tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58489473724555079202024-03-13T12:41:07.365-07:00KnotsewmuchI knit, spin, sew, quilt, smock, embroider and tat. As my life goes on, this is the stuff I do and what I think about it. Hope you are having fun too!Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-56982208660982362312020-07-20T20:50:00.001-07:002020-07-20T20:50:47.958-07:00Reusable Water Balloons for a Lockdown SummerSo there is this thing called Reusable Water Balloons. You soak them in a pan or bucket of water and throw them... SPLAT! When they get dirty, machine wash and dry. These are my version. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Reusable Water Balloons </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 28.6px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 28.6px;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i62lA_sKulg/XxZlzNMaSdI/AAAAAAAAAGw/v4O6xaY2V8g79PKDzDZShSlWWocX3MCvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/FFB80260-4148-4D93-B8B7-0467517348FA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 14px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i62lA_sKulg/XxZlzNMaSdI/AAAAAAAAAGw/v4O6xaY2V8g79PKDzDZShSlWWocX3MCvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/FFB80260-4148-4D93-B8B7-0467517348FA.jpeg" /></a></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 28.6px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Materials:</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">1 skein of Bernat Blanket yarn (makes about 12 balloons)</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">4 size 11 double pointed needles</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Pin style marker or safety pin</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Yarn needle</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.7px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Worked in the round on 3 needles with a fourth as the working needle. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.7px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Cast on 3 sts</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.7px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Round 1: Join into a round. Kfb in each stitch. (6 sts).</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Place the marker into the knitting to mark the end of the round. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Round 2: Knit around</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Round 3: Kfb in each stitch. (12 sts)</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Round 4: Knit around. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Round 5: Kfb in each stitch. (24 sts)</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Round 6: Knit around</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Round 7: *Knit 1, Kfb. Repeat from * around. (36 sts)</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Rounds 8 - 10: Knit around. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Round 11: *K1, K2tog. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Round 12: Knit around</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Round 13: K2tog around. (12 sts)</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Round 14: Knit around. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Round 15: K2tog around. (6 sts)</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Round 16: Knit around. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Round 17: K2tog around. (3 sts)</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Round 18: Kfb around. (6 sts)</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Round 19: Bind off loosely. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.7px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Cut yarn, leaving an 8 inch tail and draw through to join. Run the tail down to the “neck” of the balloon and wrap around twice, stitching to secure. Cut the tail close to the work. Sew in the cast-on tail and clip close to the work. </p></div><div><br /></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-13125487599116871732016-04-20T18:07:00.000-07:002016-04-20T18:07:21.805-07:00Running Away From Home, Mature, Level: AdvancedI wish to make an announcement.<br />
<br />
I want everyone to
know that I am now in possession of the PERFECT HUSBAND! What gives my
(admittedly) flawed spouse this title? It's easy. He has run away from
home.<br />
<br />
The company he works for, (Pirates Arrr Us)
relocated to Spokane Washington. Which, if you are counting is about
500 miles from Portland, where we currently live. When I heard of the
impending move, my response was "Bye, have a nice life!" Because,
Spokane... really? Really not.<br />
<br />
My (admittedly) flawed
husband (let's call him "Bruce") explained that he really wanted to
work for Pirates Arrr Us for a longer time, to improve his resume, not
that it needs improving IMHO. He also told me that his co-driver (we'll
call him Del) was going to move, and that Del wanted to retire in about
a year (or so) and he REALLY wanted Bruce to keep working with him, and
the company REALLY liked them working together... SO... he wanted to
go. Well, now I know where I stand. Firmly Behind Del.<br />
<br />
I
looked at rentals in Spokane, and they were running about a thousand a
month, so I started perusing the realty websites. Hmmm. Houses are
fairly inexpensive in Spokane. The kernel of an idea was formed.<br />
<br />
Long
story short, my 16 year old daughter gave up her Spring Break (which is costing me a trip to GameStop) and we
ALL went to Spokane, house shopping. After alienating a realtor or two,
we found a FSBO and made them an offer they couldn't refuse. We close
on Monday. It is a great house, and the price was right.<br />
<br />
Bruce
has been living in a Motel (which is not as fun as it sounds) and is
really ready to buy a bed and start camping in the house. He is done
with Kentucky Fried Chicken and Carls, Jr.. His cardiologist will be
pleased.<br />
<br />
<br />
While we were in Spokane, I kept my
eye out for flaws in the fabric of this Capital of Nowhere. There is
Trader Joe's. There is Papa Murphy's. There is Home Goods and a bunch
of Chinese Restaurants, some Asian grocery stores, Vietnamese
Restaurants (although the sign painters cannot seem to spell Pho
correctly, and neither does this program. Trust me, there are whisker
things on top of that O that are missing), and a bunch of Wincos. I
googled everything I could think of that I require to live anywhere. It
was all there, with one exception... IKEA. Well. As a bonus, they
have something not readily available in Portland, a SONIC. Dear
daughter was quite pleased with that, as she has a slight addiction to
their frozen lemonade. There is also the most amazing yarn shop two
minutes from the house (12 if I walk), and three Quilt shops, but that's
another post.<br />
<br />
That said, I'm still not moving. I have
a kid who is a Junior in High School and I would never EVER make her
move her Senior year. So WE are staying in Portland and Bruce is moving
to Spokane. He has done the adult thing, bought a house and run away
from home. I MIGHT consider moving at a later date, if I decide I can
do without IKEA, we shall see.<br />
<br />
What about this creates
the PERFECT HUSBAND? You might well ask. Here's how it works. I don't
have to cook for him, I don't have to wash his clothes. I don't have
to clean up after him. I don't have to listen to him. I do not have to
fight for the blankets. I do not mysteriously run out of wine. I do
not have to accommodate him in ANY way. And here's the kicker... I
STILL GET HIS PAYCHECK. Perfect. Ab-so-freakin-lutley Perfect! He is
now the husband of my dreams.<br />
<br />
So far, I have fixed the kitchen sink drain and mowed the lawn. It's not so bad.<br />
<br />Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-29996197575601477262014-09-29T11:34:00.001-07:002014-09-29T11:34:33.322-07:00A KNITTING SEMINAR FOR ADULTS!I have been hired to teach an eight week knitting seminar for ACTUAL adults! I know, the reality of conversation may kill me.<br />
<br />
Anyway, last week I went through my pattern hoard and weeded out the kitty hats and pencil cases and cutie backpacks in mini-sizes. I added some prayer shawls and coffee cup cozies and a couple of shawls. I should be good.<br />
<br />
First class is on the dishrag. They all want to do the dishrag. We talked about how you can extrapolate the dishrag to a shawl (actually a hap) by knitting it looser, and bigger and stopping in the middle. I used the word extrapolate! Actually, I used the word extrapolate with my kids, then I explained the word "extrapolate". Never pass up an opportunity to increase vocabulary! I'm taking a sample of a poncho using the dishrag (which we found while cleaning "Herself's" Room this weekend) to class tonight. We shall see what they make of that!<br />
