it's a hard knit life

KW Inspiration: Eternal Child

2012-02-12T12:18:00.000-08:00

by Gül Gürdamar is an amazing knitwear designer. Istanbul-based Gürdamar has a fresh, modern take on classic silhouettes. Her looks are simply beautiful with a touch of quirk and a bold femininity. For more information and to see her newest collection please visit here.

Resolutions

2012-01-02T13:44:00.000-08:00

Set of 8, 2012 Calendar found on etsy by bluetricycle.

I love the word resolution, to come to a definite or earnest decision about something, to be determined in your actions, to be intentional.

I've been thinking about what I intend to do to better this new year. I've limited myself to three resolutions to increase my success. I think sometimes more isn't better, it's just more.

1. Get straight A's for the next 3 terms.

2. Knit for other people ( I have so many sweaters, hats, and scarves. How many does one person really need?)

3. Read more books. I use to read voraciously. I hungered for new plots, words and characters. I feel like I should get back into it because it brought me so much pleasure! This year I want to get in as much fun, passion and growth I can.

Life's too short, right?

Merry Christmas!!!

2011-12-24T08:06:00.000-08:00

Natural linen Christmas Ornaments from Etsy made by liradesigne

May all your holiday dreams come true! Thanks to all my readers (though they are few and far between) for being a part of It's A Hard Knit Life!! I appreciate you!!

KW Inspiration: Sandra Backlund

2011-12-07T09:21:00.001-08:00

The Swedish designer, Sandra Backlund, craft, genius, vision and ability to manipulate the knit and crochet stitch brings me to tears. My favorite piece is the techno jacket. It looks very much like garter stitch but appears to be created by sewing rows of straight stitch on a lightly downed synthetic fabric to create a sort of ribbed effect. It is so sculptural and structurally beautiful.

After graduating from Beckman College of Design in Stockholm in 2004, her eponymous line was created that same year. For a closer look and more information of this amazing Knitwear designer please visit here.

Mobius Cowl

2011-11-15T13:47:00.001-08:00

Thanks to Ashley for taking these pics at Rosie's. I still need to purchase a new camera.

I haven't had much time to knit because I've been doing a lot of sewing, drawing and creating strange body-sized creatures (Don't ask!) for school but I did manage to finish this Mobius cowl using two skeins of Noro, Iro no. 98 and seed stitch. I love those shocks of blue, orange and yellow thrown in there with the browns. Fabulous!!

It was so satisfying to knit this (on US #13) because it was done so quickly! Maneuvering the twist on the cable needle was a bit cumbersome but I got over it after I bound off. Heh heh! I felt like such a rebel putting a twist in my circular knitting. If I wrote this pattern I would say "Join being careful to TWIST!" As it were, it's really easy to create this. Just cast on an even amount of stitches, put a the twist in there and work seed stitch all the way around until you get to your desired length and then loosely bind off that baby.

I also managed to knit some worsted weight socks out of Rittenhouse 5-ply but one of them got felted (sad face) but it's okay; they'll just be ten times more warm. Also before I unknowingly put one of them in the washing machine they had a tendency to slide down and off my feet. I still have to felt the other one. I think it was meant to be.

KW Inspiration: Twinkle by Wenlan

2011-10-20T19:13:00.000-07:00

Twinkle is a knitwear/apparel fashion designer who started gaining popularity from the moment she sported her creations on the streets of NYC. A native of Taipei and daughter of a master seamstress, Wenlan Chia's silhouettes are modern and sweetly edgy. I've been coveting her new sewing book Twinkle Sews even since I started Construction Skills this term. I think I'm starting to work up the confidence to try one (or all) of her couture designs.

New Free Patt: Osier Mittens

2011-10-17T21:26:00.000-07:00

It's getting chilly outside! Such a wonderful thing! Time for layers, boots, cardigans and hats! Time for sitting by the fire side, watching flaming leaves afloat on the blustery wind, and my favorite, pumpkin or apple and spice flavored anything from soap to candles to food!

I've had quite a streak of bad luck lately. I forgot my bag on the bus and lost a lot of my important worldly possessions including my camera so unfortunately I don't have any pics to show you of the projects I've completed which includes an Iro Mobius cowl. I've also started a really beautiful sweater I can't wait to finish it and another Shower Stitch Beret in an effort to reformat and clarify the pattern but until I get another camera feast your eyes on my newest pattern the Osier (oh-zher) Mittens.

These mittens were knit out of a Rosie's Yarn Cellar favorite, Swans Island Worsted 100% organic merino wool. It's so smooshy and look at the variegation of the dye, simply beautiful. When it's blocked it's so incredibly soft! Oh gosh, oh-so-soft!

I had such a wonderful time knitting these mittens. A few little details that make these hand toasters wonderful are dunt-dah-daaaa! a turned hem cuff, reverse stockinette palms, slipped stitch side "seams" and an original knit/purl stitch pattern. You can download the pattern here. I hope that I can find some time to knit some for myself and buy a new camera in November! A big thank you to Andrea for taking such lovely pictures.

Grey Days

2011-09-08T21:20:00.000-07:00

So now I have two weeks off before I go back to school for the Fall so I thought I might show you some knitting I've completed. I plan on posting some of the artwork I've done for my intro classes but first I must mat and frame it, so stay tuned!!

This is the scarf I finished last week. This is the Rail Scarf and it measures 9 1/2 feet long!! It is the ideal accessory for the dreaded months of November-February because it is made with Manos Del Uruguay Naturals 702, a truly wooly wool, as you can see from the last two pictures below. The fabric has a nice solidness to it but maintains a substantial amount of drape. The pattern is a simple 5 x 1 wide rib, which creates the "rails".

My hair is crazy fuzzy!

It's been raining all week. Usually I really love the rain but for some reason this weather is making me feel very sad. I hope the sun comes out soon. In any case, I think I'm ready to ride the icy rails of winter with this scarf! Maybe I'll add some fringe!

FO: Wicker Cowl

2011-08-23T07:48:00.000-07:00

Look at that nice scalloped edge created by the double decreases. Beautiful!

I've had so many projects to do this term and don't you know that I procrastinated on each and every one of them but somehow found the time to knit the Wicker Cowl. It was such a pleasure to knit with Savannah. It has a substantial and soft hand. I chose the color slate which has lovely white flecks making the overall effect of the finished fabric heather-like. So I'm waiting for the weather to turn cool and the real fashion design classes to begin in the Fall. But until then I have two blankets to finish knitting, two final projects and a lot of seasonal cloths swapping to do!

The Greatest

2011-08-08T16:00:00.000-07:00

So this summer I have in mind to create "the greatest fall sweater on earth!" I've been tracking down good yarn candidates, swatching and dreaming of its immaculate reality. Fortunately I was given an obscene amount of free yarn from one of the regulars at my old job. So I started swatching.

I love stripes!! These are so clean!

Most of the clothing I'm drawn to either incorporate clean lines and simple details like an interesting top stitching and/or stitch pattern or are inspired by vintage clothing mostly from the 40's. I'm really into graphic stripes for the fall and find that I'm really drawn to the look of the popular 60's "poor boy" sweater. Although it is traditionally a pullover, ribbed, clingy and short-sleeved I want to update the look, while keeping the original silhouette.

source

Right now I'm taking prerequisite design and drawing classes for grad school. I love when two different classes' coursework converges, mesh, and draw parallels to each other. Designing this sweater incorporates a lot of what I've learned this semester.

Here's a drawing of what I want my sweater to look like, but now that I think about and look at the actual dimensions of the garment, I believe it will look better if I don't decrease just before the ribbing at the bottom, but I don't know yet.... I think with the added turned-hem button band (with diagonal stripes!!) there will be much more ease. For Fall, I think I can handle that. Some people aren't really into belting sweaters but I'm of the camp that believes it adds a nice cinched-in, vintage quality to the overall look. Maybe I'll knit a belt and get some hardware in Fabric Row; to account for the extra ease. So many possibilties...

Here's a glimpse of the greatest Fall Sweater.

Rah! Rah! I'm a Drexel Dragon!

2011-07-04T11:46:00.000-07:00

Heh! Heh! You like that nicki minaj reference?! Ha! Yeah, I'm a dork. Well, this coming week is my third week of graduate school and let me tell it ain't no picnic, but it really is lovely and I'm learning so much, which is good because getting additional education isn't cheap! I'm very happy though, and happiness always requires work!

Needless to say I haven't had ANY time to knit, so I don't have very much to show you as far as that goes. When I'm not covered in eraser crumbs, charcoal smudges, splatters of paint or wielding an ex-acto knife, I've been going...

to the beach...

and the Farmer's market to select delectable vegetables and...

some juicy fruit and...

pretty flowers, of course.

I've been spending a lot of time in my room. I've added some beautiful plants to keep the inspiration alive.

Hopefully, I'll be able to show you a sweater I've been working on for the Fall. It is striped!

KW Inspiration/I'm in love with

2011-06-08T09:41:00.000-07:00

Tom SCOtt!

This is his 2011 Spring/Summer Collection. I just love the clean futuristic yet classic design of his knitwear. I've been drooling over his Fall collection too... Oh so quirky! I love it!

FO: Swallowtail

2011-06-05T16:52:00.000-07:00

I finally finished Swallowtail by Evelyn Clark. I started this a long time ago, last summer to be exact. I love it! It is so beautiful, light and airy. I love the way it flows so nicely in the breeze, when and if there is a breeze... It has been so hot I'm afraid I won't be able to wear it until next Spring.

Jaggerspun Zephr has such a wonderful sheen to it due to the 50% silk, for which I am so grateful. Maybe I'll wear it next Friday night.

Net-working

2011-06-03T15:00:00.000-07:00

A couple of summers ago I went to the Purl Soho and bought this yarn to make a summer cowl, which sounds counter-intuitive but you might find yourself on a chilly beach at night having a crazy/passionate make-out session with a new beau or a cool blast from the seemingly thousands of air-conditioners turned on any/everywhere could raise goosebumps, or stranger than fiction, not unheard of bizarre blustery weather may occur! Finally we did get a few cooler days here in Philly. After this past heat wave I don't know how I'm going to survive the summer!! Bah!

As you may or may not know I love nautical inspired anything, as you might deduce from the Sail Away Beret I knit last summer. Leifdottir, a beautiful brand of contemporary clothing, has some of my favorite nautical-inspired clothing in their Spring 2011 collection.

I especially love the cardigan below. The dolman sleeves, the nuanced, subdued colors: grey, sand-tan and deep ocean blue instead of the classic white and navy is so dreamy! I really enjoy how it drapes around the shoulders; it looks so comfortable. Maybe I was born on a yacht. I want those wide-legged, white pants, they might let me on one.

With all this in mind I cast on this little gem of a cowl using

US #15 needles. I knit one round then purled one round to create garter stitch in the round. The larger needle, the rope-like feel of the yarn reminded me of netting.

I think it knit up to be quite lovely, actually. I somehow got myself to the beach.

tank top

2011-05-25T09:35:00.000-07:00

I designed and started sewing a tank top earlier this week to wear this summer. I came across these wonderful fabric at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival.

The Coverlet Museum creates printed reproductions of coverlet fabric, which are woven fabrics used to place on the outermost layer of bedding a.k.a. a super fancy thin blanket; pretty enough to make you want to make your bed.

Popular during the 18th and 19th century, these fabrics have beautiful pattern motifs and use lovely subdued colors. They remind me of toile, damask, and tribal patterns all mixed together.

Front

Back

I put some very unconvention darts (I think they're upside down) in the front, just a below where the underarm begins because I found that the fabric was puckering there. Probably because of my disturbingly smaller bust. Bah!

Detail of back ties

To finish, I'm going to put bias tape around the neck and armholes. I'm so excited! More pics to come!

