Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Waiting for the Dalai Lama
Two weeks ago we went to a lecture by the Dalai Lama. I bought the tickets months and months ago, and even brought the whole family; I thought it might be the only chance the children would ever have to hear him speak, since his last public lecture here was about twelve years ago.
Over 5000 people attended. Naturally there was a lot of waiting involved; waiting in a line that wrapped around a large building to get through security, waiting in line for the restroom, and waiting for the lecture to start. Security was tighter than at the airport; the rules included no phones, food, or water. Happily, circular knitting needles were fine. Unfortunately, cameras were not allowed, so I have no pictures of the event or even of the waiting, but I have lots of knitting proof of waiting:
The lecture was not what I was expecting; I'm not sure what I was expecting! He sat and talked informally, telling stories, his thoughts on some topics, analogies, and joking a bit. He seemed like he would be a very easy person to talk with. Maybe that's why he won the Nobel Peace Prize :-)
Oh, and by the way, here is the first coriolis sock from Cat Bordhi's book New Pathways for Sock Knitters, Book One, knit in Wollmeise:
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Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Mini Shawl
I knit a mini shawl for an introductory lace class. I knit it in order to help teach, but of course I learned a lot from it myself:
- Must resist urge to use a variegated yarn on anything other than the most plain stitch. See how lost the pattern is, and how stripey it looks?
- I like my lace on smaller-than-recommended needles. I want only the holes to look like holes, not the entire fabric.
- Addi lace needles really do make a difference.
- Wet blocking isn't so awful. This was the first time I tried it; I usually steam block.
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Details:
- Pattern: Fiber Trends Flower Basket Lace Scarf & Shawls, by Evelyn A. Clark
- Yarn: Schaefer Yarn "Andrea", 100% Silk
- Needle: 3.25mm
