Yin & Yarn

Sewing lessons

2011-08-07T12:36:00.001-07:00

bucket hat in progress Note to self: Remember to check the bobbin for adequate thread *before* starting the topstitching! Maybe one of these days I'll manage to remember this repeating lesson. And why is it that I only run out of thread when the topstitching is going really well for a change? - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Quilting Rough Draft

2011-07-03T21:12:00.000-07:00

I am finally making some progress on my quilting project! I'm currently trying to decide which block combinations I like the best. Probably won't be making a scrap quilt again any time soon - too much agonizing over the different pattern and color combinations! An experienced quilter friend encouraged me to just go with the first combination that looks good and then move on to the next block

Mend-O-Rama

2011-06-20T23:06:00.000-07:00

(Or: possibly the most boring blog post ever...) Since the weather was somewhat less than inspiring Saturday as far as gardening was concerned, I decided I would spend the day sewing. My original plan was to work on my current quilting project but in order to set up my sewing space I needed to move the mending piled in my sewing chair. I started to move the rather large pile to the sofa but

Mending

2011-06-05T08:32:00.000-07:00

This has been a really busy time for the garden so there hasn't been a lot of crafty activity going on.I haven't really felt motivated to work on my knitting projects so the Sommelier sweater remains in it's 'to be sewn up' state.I have been doing a bit of work on my ongoing quilting project, mostly cutting out the remaining squares for piecing. I did take some photos but I was using my little

Time to redecorate

2011-05-24T05:39:00.000-07:00

I realized the other day that I'm kind of bored with my current blog template but I haven't been able to decide on a new one. Blogger only seems to offer a few in the dashboard design tool and they were okay but after previewing all of them several times I had to admit that none of them really grabbed me.I looked at some free and allegedly 'new Blogger compatible' templates (like those here,

The Finishing Faeries Have Been Delayed

2011-05-22T07:43:00.000-07:00

The knitting portion of my Sommelier sweater is finally complete.I had to tweak the back neck band a bit to get it to fit better. In spite of my experience with the specified stitch pickup counts for the front bands, I went ahead and picked up the designated number of stitches for the neck band. Readers Reader Internet, I'm not sure why I was surprised that the stated 136 stitches were too

No Talent Required

2011-05-14T11:31:00.000-07:00

Or "What was I thinking?"I'm off to a beginning watercolor workshop shortly. I'm not sure what possessed me to sign up for this - I think I may have gotten a bit too caught up in the excitement of Artswalk last month.The brochure states "no drawing experience or talent required" so theoretically I should do just fine, especially since I definitely have no drawing or artistic talent.I'm going with

It's that time of year again

2011-04-27T20:53:00.000-07:00

Allegedly, it's Springtime here in the Pacific Northwest*, a time when a young man's thoughts turn to flights of fancy and a knitter casts aside recalcitrant sweaters in progress in order to muck around in the mud and rain, planting seeds and carefully tending the dream of fresh organic summer vegetables.In a rather impressive triumph of hope over experience, I'm planning to keep up both blogs

Sommelier

2011-04-26T22:04:00.000-07:00

Inspired by the most recent period of Mercury retrograde*, I organized my hoarder's corner spinning area and the gathered up the various 'knitting in progress' projects scattered throughout the house to assess the situation and possibly actually finish up some projects. In the process, Sommelier managed to float to the top of the heap and make a bid for my attention.The more detailed project

Hats!

2011-02-28T06:10:00.000-08:00

I went to the Madrona Fiber Arts winter retreat and had a lovely time (as always) visiting with friends and shopping the market.One of the things I bought at the market were some hat kits from Butternut Woolens.When I got home from the retreat I got one of these kits out 'just to try it' and couldn't put it down. I had forgotten about the instant gratification aspect of bulky yarn and size 11

September Spinning

2010-09-27T22:32:00.001-07:00

As a result of the rather late (and some would say 'non-existent') summer this year, canning season has been a bit extended and has dragged on through most of September. This is what my spinning time looks like lately:Mmm, Spicy Garlic Dills! We will enjoy you.I probably have a bit more to go in October when I eventually completely give up on the notion of having any ripened tomatoes and

Temporary Hiatus

2010-08-12T19:29:00.000-07:00

Casa del Chaos has been busy living up to its name, I have been rather understandably distracted caring for Mr. CPA after his bladder cancer surgery, a subsequent post-surgical infection requiring IV antibiotics and hospitalization for possible heart attack (fortunately this turned out to be Pericarditis with Pericardial effusion and not a heart attack, for which we are both exceedingly grateful)

Grandkids say the darndest things

2010-08-01T09:33:00.000-07:00

Setting:7:00 pm Wednesday evening. Mr. CPA and I have both arrived home from our 10 hour workday and have taken delivery of the three G-kids who have been in Portland for the last week visiting their dad (otherwise known as the oldest son). Three of the five people in the room are overflowing with energy, the other two? Not so much.The energetic people in the room have just floated several

