tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81505802024-03-14T03:26:31.990-05:00Books, Cats, Yarn & Other Vaguely Related ItemsAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.comBlogger281125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-25986972602821275262012-10-25T08:21:00.001-05:002012-10-25T08:21:27.837-05:00Morning in Squirrel Hill: An Instagram EssayUm, hi. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/25/592.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/25/s_592.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/25/593.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/25/s_593.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/25/594.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/25/s_594.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/25/595.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/25/s_595.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-11786132510809845942012-05-03T05:30:00.000-05:002012-05-03T05:30:07.291-05:00Zig and Zag Pram BlanketThe blanket that I made for Michael is featured on the <a href="http://www.skeinqueen.co.uk/blog/?p=4343" target="_blank">designer's blog today</a>. <br />
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What a difference a year makes! Someone turns one next week...<br />
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-74237500766283649812012-05-01T08:17:00.000-05:002012-05-01T08:17:05.088-05:00Affliction UpdateAfter agonizing <a href="http://bookscatsyarn.blogspot.com/2012/03/color-affliction.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://bookscatsyarn.blogspot.com/2012/03/what-about-this.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="http://bookscatsyarn.blogspot.com/2012/04/what-about-this.html" target="_blank">here</a> about color choices for the Color Affection shawl, I finally realized that world peace was not going to depend on my yarn choices, and I happily cast on with Socks that Rock in Winter Solstice and Jasper, and a skein of Tess Sock. <br />
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Well. This is a lot of garter stitch. And a lot of stitches. Still, it's pretty obsessive. Just as I got tired of increasing the plain gray, I got to stripe in the purple. Just as I got tired of the two stripes, I got to add a third, and whoo! short row as well.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookscatsyarn/6973626658/" title="color affliction (1) by bookscatsyarn, on Flickr"><img alt="color affliction (1)" height="426" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7211/6973626658_aa44d23a9e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookscatsyarn/6973626738/" title="color affliction (4) by bookscatsyarn, on Flickr"><img alt="color affliction (4)" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8021/6973626738_bb85a45b92_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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But, you know, because I am me, I have to complicate things. It's<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/madelinetosh-lovers" target="_blank"> Mad May</a>, a celebration of Madelinetosh yarn, on Ravelry, and I am entering the Color Affection Plus KAL contest. My current Affliction isn't eligible, so I am starting a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stripe-study-shawl" target="_blank">Stripe Study</a> by the same designer in Madelinetosh Sock in Candlewick and Tern.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookscatsyarn/6492786897/" title="Grellows! by bookscatsyarn, on Flickr"><img alt="Grellows!" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6492786897_0dc9f700f2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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God help me, this is a lot of garter stitch.Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-31933501497992284282012-04-27T08:40:00.000-05:002012-04-27T08:40:32.100-05:00Spring Cleaning: Finished Project #2 Plus Bonus ProjectI really loved the <a href="http://bookscatsyarn.blogspot.com/2011/10/how-it-really-looks-sock-yarn-sweater.html" target="_blank">Gift Wrap Romper I knit for Butterbean</a>. The pattern is so well-written and yields great results, so when I found out my dear friend from graduate school was expecting a boy, I knew I wanted to knit it again. This friend is not a knitter, so I figured with a newborn, a three year old, and a tenure track portfolio to deal with, she would need an easy care garment. I dug deep, and I do mean deep into the stash and came up with some Berocco Comfort I'd originally intended for a throw for Henry in the colors of Thomas the Tank Engine. I think the colors worked wonderfully together here.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookscatsyarn/6901382746/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="romper (2) by bookscatsyarn, on Flickr"><img alt="romper (2)" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7037/6901382746_bb8b231496_z.jpg" width="457" /></a><br />
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I also made a little hat to go with.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookscatsyarn/6901382926/" title="romper (10) by bookscatsyarn, on Flickr"><img alt="romper (10)" height="457" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7036/6901382926_202a694a9d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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I couldn't let his big sister go without, so I dug deep into the stash again and made this shrug from a Knitting Pure and Simple pattern out of some Rowan All-Seasons Cotton.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookscatsyarn/6951371424/" title="April (1) by bookscatsyarn, on Flickr"><img alt="April (1)" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5275/6951371424_b6e76b9dfc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-56106868451137669872012-04-12T07:45:00.001-05:002012-04-12T07:45:16.933-05:00What About This?I know, I thought that I'd decided on my three colors for a Color Affection Shawl, but, but, but...I was cleaning up my stash and found a sock in progress and wondered how the color would look. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/12/880.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/12/s_880.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-75757070010665799912012-04-10T06:39:00.001-05:002012-04-10T06:40:31.583-05:00Carina Spencer Cowl KickThese projects were not finished during the Spring Cleaning, but I realized I never blogged them. I'm on a <a href="http://carinaspencer.com/" target="_blank">Carina Spencer</a> kick, apparently. Her patterns are lovely and extremely clear and well-written. The following two patterns are ones that caught my eye on Ravelry while they were still in the test-knitting stage, and I cast on for them relatively quickly once they were released.<br />
