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I know that “sewer” is an incorrect way of describing someone who sews but my other option is what? Seamstress? This is proving to be quite the dilemma for me. Here is why: My aunt rents a space in a flea market somewhere near Orlando, Florida. She is going to start selling some of my knits, aprons I’ve sewn (don’t worry, I’m using my own designs. No copyright infringement over here!) and other tchotchkes. I doubt this will go very far for me but I decided that I need some sort of business card. I ordered some samples from MOO but I’m realizing that I can’t put that I’m a sewer on my card. So what do I do? Seamstress or is there another simple way to state that “I am one who sews”? I need your help.
Who washes their iPod?
I finally had the chance to take photos of Wicked.
Pattern: Wicked from Zephyr Style
Yarn: 2.5 skeins Cascade 220 Heathers
Needles: US 7 Inox circulars
Notes: I love this top! I’ve already worn it a couple of times. Very simple pattern to follow and most of it is stockinette so I could knit mindlessly at work. I pretty much followed the pattern except for some waist shaping.
The patterns from Zephyr Style are casually written, which, I like. When I was working on Blustery I felt like I had to keep my eyes on the pattern at all times so I wouldn’t make a mistake because it was extremely detailed. I’m working on Rusted Root , also from Zephyr style, now. It’s going good but there isn’t a lace chart with drives me a little crazy. Other than that, it is another simple pattern to follow.
I don’t usually buy soundtracks. Actually, I don’t usually buy music at all except the occasional vinyl purchase. Since getting a car, however, I feel compelled to buy Cd’s. Maybe it’s because the quality of an MP3 burned CD is just so awful I can’t stand to listen to them in my car. The first CD I purchased for my car is the Juno soundtrack. There were, of course, hundreds of Cd’s to choose from but I was drawn to the soundtrack because I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and figured it’d be a listening adventure because I only recognized two or three songs. After a few listens, I was pretty happy because it helped me to remember the movie. I find that I often forget about movies within a few days after watching so this actually added to my cinema experience. Then, I just fell in love with the songs on the album mostly, the songs by Kimya Dawson.
Kimya Dawson is the female from The Moldy Peaches. I don’t know much about The Moldy Peaches except for a few memories they created for me during my freshman year of college. I don’t know if any of you have seen the movie but the song “Anyone But You” plays a a significant role during the end. Here’s the original:
Anyone Else But You - The Moldy Peaches
Most of the soundtrack is music from after 2000 but there are some older tunes on it. One I’ve really taken to is the Buddy Holly song, Dearest. When I first listened to soundtrack, I had no idea it was a Buddy Holly song. In fact, I thought it was just another indie kid singing another indie kid song. Some music is really just timeless.
This is a soundtrack definitely worth checking out. Just think of it as a really good mix CD.
I’m starting to think I have a thing for vests. Not all vests, just knit vests. The new issue of Knitty came out and immediately I was drawn to the two vest patterns:
and
The first, Talia, is going to require some modifications. It’s a little too long and I’m not crazy about some of the design details but I am drawn to the shape of it. The second, Honeycomb, is perfect. The stitch detail plus the tweedy yarn makes this an excellent vest for fall. Of course, I can’t start either of these because I’m currently working on three things: Wicked, Rusted Root and Mystic Waters Lace Shawl. I also need to hit up the sewing machine soon. My mind has been drifting towards summer dresses.
It looks like I’ll be visiting California sometime in the coming months. I’m hoping to set up some job interviews in and around San Francisco. I haven’t had much luck here so I’m hoping there might be something for me on the opposite side of the country. Even if I don’t get a fabulous job there, I’d rather work a crappy job there than here.
Turned into this….
I may be on an apron kick. I’m not sure yet. Let’s see what I make next. This is from the same Simplicity pattern, 3544, I used last time. This is view D. I think I’ll actually be using this apron more than the other one I made. It is a lot easier to put on. My favorite part is the pockets:
Jo-ann’s surprises me sometimes with their fabric selection. Most of it is pretty blah but sometimes you’ll find cool little gems like this Alexander Henry fabric. The red fabric is just a plain broadcloth.
