I am so stoked! March 30, 2009
Posted by walterknitty in Knitting.add a comment
The Sock Summit 2009 website is up. It’s happening at the Convention Centre in Portland in August. That’s just a few miles from where I live. Dudes, seriously, I could walk or ride my bike from where I live. I’m pretty excited. The Harlot is teaching a class on how to knit faster, and classes are being taught by Meg Swanson, Cat Bordhi, Priscilla Gibson-Roberts, Nancy Bush, Barbara Walker . . .
How cool is that?! The best part? For all the famous knitting brain power concentrated in one place classes are reasonably priced. Prices range from 15-140$ depending on class time. One hour classes are 15$, 3 hour classes are 70$ and 6 hour classes are 140. I for one could not sit in a class, let alone a knitting class, for 6 hours without getting cross-eyed. There are a couple though I’m interested in: knitting ergonomics – how to knit more comfortably for your body, short rows (short rows and I dont get along. I think they’re rat fucking bastards), and a class on stranded colour-work. The first two are an hour, the last is 3. There is also a panel discussion that sounds interesting on the 9th, the 99th anniversary of EZ’s birth:
Knitters like us (and you) owe a lot to those who’ve come before us, laying groundwork, messing up stereotypes, opening doors to becoming thinking knitters. As we learn more and more about the science of knitting, and the ways that it’s improving and protecting our brains, or come to understand that what it has brought to our lives is far greater than the sum of its parts, we realize that we owe a very great deal to the knitters who have navigated the way here for us. In keeping with those thoughts, and because really, what are the odds anybody is ever going to be able to get all these great thinkers in one room again, we have assembled a panel of Knitting Luminaries who will talk about what’s happened in knitting in the last 99 years, who we owe it to, and where they think it’s going. There should be interesting debate, fierce passion, and an opportunity for you to ask them questions.
There’s also going to be a sock museum.
I wish all of you who wanted to come could. August is when it’s finally summer here. Summer for some of you may start around May/June. Here, it’s not until after the 4thof July. That’s if we’re lucky. Summer is worth waiting for. It’s sunny every day, the temperature usually stays between 80-85 (we do get occasional heat waves but they dont last long), there is no humidity, and are no mosquitoes. Oh, and it cools off at night. The last three more than make up for the months of damp and grey. I’m from Eastern Iowa. Summer there means weeks of 90+ degree weather with 90+ % humidity. All the humidity traps the heat so it doesnt cool off at night. The mosquitoes dont care if you’re wearing repellent. They consider it a challenge.
Besides, it’s Portland. We have independent coffee shops and breweries on every corner, lots of yarn shops, and more strip joints per capita than Las Vegas. What’s not to love?
I Heart Owls March 28, 2009
Posted by walterknitty in Fingers Crossed, Knitting.1 comment so far
The Owl’s sweater is nearly done. Just 2 inches of ribbing and the armpit seams. My fear now is that one arm will be 3 inches longer than the other even though I measured several times and counted rows several times too. Fingers crossed.
It’s a grey, rainy spring day. I went to the Portland Farmers Market early this morning. It is hoity-toity, but has some advantages. It’s the only one open right and because of it’s size has a lot of variety. You can get a good deal if you take a careful walk through first. No matter how much I want to make Chris a rhubarb pie, there is no way in hell I’m spending 5$ a pound. No freaking way. Even though it is very damp, it was good to get out. Portland has a lot of cherry trees and now is the time they are in bloom. This is my favourite season and it’s the shortest. By mid-April those delicate pink and white petals will be drifting slowly onto pavement, cars, passers-by, and into storm drains. It is beautiful though. My most favourite part is the smell. There is nothing like it. Part of me feels spoiled by one small fact. There are 3 trees, two white and one pink, right along the street behind my apartment. They have not come into bloom yet. When they do I’ll get to walk under them and smell that smell each time I go out and come home.
I dont know if any of you have read “Anne of Green Gables” or seen the film, but I’m reminded of the scene in the film and book when Matthew picks Anne up from the train station and she tells him she was thinking of sleeping in a cherry tree if he hadnt come. She asks him if he would like that, to sleep in a cherry tree all silvery in the moonlight. Would you like that? To be surrounded in that scent and petals all silvery in the moonlight?
Thank You! March 26, 2009
Posted by walterknitty in Knitting.add a comment
I wantto give a big “Thank You!” to everyone who gave advice on what to do about the Owls sweater. Yesterday I did put all the arm stitches onto my long circular needle but the stitches were so tight on the needle I didnt think it could be right. Nope. It was the right thing to do. It’s been a learning experience and I’ll definitely know what to do next time.
