12.12.06
Posted in Knitting.... at 7:09 pm by smarriott
UPDATE: So I consider myself to be an intelligent woman, most of the time. But it seems these days the little things make me feel so stupid. I have finally obtained a copy of the π sweater. Who knew you could just take a picture of the magazine picture with your camera, instead of finding the picture on the web! I certainly didn’t! SHESH!
Every so often my husband likes to come up with various new projects for me to do. There was the time he decided we should learn to make pumpkin pie from scratch (note how I said “we”), meaning I should learn to make pumpkin pie from scratch. Then there was the time he came up with a great ways to improve the “π sweater, by including the entire number sequence for π along the sleeves of the sweater” (sorry people, no pictures for the sweater…. I looked and looked), an excellent, but exhausting to think about, project. Then there was another time when he came up with a brilliant idea to create a crossword puzzle cookbook. Again, not a bad idea, however, this one banks on the notion that I am a) good at creating crossword puzzles and b) have a trove of cooking recipes that are not from the back of campbell soup cans.
Most recently, as in today, I have added fuel to this ever-burning flame by a mere email. It all started this morning as I was perusing the latest issue of Knitty.com. While scouring the patterns of this issue, one very special one caught my eye, most likely due to the fact that I have become trained at recognizing math and/or computer “things” much more readily than I would like to admit. Anyway, I saw it, pondered it, and promptly decided to send a joking email to my dear, sweet hubby. Little did I know it would be my DOOM!
No, you are not seeing things. It does indeed say “sweater.” Now I know what some of you may be saying to yourselves…”Listen, Mr. Crazy (my husband) your dear, sweet, gorgeous wife (me) just made you a sweater (that you don’t wear) and already has the yarn to create the ‘π sweater.’ What more do you need, man?” While you are, indeed, on the mark with these thoughts, he is not “Mr. Crazy”, but I am “Mrs. Crazy” and here is why…..I am considering this impossible venture. Thoughts?
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12.09.06
Posted in The ins and outs...., Knitting.... at 5:19 pm by smarriott
Contrary to popular belief, I am not dead nor am I hibernating. Since my last post, many, many things have happened. I don’t even know where to start! Perhaps a chronological tour would be best……
On Thursday,November 30th a winter storm swept the MO-IL bi-state area and Edwardsville was pretty hard hit as far as ice goes. During the late, freezing, evening hours I shivered in my slippers as numerous creaking noises could be heard outside. One notable crash that night was a limb from our neighbors tree making contact with our lovely, newly-built, privacy fence. In the background you can see that the weight of this monstrosity was enough to instantly bend my tomato planters. Alas, now they are reduced to what I like to call creepy art. On the other hand, one could always say its an expression of man’s existential dilemma. Regardless of your artistic inclinations, I’m delighted by this new addition to the backyard, even if it means I’m doomed to less than perfect tomato plants for years to come!
Two thousand Edwardsvillians are still without power today and many are reduced to sign-making in the absence of television and video games. I feel perfectly legitimized in my insensitive mocking, as I did not lose a moment of my tv time and am therefore, far superior. The one good thing did come from this disastrous storm, I felt like I was living in “Edward Scissorhand’s” world where even the blades of grass were marvelous, ingenious sculptures, its a pity it only a few days. Ah, Johnny Depp…..
The next major event to hit the Marriott household is a new member! No, I am not with child, that being in the womb sense of the phrase, but have a lovely new surrogate pup. Murphy, our neighbor’s dog, greets me at the fence every evening when I return home, wags his tail, and gives me those adorable eyes. He has had quite the time on the town with Sigma and Wiley. I don’t think they will ever let us separate them again.
As we continue on our tour of our most recent series of events, I present to you some new construction. Thursday of this week I slapped up some primer and put the first coat of paint in our new kitchen. I must say, its very festive. I do, however, feel the need to salsa every time I enter the room! Just one more coat and it will be pure perfection.
