November 2006 Archives

This is such a great idea.

This is a pdf file from a Japanese government site discouraging paper waste. A good idea in itself, but also a cool way to wrap packages. Let's face it, Hallmark only has so many wrapping paper options, and when you go to a group gift-giving event, like a shower or birthday party, it's a given that there will be more than a few look-alike gifts. And nice wrapping paper can be expensive. It would be cheaper to use unusual and colorful fabric scraps. And if you root around thrift stores or the remnant table at fabric stores, you can come up with some pretty neat pieces, often much larger than would be available in even the biggest paper roll. While you're at it, look through the clearance table for unusual buttons and other notions to glue to hang tags. When tossing out old clothes even Goodwill won't want, scavenge all buttons, zippers, elastic, etc. that could be recycled for giftwrap.

Though, I can see this seriously getting out of hand.

Link

Just a quicky update... I'm not only on schedule, I'm well ahead of schedule. I allowed 11 days for a single front piece, and made it in 7 days (finished yesterday evening). Here's what I have done on the left front.

I've cast on for the right front, but since I'm ahead of schedule, I think I'll take a few days to do some Thanksgiving dishcloths... Gary the Gobbler and a nice Cornucopia. After all this straight knitting, it'll be a nice break to do some pattern knitting. I'll be able to get up to schedule on Thanksgiving - while we chat and knit and chat and crochet and chat and maybe do a little cooking ;-)

Happy Thanksgiving y'all. Or, as they say here in the Philly area... Yo.

Well, I've got it all worked out. First, I finished the Bright Spring socks.

Normally I have another pair in the offing, and cast on as soon as one is finished. I do have a couple of pairs on the needles, but they'll wait. I need to focus on the Cardi-Wrap, so as to finish on schedule.

Okay. The schedule. I decided I can't do "x # of rows per day" with this sweater. The row length in the front panels is much longer than the sleeves, which is longer than the edging. I think in order to make steady consistent progress, I need to do it by stitch count. So, I spent much of today working it all out on spreadsheet, and I think I've come up with a workable schedule. There's an approximate total of 26,700 stitches. I'm aiming to finish by the week before Christmas. (It's not Thanksgiving, but I'll have much to be thankful for this Christmas, so it'll still be my Thanksgiving Sweater.) I'm giving myself 40 days, I'm now done the back,

and I can finish the rest by doing @570 stitches a day. Based on that, I'm allowing 11 days each for the front panels, 5 days each for the sleeves, 3 days total for the cuffs, and 5 days total for the front edges. After that, a few days to allow for finishing and I'm done. Sound like a plan?

I WILL finish on schedule. And if I finish a piece ahead of schedule, I won't rest on my laurels, but will forge ahead.

Yes, definitely a plan.

Okay, the Bright Spring socks are almost done. I've just the toe to do, and I'll do that this evening. I don't like doing toes on the bus. Nothing Freudian there. Just that when you're at the toes, you're at the end. If I finish, and have nothing to knit... well, I don't even want to think about it... [shudder].

Anyway, I think it's safe to start/continue my Cardi-Wrap.

This is from the October 2006 issue of KNIT 'n Style. Just flippin' thru, and had to have it. The pattern calls for Caron Glimmer, but I'm doing it in Lion Homespun (Harvest 377). The top band on the front, and the cuffs are in Trinity stitch. I think the Homespun will obliterate the detail, so I'm going to do them in a dark green chenille (or similar). Plus I think I'll like the contrast. This is how much I have done (started it last month):

It's working up with subtle shading/striping, and I don't know how that'll look when matched up with the front, but as it's a natural fall pattern, I think it'll look okay. Also, the main part of the body and sleeves are in stockinette, and the bottom edge was curling a bit too much to my liking, so I'm starting the edge with a few rows of garter stitch, just enough to help it lay flat. I haven't worked out the rows-per-day yet, but I'll have more time to do that this weekend. I suspect this will take longer than a month, but if I work at it, maybe by Christmas. When I first saw it, all I could think was "How perfect for Thanksgiving!" Well, maybe next Thanksgiving ;-) And, it looks fairly easy to do [she said] so maybe I'll make two, one in winter colors for next year. Or the year after.

I mentioned that I wanted to do a sweater in 30 days, and I do plan on doing that. But, first, I want to finish up this pair of socks, so I can devote more time to the sweater project. This is just Lion Brand Magic Stripes yarn, nothing fancy, but they do make a nice pair of socks. This is their Bright Spring pattern, which is a nice diversion from the rain we've been having lately. They call it a sport-weight yarn, but it's really between a sport-weight and a sock-weight. I normally use size ones on sock/fingering weight, and a three on sport. These make up best with size twos (imo, ymmv). I just used my standard sock pattern on 2 circs - 2X2 rib for 2", st stitch for 40 rows, heel stitch for 2 3/4", grafted toe. Same old, same old. ;-) But good for a commute. I have a bazillion pairs of these things, in most every color they make - if they decide to discontinue it, I can let go - no regrets.

There are few things more precious to me than an interesting book. I have a substantial library, mostly nonfiction, and I don't mind lending them out - I feel like I got my money's worth the more people get to benefit from them. Still, they're on my shelves for a reason, and I'd like them eventually returned. One way to help the wandering troubadours find their way home again, is with a bookplate. Sure, you can just write your name inside the front cover, but with a handsome bookplate, the message is clear - "This book is important to me."

Lifehacker has a link to a site with loads of printable black and white or color bookplates for all ages. They're good for your own library, but also a great idea to put on a gift book to inscribe. If a child is given a book that says "special," they might just actually read it.

Free printable book plates - Lifehacker

These are cute. I would wear these.

Needle threader earrings