BabyCocktails

Off The Wagon

2012-01-27T10:15:00.000-08:00

Anyone who knows me well will probably snicker at that. I've never really tried to stay ON any of the proverbial wagons out there, since my lack of interest in making rules about self deprivation runs deep. But I do try and keep a lid on the spending when it comes to my favorite things to acquire. Those things include: (and are not limited to) yarn, booze, and various types of clothing, like boots. I am happy to say I did not buy any boots today.

The yarn and booze are both another story. Earlier, I met up with a couple of friends in Belmont. Belmont has a very cool little beer shop, which I'd been meaning to check out. Once inside, I absolutely had to walk out with something. You cannot leave this shop without something, because it's all so cozy and colorful and the women who own the place are great. (On Leonard St, in Belmont, it's called the Craft Beer Cellar -- if you 're local)

The thingy holds six, right? I got six.

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My drive home took me past Wild and Wooly, which is having their annual clearance sale. And there was parking out front.

(Sorry Jody, I didn't plan it, would have called you!)

Keep in mind, I have just gotten and wound this in the past week for 3 separate projects I have yet to begin. Yarn is also on the way for two more, and my little yarn cubbies are full. I do not need yarn. Not at all.

But they have discounted bags on the floor during the sale, and today the bags are an EXTRA 10% off. And there was Rowan Tweed in those bags. There is something physical that happens when you see clearance tags and giant bags of yarn on the floor. If the yarn was neatly piled in the bins, I don't think I'd have had such a problem walking away, but those bags whisper to me when they're strewn around the rug, and they absolutely look like they need to be loved and taken home.

So I did. Two bags (some control there...). One of Rowan DK tweed in this amazing orangey red, and another of the E. Lavold Calm Wool. The Rowan may have a job already, as I am swatching and playing with tweeds for a late winter pullover. The Calm doesn't yet have a role to play, but I've got 15 skeins of it, so I need to figure out something or get some new cubes to store yarn in.

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Lastly (for a long post, sorry), I realize it's been a while since I shared any drinks, so here are the last two I managed to photograph:

This was Wednesday Night's cocktail, with a friend who stopped by:

2 oz Bourbon

fill glass with ginger ale

dash of orange bitters

sliced lime and ice cubes

And this was the mimosa recipe from last weekend's brunch with Sarah and Hayley and Christine.

One bottle of champagne

half a gallon of OJ

4-6 oz of orange vodka

a few squeezes of lemon juice

orange slices and ice cubes

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Now that I'm caught up on cocktail recipes, I'd better get moving with all that yarn you just saw.

Have a good weekend!!

New Pattern - Absinthe

2012-01-24T07:53:00.000-08:00

Absinthe is a pair of long, delicate gloves, with a retro nod to the 1960s. ( I imagine Kim Novak or Grace Kelly wearing a cream cashmere pair of these with pearl buttons. Peeking out of their 3/4 sleeves on a fur-collared, cream-colored, A line coat, gripping the railing on the train, and knowing the murderer may be her leading man, with whom she's fallen in love.)

But I'm designing for me, so this is a more everyday version of that glove. A deeply dyed merino and some vibrant buttons give the classic lines a playful boost and a modern feel, for those of us not trying to survive a murder mystery. I was hooked as soon as I saw the deep teal yarn in the Miss Babs booth at Rhinebeck, and started thinking about button flaps as soon as I found these sweet little buttons in stash.

Caro again, used with permission.

A delicate 1x1 ribbing is edged with a narrow belt, and leads into a long cabled glove. The staggered cables have a bit of unexpected lace in each loop, allowing you to put a layering pair of gloves beneath for a pop of color and added warmth. Or.. going with the mysterious Absinthe/mystery theme, a little surprise. I couldn't resist adding a second button band over the end of the cable, so if you aren't wearing 3/4 sleeves, your buttons can still show. I used two larger buttons at the wrist, and two smaller, more delicate ones on the hand.

And once more, Splityarn.

The yarn is Miss Babs Northumbria DK, in Teal. Her colors were gorgeous at the Rhinebeck booth, but this deep bluish green was my favorite, and I may have left the fairgrounds with 4 skeins, in a few different yarn weights. Maybe. Anyway, this Blue Faced Leicester DK is superwash, and it's a little wooly too, which is perfect for a workhorse accessory like a glove.

The pattern is available for purchase on the sidebar above or on Ravelry for $6.50.

Some details are below, and more information is on the pattern page.

Yarn: Miss Babs Northumbria DK, in Dark Blue Teal. 240 yds per skein, I used 1 skein.

Needles: US#5/3.75mm long circs or DPNs or size needed to get gauge.

Gauge: 5.5 sts, 7 rows per 1" . In stockinette, lightly blocked,

Size: Small - 7" wrist, Large = 8" wrist. Length is adjustable.

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As for a cocktail with absinthe...

For those of you who really want to play with the stuff, this book has a few great ideas. For the Hitchcock inspired gloves, though, I have to go with Death in The Afternoon. It was Ernest Hemingway's contribution to a 1935 cocktail book titled, "So Red the Nose". Ernest calls for an entire jigger of absinthe in his recipe, and also suggests you drink 3-5 slowly. I'm toning it down a bit.

Death in the Afternoon

Pour 1 oz of absinthe in champagne glass

Add iced champagne.

I've seen a few recipes that also suggest a squirt of lemon juice, so give that a shot if you like.

Enjoy!

2012 Projects...

2012-01-21T19:55:00.000-08:00

It's sooo hard to resist the lure of this entire wall! I have a good idea of my Plucky lineup for the remainder of the year now. It includes two sweaters, a shawly scarf, and some boot topping legwarmers (among other things) --- thanks to a few hours spent in close proximity to both the wall and these ladies (and Cecily, who was busily signing books when this was taken!).

Thanks so much to all of you who drove out in the snow to see us, and to all of you who helped with the event! We had a great time meeting everyone, and I hope you are having fun making plans for your new projects.

Tomorrow we're off to the beach for a little lobster and quiet.

Plucky Trunk Show

2012-01-17T06:18:00.000-08:00

About 15 months ago, I released a pattern called Dark and Stormy. The design was a collaboration with The Plucky Knitter, and the cardigan was our version of the the kind of cardigan your Grandpa may have worn years ago. It was designed in a lovely deep dark gray, which Sarah created especially for the sweater.

The minute I started working with her, I knew I'd found a kindred spirit in all things yarn-related. It turns out we have similar taste in clothing design, an affinity for cocktails, and she creates a yarn that is absolutely habit-forming (to which I am now admittedly, and happily, addicted). So, that pile up there grew from one sweater to a few more projects over the past year, and there are more in the works. It's been a lovely partnership, and I consider myself extremely lucky to be working with her.

But Plucky is way out in Michigan and I'm here on the East Coast. Although we have the phone and the internet, we don't get to see each other in person. So, we figured a combined trunk show would be the perfect excuse to do so, right?

Plus.... we asked Cecily Glowik MacDonald of Winged Knits to join us!! She's done a few Plucky designs with Sarah, and all of her designs are just beautiful. So, we'll have lots of sweaters, a bunch of Plucky yarn (while it lasts), and our patterns for sale.

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And yes, there IS a drinks angle. I'm not actually licensed properly to serve all of you, and neither is the yarn shop, But...

Pairings, the wine and food shop next door, hosts a tasting on Saturdays from 4-6pm, ,and has posted that they are doing a Funky Grapes tasting this week, with unusual wines you may not have heard of already. I love this particular wine shop, and it works out perfectly to browse the yarn store, knit for a bit to kill some time, and then pop on over. Doesn't it?

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I hope you can join us! It's always fun to meet a few of you in person :-)

January 21, 2012

Trunk Show/Yarn Sale, noon

Another Yarn

600 Main Street, Winchester MA

781 570 2134, email: info@anotheryarn.com

Wine Tasting, 4pm

Pairings

600 Main Street, Winchester MA

781 721 WINE, email: info@PairingsWineAndFood.com

Both are right near the commuter rail stop in Winchester Center. Look for Breuggers Bagels, and they are next door.

Drambuie Contest!

2012-01-14T10:20:00.000-08:00

Win your very own Drambuie!

Look on the Fibre Company Blog for details.

After I released this pattern, Kate and Courtney asked if I'd be interested in doing an interview and giveaway, and of course, I said Yes! Now you can find out everything you always wanted to know about BabyCocktails (usually that's: "Where did you get that name?") .

Plus, you can win a a sweater's worth of lovely Canopy yarn and the pattern to knit up a Drambuie of your very own.

How fun is that?

Earrings to Go With That....

2012-01-10T06:42:00.000-08:00

Take a peek at these. You'll see them again when my next few patterns get published.

They are my new favorite earrings. Favorite, because they are so pretty and delicate and kind of perfect for me, but also favorite because they were made by an old friend, with whom I've compared crafty endeavors for years. She has a corporate job in advertising (which is where me met, about 20 years ago), but she's pretty much always made jewelry on the side.

She used to do it purely for fun, but as these things go, it's evolved and she's just begun the whole Etsy-Blogging-Facebook triple play, doing some of her own designs and taking custom orders to make whatever her clients dream up. (Giving credit where credit is due, the above were her designs., which I didn't dream up, but happily claimed as my own over Christmas.)

So, knowing her stuff is beautiful and knowing she's just entered this world, what kind of friend would I be if I didn't show you guys a little of her handiwork and encourage you to take a peek at her brand newish blog? She's Antiquity Traveler s, and on her blog she likes to tell the stories behind certain designs she's made or stones she's found, which often have histories I never would have guessed. Plus she gets into a few details/personalities of her daily train-riding, jewelry-loving posse for whom she's made a few things.

And of course, there's usually pictures of things that go really well with a new sweater.

Right?

I don't have a lot to say yet about that pile of new swatches and sweaters, besides the fact that they will look so lovely with my new earrings, but I can tell you what's in my glass.

Drambuie Rob Roy

1.5 oz dry vermouth

1 oz Drambuie

1 oz scotch

splash of soda

orange peel

Enjoy!

New Pattern -- Drambuie

2012-01-03T14:45:00.000-08:00

Why not end my first day of work in 2012 with a new pattern?

This is Drambuie, my version of the short sleeved dolman style tops I'd been seeing in the stores this fall. I do love them, but as a shorter, curvier kind of person, I wanted something with a little more shape and a little less batwing.

Drambuie has the short sleeves and soft lines of those tops, but with a little more tailoring - keeping a slightly dropped sleeve and traditional waist shaping. Details along the shoulder draw the eye up and an elegant cable down one side creates a flattering line down. I really do love this cable, and thought the lines of it were perfect for an offset motif!

The short sleeves look great with a fitted tee underneath, and the length is also perfect for a pop of color peeking out below.

Simple construction allows you to alter the proportions easily. Directions are in the pattern to adjust the bust, waist or hips as necessary, and making this any length that suits your body is a breeze.

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The yarn is Canopy Worsted, by the Fibre Company. It's a mix of alpaca, merino and bamboo, and it's as soft as that sounds like. It's made with a kettle dyeing process which creates a unique haze of color in the yarn that's a little unexpected and really beautiful. The subtle undertone of burgundy/purple in this Yerba Mate had me from the beginning, and truth be told, I actually knit up a basic cardigan of the same yarn while designing this top, so I have two sweaters of the same exact stuff :-).

If you plan on subbing yarn, I definitely suggest staying with something light and drapey. A solid, heather or soft tweed would work well. Nothing too dense or wooly, and nothing too heavy. It could possibly even be worn as a tee shirt if you used a delicate summer yarn with linen or a very light cotton.

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The pattern is available for purchase on the sidebar above, or on Ravelry for $6.50 US.

More details are on the Ravelry page, but below are some specifics:

Yarn: The Fibre Company Canopy Worsted, in Yerba Mate 750(800,850,900,950,1000,1050,1100,1150,1200,1250)yds

Sizing: 32(34,36,38,40,42,44,46,48,50)

Needles: US#7/4.5mm or size to get gauge

Gauge: 5 sts, 7 rows per 1", in stockinette, lightly blocked

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And as for the drink, the classic Drambuie Cocktail is the Rusty Nail:

1.5 oz scotch

5. oz Drambuie

lemon peel - 1 twist (and maybe a little squeeze)

over ice

There are others, but Drambuie is a mix of whiskey, with honey and herbs and spices in it, and I think it's best drank simply!

Ready?

2012-01-03T06:16:00.000-08:00

The cooking-eating-hosting-visiting gauntlet from Thanksgiving to New Year's is over and 2012 is about to begin.

I don't know about all of you, but today I have this happy feeling that's not so unlike "Whew, that's all done with!" Kids back at school, Craig back at work, me back in my own office. Not that the whole holiday gauntlet isn't fun - because it is! - but when that last day of vacation ends, and the decorations are down, and the laundry is done and the travel bags are back in the basement, I'm a bit glad to know that the old routine is about to begin again.

I like this routine. There's yarn to play with.

New yarn in fact, up there on top. It's something I haven't played with before - Zen Yarn Garden Serenity DK. Roxanne sent me a few skeins earlier in the winter, and I have a swatch going of this yellow, which I have grown really fond of. It keeps whispering "Vodka Lemonade" in my ear. And this stuff wants to be lacy and feminine and it sooo makes me think of spring.

However, I'm getting ahead of myself, because before spring gets here, more winter knits are coming.

Winter itself may NOT be coming to MA (I cannot say that without thinking, Game of Thrones!) but the knits are already done, so they will definitely still come, snow or not.

Later this week!

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In the meantime, A Happy Happy and Healthy New Year to all of you :-)

Jewish Christmas!

2011-12-29T06:56:00.000-08:00

Many years back, my father in law and his wife realized that Christmas was the perfect time for a pair of Jewish grandparents to get all their kids and grandkids over for a visit. They decorate their house and have a tree and hang stockings. We all bring presents and make lots of food and have a big holiday, even though none of us is the least bit Not Jewish.

There are lots of people in the house, and it feels like there are just as many dogs. (Really, there are only 3. There used to be 4.)

This is Moose, who is not camera shy and manages to get at least a part of himself in every photo taken over the weekend. He doesn't fit in most spaces, but it never seems to stop him.

This is Howie. Poor Moose has to endure a lot during his visit, and maybe he's a little too accomodating, since this is not an isloated incident. I'll spare you the rest of the photos, but I kind of had to post this one, which summarizes both Poor Moosie's weekend, and Crazy Howie's entire personality.

Aggie, the third dog, is a Husky who everyone loves. She is very smart and stays faaaar away from Howie. Usually with a piece of furniture between them for buffer.

Here is my holiday haul. Doesn't it seem my family is onto me? I'm an easy theme to buy for!

I've already begun playing with the Peychaud's bitters, which I hadn't tried before. They're kind of different - a little like Angostura bitters, but not really - if you put a little on your finger, you can tell these are a little lighter and more herbal. In a drink, it's hard to tell one bitters from another, so I always do a little finger drop first.

Yesterday I made one of these with it:

ice

2 oz pear vodka

4 oz pear cider

3-4 drops of Peychauds

a good squirt of lemon

fill glass with club soda

It was the perfect drink to do a little afternoon knitting with.

Hope you guys had a great holiday!
If anyone had an amazing drink on their travels, do share it....

My Blog Just Got Prettier. My Car Did Not

2011-12-23T08:01:00.000-08:00

All I wanted for Hanukkah was a fancy camera, which has arrived, so from now on, you can expect Better Pictures on this blog.

There is nothing within a 100 foot radius of me that I cannot make pretty right now. It's fabulously fun, and I've spent the last 24 hours playing with my new toy. I may be driving my family a little nuts, and none of them will actually come near me and the camera right now, so I am stuck sharing a few still life subjects with you to show how amazing this thing is.

Just look at my leftover rugelach!

And new yarn for swatching from Blue Sky Alpacas!

Aaaaaand my rearview mirror,

which I cracked when I drove up this driveway just a little TOO close to that brick bit the other day. I have no excuses (although I definitely lobbed a few out there), since it's a HOUSE and probably big enough that I should have noticed it there along the side of the car. But see how my camera makes even stupidity look good. That cracked glass, those drops of rain, the little bits of light.... it's kind of cool, if you look at it through the lens. (And don't think about what it's going to cost to fix it)

Really, it is a cool photo. But, moving on...

This will be coming in January, and it's my St. Germain design, knit out of Bijou Basin Ranch's Bijou Spun yarn. Since St. Germain is made from the blossom of the elderberry bush, this hat and mitten set has a lovely little flower motif going on. And Since St. Germain is festive and perfect for the holidays, I am working on a few celebration cocktails for you to serve to your buddies over the holidays.

Will post those soon - and I'll have really pretty pictures of them too!

Blue Things and A Hanukkah Cocktail!

2011-12-20T09:00:00.000-08:00

Yes, it exists. It took a little research, but this is kinda perfect.

(I've found the menorah but not the damn candles yet. I know they're in a box somewhere and I have till sundown, so that's OK).

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I thought this drink recipe was brilliant, so it's the winner. It's a nod to two of my holiday favorites - latkes (potato) and gelt (gold coins). I added the orange, since orange always seems festive to me.

Hanukkah Gelt Martini

2 parts vodka
1 part goldschlager (with the gold flecks!)
splash of vermouth

Shake in a jjigger with ice and pour into martini glass. Garnish with orange peel or very thin slice of orange.

See, how perfect is that? Kind of sweet and desserty, for sipping as you light the candles. The gold is so festive :-)

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Besides that, I'm almost ready for the holiday. Rugelach and honey cookies are baked and the brisket is happening today. Tomorrow we eat that brisket at a dinner with friends, which includes kugel, and Thursday we light our menorah and have latkes with a few of our new neighbors. Covering all the bases, in terms of food I know and love.

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Also, in the spirit of the day, my Albanian friends are painting our third floor bedroom blue.

And, I am working on two blue knitting projects. "Working" being a very loose term.

