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missed stitch

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So I stumbled upon this illustration this morning and instantly fell in love with it. Upon further investigation I learned that it’s from a series of wonderful illustrations by Sophie Blackall that gives those Missed Connections posts on craiglist some life. They’re amazing and for purchase on Sophie’s Etsy page here (for someone whose birthday could be coming up in March{cough, cough}). As I was looking through her website I also realized that I’ve been looking at her work for over a year now and didn’t even realize it. Her work was chosen for the Art in the Subway paintings that you can find inside the subway cars here in the city.

you never know.

The Alex Beanie

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This year I decided that I would make some winter hats as Christmas gifts for the folks I work with at the wine store! The yarn shop I work at had just gotten in some really great chunky yarn that came in the most magnificent colors so I just knew it would be perfect to use for some hats. I thoughtfully chose a different color that I thought would compliment each of my co-workers. I took into consideration their skin tones, winter coat colors, and favorite sports teams…it was a process I took very seriously.

And because I wanted these hats to be just right and made with love and intention I decided to go ahead and make my own pattern for them! I wanted a pattern that I could knit on the subway and that looked good on a man or a woman. And since the yarn is so beautiful I knew the pattern wouldn’t need a lot of detail.

So, after a few trials, frogging, and re-knitting I came up with a hat that fit all my criteria! And since I’m such a swell gal I thought I’d share the pattern with all you folks! I give you…

The Alex Beanie

 Materials:
            – 1 skein of Malabrigo Mecha
            – 16″ size US9 Circular Needle
            – Stitch Marker
            – Tapestry Needle 

Gauge: 
16 stitches = 4 inches in Stockinette 
Pattern:
Cast On 80 stitches and join in the round

K4, P4 in Rib Stitch until the piece measures 7 1/2 inches from beg.

Decreases for cap: 
Row 1: (K2Tog, K2Tog, P4) Repeat to the end of the round (60sts)
Rows 2-4: (K2, P4) Repeat to the end of the round
Row 5: (K2, P2Tog, P2Tog) Repeat to the end of the round(40sts)
Rows 6-8: (K2, P2) for 3 rows
Row 9: (K2Tog, P2Tog) Repeat to the end of the round(20sts)
Row 10: (K1, P1) Repeat to the end of the round
Cut a long tail and weave it through the remaining stitches.
Weave in all ends.
I hope you enjoy making this hat! It’s quick, easy, and makes a great gift for anyone…even yourself! 

public displays of knitting

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I’ve become that lady. You know, the lady who sits on the subway and knits. Yup. It was really only a matter of time. I mean, what better way to occupy my commute to work than by being productive too! It’s the best of all worlds.

That being said, I’ll never be a normal subway rider again. I’ve been jaded by my multitasking. I find myself getting really irritated whenever I ride the subway and there isn’t a spot to sit and knit. “That’s a whole 25 minutes of great knitting time that I am cheated of! Do you know how many rows I can get done in 25 minutes????” I find myself thinking. It’s bad. When I get ready for a night on the town I look back and forth from my tiny purse to my knitting, rationalizing whether or not I would be able to fit my knitting inside said tiny purse and God forbid something happens to my knitting while I’m at the bar but damn I could get so much done on the 35 minute subway ride there. I may have a problem.

The other part of knitting out in the open are the looks. When I was college, taking theatre classes, we did an exercise where everyone would choose someone else in the class to look at until they could feel it. It’s an odd thing but it works. We’ve all been there. You’re going about a task when all of a sudden you get the feeling that someone’s watching you. Chances are there is someone watching you. I’ve never felt this feeling so much as when I’m knitting on the subway and to such a point that I look up and almost always make eye contact with the person looking. It’s a little crazy. And every now and then one of them will be brave enough to tap my on the shoulder and ask me what I’m working on. They don’t know a thing about me and have never seen me before but because I’m a gal knitting on the subway that must mean I’m safe to chat with. I love it.

The consolation in all of this is that I know I’m not alone. Every now and then I’ll see others like me in the same car and one time I even shared a seat with a crocheter. It felt like we had our own designated spot on the train. Sorry folks, hand crafters only on this seat. More proof of this was pointed out to me by way of a friend who found an article about a man who was questioned about his knitting by the police. His blog, madmanknitting, is all about his journey as a man knitter (or as I like to put it, a Mitter) and the cute bears that he makes and sells to get by. His story is pretty inspiring so I encourage you to read a few of his posts.

I’m sure all this public knitting makes me a bit of a granny but i guess thats’s okay with me. I love doing it and so far anyone that I interact with seems to enjoy it to. It’s made me think about what I can do to share my joy with others. But there will be more on that to come. 

