Category Archives: Knitting

Contests, Knitting, Randonymity, Tunes

Random entropy

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Check out this amazing knitted music video!

AmberMoggie is celebrating her 500th post – leave a comment about your favorite yarn and you could win yarn, needles, and stitchmarkers. Winner will be selected March 24.

Chappysmom has a nice post about the Match It for Pratchett campaign to support Alzheimer’s research.

Ruth is having another contest. She comes up with really creative contest ideas that I have a hard time summarizing, so I’ll just send you over to her place for the details. :) The contest is open until May 10. (This was moved over from yesterday’s post – so you are experiencing deja vu.)

When I went to bed Wednesday night, there were four kiwi fruit on the counter. When I got up Thursday morning, there were three. Hmm. Fortunately, the fourth kiwi was found in the living room behind my knitting bag, unmolested.

Last night I met and knitted with ikisti, a very cool knitblogger who lives all of eight blocks away from me. Eerily, she lives in the same apartment building I did before I bought my condo. *insert Twilight Zone music here*

Remember my Keen World post from last Friday, with the picture of all my Keens carefully arranged in a circle? Keep that circle in mind as you look at the pictures below. In the first picture, the red Xs indicate shoes that were removed from the circle and worn during the past week. The green X indicates a pair of sandals removed to be washed when Chaos horked in them. (Why, yes, that would be the only pair I hadn’t worn yet.)

“Still waiting to learn the point of this game…” -Mayhem

“Maybe I’ll just have a little nap while I wait…” -Mayhem

Not quite a week later, this is what remains of the circle. What a remarkable demonstration of entropy in action!

…or possibly just Chaos and Mayhem in action…

Contests, Knitting, Reading

Expanding Options

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Ali’s having a spring 2008 knitting goals contest. Let her know what your spring knitting goals are, and you could win Blue Sky Dyed Cotton and more. Contest closes at midnight CDT, March 20.

Janet’s having a seven weird things contest – if you’ve already done that meme, you can leave her a link to your list or you can leave your list in her comments. She’ll randomly select a winner to receive a gorgeous skein of Manos Silk Blend on March 21.

Yay! Cyn’s black kitty Cosmo is doing better!

Reading Update
Falling into the World by Karen Brichoux. I loved Brichoux’s novel Coffee and Kung Fu and have kept up with her writing since then. In this novel, she explores how the death of a woman’s mother six years ago has affected and trapped her, her sister, and their father.
Bowled Over by Kasey Michaels. Mystery author Maggie Kelly’s Regency hero stepped out of the pages of her novels and into her life; the shenanigans continue in the latest book in this series (#6). I just wish the book didn’t have distracting asides into the “mind of the killer.”
The Myth-Hunters (Book One of the Veil) and The Borderkind (Book Two of the Veil) by Christopher Golden. These were well-written contemporary fantasies and I’m looking forward to the third and final book when it comes out next month.
Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany. This book was formative for me. I read it in elementary school, and the powerful message it conveyed about how the language you know shapes the way you are able to think affects me to this day. It’s science fiction, won a Nebula Award, reads more like poetry than prose at various points, and isn’t for everyone – but if it’s for you, it’s powerful.
Holy Smokes (Aisling Grey, Guardian, Book 4) by Katie MacAlister. More light’n’fluffy paranormal romance from Katie MacAlister.
Big Boned: A Heather Wells Mystery by Meg Cabot. The most recent mystery featuring former teen singing sensation and inadvertent sleuth Heather Wells moves her story along in a most satisfying fashion.

Knitting Update
I finally talked myself into ordering a set of KnitPicks Options interchangeable needles. I haven’t used them yet, but I have plans to. As have so many others, I thought the case that came with the needles was totally fugly, so I’ve commissioned a case from ZKnitter, using some funky retro black kitty fabric.

“Well, at least it isn’t more socks.” -Mayhem

“Do you think if I do my best Vanna impression, KnitPicks would hire me to be their spokeskitty?” -Mayhem

“You don’t? Well, pooey. I’m outta here.” -Mayhem

Contests, Knitting

Finally Flatirons

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Leave a comment with a post title idea for Romi (before 11:59 pm PDT, March 13), and you could win one of her gorgeous shawl pins!

