KD

Naa na na na na na na na Katamari Damacy.

Meow!

This post is special for Reba and EST; I know it's not knitting but you might have to make it anyway.
Link

Panta

I knit a panta this past weekend. I love it but I made a couple of changes to the pattern so I would love the next one better except that the next one is being knit for my secret pal. No pics as of yet, I keep forgetting my camera at work. In the mean time, here's my pattern.

The biggest changes are the provisional CO, the three needles BO and the change in the length of the sections (they're not equal).

Panta
Knit using US size 5 needles and Noro Lily

CO 19 (I used a provisional cast on then picked up the stitches when I was done to do a 3 needle bind off so I didn’t have to seam it.)

Section 1
Row 1 K1 *P2, K1 Repeat from *
Row 2 P1 *K2, P1 Repeat from *
Repeat rows 1 & 2 10 more times

Section 2
Row 1 K1 *P2, K1, M1 Repeat from *
Row 2 P1 *K2, P2 Repeat from *
Row 3 K1 *P2, K2 Repeat from *
Row 4 P1 *K2, P2 Repeat from *
Repeat rows 3 & 4 14 more times

Section 3
Row 1 K1 *P2, K2, M1 Repeat from *
Row 2 P1 *K2, P3 Repeat from *
Row 3 K1 *P2, K3 Repeat from *
Row 4 P1 *K2, P3 Repeat from *
Repeat rows 3 & 4 14 more times

Section 4
Row 1 K1 *P2, K3, M1 Repeat from *
Row 2 P1 *K2, P4 Repeat from *
Row 3 K1 *P2, K4 Repeat from *
Row 4 P1 *K2, P4 Repeat from *
Repeat rows 3 & 4 12 more times

Section 5
Row 1 K1 *P2, K4, M1 Repeat from *
Row 2 P1 *K2, P5 Repeat from *
Row 3 K1 *P2, K5 Repeat from *
Row 4 P1 *K2, P5 Repeat from *
Repeat rows 3 & 4 12 more times

Section 6
Row 1 K1 *P2, K3, K2tog Repeat from *
Row 2 P1 *K2, P4 Repeat from *
Row 3 K1 *P2, K4 Repeat from *
Row 4 P1 *K2, P4 Repeat from *
Repeat rows 3 & 4 12 more times

Section 7
Row 1 K1 *P2, K2, K2tog Repeat from *
Row 2 P1 *K2, P3 Repeat from *
Row 3 K1 *P2, K3 Repeat from *
Row 4 P1 *K2, P3 Repeat from *
Repeat rows 3 & 4 14 more times

Section 8
Row 1 K1 *P2, K1, K2tog Repeat from *
Row 2 P1 *K2, P2 Repeat from *
Row 3 K1 *P2, K2 Repeat from *
Row 4 P1 *K2, P2 Repeat from *
Repeat rows 3 & 4 14 more times

Section 9
Row 1 K1 *P2, K2tog Repeat from *
Row 2 P1 *K2, P1 Repeat from *
Row 3 K1 *P2, K1 Repeat from *
Row 4 P1 *K2, P1 Repeat from *
Repeat rows 3 & 4 8 more times

Bind off and weave in ends.

Step Afrika!

Elah and I are going to see Step Afrika! tonight at Ira Allen Chapel. I'm very excited; the day before I found out about the show I was telling a woman at work that the 2 things I miss most about living in the south are step shows and good marching bands. Yay!
As long as I can make it to 7 I'll be alright. I gave blood last night which always makes me tired but more so this time because it was at the tail end of a VERY busy work week. But I know once I hear that stomp my blood (what I have left) will get pumping and I'll be alright. I think Elah will love it too being the Tappy McTapperson, percussive addict that she is.
Show's at 7, doors open at 6:30 and there's no charge.

Melancholy Accordion Music

This picture reminds me of Anita, a woman I used to work with; she plays the accordion (one of my favorite instruments). She left for a opportunity she couldn't pass up and she is missed around here. I still haven't been able to bring myself to read the "good-by-thank-you-I'll-miss-you" email she sent out before she went.

For those of you who don't know, that rabbit is Harvey, he's out intranet guru.

Update

I got my yarn from Elann and am such an impulse shopper that I forgot I also bought 5 balls of a merino, baby alpaca, cashmere yarn. The sweater will go quickly, I knit on 15s to get my gauge; it'll be a nice change after all those gloves.

Speaking of gloves...I tinked (unknit) each of the fingers on Elah's gloves and added 5 rows; they fit much better now.

Also I've scrapped the fuzzy pillow since I don't have quite enough yarn and decided to make a scarf for my sister, Sunshine.

