Opening Night!

One fantastic little actress had her stage debut tonight. Congratulations!



I'm finishing up the Vogue piece. I'm still chugging away on the 236 yards of silken straw. And I just received a sweater in the mail that I'm going to copy for a chistmas gft. It's my sis-in-laws favorite sweater and she's love another one. It's super lovely and now I get to hunt down the perfect yarn. Pics to follow.

Got food poisoning from some cheese that came from the farmers market. I don't feel so hot. oh brother.

Fringed!

UGH!

Ok, I really loved the Weldon's pattern that I picked out. I really loved the silken straw that I bought a month ago. I even loved ripping back and reknitting the first few times. I'm now officially over it. Totally and completely over it!! I have knit this pattern for 2 days and have not gotten through one skein of this stuff. Holy crap, it's not than many yards. I'm using size 5's not 000's. I'm a fast knitter. I can get through just about anything in a relatively short amount of time. Is it worth it? I mean it's really pretty. I've gone back and forth a number of times as to what this is actually going to be. I had a brilliant idea but then the knitting didn't cooperate. (sorry Martha!) I'm going to give it one more day. Then, that's it!

In other knitting news, I finished the Karabella lace mohair scarf. It's very pretty. I went to M&J and picked 15 yds of hand dyed silk ribbon and 15 yds of chiffon ribbon to use as fringe on the scarf. ($$$ ouch!) I'll take a picture after I finish it. The espresso yarn and the two espresso ribbons match perfectly. I can't wait to see the final piece!!

And finally, I have to complete the Vogue piece that I started a few weeks ago. I should probably work on it tomorrow and wednesday.

I'm wondering why I have put this crazy pressure on myself to knit all of my gifts for the holidays. I'm in pretty good shape but there are a few stragglers out there and it makes me a little nervous...bah...whatever, I'll do what I can and buy the rest...

Tuscany!!

Look at what my sister is making FOR ME!!!!!!



It's Tuscany from Interweave Knits. I think it was from spring '06 but it could be from some other issue. The pattern wasn't in the issue, only the photo. It's a crochet pattern. Isn't is AWESOME!!! I think this is the back.

I'm not sure it's going to fit me but she says it will. (ahem!) I totally love it. She's using the yarn that we bought in Rhinebeck. Of course I don't remember what farm it came from. She thinks there will be some leftover. Sweater anyone?

I thought I'd make a little more work for myself...

This is the actual color of the manly man sweater. It's a bit blurry and the photo was a mistake but in any event, the correct color! I love it. He hasn't taken it off since I gave it to him. He loves it. The only question is why did I give it to him now? I couldn't wait a month? Really, what is wrong with me?





Silken straw stitch sample from Weldon's.



The pattern is really funny calling for overs and narrows! huh...Anyway, I really love it. It's a bit tedious but I still love it.... The whole thing is going to take some time...


Look familiar?






I found 2 balls of Karabella lace mohair in espresso in my stash and decided to make another scarf. Somone is bugging the crappola out of me about the other one so here it is! A new version in a different color. Also since I wore the pink sweater vest to work last night I need anther gift! I think I just like to make more work for myself. I mean that vest was a perfect gift for someone - almost anyone and I had to go ahead and wear it!! I actually got a few compliments on it! so go figure...


I'll have to start working on the Vogue project soon but for today I'm just going to knit this brainless lace scarf. Besides they told me to wait until after the holiday weekend to finish is up. Some good advice that I'm following!

Finally...

After numerous swatching bouts (like 15), I have finally come up with a pattern for my silken straw. FINALLY! I've never swatched this much. Ever. Anyway, I'm about half way through the first skein and I LOVE IT. I have no idea how far this one skein will go so I'm just knitting away to the end of it. When I get there I might change my plans for this project but for now I'm happily following my Weldon's pattern and knitting away. It's really beautiful. I'd show you but I don't want one or more people reading this blog to see the beauty yet. It's a surprise! I've come up with a really cool thing to make. Again I can't say but I'm feeling very Martha Stewart inspired! and I'm feeling super crafty! I'll have to visit a fabric store for this one!!!

Yesterday was awesome. I didn't have to do anything - just show up and eat (and drink). Very relaxing and stress free. I loved being at home. It seems like I'm always someplace else for the holidays. I've decided to stay home this year. If Christmas turns out like Thanksgiving it's gonna be a great way to end the year...New Year's will most likely be spent in Montauk at our friend's house. It's become a tradition over the years and it's great fun! Plus there's a new yarn store in Montauk!!!! I haven't been yet but I'm totally looking forward to it!