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This is the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dovetail-cowl" target="_blank">Dovetail Cowl</a>, knit with three skeins of Cascade Eco Duo:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookscatsyarn/7064073599/" title="cowls (3) by bookscatsyarn, on Flickr"><img alt="cowls (3)" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5447/7064073599_08c87e121f_z.jpg" width="426" /></a><br />
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And this is Zuzu's Petals, an ingenious little design that combines the best of lace shawls and cowls. I liked it so much, I knit it twice, once in the gorgeously lush Road to China Light in Moonstone, and once in Silky Malabrigo.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookscatsyarn/7064073809/" title="cowls (8) by bookscatsyarn, on Flickr"><img alt="cowls (8)" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7133/7064073809_5e7b936fef_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookscatsyarn/6917995456/" title="cowls (10) by bookscatsyarn, on Flickr"><img alt="cowls (10)" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7134/6917995456_b6dd47d0b5_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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It's impossible to capture the gorgeousness that is a Raven colorway from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. Underneath the black shimmers tones of blue, purple, and green. The shawl was a super-quick knit. I thought at the time that I didn't like the way the increases are just left in stockinette until there's enough for another repeat, but it blends in beautifully in the finished shawl. I may make another one, but knitting a larger stockinette portion and possibly a third repeat.<br />
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My intention is for this to be a Mother's Day gift, but I may, just may, keep it for myself.<br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/" class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-89988268005801131122012-04-02T06:24:00.002-05:002012-04-10T07:02:33.411-05:00Pink and GreenIt's one of my favorite color combinations. Last week, I snapped a few photos with my phone as I pushed the stroller through the neighborhood, then ran them through Instagram.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookscatsyarn/7008325343" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="240" id="blogsy-1333365809089.4077" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7129/7008325343_69401ab745.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookscatsyarn/6862207758" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="240" id="blogsy-1333365809129.601" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7227/6862207758_b5241ec626.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookscatsyarn/6862212278" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="240" id="blogsy-1333365809134.8015" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7092/6862212278_51cbd29a3f.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Imagine my delight when I opened up the March Rockin Sock Club package! Pink and green!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookscatsyarn/7035048445" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="427" id="blogsy-1333365809092.0747" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7242/7035048445_345e669179_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-63368948860179467942012-04-01T07:52:00.000-05:002012-04-10T07:08:13.446-05:00Startitis and Spring Cleaning.I <i>had</i> been doing really well at finishing things and clearing up my piles of UFOs. It started in January when I whipped out this pair of socks for Martha as part of our <a href="http://naturalstitches.com/kniton/?p=1580" target="_blank">Epiphany Stash Gift Exchange</a> at the store.The pattern is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/burning-rings-of-fire" target="_blank">Burning Rings of Fire</a> by Kirsten Kapur, a free Ravelry download. <br />
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Then I realized that I had a bunch of projects that were at least 75% completed, and it would take little effort to finish them.<br />
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I hauled out my never ending Damson by Ysolda Teague in my cursed yarn and finished it. Once you get going on the lace, it doesn't take that long at all.<br />
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I finished my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/honey-badger" target="_blank">Honey Badger Socks</a>, a Socks that Rawk KAL (and another free pattern) from last fall. The yarn is BMFA Socks that Rock in a Mediumweight Rare Gem. I don't have a picture of the completed pair because I gave them to my mother. <br />
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And I got out my Owlet, thinking I better finish it before the baby gets too big for it. I consider it done, even though I still need to put buttons on for the owl eyes.<br />
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But after that I petered out and then came down with <i>Startitis</i>. <a href="http://bookscatsyarn.blogspot.com/2010/03/spring-cleaning.html" target="_blank">Two years ago</a>, I did not cast on during the month of April. I toyed with doing the same this year, but with <i>Startitis</i> raging all around me, I could not promise the same this year. But I will try to control myself and work on older projects.<br />
