norichan’s blog

Please Help me Win the Vote!

nobody@vox.com(norichan) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:27:10 -0800

I submitted a pair of fingerless mittens into a contest on Ravelry! I designed the mitts and I think they came out pretty well. :o)

All you have to do to help me out is go to this link: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/a-verb-for-keeping-warm/795053/1-25#16 (you do need a ravelry account to be able to vote...) and then find my entry and click the "agree" button on my post! My ravelry ID is "norichan"

The vote is soooo close! Eeee!! Wish me luck!

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Ok ok, at the very least, a couple photos!

nobody@vox.com(norichan) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:03:48 -0700

laminaria 004

Chicabean 011

Funky Chica 013

From top to bottom, my latest knits: Laminaria from Knitty (shawlette size) knit in Zephyr (wool/silk), Chicabean hat knit in Rowan Lux, Chicabean Hat knit in Funky Carolina Yarn (test knit).

Quick note: The Funky test knit was fantastic! I love love love the yarn! It really showed stitch definition and was SO SOFT! It had an amount of cashmere in it so that's probably why. I'll try to get some pics of my handspun and share that with you too.

I'm trying to clean my room... I haven't been able to find the book that I did the Bubble Bobble characters in and so I haven't been able to get pics of that up yet. I promise to as soon as I find it. :o)

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Laziest person ever

nobody@vox.com(norichan) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 10:59:57 -0700

Hullo! I have been so lazy in updating this that it's pretty sad. However, I honestly have been busy as of late. I have been finishing up the summer semester, figuring out the organization for my trip to Guatemala in 3 weeks (and it's not just that I'm going to Guatemala, it's that I'm leading a trip for 13 people to do free eye screenings in Guatemala...), going back home to visit with family and friends, and been pretty obsessed with spinning. There is a large lack of pictures in all of this... but ah well.

To start off, summer semester was hard to get through. There was a lack of interest seeing as we all just wanted to enjoy the weather instead of be indoors. But to top it off, the semester was filled with boring classes! I got through it though, and managed to do a little better than I had expected considering how hard it was to get myself motivated to study at all.

Guatemala is looking pretty good, I'm really hoping to not be forgetting anything. Should be pretty much put together at this point in time. The only thing I'm worried about now is that it will be rainy season which means mosquitos galore! Gotta go make a run to get a bunch of anti-bug stuff and some benadryl to help against the big reaction I get if I'm bitten. I hope I'm a good trip leader... I'm also hoping to get to go on another trip later for this coming school year. I just don't know if any of them interest me as much as my previous trips have. We'll see... :o)

Last bit of information... my rotation sites have been settled for my 4th year. They are: NW Pediatrics in Bellevue, Wa for Summer 2010; Wenzhou, PR China for Fall 2010; Naval Base in Okinawa, Japan for Winter; Internal (PacificU) for Spring 2011. I will be having a really exciting line-up filled with great experiences. I'm super excited about all of these sites and I think it will make for a great mix of fun and learning. There were a few hiccups in getting all the sites I wanted, but it worked out much better than predicted, and I can't believe that this is all in my near future! Less than 1 year before it starts! Nerve wracking!! :o) Gotta enjoy the now though. Speaking of which, I'm gonna head out to snuggle with my cat. ;op

Spun Fiber 003

BFL

80 Merino/20 Silk

Ok, just had to put in a few pics of some spinning I've done. The first 2 are the same, just a close up and then the skein. I dunno what weight it is, I need to pick up a wpi tool. But it's 100% BFL and a simple 2 ply. I think I got about 250yds from 4oz. That one was gifted to my mom. The last is 80% Merino and 20% Silk. It was also 4oz, and I got about 300yds of 2ply from it as well. They both spun up pretty darn soft. :o) I love how spinning allows you to really feel and learn about different fibers. It has taught me that wool does not mean itchy. I know merino is rarely itchy, but it's also never been as soft as it has when hand spun. At least, that's my experience... Ok, enough yarn pr0n. ;oP

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Ups and Downs

nobody@vox.com(norichan) — Wed, 27 May 2009 00:09:37 -0700

Well, it only took an hour to register... and then another 4 hrs to get my confirmation email... But I got the classes I wanted for Sock Summit!! I will be taking a Spinning a Painted Sock on Saturday and Knitting Happily Ever After - Ergonomics for Knitters on Thursday afternoon. I will also be quite entertained during the Luminary Panel on Sunday! I'm super excited for some of the vendors... there are SO MANY! And a lot of them are small indie sellers... it's so hard for me to say no to them. And if they happen to have fiber, I may end up going over budget. Not that I've even set one yet... uh oh.

