tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87995682024-03-23T14:29:04.427-04:00Not an ArtistNot An Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286069342034880259noreply@blogger.comBlogger689125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-49257801276437850182012-07-28T19:54:00.002-04:002012-07-28T19:54:12.804-04:00My 2012 Olympic Challenge Day 1Canada has yet to medal in the real games, but I am proud to announce that I've already completed one of my knitting goals for these games!! I spent a solid day today going through my stash in detail, and here are the results for my first "event" - the Stash Toss!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8012/7665097020_3e59c58420_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8012/7665097020_3e59c58420_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yarns for sale! <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/notanartist/stash/trade?sort=recent&weight=&fiber=" target="_blank">Click to check out the details and prices</a> on Ravelry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>157 items listed <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/notanartist/stash?sort=colorfamily&weight=&fiber=">in my stash</a> (yes... this is AFTER a destash)</li>
<li>22 yarns <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/notanartist/stash/trade?sort=recent&weight=&fiber=">listed for sale</a> - please check them out and tell your friends!</li>
<li>A re-organized, much tidier and smaller stash in real life too :)</li>
</ul>
<div>
One thing I realized today -- I probably should have saved this event for the end of the challenge, but I've been on a general house-cleaning and purging roll lately so it was a natural starting point. I've got lots of new project ideas now though, which is frustrating (because I have to spend the Olympics working on WIP's and FO's) but at the same time fun to look forward to when the games conclude.</div>not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-50250573937925470352012-07-27T22:25:00.001-04:002012-07-27T22:28:33.991-04:00My Olympic Challenge 2012<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7659601984_40af79a431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7659601984_40af79a431.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Olympic Challenge begins with my laptop, a postal scale and a box of red yarns. <br />
Time for the weigh-in!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">The last time I revived my blog it was to share details of cute lunch contests a co-worker and I were having. This time its to detail my progress in my own personal Olympic challenge! I briefly toyed with starting a new project, the traditional knitting challenge as initiated by the </span><a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/olympics2006.html" style="background-color: white;">Yarn Harlot way back in 2006</a><span style="background-color: white;">. That was for the winter games of course, but every Olympics since then there has been some sort of organized knitting challenge that parallels the "real" games. But in the end I decided to set myself up with 3 distinct challenges: WIP Challenge, Stash Toss, FO Roundup. Getting all these done in time for the closing ceremonies will definitely be a HUGE challenge!</span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8028/7659599402_06327007ba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8028/7659599402_06327007ba.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shameful state of my knitting basket.<br />
There are WIP's in there, under a pile of random FO's.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>WIP CHALLENGE - FINISH OR FROG</b><br />
In order to win at this challenge, I will:<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<ul><span style="background-color: white;">
<li><span style="background-color: white;">go through all my current Ravelry WIP's and bring them up to date with photos or drawings of completed objects</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">go through all the WIP's I have on the needles and either finish or frog them<br /></span></li>
</span></ul>
<span style="background-color: white;">
</span><br />
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7258/7659598598_11c7efa796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7258/7659598598_11c7efa796.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The current state of my stash.<br />
It looks pretty organized but that is a trick!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>STASH TOSS</b></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;">In order to win at this challenge I will:</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">
<div>
<ul>
<li>go through my entire stash and apply the "does it make me happy?" rule, getting rid* of any yarns that don't qualify</li>
<li>fully reconcile my Ravelry stash with my real-life stash!</li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*These yarns will be listed for sale/trade on Ravelry for the duration of the Olympics and donated to charity if they don't sell by the end of the games</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8424/7659600032_71c908537b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8424/7659600032_71c908537b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just some of the FO's in my foyer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>FO ROUNDUP</b></div>
<div>
In order to win at this challenge I will:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>round up all the various FO's kicking around my house and wash and/or alter them if necessary</li>
<li>evaluate whether I will wear them again or if its time to build up the "gift stash" of knitwear </li>
<li>toss or donate any items that are just not re-gift-worthy</li>
</ul>
</div>
</span>not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-54338624340471089502011-02-09T23:32:00.003-05:002011-02-09T23:39:58.520-05:00Egg vs. EggToday's lunches both included eggs, but in a different way than <a href="http://notanartist.blogspot.com/2011/02/lunch-vs-lunch.html">yesterday</a>. Mine was seriously delicious (and so filling that I actually had to take a break before "dessert" (fruit). Today my lunch was inspired by the song "Black & Yellow", which I have been hearing a lot lately. Except there aren't a lot of black foods I'm willing to eat, so I went with green & yellow instead ;).<br /><br />Click either meal for a list of ingredients!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/5432012404/" title="CuteLunch-Feb9-4 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5432012404_04196d02f5.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="CuteLunch-Feb9-4" /></a><br />Sisley<br />vs<br />Michelle<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/5432010422/" title="CuteLunch-Feb9-1 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5432010422_b0fa01880f.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="CuteLunch-Feb9-1" /></a></center>not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-92039432018504205622011-02-09T00:05:00.007-05:002011-02-09T00:15:18.475-05:00Lunch vs. LunchA minor injury is currently preventing me from knitting. To cope with all the extra "down" time I suddenly have, I've been focusing my creative energies on alternate outlets. One of my co-workers always has these amazing gorgeous lunches made for her by her mom and aunt; I decided that I too could have cute lunches. And so cute lunch vs lunch was born. Which one is cuter?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">DAY ONE</span><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/5425798739/" title="CuteLunch-Feb7-1 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5425798739_787a046e4b.jpg" alt="CuteLunch-Feb7-1" height="333" width="500" /></a>Michelle<br />vs<br />Sisley<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/5425799621/" title="CuteLunch-Feb7-2 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5425799621_5717c9e1ae.jpg" alt="CuteLunch-Feb7-2" height="333" width="500" /></a></center><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">DAY TWO</span><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/5429437864/" title="CuteLunch-Feb8-3 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5011/5429437864_b7386b0808.jpg" alt="CuteLunch-Feb8-3" height="333" width="500" /></a>Sisley<br />vs<br />Michelle<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/5428825681/" title="CuteLunch-Feb8-2 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5428825681_d1bba843bd.jpg" alt="CuteLunch-Feb8-2" height="333" width="500" /></a></center>not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-30097852191129997772010-07-16T09:17:00.002-04:002010-07-16T09:17:00.507-04:00For My Next Trick....Would it be me if I wasn't setting myself up with another challenge? Some people make New Year's resolutions; I am constantly resolving <span style="font-style: italic;">something</span> or other. <a href="http://notanartist.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-2010-ttc-knitalong-challenge.html">Most recently</a> it was to knit only from yarn I bought at the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4601771410/">2009 TTC Knitalong</a> and the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4601800684/in/set-1651016/">2010 Knitter's Frolic</a>. I had 2 months between the Frolic and the 2010 TTC Knitalong and I was determined to pare down the stash a bit, or at least to curb my shopping in favour of knitting. In the end I successfully knit up 13.5 balls of yarn and allowed myself to buy 7 new skins of yarn at the Knitalong.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4788117091/" title="TTC Knitalong Stash Mosaic by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4788117091_961138b595_m.jpg" width="240" height="181" alt="TTC Knitalong Stash Mosaic"></a></center><br />I would like to continue to pare down the stash (ahem, ignore the free yarn I also scored that day, that clearly doesn't count). So I'm taking up a similar challenge in preparation for another big yarn shopping event.