Calorimetry 2

Second try at Calorimetry is done - still wider and a bit looser than I'd like it to be, but much better than my first attempt (see below). I wish I had read up on this pattern a bit before starting as apparently I'm not the only one who's had to make some modifications...anyway, it's on my head now and it's actually pretty cute. Pics tomorrow, maybe.

I think dr. girlfriend got it exactly right: size 6 needles, cast on 110 st, omit a few rows. Also check these Calorimetry photos (gorgeous handspun!!)

I may try again in the purple Filatura colorway!!

Also, I have gotten most of my buttons fixed in Blogger beta. If anyone out there is looking for help with beta, try this website: (thanks, deborah!!)
http://knit1blogtoo.blogspot.com/

Blogger Beta

So far, so good with the beta. If I can just hook my buttons back up I'll be all set...

Think Big!!

Holiday Wrap-Up

Best gifts, Christmas 2006:
1. Kids socks and hats - they are loving 'em :)

2. Gift certificate to LYS - for me!

3. DDR Supernova, at least until dh or I break a hip.

Here are the hats. I didn't finish them in time, so I wrapped them OTN and stuck them in with the socks. The kids thought this was pretty funny. I used Cascade 220 superwash but found I had to go waaaaayyyy down to a size 6 to get a decent looking stitch. And to think I'm the girl who used to knit so tight I needed to go up a needle size, or even 2!! Apparently I've become quite loose in my old age (see also Calorimetry, below.) Anyway, the colors match the coats and the hats fit the heads, so all is well:



I have to admit, I'm very tired of "boy" colors and boring beanies. I'm itching to make them long striped stocking caps or something fun. Instead, I picked up a quickie project for myself: Calorimetry.

In my mind, this is the perfect transition project - one skein, done in a day, interesting construction. I used the Filatura di Crosa 127 and size 8 needles called for in the pattern. I even checked my gauge.

Lookin' good:



Found the perfect button:



Doh!!



Don't I look sad in my ill-fitting headband :-( Aww...If only I had a ginormous head, everything would be fine.

I guess when a pattern says things like "gauge = x when stretched slightly" and "width = ???" one should do a bit of common sense gauging along the way. So, I frogged it out and started over again on size 6's. So far, so good. I'll be more careful this time.

In other knitting news, the Malabrigo IHS still languishes on the needles, as does my niece's felted bag and a felted bag for her mom. I did give dh the original, brown IHS for Christmas. Einstein isn't even swatched, and the Vogue shawl is waiting patiently in its ziploc. So there you have it - the 2007 lineup. At least until I get distracted by some new project.

Happy New Year!!

More Socks!

DS socks done!



Now both kids will have a pair under the Christmas tree. Now, do I still have time to make 2 hats...?

When Chihuahuas Attack...

...it's because he imagines that people on the other side of the room are fixing to steal his gross, spitty old chewbone. Silly pup.



But doesn't he look handsome in the new sherpa coat his uncle gave him for Christmas?

Crazy, crazy, crazy...

Great weekend:
1. dh's work Holiday party on Friday night. Bonus: night in hotel room sans kids. Downside: sore from too much "80's dancing" (don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about.)

2. a totally chill-out Saturday with the kids, reading lots of Harry Potter and doing this cool thing, which I highly, highly recommend as a fun and challenging family project. No errands, no work.

3. get-together with family. My brother and his brood (4 kids!) came in later than expected, so we didn't have much time (we had an evening thing at church.) My niece told my mom that "Aunt Jenny's house is my favorite place in the world." Much giggling was done by all children, including mine - cousin giggling is always music to my ears. They are all such great pals. (The only downside here was missing cookies with Lynne and the girls - I miss you guys!!)

4. ds's were each asked to do a reading at the Lessons and Carols candlelight service at our church. So earnest and beautiful, they made me cry. Bonus: spaghetti supper at long tables with friends.

Project update: The malabrigo IHS that I was making for my brother wasn't quite finished, and rather than blow a gasket - as is usually my way - I (surprisingly) opted, calmly, to give him the silk cashmere scarf instead. I didn't cry or obsess or anything. Now, the IHS will go to dh, who loves it.

