There's a 40% chance that my underwear is on inside out.

Crossposted to darksumomo.

Michigan News

Detroit Free Press: Michigan will be among the poorest states for years, study says
BY CHRIS CHRISTOFF
FREE PRESS LANSING BUREAU CHIEF

Reliance on a shrinking automotive industry, the loss of 1 million jobs, outmoded taxes and lack of government reforms will make Michigan one of the nation's 10 poorest states for the foreseeable future, according to a study released Wednesday.

Michigan's state government -- trailing just Rhode Island and Arizona -- was amid nine states in danger of following California into an even deeper financial crisis, the report by the Pew Center on the States said.

"Michigan is adjusting to a new normal, where the state may just have to deal with a permanent set of pared-back services," said Susan Urahn, managing director for the Washington-based think tank.

Detroit Free Press: Billions for state, but where are jobs?
BY TODD SPANGLER
FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF

WASHINGTON -- Seven months into the massive federal stimulus program, the vast majority of government grants, contracts and loans in Michigan so far have created or retained virtually no jobs, a Free Press analysis shows.

The analysis also revealed that others who have been promised or have received stimulus money have overstated -- in some cases greatly -- the number of jobs created or protected.

Obama administration and state officials say it's too early to draw conclusions about the overall impact of the $787-billion nationwide program to stimulate the economy and generate jobs. They promise that job growth will follow as more funding arrives.

( State budget, unemployment, green businesses, education, and recession chic behind the cut. )

I finished the first sock a month ago, and then the second took a while coming since I got a two week visitor and got a lot of work I had to finish up. But, I've finally managed to finish the second sock!

FInally I can see why socks are such great little projects. All together I think I finished the second sock in about 5 hours, since it's quite easy once you get the hang of it (but everything is, come to think of it). There is one small mistake on the first sock that you can't see unless it's pointed out to you, and for some reason the slipped stitches on the gusset on the second sock became very large on one side - things to keep in mind for the future, I guess.

Info:
Pattern: Roll Top Socks - note: I did not do the roll-part but started right on the k1,p1.
Needles: Susan Bates DPs, 5US
Yarn: Colinette Jitterbug in now unknown colorway (I've lost the little info cards since the yarn has been in my stash for about 4 years now).

( Pictures! )

This is what I've been doing in lieu of rewriting my thesis conclusion:

( Started this morning )

( Finished last night )

I really need to join a "Second Sock Syndrome Sufferers Anonymous" group. Hey, 6 pair finished out of 10 isn't bad, right?

ETA: Pattern names. Sorry for not catching it right off!

Has anyone seen Jennifer's Body yet? Its a great film anyway, but there are some fantastic knits in it!
In particular, theres one scene where Needy wears a chunky, cropped two-tone cardigan in blu and cream: its a bit 80s but i totally loved it and want to re-create it... but i'm struggling to find any screen shots to think up a suitable pattern.

Does anyone else know what i'm on about? Am i the only one raving over the knits in this film? Am I just a knitting nutter?

OK, Wild Zero is the best worst Japanese movie ever -- it's got aliens, zombies, exploding heads, unconventional romance (including, but certainly not limited to, zombies-in-love), fire shooting out of things that shouldn't shoot fire, a hounds-tooth swim suit with lapels, buckets and buckets of fake blood, and most of all the power of ROCK and ROLL.

Being back in Canada is rough. I had a great placement in Missisauga, but I'm not loving my time at Queens. I haven't really made many friends for seeing outside of school, and most of my classes aren't exactly engaging. My favourite hobby seems to be eating, which worries me. I'm antsy to get back into practice teaching and home. I'd also really like to take a trip, but everything seems out of my budget.

I went to talk to a career services counsellor last weekend about the alternative practicum. I said I'd like to go overseas for as little money as possible and he gave me some options. He said the cheapest place would be an international school in Guatemala. I thought I'd be able to manage a budget of $1000, but he pretty much said I'd be stretching it with $1500. If I'm already $30000 in debt, does another 1 or 2 even matter? A real international school would be fantastic option if I want to go back into teaching overseas, outside of an esl setting. On the other hand, I came back to Canada because I wanted to establish a life and career here. I could have a fantastic experience somewhere in Brampton or Toronto that might be more relevant to my immediate future. Then again, I only need one more stamp for a completely full passport. That would be cool.

Poll #1485541 International Experience
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 6

Is a month in Guatemala (counted towards my teaching degree) worth $1500?

Hello,

I will be going to Eastern Europe soon and I was wondering what would be a good gift for my aunt in law who knits as well. Any suggestions? I was thinking of getting her some yarn but if I do I want it to be something cool that would be hard to find over there.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Now I will get my husband to translate what I said in Russian.



Я собираюсь в Восточную Европу и думаю, что подарить тете мужа, которая тоже увлекается вязанием. У кого-нибудь есть идеи? Я думаю подарить ей клубок шерсти, но тогда она должна быть такой, которую сложно найти там.

Буду благодарна за любую помощь.

Several months ago I asked for recommendations for yarn stores in Sydney. A couple people recommended http://www.morrisandsons.com.au/. They're great! And they were having a sale when we were there! Also, someone recommended Featherdale Wildlife Park. It was awesome! Thanks so much for the suggestions!

