See Emily Knit

Naughty, Naughty Sheet Music

2010-06-21T15:55:00.004-05:00

My parents gave me a keyboard for Christmas this past year. I took 12 years of piano lessons although I really didn't enjoy them until about six or seven years into it. Still, it would probably be best if I didn't waste twelve years of my time, half an hour a week of my piano teacher's time over those years or the money my parents spent on lessons.

The keyboard resides in the living room and a couple of times a week I sit down and play a bit. I decided to raid the collection at my parents' house rather than go out and buy a bunch of new books and piles of sheet music. I mostly took old favorites, pieces I had memorized once upon a time. For several months, this served me well. I got bored with many of the pieces and frustrated at my rusty skills, though, so I decided it was time to grab more music when I went home this past weekend.

Beyond just my old standby pieces, my mom has a large collection of other music. She likes going to auctions. A lot. Many of the things she picks up are old stone crocks, enamel ware, tea pots and kettles, and wash boards. She's also picked up a few boxes of old piano and organ music, though, and that's where the fun comes in.

I went through part of it. I could have gone through the whole thing since I had gone home for Father's Day only for my dad to have to work 12 hour shifts on both Saturday and Sunday. Only saw him for about four or five hours total the whole weekend. It's better to spread the exploration out, though.

First, I went with things I might use. A book on blues breaks and fills and a book on how to play popular music. These were owned by a family friend of ours we called Grandma Bertie and her sister Eleanor. Bertie had an auction before moving into an adult living apartment many years ago. While they're old (I couldn't find copyright or publishing dates), I'd like to compare them to some more modern books I have that are in a similar vein.

Then I decided that a bunch of Sousa marches might be interesting to try.

I don't know why I was drawn to this book. I'm not particularly patriotic. Playing "Stars and Stripes Forever" when I was a high school bassoonist kind of got on my nerves. Maybe it's the use of the word "pianoforte". Maybe it's because being able to stretch out my short stubby fingers for the massive chords would be a personal victory.

After these selections, I decided to take a couple out of sheer novelty. First, for obvious Buffy-related reasons, Mister Five by Five. He doesn't really look like Faith's type though.

This last one I consider to be my best find, though.

Copyright in 1920, "That Naughty Waltz" blesses us with such lyrics as "Hold my tightly, swing me lightly, To that naughty waltz". It makes me want to construct a side dialogue:

MAN: Darling, let me hold you close.
WOMAN: Oh, I really shouldn't. This dancing though, this music, with it's enthralling 3/4 rhythm, it compels me to let you wrap one arm around me and hold my hand while I grasp your shoulder.
MAN: I just relish being able to move with you like this, swinging about, gazing in your eyes, all the while counting "1, 2, 3. 1, 2, 3."
WOMAN: We really are being quite wicked. Next we'll be saying that that new prohibition amendment was a horrible idea and start making bathtub gin.

There's more where that came from. A couple of drawers full of the stuff.

Cable-palooza

2010-04-15T00:09:00.002-05:00

So, blogging. It's been over a month but I've been keeping myself busy. March was a particularly full month at work but now things have settled in a bit. Taxes are done. I've finally made significant project on the Burridge Lake Aran Afghan. I now have two of three panels done (excuse the poor lighting).

I cast on panel number three on Friday evening. Even with the gorgeous weather keeping me from getting much knitting done over the weekend, I'm now through nine of 24 repeats of this final panel.

Still looks like I'll be finishing this project at the absolute worst time to properly enjoy a heavy wool afghan but I'll be glad to have it done.

Also keeping me busy has been The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I realize that I have jumped on the bandwagon late but I feel like the joke is on everyone else. I probably won't even be done with the second book (The Girl Who Played with Fire) when the final book comes out on May 25. It's enjoyable reading no matter when you read it and I haven't been spoiled so it's OK.

Spoilers = bad, even if there are somethings I can't wait for. Like the new series of Doctor Who. Series 5 starts on BBC America April 17 for those of you disciplined enough to wait. Or for those of you that haven't watched it. I am completely sincere when I say that this new season is a perfect time to jump in. There's a new cast, new team of producers, pretty much new everything. I've seen the first two episodes and they're absolutely thrilling. Whether you watch episode 1 or episode 3 this weekend, a good time should be had by all.

Crossing the Finish Line

2010-03-09T22:33:00.005-06:00

Before the Knitting Olympics began, I knew I wanted to knit the Hemlock Ring Blanket but I was pretty sure I could finish it in less than 16 days. I added on a small Ishbel out of Noro Silk Garden Sock.

Victory!

In other knitting related news, I submitted the Hemlock Ring to Knit'n From the Heart's Olympics contest and I got bronze in the intermediate/advanced category. The prize? A set of needles up to $20 value. New Addi Turbos for me!

Even more exciting was the visitor that arrived at my door today. He came with candy, a pretty blue, heathered skein of Cascade 220, a drop spindle and some really soft merino fiber. Looks like it's time for me to learn how to spin.

The Travelling!Doctor Swap has been going on since October 2008 and it's finally my turn to show him around the Twin Cities. Tonight we decided to lay back and watch last night's The Big Bang Theory, bringing together TBBT, Doctor Who and the precious (ring from The Lord of the Rings for the decidedly non-geeky out there).

Now I need to find other places to take him. I'm already planning to go to DreamHaven Books, Neil Gaiman's home base, on request of another Doctor Who fan and the sculpture garden. Any other suggestions?

Hemlock Ring Blocked

2010-02-23T20:40:00.003-06:00

Yesterday was my birthday. I worked. I spoke on the phone with many family members and friends. I also blocked Hemlock Ring. Twenty six is looking a lot like 25.

In addition to Hemlock Ring, I also put down to knit a small Ishbel for the Knitting Olympics. I've finished the stockinette portion of it and I'm on to the lace part. I didn't get a picture before it got pretty dark out tonight so that will have to wait for another day.

I also haven't mentioned my new favorite podcast on here, yet. It's A History of the World in 100 Objects, put out by BBC Radio 4. Every weekday, the director of The British Museum discusses one object from the museum's collection. He describes the object, significant features of the object and how it fits into the history of the world. It's pretty much my daily fifteen minutes of history geekery. Podcasts and audiobooks certainly contributed to the speed

Knitting Olympics

2010-02-15T22:06:00.002-06:00

I've decided to do the Knitting Olympics. I'm for sure knitting Hemlock Ring. I cast on Friday night during the opening ceremony (which I liked better than the overly-showy Beijing one). I had already finished the central flower by Saturday morning.

Tonight, I finished the first skein of Eco +.

I also put myself down to knit a small Ishbel and since I think I'll finish the Hemlock Ring by the end of this week I might even be able to finish it.

Before setting the Burridge Lake Aran Afghan aside for 16 days of knitting frenzy, I did finish the first panel.

I also got a few repeats into the second panel.

I should be done with the knitting in time to absolutely in no way want to be seaming a wool afghan on my lap.

Finishitis?

2010-02-02T21:34:00.004-06:00

I've been on a bit of a finishing kick the last week or so. I think it's because I've been avoiding the repetitive cables of the Burridge Lake Aran Afghan.

First, I finished the linen stitch sock yarn scarf. This is a little more of an honest finish as I did start it before the afghan.

(Salon hair. If only I could make it look that way on my own.)

Then I made Zoe, a shawlette or kerchief by Emily Kausilik, for the second time. This time I did it in some Noro Silk Garden Sock which I fell down and got because it was soft and pretty and 20% off.

Finally, I got around to knitting myself some Veyla by Ysolda Teague.

Now to go back to the pair I had started for my sister in lavender. She decided she'd rather have the cuff from Veyla but then have the hand be a regular mitten to wear while walking around campus in the late fall and early spring. Good thing I love the girl.

Extra note - this is the first time I got to use the "finished project 2010" label. Awesome.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-02T18:46:00.008-06:00

Here we are, two days into 2010. Resolutions generally go to crap but I'm making one anyways. Going forward, I want to have less clutter in my life. First step is to use up some leftover sock yarn bits and ends.

I cast on 500+ stitches (an odd number) on US 6 needles using a cable cast-on so that I would have an end on each end and not have to guess how long of tail to start with. Then I started with a new piece of yarn and began to knit in linen stitch.

Linen Stitch (2-row repeat):
Row 1: K1, (s1 purlwise with yarn in front, K1) repeat to end of row
Row 2: K1, (p1, s1 with yarn in back) repeat until two stitches before end of row, p1, k1

To create a fringe, I start each row with a different yarn, leaving a decent-length end and break off the yarn at the end of the row, once again leaving another decent-length end. When I'm done, I plan to either braid or twist the fringe together in groups of 3. Bonus - I have no ends to weave in.

I got a large amount of the knitting done while watching Doctor Who last night. It was fantastic! The end had me crying and laughing. I'll miss David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor dearly but I'm even more excited for Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor now. Then I saw this trailer for season 5. I'll be over here, squeeing in the corner.

Christmas Music for the Absurd

2009-12-19T19:53:00.004-06:00

I often find the lyrics to "Baby, It's Cold Outside" to be a bit date rape-y but this video of Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews is something else. Bloody Welsh.

