Big Apple Knitting

Cat

2006-04-21T20:14:00.000-04:00

This is a little toy I knitted up a few weeks ago for a co-workers son. It was an awesome and easy pattern from the Winter Knitty

This was a really fun knit. I was thrilled to used some leftover yarn I had lying around.

Yes I'm still alive

2006-04-14T10:34:00.000-04:00

Wow I can not believe the last time I posted was just after Thanksgiving. I am bad! In my defense we were having our kitchen remodeled, had a computer virus, and adopted a new cat!

These are my boys

I adopted him from Kitty Kind . A very nice organization that uses space in the Union Square Petco. He is sweet although a little spazzy. Those two full on wrestle; it is hilarious.

To everyone who has emailed me and I haven't responded, I am so sorry. I hadn't checked my email in a while and it go so out of control I had to just delete everything and start over. I have just been so out of the loop lately.

I am feeling revitalized though with the beautiful weather and, while I have not been posting, I have been knitting. I update with some pics this weekend.

Hooray for Spring!

2005-11-27T18:06:00.000-05:00

Hopefully everyone had a very happy Thanksgiving. I had a very yummy and VEGAN one. On Friday my husband and I got up at the crack of dawn to go to IKEA but our living room is finally looking good. The sewing room is also fully functional and I took full advantage of it. I finished seaming up my sweater and I sewed up a new bag for myself.

The sweater is out of Elann's Lara cotton. The pattern is Genoa out of Jaeger's JB16. I'm pretty happy with how it came out. After this photo was taken I washed it by hand and it is currently drying. I hope that the wash will soften up the cotton a bit.

The bag didn't really have a pattern although I used a bag pattern out of one of my Burda magazines as an initial guide. The fabric is a Damask that someone had purchased on vacation and given to me as a gift back in college. I have always loved the fabric but was never sure what to do with it. Some of it was used to make a knitting needle case and the other is now this:

I'm HOME!

2005-11-22T11:47:00.000-05:00

So we are all moved in, not unpacked completely, but in nonetheless. I am loving the new place, even though my commute is a bit longer. I never realized how uncomfortable I was in the small Manahattan apt. I feel so much more relaxed in the new place. I don't feel nearly as frantic and crazed. It's wonderful.

I set up my brand new craft table and have all the pieces of my sweater blocking. I'll be seaming it up and adding the neck band tonight. Wish me luck. I may (gasp) have a FO by the end of the week.

Finally Moving

2005-11-12T21:06:00.000-05:00

I've taken off all of next week to move. I am very excited about it!

Today I finally took pictures of the Mosaics at the 86th Street station (my current stop) on the 6 train.

I promise a FO when I am fully moved in and back online.

A nice detail

My favorite guy

I'm still here

2005-11-07T21:18:00.000-05:00

Next week I'll be moving from Manhattan

to the 'burbs

When I'm settled, I'll be able to resume normal updates. I will have an entire room devoted to sewing/crafting/knitting!!

Bookworm

2005-07-25T14:40:00.000-04:00

Well it's been a while since I last posted. Still waiting calmly for the contract on our house to be signed (what the F**K is taking them so F**king long to sign the G*D D**M thing).

Mainly, though, I've been reading. The book is one I just happen to pick up it has to do with a boy wizard, pretty interesting. Just kidding! It's was an awesome book, I can't wait for the next one.

I have been knitting though, and ripping, and knitting, and ripping again. I'm working on an uninspired sweater out of Jaeger JB18. This one but with no beads. Yeah I'm in rut.

I did just get Anne Modesitt's Corset Pattern, which looks awesome on the couple of people I've seen who've finished it. I may have to set my other project aside in favor of this one.

Other than that, and the extremely TENSE train ride to and from work (where I can now be searched for no apparent reason whatsoever), things are great. Is it me or does going through random people's bags seem completely reactionary (not to mention totally a violation of civil rights) and highly innefective and LAME? I know people here at work are all like, "it's about time". About time?!! Soon they'll be able to enter your house for no reason and if you don't consent that's fine, you'll just be arrested that's all.

House Hunting

2005-07-13T22:26:00.000-04:00

Well things have been nuts around here. My husband and I have been looking at Co-ops. We found one that is absolutely perfect and our offer has been accepted but things are not finalized yet so I'm going to stop talking about that....but if all goes well my pictures will start looking a lot better (read windows and natural light).

