The one where I designed a sweater

So I've been crocheting for, what, eight years now. I've designed a few stuffed animals, and I figured it was high time I whipped up a sweater. An 80s-inspired sweater, in fact.

Thanks, mom, for taking the photos

I've been seeing so many rich, vibrant yellows lately, namely on Latika in Slumdog Millionare. (We only saw it a few weeks ago, I am ashamed to say. Since we live catty-corner from a movie theater, we can go to the movies at any time -- so we never go.) Anyway, I wanted something lemon-y and buttercup-y and daffodil-y for myself.

I was drawn to this vivid shade of Tahki cotton classic while at The Yarn Co. after a doctor's appointment a few weeks back. This is a whole lotta double crochet and ribbing, the perfect canvas for my daisy brooch. It's not as "Flashdance-y" as I imagined, but I might be too old for off-the-shoulder looks anyways.


Oh, and I found the perfect li'l buttons at Union Max, a vintage shop down the street from Brooklyn General. Seriously, the button selection there is insane.

sewing Fridays

For the past few weeks, I've spent my Friday sewing. (This has cut into my "Law and Order" naptime, but that's OK). I finished this number last week and gave it a test drive at work, where I was told it was Pucci-esque, which I think is a nice way of saying "really, really loud."

must stop taking pictures on fire escape

This is now my fourth variation of this "Built by Wendy" pattern -- there are just so many ways to mix it up. I obviously combined the gathered neck with the long sleeves and longer length, improvising a belt to give it a little shape.

The fabric is from Mood, which I keep sneaking to after work.

So I think it's time to back away from this pattern and try something new. I ordered Amy Butler's lotus tunic pattern, and, thanks to the wonderful Marie, I found some Nani Iro fabric that I have been drooling over. (Hard to find a good pic of it, but it's used in this dress.) I love it so much that I kinda want to stretch it across a canvas and hang it, but doesn't fabric deserve to become a dress or shirt?

Um, did I miss something?

We all know Vanna has yarn. But Deborah?

Apparently Deborah Norville, longtime broadcast journalist and "Inside Edition" host, has a line of yarns! Got a free shipping coupon for Joanns, popped over there and saw it. Did everyone know this but me?

As a reporter, I get it. Our industry is in turmoil. We're all searching for a backup plan. Just seems like a strange fit to go from reporting about how the star of "The Cougar" is setting the record straight to peddling a sock yarn called "Serenity."

Maybe there's hope for me yet?

And she has a blog!

yarn, what yarn?

Not sure why, but all I can think about lately is sewing. Maybe because I discovered last week that my office is dangerously close to Mood Fabrics -- and I've already made two trips. Can you believe I've never gone before? It's a little overwhelming, with its crazy three floors of cottons and ultrasuedes and tweeds. Since I'm vertically challenged, I can really only reach about half the merchandise, but that hasn't stopped me from building a fabric stash. (Yes, me, a stash.)

Gotta say that I probably prefer bolts of fabric to long rolls, but, damn, that place is amazing.

So here's my first finish object with Mood fabric -- a Built by Wendy dress.

You might, or might not, recall that I made the shirt from this pattern a year or so back -- really, it's an awesome pattern. The only part I really struggled with was the sleeves. You can't see the little ties on the elbows because, um, I put them on the inside instead of the outside. Ah well, less likely to get caught in subway doors!

The fabric remined me of graph paper from high school geometry, which caused me a moment of anxiety. Then I remembered that I'll never have to take geometry again and the anxiety subsided, so I bought the fabric. This is perfect for work, and I'd love to make it in other fabrics. Maybe I'll just skip the ties?

Thanks heavens for "law and order" marathons

That's how I was able to finish this little fella.


My coworker/friend and her husband are expecting a little one in a few more weeks, and they wanted the gender to be a surprise. (Though we all think it's a boy.) Their nursery set is a great mix of browns and greens and jungle motifs, so I figured they needed a little monkey. Perfect excuse to try out this delightful pattern.

extreme close-up

I spent a lot of time getting his expression just right -- pleasant but not too happy. I swear, that took me a half hour to achieve. We don't mess around with stuffed animals around here. And yes, I realize the eyes aren't baby friendly, but he can just be for decoration for a little while.

Like a certain stuffed hippo, we grew a little attached to this guy and may need to make a monkey of our own.

I also couldn't resist crocheting an afghan for the baby. I've seen some great finished blankies made from this pattern -- the combinations of stripes are endless.

I found a free shipping promotion code for JoAnn's, which was too good to resist in these tough economic times. I was intrigued by the new Naturally Caron Country yarn. I know some folks might turn their nose up at Caron, but it's a great acrylic/wool blend that feels a bit silky, like a bamboo. And the colors were perfect.



I was worried it was a little too '70s, but the couple seemed content with it.

There's just something about sewing....

Jon and I were ambling around Woodstock a few weeks ago when I spotted Quiltstock. Yes, Quiltstock. It was a really delightful store -- bright and airy with lots of natural light for inspecting the fabric. (And not a single "Hippie Parking Only" sign -- there were a lot of those in Woodstock.)

I was going to leave with just a few fat quarters as souvenirs when I saw Amy Butler's Anna Tunic at the checkout. And, yeah, that was that.

i'm blurry and heading to work!

This took half an evening and most of an afternoon, including multiple machine mishaps. (I'm really tempted to buy a new machine that will be less temperamental.) I loved this pattern, even though I had to read a few of the sections, like, 12 times before comprehending them. And I basically just winged the sleeves.

So what is it about my ancient Singer sewing machine that makes me gleeful one minute and ready to rip my hair out the next? My needle broke, the bobbin was all screwy, the thread bunched up in the back. But when it was over? I was blue and ready to start something new...

Just in time for spring

A big, warm sweater!

hi, i'm shadowy.

Since I've been working on secret knitting for baby's and a friend's wedding, it took me months to finish Harper from Popknits. Naturally, I finished it up on an unseasonably warm and sunny day and had to sweat through some pictures.

Unlike Yarnmonster's, my Harper is downright voluminous. I should not have made it quite so wide, but otherwise, I like it!

This stitch pattern is easy to memorize and very relaxing. I treated myself to some Dream in Color Classy from Brooklyn General, perhaps in the Midnight Derby colorway? Just don't remember. It's an absolutely lovely yarn.

I might need to pick larger buttons because the sleeves are closed by a series of buttons and, if they come undone, this travels into poncho territory. Unacceptable.