Hope everyone in the US had a satisfying Thanksgiving--in every way. Food. Family. Fun. Life is good on this end, if looking a bit beans-and-rice for the next bit. But I can't complain. It's certainly better than being A. Square. Don't forget to check out the iPhone/iTouch app if you have the right platform in your pocket or purse--should be available and working world-wide now. And know that I've triple-checked and the good people at Wizzard Media (where the podcast is hosted) are indeed working towards getting apps up for other smart phone platforms. I am relieved. And excited. iPhone app pdf from the previous episode. November Incentive Winner announced in next episode. Book talk for 151 begins around 13 minutes in. Play here: audio

iPhone/iTouch app is up and running. We have seven days to get it, rate it, and take over the world (or at least 50 million members therein). Please enjoy responsibly. Coming soon! Interview Number 2 with the charming comedy team of Tom Cathcart and Daniel Klein (I'm not-so-secretly in love. Yes, the Husband knows). Flatland! [caption id="attachment_899" align="alignleft" width="273" caption="Flatland"][/caption] My Dad's melodious voice will only be gracing us briefly before he has to go rescue the university (or a small part thereof). Many of our readers will be...CraftLit Volks! Huzzah! Do Not Fear The Math. (Or maybe fear it just a little bit.) The Kickstarter Campain wages on! Can't donate? Just pass the info on. I so deeply appreciate the support! And here's the link to the Hot Lava Cardigan. Oh! And Susan's interview with me at Knit-a-Journey! What fun we had! (You can probably tell.) Listen to the audio 150, booktalk starts around 20 min in.

O so many things to link to!

---

Here are some links to...gluten free flour mix, the Jean Reno movie Les Visiteurs, iPhone app info!, Flatland needs readers (text in left sidebar of link).

---

More iPhone app information will come as I know it. Those of you who indulge, I'll try to make sure the launch isn't TOO bumpy.

Well, not completely different. We’ll still be working our way through a book… I’m still on the fence about doing the Prologue to Canterbury Tales–mostly because finding a translation I like in the public domain is gonna kill me. (I got spoiled using that sterling one when writing curriculum.) Regardless the Chaucer drama, there will be Flatland! O yes. There will be. Narrated by my very own Dad. Ain’t he a trooper. He also has a lovely baritone, so I think you’ll find it soothing. Actually, come to think of it, he read Roughing it and Ben Franklin’s Autobiography to us before I turned 13–and I liked and remembered those books, so you have to figure he’s pretty good. Plus he has a beard like Pa Ingalls, so how can you go wrong, eh? Alice in Wonderland is tabled for now–all who wrote in agreed that the language play is too visual (like The Phantom Tollbooth) for you to really hear the jokes. There was a suggestion for The Secret Garden after Flatland…and I have to say…I’m intrigued. I think it’s down to that or Connecticut Yankee. Thoughts? Comments?

And...CUT! Today we end The Scarlet Letter. It's sad. I'm just sayin'. Oh...gules! Listen for the extended deadline for the 2009 Challenge! Whoopie! Book Talk starts around 19min. But, on the happy side of things: Amy S. Foster's new book (a signed copy of) is our October Incentive! Donate and get your name put into the hat. And I forgot to say, I'm counting donations to Kickstarter as well as to CraftLit directly. Penny rugs! Also, if you're looking for a rollicking good time, check out Dragon of Trelian from Michelle Knudsen. Support not only a great book, but a great writer and friend (you DID read Library Lion, didn't you?) Also check out the great pattern for a Clapotis Cap! Love this! Knucks!. Cabled handwarmers! And...I'm out of exclamation points.

Listening to Jeeves.
Rolling around laughing while listening.
And while we're at it, Evelyn Waugh's Decline and Fall made me laugh in the most horrible way.

2009 Challenge! GET THEM IN PRONTO!
And a New Challenge! iPhone App Patterns! Listen for details.

October Incentive! A signed copy of Amy S. Foster's new novel When Autumn Leaves! Did I mention it was signed? Because she loves CraftLit and therefore, loves you too.

Only a few seats left on the CraftLit/Knitty trip. Get 'em while you can! Even if you're not positive you can go, better safe than sorry! A

nd thank you Rita for introducing me to Chillingworth the Owl! Never have I seen a character captured so perfectly in...a...stuffed animal... Don't forget to checkout the Kickstarter site (look to the left sidebar to check on the progress).

Oy vey! Can't wait to find a headache remedy! (One more week...)
Or learn more Yiddish.

That might take my mind off the pain.

Only two episodes left before the 2009 CraftLitâ„¢ Challenge! Get 'em in. And on that note--go reserve your space on the London, Bath, and Wales trip! Even if you're not positive you can go...better safe than sorry. Checkout the "how to" info via the link above.

But here are some links for you: Michelle Malone's new album Debris is one to check out if you like jazzy, Southern Rock (you'll be able to tell she came up in Atlanta at the same time as the Indigo Girls--you can listen to some songs from the site), our winners for the September Incentives are Penelope, Erica, and Donna! Yay!
A nice site if you need to learn how to stretch your dollars (who doesn't?), some AMAZING paper cutout art, and more than you ever wanted to know about the Sonoran Desert brought to you by Arizona 4-H.

Episode One hundred forty-five: A Conundrum Inside an Enigma Wrapped in a Kumquat What was it the ER docs couldn't diagnose? A Migraine. Some conundrum, eh? Where was House when I needed him? So, today...reminder of the September Incentives: Mission Falls 136 Duet Catalog, and the Falls Catalog. Gaze at the beauty that may be your incentive. Don't forget to visit the link above for the Craftlit 2009 Challenge Rules. Time's-a-wastin'!! Fabricate! AND Joi Lynn's bookmark and stitch marker set!!! YAY SEPTEMBER!!!! Jenny's pledge site for her Leukemia walk! Go! Donate! Support! Go pre-order Amy S. Foster's new novel "When Autumn Leaves" --a listener who you'll want to go have a cuppa with after you start the book. I'm about a third of the way through. Love it! Checkout our Kickstarter pledge site. Donate and if we make the goal, then you pay. If we don't make the goal, you walk away free and clear! Spread the word! And that's about it. Book chat on chapter 21 starts around 21 minutes.

Sorry.  Family woes at the House of CraftLit. Will try to 'cast later this week. 

A Little Funny for you, a little Mission Falls 136 Duet Catalog, and the Falls Catalog. Gaze at the beauty that is your incentive. Don't forget to visit the link above for the Craftlit 2009 Challenge Rules. Time's-a-wastin'!

What a DAY! Brutal coming back from a nice weekend, but this was a little nutty, even by my standards. Here I sit, laptop in front of me, candle and matches next to me. Kinda a Laura Ingalls Wilder sorta night. Regardless, I was able to sketch a little on the trip. Here’s some Newport Beach for you. We also got a copy of the VERY LOVELY Amy S. Foster’s new novel “When Autumn Leaves� (clever, sure, but what else do you expect from a CraftLit listener?!). I read the back and am already hooked. You will be too! Go buy! Support CraftLit folks! Blackout kinda blew my mojo…but I think it’s okay now. Lotsa wind, some rain, some really good lightning. We thought the monsoons were over, but the hurricane in Baja helped us out. Very nice. Lovely weather. SEPTEMBER INCENTIVE! Cool For You!!! Fabricate! AND Joi Lynn’s bookmark and stitch marker set AND a Mission Falls Kit! What could be more exciting?! Books I mentioned: Big Book of Things to Draw, Emberly’s Drawing Book of Animals, Visual Journaling, Art for Kids Cartooning. Don’t forget the 2009 SCARLET LETTER CHALLENGE! There are only five chapters left! We need your entries! Join the fray! I know you people now. You’re mad creative, yo! Send ‘em in. And, of course, checkout the Holiday Travel link above and sign up to be in the loop. It’s a lotta bang for your buck (Dianne only picks the good stuff) so even if it seems like a stretch right now, you’re going to kick yourself when you win the lottery…after the trip is full. Seriously!

A few quick things: What I did Saturday (and part of why I didn't post on Thursday), a new Etsy store by long-time listener, a new Crafty mag that inspired me,

And

Mason Dixon from Knitting Out Loud, Moccasin sock in all it's reinforced-soled glory,

and

the numbers are a-growin' at Holiday Travel!

Sign up NOW for the email announcements!

Reservations open Sept 30th at the 800 number, and Dianne (last I checked Ravelry) is working on an International solution as well!

WHOOPIE! We're gonna go a-travelin'!

Not much to post today. Checkout Mission Falls, though. The September incentive people! Whoopie! And don't forget about the 2009 CraftLit challenge...like I keep forgetting to mention it on the 'Cast... tra la la...

To say we are all exhausted is such an understatement I'm just going to take it as read that you know that, and move on. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="375" caption="Sock Summit '09 Book"][/caption] It was great! Amazing! (Did I mention I'm tired?) I'm going to put as many pictures and links in here as I can because I know I'll forget to mention someone's gorgeous yarns or wares...I'll try to catch up on the next 'Cast, though! OH! But checkout The Blue Ridge Soap Shed esp. the Hand Repair Soap in "Green Tea". Also Cheryl Brunette's Sweater 101 and Chrissy Gardiner's Toe Up! (soon-to-be incentive books).

---

And now for some pictures! Laser-cut and amazing knitting Then, some amazing yarn! Here's a pic of the card for the next couple of picks: [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="375" caption="Kangeroo Dyer exclusively for Valley Yarns"][/caption] [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="375" caption="Mmmmmm Tactile Fiber for Spinning"][/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="375" caption="Hand and Eye Candy"][/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="375" caption="Schoppel Wolle Zauberball"][/caption] [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="375" caption="The Other Zauberball"][/caption] [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="375" caption="Simply Socks"][/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Zimmerman's Huggy Sock Sole"][/caption] The super-huggy sock sole--good for high arches and those among us who need a hug. First night's dinner [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="First night dinner: Ms. Gardiner and Mr. Demers"][/caption] And Amy and I also got to sit with [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Ms. Gibson-Roberts and Ms. Neatby"][/caption] Casey, Mary-Heather, Jess, Jennie, Amy, Meg, Gretchen, and Dianne all recorded at Kells Pub on 2nd in Portland...Kells...home of the best Shepherd's Pie in the world. Also, next month, a special incentive treat for you! Mission Falls! Our own Jessica (not from Ravelry, from Mission Falls!) has hooked us up! I'll be picking a kit and yarn to be next month's incentive item. Just lettin' you know, it's gonna be kickin'! As you know, I love me some Mission Falls 130 Superwash Merino!

Book talk for chapter 15 starts at 27min or so... Studio magazine Mixed Mania (love those ladies! For all my success in this arena—should there be any—I blame Cheryl.) What the monsoons should look like. What they look like instead.

Feed's back. Site's back. Ability to sleep's back. All is well with the world. Here are some sites for your fun and frolicking:

• Blogher--a site for bloggin' chicks
• DailyLit--Maybe you'll eventually even be able to hear an interview...if our planets ever align...
• GoodGuide--This is the beta site/clearing house of all things Good
• SmallSteps.gov--Health and Human Service site...get some action out of your tax dollars
• Mikki Knudsen's book The Dragon of Trelian (and and interview with her)
• Studio 360--LOVE this episode--esp They Might Be Giants and "Forever Young"! Boomers listen up!

Don't forget the challenge and to check on Yellow Dog and Jennie the Potter at Sock Summit for info on the NEW Secret CraftLit...thing...and let me know if you want to read stories for my English101 class. You can Pimp Your Pod(cast...or blog). Chapter 14 chatter starts around 34:30.

Okay, I'm done with the 91,000 word novel.

WOOF!

Now I can get back to living...o wait...now I have to send it out...unsolicited.

MORE FUN!

101 Wire Earrings rocks! Denise Peck did a great job. Love it!

We have a BookGlutton group! Come! Join us!

Check out Dr. Gemma at CogKNITive!

And...here's the divorce article. See what you think. Then post comments at Drop.io/craftlit (pwd: craftlit). Hmmmm...wonder what you'll have to say...

Don't forget about the Challenge!

Chapter 13--Book chat begins around 28 minutes

7/9/09--NOTE: iTunes feed should be fixed...website is being reconstructed by the Domain Host...dunno what they did, but they say it's them...should be up by or before 7/12/09.

