What's on the Needles

So my goal for the summer is to knit entirely from my stash and it looks like it is an entirely obtainable goal. These two new projects have been waiting to happen for a while and I have at least one more sweater after these. It feels really good to be able to just keep shrinking the stash and not spend money. Although it feels more like a dent than actual shrinking, if I can complete these two, plus a couple more by semptember, I will be totally hyped.

First up is some lovely Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock Yarn in Daffodil. Going back a few monthes, I used Grumperina's Jaywalker sock pattern, thinking the gauge dif was minimal, wrong. the sock was so small, I couldn't fit my foot in at all. Didn't even bother taking a picture, just frogged and decided to try a toe up pattern. It's one of those techniques that are on my list to try. So when I found Eunny Jung's entrelac sock pattern, I thought "Great! Toe Up and entrelac looks great with self painted yarn!" And it did turn out beautifully:

What you can't really tell from this pic is how extremely TIGHT it was around the heel. I was in fear of rippage. Turns out entrelac is a very UN-stretchy fabric and this yarn is VERY un-stretchy as well, so a VERY BAD fit together. Plus I hated the feeling of the entrelac on the soles

of my feet. Too much texture. So this was frogged as well and now...

Here is THE PERFECT pattern for this yarn, another by Grumperina. Lots of ribbing to help with the stretch factor and smooth bottom to soothe my feet. Helps that it is written for Lorna's Laces sock yarn. Ahhh. Can't wait to finish number two, so I can reveal how cute they are. Another project to make me long for cooler days.

But on to a more summery Bamboo yarn. I bought it on ebay and have no idea what country it is from or what anything on the label says, but it is very silky and stringy; is easily split, but drapes beautifully. I was disappointed that the seller's "peacock" was actually navy blue, but that's what I get for buying yarn online with no return option.

So I had been putting off putting it to use, but the time has come and I went in search of a suitable summer cardigan. Something with a lot of drape and not too much stitch detail, as navy blue is not the best color for showing off such details.

This pattern is very simple and I like the idea of trying my hand at making a collared top so it wins. I am going to alter it by making it a 3/4 sleeve, becuase I have enough yarn, I think. And also no sticking out french cuffs for me, mine will lie flat. I am also making mine with an inch positive ease, this model have 1.5 NEGATIVE ease, hence the slightly unattractive pulling at the bust. So the navy will make it slightly more dressy, could be worn business casual, and would also fit over a button up during the winter. Now I must go knit, or will never shrink my stash. But I leave you with Rawson.

Birdies, Kitties and Booties

No not a nursery rhyme, but my latest finished objects. Here we have my new knitting pouch. Having lost my old one, with my fishing reel tape measure and tiny calculator was SO sad, I needed to make my new one something that would make me smile everytime I use it. So we start with a strawberry red and one of my favorite stitch patterns:


Little Birdies! At least that's what I call them. They are most often featured on children's clothing, but I would love a cardigan matching this beautiful pouch.

And check out the inside. I added little pocket for my sewing needles and another for my knitting cards. It is the perfect size, not too big so as to take up extra space, but big enough for small balls of yarn and extra needles. Now I just need to get another little calculator, cause you never know when you may need to do some maths.

Now these booties are especially special because they are for the unborn babe of Tracy and Marcus, who were our Roselinde and Orlando in As You Like It. It is determinded that they baby was conceived during tech, how they found the energy, I'll never know. But this is not only special because we were around at time of conception, but because Tracy thought she couldn't have children. So we are all totally hyped for her, not even because we also witnessed her first three monthes, but because it is an unexpected blessing. Now that she's on her fifth month, and she found out it's a boy, it was time for me to knit up some booties to celebrate. They are tiny tiny. Not sure they will fit even newborn, but they are too cute.

And lastly KITTIES!!! I love this, as does everyone else who sees it. It is based on the Colette Pullover by Veronik Avery from Interweave Winter 2007 issue. Obviously this one has no sleeves, because I didn't have enough yarn. But my gauge was also different, so I just used the stitch pattern and pic as a guide and did my own thing. But the stitch pattern makes it, so thank you Veronik, I love these kitties. And it's not creepy because I don't own any. whew. I had a few moments while making it when I felt like a cat lady, I just loved watching them grow and multiply. Every time a new row of them was finished I would make them sing, "meow, meeooow, meow!"

