tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174020832024-03-13T11:24:55.328-07:00Skrilla KnitsKnitting has long been considered antiquated, something for grandmas and whipped little housewives. That just isn't true.
Knitting is one of those minute to learn, lifetime to master deals, and I'm in it for the long haul.Ciriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-53540235677079923742007-11-21T10:56:00.000-08:002007-11-21T10:58:28.566-08:00Moving!Hi--I'm making the switch to <a href="http://wordpress.com">Wordpress</a>! You can visit me <a href="http://www.skrillaknits.wordpress.com">here</a> and update any bookmarks you might have. I'm working on setting up some sort of automatic re-direct, but I'm not sure that's possible with a free blog.<br /><br />Have a great Thanksgiving and see you over at Wordpress!<br /><br />CRCiriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-51188221901593238922007-11-18T17:45:00.000-08:002007-11-18T19:27:36.576-08:00In theory...After I emerged from my paper on language theory, I took a class at <a href="http://www.yarn.com/">Webs</a> on color theory. I'm sorry to say it was pretty elementary stuff. Building a color wheel, learning some basic terms (primary, secondary--didn't get to tertiary--, tint, hue, shade). I would have liked a little more practice designing unique palettes or analyzing color use in Fair Isle. The instructor touched on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bezold_effect">Bezold Effect</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simultaneous_contrast">simultaneous contrast</a>, which are both kinds of optical illusions that occur when specific colors are placed beside each other...this was the sort of thing I wanted to explore, but oh well. Coolest lesson: use hexagonal bits of cardstock to make little interlocking swatches that are easy to rearrange:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2414/2045450676_5f282c10d6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2414/2045450676_5f282c10d6.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I was hoping to kill two birds with one stone and pick up a little <a href="http://yarn.com/webs/0/0/0/0-1150-1152-1174/0/0/4384/">something something</a>, but <a href="http://www.childsfamily.com/knitting/">Dena</a> and I couldn't find the non-floor model. Sigh. Probably for the best, I think I might prefer a <a href="http://www.newvoyager.com/sonata.html">Kromski Sonata</a> for its foldability. I got a Teach Yourself Visually Handspinning book, the new Interweave and some <a href="http://yarn.com/webs/0/0/0/0-1001-1294-1323/0/0/1208/">hot pink tweed</a>, Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran in Treasure.<br /><br />The wheel urge is just worse and worse, I've been practicing on the drop spindle and have realized that a lot of my favorite yarns have a slubby, handspun quality (Terra by the Fibre Company, Noro Cash Iroha, Tahki Donegal Tweed, Kureyon...). After reading that <a href="http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1998/3/98.03.05.x.html#g">Gandhi was a big proponent</a>, I was kind of sold. There are a lot of amazing quotes <a href="http://www.mkgandhi.org/epigrams/c.htm">here under Charkha</a>.<br /><br />I have some random deliciousness to show you. When I bake bread I usually use a recipe from the <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=EyevcMj6wuMC&pg=PA60&dq=enchanted+broccoli+forest+basic+bread+recipe&ei=awJBR6SMK4-g7gKEr5yKBw&sig=POWF2FOINqwLjIvgtZ7b7nhGe7M"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Enchanted Broccoli Forest</span></a> (do click, you get the whole recipe!) that calls for a 'mix' which is a potion comprised of melted butter, honey and activated yeast. This was a souped up mix, an attempt to imitate a Ploughman's Loaf from <a href="http://www.gonomad.com/destinations/0103/carlin_northampton_guide.html">Northampton's Woodstar Cafe</a>.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2159/2042714940_aab244b833.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2159/2042714940_aab244b833.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />It contains <a href="http://www.kateshomemadebutter.com/">Kate's</a> salted butter, chunks of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheddar_cheese">English cheddar</a>, caramelized onion, and some <a href="http://www.colmansmustard.com/colmans_mustard_usa.html">Coleman's mustard powder</a>, sea salt and coarsely ground black pepper. It was tasty but the heat in the apartment wasn't on (I didn't notice, I was bundled up) and the poor bread barely rose. I'll try it again, probably with some <a href="http://beavercheese.org/Articles.php?pg=31">Cotswold</a>. I am OBSESSED with Cotswold these days. I almost choked on a piece when it was mentioned in this week's episode of 'ER', #298 Coming Home.<br /><br />Okay, that's it for now. Next post will be yarn heavy, I have some new lovelies to show off (see my Flickr page if you're curious), and I hope to have this plied up and knittable:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2182/2041882785_1c1f7cc292_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2182/2041882785_1c1f7cc292_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I am knitting by the way, but I don't want to reveal anything before the contest ends! I have made two dog sweaters for my <a href="http://www.simplysharaportraits.com/">friend Shara's</a> <a href="http://images.google.com/images?q=pomapoo&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=images&ct=title">pomapoo</a>, I'm hoping for photos soon!<br /><br />CR<br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a href="http://yarn.com/webs/0/0/0/0-1150-1152-1174/0/0/4384/"></a>Ciriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-15161628984319734952007-11-14T23:31:00.001-08:002007-11-20T13:01:33.099-08:00Undoing, thy name is:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://news.filefront.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/gh3boxart1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://news.filefront.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/gh3boxart1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />And it had to arrive the week I have a major, must get an A paper in which I have to "engage" readings from the following big guns: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Gramsci">Antonio Gramsci</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Burke">Kenneth Burke</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._L._Austin">J.L. Austin</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%BCrgen_Habermas">Jurgen Habermas</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goffman">Erving Goffman</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Williams">Raymond Willimas</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Searle">John Searle</a>. No biggie, right? Ain't nothing but a 20th century language theorist's paaaaaaartaaaay...all I have to say is, where my ladies at?<br /><br /><br />Speaking of modeling, I did some hand modeling last week, for <a href="http://www.edieeckman.com/">Edie Eckman's</a> next book. I kind of have man-hands, so I found this amusing. They aren't going to get any prettier if I keep beating up on them with this crazy game. Eric has already requested a knitted wristband for padding! Oof. I can't help the addiction, they're the songs of my youth--from the 80s (Guns and Roses, Foghat, Dead Kennedy's) to the mid 90s (Weezer, Smashing Pumpkins, Rage Against the Machine)...I'm such a Nintendo sucker, and I'm already coveting a DS Lite with the brain-builder vocabulary/memory/hand-eye coordination improving games! Wow. I'm a geek.<br /><br />CRCiriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-28985403583934518502007-11-06T07:28:00.000-08:002007-11-06T12:10:48.864-08:00NoSoNaFiSweMoSo you've heard of <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">NaNoWriMo</a> and it's knit twin <a href="http://www.knitgrrl.com/?p=378">NaNoSweMo</a>. Meet NoSoNaFiSweMo.<br /><br />It's my very own Not-So-National Finish a Sweater Month...contest!<br /><br />You see, the cold has finally arrived. My closet is pretty slim in the sweater department. The ones I wear the most are <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2007/01/resolved_02.html">Salvation Army rescues</a>. I've stupidly felted a few sweaters recently. My go-to black cardigan is full of holes.<br /><br />L.L. Bean is offering free shipping at the moment so I went over to score some wool cardigans. I was happily creating a cart (tempting items: a <a href="http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&categoryId=43154&sc1=Search&feat=sr">red plaid coat</a> a la <a href="http://pnp.norecess.org/pictures/youngerpete.jpg">Little Pete</a> from "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Pete_&_Pete">Pete and Pete</a>," a <a href="http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&categoryId=47346&sc1=Search&feat=sr">union suit</a> and <a href="http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&categoryId=48772&sc1=Search&feat=sr">red plaid duct tape</a>). Then it hit me--I have one kojillion unfinished sweaters all over the apartment. Well, I'm rounding up, but let's take a head count of all the sweaters I have just...stopped mentioning (lots of <a href="http://ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a> links, sorry):<br /><br />1. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/skrillaknits/tilted-duster">Tilted Duster</a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2137/1499298417_fcb02af11d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2137/1499298417_fcb02af11d.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />2. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/skrillaknits/minimalist-cardigan">Blood Orange Cardigan</a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1343/1352297291_280da8e466.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1343/1352297291_280da8e466.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />3. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/skrillaknits/enid">Enid Cardigan</a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/135/358822786_957040885c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/135/358822786_957040885c.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />4. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/skrillaknits/hudson">Hudson Hoodie</a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/193/503277984_c29cbf0e3c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/193/503277984_c29cbf0e3c.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />5. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/skrillaknits/treeline-striped-cardigan">Treeline Cardigan</a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/218/482956306_4aa8930cf4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/218/482956306_4aa8930cf4.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />6. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/skrillaknits/thermal">Thermal</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1257/564034244_ee5b1464a5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1257/564034244_ee5b1464a5.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />7. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/skrillaknits/forecast">Forecast</a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/151/346126438_e93e1377fb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/151/346126438_e93e1377fb.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />8. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/skrillaknits/spray">Spray/T-Storms</a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/196/504406688_9c951ad2fd.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/196/504406688_9c951ad2fd.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />SO--I've decided to finish these. In November. Pretty sure I can't do all of them, but I'm going to see how many I can pull off. Here is the contest: guess how many sweaters (and which ones) I'll finish by December 1st! There will be a blog runway show to show off the finished objects.<br /><br />The info about these sweaters is on the blog, on Ravelry and on some knit-along pages. Some of it isn't up to date and starting now, I will not edit or update ANYTHING related to these sweaters until December 1st. No new info!! This month is a busy one for me but there is Thanksgiving break and residual energy from all the caffeine I'll be chugging to get through the schoolwork. You can ask me ONE question in the comments before making your guess.