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/130561248/" title="BlackSheep02 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/44/130561248_547521814e.jpg" alt="BlackSheep02" width="500" height="217" /></a></center><br />Here is the deal: I am planning to go to <a href="http://www.sheepandwool.com/">Rhinebeck</a> this year. <a href="http://jacquieblackman.blogspot.com/">Jacquie</a> and I have epic plans to meet in New York City (at the top of Empire State building, natch) a few days before for some exploration and maybe even a bit of yarn tourism, and then rent a car and head for Rhinebeck. I think it is clear that 7 skeins of yarn isn't going to cut it here... there are approximately 13 weeks between now and my NYC adventures, so a new epic challenge is definitely in order.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Epic Rhinebeck Challenge Rules</span><br /><ol><li>Just like the previous challenge, I have to knit 2 balls of yarn for every 1 skein I want to purchase in October<br /><br /></li><li>I have to be satisfied with the projects I'm making -- no knitting up crap just because it is quick and consumes yarn quickly<br /><br /></li><li>EPIC TWIST: For every newly purchased or acquired yarn I knit with, something older from the stash has to get used up<br /></li></ol>not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-66607494462367904432010-07-14T07:55:00.000-04:002010-07-14T07:58:14.221-04:00TTC Knitalong Stashquisition<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4784390111/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-6 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4784390111_04bb0cef86.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-6" width="500" height="500" /></a></center>I was a very good girl on this knitalong! I stuck to the rules of <a href="http://notanartist.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-2010-ttc-knitalong-challenge.html">my challenge</a> and knit only from last year's TTC Knitalong and this year's Frolic yarn purchases. In the end I successfully knit up 13.5 balls of yarn before the day of the TTC Knitalong. According to my 1 for 2 rule, that meant I was allowed to buy just 6.75 skeins of yarn on Saturday. I gave myself the .25 and decided I could buy 7 new skeins of yarn -- after all, during the 2 months of the challenge I also started and ripped 2 projects representing about another 3 balls of stash yarn.<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4785027126/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-18 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4785027126_f7e47947c6.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-18" width="500" height="500" /></a></center>Mmmm luscious luscious Madelinetosh. This colourway is called <span style="font-style: italic;">Gilded</span> and it makes me happy just looking at it.<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4785026524/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-16 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4785026524_5990f0ca30.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-16" width="500" height="500" /></a></center>More gratuitous photos of Madelinetosh. This colour is called <span style="font-style: italic;">Baltic</span>. I bought both of these at the <a href="http://www.nakedsheep.ca/">Naked Sheep</a>, and together, these yarns will be the most beautiful colourwork something. If only I can find a project worthy of their extreme awesomeness...<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4784389263/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-4 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4784389263_d4dfcd82fd.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-4" width="500" height="500" /></a></center>These are lovely little circular needle cases from Namaste.<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4784388865/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-3 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4784388865_384f9f0610.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-3" width="500" height="321" /></a></center>I can't seem to stop photographing these adorable little cases!<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4784389677/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-5 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4784389677_92a2233008.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-5" width="338" height="500" /></a></center>Can you blame me? Look how sweet and delightfully organized they are. I bought two, and they hold my expansive needle collection quite well. There is even a little bit of room for a few circular needles in key sizes... <center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4784388477/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-2 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4784388477_37e0ff65ae.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-2" width="500" height="500" /></a></center>These lovely wooden needles and the cases all come from the <a href="http://www.thepurplepurl.com/">Purple Purl</a>. The cases I bought (I pretty much had to!) and the needles were free swag. I also scored a gorgeous orange Namaste DPN case as my free prize with purchase (wow) but I just can't seem to capture it...<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4785026032/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-14 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4785026032_770c501227.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-14" width="500" height="500" /></a></center>Oh sweet, Sweet Georgia yarns. This one is called <span style="font-style: italic;">Slate</span>.<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4784393013/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-13 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4784393013_62bc41d942.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-13" width="500" height="500" /></a></center>These yarns are so lovely I couldn't resist. I'm not entirely sure I understand the name of this colourway (<span style="font-style: italic;">China Doll</span>), but together with the grey I envision a cozy stranded hat... <center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4784396657/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-24 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4784396657_4a5c259474.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-24" width="500" height="500" /></a></center>And how cute is this little button box? I've been meaning to replace the little Altoid tin that previously held my stitchmarker collection, and when I saw these I knew I had to. The Sweet Georgia Yarns and this little box were all scored at <a href="http://www.lettuceknit.com/">Lettuce Knit</a>. Thanks Megan!<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4784395343/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-19 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4784395343_fb050a6494.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-19" width="500" height="500" /></a></center>This lovely red Baby Alpaca was a from an illicit yarn warehouse. The price was decent and I'm happy to work with this lovely soft, drapey yarn again. This colour is just phenomenal!<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4784395077/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-20 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4784395077_f957fd5678.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-20" width="500" height="500" /></a></center>Last but not least, I got these 2 skeins of glorious green Highland Simple Twist, a 100% wool yarn from <a href="http://www.americo.ca/">Americo Original</a>. I can always count on them to have something inspiring and they did not disappoint. I was so tired when I got here I just grabbed a seat to enjoy the A/C, and I literally spotted this gorgeous green from across the room. It was like a mushy love song, only it was with yarn...<br /><br />See how that was only 7 skeins of yarn? Ok, sure, I bought a few other items but I always leave a shopping loophole, don't I? The point here is reduce my stash without going on a yarn diet or knitting from stash for a year (something I typically fail at -- loopholes are wonderful things, aren't they?).<br /><br />Oh right, I almost forgot... our super generous sponsors sent us enough Bernat Satin & mixed Diamond yarns to sink a ship. As the head organizer I happened to go home with a few extra balls of these gorgeous yarns...<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4784391269/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-9 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4784391269_d8de055ae0.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-9" width="500" height="500" /></a></center>Some beautiful brown.<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4785024498/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-10 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4785024498_e16f942af0.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-10" width="500" height="500" /></a></center>Glorious pink.<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4784390439/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-7 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4784390439_e19212b09e.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-7" width="500" height="500" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">And this lovely blue/green... all destined to become beautiful baby wear. Now friends, start having more babies so I can knit them things!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4785028802/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-23 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4785028802_540f617602.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-23" width="500" height="500" /></a><br /></div>I also got some Galway in pretty heather.<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4785028118/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-21 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4785028118_f01276d9f4.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-STASHPICS-21" width="500" height="500" /></a></center>And finally this deep red ball of Superwash Merino from Diamond. Love!<br /><br />For those of you keeping count, why yes the free yarn outnumbers the purchased yarn. THAT IS NOT THE POINT. Everyone knows free yarn totally doesn't count!not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-7183388293933767492010-07-12T18:05:00.001-04:002010-07-12T18:05:00.278-04:00TTC Knitalong: East Red!!