Curtain Call
March 9, 2013 § Leave a Comment
In the baby’s Nursery at the new house I will be doing a double curtain. The outer, more visible curtain will be a charcoal grey. I am having trouble with what to do for the inner curtain. I have been looking for months for the 2008 Ikea Anno Unni Birch Tree Panel curtains to no avail.
Alas, as we are moving in—HOLY CRAP—6 days, I know that I need to get window coverings up in his new room BEFORE we move. Which means, I must get it done right now. I have come up with two other options, which are readily available, but I could use some input and thoughts on the best direction. First is the Fawn Tapestry from Urban Outfitters, and second are the Eivor tree cutrains from Ikea. The tapestry I would of course need to modify, but I doubt that would be too difficult.
I have created a little board representing the visual aspects of the Little Buckaroo’s new room. The floor will be almost entirely covered by the striped Ikea Stockholm rug, and the rest of the visible floor is brand-new hard wood. The walls are light, warm grey, and the ceiling above the moldings are white. POLL BELOW!
A little Saturday Comic Relief. The Russian Meteor: An overlooked detail.
February 16, 2013 § Leave a Comment
Yesterday was a pretty spectacular day. I heard the news about the meteor in Russia while I was running around doing errands with the Little Buckaroo, and trying to get my Fashion Friday post done. Once Ramon got home, we talked about it some more, and watched some of the amazing video of the explosion. I’m always amazed that people have their cameras pointed at the right place at the right time for things of this magnatide, like the couple driving across the bay bridge just after the ’89 “San Francisco” earthquake that caught the car falling down to the lower level of the bridge. And that was back in the days of VHS!
Upon Ramon’s suggestion, I came up with this little tribute.
England in 1912, United States in 1978, Russia and 1987, AND introducing my Levieva Pullover Pattern
February 5, 2013 § Leave a Comment
As a child, and—well if I am being honest, even as an adult—occasionally I walk into the living room where my mother is sitting and she would be watching some insanely boring show on Masterpiece Theater. They talk in their British accents, and are in some hotel or something-or-another, and as soon as I see what is taking place in the living room, I quietly back out of the room, and pretend to have been busy on the computer the whole time. How can she watch this stuff? They talk forever while you can’t understand them, and then nothing happens! And then, Downton Abbey happened, and now I find myself in my mother’s shoes. I get it. The whole thing is just terribly romantic. The costumes leave me drooling and I saver each episode with every breath. I make sure the baby is in-bed, soundly asleep or napping before hitting play on Hulu so I can be sure to follow every detail. I simply cannot fathom how so much can happen in just one one-hour show! How could I have been so wrong, for so many years?
This morning while giving the baby his breakfast bottle, I found myself reflecting on something that Granny, Violet Crawley, played by Maggie Smith, says in the first weekend. Ramon has been working so hard on our house remodel and I have been working so hard taking care of the little guy at home. We are both exhausted. Exhausted. And we are both desperate to have this huge remodel project completed so that we can once again be a normal family, and do it in our new home. In the second episode of the first season, taking place in 1912, Violet Crawley asks, “What is a weekend,” demonstrating that the social stature of “real-men” don’t need weekends and this is what the measure of a successful man is. He is so wealthy he does not work, and this is far more noble and respectable than a working-man. According to “Granny” we are fools then, of the lower-class, who are not worthy of respect. Ok, yes, this is going a bit far, I know.
But it is this work that makes us real. Ramon has been working so hard to provide for his family. I have been working so hard on our family, and then we have our interests as well. I have been working like made to try to get my patterns published. As silly as it is, it is now my only independent income, I too want to feel like I can contribute something financially to our family. The pride I feel when I have completed something is unparalleled though. I know that Ramon feels that way about our new home, too. Watching him work the way that he does makes me think of our cross-country road-trips. We’ve taken two, neither of them cannon-ball-runs. Both off the beaten path across many two-lane highways were we wouldn’t see anyone for miles and miles, except the occasional farmer. I have never felt more patriotic than I have when we were on these trips. We’d see so many real people, doing real work. Largely ignored or forgotten, they really are the backbone of this amazing country in which we live. I always feel like working harder once we’ve returned from one of these trips. I realize somehow, on a deeper level, that it is worth it, that “Granny” is wrong.
This morning in my email inbox, littered with junk, I came across an email from Hulu: Top 5 Moments: Game Day Ads. Now, I didn’t watch the game. We have so much going on, and we don’t have cable right now, our TV watching exists only because of our Roku. So, all of these Ads are new to me. The top ad in the email shows a screenshot of a baby Clydesdale. Okay my attention is peaked. I clicked. I am a sucker for ponies. I love them. Always have, always will—another gift from my mother.
As to be expected, this ad almost brought me to tears.
Then, of course, I had to see what the number 1 ad of the Superbowl was (according to hulu). Ram. We have one of those. Ramon is driving it every day these days. Our big dualie diesel. Usually it is when he is working the hardest he is driving that truck. He loves that truck. I love that truck. That truck is the Little Buckaroos favorite of all of the vehicles we own. We both even have cowboy hats the we proudly wear when we’re in it. Amazing as Ramon does NOT wear hats, and isn’t a very silly person by nature.
I think many, many people feel a strong connection with this ad, and again even if they don’t it may ask them to think twice about their perceptions and ideals. Paul Harvey’s words, spoken in 1978, still ring true today, or at least make us think about who we are. Again, I believe, for our time, for this place, Granny was wrong.
If anything can make one feel patriotic, we should feel proud that it is the reminder of hard-work. Few nationalities can say their country was founded on this concept. Both a blessing and a curse, but still a tie that binds, no matter how larger or small the job may be.