Enjoy! And Happy Hanukkah :-)

Hiring A Professional

2011-12-19T10:13:00.000-08:00

I've never admitted painterly defeat before, but that peeled off wallpaper and the height of the ceilings in the hallway were more than I could kid myself that I'd ever manage to do. Even Craig didn't believe me, and he knows I'm just enough of an idiot to bribe some friends and rig a crazy ladder contraption to save the few thousand bucks. In our old house, I did something like that, and although I didn't manage to kill myself, I never did paint the top 2 feet of the walls. We had to do it just before selling the place.

But this time, I kinda looked at it, and I thought about it, and then I caved. And now I'm a little hooked on the idea that I don't have to do it. I may have also thrown a few extra rooms onto the job. Maybe.

Three very nice men painted three floors of stairs and trim and risers and pumpkin walls. And me? I baked a thousand Hanukkah cookies, wrote up a new pattern, went to 3 holiday parties (the getting dressed with 4 Albanian men in the house, equally divided on all 3 floors, is tricky, but can be done if you have a brightly lit basement). I also knit, and ran, and went out to see live music with friends. And I watched Robot Chicken Star Wars, which if you haven't seen, you should. It's really funny.

I could get used to this, I tell you.

In fact, I did. I tossed a few more rooms onto the job. Once you're spending 4 digits, what's a little more? Look at my pretty green office. And my $1 painting of a basket of apples, and all my yarn, finally displayed in my Craigslist barrister bookcase. Thanks to this thing, I finally know what I've got in stash and don't have to dig in my big, dark trunk anymore, wondering if there is or is not a bag of DK merino at the bottom.

The yarn didn't ALL fit in the bookcase, so the stuff I'm working with is in these cubbies. Also easy to see.

With a big window and the sliding door, this room is a little too bright to get a good photo of, but you get the idea. It's green and it contains yarn and books. I plan on spending a lot of time in it.

And, so exciting, some yarn has arrived for spring knitting! More on that later...

For now, more cookies need to be made and I am playing with a Hanukkah Cocktail.

I'll post it once I figure it out. No rush, I do have 8 days of fun in which to have it.

Here We Go Again

2011-12-14T13:45:00.000-08:00

Am hoping this is the FINAL chapter in the leaky roof/collapsed ceiling saga of my poor little office. Once more, everything is getting cleared out and I get to live in the dining room for a few days. The office will be painted and we plan on give the floors a little love, and then, only then, will I actually move all my stuff into its permanent Babycocktails home. The pumpkin plan is getting ditched and the walls will now be really cool green called Olive Tree. The entry way is getting the pumpkin instead, since we couldn't actually give it up all together. I think the green will be great next to the dark blue of the Dining Room, and it's just vibrant enough that I'll never fall asleep while working. It will also look amazing when leaves are on the trees out the glass doors, and I think that maybe I can stop knitting in green if surrounded by it.

For now, nobody can eat in the dining room. I have a pile system.

And something new to work on. (yes, it's on a pile)

This is my accidental Quince & Co purchase, when I thought Lark was Osprey and Osprey was Lark. I"m just not that focused some days. But it's kind of a happy accident because I ended up with twice as much yarn, and it's keeping me busy while I wait for two more yarn deliveries - one from the Plucky Knitter (destined to be a hoodie) and the other from Blue Sky Alpacas (destined to be something really cozy and cabled).

In the meantime, I'm going to have a burbon, ginger ale and lime.

Lime goes with my green theme, for anyone really paying attention!

Mint Julep - A New Cardigan Pattern

2011-12-09T12:29:00.001-08:00

Can you believe this is the first sweater pattern I've published since July? It's a good one though, I hope you like it!

Mint Julep is all about classic lines and eye catching color. It has a tailored fit, an unusual ribbing, and just a little bit of unexpected detail in the back. My goal was to design a sweater that would have all the cozy elements of a bulkier knit, but with the more flattering look and fit of a fitted, classic cardigan.

Gorgeous yarn in an amazing color was a fun start. The large buttons, generous collar and deep ribbing add to the cozy feeling, but seamed construction and simple vertical lines maker a flattering design.

I designed it to be knit in pieces, but for those of you who are used to my mods, I assure you that adjusting for your shape is easy, and directions are in the pattern on how to modify for your body shape.

Another bonus to the construction is that you can add your button bands at the end, so you can decide what kind of button placement will be most flattering while looking at the sweater, on your body, in the mirror. Then you add the button holes!

The Quince & Co Osprey is perfect for this kind of sweater. Soft and cozy, just the right weight, with a little bit of body to it. On #9 needles, it knits up fast, and the stitch definition is beautiful in the ribbing and cable. And oh, those colors....

A few more shots of the ribbing and cable detail, just for fun.

I felt that the styling should be a little unusual, but not so far off from classic that this couldn't work in any kind of wardrobe. Knit in a bright color, it's a fun eye-catching piece, but in a neutral, it could be a great, more conservative, wardrobe staple.

The PDF pattern is available for purchase on the sidebar above, or on Ravelry.

More photos and information are on the project page, but some basic details are below:

Yarn: Quince & Co Osprey, 7(7,8,8,9,9,10,10,11) skeins. 170 yards per skein (shown in parsley)

Sizes: 32(34,36,38,40,42,44,46,48,50)

Needles: US#9/5.5mm needles or size to get gauge

Gauge: 4 st, 5.5 rows per 1". Stockinette, lightly blocked

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As for the Julep itself, the green of the sweater and the fact that we shot most of these in the Suffolk Downs Track parking lot dictated the cocktail. And I do love a Mint Julep!

Once I had these in the lovely silver julep cups, but a collins glass is just fine if you're without.

5-6 sprigs of mint

1 tsp powdered sugar

2 tsps water

2.5 oz burbon

In bottom of glass, dissolve sugar in water.

Fill glass with shaved ice and burbon. Stir until the glass is frosted and add more ice if necessary. Put mint leaves on top and serve with a short straw, since the idea is that you'll have to smell the mint! It does smell good...

enjoy!

What I did this weekend?

2011-12-05T06:03:00.001-08:00

Drank the last of our Thanksgiving leftovers and tricked my family into an all-day yarn boondoggle.

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I'll start with the leftovers, as the boondoggle requires much explanation and you may bail before getting to the drink.

Pear- Lemon-Sage Martinis

Because why let the last of the fresh herbs go to waste...

In the bottom of each glass add a squirt of lemon and a sage leaf and muddle.

In a jigger (this makes two): 4 oz spiced pear vodka (regular pear would work), 1.5 oz vermouth and two drops of lemon bitters, plus 4-5 ice cubes. Shake. Pour over the sage and lemon juice and add a strip of lemon zest.

If you make yourself one, you may have the patience to read the rest of this blog post. Or not.

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See, I've been dying to get to Harrisville Designs, way the fuck up in NH, and there just isn't enough time in a school day to get there and back before pickup. It finally dawned on me that the only way I was getting up there was to plan a day and convince my family that it was going to be a day with a little fun for all.

I went on the internet and planned such a day. It started with an awesome diner lunch (we love diners), and included a quaint town to explore, a gorgeous hike, a post-hike pie stop at a second diner, and maybe a little bit of yarn. Just a side stop for it on this otherwise great day, right?

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Lunch at the world's shiniest diner was great. Maya had homemade pot pie and Craig had a meatloaf sandwich.

Everyone loved this joint and it was kind of awesome. The bathroom doors were old coke machines you could open. Very cool.

The next stop was Harrisville, which was billed on some of the websites I checked as a quaint village. The drive is long and beautiful, but loooong. You drive up and the first thing you see is the mill, so we stopped, fought each other for first into the bathroom, and went in for a bit. It's a gorgeous shop, and the yarns are addictive, so we may have been there for about an hour.

Then it was time for the exploring, which didn't go as planned. Quaint villages are supposed to have shops and a sidewalk and maybe a bookstore, right? Not this one. It's a yarn shop and a general store. Both of which are awesome, but people, that's IT. Walking along the main road was a little death defying, so exploring on foot was out. My family was not pleased with me and cried foul.

This here photo sums it up. Pretty, yes. Entertaining? Not so much.

We took a lot of pictures and walked around the mill buildings, and then I bribed them with amazing cookies from the general store.

However, I did find what I wanted: The perfect red tweed. Plus yarn for colorwork mittens for everyone, as they got carried away in the colors and I did owe them for their troubles. The orange/blue/pink is Maya, and the blue/purple/green is Zoe. The other's mine.

While in the shop, I met a knitter buying yarn to make Allegheny! How funny is that? Maya was floored that I was recognized by a stranger in a yarn shop, and my status has gone from totally dorky to maybe a little bit cool in the big one's eyes. So, nice knitter from NH, if you are reading this, I thank you for my newly earned pre-teen respect and hope you enjoy your Allegheny!

Here was the haul.

We drove a little and finally gave up on finding trails for hiking or spots to explore on foot, and as it was getting late, we drove back towards Boston. And even though everyone was in a good mood, they were fully aware that we'd done nothing all day but eat, drive and buy yarn. So I was happy to see this sign on the way back.

There was skeeball and air hockey and we won lots of stupid little tickets you can redeem for crap.

You don't grow up in New Jersey without a love for skeeball. Talent's another story, but we do love to play.

Maya kicked my ass at air hockey and Zoe got glowy bracelets with her tickets.

The second diner was close by, so it was time for pie. The pies were good.

We did wander around this town for a little bit, admiring the rural New Hampshire style holiday cheer.

We actually had a great time, even though my well laid hiking and exploring plans all fell through. But I have a feeling they aren't going to believe me the next time I bill a great family outing that may just involve a yarn detour.

New Pattern: Black Cherry Lambic

2011-12-01T14:50:00.001-08:00

Another collaboration with ThePluckyKnitter! And this one gives you three patterns in one.

After knitting myself the original cowl, I was too hooked on the stitch repeat to stop, so I decided there could be a scarf version as well. Then, while writing, it seemed only right to work the numbers so a wrap could also be created, in case someone was lucky enough to have a bigger stash of this gorgeous yarn to use up.

The stitch pattern here is truly addicting, and the combination of cabled texture and delicate lace in the handdyed yarn is so beautiful as it works up that it's hard to put down once you begin. The Primo is a dream to knit with - the subtle variation in color, plus the distinct stitch definition really showcase the pattern to a T. And that combination of merino and cashmere feels just lovely while you're working it. Plus it's so pretty... and, again, hard to put down.

(The lovely color and texture which you see in these pics is thanks to the photo genius of Caro Sheridan, aka Splityarn. As always :-)

(The scarf below, is done in the color Bashful)

By playing with dimensions and a distinct cable border, I made each of the three versions into a different take on the same idea. As always with my patterns, instructions are included for a number of ways to modify these for whatever length and width your wardrobe and stash seem to work best with!

Both the wrap and scarf are worked flat, in one long rectangle. The cowl is worked in the round.

The cowl is done in the color En Vogue.

There are three sizes given for the cowl, and I have the smallest on here - but it's still big enough for doubling around the neck.

(Edited to add: in the pics, I was wearing the cables on the top, but in real life, I find I wear them facing down, with the lace on the top, folded towards my neck. Either way works, I'm just sayin' it's an option...)

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Kits to purchase the yarn and pattern directly from ThePluckyKnitter will be available later, and I will be sure to post about it as soon as we have information on when. She has some great new colors in the works, (and rumor has it some not-so-repeatables), so stay tuned!

Worth waiting for, I'm sure. But...we decided to release the pattern solo first, rather than hold onto it, while so many of you have yarn in hand and holiday travel planned. Why let all that airport waiting or passenger seat sitting go to waste?

------------------------------

The specs are all on Ravelry, but here are a few FYI basics:

Gauge: 5 st per 1", blocked lightly in stockinette

Needles: US#7/4.5mms or size to get gauge

Sizes/Yarn Requirements:

Cowl = 35(39,42)" long x 10" wide - 400-600 yds

Scarf = 56" long x 12/5" wide - 600 yds

Wrap = 60" long x 18.5" wide - 900 yds

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And as for the drink on this one, the Lambic is best served cold and with no extra embellishments.

It's a pretty sweet beer, kind of festive and dessert-y. Could be a fun thing to bring to a holiday dinner. The bottle itself sure does look pretty - that red on top is shiny and tin-foily, and it has both a cork AND a bottle cap. (which seems important to note...)

Again, I thank you guys for all your patience and your continued support of me and my designs during the long, dry spell that was moving and settling into our new home. We're now moved and settled, and I'm hiring an actual painter to finish what I haven't done, so I can get back to the knitting and the cocktails properly.

There's lots more in the works these days, and I am planning for one more pattern release next week!

Amusing Translations, Knitting Update

2011-11-29T05:35:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite parts of being a designer is seeing all of your FOs pop up. I love seeing how you modify the patterns, what yarns you use, how you style your knits. I am absolutely inspired by the fun you have shooting (or look like you are having!), and how happy most of you look modeling all your hard work. I admit I have a hard time not hitting the "fave button" every time I see one of you in your knits out there on the web, but I try to keep it to only 2 or 3 a day.

I also try to take the time to check whatever comments you guys make. Since the rest of the world is seeing your thoughts on my patterns, I may as well know what's being said, right? But, thanks to the amazing reach of the web, not all of you are in my part of the world, and not all of you comment in English!

Enter Google Translate. This is a beautiful thing, but it has a really hard time with Russian. I'm not sure why, since it does a lovely job with German and French and most the Scandanavian languages, but Russian is always amusing. So... this weekend, Kaveshicka's White Swan popped up in my FO list. She's from Altai, Russia.

Her Allegheny is really gorgeous - those pics could have come right out of a Vogue magazine, and she had a few things to say, so I cut and pasted right into Google translate and found out the following things:

1. She caught this big chunk of undyed yarn in her reel. (while fishing?)

2. All the spokes are connected by gum in the top half of the dress

3. The gain on the skirt is made of rubber bands.

As long as it doesn't claim she's been knitting on her pet schnauzer or working in smoked meat, I guess we're OK.

Do check out her dress though, it's AMAZING!

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Less amazing is my finished Sweater that has no name. I'm getting there, just haven't decided.

All this guy needs is some blocking, a few days of pattern writing, and an hour with Caro's camera. My goal with this was to create a muffin top hiding pullover. Yes, that was my actual goal.

Post Halloween/Thanksgiving, I can attest to the power of the design. The muffin top has arrived in full form, and the clever ribbing placement and needle tricks hide it just in time. I may not be able to write it up in time for this year's muffin top knitting, but it should be ready to go by late Jan or early Feb. And you can all knit it in time for next year's holiday gut needs - or the late winter pudge, either way. It'll be a handy sweater to have around, don't you think? I may need to do a cardigan with the same magical properties.

In addition to creating gut Spanx out of wool, I have been playing with flowers for St. Germain. Pretty, right?

And lastly, the latest on Mint Julep -

All this guy is waiting on is the final edit, but my tech editor went into labor this week! (the nerve, right?) She knew about the baby beforehand, so I had plenty of time to figure things out.

(She's not from the TV show where the all the mothers sudden realize they're having a baby.... and they're totally surprised. Which completely perplexes me. Even if they're that stupid, their friends and family don't see it? No one says anything? ) Anyways...

Whether I actually did figure things out ahead of time is another story. And if any of the the three tech editors that got my emails this AM are reading, they may be chuckling right now. Ahem,

So, I'm thinking next week instead of this one.

Holiday Punch Recipe

2011-11-27T12:49:00.001-08:00

Holiday Punch:

one bottle of orange flavored seltzer
3/4 gallon of cider
3/4 bottle of cranberry flavored vodka
about 6 oz of St Germain
6-8 drops of orange bitters

ice cubes

floating orange slices and cranberries…….

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That's all for now, hope all of my US friends had a great holiday.

And Barbara Thompson, thank you again :-) We were definitely thinking of you on Thursday!

Thanksgiving Plans & a Little Windfall

2011-11-21T09:11:00.001-08:00

I plan on finishing the arms and ribbing on this over the weekend. Perfect guest entertaining knitting.

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As for the non knitting, dinner is in the works. I am debating trifle or no trifle, as my new cake dish/trifle bowl beckons from the shelf above, and a great recipe in this weekend's paper tempts me. Never having had it before, it might be a hit, or could just be way too much unappreciated work while everyone chooses pie.

I may debate dessert, but the drinks are all set.

You all may remember my friend, the Wine Fairy? I had lunch with his wife this week and it seems we knitters aren't the only ones who decide to periodically destash. I now have an entire medley of rums and vodkas to play with, some of which are pretty amazing (and a few that are somewhat questionable).

I'm especially excited by the cranberry, raspberry and spiced pear vodkas.

I see more martini experiments, as soon as I get my new martini glasses.

I'm not entirely sure what to do with the flavored rums, but I'll put those away till summer, when weird freshman girl flavors might just seem appropriate in things like daquiris and milkshakes.

For now, let's get back to the fall flavored vodkas - just in time for Thanksgiving, because you need something to make, right?

This one is going to be our pre-turkey cocktail. Pretty light, a nice cran-orange flavor and just enough kick to get everyone settled in and socializing, right?

Cranberry-Orange Pre-Turkey Cocktail

2 oz Cranberry flavored vodka

1 dash of orange bitters

2 oz cranberry juice

orange flavored seltzer or ginger ale to top it off (both worked well)

over ice

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If you prefer something festive and not berry flavored, the St. Germain comes in handy again.

It's great with white wine and a twist of lemon. Really easy too. Just add 1 oz of St Germain to a nice dry white and serve.
I added ice, but that's only if you want to.

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Enjoy!

Playing with Yarn and Booze

2011-11-18T05:37:00.001-08:00

I guess that's what I do all the time, but the title seemed especially appropriate for where I am this morning.

Those of you in my Ravelry group know I'm looking at red tweeds and trying to find the perfect one for a sweater coat idea I've got sketched out. I've gotten some great suggestions, and the stray skein pile is growing! It doesn't help that I have to walk past the yarn shop to do just about anything in town.

So far, my favorite shade is the dark red Peruvia Quick (not exactly a tweed, but so exactly the right color). I have more on the way, but for now this partial pile of my red collection looked so pretty next to the pillow there that I had to take the shot. If you have a favorite red tweed suggestion, I'd love to hear it! Aran or bulky weight. (Because, really, who has the time for a DK or sport weight sweater during the holidays?)

