tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81649876903586233122024-02-19T17:39:07.194-06:00The Needle and the Damage DoneA Little Knitter in EveryoneDeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17176662719178156843noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-89975585573089051272010-12-18T12:36:00.005-06:002010-12-18T13:20:29.703-06:00Knitting Neglect, Part 17I've barely knit a stitch since summer.<br /><br />Losing complete interest in the activity due to a flurry of life. Or, I should say, temporarily lost.<br /><br />Twenty ten has been an insane year. It has not been a bad year by any means--in fact, it's been one of the best years of my life--but it's been tough as hell. Last year was unimaginably awful by comparison: I lost my job after a year-long stretch of depression (which was really an outgrowth of a life informed by the illness), and my then-boyfriend was laid off from his job, suffered a nasty sports injury, and lost his step-sister to suicide. The lone bright spot in that entire horrific year was the birth of my niece Makenzie, who is slowly growing into a beautiful little redhead.<br /><br />This year: I intentionally cut many poisonous people from my life, including kicking out my deadbeat roommate. I ended my last relationship when I realized that we no longer wanted the same things out of life, and by that I mean that I wanted to continue growing as a person and he didn't want a single thing to change, even for the better. (He turned out to be a childish prick in the end, something I didn't expect. That still stings a bit, but I've come to accept his willful absence from my life.) I quit a deadbeat job and made strides to redirect my career--I start graduate studies in nonprofit management next month, which makes me ecstatic. I started a film blog that I frequently update, which forces me to write almost everyday. I'm in a BAND. If you'd told me that I'd be writing songs and playing music with other people even six months ago, I would've laughed in your face to hide my longing and sense of personal failure. I've met many really cool people, several of whom are already becoming very close friends.<br /><br />It's been a year of setting myself up for the future, of directing my own life, of choosing joy and curiosity and excitement over dead ends and ennui. Understandably, in all this madness a hobby that I picked up incidentally during one of the most depressed periods of my life fell by the wayside.<br /><br />But I've started knitting again. What was inspired by a status update on Facebook in which I bitched about having no interest in it anymore turned into a burning desire to pick up needles again within days. It's interesting because the requirements for successfully knitting a beautiful piece--planning, aesthetic choices of yarn color, stitch pattern, etc., swatch knitting, seaming, blocking--are all techniques that have in a weird way seeped into my other creative outlets. Knitting has informed how I do virtually everything, which is something I took years to recognize. It's like I instinctively gravitated towards an activity through which I would teach myself the skills necessary and applicable to my life as an artist during a time that I was emotionally and psychologically unable to produce work. In that way, it saved my life.<br /><br />Earlier this year I began work on a shawl for my grandmother for Christmas. She's 75 and the closest thing to a mother I've ever known. (She's even described me as the kid she got to raise the way she wanted to raise her other five children. I'm kinda her do-over, or reset button, as a parent.) I finished the vast majority of it in August and assumed I'd pick it back up in time for the holidays. Well, I'm leaving to visit family in five days and the thing is still in three pieces, awaiting grafting, edging, and blocking.<br /><br />I hope I finish it before I leave. But I already have other projects swirling through my head, and I also want to finish all the projects that have been sitting in bags in my apartment for months.<br /><br />That should explain why I haven't updated this blog in so long, but I hope to have more updates soon, with photos. Especially once I finish this shawl, which may be the crown jewel in my knitting cap, if I might horribly mix metaphors.Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17176662719178156843noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-74862274362060142302009-09-28T02:18:00.003-05:002009-09-28T02:22:51.118-05:00I Finished Something!Terrible photos, but I finally finished my first "real" project in ages, the Nimbus vest from Winter 2008/Spring 2009 Knitscene.<br /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2504/3961231019_8d920c1d94.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2595/3962005748_c65b968e78.jpg"><br /><br />I started knitting the gauge swatches for this at the end of July, taking a month and three different swatches in order to make gauge. Persistence paid off in this case, resulting in what I feel is the first truly wearable piece I've ever knit.<br /><br />Knit Picks Harmony Wood interchangeable needles are, by the way, worth every penny.Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17176662719178156843noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-7387963957173515752009-01-05T10:51:00.003-06:002009-01-05T11:56:09.226-06:00No News...Good News?I have not posted any updates because:<br />1) I haven't finished any projects in months. I made major progress on an incredible sweater, only to be suffering setbacks because the design--bottom-up, with front/back/sleeves attached and knit in the round to the yoke--is far more complicated than I expected. While contemplating frogging the sweater yet AGAIN and reconfiguring the pattern (and I am way worse at this math thing than I used to be), I'm suffering from second legwarmer syndrome. I've finished half of it, but I just can't seem to stay seated long enough to blow through the rest!<br />2) While my PC technically isn't dead, it's terminal. I broke down and invested in one of the new MacBooks (I'll use Vista over my dead body), which arrived a few days ago. Once I recharge my poor, abused digital camera and pray that it's compatible with a Mac, I'll be able to post photos!<br />3) I've been busy, or distracted--snuggling on the couch watching old movies and episodes of No Reservations, volunteer work (when I can), cooking and baking up a storm, attempting to read War and Peace, traveling to see my family over the holidays, adjusting to the new job and its responsibilities. I'm in full-scale hibernation mode, as even this winter fanatic's social life has taken a hit during this oddly brutal season.<br />4) My morning commute involves walking and standing, because my stop is too far south for me to find a seat. The plan is to eventually move further northwest (not because of my commute, but because rent is cheaper...but I've moved so many times in the last seven years that I will stay where I am for awhile), but until then I can only do post-5pm KIP.<br /><br />Once I figure out what to do about the sweater from hell and finish that legwarmer, I'm at a loss. I'm suffering from acute project indecision. Perhaps something challenging, like Eunny Jang's <a href="http://www.eunnyjang.com/knit/2006/11/endpaper_mitts.html">Endpaper Mitts</a>? I bought the yarn for this project ages ago, and I want to tackle something a little more complex, even considering my hatred of all things sized 0 (including DPNs). Twist and Shout from the last Knitty is also crying out to me, but I'm a bit sweatered out at this point.