rabenwald and the music business??

just wanted to share this with everyone......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CuO_FAYQRA

if you watch this......the red monocle........at 00:40, 00:43, 00:44......and you can see the chain hanging on his vest (the guy in the red coat) several other times.......

that's our monocle. we made that. the band emailed us the link, and i figured i'd share it with everyone!!

nifty spiffy.........

amusing things with string!!

so yeah, a friend of mine sent me this.......

http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2007/09/cableknit_rug.html

this makes my brain hurt........i mean, it's really kinda cool, having a knit rug......but the thought of having cables that large gives me the shudders.....

i can envision having this in my living room; unfortunately, i can also envision tripping on a cable, going flying through a window, and killing myself because of it!!

anyways......

on other interesting news..........

check out this farm........

http://arare-breed.net/

these are cool people, an organic farm that does quite a few things (including black sheep!!)..............check them out........they are only like 5miles down the road from us!!

i think that's all for this evening........i've gotta go check the weather.......see if the noah-like (flooding) conditions will continue through tomorrow, or if it's gonna dry out anytime soon......

one can only hope!!

new nifty stuff

so, we've got new product.......



dropspindles!!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11090041
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11090218

i know we have them on ebay as well, check our ebay store.......
http://stores.ebay.com/Rabenwald-Metalsmything_Knitting-Needles-Stuff_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ18770513QQftidZ2QQtZkm
(links to our knitting needles and stuff section of the store)

we do both top and bottom whorls.......these are a little bigger and heavier than a traditional takli supported spindle, but will work as either a dropped or supported spindle (at least the bottom whorl ones will work as a supported spindle)........

go take a look!!!

it must really be spring!

yeah, i know, technically it's been spring for a few weeks......

but there are usually some "signposts" (as it were) that show me it's really here.......

this year, it wasn't being able to open windows......this winter was really weird, i had windows open for a little while in (i think) january!! we hit something like high 50's on and off all winter......so the sign is not windows open (though windows open overnight might be something, if it wasn't hitting freezing overnight these past few!!).

this year, it wasn't snow melting........we didn't actually get enough of the white stuff to stay for more than a few days at a time anyway.

this year, it wasn't weight of the coats/layers you had to wear........again, the weather was odd enough that i was occasionally going out mid-winter in a sweatshirt, sometimes with a scarf and wristies for a little added, but not a coat.........

no, this year, it's partially dealing with shoes........this past weekend, i spent the entire event in flip-flops.......got a little chilly at night.......but still alright......

which leads to me to the number one indicator that spring is really here::

I'VE GOT MY FIRST #$%!^%&&*@%$#$!#%#%^$^ BUGBITE!!!!!

(can you tell it's driving me nuts, it's on the side of my foot, i keep trying to scratch off my skin, i think it's an ant bite!!)

things that make me LOL

http://www.notwithoutmyhandbag.com/babynames/

don't eat or drink while reading this........because you WILL spit on your monitor!!

and yes, it is work-safe.....

WWKIP day

i just had to share this link......

http://www.wwkipday.com/

the acronym stands for "World Wide Knit In Public day"..........the largest knitter-run event in the world.........

a chance to meet other knitters; to be a companionable knitter, not a solitary; to show the world just how many of us there are out there!!

unfortunately, there is nothing even remotely close to me......

WWKIP day is the second saturday of june every year; june 14 this year!!

good luck, and have fun poking the muggles!!!

my monkey is on fire and IT'S ALL MY FAULT!!!

just needed to say that...........i got her nightgown done, a little while ago......and now i have the blackmail pic to prove it!!!



she had just woken up.......so is a little bleary.....

and for other amusement, here is my office.....



yes, that's a toughbook, hanging on a hook, on the wall in my living room (over my spot on the sofa....)......


and yet other amusements........my mom has been cleaning. she recently sent us 5 boxes via UPS.......one box with ana's b-day present (yes, my monkey is now 9)......and four with craft supplies and fabric.

so we now have several dozen wooden sheep and hearts, a gallon-sized ziploc full of sequins, quite a few tri-beads, some pipe cleaners, enough plastic lacing/laniard stuff to choke a moose, and hopefully enough fabric yardage to do something interesting with!!