Today has been quite a day for renovations, let me tell you. As we speak, my new hardwood floor is being installed by three of the handiest men. Joe is taking a break from hours of grueling bending and stapling. Levi, well, he had a hard job, too, this was a tough crowd to entertain. I’m jesting, of course! Levi was quite the handyman in fixing the damaged fence. Our spoiled pups now have their very owndoggy door!
Lastly, I have finished my recent knitting project, now named “Cha-cha.” I’m really hoping this piece is functional. Friday night I attempted to subject Nicodemus to yet another one of my torturous sweaters. He was obviously less than amused. Coincidentally, he has managed to put himself out of my reach today, so as not to be photographed? Let’s pray for all of our sakes it’s not so.
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11.20.06
Posted in Knitting.... at 7:12 pm by smarriott
Well, its been a long, long journey with this one…..but I can, at last, say it is over. Last night, at approximately 1 a.m., I put the final stitching into “Jesse’s Flames.” Please, please hold the applause. To my surprise, John wore it school today! While I know that this may be the only time it is worn, I am simply amazed that it is at least semi-wearable.
This morning I awoke fresh, new, and ready to begin a new project. While surfing for potential projects, I discovered a nifty site that will calculate the dimensions of your very own dog sweater. Here’s an example:
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11.16.06
Posted in Knitting.... at 6:28 pm by smarriott
Well avid readers, I have bad news. I did not finish the sweater this weekend. I’m sorry to have shamed you all. I did, however, finish the one sleeve and begin the second. In my efforts to drop the ball on all other endeavors, I have all but complete the intarsia of the second sleeve and am just in the process of forming the shoulder.
Despite the fact that I have not finished “John’s flames,” I am constantly thinking of new projects. Up next…..a dog sweater. I’m thinking of making my own design, no pattern, which will be either my greatest achievement or my worst failure. Time will tell. While researching potential styles for this sweater, I have come across a website that can only be described as a doozy. Enjoy!
As a side note, Sigma is feeling much better, although we are still failing in our attempts to minimize his activity.
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11.09.06
Posted in Knitting.... at 7:26 pm by smarriott
As most of you know, I have been working on the same knitting project for months now. This project, well, has really been a pain in ka-tush, if you know what I mean.
That being said, I feel a corner (fortunately, not a heel) has recently been turned in this glorious, and infamous, “flame-sweater.” Otherwise known as “Jesse’s Flames” in the Stick ‘N Bitch Nation book my sister gave me for X-mas last year. In the next few weeks, I am confident JM will be the most-stylish disciplinarian at E-ville. It certainly is a pity, however, that I won’t finish it in time for the robotics competition this weekend. Next year I’ll have to make it up to him by creating a Mr. Roboto sweater!
Here is the front (and back) and a partial sleeve. 
The constant color changing is such an awful experience! In my first attempt, 
the sleeve was 2 inches longer than it should be and I totally botched the grid. As painful as it was to take it all out, this version is much nicer, even though it still isn’t perfect. As you can see I was so busy changing colors, I didn’t exactly follow the grid as closely as I should have. Probably not noticeable at a glance, but lets be honest….I am a bit anal. Now I just need to make the other sleeve look the same.
Final touches include piecing everything together and adding the collar. Man I hope this is done soon! I’m itching to work on dog sweaters!
Now after that string of purls, I have other news. Sigma had quite a visit at the vet’s office today. For the last few weeks, he has been limping and delicately walking on his front left paw. After a week, or so, of baby aspirin, he seemed fine and calamity was momentarily avoided. Then it seemed to start bothering him again. The poor pup had doctors messing with his paw, x-rays, and anti-inflammatory drugs. As if that wasn’t enough, he’s now bed-ridden for 10 days! That’s years to a dog! Doesn’t he look sad! I think it hurts me more than it does him. A bunch of treats, and some cuddling with Wiley, should do the trick.
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