tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86399122012-02-16T09:40:34.278-08:00This started out as a knitting blog. Then life happened. Now I'm hoping to keep a record of useful stuff I find.erinnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1041100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-69935691885969665742010-10-10T15:42:00.001-07:002010-10-10T15:46:13.522-07:00

The last two weeks have brought "seasonal" reading - fall and balloons.  And man are the balloon books horrible.  It turns out that 90% of hot air balloon books involve an animal stowaway - perhaps because a child stowaway would be too frightening to parents?  And the fall books all involve starting school.  I thought they would be more nature/fall oriented, not back-to-school oriented.  But

erinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-55862455024203932412010-09-27T16:52:00.000-07:002010-09-27T16:52:24.728-07:00

Before there were blogs to overwhelm on with crafty inspiration, I have often wondered:  What did people do?  Now, people who live in cities - or even moderate sized towns - probably had a local craft store or guild to offer classes.  Maybe there was increased human contact!  But because I live in the Middle of Nowhere, supplies and inspiration are hard to come by.  So what did one do? THE

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-58907604425169873382010-09-26T13:14:00.000-07:002010-09-26T13:14:47.536-07:00

This week had its ups and downs - many of them heightened by the absence of the hubs - but overall it was great... thanks in a large part to the moms who kidnapped my kids for a few hours at a time. The things that went the best:  we stayed roughly on our daily schedule, which helped the week flow.  Hooray for rhythm. Our regularly scheduled book of the week:  The Enormous Turnip.  First I

erinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-10152097530360732692010-05-04T08:03:00.000-07:002010-05-04T08:03:50.785-07:00

We are finishing the basement and need to clear everything out, which has given me the opportunity to organize my knitting stash. Because of Ravelry, I can be a complete maniac and actually catalog the yarn types and amounts and find appropriate projects. Now I want a Ravelry for sewing. Instead, here are the patterns I want to make - I am afraid if I do not collect them in one place I will

erinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-34467817986249446622009-08-13T07:56:00.000-07:002009-08-13T08:52:37.925-07:00

Surely one of the benefits of being home with the kids is having the opportunity to make stuff with them. Because it's still early in the year, I'd really like to try and make useful christmas gifts for the fam. Here's the collection of ideas so far:A picture mobilePebble trivet/coasterClothes pin trivet/coastersPicture magnetsApronKitchen TowelsReusable grocery bagsUsing crayon drawings for

erinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-15719650294244792292009-07-13T10:21:00.000-07:002009-07-13T10:24:20.703-07:00

From the Jemez Thunder:1 cup pb1/2 cup honey1-1/4 cup powdered milkStir, knead, add more powdered milk if necessary.Ours was actually a little too dry, so I added some more honey and water. All in all, I'd call it a success.

erinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-66620880202369216742009-07-13T09:20:00.000-07:002009-07-13T09:24:25.755-07:00

¾ cup flour,¾ cup salt, ¾-1 cup of water,the food coloring of your choice, and1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Mix it all in a pot over low heat until it looks like playdough. Knead in the food coloring.

erinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1155648035611772892006-08-15T06:15:00.000-07:002006-08-15T09:20:33.250-07:00

Things are only just settling into a new kind of normalcy since moving and the baby, and little knitting has been done. Since I've decided not to take pictures of work in progress unless it's something terribly remarkable, I don't really even have anything to show but this, from Weekend Knitting:So instead of what I've completed, I'll show you two hand-crafted blankets I received for the baby.

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1143393084511123062006-03-26T08:24:00.000-08:002006-03-26T09:11:24.596-08:00

Since I've been back, it's been non-stop paperwork fun. The results, however, have been well worth it. I start work on Monday, and we're moving forward with buying the house.In knitting news, I've been working on Popcorn - a Christmas gift from my mother-in-law. He has a head, two ears, two arms, a body, and 1/3 of a leg. I'm a little nervous about putting him together, but the fun fur is so

erinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1141251081791313302006-03-01T13:58:00.000-08:002006-03-01T14:11:21.833-08:00

Things have seemed crazily hectic over the last two weeks. I have, however, successfully presented at my first conference. It's always nice when you present what silly research you've been toiling away on and nobody says "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard, are you on crack?" In other news, last night R and I decided to Meet People. He went to indoor soccer, and I went to the knit group

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1139611462267043012006-02-10T14:15:00.000-08:002006-02-10T14:44:22.340-08:00

