Happy Earth Day!

Hug a tree today.

Art

Shared with me by Cast-On

Unveiling

One of my favorite people in the whole world is (predictably) a complete goofball. One of the things that I absolutely love about him, is that he still loves to dress up in costumes for Halloween (or really any occasion he can use). Off the top of my head, I can recall seeing him as Jason, James Bond, Indiana Jones, Darth Vader, and a Jedi (because it is no fun to always be on the same side). I've seen him come up with his own super heroes to dress as, and most recently he was a Ghostbuster. So, when I saw this pattern, I knew that I had to make it, and Chris had to have it.

When he and his wife Katy announced that they were having a baby, I got to work right away. I wanted to make them something beautiful and practical and filled with my love for the two of them. I dug into my stash for the most beautiful colors I could find, and made them a diaper pad/seat cover. As soon as I had it finished, they let me know they were having a boy. I immediately took this as a sign that I need to break my yarn diet and get everything necessary to make their son a Yoda costume.

Here you can see it being modeled by one of my teddy bears since Charlie Edward Tripp has arrived yet. (Though if my count is correct, the big day should be coming soon.) This set was so much fun to make, and very simple. The only thing I am worried about, is that I don't really have any baby around for size references. I really have no idea if the hat and the robe are going to fit him at the same time. I am completely relying on the 'wrap' structure of the robe to allow it to be worn for a big enough range of time that it will fit whenever the hat does. If it doesn't I could always make another one in a better size, but for that, I'll have to wait for the time to come.

Since my friend is a great photographer, I am hoping for some cute shots of this FO on Charlie when it fits (HINT*HINT*). And finally, I have to say this: Katy, I'm very sorry if you were not wanting to be Princess Leia for Halloween this year, but please let me know if you need some help with the costume.

Ears are not stiffened in this picture
Pattern: Felted Baby Yoda Hat by Sunshyne Leland
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Avacado
Needles: US 11 (8.0mm)
Notes: No alterations or changes

Pattern: Baby Yoda Sweater by Cari Luna (PDF)
Yarn: Knit Picks Comfy Cashew
Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm)
Notes: No alterations or changes.

Happy Easter!

Don't Make Me Pull Over!

A couple weeks ago, Hubby decided to join me for SnB, but when we got there, everyone was a no-show so we took the opportunity to check out some neighborhoods in Brooklyn and walk across the bridge. In DUMBO we came across this adorable covered wagon.

I was very caught up in its cuteness. It is hard not to be, because it is adorable.
Then I started to wonder why it was in Brooklyn. I usually associated covered wagons with long voyages to the West. Then I saw the rest of the story...
Then, like an echo from all those years ago, I could hear the animated pioneer mom yell, "If you two don't stop, I'm turning the wagon around!"

Martha!

One of the women working on Martha's show is from Hoboken, so when she was preparing for the special Yarn episode, and she discovered the Hoboken SnB, she made sure we were invited.  I wasn't going to pass up such a unique opportunity, so I took the day off and headed into Hoboken to meet up with the group.  

We all wanted good seats, so we headed in early, really early.  We made it to the studio with no problems, so we had about an hour and half to wait in line before they would let us in.  The weather was great, there was free coffee, coco and breakfast foods, the company was wonderful, 

and of course, we were surrounded by knitting, so standing in line was actually great fun.  

Once inside the studio, we waited in a nice seating area for further instructions.  There, we were taught how to clap, cheer, aww, yumm, and laugh. We waited for a bit more, chatted with other knitters, and admired all of the incredible projects that people brought along.

Shortly before the taping started, they herded us into the room where all the magic was going to happen, and we waited some more.  None of us minded.  We all had our knitting, and the music was fun.  The crew were constantly complimenting us on what a great audience we were since we all had out WIPs to keep us occupied.  After a refresher course on how to fade out our clapping, they let us take pictures of the set (from our seats).  

Yarn balls hanging in the windows

Yarn Baskets sitting on all of the shelves

And yarn creations on display (yes that deer is yarn)

The actual taping was fun, but it was hard to hear much of what was going on.  What we did hear was the snide comments Martha made, and Mo Rocca giving it right back to her.  When the taping was over, Martha said something (I don't remember what, but it was pleasant), and slowly, we filed back out into the street.

Martha in her lovely yellow sweater (that was not hand knit)

Yep, that's a crocheted urinal that she's standing next to.

Why don't I remember what Martha said?  Well because I like most of my group was a little shocked at our audience gift.  Now, I don't feel like I am entitled to a free gift because I showed up to do something that I wanted to do anyway, but this gift just didn't seem appropriate.  It was a fun fur scarf kit.  I believe this product has its place in the knitting world, and I have already found some great uses for fun fur, but as a gift to a group of talented knitters who value quality yarn, it is disappointing.  Margaux, speaks for the yarn snob in all of us with her post on the event, but I think it is all summed up in Chris's picture.

Seem Familiar?

So, the super secret project has been sent out, and I am just waiting to hear back that it has been received.