<br /><br />Winners will receive a custom prize package, most likely a combination of some stash items, books or Lexie Barnes bags I'd like to pass along and new items purchased especially for the winner. If no one guesses exactly correctly, I will choose randomly from whoever guessed the correct NUMBER of sweaters. Unclear? Please ask away.<br /><br />The gauntlet has been thrown down!<br /><br />CR<br /><br />P.S. My statcounter tells me that I had a random jump in readership on Monday...but I can't figure out why. The Visitor Paths are only reported for the most recent 100 visitors. Does anyone know who linked to me?Ciriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-78522880008369608312007-11-01T18:10:00.000-07:002007-11-02T05:12:41.566-07:00Post monster!I don't know what has gotten into me, posting three times in one week. Maybe I'm inspired by the<a href="http://www.fussy.org/nablopomo.html"> NaBloPoMo</a> participants? Or maybe it's that there are some exciting things happening. First one: <a href="https://www.lexiebarnes.com/news/index.htm">Lexie is looking for ladies</a> (actually, I'm sure dudes are welcome too, I just like alliteration!). She really means it when she says "All ages, ethnicities, shapes, and sizes are encouraged to submit an entry," this is the woman who lets/loves for me come to photo shoots with chipped black nail polish and whatever Van's slip-ons I'm wearing that day. You can probably tell from her bags but Lexie's aesthetic is one of kind, and now you can be a part of it!<br /><br />When I mentioned <a href="http://blog.berroco.com/">Norah Gaughan's</a> exclusive to <a href="http://yarn.com/">Webs</a> (for the next two weeks at least) <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/norah/lotus-cardi">Lotus Cardigan</a>, I did NOT give it it's due. Here is a better picture (still pretty bad though, photographing catalog paper is difficult and I struggle with digital photography in general):<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2317/1824980501_9452fb5597_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2317/1824980501_9452fb5597_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />It was knit by <a href="http://andra-asars.com/">Andra Asars</a>, a woman I'm proud to call my adopted yarn mentor. She is brilliant at what she does, including whipping out perfect, custom-sized garments like this one in about two weeks. Here is us at Stitches watching the Red Sox, fanciest fans ever! We look like a demure Betty and Veronica, no?<br /><br />A sample garment of hers went missing at Stitches...if anyone has a friend who "whips up" a size 42" red <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chantal-2">Chantal</a> in a record amount of time...please let me know. It is sad to lose garments this way, and it happens way more than it should. You'd think fellow knitters would understand how many hours go into sample garments.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2336/1588405828_478a3fdb1e_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2336/1588405828_478a3fdb1e_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />CR<br /><br />P.S. If you're watching the Office and you squeal at the amazingness of the <a href="http://www.nbc.com/The_Office/video/#mea=177303">Finer Things Club</a> and your boyfriend immediately suggests "You should make a Ravelry group for it!" you MIGHT be addicted to <a href="http://ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a>.Ciriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-61333955410702484962007-11-01T09:38:00.000-07:002007-11-01T10:25:25.106-07:00Grey area.So I mentioned Fashion Plates in my <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2007/10/omg-yall.html">last post</a> and I've had a few questions about long sleeves on the <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2007/09/gallery-jacket.html">Gallery Jacket</a>. It was absolutely meant to be long-sleeved! I was basically trying to recreate a favorite sweater (seen <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/43968257@N00/369569431/in/set-72157594500377271/">here</a> in all it's ribby wrappy glory) and ran out of time. Luckily, the time constraint forced me to cut corners (in a good way, IMHO) by picking up stitches around the armsyce and knitting down until they yelled "CUT! Put it on. Look pretty!" I plan to make mine long-sleeved and it will be easy for all of you to do so--just keep knitting! It might make sense to work some decrease rows past the elbow. I'll cast on for my version soon and share those numbers with you (and Webs, so they can put it on the pattern) soon.<br /><br />About "re-interpreting" sweaters...a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/patterns/27332/1-25">Ravelry thread</a> about design/pattern theft got pretty heated recently. It's always an interesting discussion and I've even taught a colloquium about the contested nature of originality. We explored the possibility that it might not be possible anymore, and looked at it from a number of angles (planned communities like Celebration, FL, media mash-ups, iconography and semiotics, mimicry and homage, etc.). You can read my thoughts on this <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/patterns/27332/101-125#107">here</a>. For non-Ravelers, I will just say that letting go of a fetishized notion of "originality" was the first step I had to take before engaging design and setting my creative output loose into the world.<br /><br />The store-bought sweater uses a different rib pattern and of course, a different sleeve. Mine is practically seamless, which the store version isn't. It also incorporates some clunky, very visible decreases that I nixed. I would never claim to have dreamed up this sweater out of thin air--it's more like a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz_standard">jazz standard</a>. Fun fact about me--I used to work at the <a href="http://actonjazzcafe.com/">Acton Jazz Cafe</a> and have heard approximately 312 versions of "Stella by Starlight." Ooh, another--I still don't know the words! My mother used to sing professionally and <a href="http://www.tonygallo.com/bios.html">my father is a jazz drummer</a> but I am notoriously bad at learning lyrics.<br /><br />The <a href="http://bluemoonfiberarts.com/sockClubs.php">STR Sock Club</a> accepts enrollments today. Hate to say, it was easy to resist signing up. I've signed up for two, yes TWO seasons of the <a href="http://sundarayarn.typepad.com/sundara_yarn/2007/09/seasons-yarn-cl.html">Sundara Season's club</a> and I have billion skeins of STR in my stash anyway. Working as a Stitches vendor is it's own little sock club...you get to shop the amazing booth before the attendees! Heck, Deb and Kaci will tell you that I shop the booth while they're UNPACKING. Yes, I am annoying. I can't help it, <a href="http://goddessknitters.blogspot.com/2007/10/go-east-young-monkey.html">look at this</a>!!<br /><br />Anyhow, I'm saving my BMFA $$ for the Raven series. I'm oh-so-curious to see the BMFA non-brights, and Kaci tells me that the patterns are fantastic.<br /><br />It's deliciously grey today. Does anyone else love these damp, foggy fall days? They get no love!<br /><br />CR<br /><br />P.S. Whoa. I just searched my blog to see if I've mentioned the colloquium before. I have--look at <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2005/10/today-was-entirely-gray-and-rainy.html">the title</a>. SEE-nothing is original!Ciriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-57720816789321400632007-10-29T20:08:00.000-07:002007-10-30T17:16:41.097-07:00OMG, ya'll!<a href="http://teamknit.blogspot.com/2007/10/fo-gallery-jacket.html">The first Gallery Jacket</a>! Is it vain if I say that I think it's freaking adorable? Julie is right, you can style it a million ways...it was difficult to pick one way to show it in the catalog to be honest.<br /><br />I haven't been the best blogger lately...I've been consumed with school stuff but somehow, after chatting with Lisa Shroyer at Stitches East, I thought it'd be a good idea to submit a few designs to Knitscene. I was all flattered and big headed for a few minutes but then I saw that it was more of an <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2007/10/12/see-your-knits-in-knitscene.html">open call</a>...heh...oh well, it was wicked fun to play designer for a week, it was just like playing with <a href="http://www.inthe80s.com/toys/images/user-image-1179532673.jpg">Fashion Plates</a>! I suck at sketching so I did a little collage work. I'm in love with some of the swatches, here is a peek:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2147/1804171465_d0fdd2fabc.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2147/1804171465_d0fdd2fabc.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Speaking of secret designs, I can reveal the secret from an <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2007/09/tap-tap.html">old post</a>. Norah Gaughan designed a pattern, <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/43968257@N00/1804763590/in/set-72157594470630346">Lotus</a> that was knit to fit my exact measurements (acoustic guitar-like: long neck, long torso, flared bottom/hip region, also monkey arms)! It was knit in <a href="http://yarn.com/webs/0/0/0/0-1001-1294-1323/0/0/4116/">Jasper</a>, velvety soft Jasper in a deep wine red colorway that had stripes of charcoal of beige. I love it!!<br /><br />What else...I'm knitting some simple winter accessories, the cold has finally arrived and they're very much needed, I play the same game the Harlot mentions <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2007/10/29/cold_hands_warm_heart.html">here</a>. The most exciting is the shawl I've started with Jenna's handspun:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2265/1803787747_cfc69b49ba_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2265/1803787747_cfc69b49ba_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I'm calling this the Girl Power shawl because <a href="http://www.spunkyeclectic.com/">Spunky Eclectic</a> dyed the fiber, <a href="http://www.cinemaknits.com/">Jenna</a> spun the yarn and I'm knitting it up, using a <a href="http://www.spunkyhats.com/pattern_showyourcolorshawl.htm">Spunky Eclectic pattern</a>. The cirrrrrrrcle of yaarrrrn...<br /><br />Poor Jenna was at my house for the final Red Sox World Series game...she is a Yankees fan and...we...may have bickered. The lovable underdog days are officially over, so I was kind of at a disadvantage, but I refuse to believe that Yankee fans outnumber the citizenry of Red Sox nation, which is much larger than just Massachusetts! Jenna ate some of my overcooked and bitter broccoli rabe and I felt slightly vindicated.<br /><br />This song is currently stuck in my head and I don't mind at all...<br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zN9VXA6P3FQ&rel=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zN9VXA6P3FQ&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Tw8B5uC1rvQ&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Tw8B5uC1rvQ&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />CRCiriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-45894809979665959372007-10-17T07:08:00.000-07:002007-10-22T18:17:45.027-07:00I suppose I should blog...Yeesh, October is crazy! I have let a backlog of events, purchases, etc. pile up and now I'm a little overwhelmed by it all. Here are a few highlights from<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/43968257@N00/sets/72157602594725536/"> Rhinebeck</a>, I'll tackle Stitches East in the next post. Sorry for the links to pictures, I sized them incorrectly and they looked really bad here. I'll figure it out =/<br /><br />This was my first visit, and it was lovely! <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/cinemaknits">Jenna</a> and I used the buddy system and had an excellent, relaxing time. Maybe we were a little antisocial, we skipped meet-ups, the Ravelry party and Blogger Bingo but we're both having insane semesters, we're running on empty.<br /><br />We feasted on the famous artichokes, as well as apple pie a la mode, milkshakes, and many tiny bits of cheese. Jenna's old BF Max showed us around Rhinebeck and we caught a snippet of the Darjeeling Limited from the projection room at his family's theater, <a href="http://www.upstatefilms.com/index.php">Upstate Films</a>. Met <a href="http://www.upstatefilms.com/index.php">Jessica</a>, that was awesome. I love <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/43968257@N00/1692094354/in/set-72157602594725536/">meeting bloggers</a> I've read for a number of years, it's really bizarre--we were both like, "haven't we already met?"