Fiber Foxed

More HPKCHC Madness

2010-09-06T14:12:00.000-07:00

I've really been enjoying the Harry Potter Knitting Crochet House Cup. Not just for the comraderie or the great project prompts, but for the chance to practice my creative writing skills.

My House gave a challenge to knit or crochet Alot. Since I'm such a grammar nerd and love making absurd toys, I couldn't resist.

I had in mind to free-form (utter FAIL when I tried to create a repeatable pattern) with a button for a snaggletooth. As I was looking through my button box, I was inspired by some of the shapes, and thought this could be a great submission for Transfigurations (the prompt being to turn a beetle to a button and use in a pattern).

As I was beginning to submit and look at the prompt again, I realized that my vision probably wouldn't meet the standards of the class. My thinking is that a flaw can be reworked a feature.

I submitted the following:

Professor, I think I made a mistake.

I did find a button beetle:

And I did manage to transform it into a button for my project:

But the transformation kept going ... it turned itself into a tooth!

Before I knew it I had a lot ... or rather Alot on my hands!

Oh, Professor, I know Ravenclaw is doing an Alot-Along, but this is ridiculous! I can't seem to undo it!

I guess I just have [slightlyfoxed's Alot on my plate](/projects/slightlyfoxed/alot-on-my-plate). ::sob::

Harry Potter Knitting Crochet House Cup

2010-09-06T06:27:00.000-07:00

I've been participating in the Fall term for this group on Ravelry. So much fun! I've been sorted into Ravenclaw (which is as it should be) and submitted my first assignment.

The instructions were: What would you wear to rob a magical bank? This option is for those who would really like to go all out and get highly imaginative, because, as we all know, it takes more than a mask to rob a magical bank.

My entry was a pirate hat with the following explanation:

You may remember the memoirs of the famous Wizarding pirate, Captain Arturo Ponzerelli, who wrote that in the Wizarding World, the most ineffectual (not to mention inelegant) form of robbery involved brute force. More effective is charm, charisma, good dental hygeine, and the correct hat.

Captain Ponzerelli said there is no excuse not to look one’s best when engaging in anything from the complex caper to casual piracy. He especially advocated the use of a hat that draws the power of the pyramid, a gold coin (because riches attract riches), and a well-placed feather in case a hasty retreat is required.

Captain Ponzerelli was only captured once (by an admiral who was terribly hard of hearing, if I am correct). But the trial quickly turned into an exuberant drinking party, and Ponzerelli left completely aquitted, pocketfuls of gold, and a goose.

Captain Ponzerelli is said to have retired on land given to him by an Ethiopian Prince. If the hat is cocked just right, one may hear the jingling of coins …

My entry received not only credit, but the Star of Isis badge from my House Mother.

Now to finish my project for Potions.

Birthday Yarns

2010-07-16T21:00:00.000-07:00

The Child's third birthday is this Sunday. Since she's all about the horses, I decided to try another twee pattern.

The Child has also asked specifically for a zebra. A black and white one. (Although I suggested all kinds of variations.)

And because you can't have a birthday without a cake.

It has also been suggested that a child's birthday is the mother's too. I also needed some socks for her Gymboree party with a horse theme. So Storied Yarns Party Ponies colorway became Mama Unicorn socks.

Giddy up, my Baby Unicorn!

Bug for Baking

2010-07-07T09:28:00.000-07:00

Last week, one of my respected colleagues retired. Since she was known for her baking, I wanted to honor her by baking as well.

I dipped into Nigella's Chocolate Cake Hall of Fame in her book Feast for this honey chocolate cake complete with marzipan bees. I was pleased with the result--very whimsical and delicious too. The combo of brown sugar and honey made a very woodsy cake, while the glaze of honey and confectioner's sugar practically needed to come with its own insulin shot.

I have now done four out of the fourteen cakes in the Hall of Fame, each with varying results. Baking all the cakes listed used to be a lifetime goal, although one is topped with coconut, one of the few foods I can't stand. Mentioning this led to a giant Facebook debate as to whether one should bother baking something one does not intend to eat. In general, I would say no, except I would have to do it to be completist. An ongoing debate, indeed.

This weekend, I baked some basic butter cookies with my daughter.

She wanted to do some "cowboy cookies," but I also had her pick out some other cookie cutters, which accounts for the numbers. She insisted on green colored frosting and went nuts on the sprinkles.

For the record, I don't have the Zen of Baking with Children down quite yet. I know that it's a process--slowing down, allowing mess and mistakes. Where I got the most frustrated was when she kept jumping down from the stool and messing around with stuff on the floor, which meant washing hands again and again until I simply sent her off to play.