With that completed, I cast on my next big project. If you are thinking that this yarn looks familiar, you may be remembering the vest I started making way back last July.  This particular cotton, was just not loving the long stretches of stockinette.  (My gauge inconsistencies were not helping much either.)  if you remember back that far, you may also remember that this is the yarn I had originally intended to use for my Aleita Shell, but it was discouraged as a substitute yarn by someone on Ravelry because it didn't have any linen.  (I still find yarn substitution entirely intimidating.)  

So, I've been holding on to this yarn waiting for the perfect project I've spent months and months of cruising through Ravelry and looking at potential patterns, but I just kept coming back to Aleita.  I love the style of the pattern, and I think that the strong stitch definition of this yarn would really make the lines on the top half pop.  Despite the advice I was so graciously given.  I am going to press on an make another one.  

The other reason I was really wanting a new Aleita is because the last one is not really living up to my expectations.  I was hoping for a sweater that I could wear over a blouse with slacks for work.  I've tried to do that with my blue Aleita, but after the first washing the yarn really softened in appearance.  That, along with the color, just lends itself to a comfy pair of jeans.  When I put it on with slacks, I feel like I am making it be more than it really is.  It also doesn't fit me like I wish it would.  I followed the directions to the letter, and failed to make any adjustments to suit me.  Despite all this, I still love it. 

I am a little braver now, so I've made a slew of adjustments to the pattern, and so far, I am extremely pleased with the results.  

 

So pleased in fact, that I took this project along to knit on as I sat in the audience of the Martha Stewart Show. I could have picked anything to work on and declare my pride for on my first syndicated debut, but if you tuned in yesterday, this is what you would have seen me holding.  Stay tuned for more on Martha.

Happy Birthday Big Bird!

Yesterday was Big Bird's big day.

FO: Hubby's Hat

Secret project update: All of the knitting is done. I have some unusual finishing to do and then I can send it off to the recipients. Once I get confirmation from them that they've gotten it, I can tell you all about it.

Ever since Hubby started doing the grocery shopping, I've been wanting to make him a hat. The store is not far from our apartment, and the walk there is a really nice one along the water. However, being along the water is a bit windy and it can get pretty chilly. When Hubby mentioned that he had been pulling his scarf over his head so that it covered his ears instead of his neck, I knew he was in need of some urgent knitted attention.

I couldn't decide between the Armando hat or the Koolhaas hat so I let Hubby decide. Without hesitation he requested the "KoolAss" hat so I cast on right away. While I started it with the though of him wearing it on the promenade near the apartment, I quickly started to think about him wearing it in the city. The reason is, the designer, Jarod Flood, lives in Brooklyn, and I work in Brooklyn.

Brooklyn is a pretty big place, especially compared to other places I've lived and worked. The chances of Hubby running into Jarod (we're really not on a first name basis, I'm taking liberties) are fairly unlikely. Despite that, I can't help but wonder what it would be like for Jarod in that situation. New York has a lot of knitters, and Koolhaas is a pretty popular pattern with 3,176 projects currently listed on Ravelry. What would it be like for him to run into a stranger wearing one? Would he say, "Hi, nice hat," or would he smile to himself and continue on his way. How different would that interaction be when he found out that the stranger was loved by a knitter rather than being the knitter themselves?

How would Hubby react if some stranger came up and said, "Dude, did you make that hat? I designed the pattern. That's so cool"? I guess it is not too hard to imagine Hubby's reaction (especially since I know him so much better than Mr. Flood). He'd say something like, "Hey, thanks. My wife made it. I've sworn off cabling since I made this scarf." (Which he'd undoubtedly be wearing proudly.)

What would your reaction be if you saw a stranger on the street who was wearing/holding/using something that you designed?

Pattern: Koolhaas Hat by Jarod Flood
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Onyx Heather
Needles: US 6 (4.0mm)
Notes: No alterations or changes at all. This is a very warm hat.

My Clapotis

I've been working on a super secret project, so I can't tell you much about it. I only have a little be of I-cord and some grafting before it is done. Since it is a gift for a non-knitting friend you can check it out if you are a member of Ravelry.

But I'm not going to leave you completely hanging. I have some FO pictures of my Clapotis. It has been raining all day, so we didn't get to go out and actually have any fun taking pictures, but don't let my sour face fool you, I absolutely love my Clapotis.

When I first saw pictures of this pattern on the internet, it seemed like it would be too bulky for my tastes as a scarf. When I started making this one, it wasn't because I was looking to make a scarf. Rather, I wanted a light weight, workhorse type wrap that I could leave in my office for the days when the heater isn't working. I figured instead of filling up my purse on the way to work Monday, I would just wear it as a scarf. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it doesn't feel bulky at all. Instead of bulk, it is cuddly, and the extra width allows me to adjust it to cover what ever may be cold. I can pull it up over my head, or I can stretch it out to fill in the V-neck of my coat. Of course, I can also throw it over my shoulders. ( I don't need it to keep my shoulder warm when I have my coat on, but I was taking pictures to show off its versatility.) I wore it Monday morning to work so that I would have it in the office this week, and I wore it around the city Friday evening and brought it home so I could take pictures this weekend. In this little bit of time, I've become smitten. I feel a little bit of longing when I leave it at work because I'd rather be cuddling up with it at home. I guess, I will just have to make another one.

