road to the runway

I happily planted myself in front of the television for last night's premiere of Project Runway. I forgot just how much I loved that Tim Gunn, but if Kirsten hadn't got the "Auf Wiedersehen!" after she showed that straight out of Sturgis monstrosity, I'm not certain I could have continued to watch the show. Aside from her lack of design skills in that challenge, her personality was so obnoxious. I really wasn't surprised to read this morning that she was a part of that creepy Landmark Education group.

Let us pray that they will build upon last year's season by focusing more on the talented designers, and less on the annoyingly aggressive personalities. One thing that has improved (well content-wise anyway), is the Project Runway website (except for the annoying fact that Tim Gunn's blog doesn't appear to have a RSS feed). My favorite new feature is Tim Gunn's podcast.

I'm not so sure I'd want to hear Tim's Take on the knit project I am designing for myself. It's not really going to be anything innovative, but I am excited about it! For one thing, it will be my first knitting project with real sleeves. The pullover I am planning is going to be based on a simple top down raglan, but with a few modifications.

I am going to work it from the top down so that I can try it on as I go and adjust for fit. I really detest taking projects off the needles, but it will be worth it to ensure the end product suits me. How cool would it be if there were circulars with extra retractable cable inside the needle so that you could extend the cable a bit to enable you to try it on without going through the hassle of putting your work on waste yarn and then having to put it back on the needles? Perhaps this is an unworkable idea...

In the absence of these imaginary needles I have invented, I will be using Bryspun circular needles. They have a really nice point and are very flexible. For some reason I knit with my needles in a real death grip and, thus, have an unpleasant time with metal needles like Addis. For example, my Crystal Palace needle cable snapped when I was working on the capelet that was not to be, so I switched to a pair of Inox. My hands were aching that night! It was awful and I neurotically worried that I had injured myself with my bad knitting hygiene. Hopefully these Bryspun circs will help a bit.

The yarn I have decided on is Brown Sheep's Nature Spun Sport in simple, basic black. Since this is my first sweater of my own design, I want to make sure I use a color I am certain to wear a lot. I'm quite impressed with the quality/price ratio of this yarn. A whole sweater's worth of 100% wool was less than $40. It's even quite soft.

Now, let the swatching begin!

**Update** Here's a nice article about Tim Gunn that I found on TWoP.

He's also has a brief quote about the demographics of the student population at Parsons in a NY Times article about the prominence of gay men in the fashion industry [via]. Oh yeah, they talk about Project Runway too.

Comments

[Faith Flashbang]

Ooooh, I love "watching" people design things!! Looking forward to seeing what you do with it!

[Amy]

Thanks! If things go horribly wrong, there may not be much posting. I couldn't stand the humiliation! ; )

[Alex]

Wait? A NEW season of Project Runway?! How the heck did I miss that. Dang!

[Marie]

can't wait to see what you come up with! I'd have bought the black yarn too...I tend to wear black a lot - and that might be an understatement!

[Melissa]

OK, I must have messed up...the episode that was on at 9 pm central (which I watched) must have been the episode from last week. What time was the new episode on?? I'm glad Kirsten got cut - I didn't like her first design either.

[yahaira]

Maybe you need to work on those needles, I would love some of those (esp since I wont be buying a denise set anytime soon).
Cant wait to see how your design progresses. Remember negative ease!!

[dELIA]

When I do a top-down, I figured out a way to try it on without taking it off the needles... when you are ready to try on, take a second (and a third, if neccesary) circular and knit the first 1/2 (or 1/3). When you try on, it will be on multiple cirs so you can stretch it over your head.

[Susan]

I totally wigged out and forgot that the premier was Wednesday. Good thing Bravo reruns things often.

Have you ever tried the Casein needles? Nice and bendy, but not overly so - they also feel warm. I have a set of dps and I am sure they also come in straights too, but no circulars.

[Christina]

I get so addicted to that show. I'm hoping that we don't end up with the one personality that rubs everyone the wrong way this time, and therefore is kept in the contest for the confrontations that come up.

I definitely saw a few things I really loved.

[kitten]

Not to mention ms. thing had a serious love of lipliner...le sigh...which makes you're mouth look like an anus.

I'm calling it now ladies, Santino has this locked up. He is my new motherfucker.