tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167373732024-03-12T23:39:52.850-04:00Beak KnitsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.comBlogger192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-90291378843800455242014-12-09T21:30:00.000-05:002014-12-09T21:30:01.177-05:00Knitting in BrooklynPart of why this poor blog has languished the past few years is I have been going through a massive amount of transition on the work front. I haven't added up this year's miles yet, but last year was over 100,000 miles. <span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">
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Much of that was back and forth to New York for a summer gig. The company rented us an apartment in Cobble Hill, which I highly recommend if you ever get the chance.</div>
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Literally a block from our apartment was La Casita, a yarn store and wine bar with a small cafe.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotziwFqCuYApp03SqzIQS6V-HvfBfxWKJomToXCCV2wfF54R7GmL4YDmh7nmVvO6PcPjmnyYMbX_yLZuPzQ23RWdbDxrs5rFqcQg20ezjhqFgk73MVOhyphenhyphenK1vyeuSL4cViuBPL2A/s1600/Cantina1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotziwFqCuYApp03SqzIQS6V-HvfBfxWKJomToXCCV2wfF54R7GmL4YDmh7nmVvO6PcPjmnyYMbX_yLZuPzQ23RWdbDxrs5rFqcQg20ezjhqFgk73MVOhyphenhyphenK1vyeuSL4cViuBPL2A/s1600/Cantina1.jpg" /></a></div>
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When I travel I tend to get quickly overwhelmed with a lot of people (hellooo New York). So when I can I usually take a few hours to head to a local yarn store. I have several reasons for this:</div>
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<li>It is a great way to check out the public transportation. I am a public transport nut.</li>
<li>I hate going someplace I may never go again and only seeing the lobby of a Marriott. We have those here.</li>
<li>Yarn stores are always in <i>that</i> section of town. The one with real local coffee shops and book stores. You get a real sense of place.</li>
<li>Each store is different. I know, they fundamentally all sell <i>string</i>, but you learn so much about a place from these little visits.</li>
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And I have seen some things I never would have other wise. In<a href="http://beakknits.blogspot.com/2011/03/everything-is-bigger-in-texas.html" target="_blank"> Dallas</a> I happened across a <span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.2222232818604px;">Quinceañera</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 20.2222232818604px;"> </span>where all the girls were escorted in on horseback. BTW that was not happening in the lobby of the convention center. In LA I got to see the Pacific Ocean for the first time since I visited my brother in Tokyo. In Denver I learned that public transportation was not full of the habitually sober. It is a great way to quickly get a feel for a city.</div>
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SO this past fall we made a trek back up to NY for Maker Faire. We got the chance to stop by Cobble Hill again for the afternoon. Here is the window display from that trip:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidz4EJeOSVKDnTKasnWh8MapgRIc_8xbjQBXwHcPNtEvDU8NhgPQ5w9a98dKFlRYu-A480p1JqsrcFXmJIGqAvWT-yx4Z7Q5HFsxQppEAlzU0lPXOQ3oBLredlgi5kegCkcHk_iQ/s1600/Cantina2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidz4EJeOSVKDnTKasnWh8MapgRIc_8xbjQBXwHcPNtEvDU8NhgPQ5w9a98dKFlRYu-A480p1JqsrcFXmJIGqAvWT-yx4Z7Q5HFsxQppEAlzU0lPXOQ3oBLredlgi5kegCkcHk_iQ/s1600/Cantina2.jpg" height="320" width="281" /></a></div>
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If you are ever in Brooklyn and need some string this is the best yarn store I found there. I know, I know, Purl Soho is only a subway how away. And it is worth going too, but I really prefer La Casita. The selection is amazing, and they serve sake in the cafe, which is perfect for keeping the mister occupied and mellow while yarn is happening.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-29033375075430719022014-12-04T21:11:00.000-05:002014-12-04T21:11:00.046-05:00Where's WendaWe had to do a booth a Fall Festival last month. It was one of those awful situations where you find out three days in advance that you need to have a costume.<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoZyXswgIMCizfoC-RjakoQ2G8mdXZnzXDflSFZJ3PgHLZ-2q0EN5VetyzcdZv81gjXBxwcWgUBa1nIu0nCQuEozFMAU7IA6NX3F2ZzbiDPb2pqEYz64kgnPrxHPj1YLyBdHsRA/s1600/waldo_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoZyXswgIMCizfoC-RjakoQ2G8mdXZnzXDflSFZJ3PgHLZ-2q0EN5VetyzcdZv81gjXBxwcWgUBa1nIu0nCQuEozFMAU7IA6NX3F2ZzbiDPb2pqEYz64kgnPrxHPj1YLyBdHsRA/s1600/waldo_1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Knit faster!</div>
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It was done by the time the kids arrived. The shirt and hat are now stored forever in the Halloween box, just in case. The Where's Waldo theme was only recognizable by the adults, frankly I got a lot of pitying looks from the short-stuffs. "At least you <i>tired</i> I guess".</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-84421066007763774902014-11-30T20:59:00.002-05:002014-11-30T21:11:56.385-05:00Sweater for Little-Sis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The resident eleven year old recently announced she needed a sweater. These moments don't come often, so this is a drop-everything situation. We looked at pictures and he decided a Norwegian sweater would be best.</div>
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At first she was thinking along these lines:</div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/03-nordic-cardigan" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9p4O45h-cLXfW2maq6Z5ER_WBBvXM9K4371LNMI4_NQn8m9yfk8ozV-HtQLBqjVcLEFkH6p9FsaHB1ZHMaUKt7ZRux2RPbRjzAUgZPfa9hLWF8uph12XrFnZ2fLO7em_Uh7adaw/s1600/lilSis_idea.jpg" /></a></div>
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Which is pretty amazing. It is by Shiri Mor and I think is about everything I love in a sweater. Little-sis mostly liked the hair. After a visit to the <a href="http://www.knittingbasket.biz/" target="_blank">Knitting Basket</a> she changed her mind to brown and blue and wanted a bit more input into the pattern, plus "more snow-ish". And for the record, if you are in Richmond and HAVEN'T been to the new location for the Knitting Basket it is worth a trip. Decent selection and super friendly. </div>
