and knitting

Formerly known as the mystery project - project #30: big bad baby blanket is finished

The Project: Big Bad Baby Blanket - pattern from Stitch 'n Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook
The Yarn: Blue Sky Organic Cotton in Sage purchased from Depth of Field
The Needles: 5mm
Started: December 16 2005
Finished: January 15 2006

The mystery project was never much of a secret, but for those of you who didn't guess, it can now be revealed as the Big Bad Baby Blanket. This pattern is quite simple, but it was an enjoyable knit and the end result is gorgeous. I can see why it's been such a popular pattern. I'll soon be giving it to the cute little guy I knit it for (I'll update this post with an "action" shot).

Various and Sundry Links - January 31 2006

- An exceptional post On Yarn Snobbery

- Good Night and Good Luck, one of my favorite films from last year, was nominated for a whole passel of awards. George Clooney has certainly come a long way since his days in Peekskill. Syriana was good too. I really don't understand the complaints that it was confusing.

- The gown that Project Runway's Nick designed for Brenda Strong was gorgeous [via]. Perhaps an Oscar gown is in his future.

- Bill Gates Bento (scroll down)

- Reality TV gets even weirder with Extreme Breastfeeding and The Perfect P****. I'm not at all disappointed that these aren't showing in the US.

- Two great posts on Vox Verax - Bush on the Constitution: "It's just a goddamned piece of paper" and "I am the State" [via]

Bush on Tuesday night is going to pretend to tell the nation how his government is working in the beginning of his sixth year in office. The history of Bush's state of the union speeches tells us his version is going to be an Olympic class con job delivered with relentless sincerity.

- Vintage Beauty and Hygiene Advertisements [via]

- The new graphics for CNN International are very "webish" [via]

- I wish I knew how to quit you - Broke Mac Mountain [via]

stash

One would think my organizational supply fetish would mean that my yarn and knitting supplies were all tidily stowed away. Unfortunately that was not the case. However, I finally decided to do something about it and since I could not buy my dream storage system, ordered a bunch of plastic shoe boxes from The Container Store. It's so nice to finally have all of my yarn sorted out and easily accessible. [No, I'm not going to post photos of my stash, because well, that would be almost as boring as, um, this post.]

Speaking of stashes, my finished hat DUH lux made me look like a knitter of the Rastafarian persuasion. Seeing as I'm not a member of the Jamaican Bobsled Knitting Team, it had to go. I'll try again -- this time with two less increase rows.

Various and Sundry Links January 28 2006

- densha trooper is my hero [via]

- The Judy Jetson sweater by Stephanie Earp was inspired by a sweater that Project Runway's Jay McCarroll had on the runway during last year's finale fashion week show.

- Homeland Security Protects the Ham - I'm glad our government is working so hard to protect us from vegan terrorists.

- Gorgeous panoramic fashion show photos by V Magazine [from Fashion Addict Diary]

- Jonathan Rhys-Davies is not Jonathan Rhys-Meyers

- More idiotic behavior from SFSE - this time in the form of an open letter from their Marketing Manager [via]. They really don't get it.

be in the fashion - cover your hair

There's just a bit of ribbing left to do, and then the hat DUH lux will be done. I'm hoping that it is suitably slouchy, but it may just be so big that I could fit a head full of dredlocks inside. We'll see what the verdict is when I finish it up this weekend.

The poster in the background is a reproduction that I picked up at the Imperial War Museum in London. That place has the best gift shop (if you are a history dork like me).

Various and Sundry Links - January 27 2006

- OK, I know that Frey did an awful thing by forging his memoir, but suing him is idiotic.

- Welcome, baby squid overlords [via some knit blog, but I don't remember which one]

- Recovering from a Community Platform Loss - The recent Yahoo Group shutdowns make this pertinent to the knit community. Also, if you've joined a new Yahoo Group, you may want to opt out of their web beacons [via].

- 30 foot elephant robot?

- Woo hoo! Wally's leaving!

- Santino redeemed himself a bit during the last episode of Project Runway. No, I did not like his dress, but he was hilarious. His blog is pretty amusing too. Check out his 'O Brother Where Are Thou'-ish version of Eric B. and Rakim's Paid in Full (one of the most played songs in my iTunes).

