My new sewing machine needs a name

My first sewing machine used to be named "the Bitch."  I got her for $10 from Goodwill back in college and she was lovingly named this because we listened to a lot of Ani Difranco and Tori Amos and we thought that being angry and creative was cool.  I was one of four women in a rental house that had a spare tiny bedroom turned craft room that we called the Sweatshop because we were constantly refashioning our clothes and we were so ironic. 

My machine cover is still labeled.

(picture singing this to Guns 'n Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle")

(Sidenote: the toaster oven in the apartment was labeled "Toastmaster General") 

So, my sewing machine is now called "the Beast" or, affectionately, "Mrs. B" and she has done me very good service.  She had one tune up early on and the kind people at the sewing and vacuum store there taught me how to clean and oil her.  She has muscled her way through quilts made from old jeans and corduroys--2 of them.  In fact, I've made at least 6 quilts with her.  She only does straight and a simple zigzag stitch but she did them well and without complaint.  Recently, though, she's retired to a nice resting place in the basement.  I still visit and check up on her, but she needs her rest these days.  (I also need a rest from carrying a thirty-five pound sewing machine around.)

It just so happens that my mom bought a new sewing machine and her old machine needed a new home.  This new girl (new to me) can do a 3 step zigzag, overcast stitch, a couple of embroidery stitches and doesn't pull my shoulder out of the socket whenever I move it.  My two most recent projects on her are a baby sling (tutorial from Karma Baby).

and a ribbon and rattle plushie (tutorial from Chez Beeper Babe).

The new girl also helped me with a number of projects from late last year.

She deserves a good name to go with her new home.  I think she's a little jealous of Trixie the Mixie.
Can you help?

Ravthlete is hard to pronounce

This post is seriously overdue, but I'm just going to plow ahead anyway, so here goes:

During the Winter Olympics, you might have heard about this other little knitter things going on called the Ravelympics 2010.   (Sidenote: I say "little" knitter thing because most people don't know anything about it, but nine thousand, five hundred and thirty-eight knitters, crocheters and weavers and 440 teams from 65 countries participated.  That is a lot of fiber lovin'.)  (Sidenote two: I totally didn't get any respect from my occupational therapist when I told her I *had* to knit because I was a knitting athlete.  I realize that I'm no moguls racer, but come on.  I take it seriously.)

As a participant, I set a big goal for myself, start my project/s when the opening ceremonies begin and finish my project/s when the flame goes out.

My challenge to myself was, first, to do a colorwork project with correct tension.

This one took two tries (thus the tiny purple sweater pic), but check.  Note: these sweaters are holiday ornament size, not people size.  They still took me 4 days each.

and, second challenge, to set up and use my loom,
(note: I've woven 30", not just the 3.5" in this photo)

also check, but I might redo the project, so let's call it a half-check.

And, to show my Ravthletic spirit, I ordered this lovely pin featuring the Ravelry mascot, Bob, wearing a knit cap.

Pretty fab, huh? 

The Summer Olympics are in only two years, so now is the time to learn to knit so you can join in the mass cast on.  Call your mom, your aunt, your grandma, your hipster friend or get a book from the library or just show up at a knitting guild or snb meeting or make an appointment at my house during Henry's nap time.