Finished Project

Finishing projects is fun. I should do it more often.

My third pair of Monkey socks, second in Fleece Artist, is done. These are going to my sister but I think I'm going to hold onto them until she goes back to school in August as part of a care package of sorts. Erin, if you read this, you're still waiting until you go back to school to get the socks. Not that withholding wool socks in summer is that big of a deal. And not like my sister ever really reads my blog.

As for that original sock?

1 Skein Fleece Artist Merino 2/6 = ~ 2.5 Women's US 7 socks.

Actual Knitting Content

Part of the reason I haven't been posting about my knitting lately is that I got so behind on posting about it. Hurray for the snowball effect. I've made the executive decision that the only way I was going to get around to posting about it again was to post as I went along, ignoring everything I've missed. As I seem to also have a huge problem with finishing lately, I'll still get to all of the projects I haven't talked about on here as I get them done.

Now, on with the knitting.

I finished this sock back in April and was a good ways along it's mate (past gusset decreases, I believe) when I just set it aside. It's Fleece Artist Merino 2/6 and I was a little disappointed but not surprised that the lace pattern I was using got a little chaotic with the yarn. Due to the neglect, three of the four needles were completely or partially pulled out of the sock and instead of trying to pick them all up I unraveled and started over.

I don't think that the photo shows it well at all, but these are purl-less Monkeys. This is the third pair of Monkeys I've knit but the first I've left out the purls in the pattern and I have to say that I like these better. Due to my looser gauge when purling, I had ladders like crazy since the purls fall at the beginning and end of each dpn.

These will be going to my sister who was a gracious participant the afternoon I dragged her along to the Yarnery. Especially considering it was that same day that she tried on a sock I had just finished and decided that she liked it and that it fit pretty well (little long as my feet are a size and a half larger than her). And she has commented since that she thought the yarn I bought was really pretty. How could I not give these to her.

My other current project is all mine.

It's "A knitted veil in Pyrenees wool" from Victorian Lace Today in Jade Sapphire Lacey Lamb which is not merino like I was mistaken when asked without a ball band nearby but rather, as should have been quite apparent from the name, 100% lambswool. It is so soft and lovely and the fact that this pattern is garter stitch means that I'm not purling back every other row as is frequently the case with lace that's not knit in the round.

With the new job and the commute that's almost 20 times as long in distance alone I'll probably have a lot less time for knitting now but when I do knit something I'm going to try and actually blog about it. Tonight, though, it's totally going to be knitting and the Tonys.

This Week Was Weird

Most of you that read this already know that I was laid off last week with four days' notice when I was told at the end of the work day Monday that Friday would be my last day. I've almost finished a week of involuntary unpaid vacation and I'm coming out the other side employed once again. I had an interview yesterday, got an offer today, and they want me to start on Monday. I was also quite unhappy at my last position for some time so what seemed like a bad situation last week is looking like a great step in my career path. It sounds like I'll have a lot more responsibility at my new position so I'll no longer be paid to read blogs and surf Ravelry but I'll actually be doing work I can be proud of. I think I've come out ahead.

I Wouldn't Have Believed it if I Hadn't Seen it

Katherine Heigl, she of Grey's Anatomy and recent rom-com fame, has a designer scrubs collection. I kind of understand how this might have happened. First of all, I'm sure it's something that they just slapped her name on and then took her picture. I know for a fact that the scrubs worn on Grey's contain lycra and are tailored to be more form-fitting, but they're still blue for the main cast. I just can't quite wrap my mind around this.

(Link found from Tara Ariano)

Fug Girls Cure All

I was having a mediocre day that quickly turned into a bad day. Fortunately, last night was the MTV Movie Awards. I did not catch this awards show nor do I intend to watch it at a later date. I do, however, intend to read and laugh over the coverage of the "fashion" worn on the red carpet over at Go Fug Yourself. If you're not reading this blog then you are missing out on two hilarious bitches. Seriously, why are you still here?

In other news, if any of you happen to know of someone looking for a moderately experienced HPLC laboratory analyst, I'd appreciate it.

"Hold On, Hold On" by Neko Case

It is the end of the month and I've come full circle. In the May 1 entry, I said that I would probably get to Neko Case at some point during this month and I never did so today I bring you my favorite Neko Case song.

She is an accomplished solo musician as well as a member of the Canadian band the New Pornographers. I wish I could have a tenth of her talent.

This ends the month of music. I might still do this occasionally but I think the actual knitting content may return next week. Thanks for bearing with my odd musical tastes for 31 days.

"Blister in the Sun" by Violent Femmes

I'm not a big Violent Femmes fan by any means but for some reason I used to put this song on almost every mix CD I ever made.

There's just something about this song that screams "dance party!" Come on, you know you want to get up and dance right now. I'm doing my tiny little "dance in my chair and hope no one walks by my cubicle" thing. It's Friday, let's have some fun.

"LDN" by Lily Allen

Oh, Lily Allen. Let's look how much better you look with brown hair.

And could you go back to wearing the cute sundresses? That was an awesome phase.

"Robots"/"The Most Beautiful Girl in the Room"/"Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros" by Flight of the Conchords

Hurray for Flight of the Conchords. They are a band from New Zealand that also have an HBO show of the same name which is unfortunately not returning until 2009 due to residual writers strike effects. Bonus, I have a thing for puns. I couldn't decide on one song, so you get three.

Binary solo!



"You could be an air hostess in the 60s"



This one is just for the motherflippin' dance moves.

