L is for Lamejun, Lavash, and Lamb

3 of my absolute favorite Armenian dishes.

This yummy food is just icing on the cake, because I am quite proud of this unique heritage of mine. Armenia is located just north of Turkey and Iran, and is considered by some to be one of the oldest countries in the world. My mom's mother (Nanny!) is 100% Armenian, and her family came to this country via boat to escape the genocide.

Fresno is a unique place to live when you are Armenian, because there is a very high concentration of people here and the traditions and culture are highly respected and practiced [note: one of my best friends got married in that church on this page!]. Fresno State also has a great degree program here on campus.

Usually when I tell people I am part Armenian, the typical response [if it isn't what the heck is that?] is "oh, is that Greek?". No, not Greek. Armo pride, baby. However, that movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding hits WAY too close to home sometimes. OPAA!

Today, we Vogue

No photos today or tonight - my camera batteries died and I wasn't about to venture out into the 112-degree heat for more. Tomorrow, photos of the Manersa Legwarmer guts; Today, we Vogue.

I am in love with the Fall 2006 Vogue.

This is serious redemption right here. I might lick my monitor I love that fair isle bit so much.

Back to Reality / Manresa Updates

Holy crap I feel about 10 years out of the loop. First there was the travel: I was in Vegas, then straight to Santa Cruz for a week, home for 24 hours before heading up to the lake for a day.... go go go! I leave again on Wednesday to Sonoma for two days. I haven't unpacked my tolietries bag since June!


Yes I take Viva on vacation with me. No I don't think that's weird ;). I also did a little stash enhancement while shopping in Capitola.
Second, there's that little central valley 'heat' thing going on [click]. Seriously, is it crazy to be super-excitied for the day it is only going to be 98? Hell, it was 98 at 9am yesterday morning!!!!

All this aside I've been knitting - somewhat. For example, the sleeve on Aline has only made it this far:


Loving the sleeve cap, Lauren. I might never go back to the 'old' way again! After I took this photo I picked up the stitches for the collar and started knitting, because the amount of yarn I have left over will facilitate the final legnth of the sleeves.

While in Santa Cruz, my Thujas made their debut:

These were quick & interesting, so I will definitely be making them again as gifts. Also, I started a new, more portable project (than Aline, at least) for the beach and car-rides around town:

This is the Mandarin Blouse from the latest Interweave, knit in the recycled Knit Picks Shine and inspired by Mayflower. I wasn't digging the wormy-ties either, so I took her advice and am working the bottom part in the round. I'm about 3 inches away from the armholes.

---

I have gotten a couple comments and emails about the Manresa Legwarmers and the sizing of them, to which I have a couple comments:

1) Keep in mind, I designed these to fit somewhat tight so they would stay up on your legs as you were walking around. The part around the calf will be noticably snugger than that around your ankle.

2) If there is interest, I can re-do the chart to include some shaping in the upper leg area.

3) It was suggested I take a photo of the insides to show how loose the carries were, which I will happily do tonight, and update here tomorrow.

Please continue to send your comments!!!

News Flash

Still alive... barely. Just got home from vacation - will post soon!

I came, I saw, I knit it again....

Those Thuja socks are being knit with Artyarns Merino, the yarn called for in the pattern. I went down to a size 3 needle, which made them the perfect size for a woman's foot. I am sitting here finishing them up as we speak so completed photos will soon follow!

However, last night about 20 hours of worthless knitting met its demise:

You may remember this stack of Knit Picks Shine Worsted in its previous form, as the Karabella sweater which I had been lusting over for months. Neat pattern, CRAPPY choice of yarn on my behalf - WAYYYY too heavy.

So I set out with a pair of scissors, a darning needles, a glass of wine and a lot of patience, and I ended up with this. Can anyone out there suggest a good summery pattern for 16 balls of Shine Worsted? I'd like to turn this into something as quick as possible so it doesn't continue to taunt me there from the dresser.

Also, I FINALLY figured out this set-in, top-down sleeve thing, with a little help from a post Lauren made a few weeks ago.


Viva supervised the entire process

Summer, Summer, Summer Time!

Happy Belated 4th of July!

We have our own way of celebrating here in the 'No
Thank you thank you THANK YOU for all the nice comments on Manresa. Putting a pattern out there on the Internet these days seems to be an open invitation for criticism (hi, don't want to wind up on 'You Knit What?'), so hearing positives is a big sigh of relief.

It's been a crazy week/end: the Cabin, Kaci's departure for Michigan, 4th of July Parties that included moving a bbq onto my deck & highly-illegal bottle rockets, planning trips to Italy, eating sushi for breakfast, surviving a couple rounds of shots called 'Beatle Mania', and still staying up WAY too late (but it's a good thing, rememeber? ;] )

Last night I finally crashed out and spent the ENTIRE night (by entire, I mean from 3:30pm until 9pm) crashed on my couch, watching the Discovery Channel, eating pepperchinis, and knitting away. Results below.

My weekend picks up again tonight @ the baseball game, then tomorrow at a friend's family party, then some day drinking on Saturday leading to who knows WHAT.... can you tell it's summer?????

---

Knitterly things
Finished:


Prarie Tunic from Spring 06 Interweave Knits
Rowan 4ply Cotton, in Bluebell, about 4.5 balls
Size 3 needles
This is the pre-blocking, pre-real strap, photo I took last night as soon as I sewed it up. Better ones to follow...

Knitting Today:

Thuja from Knitty

Published!

See me live over at Knitty!





Pattern here.