Unwinding...

Blog, Interrupted

2009-12-23T14:15:00.004-05:00

I can't believe it's been two years since I last blogged! Aside from my own laziness in sorting out the URL referral problems in was having, Ravelry has really eaten up most of my on-line time these days. My new year's resolution for 2010 -- to get back to blogging!

Here are a few holiday pics, to get things going again...

Blog Down?

2007-09-25T12:01:00.000-04:00

I don't know if this message will even post, as I haven't been able to access my blog for the past week. If anyone does get through, please let me know.

Thanks!

The Big Easy

2007-09-11T14:21:00.000-04:00

I'm just back from 4 days in New Orleans for a conference on Gulf Coast recovery. Lots of attendees, which was good, and not a whole lot of recovery, which is not so good. The upshot of what I heard about the Gulf Coast, two years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita:

too little money getting to the people who need it most;
too much federal bureaucracy;
too few hospitals and schools have reopened;
not enough mental health workers to meet the tremendous need
small business and rental housing needs are being ignored
the advocates and community/nonprofit leaders are all at the point of burnout
the recovery is going to take another 10-15 years

Depressed yet? I know I was. But there are some good things going on, and signs of rebuilding everywhere. On Wednesday we visited several firehouses that were flooded when the levees broke (22 of the 33 firehouses in New Orleans were damaged or destroyed). Here's one of the oldest, which remains closed and hasn't really been touched since the firefighters evacuated two years ago.

It was especially sad to see the bulletin board with stories of all the fires and rescues this house had been involved in, now sitting on its side on the floor, covered in dust.

As a visiting New Yorker, it was also touching to see the tribute to September 11th and FDNY, still hanging high up on the wall in the abandoned firehouse.

These are the old stables behind the firehouse, from when horses were used to pull the fire engines.

One remarkable thing I learned about Katrina was that the city of New Orleans didn't own any boats two years ago, and that the rescues carried out by the fire department were done in the firefighters' personal boats or in boats that they commandeered that day. Pretty amazing for a city that sits below sea level, don't you think? To address this, the Leary Firefighter Foundation has purchased 15 boats for the New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) so that they'll be prepared for future storm seasons.

Leary also has a program underway in partnership with the NYC Carpenters' Union to renovate the damaged firehouses of New Orleans, since it was going to take FEMA another 10 years (!!!) to do so. Currently, NOFD is operating out of trailers next to the closed firehouses, which has dramatically slowed response time as well as having an impact on firefighter morale. It was great to visit with Engine 38 and hear first-hand how they were affected by the storm and its aftermath.

The neighborhood surrounding the firehouse is a testament to how far the city still has to go -- most of the houses are either still boarded up or just being renovated now. There are debris piles everywhere, and FEMA trailers and blue tarps are still a common site.

The French Quarter, in contrast, was relatively unscathed by the hurricanes and subsequent flooding, since it sits on high ground. It's still a major tourist destination, although lack of affordable housing has made it hard to find workers to staff the hotels, bars, restaurants and shops.

One of the things I've always loved about the Quarter is the fantastic attention to detail -- beautiful wrought ironwork, flowers and hanging plants, angels and fleur de lis carved over doorways. Even the water meter plaques are lovely:

The conference schedule was a bit grueling -- very long days inside windowless rooms. When it was all over, we had Friday afternoon to ourselves to play tourist. First stop, Cafe DuMonde and coffee and beignets!

Next stop, the Cigar Factory, to watch them roll cigars by hand and buy a few gifts.

Then it was off to Pirates Alley and some absinthe at the Pirate's Alley Cafe.

If absinthe isn't for you, try the Toxic Baby...

Or a beer from Jax, the oldest brewery in New Orleans ...

Or perhaps a mint julep...

And if you're hungry, there's always gumbo!

Rhinebeck

2007-09-04T19:00:00.000-04:00

Anyone going to Rhinebeck (otherwise known as the NY State Sheep & Wool Festival)? It's the 3rd weekend in October (20th-21st). I went last year with my Stitch-n-Bitch and it was a a really fun day -- perfect fall weather, turning leaves on the trees, lovely yarns, and friendly knitters everywhere.

City of Big Shoulders

2007-08-31T15:01:00.000-04:00

I was in Chicago a few weeks ago, speaking at a conference, and managed to squeeze in a little fun time for myself while there. At the conference, Sesame Workshop was presenting, so I was able to meet surprise guest Elmo.

Once the conference ended, it was off to have some fun. There's a core group of women from my February trip to Costa Rica who all live in the Chicago area, and I managed to see all of them on this trip, which was a blast. Francine...

and I took one of the Chicago Architecture Foundation's boat tours on the Chicago River, which was pretty cool. The boats leave from a lovely riverside promenade at Michigan Avenue, just across from the Wrigley Building.

(For those of you sharp-eyed enough to notice the missing hands on the clock face, they're undergoing cleaning and will be returned this fall.)

The mix of architectural styles in downtown Chicago is quite interesting. Although I don't remember the names or architects of most of the buildings we saw, here's a representative mix.

Have you seen the insurance commercial where the car drives off the parking structure and lands in the river? This is the building. I wouldn't want to park there!

And, of course, the Sears Tower, looming darkly in the background, bristly with antennae.

The last part of the tour took us over toward Lake Michigan, where we passed Navy Pier and its famous ferris wheel...

as well as the locks that allow boats out onto the Lake itself...

After the boat tour, it was off to Millenium Park, also on Michigan Avenue, which has some really interesting public art works. The "spitting foundation" is two giant rectangular slabs, cascading with water, with an ever-changing array of human faces. The slabs (and images) face each other ...

and periodically "spit" water into a large open space between the slabs.

Then, when the water spray has subsided, two new faces come up on the screens and it starts all over again.

It was a hot evening, and it was fun to watch the children (and a few adults) playing in the water.

Then Francine and I met up with Connie and Shari for dinner at a lovely little place across from the Park. It had cooled off a bit, so it was nice to be able to sit outside and enjoy the evening together.

After dinner, it was back to the Park to hear a free concert -- Bolero -- and relax on the picnic blanket Connie ...

thoughtfully provided.

After Connie dashed for her train home, Shari, Francine and I wandered over to "The Bean," another interesting sculpture in the Park. It looks like a giant silver coffee bean, and is amazingly reflective.

Civic-minded companies, great architecture, interesting public art, and good restaurants -- Chicago is definitely one of my favorite cities!

Bronx Zoo

2007-08-29T12:21:00.000-04:00

Two weeks ago, my new employer had an employee summer outing to the Bronx Zoo. In a case of perfect timing, my sister Maria ...

was visiting from Wisconsin and agreed to pick up our niece, Sara...

and bring her up to NYC for a visit. We had a great time eating out at Tournesol, a great French bistro in Long Island City...

going to see "Mary Poppins" on Broadway (I highly recommend it!), and spending a day at the Bronx Zoo.

At the Zoo, we had an entire picnic pavilion reserved for Conference Board employees and their families, and the lunch was great. (Sara and I especially enjoyed the ice cream sandwiches.)

I was also thrilled to see that the picnic pavilion overlooked the pond where the flamingoes live. (As some of you know, flamingoes are my absolute favorite animal -- so graceful, and so outrageously colored, especially when they open their wings.)

To get to the picnic area, we rode a cable car from one side of the zoo to the other -- very cool views of the zoo exhibits below us, as well as the Bronx spread out around us.

The Bronx Zoo is one of the finest in the world and has taken a leading role in wildlife conservation. The animal exhibits were fabulous -- no cages and small pens, instead very realistic and spacious habitats. The Wolf monkeys were among my favorites, especially the little baby scampering about and annoying the adult monkeys.

The Rwanda/gorilla exhibit was also very cool. Luckily, we were there at snack time, and got to watch them grabbing for and chowing down on carrots, yams, and celery.

The baby gorillas were also pretty cute.

In the giraffe exhibit, it was pretty funny when one of the adult giraffes started chasing an ostrich around the compound.

The size difference between the adult and baby giraffes was also quite striking.

Apart from the flamingoes, my favorite part of the day was riding the Bug Carousel!

I can't wait to go back!

Ravelry update

2007-08-27T16:54:00.000-04:00

You signed up on July 19, 2007
You are #18760 on the list.
8210 people are ahead of you in line.
10360 people are behind you in line.
35% of the list has been invited so far

America's Camp

2007-08-25T13:56:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm back from America's Camp and am trying to reintegrate into the real world -- and it's a challenge!! Camp was SO much fun!! Knitting was the surprise hit of the program -- nearly 100 campers and counselors came to our classes, and I used up every bit of yarn that was donated as well as all the needles and looms I bought. Here are a few pics to give you a flavor.

The "AC 6" flag that a someone crocheted for us...

The madness of the mess hall, with dancing at every meal...

My friend Jill, who I met in Costa Rica in February, and who volunteered to drive down from Boston to help teach knitting with me...

Our outdoor knitting classroom, with a group of counselors and junior counselors all making hats on knitting looms (rock on, men who dare to knit!)...

