Finally, my exhaustion this week is explained. This morning, I was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection. Thankful it isn't the flu! As a result, my doctor has recommended that I stay home from work. There is a lot to do and my body has decidedly inconvenient timing. Perhaps it's better that I am taking sick time because my brain feels fuzzy and the featherweight cardigan is mindless enough to allow me to indulge in some knitting. Surely no one at work wants my sneezing, corpse-like body passing out germs like candy (despite being in the true spirit of Halloween).
Guess my own brand of self-help will be a blitz of new hats that I will rarely ever wear in the Texas heat! I am dying to go into serious production with a few of the patterns in my queue: 1 Across, Piper, Hurricane, Cairn, Phoncible, Noro Spiral One-Skein, Fake Isle, Zinnia Dahlia and Slacker.
For the time being, I will continue the cardigan and perhaps the laziest scarf in all creation (pictured). I have no idea why this is taking me so long to finish, but motivation is lacking. For some reason, I will only work on this while watching recorded episodes of Warehouse 13. Interesting premise, but it really made me crave episodes of the Friday the 13th television series. Incidentally, this is now available for purchase, albeit at a prohibitive price point. Guess this Christmas will be full of requests for Amazon gift certificates so I can buy all of the crappy TV-on-DVD sets my tasteless heart and mind desire.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Getting Back on the Wagon
The title exists for several reasons. All of which are obviously referential to an addiction of some sort. The most important (to me at least) is the breaking of the yarn diet. Some may consider this falling off the wagon, but I feel differently. Honestly, I have not knitted in a while. The needles have felt foreign in my hands and the fiber has been lifeless. This is cyclical and seems to happen at least once a year, but never this long. After taking a trip to NYC and visiting School Products and managing to buy nothing, I feared the worst. Is my favorite hobby dead? Will I no longer feel joy stalking Ravelry patterns and groping strange yarn in small shops? How will I feel without my friends alternating mocking my "weird" hobby with asking for handmade gifts?
Consider my personal myth officially debunked! It all started with a guilty, nagging feeling. My ex-roommate wanted a beret and I was determined to make one for her. After miserably failing one attempt at the Gretel Beret, her hat has been in "time out" for the past year. Thanks to an email newsletter regarding a new shipment of Malabrigo at my LYS, an idea was hatched. I would knit her the Star Crossed Slouchy Beret (Ravelry link only). Never having worked with Malabrigo before, I wasn't sure what to expect.
It was far better than I imagined. The soft merino slid like butter in my hands and the hat was completed within two days. The picture here is the FO (un-blocked) in the Saphire Green colorway and this will surely look stunning on the redhead.
Oh, but did I stop the purchase with just her yarn? Nope! Two skeins of the Velvet Grapes colorway are sitting in a bag on my kitchen table, dying to be handled soon. I am not going to fret too much about what to knit with them because there is a sure feeling in my gut that Malabrigo and I are going to have quite the long-term relationship.
The sewing is progressing in a slow but confident fashion. I haven't been able to meet up with my friend very often and we finally started working on my owl skirt a few weeks ago. Perhaps in two weeks I can finish what I started. Char showed me how to construct flat darts and she continues to challenge me with techniques. Not expected, but definitely appreciated as a newbie. There is no end to my excitement about this owl skirt, guaranteed to beat up lesser, more boring skirts.
Consider my personal myth officially debunked! It all started with a guilty, nagging feeling. My ex-roommate wanted a beret and I was determined to make one for her. After miserably failing one attempt at the Gretel Beret, her hat has been in "time out" for the past year. Thanks to an email newsletter regarding a new shipment of Malabrigo at my LYS, an idea was hatched. I would knit her the Star Crossed Slouchy Beret (Ravelry link only). Never having worked with Malabrigo before, I wasn't sure what to expect.
It was far better than I imagined. The soft merino slid like butter in my hands and the hat was completed within two days. The picture here is the FO (un-blocked) in the Saphire Green colorway and this will surely look stunning on the redhead.
Oh, but did I stop the purchase with just her yarn? Nope! Two skeins of the Velvet Grapes colorway are sitting in a bag on my kitchen table, dying to be handled soon. I am not going to fret too much about what to knit with them because there is a sure feeling in my gut that Malabrigo and I are going to have quite the long-term relationship.
