another (more friendly?) eel, and a few notes on the pattern

In the interest of not permanently offending Gentle Eel's designer, I attempted another. In hot pink. It's pretty cute. The head suggests "pig" to me, and those front flipper/fins would make great pig ears, so maybe I'll be turning out a little hot pink piggy soon, too.I do have a few notes on her pattern. She's good, and the shaping is all fantastic, and easy to follow, so nothing that drastic.

When sewing on the top and belly fins, if the fins are made from non-solid yarn, I decided it looked better to use the body yarn instead of the variegated fin yarn, as the colors you're sewing with are not matching the fin after the first little bit. If you want those stitches to be invisible, your yarn should match at least one of the colors you're sewing together. That's more a matter of personal preference, though. If you want to do it this way, you'll want to leave a long tail of body yarn when finishing, and you will also need another length of yarn anchored in, to sew on the other fin, since you should start sewing both from the tail end of the body, but not at the same time, because that could get tricky.

I think I already mentioned, I found I needed a few more foundation hdc's to get the right length for mine. Again, not really a pattern problem, just that my eel body was a tad longer than hers, because mine was less tight, or my estimate of where the fins should start may have been different. That's the beauty of foundation chain, though - any length you need, it's easy to adjust, you don't have to start over, just add or subtract stitches right at the end.

I glossed over one of the last parts when I made Mr Eel, though, and the second time through, I noticed something that needs correcting. She says to sew on the belly fin 1 inch from side fins, and the top fin 2 inches from side fins. But if you look at her picture, and note how long each fin piece is, it's the opposite - the top fin is longer, and closer to the side fins, and the belly fin is shorter and further back. I'm betting most folks looked more at the picture than the directions, like I did, so nobody has noticed this yet. *update* her pattern has been corrected, and she added hdc foundation instructions to that tut as well.

That's it. I hope you tried the eel. It was super quick and easy, and would make a great gift for a guy (well, maybe not in hot pink), which we know can be hard to come by, in the ami world.

(still refining my English Pork Pie pattern, so more on that later)

Year of Ami, week 6, F is for...

Earl Lenmeyer the Flask, and Goldfish!The flask is crochet, the fish is knit.

I'm fudging this a bit, with the fish. After all, they are called Goldfish, not just Fish. But these are the ones I like the best of the freebie fish patterns I've seen, and I've been trying to find time to fabricate these ever since.
The flask is just for fun. Why would anyone need a crochet flask? To go with their crochet beaker? Or as part of an entire crochet lab set? (oh, wait, that could be really cool!)

One of the comments on Earl Lenmeyer the Flask suggests doing an entire collection of them, maybe in different sizes, with different colored "solutions" in them. It may be nerdy of me, but I think that sounds awesome. So mine may not be blue. Probably I'll do him in green. Maybe even acid green. Undecided about putting a face on him. I'm not exactly one of those that feels any ami needs a face. My food doesn't have any faces, except my tiny cranberry sauce, because that just looked like a cylinder of cranberry crochet until I put a face on him.

The fish, well, they don't have to be gold. I have some Vanna that's actually called "goldfish", but it's a little more like a pencil eraser than any goldfish I've ever seen. Plus, if you check out the pattern for this Goldfish, she shows you some other pictures, of some made by another gal, and hers are all colors of the rainbow, and she dyed that yarn herself, using Kool-Aid. (Yes, for real, you can permanently dye any animal-fiber yarn with Kool-Aid - there are tutorials everywhere on the web, including this one on knitty. I've heard that Lion Brand Fishermen is a good base yarn, and very economical. I may try it.)

*update* pictures of my own creations inserted after-the-fact

pork pie obsession

I've got my first attempt (and draft of a pattern) finished. Not bad, I'm thinking. What do you think? I know, it's different from that other one. I wasn't trying to exactly duplicate it, though. I was trying to come up with something that looks like a pork pie, of some sort. They come in all different shapes:

Personally, I think mine looks like the one in the upper left corner. Somewhat. That one with the little peaks, that could be a fun one to try to knit. I could do slits like the other two have on top, but that would mean, probably, knitting that circular top flat, instead of in the round, and then I'd have to sew it on later. I couldn't pick up stitches to connect it to the base like I did with this one. And I'd have to put something behind it, so the stuffing wasn't sticking out.

I think I can do without the ridge of pearl bumps on the bottom (idea taken from the knitted cupcake I like), because, as I found out, a real pork pie would have been baked in a jar or a mold, or even just on a cookie sheet, and the bottom tends to be more rounded, less like a crisp edge. Also, I think the ruffly bit is a tad larger than I needed, so I will scale that back, do fewer rows, maybe fewer stitches between the twists, too.

