Archive for February, 2010
A challenge for me
Posted by freakapotimus in Things We Do on February 13th, 2010
Posted by: freakapotimus
For a while I debated entering a project or two into the knitting Olympics, but Jenn encouraging us to join up with teamunwhined on Ravelry pushed my month-long “meh” into an enthusiastic ” all right!” And, earlier this evening while the Olympic torch was lit in Vancouver BC, I was at a friend’s apartment knitting a pair of gloves for Matt.
My first project is Pele (link to pattern), a Berroco pattern for a pair of convertible mittens. Flip back the mitt, and viola!! Fingerless gloves. I’ve never knit gloves before—oh sure, I’ve knit mittens and wristers and fingerless mitts, but never anything where fingers were involved. Since I’ve been telling Matt for at least a month now that I would knit him gloves, I figure this would be the perfect challenge.
I am also a meticulously slow knitter, and projects tend to sit on my needles for quite some time. I mean, how long have I been working on Aquaphobia? While someone else may be able to whip up these gloves in a few hours of watching Law & Order on one of the many cable channels, I know I will need a deadline to turn the yarn into something wearable.
I’ve got at least two other patterns on my must-knit list for the Olympics, and a few more in the queue if I really feel up to it, but the point is to be realistic while still being challenging. I think three projects in 17 days is challenging enough for me. But who knows? Maybe I’ll catch the Olympic spirit and push myself to try knitting even more awesome stuff.
pushing your limits
Posted by springviolet in Things We Do on February 8th, 2010
Posted by: springviolet
Working in stranded knitting makes me feel like a rock star. The projects I’ve completed, Red Herring socks, a pair of mittens, two robot hats, and Endpaper Mitts, have all gotten some great feedback. (I do love getting knitting compliments.) I’m a little more critical of my work. My floats could stand to be a little looser and I’m not quite certain how to handle long floats, the ones that go for 6 or more stitches wide. However, I know I’m getting better with each passing project.
It took a little effort on my part to get into stranded knitting. There is no denying it looks hard. Sometimes handling one yarn is hard enough, but add a second color that’s getting carried along and worked at the same time? That’s just crazy! And what’s even crazier is seeing people working two colors at once with one yarn in each hand. English AND Continental knitting at once? WTF? I could NEVER do that.
Guess what? I can do that. And damn, am I proud of myself for working it out.
This Friday marks the start of the 2010 Knitting Olympics. Stephanie Pearl-McPhee started the Knitting Olympics in 2006. The idea was to cast on a challenging project during the opening ceremonies of that year’s Winter Olympics and work on and complete that project throughout the Olympics time period – about two weeks.
In 2006, my goal was to knit my very first adult sized sweater. I made it, just barely. Being on vacation for half the time was a huge help.
This year my project is a little weirder, having to do with cyberpunk and corsetry. I’m going to design and knit myself a cincher out of wire and electrical cables. It’s a challenge as I’ve never knit with anything other than traditional yarn before.
The past couple of years, Ravelry has hosted many Knitting Olympics topics and groups (search on Ravelympics) with icon prizes, award ceremonies and all. Sadly, I don’t think I’ll be joining any official ‘teams’ there. I love Ravelry, but only have enough time to devote to the forums to which I’m already barely particpating. Instead I’ll be posting my progress here and on my personal blog.
What knitting limit do you want to stretch? Are you going to try the Knitting Olympics? Leave a comment or call and leave a message on the feedback line. I really want to know. :)
Additional Photos:
It’s 2010!!! – Boobs and Booze
Posted by ConsterMonster in Boobs and Booze!, Mini Vidcasts on February 5th, 2010
Posted by: ConsterMonster
What up Boozers?! Well, will you look at that?! I’m a slacker! No Boobs and Booze post since September? OMG?! Like WTF?
Hey! What do you want from me? A regular post with some kind of educational content? Psssh! Whatev! Well, here’s a little something to tide you over until the next time (whenever that may be, heh).
Many drinks and shots have been had since the last B&B post. Some were good, some bad, some down right foul!
New Year’s Eve – I made the world’s most horrid shot. Whoever decided to let an already drunken Connie make shots was out of their god damned minds.. or had one too many Elbows to the Taint. Here is a fun little video of some of us taking the “Pomegranate Choker”.
Down right FOUL!
But I redeemed myself later on in the month by making Andrea and Joanna this delicious little treat. I like to call it the “Sweet Delightful”
1 part Vanilla Vodka
1 part Triple Sec
1 part Kahlua
Shaken with ice and poured into a shot glass.
Yep, that easy. Now go make your self a couple and thank me later. And don’t let 22-year-olds touch gin. We don’t know what we’re getting into.