Extra Crunchy Beauty Care

This all started when I was surfing the 'net for curly hair products. I didn't do my annual shearing this spring and my hair is getting long and wild. I’ve been using products with silicon-based polymers to keep my hair looking good. This has begun a vicious cycle: the more I use, the more I need.

I ran across several references to DevaCurl products for curly hair and the no-poo method of haircare. I've ordered some DevaCurl products, but in the mean time I've done more research on no-poo.

I decided to experiment. I washed my hair thoroughly with Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo to remove the 'cone residue. Then I washed my hair with a mix of 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 cup of water and followed up with a rinse of 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of water. My hair and scalp felt cleaner than they have in years and my curls sprang up nicely once dry. This morning my hair looks a bit dry and frizzy, but from what I've read this is a normal reaction to going no-poo. There is a transition period of weeks to months depending on your hair. I'm going to stick with it and see how it goes.

I've located a DevaCurl stylist about a half hour from home. I've made an appointment for next month. I figure that gives my hair about six weeks to come out of shock and hopefully the stylist can do something with it.

While researching I came across a few other crunchy beauty care ideas.

First of all I made up a scrub of equal parts EVOO and sugar, about ¼ cup each, and used this as a body scrub. My skin is absolutely fabulous.

Next I did an evening facial cleansing with a mix of 1 part Castor oil and 4 parts EVOO. I rubbed about ½ teaspoon into my skin and then covered my face with a warm, wet microfiber washcloth until it cooled. I then used the washcloth to wipe the oil from my face. My skin was clean, soft and didn't need any moisturizer. That was the first time I went to bed without moisturizing my face in years. This is known as the oil cleansing method (OCM).

In the morning I took about ½ teaspoon of pure raw honey and rubbed it into my skin then rinsed my face with warm water and patted it dry. Again, my skin was clean, soft and didn't need any moisturizer.

Lastly, I made up a mix of 1 part baking soda and 6 parts corn starch. I used a powder puff to apply this to my underarms as a deodorant. To my complete and utter amazement I've used this all weekend with better results than any commerical deodorant. I'm so convinced that this is a superior product that I'm going to use it tomorrow when I go to work.

With this weekend of experimentation I'm feeling extra-crunchy!

H-234 Socks: Progress Report 2

I must admit I'm not quite as taken with the knitting two socks at once concept as I was before I began this project. I use socks as instant gratification projects and this method is, of course, only half as instantly gratifying as knitting one at a time. Five rounds on two socks just doesn't have the same emotional impact as ten rounds on one sock. I also feel like I'm spending more than twice as much time moving things around on the needles as with a single sock.

On the up side, I don't have to worry about gauge consistency or yarn allocation, which is quite nice.

I'm not yet ready to give up on the process, but I would have had one sock almost done at this point. Here is my progress so far.

The Principles of Knitting

Methods and Techniques of Hand Knitting
by June Hemmons Hiatt



***** 5 stars out of 5

I have had this book for over twenty years. It was my first and only knitting book until very recently. It is the book from which I taught myself to knit. It is the book that I use to determine if other books are worth my hard-earned money. It is, in my opinion, the standard against which all knitting books should be measured.

Mrs. Hiatt is the Shirley Corriher of knitting: a knitting scientist. She explains the hows and whys of knit fabric construction. She comprehensively covers stitch formation and behavior, fabric construction, decorative techniques, project management, and pattern design.

The layout and illustrations are superior and add value to the reference. The index is outstanding.

It has nearly everything you could ever need to know about the methods and techniques of knitting. The author shows several methods of accomplishing every item she covers. Granted, she doesn’t cover everything, but who does?

It is set up in a rather odd order; sort of like the grocery store. However, I haven’t found this to be a problem since I use it like an encyclopedia. Mrs. Hiatt is rather opinionated in which methods and techniques she likes best. I’m okay with that, since she went to all of the trouble to assemble this masterpiece she’s entitled to her opinions. I always have the option to ignore them.

Overall, it is a comprehensive tome, which would be my choice if I could have only one knitting book.

This book is currently out of print, but rumor has it that it will be reprinted by Simon & Schuster in October of 2009. Put it on your list.

The Pet Post and Other Musings

I finally got a face shot of the elusive Cat No. 1. This is so rare I just had to share. Look at those beautiful eyes.



We are finally getting some proper fall weather here in the Deep South. Do you know how I know? Animal Indicators. When the weather was unseasonably warm last week, the animals looked like this:





When the weather cooled off today they looked like this:







Who needs a thermometer?

Woe is I

I’m going to cry. Well, maybe I’m not going to cry, but I feel like I’m going to cry. I’m having one of those spells where it feels like the world is coming to an end, but it’s not…really.