I'm going to go back to knitting. Then off to work later. whaaaaa. Hopefully the weekend will be a little slower than ususal because of the holiday. However, I thought that on Wednesday and yikes, it was busy! I'm thinking that everyone in new york city went shopping today and they are too pooped to go out drinking, right?

Update

I just finished the pattern for the knit.1 top. YAY! I haven't even opened up for business yet and already done. YeHa!!!

I also figured out the pattern for th silken straw on the subway down to work. Super Score! Now hopefully it will be a very quiet night and I will get in some awesome lace knitting (in the dark!) But first I have to make a pom pom for the cashmere earflap hat that I'm giving to tonights dj! Lucky Eugene!!

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy knitting!

check!

Manly Man sweater is blocking. Actually, I'm not exactly blocking it. I've washed it in cold water on the delicate cycle. Now it's just drying - no pins. The color stinks in this photo. It is a beautiful heathery milk chocolate. It fits perfectly. I lowered the neckline so that the 5:00 shadow wouldn't fray the yarn. Sleeve length...perfect. Body width and length...perfect. YAY!!!!



Next up...I stopped at the Yarn co. yesterday and bought some yarn to make Sloane from Yarnplay for a christmas gift. The pattern called for Rowan Ribbon Twist with a gauge of 2 st". I didn't want to use that but needed to come up with a bulky yarn. I bought 3 yarns and held a strand from each...Rowan Soft Baby, Koigu and Louet mohair. I totally love the fabric that these 3 yarns made. It was like knitting with cotton candy. It's super lightweight, soft and pretty. Since I ususally design my own stuff it was really nice to just sit down and start knitting. I didn't even do a gauge swatch! (Not true, I knit up the back as my gauge swatch and then decided to reknit on smaller needles.) So I just started knitting the pattern without reading through it. How complicated could a v-neck vest be? Really? Well I don't get why this pattern was written this way. I mean it looks very simple but the pattern assumes a lot and leaves a lot of things up to the knitter. NOTE TO SELF: keep patterns clear, understandable and simple (when possible). Since it took about two hours to knit, I think I'll probably make another one following my own design. I'll definitely do it in the round. It's supposed to be short and sexy...why side seams until you really need them? Anyway it was a little disappointing to find out that the pattern was poorly written. I'll have to look at the other patterns to see if they are equally vague.



I turned in the revised top for Knit.1 earlier in the week. I think it was much better than the first. So we'll see if they use it. They were shooting in Miami this week. It sure would be nice to see my work shot in the sunshine! I have to rework the pattern over the weekend.

I also picked up the other project I was working on for Vogue. I guess they shot it and now I can finish it up over the weekend. It's still really gorgeous!!

I've been reading through my Weldon's Practical Needlework books. (I have all but 2 volumes!). I'm looking for a lacey pattern for the Silken Straw. I think I found a couple. I'll be swatching tonight at work, hopefully! They are written in such a funny way. I love these books!! I need volumes 2 and 5 if anyone knows where I can get them!

That's all for now. Have a happy Thanksgiving.

LaGuardia, Oh LaGuardia

Most people think of the NYC airport when they hear the name LaGuardia. Or maybe they think about the former mayor of NYC, Fiorello LaGuardia.

Well, today I only think of one thing... Fiorello LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts or as it's known around these parts just...LaGuardia. LaGuardia is the cream of the crop of young performing artists in this fine city (and quite possibly the country). It is deemed a specialized high school which makes it stand out in the incredibly insane high school application process for NYC residents. It is outside of the 12 slots used for ranking your high school choices. Notification of acceptance happens about 6 weeks earlier than all of the other schools in the city (with the exception of the sci. hs, which are given the same early acceptance because boy, oh boy, those are some brainy kids!) LaGuardia sits directly behind Lincoln Center. It is a state of the art facility. And it's HUGE - physically, emotionally, academically and professionally. It's the school that the movie Fame was based on. 1,000's of kids audition for the 6 studios throughout November and December. As an example, in 2005, 2,362 kids auditioned for the drama studio. Only 50 were accepted. 50! Another example, 2,367 auditioned for the dance studio. Guess how many got in? 69! Yeah. It's pretty competitive in the Big Apple.

