Fetish

Well here's one for the memory books. Tonight at knitting a fellow knitter mentioned an interesting thread on Ravelry and Flickr right now. Apparently some folks who have knitted socks, and taken pictures of themselves in their socks, are now finding themselves the object of attention for individuals with foot fetishes. It seems that there is some contingent of Flickr viewers that likes to peruse knitting photos for pictures showing feet and legs. I don't think this bothers me, but then again, I just don't want to know if someone is getting off on my sock photos. I suppose it's harmless if they don't let you know they're doing it, but the knitting community is pretty divided on this. You just never know what technology is going to bring.

Welcome to the office.... you go home now.

Well today is our signature half day before the holiday and I'm thrilled. This is going to be a quiet labor day. I'm kitten-sitting for Knitmeister S and spending the rest of my time knitting! Tonight is Bad Girls Knitting Night at the store and promises to be lots of fun and libations! Tomorrow and Sunday I'll be working at the store and then Monday I'll do my chores (laundry, groceries, etc.) I'm definitely looking forward to having the extra day and a half off from work. Hope everyone has a safe, happy holiday! I'll have new pics to post with all the knitting I'm going to get done. *keeps fingers crossed*

A little trivia courtesy of Wikipedia:

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday that takes place on the first Monday in September. The holiday began in 1882, originating from a desire by the Central Labor Union to create a day off for the "working man". It is still celebrated mainly as a day of rest and marks the symbolic end of summer for many. Labor Day became a national holiday by Act of Congress in 1894.

And another one bites the dust.

Is it true that rats abandon a sinking ship?

Bush Spokesman Snow Resigns for Financial Reasons

Aug. 31 (Bloomberg) -- White House press secretary Tony Snow is resigning Sept. 14, 16 months before the end of the Bush presidency in January 2009.

Dana Perino, 35, who grew up in Colorado and has been deputy press secretary since March 2006, will become President George W. Bush's chief spokesman, said Tony Fratto, another deputy press secretary.

Snow, 52, who is battling a recurrence of colon cancer, cited financial reasons for his departure. Snow is paid $168,000 as White House press secretary.

"It's not a health matter," Snow said today in an interview. "It's purely financial. I feel terrific."

Snow was a television commentator for News Corp.'s Fox News before becoming Bush's chief spokesman in April 2006. He is married and has said he wants to make more money before his three children are ready for college.

Snow is the latest of top aides to President George W. Bush to leave before the president's term ends. Political strategist Karl Rove announced Aug. 13 he was leaving by the end of August, and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales announced his departure on Aug. 27.

Stab me in the eye with a spork.

Pretty please?

Very long, uncomfortable meeting this afternoon. Thankfully I'm just an observer, but I can't wait for it to be over.

What I'm Listening To.

Just in case any of y'all are curious, this is what I've been listening to at work today. No rhyme or reason to why these songs were selected other than that they're my favorites to groove to right now. And oh I need to go (pole) dancing again soon!

Something Good to do with that Junk Mail

I got an idea from a blog I stumbled upon today (I forgot to bookmark it so if this was your idea and you wrote about it please let me know!). The blog suggested that when you get a piece of junk mail, you open it and return the postage paid envelope to the company. The immature part of me thought this was a great idea - hahaha stick it to the man! But one of the commenters had another point - put the piece of mail with your contact information IN that envelope and mark it "Please remove me from your mailing list." The commenter noted that this had reduced her junk mail down to a few pieces a week. So tonight I diligently did this - and shredded the rest of the innards. I don't know if it will work, but I figure it's worth a try and it's their dime, not mine!

Zombie Funnies.

Since I heard "Zombie" by the Cranberries early this morning it has been stuck in my head. Then I found this cartoon (here) and it seemed apropos.

She must be related to Cruella DeVille

Helmsley's dog gets $12 million in will

NEW YORK - Leona Helmsley's dog will continue to live an opulent life, and then be buried alongside her in a mausoleum. But two of Helmsley's grandchildren got nothing from the late luxury hotelier and real estate billionaire's estate.

Helmsley left her beloved white Maltese, named Trouble, a $12 million trust fund, according to her will, which was made public Tuesday in surrogate court.

She also left millions for her brother, Alvin Rosenthal, who was named to care for Trouble in her absence, as well as two of four grandchildren from her late son Jay Panzirer — so long as they visit their father's grave site once each calendar year.

Otherwise, she wrote, neither will get a penny of the $5 million she left for each.

