Metric vs. Stupid

Can I just complain for a little?

It's about the metric system.  Well, not exactly, it about the lack of use of the metric system, particularly in knitting.

I am continually (CONTINUALLY) frustrated by patterns that list needle size by US size (or UK size, Canadian size, etc).  These numbers are ENTIRELY ARBITRARY!  Worse, they are incomplete (there's no US size for a 3.mm, 7mm or 7.5mm) and inconsistent (for some reason, at larger numbers, they start being labelled 15, 17, 19, 35, 50).  What is this nonsense?  These large sizes are not proportional to the metric sizes - maybe there was a system at one time, but I don't really care because if there was a system it was clearly a terrible one.  To be accurate about what needle you are using, you should always just use mm.  ALWAYS. 

It's not just needles, either!  When you're given a gauge, it's assumed that 10cm = 4".  This is accurate enough for thicker yarns (bulky, worsted, DK), but when you're working at gauges like 28st = 10cm/4", that quality is actually off by over a mm, meaning your gauge can be off by half a stitch or more.  I'm aware that most people just don't care that much, but damnit, if I'm making a gauge swatch, it needs to be accurate, otherwise what's the point?  Obviously, I'd rather if patterns used cm, but if that is too difficult then it would be nice if they at least specified which measurement they were using.  (Some people do this, it's true - yaay for them!)

The point is that everyone should just switch to the metric system already.  Hasn't it been long enough?  There are a million demonstrations of why the imperial system is broken and unwieldy, and I'm not going to go over that here - I think I can assume that anyone who's actually thought about it prefers metric for pretty much everything.

The only exception I had, personally, was for measuring household-size objects.  Cm are clearly too small, and m are clearly too big.  Luckily, because the metric system is great, there's something in between: the rarely used decimeter.  I don't know why this isn't an everyday unit of measurement, because it's great!  A decimeter (dm) is 10 cm.  I'm still adjusting to using it - I have a ruler that's a dm that I'm carrying around, so my eyes can get used to approximating it more easily.  When I guess at measurements, in the past I'd guess things like "a bit less than a foot" or "maybe a few inches" - I'm not talking about accurate estimations (that's what cm are for!) so this works out really well.  My waterbottle is "2 and a bit" dm, my mouse is "between 1 and 2" dm.

Clearly this is a good idea.  If you like to measure smallish things inaccurately with your eyes, you should Try This At Home.

Anyway.

In other news, I've been super good about my yarn diet so far this year!  I haven't bought ANY yarn since x-mas (except stuff for a commission, but that doesn't count because it's a commission and I don't have to pay for it).  I am slowly but determinedly working through my stash.  I know it's only been a month an a half, but damnit, that's enough time to be proud about!  But not enough time that I get to buy myself yarn as a reward.  (That's just my yarn-brain talking.)

Away we go

Do you ever get the feeling where your thoughts are kind of floaty and unfocused?  Your body wanders around, eating food, reading books, putting on sweaters, fucking around on the internet, picking up yarn, taking off sweaters, and you aren't really all that aware of what's happening?

Which one should I do first?

Yes, well.  This is an inconvenient time for a floaty head.  I need a brain that is paying attention in order to work on various school tasks that are due rather soon.  Knitting could possibly help - or I could just want to keep knitting.  Oh dear.

Go the fuck to sleep

Here is my current wish: I wish I could program myself to sleep on time.  Ideally, I'd set sleep/wake times - I'd get warnings at 30min and 10 min before sleep time, and I'd get 20 minutes leeway in the morning (though of course this could be reset if needed).  Sleep is entirely difficult.  (I'd rather not have to eat than not have to sleep, but that's only because I have alllllll the food issues.)

Shelves

I got some!  From the garbage!  So now I actually have a real place to put my knitted shirts!  So much win.

Everyone always tells me I'm wonderful, and it's turning me into a bitch.

I need some constructive criticism, yo!  

I think the main problem is that I don't have many close friends who are better than (or equivalent to) me at the things I care about.  Clearly I need to be more social and actually talk to people.  (I'd really rather just hang out in my room and make stuff.)

