project: housewarming dish cloths

To start, I have to let everyone know that I have finished the Smarch Lady Sweater! I still need to block it, and sew on the buttons. A long blog entry with photos will be done soon...

In the mean time, I needed to take on a knitting project that was more instant gratification, since the sweater consumed most of my life for the month of March.

I recently signed a lease on a new studio apartment (YAY!) that's in West Logan Square. Thankfully, most everything I own is still in boxes. I started gathering a few things that I've been using, when I noticed the dish cloths I was using in Seattle. While looking at how dingy and worn they were, it dawned on me that I made those when I first moved to Florida. That was back in 2005! I am long overdue for some new, fun dish cloths, and that has become my new project.

I had some left over yarn from when I made my friend Steph some dish cloths this summer, so I picked that up and went to town. I've already completed two, and am half way through the third. I have two other friends that have just moved into new apartments, so I am going to make a few for them as well as a nice housewarming gift :)

Funny story about these dish cloths, it was a friend of the family who did all of our alterations on clothes, curtains, etc (this was way before my days of sewing began...). Whenever she did some work for us, she would give us some hand knit dish cloths as well. So growing up, we always used these cotton, hand knit dish cloths whenever we washed dishes, never woven ones.

When I began to knit in 2004, the first thing my family wanted was for me to figure out how to knit those same dish cloths. The ones everyone had were old and totally falling apart, and new ones were desperately needed. It took me forever to find a pattern online that was the same as the dish cloths we were used to. When I found the pattern, I realized what was so unique and awesome about them: they were knit on the bias.

For those of you that don't know, sewing or knitting anything on the bias automatically allows for more stretch. So the fact that a) these dish cloths were knit, which means they are stretchy to begin with and b) they were knit on the bias means these babies can be pulled in any direction!

I've made so many dish cloths since 2004 it's hard to even throw out a number. I have found that they are the best housewarming gift I can give. And they are a mindless knitting project to pass the time (each cloth takes about 2 hours to complete). I use a size 7 needle, and 100% cotton worsted yarn. The brighter the colors the better! I'm a big fan of the sunflower color way these are made from. The wash is easy- just toss them in the machine with the rest of your cotton clothes. And, in the end, they are completely biodegradable! Yay sustainable living!

playlist: housewarming dish cloths

"train song" - vashti bunyan
"merry land" - hey hey my my
"alone again (naturally)" - gilbert o'sullivan
"another one goes by" - mazarin
"in the summertime" - jesse sykes and the sweet hereafter
"objects of my affection" - peter bjorn & john
"to the sky" - maps
"melody day" - carabou
"let's call it off" - peter bjorn & john
"strange powers" - the magnetic fields


This playlist was actually a list that my friend Hannah made for me back in 2008, when I first moved to Seattle. It's a very laid back mix, and today I needed to listen to some music that was just some nice tunes from a different place and time. The original still lives in my car, and is always put on for those rainy days.

project: dinosaur tail

This past weekend, I was asked by some friends of mine, who run the Tympanic Theater Company, to create a dinosaur tail for them to use in their upcoming production of Ozma and Harriet.

First off, this was the picture I was left to work with:

I'm so thankful that Dan added colored details!

I'm not gonna lie, I kinda just went for it when it comes to not creating a pattern. I knew I wanted a dart at the top waist, to help hold the tail out from the butt. Other than that, I just cut away. It also took 5 bags of fiber fill to hold its shape the way you see it below:


And here is an up close of the dart on the top:


Overall, I'm happy with how it turned out! I might go back to it tomorrow and add some brown cross lines along the yellow bottom to add some depth and texture. I hope it fits the actor well; make sure you come see the the show! It opens March 25th!


Last but not least, a Smarch Lady Sweater update, entitled: LOOK MA! NO NEEDLES!!

I totally finished up the gull lace repeat on the body of the sweater today, and also added the hem border! So excited! I'm about two days behind schedule, but tomorrow I will start on the sleeves. Oh- and I only messed up on the lace repeat 3 times! Woohoo! I like to think that an extra yarn over here or there adds character. Only two weeks to go before the month is over, and it is starting to get warmer out...oh man the pressure to finish this is ON.


playlist: dinosaur tail

"40 day dream" - edward sharpe & the magnetic zeroes
"jeepster" - t.rex
"emblem of the world" - dirty projectors
"collector" - here we go magic
"i live for that look" - dinosaur jr
"nicholas prefers dinosaurs" - ghosts & vodka
"oh my god" - ida maria
"house of the rising sun" - the animals
"salesman at the day of the parade" - rogue wave
"the sporting life" - the decemberists

I thought it would be fun to include some dinosaur themed songs into this playlist. I'm a nerd like that, and I haven't listened to T.Rex or Dinosaur Jr in quite some time!

And for those of you who didn't pick up on this- there is a link posted that will take you directly to the playlist for your listening pleasure!

project: spring skirts

HORRAY FOR SPRING!!

The weather has taken a turn for the awesome! Went on a long walk last nite with Karma, and it felt so nice outside. The sun has been shining, and I even pulled out my Sperrys today! No more snow boots! Woohoo!

First, a Smarch Lady Sweater update! My lace repeat is coming along, although I tend to throw a yarn over into the mix when it's not supposed to be there. There's something that just feel so right about yarn overs...


The goal for this weekend is to finish the body lace repeat and the hem. That way, I can work on the sleeves for next week, and hopefully wear it by the end of the month! I also just finished the second of four skeins! Half way there!