Well, today was the audition for manhattan residents (that really, really, really want to go there next year!) It started this morning with a 6:00 am wake up call. Breakfast. Some chit chat and off to the audition. The #1 train south to 66th st. At the school by 7:00. The auditions started around 7:30. You were to be prepared with 2 memorized 1 minute monologues. And you were to be ready to do a cold reading, and possibly have a sweet little interview. Hmmm, 8:30.....9:30.....10:30.....11:30...11:40 a call to say that there was a lunch break and to be back by 12:45....WHAT. WHAT DO YOU MEAN A LUNCH BREAK. WHAT IS HAPPENING? well, what had been happening was this...first, fill out some forms. Follow the leader to a classroom. Wait your turn in some chairs. Go into room (by yourself) where there are 5 judges (teachers, students, people?) perform monologues. Thank you very much. Back to the chairs. From the first group some were asked to stay behind. Round 2...same as Round 1 only with 7 judges (people) in the room. Interview....why should we pick you? what makes you special, blah, blah, blah...Lunch break. After lunch, improvisation. Thank you very much. Good Luck. Check back on February 10th. and then the 11th, 12th, etc. If there's no notification, you didn't get in. YIKES! College has to be easier after this!!

It's the shoes

I bought a pair of black low heel pumps to make the boots from the Knitty Gritty "If the Shoe Fits" episode. http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/na_knitting/article/0,2025,DIY_14141_4259284,00.html
I can't wait to get started. I'm just finishing up a couple of things and then on to the shoes! I've already marked them up for drilling. I have to run out and get some burly spun or something similar. I'm thinking I might make them higher. I haven't decided yet. I guess I'll make them low and then decide. I can alway take out the bind off and knit some more.

That's it for now. Running out. Gotta go to work...

Breast Augmentation!

Yes, I have created new breasts! I wish I could show you!! I'm so proud of this bit of knitting today. Since I had to redo the breast section of the top, I made some other small architectural changes. I think the new top is great!. My fingers are crossed!! But I have to say, I'm feeling really good about this.

I'll take pics of the alpaca sweater soon. It's not completely finished. I'm still thinking about the final neckline. It's going to be mock turtleneck but it might just roll although I'm leaning toward a rolled neck with a hem....to match the bottom. I can still remove the bottom hem but I kind of like it. So, that would mean a neck hem. I'm leaving the sleeves hem free. He prefers the rolled variety. Fine with me!

It's kind of a big weekend. There is a major audition for someone around here. Good Luck. Bon Chance. Break a leg...major crossed fingers and toes!!!

Off to work...

Ahhh, a second chance!!

Wow, those folks at AKD sure are nice. I'm getting a second chance. Well not really a second chance but a chance to explain myself. I get to clarify what I was up to. Yay. Super excellent!! Yippee.

I, in fact, did not work on boobs today. I finished the sleeves, joined and now I'm headin' for home! My manly man sweater should be finished tonight! It's crazy how much memory is in alpaca. Since I didn't play by the rules this sweater could have some memory issues. As I said I pulled out a beautiful sweater that was worked in a rib pattern throughout and just blazed ahead with this simple little number. The yarn is incredibly wavy from it's previous stitches. After I do all of the finishing I'm going to give this baby a good soaking. Major pinning. Lots of love. We'll see what happens...

I met with Dona who is the proud new owner of Yarntopia. It's a store that is opening on the upper, upper west side. She was really nice and totally crazed. She's planning on opening the day after Thanksgiving!! She was looking for a couple of people to help customers with their problem projects during the first few weeks that she's open. It's a great idea. She asked me for my schedule so I emailed it to her but I think that because I work those primo nights that she won't be able to use me. Oh well, I can still go and hang out in her store... It was really nice to be asked...

I'm thinking about making some items for sale. Possibly inernet or internet and boutique. I've done it before and it's awesome but I don't really love making the same thing more than about 3 times (max!). But this would be a little bit different. It's in response to how I was feeling yesterday but it's also something that I've been tossing around for a while. I might start with baby but that's not definine either. Anyway, I'm trying to stay on top of my feelings from yesterday and to capitalize on some good thinking time. I'll do boobs tomorrow!!

Today was a good day. For most of it I wanted to just pull over from my life and take a time out. I wanted some bench time. I promised I would pick up exactly where I left off. But instead I went out to lunch with a special someone, talked, talked some more and then poof my head changed and here I am feeling all positive again. Even with the boobs hanging over me and my shift key popping off. I can't complain. My life is beautiful!