Tour de Fleece - Day 10

2010-07-12T12:45:00.000-07:00

first bobbin completedpretty much the same boring off-white yarn as before... I Navajo plyed* (or Chain plyed) my completed TdF bobbin on Saturday evening.Finished Yarn InfoSpinning notes: I usually ply at two-thirds of original spinning twist, but I followed Fleegle's tip on Navajo Plying and plied a bit more firmly - about three-fourths of original spinning twist. (I didn't bother

Tour de Fleece - day 8

2010-07-10T21:08:00.001-07:00

So far I've spun every day ( although only the tiniest bit this morning since we were busy working on a home renovation project today).There's quite a bit more yarn on the bobbin since my last update, but it's hard to tell from the photo:I'm getting ready to ply this up tonight. I didn't post any details about this last time so here are they are:Singles twist angle: 27-30 degreesGrist/size: 25-30

Tour de Fleece - Day 5

2010-07-07T23:05:00.001-07:00

Progress as of bedtime on day 5:White fiber, finer grist - it's a bit like watching solid color stockinette grow as far as blogging goes. Also, kind of slow going now that the holiday is over and I'm back to my regular work schedule. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

July Already?

2010-07-06T06:15:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been nearly two months since I last posted. June was a very busy month here at Casa del Chaos! I'm not going to try to catch up in one post because it will be too much.Tour de FleeceI'm doing Tour de Fleece this year. Here's my progress as of yesterday morning (day 3):Tour de Fleece - Day 3That's more of the angora blend (actually a Dorset/kid Mohair/Satin Angora mix) that

Spinning is the new avoidance

2010-05-12T22:04:00.000-07:00

I was sick with an ill-timed, weekend stomach virus and after a not-too-successful attempt at getting some gardening done Saturday, I retreated into the house to suffer in silence* and total non-productivity for the remainder of the afternoon.By late afternoon Sunday my new diet of delicious extra-dry saltines and ginger ale had restored me to a point that I wanted to do something that felt

Hobbies are like potato chips

2010-05-09T10:51:00.000-07:00

What's the best solution to not having enough time to devote to one's current hobbies? Why to get a new one of course!I am the proud owner of a Schacht Mighty Wolf 8 harness loom!Here's a photo from the sale listing:I don't actually have it in my possession yet since there are some logistical issues involved in picking it up (like a 456 mile one-way drive for one thing and dog-sitting

Sample Sweaters

2010-05-02T20:17:00.000-07:00

I'm a sucker for shop samples. The opportunity to try on a sweater to see that it fits and flatters me is reassuring and alleviates the anxiety that I usually have when knitting a sweater (I fret the whole time that I'm spending weeks (or months) knitting something that in the end will make me look frumpy/lumpy/dumpy).So, yeah, shop samples seem to practically propel my credit card out of my

But is our children learning?

2009-08-16T21:56:00.000-07:00

Submitted without (much) comment:

A long overdue update!

2009-08-16T21:25:00.000-07:00

For now I'm blogging here:Suburban SodbustersI may be back with knitting sometime after September.

Today's Lesson

2008-03-28T14:59:00.000-07:00

Apparently my new favorite color is 'out of stock' with 'unavailable' being a close second.::sigh::ETA: how could I forget the also popular 'discontinued'?

FO Report - Leaf Lace Shawl

2008-03-02T19:14:00.000-08:00

the oh-so-flattering back viewPattern: Leaf Lace Shawl by Fiber TrendsYarn: Lisa Souza Baby Alpaca Lace Colorway: Olive TonesStarted: November 2007Finished: January 2008Measurements (unblocked/blocked)Top edge: 58 inches / 74 inchesCenter (top to bottom): 26 / 38.5 inchesSide (one side of "V"): 34 / 54.5 inchesNeedles: Knit Picks circular 2.75 mmProject SummaryI originally started this project

March 1 – Caterpillar Day

2008-03-01T21:37:00.000-08:00

"Life depends on a silken thread" - club mottoMr. CPA and I aren’t exactly what you would call ‘joiners’. We’re a bit quirky and non-conforming and we like it that way.However we are thrilled that 26 years ago today, Mr. CPA became a member of an exclusive club in which almost no one actively seeks membership. The Caterpillar Club.There are no dues or meetings and the club is fairly small

My latest FO

2008-02-20T21:58:00.000-08:00

I know my updates have been pretty intermittent lately but I've been busy behind the scenes - honest.My latest finished project isn't exactly knitting but it is knitting-related, in fact it's Seriously Unravelled.The leaf lace shawl did finally see Needle Liberation Day and had a lovely debut at Madrona Fiber Arts. (photographic evidence and project notes soon).

