January 28, 2004
Blogger's Block!
This is a first. Apparently, I have run smack into a mid-winter blogslump. Until now, I could’ve sat down in front of my computer with nary a thought in my head and still churned out two pages of blogdrivel. But, today, when I checked in with the blog-writing center of my brain, all I heard was dry, moaning wind and all I saw was tumbleweeds blowing gently across an empty plain. Which is what makes it extra marvelous that I can reach into my grab-bag of Correspondence from Dear Readers and pull out something interesting, artistic and beautiful to share. In response to the posts about The Mysterious K’s woodworking, Dear Reader Vanessa sent me this lovely picture of Nantucket Light Baskets she made. My favorite is the one on the right. Yours?
Vanessa says, “They are called the woodworkers baskets because of all the woodworking involved. They were my passion until knitting took over my life.”
As a Class-A information junkie, I, of course, had to research the history of these beautiful baskets. Among my web hits, I found this informational site and then I found these cutie-patooties.
Thank you, Vanessa, for sending this lovely photo and saving me from my own mental wasteland.
Thursday Morning Update! In a comment, Vanessa provided this link showing more beautiful baskets which are, as she says, "the real thing."
And, speaking of woodworking, what’s going on with TMK’s woodworking and occasional visits to ManLand? Well, last week’s woodworking class was Workshop Layout, this week’s is Joinery (Part II! Part II! Part II!, as TMK keeps reminding me), and next week—the Holiest of all Holy Grails—Router Class (I swear TMK actually hears heavenly music and sees golden-winged cherubim and seraphim when she says “Router Class.”) Her actual woodworking has tapered off a bit since it’s too cold to work in her workshop and she doesn’t want to paint any of her current projects until she can have good ventilation and…okay, lies, all lies. The truth be told, she bought two new video games, Maximo and Vexx.
Knitting Knews
Thank you to everyone for their suggestions on how to wrassle my miles of eejit-cord into submission. Here a picture of the finished pillow still without its i-cord, and a picture of the i-cord, still without its pillow. This weekend I'll sew the i-cord on. Really. Cross my heart. Scout's honor. No, really. No, really.
The pillow is scrumptious!!! Great job Ryan! Now....I've slept since you told us much about the pillow...did you use a cable needle or do the "cabling w/o a needle" thing I hear so much about? I've looked at the websites describing it, with pictures and all....but it makes my head hurt to try to follow it all....
;)
Posted by: Lisa on January 28, 2004 06:29 PMhow exciting to scroll down and see my baskets! check out this site for the epitome of nantucket baskets
http://www.alanswreed.com/featured_baskets/featured_baskets.html
they are the real deal :-)
Lisa, I'm using a cable needle. Actually, I'm just using a bamboo dpn; works just as well. Like you, I've read the "cabling without a needles" info, and just can't wrap my head around the idea of just dropping the stitches of your needle. Yes, maybe it works, but if you do lose control of your stitches and they run down, even just one time - oy!
Vanessa, thanks for the site! I added it to yesterday's entry as an "update" to make sure everyone sees it.
Posted by: Ryan on January 29, 2004 08:53 AMI like the second from left one.
And, I've had pineapple and ham pizza - the first time someone suggested it I thought it was very very bizarre, but it's actually nice and juicy.
I love your pillow! I am going to try a cable scarf for hubby next.
May I share? I am knitting the bottom border of my perfect sweater and then have one more sleeve and the front bands. Scary because I've never done button holes. Did I mention they are scary?
Question, for anniversary gift do I want a heated towel rack(present temp 16 degrees) or a digital camera?
Debra,
That's a tough call...towel warmer...digital camera...but being a gadget person myself, I would go for the digital camera. Although I can see the lure of the towel warmer when it's 16 degrees outside! ;-)
Posted by: The Mysterious K on January 30, 2004 08:06 AMWell, good morning, TMK! I see YOU'VE been busy! ;-)
Debra, I gotta go with TMK. Digital cameras are neato-keeno. And every day you think of new uses for them. In fact, here at work, if someone has used a whiteboard extensively but wants to copy the information down at his or her leisure, we just take a digital photo and then they copy the information down from the photo! Besides, you can use the digital camera all year. When summertime comes, the electric towel warmer will lose some of its charm...
Re cable scarf: Is this the first time you've done something cabled? I LOVE to do aran/cabled projects. They're so easy, and the results are amazing!
Caroline, you're a brave Eastcoaster to admit you've eaten ham and pineapple pizza. But, see? It's not so weird.
Posted by: Ryan on January 30, 2004 08:29 AMOooh - fabulous baskets! I liked the littlest one with the lid. How long does it take Vanessa to make one, I wonder?
Yes, put the I-cord on the pillow. It's lovely, but it's going to be p-e-r-f-e-c-t with the i-cord.
And tell the mysterious K that routers are cool. Hubby and I watch Norm on The New Yankee workshop sometimes and he's got some truly awesome tools. (not that I'd get into woodworking myself, but you gotta admire a master craftsman).