Besides welcoming the latest member of the family to our residence, I've actually been finishing projects. today, washers come with DVDs. who knew?I bought Debbie Bliss Aran Wool discounted at BBs right before I left. With this, I made the Aran pullover (it'll have buttons when I can find some I like) from Knitting for Baby. I made the 9 month size, figuring it's better to be too big than too

erinnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1139323684113966032006-02-07T06:37:00.000-08:002006-02-07T06:48:04.143-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, we found a deer in our front yard. Contrary to popular belief, the deer could not jump the 4 foot high fence to escape. He tried, failed, then hid on the ground for a while to hide his embarassment before loping off.Sunday afternoon we saw this in our back yard:I don't know what the neighbors think, as we never see deer in their yards. I'm just hoping they don't freak

erinnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1138743884246180882006-01-31T12:50:00.000-08:002006-01-31T13:44:44.340-08:00

Today I had an "intake" doctor's appointment with the new OB's office. It involved me filling out forms, and then a nurse asking me verbally all the things I'd already filled out on said forms. Ah well. The nurse freaked me out a little, which made my heart rate spike and me, already uncomfortable, have to explain "you freak me out and so my heart rate spiked" without actually using any of

erinnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1137951179574064912006-01-22T09:19:00.000-08:002006-01-23T12:16:55.240-08:00

Everyone and everything - most importantly our somewhat sickly car - arrived in Los Alamos without incident. The place we're renting is a thousand times better than I could have imagined, and we're slowly filling it with the amenities we think we need.In the meantime, we've been exploring the area. This morning I found the Espanola Valley Fiber Arts Center. They have great yarn! Lots and lots

erinnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1136398683841526442006-01-04T10:00:00.000-08:002006-01-05T16:29:56.326-08:00

Let me simply say that the process of finishing R's dissertation, receiving his hiring paperwork and arranging moving - while certainly far from an unmitigated disaster - has been far from smooth. However, as of this afternoon:- R has received AND signed a contract for 2 years.- All of R's committee members have signed off on his dissertation. Can I just repeat this, because it's been SO

erinnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1136308199527429412006-01-03T09:04:00.000-08:002006-01-03T09:09:59.543-08:00

An article today in the BBC statesResearchers from Gothenburg University in Sweden have been studying published data on what makes people happy. They believe working to achieve a goal, rather than attaining it, makes people more satisfied - although they said good relationships were important. Maybe this is why I'm so much more excited in the planning and knitting phases than the actual

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1136226003488500372006-01-02T10:04:00.000-08:002006-01-02T11:03:32.116-08:00

Some small packing progressIn between the packing, I have been doing some knitting. I finished - and blocked - a leaf-patterned scarf. While it looks like Branching Out, it's actually the "Leaf Shadows" pattern from Barbara Walker's Second Treasury. It's made from Alpaca from Victory Ranch that I bought on our visit to New Mexico.I also finished a shawl, also in alpaca. I bought the yarn

erinnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1135728493363609682005-12-27T15:49:00.000-08:002005-12-28T10:53:53.540-08:00

I can't believe how soon we'll be moving. I reserved a truck today. In two weeks we'll not only have seen the duplex where we're moving, but we'll have returned the moving truck and will be living there!On Saturday some friends were kind enough to invite us over to their house for Christmas Eve dinner. We found out that morning that she was pregnant, and due in a month! I set at knitting

erinnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1135290718249845382005-12-22T14:15:00.000-08:002005-12-22T14:31:58.370-08:00

I went out to eat with my advisor for lunch. Long story short - at a meeting with geographers, he heard of this knitting collective in Cork where "some guy would make up a pattern and everyone would make it. It was a new one every day." It turns out he was talking about The Knitting Map. As far as I can tell, weather data and images from around the city were expressed as knitting patterns,

erinnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1135214550438771032005-12-21T17:18:00.000-08:002005-12-21T17:22:30.450-08:00

Our Christmas card, enclosed in courtesy apology bag of the Royal Mail. Does the USPS do this?

erinnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1135032536996612762005-12-19T14:12:00.000-08:002005-12-19T14:53:21.446-08:00

I started leafing through Julia Child's 'The French Chef Cookbook' again, and decided to make the chop dinner on page 293. These are great set meals meant to be made in half and hour, with a dinner, dessert and starter. In this case, the starter was a tomato-beef consomme.The success: Consomme MadrileneThe recipe couldn't have been easier: - Simmer 1.5 cups of beef consomme (I used beef broth

erinnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1134600050810941902005-12-14T14:28:00.000-08:002005-12-14T14:40:50.833-08:00

Ever heard of the PandaCams? Apart from map sites, the hottest new site for the 5th floor geographers are the DC PandaCams - the Smithsonian Pandacam (with the 15 minute time limit) and the Discovery-hosted PandaCam (also for the Smithsonian zoo, but no time limit!).And if you don't like the pandas there, you an always check out the San Diego PandaCam.

erinnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1134513174118904202005-12-13T14:27:00.000-08:002005-12-13T14:32:54.130-08:00

I'm looking for a place to live for the upcoming move to New Mexico. Being this far away, it's a little stressful, but I guess moving always is. As I was perusing one of the sites, I found an ad for 'Shop Late 'til 8'! I wonder, what time to the stores usually close?

erinnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1134266366185639812005-12-10T17:51:00.000-08:002005-12-11T08:52:27.643-08:00

I passed my oral exams! I am now in the new circle of graduate school known as "All But Dissertation." As a reward, I can check out books for years at a time.- - - - - My personal goal is to purchase every one of Barbara Walker's books, in hardback, for $20.00. This one set me back just under $20, with shipping. The dustjacket is slightly tattered, but apart from that it's in excellent

erinnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1134175649732926452005-12-09T16:46:00.000-08:002005-12-09T16:47:29.743-08:00

Can your hobby get you mixed up with the CIA?

erinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1133747582198210032005-12-04T17:53:00.000-08:002005-12-04T17:53:02.203-08:00

brioche hat from Weekend Knitting

erinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1133747556517719512005-12-04T17:52:00.000-08:002005-12-04T17:52:36.573-08:00

I finished something!

erinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1132011378662354772005-11-14T15:10:00.000-08:002005-11-20T09:42:59.506-08:00

Today I was trolling the blogsphere, and found Grace's review of The Anti-Craft: "Heh- it kind of reminds me of me in high school-- edgy but not as deep as I thought I was!" Anyway, since I'm turning into my mother and calling anything "cute" that is kind of neat, I think the mag is a cute idea. I've wanted to try and knit things with wire for a gift, and the heart box - apart from the deadly

erinnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1131921395430219362005-11-13T14:36:00.000-08:002005-11-13T14:41:36.996-08:00

I finished two more squares. I think I've become addicted. I want to collect books and books and books of squares, make the ones I like best, and consolidate them into blankets for everyone I know.kestral + leaves, by Sarah Swett in Knitting in America/American Knits. Sadly, I think the scanner makes the black show through more in this square than it does in real life. I like it a

erinnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1131552099470721832005-11-09T08:00:00.000-08:002005-11-09T08:01:39.486-08:00

Heated bra, anyone?

erinnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1131311127932376682005-11-06T13:05:00.000-08:002005-11-06T13:05:27.976-08:00

help, I've been eaten by a tree skirt! (photo is from jcrew)

erinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1131035647468346942005-11-03T08:34:00.000-08:002005-11-03T08:38:24.010-08:00

cocoon stitchfern stitch

erinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1130959784315248002005-11-02T11:29:00.000-08:002005-11-02T11:34:19.436-08:00

1.) How make-up masks that feminine glow. I know that every day I wake up and don't put on make-up, it's really just a cry for people to recognize my reproductive capacity. Especially when I'm meeting with faculty.2.) I've passed my written exams! What I learned about written exams by taking them: The difficulty isn't in answering the questions, it's in maintaining the will to live AND answer

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1129239570193827032005-10-13T14:35:00.000-07:002005-10-13T14:42:46.236-07:00

I subscribe to something called the Librarian's Internet Index through bloglines. It's great and random, and really one just has to troll around it to see what things pop up.Most recently is was this:Victoria and Albert do Knitting The site has many things: patterns (at least a couple), history, pics and more.Here's a taste.bala what?

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1128637359787252622005-10-06T15:21:00.000-07:002005-10-06T15:22:39.796-07:00

It only seems too appropriate to post this.back to exams...

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1128203502469877642005-10-01T14:31:00.000-07:002005-10-02T08:56:09.060-07:00

School has officially started, and so has the madness associated with it. I've been so stressed about my upcoming exams (first round: next wednesday, thursday and friday) that I have ceased being able to make simple decisions, such as what should I knit? I don't want to buy any yarn, and I also want to get rid of the bits in my stash - and so I endlessly group and regroup what yarn I have.