7/15/09-- NOTE: I am STILL on the phone with the site folks and the Libsyn folks. This will get fixed, they all tell me...someone, however, owes me a week and a half.

Today Thing 1 leaves for the Galapagos Islands with his grandparents and I receive that horrible weepy phone call every parent dreads.

Thing 2 and I get another crafty weekend and I share video of his first dance recital. Tonight, watching a splashy dance number he announces that all he wants to do is be on TV. Have we created a monster or was he doomed from the start?

I run out of time, out of technology to fix audio, and wine. But you didn't hear about that last part on the 'cast.

here are some links for you: Funny online movie starring Jaleel White and Leyna Weber. It's a new webseries Road to the Alter. Full disclosure, I was only able to stream the first minute plus (that's the technology part above) but what I saw was funny. I'm going to guess that it might not be PG though. Just a headsup.

Also, don't forget to check out KnittingDaily.com and BrookklynTweed. There's also the fab Etsy store with the cool Shakespeare Sock Club (I LOVE the colors), cool Twitter news, a book review by our own Becky, now of Tucson (Go Saguaros!), your link to the new Harry Potter Site, and checkout Leanne's Lovely blog.

Chapter 11—book talk starts around 30 min in.

Well, I knew I was having issues when I uploaded this file, but didn't expect an entire post to disappear.
Check for shownotes at craftlit.com.

First scheduling then technical difficulties! Soon. Promise!

Now, now...didn't mean to frighten you there...Leech was just a old fashioned way of saying "Doctor." Which makes me wonder why ANYONE would ever go to the Doctor?! Huge thanks to Penelope for reading this week!!!! YAY CRAFTLIT LISTENERS!!! Camille sent this picture she found. Feel the drama? News from Interweave:

Quilting Arts Gives Away Free eBook of 7 Quilted Bag Patterns

eBook giveaway celebrates launch of the new Quilting Arts website and online community, www.quiltingarts.com

Loveland, Colo. - May 2009: Quilting Arts magazine announced this month that they are giving away a new free eBook, 7 Quilted Bag Patterns: Handmade Quilt Bags from Quilting Arts, to celebrate the launch of their new online community website, www.quiltingarts.com

The new Quilting Arts online community is a place for contemporary quilters to engage with each and the magazine’s editors online, upload photos of their work, share videos, comment on stories, view Quilting Arts Challenge galleries, download free projects and tutorials, and much more.

The 18-page eBook offers easy-to-print sewing patterns and templates for making seven different handmade bags for every personality and skill level, from beginning stitchers to advanced art quilters. The free eBook of quilted bag patterns includes materials lists and step-by-step directions for every bag, along with beautifully photographed full-color examples.

“There is such a wide variety of quilted bags in this free eBook, from quilted accessory purses that are perfect for holding your jewelry or makeup when you travel to evening clutches and eco-friendly shopping bags. You might want to make them all. And what I love about quilted bags is that they are the perfect small project for trying new skills, or to show off your love of quilting when you’re out and about,� says Quilting Arts Editor Pokey Bolton.

Beginners can try their hands at an easy-to-assemble Artful Eco Bag, then apply their quilting skills to a Pretty Purse. The Easy & Elegant Quilted Bag is perfect for people who love embellishment and stitch, but not necessarily the intricacies of sewing patterns. More experienced artists will love the Blue, Yellow, and Purple Evening Bags and the Mini Messenger Bag with a digitally altered and inkjet-printed design.

Download the free eBook of 7 Quilted Bag Patterns here:

http://quiltingarts.com/7-Free-Quilted-Bag-Patterns/

For all of you (ahem, all of us) who don't speak Latin...you know...just in general...that would be a title for the Governor in our little book--in English: Who Watches the Watchmen? This week, Chapters 7 and 8 of The Scarlet Letter. Some quick links for your merriment: Checkout Scrivener if you have a Mac and write stories, lookee at News Knitter, Interesting idea...LifeHacks, another way to organize your days, quick and dirty (really) mosquito trap, how to read more books this year, how to learn faster, 14 ways to make your resolutions stick, The No-S Diet (not what you think), cool art from a Tucsonan, take a look at Ravelry before there was a Ravelry, a kewl knitted village, more expensive mosquito killer, and, finally, a fun blog add-on.

Not much for you this episode. Maryland Sheep and Wool was great. Jennie the Potter and Dawn and Amy were spectacular (a year since the cruise! Who knew?!). And now I'm heading out to NYC. Ping me if you are there and want to hook up. Whoo hoo! Next week will likely NOT have a 'cast, but the week after, you know it! And don't forget the challenge! Lots of Scarlet Letter yarn went at MSW. It really is a great scarlet color--and a wool silk blend. mmmmmmmmm yummy... Perhaps we need a Scarlet Letter T-shirt...

Hester embroiders!

Puritans are explained!

My new site is nearly done!

AND MSW UPDATE: After Party that Guido (It'sAPurlMan) and Alanna (TactileTravel) and Jess (Ravelry) have put together—It's Saturday night in Columbia and we'll have food and some door prizes and hopefully a ton of fun.  There's more info at http://tactileafterparty.com.

Interweave ROCKS–Go there NOW!!!

Interweave is celebrating Earth Day by offering two free digital issues of the most current Quilting Arts and Cloth Paper Scissors magazines for a limited time.

Digital subscriptions are great for the eco-conscious who are trying to save paper (or who are going paperless to stay organized and clutter-free)! And we love them because you can see the artwork in better detail; zoom in and out to better read the text; click on ads and go right to the website for more information; search your issues for specific articles; and so much more!

Have you taken a look at one? For one week only (until 4/29/09) you can view the entire digital edition of the Quilting Arts April/May 2009 issue and Cloth Paper Scissors May/June 2009 issue. These magazines have a regular newsstand value of $7.99 each!

INSIDE THE ISSUES

The 2009 Craftlit Challenge!

…for the first ever The March Hare loves CraftLit Design Contest!

We have dyed up a brand new colorway for our very special 70/30 wool/silk blend in a very special CraftLit colorway…a very rich, earthy, semisolid scarlet. Just what every self-righteous Puritan would choose to brand one who strays. We have of course named it The Scarlet Letter.

Such a yarn of course demands a fantastic design. That’s where we’re hoping CraftLit’s endlessly talented and creative listeners can help us. We’d like to challenge you to design something for the yarn inspired by the novel, the times, the characters. We’ll have a fantastic panel of celebrity judges pick the winner, who will receive the project’s worth of yarn.

The details:

1) All entries should be designed with The Scarlet Letter yarn in mind (not necessarily in hand).
Yarn specs:435 yards per cake. 70/30 merino wool/silk. True fingering weight: 4 ply with 14 wpi.
2) Knitting, crochet, weaving, tatting, macramé, nalbinding…if you can do it with yarn it’s fair game.
3) Entries must be in before the last chapter is posted to the CraftLit feed.
4) All designs must somehow incorporate “the letter� or an interpretation thereof.
5) To be eligible for the prize, the winning designer must agree to have their pattern available for free via the CraftLit website for 3 months after the conclusion of the contest. After that time all rights are retained in full by the designer and the free feed will be removed, pronto.
6) Entries should at a minimum include pictures of the final product and the complete pattern. Everything else we leave up to you. Let your imaginations run wild!

And to sweeten the pot, The March Hare will donate 10% of the proceeds from the sales of The Scarlet Letter yarn to CraftLit for the duration of the contest. (Including the 3 month free pattern period for those inspired by the winning project…)

So there you be CraftLit faithful. Go forth and create!

Many things from this episode! Not the least of which is chapter four of TSL!!!! New Interweave book! LOVE IT! Our THSG journal fundraiser full of pics of our artsy goodies from last year's challenge! Maryland Sheep and Wool! Find me at Jennie the Potter's stall with Knitty and the gang! FAST-DRYING NAIL POLISH (really...but, okay, not in that color)! Great YA book series!

I bait the "come-and-see-me" hook with three venues: Maryland Sheep and Wool, Sock Summit, and SFO.

Today! Chapter 2! Fun with the intolerant Puritans of the Dour Physiognomies (love that word! Also love ignominious). I knit a pair of Knucks in no time (necessity=invention. My hands are freezing), I fall in love with the KOL book Knitting Lessons (good reader!). And! A New Incentive Fills Our Lives! ...for the first ever The March Hare loves CraftLit Design Contest! We have dyed up a brand new colorway for our very special 70/30 wool/silk blend in a very special CraftLit colorway...a very rich, earthy, semisolid scarlet. Just what every self-righteous Puritan would choose to brand one who strays. We have of course named it The Scarlet Letter. Such a yarn of course demands a fantastic design. That's where we're hoping CraftLit's endlessly talented and creative listeners can help us. We'd like to challenge you to design something for the yarn inspired by the novel, the times, the characters. We'll have a fantastic panel of celebrity judges pick the winner, who will receive the project's worth of yarn. The details: 1) All entries should be designed with The Scarlet Letter yarn in mind. Yarn specs:435 yards per cake. 70/30 merino wool/silk. True fingering weight: 4 ply with 14 wpi. 2) Knitting, crochet, weaving, tatting, macramé, nalbinding...if you can do it with yarn it's fair game. 3) Entries must be in before the last chapter is posted to the CraftLit feed. 4) All designs must somehow incorporate "the letter" or an interpretation thereof. 5) To be eligible for the prize, the winning designer must agree to have their pattern available for free via the CraftLit website for 3 months after the conclusion of the contest. After that time all rights are retained in full by the designer and the free feed will be removed, pronto. 6) Entries should at a minimum include pictures of the final product and the complete pattern. Everything else we leave up to you. Let your imaginations run wild! And to sweeten the pot, The March Hare will donate 10% of the proceeds from the sales of The Scarlet Letter yarn to CraftLit for the duration of the contest. (Including the 3 month free pattern period for those inspired by the winning project...) So there you be CraftLit faithful. Go forth and create!

To Enter

Send your pictures of the final product and complete "pattern" (or instructions for whatever you've created) to the Craftlit email. Winners will be contacted via email before the announcement is made "on the air".

Contact us today! Questions? Email!

Herin lie Episodes One hundred twenty-four, One hundred twenty-five, and One hundred twenty-six: The Party of the First Part, The Party of the Second Part, and Don't Forget the Roses. The links, as promised: The Dickens Link, the link to Frolicking Deer Lavender Farms, microtia bracelets here, books reviewed are Knitted Lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush and Boutique Knits by Laura Irwin. April Incentive: Artists' Journals and Sketchbooks by Lynne Perrella.

Herin lie Episodes One hundred twenty-four, One hundred twenty-five, and One hundred twenty-six: The Party of the First Part, The Party of the Second Part, and Don't Forget the Roses. The links, as promised: The Dickens Link, the link to Frolicking Deer Lavender Farms, microtia bracelets here, books reviewed are Knitted Lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush and Boutique Knits by Laura Irwin. April Incentive: Artists' Journals and Sketchbooks by Lynne Perrella.

Herin lie Episodes One hundred twenty-four, One hundred twenty-five, and One hundred twenty-six: The Party of the First Part, The Party of the Second Part, and Don't Forget the Roses. The links, as promised: The Dickens Link, the link to Frolicking Deer Lavender Farms, microtia bracelets here, books reviewed are Knitted Lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush and Boutique Knits by Laura Irwin. April Incentive: Artists' Journals and Sketchbooks by Lynne Perrella.

Some fun for you!

A Death Clock! Whoopie! (I've got some time, so we'll finish a few more books...) And check this out! A NYTimes article aggregator! I love this thing. I never close it! And for a hoot--check out friend Haynes' new venture (hint...he's an actor...). And for those of you frustrated with the economy--a little financial...can I call it levity? I don't think so...maybe 4-th Wall Realism is better. Here. And here.

Jennie the Potter has done it again--if you missed it on Knitty, get it here! I'll be reviewing these for Knitty shortly! Whoo hoo! And spinning is (once again) singing it's siren song to me. (Ask me how long I spindled last night). Brookmoore Creations Etsy store coming shortly.

Some fun for you!

