Look what came in the mail! My very own "Needleworks, Inc." rubber stamp. Isn't it cool? Of course, it's upside down in the picture so you can't really tell what it says. I ordered it from this really fantastic website.
The cards are from some random art supply store, but they're so beautiful! They have this raw edge and they're buttery smooth and thick. Can something be "as thick as butter"?
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
bag lady
There's this girl at the grocery store who is hell bent on driving me crazy. She has no idea whatsoever of how to bag groceries. I could have two cans tuna, a gallon of milk, half dozen apples and a loaf of bread and she'll put everything in one bag except the bread. Come ON. How am I supposed to carry that home?
Today I asked her if I could have two bags and she looked at me like I had 5 heads and was speaking Finnish. I had about 15 items and I watched her, with clenched teeth, as she proceeded to stuff all but one package of chicken cutlets and my multigrain english muffins in to one bag. "Can I have two bags?"
She paused with her hand hovering over the chicken cutlets. "I'm putting these in their own bag."
"No, I mean, you're putting all the heavy stuff in one bag."
Blank stare.
"I have to carry it home and all the heavy stuff is one bag." I couldn't think of any other way to say it. The woman behind me with two half gallons of orange juice looked at me sympathetically.
The girl continued to act as if I had 5 heads until I was so embarrassed I finally stopped asking. Then, while I re-bagged my own groceries, the orange juice lady asked for two separate bags for her oj!
I'm not crazy. I just want my of groceries to be evenly weighted. For those of us who have to walk to and from the grocery store this is a really big issue. Well, it is for me. Even more so for me because I have to walk extra far to go to the good grocery store where I can buy multigrain english muffins! If all the canned goods are in one bag, then you can't walk more than one block before your hand starts to fall off and you're shuffling all lopsided. Sheesh!
What does all that have to do with the felted intarsia handbag in the most recent Interweave Knits? Nothing. I will be knitting it. I will be using the lovely shades of Cascade 220 that are pictured here. What I will not be doing is going to the good grocery store again anytime soon. If that means going without multigrain english muffins then so be it.
Today I asked her if I could have two bags and she looked at me like I had 5 heads and was speaking Finnish. I had about 15 items and I watched her, with clenched teeth, as she proceeded to stuff all but one package of chicken cutlets and my multigrain english muffins in to one bag. "Can I have two bags?"
She paused with her hand hovering over the chicken cutlets. "I'm putting these in their own bag."
"No, I mean, you're putting all the heavy stuff in one bag."
Blank stare.
"I have to carry it home and all the heavy stuff is one bag." I couldn't think of any other way to say it. The woman behind me with two half gallons of orange juice looked at me sympathetically.
The girl continued to act as if I had 5 heads until I was so embarrassed I finally stopped asking. Then, while I re-bagged my own groceries, the orange juice lady asked for two separate bags for her oj!
I'm not crazy. I just want my of groceries to be evenly weighted. For those of us who have to walk to and from the grocery store this is a really big issue. Well, it is for me. Even more so for me because I have to walk extra far to go to the good grocery store where I can buy multigrain english muffins! If all the canned goods are in one bag, then you can't walk more than one block before your hand starts to fall off and you're shuffling all lopsided. Sheesh!
What does all that have to do with the felted intarsia handbag in the most recent Interweave Knits? Nothing. I will be knitting it. I will be using the lovely shades of Cascade 220 that are pictured here. What I will not be doing is going to the good grocery store again anytime soon. If that means going without multigrain english muffins then so be it.
Monday, March 27, 2006
monday is the new sunday
For those of you who don't know my schedule over here at The Works, I work Tuesday through Saturday. That means Saturday is my Friday and Monday is my Sunday. Follow?
Anyway, how better to start off your Sunday (Monday) than with a yummy cupcake? No. It really is a cupcake. Whatever.
What it is: Knitted Cupcake from One Skein by Leigh Radford
What it's made of: Some salvaged Karabella Aurora 8 in tan and Adrienne Vittadini Samantha in turquoise.
How long it took to knit: Aprox. one episode each of Lost and ER on my Tivo.