<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4784045780/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-2 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4784045780_dcf8a3391f.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-2" width="487" height="500" /></a></center>Team East Red was awesome! We had the furthest trip to the Knitalong (Danielle came all the way from Hong Kong) the best knitticism (Mary said it first... how can yarn be so HEAVY?) and Jun most definitely needed a sherpa with more than 24 balls of yarn purchased thoughout the day. Meredith and I have captained one of the East Teams twice now and we have somehow always ended up with an awesome group of knitters to hang with on our TTC adventure. This year was no exception!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4784044240/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-1 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4784044240_19edf87eeb.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-1" width="500" height="191" /></a></center>We started out at the <a href="http://nakedsheep.ca/">Naked Sheep</a>, the first LYS on our route. Lisa did an amazing job, putting out loads of snacks, giving out great surprises and offering a fantastic 20% off regularly priced items to TTC Knitters. I think between Teams Red & Blue we may have bought all the Madelinetosh she had to offer!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4784049886/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-6 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4784049886_78c99851c1.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-6" width="500" height="332" /></a></center>After our first stop we experienced the worst delay of our TTC-ing that day: we had to wait 13 minutes for the next Queen Streetcar after missing 2 in a row just as we left the shop. Finally it arrived and we headed Purl-ward.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4783419879/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-9 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4783419879_c7621045ef.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-9" width="419" height="500" /></a></center>Where we found even more delicious yarns and friendly faces - my intrepid co-captain Meredith was very pleased!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4783431473/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-10 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4783431473_7491cb1b41.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-10" width="500" height="174" /></a></center><a href="http://www.thepurplepurl.com/">Purlificent</a>! (Does that word make sense? Who cares, I think its totally accurate...)<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4783434623/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-17 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4783434623_0d4dc958d2.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-17" width="500" height="332" /></a></center>And then it was back to the streetcars to head for our next destination... lots of knitting happening en route.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4784072414/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-20 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4784072414_5a3ae07fe1.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-20" width="332" height="500" /></a></center>And our next destination was lunch! Some knitters headed for the Big Fat Burrito (a classic Kensington tradition) while the rest of us settled out front of the Grilled Cheese for some fantastic sandwiches in the shade just two doors away from our next LYS.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4784074152/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-21 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4784074152_a65d7fe032.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-21" width="332" height="500" /></a></center><a href="http://www.lettuceknit.com/">Lettuce Knit</a> was awesome as always, as we packed the tiny shop and bought up loads of more beautiful yarns... Spuds and Chloe & Sweet Georgia were my faves! (Can you tell by now I was more into shopping and less in shooting? I totally forgot to shoot panos of Lettuce & Americo!)<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4783442109/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-22 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4783442109_fcfa771e4c.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-22" width="332" height="500" /></a></center>We wandered South again to hit a few bonus shops, and on the way we encountered this amazing example of practical yet unusual knitted items in the wild. I love how the thick knitted lock cozy protects this pretty vintage bike frame from unnecessary scratches.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4783444399/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-24 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4783444399_660072d661.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-24" width="332" height="500" /></a></center>Next stop was a quick detour to this studio-warehouse sale where we scooped some deals and enjoyed the frosty air-conditioning and lovely views ;)<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4783445569/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-25 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4783445569_e685bf4ab6.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-25" width="500" height="332" /></a></center>And finally ended up at <a href="http://www.americo.ca/">Americo Original</a>, one of my favourite sources of straight-up gorgeous wools and cottons.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4784086948/" title="TTCKnitalong2010-31 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4784086948_d24eb0bd93.jpg" alt="TTCKnitalong2010-31" width="500" height="332" /></a></center>And finally it was off to the Rivoli to recover, count our purchases up and give out prizes -- check out the official <a href="http://ttcknitalong.blogspot.com">TTC Knitalong blog</a> for the full details of who won what, and what kind of incredible prizes our sponsors contributed this year.<br /><br />Thank you<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Team Red</span> for making this such a fun day for your captains, too!not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-58009436224900357342010-07-10T00:22:00.002-04:002010-07-10T00:28:48.353-04:00TTC Knitalong Challenge UpdateSo how did 5 weeks go by without an update? Well, add up students' year-end show, a major charrette the same weekend as the G20, numerous side projects, a multi-city trip to <s>avoid my family in person</s> see my family and a major knitalong to organize and my blogging time shrinks to nil.<br /><br />All is not lost however, as I still somehow found time to create this fucking amazing updated TTC Knitalong map:<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4778481355/" title="TTCKnitalong-MAP2010 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4778481355_86841d38fe.jpg" width="500" height="314" alt="TTCKnitalong-MAP2010"></a></center><br /><br />AND still fit in some actual knitting. I'm at 13 balls of Frolic and '09 TTC KAL yarn knit, which means I get to purchase 6.5 balls of yarn tomorrow. A bit short of my 16-ball goal, but still pretty decent -- and I might just give myself a break and get the full 7 balls despite it all ;) After all, we're talking about completing a cushion, a pair of colourwork mittens, a pair of colourwork socks, a kimono shrug, and a shawl in less than 8 weeks while working my usual insane hours.not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-34239550397615758262010-05-17T19:11:00.003-04:002010-05-17T19:59:24.761-04:00TTC Knitalong Challenge Update: Week 1So, my challenge so far has been going pretty well! I knit all 4 balls of Aquarella (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4601771410/">from last year's KAL, bottom left corner</a>) into a super simple and ridiculously cozy cushion cover to replace a terribly pilled one for a cushion form I already had. I happened to have 6 perfect buttons in my stash to finish this off with, and I'm snuggled up to the results as I type this!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4613303358/" title="FOs-2 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3332/4613303358_bf2d5fc488.jpg" alt="FOs-2" width="500" height="357" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I think this yarn looks best in just plain stockinette - the thick/thin texture plus the variegated colourway make it interesting enough all on its own.</span></center><br />I didn't spend too long working on this (giant needles! super chunky yarn!) but I did knit about half of up into an oversized cowl before deciding it really wanted to be a cushion instead and frogged it. So that uses up 4 skeins of yarn out of the total of about 32 skeins I have to work with for this challenge.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4613321650/" title="FOs-6 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4613321650_69f24dd3b9.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="FOs-6" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">These mittens are so cute and fun to knit, and they knit up very quickly, considering how detailed they are. Mittens are the perfect stranded colourwork project!</span></center><br />This mitten only weighs about 40 grams. So technically, the finished pair will only consume about 1.6 skeins of yarn. I'm a bit torn about whether to consider this the full 3 balls (since I'll have completed the project I intended to use a 3 of them for) or try to really use them all up completely and find another project to use the remaining 1.4 balls somehow. Perhaps I'll compromise and call it 2 balls used and put the rest of the leftovers on hold for a future project.<br /><br />So after 1 week of this challenge, I have knit up 5 of the 32 challenge skeins. That represents 2.5 new balls of yarn at the TTC Knitalong in July, so yay!<br /><br />I've also cast on for my new Tattoo Kimono, which will certainly eat up the full 2 skeins of Fleece Artist Margaree I'm using. Should be a fairly quick knit again, thanks to the bulky yarn and 6mm needles I'm working with.