November 01, 2008
Keep one meaningful thing
Here we are again, celebrating our Dead. I didn't even really plan on it, but I wound up spending my evening with my great aunts' favorite possessions and mine--their crafting supplies.
I had many great aunts in Ireland and some who moved here. The one or two who are still alive are in nursing homes now, so the family has slowly been taking care of their homes and things. I inherited all the crafting supplies. And I mean all. As proper ladies of that time and place, they were into every civil and dainty form of handiwork and now the boxes of their supplies are taking over my apartment.
I am sharing most of the goodies with anyone who cares to partake in my etsy shop, but there is one thing I have set aside that has fascinated me since I unpacked it.
They are 12" long, made of flexible plastic and approximately a US 2, or 2.75mm. I don't know why, but I friggin' LOVE the measurements and writing on these needles. I'm sure they were printed this way for totally utilitarian reasons, but they are such a curiosity now!
They are bent like any serious knitter's plastic needles should be. They obviously used them, but to make what? I have pictures of me and my brother wearing tiny wool aran fisherman's sweaters as babies. Did those intricate works of art come from these exact needles?
At first I felt a little bad for listing all these vintage notions for sale, but now that I've decided to keep these needles, I know I will have something by which to remember them.
I had many great aunts in Ireland and some who moved here. The one or two who are still alive are in nursing homes now, so the family has slowly been taking care of their homes and things. I inherited all the crafting supplies. And I mean all. As proper ladies of that time and place, they were into every civil and dainty form of handiwork and now the boxes of their supplies are taking over my apartment.
I am sharing most of the goodies with anyone who cares to partake in my etsy shop, but there is one thing I have set aside that has fascinated me since I unpacked it.
They are 12" long, made of flexible plastic and approximately a US 2, or 2.75mm. I don't know why, but I friggin' LOVE the measurements and writing on these needles. I'm sure they were printed this way for totally utilitarian reasons, but they are such a curiosity now!
They are bent like any serious knitter's plastic needles should be. They obviously used them, but to make what? I have pictures of me and my brother wearing tiny wool aran fisherman's sweaters as babies. Did those intricate works of art come from these exact needles?
At first I felt a little bad for listing all these vintage notions for sale, but now that I've decided to keep these needles, I know I will have something by which to remember them.
September 25, 2008
Soak it in
I'm at that stage in my knitting projects where I have, like, a hundred things that are all "just about" done. Doesn't make for exciting blogging, but it does make for exciting knitting--if you're into seaming and weaving in ends. Ohmigod, me too!
I have been a button making maniac this week. Some of them are so gorgeous it may come to fisticuffs when I sell them. Like these beauties. Soak it in.
And something new I'm trying are lace buttons. So fun! And most of the embroidered linens I use have hand tatted or crocheted edgings which are perfect. I see a lot of these charmers in my future.
In case you can't live another minute without some vintage embroidered buttons, go here! I'll have some finished birthday knitting to show you next week. And maybe even something for myself.
And Socktoberfest 2008 starts next week. Are you celebrating?
I have been a button making maniac this week. Some of them are so gorgeous it may come to fisticuffs when I sell them. Like these beauties. Soak it in.
And something new I'm trying are lace buttons. So fun! And most of the embroidered linens I use have hand tatted or crocheted edgings which are perfect. I see a lot of these charmers in my future.
In case you can't live another minute without some vintage embroidered buttons, go here! I'll have some finished birthday knitting to show you next week. And maybe even something for myself.
And Socktoberfest 2008 starts next week. Are you celebrating?
Labels: etsy
April 18, 2008
Now I'm craving orange sherbet
I finished those orange socks this week! Toward the end I felt like they would never end, but we know better, don't we? Here's a crappy picture.
Since they're a gift, if you want all the details check out the ravelry entry. I want to thank Karen for generously giving me this yarn--without her these socks would not exist! In fact, several of my upcoming projects have Karen to thank. You're the best!
