Serenity Now!
People really can be dimwits.
OK. So a few late night types read this post, in which this first part was a complaint about a thing that happened at work. I work in a hospital*, and I like to keep my work off the blog. I was so mad when I came home that I blogged this whole story.
A few hours later I am uncomfortable about it, and it's gone. I'm sorry, but I don't want to get Dooced. Just me ranting. But the first couple comments reflect this, so don't be confused. Someday later I'll get drunk and blog and tell it.
High Energy... CROCHETS?
Because you are so good as to listen to me complain, complain, and then delete the complaint, here is a picture of a baby afghan I am crochetting for a friend:
The book is the very book from which I learned to crochet at about age 7.
From 1975. Oh yeah.
Yeah, you heard right, crochet. I don't do it much, but this star is too cute. Here's the pattern.
I am crochetting because if I knitted an afghan it would take FOREVER. It's going pretty quick. The baby is due anytime so I am crochetting like a FIEND.
High Energy... FELTS?
I am also making the French Market Bag from Knitty. Because my friend AM is too, and I am a copycat.
This project has been an adventure. First, my washing machine is a super energy efficient front loader that I LOVE LOVE LOVE.**
However, it can't felt, really, because it is so low agitation (Yes, Alex, I know it felted your blanket. I can't explain that. It hasn't done it since ;-)). So I had to learn to felt by hand in the sink.
Also, I am using Rowan Cork which I got mostly for free, and I wasn't sure it would felt. So I made swatches, as recommended by a great book, Felted Knits. And it worked!
Here's pre-felt:
And post-felt:
Well, okay, it's hard to tell in pictures, but the fabrics are totally different now. It's cool. Took about 11 minutes in the sink.
So I started the bottom of the bag, and here it is being a beret for my deck post:
Isn't it jaunty?
I leave you with a picture of the Flowerbasket shawl being worn. That's the only pic I got, cause I gave it to me mom and she made off with it. ;-) See ya'll later.
*Please note this does not allow you to email me for medical advice. All such emails will be cheerfully ignored, or incorrect advice will be given, depending on my mood. You have been warned.
**There are SOME who say they care deeply for their washing machines. But I have true unconditional love for this machine. There are not words.
Comments
Nice flower basket shawl!
Posted by: Mary-Heather | June 21, 2005 02:52 AM
I have this bump on my... kidding!
Actually, I do really want to ask you a question about your job, but it's not advice, if you don't mind. Why is it that Mondays are the busiest in an ER? I'm trying to think of possible reasons and having trouble. And that guy's a freaking idiot. One day, when he ends up in the ER with a hangnail or something, he'll be the first one screaming if he's not getting the attention he thinks he deserves. Some people!
Posted by: kate | June 21, 2005 03:40 AM
Dunno, Kate. But Mondays and Sundays are our worst. Also Fridays. And Saturdays. And sometimes Wednesdays.
;-)
For everyone else, another time I'll tell you the story...
Thanks MH!
Posted by: Jenny | June 21, 2005 03:52 AM
Hi, HEJ-HEC! Hee hee! I'm sorry to hear work is being a butt. Grrrr! But you're right, smarter to delete and keep your job.
I like the colors you chose for the FMB and the FBS. So pretty!
BTW, we're looking at frontloaders. What kind do you have? I've been reading up on an LG and a Duet.
Posted by: Rossana | June 21, 2005 07:02 AM
Jenny...I have a front loader & my Sophie felted perfectly in it! I just used the quick wash & adjusted the temp to the hottest. It was perfect! Have you tried that?
Beautiful FBS! Will you miss it? Will you knit a lace shawl for you now?
Posted by: Eilene | June 21, 2005 07:48 AM
Sorry to hear you had a rough night HEJ/HEC! Flowerbasket is beautiful and I can't wait to see your felted bags. We're moving in a few weeks to our *own* house and I'm almost more excited about having a washer and dryer than I am about having a yard! Almost...
Posted by: natalie | June 21, 2005 08:04 AM
That crocheted baby blanket is adorable. I love that pattern! I know nothing about crochet... maybe one day.
Your FBS is so lovely--I am sure your mom adores it. She should!
Looking forward to your French Market bag--
Have a good Tuesday :)
Posted by: Lolly | June 21, 2005 08:09 AM
Ooh, that baby blanket is cute! Still contemplating the FBS, but not sure what yarn would work best. So hard for me to imagine what a variegated yarn in a skein will look like as a shawl...
Sorry that work was so bad. Some people are just unbelievable.
Posted by: Stephanie | June 21, 2005 08:24 AM
oh, schmoomee. I'm sorry you had a bad work situation. And I'm glad you got to vent, even if it was only up there for a couple of hours.
Re: the knitting - FBS looks so pretty in that picture! I want a mom model shot! And the sink felting - so impressed. I must feel the swatches. And love them.
Re: the crocheting - those are cute! who knew? I might need a crochet lesson ...
Posted by: Carrie | June 21, 2005 09:08 AM
I love the blankie! I know that crocheted baby blankies are the best (I had one and wore it out) I am sure it will be cherished and loved into little bits!
