Sunday, December 30, 2007

2007



Apparently 2007 was the year of socks and hats for me. It was kind of neat making this collage because I had forgotten that I hadn't even started making socks before the beginning of this year. They were really daunting to me initially, and now I've made 5 pairs and am whipping them out like nobody's business.


I also think I've done more sewing than is reflected here, and noticed that I haven't really reached a place with my stenciling where I would consider any of these really "finished".

Thus far, my creative ambitions for 2008 are:
1. Creating a cohesive art show in March
2. Experiment with spinning on a wheel
3. Play with color work more in my knitting
4. Do more paintings and drawings again
5. Get "finished" sprays of my stencils
6. Experiment with quilting
7. Make a shirt using a sewing pattern
8. Finish old projects that have been lingering (gloves for dulla, log cabin pillow)
9. Print some of my photographs
10. Incorporate more of my creations into my everyday life and wardrobe
11. Learn more about different yarns

round up

So the holiday craziness is just about through. It's been a lot of traveling for me & I'm finally home long enough to make a quick post before I head out again.

Surprisingly, I didn't do too much crafting for gifts. Between school and work, there was just no deluding myself into thinking that there was enough time to do much of that. Hopefully I will next year.

I did make this hat for Abdulla's brother Meshari, but it's being modeled by my lovely roommate, Milez.
Name: Swampy Green Reasonably Hip
Pattern: Reasonably Hip, Magknits Dec 2007
Yarn: Lion's Brand Vanna's Choice in Olive

I'm not extremely thrilled with this knit. The pattern was a bit confusing to me, but was useful in giving me a template for the short rows of the visor. I increased the amount of stitches I cast on, because the amount called for in the pattern was way too small. The end result was a bit roomier than I intended but I think still works for the style of the hat. Whatever qualms I have about though are pretty irrelevant, because the recipient loved it.

And Milez looked so damn good in the hat, I decided to make him one too for his birthday. (Modeled here by me with Rosca serving as backup cuteness)
It's another heavily modified version of the Reasonably Hip, better fitting, but the real "flare" is in the back...I put the single cable strip and the rest is reverse stockinette stitching. It's sort of a blending really of the Reasonably Hip and this Owl hat pattern.The embellishments, however, are inspired by this version which I love and came across on ravelry.
I love it. Hopefully, Milez will too.

I've done some more work on my tangled yoke, but nothing that will make for interesting pictures. I have one sleeve done & most of the body. I put it down because of the holiday madness and finals, but hopefully I'll pick it back up next week.

I also started the Sweetheart Socks, from Interweave Knits (Holiday 2007).
I was just SO excited to start using this beautiful yarn I got at Rhinebeck from Ancient Threads Farm
They are coming out beautifully. And I can't wait till they are done.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

finishing things

This month has been a time of finishing for me. Finishing up my semester (thankfully). Finishing up on some old and neglected projects, as well as some new.

Unfortunately, the piece that I was most excited about finishing is also the crappiest picture I have to share, since I didn't have my camera at the time. I plan on taking a better shot when I get the chance.
It's a Zapatista girl, which I have had intentions of making for a long time. Milez encouraged me to enter it in an art show over in Troy at the Kismet Gallery. If you are in the area, I really recommend checking out that gallery, by the way. It's a great space & the plush, clay & vinyl show they have up right now is really cool. (And I'm not just saying that cuz me & Milez have stuff in it)

Perhaps more so then the end result, making this doll was really an accomplishment for me because I often get these ideas in my head and plunge into them. And if it doesn't materialize the way I've imagined (which it often doesn't), I get discouraged and often abandon ship (though I tell myself it's just on pause). So it's really great to be moving into a space in my life where fellow artists and friends encourage me to move past my barriers.

It's also really exciting for me to be working on our March art show. It's an opportunity to finish more work and create new things as well as further explore my personal style and aesthetic as an artist which is something I have not committed too much to in my life thus far.

Other things I've finished...

Project: Purple Minimalist
Pattern: Minimalist Cardigan from Interweave Knits- Fall 2007
Yarn: Filatura Lanarota Chaco
Thoughts: Sometimes I think it needs a button or something. But I'm not completely sold on that idea either. But I am really happy with the way it turned out.
Project: Koolhas, Take 2
Pattern: Koolhaas, from Interweave Knits- Holiday 2007
Yarn: Leftover Karabella Aurora 8 in "Rust" (I LOVE this yarn)
Thoughts: I made it longer than my last attempt and got better at memorizing the pattern. I liked this one a lot better than my last. Too bad it was a gift for someone else.