A Death Clock! Whoopie! (I've got some time, so we'll finish a few more books...) And check this out! A NYTimes article aggregator! I love this thing. I never close it! And for a hoot--check out friend Haynes' new venture (hint...he's an actor...). And for those of you frustrated with the economy--a little financial...can I call it levity? I don't think so...maybe 4-th Wall Realism is better. Here. And here.

Jennie the Potter has done it again--if you missed it on Knitty, get it here! I'll be reviewing these for Knitty shortly! Whoo hoo! And spinning is (once again) singing it's siren song to me. (Ask me how long I spindled last night).

My novel only has three chapters left--I'm so excited...except that they're the hardest chapters. ¿C'est la guerre, non?

The Scarlet Letter coming last week of March, so mark your calendars! If you have early chapters to record, send 'em on!

One of my former (read 9/11 evacuee knitting students) is now teaching herself and is trying to start a knitting group for the troubled children she's working with. She is not a registered 501(c)3 so there would be no tax write-off for helping, but of course, Karma's always good. Please contact me if you would like to send her knitting or crochet materials. ANY cast-offs are a boon. I recall that we received half-finished sweaters, ball-ends from projects, mismatched needles, and such. It's all helpful when working with kids.

Some cool things--YAY CORALINE, Yay Graveyard Book! Yay teeny-weeny sweaters! Yay Tikabelle! Yay Getting Things Done in creative ways! Yay cables without a cable needle (there're good videos on YouTube, too). Yay Clear Scientists! (Maybe start with the CalTech lecture.) Waiting for a schematic or information on the Cardi Cozy...it may be the most frogged pattern I've ever seen on Ravelry! Sadly... Yay artists' sketchbooks online! George Orwell (love this!) Kewl Austen site (fun)

So, today chapters 4–7 of Jekyll and Hyde, and a bunch of links for you: Meg's Victorian site, new Incentive site (Thank you, Debbi), Authonomy is questionable site, the Knit Kit, Paperworks, cool Victorian movie (Yay Johnny Depp), Knitting Daily Free Sock e-Book, Yay Neil Gaiman, Little Women spinning project, and I think that's it!

Definition of troglodyte. Here's a cute pic of what someone thought a troglodytic creaature might look like. Nice. Chapters 2 and 3 today. Not much else newsy except that you writerly-types should go here and checkitout: Authonomy.

Welcome to our first episode of Jekyll and Hyde! This episode has chapter one and many links mentioned (and many links I didn't get to, so those will be in the next episode). Here's what I spoke of: Jennie the Potter, Meg's Etsy, Becky's album for her Etsy, some REALLY good free music (spread the word), Bly's Little Book on the Human Shadow, You Suck, the article about the hats at the Daily Chum, Spin-Off (or here), and a lovely year-end tale sent in by Meg. Plus, here's what Mr. Stevenson looked like. Handsome Devil. Whoopie doo and a Happy New Year!

A great article on the REAL author of Frankenstein (it's what you'd hoped--better than...), some kewl artsy things to do with small boxes, and yes, I call it episode 116. It's not.

The links for you: Our October Incentive book; links to more painting; link to the Mason-Dixon book; link to fabu Artisan bread—thank you Dawn—book (and the video you should watch first); links to More With Less (the Mennonite book), Nigella Express, How to Cook Without a Book, Fannie Farmer, Saving Dinner (low-carb, vegetarian, basics), Tightwad Gazette; and a buy local support page.

This comes between 113 and 114.

My painting (Day 1), Jennie the Potter, Dawn, October's incentive book!

Book #1 on Quilting, Book #2 the Mixed Media Self-Portraits, Book #3 (my fave) Mixed Mania.

Here y'are!

Here y'are!

You'll hear me nearly not at all for the next few. Between the UofA starting (oooooh Rhetoric!) and my son's surgery, I'm tapped out. However, my stupendously cool roomie from the cruise selflessly volunteered herself (and possibly Jennie the Potter) to speak for me. This, I thought to myself, is way, way cool. Brief updates: visit Meg's Etsy site, gear yourself up to read chapters of The Scarlet Letter. I'll be announcing a "go" time, when I'll post a thread to Ravelry and ya'll can pick chapters. I. Am. So. Excited. Huge thanks to listeners Sonserae (who is beyond generous and shares my geek-love of all things animated), Jenny of EmJayKnits (who is simply the best for fearlessly entering the realm of teaching knitting) and listener Karen for the awesome allergy-and-yogurt article (I'll find it and post it...soon). The short version: eat probiotics if you have allergies. And o blast—some fabulous persons (claim it in the comments!) sent in this new-to-me podcast and kewl Dickens site! Take a look!

So, I promised you a few things: Cake site, Cog rested site, Gawaine site and commentary, Hitchhiker's site. Today, Chapter 28 read by our own Erin!

Things for you: Pandora Radio, Becky's Knit Sib Bracelet, Friend Meg's Etsy Shop! (forgot to mention that one) Obama=Darcy Op-Ed, How to Cook Without a Book, 15 minute movie parodies, Paris Hilton video, pain advocacy link.

Not a lot to put here...don't forget to get registered with the Bone Marrow donor's site!

Not a lot to put here...don't forget to get registered with the Bone Marrow donor's site!

Lots-n-lots of links for you, plus chapter 21 and chapter 22 (ooooh, it rhymes!).

Judith's photostream, my Guyabara shirt (sans sleeve...) One sleeve off, one sleeve on... And not much else. Happy listening!

Wow!

I get on a rather lame soapbox about Get Smart and comedy...which I'm pretty sure I disagree with myself on today; remind you to visit Becky's store; cheat off of Elizabeth's chem--I mean cooking--notes; update you on some beading competitions and venues; give a shout out to Stash Tea; ask for help on why the letter in the tower exists at all in TofTC; provide you with a link on Child Development via Susie The Slow Knitta; and generally wax rhapsodic on Rosie the Wonderdog and her Invincible Playmate Amber... and miss Don Adams.

This week!

All aboard for Camp Laurence!

I return from the curious cruise, wax rhapsodic on our listeners, remind myself why I don't sew more often, hand out a link to Dot and Line, visit the bone marrow site, Don't forget to check out my roomie's blog and her Chum articles! Janwillem books or at least the first in the Amsterdam Cop series (BIG FUN!). Oh, and the new crochet book!

Chapter 9, Meg Goes to Vanity Faire--reminds me of sorority parties ("Photog!"). I'm sure they hated that...

Prepping so I don't leave you high and dry while on the cruise. The show notes won't change, but new episodes will appear as though by magic. How cool is that?! Checkout SpinningErin's new 'Cast: Faery Knitting.

Notes for you!

Ookay, lotsa links for you: FitFlops® (NAYY), another online audio-lit site (I think I promised this ages ago!), a hot-button blog I forgot to tell you about, Adagio tea, Teavana, Meghan's podcast Stitch It!

A promo for Little Women...knock yourself out!

Can you believe we're about to start our THIRD year??? Ai yi yi how time flies. So, I promised you a ton of links, mostly from the very patient Becky! Beading information here (Thai Silver), here (great shepherd hook ear wires), and here. Oh, and Vintaj beads and Foxy Findings (great stones)...Our listener Elizabeth's etsy store--home of the great dishcloth and so so SO much more! The Therapik--just go look. AMAZing...I'll let you know how it works for me!

Coleridge!

I'm off to a funeral but I've left you this podcast. No time for links on the show notes right now. I'll update them this weekend. MANY thanks to Becky who read so nicely for us today!

SO many things to link to!

I head off to the balmy island breezes and leave you with...miserable and cold northern climes and, you know...Victor being a putz... Don't forget to show some love to our February Incentive-Giver, Jennie Lanners of ceramicist fame. Checkout Interweave's Beading Daily as well as their new book, Simply Modern Jewelry: Designs from the Editor of Stringing Magazine, by Danielle Fox. And most importantly! Congrats to Alicia of Stone Mountain, GA! Yay you! Yay CheekyRedHead!

Updates on the surgery can be found on the MamaOKnits blog. Thank you SO much for all your support!

Now it's gotten ridiculous. Pneumonia!

I lose a friend with whom I simply did not get to spend enough time, we listen to chapters 14-15, I link you to a weave-a-licious blog post of Dawn's, I continue to wrap wire, look for reeds, and read, and thus I give you a quote from Ms. Shelley:

Today, we stay with the Creature's narrative about his life with the De Lacey family during chapters 12 and 13. I announce the final winnah of the Jen Minnis Craftlit Charm! (Yay Barbara of IL! Yay Jen of Serious Talent!)

Today we begin the real trial for Victor as the Creature speaks (that miserable wrench...uh...wench...er...wretch!)! As does former student Anahad O'Connor! (Buy his book!) Don't watch this part unless you don't mind spoilers:

Today, once again, I reference Young Frankenstein, blather about Sock Book errata at the bottom of the page...nice to have an internet!

Actually, fifty eight degrees and sunny...but I'm watching the news with all sorts of weather advisories for my old haunts in NY and...I know I'm nuts...I miss the snow. I don't miss the grey or the slush, but I do miss snow. Ah well...grass...greener...you get the picture. The one link I mention in this cast is: Jeanie at Knitty.com. Checkitout! Today, Chapters 6-7...there will be more monster...O Yes...there will be...

Not much in the way of show notes this week. Chapters 3-5...which includes the awakening of said monster. oooooooooooooooooooooh! Enjoy!

Well, I'm not 100% but I can talk for chunks of time now so that's a step in the right direction.

Kaylea of Chicago is our new Charm Winner for the Month of October. Debbie Brunner is the dyer responsible for these spectacular socks, and there was something else to put up here but I cannot for the life of me remember what it was.


See?
Still mushy in the brain.

OH!
Come see me on Facebook. I made a little group for us there and am trying to get a podcast player onto the apps page.

Today I chat with Madame Professor Elizabeth Klett about Romantic Poetry (that's capital R, not romantic--ain't nothing lovey-dovey about our poems today).




You can see more of my SOAR times at my other blog too.

Disclaimer:

I tried my best to eliminate the background noise in the interviews you'll hear. I found it easier to hear on headphones on my machine.
I hope it works for you too.

What you'll hear about: My Bag!

DeeDee's Racoon


Leslie and her fiber!Janel Laidman's Class (Chameleon Color Works!)


Jennie of the Lace and Upcoming Book

Handwoven, handspun bags.

Enchanting Juno, FiberGal, Amy at Knitty.com and the very first pattern I ever saw on her site (love--LOVE I tell you!).

And don't forget to pick up a NEW Haute Men of CraftLit T-shirt...I already have!

First, OUR WINNERS!

The September donors who will receive sock yarn from CheekyRedHead or a CraftLit charm from Jen Minnis Designs are:
Beverly of CT's name was drawn to receive Sock Yarn! (YAY! General rowdiness!)
and
Lauren of CA's name was drawn to receive the CraftLit charm! (Huzzah! Much rejoicing!)

We'll be getting those things out to you asap.

Today we end Tristan and Isolde (sob). We ALSO have a treat from Listener Jen Massey who recorded a retelling of Tristan and Isolde by Robin Williamson in a book called The Wise and Foolish Tongue.

We ALSO (o there's so much!) will soon have a series of Haute Men of CraftLit goodies, again, thanks to Jen Minnis—our resident artsy type, Erin, Dawn and the irrepressible Heidi—humor wordsmiths extraordinaré. Bless their talent!

And Kate, member of The Boogie Knights, singers of "Tristan The Knight So Brave"! I LOVE the member names on this page!

And next week...SOAR, then...Frankenstein!!!

I score a Weavette (Weave-It...Weavit?); CheekyRedHead makes some LOVELY sock yarn for you (if you donate in the month of September);Jen has charms for the September Donation Drawing as well.

This episode: Isolde floats (like small rocks or bits of wood) or doesn't burn like...not-a-witch..., Tristan finds a Fairy Dog, and then finds another Isolde!

The drama!

Next week is the end of ol' T&I...then on to The Romantics and Frankenstein!

Some...um...interesting crochet (thank you to Dawn for sending the link); welcome to our new sponsor, Knitting Out Loud; a new LYS opens here; what's up with the Weavettes?!; a little info on the insular Celtic languages (thank you Cheeky!); and if you have Nyquil, please send it.