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Back to the sweater, the base is just plain old Fisherman's wool. I have a serious love affair with that stuff. Once ball is enough for an entire kid sweater plus some. Two balls is enough for a sweater for me. I'm guessing the mister would be three if he let me knit for him. The blue is some left over Knit Picks and Rowan.</div>
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So we swatched, and liked it OK. I tend to do a rough swatch, then start with a sleeve. If gauge hold true, you are fine. If you are wildly off, frogging a few inches of sleeve isn't too painful.</div>
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Sleeve:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd33EOzggqV_HQlbrL4yS9VQmV1kKf5DIvh1n8M711JdLZ54G_ZvZLwlxURJKroE1L3V2w746F4oM-6ShJvRwEwBwbCrnRd2gwUdh5OECTLGuPbsNz4yxCblYMGvP6FE3sap-tgw/s1600/lilSis_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd33EOzggqV_HQlbrL4yS9VQmV1kKf5DIvh1n8M711JdLZ54G_ZvZLwlxURJKroE1L3V2w746F4oM-6ShJvRwEwBwbCrnRd2gwUdh5OECTLGuPbsNz4yxCblYMGvP6FE3sap-tgw/s1600/lilSis_1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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And then we measured, and swatched some more:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1c_8RW59fTXPh7wDp4s16UTbPkIOlwfT8i6AiVA6kuC6LBErdqIfaKI2MkYfD5u3sj5NVRZDC4wcLmICTn_zBFu7VUm1njYVXTsvzrH07jDDHBAOa0rhEGqgG0FXP7WcYpc1Tjg/s1600/lilSis_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1c_8RW59fTXPh7wDp4s16UTbPkIOlwfT8i6AiVA6kuC6LBErdqIfaKI2MkYfD5u3sj5NVRZDC4wcLmICTn_zBFu7VUm1njYVXTsvzrH07jDDHBAOa0rhEGqgG0FXP7WcYpc1Tjg/s1600/lilSis_4.jpg" height="299" width="320" /></a></div>
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And hated it. Dark blue on the brown is too hard to see, and not nearly "snow-ish" enough. So then then we watched Star Trek and planned:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwg34nhve5dRZ9fSJUEn414KELFCotHifjfVKfGrxvUpyjf8Uhwm5u-_2r2gsWHHlkuregUGc3XFDoNUKHQwgLSDprhyll6qV0TlLqSPn-pnIVd-L3wJLDIFecrF6WmE1Ww1iGA/s1600/lilSis_plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwg34nhve5dRZ9fSJUEn414KELFCotHifjfVKfGrxvUpyjf8Uhwm5u-_2r2gsWHHlkuregUGc3XFDoNUKHQwgLSDprhyll6qV0TlLqSPn-pnIVd-L3wJLDIFecrF6WmE1Ww1iGA/s1600/lilSis_plan.jpg" height="297" width="320" /></a></div>
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I use Excel for planning out knitting. Just set the column width to 3 and use the fill option to create your pattern. Very easy to copy and paste to create repeats. Then I swatched again - much better. It caused a lot of happy bouncing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhku1Z5q4ivzzNrooKIr9BMtulX57h03rMVAzIM2BUrk-GR7vekexntqxzh-o9BEe1KktQ9dCNk82c8vjqfERkXtJcJBGDZiuSa4xRTlHOk-ZFgUCROgRzMDOULlSq4_WRIxMy93A/s1600/lilSis_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhku1Z5q4ivzzNrooKIr9BMtulX57h03rMVAzIM2BUrk-GR7vekexntqxzh-o9BEe1KktQ9dCNk82c8vjqfERkXtJcJBGDZiuSa4xRTlHOk-ZFgUCROgRzMDOULlSq4_WRIxMy93A/s1600/lilSis_3.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a></div>
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It has been a lot of fun planning this with her. Big sis usually want something very "one color" and there's not a lot of chit-chat about design. Little-sis, like everything else in her world, throws herself head on into the process.</div>
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Some details:</div>
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<li>Yarn weight: worsted</li>
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<li>Lion Brand Nature's Brown</li>
<li>Rowan Pure Wool Worsted in 2 blues</li>
<li>Knit Picks Swish in Big Sky</li>
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<li>Needles: Size 5</li>
<li>Gauge: 5 st/inch, 7 rows/inc in plain sections, 6 rows/inch in stranded parts</li>
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General plan is to knit the body in the round with a steek. I am leaving 10 stitches for the steek. I originally cast on 140, then realized that once I added 1" button bands to the opening it was going to be a mite big. So I absorbed an extra 8 stitches into the steek with some ktog over several rows. My figuring is the extra fabirc in the first seven rows will just get folded back ito the steek.</div>
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Size is coming out just right. Sleeves and half the lower body are done. I'd like to get this together before she has another massive growth spurt. She'd like it a bit smaller, but I am banking on growth.</div>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-59381587729334036412014-11-24T07:51:00.000-05:002014-11-24T07:51:59.063-05:00Darn it!This fall's knitting theme has been finish it/fix it. Fortunately after the last crazy year I have plenty of fuel. Between leaving one job and starting a <a href="http://www.codevirginia.org/">non-profit</a> sleep, much less knitting time, has been at a premium around here.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYliYYdq9cf5ejOdawWMd3rl6dNINTI2mtUKp_3QCZkYWqU1HIcoESPfdZXcHH_Z4U1ThTTIOIuo7vH4d9AnfgerIiZtjalJIL8oNdFgooqooovrKLYZ-bIQoEUdRt7vksh-f7A/s1600/darn1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYliYYdq9cf5ejOdawWMd3rl6dNINTI2mtUKp_3QCZkYWqU1HIcoESPfdZXcHH_Z4U1ThTTIOIuo7vH4d9AnfgerIiZtjalJIL8oNdFgooqooovrKLYZ-bIQoEUdRt7vksh-f7A/s1600/darn1.png" height="194" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darned sock - the same yarn was used for the darn and the original sock. The fading was terrible.</td></tr>
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The best part of fix it/finish it is the time from re-picking up the project to completion is so much faster. Lots of finished things flying off the needles. My main fix it inspiration has been <a href="http://tomofholland.com/">Tom of Holland</a> - The Visible Mending Programme: making and re-making.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjeXBvzJmEZPyyYpJtIGeGZCf2Tzrh8GfgdvamAxFhiMq_RrJBckBTQI3_ngml8tXN5gm8b6HbLugTqR86Xr87u3J1Fs25vudEBJdiiNfFQRju1Q-xcyReU0KXThNsgiR_jB-NA/s1600/darn4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjeXBvzJmEZPyyYpJtIGeGZCf2Tzrh8GfgdvamAxFhiMq_RrJBckBTQI3_ngml8tXN5gm8b6HbLugTqR86Xr87u3J1Fs25vudEBJdiiNfFQRju1Q-xcyReU0KXThNsgiR_jB-NA/s1600/darn4.jpg" height="200" width="151" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before weaving in the ends</td></tr>
