Archive for February, 2008

Letting Out My Inner Bum 29Feb08


21 Comments - you know you want to

Let’s just pretend that two weeks hasn’t gone by ok? Moving right along ;)

Anyway, I’ve been up to my usual tricks, including work, homework avoidance and lots of orchestra practice. I had a big concert this past weekend, featuring some of the most difficult music I’ve ever played in an ensemble. Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances may sound nice, but man is that thing a beast! The tempo is pretty much the equivalent of a Mack truck barreling down the highway at 120 MPH. In the end though, I got most of the notes, so I was fairly pleased with myself.

As far as knitting goes, I have no proof I’m actually knitting anything, so you’ll just have to take my word for it. My primary project right now is top secret, but the big reveal should be soon. I also have a lovely sock going, but at this blogging speed, you’ll probably see a finished sock by the time I get around to the pictures.

I had a small Yarn Nerd shop update last week, including a lovely new merino/bamboo/nylon yarn I’ve termed 900 MHz Bambylon. (Try to type that 10 times fast!) The small batch I put up went fairly quickly, but I will have more on the way soon, so don’t despair, there’s plenty of bamboo yarn action to be had.

bamboo cakes

Also, I will be receiving a shipment of some new yarns soon, including a Superwash Merino DK Weight and a Merino Sport Weight. Both yarns are absolutely lovely, and the DK Weight is a great replacement for my older 1500 MHz Merino base, which I had to discontinue. So look for a future shop update with those yarns, I think you’ll really like them!

I’ve been fighting off a bit of a bug this week, and so I whipped up some soup to soothe my tempestuous stomach. Nothing like a delicious chicken and rice soup made with wild rice and rotisserie chicken to cure what ails you.

mmm, mmm, good

Thankfully, I’m mostly on the mend, save for a pesky sore throat that just won’t go away. I wouldn’t mind if the deep sexy voice stayed around for a bit longer though. Anyway, it’s a good thing I’m feeling better, since I’m off on another snow excursion this weekend.

bumming it for the weekend

I think a weekend spent ripping up the mountain with my Dad, Uncle and little Brother will definitely do me good. Maybe not my throat, but definitely my inner ski bum. You gotta shirk that responsibility and play everyone once in a while right?

So whatever you’re doing this weekend, make sure to take a least a few moments and let our your inner bum. Lay around, knit a bit, watch TV or just sleep in a little longer. Because all work and no play turns Jack into a raving lunatic.

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Focus on the Positive 14Feb08


43 Comments - you know you want to

Ah, Valentine’s Day. The holiday cooked up by restaurants to ensure that they have a packed house full of couples, effectively banishing those pesky single people who linger around with their books and knitting.

This year, I’ve decided to try and focus on the positive things. For example, I’m saving so much money right now, since I’m not at a fancy restaurant buying a $60 / plate dinner! See, look how positive I am? So here’s some more things I love.

1. I love felted slippers.

felted clogs

I finished these last week, and I am absolutely in love. The pattern is so great, and the slippers come out so well defined after felting. I’ve made felted socks before, but they just never fit my feet right. These slippers are a different approach, that makes such a nice shape, it really feels like you’re wearing some store bought slippers. And using your own hand-dyed yarn is even better!

  • Pattern: Felted Clogs by Fiber Trends
  • Yarn: 1 skein of Yarn Nerd 1700 MHz BFL in an over-dyed shade, and 1.25 skeins of Cascade 220 in Jet.
  • Needles: US #13 (16″ and 24″ circulars)
  • Felting: Tossed in the washing machine for about 30 minutes with some towels and hot water.
look ma, no slip!

Then to give them some extra traction, I used zigzag stitch’s awesome tutorial for suede bottoms. This technique is inexpensive and easy, and it really helps on my tile floors. When you’re a klutz like me, you need all the traction you can get!

I think Dallas loves them too :)

I'll fetch your slippers Dad!