And some of the hats and scarves (and one pair of socks!) that the campers and counselors made (for privacy purposes, the campers' faces weren't photographed)...

Hats were popular, as you can see; also quick and easy to do, using the knitting looms. Lots of people were knitting scarves on straight needles as well, but only one person finished in time to be photographed. I think the cold weather helped make knitting popular this year -- everyone wanted to be warmer!

I'm planning a bigger and better knitting program for next year, maybe with a sock workshop for the experienced knitters. And I'll know to stock more supplies as well.

Hello muddah, hello faddah...

2007-08-18T20:43:00.000-04:00

Yes, fans, I'm away at camp and, unlike the famous song, I don't want my parents to come and take me home. I'm at America's Camp, a week-long sleepaway camp for children who lost a parent on September 11th, and am having a blast!!! I'm on the Camp's board of directors, and am here for five days as the resident knitting teacher.

We had three class sessions today, with about 35 kids so far out of the 270 here for the week. Two more class sessions tomorrow, four on Monday, then two on Tuesday before I head back to NYC. The classes are broken out by age group -- Junior campers, who are between 7 and 10, roughly, and Senior campers, who are 11-15 or so. The Juniors are all working with round looms, making hats -- they're all so excited watching the fabric starting to grow from the bottom of the loom! The Seniors had their choice of three projects -- a cell phone cozy, a small purse, or a scarf -- and I was surprised that most of them chose the scarf; I was sure that the purse and cell phone cozy would be popular.

Webs was fantastic to us and agreed to donate the yarn for my classes, and also gave me a discount on knitting needles. (So thank the Elkins for me by going to their website and buying lots of yarn!) Webs is in Northampton, Mass., about an hour's drive from Camp, so I went over there yesterday to pick up the yarn in person. Those of you who have seen my stash and know my yarn acquisitiveness will be amazed that I stuck to my yarn diet and did NOT buy any yarn for myself while at Webs. That's right, NONE! And my friend Jill was with me and can vouch for that.

The energy here at Camp is amazing, and the enthusiasm the kids -- both boys and girls -- have for learning to knit is really great. I'll hate to leave on Tuesday!

Finally, some knitting...

2007-07-23T10:23:00.000-04:00

I know, it's been all about travel, nothing about knitting lately. Mostly because I've been traveling more than I've been knitting, but also because I'm just not as inspired by the things I've been knitting. Scarves and hats, hats and scarves... I love the people to whom I am gifting these, but the creation of the gifts is beginning to wear on me. I need a new project!

That being said, here are a few shots of a representative scarf. It's worked up in a lovely ladder yarn that, sadly, has been discontinued, and the open spaces are created using double yarnovers. I think I've made about six of these in the past few months. And the lampshade model is the best I could do in a hotel room while on the road for a recent business trip. :-)

By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea...

2007-07-20T12:06:00.001-04:00

A few weekends ago, I spent a few days camping out on Long Island, in a lovely little town called Montauk all the way out on the far southeastern tip of the island. One travels through the famous "Hamptons" to get to Montauk, which is far more mellow a town than its famous neighbors. Also much less crowded, as you can see from these beach photos.

We camped at Hither Hills State Park, which is right on the beach and made for a great (and inexpensive) base from which to explore the area. This is our campsite, with our trusty Zipcar in the foreground.

Montauk is known for its impressive lighthouse, which we enjoyed touring.

Apparently, it's also a good place to surf, though I managed to exclude all the surfers from the photo I tried to take of them.

Montauk has long been a fishing village, and I was moved by this striking memorial to all the fishermen from the village who have been lost at sea over the years. Their names are carved into the base of the statue, and the earliest go back to the early 1800s.

The main square in the village also had a nice WWII memorial, with a floral flag in memory of those killed in the war.

Can't wait to go back -- I've already booked a campsite for the end of September!

Ravelry...

2007-07-19T12:09:00.000-04:00

"You are #18760 on the list.
12438 people are ahead of you in line.
0 people are behind you in line.
32% of the list has been invited so far"

I'm not holding my breath for my invitation any time soon!

The NY Times catches on...

2007-07-12T16:26:00.000-04:00

July 12, 2007

The Knitting Circle Shows Its Chic, By RUTH LA FERLA

TEVA DURHAM is an unlikely idol, a soberly outfitted, plain-talking mother with a passion for quirky yarns. But to her fans, who snap up her how-to-knit books by the tens of thousands, Ms. Durham is the undisputed mistress of stitchery.

Those admirers, often young and aesthetically inclined, follow her patterns — casting on, increasing, decreasing — with unwavering fidelity. As well they might. Ms. Durham’s artfully crafted stockings and skirts, open-work dresses and cardigans vie in style and intricacy with many of their counterparts on the fashion runways.

Just a few years ago, the assertion that hand-stitched garments could compete with designer wares would have raised derisive hoots from the fashion set, which viewed the needle crafts as the domain of ladies in buns and harlequin glasses. As Ms. Durham acknowledged mildly, “People still think of knitting as, you know, a homey hobby.”

Well, no. Formerly neglected domestic arts like knitting, quilting, sewing and embroidery are being eagerly embraced, especially by the young. Their passion kindled by the abundance of handcrafted looks on the runways, they are blowing the dust off these folksy skills and lending them the bright sheen of style.

“It wasn’t that long ago that people would cringe at the word ‘craft,’ ” said Melanie Falick, who developed a crafts imprint at Stewart, Tabori & Chang. “Ten or 20 years ago, there were far fewer crafters and knitters, certainly fewer who ‘outed’ themselves. Now it has become a badge of honor.”

And an insignia of chic. The new generation of needle hobbyists, nimble-fingered women in their 20s and 30s, is growing ever more sophisticated, seeking out novel yarns imbued with bamboo or fur, working confidently with elaborate patterns, swapping tips online and emulating styles by fashion designers like Marc Jacobs, Nicolas Ghesquiere of Balenciaga and Michael Kors.

If needlework has been transformed from a homely pastime into a legitimate fashion pursuit, is it any wonder that some artisans are marketing their handwork online and at cutting-edge boutiques? And influencing designers in turn.

“I do think the runways were inspired by people doing crafty things at home and by how inventive this generation is,” said Ruth Sullivan, an editor at Workman Publishing, which publishes large numbers of crafts books. She added that designers may also be looking at the Internet, where rafts of people are designing their own patterns and posting them on blogs.
Visiting an exhibition of quilts from Gee’s Bend, Ala., at the Whitney Museum, Marc Jacobs was sufficiently impressed to introduce whimsical patchwork skirts and dresses into his secondary line for spring 2007. Fashion titans like Fendi are offering bags that might have been stitched by your Great-Aunt Fanny, albeit with a tribal twist. Fendi’s coveted Voodoo bag is a bestseller at Bergdorf Goodman, as are open-work cashmere wraps from Loro Piana and hand-embroidered flats from Emma Hope. Even at the luxury level, shoppers are craving a handcrafted look, said Ed Burstell, senior vice president for beauty, accessories and footwear at Bergdorf.

The revival of these arts also owes a debt to a clutch of needle-wielding superstars: Ms. Durham, whose first book, “Loop-d-Loop,” was a best seller on Amazon; Wenlan Chia, a knitwear designer with an avid following; Diana Rupp, a youthful doyenne of home sewing; and Debbie Stoller, the founder of the popular Stitch ’n Bitch knitting circles across the country, who has been credited with jumpstarting the knitting rage with her popular series of Stitch ’n Bitch books. (Some four million people in the United States have taken up knitting since 2003, Ms. Sullivan said.)

The women — and a few men — who are buying these books march into crafts shops, eager to follow their patterns or to improvise. They also arrive with magazine tear sheets in hand, hoping to copy the styles of their favorite designers.

Ms. Rupp, who teaches a popular sewing class at Make Workshop, her studio on the Lower East Side, cheers them on by displaying fashion magazines and Barneys New York catalogs on cutting tables throughout her workshop.

Needlework hobbyists have become more savvy, said Joelle Hoverson, an owner of Purl and Purl Patchwork, neighboring yarn and fabric boutiques in SoHo. “A lot of that is driven by fashion,” she said. Ms. Hoverson has noticed that designers like Mr. Jacobs inspire her customers. “But they’re also looking at clothes from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s,” she said. “And they’re looking at each other. It’s very cool.”

The ardent pursuit of the needle arts has fueled a $1.07 billion industry, according to the National Needlework Association. That figure does not take into account mass merchants and chains. “This is no mom and pop retail phenomenon,” said Sherry Mulne, a marketing consultant for the association. “This is big business.”

Sewing is the latest of the domestic arts to be touted as a hipster passion, the rock ’n’ roll of the crafts world. Inspired by television hits like “Project Runway,” aspiring designers have re-energized the industry. The Home Sewing Association says that there are about 35 million sewing amateurs in the United States, compared with 30 million in 2000. And Singer reports that annual sales of its machines have doubled to three million since 1999.

The mushrooming of the needle crafts, which extends even to arcane pursuits like shoemaking and hat design, is also driven by a growing aversion to cookie-cutter mall fashions, by a desire to connect with like-minded sisters and reinforce a sense of community, and by a wish to handle solid, tactile materials in an increasingly virtual world.