I have been getting some knitting done. I am still working on my subway knitting (a sock) and it's going very well. It is the first time I've done a heel not using short rows and I've enjoyed learning a new technique. As for the lunch bag I was working on it is all finished and looks awesome.

I'll be working some more on my dress and hopefully have some progress pics this weekend. I'll also stop procrastinating on my NBaT and finally get the border done with (hopefully!).

NBaT Nearly Complete

2005-07-04T20:42:00.000-04:00

This weekend felt gloriously long and I had a very nice time. We spent Saturday and part of Sunday at my Mom's where I worked on my dress but didn't make enough progress to bother taking pictures. Today we took Andy to the dog run, watched the incredible and I knit.

I was able to basically finish my NBaT, all that remains is the embroidery, which I haven't been able to decide on yet. Now that it's complete I do like how it looks but think the color is a little too close to my skin color. I think that the embroidery will need to be in a bright color and should be at the neckline, as well as on the sleeves and hem. Here's where it is as of now.

I'm seriously at a loss as to what to make next. I browsed all my books and magazines and nothing is speaking to me, so I am making a knit lunch bag based on this cute pattern. It is called The Doggie Bag but I decided to make it a little bigger and use it to take my lunch to work. I am making it out of this gorgeous Malabrigo Yarn I bought (before they sold out and doubled the price).

Should be a quick knit and in the meantime I'll surf other peoples blogs and try to get inspired to make my next sweater.

ASC Burnout

2005-06-28T13:57:00.000-04:00

I am diligently working on my NBaT but I have to say, I really hate All Seasons Cotton. I especially hate the color I am using. The color looks to me like dingy old tshirt. I keep thinking it is actually dirty but I belive it is just my imagination/the color of the yarn. My knitting is also coming out extremely uneven. I hope a little blocking will help. I will keep on though. And hopefully finish this up in time for the 4th of July.

Over the weekend I'll be at my mom's a while to work on sewing my dress for a wedding I am attending in Sept. I'll post some pics of it if I make enough progress.

Felted FO

2005-06-24T11:01:00.000-04:00

Grr I just wrote a whole long story and Blogger didn't save it.

What did I say, um I finished up my Father's Father's day socks and I also finished the Sophie bag for my Step-Grandmother, who I just love. Her birthday is on Saturday and we all went (me, Hubby, and the teddy bear) to NJ to celebrate. She wrote me a note saying how lovely she thought the scarf I made for my step-mom was so I thought she would appreciate a knitted item (plus she used to knit).

I'm really stupid and didn't get a pic of it finished but here it is in progress

Today, Hubby (wonderful man that he is) is going to come with me to check out

http://www.tasteofhealth.org

FOURTH ANNUAL EVENT
vegetarian/vegan nyc festival at lincoln center!!
Sunday, June 26th, 200511am - 7pm
Lincoln Centerin the North PlazaWest 65nd Street & Columbus Ave.New York, NY

Should be fun, I am a total vegetarian (No animal flesh, no dairy, no eggs) so I thought it would be a cool thing to check out. It will have lots of natural food freebies and cooking classes.

I am soo happy that I can finally get back to my selfish knitting and get crackin on NBaT again.

More pics soon.

Father's Day Freak Out

2005-06-15T14:29:00.000-04:00

First of all I'd like to say THANK YOU to everyone who commented. I love it so much when people comment. You are all so nice for taking the time to leave me compliments :)

In other news, I decided I would make my dad socks this year, these socks to be exact. I ordered some Sock it to me collection Esprit, which I just recieved on Wednesday. So I have three nights and one full day to get them done.

I feel like socks are small and so it should be fine, but I also feel like I may be taking on a Harlot sized project (and I don't drink coffee!!) So I temporarily put NBaT on hold. I finished up the back and started on the front. I'm bummed to have to stop because I am a one project kind of gal.

So did I finish? Not quite:

Close but no cigar

Here's a close up of the pattern, although it is a very poor photo

I'll probably finish it by tomorrow and give it to my dad just a couple days late. Then I can get back to my NBaT.

In other news, my grandmother passed away a few weeks ago (my OTHER grandmother believe it or not) and my dad brought me some of her knitting magazines. They are from the 80s and are hilarious. I'll post some pics tomorrow.

Have a good day!

FO and NBaT Progress

2005-06-07T20:22:00.000-04:00

I finally finished my orangina top and I really like it. This is me in the morning yesterday. I wore it to work and got a bunch of compliments on it. The thing that was so strange though was that the pattern called for 6 balls of 4ply cotton but I only used 3?? What's up with that?