(To everyone out there in Blogland, I recently added a counter to my blog, but I hate that there's an advertisement attached. Can any recommend how to find one without a link to some ridiculous online university?)
Anyway, how better to start off your Sunday (Monday) than with a yummy cupcake? No. It really is a cupcake. Whatever.
What it is: Knitted Cupcake from One Skein by Leigh Radford
What it's made of: Some salvaged Karabella Aurora 8 in tan and Adrienne Vittadini Samantha in turquoise.
How long it took to knit: Aprox. one episode each of Lost and ER on my Tivo.
(To everyone out there in Blogland, I recently added a counter to my blog, but I hate that there's an advertisement attached. Can any recommend how to find one without a link to some ridiculous online university?)
Sunday, March 26, 2006
i really do knit
Here are the sleeves of my mohair hoodie. I've hesitated to post pictures of my mohair hoodie because taking pictures of mohair is ridiculous.
I've taken a page from Wendy at Knit and Tonic and am knitting both sleeves at the same time on one needle. It's awsome. I love it. I will never knit sleeves one at a time ever again. Ever.
After the sleeves are complete all I have to do is seam up the sweater, cast on stitches for the hood and I am d.o.n.e. I figue I may have a sweater by tomorrow if I can get some major knitting accomplished during The Sopranos and Big Love.
Now if I could learn to knit two socks at the same time on one needle my life would be complete.
I've taken a page from Wendy at Knit and Tonic and am knitting both sleeves at the same time on one needle. It's awsome. I love it. I will never knit sleeves one at a time ever again. Ever.
After the sleeves are complete all I have to do is seam up the sweater, cast on stitches for the hood and I am d.o.n.e. I figue I may have a sweater by tomorrow if I can get some major knitting accomplished during The Sopranos and Big Love.
Now if I could learn to knit two socks at the same time on one needle my life would be complete.
Friday, March 24, 2006
in praise of slowness
I was recently able to raid this too good to be true stash of vintage knitting patterns. If you know me even a little bit, you know how I love all things vintage - dresses, shoes, bags - especially from the 40's and 50's. I mean, just look at the Grace Kelly look alike in that picture. She's so amazing. And that's a hairpin lace shawl she's wearing. Beautiful. I had to keep a few choice pieces
Also in this musty bag of old patterns were the owner's personal notes. There were several scraps of paper with knitting patterns copied out on them. They are well worn and well loved. I couldn't resist holding on to these as well. They were so intriguing. I wondered about the woman who knitted these patterns.
The patterns themselves are incredible. Nothing is knit on anything larger than a size 4 needle. They're meticulous and intricate and designed to imitate the fashion of the day. (Make you're very own glamorous wrap for an evening in the big city!)
By my standards, a 4 is tiny. I try to never knit on anything smaller than a 6. I just don't have the patience. And a lot of people feel this way. At the knitting store where I work, I hear the same thing every day. "I want fast!" "I want easy!" "I don't want to have to think about it!"
I've given so many interviews where I attribute the trend of knitting to a need for people to slow down and relax. Part of a general need for people to "nest". Returning to activities that comfort them, that remind them of their grandmothers or mothers. But I guess if I think about my daily interaction with the general knitting public, this is sort of contradictory.
Looking at these vintage patterns I know I would never knit them. I feel a little guilty. Like I too am part of the Easier! Faster! Culture. I often praised myself for trying to live more simply. To only buy produce that's in season and to make big slow-cooking Sunday dinners. I often take the long way around and choose to walk instead of get on the subway. But the truth is, when it comes to knitting, I want that instant gratification. How can you demand instant gratification from something like knitting?
Have I been fooling myself? Have I been living a lie? Would I be happier or less so if I tried to knit some of these sweaters on a size 1 needle? How do I reconcile my vintage self with my modern self? Is it even possible?
Also in this musty bag of old patterns were the owner's personal notes. There were several scraps of paper with knitting patterns copied out on them. They are well worn and well loved. I couldn't resist holding on to these as well. They were so intriguing. I wondered about the woman who knitted these patterns.
The patterns themselves are incredible. Nothing is knit on anything larger than a size 4 needle. They're meticulous and intricate and designed to imitate the fashion of the day. (Make you're very own glamorous wrap for an evening in the big city!)
By my standards, a 4 is tiny. I try to never knit on anything smaller than a 6. I just don't have the patience. And a lot of people feel this way. At the knitting store where I work, I hear the same thing every day. "I want fast!" "I want easy!" "I don't want to have to think about it!"
I've given so many interviews where I attribute the trend of knitting to a need for people to slow down and relax. Part of a general need for people to "nest". Returning to activities that comfort them, that remind them of their grandmothers or mothers. But I guess if I think about my daily interaction with the general knitting public, this is sort of contradictory.
Looking at these vintage patterns I know I would never knit them. I feel a little guilty. Like I too am part of the Easier! Faster! Culture. I often praised myself for trying to live more simply. To only buy produce that's in season and to make big slow-cooking Sunday dinners. I often take the long way around and choose to walk instead of get on the subway. But the truth is, when it comes to knitting, I want that instant gratification. How can you demand instant gratification from something like knitting?
Have I been fooling myself? Have I been living a lie? Would I be happier or less so if I tried to knit some of these sweaters on a size 1 needle? How do I reconcile my vintage self with my modern self? Is it even possible?
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
cocktail hour
That's fruit cocktail. Somehow my baba has a way of honing in on those things that you love, even though you're not supposed to. Like fruit cockatil. As I watched at my brother drinking the syrup from the bottom of his bowl and I can remember being about 8 years old and eating fruit cocktail out of a paper cup in the school cafeteria. I loved the maraschino cherries the best. He's 18 years old, mind you, and shouldn't be drinking anything out of a bowl, but the fruit cocktail makes us all feel like kids.
Sometime back we started the ritual of meeting at my baba's house every Sunday morning. It was a while ago, before I moved permanently to the city. My mother has two siblings and they both have children. There are 12 of us in all and we all make it to her house on Sunday in some combination. Sometimes it's just my parents. Sometimes it's all the siblings. Sometimes it's just a few grandchildren.
This Sunday was special because so many of us were home who usually aren't. Baba made blintzes and fruit cocktail. We sat around her table and I remembered being 8 years old - eating fruit cocktail and whispering secrets in my cousin's ear - warm and happy in my baba's kitchen.
Sometime back we started the ritual of meeting at my baba's house every Sunday morning. It was a while ago, before I moved permanently to the city. My mother has two siblings and they both have children. There are 12 of us in all and we all make it to her house on Sunday in some combination. Sometimes it's just my parents. Sometimes it's all the siblings. Sometimes it's just a few grandchildren.
This Sunday was special because so many of us were home who usually aren't. Baba made blintzes and fruit cocktail. We sat around her table and I remembered being 8 years old - eating fruit cocktail and whispering secrets in my cousin's ear - warm and happy in my baba's kitchen.
Friday, March 17, 2006
le clapotis, c'est fini!
I figured I better post some knitting so you all would know what I'm up to over here at The Works.
This is my finished Clapotis. I finished it while Master P was away. It took a little over 5 balls of Noro Aurora. I knit it on size 5 Susan Bates Silverados, which drove me batty.
I had enough yarn left over to make a pair of sweet little wrist warmers which I wore to an interview yesterday where I had to look "stylish". I'm not ready to post about it yet, but if anyone wants to guess what the interview was for, there may be a prize in it for you. And it doesn't count if I already told you about it. No fair cheating.
I'm off to NJ this weekend to see my cousin who just got home from Iraq. She's a lawyer in the Navy and one of the most courageous people I know. She makes me feel as though I ought to do something worthwhile with my life.
You know, I just picked up a copy of Jane Magazine because my friend, Carrie, was featured in this article about 30 women under 30. It was really inspiring and I'd like to include my cousin in that group because she's out there inciting change in the world. I think she's amazing.
This is my finished Clapotis. I finished it while Master P was away. It took a little over 5 balls of Noro Aurora. I knit it on size 5 Susan Bates Silverados, which drove me batty.
I had enough yarn left over to make a pair of sweet little wrist warmers which I wore to an interview yesterday where I had to look "stylish". I'm not ready to post about it yet, but if anyone wants to guess what the interview was for, there may be a prize in it for you. And it doesn't count if I already told you about it. No fair cheating.