<br />
Kind of nervous! Working with adults is a different set of challenges. It's a great group, and they are all motivated (something which is occasionally lacking in kids). Adults are actually less easy than kids, because they do not necessarily believe that you are the ultimate authority. They question different things. They also do not take no for an answer. <br />
<br />
I actually wrote down the Simply Spiffy Hat Pattern today. I usually just give oral instructions, because I want to encourage thinking, but adults like things on paper, in front of them. They do not "fly by the seat of their pants" as easily as kids. Also, they do not yet believe that I have Knitting Magic like the kid-knitters do. They will in time!<br />
<br />
On another front, I posted 7 Circular Dishrags and 7 Circular Baby Washcloths on Etsy today. They are the same pattern, and I am taking bets on which sells first. No telling. Watch this space for developments!<br />
<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<br />Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-57498884390700039862014-04-28T10:39:00.000-07:002014-04-28T10:40:23.415-07:00Adventures in Linear Thinking<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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Adventures in Linear Thinking</div>
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<br /></div>
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Don’t get me wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love my phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My phone
connects me to the world, my friends, my business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It provides me with the name, address, hours
of operation and directions to the nearest Vietnamese/Ethiopian/Barbecue
restaurant no matter where I roam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
Smartphone and I have a wonderful relationship.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
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However, like all relationships, it has its problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of these is my <br />
ToDo list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a list maker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have friends who swear I have a list for
everything, and somewhere (they are sure) is a list of lists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is where my smartphone and I have
relationship problems.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I have downloaded probably fifteen “ToDo” apps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of them are quite right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally found a British one which works
okay, but is less than ideal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least
it understands when I spell things funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have a memo app, a sticky-note app and a “reminder” app that dings
incessantly for 15 minutes prior to any appointment (it’s like having an
electronic mom).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I could
adjust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have tried.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
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I think the problem stems from the way the designers of
apps brains work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They think
linearly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If A then B” is hardwired
into the app writing process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Theoretically, this should make those list apps work like silk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until they run up against my system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My lists are many and varied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They encompass subjects as diverse as
knitting patterns in progress and garden plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are cross-referenced (“See Garden List - item 14” in the middle of
the Shopping list).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t work with
the app writer brain.</div>
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<br /></div>
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For years and years in the ‘80s and ‘90s, I carried a
small book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was slightly bigger than
a brick, and only slightly less heavy, bound in leather with a zipper closure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had a calendar in it, and lots of
lists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cross-referenced and vaguely
coordinated lists for various tasks, as well as graph paper for sketching out
ideas… I called it “THE BRAIN”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when
smart phones arrived, I put The Brain away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was embracing technology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
would adapt even if it killed me.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I tried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worked with the list apps, I
deleted the list apps, I downloaded a new and better list app every other month,
looking for the random access list app of my dreams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No dice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I now make lists on the backs of envelopes and find them in my purse
months later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Irrelevant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
So, smartphone, I love you, but I went upstairs and dug
through my office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found “The Brain”,
its last calendar dated 2006.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was dusty
and needed some leather balm, but I found it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m going back to the Cathy System of lists (there is a list of lists…
it’s in the front).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The random,
seemingly disconnected paper-trail that I have missed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the graph paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s still in there, it’s been waiting for me
to come back.</div>
Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-55752032049849575922013-07-08T12:45:00.000-07:002013-07-08T12:57:55.070-07:00A Trip to Nerdvana<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I am old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I roamed
the earth as a child with dinosaurs as companions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Electricity was a latecomer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I say this as a disclaimer for what is to
follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a Nerd before Nerdism was
cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a Nerd before it was
mainstreamed and there were Nerd gatherings on a large scale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is why I am jealous.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I recently attended LeakyCon in Portland Oregon with my
teenage daughter (because none of her friends could afford to go and I was not
going to let her go by herself).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
those of you out of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the know, LeakyCon
is a gathering of fans of the Harry Potter Novels (Potterites).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have quite kindly opened their doors to
fans of Supernatural (Supernaturalists) and fans of the Doctor Who series (and
its spin-offs) (Whovians).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus it has
become a polyfandom of epic scale.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I found myself, one Friday morning, surrounded by
approximately 4,000 people much younger than I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were attired in fan t-shirts, Etonesque black robes with fetching
accessories of appropriate House Colors, Fezzes, Bow Ties, grey wings and
robes, wands and Top hats with goggles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many roamed the place in duplicates of the school uniform that, as a
British schoolgirl in the ‘70’s I would gladly have burned if given half a
chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They admired each other’s
