Passion for Knitting

Tonight on VPR I caught the tail end of the rebroadcast of the Passion for Knitting episode of Open Source. What I heard was great and as soon as I got home I downloaded the podcast. Highlights include interviews with Debbie Stoller and Joe Wilcox. One of the best things I heard - there's a website full of patterns with a creative commons license (link).


Update: While I haven't actually listened to the podcast yet this knitter wasn't to impressed with the show. And as far as I can tell Stitching for Sanity is actually just someone's blog, not a pattern compendium.

KWANZAA: A HOLIDAY FROM THE FBI

"President Bush's 2005 Kwanzaa message began with the patently absurd statement: "African-Americans and people around the world reflect on African heritage during Kwanzaa." I believe more African-Americans spent this season reflecting on the birth of Christ than some phony non-Christian holiday invented a few decades ago by an FBI stooge. Kwanzaa is a holiday for white liberals, not blacks."
More of Ann Coulter's spew here.

How infuriating! My daughter's entire school celebrates Kwanzaa right before the holiday break. They spend the time learning about African American heritage and exploring the principles of Kwanzaa like unity, faith and purpose. Not only is Kwanzaa celebrated but the children talk about the traditions celebrated in their own households as well. Elah's school is very diverse and in no way looks at Kwanzaa as a celebration to assuage white liberal guilt. I have to stop now before my reasoning powers break down and I just start name calling out of sheer frustration. The fact that there are people this ignorant and hateful out there makes me very sad. I doubt Ann Coulter asks herself, "What would Jesus do?"

Secret Pal 7

I'm about to do it again! Secret Pal 7 is coming up! I had so much fun last time, I can't wait to do it again.

KnitCast

How did I not know about this? I feel like I should hand in my nerd card for only having just discovered a knitting podcast.

Almost There

Holy shit, I have been flat out busy at work for the past three weeks. Usually I'm fairly busy but I also have some down time as well. Not the case lately; with web registration happening, classes ending, people getting ready for walk-in registration, finals, picking up graded papers, etc it has been insane here. The plus side? We close on Friday and don't reopen until January 2nd. Technically all of my days off aren't holidays but I only have to claim two vacation days - totally worth it. What will I do with the time off, especially after the 28th when my daughter is at her father's house? Katamari, knitting and the massage certificate I got for solstice.

must....make....it....one....more....day

Solstice Revisited

Solstice was great! My mom ended up opening her one glove on Saturday night, Solstice Eve, and I managed to finished the other glove by Sunday night. The best gift I got was a gift certificate for a deep tissue massage. I really, really want to go get it as soon as possible but I'm trying to wait until after registration and the first week of classes since I'll probably really need it then.

Elah was worried that she wouldn't get what she wished for because she told her wish. Imagine her surprise when, on Solstice morning, she found a golden headband, dress, gloves and slippers; exactly what she had wished for. That Good Witch of the North sure knows her stuff.

The best part was getting to spend the night at my moms' with Elah and my sister, Sunshine. We get to do it all over again with Sunshine, my dad and my brother, Allan, on Christmas Eve. I won't lie, the presents are great but I love being able to spend some quiet time with my family, that's the best part.

Gloves!

I was hoping that I could knit 2 gloves and do my final paper in 5 days but alas it wasn't meant to be. I did finish one glove which I'll wrap for my mom and I'll bring the other to Solstice to work on. On the plus side I did finish my paper.

Happy Solstice

Elah and I are about to head out to my moms' for out Solstice celebration. My sister, Sunshine, is coming from NY too. We'll all spend the night and then open presents from family and the Good Witch of the North in the morning. I'm wrapping my mom's one finished glove and bringing the other with me. You can see it here.

Secret Pal 6

Secret Pal 6 has drawn to a close and not only did I get to find out who my secret pal was but I got one final package as well! My pal is Lynette and can be found here and here. My last package included a crocheted washcloth and small bag, homemade soap, bath salts and a bath fizzy and some yarn in my favorite color, orange.

This was my first SP and I had a blast! I will definitely do it again! I had so much fun spoiling my pal and being spoiled. Thank you, Lynette!

The Weather Outside is Frightful

I've been enjoying the 16 degree weather, except the exact opposite of that. On the plus side I've been getting a lot of knitting done. I knit my first pair of mittens and for Elah ad then knit another pair in LSU purple for my cousin, Grayson, which I felted. The mittens are great except that the thumb is too small to fit anyone I know. See the progress below.

I'm also working on my first pair of gloves with some hand dyed yarn I got at the craft fair at the Waldorf school in Shelburne. The only thing I would change about the pattern is doing the ribbing in a smaller needle and decreasing 4 stitches or so on the first round of stockinette. Aside from those 2 minor details I love the pattern, thanks for letting me hoard you book, Reba! I'm very excited and my mom already hinted very heavily that she could use a pair; she even went as far as to show me her everyday winter hat so I could see which shade of grey would best match. Very subtle.

Mmmm On Demand

Guess what. I never have to pay attention to a teller, actually look at the road while I'm driving or be bored in history class again. (iTMS link)