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It's April 1, and I have FOURTEEN unfinished projects. Let's see how I do.<br />
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<a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-31273849258884874932012-03-23T11:19:00.001-05:002012-03-23T11:19:15.578-05:00What about this?Subbing an ancient brown Koigu for the Miss Babs:<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/03/23/1449.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/03/23/s_1449.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='229' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Or this. <br /><br />A navy blue/black skein of Ranco:<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/03/23/1450.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/03/23/s_1450.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />We are deeeeep in the stash here!<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-5221887107063131492012-03-22T12:32:00.000-05:002012-03-22T12:32:01.611-05:00Color AfflictionI know I can't be the only one feeling obsessive about the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/color-affection" target="_blank">Color Affection</a> -- or as I call it, Color Affliction -- pattern. I look at the finished projects almost every day on Ravelry, thinking about all the possible color combinations.<br />
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Because this is the New Austerity, I cannot buy new yarn for the shawl. I shopped the stash came up with this:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookscatsyarn/6860115430/" title="Affliction by bookscatsyarn, on Flickr"><img alt="Affliction" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7138/6860115430_b7135d40ee_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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From left to right, Tess Supersock, Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Lightweight in Winter Solstice, and Miss Babs Windsor Sock in Field Mouse.<br />
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Thoughts? I'm wondering if the gray and the brown are too close together. I will twist them together and see. Lisa has suggested an orange in place of the brown, which would pop more, but also "de-neutralize" the finished piece.<br />
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See why I call this Color Affliction?Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-60417136190195294712012-03-21T12:15:00.000-05:002012-03-21T12:15:43.731-05:00Today Was A Good DayAnd I didn't even have to use my A.K.*<br />
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Seriously.<br />
<ul><li>I had dinner in the crock pot by 9:30 AM.</li>
<li>I cleaned out my spice shelf.</li>
<li>I made plans with a friend to clean out my Hoarding Room over Spring Break. My old PhD office will now officially become a yarn and reading room.</li>
<li>The weather is beautiful!</li>
</ul>I finally finished my Ishbel, in some Sundara that Michelle gave me a long time ago. After several failed attempts to make this years ago, the shawl almost flew off the needles this time. Yvonne blocked it severely, and I think she made it look terrific.<br />
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* With apologies to Ice Cube and Jimmy Fallon.Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-42672738480768193962012-03-06T09:25:00.000-05:002012-03-06T09:25:03.326-05:00Car Knitting, and Yes, I am Still HereSo yeah, it's been awhile. Travel, illness, sleep deprivation, and a mobile baby all add up to blog neglect, but we are still here, still knitting.<br />
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And I still haven't bought any yarn in 2012.<br />
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Speaking of travel, I needed something mindless to work on during a recent drive to New York City. I also discovered that I lack a plain, non-lacy, gray neck-thing in my wardrobe. I dug out my not-small stash of gray fingering weight yarn and chose a skein of Colorful Yarn Merino Sock that I'd purchased on a trip to Philadelphia years ago...let's just say Henry was still The Toddler and he was in a stroller when I went to this store.<br />
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I cast on for <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nimbus-5">Nimbus</a>, a part of this amazingly beautiful, simple collection of gray knits. I love gray. Have I mentioned that before? The pattern, once set up, is easy to memorize and perfect for the car. Off I went! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookscatsyarn/6924288877/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Nimbus by bookscatsyarn, on Flickr"><img alt="Nimbus" height="323" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6924288877_871969ceb4.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookscatsyarn/6946399725/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Nimbus in the car by bookscatsyarn, on Flickr"><img alt="Nimbus in the car" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7055/6946399725_f609cc4215.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><br />
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And off we went! I have one very enthusiastic City Mouse:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/424292_3121352585007_1000344113_33006202_879929620_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/424292_3121352585007_1000344113_33006202_879929620_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
And someone who is undecided, but leaning toward Unimpressed Country Mouse:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/429266_3113972600512_1000344113_33003867_1496116074_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/429266_3113972600512_1000344113_33003867_1496116074_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-19160119339041510022012-01-13T09:32:00.000-05:002012-01-13T09:32:17.959-05:00So the Rumors are TrueHello. It's been thirteen days since I last purchased yarn.<br />
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My husband has "challenged" me to knit from stash in 2012. It's not like I don't have a lot of stash. It's not like my knitting time has decreased thanks to a certain adorable baby.<br />
