buzzville

WIP Friday - fall sweater for B

Despite appearances, I haven't (yet) forgotten my newly acquired skill: knitting. In fact, just yesterday I managed to run out to my lys to pick up some circulars for a new project. Amazingly, I was spot on with my gauge swatch, and I actually managed to cast on and get a few rows completed last night!

I'm attempting this cute, but basic sweater from the Debbie Bliss Home book for my little munchkin. I snatched up a bunch of the cotton denim aran in this maroon/navy color on super sale a while back, and it's going to be the perfect fall sweater if I can manage to speed through it! The picture of the sweater here is a bit hard to see, but I really like the combination of the rolled edge with a bit of ribbing mixed in. Please think positive knitting thoughts for me as I attempt my second garment - eek!

More WIP folks converging over here.

Maker Faire Report!

We're back from our weekend up north for the Maker Faire in San Mateo, and I think we survived! The bad news is that I somehow managed to forget our digital camera at my mom's house, so I can't (yet) share the photos we snapped at the faire (and I may not have the ability to post pics at all until I get my camera back... we'll see!). But, there are *loads* of photos of the faire on flickr, so there shouldn't be any shortage of photographic coverage!

The faire was much bigger than I expected, and there were tons of people there on Saturday. The exhibits were broken up into several exhibit halls surrounding a central courtyard where the Bazaar Bizarre was set up. I test drove a Zap Zebra - a 3-wheel electric car - but wasn't terribly impressed. The visibility in the car was terrible (I had to stick my head out the side window to see where I was going when turning left!), and if you have just one passenger in the back seat, they need to sit in the middle so that the frame of the car doesn't bottom out on the wheels. The interior was roomier than we expected (Jerry is 6'-4" and fit fine in the back seat), and the car is definitely cute, but I think we'll be holding off for something a bit more fine-tuned!

The faire was filled with all types of interesting and bizarre exhibits - robots, circuit bending, alternative energy sources, unusual computer interfaces, lego building extravaganzas, segway polo matches(!), etc. Lots and lots of creative people thinking up new (and occasionally useful) ways to use materials and/or technology. My main criticism of the faire was the lack of crafty exhibits. Although we all know that lots of crafters are out there using new and recycled materials to make fantastic things, they were not represented in the exhibits at this faire. In fact, were it not for Bazaar Bizarre, I'm not sure I could really say crafters were represented much at all.

Thankfully, there were a number of workshops covering craft-related topics, and I was lucky enough to get to attend the Knit a Toy workshop led by the super talented Jess Hutch! Not only does she make (and teach us to make) fantastic knitted toys, but she's an amazingly calm, organized, and collected chica! I'm not sure if I gushed too heavily when we chatted, but I was certainly thrilled to meet her and see first hand some of her toy knitting tips and tricks - thanks Jess! And, in other incredible news, Make magazine is soon to launch a new magazine - Craft - and Jess' robots made the cover! Huge posters of the new magazine were up all over the faire, and it was so comforting to see her sweet robots at every turn! Congratulations Jess!

I got to meet more of my heroes at the faire - Bethany was there with her fun and witty crafty goods (we love the infidel!). Susie probably thinks I'm a stalker by now - her stuff is so incredible! I can never get enough of Alison and her wares - her style is so fantastic and unique! And, did I mention Jill Bliss?!? Yes, I can now die happy because I got to meet her, and she signed her One book (look under Publications and Portfolios) that we picked up for Brynne - and it even comes with a fun cd! So, despite the relatively low representation of crafters at the faire, I had a great time because I got to meet all these great folks.

The return to my routine today has been a bit of a let down... imagine what we could all come up with if we were living in an environment of creativity, innovation, and free thinking? I think I need to strive for a bit more of that in my daily life!

Figuring out this knitting thing...

I've been working insanely horrible hours lately, and that's why my posting has been even more "periodic" than usual, but I do have a whole bunch of finished and near-finished projects that I hope to share with you all very soon. Today I'm showing off a real, completed, knitted garment! I took a short class recently that introduced me to dpns, and despite my total fear of so many pointy objects in such a small space, I managed to get the hang of it!

Here's the quick hat we made (as modeled by my ever tolerant husband!), knitted in Lamb's Pride Bulky on 10 1/2 dpns.

There's something incredibly pleasing about the pinwheels of decreases at the top. I guess you knitters out there are very used to these, but I just get happy looking at them!

The pattern was pretty good, although I would have made the hat longer so that it would cover the ears a bit more. But, for me, the project was really more about learning how to use the needles... maybe one day I'll actually tackle a sock!

knitting like a fiend!

