Knittini - A knitty therapy of sorts...

Babies and Aunts

2008-05-11T21:28:00.011-04:00

I finally finished the baby romper for Jessamyn's peanut, and I gave it to her at her baby shower. It came out sooo cute.

My aunt from Hong Kong is coming to visit at the end of this month and I've been struggling with what to buy her. In the end, I decided to knit her something. But then I was stuck with the problem of what to knit a woman who lives in a very very hot and humid climate and have it simple enough for me to finish in less than 2 weeks?; I was stumped. Then I found Argosy. Perfect! I picked up some JoJoLand superwash fingering weight yarn and got right to it. Very fun and quick knit, perfect pattern repeat for someone of my attention level.

Boy, I can't wait til I start to knit for myself again.

My god, where has the time gone!?

2008-03-30T00:24:00.005-04:00

I have been forgetting to blog lately. It's a bad habit. But I'm back and I have been knitting but unfortunately, I don't have any photos! I've been knitting surprise gifts for the past 2 months and don't want to ruin the surprise. I do have some home decorating photos to share though. I finally bought some blik decals for my bathroom. They were quite the process to put up but well worth the time. I love my bathroom now!

Hats, Holidays and Headaches

2007-12-15T15:26:00.000-05:00

It's official. The holidays are here. Work is crazy, there are tons of people on 34th St. and I'm knitting gifts. I only decided to knit two presents this year. Both for co-workers. Both hats. And both quick knits.

Colorimetry for my manager. She's very sporty and loves blue.

And a very slighty slouchy hobo hat for the girl who writes in the same dept as me. Shes very classic with a touch of vintage.

I also made Allen a hat. He wanted one made entirely of cashmere. (who doesn't?!) I used Debbie Bliss Pure Cashmere and was inspired by the Cosima pattern in Hip Knit Hats. My yarn was at a different gauge so I improvised. It came out great. I love it so much that I'm going to make one for myself in different colors.

And finally (and I do mean finally. I'm sick of making hats.) I made myself Hannah. I had a lone skein of Misti Alpaca chunky laying around and knew that it was fate. I added a flower from Nicky Epstein's Knitted Flowers. Now I can wear a hat and have a ponytail!

And of course it wouldn't be the holidays without my tree. Here are some of the hats under it.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Forced to be Santa's little helper...

2007-11-04T22:14:00.000-05:00

No, I haven't forgotten that I have a blog, nor have I dropped dead. I got a new job as a retail copywriter and it's the holiday season for us. I have been up to my eyeballs with work for the past month and will most likely be swimming in more of the like until January. I am also still teaching at The Point on some weekends. Of course, I have still been trying to knit but it's been a rather slow process. I finally finished my Claw Vest for Allen! Made with Noro Silk Garden in a lovely black, blue, gray, green combo. It's detailed with a claw cable going up the front and half way down the back.

At first he didn't like the green but after trying it on a week ago, he decided it wasn't all that bad. I think he looks quite smashing in it.

I've also been working on the Cowl Pullover from Knitting Nature. I'm using Suss Alpaca Tweed and its coming along nicely. I'll have photos next time. For now, here the cutest photo of Hope I've taken in a while.

When it rains...it pours.

2007-09-02T12:13:00.000-04:00

I finally have a weekend off after working 2 whole weeks straight. Thank god for holidays. Even though I barely had time for sleep, I somehow managed to get a lot done since the last post.

I in love with my new kitchen and it has inspired me to be more of a "chef". First I made some honey mustard wings.

Then I decided to try my hand at brownies with my new Bakers Edge brownie pan. BTW- this pan is worth the investment.

After that, Leia, a girl I worked with at The Point got me hooked on her chili. So of course I had to make my own. Turned out better than I had hoped.

On the knitting front, the end of summer spurred me on to finish at least one summer knit before the hot temps left for the season. So I finished up the Keyhole Top from Spring Interweave. It turned out very nicely, except the yarn sheds like crazy. It's knit with Classic Elite Premiere. 50% Prima Cotton and 50% Tencel. A dream to work with but please carry a lint roller with you when you are done.

Button detailing.

After learning that my mother was visiting today, I quickly finished up the last couple of rows on the Brioche scarf I was knitting for her. She loved it. YAY!

Here are my two lovelies just being goofy.

Back in the Saddle

2007-08-16T13:28:00.000-04:00

It's mid August and my last post was more than a month ago. Where has the time gone?!

After closing, I immediately started renovating. It took a total of 3 weeks, 130 dollars in additional cell phone charges, several pimples, and 2 total meltdowns before I finally got to move in at the end of July.

My kitchen went from this:

to this:

To this:

To finally this:

After I moved in, the first room to be set up was the master bedroom:

There are still some shelves and art to be placed in but for the most part, it's finished. It's a little smaller than I had pictured in my head once all the furniture went into the room but overall I'm very happy with it.