Helmsley left nothing to two of Jay Panzirer's other children — Craig and Meegan Panzirer — for "reasons that are known to them," she wrote.

But no one made out better than Trouble, who once appeared in ads for the Helmsley Hotels, and lived up to her name by biting a housekeeper.

"I direct that when my dog, Trouble, dies, her remains shall be buried next to my remains in the Helmsley mausoleum," Helmsley wrote in her will.

The mausoleum, she ordered, must be "washed or steam-cleaned at least once a year." She left behind $3 million for the upkeep of her final resting place in Westchester County, where she is buried with her husband, Harry Helmsley.

She ordered that cash from sales of the Helmsley's residences and belongings, reported to be worth billions, be sold and that the money be given to the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.

Helmsley died earlier this month at her Connecticut home. She became known as a symbol of 1980s greed and earned the nickname "the Queen of Mean" after her 1988 indictment and subsequent conviction for tax evasion. One employee had quoted her as snarling, "Only the little people pay taxes."

SP11 Posting - More about me.

As I mentioned here, I decided to join Secret Pal 11 and to spoil and be spoiled by knitting pals. Here are a few more "getting to know me" questions I've been asked to post!

1. What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without?

Circular Knitting Needles. I HATE HATE HATE straights. I don't mind DPNs so much, but I hate having extra needles under my elbows.

2. If you’re heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you? If so, how much and what type of project?

It depends where I'm going. If I'm going on car trips and space isn't an issue I'll bring whatever I'm working on. If I'm flying or going someplace hot I bring small projects like socks and scarves. Whatever it is, it can't have a complex pattern to consult.

3. Where have you traveled to that you’d consider your favorite spot?

I think my favorite trip was when I went to Thailand last year. It was for school/work so I didn't get to do nearly enough sight-seeing. I was just taken by the culture, the language and the city life. I would love to go back.

4. What is your favorite knitting book at the moment? Do you own it?

I love Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's books. They are so infused with humor and wonderful knitting stories. The book I think I use the most is Barbara Walker's A Treasury of Patterns just for inspiration on specific stitches.

5. Do you listen to podcasts? Which is your favorite(s)?

I haven't but I'd like to. I'll take any recommendations!

6. If you could only knit with 1 color for the rest of your life, what color would that be?

Blue. I love all shades of blue from pale icy blue to bright aqua to deep navy.

7. If you were far into a project and then noticed a mistake near the beginning what would you do?

It depends how noticeable it is and how much I would have to rip out to fix. Most of the time I'd let it slide, but if it was really obvious it would bother me until I fixed it.

8. Where is the most unusual spot you’ve ever knit?

It's not really that unusual but I knit EVERYWHERE. Waiting in line for the movies, inside the movie theatre, in cars when I'm not driving, waiting to meet friends, during lectures when I was a grad student....

Yarn Porn

I had a yarn porn dream this weekend. If you're wondering what that is, I'll tell you.

In my case, this was a dream where I was cleaning out my grandmother's house. As I was cleaning out this house (that didn't look anything like a house she ever owned) I found boxes and boxes of yarn. Each box I opened had new wonders of Noro and Malabrigo and silks and laceweights. It was an amazing display of color. In the dream I thought about all the wonderful things I could make with this beautiful yarn.

Then I woke up. Disappointed. And alone. With no yarn.

That my friends is yarn porn.

Monday Funnies

Another Belated Book Report

When Wes and I took off to the Bahamas I filled my suitcase with yummy reading materials - magazines that had sat for a few months, and some fun beach reading. I spent most of my time sightseeing with Wes, though, and didn't get much reading done.


Sort of humorous then that I started reading A Trip to the Beach by Melinda and Robert Blanchard. The story: Melinda and Robert abandon their life in Vermont to move to Anguilla and open a restaurant. The surprising part: the book isn't fiction. The Blanchards truly did move to Anguilla and open a restaurant. This book is a collection of memories, anecdotes, recipes and island experiences as the Blanchards adapt from New England to island time and find a new home living the rest of their days on the beach. It was a great read and perfect to take on our trip.


The second book I took, but didn't read until we got back, was Sick Puppy by Carl Hiaasen. Much like Skinny Dip this is a book written about the most dysfunctional people an author could dream of. The story starts with an abhorrent litterbug and the vaguely disturbed young man who decides to teach this piece of garbage a lesson in tidying up. This is a quick read, and laugh out loud funny.

Back to the bookshelves...

Popping Pills Leads to Gambling Problems?