Ruth is celebrating her blogiversary and mention in Knitty’s Cool Stuff with two contests. For the first, guess how many times during the past year that she’s used a number in her post titles. Leave your guesses by 9 pm MDT, March 17. For the second, participate in Ruth’s “Alphabet Soup” challenge – you could win a $50 gift certificate to the LYS or online store of your choice, plus $26 donated to the charity of your choice!

Please send good wishes to Cyn and her black kitty Cosmo, who is very sick right now.

At long last, I finished my Great Adirondack Flatirons (follow link for yarn and pattern details – I’m feeling lazy). I knitted one sock from each end of the ball of yarn in order to use as much of the yarn as I could. (The whole dividing the ball of yarn into two by weight thing has never worked that well for me.)

*yawn* “More socks? Hey, what’s that over there?” -Mayhem

They look pretty good inside out, too.

“It was a toy! I like it when you get boxes with these fabulous toys.” -Mayhem

Here’s a macro shot, right side out:

And a macro shot, inside out:

Knitting

Twisty little cables

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Whew! The STR Mustang Sally Cable Twist Socks are finished – and finished days before the gifting deadline.

Notice how much darker the sock to the right/top is? Yet both socks are from the same skein of yarn…

“Don’t mind me, Mom – I’m just here to get my HPFM*! I’ll be out of the frame in a second.” -Mayhem

“I’m contemplating the nature of the universe back here. Leave me be. Do not tempt me with your socky concerns.” -Chaos

“Well, ok, perhaps I do need to check out these socks to see if they will be part of my Feline Universal Theory (FUT)…” -Chaos

*Hot Pink Furry Mouse

Knitting, Randonymity, Reading

Peeking under my bed

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Filled with “Must Have Cardigan” fever, Jeanne and I each ordered a copy of Street Smart to get the pattern. (I was extremely impressed with the service we got – Jessica of Weaving Rainbow even checked to make sure I’d meant to order two copies; she’ll have more copies of Street Smart soon).

“You’re boring me, Mom.” -Mayhem

“Does that come in black?” -Chaos

I realize my pictures of the CueCat barcode scanner yesterday didn’t emphasize its feline qualities, so here it is with a similarly shaped cat carving from MamaTulip:

“Now this is much more interesting!” *sniff sniff sniff* -Mayhem

*sniff sniff sniff* -Chaos

“Mmmm…. cord…” -Mayhem

Looks like I need to get the bitter apple out again, doesn’t it?!

Last night I finished scanning my books, other than the odd copy that I’ve loaned out and some knitting books/booklets that don’t have barcodes or ISBNs. For the morbidly curious, you can take a peek at my library – I recommend filtering by a keyword tag, such as “knitting” or “cycling.” (Yes, Van, you will find something if you filter by “zombies.”)

I was even inspired to pull out the boxes of books from under my bed! Wanna take a peek?

Perhaps you need a bit more info about what you’re seeing (beyond that I have enough wrapping paper for the next five years)? About eight years ago, my brother helped me build a queen-size futon frame (well, ok, he did 95% of the work – thanks, Matt!). This particular frame turns all the space under the futon into dust-free storage – I can fit a total of 24 copy paper boxes under the frame, with space on top of the boxes for a layer of luggage, ski poles, wrapping paper, snowshoes (on the other side, sorry) and a broomball stick (helpfully keeping me from being crushed by the futon as I rummage around). The amount of storage this adds to my wee condo is considerable and much appreciated. When in use, the futon rests on two removable slatted sections:

Sorry the picture is blurry – I was attempting to balance on one foot and take the picture while using my other foot to prevent the futon from falling back into place. It didn’t go so well, but I think the bruising will be minimal. 😉

Knitting

Not that you’d know it from all the cat pictures recently

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…but really, I am still knitting! (Yes, I’ll pause for y’all to recover from the traditional shock of discovering this is a knitting blog.) The first Cable Twist sock is nearly finished and feline interest in this project remains high.

“Addi addi addi addi addi…” -Chaos

Here’s a macro shot of the cable twist detail. Loves me some twisted stitches, I does! (See Mayhem’s nose sneaking toward that strand of yarn? I fear she doesn’t share my love for and appreciation of twisted stitches.)

