and knitting

just keep swimming

cute little duck from Amy on Vimeo.

This week has been kind of a drag. Sometimes it helps to just watch something cute.

everybody's happy nowadays

Ok, I ripped it out and feel much better. There's a sense of relief knowing I don't have to face all of that annoying raglan shaping. Top down is the only way to go, people!

Honestly though, my main issue with the grey cardigan was ennui. It's much more appealing to cast on for a new project than finish an old one. As mentioned in the previous post, Zephyr Style's Juliet caught my eye. Yahaira's shop had an amazing sale on some yarn that I think will make a gorgeous Juliet, so hopefully I'll be able to get a start on it next week.

Various and Sundry Links - September 13 2007

- Newlin may have been on to something with the bacon stuff fries idea he posted in the comments yesterday. In Korea, they're already mastered the art of combining the french fry and extruded pork products into a magical treat. [via newley purnell]

- “it was the food”

- I probably missed this because I'm not a rabid sock knitter, and when I do knit them I stubbornly use DPNS, but sock knitting visionary Cat Bordhi has been posted instructional videos on youtube. [via hizKNITS]

- sock exchange at San Francisco laundromat

- "...have you ever noticed how communiqués from superiors, on the other hand, especially presidents and senior vice-presidents, show no sign of proofing? Like typos don’t matter when the memo is being sent down from above? What’s with that? Why the double-standards?"

Project #35: Rejected

The Project: Embroidered Jacket from Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2006
The Yarn: Schachenmayr Nomotta Grande purchased from NU Yarn Outlet
The Needles: 3.75mm bamboo cheapies
Started: May 27 2006
Rejected: September 10 2007

I removed this project from the cryochamber last week and finished the back. While in the midst of starting one of the front pieces I realized that I really didn't want to knit it this way. It just seemed tedious to knit a raglan cardigan in pieces. Why didn't I just make the decision to knit it top-down in the beginning? Well, I thought I was in a top-down rut and wanted the challenged of knitting something flat. That may still be the case, but a raglan cardigan isn't the project for that. I'll save it for something with a fitted sleeve. Also, I wasn't even going to do the embroidery and frippery that make this project special. So, the embroidered jacket is officially off the needles. It's not you, embroidered jacket, it's me. I still hope we can be friends.

So, what to knit next? I really should just buckle down and finish the poor nameless slob cardigan, but I'm also thinking about Zephyr Style's Juliet. I think it's uncommonly cute. Rather like a grown-up version of Elizabeth Zimmerman's February Baby Sweater. Of course I don't have any suitable yarn in my stash, so I just have to shop for something appropriate. What a pity...

Various and Sundry Links - September 11 2007

- Who wants to chip in £649,999 to buy this 18th century silk mill with me?

- Surprisingly, this quote is not about the knitting world: “There is always drama and somebody always hates you.”

- David Sarasohn's column Wednesday referred to President Bush, on a visit to Iraq, hoisting "a turkey that wasn't exactly a turkey." The turkey was designed for display and not consumption, but it was a turkey.

- Announcing The UnConvention

slightly less chunky-chic

I promise this isn't going to turn into an all Twinkle blog, but I do like to keep an eye out for Wenlan Chia's fashion week showing each season. The Twinkle runway video is now available on the fashion week site, and you can see photos if you search on Getty Images.

It's the Spring collections, so the knits are less chunky than you're used to seeing in her collections. They certainly seem more wearable for a wider range of body types. It won't surprise me if the pattern for the purple sleeveless top with cowl neckline turns up in IK or Vogue. She also showed a brown hoodie vest that would likely be popular with a lot of knitters. I really enjoy seeing designs go straight from the runway onto knitting needles.

I see that crafty fashion blogger Natalie Zee is at the shows. Perhaps she'll have some commentary on Twinkle's collection this season.

Various and Sundry Links - September 8 2007

- "Psst, take one, it's what all the models are doing!"

- Voice Knitting Machine - "the voice knitting machine, makes it possible to transfer individual vocal melodies to a piece of clothing so that they become visible in the different varieties of knitted patterns."

- In your satin tights,
Fighting for your rights
And the old Red, White and Blue.
Best reason ever for learning colorwork. [via CRAFT]

- Lisa Whelchel and I go way back. Now I've never met her, but I was a big fan of Blair (and the rest of the girls) on Facts of Life and I'm probably one of very few people who bought her Christian "rock" record. Thanks to one of my aunties, I even have an autographed copy of one of her books. Did you know she got a start on the New Mickey Mouse Club? On her official site she's posted some reminiscences of her days as a mouseketeer. [via distant creations]

- "I am also a big Walt Disney Fan although I will say 'Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo' wasn't as good as the other Herbies" - Edward Gorey

- I love Luna's cover of “Straight Up”, but now I can't get Paula Abdul's version out of my brain. [via filmoculous]

- “There is only one reliable way to make sure your ads aren’t blocked — make sure the users don’t want to block them,” he wrote. “Don’t forget about the users. Use ads in a way that doesn’t degrade their experience.” [via digital edge]

- Today's Inspiration features illustrator Roy Doty. I am in love with these drawings of tiny crowds of Manhattanites.

- Lets you see exactly the loaf you want

- Fun flickr project for vernacular architecture buffs: Current photos of the 1958 Readers Choice Home from Household Magazine

- First the Date -- Then the Ring; Here's How to Attract That Man

- Smoking with aloha

- illegal powerpoint

- Hmm, I'd like to go back to Japan and try out an onsen, and I like ramen, but I'm not so sure mixing these things together is such a good idea. [via mental floss]