the perfect assistant: low pay, never tires of standing still, and doesn’t criticize my work.

I will not deny that I struggle to take advantage of all the digital tools now available. I keep a small notebook with me at all times and scribble daily notes in it. But I live a hybrid digital analog life. For many, given one hat I wear, that might not make sense. But it does.

Simic wrote:

No question, one can use a smart phone as an aid to memory, and I do use one myself for that purpose. But I don’t find them a congenial repository for anything more complicated than reminding myself to pick up a pair of pants from the cleaners or make an appointment with the cat doctor.

I use Evernote for those notes that are already electronic. Notes on web pages I want to return to and snippets of code I want to reuse. I use RTM sometimes to keep track of todo items. We all know that I am an avid user of Ravelry to track my various projects and my stash and I queue patterns I might someday want to knit. When I first started knitting seriously I kept a notebook and pasted in ball bands and sewed in swatches. Then I stopped because Ravelry came into being. I let flickr and Rav be my notebook. Something was missing.

Remember this past January when I took my first knitting class with Meg Swansen and Amy Detjen? Meg mentioned how they were combing through her mother’s notebooks to put together Knit One Knit All. It hit me. I realized that while Rav was serving a great purpose I was missing quite a bit by not keeping a record in a manner which worked best for me. Years from now will I really care what that sweater looked like? No. I will most likely want to know the process I took to get there. The next day I cracked open another moleskine and started my knitting journal. I think it was what I needed to go from being just a knitter to a Knitter. I’ve seen my knitting improve by leaps and bounds this year. Things I didn’t really care about, even though I knew were important in design, I’m now quite picky about. I will rip and reknit things I used to let slide. I finally bought blocking wires so blocking isn’t such a royal pain in the arse. My knitting confidence has exploded. I have several design proposals out in the world and have knitted a few here and there. There are more good things happening and when I can divulge them, I will. So I leave you, not just with a link to some of the notebooks I’ve filled over the years but with a glimpse inside this year’s knitting notebook.

Do you keep a notebook? What do you write in it?

Sara recently introduced me to the post-it roll. Yesterday afternoon after a bout of amnesia* I went on a quest of NYC office supply stores to find a roll of my own.

I didn’t find a roll to call my own, but I found this instead:

Post-it® Super Sticky 4″ x 6″ Grid Notes. Sorry for the big-box office supply store link. I seem unable to find them on the brand’s website.

Can you imagine if the two products were combined into a roll of grid post-it with a pale colour background? That would be the most perfect post-it for my knitting.

* I somehow forgot that schools and colleges are starting up again. It wasn’t as painful as I anticipated once I remembered the academic calendar. For that I am truly grateful.

A year ago, I was concerned the bag might be too touristy because it was designed primarily as a carry-on travel bag.

I am often surrounded by gawking tourists as I work in mid-town. By three factors I believe there is no way I could be mistaken as a tourist: first I wear black. This is New York. I’m not morbid as my mother thinks. Black is easy to wear! Secondly, the bag is black. Third, I’m not looking up and stopping in the center of the sidewalk to bring pedestrian traffic to a halt. It looks similar enough to the briefcases many carry on Metro North. It does not readily disclose that it is carrying a computer, most likely due to the piping that helps the bag keep its tidy looks.

It is a bag that has changed my commuting life.

With all the bags I’ve used previous, they either tried too hard to help me organize or provide no assistance what so ever. The Co-Pilot has found the middle ground to help me use it in a manner that makes the most sense for me, and allow for flexibility if I don’t always put everything away properly.

While I still wish that the two front pockets were flipped for what they are designed for, I have found my cell phone lives in the fleece lined pocket with my wallet hanging out in the rest of the main pocket. The zipper won’t go all the way down, so there is protection if someone tries to open it. The right pocket holds pens and random knitting needles or crochet hooks along with keys and other miscellany.

