tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-917772120279952002024-03-07T00:03:17.337-05:00Tante J's Adventures in Knitting(and maybe some other stuff)Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.comBlogger377125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-12727928201859060532011-02-01T12:11:00.005-05:002011-02-01T12:35:24.052-05:00Oh, Sweet StartitusIt must be the weather. I mean, here I was feeling very self righteous about my knitting monogamy, and wham. I NEED to start something new. Something different. SOMETHING. Maybe it's the sleeves. I seemed to be jammed on most of my WiPs at the sleeves. <div><br /></div><div>My gorgeous <a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/pa6h3" target="_new">On Golden Pond</a> is moving slowly because the gorgeous Sundara FSM is just too slippery for me at the moment. That, combined with the necessary alternation of hanks, is making this move way, way too slowly. It should be done by now. Really.</div><div><br /></div><div>And <a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/hher2" target="_new">Vaila</a>? Well, guess what. With only a few more rows of ribbing at the bottom, it will be on to the sleeves. More alternating. And sleeves.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then there is poor, poor <a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/j8cgn" target="_new">Alene's Wrap</a>. Sitting there, unattended because it feels like a scarf! I had the opportunity to do a new test knit for <a href="http://babycocktails.blogspot.com/" target="_new">Baby Cocktails</a> yesterday. And I declined. Declined. Because it was a scarf. I feel bad, but not too bad because she had enough testers signed up in less then 3 hours.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, since ripping back on <a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/bgrbo" target="_new">Dark & Gothic</a> yesterday, I've made very little progress. It seems that it's not only sleeves holding me back. Ribbing isn't talking to me at the moment either.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, funnily enough, my small, travelling companion of the moment is a sleeve. I know. (I'm into irony.) My unofficial WiP is the <a href="http://www.knitscene.com/issue/winter-2011/solveig-yoke.asp" target="_new">Solveig Yoke </a>by Elinor Brown. For a change, this is a bottom up, yoke pattern (like <a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/wctgp" target="_new">Paper Dolls</a>, knit for Miss T last winter.) It starts with sleeves, then the body, and then is joined together at the underarm and followed by a patterned yoke. This will be (ok, is) my first KnitScene knit. So far, no one on Ravelry has started. I so don't want to be the one to catch the mistakes and beg for errata!</div><div><br /></div><div>And so what did I do? Why get sucked into Cecily Glowick MacDonald's newest design. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jetty" target="_new">Jetty</a>. And I have the perfect yarn. In the stash! So I cast on. Hey, just a few stitches until the feeling passed. And there are no sleeves. So when it goes, it should go quickly! <a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/za2p3" target="_new">Idlewood </a>only took 9 days. Without me being monomagous!</div>Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-68507072464138644862011-01-31T19:17:00.002-05:002011-01-31T19:52:39.284-05:001 Step Forward, 10 Steps BackToday has been very productive. I spent the morning ripping back. Yep. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">RIPPING BACK!</span><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span>Saturday night I slipped on my <a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/bgrbo" target="_new">Dark & Gothic</a> and went to my neighbor's to hear Havdalah. I'm very lucky to have Amazing Neighbors. But when Mrs. Amazing Neighbor kept trying to tug the collar into place and Mr. Amazing Neighbor commented that though he usually loves my knits, the buttons just weren't working for him, I knew the time had come to rip. I didn't, however, anticipate the brilliant move of pulling out the bottom bind off instead of the shawl collar, nor the disaster that would ensue.</span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwyHNm7VfSWqhswPzRbjj2AIbLZC_wilsxHoxvjklpXGZBr7cWdz9mPn5OFqc0yOiQ-jXpwsuhw3gyDqNe_uJFM4c8GCQThQUiJ1x1iNC3uIGLDP_g060urY63PMYpTQ7MQkSF3x1bUo/s1600/IMG_0463.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwyHNm7VfSWqhswPzRbjj2AIbLZC_wilsxHoxvjklpXGZBr7cWdz9mPn5OFqc0yOiQ-jXpwsuhw3gyDqNe_uJFM4c8GCQThQUiJ1x1iNC3uIGLDP_g060urY63PMYpTQ7MQkSF3x1bUo/s400/IMG_0463.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568447817739261410" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">Old photo, just to jog your memory</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>So now there are about three or four rows to be reworked on the bottom as well as picking up the stitches and reknitting the collar. And truth be told, I wasn't thrilled with my button holes. But the potential for this sweater is astounding. I love the cut, the colorway, the cables, the collar (count all the 'c's)! There is no reason for this not be perfect. So while I continue to hunt down the perfect buttons, some a'fixin' will be going on.<div><br /></div><div>In other ripping news, I'm making my way down this top down conversion of <a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/hher2" target="_new">Vaila</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>The neck is a decadent cowl, taking up an entire hank,</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWGI5rnlx5HsvUoWL9neCzSJLgFYWNwirbLxH1HDyPl28NOTa9-HpDB2QBK1SyhrDTSKiV9GzQB_5AHarvV0Bu4vu6P9DMjjcf5tepyDolrUbE8-h7JnnBWJINpyIptgSjWyM_9Rk-Fg/s1600/IMG_0515.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWGI5rnlx5HsvUoWL9neCzSJLgFYWNwirbLxH1HDyPl28NOTa9-HpDB2QBK1SyhrDTSKiV9GzQB_5AHarvV0Bu4vu6P9DMjjcf5tepyDolrUbE8-h7JnnBWJINpyIptgSjWyM_9Rk-Fg/s400/IMG_0515.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568447812143968450" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">it will look more "cowly" after blocking!</span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></i></div><div>and then extends into a Raglan sleeved sweater.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenjqaSMEyHFEHRJQTPULwozY-2fJOPTPDV4C7tulroZ1peUnXZ43SrBItww0SKZMsWmkxZvaf2oTw6sJNFRm1Z5ZpuRWk1pLfnpqLBudmhdersW8W4zuC6aV-l90MI51IU41WQ5dA9I0/s1600/IMG_0518.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenjqaSMEyHFEHRJQTPULwozY-2fJOPTPDV4C7tulroZ1peUnXZ43SrBItww0SKZMsWmkxZvaf2oTw6sJNFRm1Z5ZpuRWk1pLfnpqLBudmhdersW8W4zuC6aV-l90MI51IU41WQ5dA9I0/s400/IMG_0518.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568447808723418482" /></a><br /></div><div>A lace panel runs down the front (I omitted the back panel in the name of short-rows)</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Rx085fdg6k8wNGnzWcA2dsy2GCq9NmpBpIqANYB_uVVeB0D41k4vNoA422YVbXcp-iTzxVnzQPIS8imsSVFV13F8mU8UlS3UP6owka51y31eKGpBAGKSOaP0Od4Vip7qU9850bNemao/s1600/IMG_0522.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Rx085fdg6k8wNGnzWcA2dsy2GCq9NmpBpIqANYB_uVVeB0D41k4vNoA422YVbXcp-iTzxVnzQPIS8imsSVFV13F8mU8UlS3UP6owka51y31eKGpBAGKSOaP0Od4Vip7qU9850bNemao/s400/IMG_0522.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568447804858012402" /></a></div></div>and right there at the bottom, can you see it, I brought in two new hanks about 12 rows up from the bottom and they started striping. Striping! So I ripped back and subbed in two other hanks and I think we're ok now. This gave me time to consider how long I want this sweater to be. We have learned from experience that without any hips, a longer length is not flattering. The ribbing on this is 5" which is a lot of ribbing so I decided to end the patterned section at the very end of that 6th repeat. I'll be switching to the larger needle size now to do the ribbing, then it's on to the arms.<div><br /></div><div>Vaila by Gudrun Johnston</div><div>from the <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/collection/index.php/component/content/article/60-winter-2008-patterns/130-vaila-by-gudrun-johnston" target="_new">Twist Collective</a></div><div>Yarn: Madelinetosh Worsted MCN 80/10/10</div><div>Colorway: Nebula</div><div>Needles: 5.0 & 5.5 mm (US 8 & 9)</div><div>Mods: Top Down conversion, fitted to my body instead of A-Line</div><div>Interesting note: Unlike many designers, Gudrun uses a larger size needle for her ribbing, rather than a smaller one. I first saw this in my <a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/lr4vf" target="_new">Dahlia in Unst</a>.</div>Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-55581612992651974182011-01-30T19:22:00.003-05:002011-01-30T19:38:03.118-05:00What's on Your iPod?My latest song obsession is Adele's <span style="font-weight:bold;">Rolling in the Deep:</span><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span><b><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rYEDA3JcQqw" frameborder="0"></iframe></b></span></div><br /><br />I'm embarrassed to say I only just heard of Adele this weekend, but I immediately downloaded her first album, <span style="font-weight:bold;">19</span>, recorded when, you guessed it, she was 19. Rolling in the Deep is the first single release from Adele's upcoming album, <span style="font-weight:bold;">21</span>. It's release date is Feb. 22 and I can't wait!Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-80480768599850108162011-01-24T09:34:00.008-05:002011-01-31T20:02:46.426-05:00Something Old, Something NewNow don't go getting any ideas. The post title refers to sweaters, nothing else, even if one of them is blue.<br /><br />Prelude:<br />Last January, a year ago already, I set out to make my first top down sweater. In fact, it was only my third adult sweater. Number one had been <a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/lyjrd" target="_new">Arietta</a>, whose color scheme I adore even today, but whose boxy fit was never going to work even if she and I were the same size. Next came <a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/7lq37" target="_new">Twist & Shout</a> who taught me that single ply, not tightly knit, becomes one big pill before you even get to wear it. Also, unlike commercial clothing, you pay for your size and I wasn't about to spend the money or time to make another sweater is a plus size. And so I let go of being a sweater knitter and focused on accessories. You know all about them, because I cataloged them here.<br /><br />And then a funny thing happened. I started moving towards not being a plus size and I decided the time had come to try my hand at sweaters again. (To be fair, there was a vest in there too!)<br /><br />The Old:<br />And so one year ago, I cast on for <a href="http://www.stitchdiva.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=SDS-031" target="_new">Sahara </a>from Wendy Bernard. Wendy is known for customized fits and I customized the heck out of this. Because no matter how many sizes I've gone through, one thing remains constant. I am two-three sizes bigger on top than on the bottom. And so I cast on, making a sweater a bit on the tight size (in hindsight it was more than a <i>bit </i>tight) so that it would continue to fit as I got smaller.<br /><br />And yesterday I finally got a modeled shot!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPS89IMfFU9a_nwKxJoPVzUspfDSWM-M_2jOraRXRbTO434nbSHA8I95BVlN3opXkKf7vyeCO6d8jd7c2047cZad6Hrn7L0JcWLXPZy7TVcccQGXV3Yi1rEve4uVm4CdDTAvdUdybMMGo/s1600/IMG_0512.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPS89IMfFU9a_nwKxJoPVzUspfDSWM-M_2jOraRXRbTO434nbSHA8I95BVlN3opXkKf7vyeCO6d8jd7c2047cZad6Hrn7L0JcWLXPZy7TVcccQGXV3Yi1rEve4uVm4CdDTAvdUdybMMGo/s400/IMG_0512.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565761342100397250" /></a><br />Even in my beginning sweaters I was making mods. But that was one reason I chose this designer. She makes it easy.<br /><br />My main modifications was casting on for Large and worked the waist decreases, which are done in the front not the sides, and work like darts, down to a Medium. I subbed the lighter yarn called for the trim with a thicker Eyre in the same colorway and didn't go down a needle size. I still had a lot to learn, (like alternating hanks!), but I think it came out pretty well.<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDZ8nbt5v7l5HMxkjtGmE12miGyi4shZa-8XJfbvAWMC8UIOvm2IJAZ-ZfyQpYvBLaUA5JgcFM5sqzLAc0vVqRxCSlbKo7J7RnA88o8RUbk3OJq44RqivxouDSLZwP7b996sgRrFXQT0/s1600/IMG_0509.