I MET HER! I MET HER!

Hey Robin!

So like... there was this book signing... and stuff... and i don't really remember all of it. It's kind of a happy blur. I mean, Yarn Harlot is my HERO. SO I tried to take some pictures that I might have something to talk about. Or at least some proof that I was there. So I might be a little biased. But this crowd... They were awesome!




Wait that's not a good picture, here's a better
one:
When Harlot/Stephanie came out, the woman who was escorting her showed a beautiful afghan that was created by their knit-night group for a local charity. How cool is that? And my less-than-professional photography skills caught Stephanie rushing to help her hold it up. My less-than-helpful camera didn't catch up fast enough so that I could get a better picture of the two of them holding it up. But since there were about a billion other flashes going off... i am SURE some blog somewhere will have that picture and put me to considerable shame. *sigh*



So I had a great seat... can you tell?
Note to self: Stephanie is short, next time sit to the SIDE, so you can actually see her whole face. Yeah.
















These are the lovely ladies who were near me in the audience. I was so happy to meet other knitters. To the lady on the left... i am REALLY. REALLY... really sorry. And I didn't get your name. So. I'm REALLY sorry about the unfortunate timing on the picture. These ladies were so great. Everyone was, really.

That's Danica, far left. She was really funny and so cool. She gave me a Yarn Pirate sticker. Awesome. Penny, on the right (in red) just started knitting recently and is already knitting her first sock! The force is strong with this one... Carol, in the middle.... taught Penny. She was working on her second scarf for the red scarf charity. That's so awesome. I wish I had mine to show her. She was making some wonderful, yet simple scarves. So pretty! Yay! New Friends! :)

Stephanie spoke for about.... an hour? It's all a blur, I haven't laughed so much for so long since I saw George Carlin in Las Vegas on my honeymoon. Seriously, she's that funny. She deserves my adoration. She was as good as all of her books are, but instead of reading and grinning ear to ear and nodding your head... you are LISTENING... and grinning ear to ear... etc etc.

Do I really need to repeat how wonderful it was? Nah...

Next was the signing line. I was lucky enough to have an "A" on my ticket so i really didn't have to wait very long. The bookstore has this system DOWN and it was all handled quite well. It's a fantastic bookstore, I just wish it wasn't so far away. Incidentally that was Third Place Books, in Lake Forest Park. Awesome independant store. Awesome.

So many people wore their creations and were knitting new ones. I didn't want to be presumptuous and walk around asking people to hold up their wonderful things and ask to take a picture.... but I snuck this one in while i was waiting to meet my Hero. This woman and her Husband (I am assuming here... he sure seemed husbandly) are both knitters and had gone to meet Stephanie in Victoria BC. Anyway!! Look at this jacket! Noro silk garden (of course... isn't it obvious?!). I hope she doesn't mind that I am posting to to posterity :)
And of course there is Stephanie being charming and wonderful :)




















Here's Stephanie trying to get a pic of Carol's beautiful cardigan for her hubby. Her sleeves were a little too long and she was asking how to fix it with the least amount of trauma.

I was the one who suggested steeking Stephanie. Call me! :)



I was totally going to bring her a beer too. I should have. Man... I should have. Because I really didn't make an impression on her. Oh well.


And here's the SUMMIT of the whole night. I am giddy. I hope you are more successful than I. Maybe YOU can mention steeking too... just drop it in the conversation. ;) Later!

Super Cool Nerd Here...

Hey Robin,




HA! I'm a nerd too! Ha!

...wait a second...

Uber Cool Nerd Queen

Hey Kate!




What? You expected yarn talk? Too bad! (hopefully later)

And seriously, how'd I score so low on the Dumb/Dork/Awkward part of the test?

Later,

Uber Cool Nerd Queen Robin

You can't felt-out a stickinette-roll...

Hey Robin,
Yay a new FO! Woot! I managed to satisfy my need for a quick-project by making myself a purse/bag/thingy. I'm so excited. It's attempting to dry if I would only just leave it alone... here's some pics with some story. See previous post for last-seen pictures...

So The striping was actually coming along nicely, it was seriously fun mixing up all the teensy-balls of Noro and things-of-questionable-wool-content. I was getting past the handle though and was supposed to make more stripes for 10 rows. I wanted some nice striping there but when I glanced at my mini-stash to see what was left to choose from, I had very few options. Gah! What to do? Use the yarn that had the greatest length and just do one hefty "stripe"? Or go to the lys and get something to make some multiple-stripe-action. Hmm... which do you think I did??

I think you will recognize what I found:
Wait. Can't see it?














Here, try this one...
It's like Paton's (The SWS stuff) knew what I was doing ahead of time and hurried up to make sure this was in the bin where I was looking when I needed something. It's... it's like... EXACTLY the colors of the rest of the bag! Shocking! Ironic, because I have looked at this ball before and not been interested.





