Maurice Sendak passed away yesterday, there is a sweet obituary in the New York Times.
Thank you Mr. Sendak, you made a tremendous mark on this family and we are grateful.
xo
Its cold and its damp and I cannot seem to concentrate on any of the things I *should* be doing right now… So I’ll share a few of the fun things distracting me:
The Knitgirllls, lordy, I love these ladies, they crack me up and I am not saying that because Leslie recently started making Pomme de Pin, I had no part in that and I nearly fainted when she said my name.
speaking of vlogs, Jessica Rose recently branched out from knitting podcast to beauty vloging as has the always adorable Cirilia Rose and I feel like this could get rather expensive.
Bill Cunningham, the very best rabbit hole indeed.
The Spring/Summer Twist Collective is up! And it is so beautiful, I have a new pattern in it, Lanata but don’t go strait there, the whole Rain Date story is just so lovely you should really begin and the beginning.
© Jane Heller
Knitscene’s Summer 2012 preview went up this week! Did you see:
Sizes 32¼ (34½, 36¾, 39, 41, 43¼ )” bust circumference; shown in size 34½”
Yarn Classic Elite Yarns Firefly (75% viscose, 25% linen; 155 yd 142 m/50 g):
#7789 pink petunia, 4 (4, 5, 5, 5, 6) skeins
Gauge 22 sts and 32 rnds = 4” in St st on larger needle
Tools Size 5 (3.75 mm): 24” circular (cir) needle, size 4 (3.5 mm): 16” cir needle for edging
Markers (m), stitch holders, yarn needle
A simple women’s tank with a bias knit panel in the front. Worked in the round to the armholes.
Classic Elite Firefly is a beautiful yarn with stunning color palette (2 pages worth!). I have used it a couple times already, and I recommend it highly. Firefly is a sophisticated, dressy yarn and surprisingly supple to knit with. However if shiny yarn isn’t your look, think crisp summery yarns: linen, hemp and cotton yarns with lots of drape for alternatives.
Savory KAL Host Amy has an interview with yours truly today on the Threadpanda blog.
P.S. She looks AMAZING in red doesn’t she?
Happy International Woman’s day all! Not exactly a huge holiday here in the United States, but it does have an interesting history with roots in the labor movement, which I think explains why. What ever your personal political leanings (no judgements, please) some of my favorite highlights are:
(From the United Nations, Women Watch site)
1909: The first National Woman’s Day was observed in the United States on 28 February. The Socialist Party of America designated this day in honour of the 1908 garment workers’ strike in New York, where women protested against working conditions.
…
1917: Against the backdrop of the war, women in Russia again chose to protest and strike for ‘Bread and Peace’ on the last Sunday in February (which fell on 8 March on the Gregorian calendar). Four days later, the Czar abdicated and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote.
…
1975: During International Women’s Year, the United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March. Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. In adopting its resolution, the General Assembly recognized the role of women in peace efforts and development and urged an end to discrimination and an increase of support for women’s full and equal participation.
Regardless, it is my favorite holiday because… it is also my birthday. I like to think of it as a day everyone celebrates but the presents all go to me (and everyone else whose birthday is today… and I know there are a lot of us). This year the present is for you! A free pattern using Lorna’s Laces new yarn Sportmate. Sportmate is a Sport/DK version of Lorna’s Laces Solemate, 70% superwash merino 30% Outlast. Outlast is “a viscose fiber that interacts with your body’s microclimate to moderate temperature from being too hot or too cold”. Its got a slinky silky feeling that is cool to the touch, perfect for a little cowl to keep you warm but not too warm as spring approaches. Download the PDF here.
Isn't Amanda lovely?
Life can get really complicated, balancing worky stuff, life stuff, parenting/kid stuff, spouse stuff, and most of the time I keep that under control, but suddenly we’ve added some “how are we going to care for an aging family member” stuff. It makes everything feel like its just too much… Then I get a message like this post and it reminds me how lucky I am, how grateful I am to do what I do. Thank you Amy!
Mine is sewing.
I learned to sew when I was four old from a Grandmother exasperated with my attempts to fashion doll clothes with scraps from the rag drawer and scotch tape. My first “garment” was a pillow case “dress”, cut to add neck and arm openings then embellished with tucks and gathers to make it fitted. I sewed all through high school, college and my 20′s though recently knitting has taken over. I recently found my self with a week between commitments and in anticipation of the publication of the Alabama Chanin‘s new book, Alabama Studio Sewing + Design, I thought I might see just how much I could accomplish from books 1 & 2.
4 Panel Alabama Swing Skirt, Book 1:
Rose Stencil Reverse Applique, organic cotton jersey in brown and black. I don’t consider this one really finished, when I look at it I feel like it needs ‘something’ and so I’m thinking I will add some embroidery around the hem, sort of like this.
6 Panel Alabama Swing Skirt, Book 2:
Bright red organic cotton jersey with herringbone stitch on the exposed seams
I still haven’t finished trimming the loose threads… Because Book three arrived today, and I am over the moon in love.
Available in the Savory Knitting Shop on Ravelry
Finished Measurements
32 ¾ (39, 45 ½, 52, 58 ¼)” to fit a suggested 30 (36, 42, 48, 56)” bust.
This cardigan is intended to be worn with positive ease, the sample measures 39” and is shown worn by a 35” bust. The Pine Cone Lace stitch is very stretchy and can be blocked accommodate a range of sizes, please refer to the schematic when choosing a size.
Materials
Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sport 100% super wash wool; 200yd/183m per 50g skein; color: Patina; 5 6, 7, 8, 9 skeins
Needles
Body & Sleeves:
30” US 6/4mm circular
needle,
4 US 6/4 mm dpn
Edging
30” US 5/3.75mm circular
4 US 5/3.75mm dpn
Notions required
4 1 ½” buttons, stitch markers, stitch holders, tapestry needle.
Gauge
20 sts x 29 rows= 4”
in Pattern on larger needles
21 sts x 30 rows= 4”
in stockinette stitch on larger needles
Construction Notes
The body is worked in one piece to the underarms, then fronts and back are divided and worked separately to the shoulders. The sleeves are worked in the round to the underarm then the cap is shaped working back and forth in rows and sewn into place.