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These socks are about 5 years old. I bought the yarn while in Lynchburg doing an AP Computer Science training several years back, and we very excited about the bright colors.. The yarn has held up well, but the color was a dud after the first washing. Machine washed in cold water - so no chance heat did this. Had the store not been 3 hours away I definitely would have tried to return the yarn.<br />
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The idea of using mending as decoration and art is fascinating. I've been avoiding reinforcing these socks because the yarn had faded so badly that the original yarn didn't even look similar. The darns you see here are in the original yarn. Quite the difference. Finally last week the heel busted out, so it was either fix or toss. I still can't toss hand knitted socks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulPIn7Upe6UPimqVIAwjY0TmQoVoCvqBx8SiMlClOQzP9rDN_lu1KAIOWrEPpXMpjzoWfiJnYNL_ogk2LzsP0gHEgtMHTGAjjni8x9GHBZxsBG4mv_SzLtBhawWkgZ9EWX-zFuw/s1600/darn3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulPIn7Upe6UPimqVIAwjY0TmQoVoCvqBx8SiMlClOQzP9rDN_lu1KAIOWrEPpXMpjzoWfiJnYNL_ogk2LzsP0gHEgtMHTGAjjni8x9GHBZxsBG4mv_SzLtBhawWkgZ9EWX-zFuw/s1600/darn3.png" height="193" width="200" /></a> </div>
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I darned by marking off a large rectangle around the worn area. I went out beyond the busted yarn until I found yarn that wasn't thinning. I picked up stitches beneath this rectangle and knitted a flap long enough to cover the hole, then sewed down the edges. The first time I got fance and tried picking up the stitches from the sock along the edge of the flap and incorporate them as I knit. Big mistake - terrible puckering and a big lump under my heel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-p-IJ3lZYUjituG8Q1HRMP1gVF4lP8vfalkOhNjLLc5Mip9SS9S2BeIs3r1dmomHTF_D_wFaDfdllAr0Zl1a0LVLfH5hHXQikmHiVKT1SqiuDeIwlnNpundEUBgZcEkgv3aLmiw/s1600/darn2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-p-IJ3lZYUjituG8Q1HRMP1gVF4lP8vfalkOhNjLLc5Mip9SS9S2BeIs3r1dmomHTF_D_wFaDfdllAr0Zl1a0LVLfH5hHXQikmHiVKT1SqiuDeIwlnNpundEUBgZcEkgv3aLmiw/s1600/darn2.png" height="193" width="200" /></a></div>
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The fixes went well, and I added some color back to the front the stitching
on some hearts on the toes.<br />
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Before washing I plan on using the method talked about
in the Knitmore Girls podcast for locking in color.<br />
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<a href="http://www.betterthanyarn.com/2014/10/problems-and-solutions.html?m=1">Full story and solution here</a>.<o:p></o:p><br />
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It is interesting. I had this issue when I
first started dyeing. I've since mastered it, and haven't had a repeat. It is
sad someone selling their work has this drastic an issue. <o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-47334196859834385032011-04-26T10:13:00.001-04:002011-04-26T10:18:10.364-04:00Color Mixing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8wMsTbwYME2MTITacuPaXk8tnOi1pp735wHzACo1mfn5mLZ4GVDXpvc_op08FWTigCVm7U0PvpLaZixOSR15oURwCJjEmsvVeZPJVWe0A8J1JZ8Ipwao6MIiNkUcdKmry33-qQ/s1600/colorMixer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8wMsTbwYME2MTITacuPaXk8tnOi1pp735wHzACo1mfn5mLZ4GVDXpvc_op08FWTigCVm7U0PvpLaZixOSR15oURwCJjEmsvVeZPJVWe0A8J1JZ8Ipwao6MIiNkUcdKmry33-qQ/s320/colorMixer.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">My new obsession: Dyeing Yarn</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Sunday I finished dyeing my birthday stash. I'll try to get photos up this week. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">My last batch turned out great - lilac and acid green, my favorites.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">My second to last batch turned out awful. DREADFUL. I was trying to do several colors. I wanted a light celadon and a salmon. I need to practice getting colors exactly. They ended up way too dark.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Ironically I ended up with yarn the exact color of my collection of Gap socks from the late eighties. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">So in my search to fix my color problems: <a href="http://colorschemedesigner.com/">Color Scheme Designer</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">This site is addictive. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbAgysNNxEDGdUCyoWucensFgN0iG4hrilYQkap-1qzrTbPEPWX59P8HYzdc7aY_-Wx-3PlOIdbhqkZwtm4SbPUo_TOikcH6W0TZm0tFD59i5OGj3hf-1iwjEk5IR2t2xuTb-ZA/s1600/colorMix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbAgysNNxEDGdUCyoWucensFgN0iG4hrilYQkap-1qzrTbPEPWX59P8HYzdc7aY_-Wx-3PlOIdbhqkZwtm4SbPUo_TOikcH6W0TZm0tFD59i5OGj3hf-1iwjEk5IR2t2xuTb-ZA/s320/colorMix.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-25088322445985503122011-04-23T12:57:00.000-04:002011-04-23T12:57:49.137-04:00Envy these socks!<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Finished socks!</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhdTPIBLLet4aKDQ3udh0Ry-lXNL2_bWnTyISrK-5tkwVos04iBfPmclUBob8jcTwyb3xtfqqUNA_Z_a13jh3iHOPpc_xOlnGCiAwXS5ZgAB93ALo3kZEhtmvFj40mdd2clOwzQ/s1600/quickpic_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhdTPIBLLet4aKDQ3udh0Ry-lXNL2_bWnTyISrK-5tkwVos04iBfPmclUBob8jcTwyb3xtfqqUNA_Z_a13jh3iHOPpc_xOlnGCiAwXS5ZgAB93ALo3kZEhtmvFj40mdd2clOwzQ/s320/quickpic_1.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">This is the yarn I <a href="http://beakknits.blogspot.com/2011/04/green-with-envy.html">dyed last weekend</a>. My goal was to dye and finish a pair of socks for spring break-laundry be damned!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswCv2v4dtdQ6EE2MIE6XxZ9pSQZgwExzA2fIQHF4OCp5o09PvwTW0vhRpxeVQ0DVkILksj32WYZGbt1-4EWfe5N2PSQaZm_MErqFXW0QX9591RogsUbIFbsBMOJWMmv_5EU-HlQ/s1600/quickpic_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswCv2v4dtdQ6EE2MIE6XxZ9pSQZgwExzA2fIQHF4OCp5o09PvwTW0vhRpxeVQ0DVkILksj32WYZGbt1-4EWfe5N2PSQaZm_MErqFXW0QX9591RogsUbIFbsBMOJWMmv_5EU-HlQ/s320/quickpic_0.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> Here is the heel detail. This was my fist toe up gusset which worked petty well. The pattern on the heel is from an old knitting book from 1915. It was supposed to form a diamond pattern - so clearly I got a bit off. I still like the way it works out. It incorporates yarn overs (yarn in front if you are from 1925) and slipped stitched. I'd like to play with it again and see if I can get it right. Either way, this made a nice cushy heel flap, so it is not quite correct, but I do consider it a success, seeing as I now have new socks and all.<br />
