Life is Sweet

Evan the Terrible

Two Thumbs Down :: No big surprise, as all of the “real” critics agree, this movie was a huge waste of time and money. I am a self-professed Steve Carell nut, and I have to say, I felt embarrassed for him as I watched him flail and scream through this total lack of creative effort.

It started rough. But I was willing to suspend disbelief for awhile – I mean, a newly-elected congressman making so much money he could buy a million dollar house and a hummer. Okay, this is a movie where the suspension of disbelief is key to getting through the plot. But it just gets unbearable.

I don’t want to include spoilers here so I won’t go into further details. All I can say is, save your money. If you must, wait for the DVD. Even that will be too much to pay for this humorless joke of a film.

Rob’s Socks

I finished Rob’s socks … yippee! These were my first toe-up socks, believe it or not. I used the Universal Toe-up Sock pattern from Knitty.com which includes a link to the “Magic cast-on” which rocks the house. When I first looked at the toe-up pattern, I could not wrap my mind around how it was going to work. So I just cast on to see what would happen. It was very cool to see that toe develop!

The yarn, which I’ve mentioned here before, is Austerman’s STEP, which has jojoba oil and aloe vera infused into the fibers. To me, the knitted fabric did not feel any different than any other sock yarn, but we haven’t washed them yet. I’ve read that the oils should stay in the fiber for up to 30 washings. We’ll see if it does any wonders for my husband’s feet!

Guilty pleasures

What can I say? I have a guilty pleasure that is almost too embarrassing to reveal. I love Hell’s Kitchen. It’s one those stupid FOX summer filler shows, allegedly “reality-based” (who really knows?) and full of screaming, freaked-out people.

The editing is so terrible that you never know, truly, how events really unfold. They splice and dice and create teasers to the next segment that never deliver. It’s truly horrible in every way. Including, the most horrible of them all, Chef Ramsey himself. The tyrant who presides over the show.

Evidently he is a perfectionist to the point of being painful to everyone around him … except the editing crew. I like to picture him standing behind the film editors, screaming at them to put this bit of film here or there. But I’m sure he doesn’t have anything to say about any of it. He is likely just as much of a pawn in the pseudo-drama as any of the “contestants.”

All this being said, it is the ultimate of junk food TV. Watch one episode, and you won’t be able to stop.

Jungle vines scarf

Jungle Vines Scarf
Materials: 3 balls of Crystal Palace “Cameo”
Size 10 knitting needles

Gauge: 16.5 stitches = 4″ in stockinette

(Scarf pattern is a multiple of 10 stitches, plus 2)

Abbreviations
K=Knit, P=Purl, YO=yarn over (bring needle forward as if to purl)
K2tog=Knit next two stitches together
SSK=Slip one as if to knit, slip another as if to knit, put left needle tip through two slipped stitches on right needle (from left to right), knit two stitches together
P2tog tbl=Purl next two stitches together through the back loop

Begin scarf
Cast on 32 stitches

Row 1: K1, * YO, K8, K2tog, repeat from *, end K1
Row 2: P1, * P2tog, P7, YO, P1, repeat from *, end P1
Row 3: K1, * K2, YO, K6, K2tog, repeat from *, end K1
Row 4: P1, * P2tog, P5, YO, P3, repeat from *, end P1
Row 5: K1, * K4, YO, K4, K2tog, repeat from *, end K1
Row 6: P1, * P2tog, P3, YO, P5, repeat from *, end P1
Row 7: K1, * K6, YO, K2, K2tog, repeat from *, end K1
Row 8: P1, * P2tog, P1, YO, P7, repeat from *, end P1
Row 9: K1, * K8, YO, K2tog, repeat from *, end K1
Row 10: P1, * YO, P8, P2tog tbl, repeat from *, end P1
Row 11: K1, * SSK, K7, YO, K1, repeat from *, end K1
Row 12: P1, * P2, YO, P6, P2tog tbl, repeat from *, end P1
Row 13: K1, * SSK, K5, YO, K3, repeat from *, end K1
Row 14: P1, * P4, YO, P4, P2tog tbl, repeat from *, end P1
Row 15: K1, * SSK, K3, YO, K5, repeat from *, end K1
Row 16: P1, * P6, YO, P2, P2tog tbl, repeat from *, end P1
Row 17: K1, * SSK, K1, YO, K7, repeat from *, end K1
Row 18: P1, * P8, YO, P2tog tbl, repeat from *, end P1

Repeat row 1-18 for length of scarf

Bind off loosely knitwise. Secure ends.

To block, soak scarf for 10-20 minutes in Eucalen or wool wash. Gently squeeze out excess water. Lay flat on a towel to dry.

Printable version of pattern [Word doc]

Got me a job

Well, the search is over. I got me a job!

Thanks to an awesome former customer at the shop, I am the happiest new employee of CACI. I’ll be working at the Navy base, Bremerton. Probably after several weeks of training, I could explain what I’ll be doing. At this point, I’m not so sure myself. I know it involves databases and users and analyzing and processing. And, well, I have a lot to learn. But I am very excited!

I’ve had a really great break between closing the shop and going back to work. I’m so thankful for it. I feel like my batteries are recharged and I’m a human being again. I know I’m going to miss all of this time to myself, but it’s going to be great to be earning a living again. Now I can pay off the debt from owning my own business. (Thinking of opening a yarn shop? Talk to me first!)

Knitting progress

I finally got the ol’ camera out to record my knitting progress. I am really in need of a new camera. My display window completely died, so the only way I can review pictures is to upload them to my computer, which is a whole other pain in the ass! I do have a birthday coming up!