I felt so disappointed when I had a muscle spasm in my neck on the dawn of Saturday morning. I had 7 patterns to publish, and I only managed to get three in by end of day Friday—meaning 1 am Saturday morning: the Carried Away Cowl, Levieva Pullover and Twenty for Five Pullover.
I did my best but with my number one job of mommy coming first, my great publication—and hoped new distribution—of what I think is fabulous knittery had to wait until after Buckaroo bedtime. Still, publishing three of 7 patterns is a great feat. I figured I could get the remaining 7 done the following day. Then the muscle spasm. This happened as a result of too much coffee and not enough water. Ugh! I did this to myself! And now I could hardly even pick the little guy up. Certainly no patterns would get published on Saturday, or even Sunday, or, alas, even Monday. Now here we are on Tuesday and it is not looking hopeful.
I received a comment on my blog post, Ignorance is Bliss, yesterday, reminding me that sewing—lets just say stitching—isn’t a race. This is a fact that I often forget. In fact, I believe that I forget this multiple times per day. The comment came as a gentle, supportive reminder that it is not the speed that matters but the end result, and the pride that I take in it. A few more days to get these patterns published won’t really make any difference. I won’t loose anything, except maybe a few eyeballs and a few sales, but isn’t my happiness, health and that of my son and my family more important? Yes! Won’t I enjoy the process more if I feel less rushed? YES! YES! YES!
Hard work, determination, pride, and joy. A sewing support group certainly isn’t a bad idea though. Like farming, sewing is an activity that is completely primarily in solitude, and I think it can often feel lonely. In my case, it can even turn into a race, or desperation to get something completed. I have received a few responses to my new group, my new pursuit for social knitting, Fashion Knits Out. Ironically, my responses have included the designer of the Downton Pullover from Interweave Knits, Fall 2012. Or, maybe it is not ironic. Maybe the show is just so amazing that everyone is obsessed with it. Why did it take me last week to discover it? I will keep plugging away at my projects, proudly. If anyone is interested in a sewing support group, I’d certainly be game.
So, going back to the Brotherhood for a moment (the ad with the Clydesdale), I guess even when no one else sees the amount of work and love that we put into something that is so important to us, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t felt. No one else will ever really know just how hard we all work on our individual projects or tasks, even the ones that we don’t work on in solitude. And ultimately, maybe it doesn’t really matter as long as we are proud of our result. To help our children learn something new? To share? To create something new? To provide for others? To get dinner on the table? Is there any greater honor than watching our offspring or our harvest fulfill its destiny?
Recently some fabulous knittery went viral. Shetland Ponies in sweaters! If there were ever a post to work this story into, this would be it. How can I not celebrate ponies in sweaters?
I don’t know how long these sweaters took. If one woman did them in solitude, or multiple women. I can imaging a knitting group of wonderful older ladies, each lady knitting an individual pony leg. These are seriously complicated sweaters. It boggles my mind. Most everyone, even most knitters (but not Knitters with a capital K) probably look at these ponies and think how damn cute they are. They are cute. But that is intricate colorwork. Those are huge sweaters. Yes, I am well aware that sheltand ponies are small. But think about knitting a sweater for a great dane, then adding some pony cub and hooves, and then doing it twice, with 8 colors and size 2 needles. I praise the knitters that worked on these sweaters. But it worked, didn’t it? These were done for a campaign to promote tourism, and they went viral. Those knitters probably worked for months and months but can’t they be proud of the hard work that no one will ever fully understand? Pony sweaters seen ’round the world!
My Levieva sweater is a great example of hard work that will never be known to anyone but me. I can tell you about it, but you won’t actually understand. Not really. In fact, my Cowl Beach is another great example. I had the entire cowl knit. Four skeins. 640 yards. And I ripped it all back out because I didn’t like the seam and needed to invent a new one. My Levieva sweater is worked top-down in the round. Which means that the entire yoke to the armholes is worked as one growing piece. At the end of it 6 rows take up 109 yards of yarn. 6 mere rows. I knit completely and ripped out the yoke of that sweater more than 3 times. It wasn’t perfect. It is now named after a Russian woman who played a part in Adventureland, set in 1987. A 1980′s throwback. In the end I even had to rip out the sleeves, create a new pattern and re-work them, even after washing and blocking the sweater. I let it dry for days only to discover that it still wasn’t perfect. Now, the pattern is published, and it is a beautiful sweater, but anyone who sees the pictures, or even knits it will never comprehend that probably well over 100 hours went into knitting this sweater & the versions before it’s current existence, just to get it right. Now, I feel nothing but pride when I see it.
Hey, I am a half owner in a Dodge Ram. Happiness can be the hardest work, and often done in solitude. But the payout is the greatest. Sorry Granny.
White Herring For a Not So White New Year
January 3, 2012 § 3 Comments
Our adorable little Christmas tree finally came down yesterday. Sadly, it is time to say goodbye to the holiday’s and 2011, but I am very excited about moving into 2012, as I know that there are my exciting first and huge milestones in my future. I will also add that I really regret not posting more in 2011, but I feel like some large obstacles got in my way, which I will work to overcome 2012, and I look forward to posting a lot more in the upcoming spring.
To play a little catch-up, I have finally been able to get to some knitting, and I decided that a few fun, little projects were in order. After seeing the pattern for the Big Herringbone Cowl by Purl Soho over a year ago, and deciding I needed to have one then, I made a quick trip to San Francisco to buy some new yarn—like I needed more—to get me excited and get me knitting. This project took just under a week, and was a really, really great one. I would totally do it again.
I have never worked with needles so large, and it was fun to watch the work go so quickly. I’d tried this pattern once before, but the wrong yarn and impatience lead to disappointment, and eventual frogging. This second time around, I was much, much happier.