<br /><br />Minor purchases were made (Jenna was hyper-restrained/disciplined!). I picked up only one skein of yarn, <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/43968257@N00/1692286794/in/set-72157602594725536/">tie-dyed angora</a> from...I'm not sure where. I think it's the same booth and same yarn that <a href="http://cinemaknits.blogspot.com/2007/05/ma-sheep-and-wool-baby.html">Jenna</a> and <a href="http://huelosmellsyarn.blogspot.com/2007/06/there-comes-time-in-every-knitters-life.html">Huelo</a> purchased from at Cummington Sheep and Wool in May, <a href="http://www.bunnyblend.com/">Acker Acres Angoras</a>? I asked the woman what it looked like knit up and she said "I dunno, I just dyed it and haven't knit it!" I'm thinking it might end up looking like the sky in <a href="http://www.artquotes.net/masters/vangogh/vangogh_cafe1888.jpg">my favorite Van Gogh</a>.<br /><br />Some <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/43968257@N00/1691298041/in/set-72157602594725536/">insane roving</a> that looks like intestines from Foxhill Farm Fibers and Sheep. I'm regretting not picking up a bag that was really beachy, as well as two tiny ones that were yellow and bubble gum pink. I also grabbed some very cool wool fabric--<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/43968257@N00/1691358101/in/set-72157602594725536/">tweeds</a> and <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/43968257@N00/1691336601/in/set-72157602594725536/">herringbones</a> in amazing colors. It's actually pretty hard to find small amounts of soft wool in interesting colors, so I was excited to learn where they're hiding (rug hookers hoard them!). I'm hoping to try a <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/pamelawynne/1578375327/">Denyse Schmidt style scarf</a>.<br /><br />I'm starting to feel the pull for a spinning wheel! It's a big purchase but I've been really good this year. It might seem like I spend a lot on yarn, bags and shoes (and I do) but I'm really good at budgeting everything else. Clothing, food, books etc. are all done on the cheap. I really like <a href="http://mellowtrouble.net/2005/07/24/responsibility-is-such-a-drag">this blogger's</a> thoughtful approach to buying/shopping for a wheel. I have some offers to try some different wheels. The smaller/more compact the better so I'm thinking castle or folding. I know double treadle is supposed to be easier but I have <a href="http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/Tarsal_Coalition.htm">an ankle problem</a> that makes it hard to do things evenly with both feet...I might be better off with a single treadle. Aesthetically I'm drawn to the <a href="http://www.woolery.com/Pages/kromski.html">Kromski Sonata and Minstrel</a>, the <a href="http://www.worldknit.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=1&Product_Code=ash_kiwi&Category_Code=Ashford">Ashford Kiwi</a>, the <a href="http://www.louet.com/spinning_weaving/s75.shtml">Louet S75</a> and the adorable <a href="http://www.spunkyhats.com/acc_spinnigwheels_schacht.htm">Schacht Ladybug</a>.<br /><br />One of the shopping considerations is what sort of yarn you'd like to spin. I love <a href="http://www.insubordiknit.com/yarn/">Jacey's yarn</a> and I lust after <a href="http://www.spincycleyarns.com/store/">Spincycle Yarns</a>. What has really sent me over the edge is all the handspun garter stitch stuff that <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/helloyarn/sets/72157600108427782/">Adrian</a> and <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/68971937@N00/sets/72157600481884907/">Jared</a> are churning out. Remember the Spunky Eclectic roving I bought at <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2007/05/cummington-2007.html">Cummington</a>? Well, Jenna spun it up for me on her Louet S75:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2052/1691550901_44efd4e910.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2052/1691550901_44efd4e910.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2162/1692450632_3de13dca3f.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2162/1692450632_3de13dca3f.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />It came out BEAUTIFULLY, and it's highly inspiring. It's <a href="http://www.spunkyhats.com/accyarnroving.htm">South African Fine from Spunky Eclectic</a>, colorway Rocky Mountain High. I originally thought I'd make a hat and mittens (Jenna reserved some of the roving so I could thrum with it) but it's so pretty I might do a <a href="http://www.spunkyhats.com/pattern_showyourcolorshawl.htm">really simple shawl</a> instead, a Spunky pattern in fact! Full circle, nice.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2191/1663711967_727afca10a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2191/1663711967_727afca10a.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2037/1663661303_48e98d1ce0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2037/1663661303_48e98d1ce0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2086/1663639559_4ef66db240.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2086/1663639559_4ef66db240.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2249/1663736419_75bf72a807.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2249/1663736419_75bf72a807.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />More later,<br /><br />CRCiriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-59220479390470204842007-10-06T19:35:00.000-07:002007-10-07T19:24:19.609-07:00Venti!The other day I finally had a tattoo touched up that I'd been meaning to fix for...oh...12 years now. Yes, that means I was 13 when I got this tattoo, my first. I was living in Germany and went with my mother to get it (long, sordid story). This is really the only picture I could find, it's a tiny lavender rose (barely visible):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/Rv5jeBuXJzI/AAAAAAAAAnE/nRtTCysGeJ4/s1600-h/sunny10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/Rv5jeBuXJzI/AAAAAAAAAnE/nRtTCysGeJ4/s400/sunny10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115635594249578290" border="0" /></a><br />Anyhow, it's better now! I love the three yellow pistils...stamen? Plant sex organs. I pretty much let the artist do his thing. It's slightly more open now (appropriate, I'm older, more in bloom) and has more thorns (also appropriate!). I asked for what I thought was an impossible color (light burgundy) but he pulled it off very well and updated the green, which was a very dated shade of jade. I was very impressed with the work (<a href="http://www.holeshottattoo.com/tim2.html">Timmy at Holeshot</a> in Amherst).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2059/1499866644_147a974a3c_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2059/1499866644_147a974a3c_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In case you think I haven't been knitting...you're wrong. I'm still ignoring my <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2007/09/ugh.html">Blood Orange cardigan</a> (the yarn really resembles the flesh of a deliciously strange <a href="http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=blood+orange&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi">blood orange</a>) but I've been churning out small projects here and there. I have three baby sweaters on the needles and a half finished <a href="http://www.interweaveknits.com/galleries/bonus/fall2007/gaughan.asp">Tilted Duster</a> (all it needs is the skirt, a collar and buttons). BTW, Norah Gaughan is about to unveil a pretty bitchin' FO/WIP, keep your eyes peeled!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2137/1499298417_ae45f08376_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2137/1499298417_ae45f08376_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The color isn't anywhere online (a seller on eBay calls it "<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Peruvia-Berroco-Highland-Wool-Yarn-7183-Abusar_W0QQitemZ190150587706QQihZ009QQcategoryZ75569QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem">Abusar</a>" but that isn't it's given name) and it reminds me of the main color of Reynolds <a href="http://yarn.com/webs/0/0/0/0-1001-1294-1323/0/0/3162/">Whiskey</a> in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/enid/people">Enid</a>...my poor, ignored Enid. Maybe I can take that to Baltimore and finish the yoke in my hotel room? Working at <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/flash/events/EventDetail.php?EventID=37">Stitches</a> always gives me a knit fit (like a <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=nic-fit">nic fit</a>...). It's puckering ever so slightly, some of the floats span 5+ stitches so I've been 'catching' them as I go in using directions from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Knitters-Handbook-Comprehensive-Principles-Handknitting/dp/0762102489/ref=pd_bbs_2/105-1722450-8378034?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191706889&sr=8-2">Montse Stanley's Handbook</a>. I think it will block flat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2132/1499345709_b948a6204a_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2132/1499345709_b948a6204a_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2188/1499401337_b823cf86fd_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2188/1499401337_b823cf86fd_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I finished <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall07/PATTfoliage.html">Foliage</a>, my first top-down hat. I'm blocking it on a dinner plate so it'll be more snood-ish. I love snoods! I double stranded <a href="http://yarn.com/webs/0/0/0/0-1001-1294-1323/0/0/1226/">Malabrigo Worsted</a> in Bobby Blue. It reminds me of a vintage bathing cap and was a fun knit. I used twisted ribbing and bound-off purlwise, other than that no mods. Clearer pictures at <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/skrillaknits/foliage">Ravelry</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2143/1500461444_fca4c09297_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2143/1500461444_fca4c09297_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I made a few adorable and goofy coffee cardigans. These are wicked fun and I actually have been using it, it makes baristas smile. This is knit with <a href="http://yarn.com/webs/0/0/0/0-1001-1294-1323/0/0/3431/">Valley Yarns Superwash</a> (LOVE how it looks knit at this tight gauge) and features three <a href="http://www.corozobuttons.com/about.asp">corozo nut</a> buttons from the <a href="http://www.knittersreview.com/article_yarn_shop.asp?article=/review/profile/060706_a.asp">Creative Needle in Amherst</a>, which happens to be owned by the mother-in-law of a <a href="http://www.umass.edu/communication/faculty_staff/scharrer.shtml">professor in my department</a>. I love corozo nut buttons almost as much as I love shell buttons. And <a href="http://movingmud.com/index.htm">Moving Mud buttons</a>. And horn buttons. And...oh, I'm a <a href="http://www.buttons.com/Home.asp">button</a> <a href="http://mjtrim.com/Catalog/Category/423.aspx">whore</a>, are you surprised??<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2307/1500083988_3b327251b3_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2307/1500083988_3b327251b3_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I just purchased a kit to make this <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/StoneAmazon/greek-deli-cup-coffee-cozy">Greek Deli version</a> by <a href="http://www.halfbirthdayknits.com/blog.html">Jennifer Reichert</a>, it's hysterical! <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennreichert/1065228556/in/photostream/">This embroidered grocery purse</a> of hers is 2 parts hysterical, 8 parts amazing.<br /><br />Brain food, mmmm....I don't eat much fruit but I loves my vegetables (<a href="http://www.oakleaf-european.co.uk/gallery.htm">this site</a> makes me drool). I have many ways of preparing them so that they taste very, very decadent. This was today's lunch, an old favorite (recipe <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2006/05/meet-clara.html">here</a>):<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2138/1499028993_10a98bb7d1_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2138/1499028993_10a98bb7d1_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My next treat is butternut squash roasted with maple syrup and cracked peppercorn (something about the hot/sweet combination is very soothing). I do a mashed cauliflower with cream and asiago that would make you disown potatoes forever.