Phiale

2011-04-29T10:02:00.000-07:00

O-wool, headed by the illustrious Jocelyn Tunney of Tunney Wool Company, just released some of the Fall patterns for 2011. This shrug is mine! It's knit side to side with O-wool Bulky, a wonderfully soft, plush organic yarn. I want to make one in the color Rhodonite.

I really enjoyed knitting this shrug. I think shrugs have the under-rated ability to transition from an office attire garment to a laid back evening piece. Phiale includes garter stitch, short-row shaping, circular knitting and the creation of cables without a cable needle technique. There's absolutely no sewing involved. Yes!

It is available here. Buy it, knit it, love it!

Specs:

FINISHED SIZE

Waist circumference: 24 (26¾, 30¾)”

YARN
O-WOOL BALANCE BULKY (50% certified organic merino, 50% certified organic cotton; 106 yds/97m 100g/3.5oz); 7 (8, 10) skeins, shown in 5001 Charoite.

GAUGE
12 sts and 17 rnds = 4” in Cable Pattern with larger needles; 11 sts and 18 rows = 4” in Garter Stitch with larger needles. Take time to save time, check your gauge.

NEEDLES
Size 11 (8 mm): 24” circular (cir). Size 13 (9 mm): 24” cir. Adjust needle sizes if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

NOTIONS
Stitch holders or waste yarn; four 1” buttons; tapestry needle.

All Wrapped Up!

2011-04-26T16:47:00.000-07:00

Hey there!! How are you? Sorry for the long blog pause. To make up for it, I give you a free pattern!! I've been so wrapped up trying get everything straight for the summer. With togue in cheek, I present to you the All Wrapped Up! wrap knit out of stash yarn that I bought in Vermont at an odd antique shop four years ago while visiting my ex-boyfriend's grandmother. The other skein I snatched up two years ago at Maryland Sheep and Wool. Gotta stash bust? This is a great project to do so.

I love light blue and cream together. The combination is so softly maritime, springy and delicate all at the same time. One of the wonderful things about this wrap is the many color combinations you could try. Perhaps the colors mustard yellow and hot pink, lilac and steel gray, lime green and chocolate brown, or a traditional navy blue and white would be stunning together! Of course, you could always knit it in a solid color. So say you have an aversion to wearing a closure-less sweater, you can add closures if you so choose by kniting on an i-cord loop, or crocheting one even. I chose to belt it, which I think ups the chic factor considerably.

I used a larger US 15 (10mm) needle to create a great amount of drape (Ha! Those words sound so nice together!) and basically knit a gigantic rectangle with holes. I played with the idea of really chunky, graphic stripes and liked the results. Together with the simple shape, the tasteful drape of the fabric and easy stockinette stitch, a classy, versatile wrap was created.

Wrap Pattern

Yarn: ~250 (300, 475) yds each of two different colored skeins of worsted or aran weight yarn.
Needle: US #15 (10mm) 36" circular needle.
Notions: Tapestry Needles
Gauge: 10 x 12 sts for a 4 x 4" swatch.
Sizes: S (M, L)
Bust Size: 30-36" (38-42", 44-52")

Abbreviations:
MC-- Main Color
CC-- Contrasting Color

Pattern Notes

This wrap is knit side to side.
Armoles are created by binding off the specified number of sts, then casing sts back on in the next row, as if making a very large buttonhole.
Read pattern carefully; there are specific size instructions for all sizes. For the small size you will have 7 panels, medium 9 panels, and large 11 panels of the two alternating colors.

Schematic

Pattern

Right Side:
Using MC CO 72(80, 88)sts. Work even for 6". Switch to CC, work even for 3" (6" ,6"). End on WS row.

Armhole Shaping:

For small size only-- Beginning on RS, work 20 sts, BO 15, k to end. Next row: P 37 sts, CO 15 sts, k to end. Work even for 2".

For medium and large sizes only--Switch to MC, work even for 6". Switch to CC, work even for 3". Beginning on RS row work 20 sts, BO 18 (20) sts, k to end.
Next row: P 42 (48) sts, CO -- (18, 20) sts, k to end. Work even for 2".

Back:

For small and medium size: Using MC, work even for 6". Switch to CC, work even for 6". Switch to MC, work even for 6".

For larger size only: Switch to CC, work even for 6". Then switch to MC, work even for 6".

Left Side:

For small size only--Using CC, work even for 2". Starting on RS row, work 20 sts, BO 15, k to end. Next row: P 37 sts, CO 15 sts, k to end. Work even for 3".

For medium and large sizes only-- Using CC work even for 2". Starting on RS row, work 20 sts, BO --(18, 20) sts, k to end.

Next row: P --(42, 48) sts, CO --(18, 20) sts, k to end. Work even for 3".

All sizes: Switch to MC, work even for 6". BO loosely.

Finishing: Pick up sts around armhole. Knit 1 row. BO very loosely. Rep for other armhole. Weave in all ends. Wet block to measurements.

Another...

2011-03-07T10:30:00.000-08:00

pattern release!!

This has been a long time coming! Finally the time has arrived. I've been waiting ever so patiently, Rosemont Sweater. Unfortunately there have been many sweaters recently released that have similar use of the knitted smocking techniqe but as far as I can tell this design is the only one that also uses it on the sleeves.
The placement of the smocking is so flattering on so many body types, that it's an absolutely must-knit. I love all the details about Rosemont: the knit in hem, scoop neck and the set-in, smocked, gartered-edged sleeves. Oh, yeah!!

This pattern features Manos del Uruguay's Serena an ultra-soft blend of pima cotton and baby alpaca making it a trans-seasonal yarn. It has wonderful drape and exquisite stitch definition.

For my original swatch I used Classic Elite's soft linen which is comprised of 35% Linen, 35% Wool, 30% Baby Alpaca which has similar yarn content. Look at this detailed picture below. To create the smocked fabric stitches are placed on a cable needle and the working yarn is wrapped around in order to gather the stitches together as opposed to ribbed fabric that is later gathered and tied with shorts bits of yarn.

This cute little top will definitely make a good addition to your Spring wardrobe this year and for many years to come. Rosemont is available here. Check it out, knit it, love it!!

Tutorial: How to Doublecross

2011-02-14T10:02:00.000-08:00

No, not like swindle, beguile or treacherously lead astray, silly. I'm talking about how to doublecross stitches in order to knit the trapezoidal shaped shawl self-published last year.

This shawl is worked by increasing for the right wingspan and then decreasing for the left wingspan.

This stitch pattern looks fancy, huh? Though honestly it is very simple once you get the hang of it. The stitch pattern is very unique in that I semi-made it up myself. While leafing through my copy of Traditional Knittng Patterns from Around the World I came across a biased pattern similar to the doublecross stitch. It didn't have the right amount of open work so I fudged it a little and lo and behold the doublecrosser was created. The openwork effect comes from the double yarnovers that are dropped to become elongated stitches which creates an amazing drapey fabric paired with the baby llama oh man! You can't go wrong!!

Stitch patterns are almost always read from the right to the left because that is how the stitches are arranged on the needle.

To work DC4, slip double yarnovers (worked on wrong side row) to the right hand needle AT THE SAME TIME drop the second yarnovers so that you will now have 4 elongated stitches. Pass them back to the left hand needle then pass stitches 3 and 4 over stitches 1 and 2 so that the stitches are now crossed. Knit crossed stitches in the order in which they are now placed. The cross over sts will lean to the right.

The order of the stiches on the needle now read right to left: 3412.

For DC4b work as for DC4 only pass stitch 1 and 2 over 3 and 4. Knit these stitches as they are now placed. The stitches should look like so; the crossed stitches lean to the left.

The order of the stitches on the needle now read right to left: 4312.

So that's how you doublecross!

New Pattern Release for O-Wool!!!!

2011-02-09T09:53:00.000-08:00

Whew! So a lot has happened since my last post. I broke up with my boyfiend, moved into a lovely new home, got accepted to grad school and started a knitting club at my current job! With all this buzz and bustle I am happy to present to you... wait for it....drum rolling...my published pattern for O-wool owned by the amazing Jocelyn Tunney!

The Montgolfier Pullover, named after the brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier, who invented the hot air balloon, works as a wonderful layering piece for Autumn, Winter, Spring and if you're in a temperate climate where it becomes cool in the evenings, Summer too.

This pattern uses O-wool's Legacy DK, which is like whipped butter when you block it. Oh, so soft!Perhaps the most interesting thing about this pullover is the way the very subtle curved yoke is formed. I used short-row shaping to curve just above the bust before the little lattice lace begins, which adds a certain amount of intrigue and creates a better fit. I placed a four button placket on the back to add this pullover's vintage flair. Ooooo, I can't wait to make myself one in cabbage!

Ravel it!!!

Sewing is the new knitting

2010-11-16T14:52:00.000-08:00

I've been experiencing a serious case of first stage carpal tunnel. This is by far my worst nightmare! Besides being chased by blood-thirsty zombies, having to work at a really shite job, tinking half a sweater, or a whole one at that. For the past year I've had this tight ache in my right wrist. I'm going to purchase a wrist brace and see if that helps, go to the doctor and asks lots of questions... Thank goodness for sewing because I need my fiber fix. Ha! It's like I'm addicted. A-hem...

photo: property of brooklyntweed

I started Jared Flood's Green Autumn mittens using Shetland Spindrift in Rosewood.

The left mitten is almost done!

But I kept having to rip back; re-knitting cables, bobbles, and slipped stitches becomes tiresome very quickly; so I sewed this.

Another sewing pattern from Christine Haynes book. This was a difficult pattern for me.

Next time I'll make one using stretch cotton. This cute little blouse is made from a lightweight cotton. The eyelets and white screen print design make this fabric very feminine which is fitting.

I love the gathers, although I have to admit it took me several tries to do this only because I didn't know where the tension gauge was on my machine. Oh, I learned so much from this project! It almost turned into an utter disaster! At one point I sewed the back to the front, then I tried it on and the back started to rip because of my abnormally large shoulders/ upper arm circumference. Unfortunately it doesn't look as neat as it should when you turn it inside out, but no one will know except you and I. I pressed, pressed, pressed but in the end I think my downfall was bad pinning. All in all, it looks super adorable, don't you agree? Sorry these pictures are so grainy. It's an overcast, rainy day kind of Fall day here in Philly. Incidentally, rain or shine, I like them both. I find the graininess gives these pictures a very vintage postcard feel.

I like to think of this top as the perfect dinner date blouse because you could eat a four course meal plus dessert, have the fullest belly you've ever had in your life and still look so damn cute!

FU not an FO

2010-11-06T18:36:00.000-07:00

I'm talking about the Nimbus Cardigan.

Last March I wrote up and released the pattern for the Nimbus Cardigan only to find to my dismay that there is a serious design flaw. It has taken me almost a year to come to grips with it...

While I was visiting my friend at my LYS she told me she wanted to purchase the Nimbus Cardigan, and the changes she wanted to make to it. I am always up for modifications in patterns because often I find that unless the pattern is somehow the most perfect written pattern in the universe or the knitwear designer sized it to fit a large range of shapes and sizes, think Gundrun Johnston who provides so many sizes, modification is always in order. This is one of many the beauties of knitting your own sweaters: you can add short rows, decreases or increases and/or add length to suit your own one-of-a-kind body.

Back to my friend who tells me she wants to make the Nimbus Cardigan but doesn't want the umbrellas to fall on her twin girls as pictured here.

So I suggested a few changes and went home thinking do the parasols really fall there or was I not wearing the correct bra or any bra at all. Um, I hate bras. So I bought a new bra, tried it on and found that yes the umbrellas still fall on the bosom. So I've taken the pattern down from Ravelry and now it's time to go back to the drawing board.