regalia with an eye to detail and much complimenting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t seen such fashion scrutiny since
Milan, but these children (yes, to me you are children) were so NICE to each
other!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Part of LeakyCon is seminars and meetups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are first come first served, so you
stand in many lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any line of 50 or
so people generally visits among their immediate party (also standing in line),
or leans against a convenient wall, waiting for the cue to enter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not this crew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all talked to each other, they sang
songs from their particular fandom (helping others who were not as familiar
with the words), they compared notes on episodes, movies or how the book was
better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They staged wand and sonic screwdriver battles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They snuck up behind you and raised their
angel hands in menacing pose so your friend could snap your startled expression
on their smartphone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a barely
controlled riot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, even the
people in the seminars (who I’m sure could hear the fandom in the hallway) were
not upset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When their seminar ended,
they exited the room and joined the fray with smiling faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the doors opened, our hallway gathering
entered in a scrum and found seats next to all our new friends.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I am a good judge of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can spot an apoplectically shy person a
mile off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were lots of them in
this room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People who would no more
raise their hand in class than fly up and bounce off the ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But THIS is LeakyCon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These fragile egos leapt from their chairs
and shouted ideas across the room to universal applause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When there was a lull they chatted among
themselves like old friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I
guess they were, as they had met ten minutes ago in the hallway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A girl with blue hair, a tie as a headband
and a Whovian t-shirt spent 10 minutes chatting with my daughter about
Silurians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Some of the meetups (which are not lectures but guided
discussions) for various fandoms were just a comparison of ideas for new
adventures your favorite book characters, tv or movie stars could have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was universal condemnation for one tv
writer who has a penchant for killing off female characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t remind him that Rose is still alive,
although in an alternate universe or he’ll find a way to kill her off too.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were costume contests within the
meetups, with applause as the gauge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
still have no idea who won, as everyone got enthusiastic applause.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
We went to a seminar given by an internet personality of
universal appeal, Hank Green.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and his
brother have developed YouTube videos watched by everyone (except me,
remember?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am old).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked to the podium and asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How many people were in line at the
autograph signing that didn’t get my autograph?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Raise your hands.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then walked
around the immense room to those with their hands up and signed an autograph
for each one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no grumbling
that we only had an hour of his time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The universal warm-fuzziness was that he was SUCH a NICE GUY for doing
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember, I am surrounded by mostly
14 – 25 year olds, a demographic group not known for kindness or patience for
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then proceeded to entertain
us with rapidfire humor, questions about why the internet is the way it is and
why the information age has not really embraced the topics we need information
ON (Good point Hank). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like sex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We sang songs and he reminded us DFTBA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(More on this later) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the
autograph signing, I had a discussion with the young lady next to me about my
daughter’s scarf, my own knitting, and where we got the sonic screwdriver my daughter
was packing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She gave me her name and
email.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The vendor mall was an experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was glad I had a guide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do pretty well with Potterite stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am an ancient Nerd, so I had each and every
Potter novel delivered to my door by 8 am on the day of release (having a job
and money has some percs), and had read most of them by the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I loaned them to the kid next door so he
didn’t have to wait for the Library copy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I am well versed in wands, Houses, hats, house elves and
Quidditch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the way, they had
duplicates of my old Prefect badge for sale for thirty five bucks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When my daughter figures out that my ancient Hanoverian
Prefect badge is the perfect Hufflepuff yellow she is going to DIE!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, my Whovian knowledge has gaps as I
stopped watching at four and did not start again until nine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you don’t know what that means, it’s
okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just means you are a normal
person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, I had never watched
Supernatural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a problem which I
have now corrected through the miracle of Netflix streaming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now not only am I afraid of the dark,
shadows, stone angels, astronauts, water, spiders, clowns and duct tape, but I
carry salt with me wherever I go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
guess it goes with the pepper mill, but it serves an entirely different
purpose.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
On the train going to LeakyCon the following morning, I
spotted three people with purple wristbands and/or large neck badges that
identified us as LeakyCon attendees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
gave each other the Leaky salute (Tag or wristband rampant) and were
immediately besties. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We helped out-of-towners
with directions and discovered a heretofore unknown Whovian hangout in
Portland. By the way, do not assume that LeakyCon only attracts the uniquely
Portland brand of Nerdist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met people from Illinois, Pennsylvania, New
York, California, Florida, Montana and all across Canada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All had paid train, airfare or gas money to
get to LeakyCon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to mention the
entrance fee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are dedicated
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One recent High School Graduate
who will be attending Art School in Philadelphia and has her eye on Pixar as a
career sat next to me in a seminar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
