Spring is for Socks

hawtsocks1
Originally uploaded by watrfae

I'm knitting these basic socks (the pattern is the free Lacy Multi-colored Socks pattern on the Cascade site) on size four needles, and I forgot how quickly socks can go. When all of your sock knitting is fingering weight on size one needles you get a warped view of how long socks take. I've also got a more basic ribbed sock on two sets of circs in my bag for boring teleconferences. So I think I'm going to work through spring by only knitting socks - but quick socks!

That... and GARDENING! There have been a ton of news articles about gardens, people doing it to save money, to ease stress, and the Obama's garden. Today I planted beets, and did lots and lots of watering. Seeing the progress over at my little photo album is a lot of fun. I can't even remember it as a nearly empty plot.

Still Alive, Still Knitting, just doing a whole lot more

So I'm sitting here weaving in the ends of an epically large version of the Hestia Shawl. It was one of those projects that didn't really seem to end. It just made my legs warmer and warmer as it grew, and the 'on the bus' knitting a little more awkward. While the shawl grew I kept my self busy at work, in night class, and then last month I started my community garden. I feel like while I weave in the ends of the shawl, I'm completing a mind set, a shift of my identity as 'a knitter.' I am not so project/volume minded... but more experience minded. I am not going to the SnB weekly, but rather going every other week/once a month to make sure that all those other parts of me: the activist, the cook, the reader, the gardener, are getting equal attention.

It feels nice.

Socks Done!

fr00tl00p
Originally uploaded by watrfae

This long weekend I finished socks and a beret thanks to many hours of shows like 'Charmed' and a long drive to Baltimore.

food and links and things

This was Monday's tasty dinner. I saute'd tofu in oil with chilis, then took out the tofu, added in asparagus, red and yellow bell pepper, then added the tofu back as well as peanuts, then the sauce made of:
3 tbs soy sauce
3 tbs sweet soy sauce
2 tbs white miso
1 tbs ginger powder (I didn't have any fresh ginger on hand
1 tbs chili hot sauce (I didn't have chili past on hand)
So it is a total bastardization of the Kung Pao recipe from The Asian Vegan Kitchen, but damn is it tasty.

I am knitting away on socks, and the wrap, and tonight I'll cast on the beret. In the mean time I've run into a couple of funny knitting links. Like KNiiTTing - a wii knitting game/tutorial/concept?! Don't get me wrong - I <3 the exhibit by orly genger.

FAIL - Le Slouch with too much slouch

So I had cast off this beret two weeks ago, but with holidays and whatnot I didn't get to wash it until today. D'oh. The Fail. I have never had something get bigger in the wash. I don't even understand the physics of it. So I'm going to cast on a new one, and also look for some big headed giant to gift this giant hat oh' fail to.
In other news, I don't think I got enough yarn for my hestia wrap, and those socks I"m knitting? They will never get done. This is the problem with trying to also read more, and do yoga. Also, I went to a drum circle last night and 2 quality hours with my djembe means that my wrists are a little more than sore.

Beyond Knitting: My Other 'thing'

Rumor has it I am more than knitting, and more than vegan cooking. Beyond those aspects, and the day job, and the family, I am a loud-mouthed feminist.

So now I'm a loud-mouthed feminist with a podcast:



the URL is: http://www.fullyengagedfeminism.com/
the rss feed: http://www.fullyengagedfeminism.com/blog/?feed=rss2
the podcast subscribe link (will bring up your itunes)

This podcast is about conversations that can’t be tabled as something to do after we beat the patriarchy kyriarchy. A podcast by a feminist, for feminists, talking about feminism(s) and their faults.

For months I had pondered this project... how in podcasts (what I love) there is a void of feminist discussion... but what would that look like? There is not enough critique of our own movement and how we can really own it, and work towards real change. So this project is my attempt at that. My first episode is a bit of an introduction post, but I'm now working (researching, seeking out interviews, etc...) on 2 possible shows. I have enough ideas for 12 shows at least, and I'm sure more will spring up as this gets rolling.

One project done, others in the queue

ascottyscarf
Originally uploaded by watrfae

So one of my 'use up a ton of stashed yarn' projects is done. This was a mix of yarn I had - the orange from a sweater I knit 2 years ago, the brown from a grab bag at some event... and the silver... I'm not even sure where that came from. I am still working on socks, some abandoned toys, and have cast on a new project - the Hestia Wrap (pdf).

The downfall today was going to Lovelyarns, I did want to get yarn for this stole (a lovely red wiggly yarn that will be its own post). But what I didn't need, but still bought, was more panda cotton yarn. The 'roses' colorway totally reminded me of all those Strawberry Shortcake dolls of youth. For some reason I decided I need this yarn.

I'll keep plugging away at some stash busting - hats, or maybe squares for a blanket. I'm not sure. What are your favorite ways to whittle down overflowing bags o' yarn?