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDZ8nbt5v7l5HMxkjtGmE12miGyi4shZa-8XJfbvAWMC8UIOvm2IJAZ-ZfyQpYvBLaUA5JgcFM5sqzLAc0vVqRxCSlbKo7J7RnA88o8RUbk3OJq44RqivxouDSLZwP7b996sgRrFXQT0/s400/IMG_0509.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565761321543368882" /></a><br />And since I can seam up the center lace panel as much as I want, I'm hoping that as I get smaller (still a bit to go) I will just sew up the center a bit more and still have a good fit.<br /><br /><a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/5nuct" target="_new">Sahara </a>by Wendy Bernard<br />Yarn: Madelinetosh DK and Madelinetosh Eyre<br />Colorway: Fjord<br />Needles: 4.0 mm (US 6)<br /><br /><br />As to the New:<br />I hinted about this pattern about a month ago. This was a test knit I did for Thea Coleman / <a href="http://babycocktails.blogspot.com/" target="_new">Baby Cocktails</a>. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mulled-cider" target="_new">Mulled Cider</a> is a cozy, tweedy jacket that reminds me of curling up by a fireplace on a cold winter's day. You know, a bit like today. It's 9<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Symbol; ">° </span>out right now!</div><div><br /></div><div>I love the details.</div><div><br />The leafy print down the back:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCF7ZdCLtH2tPoHiW8KvXwcQ74jXEyik21F4CgQDHi1rhkPL4PGAFYvocYs8KyA-FyW8zBVrLWPIxSILs5Q2wHbydS_g5By4kV6qxWDztpI7O8HGBTj9W32im5s6Dk5GbZp15HHj9LUQ/s1600/IMG_0442.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCF7ZdCLtH2tPoHiW8KvXwcQ74jXEyik21F4CgQDHi1rhkPL4PGAFYvocYs8KyA-FyW8zBVrLWPIxSILs5Q2wHbydS_g5By4kV6qxWDztpI7O8HGBTj9W32im5s6Dk5GbZp15HHj9LUQ/s400/IMG_0442.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565761313958206274" /></a><br />And the front:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6mKDKp9xx7Wz8904naSefkzMIiTqUOOIAlKaLDDstCeamcgiPK0JXwTBbRcRnN00gHY3NgJjwWMKsvqtBlhE_eVlAFeR27COSVXF5EfJXZU1unzHLFiTxFZkDRez7thDMyi7sSf1Roc/s1600/IMG_0440.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6mKDKp9xx7Wz8904naSefkzMIiTqUOOIAlKaLDDstCeamcgiPK0JXwTBbRcRnN00gHY3NgJjwWMKsvqtBlhE_eVlAFeR27COSVXF5EfJXZU1unzHLFiTxFZkDRez7thDMyi7sSf1Roc/s400/IMG_0440.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565761310271104962" /></a>But only on one side...</div><div><br />The way the stalks join at the shoulder and the outside shoulder seaming to continue the look. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRJ0Bzl-ev8zhOiZBemcB7CEQN-kwpLeEyBrUsze0kt33A0fL8r1jG6i1M2p1NgiO_aPdGoixuU3UhlT9ecL5NAJ1aQAo4bDMqN3unAKIRw4WAqDPxZt21YzssT3USh3Gp4yU4ipj5Uw/s1600/IMG_0443.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRJ0Bzl-ev8zhOiZBemcB7CEQN-kwpLeEyBrUsze0kt33A0fL8r1jG6i1M2p1NgiO_aPdGoixuU3UhlT9ecL5NAJ1aQAo4bDMqN3unAKIRw4WAqDPxZt21YzssT3USh3Gp4yU4ipj5Uw/s400/IMG_0443.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565761466053787810" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The high collar and the notched opening:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSg4Oo2xjXtm0YlqzTf3hzMbuoIHgLnJKTXvGTAKs2IEYYfYTLZUw0uBF_knnhb5P4Y5RZrLPO8wriQOAk0lKlQ1qhyphenhyphenYtmeVS9YBG_ha6WII3uMaB-vE4xdgjq9ARIMdBoicOnTgEur8E/s1600/IMG_0441.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSg4Oo2xjXtm0YlqzTf3hzMbuoIHgLnJKTXvGTAKs2IEYYfYTLZUw0uBF_knnhb5P4Y5RZrLPO8wriQOAk0lKlQ1qhyphenhyphenYtmeVS9YBG_ha6WII3uMaB-vE4xdgjq9ARIMdBoicOnTgEur8E/s400/IMG_0441.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565761459661859202" /></a><br />And the toggles! And the buttons!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_3N6wnMbSZT3wII-hqrF8DrtvVpWT_HsGIrBsiOXjm2yRmqKoAYScv7PBCLa0etyn_0wbU7XZaCKYpI1FmoGyhoZXHO90INQ9kwj-KecarMhPOuV7Lpo1WaUlDhPG9EenTmGOgQNLsg/s1600/IMG_0376.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_3N6wnMbSZT3wII-hqrF8DrtvVpWT_HsGIrBsiOXjm2yRmqKoAYScv7PBCLa0etyn_0wbU7XZaCKYpI1FmoGyhoZXHO90INQ9kwj-KecarMhPOuV7Lpo1WaUlDhPG9EenTmGOgQNLsg/s400/IMG_0376.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565761312000313618" /></a>In fact I love everything about it. So if you are looking for that perfect "keep me warm and cozy" cover up I highly recommend this pattern!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/6nbbr" target="_new">Mulled Cider</a> by Thea Coleman </div><div>Yarn: Plymouth Tweed</div><div>Colorway: 5459 (blue)</div><div>Needles: 4.5 & 5.0 mm (US 7 & 8)</div><div>Buttons from <a href="http://www.mjtrim.com/Catalog/Product/2/10805/10805.aspx" target="_new">M&J Trim</a><br /><br /></div>Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-39223945945460926782011-01-19T07:23:00.006-05:002011-01-19T07:23:00.530-05:00My Favorite PeepsOnce upon a time, in a different life really, I worked in theatre. One of my favorite productions during a season of summer rep, was Thorton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize winner, <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Skin_of_Our_Teeth" target="_new">By The Skin of Our Teeth</a></span>. In the first act there, which takes place during an impending ice age, the family bird was a pterodactyl. I became obsessed with pterodactyls for years after that. Someone in the props shop even sewed me one for opening night. It was pink satin with purple and black paisley wings. Hmm, I wonder if it's still in my mom's garage... But I digress...<div><br /></div><div>I was lucky enough to have a special visit with my sister, brother in law, and the three little people who call me Tante. They were in NJ visiting his family and I lucked out with a visit of my own. We spent the day at the Natural History Museum and when I saw this, </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NnRZOd0ABtqQ5Sxxtefr9uIOgC73Vg30LHVp9I-1X31sumLQv3SgUXFHhVaUM4yrPg6xX-UIxBiWA1UL0YJ6AursWYjmfwI8ACd16xOmDxP5uSv9pz4cCDW0oD_oO5b1JS9rXxg85h8/s1600/IMG_0472.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NnRZOd0ABtqQ5Sxxtefr9uIOgC73Vg30LHVp9I-1X31sumLQv3SgUXFHhVaUM4yrPg6xX-UIxBiWA1UL0YJ6AursWYjmfwI8ACd16xOmDxP5uSv9pz4cCDW0oD_oO5b1JS9rXxg85h8/s400/IMG_0472.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563686580325333298" /></a>well I had to take a photograph!</div><div><br /></div><div>These remains were found right here in NJ at the base of the GW bridge!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxDa18AbwlD4Oe6Z6BVO5mYdFR3NT_MURHytiOJkjpYvX0EGre2tnCvLdCh6_Jztp0SVrOdY0PBSO8cDcVy5ZMOqtSb2Adc0wnCAX8PKCuaVNX5YEQ9PykREiK9MRxaPuxBbrh3tPQcI/s1600/IMG_0474.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxDa18AbwlD4Oe6Z6BVO5mYdFR3NT_MURHytiOJkjpYvX0EGre2tnCvLdCh6_Jztp0SVrOdY0PBSO8cDcVy5ZMOqtSb2Adc0wnCAX8PKCuaVNX5YEQ9PykREiK9MRxaPuxBbrh3tPQcI/s400/IMG_0474.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563690545961142754" /></a><br />This display really called out to me. I loved the ancient jewelry but also the play of earth tones against the Agean blue background.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfx06iK_LrKeYJ19MwMbF-C2bh3nd6bw20sKV6ZZQ3XTWIeGIPHULpIJGzJJlfMIUABtLtHRC3sHreWjDc5QClB6KpdjA2uUaCf0gmU0JEWb_bJmm3AHPz7XWZsXabJdrv4EnH9o6goKU/s1600/IMG_0490.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfx06iK_LrKeYJ19MwMbF-C2bh3nd6bw20sKV6ZZQ3XTWIeGIPHULpIJGzJJlfMIUABtLtHRC3sHreWjDc5QClB6KpdjA2uUaCf0gmU0JEWb_bJmm3AHPz7XWZsXabJdrv4EnH9o6goKU/s400/IMG_0490.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563686602379809954" /></a>My sister and the two oldest looking at skeletal remains.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYDrgpyP7oZ_QPLYkwbta1kCuSMDzy3J9rGXC7KedTqF4mtLHcb5Xy510l_F0D32phfo1Fy83WiSx44Xush6ZLVKE6n1FLO_CoMqm260APuX4jtboHIabXhueBMB9Bw_qTwwH19Zsu1s/s1600/IMG_0485.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYDrgpyP7oZ_QPLYkwbta1kCuSMDzy3J9rGXC7KedTqF4mtLHcb5Xy510l_F0D32phfo1Fy83WiSx44Xush6ZLVKE6n1FLO_CoMqm260APuX4jtboHIabXhueBMB9Bw_qTwwH19Zsu1s/s400/IMG_0485.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563686584145668594" /></a>And lastly, my favorite peeps!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RAulXivhsPjWKq9anrqlW-CNtQMXO2XtsZPlkGtVxUBi5xHeeL_2Jv8wZNFQFwL8IUjN3MDWME2Ol94FTdHG8mP89GJHNoVK0y5nva2sAUPTQBiY0LcZ7OX2tKv_YLnms2fs7_lEEEc/s1600/IMG_0489.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RAulXivhsPjWKq9anrqlW-CNtQMXO2XtsZPlkGtVxUBi5xHeeL_2Jv8wZNFQFwL8IUjN3MDWME2Ol94FTdHG8mP89GJHNoVK0y5nva2sAUPTQBiY0LcZ7OX2tKv_YLnms2fs7_lEEEc/s400/IMG_0489.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563686601555277778" /></a>I did look for the knitting but, shockingly, neither prehistoric animals or Native Americans knit!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-52789697768347422222011-01-18T19:03:00.003-05:002011-01-18T20:16:23.442-05:00Here's More of What You Were MissingStill playing catch-up! I've finally found a willing photographer, even if the pictures are shot at a very un-picturesque locale. Can you say "strip mall"?<br />Remember the Vine Yoke Cardi? You know the one that started the sweater frenzy the beginning of last summer? Well at last here is the modeled shot!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEuAFwYWxITrgxe3BkVLDywyWLpNK7H_XGBxcqtjibh3ed7Rxh5PKTilBaEBwDCfEW6AaWaKVWG2GlZXN0BibuCk_eA91PWVQlOxfYj09pinUP0bPZnVapN2Wq4YlGQvDQVocuNoA9VE/s1600/IMG_0455.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEuAFwYWxITrgxe3BkVLDywyWLpNK7H_XGBxcqtjibh3ed7Rxh5PKTilBaEBwDCfEW6AaWaKVWG2GlZXN0BibuCk_eA91PWVQlOxfYj09pinUP0bPZnVapN2Wq4YlGQvDQVocuNoA9VE/s400/IMG_0455.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563201951510125186" /></a><div>I spent ages trying to find the perfect buttons. They were finally located in a small antique shop near my dad's [former] cabin.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZB3S-QE-_CCCNoldcHHc13CGzMD2Ek6WaxPJpMjqEd2qNnzxoz5ftWldGgMDLNzxwv3qJe-sN3MUxsI8a96m7p3y0wyDO2wYIDnb_YPXMZYczu5sXwQpH1Y2BszXpX_nmxybNliflOTc/s1600/buttons.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZB3S-QE-_CCCNoldcHHc13CGzMD2Ek6WaxPJpMjqEd2qNnzxoz5ftWldGgMDLNzxwv3qJe-sN3MUxsI8a96m7p3y0wyDO2wYIDnb_YPXMZYczu5sXwQpH1Y2BszXpX_nmxybNliflOTc/s400/buttons.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563201958618137554" /></a>Ya, he sold it...<br /><a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/x7kf8" target="_new">Vine Yoke Cardigan</a> by <a href="http://twistcollective.com/collection/index.php/component/content/article/75-fall-2009-patterns/396-vine-yoke-cardigan-by-ysolda-teague" target="_new">Ysolda Teague</a><br />Yarn: Sliver Moon Farm Worsted Superwash, purchased at Rhinebeck 2009<br />Colorway: Dusty Violet<br />Needles: US size 8, 5.0 mm<br /><br />Next, my first Sundara sweater! I had no idea what I'd make with this heavily variegated yarn! I bought it during the last Season's foray and expected something more muted, like a shaded solid. My disappointment gave way to relief when I came across <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/idlewood" target="_new">Idlewood </a>by Cecily Glowik MacDonald. Though the pattern is written for a solid I felt the simple, clean lines would give the overpowering variegation a chance to shine through. I am VERY happy with the final result.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qTHqwPJoT4jXY32Xw93i-p5QAu9onvXEiZziODlRJ58xTbJ1fljdsqsArClKF2-Oi7neYqidolYfCgXY7iU8LvK8rnXPHawDsmp_dZr1M0264_GLvsdfbY1s9cEHNO6l97SZUNtHC5w/s1600/IMG_0466.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qTHqwPJoT4jXY32Xw93i-p5QAu9onvXEiZziODlRJ58xTbJ1fljdsqsArClKF2-Oi7neYqidolYfCgXY7iU8LvK8rnXPHawDsmp_dZr1M0264_GLvsdfbY1s9cEHNO6l97SZUNtHC5w/s400/IMG_0466.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563201950717325234" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_elICH5rIQId_6auJDPoX3fsFRnR4OUuIK3_izLeHZPShs_a8jUnxHn1b90k85Rhlwva7T33Ev5KmNNsdhHCxkxupXWlcOoL-hYTy10V5JlI6BJsNnKrT8RA5pRrbcoktypN3cvxqU64/s1600/IMG_0465.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_elICH5rIQId_6auJDPoX3fsFRnR4OUuIK3_izLeHZPShs_a8jUnxHn1b90k85Rhlwva7T33Ev5KmNNsdhHCxkxupXWlcOoL-hYTy10V5JlI6BJsNnKrT8RA5pRrbcoktypN3cvxqU64/s400/IMG_0465.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563201943563867346" /></a><a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/za2p3" target="_new">Idlewood </a>by Cecily Glowik MacDonald</div><div>Yarn: Sundara DK the Second</div><div>Colorway: Lichen over Slate</div><div>Needles: US 10, 6.0 mm and US 10 1/2, 6.50 mm</div><div><br /></div><div>I like it so much I'm contemplating making a longer, dress, version with some Ultra Alpaca I have in the stash.