Such an easy and satisfying pattern! They're taking a bath in Eucalan right now to soften the Trekking XXL. More details on the Ravelry project page.

Whee, I knitted things! Check it out under the cut.

( Why yes, I do mean this cut. )

As usual, more pictures can be found on my Ravelry Page (feel free to friend me) and crafts of all sorts (not just knitting) are documented on my blog. Stop by!

In case you are interested, Michael's has Paton's Classic merino on sale 2/$5 through tomorrow.

EDIT: I don't know if this is nationwide, I posted because I just scored a ton in Racine, WI. Be sure to check your local store first, I guess.
I just checked the website and the 2/$5 sale is listed...

I'm knitting a sweater with some relatively intense cables. I noticed that about 5 rows back, I dropped a stitch in one of the purl sections of the cable. I'm hesitant to rip the sweater back, because I don't have any life lines in, and I'm worried about losing the cables and being able to pick up the whole round of stitches, etc. I was considering just threading a piece of yarn through the dropped stitch and trying to sew it in place so it doesn't run. I don't mind the slight blemish this would make in the sweater. Is this a decent idea, or do I really need to risk ripping the sweater back?

Thanks for your help!

I am knitting Veronik Avery's Military Cardigan from "Knitting Classic Style" (Rav link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/military-cardigan).

I am three rows in and already stumped. It says:

Row 1 (RS): K4, [work Row 1 of Chart A, pm, p4] twice, end K1 (edge)
Row 2: P1 (edge), work sts as they appear to last 4 sts, K4
Maintaining edge st and 4-st garter edging, work even until piece measures 2 1/4", ending in WS row.

So... do I work in the chart? Or do I work even, literally, following the knits and purls. Looking at pictures on Ravelry, it seems like it's supposed to be worked in the chart, but then I get confused because Row 2 throws me off the chart. (Row 5 of the chart is a cable, so it needs to be a RS row.) But if I start row 2 in what's technically my 3rd row, I'll be on the WS for the cable row. Does that make any sense at all?

I hope I'm just overlooking something really obvious. Any insight?

So I was reading up on a few different knitting sites and I stumbled on somethingabout 'twisted stitches' and how what might look like stockinette isn't *really* stockinette, etc, etc. Now, when I *first* started knitting, I knit through the backloop. I then learned differently, but upon looking at my knitting, I discovered that despite being even and relatively quick, the way I loop the yarn still results in a twisted stitch!

I tried looping it the other way, but there was a *serious* awkwardness to everything I tried. It did produce a straight stitch, but it also felt too loose and to do just a line of it took me quite a while.

What I'd like to know is: if I'm a somewhat casual knitter, and I have made quite a few items with my stitches like this and been pleased with the results, is it worth it to take the time to retrain my hands to try and untwist my stitches? Other than a slight (to me) aesthetic difference in the produced stitch, is there some structural or pattern-related reason to change? Are there things that I won't be able to make/do with my stitches like this?

I know I probably sound like a philistine, but I was wondering what you all thought.

ETA: ...have discovered, much to my own embarrassment amusement that knitting through the back loop? Straightens out my stitches. So I'll just have to remember to reverse that (ktbl = k, k=ktbl for me) and everything seems to be just fine. I'm gonna go off and laugh for a while now.

Thank you for your answers.

( FO scarf )

Bloomberg
Home-Purchase Index in U.S. Plunges to Lowest Level Since 2000

Nov. 12 (Bloomberg) -- Mortgage applications to purchase homes in the U.S. plunged last week to the lowest level in almost nine years as Americans waited for the outcome of deliberations to extend a government tax credit.

The Mortgage Bankers Association’s index of applications to buy a house dropped 12 percent in the week ended Nov. 6 to 220.9, the lowest level since Dec. 2000. The group’s refinancing gauge rose 11 percent as interest rates decreased, pushing the overall index up 3.2 percent.

The drop in buying plans points to the risk that the recent stabilization in housing will unravel without government help. In a bid to sustain the recovery, Congress passed and the administration signed a bill last week to extend jobless benefits and incentives for first-time homebuyers, adding a provision that also made funds available to current owners...


U.K. Economy Isn’t Yet ‘Over the Worst,’ BT’s Chanmugam Says
Nov. 12 (Bloomberg) -- The U.K. economy isn’t yet “over the worst” of its longest recession on record and the effects of the slump may last into the second quarter of 2010, BT Group Plc Chief Financial Officer Tony Chanmugam said.

“Our plans are all based on the fact the recession doesn’t end during the course of this financial year,” Chanmugam said in a Bloomberg Television interview in London today. “I would expect there to be some turn during the next financial year” beginning in April. “We’re not over the worst and there’s still more to come,” he said..

A few weeks ago, I posted asking for help finding or extrapolating a pattern for a hat I'd seen in a catalog. I wound up going with the Gilligan Bucket Hat, and I thought I should make a post showing the result:

( Mom's bucket hat )

My mom is very interested in Norwegian knitting and I would like to purchase a book of patterns for her. Since I know nothing on it really, other than what Amazon and google tell me, I was wondering if any of you had any suggestions on a good book for her. She just wants to do scarves, mittens, sweaters, etc. She's been knitting for longer than i've been alive, so skill isn't an issue.

And would Norwegian and Fair Isle knitting be considered the same or similar? What about Scandinavian?