Arsenic and Old Lace
In two words: Loved it.

The performance was staged at my niece's school. I think all of the performers were seniors, including the young man that played Mortimer. We know Aaron because he, his brother and their parents are close friends of my brother's family, and are at all the kids' birthdays. I have to say -- I was really impressed. I liked it better than some college plays and some touring "Broadway" plays I've seen. The two girls that played the aunts had their tiny, mincing steps down pat, as well as their very special brand of crazy. Aaron was very good -- he didn't seem at all nervous and had the audience laughing (as he should) in all the right places.

I have issues with parochial schools, having endured five long years in one particular hell hole (different school, same religion), but I'm tentatively impressed with my niece's school. They have extensive fine arts programs, as well as languages; and, I understand, they're adding a robotics class or club. My niece is doing exceptionally well in math, and isn't being discouraged because she's a girl (she won the "Math Bowl" earlier in the week). To give you a comparison: the students in a class a couple of years behind me got to college not knowing how to write a basic essay. We had choir, but nothing else, never any drama, nothing but sports. Only sports mattered. Right after I graduated, they dropped literature from the curriculum. For my chemistry class, we did one experiment in two semesters: mixing baking soda and vinegar. That was in the 10th or 11th grade. I'm reserving judgment for awhile -- I've not encountered a parochial school yet that encouraged independent thinking -- but at least it's a better academic experience than I had. (And she seems to like it, which also helps.)

Day of the Dead (Remake)
What was good about it: it was short.

A. The following paragraph may contain spoilers.
B. This picture has nothing to do with the movie, but this post needed another picture.

We love zombie movies, and are usually going to own whatever comes out, regardless of the quality. This movie was, in one word, lame. John is a George Romero fan, as am I. Day of the Dead wasn't my favorite Romero flick, but I liked it. This version bears so little resemblance to the original that the producers and directors should have sucked it up and just gave the movie a different title. Let's see... there are zombies in it (the fast kind (wrong!)), the military (although not entirely relevant to this story line) and a character named "Bud" (not Bub). There are also bits of Resident Evil. The movie doesn't start months into the infestation, but at the beginning. Right off the bat, these zombies climb walls, use tools and follow directions on the radio.

Big surprise that it went straight to video.

Yarn/knitting
I knit throughout the play, since I had nothing but 6.5" of mindless stockinette to do, and could easily focus on the play at the same time. The Knitpicks Options I use don't make any noise, despite being metal. Aluminum needles really click, but the nickel-plated-brass don't. As a result, I'm just about finished with the 4th Christmas hat. Three of the six hats will require a crocheted edge, so they'll be mostly done until I can arrange some help with that.

I went through my stash today, ruthlessly pulling out some skeins. Some (left) will be going to Interim House, and some will stay behind to be used as prizes.

Etcetera
I slept for almost 11 hours last night. I guess I needed it! The play was very entertaining, yet I felt myself wanting to drift off 2/3 of the way through. This was a long week! We successfully launched the new corporate site at work on Wednesday, and it's been a draining experience. At the same time, my car was in the shop and still isn't fixed correctly ($450 later). My arm is 92% better.

I've been craving a real (non-Taco Bell) nacho for several days. The closest place by us has a really sporadic schedule (they're never open when you think they would be, like lunchtime on a Saturday), so John went to another place for me. I'd ordered from there before and found the food to be tasty, but the portion small (it was like an appetizer, and I was starving), so I ordered the next size up. It came in a pizza box. A large pizza box. Most of it is still in the fridge, and I don't think it's going to heat up well.

Presents
If you are not someone that I regularly exchange gifts with in the summer, you can check out my gift ideas blog. I'm not trying to torment people, but it's too good an idea not to share.

I've also heard that my nephew, J, was a big fan of the appliqued t-shirts we've made for him, so it looks like a repeat is in order. His birthday is coming soon, so I may do some shirts for that and figure out something else for Christmas (there's time). If you need gift ideas for younger kids, I put together a mini tutorial over on Flickr.

Another Christmas hat done! This one is for my honorary nephew Connor.  I do believe this is exactly the style he wanted.