<br />
I also tried to do the two at a time thing for the leg part. I can see why people like it...when you are done, you are DONE, which is very appealing. In all honesty I would have made these longer if I had been using my DPN's. I can roll much faster, and the circular needle is fiddly, and I am not so much on fiddly stuff. My cheapo circs don't really help[, so I probably ought to invest in a better pair of needles and try it again.<br />
<br />
The basic yarn is KnitPicks bare which I rather like, soft, and my other socks I have done in it have worn well. With my Dahrma Trading Company order I get some Wildfoote Luxury Sock yarn. A bit scratchy before dyeing, but afterwards it softens up. My plan is to crank out a pair in that ASAP. That way I can compare how these socks and the Wildefoote wear over the next year. If it about the same then the Knitpicks is much cheaper. They both are 75% wool 25% nylon, so the race is on.<br />
<br />
Of course this means (in my sad little math brain) that I cannot wear these socks again until I have the second pair, so they do not get over-used before the second pair is ready. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhdTPIBLLet4aKDQ3udh0Ry-lXNL2_bWnTyISrK-5tkwVos04iBfPmclUBob8jcTwyb3xtfqqUNA_Z_a13jh3iHOPpc_xOlnGCiAwXS5ZgAB93ALo3kZEhtmvFj40mdd2clOwzQ/s1600/quickpic_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-75503965809741965722011-04-20T16:05:00.001-04:002011-04-23T12:12:59.105-04:00Green with Envy<div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbbIyY6H83MSdISyiZ1epbvBuJPigJ-8joB5YLzvL-IgqDfW3-LOVsMdc5XAeLRniv6s337zreJ46UCq9x_q0Yf5f89E3r5xakRYm6NOypmVA6hDp6FsQXHqHjQ13My5dx9wXkw/s1600/photo-780896.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597759216425212802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbbIyY6H83MSdISyiZ1epbvBuJPigJ-8joB5YLzvL-IgqDfW3-LOVsMdc5XAeLRniv6s337zreJ46UCq9x_q0Yf5f89E3r5xakRYm6NOypmVA6hDp6FsQXHqHjQ13My5dx9wXkw/s320/photo-780896.JPG" /></a></div>My birthday present to myself this week - dyeing yarn.<br />
<br />
This is with the new Jacquard iDye packs. Kelly green and royal blue. I live in a town with a huge college art program and all our local art stores had was the iDye stuff. <br />
<br />
In fairness Plaza Art can do special orders for the regular Jacquard acid dyes, but I didn't plan this out so well. The order wouldn't get here until next week. Whoops. <br />
<br />
So I've been playing with the iDyes until my order from <a href="http://www.dharmatrading.com/">Dharma Trading Company</a> gets here. <br />
<br />
Spring cleaning is almost done. If the laundry isn't washed by this afternoon it's not happening. Next two days I'll be up to my elbows in yarn.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-1553286136074706242011-04-19T17:39:00.002-04:002011-04-23T12:18:30.506-04:00Hyperbolic Coral Reef<div class="mobile-photo"></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3T3n_n-eHOMEfSG5PoRqS9NT31FtO_05wGrI8y8EqiK3OkOjg1yTq5Qool-PRqCnOqX_xhigVH1ffD8KxNvZ1aotA1vthlDGx1tFGJotF-uCHPqL79rTPmHmJ4FJmzyaPH0D-qw/s1600/photo-776263.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597411731399750834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3T3n_n-eHOMEfSG5PoRqS9NT31FtO_05wGrI8y8EqiK3OkOjg1yTq5Qool-PRqCnOqX_xhigVH1ffD8KxNvZ1aotA1vthlDGx1tFGJotF-uCHPqL79rTPmHmJ4FJmzyaPH0D-qw/s320/photo-776263.JPG" /></a></div><br />
We sent the day at the Natural History Museum today. Hands down our favorite museum. This was the first time we got to see the new human origins exhibit. While I miss the old dioramas, this one is really well done. Lots of interactive stuff for the kiddos and lots for the husband to read. I even got the heel flap on my sock done while they were all doing their thing. <br />
<br />
This is a must see: it is a <a href="http://www.mnh.si.edu/exhibits/hreef/index.html">giant crocheted coral reef</a>. I'm on my iTouch (free wiFi- thanks Smithsonian!) so I'll try to add more photos tomorrow. This thing is incredible. All sorts of materials were used. I spotted cassette tape and Noro in the mix. Huge hit.<br />
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Edited to add photo:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrW6gC6URRouPmS0lro6etZr3gXcgIHDDZYwDeS1vaUyrcAqtXd4_zSknPMKscV6PHSyEIe6H0jY6jMMmLqlD1qD-BRUUPLtRfcPI4RG9hnAVOLk0fp07X6dohGwqJS8wA6Dtxw/s1600/photo%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrW6gC6URRouPmS0lro6etZr3gXcgIHDDZYwDeS1vaUyrcAqtXd4_zSknPMKscV6PHSyEIe6H0jY6jMMmLqlD1qD-BRUUPLtRfcPI4RG9hnAVOLk0fp07X6dohGwqJS8wA6Dtxw/s320/photo%25284%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-66867709931154619692011-04-13T19:41:00.000-04:002011-04-13T20:29:22.937-04:00Yarn vs. Urn<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXR9Lysz5_DoLB-6djrVTzSmFingC-g3ip9vEt52AtDfpVWxlKlgHZW3yxo-fSbSRSALv_P2ISGBBPJXm-taFqmT_iWt-jPadqgyMyEl4zIvx0Wr7begUz0jXs17-4a8IIQCUjQ/s1600/photo-762939.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXR9Lysz5_DoLB-6djrVTzSmFingC-g3ip9vEt52AtDfpVWxlKlgHZW3yxo-fSbSRSALv_P2ISGBBPJXm-taFqmT_iWt-jPadqgyMyEl4zIvx0Wr7begUz0jXs17-4a8IIQCUjQ/s320/photo-762939.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595229832946113458" /></a></p>I love this, but I'm saving up for yarn.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-71678388498654581802011-04-13T15:27:00.011-04:002011-04-13T15:59:19.969-04:00Dyeing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCdeP146_AAKdqKj-_jFqoH7x0fmj0l5eY-6zIszOv2OIkcKDVbuVwBzqT-vBcDe9I-E-8fSPLA1_6lTp3oAGZ8NQIrZcYYExlPcEwZqGFxGRtqPqJ___KksK6XFT9GpR3hmRKg/s1600/color-wheel.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCdeP146_AAKdqKj-_jFqoH7x0fmj0l5eY-6zIszOv2OIkcKDVbuVwBzqT-vBcDe9I-E-8fSPLA1_6lTp3oAGZ8NQIrZcYYExlPcEwZqGFxGRtqPqJ___KksK6XFT9GpR3hmRKg/s1600/color-wheel.png" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Next week is Spring Break, and my birthday. My gift to myself this year is to do some dyeing over break. </span><br />