I've done a little spinning:

falkland 2 oz 009

This is about 85 yds of a 2ply falkland wool. I had 2oz. I wish I had more to play with. The colors were perfectly me. Le sigh. I'm still practicing. While this was a bulky, I am having no problems with making a thin yarn. I think the problem is more keeping my consistency. I'll just have to work on my rythym for that, I believe. Also, I have to spin on the slowest whorl no matter what thickness I'm going for. I definitely have to practice that too, otherwise I'll be stuck forever! But it's a lot of fun, and I can't wait to get more consistent. In the meantime, I'll practice using different fibers and plying techniques!

Anyways, today was a roller coaster ride due to me thinking I got my classes and being estatic that I got my first choices, then downhill as I thought I actually didn't get them because I didn't have my confirmation email... and then back uphill when I finally got it four hours later. :oD

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Vote!

nobody@vox.com(norichan) — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:17:50 -0700

Go vote for my mom's White Daisy Knitted Broch!!!! Pleeeeasse??? http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?ref=voter&room_id=50

Just log in, then go to that page, then click on the White Daisy Knitted Broch made by ohmay and click vote! Thanks!!

PS - www.ohmay.etsy.com

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Super Great

nobody@vox.com(norichan) — Thu, 21 May 2009 00:37:08 -0700

Family:

White coat and more 039

Friends:

White coat and more 050

White coat and more 038

Knitting:

Autumn in Oregon Front

Quick update: I made the transition from student to intern. I started seeing patients (it's waaay harder than other classmates, haha). I'm still busy with knitting up samples. I'm much further than seen here, but not quite done yet. Tonight I met a lot of knitters and spinners. They're helping me learn to use my wheel, and so I'm super excited. I think I'm going to try to go to the knit night every week possible! :o) A few more pics from break:

Crafting:

White coat and more 012

Racism (side note, I found it humorous that a book called Indian Children Paper Dolls was even created. I am *incredibly* astonished that this book was made in 1990, however. I thought we were a bit more pc by then...)

White coat and more 007

Gifts (the things my mommy gave me on break):

White coat and more 006

PS - Chris - I haven't forgotten my promise. My only problem is that I don't have a scanner, so I can't just scan in my graph of the characters. I am going to see if there's one on campus that I can use, then I'll see if I can't get the pattern up! :o)

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Back to the Grove

nobody@vox.com(norichan) — Sat, 09 May 2009 11:05:27 -0700

I am done with break, and once again have to go back to classes. Ugh. But, ah well... I am hoping to take better care of this blog (meaning, update more often), and with any luck, I will. Anyways, I am shutting the comp down and getting ready to go back!

PS - There will be some really good pics next time. This time, I promise. :o)

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Boys who knit

nobody@vox.com(norichan) — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:09:55 -0700

It's an oddity to me that men knitting is considered a rarity or not cool. Knitting on a historical note, has been a male predominated job. It used to be that knitting clothing was a profession, not a hobby. Men were the only ones allowed to do it, and there were apprentices and whatnot... and because I don't feel like flubbing up the history of knitting, I'm going to just say that times changed, on a very recent time frame, and now we perceive knitting to be something "your grandmother does." I am happy to know that there are some male knitters out there who aren't ashamed or think it's something they have to hide...

I happen to think that men who knit somehow have an extra edge of appeal to me, and that one little piece of knowledge makes them more attractive to me. Sometimes I don't even know what they look like (honest, it took me forever to find out what brooklyn tweed actually looked like)! Haha. I will lurk a few guys' blogs to see what they're making or be super jealous of how much better or quicker knitters they are. Not unlike what I do with many other knitters out there that we're all in awe of... ;o) But I sometimes feel that the men are often less seen than the women, so I feel like sharing some of their blogs that I enjoy reading.

