Gromit Knits!

How to Save $4,150 in a Single Day?

It's easy--don't buy things!  Yesterday alone I passed on a Havanese puppy, a Portuguese Water Dog puppy, yarn to make Inishmore from Virtual Yarns, and a espresso/cappuchino maker.  Voila, over $4k in savings! It's a good thing I was being frugal since I went here to buy dessert for my S 'n B group on Wednesday:

For those you not from the Philly area, this is a high end grocery store that sells prepared foods, gourmet items and other yummy, overpriced stuff.  Sad to say, this store is about two minutes from my house, and, despite the fact that Martin jokes that we need a second mortgage every time we shop there, we go anytime we are in a hurry and want something tasty.

(I felt a bit like a spy shooting photos in the parking lot)

I was going to go to Costco to pick up Wednesday's dessert, which, theoretically, would have been more frugal, but theory and practice diverge when my retail proclivities are added to the equation.  You see, to get to the bakery section at Costco you need to pass by the discount book table.  You've seen my bookcases, you know what would happen don't you?  It would have been more expensive than blowing a wad at the expensive grocery store.

It's a good thing Costco doesn't sell yarn!  I avoid Target now that I've read that they have knitting kits.  I know my limits in life.

To give you some idea of the temptations on hand at Foodsource, here's a view of the candy aisle.  What you don't see is that this is just a fraction of the gourmet sweets on offer.  There was a display case behind me, and more, fully stocked, shelving to the left. There's more, but you'd be in a diabetic coma just reading about it.

Here's the cake display I made a beeline for:

(My inner James Bond was really grooving at this point, I was ready to take pictures of the whole store, but I spied an old Art History prof of mine and it would have been too embarrassing to say "Hi, I'm taking photos for my blog.  What have you been up to for the last 20+ years." I want him to have the illusion that he is educating people for credible roles in society. If he realizes what his former students are really doing he might just give up on the current generation and where would we be in a world without Art Historians?)

Back to the dessert conundrum. The selection was totally overwhelming.  What to choose? I wanted one of everything, but I didn't think that was a good idea.  I nixed a bunch of options by remembering my audience's preferences (corporate training pays off again).  One group member doesn't like cheesecake and one can't eat chocolate at night without getting insomnia, so those were out.

The nice girl behind the counter tried to sell me a lemon cake, but I resisted.  Why?  It's simple, I don't love cake.  I love frosting.  Cake is just a carrier for frosting, so, no cake for my friends!  In the end, I opted for a fruit tart, which unfortunately had a tiny bit of chocolate in it.  Oops.

I won't tell you what the bill was for the tart, sorbet and package of cute napkins. I don't want to embarrass myself.  But, as of Thursday, I postponed my retirement plans for another five years.

Once everyone arrived, I whipped out my camera, much to their chagrin.  Over protests I got at least one shot of everyone.  Here are June, Cheryl and Hattie working on their current projects:

(The notes on the window are Liz's puppy countdown calender. More on that later.)

Hattie's got a pair of socks on two circs, Cheryl (the link is to her quilt design site) is appliqueing (?) a quilt block and June is working on a t-shirt in Rowan Cotton Braid.  I wrote up a quick pattern for her for this, god help me if it doesn't turn out!

I didn't get the best shots of Anne and Norma, but I think they're still cute so, don't worry guys!

I'll make it up to you, somehow, someday.

And here's Hattie's latest amazing quilt.  Makes me wish I knew how to sew.

I worked on the Vittadini cardigan, and I'm almost done with the back:

(Wow, a close up shot that isn't blurry.  Stitches are crooked, but you can't have everything!)

And, I didn't forget Laurie, we ate.  Everyone was sent home with a satisfactory sugar high:

Tonight we celebrate Martin's birthday with a big family gathering at our house.  Both girls, Martin's parents, his aunt from England will be there. Liz's new puppy will even make a brief guest appearance.  I've got some minou pitou togs that are too cute to be believed to welcome the new guy to town.

Speaking of Minou, a big Happy 2nd Birthday to you too! Hope your mommy gets enough time off of work to make you a cake.

Foreign Ideas are Good

Both Tracy (UK) and Krista (France) have posted their answers to the book meme I tagged them for.  Go check out what they've been reading. Despite their claims to the contrary, they both provide thoughtful suggestions and ideas for some good reading.  In addition, both have lovely and fun projects on the needle which are also well worth a visit.

