Lost in Stitches

Welcome Back to School

2009-09-09T19:31:00.003-04:00

The school year has started and priorities have shifted from fun time to learning. Today we got an unexpected lesson when we looked at the parsley growing in the front yard. Catepillars, and lots of them. After some internet research it looks like we have about 6 black swallowtail catepillars eating our parsley. I only wish that there was more parsley left for them to eat. Here is one of the pictures for your enjoyment.

Too Busy

2009-07-03T09:11:00.002-04:00

We are too Busy having fun for me to worry about taking the time to post... I hope everyone has a great 4th of July!

1st Birthday

2009-06-17T11:03:00.004-04:00

My daughter turned 1 on the 11th and we had a great time doing a cupcake party. I wanted to share what we did for gift bags as I think they really were a great for kids 3 and under. I got really lucky with party supplies and one of the "gifts" as Michael's had a line of cupcake items in the $1 bins. Got even luckier when the same items went on sale for $0.47 each.

I made cupcake softies in pink, yellow, and blue, added some bubbles that I had left over from my son's birthday, made a cupcake memory game, and threw in a cupcake magnet. Tied the bags with some ribbon from Michael's dollar bin and a perfect cupcake gift bag was done.

For the cupcake softies, I made a pattern based on a picture of a cupcake that I liked. I used my limited photo shop skills and enlarged the picture, printed it out twice and cut out a top and bottom piece that I then used for my pattern.

Cupcake memory was fun to make. I spent a day finding eight different cupcake images, tried to size them all the same, printed them out on white card stock, then had my husband cut them out. I spent forever trying to figure out what to use to hold the cards together and give me a place to put directions too, finally I took some florist cards and printed out stickers for directions. I like the way it all stays together, plus it was free.

Teacher's Gift Idea

2009-06-04T10:56:00.004-04:00

My son had his last day of preschool recently and it was really hard to say goodbye to a great school that we spent three years with. I have watched my son grow and become a confident little boy ready to face Kindergarten. To say thank you to all of his teachers we made these adorable pots. I of course did not take a picture of the final project, I guess that means that we need to make at least 1 more. But here is the general idea.

We took some terra cotta pots, primed them white, had my son draw line to separate grass and sky, using a paint pen for terra cotta wrote along the top "thank you for helping me grow". We then using his thumb and finger we made flowers around the pot. When the paint dried I used some spray varnish to seal the pots and potted them with lavender. I think that the teacher's really liked these gift as they were handmade, but useful. Plus what women does not like the smell of lavender.

Cupcakes

2009-06-01T16:23:00.006-04:00

Speaking of cupcakes I want to give a shout out to all these amazing people who have inspired me on this theme and for ideas on the take home gifts for the party that I am throwing.

These beauties are from http://lindaalbrecht.typepad.com/ and her Simple Things Blog, they made not be edible, but they sure look scrumptious. You should really see Linda's other work as it is just amazing. I am so inspired to play with paper now. Thanks, Linda.

This is a cute as pie (or should I say cupcake) pin from HappyBirdscraftinghaven.com, I just love the effects from the glitter.

Who could resist this cupcake? I love softies and this one by cherrymix is just so cute. I can picture all of the embellishments that one could do too.

I love this idea, pin the candle on the cupcake, it is available from tons of online retails for about $19.99, so not paying that, but will have fun making one of my own for sure.

I also loved what My Little Piece of that Azure Sky did for her little girl, check it out at http://davinie.blogspot.com/2008/04/cupcake-party-for-cupcake-lass.html

These are from CutieGoodie.etsy.com. I love the idea of personalised little felt take homes for the kids. This party is going to be so much fun. Now that I am full of ideas off to work I go.

Cupcake Invites

2009-06-01T13:44:00.003-04:00

I am planning my daughter's 1st birthday and doing a cupcake theme. I am having kids all five and under so I am planning to do some cupcake decorating, pin the cherry or candle on the cupcake, and food in cupcake/muffin form. I think that this will be a blast. The hardest part was finding an invite that did not cost and arm and a leg. After hitting the wire for when the invites needed to get out I found a great cupcake image and using my very limited photoshop skills made up the invite. I hope that someone else can use this too. Take image 1 and print as many as you need, fill out the details in image 2 and using a red brad, attach the two at the cherry. Also image 1 would look awesome on vellum using the same method to attach and create the invite. I hope that you like. I am now on a mission to find some cardboard big enough to start making the felt board for the game. Happy crafting.

Super Pegs

2009-05-27T18:18:00.005-04:00

As a welcome home present for my son I made him some super pegs, all his faves are here Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, Spiderman, and Batman. A huge thank you to Naked Peggies, and Michelle at her cup overfloweth for the great idea. Next time I am playing with pegs villains and maybe some Disney princess.

Project List

2009-05-11T10:01:00.002-04:00

So I have been browsing a million and one other blogs, websites, and everything else in between and came up with a list of projects that I would like to get done this summer while I am on a break from school. I am just hoping that the little ones give me enough time to get one done a week (that isn't asking too much is it?). Here is my list I hope you find something that you want to make too.