I also got the craft closet I always wanted. It is at maximum capacity right now so I think I might have to rearrange a few things. Here it is in its glory:

9 feet ceiling and the yarn and fabric go all the way to the top and bottom.

I've been so busy with the apt that I really only worked on one knitting project. A brioche rib scarf for my mother out of Alchemy Migration.

A very simple 1 row repeat with a great yarn will keep any busy knitter entertained for weeks.

I recently purchased the fall Rowan book. Inside was a pattern that I fell in love with: Striven.

Unfortunately, I can't afford to buy all that new yarn to make it so I improvised. I picked up 2 skeins of Schaefer Anne in complementary colors to add to my one skien at home. I dug through the stash for 4 skeins of Jade Sapphire Mahogany 4 ply cashmere and using Ann Budd's Book of Patterns, I am making Striven-ish! Inspired by Striven by made using very different yarns. Pulling both ends of the Anne and alternating every other row, I'm creating a somewhat similar color pattern that Striven has on its front and back panels. My only concern now is running out of yarn!

Well, that's all for now. I'm off to organize the rest of my apt!

On the Moo-ve...

2007-07-08T16:22:00.000-04:00

Starting tomorrow, I will be an apartment owner! Very exciting but also very scary. And most of all very busy.

The blog will be quiet for the most part til I get myself settled in. There will be knitting in between boxes and paint brushes so fear not. The next post will include photos of my WIPs. For exciting photos on what I have been up to - go to CityMinx's July 6th blog entry, where we watched the fireworks from Allen's apartment.

Til next time - countertops, paintbrushs, and hardwood floors!

Science and Angels

2007-06-30T17:25:00.000-04:00

Allen and I took a bike ride up the West Side Highway to 44th St. where we found the Science Barge. I had read about it at Apartment Therapy. They have public tours almost every day at 4pm.

This barge is a self sustaining greenhouse that is completely off the grid. It uses solar and wind power. It also has a back up bio diesel generator for the cloudy days. The water they use is collected off the roof of the greenhouse or taken out of the Hudson and purified. The hope is that one day all the rooftops of the city can be turned into greenhouses. This way the energy used to transport the produce here can be eliminated. Also stated was how this form of agriculture is much more friendly to the earth by reducing water waste and saving trees from getting cut down for farm land. You can find more info here.

As for knitting, this Monday I met Nicky Epstein at the book signing at The Point. She is so fun and so is her new book Knitting Never Felt Better. I started on her Angel Puff Scarf. It takes one ball of Kid Silk Haze (I chose Kid Silk Night for some glam.) and is worked in plain stockinette. I'm just about finished with the knitting portion and can't wait to get started on the felting.

I have also finished the baby knits. They are just darling.

I've noticed recently that I'm knitting a lot of drape-y items in drape-y yarns. And I've loved it - The Flair, Delicious, Phyllo Yoked Pullover, etc. But this week I got my shipment of new craft books in the mail and fell head over heels in love with Fitted Knits. Almost everything in there has a little body to it and I just couldn't wait to get started. So I went through the stash and found some plum colored Woolbale that I was saving for a Fair Isle sweater (that I know for a fact I'll never get to), and casted on for the Puff Sleeved Feminine Cardigan.

Many more projects to talk about but I think I'll save them for next time. BTW: I got my invite to ravelry.com! Come find me: Knittini

Goodies, Pillows, and Aprons

2007-06-19T23:09:00.001-04:00

It's a new issue of Knitty and a new project I must make. This time it's Wisp! So simple so pretty and yarn that I can quickly pick up at The Point!

Here are some of the goods I got from the Renegade Craft Fair.

ReproDepo fabric ends at 1 dollar an ounce! The japanese fabric at the end with the blue dolls was 6 dollars an ounce.

A cramcream carryall. Too cute to resist at 10 dollars.

And beautiful illustrations to hang in my new place.

I discovered Amy Butler's Gum Drop Pillow pattern and adore it. I need an ottoman in the new apt and couldn't find just the right one. Now I can make it!

And lastly, one apron down, one to go.

Allen and I took a bike ride up the West side and took a tour of the Science Barge. It was fantasic and I will post photos next time.

Good things come in tiny packages...

2007-06-17T23:38:00.000-04:00

It's small, cute, and looks great in knitted items... it's a baby, of course! Allen's best friend from college just had their first baby, a girl! And as any over obsessed knitter, I must make something for her.

First is the Baby Shrug from Debbie Bliss' Simply Baby book. The Point didn't have Cashmerino Aran so I subbed in Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk Aran instead. I'm more than half way done. Only the right front and the ribbing to go.

The other knitted item are these adorable little baby socks. I can't stand it - they're so cute!

I also plan on sewing up a changing pad but I have yet to decide on a fabric print(s). I want to stay away from the pink since the shrug is already pink. Maybe something orange or peach?