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1126459505249037062005-09-11T10:21:00.000-07:002005-09-11T11:04:09.410-07:00

1. The half-way mark for the Afghan squares has been officially reached. I now have 33 squares knitted and blocked. 2. I started, and finished, the Syncopated Rib sweater from the Fall 04 Interweave mag. I loved the pattern construction, but I did not love the way it came out. In short, the front was too wide and too high. I ripped out the collar approximately 10,000 times before I was

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1125534723943268072005-08-31T17:26:00.000-07:002005-08-31T17:40:26.163-07:00

Although this seems to be spreading like wildfire through the food blogs, I noticed precious few knitters doing it...I'm sure there's a thesis on connectivity in there.Anyway, in the spirit of Blog Day, I bring you 5 new blogs. New to whom?, you ask. They're either a.) new to me, or b.) I think they'll be new to you.1.) Chez Pim. I don't read many food blogs, but I've found all sorts of neat

erinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1124570441841319432005-08-20T13:40:00.000-07:002005-08-20T14:28:21.346-07:00

Richard's brother lives in the London borough of Brixton (home of electric avenue, the street the song is about). For those of you tracking the second terrorist bombings in London, Brixton is where one of the would-be bombers threw his jacket in a trash can. Stockwell - where some of the other bombers were found - was just one tube stop away. Needless to say, we were glad that we were not in

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1124469314059749622005-08-19T09:35:00.001-07:002005-08-19T09:52:20.510-07:00

We're back we're back! The trip was amazing, and I'm awfully glad that the hubs talked me into taking so much time off. Mom and I had a fabulous trip exploring England (people can talk trash about english food, but to me there's few foods better than meat pies with a pint), and Rich and I had a great time wandering Europe (I loved France. I had no idea how much I'd love it -the bread! the

erinnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1121236134519202922005-07-12T23:10:00.000-07:002005-07-12T23:28:54.526-07:00

We have the passports and more shoes than either of us will actually wear (will we run on vacation? who knows. but we'll have the right shoes).Tomorrow at 6 pm we'll be taking off to London. Friday I'll be charged with the task of finding ma in Terminal 4 of Heathrow when we're both high on jet lag, and two days later we shall commence our Great English Tour of the Countryside with Erin

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1121013451449393822005-07-10T09:37:00.001-07:002005-07-10T09:46:55.600-07:00

I finished the 'apricot jacket', or 'the chain mail' as it's been known around the house. Here's the thing - I have no love for 100% cotton. It has too much 'memory', and it's too heavy. I made the large pattern size, and it was too big (I believe this was the fault of the freaking drapy cotton). So I machine washed and dried it. It got better (not as drapy), but still, I have no love. I

erinnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1120073928012121232005-06-29T12:38:00.000-07:002005-06-29T12:47:00.700-07:00

I don't understand why it seems that every single crochet book has a freakingpattern for a swim suit. Usually, they even make the skinny models looks terrible, and let's really not even think what happens should they get wet.Today, however, I really found something even better. I occasionally haunt Go Fug Yourself, and today was a post of a woman in what appeared to be some sort of crocheted

erinnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1119911033777937602005-06-27T15:23:00.001-07:002005-06-27T15:33:08.976-07:00

Last Thursday, the knitting group resumed at Java Station. I started another square, and by the time I left I had about 6 rows left to finish it. Woohoo! For those who are counting (i.e. me), this is Number Thirty.fastest square everI also bought some very pretty purple cotton. When Craft Essentials re-opened with All That Yarn, they sold Rebecca mags for dirt cheap. I dug up Rebecca #27,

erinnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1119649196763958682005-06-24T14:37:00.000-07:002005-06-24T14:39:56.766-07:00

Whilst searching for accomodation around the Yorkshire Dales, I stumbled upon this.For your viewing pleasure, you may see the location of the Terrible Knitters of Dent in cell B3 of this map.

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1119243513136619872005-06-19T21:58:00.000-07:002005-06-19T21:59:27.720-07:00

Square 39

erinnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1119242710957816422005-06-19T21:41:00.000-07:002005-06-20T14:52:39.353-07:00

Last week, we went to an Indian Restaurant called "Nirvana" in IV. I wasn't impressed. I was, however, inspired to make my own saag paneer. Here's the journey from idea to full indian dinner....The recipe bookIngredient 1 - 4 T lemon juiceIngredient 2 - 10 cups of whole milk"Ingredient" 3 - cheeseclothFirst the milk boils. Then you add lemon juice.Curds and Whey!If I walked in the kitchen and

erinnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1119199074255395742005-06-19T09:37:00.000-07:002005-06-19T09:38:56.436-07:00

Square 40

erinnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1117470817430470632005-05-30T09:33:00.001-07:002005-05-30T13:26:24.903-07:00

Last week we took a trip to New Mexico. Really, I had no idea it was so beautiful. We visited Los Alamos, Taos, Albuquerque and Santa Fe, with other smaller stops along the way.first stop, Bandelliersnow-capped mountain in parking lotafraid of heights, swearing under breathWhen we were in Taos we saw a pamphlet for Tierra Wools in Los Ojos - but by then it was too late to try and make it. How

erinnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1116710420852484022005-05-21T14:20:00.002-07:002005-05-21T14:36:40.376-07:00