And I started the Tangled Yoke cardigan using some beautiful alpaca yarn I got at Rhinebeck. It's actually progressed a good deal since this photo too..

Now is the time when I should just be doing holiday knitting, but I'm not knitting for too many folks this year. So, instead I'm trying to rationalize casting on for some new socks instead.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Don't be fooled.

I know what this looks like. This looks like I am updating my blog. But don't be fooled- this is actually just me avoiding another paper for school. But while I'm procrastinating I have some photos to share.

This is most of the "minimalist cardigan" from interweave knits, fall 2007...
I have the back done as well as the two front panels and most of one sleeve. It should be done soon. Especially since this is the one I knit mostly during my looooong classes.

This is a much more accurate depiction of the color...
plus you can see how beautiful the moss stitch is coming out. It's such a simple stitch pattern, but gives such gratifying results. I'm making this out of 100% wool Chaco brand yarn that I bought at Rhinebeck. I was pretty ambivalent about the yarn when I bought it & will still admit that it was my least exciting purchase. Really I just bought it because I liked the color and it was hella cheap. But it's knitting out a lot nicer than I expected it to.

I also completed a Koolhaas hat (Interweave Knits, holiday 2007).
I made it with this cascade yarn that I've had around FOREVER. I'm pretty happy with the color. However, I did make it too short. I did one less chart repeat than the pattern called for. Right now, I want to say that I'm going to redo it. But let's be honest here- there are so many things I want to knit plus the holidays are coming up. It's low priority.
Also, while I love the results of cabling work (and this hat is no exception!), the actual process of cabling is kind of annoying to me.

Other notable things happening in the knittydigital studio:
  • I casted on for the tangled yoke cardigan!
  • I met with two new knitting friends from ravelry, which was awesome.
  • One of said friends showed me how to knit socks on two circulars. A process that I was first hesitant about until I considered it's application in knitting two socks simultaneously.
  • Milez has convinced me to submit work for an art show at the end of this month. I'm super intimidated by this idea, but I'm doing it anyway.
  • Milez and I are also currently negotiating doing a joint art show at CDFI in march. Also intimidating and exciting.
  • I am collecting lots of potential baby knit patterns to do because I'm going to be an aunt(again).
  • Two more of my amazing friends from new paltz moved in downstairs. Between us we have about 5 sewing machines, 1 serger (!!) and a WHOLE lotta yarn. This winter is going to rock my socks.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

happy halloween

Pumpkins by me & Kate.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

99 problems, but a stitch ain't one.

Just in case anyone ever reads this that doesn't know me personally, I guess I should explain that I am a graduate student in my last year of a social work program. So lately, my average week generally amounts to this: 16 hours in field + 9 hours in class + 8 hours doing research for my graduate assistantship + about 10 hours of my part time job + schoolwork...well you get the point. It's easy to burn out fast. And that's precisely how I've been feeling lately. So Rhinebeck came at juuuuussst the right time for me. It's a little ridiculous how much it did for the benefit of my mental state.

This is me & ms. meg with ridiculous grins on. We are smiling that hard cuz we did TWO days of Rhinebeck. TWO GLORIOUS DAYS!!
The first day we met up with h-bomb & greely which both made for excellent knitting geeky buddies. There were also fantastic animals to ooh & awe over. Meg & I were talking about sharing custody of an angora rabbit. But really, if this social work thing gets old, I could always be an Alpaca herder.

There were tons of people spinning incredible yarns. I definitely want to learn how to spin & maybe this will be the year to learn. There is a woman in my neighborhood that has agreed to teach me & I can't wait.
There was delicious food and of course, there was tent upon tent full of amazing yarn. Meg and I made it our business to spend the first day indulging in every color and fiber we could touch. I got some fantastic colors in socks that rock yarn.And, because I am all about knitting socks these days, I also got some super soft merino sock yarn from Ancient Threads. I can't wait to knit with it.
And after much searching, I also got a sweater's worth of this beautiful green yarn from Brooks Farm in order to make this version of the wicked cardigan that I am in love with.
I got more yarn then that, but I just photographed a few of the highlights. I also got some gorgeous brown alpaca yarn that I'm going to use to make the Tangled Yoke cardigan, some more purple merino yarn, some purple wool that I've started using for the minimalist cardigan, and some Classic Al yarn that I'm not sure what I'm going to do with yet.

In short, I am in yarn heaven. And just in time too, because the weather's getting cold & I've just finished a pair of socks:
Name: I'm calling these my "Watermelon socks", because if another person asks me if I'm knitting Christmas socks, I might poke them with my DPNs.
Pattern: Charade Socks
Yarn: Cranberry Bog from ThankEwe. The yarn is super comfy to wear & her prices were very reasonable. I highly recommend it.

