Progress!

I have been knitting, and even finishing a few things. Knowing the end of the year is coming soon, I've felt a frenzy to be productive and finish projects that languished during the year.

These have been waiting the longest, over a year. I know they look deceptively simple, but there are little fingers hiding inside those paws and since I always knew they were a gift I'd been less inclined to finish them.



Here they are in progress:



I'm so glad they're done and now I can think about doing a pair for myself!

In the meantime I made a pair of quickies for me:



These are Wonder Warmers from Spincycle Yarns using their single ply worsted merino wool.



I also made a hat for myself:


(Sorry for the dark picture.) It's the Virgo Hat from Spincyle in their single ply worsted merino wool, colorway "rusted rainbow." I call mine the Scorpio hat, since I was born in November.

Lest you think I only knit small things I also finished this:


The pattern is the"Jane Origami Crossover Sweater" from Perl Gray. The yarn is Ottawa from Fleece Artist and it's quite delicious. Hilltop is selling them in kits and I made this one as a store sample.

Thanks to Monica for taking this picture.

Now I am pondering what to knit next... Any suggestions?

A Well Loved Object

I consider this humble i-pod cosy to be one of the most successful things I've ever knit.

The reason is simple. What you see before you are the contents of Jesses' pockets. A minimalist, not a lot of stuff is in there, only the bare essentials. Keys, wallet, pen and i-pod, not complete without its cosy. Everywhere he goes, this cosy goes and so a handknit piece of me goes too.

It makes me want to knit a fine layer of cosy for many treasured, small objects.

Achtung

My friend and co-worker, Jenny Chase-Rappaport is participating in the Queen Anne Artists Trunk Show this Saturday November 10th from 11-4pm with her unique hand crafted toys and accessories for all ages. Her booth will be "Rocket Boy and Danger Dog Knits."

Come by and check out her wares!

The Awful Truth

I love Ravelry just like every other knitter/crocheter I know.

My only problem with it, is that it is forcing me to confront how many unfinished objects I have or at least how many I'm willing to own up to...

Currently we have:



Pop Up paws for a friend of Jesses.

The yarn was free and is not colors I would normally use, so I had no problem making it into a gift. I had never made fingers or even half fingers before and thought it would be neat to try. Ok, it was neat but tedious and I dread the thought of doing another. Then, the friend began to nag us, a lot. I asked Jesse to remind her that I don't have hand knit gloves of any kind. That it is a gift and one shouldn't rush hand knit gifts. The more she nags the less I want to knit it...



An adorable teddy bear for an adorable niece. The A is for Alina. The bear is from Unusual Toys for you to Knit and Enjoy. Embarrassingly enough I keep losing the little pieces of it, all those arms, legs, and ears... sheesh.



One for the store. Beautiful pattern, beautiful yarn... tons of short rowing and stockinette. And now I'm at the point where I should be picking up stitches. Hmmm...



Another for the store... the yarn is beautiful, it's hand dyed Handmaiden, but the pattern. Oh this pattern is not good. Bad, bad pattern writer. Names withheld to protect those I don't want to insult. But, what could a person have against a provisional cast on?

Ok, those are the ones I can bring out into the light.

I know I'm not the only one.

I'll see you on Ravelry, I'm Stampalina there.

Birthday Flowers

Birthday Flowers
Originally uploaded by Stampalina

Someone brought me flowers home from work for the very first time.

My day does not end at midnight

but officially my birthday does.

It was a good one, a mellow one. Which is what I needed.

Jesse and I had some good time on the road to and from Bellingham. I go to pick the music on the ipod and, as usual, he did all the driving.

We drove North to spend time with Opie. Had brunch at one of my favorite spots in town, Mount Bakery. Although none of us was hungry enough to try their crazy Eggs Benedict, which come served on a Belgian Waffle. Next time I'll resolve to show up hungrier.

We hung out at a fabric store and fondled various things. Steph bought fabric to make many aprons. I had the good luck to not only be included in this generous apron making and giving, but also have the chance to learn something by watching Steph work on them later.

We stopped by Goodwill and found many $3 finds. I now have more sweaters in my wardrobe to counteract the chill, does it feel like snow to anyone else? I know it's too early, right? Please say yes. I live and work on top of two separate, large hills...

We ended the evening with a large Stephmade dinner including many of my favorite things, eggplant, kalamata olives, parmesan, pesto, garlic and pasta. I also got to love up her pets quite generously, especially Wyatt as I do have a tendency toward the felines.

Most of all I had a chance to breath a bit easier. To share some of the load I've been carrying and hopefully to do the same for her. There is an ease in being with someone who has known you nearly half your life. A comfort to just being able to be with someone.

We're 29 now and while it's a bit of a shocker I think we can handle it. Especially if we're able to see each other once in awhile.

NaBloPoMo

Jesse and I were supposed to have a get away to Portland this weekend. Unfortunately, a combination of his work and the upcoming holidays means he couldn't get away.

I'm still going to Bellingham for my birthday, to spend some quiet time with my best friend. It's one of my favorite places and she's one of my favorite people, I'm looking forward to it.