“There is a natural need to do something low tech, to get your hands involved,” said Ms. Falick, the crafts editor. Ms. Stoller, an advocate of pleasure for pleasure’s sake, added: “It’s so nice to have something in your life that’s not just about self-improvement — that is, losing weight or advancing your career.”

Needle arts have also received a boost from hobbyists determined to market their one-offs and few-of-a-kind designs. Rachel Antonoff and Alison Lewis, the designers behind the indie label Mooka Kinney, comb flea markets and estate sales for vintage clothing and fabrics.
“We couldn’t get over the wealth of amazing fabrics we found,” Ms. Antonoff said, “so we just started making these dresses.” Today they sell their brightly patterned pieces at stores like Barneys and Satine in Los Angeles.

Sydney Albertini, a painter and ceramicist, sells her whimsically patterned tunics and wrap skirts from her studio in East Hampton, N.Y. “I think to myself, ‘Maybe one of the little girls whose portrait I’m painting would wear this skirt,’ ” she said of the designs she hopes one day to place in progressive boutiques.

Etsy, a two-year-old online marketplace for craftspeople, has 50,000 sellers, many of whom are independent artisans trying a hand at fashion. The online crafts market, initially built on sales of toys and dolls, has shifted to clothing in the last year or two, said Robert Kalin, Etsy’s founder, growing from 2 or 3 percent six years ago to as much as 30 percent.

Online marketers showcase handiwork that can be surprisingly refined, surpassing the cable-stitch sweaters, wrap skirts and tote bags that are the bread and butter of older crafts primers.
The wares include items like fishnet funnel-neck tunics, ruched camisoles, intricate cocoon wraps, cobwebby disco dresses and even tulle-edged corsets.

Designers and mass apparel makers keep an eye on the independent craftspeople, Mr. Kalin said. “This is where fashion comes from. The big companies tend to be a couple of years behind in poaching ideas from these little guys, who will always be on the cutting edge.”

Vashti Valentine has yet to explore the opportunities of Etsy, but Ms. Valentine, who attends Make Workshop, has dreams of her own. She inherited a desire to sew from her mother, who died last fall. “In August she was supposed to make my wedding dress,” she said, “but she was so sick that she couldn’t.” To honor her mother’s legacy, she is learning to use a machine and hopes eventually to design a line with a friend.

Vivian Pan, her classmate and a graduate student in psychology, plans only to acquire enough tailoring skills to whip up decorative pieces for her home. “I have expensive tastes and a grad school budget,” she said. “But that’s not going to get in my way.”

Copyright 2007 The New York Times Company

D.C. Safari

2007-07-11T14:15:00.001-04:00

I was in Washington, D.C. recently on business and staying at the Hotel Palomar, near DuPont Circle. It's a small, boutique-ish hotel and from the outside, frankly, not very interesting. But when I got to my room...

There was a faux-fur throw on the bed...

animal print bathrobes in the closet...

and a faux-crocodile guest book. I felt like I had gone on safari!

Thank goodness they didn't pipe animal noises into the room.

Mistress of my own domain

2007-06-23T14:40:00.001-04:00

Domain name, that is. I just purchased www.unwinding.us. If I set things up correctly, if you enter that web address, you should be directed to this blog. I'm looking forward to more regular blogging this summer!

Paddlin' on the River

2007-06-12T15:04:00.000-04:00

While I'm waiting to upload my photos from my trip to the Southwest, I thought I'd share some local "travel" shots -- these from the Friday night Chill Paddle on the East River. The Long Island City Community Boathouse sponsors free kayak trips on weekends all summer long, and last Friday was the first official paddle of the season.

There's even a tangential knitting connection -- my friend Melissa, from the LIC Knitters group, came along as well!

Unwinding -- my new blog name

2007-06-12T15:02:00.001-04:00

I realized that one of the reasons I hadn't posted in such a long while was that I'd been traveling more than I'd been knitting. So, I decided to make some tweaks to my blog and have it focus on two of my passions -- travel AND knitting.

Off we go!

Bad blogger

2007-06-08T14:06:00.000-04:00

Wow -- can't believe it's been almost two months since my last entry. Lots to tell, but no time to do it today. In summary -- resigned from Changing Our World in mid-April; took some time off between jobs and did some traveling (D.C., Detroit, Sante Fe, Tucson, and Utah); signed a lease on a new apartment and will move at the end of July; have almost finalized my divorce (a long and painful process); and started my new job at The Conference Board last week.

I've done a bit of knitting over the past two months -- finished and gifted two more baby hats; finished and gifted two scarves; and found buttons (the final step) for the Olive cardigan. Sadly, forgot to photograph the scarves and hats, but will hope to receive photos from the wearers.

My knitting karma was working in Santa Fe -- found a cute little yarn store just off Canyon Road, so had to buy some yarn as a souvenir. Resisted the hemp yarn from the Hemp store near the main plaza, though, as I had no idea how hemp works up.

Cute baby alert!

2007-04-13T17:41:00.000-04:00

I happen to think my daffodil hat is pretty cute. But you haven't seen cute until you've seen baby Joie actually wearing the daffodil hat. Don't you agree?

Daffodil hat

2007-04-05T17:12:00.000-04:00

What, you thought it was going to be shaped like a daffodil? Sorry...I'm just not that creative. But it is a lovely daffodil-yellow color, so that should count for something.

Details: Rowan All Season Cotton, Color 205, knit flat in garter stitch on size 7 bamboo needles and then seamed. Pattern is from Debbie Bliss. Very, very easy.

This hat is destined for my colleague's 4-month-old daughter, Joie.

Hurray for Holl-lywooood...

2007-04-03T14:02:00.000-04:00

OK, not really Hollywood, but close...Burbank, CA. Home of the Bob Hope Airport, which is one of the small airports to which JetBlue flies from NYC. I had a meeting last week in LosAngeles, and rather thoughtfully chose to save my client a LOT of money by flying into Long Beach and out of Burbank, rather than in and out of LAX. Which is even more saintly when you consider that my client's office is located NEXT TO LAX. That's right, next to, as in "right across the street I could walk to the airport from there and catch my flight without ever setting foot in an automobile." Instead, I drove around... a lot.

But the nice thing about driving around, and driving to Burbank's Bob Hope Airport, specifically, was that I found...a yarn store! A lovely little yarn store called Unwind.

I hadn't brought any knitting with me to L.A. because I had a book I wanted to read on the plane, but seeing the store made me want to knit, so I popped in and picked up a skein of Rowan All Seasons Cotton, along with a pair of Clover bamboo needles (size 7, for those who care about these things). This is what I've done with it so far:

There's a new blogger in town

2007-03-06T14:19:00.000-05:00

Hey, faithful readers: check out my friend Monica's new knitting blog!

http://paddleandknit.blogspot.com/

Monica lives in Greenpoint and is one of the volunteer leaders of the Long Island City Community Boathouse, where she takes folks out on kayaking trips on the East River. She's just started coming to the Tuesday night SnB at Communitea, so those of you who are Queens-based have already met -- or will soon meet -- her.

Welcome to the blogosphere, Monica!

Me gusta tejer

2007-03-05T15:01:00.000-05:00

Which is Spanish for "I like to knit." Which is what I did quite a lot of on a recent trip. Here's a shot of me in action, along with my friend Francine, a Chicago-based knitter. (Francine and I are currently doing a scarf exchange; can't wait to see what she has in store for me.)

On the needles right now: the scarf for Francine, and an evening purse for a friend. Just finished three scarves over the past two weeks, two of which were paid commissions. I'm thinking about a sweater as my next big project; we'll see if I get motivated enough to actually get started!

Ladies & Gentlemen, Elvis in in the house...

2007-02-07T23:02:00.000-05:00

Well, maybe not Elvis, but his spirit is alive and well in Memphis. I was down there last week on a business trip and had a chance to visit Beale Street, home of the blues and some of the best BBQ you will ever eat. And, as you will see, some really amazing neon signs.

Sock yarn, get your sock yarn here!

2007-01-26T09:30:00.000-05:00

I thought I was going to really get into sock knitting. All my friends knit socks, and my grandmother would tell me stories about being in kindergarten in Germany and learning to knit socks as a 5-year-old. So, I bought some sock yarn. But I've just never gotten around to learning to knit socks. So, it's up for trade. Lindydiva from the Knitty board has first pick, but then the rest is available to others. I have two skeins of each.

Radical Lace & Subversive Knitting

2007-01-24T13:34:00.000-05:00

That's the name of a new exhibit opening this week at the Museum of Art & Design here in NYC. The show runs from January 25th until June 17th, 2007. Field trip, anyone?

Here's just one of the items to be exhibited -- a tiny pair of gloves knitted out of silk, using wire in lieu of knitting needles. Impressive! (Though my hands are cramping, just looking at them.)

Good genes!

2007-01-22T19:33:00.000-05:00

The past month and a half were big for birthdays in my family, so I drove down to Philadelphia several times to celebrate. It was a blast to spend so much time with my nieces and nephew, who are 10, 4 and almost 2. As you can see, they are quite adorable!

