Favorite Things Friday: Dyeing Yarn!

Please bear with me. I'm completely out of it. I'm on a cocktail of Butalbital and Prednisone to cure a migraine and I feel completely stoned out of my mind. I've slept all. day, and I'm not even exaggerating. But, as a dedicated blogger, and because I'm so excited about my wool dyeing kit I felt it was necessary to yammer about my dye kit. So if this post seems rant-y, or doesn't make sense you know why. I apologize.

I just bought a knitting magazine, and you know those few pages of advertisements they have before the patterns? There was a "how to dye yarn with Kool-Aid" kit from Wool2Dye4.com. It was only $20, and since I've always wanted to dye yarn and it will fulfill a requirement for my 101 in 1,001 I decided "what the heck" and bought it. It arrived today!! In the one hour I was awake I was able to open it and was all excited. 

(Domo not included.)

I decided to get the Try-It/Dye-It Neckwarmer Kit so along with all the items necessary for dyeing (heh) it also came with a neckwarmer pattern. It came with spoons, gloves, two sample packets of Eucalan wool wash, directions, yarn...basically everything. What a great idea! I got four packs of Kool-Aid: Mango (which I'm guessing will be yellow?), Berry Blue, Cherry, and Lemon-Lime. I can also refer to THIS for what colors, but I'm not too sure about how it will come out because I'm not dyeing playsilks, and I don't really care which color it turns out to be as it's my first time!

As soon as I recover, hopefully next week, I'm going to dye yarn, and of course photograph every step. I found a tutorial on Kool Aid Popsicle Dyeing and I think I'm going to do that method rather than using the oven or microwave. (I heard if you use grape flavored Kool Aid in the microwave then your kitchen will smell like grapes for a few days!) I really like the idea of it being solar powered, adore the colors she came out with, and will be able to use the Washington DC heat and humidity to my advantage. (An hour? Pff, mine will melt and set in about 15 minutes.) 

I'm really excited and wish I could try now, only it's night and hasn't been sunny outside, and I can barely walk from the bed to the bathroom. Curses migraine medicines!! 

Stay tuned for Kool-Aid dyed yarn goodness!

Favorite Things Friday: New Domo Edition

New Domo!!, a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.
 

Rich Domo in da hizzouse, a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

Yarn lava, a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr. 

Celebrating Domo-Kun! 

Favorite Things Friday: Ch-ch-changes, and Ravelry Inspiration

I GOT A MACBOOK!

And of course, I'm typing this up on it now. I'm still getting used to things, like how you can't right click, but so far I love it. It's so much easier than a PC! I used to be against Macs, and thought they were so difficult to use, but I used John's all the time, and realized actually how simple they are. 

And in other news, I imported my other two blogspot blogs into this one. All my posts dealing with migraines are here now, under the label "migraines" as well as the posts from my 101 in 1,001 list, labeled "101 in 1001." There's also a new page at the top that has the whole list. It was ridiculous having so many blogs, especially two that didn't have any followers, so now it's a lot easier to have three, two dedicated to something in particular (art and art history, and crafts) and just a tumblr that I can post what I wish. 

Second, I love Ravelry. I really, really do. People are so helpful and kind; I've never had problems with anyone. (Unlike Craftster, when this woman and I got into it over rights to a swap. Since then, I rarely visit Craftster.) Anyway, I know I didn't blog about this, because I haven't gotten the pictures up to Flickr yet, but I will, when I was in NYC for my birthday, I went and visited a yarn store and splurged on two balls of Noro Kureyon in the hopes that I could make a Noro Striped Scarf. I was thrilled, but it turned out two balls wouldn't be enough. Those balls were like $40, so I wasn't too thrilled with buying two more balls. I don't believe in $80 scarves unless it's handmade by a blind woman with no hands who spun the yarn from rare multicolored llamas that only live near one waterfall in the Andes. But then I saw this:

It's jesmy's Ryan's Noro Scarf.

Brilliant! I can do this! I can make a Noro scarf now, using Noro and another type of wool, and still get something exquisitie, but it won't break the bank! She used Cascade 220, but I happen to have a skein of black Paton's Wool that will be amazing for this. I'm really excited!

In other news, I'm over my sinus infection of last week but now have otitis media, a crazy ear infection. I can barely hear out of my left ear; everything is muffled. It sounds like the adults from Charlie Brown, "wah wah wah." It's in a lot of pain too, so that along with the sniffles means I've been sleeping a lot and am barely able to lift a finger to knit more than a few rows. Hopefully I can start my swatch tonight, but I can't make promises. 