<br /><br />Completely unrelated: this video is crazy. It just keeps doing more things! <br /><br /><center><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/b60OZhrTB6o&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/b60OZhrTB6o&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></center>not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-26919863729343649402010-05-12T07:26:00.000-04:002010-05-12T13:09:44.314-04:00My 2010 TTC Knitalong Challenge<span style="font-style: italic;">We're back! The <span style="font-weight: bold;">TTC Knitalong will take place on Saturday, July 10th</span>. The volunteers all met a few weeks to iron out the details and there are a few exciting new changes so stay tuned for updates. You can get those details either on the </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://ttcknitalong.blogspot.com/">official blog</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> or at the </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/ttc-knit-along">TTC Knitalong Ravelry group</a><span style="font-style: italic;">.</span><br /><br />So in preparation for this year's KAL, I of course looked back at previous knitalongs... which also meant looking at the yarns I bought on those crawls as well! I couldn't find the details of what exactly I bought in <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/sets/72157618893247307/">October 2006</a> or <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/sets/72157600336223111/">June 2007</a>, but I was able to dig up these fine yarn purchases from June 2009:<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4601771410/" title="TTC KAL 2009 Stash Acquisition by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1114/4601771410_6369453491.jpg" alt="TTC KAL 2009 Stash Acquisition" width="500" height="500" /></a></center><br />1. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3606209306/in/set-72157619384861519/">Americo Cotton</a>, 2. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3605394121/in/set-72157619384861519/">Socks That Rock Mediumweight</a>, 3. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3605401951/in/set-72157619384861519/">Romni Pure Silk</a>, 4. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3606218462/in/set-72157619384861519/">Vicuna</a>, 5. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3606208326/in/set-72157619384861519/">Alpaca BabyTwist</a>, 6. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3606224156/in/set-72157619384861519/">Malabrigo Laceweight</a>, 7. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3605395419/in/set-72157619384861519/">Malabrigo Aquarella</a>, 8. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3605399517/in/set-72157619384861519/">Fleece Artist Nova Sock</a>, 9. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3606227320/in/set-72157619384861519/">FibraNatura Mermaid</a><br /><br />Which is all fine and well -- except that I've only knit with one of these yarns since then (the mediumweight Socks that Rock has become <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/notanartist/vintage-rocks-baby">an adorable baby sweater</a> and a pair of almost complete <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/notanartist/sundagsvotter-2">lace mittens</a>). Which is just sad, and makes me think my *actual* hobby is yarn-shopping and not knitting, since I apparently do more shopping than knitting with the results!<br /><br />On top of it all, I just went a little crazy at the <a href="http://www.downtownknitcollective.ca/dkc_frolic.html">DKC Knitter's Frolic</a> this past weekend:<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4601800684/" title="Frolic Purchases 2010 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1424/4601800684_cbe26d8116.jpg" alt="Frolic Purchases 2010" width="500" height="500" /></a></center><br />1. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4593797736/in/set-1651016/">Shelridge Farms Fingering Weight White</a>, 2. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4593179699/in/set-1651016/">Shelridge Farms Fingering Lipstick</a>, 3. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4593178845/in/set-1651016/">Shelridge Farms Fingering Weight Black</a>, 4. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4593177389/in/set-1651016/">Van Der Rock Tartrazine</a>, 5. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4593167207/in/set-701433/">Solid Chestnut Jumbo Ballwinder</a>, 6. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4593793764/in/set-1651016/">Van Der Rock Neon</a>, 7. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4593178183/in/set-1651016/">Winky</a>, 8. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4593791376/in/set-1651016/">Indigo Dragonfly MCN "Angst for the Memories"</a>, 9. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4593783760/in/set-1651016/">Fleece Artist Margaree</a><br /><br />So my first thought was that I should try to knit up all the yarns that I bought at the frolic before the TTC Knitalong in July, which is <span style="font-style: italic;">almost</span> possible in the 8.5 weeks that remain between now and then. This is if I give up all other pastimes, work zero overtime and exclude the lifetime supply of carry-along sparkle from this challenge. I've already started a project using 3 of these yarns (a pair of black/white/hot pink <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/notanartist/paradoxical-mittens-237">Paradoxical Mittens</a>!) and have plans for all but one of these yarns: the gorgeous and bright <a href="http://www.vanderrockyarns.com/">Van der Rock</a> sock yarns will become a pair of <a href="http://crazyknittinglady.wordpress.com/">Glenna</a>'s <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/neptune-high">Neptune High</a> socks, the Fleece Artist Margaree will be yet another <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/notanartist/tattoo-kimono-shrug-3">Tattoo-less Kimono</a> to replace my lost <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/notanartist/tattoo-kimono-shrug">beloved original</a>, so the only decision to make is about what to use <a href="http://indigodragonfly.wordpress.com/">Kim</a>'s incredible "Angst for the Memories" yarn to make.<br /><br />But then I started thinking about all the unknit yarns I bought at last year's TTC Knitalong... and I'm ashamed to admit that I only have a plan for one more of those yarns (a plain stockinette wrap out of the Americo cotton that will probably be one of those projects that spans years).<br /><br />So after all that rambling, here is my challenge. Between now and July 9th:<br /><ol><li>I will knit only from these two groups of yarns.</li><li>I will not buy any more yarns.<br /></li><li>I will complete at least one entire project from each group.<br /></li><li>And on the day of the TTC Knitalong, I will buy no more than 1 ball of yarn for every 2 balls that I knit up during this challenge!<br /></li></ol>not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-47152257784734187802010-02-01T00:02:00.003-05:002010-02-01T00:28:32.635-05:00Retro FO: Seamesh Wrap<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3670676244/" title="SeameshFO-Nadia3 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3541/3670676244_9f1224bc9b.jpg" alt="SeameshFO-Nadia3" width="333" height="500" /></a></center><br />Thank goodness for photogenic friends! Nadia looks gorgeous in every photo I've ever taken of her and it finally occurred to me to take advantage of this in order to show off my knitwear. This photo was actually taken back in June 2009 in the park across from the <a href="http://www.thepurplepurl.com/">Purple Purl</a> on WWKIP day. <a href="http://jacquieblackman.blogspot.com/">Jacquie</a> was visiting, I had taken some time off work to hang with her and we spent a glorious day basking in the sun and knitting. I pulled out this lovely wrap to keep my shoulders warm in case of spring chill, something I barely needed as it turned out. At least it did inspire me to finally to a FO photo shoot with it. Aren't these shots of Nadia wearing my Seamesh wrap glorious?<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3670678972/" title="SeameshFO-Nadia4 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/3670678972_0a4ae8bc92.jpg" alt="SeameshFO-Nadia4" width="333" height="500" /></a></center><br />But the FO itself is actually much much older than June '09. This project is BR (Before Ravelry) and I had to dig out my old knitting notebook to find the details on this one. Some hunting through my email and flickr accounts turned up just a few WIP photos and a few email chains with people who test knit this for me in the fall of 2007 and early 2008. Turns out I actually started this in August 2006!<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/232374912/" title="MeshWrapprog by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/83/232374912_16824677ff.jpg" alt="MeshWrapprog" width="500" height="447" /></a></center><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern & Modifications</span><br />I actually made this pattern up based on a lace pattern from one of the Barbara Walker books called <span style="font-style: italic;">checkerboard mesh</span>. I even charted it and had some friends test knit it... and then promptly did nothing else with it. Almost four years later here I am blogging about it, and it turns out someone beat me to publishing this pattern. So, if you are interested in making this (or something very much like it) check out <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shelby-pattern">Shelby</a> (<a href="http://www.yarnbarn-ks.com/DM-Shelby-Pattern/productinfo/KP-DM-SHELBY/">non-ravelry link</a>) by Deborah B Miller.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3670673152/" title="SeameshFO-Nadia2 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2470/3670673152_0c795ded97.jpg" alt="SeameshFO-Nadia2" width="333" height="500" /></a></center><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles & Yarn</span><br />I knit this on 3.75mm (US 5) Lantern Mood Destiny Circulars in ebony. The yarn is Handmaiden Sea Silk, a luscious silk/sea cell blend that I bought at <a href="http://www.gaspereauvalleyfibres.ca/">Gaspereau Valley Fibres</a> in June 2006 on a visit to the in-laws.