This is Emily, my goddaughter, who will be two in March...

...Thomas, who turned four in December and has a great sense of both humor and fashion...

... Sara, who was just 10 last week and who is flanked by my brother Stephen and sister-in-law Lanina (Sara is a knitter, so that's the knitting connection in today's post) ...

... and, finally, my mother, who is ultimately responsible for the gene-pool cuteness factor passed along to her children and grandchildren. Thanks, Mom!

Global Warming

2007-01-11T15:05:00.000-05:00

Melissa, my fellow LIC knitter and the talented knitwear designer behind Neoknits, has had enough of unseasonably warm weather that makes it impossible for us to wear our handknitted garments. So, she's launched Knitters Against Global Warming, and is encouraging knitters worldwide to take action to help reverse the alarming climate changes we've all experienced recently.

Having just seen "An Inconvenient Truth," Al Gore's film about global warming, I'm totally on board with this campaign. Join us, please!

And a belated thank you...

2007-01-10T17:53:00.000-05:00

...to my good friend Deborah and her adorable daughter, Nina, for hosting me for Thanksgiving weekend. Deb is a new reader of this blog, and wanted to know why there were no photos posted from my Thanksgiving trip to Portland. Well...perhaps because I forgot to bring my camera with me and so didn't take any photos? Luckily, Deb sent me a shot from Thanksgiving dinner.

Nina's favorite activity during my visit was playing "tea party" -- never have I drunk so many imaginary cups of tea in so brief a time period. I'll give her another year or two and then get her started on knitting and purling!

Save the Children

2007-01-05T15:59:00.000-05:00

I posted back in the Fall about the "Caps to the Capitol" drive that Save the Children was undertaking, to raise awareness of infant mortality rates in developing countries and to encourage knitters and crocheters to make hats for newborns. Here are the two hats I made:

I should have added something to provide perspective on size -- these are TINY. A colleague asked me if they were mug cozies. :-) The tan hat is crocheted from a superbulky wool, and the aqua hat is knit from DK weight cotton. I mailed them off to Save the Children on Wednesday, along with a note to President Bush asking him to provide funding for maternal and child health programs in developing countries. The hats themselves will be sent to Africa and India, I believe.

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to meee.....

2007-01-02T15:02:00.000-05:00

I'm a new year's eve baby, and this year decided to throw myself a party to celebrate the end of a fairly awful year and to ring in the new year with good friends and a hopeful attitude.

My dear, dear friend Dara came up from Philadelphia for the weekend to celebrate with me, and we had a great time. Saturday night was a wonderful meal at Tournesol in Long Island City, then watching the "Little Miss Sunshine" DVD -- we laughed ourselves silly! On Sunday, Dara took me to Communitea for a birthday breakfast, then we did a pre-party apartment cleaning and straightening up. At lunchtime, it was off to Central Park for a long walk, fueled by chocolate chip cookies from Dean & DeLuca. And on the way home, we stopped at Daffy's where I found a fun, slinky sequined dress for ...gasp!...$19.99!!!!

Here are Dara and I, in my kitchen, in all our party fabulousness:

Angela brought the birthday cake (yum!), along with her cousin Catherine, visiting from Nova Scotia.

And, of course, there were knitters! Jolie and Gwen, from the LICKnit group.

And Jill and Ruth, from the Tuesday night Stitch-n-Bitch at The Point in the West Village, along with Colette, Scrabble player extraordinaire and fellow LIC knitter.

It was a fun, fun evening, capped off at midnight with a spectacular view of the Central Park fireworks. (At that point, I was a trifle overserved and so did not take any photos of the fireworks, but take my word for it -- they were amazing!)

Happy new year!

Say it with flowers...

2006-12-29T11:16:00.000-05:00

I was in Las Vegas twice in November on business, and stayed at the Bellagio on my first visit. The Bellagio has an impressive art collection, including a number of pieces by my favorite glass artisit, Dale Chihuly. The main lobby ceiling is completely covered by fantastical glass flowers; here's a view, and a close-up:

Last week, I was also lucky enough to be given some beautiful roses by a friend -- the photos don't do justice to the deep red color and the perfection of the blooms.

Knitting? Oh, right...yes, I have been knitting as well, not just looking at flowers. I just haven't been photographing my knitting (bad blogger, I know). I knit two hats last week -- one for a friend who is moving to Idaho and will need a nice warm wool hat, and one for a friend of a friend who is undergoing chemo. Plus a lacy scarf, which I knit from start to finish while hanging out with a knitterly friend last night, and a few more sweater ornaments as gifts to friends at home in Philadelphia earlier in the week.

'Tis the Season...

2006-12-15T13:09:00.000-05:00

I am slowly but surely getting into the holiday spirit this year. After a meeting last week, I walked over to Rockefeller Center to have a look at the Christmas tree. It's spectacular, as always!

Saks 5th Avenue, just across the street, has a beautiful lighted snowflake display, and I stood for a few minute to watch the show.

And the trumpeting angels, also at Rock Center, were just lovely.

In holiday knitting, I've made up a few little sweater ornaments.

I have been knitting...

2006-12-11T13:32:00.000-05:00

...really, I swear I have! I just haven't been posting. I know, I know...I'm a bad blogger. It's just that it's been so frustrating to try and try and try to post photos, only to have Blogger fail on me. Maybe the new version will be better.

Here's what's been on the needles:

Olive's cardigan -- knitting completed, seams all sewn, one ribbon sewn in for the button band, the 2nd one almost finished. Just need to buy smaller snaps; the ones I bought are too large.
Caps for the Capitol -- one infant cap finished and sewn up, just need to mail it off to Save the Children. I used the same aqua-colored cotton yarn I've been using for all my baby knitting lately.
Christmas tree ornaments -- little red cotton sweaters, 2-3 inches in size, to hang on the tree. I've been experimenting with different stitch patterns, and yesterday sewed little star-shaped sequins to them for decoration. Five done, don't know how many I'll aim for. These are destined for Art-O-Mat, for sale.
Scarves -- finished three for Art-O-Mat, in a variety of glitzy yarns from my stash. I showed one in a blue ladder yarn to three friends, all of whom requested one for themselves. So, one of these three is finished; one is halfway done; and one is on the list of things to do.
Chemo cap -- a friend of a friend has cancer and has lost all her hair from the chemo, so I offered to knit her a hat. Offer accepted, yarn agreed over the weekend -- a snuggly alpaca-silk from Debbie Bliss in a beautiful cream color. It was destined for a cushion cover for my mother-in-law, so I'll have to find something else for that, or buy more (sorry, Catriona!); it's the softest yarn I have, though, so the chemo cap seemed the most appropriate use.

See, I haven't been slacking!

Working that last inch

2006-11-04T16:42:00.000-05:00

I finished yet another baby hat, for yet another colleague who gave birth a few months ago. Baby Max received his booties a few weeks ago, but it took me a little longer to finish his matching hat. And -- drumroll, please -- I finished it with about 6 inches of yarn to spare. Not too shabby!

Fall flora and fauna

2006-10-26T16:22:00.000-04:00

A belated Rhinebeck post -- but what a great day it was! The weather was absolutely glorious -- crisp, clear and sunny the whole day on Saturday. The drive up was spectacular -- fall colors as far as the eye could see. Same was true for the fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, as you can see.

There was so much beautiful yarn to see, and so many people looking and touching it, that I didn't take any photos of the stalls. TGhe loivestock sheds were alittle less crowded, however, so I did take a few pics in there. Of the more unusual-looking animals only...

That's a Jacob sheep, above, and a weird-looking llama, below.

It was also really fun to hang with the women from the LIC Stitch-n-Bitch. Pictured below, from left to right, are Melissa from NeoKnits (wearing a Rowan-designed sweater); Dana (wearing a Melissa-designed sweater); Colette (wearing another Melissa-designed sweater); gwen; and me.

I managed to control myself and only bought two (that's right, TWO) skeins of yarn. Pics of those to follow another day. All in all, a FAB day!

I'm going to Rhinebeck!!!

2006-10-12T16:04:00.000-04:00

Yes, faithful readers, it will be my first trip to Rhinebeck. (For my non-knitting readers, the official name is the New York State Sheep & Wool Festival, held in bucolic Rhinebeck, New York.) I'm so excited! Everyone I know who has attended in the past speaks of Rhinebeck in hushed, almost reverential tones. And the blogosphere chatter makes me glad I'm not a spinner -- apparently, the competition for buying premium fleece is cutthroat.

Stitchy McYarnpants has come up with the really fun idea of Rhinebeck Bingo as a way for bloggers and fellow fibre fanatics to connect. So, be on the lookout for me -- I'm a player as well as a square on Saturday only!

