tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99921982024-03-13T09:14:20.448-05:00Moderately Neato!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1150306850572828622006-06-14T12:34:00.000-05:002006-06-14T12:40:50.586-05:00SIDEWALK SALE!!!Ok! I know I haven't blogged in a thousand years, Shush, I know I know. <br /><br />I just need to let all you knitters know that the lovely shop Lace Wings (which employs yours truly) is having a fantastic Sidewalk Sale this Saturday!<br /><br />Time: 9am - 5pm!<br /><br />Place: The Warwick Store (located on Rte. 2)<br /><br />The Yarns: We will have a variety of quality yarns on sale, including (but not limited to) Tahki and ROWAN at up to 50% off! <br /><br />Tell everyone you know, and come see us on Saturday!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1145372211320895572006-04-18T09:30:00.000-05:002006-04-18T10:04:17.266-05:00I Should Really Be Working Right NowBut instead, I am lurking in the blogosphere. Lurk, lurk. <br /><br />I was just thinking to myself that I needed some more cards - our "shit, it's so-and-so's B-day today" card stash is quite low these days. Plus, I'm starting to think about invitations and save-the-date cards, etc. So of course I pulled up the Cardjackers site, and lo behold, they linked to a <a href="http://moderatelyneato.blogspot.com/2005/08/you-big-time-magic-fun.html">post</a> of mine from last August! Of course, it's not like improved flow to the site or anything, but I thought it was pretty nifty. <br /><br />My friend Kendra alerted me to a website, <a href="http://www.notmartha.org">www.notmartha.org</a>, which she describes thusly - "Not Martha is a fantastic diy blog by someone in Seattle who, like many of us, has freudain love/hate, envy/ridicule, imitate/abbreviate daughter-troubles with Mama-Martha."<br /><br />Scroll down a bit and you will see this photo - <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/flocksrug.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/flocksrug.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Click on the field of sheep link, and check out the GIANT ASS NEEDLES that were used to make this rug. I can't even imagine how long it must have taken, but it looks fantastic.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1144958744003321562006-04-13T15:53:00.000-05:002006-04-13T17:10:56.343-05:00Of Sweaters and SedersAs promised, here's the Allen sweater update - <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/allen%27s%20sweater%20and%20aku.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/allen%27s%20sweater%20and%20aku.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Surprise! There is a cat in the way! This time it is Aku, who checks every available surface for it's possible bedding potential. <br /><br />Here's a slightly better picture:<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/Allen%27s%20sweater2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/Allen%27s%20sweater2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />It still looks like I'm making him a dress, but I swear I'm not. <br /><br />I didn't have very much time to work on the sweater last night, as a matter of fact, I think I only accomplished 2 rows on my way over to Allen's mum's house for the Passover Seder. Passover is the 8 day observance commemorating the freedom and exodus of the Israelites (Jewish slaves) from Egypt during the reign of the Pharaoh Ramses II, and a Seder is an impossibly long meal consisting of a combination of very bland and very sharp tasting foods, 4 glasses of wine, and a guest of honor that never shows up. <br /><br />All of this, of course, I had to commemorate on film. This is my third Passover dinner with the Cowetts, and it's so far always been the same. <br /><br />First, we all sit down around the table, upon which is the Seder plate...<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/seder%20plate2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/seder%20plate2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />and upon which you will find the traditional bitter herbs (horseradish), hard-boiled egg (for birth and renewal) cardboard shankbone (hey, actual shankbones are huge!) greens, and haroset. <br /><br />Here's the Seder plate Allen, age 8, made - <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/allen%27s%20seder%20plate.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/allen%27s%20seder%20plate.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />hee hee. <br /><br />Smile, folks! It's almost time to eat! Here's Allen and Katherine. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/allen%20and%20katherine.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/allen%20and%20katherine.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And here's Beth and her fee-ahn-sea Milo. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/Beth%20and%20Milo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/Beth%20and%20Milo.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />They're going to elope! They are smarter than Allen and I!<br /><br />Allen and Beth take turns leading us in readings and songs - <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/allen%20reading%20at%20seder.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/allen%20reading%20at%20seder.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I could do without the songs, myself, as I a.) don't know them and b.) am not convinced that Allen and Beth have a firm handle on them either. <br /><br />We realized that Oops! We forgot to light the candles - <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/lighting%20candles%20at%20seder.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/lighting%20candles%20at%20seder.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/lighting%20candles2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/lighting%20candles2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The guest who never shows up is Elijah, but just in case, we pour him a glass of wine in a special cup - <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/Elijah%27s%20cup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/Elijah%27s%20cup.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />and we open the door for him in case he's coming by. <br /><br />We pass around the matzos, which are mostly tasteless but good with horseradish...<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/matzos%21.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/matzos%21.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />and also tasty with haroset, a traditional element of the Seder plate that is a combination of apples, walnuts, honey, wine, and spices. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/haroset.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/haroset.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />One tradition I like to steer clear from is the Fear Factor-ish Gefilte fish, pictured whole and in a cross-section below. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/gefilte%20fish.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/gefilte%20fish.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />For some reason, blogger won't let me download the photo of the jar, but this is exactly what it looked like. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/gefilte%20fish.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/gefilte%20fish.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />In case you can't see it, it does say "In Jelled Broth" on the label. <br /><br />And, yes, that is exactly as gross as you think it is. <br /><br />Tonight I am making matzo ball soup, which will hopefully be good. I made chicken stock overnight on Monday - Allen and I had to get up early on Tuesday to put it away. I made chicken salad for Allen to eat during the week at work - and other than that, I am pretty much out of bright ideas.