<br />
Some references for dyeing yarn<br />
<ul><li>Great Inspiration - they have beutiful colors and lots of information about the yarns they use: <a href="http://www.sunshineyarns.com/content.php?content_id=1002">Sunshine Yarns</a></li>
<li>Blank Yarn for Socks - this cone has 5500 yards!! That's enough for over 12 skeins at 450 yards each: <a href="http://www.yarnworkshop.com/item_24/Footscray--Undyed-fingering-superwash-sock-yarn-woolnylon-cone.htm">Yarn Workshop</a></li>
<li>Color and Style trends <a href="http://www.cosmoworlds.com/trends/trends-2011_2012-ciff_fashion_trends_Gold_Medallist-02002011.htm">Cosmo Worlds</a> </li>
<li>Color trends for clothing and household - lots of great ideas: <a href="http://www.design-options.com/">Design Options</a></li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQ1-ikdrhvq4hggSwQ47sERLs0HbELJRLtTJsSXKVySA0X_6bgDr9C8ZXqGBj3T_rozmoM82143IcB9sFueENhYMzNj1RxBtccKkX3Poq9bXLoW0BgTnf6YDD-Rim_N2kR8Uq_A/s1600/dye.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQ1-ikdrhvq4hggSwQ47sERLs0HbELJRLtTJsSXKVySA0X_6bgDr9C8ZXqGBj3T_rozmoM82143IcB9sFueENhYMzNj1RxBtccKkX3Poq9bXLoW0BgTnf6YDD-Rim_N2kR8Uq_A/s320/dye.JPG" width="290" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-34870367880177022922011-04-07T16:56:00.003-04:002011-04-07T17:01:17.949-04:00Links to Sock Sizes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimf6fdWo3p4ETa5SLj6UwNlrhRrCjk2QldaSHTa1fIEfFrAn8TBa-zFurGhQuRDVv0haSdWJKGqIt_ay5S3tsJaXV1auPap6CRSaKxFXBTb0y26JuDxiUcMKpY2wIqXdOnkxeX-Q/s1600/broke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimf6fdWo3p4ETa5SLj6UwNlrhRrCjk2QldaSHTa1fIEfFrAn8TBa-zFurGhQuRDVv0haSdWJKGqIt_ay5S3tsJaXV1auPap6CRSaKxFXBTb0y26JuDxiUcMKpY2wIqXdOnkxeX-Q/s320/broke.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Purely Utilitarian. I am doing some sock design and needed sock sizes:</span><br />
<div></div><div></div><ul><li><a href="http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/footsize.html">http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/footsize.html</a></li>
<li><a href="http://myjewelthief.typepad.com/myjewelthief_knits/2009/11/shoe-size-charts-for-knitting-socks.html">http://myjewelthief.typepad.com/myjewelthief_knits/2009/11/shoe-size-charts-for-knitting-socks.html</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/FEATsocks101.html">http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/FEATsocks101.html</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/footsize.html">http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/footsize.html</a></li>
</ul>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-34357269792581405802011-04-04T13:44:00.000-04:002011-04-04T13:44:30.167-04:00Wants and Needs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioG6eBuqzwLaTQUq8jpm5MmtMoPgktCx3YS19faj5LwnnNj3zGslD1oKWkQzIK69ImTJ8FAdM22T1Kqc_72KTO07NznigaWDVCnE11To5PtsMlfOLDoJ0p0sKR1AmS4e6_sfa4DA/s1600/wedding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioG6eBuqzwLaTQUq8jpm5MmtMoPgktCx3YS19faj5LwnnNj3zGslD1oKWkQzIK69ImTJ8FAdM22T1Kqc_72KTO07NznigaWDVCnE11To5PtsMlfOLDoJ0p0sKR1AmS4e6_sfa4DA/s1600/wedding.JPG" /></a></div>So lets be honest - I have NO extra time right now. My work pile is ridiculous. I even forgot about sending in cupcakes for little-sis' birthday last week. Don't even try peeking at my UFO pile, it might eat you.<br />
<br />
I do not need one more thing to do/knit/plan for/shop for...<br />
<br />
And I still want this book. Saw it last week at the bookstore. I don't really care much for royal weddings, but you can knit the Queen <em>and</em> her Corgies. <br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-36454204118883448802011-03-30T16:13:00.000-04:002011-03-30T16:13:15.335-04:00Zip - it<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">So March is proving to be wacky busy around here. Soccer has started, but we are not at the point where the weather is nice enough to sit and knit while the kiddos run around. More huddle and try to stay dry.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">So I am behind on the knitting. And the grading, but frankly that is less important. Not that grades are due Friday or anything.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">So next in the queue I need to finish up little-sis' monkey cardigan. Part of why I am stalled is the idea of doing the zipper. It sort of makes sense...anyway, here's a tutorial that seems to make it look much easier than I was thinking. We'll see.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://splityarn.com/2011/03/27/easiest-knitted-zipper-install-ever.html">Easiest Knitted Zipper Tutorial</a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">If I don't get this done soon I am going to be in big trouble. I finished Big-Sis' Owlet over Winter Break. It goes faster when the kid involved doesn't want sleeves. And the pattern is all worked out for you.</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYllhkTS9krHEeeZB8nKK6a1S88in7_oVHjiLWO27voDAnNudzzAkWZIJNHyr7F6UAkBCR1j5BllgDPCgKhsT1XzDG-VBiymFOd8buwpYbZ7sWFQ4joaMwMu9965LTTdBSAl4HJg/s1600/big-Sis-owls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYllhkTS9krHEeeZB8nKK6a1S88in7_oVHjiLWO27voDAnNudzzAkWZIJNHyr7F6UAkBCR1j5BllgDPCgKhsT1XzDG-VBiymFOd8buwpYbZ7sWFQ4joaMwMu9965LTTdBSAl4HJg/s320/big-Sis-owls.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Owlet Pattern by Kate Davies </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/owlet-2">Owlet Ravelry Page</a></div><div align="left"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-76318287732091146462011-03-22T08:30:00.000-04:002011-03-22T08:30:02.182-04:00Algebraic Anklets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVriKa05W2jMuhRZ787O9b2kZ7t0NKP5K-eNG97qSRJveUCg-v4-egC4omG11SHSbKwe6Ucho57iMQgFvlyrstRw_mu2CzylStNTbA0GdUu-crUn8EYo6PThyphenhyphenOx0sX48VOtrmf2w/s1600/madelinetosh.