The Last Knit

2006-10-03T12:48:00.001-04:00

There's a great little animated film on YouTube that I clicked through to from The Yarn Harlot's blog; it's called "The Last Knit" and the quality of the animation was really superb! Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6ZjMWLqJvM&eurl=

P.S. The Yarn Harlot -- aka Stephanie Pearl-McPhee -- got married this weekend to her long-time partner, Joe. :-)

Vintage Sock Press

2006-09-25T11:25:00.000-04:00

I am a total sucker for/collector of vintage knitting items, and I saw this really cool one on eBay a few weeks ago.

It's a pressing board, to use for knitted socks/stockings. Here's a detail shot:

Isn't it cool? I bid for it and won, and am now awaiting delivery.

Caps to the Capitol

2006-09-22T10:26:00.000-04:00

Save the Children, an excellent not-for-profit organization, has organized an advocacy campaign called "Caps to the Capitol" to focus attention -- and hopefully government funding -- on programs and simple, low-cost practices (such as putting a hat on a baby) that could save newborn lives. According to Save the Children's website, "Four million newborns die each year within the first month of life — half within the first 24 hours of life. The United States can lead the way in saving these young lives by increasing funding for critical health programs for mothers and newborns."

Save the Children volunteers were all over the NYC Knit Out on Sunday, passing out action kits and encouraging knitters to participate in the program.

I was a little concerned that the caps were going to be sent to President Bush, and end up being thrown away, but I was assured that only petitions were being sent to POTUS, and that the caps themselves were to be mailed to Save the Children's offices and distributed from there.

So, I'll be knitting some newborn hats this month. Won't you join me?

NYC Knit Out

2006-09-18T15:00:00.000-04:00

NYC knitters were out in force yesterday in Union Square for the Knit Out. The weather was glorious -- sunny and warm but not too hot (a good thing when one is modeling knitwear), with nary a cloud in the blue, blue sky. I got lots of smiles and nods for the skull-and-crossed-knitting-needles T!

The highlight of my day? I MET THE YARN HARLOT!!!!! Not only did I meet her, I got my picture taken with her, and the sock! She was even kind enough to try and block the sun from my eyes.

Barnes & Noble even got into the Knit Out spirit, with an entire front window dedicated to knitting books, as well as a table of knitting books right inside the door.

I was seduced by volume 1 of Vogue's Stitchionary (loved the bamboo stitch), as well as Tracey Ullman's new book (the herringbone handbag is fab). Now I just need to finish my project backlog so that I can get started on some new things!

P.S. I had lots of photos to post, but Blogger is not cooperating and won't upload anymore, despite nearly a dozen attempts. I'll try again tomorrow.

Wastin' away again in Margaritaville

2006-09-14T23:48:00.000-04:00

In my ongoing effort to hold on to summer for as long as I possibly can, I went to see Jimmy Buffett in concert tonight. What a fun show!!! They were even selling frozen margaritas at the concession stand. Those Parrotheads sure know how to party! I regret to say that I was one of the few people in attendance not wearing a Hawaiian shirt/lei /parrothead hat/cheeseburger hat/shark hat or some combination thereof.

I decided after the second song that I definitely want Jimmy Buffett's job. He came on stage barefoot, wearing shorts and a t-shirt, and played and sang to a completely sold-out Madison Square Garden, to an audience that sang all the words to every song and were loudly and happily sharing their love of the music. Beats sitting at a desk all day, that's for sure!

Souls on Fire

2006-09-11T20:46:00.000-04:00

Someone once gave me a book titled "Souls on Fire" and that's all I could think about tonight as I stood out by the river and looked at the Tribute in Light as it disappeared into the clouds above Manhattan -- the souls of the 2749 people who were killed on September 11th at the World Trade Center, traveling along those beams of light and burning into, then through, the clouds.

I also thought of all the innocent people in Afghanistan and Iraq who have been killed in the name of those 2749 people, as well as the 184 who were killed at the Pentagon and the 40 on Flight 93 in Shanksville. I can't believe the victims of one horribly violent act would want others to be senselessly killed in their memory. Please pray for peace.

Bootie call

2006-09-06T17:46:00.000-04:00

The charming Colton isn't the only baby to receive booties and a hat from me this summer. Meet the lovely Paige, pictured here at just 4 weeks.

Three of my colleagues have had babies this year, and a 4th just entered her third trimester, so I've been in baby clothes production mode. It's actually been great summer knitting -- lovely, cool cotton in a summery pale green, and small projects that I can tuck into any bag and take with me on my various travels.

These are from a Debbie Bliss baby book, using a Jaeger DK weight cotton (of which I have two full bags!). The cotton has a lovely sheen, which doesn't really come across in these photos.

My only complaint is that the Debbie Bliss pattern really falls down when it comes to finishing the booties -- as written, the rear seaming is totally ugly/unworkable, which has led to some experimentation on my part. I'm still not completely satisfied with the results, but it's better than the original pattern IMHO.

A letter from a very articulate nine-month-old

2006-09-05T13:59:00.000-04:00

Dear Ms. Carolyn,

Thank you very much for my hat and booties - I LOVE them. My mom took the first few of these pictures to show you how good they look on me, and then I added a couple more so that you could see I wore the hat and booties a lot! I've also worn them fly fishing and on my first camping trip! (Mom can't get those photos from where we are on vacation right now...) I hope you like these photos and I can't wait to thank you in person for the hat and booties with a baci and wave - two of my newest tricks!

lots of love,
Colton

A Family Affair

2006-08-15T00:19:00.000-04:00

This is my nine-year-old niece, Sara.

She was in NYC visiting me for a few days, and came along with me to LICKnit. My fellow knitters were very welcoming of Sara, and she wowed us all with the speed at which she knit this hat. The yarn is a lovely blue merino that she and I picked out last fall at the Union Square Green market, on her last visit to NYC; she used a round knitting loom that I also gave her, thinking that it would be a little easier on her then-8-year-old hands than using straight needles (true).

Sara cast on the hat in the afternoon, did most of the knitting at LICKnit, and had it all finished and waiting to be bound off when I woke up the next morning! She was so in the groove, in fact, that she knit two more hats, using the next smaller loom, for her American Girl doll. Well done, Sara!

It's really exciting to share my love of knitting with Sara. I learned to knit and crochet and sew from my grandmothers and my mother, and I love the feeling of knowledge passing along the generations of our family.

sulu-design

2006-07-31T11:31:00.000-04:00

I've already introduced you to Melissa, an incredibly talented knitwear designer who is part of the Long Island City knitting group to which I belong. Now, meet Susan -- or more, precisely, sulu-design, her handcrafted jewelry business. Susan is an occasional knitter and makes FABULOUS earrings and necklaces, and I'm so pleased that she's finally set up a blog and started selling her work on etsy. I love her earrings, and have given some to friends as very well-received gifts.

WWKIP Day -- Documentation

2006-07-24T16:00:00.000-04:00

I finally remembered to post the photo of myself knitting in public on World Wide Knit in Public Day, back in June. This photo was taken by a very friendly Delta flight attendant on my flight from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico back to NYC. I was also knitting in the Puerto Vallarta airport, but it was a rather crazy scene and I decided not to ask anyone to take my photo there for fear of being trampled during a crazed rush to the gate (the airport not being designed for orderly boarding or queuing).

I like knitting in public -- people generally make nice comments, and I've gotten into some great conversations with fellow knitters about their latest projects, or with people who have fond memories of mothers or grandmothers who used to knit.

Olive's cardigan

2006-06-30T10:55:00.000-04:00

The cardigan for my niece Olive, age 3 1/2, is nearly finished. The sleeves are actually a good bit longer now than when this photo was taken nearly two months ago. The cuffs will be in the purple yarn, in seed stitch. The yarn is Rowan cotton tape, and I must say I really, really like the color combination. The plan is to have a faux button band, with a ribbon lining and large snaps; not sure about the buttons -- I think I've bought 5 or 6 different sets and still can't decide which I like best.

I lost steam on finishing this when my plans to travel to the UK where I would see Olive this month were canceled, but as it's probably much too large for her at the moment anyway, I think it will end up being a Fall cardie that will easily take her through next year as well. Finishing this project will be one of my goals for my August holidays.

Renegade Craft Fair

2006-06-20T13:18:00.000-04:00

I checked out the Renegade Craft Fair on Saturday afternoon with a friend, and met up with two of my fellow LIC stich-n-bitchers, too. To summarize the afternoon, and the Fair: tote bags, t-shirts, hot sun. Yes, it seems that every crafty person in the NYC area has decided that the humble tote bag is their preferred medium, with printed t-shirts running a close second. It got a little ... dare I say ... boring?

The one t-shirt that I did fall for was from Magpie, and I can't wait to wear it. Do you think I'll strike fear into the hearts of non-knitters? I hope so!

The careful blog reader will note that I've been using other people's photos for a few weeks, rather than images of my own knitting. Never fear, I have been knitting, but I can't find the cable that connects my camera to my computer, so I haven't been able to upload any photos. I'm sure it's buried in a pile on the floor of my closet, I just haven't been able to muster the energy to dig it out. I'll try soon, I promise. I've finished a pair of booties for my friend Erin's son and plan to cast on a matching hat tonight, and am almost finished the cardigan for my niece Olive as well. And I have a photo of me knitting on the plane from Mexico to NYC on WWKIP Day, too!