Pixar has any sense they will get her name and email address immediately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is driven.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
One of the LeakyCon events was an attempt to break a
World Record.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No large gathering of
humanity is complete without this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
were told that the attempt to break the World Record in Number of People Simultaneously Wearing False Moustaches was in our sights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Be there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, we were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So were approximately 2500 of our new best
friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We joined the line which wound
from the door of the assembly hall, through the rotunda of the Convention
Center, around to the other side, up the escalator, back around the second
floor of the rotunda and out in to the upper hallway of the Convention
Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Volunteers passed out wristbands
and gave us directions to hold our wrist up so the camera could see the band as
we entered the hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At a prearranged
signal, we all donned our moustaches (provided).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sat and sang Nerdist songs and amused
ourselves for five minutes and then beat the record by about 1,000 people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Guinness people have yet to confirm, but
we totally did it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then another mystery
was solved for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I discovered who
StarKid was/is/are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>StarKid is a group
of people who created “Harry Potter, The Musical”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They gave us all a concert after the World
Record attempt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was much singing
along and swaying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone seemed to
know all the words to all the songs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had no idea there even WAS a Harry Potter, the Musical, but the music was
great!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The organizers of LeakyCon provided comfy chairs around
rugs in the Vendor Mall for when you just wanted to sit and watch the weird
world go by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was convenient, as it
gave me an opportunity to sit and observe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was stopped and asked where I got my lunch, what I was knitting, where
my daughter got her scarf, where the Quidditch Match was and a young man sat
and chatted to me about the various merits of The Lord of the Rings versus
Potter fandom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We both agreed that if
you can get through all 7 Potter novels that Tolkien should be a walk in the
park.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I learned a lot at LeakyCon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned that what I was as a child and
young adult was and is okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And even
though I now have grey hair and am old enough to drink in all 50 states and
every country in Europe, I can still have a good time surrounded by other (much
younger) people who now have a support group for their Nerdiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are validated in ways I never was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned that there are people who will buy
t-shirts that boldly state “THE BOOK WAS BETTER”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found out that an artist with a
Badge-a-Minute can make a mint selling badges that say “Friend of the OOD” and “The
Angels Have the Phone Box”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also
learned the Nerdfighter Salute and what DFTBA means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned the meaning of support group (4,000
of your closest friends in a Convention Center).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a marginal presence, but never felt
excluded, even though you can reference the grey hair and dinosaur comments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned I was born 40 years too early to be
a Nerd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so happy that the Nerds
have finally embraced their fandom and become Nerdfighters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you all for the experience of attending
LeakyCon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t Forget To Be Awesome
(DFTBA)!</div>
Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-23505342183395107962013-04-23T17:52:00.000-07:002013-04-23T17:52:11.910-07:00Lace on a Plane<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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In this world there are things which are inherently wrong. The
list is long and varied. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knew one of
these was a lace shawl in economy class on a European vacation? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet here I sit, me and my WIP shawl. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was going to get a lot accomplished, after all,
I have ten hours of sitting, right? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
going to get at least to the next pattern change. Guess not.</div>
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<br /></div>
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First on the list of "why nots" is the sheer number of people on
the plane. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They walk by, they jostle elbows,
they squirm. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heck, I squirm. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who designed these seats?</div>
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Second, evidently my brain goes into a test pattern on a plane.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yarn over, slip-slip knit becomes equivalent
to string theory. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Incomprehensible to my poor
brain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have often referred to economy as
'cattle class', and apparently it's what I deserve. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moo.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Third on my list is the service. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have not flown for a long time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, a very long time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All right, Lindbergh was the pilot on my last flight,
okay? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had heard horror stories of starvation
in economy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Evidently things have gotten
better, or passenger abuse has not filtered into Delta because so far we have been
served drinks (free wine and beer, even for cattle, yay!), lunch, more drinks, duty
free, water, a snack, water and more water. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now. the breakfast trolley is on its way.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I fit this seat when I sat down in
it, but will I be able to get out?</div>
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<br /></div>
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I have sat here, in this seat for eight hours. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have finished one row. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have written this, and I have questions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How deep are the sock yarn and double points buried
in my carry on? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can I bend my stiff, sore,
fat self far enough to extricate them from under the seat in front of me? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do I get stupid on a plane? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it the altitude? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lastly, what am I going to do with all the peanuts
and granola bars in the bottom of my pack?</div>
Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-9864227401380801822013-01-20T23:43:00.001-08:002013-01-20T23:43:58.568-08:00Movies must stop this.A couple of weeks ago, I took a couple of teenage girls to the movie "The Hobbit". This experience and several others have caused me to formulate a complaint.<br />