Okay showing a whole new level of crazy, but I can blame this one on the boss man. David came up with the singing cats during As You Like It. It was a semi-musical and had lots of tunes that stuck in you head, to conteract, or just entertain us David started singing along to transition music it a cat voice. It makes every thing more fun. So now we do it all the time. Mostly on headset, not in public. I even found him a meowing cat card for his birthday. Yes theatre people are strange, but actually after a while, it's really freeing because these people appreciate the little bit of crazy in everyone! Come join the theatre, and let your crazy free!

Back to the cute sweater, Love it. Must find long sleeve shirt that will go well under it. Too warm to wear right now anyway. almost makes me wish for fall.

So now I have two new things on the needles, but more about them tomarrow.

Fire up the Grill!

Oh Boy, Oh Boy! Sunday we only had a matinee and we were extremely lucky to have the costume designer, Nan, invite us over for a meal off the grill. yum yum. The salad is from her garden, check out the georgeousness:

Here is Nan showing her veg garden to Jane and Jane's man friend, Bill. Nan's house is a beauty in Evanston. They have done amazing work on it and the yard is my favorite part.

Check out this patio, made from cross-cuts of a tree (among other things) that fell down in recent years. That's Nan's son Peter getting a fire ready and David and Roxy watching.



This is a great time to introduce to to the other members of the crew. From the left, this is Jane, our worldly Wardrobe Mistress. She's a real spitfire, a ball of energy. She has done many things in her life, including a chorus girl in Las Vagas, but we are so glad that she is working with us now. Next is Shannon, she's David's Assistant and his eyes and ears backstage. She takes care of all the props and goings on wonderfully. She has a beautiful singing voice and sometimes still thinks about being the chorus for the opera. Both of these chicks knit and that has been a great bonding point for us. Sharing advise and ideas is a great bonus to working with them. Lastly David, our Stage Manager. For me he is like and on site manager, not ultimately who hires or fires me, but he gives me my daily marching orders. He's quite the task master, but once you get used to his sense of humor, it is fun working with him. And you can always count on David for fashion advise (whether you like it or not) as well as many other things. I will be eternally grateful for him introducing me to Cook's Illustrated and will miss our headset conversations. All three of them are great co-worker and I can't believe that I will have to leave them behind. But thank goodness for evening like this when we can truly enjoy eachother's conversation and company. Thanks Nan!

Ah Nan, a great designer, here with my husband Mike.

And she has such a handsome son, Peter.

Who was very nice and kept me supplied in Blue Moons.

We continued our delightful evening with a mexican chocolate torte. yum yum. You can almost make out the remains there on the table.
Here is Laurie, Nan's husband, and Bill, Jane's man. Laurie plays sax for the CSO, very cool. Bill is a Computer secruity guy.

We kept on until well past dark, talking, laughing, eating and drinking. It was a great night and I'm glad we were able to have an evening, just the crew, before the end of this show and my time with writers theatre. Hanging out like this with cool people is the best part of my job. Even at the theatre before and after shows, when we are all hanging out is what I look forward to. My reason for going to work

**Had my interview at Paper Source, but I won't hear if they can use me for a week or two. Here's hoping.

Time to Get it Together

STOP THE PRESSES!!!! I was all set to show the great knitting I finished in the past couple days and talk about my coworkers and the cookout we went to last night when...

...the call came in, and I'm up for an interview morning after tomarrow! I had dropped off my resume exactly two weeks ago, and of course those were the two weeks that the manager was out of town...but she called me and seems excited to interview as soon as she can, even going so far as asking me to come in before the store opens Wednesday to get it in as soon as possible. Yipppeee!

Because this is IT, the wonderous Armitage Paper Source, where I have been wanting to work for four years. Oh please do not let this new dream lover of a job stay that, I'm ready to leave behind the needy theatre and find a new true love job.

The best part, and scariest, is that she asked me to bring in sample of my paper arts. I Am So Excited and Had to Look Through Everything Now! Hence posponing showing my fabulous finished knitting and new WIPs. And can you blame me look at this selection of works, just as luscious and inspiring as my knitting and yet so much easier to share because, although tastes still differ, one size fits all.

