Monday, February 25, 2008

Turning the page

I'm sure many of you have heard that phrase once or twice (and very often during this election season). My experience with it recently came by way of a shawl that I endeavored to create. I just remembered that I own one of the very wonderful Barbara Walker Treasury of Knitting Patterns book -


I decided to try one of the lovely lace stitch patterns for an over sized stole that I plan to wear to my library's annual luncheon. I had just gifted myself nearly 750 yards of some delicious Habu yarn that I bought for a mere $20 bucks from Purlsoho.

After about 3 repeats of a 12 line pattern my lace didn't look anything like the picture.





What could possibly be wrong? I began to wonder about my lace knitting skills, could I be so lame after all of these years and not know it?

Then, in an attempt to find a more mindless lace pattern, I turned the page and Voila! There were 18 more lines to the dang pattern!



Now that's much better

There were other surprises to my weekend. I turned 49 and that feels as bad as I imagined it would. A blizzard blew in out of the blue




and screwed up any attempt at fun canceling a weekend trip to Boston that was to include a basketball tournament (yeah big whoop). I had dreams of lunching on Boston clam chowder and touring yarn stores while my son ran around some basketball bubble. Instead, I got to be tormented by the child because I decided not to risk my way too old life and drive among New England's historically bad drivers in 20 degree weather on 2 feet of snow!

In the end, I managed to divert my attentions by watching the rerun of the Obama/Clinton debate.



National politics is sometimes a lot kinder than the dirty tricks my 13 year threatened me with if we didn't at least try to drive to Boston.

I'm not ashamed to say that I ignored him while I instead yelled at the TV, jabbing points with my needles and otherwise pretending that I could solve the nation's problems if only my son would stop whining about his bad fortune for have a wussy mother who is afraid to drive in a blizzard.

Knitting is my salvation for now, look what I got done in just a couple of hours!


Lamb's pride bulky, 2.5 skeins


If only I could stop pondering what it feels like to be as old as my mother. I guess I'll just turn the page on that one.

19 comments:

Two Cables and a Frapp said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Two Cables and a Frapp said...

Oh Deborah !!! First off, Happy Birthday to you. We almost share the same birth date (check my blog). This should cheer you up a bit. Feel better because I've got ya' beat in age. I love the yarn, I love that you got it on sale. The pattern is lovely. The knitted and felted bag, cute, cute, cute !!! No pouting allowed. Cheer up !!!

Virtuous said...

I would have chickened out on the trip to Boston too! LOL gurl you are funny! @ your too old life...what a BLESSING!

I LOVE the lace shawl you are making, I am in progess of making one too but mine cost waaaay more than your deal! And doesn't like as pretty with that great stitch pattern you are blending..thank goodness you turned the page! :oD

Can't wait to see it on you! You will be fierce!

Vera said...

Happy Birthday!!! Glad you found your mistake in the pattern. Been there--Done that.

carlita dee said...

Hey hey, now. There's only one alternative to 49, nothing else. Don't go feeling bad for living. I won't mention here what happened to my mother when she was 49. And, if I may be so forward as to say, girl, you're looking FINE. I hope today you're feeling fine, too.

Now. Here is what I see as the real problem: You have a winter birthday. On the East Coast! I say pick a warm, inspiring month and celebrate! (Especially since your celebration was snowed out.)

Belatedly -- but not if you celebrate in, say, June -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday! To me, 49 sounds fun (at least it will be for me as my kids should mostly be out of my house, thank the Lord).

I'm a Barbara Walker convert--I need to get that book. And the lace looks gorgeous. I know it's going to breathtaking after blocking.

Ina said...

Happy Birthday! If it's any consolation to you, I just got my first pair of progressive lenses.

DH once tried to drive to Boston in a snowstorm and had to turn back in Connecticut. He doesn't do such anymore.

Nice bag... it even coordinates with what the candidates are wearing! I do wish the hair-pulling would stop.

Jeanine said...

Happy Birthday!!!! You look fabulous btw. That shawl is going to be lovely when it's all knit up. Like your bag too.

Anonymous said...

Belated Happy Birthday! Don't worry about being 49, 50 is coming. Really, haven't you heard that 50 is the new 40, that means you're only 39. Hope it was a great day.

Mary Anne said...

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday, dear Deborah,
Happy Birthday to yooooooouuuu!

You're still young, kiddo!
Best wishes for many many more.

Anonymous said...

Happy Belated birthday. Your stole is going to look fabulous. I like your bag too. Maybe you can store your stole wip in it, if you felt so inclined.

Necia

Lynn said...

Isn't it amazing what we can find out by just turning the page??

And yes while you are as old as your mother, the alternative isn't such a great alternative!!! Plus you are still in your 40s! We won't discuss next year......

Sheila said...

Happy Belated Birthday!! The shawl is coming along beautifully and to think you thought something was askew...lol.

Torhild Reidardatter said...

Happy birthday to you..happy birthday to you...can you hear the song? I would NOT drive in that weather eather... tell your son that there are other fussy moms.
Love the lace.... with 18 rows..lol.( did the same thing once) and the bag is yummy.

Rebecca said...

that seems to happen to me a lot with knitting... i turn the page and there's more? what? i've been doing it wrong the whole time? i can't believe you're 49! really? i never would have guessed. happy b-day. hope you got at least one bite of really delicious cake.

hakucho said...

Happy Birthday! (a little late) I'm so glad all was not lost with your lacy shawl...imagine what a turn of the page will do. It is very lovely :) You felted bag is very cute too. Knitting make me feel better...always :)

happy knitting :)

Beverly said...

Happy Birthday. Remember that 50 is the new 40.

For shawl designing you may want to check out Sharon Miller's Heirloom Knitting. It's a great shawl reference. Good luck with the designing.

Melissa Perreault said...

A huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY Deborah!!! You're too hot to be be old. 49 isn't old, at least not on such a hot momma as you. ;-)

Man, the lace looks lovely and the purse is just *drool!!!* The lace looks so elegant, perfect choice (as always).

That's some serious snow, I would've chickened out too! WOW!

Unknown said...

Happy belated birthday, Deborah. I spent my entire 49th year fretting about turning 50. Since hitting the BIG 50 last June, life is more grand than I could imagine. Enjoy every single day of life.......

The shawl & the bag are gorgeous!!