Pattern

Yarn: 3 colors of Lion Brand Woolease (black, red & gray) and a small ball of Reynolds Utopia (orange)

Knitted yesterday, during a few episodes of Supernatural. Not counting the 3 previous cast-on attempts.



Now, on to the crafts:

(knitting) Myriads of Mushrooms

(knitting) I found Through the Loops! via Dogged blog, and discovered many great, free patterns, including a hat pattern that I am making for at least 3 honorary nephews.\

(machine-embroidering) Free Download: Sew News Rose (down in the sidebar)

(celebrating) Way back when, another CFF list included a project like this. Sadly, the site was shut down, and the link was lost. But looky here: someone else has put together directions for the clever paper treat pouches.

(knitting) A ton of cute, free patterns at The Knitted Toybox.

(crafting 4 kids) Superhero PJs

(painting) Bird & branch on cabinet doors (or a dresser)

(crafting with kids) Blog: Crafty Crow

I've had this notebook for close to ten years. It started out life as a planner, picked up for a reasonable price at TJ Maxx, with generic & undated pages that I swapped out for some dated ones. I used it for awhile, then loaned it to my goddaughter, Sarah, who was about 10 at the time. (She's 19 now, almost 20, which is how I'm guessing the book's age.) In truth, I'm quite surprised that I got it back, ten-year-olds being the way the are.


In 2004, it became my knitting project book, with pages and pages of notes, lists of shops, a needle inventory, etc. It wasn't fancy, but it was flexible. I had a couple of plastic sleeves in the back, full of pictures that I could flip to whenever I wanted.

At some point, it went missing. It wasn't just the loss of the notes, which was significant, but the whole past connection with the little red leather notebook created a little ache. It was gone for at least a year, then John found it, just sitting on a shelf in our "library." Ah, I was whole again. Just in time too, because the book I got to replace it was starting to drive me crazy. (Silly notes in Flickr.)

John was sick most of the night, I guess. He woke me around 4:45 this morning, moaning (really bad stomachache). He was asleep when I left for work, so he'll be okay. Actually, other than forgetting to rinse the conditioner out of my hair, the morning has been fairly smooth. It just takes that one or two instances to make me want to go home and get back in bed.

More fun from the Knitalong book. Someone commented in Flickr that the newly-felted (and unshaved) version looked like a fuzzy olive. I've felted other things with this yarn, and have never seen fuzz like that before! Finally a use for the package of pink disposable razors that aren't allowed near my legs.

I have a pretty good idea of where this is going, but I'm not saying yet.

Details
Pattern: Felted Nest from Knitalong, by Larissa Brown.

Yarn: Lamb's Pride Bulky in Kiwi (the mohair is what makes it so fuzzy after felting, but it felts beautifully). You could probably use something like Paton's classic wool, held doubled.

Needles: Size 11 (Magic Loop -- could also be done on 16" circs and DPNs)

Mods: None (I'd like to work out a smaller version to use as a gift box)

Next up: more Christmas hat knitting. It looks like only the honorary nieces & nephews want hats. I'm working up C's without a pattern, because he wants a skater-style beanie, I'm making this hat for Connor, and for Jen's boys, I've settled on Thorpe, each with the favorite color prominently featured (I will need to get some help with the crocheted edging). For her girl, I think another pixie-style Meathead hat is in order.

I'm sure it seems weird to some that I'm thinking about Christmas now. Well, last year, I couldn't stir the creative energy to do much of anything, so I'm welcoming the urge, even if it does fall before Memorial Day. Christmas '06 was a great Christmas for me, gift-giving wise. Heck, I even had a blog for it! I still hear about those gifts, by the way: the monster T-shirts and the pillow cases. I want to have that same kind of fun again. Don't forget, too, that there are - at minimum - eleven kids on my list! There are even more I'd love to add, and may be able to, if I get a lot done early.

(Now, don't go getting mad at me. This is tongue-in-cheek.)

The Sacraments of Knitting: A Simple Tract

I think all the kids are getting a hand-knit hat this year. Except maybe the teen boys. Will need to consult their mother.

First things first: Today is our third wedding anniversary. It’s really flown by! John is honestly and truly my soul mate, and I can’t imagine being without him. Happy Anniversary, sweetie! (I’d link to a picture, but my Flickr Pro account expired (only a certain number of pics are visible right now) and I can’t access Photobucket at work.)