“Yarn yarn yarn yarn yarn…” -Mayhem

Do not fear, Gentle Readers – I expend a great deal of effort to keep Mayhem from actually connecting with yarn. Cat carrier love notwithstanding, I don’t want to make that vet visit…

Knitting

More examples of poorly composed photos

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There are days when it’s nearly impossible to take a picture around here. See the spiffy new sock I’ve been knitting?

“Addi snack!” -Mayhem

No? How about in this picture?

“Sock snack!” -Mayhem

Sheesh. Let’s try that again, shall we?

“I wonder how far I’ll get with all of this snacky goodness if I grab and run?” -Mayhem

I can live with that one! 🙂 Excuse me while I go rescue my sock…

This pair will be a gift – the stitch pattern is from the Cable Twist Socks pattern and the yarn is STR Mustang Sally. Here’s a cat-free close-up:

Contests, Knitting

Examples of poorly composed photos

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Stop by and wish Carole a happy blogiversary! If you leave a comment on her blogiversary post by 8 pm EST, February 1, you could win brownies.

Kerry nicely summed up our local weather right now. We aren’t getting the blizzards that other parts of the state are getting, but the windchill is -41°F as I type this. As Kerry noted, when your home goes from the +41°F of Monday to this, it makes very startling booming noises as it contracts.

I’ve been working on another pair of Kristi’s Flatiron Socks from Great Adirondack Silky Sock (color Nightshades). Please ignore that furry bit wandering through my first photo. It wasn’t there when I started taking the shot… This sock was going better (as in I was turning the heel) before I took these photos and realized the sock is a bit too short for my foot – and now the sock is a bit shorter, waiting for me to reknit the foot back to the heel!

“What random furry bit?! That’s me! Hmph.” -Chaos

“I’ll random furry bit you!” -Chaos

“Hey, this is a new needle flavor, not the usual Addi flavor…” -Chaos

Contests, Knitting

In which I finish a pair of socks, bitter cold notwithstanding

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‘Tis the season for destashing! Wanda’s having a multipart yarn stash sale. Mouse is also starting a multipart stash sale – yesterday was fiber and novelty yarns.

It must also be the season for contests! Brace yourselves…

To celebrate her birthday, the Knit Witch is collecting embarassing stories – share your embarassing story with her by midnight EST, January 23, and you could win yarn or a yarn bowl.

Guess how many baby socks Diane knitted in the first 20 days of January and you could win some sock yarn! Contest closes at noon EST, January 25.

Ambermoggie’s having a contest to brighten up the dark winter days and to thank everyone for their good thoughts during Mr. Mogs’s cancer woes. Leave a comment about why you’re looking forward to spring and you could win some goodies (orange yarn, stitch markers, and an elemental figure). Contest closes January 26.

Phyl’s having a pet foot contest (The Central Park Footie) – send her a picture of your pet’s foot by 6 pm EST, January 27, and you could be eligible for sock yarn.

Whew!

Knitting Update
I know, I know – probably poor Marina’s fallen over in shock. 😉 I finally finished my plain old socks! The yarn is Wisdom Yarns, Marathon Socks – Boston (color 212), knit on 2mm needles. I love this colorway! Stripey blue, purple, and black – life is good.

“What? What do you mean, I’m not the subject of this photo?!” -Mayhem

“Fine, be that way. But I’m sure everyone will like the other photo better!” -Mayhem

Knitting, Randonymity

2007: The Year in Review

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I know, I know, I’m a little bit behind in looking back on 2007. Good thing it isn’t going anywhere. 🙂 There’s an extremely cute cat picture in it for you if you make it to the end! (You can also look back at 2006 if you’re so inclined.)

But first – Deb has some more detail on what had her laughing so hard at the birthday gathering. (Note that Jeanne and I did not buy Deb those undies!)

Did you hear about the gasoline tanker that overturned in Minneapolis yesterday? That was less than a mile from where I live! I’m very glad I was working from home so I didn’t have to deal with the messed up traffic.

Major Events of the Year
Having surgery on October 3. I can’t believe how much healthier and happier I feel now – better than I have for two to three years.