The black tank underneath was not as noticeable in person

Since I finished my sweater up I was finally able to start on my nothin' but a Tshirt. I am using Rowan All Season's Cotton and I have to say I really don't like this yarn and doubt I will use it again. It is kind of rough and splity. I am also having a lot of trouble getting even stitches. I just hope it will block out well.

The back

And I decided not to do a ringer t but I think I will be doing some border embroidery. Something out of this book

Decisions Decisions

Besides that I've also started a new pair of socks. I think it would look better in plain yarn but I am committed to using up some of my stash before buying more yarn.

My soon to be subway knitting

Hopefully I'll have more progress to show later this week.

Spinning!

2005-06-01T08:32:00.002-04:00

I recently purchased a spindle kit off of ebay. It is a very cute little spindle that was hand painted. See:

On the underside it has the artist's name and the year

As you can see Andy thought it was very nice as well. I've had it now for a few weeks but had a miserable first attempt. I promptly shoved it back into the bag it came in and wondered what all the fuss was about spinning. So yesterday I was reading blogs and I saw what Sweetgeorgia has been up to and decided to give it another shot.

I was successful this time!! I am so excited. I have a bunch more roving to spin. I am going to spin a bit more then make an attempt at plying. Here's what I managed to get done

Ply me!

In other news the Chanel exhibit was excellent, small, but excellent. We went a second day to see the Max Ernst exhibit. It was awesome! As you can see Dali was very influenced by him. He was also one of the main artists in the DaDa movement.

Regarding the NBaT along, I saw that Theresa of Spelling Tuesday is planning on using All Seasons Cotton for the Nothing but a T-Shirt and I just so happen to have20 balls of that so I thought I would give that a try first. Do a little destashing :)

Yes I DO still knit

2005-05-27T09:03:00.000-04:00

Well I've finally settled back into my routine. I am DYING to start a new project, mainly NBaT, but I am definitley a one project at a time kind of gal. I just cannot start a new project until I've finished the first (socks don't count since they are "subway" knitting).

Orangina is taking me FOREVER to finish. I know some people have said that it "knits itself". Well not for me. I'm more like 4 rows forward 2 rows back. I'm not getting frustrated just bored mainly. My bday is on Sunday and I think my Dad is gonna give me an ebay gift cert. I'm going to use it to get the calmer for NBaT. I don't want to let Nona down :) I think I may do a plain one and then add some embroidery. We'll see though.

Hopefully I'll get some knitting done this weekend and maybe even *gasp* finish my sweater. My knitting was interrupted last night when I found a tick on my dog. Now people, I live on 85th and 3rd in NYC this is the SECOND tick I've found on him. I didn't think there was so much nature in Central Park!!

I'm very excited for my birthday for one reason. I was able to use it to get my husband to go the MET with me to see the Chanel Exhibit. You should all go check it out. Just not on Saturday when I plan on going (I hate crowds) :)

Back to work

2005-05-23T15:33:00.000-04:00

Well I am back in gloomy NYC. I do feel very fotunate to "have to go back" to this city.

We had a fabulous time in Barcelona, after the Friday the 13th bad luck wore off. The first day we were pretty jet lagged but I'm the kind of tourist that makes the most of my time. We dropped our luggage off and were out. We went to the Plaça Cataluna and walked las Ramblas which is where we found this incredible market.

So colorful

How cool are those eggs

Wow

After that we were pretty weary already and so I thought it would be a good idea to get on one of the double decker buses. I always go on those when I visit a city. They are a good way to get your bearings, they usually last like 2-3 hours so if you are exhausted its a nice thing to do to "tour" while sitting down. If it is nice out, like it was, you can get some nice sun and finally the pass is good for the whole day so it is a fun thing to ride at night for the night drive view.

My husband really enjoyed it

ZZZZZ

ZZZZZZ

We also visited the Gaudi house, the Picasso Museum and of course Sagra Familia, the famous Gaudi church, which is still being built. It was amazing

It will look like a forest of tress when it is done

Amazing

My husband really enjoyed the film on it

ZZZZZ

We finally had to say good bye to Barcelona and went to meet my mom in Northern Central Spain, Logroño. The weather was beautiful there and we had a great time as well. My uncle saw my knitting and said that there was some more yarn left over at his office warehouse (they make toilet paper? no idea why there would be yarn..) I, of course, said BRING IT ON.