</div><div><br /></div><div>And I was so taken with the Cecily Sundara combo that I've cast on for another. This time, it's Breakwater in Sundara Fingering Silky Merino in the New Vision colorway. There's a whole story to go with this yarn, but I'll save it for later. In the meantime, here's a sneak peak of how it's going. Once again it's a top down raglan and I've already separated the body and sleeves!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_D3VT5j-FE8Fn36hJlHwwgci7WTq37qnCSXHzUvYQCViX8DLCJfXe1QcB50YiYamWc26tqlzqEvBjWkIrskLFuk2zcsRR7nZ38iHn3WEWlo-k2JmwWTm1FEYP02NlIYLk5BgBjnw5IhQ/s1600/IMG_0500.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_D3VT5j-FE8Fn36hJlHwwgci7WTq37qnCSXHzUvYQCViX8DLCJfXe1QcB50YiYamWc26tqlzqEvBjWkIrskLFuk2zcsRR7nZ38iHn3WEWlo-k2JmwWTm1FEYP02NlIYLk5BgBjnw5IhQ/s400/IMG_0500.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563683989114487842" /></a><br /></div><div>There is one more modeled FO that I have yet to post. According to the fabulous <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/thea-colman" target="_new">Thea Coleman</a>/<a href="http://babycocktails.blogspot.com/" target="_new">Baby Cocktails</a>, the release date for Mulled Cider is imminent. I was lucky enough to test knit this so as soon as it goes up for sale, I'll be posting my shots. Oh, and the buttons for my Dark & Gothic (another Baby Cocktails design!) are on their way from Washington State. So here's hoping for a photography session this weekend!<br /><br /></div>Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-12011728963493131812011-01-17T08:33:00.001-05:002011-01-17T12:02:19.164-05:00Snow DaysAlthough the weather is clear for the present, the snow did come a few weeks in a row.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6ZGB7ASSFedchVhIFgOllNveYgl-sAgRZSOjluxi9w4zAZABM-WtB4eyRuslnUo-o_qmxJGd2oMmXzM8E4B942S9eBR20DZzUiflUadlOQWoyyZ70r7SPu94gJMITSneO_4Z7y-sbZQ/s1600/IMG_0361.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6ZGB7ASSFedchVhIFgOllNveYgl-sAgRZSOjluxi9w4zAZABM-WtB4eyRuslnUo-o_qmxJGd2oMmXzM8E4B942S9eBR20DZzUiflUadlOQWoyyZ70r7SPu94gJMITSneO_4Z7y-sbZQ/s400/IMG_0361.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559065809873665618" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Where's my mail...</i></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-YxeWeJ-7OsiZNWkSEvTzuRMGyMYZlLkk9wBvZdzW1BtklW55ACIYj8TZKQxPX6EtKn8bS-aIYQZsRzwXB4jAk_jbyQGsx1vUu8f8CZuvaeSeFY1-v9mso5UNDI-t9iSZbwX2Bt3g6c/s1600/IMG_0362.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-YxeWeJ-7OsiZNWkSEvTzuRMGyMYZlLkk9wBvZdzW1BtklW55ACIYj8TZKQxPX6EtKn8bS-aIYQZsRzwXB4jAk_jbyQGsx1vUu8f8CZuvaeSeFY1-v9mso5UNDI-t9iSZbwX2Bt3g6c/s400/IMG_0362.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559065810788069666" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Watch the steps...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5ErOu-EMS9UGLimXldiOSagnykAmMysRsoNvnVY3t4MU74hQZsdB6VITL8OoybypUwgN4K4RKjzBO3O1o0YQ2OZqFswY69OwcxfQ7srGbNBrJyYsYzveMtEbQeGsTXjVOxQ6ySDSBNg/s1600/IMG_0383.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5ErOu-EMS9UGLimXldiOSagnykAmMysRsoNvnVY3t4MU74hQZsdB6VITL8OoybypUwgN4K4RKjzBO3O1o0YQ2OZqFswY69OwcxfQ7srGbNBrJyYsYzveMtEbQeGsTXjVOxQ6ySDSBNg/s400/IMG_0383.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559065819880426690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The walk must go on...</i></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnw9RURxCcNM42fk0uacb1qawNRO1wx7ZaH7afgV4KaGn3yZ0ZDghlPWOJO4k5FLayeExwwO07fL9Mr-TYdag6eT0hx2SKlhMOM1386kCZM9UUOM41u6kvWZFVb1asMZ-2Oa8twflrrwU/s1600/IMG_0382.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnw9RURxCcNM42fk0uacb1qawNRO1wx7ZaH7afgV4KaGn3yZ0ZDghlPWOJO4k5FLayeExwwO07fL9Mr-TYdag6eT0hx2SKlhMOM1386kCZM9UUOM41u6kvWZFVb1asMZ-2Oa8twflrrwU/s400/IMG_0382.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559065811690976946" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The end of the day...</i></div>Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-33108037526484353502011-01-05T08:20:00.008-05:002011-01-05T09:05:36.177-05:00Like ButterPlaying catch up is hard to do! But it's my own fault and I can't really explain the inconsistency. One thing that remains constant, though, is my love for <a href="http://www.madelinetosh.com/" target="_new">Madelinetosh </a>yarns, especially the Pashmina, a sport weight blend of Merino (75%), Silk (15%) and Cashmere (10%). The hand is a luscious as Amy's dazzling palette of colors.<div>For sweaters, I have learned, it is best to keep to the shaded solids. They hint at shifts of light but don't distract from design elements, like lace or cabling.</div><div><br />I now have two Pashmina sweaters in my wardrobe and enough for one more in the stash. And I LOVE them! </div><div><br /></div><div>Knit up last Fall, <a href="http://twistcollective.com/collection/index.php/component/content/article/75-fall-2009-patterns/418-audrey-in-unst-by-gudrun-johnston" target="new">Audrey in Unst</a>, by Gudrun Johnston is a great little cardigan from the Twist Collective's Fall 2009 collection. It's a bottom up cardigan knit in one piece with a bib of lace, twisted rib, i-cord finish and fantastic shoulder shaping. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3j2HKyRN-9wB3Hu6l7EpO2RgYkNVBbpixIm_W-RnpddTi924Plb7z3GHQsB8_Zqic6_elAJhXcToxVte3iaJQ9mG009e9OlLOCdb3oYaG-KZY3XU0nAlTC-aVWk2ny8BhWOiS2IiM1xU/s1600/IMG_0226.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3j2HKyRN-9wB3Hu6l7EpO2RgYkNVBbpixIm_W-RnpddTi924Plb7z3GHQsB8_Zqic6_elAJhXcToxVte3iaJQ9mG009e9OlLOCdb3oYaG-KZY3XU0nAlTC-aVWk2ny8BhWOiS2IiM1xU/s400/IMG_0226.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558691602262504082" /></a><br /></div><div>As usual, I added some short row shaping for the bust. The cropped shape works really well because I didn't have to deal with all the (non) hip issues!</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-pr82igCcHboEDbjDVNc4QFIuUPsOx4-HPv8Ym29T0pvMNLF6TxfaM372SWG_tqU_uELSIwTmluXADq85pbAoUnewGxVFgi7s08hp02dhmdjLPJcTfS-hotAo7dcW-avbSBqPGLZLYo/s1600/IMG_0436.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-pr82igCcHboEDbjDVNc4QFIuUPsOx4-HPv8Ym29T0pvMNLF6TxfaM372SWG_tqU_uELSIwTmluXADq85pbAoUnewGxVFgi7s08hp02dhmdjLPJcTfS-hotAo7dcW-avbSBqPGLZLYo/s400/IMG_0436.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558691607892603410" /></a><br /><div>Were I to make this again (and I might since it's a great pattern and the lace can easily be swapped for a different design,) I would make the sleeves a bit longer. I love the 3/4 length but these are a bit short.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/lr4vf" target="new">Audrey in Unst</a>, by Gudrun Johnston</div><div>Yarn: Madelinetosh Pashmina</div><div>Colorway: Dahlia</div><div>Amount: less than 3 hanks, alternated three hanks at a time</div><div>Needles: 3.25 mm, 3.5 mm, 3.75 mm</div><div>Mods: made smaller size to accommodate my gauge, added short row shaping at the bust</div><div>Buttons: <a href="http://www.mjtrim.com/?refArea=Top" target="new">M&J Trimming</a><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div>My tour de force, however, is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brunhilde" target="new">Brunhilde</a>, a test knit I did for Kristi Holaas (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/53Chevy" target="new">53Chevy</a> over on Rav). Brunhilde is a top down, raglan sweater full of amazing cable goodness!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEXOb8s7HmA31-4PsWbanvMosZsRRLA2xxMaaLOsYFSodyvfbBrkBl9I7Cqkw7UonxrH0JWF2Ea6HOSWqxZfLIMxSgkF4aqg_GaRdOSqZN2PDs71Nst2cpy1ie2OicU_rb6rMI1l-L_g/s1600/main+cable+detail.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEXOb8s7HmA31-4PsWbanvMosZsRRLA2xxMaaLOsYFSodyvfbBrkBl9I7Cqkw7UonxrH0JWF2Ea6HOSWqxZfLIMxSgkF4aqg_GaRdOSqZN2PDs71Nst2cpy1ie2OicU_rb6rMI1l-L_g/s400/main+cable+detail.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558691608774130786" /></a>The instructions and charts were so clear, I highly recommend the pattern.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since the cable panels on the front and back match up, adding short rows was a bit of a challenge but I managed to get in one full pattern repeat and ended up with only one less wrapped stitch than I would have hoped for. Also, because of the raglan nature I was able to add a couple more rows before I separate the sleeves from the body. I didn't want to go too wide there and end up with giant arm holes!</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are some modeled shots taken at the bris of the Cheerleader's new baby boy! Mazel Tov!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqDQBHdU7A-ihAO6WLx4Lr63Nt7Q679r5Kk6kUea3X1ioxfSIfXbghe3GUZFJpgS2L7Egajpj-l20mDqjC0S8Yk__M1GZYai5rwDCQZ3S89g3RXxipNQrtgLWYakIt2O6L8V2coWJmDQ/s1600/IMG_0359.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqDQBHdU7A-ihAO6WLx4Lr63Nt7Q679r5Kk6kUea3X1ioxfSIfXbghe3GUZFJpgS2L7Egajpj-l20mDqjC0S8Yk__M1GZYai5rwDCQZ3S89g3RXxipNQrtgLWYakIt2O6L8V2coWJmDQ/s400/IMG_0359.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558691618086407026" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVC1vTFj8Sj4_AbPQXuJ-M5SL4bhXC4tzEVvuO7-v_Id051WQq0YPtAgSypVG1fmtr30nO5LEFahsKSD713Uxc8V_JnG4nSzmhnrXDrGn8aD0kkEMaasO39aOog42v8uOrP69XaYl5Bbo/s1600/IMG_0358.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVC1vTFj8Sj4_AbPQXuJ-M5SL4bhXC4tzEVvuO7-v_Id051WQq0YPtAgSypVG1fmtr30nO5LEFahsKSD713Uxc8V_JnG4nSzmhnrXDrGn8aD0kkEMaasO39aOog42v8uOrP69XaYl5Bbo/s400/IMG_0358.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558691613652588578" /></a>Once again, I went for shorter sleeves and a cropped waist with the bottom band starting at the hip bone.<a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/66y3g" target="_new"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/66y3g" target="_new">Brunhilde </a>by Kristi Holaas</div><div>Yarn: Madelinetosh Pashmina</div><div>Colorway: Sugar Plum</div><div>Needles: 3.25 mm</div><div>Amount: 4 hanks (I had 50 g left over) alternated three hanks at a time</div><div><br /></div><div>And the sweater knitting continues. I'm still working on getting those FO shots! And my newest sweater, <a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/bgrbo" target="_new">Dark & Gothic</a>, is past the halfway mark. I've got the collar and sleeves to go. Hoping to finish it by the weekend. I'll keep you posted.<br /><br /></div></div></div>Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-75843463938310076342010-12-31T15:46:00.002-05:002010-12-31T15:48:40.124-05:00SunsetReal post with real pics coming soon, but for now I'd like to share these shots I caught the other evening.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzJVzmg3Ud5V9KdjtZI2mQj8PruHQIkIN6TNmOxJZZU1EF1ATDKivhIS0BZdUR4OQLw8j_8gh7c7wagqaJ2tu96aMjvD7CPdqGgV_wx9pOSqpAGPIls-V1C4aaOW_9bfs5WT3KNXKi38/s1600/IMG_0425.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzJVzmg3Ud5V9KdjtZI2mQj8PruHQIkIN6TNmOxJZZU1EF1ATDKivhIS0BZdUR4OQLw8j_8gh7c7wagqaJ2tu96aMjvD7CPdqGgV_wx9pOSqpAGPIls-V1C4aaOW_9bfs5WT3KNXKi38/s400/IMG_0425.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556950906755610642" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaOkJ4ROAFVWW3gBGGJmmSfgQcVf4pb5miEZrFiWcGjyg2KYncdPBOO3UTlJGa5OypdYn-uvd82rI5SekJXnnP8sdUKsAohtir3KX-l0MzZHRNSg5ktl28nDJuJr2sF-wf3TIGSv8mtM/s1600/IMG_0424.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaOkJ4ROAFVWW3gBGGJmmSfgQcVf4pb5miEZrFiWcGjyg2KYncdPBOO3UTlJGa5OypdYn-uvd82rI5SekJXnnP8sdUKsAohtir3KX-l0MzZHRNSg5ktl28nDJuJr2sF-wf3TIGSv8mtM/s400/IMG_0424.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556950900627933090" /></a><br /><br />The colors remind of my current project... More deets soon.Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-30225850307395176252010-12-09T10:43:00.001-05:002010-12-09T10:53:28.756-05:00WednesdayGood morning...<div><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMgtQRkuhgpI_GGlgviWHTVc5rCVueyvVVp9ULGSOy_mx6MO5VkxIITdumD21DK_OaqHxqY3Pby6pL-ps2AIsIvbmkhTwv0kmSOxXCU4UzVJp_hkRhdDcpNO3Kwxa_uELM3rldpvt6e0/s1600/wake+up+call.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMgtQRkuhgpI_GGlgviWHTVc5rCVueyvVVp9ULGSOy_mx6MO5VkxIITdumD21DK_OaqHxqY3Pby6pL-ps2AIsIvbmkhTwv0kmSOxXCU4UzVJp_hkRhdDcpNO3Kwxa_uELM3rldpvt6e0/s400/wake+up+call.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548524026775844434" /></a><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>Got to give Edna her wake up call in 13 minutes...</i></span></div></i><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxsVZt1wPp-hTX2H4KR9EVsy5FHNWLXQ6WhzJ1HuVggxgUTFYV04mhoYP7yU3FxVtOh20OTHwxseNPNzWkuFIRnmUsFpFjp55rTu0Igsoan_AU6GOYLLIhvRL9XJQ2PeSuK3GakK7Gqw/s1600/where+the+street+has+no+name.