Did the designers give women what they wanted this fall?

Let's look back to the Fall 2007 Fashion week reports: "Designers are still making the case that fall is about chunky knit sweaters, but they have slimmed down the overall silhouette after a few seasons of over-the-top volume."

Do you think that's what we got?

It really sounds great when you read it though, doesn't it?

Carolina Herrera had some great stuff out there.

The Worst Direction

It is time to admit, to my chagrin, that I wasted time reading a book.
Contrary to my nature, I know. Usually, I consider any book that I have read to be a gainful experience on some level. But not this one. I wasted several otherwise lovely evenings reading "The Golden Compass". I don't even know where to start a diatribe against this book, it's writer, and his publisher!
I was really trying to give it the same chance I did with Harry Potter, and a lot of others. But this one goes in the same category with Ayn Rand. What a waste! With all the hazardous toys being recalled, I think this is a hazardous book that should be recalled.
First: It's not even a Compass; it's a glorified Magic 8 Ball.
Second: This is not a book written for children. And I resent that it has been made into a children's movie even more than I resented Gremlins in 1984. I would have been really ticked if I had shelled out the cash to see this in a theater.
Third: I guess the movie is reasonably successful, more's the pity. I thought with Nicole Kidmann, it might be a good movie. I always liked her. But, then I used to like Tom Cruise too, before he took a ride on the hopping couch. So, I guess it shouldn't surprise me that She's turning out to be spiritually flaky also.
Fourth: Any writer that was bashing any other race, creed, or belief would have been censored and politically corrected out of a job, or contract as the case may be, long before this. What were they thinking to publish such rubbish?
My recommendation: spend your money on something more enjoyable, like a root canal. This Gold could lead to Lead Poisoning. My children know that I won't spend my money on Bratz Cr_p, and now they know I won't be spending it on Golden Compass BS either.

Gave away Stash Yarn!

I think I may have started my New Year's Resolutions early!
I sent home a whole bag of yarn with a SIL after Christmas!
If you don't understand what a breakthrough this is, you just don't understand.
And, in the meantime, I have found Clutterer's Anonymous. Or at least their website.
Hi, my name is Ruby and I have a Clutter Problem.
Anyway, I'm not sure how, but giving away a bag of yarn for a church ladies' group that makes prayer shawls has got to get me some kind of points, doesn't it?
And, in the process, I got rid of a box of yarn that was trashed by mice and who knows what else. It was pretty icky. There was a part of me that really wanted to find a way to salvage even that yarn. Dusty, dirty, mouse goop, mouse skeleton, and all. I guess that's one of the ways that I should know that I have a problem. No one in their right mind would have any doubt, and would have torched the whole shebang at first discovery. But no, I'm still agonizing about what I should have been able to save.
But, I did it, with some help and encouragement. And hopefully, I will continue on into the New Year.........

Finished a Hat for a Nephew

I made a hat similar to the hat in a Spin Off magazine for the youngest nephew. He happens to love hats at the age he is right now. I'm sure he will outgrow it though. Right now, he's the only person that will wear my knit hats. I wonder why that is? People used to wear hats. They wear hats on TV. I see other people wearing hats in my geographic area. Just not my family, and no one I know. Hmmmmmm........

The Christmas Gift

Ok, we opened gifts with the MIL. And she seemed to be very pleased with the hand spun hot pad, pot holder, place mat thingy. I have to admit, I was nervous about felting (or fulling) it, and put that off till the last minute. I tossed it in the washer on hot with a bunch of socks. It seemed to shrink up more in the center than on the edges or ends. That will take more research. Anyway, it was fun.

The Harry Potter Scarf that started it all

This is the first Harry Potter scarf that I knit for John, obviously. I think it was in 2004, or may be 2003, or sometime in the haze of time before now but after 2002. It was from the first generation movie. The pattern was a free one from the Wal-mart yarn section. And, yes, it's good old reliable Red Heart yarn. It really has held up pretty well for the use it has had. I know it's been washed (and dried) in the machine several times.
Flaws: The duplicate stitch is atrocious. The color change has a dramatic jog each time.
Highlights: Done on circular needle, it was fast and easy. It was my first circular project.

