tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75773199211252683642024-03-05T21:04:52.567-08:00Where are the warm fuzzies?Dania Erickson's knitting and life. Please help feed my knitting needle addictionDaniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-87909621866535554722016-08-24T09:11:00.000-07:002016-08-24T09:11:13.507-07:00Cat VS Shark<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_BWWiCh2hVo_So_JzacaNHQFJrGdDQeChjRH500wwdWfIMzZbE3BsVQ_DfOazLdh-H4RHzsTOS9J0kjSv6bdMLE_6YeQ-opqslhSMMtGKCuhWNn-wSDQrwC2IHh5qCs1FMqrg2CzTXzG/s1600/P1010645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_BWWiCh2hVo_So_JzacaNHQFJrGdDQeChjRH500wwdWfIMzZbE3BsVQ_DfOazLdh-H4RHzsTOS9J0kjSv6bdMLE_6YeQ-opqslhSMMtGKCuhWNn-wSDQrwC2IHh5qCs1FMqrg2CzTXzG/s400/P1010645.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mally breaking out the bunny kicks</td></tr>
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Picture it: Another day in the carpeted jungle, smellovision (aka an open widow) is wafting the seductive scent of catnip throughout the apartment. Creeping around the forest of chair and table legs is the majestic and predatory fluffy panther. Her prey? The Land Shark. It's call? The high jingling sound of small bells just like the call all birds and small rodents make. Ok, so rodents and birds don't jingle. Mally apparently did not get that memo. To me it's adorable, but to her it's serious business. She'll pounce and wrestle with it, and if she's feeling particularly saucy she'll throw in a few bunny kicks so that Mr. Land Shark knows who is boss.<br />
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We came to acquire our version of the SNL Land Shark after I made her those <a href="http://warmfuzzyforme.blogspot.com/2016/07/little-blue-balls-for-felines.html" target="_blank">little blue balls</a>. I noticed that occasionally when Mally gets especially fired up her back legs begin pumping in unison. Alas, these devastating attacks met no purchase with those too small spheres of yarn. This tragedy had to be rectified, and quickly. Her next toy needed to be something long enough for her to sink her clawed (and tufted) back toes into while being able to bite it in order to achieve maximum cat satisfaction. Honestly, I think I was influenced by this: <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Land Shark - still looking pretty good despite months of abuse</td></tr>
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Onward to <a href="https://ravelry.com/" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>! Here, amidst my fellow fiber friends I found <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sharky-stuffed-toy" target="_blank">Erika Olimpiew's Sharky Stuffed Toy</a>. While being a delightful and fun pattern to follow, I was not able to complete the embroidery details due to intervention of an impatient pet. Mally's lack of self control might have been influenced by the stuffing being 10% fiberfill with the remaining 90% being catnip. As a sidenote, I acquired an embarrassing amount of catnip by going to <a href="http://amazon.com/">Amazon.com</a> and searching for "Catnip Herb" - it's not as potent as the more expensive stuff, but I received about 1 pound of it for around $15. The jingle bells also came to the front door via Amazon prime and were rather inexpensive. These things plus a bit of previously purchased acrylic yarn have made for hours of serious (very serious) fun.Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-22692641334525696552016-07-05T11:53:00.000-07:002016-07-05T11:54:26.457-07:00Little Blue Balls For Felines<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIre44M-p6JRnigXPcEHDSg-33vssuWErDqi9-QXKdfs_jCSZluCeTFLotuT153PS08SHn7KfgqQuVBl6Lz_5sTy2cWglJv2jpxRi0MrmaVGzjZ9LGdgC_lvDjVm6S3F53UbDvB3i7Rbu/s1600/Mallymkun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIre44M-p6JRnigXPcEHDSg-33vssuWErDqi9-QXKdfs_jCSZluCeTFLotuT153PS08SHn7KfgqQuVBl6Lz_5sTy2cWglJv2jpxRi0MrmaVGzjZ9LGdgC_lvDjVm6S3F53UbDvB3i7Rbu/s1600/Mallymkun.jpg" /></a>The Mallymkun in my life is most certainly not a foil wielding mouse from Underland (like in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_in_Wonderland_(2010_film)" target="_blank">Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland</a>); instead she's my brother's cat. I'm not sure exactly why he picked the name. Aside from them being near opposites in physical description (The mouse has tidy white fur, while Ray's cat has black fur that grows so abundantly we have to trim the tufts of fur that grow between her toes), they also lack similar personalities. Tim Burton's character is brave to the point of stupidity, and our dear sweet cat is frightened to... well... the point of stupidity.<br />
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Alas, I digress. Currently my hubby and I are living within walking distance of his work. We share a three bedroom with my brother and one of my husband's coworkers. Fortunately we all agree that the internet was created for the purpose of sharing cat videos, and as such we should have one around in case the internet goes out. Cue Ray's adorable, manipulative, brilliant, loving, strange little cat - Mallymkun (though for our kitty I prefer the spelling Maliumpkin). Doesn't she look absolutely terrifying as she roars? Wait... you're right, she's probably just yawning.</div>
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While the humans inhabiting the place are just fine with the square footage, the resident feline thinks that there's a bit to be desired. Dare I say that without opposable thumbs she might even be driven to boredom? Of course this wouldn't do. How can our entertainment be left unentertained? Fortunately this occurred about the same time that my fingers started to get that itch to play with yarn.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In this position she is known as "Bellyumpkin"</td></tr>
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First I made her a few small ball toys, the knitted and crocheted ones have the advantage of not sending you flying if you step on them. Since they're not made of hard plastic or rubber they also don't give unwary feet 'Lego syndrome' that is slightly preferable to walking on fire. Another added bonus of making your own toys is that you get to determine what you stuff them with. Why settle on mere fiberfill when you could instead pack it with psychedelic plant matter? <br />
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The larger ball in the foreground was made using the free <a href="http://www.kundhi.com/blog/2010/10/11/tiny-crochet-ball-pattern/#sthash.n9wrRxZN.dpbs" target="_blank">Tiny Crochet Ball Pattern</a> by Julie-K. Kudos also go to Julie for staggering the increases thus making it less spiral looking with a more natural spherical shape The eeeensy-weeensy one behind the mountain of fuzz was made using the <a href="http://isabellasstitches.blogspot.com/2011/06/crochet-small-ball.html" target="_blank">Crochet Small Ball Pattern</a> (also posted for free) from Isabella's Stitches. <br />
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Some trivia concerning Maliumpkin; endearments include: Umpkin Pumpkin, Bellyumpkin, Mally-cat (sounds like Alley-cat), fluffyumpkin, Madame Fancy Pants, and other disgustingly cute names.<br />
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Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-26759706655444531142014-12-05T10:34:00.000-08:002014-12-05T10:34:03.703-08:00Welcome Back!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serious Blog Drought too... Make with the posts!</td></tr>
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Today it's raining in Southern California. I thought I'd take this auspicious occasion and commemorate it by doing something that happens just as rarely and *gasp* post a blog entry. Me? Neglect readers? That's nigh unthinkable!...*cough* let's not point out the hypocrisy by citing the starting line of my last entry. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hear ya Moe.</td></tr>
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Curious as to why I've been absent? Well, the TLDR (too long, didn't read) version is that I was being a good girl, studying my heart out; when I met a person who I was sure didn't exist - Mr. Perfect (for me). One minute I was whining to my classmates that I was going to die cold and alone and dead (a la my mistakenly remembered Moe Sizzlac quote), and about three weeks later my future husband and I were discussing how to tell friends and family we were getting married without them thinking we had gone mad. A year to the day after we met we tied the knot. Unexpected ultra bonus: NEW PEOPLE TO KNIT FOR!</div>
Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-61167807975364166742012-08-31T14:28:00.000-07:002012-09-14T21:11:27.329-07:00Anatomy and Physiology in Alpaca and PolyesterAgain, I'm guilty of blog negligence. Part of the reason is that I'm back attending courses at a local community college. By some miracle I was able to get into a General Human Anatomy course; mostly because the professor prides herself on being challenging, and not for those faint of heart (nyuck nyuck anatomy pun). During lecture and lab, I confess, I found myself daydreaming about some projects I had seen that kept springing to mind.<br />
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First, there is an amazing knitted replica of the human brain. Along with being quirky and colorful, it's also anatomically correct. If you're interested in this creation by Karen Norberg, check out this <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=abby-normal-nope-psychiatrist-knits-2009-01-16" target="_blank">Scientific American article</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://www.damngeeky.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/hand-knitted-skeleton_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://www.damngeeky.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/hand-knitted-skeleton_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Another favorite of mine was originally introduced to me while reading Interweave Knits Summer 2011 magazine. Even down to the teeth, this entire skeleton was knitted by artist Ben Cuevas. Now, I wouldn't mind studying this anatomical model. Check out his <a href="http://bencuevas.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> if you want to know more about him or his other anatomical knits.</div>
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Curious about knitting your own digestive system? Don't worry about it being uncharted territory; Matie Trewe has gone to the effort to write down the pattern. Although the blog has "expired" you can still get it via the Way Back Machine by clicking <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20090227055259/http://strangebuttrewe.com/GIpattern.htm" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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The next anatomical knit is by Emily Stoneking, and I fear that she may not make it to <a href="http://regretsy.com/" target="_blank">regresty</a>'s page only due to talent. Then again if she is featured, it will probably be in the same warm fuzzy light that was shed on <a href="http://www.regretsy.com/2012/03/29/ben-cuevas-transcending-the-material/" target="_blank">a review of Ben Cuevas's work</a>. Her work, entitled <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/8880673/knitting-in-biology-101" target="_blank">Biology 101</a>, has me longing to watch prosections of knitting creatures (even if he does kinda remind me of Kermit).</div>
Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-7365663217252378312012-07-06T11:11:00.000-07:002012-07-06T11:16:18.674-07:00Welcome to California<br />
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I’ve been mulling over this blog post for weeks. What to say, how to say it, of course how
much is enough how much is too much? Oh
well, let’s just get into it.</div>
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I’m back in California!
