Favorite Things Seven

Hello to the handful of you that visit my blog! I appreciate each and every one of you for stopping by. I'm going to attempt to address this week's theme carefully, since one is easy and the other is not.

1. ecological sin (being things that are deleterious to our planet’s resources but that you enjoy anyway): Pass. Or electricity. Or pass. No wait, LIVING!

Do I get to have a favorite of this one? Having a car is nice. Computers are useful. I enjoy electricity. A lot of my clothes are produced unethically. If I ate meat I would probably go with that, but I don't. Does my mere existence count? Then I choose being alive. It's really unlikely that any of us are, and yet here we go, depleting the planet. I choose being alive as my favorite ecological sin.

2. bogus swear word (when in mixed company): Bonkers/Bananas/Loony Tunes

I use these three a lot to suggest something here is crazy. I love all three and they can be used interchangeably.

Runner ups:

Rats! (self explanatory)

Jack Monkey Doodle - as in, "I don't know jack monkey doodle about pleasurable ecological sins!"

Dog Business - as in, "I feel like dog business today." I love this one because my business is knitwear and dog business is you know what.

(I also like "You Know What")

{Part of a Friday series with Alex, Vivian and Lee that celebrates our power to discern, discriminate, decide and declare. Please join us in the comments or on your own site if you have a few favorites, too.}

Favorite Things Six

Hi blog readers! This week we have two difficult themes again. I finally got it all sorted and my computer crashed, saving nothing. I can't help but feel this version will not be quite as good as the last one but please bear with me... Let's jump in!

1. Favorite Movie Pre-1965: I considered the Marx Brothers, Screwball Comedies, and Historical Dramas. I then narrowed it down to The Sound of Music and the Wizard of Oz. Today's choice: Wizard of Oz.

It was in you all along

The movie made me want to read the book, which made me want to read all 14 official books. Despite outdated cultural insensitivities, there is also a great deal of magic and imagination created generations before Harry Potter hit the scene. My favorite thing about the film is the underlying message that if you want to improve yourself, you can. A wizard can't fix you, only you can do that. You'll probably have to walk through some scary places to get there, but if you are willing to face your demons, you'll be rewarded with great power. It's a great message and just rings true.

2. Favorite Children's Book: This time I have to mention a few faves, but will ultimately settle on one. Probably.

First runner up - any of the soothing Ant and Bee books by Angela Banner. I used to get these at the library when I was little and studied them very carefully. As an adult I tried to hunt them down, only to discover they are considered "collectible" and go for hundreds of dollars apiece. Oh well.

Ant and Bee and the Rainbow... A Story About Colours by Angela Banner

I also loved The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. Oh what a crazy story, full of puns, which seemed meaningful to my young mind. Reading this book as a child was like an acid trip, in the good way.

Map illustration by Jules Feiffer

...and let us not forget From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg. In short, what kid doesn't want to live in a museum, collect coins out of the fountain and sleep in important beds? I did.

I don't know what this picture is

Okay, enough honorable mentions. It's time to make a real choice here. Favorite book? The Best Story Book Ever by Richard Scarry. Also the Best Word Book Ever. Pick one? Why?! Richard Scarry is the best. That is the point.

don't you want to play with paint now?

He doesn't eat the toaster

I used to think a lot about Kenny's Breakfast and how huge it was. Anyone else?

{Part of a Friday series with Alex, Vivian and Lee that celebrates our power to discern, discriminate, decide and declare. Please join us in the comments or on your own site if you have a few favorites, too.}

Favorite Things Friday Five

Hi Friday Friends! Perhaps you have noticed that it is Saturday? More importantly, so what? This week we have two new favorites to explore: school subject and board games. I'm going to jump in with the easy one first...

1. Favorite Subject in School: Art

Christina's World by Andrew Wyeth - photo by goldberg via flickr

For a long time not much else mattered to me. What can I say about art in a brief yet meaningful way? I dunno. I'll turn to Picasso:

Everything you can imagine is real

OR maybe Nietzsche?

You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star

That kinda sums it up succinctly I think.