The sewing is progressing in a slow but confident fashion. I haven't been able to meet up with my friend very often and we finally started working on my owl skirt a few weeks ago. Perhaps in two weeks I can finish what I started. Char showed me how to construct flat darts and she continues to challenge me with techniques. Not expected, but definitely appreciated as a newbie. There is no end to my excitement about this owl skirt, guaranteed to beat up lesser, more boring skirts.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Better, Stronger, Faster
Adding to a laundry list of ill-conceived ideas, I intend to make myself a more efficient animal. My professional life has successfully drained most of my energy and intelligence, only to leave a desolate husk I refer to as "brain". Left with only a bare minimum of functionality, "brain" has decided to devote itself to planning offensive tea towel embroidery. This came as quite a shock when compounded with insomnia and the requisite twitchiness from nicotine withdrawal. Once again, "brain" has proved to be a hindrance to both my knitting and sewing. Surprisingly, I was able to make some progress on the Featherweight Cardigan earlier this week. One day, I may even take photos of the purple wonder in all its wonky glory. There has been a bit of fuss with casting on stitches in the middle of a row and joining the front panel with the back. "Brain" has, predictably, been fairly lax in providing assistance. Bah!
The financial devastation caused by a confluence of unfortunate situations has prevented yet another trip to Dragon*Con this year. Instead, I plan to visit the bad man at AnimeFest. Since knitting is the portable option, I plan to bring my cardigan with me. The Tea Towels of the Damned™ will have to languish until next weekend.
And maybe, just maybe, I will finally stop pining over the book that contained these quotes.
The financial devastation caused by a confluence of unfortunate situations has prevented yet another trip to Dragon*Con this year. Instead, I plan to visit the bad man at AnimeFest. Since knitting is the portable option, I plan to bring my cardigan with me. The Tea Towels of the Damned™ will have to languish until next weekend.
And maybe, just maybe, I will finally stop pining over the book that contained these quotes.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Achtung!
Due to an excessive drain on the free hotel wifi this weekend, I was not able to get as much work done as planned. Tonight was spent catching up on a few things until I realized there is something terribly wrong with the laptop. Guess it's going back to the hospital.
Thanks to the armadillo household, the craft nest has a nearly full box of nicotine gum. I think the recommended dosage is way too high, so I plan to use it only when absolutely necessary. Cold turkey may create far too much drama. The feeling of taking such a big plunge is really liberating! I am gnawing on piece number two, hoping it doesn't cause me to have yet another bout with insomnia. The fitful sleeping during the past month is taking a toll on my addled brain. I want to drink a glass of wine to help me feel drowsy, but that's just another trigger I need to avoid.
The need for cheer has never been more urgent, so here are two links that make me smile:
A lovely, classy friend of mine posted a link to the next purse I need to buy.
Bringing together two great loves, the open source embroidery project is nothing short of fabulous.
Thanks to the armadillo household, the craft nest has a nearly full box of nicotine gum. I think the recommended dosage is way too high, so I plan to use it only when absolutely necessary. Cold turkey may create far too much drama. The feeling of taking such a big plunge is really liberating! I am gnawing on piece number two, hoping it doesn't cause me to have yet another bout with insomnia. The fitful sleeping during the past month is taking a toll on my addled brain. I want to drink a glass of wine to help me feel drowsy, but that's just another trigger I need to avoid.
The need for cheer has never been more urgent, so here are two links that make me smile:
A lovely, classy friend of mine posted a link to the next purse I need to buy.
Bringing together two great loves, the open source embroidery project is nothing short of fabulous.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Frankenpost
(This blog entry was cobbled together from several lesser drafts sitting in my folder. Instead of posting separately like a rational person, I am dumping the entire lot here. Commence the disjointed rambling!)
My newest friend has taught me how to sew! (Or at the very least, how to use a sewing machine without trepidation or abject terror.) A confession needs to be made at this time about my collecting habits. The yarn stash finally appears gargantuan compared to my fabric stash. For many years, I scoured thrift stores, Ebay sellers, estate sales and clearance bins with the sole purpose of obtaining fabulous/original/quirky fabric. This has been a sideline addiction, going unnoticed and unchecked for over a decade. My closet is bursting at the seams with plastic bins full of bolts and remnants that I always "intend to do something with". The time has finally arrived for me to stop procrastinating and begin clearing out old materials and making room for new things. At the very least, I want to make my closet manageable for the first time in my adult life.
I continue to be plagued with low-light conditions in my apartment, so recent photos are not the greatest quality until I can purchase adequate lighting and a better camera (image stabilization is NOT overrated). The project pictured here is actually far more vibrant in real life and I love it, flaws and all. This is a gathered skirt with a wide waistband, trimmed with grosgrain ribbon and rickrack. I have not figured out which shirt to wear with it, but there is sure to be something appropriate out there.
