September 07, 2006
Random Grannies and a Surprising Number of Self-references
No, we're not going there again. There's simply lots of crochet sampling going on here.
Hmmm. Yes. It *is* rather craptastic. However, as I mentioned a few entries (weeks?) ago, I Have A Vision. And, incredibly, it needs crochet to manifest. And, the practice squares have some utility. They are made from self-patterning sock yarn scraps, and, profligately, actual unused skeins of unloved self-patterning sock yarn. Some alert readers may remember a blog entry from early in 2005 in which Everybody was a Weiner in photo caption creation, and won 100 g or so of self-patterning sock yarn. (What? You don't remember my single blog entry from the other 1,450,000 of knitting and knitting-related blog entries published that day?)
That was one way of dispensing with too much yarn. Another perfectly legitimate method is scrap-yarn-knitting or crocheting. So over the weekend, I declared the remaining stash of self-patterning stuff as scrap yarn, and let the square dance begin. I repeat (in a rather defensive tone) I Have A Vision! More later on that.
The ultimate in granny squares, of course, is Debbie New's 10 x7 ft knitted portrait of her granny, knitted from squares. You can see a smallish-photo on this page if you scroll down to the third image in the right column. (Or third image in the middle column, depending on your point of view.) Cubism. Pointillism. Knittism. Spectacular. If you don't own Unexpected Knitting, you should.
There are dozens of new books out on crochet, check Amazon. (Sidenote to everyone: coming in July 2007, Mr. Funky's Super Crochet Wonderful (ペーパーバック) by Narumi Ogawa. I've pre-ordered because this title is simply the most compact, brilliant way to describe crochet that can ever be. Ever. Snaps!) Lion Brand's newsletter/website has been featuring motifs to crochet. It's everywhere! (Sidenote to self: have I seen the headline 'Crochet is the New Knitting'?) Crochet. Oh I can't stop myself: It's not just for granny anymore. Hahahaha!
Now, Two Things
First, I was very touched by comments that indicated daily blogdogblogging would be a good thing. Thank you. I hope to resume daily blogging soon.
Second, some advice please. My kayaking adventure continues to please in my memory every bit as much as last fall's First-Real-Bike-ride-in-35-Years (wearing handknit vest and hat, of course).
My mechanical difficulties from the past are much improved from physical therapy and the resulting much more active lifestyle. I am so grateful to be able to move more freely! Now I have a time-management issue. I'd like to hear how people reconcile hiking/biking/kayaking/walking with getting enough knitting done each day, AND still do the working dayjob AND have a little bit of a non-k-ing-something life within a measly 24 hours. Superwomen? Speak up, please.
And third (I MEANT Three Things!), I want to apologize for the lack of response to comments and emails. Entirely due to the Second thing above...my time-management skills are currently very fuzzy. My desire is always to respond to all comments immediately, but I seem to end up sending positive vibes instead. I hope you got them. Peace, prosperity, and perfect health in so many affectionate directions. I'll write soon, honest.
And now, with a strong warning to those with sensitive gag-reflexes to corny titles,
Dachshund Tails (erp)
It has been raining here a lot since Ernesto passed directly over the peninsula last Friday or so, and the dachshunds have been furious, as you would be too if there were 4-inch deep puddles everywhere and your legs were only 3.5-inches long. So there was a lot of this:
