16 May 2012 · 2 Comments
I feel a tiny bit bad that it’s been so long since I’ve put out a pattern. The last one was Chamfer in what, February? Now to be fair, the e version of The Knitter’s Curiosity Cabinet did go live in March, so it’s not like you’ve not got something to keep your needles busy. But still, I’m used to putting out an individual pattern every month or so, and the longer time frame is making me a bit twitchy. But never fear, it’s all in the service of a bigger project!
After seeing how much fun Knitter’s Curiosity Cabinet was, I decided to experiment with taking some of the things I’d usually do as individual patterns and combining them into a mini book. That’s what all the things you’ve seen around here since March or so will be used for. I think it will work well, but it does mean that the once a month timeline sort of falls by the wayside. Now I know waiting’s no fun, and I also know I find waiting easier if I know what’s going on in the background while I’m waiting. So I thought I’d let you know where things stood.
The photo shoot is this Sunday. As of this morning, all the projects for the mini book are done and blocked. I’ve even got proof! The only thing left to do is sew buttons one one piece (anyone taking bets on whether that will happen Sunday morning).
Down at the bottom there are the Ruction cowl and mitts in Malabrigo Arroyo. They’re reversible, and I’m totally smitten with them. Next up the stack is the Clamor hat in Briar Rose Wistful. It’s scrunchy and slouchy and looks unreasonably adorable on everyone. Peeking out from the middle is the Tumult cowl in Handmaiden Silk Twist. I think it might be my secret favorite, and I want the photoshoot over with so I can wear it. Next up are the Fracas hat and cuffs in Schaefer Yarn Company Nichole. My secret plan is to send them home with Lauren as a thank you for her help modeling. And on the top there are the Uproar cuffs in Plucky Knitter MCN Primo. These are knitting crack and you should never ever start making them as you won’t want to stop. You’ve been warned.
All the patterns are done, and testing is wrapping up. The pattern text is over with the tech editor, and I’m finalizing the other, non-pattern, text this week. The plan is to have the files to the printer in early June. That means the e version will likely be available in late July, and the paper version available about a week later.
Alright, I feel better now. It’s still not quite as good as having a pattern ready to go for you. But hopefully it works to show that I’m not just lazing on the patio sipping lemonade!
15 May 2012 · 1 Comment
Still not benefiting from a full on proper block, but at least here it’s pulled a bit smoother than before. The difference is encouraging. With any luck at all, I’ll have it finished tomorrow.
Next will come a vigorous blocking session for all the mini book pieces. The Boy and I checked out the planned location for the photoshoot this weekend, and I think we’ll be able to get some really good shots.
In the meantime, I’ve been putting all of your bugbite solutions to the test. So far, Benadryl seems to be working best for me. I’ll continue the experiments over the rest of the summer. Anyone want to lay odds on me deciding to get a pet bat and solve the problem at the source?
14 May 2012 · 14 Comments
This weekend saw some serious time spent on the back patio (I know, such a tough life). The weather was perfect, the yard was not yet so horrifying I can’t stand to sit out there, and I had a new book to read. I was likely out there for about 4 hours. This morning I counted two dozen mosquito bites scattered around my arms, ankles, and one particularly charming specimen on the small of my back. That one is vying with the one on my ring finger (aka yarn wrapping finger) for the title of most annoying thing ever. Each bite has puffed up to about the size of a dime and has taken on a lovely blotchy red color. It’s very stylish. I woke myself up scratching last night. This is my comeuppance for having the chicken pox when I was too little to scratch.
So, I’m off to buy some citronella candles and maybe some sort of anti itch cream. But in the meantime, anyone got any sure-fire suggestions to make the itching stop? Or to make the mosquitoes shrivel up and die? Oh, and just so you know, The Boy (who laid out there with me for about half the time) has not one single bite.
13 May 2012 · 1 Comment
This is the final piece for the mini book I mentioned the other day. It’s still in the ever-exciting ‘crumpled pile of crap’ phase that most knitting projects have to endure. I have great faith though, and I’m pretty darn sure it will be properly cute once I have a bit more done (and once it gets a suitably vicious block).
The mini book is coming along well. Next up is a wee photo shoot, maybe even this coming weekend (which is good because if we wait too much longer we risk heat stroke while modeling knitwear, and that’s no fun at all), a final edit or two, and then it goes zipping off to the printer. Barring some really exciting disaster, it should be out this summer. Maybe even as early as July, but August is likely more realistic. I’ll come back with more info about it in a week or two, but until then, let’s pretend this was one of those lengthy and engaging updates you were hoping for.
9 May 2012 · 6 Comments
The Tumult cowl is off the needles and blocked. I finished it up on the drive home from Maryland Sheep & Wool. It’s lovely and light and lacy. It will look splendid on an actual human. It looks less than splendid when laying on my back porch railing. Alas, I’m not skilled enough (or perhaps it’s brave enough) to take a picture of it on myself. You’ll have to make do with this for now. I promise pretty pics when I next get a willing victim to play model!
8 May 2012 · 4 Comments
Maryland Sheep & Wool had, not surprisingly, a large number of sheep and other wooly things. We found wee baby goats:
Curly horned sheep (do the horns mean they’re boys? Are boy sheep really rams, like how boy cows aren’t so much cows as bulls or steer?):
Sheep getting haircuts:
And sheep with the post trim dreads (very styling):
Plus the odd llama and rabbit and other furry friend. Very cute. Very smelly. Very noisy.
4 May 2012 · 1 Comment
The Violently Domestic Expeditionary Force has gotten word of a large wool deposit in Maryland. They’ve been dispatched to gather intelligence (and likely yarn). They’ll report back shortly with full details. Maybe also with some sort of tasty cheese. There could also be a lamb burger involved, but that just seems a bit mean. We won’t speak of it. Any one else sending scouts?
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