EepyBird Maker Faire Detroit July 31, 2010

I was able to take photos of the stage at the beginning of set up, of volunteers loading the mentos into the delivery systems, and of Stephen Voltz testing the set up (and answering all the fun questions from kids) before the demonstration. Fritz Grobe was also there but during set up was on the other side of the stage from my position. There was also a guy there using two phones secured to a stick at about eye-distance apart, taking video of the crowd. He seemed like the kind of weird we'd like to get to know LOL.
The kids were SUCH a hoot. As Fritz indicated the spaces near the stage in most danger of dousing, they ran like little lemmings to the danger zones :-}

The video above embedded from Youtube is the very first video I have ever shot! I guess it took the EepyBirds to motivate me :-}
(note: I blurred some faces, especially of the children for security's sake)

Farrow Rib Hat and Scarf Set

Yay!!!! Knit Picks is now carrying my Farrow Rib Hat and Scarf Set! LINK HERE

I LOVE the photos they took :-}

This hat and scarf set makes a perfect holiday gift for man or woman.

-The simple reversible stitch pattern is easy to memorize for knitting on the go.

Most hats will require less than one skein of yarn. -Written for five sizes (small to 2X)

-With the forgiving rib pattern, gauge is not crucial to a perfect fit.

Yarns Suggested: Sample was knit with Gloss HW but any Aran weight yarn will work great (Like CIty Tweed HW.. yum!) You can even use a smaller yarn like Wool of the Andes or Comfy Worsted because there is so much give with the stitch pattern it will work out fine.

I wrote the scarf pattern a long time ago as a free download, but it kept nagging at me because it wanted a hat to go with. :-} I am so glad I gave in. The ribbing doubled over makes for very warm ears in the winter, but you can also just knit the length to cover them with one layer (no foldover cuff.)

Green

Motor City Maker Faire

Traveling is still a problem for me, but we live very close to many wonderful places. The Henry Ford Museum, for example, is less than 30 minutes from here.

This coming weekend they are hosting the Motor City Maker Faire and we are going :-}

"A two-day, family-friendly event that celebrates arts, crafts, engineering, food, music, science and technology projects and the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset. It’s for creative, resourceful people who like to tinker and love to make things. Experience it here, in the birthplace and showplace of one of the world’s most famous tinkerers, Henry Ford. "

Maker Faires are held all over the country, this is just the local visitation.

I can hardly wait! Who knows what we will find there? How many fascinating people with odd minds like ours will we meet?

I will be particularly interested in adaptive technologies, and I promise a full report next week.

Amaranth Creature

View From the Inside

One of my favorite restaurants has a lush planting of Pelargoniums just outside the windows on the side we are most often seated. it is one of my favorite views.

Fuzzy Wuzzy

Stellaria Crocheted Shawl

At last, the Stellaria Shawl pattern is finished and ready for download on Ravelry!

Here are the details:

This uniquely shaped crocheted shawl is based loosely on a knitted Faroese, with ever expanding wings that fit warmly and securely over your shoulders.

The wings fold in without bulk, but expand with the movement of your arms to keep you covered. The written pattern includes instructions for two sizes, using fingering or worsted-weight yarns, and hints for further adaptation.

The unusual shaping makes this a pattern for experienced crocheters, although after row 8, it is a fairly simple 2-row repeat.

Medium: 54” across wingspan, 16 inches deep. Large: 68 inches across wingspan, 24 inches deep.

Yarn used in samples: Pink and Brown Color Block: 1 (164 yard) skein each Knit Picks Simply Cotton Worsted in Dogwood Heather and Bittersweet Heather. Purple and Blue Striped: 1 (462 yard) skein each Knit Picks Stroll Tonal in Blue Yonder and Royalty.

Gauge and Hook Size: Fingering weight; 2 shell repeats horizontally, 4 repeats vertically using G (4 mm) crochet hook. Worsted weight; 1.5 repeats horizontally, 3 repeats vertically using J (6 mm) crochet hook.

Yarn amounts needed: Fingering weight: Medium; 650 yards. Large; 880 yards Worsted weight: Medium; 350 yards. Large; 500 yards

For striped and color block versions, you will need ½ required yardage in each color.

Flamingo Festival at Matthei Botanical Gardens

Matthei Botanical Gardens is having a Flamingo Festival. Set among the vegetable gardens are a number of whimsical creations, all started from the same standard pink lawn flamingo base.
It was an unexpected delight :-}
Enjoy!

Vistas

Pink, Yellow, Red

Clary Sage, Petunias and a Zinnia

Withig Wimple, Cowl and Circular Scarf Pattern

My newest pattern is up and ready to download on Ravelry!

This cool cotton wimple will shade you from the worst of the summer heat with a curve of graceful leaves growing from a lacy garden trellis. If worked in an alpaca or wool blend it would make a stunning winter accessory as well.

Pattern includes instructions for a full-size wimple covering head to shoulders, a more standard cowl height and a summery circular scarf.

Directions for a less leafy, more streamlined border treatment also offered.

Stitch patterns are both charted and written out in full.

Full wimple measures 15 inches high and 29 inches around.

Shadowplay