I was half paying attention to the television tonight when a commercial came on for Mirapex, a drug for Restless Leg Syndrome. What caught my attention was the potential side effects list at the end of the commercial, which seemed to include compulsive gambling. HUH?

Sure enough I checked the website.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT MIRAPEX: MIRAPEX may cause you to fall asleep without any warning, even while doing normal daily activities such as driving. When taking MIRAPEX hallucinations may occur and sometimes you may feel dizzy, sweaty or nauseated upon standing up. The most common side effects in clinical trials for RLS were nausea, headache, and tiredness. You should talk with your doctor if you experience these problems.

Patients and caregivers should be informed that impulse control disorders/compulsive behaviors may occur while taking medicines.

Further the FAQ indicates:

There have been reports of patients taking certain medications to treat Parkinson’s disease or RLS, including MIRAPEX, that have reported problems with gambling, compulsive eating, and increased sex drive.

So apparently medicines used to treat muscle impulses and spasms result in behavioral impulses and spasms. Hey, I bet there are lawsuits out there about this.

BINGO.

And another one bites the dust.

New Projects

I started a few new projects this weekend. The first is Charity Blanket #11. I can't decide whether it's going to look more like a flower or a star. Thoughts?


The second one actually is a flower project: the Flower Baby Blanket for the store.


As my father and Carl Sagan would say "Preserve and cherish this pale blue dot."

My Aha Moment

So I've been struggling for a little bit with the flaming tote bag. My problems haven't been so much with the instructions for crocheting the bag, but more with the assembly. I just couldn't figure out how to put the dang pieces together and the pattern didn't come with a diagram.

After taking it to the LYS the other night and getting input from my mentors I came home with a renewed sense of vigor. Then I went back to the pattern and crocheted a bit. Suddenly I had piece of odd sizes and I didn't know where I was again.

FINALLY it dawned on me to use my Googling skills. I stumbled across the designer's site and SWEET CRACKER SANDWICH* there was a picture of it in side view. Suddenly I knew why I had a bunch of long skinny strips.

All of that said, I don't think this is a bag that I would carry. It is however finished (minutes the straps) and I can say that I've completed my first major crochet project.

*Borrowed from Holly at Nothing but Bonfires.

Protesting against the man.

Now I really am one of those freaky Democrats who believe in paying taxes, in the hopes that my money will go somewhere useful and to provide services that I need.

However, I found this hysterical.

Man Pays Big Tax Bill in Coins, $1 Bills

MUNCIE, Ind. - Cary Malchow was so upset by his property tax bill he decided to make a scene by paying it - all $12,656.07 - with bags of change and $1 bills.

Malchow lugged the cash-filled bags to the Delaware County treasurer's office Monday and plunked them onto the counter. His unorthodox payment stalled the line as cashiers labored to count it by hand.

"I did it so people can physically see what $12,000 is," said Malchow, who has staged other recent protests to draw attention to Indiana's property tax increases.

Malchow arrived at the treasurer's office about 3:30 p.m., with the money covering the bill for his Muncie home, business and rental properties. It took all three of the office's cashiers 75 minutes to count out the cash.

Simpsonize me.

Even though I don't watch the tv show much and didn't see the movie, I was curious to see what the "Simpsonized" version of me would look like. The verdict? I couldn't find the right hair, but it's not too bad. Thoughts?

For your very own, go here.

Time Capsule

A while ago I had a short discussion with Wes. It was so hilarious and wrong at the same time that I filed it away as material for a future post. Essentially, he argued that a catastrophic event (like Mt. Vesuvius or Pompeii) could one day occur in the vicinity of a plushie or furry convention, and that the population encapsulated in rock and lava would surely make an interesting impression upon those who unearthed it later in time. Needless to say I was reduced into a fit of giggles.

If you don't find this funny, you may need to do some research. I can direct you here for a detailed discussion of plushies and furries. If you still aren't sure of what I'm speaking, check out episode 406, "Fur and Loathing" of CSI.

Now tell me that's what you want 2.5 million people to visit each year in the future.

Weirdest Church Sign Sayings

Don't give up... Moses was a basket case too.

Huh?

You learn something new every day...

Tonight I learned how to turn this....


Into this.

What the milkshake bringeth.

Tuesday's funny found here.

Well here's a headline you don't see every day...

If this isn't an argument in favor of natural selection, I don't know what is.


British dwarf's penis gets stuck to hoover

EDINBURGH (AFP) - A dwarf performer at the Edinburgh fringe festival had to be rushed to hospital after his penis got stuck to a vacuum cleaner during an act that went horribly awry.

