Hallo from Hilversum!

I'm writing from my hotel room in Hilversum, Netherlands. I'm here on business, but there is always time for yarn in my book, so I'm taking advantage of my considerable jet lag to post and say hi, as it's some ungodly time in the morning...

Although my copy of Interweave Crochet arrived a few days ago, I've only just starting looking at it closely and I am very impressed. There's a few beauts in this issue design-wise, and some great articles. Overall, I have to say that Interweave does the best job in presenting relevent, interesting articles and great designs. Don't worry, I'm not going soft - trust me, there have been some klunkers -- but I'm happy to give credit when and where due.

First, kudos to my friend Dora Ohrenstein, who, aside from her considerable design prowess, is also showing herself to be quite the crochet historian. I really enjoyed her piece, "The Victorian Crochet Revolution". I confess the topic is a weakness of mine, being a history dork and all, but Dora has a gift for pulling the facts together and making the story flow. And not for nothing, her new design for Crochet Insider is GORGEOUS! Well done, Dora!

But I even liked the articles by people I don't know! The laceweight piece and the Lisa Naskrent articles were both interesting and well-composed. Who knew?

But let's get to the patterns, shall we?

Like I said, there are a few gorgeous ones in this issue. Of particular note are the two shawls, Raindrops Broomstick Lace and the Shape-Shifting Shawls are really nice. Raindrops uses a very appealing stitch pattern and Shape-Shifting has amazing drape.
And while technically not a shawl, the Yoga Beach Sarong has a very cool stitch as well, with strong vertical lines that should be quite flattering. Can we call it an ass shawl?

Lisa Naskrent's Bustier Top is another interesting piece. I particularly like the back view on it with its historical reference. I wonder how it would look on someone with curves?

I gotta say that my absolute favorite in this issue is Annie Modesitt's Pretty Pleats Skirt. Holy crap! I love love love the colors, fit, and overall design on this. And ohmigod, it has a waist! It's funky, cute and actually well-styled by the magazine (not one of Interweave's strengths in the past).

There are a couple of dress patterns in this issue too, but I always have doubts about this kind of project. First, these mothers take a looong time to do and then grow to astonishing lengths once you wear them. Personally, I won't invest the time.

Crocheted skirts I've made before (longer ones) have always stretched like crazy, which really pisses me off. I'm hoping Annie's skirt doesn't fall prey to that, but I think the shorter length and A-line shape will keep it from growing as much as the others have.

And finally, I gotta mention Doris Chan's Curtain pattern. I really like its wonky, rustic look.

Anyway, time for a shower and then off to work.

Ta for now!

Happily Eating Crow

I'll admit it: I've had an ongoing love/hate relationship with Crochet Today magazine. As of late, I've found their patterns and overall aesthetic to be heading down the treacly crapper. But as noted in a recent post, I held out some hope for the recent issue. And holy cow, did they deliver! Now don't get me wrong, not all the patterns are stars, but the cardi below, for example, is an absolute knockout! It is on my to do list, lemme tells ya!The cover hat by Lady Linoleum is a cute interpretation of this NYC fave (though, being a dyed in the wool New Yawker, I'd do it darker), and this beret looks like a fun challenge.

And is it just me, or do these pillows have a really appealing retro 70's vibe? Think log cabin bachelor pad....
There are a few other patterns that I think are nice, as well, and I'm keeping fingers crossed that this is signaling an editorial turnaround that will keep the old hooks flying.

In other mag news, I thought the cover sweater from Interweave Crochet to be surprisingly fashion-forward, in a Sex and the City kinda way.


I am totally loving this riding jacket, too!
And my friend Amy does a beautiful job on this gorgeous lace scarf. It reminds me of those amazing knitted wedding ring shawls in its delicacy.
All this said, I am still thumping away on my knitting jag. I'll post photos soon here and on ravelry, but I gotta say, I'm digging the sticks. As usual, I have a few projects going, including two scarves, a Twinkle sweater, and a Nicky Epstein shrug that's so beautiful, you could cry.

Till later!

A Leather Pokebonnet

Nah, I haven't made one...yet. But if I keep up these Sunbonnet Sue-esque endeavors, I may have to.

Let me explain.

On Saturday, after purchasing a couple of Mason jars that I needed in order to create the starter culture for some Chevre I've been hankering to make, I set about baking some banana-cranberry bread. Yeah, that's right. I'm making cheese. I'm baking bread. That Mason jar to the right of my bread? That's the starter culture for the cheese. So that's Saturday. Come eveningtide, I'm continuing on my quest to finally get knitting through my thick skull. So I spent Saturday night in this, one of the world's great cities, sitting on my ass knitting. And watching Primevel. Whatever.