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Timeline</span><br />According to my handwritten notes, this was cast-on on August 17. I never made of note of when it was finished, but I remember wearing it that winter as a scarf (I'm crazy, I know) so it must have been completed in only a few months.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3670671536/" title="SeameshFO-Nadia1 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2452/3670671536_74e51dcba6.jpg" alt="SeameshFO-Nadia1" width="333" height="500" /></a></center>not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-77263881912755952652010-01-28T00:01:00.001-05:002010-01-28T10:43:38.614-05:00FO: Falltime Bandit<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4255197861/" title="Knitting-41 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2774/4255197861_f752c4ee46.jpg" alt="Knitting-41" width="418" height="500" /></a></center><br />I cast this beauty on in <a href="http://notanartist.blogspot.com/2009/12/i-left-my-heart-in-san-francisco.html">San Francisco</a> after our day trip to <a href="http://www.artfibers.com/">Art Fibers</a> in Pinole, California. I blame <a href="http://jacquieblackman.blogspot.com/">Jacquie</a>, who first enticed me into buying a ridiculous amount of yarn at Art Fibers (bulk discounts, I love it!) and then showed me her lovely version of this shawl. It was pretty much decided at that point, and I love the results!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4255961260/" title="Knitting-43 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2752/4255961260_9359aa845f.jpg" alt="Knitting-43" width="500" height="332" /></a></center><br /><b>Patterns & Modifications</b><br /><a href="http://kelbournewoolens.com/springtimebandit.html">Springtime Bandit</a> (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/springtime-bandit">ravelry link</a>) by Kate Gagnon Osborn. I knit it using somewhat heavier yarn and larger needles than called for. I knit it a bit bigger than the pattern called for, since I was planning to use it as a cozy fall/winter scarf to wrap around my neck. I also opted not to block the points, leaving a smooth edge instead.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4255197489/" title="Knitting-40 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4255197489_d80de60534.jpg" alt="Knitting-40" width="500" height="371" /></a></center><br /><b>Needles & Yarn</b><br />Artfibers Kyoto, a shiny/soft Wool/Mohair/Silk blend in a luscious orange colourway. I used 3.75mm needles and got this perfect, drapey fabric.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4255198189/" title="Knitting-42 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2753/4255198189_8aee582d6d.jpg" alt="Knitting-42" width="500" height="332" /></a></center><br /><b>Timeline</b><br />November 14-28, 2009 -- 2 weeks from start to finish!not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-13790926390122796942010-01-26T00:05:00.001-05:002010-01-26T00:08:23.336-05:00Happy 1st Birthday FO: Huggable!<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3227153203/" title="Project365-025 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/3227153203_cbb20ae14e.jpg" alt="Project365-025" width="333" height="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Ok, not the greatest photo of the shrug. This is a hard FO to photograph! I do like this pic of it though.</span></center><br /><b>Pattern & Modifications</b><br /><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hug">Hug</a> by <a href="http://www.xtreme-knitting.com/blog/">Jennifer Thurston</a>. This pattern was originally published in the free online knit 'zine, Magknits, but it closed and disappeared from the entire internet somewhat dramatically a while back. I miss it, but luckily every pattern I've wanted to knit from it has become available for free via Ravelry. I heavily modded this little shrug based on <a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=38696.20">these instructions on craftster</a>, and added a few extra changes to make it my own: I knit extra deep ribbed cuffs that fold up to 3/4 length (my favourite sleeve length) or flip down to cover my wrists when I'm chilly, and picked up and knit a very deep collar that folds nicely behind my neck while covering a little extra on my back.<br /><br /><b>Needles & Yarn</b><br /><div class="value">The yarn is Gaspereau Valley Fibres Semi-worsted Spun Singles, a lusciously soft and yet nicely woolly yarn I bought in Nova Scotia several vacations ago. Its from Cotswold sheep in a nice natural grey/brown colour. I used 5.5mm (US 9) needles and got a nicely dense but still soft fabric.<br /></div><br /><b>Timeline</b><br />Begun January 11, 2009 and completed January 26 -- the afternoon of last year's Christmas 2. I can't believe I let this go unblogged for an entire year, but I have to admit it is partly because I wear it so much! This is one of my favourite little shrugs and I almost always reach for it to go with a t-shirt and jeans on those days when you just want a little extra warmth.not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-66333770992040017032010-01-19T09:11:00.001-05:002010-01-19T09:11:00.318-05:00Finished Object: Sunny Sunday MittensI love these mittens! <a href="http://jacquieblackman.blogspot.com/">Jacquie</a> knit a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/jacquieblackman/sundagsvotter">pair of these</a> first, and as soon as I saw them I knew I had to make myself a pair first (copycatting is fun!).<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4132283687/" title="DSC_2154 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2694/4132283687_d7c1a785be.jpg" alt="DSC_2154" width="500" height="313" /></a></center><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern & Modifications</span><br />The pattern is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sundagsvotter">Sundagsvotter</a>, a free pattern by Strikkepanja (<a href="http://www.yachten.no/files/knitting/sunday.doc">download the english version here</a>). The only minor modification I made was to knit them extra long--I love long cuffs on my mittens, so I can tuck them well up into my sleeves. There is nothing I hate more than that draft at the top of your mittens when they don't tuck far enough into your sleeves!<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/2571760409/" title="Rainbow-Yarns-Zag by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3120/2571760409_28ceecdd45.jpg" alt="Rainbow-Yarns-Zag" width="333" height="500" /></a></center><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles & Yarn</span><br />The yarn is Colinette Jitterbug in <span style="font-style: italic;">Vincent's Apron</span>. I am not normally a yellow person but this colour was just too gorgeous -- its almost a deep gold in places. I used 2.25mm (US 1) needles to knit these mittens, and the result is pretty much the perfect weight fabric for this pattern and yarn. This is the colour yellow from the <a href="http://notanartist.blogspot.com/2008/06/project-sock-rainbow-begins.html">sock-yarn rainbow project</a>... the one I began in early 2008. I sure have been slow to work my way through this one! My original plan was to knit only socks and follow the order of the spectrum, but I completely stalled on the colour orange for so long that the nicely balled up other colours actually started to get dusty in the pretty red bowl I was displaying them in. So I hid the unfinished orange project deep in my basket of UFO's and put this lovely golden yarn to use.<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4132281469/" title="DSC_2132 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2638/4132281469_720008358e.jpg" alt="DSC_2132" width="403" height="500" /></a></center><span style="font-weight: bold;">Timeline</span><br />August 3-14, a very satisfying quick project. I was pretty monogamous to this project while I was working on it, otherwise I never would have completed it so quickly!<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4133044720/" title="DSC_2135 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2696/4133044720_c136cf7538.jpg" alt="DSC_2135" width="500" height="436" /></a></center>not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-73741125165188501382010-01-18T06:59:00.001-05:002010-01-18T06:59:00.469-05:00Mindless vs. Mindful Knitting<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4255958436/" title="Knitting-32 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/4255958436_6132372237.jpg" alt="Knitting-32" width="500" height="500" /></a><i><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Introducing my End of December Cushion Cover -- this WIP began life as a hat (the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/end-of-may-hat">End of May Hat)</a></span></i></center><br />I have always struggled between different types of knitting projects. On the one hand, I love challenging, unusual and complicated designs that require careful execution: think twisted-stitch cables, complicated lace patterns, unusual garment construction and beaded knits. These projects are <i>mindful knitting</i> for me, since I need to pay better attention when I'm working on this sort of thing.<br /><br /><i>Mindless knitting</i>, on the other hand, is a kind of surrogate for smoking* for me - something I can do with my hands while I'm reading, watching television or zoning out on the streetcar. This means mindless stockinette, repetitive textures, basic cables or simple lace patterns: stuff I can do without looking!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4255193737/" title="Knitting-21 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2713/4255193737_5d0ca9da1d.jpg" alt="Knitting-21" width="500" height="340" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><i>The Argyle Cowl, knit over the christmas vacation in Nova Scotia.</i></span></center><br />Stranded colourwork usually falls more into the <i>mindful knitting</i> category, with the exception being simple repeating geometric patterns that have consistent stitch counts. The argyle cowl, for example, was pretty easy to execute while reading. The End of December project is more of a challenge: those charted images aren't as easy to memorize, although there are repeating geometric shapes. This means that I'm constantly checking the chart to make sure the stitches are aligning properly.