Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Vogue Knitting Live...The Follow-Up

In all the hulla-balloo related to January's Vogue Knitting Live event I found myself constantly caught up in the drama and excitement of a large scale knitting conference. True, as a virgin in the ways of the Kniteratti, I was in a little over my head. Now that a few months have passed I have been able to digest all that I learned, bought (a.k.a. charged to my credit cards) and cherished.

I realized that I learned a lot more than I had even realized during the weekend. I realized the skills I picked up, especially from my "Intro to Lace Knitting" class with Brooke Nico includes skills I am using every day. That class taught me to challenge myself. I learned that lace isn't as scary as I thought it would be and I am so happy about the lace project I purchased. My fingerless gloves and scarf are coming along beautifully (I will post pics here soon I promise!).

I also realized that while all the yarn and patterns I bought were great, I think my best purchase was "Continuous Cables" by Melissa Leapman. As anyone who knows me will tell you, I am OBSESSED with cables. It is wonderful to pick up this book at any time and try out the plethora of cable pattern squares in the back of the book. With this I can make little washcloths to test out the look of the cable or I can incorporate it into anything I am currently working on. While I haven't been bold enough yet to try out incorporation I do now have a couple of pretty cute washcloths. This book was a great purchase. Melissa was truly an inspiration and an AMAZING teacher. I hope she comes next year!

I cannot even describe to you how useful my "Yarn Substitution Made Easy" class has been. I remember when I first signed up for the class I kind of used it as a filler for my package. When I told my mother about the class she was so excited for me and I couldn't understand why. Now I know! This process, while now becoming much more simple and more second hand to me, was a NIGHTMARE before this seminar.

I guess the things that most excited me have started to wear away. The glitz and glam has finally settled but instead of feeling let down or less excited I think I am more so. My skills have definitely grown by leaps and bounds and I am now very anxiously awaiting next year's NYC Vogue Knitting Live. I know I will be stalking the website waiting for class postings and perhaps you might even see me sitting outside the Hilton.

Anyone else starting to get excited? I would love to hear about any other great conferences and festivals that people have gone to. Any suggestions?

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The Joys of Pets

If anyone knows me and my household you would know that we have a small safari. With little Pickle, our 5 year old Maine Coon cat and Abby, our 1 1/2 year old terrier the fur is constantly flying and shuffling paws on our tile floors is the constant backdrop. However, it seems that these two can always come to a truce when it is time for Mom to knit. At this point in time they both sit anxiously at my feet waiting for me to unwind a bit of yarn that they could perhaps get their paws on.

I am not joking when I say that they sit and wait for me to pull some yarn from the ball. Pickle then starts jumping and swatting, trying to pull the yarn down for his own amusement. Abby likes to jump for the yarn once Pickle has a hold of it hoping that she can coax her feline brother to play with her.

So, needless to say, sometimes I feel like I am knitting in a war zone.

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Monday, May 16, 2011

Countdown to January 2012

Ever since I saw the email from Vogue Knitting with a "Save the Date" tag line for the 2012 Vogue Knitting Live Conference in New York City I have been giddy. I cannot wait for next years secondVogue Knitting Live. I have to say that those three days changed my life. With all of the Knitteratti in one place I felt like such a celebrity.

Honestly, thinking about have to wait another 8 months seems cruel to me. I wish that I could afford to go to September's conference in L.A. but unfortunately this little girlie is a little on the broke side.

Anyone else getting excited at next year's prospects? What would you like to see at next January's conference?

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Friday, May 13, 2011

Rivalries....

Today I devote my blog post to something that will surprise most readers - the NYC vs. Boston sports rivalry. Growing up in Boston I was bred, and I honestly mean bred, to hate all New York sports teams. We cannot help it. I think there is something in the umbilical cord that creates a need for red.