Projects List

Sewing:
Ruffled Skirt http://grandrevivaldesign.typepad.com/grand_revival_design/2007/10/ruffled-skirt-t.html
Pencil Holder/ Crayon Holder
http://joyridewithmiral.blogspot.com/2009/04/pencil-and-crayon-holders.html
http://nested.typepad.com/blog/2007/07/materials-you-w.html
Shorts
http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2009/04/dish-towel-shorts/
http://www.sewmamasew.com/media/blog/SMSBandanaPants.pdf
Basket
http://www.modabakeshop.com/2009/03/fabric-easter-basket.html
Fabric Dollhouse
http://uklassinus.blogspot.com/2008/08/fabric-dollhouse-tutorial.html
Fabric Travel Chalkboards
http://anyonecanquilt.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/10/cute-fabric-chalkboards.html
Dishtowel Skirt
http://www.graceviolet.com/2009/02/how-to-make-skirt-from-dish-towels.html
Play Mat Drawstring Bag
Ruffle Top
http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=791
Cloth Flip Flops
http://www.ladyharvatine.com/2007/06/summer-slippers.html
Pillowcase Dress/Top
http://www.jenleheny.com/pillowcase-dress-instructions

Softies:
Scottie
http://allsorts.typepad.com/allsorts/2006/05/softie_scotty_d.html
Pointy Kitty
http://weewonderfuls.typepad.com/wee_wonderfuls/store/pointykitty.html
Hot Diggidy Dog
http://qdpatooties.blogspot.com/2008/05/new-free-pattern-hot-diggity-dog.html
Owl
http://www.qdpatooties.com/bluehowlaiiptrn.jpg

Weaving:
Recycled Bag Basket
http://luckyladybirdcraft.blogspot.com/2009/03/over-past-few-weeks-me-and-my-friend.html

Knitting:
Girls Top
http://soulfulhuesknits.blogspot.com/2008/02/girls-cap-sleeved-spring-top-with.html
Feb. Baby Sweater

Hair Clips:
Fabric Button Clips
http://www.modabakeshop.com/2009/05/binding-and-hair-clips.html
Felt Clips
http://zakkalife.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-make-felt-hair-clips.html
http://angrychicken.typepad.com/angry_chicken/2007/06/this_house_is_w.html

Other:
Refinish Table
Baby Food Jar Hanging Lanterns
Baby Food Jar pincushion
http://www.craftpudding.com/2009/03/tutorial-baby-food-jar-pincushion.html

Car Play mat prototype

2009-05-07T17:40:00.004-04:00

So I was blog cruising and saw this awesome project by Tangarang http://tangarangblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/monday-craft.html. It reminded me of a project that I had seen in a 70's craft book, so I thought I would try to combine the two and see what happens. Here is what I created.

This is a prototype because I do not like how I made it into a pouch. The loopies just don't work for what I want so I think that I am going to make more of a drawstring bag on the next one.

Peg Dolls

2009-05-03T20:11:00.004-04:00

I made my first peg dolls as a gift for a 5 year old's birthday present. I must give a world of thanks to some folks for the inspiration behind this gift, first and foremost has to go to Grace Violet check out her great post http://www.graceviolet.com/2009/03/how-to-make-peg-doll-cottage.html for a super cute peg doll house. My version is Tiki, and here it is....

Also take a look at these great Etsy sellers:
Wunderkind and Naked Peggies

Here are the dolls that I made...

Emma's Garland

2009-04-21T13:46:00.006-04:00

Emma has a great yellow room with a nice funky vintage feel to it, the problem is that we have yet to do anything about her windows. So at the dollar tree I found these

clothes pins, and with some raffia that I had around made her this.

I love how it brightens up the horrible blinds. Now I have something else to add to my requirements for fabric for her drapes, oh well....

Dollar Store Inspiration

2009-04-21T13:38:00.002-04:00

Looking around at One Crafty Place, I always find some project that I want to make, recreate, or just am plain inspired by. The last time I visited I found a few great projects, links, and got me to head to the Dollar store and see what I could find to create with. I have started a few projects, but not on the two that got me there in the first place. To see my inspiration, head to http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2009/04/dish-towel-shorts/, http://filthwizardry.blogspot.com/2009/04/tea-towel-skirts.html (who by the way may just be one of the coolest mom's ever), and http://www.graceviolet.com/2009/02/how-to-make-skirt-from-dish-towels.html (love all the pineapples). Here is what I have been doing...

OT Election is Over

2008-11-05T13:01:00.001-05:00

I am happy to know that 2 years of campaigning is done. I have never been less exited over a Presidential Election in my life. I did not really like either candidate so who won was not that big of deal to me. I would like to say that I am happy that so many people went and voted. I have participated in every election held since I turned 18 and never have I seen so many people voting. I hope that all of the 1st time voters out there continue to exercise their rights and vote at every election from now on. This is what makes us Americans, WE get to participate and choose who governs us. That is powerful and should not be abused or taken for granted. God Bless America!