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxsVZt1wPp-hTX2H4KR9EVsy5FHNWLXQ6WhzJ1HuVggxgUTFYV04mhoYP7yU3FxVtOh20OTHwxseNPNzWkuFIRnmUsFpFjp55rTu0Igsoan_AU6GOYLLIhvRL9XJQ2PeSuK3GakK7Gqw/s400/where+the+street+has+no+name.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548524024307305122" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Boy it's dark and blurry out there (5:40 am)</i></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMQwM8iVw5zHoyZtMkVwJ525P32VkBW6QRaC539EDGH-3k8SVRW6OEK_wqI7b_4mGCeCv_EEI_Y527L7O89RxDMNEQLZdTB74tnXVGD9v4WdaUVaIvHQMYP3VZr00jbjqici4wysBK1A/s1600/bundled+and+on+my+weay.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMQwM8iVw5zHoyZtMkVwJ525P32VkBW6QRaC539EDGH-3k8SVRW6OEK_wqI7b_4mGCeCv_EEI_Y527L7O89RxDMNEQLZdTB74tnXVGD9v4WdaUVaIvHQMYP3VZr00jbjqici4wysBK1A/s400/bundled+and+on+my+weay.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548523794246263810" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and really, really cold (about 25</i><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>° </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>F).</i></span></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBj9CTZT2n4iHiazdu3NYhvUs3up0goJHxEDnW9POo3BvzGyd2rqOySWQ4bhh5iU7CJjA3pZ0FzIZgd2xaj2k0rV5kfGmGgRnDqmqGFyk6jIAJTgYOTvT4F3bm8ofTdkipg0J6YilC14/s1600/daybreak+over+manhatten.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBj9CTZT2n4iHiazdu3NYhvUs3up0goJHxEDnW9POo3BvzGyd2rqOySWQ4bhh5iU7CJjA3pZ0FzIZgd2xaj2k0rV5kfGmGgRnDqmqGFyk6jIAJTgYOTvT4F3bm8ofTdkipg0J6YilC14/s400/daybreak+over+manhatten.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548523505512172018" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i> The sun begins to rise over Manhattan (</i><i>6:15 am)</i></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinBh73DN8rI4D1mToc8rVzaU_FIq4Q2mktPNWMSoUClaTGtoDjxHynF4IOw5ctv5_XZNEgcx6WT9BCwGtpI5qOe0ae7lSGoJNwY2zeMYVcSQyMlw879BS29d8NUNn2xx0ZodflZldYmI/s1600/with+edna.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinBh73DN8rI4D1mToc8rVzaU_FIq4Q2mktPNWMSoUClaTGtoDjxHynF4IOw5ctv5_XZNEgcx6WT9BCwGtpI5qOe0ae7lSGoJNwY2zeMYVcSQyMlw879BS29d8NUNn2xx0ZodflZldYmI/s400/with+edna.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548523779521502578" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Best walking buddy. Ever.</i></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-wg-L79EwryFIVRBHQ34ss0b_UgrISzg0C47DUTdoWycdBIyt6w1DZUWPSKGcd3KrUuOWpnp7KwKKLLPsvE5IGvbwqtMJrFZVDHXYBC7Vy_VsM0grL-RxHS2Lnys6Mf2l6Y-_OcYYsk/s1600/starbucks+circa+630.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-wg-L79EwryFIVRBHQ34ss0b_UgrISzg0C47DUTdoWycdBIyt6w1DZUWPSKGcd3KrUuOWpnp7KwKKLLPsvE5IGvbwqtMJrFZVDHXYBC7Vy_VsM0grL-RxHS2Lnys6Mf2l6Y-_OcYYsk/s400/starbucks+circa+630.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548523788209155154" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All roads lead to Starbucks (6:35).</i></div><i><br /></i><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKg9CKr0auv9zyQmuyCq5eNolzjkIjmy8PU2fhNQV6kNDBLmzu84fXzTYKEIVhOhvprnmGOZuUMeQSjHmkVyV5TK8Sp-haTkV4rfXfg-S1Cgb5uig0m7W7xw6-Ru1I-Dkzd2k4x8Jsspk/s1600/look+at+that+reflector+belt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKg9CKr0auv9zyQmuyCq5eNolzjkIjmy8PU2fhNQV6kNDBLmzu84fXzTYKEIVhOhvprnmGOZuUMeQSjHmkVyV5TK8Sp-haTkV4rfXfg-S1Cgb5uig0m7W7xw6-Ru1I-Dkzd2k4x8Jsspk/s400/look+at+that+reflector+belt.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548523772828396594" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Check out that reflector belt!</i></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvi2r0V2CPSsnOL4jMn5rs2Hc_7YFywxf9vaxplBYpwVg0vf_7rLzgQzx00E1Cti2YPbkhBuZ3AyhNJb808li3KdfjzjYTxSHnWCZe1Mih64Mn535gZptvbUmfXof0vHeUcIBNdauu70/s1600/the+sun+also+rises.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvi2r0V2CPSsnOL4jMn5rs2Hc_7YFywxf9vaxplBYpwVg0vf_7rLzgQzx00E1Cti2YPbkhBuZ3AyhNJb808li3KdfjzjYTxSHnWCZe1Mih64Mn535gZptvbUmfXof0vHeUcIBNdauu70/s400/the+sun+also+rises.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548523782861246034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Almost home (7:20)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But wait, there's more.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVza5cMNLYGxkSazFObRscEJDn-QzR2imAWsd8bVpdaun8NdvtsZCqZgNjncjgc90mt2qbCG2jJ1-iZlLZvCE517WJj69eLdvvWhL62iD6K4oNwUVKgouMffxqjCRPgWMAMcMlmR_2fQ/s1600/ultimate+tae+bo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVza5cMNLYGxkSazFObRscEJDn-QzR2imAWsd8bVpdaun8NdvtsZCqZgNjncjgc90mt2qbCG2jJ1-iZlLZvCE517WJj69eLdvvWhL62iD6K4oNwUVKgouMffxqjCRPgWMAMcMlmR_2fQ/s400/ultimate+tae+bo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548523501621782674" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i> 65 minutes of Ultimate Tae Bo</i></div><div><br /></div>A decent lunch and some work on the computer then it's out the door again...</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhxmYKfLGJFn_BVJAzXYMaDGMaQmY0koLLqdcVfAL-bzzM9ihsBzsEz2lLctasPqXJs1zbvf1WeoFve1_aInwRIvHNLcbw2CbEtN3FvbKNmHe4J4m2SBBmtTOswiRW0VjTG7VuS_gXyY/s1600/still+bundled+but+with+sun.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhxmYKfLGJFn_BVJAzXYMaDGMaQmY0koLLqdcVfAL-bzzM9ihsBzsEz2lLctasPqXJs1zbvf1WeoFve1_aInwRIvHNLcbw2CbEtN3FvbKNmHe4J4m2SBBmtTOswiRW0VjTG7VuS_gXyY/s400/still+bundled+but+with+sun.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548523494131998338" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And it's still cold! (</i><i>This park look familiar?)</i></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJx5NLdlE1638WGbUVA_WxCc0slzELbBhojYjvnd-GpASXwF7dBfvAJMB5W1ynk8BfNVL31wGtbC4xm5Gl8ybVgEznHndeICIEhQcDEHcnL8Or3FYAQiFGBCMUgqzI2Uw-hZBRTMFQf4/s1600/starbucks+in+the+afternoon+glow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJx5NLdlE1638WGbUVA_WxCc0slzELbBhojYjvnd-GpASXwF7dBfvAJMB5W1ynk8BfNVL31wGtbC4xm5Gl8ybVgEznHndeICIEhQcDEHcnL8Or3FYAQiFGBCMUgqzI2Uw-hZBRTMFQf4/s400/starbucks+in+the+afternoon+glow.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548523489641953138" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All roads </i>still <i>lead to Starbucks.</i></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevPCEjjj9rnhmKehB8jAaY0vi-t0BAKp30jf-2xoRY9XSSmprL6QrvWkQkYqxX1e3atEZCwT3DdNZHNc9zjIHValUdgIog5R_IQAlVaRuSrSVH5Z2NmNU0662o97CMdn0MYmxFe-_ock/s1600/knitting+at+last+with+a+good+drink.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevPCEjjj9rnhmKehB8jAaY0vi-t0BAKp30jf-2xoRY9XSSmprL6QrvWkQkYqxX1e3atEZCwT3DdNZHNc9zjIHValUdgIog5R_IQAlVaRuSrSVH5Z2NmNU0662o97CMdn0MYmxFe-_ock/s400/knitting+at+last+with+a+good+drink.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548523490427757186" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The payoff.</i></div><br /></div></div>Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-59646863880459137972010-12-08T22:09:00.002-05:002010-12-08T22:10:34.479-05:00The Last and the Brightest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvRPXQ_ScvJ1Sj3oQRZ5ruefz0YPb4Zm4Fck__OWpG8PTbinb0tjU7K6AFu8rZVQiBFDelB6s-FDW7Ef6sA4ABGfziNqU_lfBXjGGQqAswelrWj-CMbnU8gZJnWyE_L4Ql2QQsiefajg/s1600/IMG_0345.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvRPXQ_ScvJ1Sj3oQRZ5ruefz0YPb4Zm4Fck__OWpG8PTbinb0tjU7K6AFu8rZVQiBFDelB6s-FDW7Ef6sA4ABGfziNqU_lfBXjGGQqAswelrWj-CMbnU8gZJnWyE_L4Ql2QQsiefajg/s400/IMG_0345.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548514550332931826" /></a>Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-81247600040207719322010-12-07T21:18:00.005-05:002010-12-07T21:40:29.346-05:00A Little Pop of Color, PleaseAs I made my way through the park during today's constitutional, I found there is very little color left. In fact, it mostly looks like this:<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34Gn2RqrJXy0_Axs1QxDOnvmqdcx7QfnP1df008wS61WVBoQOZJ7MbuZqXBizgJMlEPsUYGcn_1D6Rn2vlh3SgXRHCIjeoDVmverFDFIhxQy3OMlCnU9ZaNeVx5_7ZgQhcL7tE54kw7M/s1600/IMG_0281.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34Gn2RqrJXy0_Axs1QxDOnvmqdcx7QfnP1df008wS61WVBoQOZJ7MbuZqXBizgJMlEPsUYGcn_1D6Rn2vlh3SgXRHCIjeoDVmverFDFIhxQy3OMlCnU9ZaNeVx5_7ZgQhcL7tE54kw7M/s400/IMG_0281.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548130748528216434" /></a><br /></div><div>There was a little gold as I thread my way through the park,</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1tolQ6LITXHeeHll82qHLE9MOOvN2pnf0u5NbsKj5xql-ybsW5xUExL-453wMRxEe6PNeZUG848w1IFCjOCq9wEesacWEwZadzsbFTjHqI3ziMP2vrhBfRvQELy1ms3rm4PQ8U6mVXU/s1600/IMG_0283.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1tolQ6LITXHeeHll82qHLE9MOOvN2pnf0u5NbsKj5xql-ybsW5xUExL-453wMRxEe6PNeZUG848w1IFCjOCq9wEesacWEwZadzsbFTjHqI3ziMP2vrhBfRvQELy1ms3rm4PQ8U6mVXU/s400/IMG_0283.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548130547434418242" /></a><br /></div><div>but really, it was mostly just more of this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijw5Icwpr3rIVVnNtIUL_JSt6jRHp-AA9BNwcAbvWHk7U4Ipa-ANkHobWsOdznBrHfqIQ2Ydhd52TZZ_GgXKSp4fOpvpeAR3Uj9PtuwNpYzrG-a57Ckg4O6zPlrWRZO3wdyfPU0ByaRM0/s1600/IMG_0282.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijw5Icwpr3rIVVnNtIUL_JSt6jRHp-AA9BNwcAbvWHk7U4Ipa-ANkHobWsOdznBrHfqIQ2Ydhd52TZZ_GgXKSp4fOpvpeAR3Uj9PtuwNpYzrG-a57Ckg4O6zPlrWRZO3wdyfPU0ByaRM0/s400/IMG_0282.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548132388954845602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">No, this is NOT the same picture as above. I promise.</span></i></div><div><br /></div>And then I spied this:</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYsX6__Su_Cy3dFmTgmuh3Yz51PcBg9ate-Yt8u7Q-AzrsMHe4DQOH8txuxUE0QAWMZdZ8bkwzHz5bgLq3KLywC2ypD8EpJXS5y3oOuR4dpTY6yCV2iHWAMG1dNUhRrWJgzLjgmjsy3o/s1600/IMG_0280.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYsX6__Su_Cy3dFmTgmuh3Yz51PcBg9ate-Yt8u7Q-AzrsMHe4DQOH8txuxUE0QAWMZdZ8bkwzHz5bgLq3KLywC2ypD8EpJXS5y3oOuR4dpTY6yCV2iHWAMG1dNUhRrWJgzLjgmjsy3o/s400/IMG_0280.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548130753705171794" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Which after all the lifeless brown, seemed to me as this:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeL4LRitTAzqx3lR0LwB2IgchnWgIDGjxN7v_77xtSm3vqFhyRXrGyN8BXnEf5WPi8GNVVZ-mrT0kavFCE8x1jBY-IGBYVz1WjvJAZGum5DcToF2f2f8NuFWn_orwfz24ufD2afMyr5E/s1600/IMG_0280+enhanced.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeL4LRitTAzqx3lR0LwB2IgchnWgIDGjxN7v_77xtSm3vqFhyRXrGyN8BXnEf5WPi8GNVVZ-mrT0kavFCE8x1jBY-IGBYVz1WjvJAZGum5DcToF2f2f8NuFWn_orwfz24ufD2afMyr5E/s400/IMG_0280+enhanced.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548130762451193906" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>and I knew what I needed was some color. Some real color.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01g9ZisMUzQTVg1bqYnCMpptcXRGLPrXk9dEax2CyhhWjZMkCKrP5_H_gfsrN38TbZMBc1MANJ8BD7Z0g0DsOp39wFHrXpGE_aMzXEq9SU6jnNUty1kSNF1cUziPUM2wzX3vK4EcvpCY/s1600/IMG_0276.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01g9ZisMUzQTVg1bqYnCMpptcXRGLPrXk9dEax2CyhhWjZMkCKrP5_H_gfsrN38TbZMBc1MANJ8BD7Z0g0DsOp39wFHrXpGE_aMzXEq9SU6jnNUty1kSNF1cUziPUM2wzX3vK4EcvpCY/s400/IMG_0276.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548130541403234146" /></a>And then I reinforced my determination to get through some of my WiPs and give this lonely glove</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxLbMIhVMTp3Z0JNEMeyoACB68nmkQ6w74qtZBiPWcqQMfMFCLY8YE4yDmIlYIBuXjpDfe56Mf4VtRfbRCMY1oO6XDZfl645pBYpM-g4vcstQGU2uVNw3ddq1g6gFjQfPmoS7RRa6870/s1600/IMG_0275.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxLbMIhVMTp3Z0JNEMeyoACB68nmkQ6w74qtZBiPWcqQMfMFCLY8YE4yDmIlYIBuXjpDfe56Mf4VtRfbRCMY1oO6XDZfl645pBYpM-g4vcstQGU2uVNw3ddq1g6gFjQfPmoS7RRa6870/s400/IMG_0275.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548130534833930178" /></a>it's mate.<br /><br />And so when Mulled Cider and <a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/66y3g" target="_new">Brunhilde </a>are finished, I am determined to finish <a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/9fj6k" target="_new">Bobbie</a> (I'm just a couple rows short of moving on to the fingers!),</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7U47YJq3HrsY8cAP0mrwekdWkv7dkqng89RNb_EaQNkqDLUHU9c-Kh6IUZ4iomO6CLYEyfYM4Lp-skCH-x9ZAmRygWkBdh1ZqTNKg-A9rruWM-mWVZOYoaGy5o1BHCuemb_LExL8Ei0/s1600/IMG_0277.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7U47YJq3HrsY8cAP0mrwekdWkv7dkqng89RNb_EaQNkqDLUHU9c-Kh6IUZ4iomO6CLYEyfYM4Lp-skCH-x9ZAmRygWkBdh1ZqTNKg-A9rruWM-mWVZOYoaGy5o1BHCuemb_LExL8Ei0/s400/IMG_0277.