And very busy. Let's play catch up.
Ravelympics - well I failed didn't even cross the finish line. I was in the teeny bikini breast stroke for the Knit Girls and wow umm, yeah deadlines aren't really my strong point. I'm sure it didn't help that I had perfume spill in my purse and saturate the yarn so strongly that in order to work on the bikini I had to be outside on my terrace so the apartment wouldn't take on the smell of a french whore.
Spinning - It's the summer and its nice out and there are a million things to do while its nice out...enough excuses lets face facts, I am being a very bad fiber artist as of late. I have like 4 bobbins of halfway completed yarns that I just need to sit down and finish but I have no time, no time at all.
Life - Umm yeah this is what has been keeping me from doing anything else, so to put it all in one post would be insane. No pics today no details either. Lets sum it up like this a life in flux is never boring.
Till the next time I have five minutes to spare...
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
Fiber Friday for a Needy Newborn
Oh yes, Friday that day of the week that signifies your droney work week is almost through. I work in finance and wow, this is not the time to work in finance people. Seriously put your money in a mattress and pray that your home doesn't catch on fire. (I can dole out this information as long as I don't call it "financial advice")
Any who, I've been a project ho (surprise surprise) casting on and abandoning projects like the unfaithful knitter I always knew I'd be. As of right now I have a sweater from the spring IK, two pairs of socks (okay okay 4 pairs but I don't count two of them cause I haven't picked them up in over 2 months), a shrug, a hipscarf, and a baby sweater on the needles. All this isn't even counting my winter projects abandoned cause I can't deal with hot wool in the summer. Oy, I need to stop casting on and browsing ravelry cause I think I may have a problem. Is there like a 12 step program out there for flaky knitters?
On to fiber. The baby sweater I mentioned in my overwhelming list above is for a friends newborn, named Veronica Rose. Veronica was born to term but was very underweight and had to spend the first two weeks of her life in a hospital. This is no way for a baby to enter the world so I figured I’d knit her something to keep her warm until her baby fat had a chance to develop. I dug through my fiber stash and found Rosebud corriedale roving from the Spunky Eclectic FOTM club. I thought the names were kismet so I spun a nice woolen 2ply bulky single to knit the trim on a sweater for the new baby.
But first I ran the roving through my carder with some Angelina fiber in white gold so that the new baby could sparkle.
I liked the blended look of the fiber so much better.
And here’s the yarn I came up with. (Pics are wonky due to a crappy camera)
I thought I would have enough yarn but sadly nope. I am pairing this with some lambs pride bulky in a light gray and using the handspun to knit the trim. The sweater is almost done and I'll be sure to post pics when it is.
Any who, I've been a project ho (surprise surprise) casting on and abandoning projects like the unfaithful knitter I always knew I'd be. As of right now I have a sweater from the spring IK, two pairs of socks (okay okay 4 pairs but I don't count two of them cause I haven't picked them up in over 2 months), a shrug, a hipscarf, and a baby sweater on the needles. All this isn't even counting my winter projects abandoned cause I can't deal with hot wool in the summer. Oy, I need to stop casting on and browsing ravelry cause I think I may have a problem. Is there like a 12 step program out there for flaky knitters?
On to fiber. The baby sweater I mentioned in my overwhelming list above is for a friends newborn, named Veronica Rose. Veronica was born to term but was very underweight and had to spend the first two weeks of her life in a hospital. This is no way for a baby to enter the world so I figured I’d knit her something to keep her warm until her baby fat had a chance to develop. I dug through my fiber stash and found Rosebud corriedale roving from the Spunky Eclectic FOTM club. I thought the names were kismet so I spun a nice woolen 2ply bulky single to knit the trim on a sweater for the new baby.
But first I ran the roving through my carder with some Angelina fiber in white gold so that the new baby could sparkle.
I liked the blended look of the fiber so much better.