And, of course, don't forget to donate during the last months of the year! You'll be entered in the drawing for the Jen Minnis charms (check out her website button the on the right!) and also SOCK YARN from CheekyRedhead! (It's like buttah.)

I learn more from the best source--that would be YOU.

So here are the cool links: the mag that likes us, the improvement on creating knitting graph paper, Tristan's Leap, and an artist's rendition of the same, Glastonbury, it's Abbey and history, and some of the Arthurian accouterments, and I forgot to mention a blog to watch and a piece of knitting that is as spectacular as it is ingenious.

And, of course, your Liminal Space.

Today we learn a bit from our very own Medieval Scholar, take a look at the Tristan Stone, draw as though we know what we're doing, check out a sock calculator and learn the dimensions to create knitting graph paper on Excel (that would be column width 0.1" and row height .067").

Don't forget to take a gander at the gorgeous pieces Jen created! And another good Arthur/Tristan-y book: White Raven by Diana L. Paxson. OH! And check out who's on our t-shirt heels!!

And some fibery-luvvins from Sandra--her new babies:

Fun music for you (lyrics too!), a crafty article for you that you simply won't believe! (Thank you to Winglake.)

The next two Tristan stories (we're getting to the lovey-dovey stuff...don't worry!) for today, "The Morholt" and "The Quest for the Lady with the Hair of Gold".

And, a new T-Shirt?

I Want Me Some Medieval Hottie!

My Lords, if you would hear a high tale of love and of death, here is that of Tristan and Queen Isolde (Iseult), how to their full joy, but to their sorrow also, they loved each other and how at last they died of that love together upon one day, she by him, and he by her.

By Joseph Bedier

Translated by H. Belocq

Some art to inspire you...




And I think you'll want this information (click to expand it)...


Which I'm borrowing from this lovely site that you may want to visit. Not too shabby!

First, once again, HUGE thanks to Julie who allowed me a much needed period of rest last week before the madness began again this week. I hope y'all scoot over to listen to Forgotten Classics too! (That Heyer woman is a hoot!)

Things I rambled about: Kohlberg's Morality Stages (I mentioned this before, right? It's soooo kewl!), anaphora, Iago.

And next...Tristan and Isolde! The High Drama of Chivalric Romance Will Commence!

BUT WAIT!
There's More!

Julie, our guest host, had this to say about 300:

Now, about 300. It is NOT like the Terminator movies. For one thing the photography is a thing of beauty even if you don't like the movie. For another, yes there is a lot of shouting and sword fighting but the emphasis is on love of a husband and wife for each other, for their family, their city, their country and their culture. Drawn in broad terms, granted, but we ARE talking about Spartans here. Not a lot of subtlety. As well as the comic book version. Also not known for subtlety.

However, when we began watching it, it was clear that this movie was being drawn in heroic, epic terms. That made me instantly think of how the Spartans themselves would have thought and told the story ... in fact, the story is being told by a Spartan. Watching the whole movie as being seen through their eyes made the movie entirely enjoyable for me, as well as those themes mentioned above.

Heavens, look at how much I wrote. Not that I'm passionately defending it or anything! :-D

So!
I stand corrected...and definitely intrigued!

I'm on Vacation, but here are links Julie mentioned for y'all:

Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush
(yes, I said Barbara Walker and I was so very WRONG!)

Cables Untangled
(see the cover? THAT'S the afghan I'm knitting for Rose)

LOST Reading Project: The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

Meanwhile, Back in the Kitchen

Forgotten Classics

And...for reasons I'm not aware of...iTunes and Windows Media Player hates our Audacity file. I'll fill you in on why I can't fix it pronto this Wednesday. However, the player on the Craftlit.blogspot.com site is working well...so...listen there if you can, and I'll fix the problem asap.

Not to get all Biblical on you, but Becky and I were exchanging verses. Check out Psalms 90:17 and Proverbs 31:10+.

That's right! You go, Girl!

A little Joan



A little Whangdoodle

And the Girl from Auntie hypotenuse thingy.

And don't forget to download Episode 64a, which contains the third chapter for this 'cast--another one you would have killed me for not getting to. Never say I don't take your feelings to heart.

Some of the books they recommended: Scott Spencer's Endless Love and Men In Black, Russell Banks' Continental Drift, and Tom and Dan's Macho Meditations (Oh go buy a copy. Make them feel better.) And don't forget to stock up on War and Peace.

And, as a goofy bonus: the Fifty Best Movie Robots (according to other people, not me).

I race through and opening and a closing to bring you two huge chapters. Why? Because—honestly—if I didn't, you'd kill me...we're SO close!

To stave off your appetite until next week, you can watch
this goofy movie. Before there was a Blazing Saddle...before Frankenstein was Young...there were...The Corsican Brothers.

Here's the car with a clutch.

And here's Frank's Diner. And the Aurora Forum (search for "Jefferson") thingy.

And today!?
ANDY MINTER!

Sorry about the stereo kicking in and out. I have NO idea what's going on...but I'm working on it.

A VERY BELATED congratulations to Teresa and Rachael for their Knitting Nightmares. If you're interested in a look-see, you can view the Knitty pattern Teresa used, Blaze and here's a pic of the completed...item.

Looks good NOW, no?

Getting close to the end of the book! Only eight more chapters! When you get on Ravelry, look up the Craftlit group and join us.

I come back to earth after my

Tonight we begin book three.
Tomorrow I conduct a new (surprise) interview. You'll not believe who...

I'm starting a blogroll of supporter/subscribers, so if you've sent in a donation and have a blog, please let me know so I can link to it!

I fight (and beat?) the specter of grammar education—and exhaust my wussy self in the process!

Ooh, and go here to see a Dragoon. NICE uniform! Here's David Brin's Earth. Some wild art for you!

And just a little quote to compare someone we all know with the French Revolution:

"God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion. The people cannot be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented, in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions, it is lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. ... And what country can preserve its liberties, if it's rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to the facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure."

Heather has a close encounter with the OED, some frustrating times getting SAWPed, makes progress on a Clapotis, regresses on a warp, and falls in love (all over again) with Jane Eyre. Thanks to Becky (my Bastille Babe), Tikabelle, Irish Clover, Paper, Knitting2Relax, Teresa (my doppelganger), Heidi, and Julie--don't forget to swing by her Podcast!

Next week--should all go according to plan--another bonus interview for you and (finally) the Knitting Disaster Essays! (There's still room for more! Send 'em in!)

And again, many thanks for your donations and support. Especially now when I'm not-quite-so-gainfully-employed, it's a blessing.

Bach's Goldberg Variations, writers are fun to hang out with, but you're afraid of our competition, My first Odeo! Looking for a dime and trying not to be a martyr. (Now you'll have to listen. That won't make any sense otherwise!)

Disclaimer for this week's episode below.

Get your pattern in the Knitting Pattern-a-day Calendar* and go check out Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar... a really scary article Teresa sent in, To be or not to be? At U.S. colleges, it's increasingly 'not' :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Other Views

OH! I forgot to say on the 'Cast--there's still one knitting book out there just waiting for a knitting disaster story. I have two...will you be the third?! Send 'em in. Don't be shy!

Oh, and Chapters 21 and 22 of Book the Second! But, sadly, no Chip or Andy...not this week. They'll be back though. Promise!

Don't forget to check out Julie's podcast!

*The 411: $500 will be awarded as First place for both calendars; there are also 2nd and 3rd place prizes; and all contributors whose patterns are used will receive a 2009 calendar. Please go to our website at http://www.knittingpatternaday.com and learn more about the submission requirements and our contest. If you have any questions, please contact me and I will gladly answer your questions. You can also download the informational PDF if you're interested.
Good luck--and let me know if you win!!!

Disclaimer:
The "teacher as martyr" reference comes from an article I read years ago--and an idea that's still being discussed--that teachers are only "allowed" to fall into two categories: martyrs and saints. It went on to say that in any other profession this would be unacceptable, but that for some reason, teachers tend to work (and work well) within those confines. Which means when they no longer have the time or energy to be either, they have to quit. I am not saying that all teachers are martyrs, just that there are some (myself included) who fit that category. There are others (rarely ELA teachers) who manage to have a life and be a teacher. I could never find the balance. Follow up with this entry from Michael Fullan's book, Change Forces.

With love to my family and especially my sons who remind me often that they are my very best things.

I get a little verklempt about Ovid as Theatre.

Today, a little rambling, what I'll do with the start of my "summer vacation", the return of Andy and Chip! (Did I tell you I wrote fan mail to Chip? He didn't write back. My heart is broken.)

Chapters 18, 19, and 20 of Book The Second...we're closing in on that revolution, folks!

And, um...weaving too.

Like I needed another pastime...

Begging for a knitted farm.
And did I tell you about this fantastic book?!

And, finally, I have to share my Sock Yarn Love from Katie's store (this is Desert Olive and Sincerity in the Juliet yarn, 75% superwash and 25% nylon...and it's so soft you'll wonder where they hid the nylon...). Yay Katie!




And a belated thank you to Rachael who dyed some sock yarn for me--gorgeous Kool Aid colors! MORE SOCKS! Whoo hoo! (And Rachael, if your DH convinces you to come to AZ--and you should...it's a dry heat--be sure to let me know when and where!)

And the essay I refer to in the 'Cast.

Don't forget. If you want a copy of When Bad Things Happen to Good Knitters you have to send me your most outrageous knitting horror story. My sister and husband--impartial to the intricacies of knitting and your names, but very good writers--will pick the three best for me to read on the next episode, and those three lucky folks will receive their own copy. Gratis! (You can thank the publishing company.)

Soon (I hope) I'll post an interview with Jessica of Ravelry.com--a new website for knitters and crocheters which is in Beta now. You can sign up on the waiting list, though. And, um...you'll probably want to.

But don't let the definition make your head hurt--notice the odd little usage overlap below? Ow!




And, because I'm still an English Teacher at heart:


A little art to make you think...

Debra sent in a "convergence of art, science, and craft." Really. Pics here.

"HoyaGirl" left a message I couldn't reply to asked if she should go ahead and start the paperwork for her Clear Credential. My thoughts: It's never too early to start banging your head against the bureaucratic wall that is Public Education--it's a noble sort of calling that I'm proud to call my own.

My former student Anahad, and my Sister have BOTH released books this month!

And an amazing bird for you and a huge elephant seal!

Show notes for 52 and 53 are jumbled in here.
Sorry 'bout that...

WWMDfK?
I'll tell you what!
Check this out--thank you Jenna!

Don't forget to visit ShopYarnLove! New yarns coming soon! Nummy! And grab a t-shirt while you're at it!

Updates on Turning Forty (yeah, it's in caps) and how much I miss The Met.


Koigu!
On Sale!
My wonderful Daddy!

Hope you caught the interview with Adina Klein from Knit1 we got in on the get-out-the-word event for their new "Green" issue (seriously, NAYY, you should pick this one up--even if you don't knit). Can I tell you how excited (read: terrified) I was?

A badger for a Swap Buddy and more on that on my regular blog.



My Goofy (see the fifth comment) Sister. (And Cool Rosslyn Church Info and video!)

When Knitters Come Unhinged. (Dark Lord? Cute?)

Anything in your life feel like a circle of hell? Take a look at The Onion. I loved this and found it again recently when emailing with a listener. Clevah!

For you Golden Compass Fans�My Dæmon (and my fear of "children in peril):

I think you can click there or here and either agree or disagree with it's shape--then watch it transform.

And, never least!
An Episode Fifty-two link to Becky's work at Librivox. Without here, I kid you not, you'd all be sitting there this week saying, "HUH?! WHA???". Bless you Becky, for saving our ears! I'll play you out with her rendition of "The Tuft of Flowers" by Robert Frost. Her fave.

Show notes for 52 and 53 are jumbled in here.
Sorry 'bout that...

WWMDfK?
I'll tell you what!
Check this out--thank you Jenna!

Don't forget to visit ShopYarnLove! New yarns coming soon! Nummy! And grab a t-shirt while you're at it!

Updates on Turning Forty (yeah, it's in caps) and how much I miss The Met.


Koigu!
On Sale!
My wonderful Daddy!

Hope you caught the interview with Adina Klein from Knit1 we got in on the get-out-the-word event for their new "Green" issue (seriously, NAYY, you should pick this one up--even if you don't knit). Can I tell you how excited (read: terrified) I was?