So what to bring, or really, how much is too much? I need to demonstrate all the skills listed in my resume:

using paper source products, not only papers, but kits like my planner

stamping

gocco (an awesome silk screen printer)

embossing

making paper

designing cards and invites

scrapbooking which includes using paper creatively, grommitting, distressing ect ect.

I'll probably take most of it, for a decent variety, cause honestly, I have made even more than this, but they are things I give away, not keep. Never knew people would want to look at them. Now I feel like a dope, but my life is so cluttered with things waiting to get made, it's hard for me to keep all this stuff around. Oh well, I think there is plenty.

The hardest part is picking a scrapbook. I have four, wedding, knitting and two life. Well it's really between to two life ones. I just pulled out my invite from the wedding one, and the knitting one really doesn't show much skill. I might just bring both, they are just so HUGE. I am going to through and mark pages that use paper source products especially well and see what I got in each.

Here are things I've made with the gocco, how cool are these. Everytime I use it I get better. I love how even though it is the same image, each print is slightly different, even if it's from opperator error, it's still cool.

Oh I just realized one of my FO's made it into the big group shot, that red pouch in the bottom right corner-ish is my new knitting pouch, which has it's very own business card pocket...

...more on that next time.

TO THE BEACH!

Finally a good way to spend the intermindable amount of time between a wednesday matinee and evening performance. Two and a half hours can really drag on when you have no where to go, but the beach at glencoe made the perfect escape. Here's how you do it:

First off, you need cool shades to come the the beach with us, y'all!

Then, you have to stop and get (or bring along) some yummy dinner to enjoy at they scattered picnic table. Doesn't Kipp's fried chicken sandwich look delish?!?

Now you are ready to wade. Start out slow, because even after a couple of almost 80's days, Lake Michigan can be chilly. But it sure is lovely and the sun, sand and water is so calming.

When you get used to it, go in as far as you can, without getting your only shorts wet. Undoubtably a wave will still come along and soak you anyway, like it did to Chris here, hey nice legs, by the way.

Now it's time to go lay or play in the sand to dry off. Or if you are Rawson, the sit and spin.

We ended up just sitting and watching the kids go wild. Wish I had gotten a picture of the banshee girls playing in the sit and spin, their long dark hair spun wildly around them, until they didn't look like little girls any more, but hairy things. And they would spin and spin and then get out and stagger drunkenly and fall and then try and climb the jungle gym. oh so funny.

There were also more wild little boys throwing rocks down the slide, i mean takes two hand to carry boulders. Just hope your friend jumps out of the way, yikes!

What fun. I was cursing myself for forgetting my camera, but thank goodness for cell phone pics.

The only downer was when we remember that we don't have margheritas and more fun waiting but more work. Oh well, it sure made the day go by a little easier. Was so glad to catch a ride home on the good old metra...

The train way packed on the way home, but sometimes that's fun too. Especially sharing tunes with Rawson. Thanks for the cute pic Laura.

Love this Cast: Part I

This is the first show at Writer's Theatre to have supernumeraries (I hope I spelled that right). Or understudies that fill out the stage. Our brilliant director, Rick Snyder, knew he wanted more than just the written cast in the show. He wanted to have servants moving in and out, making the play seem less isolated. So he enlisted the three non-equity(not in the actor's union) understudies to be in the show as well as understudy. Turns out it was a good thing becuase the scene changes are a bitch. There is no way the one stage hand, Shannon, could have done it all. I will try and get pics of some of what they actually do in the show later, but for now, I just want to bask in their funness.

Here are Kipp and Rawson (LtoR). Rocking out to accapella "Eye of the Tiger" on my ipod.

Kipp works on the tour boats dowtown, which fits him so well. He has a great, deep, southern drawl, but is amazingly good at many accents, which makes him a great story teller. My fav so far is the train conductor that got hit in the eye with an umbrella "Some jackoff just poked me in the eye with his umbrella!"

Rawson has his day job at Second City Box Office. A great gig for him, especially the cute interns. He is one of THE funniest people I have had the pleasure of hanging out with. And is intensely proud to be Canadian, not American, even though he has lived here for 11 years. We try not to give him a hard time about it, he's just patriotic for his own country.