Out of the loop

2008-02-11T06:13:00.000-08:00

My friend Nancy stopped by my cubicle at work last week to chat about knitting. Before she left she leaned in a bit and whispered that she was planning to go buy some new yarn over the weekend."I don't know why I'm whispering about buying yarn." Nancy said as she realized what she was doing, "I guess I don't want my budget to know about it."

Pictorial Progress Report - Part Two

2008-01-22T21:05:00.000-08:00

Wherein Denise remembers that she has a knitting blog.This looks more promising, doesn’t it?Thanks to a gentle nudge from Sheila and Noami, I realized it was way past time to post a quick update on my progress with the Leaf Lace shawl. Here’s where I’m at right now: a little less than half left to go… Okay, back to binding off!

Pictorial Progress Report

2007-12-22T15:22:00.001-08:00

Can you tell how it's going? (Hint: It's a center-pull ball)

Actual Knitting Content - Leaf Lace Shawl Edition

2007-12-12T06:15:00.000-08:00

Remember the Leaf Lace shawl I restarted back in July?(Yeah, I know you're probably thinking, "Wait, she knits? When did this start?) Leaf Lace Shawl - ripped and restarted I finally started working on it again the first weekend in November. Here's my progress from before Thanksgiving: Growing, but oh so slowly!

The last crazy night

2007-12-12T05:38:00.001-08:00

Yes, it's posted late - please pretend the date on this reads '12-11-07'. I made the mistake of sitting down last night and promptly fell asleep in the chair without posting as I'd intended.Hey, Annie, I ate a latke just for you (or possibly ::cough, cough:: three). Latkes + full-fat sour cream = perhaps an extra run this weekWe had a minor issue in estimating how many potatoes would be required.

And the winners are...

2007-12-09T21:28:00.000-08:00

Numbers ready for the drawingWinner #1Cindy from Snid Knits.Winner #2Mrs. G. from Derfwad Manor Picking numbers was so much fun that I decided to have a bonus round selection and a third number was pulled from the basket o’paper slips. Winner #3Mysti from A Pagan’s Desire of Simplicity (Mysti, I don’t have your email address can you drop me a line at Denise AT YinAndYarn DOT com?)This was fun!

A Blogtacular Blogiversary Giveaway!

2007-11-30T22:40:00.000-08:00

(ETA: links added)Thursday was the anniversary of my first blog post and this post was, accordingly, supposed to be up yesterday. However, in an unusual display of self-discipline, instead of posting to the blog yesterday evening after work, I was outside in the cold with Mr. CPA following through on my previous commitment to the scheduled evening exercise ritual.So here it is one day late but

YMCA Fitness Classes I'd Really Like to See

2007-11-19T22:42:00.000-08:00

Just like the fitness room I use at the 'Y'except without the super hi-tech equipment and the fancy view(the frugal must find their fitness inspiration in unadorned drywall it seems...)Knit to be FitKnit 2, Purl 2, Lose 10 (or more!)By Hook or by Crook – Fast Fitness the Crochet Way!Crochet those pounds away!Sit! Spin! Thin!*So, what classes would you like to see?*handspinning that is - not that

Never a dull moment

2007-11-03T15:49:00.000-07:00

Warning: long post with absolutely no redeeming knitting or spinning content and only marginal photos.ETA: This event did not happen last week, it actually happened back in September on the Saturday before I had my surgery. I wrote the entire blog post up a few days later and was going to post it the following Saturday and then something came up and I didn’t get around to. And the same the

We Mourn the Loss of Rebecca

2007-11-02T09:59:00.000-07:00

You are not suffering from some sort of blog déjà vu, this post is a re-run, or what is referred to in TV-speak as an 'encore' edition. Not that anyone was actually requesting an encore, mind you. (Thanks to Mrs. G for the idea!)I felt the need to move yesterday's post down a bit and even though I'd love to engage in a bit of procrastiblogging today, there are a number of demands on today's

Boo!

2007-10-31T22:01:00.000-07:00

Fair Warning: This post is not entirely Disney-wholesome, 'G' rated...read on at your own riskSetting: 9:30 p.m. Halloween nightMr. CPA returned from making a quick trip to the Safeway grocery store just across the street from our house and the following conversation ensued…Mr. CPA: So, what’s the scariest thing to see on Halloween?Me: (interrupted right in the middle of composing a work email)

We now return you to our regularly scheduled programming

2007-10-16T05:55:00.000-07:00

Okay, the computer problems I was having seem to have been resolved and hopefully that’s the end of it for a bit. (fingers crossed)I have to say that ever since the sudden, unexpected death of the motherboard back in May, my new computer hasn’t quite been the same and is overly prone to fits of naughty behavior.I suspect I should just wipe it and reload everything from scratch, but that prospect

Please Stand By...