While you're out and about, go take a look at the beaded lace wrap that Lou is making.  She's from the Philly area too, but in a set of suburbs that I've never been to, so it might as well be a foreign country!

She claims I inspired her to take this on, but now the shoe is on the other foot. She is actually desgining hers!  I've got some Knit Picks Shimmer I can use to make one too since she's been great about providing lots of pointers on how she's worked out the pattern.  I can't wait to see the finished product.

Why shouldn't I be a glutton for book (and knitting) suggestions?  I'm only 42, I have a lot of years left to knit and read, and I wouldn't want to get bored.

I've made a good bit of progress on the Vittadini cardigan back and I'm just about to begin the armhole shaping.  I'll be back later with some photos of the knitting, and my knit buds since tonight is Stitch 'N Bitch at my house.

In Which Liz Speaks & Credit Cards Vibrate

Liz asked me for the opportunity to display her new found skills in the Elvish language, so she has officially become my first guest blogger! Here's what she wrote earlier this evening: 

Mara aure! Im Eruwaedhiel! Pelin pedi i lam edhellen! Him! Im per edhel. Mara mesta!

I have to apologize, she told me what it meant, but I forget and she's in bed.  I'll provide a translation tomorrow. I did make her promise it wouldn't be anything rude.

It's Monday and the world conspired to make me remember that fact this morning.  You see, I think my credit card heard Laurie talk about how her cards vibrate when placed in proximity with therapeutic retail opportunities.  Mine was so excited that it vibrated right out of my pocket yesterday afternoon. Not somewhere sensible like home, no, this little bugger did it when I was walking around town with Liz.

I only discovered its successful bid for freedom in the middle of my last minute preparations for launching into the work week.  Translation: I was running around the house frantically making sure I had keys, money, shoes and making sure Em packed her piano music.

It isn't really a big deal, but it added one more item on the "to do" list that is already longer than I like. And it'll put a crimp in my shopping for a few days. Usually that's not a problem, but it's a big birthday week. Mart and Minou are celebrating another year on Friday.  This means I'll have to go to an actual store that sells something besides yarn.  This is serious.

And we were late to school, again.  Why is it that I can't get her there well before 8:30 am when we live about two minutes away?  Am I in that much denial about having to go to work that I'll postpone facing reality until the last possible second? Well, uh, yeah.

And we forgot the piano music.

Luckily the day improved considerably when I got home and found this package from my secret pal. How did you know I wanted this book? How did you know I love this yarn?  How did you know the hand cream I keep in my briefcase had just run out?  You're psychic, that's the only explanation I can think of.  Thank you, thank you, thank you! I can't wait to find out who you are.

I also managed to finish up the left front of Charm. I may actually have to block this one before I put it together, the edges of the front curl something awful. 

This is relaxing, but slowish knitting, it's Rowan 4-ply cotton so I would be crazy to expect it to be done in a flash.

I don't think I've shown a picture of what it will look like when it's done, and I found one in the computer tonight so I thought I'd add it it here so you can know what I'm aiming for.

Don't worry, I'm not planning on wearing it without something underneath! I just can't imagine it would be very comfortable this way.  Honestly, what were they thinking?

I promise progress on the Vittadini cardigan this week! Really!

Dogs Read!

Even stuffed dogs, and I'll prove it below. Promise.

Laurie, sorry for the delay in getting my answers up to your meme, but Gromit was off having a good time with Emily, at a sleepover birthday party.  They were up pretty late, but despite his exhaustion he's ready to contribute to the discussion where appropriate.

1) Total number of books in your house:

A lot, so many that I haven't ever bothered to count them. And the numbers are in a constant state of flux, with arrivals and departures occurring on a regular basis, though it seems more arrive than leave.  Same thing happens with yarn. Funny, isn't it?

I did keep track of how many I brought home last week: 11. 

How many of those has she read since then: 1. In fairness, one of those was for the girls, and that one has also been read.

Number purchased: 3.

Number borrowed from a friend: 7.

Number of books previously lent that were returned: 1.

Number departing: 0.

As cliched as it sounds, a picture is worth a thousand words.  Here is a complete documentation of the hoard. If you like, you can count them, just don't send me the final number, these things are best left a bit murky.

And yes, there are a lot of Billy's in the house, plus some other Ikea shelving!

2) The last book you bought was?

Gromit is on a spiritual quest, so he bought Shaun's book!

