Big Knitting Trouble

Lifeline

2012-02-24T22:18:00.000-05:00

Everything looks fine, right? Everything was fine. Is that supposed to be off by a stitch? Whoa. That's not right. Do you see it? I do. It's all messed up. This feels wrong. I can't believe I completely removed my needles from a live row of lace. Rrrrrrrrrip. Hey, it worked! Back to the beginning of Chart 2, I guess

FO: Deco-ration

2012-02-22T22:09:00.000-05:00

My good friend S was all "I like hats, but I can never find them to fit my head" and I was all "that's why you should have one custom made!" and she was all "sounds good to me" so I said "here are seventeen pictures of hats, pick a thing." Regina [Rav link] by Carina Spencer; knit with less than a skein total of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in colorways 80 Vintage Denim and 87 Neptune Blue This

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

2012-02-20T22:24:00.000-05:00

I've been quietly knitting on my purply cardigan, last seen in January, and I wish I liked knitting it more than I do. There's lots of ribbing and it's not boring... it's just not a lace shawl. Here's a pic of everything I've done... And here's a pic of the first front panel... ...right before I ripped it all out. Blerg. The stitch count was off and there was lots of re-reading this one

Knitwear at the Movies: Waitress

2012-02-17T21:10:00.000-05:00

SO GOOD. I love this movie muchly. Extremely well written and well acted -- the world lost an awesome talent with the loss of Adrienne Shelly. This movie surprises me with questions I don't often ponder, like... what would I do if Nathan Fillion was all-of-a-sudden my OBGYN? I, for one, would make this face. Anyway. That's enough of that. There's really only one sweater of which to speak,

Pattern Roundup: Knitwear of Anne Shirley's PEI

2012-02-12T00:15:00.000-05:00

Let's try to recreate the worlds of Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea, shall we? Lotsa knits = lotsa patterns. Screen Grab: Mrs Hammond's Shawl Not so much a shawl pattern, as a stitch pattern... free! December 1: Chain Link Fence [Rav link] by Lindsey Melvin Screen Grab: Lovely Lady's Lace Gloves A search for a knit pattern proved futile, but there are some free crochet patterns that

Piecing Together a Winter

2012-02-08T21:18:00.000-05:00

Winter usually hits like a Mack truck and lays me low for four solid months -- there's lots of cold, lots of dark, lots of bundling and hiding behind my knitting -- but this season has been sporadic. First it's cold, then it's super unseasonably warm, then it snows... which happened today. As if the weather wasn't enough to throw me off, my schedule is different every day; each Tuesday is the

Moving Right Along

2012-02-03T23:36:00.000-05:00

* I haven't blogged in a while, but I'm still totally here and knitting. Yay for that! * There will be an Anne pattern post. There will. Note to self: do the Anne pattern post. * I finished that hat I started, but the results were so lackluster, I'm not even going to do an FO post for it. I knit it as homework for the Harry Potter Knitting & Crochet House Cup on Ravelry. It was my

FO: Toddler Flashdance

2012-01-25T23:02:00.000-05:00

Shoulda: written the pattern post for the Anne KATMs (one and two) Woulda: done some knitting on a sock weight slouchy hat Coulda: gone to bed early for some much needed sleep But no. I'm writing this. Here are some legwarmers, yo. Happy Legs [Rav link], a free pattern by Dani Sunshine; knit with less than a skein of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK in 18019 Dark Blue I began these as an

Knitwear at the Movies: Anne of Avonlea

2012-01-18T21:01:00.000-05:00

Second verse, better than the first? YES. I watched the clam bake scene eight times... just mentioning it makes me want to watch it again. With director's commentary. Marilla KOFing (Knitting on Film) Fred's Simple Sweater Vest Honestly, I'm only including this because Bruce McCulloch, the actor who plays Diana's fiance Fred Wright, was a member of the very awesome Kids in the Hall. "

Knitwear at the Movies: Anne of Green Gables

2012-01-16T11:33:00.000-05:00

The books by Lucy Maud Montgomery were some of my favorites as a child. I knew at a very young age that Megan Follows pronounces her name "Mee-gan." Jonathan Crombie as Gilbert Blythe was my first crush on a boy, when I was like four or something. It's on!! Green hair? What do you mean? You've never looked lovelier. Mrs. Hammond's Shawl Not a lot of screen time for this first knit,

Two thousand and twelve

2012-01-10T17:43:00.000-05:00

New beginnings and all that. I'm not the only one with Startitis, but mine is by design. I've been a one-project woman since I finally bound off The Socks in early November and my project loyalty is freaking me out a little. Monogamy: good for my marriage, bad for my knitting. Ahem. More new things! It's the beginning of a hat. Why? I dunno! I heart hats, even though they're difficult

Off-Topic: Mental Illness

2012-01-07T12:16:00.000-05:00

Hi guys. So I don't normally talk about this, which puts me in the majority, as most people back away from this subject. My silence comes not from discomfort, but an actual lack of language: I literally cannot find the words to talk generally about mental illness -- depression, bipolar disorder, et cetera ad infinitum -- because it affects me so specifically. I'll not go into detail here, but

