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2008-07-04T22:08:05Z

Here is a quick picture parade of my latest FO, Ysolda Teague's Rose Red.

Oh, and I did some more holiday yarn shopping at Wool & Co. in Geneva, IL.

BUT! I was good and only got yarn for patterns in my Ravelry queue.

Totally unrelated:
I am seriously flipping out over tomorrow's Doctor Who episode. Although I have to admit, I am more concerned about Jack, Gwen & Ianto, and Sarah Jane than I am about Ten's pseudo-regeneration or whatever may happen. Please don't let Sarah Jane die! ah! ;_;
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What do some people have against blogging?

2008-07-02T18:50:56Z

I just finished making a scarf for a close friend. Took the photos, thought about waiting until she received it and then realized -- it won't spoil the surprise. She hates blogs. Which I cannot understand for the life of me. I can understand not having time for blogs (it's definitely a way to eat up the hours). But as a way of keeping tabs on people you know and like, or interesting people you don't know, but who kindly offer a slice of their life, blogging is definitely the best invention of this century, according to me. My mother also hates blogs -- make that computers in general. I suppose I could chalk it up to age, but in actuality she's the fittest, most well read active woman in her eighties that I know. Works out in the gym three times a week. Spends a half hour on the rowing machine (which stresses me out at 15 minutes). And reads constantly. So I don't think it's beyond her. Just not appealing. Different strokes, I guess.

So here's the scarf: Thanks to knitter robot who posted (of course) on her blog. I handspun this yummy cashmere and

blue scarf

silk blend-- talk about soft! It was a bit thick and thin, which obscures the lace pattern just a bit, but I like the overall effect. Not so much fun to knit with, however. I think yarn can be too soft, if you know what I mean.

And here's a picture I thought I'd just post for the heck of it. The light was hitting the flower and the glass in just a perfect way.

And then the cat jumped into the frame. Life is all about moments, captured.

cat and flower

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it's all so complicated, with the flowers, and the romance, and the lies upon lies

2008-07-01T21:25:52Z

I'm at my parents' place for the week, and it's been really awesome so far. The most obvious reason is because I'm not in Ohio. Also, because my mom keeps giving me money for stuff. And Cory (my brother) and I went to the White Sox game last night. And today I went to my favorite yarn store ever, Knitche. And I went to World Market for the first time ever and it's pretty much my favorite store now, besides IKEA and H&M. Hooray, stuff!

So first was my visit to Knitche. I wanted to get a skein of Malabrigo to make another One Skein Wonder, and two skeins of Rowan Pure Wool DK. I got the Malabrigo, but they don't carry Pure Wook DK yet. So I got Norah Gaughan vol. 3, two skeins of Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Dyed Organic Cotton, and two skeins of Katia Colibri.

holiday yarn, hooray!

close-up of the katia colibri

blue sky alpacas skinny dyed, 308 mallard

Then I went to World Market ... that place is awesome.

jelly babies!

world market swag

world market bag

THEY CARRY JELLY BABIES! I bought two bags. I'll probably go back and buy a few more before I leave on Saturday. They're the Doctor's favorite treat! And I have to say they are pretty tasty. I also found a fantastic woven scarf, a really neat over-sized coffee mug (perfect for ramen noodles), and awesome pub coasters. Hooray stuff!

Then when I was at home I found my mom's collection of old juke box 45s.

45s

I'm totally bummed that the Simon & Garfunkle disc is chipped. "Only Living Boy in New York" is one of my favorite songs. There are a few Beatles and Rolling Stones LPs, and really just a ton of other good stuff. Like Led Zeppelin and Sly and the Family Stone. And lots of others. Most of them are pretty scratched up, and they all have her name written on them. Whatevs. I'm going to see if she'll let me keep them. I have an idea of what to do with them (besides listen to them all at least once). I think my project for tomorrow is to go through and catalog what's in there.

mmmm, vinyl
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LYS hoppin'

2008-06-29T11:28:02Z

Saturday my friend Hope, her Mike, my Mike and I went to Upper Tantallon to check out Basket of Yarn. I had heard about this LYS when it was announced they were going out of business. Much to their customers' delight, Susan & Patrick have decided to keep the shop open. I won't tell you how much I've spent there over the past two Saturdays.

Then we took the scenic route to Have a Yarn in Mahone Bay. This is the first time I've been to this LYS. They have quite a selection as well as books and a few videos. I won't tell you how much Hope spent in there in one Saturday.

I managed to pick up all the yarn I need for a multi-strand afghan, as well as a double-knitted scarf. So I'm good to go for the summer. So far I haven't been very good at buying yarn for the sake of buying yarn; my stash doesn't contain anything non-spoken-for. I'll have to work on that ...

And a gratuitous picture of Tubbs, wanting in off the balcony but not before Mummy takes a picture with her camera phone:

Tubbs Balcony

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a head in the polls

2008-06-28T01:21:25Z

I'm on a knitting role lately. I think I mentioned earlier that I got an informal commission to make some hats. Well, I made some hats.

I made the first one, Stella's Hat, today while at work. Very quick project, and I really like how it turned out. The yarn doesn't give much stitch definition (Knit Picks Swish Superwash) but it's light and you can wash it in a washing machine. Gotta like that. The second is a Twirly Top Toque from One-Skein Wonders. It's a great pattern, but not the best yarn for it. I still like it, though. I'm hoping the woman I knit it for likes it too. She probably will; she seemed pretty jolly. These bring me up to 34 projects this year. Hooray!