Spinning Wheel Update

I got the new bobbins for my Reeves spinning wheel! I finally got to ply two together. It was sooooooo cool! The DH has not finished fixing the treadle for me, so it was kindof interesting. He did spend most of a football game sitting with me and spinning the wheel (by hand) for me. It was so cute! It was so much fun.
So now I'm making a hotpad for my MIL out of the first yarn. It's plain unbleached, undyed wool. The plan is that it will felt just enough to be thick, but not so much that the stitch pattern is lost. We'll see. What if I accidently used the "super wash" roving instead of the plain?
Life is an adventure!

The DH Cleans UP!

Wow! My house is looking sooooo gooooood! My DH has been hauling off so much junk.
Take into consideration that it's mostly My junk.
And, with the help of my 12 step program, I can admit it:
I am a Clutter Junkie.
I have had too much stuff for too long.
For years, any time he would start cleaning, and trying to help, I would absolutely have a panic attack.
In this last week, I've only had a couple of melt down moments.
That urge to rescue the bags of stuff from the trash was nearly overwhelming.
But, I didn't do it.
I let it go.
I am letting it go.
There was a point where I near panicked, and spoke some hasty words that I regret.
But, on the whole, it's not going too bad.
The poor DH thinks I'm a real nut job though. He just doesn't get it. Not that anyone else does though either. Why did I ever start this? What part snapped and broke?

Yarn Thickness Chart at Ohio Valley Natural Fiber

I've been to the website for Ohio Valley Natural Fiber.
There's a great Yarn Thickness Chart in downloadable PDF form that I think will be really handy. I'm trying to put together a comprehensive chart or excel file or something that will let me figure out what to do with the yarns that I have. Part of my own 12 step program for OCD Clutterer.
In summary: The yarn weights come from how many Wraps Per Inch or WPI a yarn is. You wrap the yarn in question around something (can be anything from a ruler to a pop sicle stick to a very expensive specialty tool.) You make sure the yarn is not stretched, but not too slack; not over lapping anywhere, but no gaps. Then you count the times it wraps around in one inch of length.

#0 LACE Weight is 20 to 18 WPI
#1 FINGERING Weight is 16 to 14 WPI
#2 SPORT Weight is 12 to 10 WPI
#3 CHUNKY Weight is 9 to 8 WPI
#4 BULKY Weight is 5 to 6 WPI

Which obviously brings up the questions: What is 7 WPI? What about my lumpy handspun that starts out as 4 WPI and the eventually ends up at 24 WPI over the course of about 25 yards? All those questions, and more, will be answered as time goes by.

In search of a solution, or maybe just a definition.

Well, maybe I do need a 12 step program. So i searched online and found Clutterers Anonymous. No meetings anywhere within range of the middle of nowhere where I am. So, I'll be reading their website this evening. Do any of you have any experience with a CA group?
Do any of you think it's possible to do this on my own? Well, I mean I think I will have the support of family and several friends. But, I really don't think any of them really get it. I've tried to explain it to a few very supportive and well meaning friends. Sometimes it just seems so hopeless.
I'm not even sure what my real problem is. I collect things. Stuff that I don't even know why I collect it. Stuff that I should be able to throw away or give away without getting all crazy about it. I buy things I don't need. I keep things I can't use. Why?
So, if I admit it, and if I work on it hard enough, can I get control of it? Can I get past it?

Handmade Pledge: Buy Handmade.org

Wow, I just stumbled on this one today.
And I want to post it before I loose it.
I've been hit extra hard with the "be reasonable this Christmas" philosophy.
In other years, my OCD Hoarding / Shopping problem has gotten me into a LOT of trouble. Last year, I was able to admit that I had a major problem. But not before I had maxed out every financial resource I had. This year, I want to do so much better. I'm already starting with one foot in the hole though. The financial resources are already pretty drained. Why do I still have the urge to open new accounts so I can buy stuff people don't really want? I know that I don't really need anything. I know my kids only want "stuff" because other people and TV tell them they "want" it.

Friday night, I was watching "Numbers" when the guy made a bet that he could last longer without buying anything "unnecessary".
Sunday - wow, that pastor is really hitting home with me every Sunday! It's getting really eerie.
Then Today, I find this "buy hand made" site.
Alright already! I have stash, I know I should use it! I'll get back to work now.

http://www.buyhandmade.org/why-buy-handmade

http://www.flickr.com/search/groups/?q=heartshandmade&w=507018%40N25&m=pool

What part of these projects is hard to make fit?

