Not around much...sowwy!

To the knitsters out there - sorry for being AWOL for so long. I've been doing a lot, least of which is traveling all over the world! I even had a chance to buy some BEAUTIFUL wool in Italy last fall - some baby blue 50g balls and a huge hank of white lace-weight merino wool.

I'm back now - and hopefully will be posting a little more regularly. I haven't had a lot of time to work on much, but I have been trying to catch up on the UFOs - some sitting around for almost 2 years! (Double-sowwy, Laura!) :-(

Drop me some notes - thanks to hear from you all. Take care.

XOXO

- Bob

He's Back!

:-)

After a few month sabbatical (OK - 4-1/2 months of necessary attention to my real life, as opposed to virtual presence), I am back to blogging!

*YAY!!!* (a mini-cheer emanates from the T1 down the road)

How is everyone doing? Comment to me, if you're out there lurking! (If you're not a member, join up quickly.) If you don't want to join up, you can always just send me an e-mail.

Take care!

SKSK

- BLO

Posting - Poll!

How often should I post?

- 1x/month
- 2x/month
- 1x/week
- 2x/week
- every day
- more than once a day

And should I post pics?

- YES
- NO
- SOMETIMES

:-)

Miss you all!

Closing Ceremonies and overall progress

How far had I gotten???

At the time of the televised Closing Ceremonies at Torino, I was napping. Yep, you heard it. I was so exhausted - from just trying to keep up with real life and the entire Knit Olympics (as well as other stressors), I just decided to rest.

And Amhra'n Gra' sat. It wasn't done. It wasn't yet realized. In fact, I've finally put up some pics of the "sweater-in-progress" below! :-)

Thanks to some wonderful friends (like Karen from my Tuesday night Knitting Group), I got a new mini-Kacha Kacha. It looks just like a froggie head. So I've named it Froggie. The best part of the mini-Kacha Kacha is that it has a lock on it...so when you throw your WIPs into your bag, the counter won't accidentally get clicked past the row you need.

And in order to remember all the different cable-motif repeats (4-row, 6-row, and 8-row - respectively), I've attached another separate row counter (the red one) which gets increased every 8 rows.

If you look closely at the "single-column" cable motif (actually consisting of 4 stitches, the first 2 are a left-leaning cable and the last 2 are a right-leaning cable), it actually repeats every two rows - but is best remembered as a 4-row repeat. [CB2, CF2; K4; CB2, CF2; K4] It's, in effect, a mini-(4-st)-staghorn.

The mid-sized column cable motifs are medium-sized (8-st) staghorn. In this situation, it's [CB4, CF4; K 3 rows; CB4, CF4, K 3 rows]. It's an 8-row repeat (but can be reduced to a 4-row repeat).

The largest staghorn cable motif (centered on the front and back of the sweater) is a 16-st motif. Odd # rows contain the cable stitches and even # rows are knit all across. It's a 6-row repeat.

All the stitches in between cable motifs are done in seed stitch. Again, to help myself, I remember that odd-numbered rows begin with K stitches, and even-numbered rows begin with P stitches.

The setup wasn't easy - since the typical 1x1 Ribbing consisted of Ktbl (Knit Through the Back Loop) and regular Purls. It took longer than I thought it would to set it up...but once you did, it really helps you to memorize the simplistic pattern.

I haven't even gotten to the arms, but it's pretty much the same pattern.

Enjoy the pics! I have 16 more days. *grin*



Amhra'n Gra' profile shot - left side of the mini Kacha Kacha (froggie) is the front of the sweater. To the right of the red row counter is the back of the sweater.


Amhra'n Gra' entire back of sweater.


Amhra'n Gra' back "Staghorn" cable motif.


Amhra'n Gra' back "Staghorn" cable motif 2.

Olympics-Shma-lympics

Did I really think I'd get this done?

Well...I had the best of intentions! I really did.

I, just like some other Olympic-Knitters out there, just forgot to factor in the "real world", "work", "eating", "sleeping", and "friends/family". Those are all in quotes because I would have said so-called in reference to them.

