what i'm loving right now

monk on a chair
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

* angel, willow, firefly, and life aquatic colorways at sweet georgia

* my cat, Monk, when he's quiet like this (which is not often)

* waking up and drinking coffee while it's still kind of dark and rainy

* the fact that this book is being delivered to me tomorrow

* the fact that I wore a jacket today (yay! fall!)

* bad penny has taken a turn and is no longer bad penny, but better!

* five days ahead of me at my parents' house filled with knitting, trips to Target and walks with Ella

hello

stack by lamp
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

This is a stack on my work table, next to my favorite avacado green lamp. Yes, there is only one lamp. Maybe I'll tell you that story another time.

The stack consists of (starting from the bottom) some books and magazines that are part of knitting WIPs, clothes that I can no longer wear, but don't want to part with, Tulip waiting for some adjustments, my needle roll and notions pouch. (That blue floral fabric is the first skirt I ever made, four dress sizes ago).

My weekend was cut short this week (because I'm going on vacation at the end of the week). Sunday, however, was quite lovely.

Master P and I had brunch in Williamsburg with a long ago friend. Ursula was our closest friend when we lived in Paris. She's spent the last 4 years in Cairo, working as a journalist, and is now getting her master's degree at NYU. I am so happy she's in NYC, at least for a little while!

We puttered around The Needleworks for most of the rainy afternoon and then had a very impromtu dinner with another dear friend that we don't get to see very often, because he's a very busy fella.

On the menu: white bean & celery crostini, pasta with pesto, chicken, and zucchini, the season finale of Entourage, ripe peaches and strawberries, some great wine and a few episodes of The Venture Brothers. Lovely.

best. secret pal. ever.

from stacey's garden
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

My secret pal, Stacey, is the coolest. She waited until the end of our secret pal exchange to send a package and, oh, what a package she sent!

This amazing person over-nighted a package that contained, not only enough yarn and goodies to make your head spin, but tomatoes from her garden! Over. Night. Tomatoes.

These tomatoes made the perfect late summer dinner. I cooked some pasta and tossed these with marinated mozzarella, kalamata olives and grated parmesan. Simple and heavenly.

(I will be posting the rest of the loot later. I didn't have enought daylight to take worthy pictures. I actually ran out of daylight. Can you believe that?)

Note: When did this become a food blog? I added basil to the pasta and it was amazing. I used a cup and a half of marinated bocconcini, along with the marinating oil and a half cup of olives, coarsely chopped. The olives added salt and the mozzarella was lovely and creamy. The basil added a sweet under tone. If I were to do it again I would have chopped the mozzarella as well - it would have melted more. By far, the best meal I've had in ages.

tulip, at last

Tulip FO
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

This it Tulip.

Made from: 3 skeins of Katia Jamaica

Knit on: size 5 susan bates silverados, size 3 and size 0 addi turbos

Time to knit: 3 weeks, one heat wave, one nervous breakdown

My thoughts: my excitement in knitting Tulip completely overshadowed the fact that I actually don't like cotton knits. After wearing her once, she's all stretched and mis-shapen. I don't know how much wear she'll actually get. I really struggled with my tension on Tulip (as many of you know), but learned how to knit backwards, thanks to Lisa and Jess, which helpd tremendously. I shall purl no more!

knitting, but not much else

bad penny watching tv
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

Meet Bad Penny.

Bad Penny and I have a really great relationship. She knits along easily while allowing me to watch as much television or as many DVDs as I like. When you're knit in stockinette, entirely in round it makes for pretty smooth sailing.

Again my Fairy Yarn Father has given my an amzing gift. This is Italian cashmere. It's three strands of different colors plied together - two shades of pink and one creamy white.

I'm making some some modifications to Bad Penny. I'm not using a contrast color for the neck, arms and waistband. I'll probably do a little less ribbing and make the arms a 3/4 length, becuase cap sleeves are not so flattering on me.

OK, now I have more movies to watch (and more knitting to do)!

WIP Friday

stacks
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

I thought I'd just throw something out there.

I haven't been posting that much, but I have been busy. Truth be told, the moment I finished Tulip (no pics yet, sorry) I picked up another project and have been knitting like a fiend ever since.

I'm thinking of finishing up these pin cushions-to-be tonight. Unless the Mystery Project lures me to the couch with her siren song.

(If you are still looking at this in Bloglines, you can't see the new progress bar and don't know what Mystery Project I'm talking about!)

look ma - crochet!

crochet trim
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

Tulip is nearly finished. I had so many issues with her, that she took much longer to complete than I ever intended.

I used three different needle sizes to complete Tulip. In the end, however, I was knitting back and forth on size fives. Jess tipped me in on knitting backwards to solve my tension issues. I have to say, I am getting better at it and my stitches look amazing.

I also never really crocheted before, so what you're looking at is a Needleworks, Inc. first. That's a single crochet trim, baby. Check it.

I still have to finish Tulip's trim and them block her. If all goes well, there may be a photo shoot tomorrow. Don't hold your breath.

mid-summer dinner

peach salsa
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

About the only thing I can find at my local grocery store is ingredients to make salsa. They often have seasonal fruit (I ate a ton of cherries in July), so I was able to get some nice peaches.