I was hoping to get this done before our annual ski trip, and while I succeeded in doing so, the ski trip did not happen due to lack of snow. As it has been “cold” for California over the past few days, I’ve worn it out every day since I finished it, though the warmth of the wool suppresses the need for a jacket.
Many other folks completed this pattern with two skeins of Malabrigo Merino Worsted. When I selected yarn I went with this, but choose Natural for the color. I felt that with such a complex and beautiful stitch pattern, I wanted yarn that wouldn’t overpower the natural texture. I am very, very happy with my choice, and it looks much prettier knit than it does in the hank, or wound into a ball. It would have been so pretty in the snow, and I am bummed that I couldn’t take pictures of it out with the white dusted pine-trees.
My Notes:
- I used long-tail cast on, and CO 220 on US 17 needles. I have practiced this stitch before, and I am able to knit it loosely enough to not make the yarn and stitches bind up on the left needle, and still have a clean and even looking stitch.
- Really great project that went along quite quickly. However, I must admit that I am REALLY disappointing with how the Bind-Off edge looks. After all that work, being careful not to make mistakes, this particular bind-off looks unprofessional and uneven. I haven’t had this problem ever before with a BO, but the “Herringbone” version, as described in the pattern is what I used. Next time I’d go with something else.
- I counted my rows carefully, and not including the CO row, I knit through 18.5 rows with the first skein of yarn. I completed a total of 36 rows in the herringbone pattern, followed by the CO row, and had very little yarn left over. Maybe 10 yards. Definitely got into the rhythm of the stitch pattern in by the second skein.
- Finished measurement before blocking: 50” in circumference, 10.5” wide.
- Finished measurement after blocking: 62” circumference, 12” wide.
Yarnies in Knitland: Vogue Knitting Live, Los Angeles 2011
September 30, 2011 § Leave a Comment
There are only so many of these events, on the west coast. OK, well, there are only so many of these events, period. I’d heard about Vogue Knitting Live in Los Angeles when I was at Stitches West in February. So, even despite the fact that my broke ass couldn’t really afford to go (Thank you for helping, Ramon), I really felt that I should go. Unlike Stitches, this time I signed up for a class, and two lectures. Stitches offers classes, but, as far as I can tell, no lectures.
After Ramon’s Fire Drill Friday of Racing, and getting up just after midnight, I hopped on a plane the next AM at the good ol’ hour of 6:45 to make it down to La La land in time for my first lecture at 10 am. Hosted at the Hyatt Century Plaza—as far as I could tell in Beverly Hills—with parking priced at $24–$27 a day, I decided walking a mile from a residential neighborhood was the way to go. I mean, that’s yarn money! Pooped, but with Starbucks in hand I met Shannon Okey, giving a lecture for Aspiring Designers. The more benificial of the two lectures, I pulled some useful tips which I am already mulling over, or even—OMG—acting on! I also met some folks in the same boat whom I later talked with on the Market Place floor. More great insight.
I then met, and I consider this to be one of the top highlights of the trip, Wendy Bernhard, designer of the Ingenue—Audrey Hepburn—sweater. Signing her new book, Custom Knits 2, to be released this week. I bought a copy, had a lovely chat, and began to realize that how ever many hundreds of dollars were spent going down there and renting a car were worth it. I showed her my blog, my Audrey Picture—which I was actually super worried she might find offensive as I am implying the design is directly inspired by something, but I am not trying to be offensive, I just love, love, love it—and feel like I made a great little connection. Wendy recommended a pattern in the new book which she thinks will be especially to my liking as I adore the Ingenue so much, and even better yet, she signed my book “Happy Designing.” Yes, indeed 
The following day I had a class in Andean Knitting by Mary Jane Mucklestone, author of 200 Fair Isle Motifs. I was skeptical of taking a class, because usually when I learn a new technique, it only takes a few minutes to understand what’s going on and why. I was SHOCKED. Three hours, and I learned an ENTIRELY NEW WAY TO KNIT, which I will actually be able to implement on the sweater pattern from Custom Knits 2 that Wendy recommended.
Little Peruvian men, sitting for long hours, yarn tensioned over their shoulders, around their necks, purling around and around, working with the wrong side facing … have you ever heard of such a thing? The madness!
The new technique actually works very, very well. Surprisingly well. Easier than knitting well! Yup, you heard me, the purling is easier than knitting in this technique. The hat below, Mary Jane acquired on one of her trips to Peru. That is hand knit. I can’t even count the stitches per inch! and the picture below that? Knitting needles they use to adjust the stitches and tension.
OK, now I am going on too long, but just a few more things. In addition to the Custom Knits 2 book signing, there were a few others. At the Vogue Knitting booth, Deborah Newton was signing her new book Finishing School; A Master Class for Knitters, and the co-authors of Vintage Modern Knits, using beautiful yarns from the Fibre Company, one of my favs, were also there. Both books great additions to my library, I’ve already finished a few chapters in the Finishing School book. Useful. Very Useful.
All in all I was surprised by the lectures and the class, though not by Market Place. After Stitches West seeing the Vogue Knitting live Market Place, which was less than 1/4 the size, left me wanting more. I did find some great things, including 8″ size US 5 circular needles from Addi. I didn’t know such things existed! I scored some great yarn deals on Sunday, as folks were packing up, not wanting to take heaps of yarn home. And, due to the smaller size of the Market Place, I was actually able to remember where some of the gems that I found were located, so I could actually find them again, after thinking about fibers and quantities, and buy them. One of my favorites was Baah! Bling. Handpainted by a gal in Longbeach, super vibrant colors, with metallics, and a very soft hand. I couldn’t come up with a project for this beautiful yarn, but wanted remember it for future use.