Knitting/Reading Crossover: Zombies

2010-06-25T11:56:00.000-07:00

I think I've mentioned how no one sees that these have to do with zombies. But with the black and white plus red and bruise colors, not to mention bits of my skin peeking through the dropped stitches, how can you not?

As for the reading experience, I wrote a little bit about it here. It was fun to have zombies on the brain and try to keep both projects neck in neck with each other. I'm going to try a similar concept again with YA dystopian novels, but I think I have to get some holiday projects started first.

2010-06-20T07:09:00.001-07:00

I finished the zombie socks, but I want to do a proper post when I've finished the reading. Now my attention has turned to ponies.

My daughter's 3rd birthday is coming up, and I've given in to the birthday party pressure. We've booked a party at Gymboree; it's semi-educational, inside away from heat and rain, and no more expensive than anything else. And since adults *must* wear socks for cleanliness purposes, I *must* knit myself a pair.

The yarn is from Storied Yarns Percy Jackson and the Olympians Monsters collection, Party Ponies colorway. (Okay, the Party Ponies were centaurs, not unicorns, but no one cares.) I chose a spiral pattern evocative of unicorn horns.

I'm also crocheting her a pony for her actual birthday. I had started doing a fat unicorn from a toy book I own, but I hated the shape of it. This one will be much cuter.

Hooray for Hats

2010-06-01T16:59:00.000-07:00

In the process of cleaning out my closet this past year, I edited my hat collection. As a result, however, I found that I don't have much appropriate for warmer weather (including, alas, a black hat for the inevitable funeral that comes more frequently than I'd like). So I whipped up a couple in cotton and cotton/nylon blend.

Related: one of my friends from work has decided to do a Hurricane Hat for each hurricane that forms in the Atlantic this hurricane season. I'm going to follow her progress with great interest, and maybe even cast on one of my own.

A Ring-a-Ding-Ding!

2010-06-01T07:23:00.000-07:00

This is not the time nor the place to complain about the Ugly Red Shirt (URS) that I am required to wear to work--no, that is totally inappropriate. Rather than complain, I attack by creativity.

I had looked on Etsy and saw several rings that I liked for about $10, which is still pretty affordable. But when I went on a Hobby Lobby run yesterday, I ended up finding many of the supplies needed for the rings on my Favorites list.

More subversive "tarting" of the uniform to come.

All the Pretty Horses

2010-05-31T08:55:00.000-07:00

Other than socks, I've been crocheting horses for the Child and her friends.

I'm pretty girly, but even these make my teeth hurt.

The Child has decided she wants a unicorn party for her birthday, so I've started on a fat green unicorn for her.

Keurig Challenge

2010-05-30T17:17:00.000-07:00

He To Whom I Am Married was doing one of his stints for the U.S. Navy when he got to try out a Keurig coffee machine. He fell in love. He campaigned. He decided we needed one. So we got one.

And I was seduced. I couldn't help it.

First off, it's a damned good cup of coffee. Secondly, it is just a cup of coffee, not a carafe of which I have to throw out half. Thirdly, the clean-up is absolutely nothing--stick in a K-cup, pull out the K-cup, done.

So, yeah, while we're having our torrid, caffinated threesome, it does occur to me that while clean up is relatively easy, there is some waste with the K-cups. It seems that the K-cups are not recyclable at this time. While I'm not a rabid recycler, I do like to at least try to reuse if I can. It's not a political or environmental thing so much as I just think it's a shame to throw something out that can be useful if I just think about it in a different way.

Some ideas that I have run across/come up with include:

Pulling the cups apart, composting the grounds, and using the cups to start seedlings. Of course, this is provided that I get over my decidedly black thumb. (I may have a breakthrough in this area, but I'm afraid to say anything lest I jinx it.)

Handmade tealights

Related: Molds for mini-soaps

Coffee jelly (although this doesn't really take care of the cups)

Mini skein holders for intarsia--feeding the yarn through the hole in the bottom should work, although it would have to be fingering weight or less.

As with other projects, I'm not going to be a hoarder about it. If I can't use them, I'll toss them. I will, however, pull them apart, compost the grounds, and stack the cups to hopefully shrink the waste footprint.

Still, I'm open to any ideas. Let me ponder and search a little more.

Crossover Project: Zombie Socks

2010-05-21T09:16:00.000-07:00

I finished sock #1 the same night I finished Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Since I still have sock #2 to do, I'll continue reading the graphic version of P & P & Z, as well as finish World War Z.

