Good Bye

I find that more and more the purposes formerly served by this blog are being fulfilled by other services. I've been neglecting the blog and while I'm not posting often I think about it often and it weighs on me. It's time for me to let go of the blog.

So, while I won't be here any more, you can still find me all over the place in the tubes. Here are some other places I hang:
Ravelry
twitter
flickr
facebook
Good Reads
last.fm

Later, tater.

Tricot Machine || Les peaux de lièvres

From Dare To Care Records on Vimeo.

More Crochet and Giveaway Results

I think I finally settled on a pattern. I also decided to knit it out of cotton because even though it hurts my hands, it is machine washable and I was worried the worsted wool I have would be too think when doubled.



Pattern: Scalloped potholder Rav Web
Yarn: Elann Sonata
Hook: E, 3.5mm

I had to alter the pattern because I'm using a finer yarn than is called for but I wanted it to be big enough for the swap.

I started with 8 double crochet (1 ch 3 and 7 dc) rather than 12 because the petals were overlapping when I got to row 10 or so; it just wouldn't lay flat.
Also when I got to 4dc be dc between the fpdc I did this on the next row:
*2dc, 1 fpdc, repeat from *
This effectively double my original number of petals.

Edit: I also left off the row after the shells.

If this isn't clear drop me a line. knit.nerd [at] gmail [dot] com.


And finally, the winner of Crobots! knitXcore! I can't wait to see his finished robots. Thanks to everyone who left me some comment love.

Crochet & Giveaway

Yep, that's right, I'm hooking. I've been wanting to teach myself to crochet for awhile but was lacking the proper motivation. The answer? Join a crochet swap and then learn.

I've been experimenting with different yarns and patterns and I think I'm getting the hang of it.


Left: Topflappen Rav Web Right: Scalloped Potholder Rav Web
Yarn: Dishcloth cotton
Hook: E, 3.5mm

The cotton's been a bit rough on my hands though so I decided to take a break and pick up some wool.


Big Blue Rav Web
Yarn: Unlabeled stash yarn
Hook: G, 4mm

I also made a purple Big Blue but I haven't taken any decent pictures yet.



Hey wait, didn't I say something about a giveaway?
Well in my enthusiasm and total nerdiness I accidentally bought 2 copies of Crobots. That's right, crochet robots. That's where you come in. Leave a comment before Friday April 17 at 5pm EST and I will randomly pick one winner to get my extra copy of the book.

VT Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

Family FTW

That's right, Vermont does it legislatively.

I called my mom as soon as I heard the news from Shay and she was in tears.
She said, "I know I'm equal and just as good as everyone else but it feels so good to be publicly acknowledged as just as worthy of a loving, committed relationship as everyone else."

Today is a good day.

PS Suck it, haters.

Orchid

Pattern: Orchid Scarf web Rav
Yarn: Handmaiden Sea Silk
Colorway: Bronze
Purchased at: Lettuce Knit
Date Started: 7 November 2007
Date Finished: 10 February 2009

This is the yarn I bought as a pick me up when we were in Toronto for my dad's funeral. Our visit was filled with arrangements and questions and packing his hotel room and I needed to get away. So while the rest of my family went to the police station to gather my dad's things, I ran away to Lettuce Knit and stared blankly at all the yarn-y goodness for the better part of an hour.

I immediately cast on for this scarf thinking of my step mom (the one married to my mom, not the one married to my dad). I burned through the first half and then put it down until the beginning of February. My step mom's birthday is coming up and I was trying to decide what to knit for her when I remembered this and picked it up again.

I think she'll like it.

You Spin me Right Round

I love yarn and I love bikes. While I don't spin, I love this marriage of two things I love.
(via Etsy)

Happy Holidays!

As a gift to you this season, I'd like to offer you one day of carbon neutrality. If you claim this gift, Brighter Planet will donate 136 pounds of carbon offsets in your name. These offsets help fund renewable energy projects and are an important part of fighting climate change. All that is asked in return is that you consider conserving where you can during the holidays. For conservation recommendations take a look at: http://blog.brighterplanet.com/2008/12/03/top-12-conservation-tips-for-the-holidays/

Once you claim your free gift, you'll be able to pay it forward to your friends, family and colleagues.