I'd forgotten that you can get them in different sizes. My knitted version is about the size of a Costco muffin, which is probably the most common pork pie available. (They aren't meant to be sliced up and shared like an apple pie, they were invented as a way for working men to have a hearty lunch they could hold in their hands. And to use up the parts of a pig you don't use for other stuff, like the head and the feet. The filling is a solid jellied mass of pork and...stuff. Mighty tasty!) They also come in roughly cupcake size, and even a smaller, two-bite size. So, accordingly, I should scale my pattern so you could do them all. Or, I guess, so I could do them all. As I'm probably the only one who'll be making any. The tops tend to be different, depending on which bakery made them, so maybe I need top variations as well? The base is generally the same rounded-bottom shape for all varieties.

I'm liking how I did that twisty thing on top. Seems like you could use that shaping for meringue, on another kind of pie. Or for the whipped cream on top of something. Struggling with how to describe what I did, though. It was easy, but how to put it into words? Maybe I'll have to do pictures to go with in the pattern. This designing thing is kind of fun, really. A couple months ago, I would have said that's not something I'd even attempt. You can imagine all sorts of things to knit or crochet or sew, but making that shape happen in the real world, that's the hard part. You have to know how the fiber will behave, and how to manipulate it to get the shape you're after, and sometimes, it doesn't work. Or you don't know enough to figure out how to make it happen. The more you knit, the more you can see what might work, so it's getting easier.

I've not started another attempt at the original free pattern, but I will. Probably it will work out if I knit it flat, instead of in the round. I just can't picture how. But I want to attempt it once more, on faith, in hopes it will make some kind of sense.

While I was looking for images of pork pies, so I could refresh my memory (the last one I consumed, I was in Golders Green, London, about 6 years ago), and have something more to go on than the one picture from the freebie pattern, I ran across something kind of odd. Would you believe it? They have a Pork Pie Appreciation Society! And they have a website for themselves, (at this moment, there are 3 guests online!) with a fun little slide show "Tribute" to pork pies, complete with sound effects, and a recipe running across the bottom. There's really something out there for everyone, isn't there?

about those slippers

If you've been paying attention/reading my blog, you've heard umpteen times about the slippers I've made for some family members. The slippers with the hemp soles? I realized I've not posted any pics of them, so here is the latest pair, so you can see what they are like.

Well, actually, I now have access to the pics of all of them, but that would take up tons of space here. I may, someday, put up a slide show on the sidebar over there, running from my online family photo album. Maybe.

Okay, maybe just one more picture, of the smallest, and the first, pair I made

snuffykin was here!

Snuff.Y.Kin! for real! she visited, and read my blog, and LOL'd, and left a comment! I was so charmed when I saw she'd been here, I walked around in a daze. Because she's just so awesome with her designs and her blog is always fun.

And, well, she's SNUFFYKIN!

But what did she find when she got here? Oh, yeah, "the eel gives me the shivers". Nice. Of me, I mean. What is wrong with me? I go over there, to snuffykin's journal, and I tell her I finally made the eel, after admiring it for over a year, and invite her to come see pictures, and she comes all the way over here (from sunny CA), and I tell her I can't make any more, because it's too creepy?!?

(It is, though. Creepy. It's looking at me right now. Maybe looking a little sad and unloved, too.)

I did say how good her pattern was, at least. Which it is. Seriously, try any of her designs, you won't be confused.

And her shaping on this eel - I should have mentioned it before - it's so clever; I was amazed at how it made the body go wavy, just with increases and decreases opposite each other. Did you look at that (if you weren't too creeped out by the eyes)? Take another look:

That's all done with basic increase and decrease (BTW, see her notes on "invisible decrease", which I used on this eel, and try it yourself - it's so much better), and it goes all curvy and wavy, and gradually narrows to that nice upward-slanted pointy tail. None of the curviness of this animal is from manipulating it later, it's all built in with the stitches. Which is just so awesome, and part of why I've admired the eel, and snuffykin's other designs, for so long. She has even translated some Japanese patterns for us (one of which we'll be doing later in the Year of Ami), and that takes some serious work. How can you not admire her? And what do I do? I insult her design. I should be severely scolded.

(Incidentally, the head of this eel, when seen face-on, makes me think "walrus", though I'm not sure why. And where you would go from there for the rest of it, I don't know. But that's what comes to mind.)

I'm making another, in hot pink, with normal solid black eyes. I'm sure that can't be creepy. Right?

the eel gives me the shivers, and the pork pie isn't quite...

something, I don't know. I can't quite figure out the pork pie pattern. But I'm pretty sure this:

is never going to be this:It's unclear as to whether I'm working flat or in the round, for one. I am beginning to suspect not in the round (that's my 3rd attempt, above). Even though the directions never say to sew up the side, only to cinch the bottom. I'm willing to try working flat, and doing just what it says. Maybe this is one of those things that is just sort of overlapped or left open, or something? I can tell you, her decreases are too abrupt to get the straight-up sides she's showing in her photo, though. So, while I'm trying it again without working in the round, I'm also sort of redesigning it, basically writing a new pattern, sort of based on some cupcakes that turned out well for me, but also using the same base numbering as the pork pie. Should have something more to share later in the week. (that'll be my second self-published pattern!) Mine will have pretty leaves. And maybe a fancy twisty edge.

