ENORMOUS POST

historical costuming, more historical costuming, oh, and more Historical Costuming

scottish dress history

tons of knitting links

I want this sewing pattern - "historical" dress. Oh, and this one of sewing accessories. And think of how bad it would be if I could make my own bags!

knit blog templates

sock patterns - ample knitters, braided socks, the ample listers not for skinny legs socks, spinderella's free patterns, and the ubiquitous blueberry waffle socks.

american doll dress, and links.

historical knitting patterns

twisted german cast-on

Knitter's Magazine #54, Spring 1999 - get it!

http://www.pellatuliptime.com/lessons/straw/strwcork.html

http://www.knittersreview.com/article_how_to.asp?article=/review/profile/021121_b.asp

The �Sleeves in your Pi� shawl was designed by Gayle Roehm and featured in Knitter's Magazine, #61, Winter 2000.

I think my issue is that the only project I'm working on for ME right now is a pair of socks that I've dubbed the "ugly toe-up socks." They are made out of the ugly Sockotta yarn. The yarn itself makes a LOVELY fabric, I just got a truly ugly color of it. I did have a break through looking through the ample knitters gallery; I can switch to size 2's for the cuff. Since it's 2x2 ribbing, the size change won't be noticable, and then the cuff won't stretch unattractively. And I can whiz through the cuff on size 2s; my brittany size 1s are upset at the amount of stress I'm putting on them, and I'm unhappy that they don't have a nice smooth surface. How do my clover needles seem sticky but smooth at the same time? I don't know, but that's why I love bamboo for socks.

I got the GORGEOUS koigu pppm this week. I had forgotten the color, and that there were 4 whole skeins! I think that I will make myself a scarf AND socks, if I can stretch it. Maybe a small pair of lace cuff socks. I still want to make a scarf out of the autumnal koigu, but it might have to wait. Ooh, or maybe I'll make gloves and socks, or gloves and a scarf...or use the autumn for gloves...I'm just so excited, but I CAN'T start anything yet!

I want to finish up Nicole's tank top, too. I don't know if it will get done in time for Christmas, but I will need to work on finishing, and I think a tank top is a good practice. I want to make the shapely tank for myself, and maybe a striped sweater for my Molly 18" doll. I really want to get into full-sized projects, rather than scarves and socks, but I'm scared. I think if I make a sweater for Molly, I can practice construction, and make something nice. Or I can give it to my sister for her doll.

Here are my wish list projects:

from Interweave Knits, Fall or Autumn 2001:

* the possum yarn Irish Mist set
* the gathering bag
* the caramel/denim toddler sweater

Funny how that one magazine has so many amazing projects! I just look through it over and over again. And I read the instructions for the Irish Mist set over and over - I think that when I do get around to knitting it, it will come out perfect! I'm tempted to order a couple skeins and knit the scarf part, just for practice, mind you!

* shetland lace shawls, particularly this one


how do I drop the yarn overs? I will have to experiment. I hear another koigu swatch calling...

Incidentally, I flipped through the Knitter's gallery online...and I will probably buy it, for one reason and one reason only - I am an advanced beginner without the confidence to design a scarf on my own. Otherwise...I wouldn't bother.

rats. My schedule this morning was so messed up that I left my knitting stuff at home. I have a project in my drawer at work, (actually, technically 3 - 2 socks and a scarf) but I left the sock instructions at home. I'm at the turning the heel/picking up stitches bit, and I'm not yet confident enough to do that on my own! But I can work on the scarf a bit, and that will be a nice change of pace.

heels turned on Julie's green socks. Web's tomorrow?

knitting wish list for tomorrow

size 11 circ

10,9,10.5 dpn

vogue knitting on the go, gloves and mittens

web's for k.secret.s.s.
(jamieson's shetland wool looks good - maybe gch aspen?)

new Knitters

1 skein apart to go w/ my Koigu for the Rockstar scarf.

wizard scarf

knitted stockings - for under a kilt, perhaps?

I will finish the Thursday Thumb Twiddler later, I promise!

cat toy swirl ball


The Thursday Thumb-Twiddler

1. Would it disturb you much if, upon your death, your body were simply thrown into the woods and left to rot? Why?

Hmmm. I don't know. Maybe if it was for a good cause, like the body farm or something. I'm pretty into cremation, I don't want to rot in a casket. Rotting in the woods is fine, I just don't want to be a box full of mush.