<br />
The movie was too heavy on swordfights and short on actual Tolkien to suit me, and I waited the entire movie for Smaug who remained elusive. That, however, is not my major complaint.<br />
<br />
Why do filmmakers have to distract me with knitting? I spent a great deal of the movie working out the patterns of various knitted garments worn by characters in the movie. As an aside, it is almost impossible to take notes in the dark confines of a theater. I saw Dwarvish mitts, Hobbit vests as well as several other tantalizing glimpses of knitting flashing by on the screen. Now I have to rent the DVD when it comes out and freeze frame at the exact proper moment....<br />
<br />
While I am complaining about the Hobbit here, the worst movie of all time for perpetrating this outrage is "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" starring Johnny Depp. I spent the entire movie chasing knitted garments and afghans across the screen, scribbling hieroglyphs frantically in the dark. I'm sure people in the theater thought I was possessed.<br />
<br />
So, movie makers of Hollywood (and elsewhere), if you are going to show cool knitted stuff in your films, at least have the courtesy to offer a pattern book in the lobby as I exit. Thank you.Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-89857497574750020772012-08-10T11:09:00.000-07:002013-07-08T12:54:57.539-07:00Beginning Lace Knitting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-56yKqeU0WvA/UCVL-taYg5I/AAAAAAAAABk/S7pAqVT_hEY/s1600/wandering+lace+561216_3538702635570_946417388_n_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-56yKqeU0WvA/UCVL-taYg5I/AAAAAAAAABk/S7pAqVT_hEY/s320/wandering+lace+561216_3538702635570_946417388_n_crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Here's the sample for the Beginning Lace Knitting class that I'll be teaching at The Naked Sheep. I call it Wandering Lace because it sort of ambles around....<br />
<br />
It's a fun pattern, (my own) and it pretty much teaches you what you need to know to stop be intimidated by lace knitting. The folks at Naked Sheep seem to like it. They want the pattern! The class is on Nov. 27th and Dec. 4th. I'm excited! (No one signed up for this class, so it was cancelled. I was bummed. 11/25/13)<br />
<br />
Working on a Guernsey (not the cow) sweater for another class sample, as well as thinking about a sample for an Aran design class. I'm thinking about a tea cozy or a pillow. Can't decide. The Guernsey is knit in a color called Ruby, and it is working up BEAUTIFULLY!<br />
<br />
On other subjects, the Fair is almost upon us. Margo is working frantically to get her stuff done. I have pretty much given up trying to get anything else finished. We have to submit our stuff this Saturday, so I am pretty much serving in an advisory capacity at this point.<br />
<br />
Margo has some needle felting, and some knitting and a bunch of canning. She is also doing Table Setting this year and hoping for another Champion ribbon. We'll see!<br />
<br />Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-16142284758843787372012-07-25T09:38:00.000-07:002012-07-25T09:38:36.094-07:00On Cleaning HouseI hate to clean house. From the time I can remember, my mom had a cleaning lady, so I was under the impression that houses just cleaned themselves every Wednesday.<br />
<br />
When I got married and was gainfully employed I had a cleaning lady and again, the house cleaned itself every Wednesday.<br />
<br />
When I quit working away from home I thought one of the good ways to cut expenses was to get rid of the cleaning lady.<br />
<br />
Now, I have made some epic mistakes in my life. I have decided (at various times) that a Dorothy Hammill haircut was perfect for me, I really wanted to keep my childhood piano when my parents moved (why do you keep the Iron Maiden that the Spanish Inquisition used on you? For sentimental reasons?), I decided to buy my husband a roll top desk (we now refer to this piece of furniture as "The Albatross"), I simply HAD to have black and white checked flooring in the kitchen (more on that later), I planted silver nettles (stingless) on the north side of the yard (they morph into stinging nettles and are impossible to eradicate). All of these pale in comparison to the tragedy of not having a cleaning lady. What was I thinking?<br />
<br />
I am left with the job of cleaning house. Now, I don't do it often, so it kind of builds up on me, but when the dust-jackrabbits start forming a mafia to take over the house, something must be done. Then I find all of the "things I am not supposed to notice". Like candy wrappers under the sofa and Brussels sprouts carefully piled on the crossbar under the dining room table. This last discovery really did happen, but it explained that peculiar smell... thanks kid. <br />
<br />
The dog is the main dirt offender, though it's really not her fault (I would think she could shed <b>outside</b>, but apparently that's too much to ask). I suppose I could have her shaved (or lacquered). Bruce is the second dirt monster. He wears boots with deep treads and you cannot believe the crud and rocks and old worms and things that come in on those boots. I married a man who takes not one step unless he has shoes on, so insisting that shoes come off in the house is a no-win proposition. Not going to happen. Margo and I are sock footed in winter and barefoot in summer (which freaks Bruce out beyond belief). We're not tracking in that gravel. Gotta be him. He now has a new job, taking the area rugs to the cleaners.<br />
<br />
Now, about that black and white checked kitchen flooring. It was JUST what I wanted. It is FABULOUS in the room. However, several problems exist. It looks dirty in about two seconds, and if you spill anything that might stain or make a large mark in the floor, who's going to take bets that it happens on one of those pristine white squares....? You got it. So do I, and I hate it. Next kitchen floor is going to be the color of dirt and to heck with how it looks in the room.Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-36655206696434347682012-06-25T17:19:00.002-07:002012-06-25T17:29:32.923-07:00Hamper Remake<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Hamper remake</b></u></span><br />
<br />
Margo had an old hamper (circa 1958) and she hated it. I have to admit, it is bordering on ugly. So here's what we did.<br />
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We used pink flowered fabric and using the basic ironing-board covering technique I learned about 35 years ago, we covered the top and padded it with batting. Then we made a skirt out of the coordinating stripe. My daughter learned how to thread elastic through a casing, how to measure and draft patterns, wind a bobbin, press a hem up, and sew a casing. Not a bad day's work!<br />
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<br />Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-76410137693088651892012-04-24T09:50:00.001-07:002012-04-24T09:50:34.897-07:00Teaching knitting in the age of informationI was asked by a friend for help with a knitting project. This is a new knitter (comparatively) and she was reaching beyond scarves. She had picked a pattern online and was stuck at a slightly ambiguous instruction. I got the pattern company and pattern name, I downloaded it, I printed it off. <br />
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Then we got down to cases. Where EXACTLY was she stuck? Figured that out. So then I walked her through the confusion step by step. I did all this with her 50 miles from me sitting in her house and I in mine. On Facebook chat.<br />
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To me, this is an incredible thing. I went to college. I took "Computer Programming and Statistics". Never in my wildest DREAMS would I expect to chat to my friends (anywhere in the WORLD). Never did I think I would solve knitting dilemmas on chat.<br />
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Now I grant you, we DID set up a knitting fun day at the same time. We're meeting and having a fiber fest in a couple of weeks. Nothing takes the place of being in the same room, but when you are stuck it's kind of nice to have a knitting instructor on your computer.<br />
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I was perusing Ravelry today. How many really nifty patterns are on there? Millions, I'll bet. Did those geeks, sitting in their garages and the basement computer labs in the 80's really imagine that their nifty personal computers would allow me to access shawl patterns from NORWAY (available in six languages)? I'll bet they didn't. I'll bet they didn't know how we would turn their invention to our own use.<br />