Missing Pattern Information (MPI)

2008-11-04T11:49:00.001-05:00

So thanks to Revelry and my need to show off all of my work and credit the designers of anything I make I have spent the last 4 hours searching through free patterns online trying to find who wrote this pattern:
A terrific beginner cable pattern!
You will need:-16" circ. size 10 1/2 needle-approx. 80 yds chunky weight yarn-cable hook-jumbo tapestry needle
The Hat
Cast on 66 sts.
Join in the round and knit as follows:(K4, P2, K3, P2)* repeat this for 4 rounds.Round 5: (C4F, P2, K3, P2) until end of round.Repeat these 5 Rounds until piece measures 5.5 inches from cast on.Decreases (remember to C4F on the K4 every 5 rows)Round 1: (K4 [or C4F], P2tog, K3, P2)* repeat for rest of round.Round 2: (K4 [or C4F], P1, K3, P2tog)* repeat for rest of round.Round 3: (K4 [or C4f], P1, K2tog, K1, P1)* repeat for rest of round.Round 4: (K4 [or C4F], P1, K2tog, P1)* repeat for rest of round.Round 5: (K2tog, K2, P1, K1, P1)* repeat for entire round. If this decrease occurs where a cable should be, C4F, BUT, knit the two first stitches of the cable together, then knit the two stitches off the cable hook separately.Round 6 (if your stitches aren’t too tight on your circ. needles): (K2tog, K1, P1, K1, P1)* repeat for rest of round.Round 7: (K2tog, P1, K1, P1)* repeat for rest of round.Finishing Before casting off, cut your yarn from your ball, leaving about ten inches hanging off the top of your hat. Thread your yarn through your jumbo tapestry needle. Stitch by stitch, slip your stitches of your left hand needle onto the tapestry needle, until all you stitches are on your remaining length of yarn. Pull tight like a drawstring, and tie your yarn off on the inside of the hat securely. Weave in your ends.

The worst thing is I did not even save a picture so I do not remember what the hat even looks like. I seriously need help. I am working on some new things and hoping that once I am done with finals I can finish up my projects that have been sitting on sticks for too long.
If you want to see some FOs and some WIPs at Ravelry: kaligrl77...

I should win an award

2008-03-03T18:11:00.001-05:00

I really am the worst blogger ever!!! I have been knitting, just super busy with school, life, my son, and another baby on the way, that blogging has been so low on the list of priorities that I just have not been on here n almost a year. Who would have thought. I has high hopes when I started, and now I am writing for myself. I think a diary may be better. If I went the diary route, some poor knitter may not stumble upon this blog and wonder what happened to me. OK, enough moaning, down to the knitting stuff.....

I found another great shop in Hampton Roads, the Knitting Sisters in Williamsburg. I do not know what it is about a friendly and helpful staff that makes the LYS experience so great, but I swear those are the only two ingredients needed to make me happy. Now a great yarn selection does help, but only if the staff can help me get through it.

I found Ralvery(spelling?) and must say that is the best site ever. I love the way that they have done that site and wish my time on the computer was only dedicated to knitting so I could be there all the time.

I did finish my sweater from Vogue Knitting, I love it, but I have not had a chance to take pictures of it yet. I have also ventured into the world of socks and baby stuff. I love knitting the little baby things as they knit up quickly and are too cute. I just want to say thanks to Debbie Bliss for those great cashmerino baby pattern book.

Worst Blogger EVER!!!

2007-02-26T11:21:00.001-05:00

I must be the worst blogger ever. I have not posted a thing in months.... Anyways I have been very busy with school and moving across the country. So to catch everyone up, I have almost finished my vogue knitting project from a year ago... I have the top done, just not the sleeves. I had wanted to try and make the sleeves full length, but it made me look like a flamenco dancer so those got frogged and now I am way uninspired to finish the project. I have not really been knitting much, but I have started on a pair of socks that are coming out pretty nicely for my first attempt at socks. I will post a pic when I get them both done.

On to other stuff....
I recently moved across the country and must say that I thought I would miss CA more. I miss my friends, but everything else here is better. The people are friendlier, the weather is not the same everyday, and even the sushi is better (who would have thought). We bought a house here and that has been a fun experience. Our heater has already been replaced and paint is coming off the walls in the kitchen. On the plus side I do have an office/arts and crafts room that is still a work in progress, but is highly functional.

Of course I have already been yarn shopping...I have checked out to LYS so far and found one that I love... The Knitting Corner in Virginia Beach. The women who work there are the nicest. I was in there for an hour getting help picking out a project and yarn that would work and was getting great advice the whole time. The other shop I found has a huge selection of yarns that I have never heard of and one of the pushiest owners ever. I did find some cool yarn there at a decent price, but doubt I will go back since the sales technique there is akin to buying a used car.