I bought some elann sock yarn awhile ago. I was indimidated by small dpns. After the last sock exercise, I was ready to try this yarn. What I learned from the last sock: I must use number 1s or 0s - 2s make the stitches too loose.I decided to try a new heel with these socks. This one is what I call "the heel I'll only ever do once again." I found it written up in directions in a winter 2004

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1115911363599021432005-05-12T08:22:00.000-07:002005-05-12T08:25:26.363-07:00

Two of them. Not just one, languishing in a knitting bag waiting for a mate.full-on sockblurry sockI have to say, my first sock experience was good. I can see how people make them take to making them. They're like quilt squares - a good "in-between project" project.

erinnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1115826013564725012005-05-11T08:22:00.000-07:002005-05-11T08:42:21.130-07:00

When Melissa tried to explain what she did, I sort of grasped the general concept. But this morning, I felt only what I can imagine my mom feels when she reads about something someone else is doing that is tangentially related to what I do. Like "look, there's another one of you people out there." It's pride in recognizing that, out of all of the articles in the paper, there's one I was able

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1115574311831645602005-05-08T10:45:00.000-07:002005-05-09T08:33:31.276-07:00

I have finally gotten round to blocking my latest two quilt squares. That's right, I'm still pecking away at them. I just think they're the perfect in-between project project. These are my 27th and 28th squares. (What, I just said to myself, 27 and 28! Aren't there 63 of these? I can't believe I'm not half done!!!)Square 28Square 31

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1115401495952128792005-05-06T10:38:00.000-07:002005-05-06T10:45:14.756-07:00

For those keeping track, yesterday were the British elections. On the whole watching the BBC online was just as boring as any of our newscasts, but with more interesting accents.However, there was one notable difference - newscasters who badger newly-elected members of Parliament. I can NEVER imagine this happening on American tv with one of the journalists on a non-cable television station.

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1115166608224506052005-05-03T17:30:00.001-07:002005-05-03T17:45:00.126-07:00

A few weeks ago, little miss messy hair posted a a beautiful chair series. Then schmee joined in. This, then is my contribution.chair killed by husbandI've not been knitting a lot lately. I don't know what to knit next, so I'm doing with what yarn I have on hand. That means 2 squares are finished (they're blocking), and my first socks!socksThe "pattern" consists of one of the EZ heels from "

erinnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1113758970296527012005-04-17T10:29:00.001-07:002005-04-17T11:20:55.766-07:00

The cardigan is "finished". It's been drying since its bath yesterday morning.the whole sweateryoke detailclose-up of pit + yoke stitchI still think I'm pleased, but that might be because I haven't tried it on yet. I'm hoping the blocking with add a little length to the sleeves and a little width to the body, though it was hard to judge how much needed to be added because the I-cord edging

erinnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1113756468908802172005-04-17T09:47:00.000-07:002005-04-17T11:27:14.926-07:00

Last week, we hauled ourselves and our car to Denver. On the way back, we stopped at Bryce Canyon. It was coooold, but very pretty. bryce, overviewWe took the only trail that was open. At the end, we were greeted by royalty.Can you see Queen Victoria?Then we took a trail that was closed. I won't go into the details, but let's just I wasn't happy. However, it was by far the most beautiful

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1113450776697715202005-04-13T20:34:00.000-07:002005-04-13T20:52:56.696-07:00

For those who haven't heard of Nigella Lawson, here's a taste of her latest column. I'm not sure why, but she always sort of seemed like the Zimmermann of cooking for me. Albeit a sexy, sulty Zimmermann. Maybe it's just her Englishness (like how she uses the verb 'plonk' to describe a cooking technique) and the fact that she writes cookbooks rather than simply providing recipes. Who knows.

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1113240619657532182005-04-11T10:30:00.000-07:002005-04-11T10:30:19.656-07:00

the coming-along cardi

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1112223523586034262005-03-30T14:54:00.000-08:002005-03-30T14:58:43.586-08:00

Need to knit a tsetse fly? Really, this is one of the greatest concepts of sites I've seen in a while.The only one it rivals:The place where you can support an unemployed philosopher!

erinnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1111940847566527802005-03-27T08:22:00.000-08:002005-03-27T15:33:37.876-08:00

Last week I went on a spring break field trip for the soils class I was assigned to last quarter. It was great - we got to see rocks, dig soil pits, camp in the great outdoors - and since I was the TA I didn't have to write a report at the end. Here's some of the pics from the trip:We stayed in a great cabin the first two nights, surrounding by this boulder-y granite. The first night we all

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1111130305062494622005-03-17T23:04:00.000-08:002005-03-17T23:23:59.893-08:00