Happy Accident

2009-12-16T20:55:00.003-06:00

I had my second Kai-Mei from Cookie A.'s Sock Innovations just a few rounds of toe decreases away from being finished for several weeks yet it just sat by my chair, tucked out of sight. This weekend, I finally pulled them out and finished them.

Yarn is Cascade Heritage in some non-descriptive color number.

Today I wore the socks and looked down to realize that the shoes I had picked quickly before running out the door this morning showed off the pattern quite nicely.

See?

I was so taken by this happy coincidence that I even put the socks and shoes back when I got home after going straight to the gym from work. I needed the picture that much.

Venting Frustration

2009-11-30T23:16:00.004-06:00

There is no picture of a finished Vine Yoke Cardigan in this post. There is a finished Vine Yoke Cardigan in my apartment. It is not a Vine Yoke Cardigan that fits me. To distract me from the failure, I decided to make the antithesis of a woolen, knit cardigan. That object is a cotton, crocheted potholder.

Double sided, started after eating dinner and paying some bills, I still managed to finish it in one evening. It fits in my hand. It is making me much happier than the Vine Yoke Cardigan. I may be going insane.

Now that I've made it through NaBloPoMo, I'm going radio silent for at least tomorrow if not through the rest of the work week. I hope to reblock the cardigan this week before I inevitably give up the ghost and frog it. I'll blog about it once I can properly address it. On the upside, I'm not as big as I thought I was.

Another Pair Down

2009-11-29T22:40:00.003-06:00

I finished the RPMs this afternoon after I finished packing up all of my stuff at my parents' house.

After checking on the Vine Yoke Cardigan when I got back, I'm starting to think that I should have gone down a size or two. I'm going to put the buttons on tomorrow and then see what I think. My gauge was on but I'm thinking I need a new bust measurement taken.

The Thanksgiving Letter

2009-11-28T21:40:00.003-06:00

Last year, CaliforniaKara posted a Thanksgiving letter passed down to her from a coworker. In the letter, the coworker's sister gives very specific instructions for what she is expecting people to bring for the meal, down to the appropriate recipe to use and container to bring it in. One of my favorite selections was to the family tasked with bringing fifteen pounds of mashed potatoes "in a casserole with a serving spoon".

Please do not use the over-size blue serving dish you used last year. Because
you are making such a large batch you can do one of two things: put half the
mash in a regulation size casserole with lid and put the other half in a plastic
container and we can just replenish with that or use two regulation size
casserole dishes with lids. Only one serving spoon is needed.

I shudder to think what this woman would do with my family's assorted collection of plastic dishes and the occasional aluminum foil or cling wrap cover.

I Braved Black Friday

2009-11-27T23:30:00.001-06:00

I went shopping on Black Friday. OK, we didn't even leave Litchfield for the Albertville Outlet Mall until 9 this morning and all I bought was a long-sleeved red t-shirt from Old Navy but I did survive. My sister, mom and I went with two of my aunts and a cousin who had already hit a bunch of the usual suspects earlier this morning. Shopping-wise, it may have been a waste of time for us but we did have a good time together. Also, because the drive to the outlet mall isn't that short and we also went to St. Cloud after we were done there, I got a decent amount of knitting done today.

I'm continuing to knit from stash with KnitPicks Sock Memories, a yarn that was discontinued a few years back. The pattern is RPM by Aija Goto from Knitty Summer 2006. I cast it on Tuesday night after finishing the knitting on the Vine Yoke Cardigan. I'm already past the ribbing on the second sock. They're on US Size 1.5 needles so they're a relatively fast knit as far as socks go.

Tomorrow, I think I agreed to do more shopping, this time with my mom and grandma to Jo-Ann's for pillow forms. I end up being so much more of a "girl" when I'm home. I even end up wearing make-up on a semi-regular basis. It's like I become a curious study in traditional gender roles.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T08:10:00.002-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I'm not even going to try to find time to blog during the rest of the day. I'm off to help get the last few things ready and then spend some time with my family.

Almost Done

2009-11-25T22:55:00.003-06:00

Before leaving for work this morning, I blocked the Vine Yoke Cardigan.

I had debated taking it with me and blocking it at my mom and dad's house so I could be finished that much sooner but I decided to be a little patient. Sunday night, the buttons are going on, though. I cast this on sometime on Halloween weekend, so I'll still have a fully-done sweater in less than a month.

I've been finishing cleaning my parents' basement tonight. I feel like vacuuming at 10:30 at night is completely unnatural. My sister and I are rewarding ourselves with tonight's episode of Glee before bed. If we don't watch now, one of our cousins is sure to spoil us tomorrow.

Buttons

2009-11-24T20:21:00.002-06:00

As the end of the Vine Yoke Cardigan has been getting close, I started to look for buttons. I was almost positive that I was going to have to order them from somewhere as even when I'd find ones that would kind of work, I wasn't thrilled with them and there were never at least nine of them which is what I need. Then I stopped at Lila and Claudine's in Mahtomedi for the first time.

In addition to being a cute shop with a decent selection of yarn, especially considering that it's not huge and is also a gift shop, they had buttons that look like they're going to work perfectly.

Now I'm off to finish the knitting while watching V. Can't believe it's going on hiatus already.

Palette Cleanser

2009-11-23T16:27:00.003-06:00

I think The Pipettes have scrubbed the endless loop of "Bad Romance" from my head.

Speaking of the alphabet, John Oliver admitted in this week's episode of The Bugle that after filming the segment of The Daily Show where he was reading Sarah Palin's book to a bunch of six-year olds, he did have to read them a bit from Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, a book about the letters of the alphabet climbing up a coconut tree together. Unfortunately, he did this reading while the camera and sound crew packed up their equipment so there is no recording of it. Also not shown on camera but discussed on The Bugle was the fact that while John Oliver was torturing children with Going Rogue, Zooey Deschanel and Ben Gibbard were in the same bookstore and were witness to it all. Never thought I'd want to be a fly on the wall in a bookstore where the words of Sarah Palin('s ghostwriter) were read aloud.

So Close Yet So Far Away

2009-11-22T15:34:00.003-06:00

I've finished the left sleeve of the Vine Yoke Cardigan and am on to the left front.

I've begun to search for buttons with little luck. I need nine of them and it seems that every time I find some I might like, even if they're a bit more than I'd like to spend, there are never nine of them. I'll have to keep the search going and hope that I don't end up with a completely finished cardigan that I can't fasten.

I'll just keep knitting away and watching Spooks. It was titled less creatively as MI-5 in the US. I say less creatively because it's about a bunch of spies that work for MI-5, the UK domestic intelligence agency. I'm on the second season, which has Matthew MacFadyen and Keeley Hawes. It's extremely well-written and they aren't ones to resort to torture a la Jack Bauer.

Mind Leap

2009-11-21T16:33:00.005-06:00

Earlier today I had this in my head.

I could blame Chris from knitting on Thursday night but Lady Gaga is pretty ubiquitous these days. Not so common recently are The Everly Brothers yet they are responsible for my current earworm.

Today was another beautiful day and I was out and about for a bit enjoying it before coming home and watching a lot of the TV I didn't watch this week. Glee was a little more awkward and cringe-making than normal but once again featured Artie singing so I was happy and I really enjoyed this week's Fringe. It was also a fantastic week for The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. I do wish the little kids could have convinced John Oliver to actually read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, though.

White Collar

2009-11-20T23:18:00.003-06:00

On recommendation from a friend, I checked out White Collar, a show about an FBI agent who needs the knowledge of a con artist he put away to solve a case. He gets the con released into his custody and they go around solving cases together.

It's a fairly middle-of-the-road, entertaining cable procedural. I'd put it on par with Psych but not quite as good as Leverage. It's got Tiffany(-Amber) Thiessen as the FBI agent's wife if you're feeling any Saved By the Bell nostalgia. Not shown in the trailer is Natalie Morales who was in the fantastic but short-lived The Middleman, which was a poor choice for ABC Family which is more interested in poorly written teen pregnancy drama. She runs and points guns really well which is a great skill to have when you're playing an FBI agent in a procedural.

Because Then You Don't Freeze to Death

2009-11-19T11:17:00.004-06:00

Someone is tweeting as Laura Ingalls Wilder (@HalfPintIngalls) and as someone that grew up as a Little House obsessive (books, not TV series) I am highly amused. In the spirit of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month), or NaKniSweMo (National Knit a Sweater Month), Laura is participating in NaTwiHayMo (National Twist Hay Month). She's twisting up 33 sticks of hay a day to use as fuel.

Twisting 33 hay sticks a day for NaTwiHayMo is hard, but it's so satisfying when you win! Because then you don't freeze to death.

On October 27, she was getting ready to celebrate the harvest and Halloween

It's time to bob for apples! Except here on the prairie we bob for salt pork instead.

She was a bit afraid that her costume was a bit edgy.

It'd be a riot if I dressed up as a grasshopper plague for Hallowe'en, wouldn't it? Or is that "too soon?"

But have no fear, she made it work.

But I'd be, you know, a SEXY grasshopper plague.

At least when Laura finds the high point in Chicago not getting the 2016 Olympics, it doesn't come off as really negative.

Chicago is now out of the running for the Olympics. Maybe now De Smet will get it? We have PLENTY of room in S. Dakota!

Laura's really taking to this internet thing.

