Knitting in Transit

Get ye over to the Lumpy Sweater and tell her why you think knitting is like a newborn baby ! Have I mentioned the Lumpy Sweater enough lately? I'm starting to feel a bit like a stalker. Oh well. This morning as I came in to work, I saw this on Northrup Mall: Kind of looks like a little garden, no? Well, it is! It's made out of sticks, the tops of plastic bottles, and green construction paper for leaves. Someone made all these pretty little flowers, and on the leaves printed facts and tips on recycling, drinking tap rather than bottle water, and other "green" living info. You probably can't read the leaves, but I am going to post some of my favorite little flowers here. I like the orange cap on this one! What a great idea! I may be a bit biased because it is also so crafty. It certainly did get attention though. Several other people were stopped to check it out when I was there at 7:30 a.m. I'm not sure if it is still there. This is what I love about w...

Over lunch, I headed out to the plaza in front of Northrup Auditorium to knit with a couple co-workers. There was a tent set up with food, cake, and music to celebrate the 60 th anniversary of the creation of Israel. Complete with camel. He was just hanging out in his little pen, enjoying the weather. I was able to complete the heel of my sock. Wow. I have tiny feet. Here is what the front of the foot looks like. I think the color in these photos is so interesting because the color of the socks is NOTHING like what you see here. I took these outdoors, under a tent. Contrast that with this picture taken indoors of the same yarn. Doesn't even look like the same yarn. As you can tell (or maybe not), I am doing these toe-up and I did a short-row toe and a short-row heel. I think they are coming along nicely.

(That is the noise our finger cymbals made last night) My dance performance went pretty well. I made two little mistakes that no one seemed to notice, and I actually had a lot of fun. The audience was great! They cheered and clapped and a few even did the zaghroota . I'm not sure if anyone videotaped us, but if it pops up on YouTube I'll be sure to let you all know. Fall semester I will be taking tap dancing! This afternoon is my bi-weekly knitters lunch. I should have some Synesthesia sock pics to post afterwards!

Nothing But A T-Shirt is a great pattern from Alison at The Blue Blog . It was first published in Magknits a couple years ago and I immediately ran out and bought several rows of Rowan Calmer and got started. I got about half-way up the front and...stopped. I have no good reason why. None whatsoever. I guess life just got in the way, and then I got involved in other things like socks and that sweater for my dad and blogging and Ravelry ...and I haven't picked it up since. Well, yesterday I saw that The Lumpy Sweater is starting on this pattern with this GORGEOUS pink organic cotton yarn . I commented that I should really get started on mine again. She sent me a message that another knitter friend also wants to knit this. We've got the beginnings of a Knit-A-Long! If you are interested in joining, head on over to the Lumpy Sweater's post from today and she's got information on how to contact her. Like she says, the original KAL ended ages ago, but it's a cool pat...

Before I get to my knitting news, I just thought I'd let you all know that tomorrow night is the informal dance showcase for the Spring beginning dance classes here at the U of M. I've been taking Arabic dance this semester, and although I am not good and look rather dorky, any of my friends and family reading this are welcome to attend (as long as you do not laugh and point). You can click on the link above for details. My class will be performing first. This will not be Arabic/Belly dancing like you may see in the movies or on television. We are beginners! We will, however, be wearing jingly-jangly hip wraps and playing finger cymbals. On to the knitting! Last week, I knit a One Skein Wonder. I was hesitant to post about it because I was skeptical of the finished product. Was it even something I would want to wear? But, I had yarn to use up and this seemed like a good project. Pattern: One Skein Wonder by Stefanie Japel. Available at Glampyre Knits . Yarn: Lane Cervinia Mad...

I got tagged for my first meme today! Woo-hoo! I've never done one of these before, so I am pretty excited! I was tagged by Meema of The Meema Files . Using the top 100 yarns on Ravelry (by number of projects): Bold the ones you’ve used and would use again; Cross out the ones you’ve used and would not use again; and Italicize the ones you’ve never tried, but would like to. Add comments as desired, and then pass the meme along to 5 knitters/crocheters. Link back to this post and to the person who tagged you. 1. Cascade 220 Wool - I really like this yarn. It was one of the first yarns I ever used when I got serious about knitting. 2. Patons Classic Wool Merino 3. Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted - LOVE IT! One of my favorites! I need to buy more! 4. Noro Kureyon 5. Caron Simply Soft 6. Lily Sugar’n Cream Solid 7. Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Worsted 8. Red Heart Ltd. Super Saver Solids 9. Lion Brand Wool-Ease Solid 10. Noro Silk Garden 11. Koigu Painter’s Palette Premium Meri...

The Mermaid is a banquet hall/bar/restaurant/bowling alley/entertainment venue located in the 'burbs. I've never been there, but I think my brother and SIL met there. On New Year's Eve, many years ago? Am I completely off base here? D and I went there Saturday night to celebrate a friend's birthday, and it was SO MUCH FUN! Yes, the capitalization is needed there. When I was a kid, we did not have video games. No, not because I am so old that they didn't exist. Because our parents would not buy us an Atari or Nintendo or whatever else they could have bought. I played Lemonade Stand on an Apple IIC and I liked it! My sister and I also never spent any time in arcades playing video games. Why? Because our parents wouldn't give us quarters. So, Saturday night at the Maid was really my first experience at an "arcade", although I think they call it a game room. I was a little leery at first, and just wanted to head over to the bowling alley in the other si...