Fiber Fool

It seems the Pemberley Slippers from Jane Austen Knits and the Masala Slippers from Nourishing Knits are proving quite popular if the e-mails and rav mail I’ve been receiving is anything to go by. Since the construction of both slippers is based on the same principles I thought it would be fun to have a knit-a-long.

The KAL will begin February 1st and run through the 14th. I’ll be posting a few blog posts each of those two weeks addressing some of the trickier steps of knitting the slippers as well as share some possible modifications and finishing touches. There will also be a special thread in the Designedly, Kristi Ravelry group and perhaps, if there is enough interest a “hang out” or two on Google+ for live chatting. That way everyone taking part can interact with each other and share experiences and ask questions etc. If you are inclined to help spread the word about the KAL, please feel free to use the image at the top of the post to do so.

Interweave is having a big sale through Tuesday, January 24th I believe so you can get Jane Austen Knits for only $8.99 right now ($14.99 regular price) if you are wishing to knit the Pemberley slippers. If you’ve your eye on the Masala slippers, you can save 20% on either the full e-book of Nourishing Knits or on the single pattern if you use the code MASALAKAL. The code is only valid until the end of the day, MST on January 31st.

Now, onto the linkity that eases the start of the work week!

Crafty:

• Make your own sheer shirred scarf!
• I love this striped knit skirt! Though it doesn’t call for repurposing old tees, I’m thinking some of my old 3X & 2X tees I hung onto could morph into one of these, perhaps closer to summer.
• You could win a copy of A Handknit Romance.
• If I enjoyed the process of cross stich or embroidery more I’d be really tempted to personalize a Fossil handbag like this!
• Even though you’ve probably all seen it by now, I couldn’t leave out the adorable pin cushion inspired by the movie, Up!
• I adore this chalkboard cheese platter! (Though is the chalkboard paint really food-safe?)

Yummy:

• OMG, I could actually eat these chocolate glazed donuts without blowing my nutrition guides! This is a blog I discovered via Pinterest this week and I’m smitten :-) She’s also giving away a donut pan, details are at the link.
• Even more healthful is this strawberry and cucumber smoothie. Sounds like an unusual combination, but I bet it is good. Too bad I’m running so cold that the mere thought of a smoothie sets of the shivers.
• Though I do not eat much bread products and try really hard to have any grain I eat serve a decent dose of fiber I enjoy sourdough. DH loves it and baking bread. DH, this link is for you! Author, Tara Austen Weaver is hosting a Sourdough challenge where for a month she’ll focus on the ins and outs of sourdough bread baking! Are you in?
• Almost harder than changing my eating habits over the past year has been to drink enough fluid. Being at altitude and a semi-arid climate the water requirements here are even higher. But Good Life Eats blog has some great tips for helping you drink more water and stay hydrated.
• It would certainly be an indulgence, but I’m very intrigued by the pairing of flavors in this roasted grape, goat cheese and honey stuffed sweet potatoes!

Pixely:

• Hand drawn frames would be a great way to put your personal stamp on your photos!
• Hmmm, can photography be a type of meditation? Here is one take on being zen when photographing.
• How to fix too dark photos in Photoshop!
• I don’t think I’ve seen any creepier vintage photos than these with “hidden” mothers!

Bookity:

• The Edgar Awards for mysteries were announced earlier this week.
• The Hammett prize nominees for mysteries were also announced this week.
• This is a photographer’s take on Apple’s new iAuthor software for creating interactive e-books available in the iBookstore, but I think it is a good overview and not all that specific to photographers.
• Beverly at PoMo Golightly shares the efficient way her book group chooses their reads and shares their reads for 2012. I’ve already read a couple that made their list, how about you?

Naturally:

• I stumbled upon Crunchy Betty this week, here’s a sizable list of her best posts on all sorts of natural DIY beauty, health and home recipes. That should keep you busy for a good long while if you are so inclined :-)
• This seaweed soap sounds easy to make and beneficial to the skin!
• This is a great collection of recipes for a DIY natural bath product gift - just in time for Valentine’s Day!

More Linkity:

• Mrs. Pao once again has knitty, crafty, and food linkity!
• Chris’ eclectic linkity has some gems in it as usual!

As for the reading this week, I finished The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest and am anxiously looking forward to watching the Swedish versions of the last two movies, but I suspect it will be likely I won’t get to do so until March at the earliest given the need to read subtitles and my inability to do that and knit at the same time. I tried a bit of a cozy that was a Kindle freebie just a bit ago, Assault of the Deadly Glue Gun, and had to stop at 20% in. I just couldn’t like the characters and while I’m not opposed to suspending disbelief now and again this one was requiring much too much - in just the first 20%! Now I’m a tiny bit into Hide by Lisa Gardner, more of a suspense novel and I know already at only 10% in that I’m going to like it. Though reading time will likely be more scarce until the end of February - possibly only when on the treadmill! I did indulge in some more period movie viewing to keep me company while swatching - BBC’s Sense & Sensibility and Cranford! And I’m of course looking forward to watching this week’s installment of Downton Abbey some evening.