Oh dear, I clicked on this link and learned what "NSFW" means. Naughty Shameless French Women! http://ow.ly/li2g

Wish List Time

2009-11-18T19:15:00.005-06:00

My mom called me the other day asking me to send her my Amazon wish list for Christmas again this year. Last year, she finally saw the value in this and I got a few movies and the Yarn Harlot calendar from it. I'm building a new list for this year and I'm looking for suggestions. This is what I have so far. I'm looking for suggestion. A book you think I shouldn't miss? A fantastic movie? I really don't go to see movies at the theater often so there are plenty I haven't seen yet. I'm also looking for more knitting books to add to the list.

If there's something you think I'm truly lacking in my life, suggest it in the comments. My family are fans of a long wish list so the gift still has the feeling of surprise about it.

From Anarchy to Civil Rights Lovefest

2009-11-17T19:01:00.003-06:00

NationStates is an online game in which you can build your own country and decide all of the policies for it. I used to have a nation on there a long time ago which I pretty much voted my conscience when it came to policy and attempted to be reasonable.

This time around, I have The Commonwealth of NoNeinNyet, in which I have been choosing the option that sounds like it will lead to the least regulation. Sometimes, choosing one policy over the other will have unexpected consequences. The greatest example I've seen of this so far is that by allowing bicyclists to ride where they choose, I ended up banning cars. It's things like that that lead from being classified as an Anarchy to becoming a Civil Rights Lovefest. I've basically created a nation full of slacker pot head libertarians.

Twist Collective Winter 2009

2009-11-16T22:26:00.003-06:00

The winter issue of the Twist Collective is out and I've been browsing through the patterns. I do think that the best part of the Twist Collective is that it's easy to go back and download a pattern later. The Vine Yoke Cardigan, for instance, is from the Autumn 2009 issue. I do admit that that one didn't take me too long to get through.

My thoughts on the patterns are:

Tanit's Jacket by Gudrun Johnston - cute, simple but not really my style or the appropriate shape for me.
Skara Brae by Stephanie van der Linden - I think the color is my favorite part but I do like the used of all-over cables that aren't too heavy. Such a tiny gauge for a sweater, though.
Mitaines & Moufles by Veronik Avery - Beautiful yet practical.
Four Winds by Alasdair Post-Quinn - I'd like to explore more double knitting but I don't think this will be the pattern I try it on. The top makes me think of the seal of Rassilon. My geek knows no bounds.
Dryad by Sivia Harding - Slightly different take on a stole construction. I like the use of beads to weigh down the corners.
Lesley by Fiona Ellis - I feel like the cables along the bottom are a bit heavy and make it look almost unfinished.
Polar Chullo by Mary Ann Stephens - well-designed chullo. Great if you're looking for something with ear flaps and polar bears.
Kirigami - Eh. I think it might just be that I know I'd look like crap in it. I do have to wonder how its afterthought shoulder would work.
Plaited Tam by Angela Hahn - I do not need more hats. I do not need more hats. I do not need more hats. Yeah, I like this one.
Mystere by Cecily Glowik MacDonald - I like the subtle cable. Not sure how I feel about the garter stitch neckline, though.
Orvokki by Mari Muinonen - Very cute motif. I'd make the mittens in a heartbeat. Not too certain on the hat, though.
Bright star by Cathy Carron - Once again, a piece that doesn't really fit my own taste or shape. Serviceable if you need a cropped sweater to wear with pretty dresses, though.
Karazuri by Leila Wice - I've seen cuter bag patterns for free. The description makes it sound like maybe there's something else to it that's not being picked up in the picture, though.
Rover by Jennie Eveleigh Lamond - I think I need to find a kid that really likes puppies.
Moxie by Kristi Schueler - some very nice colorwork. I wish it had been knit in colors that contrasted more. Definitely a pattern I'm going to have to wait for a bunch of people to post on Ravelry to get a better feel for it.
Cambridge Cables by Becky Herrick - I think I like this but I don't think the photographer wants me to like it or there would be better pictures.
Frost Tapestry by Robin Melanson - Lovely charts but I think all of the items worn at once would come off as too matchy-matchy.
Ormolu by Barbara Gregory - Pretty. I think I'd go a bit batty knitting it and I don't think I'd pick it for myself.
Farinelli by Ysolda Teague - I love Ysolda Teague, I really do, but I don't see myself needing lace-patterned opera gloves any time soon.
Sarabande by Kristen TenDyke - I want to like it but I think I see bobbles and bobbles make me nervous. They make excellent Dalek bumps, though. Nupps, though, are clever little things.
Manderley by Rosemary Hill - Nothing too special and I don't like how much plain stockinette there is. I like my lace more openwork.
Kelmscott by Carol Sunday - Pretty Pretty. I think I'd like it better with a slightly more traditional collar.

So those are my initial thoughts. I still kind of wish that each pattern was about a dollar cheaper than what they're selling for but at least you can wait to buy until you're ready to knit.

Something that was totally awesome? Last night's Doctor Who. Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God. It built some fantastic momentum into the two specials left. Can it be Christmas yet?

Half a Cardigan

2009-11-15T12:44:00.003-06:00

Between feeling rather achey, coughing and napping this weekend, I managed to get past the halfway point on the Vine Yoke Cardigan.

It's still knitting along quite nicely and the garter stitch that has two very intuitive, easy to memorize charts is very easy to watch TV or listen to podcasts to. Now I'm just whiling away the hours until I can watch Doctor Who and the season premier of Top Gear that I didn't even know was starting up again today. I almost wish it wasn't. I already have James May's Toy Stories to give me my Captain Slow fix for the moment so a later- starting Top Gear season would have spread that out.

How can you not love an entire garden made of Plasticine? I had never even heard of Plasticine until this episode of Toy Stories and now I really want some to play with. It looks way more fun than Play-Doh. It's what Wallace & Gromit are made of. Why yes, I am a hopeless anglophile, why do you ask?

Embracing My Inner Fan Girl

2009-11-14T14:59:00.005-06:00

Besides getting David Tennant at Christmas in Hamlet, his last two specials as the Doctor are supposed to air around that time, too. Tomorrow night is his third-to-the-last special, though. "Waters of Mars" is supposed to lead into the two-part regeneration story. As sad as it will be to lose Mr. Tennant, a good regeneration storyline is one of the things unique to Doctor Who and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I predict very little knitting to get done on the Vine Yoke Cardigan during the hour I'm watching it.

"Waters of Mars" is also scheduled to air on BBC America on December 19 and it is speculated that the American airing of the last two specials will follow on December 26 and January 2. I certainly hope that is true.

Hamnet?

2009-11-13T09:44:00.005-06:00

On Christmas Day, BBC Two will be showing Hamlet.

Not only is that David Tennant as Hamlet, that's Patrick Stewart as Claudius. Best Christmas present ever! Don't worry, even if you can't get your hands on the British broadcast, it will be on PBS Great Performances in 2010.

Artie!

2009-11-12T16:29:00.004-06:00

A lot of the promo stuff for last night's episode of Glee was for the competing versions of "Defying Gravity" but due to my growing love for Artie, "Proud Mary" totally stole the show last night. The only number I may have liked more from last night was another Artie one, "Dancing with Myself".

Size and Scale and Gore

2009-11-11T23:08:00.003-06:00

No Vine Yoke Cardigan update today. Imagine yesterday's update with a slightly larger sleeve and that's where I am. Continuing with the eductaion theme of yesterday's post, I have an illustration of the relative sizes of cells compared to larger items as well as things like organelles, viruses and a carbon atom. It's way cooler than I can describe it.

I do have to apologize for another recommendation I made. I've enjoyed much of James Moran's previous work but Girl Number 9 ended up to be a bit like what I imagine the Saw series to be like. I say imagine because I have never wanted to see Saw or any of its numerous sequels. Gareth David-Lloyd acted the heck out of it but it was not a pleasant experience.

Happy Birthday, Sesame Street

2009-11-10T20:23:00.004-06:00

In honor of Sesame Street's 40th anniversary today, I thought the Pointer Sisters could teach us all how to count to 12.

I already loved the Pointer Sisters because they had sang "I'm So Excited" and without that song you could never have one of the most classically over the top moments from Saved by the Bell. Jessie and the diet pills of quick addiction. A few years ago, I found out that they were the ones that sang the pinball counting song and that love grew exponentially.

To mark the occasion , the Vine Yoke Cardigan got to pose with my rubber ducky today.

Look, a bit of sleeve!

Right Face!

2009-11-09T21:30:00.002-06:00

Right front of the sweater is done and I'm very glad that I had the foresight to photograph it this morning before work.

I didn't leave work until after 5:30 and it was pretty well dark by then, forget about what it was like by the time I got home. Since then, I've managed to start the right sleeve. After a few rows, the yoke stitches get put back on the needles and the sleeve is knit right along with it. I'm very excited for the minimal amount of seaming that will need to be done on this cardigan. Just a little under the underarms, and grafting down each sleeve. Raglan shaping is made of win.

Vine Yoke Cardigan

2009-11-08T17:31:00.002-06:00

Now that my new sweater project has progressed past what was essentially an 85-stitch garter stitch strip, I feel a little better taking a picture.

