Confessions of a Professional Yarn Fondler

Funny Drummer Dude!

2008-04-04T14:08:00.000-07:00

This is so not knitting related, but has caused quite a stir here at Casa Stro! May I present to you, for your viewing enjoyment, Funny Drummer Dude:

OKC: On the needles, a shawlette for my daughter's best friend's birthday!

Bogie Rox My Sox!

2008-03-18T00:06:00.000-07:00

The ever-gracious, and seriously talented Ms. Bogie Bogie of Bobaknit fame (in addition to her fame as a designer!) shared her mad socks skillz with the Guild tonight. Her designs are so brilliant that she may yet make a sock-knitting convert out of this self-professed big needle knitter!

I know I sound like I'm laying it on thick, but to be in her presence and see he work is to feel as though you are in the room with sheer genius, and I am truly humbled.

Pour Moi?

2008-01-28T19:44:00.000-08:00

Oui, oui! Emy has ~~suggested~~, ~~hinted~~, ~~scolded~~, ahem, remarked that as I rarely knit for myself, I ought to embark upon such an odyssey. While at the Yarn Swap at Purlescence yesterday, there was some rogue yarn that, in that siren's call that yarn can sometimes have, up and deafeningly screamed in my ear, "Buy me, Woman, and knit yourself some fingerless gloves!" Now, being that I'm the kind of person to instantly snap to attention when talking yarn is involved, I did purchase the yarn. Now, please note, I was only there for the yarn swap. I had no intention walking in, that purchases would be involved (at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it!). I am halfway finished with the Warm Braid Cable Wristwarmers, and here's a pic for your viewing pleasure.

Specs:

Yarn: Bamboozle - Crystal Palace - Color 444 (Rainforest)
Amount of yarn - 2 skeins
Needles: US size #9 circs (magic loop method)
Pattern: Source can be found here

Edited to add: Forgot to mention I made a couple of modifications to the pattern: Because they are wrist warmers and I wanted fingerless gloves, I lengthened them. Instead of a 1" rib on each end, I made it 2" and added one cable repeat in the cable section.

Knitting Survey

2008-01-25T23:06:00.000-08:00

Gleaned & adapted from Jasmin's blog:

Bold for stuff you've done, italics for stuff you plan to do one day, and normal for stuff you're not planning on doing.

Afghan
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up (I learned the technique at Guild, I've yet to complete one but want to)
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino/modular knitting
Shadow/illusion knitting
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Baby items
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Knitting with your own hand-dyed yarn
Slippers
Graffiti knitting
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable/aran stitch patterns
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit/crochet
American/English style knitting (throwing)
Continental style knitting
Knitting to make money
Buttonholes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dyeing with plant colors
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cozies…)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on one or two circulars
Knitting with someone else's handspun yarn
Knitting with dpns
Holiday related knitting (I've done knitting for holidays, but nothing holiday-themed)
Teaching a male how to knit - my hubby and both of my sons!
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dyeing yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Knitting two socks on two circulars simultaneously
Felting/fulling
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener stitch
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO (Think Men on Film: Haaaaated it)
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with self patterning/self striping/variegated yarn
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/armwarmers
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair
Hair accessories
Knitting in public
Met knitterati/famous knitters

Guild Night - We Steek!

2008-01-22T12:32:00.000-08:00

Last night at Guild, VP Pam de-mystified steeking! Here's a peek at my steek:

Knitting Fingers!

2007-11-15T13:10:00.000-08:00

As you may recall from previous posts, my 4-year-old son desperately wants to learn how to knit. The I-cord "machine" didn't cut it for me, and a spool or knitting noddy uses that little thingamajig to manipulate it, so I taught him to finger knit (or as he calls it "knitting fingers").

Here is a picture of his "knitting fingers" in progress as well as a picture of the end result (also known as a Cat Torturer....our cat has gone ba-zonkers chasing my son around and around as he runs with it!).

Ask and Ye Shall Receive!

2007-10-25T14:32:00.000-07:00

Yes! I wrote them and they answered (right away, I might add!!!)....Wooo Hooo....!!! I am officially a Ravelry-ite!!!!! Ravelry ROCKS! (And, I'm OneKnittingMama, FYI!)

Almost Means "NOT!"

