Yarn Crawl

New Knitty is UP!

I really like a few of the new top-down summer top patterns in the new Knitty posted today.

My favorite is Gemini. I think it's ok for me to repost pics here as I'm also linking to the page where the pattern and source pics can be found.

In Process Knitting Projects

In some sort of record (at least for a while) I am blogging two days in a row. In some other kind of record, I'm finally showing some in-process knitting projects. I must be getting back to normal. For so long, I just had no motivation to do anything because my energy was just completely sapped. I even have started up a new urban incarnation of the KIB later this month!!! I'm really excited about that, and about talking to everyone again.

So enough blablabla yadayadayada. Let's get to the knitting.

First up, Mary Jane (a Zephyr Style design that I started back in November with some Madelinetosh DK.) I actually finished this some time last month and didn't like the puffy sleeves on me, so I am reknitting them. I have the 1st one in process of reknitting and have not unwound the second one yet.

Whole sweater view:

close up of the neckline and subtle variegation of the yarn

First sleeve in process, that I am reknitting

As originally knit (cute, but not suited to me)

and my new knitting project, Eyelet Cardigan, a knit along of sorts that I started with my friend Carrie before I left for Cancun. The pattern is another one from Custom Knits 2 from my BFF Wendy B, and I'm making it in Cascade Pima Tencel.

It feels good to be blogging again, and I really like using my iPad to do it! I was able to upload my pictures quickly via the adapter thing I bought, type the whole post using the wireless keyboard and quickly copy and paste code from Flickr into the post. All while listening to my music collection on iCloud on my Apple TV. I've been assimilated.

Two Finished Projects

I got my tripod set up in my living room now, and I also am using my little USB converter thingie for my iPad to upload pics. AND - I don't leave my house til just before 8 in the morning now, so I have a.m. sunlight for picture taking. So I am moving slowly toward regular blogging again.

I was pretty much all about "distraction" and "diversion" over the past two months since I've been on my own, and contrary to some people's opinions that it has been all "fun and games" it really has also been a lot of not so fun stuff that goes along with the ending of a sixteen year relationship. It's overall the right thing for me (and I would assert, for both of us), but it still is not all hearts and flowers all the time. Especially when you're not going right into another relationship, which is new to me as I've always jumped from one relationship to the next.

But anyway, enough about my life drama. Suffice it to say that I am feeling good and enjoying my own company, and trying to get back to/figure out what is (my) "normal". As my dad put it, figuring out "What does Robin want?", as opposed to what everyone else wants. I woke up yesterday with a realization that even if I'm never seriously with anyone again (doubtful) I still am happier to be on my own, and that realization helped me see that I am moving on and healing. Even if it's your decision, you still have to heal.

And we're back...

New hat I decided to knit from Wendy B's Custom Knits 2 book, from some leftover Miss Babs yarn in "Roasted Pumpkin":

Pattern: Lemon Drop, by Wendy Bernard
Size: Medium
Yarn: Miss Babs Yowza in "Roasted Pumpkin"

I also sewed two dresses using a new New Look pattern I got recently (yet another benefit of living in the city is that there's no JoAnn's or Hancock's nearby, so I do not add to my pattern stash that frequently anymore.) I do still buy New Look and Kwik Sew patterns online though.

Here's the pattern - New Look 6098

and one of the two dresses I made with it this weekend.

(goofy look on my face, but you can ignore that part)

(noticed that my hair is getting crazy long in back)

Modifications - cut the smallest size at the shoulders and still had to take out 5/8" off the top shoulder seam on each of the front and back pattern pieces on this version. I did this through serging off another 5/8" on the shoulder/sleeve seams on the first version (which is wearable but doesn't fit quite as well) and then adjusting the pattern tissue. I also shortened the skirt pieces by 4".

So aside from a super fun tamale-making class with my friends Tina, Carrie and Kevin, that was my weekend! How was yours?