<br /><br />Meet <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/STARBUCKS-2007-OWL-with-glasses-plush-NWT-BIRD_W0QQitemZ170156063309QQihZ007QQcategoryZ10795QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem">Irma the Owl</a>, a friend who is staring sternly down from her perch. I met her at Starbucks where she was deeply discounted and deeply adorable. She looks like an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irma_%28name%29">Irma</a>, and when I looked up that name I learned that it is an Old High German/Hoch Deutsch word for...word! Perfect patron (stuffed) saint for a communication scholar, no?<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2233/1499956366_42c0d8a374_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2233/1499956366_42c0d8a374_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Speaking of that. I have a 12-page paper to write. Probably why I suddenly felt the urge to blog. I'm going to try to link the practice of blogging to early 20th-century language theories (using some key works from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_de_Saussure">Saussure</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nietzsche">Nietzsche</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Boas">Boas</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapir">Sapir</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malinowski">Malinowski</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jakobson">Jakobson</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakhtin">Bakhtin</a>...among others).<br /><br />WUNSCH MIR GLUCK, BITTE!<br /><br />P.S. FYI, <a href="http://gofugyourself.typepad.com/go_fug_yourself/2007/10/well-played-kir.html">funniest Fug</a> I've seen in awhile.Ciriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-32922965438499013122007-09-27T18:57:00.000-07:002007-09-28T06:14:24.819-07:00UGH.FIRST of all, thank you so much for the lovely comments on the <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2007/09/gallery-jacket.html">Gallery Jacket</a>! <a href="http://yarn.com/webs/0/0/0/0-1001-1294-1323/0/0/4271/">Sheffield</a> has arrived and it is quite beautiful. I can't wait to see how the pattern works out for people. The garment has been cat-nap tested and approved:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1138/1449918671_6ebb754e96_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1138/1449918671_6ebb754e96_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1168/1450789770_7ef8b988fe_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1168/1450789770_7ef8b988fe_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1070/1449938173_5080350408_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1070/1449938173_5080350408_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Unfortunately my next sweater project wasn't as successful. In fact, I have a sweater disaster on my hands. The squeamish should avert their eyes, and maybe not read any further.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RvxkeRuXJrI/AAAAAAAAAmE/IkEKpUijzHk/s1600-h/redblob.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RvxkeRuXJrI/AAAAAAAAAmE/IkEKpUijzHk/s400/redblob.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115073748102751922" border="0" /></a><br />This is my <a href="http://minimalistcardigankal.blogspot.com/">Minimalist Cardigan</a>, knit with the ridiculously hard to photograph <a href="http://yarn.com/webs/0/0/0/0-1001-1294-1323/0/0/3288/">Terra in Madder</a>. This sweater should have been done weeks ago. I loved knitting the easy pieces, I didn't even mind the moss stitch since I knit Continental. After all that twisted ribbing for the Gallery Jacket, allover moss stitch was like a vacation! I'd heard that moss stitch is a pain to seam so I'd decided to <a href="http://medieval.webcon.net.au/technique_stitches.html#back">back stitch</a> a lot of them. It's bulky, yes, but it's quick and I just wanted to wear this thing. I made a small mistake sewing the sleeve in and while I was undoing my seams I...may have used scissors. I know, I know, I should have slowly unpicked it but come on! I was already rushing...and drinking...and tired.<br /><br />Can you guess what happens next? I snipped my knitting. And this isn't yarn you would want to steek. It is partially alpaca, partially silk, very slippery. I tried to patch my holes and build them up with crochet. This worked reasonably well and stayed the slippage, but as expected it had a much different texture than the knitting--thick, inflexible and of course, right up front. I started to seam this but it was sort of hopeless. There is no way to make it look neat at this point. I'm all out of yarn. The only solution I can think of is to remove the sleeves, rip out the sleeve caps and some of the sleeve and then re-knit the caps with whatever yarn is available.<br /><br />To be honest, this wouldn't be terrible. A lot of the finished sweaters have sleeves that are the same length as the body--it yields a sort of boxy, square shape. Shortening the sleeves would circumvent that, right? Right? I MEANT to do that...<a href="http://www.yankeessuck.com/blog/archives/images/liar-liar.jpg">yeah...that's the ticket</a>...<br /><br />Congrats to <a href="http://melissa-knits.blogspot.com/2007/09/kin-i-git-yee-haw.html">Melissa</a> who expertly, patiently, soberly finished a Minimalist Cardigan last weekend. We were <a href="http://melissa-knits.blogspot.com/2007/09/more-redbridge-please.html">both in our element knitting</a> at a brewfest in Greenfield [thanks again for the excellent pictures, Melissa!]:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RvxxLBuXJsI/AAAAAAAAAmM/Idz1Aiab84U/s1600-h/happymelissa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RvxxLBuXJsI/AAAAAAAAAmM/Idz1Aiab84U/s400/happymelissa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115087711041431234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/Rvx3jxuXJyI/AAAAAAAAAm8/VV5u7uhZWdo/s1600-h/dirtymelissa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/Rvx3jxuXJyI/AAAAAAAAAm8/VV5u7uhZWdo/s400/dirtymelissa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115094733312960290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/Rvx3OBuXJwI/AAAAAAAAAms/4r7UoJX3mmw/s1600-h/younglove.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/Rvx3OBuXJwI/AAAAAAAAAms/4r7UoJX3mmw/s400/younglove.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115094359650805506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/Rvx3jhuXJxI/AAAAAAAAAm0/2BvqvjgP_aM/s1600-h/toughday.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/Rvx3jhuXJxI/AAAAAAAAAm0/2BvqvjgP_aM/s400/toughday.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115094729017992978" border="0" /></a><br />Speaking of old SNL, I recently "discovered" the music of Loudon Wainwright watching the Season 1 DVDs. This isn't from SNL, but it's a pretty excellent song. Enjoy!<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6dCYl-kJDhk"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6dCYl-kJDhk" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br />CRCiriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-22505128286921015262007-09-09T05:43:00.000-07:002007-09-09T06:24:35.266-07:00Gallery Jacket!Phew, I can post a finished object! The new <a href="http://yarn.com/">Valley Yarns</a> catalog is in the store which means it's also making its way to everyone on the mailing list. In it you'll find the sweater I mentioned in my (woefully pictureless) <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2007/09/tap-tap.html">last post</a>. This is something I designed and knit for Valley Yarns Sheffield, a gorgeous new yarn with amazing colors that feel new for Valley Yarns--deep teal, espresso brown, etc. This is the Gallery Jacket, named for <a href="http://www.explorenorthampton.com/visitor/whatshappening/artsnight.htm">Arts Night Out</a>, a Northampton institution that I have sadly never participated in (Mexifest ladies, maybe on the 14th?)<br /><br />Tell me, what is wrong with this picture? Why should you never trust the "I'm just fixing my hair pose"?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RuPsWo68sII/AAAAAAAAAl8/N3iYK19px2w/s1600-h/gallery1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RuPsWo68sII/AAAAAAAAAl8/N3iYK19px2w/s400/gallery1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108186276054216834" border="0" /></a><br />Because the great Maggie Righetti says you shouldn't, in Chapter 1 of "Knitting In Plain English" titled: You Can Always Tell What's Wrong With a Garment By The Way a Model is Posed, or Slender Five-Foot-Ten Inch Models Look Good in Anything. <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=vB7Bs_kxSw0C&pg=PA7&dq=maggie+righetti+model+poses&ei=6O3jRuKGDYiS6wLuhNCHCw&sig=VBZk-UBOV7PhubXr_xUCicN-b4A">See for yourself</a>!<br /><br />The "problem" in this case is the sleeve. I intended this to be a long sleeved sweater (full-disclosure, I was trying to recreate <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43968257@N00/369569421/in/set-72157594500377271/">this sweater</a>, purchased at a Marshall's, no discernible designer) with a modified drop shoulder. I couldn't knit the twisted ribbing fast enough and was on a somewhat scary deadline for a relatively slow knitter. The twisted ribbing takes FOREVER, but I really think it was worth it in the end.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RuPsOo68sHI/AAAAAAAAAl0/PwlQVOFG1tM/s1600-h/gallery3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RuPsOo68sHI/AAAAAAAAAl0/PwlQVOFG1tM/s400/gallery3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108186138615263346" border="0" /></a><br />Back to the point, I decided to pick up stitches and knit down in the round, so that no matter where I was when I ran out of time, I'd a least have a sleeve! I got about 2.5 inches done on both and tried the thing on. Somehow I forgot that the beauty of a drop shoulder is that it forms the top of your sleeve! It looked just fine with the stubby sleeves, in fact, many people thought it would've lost cuteness had I continued knitting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RuPr8468sGI/AAAAAAAAAls/5dQT3J_epzM/s1600-h/gallery2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RuPr8468sGI/AAAAAAAAAls/5dQT3J_epzM/s400/gallery2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108185833672585314" border="0" /></a><br />The Sheffield is quite warm so it was actually nice to have a mostly bare arm. I've tweaked the pattern and incorporated some decreases to take care of the pooching (technical term?) that occurs under the arm in these pictures. I think that would've been weighted down with a longer sleeve, but here it's a bit obvious. A short row cap sleeve would've been nice, but I still have my training wheels on when it comes to designing!<br /><br />One last note--this was modeled WET--I blocked it about 10 hours after I finished it and in a humid July, the water barely budged. When the sweater dried it looked a lot less saggy under the arm area, I promise. It'll be in the store and again, the pattern was revised after knitting. I'll have to test knit a second version when more Sheffield arrives because I really want one of these in my wardrobe.<br /><br />CR<br /><br />P.S. The shawl pin in the catalog pictures and the design inspiration picture is the same, made by <a href="http://movingmud.com/">Moving Mud</a>. I think I might purposely design sweaters that require these, they're beautiful!<br /><br />P.P.S. More credits, the most important: these pictures are the product of <a href="http://designmz.com/">Penny and David Michalak</a>, a local couple who between them have too many design related talents to list!Ciriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-26683096556046584172007-09-05T21:09:00.000-07:002007-09-05T21:25:58.265-07:00Tap tap...Is this thing on?<br /><br />I disappeared! And I didn't even know it but the last post I made (on August 13th) was my 100th post, at least at this blog address. Cool.