FO: One Little Kitten

2012-01-07T00:29:00.000-05:00

One little kitten has found her mittens -- or should I say, they found her. And she won't stop moving: The Stay Put Mini Mitts [Rav link], a free pattern by Jennifer Alexander; knit with Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Paints in colorway 9860 Jelly Bean The outside got super cold overnight, so I whipped these up in an evening... which means that two days later, the temperature is back in the 50s °F

FO: Variegartered

2012-01-02T10:52:00.000-05:00

My final project of 2011 was completed at 8:30pm on New Years Eve... Pimpelliese [Rav link] by Christine Ebers; knit in Lion Brand Sock-Ease, colorway 202 Taffy I love the way these colors work together. Teal is my fave and I like the way it looks with the dark mustard; the taupe-y color softens the contract between them nicely. My blocking messed with the selvedge a bit. I used a couple of

2011 by the Numbers

2011-12-31T23:59:00.012-05:00

Finished Object Fun Times 17 baby knits in total 9 baby knits for Ms. Punkin Q. Pie 2 sets of fingerless gloves 3 lace shawls 1 garter stitch shawl 2 identical wedding shrugs 3 cowls started and finished in December 1 project completed for HPKCHC 1 FO knit for myself The Socks cast on March 13 2010 bound off November 8 2011 over 40,000 stitches Blog Nonsense20 Knitwear at the Movies posts

FO: The Socks

2011-12-31T17:15:00.001-05:00

This has never happened before. This will never happen again. Salt n Pepper Socks knit for my salt-and-peppered dad. Only took me a year and a half. I'm not kidding. These are Mr. Pitt's Socks (aka Dad Socks) [Rav link], a free pattern designed by Kaitlyn Wong. The yarn is Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine in colorway 1207 Salt and Pepper; you may remember it from its supporting role in the

New Thing!

2011-12-28T20:50:00.000-05:00

It's new and it's not a cowl! It's Pimpelliese [Rav link], a free pattern by Christine Ebers! It's Lion Brand Sock-Ease in colorway 202 Taffy, yarn I was going to use for an Inspira Cowl [Rav link] but it totally didn't work! It works much better for this project! Isn't it pretty! My leg makes for a weird background! Sorry! Exclamation!

FOs: Mad Cowl Disease

2011-12-27T23:38:00.000-05:00

Cowls like a crazy person. Seriously, the fact that they look horrible on me is making me crazy. And yet, I can't stop making them. They're quick and stash-busting and I keep thinking I'm going to find the right pattern... Exhibit A: Going to a Happy Place Pattern: Canaletto Cowl [Rav link] by Megan Goodacre Yarn: Knit Picks Simply Cotton Organic Worsted in colorway Ginger This was my first

Knitwear at the the Movies + Pattern Roundup: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

2011-12-26T09:28:00.000-05:00

This seems a little anticlimactic, ending my reign of HP knitwear terror with this movie. I mean it, there were no costume changes for any of the characters, it almost isn't worth it. Almost. :) Screen Grab: Fleur's Reverse-Mullet Cardigan I was intrigued by the contrast: it's all party in the front, business in the back. It's like it was meant to be tied and she just didn't. The nipped-in

It's a Cowl Christmas

2011-12-24T09:46:00.000-05:00

Happy fourth/fifth day of Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa Eve Eve, Merry Christmas Eve!! ... what am I missing? Probably stuff. My name is Cyprienne and I'm a cowl addict. This is the third attempt at the third cowl in as many weeks. The fact that I've gotten through the first pattern repeat bodes well for the rest of the project. This is my fourth attempt at this particular cowl pattern, which

Pattern Roundup: Holiday Animated Shorts

2011-12-21T20:32:00.000-05:00

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer image via Cultural Construct OMG baby slippers! OMG Bumble feet! Best yet: these awesome crocheted Abominable Baby Slippers [Rav link], designed by Melissa Mall, are free! image via IMDB PLUS a couple versions of "the most famous reindeer of all" for your crafting pleasure: crochet Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer [Rav link] by Stephanie Garcia; $5.00 USD

Pattern Round-up: Christmas Knitwear at the Movies

2011-12-19T12:53:00.000-05:00

I celebrate Christmas, so this is what you get. :) Elf Confession: I didn't actually watch this; I fast-forwarded with the volume muted. In my defense, I have a lot of movies to get through before Christmas arrives. The stocking cap worn by Jovie (Zooey Deschanel) is pretty spiffy, so it was worth my time. Weird to see her as a blonde, though: free! Jovie Hat (from the movie Elf) [Rav

Why Buy the Cowl...

2011-12-08T23:00:00.000-05:00

when you can go to Melk for free? Wait, that doesn't make any sense. What I mean to say is: it's time to knit cowls for no reason! Other than... Christmas is coming and they're quick I already have nice yarn in small quantities I'm known for NOT being thoughtful -- this'll show 'em I have no other WIPs. None! Really! except for the toddler legwarmers. Which are boring. First up: Canaletto

Pattern Roundup: Coraline

2011-12-06T20:00:00.000-05:00

I've been meaning to watch Coraline for ages. Not only do I love anything and everything by Neil Gaiman, but I've been such a fan of Althea Crome, the production's knitwear guru. I saw this video detailing her creation of the signature star sweater and almost stabbed myself mid-purl: So intricate, so tiny, so precise. Soooo amazing. Let's see them, shall we? Coraline's Real Mom's Pullover I

