Happy New Year!

This is my old, old pal "Bear Bear," named as such before I developed any significant verbal prowess. I made this sweater for him about 10 years ago on New Year's Eve, and it's still quite fashionable if I don't say so myself. (Admittedly, he doesn't get out much and isn't very hard on clothes...)

Knitting Is Dangerous

I impaled myself today with a #5 aluminum double pointed needle. The stupid thing slipped out of the last stitch and fell on the floor, while at the very same moment I moved my leg and hand to try and catch it. I guess that's what I was trying to do. Said needle balanced itself pointy ends normal to the floor, aided by the nap of a really quite lovely area rug. The backside of my ankle/leg area came right down on the seemingly blunt point which left a suspiciously considerable gouge in my flesh.

I'm still plugging along on the socks though, you have to work through the pain. I would at this time like to point out that I never drew blood with a crochet hook. I'll have to do more hooking.

Camera Bag

This is a knock off of Crowe's camera bag, and an odd one at that. I made the ball band dishcloth with Lily Sugar and Cream cotton, then doubled it up for extra padding so the pattern is continued on the inside of the bag. It was totally unnecessary in hindsight, but I was working with a vision.

(Some information that could have been more useful to set up context for the post: Santa brought me a new camera for Christmas. I really like it and am excited to work out some new methods. First I need to figure out the lighting.)

Temptations

I finally got my Lorna's Laces OSU colorway yarn! I've been waiting a very long time because they only sell it at Temptations In Dublin, OH. My brother went with me today and we found lots of good stuff in addition to the 2 skeins I had on hold. Plus, get this! All Lorna's Laces was 40% off!!! Whoopee!

Cables!

I present to you my first hand-knitted cable! I have always loved them, and got quite good at making them with the Bond knitting machine (what seems like a lifetime ago), but never learned how to do it by hand. Victory is sweet.

Alas, sour must combine with sweet for us to truly appreciate the irony of the universe. I had my most disappointing yarn experience to date. This headband is made with Debbie Mumm Traditions yarn from Joann fabrics. I saw it in the store and fell in love. I dropped the 3 skeins of Patons SWS I've been wanting for-ev-er and picked up this stuff because it was so beautiful and even softer than I could imagine. It was a wool acrylic blend, and I didn't think much about how the yarn was constructed still awe-struck by the pretty, shiny colors.
It looks just like any of the wonderful wool singles I have worked with in the past (Rio de la Plata, Malabrigo, Noro, etc). I eagerly photographed and added the beauties to my Ravelry stash. It was then that I saw the comments, most along the lines of, "I will never use this yarn again", "this yarn is awful", "I would rather stick my tongue to a freezing helicopter rotor than work with this shite" and so on. I was a little sad, but thought surely they must be mistaken. How could this beautiful stuff be so offensive?

Ugh. I'll take the helicopter, because this was an absolute nightmare to work with. The colored acrylic strands are loosely wound about a black or white core. All the time you work, the outer layer of acrylic "fibre" is slipping and sliding, twisting and turning, and basically being an ass. It's a lot like working with Lion Brand Homespun if it wasn't plied for coherence. Gag. I am going to try and return the 2 skeins pictured above and get the SWS.

Quant-ify

My knitting curiosity is still pretty high, and I wanted to try something fancy looking. I had to take a stab at the Quant headband pattern from the latest issue of knitty. It reminded me of this really nice knitted entrelac throw they have displayed at the Swift Stitch. It's gorgeous, and made out of Noro Kureyon, so I grabbed a skein of that and set knitting. (Note: when I say "grabbed" I mean selected and purchased. I am not a fibre filcher.) After one try and a lot of cursing, frogging, starting something else with the yarn, frogging again, transporting said yarn to Ohio, and a nice internet tutorial on entrelac from KnittyOtter... I did it! I may make another someday, using a yarn with shorter color changes and slightly smaller gauge.

Calorimetry 4

I just finished this one and decided to take an action shot since some people were confused as to the purpose of the headband laid out flat. I sucked in my cheeks to look like a supermodel, needs work.

Merry Freaking Christmas from the Cat

Calorimetry

Another x-mas present in the bag. I know all you expert knitters are probably thinking, "ugh, another Calorimetry?" OK, maybe not, the people I roll with are much nicer than that. I tried the entrelac "Quant" from the latest Knitty, but it kicked my ass, so Calorimetry it is. Check out the limestone button... I love those!

Sausage Arm

My Mom thinks one of her arms has a greater circumference than the other. I think it's the left one. She calls it her sausage arm. I do not support this theory, but that doesn't stop me from wishing my cousin's new baby girl had one.