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It's kind of like making a shawl or a quilt for someone as a gift and then going to their house and seeing it used as a tablecloth, couch cover or a dog bed (I've seen all three). You are shocked, but you gave it to them, and they use it as they see fit.<br />
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Sorry Mr. Jobs, Mr. Wozniak, and Mr. Gates. We took your beautiful work and used it to spread knitting propaganda. We used your gorgeous creation, not to launch rockets, but as a metaphorical tablecloth. However, in the process we are creating beauty and keeping idle hands busy. We are spending hours making lovely gifts that will be used as picnic blankets. We understand.Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-46528115924326563102012-04-02T09:52:00.000-07:002012-04-02T09:52:08.322-07:00Jerome's Sock<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I was thinking the other day about Jerome's Sock. It's always capitalized, always. Here goes.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Once, when I was teaching a sock knitting class at a local yarn shop, I had a student, Mary, who was knitting a pair of socks to surprise her husband, Jerome.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We were about halfway through the four weeks of class, and one evening just as I was getting ready to leave for class, my phone rang.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“Hello, this is Andrew from Alaska Airlines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is going to sound strange, but your business card was found in a bag of knitting on one of our flights.”</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Okay.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“There was also a note in the bag that says ‘Jerome 10 ½ inches’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a lot of needles in there, it sort of looks like it might be a sock?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know you were not a passenger, but I wondered…”</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The penny finally dropped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jerome!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh heavens!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told Andrew that the knitting was not mine, but one of my students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could I come and get it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I live very close to the airport)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I certainly could, as Andrew really didn’t want to be responsible for all those needles and Jerome’s Sock for any longer than necessary.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Now, I had visions of Mary getting home from her flight and ransacking her luggage looking for her errant sock… what could I do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called the yarn shop and asked for Mary’s number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got it!</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Called Mary’s house and (oh dear) Jerome answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary wasn’t home, but was expected at any moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I explained to Jerome that Mary had left her knitting on the airplane and that I was going to collect it from Alaska Airlines and bring it to class with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> A </span>Confused Jerome agreed to pass on the message.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">A rush to the airport and the lost luggage desk at Alaska, thanking them profusely for not chucking the mass of needles and ersatz sock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I wrote them a nice note after and I hope Andrew got a brownie point)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then flying to class and returning Jerome’s Sock to its rightful owner. The socks were completed, and Jerome was surprised. How many Airlines, or airline employees would take the time to do this? Not very many. Thanks Andrew.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Lesson learned, I always keep my business card in all project bags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks Alaska Airlines and Andrew for recognizing the importance of Jerome’s Sock!</span></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-92233357607244279172012-03-20T16:05:00.001-07:002012-03-20T16:09:41.697-07:00What I HEARD was....Last week I was having a taxes disconnect. I really didn't notice, but Bruce and Margo thought I was a) going deaf, b) developing Alzheimers, c) losing my marbles.<br />
<br />
I would be sitting on the couch (knitting a sock) with the TV on (background noise) and was thinking about the taxes and what I had to get together to go to the accountant. Bruce or Margo would walk into the room and ask me a question or make a statement. I would respond and they would stand there.... stunned.<br />
<br />
What he SAID was: "I have to work tomorrow and the next day and I probably won't get home until late."<br />
<br />
What my RESPONSE was: "Great, then you'll have time tomorrow to call the stupid lawyer about the stupid check that they made out to the wrong stupid person." There he stands.... stunned.<br />
<br />
What I HEARD was: "I have to work (I wonder if I have all of the expense paperwork calculated)won't (does that show up in the register report?) late."<br />
<br />
Eventually the stunned wore off and he repeated his original statement. Louder, and slower.<br />
<br />
What Margo SAID was: "I brought up what you wanted, diced tomatoes in tomato juice." (for dinner)<br />
<br />
What my RESPONSE was: "Well, I know there's some down there, you just didn't look in the right place. It's with the vegetables, not with the juice."<br />
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What I HEARD was: "I brought up (did I remember to include the deductions for health insurance?) tomato juice."<br />
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Again, stunned. But Margo is onto me, she turned on her heel, flounced out of the room and returned with the offending can of "DICED TOMATOES IN TOMATO JUICE, MOTHER!!!" Okay, I got it.<br />
<br />
The taxes are to the accountant, I only forgot one thing and that was easily fixed. I appear to have gotten over my selective hearing. (knit one, knit 2 tog, YO, knit 3) What?Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-22056908858862302532012-03-09T16:02:00.000-08:002012-03-09T16:02:55.522-08:00Patience is a VirtueI've finally figured it out. It has taken me a long time. I am the victim of PATIENCE, or at least the concept of patience. Here's what happens...<br />
<br />
I'm sitting, knitting. It's usually socks because they are small and fit in my bag. Anyway, it could be anything, a hat even. A non-knitter begins a conversation asking what I am knitting. After making the appropriate noises over my project, they let me have it... "I wish I could knit, but I just don't have the patience."<br />
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Sigh. <br />
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"Lady," I think (because they usually are women), "you have absolutely NO IDEA with whom you are speaking." (and yes, I do think that way, my mom was a librarian and a primary school teacher).<br />
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Patience. It may be a virtue but it is NOT one of mine. <br />
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I suffer no fools gladly, I am "Difficult to Manage" (per my past employment evaluations). If you ask a silly question, you are liable to get a highly technical, factually accurate answer designed to make you feel like a complete boob. I write scathing letters to companies, personalities and elected officials on a regular basis. I have a toxic vocabulary and can impugn your ancestry all the way back to the last ice age in words so long and complex you need an unabridged dictionary to sort them out. Patience my hiney.<br />
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In the past, I have responded to the Impatient Lady with a smile. "Oh no! I exclaimed. "I am one of the LEAST patient humans on the planet. I do this so I don't sit and twitch."<br />
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It didn't work. I always got that smile. You know the one... that smile that implies that you are really Job in disguise, and refuse to admit that you have endless amounts of patience (as evidenced by the knitting) and are concealing your light under a bushel of denial. Nothing you can possibly do or say at this point will deter the Impatient Lady from her conviction that I possess PATIENCE.<br />
