Word Cloud

Well, this is a fun idea. You go to this site and they scan your blog and put together a word cloud. Thanks to Donna for the link. I'm not sure where some of those words came from - but I'm going to assume they're really all from this site. :O)

My shower is clogged. My head is in designer mode cause I finished a quilt block (ick) and sketched out a design for something fun I'm working on. Now I need to get it out of design mode and into clean the house and unclog the shower mode.

Posted by Whit at 16:26   | (pre-trackback) 0  

History & a Podcast

Well, it was a good weekend. Lots accomplished. Thanks to Steve for finishing up the new podcast - and the music isn't even too cheesy for the Pod Purl this episode!!!! However, he didn't put as much music. Perhaps because it's already an hour long? You gotta love Steve.

I have chosen an Olympic sport. I know you're all excited. I am!! A couple of weeks ago on the Quiet Life I found this reference from War & Peace.

"Anna Makarovna has finished her stocking," said Countess Marya... They meant
two stockings, which, by a secret known only to her, Anna Makarovna used to knit on her needles simultaneously. When the pair was finished, she always made a solemn ceremony of pulling one stocking out of the other in the presence of the
children." - War and Peace, 1869, Leo Tolstoy

It got me VERY interested. I had already been looking at doing the two socks on the circs thing - but truthfully, I am a fan of dpn's. SO, this seemed like just the thing for me. I searched and searched but couldn't find anything - until Saturday night. Yesterday I did some tests and IT WORKS!!!!!! I seriously can't wait to actually follow the pattern. It is from a 1918 Needlecraft (magazine?). I'd love to find the original magazine, but so far none of the issues on Ebay are the RIGHT issue. Anyhow, it is a blast. For those of you who are interested - here is what you do if you want to try a little test. This is a straight piece test. I did it just to see if I "got it."

1. I used worsted weight (2 balls) and #10 dpn's - straights are fine, though.
   
   
2. I cast on alternating between the two balls of yarn. One strand is in the front and one is in the back. It is important if you do this not to twist the two balls of yarn - they must remain separate for it to work. (I cast on 10 from each ball - 20 total - one at a time from each)
   
   
3. I turned my work. I noted which thread went with the "front" stitches" and which went with the "back" stitches. This is important. I used the front yarn to purl the front stitches and alternated with the back yarn knitting the back or lower stitches. This is obvious when you are doing it. Again, I made sure not to let the yarns cross. Also, I am a continental knitter, so I held the front yarn in my left hand and the back thread in my right hand - purling with my left and knitting with my right. There's a great video at KnittingHelp.com about doing fair isle knitting with two hands and that skill helped greatly with this. You are basically continental purling with your left hand and english knitting with your right. If you are an English knitter I would recommend holding the purl yarn in your right hand (as per the written instructions). For me, it was easier to purl with my left.
   
   
4. I turned my work at the end of the row - making sure to get the strands sorted out - front and back. I kept this up for several rows - and it is SO cool cause you actually start getting two pieces of knitted fabric!!
   
   
5. The moment of truth - pulling out the needles (I haven't cast off yet - that's the next test). Sure enough - pulling the needles out carefully I now have two separate pieces. It's magic I tell you!!!!

I will not let myself start these socks until the Olympics start, I will not let myself start these socks until....

Posted by Whit at 09:10   | (pre-trackback) 0  

MP KAL

The MP Bag KAL is getting underway. This will be ongoing as it is a very large project. Anyone who's interested in joining, please email me at whit_larson AT yahoo DOT com and I will make you a member. I won't be talking about it here on my blog very often - but feel free to drop in and see how things are coming!!

Isn't it a beautiful bag?!

Posted by Whit at 09:54   | (pre-trackback) 0  

Favorites

I don't have time for much of a post - but I was thinking about the movie quotes post over at the Quiet Life. What is your favorite quote of all times?

Also, what is your favorite knit/crochet pattern of all times (or just at the moment)?

I'm currently crocheting a weird frog that I may or may not finish. Thanks for asking.

Posted by Whit at 12:30   | (pre-trackback) 0  

It's me, Mario!

Well, my nephew S and I are having a great time. He came to visit for a few days so his amazing Mom (Candice Palmer) can work on her [secret project]. She is a designer for a scrapbook magazine and recently was signed on for a [secret project]. Very cool.

Anyhow, we've been doing whatever we want! It's a rule at my house when nieces/nephews come over. You can eat cake for breakfast or candy til you're sick (believe me, it happens!), stay in your jammies and play Nintendo all day. I'm a fan of the "old school" games being a child of the 70s/80s and all. It's Mario World 3 for me!

I was going to make S a hat - but he's not interested. I'm looking for a project to interest a 6-year-old boy so let me know if you have one!