I was very excited yesterday when I got a chance to go to the Renegade Craft Fair. I didn't make it there til the late afternoon but made some purchases none the less. It was held in the old pool this time and it definitely looked like there were a lot more vendors this year. Thankful, I knew exactly what I wanted: items for the new place and fabric. It took most of my strength not to buy the sock yarn that I spied there. I made my purchases in a rushed, almost panicked hurry because the sky was starting to get gray. And in the end, all that running around paid off - two blocks before I made it back to the train, it started raining. None of my goodies got wet and for the most part, neither did I. Photos of the goods coming up in the next post. Till then, it will be baby knits, aprons, and lace yoked pullovers.

New kitchen, Vintage aprons...

2007-06-14T15:36:00.000-04:00

Inspired by the fact that next month I will have a new kitchen with modern stainless steel appliances, I've decided to sew up some vintage styled aprons. One green/red and the other yellow/orange. Great pattern and fabric from Purl Patchwork. I'm very excited to start!

I haven't forgotten my Phyllo Yoked Pullover though. I'm currently at 6", only 10" more to go in stockinette in the round... *pulls out gun, locks and loads it*. Seriously though, it's not as bad as I make it seem. The yarn slides on the needles very nicely and it goes rather fast.

Here's just a proud mother photo. My Hope resting on my knee on the couch earlier. She is just the more darling dog ever.

Irony and a sweater....

2007-06-12T23:45:00.000-04:00

After a month and a half of non-stop knitting ... Delicious is finally finished!!

The sassy Jill A. helped me take this fabulous photo. But here comes the irony... it was about 80 degrees out today. Not exactly the right conditions to be sporting merino/cashmere/silk blends. And so in this spirit... the next item to be cast on is this...

A beautiful COTTON LACE yoked top. Pattern from Knitting Nature. The yarn has been in my stash since the Suss sale and I've been waiting for the right moment to start it. My hope is that I finish it before the summer is over. I am on a finishing streak so it may not be as impossible as it seems.

Here's to wishing!

Delicious on it's final lap...

2007-06-11T14:30:00.000-04:00

There's a feeling you get when you're almost finished with your sweater and all that is left is to seam it up: it's called frustration. This is why I treat myself to a faux pinned up version of the sweater to keep me going.

I really enjoyed making this sweater. The Sublime patterns instructions are very well written and it was almost idiot proof. Which in my case is utterly necessary most of the time. My only problem was that I ran out of yarn on the home stretch binding off the collar. All of that being my fault because I purposely knit the body and cuff ribbing on the size 6 needles instead of the 3s they recommended. I dislike sweaters that start to ride up on your back because the ribbing is too tight.

Although I did spend most of this week working on Delicious, I didn't slave away the entire time. Allen and I went on a "toy crawl"; basically the same idea as a yarn crawl but only with toys and comic book things. We picked up some nerdy Star Wars stamps.

Went to FAO where we saw HUGE lego sized Star Wars and comic book characters.

It was great fun. It's nice to take a break from knitting once in a while. ;D

I've decided to finish up some of my UFOs before starting anything new. Although I did pick up some lace weight Malabrigo in a dark purple recently....

A Sublime Sweater and gals at The Point of silliness...

2007-05-26T10:02:00.000-04:00

I spent a lovely day with Jill A. yesterday. We had lunch at Ino, shopped for laptops/laptop bags, had chocolates and of course knitted at The Point! It is there that we took this silly picture on my laptop with Rebecca!

While I was there I worked on my Delicious powder blue Sublime Sweater. Made with DK weight merino/ cashmere/silk, its soft and very easy to work with. The pattern from the book is also very easy to decipher. I decided to work the sleeves first because I tend to hate sleeves. I never knit them. Leaving me with only a body and a couple of extra balls of yarn! This a sweater it does not make. Anyhooie, the sleeves are done. I'm knitting the body in the round so I don't have to seam as much. I can't wait to see how this baby turns out!

Finally a post...

2007-04-27T21:21:00.000-04:00

but a short one... =(

Jewell and I did a Flair Knit-a-long last month. We both made different alterations to the pattern and used different yarns.

Yarn: Louet Gems Worsted weight 5 skeins
Needles: 40" #8 circulars
Buttons: 8 - 1" exterior buttons from MJ Trimming, 7 - 1" interior buttons from The Point.
Alterations: Longer sleeves and body.
Time: ~ 4 1/2 weeks

And just a photo for pleasure - my dog Hope at her cutest!

What a mess!

2007-03-27T10:27:00.000-04:00

My blog has been a digital mess for the past couple of weeks. I canceled my subscription with my server and am now in the process of switching all my photos into Allen's server. It will get better, I swear.

Major Updates

2007-01-16T14:42:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm going to make good on my promise... finally. Here are a few things that have been going on the past month à la maison de Knittini.