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1144963029597922972006-04-13T15:43:00.000-05:002006-04-13T16:22:32.703-05:00I Have Become Road EnragedOk, so I have another post that I was going to be working on, but instead, I just need to take a moment to flip out. <br /><br />Every day, I leave my office at about 4:15 to drive to the Harborside Campus (motto: you can't SEE the Harbor, but you can sure SMELL the Harbor!) and every day I deal with some bullshit traffic issue. I understand that there are always going to be idiots, but today people just strove to outshine themselves. <br /><br />There is a four-way stop I go through every day. Today, for some reason, instead of taking turns getting through, people going west to east were blocking the intersection as much as possible, which is ASSININE. This sort of behavior makes no sense, but occurs from time to time. Fine. But what happened today was just crazy. I was five cars away from the stop sign, and the driver of the car behind me (a flower delivery car, no less) just decided that he didn't need to wait - and just drove past all five of us, only to get stuck in the middle of the intersection. <br /><br />None of us even beeped at the guy, I think we were all too stunned. I just decided to ignore it as I could feel my blood pressure rocketing skyward. I simply called the Culinary front desk and said that I would be late because EVERYONE WAS SO FUCKING STUPID that I could CHOKE. <br /><br />Of course, I still had to get through the NEXT stop sign, which involves cutting across two lanes of traffic. I thought this little guy in a hyundai was going to let me in, he left a lot of space between himself and the next car and I was trapped halfway across one lane - but when I mouthed "thank you" and waved at him, he moved up until he was touching the bumper of the guy in front of him. <br /><br />I hope you got where ever you were going .3 seconds before I did, ASSHOLE! <br /><br />I had TWO people randomly pull out in front of me after that, so the rest of the ride was relatively uneventful. I DO NOT understand why some people think they are so goddamn important that they can just make up traffic laws!!!! AAARRGHGHHHGH.<br /><br />I got into work and promptly ate a candy bar, so now I hate everyone INCLUDING myself, yee-fuckin'-haw.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1144790726411042402006-04-11T16:01:00.000-05:002006-04-11T16:27:31.976-05:00I Am Gainfully Employed!That's as good an excuse as any for being a SLACKAH about my blogging! I know I suck but I have been busy being tired. <br /><br />Guess what? I got a job! I mean, I already had a job, now I've got 2! I started this past Saturday working at Lacewings, a lovely little yarn shop (there's 2, actually, one in Warwick and one in Pawtucket) and I'm very happy. I will get to KNIT at WORK. It's a like a dream come true! Now, if I could only do it full time!<br /><br />And guess what else? I can take classes for FREE! I'm going to start with the crochet classes. Even though I am not in love with corchet, I feel like it's something I should learn, if only because so many finishing techniques incorporate crochet. <br /><br />If I am a little all over the place, I'm sorry, I think I am working up a doozy of a migraine. I feel like the top of my head is trying to come off, and it's literally making me clumsy and disoriented. Argh. <br /><br />Sorry about the lack of knitting pictures as of late. I've been working on the Berkshire Pullover for Allen, and am only starting to post pictures 2 and half weeks into the project. He's some pictures after week 1, and then tomorrow I will post week 3 pictures, so it will look like I made tons of progress overnight and am totally teh awesome. <br /><br />Boo was making it difficult to take pictures. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/move%20it%2C%20boo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/move%20it%2C%20boo.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And she seemed to think I was taking pictures of her, and I didn't want to hurt her feelings. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/yes%2C%20yes%2C%20you%27re%20pretty.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/yes%2C%20yes%2C%20you%27re%20pretty.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And finally, the actual sweater:<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/allen%27s%20sweater.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/allen%27s%20sweater.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />It's 50 inches around on a 40-inch needle, which gives it a rather more of an "Allen's Mini-skirt" feel than an "Allen's Sweater" feel, but hey, what can I say. I do the best I can with what I have. <br /><br />I am a little concerned that the rather aggressive roll of this rolled bottom sweater will be a wee bit too - umm, feminine - for Allen. I hope that through some equally aggressive blocking I will be able to minimize it's rolling. <br /><br />I hope. Otherwise, it will end up being MY sweater, which is not what I intended. Damn it. <br /><br />On the plus side - I have several new books winging my way, I'm very excited! More about those later, must go help some students!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1143127686073358582006-03-23T10:11:00.000-05:002006-03-23T10:28:06.096-05:00ACK! Where Does The Time GO?!I can't believe it's been almost a month since I blogged! I'm terrible. In my defense, I have been absorbed with wedding plans, ridiculous work schedules, and trying to find a part-time job. <br /><br />Speaking of which, I actually have an interview tomorrow! Once it's over, I'll give out more details and let you all know how it went!<br /><br />Other than that, I have picked out and ordered my wedding dress, which is very exciting. Those of you who haven't already been forced to look at it ONE MILLION times can see a representation of it <a href="http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=978&prodgroup=10">here</a>. <br /><br />One the knitting front, things have been slow as of late because I have been taking a big break because I think I gave myself a touch of tendonitis during the Olympics. Last night I couldn't stand it anymore, though, and I swatched, (I know, I can't believe it either)cast on, and knitted the first few rows of Allen's new sweater. It's going to be a slight variation of the Bershire Sweater from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584792914/sr=8-1/qid=1143127346/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-7519812-7583853?%5Fencoding=UTF8">Weekend Knitting</a>. I had fun winding 12 balls of the Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride in Aubergine, though not as much as the cats apparently had. I know it's a little late in the season to start a wool sweater, but we usually have a pretty cool spring, and I really, really wanted to tackle an adult sweater. <br /><br />I'll post more stuff about the wedding later, until then, here's my current favorite picture:<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/Fashionista%21.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/Fashionista%21.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I know - that is the tackiest, most horrendous scarf you've ever seen. But Mackenzie thinks she is SO COOL when she wears it!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1141164749879990232006-02-28T17:12:00.000-05:002006-02-28T17:42:54.590-05:00OOO! Shiny!