Yesterday I walked my camera to school. Ah yesterday. What's amazing for those that don't take this godforsaken path to school is that normally its brown. Brown and crackly. I have to say, the rain this year has really made me appreciate that seasons do exist in Santa Barbara.sb being greenToday was busy. At 7:15 pm my soils prof told me I was free to leave, and I didn't have to stay copying

erinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1110588996405195712005-03-11T16:39:00.000-08:002005-03-11T16:56:36.406-08:00

I haven't been knitting. And when I have, it's back and forth on the cardigan. Which is satisfying! I'm not minimizing, just explaining the lack of progress that deserves to be captured on a camera. It's the end of the quarter. The time when everything just gets worse. When I get down about school, it's usually because I start thinking it's more important than it is. However can one ground

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1110319589963444682005-03-08T14:06:00.000-08:002005-03-08T14:06:43.330-08:00

I've finished 14 inches of Aran. Please pardon the floor as the background. I was desperate to post something, and it was late, and the floor got used.14" front14"backI've decided to take a little break from the Aran. More like a pause. This weekend I started a cardigan. It will have a zipper, a yoke, and a few simple cables. The color isn't quite as obnoxiously orange as the one in this

erinnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1110045046898323612005-03-05T09:43:00.000-08:002005-03-05T09:50:46.900-08:00

I thought about waiting until I had pictures, but I've been posting so little that lots of little entries might be better.First - THANKS SP4!!! And why? Look what I received:2220 Aran StitchesI'm at a point of real pattern dilemma with the sleeves of the Aran, and this book is literally just what I need!

erinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1109020844184770342005-02-21T13:20:00.000-08:002005-02-21T13:33:33.566-08:00

Friday night I was hit by SP4 goodness. All of these things are perfect examples of things I would love to have but don't buy myself! The stitch markers (I've broken all of my own, and am currently employing bent safety pins, which just don't work as well as things that are circle-shaped around the needles) and sheep tape are not only cute, but useful!nifty giftysAnd the yarn... I've felt

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1108765947604829292005-02-18T14:32:00.000-08:002005-02-18T14:34:20.956-08:00

end of skein 1

erinnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1108593156262428832005-02-16T14:28:00.000-08:002005-02-16T14:32:36.263-08:00

Do you see animals everywhere you look?

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1108052032559274282005-02-10T08:11:00.000-08:002005-02-10T08:13:52.560-08:00

Is this great or what? I found it here while randomly scrolling through the SP4 folks.

erinnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1108004904660064722005-02-09T19:02:00.000-08:002005-02-09T19:08:24.660-08:00

The good news: I finished my second pattern repeat for the Aran. It's now the perfect size for a tube top. The bad news: Browsers. When I change my page, it looks one way in the "preview changes" page, one way on Internet Explorer (what I use at home), and yet a different way in Firefox (what I use at school). It's frustrating. so for now, the page will remain how it is until I work out

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1107552413693240472005-02-04T13:26:00.000-08:002005-02-04T13:27:45.743-08:00

If it looks like shite, it'll change soon enough.

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1107540298449306562005-02-04T10:02:00.000-08:002005-02-04T10:05:07.566-08:00

Hey look, it's my mom!

erinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1107356112216363762005-02-02T06:55:00.001-08:002005-02-02T08:02:04.166-08:00

Yesterday at knitting group, I finished what I started the night before. It was so much easier the second time! I am now happy with both side panels, and am glad that I took the time to fix the mistake. Now I can forge ahead with pattern repeats! trinity fix, side 2 Another square is blocked too... I think this one is actually my favorite. Square 34

erinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1107200260815064082005-01-31T11:37:00.001-08:002005-01-31T11:41:05.593-08:00

Since I'm hopelessly and frustratingly stuck on my homework, I thought I'd publish the now-blocked squares. I don't know what crack I was on with the trinity square. I'm hoping that in the "whole afghan" context it won't stick out like a sore thumb, but I've decided to make that weighty decision later. Square 33 the "I know it's wrong but I don't want to re-do this one" Square 43 Total

erinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1107107984645085162005-01-30T09:48:00.000-08:002005-01-30T09:59:44.646-08:00

At first I thought the reason I've been delinquent in posting was due to my sheer laziness. But it turns out I've collected three unblocked afghan squares due to frequenting knitting groups this last week or so. Since they're blocking and won't be photologged until after they're dry, I bring you thungs I've been pondering: 1.) Anyone get the Lion Brand email update this week? I'm all for

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1106697714480139612005-01-25T15:46:00.000-08:002005-01-30T09:00:06.206-08:00

SP4 Questions 1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high- a nd/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you? I'm not necessarily a yarn snob. If yarn is not made of natural fibers, I'm a sucker for things that feel soft. 2. Do you spin? Crochet? No to spinning, and yes to crocheting. 3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.) Um..

