La Sirena

The Joys of Spring

Colorful schoolwork

A new found hobby, courtesy of a Great-(in both senses of the word) grand-mother.  Note that the fearless five year-old did not hesitate to jump into colorwork.  She was very hesitant about the idea of posting a photo of a work in progress, but relented with the condition that she be the photographer.

Remember the smatterings of yarn we dipped in the Easter Egg dye last year?  I didn't really either, but figured it was high time I should.

And last but not least.. a work in progress from the garden

A little bit hideous

I present to you a finished pair of socks,  knit in self-striping "ONline" sock yarn in the Sierra color-way.  Seeing the finished product, there is something about them that is, well, just a little bit hideous (the colors in the picture below are more accurate).  Perhaps it is just the season.  I think these socks would look lovely under a brooding sky.  They seem well suited to walk the misty moors; to scale craggy mountain tops; to inch closer to the fire and pull a blanket close around the shoulders.  In accordance with Murphy's law, or perhaps just my own fickle nature, I completed the socks in just in time for Texas Spring.  I think the socks may be destined for Afghanistan.

In the meantime, I learned how to make a short-row heal.  The right way (on the right) and the wrong way (on the left, with all the holes before I seemed them shut. ) 

Miscellany

A crochet swatch that is thinking of becoming a yoked cardigan.  It has not entirely convinced me yet.  The yoke pattern is from Lionbrand. The yarn is elann.com's Adara.

The embroidery on this apron has been finished for over year, but I just finished the border and ties yesterday  I didn't use any darts, so it wrinkles a bit.  There is something about machine sewing that begs procrastination for me.  I think it is the fact that it demands that I set aside both space and time.   I can't just pull out the sewing machine on a park bench, or  look up at movie or my daughter's newest dance moves between stitches (though perhaps with strategic placement of the machine and more practice, this could be arranged). 

This project was born of my daughter's inspired observation last year in Mexico, that the traditional embroidered tortilla napkin would make a wonderful apron.  She chose the Asian hello kitty motif, I chose to do modified red-work and edge with a 30s print instead of the more traditional crocheted edging (to save time, LOL).

Sisterly Knitting

Before launching on superstitious tangeants, there was knitting (and crochet).   I did a bit of both while in Mexico, but did not get the camera back until earlier this week.

Here is the work on a white cabled vest for my sister (still waiting on a picture of the FO from the recipient).  You will note the fine workmanship my sister-in-law graced on my nails (alas, the picture's a bit blurry).   

My other sister kindly presented me with two skeins of variagated yarn, and the proposal that we make eachother something with it by the end of the week.  She requested armwarmers.  This was my opportunity to try the magic loop method (knitting in the round on one cirular needle) while she whipped up a crochet hat.  We were both pleased with the result.

I like the magic loop method and would use it again, especially when caught without drop-needles but don't expect to be converting entirely to circulars anytime soon.

PS: There are some new additions to the FO gallery as well, (both in 2007 and 2008).

Ex Voto

An exvoto is a votive offering in thanks of miracles received.  The term comes from latin meaning "in (or out of) promise or vow."  Exvotos have been around for thousands of years and can take many forms.  In Mexico, exvotos are small paintings on tin, illustrating miraculous near-misses: accidents avoided, illnesses healed.  They often bear an illustration of the catastrophe itself, some short text explaining the miracle received and an image of the Saint believed to have facilitated the miracle.  These are then left at local shrines or churches.

Above is my own small exvoto, not painted on tin, but merely a simple index card.  I give thanks for the safe passage for myself and all the other passengers involved in what could have been quite a calamatous crash on the dark and rainy night of Feb 10, 2008.

The small silver car at the bottom, is a milagro (miracle) also offered at churches by suplicants and greatful devottees.  It was mere coincidence that it was still lingering in my coat pocket the night of the crash.