The Carol Cowl

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A couple months back, while I was working at the knitting shop, I came across this particular yarn and needless to say, it was love. I’m sure any of my fellow knitters/crocheters can understand the mystical draw of a yarn that really speaks to you. It immediately takes over your thoughts as well as your project list and wallet. You have no idea what you’ll use it for but you know it has to be yours, before anyone else can discover its glory and get it first. So when I saw this yarn, madelinetosh pashmina worsted in Rain Water, my craft gears were in overdrive. In order to make sure that I was having some kind of head on my shoulders I told myself that I wouldn’t buy the yarn until I actually had a project for it (you can imagine the anxiety this gave me as there were only 3 skein left!). I began scouring Ravelry for the perfect project and quickly determined that a cowl would be the best use of this luscious yarn. But which? I searched and searched and just couldn’t seem to find the right pattern that would really do my yarn justice. It’s one of those things where, when you know, you know. I had an idea of what I wanted in my head but it didn’t seem that such a pattern existed. I was feeling defeated. My beautiful yarn needed a soul mate. Then, it dawned on me…

…why don’t I just make my own pattern? If I could figure out a way to translate the vision in my head to a pattern that looked similar, my dream cowl could be a reality! The swatching process began. There were needle sizes to gauge and pattern combinations to be tested. The end product was quite the hodge-podge of crazy but man was it helpful to really seeing how things would turn out if I used different techniques. I will never again underestimate the importance of swatching. I now had a clear vision of what I wanted to do and how I was going to do it. It was time to cast on.

And cast on I did. I even got a solid 2″ into the pattern when I realized that it just wouldn’t do. There were already a few too many hiccups along the way and I just couldn’t have them tainting my vision for this yarn. Frogging had to be done, and lots of it. And it was in my frogging that I was also able to realize that my original number of cast on stitches just wouldn’t be enough either. As much of a pain as frogging can be, it certainly proved educational this time. As did taking notes. So important.
I cast on again, this time with just a tad more focus and determination to not only NOT mess up but also figure out how to correct any mistakes that were made. I would keep it with me to work on while I rode the subway every other day or so and found that I could knit a little more than a row per subway ride. (Let me tell you, there’s nothing like knitting on the subway to really make you feel it when people are looking at you) In about a month I had my cowl complete. It was everything I wanted it to be and I couldn’t be happier. Now it needed a name. Something feminine and meaningful. It had to be named Carol, after my grandmother. I owe so much of my talent to her and I would have never picked up knitting needles if she hadn’t have passed them down to me. So it was only right that this be The Carol Cowl.

I couldn’t be happier with it! It’s exactly what I wanted and I’m so glad I took the time to play with it and really work it out. Now if only the weather would cool down a tad so I can wear it!

 
 My coworker Sarita was kind enough to help me out by snapping some shots for me the other day as well so shoutout to her!!
I’ve made this pattern available for a couple bucks on both Ravelry and my Etsy page if you would like to make it too. If you’d rather have me make you one contact me and we’ll chat! I loved making so I can’t wait to do it again. It’s definitely a project that’s close to my heart.

it’s funny…

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:home:  the place in which one’s domestic affections are centered

It’s funny how when you’re living at home (in your parents basement) the only thing you think about is how you will get out into the world again. On your own. Paying your rent. Having your own space. And even when you do finally leave the nest you know this is the best decision you’ve ever made. Now here’s the funny part. It’s not until the time you go back to visit home that you realize how much you love it there. The feelings of comfort and familiarity are palpable and you can really breathe.

It’s funny when the place you’ve finally gotten away from is the place you never want to leave again. 

But you know it’s only an illusion. You know that you love it this much because you get to leave in a week and return to the new life you’re building. You’ve lived here for years and there wasn’t much for you and that hasn’t changed since you left. Maybe someday it will, but not yet. So you just sit back and enjoy it. Every minute of it. You see the people you haven’t seen in months and catch up on all the goings-ons of the town. You visit your favorite food spots and eat way too much, all the while knowing that you could very well still be here, doing these things. It just wouldn’t be the same.

