You Are the Thumb

You're unique and flexible. And you defy any category. Mentally strong and agile, you do things your own way. And you do them well. You are a natural leader... but also truly a loner. You inspire many but connect with few. You get along well with: The Middle Finger Stay away from: The Pinky

What Finger Are You?

Anyone surprised?...

Well, you clearly haven't been paying attention.

Hogwarts Sock Swap 2

My alter-ego, Cassandra Kettleburn, has been accepted into first year at Hogwarts!

1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into? Hufflepuff
2. Shoe size? 8.5
3. Foot Length? 9.5
4. Foot Circumference? 9.5
5. List your three favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length.
a. Addi circulars, sizes 0 and 1, length 32 in.
b. Knitpicks circulars, 2.0 cm and 2.5 cm, length 32 in.
c. ?
6. Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length?
Knitpicks circulars, 2.25 cm and 2.75 cm, length 32 in.
7. If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book?
Do you have a strong preference? NA – not in Ravenclaw
8. Allergies? Do you have any? Will your knitting be exposed to smoke or animals?
Allergic to smoke and cats – my knitting will not be exposed to either
9. Are you an international participant (outside US)? Yes - Canada
10. Are you willing to have an international Hogwarts Sock Pal? Yes

Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot, and treat them just the same."
A well-known member was Cedric Digory, who represented Hogwarts in the most recent Triwizard Tournament. Hufflepuff students are known to be friendly, fair-minded, modest, and hard-working. Hmmmm... I think I need to work on the modest part, but the rest seems to fit.

This arrived in my inbox recently and I think it's worth remembering and reminding each other. Rather than pass it along to clog everyone's inbox, I am posting it here.

ONE FLAW IN WOMEN

Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they
think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have the compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to
their family and friends.
Women have vital things to say
and everything to give.

However,
if there is one flaw in women,
it is that THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Please pass this along to all your women friends
and relatives to remind them just how amazing they are.

CAMPANULA for the CURE!

I decided to self-publish my Campanula sock pattern (pictured above) and offer it here as a charitable fundraiser: To get the pattern, all you have to do is CLICK HERE and SPONSOR ME for the 2007 Weekend to End Breast Cancer.

During one amazing weekend, thousands of women and men are joining forces Toronto to walk 60 kilometres through the neighbourhoods of Toronto to benefit the Princess Margaret Hospital, one of North America’s leading centers for cancer treatment and research, in a bold display of our commitment to end this heartbreaking disease for good.

Donate any amount you choose! Don't be shy. Even $10 or $20 will make a difference - it all adds up! As the Yarn Harlot so keenly observed in her phenomenal May 25 Toronto appearance: knitters (maybe all hand-crafters) are superdonors, giving a lot or a little, but giving often, perhaps because we are uniquely aware of the power of doing one small simple thing over and over and over... Of course, if you are able and inclined to donate more, please do. The cause is worthy and 100% of all donations go directly to Princess Margaret Hospital.

Just put "CAMPANULA" in the message line or leave me a comment here. You can either use the donation form available as a download from my WEBC sponsorship page and send it in with a cheque, or you can securely donate online through the WEBC site. The WEBC site will inform me of your donation and I will email a PDF version of the pattern to you ASAP! (if you need another format, just let me know)

These were knitted toe-up with a provisional cast on, short-row toes and short-row heels. But they will easily translate to other methods, though this lace works best from the bottom up. Toe Up socks and short rows are very easy and once you do them you’ll wonder what took so long. The first time is a bit of a leap of faith, but just follow the directions and they’ll work. However, as I do not explain these techniques in the campanula pattern, my suggestion is that you first make up a pair of plain ones by following Wendy Johnson’s fabulous instructions. Some familiarity with lace would be helpful, but it's not a hard lace to knit, a simple variation on dayflower lace done in the round.

The magnificent magenta originals (pictured above) were made from 2 skeins of Koigu (KPM #1170). The one below was made with Knitpicks Gloss (Concord Grape). Note that for this lace pattern, solid colours are best. A subtly variegated tone-on-tone colour-way would be okay, but too much colour striation will distract from the lace.

And if you happen to be visiting here, please pass it on. Let's make it like that shampoo commercial: you tell two friends, and they'll tell two friends, and so on and so on and...

P.S. Have no fear: the pattern has been tested by several sock-knitters, some adept and some new, and corrected/revised to incorporate their feedback! (Thanks again guys.)

Hi, my name is MezzoDiva and I am a lapsed knit-blogger. It's been a month since my last blog posting and so much has happened, but I just haven't been in the frame of mind to blog about any of it.

In the last month, though, my knitting has been sporadic and mostly uninspiring: lots of aborted ideas, false starts and swatching and ripping. I was just not satisfied with it. It wasn't even soothing the frustrations of recent weeks, but rather adding to them instead.

I did almost finish my second pomatomus sock which has been languishing since the end of May, then I ran out of yarn just before I got to the ribbing on the cuff! I'm pretty sure I was just knitting a lot looser on the ankle and leg on the second sock, so I've ripped back to just past the heel and now I'm reknitting it and tightening up my stitches every couple of rows.

While pondering how to renew my knitting mojo I was lurking around and inspired by all the lovely shawls and stoles (and by Rochelle - I will blame you when it goes snafu)I just took the plunge this afternoon and signed up for Mystery Stole 3. I'm a late joiner - sign ups close tonight and many participants have already finished the second clue (which came out yesterday - sheesh!). Though I am a shawl/stole virgin, I really love lace patterns and have done lace socks and tops. But I am game for this adventure and suddenly I am feeling fibre-frisky again!

Now I am considering several laceweight options from my stash: There's the Purple Misti Alpaca - I have 2 skeins (437.5 yards each, so that's probably enough). I have one gorgeous skein of Midnight-Rainbow(aka Harlot’s Peacock) merino-silk (950 yards) from Perchance to Knit and also lots of a beautiful deep emerald green recycled merino from The Twice Sheared Sheep (on eBay). Decisions, decisions... And should I take the plunge and try the beads too?

I also went over to Annie Modesitt's place and got myself a copy of her fabulousRed Carpet Convertible pattern. You should go visit, read the story, and make a donation.

Well, clearly my interest in knitting has been sparked again!