2. Board Game: Arkham Horror

Believe it or not this one is way harder for me. I am a total board game nerd and do not wish to commit myself to one game. That said, Arkham Horror is amazing. This is the game that got me into complicated, cooperative games. This means players work together and you either all win or you all lose. In this case, that could mean a gruesome, gory, Lovecraft-inspired demise. Yes, the board is ridiculously huge and you need a big table to play it. Set-up is long, as is putting it away. I once spent six hours playing this game. You can feel sorry for me if you want but I loved it. I don't play it much anymore but it will always hold a dear place in my heart.

Thanks for stopping by, pals!

{Part of a Friday series with Alex, Vivian and Lee that celebrates our power to discern, discriminate, decide and declare. Please join us in the comments or on your own site if you have a few favorites, too.}

Pollination Collection

Hello fiber friends! Check it out - I have some patterns to show you. The Pollination Collection is a Malabrigo ebook of four accessories. 

Plum Creek Mitts and Honey Orchard Shawl

First up, a nice little shawl... Honey Orchard is a made-up place with dancing lambs and bees with no stingers. The sunlight tastes sweet and always comes paired with a gentle breeze. This asymmetrical shawl pattern is inspired by a dreamy little fictitious place like Honey Orchard.

Lee rocks the large Honey Orchard shawl

Details:

Finished Measurements: (blocked): 58 (72)” 147 (183) cm wingspan, 21 (27)” 53 (69) cm deep

Gauge: 22 sts/28 rows = 4” in Stockinette Stitch (Not blocked) 18 sts/22 rows = 4” in Stockinette Stitch (Blocked) Exact gauge is not critical

Yarn: Any dk-weight yarn. Samples shown: Malabrigo Silky Merino [51% Silk, 49% merino wool; 150yd per 50g skein]; colors: Cape Cod Gray (small - 2 skeins) and Sand (large - 3 skeins)

Needles: 1 set of US 8 (5 mm) 24” or desired length circular needles or size to get gauge.

Pattern is $4.99

buy now

Conestoga Bonnets and Honey Orchard Shawls

Next up, Conestoga Bonnet. Before the development of the railroad, people relied on covered wagons like the Conestoga to travel the Appalachian Valley. The Conestoga Bonnet revives old time carriage dress into the modern era.

Lee is so cute in the Conestoga Bonnet

Details:

Bonnet Sizes: (3) Child [Adult Small, Adult Medium]

Bonnet Measurements: 18” [20,” 22”] OR 46 [51, 56] cm

Gauge: 13 sts/18 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch

Yarn: Chunky-weight yarn. Samples shown: Malabrigo Chunky [100% Merino wool; 100yd per 3.5oz skein]; color: Pearl (child), Pink Frost (small) Geranio (medium): 1 skein.

Needles: 1 set US #10/6mm 16” or larger circular needle and double pointed needles OR size needed to obtain gauge.

Anaiah is oh so adorable in her Conestoga Bonnet

Pattern is $4.99

buy now

Next up, Plum Creek Mitts. On the banks of Plum Creek, “She heard pa shouting,’Jiminy crickets! It's raining fish- hooks and hammer handles!’” (Laura Ingalls Wilder) Plum Creek is a place where country gals ride horses and picnic in the grass. It is the inspiration for a set of armwarmers that integrate delicate lace onto a sturdy structure. These mitts are a little feminine and a little bit practical too, right at home in Plum Creek.

all three sizes of Plum Creek Mitts

Details:

Sizes: (3) Adult Small [Adult Medium, Adult Large]

Measurements: Wrist Circumference: 6 [7, 8]” OR 15 [18, 20] cm. Mid-Arm Circumference: 8

[9, 10]” OR 20 [23, 25.5] cm. Length: 7.5” [19] cm.

Gauge: 16 sts/28 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch using Worsted-weight yarn and larger needle.

Yarn: Worsted-weight yarn AND Lace-weight yarn. Samples shown: Malabrigo Worsted [100% Merino wool; 210yd (192m) per 3.5oz (100g) skein]; color: Sealing Wax (small), Pearl Ten (medium), Pearl Ten (large): 1 skein. Malabrigo Lace [100% Merino wool; 470yd (430m) per 1.75oz (50g) skein]; color: Pink Frost (small), SimplyTaupe (medium), Dusty (large): 1skein.