This is comfortable in some ways; certainly familiar. It’s about 69 degrees out this morning
(around 11am); while in Illinois it’s supposedly 96 plus humidity. Personally, I will not miss the wet
heat. Swimming to your car and weather
that mimics a steam room? Thanks, I’ll
pass.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squirrel friend in Mount Prospect does not like the heat either.</td></tr>
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Living with Daniel was amazing and we had a really good
run. There are oodles of things I’m
going to miss, but ya know, life goes on.</div>
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I do highly recommend the soul searching you can do while
driving alone from the Chicago area to Southern California. It’s sort of like the meditation you can do
while knitting. Your hands and eyes are
busy, but your mind can wander to things you need to deal with. It’s also nice to know that you have loved
ones waiting for you. </div>
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After two full days of driving I ended up visiting Kevin,
his mom and Sam in the Reno area. Sort
of fabulous the kind of healing you can do while getting sunburned and saddle-sore
from trail rides. Also, it was a
wonderful chance to foist off some knitted items on them before continuing down
to familiar territory. </div>Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-25051389167000268582012-06-14T07:36:00.001-07:002012-06-14T07:36:17.236-07:00Veil of Isis - Part II<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcKOVUXEPVPdedDoaIKneq7SzKA0OsUhAkOoRyQWXycSPHeEX7DpotWZrv-ChOjDJU6F-s2MOl2XqPx4e_E-2UjDEucfE8CKmDztc-TcE0Utk3LfvMkKILI4P9XG71wpDNuS9OPYISTZ-/s1600/2012-06-09_09-25-56_62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcKOVUXEPVPdedDoaIKneq7SzKA0OsUhAkOoRyQWXycSPHeEX7DpotWZrv-ChOjDJU6F-s2MOl2XqPx4e_E-2UjDEucfE8CKmDztc-TcE0Utk3LfvMkKILI4P9XG71wpDNuS9OPYISTZ-/s320/2012-06-09_09-25-56_62.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aeris's annoy-o-meter</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvXReNmVtm1gEPHGAWIxegzp2jQfX3yDR1I-MUYahjtAvweJjxCdBdjaka7SucqMG3h6BqcIvtvqg0_Qg8aVLrhCVrZhtIMvqTf_vHZuK_fKTROm8PcGhwV7laYt-418JocxUBZGj5ysZ/s1600/2012-06-09_09-26-01_543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvXReNmVtm1gEPHGAWIxegzp2jQfX3yDR1I-MUYahjtAvweJjxCdBdjaka7SucqMG3h6BqcIvtvqg0_Qg8aVLrhCVrZhtIMvqTf_vHZuK_fKTROm8PcGhwV7laYt-418JocxUBZGj5ysZ/s320/2012-06-09_09-26-01_543.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battle of the bips</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Giving Kevin’s mom a lacy tablecloth made using <a href="http://www.coatsandclark.com/Products/KnittingCrochet/Threads/Size10/Aunt+Lydias+Classic+(Jumbo)" target="_blank">thin crochet thread</a> and the <a href="http://badcatdesigns.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Veil%20of%20Isis" target="_blank">Veil of Isis</a> pattern wasn’t happening. I had forgotten that the table tends to feature into the epic skirmishes between Aeris (the tubby Tuxedo wearing boy) and <a href="http://www.giselebundchen.com/" target="_blank">Bündchen</a> (the feline femme whose namesake is apparent in her hallway runway strut as well as when she poses reclining in a sunbeam). These battlefield pictures were taken by Kevin recently. In the first one you can clearly see Aeris’s “annoy-o-meter” (aka tail) swishing back and forth so fast that it is blurred. The cold war stare-down quickly escalates into a volley of paw batting, with both attempting to “bip” the other. From the second picture you can witness the speed of this exchange. I imagine that they’re not only sparring for supremacy in the house, but also “bipping” and beating boredom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="goog_1565057153"></span><span id="goog_1565057154"></span>Oops… Less on kitties, more on knitting; right, getting back on track. As I progressed through the pattern, I became even more enamored with the project. I liked the weight of the cotton thread while still being airy from the lace pattern. For some reason I was extraordinarily pleased with it, regardless of the fact I had no idea of what to do with it once finished. As the Veil of Isis became larger and larger I did have one point of anxiety, beads. The pattern calls for using beads, and after seeing pictures, I agreed that it was a beautiful accent especially in this case. It’s a shame I know next to nothing about beads. I figured I had a while to mull things over and do research since I planned on using them only in the border.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Delving into the odd crafting area where beading and knitting intersect was a little intimidating. Ultimately I got the most out of the free webzine/e-zine <a href="http://www.knitty.com/" target="_blank">Knitty</a>’s article <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/FEATseducedbybeads.html" target="_blank">Seduced by Beads</a>. Sivia Harding, the author of this instructional gem, lays out the abcs of beads, sizes and what weights of yarn, as well as how to incorporate the beads. Armed with a general idea of what to look for I ended up purchasing some *cough cough* inexpensive seed beads (size E – or 6/0) to use on my size 10 crochet thread). I attached the beads using a ridiculously tiny crochet needle (which looked more like a sewing needle that had a funky bump at the tip)that to my delight and surprise worked amazingly well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Since I had worked from the center outwards binding off was a much longer process than usual. Still while binding off, I couldn’t resist occasionally spreading out the finished areas of the Veil of Isis to admire it. After the knitting was complete and all the ends were woven in, I gave initial blocking the good ol’ college try (I don’t have any foam boards/large cardboard). I just pinned it out on the floor and figured that it’d be good enough considering I still have no plans for the finished project. That being said, I’m still oddly pleased and proud of it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_HvJJCDwWJKLPZLx9_Jt_FOK-TVM_hyf60WRCvd9c0auwTnU9SmLtEiu5cEBgxMVcOVoim70wrbVbWfejqKXSb-ODC0E9QgD0FqdqmkFub-CSXBosXLyNPidJ20uReQv6KmS1VjTk7B8/s1600/100_1842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-49131918783847891562012-06-07T09:01:00.000-07:002012-06-07T09:19:33.485-07:00The Veil of Isis - Part I<br />
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Passing another knitting milestone, I recently finished my first major lace weight project. People that know me can vouch that I have a hard time resisting a screaming deal. That little quirk, coupled with my insatiable greed for yarn, led to a purchase of yet more yarn that I had no specific project in mind for. Oh, and it wasn’t just a little bit of yarn. This goliath ball of “<a href="http://www.coatsandclark.com/Products/KnittingCrochet/Threads/Size10/Aunt+Lydias+Classic+(Jumbo)" target="_blank">Aunt Lydia’s Crochet Thread</a>” (Jumbo I think they called it), advertises that it is over 1.5 miles long. Now that, ladies and gents, is yarn gluttony.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEYWX6UDyaawUUfBghrBDUJ0kr-TrIw7e-g5CoiizG1D7kqqOBTpx65cXpS6ySetIl1NocOZeGwwoS8Hc4lYpSvNIpNW6Uk-7hhyIAq3WYl7kLVpAkGmdCJ5cWBJrUd35xB96Na5V3Rmj/s320/Isis+finished+1+edit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEYWX6UDyaawUUfBghrBDUJ0kr-TrIw7e-g5CoiizG1D7kqqOBTpx65cXpS6ySetIl1NocOZeGwwoS8Hc4lYpSvNIpNW6Uk-7hhyIAq3WYl7kLVpAkGmdCJ5cWBJrUd35xB96Na5V3Rmj/s320/Isis+finished+1+edit.JPG" title="Veil of Isis by Andrea Jurgrau of Bad Cat Designs" /></a></div>
After sitting in the corner for untold months it’s time had finally come. For some reason my brain and fingers were itching to create something with it; but what? After perusing finished projects using this yarn on Ravelry, I was struck by all the crocheted tablecloths. Nostalgia had kicked in hardcore. Growing up my mother had a few very special white lace tablecloths. I have a hard time thinking about them and not having my mind immediately jump to the memories of pancakes and weekend mornings. At that point it was just a matter of finding the right pattern. Looking for a square pattern, and one that was knitted and not crocheted, oh yeah, and free was a bit of a tall order. Yet lovely Ravelry came through again with their advanced search functions… have I mentioned recently how much I love Ravelry? What a great marriage of programming and knitting/crocheting it is? Anyway, what came up was the gorgeous pattern “<a href="http://badcatdesigns.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Veil%20of%20Isis" target="_blank">Veil of Isis</a>” by Andrea Jurgrau of <a href="http://badcatdesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bad Cat Designs</a> (gotta love the name).<br />
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Worked from the center outward it seemed to be a perfect combination of easy but not boring. Well, easy after you get the idea of how the charts proceed (tip: chart on page six was irreplaceable for understanding it). Still, juggling my eensy weensy size 2 knitting needles and the thread wasn’t the easiest start. I must say that the phrase “ham fisted” occurred to me at alarming frequency during the beginning rounds. Once the project became large enough to put on circular needles and I had my “Eureka” moment about the pattern, it was a joy to work. The audiobooks helped me eat through the rows and rows of delicate lace.<br />
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Confession: I started out with the intention of giving the finished product to Kevin’s mother, Kathy. She’s so colorful, welcoming, encouraging, feisty and sassy. She also appreciates handcrafted items more than anyone else I know, which makes her a target for my endeavors in yarn. When I’ve visited her, she’s served me a number of luscious homemade meals at this square table full of character and warmth.<br />