I have had a crazy few weeks...mostly work-related, so boring to talk about here. And I've felt like I haven't spent enough time with Honey - so we completely skipped knitting meeting tonight and went out to dinner and a movie. I didn't even bring along any knitting with me.

It was face-to-face (and side-by-side) conversation all evening long. We kvetched about work - since we're in the same business and can understand each other's woes and hypothetical cruxes. We saw "8 Below" - the Disney film (inspired by true stories) about a team of sled dogs who are accidentally left behind in Antarctica to fend for themselves throughout one of the cruelest winters on record (set in 1993).

Not only was it exceptionally portrayed by professional sled dogs, they truly got into character. I was mesmerized. I was awed. And I my heart was tugged to see the pups survive (without food, without water, and without any real shelter) for over 175 days!

It's a great movie. There are the usual tragedies, and I can't use my typical catch phrase - "they all died, except for the dog" - since bad things happen, even to good doggies.


Knit Olympics Update
Back to my "Love Song" sweater. I only have about 5 inches done...working from the bottom up. The bottom ribbing (all the Knits were evil Knit-Through-The-Back-Loops [ktbl]) took longer than expected. Now that I'm into the body and I've set up the pattern, I only have to work 13.5" worth. *ugggghhh*

Update To The Update
I've decided that if I can at least finish most of the body, up to the armpits, I will have satisfied my Olympic aspirations. Though I'm only giving myself an additional 16 days to finish the entire sweater, off the needles, finished, ends sewed in, blocked, and dried!

Yep, you heard it here, folks! I have until March 14th to complete the entire project!

Back in the swing of things?

I have GOT to get back into regular blogging. It helps my sanity, increases my readership, and keeps my soapbox in regular working order.

*sigh*

Plus I know EVERYONE wants to know how my life is going, right?

Well, last week I managed to snag another "job" on a Western Caribbean cruise. It was the most amazing experience of my life - and wouldn't you know it, I got sick! Yep, we left on Saturday, and by Monday I was dry coughing, feeling feverish, and had clogged sinuses. I started to get better by Thursday, but then returned to the beautiful Cincinnati/Miami Valley and mid-30s (F) weather. It hasn't helped me completely recuperate, though I am trying.

My photos from my Christmas cruise (also Western Caribbean) will be uploaded to Flickr within the next few days. Be on the lookout!

In knitting news - Thanks to Yarn Harlot, aka Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, I have been dragged into the middle of all of this "Knit Olympics" hype. Yep, you heard it - "Knit Olympics". Afterall, we struggle, suffer, and sometimes even bleed for our art! Why shan't we also test ourselves to "Citius, Altius, Fortius" (faster, higher, stronger)?

In fact, why can't we also challenge ourselves to begin, endure, and complete a newly conceived project? On the needles as of Torch-lighting (Friday 02/10/06), and off the needles as of Torch-extinguishing (Sunday 02/26/06)?

So, hereby, I, Bob LoParo, do fully and with no reservations, consent to engage myself fully in the Knit Olympics, with rules and regulations as set forth by Mrs. Yarn Harlot, Stephanie, here.

I haven't picked out a project yet - but I'm leaning towards a cable-y sweater (1 or 2), a new pair of socks, or a pair of gloves.

Considering my track record with socks (haven't completed a pair yet!), I should probably go for the sweaters or the mittens. I haven't done any mittens or gloves yet...and never tried to do a sweater. I would definitely have to get the right yarn if I did a sweater, as I normally have a "wool-itchy" phobia (even though I know wool yarns of today are nowhere near as scratchy as they used to be!).

I'll keep updating here. Keep an eye out!

SKSK

Happy New Year!

I've been cruising around the Caribbean - working, of course! And perfecting my Fair Isle techniques. I'll post some pics in the next few days. The Felted Fair Isle Bag #2 will be done very soon. But it still needs some finishing (like kitchener-ing up the bottom, sewing up the corners to make a box-bottom, felting, lining, and then sewing in a zipper.