2. I love Beer.

I just couldn’t resist (sorry Mom!), because a good beer is just so tasty. Especially when paired with the takeout you picked up, since sitting in a restaurant on Valentine’s Day is kinda crummy. It’s much better to eat delicious food at home, paired with a tasty brew and some mediocre TV. (30 Rock, I miss you! Come back soon ok?)

beer, will you be my valentine?

3. I love Brussels Sprouts.

Yeah, you read right, Brussels Sprouts. I’ve gone 23 years without ever trying one, and I decided it was high time that changed. So armed with a bag of the suckers, and this fantastic recipe, I remedied this grave injustice. And man oh man, what have I been missing all these years? Those little guys are phenomenal! So crispy and tender, and perfect when nice and charred on the bottom, with a generous dash of salt and pepper.

Just pretend that stove isn’t dirty ok? I’ll clean it first thing tomorrow, I promise.

where have you been all my life?

So there you have it. This year, my Valentine’s are Slippers, Beer and Brussels Sprouts. Pretty exciting eh? Maybe next year I’ll have a lady to add to the list…although if my most recent blind date is an indication…

Oh wait, I’m supposed to be positive! Drat! ;)

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Mitteny Goodness 03Feb08


36 Comments - you know you want to

These days it seems like writing a blog post is a 3-4 day ordeal, and I’m not really sure why. Usually it begins with me deciding what to write about (1 day), then taking pictures (1 day), editing, tagging and uploading those pictures (1 day) and then finally sitting down to actually do the writing (another day). This is also assuming that I even do these things on consecutive days, which hasn’t really been the case lately. I don’t think it has anything to do with blog doldrums or anything…I just think life tends to get in the way, and I often thing of blogging as something that “I’ll get to later.”

At any rate, later is finally here, and I have a lovely new knit to show off.

herringbone mittens

My first ever mittens, and I am smitten indeed. The pattern is just perfect, and the final result is quite eye catching, in my opinion. I really enjoyed working with the BFL also, it just has such a different feel. I almost can’t describe it in words, it feels so lustrous and organic to me, like working with yarn fresh off the sheep. It’s definitely wool, but not the wool you’re used to.

herringbone mittens
  • Pattern: Herringbone Mittens, from Elliphantom Knits
  • Yarn: Yarn Nerd 1200 MHz BFL, dyed in custom shades of Dijon Yellow and Chocolate Red
  • Needles / Gauge: I used US #4’s, and got 6 sts / in and 8 rows / in.
  • Modifications: To compensate for the shorter row gauge with the sport weight, I worked a few more pattern repeats in the body and thumb. See Ravelry for more details.

They definitely came in handy last weekend, as I went up to CO for a bit of skiing. It was my first day out this season and the mittens were quite nice for those chilly CO mornings. Nothing like warm hands while you shush down the powdery slopes. I’m terribly uncoordinated in everyday life (I fall down stairs and walk into walls routinely), but for some reason, when I have some sticks strapped to my feet, I’m as graceful as a swan. It’s one of those mysteries I don’t think I’ll ever solve, but that’s alright with me. I try not to question things, as skiing is about the only athletic thing that I can do with any aptitude. Granted, I am getting better at the bike these days, but before bike commuting, I was known for biking into trees. Yipes.

herringbone mittens

Thanks for your reassurances on the coffee smell too, it’s nice to know I’m not the only one who thinks confusing coffee and skunks is impossible! I’m not too concerned about it, since the guy who works in the lab with me isn’t bothered by it, the only complaints have been from people walking through, so they’ll get over it. Besides, they wouldn’t want to have to work with me sans caffeine anyway ;)

Alright, I think it’s about time for me to wrap this post up, since it’s getting a bit late. Not a terribly exciting post, but it should suffice. I hope everyone has a good Sunday (isn’t it the super bowl or something tomorrow?), and I’ll see you next time knitting fans. (Yeah, that was the worst sign off ever. I’m aware of it.)

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