Needles: Cuff: 1 set US #9/5.5mm 32” or longer circular needle (magic loop method) OR 2 sets of 24” or longer (2 circular method), OR double pointed needles OR size needed to obtain gauge. Lace Panel: 1 set US #3/3.25mm straight or circular needles.

Plum Creek Mitts

Pattern is $4.99

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Finally, Tree Rings. Every tree has a secret inner life. You can guess the age by the height but the real data is locked within the core -- growth rings. Tree Ring Socks show your knitting growth on the outside. This project is an easy way to use two colors in your knitting without having to carry more than one strand at a time.

Tree Rings Socks

Details:

Sizes: This pattern is written for 5 sizes: XS (Small, Medium, Large, XL)

Foot Circumference: 7 (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9) inches 17.5 (19, 20, 21.5, 23 cm) unstretched.

Gauge: 32 sts/48 rows = 4” in Stockinette Stitch.

Yarn: Fingering-weight sock yarn in two colors that gives you proper gauge, 350 - 400 yards; Sample Shown: Malabrigo Sock [100% SUPERWASH Merino; 440yd per 100 gram skein]; colors: Natural [MC] , Alcaucil [CC]: less than 1 skein each.

Needles: 1 set of US 1 (2.25 mm) 32” circular needles (magic loop), 2 sets of 24” circulars or double pointed needles OR size to get gauge.

Details, details

Pattern is $4.99

buy now

Bonnet, shawl, mitts, daydreaming

Like them all? You can get the ebook for only $14.99 - all four patterns at a great price.

buy now

Thanks to Vivian Aubrey for the photos and Lee Meredith and Anaiah Aubrey for modeling. Thanks to Laurelhurst Park for being such a lovely place to do things like this. Thanks to you for stopping by and looking at the collection.

Favorite Things Four

I didn't post my favorite things last Friday because the topic was favorite food and drink. Let's just say I'm in a phase where food is kind of gross right now.

Please forgive me. I will update this Friday, as scheduled.

Favorite Things: Three

Hello Friday Friends!

I am still here doing this, which surprises no one more than me. Thanks for stopping by and proving that blogs are still a THING. 

Today is Friday which means it's a Favorite Things Day. What is that? Look at this lovely little set-up written by Vivian which I stole from her blog this morning:

{Part of a Friday series with Alex, Vivian and Lee that celebrates our power to discern, discriminate, decide and declare. Please join us in the comments or on your own site if you have a few favorites, too.}


These are almost always very hard. I am not so very decisive and some topics matter too much or perhaps too little for me to make the definitive choice. What I do is pick the first one that comes to me, and so far that has worked. Enough ado, let us get to it already!

1. Favorite Animated Movie: Kiki's Delivery Service

I have only seen it once, and it was while I was recovering from something, but this movie really touched me. It's about a girl coming into her power and learning to rely on her own magic to make her way in the world.

13 year old witch Kiki and her black cat Jiji

Also Hayao Miyazaki is a genius and I love all of his films that I've seen.

Enjoy this nice, humungous picture of Miyazaki

2. Favorite Love Story: Okay, wow. I am torn all over the place for this one. I want to half put down some kind of anti-love story and half some real, touching one. I am generally more moved by LOVE than I am by mushy, fused, icky romantic love between two people that is ultimately unsustainable. Bear in mind I am not bitter, despite how this sounds.

So, I turn to music. Girlfriend in a Coma? Perhaps not... I got it! John Lennon wrote fabulous love songs all over the place. So, here it is: In My Life. This is a beautiful song (in my top five all time favorite Beatle songs) that feels like a meditation on his past and an expanding sense of love in his present and future.

Lennon's Original Lyrics

I have always felt that the people and places I have ever loved I still love. The people and places I liked I still like. Nothing changed. This song echoes that warm feeling for me and I maintain that it is quite a Love Story indeed.

The song is great too. I just read that the solo isn't a harpsichord, it's a sped-up piano. How cool! Anyway, enjoy this weird weird youtube video of In My Life if you'd like and have a great week, Friday Friends!

Favorite Things Friday part 2

Hi again! This week we have the following questions: What is your favorite historical discovery? What is your favorite modern convenience? Again, not easy questions.

I'm going with the first things that popped into my head. It's preferable to over-thinking and agonizing and ultimately not coming up with anything better...