With all this new yarn, I should have more posts coming soon.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Street Art Kids

I am so impressed with myself that I've kept up with these "Street art Sundays" posts. Sure a month of Sundays isn't really that long to commit to posting, but it's still big considering how busy life feels for me lately. I wish I had more stuff to show from other places, but I guess your own neighborhood is always a good place to start.

I like to think of this piece as "the girl that lives next door". She's on the Free School & I really love her.


I also forgot to mention in my earlier post that I've been working on doing some pieces for an art show in Portland, OR. The work is all supposed to be on records. I don't know too much about it, but Milez encouraged me to participate. So far I've made this one...
I'm not totally happy with it & will probably try to re-spray it. I'd also like to put my knitting stencil & my frida stencils onto records too. It's exciting to be working on stuff for a show. Who knows if it'll actually get in or not, but I figure rejection feels safer from the other side of the country.

finished knits

Would you believe I actually have TWO finished knitting projects to show?
These are my finished "Monkey" socks, done in Knitpicks Essential Yarn in "Peacock Multi". I really love the way Cookie writes patterns. For some reason these are a little bit snug getting on, but I'm not exactly sure why. I also think these would have looked nice in a solid, but slightly variegated, yarn in order to show case the pattern better. Maybe I'll do them again, but probably not for a while because there are so many other things I want to knit right now.

I didn't use all of this yarn either. I still have the better part of a skein left. I have no idea what I'll do with it.

I also whipped this up last week...
It's the foliage hat from the new knitty. I used some merino yarn that I bought at Rhinebeck last year. I finished it really quickly, but then decided it was too long & ripped it back a bit. I hadn't accounted for the difference from me using slightly bigger needles.
This was a quick & fun knit & I'm really happy with the end result. Since this is actually a birthday gift for a friend, I'll probably knit another one of these up for myself too.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Friday, September 14, 2007

much ado about WIPS

I've already got one monkey sock done & the other well on it's way. It's such an easy & fun pattern.
After a bit of help from Ms. HBK, my backyard leaves scarf is also progressing, but much much slower. The chart is not very intuitive or easy to memorize. And right now, the project doesn't even look like much. I'm hoping it turns out very nice though, as it's supposed to be a birthday gift.

I also juuust cast on for the fiery bolero last night. I'm doing it as something to throw over my shoulders for an October wedding. I've made a considerable amount of shrug-like projects in my short time as a knitter. I've decided recently that's because I'm not much for shawls- they just don't really appeal to me.

Ravelry is facilitating an out of control queue for projects to knit.

Despite having 3 projects on the needles, I've also been wanting to do other art things. There are stencil projects I'd like to clean up, sewing I'd like to do, new mediums I'd like to explore. I've also been aching for a museum visit. I'd like to go back to the Mass MOCA, but I'd also like to just go up the block to the Albany museum with some paper & colored pencils and get lost for a few hours.

Art is a huge comfort for me. I want to do it when I'm feeling lonely- it's like having company in my own head. But I also like doing it as a means for socialization. Speaking of which I made it to, not one, but TWO knitting groups this week, as well as a brief knitting breakfast with Ms. Megs. I also have a craftin' date on Sunday with my roommate. I have to get these things in now before the semester gets too busy.

Sunday, September 09, 2007

More S.A.S.

As much as I love large murals, I also really appreciate little bits of art that you find in unexpected places. This bird is from my block & I always love walking by it.

Friday, September 07, 2007

On a roll

I've got the knitting itch again. I mean the kind where the second you finish a project you are eager to have another one in your hands again. I recently finished these:
Pattern: Roza's Socks, from Interweave Knits Spring 2007
Needles: Size 2dpns
Yarn: Rowan 4ply Cotton in "Ripple"

They were really fast & a straight forward knit. I wasn't crazy about them at first, but they've quickly grown on me. I think they are simple & elegant.

I've already started some Monkey Socks with new yarn I ordered from Knit Picks. I loved Cookie's "Hedera" pattern so I'm hoping these will be just as enjoyable.
I also started the "Backyard Leaves" scarf from Scarf Style. I'm already confused by the chart though. I think I'm going to need some feedback from my other crafty friends on this one.
This will be for a friends birthday. It's been quite a while since I've knit for other folks. But the nice part is that I'm also using up yarn from the stash leftover from my bonsai tunic. Sweeeet.