- The world's first butler cafe is opening soon [via]. I wonder what the butler cafe equivalent of those permed guys who stand in front of the hostess bars will be?

various and sundry links - January 23-24 2006

• I made a total dork of myself on the bus again today by laughing out loud while listening to the Ricky Gervais podcast (and was rewarded for my embarassing behavior by having my ipod abruptly shut off, not to be turned back on). This week's podcast is especially brilliant. Is Pilkington the Pepys of our generation?
• More on the stitch 'n bitch trademark battle - A Boycott SFSE site has been posted, complete with a Bitch & Stitch Café
• I can't decide which of these is more idiotic - the fingertip sized dance mats or the Valentine's themed boxers for your iPod.
• Consumerist had a contest about people's worst experiences at Starbucks. I love Gregg Schultz's entry, Clash of the Titans.
• Pink is the New Blog brings us Katie's ever changing bump.
• Bush Yoga [via Nake-id Knits]
• Onitsuka Lovely Football - wacky and LOUD [via]!
• steelerbaby [via]
• Things Never To Do Under Any Circumstances.
• Open Letter to the Washington Post
• Celebrity Marketing Overkill
• Better than Q-Tips? The MiMiture Electronic Ear Cleaner
• Molly Ivins, who "counts as her highest honors that the Minneapolis police force named its mascot pig after her," says It's time for Democrats to put up or shut up [via]
• Bröken Up By Ikea - Wusses! [via]
• I must have this. It's almost as cool as the robot bartender my sister bought for some friends that says (in Japanese), "Let's drink beer and talk about work"!

project #31: scarf DUH lux finished and new project #32: hat DUH lux

The Project: scarf DUH lux - based on a scarf from a Knit Cafe book [isbn4-8347-2332-1]
The Yarn: Just over 4 balls double stranded Rowan Soft Lux in Sable purchased from Knit Happens online
The Needles: 8mm Clover Takumi
Started: January 19 2006
Finished: January 21 2006

The scarf DUH lux is a success. The length is bordering on Dr. Who territory, but I love it. I especially adore the yarn. The yardage is quite good. It only took 4 balls knit double stranded (plus a little bit of a 5th) to make this ridiculously long scarf with fringe. It will be wonderful to have such a soft, luxurious scarf to combat those horrible winter winds.

Happily, I also have enough left to make a hat. I'm a recent convert to the ways of Barbara Walker so decided to work it from the top down. Yeah, it will have the little sphincter at the top, but, I don't really mind that so much. Here's a shot from while I was still using DPNs. I've now switched to the circular needle, so things should go even more quickly from here on.

The Project: hat DUH lux - following instructions in Knitting from the Top
The Yarn: Rowan Soft Lux in Sable purchased from Knit Happens online
The Needles: 4.5mm Crystal Palace DPNs and 4.5mm 16" Clover circular
Started: January 22 2006

project #31: scarf DUH lux

The Project: scarf DUH lux - based on a scarf from a Knit Cafe book [isbn4-8347-2332-1] purchased from Kitty-Craft
The Yarn: double stranded Rowan Soft Lux in Sable purchased from Knit Happens online
The Needles: 8mm Clover Takumi
Started: January 19 2006

I have long coveted the Rowan Soft Lux yarn and finally succumbed when Knit Happens had their inventory sale. At first I considered making something cabley, but decided I'd rather go for the fringe. The color and texture will go quite nicely with one of my winter coats. I'm hoping I have enough yarn to make some sort of hat too.

I can't be bothered to translate the actual name of the pattern so have dubbed it the scarf DUH lux, based on the fact that it is completely mindless (stockinette and garter). The pattern that inspired me came from a Knit Cafe book I purchased from Kitty-Craft.

Kitty-Craft specializes in Japanese fabric, notions and zakka. It's a really cute shop. I also bought some star emblazoned wood buttons for a future project. I don't have any affiliation with the shop, I just like it and I'm sure I'll be ordering more from them in the future.

Coincidentally, I also received a brochure for Camp Stitches today that features a class on Japanese Knitting Techniques taught by Maureen Mason-Jamieson. Too bad it is already sold out!

mememe

I accidentally deleted this post last night. Sorry about that!

Elizabeth just tagged me with the 4 Things meme. Here's an ever so scintillating glimpse into my exciting life.

stitchery and bitchery

You might recall the uproar from last spring, when SFSE (owners of a trademark for 'Stitch & Bitch Cafe') started sending out cease and desists to stitch 'n bitchers who had shops on Cafe Press. They went further recently by trying to shut down yahoo groups with the phrase stitch 'n bitch in their name.