So, the house is clean, I turned in all my students' grades this morning, and I have close to a week free to finish socks for ds, scarf for dh, and hats for both sons. Let the race begin!

Tried Blogger Beta?

I just upgraded to the new version of Blogger, but haven't tried the new custom features...apparently by doing so you lose all your current settings. I will probably try it after Christmas (heck, it took me forever just to put up my few lame-o decorations, I'd hate to lose them now LOL) but I'm wondering if anyone out there has tried it. Any opinions/suggestions/advice?

Scary Memories

O. M. G. What were we thinking back in the 80s?? Hearts, geese, AND bows all in one pattern??



This pair of lovelies was wrought by me in celebration of my first Christmas with DH, circa 1990. Clearly, the influence of '80s country was still upon me. At least they aren't pink and blue!

I don't use them, not for the obvious reason (fugliness) but because they are way too small. Otherwise I would probably put up with their kitschy-ness for old times' sake. I have the one my Grammy knitted me 40-some years ago, and I knitted a massive one for dh last year (I should remind him that it can be felted if he doesn't behave!!)

Sadly, this was one of my last real colorwork projects. Since then the most adventuresome I've gotten has been stripes, and adventuresome, that ain't. 

Seeing is Believing

Here is the Malabrigo in the first pattern:



Same Malabrigo in the IHS:



The lighting is different - incandescent for the first photo, natural for the second, but you can still see how the green moves to the center in the first photo. Amazing! The IHS definitely makes the most of this yarn's color variations. 

A Little Holiday Decorating...

Finally getting the tree and decorations up! Refusing to stress over what doesn't get decorated!

Tree - check
Outside lights - check
Garlands and swags - check
Blog - check
Everything else - not so much

On the knitting front: my brother and his family have chosen to celebrate Christmas with us next weekend. After shuffling mine and dh's plans, I realized that this also means gifts will have to be ready by next weekend. ook!

The My So-Called Scarf that has been languishing on my Progress-O-Meter was intended for my bro...it hasn't gotten done because the pattern, though beautiful, was just not holding my interest. (I don't want to talk anyone out of it though, it's an amazing pattern! Go on and have a look for yourself!) Yesterday I ripped it out and started another Irish Hiking Scarf instead.

I wasn't sure how cables would look in Malabrigo. It's so soft and airy, I was totally skeptical about stitch definition, which of course is crucial for cables. Glad I tried it, though, because YOWZA is it gorgeous. The subtle color variations of the Malabrigo that pooled in an unappealing way on the MSCS are playing out beautifully on the IHS. What a difference a pattern makes. And the cables, as g-girl puts it, are "pop-o-licious". Yeah, baby!!

Pictures later...

KUO Hats Done!

I finally finished hat #5 from the KUO project. Now I just need to wash them (damn dog hair - it's everywhere)and bring them downtown.

Christmas knitting:
-afghan for my parents (actually this is crochet. I'm using dk! What was I thinking,listening to that pattern!! It will take forever...)
-socks for DS #1
-hats for both DSs
-scarf for my brother

Note that the afghan is the only item from my Project-O-Meter. That other stuff is waaay off the radar right now! I'm not even sure about my niece's bag - I've gotten her some American Girl Doll stuff so I don't really need the bag for Christmas. Maybe Valentine's Day...or just surprise her with it on some non-holiday.

Is holiday knitting stress just a fact of life? It seems no matter how early I start, I find things getting down to the wire come December. I think the problem is that instead of enjoying the fact of being done early, I simply add more projects hence undoing the benefits of starting early. I should really stop doing this...

I really should also stop thinking I need to knit things for the kids' teachers...and my neighbors...

Furbaby

I have one miserable little chihuahua on my hands:

 

He has a terrible, honking, body-racking cough that ends in a gag and it's making us all miserable. He and I have been to the animal emergency room and ($345 later - ook!) they think it's a virus. Of course I knitted in the waiting room. Amazing how it always helps, somehow.