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As I say, I have figured it out, finally. When the Impatient Lady lets me have it with the patience line, I look up, carefully examine her and smile. Then I let her have it.<br />
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"I don't have to be patient. I'm fast". <br />
<br />
BOOM! There it is! Not a self deprecating disclaimer about my lack of patience. I have countered her patience argument with a statement so blatantly pompous and self assured that usually she laughs in astonishment!<br />
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Some Impatient Ladies back slowly away and sit down quietly, but most start a long and pleasant conversation about handwork and I usually refer them to my Local Yarn Shop (sometimes I even have their business card in with my yarn).<br />
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I'm attempting to convert the world, one knitter at a time. If I have to do it by being pompous, so be it.Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-41232658812767469152012-01-24T09:09:00.000-08:002012-01-24T09:09:00.920-08:00Designing a Valentine HatI had a thought (which is always a danger). Ideas about what to do for an over-the-top Valentine Hat. For starters, a Valentine hat pretty much has to be red and white, right? (Come to find out, not so much) I started with a typical 2/2 rib white hat with red hearts knit in.... bleh. OUT it ripped! I looked at the yarn, and I got EZ's book and tried to knit small hearts using her heart idea for the back of her heart hat. I wanted hearts about 1.5 to 2 inches across. Didn't work, I got red blobs. So, I sat and looked at the yarn for another day.<br />
I was looking for a hat with style, not cutesy but whimsical. Whimsy is my middle name, right? (those who know me are gagging) I saw a gal in a hat that was knit in alternating bands of stockinette and reverse stockinette so it looked horizontally ribbed, but it was brown so it rather resembled a large cow pie.... I wanted more structure.<br />
This is what I came up with:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ssMPPdy3t1Q/Tx7kheWPvpI/AAAAAAAAAA0/5UFUkfgBucc/s1600/P1050035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ssMPPdy3t1Q/Tx7kheWPvpI/AAAAAAAAAA0/5UFUkfgBucc/s320/P1050035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And in Blue:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cL5qi5zANAc/Tx7kXJ-cjZI/AAAAAAAAAAs/QQ0ePgTROwE/s1600/P1050037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cL5qi5zANAc/Tx7kXJ-cjZI/AAAAAAAAAAs/QQ0ePgTROwE/s320/P1050037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They are on etsy, and I just finished one that's red with white hearts. Fingers crossed!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By the way, my sulky model was not best pleased that I made her stand in the rain in hats....oh well, such is the price of being my kid!</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-51019183283840089852012-01-20T09:58:00.000-08:002012-01-20T09:59:26.099-08:00Changing the Lares and PenatesI finally got around to dealing with the house. I figure I'd better take down Christmas before it's Valentine's Day....you think? Anyway, I always refer to this (in my head because no one would get it) as the Changing of the Lares and Penates. Lares and Penates were Roman house gods. They found bunches of them when excavating Roman ruins. There, that's as much explanation as you get.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I take down Santas, and snowmen and nativities and snowcovered houses and I replace them with fossils, Zapotec gods in black pottery, Tang horses, elephants and rabbits of all sorts. The Oaxacan wooden figures return, replacing reindeer. The "Three Chinese Guys" (as Bruce says), the gods of Longevity, High Rank and Fortune are put out where the Christmas Village was. <br />
You see, I change my Lares and Penates. Not any Lares or Penates the Romans would recognize, but I have to make do....Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-82887151206089439262012-01-03T11:07:00.000-08:002012-01-03T11:07:23.192-08:00January, a time for resolutions (or not)Well, today after paying the bills, I resolve to spend less in 2012. Not sure where I'm going to cut the budget... I can't cut my spending on fabric, books or yarn. Maybe electricity or water.... you think? Perhaps kid clothes. Groceries? Nah.<br />
<br />
I resolve to eat more (vegetables), and to drink more (water) and to drink less (wine) and to be more organized (like I don't resolve to do that every year and we ALL know how THAT works out). I resolve to be less (of a control freak) and more (of a relaxed person). I resolve to not let the failure to follow any of these resolutions get me down, after all, I have the BEST of intentions.<br />
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I'm thinking of a scarf that is only a cable. a BIIIIIIG cable and that's all. How would I do that? hmmmmm. Gotta work on that one.<br />
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Just sent in the registrations for Sew and Stitchery EXPO in Puyallup. We've got our room all booked and Phyl is coming from Kansas. She must have had a good time last year, because she's coming back. Evidently we didn't scare her as badly as I thought we might. I have a couple of things I'm looking for up there (please refer to resolution #1). I actually don't have too much that I want, and if I start thinking I do, I can just go up and stand in the middle of the pile that purports to be my studio and get over the buying feeling.<br />
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If there was an earthquake while I was in there, I would be suffocated under the piles of STUFF (fabric, yarn, patterns, books, thread.....). Killed by my own excess. Of course, if there is an apocalypse of some sort and I'm NOT in there, I will be SAVED because I will have supplies to create an entirely new life for my family because *I* will have enough fabric to sew (I have a treadle machine) and yarn to knit and fiber to spin FOREVER!!!! So, I'll just keep dashing in and out of the studio... right? Picture post-apocalyptic me, sewing with my grandma's treadle Singer, dressed in fabrics dating from the '70's (that orange.....shudder), with my daughter and husband flogging my wares on the street corners to those too silly to stock up BEFORE the end of civilisation. I'm ready!<br />
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I resolve to be ready. That's IT! The ultimate resolution!Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-55539397045456493132011-12-29T17:59:00.000-08:002011-12-29T17:59:43.128-08:00Working my pointy fingers to the bone, sort of.Well, I tried to make this a handmade Christmas. Of course, having a 12 year old, handmade is a relative term. Some things I just had to "make" with my American Express card. My talents don't run to iPod accessories. <br />
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I did make hats and scarves for teachers, and some relatives. I made penny rugs and gloves for some inlaws. My mom got lots of dinner napkins. In a fit of motivational fervor, I made a stadium blanket in some pretty dreadful college colors. <br />
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In addition to that, I got myself up and running on etsy and sold more than I could possibly have imagined. Lots of scarves and gloves and even a custom ordered hat! I'm pretty excited about that, but it cut into my Christmas prep time.<br />
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I got all the Christmas cards out, I got all the Holiday baking done, I delivered the trays. Everything was wrapped and under the tree with hours to spare. The house (downstairs at least) was clean and tidy. We don't talk about the upstairs...<br />
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When I laid the floor in the Family room in the summer, I got (apparently) some sort of tendonitis in my elbow and knitting aggravates it. Doesn't stop me knitting, it just wakes me up at two in the morning. Margo gives great massages, which help a lot and I am a devotee of Salonpas. I figure that now I am not knitting every moment I am sitting down, I should be able to get rid of it.<br />
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In the midst of all of this, I have discovered that Bruce's car tags expired a week ago. OOPS! And the DEQ/DMV is closed until January 3rd. (%$&$^*) I KNEW there was something I forgot. <br />
