sweater
How Stacy got her groove back…
Well, as most of you can see, I have been pretty absent for awhile. My problem has been a big one.
The “powers that be” decided to steal my mojo.
For a girl who does something crafty every day (and I mean that…literally EVERY DAY), dealing with a creative slump is tough. I went though all sorts of phases. There was denial and mourning and letting go. I figure, why force something that isn’t there right? Maybe it was all the stuff I did before my slump that burned me out. All those projects *I didn’t post here*. I couldn’t bring myself to even take pictures of the garments I finished before this loss of creativity. I had no desire to knit.
Before you start thinking, “But Stacy, you have plenty of other hobbies. Why not work on something else?” The answer is: “I just couldn’t”.
All this happened at the height of Tour De Fleece, which turned out to be an epic fail for me. I finished NOTHING. I was so excited about starting, but I fizzled out quick. I had no desire to spin.
No knitting, no spinning. I had done a few sewing projects pre-slump. But even though my sewing machine is still sitting on my dining room table…it looks cold and lifeless.
My husband suggested our trip to Comic Con might help jump start things. It didn’t. A couple trips to the my local LYS had me sitting in a chair watching everyone else knit. How. Freaking. Sad.
So I waited, and waited, and waited some more. For what seemed like an eternity, I did nothing.
But then something happened…
It started with a request to knit for the shop. It’s a pattern I don’t care for particulary, but I decided to take it on anyway. I decided I was gonna force myself to soldier on through whatever this is I am going through. Then I was watching Being Human and decided I was going to try and sew this:
Annie
I started sketching right away. Hey, it wasn’t knitting, but it was *something*.
Then it got even better! I went to Stitch ‘N Pitch 2010 on Friday night. The Dodgers v. The Nationals. There was a big pre-game sale at my LYS (Unwind). I was there two minutes and zero’d in on the Madeline Tosh Merino Light. The Fjord colorway. I snatched up the 4 skeins that were left and carried them around for very little time before I walked up to pay for them. 4 skeins of yarn with no project…but I knew they were destined to be something awesome.
I got as far as Dodger Stadium before deciding what that yarn was destined to be. I met a lovely lady in line for a Dodger Dog that was wearing the most amazing sweater. I made a point to ask her about the pattern name twice and texted it to myself. Pas De Valse.
So now, I am excited about knitting again. I can’t wait to get started on my sweater. Thank goodness!
Stitches West…Day Two!
We started the day off slow. No getting there when the show opened…we took our time. As long as we were there by noon to get in line for the meet ‘n greet at the Purlescence booth, we were golden. Emily and I wanted to stop by and say “hi” to The Knitmore Girls!
Gi Gi, Me, Emily and Jasmin. Woohoo!
What? That’s right! I’m wearing my February Lady Sweater. I had to wear something I knit. It was very hot in there though, so I spent most of the day NOT wearing it.
A Stashymama sighting!
It is sort of becoming my modus operandi to have Day One be the freak-out fest, while having Day Two be much more relaxed.
The nice thing about Saturday was that we totally got to take our time doing whatever we wanted. I spent the day looking for yarn, but to be honest, I mostly bought fiber. I had gotten one ball of yarn in the scarf kit I purchased and that was the ONLY YARN I BOUGHT THE ENTIRE WEEKEND. Yes, you heard me right. On the other hand, I did buy just over a pound of fiber…but we will get to the fiber porn next post.
I have to say, during my leisurely stroll around the convention center, my favorite booth was the ArtFibers booth. They had this cool thing called a “yarn tasting” and they were giving everyone one free sample of yarn to swatch. This was exciting because I have been looking for a nice summer yarn that isn’t cotton and is something that doesn’t have mohair. Mohair=itchfest. Then…I fell in love.
Kanji...where have you been all my life?
I asked for a sample and spent the rest of my stroll down the next two aisles swatching it. Yes, I can walk and knit at the same time…
My talent...in action!
As a matter of fact, to attempt and showcase how supremely talented I am, not only did I walk and knit at the same time…I knit on needles that already had another project on them. Yup, that’s how I roll.
After a trip ’round the place, we headed to the bar for some rest/knitting time where we did some show and tell. Ang and Vilma bought some fabulous pyrex needles that we all admired.
Glass knitting needles...
Sensing a trend?
Emily, me and Suzanne
After spending the evening hanging out in the bar, we decided to venture out in search of food.
Dinner!
I can’t remember the name of this place, but they had really good steak salad.
After dinner, we headed back to the hotel where I did a little bit of knitting and then passed out…with my glasses on…and I slept that way all night.
The dash to get ready for Stitches West!
This seems like the longest day ever! My last day of work before my Stitches West trip.
The game plan...so far...