Check out my latest failed experiment in yarn.
Shucks.

Eddie Carfagna

His name is Eddie.
He likes spaghetti.
He eats it whenever he can.

My parents' cat was originally feral before they let him inside the house. His remarkable taste for spaghetti, salami, and pepperoni have led us to suspect he may have originally resided down the street by Carfagna's. Just a theory.

I lied.

This is the last knitting project, a teeny tiny Santa hat for the family cat. (pattern courtesy of the latest cast-off.)

The last knitting (for awhile...)

I finished up two more scarflettes that I think are pretty cool and have helped chip away at the good old Christmas list. The buttons make them (from Harts fabric on Seabright), which is fortunate as my knitting skills are still fairly primordial. They are really quick and people seem to like them. One was specially requested for working in the lab so there wouldn't be a long scarf tail causing safety and contamination concerns.

I am taking a brief respite from the knitting for an indeterminate period of time.
1) AGU is quick approaching, and all my brainpower should be channeled towards the scientific.
2) I have tried several new things the past couple days that didn't go so well. (knitting in the round on dpns, the long coveted Elizabeth Zimmerman baby surprise jacket, etc...)
3) The Christmas list looms, and I am far better at crocheting.
4) My hording tendencies kick into turbo power with new hobbies that require more instruments. I need not to spend money right now, and additionally have been served one too many crushing ebay losses at the last second on that perfect lot of old used knitting needles of recent. You know... the kind that makes you wonder just who these bastards are, how they can type so much faster than you, and finally if they run as fast as they type when faced with bitter bidders armed with pointy sticks.

More knitting?

I'm an avid crocheter, I have always had trouble with knitting, and for the most part avoid it at all costs. There are a few things that are best knitted however, you know, like SOCKS... The other is the ball band dishcloth from Mason Dixon Knitting. I have always coveted the three dimensional stitch pattern, and finally made one. This one is longer and I crocheted a top with which to affix it to handled appliances.

f(x) post contest

One of these days here I'm going to have a fun contest promising goodies to a lucky comment leaver... until then, check out Grammieknits.

Smidge/Pidge/whatever

I love variegated yarns, but the color changes are almost never long enough to look good in crochet. Alas and alack, I have been forced to knit. This is for a friend, a really short scarflette in Rio de la Plata wool multi. There are 5 rows of garter stitch, 10 of moss stitch, repeat. The buttons shove through without any intentionally crafted holes...
Parting is such sweet sorrow.

Hand Embroidered Patch Swap IV

This is the last patch... my favorite flower!
(Sorry, the picture's kind of crummy.)

Hand Embroidered Patch Swap III

It may be common knowledge that I am a dork. It may not be common knowledge that on my list of dorky attributes, a long time love of Dr. Who ranks fairly high. This being said, I jumped at the chance to incorporate my infatuation with daleks into this patch.
This seemingly nice fellow called Alden Bates posted a schematic of his interpretation of dalek innards and I couldn't help myself. Line drawings are so perfect for embroidery. I left off the labels so you'll have to refer to the original for reference.
http://nzdwfc.tetrap.com/archive/tsv32/dalek.html

Crochet Lace Coasters

I finished these coasters a few weeks ago (set of 4) but have been exercising great self restraint to not post before I could gift them. They match Christie's kitchen and will be traveling to S. Africa at some point in the not too distant future. The pattern is from one of my favorite Japanese Crochet books "Classic Crochet Lace." The thread these were made of have already been to China and back, then Houston TX, and now to S. Africa! Crazy!

Hand Embroidered Patch Swap II

Patch 2 of 4 for the patch swap. The theme for this one was "rockabilly." I'm not sure what that means, and this might be more billy than rock, but I thought it turned out OK. It's based on a drawing by Mitch O'Connell. Sublime Stitching has a new set of transfers based on his work that are really nice, but I liked this one a little better (plus she's wearing a shirt.)

Hand Embroidered Patch Swap I

I haven't done a swap for quite awhile, and frankly have backed off the Crackster since getting my Ravelry invite. But, I signed up for this Hand Embroidered Patch Swap on the Craftster.

I will be making 4 patches by November 27. My first assignment/challenge was to make something 70's mod themed... After much thought, here's what I came up with:
Next up... "Rockabilly". (No, I don't really know what that would be officially. I have an idea, but it could be very hit or miss.)

EPS Craft Club Materials List

Go Bucks!

In honor of homecoming...

Earth Science Craft Club

I am honored to have been asked to lead a session of the newly forming craft club, organized by the gorgeous office staff.