A badger for a Swap Buddy and more on that on my regular blog.



My Goofy (see the fifth comment) Sister. (And Cool Rosslyn Church Info and video!)

When Knitters Come Unhinged. (Dark Lord? Cute?)

Anything in your life feel like a circle of hell? Take a look at The Onion. I loved this and found it again recently when emailing with a listener. Clevah!

For you Golden Compass Fans�My Dæmon (and my fear of "children in peril):

I think you can click there or here and either agree or disagree with it's shape--then watch it transform.

And, never least!
An Episode Fifty-two link to Becky's work at Librivox. Without here, I kid you not, you'd all be sitting there this week saying, "HUH?! WHA???". Bless you Becky, for saving our ears! I'll play you out with her rendition of "The Tuft of Flowers" by Robert Frost. Her fave.

Hey, do me a favor, wouldja? Click on that Popcurrent thingy in the right margin (here if you're looking at Libsyn).

And take a look at this very useful sock page (I know...am I obsessed?).

I'm freaking people out with my Hufflepuff Sock (What is that...a BADGER?!). Spinning a buncha llama, in public no less. Trying not to lose my mind when I go for a week at a time without talking to another adult. And being very sad over losing Vera.

Take a look here for help on French Titles. And enjoy Book 2, Chapter IX, The Gorgon's Head.

I'm about to head out to see the oral surgeon AGAIN. My mouth is still stuffed with gauze and my head is stuffed iwth Vicodan (which, sadly, ain't workin' too well).

So.
Today it's just the chapters. I'm sorry about that, but I'll post what tidbits I can here. And, honestly, you wouldn't be able to understand me talk about these chapters a sadder note, my friend Jeannie Townsend (of sock creating fame) who has given away literally thousands of sock patterns for free, is now supporting son and grandson (this would be the third grandchild she and her DH are raising!!). She is now trying to pay the light bill by selling a sock pattern. She's able to accept PayPal for $5 to JeanTownsend [at] earthlink [dot] net. Let her know in the note line that you'd like the Gold Sock Pattern.
She also donated a sock pattern which now comes free with the purchase of yarn from the Astrid Dutch Obsessions web site.

Some interesting info from Sandi (who, like me, should take up a collection for an OED):

I was just listening to episode 48, and I was curious about the last line in Congratulatory, which describes the winding sheet of the candle dripping onto Carton's sleeve. I got that it's an obvious omen of death, but I just couldn't wrap my head around how it would be possible to combine a burial shroud and a candle. So, I did a little internet searching and found this explanation:

[a] mass of solidified drippings of grease clinging to the side of a candle, resembling a sheet folded in creases, and regarded in popular superstition as an omen of death or calamity (OED).

Apparently, in Scottish tradition the same association is made between candle drippings and death:

"The common tallow candle in burning often gutters, and the tallow runs over the edge and down the side of the candle. It soon hardens. When the flame consumes the candle, at times the little column formed by the gutter is left standing unconsumed on the edge of the candle. It is called a "coffin-spehl," and is looked upon with suspicion as portending a death in the family at no very distant period."

Based on those two bits of folklore, I'm guessing that there is an association between candle drippings and burial shrouds because: a) the creased wax simply resembles the cloth of a shroud, and b) this creased wax is what remains of the candle after the flame has burnt out, the extinguishing of light, of course, being symbolic of death.

And then, there's today's chapters, Book 2, chapters 6, 7, 8.


Chapter 6: All About Foreshadowing--really. Nothing should be taken for mere "filler" in this chapter. Miss Pross and Mister Lorry are lovely here, and Lucie, you may notice, is in fact the "Golden Thread" that improves all it touches throughout the book. She's almost an archetype--certainly not a 'real' woman, but an important tool that Dickens is using in the book.

Chapter 7: Back to France. Pay close, close attention here. We get a little Madame Defarge here (I wonder what she'd knit?) and while this whole chapter reads like it's an extended metaphor or symbol or grand allegorical moment--it's not. Well...it doesn't hurt to see it that way, but sadly, these guys are real.
This is an ugly chapter, meant to parallel the earlier chapter of the wine cask breaking in the streets. Dickens may not like what the mob is up to, but he has no love of the aristocracy either (remember, he wasn't born rich himself).
As always with Dickens, whenever he gives you a physical description--listen closely. It's a representative of the person's soul. And speaking of souls, listen for the corruption of these men's relationship with God.

Some words for this chapter:
escutcheon the shield of a family crest.

"the merry Stuart who sold it" That was Charles II.

Convulsionists Um...think "Holy Rollers," an ecstatic religious group

Palace of the Tuileries Louis and Marie-Antoinette's digs in Paris.

Chapter 8: Lovely guy, eh? Note more red symbolism. And WHO exactly is coming to call at the end of the chapter? Hmmmm?

Some words here:
the heavy drag a carriage brake

the chase the hunt

the chain of the shoe chain connected to the brake (shoe)

And then, of course, my heart goes out to the poor students and families at Virginia Tech. I'd like to think that this finally will get us to deal with mental illness responsibly...but I think I know us too well at this point. We'll treat this guy like a freak, and the next time a teacher comes forward and says, "I have a kid in my class who needs help." that teacher will be told:
a) if he hasn't made a threat, there's nothing we can do
b) you're blowing this all out of proportion
c) you're white and he's (fill in the color) and everyone'll just think you're racist
d) we can't lock someone up for something they might do
e) look, they're just kids. They say dumb things.

And the kids who need help will continue to go it alone.

Makes me cry.

And So It Goes...
I recorded last night and woke up today to find that Kurt Vonnegut
passed away last night. It's like my own personal Mark Twain died. So sad.

I started reading Vonnegut when I was in fifth grade. My parents let me read almost all of his books (except Player Piano) and I literally wolfed them down--most of them I've reread at some point. He wrote a two page "how to write" flyer that I THINK is still in my box of "school junk". Brilliant.
I'm so sorry he's not public domain. We wont be able to listen to him here, but I so deeply urge you to pick up something he wrote. Slaughterhouse Five (riffs on his experiences IN a Dresden meat locker (!) during our (secret) WWII bombing campaign) or Cat's Cradle (riffs on life, the universe, and everything) are good places to start.
"See?...no damn cat...no damn cradle..."

Back to Craftlit:

I am sad about Vera; don't forget your shirt; check out some neat yarn stores (now and pending) I came across; a cool thimble; nifty blogs to read; a Knitty Coffeeshop (no really); a knitalong for this (which I covet); and more on the mysterious "Hilary Term".

We have a SHIRT!


Take pics of yo' bad self in a shirt and send the pics to me! I'll post them on the blog...just don't expect one of me on that new glass walk-way over the Grand Canyon !

And, please visit to support Katie who has "shirted" us.












And Carrie left this note:

More random information for you - the Bedlam mental hospital in London still exists - it is now a building called Salisbury House off London Wall and Finsbury Circus in central London and houses several law firms' offices among other things including the London office of the company I work for! (you might say not much change there then!). Although the office parts have been altered and updated the stairwells are still much as I imagine they always have been complete with tiled walls and it is a very strange mixture of a building to walk around in.

My First Sock-Swap (or, Just Call Me Sucker).

And who wouldn't want a Ron Weasley Cell Phone Cover?

And, FUN!

"With over a million hits to StitchNPitch.com in its first few months, we knew this program was going to be something special," Patty Parrish, Executive Director of TNNA, explains. "Stitch N' Pitch is sweeping the Nation. The response from baseball Clubs, the needlearts industry and fans is overwhelming. Stitch N' Pitch creates a unique and fun environment for families, singles, couples, old, young, kids, women and yes, even men!"

Watch carefully and you might "catch" a knitting contest, team mascots wearing handmade colorful scarves, images of men knitting, counted cross-stitch frames, teaching tables full of children learning how to needlepoint, a Ceremonial 1st Pitch with a ball of yarn and so much more!! Special Stitch N' Pitch gift bags, giveaways and surprises will round out each fantastic event. Local needlearts retailers, wholesalers, guilds and groups will come by car, bus and train to be a part of this new American phenomenon - Stitch N' Pitch!

Enter Creative & Fun Contest - Just for the Fans!!
CRAFT Magazine's Stitch N' Pitch Contest! The contest is open to everyone to enter in their own baseball theme craft in the categories of knitting, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, and embroidery. The contest kicks-off on April 4th with the deadline for submissions on May 31st.

And, as a way to date myself, you really should take a look at The Battle of the Bands (some graphic images, not for kids).

I've cleaned up the craft room!
Can I get an "Amen"?

And I've got more Chip for you today!

And I've got a lot of cooking to do! Good thing that deadline is past!

We weigh in on Mdm. DeF's knitting choices, Cast on for Kenya, and generally enjoy some more Dickens!

NOTE: There may be the same problem with this week's file. Try downloading again...sorry!

The Kenya Info:

HIV positive children in Kenya need
blankets to keep them warm at night and to keep fever at bay, and
also simply to have a soft, comforting object of their very own.
These children own almost nothing, and a blanket handmade with care
especially for them would show them that someone, even someone very
far away, cares.

This blanket drive is part of the Slum Doctor Program, a grassroots
organization whose mission is "to lift the burden of despair for
people impacted by AIDS in Africa by providing hope, medicine, food,
education, and dignity." For more information visit
slumdoctor.wordpress.com. We're asking that blankets be made of a natural fiber or high quality acrylic, so they will be easy to keep clean, and that they be sized for children ages 0-8. We're also
asking that if you do plan to cast on for Kenya, you email
slumdoctor@gmail.com. The blankets will be brought to Kenya by
volunteers, and they need to have an estimate of how many they will
be carrying with them. The deadline for donations is June 15th.
Finished blankets should be sent to the Slum Doctor Program, P.O. Box
2156, Bellingham, WA 98227-2156.

Gotta love the old OED. If only I could afford one...


In my quest for a Parisian/Dickensian map, I found this, and this, and this, but no map that would help us much.

But I did find the links to two video versions: the better reviewed of the two—GO CHRIS SARANDON (he's more than just a Humperdink!); and
this one which didn't get panned, but...well...BOO Bad hair miniseries!

Your challenge! WWMDK?
I feel a Cafe Press T-shirt coming on...don't you?
Wouldn't this be handsome?

With a big:
What Would Madame Defarge Knit?
blazing underneath?

And me?
I knit socks.




Even in line at a theme park.

And I think I may have to get a Weavette. Bad Heather.

WWMDfK?
O how I want a bumper sticker!

And hey--ANDY MINTER! What a mensch, eh?

I belive I promised you links to Antioch Univeristy, MicroRevolt and the KnitPro doohicky, and Heavenly Creatures.

And now? Off to La Disneylandia!

O how many different ways can I bring you joy? Really, only one way:
To bring Chip (Mister Sleepy Hollow to you) back as a reader.
Today BOTH chapters are his.

Love!

Happily my husband's not even jealous...maybe because I've not told him.

Hmmmm...

Little else to show for myself this week, unless you want me to upload some of the curriculum I'm on deadline for?
No?
I have no idea why!

Erqsome (who I think has the most kickin' email address I've seen) sent some great Dickensian links for us to enjoy.

A Finnish site.
A UCSC site.
An INCREDIBLE map page (must see!).
And the ToTC companion page to the map.

Things I had to cut:

Perhaps the coolest thing to come off of my SnB callendar EVER.

My son's gonna be on this! (but we have no idea when...)

And just 'cuz I'm feelin' it...I love these guys...

You'll need to know a few things, like...

What's a blunderbuss?

This, this is a blunderbuss.

This is Chuck.



Who was Mrs. Southcott?
She was an English spiritualist.

What was the Cock-Lane Ghost?
One of the first ever psychic scams. Read about it. You'll find MANY different versions on the web.

This is the issue of Spin-Off that I need two bloody pages from...here's the Sock thing from Stasia which I thought was very helpful. Check out Pandora and Last.fm

And in both the "any publicity is good publicity" and the "I've never heard of an idea so dangerous it couldn't be talked about" departments: the Librarians have lost their minds! Anyone remember Are You There God? It's Me Margaret? Anyone? Anyone?