The Twisted Sisters Knit Sweaters: A Knit-to-Fit Workshop

I've looked through my copy several times now, and I'm just not seeing how hard it is to make these kind of things fit.

The Dolman, batwing sleeve thing kind of fits a pretty broad range of sizes doesn't it?

As far as I can tell, all of the designs in this book are pretty forgiving in fit. I was hoping for hints on how to make things really fit. Not that my figure is worth showing off at this point in time. But, I knit for people that have it and should flaunt it.

Naming the spinning wheel

I have to come up with a name for my spinning wheel.
I inherited it from my DH's Interesting Uncle Joel. He lived in Minnesota. A town with Lake in the name (imagine that!). They were of German descent, not Swedish or Norwegian. He taught History for years. He is sorely missed by all. I don't think he was a spinner, the spinning wheel was a "prop" for his historic lessons.
It's a Cherry Wood Rick Reeves 1977. Seems to be very unique. I'll have to post photos, as soon as I find the camera again. It's beautiful, but had a rough life lying on it's side on top of a pile of other priceless antiques for years after he retired. It's a lot smaller than the wheels that I see for sale now. I've been wondering why. Is it maybe to spin a finer yarn than the newer wheels? This was, after all, made before the 80's BIG WOOL era.
Any suggestions?

Finished the Star of David Baby Afghan

I finished the Star of David baby afghan. After ripping back and rekinitting the center section about 3 times. I think it came out pretty good, in the end. And I really love the yarn: soft and washable. It's a good thing, I went kinda knuts when I thought I might run out before I was finished. Now, I've got a bunch leftover. But, the consensus among all the people that have seen me knitting is that it is "Big Enough Already. You can't always knit 'till you run out of yarn". Especially if you're a yarn-a-holic.

More from 1970

Who outthere remembers when we didn't wear PANTS! But we might wear a Pant Suit if we were very daring. How modern they were. And McCalls was right there on the cutting edge of fashion. Or, you could use those zigzag skills to create a wearable afghan, complete with fringe.

Looking back at 1970

From McCalls 1970

I really think that I've seen the orange poncho in a pattern magazine recently.

Without the skirt, scarf, hat and minus the heavy fringe.

Fur Yarn by Paula Lishman

Now, this is absolute luxury.
Fur That has been made into Yarn yep You read that right.

Fur + Thread = Yarn

They don't make a lot of guarantees about weight or gauge.
It sure looks pretty, comes in a lot of colors, and natural critter colors.
Be forwarned, this is one of those intrest vs committment things. The Chicken has an interest in breakfast and the Pig has a committment in a ham & egg breakfast. Therefore, in this case the sheep or alpaca has an interest in your yarn, whereas the fox or rabbit (in this case) is committed. Other forms of yarn probably require less of the donor animal.

Photo from the FurYarn.com website.

The prices seem to run about $60, Canadian, for a kit to make a Rex Rabbit Collar
$100 for a hat kit.

Maybe not bad, I don't know. It seems like a lot of extra work.
But, isn't that what Luxury is about? Most of us probably don't knit because it's the easiest or cheapest way to clothe our families. Those Canadians sure do know how to stay warm.
You Betcha'.

I'm thinking that anything made out of a $100 ball of yarn is going to make someone feel pretty pampered.

Time to use that fancy scarf technique in Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's book on how to have two matching ends with no waste.

Wow, long time, no post

Wow, I've been out of it for a long time.
I've really been knitting up a storm though.
And, I took the spinning class.
I finished one whole bobbin of a natural wool that I think I'm going to make into something for my MIL for Christmas.

Knitting Murder Mystery

I just finished a Knitting Mystery. Very disappointing. As a heavy reader, and a long term mystery fan, I just think it missed the mark. It had a little bit of a knitting interest, but not that great. It had just as much information about coffee as it had about knitting.

I can't bear to tell you what the book or writer was. Maybe they'll get better. Maybe this was just a bad example of the work...... Yep, I always give people the benefit of the doubt, the second chance, Is that a flaw or an assett?

Now, keep in mind that I was weaned on Agatha Christie. Murder, She Wrote. Sherlock Holmes.