And this is Tiffany. She is especially good at mocking the sounds of odd things, dogs, bells, brakes. It's HILARIOUS. Her and Rawson are a comedic duo, I love being around when they get going. Especially when they start imitating "Bringing Up Baby" which Rawson just recently watched. "What's in the box David?" sends me into fits of giggles everytime.

We were all very excited this past week when Kipp got to go on! Chris's brother was getting married suddenly and off he went to Hawaii, and Kipp took over. Here he is in Chris's costume, backstage. It's a little long on him because Chris is a VERY tall guy, but luckily, it was okay with the period of the play. He did an amazing job, love that accent. He was especially glad to get to trim back the beard and hair from slave length to a more princely look.

This is a run for birthdays, we've already had three and have three more! insane. Shannon made Tiffany carrot cake cupcakes. It's all so cute, the girl, the candles, the cakes. awww.
I especially loved when she did jazz hands while we sang "happy birthday" to her. what a hamm.

We always have such a good time at the theatre. Everyone gets a long and make eachother laugh. It makes going to work so easy, something to look forward to, not dread.

But even so, the highlight of my night is going home. Mostly because it means a train or car ride home with these guys. It changes every night, sometimes we sit together, sometimes we don't. If we do we are endlessly entertained. If not just good conversation, Rawson can always be counted on to step it up a notch:

This started with him lamenting his LONG and voluminous hair.

Finding new use for my knitting, as a knight's cowl.

Yeah, he's a bit of a camera whore, but I just count myself lucky that I can be there to witness the gooffiness. But sometimes I wonder how long my luck will last...

Well at least I don't have to have a beard. (Kipp is itchy, but Michael Fagan, I'll cal him Fagan, is not)

I'm just going to enjoy it while it lasts.

Oh and my Knitting...

This is what I have been working on for the past few weeks, it's a commission for a special girl's birthday, so I can't tell you who it's for, but it is my own design. Made with Knit Pick's Main Line in...I think Harbor View is the color name, on size 6 needles. I am very pleased with the result. He had seen me making a sweater for another commission and said, that would be perfect for her b-day! So I did a variation on that sweater. The fact that her birthday is in the middle of july was overlooked when we decided on this sweater, but I hope she likes it regardless.

In the past week I have managed to lose my knitting pouch. In it i keep essentials, like my tape measure, little scissors, yarn needle, markers, cabling needles, the perfect size crochet hook for weaving in ends, stitch holders, ect. I knit the outside, my first cabling project and sewed in a lining and zipper. It was also the first thing I sewed on my sewing machine. So in addition to all the notions (I do have a couple back ups lying around) it had a certain amount of sentimental value, even though it wasn't the prettiest thing.

So if I'm going to make a new one it better be cute. I have a littel crush on this "little birds" stitch, and like that this strawberry red mercenized cotton is a complete turn around from my blue acryllic pouch. I had the yarn in my stash, just one ball because I liked it but wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it. Not sure if the stitch is ideal for such a high use item, but it will be adorable. Might have to follow it up with a matching cardi, how silly would that be!?! I just truly love this.

Been at this one a bit longer, I'm up the armholes. This being my first foray into steeks, it's pretty exciting. I'm not sure how I will reinforce because although it is a "hand wash" merino, it doesn't seek very grabby. I may only hand sew, machine stitching would make be feel more secure. But I know that you can end up with puckering with machine stitching. hmmm.

The pattern is from Interweave mag. Been loving it for a while, so even though I don't have enough yarn to do the whole thing (this yarn in discontinued), I'm just going to do it as a vest. Very sporty.

Lastly this is a lace scarf out of knit pick's alpaca cloud in tide pool. I doubled the yarn and am working on size 5 neeldes. This is a long term project, it was a sweater I frogged halfway through. Which had taken me a little over a year to do (on and off and off) and just wasn't going well. So now it's a sure thing for this yarn, even if it will prob take me another year to knit it.

Here's a close up of the stitch pattern, which was taken from some random place. i love it. like berries, or polka dots or something. It only took a few days to memorize the stitch pattern. even better.

If you hadn't noticed a big goal for me this summer is to knit from my stash. I want to decrease it majorly before moving day in September. So all those someday projects are moving on up the line.