polka-dots & sparkles

…And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead + Sincerely, Grizzly

29 May 2013 1 Comment

by bekswhoknits in ...and you will know us by the trail of dead..., passion pop wednesday, song of the week Tags: Song of the week

I promised knitnrun4sanity that this Wednesday I would post some photos about my CD wall. But I’m going to delay this promise for a week because I went to a gig on Saturday night.

…And you will know us by the trail of dead (or Trail of Dead for short) is a band which my partner introduced me too. They’ve been to Perth before and they’ve been song of the week before, and one of their songs is in my top 20 most listened to songs. (that was in 2010 and it hasn’t changed too much.)
I think it’s pretty safe to say that I’m a fan of this band.
It’s one of the bands which my Bloke and I double up on (as in he and I both have a copy of the same CD). So I was a little shocked when he called to say that he was staying up north on his fishing trip rather than see this band.
Best Friend to the rescue!!

Having never heard this band before (I’ve obviously failed as a friend by not previously lending her any of the 4 albums we own), I’m pleased to report she had an awesome time.
She was the one who convinced me to get a photo with the lead singer after the gig. Unfortunately I only remembered last night (way too late) that my camera has a flash which you have to pop up for it to work. So two of them were just darkness. But the third I was able to save with the magic of photo editing and over exposure.

We were impressed with the support art Sincerely, Grizzly so we both bought their EP. The band were at the merch stand so we chatted to them for a while. The lead singer was a massive Doctor Who fan which was very cool.
The only pic I have of that is Midnite Moose looking mid “woo!”, which is for her eyes only.

Sincerely, Grizzly were definitely influenced by Trail of Dead, which made them a pretty good support act. I would definitely see them if they came to Perth again.

Trail of Dead played Source Tags & Codes in full before skipping their scheduled break and playing a set from the other albums.
Overall it was an awesome show. I got home with my ears ringing, and a grin from ear to ear. That’s always a sign of a great gig, and a great night out.

Late to the podcast party

28 May 2013 1 Comment

by bekswhoknits in around the interwebs, knitting, apple love, iPhone, blog love Tags: Knitting, Electric sheep, pod with no name, radio free Skaro, podcasts

I’ve just discovered that I can listen to podcasts at work! Well rather, I’ve discovered Stitcher which means I don’t have to plug my phone into my computer.
This technology has apparently been around for a while because I’ve lost a bit of geek cred thinking this was a new concept.

Pod With No Name is the reason I discovered this ‘new’ technology. The fabulous @sebsharp has been plugging this podcast for ages and for good reason. It was an entertaining half hour of Australian accents and hilarity.

After that I thought about what to listen to next. So I typed in Doctor Who.
I checked out a few different podcasts, giving them a 2 minute chance to impress, but only listened to Doctor Who: Radio Free Skaro all the way through.
I liked the way it felt like I was hanging out with people who talked the way I did and loved doctor who the same way I do.
In real life I only have one person who I can chat with about all things who and that’s my little brother. Who is very awesome but it’s nice to have more than one opinion on things.

(On a side note I am superduper excited to be seeing Doctor Who at the cinema on Saturday night!!!!)

So then I thought I’d see what popped up when I typed in knitting.
There is a heap of knitting podcasts which again I gave the 2 minute test to.
I listened to Jane and Jen knit funny, which was quite entertaining.

And then I found Electric Sheep.
If you haven’t listened to her podcast before I cannot recommend it highly enough.

I have listened to all the back catalogue that stitcher will allow. She has a wicked sense of humour and I have snorted my tea once or twice whilst listening.

I have messaged my boyfriend about a pub next to a yarn store that we need to go when we’re in Europe next year from her recommendation.
I’ve been inspired to make infused gin again. (I have made lavender infused gin before but I don’t think I posted about it, nevertheless it was delicious.)
I have now made a cardigan which she spoke about which was going to be today’s blog post, but I’ve blabbed on about podcasts for long enough already.

My partner got home from work while I was sitting on the couch listening to her Christmas Panto and I was laughing so hard he thought I was broken or drunk or both.

So if you have never listened to a podcast before, or have never listened to Electric Sheep, both have the Beks Stamp of Approval.