My good friend Jon/Lyam/Lyamathon came back from Hong Kong over the holidays to visit us. We went out to Spice for dinner, where I snapped this photo.

But Jon wasn't the only ones I celebrated with over the holidays. Here's me with the C-town (although we don't all live in ctown anymore) gang.

Here's Allen and I during the gang's xmas secret santa lunch exchange.

The week before Xmas, 2 days before Eric left to Ecuador, Charlie, Nate, Eric, Curly, and I went to Barracuda to see Shasta Cola shake her bon bon.

On Xmas morning, Hope received her present.

We named her sheep: Baba Black Sheep. She sleeps with it every night. So cute.

Fear not, there is knitting content here. This is my cashmere scarf blocking on my very cramped bed. I had to curve the scarf around because it would not fit otherwise.

I'll post more knitting photos soon. Off to the doctor's!

I'm busted

2007-01-10T19:22:00.000-05:00

As Claudine pointed out last night at SnB, I'm not as regular as I would like to be. But in my defense, recently at work I've been working on my first ad campaign idea to be presented to a client. My anxiety level has been off the charts. I haven't been sleeping and I feel very jumpy and restless.

That's not to say that I haven't been knitting. I've finished off 2 scarves since I last post. One in chunky oatmeal cashmere from School Products and another with Angora Extra and Rowan Kidsilk Night both in white. I'm nearly done with my cashmere blend mittens and I've finished the entire front of one of the baby sweaters for my friend's new twin girls.

Alas, I'm at work and don't have the camera or photos with me to post today. I swear I will get to them this weekend if it kills me.

My boyfriend was ecstatic to hear that I've join this. I have way too much yarn in my stash. (It occupies more than 8.5 Container Store boot/deep sweater boxes.)I've assessed that I could knit until my mid-40's with the stash I have now. Here are the rules as they stand on the site:

1. The Knit-From-Your-Stash-a-Thon will start January 1, 2007 and run through September 30, 2007 -- a period of nine months.

2. We will not buy any yarn during that period, with the following exceptions:

2.a. Sock yarn does not count. What? You think we are made of stone?

2.b. If someone asks for a specific knitted gift that we really and truly do not have the yarn for, we may buy yarn to knit that gift.

2.c. If we are knitting something and run out of yarn, we may purchase enough to complete the project.

2.d. We each get one "Get Out of Jail Free" card -- we are each allowed to fall off the wagon one time.

3. We are allowed to receive gifts of yarn.

4. Trading stash is allowed.

5. Spinning fiber of any sort is exempt.

I'm revising 2.a. since as much as I love sock yarn, I can't imagine only purchasing that. Instead, my 2.a. is Money for yarn that is a gift isn't seen as breaking the rules.

I'm also revising #5. I don't spin. So my replacement is If there is a yarn sale of over 30%, I am allowed to spend an equal percentage of available finances at the time of said sale.

This should help me make more space in my cramped apartment.

Side note: My baba, Eric has been away in Ecuador for about 3 weeks now and its starting to finally to set in. I actually picked up the phone last night to call him before realizing that he's not even in the country. AHHH. A girl needs her hubby. Come back!

Ahh... im finally regular

2006-12-06T15:57:00.000-05:00

Last night I joined some of the SnBers at the Point. I was working on the "sock that never ends" aka my 2 pairs of commissioned socks from my coworker. Jewell and I chatted and drank lovely caffeinated drinks.

I've also been working on some shawl pins for the fair. Here are some of the non fabric ones.

The photos aren't all that great since I've been taking pics with my phone. Over the weekend, I will retake with a better camera.

Turkey and Wool

2006-12-05T12:17:00.001-05:00

Thanksgiving weekend passed in a flash. I watched the Macy's parade.

Then I went to Allen's uncle's house for a Chinese dinner. There was noodles, roast pork, and all sorts of Asian delights. After our bellies were filled, the turkey came out of the oven... uhhh. As you can guess, that family had a lot of turkey sandwiches the week after.

I came off the elevators this morning at work to be greeted by this:

That's right boys and girls! It's craft fair time! Very exciting moment. I've become a knitting machine at home and on the train. Knits, purls, k2togs, ssks - all blending in a flurry of yarn and needles.

BTW, my friend Oli lent me "Middlesex" last week. It is a very good read. I recommend it to anyone who is looking for an above par book.

More updates soon, I promise.

ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz....

2006-11-29T12:51:00.000-05:00

Boy oh boy. I bore myself with my slow rate of updates here. I apologize. I've been buried in knitting, holidays, and work. I am promising myself that I will post a blog with lovely photos soon. But for now - I must knit on for the fair!

Bev the busy bee

2006-10-30T01:03:00.000-05:00

Well, it's offical. I'm a copywriter. A scary but pleasurable concept. I'm enjoying my time at work and in such have completely neglected my blog. Ack!