<br /><br />I've been busy with moving and grad school has started up again so I've been consumed with those two things. I've been having almost constant agita since moving--the yarn is just out of control and there is very little closet space so while it's a much bigger apartment than the last, the yarn has nowhere to GO. I've had to invest in a set of <a href="https://www.spacebag.com/spacebag/901715/">vacuum space bags</a>. I thought about posting pictures, but the hard squished bricks of yarn are too sad, I could almost be accused of yarn abuse!<br /><br />If there is anything that makes me feel like I have too much yarn it's calculating the amount I spend on STORAGE for the yarn. I could knit a cashmere afghan with what I've spent on plastic storage bins, no joke. And those vacuum bags aren't cheap either. I read on <a href="http://ravelry.com">Ravelry</a> that you shouldn't actually vacuum out the air because it could permanently compress the fibers.<br /><br />Anyhow, I am knitting and hope to be able to post a picture of my Minimalist cardigan soon which I am close to finishing. It's looking like it will be an adorable wearable sweater and I already have two orders for them. I don't think I'll mind because it's such a straightforward pattern, really quick and easy knitting. I'll probably be knitting a second for myself as well!<br /><br />My modeling has been truly exciting recently--in the next <a href="http://yarn.com/">Webs</a> catalog you'll see me modeling a garment I designed and knit in what I think is the nicest <a href="http://yarn.com/">Valley Yarn</a> yet, Sheffield, a merino/silk/angora blend. I'm actually pretty pleased with this sweater and hope it finds some fans. It was really fun to work on the entire page of the catalog, from the copy to the garment to the modeling it was all DIY!<br /><br />The next job on deck is seriously fantastic but top secret for now! All I'll say is that I had to give my measurements to a very cool lady today...<br /><br />I'll be back with pictures!<br /><br />CRCiriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-24422991040815520272007-08-12T07:02:00.000-07:002007-08-13T10:10:42.525-07:00Double sock fame!!<a href="http://alison.knitsmiths.us/cat_sockapalooza_4.html">My socks arrived</a>! Green lace, just like the socks I knit for <a href="http://strickenmadchen.blogspot.com/">my pal</a>!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1421/1103320637_843e6cb186_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1421/1103320637_843e6cb186_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />My pal? Perhaps you've heard of her:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1397/1104201206_a2e2f81eef_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1397/1104201206_a2e2f81eef_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Yes, <a href="http://alison.knitsmiths.us/">THE Alison Hansel</a>, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Charmed-Knits-Projects-Harry-Potter/dp/0470067314">Charmed Knits</a>, founder of <a href="http://alison.knitsmiths.us/002245.html">Sockapalooza</a>, all around excellent Boston blogger! I'm almost flustered by these socks, probably the way <a href="http://grumperina.com">Grumperina</a>'s Sock Pal from Socka-pa-2za felt (she was the recipient of the <a href="http://www.grumperina.com/knitblog/archives/2005/07/okay_okay_iall.htm">original Jaywalker</a> socks!)<br /><br />They fit perfectly and I love the pattern (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/embossed-leaves">Embossed Leaves</a>) so, so much! I'm one of those unimaginative types who firmly believes that leaf patterns should only be knit in leaf colors (granted, this does leave a lot of <a href="http://z.about.com/d/graphicssoft/1/0/a/L/1/wcleaves.jpg">options</a>). One of my jobs as marketing assistant at <a href="http://yarn.com">Webs</a> was to organize the <a href="http://alison.knitsmiths.us/002370.html">Charmed Knits book signing</a> and book Alison on the <a href="http://yarn.com/s/podcast.html">podcast</a>. She did a great job of keeping the secret, I had no idea!!<br /><br />On Saturday I was heading out the door to attend a party for a <a href="http://www.umass.edu/commgrads/people.html">friend</a> who had successfully defended her Master's thesis (on Maxim magazine). I realized that I didn't have a bar appropriate project. I fully realize how ridiculous this might sound, even to knitters, but please remember that I commute mostly by bus, which takes forever. And what's better than a little drunken knitting, even if you have to rip it out the next day?<br /><br />I threw a few balls of Kidsilk Haze into my new <a href="http://www.sockapalooza4bag.blogspot.com/">Monkey bag</a> so I could cast on for the <a href="http://www.colourway.co.uk/rowan/rb42/rb42.htm">Earth Stripe Wrap</a>, the cover design on Rowan 42. I fell in love with this when I saw it in a promotional poster at <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2007/07/welcome-to-linkland.html">TKGA</a> which MAY be hanging in my room, violating my post-college anti-poster sentiments. I'd assumed it was knit in <a href="http://yarn.com/webs/0/0/0/0-1001-1294-1323/0/0/4188/">Kidsilk Aura</a> because I couldn't readily identify the colors. I soon learned that Kaffe has paired <a href="http://www.laughinghens.com/knitting-pattern-page.asp?patternpageid=6442">14 shades</a> of <a href="http://yarn.com/webs/0/0/0/0-1001-1294-1323/0/0/3186/">Kidsilk Haze</a> in different combinations to create entirely new, entirely gorgeous colors. Apparently, all of my favorites--rooting through my stash I realized that I already had a single ball of almost every color he calls for. Single balls that I acquired on random road trips, before Webs was carrying KSH, simply because they were nice to look at.<br /><br />I'm about 6 stripes in and it's a glorious, easy project. I love stockinette stitch, which makes me a knitting simpleton. Oh well. I've added 6 stitches so I can keep the first and last 3 in garter stitch. I realize that the rolled edges are probably a carefully considered design element but I<br />abhor rolling edges.<br /><br />While I'm on the subject of Rowan, <a href="http://www.xtreme-knitting.com/blog/archives/2007/08/bored_bored_bor.html">Jen</a> had a few apt appraisals of the new issue. We both love when the designers re-knit the items--I find that without the extreme styling and ethereal sets you get a much better sense of the garment's practicality (as well as it's suitability for different bodies). They did this <a href="http://www.colourway.co.uk/pattern.htm">last fall</a> and showed the same sweater on women from different age groups, it was brilliant. I was tickled to see the focus of this re-knit feature: the same tenets of color analysis I've been <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2007/06/lets-get-ripped.html">jabbering</a> about! I created a <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/43968257@N00/sets/72157601030619207/">Flickr</a> set with excerpts from Carole Jackson's book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Color-Me-Beautiful-Carole-Jackson/dp/0345345886/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-6491655-7757706?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187023283&sr=8-1">Color Me Beautiful</a>, as well as a few pictures of the Rowan design team in their season appropriate knitwear. Inspiring, no?<br /><br /><br />CRCiriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-80156761623150669022007-08-07T12:45:00.000-07:002007-08-10T12:59:46.931-07:00Sock FAME!UPDATE: <a href="http://strickenmadchen.blogspot.com/2007/08/my-socks-came.html">They arrived!</a> My pal originally gave me carte blanche and when I investigated her site I found that she is a prolific, generous sock knitter! I inquired about her preferences and she said that she's been loving green lately, and lace. I'm not the best lace knitter...I hope the yarn is crazy enough to distract from my 'creative' solutions to lost YOs and forgotten decreases! We both grew up in Europe (she in Austria and me in Germany). I'm obsessed with Austrian art and sent her a ball of the new <a href="http://yarn.com/webs/0/0/0/0-1001-1294-1323/0/0/3831/">Hundertwasser yarn</a>.<br /><br />I'm finally mailing off <a href="http://alison.knitsmiths.us/#sockapalooza">socks to my sock pal</a>--I hope they don't mind that I waited until the last possible day of the mail-off. I'm including some treats for her <a href="http://strickenmadchen.blogspot.com/2007/07/my-sons.html#links">very adorable children</a>. I had a lot in common with my pal but I am going to hold off on revealing more until she gets my package.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RrjMIINRYjI/AAAAAAAAAlc/LkuDHr8lOP0/s1600-h/architectwife.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RrjMIINRYjI/AAAAAAAAAlc/LkuDHr8lOP0/s400/architectwife.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096047418383884850" border="0" /></a><br />My sock pal will also have the distinction of wearing a sock that was a prop for a recent <a href="http://lexiebarnes.com/">Lexie Barnes</a> photoshoot! I love this picture, the photographer said I look like an architect's wife. I feel right at home in Lexie's tableaux and I can't shut up about the bags, especially my <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2007/07/welcome-to-linkland.html">semi-new</a> <a href="http://www.lexiebarnes.com/collection/BDLG.htm">Darling</a> with it's holsters for my <a href="http://www.reusablebags.com/store/sigg-traveler-oval-flasks-reusable-bottles-p-503.html">water flask</a> and umbrella!<br /><br />Pattern: Belle Epoque from a <a href="http://melissaknits.com/">friend's upcoming book</a> Two-at-a-Time Socks<br />Yarn: <a href="http://bluemoonfiberarts.com/index.php">Blue Moon Fiber Arts</a> <a href="http://bluemoonfiberarts.com/fiber_type_detail.php?fiber_type_id=59">Socks that Rock Silkie</a> in <a href="http://bluemoonfiberarts.com/colorway_detail.php?colorway_id=19&fiber_category=Animal&colorway_category_id=2">Beryl</a><br />Needles: <a href="http://knitpicks.com/">Knit Picks</a>, an assortment of the <a href="http://knitpicks.com/Fixed+Circular+Knitting+Needles%3cbr%3eUS+Sizes+0+-+11_NDKPFixedCables.html">Classic Circulars</a>, <a href="http://knitpicks.com/Options+Knitting+Needle+Set_ND90245.html">Options</a> interchangeables and <a href="http://knitpicks.com/Nickel-Plated+6%22+Double+Pointed+Needle+Set%3cbr%2f%3eUS+Sizes+0+-+3_ND90298.html">DPNs</a>.<br /><br />Notes: The yarn is pretty inelastic and fuzzy...I didn't love it as much as the classic Socks that Rock which is like perfectly kneaded bread dough (not the first <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2007/03/stitches-west-2007.html">food analogy</a> I've used on this yarn). The pattern is written for the socks to be knit two at a time on one long circular using a sort of Magic Loopy configuration. I did that for awhile to test knit the pattern then switched to DPNs for speed's sake. This book is going to be a stunner, just you wait!<br /><br />Lastly, I wanted to thank everyone who commented on my <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2007/07/eep.html">last post</a>. Blogging is sort of like my personal <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_objects_in_Harry_Potter#Pensieve">pensieve</a> but it's nice to know that people appreciate my often rambling posts. This <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/search?q=attractive+blog">Ravelry thread</a> about what makes a good blog was...a bit frightening.<br /><br />More soon,<br /><br />CRCiriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-80635121082763139922007-07-31T08:18:00.000-07:002007-08-01T08:49:13.886-07:00Eep!Yesterday was almost TOO exciting! <a href="http://websyarnstore.blogspot.com/">Kathy</a> and I were talking about being mini-bloggers in a world of blog superstars. That prompted me to go and check my stats (I used <a href="http://statcounter.com/">Statcounter</a>) which is always fun. My favorite feature is the map--I love seeing that someone in Turkey is reading me! I don't get the flood of comments that some bloggers get...I try not to speculate about why, but my main theory is that my entries are long and text heavy, I'm guessing most people skim them heavily. Anyhow, yesterday I saw a rather engorged number of hits and I went to Visitor paths to see who had linked to me...it was none other that <a href="http://blogs1.marthastewart.com/blueprint/2007/07/youre-the-inspi.html">Blueprint Magazine</a>!! I love Blueprint, and I'm using the magazine pretty heavily in my academic work. Last semester I compared the aesthetic of Blueprint with an indie <a href="http://www.microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/1400/">DIY zine compliation</a>. Through content analysis I tried to prove that there are simultaneous parallel DIY movements going on right now. My basic point? <a href="http://artfiles.art.com/images/-/The-Parent-Trap-Poster-C10134465.jpeg">Let's get together, yeah yeah yeah</a>! I'm trying to develop a home economics curriculum based on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_theory">critical theory</a> and texts in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumer_culture">consumer culture</a> 'canon', not that there IS one =)<br /><br />Oh, did I tell you? Eric is <a href="http://wmua.blogspot.com/">blogging</a> <a href="http://beartrapproposal.blogspot.com/">these days</a>. AND modeling!