swirlygig

swirlygig, a photo by Kyrstellaine on Flickr.

Grace Luella

I asked my grandma what I could knit for her, and she said, very tentatively, “Maybe a vest?” So I started searching for vest patterns, and found this one - called by her middle name, and calling for machine washable cotton yarn - score! The pattern is Luella, knit in Berocco Cotton Twist. It's finished now, and ready to be sent out. I hope she enjoys it, and that it's not too warm. Ravelry

On the needles...

Predictably, this time of year the projects I want to work on take a back seat to the projects with deadlines.

Currently on the needles:

Mike's sweater - I'm about an inch above the start of the steek for the V neck... and haven't made any progress lately.

Vogue twinset - front and back of the shell are done, the neckband is done, one side-seam is sewn, and one armband knitted and ready to be bound off. Remaining - the other armband and side seam, currently on hold because I need that needle for one of my Christmas projects. Cardi - back is holding steady at about 4".

Dad's socks - cuffs are almost long enough to start on the heels, but these are on hold because if I don't get them done by Christmas, he won't mind.

Jen's socks - cast on last night, after stealing the needle out of the Vogue shell top's armband. I've decided I much prefer the paired backwards-e increases to the M1 created by picking up the strand between the two stitches below - the toe looks like a traditional top-down toe, but I got to use Judy's Magic Cast-on instead of the pain of casting on for two top-down socks at once. I'm going to modify a pattern from Knitty to let me work from the toe ... so I may have a bit of math to do when I get to the heel... or I could just cop out and do a short row heel.

[Side note - I can tell I've been playing my priest & druid a lot - everytime I typed 'heel', I first typed 'heal'.]

Tie one off

Tie One On, from Knitty's Spring 2005 issue, is finished and blocking. I used Douceur et Soie instead of the called-for yarn. I also found it easier to drop the yarn overs every row, instead of purling them and then dropping them on the knit rows.

My Review of Kelsyus Mesh Backpack Chair

REI

The Kelsyus Mesh Backpack Chair™ has a great functional design that transforms the arms into padded backpack straps for simple transportation.

Kelsyus Mesh Backpack Chair

Great for fireworks, airshow, stargazing

Kajsa Apple Valley, MN 8/31/2009

 

5 5

Gift: No

Pros: Comfortable, Durable, Dries Quickly

Best Uses: Outdoor Events, Beach, Campgrounds

Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer

I bought this chair because of the pillow & reclined position - I've got an old neck injury that makes looking up uncomforable, but this chair supports my head. Howevery, this has turned into my husband's chair (he's 6'3"), in part because it's the only folding chair we've found that he can sit on without breaking. I'm going to have to pick up another one for myself.

One word of caution - don't leave the sun-shade up with the chair empty if it's at all windy.

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My Review of Topeak Explorer MTX Rack

REI

With an integrated top plate, this rack allows quick mounting of specialty Topeak trunk bags.

Topeak Explorer MTX Rack

Exactly what I was looking for

Kajsa Apple Valley, MN 5/16/2009

 

5 5

Gift: No

Pros: Durable, Easy to Use, Lightweight, Versatile

Best Uses: Commuting, Around Town

Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational

I'm using this rack on my Specialized Vienna 2, for commuting & quick trips to the store. To get it to work with my fenders (the Planet Bike set that REI sells), I had to get longer screws than the one supplied with the rack, and sandwich the rack between the two supports for the fenders (bottom attachment point) - but they do work together.

I've used the rack with the Topeak EXP bag, and I just got the rear basket that mounts on it.

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Heroic Naxx cleared!

Grats to the Draco-Solace alliance on our first full clear of Heroic Naxx this week! Yay, us!