But, the cover art was intriguing. And the title was catchy. So, I bought it, and that's what gets the people paid. Right?

Anyway, as an addicted knitter, and reader, I will be continuing on to search out the best of all worlds.

Who Knew theanticraft would come up with this?

Well, just when you thought you knew what you think about a blog or a site, they come up with something that really changes your opinion:

http://www.theanticraft.com/archive/beltane07/vinnland.htm
I will admit freely
That I have slammed "the AntiCraft!"ers before, and I'm sure I will again. But, I love these socks.

At the same time, I don't understand the "Fetus Coin Purse". Are they for or against? What is the larger issue? I know there's a message, but what is it? Would we all be better off not knowing? Do we already know, but we don't know that we know?

Beautiful Kia vs. FUGGLY Target

So, beauty being in the eye of the beholder, is this FUGGLY or NOT?

It's in "BOHO" yarn, which I need to investigate more before I pass judgment. I think color choice and wearing environment would be two of the many issues here.

Is it too much of a Target? Maybe that's not as much of a problem as I imagine. Depending on the wearing environment, this could be a major health hazard, couldn't it? I'm thinking that in one of my past school's colors: RED and White, this would have been a sticky spit-balled mess at the end of the day. On the other hand, the ex centric aunt in me wants to start one as soon as possible for that pre-teen that I have a b-day coming up for. She really loves the trendy Pink Camo look. I just don't want to be the one responsible for the "Christmas Story - bunny jammies" or the "Home Alone Ducky Sweater = (a kid could get beat up wearing something like that)". I so much want to be the Cool Relative! Have you seen the cell-phone commercials where the parent and teen are mock fighting over that the Kid IS getting this cell phone, and You SO Get It!
How about the vibrant Hunter Orange with a Sand Camo? I personally like the spiral motif. Especially for the hormonal teen years. You know, the whirl-wind, spiraling whirlpool, tornado, hurricane, TAZ type images. I'm probably the only one that gets the joke though, so it's probably humor lost on the masses.

So, what do you think?

Well, on to the next adventure:

What's next?

I've inherited a Reeves 1977 spinning wheel. In Solid Cherry Wood, the bottom of the treadle is signed.
So, never having used a spinning wheel before, I'm off on a new learning adventure.
I've done a little surfing and researching to find out that it's a "Saxony" wheel, I think.

I'm not even sure that we got the thing put back together right.
Does the string/belt thingy go around once, or twice?
Is there any chance that this string that's with it is actually the right length?
I think the wheel might be on backwards.
And the treadle has one end of the "axel" broken off and missing.
I did glue the "flyer" back together and I think it'll hold until I know more about what I'm doing.

Updates later..........

Posting style for photos of Finished Objects

I know you're out there, I can hear you breathing!


I would like your input on photo style for posting on blogs.


Pros and Cons. Compare and Contrast. Plus and Minus.
Risk vs Gain. Problem or Positive?

Is it OK to post photos of children on blogs? Do you want to see their gleaming little eyes and sparkly smiles?

Is it better to obscure the facial features: as shown? Or use a photo that doesn't quite show the face as identifiable? What age people is it OK to show? What age isn't OK? Should only adults be on Blogs in photos? Do you all expect bloggers to use real names? For the blogger, for the stories, for their models?

Is it a security hazard? Does it make people a target for mean people? Is there a risk?

Is your photo on a blog a good thing? does it add to your Popularity Quotient? Will it make you famous, or infamous?

Tell me what you think: I know you're out there! I've gotta know! This could be a national security issue, at least for Link and Zelda.

Stitchin' at the Ball Game

What a great idea! Take your knitting to the ball game. Officially. Encouraged. Wow. I know I for one have knitted my way through many a highschool, middle school, and little league game. As well as movies, dance recitals, band concerts, choir concerts, cantatas, who knows what else?

I honestly don't remember the last time I went anywhere without my knitting. (Well, except to a paying job.)

And I don't plan to ever again. (again, except to the job thing).

The Return of the Can Hat

Joy, oh! Joy!
The Post Carrier Cometh, and I have my new copy of knit.1. And I’m having flash backs again. Remember, if you can remember the ‘60’s, you weren’t really there……….

Retro Alert: Who can tell me what year this must have been?