I can show you this picture, because I just uploaded it this morning. This means I’m knitting again! I’ve been physically able to for a couple of weeks, but really haven’t been in the mood. Then I found out that this book had been released, and had to have it (b/c I have a picture in it!*). Flipping through it started the old fingers itching and longing for the needles.

Details
Pattern: Meathead, from Knitalong by Larissa Brown. (For a short time, the pattern is available for free, so download it, but also check out the book! (I don’t get anything if you buy a copy (I had to buy my own copy!).)

Yarn: Fun With Yarn Handspun, Merino/Tencel blend. Colorway: Minty.
I have had this yarn for ages! It is soft and fluffy, and looks like cotton candy, which is why I named this hat “Cotton Candy.” I haven’t been able to find the right project for it until now. I did learn that I’m not a huge fan of thick/thin yarn, but loved working with it otherwise.

Other: Size US15 circs (Knit Picks interchangeables), Magic Loop method.
The hat still needs an embellishment, but I have lots of time. It’s for Christmas. (What can I say? When I’m in the mood, I’m in the mood. And no little girl, even a pixie like Moira, wants a wool hat in the spring.)


Really?
I’ve been saying this word a lot, especially while playing World of Warcraft. The other day, I turned to John and asked him if he had any idea where that come from? “Psych.” Oh, yeah. I don’t much like realizing that I’ve been quoting a TV show for months, but really, it’s a very flexible word, and I don’t see myself stopping anytime soon.

Work
Kicking my ass. A lot of hurry up and wait with the site we’ve been working on. We were on hold for a couple of weeks, and now I have about a week to get roughly 3 weeks worth of work done. With no overtime. (If they ain’t payin’, I ain’t workin’.) And its’ UGLY. Damn ugly.

Small World.
I got a PM from someone on Ravelry, asking if there was a chance we had a friend in common. She has a friend nicknamed Jennifred -- was there any chance it was the same one I’d referred to in an earlier post here? Sure is!

More regular posting?
I sincerely hope to be stopping by here more regularly. I may even be in the mood to track down some links and start up Crafty Fun Friday again. But no promises. Everything went downhill when I pledged to post every day in November.


*Page 124, bottom right. I got a photo credit (as “Melissa S.”) and my name is printed on an endpaper (back).
**I hit level 42 last night.

Gender-free baby hat (details with the picture), to go with the red booties. I finally finished this hat!!! It did not want to be knit. After casting on for multiple patterns, I landed on this one, only to find an error in one of the first rows (it's been corrected). After I got it going, it was smooth sailing... except I got the date of the event wrong (where I hoped to deliver the items), which made me not want to touch the hat for close to a week -- even though I had 7 rows to go. I finally was in the mood last night to knit again, so I finished it.

Finally -- a picture of the sock yarn that celticsuncat gave me. (I may be caught up with all yarn and gift photos!) It's so pretty -- I am casting on for my first (attempt at) socks this weekend. It did NOT want to be balled, but I finally conquered it.


I won this yarn in a contest. Woot! Perfect colors for a baby boy gift (I like non-traditional colors). I also have a skein of the same yarn in a chartreuse-y color that SIL. T sent for my b-day.


 tute for acorn pins. This was in the CFF list, but I wanted to show a mini-pic of it. Click to enlarge.


Happy weekend, everyone!

ETA: I forgot the request!!! Duh. I am trying to find of of this tape (Cram Cream). However, every site that sells it online seems to be sold out. I'd love another couple of rolls (even better, the wider shipping tape). If anyone sees it, I can pay your costs, including shipping.

 

More pictures! I'm almost caught up.

First, a pic of the adorable, wee basket that finniscs made and sent to me. It's on my cube wall at work now, but later, I want to get a great, big inspiration board for my craft area at home, and this will definitely go on it!


Turns out that this yarn pills like crazy, but it's so soft and warm and not itchy at all, that I don't care. The colors are so.very.me! They are perfect for this time of year.

pattern
Yarn: Malabrigo Chunky
Needles: US9


celticsuncat, avert your eyes if you like surprises....

Baby-sized (I hope) legwarmers. I have notes, but won't type them up or post them anywere until I hear that they actually work/fit.