I'm going to rip the whole thing out and try not to feel like a loser/idiot/knitting fool. I will rewrite the pattern. Hopefully it will be amazingly successful and I'll want to wear it all the time even when it's not raining. Right now, loads of self-deprecating insults are raining down in my head. So I'll just leave you on a brighter note by showing my mood board.

picture sources from top to bottom:
link 1 & 7
link 2
link 3
link 4
link 5
link 6
link8
link9

Kimono Inspired Jacket

2010-10-27T14:49:00.000-07:00

I'm no geisha, but this jacket sure makes me feel like one. For some reason I just wasn't satisfied with any of the pictures I took of it so sorry if this one picture fails to meet your expectations because I'm right there with you. This jacket has three-quarter raglan sleeves that are very wide at the bottom; absolutely perfect for layering. I made an extra long tie belt so that I could wrap it around my waist twice to get the full kimono effect. I used Robert 's Quilter's "Linen". I saw linen in quotation marks on the selvedge and decided to do some investigating. Just as I suspected, this purple fabric is in fact 100% cotton. The color is actually screen printed on the simply woven cotton to make it look shockingly similar to linen. I was kind of disappointed because linen becomes so soft after you wash it a few times, but I'll take cotton over polyester!

I used the a pattern from Chic and Simple Sewing, by Christine Haynes. She's my kind of girl: ruffles, cute yoked dresses and double-sided wrap skirts. I like how it turned out, but in the book she uses this wonderful "deep chocolate brown with cream pearls printed on it", and mine seems kind of blah by comparison, even though I tried to jazz it up with some toile bias tape, which I made myself! Yes!! I don't know. What do you think? Do you think I should make another one with a bolder fabric because the cut is so simple? Should I just wear this at home or style it a special way? Hmmm-sigh ... I just don't know.

Tally-ho!

2010-10-19T16:39:00.000-07:00

During my vacation at the shore, I decided to indulge the fashion-crazed, must-see-all-look-books, completely style obsessed part of me, so I ravenously pored over all fall fashions. I drooled, I screamed, I poo-pooed and I beat my hands against the sand as I looked at all the prices, and finally cried... Not really, but kinda. I was especially intrigued by the equestrian-inspired look, seen on Dior and Hermes Fall 2010 runways.

So to assuage my intense desire to be warm and look darn cute at the same time, you know kill two birds with one stone (I would never kill a bird.). I knit my very own riding jacket. The yarn was given to me by a dear friend/former roommate, Lena. Special shot out to her: Congrats on becoming a Fiber Arts teacher! It is 100% aran wool from Kerry Woolen Mills. This Irish mill has been running for over 300 years! The yarn is aptly named "Green Fleck" for it has so many flecks of color: orange, red, yellow, blue, teal, pink, you name it. Just beautiful and so very special.

Although I was inspired by this sexy horse rider look, I also wanted something a little more comfortable, yet traditional; classic. I opted for a cardigan with set-in pockets, buttoned cuffs, a shawl collar created with short rows, and faux leather buttons. I said to myself this yarn is from Ireland, there must be cables! So I included a traveling honeycomb cable pattern to ride up the back. Ha! Ride! I then battled with the idea of knitting it all in one piece because the supply had to meet the demand and pronto! I knit from the bottom up and created short row, set-in sleeve caps, a brilliant top down technique by the way. And voila!

Now all I need are some riding boots, a forest with brightly colored falling leaves and a trusty steed. My knight in shining armor took the pictures. I dub this cardigan the Tally-ho riding jacket.

Look at my goofy I-knit-this smile!

I vow

2010-10-12T16:23:00.000-07:00

to drink lots of juice full of anti-oxidants (cranberry, blueberry, orange), eat tons of carrots and strawberries, vigorously excercise, be good and not smoke an occasional cigarette when I'm stressed, drink gallons of water and apply retinol religiously to my two new wrinkles!!

Like fifteen days ago I turned 28. Whoopee! It's wonderful, except I'm getting older and it's starting to show. Bah! I know this happens to everyone but I am kind of shocked at how I was 27 and wrinkle free and now I'm 28 and wrinkled. Call me vain, or cosmetically challenged, either way I'm very upset by this. Besides the fact that they are a constant reminder that I haven't accomplished as much as I thought I would by this age. I think I'll feel better when I go back to school to get my masters degree. Right now, I think I'll just wade in self-pity.

But, you know, I did manage to finish this shawl, triangular scarf thing.

You might recognize it as the Silk Kerchief by Kate Gagnon Osborne. I adapted it for larger scale yarn and needles. It's big! The wingspan stretches out to 41" and it is 19" long.

Here's to many more years!!

My own special blend of 100 % Cranberry, Blueberry and Apple Juice. Yes!

Dots and Flowers

2010-10-04T19:01:00.000-07:00

It is officially the end of summer, it rained all day yesterday and today! I love October and can't wait to get to an orchard and hopefully Rhinebeck. Anyway, I wanted to show you Amy Butler's Anna "tunic" I sewed during the month of August. While my intention was to make a tunic my hip circumference and the pattern had a different idea for me, so that my tunic really just became a very, very cute top.

The pattern originally called for a lining but I added a lining only to the yoke because it is a warm weather garment. And to everyone's dismay, it is unbearably hot and humid in Philadelphia. A lining added to the entire thing would just produce a very sweaty, irritable DC, who you don't want to meet and I don't want to know. However I do think my decision to add the lining to the yoke is sound. I hope it will improve the stability and sustainability of the garment. Only time will tell. I love that saying. It is so explicable and apparent--time. We shall see...

My favorite part of the whole thing are the button loops. The detail of it coupled with the little ruche in the front ups the adorable factor tenfold. Even though my straight stitch still needs some work and the lining is slightly visible around the armholes, I am very happy with the end result. And besides I love the color orange. We just moved to a new place and painted the hallway orange. My boyfriend and I built a desk so that I can have a place to work on my designs. We stained the desk a dark walnut color so the orange really pops! Now all I need is a laptop and a cork board to tack inspiration to! I can already feel the weight of new garments to be created at this new work space.

Radio Silence

2010-09-11T08:18:00.000-07:00

Sorry for all the static. I've been really busy knitting. I have a few projects in the works and I assure you all will be revealed shortly. I have a few sneak peak photos for you.

This summer has been full of hot days and lots of brilliant parties. I just got back from the shore. It's weird since I've been living in Philly everyone calls going to the beach "going to the shore". I'll have you know idiosyntric phrases abound in Philly... as with any other area of the country I'm sure.

Here's some crash clips of summer 2010:

I hung out with my good friend Rachel. I love this picture; everything is so haphazard. Ignore the tangle of wires in the corner.

I visited the LaColoumbe coffee shop where my friend Stacy works. We were cruching numbers to figure out a sock pattern she is designing. Isn't she cute??

Stacy is a real barista. She made this beautiful cappuccino with a leaf pattern in it.

I started knitting (and am still knitting) a silk kercheif (by Kate Gagnon Osborne) inspired triangular scarf. Unfortunately this pattern is no longer available but I remember it enough to make a mega sized, blow me! winter chill, mother of all scarves using Noro Transitions, and stash Lamb's Pride in white, double-stranded!

I took my annual trip to the beach house. Quaint, aint it?

At the beach. Bathing suit: American Apparel $39.99, sun block spf 32: $15.00, the smell of sun baked skin: priceless.

I took new, nautically appropriate pics of the Sail Away Beret. Ravel it.

Waves!

I sewed double-sided hankerchiefs using leftover fabric from all my other projects in anticipation of the sniffles, sneezes, coughs, runny nose, anaphylactic shock... I mean... Autumn allergies.

I used some of the decorative stitches that I suppose no one really uses but I will because that machine cost me and I might as well get the most out of it. I should make a quilt...

FO: Lace Collar

2010-06-27T18:35:00.000-07:00

I finished it and it's wonderful!! I love it. Seriously gorgeous! Look! I was able take a few pictures of it in the daylight before my boyfriend and I went on a long bike ride. I love bike riding!

The knitted lace worked up pretty quickly considering that it's not exactly the easiest pattern I've ever worked. I don't recommend putting it down in mid-row or mid-repeat unless you have a sticky note or something to mark which row you're on. Using some kind of row marker, whether it's a sticky note, cute handmade paper or one of those fancy wooden markers is a must. Are they wooden or plastic....?? In any case, knitted lace ain't no joke so any tricks, methods or stratagems help a lot!

I finished off by making a 2 inch chain of square knots, with a loop at the end that links to a button on the other end. Not so bad.

Unfortunately, I ran out of daylight and I hate using flash. Sorry for the shoddy picture. I'll try to take a picture during the day and put it on ravelry.

Tagged

2010-06-26T07:21:00.000-07:00

Miss Ariane from Falling Stitches tagged me to complete the 8 question game! Ok, here goes!

1- What's your staple meal (ie. what meal do you cook most often when you can't be bothered to be adventurous) ?

Quesadillas all the way! And if I can muster up a smidge of adventurousness I make my own salsa verde. Yum!

2- What do you want to be when you grow up?

When I was a child I wanted to be a journalist. My mom still holds on to the dream of me buzzing around greiving, angry, or troubled folks as I ask them a million questions about their transgressions and/or setbacks. No, not for me.

As an adult I'd like to be a bonefide knitwear designer. I still hold out the hope that it will come true through tons of hardwork and lots and lots of luck.

3- What book are you reading at the moment (if any)

I read knitting patterns. I'm currently reading Audrey in Unst. I'm so excited about making it. The construction is unbelievable!

4- How do you relax?

I have to go with Ariane on that one. KNITTING. But when I get a chance I like to lose myself in a really long, drawn out, well-written novel.

5- What color are the interior walls of your home?

kitchen and living room: cucumber/minty green
hallway and bedroom: the most beautiful sky blue you can effing imagine.
bathroom: beige, boring but comforting

6- What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Going out for $10 burgers and drinking Hoegarten.

7- What time is bedtime and getting up time?
I go to bed between 12-1 am depending on my level of crafting enthusiasm. I'm a nightowl and sometimes I don't get to bed until 3 am, but I always wake up at the same time-- 9:15 am.

8- How long do you spend reading blogs (per day or per week)?

At least an hour. I wish I had more time.

Thanks for reading. I hope this tells you a little more about me.

I would like to tag...hmmm... I don't know who to tag...I'm still trying to make more blogger friends...

I'm in love with...

2010-06-23T15:19:00.000-07:00

lace collars.

They have such a Victorian, vintage feel that I am currently obsessed with...delicate, feminine, and with a slight connotation of virtue. I can't get enough!

I saw these lace collars in the UO Spring Catalogue. Then flipping through channels trying to find something to watch while knitting a lace sleeve I came across the movie Pretty In Pink. Molly Ringwald's tatted lace collar is quirky, weird and irresistible! So I put my second sleeve (yes!) away and starting knitting a lace collar of my own.

Bridal lace collar source

Victorian collar source

Check out this lace collar mood board!

It's officially summer, you guys! I'm so excited about this I can't even begin to express my euphoria. Time for lemonade, bbq, tube tops, watermelon, seashell collection expeditions, sunblock, strawberry shortcake murky ocean water, pretty pedicures (done by myself, of course), short shorts, sunbathing, bikinis, tankinis, one pieces (whichever you prefer) ... lace collars... and really lace in general.

It's so hot already and my lace collar is on its way. I'm using Franklin Habit's adaptation of Mlle. R. de B point lace pattern shown in this summer's knitty.
I've also just finished the back of Pam Allen's Modern Lace Henley, found on knitty as well. Look at that English Lace Mesh! I love the word mesh. It sounds just how it feels, scrumptious! I'm knitting Swallowtail by Evelyn Clark but have run into a snag. I don't want to talk about it just yet.

