Finished Objects! I’m On a Roll! July 31, 2008

First, a scarf for me, that is taller than me.  2×2 rib knit by alternating two Noro Silk Garden colourways (252&225) on 4.5 mm needles.  Soaked then hung to get the length; before hanging, the scarf measured 5′6″.  I haven’t measured the finished length…all I know is I’m 5′4″(ish) and it’s way taller than me, which is FANTASTIC!  Oh, and for those of you who knew I had pink hair, it’s still there, it’s just been over-dyed with henna so it’s a little more subtle.

And a couple of shots of the latest sweater I knit for work.  It’s going to go onto 1920 Street, I don’t remember what yarn it is (but I got a bag of it for cheap at Salvation Army), and it was knit on 4.5 mm needles for the body and 4.0 mm needles for the trim.  100% wool.  The pattern is called “Patterned Vest” by Deborah Newton, number 26 in Vogue Knitting’s Fall 2005.

Another One for my Swap Softly Gals July 30, 2008

Roxycraft has a new book coming out August 5th!

Hit and Run Posting… July 29, 2008

I don’t have enough time to show you all the pictures I’ve taken since Friday.  Highlights of the last few days include that I shimmied while knitting at Bedouin Soundclash, got new trees planted against my building (YAY! and three of them skirt the balconies above my place, and so now I think I really do have my own balcony, I have a mini tree fence (though there’s no front, of course, can’t block the windows) and sit against my window…though I did that before the trees arrived in my neighbour’s truck, almost finished another sweater for work (just the button plackets and the side seams and she is fini!), got to briefly reconnect with scattered friends and was blown away by Ani DiFranco, despite my reservations.  She’s as angry as Trent but lets us know with a smile.  And her anger is less selfish.

But the coolest thing is this; I have an albino magpie living in my front yard.  I don’t like magpies but albino ones are cool.  Sorry the pic is so blurry; I was worried I was going to scare him away if I got too close so I didn’t take too much care in the photo itself.  A normal magpie is in the background if you want comparison.

It’s “Happy Trent Reznor Day!” Again July 28, 2008

And yet, instead of going to see Nine Inch Nails (of whom I own four or five albums) tonight while they’re rocking the stadium, I’m going to the Winspear to watch Ani DiFranco (of whom I don’t own any albums).  I didn’t realise as I purchased the Ani tix that Trent was going to be in town on the same night, though I did know that he was going to be here at the end of the month.  I’m still okay with this, really I am.  Ani’s a fascinating artist with so many styles and wicked guitar abilities (I’ve borrowed some albums from the library); she’s playing in a far better venue (I don’t really like stadium shows; they’re over-loud and often people in neighbouring seats are doing something that annoys me), and I’ve got several great friends going with me!

Besides, I like to believe that with the amount of times NIN’s already been here while I’ve lived in this city that I haven’t gone, Trent’s likely to come back, and maybe I’ll be able to see him in the future.

So.  Happy Ani Day!

Spin Me Right Round… July 25, 2008

I had to quote that song…I am nothing if not a slave to the fromage. This post is, of course, about the status of my Master Spinner homework.

Today, because it’s a beautiful day and I wasted my last weekend in my apartment, I’m going to go outside and spin for awhile. The one thing about a basement apartment is that I don’t have access to a balcony, so I’m going to take my Moroccan rug and sit and spin on our front step. Heehee…first I’m going to play a bit with my new spindle:

Isn’t she beautiful? She’s a takli, and she spins so smooth and true. I got her with my cotton kit from Cotton Clouds (who have really great customer service, by the by). The cotton currently on the takli is naturally coloured that way! Awesome!

I may take my wheel out later, but the step isn’t very large…I may have to find a bit of plywood or something at some point, and a lawn chair, as there’s this really underutilized section of our lawn by a big ol’ spruce that could become my “balcony”.  I wonder where I could find these things for free?  Or I’ll just spin in my apartment with the blinds open (gasp).

I’ve put Level II on a bit of a hiatus, not because I’m being a slacker…well, maybe a little due to that.   However, right now the reason is that I have decided that I need more supplies.  I was trying to do all of my course work with the supplies provided in class, but I lost a lot in trying to figure it out.  And, I’ll admit, that some of the stuff I did do could be better; my llama/blend project in which I was supposed to make a mini vest is…unimpressive. and there are a few other things I could enhance. I’ve got this little extra time, I may as well take it. So I’ve ordered more supplies through Etsy and Ebay, and am waiting for them to be shipped off and arrive, hopefully in the next two weeks.

And then later tonight, I’m going to see the last show of my long-lost buddy’s band, The Uncas.

Tomorrow, among whatever else I’ll be doing, I’m going to go see Metric and Bedouin Soundclash at the local exhibition.

For My SWOFTY Chicas July 25, 2008

A gallery of softies that have been turned inside out and re-stuffed.  AWESOME.

It’s a MixTape! July 24, 2008

This is wicked.  Though there is some colourful language.

The Wordle Didn’t Work July 24, 2008

But here’s a kind of cool site…Jackson Pollock your computer!

Some Things Knitterly July 22, 2008

So…maybe it’s a good thing I’m only working one job right now.  I had a panicky moment (or ten) on Wednesday last week when I realised I had a two day weekend coming and I hadn’t made any plans to do anything with it.  I ended up going to a food gathering with a couple of friends for lunch on Friday and then didn’t leave my apartment at all on Saturday, which is terrible because it was such a beautiful day.  I ended up watching the first five discs of Season 6 of the X-Files throughout the weekend, and playing some Guitar Hero III and Lego Indiana Jones.

And I knitted.  I finished one sock and started on the second, using the stitch pattern for these Campfire Socks but creating my own pattern to go with my Araucania Ranco Multi:

And I’ve been knitting for work while at work too.  I got this yarn at a Salvation Army, and the pattern is #26 from Vogue Knitting Fall 2005.  I’m making it for a 1920s sweater vest; it shows promise.

I Just Ordered the Cutest Dress July 14, 2008

For $44 after exchange, shipping and handling, I couldn’t resist. So Cute!

Sadly, I had ordered the cherries design, and it was sold out before I could get mine; but the customer service of this shop is awesome and they tried really hard to find me a new option.  I ended up canceling my order, but I would recommend this shop to anyone, any day; their customer service was that great.