Attic24

Speaking of good things that are crochet and British, have I ever introduced you, dear reader, to Lucy of Attic24? I learned to crochet by following the knitwitch’s techniques, and Lucy’s advice and instructions on patterns.

Spooky Kid

I’m a difficult person to pin down when it comes to what kind of movies I’ll watch. I’m not a movie snob but I can be picky about what I like. When I say I’m not a movie snob I mean that I don’t care whether a movie  is Oscar material. I’m more interested in a good story and I don’t watch award shows anyways.

 Let me be honest about how difficult I truly am. I don’t like movie theatres and I don’t like restaurants. I prefer to watch movies at home (or camp) curled up under a blanket and armed with copious amounts of hot coffee. Good coffee. Coffee I don’t have to sneak into a theatre past some bored 15 year old ticket ripper. Also, homemade popcorn is infinitely better then anything found at a corporate multiplex.

So I was browsing through Rotten Tomatoes and made a short list of movies that may make me happy. And just so you know, dear reader, I have a fondness for zombies, viruses, monsters, and general mayhem. If you’re interested in movie geeks with good taste, I recommend my Internet friend, Michael of Triplux. He is much more cerebral in his choices.

My choices are Contagion (viruses); another remake of The Thing (monsters); The Dead (zombies) and Melancholia (but that’s just because it has Alexander Skarsgård). I also found out today that season 2 of The Walking Dead starts on October 16. Bliss!

Today also brought new yarn (Debbie Bliss Paloma in Ecru) and Donna Hay magazine Issue 57 (both courtesy of my sister); me wanting a candy-corn monster (!); and later to be finished with crocheting my winter scarf while watching Hockey Night in Canada and reading (for the 100th time) Sensual Home by Ilse Crawford.

Think Different

I’ve always believed in taking a cold, hard look at my life and changing what needs to be changed. I deactivated my Facebook account permanently. I found using Facebook to be tedious and uninspiring. I found it akin to growing a garden full of vegetables you don’t like and won’t eat, so what’s the point? I don’t think I’m the right demographic for the service; I’m too old and my analog life is already too full to be concerned with giving status updates to people that don’t care what I’m doing. The people that do care; we are already in contact either face to face or through another service.

 My third appointment with my personal trainer is tonight. Leg day was awesome but I am still sore. Truly sore, but in a good way. I’m getting some good workout time in and he makes sure I don’t get lazy. That’s the whole point.

Other than work and working out I’ve been busying myself either:

1. Crocheting a winter scarf. (of which I am half way through).
2. Reading Quicksilver on my iPhone 4. (of which I am also half way through).
3. Reading Neuromancer on my Amazon Kindle.
4. Reading a smattering of books I brought to camp with me including Homemade.
5. Listening to podcasts of This American Life.
6. Listening to the News from Lake Wobegone or…
7. Catching up on episodes of the H.P. Lovecraft Literary Podcast.
8. Watching Canucks hockey.

Holy Crochet, Batman!

I’m cold. My camp room is cold. It’s cold outside and sometimes cold at work. Tonight I’ll probably have to sleep in long underwear to keep warm. Because of this madness, I’ve decided to crochet a blanket. Did I ever mention that I also crochet? Well, I do, and I actually find it more relaxing than knitting. I did find a nice blanket pattern and to continue with my New Year’s resolutions, I found some some other pretty crochet patterns to make. Enjoy!



I love cherry blossoms. I look forward to Spring every year just for the cherry blossoms. Unfortunately, there aren’t any cherry trees at camp. I found these to Spring scarves that remind me of all the pretty cherry blossoms I’ll be missing this year. 1.2 Mini Muffler by Keiko Okamoto (project and photo by Muu) and 27-545-1 Scarf by Pierrot Yarn.



A lovely scarf by Andrea Sanchez that’s a change of pace from knitting. Also, a crochet bookmark from crochetroo that has some Steampunk potential.

The Tiramsu blanket by Alicia Paulson. This blanket is perfect and I even love the colours. It will look really nice with the bedding I picked out for my room. I also like this throw by Marianne Forrestal. I would make it bigger until it’s the perfect size for burrowing under while I read or watch hockey.

A perfect hat by Sophia Kissinger that I’m going to give a little Steampunk love. I’ve actually had this pattern for perhaps over a year but haven’t gotten around to making it up. A scarf to go with! This one is called the Taffy Pull Scarf by Coats and Clark.