After that I'm looking forward to a little time here:



You can barely tell, but peeking out from the left and from the right, is my new craft space! There is yarn, a sewing machine, a paper cutter, my own craft centered bookcase and most importantly a large table. I'll show you more pictures when things are a little more together.

Here's another corner for now:




I'm hoping for some quiet moments to put things in their right places. There are pieces of me that haven't been in the right places lately. I've been walking around with my shoulders tight and my tongue sharp. I have a particular knot at the base of my neck that has been throbbing. I'm trying to unclench.

I tidy and nest when I feel this way. What do you do?

I'm being followed by a rain shadow

Jesse and I went East for a restful weekend of visiting friends and family. I enjoyed getting out of town, he does all the driving- so guess who does all the knitting!



The drive is pretty, we started out in the Cascades



held our breath at The Gorge





and were in the land of wheat before we knew it.



We went to Spokane, which as everyone knows is where they keep:



The Hot Carly. I looked around, but my college roommate was in North Carolina. Not Spokane.

We found plenty of hotness however, in nearby Cheney.



Yes, that's Nerissa and I at the hardware store. We can have a good time anywhere.

It was a short trip, but with blue sky, pumpkin pie and these smiling faces



we'll be back for another visit as soon as we can. Which is pretty much as soon as the snow melts. Let's hope for a short winter shall we?

The Silver Fox

We've seen the sweater go from this:



To this:



And finally, we have this:



Doesn't he look regal?

That's my Dad, finally modeling his long awaited sweater. It's knit from Lopi, a rough icelandic wool. I may never knit with it again, but I feel better knowing he appreciates its scratchiness. He feels its rough texture and knows it will last through years of hunting and fishing.

He really does like it and that makes my rough hands and hours of hauling around a large sweater, just to finish that last sleeve, worth it.

Pattern from The Knitters Handy Book of Sweater Patterns by Ann Budd. Which despite the bottom up raglan directions is an excellent book. Just look at the results!

Have I mentioned the quilt?

In all the hubbub with getting married and moving and whatnot I don't think I ever posted about our wedding quilt. If I did it couldn't have been a sufficient post as I don't remember it. And I think this deserves its own post.

Jesse's mother and grandmother, Diane and Stella, made this quilt for us.



I was allowed to choose the colors, because even though it's our quilt, Jesse already has a beautiful quilt that was made just for him. This one was for us, but I really felt like it was for me. A welcome into the family. And what a beautiful one.


The colors I chose aren't the usual palette for Stella or Diane. Looking through their generous fabric stashes I only saw hints of the colors I wanted. Dark reds and aqua blues I said. Rusts in the ocean. Diane looked at me funny, but I don't think anyone could argue with the result.




Thank you Diane and Stella. I love it.

It's Friday

Enjoy a little feist.

Unpoofen Man Sveater

My mission, should I choose to accept it, is to knit a man sweater. Not just any man sweater of course but one comfortable AND interesting. One that a man of a certain age can wear. One that won't drive me crazy. One for my Dad.




His birthday is today and before you go thinking I'm all thoughtful, you should know: this is a sweater I may have promised him a birthday or two ago.

Indeed I may have shown him a knit back o' sweater just to prove my fidelity to this project, when in reality I had none. That sweaterback proved to me the whole damned thing was coming out far too large and I had to rip it out. The Lopi I picked to match his silvery blue eyes was not too kind to my hands either.

That being said, I picked up the offending Lopi again and somehow it seemed softer. I began knitting it, in summer (think on that, Lopi wool + sweater+ humidity) and I've made some progress. Hello armpits! Never have I been so happy to see you.

Tonight my family is going to the ballpark and I'm going to knit my heart out on this one. Depending on how the Mariners play I may even finish it off. Unfortunately the old man was called away on business, so he won't be with us, but that will just give me more time to sew in ends and give it a wash.

This boring knit has been a welcome respite from moving, job hunting, etc. It also feels good to finish up some knitting I've been feeling guilty about. I have a few more things on that list and then, then I will knit guilt free!

Memed

The Duchess of Yarnnation, has posted a meme and I've been tagged, umm about 3 months ago. Yes. So let it begin:

Which of your finished projects are you most proud of?

My wedding dress! Mostly because I finished it on time. I'm thinking now that I'd like to separate the top and bottom so I can wear it more often, as it will be less dressy then.

Which of your UFO’s is never going to see the light of day again?

Oh so many. What jumps to mind are some felted slippers using Lambs Pride that I hate the color of. An odd lavender... Nerissa finished hers though in fuschia, embroidered them and they were adorable.

What is the most unusual place you have ever purchased yarn?

Paris? London? Hmm... actually it's probably a stand that sells imported carpets at the Fremont Public Market. They had some recycled Sari Silk that I couldn't resist and of course I have no idea what to do with it.

What is the most money (plastic or real) you have ever dropped on yarn at one time?

I doubt more than $200, in a go.