In addition to the button band, I've also finished about three pattern repeats on the right front. There's an i-cord edge that runs along the neck and the yoke shaping is done by short rows. The beauty of the background of this cardigan being in garter stitch is that all of the wrap and turns blend in with no need to pick up the wraps.

The chicken soup has been made, a bowl has been eaten, and the rest has been divided into single portions and split up between my fridge and my freezer. I'm glad I have a little back up because the worst part of getting home when it's dark is that it's a lot more difficult to motivate myself to prepare dinner.

Fun in the Sun

2009-11-07T18:48:00.003-06:00

Since I was already out in the beautiful fall day and I had knitwear I hadn't blogged about yet, I decided to take a picture. Ignore my odd facial expression and crap photography skills and focus on the slightly obscured knitwear.

The hat is from last year but the shawlette was done as a test knit this summer. It's Zoe by Emily Kausalik (Rav link). The yarn is Noro Kureyon Sock and while I had my reservations about how scratchy it appeared to be it really does get a little softer as it's handled and after every time it's washed. Plus, the green in it matched my hat.

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. I had a pot of chicken stock on the stove most of the day. It's now in the refrigerator ready to be soup tomorrow. The reclaimed yarn from Rogue is still being allowed to relax for a bit but I did cast on the Vine Yoke Cardigan in one of the skeins I hadn't broken into yet. All I have is about half a button band so far so it's not a very exciting project yet but I have high hopes.

Adventures in Frogging

2009-11-06T23:26:00.003-06:00

Rogue is gone. It is no more. There is photographic evidence that I sat down and picked out the Kitchener stitch that had grafted the two sides of the hood together. I've now frogged the whole thing and have many balls of green yarn on my kitchen table next to the ball winder.

I've decided that I'm going to knit it into the Vine Yoke Cardigan by Ysolda Teague. I'm really excited and I hope actually finish it this time.

To Frog or Not to Frog

2009-11-05T15:36:00.002-06:00

I have this sweater.

Yes, I look a bit like a roly, poly elf in that picture.

As you can see, the body is complete. I knit the first sleeve. I knit along on the second sleeve until I got to the cap shaping. Then I realized that I had done the first sleeve incorrectly. Rather than finishing the second sleeve and then going back and fixing the first sleeve, the whole thing went into hibernation instead of having a completed sweater about a year and a half ago.

I'm finally confronting this problem. I love the color of the yarn. It's KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in Forest Heather. I could do the simple steps listed above and have a sweater. I could. The problem is, I'm not in love with the pattern anymore.

I think I'm going to frog it and wash the yarn and re-use it for a different sweater. I think it's time to say good bye to my first sweater that never was.

Tale of a Lonely Sock

2009-11-04T21:18:00.002-06:00

I've been experiencing a bit of knitting ennui. Example:

This sock has been stalled at this point for two to three weeks. Normally, I can finish a pair of socks in a week, two weeks if the pattern is overly complicated which this is not. A few rounds of ribbing and a sewn bind off later and I have this:

Now to cast on sock number two. Vanquishing knitting ennui and Second Sock Syndrome in one feel swoop!

Browncoats FTW!

2009-11-03T19:39:00.002-06:00

On recommendation from Liz, I started to listen to The Knitmore Girls Podcast. It features the mother-daughter team of Jasmin, the daughter, and Gigi, the mother. They have a great report with one another and I was enjoying it quite a bit. Then, as it went along, Jasmin talked about going to a Firefly convention. Being a Joss fan is an easy way to worm your way into my heart.

In Firefly-adjacent news, I watched the premier of V tonight. If you've seen the commercials or the episode, Alien Face in the Sky lady is played by Morena Baccarin, who played Inara George. I didn't completely recognize her with significantly shorter hair. Also, Alan Tudyk. Wash! Casting sure knew how to attract the geeks.

I'm still enjoying the earlier start to the day now that Daylight Savings Time has ended. In a few weeks when it's dark in the mornings, too, I might not feel so cheerful about it though.

Selbu Pinky

2009-11-02T19:34:00.004-06:00

This weekend, I cast on a stranded glove. This is my very first glove so it's fortunate that it's not my first stranding project. Starting out wasn't too bad and if you look closely you'll see the very beginning of a pinky.

The pattern is the very descriptive Annemor #17 from Selbuvotter by Terri Shae. I reverse the light and dark colors and I'm using Cascade Heritages for both. Much more yardage than I need so I see the leftovers going into either a pair of mittens or being used with other leftovers for socks with different colored heels and toes.

Tonight, I'm not so keen on knitting. I'm vegging out. I made steak fries and the view of the full moon is beautiful. I'm reading Emma for the first time and loving the affordability of Dover Thrift Editions. Emma never would have eaten steak fries. She might have gazed out of her window at the full moon while swearing off matchmaking for good, though.

Validation

2009-11-01T12:11:00.004-06:00

One of these days, I do intend to post about knitting projects again. It might encourage me to finish a few things, too. Startitis has been a bit high lately with very little pay out. Instead, I'm going to post again about something I've watched on the internet. Fly that geek flag high!

Unlike Girl Number 9, (the first episode of which was not bad and not too horribly full of exposition), Validation is happy. It also doesn't involve following a story in five minute chunks for a week. It's cute and adorable. It has TJ Thyne (Hodgins from Bones). It'll take about 15 minutes of your time.

See? Adorable.

Note: For some insane reason, I'm doing NaBloPoMo again. I wasn't going to but my extreme lack of blogging over the past few months is making me a little sad. It's going to get a bit high volume around here over the next month.

Girl Number 9

2009-10-30T17:06:00.003-05:00

James Moran, writer for Torchwood, Doctor Who and some other things, has written and co-directed a new web series called Girl Number 9. Two of its stars are Gareth David-Lloyd, Ianto from Torchwood, and Tracy-Ann Oberman, Yvonne Hartmann, the director of Torchwood One on Doctor Who season two. The first episode is available now and the next five episodes will be released once a day Monday through Friday next week. I haven't gotten a chance to watch it yet but I'm pretty excited about it.

I will say that from everything I've seen about it so far, the warning on the video on the website linked above is true. It's going to be a bit violent and disturbing and not meant for kids or young teenagers. That totally would have made me watch it back when I was 13, I will admit.

Mythbusters Geek-Out

2009-10-01T11:17:00.003-05:00

I was with my dad on Monday when we started talking about Mythbusters. I told him that Adam Savage (as donttrythis) and Grant Imahara (as grantimahara) both use Twitter and often post set pics. That led to me making this tweet.

I think telling my dad that @grantimahara and @donttrythis sometimes post set pics may have inadvertently got him into Twitter. Whoops.

Of course I knew making this tweet meant that Grant and Adam would probably see it. I didn't expect it to lead to a response from either of them. Then Adam Savage tweeted this.

http://twitpic.com/jodob - #fromset: for your dad @Noneinnyet. All my measuring devices in 1 box! w00t!

Any response at all was cool. That one in particular was great. Forget my dad, I'm impressed by that picture.

Nupp Zombie!

2009-06-21T12:37:00.003-05:00

I won't share a picture of the Firmaments Lace Shawl as it doesn't look all that different from last time (I've finished two more repeats of the same section). Instead, I'll share something new.

Clearly, when I need a break from lace knitting, the answer is to do more lace knitting, no?

Behold, the Peacock Tail and Leaf Scarf from Knitted Lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush. I can't seem to take a good picture of the nupps but trust me, they're there. Five of them in every repeat and I've finished 30 out of 32 repeats.

They really are quite addictive and I find myself looking forward to them each time. Granted, that might also have something to do with the fact that they are at the midway point of each repeat so they kind of divide up the work a bit.

Also on the needles are another pair of Hourglass, this time for myself.

Actual Knitting Content

2009-06-03T00:38:00.004-05:00

I have been knitting, I swear. For whatever reason, I just haven't been able to motivate myself to blog about it until now.

Around the beginning of May, I started knitting a circular lace shawl. In one month, this is how far I've gotten.

Not bad, huh? I've got about four repeats of the last chart left before I start the border. I'm only on the second 50g skein of KnitPicks Shadow. Lace weight is amazing.

An even greater yarn conservation method is to knit with something that's not yarn. When sorting through some old shirts for donation or rags, I decided to cut some up and knit a market bag.

It only took me two nights which is good because it was kind of hell on my hands. Granted, I also stopped as soon as it was anywhere close to a reasonable size.

To make the strips, I cut the hem off the bottom of a shirt completely. I then cut around the whole shirt in a spiral ~1/2 in. wide all the way up to the armholes. At least, that was my intention. There's a reason most of the stripes are pretty short and it wasn't the shirt's fault. Fat girl=plenty of t-shirt material.

I used US13 needles. Instead of fiddling with knitting a handle, I cut three more strips and braided them together and then tied them through a yarn over on each end of the opening. I'm not entirely thrilled with it and might at least go back and knit an i-cord to fasten to it in a similar manner as the braid.

Belated Geek Pride

2009-05-27T18:52:00.003-05:00

In honor of my new t-shirt coming and finishing a pair of Rose's Wristwarmers in the appropriate needle size (last time I used US3 instead of US4) and in a yarn closer to the original color, I'm celebrating Geek Pride Day a couple of days late.

In keeping with the theme, I must pass along a video that a friend shared with me yesterday.