I missed Rhineback (Sheep & Wool Festival for all you non wool lovers). I regret not going but just couldnt afford going mad on fiber. I promised that I would not disappoint myself next fall. This does not mean that I have forgotten my needles! I have been working on a bunch of stuff. Here is just some of my many projects.

This is my plan for thrummed mittens (not exactly the pair I'm making but you get the gist) I am excited to get started but not until I finish all the goodies for my company's craft fair!

You heard right, I am going to sell my knitted and handmade yummies at a craft fair. Very excited and started knitting right away.

Lovely merino/wool hat. (w/optional hat pin yet to be created)

Some beaded stitch markers. I haven't decided if I want to sell these yet. They might just be too cute to give up.

You all must be wondering about my trip (and if you're not just pretend you are to placate me). It was fabulous. Lots of sun, shopping and solace. Here are some photos if anyone is interested. Cruise Photos

And now I'm off to bed.

So what do you do when your dreams come true?

2006-09-19T19:46:00.000-04:00

BIG NEWS!!

I just accepted a copywriting job at a top 5 worldwide ad agency!! Im so stoked to start. I gave my two week notice. After the two weeks is up, I'm going on my trip and then I start the day after I come back. Crazy isn't it?!

For the past 24 hours, I've been pinching myself just incase im still asleep.

On the wooly front, I went to the Point's Gold Club Member (Gold Club = I spend wayyyy too much money there) breakfast. I had a great time. Of course I couln't get myself up at the asscrack of dawn so I was about 45 mins late. But I did win a door prize. (Mine is the same print as the photo in the middle of the page with the bag open from top view.) I chatted with Karen and ate some yummy apicot scones.

I had Bday dinner with Eric/baba this weekend! It was so much fun to see Charlie and Oli again. We went here. The food was very good. I'll post photos when I get a chance to get them off my camera.

Anyhoo, thats all for now. I'm trying to get in some knit time!

Adventures of The Queen

2006-09-11T00:14:00.000-04:00

I decided to try my hand at dying my own sock yarn. I LOVE IT! I've only done one colorway but I do think I'm hooked. Here is a photo story of the process:

Here is 4 hanks of self striping yarn ready to be dyed.

Here they are drying after being washed.

Here is the yarn driving me bonkers as I try to do a "reverse hank" on the winder.

May I present to you...The Queen colorway01!!

It's black, dark grey, and dark cherry red. The black and grey are very close in color but definately different.

When I finish winding the rest of them, I will be selling 2 hanks (enough for 1 pair of socks). If you're interested, let me know. These are self striping hanks. The next couple of hanks I dye will most likely be varigated, so if you like self striping; pick em up now!

SUBAR (Socked Up Beyond All Recognition)
The Queen colorway01_SS
Merino/Acrylic blend
~185 yards per hank
~50 grams
2 available
$10 each plus $4 S&H

Ok. Off to bed. Rest in peace for all the 9/11 victims.

This(be)... a tale of alluring beauty

2006-09-04T23:38:00.000-04:00

May I present to you, the first born lovely of the kingdom of Knittini ... Thisbe.

This bi-color yumminess is named after Greece's Juliet. A hit of romance and undeniably touchable. The lace and deep V neck show glimpses of unknown as did the crack in the wall for Thisbe.

I've created this garment out of Misti Alpaca for the ribbing and Reynolds Rapture for the lace and the bust/back. I'm about half way there and will keep you updated when I have progressed some more.

In less than 30 days, I will be on a ship to the Carribean! There will be two formal nights aboard the ship and since I am as casual as they come, I haven't got a thing to wear! This is, until this weekend - I found the cutest dress Saturday at Macy's and found the perfect matching shoes at DSW today!

To make things even more perfect, my clappy will give the outfit its finishing touch! More photos when I return from my trip.

Unfortunately, my camera ran out of juice before I could capture a non fuzzy close up of it. So this will have to do. The color is pretty close but it does have a little more glitz in person.

DSW was having a HUGE clearance sale. (30% off of 20 - 50% off of already reduced prices!!!!!!!!) I thought I was going to be in that store forever. Thank god I had Allen there to tell me what not to buy. So I made out with only two pairs, the one above and these.

Very cute and can definitely be worn in the fall with a cute pair of socks or some stockings.

Well, I'm off to continue working on Thisbe. TaTa!

Why Fall ROCKS!!

2006-08-24T17:50:00.000-04:00

I only have one thing to say and the rest I'll leave to photos...OMG!!!

I think I might have to put my yarn diet on hold. *swoons*

FOs...not to be mistaken for UFOs

2006-08-20T13:38:00.000-04:00

Ahhh... a moment to myself.

Well in the recent days I've accomplished a miracle number of FO's (Finished Objects to you non knitters).

