Wednesday, August 31, 2011

The Hillside, San Francisco

My second order from Knit Picks this summer came in, containing yarn to make everything from my to-knit list.  I started with what may become a classic for me -- Cladonia by Kristen Kapur.


I named the project "The Hillside" after my fiance's neighborhood in San Francisco.  Those of you familiar with San Francisco may not recognize Hillside as a neighborhood, and you are right!  Eddie's neighborhood is sandwiched between two larger ones, and his niche doesn't get distinction.  The Eddie solution?  Name it something new -- The Hillside.  My Hillside is knit with Knit Picks Chroma Fingering in Pegasus and Knit Picks Comfy Fingering in Whisker.  They're different fibers, so the gray really pops against the spectrum and adds a new texture dimension.

I visited ImagiKnit last week to get a Tosh fix.  Mission successful.


I don't know what to do with such a glorious orange, but my needles busily click about Nathan for now, so I must stay focused.   After ImagiKnit, Eddie, his fantastic roommate Matt and I went to the cinematic glory known as Midnites for Maniacs at the historic Castro Theatre.  There, we saw a triple feature -- Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (Vegan Police), Hot Fuzz (a great big bushy beard!), and Shaun of the Dead (You've got red on you) -- with in house Q&A from the mind behind these film-gems, director and writer Edgar Wright.   All for $15.  Bam.

I also visited a new yarn shop -- Atelier Yarns.  I bought some darning needles to officially finish The Hillside (I somehow lost my cherished yarn needle), but the yarn selection definitively tempted me.  Mmm Malibrigo.

San Francisco with my beloved delivers new adventures daily.  I love it here with him (although I suspect I'd love anywhere with him).


Wednesday, August 3, 2011

To-knit list (and why I love them)

I just made my last yarn purchase of the summer (and I'm blogging about it now just in case I forget -- no more buying yarn!), so it's time for a knit-list!

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My Eddie is dapper, oh so dapper, and he is quite fond of sweater-vests.  He loves the last sweater vest I made him, but I'm not completely satisfied with the project in hindsight.  Textured Vest by Erika Knight is knit flat, and flat stockinette, while cathartic, drags.  Nathan is knit in the round, which will save yarn and also make the pattern go more quickly.  The sides are ribbed, which will help achieve an ideal fit (I want slim fitting, ala Joseph Gordon Levitt in Inception).  This pattern is free!


It's about time I knit something by Jared Flood.  While this isn't technically his pattern, I credit him for sharing it with the knitterverse anyway.  I am so excited for heavyweight lace.  This pattern will be a challenge (I haven't knit exclusively off a chart before, I've never made a blanket before) but I'm looking forward to it.  Plus, it's beautiful.  This pattern is free!

(oh yes, I'm making another one)

My first go at this pattern went so beautifully, and despite being a large-ish shawl, I was never really bored by it (which is saying something).  Plus the outcome is stunning.  This time I'm using Chroma Fingering in Pegasus for the contrast color.  I love this pattern.


tiny owl knits Oh my Gosh.  I first fell in love with her designs when I made "Baby Lamb Cuffs", and I had been keeping an eye on her new designs ever since.  Imagine my jubilation when I found the beekeeper's quilt.  It's made from stuffed sock yarn puffs (so there's no need to line the opposite side of the quilt) using bits of yarn, so it's an amazing stash-buster.  Pay close attention to the charts and tips discussion board on Ravelry where people post charts (for free) to make things like bees, foxes, owls, and gnomes for your puffs!  I am so excited