Fricknits

Four

Has it really been another year?

This growing up is hard, my dear.

When I picked you up from your first "big kid" day at school, you ran into my arms as usual, but not with your usual grin and exclamation of "Mama, I'm so happy to see you!"  Instead, you buried your head in my neck and clutched my shoulders and were silent.  And my heart just sank.  Because when I first walked in the classroom door I saw those two older boys behind the gym mat they'd turned into a fort.  Saw them shaking their heads at you, saying no, you can't come in.  And even though your back was to me, I could tell by the tilt of your head and the slump of your little shoulders that you were asking please, may I play.  (Because you always say "may" and not "can," just like me!)

I'm proud that I managed to keep my cool through the ride home and until Daddy showed up, but when Uncle Timmy called and I told him the story, I did cry.  It wasn't just the exclusion or the sadness in your hug, but also the sweetness of what you said as we got in the car, that "those boys didn't want me to come in today, but they will let me play tomorrow."  Once I managed to breathe through the tightness in my chest, I realized that that very attitude is the remedy to the problem.  You didn't cry, scream, or run away.  You chose instead to believe the better of your peers, and to look forward to another day.  As Daddy said when we talked later, it was me, the mama, who was wounded.

So happy birthday, little love.  My Nursery-schooler, my brave boy, my beauty.  May you always be so strong, so sweet, so optimisticly sunny of disposition.  I am so very proud of you.

More pictures and details of the Chevalier Mittens, perfect for fending off life's bullies, here on Ravelry.

The Ring Trilogy

What's that you say?  You're not going to buy that Rowan, damnit?  So I should just get on with it and blog already?  Because you're sick of seeing the same old stash sale post on Fricknits?  And you're on to the next big charitable opportunity?  The one with the incredibly awesome prizes?  So I need to just get with the knitting, else you're taking your business elsewhere?  Phew.  Tough crowd.  Count to four (guaranteed mood-lifter) and come back.  Better?  Ready to forgive me?  Yay!

  

It's just one of those things.  Those do-I-craft-or-do-I-blog things.  You might know how it is.  Right?

So what have I been knitting?  Blankets.  Lots of blankets.  Starting with these three Hemlock Rings.  Because I'm actually, finally committing to some serious stash-busting.  I'm going to clean out these Ikea baskets, these underbed boxes, these beside-every-chair-in-the-house baskets, these bookshelves, these bags, these closets, these stashed-in-the-car-trunk hideway mini-stashes once and for all.  Yep.  Gotta pare down this yarn collection, STAT.

'Cause Mama's got a brand new addiction, and she needs that trunk space.  More to come on that soon. 

PS- As you may have heard, Send a Kid to Camp exceeded its goal, in part thanks to you- huzzah! 

Buy My Stash...and Send a Kid to Camp!

(First, a piece of Book Report business: I have amended my Woot rating below so that those who were initially confused by it might better understand what it meant.  Hope the notes, preachy as they are, are helpful!)

Now, on to the good stuff!  A STASH SALE of EPIC PROPORTIONS!  And not only is there something here for everyone- wool, cotton, Rowan, Cascade, STR, Lorna's- but 15% of each sale goes towards the Washington Post's "Send a Kid to Camp" fund!  I've been reading about Camp Moss Hollow each day in the Post and what it has meant to the at-risk kids who have had the opportunity to attend.  You can read some of the columns through the link above.  Meanwhile, peruse and shop away here and in the Fricknotes shop, where the same 15% contribution will be made through the month of July, and help us send a kid to camp!

THE NITTY GRITTY:
All prices are below retail and include shipping within the US.  Many of the colors and some of the yarns shown have been discontinued, so snap them up!  Some photos show multiple lots, though these lots are sold separately.  If you purchase more than one lot, you will receive a bonus gift, because you're helping to cut down on the number of packages I have to mail, and for that I thank you very, very much!

If you are interested in purchasing something, please email me at julia(dot)frickert@gmail(dot)com.  I will try to get to you as quickly as possible, but please note that my Internet time is very limited right now and so it may take me a few hours! 

I would like to be paid through Paypal and will send you an invoice.