I appreciate all your help and am grateful to have received it. Totally made my day.
Frustration March 26, 2009
Posted by walterknitty in Knitting.4 comments
I’m making Kate Davies “Owls” sweater. Here’s the link. I’ve only made one thing with sleeves before and that was a jacket, but the sleeves were picked up from the arm holes and knitted down. This is going to sound incredibly dumb, but I have no freaking idea how I’m supposed to attach the sleeves to the body. Am I supposed to knit the top part of the sleeve onto the sweater, leave some of the body stitches on extra yarn then graft it together? I know I cant stick all the arm stitches onto my circular needle, if I did I wouldnt have any space to stick my arm in. I’d put my sweater on, my arms would be stuck to my sides, and someone would have to tie the sleeves in a bow behind my back so they wouldnt flap around all day. I’ve been trying to figure it out since about 2 this afternoon. The more I think about it the more frustrated I get. I posted for help on Ravelry, and got one reply that wasnt very helpful. If anyone can give me a little direction I’d appreciate it.
Thanks.
Walter K.
Mmmm. Lasagna March 25, 2009
Posted by walterknitty in Food.add a comment
I’ve been eating some version of this lasagna for as long as I can remember. It’s my Mom’s recipe and it’s the best kind. No special noodles are needed and (this is the best part) the noodles dont have to be boiled first. Chris isnt feeling well today and requested it for dinner. I had everything on hand so it was easy to accommodate. Here’s the recipe if you are at all interested in a low fuss lasagna with lots of cheese.
Oh, a couple of notes first. Since it’s two of us the recipe that follows should be baked in an 8×8 pan. It’s very easy to double and if you do, just bake it in a 9×13. The other is, I’m a vegetarian. If you’re adding meat use your judgment on how much to add. I think 1/2 lb for the smaller version and 1 lb should be enough if it’s doubled. The smaller version is enough to feed 2 people for 2ish days (depending on your level of self control) and the larger is enough to feed a hungry family of 4 for a couple of days.
Lasagna
4 oz lasagna noodles
2 c spaghetti sauce
1 c cottage cheese mixed with one egg
2 c grated mozzarella
1/4 c grated Parmesan
dried basil, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, really use whatever you like. pepper and salt to taste
handful or so of chopped parsley
olive oil
veggies. Use whatever you like or whatever you have on hand. Tonight I used, 1/4 chopped onion, 3 cloves garlic, 1/2 red bell pepper chopped, 6-8 mushrooms sliced, a couple of forkfuls of sun-dried tomatoes in oil, 4-6 marinated artichoke hearts sliced in half, and a couple big handfuls of spinach. I’ve used zucchini, arugula, carrots, chard, asparagus, etc and have yet (famous last words. Mine is still in the oven with 10 or so minutes to go) to have it not come out.
In a large pan heat some olive oil. Saute the onion and garlic. Add the bell peppers, saute for a minute or two, add the mushrooms, artichoke hearts, and tomatoes. Add the spaghetti sauce, saute for a couple of minutes, add the dried herbs and red pepper flakes. Let this sit on the stove for about 10 minutes or so. Add some spinach, let simmer until wilted. Turn off the heat and add parsley and pepper.
In your 8×8 pan layer the lasagna like so: 1/3 sauce, 1/2 noodles, 1/2 cottage cheese mixture, 1/3 mozzarella. Repeat ending with cheese on top. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for one hour. Uncover and let sit for 10 minutes. Resist the urge to dive in right away. It does need this time to set up. Like chili, it’s better the next day.
Conversation with the Doc March 21, 2009
Posted by walterknitty in Random Conversations.add a comment
I went to see my Doc yesterday. Just a yearly check up along with the girl equivalent of “turn your head and cough”. You know, Hi Ho Silver! I’m lying on the table/bed/thing in her office being prodded (and grateful I went to the bathroom) when she says:
“I cant feel your ovaries. That’s a good thing”
Random Friday March 20, 2009
Posted by walterknitty in Gardening.add a comment
Yea! The broccoli survived it’s first rainy night outside.
I may be completely lame but I think plants are pretty amazing. Take the lonely Tigerella tomato for instance: how does such a tiny seed know what to do. How does such a tiny seed know to grow into a red and orange striped tasty (hopefully) tomato. Or broccoli which has a tiny seed, not much bigger than a brown mustard seed, how does it know it’s going to grow into a plant with serrated leaves and a tasty broccoli head? If I’m lame to find awe in this then I’m lame as lame can be. I understand the evolutionary science behind it, selective breeding, hybridization, chance cross pollination, purposeful cross pollination over hundreds of years. I understand that somewhere a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away there was an ancestor tomato that all the rest mutated from. While I understand the science behind it, I still find it amazing and pretty damn cool.