Well, the sun didn't really cooperate with me today, so I had to break down and take pictures with my camera's not-so-great flash. I'm knitting furiously on the project for my class - a simple pullover sweater based on this Ann Norling pattern. I had so much trouble picking a yarn... I just couldn't find a cotton or cotton blend yarn in a bulky weight that I *really* wanted to work with. So, I ended up spending loads of $$$ on the super amazing Debbie Bliss cashmerino superchunky. This yarn is so soft and so easy to knit! I picked the olive green because I figure it will go with about anything, and I'm hoping this will turn into one of those sweaters that I can just "live" in. I'm not completely in love with the pattern - nothing too amazing there - but it's probably just what I need, given that I'm such a beginner. The huge challenge is that she wants us to have the front and back finished by Saturday! Given that I usually only have about 2 hours at most that I can knit each day, it's going to be pretty tough to get that far... here's what I've got so far:

Mish Mash!

Well, I must say I'm rather embarrassed... why? Because this morning I was reading Amy's lovely blog birthday post when I remembered that she and I started up our blogs at about the same time. So, I had to go and check to see when my blog birthday is, only to discover that buzzville's birthday is today! Very embarrassing... I purchased no presents, prepared no lovely thoughts, and schemed no fantastic surprises. I'm so sorry! My only thought is that this is pretty typical for buzzville - I seem to constantly be striving to catch up with everything, only to find that most things are long gone! But, that doesn't mean that the past year of blogging hasn't been fabulous. In fact, I'd say this little blog is one of the best things to happen to me in quite some time - wonderful new friends and contacts, a rewarding creative outlet, lots of inspiration and encouragement and camaraderie, a private spot just for me, and so much more. For all of that, I thank all of you. Of course, I could do this blogging alone, without all of you, but it has become so much more rewarding  - and just plain fun - because I we're all doing this together! Maybe year 2 for buzzville will find me a bit more ahead of the curve, but I wouldn't count on it! What I know I *can* count on is all of you! Thanks!

In other news, I've finished up my 5th knitting project! (Yes, that means that the next one will be counted on a second set of fingers!) I made a ribbed scarf for my father-in-law from Noro Transitions. I knitted the scarf in a 4x4 rib on size 11 needles. I gave it a gentle wash after it was all finished up, and the yarn relaxed quite a bit and got super soft. The only negative effect of knitting this scarf is that I now realize how expensive knitting is - 3 hanks of Transitions makes for one very valuable scarf! Unfortunately, I don't have any great photos of it, but here's a nighttime shot modeled by my hubby:

So, I have a few questions for all of you seasoned knitters out there:

• what do you do when you run into a manufacturer's knot joining two pieces of yarn? Do you undo the knot and join as if you're joining a new ball? Do you just knit as if it's not there and hope it will be hidden in your stitches?
• it seems like buying yarn on the internet may well be the way to go in order to save some $$$. I normally like to support my local businesses, but I'm not sure my pocketbook can handle the local prices! Any thoughts/strategies?
• I'm starting another yarn class this weekend - a simple pullover - and I would love yarn recommendations. I love the textures, colors and feel of wool yarns, but it never really gets cold enough here to wear wool comfortably (I get too hot, and then the itching begins!). So, I should probably be looking for a chunky/bulky cotton - any favorites out there - especially in a variegated or marled yarn?

Thanks in advance for any help you can send my way!

Girl learns to knit...

... and everyone gets a scarf! Am I the only one to do this?!? I was so in love with the drop stitch pattern I learned in my knitting class that all of the women in my family got one of these for Christmas:

These were all knit on size 13 needles. The one on the top is Louisa Harding's Kimono Ribbon yarn and the bottom two are Knit One Crochet Too's Tartelette yarn. I also made one more that I didn't get a chance to photograph - 4 of these scarves in all! I know these aren't terribly exciting for all of the experienced knitters out there, but I'm just thrilled that I'm making *something* with this newly acquired skill.

I had hoped to post more before Christmas struck, but quickly became overwhelmed with lots of activity. We spent 2 full days with my grandparents, which was probably about all they can handle in their current condition, and had a wonderful celebration. Here's a belated Merry Christmas to all who celebrated, and Happy Holidays to everyone. I have *some* hope that my regular job is slowing down a bit, meaning that I'm hoping to get back to crafting and blogging more regularly. Wish me luck!

Much overdue thanks...

I was so crazed the weeks before our trip that I didn't post about some great packages that came in the mail. This is my extremely overdue post to thank some much deserving crafty buddies.

I couldn't resist buying one of Lisa's gorgeous owl patches (now sold out!), and she was such a sweetie and sent along some super pieces of bonus fabric! Her owl is so incredible, and I have all these thoughts brewing about an owl-themed project. But, I'm afraid it will have to wait until *after* the holidays!

I also rushed to order a set of Sarah's incredible ornaments, and she is such a sneaky girl! She sent along a surprise birthday present of her Five Senses stationery set! Sarah's creations are so adorable - I really wish I had her sense of creativity and originality... The ornaments are awesome and will look fantastic on our tree - if we ever get one!

