Hello, knitter that I admire!

Write about a knitter whose work (whether because of project choice, photography, styling, scale of projects, stash, etc) you enjoy. If they have an enjoyable blog, you might find it a good opportunity to send a smile their way. 

I had such a hard time deciding which great knitter I would discuss.  Elizabeth Zimmerman?  Alice Starmore?  Barbara Walker?  Although these ladies are amazing, I decided to discuss someone who impacted what my perceptions of what a knitter was, and what a knitter could be when I was a very new knitter.  This woman is Adrian Bizilia of HelloYarn.

Squirrel and oak mittens by knittingiris, Skull and Crossbones tote by spingirl, Pirate mittens by maarith, Hat by unraveling.

Very shortly after learning how to knit and becoming obsessed with all things yarn, I stumbled upon the website helloyarn.com.  I'm pretty sure it happened because I was looking for "Hello Kitty Patterns"  but that's beside the point.  I found the free patterns that she had to offer, and began reading her blog as well.  The free patterns were easy to understand, yes, but they were different than the others I had seen.  When I first started knitting, the big box bookstore had only one shelf of one bookcase that held knitting books.  Finding the Squirrel and Oak mittens was a revelation for me- knitting didn't have to be ugly!  It could be funky and fun and cute and functional- all at the same time.  I attempted stranded colorwork before I even knew the difference between fingering and sport weight.  Thus, the mittens never came to fruition due to a huge gauge problem- but I still had the knowledge that knitting didn't have to boring- knitting could be beautiful and fun.  I was hooked.

More on the designs of Helloyarn next time when I revisit a past FO.  

When I get around to it.

Blog about a pattern or project which you aspire to. Whether it happens to be because the skills needed are ones which you have not yet acquired, or just because it seems like a huge undertaking of time and dedication, most people feel they still have something to aspire to in their craft. If you don’t feel like you have any left of the mountain of learning yet to climb, say so!

There are two projects that I thought of instantly when I read today's prompt.  Both projects I have been meaning to knit for a long time now, but for different reasons.  The first pattern I aspire to knit is the Marie Antoinette socks by Anne Hanson at Knitspot.  I've had the pattern and the yarn specified for about two years now.  Two years!  I so very much love the pattern and all of the beautiful details, but I just can't seem to commit to making them. It seems like there's always something a little more urgent to knit, and the Marie Antoinette's go to the second or third place in the queue.

The second pattern I aspire to knit is the Roost blanket by Lucinda Guy. From the first moment I laid eyes on this blanket I knew that I would have to have it.  I love the design so much it makes my chest tighten a little every time I think about not having the blanket to snuggle in.  However, my wallet groans when I think about investing over a hundred dollars into my already well endowed stash.  I can always splurge on a $20 skein of sock yarn, but I am cautious of larger projects.  My Mister and I aren't planning on baking any buns in my oven, but when we do I swear this blanket will be the first thing cast on in celebration!

Click here to see other blogs tagged with knitcroblo2, the second day of Knitting and Crochet week.

How and when did you begin knitting?

Most of the time when this question is asked of me, I give the very short and borderline dishonest answer- out of nowhere, the winter of 2005/06 I decided that I wanted to learn to knit.  I went to the bookstore, bought a book and then went to the craft store and bought size 10 1/2, 13'' needles and some crappy acrylic worsted weight yarn, and the rest is history.

My very first knitting book! It was actually quite easy to understand.

The more honest version of the story was that I was in a pretty unhappy relationship, felt a little isolated, and was in the middle of the winter term.  I just wasn't feeling so great, and I think that knitting was an escape for me.  My grandmother had taught me to knit when I was very young, and maybe it had something to do with reconnecting with a comforting part of my life.  Once I bought the supplies, I would spend whole days learning a new technique. I remember so vividly the day that I decided that I would knit in the round.  I'm not exaggerating when I say that I spent all day trying to join the dpns, then realizing that I messed up, and then throwing the needles and yarn and swearing profusely.  This happened many, many times.

This was my first project  knitted in the round.  (My photography has improved, hasn't it?  What a ghastly photo!) I was so excited to be casting off MID-ROW!  and then casting on again to make the handles.  Something that is now so easy and simple for me, was such an accomplishment at the time.  Also, the three needle bind-off was like magic!  To be honest, it still is...