The cough could also be a sign of a collapsing trachea, a condition that is not uncommon among chihuahuas but one that can be tricky to treat. We're keeping our fingers crossed. He has some medicine to take and we'll be keeping his collar off for a bit.

I love this little guy. I think a new sweater will make him feel better; he does love to be warm. I found a cute aran pattern that I hope to get started on soon.

Not sure why I'm posting this, exactly, just needed to process, I guess.... 

Knit Unto Others

Okay, here it is:

  

Not nearly as much as I wanted to complete, but considering how busy the last two weeks have been in non-knitting respects, I'm satisfied. Yes, the grey one at the end is still OTN. I'm hoping to finish it tonight and then I'll bring them to the Soup Kitchen. Perfect timing now that it has fnally decided to get cold around here.

I loved this project. It has indeed helped me put my holiday (and general life) stress in perspective, and while knitting I have found myself thinking about the people who might need one of these hats. I feel grateful for my blessings and happy to be able to help someone else. To be able is a beautiful thing, and I think we all forget that sometimes. Count me in for next year!

Happy Crafty

What a week!!! I submitted the first draft of my dissertation proposal, wrapped up the lecture portion of both of my classes, and made this:

 

For tomorrow is the long-anticipated social event of the season –drumroll please- the elementary school Holiday Fair. This year’s extravaganza was coordinated by yours truly, not because I wanted to, but because I foolishly gave a rousing pep talk to the other beleaguered PTO moms when it looked like the fair wasn’t going to happen this year.

The climate in PTO this year has been one in which merely making eye contact with another person is taken as a sign of long-term commitment. So I should have known what I was getting into. It’s not anyone’s fault; most of us have been around for a few years and are (1) older, (2) busier, and (3) just plain tired-er than we used to be.

Fortunately, all I really had to do was send out a lot of emails and put like-minded people in touch with one another. These ladies are conditioned by years of hard labor selling cookies and assembling raffle baskets. They've frosted a cupcake or two – if you know what I mean. They know their stuff. I am proud to work alongside them.

This will be my third year handling the kids make it and take it crafts room. The first year, a friend and I proposed the activity as an alternative to the “holiday store” where kids bought junky things for their parents. With the craft room, kids make junky things for their parents. See the difference?

Anyway, the craft room has been a hit. The picture above is the board showing some of the items that are available to make. Kids are busy and happy and lovely crafty times are had by all. About half of the items are Oriental Trading-type kits (yes, lots of the dreaded foam) but about half are kits designed and assembled by a few of us moms – pop-up cards, wood frames, felt ornaments, etc.

One year a woman thanked me because her husband had recently lost his job and she was thrilled to be able to have the kids make gifts for their teachers and grandparents for just a dollar apiece. And I get a real thrill being part of a community event – especially one that involves craftiness and happy people. And my kids think I am the greatest mom ever because they get to hang out after school and run wild with the other kids whose moms are there setting up - at every event, same moms, same kids.

I left work at 3 pm today and helped set up the school gym until 7 pm. I will work the whole fair (3 hours) and clean up afterward. By this time tomorrow it will be all over and everything will be packed away in the PTO closet until next year. With any luck, I will have won a big raffle basket (I’m putting all my tickets in for the knitting basket I donated – go figure) and will be relaxing with a video and some knitting.

Speaking of knitting – I had a KUO setback. The top half of hat #4 has been ripped out and reknit THREE times!!! I am very frustrated. I have this idea that I will finish this hat tonight and then knit a fifth tomorrow, but...maybe I need to drink a fifth of something instead.

Random woman’s health update: had my first mammogram at 7 am today and....surprisingly, it wasn’t nearly as awful as I expected :) And I think this is my longest post EVER!! 

Come Play on the Innernets!

Okay, Kat and Liz, I'll play.

A grad student is tracking the amount of time it takes for memes to get around the net. He would like you to go to his blog here, read about his project, type up a description of it on your blog (as I have done here), and then ping technorati.

Easy peasy. And you get the tingly feeling of knowing you have participated in SCIENCE!

Will you play, too?