There was the Clapotis, a drop stitch wrap of sorts. I made mine out of Blue Heron Rayon Metallic. It a really pretty shade of light blue, sage, and sand with a sprinkle of gold metallic. I'll post a close up next time.

Then in lighting speed (3 days), I finished a knitted cable bag. I remade this bag.. It's all the rage this fall, or so I've seen in fashion magazines.

Here is how the lining looks. I even added a pocket!

And the last but most amazing miracle, I finished the second sock to my Interweave Knit's Embossed Leaves sock!

I conquered second sock syndrome! And just so I dont ever get it again - I've started my next pair together on one very long circular needle. I'm making the Unst from this book.

I got this luscious yarn at School Products for only 4 bucks a hank!

Notice the grass?

YUP! Allen and I went to Central Park yesterday. It was nice. I wish it hadn't been so crowded but we had fun none the less. To make the day even better - Allen recieved a buy one get on free chocolate milkshake coupon in the mail the day before!!

I bought some yummies to hold us down on the grass.

As we were leaving, we headed into Barnes & Noble and I saw this:

It just made me laugh and think of my Hope when she is waiting for food.

All right - off to knit some more. See yall next month!

I dream of Yarnie

2006-07-11T15:25:00.000-04:00

Brief blog about my complete and utter obsession over yarn. Suss Designs is closing their store in NY. I'm going to miss that place. It was different from every other yarn store in NY. It was big and roomy. It had lots of natural light. It was very natural. It felt like walking into a organic spa... except with yarn.

Now for the obsessive part. They are having a 50 - 70% off sale on EVERYTHING in the store. Right down to the baskets that hold the yarn!

I made out like a bandit.

Most of that is for intended projects. I had no choice but to shop with purpose. It was the only way to keep my purchases down to a respectable level. I did by some strays but I managed to keep them to a minimum.

Beautiful green combed cotton

Alpaca tweed in beige and taupe

Acrylic wool in pinks and greens

Extrafine merino in antique orange

Cream wool

And I couldnt resist these that I have been eyeing since they came into the store a few weeks ago!

I believe that I could regurgitate yarn now. Excuse me while I fondle my new fibers...

Pride, Pincushions, Pups, Pouches, and Pyrotechnics....

2006-07-08T15:23:00.000-04:00

Oh joy, a free day to blog! It's going to be another photo heavy blog so bear with me. First off... PRIDE!!! I finally got to see everyone again, especially Charlie. I missed him so much , I was sobbing when I saw him.

That's him in the pink with Eric.

We watched the parade on the street.

That's me standing on a tree stump to see over other people's heads.

Then we move up to a rooftop, where we had beers and fucked around.

That's the view of the parade from the roof.

It was kinda raining that day and the sky was gray but rainbows were flying everywhere and that is what made the day!

==============

Rebecca made this cute little pincushion and I thought I'd try it out. I decided to make mine a kitty.

I gifted it to my mom. She said she has a million pincushions but she loved mine anyways.

==============

My little baby Hope was at the dog run a few days ago and here she is wet from the pool and waiting for Allen to throw the ball.

She is just the cutest thing ever!

===============

When I was at the Renegade Craft fair, I picked up some fabric. Then I went to P&S and got some felt and zippers and made this:

It was fairly easy to make but I did make some mistakes. You can do this all by hand if you want but it will go a lot faster by machine. Here's how I did it:

Materials:
1/4 yard of any 2 cotton or cotton blend fabrics
1/4 yard of batting (usually any scraps you have around should do the trick)
contrast thread (poly/cotton is best)
1 separating zipper (usually 6 or 8 inches is best unless you want a very large pouch)
2 different colors of contrasting felt (colors that will stand out from your outer fabric)
pins, scissors or rotary cutter

Start by measuring your zipper. You want to cut your outer, inner fabrics, and your batting about an inch longer than your zipper on both sides for seam allowance. That will be your width. For your height, decide how tall you want your pouch, times that number by 2, and add 2 inches for seam allowance.

Ex. Your zipper is 8 inches and you want a 5 inch height.
You will cut your materials at 10 inches (8 + 1 + 1) across and 12 inches (5 x 2 + 2) down.

You want to cut everything at a right angle or else you wont have a even pouch.

When you are done with that, put it aside and take out your felt. I put in a lolly pop but you can use anything you want. You want to choose something that would be easy to cut out and easy to sew down. Ex. Hearts, Stars, Poka Dots, etc. Make sure you cut out the felt to the size of your finished pouch or else you could end up having to sew or fold over your design.

First sew the felt pieces onto the outer fabric. If your designs are small, it might be easier to hand sew them on. After that, it's time to sew your fabrics together. Pin outer and inner fabrics wrong sides together with the batting in the middle. Now sew down heightwise every 1/2 an inch. When you get to the part where your felt is, Its up to you whether you want to sew over the design or stop and start after the felt.