Knitwear at the Movies: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

2011-12-04T12:30:00.000-05:00

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is such a good movie, but I can't watch it without getting all wistful and weird about bittersweet strange memories... which, you know, may be part of the director's intent. If you want to know what happens after the "movie" is over, meet me at the end.* Anyway, New York in winter = knits, yo! Joel's Watch Cap Joel lives in this hat. Seriously, he wears it

FO: NaKniSweMo Cardigan

2011-11-30T19:33:00.045-05:00

It's Oblique by Veronik Avery. I call it "The Me Mine Selfish Cardigan" because it's been two full years since I've made something for myself. There are no buttons yet and the photo is horrible, but I needed proof. Proof! And it fits! The T-shirt is a high-fives shout-out to my fabled attempt at NaNoWriMo in 2005. My brother attempted it this year... well, sir, didya do it? Previously on

NaKniSweMo Week 4

2011-11-29T08:14:00.000-05:00

The home stretch! And I have this much yarn going into the collar... George does not approve. Oooooops. There may be magic involved. Stay tuned, citizens. Right Front Two of 'em! Cast On: 9:30pm 11/20/2011 Bind Off: 11pm 11/22/2011 Stitch Count: approx 6195 stitches Yardage: approx 169 yards Left ButtonbandPicked Up: 8:30pm 11/24/2011 Bind Off: 9:45pm 11/24/2011 Stitch Count: approx 649

Pattern Round-up: Despicable Me

2011-11-26T10:43:00.001-05:00

Last night I watched Despicable Me while casting on a new project and waiting for the sleeves of the cardigan to block. It occurred to me that there is a lot of "knitwear" in this animated movie... plus the minions would make some supercute toys. On to the round-up! Edith's Stocking Cap Edith isn't so very excited about dance class. Edith thinks sleeping in an old bomb is cool. Edith never

NaKniSweMo Week 3

2011-11-22T11:31:00.000-05:00

Wool makes my eyes burn. Left Front Cast On: 10:30pm 11/14/2011 Bind Off: 11:15pm 11/16/2011 Stitch Count: approx 6195 stitches Yardage: approx 169 yards I'm a good 80% done with the right front -- not complete yet -- but there is a large source of worry on the horizon. I'm also 80% sure I do NOT have enough yarn for this project. I'm knitting the smallest size and, given the width of the

There is Too Much; Let Me Sum Up.

2011-11-20T22:06:00.000-05:00

My computer machine is dead. It might just be a power supply thing (which I really hope it is because I'd like to retrieve, oh, all the pictures of my daughter's life) but the tower itself is six years old, so I'm not too terribly surprised-- just bummed. Research for the next machine is underway! Convertible carseats are expensive. But we're all set on the diaper situation (thank you, parents

Year-iversary

2011-11-16T11:30:00.001-05:00

Today is that day.

NaKniSweMo Week 2

2011-11-15T20:57:00.000-05:00

I went five days between sleeves -- this may not bode well for the finishing the sweater. Second Sleeve Two of 'em! Cast On: 2pm 11/11/2011 Bind Off: 10pm 11/14/2011 Stitch Count: approx 8682 stitches Yardage: approx 218 yards I seriously don't know how this ridiculous stunt is supposedly possible. (How many modifiers can I stick in a sentence? No matter.) My arms feel like they're about

FO: Snappy Flappy Cap

2011-11-13T18:05:00.000-05:00

It's getting colder -- let's make a hat! It's Cozy [Rav link] by Alison Williams, done with a little more than a quarter skein of Cascade 220 Superwash Paints in 9860 Jelly Bean. This photo was taken during blocking; why the crochet hook, you ask? There is a single crochet edging on that bad boy. What? Who? Yes. I did it, with the only crochet hook I own, thanks to this YouTube vid from

NaKniSweMo Week 1

2011-11-09T10:17:00.000-05:00

I went a little crazy. Cardigan BackCast On: 10pm 11/1/2011 Bind Off: 11pm 11/3/2011 Stitch count: approx 11,787 stitches Yardage: approx 311 yards First SleeveCast On: 9pm 11/4/2011 Bind Off: 8pm 11/6/2011 Stitch Count: approx 8682 stitches Yardage: approx 218 yards As a reminder, I'm knitting Veronik Avery's Oblique [Rav link], a free pattern, with Berroco Ultra Alpaca in colorway 6207 Salt

NaKniSweMo Begins with a Whimper

2011-11-01T21:59:00.000-04:00

A quick assessment of WIPs left me aghast: only one evening project on the needles [Rav project page]? Okay, fine, I'll churn out some sock rows. Then I remembered: it's finally November: NaKniSweMo! I've always wanted to participate in National Knit a Sweater Month, the knitterly version of my beloved NaNoWriMo and this is my year, I can feel it. Now it's, oh, 10pm and I'm finally casting on

My Parents Love Me

2011-11-01T20:13:00.000-04:00

A Heavy Package came in the mail yesterday; on the wrapping paper was a card filled with my mother's handwriting. It read, in part: ...So your daddy & I walked down to the Farmers Market. On the way, we stopped by [the brand new only LYS in town!], open for business and beckoning us. You will love it! She even has big, comfy chairs where you can sit & knit & enjoy a cup of chai & chat... My