Thankful

It was a lovely and productive holiday :) Thanksgiving went off without a hitch – everyone’s plane arrived as scheduled and the weather was great. DH’s cooking experiments were mostly quite successful – the turkey and stuffing got an enthusiastic two thumbs up, while the “spiced up” red beet eggs...let’s just say we won’t be enjoying them again anytime soon. MIL brought an amazing dessert wine - apple - and there was pie. Lots of pie.

Because both MIL and SIL are crafty ladies and brought some projects along for the weekend (which I totally forgot to photograph), I had lots of time to knit. Here are the two latest hats for Knit Unto Others:

 

The red one looks small but it is very stretchy. The beanie on the right was the big hit with everyone, especially my kids, so I’m currently making another - that one will bring my total to four. This week will be very busy but I’m aiming for two more hats after that, more if I can swing it. From there on out it’s Christmas present knitting all the way!!

One great thing about this weekend was our annual city Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Residents gather in front of city hall and receive a white taper candle. At 5 pm, the candles are lit and this mass of thousands and thousands of people slowly makes its way down Main Street in the direction of the Christmas tree. The street slopes down slightly, so when you turn and look back it is easy to see the virtual sea of tiny candle flames. There is a countdown to the tree lighting and then it’s off to the different performing arts venues and outdoor ice sculpturing. It’s impossible not to bump into neighbors, friends, teachers, and so on everywhere you go. I’m thankful to live in a city that is so family-friendly and has such lovely traditions.

We also exchanged Christmas gifts, our tradition with this out-of-town side of our family. My favorite gifts?

click here...and here

Hmmm...now where to begin????? 

What's on your Thanksgiving menu this year?

Here are the T-day stats chez YawnOver:

We are having:

-cranberry cream salad
-swiss-style green beans (dh grandmother's recipe)
-red beet eggs (my grandmother's recipe)
-honey-glazed baby carrots
-whipped potatoes
-stuffing, fresh bread, gravy
-pork chops - just kidding - turkey

My turkey is.....21 lbs. (Is he big enough to beat up your turkey?)

Pies: 1 mile-high apple, 3 pumpkin. Yeah, we like the pumpkin. Also a fruity jello salad.

Around the table: just 8 of us.

KUO update: 2/3 done with hat #2.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

KUO - One down, ?? to go...

I finished a hat for the Knit Unto Others KAL:

 

I used the "basic hat" pattern from Knitting for Peace, a simple roll brim affair. Having not made a hat like this before, I'm impressed with how comfortable it is to wear, and how versatile it is to be able to roll the brim up or down over the ears. Ribbing really is overrated, isn't it?

The plain knit was very boring, but luckily I had a lot of kid events this weekend where I could sit and knit and chat without worrying about messing up. I even got a bunch done in the car (passenger seat!!) while doing errands with dh - in the dark. Ah, the beauty of plain knit :) The yarn is Wool-Ease because I got a bunch at the craft store for just under $2 a skein, each one enough to make a whole hat plus leftovers. The 20% wool gives it a decent feel, and it is machine wash and dry, so no worries. I decided to knit for adults, men in particular, because among the needy this group often gets low priority.

Next in line is a cabled hat in a beautiful shade of cranberry.

Margene and Carole, if you are listening, I am loving this project. I always celebrating Thanksgiving with my in-laws who come from out-of-town, and while we're together we also exchange Christmas gifts. Although my shopping for them is usually done early, I am always so tempted to buy or knit "just one more thing" for them, as if this somehow would make the holiday that much nicer or more meaningful. This year, KUO is my way of adding meaning to the holiday. Rather than getting yet more stuff for those lucky enough to truly need none of it, I can throw myself into "just one more" mode in a way that will actually do some good for someone. So thank you :)

Check out this link for even more warm-and-fuzzy-ness, Mutts style (Caution: extreme cuteness will ensue).


 

Kitchenering Toes since 1986

DS socks done - but despite my measuring several times, the feet are at least 1/2" too short! First time I've ever done that with socks. Good thing I have another ds with smaller feet than the first...but now they won't be getting the colors they picked out. *Sigh*

I'm also quite disappointed in the colors - very blotchy with random splotches of color that look like something was spilled on the finished product. It makes the stitches look messy, whereas if you look at the socks up close the stitch quality and tension are actually fine.