Unlike Gromit, I buy in bulk. Last week's batch consisted of: The Illustrated Zuleika Dobson by Max Beerbohm, Saturday by Ian McEwan, and The Opal Deception (Artemis Fowl, Book 4) by Eoin Colfer.

It's scary, but I'm planning on buying more.  The introductory quote for Saturday is an excerpt from Saul Bellow's Herzog, and it immediately caught my interest.  You'd think that having been raised amongst the New York City Jewish intelligentsia that I would have read some Bellow, but for some reason I thought I wouldn't like his work--too male, too pretentious, to "important". But this one quote was so amazing, I have to read more. 

I am also looking for a set of short stories called Stop That Girl by Elizabeth McKenzie which caught my eye in an ad in last week's NY Times book review section. 

This weekend Liz discovered Elvish language sites on the internet, so I think it's high time for her to read some Tolkein.  I'll be picking up a copy of The Hobbit when I go out later.

I could go on, but I'm afraid you're asleep already, so I have to come up with a good picture to keep you going.  Hmm, here's the last knitting book I bought for Wendolene:

3) What was the last book you read before reading this?

The Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. I realize I'm behind the curve with this series -- number six just came out in hardcover -- I'll have fun catching up.

4) Write down 5 (or 6) books you often read, or that mean a lot to you.

I did a book meme in March, and it had a question a lot like this.  My answers on that one still stand, but I'll cheat and use this as an opportunity to bring in more favorite titles!

Arctic Dreams by Barry Lopez.  More of a meditation on the relationship of humans to nature than a dry history, Lopez seeks to answer the question "what do people expect to conquer by "defeating" nature?"  I picked it up off a remainder table and didn't put it down until I finished it.

I've read other wonderful books on Arctic exploration since my curiousity was aroused by this book. Let's just say, it's not my ideal vacation, but I like to visit in my imagination.

Number Our Days by Barbara Myerhoff. An anthropological study of the lives of poor, elderly jews at a community center in Venice, CA.  If you can read this book without crying in celebration of these people and mourning the loss of their culture, umm, well...lets just say it made me reflect on the transcience and fragility of my own family's cultural background. 

Since I've been living with books my whole life, I probably should give some press to the books I remember vividly from my childhood.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Koinigsburg -- finding independence and strength, discovering the power of family relationships, solve a mystery, see great art -- what more could you possibly want in a book? Perhaps one of the books that is most central to my identity. I blame my Art History degree on this book.

The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen -- Ok, it's not from my childhood, but it's a great kids book.

Growing up in NYC during the 60s and 70s, I didn't feel that far removed from the holocaust.  By my teens I understood that this could have happened to my family, to me, had we not been quite as lucky as we were.  I remember, as a very young child, maybe four or five years old, meeting an old man in Riverside park with the tell-tale blue numbers tatooed on his forearm. I asked him, or perhaps my parents, what they were. I don't remember the answer I received, or maybe I couldn't understand it, but I knew it was nothing good. 

As I grew older I discovered that we had a family friend who had been one of the first Americans into the camps with the Red Cross at liberation.  I learned that my father had an aversion to buying goods made in Germany that stemmed from his anger over the role German companies played in perpetrating the horror. So, in some small ways, it was still part of the living and breathing memory of my environment.

It won't be for my girls, and that's why this book is so important. The tale of a young teenage girl impatient with her family's insistence on remembering the past.  But, when she opens the door to welcome the prophet Elijah during the Passover seder she is transported to a Shtetl in 1940s Poland, and a new identity. Deported to a death camp, she befriends another girl and offers to take her place in the gas chamber enabling her friend to survive.  As the door closes she is returned to her familiar modern surroundings with a newfound connection to her family and the importance of their traditions.

It's a powerful book and one that gives a new generation an emotional connection to an ever more remote tragic moment in human history. 

On a lighter note, another favorite story of a girl discovering her identity and sense of self-worth is A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle. A classic that has survived for forty years.

Check out Steph's blog for some other great juvenile fiction classic recommendations.

And like Laurie, I will always have a very soft spot in my heart for Gone With the Wind.  But, what in heavens name does Scarlett see in Ashley anyway?

5) Who are you going to pass the stick to (three people) and why?

Tracy -- because I bet she's got great taste, plus being in England, she'll have a slightly different list of books to choose from, and I'd like to hear about something off my beaten path.