Super friendly vendors, great teachers, insightful book signings, and a lot of yarn, I imagine I’ll be back next year. Thanks Vogue Knitting Live!
All that being said … I am still feeling sleep deprived. I need a knitcation. 
Ignorance is Bliss
August 29, 2011 § 4 Comments
This summer has been more of a whirlwind of activity, instead of a whirlwind of creativity. I have been lucky to spend the second half of my summer figuring out how to enjoy my life, trying to take more time to take advantage of the sun and good weather, prioritizing, and adding structure, but still busier than a little bumble bee. A once or twice a week I have been meeting up with Trina to get coffee at our local downtown, then walking to the children’s park to let her daughter play, though, she would rather just swing. Though, of course I am not just drinking coffee, I am working on a knitting project the entire time, as well. There is a used bookstore right near our coffee shop. A local gem. We hopped in one day, after knitting on the bench outside, enjoying our coffee, and the wee one enjoying Curious George on the iPad. No knitting books peaked my interested, but I noticed another that did. Way back a year ago, I read the first book that Julie Powell wrote, Julie & Julia and described how it was one of the three encouraging factors for me to begin my own blog. So, when I saw her second book, Cleaving, which I didn’t even know existed, I had to buy it.
After knitting like a mad-woman day in and day out, trying to get my huge project list under control, I finally set down my sticks to dig into this new piece of literature. I am now only 13 pages in. Frustrated I put it down the other night, and I honestly wonder if I will ever pick it back up. She starts off in her beautiful, poetic writing style. Hooked you read that she gives Eric, her husband, full credit and recognition for her ability to complete both her blog and her first book and then … yeah, I couldn’t believe it either, she describes her currently ongoing affair with another man. Her husband knows, isn’t OK with it, but they remain together anyway. I know that everyone’s relationships are different, but I have very, very little interest in reading about selfish people hurting the ones that they love. I think a big part of t his stems from the fact that now that I have Ramon, I see the world differently, and I just don’t see how if other people felt the way that I do about him, that they could hurt their loved ones the way that Powell is. I feel no sympathy, and no longer want to spend countless hours reading about your journey. I don’t fucking care about your journey anymore, because you don’t care about the same values that are important to me. By no means do I think I am the end-all-be-all, make no mistakes, and that my shit don’t stink. I will repeat that I do understand that every relationship is different, by why, when you know you’re really hurting someone you love, do you continue to do it?
Maybe this is what the book is about, and it can shed some light, but I just don’t really care.This is one of those cases where the more you know, the more you wish you didn’t. I think my pattern-making blog project is going awfully the same way. A year ago I felt like I could do anything, now I sit there, work on a pattern for days, and feel like I have accomplished nothing. The more I learn, I realize the less I know, feel intimidated, overwhelmed, and like I am in an entirely different league that I don’t belong in. I know that I need to keep pushing forward, and I want to, I will, but I have to get over this hump. I did purchase a few patterns mentioned in a previous post,and have made a few pieces. One awesome woman even found my blog, and sold me the jumpsuit pattern—Vogue 2343—she was about to list on Ebay.
Vogue 2343, 1999, Image Courtesy of PatternVault
The other patterns I ordered from Ebay and Etsy have also arrived, and sort of as a joke, and just to get something made, I wiped out this puppy—Vogue 2157—in about 2 hours.
Vogue 2157, 1998, Image Courtesy of PatternVault
I used a polyester fabric that doesn’t want to behave, and so I was very sloppy with my sewing. Now that it is made I really wish I’d put more effort into it. Even though I need a slip to wear with it, as it is unbelievably sheer, it is beautiful. This super-simple to sew, with weirdly shaped pattern pieces really is a beautiful garment! 
So, patterns in hand even, why do I still feel so glum? Where do I find the confidence to keep going with the sewing?
Maybe, instead I should be asking: Why is this always a problem?
Pete Sampras, King of Swing meets Queen of Sticks
July 23, 2011 § 3 Comments
Since the dawn of my knitting time I have been knitting English style. Pretty and even as it may be, I have learned it is slow. I have seen the continental style of knitting, and have even done it on occasion, though with varied success, as my stitches have lost their previous perfection in consistence. My knitname “the machine,” referring to how perfect my little stitches look, is lost. Alas, I have stuck with the English style to retain perfection, and loose speed.
So, I have made a decision …
Yesterday my good friend Jensen and I were chatting on our hour long drive to MotoGP about Corporate America’s inability to embrace short term loss for long term gain based on misunderstanding and unwilliness to forsake ROI—Oh God, don’t worry, I’m almost done talking about Corporate America. He told me a story, of which I don’t have specifics and I will paraphrase, so don’t correct me if I’m wrong it doesn’t matter. Back in the day there was a fellow who played Tennis. You may have heard of him, his name is Pete Sampras. Well, he was really f*cking good, but wasn’t the best. See, he was doing a double-handed backhand, which kept him just out of the #1 Tennis Play of the World ranking. His coach decided to give it to him straight, telling him that he’d never be The Best if he kept doing the double handed backhand. So, he learned the new technique, and took a serious tumble in the rankings. He learned, caught back up, fought back and eventually became The One in Tennis. Lesson learned? Old dogs can learn new tricks, but sacrifice must be made.
The similarity is SHOCKING, I know.
