Going for the gold!

I wasn't going to post this yet, because the dress isn't quite finished (all I have left to do is shorten the hem) but I needed an excuse to blog!


This may be my last post for awhile. Friday I am leaving to drive across country and live with my boyfriend in New Mexico -- a big change from New England where I have lived all my life. I don't know when I'll have internet access or be settled in yet, so this type of thing may be put on hold for a bit, but you can guarantee I will still be knitting and sewing and creating something...

Now seems like the perfect chance to look back and say what a wonderful thing having this blog has been! Three years ago I started photographing and sharing my knitting adventures publicly and I have come to meet a number of wonderful bloggers, crafters, sewers, knitters and friends. I'll still be checking in on all your blogs daily and invite you to keep up with me on flickr. Please, please stay in touch!!


Oh, and about this crazy gold dress! I made it from a vintage pattern I bought from an awesome etsy seller, Selma Lee. I bought some other great patterns too and can't wait to start making those soon! The fabric is Michael Miller and, again, I don't know what I was thinking going with a wild pattern that I will probably never wear. I guess a metallic gold polka dot dress is something every girl should have in her closet no matter what state she lives in!

Thanks again for reading, sharing, commenting and to those who made purchases from my store. I hope you all carry on in your creative ways and find passion in the process of making so many wonderful things.

Most importantly, have fun!

slow stitches.

I am always impressed when knitters whip up an amazing project in just a few days or less. Haven't quite figured out if I am too distracted, lack focus or just enjoy taking my time, but I am officially not a speedy knitter! I've worked on this scarf for several months now -- 5! -- sometimes stitching for lengths of time while tuned into NPR or my ipod, other times just picking up a row here and there while I waited to my coffee to perk or during commercials on Project Runway.


One of the tricky things I learned about knitting lace is you can't multitask. No knitting while I'm on the phone or watching tv as I usually do, this precise pattern forced me to count every stitch and keep track of what row I was on, never straying far from the instructions which were printed out nearby on a sheet of scrap paper. Many times this summer I felt too consumed by work, company and warm weather activities to really care what row I was on or if this project would ever be completed, but now that it's done I love it and can't wait to add it to my fall wardrobe!


I'm really happy with how it came out. Blocking the scarf made a huge difference in revealing the details of the intricate lace. I simply soaked it in room temperature water for a few minutes, gently rang it out and then let it dry flat on a towel outside. You don't have to dry it outside, I just thought the warm, late summer air would make it a bit more special.


So now it's on to the wintery knits -- ribbed and cable knit hats, maybe a neckwarmer or cowl, and that sweater I really want to finish. But this is not it for me and lace! I really loved making this scarf and look forward to tackling some more complicated knits. Please, if you have any patterns you love, do share them with me! I'm always up for the challenge of something new.