Macros Revealed!

Thank you everyone for playing the Knitty Blogstalking Game with me!!! Here are my reveals from last week's assignment, "Macros":


Nobody got this one correct. I got all sorts of answers, ranging from "mold" (ewww. . . I hope nothing in my house is this moldy!!!) to "the skin on a guinea pig" (which I find quite amusing, and really want to go look closely at a guinea pig now. But no, it is neither. It is. . .


A close up of a sunflower!!!

This is one of five sunflowers I got in the gorgeous bouquet of flowers I received on my first day of my new job. It fit in perfectly with the assignment.





People at least came close with the next one:


It is a little bit of a stumper, and kudos to my dad for saying that it looks like a skull when I zoomed in on it. But alas, it is not a skull, and I cheated a little because it is not something in my house. It is. . .












A tortoise's snout!!!

Jo, Catherine, and cpurl17 all came close in their identification; whereas nobody came out and said "tortoise snout", the word "snout" or "nose" was in there.

I hope people had fun guessing!

This week's assignment: Will it float? I have no clue what objects I will select to see if they float or not, but I won't be using the loo to test them because they are all things I'd like to keep in the house, I'm sure.

Knitting-Pattern-A-Day-Review

Let's look at a couple of patterns here, shall we?

Monday, August 14 -- Napkin Ring. I thought it was beaded, but it's just knit on gold metallic thread. We don't have cloth napkins here at Chateau Zanti; we just tear a sheet off the paper towels when we are eating. It's classier than shirt sleeves.

Tuesday, August 15 -- Raggedy Cropped Jacket. I haven't quite formed an opinion on this yet. I like the shaped, and the lapels that are buttoned down, but I'm not sure if I like the yarn (or the colors). I might like this in a more solid color.

Wednesday, August 16 -- Fan-Shaped Facecloth. Hmm, if I ever get around to making soaps, these would be nice to give with them, wouldn't they? It looks like it would take about a 1/2 to make as well, and it's cute and not a typical rectangle. Let's hang on to this one.

Thursday, August 17 -- Abalone Silk Bag. This is a pretty nice n simple bag, and the yarn used reminds me of banana silk. I'll have to check out some recycled silk someday; I just want to be picky because I think I have heard of some kinds having weird stuff in them, or an odor, or something. . . I guess I should shut up 'cuz I don't sound like I know what I'm talking about.

Friday, August 18 -- Barb's Twizzle Baby Hat. Cute colors and cute little twizzles on top of the hat! It reminds me of Regina's hair in the "Users are Losers" PSA commercials from the 80s. I just tried in vain to find it on YouTube. I can't find the "stop, drop and roll" commercial either. Stupid YouTube.

Saturday/Sunday, August 19 and 20 and Monday, August 21 -- Rib and Cable Top. This is pretty nice, and is kind of what I need for next summer -- nice tank tops to wear with my work clothes.

So, that's it for this week's review! I'll come through with a real post later on!

I got yarn!

Yeah, I know, big whoop. Don't we all get yarn once in a while? Truth be hold, I do not possess said yarn as of yet, just a slip from the Post Office saying that I have a package to be picked up. Registered mail or something. But it is yarn from Uruguay, from Handpaintedwool on eBay, the beautiful super-soft black merino that is so much like Malabrigo (but a little bit thinner, I think). I decided to go ahead and get that, so I can knit my Tempting II sweater in the hot pink and black combo I referenced in an earlier post, with the neckline (and maybe a band at the bottom) in solid black. So, if I don't go to the SnB at Spark tomorrow night, I'll be winding up some yarn!

See, I've got a long car drive this weekend (roughly 4.5 - 5 hours) to Central NY. I was thinking on working on my lace camisole on the ride, because I would like to finish it some time this year, but it can be a little fiddly in a moving vehicle because the needles are so small, it's a lace pattern, it's on aluminum straights so they're a little slippery, etc. If I decide to go with Tempting II, I'd be using circular needles and a really basic 1x1 ribbing.