Posted by Whit at 08:41   | (pre-trackback) 0  

A long week and another cloche...

Well, it's just been one of those weeks. Actually, two of those weeks. But life goes on! Plus, Lost is back on the air for the past couple of weeks and that sort of compensates.

I got pictures of S in her cloche. I have made so many now that I would stop except the girls have requested MORE. I plan to get to the lys today to get some sock yarn. We'll see if that actually happens or if I'm just dreaming.

R continues to ask for a scarf (HP style) and I just don't know if I'm up to another long boring project right now.

You know, I also made a matching purse but for some reason I didn't take a picture of it. Weird. It's heart shaped and very cute. The hat pattern is the Flower or Lizzy hat. It was quite simple to make (crochet) and very fun and quick. I used Caron soft in the pink and then rimmed it with a little fun fur.

Hey - if you click the pictures you can see them larger.

I've been having technical difficulties getting the podcast out. Well, that's my story. Hopefully tonight or tomorrow.

*NEW*

Forgot completely about my meme (thanks, Coarine):

4 Jobs You Have Had in Your Life:

1. DJ
2. Travel Agent
3. Nanny
4. The one that's hardest but BEST - MOM!

4 Movies You Could Watch Over & Over:

1. Aything with Cary Grant
2. The Princess Bride / Pirates of the Carribean (favorite comedies)
3. 13 Going on 30 / Two Weeks Notice (favorite chick flicks)
4. Anything with Humphrey Bogart

4 Places You Have Lived:

1. California
2. Arizona
3. New Jersey
4. Utah

4 TV Shows You Love to Watch:

1. All the reality dancing shows
2. Lost
3. Extreme Makeover Home Edition
4. Leave it to Beaver (the original)

4 Places You Have Been on Vacation:

1. Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone - you get the idea!
2. Disneyland (well, duh!)
3. Bear Lake (Utah - a fabulous place to vacation!)
4. UK (England, Scotland, Wales & about 30 seconds in France)

4 of Your Favourite Foods:

1. Chocolate
2. French fries with lots of ketchup and pepper
3. Steak (well done)
4. Did I say chocolate?

I am tagging anyone who feels left out and wants to do this meme!!

Posted by Whit at 11:13   | (pre-trackback) 0  

Face Mapping

Well, if you need an extremely fun way to waste a half hour - go map your face.

J looks most like:

Brad Pitt, Peter Falk and, of course, Hilary Swank.

Me? I'm Shania Twain, Kirsten Dunst & my olympic hero (is it a sign to join the KO??) Nadia Comaneci. Not a single male in the bunch - which is sort of a relief really.

Posted by Whit at 10:24   | (pre-trackback) 0  

Knitting Olympics

USA USA USA... lol Well, if you haven't checked out Stephanie's blog this week - you'd better go see what she's cooked up this time!

Are you in?! I still haven't decided. I am SO trying to get back on track with my schedule. I feel like I've been running around and around and around... well, perhaps you get the idea?

I realize it's been a week or so since I posted anything fiber related - so I am posting the project I've been working on lately - lots and lots of cloches. I started to make one for my niece and loved the pattern so much I just kept making them. Maybe it's a little obsessive, but it's comforting me so back off! Plus, K LOVES them.

I have made four of them in the past week along with working on some lace - which I have frogged about ten times. I just can't find a pattern I love. Keep sending ideas! The yarn keeps saying "scarf" to me, so I need a nice lace scarf pattern...

Anyhow, the cloche pattern is one from Lionbrand and YES, I used junky yarn. I have to say that children LOVE acrylic and fancy fur stuff. So, who am I to force the good stuff on them? On the little one I used Caron soft acrylic and fun fur. On the blue one, there is some metallic silver mixed in on the top portion.

The good news is - I don't care if they're wadded up in balls and thrown in a corner. They were cheap and quick. Cloches are in this season. Did you see Madonna on the cover of Elle magazine? Maybe crochet is the new yoga. Hahahahahahaahahaa. I feel the need to pattern out her hat. It's very pretty, isn't it?

I saw the Madonna picture the other day while waiting for J to get his haircut and I thought - WOW, I have got my finger on the fashion pulse of America. Just sayin'.

Posted by Whit at 09:23   | (pre-trackback) 0  

R Day

You were such an adorable baby. Sixteen years ago today was a VERY long day for both of us. But, at the end of the day - when they put you in my arms - we bonded. Everybody in the room felt the love as you looked into my face and really knew who I was. Weird, but true.

You've always had a heart of gold.


And a personality that could not be matched. ("To heck with pants" was your motto for a lot of years!)