<br /><br />Usually my projects fall firmly into one category. I like having projects I know I can stuff in my purse to go out for a night of pub knitting, and sometimes I want a project I can really sink my teeth into. Usually I don't pick projects where I may be faced with long boring stretches of stockinette when I really want to be engaged or the prospect of charted knitting on the streetcar (it can be done, but its a bit fiddly).<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4279827955/" title="DropsStrandedYokeSweater by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2750/4279827955_36e1976822.jpg" alt="DropsStrandedYokeSweater" width="340" height="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><i>Drops <a href="http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=116&d_id=1&lang=en">number 116-1</a></i></span></center><br /><br />So why have I suddenly decided I absolutely must start something like this Drops Sweater, which seems to be both mindful and mindless? To the point where I've already broken my "no buying yarn in 2010" rule and ordered $73US worth of alpaca and glitter yarns? Because there is an additional factor: sometimes I just really, really want to have the item in question! This sweater is just gorgeous and I can't wait to wear it. Hopefully I can translate this desire into some serious project monogamy, and complete this project (to be knit on 3mm needles, by the way) before it ends up being too warm to wear it.<br /><br />That, or I just hope for an unaturally cool spring like last year.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-size:85%;" >*I smoked for about 15 years and credit knitting with kicking the habit. I just need to be doing something with my hands, otherwise I fidget uncontrollably. Knitting actually helps me focus, and its a lot less smelly and inconvenient than smoking. I'm fairly sure its not cheaper though.</span>not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-83640717535208840782010-01-16T09:26:00.000-05:002010-01-16T09:26:00.150-05:00What the Eff? Oh.Yes that is right... an actual real-live FO! I've barely blogged these the past year, and now it is time to share. I've finally gotten myself organized to photograph and edit a whack of projects I've completed in the last while, and I'll be sharing those details with my adoring public (all 7 of you). Without further ado, here is a recently completed cowl I knit over the holidays at my in-laws' house in middle-of-nowhere, Nova Scotia.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4255956116/" title="Knitting-20 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2777/4255956116_895e0fb29d.jpg" alt="Knitting-20" width="500" height="379" /></a></center><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern & Modifications</span><br />No pattern. I based the stranded argyle pattern on ...well actually I can't remember. I know I found a chart somewhere for a much smaller-scale argyle, and I adapted it to create a larger diamond. I originally started with a corrugated rib, but about 1.5 pattern repeats in I realized the two patterns didn't work together. So I cut the ribbed part off, picked up the exposed loops with a spare needle and eventually used that to add applied i-cord to each edge.<br /><br />But the i-cord edge didn't stop the rolling.<br /><br />Rather than go back to ribbing or ripping entirely in frustration, I dug deep and picked up all around the inside of the i-cord stitches and knit short facings on the inside edges. You can see this detail below: its just whip-stitched into place, and it does a fantastic job of keeping that edge from rolling. Its also a really unique and amazingly finished looking edge, although frankly it was a lot of work!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4255193911/" title="Knitting-22 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4255193911_b6ba69f75b.jpg" alt="Knitting-22" width="500" height="415" /></a></center><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles & Yarn</span><br />The black yarn is Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in <span style="font-style: italic;">Coal</span>. This is a solid wool yarn that comes in great colours, and I have never regretted having a good stock of this in my stash in a variety of colours. Its become my colourwork standard!<br /><br />The beautiful purple yarn is Tanis Fiber Arts Green Label Aran Weight in <span style="font-style: italic;">Jewel</span>. This lovely handpainted Merino was a birthday gift almost a year ago from <a href="http://unplumbedshallows.blogspot.com/">Sophie</a>, and I'm excited to have finally found a project to do it justice.<br /><br />I used 4mm (US 6) needles to knit this, as anything bigger created a gappy, loose fabric, especially where the longer floats were.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4255193737/" title="Knitting-21 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2713/4255193737_5d0ca9da1d.jpg" alt="Knitting-21" width="500" height="340" /></a></center><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Timeline</span><br />I began these on the 21st of December, just before we left for Nova Scotia and completed them a few days after Christmas 1 on December 29. This project got some plane knitting, some couch knitting, and even some audience at the lobsterspiel (curling!) knitting.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4255955860/" title="Knitting-19 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4255955860_283de804e1.jpg" alt="Knitting-19" width="500" height="500" /></a></center>not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-45141365335921940962010-01-03T01:29:00.006-05:002010-01-03T09:53:32.204-05:002009: The Year of the BurnoutHappy New Year faithful readers! I know I hardly ever blog but I am really trying to get my motivation going -- knitting-wise, work-wise and life-wise.<br /><br />2009 was a great year for me in many ways, but was also a very difficult and challenging year as well. I've been really throwing myself into my job and despite treating myself to a couple of decent-length vacations, I continue to feel burnt out and desperately short on motivation in all aspects of my life. The past few weeks have been a fog of laziness and lack of emotion on my part, and I am facing an epic amount of work upon my return on Monday after my lazy break.<br /><br />So naturally I'm avoiding facing the work situation by focusing on cleaning my home. At least I may get a somewhat tidier and less cluttered condo out of all this! Part of this decluttering has included digging through baskets of UFO's and FO's that just needed frogging. Since I've decided that 2010 will be a "no yarn-buying year*" I'm trying to make the most of the fibre I already have in my house, so if a FO isn't something I like enough to use or that would make a good gift for someone, it is frog city baby.<br /><br />No resolutions, other than my usual desire to work out more, eat better, spend more time with friends, be better at my job, waste less free time on my computer, spend less money, keep my house cleaner, start fewer projects and finish more projects, and oh yeah -- blog more. But, I pretty much aspire to all these things all the time so they're hardly resolutions. So I guess I'm going into 2010 just aspiring to have more of the good (there was lots of good in 2009) and less of the bad, which is too much work and not enough time to do it ;)<br /><br />*With one exception: if <a href="http://jacquieblackman.blogspot.com/">Jacquie</a> and I succeed in our plan to meet for a visit to Rhinebeck / NY City next October all bets are off!not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-20253389715320374612009-12-05T09:26:00.000-05:002009-12-05T11:34:38.251-05:00I Left My Heart in San FranciscoWell, not literally. It is a pretty fabulous city to be in though, and my visit was incredible. Jacquie planned an adventure-filled week of activities for us (there was a powerpoint itinerary). We took probably 5000 photos between the two of us, and our days were as busy as we could manage. I'm not going to go into detail, just the dime recap of each day. If you want to see the whole set, click here for the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/sets/72157622688641287/">full experience</a>!<br /><center><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">DAY ONE</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4158529777/" title="Day 1 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2660/4158529777_1a0273ecd8.jpg" alt="Day 1" width="500" height="128" /></a></center>I arrived tired and dying for a drink and some non-airport food. So first of all, Jacquie took me to her local café where I got a beer, Jacquie got a latte and we got a number 17 for our lunch. That evening we headed out to book launch for the Not for Tourists guide to San Francisco, followed by even more beer and eventually dinner at an incredible restaurant, <a href="http://www.bartartine.com/">Bar Tartine</a>. See how happy I am?<br /><center><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">DAY TWO</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4159312524/" title="San Francisco: Day Two by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2594/4159312524_bfbf15f0d4.jpg" alt="San Francisco: Day Two" width="500" height="101" /></a></center>We spent our second day at the awesome <a href="http://www.calacademy.org/index_alt.php">California Academy of Sciences</a>. We did it all -- the planetarium show (narrated by Whoopi Goldberg!), the aquarium, the mini Amazon rainforest, the hall of African dioramas. And of course, the café. Afterwards we headed to an amazing brewpub, <a href="http://www.magnoliapub.com/index.html">Magnolia</a> on Lower Haight, where I finally got to try crackling (yummy but a bit too crispy for my taste) and we had even more delicious beers and tasty charcuterie.<br /><br /><center><span style="font-size:180%;">DAY THREE</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4159329946/" title="San Francisco: Day Three by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2544/4159329946_c294c5f710.jpg" alt="San Francisco: Day Three" width="500" height="101" /></a></center>On the third day we went to Chinatown for a <a href="http://www.chinatownwalk.com/">walking tour</a>, where we saw many incredible sites and learned a lot about the history of the place. Highlights included a tour of a real Daoist Temple, a traditional Chinese herbalist shop and steamed pork buns (yum). We wrapped up the day with a stop at <a href="http://www.citylights.com/">City Lights Bookstore</a> followed by a stop at Vesuvios for some touristy beers and photos of the bright lights in the neighbourhood.