<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/big%20medal.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/big%20medal.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Pretty, isn't it? I'm so pleased with myself I almost can't even stand it.<br /><br />And I've decided - this whole being afraid of certain techniques is for the birds. First, I was afraid of dpns - then circular needles, which are now my favorite things. Then, I was mortally afraid of seaming, finishing, and blocking, because - what if I did it wrong? I learned duplicate stitches so I wouldn't have to learn intarsia. And I studiously avoided any mention of aran knitting in any patterns I came across. <br /><br />What a wuss. What a total wimp. <br /><br />Since when have I been afraid to learn something new? To totally immerse myself in something? I'm not sure where this half-assed attitude came from, but from now on, if I like a pattern, and budget allows, and I'm going to try it. The worst that can happen is that it takes me a long time to figure it out, or that I end up with an ugly sweater. Who cares? The one I make after that will only be the better for it. <br /><br />So, for my next project - a cabled sweater for my dad, probably with a big saxon braid down the middle. <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/saxonsmall-thumb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/saxonsmall-thumb.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Like that. <br /><br />That is, of course, after I finish Sharon's scarf, and Allen's scarf and slippers - and some other things I have forgotten about I am sure! But then! On to Aran greatness!<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/little%20medal.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/little%20medal.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Woo and also, Hoo.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1141153146365092072006-02-28T13:40:00.000-05:002006-02-28T13:59:06.386-05:00The Medal RoundWoo-HOOOO! <br /><br />So, crabby post of a couple of days ago notwithstanding, I DID manage to finish my project for the Knitting Olympics, and I delivered it to the new owner's mom yesterday. <br /><br />Whew. <br /><br />I hope to never see another pinafore as long as I live!<br /><br />Here's a pic of the finished product, seconds after completion:<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/finished%20anouk.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/finished%20anouk.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And here is a picture of Anouk next to a clock to illustrate how late it was when I was done - though this makes no sense because you can't tell if it's a.m. or p.m. - but trust me, it's a.m.!<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/SO%20late%21.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/SO%20late%21.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />You can tell it's a.m. because I'm not usually drunk (with drink and tiredness) enough by 3:04 pm to take such a picture, or the one that immediately followed - <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/group.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/group.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />It's hard to take a picture of yourself and other folks at the same time. <br /><br />Another blurry photo - I think Matt wants a Matt-sized pinafore.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/Matt%20models.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/Matt%20models.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />After throwing this thing together in two weeks, I kind of feel like I can knit anything. I think I finally am beginning to understand intarsia - that is, I am finally understanding what I did and didn't do right. And I picked up stitches and made a lovely neckline, even if I do say so myself. And I even BLOCKED the damn thing, something I usually never do, but can just begin to see the point of now. <br /><br />Also, the baby blanket was a big hit!<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/barbara%27s%20shower.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/barbara%27s%20shower.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Here's the back, after I weaved in all those nasty little ends - <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/back%20of%20blanket.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/back%20of%20blanket.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And here it is chilling out on Anne's lap. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/warm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/warm.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And also, laying on the table.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/completed%20blanket.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/completed%20blanket.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I know, a ton of pictures, but I'm very proud of how both projects came out. <br /><br />I think for my next knitting project.....well, first I have a bunch of u.f.o.s (unfinished objects) to take care of, but then I want to try a cable-knit sweater for my dad. <br /><br />That is, after I give my arms a rest. I think I have tennis elbow!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1141000499550951142006-02-26T19:28:00.000-05:002006-02-26T19:34:59.743-05:00Knitting Olympics Update: Day ??? it's OVERWho cares what day it is, I am DONE!!!!!!!!!!!! Not only did I finish the "Oh my god, HOW many ends are there to weave in??" baby blanket, I completely BLOCKED and finished detailing Anouk. At 3:04 am - I even took a picture to prove it, which I will post later tonight after I take a nap. I am too tired to make the pictures not look like I took them while I was drunk. <br /><br />Note to self - do NOT drink 2 rum and rootbeers (try it) while trying to sew on buttons and pockets. Also, do not decide to stay up until 3:45 in the morning when you have to be at a baby shower at noon the next day and you have yet to buy wrapping paper. And don't show up in jeans to a shower where everyone else is apparently aware that there is a posted DRESS CODE at the venue for said baby shower. <br /><br />At least mom to be liked the blanket - A picture of that later on, too.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1140543899022148222006-02-21T12:23:00.000-05:002006-02-21T12:47:38.463-05:00Knitting Olympics Update: Day ElevenActually, this is sort of an update on lack of progress, as I spent all day Saturday attempting to make wedding plans (more about that later) and Sunday I was working on another project. <br /><br />This one, in fact, shown here in preproduction:<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/more%20blanket%20pieces.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/more%20blanket%20pieces.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />It certainly looked daunting, all laid out on the table like that. <br /><br />Not that the cats were fazed much.<br /><br />Here's Loki tentatively perching on the blanket bits...<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/loki%20getting%20comfy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/loki%20getting%20comfy.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />...and here he is completely ignoring me.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/loki%20helping.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/loki%20helping.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Let's not forget the others - Nin was very curious, but wishing to not be banished to the porch with the rest of her brothers and sister, she decided to behave. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/curious%20nin.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/curious%20nin.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Though it was clearly very, very hard.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/nin%20begging.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/nin%20begging.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I plugged and chugged at the blanket all day, and by evening I had a nice item that will require WAY too much weaving for comfort. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/finished%2C%20almost.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/finished%2C%20almost.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I'm not entirely happy with the edges, in that they don't line up the way I would like. See?<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/edges1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/edges1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I took the project to <a href="http://www.yarnsatlacewings.com/">Yarns At Lace Wings </a>last night, and spoke to the "experts". They were all very sweet and complimentary, and suggested I simply pin the blanket out and spray it, rather than give it a full on soaking, which I think is a good idea. Other options would be to put on a border, but I don't think I have the time to fix it if it came out crappy, plus, I kind of like the quilted look it has now. <br /><br />I will have to post an actual Olympic Update later from home, I am past the bodice decreases on the second side, and I should be able to finish it tonight - then it's <strong>JUST </strong> the neckline, pockets, and blocking remaining! <br /><br />Thank goodness I have help!<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/helper%20cats.2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/helper%20cats.2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1140211818667536082006-02-17T16:18:00.000-05:002006-02-17T16:30:18.683-05:00Knitting Olympics, Day Seven UpdateWhile I ran around this morning, desperately trying (but failing) to get ready before our ride to work arrived this morning, Allen took this picture of my Olympic progress for me:<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/day%207%20update.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/day%207%20update.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />It's not that impressive, but I think being a little more than half-way done, with a little more than half the time left, is not too terribly bad. <br /><br />I didn't actually do much knitting last night, as I was very distracted. When I got home, I found a box on the table from Amazon.com!!! My first reaction was "Oh, crap! What did I buy? I don't even remember buying anything!" But then I opened the box discovered that my friend Tammy had bought me some knitting books! Huzzah! I was so excited, I called her right away to alternately yell at her for spending money on me, and to thank her profusely. <br /><br />So, I FINALLY own <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584794143/qid=1140211535/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-7519812-7583853?s=books&v=glance&n=283155">Loop-d-Loop</a>, and I want to make EVERYTHING in it. And I also got the extremely excellent Ann Budd book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1931499047/ref=pd_bxgy_img_b/103-7519812-7583853?%5Fencoding=UTF8">The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns</a>, which is GREAT because it eliminates the need for the dreaded PATTERN MATH. <br /><br />SO EXCITED. <br /><br />So, you can see why I didn't get very far, Olympically speaking. But at least Aku looks like he likes it - he seems to be licking his lips and staring at the yarn, anyway. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/Yummy%20yarn.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/Yummy%20yarn.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1139943440059681732006-02-14T13:32:00.000-05:002006-02-14T13:57:20.083-05:00Knitting Olympics: Day Five UpdateOh boy. You knew it had to happen. Hell, <strong>I </strong> knew it was going to happen, I just didn't think it was going to happen this quickly. <br /><br />This picture I posted two days ago? You remember? It looks so nice? <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/Anouk%20bad%20decreases.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/Anouk%20bad%20decreases.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Yeah, well, it actually sucks. I did the decreases all wrong, choosing to interpret the pattern in my own personal way, as opposed to the way it was actually designed. Thankfully, Liz walked me through the changes I would need to make, and I was able to rip out about 25 rows. So I went from this (close up of BAD decreases)<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/Anouk%20bad%20decreases%20closeup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/Anouk%20bad%20decreases%20closeup.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />To this instead:<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/Anouk%20fixed%20decreases%20close%20up.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/Anouk%20fixed%20decreases%20close%20up.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Which actually, I think, looks pretty nice. <br /><br />This is as far as I got by the end of the night, in between watching Curling and making Allen chocolate chip cookies for Valentine's Day:<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/Anouuk%20fixed%20decreases.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/Anouuk%20fixed%20decreases.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Not too bad, considering when I was finished frogging, it looked like this:<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/Anouk%20backtrack.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/Anouk%20backtrack.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />All this, of course, and I never bother to mention that the first time I cast this project on, I cast on with the blue and knit four rows before I realized it. Sigh. <br /><br />Meanwhile, Allen apparently has some elaborate plan for Valentine's Day, but he needs rubber cement???? I don't know. Anyway. I will update you all later.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1139755572907176382006-02-12T09:42:00.000-05:002006-02-12T09:46:33.116-05:00Knitting Olympics, Day 3 Update<BODY><A HREF='http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/640/IMG_0503.jpg'><IMG SRC='http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/IMG_0503.jpg' border=0 alt='' style='display:block;margin 0px auto 10px; cursor:hand; text-align:center'></A> <br /></BODY><br /><br />This is how much I have gotten done so far. I was not able to pick up my needles at all on Friday, and Saturday there was still decent amount of running to meet people at the airport and talking on the phone with various parents. Also, it was a slow start because I HATE seed stitch. I have to admit, it does look lovely though. And I can see the shaping already, and I'm happy with how it is coming along. Only another 9 1/2 inches and I can do the straps! Wheee! <br /><br />Thankfully, Beth is feeling better, though the doctors still don't know what is wrong. We're on our way to Allen's mum's (in a blizzard!!!!) but I just wanted to through a picture up, so I would feel a little better about my progress. <br /><br />Ta! <a href='http://picasa.google.com/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1139605591533396092006-02-10T14:50:00.000-05:002006-02-10T16:06:31.580-05:00And We're Off!I finally made it onto the list of <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/olympics2006.html">Olympic Knitters</a>! Huzzah! There are over 3900, which means that there are more Knitters than actual Olypic Athletes. <br /><br />Unfortunately, I can't start knitting yet, as I am at work. And it looks like I won't be able to start at all tonight - at least not until very, very late! It's like everything that can possibly go wrong has, and then some things I hadn't even thought of, too!