Daniel Blackner, or "Captain Dan the Demon Dwarf", was due to perform at the Circus of Horrors at the festival known for its oddball, offbeat performances.

The main part of his act saw him appear on stage with a vacuum cleaner attached to his member through a special attachment.

The attachment broke before the performance and Blackner tried to fix it using extra-strong glue, but unfortunately only let it dry for 20 seconds instead of the 20 minutes required.

He then joined it directly to his organ. The end result? A solid attachment, laughter, mortification and ... hospitalisation.

"It was the most embarrassing moment of my life when I got wheeled into a packed AE with a vacuum attached to me," Blackner said.

"I just wished the ground could swallow me up. Luckily, they saw me quickly so the embarrassment was short-lived."

The Art of Legos

Check out Nathan Sawaya and The Art of the Brick.

I thought I saw some cool stuff in Florida at Disney World, but this is even better!

(Top Right: Nathan Sawaya, Bottom Left: Walt Disney World)

You learn something new every day.

Thanks to the wonder of the internet I really do learn something new every day. In the last few years I've become interested in knitting socks. I've tried my hand at a few pairs, and aim to do more. One of the things that I always notice the star knitters doing is displaying their recently finished socks on sock blockers. So I've been craving a set of these. Socks just look so amazing on them.

So I was thrilled today to find this tutorial online. It may be a little low end but it suits my pocket just fine for now. And look how pretty they look! (Yes I know the top right is a little wonky... I'm not perfect!)

Monday Funnies

Found here and here.

Meerkat Mania

I don't know if you've seen the commercials lately, but Animal Planet has been pimping the heck out of Meerkat Manor. This nature documentary turned soap opera is in its third season already. They're starting to call it the next Sopranos.

Now the next Sopranos it is not, but I have to admit that I was entertained watching a few episodes on Friday night. I can't tell those little suckers apart, but apparently there's a whole story. There must be because Wikipedia has a detailed page!

Anyhow, especially during the summer when everything is repeats, this is a fun half hour of whimsy and meerkat.

Money.

Money. That thing that doesn't buy happiness, but sure can bring a lot of worries. That thing we need to survive, like it or not.

The only way not to think about money is to have a great deal of it.
--Edith Wharton (1862 - 1937)

Since I graduated from college I've mostly been living paycheck to paycheck. I have started a 401K, and thanks to the generous match of my employer, that account is growing nicely. However, anything I had in savings or have been able to squirrel away has gone to pay for my graduate education.

Wes will tell you that since he met me I've been worried about money. Not very many months go by when I'm sure exactly how I'm going to pay for everything. Luckily, so far it has always worked out. I manage to pick up some freelance work or extra money drops from the sky.

However, since my rent went up this year and my raise didn't match it, I've been feeling some pressure. Tonight, I finally figured out why that is. Apparently I have a problem.

i'm living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart.
--e e cummings

I did a back of the envelope calculation tonight. When I look at my take home income, and subtract out rent, car payments, loan payments and utilities what is left is slightly north of $300. And that's before I cover food, gas and those other unexpected expenses.

I think a better job is in order (or a second one failing that).

Money often costs too much.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

TGIF

Yeah, it's Friday again and I'm immensely glad. I'm ready for a quiet weekend. Although I'm feeling better and I'm back to work today, my energy still feels sapped. On tap: lots of knitting time, a few DVDs, Stardust with the work gang, lots of laundry, some laying out by the pool.

Oh yeah.... and dreaming of this.

Snorkel Mania

These pictures just in. Breaking news: one of us is fabulous at snorkeling and the other is not. You guess who is which.

Hot Mama.

The one benefit of being sick: unfettered knitting and crocheting time. Many projects currently on deck (so many I keep miscounting) but this is a sample for the LYS. It's my first big crochet project so far.

Out sick.

I've been absent for the last two days because I seem to have caught some lovely sort of bug from the plane and our travels. I don't think it's life threatening (it doesn't feel like that horrible plague I had back in May), but I felt pretty yucky yesterday and I have no voice today so I've been home from work. As much as I can rant about having to use sick days from work to actually be sick, it hasn't been too bad. I've been sleeping until noon, lounging around in pjs, catching up on DVR'd tv, reading and knitting.

I do actually feel better today, other than sounding like an old man who has smoked 12 packs a day, so I'll probably be back at work tomorrow. More entertaining news when I perk up a little.

Bridal Gowns

Last week, on August 9, Wes and I celebrated the 365-day countdown to our wedding. Yes, we're less than a year away now. Suddenly everyone is asking about the dress.