Why design my own? Because I really really really want a pork pie in my fiber food collection. And I want to conquer this. I hate unfinished business.

Mr Eel, on the other hand, went very well. Snuffykins has GREAT designs, very well-written patterns (to think, I found her only because I was looking for Doctor Who related ami patterns!), and good tutorials. (side note: when working the foundation chain, she says to do hdc, and her tutorial shows you sc. not to worry, just do a yo before starting the sc portion of directions, and leave it on hook until you would have pulled through the last two, and pull yarn through all three. easy peasy.)I was considering making this guy in pink, maybe in orange, or purple, as well as this "natural" version. I can't think now why I wanted one that was realistically colored. (Although, his 70's inspired belly and back fins make him a little comical, don't you think?) But I don't think I'll be making any more.

See, there is a problem with Mr Eel: You work him from the nose to the tail, and you've got to put in the eyes while you're at that end, or you can't get your fingers in there to fasten the backs. You also sew on the short fins before you get too far past that point, to make that easier as well. So picture that his head is all done, eyes looking at you,

and you're continuing toward the tail, working around and around. This head/body wiggles, upside down, facing your belly-button, while you work. Now, maybe I've just been watching Stargate too much, or seen Alien too many times, but as I'm working, I look down at this, and the effect is almost too much for me. I mean, this eel is basically swimming in the air, towards my belly. That thing wanted IN, I'm telling you! I was getting queasy just thinking about it.

Maybe I shouldn't have chosen such realistic colors? Or used those brown eyes with the black center, which look more real than solid black? It's kind of creepy. My office-mate thinks so, too. I handed it over for her inspection this morning, and she shivered just looking at it.

check that off the list

Finished the crochet dodecahedron. Not enthusiastic about it. Kind of boring, again, doing all those points, again. And again.

It is a bit smaller than the knit one. And stiff. I kept wondering if I really did make socks from this yarn, but, there they are, so I must have. They're thicker than some of the others, but not stiff. Must be the extra bulk of crochet?

Whatever it is, this isn't my favorite project. Maybe should have stuck with the Doctor Who (slowly regenerating, put off by other more pressing projects), or done a cute puppy. Or maybe a door. I could have made a door. That might have been more interesting.

HAD to buy this pattern!

A while back, my good friend Liz (incidentally, the friend responsible, in large measure, for my current Amigurumi obsession and passionate return to hook and needle), posted about some cute Christmas gifts she was making (and she did a TON of things, in a very short time), including an adorable crocheted mixing set, wire whisk and all.

I admired (lusted after?) this gift in particular, and of course clicked through to the Etsy site to see what else this designer had. What she has, is a bunch of super cute patterns, let me tell you!

Well, at the time, I couldn't decide what I wanted most, and my boys (boys, mind you, not girls) are mostly grown, not the "pretend play" sort of children so much as the "video game" sort, so the "toys" would be for nieces, nephews, and the like (assuming I could stand not to have them anymore). Giving such things to those family and friends, who are not in your own household, has the one major drawback of this adorable creation no longer being somewhere you can see it all the time. So, perhaps, you can understand my hesitation, never mind how freaking adorable all this gals stuff is.

But just today, at Annie's Attic, I came across an entire booklet of KTBDesigns cool playtime toys, in downloadable format, so I didn't have to wait for it to come in the mail. This booklet included not only the mixing set, but a tool set, shopping set, gingerbread set (I love gingerbread cookies!), breakfast set, and more. What a deal!

I'm so psyched!

Except, oh, no, I want her Beach Trio, and her Art Supplies (which includes a crochet artist figure!), and her Tugboat, and her Baked Apples, and the Pie Set, and Playtime Pastries, (are those cherry cordials leaking? they are! she's so clever...)

nearly done

Very nearly. Count the pointy bits...no hidden ones, I promise...

Yup, there are 9 finished points here. So I'm 9/12, or, simplified by dividing both numerator and denominator by 3, 3/4 done. (anyone else here love math? it's just one of the coolest things in the universe. seriously.)

Since taking the picture, I've done 1/2 of what was left, so I have 1 1/2 more points until it's completed. Very, very, nearly done.

And in all those, I only got one white/blue/white/blue stripey point. That's what I get for picking up the next bit of yarn from another ball, I guess. Except I did that again, actually taking some from a whole new skein, having run out of the leftovers (it's okay, though, because I already had this skein, it was just in the stash). And that one, as before, I just started as it was, wherever the colors were, and somehow, miraculously, it was very nearly at the right place in color changes, because after that, the points are still repeating the same stripe patterns. weird.

Year of Ami, week 5, E is for...

