Sunday =

I love a sunday. In the afternoon, tutoring. Then home for tea with the new Marie Claire and Joni Mitchell. I sent a big package to a friend in Toronto, painted my nails red and in a bit I'll study some Italian.

how to invent patterns

Thus far only one thing on that grand list has been accopmlished, and that the easiest one - to get a new notebook.

However, this is only because I forgot to add one important thing to it - socks! And you see, a brand-new sock came into the world on thursday eve.



I've started on the second with great enthusiasm but, given my usual goofy manner of knitting, am unsure I'll be able to replicate it exactly. In this case I did some odd things with the toe shaping, and though at first I had categorized it under "minor mistake", I soon realised the truth: what I have, in fact, done is to create a new pattern. Watch:

Although this ankle-length sock may appear unremarkable, unusual decreases at the toe give it a very close fit, with one sock specifically designed for each foot, as well as a jauntily pointed tip. Decreases at the ankle also contribute to its form-fitting appeal.

And that's how it's done!

PS sorry for the poor photo quality - had no patience to wait for daylight.

friday

Corners of My Home

This is a littler corner of my living room. There's a nook where the door is to go out onto the fire escape, from which you can see the street, the stairs, the building next door. I just find it so simple and beautiful. I love that little door.

I do not love the walls of this living room. The crazy orange walls are the reason why my old roommate chose this apartment in the first place, but they just don't jive with me. Too dark. Simply too yucky. As well - the same colour as the brick walls you see from every window - why? I was going to repaint over the summer, but as I thought I'd be moving I didn't. Now I'm not so sure and am just about ready to delve back into choosing a colour!

ciao!

That was short-lived.

Wordpress is mean.

I like my pink and green.

ciao blogger

I have decided to move my blog. Wordpress has some improvements over blogger.

dullknits.wordpress.com

see y'all over there!

Yesterday I went to Atwater Library.

It's rather a strange, delightful place. It's very old fashioned and very surprising. You really never know what you're going to find. I think I am their youngest patron, I always get looks as I wander about. It's really a beautiful place, with low wooden shelves and a glass-floored mezzanine.

Yesterday I took out a really excellent book by Eleanor Roosevelt (thoughts forthcoming), one on the great achievements of German Jews before the community was entirely killed, and this very nice one:

It has some really great ideas, including a sort of sewing box with five outer panels and five inner. When you remove the lid, the panels fall open and all your little notions are available. I'd like to make one in quite bold, bright, graphic fabrics. Another great project is quilted satin bedroom things, a cushion, bag for your nighty and one for stockings. It's beautiful! Mind, I'd have to entirely change the decoration of my bedroom if I made them, but it would be worth it!

I found this great essay in 52 projects. It's aim is to inspire and it's very successful!

I have been a very bad blog-haver! After I made that last post my computer was crashed for about a week, and then I was quite busy with work and there was never any daylight. This week I've got exams and the week after that is a school holliday during which I plan to work on my blog and rededicate myself to the creative lifestyle in general. I've been much too distracted by work and have really been neglecting it. In the meanwhile, here are some fascinating progress shots:



The little sock. Progress on this got stymied when my computer died as I was following some instructions on the internet. Now I've got to find the link again. I'm going to give these to my mother for her birthday and as well they will be one of my March projects for Project Spectrum. I am quite excited by this. I haven't had any projects for a while. Besides this, which interests me and which I have started in slightly modified form.

As well there is the steek tank:



I'm very happy with this one. It's going to take more yarn than I'd anticipated since I'm doubling and, as usual, there's my usual bit of fudging the numbers to deal with. I've got to find time to go pick up more yarn. In fact, I need to stop eating so much so that I might have a bit of money for this yarn. I also need:



well, I got the eggs.

That's all the time for today, I'm off to write an essay!

photo photo

I keep forgetting that now I have a camera and can take photos for neat things like self-portrait tuesday, studio friday and corners-of-my-home thursday! I would really like to do that last one but I am going to have to wait for the weekend (tomorrow!!) to take those photos. As I've mentioned, during the week I am never home during daylight hours!

how delightful!

I just love knitting socks. I could stay home and knit socks all day. Especially these ones, they're delightful.

I took a photo or two of the ball before I started. For some reason I like to see the colours all layed out versus knitted up.




The yarn, by the way, is Regia 4 fädig Color.

a lovely day

My original intention was to let these photos speak for themselves, but it's too dark in here and that became impossible.

Yesterday afternoon I went on a little trip to Atwater Market and Mouliné, which is just around the corner. So, in the first one you see a Steek tank and a pair of socks. Then, delicious things from the market. The sweetest, thinnest spears of asparagus. Spiced gouda, Fairmount bagels and cream cheese from la Fromagerie, Pâté foie, arichoke hearts salad and couscous from Au Première Moisson, coffee from les Douceurs... mmm so much delight. I do love food.