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548130536581602450" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVM5U58VdK6ZTGPomvUvWX9-CKHjbkiTsdVuh1P5ynNIGr8yYnDPJ7FqarT_26EdPh16zxZtgJ-4e8XfKm9YgdyTiz5DM2cUj-kycxIRJMu3njvRdnLKhSLuAS7IEAbEUkjl6c_GC8-4E/s1600/IMG_0278.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVM5U58VdK6ZTGPomvUvWX9-CKHjbkiTsdVuh1P5ynNIGr8yYnDPJ7FqarT_26EdPh16zxZtgJ-4e8XfKm9YgdyTiz5DM2cUj-kycxIRJMu3njvRdnLKhSLuAS7IEAbEUkjl6c_GC8-4E/s400/IMG_0278.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548130532255081266" /></a>and <a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/xyqkn" target="_new">Chimera </a>and a few others. But let's not get too carried away. I'll have to cast on for something new before I get through them all. I'll have to. It's in my genes.</div>Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-63782729097891848302010-12-06T22:00:00.001-05:002010-12-06T22:27:52.352-05:00Color My WorldMy favorite store in London:<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmfj70aDHVc1qpoCFacpGwjdziMTxFgTgCHMgDKwtELrwH98_doxFf418osU5E9Z2OY-KhRk0tRWkNqhWKATxhaP4agPIRT6SEQFhHKxLpKOy6O0-XpBK2Z5a5dcM6sCLIiYCYg_UnAw/s1600/liberty.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmfj70aDHVc1qpoCFacpGwjdziMTxFgTgCHMgDKwtELrwH98_doxFf418osU5E9Z2OY-KhRk0tRWkNqhWKATxhaP4agPIRT6SEQFhHKxLpKOy6O0-XpBK2Z5a5dcM6sCLIiYCYg_UnAw/s400/liberty.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542917659040727970" /></a><br /></div><div>Beautiful objects, beautifully displayed. Like the Manolo Blahnik prints (there is a Manolo room of shoes as well as Manolo printed scarves sold exclusively at Liberty).</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZUOCIMDw-g4CNdtiGOwo4Zn7_aXE9v9nIHdBpUl6uLDNz8xlQe9vVctHEYDI9HVGKaQrggi_aRNek-8jl9SzecIg2yayimOuCTsEhQISVezV0e8v3BRaNCMYJo6Qwc_exQU1fpujy-A/s1600/manolo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 390px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZUOCIMDw-g4CNdtiGOwo4Zn7_aXE9v9nIHdBpUl6uLDNz8xlQe9vVctHEYDI9HVGKaQrggi_aRNek-8jl9SzecIg2yayimOuCTsEhQISVezV0e8v3BRaNCMYJo6Qwc_exQU1fpujy-A/s400/manolo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543105812561623602" /></a><br /></div><div>And though once upon a time I used to buy one gorgeous silk scarf on every visit, these days my focus is more up on the top floor, in the haberdashery:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4RbTbEQGl5l4oeoLTDp59btQ7pENw7alWwbSvVmCDeu-UT3QjBiACElh4X_2oKvIgZv31j5FCWDAAUPexOQM7fCCNbBDnGQFCc5dW-xAxFMpmiocflyv0R8c8ln2tDCLJBxtwa1rKak/s1600/liberty+habedashery.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4RbTbEQGl5l4oeoLTDp59btQ7pENw7alWwbSvVmCDeu-UT3QjBiACElh4X_2oKvIgZv31j5FCWDAAUPexOQM7fCCNbBDnGQFCc5dW-xAxFMpmiocflyv0R8c8ln2tDCLJBxtwa1rKak/s400/liberty+habedashery.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542917767734482450" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOo9lAIqb6na4eGZSjr6jAldgYzBY-nLaa5j79yzUXJx6m2qUVIDmQNeCJVG_RIkQxZfk_RUCgmj27qzI84b8kwnX-b77gLvKJ8MR_CrRNqEK2Zlgmv0GQwuGDXVEyehHllmmASxfZmg/s1600/liberty+fabric.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOo9lAIqb6na4eGZSjr6jAldgYzBY-nLaa5j79yzUXJx6m2qUVIDmQNeCJVG_RIkQxZfk_RUCgmj27qzI84b8kwnX-b77gLvKJ8MR_CrRNqEK2Zlgmv0GQwuGDXVEyehHllmmASxfZmg/s400/liberty+fabric.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542917651869263074" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdlf2EKSOFo8-bitmbMMA229ABLnYENWnJaTm4ojlGipiTaJL1VwEz8WTxmxJWn6Zneq6q_jsTAHWIfwCNTRkxSLBNafGDTtsGLWvn9bMtY_H3ViLgewfy1TJpn-jxpeVIufTz91lv_4/s1600/liberty+rowan+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdlf2EKSOFo8-bitmbMMA229ABLnYENWnJaTm4ojlGipiTaJL1VwEz8WTxmxJWn6Zneq6q_jsTAHWIfwCNTRkxSLBNafGDTtsGLWvn9bMtY_H3ViLgewfy1TJpn-jxpeVIufTz91lv_4/s400/liberty+rowan+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542917779852980802" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is Rowan, people...</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhWk4Z27ePaVIOdCyxqwvKNlqjTQVh9awHavLnl716OIF58-uXhtpw9fM5Us6aZMGef7R2IcI3-U9PksUgqlHIuFScEhm2HmoIailWFJqUP9CZqJmXwWye2impJQrwm5gtja5d3wrZDA/s1600/liberty+rowan+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhWk4Z27ePaVIOdCyxqwvKNlqjTQVh9awHavLnl716OIF58-uXhtpw9fM5Us6aZMGef7R2IcI3-U9PksUgqlHIuFScEhm2HmoIailWFJqUP9CZqJmXwWye2impJQrwm5gtja5d3wrZDA/s400/liberty+rowan+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542917646206752946" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>all Rowan. Swoon...</i></span></div><div><br /></div>And so I did my patriotic duty and bought enough fabric for a summer dress</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAWiOMbdc8t8pDYf8X-brPPNrLUnlIr9m135k6X5e_VjFZilD3aQkbQcrv9WOvzE1mY7Gm7TfPU7W2MptntoxVfg89paFgpJtfGvfFZPoZ_3XqHxaJlaEjGLozuGjJwawuhTlOi21A94/s1600/liberty+fabric1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAWiOMbdc8t8pDYf8X-brPPNrLUnlIr9m135k6X5e_VjFZilD3aQkbQcrv9WOvzE1mY7Gm7TfPU7W2MptntoxVfg89paFgpJtfGvfFZPoZ_3XqHxaJlaEjGLozuGjJwawuhTlOi21A94/s400/liberty+fabric1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547775957891070834" /></a><br /></div><div>and a sweater's worth of Rowan yarn.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_DXkwmUP9LLs7_EPNQJWTbWxWROfBOrSzgNR8r0QY7qnpx7zN91EvK9O49S8TiLVb9Ptb39l7UPefXolhu24IWE1MDFClavRwsA6nmYeHh1-MQK4pjO84RiRk2iVKpt-ZATtdj3vU5k/s1600/pale+green+felted+tweed.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_DXkwmUP9LLs7_EPNQJWTbWxWROfBOrSzgNR8r0QY7qnpx7zN91EvK9O49S8TiLVb9Ptb39l7UPefXolhu24IWE1MDFClavRwsA6nmYeHh1-MQK4pjO84RiRk2iVKpt-ZATtdj3vU5k/s400/pale+green+felted+tweed.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547775956945460402" /></a><br /></div><div>What else was I to do?</div>Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-47353972027591491832010-12-02T10:13:00.000-05:002010-12-02T10:14:54.067-05:00Bright is BeautifulThe sun is back out, as is the cold weather. But the rain and gray is gone. Nice. It was amazing to watch the wind in action yesterday. Nature in action is an awesome thing. And what better than to protect against wind? This season's biggest accessory seems to be the cowl, so I decided to join fun and whip one up. This took about 90 minutes to make and is squishy as it is warm!<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIiKM7fkzTiW3GXTLkUsAVBfMeIIC6msfnnl_6lKLq1C5NiulPDQFULkDw_p8Tlk8SOZjr1-8vPF1e1IyDz0MDIpDgOrRJ4xOXdlygUlZnSDcg8e6geqiQw3S0Wjsy4Xi4LcjGrpi3-U/s1600/IMG_0242.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIiKM7fkzTiW3GXTLkUsAVBfMeIIC6msfnnl_6lKLq1C5NiulPDQFULkDw_p8Tlk8SOZjr1-8vPF1e1IyDz0MDIpDgOrRJ4xOXdlygUlZnSDcg8e6geqiQw3S0Wjsy4Xi4LcjGrpi3-U/s400/IMG_0242.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545877359799728562" /></a>Super bulk yarn and super big needles make a super fast knit and super squishy warmness!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbIljfLpo3oKjv44d85LQFtyaM5-Ce33vzYgluxHXpUVmDxVCLnnOZ5P5cCWW-a7-XvRMJWrYmTk0OcPHS6GGYjPYinp7eiIE8hnBEtXllpxJtRf9dFnVC4NzVeubL2sGZXUchBV7iHc/s1600/IMG_0244.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbIljfLpo3oKjv44d85LQFtyaM5-Ce33vzYgluxHXpUVmDxVCLnnOZ5P5cCWW-a7-XvRMJWrYmTk0OcPHS6GGYjPYinp7eiIE8hnBEtXllpxJtRf9dFnVC4NzVeubL2sGZXUchBV7iHc/s400/IMG_0244.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545877356380746066" /></a>I made one for my sister too, but of course no photo to be had. Imagine this in <a href="http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/sub_yarn.php?id_sub_yarn=23" target="_new">Indiecita</a>, which is more suited to her coloring.<a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/kcuc2" target="_new"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/kcuc2" target="_new">Marian </a>by Jane Richmond</div><div>(a free <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/marian-2" target="_new">Ravelry download</a>)</div><div>Yarn: Malabrigo Rasta in Abril</div><div>Needles: 15mm (US 19)</div><div><br /></div><div>And for another spot of brightness, I snapped this in the park last week. My <a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/hywb" target="_new">Laurel </a>hat with my new Kelly Green pea coat. I picked this up from Old Navy on Black Friday for about $35.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkRZzqrO-oGnhM-XoAxjWqRIsqvg0Bq7VKK_iFrpinujT-xDn_kwhxmj_GlZsVFwVU4JsiyPBfxe-5NpBNvCs3xY25Jym_oIU_vnD2UPl56P4F6IkJfin3ENlOwt5C9NjCeDZ0ithTq0/s1600/IMG_0240.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkRZzqrO-oGnhM-XoAxjWqRIsqvg0Bq7VKK_iFrpinujT-xDn_kwhxmj_GlZsVFwVU4JsiyPBfxe-5NpBNvCs3xY25Jym_oIU_vnD2UPl56P4F6IkJfin3ENlOwt5C9NjCeDZ0ithTq0/s400/IMG_0240.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545156692625214386" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OX4HVu_fT1pp0rJTHFGMxx1kz59Q2J9m8_FswgOlKh-X8zL8GCFcSagV4ZomIVqPBg0Sq2-pYAb09mtscK1tPy1mef2f8itJtTAeavFCfQJXxEanuNzU2AejPWL6z0y23fUTAcE4kX8/s1600/IMG_0233.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OX4HVu_fT1pp0rJTHFGMxx1kz59Q2J9m8_FswgOlKh-X8zL8GCFcSagV4ZomIVqPBg0Sq2-pYAb09mtscK1tPy1mef2f8itJtTAeavFCfQJXxEanuNzU2AejPWL6z0y23fUTAcE4kX8/s400/IMG_0233.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545156707473618802" /></a></div>Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-59275615573383852132010-12-01T11:09:00.004-05:002010-12-01T11:36:23.836-05:00Wet WiP WednesdayFunny thing about the wonderful weather of NJ. Today looks like this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-FWcXucydIGZkdymK38nMRwG3duKYuQF1kXXAJ61d69iAf50_kRJcj8ncbILkCfpDUAzIM5N-KG_u94L36d3PkO91VkZxvjd4Cj0ju1Q1Npv-i2vp0TBnakkGPu7YAtgNey0BjZi6Kw/s1600/rainy+day+dec+2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-FWcXucydIGZkdymK38nMRwG3duKYuQF1kXXAJ61d69iAf50_kRJcj8ncbILkCfpDUAzIM5N-KG_u94L36d3PkO91VkZxvjd4Cj0ju1Q1Npv-i2vp0TBnakkGPu7YAtgNey0BjZi6Kw/s400/rainy+day+dec+2010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545747247413109330" /></a>but it's in the low 60's. Tomorrow promises the return of the sun, and a temperature drop of 20 degrees! I prefer sunny but colder, personally.<br /><br />So, look at me, participating in the traditional WiP Wednesday! I mentioned the other day I was in the middle of a couple of test knits. And really, until at least this first one is done, there will be NO OTHER PROJECTS ON THE NEEDLES!<br /><br />Besides the fact that this was supposed to be finished two weeks ago, I love it so much I want to wear it already! Here is <a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/66y3g" target="_new">Brunhilde</a>:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlBjbrlsyd5HETCqZOQNIfr_p65iL_zqyOO4nOTslQZ_0_G0PdsUsCJvB0LIMJ-IDrwH_1_KlEnj6QubDZAL7cEPBQTW0tVm2GnSNAOeiNIJpJIsdz-uAdNJ2Egx_qfnvLdmzrJAfZc0/s1600/IMG_0251.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlBjbrlsyd5HETCqZOQNIfr_p65iL_zqyOO4nOTslQZ_0_G0PdsUsCJvB0LIMJ-IDrwH_1_KlEnj6QubDZAL7cEPBQTW0tVm2GnSNAOeiNIJpJIsdz-uAdNJ2Egx_qfnvLdmzrJAfZc0/s400/IMG_0251.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545747242613174194" /></a><br />Brunhilde is a top down raglan sweater with amazing cables. The charts are very clear, the instructions too. It even has tips to help you customize along the way. I'll give more deets when she's finished, but even with one sleeve you can get an idea of how she will look.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2o2L702EDJPiwjJCc_aA7RM32fdoqFVepyeLF_fYMbY6_LAYGGw8FEuCHjARivrowMeeWF_xI7LezIp0IDKXRpt_K1qE2JN_DFCTzROjQ-XNDan9vc9Yw71i3UV8BhFIg16Vzo6I4Sk/s1600/IMG_0250.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2o2L702EDJPiwjJCc_aA7RM32fdoqFVepyeLF_fYMbY6_LAYGGw8FEuCHjARivrowMeeWF_xI7LezIp0IDKXRpt_K1qE2JN_DFCTzROjQ-XNDan9vc9Yw71i3UV8BhFIg16Vzo6I4Sk/s400/IMG_0250.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545747241276145986" /></a>I feel less guilty about missing the deadline since my Test Knitting responsibilities are pretty much fulfilled. Since there is NO SEAMING on this, AT ALL, there will be no surprises for sleeve two. You don't have to wait for me to finish though, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brunhilde" target="_new">Brunhilde </a>is now for sale!<br /><br />And as for my other test knit... it's a bit under wraps. I so enjoyed knitting Calvados and admired other of Thea's patterns, that when an opportunity arose to test knit an upcoming pattern for her I grabbed the chance. I can tell you that it's aran weight, tweedy with some leafy detail and perfect for bundling up on a blustery day.<br /><br />Here are a couple of sneak shots to tide you over. Thea plans to release this in early Jan and I can tell you it's a super fast knit. And check out Thea's other patterns over at her blog <a href="http://babycocktails.blogspot.com/" target="_new">BabyCocktails</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YCL8m1IkeSh5Rgk5F_U75XZ1dsvRzs6FzZKed56oNcuP97ugVSGLbRp_fazm379OcjpzESzeudGVKRzbv-XESJurGTPvvfSA2i5VA02QrCA-5D4hvj_IvOI6cvLLn2dJDe2GBjPQ9Ew/s1600/IMG_0256.