Ooh, there’s a new Knitty! How did I miss this? Patterns I like: Toe-up socks (with a non-short-row heel? I must make!), Similar but lacy toe-up socks, Japanese flip-flop socks, Fairisle leg warmers, and – DEAR GOD, THE BRILLIANCE IS KILLING ME – a Sock Monkey Hat. (Next year’s Oscar Contest winner may be gettin’ one of those, I tells ya.) And hey, there I am in the Editor’s Note!

A computer accessory for the Snook…

Attention Sydney Knitters! The long-dead Manly Stitch and Bitch has been revived by the lovely Yasinta. It’s starting up on July 11 with the goal of having it every second Tuesday. The group is planning to meet in the Lounge Bar area of the Manly Wharf Hotel, East Esplanade, Manly Wharf from 7:15pm. See the Yahoo group to contact Yasinta for more information.

I just wrote out a long SMS to send to Major requesting his help in planning a surprise birthday party for the Snook later this month… which I promptly then sent to the Snook. ARRRGGGGGHHHH. He’s still amenable to the idea though, so I guess it’ll be a non-surprise party.

Works in Progress
Okay, as you can see I’m about halfway up the body of the Debbie Bliss Knot and Cable Jacket. (I still haven’t found a good way to photograph cables, so that’s why the picture is so dark.) I’ve modified the pattern to knit it in the round, and I added five stitches to the front to form a steek where I’m going to cut the sucker open eventually. Now I’m just in the monotonous bit going up to the armholes. Next is a baby blanket for my sister’s forthcoming sprog. (Yes, it’s a Mitred Square Blanket courtesy of Mason Dixon.) I know the stocking stitch is curling in on the sides right now, but I assure you those squares are actually squares. Don’t the colours look nice together? You can see my paper plan there, which clearly shows that despite the pink bits, the overall effect will still definitely be “boy.” I’m planning to back it with some flannel to hide the reverse.

Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex. An analysis of the physiological difficulties in bearing Superman’s child.

Best. Headline. Ever.

Oh man, what I wouldn’t give to be sweating in the sunshine with millions of Chicagoans at Grant Park today, eating cheesecake on a stick and waiting for the fireworks to begin! Happy 4th of July, everybody!

Spotlight sucks. I’m so going to bring that up the next time some bogan asks why our prices are so high.

TV Show Preview
Well, that was lame. Leanne, Bec, and I were all excited to see some glurge-filled new “chick show” and instead we got the dreaded Current Affairs program. (There was an audible groan when the guy announced it.) It was called “This Week Last Year” and it was about – you guessed it – news stories from this week last year. It was dreadful and I told them as much on my little questionnaire. The fun bit was when we got to watch two commercials and then write down our thoughts. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been wanting to have a go at the Brand Power chick for YEARS. “I find Brand Power ads really insulting, because they assume that I’m an idiot who can’t tell the difference between an impartial recommendation and a COMMERCIAL.” “The production values are seriously 80’s.” “Why the graphic of the Metamucil pushing the poo through the digestive system? Gross and unnecessary.” It was great. I only wish they’d have let me take in a laptop; my criticism was limited by my slow handwriting speed. I did have a slightly embarrassing moment when filling out the demographic information. They asked you to circle all the hours that your TV was on yesterday. *gulp* I was circling, circling, circling… And as the Snook pointed out, I’m totally going to throw off their reporting because they’re going to assume I was watching live TV during that time, which – hello? Live Australian TV on Sunday? Is all auto racing. I don’t think so. Oh well, at least I got two movie tickets and a cookie out of it!