Uneven repeating

I have a sock problem.


I read on ravelry that this colorway does not repeat, and I didn't check until I was most of the way done with the second leg. Clearly, it repeats. Unfortunately for me, I decided to make this sock extra long, and it's about a 1-sock repeat, so the yarn that should be used for the top of the second sock is at the toe of the first. There are 3 options to fix this, as I see it:

1) Make the second sock the same dimentions as the first, and let the colors be off by an inch. This will look ridiculous.

2) Match the colors by making the leg of the second sock shorter. Then pick up the cast-on stitches and add ribbing to the top to make the sock long enough. The ribbing will be mismatched in both length and color. Slightly irritating, but no one will see this part of the sock unless I explicitly show it to them.

3) Rip out the whole second sock, and the first sock's foot and heel, and a good bit of the leg. Make the first sock smaller overall so that there will be enough yarn leftover at the end to start the repeat in the right place. This one has the best long term results, but it's annoying. And it's against the name of the blog.

I'm inclined to go with #2. But I might be happier in the long run if I do #3. What do you think? I've made a poll. Vote away.

For Cindy: eee!

This post is for Cindy who needs a keyboard size comparison for the EeePC and a real full-size keyboard. Sorry for the crappy cell phone cam. The comparison computer is an IBM thinkpad Z61m. It has a full size keyboard. This thinkpad is pretty big, as far as laptops go. Not like the giant 17" ones, but the next step down.



Here is my hand in normal typing position on both computers. I tried typing on the eee and was surprised at how easy it was. It doesn't feel too small to me. First pic is the thinkpad, then the eee.



Here is each keyboard with $1 for scale. Again, the first pic is the thinkpad, followed by the eee.

More pictures!

Here is the orifice. I just like that it has an orifice.

I spun this up last night. I forget what it's called. It was a batt from the Old Oaks Ranch that I got for Christmas. It has many different fibers in it-mostly wool and silk-but they are in layers, and easily separated. I have 4 batts. This one and the next one I'm spinning with all the colors mixed together. For the other two, I'll separate the different colors/fibers and spin them separately, to make more of a variegated yarn, rather than this one, which I don't know how to describe exactly. Mottled?



Sorry the picture's a little blurry. I think I broke the image stabilizer spring in my camera when I dropped it from my bike. Now everything comes out blurry. Oh well.

I love my wheel!

Blogger has decided that I can only upload 2 pictures. Boo! I have a lot more.

Well here are the two. One action shot and one (almost) finished product. This wheel is awesome. I love it. looooooooooooove it!! I was late to work this morning because I had to spin right when I got up. I've decided I need the jumbo flyer and bobbin. That's one of the reasons I got this wheel, it has options. Yay.



This is Spunky Eclectic blended wool in Mandy. It's very pink and purple, very girly. I spun some for my mom for her birthday. I would show you what she made with it if it weren't for the little photo uploading problem I'm having.
I think this has happened before, I'll try to upload more wheel pics tonight.

Kromski Sonata-First Impressions

Ok don't hate me, but I didn't take any pictures because I was spinning. And then it was time to go to bed. But here is a narrative.

First of all, this is not a small wheel. Yes it folds and fits in a backpack and all, but I don't think the backpack is going to fit in the overhead bin. I don't even know if it would clear the TSA X-ray scanner thing. Brita, when we do yarn school, I'm probably going to have to ship it to you. So that's a little bit of a bummer. But bigger is better, right? And it's still great that it folds because my apartment is not that big, so I can put it in the closet when not in use. It's like i have a full-size wheel that stores easily. So no biggie. I just won't be taking it with me every time I get on an airplane, which is sort of what I was imagining. I'll just have to knit while travelling. And really, that makes more sense anyway.

It has a couple of minor dings from shipping, but I am not going to worry about it.

When I first set it up, it was way squeaky. But I just added some oil (included) and that fixed her right up. Kromski's are supposed to be oil guzzlers. Fortunately I work on bicycles so there is always a wide variety of lubricants around the house. Shouldn't be an issue.

It treadles very nicely. Whew! I was nervous about that, just because I hadn't tried it before and I had some issues with other wheels. I got off to a rough start spinning. My yarn was thick and thin like it's never been before, especially the thick part. And then I was having trouble getting the brake band adjusted correctly. But finally I got it all figured out and it was smooth sailing. I still don't understand why if you tighten the brake band, it pulls the yarn harder, if you know what I mean. But that's ok, I'll figure it out. I spun about a bobbin full last night, maybe a little less. It was great fun. And so much faster and more relaxing than a spindle! Yay. I can't wait to spin some more!

I will try to take pictures tonight, but I have a friend in town and I'm giving her priority. So we'll see. At least by Friday, I should have some.

Wheel Watch 2009-Part 3

It's here!!!!!! All I know is that it treadles better than the other three I tried, so that's a huge relief, since I bought it sight unseen. Now I just have to spin something. Big picture-filled post later. Now it's spinning time!

Wheel Watch 2009-Part 2

The wheel is in Hodgkins, IL, and on time for delivery on Monday.