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While I recalled that it was square, I wasn’t sure exactly how large it was. No worries, I was working it from the center outward. In the meantime I asked Kevin to be my spy. His mission was to measure the table and take a few pictures without her knowing. Around the time the Veil of Isis was large enough to transition from double pointed needles to the circular, I received the pictures. At that point I realized that I had overlooked not just one, but two problems. You think I would have been smart enough to see the foreshadowing the blog name gave me.<br />
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Speaking of blogging; I'm registering with <a href="http://technorati.com/" target="_blank">Technorati</a> - <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">CF9VJ66EXF93</span><br />
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<br /></div>Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-82548391725948637772012-05-30T07:58:00.001-07:002012-06-06T06:11:21.945-07:00Can we get there from here?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1B5ZCHJLFm-OXTGXhAckObcipHew0eC_xcPzIWHaSMVAAGEQmg-rYMiUwS6mP1A7CihN818DIqKFy213uBxOqLxshWpvIWxGHS-3GbHgLzVBuyyp3Mmpd0XdFXypkF34o_oKzEKb5oA/s320/yarn_knitted_into_question_mark_10140021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1B5ZCHJLFm-OXTGXhAckObcipHew0eC_xcPzIWHaSMVAAGEQmg-rYMiUwS6mP1A7CihN818DIqKFy213uBxOqLxshWpvIWxGHS-3GbHgLzVBuyyp3Mmpd0XdFXypkF34o_oKzEKb5oA/s320/yarn_knitted_into_question_mark_10140021.jpg" /></a></div>
I have a problem. I've been commissioned to do a baby project for a brand new person that's scheduled to join humanity sometimes this summer... in southern California. Knitting doesn't quite lend itself to crafting summer things as well as it does to warm winter snugglies. Added to that is my personal inexperience with infants. Booties are adorable, but really impractical, causing most mommies to forgo those little accessories. Oh, and the parents are choosing to wait until the birth to find out the gender.<div>
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So, let me ask the question to any readers willing to comment; <span style="font-size: large;">any suggestions for cool </span>(denotative cool... not cool as in "cool beans")<span style="font-size: large;"> knit/crochet baby items? </span></div>Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-33288951960627751542012-05-11T07:45:00.004-07:002012-05-11T07:48:22.682-07:00These are a few of my favorite things<br />
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The Midwest thunderstorms are nothing to sneeze at, and I
can finally understand why the Von Trapp kids were bolting to Maria’s
beside. While whiskers on kittens
definitely calm me, I also have a few items that didn’t quite make it into that
musical number:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99oP_7JJojolklIJCOAJFNeFMfZ9aey3SkwXgBW4fVeeAllAWB_pn32a4EZJFaATH-Q5zxDwoCc-5tdQ1zXqXJKMN3xG4LDeK6cYXPNAyImsrCgTFlgtVZFY-ro08n5ZAko2l9519LBld/s1600/100_1782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99oP_7JJojolklIJCOAJFNeFMfZ9aey3SkwXgBW4fVeeAllAWB_pn32a4EZJFaATH-Q5zxDwoCc-5tdQ1zXqXJKMN3xG4LDeK6cYXPNAyImsrCgTFlgtVZFY-ro08n5ZAko2l9519LBld/s200/100_1782.JPG" width="198" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004B44PYI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwarmfuzzb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004B44PYI" target="_blank">My ball winder</a> – how do I love thee? Let me count the ways… you make me cakes; and
yarn cakes are far less fattening than the red velvet kind. Since they’re center pull I don’t have to
worry about balls of yarn bouncing all over the apartment. You’ve saved me countless hours by keeping my
skeins untangled and organized. The
delicate wing nut which allows you to clamp to tables of so many widths; and
your rubber foot caresses and keeps surfaces pristine.</div>
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colors make my heart smile. Flexible,
adaptable; oh, if only people could be more like you! Tucked away neatly in your case, I know
you’re there waiting for me, ready to morph needle size so that my hat brims
remain snug and the crown comfortable.
With your end caps and extenders, you make it so easy to knit a blanket
in one fell swoop, instead of panel after panel with endless joining. </div>
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stitches. Be it socks, gloves or
finishing a hat, you tempt me to make tubes, for feet, fingers, hands and
heads. Bringing stitches back and forth,
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyNY0u5ZVPEEFItCW9goKqoktXxxI02ESGBtqheU7XVIxDKH-aKudZn6IPwi1c7pmSp3i-YjWH-DGhJWc-PbFQp8ZphgZvBb5s1cfl8fjQss11QLSJbRD4hB0tQKe1fLWPAA5QYBwa6el/s1600/100_1770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyNY0u5ZVPEEFItCW9goKqoktXxxI02ESGBtqheU7XVIxDKH-aKudZn6IPwi1c7pmSp3i-YjWH-DGhJWc-PbFQp8ZphgZvBb5s1cfl8fjQss11QLSJbRD4hB0tQKe1fLWPAA5QYBwa6el/s320/100_1770.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/accessories/Knitting_Chart_Keeper__D80314.html" target="_blank">Magnetic Chart Keeper</a> – so long did I lust after you. Finally, this December you came into my
life. The attraction I feel to you is
not just because of your magnetism; though I do appreciate not having to mar my
patterns with holes or marks. Propped
open you handsomely display my complicated rows in elegant simplicity. Closed, you keep my pattern safe in my
knitting bag, with my place marked and ready whenever I am ready for more. </div>
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I don't know if I can accurately describe how much courage it took yesterday for me to cut off dangling ends of yarn. It's ridiculous, but it meant being finally done with my Hobbes project. I've been done with the individual pieces for months now; but whenever I finished sewing on an ear I immediately looked at it, and unsatisfied, I'd rip out the stitches. To give you an idea of how long Hobbes has been on my slab in Frankenstien-esque parts, here's <a href="http://warmfuzzyforme.blogspot.com/2011/08/i-doff-my-hat-to-you-lady.html" target="_blank">a blog post from early August</a> when we began our little journey together.<br />
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Calvin would be ashamed of me. Probably more accurately he'd be hovering near my elbow peering over my shoulder fretting that I wasn't working quick enough. Then again, Calvin would probably relish his Franken-Hobbes while pretending to be a Mad Scientist. Alas, I digress. Hobbes came together while I was visiting California last month, not surprising considering he was the only project with me.</div>
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I'm afraid that this horrific neglect will continue, and may even get worse now that the tiger's all put together. Daniel asked me yesterday what I was going to do with him now that he was done. Honestly, I don't know. I no longer have space adventures, go back in time or even play my own version of Calvin ball. The kind of magic required to spark life into my little FrankenHobbes disappeared before I was 12. Somewhere out there, Spaceman Spiff is exploring the universe, laughing in the face of peril, and missing a side kick who can be his best friend. Where are you Calvin?</div>
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Thanks again to <a href="http://sukigirl74.blogspot.com/2011/03/free-hobbes-crochet-pattern.html" target="_blank">Sukigirl for providing a pattern</a> to all us Waterson fans. Thank you for making my first amigurumi project something so memorable (and good to learn on).</div>Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-62872825287618620562012-04-12T09:23:00.003-07:002023-08-20T17:26:50.822-07:00Lana's Waves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original from 2009</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is long overdue. To give you an idea of how long overdue it is, I made the first incarnation of Lana's Waves in the summer of 2009. If you're feeling curious, you can see my <a href="http://warmfuzzyforme.blogspot.com/2009/09/lanas-blanket.html" target="_blank">original blog post here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, after all this time, what was the catalyst for writing down the pattern (and adding a small touch or two)? Well, in short, it's Kate. I'm not sure if there's a quick way of saying how we're related, but she's my cousin Lori's daughter (Lana's granddaughter). Barely into her teens, it's still pretty obvious that salt water runs in her veins; not surprising considering how much her family loves the ocean. Already a seasoned traveler, Kate has been to the Galapagos Islands ( you know that place that "was inspiration for Charles Darwin's Theory on Natural Selection"- from </span><a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Galapagos_Islands#b" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">wikitravel</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">).</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new one for Kate</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Man, impressing a teen is hard enough; but one a passport stamp like that? Forget about it! Or so I thought. Imagine my surprise, my glee when she emailed saying "<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.918); color: #222222;">I was at her house one day and noticed the quilt/blanket you knitted her. I fell in love with it. My mom told me that you were trying to earn money." Damn, not only was she impressed, she was impressed enough for a commission! So, while making this project for Kate, I took the time to write it down so that others can make it if they wish. </span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.918); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Anyway, here's the pattern for <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwiiEYDnyC_xbk9vanJ3Smp3ZTA/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-n9eg2vGEuQ3142O8pcXQ3w" target="_blank">Lana's Waves</a> </span>(pdf format, thank you google docs). Please email me at <a href="mailto:daniaerickson@gmail.com">daniaerickson@gmail.com</a> if you have any questions or find mistakes in the pattern.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.918); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">* All rights to the design and pattern "Lana's Waves" are protected by copyright. Dania Erickson 2012.</span></div>Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-83847922139598493802012-02-29T09:52:00.000-08:002012-02-29T09:53:56.110-08:00Something this warm and fuzzy only comes around once every leap year... or maybe light year (or maybe I'm full of it)Daniel has an interesting sense of humor. He loves shows where the characters are ordinary Joes, but with some really odd personal quirk (you know, just like real life). Watch how these seemingly normal ridiculous people behave with each other and for him hilarity ensues. Examples? He likes watching <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386676/" target="_blank">The Office</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1266020/" target="_blank">Parks and Recreation</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0496424/" target="_blank">30 Rock</a> (ok, the characters there are more exaggerated), <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1442437/" target="_blank">Modern Family</a>, and now recently <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1255913/fullcredits#cast" target="_blank">Bored to Death</a>.<br />