The other thing I've been playing with (This was not this morning, but last night.) is St. Germain.

The store is right near the place where I got my hair cut yesterday, so how could I not walk in? I was powerless once I saw the cool bottle and read the story about old men gathering flowers in sacks, which they transport on bicycle to be made into elderberry blossom liquor. It really does taste a little like flowers! Plus, there is an amazing website full of recipes, which all seem very appropriate and celebratory for the upcoming season. (Besides, I have a new pullover in need of a name and St. Germain might just do the trick.)

Last night, we started with the St. Germain Gimlet. So good we may have each had 2. Or 3.

(They are very small in these glasses. I need proper martini glasses for Hanukkah, just in case anyone, ahem, is reading.. Vintage, ebay)

Anyways, I digress..

St. Germain Gimlet

In a shaker, pour equal parts gin (They specifically say Plymouth and we had it.) and St Germain. 1.5 oz per drink was what I used.

4-6 ice cubes

3 drops angrostura bitters per drink

squeeze 2 lime slices per drink

Shake and pour.

It's sweet and sour and herbal all at once.

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In other news, we should be all set for Thanksgiving.

This is last month, but these guys keep wandering around the yard next door. Think these two will feed 18?

Misc. Update

2011-11-17T08:09:00.001-08:00

The latest photos that were on my camera, for your viewing enjoyment...

A properly installed owl bottle opener on the kitchen wall. A few hits and misses here, but we finally found the stud so it WONT get ripped back out of the plaster again. Lucky for me, the actual owl hides the holes.. Only one Tiki Head seems to care.

Pile of knits for a shoot with Caro.

And if I can just finish knitting this, I'll add it to the pile before tomorrow. Hmm. Anyone taking bets?

This is the best hidden Williams Sonoma secret ever. This awesome, thousand pound, glass cake stand is only $30 - and it turns into a giant bowl! I know it weighs a thousand pounds since I carried the damn thing around the mall. Craig pointed out it's also a giant wine glass. Funny, that.

Really, it's for Maya, so she has someplace to put all the things she bakes that I should not eat.

Spiced Pear vodka makes a great martini. With a little lemon bitters and floating cranberry. The cranberry is just pretty.

Creme de Cassis does not make a good martini. Nothing floating in it would change that.

And a day in the city with the girls will yield a slew of goofy pictures.

And then, if I'm lucky, I'll get a couple of good ones.

Off to get my hair cut now and then back to knit on that purple thing. I may take a while though. My new haircut joint is next to the yarn shop. Turns out everything in this town is right near the yarn shop....

Edited to add: Came back from haircut with a skein of Peruvia Quick and a bottle of St. Germain.

The Perfect Pink

2011-11-10T13:40:00.001-08:00

That Sarah has done it again. Not too bubblegummy - a little gray in there, and the perfect balance of pale vs pastel. You've seen the project squnched up on the table in my last few posts, but this shot really shows the yarn. The pattern will follow right after Thanksgiving, but in the meantime I'm just loving this way too much not to share.

And by the way, I may have a little addiction problem with scarves and cowls and wraps this year. Warning you now.

PS - I actually took this picture with my crappy camera. Totally a fluke.

Since Erin Asked

2011-11-08T16:28:00.000-08:00

She actually didn't ask ME, I just popped into the Twitter feed at the right moment.

She was looking for some fall themed drink recipes, since she's bored of her go to cocktail these days. And I had literally just unfolded this article I was saving for Thanksgiving cocktails, so how could I leave a girl in the lurch?

After sending her an email , it dawned on me that maybe you'd ALL be interested in a few drink recipes!

So, without further ado:

Fall Themed Drinks

These are just burbon ones. I'll do another booze another day!

1. Apple Sidecar (makes 2) Not your basic ingredients, but sounds interesting.

4 oz calvados

3 oz apple cider

4 tsp amaretto

1 tsp lemon juice

Fill the shaker halfway with ice and add Calvados, cider amaretto and lemon. Shake and divide, adding lemon twist to each glass.

2. Kir Normand - easy but fancy, again might require a trip to the store.

2 tsp creme de cassis or cassis liquor

1 glass of hard apple cider

Pour apple cider into champagne flute (see, fancy?) and add cassis. Stir

3. Stone Fence -maybe a bit boring, but sounds tasty to me

2 oz burbon

5 oz apple cider

3 drops bitters

orange twist

In old fashioned glass, add ice. Pour burbon and cider over and stir bitters in gently to blend

4. Rhett Butler (I didn't make the name up) This is the one I was about to make since I have the ingredients!

2 oz burbon

4 oz cranberry juice

.5 oz lemon juice

lemon peel

(i'm also going to add the bitters now that I love it so)

In old fashioned glass, pour the burbon over ice. Add cranberry, lemon juice (and bitters) and stir. Add lemon peel to glass.

Any of these sound good to you guys or do you have a fave to add?

Good Stuff Cheap

2011-11-07T06:29:00.000-08:00

I know I mentioned to you guys a while back about how we have to go to the dump in my new town. And I may have alluded to the Swap Shop there, where people leave any stuff they might consider useful to others?

Well, I've been finding lots of stuff that's useful to me and I thought it was time to share a few -especially since I managed to find this amazing book this weekend and cannot wait to try out some of the fantastic recpies inside! They had me at the celery olive sticks on the cover, but inside are some seriously awesome party snacks.

I am so worth that holiday invite now, and yes, you want me in your Rhinebeck house next year -

just look what I can bring!

Seriously, Pickle-salami cornucopia, Stuffed mushroom caps, Smoky meat balls, Hot pepper pecans, Asparagus stuffed eggs, Clam dip, Ham puffs... The Seventies were the age of the appetizer, I tell you. Trust me when I say there's so much more.

Besides trolling the dump for cookbooks, I also found this perfect coffee table for the upstairs guest room/kids hangout space.

Already painted yellow - in the perfect size and shape for their little Uggs to rest on while they watch Cupcake Wars.

And downstairs in the entry hall, we've had a few storage/coat hanging issues, since there is that big grate on the floor which we can't put anything on top of. But this shelf is kind of perfect. It's exactly the size and shape we needed, and it's painted iron, so it can take a few coats. (And no, we still have not painted this part of the house - the mint green will disappear in time.)

See? And the price was right. If you think about it, I'm trading my trash for the treasures above. There's more, but I'll wait until their respective areas are done and they are in use before sharing the next batch of finds. I've been told my enthusiasm will be greatly lessened in the middle of winter, but for now, I am still loving my dump.

This weekend, we also got Zoe's room finished up with a few curtains and an IKEA rug - all which were actually purchased at a store. She's very happy about her cozy new digs. But not happy enough to actually make her bed.

Besides the home improvement, last week's snow made me realize I needed some gloves pronto. I seem to have lost my sidecar mittens in the move, which bums me out greatly - but undaunted, I have cast on for a new pair before the next storm. These aren't sidecars, but will be something else. However, I do have another skein to make sidecars when I'm done here - I just need to decide which scrap skein of sock yarn matches the deep blue, and I can cast on.

And I don't have a new drink to share yet - besides the martinis, we hung out with the Wine Fairy this weekend, and when with the Wine Fairy, you're drinking wine. Which is good, but lacks any kind of share-able recipe.

I'll have another soon.

Back on Track - Martini Edition

2011-11-04T13:12:00.000-07:00

Both drinks and knitting. It's like I never moved, right?

Who knew I'd be a martini fan? For so long I've turned my nose up at the drink. Always though it was a bit boring. After today, though, I'm on a new tangent. This was GOOD. Granted it was a girly Orange Martini, but everyone needs a gateway, right?

I'd made it earlier today, as I often do - with no intention of drinking it then. Sometimes I make them specifically so I can blog about it while I have time. I have a teeny sip and put the fixins away till dinner time. However, one sip just wasn't enough this time.

In the spirit of full disclosure, this drink came upstairs with me for my shower. (Cold drink, hot shower = heaven, by the way. I found this out with post running beers in college) Anyways, I know that rings all kinds of warning bells, but it was about timing and waste -- I had to get going in order to meet a friend who was on her way over, and it would have been all melty and warm by the time I was done otherwise. That shaken quality doesn't keep. Martinis have to be sipped. And that Absolut isn't cheap, you know... Anyways, it's good, so give it a try. But maybe do it when you have a half hour to kill and can drink it in one spot.

My plan is to try a different flavor next Friday, but maybe bail on the shower piece of the plan.

Orange Martini

2 oz orange vodka

1 oz vermouth

two shakes of orange bitters

drop of cointreau

orange rind and a tiny bit of actual orange

In other fall related news, look at the gorgeous tree right outside my office window in the yard. It went from this color to bright orange, to a little red tings, and then the storm kind of killed it back to a dull orangey brown. But either way, it's beautiful, and it makes me super happy while I sit here at my desk. Another reason to love this new house :-)

While sitting in the office admiring my tree, I have been catching up on more than just drinks. There are two new BabyCocktails sweaters out there in the test knitting world (yay! that feels so good after a long couple of months in limbo, I gotta say) .

One in The Fibre Company's Canopy Worsted: below,

And another in Quince and Co's Osprey.

I am hoping to get these to you sometime in November. Which I'd better do, before the stuff in this pile is ready to go and my 18 guests come down for Thanksgiving weekend and the rest of the holidays get underway.

There's Plucky (the pink) in here - some Classic Elite Vista (gray - from my new LYS!!), some more Quince and Co (dark blue), and Miss Babs (tealier blue) from Rhinebeck. Before long, I am hoping it all turns into a wrap, some gloves, a turtleneck and a cardigan. Hoping, right? I guess it all depends on the martinis :-)

Have a good weekend!

New Double Pattern!!

2011-10-27T14:54:00.000-07:00

Introducing Mint and Basil!

I couldn't stop with just one hat, so I decided to make this a double pattern. I'm hoping that with the holidays a few months away, you may have use for the extra one as a gift. And if you want them both for yourself, you can do that too, since each pattern is somewhat different from the other and it won't look at all like you knit two of the same hats.

(The yarn is the Plucky Knitter's newest - Plucky Rustic, which I'll chat about down below. This color is Oz.)

First up, there's Mint.

Mint is a classic cap with a 70s vibe. It's meant to be close fitting, worn low on the forehead and snug over the ears. A textured twisted stitch with staggered lace detail provides a departure from a basic ribbed cap, but still makes for an easy knit and a versatile design. The brim echoes the ribs and provides a spot for a cool accent button or two.

I love how the subtle variegation in the yarn spirals around the band, giving it a little extra oomph around the face. The handdyed yarn really adds some great depth to the texture, and the bright color gives it a really modern feel.

A little rear view.

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The second pattern is called Basil.

Basil is a modified slouch, not exactly a beret, but with a bit of extra room for a little drape and an updated shape. Instructions are in the pattern to modify this for as much or as little slouch as you'd like.

Basil is a little artsy and romantic - worn back on the forehead, maybe a bit to the side. Lace and cable medallions come out of a shallow ribbing and add delicate detail around the face.

And the decreases in the back create a lovely star pattern.

And about this new yarn...

Plucky Rustic is a basic worsted/aran weight wool with a lofty spin . It's a solid workhorse yarn for go-to sweaters and accessories that will be worn again and again. Evenly spun, lightly plied, smooth to the touch. Not too heavy, not too fluffy. And in Sarah's colorways, the Rustic is anything but basic. (Think Cascade, but way prettier!)

It's coming out any day now, and more info about when and how to get it will be here.

In the meantime, here are some details on Mint & Basil, which are available on the sidebar above to the left or on Ravelry for $6.50 US.

Yarn: The Plucky Knitter Rustic, 1 skein ea hat (the skein is 165 yds, the hat takes 100-125).
and that color? That fabulous green is Oz

Needles: US#7/4.5mm circulars and DPNs (or size to get gauge)

Sizing: Written for 18(20,22)" heads. Instructions included to modify larger or smaller.

Gauge: 5 sts, 7 rows per 1" , blocked, in stockinette

All these pics were taken at the racetrack by Caro Sheridan - copyright 2011 Splityarn.
We cropped out the sleeping guy, who was a few rows above.

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As for drinks with mint and basil, I've had a lot of fun playing with these. You can pretty much crush up herbs in any drink for a little extra oomph, but here two that work well as a pair and tasted good to boot.

Mint Lemonade

2 oz lemon vodka (absolut citron type stuff)

crushed mint leaves

lemon bitters

muddle those three ingredients with ice cubes in the bottom of a glass and add fizzy lemonade.

Basil Orangeade

2 oz burbon

crushed basil leaves

orange bitters

muddle those three ingredients with ice cubes in the bottom of a glass and add fizzy orangeade.

(this is NOT orange soda. It's like pellegrino orange, or orangina)

-----------------------------------------

PS: If you like this double accessory thing, stay tuned for Black Cherry Lambic, which is a cowl/wrap combo, coming up next.

Also in plenty of time for holiday knitting!!

Halloween = Thrift Shopping!

2011-10-25T07:52:00.000-07:00

It's almost here. Maya is convinced that in our new town (which has a few parts that are a LOT fancier than our old town) that people in the big houses will give out chocolate bars the size of our heads. She swears this is confirmed by other 7th graders and has a few specific streets in mind where this will happen. I"m not so sure about the giant candy, and keep telling her MY theory - smaller houses, smaller yards = more candy. More is better, so I can filch it out of their bags unnoticed.

Plus, I'm not driving her over to the other side of the tracks for the big houses, so we may never find out who's right. I'll be on our porch with my friend Emily and a six pack of pumpkin beer, giving out candy bars smaller than your head.

Plus, there is a fun new tradition here (in our 'hood), which I'm kind of loving. Boo Bags. Ever hear of these?

It's like Ding Dong Ditch - with candy! The doorbell rings at night, while you are watching TV after dinner. When you answer it, there's a bag with 2-4 pcs of candy in it on the steps. The kids decorate the bag with a little note, and unless you see them giggling and running away, you have no idea who drops it off. It's kind of perfect. And I don't know about you guys, but once I sit down at the TV, I always wish I had a little bit of dessert, so this is working out nicely.

But Halloween isn't all free candy. There's planning to do.

I've been dying for Maya to be Wednesday Addams for a few Halloweens now and this year we found the perfect dress at Goodwill, so she's in. It's getting a few buttons, a black sash, and a felt collar over the existing lace. We've managed the perfect mix of creepy victorian/salem witchiness, and she's trying to get her buddies to be the rest of the Family.

We also found a creepy doll to carry around. She's missing most her face and is really pale. I love Goodwill.

At the same sale that provided the creepy doll, I found THIS.

Can you see it? I am in love with this, It's a vintage tweed Christian Dior suit from the 1960s. With a cropped fitted jacket and a pencil skirt. The tailoring is ah-mazing. It cost me $12.

I may have to get my old ad agency job back just so I can wear it.

And then there's Shopping

2011-10-20T17:56:00.000-07:00

The other reason to go to Rhinebeck is the shopping, right?

I went with a goal in mind. I had it in my head that it was time to find the perfect off white wool. Something soft and a little lofty, maybe a bit sheepy, but really not that much. Woofy is the word that keeps popping into my thoughts, and Cormo was on my list. So you see a little bit of off white there, between all the blues? That's cormo, which is just as soft and wooly and lofty as advertised.

And it isn't just any cormo, but Foxhill Farm cormo, which was recommended to me by the one and only Yarn Harlot, who I had the pleasure of meeting for the first time last weekend. She was charming and funny - and a bit surprised that she actually liked Hot Cider when you added burbon to it. Seems she is not an apple fan. Who knew?

But that woman knows her yarns, and when I mentioned my quest for cormo, she didn't hesitate a bit, and she didn't have a second favorite. Foxhill Farm and that's the one, I was told. Go back there and get it. And when The Yarn Harlot tells you something like that, you don't argue. You just buy it. Right? I can't wait to swatch!

In addition to the Cormo, I got a lovely little batch of vintage turquoise buttons, two skeins of Miss Babs sock yarn in the most gorgeous deep teal color ever, and two skeins of Bijou Basin Bijou Spun, which is a mix of cormo and yak down. Yak down sounds a little like it's a joke, but it's not. It's soft and puffy and will make lovely mittens. I'm not sure what the Miss Babs will be, but the color guarantees that I won't have long to wait before I figure it out. I just have a thing or two to finish up first.

The other fun thing about Rhinebeck is that it makes me take phone photos, which makes me find OLD phone photos. I have a crappy phone, and I use it mainly to talk on. I barely text, I don't have internet access, and the battery cover is missing. So when I do use a fancy thing like the camera, it often gets forgotten till later.

And then it's like a little present. Here's a shot from some furniture shopping we dragged the girls to earlier this year. The space age sofa was too sweet not to sit on. Or according to Maya, to "LOUNGE" on. She was asking for grapes here. Zoe claimed the elf shoe end as her spot. It looks like something from I Dream of Jeannie's bottle, doesn't it? The girls begged and pleaded, but in the end, we left it there for another lucky shopper to take home, and we have since set up the old wooden futon in their TV room, and bought two foldy butterfly chairs from Kohls, about which they are overjoyed. Good enough.

But seeing the picture again, I kind of wish I knew who did buy this.

Rhinebeck Recap

2011-10-17T07:09:00.000-07:00

You'll be reading about 1,000 different blogs today if you're doing any type of Rhinebeck recap, so I'm going to make this easy on you and do a little photo list of highlights I managed to remember my camera for.

The Eveready Diner, just south of Rhinebeck proper. Home of the Perfect Bloody Mary, and giant slices of pie. Stopping here is a great way to end the drive on the way up. Especially if you follow it with a few hours wandering around Rhinebecks' shops and then stop at that little beer and wine bar right in Rhinebeck center. I highly recommend an early Friday start to the weekend!

Maybe some traffic on the way into the Fair Sat AM, but nuns behind seem a positive omen during an annoying drive, don't they?