2007-10-25T14:01:00.000-07:00

OK, so most of you know I'm an idiot! Those who don't...now you know! Most of you have your coveted Ravelry invite...except Moi, who, as most of you know, couldn't get it together enough to type my own stinking e-mail correctly (and yes, I have Mozilla, so what's up with that? Did I keep typing over the pop up thing-y? Do I have so many e-mail accounts it had no idea which one I wanted it to fill in?). And, yes, I wrote them...I haven't heard anything back yet (like they aren't busy enough sending out thousands of invites per day without a goof-bucket like me pestering them for a screw-up I made!). And the anal in me had to go and check to see if they sent my invite (to the wrong addy), and here's what I got:

Your invitation was sent on October 14, 2007. We just sent you a new copy of the email (from invitations@ravelry.com) in case it was lost or eaten by a spam filter.

ARRRGGGHHH!!! Couldn't you just die????

When I do get my invite (I'm 4-something thousandth on the list now), just look me up under OneStupidMama!!!

Red Scarf Tally

2007-10-15T23:28:00.001-07:00

Nikko has 94 scarves! This is amazing! Yet, despite this awesome achievement, he's so heartbreakingly close to his goal of 100. I know a few of you sent in a scarf you committed to on his behalf directly to the Red Scarf Project....if you did, would you please let me know in the comments so that I can count your scarf in his tally? Thanks! And thanks so much for the outpouring of love...not only for my little guy, but for the kids who deserve the honor so much: The former foster children now benefiting from the love sent through the Red Scarf Project!

Techno-Hubby Finishes Scarf!

2007-10-11T22:05:00.000-07:00

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Techno-Hubby finished his scarf for the Red Scarf Project!

The Jane Austen Knitting and Tea Society

2007-10-11T13:10:00.000-07:00

Those of you who know me well, know I'm a major Jane-ite. I have a knitting blog, so, duh!, it's a good bet I enjoy knitting. I also love a good cup of tea! What if there was a place that combined all three of my loves? Well, now there is!

One of my favorite all-time online haunts is the Republic of Pemberley (ROP). I love the idea of applying to become a citizen of the Republic, and how polite and civil discussions there are. However, by nature, the group is heavily focused on discussing JA, and not nearly enough knitting goes on! Therefore, in anticipation of the new Masterpiece Theatre productions of all six of JA's works, I've created the Jane Austen Knitting and Tea Society. A gentle society where discussion of all things knitting, JA, or tea-related are welcome! When PBS airs the new productions, I'm hoping for group viewings, reading, and discussing. If this sounds like your "cup of tea" click on & come over!

Click to join JA-KATS

Which Jane Austen Character are You? (For Females) Long Quiz!!!
created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Emma Woodhouse

Emma is possibly one of the most loyal characters of Austen, always wanting better for those around her and doing all she possibly can to make it happen. Her motives sometimes get in the way of her good intentions and her own opinions can end up ruling her actions, but she has a good heart. She loves to be social and is welcoming to most, unless they are too silly to tolerate. While she sometimes changes her behavior to make others feel comfortable, she knows who she is and is always bettering herself.

Emma Woodhouse

75%

Elizabeth Bennet

66%

Marianne Dashwood

66%

Elinor Dashwood

59%

Lady Catherine

56%

Jane Bennet

53%

Charlotte Lucas

28%

FO: Vest!

2007-10-10T14:52:00.001-07:00

A little friend of ours turns three this weekend and looky, looky, looky what he's getting! And....drum roll, please....I actually did Knitting Math! Yes, this ADD girl, who has severe mathophobia, converted this flat pattern to circs - and it was easy, peasy, lemon-squeezy! Woo hooooooo! Plus, I changed the cables so that they were mirrored cables (both front and back, thank you very much)! Additionally, I fiddled with the decreases on both the armhole edge and neck edge, so that they were mirrored as well.

Specs:

Pattern (not sure if this link will allow you to go there without registering, but hey, I'll try!):
Cable Vest

Yarn: Luna by Cascade: MC #715; CC #730

Needles: US #7

Cute Boy Knitting!

2007-09-18T17:06:00.001-07:00

OK, I've knitted for the Little Missy (and taught her to knit to boot!) and you've seen the plethora of stuff I've made for Proud Big Brother.....so......drum roll, please....here's the hat for My Youngest! He really, really, really (did I say really, really!!??) wants to learn to knit as well, but he's only 4-1/2. I can try with some super honkin' needles, but I don't want to frustrate him so that he won't want to knit later when true manual dexterity kicks in & he can. Anyhoo, in the meanwhile, he looks mighty cute!

Red Scarf Project: Norma Rocks!