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RrB-BYNRYgI/AAAAAAAAAlE/yoXtKdGXzwM/s1600-h/ericjcrew.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RrB-BYNRYgI/AAAAAAAAAlE/yoXtKdGXzwM/s400/ericjcrew.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093709740699116034" border="0" /></a><br />Well, not exactly, but this doppelganger freaked us out! Eric usually wears the exact same hat and some variation of that plaid shirt. Here is a profile pic for comparison (handsome, no?)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RrB-BYNRYhI/AAAAAAAAAlM/cTtDXPSWC1c/s1600-h/tealericprofile.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RrB-BYNRYhI/AAAAAAAAAlM/cTtDXPSWC1c/s400/tealericprofile.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093709740699116050" border="0" /></a><br />To to keep it manly, here is Zach, a <a href="http://yarn.com/">Webs</a> intern, modeling a men's sweater (in the mailroom, natch) that will be available this fall. It's knit from the top down (our <a href="http://twoofsticks.blogspot.com/">designer coordinator's</a> speciality) in <a href="http://yarn.com/webs/0/0/0/0-1001-1294-1323/0/0/1638/">Berkshire Bulky</a>--fast!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RrB-BoNRYiI/AAAAAAAAAlU/6RSs3E8PqI0/s1600-h/woodlandsweater.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RrB-BoNRYiI/AAAAAAAAAlU/6RSs3E8PqI0/s400/woodlandsweater.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093709744994083362" border="0" /></a><br />There is much more to blog about but I have to get to work. I'm on a special mission for <a href="http://bigsister.typepad.com/">Nicole</a> from <a href="http://www.stashandburn.com/">Stash and Burn</a> (it's just more excitement!) More later!<br /><br />Tschau,<br /><br />CRCiriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-7837151298937785062007-07-26T16:54:00.000-07:002007-07-28T17:45:00.153-07:00Potter HazeIs anyone else in a total Potter stupor? Book 7 made me feel like re-reading the entire series, which I've started. I'd already been heavily skimming the older books in anticipation of July's Potter-fest. I've seen the movie twice-the first time I was too distracted by the scenery! The films are so visually rich, it sort of makes the at times impressionistic take on the content forgivable in my opinion.<br /><br />Of course I'm immediately drawn to anything that will translate to a knitting project. In this film I noticed a lot of Norah Gaughan-ish vests on Ginny, cables and some hexagons (maybe, hard to tell for sure). A lot of Luna's blue and lavender crochet was pitch perfect but Hermione's striped pullovers sort of bored me. I'm not a huge Hermione fan to be honest, I'm definitely over the smugness and her snottiness towards Ron...probably because Ron/Rupert Grint is one of my favorite Potter characters. His garments are always my favorite at well! The original <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2006/04/look-what-mrs-weasley-made-me.html">Weasley sweater</a>, the <a href="http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/cat_rons_animal_crackers_hat.html">Animal Cracker hat</a>, the swatch blanket (cannot find a single decent picture of it, just a hint of it in this Talk Soup <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=UmLMaYpD_Gc">parody</a>), his <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nipperknits/344795973/">ragg raglan</a>, and now this plaid number:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RqvTn4NRYcI/AAAAAAAAAkk/Mg2bCczeUlQ/s1600-h/ronplaid.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RqvTn4NRYcI/AAAAAAAAAkk/Mg2bCczeUlQ/s400/ronplaid.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092396485728887234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RqvRQINRYbI/AAAAAAAAAkc/59ilgNViiz4/s1600-h/groupministry.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RqvRQINRYbI/AAAAAAAAAkc/59ilgNViiz4/s400/groupministry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092393878683738546" border="0" /></a><br />I'm a huge fan. One of my job perks this summer was getting access to the Rowan image database (I know, heart attack, right?) and getting to see all the garments from magazine 42. There happens to be a sweater that resembles the latest Ron sweater, it's a saddle shoulder cardigan knit in <a href="http://yarn.com/webs/0/0/0/0-1001-1294-1323/0/0/3193/">Wool Cotton</a> and 9 colors of <a href="http://yarn.com/webs/0/0/0/0-1001-1294-1323/0/0/3184/">Felted Tweed</a> (hello, leftovers!). Oooo, awesome, I can link to it, there is a tiny picture <a href="http://theknittinggarden.com/ro-mag42.htm">here</a>. The best part is the name--Striven. If you look at the <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/striven">definition</a> for the word, you can't help but think of Ron.<br /><br />There are projects on my mind that tie to Deathly Hallows, as well. I finally see the appeal of the Invisibility Cloak projects, I might use <a href="http://www.jadesapphire.com/">Jade Sapphire cashmere</a> with a touch of <a href="http://yarn.com/webs/0/0/0/0-1001-1294-1323/0/0/3187/">sparkle</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>. If you're on Ravelry, you can see my thoughts for the project I'm most excited about, Hermione's beaded bag with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermione_Granger#Harry_Potter_and_the_Deathly_Hallows">Undetectable Extension Charm</a>. I'm waiting for a <a href="http://www.lacis.com/catalog/data/ls58.html">purse frame</a> to arrive before I get started. I'm actually knitting two versions, one lavender and one pale green. I've started the lavender one and it features a beaded cast-on with some smoky amethyst glass seed beads, size E/6.0. It will be a drawstring pouch with a rather obscure lace pattern. The green bag will be somewhat more formal, sort of like <a href="http://www.victorianpursesbysue.com/pursePic.jpg">these</a> (minus the odd fringe). If I had a million dollars I would have bought this amazingly apros pros <a href="http://www.purseframes.com/frames.htm">Lion Queen</a> purse frame.<br /><br />I realize that some of you might be a little sick of Pottermania. If that's the case you might want to watch this, another parody that sounds like it was dubbed by a <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&amp;q=mooninite&spell=1">Moonanite</a> (not work or kid safe!)<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/a7t2ZkkABm4"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/a7t2ZkkABm4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />CRCiriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-3149528077614439682007-07-22T20:40:00.000-07:002007-07-22T21:12:37.517-07:00I just don't know what to do with myself.Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Book Seven...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RqQp94NRYaI/AAAAAAAAAkU/5eu0EKVrnco/s1600-h/deathlyhallows.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RqQp94NRYaI/AAAAAAAAAkU/5eu0EKVrnco/s400/deathlyhallows.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090239621872312738" border="0" /></a><br />It took 24 hours and it was entirely beautiful. I want to re-read everything. I hope you all enjoy your Hallows experience as much as I did...<br /><br />CRCiriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-72582971857825796412007-07-16T08:49:00.000-07:002007-07-16T10:14:18.803-07:00Welcome to Linkland...I am still without photodock, so no photos can be uploaded. The battery life is pulling one of those biblical stretches of longevity, I'm trying to avoid creating too much of a backlog for myself. To compensate, it appears I've gotten a little link happy.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tkga.com/">TKGA</a> was, to quote Count Blah <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2007/06/shes-snoody.html">once again</a> (scroll way down), 'aiii-ig-it'. Kathy and I were immediately deflated when we learned that <a href="http://www.tkga.com/">Brooks Farm</a> had to cancel due to floods in Texas. Our sadness about this was at least 51% not about yarn. I'll be making my usual beeline to them at Rhinebeck.<br /><br />There were some purchases, a skein of <a href="http://www.yarnzilla.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_1096_1098&products_id=6443">deliciously speckled Koigu</a> for a <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/beret-purl/">Purl beret</a> (not unlike the <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2007/03/stitches-west-2007.html">birthday cake version</a> I got at Stitches West), some hilarious albino <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/3-sk-NORO-Silk-Garden-269-silk-mohair-yarn-2007-08_W0QQitemZ200128074038QQihZ010QQcategoryZ36596QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem">(#269)</a> Silk Garden, <a href="http://lexiebarnes.com/">Lexie bags</a> and some patterns I'm really excited about: a steeked Fair Isle wrap knit in Reynolds Whiskey (if I ever finish <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2006/11/enid-anyone.html">Enid</a> I'm sure to have leftovers to work with) and a drop dead cute cardigan with (channeling Anne Shirley) short <a href="http://www.cs.cmu.edu/%7Ergs/anne-XXV.html">PUFFED SLEEVES</a>. I'm sorry I can't link to either of these, Google yields nothing! I do know that the latter is a new Jordana Paige design for <a href="http://www.stitchdiva.com/">Stitch Diva</a> and it's called the Trapeze Jacket. I love their patterns with all the excellent information but the layouts are so cramped, it <a href="http://www.lyricsdownload.com/gang-of-four-natural-s-not-in-it-lyrics.html">gives me mee-graine</a>!<br /><br />TOO BAD IT ISN'T AS USER FRIENDLY AS....<a href="http://ravelry.com/">RAVELRY</a>!! What else?? Just as Kathy and I were flagging on a slow Saturday in the booth, <a href="http://www.frecklegirl.com/blog/about">Jess</a> and <a href="http://www.nerdle.com/blog/site/aboutme.html">Casey</a> stroll by, causing me to short circuit. Speaking of <a href="http://www.johnny-five.com/">Johnny Five</a>, I can totally picture the two of them replicating the encyclopedia massacre, hands flailing saying "Imput, moorrrre IMMMPUT!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RpuXDA24VxI/AAAAAAAAAj0/f9DF380BloI/s1600-h/woobiecasey.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RpuXDA24VxI/AAAAAAAAAj0/f9DF380BloI/s400/woobiecasey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087826282070693650" border="0" /></a><br />Picture borrowed from <a href="http://www.frecklegirl.com/blog/2007/07/15/whoa-whered-i-go/">Jess</a>, but I'll post my own when my dock arrives. Fun fact: out of all the Ravelers, my #1 neighbor (based on # of projects we have in common) is Jess! Casey is on the verge of joining the ranks of needleworking men, who never cease to <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2005/12/secret.html">amaze me</a> with their <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2005/11/yeah-yeah.html">fearlessness</a>. I almost pulled one of these:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/Rpuilw24VyI/AAAAAAAAAj8/r-AFt8a4Zj8/s1600-h/not_worthy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/Rpuilw24VyI/AAAAAAAAAj8/r-AFt8a4Zj8/s400/not_worthy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087838973699053346" border="0" /></a><br />More later, with pictures (bitte Mutter, padded envelope, <a href="http://www.usps.com/communications/news/press/2004/pr04_098.htm">automated mailing center</a>...I will send yarn in exchange...)<br /><br />CRCiriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-17666535695534835852007-07-11T12:48:00.000-07:002007-07-11T13:13:21.654-07:00Bum-OUT.So I left my camera charger/USB stuff at my mother's. And I kinda refuse to make pictureless posts. I'm actively trying to improve my picture snapping skills for the sake of the blog. <a href="http://cinemaknits.com/">Jenna</a> and I are about to GEEK OUT and leave work early to see <a href="http://www.harrypotterorderofthephoenix.com/">Order of the Phoenix</a>, I might have to pick her photojournalist brain during the previews...