Now I'll leave you with the TILT I made yesterday and forgot about. Oops.

Things I Like Thursday, a day late (oops)

1. raspberries, 2. tea, 3. doctor who, 4. robots, 5. pinhole cameras, 6. cupcakes, 7. jellyfish, 8. corn on the cob, 9. reading

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ETA: I finally have a decent picture of my Aspen Neck Cowl. So here it is.

apsen neck cowl

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it's powered by love. also, you have to wind it.

2008-06-27T03:17:04Z

I wanted something quick to knit, and it turns out this was incredibly quick to knit.

calorimetry 2

I made it while sitting at work watching The Sarah Jane Adventures. The last time I made a Calorimetry it took two nights and turned out gigantic. So, this time, I cast on 96 stitches instead of 120, and I worked on US7s instead of US8s. And the size is perfect. I didn't bring buttons or my darning kit with me, so I can't put it in properly (hence me holding it on). But I lurve it.

This is also my 33rd (!) project of the year. I hit my goal. Go me! Now I'm off to see if I can hit 50 projects before the end of the year. I think I can do it.
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past projects

2008-06-26T15:07:27Z

I began documenting some of the things that I have made and given away of the past few years. Mostly all have become presents for my sister and her growing family. Others have stayed around my house for my own use. I thought I would share with all of you. I am looking forward to seing this weekend and finishing up the f*%*ing wall hanging. No really I love working on it but I am ready to have it behind me now....

Well it's back to work for me!

-L

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when will man learn that all races are equally inferior to robots?

2008-06-24T20:20:10Z

My new addition to the Futurama family:

Futurama - The Beast with a Billion Backs

Futurama DVD collection

WOO! I can't wait to watch it tonight with commentary. Wait ... why wait until tonight. I'm doing this RIGHT NOW.

Well, after I post this.

parallelograms scarf

This is the Parallelograms Scarf (no, really?) from Knitting New Scarves. The whole thing, 70 inches worth, only took two days to knit. What a lovely and quick project. I checked the book out from my local library and may-or-may-not-have copied a few patterns out of it ... but I caved in and ordered a copy fro Knit Picks. I mean, they're having a 40% off sale. Why wouldn't I? I also picked up the Harmony Guides: Cables & Arans book. I have a few scarf design ideas. I really really want to start designing my own patterns.

Next up is a hat or two for a commission. The story goes like this. Ever since I finished my thesis, I've been at a loss of what to do at my computer lab job. I mean, before, I could write and research. But now I just sit there for seven hours. So. I started hard-core knitting while on the job (hence so many FOs lately). A woman saw me knitting, and asked if I'd knit for her. Pssh, why not? Easy money! And motivation to use up my stash of yarn. So my first project is the Twirly Top Toque from One-Skein Wonders.

Now I'm off to watch some tentacle-filled-sci-fi-cartoon-action-adventure goodness!
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new niece

2008-06-23T17:22:09Z

My sister had her baby on July 6th. Despite my feverish attempt to finish the wall hanging for the babies arrival it is still in pieces. ..... ..

Picture 567

I have a goal of sewing it together this weekend.(fingers crossed)

The weekend of the 7th was joyous. We welcomed Isabelle Claire inot our family. She is small and sweet and we can already see she has her father calm disposition. She sleeps alot and hardly makes a fuss. Her older sister, Madeliene, seems to be doing alright. She is almost 3 and is trying to be a help to her mother. This weekend may have been a turning point however. My sister told me Madeliene turned to her Sunday afternoon and, in all seriousness, told her it was time for Isabelle to go back.

I have included some pictures below.

Of=50,590,442 6

Of=50,590,442 4

Of=50,590,442 13

Enjoy.

-L

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Knitting Injury

2008-06-16T01:27:14Z

Yes, I said "knitting injury." Who'd have thought that a pastime enjoyed by so many grandmas would be dangerous? Who knew you could actually get hurt and that there are safety precautions to keep in mind? Certainly not I.

Let me just say this right now. Do NOT, and I repeat, DO NOT put your knitting needles in your chair! I bet you're wondering what happened.

One Sunday morning, not long ago (last weekend), I was sitting on my mother's patio, knitting and enjoying the outdoors. Mom was in the kitchen making breakfast so I got up, set my knitting on my chair and went in to help. It's important to note that I was knitting a preemie hat on size 3 bamboo dpn's. I was in the process of shaping the crown, so the needles naturally formed a little tepee while resting in the chair. (Starting to get the picture yet?)

Breakfast was on the patio table, we were ready to eat. I flumped into my chair and immediately thought "what the hell kind of thorn hurts this much?" then flew out of the chair, yelling for Mom! That needle went FOUR INCHES into my butt! Mom tried three times to pull it out when I said that I was gonna faint, get it out NOW! She set her feet apart, gripped tightly and pulled with all her might. OMG, it was out! Mom told me later that if it hadn't come out right then, she would've called 911. Imagine it... paramedics arrive to see... well just imagine it. Then imagine what the ER would have been like. As it was, I had to go to urgent care for a tetnus shot, where they were greatly amused by the fact that I was still knitting with the same needles.

*Sigh* Everyone has gotten a good belly laugh out of this. My sister called twice to revel in the hilarity and Mom has been telling all her friends. Fine, Mom needs a good laugh right now, but that poke in the ass really hurt!

Remember: DO NOT put your knitting needles in a chair.

The Hat

Eyelet2

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