It Came Out Of Nowhere

2009-05-18T00:32:00.002-05:00

I bought this shirt. Either you're really going to get it or you're not the same flavor of geek as me.

It Came Out Of Nowhere

Posted using ShareThis

All the Small Things

2009-04-30T15:34:00.003-05:00

I have a new love. It is a BBC choir drama named after a Blink 182 song. No, I am making this up.

The show is called All the Small Things and it's quite addictive. Bryan Dick has a very amusing smirk and extremely pretty hair (he's the red head with the waves). My favorite song so far is this version of "God Only Knows".

For complete and utter crack, though, see this version of "What's My Age Again".

Possibly one of the oddest things to come of this is that it's made me realize that Enema Of The State came out 10 years ago. Whoa.

I Just Gotta Finish this Level

2009-04-14T11:49:00.006-05:00

I have been knitting but I don't feel like talking about it so instead I'm going to share random stuff from the Internet.

First: Chocolate Sour Cream Cupcake Recipe I haven't tried the recipe yet myself but they sound freaking delicious.

Second: Dalek Dresses

Behold, geekery at it's hottest. The Doctor Who Easter Special gave me my fix, but this gives me a smile to get through the news that the next special isn't until November. The tiny Torchwood S3 will help, too, if they ever set a date. For those of you that get a bit tired of my ranting on about British SciFi, sorry. Although, with there not being a new season this year, now would be a perfect time to catch up. Just saying.

Third: Super-geeky love song from which I totally cribbed the post title (Give it until 1:09 before it really gets going)

Pure and Utter Madness

2009-03-24T11:06:00.002-05:00

This weekend was spent knitting like a mad woman. Cast on for the first round of Sock Madness Thursday night and finished Sunday morning. Two and a half days! The crazy open afterthought heel was pretty fun, especially grafting 63 stitches at the end. I like the Kitchener stitch. It gives me a sense of accomplishment.

The yarn is Malabrigo Sock in Abril and I used US1.5 needles. I know that part of the reason this went so quickly is that the leg is a little shorter than I usually would make it. The heel also made it quicker as there were far fewer gusset decreases than you normally would have when using a heel flap.

After the marathon sock knitting, I went back to the pigs. I now actually have seven done (one has been sent off to my mom already) and I have two more bodies done. I'm going to go buy another skein of the light pink yarn tonight and I'd like to get the rest of the bodies done either tonight or tomorrow night. Then it's all down to the itty, bitty parts and sewing them on.

Whatever my next project is, I think I need it to be something decidedly less girly. All this pink and purple is messing with me. Black or charcoal gray sweater, perhaps.

Insanity, Party of One

2009-03-20T16:02:00.003-05:00

Pig count: ~6.5 (I have the seventh body completely finished and stuffed but it has no other body parts other than eyes).

The pigs are on hold, though. I signed up for Sock Madness again this year and this time I won't have a 46-52 hour work week standing in my way. I stayed up a little too late last night and got this far

The heel is quite the interesting construction. It's an afterthought, but left open so you can try it on as you go. I thought that it looked like a ski mask for my heel. We'll see if I find it so charming when it's time to go back and pick up the stitches to finish.

I'll probably end up going out in round 2 or 3 (or maybe even round 1 as a handful of people have actually finished both socks already) but it's kind of cool to see the unique designs that people have come up with.

This Little Piggy Went to Market . . .

2009-03-11T12:17:00.004-05:00

I got a phone call from my mother asking me if, since I knit her a mouse, could I find a pattern for a pig. And then make ten to twelve of them. This explains so much about me.

My mom's on the community theater board and each spring they have a fundraiser dinner and they use the upcoming summer musical as the theme. This year, they're doing Li'l Abner so they wanted pigs for decoration/door prizes.

Fortunately, the popularity of amigurumi and the awesomeness that is Ravelry made it very easy to find a pattern and I've already got one done. Still, I think this proves I love my mother very much.

. . . and then Buffy staked Edward. The End.

2009-02-16T17:18:00.002-06:00

I think I need this t-shirt. Joss, could this happen in the comics? You already put in Rose and Ten. This would just make me think you were even more awesome. Because that's what you need, is another adoring fan, I know.

Now with Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem!

2009-02-09T22:04:00.004-06:00

I finished the plain socks that would not end.

I wore them today and they were pretty comfortable. My feet were very comfortable when I learned about Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance - Now with Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem! by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith. I'm not certain how to feel about this. I like when people play around with Shakespeare (see 10 Things I Hate About You, Hamlet 2), I like retelling of classic fairy tales. It could make for a thrilling read. I'm going to go think about Colin Firth's head being ripped off and get back to you.

Zombies Attack!

2009-01-30T16:41:00.001-06:00

Someone hacked road signs in Austin, TX, having them read things like "Caution! Zombies Ahead!!!", "Nazi Zombies! Run!!!", and my personal favorite, "Run for Cold Climates". Clearly, we're all safe from zombie attack here in Minnesota. I feel comforted now.

Hacked Construction Signs Warn of Zombie Attack in Austin

It's Something

2009-01-27T21:09:00.002-06:00

Behold, my first finished object of 2009!

It's the same pattern I used to make myself a hat from Drops and I kind of love knitting it. I don't even mind doing the picot hem because I find the results to be utterly darling. This time, I knit it in Patons Kroy and I think the results came out quite nicely. I'm going to wash it and then send it off to my mom. She's excited.

Not much else is new. The job is going well and I'm glad that I decided to renew my lease for another six months. Even if I had found a place in time, I would have had to move in the bitter wind and cold that we have been experiencing in Minnesota.

Didn't Realize I Had Half of This Stuff

2009-01-10T15:23:00.006-06:00

I decided to steal a meme from Selana that Pinky also stole.

1. Grab your iPod or other MP3 player and randomize your songs.
2. Type the first line/phrase of the first 20-40 songs that come up (you can skip one if the first line is, say, the actual title of the song).
3. Anyone can try and guess the title of the song by commenting on this note.
4. When the title has been guessed, bold out the lyric and add the name of the person who guessed it.
5. NO cheating by using search engines to find answers.

Some kind of odd things came up so take your best stab at it.

1. She's not a girl that misses much - "Happiness is a Warm Gun by The Beatles (PinkPorcupine)
2. Your pentagram is down below our floor - "Pentagram" by Cake (PinkPorcupine)
3. Sit back, matter of fact, teasing, toying, turning, chatting
4. You've been a juvenile with a dolphin smile
5. Back seat of your family station wagon
6. If you knew what I know, you wouldn't go see her
7. Can't you hear me calling your name, girl? - "Red Rain" by The White Stripes (greenwillow77)
8. Found a way to break away from the one you say that you love
9. Sulking, walking round the city after dark
10. I slipped away, I slipped on a little white lie
11. Wanted: Single f, under 33, must enjoy the sun, must enjoy the sea
12. It's not as if New York City burnt down to the ground when you drove away
13. For the benefit of Mr. Kite, there will be a show tonight on trampoline
14. The rain is here and you, my dear, are still my friend
15. You try to play cool like you just don't care
16. Can't wait forever is all that you said before you stood up
17. Well, I've roamed about this Earth with just a suitcase in my hand - "Love Don't Roam" by Neil Hannon (greenwillow77)
18. A heart that's full up like a landfill
19. Oh comely, I will be with you when you lose your brain
20. Our love is sweeter than strings
21. They led you to this hiding place
22. I hear the bells down in the canyons
23. The colored lights, they brightly shine
24. With a map of the endtimes I can follow a straight line to the old Mary Martin Show
25. All of these lines across my face tell you the story of who I am
26. Every single night, the same arrangement, I go out and fight the fight - "Going Through the Motions" by The Cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
27. Leaf by leaf and page by page, throw this book away
28. There used to be a lot of things that I didn't know
29. Let's get together and talk about the modern age
30. Honey, honey, up in the trees, fields of flowers deep in his dreams
31. If you'd say goodbye to me tonight there would still be music left to write
32. I saw her again last night and you know that I shouldn't
33. I wish I'd see a field below, I wish I'd here a rooster crow
34. Hey there, Bret, I see you looking down
35. The storm is coming but I don't mind
36. Now somewhere in the black mining hills of Dakota there lived a young boy named Rocky Raccoon - "Rocky Raccoon" by The Beatles (greenwillow77)
37. The cat calls through the night and two chicks in the parking lot crack wise on the price of fame
38. I've heard of an ox, a professor from Quox, no longer permitted to teach
39. My prayer is to linger with you at the end of the day in a dream that's divine
40. Christmas bells are ringing, Christmas bells are ringing, Christmas bells are ringing out of town, Santa Fe

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T18:07:00.004-06:00

I just wanted to wish everyone a great start to 2009. I've finally emerged from hiding away at my parents' house after almost two weeks. While there, I managed to knit a pair of socks as a last minute part of my mom's Christmas gift. She did open up a package on Christmas Eve with one finished sock and one ball of yarn but I managed to finish a few days later. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of them before I left again.

On Christmas Day, we went to my aunt and uncle's house and had a pretty good time. The Wii has become the great entertainment equalizer at family events and this time Mario Kart was the game of choice. I can only beat members of my immediate family. We have very little video game experience and I think our hand eye coordination could use some work.