The weekend at San Japan was wonderful! I met new friends and spent time with old ones. For me, the entire four days went off without a real hitch. I can attribute this to the hardworking staff who made it possible for the convention to run so smoothly. My flight immediately followed the charity auction today, making it impossible for me to get a final total. Once the Austin Browncoats finish working their magic, the auction will be finalized. Their tireless efforts truly made the difference this weekend.
Surprisingly, I am still awake. My "sleeping in a strange bed insomnia" mixed with my current "stress-related insomnia", creating an obnoxious cocktail which has wreaked hate on my body.
After sweating straight through six outfits this weekend, I am waiting for laundry to finish drying. Thanks to the scary flea infestation, my sheets are also being washed again to alleviate any lingering paranoia. The stupid life cycle of the pests has finally been broken and it's only a matter of time before my home returns to normalcy. I can't wait to stop vacuuming on a daily basis. The bruising caused by excessive housecleaning had to be explained far too many times this weekend.
My newest friend has taught me how to sew! (Or at the very least, how to use a sewing machine without trepidation or abject terror.) A confession needs to be made at this time about my collecting habits. The yarn stash finally appears gargantuan compared to my fabric stash. For many years, I scoured thrift stores, Ebay sellers, estate sales and clearance bins with the sole purpose of obtaining fabulous/original/quirky fabric. This has been a sideline addiction, going unnoticed and unchecked for over a decade. My closet is bursting at the seams with plastic bins full of bolts and remnants that I always "intend to do something with". The time has finally arrived for me to stop procrastinating and begin clearing out old materials and making room for new things. At the very least, I want to make my closet manageable for the first time in my adult life.
I continue to be plagued with low-light conditions in my apartment, so recent photos are not the greatest quality until I can purchase adequate lighting and a better camera (image stabilization is NOT overrated). The project pictured here is actually far more vibrant in real life and I love it, flaws and all. This is a gathered skirt with a wide waistband, trimmed with grosgrain ribbon and rickrack. I have not figured out which shirt to wear with it, but there is sure to be something appropriate out there.
The weekend at San Japan was wonderful! I met new friends and spent time with old ones. For me, the entire four days went off without a real hitch. I can attribute this to the hardworking staff who made it possible for the convention to run so smoothly. My flight immediately followed the charity auction today, making it impossible for me to get a final total. Once the Austin Browncoats finish working their magic, the auction will be finalized. Their tireless efforts truly made the difference this weekend.
Surprisingly, I am still awake. My "sleeping in a strange bed insomnia" mixed with my current "stress-related insomnia", creating an obnoxious cocktail which has wreaked hate on my body.
After sweating straight through six outfits this weekend, I am waiting for laundry to finish drying. Thanks to the scary flea infestation, my sheets are also being washed again to alleviate any lingering paranoia. The stupid life cycle of the pests has finally been broken and it's only a matter of time before my home returns to normalcy. I can't wait to stop vacuuming on a daily basis. The bruising caused by excessive housecleaning had to be explained far too many times this weekend.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Small Yarn, Big Smile
The aftershocks of the move continue to plague me, so I have turned to crafty pursuits to bury my woes.
Leah loved the finished chevron scarf so much that I decided to cast on for another (pictured)... and promptly lost the project in the vortex of boxes within my apartment. This was the icing on the bad-week cake, so I decided to cast on for the Featherweight Cardigan in order to keep my brain occupied. I bought a few skeins of Knit Picks Shadow in the Vineyard Heather colorway a while back with no specific project in mind. Eyeing the lace-weight fiber in my stash caused consternation a few months ago when I came to the realization that the yarn was too dark to show stitch definition and probably not an ideal choice for lace. This may end well, as I have been trying to figure out how to make a sweater in record-high temperatures. A pullover and a cardigan continue to lurk in the UFO pile until the heat subsides enough for me to bear working with heavy wool. The cardigan pattern will not only help me use the yarn, but is simple and light enough to carry with me when temperatures go well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Perhaps making a cardigan out of lace-weight yarn is a bit masochistic. Perhaps I am subconsciously preparing my brain to work on the Abotanicity sweater, which may be a relief in comparison. Checking the gauge, however, tells me otherwise.