Prozac Nation

Well it's happened. My usually upbeat mood has taken a nose dive.... It's official. I'm in a funk. WTF? I don't really do funks well.

This is what happened:

1. The boobs on my "fun" little Knit.1 project looked like bloody hell on the model today. OMG, yuck. How can everything work like magic on my dress form and be so completely sucky on a real person? Really, how? ok, so the model had no boobs. That is actually a good thing. But wow really crappy. So, I've happily yanked the ta-tas off the top and will be happily crunching numbers later tonight or tomorrow. The changes have to be back to them by Monday. I sure hope all goes well or else...

2. I got my AKD materials back today. Whaaaaaaaaa. I was sent an email from them on November 3rd but I never received it. Really. I didn't. My email program lets me go WAAAAAAY back and it wasn't there. I guess they assumed that I wasn't going to respond so they sent the stuff back. CRAP. Also, my pattern that was enclosed was terrible. I honestly don't know what I was thinking about. It came back all marked up in red. Yes, in RED. How embarrassing. In my defense I was thinking that they wanted to see pattern writing to confirm that the designer can write patterns. It never dawned on me to be looking for things like my quotation marks to go in opposing directions. I don't even know how to make my keboard do that! Anyway, It's so humiliating. I just never EVER thought about it. So I guess it serves me right. Anyway, the note said that I could be an associate member. I sent an email back immediately. I tried to explain what happened so I'm waiting to hear back. I don't have good feelings about this. Not at all.

3. I'm tired. Really, really tired. 2 feakin' weeks of work and I'm very tired. I'm loaded down with dough but I'll never be able to get that sleep back ever again. It's gone. Forever.

4. I'm feeling like I need to do something other than bartend. I mean I love it but it's like drugs. The money is so easy and so awesome....but I'm not getting any younger, you know. tick tick tick. The problem is I only want to do things relating to knitting. But because I make so much cash I would have to get a seriously high paying day job in order to compete. Then my days would be spent working in an office. But I really don't want to work during the day. In an office. I want to be anti social for a while. Sounds like bartending is it for now! Crap.

5. My shift key keeps coming off my laptop. It just did it again. Crap.

Sooooooo, a little Prozac might be good right about now.

Oh, I've finished one and a half manly man sleeves. So all is not coompletely lost. But to the back baby I've got some hoochies to work on tomorrow!

If the shoe knits...

OMG!! did you see this episode of Knitty Gritty? http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/na_knitting/article/0,2025,DIY_14141_4259284,00.html
(if the link doesn't work try diynetwork.com and look up the episode "If the shoe knits")

I just finished watching it. What a great idea. I would like to knit the shoe all of the way up the calf so that in mid-winter there's no need for leg warmers!!! Yay Tina. Great job!
I'm not kidding. This was the most inspiring episode. Usually it's pretty ho hum but Wow. Easy. Fun. Fabulous!! I'm off to buy some cheap shoes...

I'm also off to deliver one of my Soho pub. projects. Yippee. It's the one for knit.1. It was a little tricky getting the bust stuff figured out but I think I did it! It's pretty fresh and super cute!

The other project was needed for photography because they are actually going to do a workshop using it. The pattern is THAT awesome. I'll get it back on thursday and finish it up over the weekend. You will LOVE this pattern.

Tonight is my last night of the 12 that I have to work. Thank the good Lord above. I'm pooped! I won't have to go back until friday. wooo hoooo!

No Sleeves but...

I've been diligently knitting away on my fun projects...I'm giving a few sneak peaks. I don't want to get into trouble so just a glimpse...

First up is a little yumminess in a dk cotton. Looks like stripes to me. And hey, they are going in different directions. Is that a boob? Thankfully, I've pretty much finished this one. I just have to do some nice finishing. Delivery...Monday! (maybe sooner)





Next up: This beauty!!



This has been a dream job. It is so easy to knit but with an amazing payoff. You are going to LOVE this. No kidding. Everyone will be making it. I didn't do the design. I'm just re-knitting this for VK. I'm loving every second of it....You will too.

And finally,

Sad but true. My manly man sweater is still sleeveless. whaaaa. After I deliver the two pieces up above. I'll whip this out in no time.

I have a bunch more nights to work. I'm not feeling 100% but hopefully it's just a passing sniff of a cold or flu. My fingers are crossed.

And now back to the knitting....

Nutcracker Tix!!