I took my class on a field trip last week to Hancock Fabrics, and found some cotton prints that seemed perfect for some spring skirts!

While shopping at J.Crew last month (you know, when it was 12 degrees outside, yet all of the new spring clothes were out...the clothes we wouldn't be able to wear for another three months...), I took a liking to these simple, high wasted dirndle skirts. They weren't lined, plain cotton fabric, and also $59. This is why we have knock-offs.

So I made myself a couple of plain skirt patterns (this is also me proving to my patternmaking students that there is a reason why they take my class) and got sewing today!




I started with the zebra print, which is actually a charcoal colored strip against a dusty rose background. I had the idea to gather the print, and attach it to a solid (black) yoke. The fabric is pretty thin, and I'm not a fan of synthetic fabrics, so I am using muslin as a lining. It has added fullness to the gathers, but I don't think it will be too much.

I was so all over the place today when sewing this skirt, that I completely forgot to leave the left side open for a zipper. That's on tomorrow's list of things to do: black zipper. It's still too chilly out to wear the skirt during the day, but will be ready for the sun soon!

As far as the blue and red floral print, I made a basic flare skirt pattern to use. Maybe running some red ribbon through the top waist area? Not sure yet. But ideas are brewing!

Oh- all of my skirts also have pockets. I am a firm believer that every woman's skirts or casual dresses should have pockets. That's one thing I do love about Banana Republic and J.Crew designs! They got us gals figured out!


playlist: spring skirts

"ring ring" - sleigh bells
"he was worse than the needle he gave you" - the delta mirror
"the last drop" - the joy formidable
"my life" - jj
"2080" - yeasayer
"titus adronicus" - titus adronicus
"range life" - pavement
"banshee beat" - animal collective
"cheated hearts" - yeah yeah yeahs
"the first eviction notice" - the lawrence arms

project: smarch lady sweater

First, a recap from last nite's triple threat birthday party. Mary and Kayla loved their shirts! At the last minute, I decided to use some silver glitter puff paint to outline the 3 on the back, as well as their monograms on the front. It definitely added the bling I was looking for. I also went through my button stash and found 3 small, colored buttons to place at the top of the 3 on the back (look close- you can see them on the back of Kayla's top!). The shirts received many compliments, and my name was dropped like it was hot...wait...it is hot. Check.




So onto my current project: the Smarch Lady Sweater! The pattern is the February Lady Sweater by Flint Knits.

I named the sweater "Smarch" as a Simpson's reference. Bonus points if you know the episode!

I started the sweater a week ago, only having to rip out 4 rows twice (so...much...math...). I am at the lace repeat from here on down, and so far it is turning out absolutely lovely!

I am using Berroco's Vintage Wool purchased at Loopy Yarns in Chicago. Hands down one of my favorite yarn stores in Chicago, and when my sister gave me a gift certificate from there for my birthday, I decided to treat myself to yarn for a "big" project for myself! Woohoo!

The yarn is a turquoise colorway, and an acrylic/wool/nylon blend. I am hoping to finish this sweater this month, so I can wear it before it gets too warm out! That was a big decision maker when searching for the yarn- a fiber content that was not too heavy for spring. So far, I am very happy with my choice. I think it will look great with some bright yellow or pink tops underneath it!


playlist: smarch lady sweater (lace repeat)

"candy in the kitchen" - blair
"from africa to malaga" - jj
"electric renaissance" - belle and sebastian
"i've got you and you've got me" - new buffalo (broken social scene)
"2006" - hello saferide
"you must be out of your mind" - the magnetic fields
"location" - freelance whales
"let the cool goddess rust away" - clap your hands say yeah
"life magazine" - cold cave
"evil" - interpol
"colouring of pigeons" - the knife

I'm wondering how many playlists will need to be made in order to finish this sweater...

I also listened to episode #204 of This American Life this morning, titled "81 Words." A really great episode; it was on last week's podcast in case you missed it!

Now- back to a gull lace repeat...

project: triple threat birthday shirts

While at girls nite a week back, we were at Three Floyds Brew Pub discussing the plans for Mary and Kayla's birthday bash. Somehow, amongst the details of the evening, I was assigned the task of making the birthday girls shirts to wear for the party.

Damn.

Well, since their birthday is March 3rd, I decided to use that number on their shirts (that number also being the theme of the birthday bash). The original idea was to just print a picture of the ladies onto heat transfer paper, but none of us have a printer that is working that great right now. That and Mary doesn't like to wear white shirts. It's always something.

So plan b:

Using plain jersey shirts, and some leftover jersey cotton fabric, I cut the number 3 out of it. I zig zagged stitched it on (PAIN) and then went back to embroider some color around it. Mary's shirt is the one shown. I also embroidered the letters "M" and "K" on the breast pocket of each (appropriate) shirt.

I am still thinking about adding some little colored buttons or glitter or sequins or something else to them. Although, I really don't know where these shirts will end up after the party, so I don't know how much more time I want to put into them...

Otherwise, I'm pretty happy on how they turned out! That and I get bragging rights at the party. More pictures to come!


playlist: triple threat birthday shirts

"blue flower/blue flame" - destroyer
"hang them all" - tapes n' tapes
"star of wonder/none shall pass" - tor/sufjan stevens
"walls" - shout out louds
"tell me now so i know" - holly golightly
"lady luck" - richard swift
"walking on a dream" - empire of the sun
"reservoir park" - the dutchess and the duke
"good girl/carrots" - panda bear