In case anyone is wondering I get my seeds from Baker Creek Seed Co. based in MO. They specialize in organically grown, heirloom seeds, from all over the US and all around the world. Their prices are very reasonable. And they have 197 varieties of tomatoes in 8 colours. Sorry. I’m a little tomato obsessed today.
Also today, the first thing I read was this from the NY Times. The video has a good message and serves to remind me why I’m grateful Obama is our President.
Proof. With Photos March 20, 2009
Posted by walterknitty in Fingers Crossed, Gardening, Knitting.3 comments
It’s true. I have photographic evidence that knitting does happen. It’s not just talked about. The Anne Shirley scarf was finished a couple of weeks ago. The first two are just her in all her glory. The last is yours truly modeling.
Spring gardening is happening. Broccoli went outside today. Now, I may be jumping the gun a little bit, but it’s been so nice the last couple of days I couldnt help myself. Hopefully all 5 of them survive.
A couple other things have sprouted, one lonely tomato, basil, tarragon, chives, but nothing worth taking pictures of yet. Two other tomatoes got started today and 3 kinds of peppers. I tried starting these a few weeks ago in toilet paper tubes, the only thing that sprouted was mold. Hopefully I’ll have better luck with this batch. Trying plastic containers left over from last year. If they’re good enough for broccoli they’re good enough for peppers and tomatoes. Right?
Either Claire is out to get me or it’s Friday the 13th March 13, 2009
Posted by walterknitty in Evil Grey Beast, Life Lessons.2 comments
Two posts in one day. Can you believe it?
I learned it was Friday the 13th today after I rushed out the door to catch my bus to come to work. I should have been clued in long before that. These should have been my clues:
1. Back story. I have a french press. Last week when I was pushing down the plunger nearly boiling water came out of the pot and splashed my chin, lips and nose. Hurt like hell. My lips, chin, and nose are still peeling. Anyway, this nearly happened again this morning. Fortunately, I didnt have my face as close to the spout and it was turned away from me.
2. I couldnt find my shoes. Right before I had to rush out the door I found them.
3. I couldnt find my badge to let me into work. It’s not where I normally leave it. The security guard didnt want to let me in once I got to work.
4. I almost forgot my lunch.
5. I did forget to bring a piece of fruit.
6. The law firm is hosting a retreat. 165 binders had to be put together by noon today. I was doing really well, then I pinched my finger.
Now, I secretly think Claire (my cat) is out to get me. I think she’s smarter than she pretends to be. I think while I’m asleep she thinks up nefarious cat schemes to make it impossible for me to come to work. She’s knocked my glasses between the bed and the wall (I cant see 2 feet in front of my face without them) amongst other things. This is going to sound ridiculous. I know it’s going to sound ridiculous. But, I secretly think she hid my shoes and badge on purpose just so I wouldnt be able to come to work. If I cant come to work it means I get to stay home which means she gets lots of attention, lots of petting. Do you see where she’s going withthis? She pretends to be innocently playing with a ball this morning, but secretly she’s laughing at me. I bet this morning, after I got out of the shower, and we were meowing at each other she was telling me all about her nefarious scheme. Knowing I wouldnt understand and telling me how stupid of a human I am for not understanding. She’s a sneaky thing.
Friday Morning Doom and Gloom March 13, 2009
Posted by walterknitty in Politics.1 comment so far
This headline from the NY Times has me a little worried this morning. The Chinese Government owns a lot of US debt and we are going to be borrowing a hell of a lot of money from them to pay for the much needed stimulus package, bank bailout, and new budget. Not including the more than likely need for another stimulus package in the near future. The Peoples Bank of China and one their Soverign Wealth Funds own a lot of US Treasury bonds, we financed our over consumption and debt spending with Chinese money over the last 8-10 years. The fact that their government is nervous about the stability of the dollar makes me nervous. While I agree that it would not be a wise decision for the Chinese Government to start selling their pool of US Treasury bonds now, it would flood the market causing the worth of those Treasury bonds to collapse, it doesnt mean they couldnt start selling them slowly in the near future and invest their money elsewhere (say in the Euro).
I dont trust the Chinese government. I am suspicous of them for a whole host of reasons (doctored weather reports, Tibet, all the corruption surrounding the Three Gorges Dam project etc) I feel very uneasy that the US Government is so beholden to them to finance our debt and finance our own government. We’d be so incredibly screwed if all of a sudden they stopped buying our debt or decided to sell their US Treasury bonds. They could easily have the US Government, pants down, over a barrel.