Sorry I've been gone so long! I've been enjoying the sun! I hope you are too!

Pearl Stitch Marker Tutorial

2010-05-26T17:11:00.000-07:00

Somehow I held three jobs, simultaneously, while I attended college. I worked as a first grade reading tutor (all four years, but not consistently that final semester because I had like 19 papers to write), as a library stacks manager in the gov. docs department at Oberlin College Library ( I thought I wanted to be a librarian) and finally, my all time favorite job EVER a beading assistant/CSR at Bead Paradise II (I was going to be a world renown jeweler).

BP II is a triple story beautifully situated alternate universe with tons of beads from Czech and Venetian beads, semi-precious stones (I love watermelon tourmaline), outrageous amounts of findings, chain, old world beads, you name it, it is there, AND the basement also holds a totally vintaged-out inventory for those of you who love the '30s, '40s, '50s, '60s and '70s (Are '80s styles vintage? God, I hope not.) Want a well-preserved dress from the 40's? Comin' right up! Have no qualms about wearing fur stoles from the 20's? Yes, ma'am, this is your spot. I seem to recall seeing a farrett stole there once, which makes me want to see The Big Lebowski for the millionth time.

The owner, Ruth, has a special affinity toward African beads, which is cool, very colorful, and different; she travels right to the source. I think I have an obsessive-compulsive personality when it comes to crafts and clothes because I made earrings EVERYday and bought an obscenely large wardrobe chock full of vintage clothing while I worked there.

I made:

simple cute earrings

funky earrings

chic boho earrings

somehow lost there partner earrings

architectural earrings

strange but sweet lady bugs among glass leaf beads earrings...

So I thought I should put my love of beading together with my love of knitting and create a tutorial on how to make your very own stitch markers. It says "other crafty things" in the blog description. Not everyone is gonna treat you nice so you might as well treat yourself nicely and make something pretty...perhaps some luxurious, luminous pearl stitch markers!

To make pearl stitch markers you will need:

needle nose pliers

wire cutters

4 jump rings (that open)

4 headpins with balls on end

4 pearls

Step 1: Place pearl on headpin

Step 2: Using needle nose pliers and gettting as close to the pearl as possible,

bend headpin so that it is at a 90 degree angle.

Step 3: Using the slightly curved part of needle nose pliers, bend wire into a complete loop.

Step 4: Holding the loop with pliers, use your fingers to wrap headpin wire around base of loop

(this may take some practice to get right).

Step 5: Using wire cutters, clip wire as close to wrap as possible.

Repeat steps 1-5 three times more

Step 6: Open jump ring side ways using fingers or pliers.

Step 7: Place all pearls on jump rings and close. TA DAAAAA!! You have 4 new beautiful stitch markers. Yessssssssssss!!!

I would like to add if you aren't so keen on making your own st markers, or you find yourself, like so many of us do, breaking off a piece of scrap yarn and making due, please visit my blogger friend falling stitches and her etsy shop. She has some really wonderful, glass bead stitch markers for your all your marking needs.

Skirting Around

2010-05-23T21:32:00.000-07:00

Soo... I haven't been to the bead store because unfortunately I can only go on the weekends and this past weekend I went to see my mom, sister and my 14 month old nephew, hence this is not the how-to post I promised almost a month ago...

Isn't he cute!! In all of the pics I took of him his eyes were closed, like Forrest Gump. Ha! He's even in fatigues! Skylar you're freakin' adorable. I vow to knit you a sweater in the very near future because

I love you!!

But I have been working on a skirt I designed myself, which was really interesting. I say this because the process of designing one's own sewing project is so much different than creating a knitted piece. But there are some principles that coincide, like: taking accurate measurements of oneself, considering the best usage for the fabric, and paying close attention to finishing and small details which can often make or break a finished garment.

I think I did a pretty good job considering I have no idea what the heck I'm doing. Some of the design features were improvised; I didn't add enough width to the back of the skirt so I had to compensate with two triangular panels on either side. The skirt is a little shorter than I intended because I also didn't add the same amount of length to the back as the front. I think it hits the right portion of my thigh to make my legs look longer and less stumpy (My high school softball coach, Mr Gillmore nicknamed me "Stump," because my body is so "solid" Um, yeeeaaah). I left the hem unfinished to give it a more delicate, vintage look. I saw this a lot on the 2010 Spring Haute Couture runways. The Fendi Spring 2010 collection was especially inspiring.I used a fleur-de-lis-esque fabric, a zipper, my trusty tape measure and electric blue thread.

As you can see there are pleats!

I was having some trouble catching both sides of the waistband so I had to use my seam ripper. Let us pause for a moment to reflect on this particular misfortune. Let's consider the pros and the cons of ripping out knitting and ripping out seams on sewn garments.

Knitting rip out pro:

1) With the flick of the wrist you can remove stitches easily from the needle. Nice.

2) With the tumble of the hands you can unravel a few rows in seconds.

3) You'll be more pleased with the finished product but you don't really know it yet because you're kind of bitter that you have to rip out in the first place (This sounds like a con but really it's a positive thing. Trust.)

Knitting rip out con:

1) You have to redo all of that knitting

2) You have to redo all of that knitting

3) You will never get back all that time you spent royally messing up the first time you tried to work the pattern.

Sewing rip out pro:

1) Your garment will fit better and be of higher quality if you do rip out and redo it.

Sewing rip out con:

1) OMG, it takes so long to rip out. SO PAINSTAKING! Bah! Why? Because you don't want to destroy the fabric itself when ripping out and the straight stitches are soooooo tiny!

Anyway, it turned out alright. I think I'm going to stick to sewing patterns for a while though just so I get down the basic concept of sewing patterns.

I really need to practice sewing my straight stitch. My machine is so sensitive to the slightest movements. It's kind of like a car that dramatically veers even by the slightest turn of the wheel. I'm gonna get right on that and sew myself a circle skirt.

Sensei, the cat

2010-05-19T05:24:00.000-07:00

It just occurred to me the other day that I've never introduced you to my cat, Sensei. He's the best mischeivous, run-around-the-house, moth swatting, cuddly, love-biting feline with a serious shoe fetish on the planet!

I've been working a lot to earn some extra money to buy a computer and everyday that I come home completely exhausted Sensei is the first to greet me with a high pitched, excruciatingly bittersweet moan. Like "I'm so glad to see you now, but I wish you would stay at home to play with me."

Sensei is nothing short of a riot. He acts like a hound dog: chasing his own tail, intruders, rolling around in our dirty laundry and catching mice (although my boyfriend swears that Sensei has nothing to do with our mysteriously mouse-free home). He's so adorable! Unfortunately, he doesn't want to be seen this way and is very reluctant to let you pick him up so that you may then whisper sweet-nothings to him, although he's currently balancing on my shoulders as we speak! He's not totally without desire for affection and attention, but he is very clear about it. It's a "don't call us, we'll call you" situation most of the time. Good thing I'm patient!

I found him at the Cat Vet, here in Philadelphia. He was the last of nine! He is the runt of the bunch for sure, because he was the tiniest kitten. I loved to watch him yawn. Awww!! I get all teary-eyed just thinking about it. As a kitten he had these great big pointy ears and very wise green eyes. He looked like Yoda, from Star Wars, master of the force! I'm not a Trekkie or whatever but this struck me as fitting, so I named him Sensei, in the hope that he would bestow his infinite cat knowledge on me.

I did learn that many kittens contract coccidia, a nasty intestinal parasite. I was very scared for little Sensei for the first few weeks. I learned that you have to ease cats in on new living situations. Sensei taught me that sometimes it's just very necessary to be fierce! But, he's also enlightened me to how good it feels to just stretch out somewhere and relax!

Pro-Crafter

2010-04-28T19:20:00.000-07:00

After having a whirlwind weekend crafting my boyfriend has starting calling me "Pra," short for the female version of Pro-Crafter. And I already have so many other projects in mind for this coming weekend. I want to sew a circle skirt! Woo!! Can't wait to pick out the fabric!

Lately I've been beading. I made this necklace. I'm 99% done. I just need to find a more appropriate clasp for such fine pearl beading. I started selling some of my earrings at...

(Made using light weight drift wood, pearl, shells, crystal, sterling silver chain, and merino wool. Most of these were found objects. I love to go foraging through the woods, picking up small trinkets on the beach, and collecting oddities in the country side.)

again, in old city Philadelphia. Vagabond is a wonderful boutique with the most gorgeous selection of new and vintage clothing. Oh, I love it! I found a beautiful wool, deep V-neck sweater with lovely intricate tatting applied to the V-neck edge, with cute pearly buttons.

ooooh, and I finished sewing a dress with Eiffel Towers woven in the fabric! Perfect for a picnic, the beach or just strolling through the farmer's market. Although I wouldn't classify myself as a pro at dressmaking; for my first try it's not so bad. Unfortunately, I did not measure myself before I cut out the pattern, so it is a little too big but maybe I'll grow into someday, when I'm 56 and am decidely crazier than I am right now at 27.

I finally finished knitting a yellow top down sweater I started three years ago... I like the contrast of the navy and white buttons with the bright yellow. They add some nautical flair.

and I started Evelyn Clark's Swallowtail shawl.

Whew!In honor of this crafting fever, in the next post I will provide a tutorial on how to make your very own pearl stitch markers.

The Double Crosser

2010-04-21T20:47:00.000-07:00

For the past couple of months I've been working on my first real shawl, not a shawlette, or "triangular scarf" but a straight-up bonafide shawl. After looking over all the possibilities I made a not so surprising decision. Although Swallowtail, by Evelyn Clark is most beautiful (and will be knit in the near future, let's say June), it came in as close second to the Double Crosser, which is a pattern that I came up with after reading Miriam Felton's shawl construction article is the new spring Knit Scene. I was particularly struck by the side to side construction, where you start on one side of the wingspan and knit across ending at the other wing. This construction is wonderful and not often used so I said "that's a yes."

I started to swatch. I tried a slipped stitch pattern, but then I saw it used in the new Spring Vogue Knitting, which was sort of a bummer, you know? It's like going to a party in a really pretty, unique, dress you found on sale at a presumably obscure boutique only to realize that three other girls are sporting it too. Bah! But then I found this double crossed pattern that was almost perfect. But there were problems: it wasn't open enough and it was on a bias, which was not a huge problem just not what I was looking for. So I altered it.

Here it is. Look how the Dehaired Baby Llama shines!!! Woooo!!! I think this yarn is stellar! I'm not talkin' a few shooting stars, I'm talkin' meteor shower, honey, a really beautiful one. It is distributed by Americo, a brilliant Canadian company that has all kinds of warm, luxurious goodies, like leather bags and woven throws. Unfortunately, waiting for the extra skein I needed seem to go on forever, but I should have asked them to send it via FedEx or UPS or something because snail mail is so over. OVER! Get it together USPS. Have you seen those new USPS commercials? You can send any package to any state for a fixed rate. Yeah, but how long will it take to get there and is there any gurantee? Can you track it? Dubious, indeed.

Anyway, like I was saying, knitting with this yarn is wonderful, but if you find equally lovely skeins of sport weight yarn elsewhere, that's fine too!

The Double Crosser came out trapezoid-shaped, which is kind of odd, but very agreeable while worn, either thrown over the shoulders, tied up around the neck like a bandit or draped dainty-like around the chest. It even looks good sitting on a brick wall. My only qualm with how it turned out was that the garter stitch edging doesn't stretch out enough to accomodate the openwork, so that the fabric doesn't lay flat but instead is puckered. Truth be told, I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not... Maybe it is... the "excess" fabric does lend itself to extra warmth for all those gusts of chilly spring wind.

So I'm pretty sure it will look excellent on you too. The pattern is available now! Yay!!

