and knitting

Memory & Aging Research and YouTube

I'm enamored with the web, but have to admit that a lot of the interesting projects and tools end up being deployed primarily to promote crappy summer films or metallic tasting new energy beverages. It's interesting to see a center of scientific research find a way to use social media to inform the public about their work. UCSF's Memory and Aging Center has set up a YouTube channel and created widgets to promote their efforts to educate health care professionals and the public about neurodegenerative illnesses like dementia. Someday I will find the strength to write about why research into dementia and Alzheimer's is so important to me.

Now with even more cosy! New Project #45: Yet Another Mock Brioche Neck Cosy

No, it's not a big knitting project gone horribly awry. I was just knitting another neck cosy and realized that I was wussing out on the width and needed to make it bigger. Three strands of this pixie dusted yarn held together are doing the trick. Triple stranding it means I'll easily finish the cosy in a sitting or two. I love finer gauge projects, but right now chunky, fast knitting is working best for me. I'm sure there will be a finished project post soon.

My recent aptitude for chunky knitting is why I ordered Wenlan Chia's newest book, Twinkle's Weekend Knits. I've been a Twinkle fangirl for quite some time, and this latest collection of patterns didn't disappoint. If you are familiar with Big City Knits, then you know the sort of patterns to expect. The photos and styling are wonderful. My favorite is the meridian tunic. It's probably a bit ill-advised for my figure, but the stripes are calling my name. The lilac mist throw and sand dune hanger covers are also lovely. [thanks to the Ravelry Twinkle Knitters member, lingy, who was kind enough to post those photos]

As its title suggests, all of the projects in Weekend Knits are meant to knit up quickly. That means there are quite a few wraps and scarves. These sorts of project appeal to me, though I know some look on them as filler. If you want a preview, you can get a free pattern for one them, the Riverbed Shawl, in this PDF on the publisher's website.

There have been a few less than sparkling reviews of the book. In part that's due to the scarf issue and also because the Twinkle style is now such familiar territory. Wenlan Chia has a third book on the way this fall, Twinkle's Town & Country Knits: 30 Designs for Sumptuous Living. From the name I am guessing that the book will focus on something new -- knits for the home. Blankets and pillows aren't my thing, but I'm sure it will be fun to look at. The word in the twinkle knitters group on ravelry is that Wenlan Chia also has a mohair-only booklet coming out soon. Hopefully somewhere in there, she'll publish patterns for some of the pieces from her fall 2008 show. Stylepoints' Sara Glassman has posted a few photos from the show on her blog, and you can find more on the Fashion Week site.

The Project:Yet Another Mock Brioche Neck Cosy
The Yarn: Nashua Handknits Ivy purchased at Clickety Sticks' liquidation sale - triple stranded
The Needles: 5.0mm
Started: February 2008

Yes. We. Can.

This election is our chance - our moment - to restore the simple dream of those who came before us for another generation of Americans. But only if we can come together and like previous generations did and close that divide between a people and its leaders in Washington.

Because in the end, the choice in this election is not between regions or religions or genders. It's not about rich versus poor; young versus old; and it is not about black versus white.

It's about the past versus the future.

It's about whether we settle for the same divisions and distractions and drama that passes for politics today, or whether we reach for a politics of common sense and innovation; of shared sacrifice and shared prosperity.

Support Barack Obama on February 5th.

New Project / Finished Project #44: Mock Brioche Neck Cosy

My bigger projects weren't been going so well, so I turned to something quick and easy. This sparkly pink handspun by Aisha Celia Designs has been in my stash for a couple of years. A neck cosy seemed like the perfect project for the amount of yarn. The soft and squishy mock brioche stitch showed off the yarn to its best advantage.

The buttons were purchased at my new favorite local yarn store, bella lana. It's a gorgeous, little shop lit with dozens of white paper lanterns. With its white painted walls, fixtures and floors, this gives everything a lovely glow.

It was a fun project, and knit up in a sitting or two, so I'll probably make another one soon.

The Project: Mock Brioche Neck Cosy
The Yarn: sparkly pink Aisha Celia Designs Handspun purchased at No Coast Craft-O-Rama
The Needles: 4.5mm
Started and Finished: December 2007

Various and Sundry Links - January 26 2008

- I've spent many a church service admiring the crafty worship banners. Here's an especially inspiring example made from a cheap Mona Lisa blanket.

- Hand made "bare skin rug" found in dumpster.

- It's Mickey Mouse's 80th birthday this year and, to celebrate it, his consort Minnie is finally getting a few new outfits. I'm partial to the grey knit ensembles.

