knitting: July 2006 Archives

I'm making great progress with this sock (when I actually pick up the needles) and I really like the yarn. I'm using Stahl Wolle Socka, #9125. And using Addi Natura, 3.00mm needles. Pattern used is Here be Dragons.

For Mother's socks, is going to be Wyvern Woman's Sock pattern. Yarn used will be Dalegarn Baby Ull, #4018.

I've finally implemented the ability to record needles. This is Very Important. Especially when circular needles have a tendency to play hide and seek, forcing you to go to the store and surrendering an Andrew Jackson bill, only to discover that that size has be languishing in a 5-year old project.

I've put a lot of time into this Inventory application, and it's truly been a lot of fun. I think Phase I is almost over, as I need to take a break and concentrate on some other ColdFusion geekiness for a while, in the mentime thinking about how I'm going to implement the publications portion of the inventory. I have some of my books recorded in a book inventory program, and I need to massage that set of records into a format that is usable with the database.

Still working on the sock - yes, picture forthcoming. I've also decided on a sock pattern for mother's, and so I hope to get started on it over at mother's later on today. Gotta run now so I can see what new tricks my nephew has come up with, besides trying to figure out how to open that new tv cabinet with an old-fashioned lock-and-removable-key combo. I can tell that this kid is going to keep us all on our toes for the next 18 years . . .

I've been plugging away at this app because I want to get as much finished as possible that I can feel like I've reached a good resting place. I'm halfway through the database structure, concentrating only on the functions that I need right now. Here's a view of the Recipients, where I'll be storing information about people. some of them I may want to knit things for; others I'll want to contact, such as designers. Here in this form, besides the name info, etc, I've added fields for measurements such as neck, arm length, etc. Later on I'll be adding the ability to generate patterns based on these measurements.

It's really very simple; you have only to check out Elizabeth Zimmermann's percentage method (and Meg Swansen's updated percentage method), and other knitting design books. From there it's easy to convert these into mathematic formulas. Some of you may feel at ease figuring it out all on paper. I don't really like to do math, so anything that makes it easier is great for me. And of course, computers are supposed to be good at math, aren't these?

Here's a read-only view that you can print out, with a list of emails and phone numbers. It just occurred to me that I should probably add a couple of tables to hold information for IM accounts. Since people change their phone and email addresses, I've added the ability to edit, add, and delete.

Right now I'm working on the ability to record needles, and then it's on to recording accessory purchases (I've already got the yarn purchases in place). Of course, this means that my knitting time has been taken away somewhat. But I'm still knitting, if only mentally and electronically . . .

What am I going to do with the zucchini? Maybe i should try making zucchini bread. I'm not really into breads like that, but I'll at least give it a try.

Eeek . . . look what showed up in my garden. Yes, this is over 1 foot long. And probably not as edible as it should be, but we'll find out later this week. First, I need to separate it from the umbilical cord and somehow preserve it for cooking later this week. I'm not sure how I accomplished this feat . . . perhaps it could be due to the fact that I've barely used insecticides and only applied fertilizer at irregular intervals. Most of my time has been spent pulling up weeds (ugh).

Lately I've taken to going out to putter around in the garden in the morning after Bruce goes to work. This works out great because I'm refreshed after a good night of sleep, I got no excuse to dawdle around, and I can shower after working in the garden.

I really like the Here Be Dragons pattern - I'm almost halfway through the first pattern repeat and this yarn is a real pleasure to work with after the worsted weight handspun yarn. Don't get me wrong, I love handspun yarn, it's just that perhaps I could have used a larger size so it wouldn't feel like I was wrapping bulky yarn around a slim needle.

I've finally finished hubby's socks, and these fit him perfectly. He assures me that these feel quite comfortable. Now, I need to wash and block these, and put away for fall. I'm going to have to spin up more yarn in the meantime, because I know that he'll wear these out before the cold season is over.

Now, I need to get started on my mother's socks. I have a few patterns that I want to take a look at. I'm thinking, some sort of ribbed socks, or lace socks. I have two skeins of red Dale Baby Ull yarns for this. It'll be interesting to see how this yarn holds up when used for socks - the weight certainly is appropriate enough.

Yes, it's still hot as hades here but it's supposed to cool down next week. I've been trying to stay cool in the meantime. I'm hoping we get a nice thunderstorm tonite or tomorrow - hold the wind, please. And, I heard back from the director with whom I'd interviewed for a position last Monday; apparently they've decided to continue their candidate search because they don't feel I would be a good match for their department. Sigh . . . I know that I can do this work, based on what I'd seen of the website and some of the code they'd showed me. It's getting a bit frustrating.

I did go out and get myself another domain, and space on a cheap hosting service where I can host my ColdFusion codes. At a later date I'll put up my knitting app there for demo purposes, and to show potential employers what I can do, especially since I can't use the code samples I'd created at my previous job due to the confidentiality agreement I signed.