As reported most excellently by the girl from auntie (the knit blog world's de facto legal expert), Debbie Stoller is now striking back by suing for cancellation of SFSE’s Stitch & Bitch Cafe trademark registration.

The basis for cancelling, Stoller argues, is the sheer descriptiveness of “stitch and bitch” to describe crafty gatherings. As the services of SFSE for their trademark are essentially a virtual version of such a gathering, the mark is too descriptive to be registered.

Go to her site to read more.

I hope SFSE loses their trademark for 'Stitch & Bitch Cafe', but I'm personally not too keen on seeing anyone own the trademark for Stitch 'n Bitch. As the phrase coined by a group of crafters says, Free to Stitch, Free to Bitch.

I'm changing my mind on this a bit based on the girl from auntie's arguments in a comment on her site. It does make sense to me now that Debbie Stoller should be given a trademark for stitch 'n bitch to be used for books, etc.

In other bitchy news, Project Runway's Wendy Pepper is getting a divorce [via]. The article says she'll be "confiding the dissolution of her marriage to Jay McCarroll" in his upcoming show.

Yes, our beloved Jay will be back on television with a Bravo special scheduled for February 22nd (during the Project Runway time slot). He sent out an email yesterday that included this bit of news:

"project jay" is a one hour doumentary special that chronicles my life post-project runway. its like an hour of project runway...but just about me. there are some appearances by your favorite project runway cast members and some very funny and compelling moments. hopefully, most of your unanswered questions will be answered on "project jay".

He also mentioned that he is working on his next collection. I can't wait!

As far as lat night's show goes, I was very disappointed to see Emmett go. Yeah, his outfit was frumpy, but it was not as bad as that horror designed by Rasputin. At least it sounds like he is doing well outside of the context of the show.

Olympic Hopefuls

I have a special fondness for the hoopla and spectacle that is the Olympic Games (despite the oppressive corporate sponsorship). It's really exciting to start seeing the Olympics news posts appear in my feed reader.

I'll obviously never get to the Olympics as an athlete, but it would be really amazing to attend in some other official capacity. I'm a bit disappointed in myself for not pursuing a job working on the NBC Olympics site. It would have been incredible to have such an interesting, all consuming Olympics experience. Perhaps I will have to go for it in 2008.

At least I can coddle my obsession during the games of the current Olympiad by joining the amusing Knitting Olympics cooked up by the Yarn Harlot.

Eligibility: Any knitter who, embracing the "Citius, Alitius Fortius" ideal, would like to challenge themselves while embracing the Olympic spirit, and is just whacked enough to play along with me.

Concept: You must cast on a project during the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter Olympics (Feb 10)- and finish before the Olympic flame goes out (Feb 26). That's 16 days.
...While this is intended to be somewhat difficult (like the Olympics) it is not intended to ruin your life. Don't set yourself up for failure. (Olympic athletes may cry, but they do not whine pitifully, sob and threaten members of their family with pointed sticks because they haven't slept in five days. ) This is intended to (like the Olympics) require some measure of sacrifice, and be difficult, but it should be possible to attain.

I'm not sure though that I have the fortitude to start and finish a new challenging project in that time period without whining pitifully. I mean, who wants to be known as the Paula Radcliffe of the knit blog world? I also already have way too many projects in progress. Perhaps keeping me in stitches' UFOlympics is more up my alley.

knitting olympics

for your eyes only

Thanks to some quality knitting time during Memoirs of a Geisha* yesterday, and For Your Eyes Only** today, I'm happy to say I've cast off of the mystery knitting project. No guessing what it is (though many of you likely already have it figured out). I'm really looking forward to weaving in the ends, blocking it and finally giving it to the wee little man.

[Sorry about the poor lighting in the photo.]

*Memoirs of a Geisha was, as I expected, pretty cheesy and bad. The visuals were nice, though I wish they would have tried to be more accurate with the makeup and costumes. Here's an excellent review of the film and surrounding controversy.

**I am quite a Bond fan, so although For Your Eyes Only is also ridiculously cheesy, I do like it (except for that figure skating chick).

To keep things somewhat interesting, here are some random links for today (not knit-related)...
• The Ambassador's Last Stand [via] - The famous Ambassador Hotel, home of the Cocoanut Grove and the site of Robert F. Kennedy's assassination is no more.
• Dr Bronner's Soap label-quote generator [via]
• This is very, very wrong.
• Project Runway's Emmett is opening a boutique and Daniel is on Friendster.
• shhhh