Nostalgia Arm or Legwarmers

It's pattern time!  I thought I'd begin with something simple.  My house is old and drafty, and my extremities suffer the most.  I also like instant gratification.  These knit up quickly, and serve a practical purpose.  I apologize for the terrible quality of the photo, I wasn't feeling particularly ambitious this evening.  The yarn is a lovely deep pink I had left over, and the stitch pattern was found in a tiny booklet from 1972, which came into my possession at an unknown time through unknown means.  It's handy, and small, but the best thing about it is the list of "Other Dell Purse Books You'll Enjoy."  There are the sort of titles one might expect, such as "Count Your Calories," "The Wonderful World of Daytime T.V. Dramas," and "Lucky Day Horoscope," but then things get weirder. For example, what kind of life must one lead, I wonder, to necessitate a pocket guide to "Mixing and Serving Drinks?"  Also included is the dubious prospect of "Self Hypnosis," and the confusing, "Test Your Emotions."  While you're at it, perhaps try some "Face-O-Metrics,"  and then try one of the "Instant Hairdos, #3," which makes me wonder why I'll enjoy #3, and not #2.  Not limited to personal improvement, there were Dell Purse Books on relationships as well--"The Man of Your Choice," "3500 Names for Baby," "Wives' Legal Rights," and finally, "Alimony and Support."  And if all that is too depressing, health topics are covered, primarily weight loss, but also "Vitamin C For a Cold," and "The Drug Crisis."  And only $0.25 a copy!  

"Nostalgia Arm or Leg Warmers"

I owned a few pairs of leg warmers as a child and they followed this basic schematic.  

Yarn:  Cascade 220, 1 skein

Needles:  one set size 8 dpns

Gauge:  one 5 stitch repeat is about 1.25", and the row count isn't really important.

Size:  Adult.  I find them cozy as leg warmers when wearing a skirt, and comfy as arm warmers as well.  They come up well over my elbows when worn as such.  The size may be adjusted by changing the needle or yarn size.  

Directions:

Cast on 40 sts, divide over 4 needles, join.

Work in k2, p2 ribbing for 3 inches.

Begin eyelet ribbing as follows:

Row 1: *k2, yp, p2tog, k1* repeat to end

Rows 2 & 4: k all sts

Row 3: *k2, p2tog, yo, k1* repeat to end

Repeat these four rows until work measures the length of the limb you intend to cover minus 3 inches from the beginning of the ribbing.  

Work in k2, p2 ribbing for 3 inches. 

Cast off, very loosely.

Repeat for second warmer.

The end!  Go, be warmed!

Overdue

I have buckled down, and joined Ravelry.  If anyone is a member, look for "evilclutches," that's me!  I actually have some great ideas for patterns and projects, and once I feel that my obligation to knit yuletide gifts is fulfilled, I'll be able to start tackling them.  I'm quite pleased with this year's crop of presents, if I do say so myself.  Tried two new techniques, entrelac and Irish lace, with great success.  For someone who's been knitting as long as I have, I haven't really taken the time to branch out into more unusual techniques.  Evidently, I am feeling very short-winded today, because that's all, folks!

Shameless Commerce

Quick update for all.  If you haven't heard of LUSH Cosmetics, follow the link to the right.  Not only have they seen fit to hire me, but they make delightful bath and body products.  Furthermore, LUSH uses minimal packaging, produces all-vegetarian, mostly vegan products, uses minimal preservatives, does not buy ingredients from companies that test on animals, and is still an independent company!  Plus, their products smell great and work better.

The End. 

  

Movie Review: Keeping Mum

Keeping Mum was suggested to me by Netflix, and feeling game, I allowed it to enter my queue. I'll try to keep it short, so as not to ruin the plot.  The 2005 film centers around a small town vicar (Rowan Atkinson) and family.  The vicar is a rather oblivious sort, unaware of his wife's (Kristin Scott Thomas) dissatisfaction and developing affair, his daughter's promiscuity, or his son's problems with bullies.  A new housekeeper (Maggie Smith) arrives, and suddenly, things begin to change.  All seems to be well, until the dark secrets begin to unfold.

The plot, at first glance, is unassuming, but it is nonetheless charming.  It unfolds into a delightfully dark comedy, ripe with a winning supporting cast.  Liz Smith, whom you may recognize from the Vicar of Dibley, plays Mrs. Parker, a neighbor and ardent member of the church flower-arranging committee.  I did find Patrick Swayze embarrassing to watch, but that's the character he was playing.  Also, the son, featured in the plot during the first half (or so) of the film, was inexplicably missing from the rest.  Not that it harmed the story, but it was a little weird, is all.  Overall, thoroughly enjoyed by me and a few of my jaded housemates.  If your taste is for black humor, and you possess any anglophilia, I strongly recommend Keeping Mum.  

A very good place to start..

Here we be, the very beginning.  Being inspired by various sources, I am embarking upon a project I have been toying with for some time.  Some of you may wonder, "why 'evil clutches'?"  For you, I have answers.  Those among my acquaintance will know that I am a seamstress, and fancy myself a designer.  I intend, at some point, to develop a line of purses, mainly for evening wear, with rather macabre themes.  Thus, the eponymous "Evil Clutches."  You may not find the idea as charming as I do, but there it is.  

So, there it is.  I have a BA in history, I am scholar of all needle crafts, I am obsessed with books, I have an enthusiasm for languages, and I intend to be a librarian some day.  I hope that serves as introduction.  With this blog, I hope to share some of my perspective with the world, particularly as regards these things.  I plan to critique all forms of media.  

Pax