Krista -- because she lives in the south of France, on an almost farm and I am dying of envy.  Besides, she's funny and has lived a lot of different places and has probably encountered a lot of literature I've never heard of!

My Mom -- because she's read more than anyone I know, has more books than me and she needs to be heard!  Don't worry mom, I'll walk you through how to post here.  Hee, hee.

I would've tagged Steph, but Minou already got her! Her answers were fab!

Shaun apologizes for not participating in today's meme, but he's been too busy leading enlightenment seminars to read much lately.  Must be great to be a best selling author!

Because someone asked...

...I will actually show real pictures of myself to all y'all*. You have to know that I'd rather climb Mount Everest than look at photos of myself.  I never like the way I photograph.  It invariably shatters my illusions.

In my mind's eye I'm slender and glamorous, and will erase any evidence to the contrary. And yes, I routinely erase digital photos that people (read Martin) take of me on the sly. Come on people, I accept that I'm short and as blind as a bat, leave me some fantasies.

But blogging is a form of therapy, right?  I'm telling myself I need to get past these neurotic inhibitions.  If all those other knitbloggers can do it, I can too. Petra gave me the final push when I pointed out I'd like to see photos of her and her co-blogger on their site -- guilt is a wonderful motivator.

As I went to bed last night, I steeled myself for the inevitable moment. OK, I prayed I would lose 20 pounds overnight.

This morning I donned my newly finished Rebecca Wrap Cardigan and jeans (it's a special event at work) and prepared to have Emily take some pics.

These were not the ideal conditions for getting a nice relaxed shot.  We were late (again), so it was a quick session (no stylists or go-fers to get another latte).  I was trying to smile while issuing directions and praying that Em didn't drop the camera.  And, my prayers were not answered, those 20 pounds did not vanish while I was sleeping.

Out of ten photos, I found this one that even I can live with, though trust me, I look a lot more like Lauren Bacall in real life:

I'm working on Becky's "Look Ma! No hands!" shot, and a credible Rachael--but ya gotta walk before ya can run!

For those of you that are curious, here is the technical overview:

Pattern Source: Rebecca #29

Yarn: GGH Kid Soft, 4 balls in color #13 (I think)

Yarn Source: Noble Knits

Started: February 28, 2005

Finished: April 21, 2005 (ack this bitty thing took that long?)

Pattern Alterations:  Like many other participants in this knit-along, I picked up the stitches for the ties instead of sewing them on.  I also used a three needle bind off to join the shoulders. Sewing is bad, knitting is good.  To the best of my recollection, those were the only changes.

Do: Read ahead when working with Rebecca patterns and think about what you will do.  Examine the schematic and graph carefully.  The basics are all there, but there is not a lot of extraneous detail in the pattern as written.  Despite being labeled as a beginner project, you have to make a fair number of technique decisions -- what type of selvedge stitch to use, how to work the decreases on the neck edge and the armholes, etc. Also, be sure to decode the abbreviations and shorthand or else you will be stymied since the pattern doesn't lay everything out explicitly.

Do: Add some finishing to the cast on edges of the sleeve and body.  I did the recommended slip stitch crochet edging which I found tedious (just ask my friend June, I did it at her house on Sunday), but it adds some polish that I didn't expect.

Do: Measure the cast on width of the sleeves.  If I had it to do over again, I'd cast on more (or diet better).  No pencil thin arms here, me strong woman.

Don't: Forget to check that you are joining the correct sides to the back when doing a three needle bind off on the shoulder seams.  Otherwise when you go to try on the sweater you will discover some funny stuff.  Believe me, I know.

Don't: Forget that side seam increases and decreases on the fronts should only be worked on one side.  As many makers of this sweater have pointed out, frogging mohair is not high on people's reasons of why they knit.

Okay, enough of this stuff.  It's time to move on.  Unfortunately for me, I haven't worked in much knitting time this week.  But on Tuesday evening I taught the last session of an entrelac class at my LYS, Frou Frou.

My hardy band of students are now well on their way to completing their first projects. Here's a sample, aren't they cool?

Here's Lori (hope I spelled it right) with her Market Squares bag in Cascade 220.  Lori has a secret, she's finishing up a version of Kaffe Fassett's Tumbling Blocks blanket using Noro Kureyon and Debbie Bliss Aran Tweed.  I've seen it and I think I had a religious experience. Why is she taking a class from me?