Halloween is Oishii This Year

2011-10-31T07:30:00.000-04:00

Last year's Halloween included a store-bought peapod costume for Ms. Punkin Q. Pie -- because, really, too tired. But as various superadorable costume ideas got circulated on Facebook and Twitter (my social networks of choice), I was inspired to try my hand at knitting something cool. Sushi gets lots of love and noms at my house, so I was excited when this onesie costume was featured on the

FO: Jelly Bean Sweater

2011-10-29T21:30:00.001-04:00

More cool weather clothes for a cool little girl... This is the Maxi Top/Dress [Rav link] designed by Elena Nodel; the pattern is free and it's top-down and in-the-round -- what a relief not to seam! There are several sizing options and a couple different hem options. I chose to leave the sweater short-sleeved for layering and whatnot, but one could easily lengthen the sleeves if desired.

Universal Craft Blog Directory

2011-10-29T20:27:00.000-04:00

CraftyRie has taken it upon herself to host a hugormous list of crafty blog people and you can participate! Just go to her blog via the link below, add your blog to the list, invite your blog readers to do the same, ta da!

KATM by Request: Star Trek (2009)

2011-10-27T22:28:00.000-04:00

Dearest darlingest Megan at In the Attic: A V.C. Andrews Blog suggested the Star Trek reboot for a KATM on the BKT Facebook page. At first I was all what now?, but then it was like yeah, ok. Spock's Sweater You can tell he's half human by the sassy bateau-necked pullover. It's a 1x1 rib in super bulky weight; the variation in color looks metallic. This concise assessment is now finished, as is

Knitwear at the Movies: Finding Neverland

2011-10-22T22:30:00.000-04:00

My move from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic happened in 2004, so I was busy, shall we say, when Finding Neverland first came out. The movie has been on my must-see list for several reasons: I have a huge interest in British literature AND children's literature (both lit for kids and lit by kids, actually); Peter Pan, of course, has been interpreted many ways and I was excited to see the play in

FO: Lattice Shrug

2011-10-20T07:00:00.000-04:00

Sometimes when it's nice out and there's the looming possibility that snow could fall tomorrow, you need to take a walk. I was lucky enough to take one with a stylish baby. The pattern is Lacy Little Shrug [Rav link] by Eileen Casey. The stitch pattern itself is easy enough to memorize, but there are errors. We're not talking I prefer my decreases to be mirrored errors, I'm talking increase up

Better Than Cake

2011-10-17T22:03:00.000-04:00

...and you know I love my cake. Lookit what came in the mail!!!!!: If you have found me on Facebook, you already know this -- and you already know about my specialized Yarn Fast -- NO YARN BUYING UNTIL 2012. But I totally didn't buy this yarn so I get to keep it neener neener neener take that, universe! (Note to self: stop taunting universe.) Anyway, this lovely stuff was a birthday gift;

Knitwear at the Movies: Amélie

2011-10-13T12:55:00.002-04:00

Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain, AKA Amélie, is one of my favorite movies. Ever. Everevereverever. Like permanent Top 5. Never gets old. Always a treat. Makes me happy. Love. <3 When I watch a foreign language movie without subtitles, by the end, I truly believe I understood everything perfectly. In reality, I know just enough French to get in some serious trouble. I was going to

Knitwear at the Movies: Babette's Feast

2011-10-05T00:15:00.000-04:00

This is my favorite Danish movie where characters also speak in Swedish and French. Let me know if you know a better one. The town gossips are silently judging you. Martine and Filippa, the Sisters The town beauties, the minister's daughters Martine (Birgitte Federspiel/Vibeke Hastrup) and Filippa (Bodil Kjer/Hanne Stensgaard), have pretty smiles and pretty knits. image via IMDB.com Most of

Cyprienne's Blue Period

2011-10-03T07:00:00.007-04:00

The second secret shawl is complete, including blocking! But you don't get to see it yet. Not even the nupps. Unless you have a Rav account, then go ahead. I'll wait. :) ALERT: new stuff on the needles! New Stuff #1 AKA Travel Knitting:Since the Sock of Doom has recently been demoted from travel knitting, I've cast on something purse-sized to take its place, destined to fill up the waiting

The Sock, It Grows

2011-10-01T00:48:00.000-04:00

Hey, remember before, when I found a long-lost UFO and was all excited about it, but then I got distracted by Harry Potter and a bunch of other movies with knitwear, and I kept knitting on that first sock but didn't blog about it because it was sooo boooorrrring? Well. Now there's this: I turned a heel. Yes, thank you, you're too kind This horrible picture was taken literally five minutes

Too Busy to Knit This Weekend

2011-09-26T07:00:00.003-04:00

but of course, I found time to start cross stitching a monkey. pattern from andwabisabi's Etsy shop

FO: Little Lace

2011-09-23T08:05:00.000-04:00

It got colder quickly, so I took a two-day break from knitting things that are secret and/or boring to whip up this confection for one small girl child of my acquaintance: The pattern is a free Ravelry download: Victorian Lace Baby Shrug [Rav link] by Melanie Lok; knit with one skein of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK in colorway 18006 Wine. Thank you to Maisy for keeping her relatively still for

KATM+PR: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

2011-09-18T07:00:00.000-04:00

I can't write about the movie Scott Pilgrim vs. the World without making several confessions: * I play video games frequently* I've wanted blue hair since I was 10* I've wanted to be in a band since I was 7* I was thisclose to leaving the country, just because * I'm a sucker for distorted guitar, bass solos, and girl drummers* I did some wildly inappropriate dating at and around the age of 22 So

No Nupp for You!