 I promise (to the best of my ability) not to post about Pushing Daisies every week, but after last night's episode, I had no choice. One of the main characters knits! AND it's a male character, a P.I., who knits to relieve stress. Last night, he knit a lot. His knitting needle saved the day, too. Way fun! (It looks like you can watch eps online at the link above, if you want to check out what you missed.)

John takes on a certain forum troll in a semi-regular web comic. Poor guy dies a gruesome death every time, but always comes back. Yesterday, I got to pick the method of his demise.

( behind the cut )

This is an old pic of J-dub's oldest cat, Zoe, taken late last August. Zoe was such a miracle baby, and has come such a long way (link to pics of him taken in March), that thinking of him being ill is very difficult. Sadly, however, he is very ill. As of the last update I received, he is improved slightly, but is still a very sick kitty. I stayed with Jen on Friday night and drove her and Zoe to the veterinarian hospital. Honestly, no one really knows what made the little guy start having seizures. It's very likely some kind of toxin, but nothing has changed in the house. There are no plants for him to chew, neither he nor is brother have been treated for fleas,* etc. The results for the FIP test should be back shortly, but in the meantime, all they can do is give him anti-seizure meds and wait.

I already mentioned staying with Jen on Friday. We had to leave Zoe at the hospital overnight, and returned on Saturday morning to bring him home. The hospital was excellent, but they really couldn't do anything besides what Jen could do at home (unless she wanted to spend several thousand dollars on tests the doctor agreed weren't likely to help). I was initially supposed to leave home around 8:45 in order to meet Heather in Lansing, but had to keep calling to push back the time. First because the hospital was just too far away (about an hour each way) to the trip done in time; then, because we had a tire blow out.

As it turns out, we weren't even on the right highway. I was holding Zoe and not paying a lot of attention to the road, but don't remember Jen doing anything different than what I had done the night before. It turned to be a good thing -- Jen pulled into one of those "Authorized Vehicles Only" spots, and it was only a couple of minutes before a car heading the other direction stopped. The couple in that car was heaven-sent. Jen asked me to stay in the car and not disturb Zoe, and she and the wife chatted while the husband changed the tire. Afterwards, they followed us to a gas station and he filled the tire with air, too -- even paying for it (why can't air be free?).

The first time I called Heather to postpone our meeting, she told me about a cat she'd had years ago who had the exact same symptoms. He'd chewed into a garbage bag which, at the time anyway (don't know about now), were treated with chemicals like insect-repellant and odor-control. It took several days for it all to work out of his system, but he was eventually okay (and then no more garbage bags in the house). We're hoping for a similar outcome for Zoe!

Jen called last night to tell me that Zoe was taking some kitten formula (he'd lost some weight, too, and isn't very coordinated) and seems to be a little more responsive.


Sometime on Friday, John went out for provisions and brought me some beef jerky from an outlet he'd been meaning to check out. I threw it into my overnight bag on my way out and I tell you, that beef jerky saved my bacon a couple of times! Both days, my eating (and therefore my blood sugar) were seriously messed up. I tried to get to real food as soon as I could, but the timing was tough. Luckily, I had this bag of beef jerky.

I had a hard time sleeping without a couple of cats right next to me and John somewhere in the house (and no gun at hand), and I guess my household fared about the same. Turns out Sheldon and Charlie can't sleep without me there. (I knew John would probably not be able to.)

After I had Jen and Zoe all settled in at home for their respective naps, I headed to Lansing to meet up with Heather. There was an event -- Knitterpalooza 2007 -- that we were going to attend, but mostly it was an excuse to get together (Lansing is just about exactly midway between us). We wandered all over one of the shops there - Threadbear (lovely, if a little insular)** - and bought some goodies. One of the things I bought was a new pattern for wristwarmers. I have one of my own that I wrote, but wasn't up to recalculating for thicker yarn. I had the yarn in my bag (Malabrigo Chunky in "Snowbird" -- a gift from SIL T). I've been casting on for projects and ripping back out for as long as I've had the yarn! I cast on for a pair of mittens during the BBQ, but the colors screamed for a fall project. Later that night, at home, I cast on for these. Finally, the yarn met the right pattern (fourth time's a charm, I guess)! I'll have enough left for a hat or headband. Perfect for fall, don't you think?