I love the pattern with the dropped stitches, and the odd coloration and striping suggests a bit of the Undead, even if no one else sees it. I can hardly believe it's Red Heart brand yarn.

Of Socks, Crossovers, and Tragedies

2010-05-13T11:43:00.000-07:00

Up until now, I have never really suffered from Second Sock Syndrome. I don't know whether it was the fact that the pattern was pretty easy or I was ready to do something else or what. I had to push myself to get these socks done. But they are done, and I've worn them already.

In the meantime, I've done a couple of small projects, including a donation for our knitting group at the Library and two Wee Tiny Socks that will eventually be a part of an Advent Calendar. (These really need their own entries.)

I have begun what I'm calling my Crossover Project, where I knit and read along the same theme. The idea here is that I usually will sacrifice one activity for the other--yes, I know about audiobooks, but I usually only listen to those while working out. The idea is to complete my thematic reading and knitting at about the same time. First up--zombies. I'm finally getting around to completing Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and knitting these zombie socks. No one seems to get the concept to the pattern, but I know.

As far as tragedies, I had begun a mermaid skirt for my daughter's birthday in July. It was in a project bag on the floor in the family room with some other bags. One of our kitties thought it would be a good idea to pee there instead of the cat box. I'm heartsick about the whole thing--I ended up just throwing away the thing in a fit of anger (lost the book too). I think I've recovered much of the yarn that hadn't been used up, though. I think I'm going to need to give the project some space before picking it up again. Luckily, the Child is more into unicorns these days.

The Year That Socks: Empowerment

2010-04-01T19:36:00.000-07:00

A lot has been laid on my shoulders these days at work, and I'm finding a need to empower myself in little ways. Hence, I've begun knitting myself some Wonder Woman socks using Craft's Meow "Obama's Favorite" colorway with the Athena socks pattern (Diana of Themyscira drawing from both Greek and Roman mythology). I'm also thinking of adding small gold star buttons to the top.

On a related note, I've been thinking of doing some reading/knitting crossovers. Watch this space for more.

The Year That Socks: Things So Far ...

2010-03-30T11:36:00.001-07:00

I've been knitting like mad, but not recording it properly. This year I am absolutely obsessed with knitting socks!

My first pair:

My second pair (which I don't like as well as the first, but they still are okay):

My third pair was for Ravelympics for which I gained a bit of code for the blog:

And a pair for Easter:

I had bought that yarn a couple of birthdays ago with the intention to make a shawl. Every pattern I tried, it fought me. I wished it had told me it wanted to be socks from the beginning!

And yes, I bought a pair of clear clogs for my Easter outfit to show them off!

Ce n'est pas un chapeau de cowboy

2009-04-10T07:13:00.000-07:00

This is a hat.

This is a fine hat.

This is a hat that I will wear comfortably to keep the sun away.

This is not, however, a cowboy hat, even though I followed the pattern pretty closely. (I probably could add wire, but I'd have to do something about the brim).

That is all.

More Utter Failures

2009-03-14T12:35:00.000-07:00

I think I need to admit to failure.

I've been trying to crochet a cowboy hat for my Hometown Swap, but it just looks wrong. A sun hat, yes. A cowboy hat, no. Even with floral wire, it's just not shaping up to what I want it to be. I'll finish up the pattern, but I think it's not good enough to put in the box.

I've got another idea that I think will be cool enough and certainly not stereotypical. There's always the dishcloth fallback, which I may include anyhow.

Discouragement reigns.

Stop the Madness!

2009-03-13T14:30:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe that I have actually signed up for three swaps, all pretty much due at the same time! Granted, I have some stuff ready to be felted and assembled, but really, Darce! (Add to that the fact that I've broken my left pinky finger ... shouldn't stop me but will slow me down!)

It's so hard not to get involved when you receive packages like this one from my toy swap!

Shawl Update and Frustration

2009-03-05T13:36:00.001-08:00

Lunchtime, I looked at my Bloudewedd shawl in progress and loathed it. I could see mistakes, and I knew no matter what, I would never wear the thing. So I ripped everything up, and started the pattern I had originally intended for it. Got four rows in, felt pretty confident.

Took a break and wanted to continue. A colleague, however, got really chatty. Despite my best efforts, I lost count, couldn't figure out what was going on, and had to start over completely.

I'm trying not to cry. I really want to do this.

But here's a hint: if I'm not making eye contact, smiling, and my only responses between numbers is curt nods, STOP TALKING TO ME.