<br /><br />Anyhow, my point is that I will be on a brief blog hiatus while I wait for the charger to arrive in the mail. I still have a lot of pictures to show from D.C. (thanks for all the store recommendations!) and a fair bit of knitting as well. And of course...plenty of new yarn =)<br /><br />I'll be busy for the rest of the week up at <a href="http://www.knitandcrochetshow.com/summershow.asp">TKGA</a>, please stop by if you're attending! If it turns out that lots of New England bloggers will be there, I'd love to have a meet-up somewhere.<br /><br />Since I must be multimedia, I'll leave you with the videos I watch to keep myself from bursting into tears about the summer heat wave we're "enjoying." If <a href="http://websyarnstore.blogspot.com/">Kathy</a> is a lizard, I'm a polar bear!<br /><br />Scene/song from Flight of The Conchords (Jemaine's scatting KILLS me):<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Lgh4B-SeV44"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Lgh4B-SeV44" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Cutest commercial ever:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pGSk17fsWAQ"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pGSk17fsWAQ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Check you later*,<br /><br />CR<br /><br />*I was once ridiculed for using this salutation, is it deeply uncool? I'm pretty sure I cribbed it from someone who is not uncool, but in fact <a href="http://alanb.com/spicoli/">quite gnarly</a>. Don't you love old websites?Ciriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-36225939011365251402007-07-01T08:33:00.000-07:002007-07-01T08:40:49.148-07:00Blush!Thank you so much for all your lovely comments about the hat! 100% of the praise belongs to <a href="http://www.grumperina.com/">Kathy</a> for writing such a flattering pattern--NOT easy to do when it comes to hats, esp. berets.<br /><br />I'm down in the D.C. area visiting my mother and sister. Ever since I reformatted my laptop I've been having a load of trouble getting online, it's incredibly frusturating and I even threw a tantrum when Eric the Electrical Engineer couldn't counsel me over the phone on how to fix it. Guilty of the sexist assumption that all hot geeks know how to fix any computer problem I might have? Yes *hangs head in shame*. Lately everyone I know has been loving their new Macbooks, and after many snide remarks about rampant Apple lust<em> </em>I have to admit I've finally started considering one.<br /><br />I finally started my Sock Pal's socks, and it's really the only project I brought (lie: I also brought a ball of Trekking just in case!) so I'm hoping to be done very quickly. The pattern is sort of a secret, I'm test knitting for someone! My pal will have mega-exclusive, mega-pretty socks!<br /><br />Besides Knit Happens (been there a million times) are there any D.C. area yarn stores I need to check out?<br /><br />CRCiriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-52994439599179160392007-06-25T22:35:00.000-07:002007-06-26T07:45:55.893-07:00She's Snoody...Okay, sorry for the punny title but I couldn't help it, I love puns! I'm up late playing around with new <a href="http://www.picnik.com/">Interweb tools</a> after spending most of the day laptopless (I reformatted, all by myself--Eric, didn't think I had it in me, didja?<br /><br />Time for a finished object!! It's the <a href="http://www.grumperina.com/knitblog/archives/2007/06/art_deco_beret.htm">Art Deco Beret</a> by Grumperina, from the fall issue of <a href="http://knitscene.com/">Knitscene</a>. The yarn is <a href="http://yarn.com/webs/0/0/0/0-1001-1294-1323/0/0/3739/">Sheep Shop 3</a>. I have a few hints--it is much, much easier to knit from two balls. I tried to knit from the outside and the inside (you alternate knitting with the beaded and non-beaded strand) of one center pull ball and it was a massive tangle fest. Another tip--look for knots. The unexpected knot on your beaded strand will BUM YOU OUT. When I was about 2" from finishing one ply finally gave out. I was at Eric's and the crafty engineer whipped out an old guitar string for me to use as a big eye needle. After carefully restringing my beads I knit about one round and found A KNOT. Knot cool.<br /><p class="flickr-yourcomment">Anyhow, the yarn is gorgeous and I love the fit, I'd wear this as a snood but blocking it over a dinner plate definitely yielded a beret shape. It was a fun, addictive pattern with a very cool cast-on...tubular-ish but I'm not sure. I'll have to investigate, it looks like it'd be great for socks. Now for tons of pictures!<br /></p> <p class="post-footer"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RoEhFT0yyOI/AAAAAAAAAis/IpZ0aGgLSSY/s1600-h/627090495_ea25e44cbf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RoEhFT0yyOI/AAAAAAAAAis/IpZ0aGgLSSY/s320/627090495_ea25e44cbf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080378229755398370" border="0" /></a></p><p class="post-footer"><br /></p><p class="post-footer"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RoEhFT0yyPI/AAAAAAAAAi0/6aOsOMVQXio/s1600-h/627090623_c0394b7fe1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RoEhFT0yyPI/AAAAAAAAAi0/6aOsOMVQXio/s320/627090623_c0394b7fe1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080378229755398386" border="0" /></a></p>My tribute to <a href="http://www.theblackapple.typepad.com/somegirlswander/">Emily</a> (I think she'd like my golden mirror):<br /><br /><p class="post-footer"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RoEhFj0yyQI/AAAAAAAAAi8/qszOsyCyYyQ/s1600-h/627090639_f4b35bed93.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RoEhFj0yyQI/AAAAAAAAAi8/qszOsyCyYyQ/s320/627090639_f4b35bed93.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080378234050365698" border="0" /></a></p><p class="post-footer"><br /></p><p class="post-footer"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RoEi1T0yyVI/AAAAAAAAAjk/WynFeITkaec/s1600-h/627090691_52477cb23b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RoEi1T0yyVI/AAAAAAAAAjk/WynFeITkaec/s320/627090691_52477cb23b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080380153900747090" border="0" /></a></p><p class="post-footer"><br /></p><p class="post-footer"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RoEhMj0yyUI/AAAAAAAAAjc/Q2ER0S0Jdf4/s1600-h/627944430_afecbd5088.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RoEhMj0yyUI/AAAAAAAAAjc/Q2ER0S0Jdf4/s320/627944430_afecbd5088.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080378354309450050" border="0" /></a></p><p class="post-footer"><br /></p><p class="post-footer"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RoEhFz0yySI/AAAAAAAAAjM/HRisPY5CDKw/s1600-h/627090683_6b2a763bf5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RoEhFz0yySI/AAAAAAAAAjM/HRisPY5CDKw/s320/627090683_6b2a763bf5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080378238345333026" border="0" /></a></p><p class="post-footer"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="post-footer">Okay, I know that was probably a FEW too many for just a little hat...but I can't help it, I love hats! Oh, that dress might look familiar because it's a dress version of all those <a href="http://builtbywendy.com/">Built by Wendy</a> tops I was making <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2007/03/home-ec-x-2.html">awhile back</a>. It's aight (did anyone watch <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_the_Bunny">Greg the Bunny</a>? I loved the episode where Count Blah got a new catch phrase and couldn't pronounce it--"It's ah-ig-it!"). I like the fabric but it isn't very soft. I had to add a sash because it was tent-ish on its own. It has pockets which makes it good for housecleaning, so I call it my Hausfrau dress.</p><div style="text-align: left;">Over and OUT,<br /></div><br />CRCiriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-74460624767554962212007-06-20T04:56:00.001-07:002007-06-20T15:39:58.928-07:00Let's get ripped.I've been knitting a lot lately. If this semester was about collecting yarn this summer is about knitting it up. I find it hard to sleep in the summer so late-night/early A.M. knitting is the name of the game. I'm re-watching some gems, including the <a href="http://www.lordoftherings.net/">LOTR trilogy</a> and <a href="http://imdb.com/title/tt0101065/">Clarissa Explains it All</a>.<br />I WAS Clarissa growing up, from the crazy ensembles to the mom enforced tofu and brewers' yeast laced diet. The only trouble with my knitting is that it's been a total RIPFEST. Things are going wrong left and right and to be honest, I haven't minded the ripping one bit. It'll all be worth it in the end.<br /><br />Next in the to rip pile is <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer07/PATTcoachella.html">Coachella</a>:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RnkW6D0yyLI/AAAAAAAAAiU/S4Kpbkh53PA/s1600-h/coachella.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RnkW6D0yyLI/AAAAAAAAAiU/S4Kpbkh53PA/s320/coachella.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078115241551906994" border="0" /></a><br />I tried it on this morning and the armholes are reeeeeeeeeeeallly right. I think Suede might stretch a bit but I was planning to neaten the edges with a crochet border but that would make it unwearable at this point. I'm planning to lengthen the racer back strap and change the rate of increases before re-joining in the round.<br /><br />Also ripped, a store sample, Grumperina's <a href="http://www.grumperina.com/knitblog/archives/2007/06/art_deco_beret.htm">Art Deco Beret</a> (pre-beaded chart knitting, so no big loss):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RnkW6D0yyMI/AAAAAAAAAic/LuFnRm_jAxU/s1600-h/artdeco.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RnkW6D0yyMI/AAAAAAAAAic/LuFnRm_jAxU/s320/artdeco.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078115241551907010" border="0" /></a>Knowing myself I didn't knit a gauge swatch (ahem) but just dropped my usual needle size. This made the cool (tubular-ish) cast-on ribbing too small by a few inches.<br /><br />Also being ripped a decent amount for minor tweaking is Bamboo Grove, a cleverly constructed top-down henley in the works for the fall catalog. Kirsten in customer service is the queen of top down!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RnkW6T0yyNI/AAAAAAAAAik/NIF5EPeAaf8/s1600-h/bamboogrove.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RnkW6T0yyNI/AAAAAAAAAik/NIF5EPeAaf8/s320/bamboogrove.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078115245846874322" border="0" /></a><br />Last but not least...<a href="http://websyarnstore.blogspot.com/2007/06/hot-off-press.html">my summer job rules</a>. People ask me if I'm getting sick of yarn and the answer is "HECK NO." One of my tasks is writing descriptions of nwe yarns, which puts me in a really good mood. After awhile you sort of feel like you've seen it all and it's easy to slam a yarn or pattern book but the description writing requires a sort of Pollyanna, best case scenario outlook. It carries over to other things, which is awesome! Oh, and today I arrived to find a big sack of new Rowan yarns on my chair. There are some fantastic new colors of Kracksilk Haze and one of Kid Classic that I'm over the moon for. Kidsilk Aura (the heavier version of KSH) promises big things, and it was a long time coming. So many patterns for KSH start "with yarn doubled..." Love the fabric is produces, but it can be annoying.<br /><br />Speaking of color, I've been obsessed lately. This day at the printers only added to it! This is Kathy and Penny checking color accuracy with total focus!