Free To Stitch 'n Bitch

New Site

This site shows some promise. I have to make Snowball's Chance in Hell.

(I couldn't decide on which button to use)

I Love This Place

So you remember how I was trying to bust my stash and not buy any more yarn? Yeah right. Last night I was poking around the internets and found this free pattern on Elann. Normally I don't like their patterns but this one intrigued me and I decided that I must make it. The pattern calls for 2 different colors of a discontinued yarn so I bought one color I liked at Elann and then did a Google search for some more in colors others than those on Elann.

Enter Knot Another Hat. Not only did Knot Another Hat have the yarn I wanted but they had it at a very competitive price and only 7 skeins left! The pattern only called for 6 of each color but I like to get an extra just in case. Unfortunately, 9 minutes after I placed my order I got an email from Sarah, the owner, reporting that some skeins were missing from the back and she only had 4 available. Some further searching turned up one more but it still wasn't enough for my pattern. Not only did she do some more searching when she got to work this morning (I said I could probably squeak by if she found 1 more), but she emailed me all throughout the process to keep me updated.

She never did find the missing skeins and refunded my money immediately. I will definitely be returning to the online store. I only wish the women at our local stores were this friendly and helpful.

Boogie Wonderland

Saturday Elah and I are going to Boogie Wonderland at Higher Ground. It's a family dance party and most of the parents I know in the community are going. Elah is super excited to see a ton of kids she knows and be in a "grown up" place. I'm excited to see a bunch of adults I know while Elah shakes what her mama gave her. I also know people without children who are going - stop by if you have some free time Saturday from 3 - 6.

Pictures!

My mom's hat:

Knit using 9s for ribbing and 10 1/2s for stockinette with 2 strands of Plymouth Encore worsted. The pattern is the basic hat pattern found in Yarn Girl's Guide to Simple Knits.

My mom's bike helmet ear warmers:

What a dork, I kinda look like I have a uterus on my ear (very mom appropriate).
Knit using Lamb's Pride worsted on 8s. Pattern found here.

I finished Elah's gloves.

The thumbs are a couple of rows too short so I'll have to frog them a bit and reknit but first I have to get her to take them off! I also frogged my mom's hat last night and added 4 rows, a pic of that will come soon. Right now I'm working on some ear flaps for my mom's bike helmet. I found the pattern in issue #1 of the Men Knit zine. It's nice to knit something small on 8s after all that work on 2s and 3s; it's also a great stash buster as I have all these random skeins of Lamb's Pride hanging around.

I Love eBay

Last night I bought two each - 24" US0, US3, US4 and one 24" US5 Addi Turbo circular needles. In my LYS that's about $90 and I got them for less than $50 including shipping. Yay eBay!

Who Needs Gloves?

Apparently I am glove crazy - I made the first pair for my mom less than a month ago and have since made a fingerless pair for L and I started a pair for E lah today. It seem like a perfect time to work on that unfinished sweater, it knits quick and would save my eyesight.

Progress: This is the first glove and I LOVE knitting on the 2 circulars.


Regia Crazy Color 5402
US #2

Socks Soar

I recently bought Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles by Cat Bordhi. I tried the technique out tonight and it was super easy to get the hang of (of which to get the hang?). I like that my knitting rests on circulars while not in use, I'm not so freaked out about it falling off the needles. So, now I just need to go buy 24" US 0s, 1s, 3s, 4s, 5s and 6s - I already have the 2s. I bought metal needles made by Prym because they were 1/2 the price of the Addi Turbos and I like them...Elah only needs one kidney, right?

Observe:

Hasidic Reggae

I have a new favorite artist, Matisyahu. He sets the mic on fire and tears up the stage with energy I haven't seen in a long time. True he followed Phish on tour for awhile but I can overlook that small fact. See a video here. If you only hear a smidge, download King Without a Crown and Beat Box (I luz me a man who can beat box).

Who Am I Again?

Secret Pal 7

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?
Sigh, the word snob is so... But yes, I do prefer natural fibers or blends.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
No but I am trying to learn to crochet, my last SP sent me a hook and a book.