Cut any loose thread hanging off and you're half way there! Fold over top of the piece and pin one side of the zipper on. (Usually it's easier if you unzip it and only pin on side) Now sew the zipper on. You want to start with the side that the zipper head isn't on or you might get stuck. When you do get to the head of the zipper, you might have to manually turn the machine's gears to sew up the rest.

Now fold it in half down the center horizontally. Mark off where your zipper starts and stops on the side without the zipper. Fold over the edge and pin the othe side of the zipper on in the right spots. You want to make sure you pinned it with the ends of the zipper matching or you could end up with a pouch you cant zip up. Sew like before.

Fold pouch in half right side in and sew up the sides with an inch seam allowance. MAKE SURE YOU UNZIP THE POUCH FIRST OR YOU WONT BE ABLE TO FLIP IT RIGHT SIDE OUT!! Now inverse the pouch and admire your work!

========================

I went to Allen's for July 4th. He lives in a tall building and you can see all the fireworks from his windows.

The Macy's Fireworks

The South Street Seaport Fireworks

They were really pretty and to see it that clearly was amazing.

Well that's all folks. See ya on the flipside!

And another one...

2006-06-22T19:12:00.000-04:00

It seems to me that my blogging routine is one once a month. Sad but true. Try as I might to get one in earlier - it just never works out. This will be a blog of photos so if you have dial up - get up from the computer, go fix a cup of tea and knit a few rows.

First on the agenda; I finally got some time to spend with my baba, Eric! Last night we went to watch a flick at the Quad and then off to Cosi for coffee and smores!! Nothing like toasting marshmellows with your best friend to really brighten up your mid week blues. I miss him tons

I didn't get any bike riding in this weekend because of this:

Renegade Craft Fair! I dragged Allen along. He hid in the shade, I browsed. I was good. I didnt buy much but I did make it out with this:

I also happened to buy some really cute pin up girl buttons but then got lost. I don't want to talk about it - I'm still very upset. On to brighter things; I took Allen to eat at Sea. Very good food in a very classly joint for next to nothing.

Is that Siddhartha?....Oppps...silly me, it's Allen. =P

See that pink goodness I'm donning? It started out as this shirt and got transformed by this book to create this:

Isn't it adorable?

Here are some other random pictures:

Remember when I went to the containter store to buy boxes to hold all my yarn? Well
let's just say another trip is in order.

Here is the view out of Allen's window. Purdy right?

And I've saved the best for last - Allen and I are going on a cruise to the Carribean!!! Of course its months away but I'm excited and planning anyways!

And it's PRIDE WEEKEND!!!....HAPPY PRIDE EVERYONE!!

Brand Spanking New!!!

2006-05-27T22:40:00.001-04:00

So I just had my first full week at work and I can say that I've settled in. I've place a picture of my dog up. Ive moved snacks in my side draw. I have a coffee cup. Yup, I'm offically a part of working America. Now only if I can figure out where to find everything in my office.

Yup, that's an eggling on my desk. There's a funny story to that eggling. Before I found a job, I thought it would be a great promo piece to send to agencies with my resume. I would wrap a mini sample ad around the egg and ship it off. I ordered 10 of them online and 3 days after they came in the mail, I got my current job. Sooooo, I'm now stuck with 10 egglings with nowhere to go. I decided to crack one of those babies out and use it to decorate my desk.

It's starting to sprout. It's a horrible cellphone photo so I gave you some arrows for your viewing pleasure.

On to more personal matters, Allen and I have decided to take up bike riding as a couple's activity. We plan on going on a cruise in Oct. and I thought it would be a good idea to bring bikes to use when we get to port. Thus birthed the idea of buying bikes. I of course had to get one in a bright color and a retro built because thats just who I am. Allen, also bought one that suited him - it's black and gray. I swear, our bikes are an exact match to us. hahaha.

I took this pic last night but then took this one this morning when there was much better lighting:

Allen and I went to my knitting friend Jill's bday party and had fun. I wore a cute dress I really liked. I was going to photograph it flat but it just looked so much better on a form, not to mention my dog Hope gets to be the photo!

Well, it looks like summer is upon us. Break out the tanktop, crank up the AC and starting knitting in cotton cuz it's going to be HOT!

where have i been?

2006-05-13T11:10:00.000-04:00

Wow....has it really been almost a month since Ive blogged? Geez...that just goes to show you how busy I am lately. First off - I got a job!!! Not a pizza delivery, selling clothing, doing freelance job - but a real honest to god job with a salary and vacation days and all that good stuff. Im designing presentations and newsletters for a retail marketing company. Yes I know - its not advertising but it really is a step in the right direction, especially since I need some money in the bank and fast. So yay me!