Questionable signs along the way were pretty entertaining and provided conversational fodder for the rest of the weekend.
(Really, think about this for a second. It's disturbing)

Elspeth and Stacey looking AMAZING in their Allegheny dresses! There are much better pics of these two, but it was about to pour so here's the dark and dreary moment when we managed to all be in the same spot as a camera!

The fun of doctoring up everyone's hot cider all day Saturday - Pam was a willing participant! I had a few choices in my bag - either burbon and orange bitters, or a premixed concoction of orange vodka, pomegranate and cognac. Seems people expect this of me, so I had more than a few takers over the course of the day, and was glad to be doubly prepared.

Meat Parfait!

Can you see this thing?? Layers of mashed potato, different meat, cole slaw and barbeque sauce. W/ a rib stuck in the side and a tomato on top!!. Stitchy was kind enough to share the rest of this puppy when she ran off for a shoot. Mmmmm. And almost as tasty, below, a stick full of potato chips -- which is no small feat of modern engineering. Can't beat the fair food.

Babycocktails knits in the wild. This is the lovely Natalie in her Cassis, which she rocked with the coolest boots that you can't see. She's one many Ravelers I've "spoken" to online and got to meet in person this weekend. Thanks so much for coming up and saying hi to all of you! So fun :-)

My travel buddies, Diana and Erin. Love going away with these two!

The best spot to get your hot cider - it's $1 cheaper than the food vendors and served by local 4H kids. Plus there's' donuts and muffins.

Seeing a few of my knits out in the wild.. I think this will never get old.

Meeting Ann and Kay of Mason Dixon knitting around the waffle iron at our hotel, and then seeing them again at the fair,I also got to meet Gale Zucker! All three couldn't be nicer. Always a WOW moment to meet some of these people in person.

That's my random array of pics. Am now back home and ready to get back on track.

You may notice I didn't wear the green cardigan. Don't worry, it's what I'm about to begin writing today, so it's a coming.

Again with the Green Sweater

2011-10-11T11:07:00.000-07:00

After leaving you yesterday, I went for a run - and on that run, I decided that I'd get back home and weave in those ends and put on some buttons and bring the damn cardigan along on my photo shoot with Caro. (And in that hour, I'd also manage to take a shower, get myself gussied up, gather up all my stuff for the shoot, and get to Caro's, which is a few towns away) Amazingly, I did all those things, left a giant mess in every room I touched, and was on time. I did have to straighten my hair in her bathroom.

However, the gauntlet was worth it. My thought was that if I was going to do a shoot, maybe I'd get a second opinion from Caro, some flaw-hiding detail photos and then, IF I chose to reknit as a top down and never do seams again, I'd be all set w/ the pics, right? But Caro gave it a once over and told me to wet block it. Apparently, this will do wonders for your seaming talents. Or lack thereof.

And you know what? I did it and it worked. Amazing.
(Lets not get into the fact that I should have known all about wet blocking already, shall we?)

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So, after discussing the cardigan, we went off for a knitterly photo shoot -- at the racetrack.

Yep. With real horses and the music (dududududu dududu DA) and the old guys in their tweed hats with pencils and folded up newspapers. (This being Boston, also a lot of not as old guys in Patriots tee shirts and big beer bellies.) We had planned on shooting in the track parking lot, but when we got there, we realized it was OPEN. So who are we to turn down a little location scouting adventure?

The spot was awesome, and the beers were $4.25. Unfortunately there's some federal law about ATMs at racetracks, so we were limited to a single beer while modeling around the joint and couldn't sample the $1 hotdogs for which they are famous. (If we'd have had more money, we'd have had more beers - and the dogs.) Will remember to bring cash for next time.

There was a horse named Warm Woolen Mittens, and given his knitterly handle, we did favor him a bit - but he wasn't doing so hot. It seemed that Funky Country and Shoeless Joe had better luck in the heat. The heat that was hovering around 90 degrees again. Perfect for donning big knits and posing around the railings while an old guy snoozes a few rows above in his orange folding seat. I think his horse raced later in the day - or maybe his wife bugs him if he naps at home? Either way, he was pretty awesome. Whatever his reason for a folding seat nap, he never moved the whole time we were hanging out near him. And you don't think we're quiet, do you?

Down by the winner's circle, we tried not to make a spectacle of ourselves, but it was pretty hard to go incognito in the sparse crowd with our giant bag of knits, the fact that I was wearing knits in the crazy heat, and the whole posing and shooting thing. We didn't exactly blend, if you know what I mean. Again, if we'd have had more money, I'd have had another beer.

But even without the additional Budweisers in their plastic cups, it was just fine. Caro, as always, did an amazing job and I can't wait to see what we got on film. It was a very productive Monday - I'll have pics to share in a bit, the green sweater can now come to Rhinebeck with me, and sometime soon I am SO going back to the track with my family soon to put some money on whatever horse has the best name that day. Right?

Know When to Fold Em

2011-10-10T07:01:00.000-07:00

Well, for the record, I did finish.

All I need to do is add buttons and weave in my ends, and it's only 9:30 AM, so if I was going to do it, I absolutely could. But I'm not, because in the end, I just don't feel the love for it. Happily, I didn't give up my whole weekend for this sweater. We hung out with friends on Saturday, and went to a great barbeque festival yesterday. Instead, I spent my evenings knitting and seaming and didn't miss out on the great weather. How glad am I? The problem is hard to pin down. There are details in this that I love, and this Osprey yarn is absolutely amazing, but all together, something is just missing, so on the dressmaker dummy it'll stay. My theory is that it's a little too plain in front, and that the long, lean fit isn't something you should do in a heavy yarn, no matter how gorgeous it is. Whatever, the reason, I'll be wearing something else at Rhinebeck. snif.

I had a short bout of craziness this AM where I thought I could cast on for a new sweater right now and be done in time, but instead of driving myself up a tree for the next 4 days, I'm going to leave that particular bag of nuts on the shelf. I did come up with a cool swatch in the midst of my delusion, so not all is lost and I will see if it goes anywhere once I return. It's a little tweed and lace experiment.

Besides, there are things on the desk that require my attention which are not due this week and will not make me crazy. This little skein is destined to be a pair of long dressy gloves for the holidays - and the yarn color is just perfect for something named Champagne, don't you think? I've been toying with stitch patterns, and have yet to choose, but I'll get there soon. The yarn is Cotton Comfort by Green Mt. Spinnery and it's lovely stuff - 80% wool and 20% cotton - which will be kind of perfect sticking out from a pair of 3/4 length sleeves, right? I'm thinking very MadMen with this. Little pearl buttons and such.

And last, if I'm not giving you a cardigan, I should at least give you a drink, right?

Still using up my lemon soda here, I've also acquired a bottle of Lemon Bitters. I'm becoming a huge fan of the bitters - they give almost any drink a little extra depth, and they come in a whole batch of great flavors. This could be trouble. Here I added these to muddled mint and lemon vodka/lemon soda concoction. It was pretty good. And it turns out they are pretty amazing in a vodka tonic with lime, or just a straight lemon vodka martini. Since it's 80 degrees out here, everything still has ice cubes and bubbles.

Am really hoping the weather changes by Rhinebeck so I can do my burbon and cider. That requires a little chill in the air to be properly enjoyed. Although I'm sure we will manage if necessary...

Some Knitting

2011-10-06T07:03:00.000-07:00

Remember when I said I'd give myself 12 days to knit the sweater for Rhinebeck? 3 down, and now I have 4. The math changed, right? My new deadline for a wearable sweater is Oct 10. I moved my deadline up, yes I did... But if you look below, the magic combination of stockinette and a good, fat yarn seems to be in my favor.

The reason for the new deadline (besides my amazing ability to make life more difficult than it needs to be) is that I managed to book a photoshoot with my buddy Splityarn on the 10th. I have a few other patterns in the queue,which will be ready to publish as soon as I have shots, and Caro's a busy lady, and this is the busy design/photo season, so once I have her, I plan to get as many wardrobe changes as possible into one day!

In addition to moving my deadline up, I've also complicated things here by picking another GREEN knit. I absolutely love this color (It's Parsley, from Quince & co), but it's put me in the same drink quandary I was in last week. As tasty as that grapefruit and mint concoction might be, I think this sweater is just going to get an Irish Whiskey name and a whiskey drink recipe and I'll call it a day. There are some great Irish whiskey names out there, as long as I can figure out the spelling!

In related green drink news, there have been a few contenders in the Basil and Mint department:

Burbon, muddled with basil, a bit of orange bitters, and topped off with blood orange italian soda.
(The soda is easily found at Trader Joe's - it's less sweet than regular orange soda, but a little more than Orangina)

Lemon vodka, muddled with mint and a spash of lime juice, then topped with a bitter lemon drink from Whole Foods (like carbonated lemonade but not sweet).

It's still pretty warm around here, so fizzy cold things seem right. Next few drinks will get more into the fall spirit of things. I need to get back to the knitting, but give those a try and let me know if you like them!

12 Days

2011-10-03T09:25:00.000-07:00

One sweater.

Thigh length, long sleeves. Cardigan. Knit on #9s in Quince and Co's Osprey.

I can do this by Rhinebeck, right?

I have no plans next weekend......

Mint and Basil

2011-09-29T07:50:00.000-07:00

There are two hats buried in this pile of accessories I'm working on, and both are knit out of this deep green, called Oz. I love the dark green, but it's giving me a hell of a time coming up with drinks, and I keep coming back to herbs instead.

I know Basil and Mint aren't exactly drinks, but they are some of my favorite things to put IN the drinks, so I think I'll be OK here.

You'd be amazed how hard it is to think of cocktails that work with green, and if you look back at my patterns, you'll see I've used up most the drinkable ones. Beyond Mojitos and Margaritas, you fall into the land of Grasshoppers and other Creme de Menthe concoctions, which personally, I'm thinking are little more than a headache in a glass once you're past Freshman Year in college.

Lucky for me, the vintage cocktail brochures are all unpacked and on the cookbook shelves, so I do have a few interesting pages to share from my extensive reasearch:

This book has the least appetizing photo of the grasshopper that I could find.

It looks a lot like the healthy grass shots they sell in juice bars. And the other two drinks on the page didn't fare much better in the printing process - or maybe these were considered appetizing colors in 1972. The pink one is called a Pink Squirrel, and it's a scary shade of bubble gum cough syrup, made from Creme De Almond, white Creme De Cacao and actual cream. Which should all be white things right? Nope. The almond is surprisingly - red, hence the pink! The Brandy Alexander in the middle is the most normal color, and could be pretty good. It looks a lot like coffee and is made from cream, brandy and creme de cacao. Not so bad.

The Grasshopper, by the way, is made from Green Creme De Menthe, creme De Cacao and cream. Honestly, not so bad either, if you can get past the crazy green color, which I kind of can't.

But, for those of you in the mood for a green cocktail that couldn't possibly taste good, there's this one. I'm not trying it unless dared to - with a good payoff - but I don't think I'm out on a limb saying it'll taste like crap without having tasted a sip. This guy is called a Sundown. Equal parts, Green Creme de Menthe and ... ready? the obvious choice to compliment that: Grapefruit juice. Right?

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Along with the cocktails, I found the following recipe, which could be made to accompany your Sundown:

Vegetables Mock Amandine

1 package frozen green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, or carrots

2 tbs butter

2 oz Creme De Almond

I'm thinking this is perfect for a Halloween Party. Looks scary (brains and blood) AND tastes scary too.

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Lastly, I had to share this page, which I can't believe I missed before.

It's an article with all kinds of benign tips on decor, invites, and snacks. Nothing too interesting. But, I'm pretty sure the real way to make a happening party happen is pretty much to invite the guy in the bottom left hand corner to serve drinks, like they did. With the sideburns and sweet ponytail and and a tray of crazy concoctions. Am I right? He reminds me a little of a young Vincent Price.

Anyways, I should get back to the pattern writing. I really do have a list of basil and mint drinks that will be tasty, don't worry. And the hat patterns should be out in mid October, just in time to begin holiday knitting. I'm putting both into one PDF, so you'll get two patterns in one, and a whole list of drinks at once - none of which combine grapefruit juice with anything besides gin or vodka. Promise.

There's been living

2011-09-26T17:22:00.000-07:00

going on in our living room, now that it's painted and done. (Thanks again to Erin and Diana (and Geneva and Lily) xo)

In fact, there's been a little too much living going on in here. The last set of weekend guests just left and now it's time for only the four of us to live in here. No matter how much we love our guests, I am looking forward to having none of them for a while. September has been a crazy month - full of new people, old friends, weekend guests, parties and dinners, entirely too many paintbrushes, buckets of spackle, trips to IKEA, and back-to-school meetings. I'm ready for a drink and some knitting, I tell you.

In the meantime, here's the next finished room. In our old house, we had an actual family room and an actual living room, which were separated by walls and doors. Here, we have one super long room that's ended up being kind of both. In this photo, you are standing in the front end, looking at the back half of the room, with the dining room behind it.

The front half has our big leather sofa and the TV - hidden in the corner behind the french door there in the corner. So, we'll call that the family room for now. I made a questionable decision as a parent of two social kids who live just a block away from their respective schools, and I put an off white rug in front of that baby. We'll see how that goes. I did not put a coffee table here, so there's nowhere to put a plate or cup. Subtle, but it could work, maybe.

The back half, which I guess is more the living room half, has the fireplace in it, and an opening straight to the kitchen. It also has a big bookshelf of things to read and games to play in front of the fire. (You see that better in the first picture) Plus, the rug on this half is easy to clean, with lots of colors on it (again, you can see it in the first picture). I think it's the snacking half of the room, where the kids will ignore the TV, eat snacks, and play board games.

(I'm not really that stupid, we have an upstairs TV room with a crappy rug and a futon in it.)

Anyways, that's the living room. It's a weird space, but I think it'll work out fine.

The only other room to share downstairs is my office, but I have to wait until the hole in the ceiling is repaired and I repaint in there before I can call that one finished. The guys aren't coming for a few weeks, so I can knit in the meantime and enjoy my guest-free house for a bit while I wait. (I could paint the upstairs, but I feel like a break.)

I actually did start some new knitting today, with the lovely yarn below. Newly sent from The Plucky Knitter, and already a few inches bigger than it is here on the porch. It's a deep wine-purplish color, and I love it. She didn't send a tag, so I need to double check the color and get back to you with what it really is....

I'm thinking this will be my Rhinebeck Cowl.

Instead of trying to knit an entire sweater for Rhinebeck, I've adjusted my expectations to fit my schedule. I'll probably be knititng away ON my Rhinebeck sweater while there, but I'm going to shoot to wear a few new accessories at the Fair, instead of an actual garment. And considering how the weather gets all iffy and my sweater could be hidden under a coat or it could be too hot to wear it without schvitzing, I might be happy with a cowl and hat plan instead anyways. Unless I do finish the sweater, in which case I'll wear it WITH the cowl. Right? I'm thinking I'll just have options this way.

Anyone else going? I'd love to meet a few of you in person this year!!

Oh, and PS. At one of those Back To School Nights, a parent came up to me and said she recognized me from somewhere. We figured out where. Turns out she owns one of the liquor stores in Arlington that I used to go to, apparently enough to be deemed a regular. I'm not entirely sure if I should be embarrassed or not.

FO!

2011-09-20T05:01:00.000-07:00

It's a little one, but it's making me happy! As is the beer.

Mojo and Greens, and Collapsing Ceilings

2011-09-15T10:49:00.000-07:00

I'm getting back into a routine around here, and with the return of said routine, came the return of some knitting mojo!

I moved things into my office and got back to work last week. Then I was temporarily delayed by a leaky ceiling, which led to a few conversations, which lead to an entire roofing job (and $7,000 MORE down the drain). The roofing job led to a giant hole in the ceiling above my desk, which also needed some attention, and a temporary move into the dining room for all the things in my office. More visits from the contractor ensued, things were cleaned up, and a repair will be done in a few weeks. For now, the roof is up and although the ceiling looks kind of crazy, nothing will be leaking in through that fantabulous new roof, no matter what Mother Nature decides to chuck my way. ($7,000 says so)

So.... I moved my stuff back into the office one more time (this feels a lot like the Olivia book where she keeps moving the cat) for a few weeks -- until the repair, when I'll move it all back into the dining room for a bit again. But for NOW...

My office is set up. Everything I need is currently where I need it. And... prior to the whole ceiling and roof debacle, a few projects moved enough out of limbo that I had knitting to work on over the past few days. When ignoring the noise and men above.
(and the myriad of house projects I need to be painting, arranging or fixing.)

You can see what I've got going on here.

Those cables up front are made out of The Fibre Company's Canopy. It is soft and beautiful and has the most amazing subtle haze of burgundy over the green. This little panel on the table will probably make its debut sometime in October, and it will be slouchy and cozy and cabley. Which is exactly what the Canopy wants to be. Soft and slouchy, and a little bit luxe.

Behind that Canopy is a deep green skein that I had yet to wind when the photo was taken. Now it's two swatches and a hat-in-progress. This skein is really exciting --- it's the Plucky Knitter's new Aran. She's calling it Plucky Rustic, and it's a 100% merino that promises to be fab in everyday wear. It's got the deep colors and subtle sheen that I so love in Plucky yarns, but it does not have any cashmere in the fiber, so it's more of an everyday yarn - one that's not going to pill, and will lend itself well to everyday kinds of knits.

I have lots of plans for this yarn, beginning with a few accessories and the hat already on the needles.

The third green skein is Quince and Co's Osprey, in an amazing shade of green called Parsley. I had bought this to replace the Ultra Alpaca I'd used in my Rhinebeck sweater, which needs to be something else. BUT, always the idiot, I bought the wrong yarn. I needed Lark. Osprey is too heavy for this sweater, although I love it. So, another batch of Quince - in the Lark - is on its way to me - this time in a deep blue, called Peacoat. Because much as I love this green, I have not right owning two sweater quantities of bright green. And this lovely yarn will eventually be something bulky and textury (come February?). Maybe.

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I have an urge to name one of these projects (the Canopy, perhaps?) Drambuie, because I love the sound of the word, so I've acquired a new liquor to experiment with. I have a Room Parent meeting tonight at 7, but hope to be back and play with it afterwards. In the meantime, anyone have any favorite Drambuie recipes I'll need to try? Do share, as most of what I've found mixes it with scotch, and I'm up for other ideas as well.