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A recurring character on <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1255913/fullcredits#cast" target="_blank">Bored to Death</a> is Louis Green, played by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1894655/" target="_blank">John Hodgman</a>; and it's him that I want to talk about, not the stars of the show (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005403/" target="_blank">Jason Schwartzman</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0302108/" target="_blank">Zack Galifianakas</a>, or <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001101/" target="_blank">Ted Danson</a>). One evening, while watching Bored to Death, and Hodgman's character walked on screen, Daniel paused it and asked me if I had ever seen the Ted Talk that Hodgman did. Sidenote: <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks" target="_blank">Ted Talks</a> are amazing and inspiring; they achieve their goal of spreading ideas that deserve far more promotion than something like Jersey Shore gets. Anyway, if you have a little over 16 and a half minutes, it's well worth your time. Expect some laughs, a discussion of aliens and love.</div>
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<embed flashvars="feedId=117718755768794718" height="300" separator"="" src="http://www.zazzle.com/utl/getpanel?zp=117718755768794718" style="clear: right; float: right></embed><br /> <br /></div> <div> Those who have visited the blog before may notice my new goodies, namely two links to e-stores I've created. While I can knit far better than I can come up with graphic designs, I do have some items up for sale at Zazzle. Aimed at knitters, and friends of knitters;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="450" wmode="transparent"></embed>
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Sooooooo, I've recently added some goodies to my blog here. While it's all well and good to offer knitting services; it might not be the savviest move to offer them on a knitting blog. Heh, most of the people visiting here can make it for themselves, right? I'm still getting commissions from friends and family (... I have no idea what I'd do without you guys and the warm fuzzies you give); but the term "market saturation" seems to come up (also, I have the hardest time trying to quote prices... even at $3.00 per hour + material costs, I feel like I'm asking too much). What to do...what to do... Adapt or die? Diversify? <br />
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<a href="http://astore.amazon.com/httpwarmfuzzb-20" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVltTaO8taIOUitnLk3d6S1KJvibgXVlcQ1n6ILYejQOTbAG74vWj6rh6V9i-RFXGvCkQ9-Sj90MWhpqh5NTyEmEjacrtj4HmbzTEFVBiDpbr82bk74k8_WxSEtUSrH3an8CVrqEd1xpuL/s200/Dania%2527s+amazon+store.jpg" width="200" /></a>Also I've started working on my Amazon Associate's store. Basically if you purchase something through amazon that I've linked, in theory there is a teeny tiny percentage that they think of as commission. Were considering getting a book anyway? If nothing else, if you like some of the books I've put up; you may enjoy some of my other recommendations.</div>
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Alright, I officially feel like a sell out. Sorry folks. On that note, let me enchant and horrify you with the following (particularly effective if you grew up in the 80's):<br />
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Oh, one last thing... if you go to <a href="http://blackacrebrewing.com/home/" target="_blank">Black Acre Brewing Co.'s site</a> and say that you're NOT 21, you'll get directed to a full screen version of the above video. </div>Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-50031412285966220862012-02-09T08:36:00.002-08:002016-07-05T11:07:45.879-07:00Cheescake and Contortionists - surprisingly good together<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Celebrating Valentine's Day on the 14th is completely overrated. Think about it: the crowds, the waiting, all couples wanting to do the same "special occasion" at the same time? Nuts to that! Instead, my boyfriend and I spoil ourselves by having two Valentine's Days. The going out portion, that the majority of people set aside for the 14th was what we did last night. Dinner and a show, sounds anticlimactic, but it was wonderful! First we went to <a href="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/" target="_blank">the Cheesecake Factory</a> and dined our way through a generous gift card from my mother (Thanks ma!). After dinner we shared a slice of their raspberry lemon cheesecake. Amazing. Utterly wonderful. I gasped and my toes curled while we shared it (I do apologize to the other diners if this made them feel uncomfortable). So, I found a picture of this amazing creation, but it looks like the "before" picture on an advertisement. What we were presented with was the delictible dessert, but it had raspberry sauce over the top and pooled on the sides, and topped with an obscene amount of whipped cream. Can I point out how rare a thing it is to find something that looks far better when it's put in front of you instead of the picture representation? Kudos Cheescake Factory, well done.<br />
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Next we went on to see <a href="http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/" target="_blank">Cirque Du Soleil's</a> production, <a href="http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/quidam/default.aspx" target="_blank">Quidam</a>. Just as you'd suspect, it's beautiful with breathtaking feats; and like all of Cirque Du Soleil's shows, there is a vague storyline. The touch of narrative is mostly in the form of a few characters that sort of act as the on stage audience; but by far most of the sensations you feel comes from the music. Silly one moment, dramatic the next; the only thing that you can count on from the music is that it adds this indispensable element of emotion to these athletic feats. When you're watching the shows live, it's almost like you're invested in them; experiencing them. Oh, dear lord I sound pretentious.<br />
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Favorite part of the show? Ok, don't hate me for it, but the panto mime. Now it's not some guy trying to get out of a glass box or juggling invisible balls. The guy doing these skits in the show pulls people out from the audience on stage with him. In the beginning of his first skit, he's obviously getting ready for a date. A lovely romantic evening with an unsuspecting young woman from the audience. In playing along and trying to understand from his motions what he wants her to do, she invariable makes some comical mistakes. In the mime's second act, he's a director and pulls four people from the audience. One to be the leading man, one for the leading lady, one to be the scorned lover, and of course, that one guy that comes along with the clapboard... since doing it in one take would leave far less room for hilarity. Disclaimer: While this was my favorite act, perhaps due to it's presence, Quidam might not be best suited to children. I read some of the negative reviews on Cirque Du Soleil's site and audience members were less than thrilled at the subtle drug references and sexual innuendos; you know, the things I found hilarious. <br />
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Now, the favorite part of the evening? Having my best friend/boyfriend with me. Daniel's an amazing guy, and I'm delighted to have my second Valentine's day with him (heh, last year we celebrated in World of Warcraft... since we hadn't even met yet). It's great to be making memories with him, and I'm looking forward to the 14th where we can have our own private Valentine's day, maybe just a picnic on the floor of the apartment (it's rather chilly here in Chicago).<br />