PETA vs WOOL

2006-06-26T22:37:00.001-04:00

Wool the Evil Empire?
In 2005 the group People for the Ethical Treatment for Animals (PETA) took on the wool industry and those who use or wear wool, those who eat lamb, and the Australian sheep growers who provide the majority of the world’s wool and lamb, in the groups fact sheet “Inside the Wool Industry”, PETA accuses the wool manufactures of allowing sheep to be bred, sheared, and exported in an inhumane fashion. But based on research and campaigns by PETA’s biggest target and opponent in this battle, the Australia Wool Innovation Limited (AWI) it seems that PETA makes these claims based on misinformation, exaggerations, and out right lies. According to the Australian Wool and Sheep Industry Taskforce, a group made up of leading wool and sheep industry groups in Australia, and other research, PETA’s claims may be based on facts, but PETA chooses to twist these facts to aid their cause. PETA’s claims against the wool industry and the claims made by PETA’s opposition should be examined to uncover the real truth about wool.
Why should we care about Wool?
Man has used wool for over 10,000 years (Franck & Brownstone, 2003) to provide clothing due to the fact that wool is water resistant, warm, or cool, and is flame retardant too due to high levels of carbon dioxide (Wool, 2006). Today uses of wool vary from clothing to insulation, and the lanolin from wool is used for lotions and other cosmetics. Knitters, crocheters, weavers and many other crafters use wool in their arts. The majority of wool used is from Australia where wool is one of the country’s main exports, in fact 65% of the worlds Merino wool comes from Australia (AWI, 2005). Due to the claims that PETA has made about the Australian wool industry people have begun to boycott Australian Merino wool. According to the Australian Nation Land & Water Resources Audit, a division of the National Heritage Trust, the wool industry in Australia provided jobs for almost 30,000 in 1998 (n.d.), with boycotts happening due to PETA’s campaign against the wool industry these people’s livelihood is affected.
Continuous Fleece Growth
PETA claims that due to human needs and interference that sheep have been bred for continuous fleece growth (2005). PETA bases this claim on an article written by Pricilla Gibson-Roberts, a knitting scholar that describes why Scandinavian Sheep still have varied color fleeces. PETA (2005) states that “Breeding for continuous fleece growth began after the invention of shears”, however according to Gibson-Roberts (2000) as fiber arts progressed so did the need for a better fiber to use, sheep with better coats were kept for breeding and those sheep that did not possess the desired coat were consumed. PETA makes it seem that the process for sheep becoming what we know today was accomplished with malicious intent, but this was a process that took thousands of years to complete. Perhaps PETA would like us to believe that people have hated sheep for the past 10,000 years and are just trying to inflict pain on them. According to the History of Wool for Kids sheep were domesticated sometime around 10,000 BC, sheep were kept for meat, bone to make tools, and leather. It took 5,000 more years for fleece as we know it to become something that ancient man could use for spinning. Sheep have been bred for features that make them more valuable to their owner since 1,000 BC (Gibbons-Roberts, 2000). This has meant that sheep were kept for more than their meat, for 3,000 years, sheep have been used for more than just a food source, something that PETA, even though they believe that animals should not be used for any purpose, should be pleased with rather than raising a ruckus over.
Shearing
PETA (2005) also claims that shearing sheep or any other animal is cruel. To prove their point PETA uses this quotation:
[T]he shearing shed must be one of the worst places in the world for cruelty to animals … I have seen shearers punch sheep with their shears or their fists until the sheep’s nose bled. I have seen sheep with half their faces shorn off, no stitches ever being applied, not even as much as an antiseptic. Wethers (neutered male) have had their pizzles [penises] shorn straight off…
In PETA’s fact sheet (2005) the source for this quote is The Vegan Society a group in England that supports the vegan lifestyle, and shares many of PETA’s beliefs on animals. When one checks the sources that The Vegan Society provides for this same quotation in their 2003 document Wool, the source for the quote is a PETA document that has no sources. The above quotation leads one to ask why would growers and shears hurt sheep, don’t they rely on sheep for their livelihood? So how horrible is shearing for the animals that provide wool, such as sheep, Angora rabbits, Alpacas, an animal similar to the llama, and Tibetan Antelope? Merino sheep can die from the weight of their wool if they are not shorn, Angora rabbits that provide angora wool can suffer from wool block if their hair is not sheared, Alpacas are clipped not shorn, and another animal that PETA mentions, the Tibetan Antelope that provides the fibers for shahtoosh are on the endangered species list and all countries that signed the Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species do not allow for the sale or even possession of this type of wool and work to try to imprison traffickers of this product (Macdonald, 2000).
According to a local Southern California sheep grower it is best to shear sheep twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. The spring shearing helps sheep stay cool in hot summer months and the fall helps thicker fleece to grow to allow for warmth during the cold winter (personal communication, May 9, 2006). According to Glenn et al. (1996) shearing also helps sheep stay clean and healthy, improves production and reproductive efficiency, and improves bonding between ewe and lamb, things that PETA would rather forget in its crusade against the wool industry. Thus it seems that for people who care about and for sheep shearing is mutually helpful to them and the sheep.
Mulesing
The one of the biggest issues that PETA raises is about a procedure called mulesing. Wikipedia defines mulesing as the surgical removal of a strip of wool-bearing wrinkle skin from around the tail of a sheep. This procedure is illegal in the United Kingdom but is widely used in Australia to prevent flystrike. Flystrike is caused by the Australian blow fly Lucilia cuprina; the fly lays its eggs on a wrinkly area of skin near the sheep’s anus, when the larva hatches the larvae eat the sheep’s skin. This condition can cause death and extreme pain to the infected sheep (Tucker, 2005). Australian woolgrowers are already working on eliminating mulesing; by 2010 they hope to have viable alternatives to prevent flystrike. There are many research projects going on that are testing other methods of preventing flystrike, Australian Wool Innovation Limited (AWI), a company made up of woolgrowers, is working on three different projects to help eliminate flystrike and mulesing (2006). Tucker (2005) states that:
AWI announced it had completed the first successful trials of a needle-free injection system for a "natural mulesing protein" in June. The process is said to be painless and achieves the same benefits as surgical mulesing. AWI doctors and researchers have said that the final product could be introduced as an alternative by 2007.
But according to PETA’s President, Ingrid Newkirk, this is not happening fast enough, in fact PETA claims that good husbandry is enough to protect sheep from flystrike (n.d.). PETA may talk about good husbandry, but this coming from a group that does not want people to use the products from the animals that they husbanded. While good husbandry may work in England were flystrike is not as big of a problem as it is in Australia, the practices that are used in England may not be as practical on some of the large flocks in Australia. Good husbandry practices such as keep sheep clean, removing protein sources that flies find attractive such as dead animals, feces, and rotting vegetation can help curb the problem (Sargison, 2003), alternative methods to mulesing such as vaccination, genetic testing, and researching genetic “mutations” like bare crutch may be answers to mulesing, but these alternatives need to be tested and studied before a viable substitution can be found (AWI, 2006).

