Well, not really, just too busy to blog. Selma and I just got back from a trip to Seattle to reconnect with old friends, good food, beautiful surroundings (despite the weather). I heard another Amy was also in town around the same time, but our paths didn't cross as I didn't get a chance to go near any yarn stores or fiber-y events!
I now really need to hunker down and finish up knitting these teddy bear outfits as my deadline looms--you'd be amazed at how slow a knitter I am, speed has never been my claim to fame. I'm trying to fuel myself with chocolate and books on tape (in the iPod right now, Artemis Fowl, book one, snacking on choxie--the Target single origin chocolates--a birthday gift from my friends Lisa and Glen).
On Saturday, we travel again--the whole family--to Wisconsin to see relatives and go to our little cottage way up north.
Gotta work, work, work!
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Robyn's amazing buttonhole tutorial
Robyn, over at Crochet By Faye, has a fantastic tutorial on how to move a buttonhole you've put in the wrong place in crocheted fabric. There are lots of other ways this could come in handy--you could use the same technique to create an afterhought thumb or pocket or heel. The possibilities are endless. So cool Robyn, thanks!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Meet Pearl
When this bear arrived in the mail from Southwest Trading Company the kids immediately wanted to name it. They settled on Pearl. She's here to be a model. Yesterday I got signed contracts returned to me so I can finally start talking about my current project, tentatively titled, A Bear's Suitcase. It's a book!
When this project was proposed to me, I was excited because I've always used knitting on a small scale as a way to try out and learn new techniques, and so I thought the book would be a great venue to teach all the things I love about knitting. Many of the patterns will be done in one piece, there will be some fair-isle, some lace, and lots of fun techniques.
Right now I'm in the thick of designing and knitting. I've got several projects left to design, but most are on either my needles, or on those of my crack team of bear knitters (who knew bears could knit?). The deadlines are incredibly tight, and somehow this is not the only project on my plate this summer, so it's a balancing act, but I'm having fun.
The little bolero that Pearl is wearing is knit in Tye Dye from Knit One Crochet Too. I loved exploring and choosing the yarns for the book--you know I lean towards yarns that are sustainably produced, and I was able to use lots of my favorites as well as lots of new yarns too.
When this project was proposed to me, I was excited because I've always used knitting on a small scale as a way to try out and learn new techniques, and so I thought the book would be a great venue to teach all the things I love about knitting. Many of the patterns will be done in one piece, there will be some fair-isle, some lace, and lots of fun techniques.
Right now I'm in the thick of designing and knitting. I've got several projects left to design, but most are on either my needles, or on those of my crack team of bear knitters (who knew bears could knit?). The deadlines are incredibly tight, and somehow this is not the only project on my plate this summer, so it's a balancing act, but I'm having fun.
The little bolero that Pearl is wearing is knit in Tye Dye from Knit One Crochet Too. I loved exploring and choosing the yarns for the book--you know I lean towards yarns that are sustainably produced, and I was able to use lots of my favorites as well as lots of new yarns too.
Technorati Tags:
knitting, book, teddy bear, bear, potter craft
Monday, July 16, 2007
Craft is Everywhere
I've been telling my brother the computer programmer what a big deal Ravelry is for some time now. It seems he has had "industry" validation, and now believes me. Here's the e-mail I got from him last night:
John and I were speculating that once the public beta was over, non-knitters/crocheters would be joining Ravelry just to be where the hip crowd is.
---
Speaking of Betas, Kim has just posted this morning that the beta launch of the CrochetMe redesign is also imminent.
---
Designer Mary Jane Hall sent word of a spread in Elle Magazine about craft in fashion. Many of the designs in this piece are crocheted (including at least one mis-identified one).
----
Check out Lolly's post about the great Friday the Thirteenth Knitting event that happened this weekend here in Maryland.
And it's only Monday morning.
Ravelry makes TechCrunch. I stop laughing at you.(Who's laughing now?) The article talks about the popularity of the still-in-beta program and compares it to a social networking site, but I think it doesn't "get" the really cool fiber-y aspects of it. I mean, we can virtually socialize in a million places, but we can't see what's in Violet's stash or instantly what's being crocheted with Socks that Rock. Interestingly, these are some of the more "geeky" aspects of the site. I'm guessing that TechCrunch didn't write about them because they can't yet get in there and see them. There are rumblings that beta will be over soon.
l,jm
John and I were speculating that once the public beta was over, non-knitters/crocheters would be joining Ravelry just to be where the hip crowd is.