A style of your own - whether it be in camo, cowboy boots or the latest punk rock phase - you are who you are. And I wouldn't want you any other way!!

Posted by Whit at 09:11   | (pre-trackback) 0  

Some Days the Cat Wins

See Spot (yes, irony). See Spot destroy. Run Spot, RUN (cause I'm gonna kill you)!

And YES, this is my brand new gifted "Shimmer." Good thing J is the ball winder in the family and has the patience of a Saint (who else could stay married to me for 17+ years?!)...

Submitted to The Carnival Of Knitting 2

Posted by Whit at 20:50   | (pre-trackback) 0  

Yarn, glorious yarn!

Thanks to the ladies over at Knit the Classics for a wonderful surprise in the mail!!!!

I got two beautiful hanks of "shimmer" from knitpicks. The colorway is "grape hyacinth" and it is absolutely wonderful.

I am a sucker for purples.

This yarn is a lace weight 70% baby alpaca, 30% silk yarn and is very very very soft.

One of my New Year's resolutions is to make something for myself. I am looking for ideas for this yarn. Please help!! (The little green things in the front are sock shaped point protectors!! How cute are they?!)

Posted by Whit at 19:02   | (pre-trackback) 4  

Second Annual Blogger Holiday

Wow. I love holidays! I didn't even know there was a blogger holiday. But there is!! It is the second annual DE-lurker week. We should have a chocolate fountain party. Come on in and try it! And while you're here - say a big howdie! It doesn't have to be profound (Heaven knows I wouldn't have a blog if I had to say something important) - just a "hi" will do.

Posted by Whit at 20:21   | (pre-trackback) 11  

Pod Person

Well, the new podcast is out! I am getting more excited about this hobby all of the time. I really enjoy it and Steve (brother) seems to enjoy doing the music end of it. I am not sure about the cheesy music he put for the "Pod Purl" section, but I like the rest quite a bit.

I DID break down and buy a new microphone today. It should make a difference. Also, I have a mixer (loaner) so I'll see if that helps.

Please listen and let me know what you think!! I'd be happy to have any of you contribute segments you either write or record!

I'm REALLY excited because Tina Marrin has agreed to do an interview with me. I have the phone recorder stuff - now I just have to test and figure it all out. I'm very excited because she is amazing!!! Thanks, Tina!!!

Posted by Whit at 12:07   | (pre-trackback) 2  

The Beeton Goes On

Okay, here's an update:

Julie finished hers. Check out her blog to see the matching kerchief! I tried uploading pics but for some reason blogger is not cooperating today.

Becky's on a search for better yarn (but she's entered the ugly avatars along with Vanessa & myself so you should check theirs out!!).

Kate has also finished hers. Aren't they dreamy?

Don't forget to check out Ina's blog and Alison's blog to see their finished works of art.

AND, we have two newbies joining us. Welcome to JulieN and Mandy!!

Posted by Whit at 09:04   | (pre-trackback) 2  

Mirror, mirror on the wall

Well, I think she's ugliest of them all. JenLa started an ugly avatar war. I just had to try. Give it a go and post your results so I can see!

Gotta admit - she's pretty bad!!

UPDATE:

New one - cause my old girl just wasn't ugly enough to compete with Vanessa (I think this could be an addiction):

Oh NO!!! Look who showed up to the bbq!!!!

Posted by Whit at 13:54   | (pre-trackback) 9  

Off the Needles

Hallelujah! Can you hear the singing off in the distance? The Weasley is finally finished!! When I woke up yesterday I didn't think to myself, "today the Weasley will be finished." But, by some delayed holiday miracle that is exactly what happened. K is happy to finally have it complete, but not nearly as happy as her mother. The only thing more boring than straight stockinette stitch is dirt.


Okay, info:

PATTERN: Weasley by Alison
YARN: Lion Brand Wool-Ease
NEEDLES: #8 circs and straights
START: 11-13-05
COMPLETE: 1-03-06

LOVED: As usual, I love working with this yarn. It is hard to believe that its core it is mostly a cheapo acrylic. I didn't get yarn sick after 40000+ stitches and that's truly amazing. The pattern was very easy to follow. Her math was easy to follow and get the size I needed.

HATED: Well, almost every day I knit on it after the 17th of November. I really wanted to finish this by the movie, but that wasn't going to happen. There were just way too many stitches! After a marathon knitting day, my hands were so sore that I had to take a week off from knitting, so - lesson learned! Also, it's a little short. That's what happens when you rush. I may add a little length somewhere down the road. WAY down the road. Cropped is sort of "in" anyhow and it looks snuggly and cute on her.

Posted by Whit at 07:50   | (pre-trackback) 6  

A Year in Review

Posted by Whit at 11:16   | (pre-trackback) 2