Happenings

  

The last week has been quietly eventful: I've been working on my presentation, tailored jacket, and some swatching for Ariel's and my next Design Challenge (hooray!) - and on top of it, I got dental surgery last Thursday. It's been on my to-do list for about five years, and I was pretty anxious about getting it done - the last time I had dental surgery was my wisdom teeth, when I got a dry socket and had to wobble through chemistry class loopy on painkillers for two weeks. Luckily, the recovery has been a lot less painful than I thought it would be. I spent three days on the couch sleeping, watching old episodes of House, and knitting, with the occasional rat snuggle thrown in. My face is still recovering, which means I still get to wear my temporary mouth guard that makes me talk like a 12-year-old with headgear - but on the plus side, I can eat all the ice cream I want!

  

WIP: The Saddest Cowl on Earth

 

Yesterday was my birthday - a quiet one this year - and in celebration, I grabbed a couple of skeins of Spincycle BFL Worsted from my stash, in the colorway The Saddest Place on Earth, to make a simple cowl. I'm doing a larger version of the Sonmi Cowl, which I finished right before starting on the show and never did a finished object post about - silly me! I'm enjoying the gorgeous shift of colors and subtle thick-and-thin quality of the yarn paired with the simplicity of stockinette with just a dash of garter stitch. This yarn is so, so lovely and it's exactly what I needed on a dreary spring day like today.

In other news, I'm currently working away on my ball gown presentation, which sadly I can't share with you until after it's finished; I'm also realizing how run down I am from dealing with health problems. As a result, the blog will be quieter for a bit while I finish the presentation and replenish my reserves.

I'll probably still be posting sporadically - I can't stay away, especially when yarn is involved! - but otherwise, I'll see you on the other side. <3

FO: Tart Loop

  

Clearing out my WIP basket continues apace! Despite some health setbacks this week, I'm encouraged by some major knitterly productivity. On Saturday, I stayed home and finished this cute little crochet cowl I started in July of last year, from a free pattern from Bad Woman Yarn in Wallingford - it took just about one skein of Pashmina in the colorway Tart. Every time I work with Madelinetosh, I'm reminded of why I have a whole stashette of it: every colorway is so lovely and subtle, the base yarns are a pleasure to work with, and the color range can't be beat. Tart is one of my perennial favorites, with its deeply shaded red and undertones of black. I've already worn it once, and I'm pretty sure it will be a favorite!

Pattern: Free from Bad Woman Yarns; not listed on Ravelry

Ravelry Project Page: Tart Loop

Yarn: Madelinetosh Pashmina, in the colorway Tart

Hook: G (4.0 mm)

Yardage: ~325 yards

Finished Object: Oh, Zelda!

  

Hallelujah and pass the corndogs - at long last, Zelda is finished!

After all the ripping and trying on and pinning and reknitting and nose-wrinkling and reknitting again, I can say that I am super, super happy with this little blouse. She's cute! She's flirty! She's the best damn pink! I'm so glad she's out of my WIP basket!

I've learned a lot about my knitting style from this project. As I was knitting the sleeves, I realized that knitting sweaters is on par with sewing clothing in my crafty hierarchy of enjoyment; I like it, but unlike with other knitting projects, I really do it for the end product. Fit is so important to me - and making garments to fit so often involves reworking them multiple times - that the actual process isn't fun so much as a labor of desire and obsession. On the other hand, I like to knit shawls, socks, and other non-fitted garments for the sheer enjoyment of knitting, and the end product isn't so important.

So given this newly discovered information, it's kind of ironic that I'm currently hooked on knitting sweaters. I like the control of making my own fabric so much that I already have another little blouse on the needles!

Blouse Details

Pattern: Zelda, by Joan McGowan-Michael. Such a cute result, but be sure to check for errata on this one - the magazine it was published in changed hands, so Ravelry notes are your best bet for errata notes and mods.

Ravelry Project Page: Oh, Zelda!

Yarn: Mirasol Yarn Tupa, a 50/50 merino/silk blend.

Needles: Size 5 (3.75 mm) & 7 (4.5 mm) US

Yardage: With 2 extra sleeves fully knitted, this took 8 skeins (1096 yards) but could definitely be done in 7 (960 yards).

Modifications: All my notes and modifications are on my Ravelry project page. I sewed the little tulle shoulder pads for support as written, and they give a lovely little boost to the sleeve caps!

Brooch: Thrifted

Skirt: Cory Ellen Spring 2013

Shoes: Fluevog Miracle Cana

Creating Space, Part 2: Studio!

  

Yesterday, Sparklepants and I had a massive cleaning party in our studio. Ever since Beetlegate, we've been slowly working our way towards having a functional space again, and I think we're finally there. Although I'm a naturally cluttered person, I need a certain level of organization when it comes to my workspace, and as we've rebuilt our studio, I've tried to be more intentional about having a space for everything so that it's easy to find and use - even if it's just in a drawer! Although I'll always have those cluttered corners, I'm hopeful that some of the functional changes we've made to the studio will make working up here relaxing and enjoyable.

The last few days in general have been super productive - I've taken care of some major errands this week, cleared out some unwanted items from my closet, and now have a clean studio to work in! It feels good to clean all the things.

Mr. Squishy thinks so too.