I actually tried to go fabric shopping in New York but couldn’t really set my heart on anything. A lot of it was pretty expensive too, well, the stuff I liked was expensive. Next time I go, I’m going to have to have really specific projects in mind because otherwise, it is too overwhelming. I did, however, go yarn shopping at Knitty City and I came back with 6 hanks of Cotton Classic by Tahki and some Cascade 220. The staff was super friendly and helpful, I couldn’t believe it and they had a great selection. I’ll definitely be going back next time I’m in the city.
I’ve started Wicked from Zephyr Style using the Cascade I bought. It seems like a simple, quick knit AND there is virtually no seaming. I also just saw Wicked, the musical, in New York but the two aren’t really related.
what a cute little sock you’ve started there:
I mean, it’s not perfect but the teal and brown seem to go okay together. Oh, but wait…what is that awful pink clump I see on the bottom stripe? oh! right! That’s the fugly pink part of the yarn that you should have cut out!
I knew it was ugly from the start but I thought it would grow on me. It hasn’t. Do I rip it out? Keep it? Enjoy the ugly? Sometimes I like ugly. Decisions!
Sorry for the poor quality of my camera phone. I’m updating at work and what else would I be doing besides knitting? Actual work?? No way.
Pattern: Just a basic hat pattern with an argyle chart I made in Excel.
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of Andes
Needles: Susan Bates US 8 circular
Notes: Conor has been asking me for this hat for I don’t even know how long. I saw that Knit Picks was having a sale, so I bought Wool of Andes in the colors Conor requested and FINALLY began the hat. I messed around in Excel and decided on a basic argyle pattern:
I duplicate stitched the orange line in and I think it came out okay. It looks lumpy but I haven’t blocked it yet. I’m waiting to make sure it fits Conor’s big head. If I were to knit it again, I’d start the argyle a little sooner but hopefully he likes it and it fits and I won’t have to knit it again.
Wool of Andes….Not sure how I feel about this yarn. I hear people compare it to Cascade 220 a lot but I have to say, I think Cascade is of better quality than Wool of Andes. The chestnut was thin and had a ton of knots in it while the blue was plump with no knots. I think next time, I’ll spend the extra 3 bucks and get Cascade 220.
So, I guess living at home isn’t THAT bad. I really think I was cranky because of this diet my mother wanted to try. I decided to do it with her as moral support and because I wouldn’t mind losing 4 or 5 pounds myself. It’s called the Cardio-Free Diet and it’s AWFUL. Really, just awful. The whole idea behind it is that you’ll burn more fat by being on a 1200 calorie diet while working just your muscles three times a week and of course, no cardio. We basically followed the book to a T. The recipes were really the worst part. My breakfast usually consisted of a 4-egg white omelette with up to 4 cups of veggies. FOUR CUPS! They ended up looking like a plate of veggies with some white stuff mixed it. All of the food was tasteless and I was always hungry. Hungry = cranky. After three days of being a bitch, I quit. My mom has also quit (thank God!). Instead, my entire family has joined a gym. Really, my entire family. The first time I went, I was with five other people. We looked like an episode of the Brady Bunch. At least now I’m less cranky and back on ice cream.
Tonight, I’m sewing. Hopefully, I’ll something to show tomorrow.
Pattern: Blustery from My Fashionable Life
Yarn: Jaeger Extra Fine MerinoDK
Needles: US 3 and 6 circulars
Notes: Let me start off by saying that I had a love-hate relationship with this pattern. I was thoroughly entertained while knitting the separate pieces despite it being in plain stockinette. Anna Bell’s instructions were flawless and very exact. No guess work needed with this pattern. Things were smooth sailing until it came time to do the tubular bind-off method:
Which, I think is a great little detail but it takes so long! I sat through 3 hours of crappy reality television and had only finished doing the tubular bind-off on the button band. In the end though, it was worth all of the work because I am 100% happy with the vest and I feel proud of the work I put into it.
Jaeger Extra Fine Merino is such a soft squishy yarn so the vest is very comfy. My one complaint is (because there always is one) the color. I like wearing black but I didn’t enjoy working with black yarn. Not only is it harder to see the stitch definition but you can also see every piece of lint, dust and dog/cat hair it picks up. I cleaned it up as best I could for the the photo but I’m done. I’m going to learn to live with it.
So, now that this vest is done I can sew again! I also have a lot more knitting patterns in my queue especially, since this purchase:
I finally caved in a bought a swift and ball winder and they are fantastic. Next up: Argyle hat for Conor and the Mystic Waters Lace Shawl.