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Interested in the show? The links below are to the dvd and soundtrack of Quidam. <br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0767840135/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwarmfuzzb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0767840135"><img border="0" src="https://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=0767840135&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=httpwarmfuzzb-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httpwarmfuzzb-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0767840135" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009K7RNO/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwarmfuzzb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0009K7RNO"><img border="0" src="https://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=B0009K7RNO&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=httpwarmfuzzb-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httpwarmfuzzb-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0009K7RNO" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-34038999041847093112012-02-02T07:21:00.000-08:002012-02-02T07:40:01.550-08:00Wanted: Good Books<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBsLUbSFlwxZAinVAbUkN5hyphenhyphen2AR6OzsEQS9riH95jx4-kWFTvGHuhBR8b0WNzN6Vr1KqxUAynH_ghInkCtUw1zLHCUy6AtfXpiU7q7Zd3ipIxNbZT8Gl6UuExyeAUAbIBIlbqGw3h1gQd/s1600/100_1477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBsLUbSFlwxZAinVAbUkN5hyphenhyphen2AR6OzsEQS9riH95jx4-kWFTvGHuhBR8b0WNzN6Vr1KqxUAynH_ghInkCtUw1zLHCUy6AtfXpiU7q7Zd3ipIxNbZT8Gl6UuExyeAUAbIBIlbqGw3h1gQd/s320/100_1477.JPG" width="320" /></a>Lately as I've been knitting I've been busy reading, or rather listening. My hands are busy, and I find comfort in the repetitive motions of looping the yarn over needles. But due to my recent blues I haven't been feeling up for knitting that I'd term challenging, whether it's attention to the pattern or if it's learning a new technique. The only problem is boredom and the obnoxious depressing thoughts that run away with my train of thoughts at those times. At a certain point you stop feeling like you're a monk in a zen-like experience and begin to catch yourself in a slack jawed drooling imitation of a machine.<br />
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For a while I would watch *cough cough listen cough cough* to Netflix. Note: Action movies are horrible to knit to, most of the plot is visually conveyed, and thus not the best choice for me to click my needles to (although when it's really tense I typically knit faster in anxiety). Most of the time things like Law and Order fit the bill pretty well; but sitting in front of a computer all day isn't very good for soaking up some sunshine and getting vitamin D.<br />
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This lead me to the local library where I ventured up to the information desk and inquired about audio books. An enthusiastic librarian showed me the shelves of CDs filled, and then hurriedly showed me something new that they had been experimenting with. Proudly she opened up something that looked like a VHS tape case that contained a mini MP3 player with an audio book on it. They're self contained books, all you need are headphones (and if you don't have your own you can get some from the front desk too). It saves your place when you pause it, and with it being so light you can take it anywhere.<br />
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Using these cute little MP3 audiobooks, I've knit my way through
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1565125606/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwarmfuzzb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1565125606" target="_blank">Water for Elephants: A Novel </a>
by Sara Gruen, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250007585/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwarmfuzzb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1250007585" target="_blank">The Hypnotist: A Novel</a>
by Lars Kepler,<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0547119798/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwarmfuzzb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0547119798" target="_blank">The Time Traveler's Wife</a>
by Audrey Niffeneger, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312642369/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwarmfuzzb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0312642369" target="_blank">The Last Child</a>
by John Hart. I'm looking forward to adding a few more titles to this list. Oh, and considering I'm working on knitting a blanket, I might get those audiobooks under my belt sooner than I would expect. That being said, I'm usually not sure of what I'm checking out from the library, other than it's usually fiction and a mystery. Any recommendations? Pretty please leave a comment with the title!Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-8975179215434763662012-01-27T07:46:00.002-08:002012-01-27T07:51:08.167-08:00Perfectly good enough<a href="http://www.patonsyarns.com/pattern.php?PID=4451;" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.patonsyarns.com/data/pattern/thumbnail/thumb_4451.jpg" /></a>At least it's done. This is the idea I should focus on considering that I'm a perfectionist. I suppose being a perfectionist might be a good thing if I had more motivation; but, as it stands now, if I don't think I can do something perfectly, I won't even try. Now, this is absolutely no way to live a life. That being said, being any different seems to be just this side of impossible. What can I say? When I try to do something, "good enough" I usually end up feeling like a failure. Like the Frondly Yours pattern. People have been kind enough to correct me on the number of errors I made while writing the pattern. Stitches left entirely unmentioned, or given the wrong number for repeats. I wasn't sure about publishing it when I did, and probably should have waited until I completed it once more; but I had been sitting on it for months, shouldn't it have been at least good enough by now if not perfect?<br />
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Then there's the other side of the coin. This week I've been over watching Daniel's sisters. Remember the heirloom blanket I was asked to mend from my post '<a href="http://warmfuzzyforme.blogspot.com/2012/01/out-with-old.html" target="_blank">Out with the Old</a>'? Well, I found the pattern; and if you're interested in making one like it, it's available for<a href="http://www.patonsyarns.com/pattern.php?PID=4451" target="_blank"> free on Paton's website</a>, though you do have to register with their site. Anyway, after much hemming and hawing, and a bit of swatching, I got out some matching yarn and gave it a go. It was surprising how little that hole actually took. I had to recreate a few stitches and one popcorn with the new yarn, but it was mostly just figuring out what stitch came from what row. Don't get me wrong, it's not like the end result is flawless, far from it; but unless you're looking for it, the mending isn't blatantly apparent. Despite my perfectionist streak, I'm actually kind of happy with the way it turned out. It's not gorgeous, but this time I'm more than satisfied with good enough.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-cti9k_UPW4Mzsk7d9lu6KFgQYv1GZpUhWIJ9tjQvFsZ9ZlFdIW4lCAZ1KxAvXmf2StMZvBZsoapMunc9KLKqaWG7bBd1YlWlvlxgxp_dw4uaHVBSVtttRlC762sxm7F8SFFKKEobu64/s1600/100_1670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-cti9k_UPW4Mzsk7d9lu6KFgQYv1GZpUhWIJ9tjQvFsZ9ZlFdIW4lCAZ1KxAvXmf2StMZvBZsoapMunc9KLKqaWG7bBd1YlWlvlxgxp_dw4uaHVBSVtttRlC762sxm7F8SFFKKEobu64/s200/100_1670.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-59748017169918198162012-01-17T06:56:00.001-08:002021-11-15T13:42:51.581-08:00Frondly Yours, now Charted territory<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Remember how I mentioned my nervousness on publishing the "Frondly Yours" pattern? Everytime I looked at the long lines of knitting abbreviations I felt my anxiety steadily increase. It's rather silly, but I like this pattern and want it to be accessible to anyone that wants to try it. I imagine that for knitters that are more visually inclined, this chart method will be easier. Click here for a link to the pdf version of "<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwiiEYDnyC_xNzZmZjliNzgtNGIwNi00MWQ1LThjNjgtNzhkYjg4YjIyYzFl/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-0buWezKzof1IbBfqVDBCiA" target="_blank">Frondly Yours Lace Chart</a>". Want the longer version that's written out instead of charted? <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwiiEYDnyC_xOGNmZTE0NzMtNjY3ZS00MjE3LWIwZWItOTMyMTJhMTMyMmFk" target="_blank">It's still available here</a>. <br />
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Oh, now would be a good time for me to publicly acknowledge that my boyfriend is all sorts of wonderful. Why you ask? Geez, put down those knitting needles and I'll tell you! Well, although it looked like Wingdings, dear Daniel downloaded the knitting font and set it up for me. I loved the point at which he turned to me and asked hesitantly, "do these symbols mean anything to you?" Oh, if you're curious, we ended up using <a href="http://home.earthlink.net/~ardesign/fontdownload.htm" target="_blank">Aire River Knitting Font</a>, which we selected after looking at some of the other options mentioned in this <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/FEATcharts.html" target="_blank">knitty article</a>.<br />
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As always, if you find a mistake, please please email me at <a href="mailto:daniaerickson@gmail.com">daniaerickson@gmail.com</a>. (updated 1/17/12 at 12:10 pst)<br />
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**All rights to the design and pattern "Frondly Yours" are protected by copyright. Dania Erickson 2012.</div>
Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-91070390102597717752012-01-12T07:30:00.002-08:002021-11-15T13:44:58.844-08:00Frondly Yours<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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People that know me shouldn't be surprised the pun. Yes, it's groan worthy, and I'm almost sorry. Still, the look of pained resignation and anguish from my boyfriend when I suggested the name really decided it for me.</div>
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I confess that this time I'm really having mixed feelings about publishing this. I've been tinkering with it since October, when I realized how completely impractical "<a href="http://warmfuzzyforme.blogspot.com/2011/09/secretive-storms.html">Secretive Storms</a>" was for Southern California. I've knitted it up four times already, making subtle adjustments. For some reason I'm having a huge case of the blogger's version of stage fright; so I'm hoping you'll be as understanding as parents at a toddler's ballet recital.</div>