 

Malverde and Me

Warning: Long Fiberless Post

I may have seen him before and not taken notice.  He has the appearance of a typical macho but without colorful patriotic trappings.  He wears no  sombrero, no bright kerchief (though sometimes shown with a red neckerchief), no mask, no cartridges across the chest.  He is rumored to have been a railway or construction worker, but his clean white suit and black neck scarf don't seem quite suited to either occupation. Often he appears more casually dressed in black pants and a white cow-boy style shirt with black pockets.  He is revered as a legendary Robin-hood-like figure, especially in his native city of Culiacan, in the Mexican state of Sinaloa where there is as shrine and annual celebration in his honor.  His popularity is on the rise, even becoming an international phenomenon.  So say the NY Times, Fox News, PBS, The Associated Content... 

He is known as the "Generous Bandit", "The Angel of the Poor" and "The Narco-Saint."  The NY Times tipped me off.  Jesus Malverde makes himself available to the faithful through appearances on votive candles, t-shirts, figurines, household cleaners, prayer cards and perfume sold throughout Mexico and Hispanic communities in the United States including this website.  U.S. drug authorities consider Malverde products as admissible evidence in court against possible drug traffickers.  A bust of Malverde now resides in the drug wing of the Mexican Military Museum.   

Malverde has been the inspiration for 3 movies and a a play, a couple of which are not really about Malverde at all but deal with drug related themes. He is also the inspiration for California based hip-hop artist Malverde.   For the hip-hop artist, the name isn't merely a reference to Malverde's possible gangsta leanings, as much as a tribute to "that legend that for me represents those magical things our generation has lost such as the old tales, the expressions and sayings my grandfather used to live by."  Though he acknowledges that his initial  "themes were about street life." He goes on to say "Now my lyrical focus is more universal, about life, action and consequence."

Though media accounts revel in describing Malverde as the Narco-Saint and dropping references to the high-rolling drug-dealing devotees who visit his shrine; which not coincidentally is in the state that some consider to be the birthplace of Mexico's drug-smuggling, they also acknowledge that many of the petitions to Malverde are not drug related and the petitioners themselves come from all walks of life. 

The real Jesus Malverde, if such a person ever existed, lived during the Porfiriato (1877-1911), an era when big business and foreign investment in Mexico was greatly improving the lives of some and further marginalizing many others.  Legend has it that Malverde was one of many bandits and upstarts in the prelude to the Mexican Revolution, who robbed from the rich to give to the poor.  He was executed by the police in 1909.  His first miracles were the safe return of a woman's lost cow and a friend's two mules loaded with gold and silver.  Today's devotees give thanks for miraculous healings, the approval of passports, a successful shrimp catch and countless other miracles large and small.  (He is not recognized by the Catholic Church, and his holy images invariably include the Virgin de Guadalupe or Christ, often Christ the child for back-up).

Researchers believe that Malverde received the title of "Narco-Saint" during the 1970s at a time when Sinaloa was embroiled in a military strike against drug smugglers of the region.  The smugglers paid tribute to Malverde as a local saint and the media picked up on it and popularized the idea of Malverde as a Narco-Saint.  The title has stuck. While the Mexican military wages a renewed battle against drug-traffickers, smugglers have added weapons of popular culture to their arsenal. Malverde is one such weapon as the shrine has become a way that smugglers can bolster their connection to the community and exert their authority while fostering an image as noble bandit do-gooders.  Narcocorridos are another such vehicle, so it is not surprising that there are several dedicated to Malverde or that they are often sung at his shrine. The one below, with images of the shrine is but one example:

I encountered Malverde through the NY times; the following day Malverde peaked out from an old article in the local English Language Newspaper among a stack of old newspaper at my Mother-in-law's house. The next day at the post office, Malverde stared blankly at me from the front of a Mexican plastic mesh market bag, tucked at the back of  table of trinkets for tourists.  That night I boarded a bus back to the United States.  Two hrs into the trip we crashed into an overturned 6-wheeler truck transporting horses around a blind curve in the rain.  A small SUV had overturned just before us trying to avoid hitting the truck.  The passengers and the bus driver emerged startled but unharmed. As we waited for the authorities and a ride home, we watched as the driver and passengers of the SUV returned their car to the upright position and drove off. A trail of serene and completely unharmed white horses were led two by two to graze by the side of the road. There were no casualties in an accident involving at least 45 people and animals.  As I thought of the curious newspaper articles tucked in my backpack, I couldn't help but wonder if Malverde was trying to get my attention.   