One of my hyper-crafty aunts used to sing a song about “Everything Old is New Again”. She also showed me how to make “can hats” from Beer Cans. One of my other crafty aunts was absolutely appalled that we were making hats from Used Alcohol Containers! And then she found out where we got most of our cans! And the Women and the Children were wearing them! What a family Discussion that was!
I remember scouring the local dump (yes, it was a Dump, not a Land Fill, or a Transfer Station, or a Recycling Center) for cans. What a memory, the cans had to be “de-gunked” because no-one separated their trash. Yummmmy. We especially liked the “new” aluminum cans. Most of the Beer Cans were Steel, and I don’t remember if pop came in cans at all back then. Coors was THE beer with aluminum cans, but it was rare. Coors had a limited shipping zone from Colorado, and we did most of our camping East of their territory. Believe it or not, there were actually people that would “smuggle” Coors, for a price. The Dads and Uncles were required to help if we were using the steel cans, as they were much more difficult to cut up and punch holes in. They were willing to do it though, for a Can Hat in their favorite brand, and very few Real Men drank Coors.
There was a very much more macho men’s version of the Can Hat, while the ladies and children’s hats had wider brims than this new one shows. The top was a circle of can also. It threw a much larger shadow, and protected more space from the sun’s heat and burns. Remember, this was before Sun Screen really came into play also. We had Sun Tan Lotion that helped you tan faster, not to block the UVs.
But, I digress, again, ….. We crocheted our hats together with spiffy yarn that matched the logo colors on the cans, and I don’t think it occurred to us to mix brands within one hat. All the panels matched each other! We bought our all acrylic yarn from TG&Y, or K-Mart, or maybe one of those New Wal-Marts! (Yep, I shopped at the first WalMart as a kid on vacation in Arkansas!)
One of the best things about these hats was that they could be folded up without ruining them. And, it was easy to wash the fishing bait and goo out of them if they got icked while fishing. The steel ones did sink awfully fast if dropped into the lake though.
I wonder if any have survived in the atic? Dad's was blue Hamm's and mine was brown Schlitz or Fallstaff? I think?

Who comes up with these names? Shivaree?

Do they have any idea what a Shivaree is? I really like this Berroco pattern, but why that name?

shiv·a·ree (shv-r, shv-r) n. Midwestern & Western U.S.
A noisy mock serenade for newlyweds. Also called regionally charivari, belling, horning, serenade.

Hmmm, usually knitting is a fairly quiet sport, isn't it?
Regional Note: Shivaree is the most common American regional form of charivari, a French word meaning "a noisy mock serenade for newlyweds" and probably deriving in turn from a Late Latin word meaning "headache."

Well, it just keeps getting better, doesn't it? How often do we find French words that combine the concepts of "Newlyweds" and "Headaches"? And then: Why would someone want to name a Sweater, a Scarf, and a THROW by that name? Yep, I've been to a real Ozark Shivaree. But the wedding was in June, so this wouldn't even be appropriate for the Shivaree-ers to wear. Maybe if the wedding, or honeymoon was in, say, what? October? Yeah, that's the ticket: When there's a fall wedding, you can wear this special Shivaree outfit to go down to the holler to THROW them A SHIVAREE and make up some racket to really make sure your best friends can really have a good headache for their honeymoon.

Yeah, Git' er done!
And now we know why those elopements are so darn popular.

A Sniff and a Reverant Tear

Today's SNB calendar page is for You Knit What?
www.youknitwhat.blogspot.com

What is there to say? How can you break the news to others that a dear, dear friend has passed on when they never even met them?

From their last posting:

Thursday, August 03, 2006

So long, little fuglings.
As many of you may have guessed, PRK and I have decided to hang up our snark and go back to the outside world.

At least their blog still lives on in their memory. Somewhere, Out there, in that big cruel world, there's a server faithfully preserving their leagacy for future generations of fuglings. Giving us guidance. Leading us away from the murky abys that awaits unwary knitters without such a guide. Encouraging us to open our video blinded eyes to the beauty that can be ours if we only avoid the entrapment of fuggliness. Showing us the way to identify a pattern without hope. Revealing to us the truth of "drastically reduced Sale" fibers that the mega box stores foist on the hapless masses. Weaning us away from the lure of Stash for Stash's sake. Nursing us through the withdrawl symptoms of breaking the addicition of obsession.