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I am still in the Rockin' Sock Club as well as the Pro-Verbial Shawl Club, so small amounts of yarn will trickle in. I also have a layaway bag at the store that I last put yarn into on New Year's Eve, so as that gets paid off, that will come home with me as well.<br />
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But yeah, knitting from stash. Here we go.Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-40417885332346395292011-12-30T06:40:00.000-05:002011-12-30T06:40:10.167-05:00PortraitsOne of the reasons I wanted a DSLR was to take portraits of the kids. The 35mm lens that came with my camera is perfectly good for everyday use, but the aperture settings don't go down low enough to achieve the <a href="http://www.pixiepurls.com/2011/12/20/how-to-get-good-bokeh-or-blur-in-your-photographs-even-in-auto-mode/">"bokeh"</a> look that is popular now. So with my Christmas money, I bought an inexpensive 50mm lens recommended by <a href="http://startpointmedia.photoshelter.com/">my family friend and wedding photographer</a> and set out to experiment. We received a membership to the local Conservatory from my mother-in-law, which provided a great backdrop with natural light. I still need to work on white balance, but I think the composition is pretty decent, no?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/393840_2701881058481_1000344113_32825774_544003552_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/393840_2701881058481_1000344113_32825774_544003552_n.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/378638_2701880298462_1000344113_32825769_1689693534_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/378638_2701880298462_1000344113_32825769_1689693534_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/394336_2701882178509_1000344113_32825779_249491869_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/394336_2701882178509_1000344113_32825779_249491869_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-62668663624091226272011-12-11T09:51:00.002-05:002011-12-11T10:42:03.258-05:00Christmas Cables of Doom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/8382405@N05/6478499267" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="375" id="blogsy-1323615078987.762" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7156/6478499267_52baa8b7e5.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>Apparently I needed over a week off to recover from National Blog Posting Month.<br />
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The next time I chirpily announce that I am going to knit the children matchy-matchy outfits for Christmas, ask if me it is July. If it is past July, tell me it is too late for this year. The plan was to make coordinating vests (the <a href="http://petitepurls.com/Summer09/summer2009_pembroke.html">Pembroke pattern from Petite Purls</a>) in Christmas colors.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>Originally I envisioned the children wearing these for artfully posed photos to send out as Christmas cards. At this rate, I will be lucky to get them done by Christmas day.I have almost the back of Henry's completed. This means I have the front, the finishing, and all of Michael's to go. Michael is real small, so that should go quickly, right? Right?</div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-80207758237656039132011-11-30T05:23:00.000-05:002011-11-30T05:23:37.703-05:00Tomorrow is World AIDS DayAnd my friend Steven is having a fundraiser for the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force with amazing prizes, starting at midnight tonight. Check it out <a href="http://bitchesgetstitches.net/2011/11/29/world-aids-day-project-prelude/">here</a>.Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-47380777881946645452011-11-29T18:43:00.000-05:002011-11-29T18:43:30.250-05:00I might need an interventionFor the record, the first day of DEAR was a failure. I got into bed, opened the book, and fell asleep. This morning, I woke up with a migraine, so reading was out for that window of time as well.<br />
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This month, I finished two garments for Michael, a <a href="http://cosymakes.com/2010/06/23/beau/">Beau</a> by Cosy out of Malabrigo Worsted, and a Baby T-Shirt Vest out of Madelinetosh DK. The first is totally whimsical; the second is a project I made to fill a hole in his wardrobe. I love vests on babies: they add warmth without adding bulk and there are no sleeves to get sodden when babies stuff them in their mouths.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookscatsyarn/6392085043/" title="beau by bookscatsyarn, on Flickr"><img alt="beau" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7011/6392085043_26c0782bc6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookscatsyarn/6383170215/" title="Untitled by bookscatsyarn, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="640" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6218/6383170215_b757ea7901_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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The problem is, of course, that babies outgrow these things quickly. I have a bunch of knits that I've already had to put away, and I think Michael may have reached capacity on his knitted wardrobe for now. I think it's time to focus on projects for bigger people...like myself! It's almost the time of year when we set knitting goals, and it will be interesting to see how mine shake out for 2012.Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-9325923307624021662011-11-28T17:58:00.000-05:002011-11-28T17:58:18.213-05:00DEARRemember in the Ramona Quimby books when Ramona had "Drop Everything and Read" and "Sustained Silent Reading" in school? That's my plan for this week. Since the time change, every time I get in bed with a book, I fall asleep instead. I've been trying to read The Night Circus for weeks! This week, my husband is off of work, and I should have a little bit more free time. Let's see how far I can get through the big stack of books on my nightstand.Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-15105214202352169342011-11-27T09:41:00.001-05:002011-11-27T09:41:22.869-05:00Good MorningI get up pretty early with the baby, but in exchange, I get some quiet time with my coffee and my knitting after I get him back down. <br /><br />And this morning, I got this. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/11/27/1319.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/11/27/s_1319.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-70165363703617644702011-11-26T18:54:00.000-05:002011-11-26T18:54:38.717-05:00Help Me, Fashion PoliceGo look at <a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/recycled-sweater-skirt#pr-header-20433">these "upcycled" sweater skirts</a> and tell me if I want one.Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-8005428966817208532011-11-25T09:22:00.000-05:002011-11-25T09:22:55.805-05:00Happy Thanksgiving!Okay, so I took a day off from blogging, but it was a busy, bustling day.<br />