Une photo générale de la grande fresque de la salle du fond de la grotte Chauvet, le groupe des félins se trouvant à droite. © Jean Clottes - Ministère de la Culture

Historical Discovery: Really old cave paintings! They make me feel connected to all people everywhere forever. I like this feeling.

Lascaux Great Hall of the Bulls by Emily Whale

Modern Convenience: Hot running water. Hot showers are a luxury many of us never think about. The month I spent in India without running hot water taught me (among other things) to not take this for granted. When I came home I took a very very long very very hot shower (first one in a month) and felt so grateful. I have felt that way ever since, and its been many showers in 12 years! Also hot baths are magical too. I have to add that.

Shower fixture in Cabin 6 at the the Overlook Motel in Lincoln City, OR. by PhotoAtelier

What are your favorites?

Favorite things Friday

Welcome to the first edition of a collection of little tiny blog posts about some favorite things. First up... Favorite animal:

Desdemona, the cookie thief

I don't actually have a favorite animal but this picture captures something I love. Look at her neck roll. Look at her nose. Look at how she just takes that cookie.

Next up, favorite super hero. This is impossible. I would like to fly or freeze time as super powers. I'd love to shop in stores with no one in them and try on things in the middle of the floor. Then fly away over the city and the sea like a bird. I don't need to be invisible as a super power because I already have that one. We all do if you think about it.

Thanks for stopping by. This project was created by my pal Vivian. Her faves are pretty cool. Also on board are Alex and Lee. Stop on by and say HI.

Phantom Manor

New pattern time!



The Phantom Manor shawl is inspired by the gothic style of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion. The body of the shawl has a simple lace motif reminiscent of eyes peeping out, like in the corridor’s wallpaper. The shawl is finished with a feminine gothic-style lace edging and is just the thing to wear to your next spooky shin-dig. Don’t be scared, this one is pure fun!



Details:

Finished Measurements: 50” wingspan, 18” deep

Gauge: 22 sts/32 rows = 4” in Stockinette Stitch (Not critical)

Yarn: 400 yards of any fingering-weight yarn. Sample shown: Hazel Knits Entice MCN [70% merino wool, 20% cashmere, 10% nylon; 400yd per 115g skein]; color: Spooky Hue, 1 skein.

Notions: 8 Stitch markers, tapestry needle.

Needles: 1 set of US 5 (3.75 mm) AND 1 set of US 6 (4.25 mm) 24” or larger circular needles or size to get gauge.

Pattern is $4.99

buy now

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a good one :)

Happy New Year!

Hello January people!

I hope you made it through the holiday madness well. I am here, doing my best. I have a few bits of information to share with you on this fine cold afternoon. Pour yourself some hot tea or something and take a gander, won't you?



1. New pattern alert! The Sartorial Cowl is now available. The mystery has been solved. The cowl pattern comes in three sizes and costs $4.99

buy now

2. I have an actual website now:

http://starathena.com

From now on, this here, where you are right now, is considered to be my blog. The other thing is my website. Feel free to check it out and share any feedback you want. I plan on adding a FAQ to it as well.

3. I am teaching in New York at Vogue Knitting Live in two weeks! Are you going? I am! Oh wait, I keep saying that. Please say hi to me if you see me. I am kind of shy around strangers but I'd just as soon be friends with you. So yeah, say hi! Also, sign up for my classes, please. I will teach you how to design your own socks and/or how to use wild, hand painted variegated yarns well.

4. Rockin' Sock Club time! Sign-ups just went live and I'm happy to say I am a part of this one! Head over to Blue Moon Fiber Arts to see for yourself. The only clue I can give you is that my pattern is for socks and it is the sort that works well with variegated yarns.



5. Camptown Races Pattern now available! Originally released as a kit from the Plucky Knitter, this cowl pattern is finally available for download for $4.99

buy now

That's enough for now, I suppose. Photos as usual by Vivian Aubrey.

May your January be inspiring and bright!

Mystery Cowl Knit-along!

Yes, yes, yes! This is going to be so great!

Tina's Silver Lining

I have teamed up with the talented Tina at Blue Moon Fiber Arts to bring you a fast and fabulous knit-along.

I can't actually show you anything but I am telling you this pattern is cool. It works with variegated yarns. You read that right. I have knit three of them so far and I am going to make more. Perhaps you don't know me very well but this never ever happens. Ever.