2011-09-14T22:24:00.000-04:00

...what I mean to say is, I get lots of nupps (nupp is pronounced "noop" because Estonians want to mess with you; I don't blame them), but you don't get to see my copious nupps, because the secret shawl project is still, well, secret. Unless you Rav stalk me or click through from my last shawl post. Then you can totally see shawl pics. But they aren't updated all the way, so still no nupps for

A Word about Today

2011-09-11T13:34:00.000-04:00

A lot of people have some high emotions regarding today. Our daughter has already noticed that we're sadder than usual and has set about to be extra sweet to make us smile. My birthday will be arriving very soon, which only serves to further remind me that every moment is a gift. Let there be peace on earth.

Not a Thirsty Thursday

2011-09-08T14:00:00.000-04:00

The constant drip-drip-drip-WOOOOSH-drip-drip-drip-rat-tat-tat-tat-drip-drip-drip of the rain has just stopped for the first time in 24 hours. I'm sure it will start again soon. All this water has made for a sudden chill in the air, so I'm frantically looking through my queue for some quick raglan baby cardigans to warm up the small one using random stash yarn! I've been steadily moving on

A Little Miffed

2011-09-03T13:00:00.002-04:00

So I was juuuuust gearing up for a visit to a LYS I've had my online eye on: mapping out the driving route, noting the hours of operation on the website to making sure it's open today, planning out Punkin's nap time accordingly, doing some last minute Ravelry queue yardage checks... when I notice there's a Ravelry group for said LYS—and they've closed the store as of July 23, 2011. Wait, WHAT?!

Knitwear at the Movies: The King's Speech

2011-09-01T20:48:00.000-04:00

The King's Speech! So good so good so good so good!! Also: Colin Firth!!! (p.s. Jennifer Ehle, too!*) So guess who wears knits in this movie. It's not really a question, not even a rhetorical one. The answer is: not royalty (one notable exception; you'll see). And so I present to you: the Logue Family... Myrtle Logue's Cardigan Skeptical Myrtle questions your motives. A simple cream

Secrets, Secrets are No Fun

2011-08-29T21:45:00.000-04:00

So I finished the secret project, a black shawl... ...which still needs blocking, obviously. I'll post true FO pics with description and pattern link once it's in the hands of its rightful owner. Here's the two-part bad news: 1) I don't currently own blocking wires. So that has to happen first. 2) I'm about to start another secret shawl project— Wait, where are you going?! There's a picture!

Thar's a Hurricane a-Comin

2011-08-27T14:07:00.000-04:00

Most people in the western hemisphere are aware that Hurricane Irene is taking a jaunt up the east coast of the United States this weekend: image via crisislanding.appspot.com I live very near that turquoise cone of doom, and while I may be just west enough to be safe from the bulk of the damage, there's no doubt that something's in the air today... The first few drops have started to

Knitwear at the Movies: Little Children

2011-08-26T10:00:00.000-04:00

Have you seen Little Children? It was a really good movie. Several people thought so. Not a lot of knitwear, I must admit; that's not really the draw. But there was this pretty awesome skater hat... A Pretty Awesome Skater Hat It's not a skater hat per se, but the young gentleman wearing the hat was cast as a sk8r boi (hate you, Avril!) and he probably wants to be Shaun White. ANYWAY. This

Still Here, I Swear

2011-08-25T13:28:00.000-04:00

I've been knitting and watching movies and working and knitting some more! Who knew my secret project would be this much of a timesink?... (A: not me.) lotso stitches, lotso yarn More after cast off and blocking -- almost there!

Getting Back on the Knitting Horse

2011-08-10T19:20:00.002-04:00

All that movie watching and I've only gotten halfway finished with my secret project??: Well. That's just sad. And I've watched a lot more movies that I've detailed here. Tip for you: do not watch "Pretty Baby" starring Brooke Shields; it's very well acted, but criminy, I couldn't handle the subject matter. I pride myself on being pretty unflappable -- is it in print? I can read it -- but

The last HP post for a good long time

2011-08-07T17:36:00.000-04:00

I didn't quite intend for this blog to be hijacked by Pottermania, but I am a bit of a superfan and I don't know when I'm going to be able to see the movie and there's lots of knitwear in the series and I'm done with excuses now. This is it. Hey, is it just me, or should these guys be cast as brothers at some point?: left: Jason Isaacs AKA Lucius Malfoy; right: Mad Men's Jon Hamm Also, in

Pattern Round-Up: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1

2011-08-06T23:19:00.001-04:00

HEY guess what, it's August. I completely burnt myself out with the earlier pace, hence the gigantic break. This one is long overdue, so here it goes: Pattern Round-Up: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 relevant links to the KM post with pictures are helpfully provided in the pattern title heading Screen Grab: Hermione's HatThis one is very popular, for obvious reasons; all free:

Pattern Round-Up: The Weasley Sweater

2011-07-24T07:30:00.000-04:00

Best. Movie. Ever. OK, fine, I tend to be hyperbolic. But seriously, guys. The movie (it's HP7b, in case you've been living under a rock) was so super fantastic. Pattern Round-Up: The Weasley Sweater You know the one. from HP1; image via The Leaky Cauldron gallery HP4: cut your hair and stop talking with your mouth full! jk, luv ya! So here are some patterns for it! Screen Grab: The

Pattern Round-Up: HP Socks!