I can crit myself (though I'm not sure how constructive it is), but it's got less impact when it comes from my own brain - plus it's easier to forget.  Self: go socialize with interesting people and stop being a jerk!

On another note, I finished a couple nice knitted things (plus some embroidered stuff from last term!) that I need to take nice pictures of, but I keep sleeping till 2pm (notice how it's 3am right now?) and miss the good light.  I guess I could go outside, but it's COLD.  And I don't have a backyard.

Do any embroiders have a good recommendation for a stitch guide?  I want to get better at this!  I'm thinking something along the lines of this site, but in book form.

Also, related to books, The Principles of Knitting is being re-released.  Now, full disclosure, I don't actually know much (anything) about this book, but the title makes me really excited for it!  I hope I get a co-op job so I can buy it without having to wait until it comes out in paperback.  (If it ever does.  Damn you, Loop-d-Loop, and your delicious hardcover patterns!)

Too much stuff

I'm running out of space for my knitted things.  I also have too much yarn.  So, my goal is to clear out one box (milk crate) of yarn, so I can keep sweaters and things there instead.  This is going to be very difficult.  The yarn is reeeeally stuffed in there tight.  Plus, I reeeeally like buying yarn. 

Since it looks like I'll have to move again soon (I hate my landlady/co-op) cutting down on the yarn is probably a good plan.  I would really like to not have to move.  I've lived at my current place for two and a half years, and I've acquired a lot of stuff.  Ok, going to stop writing as this is making me stressed.  Going to go to other work now.  Sigh.

A Question for skilled draw-ers (drawers?)

Here is the skill I would like to develop:

Drawing: (left hand = picture one) (right hand = picture two)

How often should I switch for optimal skill development? I am willing to spend time practicing. 

My instinct says switch every time. y/n?

I've been (mirroring lines and circles, looking at the paper) and (drawing circles with both hands, not looking).

Do I find it more difficult to draw a line than a circle?  Which is preferable?  Should I draw lines first?  Perpendicular to each other?  Lines and circles?  Circles and lines?  (Circle Circle) (Line Line) ?

I am enjoying having this thought and excited to work on this skill.  I would appreciate input if you feel that you: (have a constructive response) or (don't understand and want explanation)

It's like an owl without a graduation cap: heartbreaking!

Fuck.

On a similar note: I went to the post office (the one 5 blocks away, NOT the one I can see from my window) to pick up a package, in the rain, carrying a very bulky canvas.  In the mailbox when I got home: another delivery slip for a package that was at the same post office.  Arg.

Nifty hats

I made a hat!

Now, I make a lot of hats, so this isn't really a huge thing, but this is a pretty neat hat so I want to talk about it.

This was made from some yarn I dyed a while ago.  Using intentional pooling, I made the colours line up (because I'm awesome like that) and then I gave it pseudo-ears because they are adorable.  I'd write up a pattern for this, but since it really depends on the way the yarn was dyed to work, and since I dyed it myself, it probably wouldn't be all that useful.

But yeah!  Hat!  I guess i didn't actually want to say all that much about it, but I really like it, and so now I am posting about it hooray.  Here it is flat:

I also made a similar hat, using the same yarn but a different number of stitches:

It's interesting how just changing the number of stitches has such a big effect.  Neat!

I knitted SO MANY THINGS

Including Octopus Mittens! One of them is significantly larger than the other...my plan is to attach an i-cord like kindergarten kids have, so they won't fall off. Hopefully. If that fails I'll try adding elastic, but I'm worried it will wrinkle the design.

Here's some more stuff I've made: (apologies for the dubious photos)

I only made the blue section of the last mitten - I took fingerless gloves to a festival, and it was much colder than expected, so I had to do some impromptu mitten surgery.

This shirt was made with dumpster yarn:

These two were made with my handspun/dyed:

(The one on the left is a Kobo cover.)

This cowl:

is made with the only non-blue-y yarn I got at the Knitter's Fair, and it's sooooooo nice - delightful colours, and it's wonderfully soft and squishy. It's Wink Wink Worsted, by Studioloo, who are super awesome and should definitely be investigated if you're into yarn. They make awesome crazy art yarn too!

(This is the yarn I got at the Knitter's Fair, by the way:)

That's all for now.