"Oxford Comma" by Vampire Weekend

Both on her blog and in person when she was in person when she spoke in St. Paul this past spring, the Yarn Harlot spoke about her dislike of the serial, or Harvard, comma. Another name for it is the Oxford comma. It's the comma before the word "and" in the sentence, "Those shoes belong to John, Suzie, and Jack." In many cases, the serial comma is unnecessary but it can provide extra clarification. As a former journalism major and current analytical chemist, I'm a fan. Apparently Vampire Weekend agrees with Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.

Warning: a few uses of the f-word that are not edited out in this video.

I like Vampire Weekend. They suffered a little from too much online hype before their album was released but overall it is a pretty good album. You can definitely hear that Paul Simon's Graceland was a major influence of theirs along with the South African pop that was that album's influence. The band formed at Columbia University and considering the fact that most groups coming out of my own school were a cappella, this would have been a welcome change.

When Knitting and Television Collide

Dude. These Monkey socks were on Jeopardy! today. The contestant's name is Heather and her name on Ravelry is BlackberryTea. She was ahead going into Final Jeopardy but ultimately was defeated by the returning champion. Doesn't matter, though, because I think she might be my new hero.

"Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladys Knights and the Pips

I was in the mood for some soul today.

Gladys is working some wicked earrings in this vid. The Pips are dancing smoothly. Couldn't ask for much more.

"Peaceful Easy Feeling" by The Eagles

I have a feeling that Lisa, much like myself, took a classic rock song and changed one of the words to knit(ting) for the title of her blog Peaceful Easy Knitting.

This song makes me want to find a tree to spread a blanket under so I can sit outside and knit or read for the afternoon. This weekend has been so lovely and I'm glad that we get an extra day to enjoy it, even if we are currently in a tornado watch.

"See Emily Play" by Pink Floyd

It was only right that I get to this at some point during the month.

And now you know the reason for the name of the blog. Knitting, hallucinogenic drugs, and me, all tied together in a Pink Floyd song. I knew a few people that would bring this song up in reference to me a few times. Not that I've ever been known for a drug habit, but it's almost too fitting for those moments that I come off as such a blonde stereotype.

"Adia" by Sarah McLachlan

Phew. Almost missed posting today. Less than two hours to spare.

I was walking home from work today when I found myself humming this to myself. No reason why. I did have my iPod on, but I was listening to an NPR podcast, no Sarah McLachlan playing. For whatever reason, my mom cannot stand this song. I don't think it's that she's against Sarah McLachlan, either, because I'm pretty sure she was cool with "Angel." This song, along with a lot of Tori Amos, played heavily into my teen angst years. A lot of flinging myself onto my bed with the full agony of living was done to Surfacing. I do not think I could have been more of a cliche had I tried.

"Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer

I'll admit that a spinning record isn't the most exciting video out there.

But as far as audio quality for a YouTube video goes, this is pretty damned awesome. This choice was definitely influenced by the appearance of Ms. Summer on American Idol last night but it calls to mind another television show, one from simpler times. A time when you could stay at home on a Friday night, turn the TV to ABC, and bask in the glory of TGIF.

Work it, Mr. Feeny! Cory + Topanga 4eva!!!!!!! (Those exclamation points are for you, Erin).

"It's a Hit" by Rilo Kiley

Warning: Today's selection has a bit of questionable language (it's all censored in the video) and also alludes to certain political values.

This is one of my favorite songs by my favorite band but I had never seen the video for it until today. It's kind of weird but features some pretty kick-ass Lite Brite effects. I've discussed Rilo Kiley on this blog before when I had tickets to see them back in September. It was a great concert, one that really made me appreciate tracks off their newest album which I wasn't completely enjoying until then.

"Closing Time" by Semisonic

Today's entry is pretty much going to be a love story to Dan Wilson, a former member of Trip Shakespeare and frontman of Semisonic. Besides being a pretty awesome musician himself, he's also extremely active behind the scenes. In his Minneapolis studio, he has produced both albums by Soul Coughing frontman Mike Doughty, who I mention in the post introducing this month's theme. He also won a 2007 Grammy for song of the year for co-writing "Not Ready to Make Nice" with the Dixie Chicks.

"Like a Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan

I know, he's hardly the world's greatest singer and listening to him can be quite painful, but you have to give Bob Dylan his due.

Yes, I chose the infamous night he went electric.

He's a great songwriter and since he's Duluth born and Hibbing bred, he's pretty much one of my people. Trust me, the people of the Iron Range are quite proud of Bobby Zimmerman even if he doesn't really lay much claim to the state of Minnesota anymore.

No matter what you say about his vocal talents or drug use, the man is a genius songwriter. The Hendrix version of "All Along the Watchtower" is a classic. I'll be the first to admit that when I think of "Knocking on Heaven's Door," it's totally the voice of Axl Rose singing in my head. I could have done without Jason Castro's performance of "Mr. Tambourine Man" on American Idol, though.

"When Doves Cry" by Prince

I could hardly cover Minnesota artists without talking about Prince. Sure, he's a crazy little dude with a seemingly unnatural obsession with the color purple but he's also a fantastic musician. His skill on the guitar alone is enough for him to be remembered by. Prince has sued YouTube to keep his videos off of there but he was OK with Last.fm providing the full track of "When Doves Cry." I was trying to decide between this, "Raspberry Beret," and "Let's Go Crazy," but since this is the only one that had the full track available this is what you get.