2. The head of the Postal Service calls you up and tells you that you've been chosen at random to create a postage stamp with anyone or anything on it. What would you choose?

3. What's the longest line you've ever stood in?

Not a whole lot to report, knitting-wise. Did 14 rows of sock yesterday during a boring re-training at work. Started casting on Bob's Grey Christmas Woolease socks. Am contemplating making hat for my sister out of the leftover circus to match her socks...

knitting article

knitted cat toy

trinity stitch shawl pattern

"troop" knitting

And here's the friday five, a few days late.

The Friday Five - late, again.

1. Did you vote in your last elections?

Yes, I did. I did a lot of research before I voted, too. Was still a little stumped on Massachusetts ballot questions 3.

2. Do you know who your elected representatives are?

Um, most of them, yes. State representatives, and reps to congress.

3. Have you ever contacted an elected representative? If so, what was it about?

When I was in high school I used to send/sign a lot of letters about environmental causes in Upstate NY. I've participated in a few other letter/email campaigns since then.

4. Have you ever participated in a demonstration?

Not exactly, but I did do some lobbying on Earth Day in Albany. It was really cool to have face time with some state reps and let them know how serious we were, and even though most of us were too young to vote (this was high school), we could still make our opinions known.

5. Have you ever volunteered in an election? What was the result?

No, I haven't volunteered in an election.

This entry was SUPPOSED to be posted on Thursday, but I didn't have time to do anything other than email it to myself....

Knitting news...well, I finished Mom's red socks. I haven't grafted the toe yet, because I hate it, but I will get to it. I think the problem is that I haven't managed to successfully do it once. I think it is one of those things that I really need to watch someone do it. Maybe there is a clip out there online somewhere that shows toe-grafting. [note - since I wrote this, I sat down w/ the step-by-step directions in Interweave Knits, and made a nicer toe than I'd ever managed - still not perfect, but I'm starting to understand the concept.]

Got my Pony Pearls size 3 dpns today, which was great, but the invoice said that my other yarn (more Koigu pppm and Noro Kureyon) and my Koigu scarf booklet won't be sent out until NOVEMBER 21st! Yipe. I kind of wanted to get a scarf done by Christmas for Matt, and I don't know if one month will be long enough. I'm making pretty rapid progress on all my other Christmas projects, so it might be okay, but still. And still no sign of the 3 month old Mary Maxim order that I was assured would be sent out Monday. That pair of socks is supposed to be for my sister, and it would be nice to start working on that. [note again - I was surprised on Friday to receive both the Koigu pattern booklet and the very very very late sock yarn from Mary Maxim!]

I really like the afghan I started for Madison, big and cushy, and hopefully will use up a lot of the extra acrylic yarn I have lying around. If I can get the acrylic stash WAAAAY down, then maybe I can start working through the nice stuff I've picked up randomly. Projects, projects everywhere! I should probably start w/ the S.S. for K, and bring the PSH for N with me this weekend. I'm going east for my grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary. Someday, if I'm really brave, I might post the pictures from the 40th anniversary. Pretty painful.

The Thursday Thumb Twiddler

1. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?

I think I would have wished that my mom was a little more vocal about the junk I was eating in Junior High...but she was so depressed then, and didn't have a lot of energy. I don't think that I would wish that my parents didn't get divorced, but I do wish that my dad was more involved with my life.

2. Have you ever displayed in your home a hated, ugly, and useless gift, just because the donor happened to be paying you a visit?

No, not really, but I wore some pretty awful clothes that relatives bought me.

3. If you were writing a new children's book, what might you choose for the setting, and who might the main character be?

I used to tell a story to a little girl I baby sat about a cow and a girl farmer. I liked that story alot.

intensely cute baby bootie pattern and of course socks, socks, and more socks.

Yarn should get here soon...I hope.

I just realized that while I am supposed to have a lot of back ordered yarn coming in the mail, I've been pretty good about not buying yarn these past few weeks. I did buy 4 skeins 2 weeks ago, but that was to finish some already started works in progress. I also realized that I have not been finishing this this week as well as I have been the last 2 weeks. I blame it on my shortage of #3 dpns. I did start yet another new project...but it is a stash buster! I'm using lots of leftover acrylic baby yarn to make Madison an afghan.