2007-09-15T05:01:00.000-07:00

As you know, my son has been knitting for the Red Scarf Project. He started this drive waaaaaaay back in March, before OFA changed its guidelines to limit scarves to five per person or organization. Currently, he's a little over 60% of the way toward his goal of 100. And, he's generated some good PR buzz along the way.

So, when OFA changed the guidelines, I wrote them about my amazing kid (yeah, okay, so I'm biased!), I got back, what I will term out of an Austen-esque sense of decorum and politeness, a "poorly worded" response from them.

Here it is, a few weeks out from the deadline. My son has over 60 scarves, with more coming in each day. So, out of frustration and a desire not to discourage the budding philanthropist in my son, I wrote to the ever cool, Ms. Norma Miller of Now Norma Knits fame. Lemme tell ya folks, this lady rocks!

Apparently, though OFA has their hearts in the absolutely right place, they are, shall we say, a little lacking in the communication department. It would appear as though I am not the only one to have a less-than-stellar experience with them this year.

I don't take the power of the internet lightly. I've avoided writing about this because I really don't want to bash these good folks. But, I also have a responsibility to my son to keep his little spirit intact. Yes, we could have friends send scarves in for us (as many have offered), but would it not still be the same amount of scarves?? And, we specifically solicited people to create for this cause, and I don't want to abuse that trust (even though some people prolly wouldn't mind, I can't speak for all of them...and many I don't even know to even ask!)

La Norma is having a pow wow with OFA this week to gently let them know about the PR backlash, and so I am hoping to hear something about Nikko's Red Scarf Project.

Another Knitter Joins the Ranks!

2007-09-13T14:24:00.000-07:00

First, I was the lone knitter here at Casa Stro. Then, I taught my oldest son to knit. The both of us taught Techno-Hubby to knit...And now, as of today, there is a brand new knitter at Casa Stro, my daughter! WooooHooooo!!! She's addicted, too! Doesn't want to put the needles down to play or do anything else. Then she wants to talk about knitting! Loooooooove it!

It's Official!

2007-08-07T12:57:00.000-07:00

I'm a mom, once again! Our adoption of a brother/sister sib set was finalized a week ago today! Why are you hearing about it a full week later? Well, many reasons:

* We were in an area of the country without reliable internet or cellular connectivity

* Hello! I'm the mother of three, now! I can't just blog any old time, yanno! Get a life!

Okay, I'm kidding with the second one (well, the "Get a life" part...The other, not so much!). But it is wonderful and glorious to be a new mom, once again! Here's a pic of the cake made for us (ignore the wonky name spellings...we have names that are hard to spell correctly!)...Enjoy!

Woo Hoo! I So Rock!

2007-07-18T18:31:00.000-07:00

My family teases me because, at the drop of a hat, I will tell anyone, "You so ROCK!" I've said this to servers at restaurants, the folks at AT&T who hooked me up with my phone...I guess next to "ya think?" the phrase, "You so rock!" is my catchprase! So imagine my surprise when the lovely Jen, (creator of Craft Kitten, kitty mama to 7 (we're kitty-in-laws...our kitties are sisters!), and new Auntie to the adorable Vivi) tagged me as a "Rockin' Girl Blogger!" (and she said some nice stuff about me too...she likes me, she really, really likes me!) So, I now tag:

L'Tanya: entreprenurial spirit behind Black Purl Magazine, and just an all-around sweet person in general;

AND:

Christy: My little sister, protegé , still newlywed, and someone I have never seen cranky or say a cross word about another soul -

AND:

Keisha: My lunch bud and one of the smartest people I know - she knows something about just about everything (can you say "feudal Japan?") - maybe this is the kick in the butt you need to start blogging again, because I miss you and your blog is how I keep up with you!

Y'all can consider yourselves tagged - cause you so ROCK!

I Love All Things Italian...Except SPAM!

2007-06-28T14:02:00.000-07:00

With regrets, I announce that I am closing Nikko's webring to new entries. I've been getting huuuuge amounts of Italian porn spammers applying to the ring....arrrrgghhh!!!!! My notes to Ringsurf have gone largely ignored, so I had no other alternative. If you really feel you must be part of the Nikko Revolution, contact me & I'll do a workaround to get you into the ring! :)

On a happy note, Nikko does have about 25% of his goal met...but just in time for The Orphan Foundation to announce they are limiting entries to 5 per person. My e-mails to them have not been answered, either :( But, I will persevere and figure it all out (I have volunteers willing to send some of his scarves). Also, biiiiiiig reminder that scarves really need to be unisex! Unless there are some exceptionally confident college guys out there, the Fun Fur ain't gonna fly! :)

Also, note the new date: September 1st - October 15! If you are planning to participate, make sure you get those scarves in to Knitting Arts by the new deadline, not the end of December, as previously announced. Thanks to all who are knitting/crocheting away!