I might have to change the name of my blog

...because when I made this sock I ripped out the heel AND toe, because they weren't quite right the first time. Although if I were really turning pro-frog, I would have ripped out the whole thing, because it's about 4 stitches too tight. I can still wear it fine, but it's snug. So I guess I can keep the title for now.


Mountain Colors Bearfood in Gold Rush, slip-stitch heel flap, 6-point star toe. (I'm in love with the star toe.)

Wheel Watch 2009

My spinning wheel is in Spokane, WA. It gets here on Jan. 12.
eeeeeeeeeeee!

Announcement

I ordered a spinning wheel today. It should ship tomorrow. I am beyond excited. It's a Kromski Sonata, clear finish. I'll do a nice big post when it gets here.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, having film processed is too expensive. Film photos are on hold (that's hold, not cancelled forever) until I can process it myself. John's building a computer and he says he will make the scanner work this time. yay.

Anachronistic hobbies

I got a film camera in the mail yesterday.


This is my first ebay purchase. I'm a little slow, I know. Ebay rocks. I just finished my first roll of film. It was so fun! I haven't even seen the photos yet and it was so fun.

In other outdated hobby news, I have been thinking about purchasing a spinning wheel. I went over to Mind's Eye Yarns today to ask about spinning classes. She just let me test out her wheels right there. Awesome. She had 3 floor models. The first I tried was the very pretty Ashford Joy. My first reaction upon trying out the spinning was, "wow this is easy" and about 30 seconds later "ok I'm buying one". Then I tried the Schacht Ladybug. It is cute in a way I don't care for. The spinning on this one was just was not working for me either. The wheel kept on getting stuck and going the wrong way. Lucy was like, this is not your wheel, moving on. Then it was the Ashford Traditional. This one was beautiful and spun faster than the others. I did like it but not as much as the Joy. So, as soon as I have hundreds of dollars that I feel I can blow on a hobby, I'll be paying Lucy a visit. :) Oh, did I mention the Joy folds up for easy transport? So you can go play with all your spinning friends. Cool.

Finally, I'd like to note that I come by the anachronistic hobbies honestly. My uncle builds harpsichords. I blame my grandfather. Thanks, Paw-paw, this is fun.

Estuary finished!

I finished "estuary" last night. Corriedale superwash, fiber dyed by spunky eclectic, 4 oz, don't know how many yards, 2ply. The singles were super fuzzy. I was concerned. But the plying seemed to tame the frizzies a little. Anyone know if fuzzyness is a characteristic of corriedale, or superwash? Or something else?

I am pleased with the final yarn. I changed my mind, and I'll keep this for myself and spin something brighter for my mom. She is more of a bright, bold color person. I'm thinking of spunky's thunderstorm. Unless I run out of time. Then she might get this one after all. :)

Christmas presents

I'm going to try knitted Christmas presents this year. I ordered yarn for 2 last night, and started on another.


This is "estuary" from spunky eclectic, 100% corriedale superwash. For my mom. I'm just going to give her the yarn. Is it a bad idea to put christmas present ideas on the internet?

It's a blog Revival!

I've been thinking about reviving the blog for some time now, and today's the day. I was inspired because last night I went to church.

Although I currently am non-religious, I grew up going to an Episcopalian church, which this also happened to be, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed being in the familiar setting, with the smell of...whatever it is that makes churches smell the way they do (candles? wooden pews? I don't know). I was also surprised that even though I don't really believe in the stuff the church believes in, I still considered the sanctuary a sacred space. I really took offense to a woman in my pew who was eating her fast food dinner, and to the fact that they were selling books inside the sanctuary. Interesting that I still think these things are important.

So since people were eating and books were being sold, you may have guessed that this was not a normal church service. In fact it was a reading by the Yarn Harlot herself!


We're going to call this photo "artistic", ok? I am not the best multitasker, and my limit is 2 things at once. The two things here are knitting, and being in the presence of knitting celebrity. Photoing fell by the wayside, unfortunately. Anyway, that is Stephanie there, holding up her sock and photoing the audience.

She was charming, funny, very real and touching. She said one thing that really hit home with me, that when you feel like a total loser, knitting tells you that you are a competent person and you can make great socks. Right on, sister. She was promoting a new book of essays, Free Range Knitter: The Yarn Harlot Writes Again, and a page-a-day calendar, neither of which I have yet but will be picking up shortly from Porter Square Books, who hosted this event. If Stephanie comes to your town, you should go. It was a good time.

A near fight over fiber choice on the red line

Characters:
YS=yarn snob, woman next to me on train
Me=me

Scene: Mid-morning train.

Enter Me (wearing a lovely spring dress) sit down next to YS, pull out knitting.