Tina took this picture, obviously

Details:

The pattern is divided into three clues to be released on three consecutive Tuesdays:

Clue 1: November 13

Clue 2: November 20

Clue 3: November 27

Materials:

Yarn: Bulky-weight yarn. Suggested yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts De-Vine [100% Wool; 225yd per 200 gram skein]; 1 skein for small or medium size, 2 skeins for large size.

Edited to add: The large will wrap around the neck twice easily, the medium will do so snugly, and the small not at all.

Needles: 1 set US #10/6mm, 1 set US #13/9mm, AND 1 set US #15/10 mm 24” or longer circular needles, or size to get gauge.

Notions: tapestry needle, five 3/4”/2cm or 1”/2.5cm buttons

Gauge: 14 sts/20 rows = 4" in stockinette st using smallest needles. NOTE: Gauge is not critical.

De-Vine is luxuriously squishy in the best way

GOOD NEWS:
You get a discount code to use to purchase the suggested yarn at a 10% discount. De-Vine has already been discounted online around 10% which gives you nearly 20% off of the original price. 

MORE GOOD NEWS: 

Tina and I have picked out ten great colors that we know will look beautiful in this pattern. They are being dyed up right now, so that when you order them, they will ship FAST. You are free to use any yarn you like, just keep your eye on the calendar and secure yours soon.

COLORS:

Tina's Silver Lining
Currier and Ives
Frosty
Hawthorne
Just Jack
A Very Scummy Christmas
Dreidel
Winterberries
Hobbit Garden
Carbon
The Kracken

Only $4.99 to join!

buy now

Want more? Join my Ravelry group for the chatter and knit-a-longs here.

October the what?

Hi friends,

Where have I been all summer? I have no idea. But here it is, drizzling, snappy October once more.

Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause
between the opposing miseries of summer and winter. - Carol Bishop Hipps
I always reflect when the seasons change and especially so when the chill hits. I am watching the birds in their V-formations leave the Pacific Northwest. I am drinking hot tea just about every day now. There is no denying it. It's knitting weather, people.

I have a few exciting knitting things to share with you soon (Mystery Knit-along!) But first, may I tell you about a pair of socks that are associated with this season of change?

Día de los Muertos

These socks here are in honor of the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos). It's a holiday to be spent gathered with family and friends to remember loved ones who have died. The celebration occurs on November 2 in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2).

We can gather online if we can't gather in person. This year I am remembering some people who have come and gone in my life. I am struck by the fact that if I loved you once, I love you still.

Also, life goes on.

Traditions connected with the Day of the Dead include building altars honoring the deceased using decorated sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed. The Day of the Dead is not necessarily a time for mourning, so knit and decorate these socks using bright, festive colors and wear them to party!

This here pattern is written for multiple gauges and you can knit the sock as they are, or add embroidery when done! What a great use for bright scraps of sock yarn leftover from other projects.



At the end of the pattern you will find a sugar skull paper craft pattern. Decorate that too! These socks give the knitter options. A simple sock can be decorated by embroidering marigolds along the eyelets. A skeleton can be embroidered along the side if desired.

Sizes: This pattern is written for four sizes: (See foot circumference chart to determine appropriate size) 1. Women’s Small (2. Women’s Medium/Men’s Small, 3. Women’s Large/Men’s Medium, 4. Women’s X-L/Men’s Large)

Foot circumference: 7 (8, 9, 10) inches 17.5 (20, 23, 25.5 cm) unstretched. Will stretch to fit 8 (9, 10, 11) inches 20 (23, 25.5, 28 cm).

Yarn: This pattern is written for four gauges: (See yardage requirement chart to determine yarn selection) Sample shown: sport-weight: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Mediumweight [100% SUPERWASH Wool; 380yd per 155 gram skein]; color: Pallas Athena: 1 skein.


Needles: 1 set of 32” circular needles (magic loop), 2 sets of 24” circulars or double pointed needles in size to get gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers, scrap yarn or embroidery floss, tapestry needle.

Because of the large file size, this time the "extra" is in a separate pdf file. Both the pattern and paper craft are available to you through the link.


The pattern is $4.99
buy now