- This thoroughly and completely grossed me out and now I'm going to share it with you!

just keep swimming

cute little duck from Amy on Vimeo.

This week has been kind of a drag. Sometimes it helps to just watch something cute.

everybody's happy nowadays

Ok, I ripped it out and feel much better. There's a sense of relief knowing I don't have to face all of that annoying raglan shaping. Top down is the only way to go, people!

Honestly though, my main issue with the grey cardigan was ennui. It's much more appealing to cast on for a new project than finish an old one. As mentioned in the previous post, Zephyr Style's Juliet caught my eye. Yahaira's shop had an amazing sale on some yarn that I think will make a gorgeous Juliet, so hopefully I'll be able to get a start on it next week.

Various and Sundry Links - September 13 2007

- Newlin may have been on to something with the bacon stuff fries idea he posted in the comments yesterday. In Korea, they're already mastered the art of combining the french fry and extruded pork products into a magical treat. [via newley purnell]

- “it was the food”

- I probably missed this because I'm not a rabid sock knitter, and when I do knit them I stubbornly use DPNS, but sock knitting visionary Cat Bordhi has been posted instructional videos on youtube. [via hizKNITS]

- sock exchange at San Francisco laundromat

- "...have you ever noticed how communiqués from superiors, on the other hand, especially presidents and senior vice-presidents, show no sign of proofing? Like typos don’t matter when the memo is being sent down from above? What’s with that? Why the double-standards?"

Project #35: Rejected

The Project: Embroidered Jacket from Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2006
The Yarn: Schachenmayr Nomotta Grande purchased from NU Yarn Outlet
The Needles: 3.75mm bamboo cheapies
Started: May 27 2006
Rejected: September 10 2007

I removed this project from the cryochamber last week and finished the back. While in the midst of starting one of the front pieces I realized that I really didn't want to knit it this way. It just seemed tedious to knit a raglan cardigan in pieces. Why didn't I just make the decision to knit it top-down in the beginning? Well, I thought I was in a top-down rut and wanted the challenged of knitting something flat. That may still be the case, but a raglan cardigan isn't the project for that. I'll save it for something with a fitted sleeve. Also, I wasn't even going to do the embroidery and frippery that make this project special. So, the embroidered jacket is officially off the needles. It's not you, embroidered jacket, it's me. I still hope we can be friends.

So, what to knit next? I really should just buckle down and finish the poor nameless slob cardigan, but I'm also thinking about Zephyr Style's Juliet. I think it's uncommonly cute. Rather like a grown-up version of Elizabeth Zimmerman's February Baby Sweater. Of course I don't have any suitable yarn in my stash, so I just have to shop for something appropriate. What a pity...

Various and Sundry Links - September 11 2007

- Who wants to chip in £649,999 to buy this 18th century silk mill with me?

- Surprisingly, this quote is not about the knitting world: “There is always drama and somebody always hates you.”

- David Sarasohn's column Wednesday referred to President Bush, on a visit to Iraq, hoisting "a turkey that wasn't exactly a turkey." The turkey was designed for display and not consumption, but it was a turkey.

- Announcing The UnConvention

slightly less chunky-chic

I promise this isn't going to turn into an all Twinkle blog, but I do like to keep an eye out for Wenlan Chia's fashion week showing each season. The Twinkle runway video is now available on the fashion week site, and you can see photos if you search on Getty Images.

It's the Spring collections, so the knits are less chunky than you're used to seeing in her collections. They certainly seem more wearable for a wider range of body types. It won't surprise me if the pattern for the purple sleeveless top with cowl neckline turns up in IK or Vogue. She also showed a brown hoodie vest that would likely be popular with a lot of knitters. I really enjoy seeing designs go straight from the runway onto knitting needles.

I see that crafty fashion blogger Natalie Zee is at the shows. Perhaps she'll have some commentary on Twinkle's collection this season.

Various and Sundry Links - September 8 2007

- "Psst, take one, it's what all the models are doing!"

- Voice Knitting Machine - "the voice knitting machine, makes it possible to transfer individual vocal melodies to a piece of clothing so that they become visible in the different varieties of knitted patterns."