The middle center compartment still holds my knitting, and often contains a yogurt or apple. This has worked brilliantly for me over the past year and last week I improved upon the awesomeness further. Sometimes I’ll shove an umbrella in as well but if you know me at all you know I try to avoid the use of umbrellas by myself. Since I put myself back into contacts I often squeeze my sunglasses in, the knitting provides nice padding.

The main section of the bag is magical. It can easily hold a file folder full of papers, an extra baggu bag, and a larger electronic device with room to spare. I’ve upgraded over the past year and it can easily hold any device I’ve tried to cram into it. This is where the magic comes in. I read a TB review somewhere, or perhaps it was a comment in their Forum that the bags are Mary Poppins bags.

Not only can it carry all of that, but it is often pack mule for a few library books. I sometimes look at the library hold shelf and groan since my requests often come in at once. This bag has gone beyond what I thought it could, carrying them with rarely a remark. The pocket in the back has accepted those larger hard back books I thought I would not be able to easily transport home.

I’m constantly fascinated by all that it holds while behaving like an ebook reader (or tablet) carrying many large books without adding an ounce.

The grip handle is great and makes it much easier to get off the train and run up crowded stairwells.

The absolute strap was definitely worth the money, and I no longer see it as an additional expense. I just don’t understand why they aren’t the default and you would pay less to request a normal strap. I have petite shoulders and this is the first bag and strap which stay put whether I’m dressed for the harsh volitale weather we’ve experienced recently at either extreme of the scale or those few blissful days of spring or autumn. The stretch in the padded portion of the strap helps balance and lighten the load and I admit I have to often open the bag to double check that I have everything inside because it feels too light!

What did I do for the one year anniversary of my TB bag?

I bought another one to use during my non-commuting time.

A Swift has joined my growing TB family. It is olive and linen and it was a difficult decision. I know! I’m slightly surprised it is not black as well but I have been trying to expand my colour palette and this was a good way to start. I was concerned about both of the two colours, but they are perfect. The olive is dark but not too yellowy or anything other than the perfect green. The linen is a light grey that is not brown or purple in base. they look beautiful together. What has me very excited about this bag and why I tried to figure out a way to bring it with me on the day following its arrival are the two interior pockets. They are clear fronted and this is what makes them special to me, they do not extend to the bottom. I will no longer have to dig to the bottom to find something!

Next post I’ll talk about a few TB accessories such as the yarn stuff sacks, my mini pouch, and the key straps.

Please note I am just a very happy customer, there is no official affiliation between myself and TB and I did receive nor do I expect to receive any perks.

I’m not a formal participant in Project 333, but I have taken many of its principles (thanks to Beverly for writing of them) and introduced the simplicity into my life. I do not have a traditional uniform I put on every day but I’ve simplified the lines and colour range and no longer feel apologetic (to my mother) that I dress in the style and colours that I do. Furthermore, I rock outlets, discount, and thrift stores; they are the only stores I enjoy shopping in. There is uncertainty and challenge when I visit, but that’s a post for another day.

However, if an item is well made and something that is classic in style (not that I think I am capable of wearing anything else), I have no problem paying for it. I don’t want my clothing to wear out after a few months!

In 2008 I bought my first pair of Sanita Clogs. I paid full retail price at a store in the city for them and think they were worth every cent. I loved them and it showed.

I purchased a size 35, the smallest standard women’s size you can find in shops, if you are lucky. In the US most stores only start stocking women’s shoes at a size 6 (US) or 36 (Euro). I can wear a 35 if I have thick socks on.

About a year ago, I discovered The Clog Outlet, an online shop offering slightly imperfect clogs for much lower prices. A bonus for me is that they offer shoes in children’s sizes. I ordered a size 34 when I bought my next pair. These fit better, however there was one pretty critical flaw since I wear them to walk 3+ miles every day; I learned the hard way what wooden soles mean. Today I find them perfect for gardening and do not regret the purchase but I reverted back to wearing my well loved and worn shoes for everyday.