Oldest Son told me last night that he was considering moving out to the west coast to live with Youngest Son. This should have made me happy, that my two boys would be together. But, noooooo, what did I do? I’ll tell you what I did: I had a meltdown. You know, one of those shrill voice meltdowns. One of those, I’m driving to the store right now for pipe tobacco even though I haven’t smoked for three months meltdowns. I felt as though I was being abandoned. Gawd knows why. Oldest Son lives 1100 miles away from me. It’s not like I’m going to see him any less. Besides, he calls me like clockwork.

Then I had an interview this afternoon for a job I really, REALLY want and I totally blew the interview. Actually, the secretary that scheduled the interview told me I was interviewing for the job I really want. I though I was interviewing for the job I really want. I prepared to interview for the job I really want. But, in reality, I interviewed for another job I had applied for. It was surreal. They were asking all kinds of questions that didn’t make sense and in an attempt to tie them into the job I thought I was applying for all of my answers must have sounded like non sequiturs. About half way into the interview I figured out what was going on, but it was too late to implement damage control. The looks on the faces of the interview panel were clear, “her credentials look great, but she needs a flower pot because she’s a blooming idiot.” All I can say is I’m glad it’s over.

And my cell phone died.

And I got a parking ticket.

Thank gawd for knitting. And vanilla rum.

General Progress

Yesterday I knit! I cancelled all chores and laundry, too. I was tired, so I knit slowly, but I knit!

I worked a little bit on the H234 socks.



I worked a little bit on the Sober Argyle vest.



I haven't touched the Arrrgyle Socks.

I also received patterns for my Twizé. I had attempted to get two free patterns from Webs with my yarn purchase, but they were non-cooperative. However, the very nice people at SWTC accommodated me and mailed the patterns. I now have a pattern for Twizé Tank Top:



And for Greta:



I’m definitely making the Twizé tank, but I’m also toying with the idea of making the pinwheel sweater (pattern from elann.com):



My winter vacation begins on Thursday and I can’t wait. Monday through Wednesday will be busy at work. Thursday and Friday will be busy getting ready for the trip. I have a two day drive to Mom & Dad’s. Oh, how I wish I could knit and drive. I’m hoping to get some serious knitting done while visiting. Maybe even visit some of the local yarns stores.

Hypotheses 2-3-4 Socks

With this pair I’m testing hypotheses 2, 3, and 4 to determine if they can be included in the Unified Sock Theory, hence the name. I will also be adding eye of partridge stitch to the heel flap, just to see how it turns out.

Hardware: 2 – U.S. 1 ½ (2mm) Knit Picks Options 24” Nickel Plated Fixed Circular Needles

Software: 1 – 50gm ball Knit Picks Essential in Lily Pad Multi

Code Snippets:

Judy Becker’s Magic Cast-on

Wendy Johnson’s Fingering Weight Toe-up Socks with Gusset Heel

Eye of Partridge stitch (instructions and chart by Persnickety Knitter)

Invisible Cast-off for Single Rib (excellent tutorial by crankygrrrrrl)

After I finished IGS2 on Wednesday, I started fooling around with a rounder toe for the socks. I came up with one that looks rather nice lying on the kitchen island, but leaves something to be desired on the foot. I decided to try the “elf toe” with sixteen stitches instead of twelve and see what happens.

Thursday evening I cast on two socks at once, from the same skein no less. Not a big deal, one just needs to remember to uncross the yarn every other turn.

Friday night I moonlighted again: no knitting. :( I’m also moonlighting this afternoon and evening. :(:(

I’m using another Knit Picks Essential sock yarn and again the colors are lovely. The texture is very soft. I’m looking forward to seeing the pattern develop.

Unified Sock Theory

I am going to strive to come up with the Perfect Sock Pattern.*

With two pairs of socks completed, what have I learned?

• Toe-up construction is my preferred method
• 2 circular needles beat DPNs hands down
• U.S. 1 ½ (2.5mm) needles are perfect for Knit Picks Essential sock yarn
• Judy Becker’s Magic Cast-on rocks
• Wendy Johnson’s Toe-up Gusset Heel sock pattern rocks
• Elizabeth Zimmermanns’s Sewn Cast-off works, but I’m not thrilled about it
• I'd like a rounder toe for my socks
• The way the heel and toe mess up the pattern makes me sad
• Making the sock with one piece of yarn makes me happy
• Knitting the second sock is anticlimactic
  

Hypotheses to test:

1. A turned heel that won’t drive me crazy exists or can be developed for contrast color heels so I won't have to be sad about pattern distortion.
2. A method to make a rounder toe exists or can be developed so I won't have to listen to the GC say that my socks have "elf toes."
3. A cast-off method that makes me as happy as Magic Cast-on exists or can be developed so I won't have to look at perfect socks with less than perfect cast-offs.
4. Knitting two socks at once will be a more satisfying experience so I won't have second sock syndrome.

