Knit Picker

Knit Out Pics

Since last week I have a, started a brand new job; b, ended a relationship; and c, started on a pair of socks! I havent figured out how my new camera works yet (it has the sock pictures), here are some pics of last weeks festivities at the 2006 NY Knit Out with my old one:
The key if to get there early enough before it turns into madness. I have a phobia about large crowds so I got there at a decent hour, just before noon to grab all the free stuff. I enjoyed Lily Chin's presentation on bead knitting.
I then went uptown, looking for a knitting store that would be open on a Sunday-- not impossible but I figured nothing would be open, especially on that day.

There was a store, which will remain nameless, on the Upper East Side, that answered when I called for directions. So, I hopped on the Uptown 6 and headed over to pick up some point protectors. When I got to the store, which was located on the second floor of Lexington Ave. walkup the women inside were friendly enough, but one of them said "Oh, I hate the Knit Out, it's a zoo." I don't recall if this woman was a proprietor of the store or a woman hanging out, but she added," People just go for the free stuff, and there's nothing there. I can't stand the event."

Uh, I beg to Differ!! Grant it she was definitely Old School, and a Matronly Upper East Side type, but heck, I don't think she even knows yarnharlot's real name.

Welcome Back!

It's been a very, very long time, and a very long, strange trip. Once again I am up at the witching hour, all excited and anxious because Monday 9/18 I start my new job at a brand new company here:

I can't wait! A brand new cubicle for me!!

I have been running around yesterday getting to the 2006 Knit Out and trying to get all the gadgetry in my life to work again so check back later...

The Trench

Okay, for those who wanted to see it, the Michael Kors Grass Green Trench that cheered me up:

Very spiffy green. Okay, a knitting related thing: I promised myself I'd show up for the next Knitting Meetup if I can clear my schedule. I've been AWOL for a while, and the Manhattan Meetup is really fun. I sit at the Kids' Table with the rest of the newbie group members, and there's this one member whose name I can't remember, but she was so funny, I bet she was the class clown when she was in grade school. This group is huge--30-35 members show up regularly, and we take up quite a few tables at the Citicorp Atrium.   

I have to be at work tomw. at 9am, which is early for me. I have been hitting the gym at 7:30am, feeling like Bridget Jones on the stationary bike (my fave scene in the movie, I confess). The trench, by the way, is an X-Small, and though I'm petite, getting to that size was no small achievement! I wish I could stay up late and visit more of my fave blogs, and update mine, but I'll do that tomorrow. I'm heading up to Boston after work, finishing my taxes (I changed my mind about procrastinating) and Friday morning I'm seeing my fave hairstylist, Henry, who works here and who guarantees that I'll look and feel like a million bucks afterwards. I'm cashing in my Birthday gift certificate and treating myself to a spa day!

Okay, No Pictures Yet...

A little bit of a crisis going on...but a lot more time to knit. Broke up with boyfriend, sent him a Good Riddance e-mail (yep that's the new way to do it), after hanging up on him. He was having way too many of these. And loving them a little too much. Sadly, it's going to be a cold day in hell before I rent "Sideways..." The film is apparently one long boozy version.

So I went and cheered myself up by buying a brand spanking new Michael Kors trenchcoat, in a sunny springy color, Grass Green! I'm also planning a quick trip to L.A. to visit my pals, it's been a while.

But I digress...The sleeves are done, I just have to make the time to assemble them. The next project is gonna be something colorful. Pics soon!

A Month Later...

Time flies when you're having fun. I feel horrible not knitting for a long time! Been super busy at work.

Ok, I'm over the guilt and have the weekend to myself--a very rare thing! No work, boyfriend outta town, hooray! Knitting is definitely in the picture. Stay tuned!

If I Still Lived in L.A....

I could wear this hoodie without sleeves. But this is NYC. I just got home from work and the wind is blowing like crazy. Yet it was quite magical walking home from the subway this evening, watching the snow swirling around like the stuff inside one of those plastic water-filled globes.