And here’s the yarn I came up with. (Pics are wonky due to a crappy camera)
I thought I would have enough yarn but sadly nope. I am pairing this with some lambs pride bulky in a light gray and using the handspun to knit the trim. The sweater is almost done and I'll be sure to post pics when it is.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Hey Everybody Do You Know What Time it Is???
It's PICTURE POST TIME!!!! Yay!!!!
Yes, it's a picture post, the posts I do when I'm too busy to type but have a huge back log of photos to share. This picture post is a mish mash of all different things so hopefully there's something for everyone.
I love the long dog days of summer (well I don't love the stink of the city but the lazy afternoons and devil may care attitudes really get me happy.) One of my favorite saturday morning things to do is get Dessie-pup all geared up for the dog park and then stop at the mini-farmers market that sets up every Saturday at Van Vorst Park (a cute little oasis by my house.) She gets tired and dirty and I get produce, cheese, pickles, olives and hummus for the week.
Here's a lunch I made last weekend with Jersey farm tomatoes and fresh buffalo mozzarella. The basil is from my terrace garden.
Yum
Speaking of my garden here's the first thing it gave me to eat this year (yes my gardening skills suck but I'm still holding out for at least one freaking tomato)
Spicy and hot, just like peppers should be. This sucker was so hot I scraped the seeds out and let them sit in olive oil to make a lovely fused spicy olive oil perfect for cooking or a daring salad.
This is my weed "Sandy"
I would normally pick the weeds but this little gal is so persistant growing out of the cracked cement of my terrace floor that I have to let her live as long as she can survive without me helping her out. I'm not watering her or anything and shes' the healthiest plant on my terrace :(
Here are some belly shot from my good friend Erik D. He takes lovely pictures and doesn't mind when I call him an asshole or make stupid faces at the camera (I hate having my picture taken)
And look glow poi pics
Very ravery
Yes, it's a picture post, the posts I do when I'm too busy to type but have a huge back log of photos to share. This picture post is a mish mash of all different things so hopefully there's something for everyone.
I love the long dog days of summer (well I don't love the stink of the city but the lazy afternoons and devil may care attitudes really get me happy.) One of my favorite saturday morning things to do is get Dessie-pup all geared up for the dog park and then stop at the mini-farmers market that sets up every Saturday at Van Vorst Park (a cute little oasis by my house.) She gets tired and dirty and I get produce, cheese, pickles, olives and hummus for the week.
Here's a lunch I made last weekend with Jersey farm tomatoes and fresh buffalo mozzarella. The basil is from my terrace garden.
Yum
Speaking of my garden here's the first thing it gave me to eat this year (yes my gardening skills suck but I'm still holding out for at least one freaking tomato)
Spicy and hot, just like peppers should be. This sucker was so hot I scraped the seeds out and let them sit in olive oil to make a lovely fused spicy olive oil perfect for cooking or a daring salad.
This is my weed "Sandy"
I would normally pick the weeds but this little gal is so persistant growing out of the cracked cement of my terrace floor that I have to let her live as long as she can survive without me helping her out. I'm not watering her or anything and shes' the healthiest plant on my terrace :(
Here are some belly shot from my good friend Erik D. He takes lovely pictures and doesn't mind when I call him an asshole or make stupid faces at the camera (I hate having my picture taken)
And look glow poi pics
Very ravery
Monday, July 21, 2008
A Neglected FO
Okay, so I finished these arm warmers a million years ago, but I've been too damn busy (lazy) to post the FO with the details. Neglected and un-loved, they sat on my dresser top until my bestie Mollie came over last week. She saw the neglected FO and snatched them up proclaiming her love for them. I gladly gave them to her (I'm just not the kind of person to wear arm warmers) and she graciously let me take pics with her modeling them.
(Without Flash)
Pattern: Spirogyra from Knitty Spring 2008 (Found in the Knittyspin section
Yarn: Handspun 50/50 merino tencel from an unknown vendor purchased at rhinebeck. I spindle spun then yarn and andean plied it using my Louet S10 it was about fingering weight and 300 yards from 2oz
Needles: US2 & US3
Notes: No real modifications to the pattern, however my gauge must have gotten tighter (or my yarn thinner) because the left arm is smaller then the right. I also neglected to do the color thing that Knittyspin used this pattern for, instead I let the yarn do what it wanted and it made these cool thin stripes.
