another knitting blog

delayed reaction

I finished this scarf many weeks ago. It's also been weeks since I took these pictures and even a week since I pulled them off the camera. In fact, I've already finished another one. One more to go before Christmas.

This one was knit from Chasing Rainbows Dyeworks Superwash Merino/Tencel Sock Yarn in Crocus. I used two skeins with a total yardage of 450 yds, so it's sightly longer than usual.

The tencel in the blend makes the yarn very drapey and gives a slight sheen.

ETA: Because I am crap at self-promotion, I didn't mention that the pattern I used is the Japanese Vines pattern that I sell. I guess I was trying to show a finished object without feeling like I was doing it to hawk my wares.

not completely DENIED!

I wasn't the only one having trouble with signing up for Madrona. After a short break while technical difficulties were worked out, registration reopened and I was able to sign up for a single class. Not my first choice, nor even my second, but a class I'm sure to enjoy nevertheless.

On a completely unrelated note, I found a favorite new way to eat sushi rolls today--stick a glob of wasabi on top of the roll, cover with a slice of ginger, and then use the chop stick to push the ginger and sushi into the center of the roll. Then, instead of an immediate wasabi kick, there is a delayed reaction after a chew or two. Of course, I will never let anyone see me do this as it is impolite to poke chopsticks into food (or so some Googling has revealed).

Favorite edible heat (in order):
1. wasabi
2. Cajun
3. Indian
>20. jalapeño [blech], especially the ubiquitous, soggy variety they put on everything in Texas.

DENIED! and two memes

Sad day. I tried to register for classes at the Madrona Fiber Arts Festival and was DENIED! [boo]. I was early enough to be able to choose classes that I wanted, but when I hit submit, the browser choked and by the time I got back, all the classes I wanted were gone. I could cry from frustration. Oh well, I guess I'll be saving a lot of money this year and can try again next year. [pout, pout].

So since I'm in a bad mood already, I'll participate in some memes I've been tagged for.

The first is from Jenni who tagged me a while back with a meme wherein you reveal eight random things about yourself. I tried to think of eight random things, but they always ended up being eight negative random things, which is such a downer. I will try and think of eight not particularly negative random things.

1. I have almost no sweet tooth. Don't try and ply me with candy, cookies or cake. It won't work except for very specific instances: original recipe Toll House cookies make with real butter, chewy ginger snaps, shortbread, and dark chocolate. Brownies might work too, but only if they are very chewy.

2. Related to #1: I love dark bitter chocolate, but it makes me sneeze. One bite, I start sneezing.

3. I don't watch broadcast television anymore and I'm much happier for it. It's not avoiding the TV shows, though, that is the key (I still watch several shows online), it's escaping the advertising. Eliminating most TV commercials from my life has given me a much better outlook.

Boy, this is hard. I'm already out of random things.

4. I have difficulty thinking of not particularly negative random things about myself.

I guess I'll have to save the other half of the list for some other day.

On to the next meme.

Mims has tagged me for a meme that is more like a government background check conducted by a middle schooler. [Can this count for my other four?]

[You have been warned].

1. Name one person who made you laugh last night? Well, I was home alone last night, so I guess that person is me. Really, I amuse myself pretty well.

2. What were you doing at 0800? Trying to register for frickin' classes at the Madrona Fiber Arts Festival [see pout above].

3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago? Trying to think of eight not particularly negative random things about myself.

4. What happened to you in 2006? Nothing. Things happened in 2005 and 2007, but 2006 was completely unremarkable.

5. What was the last thing you said out loud? What do you want? [in reply to incessant meowing. answer: more food].

6. How many beverages did you have today? One morning cup of coffee.

7. What color is your hairbrush? Black, like my cold, bitter heart.

8. What was the last thing you paid for? Groceries.

9. Where were you last night? On the couch.

10. What color is your front door? Teal. It's the color it was when I bought the house. I thinking someday I may paint it red.

11. Where do you keep your change? In a plastic tub in the kitchen.

12. What's the weather like today? Gray and rainy.

13. What's the best ice-cream flavor? See question #1 of first list.

14. What excites you? Knitting and my job. Both allow me to be creative and to be continually discovering new things.

15. Do you want to cut your hair? No.

16. Are you over the age of 25? Yes, which is why I have just crossed the tedium barrier.

17. Do you talk a lot? No.

18. Do you watch the O.C.? This list is devolving.

19. Do you know anyone named Steven? No, I know someone name Stephen.

20. Do you make up your own words? I once spent a half hour trying to look up the word 'inpractible' in the dictionary. Does that count?

21. Are you a jealous person? Yes, I am a petty, bitter old hag.

22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter 'A'. Please, make this stop.

23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter 'K'. I can't take much more.

24. Who's the first person on your received call list? I don't have a cell phone.

25. What does the last text message you received say? See #24.

26. Do you chew on your straw? No.

27. Do you have curly hair? No.

28. Where's the next place you're going to? Why, are you going to follow me?

29. Who's the rudest person in your life? You, for asking such impertinent questions!

30. What was the last thing you ate? Toast.

31. Will you get married in the future? Depends on who's asking.

32. What's the best movie you've seen in the past 2 weeks? ...

33. Is there anyone you like right now? I think Tommy in study hall is just dreamy.

34. When was the last time you did the dishes? Yesterday.

35. Are you currently depressed? Are you a therapist?

36. Did you cry today? Tears of frustration brimmed in my eyes, but I did not cry!

37. Why did you answer and post this? Now that I'm to the end, I have no idea.

38. Tag 5 people who would do this survey. No fucking way.

Done now.

Kureyon Coffee Cozy

Here's a little pattern for last-minute gift giving that is quick and fun and, of course, knit from Noro.

Yarn: Noro Kureyon approximately 33 meters/36 yards (one ball makes 3 cozies)

Needles: US7/4.50mm dpns, USJ10/6.00mm crochet hook (optional)

Fits a 16 oz. coffee cup.

Cast on 32 sts. (Although you could use just about any cast on method you prefer, I recommend the following crochet method.) With crochet hook, chain 31. Transfer the last chain loop to a dpn and pick up 31 stitches through the bumps at the back of the 31 chain sts (32 sts).

Divide sts onto 4 needles, 8 sts per needle. Join in the round without twisting.
Purl 1 round.

Pattern repeat
rows 1-3: knit
row 4 (inc row): Knit first 4 sts on needle 1. Next st, knit into st below. Knit remaining sts on needle 1 (+1 st). Knit all sts on needle 2. Knit first 4 sts on needle 3. Next st, knit into st below. Knit remaining sts on needle 3 (+1 st). Knit all sts on needle 4.
rows 5-7: knit
row 8 (inc row): Knit all sts on needle 1. Knit first 4 sts on needle 2. Next st, knit into st below. Knit remaining sts on needle 2 (+1 st). Knit all sts on needle 3. Knit first 4 sts on needle 4. Next st, knit into st below. Knit remaining sts on needle 4 (+1 st).

Repeat these 8 rows 4 times until there are 12 sts on each needle, 48 sts total.

Knit 2 rounds. Purl 1 round. Bind off loosely next round in knit.

Weave in ends. (If you used the crochet cast on suggested above, you can pick out the beginning slip knot before weaving in for a neater finish).

Hand wash vigorously in warm water to slightly full the surface and dry partially in hot dryer. Shape over cup and allow to dry completely.

Copyright © 2007 Michelle Molis, all rights reserved.
May not be reproduced in any form without prior written permission.
May not be used for commercial purposes.