I'm going to have to find a lace-making hidey hole for breaks cuz Heaven knows I'm not going to get that at home either.

Shawls, Swaps, and Other Whatnot

2009-03-05T09:23:00.000-08:00

Received my color swap last night ... major swoonage!

The red yarn couldn't be more perfect--so deep, so soft! I'm going to use the bulky for a fox hat I've had in my queue forever. All the purple is cotton, and I'm thinking some of it will become a sun hat.

The bag will be perfect for my Easter outfit, and the dishcloth ... well, let's just say I am near-fetish about using them to do dishes.

And let's not forget the fox stitch markers! All in all a good haul.

In the meantime, I'm continuing on the Bloudewedd-inspired shawl. Although the process is relaxing, I'm not sure I'm entirely thrilled about the results. I'm afraid it's all coming out pretty "old lady" with the feather-and-fan pattern and muted colors. Ultimately, I think it's going to be the kind of thing I throw across my shoulders to read in bed rather than an out on the town garment. Good thing I'm all about process rather than results.

But I could really get into the whole shawl thing, which makes sense in this climate. I think I would love to do this bat shawl in an evocative fiber like Evil Stepmother or Wicked Witch.

Another for the Someday pile ...

No Doubt, I Must Be Stopped

2009-03-03T09:15:00.000-08:00

Current Projects: Gnome swap and Bloudewedd KAL

I'm trying to be patient about receiving my current swaps. The stuffed toy one is no biggie, since I've been in contact with my partner and I know what's going on; I'm excited but contained. But the color swap was secret--I'm trying not to bother my husband too much about the mail ... but ....

I'm prepping for another swap with a Hometown theme. So many ideas!

Must. To finish. Current. Swaps.

But in the meantime, another finished toy:

I gave this to my daughter, who looked at it a little askance. Then she hugged it and said, "I lub oo." Immediately she handed it back, "All done!" Good thing I only really make toys for the process rather than the result!

No Fingers Are Idle

2009-02-23T13:54:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in a while, but my fingers have been busy!

Last week I was very sick--100+ fever and all. Thankfully, I was feeling better enough to complete a couple of little fox projects that grace my desk at work:

Also continuing to make slow but sure progress on my Sampler Turtle. I had hoped to score a bunch more mini-skeins in the February Phat Fiber box, but my trigger finger was too slow. (I still can't talk about it.)

Even though I have plenty of clothes for my daughter and scarves on needles, as the weather turns, I am in full-on toy-making mode.

Two swaps mailed out last week, and I just received my partner for a gnome swap. Somebody please stop me!

UnRaveled: Swaps Swaps Swaps!

2009-02-10T07:29:00.000-08:00

Once again, I'm up to my eyebrows in swaps--only two, mind you, but enough to keep me off the streets. A few more goodies, and they are ready to go out in the mail.

For fear of lurkers, here's just a taste:

Adventures in Spinning

2009-02-02T11:41:00.000-08:00

The Library where I work has a knit/crochet group that meets twice a month called HPL Yarn People. About 5-10 people attend consistently, and it's really a lovely group--wide variety of skills, experiences, etc. The conversation is always worthwhile.

Anyhow, I had bemoaned my yarn spinning woes to the group, knowing there would be a couple who would know how. Indeed there was. So today a majority of the meeting was watching one woman and I work with my drop spindle.

Yes, I have a lot of problems with my technique, all of which can be smoothed out with practice. What was gratifying was to know that a great deal of my problems was the roving I was using, namely the fibers weren't stretching out. Such a "it's not me, it's you" relationship problem--one with which I can live.

I'll give it a shot later with some different roving.

More Adventures in Crochet

2009-01-29T14:50:00.000-08:00

After the Crocheting with Mike program a couple weeks ago, I felt confident enough to try the hat from the Klutz book:

After today's session, I'm well on my way to both being able to successfully read a crochet pattern and whipping up a granny square blanket.

Phat Fiber Review: Tracy Rios (with Bonus Pattern!)

2009-01-28T06:07:00.000-08:00

Fiber: Angora, cotton, wool, mohair handspun blend

Yardage: 50 yards

Artist: Tracy Rios

Contact Information: Web site; blog; Etsy shop

What I Made:

Thoughts on working the swatch: My first thought was that the combination of the fuzzy fiber and golden thread was that it looked like a crown. Hence, the headband, which can be worn stockinette-side for a smooth look or underside out for a fuzzy snow queen crown.