Well, they tried at least. I was doing great with the program. Then they left us to persue their "real" lives. And their efforts were not in vain. For a while. Then the Siren Song of the Hobby Lobby broke through the protective fog that I had been veiled in. And ... I .... gave ... in.

The remnants of PRK and KK's teachings still lurk in the back of my mind. I have been consistently finishing UFO's before starting too many new ones. I do look at my Stash with a slightly more critical eye.

It's been a long year, and now

It's time to cast off the dank shadow of mourning and step into the light. Remember the YKW?! teachings. Get back on track.

See ya sooner, rather than later.

Craft Yarn Council Sizing Standards

The Craft Yarn Council has Sizing Standards to use for knitting patterns.

Knitty.com recently reminded all submitters to use these sizes in their patterns.

When I ever get a pattern posted here, I plan on using these.

So, I'm adding a link over there in my list so i don't loose it.

There's also good information on yarns, needles, and levels of difficulty for patterns.

Betsy Johnson and the White Hose

Interesting stuff at the New York fashion week. Betsy Johnson does some interesting Knits.

But, what's with the white hose?

Just in case you didn't know, grown up women should not wear white hose with dark skirts.

Your legs may not look this good. Really. Get a good look in a full length mirror before you go out with white hose.

Especially if you have ever said anything like, "Well, they just don't make boots to fit my muscular calves".

Even if it really IS muscle in those calves, don't do the white hose!

IF you belong to that alternate reality, AND your calves REALLY DO look GOOD in white hose:
1) Get your eyes checked.
2) Get a second opinion from someone that is brutally honest.
3) Get a medical check up and see if you might just be a tad underweight!

And, I think Betsy Johnson might just be on something that the rest of us don't have access to.
Her granddaughter is really cute, but she should have had someone else cut her hair.

Ports 1961? Really? Is it felt?

I think we have spotted FUG: at Ports 1961. Hadn't seen much of their stuff before.

Probably won't spend much time looking for it either.

On the upside, I bet these can be made at home with your own felt. Maybe not so fuggly felt.

I think it might be a great Pre-school project. I bet they could improve on the idea.

Maybe it's just something easy to fix: Colors maybe?

Maybe the scale is just too "Off the Scale"?

Usually when I wear something like this it really makes a statement: "I love my child so much that I am willing to wear this in public." I don't think I love Ports 1961 enough to wear this.

Yep, More ANNA SUI from the New York Fashion Shows

I just can't help it!

I know it's borderline, but it's fun knitting.

These things would be fun to make and a trip to wear.

It's retro, but it's not.

It's easy wear, I could wear this stuff on MY body, and feel snuggly and cute.

We're going to have to do some serious research here.

Sui - I think I might like these!

Very interesting.
Very traditional?
Very knit able?
Very Wearable!

Probably not even requiring an exotic / expensive yarn to accomplish.

Trendy?

Easy to dress up or down.

And I bet I could dance in it.
Mr. Clark, I give it a 90.

Maybe there's an UFO lurking in the Attic that could end up being one of these.........

Byblos does White in Milan

Wow!

Men in White!

For winter 2007 to come!

Hm mm, it does seem to be knit.

Looks like it would be a really fun/challenging knit to keep one happily knitting for a long time.

What's knit and white all over?

Not thinking this Byblos designer will be high on my DH's favorites list.

I'm thinking knitting one of these for a significant other would definitely bring about the "Dreaded Sweater Curse".

Maybe it's just the stark white! Maybe it's just me? I'm not biased against white, really I'm not!

So much depends on your point of view:

From one angle, it looks good. Probably a lot of things look good on her.

But then, it hits ya!

Fuggly right there on the runway.

It would be easy to knit though. And sure hides a multitude of sins.

What would a different bust configuration do to this mega cowl thing?

Roen Men Worn out Before Milan

It seems that this particular sweater was almost worn out before it even got to the show in Milan.

I remember being fascinated by some of the sweaters in the Matrix Trilogy movies. Knit to look as if they'd already been through a lot.

Maybe this is the same idea?

Fugly, or Not Fugly - the sweaters, not the guys

These are from one of the Milan fashion shows a few weeks ago.