<br /><br />Other plans for the new year include more exercise, more writing, maintaining better contact with loved ones (including you, Noelle!), and hopefully participating in the <a href="http://www.rpmchallenge.com/">RPM Challenge</a>, which is like National Novel Writing Month for music. <br /><br />Anyway, happy new year, good tidings to all! I hope that 2009 is far more productive than 2008.<br /><br />What are your plans for new knitting projects?Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17176662719178156843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-29403574297451103622008-12-29T17:34:00.002-06:002008-12-29T17:37:44.679-06:00Organic Wool?Ever wonder just what makes <strong><em>wool </em></strong>organic? According to my Living Green calendar "the Organic Wool Network brings together suppliers who raise sheep without synthetic hormones or pesticides, on land that’s not overgrazed. The sheep must also receive organic feed and be under continuous organic management from the last third of pregnancy onward."<br /><br />I recently had the extreme pleasure of knitting with Lorna's Laces Green Line DK which is organic wool. What an experience - I've never touched wool that felt so... not like wool! It was soft and luxurious. I made Hubby a pair of socks and he says they are so soft and comfy that he feels like someone is hugging his feet when he wears them. Awwwwww :-)Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08137979846643069437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-55874265239093961702008-11-14T10:16:00.000-06:002008-11-14T10:17:18.165-06:00Interweave Knits Winter Preview<a href="http://www.interweaveknits.com/preview/2008_winter.asp">Here</a>.<br /><br />I think this is the first issue of IK that makes me want to knit EVERYTHING. Well done, Eunny Jang and Co!Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17176662719178156843noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-42030000468368121722008-11-04T10:22:00.002-06:002008-11-04T10:24:12.827-06:00Please, for the love of God, vote today......if you haven't already.<br /><br />Don't just vote at the polls--vote with your dollars, your words, your actions, your knitting needles.<br /><br />This PSA brought to you by the Disgruntled Knitters of America.Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17176662719178156843noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-19224537774555238872008-10-24T11:36:00.002-05:002008-10-24T11:37:31.149-05:00KIP in Dear AbbySomeone else passed this item on to me. What do you know - KIP mentioned in Dear Abby!?!<br /><br />Dear Abby:<br /><br />"Curious in the Sunbelt” asked you if it was inconsiderate to knit or crochet while attending a meeting or other gathering. (You said it was.) While it may seem that someone can’t give undivided attention to a speaker while doing something with his/her hands, that person might have attention deficit disorder or be a “kinesthetic” learner. While most people absorb information through seeing and hearing, some actually need to keep their hands occupied in order to listen.<br /><br />Literature on “multiple intelligences” and other learning theories support this view — and as a former classroom teacher and current psychotherapist, I have personal experience about this reality. As long as the individual is quiet and not terribly distracting, consider this behavior a better alternative than constant fidgeting.<br /><br />— Jaelline Jaffe, Ph.D., Southern California<br /><br />Dear Dr. Jaffe:<br /><br />Thank you for your professional expertise regarding learning theories. I also heard from a pilot who knits while flying an airplane and a woman who pointed out that if knitting was good enough for Eleanor Roosevelt during United Nations Security Council meetings, it was good enough for her. Most readers agreed that if the individual is not disruptive to others, then what’s the harm? I stand corrected.Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08137979846643069437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-34362426540348295872008-10-19T21:24:00.003-05:002008-10-19T21:31:46.417-05:00A Thrifting Virgin No More<span style="font-family:arial;">I </span><span style="font-family:georgia;">did it! I'm no longer a thrifted sweater virgin - I was a little nervous about doing it at first, but after I snagged this sweater for $2.50 from a rummage sale I decided to go for it. It was fun!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjhPTvu3E1PZonm1xffkyoAmSu6wlbxKQKumnnyzJHIFLp0qsC9VorVXGdAoyXI6C0sv84FpNKwVf1VdGg5p-XCk4ej6ydf3la6rj1g8PiNm0xklCvlKynYuFCmgUk9IAMEhh7pznhlWe/s1600-h/brown+sweater.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></a><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259057020855522994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjhPTvu3E1PZonm1xffkyoAmSu6wlbxKQKumnnyzJHIFLp0qsC9VorVXGdAoyXI6C0sv84FpNKwVf1VdGg5p-XCk4ej6ydf3la6rj1g8PiNm0xklCvlKynYuFCmgUk9IAMEhh7pznhlWe/s320/brown+sweater.JPG" border="0" /><br />This is what I started with: a size small Gap sweater - 42% wool, 28% alpaca and 30% nylon. I read through a tutorial on recycling yarn that I found <a href="http://www.neauveau.com/recycledyarn.html">here</a> and voila!<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4S96j5c-iHuU4Uz6aBDJptR0lECrd7OI-nurqLqAoUm2N0_JHhJBwCYj-xuz9NznMQbak8GEW4jSeCLdg3qsOUwXMZ-BSswg2hHxQIBzxP-rVRqOrWMpR1MbGW-V1HjPjgj-MQb4KDFyc/s1600-h/brown+balls.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259057027320643618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4S96j5c-iHuU4Uz6aBDJptR0lECrd7OI-nurqLqAoUm2N0_JHhJBwCYj-xuz9NznMQbak8GEW4jSeCLdg3qsOUwXMZ-BSswg2hHxQIBzxP-rVRqOrWMpR1MbGW-V1HjPjgj-MQb4KDFyc/s320/brown+balls.JPG" border="0" /></a>I now have 689 yards of lovely chocolate brown yarn. I’m thinking it’s a bulky weight - it’s three strands loosely plied together - it is really soft but I’m hoping the nylon content will give it strength. I promised hubby another pair of Ragg hiker socks from this yarn - I think I might have enough for the whole family :-) </p><p>I washed it and after it dries I'll wind it into hanks. The tutorial recommends frogging wool sweaters first and then washing the hanks (reverse is true for cotton) so the curlyness should flatten out.</p>Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08137979846643069437noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-72070245227591392412008-10-16T19:06:00.003-05:002008-10-16T19:08:37.800-05:00New Yarn SourceTalk about reduce-reuse-recycle! I've heard of this - collecting, spinning and knitting with your dog's hair/fur. This is the first time I've seen photos or even a book on the subject - check it out <a href="http://ifitshipitshere.blogspot.com/2008/10/wearing-hair-of-dog-portraits-of-people.html">here</a>.<br /><br />I think the sweaters look kind of cool! Too bad Kiki the greyhound doesn't shed...Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08137979846643069437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-33950190957338559462008-10-06T13:31:00.002-05:002008-10-06T13:34:33.723-05:00Noble Knits Cabled Bag KALI'm going to attempt my very first KAL. I have been saving this lovely super bulky 100% alpaca that my LYS had on sale at their Once-A-Year big sale for a few years now. It was too nice to use for just anything, but I only have 6 skeins (about 70 yds each) so I was rather limited in what I could make. Then I saw this cabled bag KAL and thought "bingo!". I also splurged and ordered the suede handles and bag bottom that they suggest - they look great and if all goes as planned I am going to have one gorgeous tote when this is all done!