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a needle case and the top drawer of a yarn and a vase.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I’ve been knitting about a year and a half; I’d rate myself as intermediate.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes, it’s here.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I’m not s huge Yanke Candle fan but I do love the sage and citrus scent. I also like nag champa, white musk from the Body Shop, I like lavender, I like Skin Trip coconut lotion because it reminds me of my mom when I was a kid.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Yes, I like milk chocolate, almost anything with nuts, good coffee.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Well, after work, parenting, and homework the only DIY thing I can manage is dragging my ass to bed.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like everything, well everything that doesn't suck. But seriously Fear Factor to Common, Amiel to Emmy Lou Harris, Nikka Costa to Super Cat, Miles Davis to Stereolab - I like it all. Yes my computer can play MP3s. My new favorite is Matisyahu, I just bought Live at Stubbs.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
Orange is my favorite color but I don't think my own coloring lends to my being able to really wear it. What's the new black this season? Maybe that will be my new favorite! *snark* There aren't really colors I don't like except maybe dusty rose.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I'm single with a daughter who turned five in September. We have 2 cats only one of which goes outside. I have a lot of family and good friends in the area.

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I actually wear all of them, the ponchos I wear (I only have 2) are more like plain wraps stitched on one side.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I don't know that I have a favorite; Lamb's Pride is probably what I use most often. They have some yarn I keep saying I’m going to try made out of bamboo at my LYS that seems soft.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Eyelash was fun for a minute but I'm pretty much over that one. I'm not a fan of a lot of acrylic but I have come across yarn that was secretly* acrylic that I liked.

*I would have sworn that the yarn was a natural fiber but it was just undercover.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
I’ve been doing a lot of work on small needles, gloves and mittens mostly. I’ll soon attack socks again as well. My latest obsession is busting my stash.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I don’t know.

17. What are you knitting right now?
Mittens, fingerless gloves and fingered gloves (and as always my Marilyn Sweater).

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I usually use straight but I just purchased “Socks Soar on 2 Circular Needles” so that preference may change.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I mostly own bamboo, I like the feel of wood and the fact that my yarn was less apt to slip off but lately I’ve been using aluminum when I can – I don’t like the feel as much but I like the speed. Really I’m good with anything as long as I’m knitting.

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No but I’d love to.

22. How did you learn to knit?
My gramdmother’s friend taught me when I was a kid and I promptly put down my needles to go play in the dirt, I picked it up again when I wa pregnant and knit 1 and 1/2 squares of a 9 square blanket and abandon it again. About a year and a half ago I picked up a book and got together with some knitters and have been obsessive ever since.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
That damn Marilyn Sweater! I’ve actually knit it twice and just have to seam it, I’ve been working on it for about 6 months.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Hello Kitty is my favorite animated character. My favorite animals are frogs and octopuses (but realistic ones, not cartoony).

25. What is your favorite holiday?
Winter Solstice because we all get together to hang out, open gifts, and eat my mom's yummy grits for breakfast.

26. Is there anything that you collect?
I try not to do a ton of collecting because I have enough stuff but anything that catches my eye has the potential, I like dark woods, boxes, random trinkets from India, and I could go on and on, it's more about the item than the completion of or addition to a collection. The closest I come is items related to goddesses and female saints.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
I’ve rated my books by preference on my Amazon wish list.

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Not that I can think of.

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes, I wear a woman’s size 9.5 shoe.

31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
11/30

It should also be noted that there are 2 Emilys that post to this blog. I'm E to the M and the other is simply Emily.

Update

Thank you to everyone who came to the SnB at my house yesterday, I had a blast and managed to be productive as well. I finished the baby hat from the Debbie Bliss Knitting Workbook - instead of using the called for cashmere I used one of the skeins of KnitPicks yarn my last secret pal sent.

I also finished my first fingerless glove using Noro Lily. I think I'll end up giving these to my friend L.

Here are some pics for you.

Today's Knitting

I'm trying to bust my stash. I found two yarns that Elah picked out that the Kaleidoscope tent sale so I decided to make her a hat. I started last night and almost finished at work today when I discovered it was way too big. So I ripped it out and re-knit it. I finished it after work and almost made it too small but Elah loves it and that's all that matters. Up next, fuzzy pillow.

As promised here are the patterns.

Awesome Possum

Anyone here ever hear of Perino? Me either. But a woman in my office recently went to New Zealand for a month so I gave her $50 and asked her to pick out some yarn for me. I got some merino, some basic wool, some yarn that's Oscar the Grouch green and a big honkin' hank of Perino (about 550 yards).

Perino, put simply is possum yarn. The Australian bush tailed possum was originally brought to NZ to establish the fur trade now they are a big problem, eating native trees that subsequently die and consuming the food of native bird species. Oh, and did I mention that there are more than 70 million of these cuties? Possum link 1, link 2. Anyway people seem to be singing the praises of possum yarn (link 1, link 2) and I am very excited to try it out. Any pattern ideas?

Guess Who

I'll give you a hint, it's 1979.

And can I just say that I love the pom poms on the curtain?