This particular designer seems to be going for the "Geek" look. What is it called this year?

I love it, but I know that gets my loved ones in fashion trouble sometimes.

Help me out here.

More Fashion Shows - New York

The looks may appeal to consumers seeking richness in their lives, said Wendy Liebman, president of WSL Strategic Retail consultants.
"As I looked at some things that came to the runway, I kept thinking, 'Is this the reaction to the war, to burning up the planet?"' she said. "We keep looking for some richness and lusciousness. It's looking beyond the ugliness of what we're all living with today."

I know that I have a different vantage point than most, but....

I don't believe we're all living with ugliness.

Now, some of these fashions... Well, they are fugly.

Armani Has lots of Men's sweaters

This is just one of the Armani men's sweaters from the Milan 2007/2008 mens shows.

I can see this workin for some guys.

It would work for me if my guy was wearing it!

Milan Fashion show time again

Maybe these guys just mixed up their hats, and they really aren't that bad?

Votes please: Fugly, or Studly?

Gotta come up with this pattern, but I'm not so sure about the angora / mohair on my guys.

Felting in the Tub?

Felting In the Tub?
Believe it or not, today's suggestion from
SnB land is to do your felting in the bath.
While you are also in the bath.
Bathing, I presume.


Wasn't there a Seinfeld episode where Kramer decided to do everything in the shower? For Efficiency? I remember LOLL & ROT FL. He washed dishes & clothes, and I believe even cooked dinner in the shower. Elaine had a germophobic friend at the time that she had invited over for dinner. . Yeah, really.... You get the idea.



So, when I ripped off yesterday and saw that today is on Felting In the Tub: Combine two of your favorite activities: felting and soaking in the tub.



I can see the interest it might create on a Ship's Project item: My little attached note could include how "I knitted these hats and slippers while lounging in bed each evening. Watching Seinfeld and Friends reruns and thinking of our brave troops. They were hand felted in the bath with my special gentle lavender soap while I soaked my body in honor of your sacrifices. Here's hoping you enjoy them and have the opportunity to bathe in the safety of your home soon too."



Now, while this conjures up some lovely erotic images for some, I'm afraid my situation would probably be in the sitcom category.



The reality of my life would be the Shock and Awe of the Son or Son-in-Law when he opens the Christmas gift: "Gee, Mom, love the felted wallet. Oh, yeah, I see. It was supposed to be a notebook tote. OK. ? And why does it smell like Calgon?"
EEeeewwww!
Nah, if I ever do go there, No - One - should - EVER - know.



Thanks for the suggestion Kate, but maybe not for my lifestyle.

Domiknitrix Mohawk Hat

OK, maybe not for

everyday wear.

Maybe it's Situational Fug? Circumstantial? Occasional? Conditional?

It's Fuggly if worn at the wrong time, or really very appropriate at the proper time and place.

I would knit this for someone if it would keep them from getting a real mohawk cut.

Did I tell you about the groomsman that shaved his head 2 weeks before the wedding? #!%^*

Man, talk about an upset Mother of the Bride!

But, If you've just got to have a Mo for that special evening out, Here it is!

And, by the way, she's got some great photography going on here.

The Knitted Wedding

A Wedding where the goal is to have everything involved with the wedding KNITTED !!! The site has some great pattern links, and this might have worked, if: The knitters should have had a little more direction or coordination as to color, theme or something. Very interesting, and I think parts are great. The Gestalt is just overwhelming though.

Off the Wall, Behind the Wall

Yes, Fashion can be a Political Force!

Off the Wall: Fashion from East Germany, 1964 to 1980

Book Description:
East Germany may be most remembered for the activities of the Stasi, but now, for the first time, its secret short flirtation with fashion is revealed. For a short period the notoriously repressive bureaucrats who ran East Germany decided to bring some color into their otherwise drab lives. They commissioned two photographers, hired St. Pauli Girls as models, and chose the locations that represented their greatest socialist achievements—oil refineries, worker canteens, concrete office buildings, airports—to shoot their daring photographs. The result: cunning and original uses for tartan, little hats and jaunty caps, bold florals, and more swatches of pumpkin, tomato, and lemon yellow than you might find at a country fair. For years, these alarming examples of a zeitgeist unleashed have been hidden from Western eyes…but not anymore! From blindingly-bright mod go-go girls to demure peasant lasses posed with that most German of animals, the Llama, these images reveal another side of what went on behind the Berlin Wall.