(about the odd crafts......my mom was a preschool sunday school teacher for many years, and most of this stuff, especially the weird stuff, was from crafts for sunday school, and she's figuring that we can either use it for ana, or donate it to the school, or sell it on ebay)

i need to take this afternoon and actually sort through all this stuff, make piles of things monkey will use, things we can use, things we can sell/donate, and yardages of fabric (i can't know what i can make with it until i know how much i have, now can i??)

so that's for this afternoon.....

oh yeah, and for one last pic.........here's proof that drogo really does do work occasionally!! (he's taking apart watches for their gears for steampunk stuff)

piratical knitting!!!!!

i think this website is absolutely awesome........

http://www.knitlikeapirate.com/

several different patterns for very pirate-y accessories......

in particular, i'm gonna hafta make a few of these:
http://www.knitlikeapirate.com/projects/tricorn.shtml

a knit, felted tricorn hat (and how to do the feather-boa-like stuffies on the edges too!!)

i'm thinking one in black with blue edging for drogo.......prolly one in a red or dark grey for me.........maybe one in a nifty blue or purple for the monkey!!!

this project uses around 600yds of yarn.......with some eyelash or (non-feltable) fuzzy for the boa stuff.....

so this is a pretty affordable project!!

i love it!

quoth the knitter, nevermore

the hilarity ensued on the ravelry remnants board.......

thanks to all who put this together, and thanks for letting me publish it!!!! if i've got any of it in the wrong order, please drop me a comment and let me know......and how to fix it!!!

BTW, somewhere down in stanza 15-16, the abbreviation WIP (usually stands for work in progress) should be pronouced like the word whip, not like three separate letters.

-------------------------------------

QUOTH THE KNITTER, NEVERMORE!!!

Once upon a midnight dreary,
while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and complex pattern of forgotten lore-
While I knitted, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
“Another knitter,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door:
Only this, and nothing more.”

Ah, distinctly I remember, it was in the bleak December
And my afghan Glowing Embers had just slipped down to the floor
For my books I was searching, from shelf to shelf was lurching,
Frantically researching, researching the lost Lenore,
The Sock Club socks for members only that the Harlot named Lenore,
Not for sale for six months more.

And the silken yarns in stash were so tempting soft and certain,
Thrilled me — filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
” ‘Tis some knitter entreating entrance at my chamber door —
Some late knitter entreating entrance at my chamber door; —
This it is, and nothing more.”

Presently my socks grew longer: hesitating then no longer,
“Knitter or crocheter, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is, I was knitting, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my craft-room door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you”—here I opened wide the door;—
Darkness there, and nothing more!

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Can I meet the deadline no knitter ever met before?
Still the yarn runs on unbroken, knitting up my loving token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, ’Lenore!’
This I whispered, and an echo murmered back the word, ’Lenore!’ –
Merely this, and nothing more.

Back into the craft room turning and my soul; for yarn was burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
“Surely” said I “surely that is something at my crafty stash;
Let me see then, what thereat is, and this Mystery Stole explore -
Let my needles be still a moment and this Mystery Stole explore:
Tis a knitter - nothing more!”

Open here I flung my basket, compact yarn and needle casket,
Out rolled a ball of Raven purchased months before.
Not the least project planned it, simply did I have to have it,
But, with sheen so soft and seemly, did it my eyes implore,
Into my shopping cart I gathered four,
Gathered, hoarded, nothing more.

Then this lustrous wool beguiling my new fancy into smiling,
By the worn and boring sweater from the Walmart store.
‘Though thy colours dark are many,’ I said, ‘my choice worth every penny,
Will always make a garment that leaves me wanting more–
Will I finish off that project before using these skiens four?’
Quoth the Knitter, ‘Nevermore’.

Much I marveled this luxuriant wool to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning - little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no knitting human being
Ever yet was blessed with cashmere yarn above her chamber door -
Self-striping upon the needle jar above her chamber door -
With such name as “Nevermore!”

But the cashmere sitting lonely on that needle jar formed only
That one word as if its skein in that one word it did outpour.
Nothing further then it uttered - not a soft strand then it fluttered -
Till I scarcely more than muttered, “other skeins have failed before -
On the morrow it will fall short, as my skeins have failed before.”
The cashmere said, “Nevermore!”

Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
“Doubtless,” said I, “what it utters is its only stock and store,
Tink’d by some unhappy knitter, whom unmerciful Gauge Measure
Followed fast and followed faster, till its plys one burden bore
Of ‘Never - nevermore.’”

But the Cashmere still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of skein, and jar, and door;
Then, upon an afghan sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this dark cashmere of yore -
What this soft, luxuriant, variegated, now ominous skein of yore
Meant in forming “Nevermore.”

This I sat engaged in guessing, while no syllable expressing
Of the cashmere whose beautiful firey dye now into my eyes did bore
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the intricate cabled lining of the never finished cover
But these twisted stitches entwining on the unfinished cover
Seemed to spell out nevermore

Then methought the craft grew denser, the yarn black hole! my knitting’s tenser,
As the hours lengthen yet the project touches not the floor.
‘Why?’ I cried, ‘When gauge is right, the rows increase into the night,
Yet inches stay the same - should I return to dear Lenore?
No! Finish this, and then pick up Lenore.’
Quoth the Ravelers, ‘There’ll be more.’

"Project,” said I, “WIP of evil! Evil still if wool or cashmere!
Whether I shall finish thee or toss thee here aside
Saddened, angry, yet undaunted, by this project witch enchanted
On this yarn by trouble dogged, tell me truely, I implore?
Will I ever meet the deadline–tell me, tell me, I implore.”
Quoth the cashmere, “Nevermore!”