For dinner, Jerk Chicken and Peach Salsa. Chop everything and toss into a bowl!

Salsa
one medium peach
one avocado
two small-ish tomatillos
half a small red onion
half a jalepeno
juice of one lime
handful of cilantro

Jerk-style Rub
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. corriander
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg

The rub is perfect for chicken or pork. I used 3 boneless chicken breasts. Pat the meat dry and pat on the rub. I used my George Foreman Grill to cook the chicken. (I know it's kind of cheesy, but when you live in an apartment in Brooklyn, it's hard to do real grilling.)

I made extra and used the left over chicken and salsa to make a great chicken salad for tomorrow's lunch. I'm not great at cooking for one, so I always cook something that can be transformed into lunch for the next day.

This is based on a Martha Stewart Living recipe from probably 6 years ago. I photocopied the pages and they don't have dates on them! The original rub included brown sugar, which I omitted, and pineapple-cilantro rice, which was the inspiration for the salsa. The great thing about a recipe like this is you can mix and match and use whatever you have on hand. Bon Appetit!

Yay!

gift from John
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

I am a lucky So-And-So!

Look at the great knitter/crafty/blog friend I have!

Who, but a fellow knitter, would think to gift you a box of luscious pom poms? No one. That's who.

If you get the chance, go here and visit the site that Master P and Carmen have set up. (You may recognize Carmen from this post.) They have a very cool company and have cleverly added a blog to their site.

true story

tulip swatch
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

So let me tell you. I am a crazy loose knitter. I can never get the correct gauge with the recommended needle. Never. Usually I have to use a needle at least two sizes smaller.

Now, this is a close up of my tulip tank. It's knit from Katia Jamaica. The pattern I'm using recommends using a size 7 needle. I started with a 5. On the right part of the picture is my tension, knitting in the round, on the fives.

The middle part, the white part, is where I had totart knitting back and forth and I switched to a size 3. It's still all wonky and loose knitting.

The part on the left is where I switched to Addi Turbo ZEROS! Zero. It looks a little tight, but it's cotton and I know it'll stretch over time. They were just the next smallest needles I had. I could have maybe used size ones, but they're in my Jaywalker socks and I didn't want to take them out. Hmph.

So this is why I can't handle knitting with cotton any more.

extremely small and incredibly cute

red bootie
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

These are booties for my friend's new nephew. Now, you know I jump at the chance to make baby stuff. I don't even have to know the baby.

In fact, sometimes I just walk up to random pregnant women on the street and ask them if I can knit them something. Unless it's a blanket. I don't do baby blankets.

These are knit from Debbie Bliss Cotton Cashmere, which is some of my favorite yarn for babies, and my mom's vinatge Susan Bates aluminium needles. I have to tell you, though, after Tulip is finished, I am DONE knitting with cotton. Forever. Well, maybe until next summer.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post about knitting with cotton and my crazy gauge.

too hot + birthday weekend = no progress

necklace
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

This weather is killing me. I do not like summer. (I know I just heard a collective gasp from everyone reading my blog, but it's the truth.)

I don't like to sweat. I don' t like wearing skimpy clothes. I feel much chic-er in a lovely sweater/blazer combo and some great boots. I'm a fall/winter girl. Come on - I'm a knitter for Pete's sake!

It was Master P's birthday on Friday and we didn't stop celebrating until yesterday. It was a full, four-day-long celebration. That, combined with 101 degree heat has made me extremely lethargic. I can't even form a cohesive thought.

I managed to make my Adorn necklace. I strung it up while watching Signs, on DVD Friday night. I tried to work on Tulip, but the heat/exhaustion has fried my brain and I really screwed something up.

I finally put it down last night, turned to Master P and said, "This is thoroughly messed up." Then I went to bed. It was 9pm. No kidding.

bead it

adorn
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

Some buttons, a few beads, a length of ribbon and the premiere issue of Adorn magazine.

I'm gonna make a necklace.

Yay!

weird items that I find in my building - part 7

level with the devil
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

Ok, so this is another "outside not inside" my building item. It's not so unusual to find grafitied items on the street in Brooklyn (especially in my neighborhood) but, I just love this little drawing.

I love the phrase and how it's matched up with this drawing of this little girl.

I love the colors- the green you find in The Works and the pink you find on my blog.

I love that it's been outside for almost a week.

Nobody seems to want to throw her away.

tulip!

tulip
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

I cast on for Tulip on Friday night ( three times). I knit like a fiend all weekend and now I'm two inches in on the reverse stockinette. I love this pattern. It's the same basic construction as my Bunny V(est), but knit in a smaller gauge cotton. It's the 2nd time I've ever knit a pattern in the exact yarn required by the pattern and I find it quite refreshing.

Can you notice the change in my gauge as my knitting progressed? I'm struggling with knitting the cotton. I went down from a 7 to a 5 needle and it still looked wobbly, but I shaped up as I went along. Once it's all blocked it'll be fine, I'm sure.

Maybe it will be done by this weekend? I hope!

(You may notice that the word verification has re-appeared on my comments section. I've been blasted by spam in my inbox! I'm so mad! Grrr!)

stash

stash
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

On the left, is Master P's latest purchase. On the right, mine.