And if you have the travel bug:
West Coast Folks. East Coast Folks.
Fun!

And don't forget: WWMDFK?
(What Would Madame DeFarge Knit?)

Think on't.

Thanks to our readers Michael Sirois and Kara Shalinberg.

And, finally:
Spinneret's cogent and I think important note on "Screw":

From various sources -
As in England, early lawmakers in this country adopted 10 as the age of consent.
The age of consent in England was raised from 12 (which is what it was when James was born in 1843) to 13 in 1875 and then to 16 in 1886.
The Factory Act from 1844 reduced the hours of work for children between 8 and 13 to six and a half a day, either in the morning or afternoon, no child being allowed to work in both on the same day, except on alternate days, and then only for ten hours
The Factory Act, 1891 raising the minimum age at which a child can be set to work from ten to eleven.
So the perspective on children was a little different at that point, T.O.T.S. (funny that) being published in 1898. Accepting that these children are not from the working class they still would not have fallen under the societal view as young innocents.
Thanks for the great read.

A shout out to SyrenMuse who sent me the link to the Little House on the Praire DVD! Who knew! ABC was such a punk when I asked them nicely if they'd be releasing it. I had no idea they listened to me! Maybe your library will have it...

This week we end with our American Regional writers, Sarah Orne Jewett, 1849-1909,
though we won't be listening to her best-known book, The Country of the Pointed Firs. Instead we'll hear her short story, "The White Heron" written in 1886-ish.

And thanks too, to WingLake who sent this explanatory article, and this amazingly cool site that I've signed up for! I think I'll be leaving some wrist warmers and water colors at undisclosed locations around the Old Pueblo. You?


Rhinebeck Plans...it's never too early to make a date with fiber. And it's never too late to save a little bit of your own personal environment (not to mention cash...which you can then spend on fiber...).

Next week we'll start our new novel
(drum roll...how appropriate!)
A Tale of Two Cities.

With apologies to Mr. Piccone (my freshman year English teacher).

A knitting font (and amazing celtic knot weaving pattern to boot!), another knitting font (can you ever really have too many?), a phenomenal You Tube addition, and a reminder to read Spindlicity (hey Janel!)

Regionalism!
America!

"oooooooh beautiful, for spacious skies..."

(I can't think of that without hearing Fozzy Bear say "patriotism swells in the heart of the American Bear!" as he does after singing that song on The Muppet Movie soundtrack.)

Twain --boy do I love him--who is an appropriate precursor to our next novellist (I think).

Teresa in Scotland (Go Clan MacPhearson!) wanted me to pass on these links to you:
first, two mosquito attacking SAFE products. She recommends a leave-on product rather than a soap or shampoo...especially for people like me who are Mosquito Magnets.

And second, a new soysilk site. Mmmmmmm...extruded protein! Love it!

Having finished with Henry James, I thought we needed a REAL woman to freshen our pallette...Calamity Jane.


Not so much Doris.








Don't know if you've watched Deadwood (NOT for sensitive ears!), but it at least started out close to accurate as far as I can tell. My son and I got to see Wild Bill and Jane's graves








when we drove through there in early August. We ate where Bill was killed by Jack McCall--which sounds more morbid than it is...he was killed in the poker room of a saloon. They stage reenactments of his murder every night, I think.

Jane was quite something.



CHEERS!





And here in the "costume" of her sex.




I'm sorry it's a guy reading the autobiography, but it's still amazing to hear her own words. She was one tough cookie. And while she has the reputation for being, um...not the most attractive woman of her time, I think she was actually a rather handsome woman--far less...weathered than I would have imagined for one of Custer's scouts.









And then a little Bret Harte






For some more local color and American Realism. Let's bring ourselves back from the mannered Victorian brink into a little good old American...Puritanism? Victorianism?
Ah...
When everyone knew their place...

And then some really cool links sent by really cool listeners like Spider_Knit who sent me the Library Thing and Dawn who sent the Purlescence Storytellers Challenge and PeaceFleece! Whoo hoo!

WARNING: Some of you were good enough to let me know pronto that there was a problem with the file. I fixed the glitch in the audio file and replaced it, but not before some podcatchers downloaded it. Sorry about that. If you re-download you should be fine. Many apologies!

Some things you didn't hear me talk about; some things you did. And the end of the book!
The Librarian's Lament (don't you loathe hearing, "yeah, that's just your opinion..." when someone says something like, "the world isn't flat!"), and a killer library.

Some things to do in the spring to help make the world a less polluted place...why can't they just make a kit!?!

A Manifesto I can get behind.

Freaky shark!

Buy yarn here for the rest of January (in case you hadn't seen the Yarn Harlot's post--it's #5). And Teresa sent this link which tempted her even though she doesn't knit (Hey, Teresa, check out the Winter Spin-Off for some embroidery ideas! You could hookup with a spinner/felter/knitter!)

My sister has asked me to knit her a special hat. Sadly, the pdf of the pattern is AWOL so I may have to begin my first adventure in faking a pattern. Whoo hoo!

A list of courses Ruth alerted me to can be found here. No college credit, but MY! MY! look at the listings!

And, of course, next week (if I'm available) we'll hear some short stories while we decide what to read next!

First: Chapters 18-19-20!

Second: Stephanie Pearl McPhee's SOAR interview.
Whoo hoo!

And the rest: Sock Darning.
Nuff said.

And worth mentioning again--the best Toe-Up cast-on in the WORLD! in my deeply biased opinion...

Here's the article on the Ladies in Phoenix, knitting for the good of others...and themselves.

And, from Julie: The Sci Phi Show--another philosophy podcast. Predictably enough the podcaster uses science fiction to launch each subject discussion.

And Julie also wrote: since you've been into Weird Al Yankovich you might enjoy the novelty songs featured on the most recent Geek Survival Guide. The podcast is about 15 minutes long and the songs are fun.

And Debra's Tallit with accompanying planning information:

the bottom border was instinct with some Jewish numerology thrown in; the neckband was charted but also adapted the little "entry motif" before the zig-zag. I used a lot of combinations of 7 (Sam's birthday - 7/7/94, born at 10:10 a.m., and his bar mitzvah is 7/7/07 in the Western world) and C'hai - so there are 18 stitches in the zig-zag repeat, and I'll do 9 of them, which makes 18 of the triangles....

And where she got the Qiviut:

The yarn in the tallit is qiviut, which I found not in Alaska where I grew up, but online from Caryll's Designs.

And...the (unblocked) neverending cable. This is a side view of the (did I mention unblocked?) hood. The color actually came out pretty close to true on this one. Go figure!

Today, Chapters 15, 16 AND 17!
WHOO HOO!

Today I have some fun silkworm links, some pretty pics of the Pysanky eggs by Jen (who is very, very, very prolific while listening), some pics of intersting historical spindles, and some lip from Julie!

Tee hee!

Julie absolutely rightfully called me on the carpet for my anti-governess bias, so here's my rec. Go listen to the last episode, last chapter, with a different ear (that would be at roughly 47 minutes into episode 36). Then keep listening to today's chapters. Yeah...Julie has a point. I'll also let you in on some things Ol' Henry himself had to say about the book.

I may also share some of ELOISE in Paris (okay, NEXT week...) and remind you that really, truly, I loathe being a single Mom.

¿Donde esta mi esposo?

And some helpful info from Jen:
pysanky (piz·ahnk·yeh) is the name of those Ukrainian/polish eggs. singular
= pysanka
Kiska (pl = Kisky) is the name of the stylus thingie.

She also says:
if you like Weird Al, you might be interested in The Apologetix. they are a
Christian parody group that does Christian remakes of pop songs just like
Weird Al.

Oh! And don't forget to visit Ms Stitchy McYarnPants!

Today's theme is "Honi Soit qui Mal y Pense" which comes to us from a (probably apocryphal) story about King Edward III and the Order of the Garter. A rough translation is "Shame to him who thinks ill of it" but my AP English teacher used it as "Evil will be seen by those who look for it." Actually he may have had a different famous French quote, but I took Spanish so I wouldn't recognize a the real quote if it walked up and shook my hand.

ANYway...

Today we have chapters 12-14.

On my needles and on my son's walls today...

And how are your toes? Hmm?

Does your sunscreen have: formulas that include ingredients — like zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or Mexoryl SX — that impede damage from the sun’s longer wavelength UVA rays, a protective effect that is not indicated by a product’s SPF rating.

And if you're interested in more on Mosquito bites, check out:
Herbal Medicine site or the WebMD page or something my sister found on Google.

And some chairty/sock 411 from Jenny M. many thanks. You can also check out Knitting Peace.

Cheers for Store Wars and Weird Al!

And a special thank you to Cindy, the generous Park Slope Blogger (ah, the Motherland).

Well, we're having the first winter storm of the season. The mountains are capped with snow, the sky is grey, it's 39° (I hear you..."Hey! It's the DESERT! What's with the snow and temperature?!"), and the day is bleeding ennui.

Not least because my husband is here and I'm here (though it's much greyer today).

But Ennui and Turn of the Screw go well together so no complaints...much.

Today, chapters 10-11. You won't BELIEVE what happens today! Ai yi yi!

Charity knitting! Fixes to the Blogspot site! Felted Doggy Toys! More funny things! Holiday presents of fibery knitty things! (Does he love me or is he just feeling guilty for spending New Year's in Paris with his Brother and Dad?)

Was Santa good to you!?

Many thanks to Nikolle Doolin for her SEXY reading of Henry James' Turn of the Screw.

Nina sent this very helpful, eminently bookmarkable link to help me with mosquito bites. There's actually a lot of great info here...and this site has a very interesting looking hand/foot/everything cream. Lotions just don't work on me. If it doesn't say "cream" I don't buy it. Well, I bought it and thank you Nina!

And, here's my attempt to rekindle a love of Weird Al...Yoda!

Many thanks to Nikolle Doolin for her SEXY reading of Henry James' Turn of the Screw.

This week--Chapters 6-7!

Okay, and you're not really strangers but y'all sure are kind!

Some fun with You Tube and Dante

Julie's socks (whoo hoo!) and 1400 A.D. knit pic

More Organic info from Dawn (worth a look-see)! Seventh Generation and Land Stewardship Project

Janet's pomo fun

And then--That Darn Governess and her latent class and boy issues!!!

BTW: we didnt' have time for these which I got off of a Knitter's Review forum. Did you know these superstitions:

** It's bad luck to leave a project unfinished. The intended recepient will get bad luck from the unfinished item.

** Stabbing your needles though your yarn balls brings bad luck to anyone who wears something made from that yarn.

** Don't knit a pair of socks for your boyfriend or he'll walk away from you.

** If you knit one of your own hairs into a garment, it will bind the recipient to you.

** Knitting for children you may have in the future, but before you are pregnant, is bad luck (it may prevent one from getting pregnant, or bring ill health to the baby).

And

Interesting Latvian beliefs about mittens

1. Mittens and socks should be knitted in summer, then they will be warm, soft and strong.

2. One should not wash new mittens when there is an old moon,
they will lose their color and let through the wind.

3. One should not wipe their nose in a mitten. Whoever does that never gets rich.

4. One should not give their hand to another with a mitten on, otherwise they will give away their luck.

and, again, thanks to Nikolle Doolin for her SEXY reading of Henry James' Turn of the Screw.

Hey Look!

Whodathunk?

Then there's this one too:




You should also check out Stephanie/Lumie's blog (gorgeous work!)

Then go here and get smart, RIGHT NOW!

After expanding your brain, you can crack yourself up with my friend Peter on his podcast.

Don't forget to get your SantaCon on! When you're done with that, embrace your inner Earth Mother and find out the skinny on Organics.

And in today's chapters, listen for the allusion to Jane Eyre that ol' Henry snuck into the first minute of this chapter.

As we continue our governess will continue to show her true colors--not a pretty picture.

And today's chapters reveal a bit more of James' brilliance. The Governess--who may still be nuts--does see someone who looks like Peter Quint. She had seen no pictures of him, but describes him to Mrs. Grose--well enough for her to identify the vision. Of course, the problem is...he's dead.

So, the mystery deepens...

Many thanks to Nikolle Doolin for her SEXY reading of Henry James' Turn of the Screw.