<br /><br />Allen's sister Beth is very sick, and no one (including big, important scary doctors) seem to know what's going on. She's being admitted to the hospital today INDEFINITELY, which is very freaky. <br /><br />Allen's OTHER sister, Alison, her hubby, and baby are coming to see Beth. They just lost their dog, Chobe, a Rhodesian Ridgeback. He went into kidney failure and died very suddenly. <br /><br />Allen's Dad, Dr. Cowett, is on a plane right now, also to come see Beth. Dr. Cowett will be staying with Allen and I, and supposedly flying out tomorrow night, which is of course going to prove to be impossible because there is a HUGE ASS winter storm on the way. So now we have to rush home, clean the house in five nanoseconds, run to the grocery store, drive to Boston, visit with Beth, and then come home and hang out with Dr. Cowett. (!!!!!) Usually, my Friday night consists of taking a 2-3 hour nap and then watching trashy television. But not this week! <br /><br />EDIT: <br /><br />Wow, I guess I had no idea how much was going on. Allen just heard that his old roommate from after college was killed in a bicycling accident in September. <br /><br />Which makes the fact that I just found out I've been walking around with a hole in the ass of my jeans a lot less of a big deal.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1139425481963408362006-02-08T13:53:00.000-05:002006-02-08T14:04:41.980-05:00Only 2 Days Left!Two days until the official start of the Knitting Olympics! I am not as excited as I would like, however, because I STILL haven't pieced that baby blanket (all 56 squares of it) NOR have I finished my coworker's scarf. It looks beautiful so far, but I've been trying to give my left hand a little break. <br /><br />In a truly inspired bout of self-destruction, I ended up pouring a large quantity of BOILING WATER over my hand. Needless to say, knitting was out for the next couple of days, as my hand was too sore. Now the burn has reached that lovely cracked, peeling, itchy stage, which is SO attractive and I can't stop wishing I could PICK at it all day. I have so far resisted (mostly) because I don't want a great big scar. I don't think there's much getting around it, though. <br /><br />I never used to mind scars, but ever since my emergency appendix operation, which left me with a GREAT BIG abdominal scar, I have been pretty anti-scaring. Scar tissue is creepy. It's a part of you, but it doesn't FEEL like it. <br /><br />Anyway......sorry about the gross-out factor. Just wanted to let you all know that I am feeling terribly unprepared (SHOCK to you all, I am sure) because now I am not only committed to finishing Anouk in 16 days (which isn't too bad) I will also have to finish the baby blanket, which is a gift for a baby shower on the 26th, the last day of the Olympics! <br /><br />I will need everyone's support. And cookies. I will need all of your cookies.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1138804471976870682006-02-01T09:25:00.000-05:002006-02-01T09:34:31.980-05:00One Trick PonyThat would be me. Because all I have to share right now is another knitting update!<br /><br />I finished the pink hat for my co-worker's daughter this weekend. I actually started knitting it in the car right after purchasing it. Allen says at one point I was alternately knitting and dozing, and that I was definitely knitting with my eyes closed at one point. <br /><br />This is actually the second hat, as the first, modified for a child's head, was too small. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/pink%20hat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/pink%20hat.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I am almost done with the tiny squares that are to be made into a baby blanket. I only have one ball left to knit up!<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/yarn%20squares.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/yarn%20squares.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I'm trying to keep the cat hair to a minimum in this project, so it's been stuffed into a paper bag which follows me around. <br /><br />Allen says that this is actually a more accurate picture of the blanket in progress - <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/yarn%20mess.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/yarn%20mess.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />but that's kind of psycho so don't look at it. <br /><br />That is the update for now - I really should get some work done this morning. And I should try not to play <a href="http://www5.kingdomofloathing.com/login.php">Kingdom of Loathing </a>all day. <br /><br />But I really, really wanna.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1138722957217545632006-01-31T10:08:00.000-05:002006-01-31T13:15:08.356-05:00Me-me-me Meme!The Meme of Four! Oh no!<br /><br />Tagged by <a href="http://www.drinkerthinker.com">drinker/thinker</a>, so here I go.....<br /><br />Four Jobs I've Had:<br /><br />1.) Produce Clerk<br />2.) Coffee Shop Gal<br />3.) Ticket Sales Representative<br />4.) Financial Aid Officer<br /><br />Four Movies I Can Watch Over and Over:<br /><br />1.) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/6305922756/qid=1138721930/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-7519812-7583853?s=dvd&v=glance&n=130">This is Spinal Tap</a><br />2.) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005BCK9/qid=1138721999/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-7519812-7583853?s=dvd&v=glance&n=130">State and Main</a><br />3.) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000K3D4/qid=1138721959/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-7519812-7583853?s=dvd&v=glance&n=130">Labyrinth</a><br />4.) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009UC810/qid=1138722031/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-7519812-7583853?s=dvd&v=glance&n=130">The Blues Brothers</a><br /><br />Four Places I've Lived:<br /><br />1.) <a href="http://www.etownonline.com/">Elizabethtown, PA</a><br />2.) <a href="http://www.brattleborochamber.org/">Brattleboro, VT</a><br />3.) <a href="http://www.ci.rockland.me.us/">Rockland, ME</a><br />4.) <a href="http://www.cranstonri.com/">CRANston, RI</a><br /><br />Four TV Shows I Love:<br /><br />1.) <a href="http://www.altonbrown.com/">Good Eats</a><br />2.) <a href="http://www.fox.com/house/">House</a><br />3.) <a href="http://www.nbc.com/Law_&_Order:_Criminal_Intent/">Law and Order: Criminal Intent</a><br />4.) <a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/numb3rs/">Numb3rs</a><br /><br />Four Places I Have Vacationed:<br /><br />1.) <a href="http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/B2C/00/default.asp?cookie%5Ftest=1">Montreal, Canada</a><br />2.) <a href="http://www.outerbanks.org/">Outer Banks, NC</a><br />3.) <a href="http://www.campjellystone.com/">Jellystone Park</a><br />4.) <a href="http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/html/visitor/">Seattle, WA</a><br /><br />Four of My Favorite Dishes:<br /><br />1.) <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_19410,00.html">Beer-Brined Chicken</a><br />2.) Clam/Fish Chowder<br />3.) Spanakopita<br />4.) Salmon and Avocado Maki<br /><br />Four Sites I Visit Daily:<br /><br />1.) <a href="http://www.planetdan.net">Planet Dan</a><br />2.) <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/">Yarn Harlot</a><br />3.) <a href="http://www.achewood.com">Achewood</a><br />4.) <a href="http://www.google.com">Google</a><br /><br />Four Place I Would Rather Be Right Now:<br /><br />1.) In Bed<br />2.) Knitting on the couch<br />3.) At the movies<br />4.) Touring the British Isles<br /><br />Four People I Am Tagging:<br /><br />Yeah, right. Sure. I'll tag Tori and Dan. Twice each. