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Rachael Herron

(R.H. Herron)

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Bella

May 11, 2004

I wrote a bunch of crap this morning that now I don’t feel like posting. I like my job, very much. It supports my writing and yarn habits, and that’s fabulous. But you know? It’s a job. And I have to go back to it tonight (and work a 7pm-5am shift after getting up at 8am this morning, sigh). Vacation is over. That blows. It was SUCH a good vacation.

Grrr.

So. Anyway. Here’s Bella.

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Specs:
Bella, cardigan version (included in directions), size 45 finished bust
Yarn: 9 balls Rowan Calmer, color 479
Needles: 5US
Gauge: 5st/inch

I love this cardie. It’s light and so soft, and it just feels good to wear. I added some blue shell buttons I picked up at MDS&W. Do take Joan’s suggestion, though, and add a hook-and-eye at the closure, or you’ll be safety-pinning it, like me. I’ll get around to it. Someday.

Last night Bethany and I took sister Christy out for a celebratory dinner at Fog City Diner in San Francisco. Christy’s about a minute away from getting her master’s degree at Berkeley, and she deserved a break. We realized that it was the first real grown-up dinner we sisters have ever had together, just the three of us. We’ve eaten out a million times, but this was the real deal – cocktails to start, appetizers (truffle fries with aioli, and oysters on the side), full dinner, bottle of wine, dessert…. We had the best time. They wanted to walk back to BART, and I was pretty whiney about it, but they were right: it was a gorgeous walk, a clear night, no fog, not many people about, just walking along the embarcadero, watching the traffic on the sparkling Bay Bridge…. It’s putting me in a better mood just thinking about it. And these faces! Look what I looked at all night!

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They slay me. I love them.

And now, because you’ve been so patient, I give you the spoils of war. This is the whole haul. It felt like more when I was lugging it home, but spread out on the floor, I’m not that embarrassed…. If I were a Very Good Blogger, I would catalog the yarns with their colors, vendors, and prices. I’m a Bad Blogger this week. If you MUST know, email me and I’ll look up the name for ya. All anyone really needs to know, however, is that the huge green cone is cashmere/merino from School Products. I haven’t slept with it yet, but I still might.

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And off to relax. Maybe a nap before work? See yehs.

Posted by Rachael Leave a Comment

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathleen says

    May 11, 2004 at 1:30 pm

    Sounds like an incredible evening–just the thing to get you through a long night at work. Great stash photo! It will bring extra meaning to each item you knit.

    Reply
  2. Kathleen says

    May 11, 2004 at 1:31 pm

    Duh! The Bella cardi looks great. I want to knit with Calmer…I could make something like that. 🙂

    Reply
  3. greta says

    May 11, 2004 at 1:58 pm

    How CUTE are YOU with the matching weather pixie? Love the bella cardi, and so GLAD you had a grownup girls dinner out….the Herron Sisters Eat Out…sounds like a book title to me! I hereby declare this:
    Take the cashmere with you to work Day……..
    that should make re entry a little bit easier, no?

    Reply
  4. carolyn says

    May 11, 2004 at 1:59 pm

    i really like the variegated green down in the lower right corner… 🙂

    Reply
  5. maggi says

    May 11, 2004 at 2:02 pm

    I LOVE Fog City Diner! Brotherman still wears his 12-yr-old cap from there. Fun feast. And Bethany finished her Chickami, didn’t she? I sent the other two balls of Fixation to G so we can knit matching Broadripples . . .

    Reply
  6. Shelley says

    May 11, 2004 at 2:14 pm

    Wow! Your Bella is smashing! I love it!

    Reply
  7. MaryB says

    May 11, 2004 at 2:43 pm

    You *do* match the Pixie! Even the way you’re standing! Too funny.
    Bella is too gorgeous. I think I really need one! If I made her, I’d come *up* with somewhere to wear her, I swear.
    Welcome back to Reality! It was waiting for you here, all this time……….

    Reply
  8. maryse says

    May 11, 2004 at 2:48 pm

    nice sweatah. hey, don’t i know you from somewhere?

    Reply
  9. monica says

    May 11, 2004 at 5:29 pm

    Bella es molto bella! You’ve brought home some nice souvenirs from your trip too.

    Reply
  10. J Strizzy says

    May 11, 2004 at 5:51 pm

    Just like with the strappy tank from Vogue, you’ve taken something I was rather “eh” about, and made it something I have to have. You’re so cute in that Bella! It’s perfect for the wedding.
    And I’m glad your sisters convinced you to walk down the embarcadero. I love walking along there; in fact I’m about to go take pretty much that same walk with a coworker.

    Reply
  11. Lori says

    May 11, 2004 at 5:55 pm

    Gee…Rachael…when I open my dream yarn store (about 100 years from now) would you be my first
    “guest knitter”???? Glad that you had a magical vacation and I loved your post on Nantucket. I’ve never been there but have gone to the “other island” a few times and always loved it.
    Good to see you back (even if it means back at work too)!

    Reply
  12. amisha says

    May 11, 2004 at 7:28 pm

    gorgeous, gorgeous bella cardie! you are the fastest knitter in the universe. i just started the vogue tank, totally inspired by you… cotton classic, woohoo! i love that stuff. you know i am totally curious about the red yarn in the middle & the orange at the bottom… 🙂 what a beautifully colorful haul!