Oh, and I've moved all the links to previous episodes to the right side of the blog page at Craftlit.blogspot.com. There was a question as to why the files are so blasted big, and I'll tell you--I'd like to know that too! I'm working on it...

(Apologies although I blathered quite a bit anyway...)

This week, chapters 2-3!

More Amazing Crochet from Dawn, some victorian pruditry, more wonderful emails from y'all, how to be an ostritch rather than a governess, and a little background on our author.

His dad was a Swedenborgian (say THAT three times fast) and I thought--when working through the "ghost" question--this quotation was ellucidating:

Although James had rejected in the beginning of his career "spirit-rappings and ghost-raising", in the 1880s he become interested in the unconscious and the supernatural. In 1908 he wrote that "Peter Quint and Miss Jessel are not 'ghosts' at all, as we now know the ghost, but goblins, elves, imps, demons as loosely constructed as those of the old trials for whichcraft; if not, more pleasingly, fairies of the legendary order, wooing their victims forth to see them dance under the moon." Virginia Woolf thought that Henry James's ghost have nothing in common with the violent old ghosts - "the blood-stained captains, the white horses, the headless ladies of dark lanes and windy commons." Edmund Wilson was convinced that the story was "primarily intended as a characterization of the governess".

Then there's the "corruption" question. Ah...the tangled web...

ALERT:
I just this second got this email from MaryBeth--right after uploading the 'Cast. Darnit. But it's worth noting here:

Loved your comments on the Fog Index. I'm a technical editor, and I have the following quote by Melville on my wall at work: "A man of true science uses but few hard words, and only those when none other will serve his purpose; whereas the smatterer in science thinks that by mouthing hard words he proves that he understands hard things."

Is that not brilliant?! I love Melville...but I'm not gonna do Moby Dick...not for a couple of years, anyway. See how I love you?

Many thanks to Nikolle Doolin for her SEXY reading of Henry James' Turn of the Screw.

Cool things to check out: Crochet Sea Creatures not to be believed (Thank you Dawn!), Check out Yarn-a-go-go's site and then check into NaNoWriMo! It's not too late! Then there's The Thread Project (One World, One Cloth), and I ran out of time to talk about My Paper Crane from Heidi.

I'll never do this to you.

Here's Henry, by the way:

I think you'll need this over the next few weeks.:

Character List
Anonymous Narrator
Probably represents Henry James. (Diagetic Level 1)

Douglas
The one in posession of the Governess' manuscript. He may have been in love with her. (Diagetic Level 2)

The Governess
The protagonist--twenty-year-old governess of Flora and Miles at the country estate of Bly. (Diagetic Level 3)

Mrs. Grose
A servant at Bly; illiterate, respectful.

Miles
A ten-year-old boy; charming, well-behaved, and very attractive.

Flora
An eight-year-old girl; beautiful and well mannered.

The Children’s Uncle
The governess's employer; good looking but aloof with odd requirements for the job...

Peter Quint
A former valet at Bly; "infamous" throughout the area of Bly.

Miss Jessel
The governess's predecessor; a lady, young and beautiful but "infamous." Apparantly had an inappropriate relationship with Quint.


May thanks to Nikolle Doolin for her SEXY reading of Henry James' Turn of the Screw. If you check out her site you'll see why she's so good...except for that blasted microphone...

Some good blogs to check out (from SOAR attendees: Rachael Herron, Janine Bajus, and Brooke Sinnes, oh, and Stephanie...I think you know her); a really cool listener's site (Spinneret) regarding My Friend Irving; some pics (scroll down) and some detritus that I need to get out to you (below).

A good Challah recipe. Heal the world through cooling!
and a nice Jewish crafting guild (just in cast you thought they didn't exist!)...

The Red Thread Project! How cool is this!

And some stuff I found but didn't have time to talk about b/c I blathered too much: The sounds of (good) music can be found at NPR

In need of Knickers?
Check this out?

Hook up with next year's mystery stole (number three).

Awesome matress stitch (plus!) tutorial. Which I needed.
Sadly.

You can see the photo album of SOAR pics here.

I think I promised you pics of a skull jacket that I knit. I forgot to mention that my 17 hour sojurn did give me the time to finish the baby hoodie. The carpet under the jacket, just so you know, is the floor of the Samsung Comfort Room at the Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport.

Very comforting, no?

'Nuff said.

Here's the front.



Here's the back.

Ain't that grand?

Next week, SOAR audio (if there's a high-speed port) and after that, HENRY JAMES! The time has finally come!

Learn the origins of the name "Tarrytown"
as you
listen to Geoffrey Crayon's Sketchbook.

You should also check out Diedrich Knickerbocker's History of New York!


Meet my man Irving (aka "Mr. Knickerbocker"...).


And his spectacularly (self-)designed home on the Hudson.





Someday plan to take advantage of the Legend.


Imagine yourself as part of the Hudson River School which I had no time to talk about but will try to get to next week.

And a little on the Mather Boys, Increase and Cotton (who NAMES these people?!) and their attitudes towards Witchcraft.
Here's Cotton:


The DomiKNITtrix's spectacularly appropriate skull pattern (which is free for a bit longer).

A non-Socks-That-Rock club--NAYY but it looks nice!


And a nice theory/site for socks. They're gorgeous and there's something about not-quite-matched socks that appeals to the eccentric in me...
"Mismatched with Care in Vermont"
I love that.


And once again
Thank you Heidi for goodie box! My 2-1/2 year old must march every day to "76 Trombones". Thank you so much!

Don't try

This week we listen to "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gillman, and a little bit of "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster.

Gillman (here she is)

is a particular favorite of mine. She wrote Herland which I'm (slowly) reading for Librivox. Great little book!

Juster is a freakin' genius. Really! I can't read nearly as much of his book as I'd like, but (here HE is)

I will introduce you to this decidedly not just-for-children book.

Thanks for your patience getting this 'cast out.
Long week.

Visit Jen!

Today, "The Yellow Wallpaper" was read by Justine Young, and "The Phantom Tollbooth" excerpt was read by Yours Truly. And, as always, our opening music was provided by Joshua Christian at Garageband.com, for which I am eternally grateful.

Well, sorta.

We have a story

This week is hard for me on

This week's stories are all about

Wrapping up

Today, chapters 56-59; THE PAYOFF!

Today, aside from chapters 53-55, we talk about accordions, my love of the word "odious," (isn't it great?!) and I finally take Amy up on her suggestion weeks and weeks ago!

Namely: I just read and really dug To Shield The Queen, by Fiona Buckley. Actually, I didn't just read that. I read the first three books in the series.

I also have finished the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde, but my books are in boxes so I can't read you any bits from that. However, if you love books, and have a wicked sense of humor, The Eyre Affair is for you!

I'm thinking that instead of a poll, I just want everyone to look at the librivox.org cataloge and tell me what you like. I'll take the one with the most emails. I think I'll putter around with some of the short works first, just to give you some variety, then dive into another long book.

Sound good?

Email me your thoughts at MamaOKnits AT Gmail DOT com.

As always, Pride and Prejudice is narrated by Annie Coleman. Intro music provided by GarageBand.com which connected me with Joshua Christian’s "Chasing Hiro."

I'm relegated to podcasting from my local coffeehouse again, sorry about that. The ambient noise is MUCH worse than before as this joint has tile floors--a local hazzard. Apologies. I should have DSL at my Mom's house by tonight, but I wanted to get this posted before that. I'm already mighty late by previous East Coast standards.

The trip, however, was successful, and we're all here safe and sound. Though, this morning's news filled me with dread as my darling husband has to fly back to New York saturday morning.
World War IV, is what I'm hearing. WWIII was the Cold War, according to People I Trust.

Sigh...

Can't we all just get along?

Even 'Liz and Darcy?

This week, chapters 50-52!
But not before a little

Chapters 47-49! Next week, I hope I can find my microphone...

Well, it's August 3rd, and I'm on the road! Chicago, Sioux Falls, Deadwood and on to LOVELAND COLORADO--home of Interweave Press.Well, it's August 3rd, and I'm on the road! Chicago, Sioux Falls, Deadwood and on to LOVELAND COLORADO--home of Interweave Press...

How do I love thee...let me count the ways.

So the title of the podcast? Because my son is a questioner...well...so am I, so...apples/trees, you get the picture.

I fully expect this road trip to be one of fun and learning. The country is so big and so wonderful...I feel an Emily-from-Our-Town-Moment coming on!

If there is internet access and time, you'll hear some audio from the road. If not, you'll notice this post popping up, and a small-ish podcast appearing in your iTunes ontime.

Why?
Because I love you!

Here's the link to our

This week, chapters 44-46!

Really!

A little OTN moment: I'm working on a Faroese shawl, which has only a little section of lace. I've knitted lace before, but this project...well, it was going to be hard enough; I didn't want to kill myself.

This is the first project I've planned from washing, drying, and spinning the fiber, all the way to knitting. I'm going to do some funky dye thing to it when I'm done and I"m going to (God Willing and the Creeks Don't Rise) take this to SOAR for the gallery.

But.

The knitting is a total leap of faith. I've knitted 25 rows and it's barely 3-4 long. It's 390 stitches, decreasing regularly down to...well...7 that get grafted in a tricky way that I'm sure I'll marvel at when I get there.  I got the pattern from Claudia at CountryWool.com. She's a genius with this stuff.

Anyway.

Lace and all things lace-weight are a leap of faith. They look like a ball of twisted blah, then you wet and pin them and suddenly it's...LORDY! I made THAT?!

Right now, my whole life is a leap of faith...so it seemed an appropriate thing to do.

And, btw, HEY, did you hear Cast-on's essay last week? It was as though we dovetailed our themes on purpose! Synchronicity? Love that Jung!


Promos from Faith at The Knitting Cook, and Jeannie of Crochet Cast. 

As always, Pride and Prejudice is narrated by Annie Coleman. Intro music provided by GarageBand.com which connected me with Joshua Christian’s “Chasing Hiro.�

Chapters 42-45!

WRONG WRONG WRONG!

43 was much longer than it said on the tag. This week we only have 42-44...but its an hour long episode regardles...
Next week, chapters 44-??...

Sorry about that!

Well, I'm in the homestretch! This week and next week are the last two I'll be podcasting from Croton-on-Hudson...boy I'll need to change the intro, huh?

I'll be podcasting from the road the week of August 1st, then from Tucson the next week. IF I can, I'll get my son in on the 'cast...but no guarantees. He's quite the ball-o-goof.

So this week!

A little discussion of ChickLit and Austen...

Jane Austen's novels have been repackaged as chick-lit to reflect our modern conception of her as a romantic novelist. But her world is less comforting than we think, argues Laura Thompson...

On 07/09/2006, Laura Thompson created a bit of a stir in the literary world when she said that Chicklit--the girlie romancified summer book lit that's gotten to be so popular among the young--had co-opted Jane Austen, and specifically, Pride and Prejudice.

...It all started in fine non-literary style: with Colin Firth. The scene in the 1995 television adaptation of Pride and Prejudice in which Colin got his shirt wet was, almost certainly, the moment that opened the door and let the modern world in upon the quiet, oil-lit writing desk at Chawton Cottage. And when Firth played Mark Darcy in the film of Bridget Jones's Diary, the deal was sealed: Pride and Prejudice was on its way to fame and fortune.

Which brings her to a point we've discussed on this podcast:

...What on earth would Jane Austen have made of it all?

Well, she would certainly have laughed - "I dearly love a laugh," says Elizabeth Bennet, in the voice of her creator - and she would have enjoyed all the money, because nobody was more aware of its importance. Elizabeth and her sister Jane might have charm to spare, plus wit and good temper to keep fear of the future at bay, but their genteel poverty means that the men who marry them are not just lovers; they are personal relief missions from lives beyond contemplation.

And this acute alertness to the significance of money - to the humiliating gulf between the shillings that buy Elizabeth's hair ribbons and Darcy's £30,000 a year - is just one of the many aspects of Jane Austen that has been lost to a contemporary audience.

She goes on to say that too often, readers today just think it's neat that Elizabeth wound up with a rich guy--rather than noting that it was her job to find a rich husband or live a life of drudgery. In reality, loving Darcy is the bonus. The real marriage is that of money.