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On the New Town Front, all is well. Thanks so much for your comments! It's so nice to hear about other people in the same boat - (and to have comments to read in the absence of adults to talk to) - ha!

But really, it's good here. The girls are settling in, buddies are working out, and I have gotten involved with a few things that allow me to figure out who all the different women are around here. Last weekend's block party on our street was awesome, and I may even have some adults to talk to in the absence of my contractor buddies, who are now working on other houses in other towns. I'm also lucky enough to have moved about 1 mile, from my old town, so I will keep in touch with a lot of old friends, who I love and don't want to give up.

Although my knitting friends know I'm not doing the best job of that yet... Soon guys I promise. I actually have knitting to work on!

Yep, that's a drink.

2011-09-09T14:08:00.000-07:00

I've actually made a few this week! I had a few rum and tonics, and then a few rum and ginger ales. I now need more tonic and ginger ale, but the car is in the shop, so that has to wait.

This one's lemon vodka, cranberry soda with a slice of apple and lime in the glass, plus a generous squirt of lime to make up for the sweet soda. It seems appropriate for the beginning of fall, right? Still too hot to want cider and burbon, so this is cold and icy, but uses cranberries! (And I found this bottle of soda in a box, so really, why not use it?) It would work just as well with cranberry juice and seltzer or soda water, and it wouldn't be so sweet.

You might notice the kitchen in the background. Ahem.

My two favorite parts are visible from this angle -- the wine rack AND the stove. Sometime in the future, we will be adding a backsplash above the cooktop, but for now we are not interested in thinking about another thing, and a leak in the roof is costing us a surprise $7,000 (the fun never stops!), so the extra tilework will just have to wait. In the meantime, we've made pancakes, pie, baked ziti, numerous eggs, grilled cheese... and the list goes on. It feels good to cook again! The contractors left yesterday, and we're hoping the porto potty follows soon. For now, we still own the half bath on the lawn - and it could come in handy, as the 27th Annual Block Party is tomorrow on our street. We'll see if anyone decides to give it a go.

I have high hopes for this neighborhood - they put a keg in someone's garage, and we all bring our lawn chairs out on the street.

I plan on bringing a little knitting with me for the afternoon and ignoring the kids as they cruise around the party. I have found another cable I love, and the swatch is good. I keep getting stuck on the neckline, and cannot seem to decide what it is I want it to be yet. I am torn between a slouchy short sleeved number with a straight neckline, a vest, a more basic cowlneck, or a 3/4 sleeve boatneck like Narragansett. Too many options for one little swatch!

Preferences? I need to decide before two new packages arrive this week.
One will contain Quince and Co's Osprey and the other is from Plucky!

Close but not exactly

2011-09-02T08:22:00.000-07:00

Is where I am. This sweater is looking a lot more like I want it to after the second knit through, but it's still not perfect. I am considering a third yarn choice, or maybe a few different design decisions through the body. We'll see what I end up with, but I'm getting a little peeved with the whole thing. Grrrrr. I blame the fact that I am not completely in the game yet. There is still too much that I need to get done, and to be honest, this knitting thing is hard to do when the rest of our lives are up in the air. Every time I pick up the needles, I'm actually thinking about what else I need to be doing, and that isn't exactly good for the cardigan in hand, if you know what I mean...

Out in the world, I'm also close... but not exactly there. It's a little weird to meet new people as a grownup! The kids have it all set up so the teachers and the activities they do in their classes foster new buddies, and both of the girls have already made new friends and seem to be settled with their new classes. The little one is setting up playdates for next week, and the big one has gone out after both school days with new kids. Me, not so much. Turns out a giant group of moms standing around a school, who all know each other is a bit overwhelming, when you stand on the outside of it. Who knew? I'm lucky enough to have a couple of neighbors who I can stand next to so I don't look entirely as uncomfortable as I feel, and my contractor called while I was waiting alone yesterday so I kept him on the phone longer than he ever wanted to be talking to me for a little distraction, which was convenient. Am guessing the situation will be very different in a few weeks, but for now, it's a little weird.

I also managed to mess with the one new friend I met. In my old town, my buddies knew I was terrible with schedules and such and usually kept me on track with where I had to be when. Here I'm on my own. So I was all ready to go to the New Parent Coffee yesterday, and had even remembered to remind my One New Friend beforehand. She had no idea about it and had to work, but hey. Dressed in non paint-y clothing AND on time, I went over to the school for the meeting and didn't see anybody, so I asked at the office. The receptionist had no idea what I was talking about but mentioned that there was another parent looking for the same meeting outside the office, so maybe he knew. I trot off to meet another new friend and figure out where the meeting is. The Other Parent was the husband of the woman I'd told about said meeting, who had called in and missed work to be at school, because she couldn't change her schedule. And yep, you've already guessed this part - the meeting is not only next week, but it's at my other daughter's school, so the cat's out of the bag on me being an idiot already. A bit earlier than I'd intended.

Truth be told, he was pretty nice about it and when I said I owe him a beer, he responded with "I'm thinking two...". So he and his wife might be exactly my kind of peeps, right? I hope he didn't have to miss anything too important.

Something I did do right this week was paint. Yesterday was the first full day of school, so once I got back from my Not A Meeting, I found my painty clothes and got to work. My new dining room feels a little like my old dining room now. But not exactly.

A little break

2011-08-31T05:56:00.000-07:00

First, just a little bit o kitchen. Things are not done, but they are done enough to cook and eat and hang.

Furniture is placed in rooms again -- thanks to my friend Suvi, who is just Type A enough to understand that I really wanted it DONE and did not want to wait for either the weekend or a night when Craig came home before 9pm to haul this stuff around. She helped me move the things out of their piles and into rooms when picking Zoe up for a playdate. Thanks to her, we now have a table and chairs in the dining room and sofas and a TV in the living room.

See? It felt really good to sit on our stuff again. I have knit in all of these seating spots in the last two days.

And put flowers on the table. Ahhhh.

Today both my kids are in school for a full 3 hours. I'm not entirely sure why school districts feel the need to "ease" them back into the routine, since I really don't need to be "eased" out of mine and have a lot of painting and unpacking and knitting that could be getting done. But, a break is a break, and I plan to spend mine doing this little update, going off to buy paint for later in the week, and going to the dump.

Yep, the dump. In our new town, there is no trash pickup. You load up your car and bring your crap on down. One day I'll blog properly about this whole adventure, as it does deserve a proper description, but for now just know that the dump has a silver lining in the form of a swap shop. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! It's actually just a big tent where you put anything someone might want, and there are more than a few sketchy items in it, but when it's good, it's good. Really good :-)

But, even better than the swap shop ...... is my new punch bowl!

I've been wanting to tell you all about this since the beginning of summer, but the bowl was properly packed and safely tucked away, so I couldn't show it off. Some of you may remember that I was looking for one last spring and had miserable luck on Ebay finding something - which really means that I was too cheap and kept getting outbid. BUT, right about when I gave up, I got an email from a lovely reader named Barbara, who had this amazingly cool bowl, and she thought I could get more use out of it than she currently did! ( there are way more cups, don't worry. These are for showing you.)

Seriously, I like this one better than any of the others I'd bid on. The swirls and the orange glass are kind of unusual and look awesome when the light hits them. She was kind enough to pack it up and ship it off to our new house, and it's now unpacked and awaiting gobs of sherbert and champagne and cider and rum. I think I have a week or so before I can manage it, but I'm DYIN G to use this puppy.
The beauty of the blogosphere, right? Thanks again Barbara, I love, love, love it.

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Other news from around the blogosphere that's kind of exciting is that Sandy (Spikeysandy on Ravelry), of Spirit Lake, Idaho won a BLUE RIBBON at her State Fair for her Dark and Stormy!! Really!!! How cool is that? She knit it out of Mad Tosh MCN in Cousteau, and it really is gorgeous. The lady deserves a drink, right?

Yay Sandy!

I'll save my knitting news for later on, as the dump and paint store beckons, and maybe I'll swing by that yarn shop again now that I am showered and without children....

Well, Helloooooo

2011-08-26T03:56:00.000-07:00

I'm up at 6am so I can write a post before the house gets invaded by men and tools and sawdust again.

Really, though, I'm up at 6am so I can make coffee on my New Stove that was hooked up yesterday where I can finally boil water for the first time this summer. I can walk around my kitchen without a bra, in my Jersey Freeze tee shirt and my flamingo jammie bottoms before The Guys show up. And the computer is here, so I figured I could say hi while doing so. To be honest, I don't suppose the men would even care or notice if I did walk around this way, since it's not much of a departure from the thousand year old "It's Salsa" tee shirt and paint-spattered shorts they usually see me in. However, I have to draw the line somewhere, as I'm an example for two growing daughters, and dabble in clothing design. And, one of the workmen is kind of cute. Maya actually says 2 are cute, but she can walk around in her jammies and it's not so scary.

It's been a long time since I puttered around my kitchen half awake. It feels good. Unfortunately, we have to get out One More Time this weekend and live at a friends' overnight, but after that, I plan on never leaving. Except for Rhinebeck. And maybe SPA this year, or even TNNA. We'll see. As this place shapes up, I realize I'm going to love it. The girls have made friends and Zoe has learned to ride her bike, and we are getting settled and finding our way around. We also hooked up the TV two days ago, and that makes it feel homey too.

I have found my knitting, and am working my way down a sleeve. This is big progress. For much of the summer, I worked on a cardigan, and when the cardigan was done, I decided that the yarn and the construction were all wrong. So, I am working my way through the same cardigan a second time - in teeny spurts when I have a surface to sit on and an area free of plaster and dust. However, round 2 is top down and knit in Ultra Alpaca, which is always a crowd pleaser, and it goes rather quickly. I try not to think of all the wasted time spent on version 1. I'm thinking a few more Seinfeld Reruns at 11pm and I should have the sleeves done - which means I need to set up a desk to write on next...

So that's the update from inside the house -- from outside, though, is a bit of news that anyone living in the greater Winchester area just might want to know about. (Lean in, ladies....)

Outside my house, only a few blocks away, right between the two wine and liquor shops in town, a friend of mine is involved in OPENING A YARN SHOP. The space is big. Plus, this friend knows what she is doing. I have already had my nose plastered against the glass, bottle of wine in hand, a few times. My hopes that I'd be invited in to unpack and have a few drinks have not been realized yet, but I'm sure it's only because my timing has been off and they have not been taking things out of the giant boxes on the floor when I happened to swing by. Or maybe they were in the back or something.

Maybe they didn't recognize me, hair in a thousand clips, covered in green spatters, with my dirty salsa tee shirt and painty shorts, clutching my booze, and ignoring the two children behind me - who were probably bored and arguing at the time. Because, really, who would pass up that kind of a good time, had they been there?

Anyways, I had hopes of sweater and house photos, but the camera is somewhere that is not here, and I only have a few minutes left of braless, tee-shirted joy before I need to make myself presentable.

Thanks for sticking with me over this long and knit-less summer, I promise that things will begin getting back to normal next week - and that the designs are still in the works for fall. I'll blog again soon with pictures of yarn and home, and maybe I'll Kinnear the yarn shop window for you - that'll really make them want to invite me in, right?

(PS. how cool is it that Kinnearing is in wikipedia with S.P.M's photo next to it?)

Gimlet Kits!

2011-08-18T05:28:00.000-07:00

Hi guys, as promised, a little update on kits for Vodka Gimlet!

Signups will go live on The Plucky Knitter's blog at 9am Eastern tomorrow (Friday, Aug 19) and they will remain open until Sunday, the 21st, or until the spots have sold out. Each kit will contain a hard copy of the pattern, and the Primo Worsted to knit the Gimlet in your size. You just choose your colorway and size.

The signup page will have all the information about exact quantities and prices.
You can get to it by clicking right here.

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In addition to the Barely Birch that I used and loved, she's got a whole batch of colors in the wings.

Here are a few of them!

Humphrey

Fly The Concord

All Spruced Up

Gorgeous, right? There are more colorways too, these are just a teaser! Besides the colors, I seriously love this yarn. The merino and cashmere mix is spot on - soft and just a a bit drapey, and the weight is absolutely perfect for all-the-time wear.

The purchased kits will begin shipping on Sept 19, which gives you just enough time to finish what's on your needles and get any Back to School responsibilities or Fall shopping out of the way first!

yay!

Vodka Gimlet

2011-08-15T05:11:00.001-07:00

My latest pattern, Vodka Gimlet, is a shawl collared cardigan, knit from the top down.

It's traveled with me this summer from house to house, and has been crazy patient as I did and didn't have internet access or the ability to think and write. The original late spring release date is long past, and the poor sweater has been moved from bag to box to bag, and the notes on it were in about 4 different notebooks (maybe a coloring book too) and 6 cocktail napkins. Let's just say it hasn't been a normal few months around here, but we're coming out the other end soon!

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I wanted this to be an easy piece, without buttons or closures, that could be worn open and loose and still be flattering. I think it's the perfect summer-into-fall piece (originally spring-into-summer, but hey) that can go with shorts or over a sundress, and then make its way into jeans and boots season.

Although you can't tell here, I'm wearing it with a pair of cutoff shorts and flip flops...

In designing it, I went with a classic cardigan shape. I used a shawl collar, but made it long and narrow, so the vertical line would be delicate and keep the focus on the waist detail. This shallow collar depth allows it to be worn folded back, standing up, or lying flat, and the slipped stitch edging is reversible to allow it either way.

A similar slipped stitch detail on the body accents the waist and keeps the open silhouette from getting boxy. It is easily placed higher or lower, depending where you want your visual waist to fall.

The cardigan is meant to be worn open without the fronts actually meeting, so is written with little ease. This way, it still skims your shape and manages to be flattering, while remaining loose and comfortable. Buttons or closures could easily be added, and the shape would be quite fitted (see Tante J's, with her shawl pin!) -- of course, you can add some extra ease in if you want buttons AND a loose shape.

For sleeves, I went with deep ribbing. Cozy and fold-back able.

The yarn I used is the Plucky Knitter's Primo Worsted, in Barely Birch. It's a soft, cozy mix of cashmere and merino, with just the right balance of drape and heft for a seasonal bridge. The subtle hand dyed color is amazing in a slipped stitch, and works perfectly in the design - as always, kudos to Sarah for making Perfect Yarn!!

The pattern alone is $6.50 and available for purchase now as a PDF pattern download here on the sidebar or on my Ravelry page.

It will also be available through the Plucky Knitter, as a kit, with both yarn and pattern. Pricing and timing and such will follow, and I'll link to her page when she posts the information.

Specifics about the design are below:

Sizes: 32-50

Yardage: 1100,1150,1200,1250,1300,1350,1400,1450,1500,1550 yds
Yarn: Plucky Knitter Primo Worsted, in Barely Birch. 200yds per skein.

Gauge: 5 sts, 7 rows per 1" on US7/4.5mm needles. Or needle to get gauge. (Lightly blocked, stockinette)

Specifics about how to make a Vodka Gimlet, can be found here.

(once I can unpack, I'll have my own recipes and pics in my own glasses again!!
Nobody wants to see cocktails in a plastic, disposable cup, and I can't bring myself to make 'em. )

All the lovely pics were taken by Caro Sheridan, Copyright 2011 Splityarn.

Enjoy!!

Friends and Family Week

2011-08-09T07:44:00.001-07:00

It's a good thing that we have THIS done, since my sister and her kids came to stay with us last weekend. We still have no kitchen, guest room or even a downstairs sofa space to speak of, but.... a few bedrooms with furniture shoved to the side, a working bathroom, a great porch, and a lot of beer made for a great visit with the Jordans, who live entirely too far away from Massachusetts. (Annie you agree, I'm sure!)

We took them to the Farmer's Market on Saturday AM, and who was there but my old friend and former Knitsmith, Johanna! She was in a booth, selling handmade slippers! She began making these for her little girl, Kaya, back when I still made the trek down to Brookline each Sunday for knitting, and in the few years since, she's turned her talent into a full fledged business -- Kaya'sKloset. She makes the slippers by hand (with a little help), in her home and then she sells them locally through a few shops, and at fairs and bazaars like the Winchester Farmer's Market. Fun to see her and to see how well the slipper biz was going! Check 'em out.

With all the dust and stuff on our floors, these will come in super handy. And they have polka dots.

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Johanna wasn't the only Friend to surface this week...

Life always happens this way - when it rains, it pours. Right? I've spent the last few weeks like a hermit, running errands, picking tile, doing laundry a town away, and trying to get ahead of Life in Transition over here. I have more to paint and do this week than humanly possible, and I am sooo in need of a better coffee system than currently available around here.

(Yet, I'm blogging. Figure that out! Ahem. The primer needs to dry so I can do the next coat, actually. And the marble guys are here so I can't finish yet. So, this is a perfectly excusable use of time.)

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Anyways, back to this week. I had my guests and I saw Johanna. And two minutes ago, during the marble guy conversation, unbeknownst to you, my old across the street neighbor just stopped by to visit!

But before that unexpected break, I already had another Old Friend to add to the week's list:

I got an email from Steve Elkins of WEBS, who is an old friend of mine from college. Being the clueless wonder that I am, all this knitting time, and all those trips to Northampton and I never did put 2 + 2 together that Steve Elkins, of Steve and Kathy Elkins, was actually the same guy I knew in college. Really. Until earlier this year, when another friend asked me if I ever ran into him in "The Yarn World". In The Yarn World? Last I knew he was working for a beer distributor, out of school and living with a few of the other guys I used to hang out with. But the other friend said he'd been running "Some Giant Yarn Shop" and all of the sudden I realized it! To my credit, we didn't always call each other by our given names in college, since it was the age of last names and nicknames and such. I'm not sure Steve wants his nickname shared (it's nothing bad!), but he wasn't always "Steve" in my head! Anyways, we've been back in email touch for a bit, but seems he's here for a few days. So, yes, I plan on seeing Steve this week at some point. (maybe he likes to paint...)

and

I have plans to see ThePluckyKnitter this weekend, as she's in town for a wedding, and we have much planning to do..
and

Tonight we're having dinner with two of our oldest friends, who used to work in San Francisco with Craig and I in the old days. They're on the East Coast for a family trip and will swing by for beers on the porch/and go out to dinner today.

and
(really, I am NOT making this up)

My group of high school friends who live in the Boston area and do a semi annual kind of dinner thing just emailed for a Sunday evening plan. Which of course, not having a kitchen, I'm all over. (Love the dinner invites this summer!)

and seriously, I've seen nobody for weeks, prior to this! I might have to brush the paint out of my hair today.