2007-10-10T14:21:00.000-07:00

We are experiencing technical difficulties here at Yin and Yarn...I can't go into much detail right now since I am quickly posting during break time from my computer training classroom in Seattle (I'm at C# programming training for the rest of the week, I'm sure you are all extremely not envious of me).

High Fiber Friday

2007-10-05T18:07:00.000-07:00

Buttermilk Bran Muffins Technically fits the title, but likely not the type of fiber you were expecting. Not your typical gummy tasteless bran muffins - these are delicious! Even the picky eaters in the family enjoy these. Buttermilk Bran MuffinsThis recipe makes a nice light muffin without the ‘gumminess’ so typical of most bran muffinsMakes 3-4 dozen muffins6 Cups unprocessed wheat bran*2 Cups

My SUV is greener than your SUV

2007-10-03T22:03:00.000-07:00

Last night when Mr. CPA and I went to the gym to continue with our program of torturing our aging bodies improved physical fitness, we found that the large, and usually empty, parking lot near the gym was practically filled to capacity.For a moment we were alarmed that this meant the YMCA treadmills were at full capacity and we would need to run ourselves around on actual non-moving concrete

Weight Training for Whiners

2007-10-01T23:02:00.000-07:00

Gratuitous fibery photowith absolutely no connection to the content of this postI signed up for a new class at the YMCA, ‘Strength Training for Women’. The first class was Saturday. I am feeling remarkably not stronger at this point since every muscle in my body hurts.Well maybe not every muscle - just the ones I seem to use for common, everyday tasks. Like sitting or walking or breathing. Or

Close but no cigar

2007-09-28T21:38:00.001-07:00

I was really hoping to post an FO by now but as you can see, the sweater is not quite done yet.It's not really freakishly short - part of the sweateris hanging off the edge of the table. For some reason I didn't noticethis until I loaded the photo. Despite my big plans for this first post-ENU week, I haven’t gotten much knitting done.I’ve been working on a new database development project at work

Operation Baby Bird

2007-09-21T06:51:00.000-07:00

Today is the big launch day and we’ll be headed north to Empty Nest University (ENU) to get the youngest baby bird settled into his dorm.Of course, this isn’t quite the momentous event that we were anticipating what with the recent unexpected arrival of the oldest baby bird back at the parental nest, but it’s still a pretty big day for all of us.*We’ll have the added bonus of dealing with the

Progress of the non-negative sort

2007-09-16T16:09:00.000-07:00

Sweater #8 from Reynolds Lopi Volume 18(stitches not really as wonky looking in real lifeas they appear in photo)A small bit of forward progress was made on the sweater last night. We were watching a good movie and my knitting wasn’t especially speedy. Or I should say even less not-speedy than usual.We watched Sweet Land, an independent movie based on the short story ‘A Gravestone Made of Wheat’

Knitting + Narcotics = ???

2007-09-14T10:29:00.000-07:00

If you answered “a quick trip to the frog pond” go to the head of the class!!Right back to where I started...'TINK'ing back is very meditativeand practically just like knitting (especially in a medicated state)I’ve been home recuperating from surgery. I had lots of ambitious plans to spend my recovery time knitting and catching up on all the email and blog reading that I’m so woefully behind on,

Happy New Year

2007-09-13T12:40:00.001-07:00

May you be blessed with a good and sweet year!

Wednesday Haiku

2007-08-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

Haikus are easyBut sometimes they don’t make senseRefrigerator

Friends, Food and Fun!

2007-08-22T22:30:00.000-07:00

(always a recipe for enjoyment)The last two weekends have been a whirlwind of activity!The weekend before last, Holly, Miss O, and I went up to Canada to see Lara and Angela.We had a lovely visit with good food and lots of laughing. And there was a wee bit of fiber acquisition – but more on that in another post.And also watermelon martinis (there may have been other alcohol-based drinks but I

Financial Planning

2007-08-22T19:40:00.000-07:00

Or 'How to ensure your husband doesn't ask to use the household checkbook'It was time to order new checks recently and I realized it was also long past time to order a replacement checkbook cover too*.Here's the new one: Just the thing for those manly trips to the hardware store...*The current, conservative navy blue one is only about 10 years old - boy, they just don't make things to last any

The Return of The Marvelous Eugene Fleece

2007-08-03T07:59:00.000-07:00

ETA: UPDATED to include grower's name, some forgotten links and additional photos that I couldn't upload initially8/6/07 ETA: I added some edits to the fleece washing section.On Tuesday I came home from work moved through my usual after work routine:First the requisite frenzied greeting from a certain small terrier, which consists of much delighted twirling and excited barking.Second, moving

B is for...