Red Scarf-a-Thon Tomorrow!

2007-05-18T12:48:00.000-07:00

Knitting Arts is hosting a Red Scarf-a-Thon to support Nikko's homeschool charity project! If you are in the area, please stop on by and say hello! For more on the event, check out the Knitting Arts homepage.

Awesome 43rd Birthday!

2007-04-19T22:32:00.000-07:00

It doesn't get too much better than this! Hubby and "The Boy" went to get coffee and a parfait at Starbucks this morning and I was served breakfast in bed (no tiara, I still had "bed head"). After a day of shopping at all of my favorite stores (loooooove the shopping, but I never get anything for me....love to shop for the house, hubby & the kids!), we had lunch, and later on, dinner in The City, with my mom and family friends I grew up with.

Lots of phone calls, e-mails and cards....overall, it was a great day!

Obligatory Knitting Content: Hubby and son were the cover photo of one of our local papers that did a piece on charity knitting. Nikko's project was highlighted. I will try to scan and post by the weekend.

No Time...But I Love This!

2007-04-10T11:14:00.000-07:00

Looky, looky, looky!!! I have no time in my life to knit this, but it is going to the very tipsy top of my "to do" list! Looooove it, and the pattern you ask? Free as a bird...right here :)

Red Scarf Project Webring!

2007-04-06T20:20:00.000-07:00

It's spreading like wildfire! Friends are sending the info to friends...cash donations are coming in to fund those who are low on extra funds...it's getting biiiiiiig, people! If you want to fan the red flames, I've created a webring with the very cool graphic created by Nikko. If you'd like to post the button on your blog, click here to join the ring!

Techno-Hubby Knits!

2007-04-03T10:31:00.000-07:00

In an effort to support Nikko in his Red Scarf project, Techno-Hubby (aka Sebastian or Stro) has picked up needles and has learned to knit. Under the expert tutelage of his son (and yeah, okay, occasionally his wife!), he has managed to cast-on and knit an impressive 11.25" in just a couple of hours (yes, large (#13) needles and chunky yarn were involved!)! His tension is great and handwork impressive for a neophyte! We've converted another one to the Knitty Side of the Force!

He says now he understands many of the Knitting Mysteries that plagued him watching me knit. He thought it was hugely ironic that last night I was on the computer and he was sitting up in bed knitting...and I heartily concur, Mr. Programmer!

In related news, Nikko is almost halfway at his goal (in commitments, not actual scarves...yet!). He's up at the Knitting Arts website as of this morning...Woo hoo...Way to go, Son!

Red Scarf Project: Press Alert & Corporate Sponsors!

2007-04-02T16:39:00.000-07:00

Okay! This Red Scarf Project of my son's is snowballing rapidly! In only four days, he's received commitments for over 40 scarves!! If everyone follows through, he's almost halfway toward his goal of 100 scarves! Thanks to all our knitters & crocheters!

The ever-generous owner and Knitter-in-Chief of Knitting Arts, Jan Hurwitz, has thrown the shop's support behind the project. Check the website over the next coupla days and you'll see the project (and my cutie!) profiled! Additionally, Jan hooked us up with some press! The Los Gatos & Saratoga local newspapers are jointly doing a story on charity knitting. Our family was interviewed by the reporter, Marianne Lucchesi Hamilton, and we went to Knitting Arts today for the photo-shoot (can you say, "I'm ready for my close up, Mr. DeMille?"). The story is slated to run the week of my birthday (April 15-21), so check it out if your local!

We're also getting publicity through L'Tanya Durante's Black Purl Magazine. She's going to post a blurb in the next newsletter...Wooo hooo!

Thanks to both companies, the newspapers and all the crafters involved! You *rock*!

Nikko's Appeal: The Red Scarf Project...

2007-03-30T11:08:00.000-07:00

Well, the Red Scarf Project has taken on a life of its own here at Casa Stro! Nikko has embraced it as "his cause" for his Homeschool Service Project. He has written an appeal to you to help him reach his goal of 100 scarves by January 2008. Will you help?