Eel, and also for English Pork Pie
I'm taking a liberty with the category here, because 1) I've wanted to do Snuffykins crochet Eel for ages, and 2) I didn't feel like knitting an elephant. (I'm trying to do one item in crochet, and one in knit, remember?) If I didn't already have a whole slew of things to choose from for P, I might have reconsidered the elephant (which is darling, and likely to get picked for the second round) for this week, but I have wanted the English Pork Pie to grace my fiber-food collection for some time now. Must keep myself interested, or I'll fizzle out on this challenge.


This eel uses foundation chain crochet for the colorful fin portion, which is a new technique for me (recently used while crocheting my dodecahedron).


On the English Pork Pie, I may substitute, after trying their version, of course, because I always try to follow directions exactly as written, at least the first time through, my favored crochet leaf from the cherries.


Not sure I can recommend these together as a snack. But it does occur to me, you could make the pork pie as a sort of "box", not sew the top on, and put the eel inside the pie. Then it would be an English Eel Pie instead. Do the English eat eels?

(*update* Eel picture replaced with my own after the fact)

One down, 2/3 to go

Just like I said, I had that block of time in a waiting room, and then Fab Fibers, so I was able to finish the knit version. I like it. Doing that last point was a tad tricky, because you've stuffed the rest of it, and you have to squish it while you work or your last point could end up all loose. And you have to stuff that last point as you go. Once you got past the 5th row or so, it wasn't as hard to keep it tight.

Got started on the crochet version, and it's 1/3 done. (Don't you just love fractions? I do. I've got 4 points done, and there are 12 total, 4/12 can be simplified, by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by 4, to 1/3, so I'm 1/3 done, see? I am such a math geek.)

As I worked the crochet version, I found I didn't like having to slip stitch into the previous point instead of sc, though I realize you'd have to in order for your first round to work, as you did chain for the part that isn't already connected to another point. But I didn't like it, so I dug out my directions for foundation chain (snuffykins has an awesome tutorial), and did that instead of chaining for the 3rd & 4th points, and I think that works pretty well.

This is working up faster than the knit version, but maybe just because I'm not obsessing over the stripe pattern? No, there are fewer sts in each round as well. And I think I'm still faster at crochet than knit. Also, I'm not being as picky about the yarn position with this one. I had one smaller ball of leftovers, and when that ran out part way through the 3rd point, I just picked up the end of the next ball and continued on (you can sort of tell, too. see that part where it repeats the blue/white/blue/white?that's where I picked up the next piece). When I did the knit, I tried to start the next piece where the previous one left off, so I had a few yards in between that I didn't use. I ended up coming back to one of those, or I wouldn't have had enough to finish. There is just a little bit of the Soles & More left, maybe enough to do an itty-bitty sock for a doll? Not that I'd do that. Well, not right now, anyway.

almost there...

I'm working on the 11th point of my dodecahedron. Frankly, making those points has gotten a tad boring. Consider, however, that I have had to redo at least 2 of them. Maybe if I hadn't had to try 1) starting from the other end of the yarn for a different stripe (which I didn't like), and 2) making the points with or without the 4 rows after you've decreased to 15 sts, well, I'd be finished already. Forgot to grab my stuffing on the way out, so even if I sneak in some knitting on a break here, I can't finish until later. Bummer.

I got an email back from Berroco (the folks who made the pattern) and they confirmed that the correction needs to be made. *update* the correction has been made on their website and in the pdf download.

I've got a block of time to sit in a waiting room later, plus it's Fab Fibers tonight so I'll be starting the crochet version somewhere in all that. I know what yarn I'm using, Lion Brand Magic Stripes in Jellybean (leftovers again, from socks for me, and socks for my nephew), a really cute bright self-striping yarn. It's a little heavier than the Soles & More, so a D hook should do.

Have you started yours yet? Kidding. I know I'm just doing this for me, nobody out there is actually following along. I keep hearing how crazy I am. I do this to relax, folks, so it's really my way of not going crazy.

Incidentally, I've just read that they are discontinuing the entire Moda Dea line. So get your Sassy Stripes while you can - they had really cute colorways. Like the grey I used for my Twee Bunny. In fact, I might need a bit more of that, if I can find any, because I may need to make a bunch of Twee Bunnies.

how did that happen?