2007-07-16T06:01:00.000-07:00

Berries (again) RaspberryMarionberry Look how big they are!Strawberries are gone for another year (real strawberries that is, not those styrofoam imposters from the grocery store), but for the next three weeks it's raspberry and marionberry season. Which, of course, means more jam.I managed 10 pints (5 raspberry/5 marionberry) and 9 half-pints (all raspberry) last night after dinner. I had a few

High Fiber Friday

2007-07-13T23:23:00.000-07:00

(barely under the wire but it is still Friday here on the Left Coast)The blog chi has been unbalanced of late due to the dominant Yin forces asserting themselves and overwhelming the more retiring Yarn energies. To correct this imbalance, I hereby submit evidence of some actual yarn and fiber-related activities here at Casa del Chaos:Knitting! Twist and Lace Scarf Yarn: Lisa Souza Merino Sock!

Homewrecker

2007-07-10T23:49:00.001-07:00

Mr. CPA and I were doing some much needed yard work at a small rental property we own on a recent Saturday. The building itself is circa 1940 and is on about a half acre of yard.The property had a plethora of “deferred maintenance” issues (real estate talk for run down) when we bought it 2 years ago and we haven’t quite caught up on everything yet, though it currently looks much better than when

A Fruitful Fourth

2007-07-06T11:39:00.001-07:00

(posted late, as usual)13 pints and 12 half-pints totalI celebrated the Fourth of July by making strawberry jam. Thank goodness I showed an unusual bit of common sense and self-restraint and did not give in to my initial urge to also buy a flat of raspberries to process the same day. Especially given that I didn't quite finish up with all of the two flats of strawberries (they'll freeze up just

Battle of the Sexes - Laundry Edition

2007-07-02T23:00:00.000-07:00

(or, Men are from Mars, where evidently they don’t do laundry)“After enlightenment, the laundry”Zen ProverbFemale MethodMom (aka ‘the laundress’) announces to the family that she’s going to be washing a load of light-colored clothes and asks for additional dirty items to make a full load. Despite hearing strong denials that any additional dirty clothing exists, she manages to fill at least half a

Off to Black Sheep Gathering

2007-06-21T09:40:00.000-07:00

Or off to join the circus if Angela has her way. It will be a fun trip either way with Holly, Angela, and Miss O along for the ride.I will certainly take lots of pictures. Hopefully I'll even manage to post some on my return.I'll leave you all with some random photos from Ireland.* Have a great weekend! Sea thrift by the sea Kilkenny cemetaryKinsale Harbour Kilkenny bike shop *I truly plan to

You say it's your birthday!

2007-06-16T18:00:00.000-07:00

You say it's your birthdayIt's my birthday too--yeahThey say it's your birthdayWe're gonna have a good timeI'm glad it's your birthdayHappy birthday to you.The Beatles – The White Album(I love that song! It’s like instant energy and mandatory here at Casa del Chaos whenever there’s a birthday. In fact, I’m listening to it right now…) years ago

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity-Jig

2007-05-30T05:20:00.000-07:00

We're back home and trying to catch up on everything! Thanks to a new motherboard the computer is now mostly healed. The motherboard managed to take a few files with it in the pre-vacation death spiral. I've repaired most of them but there are a few annoying issues remaining that I'm in the process of troubleshooting. The computer crash was a a real wakeup call to be more disciplined about my

Having a Great Time!!

2007-05-12T02:36:00.000-07:00

Having a really great time! Had a completely lovely dinner with Jo last night - I can't remember when I've had a nicer time!Mr. CPA is anxious to get going - the computer here at the internet cafe is very slow and at €5 per hour I can't take too long.More later...

The Best Laid Plans...

2007-05-07T02:27:00.000-07:00

The vacation is off to a rather unauspicious start I'm afraid. My computer has completely crashed as of about 11:00 pm (PDT) this evening. It looks like my webmail has gone bad too so I'm not sure what happened exactly. Talk about your bad timing!Fortunately I had already printed most of what I needed off over the last couple of days, but there were a few things I think may be missing.This

Spinning and Swatching

2007-04-30T05:50:00.000-07:00

No, you haven’t stumbled upon the wrong blog by mistake, there is actually some spinning and knitting content here on Yin and Yarn for a change.First up, spinning.Fiber: Dicentra Designs Blue Faced Leicester Top (5.2 oz total)Colorway: Longbottom LeafProject Plan: TBD but likely socksSpinning DetailsSingles: Slightly less than 25 wpi - Approximately 27 degree twist angleThis bobbin represents

Surprise!

