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Sunday, July 31, 2005
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Inching closer
The end is in sight for Tivoli. In yet another modification, I'm adding a few more increase rows for added length and width. The finished hip size of this one is meant to be 42 inches; suffice it to say that my hips are a LOT wider than that. I hope there's enough stretch that just a couple more increase rows do the trick.
The end product is looking wonderful (everyone who sees it proclaims it "cute"), but the knitting part is not so fun. Seemlingly endless stockinette. I always think that I want simple projects in order to take a break from more complicated/involved ones, but I think I'm always lying to myself. I think I would've liked this better knit at the original gauge; more instant gratification.
Speaking of instant gratification: I think beading has me hooked. I met one of the owners of Insomniac Beads at the SnB picnic, and she's a great girl. I stopped by her store - last week? - and picked up a kit for a necklace I had seen on the website. I couldn't take the class and didn't NEED to, I thought, but wanted the kit. Here's the picture from the website. Mine's a different color: all shades of blue, but it was surprisingly easy and turned out beautifully. I sat down and was done with it within four hours; a lot faster than a knitting project! Last night we had a stitch 'n' bitch at the bead store (it's the best location I've been to yet!) and when I had to head out I paused long enough to buy a couple of copies of Beadwork. I'm pretty sure that I'd like to marry Interweave Press. Or, at least, they're going to be getting lots of my money for subscriptions.
The digital camera is just outside my grasp, edging closer. I've got my eye on a few Olympus digiatl cameras. My top pick is the Olympus Stylus Verve; it's got a HUGE amount of features, it's built tough, it's got a lithium battery. However, it's a little small, something I originally wanted, but now I think it may be awkward (particularly if my larger-handed better half uses it; I have TINY hands, so I'll be okay). There's also the D353 (I think) and D595; the latter is the new version of the former. I'd prefer the D595, as it has a sleeker look and large screen, but it's more expensive than the Verve (not by much, but I want a deal!). The older version is much cheaper than the Verve and it would do. Both of these cameras, however, only use AA batteries. Sure, they're rechargable, but I'd have to pay $30 for a charger and deal with that extra junk around.
For now, I am going to browse the sales flyers. I would've done it earlier, but I didn't want to disturb Reggie's squirrel-watching.
Tipper @ 5:38 AM * link
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Tuesday, July 26, 2005
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Post with no name
I just sent this email off to Grumperina. And, heck, I'm just gonna repeat myself here so I might as well copy and paste, eh?
My blog is being neglected because I hate my camera. It stays charged for, oh, one picture. Not that I can find my charger, currently. I get paid on Friday, and I'm totally buying a new camera as soon as that money hits my account.
Anyway, I thought I'd let you know how I'm doing with this. I'm just at the waist decreases now. I am, apparently, the loosest knitter EVER and am using Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece on size 3's (after a tremendous fiasco of yarn and needle incompatibility). I did everything according to pattern until I reached the bust. I tried it on a little early (I couldn't wait!) and I'm glad I did - short rows, I think, are a necessity. I added some and they look like they'll do the trick. There's no way I could've gotten everything to cover my chest without knitting about 10 inches straight after the armholes.
The wonderful news is that it fits perfectly. Like a *glove*.
So, Tivoli is going well, albeit slowly. Larch is also going well, and also going slowly. I don't have much energy for knitting lately.
Tipper @ 8:25 PM * link
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Sunday, July 17, 2005
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Picnic recap
The Twin Cities Stitch 'n' Bitch picnic was a blast. Aside from the fact that the "shelter" we rented was just a bunch of picnic tables on a concrete slab (the parks people listed it wrong!), everything went smoothly. Matthew was a HUGE help with everything (particularly with putting up with my stressing). At our peak, we probably had 35 people, which is an excellent turnout. There was plenty of great food, and lots of knitting and getting to know each other. I was happy to meet some people I've known by name for awhile.
The door prize drawing was the highlight of the day. We ended up having 25 items and 24 people in attendance at the time. My name came out for my stitch markers (mmm.. err... I already have some!) so it went back in. Then it was the last name, and I ended up with a $15 gift certificate to Yarnzilla.
My last duty as organizer is to email the winners and tell them who to send a thank-you note to; I have been procrastinating on that, but I must do it tonight.
The stash swap was good, though I don't think anyone got rid of as much stuff as they wanted to. The stuff I didn't get rid of is going up on eBay once and for all! I ended up selling a couple of things and traded some balls of yarn for a cool vintage pattern.
I think knitting hates me
Or at least, yarn does.
See, I want to test knit the Tivoli tee. I started out thinking that I could use something like Cotton-Ease. No such luck - wayyy too big. (I left out the part about how I went all over town looking for the Cotton-Ease and finally found about nine balls on clearance.) I tried Paton's Brillance, a yarn that I really like, for whatever reason. It comes in a deep chocolate color, which is what I wanted my Tivoli to be. That was too small. Finally, I bought some Cotton Fleece at Yarnzilla (I wanted to use Rowan Cashcotton DK, but I couldn't justify the expense). I am one stitch off in either direction, using size 5 needles. Guess who doesn't have any size 4's? That's right, me. ARGH. I'll buy some today, somewhere.