Live Exports
PETA (2005), claims that live exports endangers a sheep’s life and are brutally stressful for sheep to endure. PETA backs these claims with sources that are dated and no longer reflect the current practices on live exports. There are laws in place to protect animals during live transportation, Compassion in World Farming (2005) states the rules of the Western Australia Animal Welfare Act as:
Section 19 (1) of the WA Animal Welfare Act; a person must not be cruel to an animal. Section 19 (3) (a) transporting an animal in a way that is likely to cause it harm. (3) (b) confining an animal in a way that is likely to cause it unnecessary harm. (3) (d) not providing proper food.
Although some companies have been found guilty of violating Western Australia Animal Welfare Act, many other companies choose to take of the animals that they are exporting. Livecorp a non profit Australian export managing company explains some of the misconceptions that many have with the live export industry. According to Livecorp (2004) it is in the best interest of all involved with live exporting for the animals to be treated well and kept in good health. Live exporters are paid by the weight of all the live animals that leave a ship, so intentionally letting sheep or any other animal being exported be kept in inhumane conditions is an unwise business decision. In addition to profit as a motive and safeguard, the Australian government and Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) closely monitor the live export trade (Livecorp, 2004).
Another concern that PETA raises is the lack of regulations in butchering that some Middle Eastern and African countries have. According to Wikipedia (2006) in America and other “Western” countries butchering regulations require that the animals are received from ranch, farm, or feedlot, herded into holding pen where they receive a preslaughter inspection. Then they are, stunned, after being stunned the animals are hung by the hind legs, the animals’ main arteries are cut, the blood drains out and the animals die. The hide is removed and the meat inspected for quality and safety. If the animal passes inspection it is then cut up and separated by what is fit for human consumption.
In Muslim countries the process is different meat must be “halal’ or edible by Islamic law. For meat to be considered halal it must be butchered in a certain way, it is the methods of this butchering that has PETA upset. Basically the difference between our methods and Halal methods are that the animal is not stunned when the slaughter takes place, the animal has its throat cut with a very sharp knife and the words “Praise be upon Him who has made you suitable for slaughter [for the purpose of consumption]” (Wikipedia, May 2006). PETA and other animal rights groups have problems with this method because the animal is not stunned before the throat is cut. Proponents of the halal method feel that because the major arteries are cut the animal suffers very little. Muslims and Jews (Kosher slaughter is similar to the Halal way) worldwide are facing pressures from animal rights group to change the manner in which they slaughter animals, both groups are adamantly against any changes being made based on religious grounds (BBC, 2003). In America both halal and kosher style of slaughter is allowed as a religious freedom, it seems that PETA instead of making the issue that the animals are slaughtered at all, is persecuting Muslims and Jews because of their religious beliefs on how meat should be slaughtered. Is the way that an animal is slaughtered/killed more important than religious freedom?
Collateral Damage
Perhaps the most ludicrous of PETA’s claims is that kangaroos are killed because of sheep (2005). It is true that the Australian government does allow kangaroos to be hunted, but not to protect sheep. The Australian government agency the Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH), (2002) allows three different types of kangaroos to be hunted, the western grey, the red, the euro. The reasons these kangaroos are killed are for land conservation purposes, and to allow for a sustainable commercial harvest. The kangaroos are killed humanely by hunters who must first be licensed to hunt them. The kangaroos that are being hunted have been growing in population as well as in territory; the Australian government hopes that by having a program in place to curb the growing numbers of common kangaroos that they will be able to protect some of the other native macropod species that are endangered(DEH, 2002). For PETA to use a well thought out and executed conservation plan and to blame the kangaroo population problems on sheep or sheep growers is just another example of PETA using misinformation to further their own agenda.
Pulling the Wool over Your Eyes
PETA’s website contains their mission statement that animals “are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for entertainment” (2005). If PETA’s aims are for people to stop using animals in any fashion, why then is PETA saying it is acceptable for animals to be used for wool as long as the sheep are not mistreated by practices such as mulesing, or by being exported to countries that have different regulations for animal slaughter? One would expect PETA to object to sheep being used for anything at all. Yet their objections are based on everything form 10,000 years of breeding to the killing kangaroos. Somehow by using the information provided in their 2005 fact sheet “Inside the Wool Industry”, PETA has convinced many people to stop using Australian merino wool and according to PETA’s website on the wool industry, www.savethesheep.com, they claim to have convinced 11 retailers and fashion designers to quit using wool, but is that really the case? According to Tucker (2005) not all of the companies that PETA says it has convinced have really joined their cause, if fact “a Timberland spokeswoman said the company does not support boycotts”. Two of the other companies that have joined the boycott do not even market wool apparel (Tucker, 2005). PETA has gotten major corporations to join their campaign through misinformation and economic threats, such as having protesters outside their stores and calling for animal rights activists to boycott brands that will not do business with PETA (n.d.). PETA’s save the sheep website has celebrities such as Alicia Silverstone and model Annalise Braakensiek helping to promote PETA’s case against the wool industry. Australian merino wool counts for 50% or more of the wool that is used globally (Tucker, 2005); this means that by not using Australian wool the wool will be coming from countries like China who has the second highest amount of world global clip and China is a country that has violated human rights and still persecutes Tibet to this day.
I have chosen to present the facts in an unbiased by to allow, you, the reader to make informed decisions. As a consumer you have the right to know where the products you purchase come from and the ability to choose what products you use and do not use. It was my desire to inform you about the “real” state of the Australian wool industry, it is your prerogative to choose whether or not you will use products that contain Australian merino wool or eat imported lamb. Today when so much of our thoughts are swayed by sensationalism, it is more important than ever to take the time and find out the truth. PETA has their own agenda one you may agree with or not, as do the woolgrowers associations that I have mentioned in this paper. Although both sides have an interest in their position, the fact will speak if you seek them out.

