Mama’s Got A Brand new Bag August 31, 2007
Posted by La in Assorted Nonsense, Baby, Design.add a comment
For the respectable bag ho…
Back in February Stein Mart opened a new store in our town. Never one to miss the opportunity to check out new retail possibilities I went to their grand-opening, which just so happened to be the weekend of my mom’s birthday. Though not as impressed with the store as I would have liked, I did find the perfect gift combination; a marvelous bath collection in her favorite scent, beautifully packaged in the exact color scheme of her bath.
Now, fast-forward to 2 weeks ago. I’m visiting with my mom, and as we’re chatting I looked up and spied this darling little peaches-and-cream tote. I asked her where she got it so that I could go and get a similar one for myself. She just started laughing…“YOU gave me that!”
“Huh. I did?”
“Yes. That’s the bag that came with that amazing bath stuff you gave me for my birthday, remember?” Ha! No WONDER I was drawn to that set.
So she just gave it to me…”I’ve never used it. It’s too open for my liking. I like bags you can close” And that’s how I scored THAT little number. Sweet!
Now it’s a knitting bag. Well, it’s more a keep-all-my-shit-for-this-new-design-in-one-location-otherwise-if-I-lose-one-more-thing-my-head-will-explode bag.
Wanna a little peek?
Thoroughly riveting isn’t it?
DH – What’s that?
La – A new baby blanket design I’m working on.
DH – What’s it gonna look like when it’s done?
La – Hopefully a square that doesn’t resemble the other square I designed 2 years ago.
DH – (Looks thoughtfully at small square) What happens when you run out of sticks?
La – (blink…blink…blink) Uh, well, when it gets big enough, I’ll transfer it onto circular needles.
DH – But then it won’t be a square anymore!
La – blink-blink…blink-blink
You know, some days I think he totally gets it… other days, not so much.
Romantic Review August 29, 2007
Posted by La in Books & Magazines.add a comment
I’m sure it’s been well established that I’m a big Annie Modesitt fan. So when I was asked to review her newest book, Romantic Hand Knits I jumped at the chance. But I then realized, once I received the book, that I’d have to put my Geek Girl aside and go through it with a more neutral eye.
My first impression is that the book is extremely visually appealing; beautiful models in breathtaking settings modeling a wide variety of garments and accessories knit, for the most part, in lovely yarns. Its lay-out makes sense and is very easy to follow. The patterns themselves are well written, the charts are nice and clear, and include schematics! In addition, Annie has included useful information encompassing a wide variety of additional techniques like embroidery, crochet and lace knitting applications.
The variety of patterns, yarns and application of knitting techniques will appeal to a broad spectrum of knitters ranging from the traditionalists to the trendy. Basically, the book’s got a little something for every knitter, of every skill level.
Now upon closer inspection, the patterns, for the most part, did not elicit a strong response from me one way or the other. Some were too embellished, fussy or frilly. Others were knit up in unappealing yarn, while still others lacked the proper shape to draw my eye. There were, however, several wonderful exceptions …
Casablanca – I love everything about this pattern, the the lace, the yarn, the color, the lines. Well, everything except for the neckline. I’m not so thrilled about the whole “sweater falling off my body” look, you know?
Dark Victory – In my opinion, Annie hit the ball out of the park with this one. I now have to go out and buy that exact yarn in that exact color to make that exact sweater, except that I will lengthen the body, and slit it at the hem. And I have to do it…Right. Now.
A Streetcar Named Desire – Oh, so romantic! My SIL who lives in Florida drooled on the book when she saw it and practically BEGGED me for one. I guess we know what she’ll be getting for her next hand-knit, don’t we?
An Affair To Remember – (on the cover) This is a beautifully curve-hugging skirt with a bit of flair at the hem. Yet another example of the wonderful shaping Annie is famous for. Remember her Corset Tank Pullover and her Red Carpet Convertible? Yup, it’s that good…just not on me.
Cleopatra – Though I would probably never knit this, it’s just so beautifully done! Love most everything about it, except for the prospect of knitting THAT long of a garment. And again, WAY too young and form-hugging for my 40-something-year-old curves.
In the Accessories section I love the patterns for Silk Stockings, and Some Like It Hot (lace opera gloves,which I might convert to just-above-the-wrist fingerless gloves for my MIL). She even has a couple of lace hats with a section on basic millinery techniques included.