Grannie Smith

2006-06-02T09:41:00.000-04:00

One of the things I love about my local Stitch-n-Bitch is that my fellow knitters are so much more talented than I am. Truly! I learn so much from them every week. One who I admire in particular is Melissa, who works as a knitwear designer inManhattan and has started her own business -- Neoknits -- in order to have an outlet for her creativity and share her lovely designs with the world.

Melissa designed this beautiful cardigan and knit it with Rowan Kid Silk Haze. If you are as impressed as I am with this garment, then click on over to Melissa's blog and buy a copy of the pattern: http://neoknits.blogspot.com/2006/03/its-ready.html.

Melissa also has a lace tank top pattern -- Lux -- in the newest edition of Magknits.

Saturday June 10 is WWKIP Day!

2006-05-25T16:34:00.000-04:00

What fun! For more info, check out this site: http://www.wwkipday.com/.

I'll be doing my knitting-in-public in the Puerto Vallarta airport and on the plane back to NYC that day. If I get in early enough, I'll even try and organize a gathering at our local cafe with some of my fellow LICKnitters.

Do we really need light-up knitting needles???

2006-04-25T16:47:00.000-04:00

My Secret Pal is the best!!

2006-04-11T15:45:00.000-04:00

I received my final package from my Secret Pal for SP7, and what a package it was! Knitting notecards, three (3!!) dark chocolate dove bars, AND Rowan's Vintage Knits.

I can't wait to make something from this book, perhaps the green pullover pictured on the cover.

Thanks!!!!!!

Camera Found!

2006-04-04T15:22:00.000-04:00

Hurrah!!! I found my camera, tucked away in one of my knitting bags that I must have used just before I went away at Christmas. What relief! To celebrate, I made a funky scarf for sale Art-O-Mat, our local artisan gallery. They like really wild novelty yarns -- the Noro scarf and the lovely black handspun scarf I gave them didn't sell at all, but the crazy novelty scarves sell like hotcakes. I call this one Mardi Gras. It's made from skeins of Bernat Boa, with matching ribbon as trim.

Thanks, Secret Pal!!

2006-03-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

I'm regretting the loss of my digital camera more and more, especially today as I can't post a photo of the wonderful gifts I received from my SP7. My January package -- blue-themed -- had 4 skeins of KnitPicks yarn (striping sock yarn and coordinating solid yarn); an intarsia pattern book; assorted chocolates; and a knitting diary. The February package -- red-themed -- has wonderful red yarn from Manos; loose tea that smells divine; a retractable tape measure (hurrah!); and a chocolate bar with ancho chile. I gave up sweets for Lent, so that chocolate bar will be tempting me for 40 days! My pal has also been wonderful about posting comments to my blog, sending e-mails, and even a virtual bouquet of flowers.

I love the knitting community, and the generosity and sense of fun that the Secret Pal exchanges demonstrate. :-)

The agony of defeat...

2006-02-24T15:54:00.000-05:00

I am offically out of the Knitting Olympics. I knit for an hour on Saturday and my shoulder and arm started to hurt so much, I couldn't believe it. And that was AFTER a massage and a chiropractic adjustment earlier in the day. Sigh. There go my dreams of Olympic glory.

The Michelle Kwan of the Knitting Olympics?

2006-02-18T18:46:00.000-05:00

That could be me. My right arm -- from shoulder to wrist -- has been bothering me for the past two weeks, and despite taking several days off from knitting, it's not getting any better. I've stretched it, massaged it, flexed it, even had my chripractor adjust my wrist, and it's still sore.

I've managed to finish the back of my sweater, but don't know about getting the rest of it done in the next week, the way I'm feeling. I feel my dreams of Olympic glory slipping away...

;-(

Inspiration

2006-02-08T12:03:00.000-05:00

The new Rowan magazine arrived yesterday, and the pattern that really caught my eye was Minnie, complete with knitted-in wooden beads. It is so gorgeous! I don't know that I'll get to it this year, perhaps not even in this lifetime, but I'd like to.

I seem to have misplaced my digital camera, which is why there have been no photos of my WIPs or FOs lately. But someone from my SnB is bringing her camera to my flat on Friday evening (I'm hosting a Knitting Olympics kick-off party), so there will be an orgy of picture-taking.

Speaking of the Knitting Olypmics, I knitted up my gauge swatches last night and am pleased to report that my gauge is spot on. It's killing me not to start the sweater until Friday night, but I want to honor the rules. Sigh. It's so hard sometimes to be good.

Boycott Sew Fast Sew Easy

2006-01-25T15:18:00.000-05:00

A boycott is afoot, and I've joined in. I heard about it when my Long Island City Stitch-n-Bitch group was deleted from Yahoo Groups, because a company called Sew Fast Sew Easy (SFSE) has trademarked the term "Stitch and Bitch." SFSE has had the gall to claim that it created this term in 1997!!! This is a term that has existed for decades. Using the button to the right, you may click through to a site with lots of details on this boycott, including a letter that you may print and send to SFSE. I mailed my letter off today!

Knitting Olympics

2006-01-23T12:30:00.000-05:00

For The Yarn Harlot's Knitting Olympics, I will be knitting sweater #11 from the Fall 2005 Vogue Knitting. I bought all the yarn for this back in October, and it's been sitting in the closet while I a) finished my Christmas knitting, and b) learned to make cables. I haven't tackled the cables yet, but I decided to forge ahead and get this done.

I'll be using Rowan Kidsilk Haze in Meadow and Jelly along with Rowan Big Wool in Pistachio. Although the pattern calls for just one color of the Kidsilk Haze for the cuffs and hem, I decided to use two together, to add a little more weight and make the color combination more interesting; we'll see how it goes.

For anyone planning to make this sweater, there's apparently an error in the neckline shaping (hence, the model's artful pose). Here's a link to a correction, from nonaKnits.

Wish me luck!

Citius, Alitius, Fortius

2006-01-19T19:02:00.000-05:00

That's the latin motto for the Olympics and translates to "Faster, Higher, Stronger." The Yarn Harlot has launched the Knitting Olympics, and I have decided to participate. I will be making a cabled pullover sweater, to be cast-on as the flame is lit and to be finished -- completely -- before the closing ceremony. 16 days of knitting! I'd better start training now (that is, learn to make cables).

SP7 Questionnaire

2006-01-19T18:22:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the delay in posting, Secret Pal!

1. Are you a yarn snob?
I do avoid acrylic yarn like Red Heart, but am otherwise open to trying new things.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I don't spin, and haven't crocheted since I was a little girl (when I made a poncho for my Dawn doll), but am wanting to start crocheting again (and have lots of crochet hooks!).
3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Several vintage knitting needle canisters.
4. How long have you been knitting?
I learned from my grandmothers when I was a little girl, but then didn't knit for years; I started knitting again about 7 years ago, but only really got into it as a significant part of my lifestyle in the past 6 months. I would say I am an advanced beginner.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
No.
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Rose or citrus (lemongrass, verbena, orange, etc.).
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
I LOVE dark chocolate!!!
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
None.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Not an MP3 person, but happy to get a mixed CD. I like alternative rock, folk, world music mostly. Fave musicians are posted on my blog profile.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
My favorite color is green -- lime, celery, olive mostly, rather than the kelly or forest greens. I dislike girly pastels.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married for three years, no children, no pets.
12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear scarves, hats and gloves, no mittens or ponchos.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I love Rowan DK cotton -- it's my favorite for baby presents.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Not a fan of plain old acryclic, or angora or mohair, or eyelash, or sparkly stuff.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Making knitted purses.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
No real faves. I've done lots of scarves and baby hats, am now moving on to garments.
17. What are you knitting right now?
A top-down cardigan for my 3-year-old niece; handbags.
18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes!
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I really love the vintage aluminum straight needles, because they come in so many great colors, but have just started using circs and find them much easier on my wrists. I have liked the metal Addi Turbos that I tried though I think they're boring looking. I have a full set of Boye interchangeable circular needles, which are fun.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Aluminum!
21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes, both.
22. How did you learn to knit?
From my grandmothers, when I was a little girl. Then, as an adult, from a nice woman in Philadelphia, through a local community ed program.
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
3 months
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I love flamingoes.
25. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas!!! I collect vintage glass ornaments and love to decorate the tree. I also like to bake Christmas cookies and Buche de Noel.
26. Is there anything that you collect?
Vintage glass Christmas ornaments; vintage knitting and crochet supplies (knit counters, needle gauges, point protectors, etc.).
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None.
28. Any books, etc. that you are dying to get your hands on?
"Stitch and Bitch Nation"; "Socks Soar on Two Circs"; retractable tape measure.
29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Cabling; socks; new cast-ons.
30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Not yet, but received sock yarn in SP6 and am planning to try. I wear an 8.5 or 9 wide shoe.
31. When is your birthday?
December 31st -- a new year's eve baby!