For the past few months I have needed to polish my beloved clogs every other day to keep them presentable. Last week I decided enough was and I ordered a new pair.

Since we are approaching warmer weather, in theory, I don’t always want to wear big socks I took a further change to my black clog line-up when I placed the order.

I went down to the kid’s size of 33.

They fit perfect. I’ve been wearing them around the house this afternoon and am very pleased with my choice. I think they will stretch in time but by the time they stretch out, it will be colder again and I won’t mind putting on the thicker socks. I also think that they feel lighter, not because they are smaller and therefore weigh less, but because they fit well my feet are much happier.

They are a Factory second item, but I can’t tell what’s wrong.

Sakura’s Pigma Micron, in size 05, 0.45mm line width. The color is hunter green, a nice dark with hints of black.

Why did I stop using these pens? I think because I went into that tiny nib phase and while the 005 is delightful, these pens get most of their usage in my daily log books and I tend to write hard and fast. The tiny points could not hold up to my abuse. At the time I did not think to go back up a nib size but abandoned the product line all together.

Have you recently rediscovered something that had lost your favour?

Pen is pictured with my new favourite notebook (du jour), a noteletts L6:squares in… green.

I also recently picked up more pencil pouches with the clear front at the 99¢ store to add to my needle binder. I also swapped from a nice-but-impractical-for-me soft cover binder to a hard covered one.

I see I am not alone.

The Harlot did it
TurtleGirl did it

Are you doing it too?

Now I’ve confessed as well. These are not all my needles and hooks, but the ones that have been found and cornered and asked to behave.

They should.

Because thanks to Franklin, I want a set of these carbon fiber dpns in each size from 1.25mm to 2.5mm in four inch length.

Why am I writing about this today?

Shadow has been very kneady and snuggly all afternoon (unless he was asleep) and this is about all the time I have to type.

Yup. It is a four dollar pepper mill. I grew up using freshly ground black pepper long before it was fashionable. We weren’t foodies either. It was just how one did pepper. Years ago E and I were gifted a salt and pepper mill set. I’ve been dancing it between table and stove ever since. I don’t know why it took me until last week to buy a four dollar spice mill so I can have pepper at the stove whenever I want, without a silly dance to the table.

All cooks, whether home or professional chefs, have little tools and quirks they prefer that make their lives easier. I do not believe you need a gadget or gizmo for every single item you prepare, but there are some tools I will not cook without, and others that make life much easier and allow me to spend less time in the kitchen.

Sharp knives are top on my list (6″ chef, paring, small serrated), along with good tools for measuring and weighing, and a wooden spoon with a handle that’s just the right length; but let me not deny that a second pepper mill and an easy to open container for coarse kosher salt also rank up there.

What items on your list?

In the coming weeks I’ll put together my full list — the things I have found that as a home cook who doesn’t want to spend hours in preparation I must have, and things I won’t let in the door.

Next week, however, I hope to have finished my post on kitchen safety. It’s the holiday season and the best advice I can offer at any time of year is to slow down, tie loose bits up, and sharpen all of your knives, especially if you have little ones about!

I’ve been known to use them to alter my clothing so that it fits. For example, if the elastic in a skirt worn out and I don’t have time to mend, no problem, I just pin a fold in place with a clip! Since my uniform-of-choice consists of black skirts, I don’t need to worry about it standing out!

I’ve used them to hold fabric and template together for tracing, trimming, and sewing. I’ve held bags shut, bags open, I really don’t know all I’ve done with them. I’ve broken a few by misjudging capacity. I’ve used the super big jumbo sized ones as Ethernet cable guides on the back of a folding table.

Alton Brown uses them throughout the kitchen, I don’t cook things that require close temperature monitoring so I haven’t employed this technique, but they are useful for more than holding paper together in an office setting.

What’s your most unique use of a binder clip?