I'm a little excited. The rest of my Patterworks order (including Matt's scarf yarn) was supposed to ship on Friday, and the Opal sock yarn from Mary Maxim that I've been waiting for FOREVER is supposed to ship tomorrow. Both very exciting. I gave my sister the blue circus socks early, since she was having a bad week and came out to visit this weekend. I also got to go to Webs, the legendary yarn store. I loved it. I could easily spend a million bucks there. I got the new Vogue Knitting, and the new Interweave Knits, another set of size 2 dpns, and two size 1 twenty-something inch circulars for socks. I have to agree with the general consensus about Vogue Knitting this time. Except for that cover hat, I'm not really interested in the patterns.

A few in Interweave caught my eye, particularly the Golden Ruching Shawl, and the Dotty Drape Shell. I also really like the Leaf Cravat...I had been considering ordering some stuff from Loop-d-Loop, and now I can try this first to see if I'm up to the patterns. I really liked the Impressionist Cardigan, but I'm depressed at all the Jazz/Portrait combos I've been seeing lately. I just can't even remotely afford it!! My sister was wearing a sweater this weekend that she got at Gap/Old Navy that is EXACTLY like the Lacy Bell Pullover, which I thought was pretty darn cool.

sock pattern for regia yarn, and a sock pattern for that Tabby-colored yarn I have. Might need another skein, though.

I'm a little late on the Friday Five, but I really wanted to answer them. Plus, well, I have a few other projects going on, so I don't think I'll be updating any online journals as frequently as I may have in the past. So I'd like to at least stay on top of things with the Friday Five and the Thursday Thumb Twiddler.

Friday Five:

1. Were you raised in a particular religious faith?

Um, definitely Protestant. My Mom's family church was a Congregationalist church, and I liked that alot. My Dad's church was a Methodist church, and that was pretty good too.

2. Do you still practice that faith? Why or why not?

I still have faith, and I'm still spiritual, but I do not often attend church, and when I do, it is usually Catholic services w/ my boyfriend's family. I don't very much like Catholic church. I think I would like to find a nice Congregationalist/Presbytarian, Methodist church, and go sometimes when I want to be quiet and listen to happy hymns. Catholics don't seem to have any happy songs.

3. What do you think happens after death?

This changes frequently. I think I have it narrowed down to two. Either Heaven/Hell or Reincarnation. I can't decide. I like the idea of Heaven, and eventually ending up somewhere good, but then I like the reincarnation idea that you have a few different tries to get there.

4. What is your favorite religious ritual (participating in or just observing)?

I've always been a huge fan of Easter. I should have been Catholic, I swear. They take that whole crucifiction thing VERY seriously. But then again, my favorite part of Easter is the joy of Resurrection. I love Easter services where you sing all the happy, joyful hymns. The miraculous ones. My second favorite hymn is an Easter hymn. The one that goes:

Up from the grave he arose (he arose)

With a mighty triumph o'er his foes

He arose a victor from the dark domain

And He'll live forever with the saints to reign...

5. Do you believe people are basically good?

I wish I did. I think people are born good, but some people's family's ruin them.

I'm kinda dressed up today. I'm wearing fuzzy slippers, and the bear hat that was SUPPOSED to be for the nephew, but is way too big. I also knit myself some "bear cuffs" to cover my wrists and knuckles, which match the hat. They are pretty warm. I think I should knit a less bulky version to wear at work anyway.

I'm almost done w/ my sister's circus socks. I definitely needed the second skein. I'm hoping to make a pair of short socks out of the skein that is left over. I think I might give Nicole her socks this weekend, seeing as she's had such a crappy week.

Need to do serious work on the second red sock, Jenn's scarf, and the second pair of Regia socks.

socks and more socks

Ah, the Thursday Thumb Twiddler

1. Would you prefer to have had more or fewer sexual partners in your life?

Hmm. I can think of one specific person I would rather have not slept with. And a few who I wish I did. So I guess that averages out to more.

2. You accidentally come across your teenager's diary. If you choose to, you can read it without anyone ever knowing. Do you? What if it were your spouse's?

I like to think I wouldn't read my child's diary. But, to be brutally honest with myself, I probably would. As for spouse, again, probably. I am always dying to know if more is going on his head then he lets on...

3. You work for an ad agency, and the assignment is to come up with a slogan to get people to eat more fish. What would you suggest?

Fish - It's not just for food poisoning any more!

two socks on two circ's...i think i need two longer 2's...here's one for toe-up...