<br /><br /><a href="http://nobleknits.blogspot.com/2008/10/cabled-bag-knit-along.html">Cabled Bag KAL</a>Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08137979846643069437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-82718066364999657762008-10-04T16:34:00.008-05:002008-10-05T14:51:33.218-05:00Lorna's Laces Delirium<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253416508599822930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqiSNv1dvV9cONNriCCDV3Ab5RfVP9J6BlZj29IevJU_3YDDbF-eh5g04doY0R5Yts-wXjbDvkHuKsqDea7BNytbgjulgTRBVaABZ2TgzrNPt2bKZI7Oipg07pYva-T0D68G9MD8BWp10/s320/LL+one+bag.JPG" border="0" />I only bought one bag! Really, only one bag - I displayed such restraint. Really I did - what? Don't you believe me?? <em>OK, OK, more on that later.<br /></em><br />Let me go back to the beginning...<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253416515948972706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVX2mJEWZ9KTgtI0rvQWEbOUU3Difd6dZZVI8RjVZXDjEI6Ru-SL2vXp5-h9tHDzSMH9fLjhpGWeC_Bmuj2hfngYHjG7D9P1P4RlX23Ev-Epjrmvo7b3UDivmL7rx_zuhJmM17SeAbrSTh/s320/LL+outside.JPG" border="0" />This morning my knitting guild went on a little field trip to Lorna's Laces, right here in Chicago. They are a small, hand-dyeing yarn studio. As you can see above they are located in a rather industrial part of Chicago - those are the L tracks right above us. Walking to their studio felt like we were sneaking into a secret club. But oh, was it worth it.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253435765040228866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKaXrqEnMTp-nUqXZ0OU35jHKrg0d9K5AhZa-kPo8_aoM3DneLCy5VEmN2GGEF6UU8FT9RdIwc7XcL4CEtK608fedQHv7_cXUpLZb1Ojtjy2GNis55tqFg1E8-ETgwHEuWbqD70rpy_6g/s320/LL+Pearl.JPG" border="0" />This is Pearl (no, not Purl as you might think) the house Great Dane. What a lucky dog to be able to spend her days surrounded by all that lovely, soft, hand-dyed wool! As soon as I took my camera out she scooted away and almost hid from me. I guess she's a little camera shy. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253416492386510914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uxRk_4JMCNAoyJjYKGb-tw44eHI43p_uctp8ZdUMrmv4HazjuVcyfwCngM2HhqCWIQddzAvGN94pIImLmdn-jPxfDeN1ULCq1ieOrd7FXDsAoP6xHH_RvwBM4yReIboloRS7XH_WXVYf/s320/LL+drying.JPG" border="0" />We were given a dyeing demonstration and amazingly it is all done by hand about five hanks at a time per dye lot. Here are some recently dyed hanks hanging to dry. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253416498309913042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrRclXWMHwA9sjDyMrxAmWqrJhkD5DnZG5RB0yd7_QVhxdcGS4Z6Id_n10GoQ13dk7AQlB3TaOLOcMtKvbA6ZG0xZ9mwChxKUA1aj0v0PAMYbPChEaf6nxZXj-_2ns3Fqx9YaTrX1IFsW/s320/LL+table.JPG" border="0" />Ohhhhhhhh, the yarn. We were able to go through their mill ends and shop to our hearts content. It was all lumped on tables such as this one but talk about thrill of the hunt! There was another group there too and you could almost feel the tension when we walked in - eeekkk! Competition for the yarn! Grrrrrr - step away from the yarn ..... </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253435770197345874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YvCSJjfQT2N6ElIvmJC7ineYSxwhsITmFwDScdHsjHsokPbHkeZazhz2MOCXrUE-M3XoxHrHaW6MKfECcZaRFcFRJzlfqxh_Ql8bECtzKj5gEFnjCvuXLOeP63Ks3JvSwkdaewBmSIu7/s320/LL+shopping.JPG" border="0" /> </p><p>We all had a lot of fun feeling the yarn and sorting through the piles looking for matching skeins. I was on a hunt for a skein or two of Black Purl and after about 15 minutes BINGO! I found one! That is the good news, and I guess that's the bad news too - couldn't find a second skein - darn.<br /><br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253416499691380482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4E-uxgG7qq7PyeA-j9cxJLXg7bGk4r67TZ8vss9UisMLw1YMiv2SuiefElcXUpYypCDjzuFFj2a_Aohh01QhOjh2PiUPFIF4Amh9vLxRjMjq69t1gzpOuKj-RVOCtQ9enPpcxFhtSA3r/s320/LL+yarn.JPG" border="0" />HEY! Who slipped <strong><em>that</em></strong> picture in here?? OK, so the Everlasting Bagstopper market bag can hold a lot of yarn, as you can see above. To be exact, 19 skeins of sock yarn and 9 skeins of DK organic merino - part of Lorna's "Green Line". This name is a cute double meaning - the Green Line is also the name of one of the L train lines. I love that subtle reference to their Chicago connection.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253435762861596242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQMehNIefKo1OaeplvgUtsRCp63VWt753An9AtEAke5cEmQpRgy5KmbJ6jdvcqfxaUcigjBn19bMX96p8p9kWMl-mjRjUEY-dWOx-5bjpIPPjo-kOpl97-Ppg6zXEJxLSLPj22qMuN7IG/s320/LL+green+line.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>Here is a closer picture of the Green Line yarn - I snagged 5 skeins of Verve and 4 skeins of a beautiful brown/olive/purple colorway. This organic wool is so ridiculously soft - I can't believe it is wool! And you can even feel the lanolin in the yarn - it's hard to describe but it feels like an extra bit of smoothness in the yarn.</p><p>I've already started to plan how I am going to use my haul - two pairs of ragg style hiker socks and a Clapotis to start - can't wait to get knittin'!</p>Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08137979846643069437noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-41920992170230073392008-09-02T11:59:00.004-05:002008-09-02T12:04:00.686-05:00Organic WoolExcerpted from <a href="http://www.idealbite.com/">Ideal Bite</a>'s tip of the day today:<br /><br />"Organic wool is a fabric that's wicked warm and has natural antimicrobial properties. Looking sheepish ain't such a bad thing.<br /><br />The Benefits - less chemically processed sweaters. Conventional wool is double-dipped in chems: pesticides first, and a chem bath that strips away lanolin second.<br /><br />sheep re-grow wool amazingly fast (merino sheep produce as much as 40 pounds per year).<br /><br />Organic sheep farmers must maintain pastures without chemical fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides, and sheep feed must be certified organic, sans antibiotics or hormones. "<br /><br />Some options for pre-knitted clothing using organic wool are listed below; or better yet, use these for inspiration to design something yourself and using organic wool.<br /><br /><a title="http://www.idealbite.com/dailytip/link.php?URL=" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: #8b9e44; TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="http://www.idealbite.com/dailytip/link.php?URL=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5pZGVhbGJpdGUuY29tL3dhbm5hdHJ5LzA5MDJzdGV3YXJ0&Name=&EncryptedMemberID=MTQzMzUz&CampaignID=1&CampaignStatisticsID=2758&Demo=0&Email=nkaushik@mesirowfinancial.com" target="_blank" name="&EncryptedMemberID=" demo="0&Email=" campaignid="1&CampaignStatisticsID=">Stewart+Brown Merino Bell Cardigan</a> - we can't afford it, but maybe you can: beautiful, hand-knit vest made from free-range merino ($245).