Farrah Fawcett

gj_FarrahFawcett_2009.6.28
Originally uploaded by wzrdreams

Brief Peak

SilkKercheif1
Originally uploaded by wzrdreams

I know I haven't posted in FOREVER... Not apologizing for that because I have been very productive and very un-photogenic and now I am going on vacation with only the hope that I continue to be productive in my relaxed state. This is a pic of my 2 most recent and gratifying FOs. Silk Kerchief and my Tulip Burda WOF Blouse. The Blouse will have it's own post in the (hopefully) not to distant future.

gj_CharlotteGainsbourg_2009.05.15

gj_CharlotteGainsbourg_2009.05.15
Originally uploaded by wzrdreams

My latest attempt.

Experiment / Excercise

So, my friend and I have a started doing this thing were (all done over IMs) we pick a picture out of the inter-web and then we spend a little time drawing it and when time is up (whenever that is) we show each other what we've done. We compare and talk about it a bit and it's a nice way to end the evening (it's better for the brain/eyes than watching the Colbert Report until midnight anyway). So far, we've only done something like 6 sketches. My sketches are usually completed first (I bore easily.... yet I am easily amused) and I spend a ridiculous amount of time snapping pics and uploading (must get scanner out) while my friend finishes. Anyway, he suggested that I post the latest one to my blog (but I doubt he reads....).... and since a few of my internet friends have also mentioned that they liked my watercolors from a WHILE ago, I thought I should try to add this medium to my restless over-sharing.

Wiksten Skirt

Sewing Success!

The pattern is the "tulip Skirt" from the premiere issue of Stitches magazine. It's designed by Jenny Gordy of Wiksten Made. Jenny posted some helpful corrections on her blog and when I emailed her with a construction question she got back to me right away. Thanks Jenny!

Modifications: (a) I made the largest size and I lengthened it by 1 3/4".

(b) Since I like my seams to be nice and tidy on the inside, and since I don't have a serger, I tested out a french seam (too bulky and didn't press well) and a flat felled side seam. I really like the way the flat felled seam looks in the linen, and it lies very flat so that's what I went with.

Top stitched hems.

Mussel shell buttons.

I picked these out at a store around the corner from MJ Trim. I like MJ, but their button selection isn't really the best or biggest.... MJ just has the nicest store. I don't want to give them my business just because they are so well known and have slick store, so I always try to check out other stores in the garment district. You can usually find even better prices and comparable selection if you look around.

I love my automatic button hole maker.

I always test it out before hand to practice getting the placement right.

I think I did pretty good on this test.

Here is the finished skirt.

I wore it in Friday, which was a gorgeous day here in NYC. I met up with some of my knitting friends in Bryant Park at lunch and I got one of them to snap this picture. This skirt is very comfortable and easy to wear. I think I'll make this pattern again, but I might eliminate the waist ties and add a button to the waistband instead. This version was has a hook and eye at the front waistband, which is a little awkward for my taste. Over all, I am delighted with this skirt. I love it when sewing projects go this well. It is so reassuring and motivating.

Still waiting for spring

So that pretty, lovely, hand dyed merino became this soft and comfy hat!

Pattern: Simple Pleasures Hat

Yarn: 1 skein LB Collection Superwash Merino DK (hand-dyed by moi) 

and way less than 1 skein of Rowan Kid Silk Haze, color: Midnight 

Needles: Sz 8 16" bamboo circulars

My only modification was to increase the number of CO sts to 96, so that it would be super relaxed and slouchy on my 23" head, and when I got to the first decrease round I decreased evenly down to the required 88 sts. Knitting this hat was very relaxing and pleasant. It definitely lives up to its name. I was a little worried that I wouldn't have enough of the DK merino because I only dyed 1 skein but it turned out that I had enough left over for a beautiful lace swatch. The colors go together perfectly with the KSH that has been hanging around my stash forever. This hat also compliments my Ice Queen (another recent, un-blogged FO).

I've been so productive knitting lately (not so much with the sewing unfortunately) that I kind of have a back log of stuff that needed to get photographed and posted. This weekend The Boy was sweet enough to photograph what must have seemed like a whole trunk show. I don't think I'll get around to blogging about everything... I don't think I'm that disciplined in the blogging department yet, but I do want to share some of my recent favorites. 

This one makes me super happy.

Pattern: #22 Lace Shawl, Knit.1 Spring 2008

Yarn: Universal Yarns; Eden Silk, 3 skeins in Brick.

Needles: Sz 7 Addi Turbos.

I am freak'n thrilled by this shawl. It is pretty, practical, and it was way easier to knit than it looks and it was fast and fun. (Except the edging. That was boring, but over soon enough).

The chart is available for free download on the Knit.1 website. Not the lace edging... need the magazine for that (although there is an error in the edging anyway that's pretty easy to spot).

I did modify the chart somewhat because I noticed that it didn't match the magazine picture. Basically, I made all the double decreases centered instead of left leaning and I changed some of the side lace decreases to always face inward (ssk on left edges, and k2tog on right edges) so that they flowed into the lace pattern.

FYI: the error in the edging is that the giant YO is miswritten as a M1. 

It just doesn't really work as written.  

Something else that makes me happy:

 An awesome mostly stockinette sweater, that I didn't have to knit!

My knitting buddy Laura knit this gorgeous Sunrise Circle Cardigan and as she was sewing up the first seam had to face the awful truth: this cardigan had sleeves meant for monkeys. They were WAY too long! So after marinating in time out for a whole year, she gave to me! I have monkey arms! And I can't believe it, but only a month later I finally seamed it up and stitched down my first hem.

I think I did a pretty decent job at it if I must say so myself. The sleeve hems took 1 evening and the body hem took 2 evenings. The buttons & loops were super quick.... which makes me think it has something to do with the fact that this is a free knit, and I have relatively little work invested in it. How else can I explain letting my Retro Swing Jacket languish without proper closures?

There's more that I've knitted and finished and photographed, but I have a TV date with Anthony Bourdain and even MORE knitting. Ciao!

First Hand Dyed Yarn

1 skein of Lion Brand Collection Super-wash Merino DK.

I used my yarn swift at its biggest setting to unwind the skein of yarn into a BIG hank.
Dyed using Jacquard Acid Dyes; Sage (green) & Perwinkle (blue) & 6 packets of Grape Koolaid.
I used these instructions from Dhartma Trading.  It was so easy, and I am so delighted with my results that I know I will be dying and over dying yarn again.