IWTMT: Cabled Kindle Sleeve

You'll never guess what I got last week.

Wait, how did you guess it was a Kindle? Never mind, it's not important. Anyway, I was reading this blog post Tonks put up about getting a Kindle, and I started to think about getting one too. Hubs had asked me if I wanted one for Christmas, and I told him no. I have this bad tendency to say I don't want something for Christmas and then I want it a few months later (this has also happened with an iPod). Now, my birthday's not until May, but I started hinting pretty heavily and surprise surprise, I got it last Monday.

Hubs didn't get me a case, though, so I had to pony up for one myself -- and lemme tell you, getting a nice one isn't cheap. Why not knit one? Well, sure! Ravelry has a great listing for Kindle cases, and ironically I entered to win this Cabled iPad sleeve before I even knew I was getting the Kindle.

I didn't win, but haramis designs also offers a free Cabled Kindle Sleeve pattern (Rav). I think I would make a few modifications, though. I'm concerned about fibers getting into the device, so I would make it a smidge bigger and line it. Otherwise, it's quite nice as it is. :)

IWTMT: Fluffy Bunny Slippers

Maybe one day I'll get better about remembering to post the IWTMT for the week, but that day is not today.

I've been attempting to nurse a sick hubby this weekend, and I am just not a caregiver. My talents lie in wrapping people up in blankets, and veeeeeeeeeeeeeeery sloooooooooooooooooowly making blankets to wrap them up in. That's probably why the Fluffy Bunny Slippers pattern from Stitch 'n Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker caught my eye tonight. I don't remember if I ever had bunny slippers, but animal slippers just make me think of being a kid and being taken care of.

Of course, my husband doesn't want bunny slippers. He just wants a good night's sleep. But maybe I could make him zombie bunny slippers?

It Must Be Genetic

Despite blogging about it, I didn't make the connection until a few days ago.

I've bought all this yarn to make a green hat, right?

Well, what am I making my sister for her birthday, as per her request?

A green hat.

Sometimes I doubt we're related, but this seals the deal. She's got good taste, and it's genetic.

IWTMT: Seedling

I really need to stop falling in love with green hats. I've never even made a green hat. I've a blue hat and a red hat and another blue hat -- oh, I guess I made a green hat for my husband, but that was crochet and bulletproof so I think it's fair to refer to it as a helmet instead. I can look at a pattern and imagine a project in a color other than what's pictured, I swear.

But. Oh. Have you seen the Seedling hat pattern (Rav)? Yes, it's green. But that's because there's a plant on it. Hello, green yarn = no duh.

Worsted weight. Pattern costs five bucks, but that's cool. I have a skein of Green Mountain Spinnery Wonderfully Woolly in Fiddlehead. I dare you to tell me that's not meant to be.

Conversation Starter: Cleanliness

As usual, please feel free to jump in with your own comments or snag this conversation starter for your own blog. A link back to me is nice, but not necessary.

I never used to drink coffee, but I got this fancy coffee maker for Christmas that can make things like espressos and mochas and so here I am, sucking down a cup like I've been doing this for years. I go to work at noon so this morning time is useful for a lot of things. I could exercise, clean house, or work on my crafting. I still have to finish my Boneyard Shawl! But I won't work on it, because I'm drinking coffee.

I'm not a neat person, which is why I will probably never participate in those "what's on your workdesk" prompts. I do like to think I'm pretty clean, though, which is why I try really hard not to craft with food or drink around. (Plus I have cats. I think you can do the math.) I try to either wash my hands or use hand sanitizer before picking up my yarn. I freak out a little when I drop my yarn on the floor, although maybe it would help if I vacuumed once in a while.

I know it's not weird to be sensitive to people with sensitivities, but most of what I make is for myself! I know plenty of people who let their yarn roll around on the floor like it is their vacuum. (I only twitch a little on the outside.) Am I just some kind of nut, coming up with all these rules I must obey before I can craft? Do you think it limits spontaneity and fun, or is it a good habit to have?

Impatience

If you know me at all, you know I am not a patient person, which is why I tend to make very small projects and don't finish big ones.

I was visiting knitterofhats speaks, since she's left so many lovely comments trying to win my skein of yarn. If you visit her blog too, you'll notice the first post there is another giveaway called One World One Heart. Turns out it's a worldwide blog hop where the participants offer door prizes to active bloggers who visit & comment on their blogs. I've been whisked around the world ever since, and have even found a few new blogs to add to my reader.

The blog hop is open to new participants until February 12th, but I won't be participating because I don't know what I would give away! The door prizes will be awarded on February 17th, and I can't wait to see if I've won anything.

This brings me back to my original theme of impatience. I'm very impatient to give away that skein of yarn! When I started the contest back in January, I gave it a little over two months to run, thinking it might take that long to get the required 3 entries. Of course, I wasn't counting on the generosity of friends, one in particular who linked the contest on Reddit. My blog hits have fallen significantly since that "normal Tuesday", but I've still received over 50 comments in less than a month.

I'm not going to cut the contest short, but I do hope all commenters have the patience to wait and see if they've won!

IWTMT: Annis

I'm beginning to think knitting things is like childbirth (something which, unlike kidney stones, I have never experienced). I've heard it sucks and then the endorphins kick in or something and you forget how much it sucked and you want to do it again.

Now, knitting the Boneyard shawl has been quite pleasant, mostly. I was afraid of running out of yarn so I only knit 12 garter stitch rows and then began the sewn bind off, which is taking forever because I actually had a ton of yarn left and I refuse to cut it. I have only bound off 5 stitches so far. I think this is the childbirth part. I know I'm going to love it when I'm done, but right now I kind of want to chuck it out the window.

At the same time, I'm looking for more shawl patterns. I think this is the endorphins part. That's why I think I want to make an Annis (Rav). Other people have made it with a skein of Dream in Color Smooshy and would you look at that? I have one of my very own.

I'd say talk me out of it, but I'm pretty sure it's easier to knit a shawl than it is to raise a child.

Finally, A Little Validation

As every crafter knows, when you make someone a gift you run the risk of them not liking it. I'm a selfish crafter for this very reason.

For the past two years, I've made my sister her birthday presents, a Noro Striped Scarf and an Amanda Hat. The first year was special, since she was celebrating her 21st birthday in England and I wanted her to have something that would make her feel fashionable. Last year, I hoped against hope and she liked the hat, so I was two for two. I realized the other day that I have to start a sweater by Tuesday and I'd like to finish my Boneyard Shawl and then I have the giveaway and my poor husband really deserves for me to at least look at his Binary Scarf again, so I texted her and asked if she wanted me to make her something this year or if she wanted money.

I knew she'd take the money. I mean, she's a recent college grad and (big secret here) the economy kind of stinks. So when she texted me back and said "Can you make me this hat in sage green cotton?" and sent me a picture, I was a little floored. Sure, she's using me as her knitting slave to get something she wants, but I'm going to do it.

Not just because she's my sister.

Because I'm finally getting a little validation.

Conversation Starter: Do You ... ?

I'm going to attempt to make more interactive posts here. One, in the hopes that it will be more engaging to you, and two, because I want you to interact with me. It's shameless, I know.

As evidenced by my title, I think I'll call this a Conversation Starter. Feel free to comment with your own insights or to snag this for your own blog. (But I'd love a link back if you do.)

Do you weave in your ends before or after you block your piece? I tend to weave mine in first, just because I'm lazy and won't do it for months otherwise, but I haven't woven in the ends on my blocked Seed Stitch Scarf. I guess I do a little of both!

My reasoning tends to be that blocking will even out any poor weaving-in I've done. How about you?