His is going to become another stack of books on the floor of our living room.

Mine is going to be a Tulip, from My Life in Stitches.

We all have our weaknesses.

no knitting mondays*

sewing mosaic
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

The weather has taken a turn towards the stifling and I've taken to sewing a lot more.

These are some progress shots and the finished products from the fabric I bought a while back at Purl Patchwork.

(The shirt was the very first thing I've ever sewn from a pattern I made myself! Not bad, huh?)

*Thanks Crafty Girl!

weird items that i find in my building - part 6

frosty
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

I kid you not.

I can't make this stuff up.

vest!

vest!
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

Made of: 3 skeins of Noro Transitions, knit on size 9 addi turbos

Time to knit: about 3 days

I made this pattern up as I went along. I knit a 2x2 rib in the round until just under the bust area, then started working back and forth, shaping the v neck and increasing for the bust at the same time. Then I divided the piece in 3 and worked the back, and left and right fronts seperately. All you have to do is sew up the shoulders and pick up stitches around the V and the armholes to finish it.

(Yes, I always read while standing up against the wall. Sheesh!)

the bunny v(est), she is finished!

Bunny V
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

Psst.

Here she is. Just a sneak peek.

This weekend there will be a photo shoot at The Works. Yay!

I will leave you with this. I found it on Fig & Plum this morning. It just made my day.

shut down

loop d bag
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

Do you watch the news? Did you hear what was going on over in NJ this past week? The government shut down. Yup. Just closed up shop for almost a week.

It appears that they couldn't resolve the budget, so they just decided to stop running until they could settle the whole matter. There was actually an episode of The West Wing about this very matter.

Lately I've been wishing that I could do the same. I really struggle with my monthly budget. I've used all kinds of guides to figure out how much money to allocate to what, but it never works out right. Money set aside for one thing, always winds up being used for something else. I invariably go over budget, leaving the next month's finances all in a twist.

Couldn't I just shut down? Not go to work, not use the subway, not by groceries until I can come to some kind of settlement or deficit resolution?

Would I have to stop knitting? Sewing? I guess these are things that I can do at home during my shutdown. I could plow through my stash. Finish up all the sewing projects I have piled up. How long would that take? A month? Six months? A year?

Then, I guess, I would have to re-enter the world. Because I would need more yarn. But then it probably won't be in my New Improved Budget to buy more yarn, so I'd be back where I started, wouldn't I?

(This is a photo of the Loop-d-Loop bag that I'm having problems with. I just took it off the needles. I'm going to attempt it again tonight.)

the coast is clear

yarnmonster & SP8
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

Well my secret pal gift arrived safely in Virginia, so I thought I'd give you a peak of Jess's yarn.

Isn't it lovely? She dyed it herself! Can you stand it?

I also picked up some treats at Pearl River and sent them along with the yarn. It ends up that my secret pal spend a good portion of her life in Korea. I had no idea. (It wasn't on the SP8 questionnaire).

Go check out her blog. It's really sweet - full of pictures of her own handspun yarn and her chickens!

Also, I'm in love with this and this. I may never leave the house again.

hello

breakfast
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

It's me. Just stopping by to say "hey." I don't have any knitting to show you. Or sewing. I just kind of feel funny when I don't post for a day or so.

I worked on my Jaywalker socks on the train to NJ (like I always do). I also knit the front of this Octogon Purse from Loop-d-Loop. I wish I had a picture to show you. I may end up re-knitting it. I substituted the yarn and I'm not happy with the way it's turning out. I may try different needles or doubling the yarn. It's one of those projects that I bought the yarn for a year ago and am only just picking up.

So that's all the news for now. I may finish the Bunny V tonight. I may go to the gym for the first time (I'm a little scared). I may have a new post with some actual content tomorrow. (I may not.)

Bye.

sunday, sunday

sunday skirt
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

Sunday was spent making a new skirt for the 4th of July weekend, wandering over lower Manhattan (because it seems the only place I can find the sewing supplies I need is P&S Fabrics), and suffering stoically in the sweltering heat with the Bunny V in my lap.

The skirt is finished (I'm wearing it now). The Bunny V(est) is knit and blocked and drying on the floor of The Works, awaiting some shoulder seaming and ribbing or something around the V and armholes.

I am now at my parents' house in NJ where it is a heavenly 72 degrees in every part of the house, the internet is DSL and I can eat grotesque amounts of chocolate covered raisins from the wholesale club until my heart's content.

(I've had a very productive couple of days. As soon as I can mobilize Master P, we'll have a FO photo shoot. I promise.)

joiner

joiner
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

This is kind of a big step for me. I joined a gym. I know it may not seem like a big deal to a lot of people, but for me it's tremendous.

For a long time I was Anti-Gym. I didn't understand why people paid to exercise. Just go outside! Ride a bike! Take a walk! Easy, right?

Well, I walk every day, all the time, everywhere and it doesn't seem to contribute to any kind of improvement of physical fitness or weight loss. Hence, the gym membership.

My new gym is one block away from my store. ONE BLOCK. It's so convenient it's ridiculous. Does more Gym Time mean less Crafty Time at The Works? I hope not. I hope it will help me manage my time better.