*Perfect for me, of course. Your results may vary.

Knit Picks Essential Sock Yarn: Software Review

I have now knit two pairs of socks with Knit Picks Essential sock yarn in two colorways: Meadow Multi and Peacock Multi. I love the colorways and the patterns they create.

The weight of the yarn was very even. I do not like knobby or bumpy yarns and Essential was consistent through the entire skein. The yarn was fairly soft while knitting, maybe just a teeny bit scratchy, but super-soft after washing. There was slight fuzzing after the first wash, but no significant pilling.

This yarn is incredibly durable. Look at the tail below. It was used to cast off the second sock. It went through each stitch twice on a tapestry needle and looks completely unscathed. Not to mention that it was liberally mouthed by Cat No. 2. By the way, that's all that was left of the skein after I made IGS2. Twelve and three-quarters inches, how cool is that?

I’ll have to come back and update this after the socks have been washed and worn a few times, but at this point I’m satisfied overall. I’d have to say a very good value for the money.

Instant Gratification Socks II: Progress Report 4

Ta Done! These turned out so much better the IGS1. For starters, they are the same size!

Blog Envy...I'm Over It

As much as I hate to admit it, I'm suffering from blog envy. As I read the various blogs I've stumbled across in my adventures, I find myself wondering about the HTML as much as the showcased projects. I'd really like to have a three-column blog...time to modify the stock template. Gee, I like that color combination...wonder what the hex color values are. So many cool features and ideas out there. I guess I'm going to have to start reading the code as well as the blog and then sit down and fix this thing to my satisfaction. Perhaps it is because I've supplemented my income building Websites that I feel kind of inadequate using the stock template. But, hey, wait a minute. This is a knitting blog, not part of my portfolio. It's about what I knit, not how I code. It's for my enjoyment, not my income. To hell with it! I'm going to go knit.

Instant Gratification Socks II: Progress Report 3

Wendy Johnson of Wendy Knits is a certifiable genius. That's my opinion, anyway. Wendy designed the Fingering Weight Toe-up Socks with a Gusset Heel on which the IGSII is based. It is simple to make, fits very well, is endlessly adaptable, accessible to beginners, quick, and the last gusset heel toe-up sock pattern I'll ever need. See for yourself.

Instant Gratification Socks II: Progress Report 2

I took the GC to a birthday party at the local skating rink yesterday morning. Since I Don't Play Well With Others I brought my own amusements (IGSII) and sat off in a corner booth away from the other parents.

It wasn't long before I noticed an intelligent pair of eyes staring at me over the back of the booth. I invited the eyes to come sit with me. A young lady of about ten was attached to the eyes. She was quite taken with the socks I was knitting. Once she determined that I wasn't going to do her harm with my pointy sticks (probably something she heard from the other parents, I got weird looks from them) and that I was willing to answer questions, she settled in and asked away. After a time, peer pressure set in and she went off to skate, but I noticed she looked wistfully at my socks each time she rounded the rink.

Soon, another young lady of about twelve, this one with beautiful curly hair, sat down and asked me what I was concocting. I told her I was making socks. She eyed me suspiciously, edged away a bit on the seat and asked me, "For a human foot?" I kid you not, that's exactly what she said. I assured her that the sock would indeed fit a human foot. I demonstrated by putting it over her fingers like a mitten. Her eyes went from narrow with suspicion to wide with wonder. She smiled and showered me with a barrage of questions. She was clearly disappointed when I told her I would not be finished with the sock before we left. She wanted to see it on a "human foot."

During this time Intelligent Eyes returned and stayed, while several other party-goers dropped in for a look. I was getting evil stares from the knot of parents who clearly could not understand why the kids were more interested in an odd, anti-social woman with her old-fashioned craft than the lights and music of the rink or the table full of junk food and bags of party favors. To be honest, this surprised me too.

I wish I had brought along my knitting bag rather than just my sock project. I would have loved to have let those girls knit a few rows just to see what it was like. Who knows, perhaps I planted the seed for two new fiber artists. I hope so.

Here's what sparked so much interest:

Instant Gratification Socks II: Progress Report 1

Well, well, well, I've made it through another week. I've had scarcely any time to knit, which I think contributes greatly to my generally sullen mood. I worked out of town one day and got home late, had a school holiday performance one evening, and moonlighted (moonlit?) on two evenings.