If you've been paying attention to my sidebar list of Finished Objects, you've probably noticed that I haven't been doing a lot of sewing lately. Even though I list that first in my profile, and it tops my list of hobbies any day. It used to be the main fiber art I practiced, but I got back into knit and crochet with a vengeance when I had to dismantle my sewing room and turn it into a bedroom for Twin1 (at some point, I will organize the pictures of that transformation, and share that with you - it was quite the process). Because I had to have a creative outlet, and the sewing machine (and all the stuff) was either not accessible, or heavily disorganized, during that period, I turned to yarn to satisfy that need.
At any rate, it seems an age since I did any serious sewing, aside from what I did for my sisters wedding, and a few pairs of pajama pants. In fact, I think that's been the gist of what I've done, along with some mending and such, for months.
Last night, craving something different, creatively, I sat down to work on this white vinyl purse that has been some time in the making. If you've ever sewed on vinyl, you may have an inkling as to why it's taken me a while to get this project done. It's thick, it sticks to the presser foot, itself, and the machine bed, and any needle holes stay there, so it had better be right the first time. (Wondering why, then, I would choose to make something in vinyl? Obviously, it's really cute. Plus, I got the vinyl really cheap, as a remnant, and had this handbag pattern that seemed perfect for it, and this cute black print cotton to line it with, and black wooden handles, and...well, it's really cute. I'll show you when it's done. Promise.)
Anyway, I got everything out, and found a denim needle (you need one that big, so you don't keep breaking needles while you sew all those thick, heavy layers of vinyl), and started to change the sewing machine needle.
And this is where it gets scary.
The needle that was in the machine, despite the fact that my most recent projects were 1) finishing the neckline on a little cotton baby dress (not listed in my FO, because I didn't actually sew anything except that neckline, and the snaps), 2) mending various items of normal-weight fabrics, and 3) my dress, and parts of others, for my sisters wedding, all in fancy, silky, fine, light-weight fabrics, for which I should have probably used a smaller needle anyway. Despite all that, the needle that was already in my machine was...a denim needle!
I have absolutely NO idea what I last worked on that required a larger needle (Twin1's pj pants were in really thick flannel, but would I have changed the needle for those?). Besides which, I tend to change the needle back to a normal needle when I put away whatever it is, even if I'm not yet done with the project, just in case I have to mend something or work on something else, so I don't have to wonder what's in there. Unless I know I'll be back to the project right away. Which is what my mind must have assumed, back when I last worked on whatever it was.
I am now scared about holes suddenly appearing in my nice dress (too big a needle can do that to fine fabrics) and did a fairly close inspection last night of the seams. It looks okay, but I'm still a little worried. The needle is nice and sharp, so maybe it's okay. But still, nervous.
This delayed my project just a bit.
I still worked on it, and actually got the handles sewn in (not an easy task, what with the wooden handles in there, the multiple layers of vinyl, sewing across the zipper at each end), and we're down to just the lining. It actually already looks like a purse.
I just don't know where my mind is anymore.
(I left the denim needle in the machine this time, but the purse parts are spread out everywhere, too, so I shouldn't forget that's what I'm working on. Though perhaps, I should just change the needle back to normal anyway, given my recent track record.)

more Dodeca fun

what is that?!?

Catzilla?

or half a Dodecahedron? (or is it just bad lighting? my camera's flash is busted, has been for I don't know how long)

I'm excited to be past the half-way point on this project. (if you didn't figure it out already, dodecahedron = 12 sided)

I found a mistake in the pattern, though, when I got to the 6th Point. It says to pick up and knit 11 sts on the left side of the 5th point (okay), then 11 sts on the remaining side of the 1st point (good so far) and then another 11 sts on the right side of the 5th point (what?!?). If I did that, wouldn't it get all twisty? Yes, it would. Instead, you should be picking up and knitting 11 sts along the right side of the 2nd point. (in my photo, the 5th point is the one over on the right, 1st one is in the center, the 2nd point is the one with the tan star on the top, over to the left, the 6th point, the one you're making at this point in the directions, is the one at the top right - so you can visualize what stitches I picked up where). I know for a fact you don't want to twist it around and pick up more stitches on the 5th point, because right after that, they tell you you'll have a center point surrounded by 5 points, which, you can see in my picture, is what I have after picking up the stitches from the 2nd point.

I actually emailed the website about this mistake, as it's in the original pattern as well. So far, I've gotten two emails thanking me for taking the time, and saying they'll have someone check it and get back to me.

I seriously should beta-test patterns for a living. I take directions so literally, and I have no problem doing EXACTLY what it says to do, even if I question the sanity of the author. I've ended up with some bizarre mistakes that way, but I've also managed to complete things that others were totally baffled by, simply because I took the directions on faith. I wonder how much a job like that would pay? Or maybe they could just pay me in yarn?

Will start the crochet version soon. I've had a few other things I've been working on, including my long-neglected Grass Green oversize cable shrug (I can't tell you how many ways I went wrong doing those cables. I was somehow confused when I started, and too far along when I realized I'd goofed. It still looks nice, though, and that's not why it was neglected - just a big project, which I have to tackle in smaller doses) and a little Doctor Who doll (the other D thing I almost put into this challenge, which of course I'm making anyway, because the folks at my place dearly love all things Doctor Who), along with a Very Twee* Knitted Bunny.

See? Isn't he adorable? He's just about 2" long, and I think he's much cuter than my first one.

Yarn I'm using for Dodecahedron is Sensations Soles & More, in Grn/Blu/Ylw (or some nonsense color name like that - they are not using their imaginations). I made one substantial (meaning not short) pair of socks from 2 skeins, and I am only just now on to the second ball of leftovers. Should be able to finish with what I've got, which is always nice. I like using up leftovers. I don't like having to buy more because I ran out doing the non-essential something. Because then I have more leftovers.