I'm off to NJ this weekend to see my cousin who just got home from Iraq. She's a lawyer in the Navy and one of the most courageous people I know. She makes me feel as though I ought to do something worthwhile with my life.
You know, I just picked up a copy of Jane Magazine because my friend, Carrie, was featured in this article about 30 women under 30. It was really inspiring and I'd like to include my cousin in that group because she's out there inciting change in the world. I think she's amazing.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
horray!
Is there anything I love more than making up packages? I love boxes and paper and tags and labels and brightly colored tissue. I love Sharpies.
Do I love anything more? I do love to knit. I do love to bake. I love to shop in thrift stores. I love cleaning my stove. These simple actions satisfy some secret part of my psyche. They're straightforward and when I am done I can step back, cross my arms and say, "Alright!"
What could make me happier? Cutting pie. I love to cut pie. Into eighths. Because it's hard to cut a pie evenly into sixths. But cutting a pie into eighths is deeply rewarding.
Nope. Nothing else makes me happier than making up a pretty package. Except cutting pie.
Do I love anything more? I do love to knit. I do love to bake. I love to shop in thrift stores. I love cleaning my stove. These simple actions satisfy some secret part of my psyche. They're straightforward and when I am done I can step back, cross my arms and say, "Alright!"
What could make me happier? Cutting pie. I love to cut pie. Into eighths. Because it's hard to cut a pie evenly into sixths. But cutting a pie into eighths is deeply rewarding.
Nope. Nothing else makes me happier than making up a pretty package. Except cutting pie.
Friday, March 10, 2006
I hate posting without pictures. I really hate it. My mom always says not to use the word "hate", but I think sometimes it's appropriate.
It's now one week with no computer. Master P spirited it off to California where he's using it to write The Most Brilliant Screenplay Ever. I'm stuck firing off surreptitious posts from work after hours.
Here's what I have to offer since Master P has been away:
- One finished Clapotis in Noro Aurora. Colorway #4. Photo to follow.
- Front of Mohair Hoodie in Jaeger Mohair Art. Chocolate Brown. (I bought a bag of this before they discontinued the yarn. It's been my albatross for a year.)
- My opinion on the short-lived series Firefly by the brilliant Joss Whedon, which I watched in one sitting while knitting the front on my mohair hoodie. I'm late to the party on this one, my friends. Everyone else has already seen it, I know. I really enjoyed it, but thought it fell a little flat in some ways. (Like the weird way everyone curses in Weird Futuristic Chinese.) It all seems a little forced. The production value is a little shoddy. Don't get me wrong. I love it. I love Joss. But I guess I compare it to Buffy, to which there is no comparison. Make sense much? Geez.
- My opinion on Top Chef on Bravo. What a load of crap!
- My opinion on The Machinist. What a crappy ending! Did anyone else feel this way? Like some horrible M. Night Shyamalan rip off. Blech.
- My big plans for this weekend: baking, cooking, hanging pictures, not sitting on the couch for 14 hours watching Firefly.
It's now one week with no computer. Master P spirited it off to California where he's using it to write The Most Brilliant Screenplay Ever. I'm stuck firing off surreptitious posts from work after hours.
Here's what I have to offer since Master P has been away:
- One finished Clapotis in Noro Aurora. Colorway #4. Photo to follow.
- Front of Mohair Hoodie in Jaeger Mohair Art. Chocolate Brown. (I bought a bag of this before they discontinued the yarn. It's been my albatross for a year.)
- My opinion on the short-lived series Firefly by the brilliant Joss Whedon, which I watched in one sitting while knitting the front on my mohair hoodie. I'm late to the party on this one, my friends. Everyone else has already seen it, I know. I really enjoyed it, but thought it fell a little flat in some ways. (Like the weird way everyone curses in Weird Futuristic Chinese.) It all seems a little forced. The production value is a little shoddy. Don't get me wrong. I love it. I love Joss. But I guess I compare it to Buffy, to which there is no comparison. Make sense much? Geez.
- My opinion on Top Chef on Bravo. What a load of crap!