<br /><br /><center><span style="font-size:180%;">DAY FOUR</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4158579243/" title="San Francisco: Day Four by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2769/4158579243_efa4ecdb99.jpg" alt="San Francisco: Day Four" width="500" height="127" /></a></center>A trip across the Bay Bridge and a tour-de-yarn took us to <a href="http://www.artfibers.com/">ArtFibers</a>, <a href="http://www.averbforkeepingwarm.com/">A Verb for Keeping Warm</a> and <a href="http://www.articlepract.com/">Article Pract</a> where we scored many tasty new yarns. There was also a stop at In-N-Out Burger for my first ever burger from there. This was also very tasty!<br /><br /><center><span style="font-size:180%;">DAY FIVE</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4158589659/" title="San Francisco: Day Five by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2695/4158589659_d15366f8ea.jpg" alt="San Francisco: Day Five" width="500" height="84" /></a></center>This was the day I saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time ever. It was an incredible day, sunny and warm and apparently very unusual for the coast at this time of year, and I enjoyed every sunny warm minute of it! We walked all along the beach, stopped for a few beer samplers at the Beach Chalet and then climbed the hill for a gorgeous view of the spirals on the beach and a closer view of the Cliff House.<br /><br /><center><span style="font-size:180%;">DAY SIX</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4159366760/" title="San Francisco: Day Six by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2803/4159366760_d2c6341059.jpg" alt="San Francisco: Day Six" width="500" height="101" /></a></center>This was our super-touristy day: we started with Irish Coffees at the Buena Vista, followed by a shared sundae at Ghirardelli Square. We stopped at the Maritime Museum to shoot the gorgeous Depression-era murals, and then traipsed through Fisherman's Wharf to eat steamed crab from the street vendors. After a somewhat messy lunch we rushed to get on the boat to Alcatraz, which was completely amazing. If you are able to, you should do this tour!<br /><br /><center><span style="font-size:180%;">DAY SEVEN</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4159376610/" title="San Francisco: Day Seven by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2557/4159376610_967451264e.jpg" alt="San Francisco: Day Seven" width="500" height="101" /></a></center>On the seventh day we rested -- blowing off our plans and just wandering from café to teahouse to bar. Along the way we met a man with a motorcyle and a tiny dog named Deuce strapped to his back, saw some beautiful and quintessential San Francisco architecture. Somehow we ended up closing with some drunken knitting, <a href="http://jacquieblackman.blogspot.com/">Jacquie Blackman</a> style.<br /><br /><center><span style="font-size:180%;">DAY EIGHT</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4151403197/" title="San_Fran-Day07-39 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2749/4151403197_fb24c27dfe.jpg" alt="San_Fran-Day07-39" width="332" height="500" /></a></center>not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-11082007017570580572009-11-10T10:19:00.006-05:002009-11-10T10:36:53.148-05:00Work, Beer & San FranciscoWork lately has been astonishingly busy. We did 4 major charrettes* in the past 5 weeks, 2 of which were run by me in addition to my regular workload. Weekends become meaningless at that point, unless you count the fact that the security guards kick you out earlier on sundays than on other days of the week.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/4089336403/" title="Falstaff-Nov2-SiteVisit-17 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2800/4089336403_d6a6ac0ac9.jpg" alt="Falstaff-Nov2-SiteVisit-17" height="500" width="332" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Photo from one of the charrette sites: another fun perk to my job is being the project photographer for a lot of very interesting sites that I normally would never get to shoot.<br /></span></center><br />That said, both of my charrettes were tremendous successes. There is nothing like the high you feel when a huge group of people ends the project happy and going out for an afterparty! Which brings me to beer -- this is just the cutest thing I've heard in a while:<br /><br /><div style="margin: 10px auto; display: block; text-align: center;"><embed src="http://media.entertonement.com/embed/OpenEntPlayer.swf" id="1_20c5c64c_ce0d_11de_9b30_0015c5f4d562" name="1_20c5c64c_ce0d_11de_9b30_0015c5f4d562" flashvars="auto_play=false&clip_pid=mqqctmvvww&e=&id=1_20c5c64c_ce0d_11de_9b30_0015c5f4d562&skin_pid=wfxswdnlkf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" allowscriptaccess="always" wmode="transparent" height="30" width="300"></embed><div id="1_20c5c64c_ce0d_11de_9b30_0015c5f4d562_anchor" style="font-size: 8px; color: black; text-decoration: none; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.entertonement.com/clips/mqqctmvvww--Beer-Bottle-911-Call" style="font-size: 8px; color: black;" target="_blank">Beer Bottle 911 Call sound bite</a> <a href="http://www.entertonement.com/collections/11988/911-Calls?ht_link=1_20c5c64c_ce0d_11de_9b30_0015c5f4d562" style="font-size: 8px; color: black;" target="_blank">911 Calls sound bites</a></div><img alt="Beer Bottle 911 Call sound bite" src="http://www.entertonement.com/widgets/img/clip/mqqctmvvww/1/1_20c5c64c_ce0d_11de_9b30_0015c5f4d562/blank.gif" style="margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px; float: right;" border="0" height="0" width="0" /></div><br />So after all the working, the long hours and the subsequent celebrating with beer, I am off to San Francisco tomorrow! I'm going for an entire week to visit <a href="http://jacquieblackman.blogspot.com/">Jacquie Blackman</a> in her new home, crash on her couch and roam the city with our cameras and our knitting. I'm debating if I'll start a sock just to do my own sock tour of San Fran touristy shiz, not to mention that I would then have a super portable little project to tuck in my purse while running around the city. I haven't knit a sock in a while, maybe now is the time to start some christmas sock knitting...<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">*A </span><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charrette"><u>charrette</u></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> is a design process we use at our office to deliver major projects. They are complicated events to run and execute, and they are one of the best parts of my job.</span><br /><br /><br /></span>not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-78647834260175645562009-09-28T09:28:00.002-04:002009-09-28T09:40:09.177-04:00MUST KNIT<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17087587@N00/3713587852">This sweater</a> is the best thing I have seen in a long time. I must make one, intarsia or no.<br /><br />Good thing I have so much free time for this project... sigh. I never meant to be a workaholic. I don't really think I'm cut out for it either. Lately even when I have the time for a full night's sleep I spend half the night trying to stop stressing about work stuff and the other half waking up every 2 hours. It gets to you after a while.<br /><br />I have been knitting a bit but I never seem to have the energy to photograph and document my new knits; there are several new pairs of mittens, a scarf and a few other odds and ends lying around my knit basket waiting for their completion story to be told. My love for obsessively documenting FO's has been eclipsed by a desire to mindlessly knit on to the next project. My free time is little and precious, and between working frequently evenings and weekends, trying to fit in some visits with friends here and there and accomplishing basic tasks like laundry on a semi-regular basis.<br /><br />I also haven't been to the gym in over a month and I can really feel it. The 7km round-trip bike commute every day at least keeps me moving, but is not nearly enough to keep me fit and healthy And besides, I can smell the end of cycling season as rainy cold fall days arrive.not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-91228924144704403332009-08-25T09:01:00.003-04:002009-08-25T09:03:32.069-04:00From "Stow" to "Go"Its cheesy but anyone who's ever transported a case of beer in the milkcrate on the back of their bike knows that this is a FANTASTIC idea.<br /><br /><center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/J992-8VJ_ac&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/J992-8VJ_ac&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br /><br />Now, if only riding your bike didn't also involve random strangers screaming at you or my favourite (from yesterday morning) having a cup of coffee thrown at you off a balcony. People SUCK.not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-79626020730657400132009-08-20T00:12:00.002-04:002009-08-20T00:27:04.492-04:00Maritime Adventures<div style="text-align: center;">Adam and I have been back from Nova Scotia for a few weeks now but I wish we were still there. It was gorgeous, relaxing and fun in just the right amounts. Here are the highlights in a nutshell:<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3827370445/" title="Nova-Scotia-AroundtheHouse-1 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2493/3827370445_30f9cde3cf.jpg" alt="Nova-Scotia-AroundtheHouse-1" width="333" height="500" /></a></center>There was a friendly greeting from an old canine pal.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3828549020/" title="Nova-Scotia-MahoneBay-13 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2486/3828549020_653c31af75.jpg" alt="Nova-Scotia-MahoneBay-13" width="277" height="500" /></a></center>There were yarn shops in adorable little towns.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3827766395/" title="Nova-Scotia-Around-The-House-6 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2482/3827766395_188a8a4f48.jpg" alt="Nova-Scotia-Around-The-House-6" width="500" height="272" /></a></center>There were sunsets and relaxing evenings in the country.