October 29, 2004
Our Favorite Day . . .
. . . and our favorite holiday just around the corner, too! Let's get our knitting content out of the way, then have links-o-rama and pups!
Knitting Content
WHEN I SAW WHAT THE CROC DID TO MY ARM I THOUGHT OW I'LL NEVER KNIT AGAIN
Knitting Content concluded!
Okay!
Now, and all from the excellent Metafilter:
How To Carve a Pumpkin Like a Pro!
Carve a Pumpkin and then Light it!
Carve and then e-mail to a Pal!
Pups
It's our favorite halloweiner dog, Mikey!
Ho! and Boo! Happy Friday, and have a wonderful weekend! Keep your Hallowig away from candles, right? See you Monday!
October 28, 2004
Splash-Fizz
Sister's Splash-Fizz in #7179-7128 plus this pattern:
Wonderful Idea
Recycled sari silk plied with silk thread, from eBay seller rustrees:
Mood Dachshund
Ruff. Happy Thursday; happy knitting!
October 27, 2004
Squiggle-Fizz
Ever so often, maybe once or twice a year, I want my knitting to be nearly instantly gratifying. With two hours, US15s, and two balls of this grassy-looking yarn:
Plus this free pattern, we have a nearly instant scarf for Sister!
I never wear scarves, so I feel quite lucky to have a sister who wears them all the time. Our recycled glass Pier One head models until Laura can come and get it.
This pup-filled photo is for Latifa:
Yep! I was thinking of calling Laura's new scarf The Astroturflette, but seeing Jack and Apple and Dyna in the green October grass, I think I'll call it the Memories of a Rainy Summer scarf. Won't it be a day-brightener when it is chilly and gray and brown here someday?
Cheers, and happy knitting!
October 26, 2004
Return to Ruffles
It's crunch time at school this week, so my posts will be a bit light on meaningful content until Thursday or so—what a departure from the usual, right? :-)
Monday night is Mystery Monday on BBC America, and this month has been all John Hanna. Yay John Hanna! I mention this because I picked up Laura's curly angora scarf and knit, knit, knit without looking more than once or twice while watching "Amnesia." What a nice change from watching my tapestry crochet! That is the only drawback to tapestry crochet, I think. You have to look at it all the time.
I like this scarf pattern from Scarf Style; it's easy as pie (Pie. Mmmm.) but what an effect—it looks difficult, doesn't it? It's going to be fabulous on my sister.
Pups
Mike, Jack, and Della had their cousins over for a play date Monday evening, and what fun it is to watch Laura's pups romp all over everything and everybody, furry and otherwise. Little Jack just sits and wags his tail while he watches Dyna and Apple race around the yard.
All-righty!
Happy Tuesday!
October 25, 2004
Pretty Little Purse
I finished my version of an Ostrobothnian tapestry crochet purse, and I'm quite pleased with it! It was hard to remain on gauge, but thanks to very helpful comments from Kim and Elaine and Cyndilou, I can change colors left and right!
Well. It's not really gigantic. I guess I could provide some scale. Here's my purse with the contents of my pocket ($2.01, debit card, stitch holder):
Red was the most popular color for these small bags from the mid-19th century, and they had both utilitarian and symbolic uses, according to the authors of Decorative Crocheting (ISBN:9519688846). Because the little purses were used only at celebrations and important events, the examples on display in museums in Finland are in excellent condition.
These little bags were symbols of style, of wealth, of status, and sometimes of relationships—especially between brides and grooms. I wish I had thought to add a date to mine, as many of the originals possess. Mine is made from fingering weight wool, using a size "E" crochet hook. I don't really understand crochet hook sizing, so feel free to enlighten me with metric sizes :-)
And here are a couple of modern Finnish examples. Aren't they splendid?
Tapestry crochet is a nice skill to have, and I'm pleased with my little drawstring bag. One thing about needleart crafts that I love is the connection I feel to the many hands and hearts from many cultures working to create functional and sometimes beautiful items for loved ones. I always feel I'm spanning a fibery bridge to the past; time-traveling with my needle! Are there any other hobbies that evoke such a feeling of kinship to women and men from the past? It's a tiny contribution on my part, but I like thinking that the circle remains unbroken. I also think Färg och flärd med virkat—Koreaa virkkaamalla—Decorative crocheting is a wonderful little book. Mine came from Deb at Nordic Fiber Arts.
Pups
The pups had a busy weekend as per usual.
Little Jack was especially vigilant about keeping up with his beauty sleep. We hope you had plenty of beauty sleep, and that Monday is kind to you. Cheers, and happy knitting (or crocheting)!