My Knitblogger’s Tour of the West, including staying with Michaele and meeting Denver-area bloggers, going to Estes and meeting Margene and Cheryl and Mim and Jane, staying with Kristi…

Finished Objects: 39

  • Socks – 19 pairs of adult socks, two pairs of toddler socks
  • Sweaters – one adult sweater, one baby sweater
  • Shawl – one
  • Bibs – nine
  • Dishcloths – two
  • Toddler dress – one
  • Calorimetry/head band – one
  • Afghan squares – for one charity project, assorted small squares
  • Cage liner – one

Works in Progress
Scrunchable velvet scarf, plain stripey socks, shaped cardigan (hush, Marina), Trekking 126 socks (shameful – I just need to sew down the picot edges!), neck cozy (hmm, I haven’t mentioned this on the blog – probably because I’m ambivalent about finishing it)

Skeletons in My Knitting Basket
Laptop bag (never finishing it, since I bought such nice cases for my laptop), Crazy slipstitch Meilenweit socks (mailed off to Brigitte to do with the yarn what she will!), probably a couple things from way back in the way back that I don’t feel like digging out!

Favorite Projects of 2007
Probably the Refined Raglan I knit for myself. I was also very fond of the shawlette I knit for Fraro and of the lacy toddler dress I knit.

Major Knitting Accomplishment
Finishing my Christmas knitting in November!

Favorite Yarns
Wool2Dye4 supersock that I’ve dyed (it’s a base yarn that has a comparable hand to yarns such as CTH), stripey Meilenweit, Trekking…

New Techniques
Ack! I’m not coming up with anything! Probably because I didn’t take any knitting classes in 2007. I must’ve learned something… Anyone? Anyone?

The Year in First Lines
January
Reports of my demise were only slightly exaggerated… I spent six hours of New Year’s Day in the emergency room, getting fluids and antinausea meds for the most evil migraine I’ve had in 12 years (i.e., the last time a migraine sent me to the ER).

February
Secrets of Cat Photography Revealed (Part the First) Two things have inspired me to write this post. First, I promised the info to Michaele at least six months ago (whoops – sorry, Michaele!). Second, I regularly get emails and comments asking me how I manage to always get good cat photos.

March
Killing you with the cute Aw, thank you all so much for the kind words about my refined raglan and yesterday’s self portraits! *blush*

April
What I did with my weekend, or Meet the Peeves As I mentioned Friday, the Peeves came to Minneapolis for approximately 24 hours, en route to see more sights and meet more bloggers (Hi CarrieK! Hi La! Hi Laurie! You’ll have fun!!).

May
A message from Mayhem “Hi everyone! Mom said I could post today because she doesn’t feel very lively… something about anemia and having to take iron to feel better. I don’t really have anything to say, I just knew you would all really miss me if you didn’t get to see this cute picture of me! Bye!! I have to go look out the window now.”

June
And finally, some knitting Aw, Mayhem really appreciated all the sweet birthday wishes yesterday! For those who are wondering where the heck the year went, I didn’t get her until September last year. Whew! No lost summer of 2006 for y’all.

July
Feline groovy I’m a bit shocked at the blogging backlog I’ve developed – I need to post lots of thank yous for some wonderful gifts I’ve received, plus I haven’t even made it to the Estes Wool Market in my vacation narrative! So of course, I shall do neither of these things today.

August
Handy Mayhem butt I’ve mentioned swap-bot a few times recently. Kristi has a great post on how to establish a rating on swap-bot. Check out the Biteberry yarn in its new habit!

and on that same day (August 1)…

I am ok The Interstate 35W bridge over the Mississippi River collapsed during tonight’s evening rush hour.

September
Trying to catch up I took a bit of a computer break over the holiday weekend and am frightfully behind in bloglines. Please let me know if you’re having a contest you’d like me to mention, as I’ll probably read about it on your blog long after the deadline has passed… Thanks!

October
Monday meanderings I finished my Los Monos Locos on Saturday!

November
A Halloween walk Sock knitters – Kristi has written some very useful knitting and wear reviews for quite a few different sock yarns. If you’re a knitblogger somehow connected to Minnesota, you should join the Minnesota Knitters Ring.

December
We were all stricken with camnesia Thursday evening I picked up Kristi the Fiber Fool from the airport. We chatted and knitted while Chaos glared balefully and May tried to entice Kristi to open up the MGWT closet.

“FuriousBall, dude, where’re those munchies you said you were going to get?” -Mayhem