And here's Brenda with the entrelac wrap she's almost finished (OK, she's retired, but still)! It's stunning and let me tell you, it's super soft.  I believe she's using Gedifra's Fashion Stripe.  

And to those other members of the class who ran from the camera, I'll get you yet! If I put my picture up, y'all* need to too.

Barbara, you owe me, I cropped you out of the picture -- even though it was a pretty good picture.  I can't believe how nice I'm being, it must be Friday.

But I'll be back soon, I see Laurie tagged me! Gromit and I will need to consult on our answers, but it shouldn't take too long.

*Thanks to Mart, Sherry and Laurie for helping me to inject a bit of Dixie into my bland northeastern dialect.  Hope I got my singulars and plurals right!

A Grand Day Out, but First, A Word From Our Sponsor

Notice something different around here? Please say you do, it would be worse than getting a haircut and having nobody say anything, if you didn't.  We all know what that means...

Well, all the credit for the snazzy new banner and snappy buttons goes to the magnificient Laurie, our favorite Crazy Aunt Purl!

Check out the animated ones, I have no idea how they work, but they do. If I could shout "Thanks" loud enough to be heard in LA, I would!

On to our feature presentation. Following the wide acclaim for "A Grand Day In", Knitting Dog Productions is proud to present:

A Grand Day Out*

Time for elevenses, Gromit.  Have a scone, just like yesterday, eh?

Good chap, sharing your love of literature with the younger set!

Knitting with friends, what better way to pass the time?

It was delicious, but it seems like you've had enough Gromit.  Do we need to take your car keys?

All's well that ends well. Gromit made it home safe and sound. And there was heaps of progress on that Rebecca sweater -- just finish the ties and it's all done!

Not too much of an adventure, but a lovely day nonetheless.  Trips to the moon are only in the movies anyway!

Cast:

Gromit as Himself

Emily as Herself

Special Guest Appearance by Monkey

Set Design: Starbucks, Paoli, PA; Barnes & Noble, Devon, PA; June's house

Catering: June who made a lovely meal, and served a bottomless cup of caffeine free diet coke.

*oops, the title's taken already.  Oh dear, think of something new quick, or else we shan't get a distributor.

A Grand Day In

Time for a holiday at home!

A sweet beginning to the day!

Teatime (or, time to enjoy a pub quaff with all the comforts of home)!

Musn't forget the snacks! Hmm, Wensleydale (with cranberries), smashing!

Now, for some afterdinner entertainment!

What a lovely holiday! Wonder when Wallace, Shaun and all the rest will return?

White Smoke

Know what this means?  If you don't, you will. With the upcoming papal conclave we will see this image again and again in newspapers, tv, and on the internet as Vatican watchers anxiously await the fabled white smoke marking the election of the next Pope.

Well, despite my own cultural judaism, and Gromit's presumed adherence to the Church of England, we've adopted this symbol to announce the successful selection of a new knitting project!

As you would expect from any populist changing of the guard, it took a while to get to this joyous moment. It would have been sooner, but in a freak reenactment of the November US elections, the voting machines weren't functioning properly! Despite calls for a hand recount, candidates missing from the slate (anyone notice that "Air" didn't make it into the poll? Oops!) and attempts at ballot box stuffing (that means you Mom), we're going to stick with the electronic tally.

It's important that you know, unlike next week's vatican retreat, majority rules around here.  At least in those cases where the majority agrees with me.  Honestly, I don't know what I would have done if voting had gone against my own first choice, but I suspect it wouldn't have been honorable.

It looked like a slam dunk for awhile -- the Vittadini lace cardigan quickly pulled away from the competition.  But a late surge of votes for the Cherry Tree Hill sweater threatened to close the gap. Sadly, it was too little, too late.  Thankfully, the Cherry Tree Hill sweater was willing to go back into stash.  It can bide it's time, as a wool/silk blend it wouldn't be worn until next Fall anyway.

After voting was closed this morning, the final decision was made in favor of the lime green, lacey frilly thing (sorry Mom)!

I hopped to it and cast on right away.

Ok, I cheated and cast on over the weekend.  I'm ashamed, really I am.  Please understand, I just needed something new to feed my project wanderlust. 

With nearly three repeats done, I'm happy to report it was a great choice.  With 12 rows in each repeat, it's keeping my brain occupied, but I've already been able to get a feel for how the pattern works as a whole. Perfect.