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I had intended for both kids to wear handknit vests to Thanksgiving, but they both had other plans. Henry has been experimenting with layered looks and ended up in this ensemble, which looked surprisingly hip.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/320624_2498709179311_1000344113_32741199_2045937241_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/320624_2498709179311_1000344113_32741199_2045937241_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
Henry sang the "grace" for dinner that he'd learned that week in school:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Thank you for the food we eat.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Thank you for the world so sweet.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Thank you for the birds that sing.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Thank you for everything.</i></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-51258194377442034362011-11-23T05:41:00.001-05:002011-11-23T05:54:28.907-05:00More on Bookstores and ReadingSo we saw Ann Patchett speak on Monday night. Author of Bel Canto and State of Wonder, Patchett has <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/16/us/ann-patchett-bucks-bookstore-tide-opening-her-own.html">made the news lately</a> by opening up an independent bookstore in her hometown of Nashville. <br />
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Patchett opened her store to fill a gap left by the closure of two major chains in Nashville. Like Pittsburgh, like towns all over, the major chains had come in, decimated the smaller stores, and then collapsed when they couldn't match Amazon. Certainly, that has been the case for me. When I first moved to Pittsburgh, Squirrel Hill had an independent bookstore. Then Barnes and Noble came in and the bookstore closed. Then Borders came to Shadyside. And now both that particular B&N and Borders are gone.<br />
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So I've filled that gap with Amazon and my Kindle. Is it ideal? In many ways, yes. It's instant gratification. It's lower prices. Patchett offered a list of books that she's recommending to her customers, and I ended up getting them on my Kindle, because I have no local bookstore. Have I contributed to this problem because I use Amazon? Sure. <br />
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But, what Patchett pointed out is that while she has nothing against e-readers and reports that her husband actually reads more on his e-reader than he ever has before (something that is proving to be true with my husband as well), her sales of State of Wonder have been split evenly between Kindle sales and hardback sales. And the people who don't want to read on e-readers deserve a bookstore, a place to go. The book is not dead. The bookstore is a community.<br />
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(And I can't help but point out that the same is true of the Local Yarn Store. You can buy all the Knitpicks you want, but if you want help, if you want to meet fellow knitters, if you want community, the best place to get it is your local yarn store. And since I see so many of our customers at the Arts and Lectures series, I know that knitters and readers are of the same tribe and can understand this.)<br />
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So where is my book community? For now, in my neighborhood, it's my library, which deserves all the help and money we can give. When we go to Jackson, I am delighted to spend my time and money at <a href="http://www.valleybookstore.com/">Valley Books</a>, an excellent, well-curated independent shop. <br />
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I don't know if we'll ever get an independent shop back in our neighborhood, but the ultimate message of Patchett's lecture is to READ, to support authors, and support communities of readers.Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-3246430772022809902011-11-22T19:16:00.000-05:002011-11-22T19:16:27.908-05:00Ann Patchett on the BookstoreI have a lot thoughts swirling around in my head about this, but for now, here's what Ann Patchett, who I saw speak at Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures last night, has to say about her new bookstore:<br />
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<i>"I actually think that this is really going to work. The day of the small independent bookstore has returned. It's the giant bookstore that can't be sustained," she said.</i><br />
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Read more: <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11323/1191020-44.stm#ixzz1eU01siAV" style="color: #003399;">http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11323/1191020-44.stm#ixzz1eU01siAV</a></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150580.post-16009971875180515372011-11-21T21:44:00.001-05:002011-11-21T21:44:48.339-05:00Quick postIt's Monday, which means work and then "date night."<br /><br />I had food with foam on it. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/11/21/2807.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/11/21/s_2807.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03333663662572624984noreply@blogger.com0