One can dream, can't they?

vest-y swatch

vesty swatch
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

What's this? Is it another Pointy Kitty? Is it Miss Class & Fabulous? Is it my Jaywalkers socks?

No. It's not.

It's Transitions by Noro and it's going to be a vest. I so was inspired by all the Vest-y Action over at Yarn Ball Boogie that I had to cast on for my very own. See that fluffy goodness in the foreground? John B. calls that a Bunny Patch.

Tee hee. Bunnies....

the pointy kitty, she has arrived!

pointy kitty 2
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

"I am lovely to behold, no?"

The Pointy Kitty doesn't have a name yet, but she's happily tucked away with my cupcake and my Purple Blobby on my craft table.

All in all, she was a pretty quick project. I finished her in just a couple hours. I don't know if I'll ever finish her brother - I have such a hard time with this kind of small scale sewing. She has a bunch of sloppy seams (one of which is being hidden by her big bow) and I totally cheated and used a hot glue gun to attach her nose and eyes. I'll probably go over the stripes with a blanket stitch and add some whiskers, too.

"Au revoir, mes petits! Ta ta!"

hog wild

too hot + postcard
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

It is hot as You Know What here in NYC. I mean, really, really, ridiculously, unbearably, sit-on-your-couch-in-your-underwear hot.

This postcard came from my Secret Pal, Stacey, who is the cutest secret pal ever. It's from her hometown, Kewanee, IL, which, apparently, is The Hog Capital of the World. I think that's awesome. I love me some hogs.

I'm not doing much crafting this week. Last night Master P and I played hookey (he from work, myself from crafting) and had a really lovely dinner. We hardly ever see each other awake during the week, so I didn't feel guilty about skipping out on my crafting duties.

I'm going to see some very dear friends tonight for drinks, so I'm not expecting to get much work done until the weekend. I guess having an actual life, doesn't allow time for other hobbies. Hm?

weird items that i find in my building - part 5

fan?
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

One of my neighbors seems to be remodeling or moving or something, because they keep putting stuff out in the hallway. I can't even keep up with it! You wouln't believe all the stuff that's out there even if I showed you.

(And I secretly suspect that the grill was theirs.)

Anyway, I scored this old fan. I really love the way it looks and it will match the other things that myself and Master P have been picking up over the years (we're notorious garbage pickers, we are). If you revisit this post, you can see the outlines of a vintage vacuum cleaner and a typewriter. And they're sitting on a dresser that we dragged off the curb and refinished!

The other day I actually pulled a wardrobe off the curb into the store because I wanted it and then decided I wouldn't be able to get it to Brooklyn without a tremendous headache. Back on the curb it went! Some lucky so-and-so is gonna get it.

Rats.

EEK!
I'm so excited!

I bought some yarn from Yarnmonster/Jess's new etsy shop! It's for my secret pal so I can't show you any pictures. Yet.

This morning I was trying to snap some photos of the newly purchased yarn and I was thinking about Jess and the name of her blog and how it reminded me of when I was a little girl. My favorite book was called, There's a Monster at the End of This Book! It featured Grover, from Sesame Street, and on every page he begged and warned you not to turn the page because at the end of the book there's a monster.

"No, no, no! Don't turn the page! Ahh! You turned the PAGE!"

It used to drive me nuts. I loved it. I would giggle and scream and beg my mom or dad to turn the page. My parents would really egg me on by drawing out the suspense - shouting and whatnot. It was good, silly fun.

Then, at the end of the book, after all the excitement and hysteria, you discover that the monster is GROVER! Old, cuddly, friendly neighborhood monster, Grover.

So, to me, Jess is Grover. She so incredibly sweet and cute and funny and she calls herself a monster. Ha. Yarnmonster. Not so scary now, are you?

for shame

new purchases
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

Well, I just can't be stopped. I obviously have a problem and need an intervention.

I still have all these bits of Pointy Kitties strewn all over my work table and yet, I go and buy more fabric. Poor Pointy Kitties.

The fabric on the bottom is for another cute skirt. This time I think I may skip the elastic waist band and put in a drawstring. Some pretty gross grain ribbon perhaps?

The fabric on the top is for a bohemian, peasant top thingie. I have a favorite shirt that I bought in a thrift store in Paris, oh, five years ago and I'd like to copy it. I figure it can't be too hard. There are just two really simple shapes. I let you know how it turns out.

The lime and ginger are for Thai-style curry with noodles! Yum!

in stitches

cw close up
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

Finally I can share this with you! I never did get to meet Michelle in person to present her with her prize from my Leave A Comment Contest, but I left it for her where she was sure to find it - at The Point on Friday night.

This is a detail of the patch and embroidery I did on the bag. Along side is a little pin cushion I made to match. The bottom of the pin cushion coordinates with the patch. I'm sure you've seen this pattern floating around Blog Land. I found it on Whipup.net. I'm totally in love with it and am rounding up all kinds of bits of fabric to make more. I just can't get enough.