I've been cheating

2010-04-14T06:26:00.000-07:00

on my knitting... I have fallen hopelessly, endlessly in love with sewing and I don't know what to do but turn on the machine and zone in on those 1/4" seams.

Though I love knitting it just hasn't been doing it for me lately. Maybe it's the warm weather, maybe it's the fact that ripping out hours of work is so tortuous, maybe it's the projects I'm currently working on, maybe I just need a change or some knitting buddies, whatever the case, I found a rebound lover, and boy is she good to me! Last week, as promised, I sewed a sewing machine cozy out of strips of leftover napkin fabric. It's so lovely. The pattern can be found at here. Because they were too "girly" I decided to give the napkins I made last month to my good friend, B, who is a woman who can appreciate flowers, humming birds and hot pink. I'm on the hunt for unisex fabrics to make more napkins, some primary colors perhaps or solid muted colors maybe like grey or light brown. Hmmm...

front

back

close up of baby hem.

Even though I haven't been knitting as much I have finished a new pattern that I will be putting out early next week. It didn't turn out exactly how I wanted it to so it will be a free pattern. It is called the Doublecrosser! It is a relatively wonderful transitional piece to wrap around the neck or throw over the shoulders when the Spring wind picks up, or when the rain brings with it unexpected cold fronts. More details to follow on the Doublecrosser but for now here's a teaser.

Putting out a pattern is the ultimate test of confidence as a knitter and a mathematician. On Ravelry, I just saw that someone finished knitting the Shower Stitch Beret. It turned out so beautiful and I recieved some very useful constructive criticism about how the pattern is written, which for I am always extremely greatful. In college, my English professors would always tell me that I was too vague. I think this stems from my love of poetry and my exclusive affair with it as a teenager, but it doesn't pay to be vague, non-specific, clear when writting instructions or trying to explain/persuade the reader that though they are embedded in an intoxicating prose, William Faulkner's female characters follow stereotypical archetypes. Needless to say I continue to hone my designing and pattern writing skills. I have fun, no matter what the mistakes, or ill-planned garment construction. I am learning, which is positive way of saying I continually make boo-boos. Ha!! Boo-boos! Ha!

With that I bid you all, Good Morning! May you make mistakes and learn today!

Ahhh, Spring...

2010-04-06T17:10:00.000-07:00

Today I caught the last few rays of sunshine before the sun set. I can't show you what I've been knitting but here is my latest sewing project. A kerchief to wear while spring cleaning!! What's nice about this kerchief is that you don't have to tie it on. The construction of the kerchief includes a bit of fabric covered elastic. I, of course had to use 7" of elastic not the 5" the sewing pattern called for because of the unruly hairness, inherited from my mom. Thanks, mom!! But it fits nicely. I've never done pleats before and I found them on the whole very satisfactory. I really want to make a swishy, a-line skirt, but alas, I have to make a sewing machine cozy first so that my machine remains dust-free...

Sewing lesson 101

2010-03-27T09:51:00.000-07:00

I'm gearing up for my next big sewing project, an A-line dress! But just to get more practice on my new machine I made some table napkins out of the most girly, yet cute fabric I could find. I also hemmed my boyfriend jeans, which was a wonderfully pragmatic use of my sewing machine. I didn't sew the straightest line but you know what practice makes!

The best thing about sewing as opposed to knitting is the instant gratification you receive upon finishing a project within the same hour.

These napkins are double-sided, with complimentary fabrics on either side. You can see they are top-stitched an inch in from the actual hem. They came out quite beautiful I must say. The execution of the hand sewn slip stitch was a little difficult for me but after two or three attempts I've gotten it down. If you look closely you can see the slip stitch on the orange flowered napkins. These are supposed to be fat-quarter napkins from Weekend Sewing but they are a bit smaller than a fat-quarter (18" x 22").

The pattern said that I needed pinking shears so that the edges of the fabric would not fray but yet again I still do not have the necessary tools so I used some regular scissors laying around the house. There was some fraying, lots of trimming (and cursing), but it all worked out except for the fact that...being a man, my boyfriend is opposed to wiping his hands and mouth on napkins featuring flowers, hummingbirds and coffee beans so if anyone knows where I can find fabric with "chainsaws, faux blood stains and axes" please let me know.

Nesting

2010-03-18T20:46:00.000-07:00

I'm not preggers or anything and am not attempting to be, but lately I've had this uncontrollable urge to deep clean the upholstery on our couch, put things in there "place" and buy the cutest damn utilitarian things I can find to decorate our apartment.

Exhibit A: That's our new sugar bowl and those horses are salt and pepper shakers. Oh my god,

I can't take it. So freakin' cute!

Exhibit B: Really adorable, embroidered, extremely over-priced dish towels.

Exhibit C: Owl vase with by far the most depreciating investment this week; flowers. (Are you seeing the whole bird nesting theme here? Yeah, so am I. Weird)

And last for the fiber freak in all of us, exhibit D: some fabric to sew table napkins and a skein of Spud and Chloe Yarn in Chipmunk! for something special I can't tell you about... sorry.

And just to keep this knitting-related I finally finished Ishbel, by Ysolda Teague.

I was having some trouble with the pattern but then I realized I just needed to follow the directions. It all worked out. Yay! This yarn is amazing. It is Nature's Palette Fingering in Indian Paintbrush. So lovely.

New Obsession

2010-03-17T18:43:00.000-07:00

After I fixed all the holes in my jeans due to thigh friction ( Yikes! I need to do some aerobics!) here it is: my first finished sewing project on my new sewing machine! Yes!! It is a miniture patchwork pincushion from the Purl Bee. Being a new sewer and all, I used fabric that just happened to be laying around my house. I used some old jean from a long skirt I "doctored" and some Kaffe Fassett material I bought at Spool so that my friend could sew me an apron. But now I'm proud to say I'll be making my own aprons, thank you.

Let me tell you it's mighty difficult to sew 1/4 an inch in on a little 1 inch strip of fabric. I'm so glad that you can't see the other side of the log cabin part because it's pretty crazy back there. I had to resew a few parts because I was using my boyfriend's "facial hair" scissors which look suspiciously like nose/ear hair scissors. Eww! These scissors are definitely not as sharp as fabric scissors so every thing did not line up correctly even though I used a ruler and a fabric pen. I went to the hardware store to buy steel wool to go along with the polyfil for the stuffing. Apparently this keeps the pins super sharp. Ingenious.

I think I'll name her Lula Mae, after my grandmother who to my knowledge never sewed a stitch in her life. It is, nonetheless, such a pretty name.

Look at all those stitches! Whew! I'll have to try them all.

It's Laundry Day...

2010-03-12T17:48:00.000-08:00

today, so I thought I'd wear my Dirty Laundry bandit while performing the dreaded weekly chore at the Washing Well, which is such a funny name for a laundry "boutique". Everytime I say the name I think of women of biblical times ardently slapping their families much worn robes against rocks...Thankfully, I don't have to be so zealous in my laundering.

This is the best laundry basket on earth for three reasons:

1.You can only fit two washers full of clothes in there, which prompts me to do the laundry more often

2. Has three handles, no two.

3. Is woven in a triangle so you can stick it comfortably in a corner.

(Today it's been raining nonstop. Can you tell it's been working on my psyche? I think I'm an insomniac. I've been feeling so tired lately. I woke up looking really busted, so I put on some lipstick. I'm alive! I'M ALIVE!!!)

I scored this yarn at Rhinebeck a couple of years ago. Geez! It's already been years. This particular skein is called "dirty laundry" and is a masterpiece of the Spun Monkey. There are pieces of scrap fabric spun with 100% wool and a thin pink cotton making this a 2 1/2 ply, I guess. I've never seen a skein of yarn quite like it and although it's the most amount of money I've spent on the least amount of yards it was totally worth it. I just love to look at it. If I ever start spinning yarn I would like to make ragamuffin skeins like this one. I would take on the name Dr. Frankinskein and go mad with the reality of my creation. Bwa-ha-HA!

I really want to buy this skein next. Oh, and I will.

Look at how cute the flower is on this peice of fabric.

I knit this bandit from the top down in stockinette as you can plainly see. I didn't have enough yarn to complete the edging in garter so I used a bit of Manos del Uruguay Clasica, #69 Hibiscus, and added a hot pink button at the tip of the left wing because I wanted to have the option of changing how it hangs.

Beret Time!

2010-03-09T20:41:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been really into knitting berets. I just finished Springtime in Philadelphia

and a cashmere, striped Purl Beret.

I love how Springtime in Philadelphia is designed to be a flower in bloom which radiates from the top down becoming more and more beautiful as it "unfolds". The final rows worked remind me of a queen's crown as the yarnovers zig-zag up and down, a crown for your crown and it's knit! As a person who resides in Philadelphia I appreciate this pattern that much more, because after the doom, gloom, and snow of winter, spring time is wonderous here despite being surrounded by bricks, a cacophony of cars, trash trucks, freight trains and seasonally semi-traumatized people like myself who after running into so many people the first nice day here in months almost had an anxiety attack because I'm still in hibernation mode. Nevertheless spring is ten days away...woo-hoo!

I knit it in Canopy by the Fibre Company in purple passion, which is a soft purple color with hints of silver. The only modifications I made was needle size (US#3 for crown and US #1 for brim) because of my crazy hair.

This is the second Purl beret that I've knit. But this is my first time knitting with cashmere, which sent me into some kind of tactile orgasm. Sorry, I have to divulge the fibery details. I noticed at my LYS that these two squishy, simply delicious balls were on sale for $16 a pop. Oh man, what a deal! And although they were/are? distributed by two different companies Adrienne Vittadini (Carmela) and Grignasco Cashmere they are very similar yarns in twist, tint, and even yardage provided. They must undoubtely come from the same mill... Anyway, they weren't just soft they were tangibly ambrosial like a baby's sweet cheeks. Yum!

Because I wanted to use stripes, I decided to try out the jogless stripe technique. I researched many ways in which to accomplish this, looking at fellow knitters' blog tutorials, watched a youtube with Eunny Jang, and looked through all my knitting reference books. Execution: First I did the slip stitch jogless stripe, then I did the knit the old color from the row below technique and after not being satified with the puckered, still-seeing-a-jog-there! results, I frogged for the fourth time and said "Screw this asinine "trick" that doesn't work! I'm just going to pick up the new color, knit it as thougth there is no color change and if there is a jog so be it.

And I did....and no jog; just a line made up of two columns of tiny stitches where the beginning meets the end. Though it is not exactly what I was hoping for, it is something I can totally live with. AHHHH!! All that senseless tinking and reknitting and for what??! Can you believe it? Hindsight is always 20/20 (I love Barbara Walters) so although I am now extremely skeptical, I may try this whole jogless stripe thing whenever I decide to make an accessory that is more than one stripe per color change deep.

Photoshoot!

2010-03-05T10:39:00.000-08:00

It was all so fitting. A few days ago I battled wind, rain and quite possibly the second worst Septa experience of my life (The first one is mercy-blocked in my subconscious) to finally arrive at my friend Rachel's house where we exchanged crafting assistance. I helped her with her sewing project (a very adorable shoulder bag. Make me one too, Rachel!) and she helped me photograph the Nimbus Cardigan.

Finishing the Nimbus Cardigan was so cathartic. After years of knitting I have pinpointed the best feeling in the world: feeling the weight of your almost finished sweater in your lap as you're knitting the final button band/neckband/any kind of band. It is everything I hoped it would be! And I received many compliments at work, which is always nice.