Cita my cat has just gotten into her favorite lounging spot--my lap-- and I hate to have to do this to her, but she will have to relocate while I go and get my knitting. I'm currrently doing the sleeves which can get really boring!!! So here's another view of the hoodie in progress... I've got a ton of work ahead of me-- a lot of writing to do, and I picked up a little extra PR work on the side. I'm also a little miffed because I have to work this weekend, and since I'm a little paranoid, I won't go into my crazy work situation at the present moment. But I'm totally addicted to knitting, totally determined to finish this hoodie before resuming any other WIPs lying around or worse yet, starting new projects!

As My Cat Sits on My Lap

There's actually only one skein left! Weather and time permitting I will have to stop in at Knit NY to pick up more of this color, "espresso". I am happy to report that I'm halfway through one of the hoodie's sleeves. I forgot that I am making a change to the pattern: the sleeves will be in the main color as opposed to the contrasting (stripe) color. I have been diligently knitting on the subway, and am about to grab my stuff to take with me to work--on the right is when I left:

Back from work, here's the progress so far:

What's with the can of Chicken Noodle Soup?? I don't think anyone will be as ecstatic as I will be when I complete this sweater. Really, talk about ADD Knitting. I do love this easy pattern, and the few folks I have shown my hoodie-in-progress to were looking at it like, "Hmmm...how do I get Aggie to make me one?" Well, I am highly superstitious, so as much as Nathan would drool over the softness of the yarn, I won't make him a sweater. Sorry, nope, can't make me do it. I won't even make him a scarf, the poor guy. I know he thinks I'm just utterly selfish.

In Praise of the 3-Needle Bind-Off

Moving right along...last night I finished the hood. I know it's not a big deal for all the knittin' pros out there, but I am so proud of the hood's seams. Binding off with 3 needles sounds more intimidating than it looks. I was actually watching television while doing it, so it really didn't involve a lot of concerted effort on my part. I can't wait to block everything!

I know it's THURSDAY, but here's the hip and happy couple last weekend:   Being die-hard jazz fans, we went to Guernsey's Jazz Auction, the first ever in the history of jazz music! Held at Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the proceeds from the sale of many of these lots will go to many of the foundations and archives dedicated to maintaining this truly American art form. Here's the view from Lincoln Center:

Although we couldn't afford Wes Montgomery's Gibson guitar (a mere starting bid of $300,000!), or John Coltrane's passport ($14,000), one bidder won Benny Goodman's tuxedo for an amazing $550!! GO figure.

Updates in Knitting

I am currently on a 5 day vacation from work, so finally, on Wednesday I am sitting here in my sweats, watching the 6pm news and KNITTING!!! There are times when I feel like I am the slowest knitter on the planet. But that I know isn't far from the truth. The rest of my life takes over. As my writer friend Judy Miller tells me, once deadlines come around there's just no time to concentrate on knitting.

But without further adieu, I have to share my progress on the hoodie. Front, back and the hood part is an inch away from binding off using the 3-needle bindoff method.

I have been in the process of moving temporarily to my brother's spacious 3 BR. Turns out that he also has a brand new washing machine, perfect for future felting projects! The laptop, dsl connection has been down for the past few months so I havent blogged or anything. But check out my review of Yarns Unlimted, a LYS located in Santa Monica, CA on about.com.

Other stuff keeping my life busy: Last weekend Nathan and I spent a sunny Saturday afternoon in Central Park to see The Gates. Here are some pics.

It was a cold, but super gorgeous day.<a href="http://styleperps.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/im000016_1.JPG" onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=477,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"></a>

CH..CH..Changes...

Talk about a knitting hiatus! I'm back and blogging again after a whirlwind 2 months. Things are looking up at work, and just came back from my company's annual meeting, held in Las Vegas, NV. Met two fellow knitters, and of course, brought some knitting with me! Pictures to follow.

I also moved from my apartment since it was robbed at the beginning of December. Fortunately I was not there, and Cita was okay, although she hesitated to come back into the apartment for a day or two after the incident. I am much better now, and in a much better and safer place, sharing a 3 bedroom with my brother. Such is life in NYC, I guess. Anyway, I am a little pooped, so ta-ta for now!