There's not much else to report from The Works. There has been a little bit of work on Miss C & F. I finished the left front and cast on for the left. There has been no progress on the Pointy Kitties. I'm in NJ for the weekend so I took my Jaywalker socks with me. It seems the only time I can bring myself to work on them is on the train.

Ok, now off to make Father's Day dinner in my parents' brand-spankin' newly remodeled kitchen! Woo!

weird items that i find in my building - part 4

grill?
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

This is a picture of a grill. In my hallway.

Where did this come from? I live on the second floor and there's no elevator. Did someone drag it up 2 flights of stairs and leave it in the hallway? Or did they have it in their apartment and decided to put it out for someone else to take?

There is no way *anyone* should be using a grill like this IN MY BUILDING!

Crazy people. Damn.

progressing

jacket front
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

Oh, my, oh, my. An entire weekend with an extra day off and this is all I have to show for it. How far I have fallen.

Friday, my extra special bonus day off was spent finishing Michelle's prize. It's all done, but I can't post about it until Michelle and I manage to co-ordinate ourselves to meet up. Soon, I hope!

Saturday I worked.

Sunday and Monday were spent mostly knitting Miss Classy and Fabulous. (I did take a break to go see The Omen, which I thouroghly enjoyed.)

After a marathon knitting session on Monday the progress can be noted here. I know it's hard to see. It's doesn't help that the jacket I'm using as a template is black and I photographed it on my dark brown dining room table. But here she is. I'm just about ready to start shaping the neck and then cast on for the right side. Perhaps tonight.

I'm rethinking knitting the back in two pieces. The color patterning changed so much on the front once I began the sleeve-shaping that I've kind of given up the dream. I figure, that's what spaced-dyed yarn is all about right? Right.

preparing

pattern pieces
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

This is the last of my photos from this past weekend. The last little bit of work I did.

I'm preparing to make two Pointy Kitties. They'll be different, but complimentary, colors with the same markings. Just like my kitties - Monk and Penelope.

I schlepped down to P & S Fabrics today to pick up some felt and ribbon for the kitties, but forgot to get any felt to make eyes and noses. Maybe I'll just end up embroidering them....

I have a reprieve from work tomorrow, so I think they'll be some kitty-makin' at The Works!

plotting

EL Angora
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

I scored this Elsebeth Lavold Angora this weekend. What business do I have buying yarn when I have so many projects in the queue? None.

But this is going to be perfect this fall as this sweater from Knit 1.

It was $4 a skein, people! 60% off! I've already swatched it (part of my very productive weekend) and it's so amazing to knit with - soft and sturdy at the same time.

Thank goodness that it's still cool enough to be thinking about knitting sweaters.

planning

planning
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

I had a really productive weekend. I mean really. I wanted to show you everything all at once, but I decided to post the most important item first and then spread the rest out over the week.

These are the very preliminary stages of Miss Classy & Fabulous. I finally got out my tape measure, calculator and copy of Ann Budd's The Handy Knitter's Guide to Sweater Patterns and started planning.

She's about 5 stitches and 9 rows to the inch on a size 3 Addi Turbos. I've cast on for the right front and I'll be doing some decreases around the waist. I'm making it less boxy than the original Chaiken jacket, because that's just not flattering on me and because I want to conserve yarn. The Chanel suit pictured there is now my source of inspiration.

I'm going to knit the back exactly like the front, in 2 pieces, because of the way the yarn is dyed. I'm afraid the color pattern will look too different if I knit the back in one piece.

Ok, so now it's just a lot of knitting until it's time to do the sleeves. It's kind of slow going because I'm using size 3s and because the boucle is a bear, but so far it looks, well, fabulous!

exciting news

sharpies!
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

First piece of exciting new is that when I came home from a rather exciting, but exhausting night on the town with my buddy, Berhan (I will fill you in on the saga of my lost shoe at another time),I found this in my mailbox! Mini Sharpies from my Secret Pal! Have you ever gotten a gift or a note from someone that made you just smile? Even though you were totally alone and no one was there to see you, you sat down and just grinned? This is how my SP8 gift made me feel! Only the people who really know me, know how truly happy Sharpies make me. Others may scoff, but my true friends will indulge me.

Second piece of exciting news is the winner of my (not) radio contest is...........

MICHELLE!
of michelleknits.

I'm so excited that some new people decided to post some comments. To all of you out there who I know read my blog on a pretty regular basis, it was a little bit of sarcasm people. I hope I didn't really offend.

(Michelle, expect your bag to be delivered in a week or so. I was waiting to make the actual bag until I knew who won.)

I'm sure I'm not the first one to ever utter the phrase, "Statcounter.com is amazing!"

I am completely amazed by the different things it can tell me like, where people are reading my blog or did you come by blog by another blog or webpage and what that webpage is, not just how many times my blog has been viewed in one day! ( I know, I know. But I'm new to this, people!)

Apparently, there are some people in Canada reading about The Works! Who are you people?! How did you find me?! As far as I knew the only people who read my blog were my parents and John B.

Oh, and this is the best, there is one person from Estonia! And I think this is his blog. This one is just too weird, because I know people in Estonia! Granted they live in a tiny village that just got its first indoor toilet and I don't know if they've ever seen a blog, let alone have their own, but, man, that is weird.