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Appropriately, I'm also knitting with Ultra Alpaca. It's kind of like my best old yarn friend.

(the blue pile, next to the computer)

For those of you who care, here's what the marble guys have done:

in my someday shower, we have a little shelf!
and in my someday bathroom, here's a vanity in need of faucets and drawers.

Off to work now.
Vodka Gimlet is back at the tech editor for a final run through, and will be ready REALLY soon.

Thank You Comcast!

2011-08-05T17:57:00.000-07:00

We finally have service in our new house -- we may not have a kitchen, a surface without piles of equipment and dust, or a room not piled high with boxes, but this bit of installation news means that next week I can finish up Gimlet (which you may recognize from the current Rav ads) and get the patten onto the internets for you. Stay tuned....

Allegheny!!

2011-07-25T13:48:00.000-07:00

I'm so happy to finally share this design with you guys!!

(photo courtesy of Jared Flood/BrooklynTweed)

I think I might have actually jumped up and down when I got the original email from Brooklyn Tweed, asking if I would consider being part of a digital design book they were putting together, using Guest Designers whose work they thought would be a good fit for SHELTER. As a huge fan of Brooklyn Tweed and a well documented tweed/SHELTER enthusiast, I could not have been more excited. I had it in my head already that I wanted to knit a tweed dress for fall, and this was the perfect excuse to start messing around with the idea.

I had the image of something rustic but urban, that could be customized in about a hundred ways. With a big statement cable - as a focus and for a flattering vertical line. It may have taken a few (ahem) swatches, but I fell in love with this twisted rib nested cable.

(my bad photo, on the dressmaker dummy)

I also wanted and some kind of faux off center belt that would give me an excuse to play in my tin of BIG buttons, and maybe give the dress a little hint of a 60s mod vibe. ( I actually sent an extra bag of button options out with the sample, as it was way too hard to pick just one, but they kept my original choice on the dress here.)

The design I ended up with gives you lots of options for making a knit that flatters you. In addition to changing sleeve or skirt length, you can easily adjust the width of the bust, waist or hips as you need. The skirt is written as a subtle A line, but could easily be more of a triangle shape (for skimming over anything that needs skimming over) or a straighter pencil (if you're that lucky and need no skimming).

The ribbing and belt can be placed high, for an empire waist, placed at the waist for a traditional hourglass shape, or worn low, for more of a hip slung look. Directions and comments are in the pattern for each option. I wear mine a bit loose throughout the body, with a higher belt, to hide my pooch and minimize my bust. The model here looks gorgeous in a more fitted silhouette, with the belt at her natural waist (sans pooch).

And for those of you who think they might not wear a dress, the design also works as a long tunic over leggings or jeans.

(photo courtesy of Jared Flood/BrooklynTweed)

The yarn itself is beautiful, so there's lots of stockinette to show off the subtle colors and texture of the tweed. Which means that it's easy TV knitting, too, right?

With a drink. I know there's Allegheny Ale, but the dress seems to me a bit more of a scotch whisky concoction. So I'm going to say that you should have a Manhattan or a Rob Roy during your stockinette. Just pay attention on the cable :-)

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All the specs and details are here, and the pattern can be bought on the BrooklynTweed website for $6.50.

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In other news, I owe you many drinks and probably some kind of update on where I've been living and what we're doing to the new house. At our last trip to Target (where else can you get paintbrushes, new sneakers, groceries, and a shelf in one stop?) I found an amazing peach - pear soda and a blood orange soda. We've been having fun with them, but I need to pick the good combos and take pics. Along with my next design in the works.

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In the meantime, enjoy Allegheny and be sure to check out the other designs in Wool People. (I am so in love with the button band on Gudrun's Levenwick, and the lace on Anne Hanson's Hourglass Throw.) There is something in there for all kinds of knitters - from simple to complex, and there's all kinds of projects: from accessories to sweaters to wraps. It's an honor to be included in such a beautiful collection of knits by so many other talented designers!

Pie, Strawberry Drinks, and a little Construction

2011-07-09T04:55:00.001-07:00

We got two pies out of the strawberries from our farmshare bounty. So, a contest was had. Maya and her buddy made a strawberry - peach, and then I made the other, which turned into a peach- apple-strawberry-cherry. Both were tasty, but I humbly deferred to the girls' version, as mine lacked the tasty goop, and they claimed that it was in fact, more tart-like than pie-like without the juicy goo. Either way, they were awesome, and a half/half of each was the way to go.

And then, with leftover stawberries still in hand, I was able to give Erin's Strawberry, Burbon, Basil drink a try.

In all honesty, I think I over-club soda-ed and it was a little lame.

But a bit of simple syrup and a tad more burbon and it worked out pretty well! Then I found a bottle of vanilla club soda in our bag and mixed that with the same thing. Vanilla and burbon never goes wrong.

I was also happy to use my new drink glasses. Looking for vintage light fixtures at the local flea market, you get a little distracted, right? These were three for $2, and I love the shape.

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I remembered to bring my camera over, so here are a couple progress shots of the downstairs of our new house.

The entryway, without the wallpaper anymore.

The dining room and office - both piled high with all the furniture for the first floor.

Eventually this will be a kitchen again.

And eventually this will be my favorite thing in that kitchen.
(Julia, if you're reading, it IS a BlueStar!)

In the meantime, I'm working on button placement.

Thanks for weighing in on the hood question. After your commentary, I am thinking I'll do a regular neckline - both to avoid the bathrobe possibilities and the extra yarn needed, which was also mentioned. Hopefully I'll get to finish up this week, and the writing can begin!

Summer Greens

2011-07-07T05:50:00.000-07:00

Found my camera.

Living in one house and cat-sitting in another has a few benefits that make up for all the things I can't find, though....

This week, friends of ours had us pick up their CSA share while they were away in VT. We took our buddies Erin and Geneva with us and went off to the farm for PYO strawberries and 3 bags of various lettuces and carrots and squashes and stuff. I'm about to figure out something I might make with the chard, carrots, beets and fava beans, and Maya has big pie plans for the strawberries tonight. Knitting buddy Kellee has a pretty awesome looking squash casserole recipe on her new food blog that's timed kind of perfectly, and I'm open to any other good suggestions, if you have 'em.

But the part you'll like best came from Erin. She told me about the latest drink making the rounds on Pinterest.

Strawberry-Basil-Burbon
muddle a few strawberries and 1-2 basil leaves in the bottom of a glass
add 2 oz of burbon
top with seltzer and ice cubes

All my burbon and seltzer is in the new house, but luckily I have to spend a few hours over there this afternoon waiting for appliances, tile, a vanity, and a sink -- So, I'll have plenty of time to dig through the piles for the appropriate ingredients and hope to share the results with you soon. Along with some "during" photos, maybe. Perhaps my crew of contractors will all pose next to the porta potty holding skeins of yarn if I explain this whole blog thing to them? I'm tninking they may not.

Anyways, back to the veggies. After an hour or so in the hot sun, we deserved something cold, so we drove over to this awesome summer joint I remembered from years past. I always loved how this place looks, so I snapped a shot to share. (Maybe I was a little snap happy having found my camera, so pardon the unrelated pic, and be glad I'm not sharing the rest!)

But it is pretty perfect, right? And those milkshakes totally hit the spot.

The last summer green I'm sharing IS knitting related, and almost done! Three pieces of long soft sweater, in Fibre Company's Canopy. I'm playing with all kinds of ribbing here, and going for a long slouchy feel. About to do some sleeves and seam things up, but I'm debating whether or not a long (mid thigh long) sweater with a hood is too much like a bathrobe.

Thoughts? Would you prefer a hooded long cardigan, or a regular necked one?

You can think about it while sipping some strawberry/basil/burbon stuff, and imagining the potty yarn man photo.

What Else I'm Finding

2011-06-30T06:45:00.000-07:00

As the workers plug away at our new house, we're nomadding around as housesitters to a few close friends. I've got a whole House of Cards setup where we move house to house while each family goes on vacation this summer, with a few guest rooms sprinkled in between. Here we are on the first stop of our Tour, and these friends are in Finland. Over here, I'm learning the genius of Swedish design. I've been to Ikea, of course. But I've never actually LIVED with a ton of Ikea items. Besides the amazing Ikea laundry system that has me wowed - it's a double netted basket, one half white and one half dark, which is absolutely perfect and even fun to put stuff in, there's this little beauty.

This crazy thing lives on the counter of Suvi's kitchen, and I'm sure most of you have already figured out what it does. It took me a sec to make the transition from War of the Worlds to Limes, but as soon as we unpacked the tequila last night, we gave it a spin. This thing rocks! It's a better system than my JuiceMaster, since it only has one part to wash afterwards, and no assembly required. Ikea is brilliant, I tell you.

Do you have a favorite thing from Ikea that makes your life better? Will I need it in my new house?? Do tell, as I'm getting a little hooked here and keep leafing through the catalog. There is SO much I must have.

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In the spirit of the Ikea house, we kept our drinks simple as well:

juice of one lime, 2 oz tequila, a splash of simple syrup, and 4 oz club soda went into Craig's glass.
Mine had an added splash of tangerine-orange in it, which was nice.
We added 3 ice cubes each.

It was a good end to a hot and sunny day.

And just look at what else turned up! My portable little swatch in the Ball and Skein Berkshire was in my beach chair. I discovered it yesterday when I set my chair up at the small beach near our house, and felt a needle in my back. Owww. Anyways, I'm psyched to see that it still exists and hasn't been buried in toilet and faucet boxes, and I can pick it back up tomorrow when we head off to the sand again.

The rest of today involves Lowe's, HomeGoods, and a side trip to Target.

And tonight, a little knitting. I finally get to check out Gather Here's Pints and Purls!!

Finding Those Needles!

2011-06-28T04:57:00.000-07:00

Both literally and figuratively. Cleaning out my absolutely empty house for the last time, I found a whole batch of missing darning and cable needles under sofas and things, and I actually lost count of the amount of stitch markers lurking under rugs and hidden in corners in the house. But I have a nice new collection of notions now, and they're tucked away in my Splityarn notions bag. I also found $6.71, a thousand Polly Pocket shoes and the ball to Mouse Trap - about which we were very happy.

It's been a whirlwind few weeks where I couldn't really sit long enough to knit more than a row or two -- and when I did, my mind just turned to All The Things I needed to be doing instead. Yesterday, however, I had a day to relax, and it felt soooooo good to start a project again. The closing is in 45 minutes and I'm here in my PJs, coffee brewing and knitting waiting, since I don't even have to be there. It's kind of nice to be done.

The project is going to be a cardigan for fall. I'm in the mood for something long and slouchy, and I need some stockinette for the beach, so that's where it's going. The soothing yarn is making me very happy so far. I'm knitting with Fibre Company's Canopy, which is soft and beautiful and feels like buttah on the fingers. I'm also working in pieces for a change, as I think this type of sweater will work better with seams, so the small pieces are an exercise in instant gratification. Am halfway up a side already, and the detail is on the bottom, so I even have the pretty part done.

Next to that pile of cardigan is Ysolda's Little Red in the City, which arrived a few days ago. I cannot say enough about this book, except that you all need to own it. She's covered everything in here - from small tips on technique to a big section on getting the perfect fit for your body. She goes into detail about construction and fit and explains how to meld the two in a very clear and easily understandable manner. There's tons of photos, tips, how tos, and charming little details that only she would think of. I know it may sound cliche, but she's really created a must have tool for any knitter, and it deserves a spot next to EZ on my shelf, once I have a shelf again. Plus, the patterns are also gorgeous as well, and she's included a batch of them, with just the right balance of delicate detail and classic styling. Am really loving it.

Am not loving this as much.

New Pattern! The Gibson Shell

2011-06-20T08:52:00.001-07:00

A lightweight shell with some vintage details, a gorgeous color, AND the portrait neckline I've been dying to make for a few seasons worth of Madmen already. Once I saw the deep purple Silky Wool, I knew had to combine the retro feel of the shell with the modern color and texture of the light silk fiber.

It's knit from the top down, and the details are simple, yet flattering.

The cable in the center of the body creates an subtle empire line between the bust and the waist, and can be moved up or down to flatter your shape . Pleats and a simple lace detail below the cable bring the eye in for a centered, vertical line down the torso, and have the added bonus of hiding a little tummy. Pleats above the cable are a feminine detail drawing attention up to towards the bust, but the loose fit and the dramatic neckline balance the focus across the entire area, keeping it tasteful and flattering for any size of chest.

As always, there are instructions to change the length or width as you need. Notes on the cable placement will help you put the cross and pleats at the best spot for your shape. It's written to fit like you see here - enough room for a little drape, but still fitted enough to show waist shaping. Longer length could flatter a bigger bust, but I like it at the hip with the pencil skirt here.... and that's how I always pictured this photo shoot -- Channeling Christina Hendricks. Sorta.

I love the weight and drape of the Silky Wool for this, and the colors it comes in are amazing, but if you needed to sub yarn, I'd suggest a light mix with some silk or linen in it. Nothing too heavy, as the pull could affect the cable over time. A smoother yarn will give you a different look, but could also work . I suggest a solid color or you'd lose the lace detail below.

The pattern is available on Ravelry or on the sidebar to the left for $6.50.
Some specifics are below, and the rest of the information can be found here.

Yarn: Elesebeth Lavold Silky Wool, Color 63. 750(800,850,900,950,1000,1050,1100,1150,1200) yds

Sizes: 32-50

Gauge: 5.5 sts, 7.5 Rows in 1" in stockinette, on #6/4mm needles. Lightly blocked

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On the drink, there's a good reason I went with a Gibson this time, and it tied my sweater directly back to Joan Harris and the other office women of the 1960s, trying to keep up with the groping, drunken admen of their day! Often I try to find a drink that ties into the color or the mood of the sweater, but this time, it was the story that did it.

A Gibson Martini is a martini with cocktail onions on a toothpick, instead of the more popular olive or lemon zest. Seems it was a trick to order a Gibson from the bartender, and the glass would arrive full of water instead of gin or vodka and vermouth. But since the cocktail onions were a less common garnish, it was easy to tell which was yours. Nobody except the bartender knew you were pacing yoruself and you'd manage to stay sober while the rest of the office drank on without you!

A very important skill back then, I'm thinking.

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The pictures are courtesy of my friend Caro Sheridan (Copyright 2011 Splityarn), who's so good that she can even find the perfect spot with the perfect light in my bomb-hit-it-semi-packed house for a photo shoot! A little re-arranging of stuffed animals, curtains, and piles of boxes and it looks just like a studio, right?

Surprise Fuzzy Navels

2011-06-15T05:49:00.000-07:00

Last week's moving list included boxing up all our random food stuff. Trust me when I say there was a great deal of head scratching over various purchase decisions. In the end, a bag was sent to the food pantry, and I'm not so sure the items inside the bag qualify as pantry staples, but someone can have an awesome array of "not your average" dinners in the near future, or mix it up on a few of their usual menu choices. Either way, the cabinets were emptied.

And there were definitely a few hidden treasures! This frozen can of Fuzzy Navel mix, in the middle of the hot, hot spell we had last week, was one of these treasures. I split it with the girls, and managed to finish up a bottle of rum with a bit left at the bottom at the same time. I've gotta say, these premade cans are super SWEET. Lots of extra water and a few limes were necessary, but once they were added, it worked. I'd forgotten how good a fuzzy navel is - that orange-peach- and rum combo is hard to beat.

When not packing, I'm doing a lot of swatching.

For now, though, the process is kind of fluid and nothing seems to want to stick. I'm switching yarns and patterns and motifs with each new swatch, so I'll save details for later on when they all settle back into something.

I am loving the gorgeous squishy, pumpkin orange yarn in the front - it's Breckenridge, from Ball and Skein, which I picked up at NH Sheep and Wool this year. I have some of her other yarns home here, tagged for a scarf that I have yet to knit, and her colors are gorgeous. I promise my next photo of the project will do the skein justice, but the light today is not cooperating, so trust me when I say it's really deep pumpkin and very rich. I am thinking I'll make some kind of long cowl with it, but fear I have a few more swatches to go before I rest. The other yarns on the table include Cascade 220, Valley Yarns Berkshire, Berroco Blackstone Tweed and Fiber Company Canopy. Swatch, swatch, swatch.

I'm afraid the problem with the swatching might have something to do with my focus on cabinets and countertops and tile. So, here's the latest. The bottom piece here is my new bathroom floor - a travertine stone version of the traditional black and white basketweave. (Since I have a dark haired husband, I want no white floors in our bathroom. ) The top bits are kitchen cabinet and countertop samples - which did not photograph true to color at all, and will look nothing like this when installed. But they're on the desk next to me so a photo had to be taken, right? Hopefully by my next post, I'll have a swatch to show instead!

New Cheap Stuff

2011-06-03T10:48:00.000-07:00

Now that things are getting moved out and boxed up, I started accumulating a few NEW things. Because really, I need more crap to haul into my friend Laura's minivan and drive to Winchester.

Given the sheer amount of crap already owned, these treasures had to be real bargains.

Right?

Three bucks for apples in a basket.

I love this. Craig doesn't understand. He will want it hidden. I will want it in the kitchen. We'll see what happens.

TWO bucks for tree and house in the distance. On a giant gold background.
I could not love this more. Craig does understand this one and it will hang in the dining room without argument.

And best of all, $30 for awesome yarn storage - It's a barristers bookshelf.

