Posted by Heather on Feb 8, 2015 in Blog Fun, Knitting, patterns, Sock Knitting | Comments Off on Don’t Be Scared… it’s only Hitchcock
Time to #ShareCPLove for today!
I have a distinct memory from when I was a kid. It was 1980 and we had recently moved from Southern California to Tucson, Arizona (site of one of those Twilight Zones that just stuck creepily with me for years, making me Very Nervous in Tucson when I started driving by myself at night—which makes it all the odder that I do narrations for Chilling Tales for Dark Nights... but that’s a different story).
April 29th Alfred Hitchcock died.
“Ummmm… so?”
So it’s one of those parent-related moments that lodged itself into my memory for no very good reason. I remember watching the local news with Dad and that night they announced Hitchcock’s death. There was a (very) brief moment of silence followed by one of the news guys (could have been an anchor, could have been the weatherman, no idea) piping up and saying something to the effect of, “Well good riddance. We don’t need any more blood-and-gore movies like his!”
At which point my dad snorted and said, “What an idiot!” at just about the same moment that the anchor (or at least the news guy with some authority and a brain) said something along the lines of, “I’m sorry, but that’s just wrong. Hitchcock was a master of suspense, not gore—and if all you know of him is one black-and-white scene from Psycho upon which you’re basing your assessment than you’re a bigger idiot than I thought.”
Okay, my dad (who is normally very calm and even) snorting at the doof was a quality-parent-moment all by itself, but the fact that the news anchor was effectively backing him up (long distance and by psychic means, I guess) was really cool (I was 13. So sue me).
Now curious, I asked: what’s Psycho and why did the idiot guy say that?
I received an inspired-yet-brief introduction to Hitchcock films (titles, basic plots) and a description of how tame “the shower scene” from Psycho actually was, compared to, say, Friday the 13th (which was released in 1980) or Halloween (1978). Later, at College, I made a point of seeing any Hitchcock films that were shown on or around campus (big screen! Score!) and also pulled some from our local video (ahem, yes, I know) store from time to time. Sophomore year, I grabbed a VHS of Rope after hearing a professor in the film department make some offhand comment to a student like, “don’t try to re-do Rope. You’re not Hitchcock yet.”
You probably never heard of Rope and for good reason. It’s not Hitchcock’s best film, but for a Theater and Film student it is certainly one of his most interesting. The only other time I heard anything about what Hitchcock pulled off was when a professor, teaching about the infamous Hays Code (e.g., one foot on floor when on a bed, no kiss longer than 3 seconds, etc.), told us that Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman managed to break the code rawther notoriously in Notorious.
Here – it’s a three minute kiss scene where each kiss only lasts the maximum three seconds(!):
Hitchcock.
He was a loner, Dottie. A rebel… wait. Wrong movie.
Anyway.
Back to Rope. It’s a story about a murder, blah blah blah, but it was filmed in what appears to be one single take. I say appears to be because a 35mm film magazine could only hold so many minutes of film before needing to switch to new magazine (ten minutes, apparently, being the max), so obviously, there are edits. There are cuts. But they are hidden by someone crossing in front of/very close to the camera or placed in parts of the film where you’re so focused on other things that you simply don’t notice. It seems like a seamless take.
Like a continuous loop of rope.
Like a rope you could use to kill someone.
Like a noose.
And of course, that led me to socks.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
No, really.
When Stephannie Tallent told me she was working up a book called Hitch and was looking for patterns based inspired by the films of Alfred Hitchcock she also told me, a little apologetically, which movies had already been picked by other designers. ROPE! I said. No Rear Window or Vertigo for me! I wanted to make socks that were wrapped around your foot like a hangman’s noose. I knew exactly how I wanted them to look. I knew I wanted to use Madeline Tosh Sock in Charcoal and I knew I wanted cables that would mimic a hangman’s knot coming down the side and I knew that what I wanted was really really weird for a sock.
But I also thought it was really cool.
Madeline Tosh Sock in charcoal – preeety!
The cables wrap around your calf and never let go… until the ends of the noose slide down the outside of your ankle while the other slithers down to your toe.
FUN!
And it features my most favorite Welsh Heel (The one that’s included in my sock heels class)
which looks really odd–>
but is absolutely the most comfortable thing you’ll ever wear.