Backtracking further, I had already decided to take this leap last Sunday, thus starting a second OWLs sweater, this time for myself. I am making great progress, and getting much more comfortable, but my stitches aren’t “pretty” yet. Though, looking at the grand scheme of things, by this time last year I hadn’t ever even made/finished one single sweater. So I think it is best that I learn now. Using some of the left over yarn (Berroco Comfort) from my Rihanna Inspired Nautical Cropped Pullover, I have convinced Ramon that this sweater is not a waste of time, as I am: 1. learning something really, really new, even though I have already done this pattern once, and 2. Since the yarn is black, it is doing a great job at helping to hide my mistakes.
Far and away the most exciting picture I have ever published on Project-Hallway.com, my owls sweater in progress:
I have also been working on a number of other knitting project, including slowly plugging away on my 12in11project, the Lace Panel Tunic with “thread” (Malabrigo Lace yarn in Azul Bolita).
While i am not working on this in contentinal kntting style, it is c h a l l e n g i n g to say the least. It is like knitting with thread. Ironically, this project hurts my hands more than working the previously unused muscles in my hands from switching styles. As it takes 1 1/2 hours to knit one inch onto this bad boy, I am thinking about doing something different with the sleeves, meaning, short, not long blouson sleeves. Ugh.
Getting into the Sew-ing of Things
July 20, 2011 § 1 Comment
I find myself now, ready to get the factory going again, though some things have changed. I sometimes find myself looking back on previous thoughts, or decisions i have made, finding the youth and naivete where I didn’t see it before, even though some of these decisions took place just six months ago. I couldn’t have been that much younger, could I?
I have long had this idea about listening, and perhaps this is were the emotion I am feeling now stirs from. I have listened long enough that the things I once wanted to make black, I now want to make white, or even lavender, like my stylist made my hair today, though that is more of an eggplant. The unforeseen darkness in the decision disappears to hope and finding creativity within (finally, again) instead of looking outside. I am reading three books right now, no big shocker given my over-achiever status. Ok, well one I finished last night, a very well written novel, which I find incredibly rare. The second is an instructional sort of knitting book, written by the author as if she were tell the story of Whinnie-the-Pooh, which I very much like, an the third is from a friend of mine, the recipient of the second Little Joey sweater sample, with words excellently crafted, and well selected without force or perseverance, the stories of women archaeologists, explorers. Helping me to turning my thoughts to the adventure ahead, I have gotten my machines back out, dust cleared, old projects, scraps, and mental weights tossed to the wind. The sails are up.
The knitting book is making me re-think the way that I want to write about knitting. Realizing it is Ok for it to be fun, playful, and almost like a story told in a children’s book, patterns don’t need to be dry, like instructions for the blender. I think that is ok, if not great to have some of my personality infused into them as well. I mean, this is coming from an individual, and hey, every article in the New York Times has opinion in it. Isn’t there a chance that the people reading my patterns will read them for the perspective? The personality of the sweater, which is really the personality of me? Isn’t their even a smidgen of a chance they’ll be reading the pattern for the story?
Interesting and lovely conversations with Trina (Batsy) about this. As lovely as her lovely patterns. In one week’s time I have used her published Park Top to make two garments (pictures below), and her not-yet published Maxi Dress pattern, name also pending (pictured above).
I have seen her own sample Park Tops on her, but in making them—super simple and super quick, an hour long project including cutting the fabric—I am in love with the pattern. For being over-sized I can’t believe how well it fits. You’d think it would just be a sack, but no, no no no. I was mistaken. With fabric recently acquired from a beach trip with Trina and we-one to Harts Fabric, the striped one is my new go-to favorite. I have worn it 4 out of 5 days since I finished it, and now I think it is due for a wash.
Who knew that sewing knits was so easy, so intimidating, so fun?
Oh, wait, Trina did, didn’t she …
In my flurry of knitting, and knit sewing, I have also been making great progress on some of my McQueen projects again. At long last, ready to push forward, here we go! I got a dress drafted, a lining sewn, though I may need to do some back-tracking. I recently spent a week at my mom’s in the middle of no-where, figuring out where I am going. I made a huge word document status tracker. Listing out every project, and writing where I am on each of them was, surprisingly, not intimidating, but more exciting. I am feeling much more focused, and much more active. I just hope I can keep it this way.
Rihanna Inspired Nautical Cropped Pullover
July 1, 2011 § 5 Comments
About a month ago I saw Rihanna perform on NBC’s Today Show. She was wearing a cute little, nautical cropped top. I loved the contrast of the bold primary blue with the deep, rich black.
I thought it would be fun to re-create the cute pullover using chunky yarn. I can see that Rihanna’s is some type of knit fabric, and is also cropped very close to the bust. For this version, it is still quite cropped, but a little more modestly. I used a plump weight yarn that is machine washable, Berroco Comfort, which makes this sweater a little more bulky than the original. The pattern is written so that it is very fitted, and it is intended to be worn in this fashion.
The bodice (front and back) parts of this pattern are written from the bottom up. The sleeves, however, are written from the top down. This isn’t intended to cause confusion, but rather to make things easier. As I feel there are a lot of options for lengths, and a lot of different types of people out there, by writing the sleeves from the top down it will be easier to alter, extend, shorten, or whatever you would like to the length of the sleeve. When you start from the bottom and work your way up, you can run into some fitting issues. I have also included FOUR versions of the sleeves: Regular and Petite sizing, as well as Regular and Petite sizing including the “Hand Mit.” The hand mit closely resembles Rihanna’s top, where the sleeve comes all of the way over the hand, and includes a thumb-hole. As I prefer the sweater to end at the wrist, I have completed my sample without the hand-mit.
This sweater is very quick and easy to knit. As Berroco Comfort comes in so many amazing colors, the color combinations possible are limitless. One could add length, or make it even more cropped, like her version. Short or 3-quarter length sleeves could be adapted from this pattern by the user. I had a lot of fun making—and now wearing—this sweater, and I hope that you do, too. This is also the same yarn that I used for the Little Joey Kangaroo Hoodie and the Striped Kangaroo Hoodie. I have really come to love this yarn, and one can find lots of great Berroco Yarn information and ideas on the Berroco Blog, too.