I haven't found a dress yet. My mom and I have gone out looking once, and I've been buying bridal magazines like they're going out of style. Tonight I sat down to catch up on TV and my taped episodes of Knitty Gritty and I found an episode on bridal fashion featuring patterns from Wedding Knits.

I had already thought about making myself a lace shawl to go with my wedding gown, but I had never thought about making my own veil. And I'm still debating about the shawl because I have some gorgeous lacy shawls that my grandmother knit for us, and I'd like to have a part of her with me at my wedding.

On a whim, and because I'm totally nuts, I started Googling "bridal veil knitting patterns" and worse "bridal gown knitting patterns." We won't even discuss what I found (there weren't many, and most of them were for Barbie dolls.. ooops there I went and discussed it), but I did find this:


The Smithsonian National Museum of American History has this wedding dress in its costume collection. The story:

This wedding dress was made from a nylon parachute that saved the groom's life during World War II. Maj. Claude Hensinger, a B-29 pilot, and his crew, were returning from a bombing raid over Yowata, Japan, in August 1944 when their engine caught fire. The crew was forced to bail out. It was night and Major Hensinger landed on some rocks and suffered some minor injuries. During the night he used the parachute both as a pillow and a blanket. In the morning the crew was able to reassemble and were taken in by some friendly Chinese. He kept the parachute and used it as a way to propose to Ruth in 1947. He presented it to her and suggested she make a gown out of it for their wedding.

She wondered how she was going to make "this voluminuous item" into a dress. Seeing a dress in a store window that was based on one that appeared in the movie Gone with the Wind, she patterned her dress after that. She hired a local seamstress, Hilda Buck, to make the bodice and veil. She made the skirt herself; she pulled up the strings on the parachute so that the dress would be shorter in the front and have a train in the back. The couple were married in the Neffs Lutheran Church in Neffs, Pennslyvania, July 19, 1947. Their daughter and their son's bride also wore the dress for their weddings.

PayPerPost.Com

Since I started blogging 3 years ago I have been interested in potentially making my blog a source of some income. It's not that I want to quit my day job (well I guess I do... doesn't everyone?), but it would be nice to earn a little something from something I find enjoyable. I read many blogs (Dooce as one example) that manage to earn some income, and still not feel like I'm only reading marketing content.

Recently I was checking out opportunities and stumbled upon PayPerPost.Com. This innovative company has developed a forum where advertising companies can go and post opportunities. As a blogger, you select something that interests you, review it and get paid for your opinion.

Now I'm pretty skeptical about these things, so I've been checking the company out a little bit. Aside from the ethical debate on whether or not people should be paid for reviews or posting, I haven't found too many negative things about the company. More so, I am impressed that they choose to have a Code of Ethics that asks readers to express their reviews honestly, and fully disclose their association with the company.

So far I have found the site easy to use, and friendly to newcomers. PayPerPost.com is still relatively new but it seems to be functioning well. I don't know how many opportunities I will avail myself of, but if the right ones come along, I'm interested to participate!


Blog Ads

Ravelry

I recently received my invitation to join Ravelry, and I have been sucked in ever since. This is a social networking site for crafsters. They have a HUGE library of patterns and yarns, and the ability to make friends and look at what everyone else is knitting. So far I love the queue feature - I can note which patterns I want to try and keep them in a handy list which also provides either a link to the pattern or the specifics on where I can get the pattern (book/magazine/etc.) I can also see what my favorite knitters are up to and join groups of local knitters or those with similar tastes to mine. So far it's so much fun it's dangerous!

Wise Words

If all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be contented to take their own and depart.

-Socrates (469?-399 B.C.)

SP 11 Questionnaire

After watching the Knitting Secret Pal's for a while, I decided I wanted to participate so I just joined SP 11. Basically for two months, I have a secret pal, who's a fellow knitter, to spoil with knitting related goodies AND I get to be spoiled by someone who has me! Now that the fun is getting underway, I'm to post the questionnaire and my responses. So here goes!

***

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Recently I discovered Rowan Cashsoft and it was amazing to work with. I also love Malabrigo and Noro. In terms of fibers I don't like - anything itchy like Mohair, or too fuzzy I generally avoid.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have a cute quilted case, as well as a rubbermaid bin for all the straights.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

My grandmother originally taught me to knit when I was 6 or 7, but only in the last 3 or 4 years have I done anything beyond a scarf or blanket. Now I want to try everything - patterns, stitches, different yarns! I would say that I hover between intermediate and advanced and I love learning new things!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yes. It's under my real name.