AND NOW, THE GOOD STUFF:

Malabrigo Merino Worsted, 3 Skeins in Brownberries (one full skein is wound).  $33- far right SOLD
Malabrigo Merino Worsted, 2 skeins in Little Lovely.  $22- top SOLD
Malabrigo Merino Chunky, 1 skein in Brisa.  $12- bottom (makes a great cowl!!) SOLD

This is the kit to make "Cow" from Mission Falls- the sweater and hat up to the 24-month size.  It's super cute and includes the yarn and buttons AND I'm throwing in the pattern book, with plenty more cute baby patterns!  My boys just grew too big too fast for this one.  $42 SOLD

Debbie Bliss Merino Chunky- which is discontinued.  10 balls in a deep brown.  I bought this for Buttony, which I still love but is so far on the back burner that I might as well give someone else the privilege.  $66 SOLD

Two skeins of Manos del Uruguay's space-dyed multi-colored yarn in this gorgeous Indian Corn colorway.  This was originally going to be a scarf for Mr. Frick, but he's since crossed over into a retro-stripes phase.  Ah, fickle fashion.  $24 SOLD

Rowan Big Wool in White Hot.  7 complete balls and I'll toss in a mostly-there partial ball for free!  This'll make someone a very lovely jacket.  $75

8 balls Rowan All Seasons Cotton plus I'll throw in one almost-complete partial free!  This is one of my favorite yarns, hands-down.  $54

3 skeins Cotton Fleece.  I've just started to realize what an awesome workhorse yarn this is- but I've already used this color in a scarf, and am ready for something new!  $21 SOLD

STR!  Yup.  STR.

1 skein Mediumweight in "Froggin" which would make an excellent BSJ.  $21 SOLD

1 skein Mediumweight in "Rare Gem" $21  SOLD

1 skein Lightweight in "Titania" $18.50 SOLD

Reynolds Rapture, which is a 50/50 silk and wool and works up on size 9 needles.  I bought this to make the Sanddollar Pullover from Knitting Nature- another backburner project that I might as well save for a later date. 12 skeins in a gorgeous, shimmering teal color (#710) $85 SOLD

Yikes!  What a poorly shot picture.  Sorry about that!  Rowan 4-ply soft, three lots.  Awesome for baby stuff.

Green- called "Zing", 4 balls $30 SOLD

Blue- called "Splash", 4 balls plus a large extra incomplete ball for free! $30 SOLD

Pink- called "Wink", 2 balls plus a large extra incomplete ball for free! $15 SOLD

Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in an exclusive mint/chocolate colorway!  One skein is partial, but I only make baby socks from it and so there's still plenty here for a pair of woman's socks.  I've seen whole Ravelry threads devoted to finding this colorway.  Have at it!  $18 SOLD

Muench Tessin- a really fun washable wool/acrulic/cotton blend in a fab chartreuse color with bits of brights mixed in.  Perfect for a little kid's pullover!  Which is what I bought it for, originally.  Before I had two little boys who don't look so hot in chartreuse. 5 skeins, $45

Two lots Rowan Cotton Glace.  This is such a gorgeous yarn and these are some of my favorite colors, but aran-weight is my friend these kid-filled days.

Darker purple, a gorgeous grape hyacinth shade, 8 balls $56

Lighter purple (723) 9 full balls plus one incomplete but almost-full ball for free! $63

More Cotton Glace!

10 balls of a beautiful light blue- would make a gorgeous crocheted blanket! $70

2 balls of navy, $14

And yet more!

Gorgeous raspberry color, a full 10-ball bag!  $70

Rowan 4-Ply cotton, a full bag of this absolutely gorgeous soft pink shade. $60 SOLD

Ah, my beloved Jaeger Sienna.  Buying this, you'll be purchasing my dreams for a girl baby.  Not hopes, necessarily, as I've always wanted boys, but still.  I bought this gorgeous yarn in these three colors thinking of tiny cardigans with rosettes on them.  Seriously.  This yarn is so gorgeous and these colors are perfect.  Enjoy!

Soft sage green, 3 balls $17 SOLD

Buttery yellow, 3 balls $17 SOLD

Soft pink, 4 balls $22 SOLD

Finally, see a book you like?  Choose any book for $8.  With another purchase, $7 each.  All gently used.

The Lucinda Guy book is SOLD.

The Fiona MacTigue Knits for Babies and Toddlers is SOLD.

Baby Bloom is SOLD.

Intertwined is SOLD.

The Debbie Bliss How To Knit book is SOLD.

And remember, here and at Fricknotes, every purchase means 15% towards Send a Kid to Camp!  Let's do it, and thank you!

Book Report: 10 Things I Hate about Twilight

It's been a long time since my last book report.  The one that brought me tons of new readers!  (The kind that like to Google "a million little pieces book report" anyway.)  The one that brought me my first nasty comment!  (I think she was 13 years old.  We worked it out.)  The one that started it all!  ("It all" being the endless loop of geez, it's been a long time since I've written a book report that plays in my angsty little mind from time to time.)  Well, not to spoil everyone's fun or anything, but I just finished Twilight, and it's time to come out of retirement because I've never, ever been stopped not once but TWICE on my way to a bookstore register (and this was a small indie bookstore, no B&N) and asked where I got that book because it's supposed to be so good.  So here we go.