Tonight Randy and I are going to the Yankees vs. Red Sox game here in NYC. I am very excited for the experience. I decided that while I have some cute and fun baseball things from Boston I do not have a whole lot of cold weather New England sports gear. This winter I am going to knit myself a few pieces that will stand as a tribute to my far away sports teams. Any good patterns with Bruins logos? or Patriots? or Celtics?

Please pass along any advice. GO RED SOX!

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitt"ah"

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Spending the Whole Day Dreaming...

Again, I apologize for my brief absence. Work is not so good. Every night I schlep myself home an hour and a half barely dragging. Work has been not good. It is really wearing down on me. I am trying to stay upbeat and positive, but it has not been working so well lately.

It is during weeks like these that I find myself imagining myself in a the corner of my dream knitting shop. You know when you get aggravated and we are told to "find out center," well my center is in a nice rocking chair in the corner of a bustling knitting shop. I don't care if that makes me the oldest 24 year old on the planet.

I have noticed there are many knitting shops in NYC. Some of them are wonderful, others...not so much. I wont name any names, but I have to say that I think NYC could use more comfy cozy knitting stores. Any other thoughts?

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Friday, May 6, 2011

April Showers Bring May Flowers

At the suggestion of my Mama I decided to dedicated today's post to the beautiful May weather New York City is finally experiencing. Nothing is better in the Big Apple then sitting outside and eating a meal with friends, sharing a drink with some buddies or wandering in the park.

However, it is mighty hard during the beautiful and sun-shiny days to accomplish any knitting. I know I am breaking family tradition by not enjoying Little Beach and the chance to knit in the sun I will take my lashes. It is just so hard to be inside in this weather.

I think when Randy and I move to Manhattan I will find a nice place in Central Park for weekend knitting extravaganzas but until then.

Until Next Time
Broke Knitter

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Christmas Comes Early


This year I have decided to be proactive. Who do I need to give presents to next Christmas time. Those of you who know me would say I am organized (some would even say uptight, anal or obsessive) so I made a list. There are a lot of people! Anyways I am going to get ahead of the curve and start thinking of who I would like to make gifts for this coming Christmas time.
Courtesy of KnitPicks
www.knitpicks.com



I know I am going to make this simple hat and scarf set from Melissa Leapman's "Cables Untangled" for Randy's mother. I am going to start looking for yarn for this project. In the version of the book I have I like the photo much better because the model has a really pretty pink version. Any suggestions?

Courtesy of Blackhorsefree's Ravelry
http://www.ravelry.com/designers/blackhorsefree


I am going to make the Irish Hiking Hat and scarf set  for Randy's father. I am thinking of doing this in a nice Kelly or forest green color. Any suggestions?



Other than that I am getting my list together. This dang tree skit will be beautifully adorning my tree come November and I will have a plethora of handmade (not homemade!) items at my disposal. I am very proud of myself. Who wants to jump on the train to the North Pole early this year?

Broke, but encouraged, Knitter

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Fiberlicious

Lately for me yarns have been all about texture and feel. I find myself wandering into different shops throughout the city just sticking my hands into baskets looking for something that "feels right" (Don't worry, I make sure no cheese curl fingers before I enter the shop!).

I guess I have always been a toucher. I get that from my Mama. My mother can always be known to pick up a ball of yarn and do the "neck test" - where she rubs the ball against her neck to see if it would feel nice. While it looks a bit silly it definitely does the trick!

I am just about to being a project for my little sister, a replica hat from one of the Harry Potter movies. The pattern called for an alpaca blend and I must say the yarn I have I cannot stop touching the yarn. It is sooooo soft. I would love to just sidle up to an alpaca and snuggle in.

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Monday, May 2, 2011

A Gift for Newlyweds?

Today I really could use your help and advice. Randy's sister is just recently engaged and I am trying to think of something personal I could make her and her fiancee as an engagement/wedding present. I am so far thinking of matching Christmas stockings, but I am at a loss...

Does anybody have a good idea for a wedding present? Any good Christmas stocking patterns?

Thanks for the advice.

P.S. When will it be my turn?????

Broke Knitter