Knovice Knitter Kniavete

So last year in April I begin this fabulous cardigan thinking I will have it finished in 2 months. HAH! I did manage to knit the back, then the two sleeves and became stuck on the two front pieces. (Here is the pattern - you can see why I was confused).

How the heck do I knit a mirror image?? While increasing??? Now, for all you experienced knitters, this might not have seemed an issue. But to me, a year ago, it was beyond my level of knitting comprehension. I was stymied, baffled, confused and had no idea where to begin.

This week I was determined to turn this into a FO. I emailed my friend asking for advice and VIOLA! Two front pieces with mirror increases are emerging:

I know they don't look like much yet, but for me they are a monumental step forward in my knitting experience.

I did order these nifty bags from KP last week. I think they look great - but don't know how long they will hold up. Since almost all my work involves carrying an instrument in a black bag and wearing black clothes, I thought these would be less obtrusive sitting on the stage under my chair with the rest of my stuff than my brocade or toile bags full of multi-colored projects peeking out the top. Here they are if you are interested:

I'll let you know how well they last....

This weekend is a conglomeration of 3 rehearsals and 3 performances - all different music, locations and with different musicians. So if the brains and body are still intact after Sunday afternoon, I will check back and come see you all.

Have a fabulous weekend :-)

FO and a Birthday Bag, Symphony Report

Thanks for the birthday wishes. It was really nice and being middle aged isn't so bad. Like my Mom says, consider the alternative!

Here are my socks from my all-time favorite pattern "Embossed Leaves."

I used KnitPicks Gloss in Dusk and #2 DPNs. I knit one less pattern repeat on the foot since I wear a size 6.

I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these socks!!

Laura and I went shopping today at a local consignment shop and she got herself a great bag -

Boas and Polka dots!!! And the lining has little girls in poodle skirts!!

Too Fun.

Last symphony, we performed the Elgar Cello Concerto with Amanda Forsyth. She was remarkable. And you should have seen the men's heads turn when she walked in. She is a drop-dead gorgeous woman who is a fantastic cellist! Way to go, Amanda!!!!

We turned in a good performance on the brahms as well. It was a harrowing week, but the final product was good. Whew!

Next week is crazy with Palm Sunday and numerous rehearsals and performances crammed into 3 days. I will write more if I survive next weekend.

A good thing to look forward to during the week of craziness - Silly Ewe and I are working together :-)

Enjoy the rest of this one.

Embossed Leaves, Iris, and Brains

Hi Blog Buddies!!!

Sorry to be so long in posting something new.... There are just not enough hours in the day.

Yesterday was my birthday and we arranged our students so we could go out for dinner. I broke my salt grinder, and DH bought me a new one. I don't need extravagant gifts!

Embossed Leaves are a slow go - but then again, I am the Hare - here is one cuff, the other is in the same place. I just began the heel flap this morning.

(Hey ~ Those aren't toes!!!)

One of my students brought me a bouquet of Irises:

This weekend is Wichita Falls Symphony - out of town. I can't wait to play the Brahms 4th Symphony. What a great piece! Gee, I was going to link to the orchestra, but their web page is hopelessly out of date. Go figure.

I saw this on Cindy's blog and it intrigued me!

Brain Lateralization Test Results

Right Brain (52%) The right hemisphere is the visual, figurative, artistic, and intuitive side of the brain. Left Brain (52%) The left hemisphere is the logical, articulate, assertive, and practical side of the brain

Are You Right or Left Brained?
personality tests by similarminds.com

*results won't usually add up to 100% as this test measures each side seperately

Left brain dominant individuals are more orderly, literal, articulate, and to the point. They are good at understanding directions and anything that is explicit and logical. They can have trouble comprehending emotions and abstract concepts, they can feel lost when things are not clear, doubting anything that is not stated and proven.

Right brain dominant individuals are more visual and intuitive. They are better at summarizing multiple points, picking up on what's not said, visualizing things, and making things up. They can lack attention to detail, directness, organization, and the ability to explain their ideas verbally, leaving them unable to communicate effectively.

Overall you appear to have fairly Equal Hemispheres .

It seems I am pretty balanced, at least brain-wise, though there are people who would probably debate that! Have a teriffic weekend.

Socks, Symphonies and Students

Dear Friends-


Thanks so much for your input. After knitting numerous rounds of stockinette, I decided I was too bored and needed a change.

So I frogged back and began the gusset and instep with the ribbing. I also went down to #0 because I thought the fabric felt to loose. The cool part is that I switched to the Pony Pearls - they are NICE! They feel as comfortable as (my favorite) Crystal Palace DPNs, but the tips are not quite as sharp.

Work has been extremely hectic - I have played (4) children's concerts with the Plano Symphony already this week as well as rehearsals with the Richardson Symphony. Our RSO concert is Saturday and the repertoire is hard! But really fun.

The rest of my students have solo and ensemble competitions this weekend, so I have been trying to fit in as many lessons as possible in between the rehearsals and performances. Due to all this, my brain is fried and my body tired, so knitting and spinning have not been on the calendar. (Well, maybe a few rows on the socks).

Sunday is a day off, so my DH wants to check out a new venue where he has a wedding to play (remember - he is a cellist and does lots and lots of weddings, receptions, parties, etc.) Then we will probably eat dinner some where. All in all, a nice weekend.

I confess that will be happy when the Saturday performance of Ravel's Rapsody Espagnole is done - there are a lot of English horn solos for me. I am in the pressure cooker this weekend and am hoping I don't get overcooked!!