Where is the craziest place(s) you have whipped out your needles?

I got the most guff about it on a train in London. Apparently people don't knit in public there!

What is the most unique project you have ever undertaken?

Well my wedding dress has been the most "mine" yet. Though knitting for McDonalds was definitely unique. I still see signs with my mittens on them, strange.

I don't want to tag people, but if you want to jump in (Pip, Quinn?) go ahead!

Be We in Paris or in Lansing...

I feel summer coming to a close. The weather is getting a touch cooler every day and I find myself wanting to fix this summer in my mind.

Not that I could forget:

Knitting my wedding dress at my Grandmas' bedside. Watching each of my friends discover Woodstock anew. Jesses' face when he read his vows to me.

I wouldn't forget that.

But I might forget the smaller moments, like blackberry picking with Steph, Zophie and Quinn.

Even if I did draw a little blood for my troubles.
I also got plenty of pie and freezer jam out of it.

And Nerissa Hula Hooping it up with Milo... I wouldn't forget that.

It's been a good summer.

Here's to hoping I can squeeze the best out of the next few weeks.

*Blackberry picking photos taken from quinnwick.com.

Interweave Fall Preview

Oh that Eunny Jang, why does she haunt me so?



Doesn't she know about the unfinished projects I already have languishing? I have no room for more m'dear... but those cables. Oh those cables.

I think my mind is still on vacation

I love Seattle, but today I'm dreaming of a day in New York with nothing better to do than eat bagels in Central Park.

Reception

The reception was a mellow, pleasant picnic where the weather held off enough to prevent an actual downpour. Kids were (mostly) free to run around and adults were free to eat all the blackberry cobbler they wanted.

Here's some of the Hilltop crew doing just that.



And here are many of us with the beautiful blanket they knit for Jesse and I! I believe it's from Mason Dixon Knitting.




That's Karen, Martine, Jenny, Jesse, Betsy, me, Teresa and Daphne (some of the knitters involved are not pictured here). It's adorable and because of the coolness of this summer I've already begun to use it!

Thank you all for the lovely handmade gift to warm our home.

*EDIT* All pictures by Seth Howard.

Brooklyn Finds

One of the places I was most proud to find independently in New York was the Ohio Knitting Mills in Brooklyn. It's a store full of never worn vintage sweaters from the 1940's through the 1970's. The owner apparently bought a warehouse full and is using it to stock his store.

The wares not only stock his store but parts of the original Ohio knitting mill used to manufacture these sweaters are furniture and Christmas work party pictures from the forties decorate the walls.

Not only is it beautiful as a snapshot in time, but you just might get a great deal. The sweaters themselves aren't cheap, but after asking about a table of ribbon in a corner I got a great price per spool. Let's just say I filled my backpack up without a second thought.

Ohio Knitting Mills
231 Smith St.
Brooklyn, NY
718.596.7103

Open Wed-Sat 12-8, Sun 12-6



My sis and I also made it to the Etsy Labs. They were hosting an open house, "Cupcake Day" where cupcakes were served and crafted up on totes, pillows, etc.



That's my sis staring down a giant owl. There were lots of supplies for jewelry making, sewing, knitting, crochet, and general craftiness. It was cool to see the hub of etsy and so many people crafting together. (Note the cupcake bag, adorable!)



Next time I hope to go to the Make Workshop and Craft Lab.

Ta Da!

There have been lots of questions about the dress and so I'm finally posting a picture of it- proof I finished before the wedding. I'm not all dressed up yet, this is in fact a picture of the girls getting ready in the boudoir. Oooh la la!



Still, not too bad eh?

I was pretty happy with it considering how much I strayed, improvised, from the original pattern. It's a combination of Rowans' Butterfly, Alhemys' Ingenue and my own pattern. I used Debbie Bliss Pure Silk and Rowan Kidsilk Spray.

Also if you've read this far you deserve to be reminded about the Half Price Knit Night happening on Capitol Hill tomorrow at 7pm - around 10pm. Let me know if I'll see you there!

Purl Visit

While in New York I had to take a half day to visit Purl in SoHo. Purl is not just a store (or even two stores) to me. I read their blog almost daily and it keeps me updated on a variety of fiber arts. I reread the owners book, Last Minute Knitted Gifts and am looking forward to her new book: Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts.

I knew I would enjoy my visit to their two stores.

Don't I look happy?



This is me in front of the windows of Purl, can you see the colorful displays of natural fiber yarn? Honestly, I went in, I drooled and I bought a magazine. That's it, one magazine. Albeit an expensive, imported magazine, but just the one. It could have something to do with the mountain of yarn I'm now catologing on ravelry... but I digress.

Purl Patchwork is it's own store just a few doors down from Purl.

Here are the adorable hoops I plan on mimicking one of these days...



Could I have the whold display please?



How much is that kitty in the window?



I didn't get away with just one thing at Purl Patchwork. No, it seemed like I had to have one of each. Not having much of a fabric stash at home made it easy to justify lots of beautiful purchases.

Now I need to get sewing while it's still skirt weather.