The Knitterpalooza BBQ was a lot of fun. I hope it becomes an annual event! It was hosted at one knitter's home. Everyone chipped in funds and side dishes, etc. and we all sat around and chatted while we knit. I gathered the courage to pass out the little "party favors" that I put together. I wasn't the only one, either! I gave the card to Heather, but one attendee was passing out samples of the soap she makes (along with a card), and another was passing out business/calling cards.


*Many flea products can be quite toxic - if not deadly - to cats. They are always meant to be used on the skin (usually at the back of the head), but sometimes cats accidentally ingest them. Also, some easily available products (like Hartz) have a high rate of toxin poisoning (best to avoid Hartz in general - they have a poor history of safety)

**There seemed to be a ton of staff, but no one greeted us. I was able to find someone to help me when I needed it, though, so it was okay. I'd rather have that than be followed around the entire time, but a "Hi!" is nice too.

This is long overdue! Work has been just insane, although it might be looking up in the next week or so (until the next crisis). I need to write a post about how I got dumped by my lunch partner. I'm at home today, because I injured my hip and can't walk very far without being in a lot of pain. And there is a LOT of walking at my complex.

I actually had another post almost done, with each photo inserted individually and explanatory text for each, but my computer ate it, and I just can't face pasting all that code again. So, just one picture. Click on the links below to go to the pic in Flickr and read the info.

1. Beautiful Gifts from Tina, 2. Christmas Shawl for K - in Progress (2), 3. My New Tote, 4. Knitterpalooza Door Prize - Needle Roll/Case (open), 5. Knitted Pumpkins, 6. Golden Snitches

Right after writing all about Knit Picks Metal Options needles (and ordering some different sizes), they come out with wooden tips. Luckily, they'll fit on the cables I already have. 

At some point in the near future, fullfaun & I plan to go in on a combined order to qualify for the free shipping, so I'll order a couple pairs of tips to see how I like them (I'm not sure about the colors).

 Oh, and a belated "thank you" to the folks who stepped up with Magic Loop advice. I ended up combining it all and the last last couple of snitches had far less laddering; the second project had none (thicker yarn).

Some time ago, I posted a mini review of the KnitPicks interchangeable needle set that my SIL T got me for my birthday last year. I've had an opportunity to use the set more, and do some reading online and I wanted to add to my review.

Nickel-plated circs are the only type of needles that escape my self-imposed ban on metal. My first needles were aluminum, and I hated them. HATED them. So, I declared "no metal needles, ever!" Then SIL T gave me a pair of (nickel-plated) Addis and I loved using them when the project/yarn allowed. However, the thought of buying a bunch in the sizes I needed was daunting, because they are expensive needles. Then, enabler that she is (and I love her for it), she sent me the KnitPicks set. Since I've had it, I've really fallen in love with this type of needle. I was flipping through a knitting magazine last night and spotted an ad for KP, stating that they now offered different size tips and cables, starting at $3.99. No joke!

Honestly, unless you are a big fan of DPNs and don't want to use the Magic Loop or 2 circ method, a set like these are the only needles you really need. I'm not saying to throw out all of your needles! But if you were traveling (domestically, and I'm thinking of our road trips), these would do it for you, because you can knit flat on circular needles, obviously knit in a circle, and with one of the 2 methods mentioned, knit smaller dimensions as well.

A. If you want to do Magic Loop, these are THE way to go. Addi Turbos and these needles are the only ones I'm aware of that have a thin and flexible enough cable. The longest cable that comes with the set is 32", which is just long enough for Magic Loop. You can also get fixed circulars at a fraction of the cost of Addis ($5-$7 compared to ~$22), although they seem to be out of stock of a lot at this time.

B. You can buy the pre-arranged set or build your own. The latter would be more expensive if you bought the same # of pieces, but they offer more tip sizes and cable lengths beyond what is included in the set. If you know that you'd rarely need anything beyond a size 6 and would only need 40" cables, then you could buy just those pieces and the organizer pockets for them (and the little binder if you wanted).

C. The above means that people that wanted larger needle tips and/or longer cables can add them to their set. The set goes to 11 (insert Spinal Tap joke here), so I ordered 13 & 15, plus a couple longer cables. You could also get duplicates of the sizes you use the most, either for the knitting on 2 circs method, or just to avoid swapping out the tips.