---
Speaking of Betas, Kim has just posted this morning that the beta launch of the CrochetMe redesign is also imminent.
---
Designer Mary Jane Hall sent word of a spread in Elle Magazine about craft in fashion. Many of the designs in this piece are crocheted (including at least one mis-identified one).
----
Check out Lolly's post about the great Friday the Thirteenth Knitting event that happened this weekend here in Maryland.
And it's only Monday morning.
Technorati Tags:
knitting, fashion, crochet, TechCrunch, tech, nhoj
Friday, July 13, 2007
Cat Distractions
So, lots of fiber stuff happening here, but not much I can blog abou yet. Since I don't have any more baby knitting, I'll distract you with cat photos... Honey has agreed to cover up these projects so you don't see too much.
All cats like to sit in the center of the action, it seems, but Honey normally ignores my fiber-y stuff. Lately though she's taken to perching atop my work if she gets the chance. Here she is stealing a spot on some felting projects...
Below, Honey kept creeping into my frame when trying to closeup of the decreases on the underside of this hat...
All cats like to sit in the center of the action, it seems, but Honey normally ignores my fiber-y stuff. Lately though she's taken to perching atop my work if she gets the chance. Here she is stealing a spot on some felting projects...
Below, Honey kept creeping into my frame when trying to closeup of the decreases on the underside of this hat...
Technorati Tags:
knitting, crochet, cat
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Wearing History
Solveig, now a whole two days old, is wearing the O'Neill "coming home" outfit. It's a sweater and cap knit by my grandmother for my dad, her first child, 66 years ago. It's been worn by every one of her decedents. My grandmother had five children, and she has three grandchildren, and now four great-grandchildren (she knit a blanket for Solveig!), so it's been worn at least 12 times. I'm not sure if the first generation wore it for more than a photo shoot--but in the third generation, we've taken it off quickly after photography to preserve it. The outfit still looks like new.
Solveig is lying on an alpaca blanket crocheted by her mom, Sara, who's a new crocheter. As she labored over the border and called me over the last few days to help her decipher the instructions, she said to me more than once--"I don't think the baby will come until I finish this!" I love the shell edging, and tho' you can't see it very well in this photo, there's also a ribbon woven through the border.
Solveig is lying on an alpaca blanket crocheted by her mom, Sara, who's a new crocheter. As she labored over the border and called me over the last few days to help her decipher the instructions, she said to me more than once--"I don't think the baby will come until I finish this!" I love the shell edging, and tho' you can't see it very well in this photo, there's also a ribbon woven through the border.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Solveig's Diaper Cover
Last night I meant to make this at SSK (Silver Spring Knitters, our local knitting group), but when I arrived I realized I'd printed blank pages instead of the pattern. So I didn't start it until I got home at around 10:30 p.m. I was determined to finish, so I got to bed pretty late--but it was a quick, fun project! The pattern is gauge-free so you can use any yarn and hook you like.
I love the gathers around the leg--they add nice shaping and give more fullness in back, where it's needed.
Of course, I don't know how it will fit, or if it will stay on well, so I'll wait to make more until I hear from her parents.
Following the designer's recommendation, I put buttons on the front panel that can be secured with any of the holes in the crochet fabric, making the sizing of the cover adjustable. (They're vintage buttons from Solveig's late great grandmother Helen Markos Buschmann). The yarn is 100% untreated wool so it has lanolin that helps with leaks, odor, wicking, etc. Selma dyed the yarn with koolaid. Wool is a favorite among diaper cover afficionados. My brother and sister-in-law are experts at the whole cloth diaper thing.
