Solitary Knitting

Simple Joys
Patons Grace
Aquifer

I love Hubby and the boys to distractions, but, I am so, so happy to finally have the apartment to myself.  T1 is home from NJ, so he and T2 took my mom out shopping today.   Hubby is at work.   This is the first time I have had the apartment to myself since before T1 went away (six weeks!).

What have I been doing with my alone time?   I slept in, read for a while and enjoyed a quiet cup of coffee on the patio.   Then, I knit.   Then, I took pictures of my knitting.   Now, I am writing about my knitting.   Once done here, I am going to go eat fish tacos (that only I like) and very possibly read about knitting while doing so.   Yes, folks, this is the perfect day.

Now, prepare yourself for an Andy Rooney moment.   Do you know what I hate?    Well, nothing really, but I do seriously dislike not being able to find something that I know I have.    During the photo portion of my lovely day, I wanted to pin out and photograph my in progress Simply Exquisite Shawl (thinking of changing that to the Phoenix Shawl since it rose out of the ashes) but couldn't find my blocking pins anywhere.  I know I have them.  I used them the two times I pinned and photographed this same shawl (I am actually working on three samples but am only photographing one for the pattern).   In an effort not to let this glitch derail my day, I used embroidery needles to pin it, but I really am going to have to find those pins.

What you see here is my Simple Joys shawl.   This will be my sample.   The one I wear out to be seen. I know it does not look all that impressive but it is early days yet.    I love Patons Grace.   It is awfully nice for a not high end yarn.   The mercerized cotton washes and wears well and some of the colors are really outstanding.   It really is perfect for Florida summer knitting.

TED Knits

Simple Comforts Wrap
Paton's Grace
(Wildberry)

What do you do while knitting?   Do you ponder the universe?   Let your mind wander freely?  Watch TV?   Listen to a good book?  Chat with friends?  Probably, like me, you do all of those things.  

One of my favorite knitting companions is TED.   TED bills itself as "Ideas worth spreading".     TED brings us 18 minute long "riveting talks by remarkable people".     Today, I am listening to a group of talks by artists talking about what it means to each of them to create.   Tomorrow, I might be in the mood for science, or humor, or social justice.   I don't know about you but my mind needs to be fed.   TED is yummy brain food.

Recently, TI & I hit a local Starbucks for sustenance (aka caffeine).   While waiting for our drinks we were happily discussing TED's upcoming visit to Jacksonville.   Our barista joined the discussion.  He loves TED too.   It took a few minutes to sort out the fact that we were having two different conversations.   We were talking about TED (Technology Education Design) he was talking about "Ted" (the R rated movie with the rude teddy bear).    If that were not goofy enough, there was another patron enjoying the heck out of our exchange.   It seems she quickly picked up our differing perspectives on what "ted" meant to each of us.    TED & Ted, Jacksonville in a nutshell.