<br /><a title="http://www.idealbite.com/dailytip/link.php?URL=" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: #8b9e44; TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="http://www.idealbite.com/dailytip/link.php?URL=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5pZGVhbGJpdGUuY29tL3dhbm5hdHJ5LzA5MDJrZWxseQ%3D%3D&Name=&EncryptedMemberID=MTQzMzUz&CampaignID=1&CampaignStatisticsID=2758&Demo=0&Email=nkaushik@mesirowfinancial.com" target="_blank" name="&EncryptedMemberID=" demo="0&Email=" campaignid="1&CampaignStatisticsID=">Kelly B Big Button Jacket</a> - black or red jacket with military-esque details ($160).<br /><a title="http://www.idealbite.com/dailytip/link.php?URL=" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: #8b9e44; TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="http://www.idealbite.com/dailytip/link.php?URL=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5pZGVhbGJpdGUuY29tL3dhbm5hdHJ5LzA5MDJzbWFydA%3D%3D&Name=&EncryptedMemberID=MTQzMzUz&CampaignID=1&CampaignStatisticsID=2758&Demo=0&Email=nkaushik@mesirowfinancial.com" target="_blank" name="&EncryptedMemberID=" demo="0&Email=" campaignid="1&CampaignStatisticsID=">SmartWool Midweight Zip-T</a> - sporty, comfy-cozy merino wool sweater; 10% of all online orders go to an eco-charity. Also: a <a title="http://www.idealbite.com/dailytip/link.php?URL=" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: #8b9e44; TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="http://www.idealbite.com/dailytip/link.php?URL=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5pZGVhbGJpdGUuY29tL3dhbm5hdHJ5LzA5MDJzbWFydG1lbnM%3D&Name=&EncryptedMemberID=MTQzMzUz&CampaignID=1&CampaignStatisticsID=2758&Demo=0&Email=nkaushik@mesirowfinancial.com" target="_blank" name="&EncryptedMemberID=" demo="0&Email=" campaignid="1&CampaignStatisticsID=">men's version</a> ($80).<br /><a title="http://www.idealbite.com/dailytip/link.php?URL=" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: #8b9e44; TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="http://www.idealbite.com/dailytip/link.php?URL=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5pZGVhbGJpdGUuY29tL3dhbm5hdHJ5LzA5MDJudWk%3D&Name=&EncryptedMemberID=MTQzMzUz&CampaignID=1&CampaignStatisticsID=2758&Demo=0&Email=nkaushik@mesirowfinancial.com" target="_blank" name="&EncryptedMemberID=" demo="0&Email=" campaignid="1&CampaignStatisticsID=">Nui Organics Felted Double Breast Jacket</a> - cream-colored eco-merino wool for style-conscious infants ($70).<br /><a title="http://www.idealbite.com/dailytip/link.php?URL=" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: #8b9e44; TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="http://www.idealbite.com/dailytip/link.php?URL=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5pZGVhbGJpdGUuY29tL3dhbm5hdHJ5LzA5MDJ0ZWtv&Name=&EncryptedMemberID=MTQzMzUz&CampaignID=1&CampaignStatisticsID=2758&Demo=0&Email=nkaushik@mesirowfinancial.com" target="_blank" name="&EncryptedMemberID=" demo="0&Email=" campaignid="1&CampaignStatisticsID=">Teko Ultralight Micro Socks</a> - nonbulky, water-wicking socks made with sustainable EcoMerino wool and recycled polyester. Also: a <a title="http://www.idealbite.com/dailytip/link.php?URL=" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: #8b9e44; TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="http://www.idealbite.com/dailytip/link.php?URL=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5pZGVhbGJpdGUuY29tL3dhbm5hdHJ5LzA2MDV0ZWtv&Name=&EncryptedMemberID=MTQzMzUz&CampaignID=1&CampaignStatisticsID=2758&Demo=0&Email=nkaushik@mesirowfinancial.com" target="_blank" name="&EncryptedMemberID=" demo="0&Email=" campaignid="1&CampaignStatisticsID=">men's crew version</a> ($13-$17).<br /><br /><em>(above also from Ideal Bite)</em>Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08137979846643069437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-54945206044104990212008-08-12T20:04:00.008-05:002008-08-19T20:01:13.147-05:00SwapsI am loving the swaps I've been in on Ravelry. <div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DUWEAZfrTo0CCvyDNV0fpjNKiLXAH8Gyzsg0UIgz1FPjqfQXcbMVPQpKTQlvTWsODgeqUdKpJEJy1-fpedd6fGGSX9HiRZDusfnd1Xv-Lv-vMyWSXb5PSCZ6sciMLnScmRFrF8f5f-sS/s1600-h/Sock+blank+limoncello.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233816325086294898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DUWEAZfrTo0CCvyDNV0fpjNKiLXAH8Gyzsg0UIgz1FPjqfQXcbMVPQpKTQlvTWsODgeqUdKpJEJy1-fpedd6fGGSX9HiRZDusfnd1Xv-Lv-vMyWSXb5PSCZ6sciMLnScmRFrF8f5f-sS/s320/Sock+blank+limoncello.JPG" border="0" /></a>This is what I sent to my partner in the "Dyed Sock Blank Swap". I dyed my sock blank yellow with purple stripes (using Kool Aid). I called the end result "Grape Limoncello" hence the lemon themed items I included with the blank. Unfortunately my partner is having "computer problems" or something, so I haven't heard a peep from her. It's a bummer because a lot of the fun that comes from the swaps is hearing what the recipient thinks about your package.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoD2T699EP0mLpB6FBc9whpk0giEXV0PM2AxEVul0KT3DPjQ2E8akSJNwbcbLCD26ZS3dUqLBiYitboYhSNLqlz2BJgNA6WP41CveR7UTNJPSbIVGHPbrb4FM8yMz99Ecsr1arIkv_Zjd/s1600-h/Sock+swap+owlknits.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233816327807294658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoD2T699EP0mLpB6FBc9whpk0giEXV0PM2AxEVul0KT3DPjQ2E8akSJNwbcbLCD26ZS3dUqLBiYitboYhSNLqlz2BJgNA6WP41CveR7UTNJPSbIVGHPbrb4FM8yMz99Ecsr1arIkv_Zjd/s320/Sock+swap+owlknits.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is the package I received in the swap. I love the shade of blue and all the colorful dabs of color she added to it. I'm about half done with my first pair of "2 At a Time Socks" and I'm loving the resulting socks. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236395538056006338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtZsv8XIi6zzgc2S0nvY52gGcGIGm5GQtsCOFIWWc9C8GWI9vm2p3u3Tpa3U82pZasJrqQojgsyWbiTQV3psXTg3_77fkDfAFlgXJCFtZCAje12rnDt48Ahqf41L25uLEPKKOWYOojJdU/s320/F+sock+blk+w+sox.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXRY95zvziQlzfvRnouHW_DhyiVGt36i9h0IpR6Q6CQVv5aOiWicjRp1UBn_gNoy_oMQjjT2aB5lvo7BW8QKDwEbYyudRwbg48jM-6JoE3M3kJnH1XmyYLUFOXzlr635KnNhp77tuiXsC/s1600-h/SOAB+meghan.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233803152527375522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXRY95zvziQlzfvRnouHW_DhyiVGt36i9h0IpR6Q6CQVv5aOiWicjRp1UBn_gNoy_oMQjjT2aB5lvo7BW8QKDwEbYyudRwbg48jM-6JoE3M3kJnH1XmyYLUFOXzlr635KnNhp77tuiXsC/s320/SOAB+meghan.JPG" border="0" /></a>Here is the package I received from my "Swap on a Budget" partner - a really thoughtful person from the East coast. It was cool that she has a lot of the same thoughts about the environment and being "green". She did a fantastic job picking out yarn with complimentary buttons and lots of great extra goodies too - even an organic dark chocolate bar :-) She even knit me a needle and scissors cozy too!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBZO_RrXFDpx928T3AJt4kgeDiXTVW518Rg8r1YhfJsNkeO6XrOI1EJsaESbS1bXtLz689IzX1d2B8PjHzT-PVtd-sapEumpe2zVkoTvVJn4uTRLOTeh3uzPT-ph17v49d_hgGKUTKPvj/s1600-h/Sock+swap+detail.JPG"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236396622787540818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjkX9HhuAhdoVCzV56nvd_Let2PHjC0NjoJXWqAc9yckSAVh2FM5ryrY6h5sDwKNXEySXojqWKmgDVVvnuFDpAj1LFAy5v5-ZS2pg0Cs0i6Hi3MvHSO-eLpa8sks8yYkfibi2odIWdLko/s320/F+sbux+swap+rcpt.JPG" border="0" />This one I just got two days ago - from my "Starbucks and Yarn Swap" partner who lives in Korea. She and I got along great and I feel really lucky to have a new friend in knitting half way around the world. Her box included a very neat Starbucks cup with Korean characters on it, a giftcard to Sbux, tons of cotton yarn (I'm thinking market bags!) a measuring tape, really neat little sewing scissors and my favorite:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236396631202221602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxs2CKyDn4L5nFwrckHBVr-tLrqSYtyOWdUFQRY6GueQug5i7Ci4S4VHMA-nVx7lYfC8G0JNKDgHvppf_ZwdLlP791bmJOpEK_jKYX__LPE6VsVXaFIeCiSXx6SQTTtumTYHsCCupaM_8Z/s320/F+Quinn+bag.JPG" border="0" />The Quinn bag (pattern on Ravelry). Isn't it amazing?? I absolutely love it!