Work, smerk. You rule. Tell them to piss off.
That FBS is stunning. truly.
Posted by: heather | June 21, 2005 09:54 AM
I taught myself to crochet a while back, but all I know how to make is granny squares. That star blanket is cute, though. Maybe someday...
Gaw - I tried sink felting once and it was a complete failure. But, I wasn't following any instructions and just doing my own thing, so maybe that's why.
Awesome FBS! That's one of my favorite things to knit ever!
Posted by: Maya | June 21, 2005 10:33 AM
As much as I hate to say it, you're right about the afghan and its obnoxious need to take up your entire life...and that star is really cute...
Crap. I should have crocheted a poncho for the kid.
May your day go better now that you have vented and retracted...I don't have good days in hospitals either ;-)
Posted by: Lee Ann | June 21, 2005 11:17 AM
I do the same thing...bloggers remorse sometimes means removing the post after a good night's sleep. Job protection is the key. Even more of a confusion, though, when one works from home. Dang it!
Great felting experience. I'm tres impressed that you used your sink. Must avoid garbage disposal, though. Brings another facet to frogging. Even though I covet the front-loading washer, I have serious reservations due to it limiting my ability to felt. Is that sicko or what?
Posted by: Rachel | June 21, 2005 11:24 AM
you should totally felt in the bathtub! that's where i do my felting (i have no washing machine at all). the bathtub is the best because you can get all messy and slosh the water around, and when your hands/arms get tired, you can use your feets! i also find that using AS MUCH SOAP AS POSSIBLE also speeds up the process. can't wait to see the finished bag! i have two waiting to be felted, maybe i'll take a pictures of my process... heehee!!
Posted by: kim | June 21, 2005 11:29 AM
Ahh! Been there, done that. Nightmares at work, that is. But you were right to delete: It's always good to filter what we blog about in order to avoid any repercussions.
And I'm impressed with your crochet. She crochets! She felts! She's cute! And I bet you make a mean margarita, too.
Posted by: Becky | June 21, 2005 12:04 PM
I'm taking yarn, needles and pattern for Flower Basket on vacation when I go on Thursday. It remains to be seen whether I'll cast on for it during the five days I'll be gone. I'm also taking my cotton skirt yarn, my grey tank yarn, my sock yarn...
Posted by: LeAnne | June 21, 2005 02:46 PM
So many days I come home longing to rant about a certain half-wit coworker, then have to hold back. It would just feel so satisfying to put some of that frustration in writing. . .
Hey, is that Bernat Cotton Tots you're making that blanket with? I bought some for this summer's round of baby knits, in the same lime green and variegated and the bright teal blue, because they were the least offensively baby-ish colours it came in. I love the pattern you're using, and hope you don't mind if I TOTALLY COPY YOU! I don't think our babies will ever run into each other at a social event wearing the same blanket.
Posted by: jodi | June 21, 2005 03:15 PM
That blanket is going to be so cute! I like the colors you're using. And felting Cork, I never would have thought of it.
Posted by: Vicki | June 21, 2005 08:00 PM
i love the flower basket shawl. you've done a great job on it! no wonder you mum made off with it - i would have done the same thing.
Posted by: jacqueline | June 22, 2005 06:59 AM
cutest star EVER. And, only the *coolest* knitters are hookers, too -- so welcome to the club ;)
Love the FBS in that yarn, forgive my short attention span... but what yarn didja use?
Posted by: chelsea | June 22, 2005 11:11 AM
I've been getting the crochet bug lately too. Mesh bags for summer! The market bag is a fun knit. Great for presents:) Love the FBS--you chose beautiful colors.
Posted by: Deb | June 23, 2005 12:31 PM
Totally love the baby blanket -- I've been searching for just the right blanket for a friend, and that might be it. and i'm totally dying for a washing machiine.
Posted by: carrie m | June 24, 2005 10:54 AM
You could put your work story on my blog if you like...then I could write about Bonanza Rita on your blog!
PS You felted a swatch?! You have to stop following directions or I will start to feel inferior...for never ever knitting a swatch.
PPS Love the colors btw.
Posted by: Anne Marie | June 29, 2005 04:45 PM
hey! HI! HELLO! Sorry I haven't been by in a while...Sorry I missed the vent-y post! :( I wanna learn to crochet!!!!! Chelsea tried to teach me, but it didnt stick! I guess I'll jsut wait for Debbie Stoller's new book...
love the shawl!! PRETTY!
Posted by: Lara | June 30, 2005 01:19 AM
hi jenny! i know this is an old post but i'm just now catching up on my blog reading. i just wanted to say that while crocheting a blanket is quick and fun, knitting one can be even faster. in fact, i have a great book you can borrow. it's called the "7-Day Afghan" and it has tons of quick patterns to knit. in seven days. if by seven days you mean 1 year, and five months later and still on 3/4 finished with the damn thing. anne marie pointed out that maybe the authors of this book were using the term "7-days" loosely. you know, like the bible. ha! miss you lots!
p.s. my current plan: no school. nyc in january!!!
Posted by: nonsense jenna | July 12, 2005 10:04 AM