Giving thanks

Be it traditional or modern, with family, friends or in solitude, I wish you a warm and satisfying Thanksgiving.

Let the holiday season begin!

Holiday greening

Check out 911earth.com's page for earth-friendly ideas to green your holiday, from recycling trees to letting the USPS print and mail your holiday cards for you.

My own personal mission: NO PLASTIC BAGS this season!!! Try IKEA's big blue shopping totes; yes, they're a bit crinkly and don't collapse into a hackey-sized pouch, but they are amazingly strong, totally cheap (59 cents!), and serve every need from gift/grocery shopping to transporting gifts on The Day. Or hauling firewood. Or stocking your snow fort with an arsenal of snowballs.

Heck, I'll bet you could even drag your dead Christmas tree to the curb on recycling day with it...

Socks gone wild

Knitting socks (sleeves, mittens, whatnot) stepped beyond DPNs with the advent of Magic Loop knitting. Then came the toe-up sock. Then two-at-once on the Loop. This all feels like a natural Darwinian progression to an apex of knitterly knowledge.

Or so you'd think.

Take a look at this article. Kory Stamper knits her socks on DPNs.

At the same time.

Inside. Each. Other.

This blows my mind. I love seeing people thinking outside the box, taking an established technique like double knitting and turning it on its ear. Next thing you know, we'll all be doing it next year...

Knitting is a vital and evolving beast. So cool.

A window on my world

I have two aquariums in the living room which house 13 small fishies. Our routine is to feed the fish after we eat breakfast and dinner.

Kidlet settled down in front of the tanks after the morning slop, watching the new tetras (no photos yet) gobble their flaky breakfast and said, "You know, watching the fish is kind of like watching TV, isn't it?" I. Love. This. Kid.

What I said out loud: "Yes, sweetie, but so much nicer."

What I let stay in my head: "... and completely lacking in commercials for plastic toys you'll tire of in a matter of days." Ah, the holiday season.

Loyalty

So I'm knitting Jared Flood's lacy-slouchy beret, Porom.

For myself.

Scandalous, I know. If logic had anything to say here, the only things on my needles would be thoughtful gifts for others. Oh well. It's not even Thanksgiving yet. [insert silent panic-infused scream here]

My one complaint? The needles.

I happen to be quite partial to a certain wooden interchangeable set I was gifted last Christmas. Actually, quite partial doesn't really begin to describe my feelings; ragingly loyal is more like it. Trouble is, they start at 24 inches, and I needed a 16" circular for the hat, so I defaulted to Addi Turbos.

I know I will offend someone (or two) with what I'm about to say, but I. Don't. Like. Them. I don't like using Addis. It's the points - rather, the lack thereof. You try using DK yarn, size 8 needles, and executing k3tog tbl. Grrr.

Meema needs to get her drink on.

Pointy stick blingfest

Announcement: The Stitch Marker Exchange has just posted information about the winter swap. Registration for partners is Nov 25-Dec 25. More details are available on the blog's sidebar (follow the link above).

And fear not, my knitterly friends - the exchange itself doesn't happen until January, so it won't get in the way of your holiday gift knitting...

Enter early, enter often!

Facebook or bust

Dang, but The Yarnery is cool...

If you and your knitterly friends are on Facebook, check out our LYS's new FB group page. It's only just been created by our blogging impresario G40, so click to join, then watch for updates and events!

Holiday knitting gift idea #1

As we approach the season of power knitting, I thought I'd provide a dash of inspiration to fill out your gift list.

For the camel jockey who has everything...

A muzzle to match the polo team's silks. I'm sure it could be easily adapted to crochet as well. (Thanks, Barb!)

Très cute

Once upon a time... from Capucha on Vimeo.

What a charmer!
(If the video doesn't load for you, click the "Once upon a time" link above)

Keith Olbermann speaks on Prop 8

This is compassion.

I cried while listening to this response to California's (narrow) passage of Proposition 8. Thank you, Keith, for giving such salient voice to the GLBT community's struggle for human rights. And thank you to my friend eWAC for bringing this clip to my attention. I think everyone needs to hear this. Please distribute its URL to your family and friends.

A heavy day. Welcome the morn...

11/11

Canada has Remembrance Day.

The United States has Veterans Day.