    Reply
  13. cari says

    May 11, 2004 at 7:33 pm

    Another beautiful sweater. And this one is extra special because I got to see you work on it IN PERSON! How many times can I say I miss you before it just gets silly?
    I miss you. There. That’s 307 times and counting.
    besos

    Reply
  14. Silvia says

    May 11, 2004 at 8:49 pm

    Bella is great! Everyone is making lacy sweaters! I want one! See what you made me do.
    Your MD haul is indeed impressive, but as I SAW you at MD, I KNOW you made BETHANY carry it! Nice work. As far as going back to work, just think, you have a job where you can refer to your coworkers by their badge numbers. Not everyone can do that…hey, if you’re at work and need to call 911, who would you call? (Shut up, I haven’t even finished this glass of wine).

    Reply
  15. Brenda says

    May 11, 2004 at 9:28 pm

    Bella is fabulous, very elegant looking.
    Glad you had such a wonderful holiday, I really enjoyed reading all your holiday posts and being on the trip through you!

    Reply
  16. Alissa says

    May 11, 2004 at 9:55 pm

    Welcome back to the real world! I know you had a blast, but those of us stuck here missed you.
    Bella is darling, or maybe it is you are darling in Bella? I dunno, it’s too late.
    I did wear my Wave and Shell tonight to the Knitting Guild Banquet and got lots of compliments! I may have to knit another, I am wishing it was about one repeat wider… uh huh… someday.

    Reply
  17. nakachi says

    May 12, 2004 at 2:18 am

    you look just too darn adorable. stop it. okay, don’t.
    glad you had some good sister time.

    Reply
  18. ann says

    May 12, 2004 at 3:05 am

    I must support Silvia on this one — we both saw you and it was Bethany who was carrying your spoils. At the time you blamed it on your bad back, and I believe I read something about a subway turnstile mishap!
    teasing is over, onto compliments ….. Bella looks terrific!

    Reply
  19. claudia says

    May 12, 2004 at 5:23 am

    Ain’t re-entry a bitch? Inversely proportional to the fabulousness of the vacation. You in trouble….
    I would actually be more interested in hearing about WHY you bought what you bought (out of that mountain of choice) rather than the specifics of the haul.

    Reply
  20. Caroline says

    May 12, 2004 at 7:42 am

    sooooo pretty! and I have never met a group of sisters so close and loving… it’s terrific to see/hear…kind of like holding your hands out to a glowing fire…hope re-entry is busy enough for the hours to fly and calm enough to leave you standing…

    Reply
  21. Em says

    May 12, 2004 at 8:08 am

    Claudia is smart–that’s exactly what I would want to hear–why you bought the yarn. The cashmere, however, is a gimmee.
    You look simply gorgeous in Bella. And I agree with Cari–it’s even better because I was there when you were working on it! I got to touch it, even! And I miss you dearly.

    Reply
  22. Mindy says

    May 12, 2004 at 8:10 am

    Bella Bella! That is just too, too sweet. OK, I give up; it’s going into my queue for the summer, and it’s all your fault!

    Reply
  23. Martha says

    May 12, 2004 at 8:23 am

    Your Bella looks great! I loved reading about your travels. When can we have another Oakland SnB?

    Reply
  24. Cindy says

    May 12, 2004 at 8:48 am

    Bella is wonderful! I’ve enjoyed reading your trip posts.

    Reply
  25. Nathania says

    May 12, 2004 at 8:54 am

    Not glad you have to go back to work, but awfully glad you’re home. Can’t wait to schedule some time to see your new stash in person! Seriously considering Bella now that I have a total love thing happening with Calmer… and I have been saying that I need a little black summer cardi….

    Reply
  26. Becky says

    May 12, 2004 at 10:06 am

    And Rachael wows us with another lovely photo and creation! [Mad applause all around.] You are gorgeous in that snappy, retro bella cardi. It’s perfect over that dress, too.
    I am drooling over that yarn haul, missy. I’d be diving into it headfirst and swimming around with a leisurely backstroke.

    Reply
  27. Mariko says

    May 12, 2004 at 10:41 am

    Bella looks wunderbar! So pretty. I like it in the Calmer–gives it a tad more umph. And what a fun dinner with the sisters. Oh, and nice haul!You are having too much fun these days. Keep it up (even if you have to work).

    Reply
  28. Tracy says

    May 12, 2004 at 1:48 pm

    From way over here in bootieville, that Bella looks divine!
    BTW, zee hot tub? In the arteest-loft-livin’ super super secret lair, deep in the heart of Bayview. I retain usage rights, though.

    Reply
  29. Sonja says

    May 12, 2004 at 2:24 pm

    How do ya whistle over the internet? If I could, I would. You look lovely. Those cute sisters of yours are too. Welcome home!

    Reply
  30. Melissa says

    May 13, 2004 at 3:39 am

    Bella is fabulous. I recently spent too much money on a similar style sweater but it’s crochet. Looks great.

    Reply
  31. Carrie says

    May 13, 2004 at 7:01 am

    Ooh Bella! It looks so good, like you bought it at some expensive vintage store. I’m so impressed.
    Yay for sisters. Yours definitely seem like kindred spirits.
    And the yarn…ohh, the yarn. Whatcha gonna knit next????

    Reply
  32. froggy says

    May 14, 2004 at 12:31 pm

    Bella + Calmer = Luscious!
    And more great pics.

    Reply

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