I know, I'm an over-achiever. Knitting brings that out in me. If someone is cabling, I know that I can cable (without a cable needle!). If someone is knitting gloves, mittens, or wrist-warmers, I can do the same, but in some funky Fair Isle/Intarsia partern. And if someone is working on Socks - let them be! :-)

That's one area where I don't usually attempt to pioneer - metatarsal tubular coverings of a woolen persuasion. While on the cruise I completed a few rounds of Phoenix2 (and it's almost as long as Phoenix1!--just 10-12 more rounds, then I can turn P2's heel and get it to the same place as P1). My real goal is to have them at the exact same spots (once the heel has been turned and the gusset stitches picked up) so that my finishing and overall measurements will be similar for both socks!

It's my obsessive nature that's controlling Phoenix's destiney...and has been controlling it for the past 9 months. *sigh* When I put a date on it, it gets even mroe depressing.

But I've finished up a bunch of Christmas/Holiday scarves, 2 were even special-ordered! Almost all were crocheted, but 3-5 were knit! Amazing for me. It takes me 1hour to complete a crocheted and edged scarf. But when I knit it, it takes me upwards of 4-5 hours. I'm a much slower knitter, which is even more odd considering that I can hold the yarn in my left hand while crocheting, but I need to force myself to concentrate on Continental knitting. (And I've never tried to crochet left-handed.) That might be a good talent to pick up!

Anyway, take care. Miss everyone. I wish you all health, happiness, prosperity, and security. Stay warm, dry, and surrounded by loved ones (skeins and skeins of "loved ones"! :-).

SKSK

Sick!

Sorry no posting for a while. I've had a sinus infection (a la Cincinnati) for the past 5 days. It's put me majorly out of commission.

I'll write more later.

Frappr?

Here's another great link:

Bob LoParo Originals Blog Readers Frappr! Map

Click the link above, add your location, and maybe a comment or two to my world-wide "Where Are You?" map.

Thanks again, Drew!

SKSK

Been a while?

I have to admit - since starting up this new blogsite, I haven't felt all that compelled to write that much. In fact, I've almost gained an aversion to blogging. That said, I'd like to try and get past that aversion.

Some updates:

1) Tomorrow (Saturday, 11/19/05) I'll be attending a local HS's craft fair. I was asked by a dear friend of mine [Amy - sorry, she doesn't have a blog yet!] to share her display table. I'll have a few of my crocheted scarves, one or two knit scarves, and some home-made crocheted hair scrunchies. Who knows if I'll sell anything, but it's more for the exposure and the opportunity!

2) I designed, created, and almost completed a cute, mini, felted backpack. It's for another friend's 11 year old daughter. For a while now, she's seen me crocheting scarves and knitting small items. Recently she saw me finish a felted purse for another friend, and she wanted a bag of some sort for herself. Her mother said that she loved blues and purples. So, I decided on the classic style of backpacks (at least those used by kids these days!). With felting and miniaturization occurring, all it would need is a simple black nylon fabric for lining and a double zipper. Additionally, I added two side pockets so that she can put a bottle of water/drink in one, and the other will be zippered so it can hold loose items (house keys, candy, pens/pencils, etc.). They will not be lined.

All I have left to do to finish the felted backpack is to block it, line it, and add the zippers! Trust me, you'll be able to see the finished pics before it's gifted. :-)

Dimensions:
11" tall x 8" wide x 6" deep (post felting, sorry, no measurements taken prior to felting--something to remember to do next time!)

Felted Backpack pics to follow!...

3) Finally, I've been invited by Crochet Dude, Drew Emborsky to submit my Knitting/Crochet profile for his new book. He's collaborating with Annie Modesitt. I can't wait to see it...and I hope that my profile info gets in there. Soon (I hope!) Drew will let me know if I'm accepted. If I'm not, I'll post my answers to his questionnaire here. If I am, then you'll just have to procure your own copy of the new book in order to see what I say about myself. *hehehe*

Have a great short week prior to the American Thanksgiving holiday!

SKSK


Felted Mini-Backpack - Top View (flap open - side pockets open) 


Felted Mini-Backpack - Top View (flap open) 


Felted Mini-Backpack - Top View (flap open) 


Felted Mini-Backpack - Top View (flap closed) 


Felted Mini-Backpack - Underside View (felted straps)