Wool & Words

Just returned home from my very first mammogram.

It was totally not a big deal. And I have big boobs (those are bodacious tatas to you, Stephanie!). A bit squishy, but since I took an Aleve an hour before, there was little pain. And well worth it, since I've just finished knitting my first Shapely Tank (pics when the seaming's done), and I want these babies to be around for a long time so that I can enjoy many more!

So, if you haven't had one and you're supposed to, what are you waiting for? Get that screening done!

Posted by KnitNut at 09:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Today we can see the first pattern from the long-awaited (by some) Chiagu.

Go on. Check it out.

For $4.95, you can have the pdf file to knit this sweet little creation. Lest I begin to sound like an ad, let me get to the real point of this post.

I found out about this through a post at the LiveJournal Knitting community. The usual (and valid) enthusiastic discussion ensued about the pattern, how cute it was, how various knitters wished they had a baby to knit for, when it dawned on me.

How much of the pattern's cuteness resides in its singularity and the long-anticipation of something from this site? Is it a cute pattern because it's cute, or because it's the first offering from a site that has been in pre-launch stage on the Net (and still is, as far as I'm concerned) for what seems like a year now?

Which leads me to the larger question: does the simple act of focusing in our attention on a particular pattern generate desire to knit that pattern? It seems, for example, that each issue of knitty spawns 1 or 2 "must knits" that everyone seems to gravitate toward. There are other, equally worthy patterns, but they get little, if any, web face time. If knitty released, say, 1-2 patterns per month, would each pattern look better in its singularity?

No flaming, please. I don't mean to disparage anyone's patterns or knitting tastes. I'm just wondering about what draws in our eye, and how much the isolation of one element generates buzz about it.

Posted by KnitNut at 01:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

There was a time in the not-so-distant past when I would have done much better on this quiz. I am disappointed in myself. I'm slipping...

You Scored 75% Correct

You are an 80s expert You never confuse New Order with the Pet Shop Boys You know which classical musician Falco rocked When it comes to 80s music, you Just Can't Get Enough!

And if you'd like to get your Napoleon on...check out this.

Posted by KnitNut at 10:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Last week, I was busy making cross stitch bookmarks for First Communion recipients at our church.

I haven't cross stitched in ages, so it was kind of fun to do it again. Got me thinking (a lot) about the Indigo Rose "Desiderata" that I'm about 1/4 of the way through. I need to find the pattern and the floss box so that I can continue working on it.

LOL

There are knit pics to show, though. I present to you Leaf Lace in Repose:

And here's a closeup of the points:

I really enjoyed knitting this shawl. I love Fiber Trends lace patterns. More photos when it's dried.

Posted by KnitNut at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I've been listening to The Proclaimers quite a bit lately. There's something about two brothers singing honestly and plainly about life, love, loss and such that is just so appealing.

So today I share with you one of their most uplifting songs. You can hear it here.

"The Joyful Kilmarnock Blues"

I'm not going to talk about doubts and confusion
On a night when I can see with my eyes shut

I'd never been to Ayrshire
I hitched down one saturday
Sixty miles to Kilmarnock
To see Hibernian play
The day was bright and sunny
But the game I won't relay
And there was no Kilmarnock bunnet
To make me want to stay

But I'm not going to talk about it
On a night when I can see with my eyes shut

When I started walking at Wishaw
My eyes obscured my vision
After five miles on my way
I began to learn to listen

I walked through the country
I walked through the town
I held my head up
And I didn't look down

The question doesn't matter
The answer's always "aye"
The best view of all
Is where the land meets the sky.

Take a look at this beautiful world with your eyes closed. Rejoice in life and all it has to give. Happy Easter!

Posted by KnitNut at 01:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Check out this cute drawstring bag pattern from Tostetoes. I'm loving the fabrics and searching for suppliers.

Posted by KnitNut at 09:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I am stunned that at a time when students are learning, in a negative manner, about the power of the printed word, there are school systems devaluing the activity.

I'm working up a conference panel on public perceptions of "good" writing. How important do you think writing is? What makes for good writing? What makes for bad?

Posted by KnitNut at 02:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Just in case you've wondered about the place where I'm from:

Growling man with sword robs store; suspect arrested

I love Louisiana!

And if you want more piratey-goodness, check out the 826 Valencia Store which sells pirate supplies to support kids writing programs.

Posted by KnitNut at 02:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

My office mate teaches a rock and roll as literature course to UGA freshmen. Today we were discussing the inevitable student responses to 80's New Wave, and he surprised me by revealing that of all the New Wave bands, Duran Duran seems to invoke the greatest amount of student ire.

I weep in frustration.