Twee Bunny was made in that subtle grey stripe (Moda Dea something) I made mention of earlier, when I was wishing I hadn't cast on 4o stitches in worsted, but couldn't find my sock yarn leftovers. Found them, in a little orange tote, on my bed, under/behind some needlework. Why? Ummm. Because I knit socks in bed when I was first learning? You understand, of course, that as I have no hubby, the other side of the bed is taken up with books, projects, magazines, extra blankets, and other such bedtime-companions-for-singles. I've been told that I'm not leaving any room for anyone else, so until I do, that's how it will be. Possible. But, I like my Anne Tyler books (currently re-reading The Tin Can Tree), and my needlework projects. And my Twee Knitted Bunny.

*Twee, as far as I can tell, is UK-speak for cute and dainty. I think.

into the woods

My twins will be in their school production of Into the Woods this year. Twin1 is the Mysterious Man, and Twin2 is the Wolf.
I've not seen this play, though I know the basic story.
I'm excited to work on this with them, like I did with last year's play, Guys & Dolls.
Last year, my boys signed me up to work on the costumes, and I ended up being there for all-day dress rehearsals, and all the nights of the play (it was even held over!) as unofficial "wardrobe mistress", helping out in one of the dressing rooms, and running errands so the director could do his job. I missed almost a whole week of work. It was a blast.
I suggested that I'd like to help out with costumes again, and they seemed surprised. But really, I need the volunteer hours (they go to a charter school, and that's a requirement), and I so enjoyed helping out back stage.

knit Dodecahedron pattern notes

While working through the knit pattern, I found I needed clarification. (The curse of a person who likes to follow directions to the letter.)

Yes, you do work 4 rows plain knitting after every decrease round, except the last one, which is cinched up to form the point. I felt that part of the instructions wasn't clear, so I tried both with and without the 4 plain rows after decreasing to 15 stitches (yes, that means I had to frog it, which I don't love, which is why I'm telling you this). You get less of a point if you don't do the 4 rows of plain, which would mean you have a sort of ball-of-little-hats, instead of a pointy ball. If you've gotten farther along, and you didn't do the 4 plain rows at that point, just make sure all your points are worked the same.

Here's what's weird about this: if you wander around among their free patterns, you'll come across the original, which was done in white as a Christmas tree topper. The directions are written completely differently, even though the only difference I can see in the finished object is the color choice. This set of directions was much clearer on whether or not to work those last plain rows, and also easier to see from their picture. But, what I don't get, is why re-write a pattern that already works, just to suggest a different yarn? I like the look, though. I may have to try one in white for next Christmas.

The other point which I found vague, explained no better in the alternate directions, was where you should start to pick up your stitches. They do say that you want to "pick up and k11 sts along one side of 1st Point", which should be clear enough. However, through a little trial and error (probably because I was over-thinking it) I realized that if you want the very symmetrical look they show on theirs, you need to take this literally, and consider that a "side" is the part between decreases, or, in other words, you want to pick up your first set of stitches (because the first group sets the pattern for the rest) either starting with, or ending just before, the very last stitch of your cast-on round of your 1st Point, which you'll know by the tail of yarn hanging from it. Was that confusing? Maybe it can't be put into words so much. Just start picking up your stitches in the stitch with the tail. (all this assumes you've cast on like I do, the sling-shot, or long tail, method. If your cast-on tail is left at the other end, start just after that one)

On subsequent pickups, you may wish to count the remaining stitches (of the point you are picking them up from) to make sure you have started/stopped in the correct place. Alternatively, you could place stitch markers, or tie bits of yarn, between groups of 11 stitches on the base of your 1st Point. Then you won't have to count.


Look how cute that tiny star is on the point. That's what happens (for me, anyway) on that last decrease round just before you cinch it up. I likes it.

I'm also kind of liking my matchy-matchy twin peaks there. That's just how it turned out. The 1st Point is the one in the upper left corner, the 2nd is the center bottom, and when I did the 3rd, over on the upper right, it turned out almost exactly as the 1st. I was kind of hoping they'd all turn out at least a little different. However, if you look back to the pattern, they suffer a similar fate. I tried doing one point starting from the other end of the yarn, so the stripe pattern went in the opposite direction, but the difference was too startling. I'm noticing that the stripes move up on each point, just a little, which makes for an interesting effect. I'm wondering if I'd even like this if I'd started from the other end of the yarn in the first place (possible, with this one, because, as I recall, when I did the socks, even though they were both the same dye lot, one skein was wound from the opposite end. A problem I didn't notice until I'd finished the second sock (incidentally, this was the LAST pair of socks knit one at a time), necessitating frogging the first (it was a bit looser anyway, and I liked the fit of the second one better) and starting over using the yarn as I ripped it back. That was fun.), because I wouldn't have gotten that cool snowy peaked mountain look.

Artful Salute

I got up this morning to find my helpful little man artist figure posed like this:

I love my kids. They totally crack me up!

Year of Ami, week 4, D is for Dodecahedron!

