I could not resist it

And I have made it one of my multiple forum icons:

In search of the feedback

I recently asked for some feedback about my blog in Ravelry (those with a Ravelry account can check the feedback here), and I will be taking some of the suggestions into account.
As you might have noticed, I have increased slightly the font size, as a result of these feedbacks. Another comment I received was to make the blog title more visible, and to perhaps do some more essay-based posts about depression and how it affects my life, as it is the topic that is more personal.
All the feedback liked the simple and de-clutter layout of the blog, which I'm very happy for, as that was my intention. I personally don't like blogs with too much stuff going on, so that I can barely find my way around (I have the attention span of a goldfish). Also, everybody loved the whale.

I was suggested to try Feedburner for the feed, so this is what I'm doing now. Hopefully, all of you that were subscribed before are receiving this, as it has cleverly redirected (I am also subscribed to my own feed, so that I can check how it turns out, and will be able to tell if it doesn't redirect, don't worry!).

As I asked for feedback in a specific blog critique group, maybe some of my readers (you know, the two of you) have some suggestions but haven't spotted that. So, if any of you would like to drop some feedback (layout, posting, themes, what I post about, pictures, things I should do more/less often), drop a comment, or email me with your suggestions, and I will certainly think over them!

Thanks for the feedback!

Edit: Hooray! The new feed seems to be working!

Last meds bag

Horray! I finished it! I sew the buttons on today on my way back from work on the bus. It is not my finest project, but it is mine and it will be very helpful. I really don't like forgetting to order more meds, the side effects are not fun.

I have already put my meds inside, about a week or a month supply inside (depending on the strip). Because I only need to ring my chemist a week before I need meds (they sort out everything with the doctor), this arrangement should be alright.
I'm so proud of my design!

The designer itch

I am slowly getting the designer itch. This cannot possibly end well :)

I have mostly designed a/the little bag to keep my last meds, which is nearly finished. It is partly influenced by other bags, but I think I can still mostly count it mine, if I turn the page and squint. I should be done with it and post pictures this evening, but don't hold your breath, I don't want my readers dying.

Now I want a belt. Well, sort of. I want some sort of sash/belt/obi to wrap around my waist and give some shaping to some of my short sleeve shirts, to make them look slightly more formal. However, I can't find on Ravelry any belt-y type thing that is a bit thick! Well, there is one pattern (non-Rav link), but it is in a Berroco book, and I don't think I'll buy the whole book.
Ergo, the correct answer here is to design and knit my own!

So, requirements for my belt:

• about 10 cm thick
  
• grey as my normal work trousers
  
• ability to close in a pretty way,and "change" size
  
• maybe with a little cute pocket!
  
• some manner of decoration. I was thinking to small cables along the edges, and maybe some lacy squares along the centre. My trousers have some sort of square-ish pattern (tweed style), so I think it might go nice. I have a book that includes some lace stitch patterns, so I will have a look at it, as I don't think I can make up my own lace yet.
  
• some actual obi inspiration? I shall have a look online at pictures of real obi, and see if I can somehow incorporate that design into mine

I am going my LYS today, to browse and get some white yarn for some more amigurumi¹, so I can have a look at some dark grey yarn, and get a bit to start swatching and designing the patterns. I am being very good and not buying yarn for my next big project (non-Rav link) until I finish the cardigan, but small project are a fair go because the cardi is too big to carry around.


1: I am having trouble with the magnets for the Katamari. I might have somewhere else to look for them today, otherwise I will have to look for them online. ↑

The White Whale attacks!

Two ships sailed happily across the sea.


Suddenly, the White Whale appeared.


Quick, man the harpoons!


But the white whale was too much.


It taunted them.


And finally, it om-nom-nomed them!


Here, Whale! A smile for the camera!



Technical notes
Ravelry project page
Pattern: Tiny Whale, by Hannah Kaminsky. (Ravelry pattern page)
Yarn: Rowan All Seasons Cotton
Hook: 3.5 mm (E)
Notes: I enjoyed making the whale! A+ will buy again :o)
I had a bit of trouble with the tale, but I got it explained by the Ravelry ladies. I just didn't know how to start the tail. Here is the answer I got, for other people looking for it too:
(I’m guessing that) because you were working in the round, the sc 4 is to get you to the right place. Then, when you ch 1, you are working a new row. Then ‘sc2 into one, 2 sc, sc2 into one (6)’ adds up correctly and makes good sense for the tail of a whale, where you would want some strategic increasing to get the right shape.