Looking back, I can see that my current love of poetry, particularly cryptic, gnomic texts, may have been heavily influenced by Simon LeBon's often puzzling lyrics. Take, for example, this excerpt from "Secret Oktober", a b-side from one of the Seven and the Ragged Tiger singles:

Wise on a birthday party
in a world
full of surprising fireworks
and sudden silence

Lies on a stranger's bed
the new day breaks
like a speeding train
on an old friend
ever expected,
but never knocking

Holding your own
in a battered car
All night parties
cocktail bars
and smile
when the butterfly escapes
the killing jar

What strikes me initially looking at these lines are the first words of each stanza--"wise" "lies" "holding". I hear and see something sleazy in these first stanzas, something illicit, but also something dawning, like the introduction of innocence to that which is less-than-innocent. The three words seem to sum it up for me for some reason, or at least to command my attention today. Admittedly, I have the song running through my head right now, which draws my attention to those words. LeBon drags out the first two, with the third being almost lost in a tempo shift. If I were a kazaa type of girl, I'd hunt down an mp3 of this bad boy (great song) for you. Alas, I'm not and will have to find an obliging someone to do that for me.

EDIT: I found a cover of the song that you can listen to part of here. Not as good as the original (this singer doesn't have half of Simon's whine down), but decent and you can get a feel for the song's rhythms. Hypnotic, I tell you.

Yes, it's a B-side...but there are other songs that still puzzle and intrigue, even after all these years. "Save a Prayer", "Is There Something I Should Know", "New Religion"--these are with me still.

Any other Duran fans out there?

Posted by KnitNut at 01:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It'll take me days to get through these, especially since I'm having prolonged laughing fits for some of them. Enjoy!

Baby's Named a Bad, Bad Thing

Posted by KnitNut at 02:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I'm sitting at home on this dreary icky day, cruisin to see what you all are doing...busy busy!

The Prudent Purl is celebrating 10 beautiful years of marriage AND has sent her daughter off on a big school trip away from home..milestones, my friends, milestones!

Purling Swine are saying no to being smoked! Give Ann some love and support as she knits her way to clean lungs!

The Lifelong Knitter has The Gift. Oh, to be a dog whisperer and to see such sweet lambies!

Such delights and triumphs!

A few notes on my last entry:

1. The little red blobs that Steve made me are, indeed, pocketbook slippers. They're quite cozy; I'll get him to take a photo of me modelling them this weekend.

2. The yarn I'm using for the Clapper is Artful Yarns Fable. I love it. It is yummy cotton/silk goodness. Mmmmmmm.......

As for St. Patty's Day, I'm knitting green today. Can't promise that I'll go beyond that, but I may work a green salad in today and if I go out of the house, I'll be sure to wear a green something or other.

Posted by KnitNut at 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I'm off to campus to order textbooks for my fall class, but you guys deserve some photos!

First, my Valentine's Day gift from Steve (I'm a terrible girlfriend to have not shared this goodness with my readers before--forgive me, darling):

And next, the endless Clapotis. 4 skeins and counting...it'll never be finished!

And a closeup--but still not quite right on the color:

The Leaf Lace Shawl is done; I'm hoping to block it this week, so be on the lookout for stretching photos.

Posted by KnitNut at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

As we careen toward Spring Break (which means I'm driving a runaway train right now), I thought I'd pop up for air.

It's been a nutty, but productive, week. Between the teaching and the computer supporting and the general merriment and mayhem, we hosted Cynthia Selfe, an extraordinary compositionist who takes a keen interest in the literacies that students bring to the table as we move into the 21st century. An inspirational day.

But a long day. I actually brought my knitting along to my dissertation group meeting, which was sandwiched between Selfe's talk and the dinner with her that I attended. I worked on the Clapotis (yes, Ann, she's a vixen) while we discussed what we were up to and thinking.

And I love knitting this thing--but it is a yarn hog. Oink Oink. I will need at least one more skein.

No pics yet; I need to convince myself that getting the camera out is a good idea. If you'd like to see something beautiful, see the Pi Are Squared that Chappy's Mom has just finished. My stash cries out to be fashioned into such beauty...

Posted by KnitNut at 10:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I've been just buzzing around lately. Last week I had to turn in the application for a grad school thing that I don't want to talk about now. We'll either be crying in our knitting or dancing for joy come April 15.

Add to that the general chaos that is my life, preparations for the class I teach at UGA, the ones I'm offering at the LYS, and, well, everything else, and you get a frazzled gal. I've been grading papers all morning; not much more to say on that score. If any of my students are reading this, don't worry--I made sure I was in a good, rested place before I started. To those who will be graded during the Duke-North Carolina game, I say that I'll try my best not to let Duke's performance distract or guide my grading, but I make no promises.

I've been shamelessly knitting away on Clapotis instead of working on any of the other gagillion projects I've got going right now. I need to really get cracking on my lace sampler for the beginner class, but this pattern just took over my attention. It's a little vixen, I tell ya. Of course, knowing that Easter is approaching helps; I'd originally planned to wear it as an Easter Sunday wrap over something severe and black. That's just my thang, I guess.

One more thing; I love Aveeno. I hate eating oatmeal, but apparantly it's sweet to my skin. Thank you, good people at Aveeno. You may send me product as you see fit and I will continue to be a vocal supporter.

Up soon: a confession about my SKFD, which is seriously awry.

Posted by KnitNut at 04:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)