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YCL8m1IkeSh5Rgk5F_U75XZ1dsvRzs6FzZKed56oNcuP97ugVSGLbRp_fazm379OcjpzESzeudGVKRzbv-XESJurGTPvvfSA2i5VA02QrCA-5D4hvj_IvOI6cvLLn2dJDe2GBjPQ9Ew/s400/IMG_0256.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545747229795167250" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-hpZdfY6nCLNv03c8ruQm24U2RcViS_zXiZN2edmVY-NykPC-thO_bQf0JcToPlmCUWhDyl5ZPzVg7uUZFl_d1mdtzSNbX76p-GqDWxVu6oTqbPXNRnntUz31AiF_vX_AwHZqs6z91I/s1600/IMG_0254.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-hpZdfY6nCLNv03c8ruQm24U2RcViS_zXiZN2edmVY-NykPC-thO_bQf0JcToPlmCUWhDyl5ZPzVg7uUZFl_d1mdtzSNbX76p-GqDWxVu6oTqbPXNRnntUz31AiF_vX_AwHZqs6z91I/s400/IMG_0254.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545747227228305218" /></a>Once I have permission to tell/show more. I will.Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-14444528089820649232010-11-30T08:25:00.000-05:002010-11-30T08:25:20.863-05:00ReflectionsA last look at Autumn, before the rain turns all color to brown then gray. <div>The secrets the water keeps has always intrigued me. </div><div>Nature's Looking Glass.<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLQENvn2pAPqN-z3QrEnQJhIkbINIhGNfnk90_JO1eMSnF7n-R3zbNgX5_gjENPihX_gGhq8kqsXAgS9qv3BNhnF0NkPwWIxwm-ixG4krvRszX3rgZea7wKYCQBjkMbEsA4TCfgtHnfY/s1600/IMG_0204.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLQENvn2pAPqN-z3QrEnQJhIkbINIhGNfnk90_JO1eMSnF7n-R3zbNgX5_gjENPihX_gGhq8kqsXAgS9qv3BNhnF0NkPwWIxwm-ixG4krvRszX3rgZea7wKYCQBjkMbEsA4TCfgtHnfY/s400/IMG_0204.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545154461399235842" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsv4T9VLL_qHs-wtK4WXGpIlYF4iETy2Xf6ZuwsYuAkTKc6NrNd70z3MdJdGgmpgPAd3HuWmu5UsdXsWGaVbZc2ze_bOY-6r6bgAyIiKZCDTWUSTnwyrt5zcOLHd-kutWQCPdX2K5iLw/s1600/IMG_0165.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsv4T9VLL_qHs-wtK4WXGpIlYF4iETy2Xf6ZuwsYuAkTKc6NrNd70z3MdJdGgmpgPAd3HuWmu5UsdXsWGaVbZc2ze_bOY-6r6bgAyIiKZCDTWUSTnwyrt5zcOLHd-kutWQCPdX2K5iLw/s400/IMG_0165.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545154459194544818" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0di3Kif8Ri-7PSFS7SScwzHqMrRfpT7-wZKKtLtF-fIqHQp3oGqjuOnVXPtsH7YVhM7rDKqpXPD3uClWIe-Hbm1xB9HyhgFbQJSZ6hzdKiFLdXVPFWsbrbIj-tG5iyTATBr7uyB15K0/s1600/IMG_0158.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0di3Kif8Ri-7PSFS7SScwzHqMrRfpT7-wZKKtLtF-fIqHQp3oGqjuOnVXPtsH7YVhM7rDKqpXPD3uClWIe-Hbm1xB9HyhgFbQJSZ6hzdKiFLdXVPFWsbrbIj-tG5iyTATBr7uyB15K0/s400/IMG_0158.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545154142645673378" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicafbDwbf78X4gQlp9Mtc7Ff1QIG39X5K4LZ14FJShF3vSLTb5JCTR6ly61makCmL_MAH5kfpVmp8wCcBKCpud567j5-d1styrHAtJz27ch1OsK49sWYrcLYbmyOcD8fcVUoP4X_a6heg/s1600/IMG_0155.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicafbDwbf78X4gQlp9Mtc7Ff1QIG39X5K4LZ14FJShF3vSLTb5JCTR6ly61makCmL_MAH5kfpVmp8wCcBKCpud567j5-d1styrHAtJz27ch1OsK49sWYrcLYbmyOcD8fcVUoP4X_a6heg/s400/IMG_0155.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545154138642096226" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn01NGUJTolJYYim0P3v99TP62xH4vIMr50rZl_kIelcASgsvlsx5cbzm0L7srpKWmmwhrjtJVoUA0M02JdyIgRYjujpXqf4drP07EdvwgKnATtWxo_X5P82EwRBw-pD7ws7ghNEzik2Q/s1600/IMG_0142.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn01NGUJTolJYYim0P3v99TP62xH4vIMr50rZl_kIelcASgsvlsx5cbzm0L7srpKWmmwhrjtJVoUA0M02JdyIgRYjujpXqf4drP07EdvwgKnATtWxo_X5P82EwRBw-pD7ws7ghNEzik2Q/s400/IMG_0142.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545154113508262930" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmSORFaifzM3jItscMvMnB1mJUVvMdPLp8VFdRVUE96i4VeQFLBvyAVshRKt0hjMXKJ_4RgALtH0A0efNhSGGIS9ONpfmn38FIwe_650w1FKTVynodpXBCqu7sYKMQ26cIcjzEd5bgaE/s1600/geese1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmSORFaifzM3jItscMvMnB1mJUVvMdPLp8VFdRVUE96i4VeQFLBvyAVshRKt0hjMXKJ_4RgALtH0A0efNhSGGIS9ONpfmn38FIwe_650w1FKTVynodpXBCqu7sYKMQ26cIcjzEd5bgaE/s400/geese1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545154098245164018" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HDNUS-yRuAoJmZiWrEcBRbIkMb_CDJ3yveQEX3-ZotbEqmfzTdvzWaSHim7z-0L8b_bM82265Z6rQvaW2JMJpUMMP2zUy3gjBjdero3BqS0WNNJlf11M6wwP6pjsOKTSKmCx-b-l1SI/s1600/ducks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HDNUS-yRuAoJmZiWrEcBRbIkMb_CDJ3yveQEX3-ZotbEqmfzTdvzWaSHim7z-0L8b_bM82265Z6rQvaW2JMJpUMMP2zUy3gjBjdero3BqS0WNNJlf11M6wwP6pjsOKTSKmCx-b-l1SI/s400/ducks.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545153451996823858" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrPjRlSXB1WGZNMUrQpG7AK77KBg5tE2ZVsZLSy0urwrKF0b4oGQ5TnFdL5K6Yg3CHDnsY3H1bS15hopjhcQNuK3mmxRbZN0uwbavmWSRjKqzqB8XDMa8WlMGrc6eTmit4MIB9q2xqQ8/s1600/IMG_0152.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrPjRlSXB1WGZNMUrQpG7AK77KBg5tE2ZVsZLSy0urwrKF0b4oGQ5TnFdL5K6Yg3CHDnsY3H1bS15hopjhcQNuK3mmxRbZN0uwbavmWSRjKqzqB8XDMa8WlMGrc6eTmit4MIB9q2xqQ8/s400/IMG_0152.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545152458967072834" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoR1wpJ9OvpCp1T8qe3r-huEHM_f7INUa4IAmYSOydx5-qHmstNgbkkTa7bM4-x1MPukQW2sWLiAzMIR2KVoc2P7dR9xH0lrZRHHs3H8B4HM2ibAQjgQHZeuRLEdIsJcokmotQEqRkNg/s1600/reflections.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoR1wpJ9OvpCp1T8qe3r-huEHM_f7INUa4IAmYSOydx5-qHmstNgbkkTa7bM4-x1MPukQW2sWLiAzMIR2KVoc2P7dR9xH0lrZRHHs3H8B4HM2ibAQjgQHZeuRLEdIsJcokmotQEqRkNg/s400/reflections.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545152808398763762" /></a></div></div>Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-89928485936930007982010-11-29T08:23:00.005-05:002010-11-29T20:31:03.701-05:00A Series of Unfortunate AnglesWhen I was home in September I was able to finish and model my <a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/n8uhe" target="_new">Monami Cardigan</a>. Since then I have finished two others, almost finished one (test knit) and started a fourth (yet another test knit). So now that I am an official "Sweater Knitter" it seems that the hardest part still remains finding someone to photograph the FOs.<br /><br />I loved <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/calvados" target="_new">Calvados</a> as soon as Thea Coleman posted it to her Ravelry Project page and I waited for the pattern's release date quite anxiously. And then I bought it. I think I was working on Monami at the time, but as soon as I returned from SF, I cast on.<br /><br />This project is the perfect marriage of pattern, yarn and buttons. The yarn, you may recognize as the Harris Tweed I picked up at School Products. It lived in the stash over a year waiting for the perfect pattern to be written for it. And the buttons came from the wonderful Jodie, owner of the fabulous Etsy store <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/greenrayprod" target="_new">Green Ray Productions</a>. I love the deep red against the dark gray. The pattern design is so current, I receive compliments EVERY time I wear it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyNxI7ooQsDLGZGgt44KIiYru0qXra0zgRQP8-87ciPZTXWfREeO7eY0ZrJmtR9Brh_dkGrF_PFUCwX6nxQYQFkbpfliDF6y9l67DXKoGSH7DjW7xcv80fOGkKFMIswxN2XEgzD6CCNw/s1600/calvados+front.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyNxI7ooQsDLGZGgt44KIiYru0qXra0zgRQP8-87ciPZTXWfREeO7eY0ZrJmtR9Brh_dkGrF_PFUCwX6nxQYQFkbpfliDF6y9l67DXKoGSH7DjW7xcv80fOGkKFMIswxN2XEgzD6CCNw/s400/calvados+front.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543106799324730178" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMU6s3E1eusDEFDzOJQyjLRydnyYxJhPNQrBvh0VS7P1x2Q9SbpX3d9FtHiooXU0xtSF8BKE7vEnRltOMiqoBa3eMRUSo3Vlz52uqn8nhRSutvsLci2HSd4SqI0qG4EXFcnTQBLHgjxBU/s1600/calvados+back.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMU6s3E1eusDEFDzOJQyjLRydnyYxJhPNQrBvh0VS7P1x2Q9SbpX3d9FtHiooXU0xtSF8BKE7vEnRltOMiqoBa3eMRUSo3Vlz52uqn8nhRSutvsLci2HSd4SqI0qG4EXFcnTQBLHgjxBU/s400/calvados+back.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543106793770888226" /></a>These front and back pics have been up on my Ravelry page a long time, but I finally got my mom to take some modeled shots when we were in England. She did so well on the Golden Gate Bridge I had high hopes for the outcome.<br /><br />Unfortunately she decided, for some inexplicable reason, to shoot with the camera angled up, leaving me with some great shots of the sweater but very unflattering shots of me:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3FhfNuslCmbd8XW32iQZ08AqZm1TZooTgU0FMkh9T3w6ernvKTjjT2kJEM2xVJZIeSdcMEmpsqK0bAOJus7BO34q5Oig2JAi_pVchd0vfpzwhavaC1v6Vm4UkR1xRzUwq_lesEDQC5U/s1600/IMG_0003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3FhfNuslCmbd8XW32iQZ08AqZm1TZooTgU0FMkh9T3w6ernvKTjjT2kJEM2xVJZIeSdcMEmpsqK0bAOJus7BO34q5Oig2JAi_pVchd0vfpzwhavaC1v6Vm4UkR1xRzUwq_lesEDQC5U/s400/IMG_0003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543106772427300482" /></a>As usual, I added bust shaping.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXO-FfVT8MNivQwGhmyNs83YC_uYS2yUuyBB0uEQQ6Hbd70UJZcLvzalAx1Rvs3PsN9emutDriavavGzrG50nXF6_uXGsCXiAT4t21OYNQ-YC-bngXOUvDN2o7dBMTJ8jPrTLC7tkacAM/s1600/IMG_0005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXO-FfVT8MNivQwGhmyNs83YC_uYS2yUuyBB0uEQQ6Hbd70UJZcLvzalAx1Rvs3PsN9emutDriavavGzrG50nXF6_uXGsCXiAT4t21OYNQ-YC-bngXOUvDN2o7dBMTJ8jPrTLC7tkacAM/s400/IMG_0005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543106783109480354" /></a><br /><br />This asymmetrical sweater is knit from the bottom up. At the underarm, increases are made over successive rows to to give the T-look. After seeming up the three pieces, the collar stitches are picked up and needle size goes up successively to create the full collar.<br /><br />If I were to make it again, I would omit some of the A-Line flair (by casting on fewer stitches) since, as you can see below, I just don’t have any hips to pull it off. It just sort of sticks out instead of draping. But that’s my body, not the pattern!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9cNejs1u7ZI_xEf6L00faPrLk4rCqsZd3WUoxVb2ukjlQOxISZgsFKSa_cOvg1dD4vlSE3t1BuA3yPOO3MpMGN238BL7j2CJUqeCevFljt7_PySdFvh2pQHIpnCCwz_KdvOCslzJD9A/s1600/back.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9cNejs1u7ZI_xEf6L00faPrLk4rCqsZd3WUoxVb2ukjlQOxISZgsFKSa_cOvg1dD4vlSE3t1BuA3yPOO3MpMGN238BL7j2CJUqeCevFljt7_PySdFvh2pQHIpnCCwz_KdvOCslzJD9A/s400/back.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543106790422827026" /></a><br /><a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/egue2" target="_new">Calvados</a> by <a href="http://babycocktails.blogspot.com/" target="_new">Thea Coleman</a><br />Yarn: School Products Harris Tweed Mill End<br />Needles: US 7, 8, 9 (4.5mm ,5.0mm, 5.5mm)<br />Buttons from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/greenrayprod" target="_new">Green Ray Productions</a>Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-75157447526587679302010-11-26T03:25:00.002-05:002010-11-26T03:33:33.803-05:00Happy Black Friday!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVZEI-w8kTEuA15ENcOuh9T0GvBHzsm_hyGbzjNwR31EffO21_KsEbLnrO8RZa7J6_OktgH4r42mHnUInYusfoxnscduCBDyLb6sV7DS5nmTIFuBE1P4dZ-VNE5j2otRii5KWM4tGf6k/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVZEI-w8kTEuA15ENcOuh9T0GvBHzsm_hyGbzjNwR31EffO21_KsEbLnrO8RZa7J6_OktgH4r42mHnUInYusfoxnscduCBDyLb6sV7DS5nmTIFuBE1P4dZ-VNE5j2otRii5KWM4tGf6k/s400/Untitled-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543773726984390738" /></a>Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-29957433119744599632010-11-25T09:26:00.002-05:002010-11-25T09:30:27.135-05:00Hats, RevisitedThe weather has cooled off enough for me to start wearing my hats on a regular basis. And, in between sweaters, I plan on making more. They are a nice, quick knit, adding style and flair to an otherwise boring jacket.<br /><br />During my walk in the park, I decided to take a few self portraits showing off some old favorites.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nqWNUG3x9bvRW8hxPf8n4kwmvXohAT9Mmil_-5yl5g3kqrVGXhrwSXea51yrM6VuAboVlY1MY0ROsy1fKFYyCVyf4uUe7_om55zU-yvNXccNHhx4-qeiyNG9WCQNHxkLAh9ideBe31o/s1600/IMG_0110.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nqWNUG3x9bvRW8hxPf8n4kwmvXohAT9Mmil_-5yl5g3kqrVGXhrwSXea51yrM6VuAboVlY1MY0ROsy1fKFYyCVyf4uUe7_om55zU-yvNXccNHhx4-qeiyNG9WCQNHxkLAh9ideBe31o/s400/IMG_0110.