The point of this whole rant is this: I'd like to get to know the people who are out there reading my blog anonymously.

So, let's pretend like I'm a big radio station and I'm promoting a very fancy give-away. To the 10th person to leave a comment, I will send one of my embellished reusable bags, hand-stitched my me! As I never seem to get more than two or three comments, I think this is fair.

Sound good? Great! Now go leave me a comment! If no one does, I will be really, really sad.

no blog for you!

real simple
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

Apparently, I've surpassed my limit for uploads on flickr.com for the month of May.

There were a bunch of things that I wanted to share with you today that will have to wait.

For example: my day at Coney Island yesterday or my Jaywalker Sock destruction or how my apartment is now so hot I'm considering sleeping on the bathroom floor (where it's nice and cool).

Instead I leave you with my recipe for Pasta alla Needleworks, Inc.

Ingredients
extra virgin olive oil
one anchovy filet cured in oil
one medium onion
2 or 3 cloves of garlic
one 28oz can of crushed tomatoes
one 1lb box of pasta (any shape you like)
one can of good quality tuna packed in oil
salt and pepper

Put a big stock pot full of water on to boil.

Meanwhile, cover the bottom of a very wide saute pan (I use a 5qt pan) with olive oil turn on heat to medium. Place one anchovy filet in the pan.

While the oil is heating, finely chop your onion. When you are finished the oil should be hot and the filet will have dissolved. (At this point I sometimes add red pepper flakes - you can if you want it spicy!)

Add your onions to the pan and sprinkle with salt and pepper. While the onions are sweating, mince your garlic. (Add as much or as little as you like!)

Add the garlic and cook for about one or two minutes until you can just smell the garlic (not much longer because you don't want it to burn).

Add the entire can of crushed tomatoes and bring up to a simmer. Then go have a nice glass of wine while you wait for the pasta water to boil.

Once the pasta water comes up to a boil, add a pinch of salt and then your pasta. Take this opportunity to taste your sauce and add more salt and pepper, if you like. You can also add a splash of balsamic vinegar or red wine. I don't measure, but will go one time around the pan.

The pasta should be done in 8 minutes or so (depending on what shape you're cooking). When it's done, drain it and put all of it into your sauce pan. Toss it until fully coated.

This is the point where I add the tuna. Don't drain it or rinse it, just dump it in. Some people think it's weird, but I love it. You could also omit the tuna and add some cured black olives or grated pecorino romano cheese.

Enjoy! Yum!

secret pal and co.

postcard_tote
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

My Secret Pal is so cute! She sent me this handmade postcard from a photo of some amazing yarn. And she totally reads my blog everyday and makes thoughtful comments and mentions it on her postcard! Thank you, Secret Pal (whoever you are....)!

Isn't it amazing that the postcard she sent me matches this bag that I embellished only last night? How did you know that, Secret Pal? How did you know?!

The tote is one of the reusable bags that I received a while back from Master P's dad. I cut out a circle of some of my favorite fabric and did a zig zag stitch around the edge. Then I did a running stitch around the edge to attach it to the bag. Then I did a little embroidery on top of it. Isn't it cute? It's the first time I've ever stitched anything free-hand and I'm kind of proud. Aw, shucks.

meanwhile, back at the ranch

2 right feet
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

All this talk about Miss C & F! You guys must think I've really have strayed far from my path of crafting monogamy. Well. Miss Class and Fabulous and I have quite a few issues to work out, but in the meantime I had a finishing frenzie!

Remember the booties I was knitting out of the amazing Filatura di Crosa cotton. There they are. Can you tell what's wrong? No? Look closer, you fool! I can hardly stand to look myself in the eye. It's a disgrace.

Do you know that all the time they've been hanging out on my sidebar, waiting to be finished, all I had to do was cast on some extra stitches and knit that *%@!* strap. And what did I do? I knit it on the same side as the original bootie.

As we speak these little fellas have been banned to the Land of Yarn That Time Forgot. They will not be gifted after all.

Now the hat is another story. It's a knitty.com pattern and I'm quite in love with it:

Miss Dashwood Bonnet
Knit from: Filatura di Crosa Baby Lovely
Knit on: size 5 Addi Turbo circular needles and size 5 Crystal Palace double pointed needles
Time to knit: one round trip train ride to NJ, one season finale episode of Lost (which was CRAZY, btw! Ah!)

as if I didn't have enough to worry about

jacket
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

Little Miss Classy & Fabulous has been taunting me from her perch on the craft table. We had a really lovely photo shoot (on location at my parents' house in NJ) and I told her to chill at The Works for a while.

Is she content to hang out and relax while I try to race my way through the many unfinished projects that are weighing heavily on my mind? No. She's not. She wants some attention.

So Miss C & F and I are totally obsessed and inspired by Chaiken's Fall 2006 collection (apparently we can still knit capes and be fashionable!). All the cute little jackets - we want to make one! Now Miss C & F will not have the soft drape that they do, nor will she be black, but I'm using the designs as a jumping off point.

Now since I can't get my hands on a Chaiken jacket, I'm considering one of favorites that's currently in my closet. I love the basic shape and the 3/4 sleeves. I think it will not, however have the same banded collar and instead have a rounded neck. Much like the Chaiken jacket, but also a *lot* like a classic Chanel, given Miss C & F's tweedy, boucle tendencies.