D was a difficult one for me. I don't know why. Except I don't want to make an ami dog of any kind (nothing against dogs, you understand, it's just not me). Also, I'm trying to do stuff that makes me happy, stuff I've been considering a while, but haven't gotten to.

There is this very cool dragon, but he has many parts to sew together. Have I mentioned before? I don't like having to sew stuff together.

Sure, I sew fabrics together, and I enjoy that. But I figure, if you're creating the "fabric", custom making the shapes, why should you then have to sew them together? So many things can simply be joined together as you go, or stitches could be picked up. I did this baby blanket once, a sort of 4-square design. The pattern actually wanted you to knit all 4 panels separately, and then sew them together. Even though the knitting was to be all in the same direction. I could see doing that for the width, because knitting across an entire baby blanket means you have to use a circular needle, because straight don't come that long. But for the length? Please, why would I need to bind off in one color, and cast on for a whole new square, just because I'm changing colors? So I didn't. I also used the circular needle, so there was no sewing anything together. It still puzzles me why they wrote the pattern that way.

But I digress.

I'm such a math geek, I couldn't resist a math-related ami challenge. So, I've selected this awesome Dodecahedron, made in sock weight yarn. I have some leftovers, which I hope will be enough. Yes, this means tiny needles (size 2) and fine yarn, but it's still a quick knit. All that cool stripey color business is the yarn - it's self-striping. Mine is a calmer palette, but it will still be stripey like that.

And get this: they also have the pattern in crochet! I love when that happens. I'd considered another D project in crochet, and started hunting up the yarn I needed, but then I saw they'd added the crochet Dodecahedron, and I was sold. They suggest a size E hook, but I'm thinking a smaller hook size would be better for this, just to be sure it's tight enough. I would have guessed a size C for that weight of yarn. I'll let you know what works best for me.

In case you're wondering, neither of these has to be sewn together. Really. You start at the base of each point, and work to the tip, then the next point is partly picked up (or worked into)and partly cast on (or chained), so the sections are joined as you go. Genius!

If you need some cute self-striping sock yarn, Joann has Sensations Soles and More, which comes in great colors, at a great price (you can't buy that online from them, you've got to go there), and one ball is more than enough for both of these. (or you could ask me nice, and I might let you choose from my sock-knitting leftovers)

Think what a cute baby toy this could be, with maybe a jingly cat toy inside?

What are you waiting for? Get those hooks and needles out, and get going!

P.S. You could do this in any yarn, really. Just choose appropriate-sized needles/hook, and go from there. For instance, if you had some of that Red Heart SS in Rainbow, which is such a cute colorway, get your G hook or size 7 needles, and start stitchin'. Seriously.

*update* pics of my own creations added after-the-fact

I'm a winner!

I just got back from the WBN monthly luncheon. That's a networking group for Women in Business here in Utah Valley. We had Emily Cushing, from Give Away Today, to talk about how she took a simple idea, and turned it into a business. If you haven't been to her site, get yourself over there! She has a giveaway every day, and you check back the next day to see if you won. Some great stuff, and a really fun site.

And I won not only a door prize, movie tickets donated by The Daily Herald, but also this gorgeous necklace from Crystal B. (won't steal her picture - just click on her name and you'll go to her Etsy site - mine is the one called Collier - Madame Tingey) and as it happens, it matched my outfit today, so I'm wearing it right now.

Networking really does pay.

His Name is Khan

This morning on NPR, they had a short interview with Shah Rukh Khan, "the biggest movie star in the world." Really. Never heard of him? More people have seen his movies than have seen any other star. He's Bollywood. Oh, yes, that's right. In fact, he's Om, from Om Shanti Om. (Pain of Disco...)

He's got a new film coming out in the U.S., My Name Is Khan, about a Muslim man with Asperger's (which, incidentally, is apparently no longer an official diagnosis - they changed a bunch of definitions of mental diseases just this week), who can't stop telling people "I am not a terrorist".

Go give it a listen, hear the interview. Hear some of the music that makes this man famous. Then see the film. Any film with him in it, yes, but plan to see My Name Is Khan, too. You won't be sorry.

I'm Sorry

So I have all these posts that are in "draft" form, because I'm waiting on the pictures. Sometimes I post stuff anyway, and add the pictures when I get them, but I'm sure that's not the best way to do it, as you, dear reader, then must come back and scroll down through the many posts added since, to see said pictures. Blogging without pictures can get boring, fast. For both of us.

But, I said some things I shouldn't have this morning, so Twin2, my most helpful picture downloader and sender, is a little upset with me now. Not that he would withhold pictures from me, even if he is upset, but I feel bad asking again, since he is. I tend to say too much sometimes.

I am sorry.

I will now attempt to snag my own pictures and put them where I need them. Which I really should have been doing all along anyway.

It looks like the card reader is...reading. More stuff coming soon.

(Be sure you scroll down - I'm leaving the original post times on the "drafts" when I put them up.)

notes on cherries

The crochet ones are super quick, easy as pie.