I was wondering why I was driven to sit and crochet this little project in one sitting when I should have gone to bed. I think it was the pleasure of working someone else's design. Right now, I'm in the midst of really big design and writing projects, and when I'm deep in the design process, I often am enjoying it so much, I think, 'why would I ever want to knit/crochet someone else's pattern?' But, then, when I do start work on a project that's not my own design I remember how nice it is. It's relaxing in some ways because there's less math or worry about fit, etc.; entertaining to see what the designer is doing/thinking; and creative in a different way--I can focus more on yarn, color, finishing details.
I love the gathers around the leg--they add nice shaping and give more fullness in back, where it's needed.
Of course, I don't know how it will fit, or if it will stay on well, so I'll wait to make more until I hear from her parents.
Following the designer's recommendation, I put buttons on the front panel that can be secured with any of the holes in the crochet fabric, making the sizing of the cover adjustable. (They're vintage buttons from Solveig's late great grandmother Helen Markos Buschmann). The yarn is 100% untreated wool so it has lanolin that helps with leaks, odor, wicking, etc. Selma dyed the yarn with koolaid. Wool is a favorite among diaper cover afficionados. My brother and sister-in-law are experts at the whole cloth diaper thing.
I was wondering why I was driven to sit and crochet this little project in one sitting when I should have gone to bed. I think it was the pleasure of working someone else's design. Right now, I'm in the midst of really big design and writing projects, and when I'm deep in the design process, I often am enjoying it so much, I think, 'why would I ever want to knit/crochet someone else's pattern?' But, then, when I do start work on a project that's not my own design I remember how nice it is. It's relaxing in some ways because there's less math or worry about fit, etc.; entertaining to see what the designer is doing/thinking; and creative in a different way--I can focus more on yarn, color, finishing details.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
I'm an Auntie!
(Again.) My nephew John Haley got a new sister this morning.
Solveig Cady O'Neill.
I love the mutual admiration happening in this photo.
Solveig Cady O'Neill.
I love the mutual admiration happening in this photo.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Portugese Freeform
I love the work being done by Sara Aires, a freeform crocheter from Brazil Portugal (Update: I got an e-mail from the artist today. She's from Portugal--not Brazil. I made the assumption because the bag was called "BrasilBag."). Sara uses mostly crochet thread to create her projects. A lot of the freeform I've seen focuses on texture and uses many different kinds of yarn and fiber. It's interesting to see how, by using only one type of yarn--a smoooth thread, she's able to focus the viewer's attention on stitch and color.
She has an amazing eye for color and creates very wearable garments and fascinating bags that seem to have a sort of quilter-meets-surrealism look to them. This bag makes me think of watermelon one minute, then a tide pool the next.
She has an amazing eye for color and creates very wearable garments and fascinating bags that seem to have a sort of quilter-meets-surrealism look to them. This bag makes me think of watermelon one minute, then a tide pool the next.
PikePine--Seattle Street Fashion
Japenese Ribbon Bow Video
Via Natalie linked to this on the Craft blog, so you've probably already seen it, but I think I'll be watching it again and again, so... here you go!
How To Make Star-Shape Ribbon - The most popular videos are here
How To Make Star-Shape Ribbon - The most popular videos are here
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Retro iPod Cozy
Julie, from Sydney, Australia posted this great iPod cozy with a retro rainbow Apple logo.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Blue Sky cropped cardigan
Browsing along in Ravelry, I came across this version of my Blue Sky cropped cardigan knit by stitchywitch. She did such a great job and took such a nice photo, I thought you might like to see it too.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Deneen's Recycled Jeans
Deneen has a great idea for creating the knee-length shorts that are so popular right now out of a pair of old jeans--and she got to use a new toy in the process to make the nifty slits that allowed her to crochet right into the fabric. Well done Deneen! I'm off to find one of those blades... I've been seeing some really cute tops with crocheted yokes lately, and that would be just the thing for them too.
Technorati Tags:
fashion, crochet, recycle, jeans
Birthday Weekend
Thanks everyone for your good wishes--we had a wonderful weekend with a trip to Folk Life--not too hot--seeing crafts and hearing music, watching dancers from the Mekong Delta, Northern Ireland, and Virginia. And we took a ride on the carousel. Folklife shuts down for a couple of days, then runs again from July 4-8. On Sunday, we went blueberry picking, made cupcakes and went to see the new movie Ratatouille, then enjoyed the cupcakes with friends.
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