D. Finally, an answer to my too-long cable problem (can't knit hats with the cables in the set): the site says that a 16" cable or shorter isn't possible with this style of needle. Something to do with the screw mechanism that connects the tips and cables. But then it turns out that they offer fixed circs in that length, for less than the bamboo ones at Joann Fabrics and WAY less than the Addis. Like I mentioned, they don't have a lot in stock right now, but I ordered one pair to try out.

The only real drawback that I see in ordering with KP is the urge so many of us feel to meet their $45 minimum for free shipping. You can spend less than that, of course, and pay shipping. But I always feel compelled to get that free shipping! The order I placed today was only my third with them. I've had mixed experiences with their yarn, but can definitely recommend these needles. Note: I have heard some complaints about the tips coming unscrewed, but haven't experienced that myself.

Time for a couple of book reviews!

This is a result of a 1:1 trade arranged through Ravelry. It's actually not the book I thought it was - there is a book out there that is meant to help knitters fix errors in their knitting - but I'm still glad I got it, even though it's the "wrong" book (my bad for not looking it up). Happy accident.

This is a book that I could recommend as a reference for newbie & intermediate knitters. It covers just about every question I've ever asked, or would have asked if I'd had the opportunity. What I especially like is not the content (which is excellent), but the tone. There is nothing I hate more than reading a book and having the author insist that there is only one way to do something (you MUST do X), and that every other method/approach is wrong. I have at least one book like this and will never buy a book from that author again, simply because I hate the tone. This book comes from the direction of "there is no wrong knitting, as long as you get the results you want." She might recommend one method over another, but I never got the impression that she was condemning any reader who went a different way.

It will be my last trade of its kind for awhile, but not because it was a bad experience -- other bad experiences have made me retreat. I'm glad that my last one was positive!



I probably shouldn't be writing a review of a book I haven't used yet, but what the heck. When I'm actually reading the blogs in my Bloglines (I'm SO far behind), I read Amy's, so I've been reading about this book for a long time. Once it was released, I went looking for it, and was starting to get rather jealous of the folks who were able to get their hands on it right away. I hope, for Amy's sake, that these stores were just selling out that quickly, but I have a feeling it was poor organization on the stores' part. I went to one store on the release date, and their computer said that it was on its way, which, at that store was code for "it's in a box in the back room." The other stores that I went to later had pretty robust knitting and crochet sections, and a quilting shelf, but nothing for regular sewing, so who knows where the book could have been (and try getting HELP at one of those places). When I got a gift certificate to Amazon for my birthday, this was the first item in my cart.*

On to the review: Excellent book. Go buy it. Since I've never had anything resembling training when it comes to sewing, but also don't like the "you MUST" approach to tutorials, I really enjoyed the casual approach in this book. There are chapters on the basics, and then the lessons are applied in about 30 projects; many of which are simple enough for new sewers, but interesting enough for intermediate veterans like myself (I've been sewing for years, but am not particularly GOOD at it).

There's a Flickr Group devoted to readers' finished works, plus it includes links to errata, which owners of the book will find helpful.

*I don't, as a rule, shop at Amazon. Not after they sent me the wrong item 3 times at Christmas ('05) and finally admitted on the 23d that they didn't actually have the item but wouldn't refund my money until sometime in January. But when you have gift certificates, that money is already spent, so I relax my rules in those circumstances. I had one for a really odd amount languishing and due to expire, but would have had to spend a bunch to get to the free shipping level, so the birthday one put me over the top.  I also have a Target gift card to use once they put their Halloween stuff out.



This is just a book that I want. Actually, I just want the postcards. And I want lots of Gorey's books. I don't have any right now, but have been craving a big 'ole stack of them since I discovered the Gashlycrumb Tinies, quite late in life.

My old notebook has kind of disappeared. I hope it turns up, because it has notes from my first couple of years of knitting, plus I just plain loved it. (An old, red leather planner that had been completely repurposed.)

While I wait for it to show up again, I've been wanting something to jot down ideas, and someone on one of the Ravelry groups suggested these books from Staples. It will do nicely! Plus, it was not expensive ($5.99)! I also picked up extra dividers and the project and to-do pages pack. Now I can get back to jotting down notes on current and future projects!