I hope the Summer Tweed for the corset top works out better (this was also purchased at Yarnzilla, and for a fantastic price, I might add). Someone knit one using Jaeger Trinity and it's beautiful. Of course, Summer Tweed's a different gauge and gauge hates me. I figure I can always fudge this one, since I'm not test knitting. Of course, I ended up picking colors that are close to the example above, but I wanted a red one to begin with. So there.
Larch is going swimmingly. I'm at the point where the rows don't take forever, so it shouldn't be long now.
I really need a new digital camera
If anyone has any suggestions for a digital camera that's under $200 and pretty nice, please share. I'd prefer one that uses a rechargable battery. Mine is nice, but old and bulky, and the battery no longer holds a charge (actually, it never has).
Tipper @ 7:43 AM * link
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Saturday, July 09, 2005
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The bandwagon has a new member.
One thing has been occupying my hands lately: Larch. That is, my fake Birch. Here's a "you get the idea" sort of picture:
The size 6 needles have made an enormous difference. The individual leaves are not as prominent as others' have been, but that could probably be attributed to my dark yarn; everyone else seems to use light colors. It's either that or different decreases are used, but I can't think of any way that would be done. It's decent enough anyway, and very snuggly. Sometimes I just sit and snuggle it, and then people look at me funny.
I have also resurrected my Conwy sock. I lost needle #5 awhile ago (brand new needles, too!) and in my disappointment I set down the sock. I'd since been considering a trip to the frog pond, as they say, but the pooling isn't that awful and I'm enjoying the pattern. I desperately need a able-to-knit-while-socializing project.
Le pic-nic is coming!
Tomorrow is the Twin Cities Stitch 'n' Bitch picnic, and I'm a little sad that it'll be over with soon. I love organizing events, and this one has gone really well. My food contribution will be my oft-praised veggie pizza; the recipe is below.
Veggie Pizza
2 tubes refrigerated crescent rolls
1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch dressing/dip mix
finely chopped cauliflower, broccoli, and baby carrots
Press the crescent rolls onto a baking sheet and bake until golden (about 10 minutes) in a 350 degree oven. Cool. Mix sour cream, mayo, and ranch mix and spread over cooled rolls (if you can let the mixture meld first, that's even better). Spread the vegetables evenly over the top. Cut into squares and try to not eat it all yourself.
Notes: I use light rolls, sour cream, and mayo, and it tastes just like the regular stuff. Don't be limited by my veggie selection - you can omit and add whatever you please. Radishes are a nice touch.
Speaking of organization...
For someone who likes to organize, I sure hate to. Really, you should see my knitting stuff. I'm approaching the realm of organized knitting, however. Tonight I finally got around to removing my circular needles from their random thrown-about homes into a binder, by way of CD sleeves for binders such as these (I think I paid a lot less for them than that, though). I measured all my needles, wrote the size and length on each sleeve with a Sharpie, and before I knew it everything was in order. We'll see how long that lasts.
Now, if I can only get off my butt and make a needle case for my straights and double pointed needles, that would be something. There's some beautiful embroidered oriental silk waiting to be made into something great.
Do you like to hear me talk as much as I do?
If you do, look for me at Metroblogging Minneapolis.
Tipper @ 7:20 PM * link
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Wednesday, July 06, 2005
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Even rockstars get the blues
Monday afternoon I was feelin' like a rockstar. Thanks to my handy stitch pattern book and two brain cells to rub together (and very detailed - almost too detailed - photographs on certain blogs), I figured out how to do Birch. That's right - no Birch knockoff for me. Really, if I want to knit something that looks like the Flower Basket Shawl, I'll, well, knit the Flower Basket Shawl. (Technically, this is still a Birch knockoff, but a very accurate one.)
I cast on Monday night, size 7 needles flying away. By yesterday evening I had two inches done. Two very loose, ugly inches. Last night my trusty sidekick and fiance helped me rip out those two inches. Kidsilk Haze is surprisingly cool with that when you knit it loosely. I cast on last night, again, this time on size 6's.
Have I learned my lesson yet? I am a loose knitter. I mentioned that to my man, and he said, "Yeah, you're loose." (*gasp!*)
It's now looking better.
SnB
I went to my first stitch 'n' bitch (ohmigodwatchmeinfringeupontrademark!) in ages yesterday afternoon. The gods smiled upon me and gave me a light workload, which meant I was able to go to lunch. I spent that lunch with a lovely lady who made me feel like a rockstar a couple of weeks ago, when she emailed me because she had recognized me on the bus, via this blog. We were the only two present; it figures, the one time I can make it, and the six+ regulars can't. I'll just have to catch them some other time.