Yesterday the car broke down, which was bad, but I got craploads of knitting in, which was good. Finished Mom's Red Sock, and the pair of bearcuffs.


a knit/fiber blog

easy sleeveless sweater

sock heel info

Don't feel like knitting today, too hung over. I missed the Friday Five, too. But I got a lot done on Mom's red sock, and found a link for 2 circular needle socks.

one hour scarf, and the ribbon shawl

I [heart] the sock yarn palette [/heart]. Especially considering that I love socks at the moment. I haven't really failed a sock yet, even though I'm only one pair, one singleton, and one half-new sock into sock knitting. I think its the dpn's, and the complete lack of seaming (grafting sucks, but doesn't really count). I'm in love with the toe-up pattern I chose, but w/ tiny yarn...72 stitches on size 1 needles actually hurts my wrists after a while. It makes the 48 stitches on size 3's seem like a breeze, and the 24 stitches on size 11's are a joke! Isn't it nice to have so much variety!

My current most desperate project is the bear cuffs to match the failed bear hat. Those + improvised brown pants = Work Safe Halloween Costume. It will be a little cutesy, but warm.

I'm working on Mom's Red Wool-Ease socks at work, and they are coming along swimmingly on the Swallow size 3 dpn's. It's a free pattern I got at Michaels, and I hated the garter check at first, but now that I have several rows done it looks pretty good. And I have TONS of Wool-Ease in Cranberry, so I can make them a little longer than the Regia socks. I do so love how soft those socks are getting! Even Matt thinks they are really soft, to the point where I said, "So, do you want a pair?" he said, "Well, maybe."

Phew. This is going to be a long entry today, because I am not tired of writing about knitting/yarn yet.

I think the major problem w/ the toe-ups is that I hate, hate, hate the yarn. I hate it in the lace scarf, and I hate it on the sock. Plus, size 2's seem like they would be too big, but 1's are splitting the yarn. Could be that the Brittanys, though. Bought the set before I heard all those scathing remarks about Brittany size 1 dpns. I do like the fabric that is being created, and I might even buy more Sockotta yarn someday...but never in this color. So much uglier than I ever thought possible. Maybe some blues.

I'm strongly considering ripping the baby afghan I started for Madison and completely starting over. I desperately want to make her one, but I keep sucking at it. Maybe if I just do a simple something w/ two yarns held together? I just don't know.

I guess that's enough for now. I've gotten it out of my system. :)

Thursday Thumb Twiddler

1. If you were able to take a one-month trip anywhere in the world, with money and vacation time no object, where would you go and what would you do?

This is one of my favorite questions! I have a pat and perfected answer here, but here is the quick and dirty: I would go to Brazil and work with the children and mothers there. Educate the mothers about breastfeeding and water boiling, and help the children any way I can. Either that, or go and work in an inner city day care, HeadStart, or after school program. How about a knitting program afterschool? Or dancing and stretching?

2. How do you react to people who talk loudly while the movie is playing?

Sigh loudly, and hope they'll get the point. Maybe hiss "sshhh!" if I'm heartily annoyed.

3. What meal do you look forward to the most?

I like the meal/snack at the end of my work week, when I get home, and curl up on the couch with something tasty, and know that I don't have to go to work the next day.

Just a bunch of links...

tips on wrapping heels

knitting geek's socks and shawls...

sock pattern

oz yarn has free patterns


I started Mom's red socks w/ grey heels and toes. I'm not sure I like the wool-ease free pattern. It has garter stich checks, and while I think they will be fine for Mom, Bob's socks w/ be plain. I think I'm in love with socks. And scarves. My Koigu came today. Well, I think its mine. It might end up being Matt's...I got about 60% of my Patternworks order. Unfortunately, all the stuff that's back ordered is the stuff I wanted to work on right away...

I want to make a cardigan for Madison for Christmas. Maybe I'll try the pattern from domesticsphere.blogspot.com. Either that or the one in the old Interweave Knits that I have. I'm thinking of using Kool Wool, perhaps in Melon. Will have to see what I can find...

Very little actual knitting content today. We got a fabulous new cat from the shelter. His name is Virgil, and he's wonderful. I started the second Circus sock, and finished the second horn on the devil hat. That's about it for knitting. Oh, and I unravelled and hid Jenn's scarf - I think I'll wait for the size 13's to come, and try knitting it in a stockinette with the occaisional purl line for contrast.


1. How many TVs do you have in your home?

one plugged in, one unplugged

2. On average, how much TV do you watch in a week?

ooh, tricky question. I probably actively watch about, oh, 10 hours a week? But I frequently have the tv on BBC America or TLC for background noise while I knit or read. I think I would do that less if our stereo actually worked.

