Another Rainbow Vomited

We had a little yarn swap at Rosie's Knitting Circle on Wednesday. Serendipity led me to my new obsession; Noro Silk Garden Lite (thanks, Mindy!)



I've never used Noro, and started brainstorming with the girls on what to make. Inspiration struck in the form of legwarmers. The fact that I had a gift credit card burning a hole in my pocket speeded up the process.

I purchased four additional skeins of Noro in the highest contrasting combinations. I told the girls, "I want it to look like a rainbow threw up on these legwarmers." (Hey, it's not easy being this classy.)

I did a quick conceptual sketch to show you what I'm thinking below. I want them to be on the tighter side, but have generous ribbing on the tops and bottoms.



I did a swatch tonight, and I'm loving this yarn. With my history of rainbow colors, how have I not used this before?!

I may wind the 6 skeins into 12 smaller skeins to enable more variety of color. Anyone have any advice? I'll be doing the legwarmers on circulars using magic loop, so am not too concerned on weaving in the ends. Speak up, my friends! I know you're not shy (wink)!

Two Years

December 16th was two years without my brother, Andrew.



I like to imagine that he is spending his days being a space cowboy, exploring the universe strapped to the top of a comet, and attending happy hour with Martin Luther King Jr, Joey Ramone, Karl Marx, Old Dirty Bastard, and Mozart (whom he said was the first punk rocker).

Life can never be the same without a loved one, but it has to go on. Otherwise, what is the point?

My dad wrote a beautiful tribute to Andrew in his obituary. It summed up the completely unique and original person he was.

I think of him most when I'm drawing, riding the bus, when I try to do the right thing, and when I go out of my comfort zone to do things that may scare me. Andrew is my inspiration to be a better person while I am here, to not care what others think, to help others, give more hugs and to enjoy life.

I love you, kid.

I heart Sulu-Design!

Is there a gal sweeter that Susan of sulu-design? Everyone I talk to loves this lady.

I came home from jury duty yesterday and found a wonderful surprise at my doorstep. She sent me a pair of her gorgeous earrings and a sweet note for the holidays. The wrapping was so cute, and it matched the nonpareils I was eating while opening the package.



I was a customer of hers before I became a huge fan of her blog, photography and sparkling personality (wink). So I am completely unbiased when I say her jewelry is really cute and affordable. Go check her out, you won't be sorry.

I adore my earrings, Susan. Thank you so much!

P.S. Thanks to everyone for your well wishes for my nephew. He was born on Tuesday and mama and baby are doing very well. I also heard he was the cutest boy in the hospital...that may be biased...

Quilting Karma

Brooke is my sister from another mister. We met in the eighth grade when we were just emerging from that extremely dorky stage. I had a fake tooth attached to a retainer that could pop out on command. Brooke had poufy hair and braces.

We bicker like sisters, but she lets me sit on her lap during really scary movies if I promise not to scream. We've been though all the aches and pains of growing up, as well as some of the harder parts of life, too early. I've watched her grow up, and tomorrow, she'll be a mom. I know she's going to be a great one.

There is an old wives tale that babies cannot be born until the handcrafted present is finished. I needed some cute cotton and fast! So on Saturday afternoon, I checked out Cloth and Bobbin at Aimee's recommendation.

I came home with this loot. I must confess, the purple and turquoise toile are for me.



Inspired by the lovely Denise Schmidt, I decided to do five vertical panels full of various sizes of rectangles. The quilting gods must have been cringing as I rotary-cut, eye-balled, approximated and made do, resulting in this:

But after a quick spin with the iron, I had this:



It's not fully completed, but I think getting the top done in one day is enough good crafting karma that Brooke can have her baby safely tomorrow. Adding my civic karma of jury duty today, and I think they will be fine.

Completed Cinnabar Drops Jacket

All of this Malabrigo yarn has finally been cast-on, stitched, seamed and blocked.



To create this pretty little jacket below.



Sidenote: Why am I imitating a crustacean with my "crab claw" pose? I have no idea, but wanted to put this picture in so my mom can get a quick look at the paintings Mike is working on. Check out that cute girl on the painting on the left! (wink)

Although people are calling this the "Bandwagon Jacket", I don't really care if everyone is making it. The reason everyone is making it is because it's an adorable free pattern with wonderful results. Plus, it's nearly instant knitting gratification.

I already wrote up the technical information on my Ravelry page. Look there or feel free to email me with any questions. I'm happy to push this pattern on more people.

Tweedy Tam

I had a ball of Rowan Felted Tweed leftover from my Tyrolean sweater, since I decided not to do the embroidery. It was just the perfect amount for a new hat.

I found a free pattern on Ravelry, called Tweedy Tam by Lydia McNeil. It is such a quick, easy and adorable pattern, I highly recommend it. This tam was finished in under a week.

I wove a doubled strand of thin black elastic on the inside edge. It makes the hat stay on perfectly, and is comfortable even if I put all my hair into the hat.

I decreased the top a bit earlier th an the pattern called for, since I don't like when hats look like teats. (Sorry, I'm from South Florida, we're boob obsessed).

If I were to do it over, I would make it larger. That's not necessarily the patterns fault, though. I don't think I increased enough stitches, and didn't pay attention to the gauge. Please note, the pattern is written well, any mistakes are my fault!

I'm already thinking of making another one with my felted tweed yarn in blue...

Laundry and My Winner

I'm being quiet over here today, but wanted to congratulate Laura for winning my free gift subscription for Domino magazine. I got my braces off on November 16th, and she guessed November 7th.

I did a massive load of laundry today, prompting a neighbor to say, "You moving out, Boo? What's in there, a dead body?" "Two," I replied.



Enjoy a glimpse of my stash until next time...

Pink and Chocolate Brown

Yes, I know this is my fourth pair (I have issues)... But if you saw my friend Ann's little girl, you would want to make them too. Ann is my cool friend / smart ass / interior design mentor, so it's good to keep her happy!



The color combination is sweet. I love chocolate brown and pink for little girls. It's a more sophisticated palette, but not too grown-up.

I went to drop them off today, and her daughter was wearing the sweater I made her! It was pretty rewarding to see the sweater on that cutie-pie. Unfortunately, the booties were too small, so I'm going to keep them on reserve, and whip up some new ones.

Her older daughter is 2-1/2 years old, and says "Sleeping Booty" instead of beauty. I think little kids are so hilarious...

I definately caught the knitting bug this season. I have some Colinette Jitterbug leftover from Cara's beret, I may have to make some small handwarmers for myself. (After I finish my sweater though).

I hope you are all warm and cozy on this snowy weekend.

Well, except for my mom, who was washing her car in the 70 degree weather today. Way to rub it in lady!