So anyway, I used, almost-exclusively, the SWS for the handle... it striped VERY well at this diameter and looked GREAT with the rest of the bag. I knitted up very nicely compared to the last time I used SWS (see earlier posts because I still don't know how to link to another post here...). Anyway, i finished it late at night and didn't feel right trying to felt it in the washing machine while certain other household inhabitants were sleeping ;)

This was the first time I felted something in the washing machine, with the zippered bag, tennis balls and a pair of blue jeans. I was nervous because I have a front-loader and all instructions talk about filling it with the water, THEN adding the soap, THEN adding the "contents". Also no spin etc. So YAY ME! There's a "no spin" option on my machine so I wasn't going to have to camp-out in front of it like it was soapy-TV.... i checked it often... nervously... like looking in the little window was going to ensure that everything worked properly. I'm such a sucker.

Here it is outta the bag and after a bit of semi-blocking-type encouragement!

I should point-out that the expedition to acquire new yarn for the handle that would fill-out more stripes and stuff was totally unnecessary. Why? The top TOTALLY rolled on me and I can't get it back up. So the beautiful SWS is hidden. In a roll. *sigh*






In other news, I have a garden too! Mine isn't as beautiful or prolific as other knitter's, but i got THIS:
For anyone with a background in Art History (myself included) or Ancient History/Archaeology this kind of find speaks volumes on what our made ancestors believe in certain-types-of-gods. Isn't it beautiful? I hate to eat it...










Later!
:D

Oy!

Hey Robin,
How did I go from getting-around-to-writing-a-post to full-fledged project-updating on Ravelry?? WTF?

Inspired by you, I had finished the orphan scarf (doesn't look much different from the last time i pictured-it, so I won't bore you) and had to cast-on something FAST. Little Guy started pre-school yesterday and so I wanted to do something that I could work on and maybe finish by the end of the week.... a real change from how projects have been going this summer!

Anyway, it's the Felted Striped Tote from One Skein, but I am calling it the Felted Ad Lib Tote... here it is in it's messy-lump stage. I'm using my leftover Highland Wool from Elann (that i used for the kitty-pi) and some bits and bobs leftover from someone else's project! Most of them have been identified as Noro, but there's some other stuff in there mixed in. I am afraid that one of those balls might not be something that felts... but oh well. We're living on the WILD SIDE.

...It must be that smell of short-term-freedom i get each morning ;)

So, are you going to knit something stylish for Loki and Thor so you can enter CAP's contest??

Later!
Kate

Knot again!

Hey Kate!

So, my frantic search for a skinny scarf to stitch ended with the V8 pattern that I found on Ravelry. It's a free pattern from Interweave Crochet and the lovely pattern search function in Ravelry got me there. It is totally beginner, totally mindless, totally easy and no casting on/chaining 300+ stitches since it isn't stitched sideways like most of the other patterns I found.

I'm using the discontinued Bernat Acacia that I got on ebay ages ago. The yarn sucks. It is 60% Viscose/40% Cotton and the cotton parts look like a tissue accidentally went through the wash with the yarn. And the yarn has knots in it! Grrrr. But it looks kinda neat when stitched up and the odd texture hides the ends well.

I have a lighter peach that I want to make into a tanktop. Interweave Knits Spring has a couple patterns I want to try, but I have to get a back issue since JoAnn's doesn't keep back issues in the store -- boo! Do you have any ideas?

Oh and here's Emme picking a winner.

Later!

Robin

Now we can eat...

Hey Robin,
I have a brief-post today, because I have been so bad about the postage lately! Shame on me! Shame!! I've been so absorbed in everyone else's blogs that I have completely forgotten to do my part for the blogosphere.

So today I have for you: Fambly Placemats!
Pattern: Bright Placemats from Lion Brand Yarn website, they are very fiesta-ey but i just wanted something to go with our nice dinner ware. So i mixed-it-up with da colors and made three (cuz we are a fambly of three!)
Yarn: Bernat Handicrafter cotton, Lion Kitchen Cotton and recycled-sweater cotton (the red)
Needles: 8?
Actually I used da macheen for these and then tossed them in the washing macheen to tighten them up a bit. The fabric is from some "fat quarters" i found at a fabric store... it was hard to find three different fabrics that would still "go". It worked out I think!

Now I gotta go post my new stash to Ravelry.

Later!

Forced Bookmarkage

Hey Kate!

So I'm finally giving in to The Spousal Unit's demands for a bookmark. I'm knitting the Baby Fern lace pattern from the Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework and I'm using the Patons Grace cotton yarn.

This is version 2.0. My first try, I started off with some rows of stockinette which throws off the shape because of the built in scalloped edging. I also added a stockinette edge on each side which made it way lopsided. It turns out that the lace pattern has a built-in edge on one side. So when I frogged and restarted, I left off all my stockinette stuff and just added the built-in edge to the other side.

There's some nastiness on the left side which isn't an error as much as it is some overzealous looping which I'm hoping will even out in the blocking.