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Click here for a link to a pdf of the pattern: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwiiEYDnyC_xOGNmZTE0NzMtNjY3ZS00MjE3LWIwZWItOTMyMTJhMTMyMmFk/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-FFmAucr0azmIZ-wmQ0JOzA" target="_blank">Frondly Yours</a>*. I hope you enjoy making and wearing this hat that can be somewhere between a beanie and a beret. As with my other patterns that I offer for free, please do not directly repost the pattern. I ask instead that you link people to this blog post; watching the number of page views increase is one of the biggest warm fuzzies I have. And if you like the pattern, cough cough... it wouldn't hurt my feelings at all if you clicked on a link; unfortunately, it's one of my only sources of income these days. Also, if you find any issues with the pattern, please email me at <a href="mailto:daniaerickson@gmail.com">daniaerickson@gmail.com</a> and I'll fix it. </div>
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If you're wondering about the lovely model in the pictures, it's my dear friend Lexi. She was kind enough not only to let me use her as my mannequin, but also let me use her faboo camera. Did I mention she was sweet enough not to compare the pictures she would have taken (she has the most amazing eye), with the ones I did get.<br />
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*All rights to the design and pattern "Frondly Yours" are protected by copyright. Dania Erickson 2012. Updated at 11:45 am pst on 1/19/12.<br />
<br />Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-28200575261645264312012-01-03T11:09:00.001-08:002012-01-12T08:40:22.968-08:00Out with the Old?<br />
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Since it's timely I almost feel the obligation to post something about New Year's resolutions; especially since those that follow the Mayan calendar suspect that this might be my last opportunity to do so. This is usually the time of year when people start fresh; and along with organizing priorities it's not unusual to resolve to get more organized in a tangible sense. Time to clean up your life as well as your living space. So, a number of people throw out old clothes, papers, broken items along with their old calendars. But what about those things we keep?<br />
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This year I spent the last day of 2011 with my boyfriend and his family. About an hour before the ball dropped, Daniel's stepmother, Judy, was doing her Wonder Woman-esque feat of managing sleeping arrangements. Before you think I'm exaggerating, I should probably mention that a number of relatives were in town, bringing the total of butts needing beds to a delicate 15. Not surprisingly, this was an opportunity to find throw blankets that aren't used on a regular basis.<br />
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One such blanket was a wedding gift when Daniel's father and Judy got married. This lovely antique white afghan was lovingly crocheted by hand, with fringe and bobbles. This blanket had been in the family long enough to predate the addition of their two girls, as well a number of pets. One member of the family, Buster, an Australian Shepard, wanted to make his impression on this heirloom. Buster busted a hole about the size of a snout in the wedding afghan. Fortunately it wasn't torn asunder; just a little too loved on.<br />
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And now back to New Year's eve. As we sat around alternately gaping and giggling at Kathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper, Judy came down with the wedding afghan. She knows about my addiction; that I knit and crochet and figured it never hurts to ask. Knowing that washing would have helped unravel what Buster had begun, she refrained from doing so. After studying the pertinent area, my mind unhindered by liquid holiday cheer, I told her I thought I might be able to fix it. I hope I can actually deliver!<br />
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I love that I've been given an opportunity to mend something special. In our society of disposable goods, it seems wonderfully fulfilling to fix something instead of chucking it out and getting a new one. The lines from Aldous Huxley's "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060850523/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwarmfuzzb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0060850523">Brave New World</a> keeps coming back:
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><i>"But old clothes are beastly," continued the untiring whisper. "We always throw away old clothes. Ending is better than mending, ending is better than mending, ending is better …".</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><i>"Ending is better than mending. The more stitches, the less riches; the more stitches …"</i></span>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Eerily prophetic, considering it was first published in 1932. Despite the dismal similarities between the world of 2012 and the dystopian future Huxley presented; I'm grateful that it's not completely the case. I'm finding personal riches in stitches, and I'm certainly not ending my mending. The thought of heirlooms still being used and loved warms me more than this afghan ever could. So for me it's in with the old and new; old heirloom new stitches and a new lease on life for this piece of family history.</span></span>Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-84728146467468752942011-12-20T09:57:00.002-08:002011-12-20T10:00:41.798-08:00Why it's practically here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For some reason my brain seems to discount the days actually passing starting sometime in the first week of December right up until the 20th or so. I don't know why but the urgency of gathering gifts to give doesn't seem to register until it is practically too late. Now, last minute Holiday shopping can be stressful enough, but last minute Holiday crafting? A sure fire way to get ulcers (which actually might be a good combatant for the ever threatening holiday weight gain).<br />
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It's also pretty interesting to note the reactions to handmade gifts. To some people it is extra special since you put so much of yourself into the item... in fact, probably too much (I always seem to find I've knitted a strand or two of my hair into things). Other people seem disappointed while at the same time acutely aware that it should be considered extra special since you made it. For all those crafters out there who are giving lovingly handmade items, I hope that whoever receives them is as grateful as my boyfriend is. </div>
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When we first started dating, I told Daniel about my knitting obsession. Now, I can't remember if I offered to knit him something, or if he asked for it; but I do recall being shocked at how the thing that mattered most to him was that I made it for him. Now, that might seem like a no brainer, but honestly, I thought whatever "it" would be and the functionality would be more important. Or the color! Or how soft it was. Anyway, not wanting to put anymore pressure on him or myself by making him something complicated and time consuming, we decided on a simple scarf. Again I was taken aback, someone who actually wore scarves? Coming from a lifetime in Southern California this was an extremely exotic notion (outside of West Hollywood). When I went came to visit him last March, we made a trip to the local Michael's to pick out some yarn. He chose some soft charcoal colored yarn in a bulky color. A few days later as I waited... and waited... and WAITED for my plane to leave (and take me back home to Southern California), I started work on his scarf.</div>
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Having limited access to my knitting supplies, I worked out a simple pattern that I could remember and do despite having forgotten my row counter. The result ended up being what I call the Fiver Scarf. What I really love about it is how much Daniel seems to appreciate it. Since the cold weather started, every time he goes to put on his pea coat, he knots the Fiver scarf around his neck. Once when I exclaimed over how wonderful he was to wear it, he simply said to me "I like it... besides, my girlfriend made it for me". This man bears it like a badge of honor instead of a hiding it like he would with an unsightly blemish. If you want to make one of your own <a href="http://warmfuzzyforme.blogspot.com/p/fiver-scarf.html">click here</a>.</div>
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<br /></div>Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-62578141538116894392011-12-12T14:34:00.002-08:002011-12-12T14:35:25.197-08:00Well, that was quick!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, my face is nearly as red (or maroon) as this plum colored hat! In my last post, I mentioned ever so briefly how my brother's friend Andrew and his wife were expecting a baby girl? Well, things were certainly moving along quite a bit quicker than I had known. Turns out expecting was the wrong word, it's more like she's here! In fact we nearly shared a birthday. Joanna was born on November 8th, only three days before I turned thirty. <br />
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Despite having a baby that's younger than all of the condiments in our refrigerator; as well as an actively and well entertained toddler to look after, second time mom Becky Shattuck still found time to find me on facebook to send a thank you message. If you're impressed about her juggling skills on that alone, you should check out <a href="http://becky-shattuck.blogspot.com/">her blog</a>, where you'll find that Becky posts more days than not. <br />