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/hitched.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/hitched.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1138641937243138742006-01-30T12:03:00.000-05:002006-01-30T12:25:37.320-05:00BOOOOOOOO. Boo.It appears I am having photo-blogging difficulties. I won't be able to correct it until tonight, boo. What a drag. <br /><br />Speaking of drags, I had just put a big blog of hand lotion on my hands when the phone rang. There is just no way to NOT make a giant mess of things when that happens. <br /><br />On the plus side, I did get to go to the yarn outlet this weekend, and I picked up 10 skeins of <a href="Sirdar Snuggly DK">Sirdar Snuggly DK</a> in Kaleidoscope, #329, for only $24, which is pretty spectacular, as it usually retails anywhere from $3.69-$4.99 a ball.<br /><br />So now, of course, I am looking for a quick, not too boring baby blanket, and I think I'll have enough left for matching hat and booties, and probably even a small sweater. <br /><br />I am SO not allowed to do that until I have finished all my other projects, though, and I really want to have them all done before I go into the Olympics. I consider the ridiculous schedule that I have now to be training.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1138426069096917242006-01-28T00:24:00.000-05:002006-02-01T09:24:48.853-05:00More Finished Objects!Yes, I know, another finished objects blog, but I really did finish a lot of objects!<br /><br />This is the baby sweater I made for our friends Dawn and Ian, and their new baby Elijah. It's the Baby's First Tattoo from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761135901/sr=1-3/qid=1138717712/ref=pd_bbs_3/103-7519812-7583853?%5Fencoding=UTF8">Stitch 'n' Bitch Nation</a>, and I used the swallow motif because Dawn has two large swallows on her back, so I thought that they could match. <br /><br /><BODY><A HREF='http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/640/IMG_0158.jpg'><IMG SRC='http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/IMG_0158.jpg' border=0 alt='' style='display:block;margin 0px auto 10px; cursor:hand; text-align:center'></A> <br /></BODY> <a href='http://picasa.google.com/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a> <br /><br />This is a close up of the duplicate stitch detail. Yes, I know I made a mistake. I tried to fix it after the fact, but it was making it look worse, so I decided to leave well enough alone. Also, the collar was not my proudest moment, but then, hey, it was my first baby sweater. The yarn was soft and wholly impractical, but it's their first baby and I wanted it to be special. I used <a href="http://www.yarnmarket.com/yarn/Debbie_Bliss_Yarn-Cashmerino_Baby_Yarn-500.html">Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino</a>, and it was so wonderful to use that even on size 3 needles it knit up rather quickly. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/sweaterdetail.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/sweaterdetail.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I made a few things for my brother and his roommates, David and Brandon. Eric got these half-mitts from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584792914/qid=1138717835/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-7519812-7583853?s=books&v=glance&n=283155">Weekend Knitting</a>:<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/halfmitts.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/halfmitts.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And then I sent them 3 scarves - instead of assigning them I told them to fight amongst themselves. <br /><br />This one was made with red/black <a href="http://www.patonsyarns.com/product.php?LGC=divine">Patons Divine </a>and some french white mohair from the stash, donated by my friend Matt's mom, Big Nance. This scarf took forever, and the crappy picture does NOT do it justice. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/ericscarf3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/ericscarf3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />I made another out of a discontinued color of lion brand <a href="http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/yarnInfo.cgi?yarnPage=1419041">Homespun</a>, as I had a ton of mill ends kicking around that I picked up at <a href="http://www.acmoore.com/">A.C. Moore</a>. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/ericscarf1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/ericscarf1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Wow, also a really crappy picture. hmm. <br /><br />Last, but not least, a bi color scarf made from some extremely soft <a href="http://www.bernat.com/product.php?LGC=solo">Bernat Solo</a>, one half in blue, one half in black. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/ericscarf2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/ericscarf2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />I did all three of these in about a week, and was heartily sick of scarves after that. In fact, Allen's Christmas scarf still isn't finished. <br /><br />And I won't get to it this weekend, either, because I have to make another one of these in pink for a co-workers daughter. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/redhat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/redhat.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />This one went off to my mom. I really liked how it came out. It's from the first <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761128182/ref=pd_bxgy_img_b/103-7519812-7583853?%5Fencoding=UTF8">Stitch 'n' Bitch book</a>, and is the first hat I ever made. <br /><br />I just remembered that I am actually facing forward in this picture - Allen requested that I pose like Cousin Itt. But you totally can't tell. <br /><br />For Tara, who gets this purple <a href="http://www.bernat.com/product.php?LGC=galaxy">Bernat Galaxy </a>scarf...<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/tara%20scarf.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/tara%20scarf.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />...and also for Allen's mum Katherine, I made the <a href="http://www.helloyarn.com/lopitote.htm">Hello Lopi tote</a>. Tara's is the purple that has been partially felted and Katherine's is green, and shown here before it's first of three trips through the wash. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/lopi%20totes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/lopi%20totes.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />These were both done with <a href="http://www.yarn.com/yarns-knitting/lopi.html">Reynold's lopi</a>. I made another in Denim Heather for a Secret Santa gift at work, but I added <a href="http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/secure-html/onlinegen/currgen/Trendsetter/Eyelash.asp">Trendsetter Eyelash</a> to the handles to give it an icicle effect. It came out really beautifully, which of course means I don't have a picture of it. <br /><br />And just so this isn't completely about knitting, here's Matt and Aku taking a snooze together....