Knitting...finally

Ok, I started this blog to talk about knitting and I haven't yet. Oops.
So, here goes.
The other night there was a knitting group at my library. I got to sit in and 'supervise,' you know, so they didn't get out of hand or anything. It was such a success. Seven people showed up. Four had never knit before. It felt great teaching someone to cast on when I myself have only been knitting for 4 months. I also impressed the veteran knitters with my cell phone sock:

I have to admit I am pretty proud myself. It was knit 'toe-up' using the magic cast on
which was very hard to perfect, but now is my favorite thing in the world. There are tons of YouTube videos demonstrating it as well. And I have started an MP3 case to match, which is also my own design.
I had ladies asking my how to make some of their own. It was pretty spiffy, you know?
So, here is my brief and easy pattern for a Blackberry. It can be modified for any phone by the number of stitches cast-on.

My Blackberry Curve Sock

Yarn: Any sock weight yarn. I used self-striping.
Needled: US sz5 DPNs or 2 sz5 circs
Guage: 1 inch = 6 st, 9 rows in stockinette

Using the Magic Cast-On or any other toe-up cast-on
CO 36 stitches, 18 on each needle

Knit each row in the round for about 4 inches.

*because this is 'toe-up' you can put your phone in the sock as you knit to see how much more you need*

K2, P2 for 5 rows for ribbing.

Bind off.

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It's that easy. I hate to even call it MY pattern because there was nothing to it.

Coming soon, My MP3 Sock Pattern.

*SPOILERS* Breaking Dawn

Ok, there aren't a lot of spoilers in this, just a few. The thing is I am only to page 100. But, some things have been spoiled for me already and I really just want to rant about how much I am not liking this book.

First of all, I read all of the other three books in about 2 days each. I have had this one for 7 days and gotten only 100 pages in. That could be enough there, but I will not leave it.
When the book cover was released I was very disappointed. It just did nothing for me. I decided that I may like it after I read the book. Maybe it will make sense. Well, I don't know about that, but so far I still hate it.
So I start reading the book and was surprised at how quickly it jumps into the wedding and honeymoon. I really thought there would be some life threatening dilemma that would prevent it from happening right away. But, no things go a little too smoothly. Meyers seems to be in a rush to marry them off so we can finally get them in bed together. And no fan can blame her, I mean really, that's what most of us have been waiting for, right?
Then it happens and, wait...now they're waking up the next morning? Where were the good parts? Ok, I know it's a YA book, but people, there are way more gratuitous scenes in many YA books. I'm not asking for an erotic tale here, but there was more detail in the kissing scenes from the previous books than that. For crying out loud, give me something here.
The next part is when I really start getting irritated with the story. Suddenly she's starving, eating enough for two people. Like I don't know where this is going. And thank you Facebook, I find that my pregnancy suspicions are confirmed. Come on. The next day? Give me a break. Well, when she finally get him back in the sack, because he doesn't want to hurt her, we get no more details. Does Meyers not know how many women are longing to live vicariously through Bella? I admit, I am totally Team Jacob, but Edward is pretty darn hot.
This is where I have stopped reading. But again, thanks to Facebook, I begin wondering about Jacob. Werewolf pedophile? I know where this is going. And a friend confirms suspicions again.
*sigh*
I will keep trudging through. I can't not finish the series. I'm sorry Steph, it just isn't doing it for most people. I have been a great defender of her work, but this one falls way to short. If I change my mind when I'm done I'll let you know. Until then....

Sin in the Second City by Karen Abbott

This book was very fascinating. The title is enough in itself to attract and the story definitely lived up to my expectations. It is a work of non-fiction (that means not true for those of you who have not been to a library or bookstore since 3rd grade). It's based on the battle for morality in Chicago during the first 2 years of the 20th century.

The Everleigh Club (pronounced ever-lay) is perhaps the most famous American legacy that most of us have never heard of. Minna and Ada Everleigh (one of many last names they have used) opened the most luxurious and exclusive brothel the world had ever seen (and perhaps ever will see) in 1900. It was a mansion filled with all the best things, the things that could be found in any Newport Mansion at the time. They picked only the best girls and trained them in decorum, music, literature, and other gentle arts. They let only the best customers through their doors. In no time the whole country was abuzz with news of this decadent house in the notorious Chicago Levee neighborhood. The name "Everleigh" became synonymous with sexual pleasure, eventually making it's way into American slang ("getting laid"). Local madams were jealous, religious leaders were furious, middle class citizens were appalled. Soon the Everleigh Club became to scapegoat for the Levee and the poster child for reform.

Although the book obviously sides with the sisters, Abbott represents both sides of the battle. The story is written so well that it often read like a novel, rather than research. I highly recommend this book to any history buff, or those just interested in interesting incidents.

New Blog

I'm finding that I have a lot to share about my knitting and no place to write it all, so here I go. While I'm at it I will be adding book reviews and interesting stories about my life.
It may take while to get a real post up so in the meantime visit me at:
my Facebook page
my Ravelry Page or
my YouTube project