</p></div>Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08137979846643069437noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-65813562328423794362008-08-11T08:21:00.003-05:002008-08-11T09:29:07.799-05:00ContestI'm entering a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/swap-on-a-budget/290482/1-25">stitch marker contest</a> on Ravelry - I would love to have those little caterpillar and worm markers!<br /><br />Hmmmmm, what did I think the first time I saw <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/mkvral">mkvral</a> 's ravatar (which I now know is a caterpillar with a butterfly). Honestly, the first couple of times I saw it it creeped me out - <strong>OMG, I just looked at it again and realized it's an eye with a butterfly</strong> next to it, <strong><em>not</em></strong> a caterpillar!! I'm sitting here speechless - I can't believe I missed that for<strong><em> months</em></strong>...<br /><br />OK, back to what I thought when I thought it was a caterpillar and not an eye. I thought of that weird guy from "Silence of the Lambs" - the one that was killing women and then skinning them. He had a ritual where he put a cocoon in their mouths or something to that effect. And the poster advertising the movie had Jodie Foster with a butterfly over her mouth. So, unfortunately it reminded me of that which further creeped me out.<br /><br />Anyways, while I was <em>originally </em>rather disturbed by the ravatar I'm used to it now and I know mkvral is a very nice Raveler so I actually kind of like it.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/mkvral"></a>Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08137979846643069437noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-64733906922369988972008-08-06T13:29:00.003-05:002008-08-06T13:35:21.942-05:00The Pink Ribbon Hat<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJNIh2rRcp3B7PB6OaHOythPIEPGpl-9WmzrBaCd90IFVsXY9e4F-AqaAZEOLIySHz3vGByZPyz700YolnmZauDQtLb2op1Om6pzLoKfsyznmfop15lHwq7Y8AsE7L2zicCgPwP0OQWt-/s1600-h/LB+hat+flat.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231474029078833778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJNIh2rRcp3B7PB6OaHOythPIEPGpl-9WmzrBaCd90IFVsXY9e4F-AqaAZEOLIySHz3vGByZPyz700YolnmZauDQtLb2op1Om6pzLoKfsyznmfop15lHwq7Y8AsE7L2zicCgPwP0OQWt-/s320/LB+hat+flat.JPG" border="0" /></a> My latest, and currently my most favorite, FO - the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pink-ribbon-hat">Pink Ribbon Hat</a>.<br /><br />Read more about where it is going <a href="http://wingingitinthewindycity.blogspot.com/2008/08/breast-cancer-3-day-walk.html">here</a>.Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08137979846643069437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-18845323449825608632008-07-23T19:27:00.005-05:002008-07-23T19:44:29.259-05:00Noelle Is Secretly Plotting Blog DominationOrdinarily I'd wait a few days after Noelle posts before writing a new entry, but it's obviously time to make my presence known! Mwahahahaha!<br /><br />A bit of housekeeping:<br /><br />I have no pictures (yet), but I made out like a bandit in the Rogers Park SnB yarn swap. I still have a few odds and ends and some sock yarn to unleash upon an unsuspecting knitter or two, but I did far better than I expected.<br /><br />Charity blanket squares have been coming along like mad. I have approximately eight balls of Lion Brand acrylic/wool blend that I'm using, and I'd like to have these all finished before I move. I'm not sure I'll meet that lofty goal, but I might come close.<br /><br />As for my Bad Penny sweater, the cat urine smell didn't come out after multiple soaks. *sob* So much for that. I still have four or five balls of the Cascade Pima Silk I was using--all is not lost! I might have to track down more of it, though, or use a contrasting color for some stripes.<br /><br />I still haven't finished the Ms. Darcy cardigan. On the last sleeve, STILL. I can't even remember where I left off, and I've been far too lazy to retrace my steps.<br /><br />In my humble opinion, the upcoming issue of Interweave Knits <a href="http://www.interweaveknits.com/preview/2008_fall.asp">looks mega promising</a> (unlike the last issue, which was a snoozefest), while the new Knitty <i>blows</i>. I think now that Knitty no longer has any real competition on the free pattern front, they've slipped significantly. I hope the next issue is an improvement.<br /><br />In non-knitting news, I'm interviewed out. I sent out sixty or so applications in my first week of job hunting, and I've been taking it a little too easy ever since. I've had four interviews, all but one went well...and I'm still waiting to hear back about scheduling another interview for next week.<br /><br />I've also been doing my fair share of volunteer work. Open Books (you may remember them from the book drive at work last summer, Noelle) has a <a href="http://open-books.org/volunteer.php">Reading Buddies program</a> in which I've spent the past few weeks participating. If anything has lit a fire under my ass to pursue education as a career, this has been IT. These kids are rambunctious and smart and FUN. I've also been doing random events with <a href="http://www.onebrick.org/index.asp?RegionID=3">One Brick</a>.<br /><br />I'm becoming a damn fine cook as well. :-)<br /><br />Next week is the big move, so I'll post more details and pictures once I'm settled into my new home.Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17176662719178156843noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-55097925768107055562008-07-23T14:02:00.007-05:002008-07-23T15:01:49.564-05:00New Addiction - Kool Aid and Sock BlanksAs if I needed another facet of knitting to become hooked on. I've now been introduced to 1) dyeing my own yarn with Kool Aid and 2) dyeing sock blanks from Knit Picks. Oh My Gosh - it is FUN!!!! There are even two Ravelry groups for just these two concepts "Sock Blank Artists" and "A Kool Way to Dye". Of course I now belong to both and have learned a lot from reading about everyone else's successes and failures; however the first thing I did was read <a href="http://www.knitty.com/issuefall02/FEATdyedwool.html">this tutorial</a> on Knitty.com - it is a terrific step-by-step guide and I followed it to a "T".<br /><br />After doing all my research my girl and I decided to try our first attempt at Kool Aid dyeing together. Well, it was <em>supposed</em> to be <strong><em>together</em></strong>, but after I organized everything and was ready to go she promptly took over and I didn't get to do anything.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226289015817336034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVgJneFLLO7MUcNJBEkbRXXQJejfiwlfGX0hq7SYIaTr-AbXMAXkYefs4AnpuJ_4caS3hu3j7zXqFa9ReWcf2RO9ILmUe2VEt7qyJ6b0GNaRWWrNc45BAsVJO-ojB5hyGO6e3C2GhlJMY/s320/KA+dye.JPG" border="0" /> She soaked the sock blank.