Pattern: Clapotis by Kate Gilbert
Yarn: Knit Picks Shadow in Campfire and Sunset Heather
Needles: US 7 (4.5mm)
Notes: Instead of a heavier weight yarn, I used two strands of lace weight held together.

WIP: Hubby's Koolass Hat

Hubby and I didn't make it out of the apartment much this weekend so I don't have any FO pictures of my Clapotis for you. However I did have a modeling session with Stitch while Hubby's new hat was a WIP.
I needed stitch to wear the hat because the pattern actually stretches quite a bit and looks much more open when someone is wearing it.
It was a little too big for him even though it was just over half way done when I took these pictures.

Woo her with the Alphabet

My Turn

I work in an old building, and some days the heaters just don't seem to be enough. One particularly cold day I decided that needed a workhorse kind of wrap that I could keep in my office for these emergency situations. I decided it was my turn to make a Clapotis. I went through my stash looking for something with enough yardage and no assigned project. I found some orange lace weight that was given to me in a swap, but it was going to have to be held double.

Since the orange was discontinued I had to pair it up with something else. Originally I loved the orange because I thought it would highlight that color in my hair, so when looking for another color I decided to go for another shade in my hair that I wanted to accent. The red and the orange work together in a beautiful way. When I am working on them right up close, they kind of look like what you get when you start swirling mustard and ketchup around together. The further away you get, the more unified and coppery the color becomes.

I've been working on this steadily on the subway, during my lunch breaks, and at SnB and it has been going pretty quickly. I was well over half way done when I had to join my second hank of yarn, so I decided to add 3 repeats to the center section. I had no particular reason to add more other than I knew I had the yarn for it, and the decision to add three repeats was just because I like the number 15 better than the number 12. Even with that addition, I have already started my decreases and I hope to be done with this before next week.

My first Subway FO

As I mentioned earlier, my commute has provided some time in the mornings for knitting. The first thing I accomplished was the long overdue socks for Hubby. My excitement about it seems to have made me over confident. I was on the train when the time came to start the heel flap. Instead of pulling the pattern out and checking the directions, I just went for it and made a teeny tiny mistake. The heel is suppose to be worked or needles 2 and 3 and I worked it over needles 1 and 2, or something like that. I didn't remember it from the last time I worked this pattern and it didn't occur to me to think of something like that.

As it turns out, I ended up working a heel flap that was two stitches smaller than the pattern recommends because there is not an even distribution of stitches on all four needles. I realized it as I turned the heel and thought about ripping the flap out and starting that part over. After very little deliberation, I decided not to. "Meh," I thought to myself, "two stitches isn't going to make that much of a difference." Well, I was right. It wasn't much of a difference but it was a difference. I had to do some fudging in the stitch pick up and the arch shaping to make the k2p2 pattern lineup. In the end they look fine, but the top of the toe is two stitches off center. Shh, don't tell Hubby; he thinks they are perfect.

*Pattern: Francie by Rebekkah Kerner
Yarn: Knit Picks Essential (soon to be renamed) in Buckskin
Needles: US 1 (2.25mm)
Notes: I went up one needle size from Dad's pair because when Hubby tried them on, they looked a little strained, and, of course, they are a little crooked.



* In attempts to keep my FO information a little more organized, I am stealing a setup from the blog Fascination with Needles. it seems like a good place to start for me and then if I find I need to add more or adjust it I can.

The Subway Soundtrack

Now that the holidays are over and everyone has been back to work for a few weeks, I am starting to get a good feel for my commute. I take a bus across the bridge from Jersey, and then I take the 2 train all the way to the end of the line. Since the really large crowds of people are headed into Manhattan and I'm headed out to Brooklyn, I always get a seat and plenty of room to knit once I pass Wall St. So, in the mornings I listen to my podcasts and audiobooks and the time flys by.

The trip home is different though. I leave my iPod and my knitting in my bag for several reasons. Instead I take out a book and read. The first reason is space. Since I start at the end of the line, I always get a seat for the train ride home, but the trains are much more crowded than they are in the morning. I take up more space when I'm knitting. While no one may know that I'm abstaining, I feel more polite leaving my WIP in my bag. The second reason is that I love reading and I haven't had time for non-assigned reading in a long time. I have honestly read more books (for leisure) in the past three months than I have in the seven years before that. I have so much reading that I want to catch up on and I love having this time allotted for it.

The final reason, and probably the most influential is that I don't want to listen to my iPod because I don't want to miss hearing the subway musicians. For the past few weeks, I have been coming home every day grinning from ear to ear because I just love the subway musicians. When you ride in your car and listen to the radio you pick when it is on and off, you chose the station and type of music you want to hear. In the subway it is completely different. On the subway you are crowded into the car and everything is tedious and mundane until the train stops, the doors open, and you world is filled with steel drums. Because you can't pick when to turn it on, or what type of music will be playing, the musicians in the subway are surprise musical gifts. I can't help but think the world would be a better place if everyone was given a snippet of music during one of the most boring parts of the day.