....Actually, there is rather more to Elizabeth than the perfection we behold in her (and ourselves). What, for example, is one to make of her ambiguous joke that she began to love Darcy on "first seeing his beautiful grounds at Pemberley"? Sir Walter Scott, for one, thought she meant exactly what she said; and I think he had a point.

....But the novels as a whole are rather less comforting. Indeed, they are, in some ways, terrifying. There is something appalling about the lack of illusions with which Jane Austen viewed her little world. To censor out such a judgment - or to condemn it as "male" - is to do her an extreme disservice.

And the point she makes next made me feel bad for not making a bigger deal out of what Charlotte did, and why:

Take, for example, the character of Charlotte Lucas, one of Austen's finest, who cuts through the nonsense now waffling round Pride and Prejudice like a particularly acid lemon. Her presence lurks sombrely behind Elizabeth's lovely lightness: the two girls are faces of the same coin, expressions of their creator's joyful esprit on the one hand and cold eye on the other.

Like Elizabeth, Charlotte has a lively mind, but, unlike her friend, she has no physical allure. A quirk of nature has taken her out of the orbit of men such as Darcy. And, because she is plain, she sees the world plainly. She calmly perceives its limitations: the ruthless judgments of its marriage market, the life sentence of inhabiting its tight social circles.

Seeing the world, she also sees the possibility of falling off its edge. "Without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want." She snaps up Mr Collins, the terrible suitor whom Elizabeth has the freedom to reject. "I am not romantic, you know. I never was."

It is almost unthinkable, by today's standards, to do what Charlotte did--but she was wise, and right, and she seems to be "happy"...or at least happy enough...

She is the stony reality at the heart of Pride and Prejudice. She tells a woman's story, but in a way that is utterly remote from feminine convention: with scant emotion, appealing to nothing other than rationality. And, like her creator, she has remarkably little to do with cosy readings of The Jane Austen Book Club and communal swoons over Mr Darcy.

...If Pride and Prejudice can be so easily claimed by the Grazia brigade, why should the other books be any different? It is not difficult, after all, to read what one wants to read in a novel. Every reader does it, to an extent. But the landscape of what is seen in books is becoming increasingly impoverished. Indeed, it might be that the reality of literature no longer lies within its words. As Jane Austen flourishes, the literary sense that she possessed in its most refined form is slowly dying: the irony would have amused her.

Hmmmmm...more to think about...
As always, Pride and Prejudice is narrated by Annie Coleman. Intro music provided by GarageBand.com which connected me with Joshua Christian’s "Chasing Hiro."

This week, chapters 38-41! Next week--42-45!

A brief episode because I'm behind at work, sorry about that.

Today, listen for some more wonderful Collins idiocy.

And as far as pride and prejudice go, Elizabeth's refusal of Darcy's proposal due to her new understanding of how she misjudged Darcy's motives knocks them both down a peg. They're on new footing now—a lot of their assumptions about each other have been challenged and now there's room for—well—something to happen.

Watch for the groundwork of an eminent disaster�these are the chapters where doom comes a knockin'.

As always, Pride and Prejudice is narrated by Annie Coleman. Intro music provided by GarageBand.com which connected me with Joshua Christian's "Chasing Hiro."

"Back Issues" of Craftlit can be found at Craftlit.blogspot.com.

This week, chapters 35-37! Next week--38-41!

Have you met the free online spinning magazine, Spindlicity?

Even after last week, do you fear socks? If so, check out the excellent resource page here.

And the results of the sockblocker experiment from Felt Up Designs...

SUCCESS!!!

You can buy really nice fiber from Copper Moose and Grafton Fibers.

How to make your own spindle or with a CD.

Special Thanks to Lauren and Amy for their helpful suggestions. I'm fiddling with the sound this week, so let me know.
AND
Re: iTunes--I have emailed them a number of times now, and we're trying to fix the feed problem. It appears they muffed it because they changed categories, so files that should have been there and complete, were semi-moved to the new category. I know one day the only files I could get through iTunes were the odd numbered episodes--go figure.

Libsyn has fixed their end of the problem. Let's keep our fingers crossed...I know I am.

This week, Chapters 31-34 (next week 35-37)

Felting soap is fun for the whole family! Just look!

You can get roving for felting from Toni Neil at The Fold...they're the first house on the left. Really. You have to click it and see. It will make sense. Promise!

My 9/11 story, just in case you wondered. And links to poetry/stories from my students too.

And then The Soapbox. Sorry about that, but it's been bugging me so much. I hope that one of us will come up with some great idea for how to save the planet and all the people on it. I suppose it's genetic in me--my Dad is a Geographer working on Desertification, so I've known we were in trouble for a long time...

Anyway. The Gandhi Institute is a nice place to visit. Take a look!

"We must be the change we wish to see in the world."--M.K.Gandhi


“The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing, would suffice to solve most of the world's problems... �--M.K.Gandhi

And the essay on Gandhi and spinning can be found at this Yale site.








As always, Pride and Prejudice is narrated by Annie Coleman. Intro music provided by GarageBand.com which connected me with Joshua Christian’s “Chasing Hiro.�

Today, chapters 27-30

See the Sockblocker Key chain!
See what Jeannie Townsend has done with her sockblocker key chain!
See the fabu (and fake!) Extortion site, then join me in talking like a pirate on September 19th (or visit the US site and find a husband!).

And the moment we've all been waiting for (at least the moment Kim was unsure if she was waiting for...):


The Crazy Quilt Baby Blanket!











As always, Pride and Prejudice is narrated by Annie Coleman. Intro music provided by GarageBand.com which connected me with Joshua Christian's "Chasing Hiro."

This week, chapters 23-26!

Hobby Horror...





Am I an Artist













or an Anorak?

















As always, Pride and Prejudice is narrated by Annie Coleman. Intro music provided by GarageBand.com which connected me with Joshua Christian's"Chasing Hiro."

The gauntlet is down! How do you control your stash! Tell me now and I'll post your ideas!

Today!
Chapters 20-22! No Joke! THREE chapters!

Heather complains a bit, goes ON about clutter and the need for knitting histories, then drools over Darcy. (Doesn't it always end with that?)

The books: ADD Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life and Outwitting Clutter: 101 Ingenious Space-Saving Tips and Ideas to Make Any House or Apartment More Livable.

As always, Pride and Prejudice is narrated by Annie Coleman. Intro music provided by GarageBand.com which connected me with Joshua Christian’s “Chasing Hiro.�

Well, Tristan and Isolde seem to be winning out as our next book. Please keep emailing me and letting me know your thoughts.

Today a little personal update from me, then on to the next two chapters of P&P!

And a little shout-out ot Anne Hanson, of Knitspot.com...with whom I am tangentially accquainted.

As always, Pride and Prejudice is narrated by Annie Coleman. Intro music provided by GarageBand.com which connected me with Joshua Christian's "Chasing Hiro."

Thank you too for your forbearance last week. What a mess! I so deeply apologize.

SO SORRY ABOUT THE DELAY!
LibSyn doesn't send out warnings when your storage space gets dangerously low, so I uploaded and it looked like it was all fine...then...not.

It sort of had the file, and sort of not.

Now it does.

Many apologies and many thanks for your patience!

So, now:

'Cast number Six!
Yeee Haaaw!

Chapters 14 through 17 of Pride and Prejudice? A Double Header of Annie Coleman...because I'm heading to the Dominican Republic!

We don't have to fear no stinkin' Fiber allergies!
Ew! Acid!
Ew!

Oh...and I lied. It's FlyLady dot NET! Oops! Sorry!

And...We're Knot Taking Any More. June 1st, Thursday

Please read the attached PDF flyer, which states the mission and the guidelines for participating.
my very grateful regards,
anne hanson
knitspot.com


Please do listen to Math for Knitters.

Socks that Rock yarn can be gotten at The Fold.

And oooooooooooooooo!
Mister Wickham!

As always, Pride and Prejudice is narrated by Annie Coleman. Intro music provided by GarageBand.com which connected me with Joshua Christian's "Chasing Hiro."

A Note: Files for previous episodes can be gotten here at LibSyn or at iTunes. Oh, and hey...if you have a second, wouldja vote for CraftLit at Podcast Alley. I'm in the third to the last place on the rankings.
Not that I'm competitive...'Cast number Six!
Yeee Haaaw!

Chapters 14 through 17 of Pride and Prejudice? A Double Header of Annie Coleman...because I'm heading to the Dominican Republic!

We don't have to fear no stinkin' Fiber allergies!
Ew! Acid!
Ew!

Oh...and I lied. It's FlyLady dot NET! Oops! Sorry!

And...We're Knot Taking Any More. June 1st, Thursday

Please read the attached PDF flyer, which states the mission and the guidelines for participating.
my very grateful regards,
anne hanson
knitspot.com


Please do listen to Math for Knitters.

Socks that Rock yarn can be gotten at The Fold.

And oooooooooooooooo!
Mister Wickham!

As always, Pride and Prejudice is narrated by Annie Coleman. Intro music provided by GarageBand.com which connected me with Joshua Christian's "Chasing Hiro."

A Note: Files for previous episodes can be gotten here at LibSyn or at iTunes. Oh, and hey...if you have a second, wouldja vote for CraftLit at Podcast Alley. I'm in the third to the last place on the rankings.
Not that I'm competitive...

Cast number FIVE???
Chapters 11 through 13 of Pride and Prejudice???
Where has the time gone?

Book II ideas: Tom Sawyer!
Tristan & Isolde!
Alice in Wonderland?!—only if one of you record it…
Let me know your thoughts!

Today we get in touch with our inner Granny—specifically the Summer 2005 issue of Spin-Off.

And we also get into Clutter. And De-cluttering, for a move. If the spirit moves you, send your brilliance to MamaOKnits AT gmail DOT com.

As always, Pride and Prejudice is narrated by Annie Coleman. Intro music provided by GarageBand.com which connected me with Joshua Christian’s “Chasing Hiro.�

That's a pic of Jane!

Can you believe we're on chapters nine and ten of Pride and Prejudice?
Me either!
And, once again, I find myself all hot and bothered by Darcey. Ah well...

Before we get to that, today I'll talk to you about some quilting (that's the crazy part) and a wonderful book on toe-up socks (that's the Kahuna part).


Links to: Townsend Sock Knitting Group, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's new book, check out Blue Moon Fiber Arts on The Fold's Site.

Ready?
Here we go...

As always, Pride and Prejudice is narrated by Annie Coleman. Intro music provided by GarageBand.com which connected me with Joshua Christian's "Chasing Hiro."

Welcome to Episode 3!
In this episode I welcome you to the joys of the Jane Austen action figure (and I am Not Kidding); the belly laughs, sly smirks, or horror filled looks of You Knit What???; the adorable (in the eye of the beholder?) cats and bunnies with stuff and pancakes on their heads; and regale you with my lovely weekend at a spinning retreat in the Catskills, hosted by Claudia of CountryWool.

We'll also move on to chapters seven and eight in Pride and Prejudice, narrated (as always) by Annie Coleman. Intro music provided by GarageBand.com which connected me with Joshua Christian's Chasing Hiro.

And, a little note: I'm so glad those of you who've commented are enjoying Austen. She's a fave of mine (duh!) and I'm thrilled that listening to her words is bringing you some joy while your hands are otherwise occupied.

Well, here we are!

I wanted to welcome you all to CraftLit, a Podcast for Crafters. I imagine you’re here because you like to work with your hands, but you also like to read. If so, this is the place for you! Our program will follow a similar pattern every week. After some introductory comments, a web, magazine, or book review (This week Mason-Dixon Knittng), and perhaps a song, I will include a chapter or two from a book. We will listen to that book until we’re done with it. And because I’m a former English teacher, I’ll give you some things to listen for in the chapters we hear--just to give you something else to do while you’re knitting, spinning, crocheting, weaving, or sewing. Any painters?

So.

Get comfortable. Find your tools. Check the volume, and enjoy, with me, the beginning of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, recorded by Annie Coleman.

Intro music: “Chasing Hiro� by Joshua Christian of Syracuse, NY. I found the music on GarageBand.com.

I just realized that no one can get the promo on iTunes, even though it's uploaded here, because I need to "publish" a page to "ping" iTunes.

Hope this doens't ruin the mojo for you.

Until Thursday...