Next stop, buying some muslin to make a pattern. She will be full fashioned - none of this top down in the round nonsense. Miss C & F is an old-fahioned kind of girl.

Wish us luck.

fashion vs. style

classy and fabulous
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

This little lady doesn't know what she wants to be when she grows up. In fact, she's having a bit of an identity crisis. At first she imagined herself as something exotic and delectable. Then she thought she should be more lady-like. She really can't decide.

On thing is for certain is that she lives by the words of the brilliant Coco Chanel, who said, "A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous."

"Rebecca, " she said to me pleadingly. "I don't want to be a faux fur collar. I want to be something fashionable. Something stylish."

"My dear," I responded. "Fashion fades, only style remains the same." (We both love quoting Ms. Chanel, what can I say?)

I feel for her identity crisis. I really do. She is lovely and sumptuously colored, but she longs to be something more enduring. Something classic. Something that I will love for all time and never look at and say, "What was I thinking?"

Something like this little jacket.

We have a lot of soul searching to do. We have to find just the right path for this little one. She deserves it. And so do I.

Holy Moley!

Look.

No info, though. Bummer

loot

loot_v
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

Not much about knitting, I'm afraid.

My parents are remodeling their kitchen, so they're doing a lot of cleaning and purging. This means I get some loot.

This is a picture of an old school bowl for serving nuts in the shell. It has a nut cracker and some scary looking picks.

Also pictured is some green glass dessert bowls and pitcher. I believe these are from my dad's mom, but I have no idea how old they are. I have to do some research on eBay.

The next purchase will maybe be something to display some of the cool glassware I've been accumulating. Maybe this.

It's a very sleepy Tuesday (my Monday, keep up with me now) and I'm considering the following:

Making this.

Buying this.

Seeing this.

Reading this.

What if I told you...

orange yarn_flowers
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

...that I made this yarn? Well, I dyed it. Well, John B and I dyed it. That is, he taught me how to dye it. With Kool Ade!

We had another Crafty Night @ The Works last week and we dyed yarn! And we sewed! It was crafty!

Pictured left (notice the orange theme) is some laceweight wool from Habu Textiles. It's like a gazillion yards.

The dying process is as follows:

1. Soak the yarn in hot water in large pot.
2. Prepare the dye by dissolving packets of Kool Ade in hot water. Make sure it's completely dissolved, but add more or less depending on how intense you want the color to be.
3. Carefully pour dye (Kool Ade) strategically in the pot of yarn approximately where you want it to go. This is not an exact science, but that's what makes it exciting!
4. Bring yarn up to a boil and then gently simmer until water is clear! (Clear! It turns clear and the yarn eats up all the Kool Ade!)
5. Let cool and carefully wring excess water from yarn and let it hang to dry. Yay!

Here is the process is photo form (Sorry about the icky flash photography. It was Crafty *Night* after all):

www.flickr.com

patchy thoughts

bag project
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

I've been feeling really unfocused lately. I have a few ideas floating around in my head for projects, but I can't concentrate on one thing. I can't finish anything either.

I've prided myself in being a monogamous crafter for so long that I feel like I've hit a rough patch. Like the relationship is on the rocks. I'm not being faithful to any one project and I find it very disturbing.

You can see that I added another project to my In The Works section on the sidebar there (compliments of Jenn) - some Jaywalker socks - but I still haven't finished the booties I blogged about weeks ago! And now I am fixated on this new idea.

Pictured above are the reusable bags I got a while back. I actually really love them, but I feel they are a bit plain. I had visions of embellishing them with patches and embroidery. I've even gone so far as picking out some choice scraps of fabric to use, but have not gotten further than that.

What is my problem? Why can't I concentrate? Maybe I burned myself out? I feel like even this post is patchy.

For now I'll have to be content working on that blasted So Called Scarf. It's the only thing I can focus on. Or not focus, as the case may be. Blech.

the yarn that time forgot

sad yarn
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

Do not be confused. This is not my stash. Well, I guess that depends on how you define "stash". I have nice bags of pristine yarn that is destined to be knit into this sweater or that. That's in the bottom of my closet.

This is leftover yarn. Yarn that was left over when I finished whatever random project I was working on. Like golf club covers. Or knitted cupcakes.

Right there on top is some yarn of great debate. It is Celia by Adrienne Vittadini. It is 100% silk. It is my greatest nightmare. It began life as a tank top from Knit 1 magazine, designed by Teva Durham. It has met its end, here, in the bin of unwanted yarn.

I've never just given up on a project until now. This one was just not fun anymore and I couldn't care less if it was every finished. I just didn't want to knit a bias-striped silk tank on size 2 needles. I just didn't.

What's a girl to do? I feel like it's too pretty to be ignored, but it will never, ever be a tank top. Maybe a quadruple-stranded scarf? I just don't have the energy to care right now.

tyra banks here i come!

claudia's sweater
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

You know, there are some people who you meet in life who just make you fabulous by sheer force of will. If they keep telling you over and over that you're smart or creative or talented (or fabulous) then you eventually believe it. John B is one of those people.

