I have a confession to make: I’m cheating on you with another blog.

Want to know the story? Check out my CD project blog here: http://bardicsong.wordpress.com

In actual knitting news, I have both finished a sweater and gone to a knit-night again (finally!). Perhaps there may even be photos in the future!

I finally figured out something that I should have thought of ages ago, something that may lead to more actual posts!

You know how I was gifted an iPod touch for Xmas? That wonderful little device that has enabled me to read free Project Gutenberg e-books while nursing the baby, always know what the weather will be like tomorrow, and stalk the internets with abandon? Yet apart from F/B status updates and Twitted, has been poor for the blogging?

Turns out, there’s an app for this too!!

So yeah, I’ve finally got wordpress on my iPod and hope to actually get back to the blog. One day there may even knitting again, too!

(I have faith. Also, a rediscovered sweater-in-progress…)

Not sleeping either, which explains the utter lack of posts, content, knitting, and general brain activity over the last… however-long-it’s-been.

I have, however:

- Moved to a fantabulous house that we are sharing with another awesome family of friends. It’s a social experiment, but so far it’s been great!

- watched my amazing daughter grow and achieve enormous feats of cuteness

- crocheted approximately 1 million cotton dishcloths
[No photo, to spare you the boringness that is my poor crocheting with yucky yarn]

- knit ONE SOCK!! (For me, this is a great victory!!)\

KnitPicks hand-painted sock yarn in “Wicked Witch”

Here’s hoping for more knitting (and sleeping!) in the future…

Sita Sings the Blues is a phenomenal full-length animated film, creatively reinterpreting the story of the Ramayama. Through a variety of storytelling approaches — from heckling shadow-puppets to the jazz vocals of 1920’s singer Annette Hanshaw — the love (and loss) story of the Hindu god Rama and his wife Sita is brought to new life.

This film has been extensively covered by sites like BoingBoing due to copyfight issues around the use of the jazz tunes, but has recently been released under Creative Commons licensing by the animator, Nina Paley. You can now download your own FREE full HD video copy of this delightful film (to burn, copy, share, and/or remix as you will, following the (CC) license), or watch it online through streaming video on a variety of sites (see main Sita page for links).

I enjoyed Sita Sings the Blues immensely, am going to try to convince my local yoga studio to host a screening, and just had to share the word!

I finally got myself over to the post office today yesterday and picked up a package: my Hot Cocoa Swap package!!

Not only was it full of yummy treats (spiced cocoa and truffle meltaways, mmm!), but some delicious Manos Silk Blend in luscious burgundy, very cool stitch markers, and an adorable black knit kitty!

I love this rectangular cat. He reminds me of something from
Mirrormask, very Dave McKean-esque.

Thanks so much, Sarah!!

I have a great Secret Pal. Not only does this one put up with my tremendously bad postings, but s/he also sends me hilarious e-cards and fabulous, on-the-dot packages!*

So a belated “Hippo Birdie” to me, (the “belated” entirely the fault of Canada Post, not the SP), and here’s my treats:

Chocolate, bathstuff, sock yarn (I love FA SeaWool!!), and Crazy Aunt Purl’s book… I’m a lucky girl!

*I didn’t blog the first one. It was full of awesome. Happy sock yarn, Folk Socks, treaties… all unphotographed and long since put away/eaten. I’m such a bad blogger!

Reason #1: Baby

Yesterday she turned 3 months old. Can you believe it?!? Three whole months (13 weeks +2 days) have already passed since she joined our world and took over my life. I’m so amazed at how intensely she’s become a part of my world, at how much energy one tiny person can both contain and require of others, and at how completely in love with her I am!!

Reason #2: iPod Touch

Dru went and got me the ultimate geek-girl-gadget for Christmas this year, and it has both become a near-indispensable tool and favorite toy for me! Many of the great things about the iPod Touch — touch-screen, portability, large file-storage capacity — mean that I can read email, surf the web, read e-books, listen to music & podcasts, etc… all while playing with / napping with / nursing the baby. However, it’s small touch-keyboard significantly reduces the amount of online typing I can do (or feel like doing). Which leads to…

Reason #3: Facebook / Twitter

These lovely little social applications/time sucks allow one to reach out to the world in tiny blog-bites. With these, I can post little tiny updates (type-able on the iPod!) and pretend that I’m still part of the blogosphere. Even though I’m totally not.
(You can follow my tweets at http://twitter.com/aemmeleia)

Bonus Reason: Seriously Boring Knitting.

Dudes, it’s true. I’m ashamed. The knitter that once had many an interesting sock, colourwork mittens, the occasional sweater, and a minimum of one longterm-lacework project on the go has of late been making stunning forays into “great cats, if it’s going to be -20 I need a warmer baby hat NOW” and “if I have to walk with you in the sling from 8-10pm nightly, I’m going to make a stockinette sock so I don’t go mad“. Neither of which are very interesting in either the knitting nor the viewing. I know that in the interest of a complete Ravelry page, however, I really ought to photograph these tiny projects and share them here. If only my iPod had a built-in camera… ;)

OK, so I’ve gone and signed up for another swap. It’s my way of saying, “Hello Outside World! I still exist!”

A post with real content coming soon, I promise. Am negotiating “blogging time” with the Dru — it’s hard to blog with a baby taking up one typing hand for cuddles!

Questionnaire
The Yarn…

1. Do you knit, crochet, or do both?
Just knit.

2. What is your favorite one-skein project? What item do you find you knit the most of?
Probably socks — I love sock yarn for a one-skein hit! I do think I knit a lot of hats, though, too, but most of those get given away!