P.S. Tomorrow, when the sun returns and my camera is charged, fun fibery pressies from Jeanette. :]

P.P.S. OH, and more information about the doily.

Favorite Things Friday

First, is the yarn that will be used for a granny stripe afghan by A Snippy Gal: 

Yummy. They're all Vanna's Choice and Vanna's Choice Baby. Isn't it a great palette? I love this yarn, soft and slightly chunky, yet with the ease of acrylic. It almost makes me want to go out and buy 12 skeins for a ripple blanket. Hmmm.

Second, I'm really happy Mozilla Firefox seems to be working again. Using Safari is ok, but it's made to work with Macs, and gets slow on my computer. Since I reinstalled it a few minutes ago, it has crashed once, but has been good for the past 10 minutes or so. 

Third, and still relating to crafts, is an evil panda by Zlaika.

Personally, I think it's adorable. So huge and fluffy! I'd love to toss him around.

And check out some of these links, too:

1. I'm loving this 2 inch hexagon fall runner by simplykidsocala on Flickr. Hexagons and a beautiful autumn palette? I'm so in.
2. The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project! It is a project by the Institute For Figuring in Los Angeles. The Crochet Reef resides at the intersection of mathematics, marine biology, handicraft and community art practice, and also responds to the environmental crisis of global warming and the escalating problem of oceanic plastic trash. It's currently at the Natural History Museum until April 24th, so I think I'll be able to squeeze some time in there to see it, hopefully sooner rather than later. And then make some hyperbolic crochet coral reefs to put around my fish tank.
3. Check out this knit skeleton! It's "Transcending the Material" by Ben Cuevas. Check out the amazing detail on the teeth and hands!

FTF: Yarn in NYC!

I'm back from New York City, and had a blast. I'm definitely moving there, the question now is only when! (March? The summer?) But in crafty news, I wanted to share some cool things. First John and I went to see the Mochimochi Land exhibit! It was amazing! I can't believe she knit everything by hand. Even John thought it was totally awesome, too. There were so many things, I could have probably walked around it hundreds of times and seen different things. John especially loved the god with the Elvis 'do, and I was especially excited to see some hippos in a mud puddle! I might have to go by them. The small train that goes around was adorable too, and I loved the stories that went with everything. If I get a chance to go back before it closes I definitely will. 

We also spent almost all of Wednesday in SoHo, and ended up walking right past Purl Soho! I was like "OMG JOHN, STOP WE HAVE TO GO IN HERE!!!!!!!!!" I didn't buy anything, and I didn't get a chance to look at the fabric, but I got to touch the yarn and squee at almost everything. The beautiful colors! The stunning textures!   I got to touch tiny skeins of KPPPM! Kidsilk Haze! Cascade! Jared Flood/BrooklynTweed's new yarn Shelter! I got to explain the differences between cashmere and merino to John.. I also got to see samples of the handwarmers I want to make. I couldn't spend a lot of time there because John was getting bored. Then we found out right next door there was a really cool guitar store, so next time we can hang out in our respective stores for HOURS.

BUT, we were flipping through this book

...and John wants like everything, so I might be picking up a copy of it. ;]

Favorite Things Friday: Garnet Hill's Inspiration

We get the Garnet Hill catalog in the mail every few months, and each time I drool over all the exquisite crocheted items, beautiful cashmere sweaters, fluffy duvets, and then I look at the price and realize there's no way I can afford any of these things. But that doesn't stop me from taking my scissors and cutting out some of those crocheted items and store them for later, when I can make them in affordable yarns, and it'll have that ounce of homemade-ness. (And it won't be $350.)

Firstly, of course, they have hexagons!

They have hexagon scarves,

 hexagon afghans, and latch hook hexagon pillows.

I love the colors of both of these, and would love to have more of a themed hexie afghan or scarf, rather than one made up of scraps. Those look nice, sure, check out THIS one on Craftster, but themed things are nice, too. Ooo, I think KnitPicks has like 12 colors of Palette in blueish colors. Mmmmm. 

I love this throw, too. I used to have this pattern stitch bookmarked, and I probably have it somewhere, but this is to remind me to get it out again.

I really love their color combinations, that aren't too feminine or masculine, and have an autumn touch. The colors may look vastly different in balls in a bag, but together they're exquisite.

These crocheted and latch-hooked items are probably so expensive because they're hand done. I know there's knitting machines that can knit pieces of sweaters up in no time, but because crochet is so different, I doubt the existence of a crochet machine ever. I don't have the magazine in front of me, but I'm pretty sure the "hand made" label is there, along with where it was made.