When I got home I started knitting.



I have accepted that it's not going to look like anything for quite a while. Actually, I don't think it's ever going to look like anything. The yarn gets gauge but it is not full enough. Well, we'll see.

huh

You are a Rose:

You are creative, sensual, passionate, and bold.
You pour your heart into everything that you
do. Alluring and gifted with strong sex appeal,
you very easily draw people in with your animal
magnetism.

Symbolsim: The rose has always been a flower
heavily loaded with symbolism. In general it
symbolizes desire, passion, beauty, and
enchantment.


Which Flower are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

New camera!

Super excitement!

I'd love to show a photo of something new but

a) I haven't really crafted much lately (besides those buillote covers which I just realised I never got a photo of, unfortunately) and

b) it's too dark to photograph anything. How is it possible to keep a blog like this if you are never home during the day ?!

list for friday

1. finish shopping
2. call uncle
3. finish embroidering
4. free time.

I was just going to write about how I wished we would have a Christmas tree here. Then my roommate and I started talking and she suggested we go and get one tomorrow! How exciting. I'm glad she feels festive like me. I have a string of lights and we can get some decos from Zellers. How excellent!

I have not been doing much creative lately, as I've been working working working so much and besides that, exams. But today I finished my last essay, and I won't complain if I start working a few less hours.

Anyway, craft-wise... well, I have some embroidery to finish up. Last night I tried to knit an ear-warmer but I got too distracted thinking about all the ways I could do it that before I knew it it was time for bed. I think I'll just save the yarn, get a bit more, and make a touque. I lost mine and am borrowing one of Tanya's, but it doesn't suit me - it's the type snowboarders wear and white. I think I'll paint a little bit tonight, since I've got some time.

I didn't get around to sending cards this year. I thought December would be my free month but I guess I have been working an awful lot.

Next saturday I've earmarked as my day to go shopping. I just need a few things yet. Though I must be crazy to go out on that day! But when else do I have? Last year I made nearly all my gifts. Oh well, there's always next December!

The good news, for all you blog lovers out there (and for me, of course!) is that I am definitely getting a camera from my dad. I don't know what kind but he keeps telling me about his many adventures in camera perusal. I'm so excited! ! ! Every day I see so many things I want to photograph. I wish I would have had it in fall too, but winter is also beautiful.

Here is what I am up to lately, without photo documentation.

1. Starting to learn Swedish
2. Studying Italian
3. Writing an essay entitled "Dr Satrelove, or, How I learned to love Existentialism (But not stop worrying)"
4. Reading Chekhov, some more.
5. Embroidering some "buillote" covers with moons and stars for my mother and aunts, as demonstrated in the fall issue of Marie Claire Idées.
6. Thinking about the scarf I will knit soon. I want to make a big, goofy, homemade looking one. Thick yarn, all garter stitch, striped with the ends poking out all over.
7. I want to make a new toque too (lost mine) and some lovikka mittens!
8. Also I have recently read Brenda Ueland's book of essays, "Strength to your Swordarm". I just love her! I need my own copy of "If You Want to Write."

And more more more. There's always so much I want to do! Hopefully after my exams are over, in a few days, I'll finally get to do some painting from ideas that have been floating around in my head.
And get some sewing done!

Oh, and I want to make my blog better! But not pay for it. How to do this?

photos!

Of my little pink sweater. I hope they will not be too big or too many

The Back

The Front (sorry for the view up my nose, I'm too lazy to crop it just now)

And me looking terribly ridiculous.
As the pattern is called 'Sports Classic Pullover', touted for it's freedom of movement, I really should have posed with a golf club or tennis racket if I wanted to show it in use!

I wear it all the time!

My computer was broken. I tried to get it fixed. It was gone for six weeks. And now I have a new one! And so much internet to catch up on.

This is what I must do:
1. Write Italian exam
2. Write philosophy exam

When this is done I will be free to

3. Finish the sewing projects in my box, such as that grey skirt, striped t-shirt, charmeuse blouse and blue skirt.
4. Paint big painting of scene in Dorset
5. Paint two other big paintings from thoughts still in my head.

Tonight I must

6. Embroider with silver threads
7. Stop being lazy and call someone and go out

I think studying is written off for tonight. And it's so cold, and the internet has so much to show me. I don't think I'll do much else tonight.

I am very worried. I had a delicious salmon terrine for dinner and left the string from it beside me on the plate. My kitty came to lick the plate, to chew the meat a little bit, and I thought I'd know if she started to nibble the string and take it away from her, like when she chews my knitting. But I was too distracted by the internet and she ate the whole string! I don't think string is good for cats. And it was a long one! Oh dear.

I switched to a project on 5mm and I feel like I'm knitting with crayons.