2011-07-23T12:35:00.000-04:00

Gearing up for HP7b this afternoon! I'll try to take mental knit notes, but mostly I'm just going to enjoy the movie and the company of my husband. Pattern Round-Up: Socks Inspired by the Wizarding World Wizards and Witches free! Hermione's Everyday Socks [Rav link] by Erica Lueder free! Minerva's Argyles [Rav link] by MoreThanOneWay free! Socks for the Deputy Headmistress [Rav link] by

Pattern Round-Up: The Hogwarts Scarf

2011-07-21T11:00:00.002-04:00

OK, that was a nice break. I'm not a post-twice-a-day person! But there's good news to share: I will be seeing HP7b in a movie theatre this weekend! I love my husband. Pattern Round-Up: The Hogwarts Scarf Hogwarts house colors are prominently featured on all Hogwarts knits; this is especially true of the ever-present winter accessory, the scarf. HouseMain ColorAlternate

Preliminary Pattern Round-up: HP7b

2011-07-15T17:00:00.000-04:00

For those who really can't wait even a day... there are already some pertinent patterns for this movie! WARNING: those who don't want "spoilers" shouldn't go seeking out this information of this ridiculous depth. :) Preliminary Pattern Round-Up: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Inspiration: Trust Snape Armband My favorite part about this wristband, designed by Slythwolf and

Pattern Round-Up: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

2011-07-15T14:00:00.001-04:00

This looks like a short pattern post, but it's important to realize that sooo many elements of the movie are carried throughout the series and do not only belong to this movie. ...I did cheat a lot, though, due to the sparseness of it all. Fun fact: the Harry Potter Wiki has an entry about the Muggle hobby of knitting done by magical characters throughout the series! Pattern Round-Up: Harry

Knitwear at the Movies: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

2011-07-15T06:58:00.000-04:00

We've arrived at the movie that started it all. I hope you're prepared: they're all babies, it's so cute! Pointy hats for all! Mrs. Weasley and Ginny wear knits ...and don't do much else in this movie. This is before we learn Mrs. Weasley's secret to knitting sweaters for self and several children. Let's look at her hat, shall we? Nice dark green cabled beret, with sections of what seems to

It is finished.

2011-07-15T00:08:00.001-04:00

The end is beginning right now! High fives to the folks who made it out to a movie theatre for a midnight showing of such an unknown independent film about Wiccans. More later, of course, but since I'm up... Happy HP7b Day! EDIT: to fix the name of the film. I'm not kidding. It's definitely time to go to bed.

Pattern Round-Up: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

2011-07-14T14:00:00.004-04:00

Only ten hours away from HP7b midnight showings on the US East Coast!! Pattern Round-Up: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets relevant links to the KM post with pictures are helpfully provided in the pattern title heading Screen Grab: Molly Weasley’s Technicolor Sweater Ever’body wants to be Mrs. Weasley. And if you crochet, you too can wear some crazy arm-bells! crochet! Coat of Many

Knitwear at the Movies: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

2011-07-14T07:13:00.000-04:00

This movie has surprisingly few knits, compared with later movies, but I suppose that's due to the focus on Hogwarts and its uniforms by association. HP2! RIP Richard Harris Molly Weasley's Sweater of Many Colors The gasp heard around the world in 2002 was the collective yarncrafting world beholding this creation: Don't mess with me, sassafras. This is crazy. CRAZY. Ten buckets of crazy

Pattern Round-Up: General HP Silliness

2011-07-13T14:00:00.008-04:00

The scope of influence of the Harry Potter series (books and movies) is broad and far-reaching. It all sounds very serious. This post is not about literary criticism or social impact. This post is about fun stuff. Read on! Pattern Round-Up: General HP Silliness Potter and Pop Culture: “What’s that Ticking Noise?” I'm sure you've picked up on my love for StarKid Productions and their

Pattern Round-up: Qare for some Quidditch?

2011-07-13T08:00:00.114-04:00

I have planned poorly. No HP2 posts for today because—get this—the movie does not arrive from Netflix until this afternoon. GRRR. So... tomorrow! In the meantime, I’ll be posting Pattern Round-ups for collections of HP patterns I’ve compiled during my research for all the movie posts… enjoy! Pattern Round-Up: Qare for some Quidditch? Golden Snitch 1 (c) Raynor Gellatly; 2 (c) Melissa

Pattern Round-Up: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

2011-07-12T14:00:00.015-04:00

You'll find as we get to the earlier movies, there are a lot more patterns; that's what happens when folks have more time to think about them! Pattern Round-Up: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban relevant links to the KM post with pictures are helpfully provided in the pattern title heading Screen Grab: Ron's Animal Cracker Hat So. Many. Patterns. This hat is by far this movie's most