A vintage pattern for floral pot holders. I believe this pattern is from 1946! On the right, the infamous Babette Blanket by Kathy Merrick. I’m not sure when I’m going to try and tackle this white whale. It could be soon but perhaps not even this year. I’m sure it will be when the mood and opportunity strike me. I do know that when I do make it that it won’t be in those colours…

Two purses that are definitely going to get a Steampunk makeover. Both are really pretty and just absolutely perfect. I’m going to try to work on these during the Summer so they’ll be ready for Autumn. The Rings and Roses Irish Crochet Purse by Kathryn White is on the left. The ruffled purse on the right is by Lisa Gentry.



I would like this bag in grey or black. I would like that very much. I’m using the word perfect a lot in this post but I can’t help it. The Jackie Bag by Che is the perfect casual purse and I want to have it ASAP (which means sometime during the summer. I’m realistic). Also, a crochet pattern by Stephanie Dosen of Tiny Owl Knits. Rose wrist warmers; for reading and drinking tea, maybe even rose petal tea of which I have a recipe.

Don’t Waste the Pretty

In deciding why I’ve changed my personal style, I think, as I mentioned last week, it’s my reaction to how I feel about modern society. It seems, though certainly isn’t entirely true, that most people have become sarcastic, immature, dull, and downright mean-spirited. Not much whimsy and certainly a dire lack of charm.

I know it’s not just something I fight against in myself. I also know that it’s just not because I work in construction. Mean-spiritedness, anger, and sarcasm are rampant everywhere, especially on the internet. I’m not going to preach about it because everyone that communicates on the internet knows exactly what I mean. We have become a society of jerks. I’m not going to let that happen to me.

I’m also a weary of makeover shows and magazines that try so hard to make everyone look the same; A Creature Like Everyone Else. It’s dreadfully boring. I thought those home improvement shows like Flip This House were bad enough by telling folks to renovate with the idea of selling and not to make themselves happy in their homes.

Not me. I do what I damn well please and I’ve decided to really express that. No more tired minimalist aesthetic, a lot less grey, and less hard lines. Instead; more pink, more steampunk, more whimsy, more charm.



Another pretty knit from Stephanie Dosen of Tiny Owl Knits . This time butterflies. The other, some dainty flowers with beaded centers by Anniki Leppik . Lovely. My hands are often cold most of the year due to being so far north. I love wearing fingerless gloves to keep my hands warm while I type. Geeky and practical!

Beautiful butterfly socks by Kerin Dimeler-Laurence and an equally beautiful asymetrical jacket by DROPS design. I love the jacket because I love how airy and soft it is and because I don’t love heavy jackets. At all.

A perfect lace scarf for Spring by Sheera Designs. It’s girly but not too precious. This scarf can definitely be worn with a pair of jeans and a light-weight cardigan. The blue Ripley hat is by Scottish designer, Ysolda Teague. I love her designs.

A pretty hat done in butterfly stitch by Barb Kervin. Also, the Galileo Mittens by Laura Chau because I like to be Pretty in Geek. I can’t wait to knit these up. I even love the colours.

A simple yet nice ribbed scarf by DROPS design. It’s actually a really easy pattern to knit but I think the crochet edge that keeps it from being boring. The next scarf is Flourish by Kim Hargreaves. Yes, I am of course indulging in my fangirl love of all things Kim Hargreaves.

A sophisticated hoodie by Marlaina aka Marly Bird. If you know me then you know I do not like wearing sports clothes especially anything with a logo. I like this hoodie; it’s a nice change of pace from the sporty look but still warm and great for hiking outdoors. As for the scarf by Meghan Fernandes ; it’s got to be the prettiest scarf ever. It has so much texture which is why I am in love with it. I like it so much I’m going to start knitting it in a few weeks.

A pretty entrelac cowl by Sharon Mooney. Perfect for Spring so something else that should be getting knit up fairly soon. This sweater is also perfect. This is how I like my sweaters; thin and soft. I’ve never gotten why anyone would care for a bulky sweater. The Butterfly top by Katya Guler is ideal and even though it’s a summer weight, it can be layered and worn year round.

The Alexandria Cardigan by Connie Chang Chinchio. I don’t wear cardigans that don’t zip or button up but for this cardigan I will make an exception. The Horai Scarf by Hiroko Fukatsu. I found this oh so pretty scarf a month ago and since then I’ve seen how popular it’s becoming among knitters. It reminds me of cherry blossoms so I’m going to knit it in pink or white.