 

The Magic Stripes colorways that have the mixed grey and white bands are better - consistent repeats, and much nicer striping overall. I am not a huge fan of this yarn anyway, but my kids like the colorways and it is convenient to be able to pick it up at the craft store rather than hauling the boys out to LYS.

Oh well, we will survive this setback and everyone will still have cute stripey feet, just in unexpected colors :) By Christmas, they may even forget what they picked to begin with! (Oh, who am I kidding!)

And yes, I have been kitchenering since 1986, starting with the undeserving boyfriend socks. (It sounded like a good title for something...)

On another note, I swatched for my Knit unto Others project today. I got gauge, so off I go - just not sure whether to do mittens or hats. Hat will be easier, but now would be a great time to try some mittens. Decisions, decisions...maybe a few of each?

I don't know about anyone else, but I am growing weary of this weirdly warm weather we're having lately. Now, mind you, there is a up side to this in that for the first time (I think) EVER, I haven't had to turn on the heat at all for the month of November. Down side is, I don't have the clothes for a warm November! Everything I wear lately looks dorky. (Hmmm...hopefully that is because of the weather???) 

Knit Unto Others Project

I can't believe it's time for this already! The "last 2 weeks of November" sounded so far away...

My plan is to knit hats and/or mittens for my local soup kitchen. I'm thinking, for speed purposes, I may use the "basic" patterns from Knitting for Peace. I've never knit mittens, though, so I may just stick with hats in the hopes of actually getting something done :)

Before I start KUOP I'd like to get my son's sock toes done, and my other son's socks cast on, and finish the little pink bag, but we shall see...these are some busy times. Thanksgiving is next week - aaakkk!!!

Knit Happens

There's a whole lot of the knit stitch going on at the moment. The Magic Stripes socks for ds have a stockinette foot:

 

(Note the utter lack of coherence in the striping. I looked and rolled and unrolled and rerolled but I could not find a closer repeat than what you see here. This hasn't been my experience with another MS colorway, lumberjack black; however, the child for whom these are intended is a big fan of anything whacky. I'm sure he'll appreciate these.)

Next up - felted bag for my niece, also knitted in the round:

 

I'm loving the girly colors and might throw in one more, possibly a variegated. I love how fast this project goes.

And the Einstein swatch, crochet cast-on mastered courtesy of my friend Lynne:

 

MAN is garter stitch boring. I hope I have the oomph to get this project done! It's probably not a good sign that I am feeling this way after 20 rows of swatch, hmm :) I may have to have a backup project in the wings - this Manos is too pretty to sit in a project bag for long.

To break up the monotony of plain knit I have been working on the Vogue Fall '05 shawl, which has a repeat of 30 rows that takes a wee bit of concentration. I thought people were perhaps exaggerating the difficulties of knitting with black yarn, but I am finding that it really does require good to excellent lighting. Progress is not exciting enough yet to show here, but some has been made nonetheless.

My other project has been designing a new header for this blog. I put something together and have been playing with code but don't quite have it figured out just yet. Soon, though.

Blog Identity Crisis

I have been going through something of an identity crisis with this here blog. I keep playing around with colors and profiles and so on but sometimes I feel like I am going around in circles and not getting things more like I want them to be. Whatever that is. Hmpf....

Good news - bipartisanship! Yay! It feels like Christmas :)

(It pales by comparison, but the other good news is the sock progress - check the 'Meter)

Peace

If you haven't yet done any knitting for charity this year, here is a lovely idea. Click on the button in my sidebar to go to the website to join. Thanks to Carole and Margene for organizing this.

  

Also, have you seen this book? Part of the proceeds go to charity, and it's a great read, so everyone wins. You know you never need an excuse to buy another knitting book :)

I'm watching CNN and biting my nails. Regardless of the election outcomes, I'll be praying for peace. 

Had it with Halloween?

So has this guy; check him out.

Progress on both the stripey socks and the pink felted bag; the Einstein Coat, not so much. I have to sit down and apply myself to the learning of the damn crochet cast-on, which I have convinced myself looks like something I don't want to learn, yet I must.