Maybe that "other time" will be Sunday. Lots of people are gearing up for the Twin Cities Stitch 'n' Picnic, and we're all getting pretty excited.
Tipper Goes to the Mayor
I love "Tom Goes to the Mayor," a show on the Cartoon Network. I don't really know why, but it fascinates me. Thanks to this guy and the mad Photoshop skillz of a friend of mine, I, too, can be a citizen of Jefferton. Here I am knitting at a motocross cookout:
Tipper @ 1:02 PM * link
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Monday, July 04, 2005
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Dissecting Knitty
The long-awaited(?) man issue is now live. (Somehow I knew it'd come out on the 4th.)
Since I'm now on dial-up, I will immediately put my impressions here as I look at each pattern, lest I be tempted to revist every pattern in the future, sucking up all possible bandwidth.
Hardcore - Er. Um. I guess if I knew teenage boys who participated in "hip-hop" activities like graffiti, this would be a great thing to knit. Kudos to the kid who designed it, though.
Lucky - Not bad, but a little plain. Only for the svelte among us.
Kumo - A little metrosexual, no? If I had a hot Japanese guy to knit for, I'd totally make him this. Anyone but a hot Japanese guy would look ridiculous.
Saranac - Nice, but what's with that neck/collar combo? Make it into a zippered cardigan and you've got something. In fact, it'd be something I'd knit.
Baseball - Yay for Caryn getting published (Go Minnesota!), not so yay for the yarn choice. Such yarn should be used sparingly, if not at all. A much groovier choice would've been plain colors - white body, kelly green sleeves, maybe.
Ripley - Cute on child, tacky on big dude.
Drunken Argyle - I dig, and want one for myself.
Cargo - Much cuteness. Must procreate.
Andre - I think I'd like it more if I had heard of the whole campaign before now. As it is, it's just kind of... big.
Blue Hills - A good idea.
Boulder - a) Men in Boulder are big wimps, apparently. Remind me to never move there. (I can't help it. I like my men manly.) b) I guess kindness to HUMANS does not count (I mean, since when are humans animals, too?). Hemp yarn? At two needle sizes smaller than called for? Oh, lord. My paws'd be bandanged for the next week. c) Visit any thrift store for the same thing, c. 1984. Or better yet: try macrame.
Manly Mitts - They're manly, and mittens. They're also nice.
Tychus - "Acrylic," especially when referring to Red Heart and its ilk, cannot be used in the same sentence as "warm" and "comfy," unless by "warm" and "comfy," you mean "suffocating" and "itchy." Plus, it makes that guy's head look a lot like a penis. (I just call 'em as I see 'em!)
Cigar - A good idea, but, y'know, those three fingers on each hand are still going to get cold.
Wild Stripes - Bold. I like it. Might be a little heavy, though (and I could never get hems that perfect).
Satchel - Thank goodness there was a felted bag pattern! I was so worried that Knitty would not put one in, because you know that felted bags are the in thing. That said, the big one's okay. The little one looks like a purse.
And there you have it. Bitching about a free online knitting magazine.
But then there's IK, too!
Fall Interweave Knits: not very exciting. The two things that caught my eye were the Greek sweater (though it's awful plain) and the fair isle skirt. Everything else is quite "eh," though nothing is quite "ugh." (Except maybe the ponchos. Now, I'm not poncho hater, but if you're going to make ponchos, at least try for something a little unique.)
Tipper @ 6:55 PM * link
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*shrug*
Half of one, anyway.
Tipper @ 8:49 AM * link
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Sunday, July 03, 2005
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It's baaa-aack.
My knitting mojo, that is.
Blame the Viennese Shrug V2:
Fashioned out of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in the delightful and springy "Wisteria," this shrug is much more pleasant to work with, particularly in the area of gauge. With just a few inches to go before one entire half is complete, we are only a small amount above gauge, instead of making a garment large enough to clothe a pregnant elephant. Instead, it will be large enough to cover the knitter, who is smaller than most models and not nearly as photogenic (though sometimes as cute).
Accompanying this much-improve shrug experience is the knowledge that three balls of beautiful blue Kidsilk Haze now lurk within the stash. Thanks to peer pressure and a lack of self-control, these may go towards the Birch-like Kiri Shawl.
And behind door number three, we have evidence of yarn snobbery as a contractable disease. Witness: a partially knit ball of Rowan Calmer, size 7 wooden needles with a wave of stockinette flowing aft, next to the chair of the man of the house. Yes, indeed, men can be yarn snobs (and so even of knitters we want to hit them sometimes, when we're not welling up with pride). The beaded stitchmarkers in the background serve as a warning to all: do not bother with the bead stores - just go to cheap craft stores, where you will find all of the ingredients you need at a fraction of the price. (Some lucky soul will win some of these stitch markers during the Twin Cities Stitch 'n' Picnic.)
This concludes the tour of How Tipper Got Her Mojo Back.
Tipper @ 9:03 AM * link
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