slateblu

some crafting going on

Last weekend I took another class at the SF Center for the Book.  It was a class on the long stitch taught by Hannah Tashjian.

 
The title of the class was called "Bound for Love".  It was the day before for Valentine's day.  I chose the red string for the occasion.

 
We made a "wrapper" or  cover to protect the book.  Though I do prefer the look of the exposed binding.

 
The view from the top and the bottom of the book.  I like how it resembles an end band.

 
I'm knitting another gingham hat...

 
 
These masking tapes are appearing everywhere.  I picked these up at Japantown.  I love that they had the slate blue color. 

burberry inspired cowl neck scarf

I saw a burberry scrarf in one of my InStyle magazines and asked my co-worker, who is a knitting genius to see if she could figure out a pattern.  She told me just to knit a couple big cables and just connect it to my desired size.  When I saw this post, I got excited and decided to knit one for myself this winter.  I saw Assemblage's yarn choice and decided to do the same one but in a different color.  Miss Ava modeling my scarf for me:

 
 

 

 

 
I'm on vacation for 3 days.  My parents are such a big help in taking the kids to school and picking them up.  They're on vacation now and I hope they're having fun.  In the meanwhile, I get to be a stay-at-home mom for 3 days.  It's such a nice break not having to go into the office.

 

frog tree merino melange cabled tam

After seeing this post from Wikstenmade I fell in love with the hat.  I e-mailed the store and was able to buy the yarn and get the pattern for free.  I made an adult size hat modeled by Ava.  I bought a pink/gray yarn also for a hat that will fit Ava but I haven't started that yet.  The weather in San Francisco has been cold...it's normal but it's been colder than usual.

 
 

my first fair isle knitting project

I had a doctor's appointment last month and stopped by Atelier Yarns while waiting for my sister-in-law to get off work.  (BTW- she had her baby this past Sunday - tiny little girl -will post pictures next time).  I bought some aurora 8 yarn over there to make a fair isle baby hat.  The pattern and yarn was enough to make two hats so I did. Lovely yarn - it was fine merino wool. The pattern: gingham.  I saw a hat knit up in the store and fell in love with it.  It was actually a black, dark blue, and light blue color but of course I picked the pink for the baby girl. 

I had to practice american knitting as I am a continental knitter.  The first hat's stitches were a little uneven because I was still getting the hang of knitting with the left hand and knitting with the right hand.  The secret to an even hat pattern for me was to knit with the same yarn color that's in every row w/ the right hand and to interchange colors with my left. The second hat project came out so much better (the one with the ivory brim).  

 
It was fun to knit because it was a new kind of knitting for me.  Of course it took a little longer but I liked the results.   

winter scarf

Last year I started a scarf for myself and never finished...until last night. It's the same one I made for my son here.  It's a bigger version and made with yarn from artfibers: It's 66% silk and 34% lambswool.  Very soft...and actually very long.  I'm a bit sad about artfibers closing...not sure what will happen in the future but you can read more here. 

   

 

 

another birthday...

Another birthday gone...it was yesterday...I took the day off from work.  During the day I wound a ball of yarn with the help of my son...and then a chair:

 

I got some new shoes in the mail:

I saw gray ones at Wiksten but I could only find the black ones in my size.

I also had dinner with the husband at Farallon wearing my new black shoes. They're very comfortable.

It was a good day.

cupcakes and yarn

I haven't been crafting lately.  I've been busy with Jason's 5th birthday party.  Now that's it's over I can rest a bit.  After work today I had to go to Crate & Barrel to buy a $3.95 butter dish but came out with these extras:

Frivolous, I know.  I usually buy books on Amazon but just bought full price here.  I'm craving cupcakes and wanted to try a different recipe.

I'm starting to knit this in the greenish yarn.  I put it down and haven't picked it up but I will soon. I like that it's knit in the round.

I'll post pictures of the spiderman party on flickr!

Have a good rest of the week!

5 years ago...

I gave birth to this little boy...how fast they grow...

The picture was taken here w/ Pepe Le Pew.  Jason had no idea who he was but later in the day he said "Mommy, where's my picture with the skunk?"  I didn't even know he knew what a skunk was...haha!  Lots of party planning to do for this Saturday...

Also quick post on a real instant gratification knitting project...

a blythe sweater...

pattern from here.

knitting and porn

I bet I caught your attention with the title of the post.  Shall I start with the porn?

I'm sure you're familiar with this book.  This a new one.  Porn for New Moms.  Pick a copy up and look specifically at pages 21, 31 & 87.  You will see a familiar face on those pages.

...and I share with you some knitting photos of a baby hat.  My sister was going to a baby shower and wanted me to knit a baby hat for a girl.  This project was fast and easy...instant gratification:

This is my favorite part of knitting a hat...the decreasing part =)

All finished:

yarn, macaroons, and some lotta...

Starting a new scarf: (66% silk, 34% lambswool)

A bakery : Patisserie Philippe:

Shopping at jansdotter.com