Given a choice, I love lightweight sweaters that hug curves. I often find that chunky or bulky tops make me look like a pig in a blanket. Oddly enough, it makes no difference how much or how little I weigh. Thick clothing tends to overpower my features and looks either like a hand-me-down from an older sibling or an oddly-chosen costume. Neither option is particularly attractive to me.
These facts have not diminished my passion for the Buttony Sweater. Some bulky yarn was purchased during a sale with specific intentions on making this cardigan. Sadly, new garments will have to wait until I attack the increasing number of UFOs with full, systematic eradication.
Leah loved the finished chevron scarf so much that I decided to cast on for another (pictured)... and promptly lost the project in the vortex of boxes within my apartment. This was the icing on the bad-week cake, so I decided to cast on for the Featherweight Cardigan in order to keep my brain occupied. I bought a few skeins of Knit Picks Shadow in the Vineyard Heather colorway a while back with no specific project in mind. Eyeing the lace-weight fiber in my stash caused consternation a few months ago when I came to the realization that the yarn was too dark to show stitch definition and probably not an ideal choice for lace. This may end well, as I have been trying to figure out how to make a sweater in record-high temperatures. A pullover and a cardigan continue to lurk in the UFO pile until the heat subsides enough for me to bear working with heavy wool. The cardigan pattern will not only help me use the yarn, but is simple and light enough to carry with me when temperatures go well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Perhaps making a cardigan out of lace-weight yarn is a bit masochistic. Perhaps I am subconsciously preparing my brain to work on the Abotanicity sweater, which may be a relief in comparison. Checking the gauge, however, tells me otherwise.
Given a choice, I love lightweight sweaters that hug curves. I often find that chunky or bulky tops make me look like a pig in a blanket. Oddly enough, it makes no difference how much or how little I weigh. Thick clothing tends to overpower my features and looks either like a hand-me-down from an older sibling or an oddly-chosen costume. Neither option is particularly attractive to me.
These facts have not diminished my passion for the Buttony Sweater. Some bulky yarn was purchased during a sale with specific intentions on making this cardigan. Sadly, new garments will have to wait until I attack the increasing number of UFOs with full, systematic eradication.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Good Lighting? Never!
I found a drawback to my new home. The windows are positioned in manner that is not conducive to natural light. This means I have to actually do some research and become more skilled with photography. The horrible pictures I have taken of knitting projects lately are not to be tolerated. Thus, another portion of my laziness comes to an end. Damn you, apartment, for attempting to increase my skill set.
The chevron scarf for my darling friend is going to come to a bitter sweet end this evening. Sweet because it will finally be finished and bitter because I knit yet another scarf. I fully believe many people can sympathize with my scarf dilemma. Although they are wonderfully practical items, the actual process is slightly more interesting than watching paint dry. The pattern choice really doesn't matter because this is a series of repeats that simply feel like they go on and on... for eternity. I appreciate the simple pattern and gorgeous product. The inherent problem lies with my easily distracted brain, often drawn to late-night phone calls and accounts at these newfangled places like Twitter or Netflix. Those young whippersnappers are truly on to something.
Now, to the obligatory Cthulhian portion of this post. I must confess a deep, unabated obsession with all-things-Lovecraft. My stalking of Zabet will take a new and hideous turn after seeing a Cthulhu cross stitch pattern posted on the website. Cross stitch and I had a tumultuous relationship, resulting in a several beautiful children. Nonetheless, this is not my preferred technique and yet I have found myself yearning to pick up the embroidery hoop and needle again. Be warned.
The chevron scarf for my darling friend is going to come to a bitter sweet end this evening. Sweet because it will finally be finished and bitter because I knit yet another scarf. I fully believe many people can sympathize with my scarf dilemma. Although they are wonderfully practical items, the actual process is slightly more interesting than watching paint dry. The pattern choice really doesn't matter because this is a series of repeats that simply feel like they go on and on... for eternity. I appreciate the simple pattern and gorgeous product. The inherent problem lies with my easily distracted brain, often drawn to late-night phone calls and accounts at these newfangled places like Twitter or Netflix. Those young whippersnappers are truly on to something.
Now, to the obligatory Cthulhian portion of this post. I must confess a deep, unabated obsession with all-things-Lovecraft. My stalking of Zabet will take a new and hideous turn after seeing a Cthulhu cross stitch pattern posted on the website. Cross stitch and I had a tumultuous relationship, resulting in a several beautiful children. Nonetheless, this is not my preferred technique and yet I have found myself yearning to pick up the embroidery hoop and needle again. Be warned.
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