and knitting

Holy socks

Will someone please knit me these socks?

[Do check out the rest of that journal. It belongs to Elyse of America's Next Top Model infamy. She totally should have won that season!]

sprung

Well, after a wee bit of controversy, the new Knitty is up - woo hoo! I'm loving Spring Fling.

tasukete kudasai!

I just ordered Stefanie Japel's gorgeous new pattern, orangina, and can't wait until it arrives in my inbox! It seems just perfect for this spring and early summer.

However, the pattern calls for Rowan 4-ply cotton, and I'm trying hard to not spend a lot of money before I go to Japan in May, so am looking for an inexpensive substitue. I'd like to find a color in the coral family. Any ideas?

Here are the specs from the pattern description on her site.

Materials: 6 balls Rowan 4 ply Cotton, 186m (170 m) / 50g (I think that is meant to say 186 yards)
Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm) 24” (60cm) circular
Gauge: 24sts, 24 rows in 4” (10 cm) square over lace pattern

You in, oh you out!

Okay, enough with the Project Runway references -- at least for today.

I stumbled across the Rebecca 29 Wrap Top Cardi-along and now there's a seductive voice whispering in my ear to leave behind the frilled pulli for this sexy new cardi. They both use the lovely GGH Soft Kid.

Gentle reader, what shall I do?

Project Jay

I should have titled yesterday's post, the night we called it a Jay (yes, I am a dork). I'm very happy with the outcome of last night's Project Runway finale! It may have been the PMS and red wine combo platter, but I nearly cried with delight. He is just so funny and talented.

Kara Saun's collection looked cohesive and professional, but Jay McCarroll's had originality and verve. And, Wendy Pepper's collection?

Well, my sister says it best... "I've had two weeks to prepare myself, but now that I have to see it in motion, it feels hideous!" And, Michael Kors, "All of a sudden I've got boobies, and what's going on with the BOOBIES?"

The one missing ingredient in last night's episode was Austin Scarlett. How I would have loved to have seen him preview his collection for Tim. It's unfortunate that he only had a short amount of time to develop his decoy collection for Fashion Week. I await his spring collection with bated breath.

To compensate for last night's lack of Austin, I give you a link to a recent interview.

Q: It says in your Bravo biography that one of your favorite shows is "Little House on the Prairie." Who's your favorite character?
A: Well of course it would have to be Nellie Oleson — those curls and petticoats. I used to have long hair and would curl my hair like that. For years I went around with those ringlets.

Could this man give me more reasons to adore him? Dear, sweet Austin, please come to Minnesota and Mikey and I will take you to see the Laura Ingalls Wilder pageant in the real Walnut Grove.

To bring this post back around to the usual topic of this blog, Jay's collection featured a few knit and crocheted items. I'd love to see a Jay McCarroll knit pattern show up in a knitting magazine. I may even have to pick up one of his tote bags to use to carry around my knitting. In a comment on my last post, Jillz mentioned that she is going to try to knit a rendition of Jay's crazy collared blue sweater. I can't wait to see that! She and I may disagree on the evil factor of Ms. Pepper, but we agree on the fabulousness of Jay.

Twinkle Fall 2005

The Twinkle - Fall 2005 show was held today. You might recall Twinkle's knit designs from past issues of Vogue Knitting.

I peeked at the photos on Getty Images and found a few inspring hand knits. Here are my favorites. (links will open in new window)

coral cable sweater with asymetrical collar

red sweater with eyelet pattern

striped tunic with pockets

striped cardigan (reminds me of something Glampyre Stef would design)

purple cropped sweater with bobble detail (this one would be hard to wear, and is admittedly sort of ugly, but I like it anyway)

happy half birthday to you

Yesterday was a lovely day. Miss Molly and I took our friend Kim out for a much belated birthday celebration. So belated in fact, that it was nearly her half birthday by the time we got it scheduled. After a fun chat over croque monsieurs we headed out for manicures. As it was a Monday we had to content ourselves with a cheesy nail place in the mall. Though it wasn't quite the pampering - ladies who lunch - manicure I had envisioned, it did provide an opportunity to get some gaudy nail art (pictured left). I'm lucky that my client interactions are over the web or telephone and don't have to worry that rhinestone hearts will subvert my professionalism.

Post manicure we headed over to the local yarn store to purchase supplies for the night's stitch n bitch. The plan was that we would teach Kim to knit that night so she got some yarn and needles that would be easy to work with. I behaved myself and purchased just three skeins of yarn -- enough to make a mini sweater.

The stitch n bitch was held at another Amy's lovely home. I worked on a new scarf (will post soon) while Molly tutored Kim on casting on and knitting. Kim was a quick learner and impressed us all with her progress. My protégé, Kelly, finished up a lovely, fluffy red scarf for her MIL, while our hostess knitted up heart patterned wash cloths for her adorable little daughters. It was a very pleasant and relaxing evening.

erm, anyway

OK my pretties, forgive me for that which I posted yesterday. The ever lovely (and future JD owner) Ms. Kitten has thankfully talked me down from knitting that puffy tank.

Shall I blame my previous infatuation on the decaf senseo I was drinking? More likely it was the eyeballs glazed over from perusing knitting pattern after knitting pattern, without finding one that was an ideal match. Maybe my (in)compatibility with the spring 2005 knit scene is like my experience with the esmarmony questionnaire -- Sorry dear; you are just too strange in your tastes to find a match.

I think I'll just have to go back in time and content myself with the ruffled sweater before I move on to the new and exciting and different. This is for the best actually because my wallet really needs a break. I just recently put in a massive order from Lush, which was quickly followed by a phone call from the evil genius Jonathan from the Nars counter inviting me in for a mini facial and a try on of the new spring collection. As if I could say no to that. You all must buy Flaming Dust -- it's the. best. sheer. red. lippie. ever.

ChOOse mE or Die

Rather than launching myself into the week, I am listening to Tommy February and searching the web for inspiration for future projects.

Froggy's treatise for the new year was inspiring, but I'm going for less lofty goals, like umm, actually finishing something I would actually wear. Part of my neurotic behavior toward knitting sweaters is that I'm skeptical of my ability to knit something that would turn out to be both interesting looking and flattering. Hence, the reason I've yet to finish Frida.

I will still knit the ruffled sweater that has been in the works for quite some time (it's actually the perfect project to bring to the next stitch n bitch -- all those rows of stockinette). And, Molly, don't worry, I will start your scarf this week, but you have to promise to help me with the dreaded cables.

With these projects in mind, I still have a wondering eye and am pondering also starting Cathode, if I can find a nice yarn substitute, or the puffy tank pictured to the right (forthcoming pattern from Knit.1 Magazine). Am I nuts for thinking the puffy tank is cute? I know the puffy shirt trend is on its last legs, but i'm a sucker for that silhouette.

not a frump fest

The new knitty is out and features several patterns that are far from frumpy. As usual, Stefanie Japel comes through with a gorgeous sweater. I'm also loving the sleek little cardie, Candy and the very sweet Tempting. It is so nice to see these form fitting designs! Of course there are also a few things that make me go hmm, but I won't link to those for fear of offending.