I’ve printed out my coupons, map of the show floor, started making a list of things I am looking for… and most importantly…
I got my February Lady finished!!! Thank God, I feel like I got something accomplished. Especially since I haven’t gone to the bank, filled up my gas tank, bought snacks and water, packed…or even figured out what I am knitting while I am there. I am NOT bringing Lucy (my spinning wheel) or any yarn with me. I am, however, bringing all of my needles and notions and my laptop. I am just gonna wing it as far as my knitting is concerned…
So, I will actually try to sleep tonight, with visions of yarn and fiber dancing in my head…’cause I need to be out of the house by 6 a.m.
Yeah, wish me luck. I’ll be picking up some Starbucks…
Happy Birthday to Me!
I have been busy slaving away on my February Lady Sweater, trying to get it done before I leave for Stitches in less that a week. Last year I didn’t wear any of my own knitwear to show off at Stitches. WHUT? I know, shame on me! I am determined to get it done and I am, quite literally, in the home stretch. Boy, sleeves sure do seem to take forever.
Sorry for my crappy Blackberry photo.
Saturday, I took the day off knitting (sort of) to celebrate my birthday. I had a day full of fun activities.
First, my kids presented me with the cake they made…
Yes, that is yarn and needles...and some balloons.
Then my husband gave me the card he made…
The inside says something like "Wouldn't you like to get 'Pegg-ed' for your Birthday?"
We left the house to head to Chinatown with a stop at Pep Boys…and hell yes…that is me putting in power steering fluid IN A CLAPOTIS. Check it out! You know it looks good.
That's right! Me, under the hood.
If you didn’t think that wasn’t awesome enough…we headed to Chinatown where I had Dim Sum for the first time. We ate at The Empress Pavilion…it was quite an adventure. The kids weren’t so sure about it though. They enjoyed the little shop next door that sold the cool toys.
The girl picking at a sesame ball while reading "Yum Yum, Dim Sum"
After we ate, we walked down to the street where Chinatown had a parade in my honor! Isn’t that the nicest thing ever?!? Huh? Chinese New Year? Yeah, I don’t know what you’re talking about…
Dragons!
Flags!
More Dragons!
My party hat...
It was already a long day, but it was far from over. After getting home from the parade, my husband and I got ready for dinner. I had no idea where we were going. After driving in the dark, along winding roads, we got to Inn of The Seventh Ray. It was a beautiful place, with fairy lights and a creek. It even has this little new age bookshop near the entrance. It was lovely! I did take one picture of the city while we were driving back…
A blurry pic of the city as we were whizzing by...
We got home pretty early and luckily the kids were asleep. I parked myself on the couch and worked on my sleeves. I guess I did get some knitting in after all!
More stuff…
I had Cassandra take some pics of me in my Bruised Sweater at knitting a few weeks back…
Here I am...after a very long week.
Close up of my stitches...
Really it’s just an excuse to have Cassandra take close-ups of my chest for me to post on the internet. Or at least that is what I told my husband…luckily nothing I say phases him much anymore.
I have also been trying to come up with ideas on ways to use my leftover hand spun. I thought hair accessories might be the way to go.
My messy mop with a cute headband
Someone’s been a busy girl!
The slippery slope of my latest crafting phase started like this…
A Special Order...
My sister-in-law works for an entertainment union that…oh screw it, I’m not using names…the girl works for Screen Actors Guild and needed some fancy jewelry for the latest SAG Awards. I made this. It is a crappy photo, I know, but they turned out really pretty.
Stitch Markers Galore!
While I have been in my whole “trying to make lemonade” phase, I’ve decided to start getting my act together and start selling stuff. I haven’t gotten all of my photographs taken and color corrected yet, but for a girl who works a full time gig *and* has preschool aged twins, I think I am making pretty decent progress.
I am also attempting to get a little knitting done. While waiting to get the Manos I ordered for my Clasica Coat, I broke down cast on a new sweater. I had some Asland Trends Invernal in my stash to knit February Lady so I started it. It’ll be freakin’ awesome and so far it seems like a pretty quick knit. I anticipate I will have it done in time to wear to Stitches West.
Coming along nicely...
The buttons will definitely make this sweater extra awesome. I got them from happysilence on etsy.
Bad vibes, stress and knitting! Oh my!
So right after the Ravelry event I got pretty sick. I must have felt it coming on. It was so bad I couldn’t get any knitting done. I would have been content to sleep all day long…given I wasn’t barfing at the time.
So I spent an entire weekend being ill, then my little boy got it, then my little girl got it…
Then other weird stuff started happening in all aspects of my life. Weird as in “not good”.
To be honest, life had me pretty disgusted. I had no urge to knit. I had a fear…and you can call me crazy if you wish…but I felt like if I even touched my sweater I would transfer some sort of bad vibes to it. I wasn’t prepared to do that. It is my first self-designed sweater.
So I had a talk with my friend Kate at work. She had this fabulous idea for knitting when bad stuff is happening. She said I could knit an “anger blanket”.
Yes, an “anger blanket”, but I imagine it can be knit for any kind of negative feeling or bad vibe you might have. Keep it around for all those times you want to choke someone out with a pair of circular needles, if you are depressed, hurt, grieving…whatever yucky feeling you might have.
Once you’re done, bless the thing, or have it blessed by someone less negative, and donate it to the homeless.