The Blume hat and gloves also by Connie Chang Chinchio. I’ve had this in my knitting queue for awhile and have brought the yarn up with me to camp. This set will be knit in a lovely shade of grey with a yarn made spun up partially with Tencel. Finally, the Love Bytes mittens by Kathryn Ivy because they are geeky, pretty, and haver robots. What geek doesn’t like robots?! I like them. They’re charming.

More Sugar

(image credits soon to follow)

Sad post yesterday so today I offer another list of which and what make me happy.

1. Crochet Cthulhu. I plan to make more than a few of these this Spring. The Great High Priest Cthulhu must be appeased.
2. Finding the perfect shade of pink in which to knit the lovely Hanami stole by Pink Lemon Twist. The colourway is Rosebud by Blue Moon Fiber Arts. I also fancy this little hat to go with. Both will be perfect for spring on the prairies.
3. Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab. My perfume collection from BPAL has grown. I purchased 27 new fragrances for my birthday on February 27. I have a few… already plus freebies. It’s a little bit sad that I match my knitting projects to my perfume but BPAL inspires that level of attention to detail.
4. Coco Lotion from LUSH. Heaven scent. Smells like a Pina Colada (sans rum but that’s ok the rum belongs in my belly) when the ice has melted. Very light scent which I love and it is a cure for dry skin. I will be purchasing 2 more pots on Tuesday.
5. MadelineTosh yarn. I have a new love… sorry Blue Moon Fiber Arts. The variegated colorways are amazing and there is a lot of merino wool yarns to choose from which is a little bit fantastic because merino wool is my favourite yarn to knit with. Did I mention the colourways? Brilliant because they are sophisticated and subtle and perfect.
6. The Melody Shawl. I am currently knitting one in a beautiful shade of grey. It is soft, airy, and incredibly light; almost ethereal. I can’t wait to get home and take pictures. I will knit 4 more of these by the end of the summer so I can have 5 in my favourite colours. It is the perfect scarf so I need many.
7. Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. In the summer my shift will be 12 on 6 off so I plan to travel through the atlantic provinces. Nova Scotia for the wines, tall ships, and scenery; New Brunswick for the chocolate festival; and P.E.I. for the history and opportunity to just lay on the red sand beaches and luxuriate.
8. Stephen King for providing me with hours… and hours of wonderful reading. He is brilliant at writing novels and short stories. I’m currently reading The Stand but I have plans to read Full Dark No Stars in the near future. I really encourage everyone to listen to On Writing in audiobook format. It’s wonderful and listening to him read the book feels like you’re sitting with him in a dingy Maine diner with a pot of coffee and nothing but time to listen. The audiobook is definitely the way to go. Trust me.
9. Bailey’s Irish Cream. My workout schedule is 4 on 1 off. On that day off I like to spike my coffee with irish cream, watch hockey and do laundry. I’m convinced irish cream is coffee’s best friend. I like it so much I even have a perfume that smells like it; Miskatonic University by BPAL.

Spirit of the Komachi Cherry Tree

Spirit of the Komachi Cherry Tree by Yoshitoshi

Lots of Spring knitting and crochet coming up and much of it inspired by the woodcut above but also a few knits inspired by the sea. First up is the Hanami Stole from Pink Lemon Twist. I finally found the yarn I want to use for this project. I’ve also decided to knit the Turbulent Indigo Stole. Once I’m sick to death of knitting scarves, I’ll then move onto the Heather Hoodie, an African Flowers Hexagon blanket, and then finally, the great Cthulhu (!).

GeekNA

It’s late and I’m listening to This American Life. Being a geek, I’ve naturally been drawn to Episode 178, “Superpowers”. The first act is presented by John Hodgman and it’s thoughtful. If you don’t know who John Hodgman is, you’re either not a geek or just don’t pay enough attention. You don’t have to pay attention of course. I usually don’t but I’m predisposed by my GeekNA to be attracted to such nerd-bait.


(image © Nicole Verville)

I’ve spent much of the day reading and practicing my hooking skills. Sounds provocative, I know, but I really mean I’ve been crocheting. I’m about to embark on creating my first wearable piece of crochet; the Cthulhu Beard Hat by Nicole Verville. It satisfies my geek cravings and my gothic underpinnings. If I find Fortune’s favour and get back to work soon then the hat will be warm and practical during those cold Alberta winters.

something for my happy hookers out there

From TED:

“Margaret Wertheim leads a project to re-create the creatures of the coral reefs using a crochet technique invented by a mathematician — celebrating the amazements of the reef, and deep-diving into the hyperbolic geometry underlying coral creation.”