Monday, September 25, 2006

Where does the time go??

Wow! It is almost October and I have no idea where the time has gone this month! Seems like September just began. Is it like this for everyone as you get older or is this just brain cell damage from oboe playing? heh And for enquiring minds...thanks for all the lovely emails of support for the concert last weekend. It was great to hear from so many people. The concert went well and I was able to stay seated despite my claims of potentially running from the stage....besides, I as trapped within the violas anyway. The reception was far too hot for Birch, however...alas...maybe next time.

sock wars logo
My Socks of Doom are ready for Sock Wars!!! Prepare to be eliminated my pretty! I know. They don't really LOOK like socks of doom, do they? aww well...no need to send ugly, is there? Started on Friday afternoon as you can just barely tell from the monitor and finished on Sunday afternoon.
beginnings
Socks of DOOM!!!
Here is a little update on Season of Darkness and Winter Light
SoDaWL-part II
as well as Elizabeth I.
Elizabeth I in VY driftwood

Rhinegold is actually getting some work done as well. Marina is making so much sleeve progress and I feel horribly guilty for not finishing my projects witing in the wings. Guilt seems to be a good motivator for me, much as I detest admitting to it.

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Birch is done!


I finished Birch a couple of days ago after some fast and furious knitting. I am planning on wearing it this Saturday evening after the concert and I wanted to make certain it was done. Never mind the wrist pain....I think I better slow down a little before this week begins or I won't be ABLE to play! umm...naaaahhhh. I started Elizabeth I with my Hebridean driftwood. It is a very hard color to capture so you will have to take my word that it looks better in person. Much more lavender. The stich definition is great and in my opinion, it is plenty soft for next to skin wear. I had to go down to a 2.5 mm needle to get gauge....so this one may take a while. Also, Rhinegold and Season of Darkness and Winter Light are back in play. I will have some pics up soon of them.

****Warning****Non knitting content ahead.
Now for the oboists. I ordered several different staples last weekin order to compare them. I have taken some pics of the tubes and then the openings as well. I have used Glotin and Pisoni for a long time, but thought I would try the silver Pisoni Artist and Pro and the Glotin **, the regular Glotin and Loree gold. On observation, I find that the Glotin** is EXTREMELY thin walled. So much so it makes me nervous that I might bend it with pressure from tying on. It's that thin, really! Have a look. You may have to click on it to enlarge it. The Pisoni openings look very close except for the scoring.The Loree tube is just superior in craftsmanship no doubt. It is very narrow at the opening, however, so it remains to be seen how it will perform. I ordered several more Lorees after my first run because I liked certain aspects of the staple, but I am not sure if that was a fluke, or it is really the staple giving me these qualities. I have blocked out several reeds in all of the staples now, and I will post my results in case anyone is interested or I can email you my thoughts. Of course, it is always somewhat personal, but I think any information on equipment helps us all a little. I also recently experimented with the Chudnow E staple in silver. It gives a lovely sound, but I found pitch placement in the upper register very difficult-especially high A.





That'll do it! Let me know if you would like any info on the staples, and now back to our regularly scheduled knitting blog! :0)