References:

Australian Wool Innovation Limited. (2006). External Parasites. Retrieved June 17, 2006 from http://www.wool.com.au
Australian Wool Innovation Limited. (September 28, 2005). Wool Facts [Electronic Version]. Retrieved June 16, 2006 from: http://www.wool.com.au/attachments/Education/AWI_WoolFacts.pdf
Australian Wool and Sheep Industry Taskforce. (2005). Animal Welfare. Retrieved May 19, 2006 from http://www.woolisbest.com/animal_welfare/index.html
BBC News. (June 2003). Halal and Kosher slaughter 'must end'[Electronic Version]. Retrieved June 18, 2006 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2977086.stm
Breezy Meadow Cashmere Farm. (No Date). Cashmere Goats, Boer Goats and Maremma Livestock Guardian Dogs. Retrieved May 19, 2006 from http://www.peta.org/mc/factsheet_display.asp?ID=55
Compassion in World Farming. (November 2005). News Release: AUSTRALIA: LIVE EXPORT COMPANY CHARGED WITH ANIMAL CRUELTY [Electronic Version]. Retrieved June 17, 2006 from http://www.ciwf.org.uk/publications/prs/nr2305.pdf
Gibson-Roberts, P. (2000). Scandinavian Sheep [Electronic version].Knitters Magazine. Retrieved May 9, 2006, from http://www.icelandicsheep.com/scand.html
Glenn, J., Larson, S., Markegard, G., Nelson, A., Phillips, R., Price, E.,& Stull, C. (1996). Sheep Care Practices. Retrieved May 21, 2006 from http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vetext/INF-SH_CarePrax.pdf
Halal. (May 2006). In Wikipedia [Web]. Retrieved June 18, 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halal#Dhabi.C4.A5a_.28method_used_to_slaughter_animals.29
History of Wool for Kids - when did people first use wool? Where? what did they make out of wool, and how did they do it?. (n.d.) Retrieved May 21, 2006 from http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/clothing/wool.htm
Inside The Wool Industry.(n.d.).Retrieved May 9, 2006, from http://www.peta.org/mc/factsheet_display.asp?ID=55
Livecorp. (2004). Exploding the Myths, Facts about the Livestock Export Trade [Electronic Version]. Retrieved June 17, 2006 from http://www.livecorp.com.au/downloads/Expolding_the_%20Myths_%20Feb_%202004.pdf
National Land & Water Resource Audit. (n.d.). Appendix F2: Wool Industry Profile [Electronic Version]. Retrieved June 24, 2006 from http://www.nlwra.gov.au/downloads/final_reports/BRR31_Signposts_Wool_appF2.pdf
Newkirk, I.(n.d.) PETA's President Responds to Australian Wool Industry's Claims. Video. Retrieved June 17, 2006 from http://www.savethesheep.com
Macdonald, S. (2000). Kashmir made shawls: a woolly conservation issue. Christian Science Monitor, Vol. 92. Issue 231, p.7. Retrieved June 17, 2006 from EBSCO host.com
Petersen, K., personal communication, May 9, 2006.