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Just as I didn't know that Joanna had entered this world, I wasn't aware of the <a href="http://becky-shattuck.blogspot.com/">amazing blog that Becky has</a>. I find myself returning to it and getting a vicarious thrill of exploring the world for the first time through the observations of a toddler, and "100 ways to entertain" one.<br />
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So I'm really enjoying the warm fuzzy feeling that's coming from reading her <a href="http://becky-shattuck.blogspot.com/2011/12/homemade-plum-hat.html">post about the plum colored hat</a> that went along with the first sweater I made. I've purloined a few pictures of Joanna modeling the hat from Becky's blog (though since it's with permission, it's more like I just snagged 'em instead of stole them). This hat was made using the wonderful pattern <a href="http://randomstitches.wordpress.com/2008/01/11/hello-world/">Baby Berry Hat by Michele Sabatier</a>, available for free on her blog.Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-15801355590194931742011-12-06T10:20:00.001-08:002011-12-06T10:58:48.442-08:00Sweaters to some, Jumpers to others<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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While I've been knitting obsessively for a number of years, up until recently I'd never tackled one of the most basic of projects, the sweater. Why did it take me this long? Well, considering that this is my first winter away from Southern California, up until recently, there hadn't been much need to knit myself one. Besides, my UCLA sweatshirts are basically the only way I show school spirit aside from hissing and grumbling whenever the crosstown rival, USC is mentioned. <br />
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Knit one for a boyfriend? Again, up until relatively recently, there hadn't been a boyfriend to knit for. Besides, I'd hate to tempt fate with the boyfriend sweater curse. Never heard of it? Well, it's basically the well acknowledged idea that as soon as a knitter has begun knitting her boyfriend a sweater, the relationship is doomed to failure. Personally I can see that one being a self fulfilling prophesy... think of how long it'd take to lovingly stitch together an adult sweater, and compare that to how much the typical guy cares about and for his clothes.<br />
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Finally I accepted the challenge when my mother asked me to knit a baby sweater for her to give as a gift. The active lady that my mother is, she has met a number of people through jazzercise and yoga that have become friends. One of her classmates had a lovely baby girl around six months ago, named the brand new person Julia. Here I have a great picture of the active Julia modeling the sweater I knitted. <br />
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Of course she's got on the <i>SECOND</i> sweater I knitted... not the first. The first one turned out to be nearly infant sized due to a simple and silly mistake I made. Knitting needles come in different sizes; and just like how Americans use the word "sweater" while British use the word "jumper" to mean the same thing, there are US standard sizes and the metric equivalent. I should have been knitting on US size 10 needles, which are 6mm. Instead I briefly glanced at the pattern and used US size 6 needles, which are actually only 4mm in diameter. <br />
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After yoke and first sleeve of the sweater had been finished I realized my mistake. Though rather than rip it out and restart, I figured I'd chalk it up to a learning experience and finish it up. The good news is that my first sweater may still get some use. My brother's friend Andrew and his wife are expecting a little girl... and while she'll be able to cry, she probably won't be able to tell anyone that it's because of the sweater. Oh, and if you're interested in the pattern, it's called <a href="http://www.knitwits-heaven.com/pretty_baby_sweater.htm">"Pretty Baby Sweater" by Lisa Vienneau</a>. Not only is this gem available for free, it also doesn't require any sewing of seams, just a wee bit of crocheting!<br />
<br />Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-15541779759228411732011-11-29T11:27:00.001-08:002012-01-09T06:42:58.981-08:00Warning: Cold Slimy follows...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrarZosBwhgX_KwY_cDskxXj1fr-DbKpU8e2qDcXXEviMfDnSSOANTSrYhpgAcJ6HoY-x2qvqH56quo3bP1ZzuA5QQiG1VzEHVxI45huLvBUKxsoi7_M9LS2dlxyPxrv4Vg7Jhdz8VI9Cz/s1600/IMG_20111113_155314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrarZosBwhgX_KwY_cDskxXj1fr-DbKpU8e2qDcXXEviMfDnSSOANTSrYhpgAcJ6HoY-x2qvqH56quo3bP1ZzuA5QQiG1VzEHVxI45huLvBUKxsoi7_M9LS2dlxyPxrv4Vg7Jhdz8VI9Cz/s320/IMG_20111113_155314.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example of how NOT to take a photo.</td></tr>
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Lately I've been discouraged. I'm not sure exactly what it is. The weather? The annual onset of holiday stress? Or just the general pessimism that comes with an economic downturn. Still, I can pinpoint one the reasons that my enthusiasm has been firmly curbed.<br />
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Nearly a full week before Black Friday, my boyfriend and I braved crushing crowds in pursuit of a spice rack at JCPenny's. On our slow and tedious way towards the escalator, we shuffled past the section devoted to winter accessories. That's where I found my own personal rain cloud, disguised as sock monkeys, felt eyed frogs and owls, garter stitched pandas and penguins. Admittedly this particular storm had begun brewing much earlier and across the country. This is evidenced by a picture I took of some hats in a store along the "boardwalk" at Newport beach on the last day of my visit home.<br />
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These adorable hats (<a href="http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/XGN.aspx?DeptID=70656&CatID=72066&SO=0&Ne=8+4+29+3+596+591+593+586+1011+1010+1031+18+904+949&SelDim=8~+4~&x5view=1&shopperType=G&N=146+4294953671+4294966976&Nao=0&PSO=0&CmCatId=70656|72066">click here for more examples</a>) are the latest example as to why I should stop trying to pursue knitting things for others. Lovely machines churned out these little gems, no doubt in places where the labor regulations are more accommodating for the bottom line of companies like JCPenny (who owns the brand Arizona Jeans; the label these babies are imported under). As a knitter I notice that not only is the fleece lining sewn in, but the shaping of the crown is done by cutting the knitted fabric and then using a sewing machine; this is basically like watching someone put packets of ketchup on filet mignon.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/public/8oj5UhYdYGYc2Oh0EX1C-_3CQAfDnMz2HDN2rXP8BYBMqr2iHkLXDUJA22YKZrXnUVfeF2cIPtnynBcjyrMlDLU9pMC7kthFSAzHJzsKEIx_hdKjtoCf_nsfxSc3JP2LjfSUNA2ih-NhOvpX-HufRoQT2NYWFGUU61ORZkte7w=s220-c" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/public/8oj5UhYdYGYc2Oh0EX1C-_3CQAfDnMz2HDN2rXP8BYBMqr2iHkLXDUJA22YKZrXnUVfeF2cIPtnynBcjyrMlDLU9pMC7kthFSAzHJzsKEIx_hdKjtoCf_nsfxSc3JP2LjfSUNA2ih-NhOvpX-HufRoQT2NYWFGUU61ORZkte7w=s220-c" width="320" /></a></div>
To add insult to injury, is the reason of WHY these hats are considered cute and chic... It's because they try to look handmade. Basically the first stitch a knitter learns is... well, the knit stitch. After a number of rows of this you have a fabric that has been done in "garter stitch". This is is the foundation of knitting, just like the foundation of reading are the letters of the alphabet. Essentially, they want to appeal to the crowd that likes to look at handcrafted items on Etsy, but would prefer to pay less. But who are you supporting when you pay less? It's not unreasonable to assume that you could be supporting sweatshop conditions. According to <a href="http://www.greenamerica.org/programs/sweatshops/scorecard.cfm">Green America's Retailer Scorecard</a> which wants to curb sweatshop practices, JCPenny earns the grade of D- (out of a typical A-F grading system) for subcontracting to five companies out of the nine named with documented poor human rights records.<br />
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Thank you for letting me share my own personal rain cloud. I can daydream about trying to make a living doing various things with knitting; but perhaps it should remain just that - a daydream. There's no way I can compete with the sweatshops. The cost of materials and shipping alone are typically at the upper limit of what the average American would pay for a knitted accessory. When I make something I don't expect or hope to get minimum wage for my time, but I'd like to help the household expenses a bit. The silver lining? There are a handful of people out there that have been willing to support my daydream. Moral of the story: if you want something that looks handmade, buy handmade... and the spice rack? I'll get one elsewhere.Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-33178676298601292342011-11-23T08:56:00.001-08:002011-11-29T13:20:53.633-08:00Intimidated by warm fuzziness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsiNWhWrfzZB44XvtsFW6uTA7FfxLo5yf58Kw7AI77akYkX7cxpanZ2IRQ7ahgBEoFqt_g3ne2H33ntSnOeH0DcD8P2jnpbrPQe1IDcRx-xYIVl7ltlxriCYmBxWz1lAVeAB5feEEurjA/s1600/100_1424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsiNWhWrfzZB44XvtsFW6uTA7FfxLo5yf58Kw7AI77akYkX7cxpanZ2IRQ7ahgBEoFqt_g3ne2H33ntSnOeH0DcD8P2jnpbrPQe1IDcRx-xYIVl7ltlxriCYmBxWz1lAVeAB5feEEurjA/s200/100_1424.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Confession: while I yearn for luxurious fibers to knit with, I cringe at the thought of actually using them. Silk? Mohair? These are idols I worship at, not merely yarn to be used as I would an acrylic. Gracious relatives that know me and my addiction have gifted me with some of these amazing yarns. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQsrfjPLaZKma6n2F_KZAN9bUD7MDLZSFJR7WiWXUQmsuEDJ7UOh-X5lyh62Sv8nD9m00C-tQMKfBvuKVQIhdC3jmK4yHKUiXjKEbtwD1ZOhXOfO4wZpgAch2YI8iZqRYNVi-1pAtywGM/s1600/100_1427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQsrfjPLaZKma6n2F_KZAN9bUD7MDLZSFJR7WiWXUQmsuEDJ7UOh-X5lyh62Sv8nD9m00C-tQMKfBvuKVQIhdC3jmK4yHKUiXjKEbtwD1ZOhXOfO4wZpgAch2YI8iZqRYNVi-1pAtywGM/s200/100_1427.JPG" width="200" /></a>Among my gems are five skeins of Rowan's Kid Silk Haze in a color called "Marmelade" and three skeins of Noro's Silk Garden, also made with silk and kid mohair with a touch of lamb's wool. While I did celebrate a thirtieth birthday earlier this month... these are actually gifts from previous years. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9WK0ugJi6BXbRJ1aId08zk9iL6vCWQ27ZbmAJm-hk5ZaUBJpcXDqKfnMRTt1gCBVqbCpf4O2UGagcF6uO4lKO-xmHPP5_dzRZ6DcCOh9dO_RQdfcb43hXYU1KHpWAODTqHghhGnbk3mr/s1600/100_1428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9WK0ugJi6BXbRJ1aId08zk9iL6vCWQ27ZbmAJm-hk5ZaUBJpcXDqKfnMRTt1gCBVqbCpf4O2UGagcF6uO4lKO-xmHPP5_dzRZ6DcCOh9dO_RQdfcb43hXYU1KHpWAODTqHghhGnbk3mr/s200/100_1428.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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What have I been doing with these luscious fibers? Mostly hoarding them, like a dragon. In fact, I don't want you to look at them too hard in case it makes them lose a touch of their softness or their enviable coloring.<br />
