by far the best costume I’ve seen today is on my coworker Thomas – he is wearing a tiara wrapped around a black fedora, a suit and tie, some furry glittery fairy wings and is carrying a plastic Tommy gun with a star sequined wand stuck in the barrel – he is (and say this with a Marlon Brando accent) The Fairy Godfather

(he also won the award for Most Creative Costume)

Happy Halloween!

check out Jennie’s pumpkins! got pictures of your pumpkins? show them off!

from the I Always Forget To Do This One file: make-stuff.com is a great resource and they have a recipe for halloween popcorn balls

Does anyone have recommendations for plastic knitting needles? I have been looking at this page.

Ooooh! Halloween is almost here, I realize that most of the parties were probably last weekend but what are you being? What are you doing/making/planning? Are you going trick or treating (or using the excuse of taking a wee one trick or treating?) Tell me I wanna know!

Lush has their Chrismas stuff out – I like the Glitter Bugs and the Big Ed Yuletide Soap

cute gift idea I saw at a chocolate shop near here – a cookie cutter, Halloween themed bat or pumpkin, filled with chocolate and in this case decorated with candy corn for eyes

lasagna from scratch at digs magazine

Jejune points to the meaning and significations of the Maneki Neko, thanks

look! a new Nobody’s Fool is out – everybody go subscribe, Malika’s writing is wonderful and it is more than worth it. this one includes an article on how to throw your own Greek Film Festival! yay!

I was skimming this book – Vogue Knitting Vintage Collection – at the bookstore today and there is one project in there I loved. The book is great, they have re-patterned knits from the 30s through the 60s. Each project has the the original photograph from back then, and a new photo. The one I liked was a women’s really really chunky knit coat. They didn’t change the pattern at all, it calls for size 35 needles and knitting five (five!) strands of yarn together. Ooooh I think I should have bought the book but none of the other projects grabbed me.

Are the Vogue knit books worth it? I was thinking of getting this On The Go scarf book but some of the reviews said it wasn’t worth the price. Whaddya think?

As Emily pointed out – Brambleberry has some exceptionally cute Halloween soap molds. While you’re there check out the stuff for the winter holidays as well as past holidays.

kottke points us to Saute Wednesday, a food blog with good side bar links

Knitting links to get myself started which don’t make me fall asleep or make me fear I’m in imminent danger of reading about how cute this little geese pattern is:

chicknits

the girl from auntie

knit-o-rama

One thing I’m finding as a complete beginner is that the more I read about how important guage is the more I want to flee, I can’t handle how precise something like a sweater needs to be. I have a feeling I’m going to get as far as making one really chunky scarf I’m happy with just keep making that over and over again in different colors. All these neat little rows drive me crazy.