Yummy Colors

I just received advice and instructions for dyeing virgin yarn with Kool Aid in the microwave. If you don't see any posts for awhile, it's because I am DYEING YARN WITH KOOL-AID IN THE MICROWAVE.

Science is Pretty!

How awesome is this? This biophysicist makes jewelry out of chemical structures for common neurotransmitters and the amino acids. Perfect gift for the candidate defending a thesis in your life, and so pretty.

Maybe she'll expand the line to include ribbon structures of favorite enzymes...

Get Your Fish Fry On!!

That's right, it's Friday and that means I have full license to daydream for most of the afternoon.

Knitty is running a calendar contest, and I am obsessed with entering. You need a creative (they really stress creative) display of a Knitty-patterened project. And if you win, you get a) bragging rights, b) killer swag. I looked at some past winners and was mildly disappointed. Socks in the foreground with a scenic background is not creative. Wearing a sweater in the woods while you knit is not creative. There's a pattern for a lampshade and I want to take a picture of me with it on my head. *That* is creativity, bitches. Of course, I first need to knit it.

I mean, I make pretty things, right? That's what my friends tell me, at least. So the rest of the day will be daydreaming about how I can stage my stuff to, well, basically look better than everybody else's.

When science calls, I hate to listen

I've mostly gotten back into the swing of things here in the lab, though I desperately miss sleeping in each day. I think it will feel good to have some data and feel productive again. I've spent a lot of time reading this gem of a book:

And also this:

Woot for working. Double woot for liking my job. But let's not lose sight of what is important- tomorrow is Friday and next week has a holiday.

What I do when I'm not sciencing

I just uploaded a bunch of pictures of projects, both that I'm working on and that are finished. In lieu of thinking, I will just share some pictures.

My first sweater (front).

Rebecca's birthday present.

A summery scarf.

Me and the Fig.

Happy Tuesday.

Blocking

There is a lot of blocking going on in my life right now, both mathematically and knit-ematically. In statistics, one often has to block data to make results more reliable. No one cares (at least I don't).

More exciting, however, I blocked the front panels for the cardigan I'm working on (pictures to follow). I'll block the back tonight, and the sleeves... as soon as they're done. It's my first cardigan, so I'm really excited for the results.

Also, since I'm loving the cardigan so far, I'm visually shopping around for my next sweater project. I really like everything by Melissa Wehrle, but am also considering a more traditional EZ-esque sweater with a fancy yoke. I'm open to suggestions. So if you want something special for Christmas, now's the time to ask.

More in Scientific Fashions

As I work on my online training, (In case of fire: a) throw bad data into the flames b) roast marshmallows c) exit calmly) I look for the occasional (frequent) distraction. Today it was looking at tees on threadless. These were two favorites:

Maybe it should read, "Illusions are just things science hasn't made boring yet."

I love this. Especially since I use tubes like that every day. Buy it for me (XS, please.)

Let's Wrangle.

I would like to thank Denise for alerting me to a scientific fashion trend. I'm sure everyone will be sporting these, so get yours quick!

My Favorite: Knitting and Science

This was brought to my attention a couple of weeks ago and is about all things important in life: science and knitting. As author Stewart Fox puts it, "From the way the atmosphere generates weather to the shape of the human brain, knit and crocheted models have provided new insight into the geometry of the natural world." Aw, snap.

This is a torus. I don't even know what that means. Maybe I should spend more time knitting.

Just read it. It'll make you happy about handicrafts.

Sciencing again

After a long (and undeserved) vacation, I have to return to work and class. The class is biostatistics, the science is S. pneumoniae, and I am sleepy. So while I should be paying attention to the lecturer right now, I am instead thinking of why a) I am not in bed, and b) I am not knitting this, my current project.
The pattern was easy to memorize and I have always particularly enjoyed lace.
But for now, statistics. (Although, I would argue that knitting is totally mathy.)

Knitter's Connection

Despite a busy weekend, I found time to attend the Knitter's Connection yarn market. Score. I got the prettiest handpainted yarn I've ever seen (seriously) from Briar Rose Fibers.


The colors are gorgeous and dark. At the risk of sounding trite, I'll go ahead and say the pictures don't do it justice. Yum. Maybe a wrap? A Clapotis? I also got some handpainted yarn from Canada. I figured I wouldn't get another chance to buy it, so I did. I think it would make a cool bolero.

Me = Magnetic

Desktop = mad at me/no internet

Laptop = squeaking and dim

*I was asked if I am magnetic, having rendered two computers functionless...

Weather = hot

Science = on hold until Monday

Knitting = only thing on the agenda (this or a scarf called "the swiss cheese scarf")

Summer issue of Knitty = worth staying at school another hour to pour over

Nap = next order of business

Christmas So Soon?

It's almost 90 degrees outside, so naturally I'm reminded that Christmas is only six months, two weeks and two days away. So it's high time I start planning my Christmas to-make list (which creates a delightful yarn "to-buy" list). Inevitably, the list includes the sister, the man I knit for, and the roommate from Pittsburgh. Actually, I think I have two of the three ideas set already. Yay for planning. Double yay for shopping.

And as for me? I think I want books (for all my spare time....)

Knitting book: Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmermann
and Knitter's Almanac

Science book: Streptococcus pneumoniae: Molecular Biology and Mechanisms of Disease by Alexander Tomasz

Fun book: When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris

Merry Christmas!

Columbus.... Mecca for Needle Arts?

Thanks to ravelry (my knitting lifeline), I found out that there are not one but TWO yarn-related conventions in Columbus this month (probably not by coincidence). The first is the National NeedleArts Association trade show. Obviously I can't go, but nonetheless, it's going on right here, right now. During dinner last night at Elevator (yum), I overheard two women (with large, yarn-filled bags) discussing novelty yarns and Elizabeth Zimmermann. So there.



And Wednesday-Saturday is the Knitters Connection convention. This is open to the public, for a fee, and I'm seriously considering taking a an intro to Fair Isle, Norwegian and Armenian colorwork (oh my!) If nothing else, I absolutely will not miss the yarn market (yum!)



I need a few more projects, anyway.

Did anyone order a chartreuse blankie?

Just back from a (probably undeserved) vacation with the man I knit for, and I'm feeling very relaxed. I had a chance to work on Clapotis and, mmm, just lovely.



More importantly, Jessica sent me some pictures of other projects I've done for her. I was most excited to add these of her Christmas present from last year. It was a total surprise when she got it, and I'm assured she loves it.



Especially the color.

Grocery bags are genius

I just finished the grocery shopping for a four day getaway with the guy I knit for. Despite a cart full of goodies, no plastic bags used. I'm not a super-hippie tree-hugger, but for a dollar's worth of cotton yarn and a few hours of tv watching/knitting, it's kind of nice to be rid of a few plastic bags.



I have two types, those knit with one strand of yarn and those with two. The two strander is more durable and can hold jars and jugs and such. I followed the everlasting bagstopper pattern from knitty, with a few modifications. No drawstring, knit handles reinforced with canvas.

The one strand bags are super stretchy (and I often regret putting such long handles on them) and are similar to this string bag, but not quite the same. I also really like the Saturday Market Bag by Jodie Danenberg and might try it also (free on ravelry). This one from the now deceased MagKnits looks really neat, too. I like the one handle look (the pattern is up on ravelry for free.)



Yay for grocery bags. Bonus if you love mindless knitting by the tv.