Stops and Starts

Now, it could be the fact that I can see HWWV bobbing his head up and down and mouthing the words to "Rebel Yell" in my peripheral vision that is making it difficult to write this post, so bear with me.

It could also be the fact that the "W" on my keyboard decided to malfunction (on the dreaded intermittent basis) last night. At first, I was convinced that food was NOT lodged under the laptop keyboard because I blew it with that condensed air stuff like crazy. But now that my wireless mouse, the one I attached along with the new plug-in keyboard I just bought, is malfunctioning too, well, a gal's gotta check it all out and be honest.

So I'll be honest: The reason the mouse isn't working is that it is most likely lodged with a chunk of quesadilla from last night's dinner (I'm using Girlfriend's kitchen table place mat as a mouse pad). Further, the reason the "W" is malfunctioning just might be more than from overuse. It might be from over-eating.

It is probably a misplaced crouton, or perhaps a caper particle that is wedged under my "W." And, sheesh. Now I'm wondering if that guy I spent an hour this morning convincing that the malfunction was from overuse (after all, my name starts with the letter, and so do many of my favorite words, like "Well," "Wonder," Wool," "Wouldn'tcha'," "Wonky," "Whatnot," and "[W]OY?) will be the guy who ultimately gets my lap top in the repair shop and dislodges a hot dog slice, or worse, a dried piece of martini olive and sends the thing back, unfixed, and unwarranted, and with a note scrawled in red, that says, "DON'T YOU KNOW NOT TO EAT OVER YOUR COMPUTER?"

So lots of stops and starts today. I found out one of my favorite yarns, Elsebeth Lavold's Silky Tweed, might be discontinued. What's up with that? I know that most of you prefer wool, and to knit with, I do, too, but I can't wear lots of it except for when I visit the Antarctic or maybe my OB/GYN's office; otherwise in these parts, I sweat like all get out, like in this pic.

But I'm in the minority. I'm sure wool is the bomb. But if you want a lightweight yarn that feels like it could be wool but it isn't totally--and you're not going to write a pattern to be published and have to put aside the lot like I just did--go to WEBS and get some. It's mighty drapey and kind of warm, and probably for most of you, it's stuff you can wear even in the spring, and the colors are nice, too. And, it's cheap.

BTW: As you might know, Sizzle will be part of the next Sexy Knitter's Club KAL. On the blog site, I have posted substitute yarns (this is not an exhaustive list, just some off-the-top-of-my-head list of suggestions, and you can visit the site, scroll down, and find a list even though you're not a member). I have also put a PDF on my sidebar under Pattern Updates that gives tips on converting the pattern to one in the round.  But to be honest, I think it is less trouble to knit it in two pieces and seam it up later...

Comments

[LaurieM]

I love Silky Wool. I knit my husband a sweater from it and he's so cuddly when he wears it.

[denise in c'ville, va]

my laptop's keys messed up a lot -- the d and e -- the top of the keys would come off entirely. the condensed air only did so much.
eventually Dell sent me a new keyboard to drop in -- and no problems since.

adore silky wool. knit a shawl out of rust color. sigh. sweet stuff.

[Carol]

Soooooo glad that I just purchased all my Silky Wool from Webs on Monday! There won't be any left after everyone reads this! Your shrunken cardi will be going on the needles soon with mine.

[Kirsten]

My K was wacky a few months back. (oddly enough I'm a K name, must be overuse!) Apple very kindly replaced the whole keyboard - and it was under warranty. I'm sure I had some croutons and martini olives in mine too. Now my E is the one causing all of the problems.

I love Silky Wool, I must rush over to Webs.

[Angela]

I am just finishing the shawl in the new Rebecca with Silky Wool in the most beautiful rose color for me Memere. Lovely stuff!

Now that you've wiped out the "W", how about the g.e.o.r.g.e??? :-)

[jillian]

Sillky Wool discontinued! Why ever would they do that??