- My opinion on The Machinist. What a crappy ending! Did anyone else feel this way? Like some horrible M. Night Shyamalan rip off. Blech.
- My big plans for this weekend: baking, cooking, hanging pictures, not sitting on the couch for 14 hours watching Firefly.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Must. Post. Something.
I feel like I need to post, but I don't have any pictures or access to my computer, so I'm doing this from work, after hours.
I'm plodding away at my knitting. I have a multitude of projects getting all backed up in my head, but I feel the need to finish the clapotis I'm working on. I'm so close. I just can't knit fast enough.
I've made a decision to be a happier person. This means leaving my current job. I've talked to my boss, who is also my friend, about this and she's brought up a lot of valid points. Like, what do I want to do?
If only I had an answer. Any ideas? Anyone?
I feel like I need to post, but I don't have any pictures or access to my computer, so I'm doing this from work, after hours.
I'm plodding away at my knitting. I have a multitude of projects getting all backed up in my head, but I feel the need to finish the clapotis I'm working on. I'm so close. I just can't knit fast enough.
I've made a decision to be a happier person. This means leaving my current job. I've talked to my boss, who is also my friend, about this and she's brought up a lot of valid points. Like, what do I want to do?
If only I had an answer. Any ideas? Anyone?
Monday, February 27, 2006
also ran
The Knitting Olympics sweater was finished last night. I wove in the last stray piece of yarn at around 10pm or so. So I came in just under the wire.
There was a lot against me on this race. I had re-knit one entire sleeve. And the nonsense about not reading the directions properly. Remember that? And the pattern, when followed correctly made the arm holes way too small, so I had to knit some more on the front and back, just when I thought I was done.
Ultimately, I didn't follow the pattern all that much. I would say about 80%. The neck I just did on my own (picking up more stitches than recommended and knitting the whole thing in the round).
The sweater is finished, and it looks very nice (good shaping and seaming, etc.), but I don't know if I'll ever wear it in public. I swear my gauge was spot on, but it seems much bigger than I expected. It's comfy and oversized and might get some wear, but probably not. I love it because it's my first sweater and I finished it and I proved to myself that I could do it.
So how does this reflect on me as an Olympian? Am I a Bode Miller, who never finished a race? Am I a Sasha Cohen who skated beautifully, but made some fatal mistakes? I'd like to think that I'm kind of like Jeret Peterson, who did an amazing job, but left Torino with 5th place.
Though my goal for the Knitting Olympics may not have been as ambitious as "The Hurricane", I executed it well, but it somehow fell flat. It does, however encourage me to set new goals and work even harder on the next sweater. Now how's that for Olympic Spirit?
There was a lot against me on this race. I had re-knit one entire sleeve. And the nonsense about not reading the directions properly. Remember that? And the pattern, when followed correctly made the arm holes way too small, so I had to knit some more on the front and back, just when I thought I was done.
Ultimately, I didn't follow the pattern all that much. I would say about 80%. The neck I just did on my own (picking up more stitches than recommended and knitting the whole thing in the round).
The sweater is finished, and it looks very nice (good shaping and seaming, etc.), but I don't know if I'll ever wear it in public. I swear my gauge was spot on, but it seems much bigger than I expected. It's comfy and oversized and might get some wear, but probably not. I love it because it's my first sweater and I finished it and I proved to myself that I could do it.
So how does this reflect on me as an Olympian? Am I a Bode Miller, who never finished a race? Am I a Sasha Cohen who skated beautifully, but made some fatal mistakes? I'd like to think that I'm kind of like Jeret Peterson, who did an amazing job, but left Torino with 5th place.
Though my goal for the Knitting Olympics may not have been as ambitious as "The Hurricane", I executed it well, but it somehow fell flat. It does, however encourage me to set new goals and work even harder on the next sweater. Now how's that for Olympic Spirit?
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
trapper keeper
What it is: trapper hat from Vogue Knitting winter 2005/06
Made from: two skeins Misti Alpaca Super Chunky alpaca/wool blend in natural
Time to complete: two episodes of Hustle on AMC, two installments of Ken Burns Jazz on PBS (parts 5 & 6)
(Complete Idiot's Guide to Knitting & Crocheting needed because I've never crocheted a stitch in my short little life.)
