lisa’s place

If you haven’t already discovered this author, take a moment and find out more about her now.

She is intelligent, easy to read, descriptive in the most appealing way, motivating, and so genuine.  She is brilliant!  I know virtually nothing about her, and yet I know that her writing is that of one of the most intelligent and insightful women I’ve ever read.  Seriously, take a moment.

I need to step back for a minute here.  I read her earlier works because my mom enjoyed them. I loved them and couldn’t wait for more.

Then, there was more.

If you know me, then you know that if I want something, I just buy it.  However, sometimes I can be a little silly about spending money on fiction - and then, not so much.  However, her new book was released and I couldn’t imagine spending $25 for the hardcover edition.  I waited a couple of minutes and was still really unsure about spending that much… and then, this appeared:  Kindle for iPhone.  I was one of those dorks that really wanted the first generation Kindle, but didn’t think it was a good way to spend my cash (instead, I got an iPhone - you can decide for yourself whether this was a good idea or not )

I LOVE this app.  I can read Kindle books on my iPhone - sure it is small and all, but I have relatively young eyes and the thought of moving all of my heavy books makes it all the more appealing…

I got the app, bought the book… and guess what.  I absolutely NEED to have this actual book.  It has been so very long since I’ve loved a book (not a classic) so much that I longed for the smell of that book.  I feel like I am missing out on the experience of these stories by reading it on my phone (and I love this app, don’t get me wrong).

I want to smell paper and glue and chemicals and that smell that makes me happy and a little nauseous at the same time.

Check this book out from your library, buy this book, do whatever you need to do - but read this book!

Really.  No, really.

(I guess I should have finished the book before I said this, eh?)

Why does life always get in the way JUST when you get on a roll?  I’d been doing so well posting regularly and remembering to take pictures and such… and then… well…

At any rate, I will be returning soon (if all goes well, that will be Monday).

For now, here is some roving I dyed in a range of colors.  I’m thinking to ply each color with the same solid color, but I can’t decide which solid to use.  My initial thought was black, but I am starting to wonder if that might not be too rainbow-y.  White would definitely wash out the colors, while a neutral like brown or gray might just look poorly planned.  Any thoughts?

Here are the colors (the black is in there because I was think of using it… try to pretend it isn’t there, please):

Wow, these really look overexposed.  Sadly, I am kind of excited by this (given the usual darkness of my house).

I’m thinking to use the yarn I spin from this for a vest.  I’d really like to hear thoughts about colors I should consider using as a second color for plying (Mom, that especially means you - comment already )

Back soon, I swear.

What is this thing?

An Easter treat?  A rather large pack of birth control pills?

Oh, silly me, it’s a knit kit.  The all-in-one tool for knitters.

Check this thing out, it has all the emergency knitting tools you could ever need.  (If you think the idea of an emergency knitting tool is silly, this may not be an appropriate purchase for you to make).

A counter and a thread/yarn cutter:

A crochet hook on the side for any number of tasks:

A 60″ tape measure (two sided, with metric on the back):

Here’s the back with a little storage area for stitch markers, point protectors, and a pair of folding scissors:

These little scissors are actually pretty comfy to use and are apparently TSA-approved so you should be able to take them along on your next flight.

I’m thinking I’ll keep this in my purse and then it will be handy whenever I need it (theoretically, at least).  I have a feeling I’ll use it for lots of non-knitting things.  How great to always have a pair of scissors and tape measure in your purse.

The little counter could be a great aid to those of us who tend to be a little OCD with numbers and counting (or maybe just a big problem, only time will tell).  Maybe you should take up knitting after all, Laurie?

For the low price of about $20, I think this will be a purchase I’ll use almost every day!

My nephew’s first birthday seemed like a great excuse to make Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Tomten Jacket (ravelry link).  I spun up some BFL in greens and browns with some hints of blue:

The blues were so much more visible in the singles.

As a two-ply:

The tomten jacket was a really quick knit - and surprisingly not boring (as I expected all that garter stitch to be).  I’m really excited about making another one, maybe even Jared’s adult version of the jacket.  Have you seen that?  Seriously, go take a look - it is unbelievable!

I followed the instructions for the jacket in Knitting Workshop and Knitting Without Tears (they are quite similar).  I started and finished knitting this project while I was sick with that horrible plague of February - the spinning was done in December and January.

Here’s the finished jacket:

I had a little bit of extra fun with the zipper.  No idea why I made such a big deal about putting it in, it was quite easy (once I just put the dang thing in).  I basted it in by hand and then machine sewed it using a slightly longer than normal straight stitch.  Easy as pie.

It’s a little big for the boy right now, but he’ll grow into it soon.

See those little remnants of birthday cake on the cheeks and eyebrows?