Sargison, N. (2003). NADIS Sheep Disease Focus, Fly Control in Sheep [Electronic Version]. Retrieved June 17, 2006 from http://www.qmscotland.co.uk/analysis/downloads/Flystrike%20Control%20in%20sheep.pdf
Slaughterhouse. (June 2006). In Wikipedia [Web]. Retrieved June 18, 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slaughterhouse
Strong Wool Merino. (1996) Retrieved May 21, 2006 from Oklahoma State University, Animal Sciences Department http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/strongwoolmerino/index.htm
The Australian wool industry has a small problem. It just landed on her right shoulder. (October 2005). Apparel Magazine, Vol. 47 Issue 2, p10, 2p. Retrieved from: ESBCOhost May 14, 2006.
The Macropod Conservation and Management Plan for South Australia
Conservation and Management of Common Kangaroos [Electronic Version]. (2002). Department for Environment and Heritage. Retrieved June 10, 2006 from http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/pdfs/macropod.pdf
The Vegan Society. (2003). Wool. Retrieved May 19, 2006 from http://www.vegansociety.com/html/animals/exploitation/sheep.php
Tucker, R. ( 7/272005).Australian Wool Industry in a Two-sided Tangle. Women’s Wear Daily, Vol. 190 Issue 19, p8. Retrieved June 17, 2006 from EBSCOhost
Wool. (2006). In Wikipedia [Web]. Retrieved May 9,2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wool
You can Help. (n.d.). Retrieved June 24, 2006 from www.savethesheep.com

Purses

2006-05-08T16:14:00.001-04:00

So this pursed is based on the one in the OG S&B book and I made it for my mother in law with lion brand's wool ease thick and quick. She is a Harley Mamma so I thought a cute purse with a Harley patch would be a great Mother's Day Gift.

I just have to say I love this yarn. It is so thick that it knits up in no time at all. I made the knitted part of the purse in about an hour. I think I may have to knit a sweater in this for next winter. I really like the pumpkin, grass, and fisherman colors. I can just picture a nice big turtleneck aran sweater in this stuff...cozy and yum.
Here is another purse I made based on the same pattern

doilies

2006-05-06T18:29:00.001-04:00

So I am over a week late in posting this, but who really reads my blog anyway…
So I went up to LA to work on doilies with J, let me tell you that doilies are not to be taken lightly, I thought I was a pretty advanced knitter, I was very wrong. I could not make head or tails of the patterns and to top it all off, why in the world would I want to spend hours knitting 289 rounds on mass amounts of DPNs? Is it easier to make doilies if you can crochet? I have to guess that the answer is yes. Ahh if only I had taken pictures of the amazingly tangled messes that we tried to knit. I will remember for next time.

On to other knitting news. I have not gotten around to frogging my sweater back yet, instead I decided to opt for knitting something easy and very uncomplicated, it is based on the purse from the OG Stitch and Bitch book, it can be found on p. 169 for any who are interested. I have almost finished one for me I am just completing the embellishments on it before posting a pic. I have also finished knitting something similar for my mother in law for Mothers Day. I will post pics soon.

Darn it....

2006-04-28T14:05:00.001-04:00

OK, so I now value and realize the importance of checking gauge. I had to restart the back of the sweater three times and I finished the back on Monday. Let me tell you how horribly wrong this went. First of all, it is six inches longer than it should be. To top it off I still don’t know if I have gotten the short rows done properly. Here are some pictures of the back.

On a positive note the yarn is knitting up beautifully and I can not wait to frog this back and start over again after making a few gauge swatches. In the mean time I am working on a purse from the original Stitch and Bitch book. This project is going great and I even bought new circular needles to make it easier on my hands. Metal circulars just hurt! I get rough spots and calluses when I use metal needles. They also make me feel like a knitting thimble would not be a bad idea…. Happy knitting to all.

current project

2006-04-06T20:59:00.001-04:00

So here is what I am working on right now. i am not using the Dale of Norway yarn that the pattern calls for and I think I may change the pattern for the sleeves. I am using musique by crystal palace yarn in monet(9785).