Knitting helped me to realize that I can learn anything I want.  I have such great memories of the period of time where I leaned how to knit.  It felt so empowering to be able to make something out of sticks and string.  This feeling of achievement a determination spanned my whole life.  That summer I joined a landscaping crew- something that I never thought I could do.  I graduated college with confidence, instead of doubt.  I broke up with the abusive boyfriend and lived alone for a while before I met My Mister.  Knitting changed my life is so many wonderful, positive ways.

Want to read other posts by knitters and crocheters participating in 'blog week'?  Just do a google search for 'knitcroblo1' for day 1, 'knitcroblo2' for day 2, etc.

Blue Skies and Pretty Flowers.

The weatherman said that it would rain on my day off.


I've never been happier about a person's miscalculation.  Happy Sunday!

Stash enhancement!

This is the latest installment from the Hello Yarn fiber club. It's 4 oz of Targhee goodness in the colorway Garland. I really like it, but I'm not sure if I will renew my subscription this time around. I feel like it's a whole lot of money that I could spend elsewhere. You see, I just hoard this fiber, so it's not like I actually spin this up and get good use out of it. Her colors are just so pretty, I feel like I can't do them justice!


I've been wanting to read a fluffy, fun, trashy book- and I think I've found it- My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler. My mister picked it up read a few pages and I think he was a bit appalled ( and also intrigued?) by what I was reading.

How could I not pick up this beautiful book as soon as it was released? The design is so attractive, and to be honest I've been meaning to read Alice in Wonderland, but never got around to it. I think this is the perfect opportunity, don't you?!  I kind of want to read it in public so people will think I'm super cool and know how to judge a book by its cover.  Gah- I'm so lame...

A lady at work caught me admiring her cute little hand towels. She insisted that I take them home with me, and how could I argue? They're just a tad discolored, but it's nothing that oxy-clean can't take care of! Don't you just love how they're marching toward each other? So damn cute!

They remind me of a song about Heffalumps and Woozles from a Winnie the Pooh movie- I'll leave you with a youtube video of it. The artists were definitely on some sort of hallucinogen when they came up with this stuff.  Let me know if this would this have freaked you out as a kid. I had to leave the room whenever this part came on. Was I a wuss, or is this really a bit alarming for a child to watch?

Just a wee rant.

Good morning!  It feels like an eternity since I last popped by to say hello!  My life has been so crazy lately- work has been overwhelming, and my quality of life takes a big nosedive when I become overwhelmed with work.  Do you mind if I bitch for a second?

(Just a random photo to liven up a rather tiresome, all text post.)

I can tell that things are getting away from me at home when two things happen.  First of all, I start "living out of the dishwasher" which means that the dishes are still being cleaned (sometimes- but not by me but by a machine) but they aren't making it back into the cabinets.  If I need a bowl, I either have to find one in the DW or clean a dirty one from the sink.  My kitchen is so small that when I open the door to the DW I have to dance around it, and most often I find a way to slam my shin into the racks, or the door opens onto my shin.  Most of the time I'm  bruised and and battered from DW attacks, and if I were smart enough I would probably be aware of this and try to learn from it.  But not yet.

The second indicator is the quality of socks that are on my feet.  If I'm wearing the group"A" of socks, the ones that are squishy and just tight enough and haven't lost their elasticity and still look pretty white, then life is manageable.  If, however, my socks are threadbare, a few shades away from white and drooping from my ankle, then I've definitly moved into the group "B" of socks, and you might want to be very very nice to me- cuz I'm not a happy camper and I'm probably at the end of my rope.  Today I am wearing my last pair of socks from group "B".

All this past week I have been "LOODW" and wearing second tier socks.  Today on my agenda I will clean the kitchen and do laundry.  Oh, the joys of a domestic goddess and "free" time.

I'll be back later today with something fun.   

Reading.Listening.Watching.

Listening:  I'm on such a big Death Cab for Cutie kick right now, it's a little sad.  I know I should listen to something else, but there's a Death Cab album for all of my moods, so why change?

Reading:  Hitchhiking Vietnam.  I read another book by Karin Muller called Japanland, about her impressions of Japan and Japanese culture.  I'm only a few chapters in, and already I'm feeling a bit of wanderlust taking hold of me.