This year, my grandma made aprons for all of her grandchildren. This is a picture of all of us except my step-cousin who spends Christmas day with her mom. The one above is of my sister and me.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

2008-12-22T16:35:00.004-06:00

It's also feeling a ton like Christmas. I've been unemployed again for a few weeks but that will end again after the beginning of the new year. I got a call with an offer Friday afternoon while I was packing to head out to my parents' house and it was like a huge weight being lifted off my chest. I wish anyone in a similar situation all kinds of luck.

Also on Friday, I cast on a sock as last minute Christmas gift and I'm about 3/4 the way done with the first one. I have a feeling one completed sock and one still on the needles will be going in the box.

Yesterday, my sister and I went to our grandma's house to make krumkake, pizzelles, and rosettes. Grandma supervised while we turned out piles of fried and baked goods. I had one rosette slip off the iron into the batter bowl, Erin burned one krumkake, and we both managed to have pizzelles that oozed over the patterned parts of the iron but we still produced plenty of treats for Christmas day. Tomorrow, we're going to arm ourselves with YouTube videos and our other grandma's phone number as we attempt to make lefse.

Now, I'm off to continue my futile attempt to finish a pair of socks by Christmas Eve. Stop laughing.

Craftiness to an Unhealthy Degree

2008-11-30T18:49:00.010-06:00

Being at my parents' house gives me access to my mom's leftover acrylic, much of which is from the 70s and 80s. Combine that with my recent but basic knowledge of crochet and you get this:

It's my '70s-Inspired Crocheted Monstrosity. It's nowhere near being a monstrosity but it's on its way. I never thought I'd be caught dead crocheting a gigantic acrylic granny square. My inner fine-gauge-knitting fiber squad is screaming for help. My tiny ironic hipster is cackling with glee.

Another project I made this weekend was a mouse for my mom.

It's for her to use as a prop when she sings a version of "A Visit from St. Nicholas"--a.k.a. "'Twas the Night Before Christmas"--set to chopsticks. The levels of kitsch and quirk are high in my family.

ETA: I used Monty, a free pattern from Berroco, for the mouse. I used Wool Ease held double for the body instead of a bulky weight. I also stitched on the eyes and nose instead of using French knots because I was using some scrap sport weight for them and the French knots would have disappeared into the fabric.

Feeling a Little Sepia

2008-11-29T16:33:00.004-06:00

There's a quiz going around the internet on what shade your rainbow is. Here's mine:

Your rainbow is shaded brown and gray.

What this says about you: You are a deep thinking person. You appreciate tradition and wisdom that comes with age. You feel closer to people when you understand their imperfections. You depend on modern technology and may feel uncomfortable without it.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

I would say that this is pretty accurate, especially appreciating tradition and depending on modern technology. I am a walking contradiction.

I went shopping again today and my grandma wants to go somewhere tomorrow, too. My family is exhausting. It's a damned good thing that I love them.

Black Friday

2008-11-28T22:44:00.004-06:00

I got talked into going shopping at Ridgedale today. I'm not entirely certain how this happened. We didn't leave my parents' house until around 9 so we weren't really dealing with the doorbusting craziness. The Target near there wasn't too bad although the mall did get a little too much to handle by the time we were done.

My mother decided that I needed new clothes for "professional reasons" so she bought me a few separates to use as suits for interviews. I really do appreciate this a lot because it's one less thing for me to worry about if I have any job developments coming up. It was also kind of fun helping my parents pick out my sister's Christmas presents.

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T20:31:00.002-06:00

I hope everyone had a happy day with lots of good food and fun times. Also? Watching your parents do the hula hoop on the Wii Fit is possibly one of the best things to ever happen. If only we could have talked Grandma into it.

Stupid!

2008-11-26T15:13:00.003-06:00

I'm typing this entry on my mother's laptop for a very stupid reason. My laptop has decided to no longer charge the battery and only works if it is plugged in. I brought the laptop with me but left the charger sitting on the futon in my apartment. No laptop for me. Good thing I have the iPod loaded up with plenty of podcasts for the drive back. It will make blogging through the time I'm here a little more inconvenient but I've now made it 26 days through NaBloPoMo so I might as well make it through the last 4 days. I'm apologizing now if the already low quality of this blog sinks further into the depths of unreadability.

Up side: I just ate a piece of my mom's fudge.

Interrobanging

2008-11-25T20:17:00.005-06:00

Out of all of the podcasts that I have recently begun to listen to, I think Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing is my favorite. Not because I'm applying what I'm learning in this podcast to my blogging. There is a flagrant disregard for several grammar rules all over this page. No, the reason I'm loving the Grammar Girl (aka Mignon Fogarty) is that she has introduced me to the interrobang, pictured at the left.

It's almost comforting to know that this (!?) has a real symbol and name. It would most appropriately be used in something like, "You did what‽" See, interrobang. The exclamatory skeptic of the punctuation marks.

Short-Row Heel

2008-11-24T22:56:00.004-06:00

I finally feel like I'm getting someplace on a kind of boring sock. This is only the second pair I've done a short row heel on and it went petty well. It was kind of nice not to have to pick up a bunch of stitches or have to pay attention to decreases. I like the fit of the other pair I made with a short row heel which I know is a common complaint of why a lot of people prefer a heel flap.

I'm ready for it to be Wednesday afternoon. I don't know if spending some time with my family is going to do me good or not but I think I'm ready for a change in scenery for a few days. My mom already warned me that I might be roped into singing at Christmas Eve service at my family's church. At least I get a heads-up. Any one know a way to guarantee laryngitis by December 24th?

Random Awesomeness

2008-11-23T18:04:00.003-06:00

Last night I decided I needed to add more podcasts to my life. I've now got Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing, Knitters Uncensored, NPR: Science Friday, The Ricky Gervais Podcast, The Savage Lovecast (note: this is a sex advice podcast), Sweaters for Dragons, Videos from the President-Elect (which includes Barack Obama's weekly radio address), WNYC's Radio Lab, and Y Knit. I haven't really gotten a chance to listen to any of them yet but I'll have all sorts of new excitement for driving to and from my parents' house for Thankgiving.

Tonight, though, I have something awesome to watch. Stephen Colbert's Christmas special. It airs at 9:00 PM CT and it looks like it will be reaired a few times. I already heard a bit of it when Colbert was on Fresh Air last week and it was hilarious. Catch it when you can!

Banana Bread

2008-11-22T19:07:00.002-06:00

Around 8:00 last night, I was hit by a bit of a baking bug. Fortunately for me, I had stuck some bananas that were on their way to going bad in the freezer awhile back. Less then two hours later, I had two loaves of banana bread and my apartment smelled fantastic. My one hand smelled a little too much of vanilla, though, as I had a little slip with the bottle of vanilla extract. At least I hadn't dumped it into the bowlful of batter, I guess.

Today was a bit of a lazy day. Had a bit of last night's banana bread for breakfast and read The Wordy Shipmates for most of the day. I did pause a bit to clean the bathroom and get some other things done and I may knit a bit while watching some TV. I think I'm in the mood for Veronica Mars since I've decided Kristen Bell is one of the few things left worth watching on Heroes these days. I wish she wasn't just a guest star.

Owl Sweater

2008-11-21T14:15:00.001-06:00

DSCF3722.JPG
Originally uploaded by chromate_stew

I was way too excited to see this sweater while browsing Ravelry today. I'm pretty sure I had one in light blue when I was little made by my grandma. The nostalgia is making me happy but I'm now wondering if it isn't actually kind of creepy. I'll have to see if Grandma still has the book with the pattern in it.

Cake Wrecks

2008-11-20T11:57:00.005-06:00

I have found a new blog to love. It's Cake Wrecks and it pokes fun at professionally made cakes that went horribly wrong, like this one:

This is actually not even close to being the worst example of bad, bad cakes. Also, on Sundays the blogger posts actual good cakes that are kind of like a visual palate cleanser.

Bonus? I believe I spotted a little making fun of Sandra Lee, she of the dreadful Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee. That woman is crazy.

Amazon Wish List

2008-11-19T20:36:00.003-06:00

Today I updated my Amazon.com wish list which mainly consisted of getting rid of some older items on it. Even after I added a few new things I still ended up having only 4 pages when I started with 13. Hopefully I convince my parents to work off of this for Christmas shopping. Unless they want to buy me yarn. That would be perfectly acceptable.

I had to add a copy of The Catcher in the Rye to the list because my old one suffered an accidental coffee dump about two years ago. It was a sad day. Any suggestions of other items I should add? A fantastic movie or television show I may have missed out on. A must read novel. A truly great knitting book.

I'm still tempted to add a Kitchenaid mixer. That's so not going to happen. At least the parents would understand that more than the complete sets of Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Angel. Sadly.

Wordy Shipmates

2008-11-18T20:51:00.002-06:00

Just when I couldn't decide what I wanted to read, my library request for The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell came in. I haven't picked it up yet but I'm really excited. I enjoyed her previous books a lot and I'm excited to read her take on the Massachusetts Bay Puritans. I realize this makes me a big huge history dork (goes well with all of my other flavors of dork) but I have a feeling this is going to be awesome.