The whole book is full of glorious patterns that are couture-y enough for Kim Novak to wear and cleverly constructed enough to keep you interested as you knit.
You can see more at Ravelry and at Cooperative Press.
In case you never saw it:
And a tid bit from Rope:
And places to watch Hitchcock (free!) online.
bit.ly/1AKRAkL
Posted by Heather on Feb 3, 2015 in Blog Fun, Defarginess, Knitting, Writing | Comments Off on A Defarge Designer Has a New Book!
Becky Herrick and her friend Calley Hastings have a new book coming from Cooperative Press! The book is near and dear to my heart not only because Becky designed for What (else) Would Madame Defarge Knit, but also because her book combines patterns and recipes (like WWMDfK?). They focus on local ingredients and American made yarns throughout the seasons because the chapters each focus on a new month with a pattern or two and a recipe or three. As you might expect, that means they have “paired fresh summer dishes with simple summer garments while cozy fall sweaters rub elbows with hearty baked goods.”
You will like.
See the purple lusciousness?
I know you will like.
Want to know the best way to learn when the book is available to order? EASY!
<a href=”http://eepurl.com/gIvrr” sl-processed=”1″ class=””>Sign up for the Cooperative Press newsletter</a> . You can <a href=”http://eepurl.com/I82IP” sl-processed=”1″ class=””>sign up for Becky’s too, if you like</a>. Neither of them go nuts with glutting the ol’ inbox. They get too many emails, too, so you’ll pretty much only hear from them when new goodies are coming your way.
Posted by Heather on Nov 10, 2014 in Artsy Things, Blog Fun, designs, DIY, freebies, Podcast, review, sewing | Comments Off on New Scandinavian Felt Design — Felt So Good: Book Review
Felt so Good?
(Oh, my goodness. Yes, yes it did.)
Felt so Good: 70+ Felted and Plain Wool Designs for You and Your Home by Tone Rørseth is a book that made me want to felt. Well, more specifically, go out and find some Nepal Wool Felt and some Wool Felt by the Yard and dig out the craft felt and and and…
Full disclosure: I have needle and noro felted—in classes and on my own—and I very much enjoyed it… but it never really stuck. I’ve wondered why over the years, but it wasn’t until this book that I finally got a glimmer of why.
I never know what to DO with it.
I made a cute birdie... well now, where can I put that? Somewhere where it wont be lost,
overwhelmed, whacked at by a cat, knocked off its perch by a kid, or covered in dust.
I made a gorgeous noro shawl… I work from home. I rarely go out to fancy places.
I have nowhere to wear the shawl to… but it’s gorgeous.
And in the cedar chest.
Then this book comes along.
Even the little tchotchkes are things where I can see a way to display them (most especially because of the way they were photographed). There are also decorations—adornments for pillows as well as garlands and mobiles that I know I’ll be fiddling with soon.
And the slippers.
Ah.
Slippers.
Her clever design is just what I wanted and for exactly the same reason as she recommended. Make a bunch in different sizes and keep them in a basket by the door so guests can kick off muddy shoes and slip into something a little softer, warmer, and wonderfuler-er.
Some items are adorable, but I won’t have much use for (because boys).
Some are pleasantly functional (and good Christmas present fodder).
And many show how to upcycle old sweaters (don’t forget to check the label. Wool won’t felt if it’s superwash or has nylon, polyamide, or any other synthetic mixed in. And if you’re looking to get a cheap sweater at the thrift store and unravel it—check the seams! If the seams are cut and sewn together the yarn will be in sweater-wide lengths, rather than a continuous strand knitted around and around to create the sweater. This doesn’t matter if you’re felting and cutting the fabric yourself—only if you want to unravel it to repurpose the yarn.)
All in all, this is one of those books that I’ll be buying myself a copy of after giving this one away. With 75+ things to create, I think it’s a good investment.
Wait, what did I say back there? Giving this away?
That’s right!
I’ll be giving away my copy of this book on the CraftLit site during our big WEEK o’ RAFFLE EXTRAVAGANZA to celebrate the beginning of the next book on the Audiobooks-with-Benefits podcast. And that book is…
Herland!
The fun begins November 17th with 24-hour raffles popping up each day. Want a reminder? Sign up for the (infrequent) newsletter here.