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKXrYKNBhQt6OjeKIIPcIajcePorLaA6U4FIbT53w29BVmP_Ybv8468jO8EBdMnm4D8olKg6jiH8-3wM_eDp3nt-RzryMajW1UzNHX-6h6HAWs8UpNrDzROI8dt5R2q_gjnolcCr6fK7p/s1600-h/KA+dye+2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226289023892101906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKXrYKNBhQt6OjeKIIPcIajcePorLaA6U4FIbT53w29BVmP_Ybv8468jO8EBdMnm4D8olKg6jiH8-3wM_eDp3nt-RzryMajW1UzNHX-6h6HAWs8UpNrDzROI8dt5R2q_gjnolcCr6fK7p/s320/KA+dye+2.JPG" border="0" /></a> She opened Kool Aid packets (in this case a Wyler's fruit punch).<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6b0v6T43NCnsaKSelEMlYMHy9g7gwSc255Nx6txYgGKWfaDswd6PtJqBf4U75mIbcq5PhNFIJGlXV8I5gYgif5RkRaFf3HzWfIFl9bn2uVTKYvTZwA61jPFcju3pmsKYWaehqX-uwC00/s1600-h/KA+dye+3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226289033765380658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6b0v6T43NCnsaKSelEMlYMHy9g7gwSc255Nx6txYgGKWfaDswd6PtJqBf4U75mIbcq5PhNFIJGlXV8I5gYgif5RkRaFf3HzWfIFl9bn2uVTKYvTZwA61jPFcju3pmsKYWaehqX-uwC00/s320/KA+dye+3.JPG" border="0" /></a>She poured them into the water, stirred it up and after I poured the "dye" into a squirt bottle away she went...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuatwyzsEsgcdul7WuZYisywjr_Pw1uK-BE9ngZfxqId61z15nBB4QJq8Wa_f_nUiXhhTB_ibclBDKvPqWkHuoQDw6Lz2VwFGPGGVL1GmNeTusrYbUaQ_vFiQJGU0ELLGBksfqACS8loE/s1600-h/KA+dye+4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226289035502666306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuatwyzsEsgcdul7WuZYisywjr_Pw1uK-BE9ngZfxqId61z15nBB4QJq8Wa_f_nUiXhhTB_ibclBDKvPqWkHuoQDw6Lz2VwFGPGGVL1GmNeTusrYbUaQ_vFiQJGU0ELLGBksfqACS8loE/s320/KA+dye+4.JPG" border="0" /></a> Squirting furiously, a mini Jackson Pollack if you will. Just look at the concentration - she's very focused at the task at hand.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226291260797177266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIc3JWfg09nt_xcxNae9GR3oLJxVNwznmgpZ0-gtPj7YxmbF3qv-i9boagT0-jfivayXV2ekCPYKt0Vc2gIQNjSTyERTr6ZeBVyo8hi0e6Vv6lTgZ8VsqFZJiQKdnC66SIMl9l_qq0AbU/s320/KA+dye+5.JPG" border="0" /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPNJ4J04crmG8RzNgnoZulJJwOTDHjXvbWUzVzuIedVlQBCcwVWt-2E21a_vyLYVRMO_GGgQbCROuWtIx9dePiWN1yNrDOKhE6SbxwtwWS_pZlp1s4Qs1Vh2rcP7zvjqBFGy8M7f_turC/s1600-h/KA+dye+5.JPG"></a></p>Unfortunately, the subtleties of hand-dyeing were lost on her. She tended to want to just empty out the entire 8 oz bottle in one place until I reminded her "no, no, <strong><em>move </em></strong>the bottle around!"<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226291274600207634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtX7feXgOluKioCihGse2NZ783_mfZ9Zq9SU1C9oR3C2kW5bj2503NtoYVIt5inNAV30vfyLAlpNfZRNOuctCxdUxF7iNDE3ZltLE76OYGRfRRMDRWCxU0NAdZgomusRooyAHO6SUI-1j/s320/B+Indy%27s+blank.JPG" border="0" /> So, the end result is a little bit odd looking - on the up side it looks rather Christmasy (her color choices were fruit punch, black cherry and lemon-lime). On the down side it looks like we mopped up a bloody nose or something. However, my friends on Ravelry all assure me that what you SEE in the sock blank is not necessarily what you GET when you knit up the blank and make socks. Most times you are happily surprised when you finish knitting and end up with a lovely pair of socks no matter how much they looked like a bloody rag when you started knitting.<br />As a little memento of our mother/daughter venture into sock blank dyeing I think I'm going to knit up a pair of socks for each of us with the yarn.Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08137979846643069437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-46953062988026152392008-07-17T17:38:00.002-05:002008-07-17T17:43:08.172-05:00Gauge As You GoThis is a good tip that I found in my Stitch 'N Bitch Page-A-Day calendar:<br /><br /><span style="color:#990000;">"Ever finish your sweater and find that it doesn't fit in spite of careful gauging? That's probably because you didn't check your gauge while you were knitting as well. After you have knit about 12 inches, get out the ruler and see how you're doing. Hold your knitting up vertically because the stitches hang the way they will eventually be worn. If the gauge isn't working at 12 inches, you won't have that much to frog"</span><br /><span style="color:#990000;"></span><br />I never thought of checking gauge this way but it makes sense!Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08137979846643069437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-26332767935397158612008-07-13T20:35:00.007-05:002008-07-14T09:24:08.862-05:00Swaps on RavelryIn the past month I have become a complete Ravelryaholic. It's bad, very bad! But I love it!!! What a great community of people and knitting resources - I can easily lose myself there for hours, much to my husband's chagrin.<br /><br />Anyway, I also discovered "swaps" - didn't know exactly what that meant but have since figured it out and promptly signed up for three. The first one was "Swap On A Budget" - $20 budget, you must include one handmade item (not necessarily knit) and one skein of yarn plus whatever "extras" to bring you to the budget. This swap is an impressive feat - and testament to the organizational abilities of the SOAB "founder", Miss Becca, as well as all the supporting players - the moderators. A really fun group of knitters and ultra organized - I think there are over 100 people participating in this swap. I just finished up my swap box and mailed it off on Saturday - here is a picture. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222687733804157346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhR2OnCOS8uGCpinQDvUsj1PTpRth4FmnCBpaX_owyrbTiRWYBLIP4FEniHuVLdC0y-BGJgy375wLq5_8BnUnvpwhLjFh2j5aAEzulcrAqK-SmXKNRI7PzFVPf9raogltYahnxgJhPKJtb/s320/A+swap+MissBecca.JPG" border="0" />This is a secret swap so I'm not going to post any info about why I put what I put into the box until I know my "spoilee" has received it.<br /><br />The next one is "Starbucks and Yarn Swap" - I actually signed up for this one before SOAB and it's a smaller group, a little less excitement and camraderie but the moderator for my group, Neila, has done a great job keeping us informed and everything organized. I'm in the process of finishing up that swap box - the requirements are one handmade item (since this is a coffee-themed swap the options for handmade items are cup cozies, coasters or a bag), one skein of yarn, one Starbucks item (either a lb of beans, a mug or a gift card) and whatever extras to bring you to the swap budget of $25-$35. This is not a secret swap, so I have actually emailed with my spoiler, Kathie, who is currently an expat in Korea - pretty neat! She even asked for input on the handmade item and posted pictures of it - check out her progress <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Kathie77/quinn-cabled-bag">here</a> - isn't it gorgeous?? I feel spoiled already :-) The person I am spoiling is named Joann and I'm about 50% done with my handmade item... still brainstorming some aspects of it, but if all goes as planned I think it will turn out pretty great - I'm excited to try some experimenting to (hopefully) get what I'm visualizing in my brain :-)<br /><br />The last swap I signed up for is the "Dyed Sock Blank" swap which introduced me to a whole new aspect of knitting - dyeing the yarn yourself. And even more yet - dyeing a <strong><em>sock blank</em></strong>, which if you don't already know is a machine knit rectangle of off-white sock yarn that you hand dye, and then you can knit right from the blank by just unraveling the yarn - cool, huh? The blanks are made with two strands, so I think the point is to knit two socks at once so they will look like an actual pair with the same colors in the same direction. So the point of the swap is to dye your own <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/bare%20sock%20yarn%20dye%20blank_YD5420174.html">sock blank</a> from <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/">Knit Picks</a> and then send it off to your spoilee for them to enjoy and knit up into socks. Knit Picks also has a tutorial for dyeing as well as free downloadable patterns for <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/Toe-Up+Magic+Loop+Socks+Pattern_PD50631220.html">Toe-Up Magic Loop Socks</a> - which I am definitely going to need to check out.