Headband pattern:
CO 5
First row: sl 1, k4
Second row: sl 1, p4
Repeat first and second rows until swatch completed, BO
Whip stitch elastics on underside to hold in place (I used three pony tail holders)

I loved the way the fibers went from thick to thin, and often curled out flirtatiously. So soft!

If I had more I would make: A basic hat that would show off the yarn. A sweater if I were ambitous.

Will I buy more? I love her color blends, but it seems like it's expensive for the little one gets ($8 for only 70 yards; the headband took 50 yards), but that's the price of handspun. I'll add her to my Etsy favorites at least and keep an eye on the shop.

Phat Fiber, Yarn of the Month, and Other Adventures with Teeny Bits o' Yarn

2009-01-24T21:35:00.000-08:00

One of my resolutions this year was to face my stash and use things up.

How quickly we fail.

I blame two discoveries--Yarn of the Month and Phat Fiber.

First off, Yarn of the Month seemed like a dream--8.50/month for four yarns. What I didn't realize was that the yarns were teeny tiny samples, almost too tiny to really use. I'm going to give it another month before ditching it.

Phat Fiber, on the other hand, is practically a cult. Nearly every day the blog teases and tempts before the monthly Super Sekret Etsy release party. And you'd better be on time as the sample boxes usually sell out within the hour.

I received my box today full of all kinds of raw fibers, hand spun/dyed yarns, stitch markers, etc. I'm practically rolling in the mini-stash.

So what do I do with all these mini-skeins?

-Fingering weight: There's usually enough for a little bird toy. I was seriously jonesing for an Advent calendar last Christmas. I'm planning on doing 25 birds for that purpose. Knitting along the way should make the project managable.

-Worsted weight: Motled toys, Frankenbunnies and the like. I've started on a patchwork shell for a precious turtle.

-Heavy/mixed/other: Let the Muse speak. I'm pretty sure it's going to be mostly jewelry and little bags.

Any bits and pieces left over I'm going to turn into skeins of mystery yarn.

I will try to post reviews and pictures as I go along.

Here's a Thought:

2009-01-22T13:34:00.001-08:00

Slow Stashing

Fame!

2009-01-21T08:52:00.000-08:00

My project is the featured picture for the Felted-Merino Treasure Cozy on Ravelry.

New Skill: Crochet!

2009-01-21T07:12:00.000-08:00

One of the joys of working at the Library is that sometimes I get to participate in some of our programs. Last week I got to be a part of Crocheting with Mike.

Rewind a titch: I sort of knew how to crochet a little. Or rather I knew how to single crochet. I found out I also knew how to half-double crochet, only I thought it was a double crochet and I was doing it completely incorrectly.

Okay, I didn't know at all.

Anyhow, it was a fantastic opportunity to get some of the basic stitches down. I used a Klutz book I had bought earlier and was able to follow along with one of the patterns.

Voila! Une clutch!

I finished the crown on a spring-weight hat last night as a way to practice shaping. The ultimate goal is to learn how to read a pattern well enough to do amigarumi.

Craft Lust: Lace Pattern

2009-01-17T10:54:00.000-08:00

The lace pattern is called Fox Island (see the fox heads?). The actual pattern is for a vest, but I think I can tweak it to be a shawl. Good use of the red lace yarn I received.

Project: POW Hooded Scarf

2009-01-17T07:59:00.000-08:00

I received my sneak preview to Handknit Heroes, an attempt to meld knitting and comic book reading.

The story is ... well ... pedestrian as far as comics go. Adequate artwork. Predictable storyline. Not my cup of tea, really. I think I would have rather had a kind of fanzine of books to read, upcoming movies, industry news, etc. But I laud the effort and encourage the concept.

The pattern, on the other hand, I LOVE. Easy. Fun. Evocative. And perfect recipient of my swap yarn.

Unraveled: My Ravelry Life

2009-01-16T11:00:00.000-08:00

Received a package from my Fairy Tale and Folklore group on Ravelry. The theme was Red Riding Hood:

The fiber is amazing. Not to mention loose chai tea and 5 Star candy bars.

But seriously:

A drop spindle. I have a drop spindle. I can now spin yarn.

Best. Swap. Ever.

If I have a separate blog for this sort of thing, I probably should have a Craftifesto

2009-01-16T09:07:00.000-08:00

I craft because I can't sit still.
I craft because if my hands are busy, I'm not sitting there "doing nothing," despite the fact that nothing is actually getting done.
I craft because I like to create, even if the original design isn't my own.
I craft because I have delusions of grandeur that the work of my hands matter.

I craft because I simply can't help it.