Anyone besides me loving that little leaf? It's genius, I tell you. Look closely. See? That right there, that's a good reason to know how to both crochet & knit, because I have yet to find a pattern for a leaf that simple, that looks that good, in knitting. Such a simple design, and so easy to crochet, so difficult to knit. I may swap out my knit cherry leaf for a crochet one, it's just so much better. In fact, I may make a crochet leaf for the knit apple. Even from the back, it looks like a leaf.

It looks like the designer just put her leaves sort of tied around the middle-point of that stem, but I sewed mine one, pinching the stem together.

The knit set were still easy, but did anyone besides me get to this point and think, hey, don't stuff it, add some leaves, and you've got a nice rosebud? Just me? Can you see my (blurry) vision, here? (yup, those crochet leaves again, standing in for rose-leaves)

Or to this point, after stuffing, and think that if you'd made it in white, with a light green "stem", it could be a green onion? Add some tufty bits on the closed end, make that stem really short, like you'd cut off the tops, or make a handful more on there? Just me again? Okay.

I LOVE the way she has you join the stems at the top, though. Genius, again.

These do take some poking and manipulating to get them to settle into a round cherry shape. I had to fight with mine a bit. But I managed it in the end.

With the i-cord stems, they're stiff enough to stand on their own, unlike the crochet set.

Both sets are in Vanna Baby, Cherry Cherry, with Vanna, Espresso for the stem, and Wool-Ease, Forest for the leaves. (Vanna doesn't make a dark green like that. Yet.)

Both are a little big to use as the "cherry on top" for a sundae, maybe. But you could do them on smaller needles/hooks, in a sport weight, and that might be enough smaller. I might try that, later. I do need some "cherry on top" cherries.

helpful little men, and some cherries

Took a break from slippers (waiting for more hemp to come in the mail), and tried out the cherries.

Pretty cute, no?

Mom gave me the curious blackbird trying to steal the knit set. (thanks, mom!)

Who's that holding the crochet set, you say?

That's one of my helpful little men. This one, maybe, isn't so helpful as some of the others. This one, who tolerates a chicken on his head, while looking very serious, is mostly decorative.

But I have others.

In the bathroom, there is a little frosted glass soap-dish man, wearing nothing but his belly button and a smile. Sometimes you have to be careful what soap you put there - like the red Christmas stocking - because it can look a little odd. My favorite is in the fall, when I've got a couple leaf-shaped soaps on him - he looks like he's been toppled by falling leaves. Right now, we have another helpful little man, a snowman, for the soap. I should have put out my heart soap already. I'll have to see to that later. Then he will have a heart on...there.

On the mantel, I have one of those artist figures in miniature. He's useful for drawing attention to things, since he is pose-able. Over to the left, you can see my lame treasure box, with my awkward toad inside, and in the center, hanging from one of my apothecary jars, a snowMAN cookie cutter (see that handle placement? he's definitely a male snow-person)

In the kitchen, I have a snowman cookie jar (obvious), and this little "butter boy": You put butter in him, and he helps you butter your corn on the cob. So helpful.

My favorite helpful little men, though, are Twin1:(he was a jester for Halloween)

and Twin2:

(working hard to protect us from the Zombie invasion)

final notes on tea cup bunny construction

When I did the fuzzy version, you couldn't tell quite where I'd sewed it together, so I couldn't have jotted down anything. But it was a bit of trial and error. Which I went through with the smooth version as well. But that one, I could see what finally worked, so now I can tell you (and show you pictures of) just exactly what parts go where.

(I'm one of those people who likes to have instructions for every little bit)

When sewing the head to the body, what looked best for me was to sew through the head just below the top row (not your closing sc row, if you did that, but the actual top row), centered, of course, and join that to the body just above (except it's upside down) the 6th row. I went through 3-4 stitches. I also tacked it down, through just one stitch, a couple rows down the head, sort of in the chin area, just so the head doesn't wobble. I used the tail from sewing up the bottom - just ran it up through the body to the right point and went from there. I tend to leave a pretty long tail if it says I should "leave a long tail", and I hate wasting the yarn. Plus, I didn't have to worry about anchoring the thread end when I started.

I didn't add a tail. Didn't want a pom pom, couldn't decide what else to try, left him tail-less.

Stitch his little nose in a pretty pink yarn or floss. I started at the bottom of the "V", coming up just above the second round, going in 3 rounds up and 2 stitches over. Come back up directly across, at the top of the left of the "V", and then back down at the center/bottom. I didn't tie it off because I didn't want any pink showing somewhere else, so I sort of wished I had done his nose before stuffing and closing the head.

These guys are so cute, and so quick, I'm thinking it might be likely you'd find a Tea Cup Bunny in your tea cup, next time I throw a tea party. I'm thinking late spring, or maybe summer - because I don't have room for very many friends unless I have it outside. Plus, by that time, I hope to have a front porch, which will need to be celebrated.