It’s better to love this place from a distance. To know that it will always be there when you need it. When I need it. Back in college I didn’t appreciate home when I was there or away. My life in Florida was all I wanted to do and I couldn’t wait to get back there. Even when I moved back home after college I dreaded it. Not only was I moving back in with my parents but I had already been to college and seen what else was out there for me. It was a rough time. When I moved to the city I still didn’t think I would miss it. I was so ready to move on to the next chapter of my life and give it my all. All that changed the minute I stepped foot in my home. It felt like any other night before. Sneaking through the house to get to my bedroom, avoiding the squeaky boards so I didn’t wake my parents. It was all so familiar. By the middle of the week I started to forget that I even live in NYC. It was all so normal feeling and for a moment I let myself get caught up in it. I thought “hey, this could still be my life. I could do this”, but then a little voice in the back of my head reminded me of why I moved in the first place. As great as Oz was, Dorothy had to go back to Kansas….only in my case Oz is home and Kansas is NYC.

It’s funny how two, polar opposite places, can each make you feel complete.

WNY and NYC couldn’t be more different from each other. And yet, they each are fulfilling me in great ways. I love the fast pace life in the city. There’s always things to do, places to go, sites to see. There’s so much history here and I love being a part of it. My apartment is adorable and my jobs are two of the best I’ve ever had. I really love it. I care less about what people think of me here because Lord knows there is always someone crazier at the party. Home is…..home. It’s where my growing years were spent. Where I feel just right wearing a plaid shirt and driving my dads pick up truck around town. Fridays I go out to dinner with my Poppop for fish and Wednesdays are spent playing trivia at Applebees. I can go out with my boys and drink beers and eat wings and know that these guys have known me for longer than I can even remember and when we hug goodbye and say ‘I love you’ there’s not an ounce of subtext. We really love each other and I love that. Home is who I am. The roots of me. 

I’m glad that I’ve finally come around to loving home(my mother is too). I honestly never imagined that it would happen. Growing up there I was determined to leave and never look back and I never saw myself changing my mind  about that. But I have. I don’t know if I’ll ever move back there, life can be silly that way, but I do know that I will soak up every moment of it whenever I visit. It’s my rechargeable battery. My place to get back in touch with that side of myself.

It’s home.

new tunes

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A coworker of mine happens to have a very eclectic ear for music which he brings to work with him regularly. Sometimes I can’t do anything but scratch my head at the albums he chooses for us all to listen to. Other times I can’t seem to get enough of whatever he’s got playing. Most recently he’s introduced me to Mayer Hawthorne. The first time I heard him I remember asking “Is this Pharrell?” His voice is silky smooth and you can hear the influences of artists like Smokey Robinson and Curtis Mayfield in his music. So obviously, I’m loving it.

http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/RWkjcq_N2YQ&source=uds
This song is from his new EP, Where Does This Door Go. The album has a more modern feel from his older music so I figured I share some of that too!
http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/gmfcYli6vV4&source=uds
All his videos are pretty unique as well, which I can appreciate.
Enjoy!

a girl’s first sweater

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I’ve been knitting for 3 years now and I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to be able to say this but…I’m making my first sweater!!!!!! When I got the job at Annie & Company I told my friends for days that I was secretly hoping my boss would tell me that she wanted me to learn how to make a sweater. Come my first day, my boss said that very thing! I couldn’t believe my ears. I spent a week scanning through patterns on Ravelry and looking through books in order to find the perfect sweater. It wanted to find a pattern that wouldn’t be too far out of my skill level but was still something new that I could be challenged by. One night on Ravelry I found the perfect sweater. It’s called Aidez and the minute I saw it I knew it had to be mine. It’s so comfy and cozy looking and I even loved the color that it was made in originally. Clearly, this was meant to be. The next (and most important) step was picking the perfect yarn. I knew I wanted something neutral in color and soft to the touch. It only took less then a day and a little guidance to pick The One. I decided on Rowan Cocoon on the color Frost ( which is a natural/tan). This particular yarn in 80% Merino Wool and 20% Kid Mohair which means it’s super duper soft and I pretty much love it. I’m so happy with my choice!

I started the sweater as soon as I possibly could. I was so excited! I quickly realized that this sweater was just right for me. It has tons of cables and knits together really quickly so even doing a couple rows makes it seem like I’ve accomplished a good amount. So far I’ve finished the back piece and I’m working on one of the front sides. Everything’s knit on straight needles so it’s done in pieces and sewn together. In order to avoid sleeve seams though I think I’ll knit the sleeves on circular needles. I read a lot of the posts from the other people that made this sweater and many of them made the whole thing in the round but I decided early on that I didn’t want to take too many chanced by changing the way the pattern is written. Better to air on the safe side for my first sweater. The last thing I want is to get too ahead of myself and go changing things and making mistakes.