2007-04-26T21:12:00.000-07:00

Back in February, Mr. CPA and I made a quick trip to a small camera shop in our neighborhood to get some very small, rather expensive photos taken:There are lots of good reasons to have a passport these days. For instance, now I’ll be able to enter Canada, our friendly neighbor to the North. Yes, in all the years that only a drivers license was required I never managed a visit, in spite of living

Art Imitates Life: Comic strip edition

2007-04-25T06:26:00.000-07:00

from Scott Adams official Dilbert website.

A Full Recovery

2007-04-17T23:15:00.000-07:00

No, not me unfortunately, I’m still fighting the crummy virus*. The tank top, however, is finally finished and feeling fine.After discovering that the tank's armholes were too long, I removed the crochet trim and ripped back the tank straps to a more suitable point and then did a three-needle bind-off for the shoulders: step 1: k2tog from the front and back needlesstep 2: lift first stitch on

Suddenly Spring!

2007-04-16T04:54:00.000-07:00

When Spring AppearsMeadowlarks give lusty cheerswhen spring appearswhen spring appears.Buds and seeds prick up their earsand blades of grass show eager spears.And only icicles weep tearswhen spring appearswhen spring appearsAileen FisherSpring photos from around my yard(if you prefer puppies to flowers, scroll down to the bottom)Rhododendron Ajuga (bugleweed) and daylilies Japanese Maple (acer

You've got mail!

2007-04-15T17:21:00.000-07:00

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy: They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.Marcel ProustWhat’s better than yarn in the mail? Unexpected yarn (and treats!) in the mail!I was picking up the mail Friday and there was a note in my mailbox informing me that I had a package at the front desk that was too large to fit in the box. Hmmmmm, I didn’t remember ordering

We interrupt this tank top...

2007-04-11T06:35:00.000-07:00

Just when the crochet trim and I had reached a state of détente…I finished the neck and one arm and decided it might be prudent to actually try the tank on again to check my progress. There will be no photographic evidence of the results provided.Now I would like to point out that I had indeed tried the tank on the previous evening, after finally managing to correctly sew it up but prior to

An Unhappy Union

2007-04-08T15:16:00.000-07:00

Is there a secret to combining crochet and knitting? Because this seems like a bad combination. Also this yarn is a bit splitty so the crochet action is kind of slow going. After reworking the front edging several times, I've settled on an every other stitch spacing for the most part. Except for the areas where I have to randomly crochet into every stitch to make it look right. the now '

Negative progress

2007-04-07T18:26:00.000-07:00

I have had Casa del Chaos all to myself today since Mr. CPA and the youngest manchild are up north attending an event at the boy’s college of choice (which I’ve been referring to as Empty Nest University).I successfully darned a hole in a sweater (not hand knit) that has been awaiting my attention for, oh, about a year.Next I started in on finishing a simple tank top that I started last spring.*

Peeps for Passover

2007-04-06T21:37:00.000-07:00

No, they're still not kosher for Passover.Peeps illustrating the ten plagues of ExodusETA: I didn't create the peeps tableaus. I found the link via dooce.com.

Not quite according to plan

2007-04-06T21:18:00.000-07:00

The minutia of my day that will probably interest hardly anyone…Scheduled plan for today:9:50 am - Leave for 1+ hour trip to hair appointment 60 miles away.**11:00 am - Arrive in town early for 11:30 appt with plenty of time to pickup a coffee and/or check out local shops12:00 pm - Depart for home1:00-ish pm (depending on traffic) - Arrive home, finish a few inside chores1:30 pm - Go outside in

I take the cake

2007-04-03T06:03:00.000-07:00

The cupcake that is! Friday I came home to find a package waiting for me. Inside was the adorable little cupcake pincushion I won in a drawing on Vallen’s blog.Isn’t it fun? It is even cuter in person. And the best kind of cupcake; high fiber and zero calorie! I will really enjoy using this. (ETA: the cupcake is made out of felted knitting and felt. It is incredibly soft)Vallen also tucked in one

Behind the Scenes

2007-03-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

(Or, Even more excuses about why there’s no new spinning or knitting content …)Just a quick shot to show you how I spent my last ‘Entrepreneurial Fridays’ day.Here’s what I learned last Friday, in no particular order:One can fit a rather amazing amount of yarn, props and small furniture into a Honda Civic. This was all the more amazing because the person packing it was me and not, say, Lisa’s

Spin to Knit Swap Pal Revealed

2007-03-21T06:13:00.000-07:00

If you hadn’t guessed by the lack of posting here at Yin & Yarn, Casa del Chaos has definitely been living up to it’s name the last few weeks and I’m a bit behind with nearly everything; emails, blog posts, laundry, housework*, etc. you name it and it’s probably not getting done right now.I mention that by way of explanation as to why I’m so remiss in posting a well-deserved thank you to my great