I Think I'm Becoming My Mother

2008-11-17T21:46:00.002-06:00

Is that the beginning of a crocheted ripple afghan made out of random acrylic worsted weight yarn I had lying about? I believe it is. It's addicting. It's also an afghan that has been made in many variations by my mother and her sisters over the year. This new afghan crocheting is a frightening development.

Also, the picture is crappier than usual as I seem to have misplaced my digital camera. I took it with my phone. I transferred it to my laptop using Bluetooth. Embracing technology in this way reassures me that I am, imperically, not my mother.

Freud would have some kind of field day with all of the feelings I have associated with one crappy cell phone picture.

My Reading Tastes Need to Grow Up

2008-11-16T18:17:00.004-06:00

I can't decide what to read lately so I've turned to children's books. I've been alternating between reading my old Anne of Green Gables books and listening to Harry Potter. I've managed to get my hands on the Stephen Fry-narrated ones which are a lot more straight forward than the Jim Dale ones. Dale's reading is good if you want voices for all of the characters but I think my tastes are more suited to Fry's interpretation.

Speaking of Jim Dale, I do enjoy his narration of Pushing Daisies. It's such a good show but all of the cancellation rumors I've heard make me nervous. Here's to hoping that Ned, Chuck, Emerson (a PI that knits!), et al get to live beyond episode 13 of this season.

Quick Post

2008-11-15T23:13:00.002-06:00

I almost forgot to blog today so this is going to be really fast.

There is something that I see that grates on my nerves every time it crosses my visual field. It's petty and ridiculous that I care this much about this thing but I can't help it. I cannot stand Comic Sans MS font.

It looks silly and cutesy to an unhealthy degree. It reminds me of the bubble letters I used to use when playing M. A. S. H. in elementary school. I mean, take the pound symbol in that picture. Who can take that pound symbol seriously? This is international finance we're talking about here, people. Just say no to Comic Sans MS, my friends. My optic nerve will thank you.

I Have an Earworm

2008-11-14T19:58:00.001-06:00

Nothing wrong with singing along with The Supremes on a Friday evening. Enjoy!

Mouth of a Sailor

2008-11-13T14:44:00.003-06:00

I'm not in the mood to blog much and I made no sock progress last night due to swatching various crochet stitches It really is quite frightening how much time I spent crocheting last night. Tonight, I'm going to knitting so I thought I'd blog now. I took a quiz about my dirty, filthy mouth.

Your result for The Verbal Obscenity Test...
Champion Cusser
You are 67% capable of making other people's ears hurt!

So, how'd you do?

I'm in awe, since you're clearly not afraid of a little rough language! At
the same time, you don't go completely mad with it, and I'm guessing you know
when to hold your tongue so people don't want to punch you. Which is awesome,
since being beaten up is such a drag anyway. You might pull out the swear words
- and you might know the various slang fairly well - but you probably also
appreciate that its use is mainly just to show that you mean business.

What occasion, I hear you ask? Well, some people find talking dirty arousing.
Sometimes swearing can be helpful in looking tough when one of those
hoodlum-types approaches you. Using some language on your boss may also be
effective in stirring things up, but maybe that's just me. Either way, be
careful, as getting your timing wrong can result in getting fired, or sleeping
alone for the next month. Use your good judgement!

Take
The Verbal Obscenity Test at HelloQuizzy

I'm generally good at reigning in the swearing but ocassionally I will go on a bit of a tear. I also managed to say fuck in front of my grandmother when she was in my car when my air conditioning went out. I hadn't even noticed until my sister told me I had after the fact. It's actually one of the things I feel worse about having done in my life despite knowing that I have done far worse.

Amateur Hooker

2008-11-12T23:26:00.004-06:00

I bit the bullet last night and hauled out my copy of Happy Hooker. I actually managed to get going without once hurling my crochet hook across the room. Result!

Is it more than a little bit shite? Absolutely. But I got over my big crochet block and made a bunch of stitches. Then I did this.

Still boring as hell but at least I no longer feel like crochet is mocking me.

Veterans Day

2008-11-11T09:32:00.006-06:00

Whatever your feelings on war, today isn't about that. It's time to remember the men and women that have served in the past and to support those still serving today.

I don't know how to say anything else on the subject without coming of as trite or condescending so I'm just going to leave it at that.

Edit: It also appears that I've become way too anglicized as of late. While poppies are worn in the UK for Remembrance Day (today also), they're worn in the US on Memorial Day. I knew this, too. I still like my red and white poppies, they're staying.

The Most Boring "Inspiration" Ever

2008-11-10T21:00:00.004-06:00

I had a fair amount of the green alpaca remaining so I decided to pair it with another solid colored fingering weight yarn I had to use as the cuff, heel, and toe of a pair of socks.

It's coming off rather Slytherin-y. Evil mastermind socks!

I May Be Ill

2008-11-09T16:46:00.003-06:00

I can't figure out what to knit. I certainly have a few WIPs to complete and I could always just start something new but I just don't know. I guess I'm just in a bit of a funk.

While browsing through books and the internet for inspiration, I watched 10 Things I Hate About You. It's still good, even with it's late-'90s music. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy quite a bit of the soundtrack but for every Letters to Cleo or Semisonic there's also a Barenaked Ladies or Smash Mouth.

Now I'm watching Casanova. I may have come for the David Tennant, but I'm totally staying for the Peter O'Toole. It's very Russel T. Davies and all of the good and bad which that entails. It's generally good but O'Toole is fantastic.

Lazy Yet Accomplished

2008-11-08T17:56:00.003-06:00

Today, I sat around and knit a lot while watching some Arrested Development. That rumored movie really needs to come out (don't be difficult, Michael Cera because I'd like to keep liking you). While I was generally a lazy lump, I did manage to finish the hat.

I messed with the color a bit to make it look closer to what it actually is but I still don't know if it came out ok. Also, pay more attention to the hat and less to my generally disheveled appearance.

Please?

Look, lace close-up!

Much better, yes?

Combating the Winter Blues

2008-11-07T21:58:00.002-06:00

It snowed this morning and for awhile it stuck. Fortunately, it warmed up enough to rain and wash it all away. Still, it won't be long until the ground will be covered for months on end. To combat that, I have pretty green lace.

The is the project I was talking about yesterday and I think it's coming along nicely. The bottom has a picot edge so I'm holding it folding under to show what it will look like when hemmed. Knitwear is definitely the upside of winter.

Not Socks!

2008-11-06T15:42:00.003-06:00

I was browsing Ravelry looking for non-sock sock yarn projects since I already have a decent amount of sock yarn and now have a discount for over 11 months. I'm now making this hat in Berocco Ultra Alpaca Fine in Pea Soup Mix that I got from 3 Kittens.

I just got into the lace repeats at lunch today and as far as I can tell it should be OK. I will say this much - Ravelry is the most perfect tool for finding DROPS patterns. I've always found that site a little daunting to navigate through and the patterns are all numbered not named. Everything just seemed to blend together into mush in my head before.

No progress picture now but I may post some at a future date.

Taking Over the World

2008-11-05T18:59:00.003-06:00

I have further proof that fiber artists of all sort are taking over the world. Ravelry got a mention in a Slate article about how to waste time online now that the election is over:

If you knit, check out Ravelry, which has attracted tens of thousands of knitters who trade patterns, offer advice for getting through knotty problems, and critique one anothers' creation.

Of course, I'd also like to point out that Ravelry is also for crocheters and that there are in fact hundreds of thousands of us. World fiber domination!

If you're still out of things to look up on the internet, you could always take xkcd's suggestion:

The End of a Marathon

2008-11-04T19:53:00.004-06:00

No matter what the outcome of today's elections, we've made it. As I write this entry, the polls are minutes away from closing in Minnesota and I couldn't be happier. Two years of rigorous campaigning and it's all down to watching the returns come in.

My polling place had all of the booths full but there weren't really any lines. I was voter number 1400 which makes me happy. I have no idea what would be considered to be a good turnout in my precinct but it still feels good.

The one thing I was hoping was that I would be able to use a voting machine but it was a Scantron ballot (the only kind I've ever used). Filling in all of the circles for the district court judges running unopposed was tedious but that's a first world problem. I got to vote and that's pretty awesome.

Socks. Again. Some More.

2008-11-03T19:22:00.002-06:00

I finished the Trekking Hand Art socks last night and wore them today.

I am happy to say that the ribbed heel flap didn't cause any discomfort and I was on my feet more than usual today. On the other hand, my next project needs to be more exciting.

So Long, DST!

2008-11-02T07:41:00.002-06:00

Mix recurring insomnia with the end of Daylight Savings Time and you get me out for a walk before 7:00 on a Sunday. I didn't go all that far as the wind was just a bit active and I also had my camera with me. It was a bit of a dreary morning so I didn't take many pictures.

More Socks

2008-11-01T19:03:00.002-05:00

So, NaBloPoMo, we meet again. Day 1 and I'm already at a loss for what to blog about so you get more sock pictures. Thrilling, yes?

These are out of some Trekking Hand Art and have a plain 2x1 rib all the way down because I don't think they could handle much of anything else. I even carried the rib out down the heel flap for some reason.

It was pointed out to me that this might not be the most comfortable thing to wear. I guess I'll find out as long as I don't poke my eyes out with a needle from all of the mind-numbing ribbing. Hopefully I will come up with something more exciting to post about for the next 29 days.