Pick Up The Sticks

2006-04-06T18:34:00.002-04:00

This is an essay that I had to write for one of my classes.

Pick up the Sticks
There are many skills that people should have. I think that knitting is an excellent one. Knitting is a skill that allows a person to connect with the past, socialize with others, expand their horizons, utilize one’s creativity, make new clothing and accessories, and receive health benefits all at the same time.
History
According to Macdonald (1988) knitting has been around since the 14th Century. Knitting was mainly a way to make socks and stockings and evolved to include garments and other accessories. While “men were also the first to knit for an occupation” (Macdonald, 1988, History of Knitting, ¶ 6) the craft quickly spread to women. Many families have passed knitting down from generation to generation. Even people who learn to knit from other’s find that knitting is a way to reconnect to the family bond that some may feel is missing in today’s society. Many people view knitting in this and previous eras as a women’s craft. With knitting being represented in this fashion, knitting is a fantastic way to bond with other women and for men to meet women.
Stitch and Bitches
There are groups all over the world that meet together and knit, most of these are known as “Stitch and Bitches”. For someone who knits or is wanting to learn these groups are a great resources. Most Stitch and Bitches’ meet at a local coffee shop and give the group members a chance to ask for help with a particular pattern, get inspiration from fellow knitters, and a chance to find encouragement from others. Stitch and Bitches are also great for people moving to a new area; one get a chances to meet new people that one may already have something in common with. Websites like http://www.stitchnbitch.org/snb_groups.htm lists groups by state and country. Many at these groups are also more than willing to teach their craft to those wishing to learn how to knit. One will also be amazed at the number of conversations with random strangers that can be started by knitting in public.
Learning to Knit
Learning how to knit does not mean that someone has to go to a Stitch & Bitch and beseech another to teach you. There are many books on the subject, searching for knitting on http://www.amazon.com/ pulls up over 4,500 results. Not all books are the same and it does pay off to read reviews or ask someone who knits for his or hers recommendations on a knitting book. I personally recommend Sally Melville’s “The Knit Stitch” for any first timers. There are also web sites that can help you learn to knit, the ones that I have found the most helpful are http://www.knittinghelp.com/ and http://www.lionbrandyarn.com/. Both are excellent resources for beginners and knitters who are in a fix mid-project. Lion Brand Yarn’s website also has a ton of free projects and http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/ has an index of free patterns that can be found online.
Get Healthy
There is something more to be gained from knitting than just finishing a project. Knitting has health benefits that include relieving stress, increased hand and mind coordination , increased concentration, can help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, be aid in the battle to give up smoking, and can help one to loose weight. Some people even go so far as to call knitting the “new yoga”. It is wonderful knowing that all you need to do benefit from all this wellbeing be offered is pick up a pair of knitting needles and a ball off yarn and go to town.
Be Creative
With people’s hectic life styles today sometimes it is hard to find ways to let your creative juices flow. Knitting allows the knitter to be as creative as they want to be. There is a plethora of colors and fibers to choose from, and once you have mastered the basic stitches of knitting and purling your imagination is the limit. There are hundreds of different stitch patterns and millions of different patterns for everything from socks to slip covers for furniture. All it takes is a trip to the local yarn store or even WalMart. All you need is a skein of yarn and a pair of knitting needles. Knitting is not only a great way to express yourself, but also can be a budget conscious way of gift giving.
Life Lessons
All in all knitting has many benefits. The best one being that the knitter is doing something that is good for them. With anything you do there are some draw backs knitting is not the exception. After hours upon hours of working on sweater you may realize that it is not going to fit properly. Sometimes you have pull all of your work apart and start over. Even this, a knitters’ worst nightmare, does have benefits. It is another way to learn some life lessons about when things do not always go the way you have planned. In life you can not just give up, you have to look on the bright side pick up your chips (yarn) and start over. A lesson all need to be reminded of sometimes.

References
Broadbent, Lucy. (2005, June 18). Teenagers in stitches. The Times. Retrieved March 30, 2006 from http://www.google.com/search?hs=JFl&hl=en&lr=&rls=DELA%2CDELA%3A2006-03%2CDELA%3Aen&q=benefits+of+knitting and http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8123-1657093_1,00.html
Guthrie, Doug. (2005, March 25). Knitting fad doesn’t discriminate More Detroit-area men and boys count stitches for health reasons and for fun. The Detroit News. Retrieved March 29, 2006 form http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=DELA,DELA:2006-03,DELA:en&q=health+benefits+from+knitting
Macdonald, Anne L. (1988). History of Knitting from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Recovered from Google March 29, 2006
(K. Petersen-Sikes, personal communication, March 29, 2006).