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RnkWJT0yyGI/AAAAAAAAAhs/pUSlnLkGbww/s1600-h/pennykathy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RnkWJT0yyGI/AAAAAAAAAhs/pUSlnLkGbww/s320/pennykathy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078114404033284194" border="0" /></a>This was so fun, it was straight out of another childhood favorite, <a href="http://pbskids.org/readingrainbow/">Reading Rainbow</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RnkWJj0yyHI/AAAAAAAAAh0/JvAvsaScK-w/s1600-h/printer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RnkWJj0yyHI/AAAAAAAAAh0/JvAvsaScK-w/s320/printer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078114408328251506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RnkWJj0yyII/AAAAAAAAAh8/H1zNwAfCNzg/s1600-h/printer2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RnkWJj0yyII/AAAAAAAAAh8/H1zNwAfCNzg/s320/printer2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078114408328251522" border="0" /></a><br />Rememeber <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Color-Me-Beautiful-Carole-Jackson/dp/0345345886">Color Me Beautiful</a>? I'm trying to purge my closet (and yarn stash) of colors that don't agree with me and I've finally submitted to reading this book. According to some online quizzes I'm a <a href="http://www.typcolor.com/frauen/winter.htm">Deep Winter</a>! I can live with that =) I hope <a href="http://www.knit-purl.com/Products/ProductDetail.php?Inventory_ID=Y00260-13&PHPSESSID=bde8a887340667fa50100dd905975781">this Shi Bui color</a> will be okay. If not, hey, it's for feet!<br /><br />CR<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RnkWJz0yyKI/AAAAAAAAAiM/ClDY_yngvaU/s1600-h/coolfeet2.jpg"><br /></a>Ciriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-16136104681623927622007-06-13T07:19:00.000-07:002007-06-13T07:19:33.236-07:00Shedding!Thank you to everyone who purchased yarn from my destashing sale! I still have <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/43968257@N00/sets/72157600312800020/">quite a bit of good stuff</a> if you're looking for some cheap stash enhancement.<br /><br />I've cast on some new projects. Don't roll your eyes, I might actually finish these!! The first is so addictive to knit and such a cool shape that I might actually complete my goal of knitting and wearing a garment in the SAME SEASON. I quickly fell for <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer07/PATTcoachella.html">Coachella</a> in the new <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer07/index.html">Knitty</a> as it covers up an unfortunate tattoo I have (racerback=my friend). Details to follow!<br /><br />Speaking of <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer07/index.html">Knitty</a>, <a href="http://shetlandtrader.blogspot.com/">Gudrun Johnson</a>, a former student of mine and loyal Webs customer <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer07/PATThemp.html">scored the cover</a>, deservedly so!! Looks like her daughter will be joining me in the elite ranks (ha) of knitwear supermodels!<br /><br />I'm using another Knitty pattern for my sock pal socks (after many, many starts I've finally settled on a yarn and pattern): Sweet Pea in Socks that Rock Silkie, Beryl. She professed a new love for green and lace (funny, those were MY preferences) so I ripped the pink baby cable socks I'd started and cast on for these. I realize I'm under the gun but I have a bit of travel in my future so I'm planning to bring these along. I finished a pair of socks <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2006/07/hulked-out.html">the last time</a> I visited Mom in D.C. so maybe the luck will continue!<br /><br />The real reason I'm posting is because of Berroco--have you seen the fall preview?! I am totally, totally INFATUATED with the following (and one of the new yarns, Ultra Alpaca LITE anyone?!):<br /><br /><a href="http://berroco.com/ng1/ng1_kaino_pv.html">Kaino:</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://berroco.com/images/ng1/ng1_kaino_lg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://berroco.com/images/ng1/ng1_kaino_lg.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://berroco.com/ng1/ng1_annikki_pv.html">Annikki:</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.berroco.com/images/ng1/ng1_annikki_lg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 529px;" src="http://www.berroco.com/images/ng1/ng1_annikki_lg.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://berroco.com/ng1/ng1_chantal_pv.html">Chantal:</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://berroco.com/images/ng1/ng1_chantal_lg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 388px; height: 513px;" src="http://berroco.com/images/ng1/ng1_chantal_lg.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://berroco.com/ng1/ng1_manon_lg_pv.html"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Manon:</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://berroco.com/images/ng1/ng1_manon_lg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 467px;" src="http://berroco.com/images/ng1/ng1_manon_lg.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.berroco.com/264.268/264/264_peso_pv.html">Peso:</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.berroco.com/images/264.268/264/264_peso_lg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 499px;" src="http://www.berroco.com/images/264.268/264/264_peso_lg.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.berroco.com/images/264.268/264/264_pinot_lg.jpg">Pinot:</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.berroco.com/images/264.268/264/264_pinot_lg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 526px;" src="http://www.berroco.com/images/264.268/264/264_pinot_lg.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Also adorable: <a href="http://berroco.com/ng1/ng1_aune_pv.html">Aune</a>, <a href="http://berroco.com/ng1/ng1_aamu_pv.html">Aamu</a>, <a href="http://www.berroco.com/264.268/264/264_parchesi_pv.html">Parchesi</a>, <a href="http://www.berroco.com/264.268/264/264_poska_pv.html">Poska</a>, <a href="http://www.berroco.com/264.268/264/264_piccolo_pv.html">Piccolo</a>, <a href="http://www.berroco.com/images/264.268/266/266_josepha_lg.jpg">Josepha</a>. The Stash and Burn ladies recently sung the praises of <a href="http://berroco.com/e-news.html">KnitBits</a> and the free pattern archive on <a href="http://berroco.com/">Berroco.com</a> and I have to second them. The patterns are always well-written and I have to say, <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2006/01/meet-pismo.html">my Berroco sweater</a> is one of the only ones I actually wear.<br /><br />Enough gushing for one day,<br /><br />CRCiriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-42260300426467201102007-06-07T07:39:00.000-07:002007-06-08T07:38:41.966-07:00As promised...EDITED TO ADD: Chloe, the yarn is yours, I just need some contact info! Unless this is Chloe who I know in real life. Please comment again or email me =)<br /><br />I'm destashing! I think I've got some really decent stuff but you can <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43968257@N00/sets/72157600312800020">see for yourself</a>. Eric saw the bag of yarns I was giving away and had a cute reaction--he said "can any of them be for my <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2006/02/this-is-for-amy-greeman.html">blanket</a>?" then dove, saucer-eyed towards a huge skein of <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/43968257@N00/534489544/in/set-72157600312800020/">Burlyspun</a>. It was adorable! He tends towards the weirdest yarn he can find--tweeds, thick and thin, self striping (no novelties, though). Below is one of the prize items, in my opinion--7 balls of 100% cashmere in 70s pinks and browns. Hard to give away but I suspect it has a greater destiny than languishing in my stash.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RmgePj0yyFI/AAAAAAAAAhk/dfcXMne4zD4/s1600-h/virtue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RmgePj0yyFI/AAAAAAAAAhk/dfcXMne4zD4/s400/virtue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073338232896407634" border="0" /></a><br />Started my "new job" yesterday, which is really just a new position at Webs. I'm helping to put together the upcoming catalogs! It's awesome! Sneak previewing yarns and patterns, making lists, waxing rhapsodic about yarn...I'm loving it! Also, Malea my office mate plays Modest Mouse, Radiohead, Schoolhouse Rocks (the Remix album!) and Frou Frou all day. AND I get to see stunning sweaters like my coworker Mary's <a href="http://43skeins.com/2007/06/finished-397x11sad-and-proclamation-so.html">Beachcomber Tunic</a>! It's drop-dead pretty and the work(wo)manship is A+. It's Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in a really cool mint green...inspiring. I love the banner on Mary's blog...you KNOW how I feel about <a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2006/06/pic-tour-of-my-weekend.html">clotheslines</a>...clotheslines with yarn dangling from them, forget about it!<br /><br />I've been a bad blogger of late (no responses to comments, no comments on your entries, etc.) but things are settling down at long last. Did I mention how much I hate moving? These two made me particularly jealous when I was moving last week:<br /><br />An odd whole car hauling vehicle (it's in the background, and definitely on the road):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RmgePD0yyDI/AAAAAAAAAhU/lQSnKnGnWTs/s1600-h/movingcar.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RmgePD0yyDI/AAAAAAAAAhU/lQSnKnGnWTs/s400/movingcar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073338224306473010" border="0" /></a><br />A wandering turtle on the UMass campus. So carefree!! Who knows though, maybe she has a little ball of laceweight tucked underneath her shell.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RmgeOz0yyCI/AAAAAAAAAhM/Bio0bF88E_Y/s1600-h/turtle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RmgeOz0yyCI/AAAAAAAAAhM/Bio0bF88E_Y/s400/turtle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073338220011505698" border="0" /></a><br />Oh, I almost forgot, I'm the guest on <a href="http://yarn.com/s/podcast.html">Ready, Set, Knit!</a>, the Webs radio show/Podcast this weekend! I gave a few shout-outs to some favorite movers and shakers in the knitting world.<br /><br />I'll leave you with a view from my new bathroom's clawfoot tub, easily one of my favorite features in the apartment. The rest is still a mess of yarn (that is, until I mail some off).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RmgePT0yyEI/AAAAAAAAAhc/mM8AXLNP6VA/s1600-h/relax.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k_6Qwn1JpS4/RmgePT0yyEI/AAAAAAAAAhc/mM8AXLNP6VA/s400/relax.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073338228601440322" border="0" /></a><br />Bis dann,<br /><br />CRCiriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402083.post-39288331478188137302007-05-28T13:42:00.000-07:002007-06-04T13:51:43.272-07:00Yeah, I got some problems...<a href="http://skrillaknits.blogspot.com/2007/01/wa-wow-whee-whoa.html">Remember when</a> I was going to not buy any yarn in 2007? Well, as you can probably already surmise, I "forgot" about my oath promptly after I made it. Last weekend I moved and came close to weeping when I realized how much yarn I've stockpiled in two short years. Eric was ridiculously patient with me and I suspect he finds the mania a little endearing but it was just unfair--his belongings took up about 1/6 of our tiny dwelling and of my 5/6s, 4/5 was yarn! Ugly.<br /><br />I have plenty of stuff that I am no longer in love with and will try to sell, trade or donate. There is also some that I am in love with but I have a new philosophy--Knitter, know thyself. Maggie Righetti and the Stash and Burn ladies have really helped me with this, as well as knitters like <a href="http://knittingschooldropout.com/">Melissa</a>, <a href="http://www.ysolda.me.uk/">Ysolda</a> and <a href="http://helloyarn.com/">Adrian</a> who design from scratch and make things that they actually wear.<br /><br />What's troubling is the random loose ball/half balls...those aren't worth selling unless I put together some sort of grab bag. I think I've come up with a solution though. Maybe I will knit a bunch of hats with the beaded flowers I like so much. Come fall I'll try to get a table at some craft fair or farmer's market and maybe put the rest up on Etsy. I know I'm a slow, non-finishing knitter but I can make hats! That I can do. Come to think of it, I can probably make hats for little girls who hate wearing hats, like 8-year-old me, who quit the Brownie's because I thought the brown beanie was demoralizing (read: unflattering) chapeau. I have no television this summer and limited Internet access...kinda by choice. Of course I love both and I'm not morally opposed to either indulgence but when I thought of the reading and crafting I could get without them...the decision was easy.<br /><br />End rant,<br /><br />CRCiriliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10987477605838227778noreply@blogger.com8