3. Do you feel that television is bad for young children?

I feel that too much television is definitely a bad thing. Having worked in Day Care, and as a nanny, I can also say that there are times when it is ESSENTIAL for you (and the kids) to be able to turn on the tv or put in a tape for half an hour until you all can deal with each other again. I don't like it when kids know the channel line-up, and what shows are on when, but knowing that Friday night is movie night, or if Mom needs quiet time, 'tubbies go on, that's okay.

4. What TV shows do you absolutely HAVE to watch, and if you miss them, you're heartbroken?

Hmm. I used to have a few shows, like Sunday night Fox that I just loved watching. Then we had no cable and only got ABC and PBS. We watched "Three guys, a girl, and a Pizza place," later known as "Three Guys and a Girl" religiously for two seasons. We also watched that other show that I can't remember, Will and Grace, Dharma and Greg....and then we got cable, and it was all Law & Order, all the time. I guess right now I would say that I love Trading Spaces, The Dead Zone, and I could very possibly fall in love with Birds of Prey.

5. If you had the power to create your own television network, what would your line-up look like?

Dinosaur shows, horse movies, foreign/indie movies, Trading Spaces/Changing Rooms, A Baby Story, Forensic Science, and a few guilty pleasesures like Three Guys and a Girl, Birds of Prey, and maybe the occaisional Wonder Years or Sister, Sister.

Wow. It's been a few days, huh? I have recovered (mostly) from the failed-bear-hat-for-kai trauma, with the help of the little demon hat. I only have one horn left to go, and it *should* fit, provided that the rim stretches a little bit more. I also finished a Circus sock, but think that I made the calf bit a little too long, and the second one is going to come up short. That's the problem with sock patterns that are one skein, when you only bought one skein...I wish I knew a good adaptable toe-up method. This and this might help. I'm also wondering if the socks might be happy with a little fulling, or if that will even work with that yarn. Oh well. They might just end up being my socks, after that horrible holey heel incident. I have plans to make cute socks for Mom and Bob, matching ones. I wanted the Circus socks to go to Nicole or Mom...maybe Nicole because they match that tank top that I keep forgetting about. Well, forgetting on purpose. I don't know how I'll ever knit a whole sweater if I get bored just doing rows of stockinette on this tank top!

I ended up missing the deadline on the Michaels contest, which makes me a little sad, but was my own fault entirely. I started a new project, a lace scarf from the Sockotta pattern. I love the pattern, and I like the feel of the yarn, but I hate (*HATE*) the colors of the yarn. It is a red/green/gold/brown ombre/space-dyed with very short even repeats, and a white binder. It looked MUCH better skeined up online. It's the first time I've ever been really disappointed by ordering yarn online. Oh well. You live, you learn, right? I would love to just finish it and dye the whole thing deep brown, but I'm not really sure how that would work, and besides, I think I'll just give it to someone I only kind of like, but want to be impressed with my work.

I ordered yarn for Kris's project, but I can even let that wait. I told her already that she's not getting a present in December for Christmas, she gets a combined present for her birthday in January. So I have a little bit of time on that. As for Nick, I finally, finally FINALLY found the perfect project for him. Now I just have to design it! I also ordered yarn for Matt's present. If I'm running late, it can always be for Valentine's day. I'll be using Kureyon for it, and I'm kind of excited. I have a skein of Silk Garden that is waiting for me to perfect feathers and fans, then be knit into a scarf.

Just found this about grafting. Why couldn't I have found this days ago?!

note to self...oh, and I do love this bag. Too bad I need another ball of DecoRibbon...

Thursday Thumb Twiddler

1. You're at a friend's house for Thanksgiving dinner. You find a dead cockroach in your salad. What do you do?

I would put the salad to the side, and try not to gag. No, I probably would not mention it to anyone.

2. What particular historical document (or portion thereof) do you think every person (or at least every citizen of your country) should know by heart?

Tough question. I have such a hard time memorizing things. I think the Miranda Rights are important to know, even though its not a historical document. I think that the Declaration of Independence, while stirring, is not necessary. Maybe the Bill of Rights, or perhaps the constitutional amendments. I had a great history professor in high school who had wonderful mnemonics for the amendments. I can remember that the 17th amendment is the one that proposes term limits for senators (sev-en-teen, sen-a-tor).

3. A follow-on to last week: what five TV series have or had the best theme song with lyrics?

* Cheers (it's obligatory, but good)
* Myster Science Theatre 3000
*
*
*