PS- I also have the library itch lately. I love the library. I'm all about taking out knitting books & books on CD (to knit to!)

Sunday, September 02, 2007

Street Art Sundays

I love street art. It's inspiring and surprising. I love finding it in unexpected places or at times when I'm not even looking.

I've decided to do a little "series", if you will, on the blog. One piece of street art every sunday. My goal is to do it for at least all of September. I figure it will get me exploring my new neighborhood in an interesting way.

This one is from my street...

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Going Green

It must seem as though I've abandoned this blog. But I like to think of it as just a long sabbatical. A lot has happened in my life. For one thing, I moved. This is exciting because now I've got my own craft room! It's a little porch that gets a lot of sunlight. Consider these the "before" shots because I plan to paint it & spruce it up a lot.


It's not much, but having any sort of space for my art is really exciting. I was also away in Africa for about 3 weeks which was an all around life changing experience. You can see my pictures from that trip on my flickr account. But for the trip I splurged on a new digital camera which should mean nicer photos on this blog too. For example...
I love this camera & it's made me want to play with photography more again.

In all of this busylifestuff, I had also taken a knitting sabbatical of about 2 months! TWO MONTHS!!! But, of course, once I picked it up again about a week ago I was instantly addicted again. I finished the Bonsai Tunic from Spring 2007 Interweave.
I used Karabella Yarn in Aurora "Green Leaf". It's a much heavier yarn then the pattern calls for, but it's what I had in the stash. Now it'll be a suitable layer for winter too. But I loved knitting this & I love the way it looks on. Our new kitty, Rosca, approves.
I've also become quickly addicted to Ravelry. It's like a way to fine tune your knitting addiction.

Anyway, now that things have settled down a bit, I hope to get this blog back in gear with tons of inspiration.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Lil bun

Two views of the same cute lil bun. I made this for a friend of mine who had a baby using the free download from wee wonderfuls.

I always love making dolls, but I never want to give them away. This is problematic, them being gifts and all. I'll have to make some dolls just for me.

This project also made me want to experiment with embroidery more. (You know, cuz I need another craft obsession) But I see a lot of potential for stencils with some embroidery accents.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

A variety to share

I came across this post the other day which really spoke to a lot of my thoughts and feelings about owning the label "artist". It's way easier to say I'm a social worker, or at maximum for me to say "I used to be an art major". But it's something that I'm working on, because I really can not imagine my life with out art, so I should not be insecure about asserting it's prominence in my life.

In my quest to own being an artist, it's been vital to surround myself with people who nurture my artistic endeavors. Miles is definitely one of those people. I love when he comes to stay with me and we can bounce ideas off of each other & motivate each other. He finally lit a fire under my ass to finish some stencils that I've had laying around the house for, no joke, a year.

"Knitting is Love"
I am not completely satisfied with this piece yet. I think it still needs some fine tuning. But I had to share it because I loved the concept of it so much. It's from an original sketch I did.

I'm pretty happy with this giraffe too. It just needs a better spray. I'm envisioning it on skirts in the future I think.

"Frida"
This is the piece I've had laying around my house for a year. Or more accurately, two homes, since I've trudged it along. I've had it about 85% done for the majority of that time and then I just got sick of looking at it & decided it was going to come out bad anyway (hello self deprecation). It drove Miles nuts. So he finished the last bit, and voila! It's gorgeous!! What the hell was my problem? Now I think it will stand as a reminder for me of how much I hold myself back artistically because I can't own my talents.

I think those are the first stencils projects I've shared on this blog. I haven't been doing too many lately. But after spraying these, I've been re-inspired.

I also realized that I never posted about this fantastic shirt I refashioned. I got it from a dear friend at a clothing swap. It's just a plain ol' striped shirt that I was going to cut into strips & make fabric yarn out of.

(I can't believe I actually remembered to take a before picture)
This is what it became instead...

This is a not-so-great photo of what it is now. I really love it and these photos don't do it justice. I used the sleeves to make pockets too, because I am a firm believer that everything should have pockets.


Last, but not least, a new knitting project! I've been so bogged down with school, my internship, and doing fundraising so I can study abroad this summer that I've had zero time for knitting. Most of my crafting has been sewing, and only things that I think folks will buy. It's nice to be doing something more frivolous.
This little green thing has aspirations to one day become the bonsai tunic from Interweave. The yarn I'm using is a super soft wool blend, which isn't necessarily the ideal for a spring project. But it's what I have in the stash & I'm broke, so whatevs.

Geez, stenciling, sewing and knitting projects to show! I'm practically a Renaissance woman!