Like Water for Chocolate

The main character in the novel (and film) "Like Water for Chocolate" expresses her life through her art in the kitchen, but in her darkest moment she turns to crochet.  She produces an afghan so long it trails behind her as they try to cart her away.   When I read this, I was surprised how easily I could imagine myself in her place, not at that moment per-se but in an alternate despairing world, possibly as an older woman with an afghan too long to fit on any bed trailing behind me.  Perhaps this is part of the reason I've shied away from afghans until now.  I made a couple of baby blankets when my daughter was born, but for some reason, this seemed in an entirely different category than the afghan.

Now, of course, no such tragedy or heartbreak has struck my life.  The house simply feels lonely with myself as its sole occupant for this week and the next and the rain pouring down all afternoon.  It seemed like a fine time to work on an afghan (on my new year's to do list, if you recall).

The yarn is Vanna's choice by Lionbrand, picked up at a nice sale price earlier this year.  It began in ripple stitch.

But wasn't quite turning out the way I wanted my afghan to look.  I think it makes a fine scarf.

Switching the stitch pattern to Afghan Squared (basically a huge granny square) gave me just what I was looking for.  Here's what I have so far:

   

Valentines

Half asleep, on my way to the bus stop this morning, the sidewalk gifted me this beautiful Valentine... a sacred heart, dropped perhaps by a student or faculty at the nearby Catholic highschool.

I also share with you an easy pattern for a crocheted Valentine.  Mine was worked with a size L hook and worsted weight cotton and produced a facecloth sized Valentine (about 8" across), however you could also work it in a finer gauge to stick on a greeting card, use as a coaster...etc.

Patttern:

1: Ch 4, 3dc in 4th ch from hook; ch 4, turn

2: Dc in next next dc below, ch1, dc, ch1, dc, ch2 turn

3: 2dc in ch1, 3 dc in next ch, 2 dc in last ch, ch3 turn

4: dc in same st, dc in each st across, 2 dc in last st; ch4, turn.

5: 2 dc in next ch, 1 dc in nxt ch, 3 dc in nxt ch, 1 dc, 3 dc; 1 dc, 3 dc, ch4, turn 

6: Skip 1st st, 4 dc in next st, *sk 1st, sc in next st, 5 dc in next repeat from * 2 more times, ch2 turn.

7: sc in 3rd dc, in next sc st, work 5 trbl crochet, work 2 slip stitches across the downward slope fo the cluster below, slip one stitch in the center dip at the top of the heart, work 2 more slip stitches leading up in the central dip at the top of the heart, slip 2 stitches along the opposite side of the heart.

Sc around the entire perimeter of your heart, when you reach a curve, such as the curve of the heart tops, or the point at the bottom, work 2 sc in the same stich.  Work two full rounds in the manner. 

For the Lacy Edge: *ch3, sc in next st, repeat from * around.  When you reach the center dip at the top fo the heart, ch 16 stitches and  sc in the same stitch to create a loop from which you hang the doily if desired.  Once you created a lacy edge around the entire heart.  Bind off and weave in ends.

Year in Review

To bolster my spirits as a I slog along on the second sleeve, I've decided to review my accomplishments in 2007.   I had hoped to accompany this with an updated photo album (and it is in part).. but I'm afraid I will also have to add this task to my list of wips.

