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First, Françoise . . .

Before we speak of anything else, I want to alert you to the fact that Françoise
has done it again—finished another fabulous creation, that is. Go see her latest lace. It's gorgeous and inspiring!

(Tapping foot; waiting for you to return.) Isn't it lovely?

Now, on to the mundane. I've been working on some small items this week; some mittens, some cool socks a'la Chery, and a small shawl, Violets by the River, by Hazel Carter. While I have the silk that's called for in this shawl, I'm using some Artisan Lace by Margaret Stove in a beautiful colorway called "Wedgewood." Call me easy to entertain, but I love seeing those dainty violets emerge. They make me think of my favorite Mark Twain quote about forgiveness: "Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it." So corny! But (sniffle) so sweet.

Hazel Carter has a new (to me) shawl—the Tempelhof Airlifter. I wish there was a zepplin on it but there isn't. I think.

I'm going to a party tonight for the new Fall 2005 cohort at my college. I'm planning on wearing my new bogus-lace Bellini Shawl (in "Saffron") as a sort of secret handshake. It's obviously handknit, and so I'm hoping there will be a knitter within the group of incoming PhDs and we'll recognize one another immediately because of my shawl. That sounds rather dramatic, doesn't it? I don't get out as much as I used to anymore.

Pups

Thank you for your suggestions and good wishes for Little Jack and his little thyroid. We'll try everything to avoid him spitting his pills out. He's surprisingly adept at swallowing the tidbit while spitting out the pill. Meanwhile, he's feeling frisky as all get-out. He and Mike took the opportunity yesterday between cloudbursts to bark at all the neighbors.

Happy Friday! Have a good day and a great weekend. Don't forget to bark at your neighbors!

"French-knitted"?

While perusing London's online Crafts Council's latest exhibition, Knit 2 Together, we noticed a phrase new to us: "French-knitted." What can it mean? Does it typically use human hair? The picture on the exhibit page is too small for us to determine. Someone please enlighten us to the work of Françoise Dupré! And do take a look at the Knit 2 Together page; there is one machine-knit piece called Knit Chatlines that we love. And Janet Morton's "Domestic Interior" makes our hearts race. Dear Lord We Love Knitters!

A bit of an explanation about yesterday's bit of unpleasantness...

We didn't mean to upset you with the piece by Fiona the Knitting-Hater and aspiring Ladette (what a word! what a concept!). We were merely trying to point out that while this chick who hates sticks in Scotland was writing this piece, the US was making sure that the Cairo Agreement was not about "human rights" for women, particularly where the right to choose to bear a child was involved. That's all. That's all, my smart dearies. We thank you as ever, though, for your thoughtful, intelligent, and passionate remarks.

Just A Triangle

It's just a triangle knit from Morehouse Merino laceweight in the colorway Saffron, but we love it! We wore it not-blocked yesterday because we love it so much! The colors delight our wintry spirits.

Today we will dress it out to open up the stitches, but wot larks, Pip!

Pups

After extensive expensive testing, our trusted vet has determined that Little Jack has a Little Problem with his thyroid. Imagine! We are all thrilled (NOT) at the idea of pilling our dachshund twice a day. Mike and Della are being tested now. Won't that be something? Six pills? Three dachshunds? How lucky we are that we adore our little mutts. Here is Jack, thinking dramatically about his condition.

We wish you a not-very-dramatic day; in fact, we send serenity vibes toward your knitting. Now, somebody get with Google and tell me what "French-knitting" is. I thank you.

slavering

We're drooling uncontrollably here. First, we heard that our pre-ordered copy of The Opinionated Knitter was on its way to our mailbox. Then, we saw the photo from the latest Wool Gathering, which is also in the mail.

Slaver!

Trees are beginning to leaf out here and, if it's springtime in Texas, that means the season of air conditioned knitting is nearly upon us. A lap full of wool in summertime isn't so bad when the a/c is cranked to the "Polar" setting.

Mike and Jack join me in slavering. Della is too ladylike.

And now for a bit of unpleasantness

Speaking of ladylike, didja see that amazingly acerbic article in The Scotsman about knitting being a giant step backwards for women? Then, within the same time frame, there is this story about the obstructionist attitude of the US at the current meeting for the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

Knitting bad; your right to choose, good. Or is that knitting good, your right to choose bad? Oh, the ironic times we are living in...