Jul 03 2006
Sleight of the Hand
…I started on something to distract eyes away from my secret knit…
However, I have a feeling that this quickie little hat may be on request by both sisters after they see this version – which is most definitely mine! It is the Headline News Newsboy Cap from Stitch n' Bitch Nation. Another stashbusting knit, this time using yarn that has been in the stash since October 2004. It is Rio de la Plata wool - the other Uruguayan handspun kettle-dyed wool. I thought this variegation was perfect for the July's purple theme. I am enjoying the simple cable too – it has been quite some time since I have done textured knitting, and I forgot how much I like it! The timing is good, however, as I need to warm up: several of the fall knits I have planned are big on cables!
I had a very big surprise this weekend! I was set to go to a theatre show with Coleen, and I got a call from my sister, Mimi. She asked (very nonchalantly) what I was doing for dinner! She and Daniel are moving to North Carolina in August (from Hawaii) and took a trip to househunt and learn more about the town… but their flight had a last-minute shift, and they ended up coming through Maryland! I was so excited and happy to see them both, if only for a few hours! (and Coleen totally understood that I needed a raincheck)
This was the first time we have seen Daniel since October – and he has been to Afghanistan and back in that time. It was such a happy coincidence that their flight was rerouted!
It will be so nice to have them closer! That second Hawaiian vacation will just have to wait…
Mimi's birthday is the 12th of this month. I have encountered a few little problems with the certain thing I am making for her… I had to restart several times, as I don't think the yarn was a good match for the pattern. However, as if by divine providence, the new issue of a certain free online knitting magazine came out, and had the perfect pattern – same gauge, same style, and SO Mimi. Last-minute change, but this one will be so much better! (Yes, I know all of this is very vague, but all will be revealed after I give her this certain thing…)
My mom (coined the "Lolly Mama" at a recent knit nite) also found a perfect project following this month's purple theme. She will use the Debbie Bliss Merino Aran in colorway 702 (from a sale bin at Sheep and Wool festival – she got a real deal!) and will follow the Braided Neckpiece pattern from Teva Durham's Loop d Loop book.
Such a beautiful piece! I am pretty sure I will make one too…
With the new month, and the new color theme, don't forget about the Project Spectrum Postcard Swap! The swap is still a month-by-month signup. If you were a participant last month, you need to sign up again in order to get a pal for July! The deadline for signups is July 10th, a week from today. Please note that your pal's name will be sent to you on the 11th – next Tuesday. I received my June postcard from my swap pal, Royal Empress, over the weekend. I love how she personalized it with my name, written on the little ribbon. Thank you so much for your card!
And I got the cutest citrus print pouch from Kelli! She has been crafting, cooking, and writing up a storm lately… and she has a great blog too! Thank you Kelli!
It is like all of Project Spectrum rolled into one little accessory!
Lolly,
Your site is always inspiring to me! I love the projects you’ve chosen for the fall month. I’m so glad you were able to spend time with your sister and brother in law; what a happy surprise!
I’m so glad that Mimi is moving closer! Although, I know it was great fun going to Hawaii!
Have a great 4th!
That is awesome news that Mimi and Daniel are moving to NC! Everyone so happy and smiling so big..it’s contagious. I am smiling too! Lots of new projects you have going on there and I love the yarn choice Lolly Mama picked out!
You and your sister look SO much alike!
That’s great that you got to see your sister. I’m always awed by how much you two look alike. Happy 4th!
I saw LOTS of cables at the TNNA market this year. You will be in with the in crowd.
Amy
What a fun dinner surprise! Your newsboy cap is looking great – good luck with the Mimi secret knit – can’t wait for the reveal.
Whoa, I’m totally going to make that cabled hat this month, too! It’s going to be for my SIL, what a coinkidink. Purple hats must just be the thing. Yay, I’m glad Mimi got to visit, what a fun surprise. When they’re in NC, you’ll have an excuse to visit the awesome beaches at the Outer Banks! Be sure to put up a picture of the Lolly Mama’s neckpiece, I’m sure it will be stunning.