Matching Hats

2006-01-10T12:47:00.000-05:00

Happily, my sister took a photo of my nieces wearing their Christmas knitting -- a cardigan, hat and booties for Emily, and a matching big-sister hat for Sara. The yarn is my favorite -- Rowan handknit DK cotton -- and the patterns are by Debbie Bliss. I'll have to get a better cardigan photo to post -- I made a faux button band with really cute floral buttons from Covent Garden Market, and then used snap tape for the actual closure. (There's a photo of the cardigan as a WIP in an earlier post on my blog.)

Matching Scarves

2006-01-08T14:22:00.000-05:00

Am still in the UK, heading back to NYC tomorrow. Spent a fun day with my brother- and sister-in-law and their adorable 3-year-old, Olive. My mother-in-law made Olive a stuffed Winnie the Pooh bear for Christmas, and knitted a lovely white jumper for Pooh (or Winnie, as Olive calls it). So, I decided that Pooh needed a scarf, and Olive decided that she needed one as well. So, a blurry camera-phone shot of Olive wearing her new scarf and holding Pooh's. Olive very providentially wore a matching striped pullover -- already a fashionista!

The scarves are made up in Rowan handknitted cotton, in pink and deep red stripes, in simple garter stitch, with fringe. Easy, mindless knitting on the train to and from Belgium last week.

An American Abroad

2006-01-07T13:28:00.000-05:00

Apologies for having been such a negligent blogger! I was knitting up a storm all of December, making Christams gifts, all of which I neglected to photograph before giving them to their intended recipients. So this month, I'll be trotting around asking people to allow me to photograph their scarves, purses, and other misc knitted items ... hopefully, permission will be granted and photos will follow.

I've just spent the day yarn shopping in London with two new friends from the Knitty board, Carolyn and Charlotte (yes, I only hang out with people whose names start with C) -- we went to the Liberty and John Lewis sales (very disappointing), then headed up to Loop in Islington, where I bought some fab yarn (in green, of course) for a scarf for -- drumroll, please -- myself! Yes, I think I may actually soon knit something for ME, not as a gift for someone else. Thanks to Ben & Justine for the Loop gift certificate, which was put to good use today.

Earlier in the week, my husband took me off to Belgium for a surprise trip for my birthday, to a lovely medieval city called Bruges (or Brugge, locally). I highly recommend a visit to Bruges, particularly in the warmer months when one can take a barge trip on the canals or rent a bicycle and ride around (very bike-friendly place, everyone was riding even in the cold weather). On a cold January day, we were very happy to sit in cafes and eat croque monsieur (grilled ham and cheese sandwiches) and belgium waffles and sip cappucino (me) and Belgian beer (Alan). Bruges is known for its lace-makers, and I found some lovely lace items to buy. But the MOST exciting thing was wandering along a side street one afternoon and finding a yarn shop (!), Het Wolhuis (The Wool House, I believe, in Flemish). It was mostly a tapestry and embroidery shop, but there was also a huge selection of Katia yarns from Spain and Scheepjes yarns from Holland. The proprietor, Michelle Fraipont, was wearing a beautiful pullover she had knit in a lovely soft Katia yarn, and when I admired it she ran in the back, through a door and into her kitchen, and came back with a scarf in a twisted cable and lace pattern that she's making from the same yarn. I love those knitterly moments of shared joy in the craft! There doesn't seem to be a website, but if you find yourself in Bruges, the address is:

Het Wolhuis
Predikherenstraat 13 (becomes Dijver Straat further along)
8000 Brugge
Belgium

Pumpkin Purse

2005-12-05T17:45:00.000-05:00

So, I took a class in making a lined purseat the new Suss Designs shop in Lower Manhattan , and this was the result. I used a Katia super bulky wool in pumpkin, Lamb's Pride bulky in brown (two strands together), and a thin brown mohair and orange ribbon carried along with each, for continuity. Size 15 needles, plain old sticknette stitch. Add brown wooden handles and a coordinating corduroy lining and -- voila -- my first purse. I gave it to my friend Kathy for her birthday; I think she liked it, since she carried it that night to her birthday party.

Noro Lotus

2005-12-01T09:24:00.000-05:00

This is a beautiful yarn that I bought on sale at The Yarn Connection, a midtown NYC yarn shop, last winter. It's a handpainted cashmere ladder yarn with a ribbon of varying colors running through it. Knits up in a striped pattern, as you can see. I used three balls of this to make a long, skinny scarf in stockinette with chunky tassels at each corner, which is now on consignment at Art-O-Mat. Alas, I forgot to take a photo before I sent it off for sale. I'll try and get to the gallery and take a photo this week (assuming it hasn't sold!) -- I saw it on display through the window on Tuesday night when I sent to SnB -- what a thrill!

I am an Artist

2005-11-26T19:28:00.000-05:00

Or so says my contract with a local gallery -- Art-O-Mat -- that asked me to knit up some scarves using novelty yarns for them to sell on consignment. www.licweb.com/artomat So, for the past week, in my spare time, I whipped up a few scarves with some yarn that was sitting idly in my stash.

Am I a weirdo because I name all my knitting projects? I hope not. From top to bottom: detail for Carnival (red and grey wool tufts with metallic thread and paper flags) and Safari (black and tan wool tufts with a metallic thread and paper flags); all three scarves; detail for Starry Night (black handspun with blue beads and ribbon). A few months ago, I providentially ordered some labels to stitch into handknitted garments (none of which I've completed). Makes the scarves look so professional -- and well worth the $60 (!!!!) price tag that the gallery put on them. I get 55% if they sell.

Wish me luck!!

Ribbed for (His) Pleasure

2005-11-12T13:39:00.000-05:00

Well, the Ribbed for Her Pleasure scarf that I knit for my friend Robert was such a hit (see "October in Vermont") that I had to knit one for Robert's partner, Chuck, who requested forest green. Luckily, I had a large stash of Lamb's Pride superwash bulky in just that color, bought on my vacation in Montana in September. (Now THAT was the deal to end all deals -- 18 skeins/1980 yards for just $58.) So, while I was watching CSI, Law & Order and Without A Trace this week (plus The Wizard of Oz last night), I whipped up a scarf for Chuck. Not quite two skeins worth of yarn.

With the yarn that was left from the 2nd skein, I decided to try my hand at leaves, for flower pins, using a pattern from Nicky Epstein's Knitted Embellishments books. One of them is tumbling around in the dryer as I type, since the sink-felting didn't seem to work too well. Look for a felting update later this week.

Secret Pal Mokie rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!

2005-11-12T13:24:00.000-05:00

I'm participating in SP6 through blogspot and got my 2nd gift from my SP, mokie (not her real name) last week. I finally photographed it today, in all its splendor -- and splendor it is! Mokie's choices absolutely delighted me. I was jumping up and down like a kid at Christmas when I opened the box. Here's what she sent me:

an American Red Cross Knit Kit for One Pair of Serviceman's Socks (complete with olive drab wool, DPNs, a tapestry needle and a vintage pattern)
6 balls of Knit One Crochet Two Cotonade, in a rich navy blue
1 skein KnitPicks Shadow merino wool, in Lost Lake
1 skein KnitPicks Alpaca Cloud, in Moss
3 skeins Reynolds Rapture, a 50% wool 50% silk yarn, in three lovely shades of green
a spool of olive and forest green ribbon with gold metallic accent
scrapbooking papers
a stamp pad and alphabet and number stamps
"Unusual Toys for You to Knit & Enjoy" by Jess Hutchinson
"Simply Soft" by Debbie Bliss -- autographed by the great woman herself!!
and a fun, funky tote bag to carry it all in

I am completely overwhelmed by mokie's generosity, and can't wait until the reveal so that I can sing her non-incognito praises.

October in Vermont

2005-10-30T21:29:00.000-05:00

Just back from a quick trip to Vermont to celebrate my friend Robert's birthday. His birthday gift? The "Ribbed for Her Pleasure" scarf from the first Stitch-n-Bitch book, worked up in Debbie Bliss Merino Chunky in a lovely teal blue. It's always a bit anxiety-provoking, surprising someone with a hand-knitted gift. Will he like the color? The pattern? The texture? Happily, Robert loved the scarf. (And it even matched the fabric on his living room chair!)
The outdoor shot is from Robert and Chuck's deck. I love their view, and would move to Vermont in heartbeat if my husband and I could find jobs there. A girl can dream...

Tangerine Dream

2005-10-23T10:25:00.000-04:00

My first adult sweater -- a top-down pullover in lovely Blue Sky cotton (just 5 skeins for a women's size medium). I made it in a class I took at Downtown Knits here in NYC (a fab LYS, well worth visiting). The class was great, and I learned a lot about sweater construction as well as some good, basic knitting techniques like mattress stitch.

It's not quite finished -- I had planned it as a V-neck but neglected to add stitches along the front edge, so ended up with a U-neck. So, I picked up stitches along the one side and knit in, decreasing along the way, to create the desired V; got one side done and then lost steam. Other than the other half of the V, it just needs hemming. I used a finer, variegated cotton yarn to create an interfacing for the cuffs and hem, and that needs to be turned under and stitched down.