3. Do you like using a particular type of needle or hook? (wood, metal, straight, circular) Is there something you’ve been wanting to try, or a particular size you always seem to be short on?
I have come around to be a total circular-needle-lover! Addis are, of course, primo needles, but I’ve also had a taste of the KnitPicks Harmony wooden ones and they’re pretty sweet too. As for sizes, I love 2.25 for socks, which sadly Addi doesn’t make! I tend to buy all my circs. in 34″ or longer, too, since I magic loop most things.

4. What’s on your needles\hook right now? What’s your oldest UFO (unfinished object)?
Right now I have a hat and a lace shawl in progress, and a February Lady Sweater languishing in the wings. As far as UFOs go, I’m not sure which is the eldest but I’d bet it’s a lone sock…

5. What are your favorite types of yarns? Are you allergic to any yarns, or just hate working with something? Anything type/brand of yarn you’ve been dying to try?
I’m all about little luxuries these days! (With the baby I have little knitting time, so when I take up yarn I want it to be lovely.) Pretty, soft, natural fibers are my #1 choice, hands down — life’s too short for acrylic! I am interested in branching into working with plant fibers (hemp, linen, even soft cottons?), and as far as “brands” go I’m a huge fan of Handmaiden/Fleece Artist, would love to someday try the mythical Wollmise, and am always interested in local/indie yarns!!

Shouldn’t there be a question #6??

7. What are your favorite colors? Brights? Pastels? More muted colors? Variegated? Are there that make you want to stab yourself in the eye with your needles?
Love jewel tones (purples, burgundies, greens) and autumnal reds/browns. Hate fluorescents and not usually fond of pastels. Am not a blue or yellow girl.

8. What is your favorite knit accessory, your fancy needles? stitch markers? your yarn cutter? What do you have TOO many of? What do you wish you had?
Probably fancy needles (e.g. Addis). I enjoy using my hand-made stitch markers from previous swap-pals, but otherwise don’t actually use/have many knitting accessories. I’ve seen some really nice yarn cutters & cable “needles” as necklaces, though…

The Chocolate

1. Do you prefer boxed/packets, or something homemade?
I’m always up for handmade treats! I don’t have much attachment to any one brand, but organic chocolate is almost always way better than non when it comes to bars, so I’d assume the same for cocoa (but haven’t tested any yet!).

2. Marshmallows or whipped cream?
Mmmmmarshmallows! :)

3. Do you use any ‘add ins’
Not really. Maybe a splash of Kaluah or Frangelico on rare occasions.

4. Are you a year round cocoa drinker or just in the winter months?
Year round, but still usually on colder days. Nothing like a hot cup of cocoa on a cold night’s camping, even in August!

5. Do you like flavored cocoas or are you just a ’straight chocolate’ kind of person?
Straight up.

6. Do you enjoy cocoa from restaurants or shops like Starbucks? What are some of your favorites?
I have a strong addiction to the Starbucks “Signature Hot Chocolate” these days. It’s reminiscent of their long-defunct Drinking Chocolate.

7. You’ve just made the perfect cup of cocoa – is it in a thick mug, or a thinner cup? Where would you sit to drink it?
Oversized thick mug! Time to curl up in an armchair with a book :)

8. You’re enjoying that perfect cup, what treats will you enjoy with it? Are they sweet or salty? Crunchy? Soft and flaky?
Probably sweet and crunchy (i.e. cookies!!)

It’s all YOU!

1. Do you have other hobbies like spinning or scrapbooking?
I spin, both spindle and wheel.

2. Do you collect anything?
Other than yarn and fluff? ;) Spindles. Books with faerie art (e.g. Brian Froud). Pretty blank journals; also stationary and non-refillable (read:cheap) fountain pens.

3. What is your favorite part of Winter?
Quiet nighttime walks in fluffy snowfalls.

4. What sort of scents do you enjoy? Any difference in what you like for your house versus what you like for your body?
I like woodsy, musky scents and bright citrusy ones. I don’t usually scent myself (sensitive skin and asthmatic husband) but sometimes indulge in light scented creams or quality incenses.

5. Are you allergic to anything?
Just dust/smoke/etc.

6. Are you on Ravelry? What’s your ID?
“aemmeleia”

7. How would you spend an ideal winter afternoon/day?
Snuggled down in warm PJs with good books and lots of treats, watching the snow.

8. What’s your favorite animal?
Foxes, cats, and ferrets.

Have you read the latest post on the knitty.com blog? Amid the fantastic promotion of the calendar project for a very worthy cause, Amy very flatteringly mentions a certain other model… the mother of a certain cushion model…

So yes, it’s true — the Purple Purl…Naturally 2009 calendar features a fabulous range of cheeky knitters (both male and female) au naturale! It’s all for a good cause, too: every cent of the $20 cost goes directly to the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation. Amy’s post includes all details on how you can get your own copy!

Getting a peek at the saucy side of knitters and supporting cancer research & treatment? Sounds like good fun for you, and a great last-minute gift for your yarny friend, too!

An all-new issue of Knitty is out!!

I’m loving the wide variety of cardigan patterns (while I usually dislike bobbles, Surface has me quite intrigued), and am pretty sure that a Poinsettia neckwarmer will be coming to my needles soon.

One pattern might seem a bit silly to some, but you’ve got to admit the model’s pretty cute!