- brooklyntweed <-- While I'm sure that everyone knows about his designs at the very least, not everyone may know of his blog. And in all honesty, not my favorite blog to read... I feel it leans pretty heavy on the advertising his own patterns and less towards overall thoughts and current knits. Of course, he is a designer, and his designs *are* wonderful. And one can't deny his excellent pictures... Therefore, I will periodically take a gander to admire his work. :o)
- knitting with a y <--- Love this blog. I have NO idea how I even came to find it, but I can honestly say that the blog is a great mix of pictures and excitement. I think the way he writes is just so similar to how I write (aka - typing barf... haha, type exactly what's in your head as you're going and no looking back), that I really enjoy reading. In addition, he's an extremely talented knitting, and just learning to spin! That = lots of pretty pictures to ogle. ;o)
- woowork <-- while a crocheter and not a knitter, this guy is AMAZING!! The things amigurumi he comes up with is to die for... and the mini scripts he will do in the form of pictures and short blurbs with explanations is hysterical. It makes me want to learn how to crochet (for like the 50millionth time...) and come up with my own ray gun. He's got a great sense of humor and I am always eager to see what he comes up with next.

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Inspiration

nobody@vox.com(norichan) — Sun, 03 May 2009 19:50:55 -0700

Inspiration can hit in many different ways. When I was younger, it didn't really have to hit, I just had inspiration. Life was happy. Everything was easy going, I had a great life. I still do, and I am thankful for all the people in my life. If you're reading, Thanks guys! You're the best!!

It's just hit me recently that I am not as easily happy or satisfied as I used to be. Why this is might have to do with life having to be a bit of work these days... ie - school... but that's no reason to get down.

I just discovered this girl's blog, and have had the biggest inspiration of my life. Maybe not true, but definitely a big inspiration. She's so wonderfully creative and thoughtful, and most importantly, HAPPY. She makes me happy just reading the random things she does. It makes me want to go inspire happiness in others as well. Life is too short to not be happy. I'm going to let the little things go and just enjoy life as it takes me. Look at the beauty in everything. Maybe see what other points of view I can have from seeing one thing.

Unoriginal Hat

Yes, finals took it's toll on me. One of the things it did was take knitting away. :o) Luckily, we had 1 easy one, and in a matter of hours, I whipped this guy up. Me likey, even if it is a wee bit snug. Now, on to knitting!

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I knew I'd forget something...

nobody@vox.com(norichan) — Sat, 02 May 2009 23:39:01 -0700

Ah, home for one week. So lovely. I have a 1 week break inbetween spring and summer semester. But at least there's some sort of break. I'm already in a fantastic mood. Just as I was leaving school, I already knew I'd passed 6/7 of my classes this semester, and so just one more score in and I'm DONE with second year! I start clinic in about one week. I GET TO SEE PATIENTS!! Things are finally seeming to feel accessible. As if I can finally feel like the schoolwork is worth all the time and stress that it's caused. But until next week...

I did bring some awesome knitting to do while home, as well as some spinning... but what I forgot to bring was my sketch of my bubble bobble characters. *sigh* I'll have to get that pattern finished up when I get back. I'm also trying to catch up with friends and just relax in general. My mommy got me the cutest pouch from an etsy seller. (I'll try to get a pic up soon...) She also got me those neat square needles (double points) in sizes US 0, 1, 2, and 3. I am sooo excited!! I love knitting socks, and these are supposed to be easier on the hands. Means longer capabilities of knitting without straining my hands. (yes, I do knit so much that my hands hurt, for you non-knitters out there...)

I've found that I desperately want a spinning wheel, but the possibilities are ENDLESS for types. And it's not just like a spindle where I just choose pretty ones and it'll be fine. Spindles cost... oh... $12 on up to maybe the $100 range. My most expensive one was $45 or something like that. And yes, there are definitely better spindles than others. However, dropping even $100 on a spindle is not as big a deal as spending $680 on a spinning wheel and finding out you don't like it as much as you thought you would. Or, you really prefer a double treadle vs a single. I'm thinking about what I can do to test these things out. I've heard that you should just go test drive, I suppose it's what I should do. Maybe I could hit up A Verb for Keeping Warm and talk to Kristine about it. I'm not ready to buy one, and I think I'm going to keep comparing, but I found one that will be lovely if I like the way it feels. :o) Ah well, I can keep on wishing can't I? I'll attempt pics next time...

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