I'll finally be able to SEE my yarn! However it will remain in its trunk till we settle in and construction ends. Yesterday, I had to spend a few hours over at the new digs, waiting for a delivery (see the box in the corner of the living room in the first pic? That's my big white FARMERS SINK!!) so, anyways, I got my desk-y corner set up. With temporary desk and temporary chair. In my lovely paneled office room.

And now it's ready -and just in case I want to put a skein or 2 in there on another day I'm waiting for something, I can.

Or I could just bring a cocktail and the knitting outside....

Just When I Wasn't Looking

2011-05-29T04:26:00.000-07:00

This appeared on the Blue Sky Alpacas website!

It's a design I did a few months back for their new Techno Yarn.

Which is a super soft, light and lofty, bulky baby alpaca which Blue Sky is releasing very soon. I loooooved knitting with it, and decided to make some chunky lace out of this gorgeous cream color called Fame.

Now that it's actually published, below is the pattern information from Blue Sky:

a link to the Thea's Pullover page is here, and some basic information is below.
(They decided against a name in the cocktail family!)

------------------------

This mod pullover features a deep scoop neck, a fitted shape and a chic lacy detail. Top down construction provides the opportunity to modify the fit to flatter any shape.

SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate

MATERIALS
• Blue Sky Techno (50g/120yds):
5 (6, 7, 7, 8) hanks
• Size 10½ (6.5 mm) 32" circular needle
or size needed to obtain gauge
• Size 10½ (6.5 mm) double pointed needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Stitch markers
• Stitch holders and/or scrap yarn
Photo Shown: Fame #1970

SIZES
S (M, L, XL, 2XL)
Instructions are for smallest size, with larger sizes in parentheses. When one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust: 34 (38, 42, 46, 50)"
Length: 24 (25, 26, 26¾, 27¼)"

GAUGE
In St st, 12 sts and 20 rnds = 4"
Needle size required may vary depending on color of Techno chosen, please check your gauge.

---------------------

I can't believe I missed the photo posting, but since my head's been buried in house buying, faucet purchasing and wallpaper/carpet removal this past week, I guess it isn't too surprising.

See it below?

Gone. Two whole stories of big honking flowers - in trash bags.

I don't have any pics of the thousand year-old, used-to-be-green, carpet but that's also gone -- piled up in the driveway for the dumpster. And next week, the contractors arrive to add the kitchen and baths to the very same dumpster.

I also trimmed the hell out of an azalea, a rhodedendron and a rose bush which were taking over various parts of the yard, washed all the baseboards, cleaned up the basement, ripped off the ugly fireplace front, and de-dog furred whatever I could manage upstairs. Don't worry - the toastmaster is still there.

Craig just informed me that we're frogging the house. Which we are, really.

Think he's privy to some knitting jargon in his daily rounds?

Stuff Around Here

2011-05-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

Every action has a reaction, right?

And never has that been clearer than in my house right now. There are a few things I've put in motion over the last few months, and as I wander around here today, I'm seeing them all coming to fruition. At once. Because that's how it always happens.

(which might call for a drink, but that's for later in the day)

First, this pile of yarn wrappers which I am putting into the yarn trunk. Yep, that's 9-10ish skeins of Shelter. And although I'm not going to be able to share what came out of this bag, let's just say it was a few months in the planning. And it's kind of fun when you look at the empty bag and realize that the little drawing became something and is about to fly the coop.

You guys will see it in a few months.
(because nobody wants 1,000 yards of tweed on their lap in July, right?

Already flown out of the coop is another pattern, which I began in winter and sent out a few months back. I'm also not allowed to talk about it yet, but I'm pretty sure I can say you should keep your eyes out for Blue Sky Alpacas' Techno yarn at TNNA!

--------------

About to fly out the coop is all the stuff you see below.

More specifically, All Our Stuff. This whole new house thing is about to happen, and soon. Like tomorrow, in fact. We do have a month between one house and the other, so it's not all going to be out of here tomorrow, but let's just say that I've put tons of crap in boxes. And I can't find anything I need anymore.

I'll find it all after the construction in a few months.

But please know that I'm not stupid - and I do have my priorities. Some things aren't getting packed until the End. This week's drinks have been made on a "is there a bottle with only a few ounces left in here?" basis. A few gin and tonics, and some burbon with ginger ales.

So there's two more bottles we don't have to pack. And thanks to Gabriella for helping in the effort. I know it was tough.

Lastly, a more creative task is underway. The new house is getting 2.5 new bathrooms and I'm picking all kinds of stuff out. I find I'm a little obsessed with the hexagon floor in dark gray slate, which I completely cannot afford. But it turns out the ceramic one comes in gray too.

Good thing, right?

Anyways, I promise more knitting soon. For now, I can't seem to find my yarn.

White Sangria

2011-05-16T10:20:00.001-07:00

Something for spring and summer this time.

I hinted at this project a few posts back, and it's finally done and ready to share. I wanted to play with lace - the kind of eyelet columns that used to adorn the skirt on my favorite Gunne Sax dress or the kind you'd find separating the sections on a loose flowy top that Ali McGraw would have worn with her flare jeans in 1976.

It had to be creamy and white, and it had to contain little flowers.

My final take on it became a bit less flowy as the project evolved, but I think the structure makes it a bit more wearable. I was loving the idea of the slipped stitch seams, and using them sealed the deal on the switch from free form to structured. Less 70s, but maybe more flattering.

I went with a fitted bodice and a looser "skirt" section, for a nice long A line shape that would be comfortable to wear on a summer day or evening.

The shell is knit from the bottom up, so it can be easily modified. I have added instructions for how to move the floral band up or down, how to change the length or width of the bottom section, exactly where to put the slipped stitch seams on your bust, and how to add add a bit of ease to the top for anyone with a larger chest.

The yarn is Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Dyed Cotton; one of my favorite DK cottons out there. It's nice and soft, with a hint of rustic texture, and this Birch was the perfect cream color for the design. All the other details and such can be found here. The pattern is $6.50 US and can be bought on Ravelry or on the sidebar above.

A bit of info for those of you who like to have it here:

Sizes: 32-50
Yardage: 600-1050
Gauge: 5 st, 7 rows per1" on #5s, after a light blocking

Again, the photos are thanks to the ever patient and lovely Caro of Splityarn. It was ridiculously cold the day we shot this, and I had the bright idea that my girls would love an afternoon on the beach, so what you don't see in these shots are the freezing children huddled under a beach blanket, hiding from the wind and flying sand, begging us to leave since they'd already sat patiently through the Narragansett shoot and the bribery cookies were gone. You don't notice the goosebumps on my arms the size of small bats, and you can't tell I have my jeans and boots under the skirt, because there was no way in Hell I was taking them off.

But, that's me. On Reveah Beach in what? March?

You'd be wearing this on a beach or a porch on a beautiful warm day, sipping a lovely and refreshingly cold glass of White Sangria.

White Sangria

1 bottle of white wine (the cheap stuff in the big bottles for this. Anything BUT chardonnay)
2-3 cups of sprite or ginger ale
8 oz cointreau
1 cup apple juice or white grape juice
8 oz of vodka
cut up fruit: You can use almost anything - I like apples, pears, nectarines, peaches, cantaloupe, strawberries, other berries, pineapple.
a handful of mint leaves

Combine the wine, vodka, cointreau, and fruit in a bowl and let sit overnight.
When ready to serve, add the sprite or ginger ale. Taste and then add juice. If it seems sweet, add a bit of seltzer or soda water (or more wine) or leave off the juice.

Add ice cubes and mint leaves once you like the balance, and pour into a pretty pitcher.

------------

And, in the spirit of full disclosure, I took this photo off the internet because I didn't win my punch bowl on Ebay and have packed all my glass pitchers away in boxes already!

But it looks just like the recipe I made this weekend in a red plastic beach cooler. Just Like It.

Nesting

2011-05-11T06:49:00.000-07:00

I'm playing with SHELTER again - this time in the lovely colorway known as "Nest", which is totally appropriate, since every minute I'm not knitting right now, I'm working on all the steps to settle into life in our new house. We get the keys in about 2 weeks, which is getting crazy close.

Last Saturday, we dragged our kids to two kitchen showrooms to pick out new cabinets. They loved every minute of it, as you can imagine. We walked away with our heads a little spinny, but with a cool plan for the new digs that includes a big 6 burner stove, and lots of shelves - which, FYI - are cheaper than actual cabinets. And the actual cabinets we picked will be a cool dark yellow color, about which I'm kind of excited.

Plans for the new abode also include an entire sweater closet, full of shelves and cedar, because this old house has Extra Closets (I never knew those even existed!!) So, yes, that sweater closet is going to be in addition to my OWN 6'x4' clothing closet, which will be in my actual bedroom. I've never had a master bedroom before, so this is a whole new world for me. Very exciting.

In order to pay for some of it (like maybe the sweater shelves), I'll have a new pattern out next week for summer (see the little hint on the sidebar), and another warm weather number coming in June. In order to pay for the rest of it, I may have to sell my children out as day laborers this summer, but am thinking the closet could be worth it, and since they won't have any friends in the new town, they might be bored anyways.

-------------

For drinks this week, we've hit Trader Joe's and are sampling our way through a batch of under $10 wines. So far, so good. And I will be making the sangria with one of those bottles this weekend. Stay tuned for the recipe and thanks for all the tips - there were some good ones, and I've taken notes down...

Whoops

2011-05-04T05:34:00.001-07:00

Time has really gotten away from me this week, and I'm sure you're all staring at your liquor cabinets blankly, unsure what to drink next, after polishing off your flavored vodkas and running out of tonic and pear nectar. My apologies, but we've been working our way through ours, and haven't had a new cocktail all week. I still have a teeeny bit of pear left, but thanks to a few friends and my back deck, we polished off the grapefruit (and a half bottle of Smirnoff) yesterday afternoon, so, yes, it's time to move on to the next drink.

The next pattern is White Sangria, and I'm playing with recipes now. Caro's pics are much better and I will share them next week, but for now, you get the idea with this one. My test knitters are almost through, and the actual pattern is in the works.

Although I do have some opinions on sangria recipes, I'm taking any suggestions for favorite ingredients you guys like in them, as your commentary makes the recipe making/experimenting that much more fun. So, any fun sangria ideas?

Your punch bowl commentary was awesome and I'm on ebay, waiting to see if I've won my auction for the punch bowl I liked best, and if so, the final sangria will be served in same. If not, I'll have to get back to the drawing board and find another that fits the bill.

------

After Sangria, it's going to be something that goes with purple. It may not BE purple, but the drink has to go with this kind of sweater. So, I'm thinking something maybe a little retro, and something served in a short glass. I don't why, but the short glass seems very portrait neckline/1960s to me - what Christina Hendricks pours herself after a tough day of being harrassed at the office. And this puppy is exactly what she'd wear with her pencil skirt and heels, so maybe that's why it kind of fits.

The rest of the month of May might be a little spotty, so I'm warning you now. Our current house has all its papers signed, and we get the new house in a few weeks. There is a large garage sale to organize, many boxes to pack, a contractor to get situated, the Middle School spring concert on the horizon, summer to plan, and a little visit from a much loved and faraway friend (Hi Jen!!) in the next couple of weeks.

AND, my favorite mellow little yarn festival the weekend after next.

New Hampshire Sheep and Wool - anyone else going to be there??

Colors, Finally...

2011-04-25T06:49:00.001-07:00

After the long white stretch that was this winter, it's soooo nice to look out the back deck and see the little bright green leaves again. And I'm particularly appreciative of these leaves since it's the last spring I'll be watching them come out. The treehouse view from this deck has been one of my favorite things about this spot - and although the new place has a deck and its own batch of trees, I know I won't own a lovely view again for a while. Which is fine, since I'll be so busy painting and sanding and peeling wallpaper that I won't have time to sit and look at it anyways, right? Am soooo dreading that wallpaper job...

But back to the other colors in my world, which are related to the accessory projects.

Although I wouldn't want a sweater in bubblegum pink or yellow or bright magenta, it's fun to think about little projects in these colors. Putting this lovely yellow on my hands won't make my face look all dead and pale - and the light pink won't make my hair look too orangey in contrast. Amazing. But now I have to figure out gloves that I like.

And it turns out, it's harder than I thought to come up with things that I like for gloves, but I'm plugging away, so don't worry. The yellow and pink are keeping me invested in the idea. And it's an opportunity to use those stitch patterns I've tagged in the past that just won't work on a sweater. But, as I said, it's taking a little time to make it work in a way that I can get behind - maybe it's just that I'm not used to thinking in these small little wrist sized spaces.

I'm hoping to figure it out though, and have a few ready by July for easy, portable knitting on the go. So stay tuned and we'll see how it goes.

For full body wear, here's a preview of what's knitting up in Plucky Primo.

Because gray matches everything, and looks good on everyone. In a sweater size.

------------------

For drinks, I have two new bottles I've been playing with over break.

Of all the different flavored vodka brands, I find I keep coming back to the Absolut. A good balance of having the essence of what it's supposed to, without being too fake or sweet tasting.

The Gray Goose is also good, but a bit more pricey, and I do have new kitchen to pay for, so I'm going to stay with the midrange option here. (still not going super cheap, but there's a 36" stove in my future and that puppy is going to cost more than a few bucks.)

The pear is amazing in a pear soda like this one.

2 oz pear vodka
1-2 oz pear nectar
club soda
slice of lemon, and a shot of lemon juice
ice cubes

And the grapefruit makes the perfect grapefruit vodka tonic

2 oz grapefruit vodka
tonic water
slice of lime and shot of lime juice
(also good with orange or lemon)
ice cubes

--------------------------

In other news, the Madeline Tosh Lovers Group on Ravelry is having a Dark and Stormy KAL as part of MadMay2011, for anyone who's interested in knitting and would like a little company.

As part of the festivities, from now until May 15th, if you enter the code MadMayKAL when you purchase Dark and Stormy, you get 20% off of the pattern!

Knitting World

2011-04-17T06:29:00.000-07:00

My realtor eventually figured out that I was a knitter. It might have been the parade of crazy sweaters and knitted accessories she saw me wearing in Jan and Feb, or the project I picked up in the Coldwell Banker office as soon as we had a few minutes, OR the fact that Realtors are supposed to be sizing up their clients and figuring out who we are. I'm going to go with reasons #1 or #2, since I don't think the other is too hidden.

Either way, by the time I gave her one of my cards, she definitely had me pegged. And she had a good idea that I was maybe a little more involved - obsessed? - with this whole thing than the average crafter, so she mentioned that she had a friend who also did a bunch of stuff with yarn on the internet. A friend who was also very "involved" in the knitting world. She offered to pass a card on and maybe put us in touch. And who am I to say no to a potential new knitting friend? Anyways, she did pass that card on and her buddy gave me a buzz a little while back.

Turns out that friend is the woman who runs Tilli Thomas!

Tilli Thomas of the beautiful light blue merino on top, and the gorgeous beaded silk on bottom. They have been wound and sitting in my office for a bit, and I've been looking at them, wondering what they want to be, but nothing seemed to fit yet. Beautiful as these are, I never do seem to work with delicate yarns, and a sweater wasn't coming to me.

Until yesterday, that is!

I went to a party and had a conversation with someone else from the yarn world. In a room full of people, the knitters do seem to congregate in one corner, right? Her advice to me = accessories! They're more affordable to knit yarnwise, take less time to make, and people love them. Plus, this is someone who knows her accessories, so who am I to argue? I fell asleep pondering different ideas, and when I woke up this AM, I walked into the office and started right in. Two hours later, I know what these two guys need to be.

(I am still pajama-ed, without coffee or my teeth brushed, and my kids have had the TV on since 8, but oh-how-productive I am, right?)

It could to be a very cool thing. ;-) and I'm excited to start swatching to see if it works out. (But I may make that coffee first.) All it took was a nudge from another knitter - who happened to be in the same place as me yesterday - and my little yarn stars are all lined up again.

----------------------

I also know what my next cocktail purchase needs to be, thanks to the same party!

I need a good vintage punch bowl.

Yesterday's party had a lovely punch, with sherbert floating on top and I really do need to be able to make the same. It was super tasty and very festive.

----------------------

I did a little search this morning and see a pretty milk glass punch bowl set on Ebay that's $29, but it's only 12" across and that seems a little small. Is is weird that a foot wide bowl seems too small? I'm afraid my expectations may be a little off - as this isn't bag lined, garbage can all-you-can drink kind of punch from college.

If any of you have punch bowls and tips to share, I'm all ears. Deep vs wide? Cups vs. using your own? Ladle tips? Glass vs crystal?

------------------

And PS, how do you feel about accessory patterns? Want a few?

Vodka Drink & A Scary Chick

2011-04-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

Which doesn't actually rhyme, but is kind of close. Sorta.

First, as promised, something vodka-y to enjoy if you're having the same sunshine and warm weather we are. The beer was kind of a cop out in the cocktail department, so I do feel I owe you an actual recipe for posting an actual design this week.

And thanks for the great response to said design! I cannot wait to start to see all of your sweaters getting knit up and shown off on Ravelry before long. In one day, more than 200 of you jumped on the bandwagon with needles at the ready! Which is just amazing to me. Seriously, seriously so. I'll be watching for your pics to start popping up!

In the meantime, here's something to enjoy while you knit.

It doesn't have a name, so I'm going to go with Polar Fizz. (see, Polar soda? and fizzy.)

2 oz vodka
3/4 of a glass of the Orange Dry (a little less sweet than actual orange soda)
2-3 shots of orange bitters
lime juice/sliced lime
ice cubes

Next, the scary chick.

The owner of our new home-to-be loves her holiday decorations and makes a little montage on the kitchen table for each occasion. When we first saw the place, it was hearts and bunnies for Valentines Day. Next visit, it was the still life of little bears in green shirts drinking beer for St. Patrick's Day. And yesterday when we went over, it seems that Easter is almost here and some New Animals are partying on the kitchen table.

Hilarious. Except one of them is scary.

See? Kinda reminds me of the chick from the vintage knits book. Am thinking it's the Same Chick and he's going to pop up in new places all year long.

Hmmmm. Those eyebrows are not friendly.

