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.

SAS-Take 3

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.

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.

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!)

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...