I made the little pen holder with a couple different ribbons. It's a little sloppy, because I was in a hurry and it's a first.

I'm very excited to have learned a new technique over the weekend: the Magic Loop. It seemed too fantastical - and therefore too complex - for me to ever even attempt it: knitting small circumfrences on a single circlular needle. After starting and frogging a small project (starting w/ 6 stitches) about 9 times on Sunday, I determined to figure out this mystery. KnittingHelp to the rescue! It turns out that I had the right kind of needles,* so I watched the little video a couple of times and went to work. Hey, it works!

Now for the tricker part. I'm hoping some Magic Loop-ers read this, because I do need a little help. I cannot seem to prevent pretty significant ladders running down the project (I'm knitting the Golden Snitch from Charmed Knits). I'm pulling that first stitch pretty snug, but on the first half, the first stitch is K1FB, so maybe it's loosening up. I don't know. Any tips?

*You need loooong circular needles with a thin cable. Clovers are too thick, unless you're working with bulky yarn. I think Denise sets might be as well. Addis are supposed to work well -- I have the Knit Picks Options set and the longest cable is just long enough.

I do have an entry for Crafty Fun Friday, but it will have to be posted sometime on Saturday! I was able to get some needle rolls into the shop and finish a knitting project this evening, but mostly I worked. The knitting project is Heather's Christmas shawl. (She already knows all about it, but I won't show it here until after she has it. I may post it to Flickr, since she doesn't go there often.) I highly recommend the pattern! Details here I need to wash and block it, but I think I have the time!

Tomorrow, we are going to the zoo for a little bit. My consulting house has 4 events a year - 2 for families, 2 just for employees. This is one of the family events. Free admission and lunch. Can't beat that with a stick. As long as I get to see the polar bears and the sea lions, I'm happy. (For being claustrophobic, I'm amazingly calmed by being underneath the glass tunnel and surrounded by water (and bears).) Later, we're getting together with my family to celebrate my birthday. I just wasn't up for it at the time, and then bro & fam went out of town for a week, and then school started... so it's tomorrow.

Knitting news: I'm still getting everything organized, but I have managed to get all but (I think) two unfinished projects off of the needles and into the completed column. Everything else - if I've missed anything - will likely be sent to the frog pond,* since I don't remember having any other projects going. The two worst offenders are getting back into the game: my Gryffindor scarf and a pair of black alpaca fingerless mitts. They're both for me, which explains - in part -why they've been on hold for so long. The scarf is also the most tedious thing ever, and black yarn is really a pain (but it's loverly and soft, so that's nice). One thing I need to do for Ravelry is finish photographing my stash and get the pics attached to the list but it's not a priority.

I finally feel like I have a handle on all of the swaps. Well, except for one, which I'm almost ready to give up as a lost cause. I made a custom tote a few months back for someone in exchange for one of her prints, and nothing ever arrived. I'm sending a note via snail mail, asking for the print or for the return of the  tote. On my end, I'm 100% caught up. For the remainder of this year I have 3 Lucky Parcel swaps (there are tons more going on, but I'm just signed up for orange, green and Halloween), two almost-over five things swaps I hosted and one Halloween swap, also for five things. That is IT! I'm not doing any more. No one-on-ones, nothing.

Movies: We picked up a couple of interesting DVDs today: Tremors 1-4 ($9.99) and Psycho 2-4 ($9.99 as well). I'd never seen any of the Tremors movies, and John insisted that I would enjoy at least the first one. We watched it tonight and he was right. As for the latter, I hate it when the only way to get sequels (if you want them) is to buy the original again (Ghostbusters 2, Poltergeist 2). I thought it was pretty cool that the Psycho set did not include the first one, since I already had it. I know -- different studios and all, but you never know what deals will be struck. We watched Psycho II tonight and there was at least one part where I about jumped out of my skin. At some point during the weekend, I  hope to put the collector's edition of Serenity in!


*frog pond: when you rip out part of a knitting project it's called "frogging" because you rip it out (rippit, rippit), hence sending something to the frog pond is another way to say you're unraveling the whole thing.