It's one of my favorites too! Is it a might or a will? I didn't get any at the WEBS sale because it's in my stash, but if it's going to be discontinued - must stock up!

[Cheri]

Perhaps they're not discontinuing it completely? Just certain colors? (Yarn dex says it's currently being produced). Needleworks by Holly Berry house in Colorado Springs carries a ton of Silky Wool....

[Trish]

Elsebeth did NOT call me about that, and I am ticked! I get all the latest info from your blog! Thanks for the link to WEBS. I adore Silky Wool, and the Tweed is a close second.

[pixie]

I like silky wool, but I have not tried silky tweed, I'll order some up and give it a try on your recomendation.

So did you buy an apple or do you own an apple? I have a G4 powerbook and the powercord sucks beyond anything I have ever experienced. I am on #3. Apparently the new intel ones have a nice re-designed powercord. On the mac site there is like 2903819084 complains in the reviews section for the old ones. I guess I'm stuck with it for a while. I do love my powerbook over all though.

Toby my little dog knocked the O key off, and i went to apple to have them replace it and the idiots used a piece from an imac under the key so now that key is shorter then any other key on the keyboard. GRRR!!

I do love my 12 inch powerbook though. It does everything I want and I didn have to install anything but adium (if you havn't tried it check it out, it's great) oh and I use fetch to upload files and stuff.

[Wendy]

Silky TWEEED, my friends, not silky WOOL...

[Renee]

Would you post the yarn substitutes on your blog too? I bought the pattern, but I haven't joined the Sexy Knitters KAL.

[Wendy]

Renee, I'll post a link to the club. It's an open site. You can just take a look at it there.

[Leslie]

Wendy, I'm knitting Sizzle for the KAL. I just have to wait to get home to download the pattern, and then pick a yarn (the hardest part for me). There's three that catch my eye, and I will be making the neckline a little higher. I'm so glad that your pattern was chosen. It's a good excuse to buy more yarn!

[C.]

Is it a vain hope that its just Webs that's not carrying the Silky Tweed anymore and KFI simply not dc'ing it?

I'm currently knitting up your Marilyn NSSC in the brown silky tweed and it feels divine once knitted up. And it's nice to knit with too! Of course, I bought the silky tweed at my lys which had it on sale before Webs put it up for sale ('cept not as cheaply).

[jess]

hmm I was hoping it wasn't acutally discontinued. i've seen webs put yarn on closeout but the yarn wasn't discontinued... but maybe that is just wishful thinking.

i ordered a ton of black silky wool last week (yum!), but I am really tempted by that color you have! Is that 004? :)

[Wendy]

...Yeah, it is 004, or at least I think it is!

[Dorothy B]

I eat over my computer too. You would think they would change the keyboards a little. They know everyone does it.

[Monkeygurrl]

I eat over my keyboard at work ALL THE TIME. Kinda embarrassing when I have to turn it over and shake it out.

At home? No one is even allowed to eat food in the same room!

[fluttercrafts]

You don't sweat, you "glisten" heh...

[Katinka]

These little asides about your book are KEEEELLLLING me. I can't wait to see an entire volume of Wendy designs. :)

[Sahara]

Could it be that HWWV is a Rockstar Supernova fan like me? Toby rocked Rebel Yell last night! (down with Dilana, she's so over-rated)

Oh, and about eating at the computer...I went to Catholic school... my computer teacher a nun...
I now have major guilt problems when I eat at my own computer!

[Tammy]

That's funny Sahara - I was thinking the same thing about Rock Star Supernova... must've been on.

[Wendy]

...Yup it was on, and he was pretending he was a rock star, too.

[Sarah]

Crap - you are kidding?!? I haven't even heard from a rep about it (not that that's surprising or anything). Well shoot. I may have to buy out all of my own inventory just to hoard the stuff.

[Boo]

I will be totally bummed if that Silky Wool is discontinued! It is a fab yarn! It knits up beautifully, and I love how it drapes and feels. Yummy!

(This is just like lipstick! They get you hooked on one, then they discontinue it!!!)