A change is as good as a holiday?

27 May 2013 17 Comments

by bekswhoknits in extra special, real life, whatIwore

I am no longer the girl with blue hair who knits.

If you’re looking for me in a crowd you need to start looking for pink hair. And do I mean pink!

I try not to bleach my hair too often. I avoid it for as long as possible, but it was at that point where I couldn’t avoid it any longer.

I do my own hair. Its cheaper that way and I only have myself to blame if it goes wrong.
My bathroom gets turned into a hair salon about once a month.

Once I’m satisfied that I haven’t missed a spot, it’s the waiting game to see whether or not all the colour comes out.
I did my fringe bright red last year and that took 4 bleachings to get it to a workable state.
The teal came out quite easily and left me with a blank canvas. As well as the scheduled reminder that I look terrible as a blonde.

I hadn’t expected it to be so white. I though about it and ended up opting for a change.

I am now a pink haired girl.
I got so used to the teal that it looked normal to me. The pink is so bright it’s a bit of a shock. But I love it.
I’ve had pink hair before (it’s in my drivers license photo) but never with a fringe.

For the 10 year old Bek who never wanted a pink bedroom because it was too girly- I’ve failed you. But 28 year old Bek knows that you can still be a tomboy with pink hair.

Everything is almost right with the world

24 May 2013 7 Comments

by bekswhoknits in KCBW4, knitting, socks, wip Tags: knit, Knitting, socks, team bee

I have now completely my first ever provisional cast on.

I’m not sure it should have taken me 45 minutes and involved scissors, swearing, and cider.

So I have the toe of the sock completed and I’ve learnt something.
If you’re going to try a new technique don’t start with fingering weight.

So I’ve now starting on the foot part of the sock and immediately I feel calmer.
Like there was a something missing before.
This sock was chosen as my Team Bee mascot project. I am loving the pattern. It has one tricky row, and the rest is straight forward, I’ve finished one repeat and have got it down pat.

I am loving this yarn. It’s from yarn vs zombies and it is a dream to work with. It’s flying quickly through my fingers and I have to stop myself from pressing it against my face.

I’m no sure I’m loving the two together though.
I think the pattern is getting lost in the colours.
So I’m not sure what to do.
Do I start again with another yarn?
Do I give the provisional cast on another try?
Do I keep going and wait and see if I fall in love with the complete sock?

So everything is right with the world because I have socks on my needle, but I can’t shake this feeling that it’s not quite the right socks.

Stuck In My Head – Pissed Jeans

22 May 2013 8 Comments

by bekswhoknits in music, passion pop wednesday, song of the week, spotify Tags: Song of the week

I’ve been a CD buyer for a while now. I’m a collector by nature and always a music lover so it’s a natural fit.

My latest CD haul all arrived at once which is a surprise as usually I place am order and they just trickle in. I love getting presents in the mail. Particularly if I’ve bought them myself and I know I’m going to like them.

So judge me as you see fit!

But apart from the two soundtracks (Buffy and Smash [very disappointed Smash was recently cancelled]), the album that’s getting the most air time is Pissed Jeans.

Sub Pop is one of the few record labels that I pay attention to. They’ve had some really good signings over the years and so whenever they sign a new band I hop on the band wagon pretty quick.

A tale of 4 cowls

21 May 2013 4 Comments

by bekswhoknits in around the interwebs, etsy, extra special, knitting, ravelry Tags: easy, Knitting, Pattern, ravelry

My best friend has the misfortune of supporting a football team with terrible colours.

Its also difficult to find nice options in the predominantly male clothing options (or icky t-shirts) available.
So I was thinking about this and made a drunken yarn purchase.
I found this yarn on etsy and just had to!

So now I’m trying to find the perfect pattern.

I’ve narrowed it down to the following. Clicking the photo will take you to it’s ravelry page.

Weeble-wobble cowl.
This has interesting construction and I’m interested to see how it’s made.

Stratosphere Cowl
This one has an interesting zig zag part but would show off the different colours really well.

Chevron Sunshine
I’ve not done chevrons before and think that this pattern would also show off the brown & gold nicely.