Bad vibes turned into something positive. I like the idea. I am going to do it.
So, everything above postponed my self-imposed knitting deadline. I want to report that I did finally finish my sweater…and it looks great. I think it is my fourth official sweater…and it is the first I designed myself. I can’t wait to wear it…with only positive vibes.
Knit in True Love Fiber Sock in "Bruise"
Party, Party, Ravelry Party!
Ravelry folks are in town? It’s the anniversary of Unwind’s opening? Sounds like the perfect reason to have a party!!
Manos, Manos, Manos!
Still pretty quiet before everyone arrived...
The cool thing is that there was a VIP party beforehand that we got to attend. It was great fun. We got a sneak peek at all the fun stuff before everyone else. Manos, Namaste bags… all sorts of stuff! I had a plan going in, and anyone who knows me well knows I can stick to a plan. 
Me and Meilan...and a bunch of people waiting outside.
See, I know sometimes these things can be overwhelming, so I knew what I was going for and kept my blinders on to everything else. It was kind of like my Stitches approach. Go with a list, do not deviate from said list…it was the only way I could keep within my budget. Of course I did see plenty of eye candy that made me all wide-eyed and crazy looking, but I was a good girl. I only really looked at the Manos color cards. I picked my color and I did two laps around the shop before I went up to the register to order and pay for it. 14 skeins in Bing Cherry. I also found a full punch card when I opened my wallet. That means $30 off my order that was *already* sale priced. I had a *moment*. I believe I actually started jumping up and down and giggling loudly.
I bought enough Manos del Uruguay to make this:
It'll look awesome in "bing cherry"...
I can’t wait until it comes in. I have it slated as my next project.
So, I said it was pretty overwhelming, right? Hopefully Penny doesn’t kill me for this one, but sometimes she is so cute that I just can’t help myself…
I believe there was some swearing happening right before this photo...
Little did I know at the time, but I was coming down with something. That and the crowd inside would explain why I felt like I was burning up. I ended up keeping Emily company at the front door and working on my sweater. It was chilly outside, but it was nice to sit and get some knitting done.
Flo, Meilan and Patty outside chatting.
Emily and I...
I enjoyed playing “bouncer” with Emily. Don’t mess with us ladies…..we carry pointy sticks!
The funny thing about this whole night…and I am not quite sure what I was thinking (for now I will blame the fever that came the next day) but I didn’t even think to go introduce myself to the Ravelry folks. I saw Mary-Heather a few times…and I think saw Jess and Casey once, but I didn’t get any photos of them. Blogger FAIL!
I did have fun though. And it’s getting me primed for Stitches West in February.
Holy *@!%! It’s Christmas already?
Man have I been a busy girl! It seems like December just flew by!
Well, as much as I said I was going to avoid Christmas giftie-type knitting, I just couldn’t. I say it every year and I always make *something*. This year I was prompted to get off my butt by my son. Even at 4 years old, that boy can appreciate Mommy’s crafting. He came up to me one night and flat out said “Mommy, I want a hat!” Thank goodness he asked for something easy! I walked him back to the stash and let him pick out his own yarn.
Of course, this also means I have to make a hat for my little girl too. She also visited the stash for some yarn.
So, in the midst of the Christmas knitting…I was working on my own projects. I finished my Vaya Shrug first…
Vaya Shrug on the duct tape form
Then I started and finished my Whisper Shrug…
The Whisper, in an unfinished state...
I don’t have any pictures of it completed yet, but it sure looks awesome blocked. I even bought some Habu Silk to make another…
Then I started a sweater that has no name, because it has no pattern. I am mixing and matching and making it up as I go along. I am knitting it with True Love Fiber yarn in Bruise that I got at Unwind. I am needing to get creative because I have two balls in one dyelot and one ball in another. So far it is looking pretty good.
I love this sweater!
OH….and that etsy shop I keep promising to start? Well, I am working on it, despite my not having put anything up online yet. I have been carding batts like a mad woman. I am sure poor Wendy would love her drum carder back…one of these days I will have to get one of my own.
The Drum Carder of DOOM!
I have gotten my fingers injured a few times while cranking these things out, but they look oh so pretty!
Alpaca and wool with a little glitz
Wool with a little carbonized bamboo and some glitz
So much to do this week. I am sure I will have more completed projects before Christmas actually gets here!
It’s done! It’s done!!!
I am so excited I could squeal!
Swamp Thing!
It fits, the ends are woven in…and it is pretty much ready to wear. Er….well….if it weren’t like, 100 degrees outside.
I got a few other things done tonight…
I went to the bookstore with the entire family (my parents are in town staying with us). I was pleasantly surprised to see this:
Robert Dancik is the coolest...
Back in my “former” life as someone who worked in Precious Metal Clay, I had gotten the chance to meet Robert Dancik at a PMC Conference. His work is amazing! Even though I don’t get much of a chance to make jewelry anymore, I snapped this book up right away. Then I came home and made a set of stitch markers and a new necklace.
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