Thor says just because I'm being forced to make a bookmark, doesn't mean I should force him to be a model. Well, he's going to have to stop providing pictures like the above if he wants to stop modeling. I'm just sayin'.

Later,

Robin

Show and Tell

Hey Robin,

I'm sorry I haven't been "on". These last two weeks have been a madhouse and then next two are promising to be pretty amazing as well. Little-Guy starts school just after Labor Day and I have a couple things to do before then :p But to make up for the lack of posts i have TONS O PICTURES to share! And not just knitting neither!! Here we go:
I promised a picture "in situ" of the knitted vest i made for the newly-two-year-old. It fits! Yay!! She's such a cutie-pie and it looks so great on her! And when Fall comes she can wear it with long sleeves! See? Seattle isn't ALWAYS the death of fun clothes!!

Here's my other cutie-pie. 'Member this skirt? Her Mom promises one where she isn't flipping it up... but i think it's wonderful to see her "play" in it! That's the "Hey Mickey" skirt in case you forgot....

OK so here's where we had Little-Guy's birthday party. I heartily recommend it for anyone who has their own Little-guy-who-love-airplanes... in case you are wondering he is:

Four years old. :)

Here's the cake Mommy made:

...I know, it's goofy. But i HAD to share!!

And yesterday the clan went here for Brunch:

Oooh... Aaaah. The food was good too!

Ever wonder what the EMP/SFM looks like from space?

Now ya don't have to...

OH! And before all that we also went here:

...VERY impressive. (That's Mt. St. Helen's in case anyone wondered)

And lastly, but not leastly... what's on the kneedles at the moment:

Now i gotta go shower so I can go get Cast Off and a ticket to the signing line so I can meet my kntting Hero!!

And crap you just reminded me that I have SO MUCH Ravelry work to catch up on!! Not enough minutes in the hour!!

Later.

Catsploitation for Charity

Hey Kate,

Reading Wendy told me about Norma who told me about the Red Scarf Project 2008.

Read more about it on DIY Life!

I'm using the Boye Circulars in size 8 and one of the DPNs you gave me (thanks again!) for the cable needle. Unfortunately, Kira thinks those bright yellow plastic things are for her. I really can't blame her. They look like toys.

Isn't Thor patient? Loki wouldn't sit still for that.

Later,

Robin

I Heart my new Kneedles!

Hey Robin,

I finally got to start a Christmas project.... a pair of socks using the tofutsies yarn and the beautiful new sock kneedles I splurged on when you and I went yarn-petting. They're Lantern Moon, limited editions or something like that... rosewood, size 2. They are awesome. I love the smooth feel, the warmth and they are just purdy-to-see. Plus, I like that they are a little shorter than your average dpn, not as much to "push through" when going round and round.

Here's some knit-porn:
Sorry for the reflection on the mag... anyway it's the special Holiday edition of IK, 2006. I hope I don't scroo them up too badly since they are supposed to be a gift!

Teehee! FUN

Later :)

FO's and other train wrecks...

Hey Robin,

While you are off enjoying the buzz that is Blizzcon, I am stressing the Stole, halting a halter, and lurving some lettuce... let me 'splain.

So the stole, not a lot of work done on it since i came to see you because of hiccups in other knitting plans and getting sick (*urp*) and not having enough dedicated time (I have to have the promise of 20 minutes uninterrupted for a RS row! DANG!)... and it has suffered. I have just finished Clue 3. Here is the train-wreck that is my stole (Yes Melanie! I know you warned us noobs to beware!)

...don't stare too long i am embarrased enough. If you spot the "issues" I don't want to know :p

So then while that was "on the shelf", I realized a 2-year-old's birthday was crashing in on me at an enormous speed and i hadn't even started anything for her. Thank GOD for knitty because there was the perfect little thing! This Katja halter is perfect. I may get a little undershirt to go with it but otherwise: CUUUUTE!!

I used that Bernat Handicrafter cotton of the "twists" variety. I actually think it might be manufactured a little different from their standard fare... it was really nice to knit with and the strands weren't constantly coming apart on me like usual...

If it looks a little different to some people, apologies but I had to do it up on the "machine" because i was seriously running out of time and on the needles it was giving me grief from gauge. But it came out pretty good! Here's a detail:

I wouldn't normally want to give a detail shot on a machined piece, but garter stitch on these things is a serious pain in the fanny... so you must gaze appreciatively...

Hee.

OK, I know all of you are waiting in wonder about the "lettuce". (Hee. I said "all of you" like there's more than one or something.) Yesterday I found a "lunch salad" at my grocery store. It's made by Fresh Express, the one I got is called "Orchard Harvest". All I gotta say is: "Yum". And to top it all off it has the COOLEST utensile in salad HISTORY! Lookey:

TONGS!

...bamboo ones no less.

Genius!

OK must go pick up the boy :) Later!