The latest tam. There are a couple of unintentional little ziggy-zaggies in Blue Daze, but otherwise I like it. I added a little duplicate stitching in pink (it's really coral, but the blue tones it down), which sets off the top. I've already started the next tam (I'm telling you, these things are addictive!), using a tubular cast-on that is picky as all heck but gives the ribbing a very smooth, polished edge. Another virtue of the tubular cast-on: you can thread in some elastic if your ribbing is too loose (which mine almost always is, after a little while). There are several online tutorials for this--google it and you'll find them. I'd do it for you, but I'm also packing this afternoon, as well as blogging.
Tomorrow is the Great Getaway Day. The three dogs and I are driving out to NM to join Bill, who is already out there with the cat. Yes, we do have too many animals, which you count in the cows, sheep, and geese (who are not going along on this trip). But we can't figure out which of them we could possibly live without. Actually, I could. I could do without those particular ganders, who are particularly nasty during testosterone season. The funny thing is that what we have (through no fault of our own) is a pair of ganders, one of whom pretends to be a goose during the months of January-April. We do not inquire too deeply into this arrangement, you understand. We just observe.
Anyway, tomorrow morning bright and early (dark and early, probably), I'm outta here, heading west, with enough yarn for a couple more tams, and some quilt fabric, and a big box of books. Oh, and three dogs. Can't forget the dogs. They would be very unhappy.
Reading note. Maybe we need different places for different phases of our lives. Maybe cherished places remain alive inside us even if we have to move on--our attachment to the earth not thinned, but widened. Still, I worry over the pile of fragments in my past, the running of one place into another. Wherever I am is cluttered with the memory of dozens of other landscapes.--Deborah Tall, From Where We Stand: Recovering a Sense of Place
Unless you have so many animals that you can't/don't take care of them, you can't have too many. :-)
i just love the fact that you live in one of my favorite places, write such wonderful stories, have dogs, and knit!
Posted by: danielle | August 23, 2007 at 12:46 PM
Oh, yum. You're knitting tams, not socks these days. So satisfying, because you get to see how the patterns work out in the decreases and *there is only one at a time* to finish! I had forgotten about the pleasures of the Hat, but now I think -- yes, it's time for renewing Hat Hysteria at Barb's house for a few months.
Posted by: Barb in Texas | August 08, 2007 at 07:53 PM
Hi Grandma,
Nice tam, funny thing, I wear dreadlocks these days and have been keeping my eye out for a new tam.
Posted by: Grandson Jason | August 08, 2007 at 06:12 PM
Hi Susan
First, enjoy your well-deserved getaway! I was so taken with the reading note at the end of this post.... very thought provoking. Thank you for this!
And, as an aside, at the urging of some SCN sisters, I have searched out a local yarn shop where I can hone my [self-taught and very rough] skills in knitting... So, when I see pics like that of your tam, I am so inspired to keep up with the sessions so that I, too, can create lovely to look at and lovely to wear items! (And, as an added bonus, get some relaxation/therapy in the process!!)
Lee
Posted by: Lee | August 07, 2007 at 06:21 PM
Susan,
Re the geese: I love to hear the Canadian ones heading for the rice fields. Then, I know I can get the "winter" clothes down!
Enjoy the peace, quiet, and hopefully, no rain.
Posted by: Leslie | August 07, 2007 at 02:36 PM
Have a wonderful and well deserved vacation I would love to see a picture of the quilt you did for your NM home. Have you hung it yet? Relax...and enjoy your time away!
Posted by: Linda Mandeville | August 07, 2007 at 08:50 AM
Susan - Forgot one thing: Thanks for sending on my cat comments to Linda Peterson. Had a nice note from her yesterday. It's so nice to know there are other cat lovers out there that are affected by them as much as I am!
Posted by: Jacque | August 07, 2007 at 08:13 AM
The tam is beautiful - the colors so light and airy. Half the fun in creating (knitting or quilting) is coming up with the color combinations!
And on the subject of animals - what, no chickens? And who feeds the crew while y'all are gone?
Have a safe trip - it should be fun with the dogs in the car!
Posted by: Jacque | August 07, 2007 at 08:10 AM
have a wonderful "working vacation" and no--one can't have too many animals. I have 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 birds and a snake and love them all-even tho' the furry ones insist on sleeping with me in the heat of the un-airconditioned house. Enjoy NM and you are slowly convincing me to try knitting again!
Posted by: theresa | August 07, 2007 at 07:39 AM
Perhaps you'll be cool Susan? altho I guess we here can't complain too much re: this summer's heat since my thermometer has yet to register 100! Have a nice vacation, and keep the knitting needles a'going........
Posted by: Phyllis Mullins | August 07, 2007 at 06:21 AM
Oh goodness, the gander-to-goose comment gave me such a hearty chuckle! :) Have a wonderful getaway to NM. I'll be there in 5 short days for the SCN retreat (not that I'm counting down!). ;)
Posted by: Becca T | August 06, 2007 at 08:45 PM
I hope you have a good, safe trip Susan! And I hope you enjoy your vacation.
Posted by: Pam | August 06, 2007 at 05:22 PM