Research

Despite a migraine, I've been fiddling with two pieces of reference management software as I pull together stuff I'd like to look at regarding spinning and history of textiles.
The first is Mendeley.  I like the web-based nature and I especially like the bookmarklet that allows for importing of references from webpages like Amazon or Web of Science or any number of other common research databases.  I also like the social-networking potential for sharing resources, citation lists, etc.  Unfortunately, it is very slow (at least for me) at the moment.  The bookmarklet can take ages to load.  I haven't imported old citation libraries yet (when I was more active in research as a graduate student and research assistant I typically used EndNote and haven't yet exported those old libraries).
Mendeley also interfaces with OpenOffice.  I haven't tried it yet, but I'm hoping it will be similar to the CiteWhileYouWrite function in EndNote which was a huge blessing for me as a graduate student.

I've also started playing with BibDesk.  After a few false-starts, I think I'm getting the hang of it.  I like it a bit better than Mendeley in some ways - it's faster and a bit easier to use.  I'm not sure I'm a huge fan of the internal browser for finding references, especially since GoogleScholar freaks out a bit and thinks I'm a bot if I do too many searches and imports.  I'm slowly getting the hang of creating new references and was very excited when I finally figured out the importing from clipboard feature which allows for highlighting, say, a bibliographic entry from a document or web-page works cited, going to BibDesk, highlighting the author name, title, etc., one at a time and telling BibDesk which is which.  Very, very cool.
I'm not sure if BibDesk integrates as well with a word processor, but I'm using both applications for the time being, so while it might be mildly awkward to keep them both updated with each other, it should be possible to generate bibliographic lists for printing or in articles.

Knitting Away

My latest knitting project is this wrap that I've been working on while I watch TV (mostly The A-Team lately - I love our Roku). It's supposed to have a slight bit of ribbing to it but I keep loosing count of knit and purl stitches and so it's a bit wonky. The yarn, Lion Brand Homespun, is sufficiently knobbly and fluffy that it really isn't all that apparent that I fail at counting and paying attention. I have to say, I really like the softness and texture of the yarn. Now that I've gotten more experienced with knitting and crocheting I can actually make out my stitches in this too, which makes it far less frustrating to work with (beginners take heed). And the colorway - Corinthian - is really more lovely than I've managed to capture with the photo. Lots of rich jewel tones. So, hopefully this will be a nice wrap for me either around the house if it turns out a bit wonky or for going out if it winds up being nicer.

I've been eyeing more luxurious yarns lately too, primarily with the intention of buying a skein or two to make fingerless gloves or mittens for the coming winter. I still haven't decided on anything, though I'm leaning toward a silk-blend something, maybe with mohair. I'm not sure about weight. And I'm also trying to be a little cautious with the budget, so I may be waiting a while.

Dumping

Last night I started seriously going through boxes of paperwork and clearing things out. It was very liberating to trash so much heavy paper. Most of it was the detritus of several years of graduate school - copies of articles that I will never read again, papers I wrote, notes, etc. I am offering some of it up to friends, but I suspect most of it is going to wind up trashed or recycled. If any of my readers want copies of articles on ceramic analysis, Egyptology, or anything else let me know. I'll ask you to pay shipping if you're not in the area, but they're all yours, snarky comments in margins and highlighting included. I can pull together specifics on titles, etc., if anyone really wants them.

Unfortunately, I also had the start of one of my worst migraines in quite some time last night. Serious nausea. It's still ongoing, but has finally faded to typical migraine level for me - which means I can still semi-function even if I am disinclined to move or talk much and noise and smells bother me. No TV either - oddly reading helps or is something I can do (I usually can't sleep through my migraines) to take my mind off the discomfort, but watching things just doesn't work.

We have an apartment viewing scheduled for tomorrow - our first look outside the neighborhood. Should be interesting - this place supposedly has an included washer and dryer, a fireplace, a large kitchen and some other nice features. It's also even less expensive than what we're paying now, let alone what we might have to pay if we stayed in Hyde Park and wanted a place comparable to what we have now. Rent is ridiculous.

he'll take you aboard his beautiful ship

he'll take you aboard his beautiful ship
Originally uploaded by giolou

Giolou has posted this adorable ickle knitted alien. I love the glowing silver yarn and the eyes. I have yet to knit amigurumi as opposed to crocheting them (and I should really get back to crocheting them, but I'm trying to finish my freakin' project bag before I do start any thing else).

Ahem. The alien. Super cute! Knitted. Giolou scored the pattern from the wonderful and generous Barbara Prime who has posted a free pattern for the adorable little dudes and dudettes on her blog. And this is one of the best sort of patterns, it appears to me, in that it is easily customizable and adaptable, resulting in all kinds of fun creations.

sukigirl: How to crochet Eve from Wall-e

Follow the link below for a wonderful crochet pattern for Eve from Wall-e.  Yay and thanks to sukigirl designing and sharing such fun for free!  

sukigirl: How to crochet Eve from Wall-e

Settlers of Catan 'ghan! With Free Pattern

Cthulhu Crochet and Cousins: Settlers of Catan 'ghan! With Free Pattern

I am ridiculously proud of myself for having guessed that a Settlers Afghan was in the making from a prior post.  Better is that the pattern is generously shared at the above link from Cthulhu and Cousins.  Including an inexpensive and washing safe method of making the sheeps!

Hello Kitty Devil

DSC_0490
Originally uploaded by silly_a1804

I will confess, I'm not a huge fan of Hello Kitty. Hard as it is to believe, she's actually a little too cutesy for me. (Don't analyze my logic there, others have tried, failed, and wound up with really bad headaches.) I like this Hello Kitty though - she's got some spunk. And I think a friend of mine would probably like her. Something else to go in the Ravelry cue.

silly_a1804 used the free pattern available here with some modifications.

Bunny Bowling with thelongthread

Etsy :: The Storque :: How-To :: How-Tuesday: Bunny Bowling with thelongthread

There's a great how-to on making your very own bunny bowling set available from the Storque.   Check it out!

Embroidery Pattern for Doll Face

Embroidery Pattern for Doll Face
Originally uploaded by davis.jacque

Jacque has generously posted this fabulously fun pattern for free on Flickr (that was a lot of alliteration, there...) I don't embroider myself (or others), rather I don't do embroidery aside from a few details on my amigurumi, primarily because I don't think I can manage the small needles long-term without major hand pain and cramps, but that doesn't keep me from admiring other amazing work.
If you use the pattern, be sure to credit Jacque and share a photo of it so we can all see your creation!

Yet another reason Etsy is awesome

Etsy :: The Storque :: How-To :: How-Tuesday: Make a Donkey Softie

Free patterns! Make your own adorable donkey softie!