This book is about vampires.  (See #5.)  This book is about a girl named, yes, Isabella Swan.  (Stop snickering.  I haven't even started.)  This book contains many, many ellipses.  And for you parents of teens out there who are worried about your daughters becoming engrossed in a vampire love saga, let me quell your fears.  This book contains no sex.  That's right.  No sex.  Which begs the question: is this actually a vampire novel?  (Again, see #5.)

Let's list, shall we?

1.  The author unabashedly, unashamedly, without the slightest hint of irony, uses the terms "alabaster" and "liquid topaz eyes."  Physical features are so repetitively described, in fact, that I know more about Edward's "perfectly muscled chest" (twice in 10 pages!) than his fangs (see #5).

2.  Speaking of #1, hair deserves its own item in this list.  Meyer seems downright obsessed with her characters' tresses (a word she'd use, I'm sure).  Don't believe me?  Quick quiz.  If you've read this book, only one of these should give you the slightest trouble: Who is the character whose hair is described as: a) artfully gelled spikes? b) cornsilk? c) soft, caramel-colored, and golden?  d) dark curls?  e) bronze?  f)  a dark pixie cut?

3.  This brings me to the overt exposition that would drive me to drink if it weren't making me guffaw into my third beer already.  The first, oh, hundred pages are full of clumsy nonsense where Bella reflects on herself in order to tell you important things, like that she's really clumsy, is character d above, and also is really smart.  This author obviously never had a teacher intone "show, don't tell" at her.  Or, as I like to tell me students (via Mark Twain) "Don't say the old lady screamed; bring her on and let her scream."  

4.  And let's talk about that clumsiness and those smarts.  Having just finished up "My So-Called Life" (just released on DVD!!), I may not have been in the right place to accept a fourth-rate heroine, but please.  No more books where the girl is smart and clumsy, and we know that because she reads Jane Austen under the trees, says she gets lost in bookstores, and knows about the Krebs Cycle.  You could practically see Meyer with her high school bio book open, searching out some factoid she could use in the lab scene to make Bella look like a Smarty McPantserson.  Can we have a heroine who is smart AND reads VC Andrews, like the rest of us?  Please?  I know Angela Chase, and you, Bella, are no Angela Chase.

5.  Let's review what we all know about vampires, shall we?  Only come out at night.  Sleep in coffins or tombs (or satin sheets, if you're an "Angel" fan).  Hate holy water, crosses, and garlic.  Stake through the heart.  Fangs.  You're with me, right?  Well, Meyer's not.  Meyer checked "none of the above" and wrote in her own answers!  How cheeky of her!  Her vamps are sparkly, fragrant, mind-reading, and my favorite- can run really, really, really fast.  And despite the great number of times she references their "teeth," she never can seem to bring herself to say "fangs."  It's as if she wanted the vampire mystique, but not, you know, the actual monster.  But no fangs?  Say it ain't so! Kinda takes the bite out of it all.  (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

6.  Adverbs, adverbs, adverbs.  Oh, and speaker tags.  No one just says anything in this book.  They breathe their words (despite the no breathing thing).  And they're remarkably active while speaking.  Playfully ruffling hair, lifting their "glorious, agonized eyes" to each other, or "flashing" them, warning, muttering, approving, murmuring, setting their jaws, ordering, exhaling sharply, booming...  It must be exhausting for them.  I know it was for me!

7.  So.  Much.  Face-touching.

8.  Despite the fact that the back of the book proclaims Edward's vampiness, it takes something like 123 pages for Meyer to get around to the business letting Bella in on it.  Meanwhile, well, see #6 and #9:

9.  Constant.  Dithering.  No.  Vampire.  Sex.

10.  I admit it.  I was bored.  The mere fact that Meyers tells us there's conflict in the first, oh, 200 pages of the book does not, in fact, produce conflict.  There were some tantalizing hints dropped about Bella's parents and about Bella herself, but they never turned into anything.  Maybe I was just hoping for something?  The best characters, Jacob and Charlie Black, James, and Alice, get too little screen time.   In fact, for me, the book really didn't happen until James came on the scene.  But I can't give that away.  (It's on page 376).  The most interesting character of all is dispatched far too easily.  And then we're back to the dithering.

So why did I read all the way to the end?  Well, didn't you read # 1-10?  It can be so fun to read with your jaw on the floor in disbelief.  Plus, I kept waiting for James.  I knew he was coming, since the back of the book promised a "terrifying race to stay alive."  Had I been Meyer's editor, I would have cut about 150 pages off of the beginning.  But what do I know?  The NYT has it as a bestseller and an Editor's Choice.  It's on the Teen People Hot List!  And hey...if you needed another reason to read it, I have two words for you:

Vampire baseball.