Even in the patterns that didn’t appeal to me, I found bits and pieces of lace knitting and other techniques I could apply elsewhere, so those are not a total loss. Included in each design pattern is not only the yarn used, but the yardage needed of similar gauge yarn in case you want to substitute, which I almost always do. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being outstanding, I give it a 7.
A quicky (hopefully) catch-up. August 20, 2007
Posted by La in Family, Miscellaneous, WIP.add a comment
Damn Here’s hoping…
What I Did on My Summer Vacation – The Condensed Version
(Because I’m Afraid That SuckASSho(le)st and All Things Sucky Regarding Computers, Internets, Software, Technology and Stuff in General That Breaks Our Shit and Makes My Head Explode Will Do Just That The Minute I Click “Publish”.
~Vacation Knitting~
Not as much progress as I would have liked, due to the uber-concentration necessary to follow etch-a-sketch charts and the presence of a multitude of distractions…
~~ (more…)
GSDYCAS August 11, 2007
Posted by La in Acquisition, CommunKNITty, Shout Out.add a comment
aka
The Great South Denver Yarn Crawl of Aught-Seven
DANGER! Lengthy, picture-heavy post to follow. This will be your only warning
As Ruth and I were departing for destinations wooly, the DH asked his usual (assish) question, “So, when will you be home?” As I viewed the cargo capacity of the
Hoopty, I was sorely tempted to respond impudently “uh…sometime next week?” (cuz, see…home was actually in CA and not in CO at all…anyways…) Instead, I muttered some sort of approximation later on in the day too wrapped up in the fantasy of filling the van to capacity with yarn, books, and all things fibery to really give a rat’s ass…
We met up with the majority of our compatriots at our first stop, where the unthinkable happened: I bought absolutely nothing, but not for lack of wanting. In my opinion, the store was organized poorly, with a plethora of novelty and fun fur. Besides, they were snotty to Ruth on the phone when she tried to arrange small discounts. I started to feel guilty that we were standing around in their space and using their air, but I got over it.
So then it was on to A Knitted Peace.
Heaven in a LYS
Where they treated us like royalty. They had fresh coffee a-brewing, which they served up and BROUGHT TO US!!! I’m sure they locked their doors behind us, brought out their best yarns, buttons, notions and books exclusively for us. The ladies were engaging, willing to help, chatty, considerate and really REALLY nice. They had several knitting areas, all with kitzchy-you’d-only-find-in-a-craft-store-but-so-non-tacky comfy seating. I wanted to move in. Instead I scored!
2 of the 3 MUST HAVE! books and some beautiful local yarn
(not going to go into detail, but you can click the pic to embiggen and get details)
I also bought 2 balls of Plymouth wool/asscrylic blend in a pretty sage colorway for my Colorado SIL who, up until I got my hands on her, was crocheting baby blankets for preemies with *shudder* red heart. Put a stop to THAT right away, let me tell you! She accused me of turning her into a yarn snob. Oh well. The burden one must bear to make the world a better fibery place.
We took a break and lunched at Chammps, where we met up with Blogless Rachel (need to do something about that) and there was much food and likker and laughter (mainly at the expense of MEHn) to be had. Taking one for the team has a whole new meaning now!
On the way to our next stop, we passed points of interest…
and
…for example
We arrived at Colorful Yarns, where Wandawoman joined us! This was a small, but delightful shop on the ground floor of an office building. They had yummy homemade brownies and ginger cookies set up in the back just for us! Mmmm, chocolate and ginger…2 of my favorites! I walked out of there a good pound heavier, both from the brownie I ate, and the yarn I scored.
Pretty in Pink
(again, click to embiggen and get details)
Our last stop was String where the owner was having a 50% off everything blue (except the books) in celebration of the birth of her grandson! So, I bought blue…
mmmmm…Ahhhhhh-lpaca!
…and Marly fell in love
can I has tribbles?
The Whack
From left to right:
Marly aka Smiley
Ruth aka Wheels
Rachel aka The Hooker (she crochets)
Wandawoman aka…well, Wandawoman
me and my sensible shoes
Imbrium aka G33k Girl;
and Leslie aka Nekkid Needles
It was the perfect day, and one never to be forgotten, mainly due to the company and conversation of the 6 totally fiber-whacked wonderful women, but partly to the Hoopty’s impeccable timing…
~~~~~~~
This post was brought to you by the numbers 13 and 42 and the word UPGRADE. As in we did, finally…upgrade. Let us know if you’re still having issues…TECHNICAL issues, like with commenting and the like. Well, let Jen know, I’m still a techtard.