YS: What kind of yarn is that?
Me: (Thinking she is not a knitter, like 99% of the people who ask me knitting questions on the train) It's wool
YS: Oh, like just merino? Is it Koigu?
Me: (Oh, she is a knitter. whoops) No, it's Knit Picks
YS: (Appears ill, recoils) ohhhhh.
Awkward pause
YS: You know, if you like lace knitting, you should try my favorite yarn (insert favorite yarn, it's cashmere). It's $45 for a skein but you get 400 yards! So really it's a bargain.
Me: (Hm. This Knit Picks has 440 yards and it cost $2.50. (Ok it's not cashmere, but it's merino and it's $2.50!!!) Don't mention this, might start a fight) Yes, that's one great thing I've noticed about lace knitting, you get a lot of yardage for your money.
YS: [Lists things you can make with 400 yards of cashmere laceweight, mainly hat, baby sweater]
Me: (Why does a baby need a cashmere laceweight sweater?? Aren't they just going to spit up on it? I have no babies, what do I know, hold tongue) Usually I like to buy nicer yarn, but I thought I would try this one because I'm going to make a whole lace shawl for less than $10!
YS: (Does not appear swayed by this argument. Recoils further) Well if I'm going to spend so much time with lace yarn on small needles, I just like to be good to myself, because my hands cramp up.
Me: what?
YS: yeah, I get cramps because the needles are so small
Me: (WTF do hand cramps have to do with fiber choice? smile, nod, ignore)

Implanon removal

I had the implanon removed this morning, they actually let me take pictures (one of the doctors/nurses even did it for me!), and it was no big thing. Nothing at all like this. Without further ado...


So that's my arm, surrounded by a white towel thing, and two pairs of doctor hands, and some scarry looking pliers. Guess how many doctors/nurses it takes to remove an implanon? 4. Well, some of them were just watching. It was cool though, because I got to ask them lots of hard questions about birth control.


And there's the little bugger coming out. Doesn't it look like the pliers are grabbing onto a nipple? Fortunately for me, that was not the case.


And the aftermath. The whole thing, including cleaning and numbing, probably took 10 minutes, and I hardly felt a thing.

Pics at the doc?

I'm about to go to PP on Monday to get an implanon removed. Do you think they'll let me take pics to put on the blog? I don't think so, but I'll ask. That would be a sweet post.

(Before anyone gets too excited there, the implanon goes in your arm. woo-woo)

A month of science, the Southwest, and stitches

Hi there. It's been a month. Well I've been busy. I was working like mad to get ready for a meeting. Exciting times at our apartment.


But then I got to go to Santa Fe.

Isn't it cute? That above is the plaza. In the plaza we saw a medicine man.


Ok so it's not the best picture. But there was a guy in the plaza dressed head to toe in fur, and people kept calling him "doc". I was taking a covert camera phone shot, so this is the best I could do. Also it snowed.


And my hotel had really good rocks in the shower.


And I got to eat some migas.


Also I've been knitting after a brief hiatus.
I finished Bartholomew's socks from Cat Bordhi's New Pathways for Sock Knitters. You all need this book, by the way.


Then I started Veli of Leaves, from the same book.

And I even made 1.5 Noro scarves!













Also I decided that my position on Iraq is that we should leave ASAP. So ignore that previous post.

Whew!

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!

I scored a goal in soccer today!!!! It was my first goal ever in an organized game. I am so pumped. We lost 2-14 or so, but who cares. I scored half of our team's points. And it was a really good goal too; it wasn't even sloppy or an accident or anything. And their keeper was really good. I'm so pumped. If you recall, this was my New Year's resolution. Funny, I really thought I was going to solve the ladder problem first. The ladders are improving, but not totally fixed. Goal scoring, however, is definitively achieved.

(In case you don't know, I play soccer but I am no good. I'm convinced the team lets me play because I am part of a 2 person set, and the other person is a superstar who more than makes up for my complete lack of skill. But today I feel legitimate.)

Red Line Graffiti

Here are some interesting things I've found on the Red Line. First, the train interior, for reference.


Because I know some of you have never seen a train before. Yeah well I'm short on content, ok? Here's the graffiti that inspired me to start taking pictures of this stuff.


Looks like someone is against the T's plans to put cell phone reception throughout the tunnels. And, on that topic, the T is broker than broke, how are they going to pay for that? Anyway. Moving on.


The first graffiti was in a nice bold sharpie, but this one is harder to see in regular ballpoint pen. Let's try to gimp it. (Gimp = free photoshop-like program, if you are interested. Yay linux.)


This one is a little bit fascinating. The numbers are Texas area codes. 210=San Antonio, 409=Galveston, 713=Houston, 281=Houston suburbs. So why write down four Texas area codes on the T? I should have added some. Dang hindsight. And Lone Starter state? Starter? What is that? Only Mr. Cholo knows. What is that thing at the bottom? SA, TX for San Antonio? SAM TX? Who is Sam? Sam Houston? Sam Cholo? Or is it SA TX with a treasure map in the middle? Fascinating, I tell you. The texans are everywhere. They're drawing treasure maps and noting area codes on the Boston T. Maybe in case they lose there way on the treasure hunt, they can call home. Or at least they can call an unknown person from their town of 2.5 million+ people.

(I have had phone numbers that began with 3 of the 4 graffitied area codes, in case some random internet people are reading this. I began life with a 713 and when I was a kid they switched us to a 281. I went to college in a 210. I spent a lot of time sunning myself in the 409. Explains my fascination.)

I'll be on the lookout for any more interesting T graffiti. Any good installments from other public transit systems?