On Vacation

I'm away on vacation, so my blog is, too. :) See you on the flipside.

Math4Knitters: Episode 37

Show notes and more at math4knitters.blogspot.com.

Download/Listen to Episode 37.

The original show notes for this show.

Wrap Skirt Pattern and Sleepy Boomer

I'm trying a pattern/plan for a half-circle wrap skirt. Boomer is not impressed. He thinks the whole thing is pretty soporific.

Sleepy Kitty

Travis is beautiful but also very anxious, so we all get (quietly) excited when he trusts us enough to sleep out in the open and not under a piece of furniture in the basement.

He wants to sleep on our handknit afghan in the background, but he is NOT. ALLOWED.

A Little Art

I love watching Dee paint. Boomer loves watching the world go by.

Yarn Ends

Reports that I have given up knitting have been greatly exaggerated. I AM knitting, but a lot of my projects are top secret. But, I think I can get away with showing you a little pile of ends.

Math4Knitters: Episode 36

Show notes and more at math4knitters.blogspot.com.

Download/Listen to Episode 36.

The original show notes for this show.

I'm Not the Only One

There's a bike rack inside my building, for which I'm very grateful. As cities and citizens, we've generally done a good job of making sure that motorists have good, safe places to park, but bikes can sometimes be another story. 

It's nice to have a good place to stash my bike when I ride in. It's also wonderful to see how many other people in my building do it, too! 

It's Not Perfect, But I Did It!

I had to rip and resew part of it, and it's not perfect by any means, but I'm pretty excited about my first "big" sewing project. 

This is actually pretty amusing, to me. I usually use a baby on the way as a lure to bring people into the knitting fold. I "don't have time" to knit much for the baby that will be joining my extended family this February (not my baby, a close relative), but I can't seem to stop myself from dreaming up sewing projects for the little bundle of joy!

A child born in Minnesota in February will need many blankets, right?

Sock Architecture, in PDF and Print Form

Up until last week, the only way to buy a PDF and a print version of Sock Architecture at the same time (and for a good price) was by going to http://cooperativepress.com/ to do it.

Well, they're clearing out their warehouse and my book has sold out, for now, from them. A little note on my book's page on their site now says this:

"As mentioned in our most recent email to the CP mailing list, we are currently transitioning to a new sales method for our books. Our new website will go live shortly, and in the meantime, we are working to clear our warehouse of excess inventory. Some book titles have oversold, and this is one of them. We are shipping books to fill those orders now. In the meantime, if you would like to order a copy of this book, you can find it on Amazon here. If you purchase on Amazon now, you can forward a copy of your receipt to us at support@cooperativepress.zendesk.com with your Ravelry username and we'll put it in your library there."

So, if you've been waiting to buy it, this might be a good time to, since I don't know how long they will offer a bundle deal!

One Thing Leads to Another

Knitting (and a good friend I found through knitting) led to spinning. Spinning led to weaving. Now, weaving has led to sewing.

I wanted to turn that Cascade 128 that I wove into a baby blanket with a satin edge. So, I fired up my Singer for the first time in years. I've only ever used it to mend things, before. The process was harder, in some ways, and easier, in others, than I feared.

It all went a bit off the rails on my first try. So, I chatted with my friend and sewing expert at work, Linda, for some tips. I'll take another crack at it this weekend.

Math4Knitters: Episode 35

Show notes and more at math4knitters.blogspot.com.

Download/Listen to Episode 35.

The original show notes for this show.

LAST CHANCE for This Great Sale!

Today is your LAST CHANCE! Enroll in online Craftsy classes for up to 50% off and learn from expert instructors who don’t mind if you pass notes! 

Kitty Cuddles

Travis, our shy, beautiful boy, wants love, love, love all of the time. Boomer is sweet but not patient enough to deal with Travis' need for constant affection. They don't fight, really, but they do have arguments about it from time to time. I do love it when they manage an accord, however fleeting. 

Commuter Greenway in Minneapolis

If you have a day off, I hope you're enjoying it! I just want to write a short love letter to the Midtown Greenway. I don't commute on my bike as often as I would like, but I know I wouldn't do it at all if it weren't for a fast, safe way to get from A to B. Thank you, greenway!

Celebrate the Beginning of Fall with a New Skill!

Ready for learning that feels like recess? Watch your Craftsy classes in your pajamas- it's totally acceptable (and encouraged!) Right now, you can try as many as you want for up to half off.

BIG Sale Plus a FREE Craftsy Mini-Class: The Ins & Outs of Grafting

Grafting might be the biggest bugaboo in knitting. Even many experienced knitters HATE it. I only got comfortable with it when I had to do it A LOT, but even so, I need good light and a don't-talk-to-me face to get it finished.

Anne Hanson gets it, and can help you get it, too, if you check out her free class about grafting on Craftsy. (That is an affiliate link, btw.)

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And, you won't want to miss this sale for your best back-to-school ever! Get up to 50% off ALL online Craftsy classes from now through September 9, 2015 — no textbooks or pop quizzes allowed.

Math4Knitters: Episode 34

Show notes and more at math4knitters.blogspot.com.

Download/Listen to Episode 34.

The original show notes for this show.

The Start of the Season

September always seems like the start of the knitting season. It's exciting for me to suddenly be receiving more requests to teach! Check out my schedule, I'm going to some really fun yarn shops and locations this Fall/Winter!

Minnesota State Fair!

Third Place!

Paris Wallpaper Socks, 5th Place

I received two ribbons this year at the Minnesota State Fair! The third-place socks are stockinette-stitch socks with a Balbriggan heel in Poste Patina Glass Mountain from Simply Socks Yarn company. The red and black Paris Wallpaper socks are in Dream in Color's Smooshy with Cashmere.

It's always so exciting to see all of the exhibits at the fair!