Watching:  My Mister bought me season 1 and 2 of Pushing Daisies, so we've been rewatching the series.  Oh, how I want to be Chuck.  Seriously.  Or Olive.  Maybe a combination of the two- how about Olives voice and rack with Chucks wardrobe?

Also, I've been watching X-Files for the first time EVER.  How is it that I've never seen this before?  I'm such a dork, but apparently not as dorky as I thought!  It's so much fun, and the hint of sexual tension between Mulder and Scully is really great to watch.

I haven't seen any movies that make me go "Wow!" in such a long time!  Which brings me to a request.  Could you tell me what you've been watching?  I love having any sort of suggestions about what movies to watch, and would love to hear what you would recommend!

What are you reading/listening/watching?

Tweet, tweet.

(source)

So, I just canceled my Myspace account, and felt a bit of computer space open up to me.  Not that I spent a lot of time on myspace, but I just don't like to have a bunch of things happening on the interwebs at one time.  Anywho, I impulsively created a twitter account, but then wondered if there was still interest in the whole "tweeting" thing.  I feel like I'm always a day late to the party!

I was wondering...Do you have a twitter account?  What do you use it for?  Do you tweet often?  Are there pros and cons you could let me know about?  Can I follow you?  Wanna follow me?

Gray days...

So easy, it kinda made me feel dumb.

I'm a bit embarrassed to show you this "project".  You see, I don't remember where I saw this idea, but when I was in the big box craft store and saw embroidery hoops a light went off- Ding Ding Ding!- and inspiration was born.

For this project you will need embroidery hoops and fabric, hammer and nail.  Thread?  Nope.  Just take the fabric, put the hoop around it and cut off the excess fabric.  Hang *artfully* on wall.  Stand back and admire.

I just used some fabric scraps from my stash, but I'm sure it would look super cute if you put some time and effort into an actual design.  I'm just happy that the empty wall has a little embellishment now!

Happy 101 Award!!!

Today is housecleaning day.  To be honest, I'm not really looking forward to it but hey, what the hell.  It has to happen, right?  In saying that, I'm about let you know just what makes me happy!  Roxanne tagged me with the awesome Happy 101 Award- because she says I make her happy- and you can bet your ass she makes me happy too.  (Feeling a bit cheeky today, can you tell? ;) )  So here's the (not so) quick version of what makes me happy!

1. Food.  I know that my first answer should be about the people in my life, but you know, you need to fill up the tank before you drive across country, right?  I'm so into food it's a little silly.  The people who can "forget" to eat?  I really can't get my mind around it.  My days are planned around what I will have for breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner.  Seriously.  If I have a crappy lunch, you can see it on my face.  I'm not a happy camper.

2.  My mister.  I think you all know how much I love him.  He really is the best thing that ever happened to me.  I'm so blessed that I get to spend the rest of my life with the person who really understands me.

3.  My cat.  I rescued Harold from the shelter 6 years ago.  I know that he picked me, that he choose to approach me, even though he was so timid of people that the rest of the volunteers called him "scardy cat".  He decided that maybe he could trust me and took a chance.  I'm so thankful that he did.

4. Bathing.  I've been plagued by really dry, sensitive skin since I was a child, so now that I'm an adult and have found bath products that don't cause my skin to freak out, bathing has become such a wonderful experience for me.

5.  Moisturizer.  See #4.  I'm not kidding when I tell people that my one desert island item would be a lifetime supply of Lubriderm for sensitive skin.

6.  Creating.  I know this is a really broad category, but if I broke it down we'd be here all day, and I need to vacuum.  I love to make stuff- whether it's a meal or a pair of mittens or a well made bed.  I love the feeling when you change something for the better.    I love the feeling of endless possibilities.

7.  Blue skies.  I love opening my eyes in the morning to little strips of blue peeking through the blinds.  How could the day be bad if the sun is shining and the sky is clear and blue?

8.  I love being in bed.  I don't care if I'm sleeping, or watching movies or reading blogs on my laptop- I just love being cozy and wrapped up in blankets with Harold by my side- head on the keyboard, most of the time.  I just feel safe, and decompressed and happy.

9.  Wearing comfortable clothes.  I'm a jeans and tee shirt kinda girl.  Hooded sweatshirt.  Cute little flats.  I'm not one for dressing up.  Whenever I get to wear my favorite hooded sweatshirt, I feel so so beautiful.  It's all faded and the screenprinting is getting all cracked, but I don't care.  It just makes me feel so good in my skin.