The pattern is available now! It is made out of the Fibre Company's Organik in Highland, a marvelous color. It reminds me of the color of the moor sky in Emily Bronte's (at the time) shockingly brutal novel, Wuthering Heights, one of my favorite books. The cardigan has knit/purl parasols running up both fronts, garter stitch "ribbing", waist shaping and set-in sleeves that umbrella out at the wrist to complete the whole theme of rainy days. I happen to also love the buttons as well which I purchased at Rosie's Yarn Cellar.

Although Organik is a single ply, which increases the pilling factor ten-fold (that's what sweater defuzzers are for), the silk fiber content along with the Organic merino and Baby Alpaca more than make up for the lack of plies. It's smooth and soft hand makes it delicious to work with and if you're like me and have to rip out a lot to get closer to that desired look, it holds up amazingly well. All that said I think it's pretty clear that I like single plies. They have excellent stitch definition, have a lovely loftiness and are just plain awesome.

During the shoot Rachel made me laugh a lot so there are many blurry pics.

That's Rufus in the backround. He's a cute cat..very quiet.

It's lovely when a rainy day can bring people together.

Off The Hook

2010-02-22T12:45:00.000-08:00

I have completed my first crochet project! Yay! It is so very cute and I was pleased to wear it yesterday. I've always been very wary of crochet. I'm not sure where this trepidation comes from... I see plenty of crocheted items that I would love to make. So I stared doubt in the face and here is the product. I modified it a bit by ch2 instead of ch3 in the second and third row, just to create ruffles that are not as loose.

I used some yarn I purchased at Maryland sheep and Wool the year before last. It comes from Jacob's Reward Farm and is a skein of ~250 yds of 100% Alpaca. Yum! It sure is a reward. Thank you for all your hard work Jacob's Farm!
Now I will tell you a short he said/she said story: Last night at Bonner's Irish Pub, while drinking Amaretto Sours (my favorite) my boyfriend said, "That looks really old school. It looks like a bib" And I said, "It is a bib!" The he said, "Yeah but the difference is if you got spaghetti sauce on that you'd be pissed." I laughed and replied, "You're darn tootin'!"

I love snow! It is so wonderful! Especially when it falls at night and the icy crystals sparkle against the dark sidewalk.

I have some extra chain from the bead store so I'm going to make the mesh crochet necklace next. I'm so excited!

Black is BEAUTIFUL!!!

2010-02-08T12:12:00.000-08:00

No, no, no. This post isn't about the many extremely useful contributions African Americans have made to this country (air conditioners, open heart surgery, computer components, virtually every popular music genre known WORLDWIDE, potato chips and umm... free labor). I'm not going to bore you with a lecture about the tragic fall of the infamous Marcus Garvey Jr. or inform you about the very much felt, ever present socio-economic chasm. No, I'm not going to sing you a Caribbean lullaby, belittle you with militant Black Panther rhetoric or pander after you with Pro-Afro propaganda...But maybe I should. It is Black History Month after all...hey I'm just sayin'. But, no...

I'm talking about this black beauty, the kelly cardigan by Erika Knight, one of my favorite British designers.

Damn those snap buttons! I have to replace 2 already. I hate hand sewing.

I've wanted to knit this since the book Classic Knits was published in 2006. Instead of Rowan's Kidsilk (mohair is really nice to look at, is soft and absorbs dye like none other but unfortunately I find it itchy) I'm knitting with Austermann's Alpaca Silk. The pattern calls for two stands of the kidsilk to be held together but the Alpaca silk gets gauge with just one strand. It is an absolute dream to knit with and the silk shine factor is a 8.9.

I don't do drugs! I just woke up and was about to blink.

I added some modifications. To give it a timeless, vintage, 1940's, YSL-circa-1971-inspired look, I decided to add a diamond lace panel that travels up the sleeves. It turned out beautifully. I am really happy with it.

While making this, I did have a few set backs, literally. I knit the back first as the pattern instructed. It said to knit 13" before beginning the armholes, which I did. Then I knit the two fronts. Shouldn't have been a problem right? Yeah, well, I tell you this because I care for you, please don't measure a knitted piece on a plane, when you have to pee from drinking a whole can of apple juice but you can't get up to relieve yourself because the seatbelt light is on and the air flight attendent has told you to fold up your table, which is the only viable flat surface to measure on, all the while becoming more and more exhausted as you reach 10,000 feet, ok?

Because if you do, you'll knit the fronts longer than you knit the back. Then you'll realize it, be totally livid, and have to frog the back armhole shaping, reknit it an inch longer, and then reblock it!

But, it's lovely and it will last forever. It is my little black sweater and every knitter needs that. Coco Chanel would approve. The idea of this being even remotely true makes me very happy.

bow/beau

2010-02-02T20:24:00.000-08:00

Next weekend my boyfriend and I are going to NYC, so I decided to make a bow to wear while traipsing around the city with my beau. HA!!

Actually, the other night I was experiencing a wicked case of insomnia, so I made this out of some stash yarn. I believe it is cotton and just so happens to be slub-i-licious!

Makeover II

2010-01-30T21:18:00.000-08:00

I'm an indecisive little bugger.

I decided that I didn't like the pic in my header because I haven't yet purchased a sewing machine so the fact that I chose fabric as the background doesn't really make sense, but it makes sense that I don't make sense because I so rarely do. Plus, I saw this basket at work that I think is pretty nifty. It is woven but looks just like the stockinette st, so I took a bazillion pictures of it. It was undoubtedly purchased at Ikea. I happen to be a fan of their light fixtures and baskets.

I had some trouble trying to choose a blog title color that would be easy to read. Alas, black will have to do! Until I change my mind tomorrow... of course.

Top Heavy

2010-01-22T16:59:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been feeling anxious and a little disappointed in myself for not finishing any knitting projects. Look! Don't I look pissed off? I was on my way to work that day. But today I declared a mental health day, so I don't go on a homicidal rampage. So I made...

a hat with the hugest pom-pom in the world!!

I used a cardboard box to make the pom-pom wheel.

It is knit with stash yarn: Twinkle Super Chunky and Blue Sky Bulky Yarn.

Oh jeez, this hat cracks me up! I'm going to a party tonight. Am I going to wear it? Hell, yeah!

Green is Good!

2010-01-19T20:48:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been admiring my house plants, desperately seeking green! I'm trying to keep my spirits high this winter! I hope this helps you too!!

I just bought this one over the weekend at Reading Terminal. Yay!

Fresh flowers in the winter is such a luxury. Don't you think?

Fonts, Graphic Design Principles and Pics of a WIP

2010-01-11T19:11:00.000-08:00

As I was sprucing up my blog the other night I took another look at my pdf free pattern formats and realized the fonts I chose are completely illegible! I'm totally new to this whole formatting self-generated patterns thing. I also apparently lack common sense. I'm a perfectionist, but unfortunately you can't perfect something you know nothing about. Now, I know. So on Wednesday I'll have to go to fedex, use their software and rectify this problem. After recognizing this, I, of course, read many web pages on the principles of graphic design. I found the words organize, balance and color throughout the tutorial, which I think are good starting points when beginning a potential graphic masterpiece. Researching and learning these principles was so fun for me. I have to know how things work. How can you break the rules if you don't know what the rules are? The slides that discussed the fonts were the most helpful. The most informational suggestions examine the use of space when regarding text.

Now a moment of parenthetical self-discovery: This month, I'm experiencing so many crazy epiphanies about myself, how I work, and what I want. Man, I am loving it! Usually when I find I've made a mistake, I fix it, but commence to beat myself up over it for weeks, because perfectionism has it's price. It's either do something excellently or don't do it at all. If I do anything that I think is mediocre for some reason I get really depressed. But this year ( I love New Years) I decided to stop self-conscious and subconscious mental sabotage, and instead think of my failures as learning opportunities. I know. I know. This too sounds pretty freakin' obvious, but sometimes things are so clear that they cannot be seen. Have you ever run into a sliding glass door? Uh, because I have, klutz that I am. Same principle, same feeling/exclaimation of "duh!"

Right, so back to the program: In the previous post, I showed you my abysmal sketch for the Parasol Cardigan. Now here are some pictures! I was surprised to go back to my project bag after a month and find that I had already finished knitting a sleeve! It was like putting on the jeans you wore last week and finding a ten dollar bill in your pocket.

almost done!!

MAKEOVER!!!

2010-01-09T21:04:00.000-08:00

On saturday night, while at work, I mentally and sometimes physically write down all the things that need to get done during the weekend; a list of mundane stuff like go to the Washing Well, a "laundry boutique" (um, yeah) near my apartment, do my hair, buy cat food, water the plants, buy new unmentionables, somehow beat my boyfriend in Gin Rummy so I can finally win back my title as the come-back kid. But customizing my blog is on the top of my list. Dear knitting paramours, this blog needs more pizazz, a pinch of panache, something to pique your pupil...and a little less alliteration. I don't have any fancy software and my trial period for Indesign is winding down, so I decided to get real "crafty" which is code-word for format cheaply. I fiddled with some widgets, added some gadgets, and made a few choice keystrokes. So here it is! I like it. It looks and feels more like me.

I have three followers. Thank you for reading my blog. I can't tell you how happy it makes me. Last month, I received my first comment! Thanks, Jen. Three is my lucky number. Don't worry, I'm not going to bore you with all the reasons why I write this blog, but I will tell you that it makes me feel closer to all those knitters out there. Lately I've had the reoccuring thought-feeling that I need to build a close-knit (ha!) knitting family. I was going to a knitting circle in Northern Liberties last summer, of all seasons, but it sputtered out just as the temperature began to drop. I want to start a craft circle. If you live in the Philadelphia area and you too believe said idea is nothing short of brilliant, let me know! Sometimes I go through bouts of fellow-knitting-chums withdrawal.

Okay, enough lonely, wistful gobbledgook (made-up word by Sylvia Plath, love it). Henceforth this post shall now be named Parasol Cardigan: numero uno/My drawing is gauche at best, but you get the picture. It's on elementary lined paper with visible white-out brush strokes, no less!

So this is the pattern I'm working on right now. I'm trying to meet the self-imposed deadline of February 28th. I'm knitting it in the Fiber Company's Organic, color: highland. All the hems are vertical garter stitch (hence the squigglies) with the exception of the neckband,which is regular ol' horizontal garter and a peter pan style collar, waist/bust shaping, a bit of puff just after the cuff, and embossed umbrella motifs avec yarnovers. Whew! Pics to come.

I am also working on the Oh, Sailor beret (original pattern) and finishing up on the Kelly Cardigan, by Erika Knight. So... I'm gonna go knit. Good night!

The Good, The Bad and the Canadian

2010-01-08T09:03:00.000-08:00

It's been almost two weeks since I came back from vacation. I was still in sit around and eat tons of food, do absolutely nothing, hedonist mode, but I snapped out of it today. So I decided to get back into my busy American life and write a blog post.

The Good: I had an amazing time in Canada over the holidays, but I'm always happy to see the Philly skyline on my way back home.

My beautiful friend from college was the bride of my dreams. On my second day there she informed me that I would be both her Event Manager and hairstylist. Man, weddings can be so stressful! But it was worth it; the wedding went off without a hitch. It was simply marvelous!

We had a white Christmas in Canada as you can imagine, full of great food, cheer and funny enough it included an exchange of crafty presents (knitwear, beadwork, paintings). It was a very creative Holiday season. It was the best Christmas I've ever had!

Beef Bourguignon. Delicious!

I didn't have to go far to find a fellow knitter. Well, relative to already have flown to Canada, that is. My newly married friend's cousin, Laura, is also a knitter.

She made her scarf! It is even more amazing in person.

And she also made this cabled hat for Z. Popcorn stitch cowls for her cousin and aunt. Lovely knitting.

The Bad: This is very Bridget Jones' Diary-esque but I smoked 8 cigarettes while I was there. I'm not proud of it... but...how can you complete the act of sheer and utter decadence without a few puffs off the cancer sticks? Come on!

