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Fun with lights
As I went down this Arduino rabbit hole, I found a book by Alan G. Smith Introduction to Arduino, a piece of cake. It is giving me the depth of learning I was craving. Yesterday I feel I got basic sequencing down. Now on to variables! 8-P
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And then there was a sudden 180
New blog look, new focus. I am slowly, painstakingly teaching myself electrical theory and electronics. The amount of data available for little or free is stunning and overwhelming. I have been wrestling with how to break down what I want to know into small enough pieces so I can assimilate it. Kinda like cutting up your food and chewing thoroughly before swallowing. Arduino and the language it uses seems to be key, as are resistors and transistors and voltage and current and amperes and joules and resistance and electric potential and… but it is starting to make sense. I purchased a few learning kits, and as I walk through those,…
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My Magnum Opus and what I’m learning
This sweater is a challenge, both technically, and for the persistence it will take to finish it. It is, for now, my magnum opus. I am making progress, and I am figuring things out–I think. There is puckering in the lower color section. That section uses a stranded background with intarsia color blocks. My challenge has been to figure out how to prevent the puckering as a color doubles back on itself. Typical intarsia has you wrapping the two adjacent colors as they head off in their separate directions, thus holding them in place. If the background color is stranded, that doesn’t work. The lower arrow shows where the pucker happens,…
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The Chameleon has an Esty Store!
My big announcement, even though it is quite little right now. I have started an Easy store for stitch markets and other knitters accessories. A baby store, though I will expand it over time. I still have to conquer my photography (white point is my next hurdle), but hey. So without further adieu, my shop. Enjoy!
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A knitting challenge–Accepted!
A friend suggested/challenged us to do a project this year that would challenge us. I’ve had the yarn collected for an amazing Rowan for a while, but, well, was waiting for the conditions to be perfect to start. You know, lose 20 lbs, finish absolutely everything else first, that sort of perfections. The kind that will really never happen. So, I have begun. I am doing Maple from Rowan #50. There will be challenges. Intarsia and stranded, 1 million loose ends, and tiny needles. Wish me luck!
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Vogue Knitting Live!
This weekend Vogue Knitting Live will be in Minnesota. I sadly will not be there. However, Yarn Harbor is bringing down 200 sets of my stitch markers, both plain and fancy, to sell. The biggest reason folks love my markers is that I hand cut the rings with a flush cutter, which means almost no snagging. Anal, I know, but it gives me the quality I want. So, if you are out enjoying the market at Vogue Knitting Live, stop by Yarn Harbor’s booth (#304) and snag a few sets!
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The Indecisive Nisse
I get to announce a new pattern! A fun hat that can be knit from leftovers, the Indecisive Nisse is a pretty straightforward knit, yet a ton of fun to wear. Head to Ravelry and check it out. And thanks to Kelsey for agreeing to model for me, you look awesome!
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All the maths that are fit to knit
I am working on a new pattern. I am just about done. (Yay!) The last thing I need is a good picture of one of my hats on an actual human. That seems to matter when selling hats. Go figure. Back to the pattern-making process though. In drafting patterns, and trying to be thorough and accurate, I have been struck by how much math is required. There is sizing, calculating proportions, stitches per inch and how they translate into this that and the other. It is a major stress point and one of the reasons this pattern-making thing moves slowly. On this last pattern I wanted to add some extra super-useful information. It…
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The importance of little projects
This summer has been an unexpected whirlwind of relatives, relocations, and events. I have been housesitting for my brother and sister-in-law until they were able to move to this beautiful place I live. Now that they are finally here I am renting from them. I also live in a place people, including many of my relatives, come to vacation. Then there was my mini-vacation to the Live from the Red Rock Folk Festival in Red Rock, Ontario. It was so beautiful there and so restful. I also got to hear a number of excellent Canadian artists I have never heard State-side. I highly recommend it. Though there are wonderful things about this particular whirlwind…
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An interesting discussion around superwash wool
There is a discussion going on around superwash. I started tracking it through Webs FaceBook feed. I’ve linked to the original blog post that started it (or this round of it), as well as a more technical, thorough discussion of how superwash is created. www.woolful.com/fiber-conscious-superwash-wool www.pburch.net/dyeing/dyeblog/C1307213733/E20091119090430/ My purpose here is not to pass judgement on superwash. I do, however, feel there is value in being an informed consumer. My inclination has always been toward minimally-processed yarns. I like how minimally-processed yarn handles in a garment and I love the feel of lanolin. The colors allowed by superwash are stunning, though, and I usually put my minimally-processed hat off to the side when buying…