For the time being I have made this sweater pattern free. Generally when I release a pattern for free, even despite that my copyright that is included, I find people stealing my pattern and selling it, or selling goods made from my pattern. Upon the discovery that the copyright for this pattern has been violated, it will no longer be free, and I will make it available for sale only. Please don’t steal my pattern. It hurts everyone.
You can check this pattern on ravelry.com for yarn ideas, too
My fashion sketches, in an effort to keep practicing my drawing skills:
SIZING
Regular
XS (S, M) L
FINISHED GARMENT MEASUREMENTS
- Chest Measurement:
31″ (33″, 36″) 39″ - Length of Bodice from Shoulder Tip:
13″ (13″, 14″) 14″
YARN
- Color A, 2 (2, 2) 2 Hanks Berroco Comfort #9736 “Primary Blue”
- Color B, 2 (2, 2) 2 Hanks Berroco Comfort #9734 “Liquorice”
NEEDLES
- US 7 (4.5mm) Straight needles (or Circular based on preference) for Ribbing.
- US 7 (4.5mm) 16″ Circular Needle for Neck Ribbing.
- US 8 (5.0mm) Straight needles or Circular needles based on preference.
GAUGE
- 18 stitches and 26 rows equals 4×4″
NOTIONS
- Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends.
- 1 Stitch Marker
ABBREVIATIONS
- STS Stitches
- CO Cast On
- K Knit
- P Purl
- K2TOG TOG Knit 2 stitches together
- SSK Slip Slip Knit
- P2TOG Purl 2 Together
- KFTB Knit Front to Back
- SSP Slip Slip Purl
- PM Place Marker, Indicates beginning of round
- Pick-Up Pick Up stitches,
- BO Bind Off
- RS Right Side of garment
- WS Wrong Side of garment
BACK
Each Stripe is made up of 24 (24, 26) 26 rows. Carry the yarn that is not being used up the side, wrapping around the other yarn to secure. While it is not indicated where to switch yarn colors, remember to do it after the specified number of rows.
RIBBING
In Color A, and US 7 (4.5mm) needles CO 62(66, 74)80 sts. If using circular needle, do not join. Begin K2, P2, Rib Stitch through end of row, RS.
Work 5(5,7)7 more rows even in Rib Stitch pattern ending with a WS row.
BUST SHAPING
On RS, In Color B, with size US 8 (5.0mm) needles, begin Stockinette Stitch, K1, KFTB, K to 3 sts before end of row, KFTB, K1. Work 7 more rows even in Stockinette Stitch, ending with a WS row.
Repeat increase 3 more times.
70(74, 82)88 sts.
Work 4(4,6)6 rows even
ARMHOLE SHAPING
On RS, BO 4 stitches on the beginning of the next 2 rows.
K1, K2TOG, K to 3 sts before end of row, SSK, K1. P on WS.
P1, SSP, P to 3 sts before end of row, P2TOG, P1
Repeat this decrease 1 more time. (Should complete one full stripe.)
On RS, switch to Color A, K1, K2TOG, K to 3 sts before end of row, SSK, K1. P on WS.
P on WS.
Repeat this decrease 2 more times. 48(52, 60)66 sts **
BACK NECKLINE AND SHOULDER SHAPING
Work 18(18, 20)20 more rows even. (Should complete one full stripe.)
Switch to Color B, work 2 rows even.
K 17(17, 22)22 sts. BO 14(18, 16)22, K 17(17, 22)22. P on WS.
K1, K2TOG, K to end.
P to 3 sts before end of row, P2TOG, P1.
K1, K2TOG, K to end. P on WS.
Repeat 2(2, 3)3 more times.
K to across. BO 6(6, 8)8 sts. P 6(6, 8)8.
K to across. BO remaining 6(6, 8)8 sts. Break yarn, leaving and end to weave in.
Return to remaining 17(17, 22)22 sts. Join in yarn on neckline edge. P across on WS.
K to 3 sts before end, SSK, K1.
P1, SSP, P to end.
K to 3 sts before end, SSK, K1. P on WS.
Repeat 2(2, 3)3 more times.
K to across. On WS, BO 6(6, 8)8 sts. P remaining 6(6, 8)8 sts.
K to across. On WS, BO remaining 6(6, 8)8 sts. Break yarn, leaving and end to weave in.
FRONT
Work the Front identically to Back until **
FRONT NECKLINE AND SHOULDER SHAPING
Work 6(6, 8)8 more rows even.
Switch to Color B, work 2 rows even.
K 21(21, 26)26 sts. BO 6(10, 8)14, K 21(21, 26)26. P on WS.
K1, K2TOG, K to end.
P to 3 sts before end of row, P2TOG, P1.
Repeat 1 more times.
K1, K2TOG, K to end. P on WS.
Repeat 1(1, 2)2 more times.
K1, K2TOG, K to end. Work 3 rows even.
Repeat 1 more times.
K1, K2TOG, K to end. Work 8 rows even.
K to across. BO 6(6, 8)8 sts. P 6(6, 8)8.
K to across. BO remaining 6(6, 8)8 sts. Break yarn, leaving and end to weave in.
Return to remaining 21(21, 26)26 sts. Join in yarn on neckline edge. P across on WS.
K to 3 sts before end, SSK, K1.
P1, SSP, P to end.
Repeat 1 more times.
K to 3 sts before end, SSK, K1. P on WS.
Repeat 2(2, 3)3 more times.