Woodstack
I really like the lace on this. It would be a bit of a challenge but I still think its elegant without being too much.

Ultimately the decision will be made by the recipient, but tell me what your favourite is.
Is there a pattern you’d recommend? Is the perfect pattern not in my shortlist?





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			FO #12 – I found myself a hitchhiker	
	20 May 2013 4 Comments

			
			by bekswhoknits
				in books, extra special, Finished Object, knitting, mondays, scarf
				
					
	
	
		What is the answer to life, the universe, and everything?

The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy says that the answer to the Question, is 42.
The number 42 has since become its own popculture reference with 42 towels, this 42 shirt that my little bit geeky boyfriend wears, an entire episode of Doctor Who, and the hitchhiker shawl which has 42 little notches. 
This is the only true hitchhiker I’ve made. The other two I stopped before I got to 42. Mostly because of time constraints, but also because I’m pretty selfish and wanted mine to be the only true 42 hitchhikers.

Plus neither of the recipients of the other hitchikers would care about the reference. 
So here it is. You have photos of work-Bek today because I finished it only minutes before I was due at my friends place to watch Eurovision.

Time restraints = terrible selfies. 



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			Surrounded by UFOs	
	17 May 2013 21 Comments

			
			by bekswhoknits
				in FO - Friday, knitting, wip
				
					
	
	
		All around me is unfinished objects.

Currently on the needles I have

- hitchhiker shawl #3 for me

- 10 stitch blanket

- mini mania scarf

- parcel jumper

- ripple crocheted afghan

- blue cabled hat (in no mans land)
So what did I do this week? Cast on 3 more projects. 
I’d like to introduce my team bee socks

A zigzag hat

And a cabled scarf

I think I need to buckle down and maybe finish what I start.

Or I could search ravelry for more pretty patterns!!!!

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			Stuck in my head – Still Corners	
	15 May 2013 Leave a Comment

			
			by bekswhoknits
				in passion pop wednesday, rant, real life, song of the week, still corners
				
					
	
	
		My day leading up to this blog post.

- Stumble out of bed, find clean clothes, walk to train station

- Train ride to work, check twitter see what’s going on in the world.

- Get to work, check work email, check bloglovin (formerly google reader), set tasks for the day, make tea

- Remember the federal budget was announced last night because coworkers are stating misinformed opinions as facts.

- Put headphones in and play mclusky loudly.

- Mclusky is making you more angry and is affecting work productivity (as much as coworkers are). Make tea.

- Seek calming music. Check twitter. Find out Still Corners just released a new album

- Day is looking up. Make tea.

- Work

- Find out The National are streaming their new album too. Can’t find link to stream. Day is looking down again.

- Work

- Check twitter. Find a number of horrible news stories. Tweet about horrible news stories. Find solace in lovely twitter people that are not horrible racist, sexist, transphobic bigots.

- Renew concentration on work tasks. Computer malfunction. Make tea.

- Coworker reignites conversation about Australian politics.

- Listen to Still Corners new album again

- Realise it’s Wednesday and decide to blog about new Still Corners album


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			If you don’t take pictures did it really happen? (FO 12 & 13)	
	13 May 2013 13 Comments

			
			by bekswhoknits
				in Finished Object, knitting, real life, scarf, tips and tricks, weekends
				
					
	
	
		I’ve failed as a blogger this week.

Only after I had three packages of knitted goods complete with care instructions all wrapped up in tissue paper did I think about photographing them. 
The mittens I already had photos of because I’d blogged about them before, but I’ve just sent two hitchhikers into the wilderness without any proof they were here. 
Well that’s not entirely true, but it does leave me at a bit of a blogging loose end. 
I do think the hitchhikers were a success. The colours I chose matched what they were wearing when I saw them (always a good sign). 
The hand knitting process gives you plenty of time to um and ah over colour choices so I was a little frazzled by the time I had finished. 
So in absence of good pictures, I have the ones for my care instructions.

I use the Phonto iPhone/iPad app which makes putting text over photos very easy.

I use that app to make personalized cards too. My mum is always requesting photos of me and my partner so I find a decent photo, add our names to it and put a fridge magnet on the back.

Next time I think I’ll crochet a border for something different. 





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