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543107753008555522" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qKt4kFyj0EgVrIFqfZr5TuJRtGjduBq5U9ShTkb5npFnNCPTTRb0m0r8tRGSsslL8rI00OoxUbziSGfwMBo8aubULbOzZKsFgYZAQ4WjmqVEZkgTME0smkJNkS7Q94NhaGB3hGbUhyphenhyphenI/s1600/IMG_0111.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qKt4kFyj0EgVrIFqfZr5TuJRtGjduBq5U9ShTkb5npFnNCPTTRb0m0r8tRGSsslL8rI00OoxUbziSGfwMBo8aubULbOzZKsFgYZAQ4WjmqVEZkgTME0smkJNkS7Q94NhaGB3hGbUhyphenhyphenI/s400/IMG_0111.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543107749389120786" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/hhg7o" target="_new">Ice Dragon</a> (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/snapdragon-tam" target="_new">Snapdragon </a>by Ysolda Teague)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6T7fLmjmNaDAzRDjFHtDlwO9wnSSKp1I2iCfaXy5wdX2AzjwPXEVAwYo9OYQR2IuYnEM8Ek-nfuWouH-v6zCSZmpE7Aam4ahw4BklNyxm5Jjn6rpg6I9C48Qq4yr4MXXCcpQyP4A73Yg/s1600/IMG_0125.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6T7fLmjmNaDAzRDjFHtDlwO9wnSSKp1I2iCfaXy5wdX2AzjwPXEVAwYo9OYQR2IuYnEM8Ek-nfuWouH-v6zCSZmpE7Aam4ahw4BklNyxm5Jjn6rpg6I9C48Qq4yr4MXXCcpQyP4A73Yg/s400/IMG_0125.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543107735686764850" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP45k_THKzYwGldfonEzn5PuRutIV_-BEMlqWCZwXcNceka2p9Npdo0_ie-TvXHn_MfhVxQ7xGms6B5tCLcikKi_H_YoLtIwAwsmVcpBU98okGSQNvX5770C67Rwh5OgwvSTe-cr1_LmE/s1600/IMG_0112.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP45k_THKzYwGldfonEzn5PuRutIV_-BEMlqWCZwXcNceka2p9Npdo0_ie-TvXHn_MfhVxQ7xGms6B5tCLcikKi_H_YoLtIwAwsmVcpBU98okGSQNvX5770C67Rwh5OgwvSTe-cr1_LmE/s400/IMG_0112.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543107718162669106" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/tantej/rose-red-2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/ox4jl" target="_new">Rose Red Redux</a> (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rose-red" target="_new">Rose Red</a> by Ysolda Teague)</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF70j-mty6kFGhdbAK3IcQk-OFCpw1oVslhMWTYQEJlaoqMTV4OIupVnyDMWGRupvMUONzce3HCdRGfviZHqA2lz_Tmd4CT6tRZaIdYinfMMrB4WhUbn8V3EW_IEgPGU0u5UY1UMtUTgc/s1600/IMG_0129.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF70j-mty6kFGhdbAK3IcQk-OFCpw1oVslhMWTYQEJlaoqMTV4OIupVnyDMWGRupvMUONzce3HCdRGfviZHqA2lz_Tmd4CT6tRZaIdYinfMMrB4WhUbn8V3EW_IEgPGU0u5UY1UMtUTgc/s400/IMG_0129.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543107451056682098" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSeSK3fmRXLbnXnfHwHpNAfknyZ-GUbtLmT5g-ztfovRKPk-uC_ig7EYTooF1f14G0Ab9-JFAA-CUnuHby5-LMem-uiqAg3YrnsOO45vpNDYZ3KkJyXAfB0U14YFsp-4k0_RPqg-DS3E/s1600/IMG_0126.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSeSK3fmRXLbnXnfHwHpNAfknyZ-GUbtLmT5g-ztfovRKPk-uC_ig7EYTooF1f14G0Ab9-JFAA-CUnuHby5-LMem-uiqAg3YrnsOO45vpNDYZ3KkJyXAfB0U14YFsp-4k0_RPqg-DS3E/s400/IMG_0126.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543107715428650514" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/tantej/meret-mystery-beret"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/cyq0r" target="_new">The Sanity Hat</a> (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/meret-mystery-beret" target="_new">Meret Beret</a> by Wooly Wormhead)</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ImhN5ARA3puIH9cr1Q_TBQZVb5OnOrPi_JwdqKLGEiz1PZmVaP3qiFM9VnlcALnU0S10RzCBD50UVMJ2fprINhbo8qhLJDfGtwtHgaOqi6yHhjhjE9p9c05ILaW4MwZXaZ0vkvhHOhA/s1600/IMG_0082.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ImhN5ARA3puIH9cr1Q_TBQZVb5OnOrPi_JwdqKLGEiz1PZmVaP3qiFM9VnlcALnU0S10RzCBD50UVMJ2fprINhbo8qhLJDfGtwtHgaOqi6yHhjhjE9p9c05ILaW4MwZXaZ0vkvhHOhA/s400/IMG_0082.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543107344993113874" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnTmuyn9Hyad4s8pGxoZWizn_jeEJmnLoR5waawKpsiuD89Ai0BlfUVX5wsOTjcayNGtGaUQgVh_mazv2sqiAZgAJm5cnj_CfuxpVIUOUJmTl1SdIMdtPFGFoKmwgmTxR7mWA6BQ_GS4/s1600/IMG_0135.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnTmuyn9Hyad4s8pGxoZWizn_jeEJmnLoR5waawKpsiuD89Ai0BlfUVX5wsOTjcayNGtGaUQgVh_mazv2sqiAZgAJm5cnj_CfuxpVIUOUJmTl1SdIMdtPFGFoKmwgmTxR7mWA6BQ_GS4/s400/IMG_0135.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543107351874385042" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/wbcss" target="_new">Breiwick </a> (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/breiwick" target="_new">Breiwick </a>by Gudrun Johnson</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And this old chestnut, which had been relegated to the back of my closet:</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEkTHjOoin1bvQskEogl4ArCFM3tJ6I7Wx-VYRVYA2rJPc_99ajXQWMstgetXFLCjPc1QYe97MfmP-4Otq4w6WsRQGMgpsrKJelrl8bioojX8DTSCABYmOkympxvJQTErteFIL4iVA1o/s1600/IMG_0145.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEkTHjOoin1bvQskEogl4ArCFM3tJ6I7Wx-VYRVYA2rJPc_99ajXQWMstgetXFLCjPc1QYe97MfmP-4Otq4w6WsRQGMgpsrKJelrl8bioojX8DTSCABYmOkympxvJQTErteFIL4iVA1o/s400/IMG_0145.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543107442019594674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyHKFnrOu-jn5KxXDOeckNAlhEVBknIfISDO7PYPwAms8dvOL20RE0S6cc389mhA84BMR67o9dpyAvNb_iqr2AWjGaarl7hgkWJ_cae7lAERI1dhKGjznNm5-ibcY1VbWtrhGhe24CL0/s1600/IMG_0151.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyHKFnrOu-jn5KxXDOeckNAlhEVBknIfISDO7PYPwAms8dvOL20RE0S6cc389mhA84BMR67o9dpyAvNb_iqr2AWjGaarl7hgkWJ_cae7lAERI1dhKGjznNm5-ibcY1VbWtrhGhe24CL0/s400/IMG_0151.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543107438320742770" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/w1z73" target="_new">Odessa </a> (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/odessa" target="_new">Odessa </a>by Grumperina)</div><br /></div><div>There are a couple more hats I'd like to re-shoot, and one I'd like to remake completely. <a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/xkahx" target="_new">Verity</a>, another winner by Ysolda Teague, has always been a bit too big. But now, with the new hair, I resemble the Pillsbury Dough Boy!<br /><br />And of course there will be new hats to make and wear. This new hair is VERY hat friendly!</div>Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-2201518105943403152010-11-24T06:38:00.001-05:002010-11-24T23:01:24.666-05:00Pussy-Cat, Pussy-CatWhere have you been?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmPQ_CKmM_h6VkTeBFcjIeV6ZLJSD6oa0M8wUvyUrh-Oh-apErq31ln_8erkt5myk6yKGfEf5osQBva9NFhl6iEdH5BOSZ55mew7wKjg1mapsg3zEHp29h7sTwHEPBbUP3B2lSBA-Tjs/s1600/IMG_0329.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmPQ_CKmM_h6VkTeBFcjIeV6ZLJSD6oa0M8wUvyUrh-Oh-apErq31ln_8erkt5myk6yKGfEf5osQBva9NFhl6iEdH5BOSZ55mew7wKjg1mapsg3zEHp29h7sTwHEPBbUP3B2lSBA-Tjs/s400/IMG_0329.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542893961359126194" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Monaco; font-size: medium; ">"I've been to London to look at the queen."</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Monaco; font-size: medium; "><br /></span></div><div>Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, what did you there?</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkn0vZLN8xWtheF1ZMevwHmn2qZwaNG7jz1EWYJw23UvmcKyoMgSVwnYF1xuxYheuvYQRA6V4lWGjI6aK08VX2WVhd67PeuR1h3NlL8EvggISoat3A29YrqRX5EXCCyjGmOQDwc9DDX4/s1600/IMG_0168.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkn0vZLN8xWtheF1ZMevwHmn2qZwaNG7jz1EWYJw23UvmcKyoMgSVwnYF1xuxYheuvYQRA6V4lWGjI6aK08VX2WVhd67PeuR1h3NlL8EvggISoat3A29YrqRX5EXCCyjGmOQDwc9DDX4/s400/IMG_0168.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542894085795212578" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Monaco; font-size: medium; ">"I frightened a little mouse under the chair."</span></div><div><br /><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAjyOUH9cwgvIC9wfADcebESqbsi9Qw_2onyGTH25pFKuCYfJ6NXWnArXMhkusIwBxIL47jmGcB7DerSxCwTGOUbCtd2s4IfEawvOorW62nPxapvrumxeHHmUFvQbMjNGeRuCl35SP6M/s1600/IMG_0253.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAjyOUH9cwgvIC9wfADcebESqbsi9Qw_2onyGTH25pFKuCYfJ6NXWnArXMhkusIwBxIL47jmGcB7DerSxCwTGOUbCtd2s4IfEawvOorW62nPxapvrumxeHHmUFvQbMjNGeRuCl35SP6M/s400/IMG_0253.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542894099553156066" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Who are these girls with straight hair?"</i></div></div></div>Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-67761017738398335602010-11-23T09:20:00.000-05:002010-11-23T09:20:49.942-05:00A Walk in the ParkI was so glad to find the colors of fall were still around after being away last week.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXj3Y-f4VJ-Vp5QAcHujnrIociDU5GJqNqA1KdFaHe1QpuQRSNbcy7PW1sOnKal7QvEM_0EwzN3wDG56GrY5TPvd_RcXvjzfmcVTK8huvihlvAhX1jSqrHk-aRaGk5S6Dya4CpC1WbwUU/s1600/IMG_0043.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXj3Y-f4VJ-Vp5QAcHujnrIociDU5GJqNqA1KdFaHe1QpuQRSNbcy7PW1sOnKal7QvEM_0EwzN3wDG56GrY5TPvd_RcXvjzfmcVTK8huvihlvAhX1jSqrHk-aRaGk5S6Dya4CpC1WbwUU/s400/IMG_0043.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542609763818877730" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0phttBYXvWAz-aMg3VIrPhhavq6EO25HBL6VRQemCDwr8Hexvv2CLNngcAcTGkvythxoHN7n2Oc6v1sP1u_xnavI0zm2U6S2XzNiwtMYolOVuqtiF_OgeWqShVtT_8l6Ox8ghx0OWWo8/s1600/IMG_0041.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0phttBYXvWAz-aMg3VIrPhhavq6EO25HBL6VRQemCDwr8Hexvv2CLNngcAcTGkvythxoHN7n2Oc6v1sP1u_xnavI0zm2U6S2XzNiwtMYolOVuqtiF_OgeWqShVtT_8l6Ox8ghx0OWWo8/s400/IMG_0041.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542608522691967474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44AAJpZgReYdAxfEQfkryAldS_dSThZ60QVUNv4gjlgLT2ua1aJlGVzZD9UeMDQFNlPygTAH_7j-s4iSUjlloBzYuuRzuTWDg1eivWEIUkVZJmWwtqgBi53QRRVCgp8ijJarhrnEylTY/s1600/IMG_0039.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44AAJpZgReYdAxfEQfkryAldS_dSThZ60QVUNv4gjlgLT2ua1aJlGVzZD9UeMDQFNlPygTAH_7j-s4iSUjlloBzYuuRzuTWDg1eivWEIUkVZJmWwtqgBi53QRRVCgp8ijJarhrnEylTY/s400/IMG_0039.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542608515838148690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQWJUK9r_MuXj55CROVZSa0aspJVqTsBaB3bXpY6H5fjP4UxFNqPvuWLpL1_UEr781u7JD48w7DEtZjkuF6wusRG7LxI4Y2HmqrhiZ5MPKYba89yjmKLBQn0pDza2gi_GC6hTQW3-4-U/s1600/IMG_0034.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQWJUK9r_MuXj55CROVZSa0aspJVqTsBaB3bXpY6H5fjP4UxFNqPvuWLpL1_UEr781u7JD48w7DEtZjkuF6wusRG7LxI4Y2HmqrhiZ5MPKYba89yjmKLBQn0pDza2gi_GC6hTQW3-4-U/s400/IMG_0034.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542608514202799218" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSindgT6OMU06ndXuiYGkdPEKa8RExH41CjLNs-dU8tLCke-IoWSZ9e6G_DDXGh88ys6euwIR-8sS6WgSfa4JfJIuWAEB0ht6lhVfHdCsLbTPOPf4_JZefihvmEl13KhgFPypUDg6DloQ/s1600/IMG_0032.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSindgT6OMU06ndXuiYGkdPEKa8RExH41CjLNs-dU8tLCke-IoWSZ9e6G_DDXGh88ys6euwIR-8sS6WgSfa4JfJIuWAEB0ht6lhVfHdCsLbTPOPf4_JZefihvmEl13KhgFPypUDg6DloQ/s400/IMG_0032.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542608506425215506" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIHdvp6T_NyT5tL-TcnUM3R11goNE5vpU_eHpyq2kBVBlsHBCljdwC9_ETQ_XJyWv1x_6pw8fqUf59Qwb11w7P7ctH6_dYMNTRngODaZX9uxy9Q3p7NuovJUwUT9-xWA4Chz6BEgchP8/s1600/IMG_0037.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIHdvp6T_NyT5tL-TcnUM3R11goNE5vpU_eHpyq2kBVBlsHBCljdwC9_ETQ_XJyWv1x_6pw8fqUf59Qwb11w7P7ctH6_dYMNTRngODaZX9uxy9Q3p7NuovJUwUT9-xWA4Chz6BEgchP8/s400/IMG_0037.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542608508460852898" /></a><br /><div>If you quote me on this, I'll deny it, but it was a gorgeous day here in New Jersey. Perfect for my new <a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/ab" target="_new">hat</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0a7Q11BKPSABKfVV9pt716RMcWstE4ZKXq4yzT8_lws173SKBV0d7qyVWcjKcF-wDdyzfg2ZQk7bbu3gi15n5Pjq632cvryNxYlSHY_QgZIhLHFD3Suvy4fJBhegf-_pfkKMmZuze29E/s1600/IMG_0046.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0a7Q11BKPSABKfVV9pt716RMcWstE4ZKXq4yzT8_lws173SKBV0d7qyVWcjKcF-wDdyzfg2ZQk7bbu3gi15n5Pjq632cvryNxYlSHY_QgZIhLHFD3Suvy4fJBhegf-_pfkKMmZuze29E/s400/IMG_0046.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542609781523004754" /></a>I needed a break from my sweater knitting and snuck this in one day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXpfhaiVOjl9bm2T5gfMVgiJPtPSWPd1EJoyeIKM0kMTAL4wwGvZput1akhG1qu8XpwBl6toWzP339UxqbClmRrfdciw9Sesp58L7kqOrHt5VzrsCpAhASCCoG2SNRkbb9Nek2qgsePc/s1600/aroboreal+final+modeled.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXpfhaiVOjl9bm2T5gfMVgiJPtPSWPd1EJoyeIKM0kMTAL4wwGvZput1akhG1qu8XpwBl6toWzP339UxqbClmRrfdciw9Sesp58L7kqOrHt5VzrsCpAhASCCoG2SNRkbb9Nek2qgsePc/s400/aroboreal+final+modeled.