Quote from One of the Customer Reviews: "But this is really not a book for the tiny niche who are interested in the fashions of East Germany. If you really care, see "Fashioning Socialism: Clothing, Politics and Consumer Culture in East Germany," by Judd Stitziel. This book is a side-splitting look at the worst of the worst of 1960s and 1970s Communist fashion, with more orange than any one person can stand. I was rolling on the floor laughing my a** off. "

Enjoying my new calendar

OK, so far, we're into the year by over 2 weeks.
This is not a FUG alert. So far, nothing fuggly has passed my way. I've had blinders on since being blinded on the elevator a couple of weeks before Christmas by a Holiday Sweater.
Really, I am a fan of Holiday Sweaters. I do love them, truely I do. But this one was over the top with visual noise and clashing (in my opinion) colors.

But, it's on with the New Year: And, the Stitch 'n Bitch calendar has not disappointed yet.
The photo of the January 12 hat was not to my taste, but I'm reserving judgement until I get the hat done in my choice of yarn.
On Jan. 15, Monday's Fave Fiber was a very fluffy olivish greenish, and from the cubbie warren pathway, the skein looked like something quite questionable. I got a few raised eyebrows, but proudly displayed the day anyway.
I have had a few days when I tried the Weblink of the day, on the day, at lunch, and couldn't get through. Imagine that! Do you think this might be because the calendar is popular enough to cause a run on a site? Hope it doesn't crash anyone's server. Does that happen anymore? Or was that just in the early stages of the internet?
Anyway, I'm hopeing to plot my way through the new year with SNB page a day at work, Pattern a Day at home, and Stitch a day everywhere else.
Yep, DH knows I've lost it now.

Bunting, is that what it's called?

They call this Bunting across the pond.

Who would have ever thought of knitting your own?

If I ever think I'll have the urge to

open a car dealership, I better get started now!

All though, for an outdoor wedding, this has real promise! Lacy, wedding colors, hmmmmm.

I'm not sure this is a fuggly thing after all.

http://www.laughinghens.com/knitting-kit.asp?kitid=446

Hats with Horns

Hats with Horns?

Need I say more?

Unique and creative, to say the least.

They do seem to have a "current" sense of color.

Biology Wierdness

Was this for a class?
Way out there.........
Not for the feint of heart, or stomach.......
Keep your sense of humor here......


First please refer to the definition of a Teratoma below if you haven't encountered this term before.

I am so looking forward to perusing this site when I have more time and bandwidth! The way for snarkiness just seems destined here. Please, if this is one of your favorite sites, feel free to comment. Just keep it rated PG, and I'll post it. Enjoyable discussion awaited.........

Baby's First Teratoma
http://www.theanticraft.com/archive/samhain06/teratoma.htm

Who thinks up this stuff, and what are they taking?
Wow, creativity reigns free ! Science Rules !

Complete with disturbing poetry and suggested music to listen to....
Obviously well educated writers and references to traditional touch points....
Seem to be competent knitters....
Not high on the wearability scale though.

But, Music by The Turtles? Really, this is from what, the 1960's? OK, quick time-out to do a websearch....
Did you know "The Turtles: Happy Together" was a movie in 1991? How wild is that? I missed it completely! And there was always a rumor that one of the neighbors in my childhood neighborhood were one of The Turtles' parents. Now, I'm going to have to go check that out, and maybe see the movie. Man, one thing really does lead to another! If You Take a Mouse to the Movies.....

Along with some "interesting" photos, a Google search found this on Teratoma:
a definition from Wikipedia: A teratoma is a type of tumor that derives from pluripotent germ cells. The word comes from a Greek term meaning roughly "monster tumor." Teratomata usually start from cells in the testes in men, the ovaries in women and in the sacrum in children. The designation teratoma refers to a group of complex tumors having various cellular or organoid components reminiscent of normal derivatives from more than one germ layer.

Teratomas seem to frequently include cells that grow to at least resemble hair, teeth, nails, etc. Maybe the inspiration for the character Quato? in the Movie: Total Recall. ??

Sorry to be gone so long
Are you still out there?