I had a secret little surprise up my sleeve this year for Jerry's birthday. I discovered Annie's incredible Mexican wrestler paintings (not to mention her other incredible artwork!), and talked her into a commissioned work that included Geraldo (Jerry's full name is Gerald) somewhere in it. Jerry loves Mexican wrestling, and I jokingly call him Geraldo sometimes, so I thought this would be fun. Annie played along and sent this incredible, original work - now hanging in our bedroom! The colors and detail are incredible, and the fact that she wrote "Geraldo es Victorioso" (Gerald is victorious) is just too perfect! Jerry loved his gift, and he swears it's further evidence that I really *get* him.

I also promised a peek of my latest knitting trials. This past Saturday we worked on expanding our repertoire a bit:

from top: garter stitch in purl, stockinette, and 2x2 ribbing

and this fun drop stitch pattern that is making it's way into some holiday gifts. This stitch looks incredible with a ribbon yarn! I know I'm such a knitting newbie, but it's really fun to do these little swatch experiments and then see how different they look in different yarns. Obviously I still need loads of practice to get everything a bit more even, but I'm just going to dive right in!

I've been a bad blogger...

... and have hardly posted this week. My sincere apologies. There has been a lot going on, and not all of it is good. First off, thanks to everyone for the well wishes for my kitty. The surgery seems to have gone fine, and her stitches look great. They removed a tumor caused by some extremely toxic bacteria that was attacking the fatty tissue just under the skin. Apparently this nasty bacteria can quickly get to the heart and kill little kitties. So, for once I didn't overreact in getting her to the vet immediately! My only worry is that she's gotten really sniffly in the past two days, with lots of sneezing. I'm hoping that she doesn't have another (sinus?) infection or kitty pneumonia or something like that...

In other unpleasant news, my mom called me yesterday to tell me that my grandfather (who will be 86 in December) is not doing well. He's had chronic back pain from an old WWII injury for quite some time, but it's apparently gotten much worse this past week. He's no longer able to get in and out of bed very easily and is not showing any interest in eating. This has hit me like a ton of bricks... I'm the only grandchild (Brynne the only great-grandchild), and I have a very close and special relationship with my grandparents. Of course I'm aware of the inevitability of death, but hearing this news of his worsening condition has been very tough. Making me even more nervous is that we're supposed to leave on Thursday (US Thanksgiving Day) for a weeklong vacation in Mexico with Jerry's family. We've been looking forward to this trip for a long time, but I *really* don't want to be in Mexico and get a call to tell me that my grandfather has passed away. My mom seems to think that nothing is that imminent, but I'm a bit apprehensive all the same.

So, the stress of a sick kitty and grandfather, getting ready for a trip to Mexico, and an incredibly huge workload is really getting me down. I'm trying to remain positive, and I had a great chat with my grandparents yesterday. Brynne has been pretty good this week, all things considered, and that helps a *lot*! Being so busy, I haven't been able to do the things that really keep my spirits up - like blogging and reading about what all of you are up to. Don't be surprised if you catch me commenting on something you wrote a week ago - I've gotten really behind!

On a positive note (and so that I can post a pic!), I had the first session of my knitting class this morning. We learned to cast-on, the knit stitch, and binding off. It may not be pretty, but look:

I'm knitting! I'm really looking forward to practicing a bit before our next class on 12/3, and hopefully I won't forget everything I learned this morning! The instructor is great, and I'm afraid this might just become the next addiction! Does anyone have any recommendations for beginner books/patterns that are fun? I know I'm probably just stuck with scarves for the moment, but I'd love any suggestions for a place to start!

Back Tack II

I'm pleased as punch to once again be a participant in Back Tack - the last one was such a thrill! However, I fear my poor secret buddy will be too overwhelmed with all of the many crafty goals I have unless I give her a few hints. It is probably safe to say that there is hardly any craft I wouldn't like to try - from jewelry making to paper crafts to more glass mosaics - but there are a couple that are currently occupying the forefront of my brain:

• knitting - I know you've all heard this before, and I really have no excuse, but I still haven't learned to knit! I'd love to finally learn and try my hand at some of the gorgeous, modern knitting patterns I've seen out there. Interweave Knits always seems to have something contemporary and interesting, and I love the look of books like this:

So, if my buddy happens to be a knitter (isn't everyone but me?), I'd love a kit to help me get started on a simple, beginner's project!

• needle felting - like Amy I was given a gorgeous, fluffy pile of roving from Stephanie, and I still haven't made the time to try it out! I have several fun books on needle felting, including a couple of Japanese books, but I need a good excuse to make the leap!

Those are my top 2 at the moment, although my buddy certainly shouldn't feel limited to these! I hope this helps!