Knitting Update

2008-10-26T16:32:00.003-05:00

I've been doing a lot of knitting without blogging lately.

First I finished these, which I call Fe Fi Fo Fum

Hand dyed by Nerdclub2000 as part of her chemical elements, this is Iron Ions (hence the name). It spoke to my inner chem geek.

Next were these, for my mom.

The pattern is Hourglass from Knitty. I entered them in Knit'n From the Heart's Socktoberfest and despite some initial confusion I won first place. 20% off sock yarn for a year!

After all of that pattern going on I decided to knit another pair of plain socks

They're out of some Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock I bought awhile ago at 3 Kittens and finally got around to using.

Now I've decided that with winter coming I need a new set of hat and mittens.

Turns out that this was a good decision as there was a wee bit of snowfall today. None sticking to the ground yet, at least.

Thus ends the crazy long update. Clearly, I need to update more frequently. That shouldn't be a problem as I'm going to attempt NaBloPoMo again this year.

Does Not Compute!

2008-10-21T15:45:00.004-05:00

There's this article on the Nielsen ratings of cable shows followed more by Republicans, more by Democrats, and those that have a generally bipartisan viewership.

I find it generally interesting but one entry in particular doesn't quite make sense to me. Doctor Who, especially New Who. Granted, I don't know that looking at only viewers through SciFi is all that accurate for Doctor Who. Nielsen ratings puzzle me in almost any case. Plus, I think I'm really burnt out on politics.

Ummm, Uhhhh

2008-10-01T14:12:00.003-05:00

I'm a bad, bad blogger. I have some photos of a finished pair of socks and a hat that did not go as planned but I won't be posting any of those now. Especially not the hat, the hat is better left to die and be reincarnated as a newer, better project. This hat did not go as well as the last hat I knit when I was bored.

I did buy a new coat, though. Perfect excuse to make new knitwear to wear with it, yes? Even though anything that went with my old black-and-white tweed coat will almost certainly go with the black-and-white houndstooth. Shh.

Avast!

2008-09-19T01:25:00.003-05:00

Arr, me wenches and mateys, it be International Talk Like a Pirate Day! In honor of this most joyous occasion, I have found a new identity. Enjoy the day, be ye swashbuckler or landlubber and eat plenty of oranges to avoid scurvy (seriously, that stuff is nasty).

My pirate name is:

Mad Jenny Cash

Every pirate is a little bit crazy. You, though, are more than just a little bit. You're musical, and you've got a certain style if not flair. You'll do just fine. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

In Which Emily Learns Things

2008-09-06T18:26:00.005-05:00

I made snickerdoodles today. I have also learned that Firefox's built-in dictionary does not include snickerdoodles. Just on Friday, I found out that MS Word doesn't include hemorrhoidal. I think my job might be very odd sometimes.

Besides getting my bake on, I've been watching QI, which is fantastic. It's a British trivia show hosted by Stephen Fry where the questions are extremely difficult so the point is to be "quite interesting" more than being right. There are four pannelists, generally comedians of some sort, and it's great. I've learned many, generally useless, new things. For instance, there is a US Patent for a Santa Clause Detector (a sort of rigged Christmas stocking).

While gaining all of this knowledge, I finished the second test knit sock. This one (on the right) pooled more than the first creating socks that are more than a little bit fraternal. It's still nice to be on a bit of a finishing kick. Unfortunately, I only seem to be able to finish things recently started, not the many UFO's I have left in my wake.

Test Knit Spectacular

2008-09-04T09:08:00.003-05:00

I finished a test knit sock for this lady. The pattern is Water Rescue Socks and I used Knitpicks Essential Multi in Jester and Size 1.5US needles. I had actually finished over half of a sock on 1's when I realized that I really didn't have gauge and that it wasn't going to fit. One trip to the frog pond later, some more knitting, and I have a sock. I'm actually to the heel flap of the second sock and hope to finish it this weekend.

There is a similar effect created to the Jaywalker but there are quite a few differences and things like yarn overs, twisted stitches, and purl bumps create a lot of great textural elements.

Hey, Teach! didn't win a prize at the Olympics but it wasn't perfect, it was in kind of a boring color (I wanted a neutral) and I'm still just happy to have finished it in the specified time period. I'm going to go pick it up tonight before knitting at Starbucks so I'm excited to get it back. I'll see if I can do better for Socktoberfest, which Knit'n from the Heart is doing again this year.

Lastly, for all my fellow sci-fi/Whedon fans out there, check out this picture (flickr link), especially the far right. Awesome, yes?

Crossing the Finish Line

2008-08-23T18:03:00.006-05:00

Done on time! I bought my buttons and went straight over to Knit'n from the Heart to sew them on and then turn in my sweater for voting on the Olympics contest there. I think I finished about 15 minutes before the deadline. For now, I'm going to take a little break from knitting.

Finish Line in Sight?

2008-08-18T19:11:00.003-05:00

The bulk of the knitting on my Ravelympics project is complete. I took this photo prior to steam blocking and tomorrow I can start the button band and/or neck band. (Hopefully) better pictures to come! I also still need to buy buttons.

Ends, Ends Everywhere

2008-08-13T21:05:00.004-05:00

I've started the front and if I keep up at this rate I at least hope to have the main body complete by the end of the week. That'll leave me with the sleeves, button band, neckline, and finishing for week two. I'm trying not to lose momentum.

I haven't watched too much of the actual Olympics but I've caught a bit here and there. I find the Montenegro Men's Water Polo team particularly fascinating. It's their first Olympics and apparently it's a huge sport for them. I completely stumbled upon their first qualifying match against Hungary which ended in a tie and now I'm hooked. Go Montenegro!

Baby Got Back

2008-08-12T20:42:00.008-05:00

I've divided for the armholes and I've only got about two inches left of the back before I shape the neckline. I'm totally amazed at how quickly I've managed to whip through this pattern. I'm super excited to get it done and I'm kind of sad I decided to enter it in Knit'n from the Heart's Olympics contest because that means that I have to hand it over by 5:00 next Saturday evening instead of getting some wearing enjoyment out of it first.

To break up the monotony of beige sweater pics, I've decided to go back to including music.

This is "Marry Me" by St. Vincent, the moniker of singer-songwriter Annie Clark. It's a gorgeous song. I wish I could have found a decent live version because she mimics the trumpet sounds herself when performing. Bonus, the song's name (also her album title) is an Arrested Development reference.

Behold, Bodice Lace

2008-08-11T19:26:00.004-05:00

I might just get this crazy sweater done in time.

The lace pattern is pretty simple but interesting enough to get me through the 50 inch rows (purling the wrong side is a different story, though). In about 2 inches I can separate to shape the armholes. I think I got three rows done at lunch today so in the grand scheme of things it probably barely made a dent but all of it adds up. Dinner's been made and consumed so it's back to knitting!

Weekend Knitting

2008-08-10T17:10:00.002-05:00

I haven't gotten as much knitting done this weekend as I would have liked but I have made some progress. I only have an inch of stockinette left on Hey, Teach!

And I finished Rose's Wristwarmers (granted, all I had left on those for the weekend was the thumb).

Will I finish my sweater on time? Maybe. No big plans for next weekend, so that should help.

See Emily Knit

Naughty, Naughty Sheet Music

Cable-palooza

Crossing the Finish Line

Hemlock Ring Blocked

Knitting Olympics

Finishitis?

More Actual Knitting Content

Happy New Year!

Christmas Music for the Absurd

Happy Accident

Venting Frustration

Another Pair Down

The Thanksgiving Letter

I Braved Black Friday

Happy Thanksgiving!

Almost Done

Buttons

Palette Cleanser

So Close Yet So Far Away

Mind Leap

White Collar

Because Then You Don't Freeze to Death

Wish List Time

From Anarchy to Civil Rights Lovefest

Twist Collective Winter 2009

Half a Cardigan

Embracing My Inner Fan Girl

Hamnet?

Artie!

Size and Scale and Gore

Happy Birthday, Sesame Street

Right Face!

Vine Yoke Cardigan

Fun in the Sun

Adventures in Frogging

To Frog or Not to Frog

Tale of a Lonely Sock

Browncoats FTW!

Selbu Pinky

Validation

Girl Number 9

Mythbusters Geek-Out

Nupp Zombie!

Actual Knitting Content

Belated Geek Pride

It Came Out Of Nowhere

All the Small Things

I Just Gotta Finish this Level

Pure and Utter Madness

Insanity, Party of One

This Little Piggy Went to Market . . .

. . . and then Buffy staked Edward. The End.

Now with Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem!

Zombies Attack!

It's Something

Didn't Realize I Had Half of This Stuff

Happy New Year!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Craftiness to an Unhealthy Degree

Feeling a Little Sepia

Black Friday

Happy Thanksgiving

Stupid!

Interrobanging

Short-Row Heel

Random Awesomeness

Banana Bread

Owl Sweater

Cake Wrecks

Amazon Wish List

Wordy Shipmates

I Think I'm Becoming My Mother

My Reading Tastes Need to Grow Up

Quick Post

I Have an Earworm

Mouth of a Sailor

Champion Cusser

Amateur Hooker

Veterans Day