I-Cord - U-Cord - We All Scream for I-Cord.....

They say there is better living through chemistry. A veiled reference to some ethereal high that can be obtained through drugs. Well, I have found that there is also better i-cord's through technology. What's an i-cord? The bane of my knitting existence (see picture for i-cord example.)

Some of you may know the i-cord from childhood when you were given a little wooden spindle with 4 nails in the top and hole running through the center of the spindle and some yarn. You may know i-cords by the name French knitting. All of these things mean the same same - pain in my backside! That was until last night....

Yesterday, I was discussing knitting and crocheting techniques with some of my fellow Ravelers and someone said that making i-cord (which can be done with knitting needles) was the thing she hated most. Well, I tend to agree with her, it's right up there with cleaning the toilet in my book of things that I just can't wait to do (yes - that's sarcasm.) Anyway, then another Raveler jumps into the conversation and she also posted a picture of this little gadget for making i-cord. Now, I'm all about the gadgets - if it's a gadget I have it or will find a way to get it and I can't blame the muse for that one. It's pure genetics right form my dad. I had two coupons for Hobby Lobby and I remember seeing this there - as a few of my fellow Ravelers were swearing by this thing, I thought why not give it a try.

Lunchtime, Monday 8/16/2010 - Place: Hobby Lobby - coupons in hand. I go to the knitting area grab the last Embellish Knit off the shelf and head to the check-out (via the low-low clearance yarn - got three skeins - I was meaning to try one of them anyway and I figured this was an economical way to do it as they were 80% off.) Now, I'm figuring that the girl at the checkout will only take one coupon for the Embellish Knit as that is their policy. Well, look out because the heavens opened and the angels sang - she took them both (they know me there let's just leave it at that.) I walked out of the store with an Embellish Knit, which promises to make me love i-cord again and three skeins of yarn for 8.00$ (money from my coin stash only) Glory Hallelujah!!!

Evening, Monday 8/16/2010 - Place: My Home Studio - yarn and Embellish Knit at the ready. Well, long story short - you see the result in the picture - One nice lovely little pink i-cord and I didn't even turn the air blue once. Praise Be!!! Then it happens the muse walks into the room sees the i-cord and starts doing her little dance and giggling like a 5 year old. Now I'm making an i-cord scarf - I only need to make 135 feet of i-cord spread among 9 different colorways of yarn. Heaven Help Me!!!

Regarding the Embellish Knit - it's a great little product - after I recover form the throws of i-cord mania, at least I won't be dreading the i-cord any longer.

Peace and joy to you all......
The Green Girl.

The Angel Cometh.......

Well another Monday is almost over. It was an interesting day and not in the Chinese curse sort of way, but rather a day of revelations on many fronts. I have been given my first Angel assignment for a fellow knitter in my personal Baker's Dozen group. Her color choices are dusty rose and dusty green. I think that's a lovely combination and I think I will knit a square with both colors rather than just one or the other. I hope the person that was suppose to knit the square is alright - I think we had heard she was having a lot "life" happening at the moment. Life certainly can be overwhelming. It seems to be overwhelming a few of my friends these days - I'm here if anyone needs an ear to listen.
As you may have seen in a previous post, I finished my personal winter scarf and now have started on one that will be a holiday gift. It's a fantastic mauve color and I think the recipient will at least love the color. Fingers crossed. Poor sock is still sitting on the loom glaring at me for not working on it all weekend. Sorry - you're not forgotten, just set a side for the good of .... well..... anyway.... I'll get back to you soon. Promise.
And the muse is back in full glory. I really think she was on strike until I got this studio completed - now that I have she's partying like it's - oh pick a year - she's lovin' life!!!
OK - I need to go raid the stash and find a skein of dusty pink and dusty green - then I need to fluff up my wings and be an Angel for the rest of the evening. Too bad I don't still have my 1977 Farrah flip!

Peace and joy to you all....
The Green Girl

The 13th of....... "Let's Celebrate This!!!!"

The 13th of..... The month never matters really ,but when we know that the 13th is on a Friday lots of folks get a little freaked out. I on the other hand have always loved odd numbers, so I've always seen the 13th as a good day. Friday the 12th - bad, bad day - actually most Friday's are good, good days (it is the last work day of the week after all.)