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1105985840114917802005-01-17T10:17:00.002-08:002005-01-17T10:33:21.056-08:00

The sweater is started, and this is the ribbing + 1st pattern repeat. aran front aran back aran sides Before I had the guts to cast on for the sweater, I finished another afghan square. It's 57 in the book, but by my reckoning it's number 23 for erin. I've finished or substituted every square up to and including number 19, plus an additional four from throughout the book. The goal is a

erinnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1105509625520606342005-01-11T22:00:00.001-08:002005-01-11T22:04:36.910-08:00

Ok, this is my first attempt at both gauging (I did EZ's casting on of half stitches to model the front) and finding a pattern I like. It's not too terrible. I picked up the library's copy of the Harmony Guide to Aran Stitches tonight, with the goal of determining if there's other stitches I'd like to add. I'm using Lion Brand Fisherman wool. Stash reduction + aran = happy erin. sample

erinnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1105509332441116452005-01-11T21:55:00.000-08:002005-01-11T21:57:10.180-08:00

square 18 square 19

erinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1105459119606774902005-01-11T07:58:00.000-08:002005-01-11T08:03:18.083-08:00

substituted square 15 substituted square 16

erinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1105210922957604402005-01-08T10:56:00.000-08:002005-01-08T11:02:02.956-08:00

Has anyone seen this? Politics aside, can you even imagine a bunch of knitted wombs collected and placed in front of a federal building? I'm sure there's some sort of research paper regarding virtual communities and political action in there somewhere.

erinnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1105041466186864752005-01-06T11:43:00.000-08:002005-01-06T11:57:46.186-08:00

Look at the weather back in the homeland. Good thing we're not trying to travel there this week!!! The Aran research is progressing, due to my not knowing what to work on next for school. Should anyone be interested, there's a yahoo group called Aranknit that I've been searching through - the list mom is the one that did the A.R.A.N. project, the Taste of Aran afghan, a seasonal Aran pamphlet

erinnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1105028749110489822005-01-06T08:25:00.000-08:002005-01-06T08:28:48.706-08:00

So it looks like the Aran is on. I've been struggling with trying to devise a pattern that I like. I was trying to model something out of Gladys Thompson's Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys and Arans, but I must have something that does nive pattern repeats, or I'll drive myself crazy. I also haven't quite worked out this whole construction thing. I was looking at some of Maura's books

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1104943801760501492005-01-05T08:50:00.000-08:002005-01-05T08:50:01.760-08:00

Square 17 from BWs book

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1104870999610913012005-01-04T13:30:00.000-08:002005-01-04T12:36:39.610-08:00

Schmeebot brings up an excellent idea. I've always wanted to knit an Aran sweater. I'm PARANOID I'll hate it. But doing an aran knit along could be great. Since schmee and her Zimermann-esque ways have rubbed off on me, I also aim for something in the round. I found two previous knit alongs that I keep referring to every time I have a project lull and think about an Aran. Both the A.R.A.N

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1104861524002888912005-01-04T09:23:00.000-08:002005-01-04T09:58:44.003-08:00

Last night was another successful knitting night at the Good Cup. Though, as always, I wish their coffee was hotter. I started another square for The Afghan, and finished it when I got home. It's now being blocked, and will be scanned and posted later. I think I'm going to start another square tonight at the West Campus knit-in. My New Year's Resolution: No new yarn until I find something

erinnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1104260834469913152004-12-28T11:04:00.000-08:002004-12-28T11:23:58.880-08:00

I won't even go into the troubles we had getting to the homeland, especially since so many other people seemed to have it so much worse. This is our white Christmas in the wilds of Indiana. Notice the flatness, interrupted by the occasional stand of trees. Everything looks more beautiful with a blanket of snow. Our goal was sledding. There actually was one hill, leading down to a

erinnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1103655097524548122004-12-21T10:51:00.000-08:002004-12-21T10:57:24.953-08:00

I finished the schmee hat. Well, three-quarters of it. At that point I realized that there was no way it would fit a bigger head very well, and that I should graft and finish. I think it's the perfect fit. You know, for me. look ma, no seams #1 I'm working on another one with really really thick yarn. I'm not sure how that will affect the head fit, but I suppose we shall soon see.

erinnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1103581874171789772004-12-20T14:31:00.000-08:002004-12-21T10:27:14.740-08:00

XMas presents: Three scarves are finished, one's on the needles, and then there's one more to go. I decided that the bro should have a blankey but the reality is that unless I want to not sleep before we leave for the homeland on Wednesday, it's just not going to happen. So - he's getting a beanie made of this: beanie yarn from this pattern. It'll be a sort of "there's more to come I

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1103144291996797712004-12-15T13:58:00.000-08:002004-12-15T13:01:26.980-08:00

I got the bug everyone else did. It was particularly terrible for striking at the end of the quarter, when everyone who put everything off (this includes me) needed to finish class work. Since all of my school work is technically finished, I'm working on the family gifts. I finished everything but trimming this scarf for dad: modified irish hiking scarf At least I've made some progress!

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1102105775455883852004-12-03T13:19:00.000-08:002004-12-03T12:29:35.456-08:00

After some initial delays, I printed out 2 copies of the thesis on the good paper. I took it over to Graddiv. You meet with a person, whose job it is to approve or not approve your thesis and dissertation based on its aesthetics. I told the very pleasant gentleman that sitting there for my margin-check was worse than the doctor - I really meant worse than the gyno, but I thought that kind of

erinnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1101920682515888672004-12-01T09:04:00.000-08:002004-12-01T09:04:42.516-08:00

And now for charity square numero dos.

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1101829892819662962004-11-30T07:51:00.000-08:002004-11-30T11:24:55.986-08:00

I do have to say, the afghan is progressing. I've got 15 squares so far. I decided that the justy rose color I was using did not provide enough contrast, bought more yarn, and switch to black. This means re-doing all the squares I had done in the lovely pink. I'm still deciding which direction to head: do one of the rows of all cream squares in the pink and add a 5th color to the scheme, or

erinnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1101751508249434682004-11-29T10:02:00.000-08:002004-11-29T10:05:08.250-08:00

It isn't that I mind the cold. Really and truly, it isn't. It's just that on the SoCal coast the cold seems so wrong! At least in Indiana the plants have the common sense to starting dying to help signal to you that it's getting cold. Here, there's still flowers, and beautiful, bright sunshine, gorgeous ocean and amazing mountains. And things are actually more green because it's raining!

erinnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1101313312015881452004-11-24T08:21:00.000-08:002004-11-24T08:29:24.353-08:00

Using the yarn I bought from Old Towne Alpha Thrift Store, I made my first charity sqaure. I was going to just crochet or knit them straight, but I agree with Tracy that it's good to experiment. This pattern is the "Irish hiking scarf". charity_1 I also made my first scarf out of absolutely garish "fun yarn." It was sooooo soft I want to make another one. I made it out of Patons Carmen -

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1101061537745371382004-11-21T10:25:00.000-08:002004-11-21T10:26:52.166-08:00

I had been looking for patterns/books/pictures of things to knit for one's house. Maura was kind enough to find several house and pillow-related patterns and books, and I ended up borrowing Erika Knight's Comforts of Home. I love the pics, but I also love the materials. Inspired in the half-assed way that I usually get inspired, I decided to knit a basket with a sheet. I figured 95 cents was

erinnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1100886046505032922004-11-19T09:36:00.000-08:002004-11-19T09:40:46.506-08:00

I've just gotten word that my committee is ready and waiting to sign off on the thesis. What a relief!!! Now to get everything formatted correctly, and somehow manage to get an original signature on 100% cotton 20-24 lb. paper from my committee member in Hong Kong... Could this thesis really be over?!?!?!

erinnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1100453308586301392004-11-14T09:28:00.000-08:002004-11-14T09:49:07.176-08:00

Since the camera is now in Oregon, I thought I'd see what I can do with the scanner. I think the results are surprisingly good! This is the finished stocking top. Which I'm posting because I'm obsessed. I still can't believe the thing is really and truly finished. I really like the way the top came out, and I think it would be a great finish for cuffs. top of the stock I'm making my

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1100156237708378672004-11-10T22:57:00.000-08:002004-11-10T23:02:12.553-08:00

Inspired by Jayme's post about mittenettes, I set about making some for myself. My office is always cold - it doesn't help that they turn the heat off at 5. Grrrr... Here's my answer... In the absence of the digital camera (which reportedly had the opportunity to take pics of Mt. St. Helens today!!), the webcam is stepping up to fill the void. mitts in action mitts on model

erinnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639912.post-1099931177699303802004-11-08T08:16:00.000-08:002004-11-08T08:30:28.363-08:00

The pictures aren't great, but the camera is going on vacation and I wanted to at least get something before it leaves. I finished the stocking!!! Well, at least the knitting part. Now it's just a little sewing and blocking to clean it up. It's so big. No wonder it took forever. There's no sunlight out either, and inside pics are terrible! whole stock stock top I also reacquaintd myself

erinnoreply@blogger.com3