But, alas, I've decided I don't really like it. Love the color, but not on me. Love the feel of the yarn, but not the fuzz-shedding factor. So, it's heading to the frog-pond. I may swap it with someone from the Knitty board.

So, good night, sweet pullover, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest...

Gift from my Secret Pal

2005-10-19T14:59:00.000-04:00

Fun, fun, fun! That's what SP6 has been for me so far. I'm having a blast spoiling my SP, and am feeling quite spoiled already by Mokie. My first gift was a gift certificate from Knit Pixie (now known as kpixie, for legal reasons), which I have put to very good use: this gorgeous yarn from
Tilli Tomas, called Disco Lights, which is "a spun silk twinkling with petite sequins!" Here's the pic:

I'm thinking this will make fab trim on a sweater or scarf, perhaps along with the beautiful handpainted silk yarn that I bought from Hip Knit at Ally Pally in London last week.

On the needles right now: a striped cotton hat to go with the cotton cardigan for my nice Emily. The matching booties are finished, and a photo of the completed set will hopefully be ready by the weekend. Stay tuned!

Ally Pally

2005-10-13T17:29:00.000-04:00

Today was the 1st day of the Knitty and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace (Ally Pally to the Brits), and what a day it was!! Significant stash expansion, as well as some amazing exhibits. My favorite was a room display in which everything -- and I do mean everything -- was covered in a knitted slipcover.

Negligent blogger

2005-10-06T17:49:00.000-04:00

Yup, that's me. Frantically busy these past few weeks and no time to update my blog. I'be barely been home since I got back from my holiday in Montana -- tons of work travel. I'm in D.C. at the moment, was in Richmond earlier in the week and Philadelphia this past weekend. AND I'm flying to London tomorrow night for a week. The romance of travel has long since faded for me, and I'm just plain TIRED.

But I have been knitting. I finished the booties for my niece, and have almost finished assembling the matching cardigan. I am proud to say that my seams are beautiful! I'll post a photo over the weekend. Then I just have to make the matching hat, and the whole ensemble will be complete.

Greetings from Red Lodge, Montana!

2005-09-18T14:17:00.000-04:00

I'm here in Big Sky Country for a 10-day vacation with my friend Milou, and we're having a great time. It's so nice to just sleep in every day and meander through the day with no fixed schedule. Red Lodge is a former mining town about an hour south of Billings, established in the late 1800s. It's now mostly a tourist desitnation, as you can connect to Yellowstone National Park via the Beartooth Highway from here. We're heading to Yellowstone tomorrow -- I'll post pics when we get back.

Knitting-wise, I'm working on booties to match the pale green cotton cardigan that I'm making for my niece, Emily. But the BIG news is the great LYS I found just north of town -- Lana & Cotone. I checked the yellow pages at the Billings airport when I arrived on Thursday and was surprised and pleased to see an LYS in Red Lodge (which is a REALLY small town). Anyway, beautiful stock and great prices = major stash expansion. I went a little crazy, as you can see from the photo.

Can't wait to start knitting with this yarn!

Secret Pal questionnaire

2005-09-17T16:35:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited to be part of SP6! At the request of my new SP, mokie, here are my responses to the questionnaire.

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
I do avoid acrylic yarn like Red Heart, but am otherwise open to trying new things.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I don't spin, and haven't crocheted since I was a little girl (when I made a poncho for my Dawn doll), but am wanting to start crocheting again (and have lots of crochet hooks!).

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
My husband is allergic to pets, and I don't like cigarette or cigar smoke.

4. How long have you been knitting?
I learned from my grandmothers when I was a little girl, but then didn't knit for years; I started knitting again about 7 years ago, but only really got into it as a significant part of my lifestyle in the past 6 months.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? No.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Lavender or rose.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
I LOVE dark cholcolate!!!

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? None.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Not an MP3 person, but happy to get a mixed CD. I like alternative rock, folk, world music mostly. Fave musicians are posted on my blog.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
My favorite color is green -- lime, celery, olive mostly, rather than the kelly or forest greens. I dislike girly pastels.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married for three years, no children, no pets.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
I want to travel all over the world. New Zealand is at the top of the list of places I really want to go. I'd also like to be independently wealthy so that I didn't have to work, or could retire when I'm 50.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I love Rowan DK cotton -- it's my favorite for baby presents.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Not a fan of plain old acryclic, or angora or mohair, or eyelash, or sparkly stuff.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Reading the Knitty Coffeeshop and knitting blogs!

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
No real faves. I've done lots of scarves and baby hats, am now moving on to garments.

17. What are you knitting right now?
A top-down pullover for me, in a great tangerine-colored cotton; a cardigan and booties for my new niece; a handbag.

18. What do you think about ponchos?
Really don't like them.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I really love the vintage aluminum straight needles, because they come in so many great colors, but have just started using circs and find them much easier on my wrists. I have liked the metal Addi Turbos that I tried though I think they're boring looking. I have a full set of Boye interchangeable circular needles, which are fun.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Aluminum!

21. Are you a sock knitter?
Not yet.

22. How did you learn to knit?
From my grandmothers, when I was a little girl. Then, as an adult, from a nice woman in Philadelphia, through a local community ed program.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
Two years old, almost (the cardigan for my niece, which was originally meant to be a cardigan for a friend's new baby).

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I love flamingoes.

25. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas!!! I collect vintage glass ornaments and love to decorate the tree. I also like to bake Christmas cookies and Buche de Noel.

26. Is there anything that you collect?
Vintage glass Christmas ornaments; vintage knitting and crochet supplies (knit counters, needle gauges, point protectors, etc.).

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None, though I buy Vogue Knitting at the newsstand, and am a Rowan member.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Not especially. I have a lot of knitting and crocheting books.

29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another??
Nope.

30. What are your foot measurements, and what kind of socks do you like?
I wear and 8.5 or 9 wide shoe. I wear cotton or cotton-blend socks, mostly.

31. Yes, I have pierced ears.

9/11 Anniversary

2005-09-11T21:51:00.000-04:00

It's been a really hard day, much more than so than expected. I was involved in 9/11 recovery efforts here in NYC, for the families of the 400+ rescue workers who were killed that day, and I've been thinking of them all day. It's so sad, 3000 people killed so needlessly that day, and then all those rescue workers who were there trying to save lives, only to lose their own.

I've been knitting most of the day, to try and stop thinking -- baby booties, which make me smile thinking about my adorable niece who will soon wear them. But I'm not posting a photo of those today. Instead, here are the Towers of Light, as seen from my apartment -- a tribute to those souls lost on 9/11 here in NYC.

2005-09-05T22:13:00.000-04:00

My first-ever garment -- a cardigan for my new niece, Emily. Still a WIP, as you can see, though very nearly finished. I'm using Rowan DK Cotton, which I love, in a pretty celery green for the main color and a pale yellow for the collar. I'm planning on a striped hat in green and yellow and green booties to match. It's a Debbie Bliss pattern and has been very easy to follow. Collar, edges and cuffs are in garter stitch, while the rest is in stockinette. The pattern is for the 9-12 month size, though it looks like it would fit a 2-year-old!

2005-09-02T11:57:00.000-04:00

No photos to post today, as I am rusticating in the country for the holiday weekend and forgot to bring the cable to upload pics from my digital camera. But the green knitted purse is coming along nicely. I finished the second side last night, and will probably attach the handles tonight. Then I need to figure out how to line it before I sew it all together.

Any tips for lining a knitted bag? My pattern simply says "Lining is optional" without providing and instruction for those would choose to exercise this option.

2005-08-31T10:32:00.000-04:00

Had a great time at the Long Island City SnB last night, my second visit. Very welcoming group of women, who are working on some really beautiful projects!

Here's one of my three current WIPs, a knitted purse. I got the pattern from Flying Fingers yarn shop in Irvington, NY (same trip as the Yarn Bus adventure, below). I'm using a different yarn than the pattern called for, and am really liking the way this chunky cotton is knitting up.

I'm planning to line it with some funky floral cotton from a jacket that my grandmother made that doesn't fit me. My grandmother was an amazing seamstress and craftswoman, and it will be nice to think of her everytime I open the purse. :-)

2005-08-30T16:08:00.000-04:00

My inaugural post! I decided to create a blog so that I could share photos of my works-in-progress and finished items with my growing circle of knitting friends, both in the US and the UK. (This coincides with my recent puchase of a digital camera, so that I can actually take photos of my WIPs and FOs. :-) )

It's been a busy summer for me in terms of knitting. While I was in the UK last month, I went twice to knitting night at Liberty's and met some lovely UK knitters; I'm looking forward to my next trip in October. Last week, I joined the Big Apple Knitters Guild and went to the SnB in my neighborhood (Long Island City, Queens) for the first time. But the most exciting thing of all was...The Yarn Bus!!!

That's me on the left, along with my good friend Ruth, outside Flying Fingers yarn shop in Irvington, NY. We caught the bus in midtown Manhattan that morning and knitted all the way up there, using the complimentary yarn and needles provided to create squares for charity. Then it was a blissful hour of shopping (there was a sale!!), lunch at a local cafe, then more charity knitting on our way back to the city. Can't wait to go again!