This has, however, given me plenty of time to meditate on Wendy's heel instructions and I'm pleased to say I've got my brain around them and am excited to knit them up. I always feel better when I can visualize what a pattern is saying before I actually execute the instructions. Unfortunately, I'm moonlighting again tonight, so it must wait until tomorrow after errands.

I haven't even touched Sober Argyle. Here's what I've gotten done on the Instant Gratification Socks II. I absolutely love this colorway and check out the pattern! Isn't that cool?!

The Dog

It occurred to me yesterday morning that I have not given The Dog equal billing on the blog. Coincidentally, Mom mentioned that very thing later in the day.

She (The Dog) is very sweet, not at all interested in yarn, and only contributes minimal amounts of additional fiber to my projects. So, without further ado The Dog gets her own post.

Instant Gratification Socks II

Based on what I learned from my first pair of socks, I've decided to try a toe-up sock with a gusset heel. I'm using Judy Becker's Magic Cast-on with 24 sts (12 x 12) and then following Wendy's instructions for toe-up socks with a gusset heel that promises no stitches to pick-up. I have to admit, reading the pattern, I'm totally confused as to how this is going to work.

As I'm sure you've begun to suspect, I'm afraid of turned heels. Now, I did sucessfully execute a Sherman Short Row Heel, but I still get the willies when I think about it. I'm not sure why I even attempted the SSRH. It's not like "knit encroachment" and "purl encroachment" are less offensive than "wrap and turn" and all of the other turned-heel vulgarities.

I have high hopes for this pattern.

Sober Argyle Vest II

The needles arrived on Friday and I settled in last night to cast on for round two of Sober Argyle. Not much of a start, but it is a start.

Instant Gratification Socks: Progress Report 3

They're finished. I'm not altogether happy with them, but the GC is pleased.

I've learned that I need to use a smaller needle with that particular yarn and that I have gauge issues between sock 1 and sock 2. (Read: one sock is smaller than the other.) On the whole, though, not bad for a first-ever pair of socks.

TGIF

If this week had persisted for a single day longer, I don’t think I would've survived it. I’m still not quite over my supervisor reducing me to tears yesterday. Needless to say, I didn’t get much done this week.

I've completed most of the second Instant Gratification Sock. All I have left is the toe and the heel. I may even finish it tonight.

After schlepping the 6 lb. box of Twizé hither and yon a few times, I came to the logical conclusion that a five-and-a-half pound sweater is just too silly to be considered and forced myself to quit entertaining the idea. A reasonable person would have been able to deduce this immediately, but I still wistfully imagine how lovely my Reeds & Grasses sweater would look in the Twey Twizé. I am not a reasonable person.

I was fortunate enough to find exactly 13 skeins of Bamboo on sale in Black. I also ordered a skein of Fiery Red as the contrast color. I eagerly await the arrival of my order in a box of sweater-appropriate weight.

I’m now on the lookout for a pattern for the six pounds of Twizé, which should be enough to make two items based on a reasonable person's reconning. I though it might be nice to make matching projects for the GC and myself. Perhaps a lacy tank or shell? Hmmmm.

The needles for Sober Argyle Vest II have finally arrived. I cast on this weekend!

Uh-oh

The box came today from Webs with the SWTC Twizé for my Reeds & Grasses project from Vicki Square's book Knit Kimono. My first impression was WOW! It's Beautiful!

I can't begin to describe how beautiful this yarn is! None of the pictures do it justice. The colorway is a silvery fog, palest pink, and white. The yarn has a shimmer-sheen to it that gives it incredible depth. It has a very soft touch...like a cross between silk and cotton.

As I was petting and ogling a skein, somewhere in the back of my mind a light came on. This skein is heavy. Very heavy. I hefted the box. Uh-oh. Where's the packing slip...here it is...okay, weight...6.0 pounds...WHAT!!!

Here's where my knitting novice status becomes glaring. You mavens out there will get a good laugh out of this one. The pattern calls for 12 skeins of SWTC Bamboo (250 yards/100g ball). I decided I wanted to use SWTC Twizé, it's bamboo, too, and I like it better. Twize is 110 meters/100g ball, which is 120.3 yards/100g ball).

That should have set off the alarms, but alas I just did the math and ordered the yarn. Okay, I'll admit it, like most Americans, I'm metrically challenged. I found my favorite metric conversion website. Let's see here...12 x 250 = 3000 yards divided by 120.3 yards is 24.93 skeins...okay I'll make it 26 just to be safe.

The verdict is: 5.49 pounds. That is going to be an incredibly heavy sweater. Oh, dear.