Made from: two skeins Misti Alpaca Super Chunky alpaca/wool blend in natural
Time to complete: two episodes of Hustle on AMC, two installments of Ken Burns Jazz on PBS (parts 5 & 6)
(Complete Idiot's Guide to Knitting & Crocheting needed because I've never crocheted a stitch in my short little life.)
Saturday, February 18, 2006
what's that you say?
You want to see more progress shots of my Knitting Olympics sweater? Sorry. Instead I give you this! My knitting needle case. I put this one together a couple of weeks ago using leftover scraps from my curtains. Cute, no?
The sweater is moving along. I was frantic with the idea that I just couldn't read the pattern. I packed it all up and took it to work to beg at the feet of my co-workers.
So I pulled out the pattern and laid out the sweater pieces and when I started to read through the directions THEY MADE PERFECT SENSE.
I just felt so foolish. I mean not as foolish as Lindsay Jacobellis who pulled a trick at the end of her race and lost the gold medal. And not as foolish as Bode Miller who failed to complete yet another race. And definitely not as foolish as Apollo Anton Ono who placed third to two Koreans in the speed skating. But pretty foolish nonetheless.
The sweater is moving along. I was frantic with the idea that I just couldn't read the pattern. I packed it all up and took it to work to beg at the feet of my co-workers.
So I pulled out the pattern and laid out the sweater pieces and when I started to read through the directions THEY MADE PERFECT SENSE.
I just felt so foolish. I mean not as foolish as Lindsay Jacobellis who pulled a trick at the end of her race and lost the gold medal. And not as foolish as Bode Miller who failed to complete yet another race. And definitely not as foolish as Apollo Anton Ono who placed third to two Koreans in the speed skating. But pretty foolish nonetheless.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
highjacked blog
So we have this Italian butcher down the block and I needed some lamb.
"Do you have any lamb?"
"What do you make? A roast?"
He's Italian from Italy.
"No, I'm making a stew."
He starts cutting up some leg of lamb. It's beautiful. We've been going there since we moved and it's always been great. One thing, though. I believe that in this past century we've put too much emphasis on sanitation and not everyone died of salmonella before refrigeration. I do. But as he was cutting my lamb a piece fell on the floor. He noticed as he reached for the next slice and he picked it up and addded it to the already cut pile. And last time we were there we needed some prosciutto and beef. He cut up the beef with his hands then the prosciutto and offered us some. With his hands that he hadn't washed. What was I gonna say? He's cheap and, as I said, the meat is great. So I ate it.
While watching him cut up my lamb this other guy walks into the store.
"You got any frozen livehs?" He's got a real heavy Italian American accent.
"What?"
"Livehs. Frozen livehs. You got any?"
"Who's asking?"
"Jimmy."
He's walked past me to right next to the butcher at the butcher block. Not a foot away from him.
"Jimmy who?"
"You fuckin' know Jimmy. Jimmy! Jimmy the Exterminator. C'mon."
The butcher pauses.
"No. I no have."
"You don't have any."
"No."
"This is Jimmy the Exterminator."
"I no have. I give you call if I get any."
The guy stares at the butcher for a hard moment.
"Thanks for all your help."
He takes off.
The butcher weighs my lamb. Fourteen dollars for three pounds.
So we have this Italian butcher down the block and I needed some lamb.
"Do you have any lamb?"
"What do you make? A roast?"
He's Italian from Italy.
"No, I'm making a stew."
He starts cutting up some leg of lamb. It's beautiful. We've been going there since we moved and it's always been great. One thing, though. I believe that in this past century we've put too much emphasis on sanitation and not everyone died of salmonella before refrigeration. I do. But as he was cutting my lamb a piece fell on the floor. He noticed as he reached for the next slice and he picked it up and addded it to the already cut pile. And last time we were there we needed some prosciutto and beef. He cut up the beef with his hands then the prosciutto and offered us some. With his hands that he hadn't washed. What was I gonna say? He's cheap and, as I said, the meat is great. So I ate it.
While watching him cut up my lamb this other guy walks into the store.