Thank you to Sellers Publishing for providing the book to read, enjoy, review, and soon, give to a reader. (Maybe you!)
Posted by Heather on Nov 7, 2014 in Artsy Things, designs, Knitting, review, Shawls | Comments Off on Hunter Has Done It Again… Curly Style
Pre-orders are OPEN today!
Right now!
On Hunter’s new adventure—a Curly one!
Go here: www.violentlydomestic.com
Head on over and order in an orderly pre-fashion (now that an hour and 19 minutes of stampede is over and the server has bounced back from it’s overwhelmed crash — could have been the goody bags for the first 250 folks who bought the paper copy (there still might be a few left if eveyrone else went digital… worth a look).
I got to read the book early (because Editor) and I have to tell you, this is the first book that’s made me WANT to knit in months (neck and shoulders not feeling friendly toward needles right now). Clever. Simple. Pretty. Fun. What more do any of us need, really.
Yarn.
And there it is!
Posted by Heather on Jun 27, 2014 in Blog Fun, charity, Knitting, patterns, Web Fun | 1 comment
Have a Look at Lot 9 — Sweaters, Hats and Memoir
Bidding for Lots 7, 8, & 9 begins at 3pm EDT Friday—June 27, 2014—and ends promptly at 6pm EDT
To enter to win, please put your bid in the comments below.
Highest bid at 6pm wins.
Lot 9
One knitting bag is included with this lot—seen in picture above.
Knit 2 Together: Patterns and Stories for Serious Knitting Fun
Drunk, Divorced & Covered in Cat Hair: The True-Life Misadventures of a 30-Something Who Learned to Knit After He Split
The Knit Hat Book: 25 Hats from Basic Shapes
The Knitter’s Handy Book of Sweater Patterns
Only One Way to Win!
The Rules:
- Read through the comments below to see what the bidding is up to.
- If you want to win the lot, make a higher bid than the previous one.
- Highest bid at 6pm wins the Lot.
- Winner receives email with payment instructions (PayPal, please).
Feel free to Tweet or 
about the raffle.
It would be lovely if you would spread the word and help out Nanette the Nanny—an awesome knitter and even awesomer person!
Suggested Starting Bid for Lot 9: $35.00US + actual shipping*
*calculated from McLean, Virginia, USA
Posted by Heather on Jun 27, 2014 in Blog Fun, charity, Knitting, patterns, Web Fun | Comments Off on Lot 8 Books, Bags, and Bidding Page (plus a Bonus)—June 27, 2017
Have a Look at Lot 8 — Lace Knitting
Bidding for Lots 7, 8, & 9 begins at 3pm EDT Friday—June 27, 2014—and ends promptly at 6pm EDT
To enter to win, please put your bid in the comments below.
Highest bid at 6pm wins.
Lot 8
One knitting bag is included with this lot—seen in picture above.
Victorian Lace Today
Handmade Lace and Patterns
Lace Style
Only One Way to Win!
The Rules:
- Read through the comments below to see what the bidding is up to.
- If you want to win the lot, make a higher bid than the previous one.
- Highest bid at 6pm wins the Lot.
- Winner receives email with payment instructions (PayPal, please).
Feel free to Tweet or about the raffle.
It would be lovely if you would spread the word and help out Nanette the Nanny—an awesome knitter and even awesomer person!
Suggested Starting Bid for Lot 8: $35.00US + actual shipping*
*calculated from McLean, Virginia, USA
Posted by Heather on Jun 27, 2014 in Blog Fun, charity, Knitting, patterns, Web Fun | 1 comment
Have a Look at Lot 7 — Sock Knitting
Bidding for Lots 7, 8, and 9 begins at 3pm EDT Friday—June 27, 2014—and ends promptly at 6pm EDT
To enter to win, please put your bid in the comments below.
Highest bid at 6pm wins.
Lot 7
One knitting bag is included with this lot—seen in picture above.
Sock Innovation: Knitting Techniques and Patterns for One-of-a-kind Socks
Knitting on the Road
Toe-Up Techniques for Hand-Knit Socks: Revised Edition
Bags That Rock: Knitting on the Road with Kelley Deal
Only One Way to Win!
The Rules:
- Read through the comments below to see what the bidding is up to.
- If you want to win the lot, make a higher bid than the previous one.
- Highest bid at 6pm wins the Lot.
