Blackberry

I started a pretty ambitious knitting project last fall. It was intended to be a Christmas gift for my sister-in-law, Kirsten. Unfortunately, my first trimester nausea was worse while knitting, so I didn’t quite finish it in time. So what does a good crafter do? Make it a birthday present instead!

I recently got pictures from Kirsten of her modeling it. I’m glad it fit so well. It’s hard to measure a gal that lives several states away!

The pattern is Blackberry from the great knitting website: knitty.com. (That first link has a great shot of the sleeve detail)

By Rebecca | 05.12.2006 | 04:29 PM | Permalink | Categories: Craftiness | 3 Comments

Boston Knit Out

This Sunday we’ll be heading into Boston to check out the Boston Knit Out. If you’re into knitting and/or crochet and are in the Boston area, head down to the Boston Common at 12 p.m. to take part in the festivities!

By Rebecca | 09.30.2005 | 05:16 PM | Permalink | Categories: Craftiness | 2 Comments

Yellow and Pink

We know two baby girls who celebrated their first birthdays this summer. I sent off their gifts already, which were little summer outfits made from cute, pink, tropical fabric.

I had some of this cute fabric leftover and I had a little brain storm. A baby quilt! So, last weekend I got to work and made such a little quilt. Currently, I have sent presents to all the baby girls I know, so it will have to wait before being gifted to anyone.

It was my first foray into machine quilting, and while it worked well, I know that there are things I’d do differently next time. All in all, however, I think it’s pretty darn cute. More photos can be found here

By Rebecca | 07.18.2005 | 06:24 PM | Permalink | Categories: Craftiness | 1 Comment

Consolidation for Compact Craftiness and Computeryness

When Peter and I moved in together we filled the second bedroom in our apartment with computer equipment. His Mac, my PC and all of their accessories. At the time that was the necessary thing to do. He needed his computer to program on and I used my PC to handle the piles of gradschool homework I had then.

Since I finished school, however, our need for the PC has waned. I still like having it around because I like the Word Processor and it has all of my “stuff” on it, but I really haven’t used it much lately. I much prefer the laptop in front of the tv

So, after a while of trying to figure out a good solution to this problem we finally came up with one. In my words, “wouldn’t it be nice if there was an easy way to hook up both our computers to one moniter/keyboard/mouse?”

In Peter’s words,”You can do that. You just need a KVM.” Okay, then! Let’s do it.

This afternoon our new KVM was delivered and Peter set to work setting it all up. Now we have two computer towers connected to one monitor and keyboard; all combined on one desk. Very neat, clean and compact. It is easy to switch from the Mac desktop to the PC and back again. So if I need to get info from or use the PC it is just a few keystrokes away. Nice.

Another added benefit to the new situation is that we now have a completely empty desk. My greedy little eyes quickly recognized that this space would a perfect new home for my sewing machine. I’ve longed for a permanent home for my trusty 1950’s Singer for a while now and it seems to be pretty cozy in its new home. I know that I’ll use it much more now that I don’t have to heft it up and down off the kitchen table every time I have a project.

Peter took some photos of the new setup.

By Rebecca | 03.24.2005 | 08:43 PM | Permalink | Categories: Craftiness, Techie | 1 Comment

Attn: All Crafty Folk

So, I was perusing my favorite crafty site, Craftster and I came across this little poem. Enjoy it on this Christmas eve!

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The Knitters’ TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all around me Was unfinished knitting not under the tree.

The stockings weren’t hung by the chimney with care ’cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds but I had not finished the caps for their heads.

Dad was asleep; he was no help at all, And the sweater for him was six inches too small.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I put down my needles to see what was the matter.

Away to the window, I flew like a flash, Tripped over my yarn and fell down with a crash.

The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow Reminded me how much I still had to go.

Out on my lawn, I heard such a noise, I thought it would wake both dad and the boys.

And though I was tired,my brain was a bit thick, I knew in a moment,it must be Saint Nick.

But what I heard then left me perplexed-ed, For not a name I heard was what I had expected

“move,Ashford; move,Lopi; move,Addie and Clover Move,Reynolds; move,Starmore; move, Fraylic–move over”

“Paton, don’t circle round; stand in line. Come now, you sheep wool work just fine!

I know this is hard semi, it’s just your first year, I’d hate to go back to eight tiny reindeer.”

I peered over the sill; what I saw was amazing, Eight woolly sheep on my lawn all a’grazing.

And then,in a twinkle, I heard at the door Santa’s feet coming across the porch floor.

I rose from my knees and got back on my feet, And as I turned round, Saint Nick, I did meet.

He was dressed all in wool from his head to his toe And his clothes were handknit from above to below.

A bright Fairisle sweater he wore on his back, and his toys were all stuffed in an Aran knit sack.

His cap was a wonder of bobbles and lace, A beautiful frame for his rosy red face.

The scarf round his neck could have stretched for a mile, And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.

The back of his mittens bore an intricate cable, And suddenly on one I spied a small label.

SC was duplicate stitched on the cuff, and I asked “Hey Nick, did you knit all this stuff?”

He proudly replied “Ho-ho-ho, yes I did, I learned how to knit when I was a kid.”

He was chubby and plump, a quite well-dressed old man, And I laughed to myself for I’d thought up a plan,.

I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air, And the next thing he knew he was tied to a chair.

He spoke not a word, but looked in his lap Where I’d laid my needles and yarn for a cap.

He quickly began knitting, first one cap then two; For the first time I thought I’d really get through.

He put heels on the stockings and toes in some socks While I sat back drinking Scotch on the rocks!!

So quickly like magic, his needles they flew, That he was all finished by quarter to two.

He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free, And over his shoulder he looked back at me.

And I heard him exclaim as he sailed past the moon “Next year start your knitting sometime around June!”

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By Rebecca | 12.24.2004 | 08:37 AM | Permalink | Categories: Craftiness | 1 Comment

She can be taught!

Among other domestic things I did today (making dinner, cleaning up, dishes, laundry, errands to the bank and post office) I taught myself to knit cables. WooHoo! This is something that I’ve wanted to to for a while, but have never taken the time to figure it out. Today was the day.

For those of you who don’t know the ins and outs of knitting… cables are those rope like ’stripes’ or ‘ridges’ that you find in sweaters, especially those white, Irish sweaters. The technique was not very hard to figure out, but my fingers needed a bit of practice to get the ‘feel’ of doing it. I’m almost an expert now!

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So that I could practice my technique I decided to knit up a little baby hat. Baby things are fun to knit and make good practice for larger items. And when I finish there is some precious kiddo who gets a nice present!

By Rebecca | 10.05.2004 | 10:20 PM | Permalink | Categories: Craftiness | 2 Comments