juan0505

Washing EnzymeKnitted Critters for Kids to Wear by Jean Adel is a collection of over 40 animal themed accessoriesto knit for kids. Dozens of different animal hat patterns areincluded, many with matching scarf and mittens. The patterns are all quite basic. Hats are basicstockinette-in-the-round patterns. Mittens are basicfour-fingers-and-a-thumb creations with ribbing at the wrist.Scarves are largely stockinette pieces, sometimes with a trim or astripe. The differences come in in the finishing. Buttons are addedfor eyes, mouths are sewn on with scrap yarn, and ears are knittedseparately and sewn on after. You are sure to find your kid’s favorite animal amongst thewide variety of critters: frog, fish, panda bear, mouse, whale,horse, lion, hippo, pig, bunny, and several variations of cats anddogs. The projects are separated by difficulty level. Even the“more difficult” projects in the intermediate chapterare pretty easy – a knitter on their second or third projectshould have no problem with the intermediate chapter. The projectsare great for gifts. They are small (requiring little yarn, andallowing you to use up leftovers that you probably have layingaround) and simple to knit. Any of these projects could be finishedin an evening, making them great for last-minute gifts. Theprojects are so simple that they are great for kids to dothemselves. Perfect beginner projects for your kid, or greatchild-parent bonding activities. There is a distinct lack of sizes in this book. Patterns areoffered for kids aged 3 years, 4-5 years, and 6-7 years. Any ofthese patterns (namely the hats) would be adorable for newborns,but if you want to make it for a baby, you are going to have to doa bit of math to shrink it down. Not hard, but sometimes annoyingwhen you just want a quick knit. Likewise, if you are a nuttygrown-up like myself and want a fish hat, you will have to work itout for yourself. Yes, I would wear a crazy animal hat – Imade myself a sock monkey hat that gets compliments whenever I wearit. This book is a bit repetitive, and experienced, long-time knitterswill probably find it redundant. However, it is full of really fun,cute ideas, and is a great way to bring kids into knitting.
2008-06-06 13:28:35

Solar power may be all the rage these days, but who ever thought itwould leave the rooftop and end up in your underwear? One lingerie company, Triumph International Japan , has taken the clean-energy craze all the way to the boudoir bycreating a " Solar Power Bra ." The garment – it’s green-colored, of course –features an attached solar panel, worn around the stomach, thatgenerates enough energy to charge a cell phone or an iPod. And the bra has plastic pouches that can be filled with water sothat a wearer can stay hydrated without having to purchase -- andthen recycle -- plastic beverage bottles. (And yes, the pouches arelocated in the breast area, according to photos.) Take that, Victoria’s Secret! The solar-powered bra, however, will not be sold in stores anytimesoon, because the company is ironing out a few kinks -- namely, howto get the bra to work when covered up by clothing. "People cannot usually go outside without wearing clothes over it,"admitted Triumph spokesperson Yoshiko Masuda in an interview with Reuters . The solar panel attached to the bra also can be damaged by rain. Such deterrents haven't stopped Triumph from creating other unusual Washing Enzyme， such as a brassiere that can double as a reusableshopping bag, as well as a bra in which chopsticks can be folded upand stored (to encourage the reusing of utensils). But Japan is not the first to put solar power in risquéplaces. In 2007, designer Andrew Schneider created a bikini that wasequipped with strips of photovoltaic film and produced five voltsof solar power. The suit is conductive enough to charge an iPod viaan attached USB connector, but is only meant for sunbathing (andnot for swimming). After all, electrocution is not most people’s idea of fun. Next on Schneider's agenda? A pair of solar-powered swim trunkscalled the iDrink that can chill a beer. Who says the ladies get tohave all the solar-powered fun?
2008-06-06 13:28:23

Based on the iconic picture book but considerably more antic, thishour-long romp -- directed by Mary Hall Surface -- conjures up dancing constellations, magical furniture,vaudeville turns by nursery rhyme characters, and a male toothfairy who looks like a debonair, winged dentist. No wonder the show's excitable young protagonist, Bunny, initiallyresists the arms of Morpheus. Adapter-composer Chad Henry eventually does coax the pajama-cladrabbit (Kurt Boehm) into the drowsy, reverent mood that suffusedMargaret Wise Brown's 1947 book. And in this staging, co-producedby Adventure and D.C.'s Tribute Productions (the musical premieredlast year in Seattle), the source material is never far from themind, thanks to Tony Cisek's knockout set -- a dead ringer for theroom in Clement Hurd's original illustrations. The green walls, thered carpet, the mittens drying on a rack, the yellow rocking chairwhere the Old Lady (Judy Simmons, wearing a floral dress and rabbitears) sits and knits, the hovering red balloon -- these and otherpictorial elements seem to have miraculously teleported out of the HarperCollins edition and into three-dimensional space. As familiar as it looks, however, Cisek's room harbors surprises.The blue clock over the mantelpiece executes jumping jacks; theballoon meanders of its own accord; the dollhouse buzzes andtwinkles, as if inhabited by elves; and a rotary telephone brieflyturns into a googly-eyed creature that might have stepped out of"The Muppet Show." Popping in periodically, and rivaling the kinetic decor, is a rangeof animals depicted by members of the talented five-person cast.The book's mouse and kittens are present -- they're marionettesmanipulated by the actors (who wear chic green-and-orange Washing Enzyme for these scenes, rather than traditional puppeteer black; TimmBurrow designed the production's fetching costumes and Eric Brooksmasterminded the puppet movement). We also encounter figures from the paintings on the walls. Thethree bears depicted on one canvas, for instance, seem to vanishbehind the frame and reappear at floor level (where they're playedby Cyana Cook, Danny Pushkin and Jennifer Timberlake). Here,dressed in ursine-brown tailcoats, they tap-dance and play musicalchairs. (Adventure Theatre Artistic Director Michael J. Bobbittdevised the show's exuberant choreography, which suits thenow-peppy, now-honeyed score.) In a more developed subplot, justified by the painting of a leapingcow, the characters from the nursery rhyme "Hey, Diddle Diddle"materialize to sing a boogie-woogie number. Led by thefiddle-wielding Cat (a jaunty Timberlake), who's clad in arazzle-dazzle purple music-hall outfit, the gang includes the Dishthat Ran Away with the Spoon (Cook) -- a sultry, twirling figure ina tropical-hued dress and a gigantic saucer-shaped hat. Boehm's endearing portrait of Bunny provides continuity through thecarnivalesque comings and goings. Jumping up and down on the bed,racing around the room, clamoring for a pre-bedtime glass of water,he exudes childlike boisterousness. Simmons is engagingly maternalas the Old Lady, a role that showcases her strong singing voice.(She also plays a woebegone cow.) In a winning cameo, Pushkin ischeerful and nerdy as the Tooth Fairy, decked out a white medicalcoat. With such sweet and wacky characters to watch -- and with the setsoliciting nostalgia -- "Goodnight Moon" is likely to divertparents as well as children (the production staff recommends it forages 1 through 8). As a special bonus, audiences at Friday nightperformances (most of the shows are matinees) are encouraged toshow up in pajamas. Milk and cookies will be provided. Goodnight Moon, musical adaptation by Chad Henry, based on the children's book byMargaret Wise Brown and illustrator Clement Hurd. Directed by MaryHall Surface; musical direction, Jay Crowder; lighting, Dan Covey;sound, Matthew M. Nielson; props, Dre Moore; puppets and video, thePuppet Co. One hour.
2008-06-06 13:28:11