SnB yesterday was fun, as per usual. There was a whole lot of Knitty going on, with Naomi working a square for the gorgeous Lizard Ridge afghan and abby making Anouk. Both were using the yarns called for in the patterns - a totally yummy shade of Kuryeon for the afghan and the surprisingly soft Cascade Pima Tencel for Anouk. (What is a Tencel, anyway?)

One idea that got bounced around was the whole project rotation thing that's been going around the blogs. For example Kat's been trying out a system of working through a list of projects, item by item, by spending a specific number of hours per item before moving to the next. The idea is that stuff gets done but you don't get bored. I have seen other takes on this idea as well.

I could probably use a little of that self-discipline, but alas, I seem to be stuck in attention deficit knitting mode. Perhaps this rotation idea could be a New Year's Resolution? That, and knitting more purple things for myself.

Channeling Einstein

Signs all around me are pointing to Einstein. He is suddenly a topic of conversation among my children since I bought them a copy of this fabulous book. He (or a reasonable facsimile) is suddenly the annoying little MS Word helper who stands around looking wistful and blocking my toolbar (courtesy of same children.) But most importantly, his name is on THIS:

 

Can’t. Wait. To make this coat! I know it will be many hours of mind-numbing garter stitch, but I absolutely love the way it is put together. I am also looking forward to making it with this:

 

(My LYS gave me yet another reason to love it – 31% off all yarn over Halloween weekend, and “all” I had to do was show up in costume. What’s a little public humiliation when you stand to save almost one-third off? Of yarn?? I went in for purple Lopi and came out with all this gorgeous burgundy Manos.)

So... not much longer, Einstein. You and me, my friend, we’ll be spending some serious time together.

More FOS:

3x3 rib Silk Cashmere Scarf – Trendsetter Kashmir (65% cashmere, 35% silk, color=50)
4-3/4” wide by 52” long

 

Irish Hiking Scarf – Patons Classic Merino (100% wool, color=Taupe)
5” wide by 60” long

 

OK, I'll say it: I Conquered Cables!!! I will make this scarf again someday. It was a bit repetitive, but not overly so, and very satisfying. 

FOs and the Elusive Miss Lucy Cat

I finally finished the silk cashmere scarf at SnB last week - just need to weave in those pesky ends. (I think my knitting buddy Patrice is my good-luck charm for getting projects finished ;) !) And, due to this being midterm week for my students, I have actually had some time to work on the Irish Hiking Scarf. I fully intend for that project to be completed by the end of SnB this week. Two FOs on the Progress-O-Meter,and one almost FO! Yippee!

So, I guess there is something to this whole listing and facing up to one's unfinished business. I feel so much more organized and goal-oriented. And remember the felted bag with the rolled-over top edge? It actually turned out just fine. I added the handles and will soon be mailing it off.

I will have pictures of all of these FOs soon! In the meantime, I thought I would post some proof that I do, in fact, own a cat. Her name is Lucy, and she still hasn't quite forgiven me for coming home with Frisky the chihuahua, whom she despises:

 
"FEAR YE THE BRISTLING OF MY FUR!"


 
"AND NOW...KISS MY GRITS."


I don't really know what it is about Frisky that offends her so. I mean, what's not to love?

  

Awww... Oh well, she was here first. Being a diva apparently means needing LOTS of personal space, which we maintain using a complex system of baby gates and personal assistants (who carry her past the dog and administer Pounces as needed.) Are other people this crazy???

Need Help With Bag Closure

Hello again - I forgot to ask - if anyone out there is reading this, do you have any ideas for bag closures? Most of the people I make these for don't knit so they have this funny idea that the top of the bag should stay closed :)

Magnetic, button, snap? What to use? Anyone have an opinion?

Felting is Like a Box-a-Chock-lits...

...you just never know what you are going to get :) This is the seventh bag I've made using some variation on the Booga pattern and Paton's Classic Merino yarn, and they are all unique in some way.