A Special Note! If you're in the Chicago area, go check out Arcadia Knitting at Lawrence and Ashland. There are many good reasons to visit, one of which is they are now carrying my buttons! How cool is that? They have a selection of my florals in a few sizes--perfect for baby cardis, bags and everything in between. And don't worry, I will update my etsy shop soon enough.
My next knitting project is a cotton tee. Thrilling, I know! Stay tuned, because it's moving along fast.
Since they're a gift, if you want all the details check out the ravelry entry. I want to thank Karen for generously giving me this yarn--without her these socks would not exist! In fact, several of my upcoming projects have Karen to thank. You're the best!
A Special Note! If you're in the Chicago area, go check out Arcadia Knitting at Lawrence and Ashland. There are many good reasons to visit, one of which is they are now carrying my buttons! How cool is that? They have a selection of my florals in a few sizes--perfect for baby cardis, bags and everything in between. And don't worry, I will update my etsy shop soon enough.
My next knitting project is a cotton tee. Thrilling, I know! Stay tuned, because it's moving along fast.
Labels: etsy, FOs, links, socks
November 15, 2007
We all need closure
You know what I've really enjoyed about Ravelry lately? Checking out my friends' activity. Like yarn they tried to sneak into their stash without admitting to splurging. I see you! Haha. Or adding new projects to their queue. This one we have to be careful of if we're making holiday gifts for a knitty friend! But it's a super quick way for me to feel up to date with my buddies when I only have two minutes in the morning.
This past week I saw two huge trends. The first one being all the Chicago area knitters adding oodles of Bonne Marie's patterns after her fashion show at Loopy on Friday--Lynette, I'm looking right at you! Hee hee.
The second trend being that everyone able to wield needles seems to have added Oblique to their queue or to do list. A comfy, snuggly looking sweater to which I can only add...you're going to need some fantastic buttons soon.
Or some whimsical buttons.
Or whatever type of big button you need to close yourself up in your Oblique or other cardigan, chances are I can make it for you! So immerse yourself in your yarn and come see me to get some closure. I am still donating a portion of sales to The National Hospice Foundation and I will probably switch over to a new charity soon.
If you had to pick a favorite Ravelry feature, what would it be?
This past week I saw two huge trends. The first one being all the Chicago area knitters adding oodles of Bonne Marie's patterns after her fashion show at Loopy on Friday--Lynette, I'm looking right at you! Hee hee.
The second trend being that everyone able to wield needles seems to have added Oblique to their queue or to do list. A comfy, snuggly looking sweater to which I can only add...you're going to need some fantastic buttons soon.
Or some whimsical buttons.
Or whatever type of big button you need to close yourself up in your Oblique or other cardigan, chances are I can make it for you! So immerse yourself in your yarn and come see me to get some closure. I am still donating a portion of sales to The National Hospice Foundation and I will probably switch over to a new charity soon.
If you had to pick a favorite Ravelry feature, what would it be?
September 03, 2007
Shield your eyes
Happy September everyone! I hope the rest of you are being treated to the gorgeous weather that the Third Coast has right now. I am celebrating Labor Day by mopping, vacuuming and scrubbing. Woo hoo! But once everything is clean, we will be grilling some burgers and corn.
The last two weekends I've had a chance to do some dyeing. The silk dyeing I like to do--shibori--involves two or sometimes three layers of color so last week I started several scarves and yesterday I finished up a couple. Since silk takes dye so well, some scarves turn out more, er, vivid than expected.
I know. Child of the 70's much? Fortunately the other scarf I finished, although the colors are just as bright, is tone-on-tone and therefore not as busy. For now let's just focus on my pretty flowers on the back deck. Usually I have a chair where that drying rack is sitting, and I'll sit there with my coffee and knitting and pretend I can't smell the dumpsters from the two restaurants on either side of my house.
I also made a few more button sets for my etsy shop and plan to make another set or two today. In knitting news, I have started the final leg (literally) of Endless the Elephant. Mansocks have been bus knitting, but since I rode my bike to work every day last week, I have only worked on them a few minutes at a time while it was slow at work.