- In your satin tights,
Fighting for your rights
And the old Red, White and Blue.
Best reason ever for learning colorwork. [via CRAFT]

- Lisa Whelchel and I go way back. Now I've never met her, but I was a big fan of Blair (and the rest of the girls) on Facts of Life and I'm probably one of very few people who bought her Christian "rock" record. Thanks to one of my aunties, I even have an autographed copy of one of her books. Did you know she got a start on the New Mickey Mouse Club? On her official site she's posted some reminiscences of her days as a mouseketeer. [via distant creations]

- "I am also a big Walt Disney Fan although I will say 'Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo' wasn't as good as the other Herbies" - Edward Gorey

- I love Luna's cover of “Straight Up”, but now I can't get Paula Abdul's version out of my brain. [via filmoculous]

- “There is only one reliable way to make sure your ads aren’t blocked — make sure the users don’t want to block them,” he wrote. “Don’t forget about the users. Use ads in a way that doesn’t degrade their experience.” [via digital edge]

- Today's Inspiration features illustrator Roy Doty. I am in love with these drawings of tiny crowds of Manhattanites.

- Lets you see exactly the loaf you want

- Fun flickr project for vernacular architecture buffs: Current photos of the 1958 Readers Choice Home from Household Magazine

- First the Date -- Then the Ring; Here's How to Attract That Man

- Smoking with aloha

- illegal powerpoint

- Hmm, I'd like to go back to Japan and try out an onsen, and I like ramen, but I'm not so sure mixing these things together is such a good idea. [via mental floss]

The heavens are right! Project #42: Diamond Scarf is finished

Look away, knitting purists, if you don't want to despoil your eyes with super bulky knitting...

It's been way too long, but thanks to some Ravelry-induced productivity, I finally have a finished knitting project. It feels a bit like you're knitting with broom handles, but size 35US needles and dangerously chunky yarn do make for a fast knit. You could finish this scarf in a sitting or two if you really wanted to. Me, I didn't enjoy the big ass needles that much, so it took me a couple of weeks.

This is the first, and perhaps only, project I'll knit from twinkle's big city knits. I really like the look of many of the patterns, but I know the super chunky look just isn't very wearable for me. The scarf will be a cozy addition to my winter wardrobe, once I give it a little steam blocking.

The Project: diamond scarf from twinkle's big city knits - also posted *free* on LA Times
The Yarn: twinkle handknits soft chunky in pink - purchased from Needlework Unlimited - two skeins
The Needles: 35US - 19mm
Started: July 2007
Finished: August 2007

Various and Sundry Links - August 25 2007

- It's Minnesota State Fair time again. This Great Minnesota Get Together has long been a favorite of mine, but it's been losing some of the interesting things that made it especially fun for me. Last year marked the closing of the Penny Arcade, and this year's crop art exhibition just won't be the same now that Lillian Colton has passed away. At least Ye Old Mill is still there, providing a dark haven for giggling kids and smooching lovers, as it has for almost 100 years.

- You likely remember the fake Disneyland in China (which happens to be the location where they shot one of my favorite youtube clips). However, did you know that Nara, Japan is also the home of a knock off of the Happiest Place on Earth? [via neatorama]

- Future Newspapers Written by Advertisers (1912) - "It will be written by advertisers, and it will contain nothing calculated to bring a blush to the cheek of the young person except cosmetics."

- I'm not a douche bag.

- Beer in space? - "One of the chief obstacles to consuming carbonated beverages in space, however, is the wet burp"

- The horror of blimps [via weapons of mass distraction]

- the butt biting bug song

My Autumn's Done Come - New Project #42: diamond scarf

At the start of the year I had the best of intentions. This summer was going to be productive. I was finally going to dig into that bamboo and cotton stash and do some warm weather knitting. I'm sad to say that it just didn't happen. Instead, here I am, many weeks in between blog posts, knitting a giant squishy scarf on big ass plastic needles. The yarn lured me in and it seemed like the right sort of project to work on when cozying up to my netflix queue. However, I'll admit that those gigantic needles take a bit more effort to manipulate than I'd expect. At least it's so chunky that it goes by quickly!

The Project: diamond scarf from twinkle's big city knits
The Yarn: twinkle handknits soft chunky in pink - purchased from Needlework Unlimited
The Needles: 35US - 19mm
Started: July 2007

Various and Sundry Links - August 6 2007

- Recent tragic events put it into perspective, but at first, KG's trade to Boston nearly broke my heart. However, one thing I've learned from the Wolves debacle is to never ever trust a man with awful taste in knitwear.

- More sad news -- Lee Hazelwood passed away this week.

- I guarantee this video will haunt your dreams.

- It seems the geniuses at the MPAA are taking some lessons from the RIAA [via Musematic]. Maybe your movie money would be better spent sponsoring the costs of digitizing an interesting old film [via boing boing].

- Enterprise 5 Year Mission Goals
* Explore strange new worlds
* See out new life & civilizations
* Go where no man has gone before (boldly)
An analysis of the Red-Shirt Phenomenon [via mental floss]

- This reminds me of Microserfs.

- Skirts and bows turn your little girl into a beautiful lady.