Here is my proposal for a project we could work on, with rationale.

• The "Econo-shopper Mesh Bag" is an easy project that requires knowledge of only a scant few stitches. Gauge and sizing isn't important.
  
• Supplies can be purchased cheaply. (I used 2 balls of Sugar and Cream cotton, available for 99 cents each at Beverly's crafts through October 31. You only need one or two hooks I,K or buy a small set for not much more.)
• This project plays on the unique strengths of crochet stitches, and is not simply an adapted knitting pattern.
• Everybody can make use of their project and help the environment at the same time by cutting down our use of plastic grocery bags.
  

The bags are very versatile and stretch to hold a lot of stuff. I have in here a butternut squash, box of pasta, several cans of soup, malted milk powder, brazil nuts, and room to spare!

Progress...

I'm working on this crocheted football player and am almost finished... I just have to add the felt details like the face, number, name, etc.

Mr. Pumpkin Head!!

A very nice friend of mine who knows how much I love both
a) Pumpkins
b) Pirates
gave me the most awesome thing ever, a pirate Mr. Pumpkin Head set.
So cool.

Canary in the Carbon 13 Mine

We all need an office mate to tell us when things get too heavy.
(Get it? heavy? carbon 13? Yeah, I miss Bob too.)

NOTE: Actual office contains no windows.

Espigas en Corola

It's done! After a month and a half, 12,412 miles, and several continents, it's done! Forgive the mystery picture... the recipient has access to my blog.

(Full non-artsy picture available on Ravelry, where my stitches at?)

Day Job

No crafts to post, just a self portrait doing what I ought to.

Buckeye Fever Update

Here is Dookie finding the flavor of Michigan quite objectionable.

Here he is enjoying his officially unlicensed catnip buckeye.

Go Bucks!

My profile may indicate my current location in Santa Cruz, CA... but I assure you I am still a Buckeye. The transition to life in a place where the city does not have an obligate responsibility to wear red on Saturdays in the fall has been difficult and after a wee bit over 4 years now I was starting perhaps, to lose a touch of the football fever myself. I now however feel renewed since finishing this spirited sweater for my Mother's cat. He will be the talk of the town, and maybe we could get the ultimate sweater vest king (Jim Tressel to all of you from around these parts) to sign a photo of Dookie in his sweater.

Neckwarmer

I'm not sure if it's cool or lame. I wish Crowe was here for a consult.

Mutant Birdie - ATTACK!!!

Neckwarmer... in progress

More Craft Supplies

Razzmatazz
available June - November
Finished and filled with raspberry buttercream, ganache, and
glazed raspberries.
Available exclusively at the Buttery.

Stuart

My very own personal Newman is named Stuart. He also works for the US postal service and lives life on the wild side. Now he has apparently decided to mess with the most important crafting supply of all, my stories.

I received today three opened DVD's one flapping in the wind, one taped back shut, and the one pictured above with an ever so sincere apology for rifling through my mail. I guess Stuart has already seen Little Britain so he let it through, along with the following thinly veiled threat. Stu.....art.....!

Keelbaalakua

I felt compelled to add my crocheted two cents to my brother's latest mystery. He came out of his apartment one day to find these two perfectly parallel slices of bread laying in front of his door. He didn't (and still doesn't) know who or where they came from, what they mean, or anything. He reasoned that their placement had to have been intentional given the strict geometrical constraints of their position, not from animals or feral babies roaming the neighborhood at night. (Yes, the latter was considered at length before we concluded they would lack the requisite finely developed motor skills for such exacting yet inscrutable actions.) There has since been at least one subsequent "loafing" incident traced back to a group of clever co-workers. They were not; however, clever enough to evade detection, delivering a different variety of bread and in quantities far exceeding the original incursion. (plus there was the admission of guilt...) Very odd indeed. Anyway, my slice should reach him via snail mail soon.

Skully Puppy

I made another doggie sweater for Tilly and I hope this one fits as well as the first. It's a pattern by Regina Rioux-Gonzalez that appeared in the latest issue of Crochet Today. The neckline is adorable and I love how it has the feeling of a knitted ribbing. Unfortunately, I ran out of white to make the crossbones, but it's still cool.

Cutest Little Owl?

The pattern was indeed titled the "Cutest Little Owl".

However, something clearly went awry in my execution, for the result is neither cute nor owl. Yarn choice (substitution), eyes of an inappropriate scale, or some intangible quality and skill in workmanship.... I don't know! But geeze!
This thing looks like ET's albino half-cousin. I quit before finishing the beak. Oh well, I guess I should stick to doilies.