Nike + Ipod = Crochet

Here is the Nike + iPod hack version 2.0



Much more inconspicuous than v 1.0. It's sturdier too.



Here it is while it's open.



It's attached to the shoe by running the flap through the slit, under the shoe laces then buttoning it. It is more secure than the previous version, and has the added benefit that the sensor can be removed.

I think I'll write a tutorial or patter, but it's simple. The bottom is a tube and the top is just worked back in forth to make a flap. The slit is worked as a horizontal button hole.

Nike + Ipod = Knit

My latest project took me about 15 minutes to make, and is about the size of my thumb, but it's one of the things that gets the most use of everything I've made, and it can't really be store bought.

Well, not cheap at least. My husband runs, and he uses the iPod pedometer (http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike/). There is an attachment to the iPod and a sensor that is supposed to go inside of these specially designed Nike running shoes that have a slot for it.



However, Nerdy Husband doesn't like the Nike shoes in that line, so our DIY spirit kicked in and we figured that we'd find some other way of attaching the sensor to the shoe. NH found an article with a hack for it.

So the version 1.0 was born. It's essentially a tube knit around the sensor. In my infinite wisdom I decided to make in in 2x2 ribbing, out of Lion Brand Microspun. It was ugly, as this was B.S. (Before Socks) and I was unfamiliar with the figure eight cast on, and the yarn and ribbing were bad choices. It was sewn onto the shoe, so in order to take it off, he had to unlace his shoes.



It's pretty wonky, but it's functional. Unfortunately, the sensor is knit into the tube, so when the battery of the sensor died last week, NH asked me to make him another cozy. This led to Version 2.0, which is infinitely better.

Mmmmmm Alpaca

Last weekend I went to the Alpaca Fest with some people from the knitting circle.

We came for the



and stayed for the





I thought that fiber would be the highlight of the show, but those animals are so darn cute, they totally won us over. My main goal was to pet an alpaca. And I did. Here's proof:



There were so many alpaca there. There were chocolate alpaca




and dirty alpaca...




and surfer alpaca...




and emo alpaca...




Some were shy




and others have so much hair they can't see




and many were gorgeous.



This one looks like living, breathing Lorna's Laces or Socks that Rock. This picture doesn't do it justice.


We felt up some fiber




and got tattoos (thanks to Jen, you rock)




and I may or may not have bought some yarn



This is undyed alpaca light weight, from Long Skinny Ranch. It came off the alpaca like that. Amazing.

As amazing as the animals were, we were equally amazed at how nice alpaca people are. The folks at Breath of Heaven Alpaca Ranch were there spreading the good word of alpaca, and our knitting circle will probably be taking a trip out there soon. I got some interviews and clips of alpacas humming for the podcast, and everyone I asked was more than willing to answer questions.