Bag #1: realized gauge matters even more with felting, ended up with a weeny little child-sized bag
Bag #2: PCM apparently shrinks more vertically than horizontally, ended up with a very wide and very short bag
Bag #3 played with gauge and got a bag very much to my liking! Its the purple/green/gold one I use a lot in the winter.
Bag #4 for my mom - bottom came out a bit thin...
Bag #5 for my SIL, came out very thin and all misshapen. Required a good deal of forcible shaping to even ressemble a bag
Bag #6 for my kids' teacher, knitting holding two strands together - much less shrinkage and thicker, better quality bag.

Just finishing Bag #7 for my MIL, used the lessons learned in 1-6. Here it is pre-felting (doesn't Frisky look stressed out?? I think he is waiting for a new sweater;)

 

But look - after washing:

 

About 2/3 of the way around, the top edge started curling over and felted onto itself! I couldn't get it straight again, so I rolled the rest over and tried to make it look intentional.

Here's how I held the rolled edge down and kept the sides from flopping over:

 

I took the clothespins off after a couple hours so they wouldn't leave permanent indents.

Yes, that's Near East rice mix in there. And Betty Crocker Brownie mix. Anyway, it looks like it's drying up okay, so hopefully that edge will play out as a "nice finish detail" rather than a "WTF happened to that edge?"

Can't wait for SnB today - so glad I'm done with that damn I-cord. 

Phew!

You Passed 8th Grade Science

Congratulations, you got 7/8 correct!

Could You Pass 8th Grade Science?

My Week in a Nutshell

Felted bag for MIL, almost done!! This really was a quickie:

  

I have about 13 more rounds of grey, then the obligatory endless I cord handles, but then its done! It's actually a lot bigger than it looks in the picture. Hopefully I can finish at SnB this week. It is so overdue.

DH and I took the kids to the public library tonight. The librarians in the children's room all knit, and when they see me we always get all knitty together. One of them was making a long rectangle bag of her own design with a clever crocheted handle using Paton's Classic Merino in Palais and Royal Purple, held together. I never would have thought of that combo. It was gorgeous.

While at the library I also managed to get my hands on Scarf Style - finally - those knitting books just fly off the library shelf. I am hoping to squeeze Forbes Forest in my lineup somewhere, I've been totally inspired by brooklyn tweed to make this fabulous scarf.

Little ds scored a King Arthur book to KEEP, mind you, for just 25 cents from a box at the check-out desk. Cool, huh? :) BTW his Harry Potter party last weekend was fabulous - our Muggle version of Quidditch worked out great! We also flew owls into the Owlery (paper airplanes) and dropped letters into the Great Hall, did an HP alphabet scramble, and played a little HP Scene-It. The kids had a blast and dh and I did not even need ibuprofen afterwards, unlike after a certain older child's party...

I even made a miniscule bit of progress on my dissertation proposal tody...after five hours at the keyboard, but that's okay. Progress is progress.

All in all, a pretty good week!!

More FO Pics

Started another "quickie" (I hope) today at SnB. It's a felted bag for my MIL's birthday...last August. I think it will be worth the wait; hope she agrees :) Pics tomorrow.

Finally got the kids' bed socks out for a photo op:

 

They're a wool blend, and a little pilly, but they've seen some pretty heavy wear. The boys are going to get some new ones soon - they've each picked out a color of Magic Stripes that they love. I may quietly swap that out for a 100% wool (superwash of course) if I can get gauge; MS calls for a size 3 or 4 needle and I'm looking for something at least that big. I'm definitely done with size 1's for a while, especially for kids' stuff that I know will soon be outgrown.

I'm looking forward to getting all my photos together in some kind of album. Maybe Flickr? Something I can set up as a sidebar would be nice...any ideas?

I picked up this book because of some beautiful shots of knit ads from over the course of the 1900s, but also loved the title. Dh was like, hmm, honey do you think maybe this hobby is getting out of hand?

 

Yes, actually, it's way out of hand, darling :) But at least your feet will be warm. 

Socks Done!

DH SOCKULATOR SOCKS DONE!!!

 

Nashua Handknits Cilantro Colors Lil Socks (Summer Project)