So here it goes, 2007 FO's (finished objects) a Year in Review:

January: Red Cap for afghans for Afghans

February: 2 pairs of stripey socks for afghans for Afghans

April: crocheted shell top to go with knit-mermaid skirt, Tigerlily tank-top

June: Easy-Breezy raglan-T

August: 7-Chakra Shawl, Baby Yoked Cardigan, Striped Sun Hat, 1st half of MS3, Crocheted Vest for afghans for Afghans, Green Girl's cardigan, 3 dishcloths

September: Crocheted hat for afghans for Afghan

October: Rogue Pullover, Crocheted slippers

November: 2 Baby Kimonos, Mini-Stocking

December: Silken Kydd Cardigan, also made good progress on Durrow and start-up socks.

That's: 4 hats, 1 and 1/2 lace shawls, 4 tops (if you can count crocheted shells as a top), 6 sweaters (3 baby sweaters, 1 girls sweater and 2 adult sweaters), 3 dishcloths,  2 pairs of socks, 1 pair of slippers, and a stocking for a total of 22 objects.   Something to keep in mind as I plan for 2008. 

However,  one of the biggest accomplishments for me for 2007 was making peace with frogging (or ripping back) work that wasn't satisfactory. I spent at least as much time re-knitting this past year as I did "knitting for results" (I had to think for a moment for a polite way to say this, since this is still very much my situation starting off 2008), and I think it both helped me to both find joy in every stitch and also to lead to more pleasing finished results.  It has also led me to rethink the type of projects that make me excited to cast-on for 2008.  Stay tuned...

New Year's Resolutions

I've been making my list and checking it twice, my crafter's new years resolution list that is. It started like this:

1. Finish current works in progress (w.i.p.s)

*Mystery Shawl 3- low priority...that is until I was invited to a "Winter ball" this weekend.  Doesn't that sound like the perfect place to debut the swan-lake shawl?  Alas, or perhaps fortunately as it will save me needless suffering from trying, there is absolutely no way to complete by tomorrow evening.

* Hubbos sweater- high priority- have re-begun the second sleeve with out incident, have high hopes of finishing soon, as my favorite circular needle will be held hostage until the sleeve is complete.

*Friend's B-day socks AKA "start-up" socks- High Priority  Complete and in the mail, late (due date Jan 9th receipt) because I did not stick to schedule, but complete.

2. Knit More For Others- current count III

*Family- partially covered above, I got off to a good start in 2007

*knit promised cabled vest -high priority  completed  2/07/08

* Sweaters for new arrivals

*Charity- baby socks etc.

3. Polish my knitting skills- I 

I have chosen to do a study in socks, using Vogue's Ultimate Sock Book as a point of departure.  Hopefully by the end of this year I will know how to knit from the toe up, how to execute short-row heels, how to knit a sock on two circs, etc!  This may also dovetail nicely with resolution #2 and eliminate my need to Christmas shop next year..or not.  I am going to try and shoot for a pair a month.

4. Take on less overwhelming projects

*See above= new challenges in small packages

5. Crochet an afghan- 2/17/08 this does NOT contradict the resolution above, as long as I stick with a simple pattern yet TBD, but the yarn will be the organic pakucho shown previously (the pakucho one is still pending).

6. Sew a quilt using squares purchased At Houston Quilt show.

* Ignore The Quick and Easy Giant Dahlia Quilt on the Sewing Machine until you complete 1st simple quilt, reduce yarn stash and regain sanity..probably a 2009 project.

7. Play with Natural Dyes (before my husband throws away all the onion skins I have stashed in the closet).

8. Spot UFOs (unfinished objects) and bring them back down to earth.  Transform dead-end projects and unrealized yarn-dreams into completable projects, also dovetails with resolution number 4.

At this point, and after wanting to list about 20 projects under every category, I decided I needed more of an overall mission statement.  Knitting Daily has rallied us all to knit fearlessly in 2008 and I'm all for that, but I actually think that was a bit more of a 2007 resolution for me.  This year, perhaps it is to craft wisely.    But more on that another day...