Knitwear at the Movies: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

2011-07-12T07:00:00.000-04:00

At this point I'm absolutely positive that I'm a witch and that Ollivander made my wand of flowering dogwood and dehydrated raspberries. HP3! "It's you getting hit in the head with a quaffle! Don't you feel foolish? ...pay special attention to the shading on your sweater. It's rather good." Hermione's Red Hat in the Snow I may not like July heat most of the time, but it's better than snow. I

Pattern Round-up: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

2011-07-11T14:00:00.001-04:00

The great thing about these HP4 patterns: they're all free. In the name of Merlin, that's what I like to hear! Pattern Round-Up: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire relevant links to the KM post with pictures are helpfully provided in the pattern title heading Screen Grab: Hermione's Fair Isle & Cable GOF Turtleneck Kari Marchant's turtleneck sweater recipe [Rav link] uses colorwork and

Knitwear at the Movies: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

2011-07-11T07:18:00.000-04:00

Are you sick of these yet? I'm just getting warmed up (you know... in the goblet of... fire. Lame.)! Seriously, I've gotten really impatient with the early parts of each movie; it's all I can do not to say "be winter already!" aloud. HP4! AKA the one where Ron acts like a useless git most of the time Hermione's First Task Sweater The sweater Hermione wears to the First Task of the

Pattern Round-Up: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

2011-07-10T08:00:00.001-04:00

This is a crazy breakneck pace; I am possibly overcompensating for the fact that I will not be in a movie theatre at midnight on Friday... or indeed any time in the near future. Pattern Round-Up: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix relevant links to the KM post with pictures are helpfully provided in the pattern title heading Screen Grab: Hermione Grainbow This stripe-by-stripe replica of

Knitwear at the Movies: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

2011-07-09T14:00:00.000-04:00

If you can't tell, we're going a bit backwards-like Benjamin-Buttony for these, because that's how they were situated in my Netflix queue. And gulping gargoyles, you guys, I took 18 screenshots of knits in the first half alone. HP5, y'all!* NYAAH Hermione's Striped Sweaters So there's a red/pink stripe one and a gray/rainbow stripe one... I love them both and so does Ron. Girl, you know

Pattern Round-Up: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

2011-07-09T08:00:00.014-04:00

Did you see the red carpet photos and interviews from the HP7b London premiere? Fantastico! NEW FEATURE!! PATTERN ROUND-UP!!Yes, we live to enrich your lives. I've decided that occasionally (sometimes, but not limited to, coinciding with the occasional Knitwear at the Movies posts) I will do a themed Pattern Round-Up of my faves, according to my whims and preferences... because I can!

Knitwear at the Movies: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

2011-07-08T08:00:00.002-04:00

So I'm way too excited--and slightly saddened, let's be honest--about the upcoming release of the final Harry Potter movie Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (AKA HP7b). Let's get right to it: HP6! Dumbledore and I have loads in common. Hermione's Gray Hat Hermione has the best hats, for reals. This one is a dove gray stocking cap with a ribbed brim and a cable and eyelet crown:

HP Love Crafting

2011-07-08T00:00:00.010-04:00

Just a warning to WATCH THIS SPACE for some wild and wacky HP7b countdown material!! It's going to be magical, folks. One week!! Also, I've cast on something new: It's this. More details after more knitting.

Totally went to a yarn store

2011-07-02T13:40:00.000-04:00

And yes, this is news, because it's been a while, guys. Yesterday we were dismissed from work early (what? happy birthday, America!) and I jumped on the opportunity. Bonus hour + can't go home yet + no baby in sight = trip to a LYS I'm under the strictest of yarn diets--no yarn purchases with my own money in 2011--so it's been a good long time since I've been in the confines of a yarn store,

FO: Celestial Flame Mitts

2011-06-29T20:53:00.000-04:00

I've decided that "Celestial Flame Mitts" would be an appropriate name for a project from a Carl Sagan-inspired pattern: Starstuff [Rav link] by Amy van de Laar; knit in Lang Yarns Jawoll Solid Superwash, colorways 83.0004 (black) and 83.0085 (silver) These were knit for my fabulous friend Jill Factotum -- super handy, super crafty -- and I followed her preferences for modifications. Pattern

AAH LOOK WHAT I FOUND

2011-06-22T21:58:00.000-04:00

From Dec 2009 to Mar 2010, I made a bunch of Christmas presents for my parents and brothers. Look at those dates again. Yes, that's right. And in mid-March we went Midwest-way to see them and deliver said knits, and everything was great... Except... I didn't start my dad's socks until we were sitting in the airport on the way there. These were to be my first socks and my dad is a very

Yesterday's Quiet Night

2011-06-20T22:14:00.000-04:00

Progress happened: So bow down to her, if you want! Bow to her! Bow to the queen of floats, the queen of mitts, the queen of stranded colorwork!* _____* with apologies to the Ancient Booer

What I've Been Up To

2011-06-09T23:41:00.000-04:00

A small bit of knitting... a very small bit A large bit of partying... rainbow cupcakes using Dainty Squid's tutorial photo credit: Jill Factotum photo credit: Jill Factotum from a bebe to a toddler

A quick check-in...

