here there be pirates

FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS

Those of you who’ve been reading for a while will remember that J, Mister Mongrel, has created a knitting rap. He was reading one of my patterns and decided that the gibberish he saw would be better expressed in rap form. So, if you can picture it, read along as a non-knitter. Just say the syllables. You get: ssk ssk yo tog ssk tog yo

Yeah. I married it. I don’t explain it.

So of course me and my knitting clan make him whip that out every time he sees us (which is, perhaps, why he now avoids social interaction).

The other day we were sitting on the couch.

J: Hey, guess what I just realized?

Me: Mmm?

J: Well, you know my knitting rap?

silence

Me: Are you kidding?

J: Yeah, ok. Well, I’ve decided that since I do the knitting rap I should have a new name.

Me: Um... what?

J: You know, on your blog. Since your computer just got a new name, so should I.

Me: Sure, honey. Whatever you want. What name?

J: Wait for it.

Me: threatens menacingly with Addi

J: P. Knitty

So there you have it. Mister Mongrel is now officially P. Knitty.

I take full responsibility.

SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS

What would a snappy new name be without a matching, snappy hat?

Thanks, P. Knitty, for modeling that for me.

You know, I can’t even write that with a straight face.

pattern: We Call Them Pirates

yarn: Dale of Norway Hauk, one skein each in black & white for hat

Also, tiny bit of Karabella Boise for the lining

needles: Addi Turbos US 1 and 3, 16”

Also, Knit Picks dpns in US 3

modifications: Absolutely none.

thoughts: Since this was my first real stranded pattern, I’m proud as hell of the job I did. That said, my tension was predictably uneven (not terrible, but enough that I notice). Beyond that minor issue, this ranks up there with one of my all-time favorite knits. It was SO quick, because I was having a blast, and it looks fantastic on him. Plus, this is the first thing I’ve ever knit where P. Knitty (snort) actually called it “cool.” I’m so glad. The Hauk is wonderful to knit with, soft enough that it doesn’t hurt the fingers, and Teflon-coated to boot. The Boise? Hell, it’s half cashmere. What can I say? I love this freakin’ hat. I’m definitely going to knit more.

THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS

I’ve got two things on the needles. The first is my Ravelry Scarf Exchange Scarf. It’s the Angel Pearls Beaded Scarf by Sivia Harding.

I’m keeping the yarn a secret from the recipient (it’s not a secret exchange, so she knows who I am and what I’m knitting for her) but I will say this: if I could knit myself underwear from this yarn and wear it on my head, I would. ‘Nuff said.

The second project on the needles was born from a need to knit something that didn’t require a chart. Or beads. Or thought process of any kind.

Enter the Lace-Up Scarf from Alterknits.

If you know the pattern you may be hating me for saying it’s thoughtless. To be sure, it’s not the easiest of patterns. But I’ve knit one of these before. I can’t show you (it was part of the Great Blog Disappearing) and I loathe linking to Ravelry before it’s public, but that’s my only choice. So for those of you on Ravelry, click here for Lace-Up v 1.0. Everyone else, please accept my apologies. I’ll never substitute pattern/project info here for a link there.

So, here’s the Lace-Up Scarf Redux.

I’m using Misti Alpaca Suri Silk, which is the kind of yarn that makes even non-knitters pet the ball in that pr0nographic way we all know so well.

This is flying off the needles, so I’ll keep you guys posted. Something tells me this is going to be my favorite scarf this winter.

Assuming we’re still in Chicago.

Which is the

FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS

Yeah. We’re still here. The housing market? Well, it saw me coming, put on its brass knuckles, took a big swig of rum and is standing, fists raised, between me and San Diego.

We’ve had showings. We’ve had open houses. And so have the other five people for sale in our complex. Sigh.

Send happy, warm thoughts our way. We may be here for another winter.

At least P. Knitty has a warm hat.