Grade: Woot!  (ETA: There has been much confusion over this rating.  Please picture me with my tongue securely planted in my cheek.  This is the woot of irony, folks.  I would no sooner hand this book to any teen I know and love than I would a copy of "Grand Theft Auto" and a Hot Pocket.  Seriously.  They have much better things to do with their time.  Like read MT Anderson's Thirsty.  Now there's a great YA vampire novel.  My copy's headed to Kirsten's kids this week.  Also, for those who were confused by my consternation at the lack of sex in a book meant for teens, I guess my opinion is pretty firmly thus: sex is not the enemy.  But crap writing, crap food, crap-o-tainment, crap politics, and crap attitudes toward what kids can appreciate intellectually is.  Off soapbox now.  See- aren't I more fun with tongue in cheek??)

(Scale: Woot!  Quite pleasant.  Meh.  Boo.  Boo-Hiss!)

Run, don't walk!

Hey There, Gorgeous

I've been away from the Internet since Tuesday.  School and all its attendant meetings and report cards and classroom clean-ups was over at 4:00 pm and, by some cruel twist of fate, our neighbors decided to move their wireless hub or forgo wireless for the summer or some such nonsense, because there is currently no 'Net Chez Frick.  It took a few deep breaths, but then I realized that this could be a good thing.  While I'm NOT obsessively checking your Flickr streams and my Ravelry friend activity, I can, say, potty train my son.  Finally de-clutter the dining room table.  Learn to quilt (!)  And make good on the promise I've made to Ms. Kingsolver to become part of the solution.  To that end, I've planted three varieties of heirloom tomatoes in the past three days (Cherokee Purple, Hillbilly, and Green Zebra) and brought home a whopping haul from the farmer's market on Friday:

It's nice to know you're a part of a movement.  A real, honest-to-gosh change taking place in our culture (taking the optimist's view here).  Like this blogging/photo/knitting/crafting space we've created for ourselves on the Internet.  People talk about friendship and community and getting back to the roots of handcraft when they reference blogging as a movement, but there's something else about this craft movement that I think is really special and I haven't seen folks talking about, and that's beauty.  Redefining beauty.  Taking beauty BACK from the magazines and the movies and the Botox parties and the red carpet.  Taking it back into our own hands.  Have you noticed how we're doing that?

First of all, there's the power inherent in having the ability to make beautiful things with one's own hands.  As I've grown as a knitter, I've honed my aesthetic sense.  Every pretty, flirty skein that winks at me from the shelf doesn't automatically end up in the basket.  I'm choosier about colors in some ways, bolder about them in others.  I'm less likely to second-guess my gut when it comes to style.  Knitting has both expanded and refined what I think of as beautiful because it's put the creation part into my hands.

 

 

Lately, though, maybe because of all that stuff absence does to your heart, I've been thinking more about how being a part of this community has reached all the way back into my pre-adolescent, Barbie-torturing, running-wild-in-the-woods childhood and revived my sense of what makes a truly beautiful female.  Back then, I thought my mom was the most gorgeous woman alive.  Consciously or not, I thought this way about my friends, too.  Scraped kness, twigs in pigtails, crooked noses, dirty feet- it didn't matter.  At the end of the day, I still wanted to be rolled up in a sleeping bag with them, just staring at each other's faces and giggling.  And I thought I was a pretty hot mama, too.  Lip synching to Sheena Easton with the hairbrush and the bottom of my t-shirt pulled through the neck, insta-kini style? You know you did it, and you know you were thinking, "I am hawt."  Right?  Then came seventh grade.

That's what I love about Project 365.  Folks will tell you it's narcisistic, but I don't buy that.  How many of us are really initially comfortable with putting our faces out there, day after day?  It's taken me almost two years to show mine on this blog.  But all over Flickr you can find these amazing photographs of beautiful women whose stories and knitting you know.  And if you look at them enough, you start to think, "Where's my sleeping bag?  My hairbrush?  My Sheena Easton tape?"  Screw mass media's idea of what beautiful is.  I mean, Rolling Stone's got nothing on Carrie.  Want to jump-start your workout?  Forget Shape- check out Brenda for inspiration.  Want to read a great parenting story?  Move over, Angelina, Jen, Madonna, JLo.  Diana's got yer heartstrings right here.  Jen Aniston's shag is SO out.  Get the Ashley.  Betcha haven't wanted Jell-O this much since you were five.  (Erin can sell me just about anything.)  Pigtails!  Oh, and Pam?  Anthropologie called.  They want their mojo back.

Blogging has spolied me for the slick mass media version of beauty.  Kind of makes me want to get all the girls I teach a Typepad account.

The photos in this post are of my best friend Adrianna.  She's a farmer and an artist and a mother and one of the most gentle, graceful, beautiful people I know.  I wouldn't trade her as a model for anyone.  In fact, she looked so beautiful in my Sheltland Triangle that I gave it to her on the spot.  That's another thing blogging has taught me.  Generosity.  But that's for another post.