10.  The blog.  Which includes you guys!  I have to be honest, when I took the break recently, I wasn't sure if I was coming back.  I really, really love this space, but at times it can be a bit overwhelming, a bit time consuming!  I've decided that I should try to find a balance- shorter posts, or keep my regular wordy posts, but less frequently.  Blogging makes me happy- and I'm so glad that I'm part of this kick ass community!

Roxanne and Erin and Stacey have all been picked for this award.  Please, please- all of you who I have listed, please don't feel obligated to play along.  I just wanted to let you know that I think you're great, and you make me happy!  It was just so hard to pick only ten people!  If you're not on the list please don't be offended.  If I didn't put a limit to the list, it would be a mile long!  Here are my Happy 101 picks:

Heather at Implausible Yarn.

Bev at Even Venus.  

Caroline at Karoline Knits.

Denise from Knitting in the Wild.

Jenny from Jenny's blog on Knitting.

Philippa at Pins and Noodles.

Emily at Longstockings.

Jane at Maiden Jane.

Emily at Viking Tea Party.  

Jane from The World According to Jane.  

TtV is great for me!

I think my mister is amused that a $5 camera and a bit of cardboard taped around it can create this much joy and excitement in me.  I'm having so much fun! It's been really great to play with the light, the composition of a square frame and think about the subject matter- I feel like a whole new world is opening up for me!  I'm just started to understand what works and what doesn't.  Here are my favorites so far.

TtV: Ready for Takeoff!

I woke up this morning excited to take my new Duaflex II camera apart and give it a nice cleaning! It was a bit intimidating to take the whole thing apart, but turned out to be really easy.

Once the lens's were cleaned, I made the cardboard tube and attached it to the Duaflex. It took a couple of tries to get it tight enough so that no light shone through.

Once the tube was attached correctly I had to slowly take off excess paper at the top. The tube is attached so that the digital camera is at an appropriate distance to focus on the viewfinder of the Duaflex.
 
Now I'm ready to spend my day shooting around the house!  What are you doing this weekend?

I can't even believe this!

Guess what I bought today- for five bucks?! Holy crap- I got a kick ass camera that I've been wanting for so long now! It's a Kodak Duaflex II and I'm so excited to have her home. I could hardly contain myself at work today- I kept watching the clock and willing time to go by faster.

It was probably a couple of years ago that I saw people attaching older cameras to new ones(like this), to use the old style lens. It's called TtV photography (Through the Viewfinder- I just had to look that up!) and I've been interested in getting my hands on an old camera to try it out. I inquired to one of our dealers at the shop if he might have one on hand- and a week later here I am with my very own Duaflex II!

I've snapped off a few frames- I couldn't resist playing around with my new toy for as long as I could before the sun set!  Below I have a picture of my WIP, my very curious fat-cat, and the lovely tree that is in full bloom- right next to the Narnia lamppost! You can read more about TtV here here and here.

Baby Surprise Jacket- v.1.0 and 2.0

As my records on ravelry show, I started this very sweet Baby Surprise Jacket on July 10, 2008.  The records also indicate that I finished the sweater on the 30th of July that same year.  Sounds like a pretty good pace, right?  Actually, in my mind this has been a UFO this whole time, stuffed in my closet, waiting to be ripped out.

I wasn't sure of how to fix the mistake, but my newest project, BSJ 2.0,  made me realize where I went wrong.  You see how there is a lump of extra fabric on the edge?  That unsightly little bubble?  Well, I thought that that happened because of a mistake in the first set of  decreases, and I would have to start allllllll over again.  From the very beginning.  I'm not sure if I've been clear about this before- but I reallllllly hate ripping stuff out.  I want it to be perfect, and I don't want to rip things all the way out.  It's so discouraging!  So today, when I realized that I only had to rip out 10 row instead of infinity number of rows, I went for it!  Hurray for easy fixes.

Here's a sneak peek at BSJ 2.0.  It's knit in Hello Yarn sock, in the colorway of reverb- and I just love it!  It's knitting up super fast and I love how it's an origami mystery of a sweater!  Also, right now garter stitch is just what I want outta life!  Simple, easy, and oh so beautiful!

I think I'm officially back in blogland!  I've missed all of you so much!