Crumpet the Elf

As you are knitting Christmas presents this weekend, may I suggest you listen to the most hilarious Christmas story ever: The story of Crumpet the Elf.

David Sedaris' career was launched with his NPR stories of his time as an elf at Macy's. It is now a holiday tradition.

Don't forget to send in your project photos this weekend: alaskAmy at hotmail dot com.

Happy Thanksgiving

Milo Ventimigilllliawhatever is hot. I am thankful for him and his lack of clothing.

Um, how shall I make this about knitting? Oh, yes, clearly he needs a sweater. Lots of sweater patterns here.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

This picture courtesy of the wonderful people at A Socialite's Life.

We were right

Natasha was having fun on vacation.

Knitting can save your life

See? It's not just me. The Houston Chronicle loves Pushing Daisies too. And they use a recent episode to show how knitting can save your life.


Oh, that reminds me: Wanna knit a strawberry?

Lady with a baby and a question

From Knotty Mama:*

I love this! Question...how long are you girls making your scarfs? I just keep going, and going...it could become a very narrow rug for my hallway if I don't stop. :)

Answer:
Leave yourself enough yarn to make your fringe -- that will probably mean your scarf will hit just above your knee without fringe.

Photos of examples and how to make your fringe -- Coming soon....

*Check out Knotty Mama's beautiful photo on the right -- cropped to protect her identity and just in case she was kidding when she said I could post it.

I've got yarn in my mouth

I can't explain how cute this stuff is. I have to knit food...NOW!
I love knowing how to use double pointed needles. It's like a whole new world has opened up. A world of knitted cupcakes and pies and ....... children dressed as CORN!













Pie from PieKnits. Cupcakes are the creation of Ms. Darcy and the Baby Corn is from Lion Brand.

Click click

Hooray! Hooray! I finally finished the Punishment Blanket last night at 10:30. I'm sure my theoretical baby will appreciate it some day. I'm heading over to Loops tonight to get the moral support I need to finish my first sock.

On the left: The blanket LIES! It pretends to be easy but really it's a big fat ball of months and months of tedious little knit stitches. Photo of actual passive-aggressive blanket to come. Note to blanket: You can't break me!!!!

Here's your reminder. Tomorrow is knitting day -- if we stick around that long. If so, I promise to teach you how to knit these fabulous earmuffs.


Editor's note: Natasha! I'm kidding.

Wallace and Gromit

If you don't know who they are, well don't I hate you but I'm not sure I can tolerate you.

Just kidding. I can tolerate you. For now.

Wallace and Gromit are a fabulous stop-animation creation. Gromit knits and Wallace loves cheese. There's also lots of rabbits, vegetables and people with British accents. It's like they are IN MY MIND. I think I'll sue for trespass on intellectual property.*


Pictured: Sean the sheep wearing a sweater made of his own fur -- and a space helmet -- for some reason. I haven't seen this episode so I guess I have to hate myself now. Darn it. Back to therapy!

*When typing this, I misspelled intellectual. Ha. Ha ha.

Oddly addictive:

Kill the waaaa-bit. Kill the waaaaaa-bit. Kill the waaaa-bit -- then bring him back to life.


Pictured: a rabbit who is so cute he must die.

We missed you

Dear Amy W.,

We had an impromptu knitting session today and since you couldn't be there, I thought I would include you on what we covered.

Topics included:

1. Amy P's sock class and how she managed not to kill anyone even though she was frustrated and armed with five knitting needles.
2. Heather learned how to cast-on and knit.
3. Katy is on scarf number 5,978 -- or something along those lines.
4. Natasha probably had a really good time at the beach on her vacation.
5. How is Amy W. doing?
6. Amy W. really needs to register with BabiesRUs.com before people start purchasing ill-advised baby presents for her.
7. Certain members of the circle are developing an unhealthy yarn-buying addiction.

Pictured: Totally unrelated rabbit -- but it's cute, right?

A lovely site with nothing to do with knitting

The top card is one of my favorites.

If you could explain this to me, I would be most grateful

Another email:

If you could, explain this to me, I would be most grateful ;)


SIZE: One Size
9 x 68 in. [23 x 173 cm]


NOTE: EVERY ROW OF ENTIRE SCARF PATTERN BEGINS AND ENDS WITH A KNIT 4, TO CREATE GARTER STITCH BORDER.

Sugar Cubes (multiple of 8 sts)
Row 1 (RS): Knit. ≤------ what does RS mean?
Row 2: *P6, k2; rep from * across.
Row 3: K the k sts and p the p sts. <----- I don't know what this means
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: Knit.
Row 6: P2, *k2, p6; rep from * to last 6 sts, k2, p4. <----- not sure here either ;)


Answer:
RS= Right Side, i.e. the side that will have the pattern showing on it. On the scarf you made, both sides are the right side, but on some patterns, there is a Wrong Side and a Right side (like for a sweater, the inside is the Wrong Side).

Row 3: K the k sts and p the p s =

Knit the Knit stitches and Purl the Purl stitches. (from the previous row)

Addiction

An email from someone who already owns far to much yarn:

I promise I have not bid on any, but I must show you... I want some of that sari yarn (but not today!)

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=silk+yarn&category0=

It's crack, people. Yarn is crack.