Well, when my uncle said a little yarn what he really meant was about 10 KILOS of yarn. *Insert Hallelujah song.*

Drool

If that wasn't good enough, my cousin's great danes had puppies and we went to play with them.

They are cute now but will be about 180lbs when full grown

On our last day my husband managed to get his arm stuck in the bench fetching my ball of yarn. For two panicked minutes (his, I was laughing and saying "come on hon, it's a LITTLE funny) he pulled and twisted until his arm finally came out.

It was a great time. Glad to be back

Hola de España

2005-05-18T07:35:00.000-04:00

Hola todas
Ya estoy aqui en Logroño. Hemos pasado muy bien en Barcelona.

Note to self: do NOT travel on Friday the 13th.

Things were going well, we made it to Madrid with no problems, we were about to get on the second flight to Barcelona when we realized we had left out guide book (THE guide book) on the last plane. SUCKED. We bought another one but it paled in comparison. Both of us were depressed as a result but were finally getting over it. We arrived in Barcelona and were waiting for our luggage, and waiting, and waiting....

We ended up over at the lost luggage counter, they had no idea what we were talking about and suggested we look on another claim carriage. Nope! Finally we decided to check the luggage arriving from HELSINKI! There was our luggage. At that point I was just so happy to see it I wasn´t even upset anymore.

From there things improved. We had an awesome time in Barcelona (pics when I get back) and after a 7 hour bus ride arrived here in Logroño and met up with my Mom. Have to run my uncle is on his lunch and will have to get back to work in another hour or two!!

Besos y abrazos

NBaT Knit Along

2005-05-11T14:32:00.000-04:00

I just joined Nona's NBaT (that's Nothin' but a t-shirt, for those not in the know) along. Why? well because it's a damn cool pattern and because if Nona can do it then so can I!

Now the real issue, what design am I going work on the front and what yarn can work as a substitute for Calmer. I can't use Calmer because I don't have any and I can't get any. This would be due to the fact that....

My name is Alana and I'm a yarnaholic, it's been two days since my last stash enhancement.

I'm trying to stay clean for my husband (who needs dental work) and my dog (who needs his pupperoni).

So anyone have any suggestions for substitutions.? Anyone? Bueller?

I'm going to check out the other cool bloggers doing the cool NBaT knit along and see what they used. They probably used calmer cause they have HUGE homes with LOTS of storage *biatches* JUST KIDDING - It's the withdrawal, the mood swings are killer.

I'm thinking something Spain related, in honor of my Momma (she's Spanish) and my upcoming trip (to Spain). Real Madrid Tshirt (that's their star soccer team)? Spanish Flag TShirt? I Heart Spain? Spain is for Lovers? Kiss me I'm Spanish?

I dunno Yellow and Red are not my favorite colors.... Maybe I can work a Picasso TShirt or a Gaudi one!! My head kinda hurts just thinking about those.

Decisions, decisions

Speaking of my trip I am going to Barcelona, home of Katia, on Friday. So in between the Picasso Museum and the Gaudi walking tour I'll be looking for:

Av. Catalunya s/n - Aptdo. 138 08296 Castellbell i el Vilar (Barcelona) - España

I've also established that that there is a Rowan store there too.

Barcelona - OyambrePaul Claris 145. Tel: (34) 93 4872672

Do you think it will be cheaper in Europe? Or will the Euro squash any savings? I plan to find out. Needless to say my husband has not been clued in yet on our little side adventures. He is on a need to know basis. I think he suspects something is up though.

I am bringing my favorite line of guide books Rick Steve's and inside the Spain one it actually gives a Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant in Barcelona WHOOOT!!

I am staying at my cousin's house there and...well.. let's just say he works in Fashion and is super Eurotrash (but in a good way!!!). I don't think I'm going to be comfortable touching anything nevermind making a big mess cooking. Once we meet up with my Mom in Logrono then I'll be fine and can cook for myself.

I can't wait. This will probably be the last post before I go. I'll try to post from my aunt's house but it will me pictureless SNIFF. Don't worry the blog favorite "I went somewhere cool and you didn't" slideshow will be up before you know it :)

But before I go I must show you what arrived in the mail! Annie Modesitt's book Knitting Millinery. It has patterns and instructions for five hats.

Yes that is my lap

I'm going to start with this one

Make me!!