This begs the question: do I need to start another project? Don't I have enough on the needles? What about my crochet? Can't I just hook in the car? I think Tempting II will be a fast knit for me (especially since I haven't knit on anything larger than a size 4 needle in quite a while), and it would be a good "pay attention but you don't have to pay that much attention" project, but I am feeling guilty about starting another project. I need a devil to whisper in my ear that it's okay. Who wants to be that devil?

In other news, I picked up both Interweave Knits and Vogue Knitting. There are a few things I am lusting after (socks! socks! socks!), so it is time to do some stash-searching (in my own stash, of course), but I seem to not have a lot of any one yarn. Poo.

My fingernail hurts!

I just reached the changing point in the front part of this camisole. I had to do a YO, K2tog for the entire row. I use my right hand index finger's nail a lot to do YO, so it's a little sore. Ouch.

It just keeps getting funnier!

At least to me it does. And what is funnier than a crochet nipple on your cat's head, knit in bright pink Red Heart acrylic yarn? Zelia is such a good sport to keep it on her head; we couldn't even get near Solvie with the thing (yeah, I know I managed to get lots of pics of her with a neckerchief on, but she was feeling remarkably lovey that day).

I'm wondering if I am on to something here. Maybe I can make my own line of crocheted pasties and g-strings (ewwww. . . acrylic on your lower bits would feel disgusting!) and call myself Hedda Hooker. Okay, maybe not. That acrylic on the lower bits bit just got to me and is giving me shivers.

Speaking of shivers, I revisited a movie that totally gave me the creeps when I was about 13 -- Tourist Trap. I found it pretty effective still (especially since I had forgotten much of the film, and the twists in it). I'm pretty creeped out by mannequins and dolls in general (especially realistic-looking baby dolls). There was a great episode of Kolchak that had mannequins that would move, and that was equally creepy.

In the knittyboard blogstalking assignment, here's a macro of something that is in my house. Try to guess what this is:

This is something that is not in my house, but I thought I'd add as a bonus:
Tell me what you think these are. ZantiMisterKnit is not eligible to guess, because he knows what both of these are (in fact, he took one of the photos). I'll post the answers next week sometime. Whoever guesses correctly wins a congratulatory post from me!

I just crocheted a nipple!

I'm not kidding.

I taught myself how to crochet in a circle, and I obviously need more practice because it came out looking just like a nipple.

ZantiMisterKnit is providing the necessary tweakage for realism. I once found a book in my parents' attic called "Sex, Danish Style" (or something like that) and the cover had a finger ever-so-lightly touching an erect nipple. This crocheted circle immediately made me think of that book. There are other, ahem, books (and magazines) stashed away up there in a trunk, but that's a post for another day. All I will say is Denmark + the 70s = hair aprons. Ewwww. Thank you, Venus Vibrance!

This is my practice for crochet class with the fabulous Kristin:

It's terribly exciting, isn't it? Hey, I am making some progress and know how to change colors. I like the quickness of crochet, but I don't think I have fully gotten the hang of it (as evidenced by the nipple above. I think I was too tight in my early stitches, which caused the nipplage).

I also would like to show off the froggy feet bootie in all it's not-so-greatness:
It looks okay here, right? It looks kind of like how it should, right?

But look at it from the side:

Argh! More holes than the plot of a late-night made-for-tv erotic thriller! I really need to work on those picked up stitches. There is no way I can give this to someone as a present, especially someone who has taken my hair to great fabulousness for ten years. Yuckadoo!

I was going to post a macro picture of something in my house for any blogstalkers on knittyboard to take a guess at, but guess what? Those fittas at blogger aren't letting me post any more pictures! So you are just going to have to laugh at my really bad crafts!

It feels like fall here. . .

and it's only August 12! I know there are people who love this weather and are seeing it as a "relief" after the steaminess earlier this month, but I rather like having a few months of steaminess and would rather see this weather next month. The temperature on our desktop reads 65 F. I think that's a little cool for August, but would love it to be this temperature in, say, December. It's days like these that I realize how much I miss New Orleans.

This does help me get my knit mojo back though, or at least get me thinking about knitting.

