Un Knitting Lace

Well, apparently this can be done. I have absolutely no idea how to do it, and to me it seems a lot more complicated then just frogging and re-doing it.

It is hard to frog back size 3 stitches! I am having a hard time. Not with the frogging part of it, but with getting the needle in place in the row that I want to start from. I'm going to follow some advice I learned on Ravelry and put in an "after-the-fact" life line using thin embroidery floss and a needle.

Also, am I the world's slowest knitter or what? I started this project in July! Maybe it would help if I just focused on knitting instead of trying to watch TV at the same time. I'm going to do some research and let you know my tips for knitting faster...stay tuned.

Don't do drunk knitting!

Rarrr frustration.

I am finally on the sleeves of the Simple Knitted Bodice by Stephanie Japel, working on the lace part. I am being forced to used double pointed needles, because my size 3 circular is too long. Anyway, I was knitting and watching Battlestar Galactica last night (yes, its true), and drinking a little wine, I made a mistake of what row I was on. I tried to "un-knit" but guess what, you can't un-knit lace, or at least I can't.

So I have to frog back to the purl rows. At least I hadn't gotten that far into the lace, I am just annoyed with myself.

I wish:
*Un-knitting lace was possible
*Putting in a "life line" was super fast and easy - I am too lazy to do it.
*Denise interchangable needles came in smaller sizes! They stop at size 5...why? Probably has to do with the size of the cable. Well, they should make a mini size kit, like size 4 down to zero. I would buy it! Hello Denise, are you listening??

Amazing Octopus!

Ok while this doesn't actually fit in with the theme of this blog, this was just too cool not to share. And, hey, this blog is named after a mouse, why not mention some cool animals...?



I love shape shifting animals! (Although this isn't so much shape-shifting, as color-changing). I once read that cephalopods skin cells are all individually controlled, much like pixels, and that they can therefore change each cell to match the surrounding area! Think of the implications!
I'll find out more research about these amazing creatures, and bring you the full deets about these guys.

via Dark Roasted Blend

Cool Blinds

Wow, I've seen a similar concept before, using blinds on a blank wall to give the illusion of a window such as this. Which is of course really cool in and of itself. Especially in those random dark areas of the mouse house.

But today I just saw mini blinds that actually have solar panels on the outside! That way they soak up the sun all day and give you a soft light at night. Pretty cool!





via Inhabitat
I bet it would work best on a window up high, or one that people can't really look into since you essentially have the thing open a lot of the time. I think it could be cool on a sky light, or maybe around a porch. Perhaps re-invented to look less traditional generic office mini-blinds. Wouldn't that be beautiful if they looked more like a bamboo curtain, and you had them around a porch!

I imagine sitting outside, drinking mojitos or michaladas, enjoying the summer breeze with a soft light to read by. Something about it reminds me of firefly light or moonlight, reflected sunlight. Pretty.

PS Enjoy the full moon. It was so bright last night!

Mushroom City

Amazing, and kind of ugly, Tropicool@KL envisions a city of self-reliant, symbiotic buildings. The shape is designed to resemble the rainforest - where large trees form a canopy shielding the ground below, while still allowing sun's light to reach the floor.

It is an interesting response to the question of urban development, how we respond to increasing growth given a limited amount of land. The top is lined with solar panels and also serves as a solar canopy, cooling the city and branches below. the branches cradle urban dwellings, and the trunk of the system funnels energy derived from the solar panels. Also, the structures contain centralized sewer and sanitation within each mushroom, which is recycled and converted to bio-mass energy, powering the building. Rainwater is also collected to use for a portion of the water needs within each building. Each building is designed to be fully self- sufficient. In addition, these structures and designed to have large communal areas between the dwellings to foster and strengthen community. The designer envisions the ground to be largely a green urban park, with most transportation taking place in subways.



Wow. It looks pretty bizarre, and in my addled and jaded mind the "mushroom in the sky" connotation brings strong images of nuclear blasts. Though, that may be appropriate, maybe this is the post-nuclear city.

Furthermore, although this city is supposed to be a haven of community and ecological spirit, I can't help but wonder what will happen to the city below. Sure, there's going to be all kinds of parks and gardens on the ground level, and in theory it sounds fantastic. But it seems like only the rich will be able to afford to live in these things. Won't it create an obvious segregation in the city? Not that cities aren't already segregated of course, I just feel like this is an instance of "looking down from the high horse". Additionally I imagine the lower levels to be dark, rank, humid, just by the very fact of mimicking a rainforest. Except in an actual rainforest the scent is of earth, plants, dampness. In a city, I can only imagine what that aroma might be!!

Or, on the other hand, maybe it could truly work, and people will flow between the upper levels and the ground level, working on community based gardens. I suppose in a lot of ways it's no different than regular skyscrapers of today.

What do you think?

via Inhabitat