No matter your national allegiance or political leanings, you (yes, you) have benefited from the sacrifice of time and lives by the men and women in armed service. Please find a moment today to ponder their effect on your life; the liberties that shape our national identity are an enormous gift.

Synchronize your watches

OK, knitters. It's go time.

And by "go time", I mean that we're about to go double digits into November. Can you say HOLIDAY KNITTING IS GOING TO KICK MY ASS ONCE AGAIN?!? Dammit.

eWAC and I had a casual conversation this afternoon about said enterprise. As I left his and G40's stylishly remodelled loft, panic started to rise: 46 days to go. Man, I think I started holiday stuff earlier last year. (Just looked back in the archives, and the first mention of holiday knitting was 11/29/07. Slight whew.)

Next step, just completed: I waded through the mess that is my Favorites and PDF patterns to see what could fit the timeline. Luckily, last year I started bookmarking smaller projects for just this purpose...

And here are a few pre-holiday offerings to you, o crafty readers: Tools To Give By.

A handy-dandy reference for knitted thing dimensions (babies, hats, blankets, foot sizes).

This chart from REI is a great reference for socks, slippers, and the like when the feet in question aren't with you.

Also handy is this guide to fabric/yarn care symbols (previously posted, but helpful nonetheless).

Knit on!

Stitch marker exchange

I took part in an online exchange this fall, making these stitch markers for knitters across the country:

Stitch markers = jewelry for your knitting. What's not to love?

And these are the markers I received in return:

If you'd like to participate in the next swap, start stalking the blog for details. A winter exchange will happen, but they're trying to decide whether a pre- or post-holiday timeline works for participants.

Norm is sweating

... and showing his hypocritical colors.

His lead over Al Franken in Minnesota's hotly contested US Senate race has been steadily slipping as the election results' canvassing progresses. As of this moment, his lead has been cut from 762 on Tuesday night to only 221.

Ever the quintessential opportunist, he wasted no time in delivering an acceptance speech and lambasting Franken for thinking of pursuing a recount and wasting taxpayer money. Now that his lead is shrinking, he's throwing around accusations to cast doubt on the canvassing process (and no doubt readying his crack legal team to sue the state, Al, or whomever else they can to worm his way back into the Big Show).

Feel that, Norm? It's the wind of change, and it's going to rip the smug, self-righteous umbrella right outta your slick little hands.

P, A, and DQ

J, Kidlet and I had a night on the town with Cate, mWAK and the clan in SLP last night, consisting of dinner at DQ and shopping at OUAC.

D had one taste of the soft serve, and his bottle was history!

On the walk to Once Upon a Child we pass an upscale lighting store. I swear this fixture looks knitted...

But for $1449, I'll work on making my own, thankyouverymuch.

Retro petrol

I literally can't remember when I last tanked up at a price like this.

Not quite sure where this cheap gas is coming from (I know, we just had an election, and I suspect the Grand Old Party wanted us to think good thoughts about them as we headed to the polls), but I certainly won't wave off a full tank for less than $20.

Good morning!

I brought the paper in for you...

Locally, our US Senate race is split by 0.04%. That's 762 votes. It seriously couldn't be closer. If you're due a favor, call it in now.

Yes we did!

President Elect Barack Hussein Obama

Patience, or lack thereof

That's my knitting, and that's my ballot.

Yessiree, I feel like an American. An impatient, invigorated, eager, and slightly apprehensive American.

I. WANT. TO. KNOW. NOW.

If you haven't already, please go to the polls and do what so many in this world cannot: vote. If you've already voted, I'll join you 'round the blue glow of our collective television after my shift at the LYS.

Tim Russert, wherever you are, get your whiteboard ready. [sniff, sniff]

Election Day 2008

The polls are now open. History is being written, one vote at a time. Make sure yours is one of them.

Ready, set, VOTE!

We are less than 12 hours away from the polls opening in Minnesota, and I am So. Freakin'. Excited. Seriously, I'm wondering if I'll be able to sleep.

MN residents: If you are not sure where your polling place is, use this website provided by Minnesota Public Radio to find your location, plus a list of candidates and questions that will appear on your ballot.

One day more

Set your alarms, people - the dawn of a new day approaches.

Trick or treat, sparkly feet

Despite the conspicuous lack of yellow brick roads in Eagan, Dorothy had a great time on her journey last night: candy and trinkets for her, plenty of coin for the world's less fortunate children.

Hope you all enjoyed your evening as well!