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I have to be honest. I'm ready to be done with 2011. I'm looking forward to 2012, because potential is the most dangerous thing in my life! (LOL)Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-48871364988872955652011-09-28T11:04:00.000-07:002011-09-28T11:04:36.323-07:00A mushroom hatOkay, now I'm working on a baby hat shaped like a mushroom. It's working out pretty cute! Pictures when completed.<br />
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I'm using some of my "inherited yarn" to make circular ribbed shrugs. I had this pattern that you sewed the seams..... bleh. So.... in the interest of never leaving anything alone... I changed it. (I should have that sentence permanently stored so I could just paste it in). One provisional cast on and a reworking of the outer shawl edge and voila! Seamless AND I can just knit fancy yarn until it's gone instead of having to split balls when I have an uneven nuber. HAH! Picture me smiling in a satified sort of way and buffing my nails on my shirt.<br />
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Both the mushroom hat and the shrugs will hit etsy. I haven't sold anything, but I'm getting looks and that's fun too. Some day!<br />
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Speaking of fun, I'm gearing up for Knitting Club again this year. I have at least 6 returning students and then space for some newbies. Fourth through Eighth graders, mostly girls. People walk by the room and it sounds like a complete riot. I explain, "Sometimes creativity can be very noisy.". I love them and they really work hard (most of em). they challenge me to come up with new patterns for them pretty much constantly. I've got several who are ready for socks....! We start on October 18th.Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-68102510885194366812011-09-11T22:34:00.000-07:002011-09-11T22:34:01.994-07:00YAAAARRRRRRNNNNNN!I scored enough yarn to keep me knitting for about a year. My friend Pat has moved to assisted living and gave me all her yarn (and patterns from the '80's which are definitely giggle-worthy). There are three huge boxes, plus a couple of kits and a bunch of smaller boxes. The whole mess almost completely filled my van. It is an absolutely huge amount of yarn. Most of it is wool or wool blend. Some is extremely gorgeous mohair yarn and some is even custom dyed! There is a price tag on some of the specialty stuff of $14.55 and I estimate that it was bought in about 1988, so the stuff was really expensive.<br />
<br />
My knitting students are dying to knit socks, and some of this is light enough weight to make a nice sock. I'm sure they will flip over some of this yarn! There is some nice sport weight wool blend.<br />
<br />
I want to sort through it, because I spotted some custom dyed mohair in there. I haven't knitted in about a week. It's been too darned hot. I have spent all my time trying to keep cool. We are scheduled for some cooler weather, so I am planning my next project. I have a plan for a really nifty hat and maybe another pair of socks... still working on it in my fetid brane.Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-87920209222627255292011-08-14T21:15:00.000-07:002011-08-14T21:15:38.315-07:00FAIR WEEK!Okay, the County Fair is at last over and we have collected our loot from the Exhibit Hall. Margo got blues on her jams: blueberry, raspberry, meyer lemon and Rainier cherry. A Blue on her cake, and on her rhubarb/rosepetal preserves. A blue on her corn sticks, her bread, her blueberries, her scarf and her fine art collage. She got a special award on her needle felting and a special award on her bread. She got CHAMPION on her table setting! Proud mom, me.<br />
<br />
I got blues on 2 pairs of socks, two hats, a ribwarmer vest and my quilted wallhanging. I got People's Choice on my cupcake baby hat! (YAY!)<br />
<br />
I got the Twizzler Socks completed and am working on some that are sort of foxy brown/red and black tweed. I can't find a stitch I like..... more when I can make a decision!Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-39450551897919285612011-08-11T12:10:00.000-07:002011-08-11T12:10:09.033-07:00Knitting is the only thing standing between me and insanityI've been knitting. I have a hat in progress (easy) and a pair of socks (more difficult). I am trying to keep the house running AND get the stuff to the accountant AND answer questions on the phone about the FedEx route which we are selling, hopefully soon. Come on guys... SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!<br />
<br />
Anyway, knitting is the only thing keeping me sane at the moment. When I am losing it, I knit on the hat, when I am calmer, I knit on the socks. I have a plan involving etsy and selling handknit socks... it may actually work! But.... I need to get some more socks knit. The current socks Margo has named "Twizzler Socks" because they remind her of the candy.<br />
<br />
Today is our 27th Anniversary. I bought my own Anniversary gift this year. Sock Blockers from Knitpicks. I can't WAIT for them to get here! SO excited. You see, I HAVE to buy these gifts for myself because if you said "sock blockers" to Bruce you would get a deer in headlights look.... he tries but... you know.<br />
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I may be saved, because I just scheduled dinner with my buds, Shelley and Jenni. I only have to live until Tuesday night now.... and keep on knitting!Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-55766838672221928002011-08-05T15:18:00.000-07:002011-08-05T16:39:11.988-07:00Sock Summit, a reviewBefore attending Sock Summit last week I perused my stash. This was, in part, an effort to cool my enthusiasm for more yarn. I found the large bag(s) with the wondrous yarns I bought at LAST Sock Summit languishing in my studio. To my credit, they weren't ALL still there, but a heck of a lot of them were.<br />
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I managed to get away from Sock Summit with only five skeins of sock yarn. I studiously avoided the $25.00 per bag bin and the "Giant bundles of incredibly cheap yarn for 50% off" booth. Both were part of my downfall last time.<br />
<br />
Best yarn name at Sock Summit? Zombie Apocalypse (last time it was Clown Barf)<br />
Best New Thing: A badge that said "I Knit Because I am Smarter Than You"<br />
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Not sure if it was me or not, but Sock Summit seemed smaller this year. Maybe I was just wearing better shoes. The right pair of shoes can change your life, just ask any fairytale princess. I saw lots of cool stuff and will make a point to get there next time. I just love to knit socks and I really LIKE people who knit socks. It's fun being in an entire group of people who "GET" me!<br />
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When we sat down to lunch and I was giving my buddy the pattern for the lace on the socks I was kniting, the other people at the table were listening intently. We then all pulled out our socks and compared notes. Not one person all day said to me "Oh, you KNIT! I'd like to learn, but I just don't have the patience."... Those of you who know me personally know JUST what goes through my mind when I hear that. (I am known as "She Who Does Not Suffer Fools Gladly", and I have NO patience, just ask my kid)Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848947372455507920.post-1205194063515140662011-08-04T15:44:00.000-07:002011-08-04T15:56:30.805-07:00A Cupcake Baby HatOkay, here I go. In the effort to find things for the Fair, I am knitting. Having already completed the maximum number of sock entries, I set to work on a baby hat that looks like a cupcake. We'll see how it does at the fair. (I had to get away from forms and spreadsheets which the accountant and the lawyer want yesterday. This hat may have saved my sanity.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CFpgU8O0TcU/Tjsf4N1QcKI/AAAAAAAAAAg/NUQpzdg0TYQ/s1600/cupcakehat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CFpgU8O0TcU/Tjsf4N1QcKI/AAAAAAAAAAg/NUQpzdg0TYQ/s200/cupcakehat.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cupcake Hat 7/2011</td></tr>
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</div>I've seen some like it, but this is my own design. The ruffle is double and so FLUFFY! I think I need to borrow a baby. Anyway, it or one of it's brethren will probably be for sale on etsy soon! These are kinda fun! I have blue yarn too. Any thoughts on whether the "cherry" should be smaller? ThanksCathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01178614995799102602noreply@blogger.com0