<br /><br />My daughter and I used Kool-Aid to dye my first blank and it was fun to do, but the results were not something I would wish on anyone else, so I think I'll be knitting that blank up for a pair of socks for Grandma. A Grandma would appreciate my daughter's choice of colors (green, red and black cherry). I'll post more on that soon...Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08137979846643069437noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-10784433717123524242008-07-05T16:18:00.003-05:002008-07-05T16:22:45.860-05:00Not a Plastic BagI just completed my first Hemp String bag - check it out <a href="http://wingingitinthewindycity.blogspot.com/2008/07/not-plastic-bag.html">here</a> . It is the "Everlasting Bagstopper" pattern on Knitty.com. Fun, easy and yippee I finally used the hemp I bought a year ago (almost to the day!)<br /><br />I also found out that hemp has natural antimildew and antimicrobial properties which is kind of cool - maybe a good fiber to knit up some dishclothes.Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08137979846643069437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-62488357901603757092008-06-29T15:32:00.005-05:002008-06-29T15:43:27.631-05:00ResistanceI am increasingly feeling the need to destash like mad. I'm not just talking yarn--I want to get rid of most of my needles as well.<br /><br />Am I completely insane?<br /><br />I just keep looking around my room and seeing <i>so much stuff</i>. I'm attempting to pare down and get rid of/sell/donate as much stuff as humanly possible. I could recoup a hell of a lot of cash from my stash at this point, and it would make moving far easier.<br /><br />I know it's a necessity in knitting to plan projects far in advance, and sometimes yarn will sit for YEARS before it's used...but this requirement is completely antithetical to my natural impulses.<br /><br />Just stop me before I do something I'll regret. <br /><br />Also, pink sweater update: The cat piss smell came out, but not before someone went into my bathroom last weekend while I was out of town and threw up all over the place. Only a tiny bit got on the sweater, but I think I'm just going to cut out that bit of yarn and not even bother with cleaning it again.<br /><br />I just can't win, huh?<br /><br />[Rereading this post, I realize this sounds depressing. I'm just trying to sever myself emotionally from physical objects, aside from records. I'm donating approximately 40% of my well-loved book collection and multiple trashbags filled with clothes to charity in the coming weeks. Everything is up for reevaluation, and my knitting just happens to be on the brain at this moment. I don't think I'll be giving it up anytime soon...but I might use this as an excuse to get rid of my current needles and upgrade to those gorgeous wooden Knit Picks interchangeables.]Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17176662719178156843noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-22586220654948560322008-06-15T14:54:00.004-05:002008-06-15T15:00:19.856-05:00Summer Dress<div><div>Whew - I finally finished the summer dress I was working on for my daughter. It took me a little longer than I expected, but I made it by my self-imposed Father's Day deadline.</div><div></div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212199681445578466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_nzHzqTyMyzln7dyvRGhmoS5C244efb_y6dKNwv_cr1BMG8UI3mAtgun23CxMHwNm15RmadKzfpewa7da65OZgjaGDbO4rw-E8FNZ1xZWTL82Ck0I_JMIy64CxFHH9SWPpA71rRbG5YR/s320/vertical+dress.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div></div><div>Her dad loves her in dresses, so it was extra special that she debuted this little number today. It is made with 9 skeins of Wildflower DK which I picked up for 50% off on close-out for $2.25 a skein. Somehow I still ended up running a little short so I left the sleeves off. Please excuse the state of her hair - she wanted pig-tails but her hair is a bit short, so it looks a little Einsteinesque.</div><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212200323530657746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGdCFD8KNBSzogGRhLjPADzLyPimH0M3DazGMr2-4z0DtDvn28YexDPDKfO5jY6LJLH-QgAr5ylQBVhwi2EthguV3zTg3HPt4e74upqWgYlyePECs1g1tlqJWWijIUPijLVVWqF8Goc8F/s320/Indy+dress.JPG" border="0" /></div></div><br />She picked out the navy blue star-shaped buttons at the shoulders and I think it completes the dress nicely!Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08137979846643069437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-78678067088966798612008-06-10T22:39:00.005-05:002008-06-10T22:46:03.039-05:00Eco-friendly KnittingCheck out these yarn-oriented tips from IdealBite.com:<br /><br /><a target="_blank" __removedlink__1316072352__href="http://www.idealbite.com/wannatry/0221arcadia"></a>"Delving into the details of your next knitting project? Before you needle one more moss stitch border diamond, grab a skein of yarn from <a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: #8b9e44; TEXT-DECORATION: none" target="_blank" __removedlink__1316072352__href="http://www.idealbite.com/wannatry/0221lornaslaces">Lorna's Laces</a> new Green Line. The yarns are made from naturally dyed, 100%-certified organic merino wool that's softer than the regular stuff, and comes in nine cool colors with feel-good names like mirth (dusty pink) and courage (deep orange). Plus it's pesticide-free and more renewable than its synthetic counterparts - and hip enough to show off at our local stitch 'n' bitch. The verdict? More knitty, less gritty.<br /><br />Wanna Try? <a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: #8b9e44; TEXT-DECORATION: none" target="_blank" __removedlink__1316072352__href="http://www.idealbite.com/wannatry/0221arcadia">Arcadia Knitting</a>, 1613 W. Lawrence Ave. b/t Paulina St. and Ashland Ave. (773-293-1211). Lorna's Laces worsted wool, $21/skein; DK wool, $16/skein.<br /><br />Nonorganic yarn comes from sheep potentially raised on pesticide-laden pasture and feed; acrylic yarn is made from a petroleum byproduct. Add silky bamboo, soft organic merino, and stylin' recycled fabrics to your list of yarn options. How about recycling an old sweater and re-using the yarn?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.idealbite.com/wannatry/1026near" target="_blank">NearSea Naturals Merino Wool Yarn</a> - naturally dyed yarn in three neutral colors; made in America ($17/skein).<br /><a href="http://www.idealbite.com/wannatry/1026greenmountain" target="_blank">Green Mountain Spinnery Maine Organic Yarn</a> - affordable wool yarn in six basic colors; made in the United States ($12/skein).