Things I've learned from Love Boat

So my favorite thing lately has been watching re-runs of Love Boat at CBS.com. I can't help it. I find comfort in cheesy predictable plots that are tied up in a nice bow at the end of the show. But more interesting to me is the difference between 1970s television and the television of today.

First and foremost, the lack of boobs and gratuitous nudity. You have to admit, any modern day version of this show would runneth over with large breasts in small bikini tops. Not so much on the original version. Most of the people on the show are completely covered in sensible clothing the entire time.

Secondly, it is amazing to me how many older actors show up in the guest cast. I mean this is truly multi-generational programming. There is something for every age group on the Love Boat.

Oh, and not everyone is gorgeous. I mean, seriously, take a look at this picture. This show was wildly popular. Can you imagine a wildly popular show right now with a cast that was as plain looking as this one? And the teeth! I'd almost forgotten what natural teeth look like. In fact, there are times when I am watching this show that I can't believe how yellow everyone's teeth were before the mandatory bleaching policies of the 2000's.

And yet with all the sensible clothes and plain people, there is a lot of sex happening on this boat! Holy cow. I mean it's almost shocking how acceptable casual sex was on 1970s television. And even more shocking how uptight a lot of network television is today on the topic of sex, while at the same time shoving tits and ass in our face every 10 seconds. I'm not really sure anyone can make an argument that we've made any kind of progress at all.

You can have your ripped from the headlines dramas and your not-so-reality television. Set a course for adventure, I'll be on the Love Boat.

Disconnected

I've recently returned from my yearly sojourn to Yosemite. Five days in some of the most beautiful places in the world. Each year our 7th grade class goes to Yosemite. For the last four years, I have gone as a chaperone. This is a trip I look forward to all school year long. Growing up in Alaska we had a lot of opportunity to hang out in nature. Since moving to the Desert, we don't have as much opportunity because the summer, when we'd be able to camp and hike and stuff like that, it is hotter than mother-frakkin' hades.

But I digress. I had a realization on my trip this year. I spend too much time online and not enough time living my life. I know that sounds bad. I love and adore my online knitting bitches. But most of them live near each other and get to see each other, or at least other knitters. I do not. And because I do not, I spend a lot of time hanging out online. Which means that a lot of my IRL possible activities fall by the way side.

I'm not sure what all of this means for my online knitting stuff. But I can say this. I have not been designing and I have not been knitting enough, and my time online is the biggest culprit. So I am going to try and limit myself to less time online and more living IRL. I will miss everyone and I will try to keep in touch. But I need some more real life people!

First Birthday Gift of 2008!!!

Yay! My birthday is next week, while I'm in Yosemite. So I am celebrating this weekend. But today I received my first gift. Check them out! Little piggy stitch markers. I LOVE LOVE LOVE them. My mom bought them for me. I guess all those "I don't have enough stitch markers" comments sunk into someone's head.

I must admit. Beautiful stitch markers are sort of like expensive sunglasses. I love having them. They are so much better and nicer than cheaper ones. But I am not likely to spend the money on them for myself. So it is extra cool to receive them as gifts. The first set I have I received in a yarn swap. This is my second set. I had 12 before. Now I have 24. Woo hoo!

I should tell you all about them. They are pewter with crystal beads. They were made by a lovely woman names Rebecca Thomas at Waters Edge Jewelry. She helped my mom get them super quickly so I would have them for my trip to Yosemite. Check our her stuff. It's gorgeous!

Do you knit slowly?

I never really thought of myself as a slow knitter. I do knit more slowly when I work on complicated patterns and things. But I was watching all those videos from the links I posted yesterday. Some of those knitters are speed demons! So I started to ask myself. Do I knit slowly?

I can really cruise on certain projects like my mom's pillow cover which is mostly stockinette. And in truth a lot of those knitting videos are of people knitting stockinette. But I feel so frakkin' slow watching those videos.

I don't have any particular reason to worry about my knitting speed other than the fact that I'd like to be able to knit more things in a shorter amount of time. I think for that reason alone I'd like to work on being faster.

Check this out!

If you like to see the way other people knit, you need to check this link out! (Rav Link)

And yeah, I totally stole this shit from The Wilk over the Fucknits. But I knew some of my friends over here might not see it unless I posted it. So here it is. So cool!

Pool on Purpose!

Just thought I would post a quick link to show you guys a sock yarn by Wollmeise called Wild Thing. This is a yarn specifically designed to pool and flash in exaggerated ways. So I guess I'm not the only one who digs the flash and pool!

Flash and Pool Examples

I had some questions about what flashing and pooling were from yesterday's post. I thought I'd post some examples for you all.

I don't think people will mind my links to their pics, as they willingly posted them to a thread on the different pooling and flashing effects.

So, first I give you flashing (rav link). An effect that tends to go back and forth giving the appearance of a "flash" of lightning. I really like how this can look. Here (rav link) is another cool example of flashing.

This (rav link) example is great for showing how pooling can look like it is part of the design.

Another great example of pooling.

To the left you see my own example of pooling. Very cool, I think.

So all in all, I really like pooling. And like the Yarn Harlot said in her blog, the surprise is what is fun about knitting with variegated yarns!

Flash and Pool

So I have been working on Jeanie this weekend and I have been doing the whole "work with two balls of yarn because they're hand-dyed and not exactly the same, so you have to work two or four rows of each and switch off and on to avoid noticeable difference or pooling and flashing" thing. I don't think I like it. I mean, I love the yarn and they are actually different.

But I miss the pooling and flashing. I know I am not supposed to like pooling or flashing. I know that many people go to great lengths to avoid pooling and so on. But part of the mystery of the hand-dyed hank is the fact that I have NO IDEA what will happen when I knit it up. That is part of the excitement of working with something that is completely unique!

I have not been a big fan of variegated yarns over the years since I started knitting. But one thing I will say is that hand-dyed yarns are supposed to be different and special. To me, the pooling and flashing is just a manifestation of the individuality of each skein.

So, I have decided to stop switching back and forth. I don't care if one end of my wrap is darker than the other. I don't care if it pools and flashes. It just make it that much more interesting to me.

Jeanie

Okay, so I cast on for Jeanie using the provisional cast-on tutorial at bella knitting.

I am happy to report that I made it through the cast-on and foundation row relatively unscathed. I am now too tired to continue on the next row. I mean, have enough time to make it through, but not the mental fortitude I am afraid.

My only problem with this pattern? You really do need all 19 stitch markers and I have 12. :-( I don't want to wait for some that I order, so I'll have to revert to the yucky plastic ones I have. Either that or the old-fashioned tie them on in contrasting yarn. :sigh:

Hopefully I'll have some pictures tomorrow!

ETA: Nothing much to add info wise, so I'll just post the picture to yesterday's post! I only wish the colors of this yarn could be better seen. It's truly beautiful.

And now for some knitting!

Yes, can you believe it? I am actually going to post about knitting. Wow. Let's see, what do I need to update you on?

Project 1: The MOM Project (rav link).
Yarn: Shine Worsted from Knitpicks, dyed by me using Dharma Trading Fiber Reactive Dyes
Pattern: My own pattern that will be available after the big reveal!

Project 2: The Yarn Swap Clapotis.
Yarn: The Linen (Flax) Yarn from Anna.
Pattern: Clapotis from Knitty


Project 3: Wrap for Me. YES ME!
Yarn: Twatweasel Yarn (Mox Nix)
Pattern: Jeanie



So more info and WIP photos tomorrow!