<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/napping.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/napping.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I just know Anne will love that one. <br /><br />I can hear Allen snoring from the bedroom, so I guess I should go to bed. Oh, he's turned off the light, which means he's given up on me entirely and I will have to stumble to bed in the dark. My own fault!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1138305360600769982006-01-26T14:56:00.000-05:002006-01-26T15:02:05.596-05:00Waiting For Spring<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/214/9476/640/loki.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #000000; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/214/9476/200/loki.jpg'></a><br />Here's something for everyone who's sick of my yarn-blather. Here's my poor cat Loki, wishing it was warm so mom would open the damn window already. He looks so wistful in this picture, when in reality he's probably just taking a break before kicking the crap out of one of the other cats again. Click for a larger image. <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1138301362047481262006-01-26T13:49:00.000-05:002006-01-26T14:57:18.916-05:00Buttons, Buttons, More Buttons!Besides the fabulous Knitting Olympics button I have managed to add to my blog, here are some others I am contemplating adding. <br /><br />It seems that there are many knitters who don't wish to participate without acknowledging which nation they hail from. There are still other knitters (Drunken Pirates included) that feel that declaring their nationality isn't enough - they must also declare which vice will be supporting them. <br /><br />To that end, and in case anyone wants to add one to their blog (HA! As if I have KNITTERS actually reading this thing!) here are some other buttons, all via <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/">Yarn Harlot</a> comments. <br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/214/9476/640/knittingolympics-1.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #000000; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/214/9476/200/knittingolympics-1.jpg'></a><br />The Classic! <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a><br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/214/9476/640/TMKusa.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #000000; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/214/9476/200/TMKusa.jpg'></a><br />Go Team USA! <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a><br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/214/9476/640/teamcaffeine2.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #000000; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/214/9476/200/teamcaffeine2.jpg'></a><br />Essential! <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a><br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/214/9476/640/teamcheese.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #000000; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/214/9476/200/teamcheese.jpg'></a><br />Cheese, Gromit! <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1138287850033526592006-01-26T10:04:00.000-05:002006-01-26T10:23:04.296-05:00I Am A Great Big HTML PleebI have no idea how to post buttons onto my blog without stealing someone else's server space. I admit it. Mostly because I am generally blogging from work, and so am either a.) afraid or b.) unable to download software that might actually be useful. <br /><br />But here is a "knifty" button image for you anyway - <br /><br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/214/9476/640/drunkenpirate.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #000000; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/214/9476/320/drunkenpirate.jpg'></a><br />Thanks to <a href="http://www.siliconashes.net/~imbrium/">Imbrium</a>! <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a><br /><br />EDIT: Oh, my god. I am an idiot. I figured it out. Jesus. Note the Pirate button on my sidebar. Also note that I didn't remove the above portion of this post and act like I am a button-posting know-it-all. Because I am not. I am totally faking it. <br /><br />Thank you, <a href="http://www.drinkerthinker.com">Liz</a>, for the code you sent me the other day, even though it took me this long to actually figure it all out.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1138124868696619742006-01-24T12:46:00.000-05:002006-01-24T15:14:22.233-05:00The Knitting OlympicsWhile banging around on <a href="http://www.craftster.org">Craftster</a> the other day, I came upon a thread about the "Knitting Olympics". It seems the <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca./blog">Yarn Harlot</a>, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (she of the fantastic lace, sock, and other god-I-wish-I-could-do-that work) has decided that just because her knitting isn't technically a Olympics sanctioned sport, doesn't mean she can't get involved. <br /><br />Thus the Knitting Olympics are born! I am signing up to be an "athlete" myself. The rules are that you can't start knitting (not even casting on!) until the torch is lit, and your project has to be completely done by the end of the closing ceremony. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.drinkerthinker.com">Lizzy </a>and I have decided to do a knit-along of <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring04/PATTanouk.html">Anouk</a>, so I have decided that that will be my project. We weren't wild about the colors, so we're doing it in green, blue, and yellow. <br /><br />Now I just have to finish this baby blanket before then - <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/babyblanket.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/babyblanket.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I'm doing it in 7 colors instead of 5. I'm crazy like that. I'll post a picture when it's all done. <br /><br />Basically, the knitting schedule is as follows for the next few weeks: <br /><br />Finish baby blanket, if time allows, also make baby mittens and matching hat.<br /><br />At same time, knit boucle' scarf and hat for co-worker. <br /><br />Finish these projects by Feb 16th, so can knit Anouk like crazy person. <br /><br />It's good to have goals.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1138040800692519702006-01-23T13:03:00.000-05:002006-01-28T01:07:09.096-05:00The Dim Sum ExperienceThat sounds like the name of a progressive rock band. But it isn't, at least, not one that I know of. <br /><br />Instead, it is meant to refer to the fact that I had dim sum for the first time this weekend. <br /><br />We went to Boston to meet up with <a href="http://www.drinkerthinker.com">Lizzy</a>, <a href="http://sidesh0w.com/">Ethan</a>, and Reid for the dim sum-ness. Allen and Reid had been playing phone tag for about 2 weeks, so it was nice to get the two of them together finally. Reid is moving to Wisconsin in either May or September (he hasn't decided yet) for at least a couple of years, so we're trying to spend time with him while we still can. Dim sum was the perfect excuse, especially since Reid actually speaks Chinese. <br /><br />I highly recommend bringing a Chinese-speaker with you, if you can, to your first dim sum experience. The folks who push around the carts full of bamboo steamers really, REALLY want you to try everything, and it's easy to get overwhelmed. It's easier to deliver a firm No Thank You in the server's actual language. <br /><br />The food was fabulous, if a little shrimp heavy - "hey, let's get that, that looks good, what's in it, oh - shrimp". I must have had 48 cups of tea. There were a few stand-outs for me - <br /><br />One of Lizzy's faves, and a definite must-try is the Char Siu Bao, or steamed pork buns. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/steamedporkbun.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/steamedporkbun.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />You wouldn't know it from the picture, but the center of the bun is filled with delicious barbequed pork. <br /><br />I also really enjoyed the Shu Mai, which are another type of pork dumpling, w/chinese cabbage. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/shumai2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/shumai2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And the Ha Gau, one of the many shrimp dishes we sampled. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/ha%20gau.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/ha%20gau.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />This shrimp rice noodle dish was the first thing I tried, actually, and it was good but difficult to eat with chopsticks, though they cut some of the larger food so you can share more easily. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/shrimpricenoodle.1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/shrimpricenoodle.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I did manage to share one of these with Allen after mutilating it with my chopsticks, I'm not sure what they are but it was some kind of steamed beef meatball w/ scallions, I'm pretty sure. It wasn't the best looking thing we tried, but was still very, very good. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/beef%20thingee.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/beef%20thingee.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br />There were some sweet foods, too. There were the "donuts", a deep fried sweet roll with a ton of granulated sugar on them, and then the fried sesame balls, which I think out of everything were my favorite. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/sesameball.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/sesameball.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />We assumed they were filled with red bean paste, but everything I've read about them online says "lotus seed paste", which makes me worry that I might <a href="http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/l1/lotuseat.asp">forget</a> all my <a href="http://www.poetsgraves.co.uk/Classic%20Poems/Tennyson/song_of_the_lotus-eaters.htm">friends and family</a>, but then again, it's been more than 24 hours, and I still remember everything. Besides, would it really be all that bad if I forgot about my family? Ha! Just kidding! A-Hem. <br /><br />(I'm sure no one really wants to read the whole poem, but it's really fantastic. If you were willing to sit through TROY, goddamn it, then read the frickin' poem.) <br /><br />I think we're going to try to surprise my brother Ivan with a dim sum trip this weekend, depending on money, time, and other issues which may or may not be lotus related.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992198.post-1137989421630077282006-01-22T22:46:00.000-05:002006-01-23T12:19:08.190-05:00Christmas Packages and Other Things That Are LateChrist on a cracker, it's been a long ass time since I blogged. I have long since alienated my readership, I am sure. The holidays are a stressful time, and I made it more so by deciding to make a lot of my gifts this year. Also, there was a decided lack of <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_32424,00.html">eggnog</a> that I found quite distressing. <br /><br />Just to prove that I have been actually doing something with my time, I wanted to show you folks some of the things I banged out (with LOVE, dammit!) for the ChrismaHanuKwanzamass celebrations this year. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/IMG_0111.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/IMG_0111.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />This is a hat I made for my friend Matt, just a simple roll brim hat made with a "thick and thin" yarn, <a href="http://www.littleknits.com/products.php?cat=230">Araucania Magallanes</a>, in colorway #302.<br /><br />I also knit a lovely blue with brown trim rib-knit hat for my dad in <a href="http://cascadeyarns.com/cascade-220.asp">Cascade 220</a>, which he is modeling in the next pictures: <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/IMG_0430.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/IMG_0430.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/IMG_0431.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/IMG_0431.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I discovered that while I love the finished product, I hate doing a project with too much ribbing because it takes flippin' forEVAR. I had to do it extra long, too, because my dad wanted an earflap hat, but I didn't want to make one (too much finicky measuring!) so I settled on an extra long hat that he could double up over his ears, as it gets frickin' cold in Maine. In fact, the day after I gave it to him we got hit with a snow storm and got stuck there an extra day. <br /><br />I also made the white scarf he's wearing in this picture, I know it doesn't go with the hat but it's what he wanted!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/IMG_0439.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/IMG_0439.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I made the scarf out of one skein of <a href="http://cascadeyarns.com/cascade-magnum.asp">Cascade Magnum</a>, and I thought it was going to be too short, but then I had the brilliant idea of actually BLOCKING the damn thing (imagine that!) and it was quite long indeed. <br /><br />And here is the attempt at the <a href="http://www.blacksheepbags.com/booga_bag.html">Booga Bag</a> as photographed in the <a href="http://www.seadogbrewing.com/">Sea Dog</a> in Topsham, ME, after a LOT of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002Y2XXQ/sr=1-1/qid=1138036066/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-7519812-7583853?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance">Katamari Damacy</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/IMG_0455.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/IMG_0455.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And as modeled by Allen and Emma, but not Tori (who the bag was for but who declined to be photographed with it). <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/IMG_0460.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/IMG_0460.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/IMG_0457.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/IMG_0457.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I think it came out pretty well - I used <a href="http://www.eisakunoro.com/2005_akifuyu/kureyon/kureyon.htm">Noro Kureyon</a> in colorway 157. I love the gorgeous, ridiculously beautiful striping of this yarn, though it's not the softest wool, and it doesn't felt nearly as well as Cascade. <br /><br />Here's Allen again, modeling a hat I made for my friend Tara (and is being mailed tomorrow because I am a terrible person) MONTHS ago, in fact, I think it was the first thing I made from a skein of Noro yarn. It's Silk Garden, the Rainbow colorway. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/1600/IMG_0476.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6006/752/320/IMG_0476.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />OK, that's all I can post right now because Blogger photos is very cantankerous this evening. I will put up some more pictures tomorrow!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052946396781078450noreply@blogger.com0