<br /><a href="http://www.idealbite.com/wannatry/1026shirts" target="_blank">Shirts of Bamboo Yarn</a> - incredibly soft, 100% bamboo yarn in seven bright colors - but it's made in China ($9/skein).<br /><a href="http://www.idealbite.com/wannatry/1026knit" target="_blank">Knit One, Crochet Too, 2nd Time Cotton Yarn</a> - spun from recycled cotton and acrylic fabric; available in blues, purples, and neutral colors ($7/skein).<br /><a href="http://www.idealbite.com/wannatry/1026no" target="_blank">No Sheep for You</a> - fun pattern book focused exclusively on nonwool fibers ($16).<br /><br />If all U.S. sheep were raised under organic standards, we'd keep the weight of 80 adult ewes in insecticide out of the environment each year.<br /><br />If 10,000 Biters buy one 100 g skein of organic wool, we'll help keep 49 acres of sheep-grazing land organic.If 10,000 Biters buy one 100 g skein of organic wool, we'll help keep 49 acres of sheep-grazing land organic.<br /><br />P.S. to D - I still have not knit my hemp string bag!!!Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08137979846643069437noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-62822633893562585322008-06-09T14:25:00.003-05:002008-06-09T14:37:10.284-05:00A Penny Saved Is a Sweater...Earned?I restarted Bad Penny (as seen in my previous post), with new numbers to make the damn thing fit.<br /><br />In a fog of bad judgment, I left the project at the home of a friend for whom I've been house/cat sitting for the last two weeks while she carouses in the UK. This morning when I arrived to feed her cat, I saw my knitting bag on the floor and it appeared unmolested by the kitty. I shoved it in my purse and went on my merry way.<br /><br />Prior to heading out of the office for lunch, I started rustling through my bag and noticed a very weird smell. I pulled out my knitting bag and was smacked in the nose with that sickeningly sweet pheromone stench.<br /><br />No, the cat didn't paw at and deconstruct my knitting.<br /><br />She just pissed all over it.<br /><br />I'm starting to think that I'll never be able to finish this sweater.Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17176662719178156843noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8164987690358623312.post-59226074286578229262008-06-03T09:07:00.003-05:002008-06-03T09:52:22.015-05:00PNW'dEconomic stimulus payment leads to irresponsible, impulsive trip to the Pacific Northwest!<br /><br />Having never been west of Iowa, I decided to finally take the opportunity to see some conifers. Kelli, one of my roommates from college and probably damn near my favorite person on the planet, has lived in Steilacoom, Washington, for a couple of years now--we haven't seen each other in three years, and I thought it was about time for a visit.<br /><br />This trip started out as the grand breakup recovery voyage, since I got dumped on Mother's Day. (That wasn't fun, and I frankly don't wanna discuss it further in a public forum.) But being stubborn and never giving anyone such satisfaction, it quickly morphed into my own riot grrrl pilgrimage (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riot_grrrl">read up on that group here</a>) when Kelli suggested we stop by Olympia.<br /><br />So here's a brief list of cities and towns I visited while there:<br />--Seattle<br />--Tacoma<br />--Lakewood<br />--Steilacoom<br />--Olympia<br />--Portland<br />Not bad for a two day trip, if I do say so myself.<br /><br />From the highway, you could vaguely see Mount Rainier in the distance. I've seriously never seen that many evergreen trees in one place in my entire life. It's a stunningly beautiful landscape.<br /><br />[Knitting content alert] I started on Stefanie Japel's <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring04/PATTbadpenny.html">Bad Penny</a>, just in time for what little bit of spring we'll have in the Midwest. Here's what I knit while on the plane:<br /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2164/2534930217_d77e005014.jpg?v=0"><br /><br />That was one hellishly long flight, and there's the evidence.<br /><br />Met Kelli at the Seattle-Tacoma Airport, on a gorgeous, unseasonably warm Saturday. We ate Greek food for lunch in Lakewood (since that was just about all I could think of that I could possibly eat), pissed around Steilacoom for awhile, and finally made our way to Seattle.<br /><br />First stop: Pike Place Market.<br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3159/2534930387_5480a23039.jpg?v=0"><br /><br />Twas fun being a tourist--watching the fish get thrown, looking at the beautiful local produce and flowers, sniffing soaps and eating cookies. (Yes, I found gluten-free cookies!)<br /><br />Next: The Space Needle<br /><br />We didn't go into it, but we were close enough for me.<br /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2353/2535745694_0da96c24aa.jpg?v=0"><br /><br />Experience Music Project was nearby, so we looked around for a bit. I'm still not sure if it was worth the price of admission, but the live Hendrix footage being shown in the theater was pretty amazing, if typically lowest-common-denominator appeal. I love Hendrix, but perceptions of his work in the US are pretty off the mark.<br /><br />Here's a shadowy, mysterious Kelli:<br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3030/2535745858_d87d18b903.jpg?v=0"><br /><br />That woman has the best posture in human history.<br /><br />Stumbled upon a nearby folk music festival, which consisted of mostly young punks playing trad fare...and some fundamentalist Christian protesters. Jesus, they really are everywhere.<br /><br />This kid tried his damndest to charge me a dollar to watch his skateboard tricks...but I took his picture instead:<br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3083/2535746380_4509e32577.jpg?v=0"><br /><br />Day Two: The Trek to Portland<br /><br />On the way to Olympia, I had to get this picture:<br /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2205/2534933563_78372b03c9.jpg?v=0"><br /><br />In Oly we visited a coffee shop and bakery that Kelli loves called the Bread Peddler. From there we found the Olympia Co-op, where I could actually find breakfast.<br /><br />Onward to Portland, which I quite frankly found boring. The city where provocative artists go to make babies and die, I've decided. The whole city seems to shut down at 6pm--I walked around by myself for a few hours after Kelli had to drive back to Washington and couldn't find a damn thing to do with myself.<br /><br />[Knitting content alert] After continuing to work on Bad Penny during my flight home, I discovered that, even after my severe adjustments to the pattern to make it fit my scrawny self...the damn thing is still too large for me. I haven't restarted it yet, but I have a feeling that I won't get to wear it until fall.<br /><br />I think I had more fun hanging out with Kelli than I did being in the Pacific Northwest, if that makes sense. This trip, if anything, drilled into my brain that Chicago is home to me now. You jerks are stuck with me, whether you like it or not!<br /><br />(More photos from my trip can be seen <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/baise/sets/72157605333317571/">here</a>.)<br /><br />In other news, I'm more than likely moving to Humboldt Park. I apparently enjoy gentrifying working class neighborhoods.<br /><br />How the hell is everyone else?Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17176662719178156843noreply@blogger.com1