- Winner receives email with payment instructions (PayPal, please).
Feel free to Tweet or about the raffle.
It would be lovely if you would spread the word and help out Nanette the Nanny—an awesome knitter and even awesomer person!
Suggested Starting Bid for Lot 7: $35.00US + actual shipping*
Bonus Raffle Item!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*calculated from McLean, Virginia, USA
Posted by Heather on Jun 26, 2014 in Blog Fun, charity, Knitting, patterns, Web Fun | Comments Off on Lot 5 Book, Bags, and Bidding Page (plus a Bonus)—June 26, 2014
Lot 5 — Knitting in America
Bidding for Lots 5 & 6 begins at 3pm EDT Thursday—
June 26, 2014—and ends promptly at 6pm EDT
To enter to win, please put your bid in the comments below.
Highest bid at 6pm wins.
Lot 5
Two knitting bags are included with this lot—seen in picture above.
Knitting in America: Patterns, Profiles, & Stories of America’s Leading Artisans
Only One Way to Win!
The Rules:
- Read through the comments below to see what the bidding is up to.
- If you want to win the lot, make a higher bid than the previous one.
- Highest bid at 6pm wins the Lot.
- Winner receives email with payment instructions (PayPal, please).
Feel free to Tweet or about the raffle.
Be a mensch! Spread the word and help out Nanette the Nanny—an awesome knitter and even awesomer person!
Suggested Starting Bid for Lot 5: $35.00US + actual shipping*
BONUS Raffle Item!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*calculated from McLean, Virginia, USA
Posted by Heather on Jun 26, 2014 in Blog Fun, charity, Knitting, patterns, Web Fun | 1 comment
Have a Look at Lot 6 — Kaffe Fassett
Bidding for Lots 5 & 6 begins at 3pm EDT Thursday—June 26, 2014—and ends promptly at 6pm EDT
To enter to win, please put your bid in the comments below.
Highest bid at 6pm wins.
Lot 6
One knitting bags is included with this lot—seen in picture above.
Glorious Patchwork
Kaffe’s Classics: 25 Favorite Knitting Patterns for Sweaters, Jackets, Vests and More
Glorious Color – Sources of Inspiration for Knitting and Needlepoint
Only One Way to Win!
The Rules:
- Read through the comments below to see what the bidding is up to.
- If you want to win the lot, make a higher bid than the previous one.
- Highest bid at 6pm wins the Lot.
- Winner receives email with payment instructions (PayPal, please).
Feel free to Tweet or about the raffle.
It would be lovely if you would spread the word and help out Nanette the Nanny—an awesome knitter and even awesomer person!
Suggested Starting Bid for Lot 6: $35.00US + actual shipping*
BONUS Raffle Item!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*calculated from McLean, Virginia, USA
Posted by Heather on Jun 25, 2014 in Blog Fun, charity, Knitting, patterns, Web Fun | Comments Off on Lot 3 Books, Bags, and Bidding Page—June 25, 2014
Lot 3 —Lifestyle and Home Decor
Bidding for Lots 3 AND 4 begin at 3pm EDT Wednesday—
June 25, 2014—and ends promptly at 6pm EDT
To enter to win, please put your bid in the comments below.
Highest bid at 6pm wins.
Lot 3
Three knitting bags are included with this lot—seen in picture above.
The Knitter’s Life List: To Do, To Know, To Explore, To Make
Angels: A Knitter’s Dozen (A Knitter’s Dozen series)
Only One Way to Win!
The Rules:
- Read through the comments below to see what the bidding is up to.
- If you want to win the lot, make a higher bid than the previous one.
- Highest bid at 6pm wins the Lot.
- Winner receives email with payment instructions (PayPal, please).
Feel free to Tweet or about the raffle.
It would be lovely if you would spread the word and help out Nanette the Nanny—an awesome knitter and even awesomer person!
Suggested Starting Bid for Lot 3: $35.00US + actual shipping*
*calculated from McLean, Virginia, USA
How to Knit Socks eBook—
Dutch Heel eBook
German Heel eBook
French Heel eBook
Welsh Heel eBook
MamaO is Heather Ordover, author, designer, mother and knitter... not necessarily in that order. You can get posts from this blog sent directly to your inbox by signing up below, Follow her on Twitter and Like her on Facebook if you're feeling friendly-like.
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