When we get together we talk shop. In a good way. We talk about what we can do to up our creative game, how to promote yourself, how to not compromise the things you believe in to be successful, and how to be fabulous.

Now I wouldn't go climbing on loading docks in industrial Brooklyn for just anybody, but John asked and so I said, "Sure."

You see, he made this amazing sweater out of yarn that was named after him (for pete's sake) and he wanted some pics so he had proof that the sweater existed before he sent it off to the yarn people. He knows I dabbled in photo styling (scroll down to see my images), and we talk at length about making knitting cool and sexy, so we thought it'd be a fun collaboration.

I picked this picture because it shows off the luscious oversized collar and cuffs, and really emphasizes the lovely set in sleeve and cool panel on the front of the sweater. And let's not even get into the amazing colors, ok?

If you'd like to see more fabulous pictures you can go here. Now I have to go practice my signature walk.

what if i told you...

sweetwater grill
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

What if I told you that I almost died today? I'm serious. I almost died, because I almost went so insane that I almost shot myself in the head.

I always hesitate to reveal too much about myself on this blog. Especially because of the nature of my blog (knitting, etc.) and the place where I work (a knitting store) and talking about things like work would lead to comments like, "Ooo did you hear what Rebecca said about working at Blankity Blank?" But people who read my blog are people who know me so they know where I work anyway. So what the heck?

My job made me crazy today. I cried twice and almost snapped a pen in half with my teeth. And I almost shot myself in the head to escape the agony that is retail management. And I worked about 12 hours. That's too much.

I'll admit that most of this is due to the fact that I'm a big pushover and have very little backbone, if any. But it doesn't change the fact that I feel like having a great, big, fat martini.

By the way, this is a photo that I took at Sweetwater Grill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. They have great, big, fat martinis. With three olives. I love it there.

Secret Pal 8 Questionnaire


1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I love mohair, merino wool and really good wool blends. I am not a fan of knitting with pure silk or cotton.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I store my needles in a needle case that I made myself!

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I have been knitting for about 4 years. I would call myself intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Hm, no.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) I like clean or floral scents. Nothing fruity or spicy.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Chocolate! Chocolate! Chocolate! Oh! I also love combos like chocolate and mint or chocolate and orange. Yum!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I also sew and embroider. And cook. Does that count as DIY?

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I love old jazz standards (Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald) and old Soul and R&B (Otis Redding, Etta James). I am totally MP3 friendly.

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? I like cool colors, like blues and greens, and jewel tones, like deep ruby, burgundy, and purple.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I live with my boyfriend and our two cats, Penelope and Monk.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I wear scarves and hats. Not much of a mitten-wearer. I own one poncho that I knit a long time ago.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Purses, hats, simple sweaters.

13. What are you knitting right now? Intarsia wobbly Circles bag from Interweave knits.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Addi Turbos!

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No

17. How did you learn to knit? I taught myself from one of my mom's old books from the 70's

18. How old is your oldest UFO? About a year old.

19. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas definitely.

20. Is there anything that you collect? Cool pin cushions, buttons. But generally I try not to accumulate too many things that collect dust.

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? Gosh I'm boring. There's nothing that I really want. (It's hard when you work at a knitting store!) I don't subscribe to any knitting magazines.

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I really need to try entrelac. Also knitting in the round from the top down.

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I don't really knit socks.

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) 01/23

gifted yarn

gifted yarn
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

It was gifted to me. And it's from someone gifted. On the left is some original handspun yumminess from my pal, John. On the right Malabrigo merino.

What did I do to deserve all of this? Just a little sewing. Do you remember John's post about felting? It seems that John wanted to use a felted piece to make a little pillow to send to another blog-friend - none other than Wendy, from Knit and Tonic. Now, I'll do anything for Wendy. I've never even met her and I love her. I love her blog. And I love John. So it was a no brainer.

Bloggers coming together, being crafty. It's a good thing.

what was i thinking?

merino aran
Originally uploaded by Needleworks, Inc..

A very wise person once told me that you should never buy an article of clothing (dress, skirt, pants, whatever) unless you already have the shoes to wear with it. It is a well documented fact of my life, that many cute outfits have hung in my closet for up to a year with the tags still attached for lack of the perfect pair of shoes to complete them.

I now cling to this little bit of advice unequivocally. Everytime I try on a dress, I think, "Do I have shoes to wear with this?" It's true. And if I don't, I put it back.

Why then, do I not apply this same bit of logic to yarn? When I see Debbie Bliss Merino Aran on sale for $4 a ball, do I not stop myself and think, "Do I have a pattern I can use this for?" No. I do not.

Instead I buy a copy of Ann Budd's The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns thinking I can just come up with a pattern myself. Easier said than done, my friends. Easier said than done.

What will my yarn become? It must be striped because these are the colors that I bought. Will it be a cardigan? Do I really want a striped cardigan? I'm thinking something seamless and top down with no seams, but I just don't know. The Ann Budd patterns have almost no shaping so I'd have to figure that out, too. Is this yarn destined to sit in my closet for years without ever being knit?

At least I don't have to buy shoes to match it.