Pic with flash and look at Mollies cool nail polish (I can't wear cool nail polish cause of office dress code)
Shes so happy to have them, and oops I totally forgot to weave the ends in oh well.
(Without Flash)
Pattern: Spirogyra from Knitty Spring 2008 (Found in the Knittyspin section
Yarn: Handspun 50/50 merino tencel from an unknown vendor purchased at rhinebeck. I spindle spun then yarn and andean plied it using my Louet S10 it was about fingering weight and 300 yards from 2oz
Needles: US2 & US3
Notes: No real modifications to the pattern, however my gauge must have gotten tighter (or my yarn thinner) because the left arm is smaller then the right. I also neglected to do the color thing that Knittyspin used this pattern for, instead I let the yarn do what it wanted and it made these cool thin stripes.
Pic with flash and look at Mollies cool nail polish (I can't wear cool nail polish cause of office dress code)
Shes so happy to have them, and oops I totally forgot to weave the ends in oh well.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
A Video in which I Spaz out to Music in Costume
From my performance at the Showcase Sunday. I was a little buzzed which is totally obvious in my "oh my" faces.
A New Obsession
Okay, I'm spread pretty thin with all my hobbies and pursuits but I found something new to take up some more time I don't have. Bento boxes and not the ones that can be found in every Japanese/Asian/fusion restaurant in NY. Real bento boxes packed at home and brought to work to curtail my excessive spending and widening waist line.
Now of course to start any good hobby you must spend a little money first. Well look at this website! Cheap cheapy cheap cheap. I couldn't believe the prices, you should look at it even if you can't stand bentos. It's like a dollar store online that sells cute and use full Japanese items. They also sell really amazing USB hubs for cheap that make me smile and hate my job just a little less.
Now I tried to make a bento but it came out bad, like super bad (no Seth Rogan wasn't in a cop uniform) and well whatever, I'll just keep trying. The thing about Bento Boxes is that they are small so you have to maximize your space and you realize what portion control really is. Also you need color and variety to make it look nice and fill you up. I live by a few Asian supermarkets but I've never set foot inside one. I'm going to take a field trip this week and I will report what I find.
On the crafting front, I cast on another pair of socks (yes I have yet to finish the last pair.) I also started a baby sweater from handspun for a friend of mine who just had a little girl. I like baby knitting cause it goes so fast, instant gratification I say. I'll get some pics for the next post. Until then stay cool in this 90 plus weather.
Now of course to start any good hobby you must spend a little money first. Well look at this website! Cheap cheapy cheap cheap. I couldn't believe the prices, you should look at it even if you can't stand bentos. It's like a dollar store online that sells cute and use full Japanese items. They also sell really amazing USB hubs for cheap that make me smile and hate my job just a little less.
Now I tried to make a bento but it came out bad, like super bad (no Seth Rogan wasn't in a cop uniform) and well whatever, I'll just keep trying. The thing about Bento Boxes is that they are small so you have to maximize your space and you realize what portion control really is. Also you need color and variety to make it look nice and fill you up. I live by a few Asian supermarkets but I've never set foot inside one. I'm going to take a field trip this week and I will report what I find.
On the crafting front, I cast on another pair of socks (yes I have yet to finish the last pair.) I also started a baby sweater from handspun for a friend of mine who just had a little girl. I like baby knitting cause it goes so fast, instant gratification I say. I'll get some pics for the next post. Until then stay cool in this 90 plus weather.
Friday, July 11, 2008
FO for the Weekend
Okay I made it exactly 48 hours on the master cleanse and I'm never ever doing it again (okay I may try one more time when there are less food distractions to tempt me.)