So the right-side picture is the Artists Coat, sans sleeves. I’m currently knitting both sleeves at the same time. For some reason, despite having done the pattern over and over, I keep making mistakes and having to rip back. Let me tell ya, ripping back on this pattern stinks! The pattern and yarn are from Rowan’s Classic Yarns line. The yarn, Luxury Cotton DK, is a gorgeous blend of cotton and silk. Love it!

My other WIP is sock #2 for the hubby. I’m knitting these out of Austermann’s STEP yarn which has jojoba oil and Aloe Vera infused in the fibers. I’m really enjoying the colors. I believe all of the STEP colorways are self-patterning. Very fun!

Me & Bugs = Trouble

I am trying very hard to become a gardener. I honestly don’t believe that one becomes a gardener, though. I believe one is born a gardener. It’s like being a priest or something. You have a calling, and you follow it.

I really hate everything to do with gardening. I hate the dust, the dirt, the bugs, the bees, the spiders, the wasps, the milipeeds, the bugs, the bees, oh and the spiders. I just simply hate it.

Okay, I do like the birds. We have the most amazing display of crazy birds in our yard, thanks to our neighbor. His yard is certified as a bird sanctuary in the State of Washington. I only know what his backyard looks like from having climbed my fence and peeked over. It’s amazing. I joke to my hubby that the birds are hanging in the ghetto when they come to our yard.

Last night we balled up tufts of our dog’s fur (it’s really nice stuff) and the swifts swooped down and almost plucked it from our fingers. We ate dinner while the American Goldfinches played in the trees and hummingbirds dived-bombed everything in sight. Just a few minutes ago I watched a mature bald eagle fly right over my house, being chased by about 40 pissed-off crows. Aww, the birds.

But, seriously, the bugs. Ick. I spend my entire time in the garden screaming and running in circles to get away from some creepy crawly thing. I don’t think I’ll ever learn to embrace this art.

Upcoming knitting meet-up

Attention all Bremerton-area knitters! There is a meet-up on Monday, June 11 from 1:30-3:00. The “Purls of Wisdom” group meets at the Downtown Bremerton Library, 612 5th Street (377-3955).

Bring any needlework project, hang, chat, visit, learn and make new friends. They also have a great collection of knitting and crochet books.

Yorkshire Yarns grand opening

Attention Seattle-area knitters! There is a new yarn shop in town and you are invited to its grand opening.

Check it out: June 14-16 (Thurs-Sat), 10-6 daily.

Yorkshire Yarns
7504 86TH ST. SW #150
Lakewood, WA 98498
(253)589-9276

There will be bevies, appetizers, door prizes and specials throughout the day. Oh, and my favorite part, a live alpaca on site!

Seed stitch baby booties

Another pattern for all of you knitters! This is one of my adaptation of a popular baby bootie pattern. It is knit in one piece, in seed stitch. I used a novelty yarn called “Coral” on the top & tie. If you leave off the novelty yarn, you shouldn’t change needle size on the cuff. Happy knitting!

Coral Dreams Seed Stitch Baby Booties

Materials needed
1 ball of Plymouth Yarn “Dreambaby D.K” (183 yds.)
1 ball of Universal Yarn “Coral” (142 yds.)

1 pair of size us 3 double-pointed needles (DPNs)
1 pair of size us 4 DPNs
Spare needle size us 5

Other materials needed: Crochet hook size F (optional), tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Gauge: 6 stitches = 1″ in seed stitch using size us 3 needles.

Abbreviations
BOR=Beginning of round
K=Knit, P=Purl
P2tog=Purl two stitches together
P2togTBL=Purl two stitches together through back loop
M1=Make one by picking up loop from row below & knitting into back of stitch.
K2tog = knit next two stitches together
YO= yarn over

Begin sole
Using one strand of Dreambaby D.K. and smaller needles, cast on 7 stitches. Knit back and forth on these 7 stitches for 30 rows (15 garter ridges).

Begin sides
Next row: (you will be moving in a counter-clockwise path)
With second dpn, pick up and knit 14 stitches along next edge.
With third dpn, pick up and knit 7 stitches along cast-on edge.
With fourth dpn, pick up and knit 13 stitches along other long edge.

Place safety pin or locking marker here to indicate BOR.

Round 1: *K1, P1, repeat from *, ending with K1
Round 2: *P1, K1, repeat from *, ending with P1

Repeat rounds 1 & 2 for a total of 7 times, ending with round 2.

Begin instep
Seed stitch across needles 1 & 2 (as round 1 above)

On needle 3: [P1, K1] 3 times, then slip last stitch onto needle four and P2tog onto needle 3.

Turn, working back across needle 3, repeat this row. Except when you slip the last stitch onto needle 2, you will P2togTBL back onto needle 3.

Repeat these two rows, working back and forth across needle 3, decreasing one stitch on needles 2 & 4 each row for a total of 5 times. (8 stitches will remain on needle 2 and 7 stitches on needle 4)

Begin cuff
Move safety pin or locking stitch marker here to indicate new BOR.

Seed stitch back across needle 3. M1 (between needles 3 & 2), putting new stitch onto needle 2. Knit across needles 2, 1 & 4. M1 between needles 4 & 3 (putting new stitch on needle 3).

You will now be knitting every round.

Knit two rounds even.

Make eyelets
*K2, YO, K2tog, repeat from * all the way around

Knit one round even.

Next round: Change to size 4 needles and add one strand of Coral to the Dreambaby. Knit every round until cuff measures 2″. Using spare size us 5 needle, cast off all stitches.

Finishing
Weave in ends. Make I-cord for tie or crochet chain for ties. Lace through eyelets.

Download printable version of pattern (MS Word)