And sadly, enroute back home my Superman Yellow Sweater disappeared. It probably got lost in Chicago's hu-normous Ohare airport. I hope one of the air-traffic controllers is putting it to good use. I mourned it--didn't knit a stitch for a week. But it's okay because I wanted to make another one anyway. Color? Red Riding Hood Red. Yes! I can test knit it and compare notes to see if my pattern writing is sound. R.I.P. yellow sweater.

The Canadian: Canada is a wonderful place. There's universal healthcare, a Parlimentary Democracy with new tri-party rule, and a very sophisticated public. Everyone I met was well-educated, kind and absolutely amazing. I will have to go back in the summer, though the winter has it's merits. I took a hike in the river valley that runs through Edmonton...

With Rio

Rob and Peter.

Beautiful no?

Knitting-wise, I'll play second grade teacher and initiate show and tell a little later. Catch you on the
flip-post... Um... sorry, I've been reading this book Man Gone Down by Michael Thomas (Thanks for giving it to me, Peter). He uses these cool hyphen-concocted words like "spit-chide". "Flip-post" is kind of lame, but I really like his writing style and wanted to try it out. Thank you, my sweet guinea-pigs.

Cappuccino Pullover

2009-12-14T12:09:00.000-08:00

I made this! It has vanilla syrup to sweeten it up. The trick to the foam is a splash of 1/2 and 1/2.

This winter I've been keeping myself busy, warm, somewhat disgustingly perky by drinking ridiculous amounts of cappuccino, baking and eating yummy turkey pot pie. I had to use all that leftover turkey somehow. Turkey sandwiches for two weeks just wasn't going to cut it.

I found the recipe here. It's scrumptious!

And of course I've been knitting. After three years in hibernation I finally finished it: The Cappuccino Pullover.

I'm in the process of writing up the pattern. I gotta tell you, I love this sweater! It is so soft and makes a wonderful layering piece. The Cappuccino Pullover has all the elements in a sweater I love: it is knitted in the round from the top down, has a bit of lace, simple yet pretty details (such as baby cables that make up the ribbed hems, made without a cable needle, mind you) marvelous drape and warmth!

I used Drops Alpaca in dark brown #601 and white #100. Unfortunately, I heard Drops will no longer be distributed in the United States. Have no fear, however, any sport weight yarn will do. If I had to knit it again I would use either Classic Elite Yarns Fresco or Madelinetosh's Wren. There are so many colors to choose from and both would create a soft, sumptuous fabric. After I finished weaving in all the ends, I immediately wanted to knit another one using one color. Someday I actually will!

I realized not too long ago that I'm having a love affair with sport weight yarns. They're usually plied so they're sturdy, knit up beautifully and allow for excellent shaping possibilities when constructing a garment. Sure, it may take a little longer to complete a project because you're knitting on size 3's but as the anonymous they say, "patience is a virtue".

Specs:

Finished Measurements: 36” (42, 48, 52)” bust circumference, to fit sizes 32-36 (38-42, 44-48, 50-52).” Sweater shown 36,” modeled on a 35” actual bust.
Yarn: Drops Alpaca (100% alpaca; approx 195 yd [180] m/ 50 g): #100 white, 1 (1, 2, 2), #601 dark brown 5 (6, 7, 8)
Needles: Size 1 (2.25 m) 16” circular (cir), Size 3 (3.25m) 16”, 24-40” cir, depending on size.
Gauge: Lace Rib (not stretched): 28 sts and 40 rows; Stockinette: 26 sts and 36 rows = 4”

Calculations

2009-12-10T00:52:00.000-08:00

I've been doing a lot of calculations lately. Serious calculations: How many stitches should be cast on for bust size 44 of this new pattern? (259) Accumulation and agonizing calculations: How many months would it take me to raise $5000, if I saved $5 a day? (33.3) and How many days and hours will it take to pack all my mostly unnecessary earthly goods to move them to my new apartment? Silly ones: How long should those taco shells really stay in that oven? Very serious, completely tragic calculations not able to be calculated: How many years before carpel tunnel sets in, triggering a deteriorating wrist and death due to inconsolable depression, rage and acute fidgety-ness? Joyful, yet hackneyed calculations: How many days 'til Christmas? (15) and 'til I get out of the bricks? (7) Completely illogical, not very relevant calcs: How many walls will I paint in my lifetime? And finally MOST very serious, but with very simple statistics involved: What number will I count up to before I fall asleep? (76 with a marginal error of 5). Numbers are so comforting. Don't you think?

Thrice the Charm!

2009-12-01T08:18:00.000-08:00

Winter is around the corner. The boughs on all the trees are so bare. You won't believe this, but I'm sick for the third time in the last three months. I don't know what's going on, but it sure isn't fun. I don't know what I did to bring this upon myself. Whatever it was, I hope it's almost over. Needless to say, I am not the happiest of campers, but I seek pleasure and obtain it nonetheless!

I've been swatching with St. Denis Nordique, which is a very yarny yarn.

I finished the back for my black Kelly Cardigan from Classic Knits, designed by Erika Knight.

I knit a hat for a chum of mine.

It's a little small on me. I think it makes me look like a wino but

I'm sure it will look wonderful on him.

For some reason I'm excited about all the ends I have to weave in.

Maybe because it means much knitting has been had!

Yesterday I finally fixed the pdf. of DAAGBFF hat.

All in all, I'm very happy despite having a slight case of the sniffles. I'm just thankful that I wasn't sick during all that turkey and mash potato eating! I'm not even that bummed that I have to go back to work today. This has been a very lovely morning...

Sick Again

2009-11-19T21:32:00.000-08:00

During these first two weeks of November I've been plotting on how to take over the WORLD! I guess big, clandestine ideas of world domination take a toll on the body's immune system. It could've been the seasonal flu or H1N1 or just a general funkiness I contracted from someone on the bus pre-SEPTA strike (SEPTA, you suck! Bikes don't strike! Though I have love for you when it rains or snows). Whatever it was it was gross and painful. But I'm feeling better, finally. In lieu of the revelation that I have the weakest immune system on earth, I think that I will drink three gallons of orange juice a week, consume copious amounts of echinichea, acai, hell I'll even throw some goji berries in the mix. The sickness was comprised of a lot of achiness, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, night sweats, chills... you know how it goes. You've seen those Nyquil commercials. Oh Nyquil how I love thee! Let me count the ways!!

So while I was holed up in my apartment feeling like a Raggety Slug doll...?? I started knitting a traditional fair isle hat for one of my nearest, dearest, and best of friends, which she will receive on her wedding day in Canada. I'm really stoked about both attending a wedding and celebrating the Holidays in Canada. With a Fair Isle hat to top it off (no pun intended), I was cheered to no end while I was sick, hacking out my lungs and rattling all my major organs.

Here's a sneak peak. Not only is it a gift for her, but I also wanted to share the pattern with you knitters out there who are busy looking for and knitting gifts as well. The pattern is now available.

I named it Diamond's Are A Girl's BFF Hat . Ha! And it's made with Louet Gems. HA! HA! Oh, man! I slay myself!

I've never designed a fair isle hat before. I'm so excited to see how it looks on the bride to be! I took the inspiration from the highly prized gemstone's unique geological structure and color. With my insatiable thirst for knowledge, I learned that the word diamond comes from an ancient Greek word which translates to mean "unbreakable", "unalterable, "untamed". Daimonds sure do live up to their name too! Prior to receiving diamond earrings from my boyfriend for my birthday this year, I never gave them much thought. But wow, they are mesmerizing! There is, of course, the obvious connection with diamond rings being given to fair maids as symbols of engagement.Thus, synthesizing all this information, I created a hat that has diamond motifs all over it for the ultimate warm, cozy, winter wedding-inspired hat.

Specs:
Note: I knitted it on US size # 1, but you may want to knit it on size US #2 to get a larger hat.
Circumference: Approximately 21"
Gauge: 36 x 42 sts for a 4 x 4 swatch
Materials:

1 skein each of Louet Gems Fingering in colors Cream, French Blue, and Steel Gray, 100% merino.
US 1 (2.5mm) 16" circular needle and a set of dpns
6 stitch markers
tapestry needle

Okay, so I really suck at keeping secrets. I couldn't wait! I had to take a picture of it! (Alexis, it's gonna look diamond-rific on you!! Come December 19th it's all yours!)

Sock It To Me!

2009-10-26T09:06:00.000-07:00

In an effort to have warm toes this fall/winter I'm on a sock knitting spree! Umm...I mean... I finished this one pair using the waffle stitch aka thermal stitch. I decided to challenge myself to knitting one pair of socks every month until March. With this pair I just chose a stitch pattern and kind of cast them on and Voila`. Here they are.

Ranco, by Araucania, is wonderful to knit with. The kettle-dyed color variation makes knitting with it a whole lot more interesting. It's a four ply so I know these socks will last me a good three years!

My next sock challenge? These...I love knitting socks; turning the heel is especially fun to me though... don't get me wrong I like having two feet, but knitting two socks sometimes perturbs me. I hope this challenge will help me to get over my SSS (Second Sock Syndrome). Nothing to it but to do it! I already finished one sock for March.

What I would really like to try is socks from the toe up. I don't know why I haven't tried this. It doesn't look too difficult. Perhaps I'll mix it up and knit a pair using the magic loop method. The possibilities are endless! It doesn't take much to excite me, the thing is not to be thwarted by life and to somehow maintain that excitement...

Sad Sock Story (a nonfictional tale of woe):

Once upon a time (summer of 2007), while sitting on a retro throw-back vinyl green couch, a young lady ever so fond of knitting, began to teach her very precocious, tenacious roommate how to knit. After expressing her intense desire to knit socks to her patient, attentive teacher, they set off to buy 2-ply sock yarn to knit Veronik Avery's, Spiral Boot Sock.

The two ladies settled on the lovely Louet Gems in the colors white and blue respectively. It was with much trepidation that the two ladies ventured into the Spiralled work of the boot sock; each had to restart the project three or four times. Then a week later they both completed one and were very pleased with the result.

The teacher was excited about the prospect of having such a cute sock peep out from her new, equally cute black boots. Elated, she went to her friend's house to show her. Incidentally, upon finding some sweet smelling wool wash in the kitchen she decided to block it there. She placed the dainty white sock on the line to dry. Little did she know that her evil ex-boyfriend (aka her friend's brother) was coming over to wash his crusty, corn-chip smelling socks too. Mysteriously, her precious dainty boot sock wound up in the washing machine. It came out dingy-bleached and felted! Oh! The horror!

Though heartbroken, she persevered. She attempted to make the second sock but Sensei, her kitten got a hold of the beautiful, milk-colored ball of Louet Gems and turned it into a tangled mess! So ends the story of the young lady and her Spiral Boot Sock.

Epilogue: She now holds on to the hope that the sock will work as a Christmas stocking after being dyed red.

My Friend Rachel

2009-10-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

is an amazing storyteller. Her stories make me cry from laughing so hard. They are filled with so much flair, complete with impersonations, and theatrical blocking.

Rachel is the kind of girl who will draw chalk pictures on the street with you at two in the morning, paint a picture of two alien lovers at a picnic, bake a cake decorated with pretty pink icing and a self-mutilated dead cat or while briskly walking to Target on a bright fall day will give you a detailed explanation of the natural benefits of all the enzymes produced in your body, how Americans eat too much junk, therefore blocking the very technical work of said enzymes. Rachel tells the truth, is naturally beautiful, health conscience and when you need it, she will talk you down from the sharp edge where your douchebag ex-boyfriend left you, then pump you up with black tea, coffee ground with cacao or a shot of tequila.

Rachel's Hat (Large Version)

She is quirky and lives with intention.