I'm running out to get Nutcracker Tickets. I've waited too long so now I have to run down to the theatre box office and pick them up there. If you've never seen NYC Ballet's Nutcracker, you really should. It is one of the most beautiful performances ever. It's great to get all dressed up and go to the theatre. It's magical. So I'm off to get them...

I'm hopefully going to finish one of my projects today. The Knit.1 tank top. It's pretty cool looking. I think I've actually figured out the bust shaping. So I just need to finalize the last of the knitting and then block it.

Pics coming soon.

More of the Same

Just checking in...

I'm continuing to work on the two Soho projects and the alpaca sweater (Actually that's a lie. I haven't touched the alpaca sweater since monday). I'm working 12 out of the next 14 nights so I might suffer from sleep deprivation. Again, a lie...I'm already suffering from sleep deprivation!! However, when I got home last night I noticed my Interweave Knits was patiently waiting for me. So I spent a few needed sleep minutes looking through it. I should have gone straight to bed since I remember nothing from it. I'll be bringing it to work later....along with my yummy projects.

One of the yummy projects requires some fancy footwork around the breast area. Here's my dilemma - I don't have any good source info for cup sizing. In order to grade the pattern I'll need to adjust it for breast size as well as bust circumference. Interesting and kind of fun in a sort of scary way. I mean I'm not very well endowed so I'm really clueless to the whole breast size and shape and my handy dandy yarn council info doesn't provide any hints. hmmmm. I'll figure it out somehow. I guess I'll do a google search and see what comes up. So far what I've come up with looks pretty good on the dress form.

The other yummy project is just glorious fun. Fun, Fun, Fun....You'll see pics soon...I love the yarn that I'm using. I love the design that I'm knitting. I just can't say enough great things about it. Really, you'll see pics soon....

That's about it. It looks like it's freezing outside - but sunny and beautiful. I have a ton of errands to run before I get to work - all cutting in to my knitting time. I hate that. I'd like to sit on my couch for the next 4 days and knit from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed. That would be awesome. But no, none of that. There is probably more bartending than knitting inmy immediate future...

Happy knitting and don't drink and drive!

I'm a lucky duck!

Happy November!

The weather has been unbelievable in NYC. Halloween was almost balmy! I think we've seen the last of it though. It's definitely chilly today...

On to the knitting!
I picked up my fabulous projects from Soho. I am indeed a lucky girl. First of all, I am so lucky that I know how to knit in this day and age. I feel tremendously sorry for those that don't know how to do it or have some strange hang up about it. I think the world would be a better place if everyone had to knit or crochet their own things. Or if everyone had to make things for other people. That would be even better. OMG, we would all try so hard all of the time and we would all want to make beautiful, mistake free garments for our loved ones. Maybe with crazy unconventional ideas thrown in just to show off! Oh wait, some of us already do that!! but could you imagine getting a scarf from someone that has just learned how to knit? The pride on their face when giving you the object of love? It would be awesome.

I don't really want to discuss my new projects from Soho pub. because of contracts and all but WOW! They are really great...challenging, beautiful, fun to knit. All of the best things about knitting for hire. None of the scary, "Holy crap, I can't do this" stuff going on. YAY! And the deadlines are like far, far away. SCORE!!

My manly man sweater is coming along. It's been tried on. It seems a bit large but not like the sweater it once was and now is no longer. The red cashmere hem is lovely particulary in contrast with the heathery brown alpaca. I'm on the sleeves. I had to buy (yes purchase) some size 7 dpn's. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? I know for a fact that I have about 20 little size 7 dpn's around here. Oh well, it gave me a reason to stop by Purl. God they have nice yarn....

I've decided (75%) that I'm going to make the beautiful coat in the latest Rebecca magazine for my sis in law. Well actually, I've sent her a pic of it to see if she likes it. I think it is amazing. If I saw that on someone I would have to stop them on the street and check it out. Really. I love it that much. I'm not sure I'll make it out of the yarn they suggest. I saw some divine yumminess at Purl yesterday. But we'll see. First she has to like it. Then we can pick yarn. It CANNOT be heavy. I want it to be like mohair light (I know not actually that light but not like Manos or anything heavy like that). However it is 4 st. "? hmmmm.

I still haven't found a shawl pattern that I love for that other someone special. I'm a little distracted right now with the Vogue stuff but I don't think these will take me the entire month. So hopefully I could actually finish my holiday knitting in a timely manner. That would be fantastic!!

Well, off to get a mammogram. Have you had yours? Do yourself a favor, make an appointment TODAY.

xoxo