for apples

I've moved shop.

nobody@vox.com(emily) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 13:22:19 -0600

I moved my site at the beginning of the year, but hesitated to post about it here because I wasn't sure if it would last long. Well, I'm into month 3 and I love the way my site is set up now. If you know where to look for my new site, then please check it out, follow the RSS or whatever, and leave some comments! If not, leave a comment here and I'll message the link to you. I hesitate to post the URL here because this Vox gets spammed like crazy and I'd like my nice, shiny webpage to remain spam free.

Ciao!

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a stern warning of things to come (in 2009)

nobody@vox.com(emily) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:34:20 -0600

Well, I've been putting a lot of thought into the knitting that I've been doing over the last year. I've gotten a lot better at it, and I think the stuff I make turns out quite well. I've gotten better at photographing my projects and keeping track of my yarn. To keep the good times rolling, I've decided to make a list of goals for 2009. Resolutions are for suckers. These are things I will do.

1- Major stash-organizing. I have little room to work with at my house, seeing as my bedroom is only 9'x10' (thanks, roomies!). The result is that my yarn gets shoved in big rubbermaid containers in a hall closet. I forget what I have in there and it's a major pain to get to. So when I get some $$$ I'm going to invest in some storage for my yarn. While organizing I'll need to do some ...
2- Major stash-busting. One of my big rubbermaid containers holds a ton of acryllic yarn from Warm the World, a non-profit that makes blankets. I can't explain why, but I just can't get myself to do the work. Maybe I am that big of a jerk/selfish knitter. Either way, the yarn should go somewhere that will use it. So I'll probably box it up, plus some extra acryllic stuff that I will never use, and send it back to Warm the World. That will clear up a lot of space.
3- Learn intarsia. I really want to get into colorworking, and I feel like my total avoidance of projects involving colorwork is keeping me back. I'm pretty sure my LYS will have some sort of class at some point. I may ask the owner about it.
4- Do more weaving. I took a weaving class back in August and it was awesome. The owner of Hill Country Weavers reminds me every time I go into the shop that I should keep it up, and I agree. HCW has three properties, one of which is a house filled with large looms and warping umbrellas that are open and free to use. So I think I'm going to make a rug for the hallway outside of my bedroom. I'll use up some acryllic yarn and scraps that I have from old projects.
5- Start selling projects on Etsy/etc. I've made plenty of things because I like the patterns. But what should I do with them? I think I'll try selling stuff. I would naturally give full credit to the designers and would only look for reimbursment of material costs. I think that's reasonable and fair. I don't want to get in trouble with copyright but I'm not really trying to make a profit. If I want to make a profit from this then I'll need to stick with #6.
6- Design more original projects. I've made one original pattern and it has over 100 projects on Ravelry. I think that's pretty good! I've been asked by two different people to think up stuff from various knitting magazines/online zines so I'd really like to do that. Hopefully I can budget myself time to design and test stuff out this semester.
7- Learn to spin. I know there will be spinning classes at HCW, so whenever one pops up I'm going to take it. That will involve, at some point in the future, probably buying a wheel. We'll see about that. I can't really afford that and if all goes according to plan and I get a teaching job in the UK after I finish my PhD I won't want to bother with trying to sell it/move it/whatever. But I definitely want to learn how.
8- Knit at least one project from every knitting/crochet book I own. I have quite a few, and this will be a good test to see what I should keep and what I should sell.

I think that's a good list of stuff to do, and it seems pretty reasonable. I'll keep track of the projects I finish for the year, like I did last year (62!), but now that I know I can have a large output of quality/cool items I don't feel like I have to challenge myself in that way. This year I want to streamline and learn new things. I admit, though, that forcing myself to make so many projects this year has really improved the quality of what I make.

Here's the list of what I did in 2008:
- Pineapple Hat
- Amigurumi Bear
- Amigurumi Squid x2
- Quant
- Womb
- 2x2 Ribbed Hat
- Amigurumi Raindrop x2
- Amigurumi Whale
- Birds of a Feather (amigurumi bird) x2
- Cthulhu Baby Bib
- Aramis (sweater)
- Tudora (cowl)
- Katamari Earmuffs
- Biscuit Pillow
- Adipose (Doctor Who, stuffed animal) x2
- Smocking Stitch Mug Cozy (by MK Carroll)
- Garter Stitch Mug Cozy
- "Cashmere" Cowl by Purl Bee
- Triple Cable Muffler
- Train Tam
- Lopi Lace Scarf
- Brain Slug x2
- Aspen Cowl
- One Skein Wonder (shrug) x2
- Parallelograms Scarf
- Twirly Top Toque
- Calorimetry x3
- Stella's Hat
- Rose Red x2
- Sunray
- Reverse-Bloom Flower Dishcloth
- Rose's Wristwarmers (Doctor Who)
- A Nobel Cowl (my original pattern!)
- "Cashmere" Neckwarmer by Kim K.
- Woven Scarf x2
- Amigurumi Ninja
- Beech Wood Cowl
- Clapotis x2
- French Press Cozy
- Wedding Shrug (improvised pattern)
- Amigurumi Lion
- Spring Beret
- Gooseberry Hat
- Baby Hat (from One Skein)
- Rib & Cable Quarter Gaiter x2
- Urchin
- Abalone
- Propeller
- Fence
- Give a Hoot Mittens

So that's 50 unique projects and 62 total projects. Pretty good year, I think.
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watch, rinse, repeat

nobody@vox.com(emily) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 14:26:43 -0600

I started off the new year with my favorite pattern, Rose Red by Ysolda.

rose red

A few thoughts:
1- This red is not NTSC safe. Really. It was impossible to get a good picture.
2- I am really flippin’ pale.
3- This yarn is great for showing off stitches and stitch definition, but doesn’t shape very well.
4- Knowing me, I’ll be making this again in a few months. I love this pattern.
5- I really need a haircut. My bangs are out of control.

Well, I'm off to read up on Matt Smith. Happy New ~~Doctor~~ Year!

Eleven-2

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tomorrow is yesterday

nobody@vox.com(emily) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 21:25:38 -0600

I was going to do some retrospective additions of posts about things I've been working on, but thought that'd be pretty lame. So I'll just post some pictures.

mittens blocking

Part of a set I'm making for a friend for Xmas. We have yet to exchange gifts so no details or real pictures ... yet.

sideways cloche

I got a Borders GC for Xmas so I bought Boutique Knits by Laura Irwin. I legitimately want to make every pattern out of that book. I can't say that for many knitting books out there. This is the sideways cloche and I love it. There are a few things I'd do to change the pattern next time (and I'm pretty sure there will be a next time. 1) cast on less stitches, probably 38 or so. 2) use a provisional cast on and use a kitchener stitch to seam the sides together. 3) seam the sides first, then pick up the stitches for the top with dpns and work in the round.

Yarn I picked up from Knitche the day after Xmas. The Katia Peru is what I used for my cloche, and that Louet Gems will make me another Rose Red by Ysolda Teague. I'm casting on that badboy tonight.

Happy holidays!
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p.s. I've completed 63 projects this year. I think I did a good job of exceeding my goal.

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see my vest

nobody@vox.com(emily) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:56:58 -0600

School > Me. The semester is over but I'm working on some fact-checking for a text book that two of my professors are putting out in the spring. Busy. But Fence is finally finished blocking!

Fence

I also made a Propeller hat for my cousin's baby boy.

Propeller

Hooray, knitting!
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now hiring gorns and tribbles

nobody@vox.com(emily) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:37:06 -0600

Yeah, I'm overdue for my #1 Trek episode post. If anyone out there in the internet is really waiting for it is only something the internet knows. For my own satisfaction it will come either later tonight or tomorrow. Trekkers probably already know what it is.

This post is actually about something I've knit, which is actually the prime directive of this blog. So here we go.

abalone

Abalone by Woolly Wormhead. This is out of the book Going Straight, which I promise is not a political or social statement. It's just a knitting pattern e-book. All of the hats are knit straight using short-rows, rather than on circular needles from the bottom up. I want to knit all hats like this now. I used Plymouth Yarns Boku, which is a fantastic variegated yarn and really looks great with this pattern which called for Noro Silk Garden.

I also finished Urchin by Ysolda Teague.

urchin

It only took two days to knit, which is awesome because I love instant gratification. Another hat knit straight with short rows.

Right now I'm working on Propeller from Woolly Wormhead's book Wee Woolly Toppers. So cute.

Back to Sunday Night Football (go Ravens!).
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p.s. I'm hat 59 completed projects in 2008. I've noticed that I have gotten exponentially better at knitting this year, and I think it's because I have done so much of it. The work is paying off.

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Ten Days of Trek: Day 9

nobody@vox.com(emily) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:09:56 -0600

Not gonna lie; I had to decide on my #1 episode before I could commit to which one would be #2. It really is hard. I legitimately love so many episodes of this show. So here it is, the second best Star Trek episode.

2. Journey to Babel
S2E15, Originally aired November 17th, 1967
Written by D.C. Fontana; Directed by Joseph Pevney

Captain's log, stardate 3842.3. We have departed Vulcan for the neutral planetoid code-named Babel. Since it is in our sector, the Enterprise has been assigned to transport ambassadors of Federation planets to this vitally important council. The issues of the council are politically complex, the passengers... explosive.

Star Trek, "Journal to Babel"

This is an entirely ship-based story, where the Enterprise is transporting a group of agitated diplomats to a conference regarding the inclusion of a planet into the Federation. Here we get our first glimpse of Spock's family and a taste of the conflict between his human and Vulcan halves. This episode is also a predessor to the narratives of TNG, with all of the Federation politics, dignitaries, etc. that Picard often dealt with. This is their first go-around, though, and we get a taste of intergalactic peace-keeping Kirk-style.

Spock's Mother, Amanda

I admit a certain fascination with Spock's parents, particularly his father, Sarek. How does a Vulcan decide that a human is the most logical mate? Perhaps that line towards the end was one of those "married couple jokes," but I really do wonder how a Vulcan would come to that conclusion. Or how Vulcans decide on mates in general. But there really are more important things I should spend my time pondering.

Shras Endilev

I also really enjoy how Kirk has to trick Spock into giving up command. Spock's loyalty to his duty as 1st Officer were so strong that he was going to let his dad die. Not cool, Spock, not cool. He's an ambassador! Although they were in a tricky situation. Such a toss up. Good thing Kirk is so strong willed and able to pretend he's not in excrutiating pain while suffering from a punctured lung. Way to go, captain! Also, did I mention that Spock essentially blaimed his father for killing Gav? Sometimes the logical, Vulcan way isn't the right way. Oh well!

Stay tuned tomorrow for the best Star Trek episode of all time!
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Ten Days of Trek: Day 8

nobody@vox.com(emily) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:01:16 -0600

If you remember from my previous entry, I have decided to dedicate my final three days of Ten Days of Trek to my three favorite, and arguably the three best, Star Trek episodes. I am talking strictly TOS, not any of the spinoffs. This has proven quite difficult, as I love so many episodes from TOS. So after hours of toil and internal debate, here is the third best episode of Star Trek.

3. Mirror, Mirror
S2E10, originally aired October 6th, 1967
Written by Jerome Bixby; Directed by Marc Daniels

"Captain’s log, stardate… unknown. We are trapped in a savage parallel universe from which we must escape within four hours, or I will face a death sentence at Mr. Spock's hands."

Uhura, Kirk, McCoy, and Scotty in the Mirror Universe

Evil Spock & Kirk in "Mirror, Mirror"

Perfect story, and well executed. A landing party consisting of Kirk, McCoy, Scotty, and Uhura is zapped into a parallel "Mirror" univerise when being transported back to the ship during an ion storm. The USS Enterprise is now the ISS Enterprise, the entire ship is filled with henchmen and mercenaries, and Spock is evil because of his stylish beard. Spock's logic prevails across both universes, however, as he's the one that figures out that the returned landing party are fishes out of water.

The SF community can thank this episode for the establishment of bearded doubles being evil, and that baddies in general have beards. Two obvious examples are The Master from Doctor Who and Flexo, Bender's identical brobot, in Futurama S2E11, "The Lesser of Two Evils." Check out the commentary on that Futurama episode to hear the writers and producers support this claim.

Sulu & Uhura in the Mirror Universe

It's really fun to see the actors play bastardized versions of themselves, especially Sulu and Chekov. As you may know, besides his role as Chekov in Star Trek, Walter Koenig is most well known for playing baddies. This may have been the logical starting point.

"Jim, I think I liked him with a beard better. Gave him character. Of course, almost any change would be a distinct improvement."
"What worries me is the easy way his counterpart fitted into that other universe. I always thought Spock was a bit of a pirate at heart."
"Indeed, gentlemen? May I point out that I had an opportunity to observe your counterparts here quite closely. They were brutal, savage, unprincipled, uncivilized, treacherous -- in every way, splendid examples of homosapiens. The very flower of humanity. I found them quite refreshing."
"I'm not sure, but I think we've been insulted."
"I'm sure."
- McCoy, Kirk and Spock

Stay tuned for #2.
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Ten Days of Trek: Day 7

nobody@vox.com(emily) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:31:48 -0600

Today is the last day that a feature film will be part of my Ten Days of Trek. I'll get to why in a moment.

Star Trek Generations

I'll forgo bullet points so that I can just rant for a minute. The movie started out like the rest of the Star Trek films up until this point, which was awesome, because I like the Star Trek films. But then it turned into a prolonged episode of TNG, which was really boring. And then Kirk ended his Trek tenure in the worst way EVER. I know everyone and their grandmother has complained about it, but that's not stopping me. I mean, really. The only thing I'll give them is that they stuck with what he said in Undiscovered Country. That he'd die alone. And he did, considering that McCoy and Spock weren't there. Also, neither of them were in the film at all, and were only briefly mentioned.

A brief point about my reaction to this film. Did I cry for Kirk? No. Did I cry for the Enterprise? No. Did I cry when Data found Spot? Yes. Like a little baby. So there you have it.

I also decided that I was going to stop re-watching the Trek films at this point. It really was the final send-off for the original cast, even if it was a disappointing send-off. So for the next three days I will highlight my favorite episodes. Tomorrow will be #3, the next day #2, and I'll end with #1, my favorite and arguably the best episode of the original Star Trek series. Because I know how much you all want to know.

As a heads-up, there is a strong possibility that my judgment will be swayed by episodes parodied by Futurama. Just saying.

I did knit tonight. I started Urchin by Ysolda Teague. It's a very clever hat and will knit up quickly if I put my mind to it. Which I haven't been, really, because I've procrastinated schoolwork to the point where I'm feeling guilty about it. At least classes are almost over for the semester. I need a break.

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Ten Days of Trek: Day 6

nobody@vox.com(emily) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:02:39 -0600

The last film to feature the entire original cast. Sad.

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

Thoughts:
- Spock was so interestingly out of character in this movie. Interestingly because Nimoy helped write the story and produce to the film.
- Kim Cattrall? Hilarious!
- For such a mighty race, I find it quite entertaining that Klingons have bright pink blood.
- I got really confused by Colonel Worf. They only call him Worf, so naturally I thought of the Worf we all know and love from TNG and Voyager. This Worf is even played by Michael Dorn, although the ridges in his forehead are different. Apparently he is supposed to be Worf's grandfather. I kept thinking during the film, "this was released in 2001, after TNG had been on tv for four years. Wouldn't this be confusing?" I guess it's okay to have this film overlap TNG, even though it's supposed to have happened well before Picard took over the Enterprise-D. I'd look into that further if ... I cared that much. Which I kind of don't. Maybe that makes me a bad Trekkie?
- I'm glad they dropped the whole Uhura/Scotty thing. I was not a fan.

No knitting this time around, as I watched it in bed on my laptop. It was nice.
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