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVriKa05W2jMuhRZ787O9b2kZ7t0NKP5K-eNG97qSRJveUCg-v4-egC4omG11SHSbKwe6Ucho57iMQgFvlyrstRw_mu2CzylStNTbA0GdUu-crUn8EYo6PThyphenhyphenOx0sX48VOtrmf2w/s320/madelinetosh.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">OK, I realize that as a math major I have a bias to such things. This is the coolest thing ever - an algebraic formula for socks.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Expressed in terms of x. Heaven.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.islandofmisfitpatterns.com/2006/09/22/algebraic-sock-pattern/"><strong>Algebraic Universal Sock Pattern</strong></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-70418902759440899752011-03-11T12:23:00.002-05:002011-03-16T14:41:42.666-04:00Dallas<div class="mobile-photo">Inspiration:<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVWCnJEbx44cLdRZD5rsAA0wSufRVdhziH6KKcahGFGmsmHgcxczGHq0Zjsxd43E_xOVlGgWNm-Gwm3AhyphenhyphengQGtDcQd6AZ3VExQ-1M3gHW7dQH6Rl8fM_Nwiprinc9qJcRZW4pKw/s1600/photo-702911.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582873814774243522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVWCnJEbx44cLdRZD5rsAA0wSufRVdhziH6KKcahGFGmsmHgcxczGHq0Zjsxd43E_xOVlGgWNm-Gwm3AhyphenhyphengQGtDcQd6AZ3VExQ-1M3gHW7dQH6Rl8fM_Nwiprinc9qJcRZW4pKw/s320/photo-702911.JPG" /></a></div><br />
This is the view from my hotel room. I am thinking sock pattern.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-25364042766371224922011-03-09T19:06:00.001-05:002011-03-16T14:44:27.449-04:00Everything is bigger in Texas<div class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBS20Upk-jJ4fAMOFAbA0g6Qe-CaArXG095j5P4TcBngnZXN43gmwId9mInc8T0Kc8QPSULjyOliu-XsCSZlMi-JPEweo7_eotvqMwu_7PHayXn3niIW4kZussyanDICZJ_BnRw/s1600/photo-758411.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582235391236124482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBS20Upk-jJ4fAMOFAbA0g6Qe-CaArXG095j5P4TcBngnZXN43gmwId9mInc8T0Kc8QPSULjyOliu-XsCSZlMi-JPEweo7_eotvqMwu_7PHayXn3niIW4kZussyanDICZJ_BnRw/s320/photo-758411.JPG" /></a></div>I'm in Dallas for the week for the SIGCSE conference. A computer science thing. <br />
I have two passions when I travel. I always try out the public transportation. It's my trip and I like trains, so sue me. You want to really get the feel of a city- try the trains. <br />
I also make sure I track down the local yarn store.<br />
So about a 20 minute walk from the hotel I arrived at the Shabby Sheep. <br />
This store is great. Cute dog, great selection, lots of light. Seriously worth the trek.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-76307317495263387312011-03-02T08:05:00.001-05:002011-03-02T08:06:17.936-05:00March of the penguins<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">I just got this link from a student...she's in the process of applying for a knitting scholarship and is working on penguins. Isn't this cute??</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flutterbypatch.typepad.co.uk/flutterby_patch/2009/05/pen.html"><img border="0" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6RxQr1mZG4scOlapoI3AApNCUeEkaVQwFH3riPt12ojWfX2Zi8vH4Ck5PO7hDtRtSl7Oz7Uh7XDrL_uySIp75H093HoWGJk8D94vbZPzDKJUK5UPxMkIsKYP9KhDH4tVDmKWkg/s1600/penguin.bmp" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://flutterbypatch.typepad.co.uk/flutterby_patch/2009/05/pen.html">Here's the pattern.</a> The site has great pictures and directions.<br />
<br />
Must not start new project....if I repeat it often enough it might sink in.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-52249521367477540372011-02-27T12:45:00.000-05:002011-02-27T12:45:19.860-05:00Fighting Start-itis<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Must </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9R317gp_ZuwuWQtE38t2UNJPqklvkIlYonLMOCtwRRDikzFlPjDvVwut4YmwKvNDg8z9VZihtKYUcI8cEmcG0AYPAVw_klwvX942nzGHfVYDChGk3XcWOJnBngsyRmkEE9ivSHA/s1600/Life+Vest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9R317gp_ZuwuWQtE38t2UNJPqklvkIlYonLMOCtwRRDikzFlPjDvVwut4YmwKvNDg8z9VZihtKYUcI8cEmcG0AYPAVw_klwvX942nzGHfVYDChGk3XcWOJnBngsyRmkEE9ivSHA/s1600/Life+Vest.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">not</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79r2sCTflGXqzTymrs3Ih55KB2tkINTpWN0XSOAKYTgL_G4x_IquDy8Bn7n2Zx1BZwWN1rEBPMO13pJ8nxvBWnLbihHU4QKdXNbm4jfl435jggXgihMdrWJlWewivdHpGNHkNAg/s1600/Swatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79r2sCTflGXqzTymrs3Ih55KB2tkINTpWN0XSOAKYTgL_G4x_IquDy8Bn7n2Zx1BZwWN1rEBPMO13pJ8nxvBWnLbihHU4QKdXNbm4jfl435jggXgihMdrWJlWewivdHpGNHkNAg/s1600/Swatch.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">start </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2ch2hnSQ3bErTV_eyDTpxQeBbU4iThEsG-Y5cpRLWnhWlJNPmdkAVTfc-vD8TH4rOdTwPYdzqFj2HylV4zihlE2AqmwitRT42la2oVXz8vy-xfLSBJXaaDXM0pLx1bMjF0pOuw/s1600/dye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2ch2hnSQ3bErTV_eyDTpxQeBbU4iThEsG-Y5cpRLWnhWlJNPmdkAVTfc-vD8TH4rOdTwPYdzqFj2HylV4zihlE2AqmwitRT42la2oVXz8vy-xfLSBJXaaDXM0pLx1bMjF0pOuw/s1600/dye.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">new</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_eCDc1mgqeknVWAYtcmqPlDSZm1jMLR04zqZDLCVqU3o0q8EaiqTApESOo9OeXPCUR5Mmyw-5kpYuBjE7zKCrcQPq8rxSHlaIcO2ZCEWctWGeHOP_KzwJzTCX3XJAMdZ6wCuIg/s1600/darn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_eCDc1mgqeknVWAYtcmqPlDSZm1jMLR04zqZDLCVqU3o0q8EaiqTApESOo9OeXPCUR5Mmyw-5kpYuBjE7zKCrcQPq8rxSHlaIcO2ZCEWctWGeHOP_KzwJzTCX3XJAMdZ6wCuIg/s1600/darn.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">project.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-67760795494381768082011-02-22T08:00:00.011-05:002011-02-22T15:18:57.524-05:00It's a Snap!