The end of last month marked my 6th month anniversary with Allen. We went out to Serendipity to celebrate. I've come to a conclusion about us after 6 months - he makes me happy, the kind of happy where you want to jump up and sing while skipping down the street. *huggles*

On the knitting front, I seem to be a bit distracted. Here are all the things on the needles now:

This is a patchwork afgan from this book:Under Cover

This is from a Special Rebecca done just for Super Soft Kid:Rebecca
It will look like this:

This is going to be a hoody for Allen. I told him he was going to get it next winter. :blush:

This is a sock for Allen but the more I knit it - the more I dislike it. I dont know if I have the heart to rip so Ive put it aside for now.

Here is the cotton tee from Vogue a few months back. I finished it in record time - around 2 weeks after I started but now I cant bring myself to seam up the two parts. It looks like its going to be hard with the ruffling and all.

BUT in all that unfinished work - there is this:

I knitted this up with Giotto that was on super sale at The Point. The pattern is from Loop de Loop. Only 3 days and no seaming! I love it!

Now I must go have lunch with my friends before they think something has happened to me...teehee.

ok....i conceed....im old

2006-04-14T10:14:00.000-04:00

and apparently, not of any use to society. hmmmmm. ive been thinking. yesterday was my birthday and i had some time to really hash it out. next year ill be a quarter century old and what exactly have i done? gained 20 pounds? picked up a expensive habit (knitting)? went to school for 20 years? ...none of which i can say i am too gosh darn proud of. ive picked up a job at "the point" knitting cafe. some might say yay - youre working with yarn; something you love. but every once in a while i think - geez, i graduated college to do what?! serve coffee and desserts to knitters?! this might be looked at as a sad state of affairs. ive recently been going to interviews for a designer job in hong kong. i wont say anything to jinx it.

allen took me out last night to a restaurant called wd/50. it was nice but the food was sooo extremely snooty. i barely understood the menu and the parts i did understand didnt sound entirely edible. the food came out in what i can only name aptly as "french portions". the best surprise came when the waiter brought out a coldstone icecream cake!!

i just ADORE coldstone! even if the food wasnt exactly my tastes, he really planned an excellent evening. kudos to allen!!!!

on a creative note - i just finished the cutest embroidered poodle.

im using it as a patch on my "nappy bag". photos of that coming up next!

Birthdays and Cotton Knitting...

2006-04-05T22:52:00.000-04:00

Ever go to and plan two birthday parties in one weekend? Sounds tiring? Maybe even fustrating? Yeah, well I did it...I've been planning Allen's surprise bday dinner for weeks and it paid off in full. He had fun and boy, was he surprised!

Then the following night my best friend Annie, my friend Jane, and I had a joint bday dinner with the gang (which I also planned...=T )

It was a bit of a hassle figuring everything out but in the end it was worth it.

On to the knitting...

Remember the new Misti Cotton I was talking about last blog?

Ummm...yeahhhhh....*whisles*

I've made mucho progress on the tee that I showed last blog. Lookie:

I'll be done in no time...(I hope!)

It's a long time coming now....

2006-03-28T21:31:00.000-05:00

Ahhhh....finally another finished project. A cape from Elizabeth Lavold made with Misti Alpaca Chunky, Manos, and Steadfast. I love it. I have to love it. It took me 8 months to finish. Hmmm - Can you say A.D.D.? Well, here are the photos -

The new issue of Vogue Knitting came out. I'm so in love with it. Ive start to make this -

Thats pastel purple cotton from Suss. Not really the softest but at least I got gauge without too much work.

I also saw the Misti Cotton/Silk blend. It comes in the purtiest lime green. I do think that has to be next weeks yarn purchase!

check out this muffin....i aint bluffin'

2006-03-17T17:08:00.000-05:00

my new sneakers came in the mail!!!.....whats more cheery than this...?

i love em!!!

A sunny day, a confusing sweater

2006-03-13T14:58:00.000-05:00

ahhh....finally a day with higher than 60 degree temp...and its a saturday no less!....what luck!...all of NYC was out in full force...allen and i had lunch in soho...then off to central park...it was great out....we took a few photos...

we also went to the container store after the park to pick up some boxes to organize my huge yarn stash...heres what it looks like now...(thank lord)

and im working on a sweater pattern by karabella....but using my own yarn choices...heres the back piece...by the way ....this sweater is driving me mad....where the yarn changes is a whole thing of intarsia...and at one point i had about 15 bobbins hanging off my needles...oy........oh and thats my new toy from FAO ....i call him LAMBCHOP....teehee

that is all...

Greener pastures

2006-03-13T13:26:00.000-05:00

After blogging on myspace for many months, Ive decided to move (or rather copy) my blogs into an actually blogging site. Of course my myspace page will still have the same blogs, but this format will be benifical to those who hate having to filter through my other junk just to read my ramblings about yarn, life, etc. And thus begins an era...