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542609763241909986" /></a><a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/collection/index.php/component/content/article/83-fall-2010-patterns/693-arboreal-beret-by-elli-stubenrauch" target="_new">Arboreal Beret</a> by Elli Stubenrauch<br />Twist Collective Fall 2010<br />Yarn: Baby Camel from School Products<br />Needle: 5.0 mm (US size 8)<br /><br />I love the clean lines and undyed yarn. Crisp and clean, I'll have to make some gloves with the what's left!<br /></div>Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-71900772859797586202010-11-22T18:29:00.004-05:002010-11-22T18:37:55.793-05:00J. E. T. S.What do you do on a cold Autumn day when you're getting over jetlag AND suffering from a bad cold?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi819hQkW6Zd3s7NR1XrxQ8ZbivifYbGVgLj8CqUolKS-zRQc7qi4Li-2XYdFU8jttwVll3RbMAynzaaFDhJ5n0nH35A5eeStc0GH8y4Aczad-sqkhDZddG_hKOeb6dueHYrKnnkVxy0p0/s1600/jets+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi819hQkW6Zd3s7NR1XrxQ8ZbivifYbGVgLj8CqUolKS-zRQc7qi4Li-2XYdFU8jttwVll3RbMAynzaaFDhJ5n0nH35A5eeStc0GH8y4Aczad-sqkhDZddG_hKOeb6dueHYrKnnkVxy0p0/s400/jets+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542520792934886802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHslI2dL2wwVk_piv4J4L4wlu1XVd39m2SfXW3zG0ko5srL_Y9Q-pZj_8A1lNuG_H96p4TbUIygwpiwpDVdfGPuza9pO4oJ-1CAw-MjyeEpsCMUGdGV8Vsv3QexAl0Dos2gOwbUyIAEI/s1600/jets+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHslI2dL2wwVk_piv4J4L4wlu1XVd39m2SfXW3zG0ko5srL_Y9Q-pZj_8A1lNuG_H96p4TbUIygwpiwpDVdfGPuza9pO4oJ-1CAw-MjyeEpsCMUGdGV8Vsv3QexAl0Dos2gOwbUyIAEI/s400/jets+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542520798845372546" /></a><br />Go to the game! And what a <a href="http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/sanchez-to-holmes-caps-another-thrilling-jets-win-1.2484503" target="_new">finish</a>!<br /><div><br /></div><div>Oh, and I've been knitting and have some pics to share...</div>Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-68760613153145671192010-09-07T17:16:00.005-04:002010-09-07T17:51:47.950-04:00What a (g)Lovely DaySo this post was supposed to be about my test knitting experience. And it is something I intend to write about because, well, it's important to ME. And perhaps, whether you are a knitter or not, there is something you too can learn from it. But that last post had A LOT of words so I've decided to go a bit sideways for now and show you my current WiP.<br /><br />I had no intention of deviating from my sweater knitting devotion so quickly, but an opportunity to join Laris Designs newest mitten pattern, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chimera-3" target="_new">Chimera</a>, KAL (which included the pattern) came up and I listened! Frankly, I would have <i>loved </i> to knit these up in this season's neutral palette, but this is a stash busting only project. And hey, look what I found:<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREACfQ7qPRbhrtys9mzV09dnnS-yqCsUWF2IwFpk_hBVqucTcW42ghlQ_FBsYH-r8ltC7N6JSk9evcOQZs9yUmmt_kLvWmGA8_bQ50xafgtzYOK_00cfIfJJ82IynBwQb7_C70YRJdSI/s1600/lettuce+and+olive.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREACfQ7qPRbhrtys9mzV09dnnS-yqCsUWF2IwFpk_hBVqucTcW42ghlQ_FBsYH-r8ltC7N6JSk9evcOQZs9yUmmt_kLvWmGA8_bQ50xafgtzYOK_00cfIfJJ82IynBwQb7_C70YRJdSI/s400/lettuce+and+olive.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514288615071627426" /></a>Malabrigo Worsted in Lettuce and Olive. I actually have two hanks of Lettuce and will be using the second for a coordinating hat (pattern TBD).<br /><br /><a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/xyqkn" target="_new">These mittens</a> are just too cool, and with a few mods, like half fingers and flip tops, this double layer of Malabrigo cushiness will keep my hands super warm and cozy this winter. And here we are, a couple of days into the knitting...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQPo4s7gTyDplrgFNuOXFcHbe1jtqO2KNWQmy3LphfszKwcXO2NRWZWkopt1KFEtHOFbjefHnH9qdQsJi6C1QOnxcckfjocCJ2GW2JjIfGP_xJaIzOFBt-h4tkQCPtSTP-BjetQaj3zQ/s1600/progress+fingers+glove+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQPo4s7gTyDplrgFNuOXFcHbe1jtqO2KNWQmy3LphfszKwcXO2NRWZWkopt1KFEtHOFbjefHnH9qdQsJi6C1QOnxcckfjocCJ2GW2JjIfGP_xJaIzOFBt-h4tkQCPtSTP-BjetQaj3zQ/s400/progress+fingers+glove+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514288625019245250" /></a></div>But don't worry, stealth sweater knitting continues as does progress on my <a href="http://ravel.me/tantej/j8cgn" target="_new">Wrap it Up</a>.Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-84172975921097829822010-09-02T08:49:00.006-04:002010-09-02T10:12:08.666-04:00Independently MindedYou've just come across a hot new pattern. Everybody's knitting it and everybody's loving it. The pattern is so clearly written. The charts are so concise. The design is clever and looks good on everyone AND it comes in 10 sizes! How did that happen???<br /><br />Once upon a time, patterns came from books, booklets, magazines or leaflets. You bought said book, booklet, magazine or leaflet from your LYS or favorite book store. Maybe you even bought it on-line. Then as you knit it you found a mistake, you went back to your LYS or, if you were computer savvy, you went to the publisher's website and find the ERRATA. Because there is always Errata. Always. Except when there isn't and there should be! I'm going to give the benefit of the doubt here and say that the problem arises due to lack of time. That the fault is on the part of the publisher and not the designer because once a design is accepted, the designer has very little time to supply a sample in one size, let alone in a range of sizes. But thanks to Internet as a whole and, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/" target="_new">Ravelry </a>specifically, the world of design and pattern acquisition is changing.<br /><br />Besides bringing knitters together from across the world to create a true Global Knitting Community, Ravelry has done two other magnificent things. It has created forums that allow virtual KAL (Knit-A-Longs) where pattern questions can be answered by other knitters and often the designers themselves. And it has offered Independent Designers an opportunity to present and sell their own patterns.<br /><br />Now I have yet to design, but I imagine that process goes something like this. Either by swatching, fiddling or by using a paper and pencil, the designer uses their creativity to come up with a design. Next they knit it up or jot down the notes on what they just did, depending on how they process. Now focusing on garments (as opposed to accessories) the finished design is knit up in one size. Probably theirs, or their daughter's (sister's, best friend's, etc.) Point is, it's one size. One set of notes. Then they (or their tech editor) crunch the numbers and create a size range often starting at 30 or 32 and going all the way up to 54 (magazines tend to give you S, M, L or XS(S, M, L) and sometimes XL if you are really lucky). And now the Independent Designer shows just how smart she/he is. The Independent Designer finds Test Knitters, in a range of sizes, to sit and knit the pattern up. Make sure it works. That the numbers crunched. That the theory matches up with the reality. And once many sizes have been knit, problems found and patterns corrected, then they go on sale. It doesn't always happen like this, but I believe it often does. And since these designers are active on Ravelry, they are avid knitters after all, they are accessible to the knitter's who are now buying the patterns. And if some mistake still slipped through, they usually address it quite quickly.<br /><br />So though I have a large library of books and magazines, I find myself knitting from these Independent Designers more and more. I like their fresh styles, their innovative techniques. I like that they use Test Knitters to work out the kinks, and that if I have a question, they are there (and happy) to answer it. And because they are not quite yet famous, they really care. There is a designer, a little less known, that excites me very much. Emily Johnson of <a href="http://familytrunkproject.com/" target="_new">The Family Trunk Project</a> is a real Renaissance woman. She is a self proclaimed "garment designer, writer, knitter" and I'm guessing she does even more. While her site is filled with amazing stories of her family and the designs their personalities have inspired, and some designs not inspired by family members, her <a href="http://www.familytrunkproject.com/blog.html" target="_new">blog</a> lets you in on her process, some beautiful sewing projects and enough details about her personal life to make her feel like someone you want to know and want to spend time with, without ever supplying TMI as to make you feel uncomfortable or bored.<br /><br />Now why am I telling you all this? Emily recently posted a 5 part series of entries on Influence and its place in the design process. And all the time I was reading it I was loving the sweater she was creating. Yep, the original <a href="http://www.familytrunkproject.com/monami/" target="_new">Monami</a>. The day she posted pictures of the final sweater I wrote her immediately telling her fabulous it was, not considering for a moment that she would be selling that design. I don't know why I thought that way, but there you have it. I was appreciating the beauty of the sweater, wishing I too could have said sweater, and overlooking the obvious. A designer with a new pattern design may be selling said pattern. Until someone on the Madtosh Lovers Forum posted in the Patterns that would look great in... thread posted a link. A link to a pattern with 5 sizes but no price tag. It wasn't for sale yet. It must be in Testing! Might Emily still need a Test Knitter? I immediately followed up on my congratulatory message with an offer of my services, and much to my delight and surprise I was in. Test Knitting. And in my next post I will tell you how this experience changed me as a knitter.Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91777212027995200.post-56098182882149106332010-08-30T06:06:00.006-04:002010-08-30T15:40:20.414-04:00A View From the BridgeMy Moanami is finished! Details on the sweater and my first test knitting experience in my next post, but for now look: My first modeled shots! My mom took these on the Golden Gate Bridge last week. Believe it or not, it was my first time walking it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvUVcm8Y9AUpJCrzWCkgDa-0cYErIgweczusbkvArn6XFFUp_YFdkF9YiHKZ5ljZg_1A_AFrrN4dcdIBUEXIvMzfWcdv5GruUOuDwhGp57iQwBfd8OpMhsiJHc64eh0AsJnIXhAzNWwc/s1600/final+monami+profile.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvUVcm8Y9AUpJCrzWCkgDa-0cYErIgweczusbkvArn6XFFUp_YFdkF9YiHKZ5ljZg_1A_AFrrN4dcdIBUEXIvMzfWcdv5GruUOuDwhGp57iQwBfd8OpMhsiJHc64eh0AsJnIXhAzNWwc/s400/final+monami+profile.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511142598918546786" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMWLyG9XXTAmiafafzKuC6DKW4XfGq2CHsexiXEkdEy67BndJL7d9U5UFLMjUIqe8OfGwjMgw_fQ7jgIi-LZSO8Vm85j-b7BK9-BVH-jsS5Nx7wkoTEe6eZYal7gLJQ5UrlScEuT8cmQ/s1600/final+monami+back2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMWLyG9XXTAmiafafzKuC6DKW4XfGq2CHsexiXEkdEy67BndJL7d9U5UFLMjUIqe8OfGwjMgw_fQ7jgIi-LZSO8Vm85j-b7BK9-BVH-jsS5Nx7wkoTEe6eZYal7gLJQ5UrlScEuT8cmQ/s400/final+monami+back2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511142612536838642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSwy_Vyda7o434-81nVFb_COee5gWWtJNDhRQnXVOo7BXKeN5Mj7QxqiGdownAt1DjloFri2JnehwVH3cyUaUXttPSZIaOGnaf3ZhqMLm8F84imjpeRVjapEFOc_8OW6rZfL81nqyOV8/s1600/final+monami+fron2t.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSwy_Vyda7o434-81nVFb_COee5gWWtJNDhRQnXVOo7BXKeN5Mj7QxqiGdownAt1DjloFri2JnehwVH3cyUaUXttPSZIaOGnaf3ZhqMLm8F84imjpeRVjapEFOc_8OW6rZfL81nqyOV8/s400/final+monami+fron2t.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511142619313054930" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWc13_Beleohnbh8SFdu-vQ3HxX0FDrvjG8md4wzjMCACrSvBHAeFw2EppYrAQRaKlIcOR-wB7hTn4sQE2VKjWh1iChyphenhyphenSauZ0DCCxGqnzWeilGQkWitt78ph9vNAKzRNlz5W2MvlNsGEU/s1600/final+monami+sleeve.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWc13_Beleohnbh8SFdu-vQ3HxX0FDrvjG8md4wzjMCACrSvBHAeFw2EppYrAQRaKlIcOR-wB7hTn4sQE2VKjWh1iChyphenhyphenSauZ0DCCxGqnzWeilGQkWitt78ph9vNAKzRNlz5W2MvlNsGEU/s400/final+monami+sleeve.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511142629783717346" /></a>Tante Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08022091283910596943noreply@blogger.com4