This cashmere sweater I really just liked the color combination. Maybe it'll be seen in a future project (maybe a hand knit cashmere sweater.)

This rug was just gorgeous. I love the colors, and design, and... ok, I just love everything about it.

Thanks Garnet Hill for having such inspirational items in your catalogue! 

Favorite Things Friday.

Instead of blogging about all the new FOs I have and their accompanying pictures (which, if you're really excited about, you can view on  Ravelry) I've decided to bring back an old feature, Favorite Things Friday!  Today's features the yarn I bought at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio:

Yummy goodness!

At the top we have Homespun in Painted Desert. It's going to be a scarf for my mom. I didn't want to do boring, plain old garter stitch, so I found THIS pattern on Ravelry. I think it'll be interesting, not just to knit, but to wear as well.

Then we have Wool Ease Thick & Quick in Raspberry. It's going to go with some other T&Q I have in Taupe that was supposed to be for a boyfriend but we broke up. Anyway, it's going to be a Bold and Bulky Mini Cardi by Stefanie Japel. I figured "hey, I'm here, mind as well buy it!"

Then I bought two skeins of Amazing in Mesa. It's going to go towards the Shoreline Lace Shawl. I did a swatch in some plain cotton on size 10s and it wasn't bad at all:

Sugar 'n Creme

US 10s

CO 17, two pattern repeats.

I'm excited to cast on and get working! The story behind it: one of the employees had a gorgeous knit shawl/scarf and I asked her about it.  Long story short, I went back downstairs to the shop itself and snatched up two skeins and went home to find a simple lace shawl/scarf to make. I think this will work perfectly!

Upcoming:

1. Secret FOs, once they're received.

2. Baby gator!

3. Afghans and future projects, which is still from the 3 part post session a while back. Oops.

Favorite Things Friday!

Remember that? That was fun. It's back, at least for this week.

1. Anthony Bourdain vs. J. Alfred Prufrock vs. pigs
Let us go then, you and I,
When the evening is spread out against the sky
Like a piggie splayed out upon a table;
Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets,
A multitude of meats
...
I shall wear white linen trousers, and walk upon the beach
I've heard the piggies singing, each to each.
I do believe they will sing to me

Awesome!

2. Piranhas
I was watching a show on piranhas in America yesterday. Is it weird I think they're kinda cute?

Look at 'em! They're like little bulldogs of the Amazon! I probably won't think they're so cute if they bite me, but behind the glass at the Amazonia exhibit at the Zoo, they're pretty cute.

3. She & Him
Zooey Deschanel AND M. Ward?! I think I'm in love.




4. POMx Pomegranate Blackberry Tea
OMG mouth-gasm!

Deeelish. And healthy, too.

Favorite Things Friday.

Now I have all this free time for crafting and blogging, expect to be inundated with stuff.

I wish I could say I knit these, but alas. They are freaking awesome, though. Gorgeous color and not too thick or too thin. Picked these up last Friday (my birthday! 22!) when my mom and I went shopping. Shopping is dangerous on your birthday. You feel like you deserve everything. Or maybe that's just me...

Since I didn't have to study or anything, I got a ton done. I'm exhausted.

First I wrapped gifts so on Christmas Eve night I can chill with some wine and watch It's a Wonderful Life instead of being up until 3 AM furiously wrapping gifts.

My mom is getting a little stitch kit. She's getting a handy little bag, a hank of KnitPick's Imagination (in the Seven Dwarves colorway) and some needles to make a cowl. She needed stitch markers, and I found these cute leaf earrings my grandma had in her stash of gaudy kitschy jewelry. Gaudy old-people kitschy jewelry make the best stitch markers. I look forward to when she opens it. 50% merino wool, 25% superfine alpaca  and 25% nylon is a at least one step up from LB's Homespun.

Speaking of Homespun, I finally got around to taking pictures of a hat I finished for my uncle.

Yet another Garter Stitch Hat with Square Raglan Crown, by Zachary Loomis
Yarn: LB Homespun in uh, black.
Needles: US 8.
Ug, what a splitty yarn. But I love the plush warm fabric it produces, so we deal. It matches a scarf I made him two Christmases ago.

In honor of the snow we're getting I also made some cookies, chewy chocolate cookies with Reese's chips. SO GOOD. I got the recipe from the back of the Reese's chips bag. Seriously, they're amazing. I'm nomming them right now.

