Where the Wild Things Are

*see the trailer here*

...and, yeah, that is Arcade Fire. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are supposedly doing some work on the score too. I'm so excited!

Donyale Socks

Pattern: Donyale Socks, by Black Dog Designs
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock in Tizano red
Needles: size 1

Quite obviously, these socks aren't on target. The first one I knit (started before Thanksgiving) it too tight and too short. The other one is almost too lose but I think the length is perfect. Both legs have the same number of pattern repeats. oh, and I increased the CO number to 65 to accommodate my large-ish feet.


This odd couple is not the pattern's fault. The pattern is beautiful and easy to memorize. I think I must have been stressed out while knitting the first sock. The yarn is also beautiful - too beautiful to waste on this little disaster.

*Ah, what might have been*

Catching up

First off, Tasha was kind enough to bestow upon me a Kreativ Blogger award. I've never gotten any kind of blogging award before. I'm just happy when I get more than two hits a week. Thanks Tasha!

I've been busy with real life non-bloggable things. Spring is a busy time. I'm almost done with a sock, I have a headless felted deer, and a quilt that needs binding. My Spring Break starts at 4 pm tomorrow so hopefully I can wrap these projects up in the next week.

We gave up drinking for Lent. It's ruined our social life. I never realized how much of our entertainment involves beer. So the friends have stopped calling and we don't invite anyone out since it's weird to invite someone to a bar and then not drink.
The not drinking thing isn't bad. I miss the bottle of wine we usually have Sunday nights and I miss our partying friends, but other than that, it's not as big of a deal as I thought it would be.

My birthday is Sunday. Ides of March, take that Julius Cesar! I am offically in my late twenties. We're going to have a nice fancy dinner at one of my favorite restaurants (sans wine, darn). Hopefully there will be some double chocolate brownies involved.
My birthday is always during Lent, Spring Break, and SXSW. There's a lot of fun stuff going on, but not usually many people around for a party. Or, they've given up drinking, brownies and parties.

* chris III was bored by this post*

More Mits and Felting

My sister flew in from California last weekend to see the baby and surprise the family. I was the only one who knew and I was very excited since I only got to see her for a couple of days over Christmas.
What does this have to do with fingerless mits and a tiny bluebird? Everything.

My sister is a musician and plays a lot at the local farmer's market. I gave her the Wiggle Mits as part of Christmas gift and she'd mentioned how much she likes to wear them while she plays (violin, cello, you name it, she's super talented). It's still chilly up there, so I decided to whip her up another pair.

The yarn is Debbie Mumm Traditions and very soft.
I think I used size 8 needles, knit what was basically a rectangular swatch and then seamed it up, leaving a hole for the thumb. Easy-peasy. If had I been thinking, I would have done a provisional cast-on and then kitchner stitched the sides. oh well, I think they still look good.

Now, the bluebird is her idea. I showed her how to needle felt and she made a really cute flower which was immeaditly made into a hair clip. Then it was decided a tiny bird would also make a really cute hairclip.


It only took about 30 minutes to make him and I think he's pretty darn cute. I've gotten the hang of needle felting finally and started another four-legged creature (not a giraffe).

Mr. Dangly in the Wild

Back in January, I gave Mr. Dangly to my then-yet-to-be-born nephew. Unfortunately, he went a little crazy with his freedom...when he auditioned to be Chris III's favorite monkey, he only proved that he would be a bad influence, at least until little C turns 21.

Welcome to the World, Little One!

I'm happy to announce the birth of my nephew, Chris the third!
He was born on Friday the 13th (just missed being a Valentine's baby by an hour); he clocked in at 6 pounds, 11 ounces and 19 inches long.

He, my brother and my sister-in-law are healthy and happy. They are going to be great parents. I was really impressed by how calm and confident they are taking care of him. And I appreciate that they lets us all hold him as much as we liked.

He's the first baby in our family. My parents are thrilled at becoming grandparents and my sisters and I couldn't be prouder aunts.

It was neat to see him and recognize his features from both of our families. He's got his mom's nose and chin and it looks like he'll have blue eyes like my brother. He's got long fingers and feet like my dad. And, although I wasn't able to get a picture, he's got a dimple like people on both sides of the family.


And clearly, he's already got a personality of his own. He was very patient with his aunts, uncles, and friends passing him around, making faces at him and generally loving him like crazy.




It was sad to say good bye to everyone, but hopefully we'll be able to see them again soon.

Songwriting Workshop with Okkervil River at the ABC

The Austin Bat Cave is hosting a free songwriting workshop with Austin's own Okkervil River. The workshop is on March 1st from 2-4 pm. Students in 9th to 11th grade are welcome.

And although the workshop is free, space is limited. You can call 524-1489 or email austin bat cave at gmail dot com.



The Austin Bat Cave is a new non-profit bringing the model of San Francisco's
826 Valencia here to Austin.
Any donations to the ABC would be much appreciated!