K to 3 sts before end, SSK, K1. Work 3 rows even.
Repeat 1 more times.
K to 3 sts before end, SSK, K1. Work 8 rows even.
K to across. On WS, BO 6(6, 8)8 sts. P remaining 6(6, 8)8 sts.
K to across. On WS, BO remaining 6(6, 8)8 sts. Break yarn, leaving and end to weave in.
SLEEVES
Make 2 alike.
Remember, Each Stripe is made up of 24 (24, 26) 26 rows. Carry the yarn that is not being used up the side, wrapping around the other yarn to secure. Except where specifically indicated in the Sleeve Cap, remember to switch the yarn color after the specified number of rows.
SLEEVE CAP SHAPING
In Color B, with size US 8 (5.0mm) needles, CO 6(6, 6)10
Working in Stockinette Stitch, K1, KFTB, K to 3 sts before end of row, KFTB, K2.
P1, PFTB, P to 3 sts before end of row, PFTB, P2.
Repeat previous two increases 2(2, 3)3 more times. 18(18, 22)26 sts.
In Color A, K1, KFTB, K to 3 sts before end of row, KFTB, K2.
P on WS.
Repeat 2(2, 3)3 more times.
K1, KFTB, K to 3 sts before end of row, KFTB, K2. P on WS.
Work 3 rows even.
Repeat 2 more times.
K1, KFTB, K to 3 sts before end of row, KFTB, K2. P on WS.
Repeat 1 more times.
ARMHOLE SHAPING
In Color B, K1, KFTB, K to 3 sts before end of row, KFTB, K2.
P1, PFTB, P to 3 sts before end of row, PFTB, P2.
Repeat 1 more time.
C0 4 sts at the beginning of the next two rows.
50(50, 56)60 sts.
REGULAR LENGTH SLEEVE
Work 12(12, 10)10 more rows even, ending with a WS row.
On next RS row, K1, K2TOG, K to 3 sts before end of row, SSK, K1. Work 11(11,13)13 more rows even.
Repeat 9 more times.
Work 6(6, 0)0 more rows even. 30(30, 36)40 sts.
On RS, In Color B, and US 7 (4.5mm) needles K across. On WS, begin P2, K2 Rib Stitch through end of row.
Work 4(4, 6)6 more rows even.
BO all sts.
REGULAR LENGTH SLEEVE WITH HAND MIT
Work 12(12, 10)10 more rows even, ending with a WS row.
On next RS row, K1, K2TOG, K to 3 sts before end of row, SSK, K1. Work 11(11, 13)13 more rows even.
Repeat 9 more times. 30(30, 36)40 sts.
On next RS row, K1, KFTB, K to 3 sts before end of row, KFTB, K2. Work 5(5, 3)3 rows even.
Repeat 3 more times. 38(38, 44)48 sts.
Work 0(0, 2)2 rows even.
On RS, and US 7 (4.5mm) needles, begin K2, P2 Rib Stitch through end of row. Work 5(5, 7)7 more rows even.
BO all sts.
PETITE LENGTH SLEEVE
Work 10(10, 4)4 more rows even, ending with a WS row.
On next RS row, K1, K2TOG, K to 3 sts before end of row, SSK, K1. Work 9(9, 11)11 more rows even.
Repeat 9 more times.
Work 4(4, 0)0 more rows even. 30(30, 36)40 sts.
On RS, In Color A, and US 7 (4.5mm) needles K across. On WS, begin P2, K2 Rib Stitch through end of row. Work 4(4, 6)6 more rows even.
BO all sts.
PETITE LENGTH SLEEVE WITH HAND MIT
Work 8(8, 4)4 more rows even, ending with a WS row.
On next RS row, K1, K2TOG, K to 3 sts before end of row, SSK, K1. Work 9(9, 11)11 more rows even.
Repeat 9 more times. 30(30, 36)40 sts.
On next RS row, K1, KFTB, K to 3 sts before end of row, KFTB, K2.
Work 5(5, 3)3 rows even.
Repeat 3 more times. 38(38, 44)48 sts.
Work 0(0, 2)2 rows even.
On RS, and US 7 (4.5mm) needles, begin K2, P2 Rib Stitch through end of row. Work 5(5, 7)7 more rows even.
BO all sts.
BUILDING
Sew Front to Back at shoulders and sides, lining up the stripes. Sew each sleeve, then sew Sleeve into Armhole, lining up the stripes. While sewing the sleeves, if the Hand Mit directions have been followed, sew the ribbing sides together, leave an approximate 2 inch opening for the thumb, and continue sewing the sleeve together where the next contrasting stripe begins.
NECKLINE
With RS facing, Color A, and US 7 (4.5mm) 16″ circular needles, working around the back, beginning at where the shoulders are joined:
- Pick-Up 11(11, 13)13 from Back Side Neckline,
- Pick-Up 14(18, 16)22 from Back Side Neckline,
- Pick-Up 11(11, 13)13 from Back Side Neckline,
- Pick-Up 25(25, 27)27 from Front Side Neckline,
- Pick-Up 6(10, 8)14 from Back Side Neckline,
- Pick-Up 25(25, 27)27 from Front Side Neckline,
- PM, Join. 92(100, 104)116 sts.
Begin K2, P2, Rib Stitch through end of round, SM.
Work 5 more rows even.
BO all sts.
FINISHING
Using a tapestry needle weave in all ends. Block as desired, wear and Enjoy!
©2012 Julie LeFrancois. All Rights Reserved.
Please respect copyright law and Do Not Reproduce in any form. Duplication & distribution of this pattern in any form without express permission of the author is a violation of copyright law: You may not make multiple copies of this pattern, reformat it for commercial use or resale, or sell items made from this pattern. Your respect for coypright law allows me to keep bringing you new and interesting designs. Write with feedback or errata via my contact page. Thank you.