Finally, I doubt anyone but me noticed a complete lack of Massive Dark Lens Distortion in the photo above that has plagued my photography for the past year. That's because I got a new camera and I'm so thrilled! Thrilled that I can once again take photos as beautiful as the things I make. And doubly thrilled that I got such a sweet deal on it! It's an Olympus (natch) SP-510 UZ and I feel strongly that it needs a new name, pronto. If you've read down this far and you come up with the best name for my new camera, I'll send you something!
The last two weekends I've had a chance to do some dyeing. The silk dyeing I like to do--shibori--involves two or sometimes three layers of color so last week I started several scarves and yesterday I finished up a couple. Since silk takes dye so well, some scarves turn out more, er, vivid than expected.
I know. Child of the 70's much? Fortunately the other scarf I finished, although the colors are just as bright, is tone-on-tone and therefore not as busy. For now let's just focus on my pretty flowers on the back deck. Usually I have a chair where that drying rack is sitting, and I'll sit there with my coffee and knitting and pretend I can't smell the dumpsters from the two restaurants on either side of my house.
I also made a few more button sets for my etsy shop and plan to make another set or two today. In knitting news, I have started the final leg (literally) of Endless the Elephant. Mansocks have been bus knitting, but since I rode my bike to work every day last week, I have only worked on them a few minutes at a time while it was slow at work.
Finally, I doubt anyone but me noticed a complete lack of Massive Dark Lens Distortion in the photo above that has plagued my photography for the past year. That's because I got a new camera and I'm so thrilled! Thrilled that I can once again take photos as beautiful as the things I make. And doubly thrilled that I got such a sweet deal on it! It's an Olympus (natch) SP-510 UZ and I feel strongly that it needs a new name, pronto. If you've read down this far and you come up with the best name for my new camera, I'll send you something!
July 29, 2007
Summer buttons
Hey all! I think I'll just stop apologizing for infrequent blogging since it's becoming the norm. But I'm happy to be here, just the same!
I'm knitting two projects right now, both of which make uninteresting in progress pictures. The first is a cotton floppy brim hat in sherbety shades for myself. It's almost done, so you may see me modeling it soon. I dream that the model pic would show me lounging on North Ave. beach enjoying free time--but just typing that makes me laugh out loud!
The second project is an adorable stuffed elephant for my nephew's birthday. This being his 4th birthday, his mom let him pick the party's theme. She thought it would be something easy and pre-made like Diego or Spiderman. But friends, when you let a 4 year old decide, the last you'll get is "easy". Anyway, he chose Elephants for his party and thus began my search for the perfect knit elephant pattern.
*cue ominous music score*
There is no perfect knit toy pattern, save for Heartstring's Bunny. After a week of pattern searching, I found LouLou in a borrowed copy of Tracy Chapman's Toys to Knit. I trust that it will be adorable once finished and stuffed, but making 17 separate pieces and then seaming them negates any fun derived from the toy.
Anyway, here are some things that are cute and easy, my latest buttons. I listed them on my etsy shop and hope to put a few more up this week. Enjoy!
I'm knitting two projects right now, both of which make uninteresting in progress pictures. The first is a cotton floppy brim hat in sherbety shades for myself. It's almost done, so you may see me modeling it soon. I dream that the model pic would show me lounging on North Ave. beach enjoying free time--but just typing that makes me laugh out loud!
The second project is an adorable stuffed elephant for my nephew's birthday. This being his 4th birthday, his mom let him pick the party's theme. She thought it would be something easy and pre-made like Diego or Spiderman. But friends, when you let a 4 year old decide, the last you'll get is "easy". Anyway, he chose Elephants for his party and thus began my search for the perfect knit elephant pattern.
*cue ominous music score*
There is no perfect knit toy pattern, save for Heartstring's Bunny. After a week of pattern searching, I found LouLou in a borrowed copy of Tracy Chapman's Toys to Knit. I trust that it will be adorable once finished and stuffed, but making 17 separate pieces and then seaming them negates any fun derived from the toy.
Anyway, here are some things that are cute and easy, my latest buttons. I listed them on my etsy shop and hope to put a few more up this week. Enjoy!