5. What’s your favorite scent?

Vanilla and peach.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

YES YES YES. It's bad for me but I can't resist the sweets. Pretty much anything works - chocolate, gummy candy, you name it!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I am going to be taking a drop spindle class in another few weeks so I'm super excited about that. I've also picked up crocheting a bit this year. One day I want to learn to dye fiber, but I'm trying not to overload the budget and the storage limitations!

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD).

That's a hard one... I have really varied music tastes. I love everything from country to dance to pop to harder sounds. I'm open to trying anything pretty much except for really heavy metal or rap.

9. What’s your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can’t stand?

I tend to love the bright colors: turquoise, purple, pink....

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I'm engaged to a wonderful man and we're getting married next summer. We've been long distance for all of our relationship and he's in his last semester of school so come Christmas we'll be together! No pets.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Not mittens, but pretty much all of the others. Living in California there just isn't a lot of use for heavy knitted items, but I love them just the same!

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I tend to get bored quickly so I try and pick up lots of new stuff. Lately I've wanted to try more socks!

13. What are you knitting right now?

A sample for the LYS (crochet bag), a dress from Knitscene, Grumperina's Jaywalkers, Clapotis and a charity baby blanket! (I told you I get bored easily!)

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Are there any better ones?

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I own tons of circular bamboos and usually pick these up. I have some straights for socks, and I've recently discovered Addi's - an expensive addiction.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

Neither. I frequent the LYS.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Hmmm I JUST finished a second sock where the first was done back in Jan or Feb. The rest are only a month or two old.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

In my family, Thanksgiving was always the biggest holiday (we don't celebrate Christmas). It means really good food, family and fun. Now I celebrate Christmas with my fiance's family and his niece and nephew.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Other than yarn?

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I have quite a few knitting books. I currently subscribe to Interweave Knits. The projects I'm interested in I've put up on Ravelry.

21. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn?

Nothing specific that comes to mind.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I wear a size 6 shoe and really like knitting socks!

23. When is your birthday?

May 5th.

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what’s your ID?

FluffyKira

Snorkeling Fun.

While on our trip, we went snorkeling at Blackbeard's Island. We got to see starfish, various colorful fish and many underwater delights. Wes' favorite was this one. His caption?

Objects on sea floor may be closer than they appear.

New Marriage Woes?

From Slashdot:

Til Tech Do Us Part

WSJdpatton writes "Marriage often requires coping with the loss of some individuality, whether it's adopting a spouse's last name or setting up a joint bank account. Now, some couples say it can be equally tricky to navigate intimacy in the digital sides of their lives. They are running into thorny questions regarding how much to share and how much to keep separate in areas ranging from email addresses to online calendars. For some young newlyweds, this means a debate over whether to combine their blogs. Longtime spouses, meanwhile, say perennial arguments about who has more closet space are now joined by bickering over which TV shows get deleted to make room on the TiVo."

Just cruisin' and knittin'

Well before I recap all of our cruise fun, I thought I'd get the important post out there: the one with knitting content. Sadly my knitting appetite was bigger than I was actually able to meet on this trip. That is, I lugged a lot of yarn with me and didn't get to half the projects I wanted to. Despite some good knitting time in the lounge (with drinks!) each evening, I didn't get too much done.


I did finish socks that I started eons ago and they are lovely. They are a cabled pattern from Knitty, knitted up on little 0's with Lorna's Laces in the Vera colorway. I have to say I'm a little sad about these socks. The 0's were sort of impossible to contend with, and my first set of bamboo needles were like toothpicks. One snapped as I was finishing off the first sock. Reluctantly, I bought another set, this time the Addi's 0 metal needles. These were nice to knit with, but they're so darn LITTLE. I'm definitely looking forward to larger needles next time. I'm also a bit disappointed with the pattern. I think given the variegated colorway and the small stitching, the cables just don't show up that well. Next time I'd use a solid color for better results. But they are still pretty and they're all mine!


Second, I started on a Clapotis. I'm using Regia in a berry colorway and the bamboo is knitting up beautifully. As soon as I was able to decipher the pattern I've been loving it and the progress is fun. It even matches the decor of the ship! It was a fun knit and one that I'll keep working on now that I'm home.

Of course now that I'm home I have a million more things I want to knit - Jaywalkers, a crocheted dress, the flames bag for the shop, a lace shawl for my wedding.... And I got my invite to Ravelry! So much fun in store... DANGER Will Robinson. Knitting and notions approaching!