<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">OK, confession. Normally all I have available to edit photos is Paint. IT can crop, and resize and rotate, but that is pretty much it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">So recently I discovered <a href="http://www.picnik.com/">Piknik</a>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">So a before shot:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIDVOHRByxm7wO1sfNwP1u1gryLywUqyxrjszbedtZDahAsnlg7esCr5VFvGBQ5UDo2m5jZB_jybE03D5FzRWxN3dynuty08AYlw8K2liWStHIZ1pPedP7BXQ8ncLuO6-oBhr5A/s1600/edd_old2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIDVOHRByxm7wO1sfNwP1u1gryLywUqyxrjszbedtZDahAsnlg7esCr5VFvGBQ5UDo2m5jZB_jybE03D5FzRWxN3dynuty08AYlw8K2liWStHIZ1pPedP7BXQ8ncLuO6-oBhr5A/s400/edd_old2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">And after:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5FJtw3SAiSN3x3eoQqRTqyJfdBDPx1QVCRw3Lsal4RvXSIQ5slFoJ4xtyBEcXImQ5ZMpAJgBgYvb-wOKD73gxfq5tHedzBMQ2KvObtqE-9vhaSin7P_wG3Lb2VzKb_PUSSp1VQ/s1600/eggy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5FJtw3SAiSN3x3eoQqRTqyJfdBDPx1QVCRw3Lsal4RvXSIQ5slFoJ4xtyBEcXImQ5ZMpAJgBgYvb-wOKD73gxfq5tHedzBMQ2KvObtqE-9vhaSin7P_wG3Lb2VzKb_PUSSp1VQ/s1600/eggy2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">The color correction is subtle, since the original photo pretty close. It did a good job of sharpening the shot.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Iknow, this isn't exactly <em>knitting</em> technique, but without photos the blog is dullsville.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-26663124538972806732011-02-21T11:31:00.000-05:002011-02-21T11:31:09.129-05:00February Socks Done!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXWj6gVRykBc9iKFAUT_6-jtZeybhwfkQfHKF7hdny3RrPya6GT2SuaCRnCEUUoxgUknhy1RRwla_eYWh5xsRxUa2e5c8He_tuiJXddwCGPxxmjlNrkPVdAXualQWFFLW_lgQrA/s1600/yarn_saver_rotate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXWj6gVRykBc9iKFAUT_6-jtZeybhwfkQfHKF7hdny3RrPya6GT2SuaCRnCEUUoxgUknhy1RRwla_eYWh5xsRxUa2e5c8He_tuiJXddwCGPxxmjlNrkPVdAXualQWFFLW_lgQrA/s320/yarn_saver_rotate.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">I have been doing the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/self-imposed-sock-club">Self Imposed Sock Club</a> on Ravelry this year. The idea is you bag up sock yarn and patterns at the beginning of the year, and each month you grab one and go. It has been great fun so far. My main problem is now I have a <em>much</em> longer list of have-to socks I want to make.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">The yarn is Lorna's Laces in Unicorn Parade. I got it last month at the <a href="https://www.knittingsisters.com/index.php">Knitting Sisters</a> in Williamsburg. My favorite yarn store. Local (ish ). Great selection. Friendly. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fj6rLpeK6YRG1gDVl5MrSdZPV7XB7MWw-y6nPO4bJnBBLsTkl2FfGNXFvSSsIKzohj77QIWgVv7Q9K3el3c5pj5V7IJ-LKqVA7NzNF2xxLfOcyugle6ff0X7KaY9KDlXrV4Qtg/s1600/unicornStand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fj6rLpeK6YRG1gDVl5MrSdZPV7XB7MWw-y6nPO4bJnBBLsTkl2FfGNXFvSSsIKzohj77QIWgVv7Q9K3el3c5pj5V7IJ-LKqVA7NzNF2xxLfOcyugle6ff0X7KaY9KDlXrV4Qtg/s200/unicornStand.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Lorna's Laces Unicorn Parade</strong></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">So I had planned on these becoming <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jaywalker">Jaywalkers</a>. No offense to the pattern, but this yarn turned out to be much busier than I originally thought so they weren't a good match. When I bought it the blues and purples were more on top and the orange was not as visible, I have a backup yarn for that pattern, so I will get a pair of Jaywalkers.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">So I frogged, and frogged again after trying basic toe up vanilla socks. I'm a math person and the random stripy-ness was bugging me. I know, I know, really it makes no difference. The socks are for big-sis, not me. And she's in shoes most of the time, and...anyway, it bugged me.</span><br />
<br />
So I came up with this pattern. It alternates regular stockinette with bands of slipped stitch patterns. Just enough to a) not be boring and b) break up the stripes.<br />
<br />
Plus it required counting, so it made me happy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvX90gVnRb0A2PxKsDvpamfj6lMOYeezjEka3A7xRqSFBgs06NDSoC0jNSYIs171-01HwQ-kPPtyRXd7aKxrd7ffVVcZGspZ2m_rZtmkBtpkOS4g5jsac2PIH7fzToBKVwG8mygQ/s1600/yarn_savers_heel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvX90gVnRb0A2PxKsDvpamfj6lMOYeezjEka3A7xRqSFBgs06NDSoC0jNSYIs171-01HwQ-kPPtyRXd7aKxrd7ffVVcZGspZ2m_rZtmkBtpkOS4g5jsac2PIH7fzToBKVwG8mygQ/s200/yarn_savers_heel.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Afterthought heel. Not the best picture but big-sis was getting tired of posing.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I plan on playing with the pattern again. It seems to work well with all the crazy variegated yarn I pick up but can't ever seem to find a use for.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-87407547231309122722011-02-15T08:00:00.000-05:002011-02-15T08:00:04.044-05:00Suck in that Gut!<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">This handy calculator takes your measurements and gauge and figures out your waist shaping:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.interweave.com/Waist-Shaping-Calculator/">http://www.interweave.com/Waist-Shaping-Calculator/</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiUAhzR2nF1bVkcB5feFYMb2t4MJ7pDkKcPbdF4IgjxhRVa3A_d1GSSZxkZG9kHJbK3BgzJPVjF0_cuIr9pjWbF5K5bvVgqrxTmzoj7sIMmHN8ZHAwbLCvdrajYjN6BD5g5jyQw/s1600/oldclothes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiUAhzR2nF1bVkcB5feFYMb2t4MJ7pDkKcPbdF4IgjxhRVa3A_d1GSSZxkZG9kHJbK3BgzJPVjF0_cuIr9pjWbF5K5bvVgqrxTmzoj7sIMmHN8ZHAwbLCvdrajYjN6BD5g5jyQw/s320/oldclothes.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(I love math)</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-30869954550542250512011-02-14T13:48:00.002-05:002011-02-14T15:55:55.042-05:00Be Mine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYB-6MHaSp77lGc6Iue7yiqoI_ITWKTn7Gk1_uguigSWhvNq36LKrh364KqONZU-kZeVoAbEKAJM6KKFP4LYuuiOW6YkD33b7GPJ38b0Oo7sEbjlOTLkmhqwZQGaOyIB2JFEASgw/s1600/valen.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYB-6MHaSp77lGc6Iue7yiqoI_ITWKTn7Gk1_uguigSWhvNq36LKrh364KqONZU-kZeVoAbEKAJM6KKFP4LYuuiOW6YkD33b7GPJ38b0Oo7sEbjlOTLkmhqwZQGaOyIB2JFEASgw/s320/valen.bmp" width="308" /></a></div>From <a href="http://7deadlysinners.typepad.com/sinners/">7 Deadly Sinners</a>: Enjoy! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBECmVp0km6-mGdN4Kszg6JV87N-VkOjosbrx8YOcE-OnvSDu-MsMkTtbi_vHYKdiWIQwE_AQiRXoG6DQElC6hkEYSAL0smFS8l_CRTaPENSXN9SrCfmUvUCiZyL8LlKxSm6CMg/s1600/robot+val.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBECmVp0km6-mGdN4Kszg6JV87N-VkOjosbrx8YOcE-OnvSDu-MsMkTtbi_vHYKdiWIQwE_AQiRXoG6DQElC6hkEYSAL0smFS8l_CRTaPENSXN9SrCfmUvUCiZyL8LlKxSm6CMg/s320/robot+val.bmp" width="154" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-24836423866679064952011-02-13T12:33:00.002-05:002011-02-13T22:31:43.452-05:00I wish...<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3L8GrCBXeDgVjz6PcLJGVUrqk0L_jn2DZrXHwBQ6yuwS7uxGfyatbKrzzeRtrz-bow-bpSC49gR43SfwCgn7dlpNSv30WmFzmNWogbO1YkTT8ZMPcXHURpxUmGk3EcaG0UubAVg/s1600/photo-730988.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3L8GrCBXeDgVjz6PcLJGVUrqk0L_jn2DZrXHwBQ6yuwS7uxGfyatbKrzzeRtrz-bow-bpSC49gR43SfwCgn7dlpNSv30WmFzmNWogbO1YkTT8ZMPcXHURpxUmGk3EcaG0UubAVg/s320/photo-730988.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573340825325311586" /></a></p>This was my local yarn store.<br />
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n the spirit of true confessions I am a yarn store stalker. In my dreams I am brave enough to go in and plop down and the table, whip out my latest knit and chat away. <br />
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Reality is I am a total chicken about these things. Like I lose the ability to speak. <br />
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But Loop-I think I could eventually settle in there. Maybe not the chat part at first, but they were so nice and not scary. <br />
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Plus they had yarn with lots of color. I love the idea of my local store- but it is dreary. Fifteen shades if olive brown and puce. And all rather expensive. Loop had some Berroco wool- I could have done a sweater for under $40. I'd so much rather shop local than do the big box stores. <br />
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Buy I wanted to get stuff out of my usually shopping range. Madeline Tosh for a Citron and some Berroco Ultra Alpaca.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-8705764660705379002011-02-08T08:00:00.004-05:002011-02-22T15:18:44.769-05:00Say Cheese!<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">My theme this year is "do it right" when it comes to my knitting, so I am working on technical details. Last few days I have been working on photography.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Well, working = reading about and wishing I had a better camera. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXGQXGzRCJm2Ey5jOU9od1DMAWr2Zuvv7wp2yG5dvUXN5UyCEDBgoUSHPnFqslB5zKB6TymgSZQxe-4nOZma8aMm8RGXiQj-SmpCHNIk-L_bPWZtYiV-I5muH0QVvia3zwHo_ww/s1600/swift.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXGQXGzRCJm2Ey5jOU9od1DMAWr2Zuvv7wp2yG5dvUXN5UyCEDBgoUSHPnFqslB5zKB6TymgSZQxe-4nOZma8aMm8RGXiQj-SmpCHNIk-L_bPWZtYiV-I5muH0QVvia3zwHo_ww/s1600/swift.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">So basically pretending to take snappy pics.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">In my reasearch I came accross this how to: <a href="http://www.conradhoffman.com/photographing_your_knitting.pdf">http://www.conradhoffman.com/photographing_your_knitting.pdf</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Funny how when you Google something the answer is right there. Seriously worth the read. I need new lightbulbs.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16737373.post-27790723825325272822011-02-03T08:00:00.002-05:002011-02-03T08:00:08.859-05:00Tropical Granola<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">This was supposed to be breakfast for the husband and I this week. It didn't <i>quite</i> make it that long, so I figured I'd better write it down.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVltfgOz81eelkyLUFLTb4QFMjGb4yDxtJ1Mnujrr0ddSztbX61ZMYmcL-1FTI5yXXKGgImLSV8uvZCOcfi1AhIqMgfTtkyBT2ZHZCpMLqG9PFu_si0lnx8GHuVJEXd287ccAv4A/s1600/gran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVltfgOz81eelkyLUFLTb4QFMjGb4yDxtJ1Mnujrr0ddSztbX61ZMYmcL-1FTI5yXXKGgImLSV8uvZCOcfi1AhIqMgfTtkyBT2ZHZCpMLqG9PFu_si0lnx8GHuVJEXd287ccAv4A/s320/gran.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Tropical Granola</span></b></span></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">4 cups rolled oats</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 cup unsweatened coconut </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1/2 cup ground flax seed</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1/2 cup canola oil</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1/2 cup honey</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 cup diced dried pineapple</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 cup diced crystalized ginger</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 cup raisins</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">1 cup dried banana </span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<ol><li> <span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Preheat the oven to 350. </span></li>
<li>Mix the oats, coconut, flax, oil and honey.</li>
<li>Cook the mix in the oven for 25 - 30 minutes. Stir the mix every 10 minutes - seriously, don't skip this. Burned granola is yucky.</li>
<li>Let the granola cool. Mix in the dried fruit.</li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvflSpOY_kXVhNFepwwvtDy3gpKZ2j3q4HBaec6NhiJRcNadXvrE7e8e-ZpElXpwm7jehyh-O9yT_gn2bidiVkmJhPImwIZSHLYPHH0zf07xIsVANz2jkFDt__-RW3maLoC7wSfQ/s1600/chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvflSpOY_kXVhNFepwwvtDy3gpKZ2j3q4HBaec6NhiJRcNadXvrE7e8e-ZpElXpwm7jehyh-O9yT_gn2bidiVkmJhPImwIZSHLYPHH0zf07xIsVANz2jkFDt__-RW3maLoC7wSfQ/s320/chicken.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The ladies like granola </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpFEYNN8xF0yd28JfmRCJUWZUAz0s0jE1ORNMtRmXeygkMq3O3UTNqHc2SUYC1rA3iBXtUpku75arYyG2zOixspyuQYUl9Cp6_FG7URXik_lJoDvQzHOBYVN2qKGzSYl2IqM2nw/s1600/granola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
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<ol></ol>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05265930308263863141noreply@blogger.com0