Finally broke out my spinning wheel in our new house. Merino batts core spun over commercial cotton. I still can't find my knitty noddy, but some coat racks I haven't found a new home for worked in a pinch. There's 120 yards, now to find a project!

Found the crochet hook!

The beginning of an idea. Rediscovering my love of free-form crochet/texture.

On the hunt for one of the bazillon crochet hooks I own but can never find. This is my "extra" needle bin. I rarely use anything from here but considering 90% of these belonged to my mom/grandma I'll never be able to get rid of them. I like to think they bring me good crafting vibes.

Hey girl

Hey girl,

Sorry it's been so long. I promise I will be back soon.

Love, M

Unexpected perks of motherhood

Suddenly it's a whole lot easier to schlep my sewing machine to be serviced


-- Post From My iPhone

Rainy Days Be Damned

I have a Liberty of London coffee mug and I know how to use it!

Giant Knitted Animals? Yes Please!

Who wants to make a giant argyle giraffe? I do! I do!








Lion Brand isn't where I normally look for amazing and inspiring knitting but man, these photos have me sketching up a storm and trying to figure out how I can rearrange Dori's room to accommodate stuffed animals that are 4ft tall. Who needs a crib? I hear they're overrated.

PS Happy St. Patrick's Day! While there was no holiday knitting, there was a holiday themed outfit



You're Welcome.

Manny the Marshmallow Kits

Did you miss the City Bakery's Knit night, but still have a hankering to make Manny the Marshmallow? Brooklyn General just made up some great kits! Only $10 for all the supplies(yarn, embroidery floss, stuffing, DPNs) and a print out of the pattern. Super exciting!

Here's a visual recap of my day

-- Post From My iPhone

LeSigh

Pattern drafting with colored LePens. It makes me happier than is entirely appropriate.

a Dear John of the weather variety

Dear Snow,

Please stop trying to sweet talk me with pretty views out my window and a napping baby. I've moved on with spring, it's over.

Love, me


-- Post From My iPhone

Manny the Marshmallow

What's better than marshmallows in hot chocolate? Marshmallows anytime you want!

Manny was designed for Brooklyn General's workshop at The City Bakery's 18th annual Hot Chocolate Festival knit night, February 18th from 7-10pm. If you want to learn how to make Manny in person, just stop by the event or click here for the pattern!

Getting back to business

For the last few years, I have purposely crafted my work life to make having a kid "easy." Easy is in quotes because it's one of those words I used pre-motherhood that I don't think even passes my lips anymore. Motherhood is many many many things (and most of them wonderful) but easy is not one of them. I would talk about how I was so lucky to be able to have the kind of job that I can work and stay home with our child. I now would like to time travel back a few years and give my naive former self a good wallop.

But that being said, I have started to get back into the design business and am lucky enough to work with wonderful choreographers who don't mind me bringing Dori with to rehearsal.



She loves watching the dancers, not to mention the chance to show off El Tigre (she smile stalks people. She will stare a person down until they look at her and then break into a 1000 watt smile that causes anyone with in 10 feet of her to ooh and ahhh. We're working on teaching her to use her powers for good and not evil. Not sure where to find the flash cards for emotional manipulation, but I digress.) Now we just have to work on getting any sort of sewing done during daylight hours(have mentioned the kid isn't a napper) and things may soon be back on track

Rough Job, I Know

So as part of one of my part-time gigs, I have to look through the weekly tabloids. I wish I could say I was above them, but really I love them and all their horrible tackiness. Right up there with 80's fashion and Cheese Wiz. This gem of an article was in last weeks InTouch




Part of me is incredibly horrified the other part is all like, dude where do I get Dori a leopard print poncho? I have to draw the line at gigantic flower headbands, but that is just a personal choice, right up there with acrylic yarn and faux hawks

Happy Halloween!

Ladybug Time!

As you can see in the photo I have some ends to weave in and black dots to add but over all Dori's Halloween costume is almost done! With a week to spare no less.

Anyone want to lay down a wager those dots are going to be added around 1am the night before Halloween?


-- Post From My iPhone

So taking pictures of peoples outfits anonymously via iPhone and ridiculing them on one's blog is catty and mean. I had to remind myself of that SEVERAL times today walking through Soho for work. It was like Ugly Betty Exploded all over Broadway. I may be wrong but I think 6" heels are a wee bit over kill while standing in line at the bank, no? All though this is coming from a woman whose new fashion objective is to not leave the house with any visible spit up/milk stains.

This also comes from a woman who is not so secretly living out her Punky Brewster fantasies on her child



And who also might put her child in all things holiday related until the child can verbally beg her not to



But thankfully that day is far far away

Apparently somebody else at Coffee Den has a thing for mermaids too

-- Post From My iPhone

Meet Sydney the Stash-Busting Snake

I've had the idea for Sydney for awhile, but it took a bit to work out the details to make him coil on his own (funny what lack of sleep will do to your knitting skills). basically he's just a three row repeat with short rows, switching up the colors as you choose. pretty simple, and a great way to practice wrap and turn short rows if you're just learning.

And best of all he's Free!(pattern link)

The sample is knit in Lamb's Pride Bulky (by the lovely Kusi Coya), but anything would do. Just make sure all the scraps are roughly the same weight, or switch up your needle size accordingly so the fabric stays tight, and you will have one interesting looking snake :)

The Grand Marshall of the Parade Makes Her Apperance

So not the finished object I was expecting to post, but the most important one by far. Welcome to the world Doreen Mae Kelly





Born June 13th 8:26am 7lbs 8ozs 20 3/4”

And I have to say, the kid has spectacular timing, I went into labor about 6 hours after finishing her crib skirt. She was apparently very excited that her mother managed to make matching curtains and crib skirt, BEFORE she was even born. She just had to see them in person.

The rest of her room still looks like a tornado hit it, but dammit, her crib looks awesome.