Selbu Mittens: The Untold Story

2007-03-07T06:22:00.000-08:00

What with my full-time employment at ACME Giant Government Bureaucracy Inc and running my little entrepreneurial venture evenings and weekends, there’s not much time to knit and I don’t finish too many knitting projects these days.But when my friend Terri Shea announced that she needed test knitters for a book project she was working it sounded so interesting that I volunteered right away.I’m so

The Skein and I

2007-03-05T06:07:00.000-08:00

My new and improved longer daily schedule has a 30 minute lunch break instead of my previous hour long lunch. Which is nice for getting home a bit earlier but not as handy for running lunch time errands since 30 minutes is only enough time to navigate out to my car in the cavernous underground garage, drive out, and get approximately halfway to any desired destination before needing to return and

Separation Anxiety

2007-02-27T22:26:00.000-08:00

The good news: I love how the yarn turned out! (which is, amazingly, pretty much as I envisioned it during the ‘planning but no sampling’ stage)The bad news:I have to send it away to my swap pal.I knew better. Don’t get attached, I told myself when I was spinning and plying, remember you can’t keep it. Since I’m weak and undisciplined, I failed to listen to my own good advice. But really, how

Productive Procrastination

2007-02-23T15:05:00.000-08:00

After some dedicated spinning while watching ER last night I finally saw this:that's all folks!Hooray! Maybe I’ll be able to get a package off to my swap pal in time after all.I had way too many tasks on the ‘to do’ list to consider doing any spinning this morning. So, of course, I sat right down in front of the wheel, because I rationalized that I would just be distracted all morning wondering

I got your spinning right here...

2007-02-22T09:01:00.000-08:00

Lots of spinning going on here at Casa del Chaos these days, unfortunately the majority of it does not involve fiber. We’ve got lots of plates spinning, brains spinning and spinning out of control but not nearly enough spinning at spinning wheels. I definitely have too much yin and not enough yarn these days!I really need to finish my February skein for my swap pal. I have been working on it as

Here comes the sun

2007-02-18T23:03:00.000-08:00

(of course, now I'll be humming the Beatles song all night after typing that title!)I was certain the weatherman must have made mistake in his report for Saturday. Here’s what the official forecast said we’d be having:Looks like pretty typical weather around these parts for February.Instead we got this: For once the weatherman’s mistake was in our favor! Usually it works the other way around; if

Mission Accomplished!

2007-02-14T22:16:00.000-08:00

Thank goodness.

The Wednesday of my discontent

2007-02-14T06:32:00.000-08:00

I’m test-driving a new 4/10 work schedule for my job at ACME Giant Government Bureaucracy Inc. The reasoning was not that I needed to have increased amounts of fatigue in my work week, but rather that I need a weekday day free of paid employment responsibilities to devote to the new business that I am currently running in my non-spare evening and weekend hours.My 3-point plan for transitioning to

Teabag Wisdom

2007-02-10T09:51:00.000-08:00

I love Good Earth teas. It's good tea but what I like best is that each teabag tag has a quotation on it. Today's teabag had a quote that seemed especially appropriate:The influence of each human being on others in this life is a kind of immortality. John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) The reason? A dear friend is losing his battle with cancer. He has asked his hospice nurse to hold off increasing his

SuperWool Sunday

2007-02-05T05:32:00.000-08:00

Preparations got underway early at Casa del Chaos for SuperWool Sunday celebrations.A quick trip to Starbucks provided the caffeine-fueled ambition needed for the early morning trip to Costco for appropriate snackage supplies for the event. Some basic amount of housework was performed in order maintain the illusion that we are not complete slobs somewhat tidy (family members were coached in

Spin To Knit Swap

2007-02-04T09:11:00.000-08:00

While I was away at Madrona, my Spin To Knit swap pal mailed me a lovely surprise:Inside was a the most beautiful, textured skein of yarn (I had told my swap pal that I loved textured yarns since I spin pretty boring, plain yarn myself). Here it is below at its 'super yarn model' photo shoot.Inside, flash required unfortunately. (Have I mentioned it’s a bit grey this time of year in the PNW?)

Madrona Report

2007-02-03T21:16:00.000-08:00

(I am finally on the mend and have been cleared for limited computer access and blogging by the rest enforcer my loving husband. This is a conditional release however and privileges will be revoked if I relapse due to failure to exercise moderation…)My absolute favorite part of Madrona is visiting with friends from both near and far that I don’t get to see nearly often enough.Beyond that it’s

Butt-kicking virus: 2, Denise: still 0

2007-01-30T15:26:00.000-08:00

(Actually, the butt-kicking virus has mutated into a nasty sinus and lung infection but I blame the virus for starting all of this crap anyway)My Madrona experience ended with a 102 degree fever and a 3 hour visit to urgent care on Sunday.The good news is that I don’t have pneumonia. Thank goodness or I would have never heard the end of it from Mr. CPA, who was none too pleased with me for not

And I'm Off...