Sunday was spent ignoring the marathon and baking the SECOND LOAF OF BREAD in the weekend. Oh yeah. A remake of last week with the cunning addition of romano cheese. And DEEE-lish it is, too! So of course, we had to try it, warm from the oven, with my HOMEMADE butter. Am I possessed? Wait, there's more!

On the urging of my beloved rockpoolcandy, I bought a drop spindle and roving (why, Blue-faced Leicester, thanks for asking) from the Sheep and Wool Festival. I'm in the process of splitting the roving into a manageable weight before I actually spin. (Note to husband - I want a spinning wheel for Xmas - for serious).
How far am I from whittling? Or from starting an urban taffy-pull? Is weaving far off? Is my front yard too small for sheep? Can you grow corn in a window box? What about lacemaking?

Okay, I want to talk about knitting for a minute. Now, you all know I LOVES the hook, right? But ohmigod, it is so exciting to get to even this minimal level of literacy with the sticks! I haven't finished this frigging scarf yet, but already I'm scouring ravelry for knitting patterns thinking, why the hell not?
Despite the obvious errors in the pattern above, I'm thrilled at the results I'm getting on this bloody scarf. I'd admire it if someone else wore it, let alone make it.

Who the hell am I?

And, not for nothing, but the Manhattan Smiley's sale is on the horizon now, a half-block from my workplace. And I have a plan this year - I'm going for the luxe stuff, quality, not quantity. I have a few gifts I'd like to make and I'm finally at the point where I want my precious time to count -- to not waste it on cheaper, unpleasant yarns. They're fine for experimentation, but if I'm making a scarf for my BFF, it's gonna be a yarn that feels like heaven.

Okay, change of topic. I have two cents and need to spend it! Remember the old days when I used to wax poetic about Crochet Today? Pretend I never said it. I have been SO disappointed with them of late! Gone are the interesting, challenging projects. I guess they focus-grouped that puppy to only engage beginning hookers. Sad. It doesn't all suck, per se, but it's not the mag I used to look forward to. On the other hand, I was quite happy with the latest Interweave Crochet. The projects were really beautiful, some simple enough for the novice, others challenging enough for a more experienced crocheter. Maybe it all balances out. But I keep looking for the periodical that pushes the design envelope, and I don't really see it. Over dinner recently with my friend Crochet Insider, we lamented about the lack of magazines that really challenge their readers. I guess it's up to websites and books to be the source of all things edgy.

Hey, has anyone been to the new MADMuseum site yet? I'm, like, a 10 minute walk from them and STILL haven't hauled ass in there! And I've always loved that quirky building!

Okay, I think I'm done spewing for the moment.

Oh, except for this:

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OBAMA '08!!!!

Catch-up hook-up

We're back from ACL -- I mean, of course, Austin City Limits Music Festival. Which was awesome, by the way. Mighty awesome.

We saw old faves like M. Ward, Jenny Lewis, Connor Oberst, Gillian Welch, Abigail Washburn, David Byrne, Iron & Wine, and Neko Case, and new faves like Spiritualized, and The Octopus Project.

The Austin Craft Mafia was there and I am happy to report a healthy appreciation for all things crafty in Austin.

And I hooked.
Oh yeah, right out there in the open, for all the world to see, bold as you please. I would have been a bit happier if I'd seen anyone else crafting, but alas, I saw no one. That said, I did get a few people asking what I was making. One nice woman was a knitter who mentioned how she'd like to crochet. Another was a man who's mom crochets, so he recognized it right away.

Oh, did I mention I shopped for yarn at the amazing Hill Country Weavers in SoCo. It's like a rabbit's warren of little rooms filled with yarny delights!

I finished CopperScaleDragon's Skluvs, yes I did. Okay, maybe not the end-weaving part, but they are indeed lovely!

Saw some mighty cool things in that hot little town:
I think I may have had a margarita or two at Guero's Taco Bar:
All in all, a great time!

I need to do a couple of quick shout-outs:
First of all, the current issue of Interweave Crochet is one of the bestest in ages - I don't know where to start.

Also, my copy of Blueprint Crochet arrived today and I am awestruck! Robyn, it's fabulous!

Ohmigod, I'm gushing, aren't I? Sorry! But I'm seriously jazzed by these new sweets that showed up in my mailbox - Smiley's Yarn Sale and the Sheep and Wool Festival can't come fast enough!

Woo Hoo!

September 15, 2007

Becoming obsessed with crocheting a coat. I am intrigued by the Seaside Coat in the upcoming issue of Interweave Crochet, but am seeing this going in more of a vintage direction. I am looking at 30's styles, but this might b a total invention on my part based upon designs of the 1910's/Paul Poiret-ish feelings. High collar, high waist, with a poufy ass (yeah, I know that's not "period" -- who cares). See "explorations" for some visuals.