Best wishes!

Cowl Love

Seriously, I know you've seen cowl all over the place. I am officially declaring this the year of the cowl.

Well I am a girl who loves a fast knit so I whipped up a couple myself.




Pattern: Col GC Ravelry Google Docs
Yarn: Lion Brand Thick & Quick
Needles: 10.5 US, 6.5mm

Knit in one day for the Yankee swap at work.



Pattern: Col GC Ravelry Google Docs
Yarn: Lion Brand Thick & Quick
Needles: US11, 8mm
Modifications: Moved up in needle size to a US11 from a US10.5. Knit in the round instead of flat. Cast on 70 sts instead of 86.

I realized I will not have the Loop Shawl done for Solstice this weekend so I will give it to my stepmom for her birthday in February. Now she'll be getting a cowl for Solstice.

Only one more knit to finish before we open presents on Saturday...

Brrrrrrrr

I was excited when I woke up this morning to find it snowing. It been bitter cole lately with strong wind, the worst kind of winter weather. Unfortunately it only snowed a little, is still bitter cold and windy and now the roads are icy to boot.
Damn.

Yummy Tum Tum

This year on Thanksgiving it will be just S and myself. Friday we will grab the girls and go for a Thanksgiving/birthday (mine) dinner at my mom's but Thursday we are on our own.

I wanted to plan a meal that wouldn't feel too heavy but would also be somewhat special.

• Panko crusted boneless pork chops with Tonkatsu dipping sauce recipe
• Napa cabbage and rice vinegar salad recipe
• Cauliflower gratin recipe
• Cheese muffins recipe or gougères recipe (I haven't decided)
• Cheesecake recipe

I am super excited for all this food. It's a perfect time to make the cheesecake because we can take the leftovers to my mom's and not stuff ourselves silly... (He doesn't know about the cheesecake. It's his favorite so I'm making it as a surprise.)

I'll also be roasting garlic to make mashed potatoes for the Friday dinner.

I'm a Dood

(Via Gender Analyzer)

Mystery Revealed!

Secret's out! These were a sample I knit for Cookie A's new book, Sock Innovation. You can see a sample of the book here and you can pre-order it on Amazon here.

The Deets:
Pattern Name; Milo
Cast On: May 7, 2008
Cast Off: June 3, 2008
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock in denim
Needles: US1, dpn

Obama FTW!

VOTE

1 Year

One year ago today I lost the most generous and loving man I have ever known.

I met my dad when I was 7; he and my mom worked on the same film project. I had a hard childhood and the one lesson I had learned was that people didn't stay. I did everything I could to make this new person in our life leave but he never did. He was truly my dad and parented with infinite love and patience..

These are the things I learned from my dad.

1) People stay
2) It's OK to trust
3) Love really does conquer all
4) You don't need to sacrifice kindness and compassion to get the job done
5) A little sarcasm never hurts

I miss hm everyday. I constantly want to call him and tell him how my daughter is doing. I want to tell him I'm in love. I want to tell him how important he is to me. I want to tell him I need him. I want to tell him to stay.

Mmmmm, Cake

How amazing is this?
(via DFM)

Les peaux de lièvres

I can't remember if I posted this beofre or not. So here it is (maybe again) for good measure.

Autumnal

Happy first day of fall! The air is brisk and I want to knit sweaters. Following are the 4 projects I'd like to complete this season.

1. Baby Cables Rav Flickr
2. Button Me Up Rav Web
   
3. Something like this for my daughter Rav Flickr
4. Something with a boat neck for me (any pattern suggestions?)
   

What do you have planned for this season's knitting?

Finally, a Finished Object.

Pattern: Cabled Coffee Cuff (I can only find the pattern on Ravelry, contact me if you can't get your hands on the pattern.)
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Merino (left over from these socks)
Color: Brights
Needles: US 1
Time to knit: 3 days
Ravelry link

This was a super quick knit and fun to boot. It was the perfect project to get me excited about knitting again and the gears are turning.