And here is the Endless Summer Collection Lara that I bought. I SWEAR I will use it all. Anyone know what this yarn is a good sub for? I know Sweetgeorgia is using it for her Lucky, what have other people used it for?

I'll be in the filing cabinet at work until there is space for me in my new home.

Ok that's all for now. Wish me luck I'll be flying across the world on FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH

Loop-d-Loop - The good, the bad, and the U-GU-LY

2005-05-11T09:39:00.000-04:00

Ok so I know when I am considering buying a book and a kind, wonderful, generous blogger decides to show some projects and pics I am always so grateful. So, dear reader, here is whole story.

The book is definitely creative, and some projects are downright fabulous (see yesterday's post - LOVE THAT) others induce galic shoulder shrug, and yet others cause my hand to slap my forehead in disbelief.

First the good, these projects look very charming and challenging and I can't wait to work on them. I can see my self wearing these without huge sunglasses and a big hat to protect the innocent.

Now this I like

This is nice but I wonder what it looks like with a tshirt or something underneath

Now these I wont say they are hideous because perhaps they just aren't my style. But honestly this guy's hair-do is enough to make me want to turn the page FAST. I wonder who was the stylist on the photo shoot, so that I can make sure he or she never comes within ten feet of my hair. I'm sorry that's probably mean, but people - this is not an attractive hairstyle for a man. And on a more practical note, it hides the sweater. See I'm not a bitch, I'm just looking out for the sweater.

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful

This woman's hair, I'm not even gonna go there for fear of bad hair karma.... But seriously isn't the look on her face a little intimidating?

I'm gonna get medieval on your ass

Now these are so odd, yet funny. In a few years they will be in Stitchy McYarnpant's Museum of Kitschy Stiches

Nice hammer pants

Huh??

This is hot. I'm going to make one for my husband right now!

Overall thumbs up on the book. I give a book a thumbs up if there are more than two things I would knit and this easily has 4.

In other news, I finally was able to give my Step Mother her mother's day gift. I made her the Airy Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I actually didn't follow the pattern exactly, simply because I wasn't paying attention. I did the lace motif every 5th row instead of every 10th. I think it came out pretty nice and she seemed to like it.

Happy Mother's Day

A new home

2005-05-10T17:50:00.000-04:00

I was previously living over at Typepad but just didin't feel like it was the place for me. Is that even possible in a virtual "location"? Regardless, I never really felt at home; like I hadn't fully moved in. It might have been because I had to pay for it, which goes against my...shall we say thrifty...nature.

Tonight, if I can get World of Warcraft addicted husband off computer for more than 2 minutes, I'll upload pics of the Soleil sweater I just finished and the Orangina I am currently working on.

I'm already feeling better here on my FREE (yay!) weblog. Gotta run for now, hubby is meeting me downstairs...

Hi I was successful in getting him off! Here is the pic of the Soleil sweater. It came out pretty well except for the single crochet edge, which came out ok for the most part but not perfect.

You can see my photographer in the mirror. Thanks honey!

Here's where I am so far on Orangina, or in my case, boringina (thanks to the khaki yarn). To be honest I acutally think this is the perfect color for this frilly girly lace top.

Boringina in Rowan 4ply cotton

On a different note, I just recently got the Loop-d-loop book. There is some very nice stuff in it. One thing I might try is this:

How gorgeous

Is that not the most stunning thing you've ever seen? Ok that may be over doing it but it's damn cute.

When I make it I'll be sure to keep track of it in my nifty new knitting diary

Hi I'm Ms. Apple's knitting diary

How cute is it!!? I love it. The page shown follows my trials and tribulations with Soleil. As you can see it was pretty easy. Cool thing was I got to use some of the unmarked yarn from Spain AND it was a huge ass ball and knit in the round. That means - like NO ends to weave in!!

Well it's pretty late because I was up late watching Agatha Christie's Miss Marple A Murder is Announced. Now before you label me a total dork spinster let me defend myself. First of all the opening credit part has cute animated knitting needles and yarn while the actors names are shown. Second, Miss Marple knits while she solves the crime (see it is a knitting thing - I'm not really THAT lame). Thirdy, this one has the MOST amazing vintage style knits. I drooled over them. You should really try to see it if you can. Stunning knits and just awesome period styled costumes. Ok PBS dork rant over.

Ahh I know I am feeling more at home now that I'm able to let true dorkness come out. Ok I have to go to bed. It took me a half hour to figure out how to get pictures into this post and I have a feeling I'm doing it the hard way.