Onto the FO
Mmmm Sleepy Face
Pattern: Lotus Blossom Tank from IK
Yarn: Cool Crochet by Bernat
Needles: US4 & US5
Notes: Well first of all I'm going to rant for a second. I printed the PDF for this pattern of of the IK website for free. I was about 3/4 of the way through the knit when the PDF, myself and the UFO were all soaked in a freak rainstorm. After letting it dry out I realized my printed copy was no longer legible and went to the IK website to print another copy. Well la-de-freaking-da, IK had pulled the free pattern to put it in their "Best of IK" book (which I do not intend to buy since I have most of the patterns in magazines) I was not going to spend 20 something dollars for a book for a single pattern that on it's own merit isn't very good. Go ahead look at the FO's on Ravelry the good looking tanks have all been modified and tweaked to make this unflattering knit pretty. Well after much struggle, bitching, whining and public airing of my grievances I found a copy of the magazine the pattern was in and was able to finish my tank.
Now for the modifications, buckle your seat belt there are a lot. First my gauge was almost a 1/2 inch smaller then what the pattern called for but this was a good thing because the knit is now fitted. Second I did 6 repeats of the lace pattern instead of 4 to make a baby-doll style top. I added a full inch to the bodice so that it wouldn't cut across my boobs and instead created a more A-line top. I shortened the armholes by an inch to avoid gaping and buckling and to compensate I picked up 10 less stitches for each arm hole. When switching from the lace to the bodice I decreased 10 stitches and then increased 10 stitches in alternated paired increases to create a more flattering line.
This is not the most flattering pic :P
Boobalicious
I should remember to stand up straight.
All in all this was a nice knit, I've worn it to the office and gotten many a compliment on it. The yarn was cheapo stuff that can be picked up at any mass-market store like wal-mart and has a lovely shine to it, slightly sparkly but not overwhelming, it tended to get a bit splitty but the entire tank cost me 14 dollars to make and has a lovely drape and touch to it.
I would recommend knitting this if you, like me, like to tool around with your patterns.
This post is approved by mermaid stickyfingers
Onto the FO
Mmmm Sleepy Face
Pattern: Lotus Blossom Tank from IK
Yarn: Cool Crochet by Bernat
Needles: US4 & US5
Notes: Well first of all I'm going to rant for a second. I printed the PDF for this pattern of of the IK website for free. I was about 3/4 of the way through the knit when the PDF, myself and the UFO were all soaked in a freak rainstorm. After letting it dry out I realized my printed copy was no longer legible and went to the IK website to print another copy. Well la-de-freaking-da, IK had pulled the free pattern to put it in their "Best of IK" book (which I do not intend to buy since I have most of the patterns in magazines) I was not going to spend 20 something dollars for a book for a single pattern that on it's own merit isn't very good. Go ahead look at the FO's on Ravelry the good looking tanks have all been modified and tweaked to make this unflattering knit pretty. Well after much struggle, bitching, whining and public airing of my grievances I found a copy of the magazine the pattern was in and was able to finish my tank.
Now for the modifications, buckle your seat belt there are a lot. First my gauge was almost a 1/2 inch smaller then what the pattern called for but this was a good thing because the knit is now fitted. Second I did 6 repeats of the lace pattern instead of 4 to make a baby-doll style top. I added a full inch to the bodice so that it wouldn't cut across my boobs and instead created a more A-line top. I shortened the armholes by an inch to avoid gaping and buckling and to compensate I picked up 10 less stitches for each arm hole. When switching from the lace to the bodice I decreased 10 stitches and then increased 10 stitches in alternated paired increases to create a more flattering line.
This is not the most flattering pic :P
Boobalicious
I should remember to stand up straight.
All in all this was a nice knit, I've worn it to the office and gotten many a compliment on it. The yarn was cheapo stuff that can be picked up at any mass-market store like wal-mart and has a lovely shine to it, slightly sparkly but not overwhelming, it tended to get a bit splitty but the entire tank cost me 14 dollars to make and has a lovely drape and touch to it.
I would recommend knitting this if you, like me, like to tool around with your patterns.
This post is approved by mermaid stickyfingers
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