattern their own.  It was apparent to me that the ‘make-or-break’ element of the design is the yolk.  Going forward, I am looking for suggestions as to the best style for me.  One knitter “Woollings” on Ravelry has knit two equally beautiful iterations of this pattern.  The green version is a bit modest, with a roomier cut, and less shaping around the bust.  On the other hand, the red has a more modern cut, flatters the feminine figure and showcases the beautiful buttons.  

What to do…what to do…  Fortunately, the pattern is knit from the top down, allowing me to try it on as I knit.  None the less, I am interested in your thoughts.  Care to comment?

In today’s ramble, your favorite space cadet is going to take a detour and talk about video games.  I am sure you all noticed that my gamerscore increased a bit since I last posted.  This is due in part to Batman: Arkham Asylum, and in part to a slight epiphany.  The epiphany is what I will share with you today.

Dear Joker,
This is me, Gamermom, and I’m coming to kick your ass! 

A question was raised about whether or not I would pay for a Microsoft “Diamond” membership. I am a Gold subscriber, though I don’t know why, so this got me thinking.  I don’t play Xbox as much as I used to or would like to simply because of time and logistics. I am sorry to say that console gaming has taken a backseat to mobile.  I just don’t have hours at a time to spend in front of the monitor playing games like I used to.  None the less, I am not willing to give up my Xbox360 habit all together. Here is my fantasy console: I want it to play video games (duh). I would like it to play blu ray/dvds, connect to my home network to stream my online subscriptions like Hulu and YouTube. While at it, let’s integrate FB and Twitter. Essentially, that would make it a computer that plays video games, yes? So, is that the reason so many gamers are taking up the ‘I am going back to PC gaming’ battle cry? Ultimately, the ideal set up is all things on one account, accessible by various means at a competitive price.  Whether on my lovely LCD flat screen, or my super sexed smartphone, I want TV, gaming, videos and music in one spot with one set of credentials at one price. Does that come from my phone service provider, internet provider, cable or gaming provider?  I don’t know.  What I do know is that we have the technology to do this.  What I don’t know is if everyone is willing to play nice in the sandbox.

How did simplifying life become so complicated?  Gimme a minute, I’ll Google it!

ETA: I have been barking about ala carte television forevah!  WTF, is it really that much of a stretch?
ETAA: I  really do hate the fact that I cannot customize the title font

Kuusk (aka Wander)

One thing I wish to share about this project is the ‘nupp’.  This feature of lace is worked over two rows.  At least in this pattern.  Having never done lace before, this was a first for me.  The chart symbols were quite interesting; a ‘V’ on the first row of the stitch, with an inverted ‘V’ on the second. Took me a while to realize there was a small 5 inside the ‘V’, indicating how many knits/yo combinations that comprised the nupp.  Very cool indeed.  A while back, I received an update to “myrawoodoriginals” channel on YouTube, demonstrating a simplified way to create a nupp.  I tried it in this pattern and loved it. I will include the link for your viewing pleasure. I highly recommend subscribing to this and other channels. The technique did not apply to me at the time of its release, but I was fortunate to have it handy when I attempted my first lace. I will learn the two-row technique just for kicks.  This pattern, however, will be knit entirely with the simple method.

Please pardon the appearance of this post.  It is under construction to make this a happier, more user-friendly blog.

Ciela: The winged sprite that leads Link along his journeys through Hyrule. What does this have to do with my sweater? Absofreakin’ nothing. The sweater was designed as a ‘shout out’ to all those moths that nibbled their way into people’s stash.  Rather than maligning the moth, I decided to name it after the winged charmer from Zelda.
This sweater took way too long to complete, but in fairness to the pattern, it really lends itself to the ‘Interrupted Knitter’.  I was able to pick this up and put it down as life dictated.  That, my dear readers, makes for a splendid pattern.  The fact that it was lovely to look at and even lovelier to wear makes my life complete.
That’s it, that’s all. Peace out!

For the past few months, we have had the pleasure of the company of this sweet lil critter.  We call him ‘Moouuse’ (shown actual size, sorta). Since making his appearance, I have tried all manner of capture. Springing traps, snapping traps, sticky and spinning traps.  We even tried the neighbors cat. The level of desperation to rid my home of him stopped short of snakes; although barely. 