Charm is also moving ahead (back is done, and I'm six inches into the left front) -- this is now my travel knitting -- it's got an easy four row repeat, with only plain purl rows on the WS.  The Vittadini's WS rows are all different, so you can't work on that one while carrying on a conversation, it requires complete attention.  Can't wait until I try a few rows after having some wine!  That'll be good blog fodder.

I'll leave you with a shot from Tuesday evening's Shipley School Charity Knit-In.  Isn't this great -- there were teachers, students and parents -- some thirty strong! Thanks to the efforts of the Lower School Head and one of the Lower School Art teachers patients at the Fox Chase Cancer Center will be getting a bunch of chemo caps and scarves!  They're even thinking about having another one before the end of the year for the Duulaan Project!

Way to go Ms. G. and Ms. G.!

Lessons Learned

Evening In Eden Wrap Key Statistics:

Design: Lynda Gemmell of Cabin Fever, the beads were my own addition and are not in the original pattern.

Date Started: February 27, 2005

Date Completed: April 6, 2005

Finished Size: 19.75 inches by 61 inches

Yarn: 6 balls of Katia Granada in color #12, 64% Polyamide, 36% Polyester, 140 yards/50 grams

Yarn Source: Frou Frou, Berwyn, PA

Beads: Lots of Czech glass "E" Beads, 6mm(?), purchased at A.C. Moore. Haven't calculated how many I used.

Recipient: Unknown, I hope they pay a lot!

In most companies any project is followed by a critical examination of what went well, and what went wrong.  At many of the companies where I've worked, people were quick to take credit, but even quicker at tossing the hot potato of blame onto someone else. More often than not the process degenerated into more articulate versions of this familiar childhood refrain: "But he started it!"   

Praise or blame is then assigned based on the prevailing political winds. Little is ever institutionally understood about what worked, and what didn't.  Could that be why so many of the companies I've worked for have ended up in bankruptcy, or being purchased in industry consolidations?

Thankfully, knit blogland is more advanced.  Any number of knitters describe accurately and effectively what worked well, and what didn't, in their projects.  Others learn from this and avoid making similar mistakes.  Here is my attempt to contribute to this higher level of discourse.

Lessons Learned -- Evening in Eden Wrap:

1) Beads slow you down--a lot. If working on a deadline, double the time estimated, and then add a fudge factor.  You can make up the fudge factor, just use any trick that fools you into giving yourself more breathing room.

2) Don't work with a slippery tape yarn on addi turbo needles

3) If knitting with a synthetic ribbon yarn, make sure you take good care of your hands.  Even if you can't feel any rough spots, the yarn will catch on any callous, dry skin or other unseen imperfection.

4) If knitting with a slippery yarn, on slippery needles, do not, under any circumstances, hold up your work to admire it late in the evening and then let go of one side of the needles.  See Mystery and The 17 Row Solution to understand the consequences!

5) The ends of synthetic yarns can be finished by melting them.  Do this very carefully, you don't want to send the whole thing up in flames...well sometimes you do.

6) Dry cleaners are your friends when confronted with a blocking challenge.

Later:

7) Beads add a lot of weight, don't overdue it!

8) Plan where you are going to put the beads ahead of time, or be prepared to rip out several times before you are happy with the results.

9) Show the work to friends and yarn store patrons while in progress, the accolades will keep you going.

I leave you with a blurry close up of the wrap where, for once, the beads are visible!

Illiteracy

How ironic, in the very post I ask for help with all things blog related, I actually screwed up one of the simplest--my little cut and paste poll on which sweater to knit.  I promise, it worked when I tested it, but then it died.

Thanks to all of you who ignored the clear signs of my luddite nature and sent your opinions through comments and emails.

Not that there are too many people who will want to play this silly game again, but in a desperate attempt to get some more opinions, I'm willing to try the cool little techno vote once more!

If you're game, scroll down through Friday's post for pictures of the choices.  It probably won't work, but I'd appreciate it if you'd give it one more try.  Leave a comment or an email if you get some funky poll closed message.  I'll be humiliated, but I'll be ready to admit to techno defeatism and will abandon this cool poll idea forever.

Which sweater should Gromit knit?
	Vittadini Cardigan
	Vogue Cherry Tree Silk and Merino
	Martha
	Chicago
	Something from Cathay
Free polls from Pollhost.com

I'm planning a "real" post later when I get home to get pictures out of the camera and think of what it was I wanted to say.