And PS, again,(Grrrrr) Blogger is not giving me any contact info for your comments! I do love hearing from you and I read every comment and I ill try to find you on Rav to reply if I can.

Narragansett

2011-04-10T15:21:00.001-07:00

This one is #2 in the Moody Broody Series! After Dark and Stormy, Sarah and I decided to work on a moody gray for spring. Something that would bring to mind a beach - on one of those not-yet-there days before the weather is warm enough to swim, when the blue of the sky and the waves hasn't reached the deep hue of summer yet. A little bit of cloudy sky and whitecap waves without the bright sun.

Is she good or what? Perfect pre-beach gray.

So, I went off with my yarn to design something to wear ON the imaginary beach on a pre-season day. I was thinking picnic and folding chairs and maybe a book and some Kadima. Maybe a few blankets - and most definitely a lunch with beers, sandwiches and chips.

And when we bring beers to the beach, we go with cans.

Hence the Narragansett. It's perfect beach beer.

But you probably want to know about the sweater?
It's worked top down, with a nice wide boatneck. It has slim 3/4 length sleeves and a fitted shape through the body that gives it a bit of a vintage vibe when paired with the neckline. Classic and easy. I wanted this to be something simple enough to throw on for a frisbee game, but with enough detail that it could get dressed up a little - and be fun to knit!

The deep twisted rib on the edges really complements the subtle shading in the yarn, and the slipped stitch cable works beautifully popping out from the ribs. I have the cable continuing down the arm, a little hidden - but still visible - once the raglan increases end. It's a fun detail, and keeps the sleeves from getting too boring, right?

Eyelets provide the yoke shaping, and a little bonus ventilation, in case the sun comes out.

Down on the hip, I added another little run of the cable, which brings a bit of attention to an hourglass shape, since it appears just as the hip slopes back out. I also love the way this works with the bottom ribbing.

As with all my patterns, there are directions to modify this to suit your figure. It's easy to knit for any length you want, and any shaping requirements you have. It's written for a nice fit across the bust without any extra ease and then it's meant to slope in subtly for the waist, without hugging anything. Since you need movement to catch that frisbee, yes?

When knit in a yarn like this Merino Lite, with a little memory, the fit allows for a nice comfy sweater. I recommend a merino or merino mix (ahem, Plucky Merino Lite, Primo Worsted or MCN Lite are perfect). The mix really suits the fit and has the right stretch for the ribbing and neckline to expand and lie nicely. I, of course, love the look of the Plucky too, and think the subtle variation of handdyed yarn is perfect in this pattern.

If you do choose a cotton, find one with a fiber mix for some stretch. 100% cotton or linen won't perform as well in keeping the neckline shape, and the pullover can get too slouchy. (Although some testers used a crochet edge with their cotton and found that worked). I'd also stay away from a busy yarn, with a lot of variation or color, since the details would get lost.

I will post the actual PDF this Wednesay morning, April 13th.

The timing is to allow Sarah enough time to get the Plucky offering ready- and to give those of you planning to order from her a little advance notice. She is working on sweater quantities in a few of her lovely colorways (in addition to this Narragansett Gray!!!). The yarns will be available for order, along with the pattern, for a package price. Specifics for the update will be on her blog, so check in there for more information. I'm sure there will be future updates, if anyone misses the yarn boat on this one.

--------------

For those of you with yarn in hand, I'll be selling PDFs of the pattern here on my blog along the sidebar to the left, and on Ravelry for $6.50. And I've promised to wait till Weds as well.

------------------

Yardage and specifics are already up on my Ravelry Designer page.

Some basics are below:

Sizes: 32-50

Yardage: 800 (850,900,950, 1000,1100,1200,1300,1400,1500) yds

Yarn: Plucky Knitter Primo Worsted, Merino Lite, or MCN Lite in Narragansett Gray

Gauge: 4 st, 6 rows per 1" in stockinette, 4.5" per 1" in twisted rib. On #8/5mm needles

---------------------------

Since this sweater is named for a can of beer, I don't have a cocktail recipe for you this time!

Just make sure the can is cold and you're on a beach with a bag of chips nearby. Let's just call that a low maintenance recipe, shall we? Next up, I'll be drinking something with vodka.
For those of you who asked.

And the pictures? Taken on one COLD day at Reveah beach where the sky may have been blue but so were my fingers. My daughters, who came along hoping for a sunny afternoon at the beach and some ice cream, tried to make the best of a disappointing pre-summer day where the Banana Boat was still closed for the season and nobody wanted freezing ice cream anyways.

They huddled under the picnic blanket we brought, reading books and hiding from the wind, while Caro and I tried to convince ourselves that it wasn't that cold out. But it was. You may be able to see goosebumps on my arms if you look closely.

So yep, those pics are by the talented and lovely Caro Sheridan, as always.
Copyright 2011 Splityarn!

Next Week

2011-04-09T17:38:00.001-07:00

Almost time for a beer on the beach, right?

If you're looking to score a sweater's worth of Plucky Yarn to knit this with, she's having an update tomorrow, Sunday April 10. Just in time! (Details are on Ravelry for yarn and yardage).

Check it out .

Sale, Sale, Sale. And gin.

2011-04-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

At least in my house, I'm seeing that a little nudge might be necessary to get the spring knitting in full swing.

Even though my new patterns are in the works, I'm getting ready to wear a few of my old favorites as soon as the sun starts to shine.

In case any of you are in the mood to do the same, Nantucket Red, Cherry Vanilla, and the Golden Vintage Cardigan will all be 30% off for the rest of April.

And if you're pulling out the cotton yarn, you might want a springy cocktail to play with as well.

With the potential for some sunshine, my mind has turned back towards my all time favorite summer drink, the Gin & Tonic. You already heard about the apple and cilantro version I made a few days ago, but we've rummaged around the cupboards and made up a few more combinations, and so far, it's hard to find a bad one if you have some form of the following:

2 oz gin
A savory herb that's not mint (muddle a teeny bit)
A sliced fruit
citrus or another fun thing
and tonic

Here are the combos that have our seal of approval so far:

sliced lemon, majoram, and orange bitters
sliced cucumber, and dill
sliced orange, basil and orange bitters
sliced orange, majoram, and orange bitters
sliced orange, cilantro and orange bitters
sliced apple, cilantro and lemon

I've run out of fruit and herbs for now, but I'm thinking pear and grapefruit could also be kind of tasty, and plan on stocking back up at the store later today. Any other ideas are welcome! Like the patterns, I"m offering mods to the cocktails :-) Find the one that fits you best.

And for GlennaC, up in Canada, I will try a few vodka tonic combos as well.
Thinking pear is the way to go there, right?

Spring, Spring, Spring

2011-04-03T16:56:00.000-07:00

It's finally shaping up to look a little like spring around here. Plants are peeking out of the ground, I've worn flip flops twice, and I changed my comforter last night from the ginormous hugely fluffy one to a less ginourmous, moderately puffy one. Things have that slightly greener tinge about them, and the trees have the purple glow they get before the buds.

I know new things are right around the corner - Don' t you have that "just hang on" feeling too?

Sometimes a new toy makes the waiting go a little quicker though. See what my Mom got me for my birthday? It's my very own dressmaker dummy! She's pinnable and roughly my size, so now when I want to see if something works, I don't have to crane my neck around in Maya's mirror anymore, while standing on a milk crate.

I know you are all sad not to see more bad pictures of half my body in the pink and orange room, face covered by the camera, and legs cut off below, but look how much better this is going to be:

;-)

The light's great up in my office, too, where she lives. Way better than Maya's room - so there's a chance that, overall, the WIP photo quality around here could go up in the next few months. And then I move the whole operation to the lovely paneled space you saw a few posts back.

You can also tell it's almost spring because that up there is a delicate little cotton garment that she's modeling for me. It's just about done, right on time for the last bits of snow to melt off the front yard this afternoon. I have some neckline details that need tending to, and a bit of writing ahead, but there's light at the end of that particular tunnel too.

While the snow was melting, I worked that neckline with a Gin and Tonic nearby. This time it got a little sliced apple and muddled cilantro, which was very refreshing and tasty. Not as crisp as the summer version - that was a G&T with cucumber and dill - but I'll call this a spring version and recommend it highly. A little sweeter and the cilantro adds a bit of tang.

Give it a try!

Before I sign off, I'll also show you a couple of skeins from my latest batch of Plucky, which arrived in the mail last week. I am dying to get going with this stuff! It's Plucky Primo, in Barely Birch. This is an amazing shade of gray - it almost has a shine to it, but there's no actual sheen. It's all in the colors that she picked. Genius, she is. I have an idea what these want to be, but will finish up the spring designs first.

If I can wait..

Thought Processes..

2011-03-28T06:13:00.000-07:00

I always love when other people do a little behind the scenes blurb, so how about a little peek at what's behind the summer tank I have on the needles? These pics were the first piece of the plan. I keep a big collage of things I like on the wall above the knitting desk, and occasionally a theme pops out at me, causing me to collage a few together. I had put these guys on a page and kept going back to it - I think it was the linear lace patterns - simple but so pretty.

I was thinking kind of a hippy vibe - 70s, creamy, cottony, focused on the lace, but with a structured element, and a few sketches started to take shape. Tunic, cardigan, maybe a pullover. (Sorry ladies, skirt wasn't part of the mix this time -- but it IS part of the fall plan). The problem was how to add the lace detail to a top - without showing off bras and boobs and straps. Trust me, the spots you want the lace are also the EXACT spots where you don't want them. Especially if you are trying to add lines for tailoring.

And then I saw this dress. Pretty, right?

More importantly, it gave me just the nudge I needed to solve my problem. The new sketch seemed possible. So I got my hands on this Blue Sky Cotton in the perfect creamy white, plied just so to create a smooth, but not perfect fabric. The teeny bit of texture keeps it smooth and tailored feeling, but a bit "natural" as well, if that makes sense.

It's absolutely perfect for what I'm going with.

So the knitting began, and as a few of you know, I managed to knit almost the whole thing before realizing I had made it too tight. A knit summer tank should not be tight, and more importantly, I should not look like Jessica Rabbit in it. Nor should you.

So know that I am not being coy when I show you this photo again. Really, it's about as far as I've knit on version #2, but the fit is working out just fine this time. And I just have a few decisions to make on shoulder and neckline detail before finishing up.

This week, I have two days of math ahead of me on my secret project and it goes out the door.

Next week, I finish up the Moody Broody/Naragansett edits, and Sarah and I are working towards a 2nd week of April release for that one.

I'll need just a few more Gin Fizzes, and I'll shoot to get this guy out before April is over.

That's the plan, anyways ;-)

And about that Gin Fizz, if I leave the grenadine out, the it may even be the right drink name for the summer tank. But I need to think about that a bit more and perhaps play with the recipe a bit too. For some reason, it feels like it could be a tad too sophisticated for summer. Or maybe that's the idea? Big sunglasses, high heels and a bathing suit sophisticated?

Here's the currrent version - make one and tell me what you think - summery and light? A little Too? Needs something else? Or do you have a better idea for a drink that matches the jist of the sweater?

This recipe makes a jigger for two people

4 oz gin
3 oz fresh squeezed lemon and lime juice
whites of two eggs
1 oz simple syrup or 1/2 tsp powdered sugar

shake in a jigger with ice cubes

Strain into two glasses and add soda water.

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(And ladies, sorry to tease you with the skirt pic! For fall.....)

edited to add: Patty's onto something. You could just make this a dress with a few mods!!

What's Old is New Again

2011-03-23T06:17:00.001-07:00

In both real estate and knitting.

First the knitting. Since most of the current projects are not ready for any kind of debut, I've been spending a little time with a few of my old patterns and my amazing tech editor, so my past designs can benefit from the lessons I learned on my more recent projects.

Today I posted a new and improved version of Calvados, pictured above. An updated PDF was sent to past buyers, but anyone purchasing this guy in the future will get the fabulously revised version, with less background chatter and some extra-double checked instructions.

If you're wondering, Short Lucky is next on the list, and will follow in a few days.

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We were at our new house yesterday, so the other Old/New bits are related to the real estate. Feel free to sign off if you're only interested in the knitting.

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This might be my favorite thing of all in the kitchen.

It's a TOASTMASTER. (I'd have called it that anyways, but really, it is the toastmaster - you can read it on the side there!) Blackened from years of use, and done up in super attractive 70s brown and orange, this undermounted cabinet toaster handles 4 slices at once. I cannot wait to give it a shot. I should have taken a picture of it shut too, so you could see the cover, but I'm guessing you can imagine it. Shiny, brown, a little orange and tan highlight design, and oh-so very Sanford and Son.

Craig says we can't keep it, but I told the contractor not to throw it out, because it's too perfect. Maya agrees; this is not to be tossed. Just look at the brown rainbow dial - all we need is an 8 track player to go next to it, right?

Another keeper is the house eagle.

He's looking kind of old and worn now, and maybe some of you think it needs to go. But they make Rustoleum in so many amazing colors, and I'm thinking he's kind of cool. He might move down to the porch as a wall decoration -- I'm not so sure I want him nesting up here on the "forehead" of the house - but either way, he's going to get a makeover and continue to live with us. We don't have a real pet, so this is exciting and the girls are figuring out names.

And one more "old" bit that's going to change. See this little paneled man-room, with two sets of french doors - one leading out to the deck? Well, this is going to be my new office. A big bulletin board, some yarn shelves, a desk and a paint job. The hard part is waiting the few months to get there. But I think a little more knitting will help pass the time... and yes, a drink too. I have been making them, just not getting around to blogging about it!

tonight a friend is coming by and I've promised to whip up gin fizzes.

Still Knitting Away - in the background

2011-03-16T08:55:00.000-07:00

So, the trunk show was fun. It was hard to fit everything on here, but I eventually managed, and we had a separate table for the drinks. It's always so cool (and yes, a little bit weird) to watch other women playing with and trying on my actual clothes. But I love seeing them on different shapes and types of people, and I also love hearing the comments and suggestions from you guys. Food for thought on the next batch! So thanks to everyone who stopped by :-)

My favorite knitter was the woman who, after looking at a few of the sweaters on the table, studied me for a sec, and asked me if I didn't think my knits looked just a bit like that "cocktails girl's stuff on Ravelry?" I assured her that I was that cocktails girl on Ravelry, and got the most awesome reaction ever. Also fun.

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But, most my time has been spent on moving. With a new house picked, it's time to figure out what we plan to do with it! So far, we plan a bit of construction.

And in the interest of contributing towards said house and construction, I'd better keep designing. I have been squeezing the knitting in. Naragansett went off to testing a few days ago, and I've been splitting my time between the sweater below and my secret assignment, which has a pending due date and cannot be ignored.

This is the summer top I am reknitting in the hopes that a less fitted shape will mean a less slutty sweater. So far, so good. And it shouldn't surprise me that in the resizing, a few details are getting a makeover as well. I love the deeper seed edge here and the spacing out of the eyelets which spontaneously replaced the original version (underneath). Will see what else changes.

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I leave you with a few awesome photos from a book my sister sent me.

One guy got a ski and the other got a golf club. Who's the prop guy who thought a wooden duck would be the perfect thing to go with those two?

If you look closely at what's going on, here, I don't think what she's suggesting has anything to do with tennis or sweaters.

Could they not find a baby model and had to use a stuffed duck?

And Maya swears this bunny is evil.

Trunk Show Today!

2011-03-12T04:56:00.000-08:00

Just a quick reminder!

I'm doing a trunk show at Seed Stitch Fine Yarns in Salem MA at 3:30, as part of the 2011 North Shore Yarn Crawl.

I'm bringing most of my designs with me so you can take a peek and try em on. Minus the missing mittens, which have not turned up yet. Grrrr. I'm afraid it may be time to knit another pair.

Also, I may even have a drink or two with me. If you're in the mood yourself, I always love company! :-)

Seriously?

2011-03-08T10:49:00.001-08:00

The dryer sock elves have found my mitten and hat bin. I was gathering mittens today for a trunk show this weekend (more on that below), only to find I have ONE of each mitten or glove in my collection. One. WTF??? See, two the lonely mittens below.

And NO Sidecars. Which is baffling, since I had them in there just a few weeks ago. All my hats and scarves and cowls are still there. But the mittens, they be missing. I shall have no pie.

I'm wondering if a child related to me thinks this is amusing and has hidden them. Or maybe it's time to look under the seats in the car and check all the recyclable bags to see if I shoved them in there at the supermarket.... I know they aren't lying anywhere in the house, because the whole damn joint has been cleaned, painted, spackled, sanded and generally gone through, in preparation for house selling. Bad news.

The good news is that we're almost done on the house buying end. Our P&S is about to be signed in a few hours. I know Phase Two of the New House is just about to begin, and there will be a crapton more of shit to do, but I'll have a week or two lull ahead, where I can either knit new mittens or work on the next couple of designs before that hits. In the meantime, I'll need to keep things clean and clear out. Which leaves knitting time. I am soooo leaning towards the new designs. Secret yarn should be in the mail, and Plucky is in the works.

On that note, see below - Moody Broody #2, Naragansett. I'm about to do the math and get a test pattern out the door by next week. Here's a hinty shot in the meantime.

For those of you in the Boston area, the actual Naragansett sweater in the photo might be joining me in Salem on Saturday. I've been asked to participate in the North Shore Yarn Crawl this year, and will be at Seed Stitch Fine Yarns in Salem, MA from about 3:30-5 on Saturday afternoon (3/12). I'll have all my sweater and accessory samples with me (minus the missing mittens, if they don't turn up....), and maybe some cocktail fixings if Courtney says OK. Must remember to ask Courtney about bringing booze.......

Seed Stitch is a really charming shop, right in downtown Salem, by the Peabody Essex Museum and the main walking street. I've been there before and am excited to go back and visit as part of the afternoon's entertainment. I'd love to meet some of you in person, so do come by if you have some free time and are nearby on Saturday afternoon.

In the meantime, happy knitting, and if I disappear blogwise, know it's only because I'm kicked out of my house while prospective buyers go through my drawers. Trust that I'm knitting away at the local coffeeshop.