I also finally got around to washing my new cookie cutters:

*Squee!* When things are mini they get me every time.

I also got around to putting up my Nativity scene from Mexico. [Even if Jesus wasn't born on Christmas...]

Baby Jesus doesn't go out until Christmas Eve. Yeah, all you churches and people-with-giant-inflatable-Santa-Clauses-in-their-yard, YOU'RE EARLY. HE WASN'T BORN YET. GET IT RIGHT. *Ahem* End rant.

Wait, what's that weird animal on the right?

Yeah, him. WTF is that?
I think it's supposed to be a ewe, but it totally looks like a seal. Hey, maybe in Mexico they have seals present at the birth of Jesus.

But if they're Baikal seals, I'm all for it.

So round, so cute!

And a crochet ami helicopter from the Craftster blog.

*giggles* How cute!

Favorite Things Friday: The Thanksgiving Version

This Thanksgiving I’m not quite sure how exactly, but I cooked everything. Everything. And it was awesome, and amazing and delicious! So glad everything came out ok!

Our menu:
Appetizers/lunch: Crab Meltaways
Dinner: Cornish Hens, stuffing/dressing, macaroni and cheese, spinach balls, cranberry sauce, candied “yams”
Ok, well not everything. Momma mochaxlight did the “yams” and the cranberry sauce came in a can.

Unfortunately I had a migraine and slept all day, which meant Momma mochaxlight and I didn’t get a chance to make our apple pie, and I was sickish at night so I only ate some macaroni and cheese. Still yummy though.

Onto pictures!

WEDNESDAY

Wednesday I did the macaroni and cheese, spinach balls and mix for the crab meltaways.

I love macaroni and cheese at the stage. It tastes soo good! Best comfort food ever.

I put some for me in my little casserole dish I got last Christmas.

Susie was my sous chef. She’s the best sous chef ever, though she prefers to be the official taste tester.

Spinach balls in their foetal stage. Even though I’m not a fan of spinach, after you mix it with stuff and eggs (basically like meatballs, only it’s spinach instead of meat) and bake them they’re amazing.

THURSDAY

Crab meltaways! Thomas’ has been making smaller English muffins so we had some excess mix.

 

Since there’re only three of us we don’t need a huge ass turkey. So Cornish hens it is! (You know, from Cornwall, right?) And besides, they’re so cute! Here in their naked glory.

The the Spice Mafia came...

and yummied them up.

Finished food ready for noms!

 

Hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving!

Favorite Things Friday

Today's post brought to you by the letter "W" for Wal*Mart, as in I went in to pick up some face cream and air stones for my fish tank and $65 dollars later I came back with this chick:

Yes, that's Gloria the Hippo (voiced by Halle Berry) from the Madagascar films. Apparently there was a Christmas one, but whatever station it was on didn't properly advertise so every one found out after the fact.

Anyway, I was looking for hats and there was a display with a nice LCD TV and movies and BAM, hippo with a wreath! Can I say no? Oh no. So I walked around Wal*Mart with my little hippo, very proudly.

In honor of the new Twilight film, and I have a few words to say.

TEAM CEDRIC DIGGORY FOREVER.

Apparently the movie was pretty good. My mom came home gushing like a tween. Apparently it was a lot better than the first.

I'm sure everyone's familiar with Beth Doherty and her amazing work and her book, which I do own and am just getting around to crocheting something out of it...

But I follow her blog, and she's been working up a storm for Luv-able Hug-able. Out of all the amis she's sending this one has to be the cutest:

She's not quite sure what it is, and neither am I. A little male version of Deery Lou? Maybe.

Beth's comments:

And on the very bottom is Hilbert.  I’m not quite sure what he is.  The horns are made of felt that I embroidered, stuffed and gathered the tips of to give them that curve.  I just love the fabric I used for him.  It is called Park Slope, designed by Erin McMorris. I cut out dots from this one, mounted them on felt and sew them to his back for the spots.  I wrapped him up good, but I am a bit worried about how the horns will survive being shipped.  I really hope they don’t get bent out of shape.

The lovely Jeanette (aka mykila) sent me a wonderful poetry themed package, too! ♥ THANK YOU SO MUCH! I'm so excited. Two zines, a poetry pack, some of her own poetry, and four, yes four mix CDs. I'm so excited! Putting them on my iPod now, and also getting her goodies out. (I'm listening to your playlist now. It's freakin sweet.)

And in miniature sweater news, the Minutia 2009 is out from Berroco!

2008:

2007: