wildlife habitat
I took the above photo yesterday with my camera phone, so forgive the graininess. It’s been so satisfying to watch the birds make their home behind the very sign that welcomes them into my backyard.
I’m blessed to live in the Pacific Northwest, on an island that resembles a rainforest. My backyard in particular provides me with the chance to watch wildlife relatively undisturbed, and indulges my feelings of oneness with the natural environment. As much as I adore the city (and when I say “the city” I mean Seattle) my little house on this little island is sanctuary.
Last year we certified our little half acre as a wildlife habitat, through the National Wildlife Federation. I encourage everyone who lives in a natural environment to do this. Not only is it good for the animals, of course, but if you follow the guidelines and assist wildlife in making its home in your backyard, both you and the Earth will gain spiritual benefit.
And the sign, and the tree, and the nest… a lovely gift for my spirit. Is Spring here at last?
Filed under Spirit & Religion | Comment (0)1st socks, 1st cables
I’d been working these Treads (for a review I’m writing of the latest Stitch ‘n Bitch book) on Crystal Palace bamboo DPNs for a little while, but it was wearing me out. My first socks, my first cables… in black? What the hell was I thinking?! (Actually, it’s a dark dark navy, but impossible to tell.)
Besides me losing my eyesight from squinting, no color changes to keep things interesting. If it weren’t for the cables I’d fall asleep knitting. Ho hum. I much prefer variegated yarns. So I taught myself Magic Loop (another skill learned via Kelley Petkun’s podcast…) and it’s so much more fun.
The needles are KnitPicks Options, size 0. I love them. Love. As much as I enjoy using my DPNs, these are like butter. They are so quick and smooth. Much like my interchangeable Options, which have become the enablers of my knitting obsession. And thanks to Ravelry, I figured out how to tighten them so they don’t slip. (That little paperclip thing did have a purpose!)
Filed under Fiber Obsessions | Comment (0)Peace Fleece Condom Cozy w/ Belt Loop
Naomi Dagen Bloom created the Knit a Condom Amulet project to raise awareness about Safe Sex. After I joined the Ravelry group, Naomi sent me an e-mail asking if I’d use some of my stashed Peace Fleece to create an amulet.
Peace Fleece is a yarn created by blending the wools of historically opposed Eastern European countries, encouraging them to cooperate through trade. What a brilliant idea!
Once I set to work, I realized that the bulky Peace Fleece was asking to be made into something other than a neck amulet. A belt amulet? Of course! The amulet (and the condom inside) gives its powers of protection below the belt!
(This is my own design for your free use. Good karma points for linking.)
Cast-on 28 on 1 circ size #8, connect using Magic Loop method
Rows 1-11 St st
Row 12 St st first needle; Second needle k3 kfb8 k3
Row 13 St st first needle; Second needle k3, k each front stitch of kfb, place each back stitch on stitch holder on RS, k3
Row 14-25 St st
Row 25 BO first needle; Second needle St st
(Begin working straight on two needles for front flap)
Row 26 p14
Row 27 ssk, k10, k2tog
Row 28 p12
Row 29 ssk, k8, k2tog
Row 30 p10
Row 31 ssk, k6, k2tog
Row 32 p8
Row 33 ssk, k1, BO2 (for buttonhole), k1, k2tog
Row 34 p4
Row 35 ssk, k2tog, BO
Stitches on stitch holder:
Row 1 *(k1, yo) rep* 7x, k1
Row 2: *(k1, Drop yo) rep* 7x, k1
Rows 3, 5, 7 as est in Row 1
Rows 4, 6, 8 as est in Row 2
Attach live sts to middle 8 sts of top flap P row using kitchener.
Turn inside out and seam bottom closed.
Sew button to correspond to buttonhole on front flap.
Weave ends.
intarsia frustrations
My latest knitting project is killing me… a multi-colored pillow from Greetings from Knit Cafe. I’m fumbling through the intarsia like I have a thousand jumbo thumbs. My technique of diving into complex projects without a lot of preparation is driving me slightly bonkers this time. Is it possible to tie off so many yarn strands without the whole thing just falling apart? I have a fear I’ll give this to the intended recipients and in a week it’ll be in pieces on their couch.
I wish Kelly Petkun would do a podcast on intarsia. Niblo loves taking naps while listening to the slow, calculated way she reads. Which gives me a break to drink copious amounts of coffee and tie a few tiny square knots. (Not a long break, but in my world, time is relative.)
Filed under Fiber Obsessions | Comment (0)amazon still sucks
Amazon bullies print-on-demand publishers
I hate admitting this, but I’ve gotten lazy. I’ve gotten used to ordering books online and having them arrive at my doorstep no more than 36 hours later. It’s sick, especially since I’m a writer and a former indie mag editor & publisher. But there is a better way:
Filed under As a Writer... | Comment (0)