Here is the much-overdue Pattern-A-Day calendar review. I've transported the calendar to home, and will probably keep it at the computer desk. I also hope to review daily, so I can be a good blogger and update daily. We'll see. . .

Monday, July 31 -- Lace in Ribs. One of those nice "all over" patterns. It would probably make a nice scarf, you know, one of those scarves that doesn't really keep you warm in the winters in Boston, but that you can wear in your freezing cold office as an accessory. Oh, have I mentioned that my new office isn't much warmer than my old one? I need a space heater. . .

Tuesday, August 1 -- Surveyor's Bath Matt. Proof you can knit with almost anything, including surveyor tape. If I had some lying around I would do this, or if I discovered it is way cheap. I have no clue how much stuff like this costs.

Wednesday, August 2 -- Stella-Poncho on the Run. You won't believe this. I think this is kind of cute. Of course, it is nothing but a shawl that you don't have to wrap around you to keep on, but it is really elegant looking. Maybe I would make this and just not stitch it up and have a shawl. I've been thinking alot about shawls lately; maybe it's time for me to make a Clapotis.

Thursday, August 3 -- DragonFly & Fizz Lengthwise Knit Scarf. I've got some Fizz somewhere in my stash, but haven't used it yet. This scarf looks like a cross between a Muppet and a feather boa, and I mean that in a good way (if you can say that in a good way).

Friday, August 4 -- Brady's Bucket O'Balls. Tongue twister! It's funny, and is something to do if you really want an ice cream bucket covered with knit and filled with knit balls.

Saturday/Sunday - August 5 & 6 -- Varsha-Girl's Tank Top. Another one of those cute girls' tank tops. It looks like it has a checkerboard pattern at the waist.

Monday, August 7 -- Sari Openwork. Nice, breezy summer tank top, preferably to wear with something underneath because it's kind of see-through. My basic white cotton top is near the end of it's life -- it has some kind of stain on it -- so maybe I should think about making another.

Tuesday, August 8 and Wednesday, August 9 -- Crazy Eights. Something to do with leftover sock yarn! Save enough of 'em and you can make more socks! I'll probably end up doing this once I make all the socks I have sock yarn for. . . I'm really broody for some sock knittin'.

Thursday, August 10 -- Book Cover. This would be really good if you want to read porno (oops, erotica) on the train and don't want anyone to know. It's worked on a knitting machine though, but it can't be that hard to figure out.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 11, 12 and 13 -- Striped Teen Top #4. Probably not something I'd make, but it's sure cute! I love the colors used: turquoise, canary, cameo, pistachio. I may have to look up the yarn company (S. R. Kertzer, www.kertzer.com -- no time to check them out right now though).

So, there's my over-opinionated review of the past two weeks of patterns. I know it was long overdue.

In knitting news, I've been slow because there is so much going on in my worklife. I have about 5.5 inches done on the front part of the vintage lace camisole. The pattern changes after 7 inches, and it is going painstakingly slow. I have a cashmere cardigan that I can wear over it for when I do finish it. It should be a nice work outfit. I also started some baby booties shaped like frog feet for my hair stylist. She's due in a couple of weeks (Sept. 2, I think). It's a fast knit, but the first one looks a little like poo-poo. Or at least the picked up stitches do. I have enough yarn to work with, so if the 2nd one comes out good, I'll make another that looks just as good. Then I'll make a hat.

I've also been learning how to crochet. I took classes at Spark Craft Studios in Davis Square, Somerville. It's a great place to learn; the maximum # of people allowed in the class is 6 and it was just me. The teacher, Kristin, is a great gal and we have had fun crocheting and gabbing. I'm hoping to get to Spark more often; it's a great place. I completely forgot they are having a big sale today, for the tax-free weekend. Oh, did you know this weekend is a tax-free weekend in MA? I don't really have anything I need to buy, but maybe I'll go to Border's and pick up the latest Vogue Knitting and Interweave Knits, because both have things in them that I like.

I was able to leave my old job Wednesday evening without bawling my eyes out. I damn near started crying when my boss came by to say goodbye. I sent an email around but didn't wanted to come around to say goodbye, 'cuz I knew I couldn't without the waterworks starting. I almost snuck out of there, but the receptionist came out to give me a hug. Damnedest thing -- here I was, getting what I wanted (a new job, and to leave my old job), and I was about to cry over it. I think I'll still see my old co-workers, because many of them are friends. Shit, I was there for five years, so of course they're friends. My new job has been great for the two days I have been there (yes, I started on Thursday, the day after ending my old job). I got an AMAZING bouquet of peach roses and sunflowers from Winston Flowers (v. expensive florist shop!) as a welcome gift, and went on the summer outing that night (with ZantiMisterKnit). We were all picked up in a double decker bus and transported to the piers, where we boarded a double decker boat and had food, drinks, and dancing all night. And people really got down and danced! What a loose bunch (in a good way)! I think it is a good sign with the managing partner plays drums with the band (and is good). I was pretty busy Friday -- not insanely busy, but busy enough -- and look forward to the same next week. The only downside I can see is that the building is terribly cold -- even the attorneys complain about it. But, whatever, I'll get a space heater and dress appropriately. It's not as if I have to schlep from the train station in the summer, or in the winter. I only have to get to my local T stop, and then the train takes me directly to the Prudential T stop, which is connected to the Mall, which is connected to my building -- so I don't have to go outside! Yay for easy commutes! Yesterday I was a 1/2 hour early, so I got off at Copley Station and walked down Boylston Street. The atmosphere is so much better there than it is in the Financial District. Instead of hundreds of people hurrying to get somewhere, there were people sitting outside Starbucks having their morning coffee, nice wide clean sidewalks, and just a nice atmosphere. It reminded me more of Manhattan than Boston. I think I could easily get annoyed with the mall, because it is alway busy and almost everyone is jellynecking in the store windows and not at where they are going. And it's not like I'm going to go insane and blow my paycheck at Sephora, right? Ummm . . . well, anyway, I think it will be nice, especially while the weather is good. There's a gorgeous courtyard in the back, and it's pretty close to the Christian Science Center with the reflecting pool, which is a gorgeous, peaceful place. It's also right near John Fluevog. Not that I'm going to go crazy and blow my paycheck on shoes, right? It's also near Newbury Yarns, but not that. . . oh, okay. I will shop there. I also know that Winsor Button is open late on Thursdays, so I can go there to get my yarn fix. And when I'm finished reading the books I have in our library, I can go to the BPL. I think I'm gonna have fun.

New Job!

I start my new job today!!!! I also am going on their summer outing (a booze cruise) with them tonight! What a way to start off!

I couldn't finish my breakfast today because of stomach cramps. They seem to have righted themselves, but I had cramps when I interviewed at this place 3 weeks ago. I then thought they were "Vinnie" (as in "Vinnie's Tampon Case") cramps, but it turns out they weren't. I think it was just nerves. I hope it's not my body telling me something is not right, and my brain not listening -- know what I mean? That kinda psychic thing people have? It's just nerves, right?

My other thought was that Charlie and Slick (the turtles from my last firm) gave me a good-bye present of salmonella, but I think I would feel worse than this if that were the case. By feeling worse I, of course, mean that I would have explosive diarrhea. It's my understanding that, when one has salmonella, one knows it. It's like food poisoning and then some. Or then LOTS MORE.

Keep good thoughts with me in the coming weeks that this job turns out to be what I think it will be! (My former boss said he is not hiring anyone into my position for at least a week in case I want to come back. Which is a little foolish because right now there is only one secretary in the office. I'll have to call her to make sure she is okay.)

Oopsie!

I forgot to do my knitting pattern review this weekend. I'll try to get to it sometime this week, but please bear with me because I will be (in this order): getting a manicure, going to a crochet open studio, leaving my current job, starting a new job, going on a "summer outing" cruise with said new job, and then we're in the weekend again. So, maybe I'll do it next weekend!

Maybe I'll start doing it daily, just so I can blog daily. Who knows?