So that’s my first sweater so far. I really can’t wait to have it to wear. It’s gonna be great! As I get more done on it, and other projects I’m working on, I’ll be sure to post about it here. Working at a knitting store has really lit a fire under my ass as far as crafting is concerned. I missed it a lot and am still sad that my sewing machine didn’t get to make the trip (yet) but for now I’m really enjoying all the new opportunities I’m finding through knitting. It feels amazing!

My dearest

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I need to get something out. Something that could change us more than anything we’ve ever been through. And only time will tell if that change will be for the better or worse. And the not knowing of that is enough to eat me alive. Then again, so is this thing inside me. So either way….

I think I’m in love with you.

There it is. In black and white. A real thing. Like the knot in my stomach and the quiver in my fingertips. Tangible. Words I haven’t used in regards to anyone for many, many years. Words that I don’t throw around frivolously. Words that I know won’t get me much in return.

Because right now our timelines don’t match up. They never really have. Since we met I always had this underlying feeling that we hadn’t been through enough life yet….we hadn’t marinated enough to be who we needed to be for each other in that way.

You were ready for it at first. I was your type then. You said things and did things that made that more than evident to me. But I wasn’t ready for that version of you in that way. Yet somehow over time, in our marinating, I seasoned out of being your type and you turned into mine. And now I want to say things and make that more than evident. But you’re not ready for this version of me in this way. Funny how life works.

So now I find myself trying to get over you. You who I’ve never even been in a relationship with. I have to find a way to be okay with not knowing what the future holds; with not knowing whether our timelines are even meant to line up. I have to have faith that if it’s meant to be, it will be, while not totally closing myself off to anyone else, like it would be so so easy to do.

Because I can’t make you love me. I can’t try to change every little thing about myself to fit your type again. I’m a different person now and if you aren’t in love with this version, then that’s that. And that’s something I’ll have to be okay with. Because you mean too much to me to be otherwise.

And maybe in five minutes I’ll look back on this and regret every word or maybe in 50 years we’ll laugh about the time I confessed my love in a blog post. Either way, it’s out. No longer eating away at me. No longer just a thought that I’ve been rolling around in my head for months. And I’m glad for that.

Love, Me

to have and have not

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I don’t know if it’s the fact that I’m 26 or that I’m living on my own for real for the first time or a combination of both of those things, but I’ve discovered certain ways about myself that have developed as of late. Ways that I go about my life; things that I choose to have or have not. Some of these things are pretty trivial but have become very much a part of my fiber as a 26 year old. I couldn’t help but take a little inventory of them.

Things I can’t live without:
Rainbow Sprinkles– If I’m gonna pay for the ice cream I will ALWAYS pay for rainbow sprinkles too.
Facial Hair– On a man of course. It used to be optional to me but I’ve found in recent times it’s become a real necessity. Like a sign of ones manhood.
Dark Chocolate Chips– I keep a bag in the freezer at all times. They complete me.
Night Cream– How did I never invest in this before? My face has been thanking me lately.
DVR– I don’t think I could ever go back. 
Multivitamins– I know I don’t eat all the things my body needs so these are the next best thing. It’s time to start really taking care of this vessel I’m using.
Library Card– Free books….need I say more?? 
Eggs– I was never much of an egg eater growing up (My sister filled that role) but since moving here I find that eggs have become an essential part of my diet. They’re just so versatile and delicious!
Glass Water Bottle– Free liquid refreshment from a tap in a reusable container? Done. 
Things I can live without:
  Mini Jean Skirts– There’s a time and a place and I feel like that time and place already happened for me. And it was great while it lasted. 
Designer Duds– I thought I would get sucked into the “label” game when I moved to NYC but I think being here has only reinforced the ridiculousness of it all. Old Navy V-Necks for life!
MTV– I used to really love me some “crappy tv” as my college roommates called it and don’t get me wrong, every now and then I’ll flip through the channels and indulge but I find myself not really caring about the absurd programs on this channel anymore. 
Pop– Yes, I still call it pop. Out of sight out of mind and I’m better off for it.
Bottled Water– I just hate paying for things that I can get for free.
Beauty Magazines– I’ve read it all before Cosmo and I’ll never fit into any of those clothes Vogue. Sorry. 
Clubbing– I love to dance but I also like to have the space to do so. And the air to breathe. And the people to hear or talk to. And the bar to get to.
Iceberg Lettuce– My mom loves it so that’s what I grew up eating and I still hate it. If I want water I’ll just drink it. No need to chew it with dressing. Romaine for this girl!
The iPhone– I survived before it and I’ll continue to do so without it in my life. Sorry iLovers. I just don’t get the hype.