It's Here, It's Here!

My first ever order from Reprodepot, courtesy of a gift certificate I received from my sister for my birthday a couple of weeks ago. I've wanted to buy something from there for ages!

In addition to my two fabrics, I got two lots of ribbon- cute Japanese 'seamstress' linen ribbon, and the little mushroom, plus these buttons- I love the fly buttons so much, i'm going to buy a few more and use them on a shirt I have planned.



Here's a couple of close-ups of the fabrics. I was thinking about using the Etsuko labybug as a coat lining, but it is not quite slippery enough, so maybe a a shopping bag.



This starburst fabric reminds me of a 60's summer dress my grandmother would wear (or cover her lawn chairs with). I was originally thinking a bag as well, but now I see it, maybe an apron?? Although it would look quite good as a very retro Amy Butler Weekender, don't you think?

My First Knit-a-Long!

I've been wanting to join a KAL for quite awhile, but have never found quite the right one. Don't get me wrong, there are lots of great ones out there, but I am a pretty slow knitter, so anything with any kind of a time constraint is pretty much out! But now I've found Zimmermania. I've been an EZ fan for sometime- the first book of hers I bought was Knitters Almanac. I remember the day I bought it. My sister was visiting from Australia. On a Chicago-cold December day we went to this shop, where I purchased the book. Then we went to this cafe (before it added it's fancy new section). We sat in front of the fire and drank hot chocolate out of bowls...and I couldn't put the book down. I just loved it. Unfortunately, I have only made one thing from it so far. The Maltese Fisherman's hat.



This was one of the most fun pieces I have ever made, and it was so quick. I went to a different cafe, and cast on, and cast off during ONE session on their couch (but I did have more than one coffee!). Anyway, it is hard to explain, but it was just SO much fun to use EZ's 'pithy directions' and see how they unfolded. It is knit in Misti Alpaca Bulky, so is very soft, and the design is great- the back flap covers the ears perfectly. My only issue is that most brimless hats look terrible on me- i was thinking about adding a crocheted border/brim at the front, and adding some ties similar to an earflap hat, but I remember what EZ said about mixing the grain and the grape. How about a pin of some sort? (And yes, it does look better on the pin than on me!)



(Apologies for the shakey photo...it was now or another week for this photo)


Maybe I just need to admit defeat and find someone with the kind of face shape that looks good in beanies...

Future EZ projects? I'm hoping to start the Moccasin socks within the next week, and also a Tomten for the Dulaan project. Stay tuned.

PS: Progress continues on the acrylic cardi- halfway through the right front....

More progress...

Too long between posts at the moment...I guess that's what happens when you've only one project on the go. I've only fairly boring progress to show. I've finished the back and both side panels. I'd also made a good dent in the left front, although I've decided to start again on that one, as I miscalculated the decreases on the ribbing. I kept knitting because I thought I'd just compensate during the stockign stitch to the armhole decrease. But, I decided the next day that I'd be better off just starting again- I wasn't sure I could make the same miscalculations on the right front...anyway, here it is:



Other than that, not much else being achieved craft-wise here at the moment. The weather has turned a little colder here, so I've gotten the gourds out a little early. Here they are, along with this weekend's sole purchase...some vintage ribbon.

Progress....

Here's the progress so far on 'Project Acrylic':



Maybe I shouldn't call it that- not really giving it a head start at all, am I? I'm, ready to start the armhole shaping on the back. I've also just finished one side panel, which I had to start while I was awaiting adjudication from the officials on a pattern question. Not quite as much knitting as I would have liked this past week, but hopefully I'll make a dent this week.

and just for something fun...pick the odd one out in my nearly still life....

Changing my ways...

As I am currently under a self imposed ‘no extras’ budget in preparation for an upcoming holiday, my stash enhancement activities are severely (if not completely) curtailed. I’ve finished up a number of WIPS/UFOs that have been languishing in the basket for awhile, and have plans for a few others (mainly sewing) that will use up stash. BUT, I really need a knitting project that I can work on in from of the telly, without too much thought. And, instead of all the useless (albeit cute & fun) toys and knick-knacks I’ve made in the past, maybe it would be nice to make something for myself. Something I can wear. I’ve got plans for the ribby cardi, the go-with-everything cardigan, the circle sunrise jacket and the Indian summer jacket. All of them require an outlay on some decent yarn…maybe not anything too serious (I found some cheap tweed online in cones for the ribby cardi) but with shipping etc etc it adds up. Anyway, I was clearing up the piles of magazine on Saturday, and came across Knit 1. I’m not so keen on this magazine, not an awful lot in there that I would wear, but you know, one or two patterns in each issue that I think “Maybe I’ll make that with some [insert any-other-brand-but-Lion-Brand yarn here] one day”. Well, budgetary constraints can force you to change your tune pretty quick. As I procrastinated during the reorganizing magazine exercise by flicking through those mags, I came across this cardigan:



I thought the design was cute, perfect for Autumn & Winter in my ridisculously over-air-conditioned office. So, my curiousity was piqued. Off I trotted to the local Pearl store, to buy the requisite [yes, acrylic] yarn. Now, while I think kermit is kind of cool, and his skin colour is perfectllysuited to him...not so good on me. So I settled for 'Oxford Grey'. the best option for my work wardrobe- think it will look really cute over a white shirt and black or greay pants/skirt, as well as a singlet top and jeans. and here it is...my first foray into manmade fibre:



8 balls for the grand total of $23.17 including tax. Wish me luck!

Sink Pirate...

Here's the finished skull dishcloth:



I used Peaches & Creme cotton in ecru, and modified a chart for the sweater in SnB Happy Hooker, winged it on the stitch count. I think it is the perfect size, although knitting it was a little tough on the hands, as I used #3 needles. I think the recommended size is #7 or #8 for that yarn, so things got a little tight! Anyway, he's off to rule someone else's sink...but I've enough cotton left over to make another one for myself. Every sink should have one!

Working View....

Just a short one today...here's another view from my windows...a little later in the evening than the last:



And here's progress on the birthday dishcloth I mentioned. A soon to be skull- should be able to finish it tonight.

The Weekend...

A great relaxing weekend...lots of knitting time and catching up on 24. This morning I went to the Antique Fair a few blocks from my apartment. Lots of stuff, although I thought it was either pretty crappy or fairly overpriced. I did find some sewing related stuff- some vintage transfers ($1) I want to use for Christmas presies, and a great old tin full of a gorgeous variety of old sewing needles stil in the original packages ($2.50). Too tired to take photos at this point, instead, here's what I managed to start and finish on Friday night:



I didn't have a pattern, so just sort of knit until I thought it was a good time to decrease. I've already felted it, and it is a little big, so I might have to give it another go.

Hope you had a great weekend.

Oh, and that's my ultra-rad Voltron you can see protecting the hat. He was $2 at Village Thrift, and I had to fight off three 6-year olds on my way to the checkout. It was worth it- he looks great above the fireplace.