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Awfully weird online who's who NNDB tracks the activities of people we have determined to be noteworthy, both living and dead. I wish this were searchable by the crazy labels the inventors came up with. For instance, see these lists of:
people arrested for driving without a license
people of Jewish ancestry
people on the cover of the Sgt. Pepper album
Did you know Albert Einstein's on two of those lists? Really. Guess which.
A bit bloggity on the bottom of the front page, listing who's who in the news just now. Currently:
25-Nov-2005 · Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey officially splitsville ... Schwarzenegger considers clemency for Tookie Williams ... Robbie Williams tour inexplicably popular ... Goodbye Mr. Miyagi ...
All names, of course, are linked to their NNDB profiles.
I don't really know who the infamous Dr. Sputnik is (since he wrote his own NNDB profile, you'd have to trust him on his own history), but this is easily as hypnotic to browse through as the Oracle of Bacon.
Advice for librarians who want to start knitting groups at their libraries!
Garrison Keillor and friends knit on the range in Lives of the Cowboys (Segment 1, 10:47).
It's interesting how, with modern technology, we're incredibly interconnected--except when it comes to hospitals. No cell phones permitted, no internet access, just a couple of germy pay phones. As I sit here awaiting news of my sister's special delivery, it occurs to me that maybe hospitals should partner up with internet cafes so family outside the hospital walls could know what was going on.
I've started cross-stitching, and pointed out to KG that there aren't a lot of funky cross-stitch patterns. Well, I stand corrected (thanks for the link, Rachel!).
The generous folks at maranGraphics sent me a review copy of their new book, Maran Illustrated Knitting & Crocheting, and it has a lot to recommend it.
The book covers the basics, from yarn weights (with a picture of each weight, so you can see the difference in width), to reading a yarn label, to reading a pattern. As various skills are taught, beginning with the basics of making a slip knot and casting on, simple patterns using those skills are interspersed. Often the patterns in beginning knitting books are, shall we say, dated, but the ones included here aren't too bad; the best of them are standards, like a rollneck raglan sweater, which nearly everyone will make sooner or later. Crochet is covered in about 60 pages, 1/5 of the book, but everything necessary to a new crocheter seems to be there. Other notable features of the book include a basic glossary, an abbreviation list, and a solid index.
Maran Illustrated's Knitting & Crochet is certainly not as comprehensive as, say, Vogue Knitting's The Ultimate Knitting Book, which every knitter should own. However, it's much more accessible for a beginning knitter, and covers enough to get someone started without overwhelming them with minutiae. maran illustrated, for example, includes a single and two versions of the double cast on; Vogue offers 15 different cast ons. But let's be realistic: does a beginner need to know 15 ways to cast on? How would she choose which one to use? Vogue is a reference tool, while Maran Illustrated is fundamentally a teaching tool.
The thing that really sets Maran Illustrated's Knitting & Crocheting apart is the illustrations. There are many fine "learn to knit" books out there, but I've never seen one that was so replete with clear and useful illustrations. Color photographs and drawings of how to execute a knit or purl stitch include simple arrows to indicate direction, inset images of intermediate steps for those who need a more detailed view, and answers (with pictures) to common questions, such as "Why is there an extra stitch on my needle when I finish knitting a row? (answer: your yarn may be lying over the top of the needle, rather than hanging straight down). I would recommend this book quite highly to anyone trying to teach themselves to knit, especially those who learn best visually but lack access to knitting classes or teachers. That's not to say that those who prefer textual explanations will be disappointed, as each set of illustrations is accompanied by a few paragraphs of exposition on how to execute a technique. Still, what makes this book truly special is its visual clarity. Bravo to maranGraphics for crafting an excellent book for the beginning knitter or crocheter.
KG's own Barbara will be appearing in the Village Players' Chad Morton's TV Christmas Miracle.
This original holiday musical set in the TV land of the '60's. The network is threatening to cancel Chad Morton's holiday special unless ratings improve dramatically. Can Chad, the “has-been” star of many Christmas specials in the past, become relevant to a new TV audience with the help of his Hollywood friends, some old and some new?
Don't miss it!
I've been remiss in uploading images of recent crafty projects, but here's some shots from the last couple of KG meetings:
Roz works on a crocheted afghan.
The Cosmicafe experiments with a new vegetarian option: The Sunrise Sandwich--yum!
A popular time of year to knit scarves.
Julie crafts the uber-bag.
I have no idea what Karin is knitting here. Sorry!
My first foray into cross-stitch. Just before I drop the needle on the floor, and have to quit for the night. Note to self: it's worth investing in more than one needle.
Karin's fairly easy fairisle takes shape. (Update: It's already complete. That chick is quick!)
Rachel knits a fab scarf, while modeling her mother's beautiful wrap sweater. Delish!
Lately we Kelly Girls have spent a lot of time shopping at the pre-holiday craft fairs.
The DIY Trunk Show was well worth the wait, the long Ashland bus ride, and the half-mile walk to and from the ATM. We entered the raffle (tragically, no winners among us) and bought lots of presents for our family, our friends, and--ahem--ourselves. We met some very cool members of the Chicago Craft Mafia, and fell in love with funky stitch markers made from Scrabble tiles (they take custom orders!). I couldn't bring myself to leave without this drop dead gorgeous needle case, crafted by the lovely ladies of Pixie Rolls (placeholder site only, so far):
We also had a good time drinking wine and noshing on snacks at the Bizarre Bazaar, hosted by the IIDA. While we shopped, we chatted with an artist promoting a calendar called "The Living Breast," which apparently was conceived to raise funds for breast cancer research. Very cool images. Unfortunately, it's only a 2005 calendar, but maybe they'll produce one for next year, too.
If you're seeking more ideas for holiday gifts, may I suggest a handmade purse crafted from a cigar box? Very cool.