One day after not seeing Rachel for a few weeks I cried just at the sight of her, I was so happy to see her and so sad with other troubles. (Bittersweet moments make me cry) I told her I had to quit my job because I was really unhappy and felt surrounded by negativity. She said, "Do it, dude." I did it and now I'm super happy. Thank you for your positivity, support and friendship.

And so I present to you Rachel's hat. My friend told me today that this is the year of the red hat, but Rachel is not an ordinary girl who follows ordinary rules or trends of style. She chose orange. Rachel, I love you.

This is a very simple, comfortable, fun to knit hat. The yarn is a single ply, spun from various natural colored corridale fleece (Maybe. It remains a mystery) all mixed together, then overdyed. As with most Clasica yarn from Manos Del Uruguay, it is thick in some parts of the skein and thin in others.

I made two versions of this hat. I made a bigger one for myself because I have really curly, thick hair.

This larger version uses a bigger needle size and the stockinette is worked for an inch longer, but the actual pattern is exactly the same. The hat incorporates only 1 x 1 ribbing and stockinette but with the color, composition, and texture of the yarn, a wonderful fabric is created. This hat will go great with plaid, melange and argyle. My gauge is pretty accurate but if you find that you have to play around with needle sizes that's cool. With any knitting project, it is imperative to check gauge.

Rachel's Hat Pattern

Yarn: 1 skein of Manos Del Uruguay Naturals in colors 704 and 705, 138 yrds.
Needle: US #7 (4.5 mm) or US #9 (5.5 mm) 16" circular needle, dpns.
Notions: tapestry needle, stitch markers.
Gauge: 18 x 26 or 16 x 24 for a 4 x 4 inch swatch.

Begin Pattern
Using circular needles CO 96 sts. Place marker to indicate beginning of round. Join being careful not to twist. Work 1 x 1 rib for 3". Next round: K2tog, k to end--95 sts. Work in stockinette in the round for 2 (3) inches. Starting from the beginning of round place a stitch marker every 19 sts--total of 5 stitch markers on needle.

Decrease for crown
NOTE: Switch to dpns when sts can no longer be worked on circs.
Round 1: *k2tog, k to 2 sts before stitch marker, ssk*; rep * to end.
Round 2: Work even.
Rep these two rounds seven times more--15 sts.
Next round: *k2tog, k1*; rep from * to end--10sts. Knit even for one more round, then k2tog to end-- 5 sts. Leaving an 8 inch tail, break yarn.

Finishing
Place 8" tail on tapestry needle pass remaining sts on tapestry needle, pull tail through, weave in ends on WS. Weave in any other ends. Wet Block.

Sick

2009-10-05T13:42:00.000-07:00

I've been sick for the last two days. So to cheer myself up I met Kate Davies (She is so genuine and sincerely nice) at Rosie's *if you're ever in Philly, this is the yarn shop to visit!*, used my new measuring cups I received from myself for my birthday--Thank you, DC--to make some biscuits to dip in my chicken pot pie soup, (Yum)

These are my sweet Russian ladies of fine cuisine...

date and time...sorry about that. After almost a year of having this camera I'm still getting use to it.

of course I did some knitting. Still working on that parasol cardigan sleeve.

Hoping that good fortune would befall me (and because I <3 him), I helped my boyfriend paint his apartment... He has some sweet bay window action! I'm so jealous!

Today, I feel a lot better.

Sweet Harvest, Happy Days!

2009-10-05T13:20:00.000-07:00

The other day I couldn't look at my leaning tower of tomato plant anymore without doing something about it. This was the best I could do...

It grew exponentially while I wasn't looking (or weeding). It started to overtake my basil plant so I pulled the basil out. I am in the process of drying it. The root system was amazing.

Trees and plants are so symmetrical. Sometimes I think about how trees look underground. It is such a pleasing thought. I want to design a Aran Sweater with a tree motif some day with this pretty tweedy aran yarn I was given. I'm basking in all this greenery before all the leaves turn. I bought some lemon balm seeds to make tea for the coming winter months. It is a relative of the lemon mint plant. Apparently it helps with insomnia and when used with peppermint relieves upset stomachs. Botanical remedies are so cool!

Right now though, I am using knitting to keep me calm. I'm almost done with one Endpaper Mitt. Yay! I've started a sleeve for the Parasol Cardigan. The pattern WILL to be out in late February. I don't think anyone reads this blog, but if you do, you're in for a treat in regard to the other Rain Knits.

I forgot to show you the reversible tote I made in a sewing class I took at Spool this August. It was so fun! I was pleased to learn about different fabrics, run into similar textile jargon, and flirt with the idea of sewing a dress this Fall for the much look forward to Summer.

It's a bit wrinkled! Sorry!

And...I am happy to say my first published pattern, Twin Oaks is out! While I was making it I just referred to it as "Striped Henley" but Twin Oaks is a great name for it. Incidently, I stayed at a commune during the summer of my Senior year of college named Twin Oaks. I think it's a sign that I should go back and do some more organic farming. You can find the yarn or a retail store here. The yarn is a delicious to work with, so soft and if you're familiar with Manos del Uruaguay Yarn it is most notably plied.

And so we come full circle to gardening! Awesome!

How Now Brown CowL!

2009-10-01T10:18:00.000-07:00

Using this yarn which I purchased like an eon ago at Maryland Sheep and Wool, I made this cowl. The yarn is from Delly's Delights Farm, in Trappe, MD. To purchase a skein of this "O So Soft" Alpaca contact Connie@DellysDelightsFarm.com. It is 650 yds! The recommended needle size is US size #5 to get 5.5 sts per inch. It is a sport weight yarn but I used a bigger needle size than it calls for to get the desired fabric: light, yet substantial.

This cowl is so warm!!! Toasty even. Alpaca is one of the warmest fibers due to the contracting cells at the core, thus creating "air pockets" which make up the insulating properties found within each alpaca hair. That's right hair, for it more hair-like, and less prickly than a sheep's woolly fleece. Alpaca fiber is strong, silky, glossy and bears no lanolin, which makes it hypoallergenic and *bonus* it's water repellant! It is the perfect fiber for the chilly Fall evenings and the winter weather that creeps in around the end of October here in Philly. Brrrrr!!! I shiver just thinking about it.

I used the Plain Diamond Stitch to give it a retro argyle-like texture. Coupled with a nice drape, both in fabric and construction, it also has an elegant, classy, I-just-slipped-this-on-Stunning,right? look. Usually I love lace patterns juxtaposed with stockinette or garter, but lately I'm really into knit/purl patterns. This pattern is so simple but interesting enough to keep you engaged. This cowl is basically a big tube. In the pattern the "rows" are referred to as "rounds" because I adapted the pattern to be worked in the round. I think writing and saying round is not only more accurate but sounds more fun for some reason. Whenever I knit in rows it makes me feel like I'm at work, but the word round makes me feel as though I'm playing. Semantics, I know, but hey, your perception is your reality.

How Now Brown CowL! Pattern

Yarn: 400 yds of dk weight Alpaca yarn.
Needle: US size #7 (4.5 mm) 24 inch circular needle.
Notions: 1 stitch marker, tapestry needle.
Gauge:18 x 28 sts for a 4 x 4 inch swatch.

Finished Measurements: 36" in circumference, 10 1/2" in length.

Diamond Pattern: mult of 9
Round 1: K4, * p1, k8*; rep from * to last 5 sts, p1, k4.
Round 2: K3, * p3, k6*; rep from * to last 6 sts, p3, k3.
Round 3: K2, * p5, k4*; rep from * to last 7 sts, p5, k2.
Round 4: K1, * p7, k2*; rep from * to last 8 sts, p7, k1.
Round 5: Purl
Round 6: As 4th round.
Round 7: As 3rd round.
Round 8: As 2nd round.
Rep these 8 rounds.

Using the longtail cast on, CO 160 sts onto circular needle. Place stitch marker to indicate beginning of row. Join being careful not to twist stitches. Work eight garter stitch rows in the round--

Round 1: Purl
Round 2: Knit
Rep these two rounds 2 times more. Work another Purl round.

Begin Diamond Pattern. Continue working in pattern for 10", then work eight garter stitch rows in the round as beginning of cowl. Bind off very loosely.Gently wet block.

A Hat For His Birthday

2009-09-08T09:06:00.000-07:00

It's my boyfriend's birthday on Sunday so I thought why not make him a hat? He is hot-blooded and has the itchy-scratchies when it comes to wool. This past Saturday I purchased a skein of navy Blue Sky Alpaca skinny cotton and went to town!!

I measured his head--22 inches, worked a small swatch--5.5 inches per inch, did some simple arithmatic and voila! I've already started the crown decreases! This yarn has wonderful stitch definition and has what could only be described as "spoing". While I think stockinette is wonderfully beautiful on it's own, this yarn warrants some cables or a knit/purl pattern. The hat will have earflaps so perhaps I'll pick up stitches around the base of the hat, incorporate a stitch pattern and have a small motif at the crown as well.

The fact that the edge of the hat is curling a little is troubling. I'm debating on whether I should pick up stitches and knit a lining (to add extra warmth) before I add on the earflaps or just block the hell out of it to make it lie flat. I was hoping the two garter ridges would help with that. Ahh well. That's what happens with no pattern and a bit of free will.

I have five more days. I'm telling myself that I have plenty of time to work out the kinks... He's gonna love it!

Triangular Scarves... have you caught the bug?

2009-09-01T10:48:00.000-07:00

So I was on ravelry today (Of course. What other website is there?) and I noticed that among the most active recently published designs are Stephen West's Daybreak and Ysolda's Damson. Triangular scarves are IN and have been for a while. Why, I've made three myself. For two of them I used chunky yarn just to get a little instant gratification and winter isn't too far away, the other is the Silk Kerchief by Kate Gagnon Osborne. Now I'm working on Ishbel using Nature's Palette Fingering weight in Indian Paintbrush. I wish I could say it was a finished project so I can justify starting Damson, which is so simple and elegant! bah!!

I started this in May! All I have to say is DON'T knit lace while en route to a New Englandish state that is 8 hours away. It killed me to rip back three inches of lace, but now I have some new best friends: stitch markers. Love them and keep them close.

In other news, I have finally decided what to do with the chocolate brown alpaca I purchased a Maryland Sheep and Wool TWO years ago: a cowl. They're big this fall. I'll keep you posted on inspiration, swatches and final bind off...

Shower Stitch Beret

2009-08-25T09:54:00.000-07:00

Just before summer hit, I was astonished by the amount of torrential rain we had here in Philadelphia. It made me realize that the only East coast meteorological phenomenon that connects all the seasons together is rain. No matter if it be winter, fall, spring or summer; there is always rain. This is my inspiration for the line of patterns I'm putting together.

I'm proud to present to you my first pattern of the Rain Series, the Shower Stitch Beret.

The yarn? So beautiful and fitting for this project. Canopy Fingering has a wonderful drape due to the 20 % bamboo, keeps you warm if you need it (baby alpaca and merino)! It has become one of my favorite yarns. I'm a sucker for fine-gauge yarn.

The actual stitch pattern is pretty difficult only because every row requires working pattern stitches. It is genuine knitted lace as opposed to lace knitting, where only pattern stitches are worked on the right side. In the original pattern, there are several rows where you work k3tog tbl, which I found to be ridiculous! Every time I tried to work this twisted triple decrease the stitches would slide off my needles, which was quickly followed by a panic attack. I decided why not work smart and not hard? Instead of k3tog tbl, I simplified it into s1 tbl, k2tog tbl, psso, which sounds a lot more complicated but try it! Much more smooth, right?

The result...

showers!! Rain happens when a cold front moves into a warm front. So maybe you'll start off cold but you'll be moving along... into a warm front. : )