All Done!

I took lousy pictures (that are up on flikr! if you care) of my sockapalooza 4 sock pal socks, so I'm not torturing you with any here. Instead, go on over to Lindsey's blog and check them out here.

And now, back to the baby pants that I'm test knitting.

A Wardrobe Change?

I think that it is time for a wardrobe update, and the only things that I found at Marshall's recently that I found acceptable were a pair of brown corduroy pants and a made-in-China fair isle-style cardigan sweater. What I really want to be wearing is a wintry update to my new-to-me summer style.

What do I want to find? I want to be wearing jumper-style dresses (pinafores across the pond, apparently) over long sleeve t-shirts with cardigan sweaters over top, with thick warm tights and chunky mary janes. I've got the t-shirts. And some black Keen mary janes. But the dresses? And tights? I'm at a loss. Send links! Or hand-me-down clothes would be fine too.

In knitting news, my long-past-due Sockapalooza 4 socks are complete. The box will be going out in the mail later on today (its just past midnight here, so its technically the same day). I am so glad to have this monkey off my back. Next up on the queue? Test knitting some baby pants for Shelly Kang. I should go and pack those up for the trip to MSP tomorrow. I expect to be waiting out craptastic weather for a long time at MDW late tomorrow evening, but at least I'm checked in, and seated in row 9 instead of 17, and not in a middle seat. It'll be fine. As its the last flight to MSP on NWA tomorrow, I'm pretty sure that it will go, but probably not on-time. I've got knitting and reading, so I'll be fine and dandy as long as we get there.

53 balls of wool on the bed, 53 balls of wool

Dalegarn Baby Ull 002
Originally uploaded by tdgirl

Take one down, pass it around, now give it back, its my wool on the bed!

This is all the Dale of Norway/Dalegarn Baby Ull that was hanging out in the stash cubes in the corner of my room. All of this yarn, except for the frog kit, was apparently hiding in half a cube. It was like unloading a clown car to catalog it all on the bed. No, I don't have any idea how I'm going to get it all back in.

A word problem about knitting

I may be in a funk, and generally cranky, but I've decided to knit the Sweet Baby Hat (Ravelry) for a small, related child. The question is, which size to knit that will give me the best chance of a hat that fits someone at Thanksgiving.

I have babies of cousins who are 19 months, 5 months and in utero. if my hat size choices are 6months, 1 year and 2 year, and i have no idea, nor do I particularly care about my gauge (there is hope of hitting it, so I'll be in the size ballpark), which size should I make to maximize the possibility that it will fit a small child at Thanksgiving?

I currently think that the 1 year size is where I'm going to head.

Christmas List

Edited 11-15-07 and 11-23-07

Mom has asked what I want for Christmas, so here's a link list. Yes, I know that its huge and extravagant, but it wouldn't be a surprise if gift-givers didn't have lots of choices.

I would like someone to plan and cook healthy, yummy meals for me. There is no link for that. Sorry. If I knew where to get it, I already would have taken care of it.

A new laptop battery. It would be really exciting to really be unplugged for more than 20 minutes. Also, I haven't found a pocket or purse-sized WiFi internet device that I desire, so improving the current laptop would be a better move.

Danskos? New Clarks? Good sneakers? I need some new shoes.

A seltzer water maker

Knitting Camp for 2008

Yarn School for 2008 (no info yet online... maybe I should ask for my birthday?)

Schoolhouse Press has nice things. So does Levenger.

A Craft Zine Subscription

Books to read! I am lousy at choosing, but mysteries, feminist sci-fi, regular SF/F, good adventures are all good. If its marketed as chick lit, please put it in someone else's stocking or package.

I'd like a teapot. Travel abroad has spoiled me for a tea bag hanging out in my mug.

If you wanted to get me yarn, and were somehow unable to find some clever self-striping sock yarn or something generally pleasant, smooth and made of wool, here is a specific hint: sock-weight yarn with silver in it. Any number of skeins will do, I think that it would make a heavenly Clapotis with many skeins (4), or a pair of socks, hat or small neckwarmer with one.

Etsy Shops I like:
The Interimaginational Institute
Piddleloop Sewing Team
Entrelac Stitch Markers
Shelly Kang's shop
Laurenn McCubbin


The little things, like for my stocking? Chapstick, Cadbury's Drinking Chocolate, Walker's Shortbreads, 3 Musketeers Reindeer, hand cream (I really like the little blue Nivea tins from Walgreens for a dollar)

Some wishlists:

The Loopy Ewe




Things I love, in no particular order

• cream cheese on toasted ciabatta bread
  
• TV shows streaming online
• peanut butter fudge ice cream from Archer Farms
• bank branches in the grocery store
  
• risotto (who would have ever thought I would say that?)
  
• sheepskin slippers
• pajamas
• chapstick
• Belle and Sebastian's The Life Pursuit