“Project,” said I, “WIP of evil! Evil still if wool or cashmere!
By the pointed sticks between us, by the rabbits we both adore,
Tell this knitter so frustrated if a clever way does exist
To make amends and finish this long task I so abhor,
To mend my ways and so complete this task I so abhor.”
Quoth the cashmere, “Nevermore”

“Be that word our sign of parting, yarn or fiend,” I shrieked, upstarting
“Get thee back into the stash room and be banished and ignored
Leave no inch length as a token of that lie thy skein hath spoken,
Leave my knitting time unbroken! Quit the jar above my door!
Take thy fibers from my heart, and take thy skein from off my door.”
Quoth the cashmere, “Nevermore.”

And that cashmere, ne’er unwinding, still is twining, still is twining
On the dusty jar of needles just above my chamber door;
And those plies have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,
Dreaming of unfinished projects left in tangles on the floor,
Cursing cast-ons yet unthought-of, cursing second socks galore,
To be finished – nevermore!
--------------------------------------------------------------

and for just a little dose of unreality (not that we really needed any more, after this work of genius!!), let's go on to something a little more campy............
-----------------------------------------------
A long, long time ago,
in an LYS far away,
God said “Let there be WIPs”

It’s just a knit to the left
And a purl to the ri-i-i-i-ight
Watch your stash give you fits
In flourescent li-i-ight
But it’s the knitted swatch
that really drives you insa-a-a-a-ane
Let’s knit that sock once again
(repeat)
----------------------------------------

i'm not telling what that's a filk of, you should all really get that bottom stanza.........it still makes me giggle!!!!!

thanks again to all the crazy folks at ravelry........this was an absolute hoot, and my drogo still thinks i'm nuts!!!

souls???

i found this article to be genius........

http://www.slate.com/id/2187561/?GT1=38000

titled "death to stuffed animals! the genius of webkinz"

i was a little against webkinz to start with.........the monkey has a few issues telling reality from fantasy already, and i was worried that this new toy would make that worse.......

and in some ways, it has. but we are consistantly reminding her that it's just a game, just a toy.......not real..........and she seems to be starting to get that concept.

things changed a little when her grandmother's dog died...........dakota was a husky, and while ana didn't really play with him, he was a beautiful animal.........and the death rocked her world.

so, they bought her a husky webkinz, named it dakota............and now, dakota lives on.

definitely made the kid feel better, and in some ways, made grandma and mommy feel better too.

so maybe there is something to be said about stuffed animals with electric souls!?!

tidbits

some little things......

first off, i think this is a really cool news story...........

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23942218/wid/11915773?GT1=31037

Pregnant ‘man’ tells Oprah: ‘It’s a miracle’
Transgender dad is 6 months pregnant after artificial insemination

back in college i had my brush with semi-serious activism.........i was a PRIDE member (the gay/straight alliance on campus), and was involved in things like philly pride week, and the millenium march on washington...........so this story just makes me feel good...........both the fact that it is just a regular couple, having a baby, being normal and happy..........and the fact that i haven't seen a lot of denouncers yet!!
i think it's just really cool...........

and next, a joke............

this afternoon, drogo was giving me hell, cause i was muttering about startinga new knitting project, when i've got a few on the needles i've been kinda avoiding lately............

i told him i had startitis.

he said that i'd better see and end-ocrinologist for that.

yeah, i hit him, it was too much of a groaner............but it was kinda funny!!!

then, some news..............

the stepmonstermonkey has pinkeye again, but she's fine..........got her eyedrops, back to school tomorrow.........we spent the afternoon at the laundromat, boiling her sheets/blankets/clothes/webkinz.........

and on the way home??? not only did it rain, but we had hail..........larger than sand, about half the size of a pea.........not cool, not fun, but luckily it went away quick, and the ground was too warm for it to freeze..............

(wails) i just want it to be spring!!!!!

laters all!!!

there's something wrong with the world today......

and it's not just the fact that my title is a song reference.............anybody??

i find this sad.................and scary. my stepmonstermonkey is a third grader.........

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23905909/

article titled "cops: third graders plotted to attack teacher"

in some ways, this is a little scary........i mean, we here at the house of misfit ravens are lucky if we can get the kid to remember to bring home her schoolwork; the thought of a group of kids like this plotting to bring things in (knife, tape, handcuffs.....) is just a little diabolical..........

and then again, my next question is where are the parents??? i mean, i highly doubt that our kid could get any of this stuff to school from our house..........and where does a 9yrold come upon handcuffs????? i'm not trying to be insulting, but really.......come on..........something is wrong here, if these kids didn't know that hurting others like this could be wrong!!!!!

i think this will be one story i'll be keeping an eye on...........