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3825836565/" title="Nova-Scotia-LobsterDinner-16 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2432/3825836565_5a361850bd.jpg" alt="Nova-Scotia-LobsterDinner-16" width="500" height="333" /></a></center>There was lobster!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3824687190/" title="Nova-Scotia-Lunenburg-6 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2606/3824687190_7163bd42b8.jpg" alt="Nova-Scotia-Lunenburg-6" width="333" height="500" /></a></center>There were stunningly colourful houses and shops.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3824731466/" title="Nova-Scotia-Lunenburg-53 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3550/3824731466_878aa8da0a.jpg" alt="Nova-Scotia-Lunenburg-53" width="375" height="500" /></a></center>There were sailing ships and bay-bound cruises.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3823958649/" title="Nova-Scotia-Lunenburg-89 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2475/3823958649_38f0e74feb.jpg" alt="Nova-Scotia-Lunenburg-89" width="333" height="500" /></a></center>There were more beautiful sunsets.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3822510702/" title="Nova-Scotia-Gaspereau-Valley-9 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3569/3822510702_069cb01189.jpg" alt="Nova-Scotia-Gaspereau-Valley-9" width="333" height="500" /></a></center>And more amazing yarn stores!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3822526598/" title="Nova-Scotia-Gaspereau-Valley-24 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2559/3822526598_10b0e87464.jpg" alt="Nova-Scotia-Gaspereau-Valley-24" width="333" height="500" /></a></center>There were more friendly faces.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3821744337/" title="Nova-Scotia-Gaspereau-Valley-46 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3484/3821744337_a07d2401c3.jpg" alt="Nova-Scotia-Gaspereau-Valley-46" width="500" height="333" /></a></center>There was cold refreshing wine, accompanied by a delicious meal.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3807078730/" title="DockBike-1 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2554/3807078730_abcae22fdd.jpg" alt="DockBike-1" width="333" height="500" /></a></center>There was wonderfully moody weather in Halifax.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3806280837/" title="BeerTaster-2 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2541/3806280837_d973e3beaa.jpg" alt="BeerTaster-2" width="333" height="500" /></a></center>Which was just fine with us, because there were tasty locally-brewed beers to taste!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/sets/72157621996240782/">The Whole Show</a> (these are just the highlights!)</div>not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-39640597114129586212009-07-30T22:36:00.004-04:002009-07-30T22:46:16.323-04:00I Was Thinking About BatmanThis comic strip pretty much sums up my attitude towards everything. I feel this way ALL THE TIME... signing mortgage papers, buying a fridge, everytime I rent a car I am shocked that anyone is letting me do these things..<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3774102564/" title="xkcdcomicjul30 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3485/3774102564_158c8e1170_o.jpg" width="402" height="415" alt="xkcdcomicjul30" /></a><br />I <3 <a href="http://www.xkcd.com/">xkcd</a>not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-66722655673004786802009-07-11T23:02:00.003-04:002009-07-12T11:34:49.777-04:00Faking It<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3711935192/" title="Lunenburg-Bluesky by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2663/3711935192_989c0a4b53.jpg" alt="Lunenburg-Bluesky" height="375" width="500" /></a></center><br />I've been reading and watching a lot of photoshop tips and tutorials lately. Mostly I'm trying to be better at "fixing" all those little mistakes I make in-camera, and trying to improve my photoshopping skills in general. But sometimes I just find something FUN. This photo was taken on our last trip out East in June 2006. It was a brief glimpse of blue sky from a Lunenburg street and the original was pretty uninspired (see below). Based on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fje2EKoAcPY&feature=channel_page">this tutorial</a> I created a photoshop action to "fake" the HDR (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_dynamic_range_imaging">High Dynamic Range</a>) look of photos in an instant, and after playing around for a lot of time applying it to bunches of my old photos, this was my favourite one. I love how that siding pops in this new and improved version. The clouds are a bit pinkish but the siding just looks gloriously detailed to me, which I love.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/176705530/" title="Lunenburg-Bluesky by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/75/176705530_b3b8c102de.jpg" alt="Lunenburg-Bluesky" height="375" width="500" /></a></center>not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799568.post-28006900453067883372009-07-05T12:22:00.005-04:002009-07-05T13:07:35.445-04:00ZOMG, a Finished Object: Tattoo-less Kimono Shrug<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3640338810/" title="KimonoFO-4 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3403/3640338810_1181bfe291.jpg" alt="KimonoFO-4" height="333" width="500" /></a></center><br />Have you ever experienced love at first sight?<br /><br />I first saw this sweater on the marketplace floor at the <a href="http://www.downtownknitcollective.ca/dkc_frolic.html">DKC Knitter's Frolic</a> this past April. I was shopping with my best friend Meredith and we were both determined to buy only things that we loved. Usually this means just a few skeins of expensive luxury yarns for me and a selection of beautiful but practical yarns and projects for her. But when we both saw this sweater I'm pretty sure we both fell madly in love with it at the same time. Luckily for us, the wearer of the sweater not only shared the name and origin of the pattern but let us know that it was for sale <span style="font-style: italic;">in the very next room</span>. We both bought the pattern, and after rejecting the idea of buying 10 skeins of Malabrigo (it would have been lovely but $170+tax for a shrug seemed a bit insane, even to me) I settled on two fat skeins of a silvery-grey wool-silk blend. I wound it up and started knitting that very night; masses of garter stitch were the perfect antidote to a completely crazy period at work around the same time.<br /><br />I think I may be the only person grateful for the crapppy summer weather we've been having so far, since it allowed me to wear this cozy shrug a lot more than I thought I would be able to in June. Which worked out perfectly because it meant that I could convince the talented photographer <a href="http://jacquieblackman.blogspot.com/">Jacquie</a> to do these shots for me on her recent Toronto visit. Also, if you like the jewellery I'm wearing, it is by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5005776">Sprout Jewelry</a> (etsy). I adore these diamond earrings, and they were ridiculously affordable.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3639525781/" title="KimonoFO-1 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3312/3639525781_a9516dfcc3.jpg" alt="KimonoFO-1" height="500" width="333" /></a></center><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Pattern & Modifications</span><br /><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tattoo-kimono-shrug">Tattoo Kimono Shrug</a> by Danielle Wilson from <a href="http://www.spunwool.com/">Spun Fibre Arts</a> in Burlington, Ontario. As it turns out, you can buy it directly via Ravelry as a downloadable PDF, something I wish I had taken advantage of since I have a terrible time keeping track of paper patterns and I fully plan to make another of these in the future. The only modifications I made were to eliminate the "tattoo" part and just knit a solid garter-stitch back instead, and to completely knit my own size since the pattern as written was turning out giant for me. Probably a gauge issue but I didn't bother checking, I just ripped and re-knit to what you see here. I wish I'd taken better notes about that, actually. (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/notanartist/tattoo-kimono-shrug">see this project on ravelry</a>)<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3544277409/" title="Project365-115 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3364/3544277409_8ce013e26a.jpg" alt="Project365-115" height="500" width="324" /></a></center><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles & Yarn</span><br />I knit this on hefty 6mm (US10) Addi Turbo needles. The yarn is <a href="http://www.fleeceartist.com/yarns.html">Fleece Artist Margaree</a> in a lovely silvery grey colour called<span style="font-style: italic;"> Salt Spray</span>: it is 45% Mohair, 45% Wool, 10% Silk and in each giant hank of 250g you get 375m, pretty great yardage for a heavy worsted. The wool/silk mix make it cozy, drapey and gorgeous; I've been wearing it a lot and see no sign of any pilling so far, something I often have a problem with in yarns soft and drapey enough to wear right next to the skin.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3639528917/" title="KimonoFO-3 by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3551/3639528917_f06e5cdff8.jpg" alt="KimonoFO-3" height="333" width="500" /></a></center><br /><b>Timeline</b><br />Cast on April 25 and completed on May 28, 2009. The only reason it took so long to knit was a lack of knitting time (due to work) and the fact that I had to knit the entire body twice due to a major sizing issue. As it turns out, it was cold enough in June to wear it anyways!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/notanartist/3639527809/" title="KimonoFO-2b by notanartist, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2453/3639527809_ca6bd76655.jpg" alt="KimonoFO-2b" height="500" width="333" /></a><br /></center>not an artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06255884766205285706noreply@blogger.com11