"You got any frozen livehs?" He's got a real heavy Italian American accent.
"What?"
"Livehs. Frozen livehs. You got any?"
"Who's asking?"
"Jimmy."
He's walked past me to right next to the butcher at the butcher block. Not a foot away from him.
"Jimmy who?"
"You fuckin' know Jimmy. Jimmy! Jimmy the Exterminator. C'mon."
The butcher pauses.
"No. I no have."
"You don't have any."
"No."
"This is Jimmy the Exterminator."
"I no have. I give you call if I get any."
The guy stares at the butcher for a hard moment.
"Thanks for all your help."
He takes off.
The butcher weighs my lamb. Fourteen dollars for three pounds.
Monday, February 13, 2006
x-men evolution
So after waiting for the snow to stop on Sunday, myself and Master P took a little trip to Sunnyside, Queens. I carefully packed up the front of my sweater and planned for a night of Olympic Knitting.
Our good friends Kevin and Carmen (you remember Carmen, right?) promised us dinner if we would trek out to Sunnyside. I've never been one to turn down a free dinner invitation, so off we went.
I managed to finish the majority of the front of my sweater while watching Bode Miller and Apollo Anton Ohno embarass themselves. The rest was completed the following morning while watching Master P and Kevin play X-Men Evolution 2 on the Nintendo Game Cube.
We spent the night in Queens after consuming mass quanitities of wine and deciding that we didn't want to pay for a car service nor take the 3 trains required to get back to The Works. Kevin made waffles and then we headed off to spend the afternoon frolicking in the snow in Central Park.
I cast on for my first sleeve tonight while watching curling (my favorite!) and I figure I can make at least one, if not two sleeves tonight. The sweater is moving a lot faster than anticipated, but I still have to correct my mistakes on the shoulder shaping, finish the cowl neck AND seam AND block. We shall see. We shall see.
Our good friends Kevin and Carmen (you remember Carmen, right?) promised us dinner if we would trek out to Sunnyside. I've never been one to turn down a free dinner invitation, so off we went.
I managed to finish the majority of the front of my sweater while watching Bode Miller and Apollo Anton Ohno embarass themselves. The rest was completed the following morning while watching Master P and Kevin play X-Men Evolution 2 on the Nintendo Game Cube.
We spent the night in Queens after consuming mass quanitities of wine and deciding that we didn't want to pay for a car service nor take the 3 trains required to get back to The Works. Kevin made waffles and then we headed off to spend the afternoon frolicking in the snow in Central Park.
I cast on for my first sleeve tonight while watching curling (my favorite!) and I figure I can make at least one, if not two sleeves tonight. The sweater is moving a lot faster than anticipated, but I still have to correct my mistakes on the shoulder shaping, finish the cowl neck AND seam AND block. We shall see. We shall see.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
pot au fool
So I managed to pound out the back of my Knitting Olympics sweater in two days. But something has gone terribly wrong. I swear I read the pattern correctly, but the left shoulder is longer than the right.
I'm very frustrated and stranded in the middle of the first real blizzard of the year. I've put the back aside and decided to just go ahead and cast on for the front and just stop when I get to the shoulder shaping. I'll have to bring it to work and ask one of my co-workers for help, maybe John, because he knows everything about kntting.
So, I am stranded, as a matter of speaking, and planning on making something warm and homey in my brand spaking new dutch oven from Le Creuset! I'm so in love with it and it's beautiful french blue color. It was a gift from mom and dad for my birthday. They thought I was nuts for asking for it, but they got it for me anyway.
So it's a day of knitting, cooking and Olympic watching ahead of us at The Works. I have to say that I was really disappointed with the pairs figure skating last night. What's with the new scoring system? It sucks. And I'm also tired of hearing about Bode Miller. I'm going to try to find some curling on ESPN 8 or something.
I'm very frustrated and stranded in the middle of the first real blizzard of the year. I've put the back aside and decided to just go ahead and cast on for the front and just stop when I get to the shoulder shaping. I'll have to bring it to work and ask one of my co-workers for help, maybe John, because he knows everything about kntting.