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While I did flirt with projects for each of these yarns, I still couldn't bring myself to try them for fear I'd screw up on the pattern. Yes I know I can unravel them; but I don't want my precious yarn to lose anything from my mistakes. Besides, the inevitability of needing to trim ends and thus CUT these beauties? I'd rather slash a finger... well not quite, but close. </div>
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<a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070/2402121868_6787801bd8_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070/2402121868_6787801bd8_z.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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In my heyday of playing World of Warcraft, I was very very tempted to use the Noro to make my own Murgle from a pattern called <a href="http://www.freewebs.com/wingedkamui/knitmurloc.html">"More than a Fish" by Ixetal Cilona</a>. However, having had no experience with making amigurumi, it seemed like a terrible idea to try and learn on my precioussssss Noro. Still, aren't they cool? Just check out some of the finished ones like <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Nordly/more-than-a-fish">Nordly's on Ravelry</a>.</div>
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Also I thought about using the Rowan's Kid Silk Haze with a project posted in the <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/">Winter 2007 issue</a> of the ezine <a href="http://www.knitty.com/">Knitty</a>. Featured was this gorgeous cowl <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/PATTicequeen.html">pattern by Rosemary Hill called "Ice Queen"</a>. The yarn is so lightweight that you can put small beads on it which look like little ice crystals. Even though this yarn is as light as a feather, the "haze" makes it surprisingly warm, all while being so soft you just want to rub it until your fingers fall off. Of course it wouldn't have been very "ice queen-ish" in the marmalade hue, but doesn't that mean it would be warming in color as well? Then the sad realization hit me. I don't wear cowls. And while I usually give away nearly everything I knit, the hoarding dragon within me wants to hold onto these luxury fibers even after they stop being in skein form. Then again, knowing me, that may never happen. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiNyXpMrDd9e4zGH_KHN97MWtW1CHgFnxJgmom851zjyZjbKCHciwvsrtdFksruIaQrg7rnU5gxlEpquxEPRDHULW1_go4T0L0BbSnuw-2NmK7DNrKQWXQTffhjRXyWOLCCfGNbz-Fio/s320/Lisa+Frank.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiNyXpMrDd9e4zGH_KHN97MWtW1CHgFnxJgmom851zjyZjbKCHciwvsrtdFksruIaQrg7rnU5gxlEpquxEPRDHULW1_go4T0L0BbSnuw-2NmK7DNrKQWXQTffhjRXyWOLCCfGNbz-Fio/s200/Lisa+Frank.gif" width="159" /></a></div>
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Oh the materialism! It reminds me of when I was in grade school and Junior high. I would get these <a href="http://www.lisafrank.com/">Lisa Frank</a> stickers. While I loved looking at them, I never stuck them to anything. I knew that whatever it was would eventually be tossed or forgotten and I couldn't stand that; so in my desk they remained. After discovering boys I did happen to forget about my Lisa Frank stickers. That was of course until I found them again in my college years. Finally I was able and grateful to use them. They were perfect for sticking all over government addressed envelopes, when taxes were due, responding to jury duty, etc. </div>Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577319921125268364.post-79942279141714859622011-11-16T11:31:00.001-08:002011-11-16T12:51:56.310-08:00... he called me Nurse Ratched!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3F1Lsbqpy-yWufJTFkHrTR7ee3yMBZp7LoOg3k1R7AVRigVK6mMZd7uFwb7kA_UeV7bjLJppe9yKE9UZ8uwdZirGiG05wWEziR4ifDvWALPNHasCugofzcvN22nCdohFDiaozpDi3Xeti/s1600/Total+knee+replacement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3F1Lsbqpy-yWufJTFkHrTR7ee3yMBZp7LoOg3k1R7AVRigVK6mMZd7uFwb7kA_UeV7bjLJppe9yKE9UZ8uwdZirGiG05wWEziR4ifDvWALPNHasCugofzcvN22nCdohFDiaozpDi3Xeti/s200/Total+knee+replacement.jpg" width="153" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Total Knee Replacement</td></tr>
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My father is currently working his way through his fourth week of recovery from his total knee replacement. Working being the operative word, since for him to get the most out of his surgery he needs to be in a constant rotation of walking, physical therapy, and icing the joint to keep the swelling down.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirV-44GuP2Ybnr4hoTtT_82ZNEML17vLVV6ru53LiNBvQ5JZcp3PpTU89NtAr5ZWDv2GqXGaTeJTBLBhyoYpxI1Zc1rNJSZrwcdLv0AFfC8hmYiNQBULP7ibwJj7khHa2oiGkB5Ui2Kt-R/s1600/Meggie+therapy+dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirV-44GuP2Ybnr4hoTtT_82ZNEML17vLVV6ru53LiNBvQ5JZcp3PpTU89NtAr5ZWDv2GqXGaTeJTBLBhyoYpxI1Zc1rNJSZrwcdLv0AFfC8hmYiNQBULP7ibwJj7khHa2oiGkB5Ui2Kt-R/s200/Meggie+therapy+dog.jpg" width="200" /></a>The surgery and hospital stay occurred at Kaiser Permanente's Sand Canyon facility in Irvine. Despite replacing parts of his femur and tibia, they had him walk away from the operating table. No rest for the wicked, eh? Due to some complications that came as a result from an anti-nausea medication he stayed in the hospital a few days longer than originally anticipated. I have no idea why, but dear old dad was in a lather to get back home. When I visited him in the hospital, he had his own room. Everyone that came in was warm and friendly, even the woman who maintained the cleanliness of the room. While I was there he had a visit from a Golden Retriever named Meggie. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hospital Harpist?</td></tr>
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If that weren't enough later on soft music began drifting into the room. I glanced out into the hallway from his room and said "Dad, there's a harpist in the hallway." Not a sentence you anticipate hearing, let alone in a hospital. My father felt the same way, replying with, "You're kidding." I think that he, even like me, didn't quite believe his eyes. The lovely harpist even nodded a consent to let me photograph her. When she had finished her song my father thanked her, and she replied quietly and shyly that Kaiser had asked people from the local symphony to come volunteer and play for people in intensive care. Again... why he was in such a hurry to get home I'll never know.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC55HBBsnrAub_5hHfM6OVfi2uyCagVkvVhyphenhyphenVk0-DDlym0wG0FUmhpnLzz4jdrgjZUPy76pcO6RouW6v7BCNUITtmfSTppX43kbI9sJ2BPsOWZ5pBRJi-WFcnyvOEqg7_mYE1unZI7EDjD/s1600/P1010450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC55HBBsnrAub_5hHfM6OVfi2uyCagVkvVhyphenhyphenVk0-DDlym0wG0FUmhpnLzz4jdrgjZUPy76pcO6RouW6v7BCNUITtmfSTppX43kbI9sJ2BPsOWZ5pBRJi-WFcnyvOEqg7_mYE1unZI7EDjD/s200/P1010450.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where'd they put that 3"?</td></tr>
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Unlike most patients, my father was replacing his knee not due to constant pervasive pain in the joint, but rather because he had so little range of motion. This is largely a result of a motorcycle accident he was involved in during 1997 ( I remember it was April-ish of my Sophomore year), where they placed some serious hardware in his knee. The total knee replacement made the hardware unnecessary, but don't worry, the pops has maintained it as a souvenir/trophy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5-dMoQTLvM8/TsLWv1SCq3I/AAAAAAAADcg/oe6XptBhRts/s1600/100_1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5-dMoQTLvM8/TsLWv1SCq3I/AAAAAAAADcg/oe6XptBhRts/s320/100_1374.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nurse Shirley on duty</td></tr>
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Once he was home my Dad and I had some serious bonding time; aided by Doc Martin on Netflix and some gnarly pain killers they prescribed to him. With the pain killers being on a four hour rotation, my father's physical therapy two to three times a day, and the required elevation of his leg and icing; for the first two weeks my dad and I were busy most of the day everyday with his recovery. Oh! Great tip: make your own gel-ice bags with a gallon ziploc and 3 parts water to 1 part rubbing alcohol. So, due to my nagging ways, my father sometimes called me his Jiminy Cricket or Nurse Ratched; depending on his mood. Of course I maintain that the negative comments were caused solely by the pain killers wearing off; and never by my own poking and prodding.Daniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13016352785782227469noreply@blogger.com0