Then the phone rings at work. It’s my son with the news: “we caught the mouse!” Apparently, after a long day exploring the bedroom, Moouuse, in true Goldilocks fashion, found his way onto the chair and cozied under my throw. While that seems relatively cute and harmless, I must clarify that it was not just any chair, he chose my knitting chair. I will repeat this so it can sink in…MY KNITTING CHAIR! Might I add it was not just any throw? It was my 3 winters long hand-knit cabled throw. For those tortured souls who actually follow this blog, you know what  an affront this is.  Those of you who are new to my rantings, gaze upon this photo:

Could there be a more suitable throne for me, the Queen?  Right?  OFF WITH HIS HEAD, I SAY!  OFF WITH IT!
That’s a bit harsh, even for me.  Instead, it was dragged to the bowels of the tupper-chamber and forced into exile in the barren wasteland behind the barricade. Or, as my son tells it, scooped into a plastic container and set free in the neighbors yard.  I fear future attempts at escape in which case I can only hope the neighbor’s fierce lioness has its way!
Here’s something just for giggles: http://youtu.be/9bTbAsmPOKo

I have done many new things this year; things that in my ‘previous life’ would have scared the snot outta me!  Each time, I come away feeling stronger…walking taller. 
What I have learned:

1. I can find both NYC airports without batting an eye
2. I can drive 18 straight hours so my son can compete in a gaming tournament
3. I can survive 3 solid days of Halo Reach and the teens that come with it
4. I can navigate up, down around and through the Blue Ridge Mountains
5. I can maneuver the 5 mile long downhill stretches that come after the above mentioned mountains.
6. I am terrified of ‘runaway truck ramps’, blown out tires on the side of the road and elevations over 3000 ft
7. I can drive to Citi Field and back

That is a pretty impressive list, don’t you think?  Considering this was just the past 3 months.  In that time, I had a few moments, I call them my ‘oh shit’ moments.  I had one last night.

Last night, the Mets hosted a ‘Stitch n Pitch’.  For those of you who are reading this, I don’t have to explain what it is.  For the rest of you, Google it.  Then, the Mets announced it was ‘Star Wars Night’. Being in the ‘Firsts’ state of mind, I decided I HAD to go.  Alone.  So, I bought my ticket.  Next step, transportation.  Alone=Train so I looked into the MTA.  Fighting off another OS moment, I sent out an SOS to a very kind-hearted fellow at WFAN who patiently gave me a lesson in public transportation 101.  This is very good, indeed.

Until I missed my train out of Poughkeepsie.  OH SHIT! Breathe, Regina, Breathe…

I can do this, there is another train in an hour.

Grand Central Station.  Lovely to look at, but rife with OS potential.  Fortunately there were plenty of police sprinkled around.  The 7 Line?  “Right over there.  Takes you right to Citi.”  As promised, the sight of Citi Field from the subway window was wonderful.  The stop is a stone’s  throw from the Rotunda.  I bought a program, got my pencil and found my seat.  Missing that first train left me without the free yarn/needles for the fundraiser.  I didn’t think I would get much knitting done anyway.

Boy, I could use a drink.  Hey!  I am not driving!  I can have a drink!  One Stella, coming up!

I was fine until the 7th inning.  As I sat amongst the knitters, chatting away with their friends from various knitting clubs, I suddenly felt alone.  Even in the company of Darth Vader and Mr. Met, I started to get that funny feeling in my stomach and that pinching in my nose that comes just before the tears.

So I got up, had another beer and walked…and sniffled…and caught up on some of my favorite ‘Tweeters’.  A Mets reporter that I follow (you know who you are!) mentioned that my solo-ness was depressing, like having a fly ball come my way, only to have it stolen by a Wookie! And that is when I began to cry.  I cried, but not because of how I was feeling, but because he was able to make me laugh in spite of it. 

Last night’s life lesson: At the end of the day, no matter what kind of pitch life throws me, if I can laugh then it is a good day… A good day indeed.

May the Force be with you; it was with me last night.

This post was made possible by the support of @StevePopper and @MetsWFAN