2007-01-24T18:02:00.000-08:00

Okay, off to Madrona to meet up with Vanessa tonight.I'm horribly overpacked and yet I have sinking feeling I've forgotten something rather important. But as Holly reminded me recently, as long as I remember my pants I'm probably okay!Full report and photos when I return!

Preparing for Madrona

2007-01-24T06:25:00.000-08:00

(sorry, picture heavy below)Step 1Clean casa del chaos in preparation for the minor disaster about to be unleashed into the family room (there is a limit, after all, to just how much disorganization the house can take at any one time).Step 2Remove all fiber from Basement of Wool (tm) and place in family room.Step 3Admire assembled fiber with pride and mentally pat self on the back. My, haven’t

The Return of the Yarn Mascot

2007-01-23T07:05:00.000-08:00

Perhaps anyone but me could have seen this coming. How could this: Lovely singlesTurn into this? Eeew! Unlovely yarn.Definitely not the look I was going for. Yes, I knew it would barber-pole, but I didn’t anticipate the chartreuse totally dominating the plied yarn and changing the tones of the blue/green targhee so dramatically.The chartreuse of the superwash, lovely on its own, turns into a

I'm Baaaaack!

2007-01-17T03:58:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a whirlwind weekend!I got back home yesterday at around 1:30 am. I had planned on going in to work, but having only 4 hours of sleep on top of 3 days of sleep deprivation and an ongoing battle with the sickness that wouldn’t die made me reconsider.The first time TNNA experience was interesting! I’ll post more details after I get all my orders packed and shipped and restore some sense of

Death Warmed Over

2007-01-12T04:11:00.000-08:00

(written 1/11/07 at 5 pm)Don’t knock on Death’s door, ring the bell and run away.He hates that.UnknownOkay, so I wasn’t exactly on my death bed for the last few days, but I was on my very-very-very sick bed.I did not get to the point of seeing all the dead relatives swirling around above me urging me to go into the light, but I was afraid that they might be lurking nearby. You know, maybe

Butt-Kicking Virus: 1, Denise:0

2007-01-07T12:07:00.000-08:00

You know how after you’ve been sick for awhile and then you start to feel better? How even though you’re not ‘all the way’ better you feel really GREAT just because of the comparative difference to how not great you were feeling just recently?That was me Saturday. I woke up yesterday feeling terrific. Got up and puttered at some chores and went to the gym to work out like we do every Saturday (

This post brought to you by the makers of OTC pharmaceuticals

2007-01-04T12:09:00.000-08:00

I have succumbed to a yucky virus.I suspect it was brought home by Mr. CPA since he is also sick (courtesy of a very dedicated, presenteeism-oriented co-worker at the Dept. of Health*).Either that or common upper respiratory viruses (virii?) have mutated in a way that allows for person-computer-person transmission.Because I’ve noticed that quite a few of the bloggers that I read on a regular

Only Six?

2006-12-26T22:32:00.000-08:00

Antique Chinese Basket with Dicentra Designs fiber (because this is a serious fiber arts blog) Vanessa tagged me with the “Six weird things about me” meme back on December 14th, right before our electricity and internet access went out in the big PNW storm . I tried to wiggle out of it since I was so late catching up, but Vanessa insisted I pony up with all my amazing weirdness. It was

Now With 100% More Spinning Content!

2006-12-25T19:16:00.000-08:00

This is my current favorite wheel, my Jensen Tina II, shown here removed from her native environment due to the current cluttered state of my spinning corner. (Rather embarrassingly, right in our living room and the very first thing guests see.)And here an inadvertent long-range project: (kindly pretend not to notice that the yarn on the bobbin actually has dust)This is some Sweet Grass Wool

We mourn the loss of Rebecca

2006-12-10T07:43:00.000-08:00

Today we gather to recognize the short yet meaningful existence of Rebecca, whose lovely olive-toned Silk Road Aran countenance will be sorely missed.Despite a promising cast-on, Rebecca struggled to overcome multiple knitting challenges in her short life.Rebecca’s designer and friend, Jo Sharp, remembered her as“A women’s fitted sweater with a cable panel at the centre front. Suitable for a

K2Tog

2006-12-05T23:43:00.000-08:00

My husband and I celebrated 22 years of wedded bliss last weekend. Our actual anniversary was the day after Thanksgiving but we were so busy with family and the holiday that we both forgot. Though, even without the Thanksgiving excuse, this is pretty typical for us. One of us usually remembers the next day or so and we have a good laugh over it.Here we are enjoying an anniversary dinner at one of

Post 2: In which I attempt to add a random photo

2006-12-01T22:24:00.000-08:00

Learning the ropes...I promise to make an attempt to be more interesting after this.