Alexander McQueen, Savage Beauty at the Met.
May 25, 2011 § 8 Comments
After returning from spending a fabulous and very busy week in New York, and making two trips to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, I am finally able to find the energy to muse over my adventure, and what an adventure it was. I’ll start with the McQueen bits, and come around to the other bits later.
The first McQueen stop was the boutique in the Meatpacking district. Ramon was too intimidated to go in, but my sister went in with me, and ogled with her eyes, while I groped with my paws.
Please note that the mannequin right next to me is also so excited to be there, that she is falling over.
The dress that Sarah Jessica Parker wore to the Met Gala a few years back with Alexander McQueen as her date:
The second McQueen stop, though, not known at the time, was MOOD on 37th, between 7th and 8th, right around the corner from Parsons, the New School where they film a little show you may have heard about. Three floors of heaven, I quickly became overwhelmed, but stayed for another 45 minutes, my mind, and heart racing. I learned that they still had a few yards of Alexander McQueen silk charmeuse, one of the ones that was out at MOOD in Los Angeles when I went last year. My sister once told me the story of a friend of hers, who went into a two-story Target and found herself, who knows how many hours later, walking around the second floor with a cart full of items. Having no recollection of what the items were, why she had them, or why she needed them, she called her husband for help. His response? “Just back away from the cart … ” I was having one of those moments at Mood. I had to make a trip on Friday to actually purchase fabric. I did buy the McQueen fabric. I think that should go without saying.
And next there was The Met. Closed on Monday, we opted out on Tuesday, as we got off to a late start by trying to get up early, walking 2 miles to Bouchon Bakery for known good coffee—terribly hard to find.
We inadvertently wound up sitting right outside the filming for the Today Show. We walked the two miles back in the rain, then feeling a bit under the weather, needing a nap, we decided to wait on The Met, as it was already noon, and heading off to the New York Public Library—OMG, fucking amazing artifacts on display here—and so Ramon and I went to The Met first thing on Wednesday morning, not long after it opened, before the throngs of locals and tourists would be flooding the gates to avoid the sheeting rain later in the afternoon.
Before the rain, and the crowds, with my Audio Tour in hand/over ear—best $7 spent on the entire trip, other than the admission to the museum—I spent about 3 hours in the exhibit, taking my time in front of each and every piece, sketching, staring, and listening. So many things to think about and so many things learned. Tid-bits and interesting facts interspersed throughout, but in such a way that by the end you actually feel like you could have known him. As if he was the one holding your hand, walking you down the garden path the entire time, and the things you didn’t know you were just too blind to see, because it all became so clear, it is all right in front of you.
Even though I saw countless others taking pictures the entire time, I did my best to remain respectful, but I do shamefully admit that I snapped one—very bad—iPhone picture at the very end of the Gallery. Because my picture really shows, well, nothing, I feel I am not hurting The Met or the Savage Beauty exhibit by posting it, especially because my entire post is so pro go-to-nyc-to-see-this-exhibit-RIGHT-NOW-as-it-is-quite-possibly-the-most-amazing-work-of-modern-art-that-will-be-on-view-to-the-public-for-decades-to-come.
I feel like I am seeing much more of the big picture, which really means that I am asking a lot more questions. I have always looked at McQueen as an artist, who’s medium was garments and fashion, but I now understand that this is much, much deeper than I initially believed. Part of me wonders if he even wanted to create “fashion” at all—fashion that participates in style as opposed to a message, a deeper meaning, something personal, political, loved or feared. I have even started thinking a lot more about other designers, and their goals, as well. McQueen’s work was so personal, and imbued with stories and messages. While at The Met and also at the boutique I read that McQueen wanted the women who wore his garments to feel powerful, a thought from him that I truly feel when I wear something that he created, and often opt for those garments when I need to courage or the power on that particular day. Throughout the exhibit I also heard and read that he didn’t have a specific muse for any of his collections, rather that he imagined powerful women during a time period, but not one woman specifically. Which makes me honestly doubt that he was ever designing for a “specific market,” but creating stories through garments and presentation that women wanted to adopt into their own world as extensions of themselves.
On the way back out airline had Satellite TV, and I started watching a show about a Norwegian base jumper, Karina Hollekim. Fascinating individual, extremely unique personality. An only child with a difficult childhood—a father who didn’t want children, and a mother with a brain injury—she spent all of her free time raising her adrenaline. After thousands of jumps, in 2006 she experienced a parachute failure during a standard skydive, and hit the ground at over 100 km/h. Not only did she survive, but defied the doctors when they said she’d never walk again. In the an interview she says, “It’s ironic how I’ve spent decades of my life trying to be someone special, and now, suddenly, all I want is to be normal.”
I honestly feel like I can say I share some of this feeling, that I have always wanted to be someone special. Going to New York, The Met, and seeing McQueen’s work, I realize that he was a very unique, special breed, and maybe he even shared this feeling. Haunted by his own character, living and breathing only for his work, utterly talented in his craft, and an amazing storyteller, we all know that he was his own demise. And so, maybe it is ok to be “normal,” but this doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t try like hell to be my best. Who knows the stories in my mind yet untold.
Last year, about this time, someone asked me what I wanted to do with my career and also my life. I remember responding, though I spoke without thinking. My own voice sounded otherworldly as it came from a place of truth, but still unknown to me, “I want to tell interesting stories.”
I will end with one final thought: To anyone thinking of going, spend the thousands of dollars it will cost, take out a loan if you have to, this museum special exhibition has changed my life, forever.