So, I am stranded, as a matter of speaking, and planning on making something warm and homey in my brand spaking new dutch oven from Le Creuset! I'm so in love with it and it's beautiful french blue color. It was a gift from mom and dad for my birthday. They thought I was nuts for asking for it, but they got it for me anyway.
So it's a day of knitting, cooking and Olympic watching ahead of us at The Works. I have to say that I was really disappointed with the pairs figure skating last night. What's with the new scoring system? It sucks. And I'm also tired of hearing about Bode Miller. I'm going to try to find some curling on ESPN 8 or something.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
let the games begin!
I've joined the knitting olympics, which began last night. Pictured right are six skeins of Noro Yoroi which are destined to become a cowl neck sweater from Noro Pattern Book #17. Wish me luck!
In the background there is my Purple Blobby. He's a Shawnimal and a gift from my dear friend, Cinnamon. He used to live at my parents' house in NJ, but he recently moved into The Works. I don't think he much likes the Yoroi. Too bad, Purple Blobby. Too bad.
In the background there is my Purple Blobby. He's a Shawnimal and a gift from my dear friend, Cinnamon. He used to live at my parents' house in NJ, but he recently moved into The Works. I don't think he much likes the Yoroi. Too bad, Purple Blobby. Too bad.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
potential
It was a busy weekend at The Works! Well, my weekend is Sunday and Monday so that's what I'm referring to.
Sunday was spent making chili, watching the Superbowl and doing lots of knitting. (I can knit and watch football at the same time. What?!)
Monday was spent sewing my 30lbs. of fabric. While Master P did some writing I sewed my brains out. I made 6 panels, each 9 feet long. We only hung 4 however, because we can't freakin' drill through the cinder block wall. We've tried almost anything and nothing has worked, so if anyone can make a suggestion, I'd love to hang the rest of my curtains.
After finishing the curtains, I decided to keep sewing and I pulled these scraps together to make some cases for my knitting needles. I finished the case with the circle motifs before I ran out of steam.
We're talking 6 hours of marathon sewing! I told Master P every Monday should be like that. Neither of us spend enough time on what we "really want to do" (like writing, or sewing). We'd both be happier if we did.
Sunday was spent making chili, watching the Superbowl and doing lots of knitting. (I can knit and watch football at the same time. What?!)
Monday was spent sewing my 30lbs. of fabric. While Master P did some writing I sewed my brains out. I made 6 panels, each 9 feet long. We only hung 4 however, because we can't freakin' drill through the cinder block wall. We've tried almost anything and nothing has worked, so if anyone can make a suggestion, I'd love to hang the rest of my curtains.
After finishing the curtains, I decided to keep sewing and I pulled these scraps together to make some cases for my knitting needles. I finished the case with the circle motifs before I ran out of steam.
We're talking 6 hours of marathon sewing! I told Master P every Monday should be like that. Neither of us spend enough time on what we "really want to do" (like writing, or sewing). We'd both be happier if we did.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
30 lbs. of fabric
That's right. I bought 30lbs. of fabric that is destined to become curtains for The Works. It is the most amazing color orange - a little darker than in the photo.
And that's one of my cats, Monk. He's always poking around my photo shoots. I asked him if I could use his picture on my blog and he said, "Whatever." He has a bad attitude.
I was going to sew last night but I ended up knitting instead. I started a Clapotis for myself using Noro Aurora in colorway 4. I'll spare you the boring Clap progress shots and plan on a big "Ta Da" when it's finished.
And now, I'm off to make chili for the Superbowl!
And that's one of my cats, Monk. He's always poking around my photo shoots. I asked him if I could use his picture on my blog and he said, "Whatever." He has a bad attitude.
I was going to sew last night but I ended up knitting instead. I started a Clapotis for myself using Noro Aurora in colorway 4. I'll spare you the boring Clap progress shots and plan on a big "Ta Da" when it's finished.
And now, I'm off to make chili for the Superbowl!
Friday, February 03, 2006
hell yeah!
I know you were all hanging around sitting on your hands with excitement, wondering if I took the desk my neighbors left in the hallway. Well, I did. It's now happily ensconced in The Works. There is so much room for all my stuff, I'm absolutely giddy. I've never had a proper work table before. Isn't it pretty?
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