How fantastic that your sister is moving closer to you. Family nearby is so nice!
Yeah!!!! I am so happy for both you and Mimi! It’ll be nice to have her so close (although having free lodging in Hawaii didn’t suck I bet!).
I am soooooo thrilled for your entire family. Oh, and coincidence? I think not. I think fate made sure that you got a little surprise visit from your sister. I am sure that fate felt it had been WAAAAY tooo long.
tee hee!
it was great to see you tonight! I missed you!!
Hey cutie! SOooo exciting that you had your sister in town! Yeah! The hat will look adorable on you. And I love all of your fall picks! Especially love the lace socks and the patons hooded cardi. Great new projects girl!
how great that you got to see your sister! you must have been thrilled to see daniel. so glad he’s safe. and just goes to show airline madness can have a happy ending.
i love the newsboy cap pattern. made one a while ago and love it.
Lolly Mama must be proud of her beautiful, accomplished daughters!
Woo Hoo! That is great news! I am sure the whole family is thrilled. Happy 4th Lolly!
so, whenever you’re done stashbusting, i’ve got the other, other uruguayan, handspun, hand-dyed wool yarn place to go. It’s like the knit picks of south american wool… handpaintedyarn.com you know you want to go drool.
I love that yarn that your using for the Newsboy Cap! There is something about kettle-dyed yarn that makes is so nice
How awesome that you got a surprise visit from your sister! And now she’s moving closer! yay!
Happy 4th!
awww how lovely!!! i love surprises like that, they are so amazing
hope things are going well for you and that your knitting works out..oh and ps: i dont know if sarah told you or not but the town they are moving to is like 20 minutes from where i live haha awesome!!
I love cables too – I have that Patons hoodie and the lace knee socks on my to do list for whenever as well! You and your sister look so much alike! So cute!!!! It will be great when they are closer!
I love that scarf – in person it is quite compelling, as well. Elegant, but interesting.
gotta love those little (but great) surprises in life! i am glad you got to visit with your sister and her DH!
Thanks for the reminder about that certain online knitting mag…and I think I know what pattern you’re doing! I think I’m going to make one (or more) myself.
I can’t wait to see LollyMama’s completed Braided Neckpiece – I have Loop d Loop but so far am too intimidated to try anything (it doesn’t help that all the patterns I like are for such small-bodied people!).
Wow, I can hardly wait to see your mom’s July project shape up – that is COOL. Glad you were able to take advantage of your friends’ serendipitous visit!
What a wonderful surprise! Look forward to seeing your newsboy cap- the yarn itself is gorgeous!
Yay! So glad it arrived. Happy July to you!
That’s so awesome that your sister is moving back and you got to see her and her hubby!
I can’t blame you all for being totally excited.
I sent my card out today (!!). I don’t feel too badly after seeing that you got yours this weekend. Shame on me!
Can’t wait to see your hat. I have one skein of Rio de la Plata and no idea what to make with it.
Shame on me for getting it out late!! I’m glad you like it. Better late than never. It was hard to focus on on making it while my little mamma, who is 5, kept asking me if she could have it. “Is your name Lolly?” I would ask. “No” she replied and continued to ask if she could have it LOL! I’m blad to hear your sister is moving closer. There’s nothing like family!
It’s great that you were able to spend a little extra time with your sister! The two of you really look alike–so pretty!
Love the hat. That’s been on my list for a while. One of these days…
How great you got to see your sis! What a fun surprise! Does she know that you’re knitting for her but not what? So very sweet of you…
I LOVE! the yarn you’re using for the cap – the colors are just amazing. It is a good thing I don’t live closer or you might find that project pilfered!!
How exciting that your sister and brother-in-law surprised you. Those are the best kind of surprises. Your purple knit is great and I can’t wait to see what the big surprise is.