I did a little checking on the history of this poor defamed day and found that if a month starts on a Sunday, there will be a 13th on a Friday. We have at least 1, but no more than 3 such days in the year. According to Wikipedia (and we know it is the true source of all correct information) this date was not considered unlucky until the 19th century and didn't appear in writing until 1953. So, this day has been around only a little longer than I have. How can that be bad?
In honor of this day, I started a new scarf design (actually last night). I won't post pictures until I talk to the Zen Master of Knitting (The Yarn Harlot) as I am incorporating part of her "One Row Scarf" pattern into the design. I want her permission to publish this as a free pattern if possible because a couple of folks have asked for the pattern. Coming from academia, I am very conscious of plagiarism so I need to discuss this with Stephanie first (you all wouldn't want to see me knitting in jail now would you.) If she gives the go ahead I'll publish pictures, if not I'll change that part and then publish. Just getting all my knits and purls in a row first!

Now, proclamation for the day - Go forth - knit, purl, have a glass of wine, relax by a pool, or whatever makes you happy. Let's celebrate this (day)!!!!!

Peace and joy to you all.....
The Green Girl

P.S.Permission granted - pattern Published as free on Ravelry - The Green Girl Friendship Scarf. Enjoy!!!

Hip to be Square......

Quick update on the Wizard of Oz - Ding Dong the Witch is Dead - my lifelong dream of playing the Wicked Witch has been dashed. It was not meant to be. I'm heartbroken for many reasons, but as a good friend said, I now have more time to create and knit. I know many people that have dubbed me the Wicked Witch in private (students) were looking forward to openly calling me the Witch. Sorry to spoil your dreams, folks! (Ha ha ha ha ha - insert a little cackle.)

Anyway, about a week or so ago I joined the Bakers Dozen group on Ravelry. Each sub-group has 13 members and each month you knit a 12x12 square (your choice of design - MOM's choice of color, fiber, weight). Each member ends up with 12 squares to make into a throw or whatever creative object they wish. The MOM (member of the month) requests a color, fiber and weight option. It's a great group of people. Your group can consist of people around the world or just within your own country. I was placed in the US/Canada 3 group as they had lost a member. My month will be February 2011 (guess what my color choice will be?).

So, since I have had some free-time (no rehearsals for the Witch) I got to designing and knitting the squares for the August and September MOM's. It was a lot of fun and a bit of a change from all the socks, scarves, ponchos, mittens and hats that I'm knitting for the holidays. If you are a Ravelry member you can see the particulars for the squares on my Ravelry project page.

Now, instead of being the Witch, I have decided to become an Angel. Big change I know! Anyway, an angel is someone that steps in and knits a square for a group if they have a member that is "dealing with life" and can't get a square done for a particular month. I doubt I'll be up for any halos (the witch lives deep inside me), but I'm glad to help where I can.

So, Ding Dong the Angel lives (that doesn't sound right, but you get the idea.)

Peace and joy to you all......
The Green Girl

Audition Anxiety and Socks

Today is the day - the day DH and I both audition for parts in "The Wizard of Oz." As you will have read from an earlier posting, I have wanted to be re-cast as the "Wicked Witch of the West" for the past 30 years. I have never asked to be cast for just one part, not ever, I love the theater and I'll do anything, usually! This part is different and I don't know if I can be a part of the ensemble and watch someone else with the part of my lifetime. So, this is an all or nothing type of thing this time around. I'll live with the final decision.

DH is auditioning for one of several parts. Dave has a lovely voice, always has, but yesterday was the first time he's ever danced in his life. We didn't even dance at our wedding. However, the opportunity to be the Tin Man or Wizard was too much for him and he's been practicing the audition dance non-stop since the class yesterday. I must say he has become 100% better with the practice. For his sake I hope he gets a part. This will be his second performance if he does and I think he's having fun.

Anyway, I'm more nervous than a cat in house full of rocking chairs. I've practiced my song, learned several of the character's speeches, so I'm ready. I'm up against some stiff competitors though and they've been in this group a lot longer than I.

So, in order to keep myself under control I've been knitting socks and a scarf. I switch off every now and again to keep myself sharp and relaxed (Ha as if I could be relaxed - who am I kidding.) Good luck to all my fellow Wicked Witch wannabes.

I'm off to see the Wizard......

The Green Girl

AKB Sock Loom -Review

I finally received my Authentic Knitting Board Sock Loom today. I was waiting for them to arrive at the local Hobby Lobby and sure enough they came just in time to use a 40% off coupon. Yeah!! So instead of 24.95 - it was 14.97. It came with an Instructional DVD, Allen Wrench, Knit Pick and of course the loom.