2011-05-29T22:45:00.000-04:00

...to let you know I'm still breathing AND I'm re-picking up knitting in the next ten seconds. It's been too long. Time to re-CO the second Starstuff mitt!

Knitwear at the Movies: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Pt. 1

2011-05-21T11:00:00.001-04:00

I <3 the Harry Potter series. I work in the children's department of a public library for four years during the major Potter boom times, and let me say, it was fantastic! We had all sorts of Potter-related events; one very special seven-hour party was done in partnership with a local bookstore, culminating in the midnight sale of the newest book at the time (Order of the Phoenix was the only

FO: Grape Gobblin'

2011-05-06T21:00:00.001-04:00

Soooo my awesome friend Laura lent me her camera until I get a new one!!!!!!! Whooooooo!!!!! Thank yoooouuuuu!!!!! I finished the teeny tiny T-shirt I started during Startitis... Cute Summer Top by Anna & Heidi Pickles, knit in South West Trading Company Bamboo, colorway 138 PurplexedThe top photo is truest to color; photos are pre-blocking and the button is purple. I had to do a

Knitwear at the Movies: Nanny McPhee

2011-05-05T21:35:00.000-04:00

So I've decided to do an occasional feature, detailing all the handknits I notice/covet in the movies I watch. Yay! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Nanny McAwesome-Teal-Sweater "Nanny McPhee" is a 2005 film starring Emma Thompson and Colin Firth. Not only does it feature Angela Lansbury being fantastically crotchety (I almost typed "crochet-y"), it has seven adorable children in sweaters sweater sweaters!! My

So my camera has entered the Baroque period

2011-04-26T19:48:00.000-04:00

and I'm a little miffed about it, since it's my fault it's broken. Blech. Story below in blue, for people who are as naturally curious as I am... So a decision must be made: until I get a new camera (ETA TBD FCOL), should I do words-only posts OR include pics taken with my admittedly-awful camera phone (sample below)? actually, can you even tell the difference? I'll leave the poll up for a

Happy Easter...

2011-04-24T23:17:00.000-04:00

...to those who celebrate! And now to document my raging case of Startitis: This is Cute Summer Top by Anna & Heidi Pickles, knit in South West Trading Company Bamboo, colorway 138 Purplexed. More on this later!

Miscellany

2011-04-21T20:27:00.000-04:00

>> After picking up the second mitt of Starstuff again... I had to put it back down. Complete with frogging. Blerg. >> I was listening to the radio on my drive home from work, and the DJ was extemporizing on the Capitals hockey game last night and how nail-biting and awesome their win was and how he "can't wait for them to take care of business on home ice" for the next game. He said: Home

FO: Simple Stone Shrug

2011-04-18T21:00:00.007-04:00

The "Autumn" Four Seasons Kimono went so quickly, I thought to myself: I should definitely knit some more for the Punkin, as she has already started to grow out of her other sweaters n such. Changing seasons, lighter yarns... quick knit on a whim! This one was done in less than a day. Pattern is rejoice ('shrug this' for little girls) [Rav link only] by talitha kuomi, knit in about half a

FO: "Autumn" Four Seasons Kimono

2011-04-16T21:26:00.000-04:00

It is finished, it is delivered, it is beautiful: as of Monday night Again, this is Seamless Baby Kimono by Jacki Kelly, knit with less than 1 skein of Lion Brand LB Collection Superwash Merino in 141 Wild Berry. The Monday night photo is truest to color. The baby shower at Sammy's work went well, from what I understand. And mine was not the only hand-knit offering [Rav link]! I'm just

Back on the Unicorn (it's OK, we have an agreement)

2011-04-10T09:00:00.004-04:00

Alright! So! Picking myself up, dusting myself off, casting on anew... love this color; it's called Wild Berry This is Autumn as of last night, the fourth in a series of Seamless Baby Kimono sweaters (design by Jacki Kelly). I call them my Four Seasons Kimonos, as they are all knit in seasonally appropriate colors (yarn is Lion Brand Superwash Merino for extra easy baby care). Spring, in

Another One Bites the Dust

2011-04-09T21:15:00.000-04:00

-sigh- Do you remember that Baby Love Diagonal Baby Blanket I was working on? I used 220 Superwash Paints, I called it the project Principessa [Rav link], I thought I was very clever. I knit about 45% of the blanket... so pretty. so incomplete. and realized that I had used 66% of the yarn I had allotted. To the frog pond. oh, also? the baby shower is this Wednesday. surprise! Between

Two rights make a really wrong

2011-04-06T22:33:00.000-04:00

Soooo.... good news and bad news. Good news: my KniCroBlo Week post on the Ghost of Citron Cardigan prompted me to pick it back up! Good news: I've learned to cable without a needle in the interim! Good news: no cable needle + increased skill set = much faster knitting! Bad news: well... there's this: Uh oh. A lot has changed in the past, oh, two years. Let's break it down. Merrhrrmm

My knitting time | 2KCBWDAY7

2011-04-03T08:00:00.119-04:00

Write about your typical crafting time. When it is that you are likely to craft – alone or in more social environments, when watching TV or whilst taking bus journeys? What items do you like to surround yourself with whilst you twirl your hook like a majorette’s baton or work those needles like a skilled set of samurai swords? Do you always have snacks to hand, or are you a strictly ‘no crumbs