I am getting ready to start a new sock class for looms and I always like to show the latest tools so that the students have an opportunity to see and practice what's available. This also means I'm amassing quite a nice loom collection to go with my regular knitting needles. What's one more gadget anyway?

Review:
I find that the loom has one major improvement, the metal pegs now have a round/flattened head and a grove along the body. This makes picking up the stitches far easier than their older looms of which I was not a fan.

The spacing of the pegs is 3/8 inch. They say that the loom can use any sock weight yarn. I think that if you want a dense sock, you might try using two strands of yarn if you use a very light weight sock yarn. It seems that a #3 yarn would work perfectly. It looks like that is the weight of yarn being used on DVD. I will try a couple test swatches in the next few days. If I had to pick a yarn this second, I would try the Yarn Bee Snowflake yarn (can be found at Hobby Lobby and I love it for socks.)

The loom is made of wood and is not overly heavy. I must say that Da Loom has spoiled me with their new high impact plastic looms. I really wish these other companies would find a way to go to that type of material.

It is adjustable and has a slide similar to the Da Loom and KISS rectangular sock looms. This loom can be adjusted to knit socks for babies to adult men. The slide and the end piece have 5 pegs each and the two long sides have 25 pegs/each. Total pegs = 60.

The Instruction DVD: I must say that as an instructor I spend a lot time watching instructional DVD's and online tutorials. All of the folks that take the time to make these videos and put them out there for the rest of us should be highly commended. They are a great resource for students and instructors alike. Now, all that being said, the DVD that comes with the sock loom should get a knitting equivalent of an Oscar. The video is sharp and clear, the close-ups of the stitches are very easy to follow and the narrator has a clear and easy speaking manner. This is by far the best instructional video that I've seen to date. It's worth buying the loom just to get your own copy of the DVD. Honestly!!! It's going in my knitting arsenal as one of my top 5 process tools. If you decide to use another loom, I think that's fine. I'll never give up my Da Looms, but because this loom has a larger peg spacing it makes it far easier to understand how the process works on a rectangular loom. From cuff to toe - there is a nice section for each phase of making the sock.

I'll try to remember to put some pictures of the test swatches on the blog when I get them done.

Hope this helped.

Peace and joy to you all...
The Green Girl

Following the Yellow Brick Road.....

There is something that I love so much that is scares me to write about it, to let others know how important this thing is to me, but this blog is my safe place to let the world know the Green Girl so I shall share with you all, the one thing I enjoy even more than knitting. I have been participating in local/regional theater for the past 30 years. I've acted, directed, made costumes, organized props, worked the lights, you name it and I've been involved (and I've never had any intention of doing it professionally.) I love the theater -it feeds another part of my creative side, it makes me feel whole. Perhaps I have been acting since I was old enough to walk, playing "Pretend" (as the Aunts called it) when I was little, was my favorite activity. I was a doctor, teacher, princess, explorer, you name it. I can feel the excitement filling me up even as I write this blog. What a high - no drugs required!

This past year, my DH and I moved from Seattle back to the Chicago area and I have become involved in the local theater group. I have to say that this group is the most amazing group of individual's that I've ever worked with and that is due to one particular director. Paula never treats us like a groups of amateurs (which of course we all are.) She says, "This is the production that we are doing and this is how we are going to do it." Meaning that we aren't going to cut corners because we aren't a professional group. And goodness knows, it works every time. The audience gets an experience that makes them feel as if they spent a night at any professional theater. Paula is truly the backbone to the success of this group (at least that is how I see it.)

This Sunday, is the audition of my lifetime. The Green Girl is going to audition for the part of "The Wicked Witch of the West" in the Wizard of Oz. Now, at one point in the distant past I was cast in this role, but due to my parents objections at the time, I was not able to accept the part. So, this audition has a little extra meaning for me. And if I am not cast, yes I'll be sad, but I will be there to cheer the rest on to what will be a fantastic performance! Hopefully I'll break a leg and when I wish upon a star, I'll wake up where the clouds are far behind me (to quote the song.)

Now, I have recently joined a knit a square a month group on Ravelry and although I have not been added to a group yet as they have to have 13 people, I am designing a Green Girl square that I will knit for each person in the group (pictures to come). If I am cast in this very special role, I will of course be knitting these squares in the wings during rehearsals (when not chasing after Dorothy and her little dog of course) and I'll send a picture along with each one so that the recipient will feel the special vibe that the theater can give to an item knit when surrounded by the muse and all her sisters, brothers, and munchkins.

So, off I go to follow the yellow brick road......
Peace and joy to you all.....
The Green Girl.