Yup, Ten on Tuesday on Thursday. In random order...
1. Five Islands Lobster Co. (our lobster pound of choice in Maine)
2. Roy Moore's Lobster Co. (it's summer, so I'm in lobster high gear; my old lobster place on Cape Ann)
3. The Inn at Kristofer's (the Wilson Family fancy restaurant of choice in Door County)
4. Acquitaine (mussels and steak frites to die for in Boston's South End)
5. Shake Shack (shack burger, fries, and a concrete - downtown in Madison Square Park, UWS, or CitiField)
6. Inaho (where I first ate sushi long, long ago on Cape Cod)
7. Le Jardin (Nick took me here when I first visited him in New York)
8. Lupita's (I'd go just for the little bean empanadas you get with chips and salsa when you sit down)
9. Walker Bros. Original Pancake House ("A Dutch Baby, hash browns, and a large lemonade, please" - why look at the menu, when you know what's good?)
10. American Seasons (amazing food - foie gras creme brulee, anyone? - on one of the loveliest islands)
I'm sure there are more, but that should get us started. I'm hungry! Off to pick up Isobel from soccer and get some yummy empanadas from the cart. New York street food is pretty good, too.
23 July 2009
17 July 2009
Still here (and knitting away)
I have been very busy knitting lately, but as most of it consists of presents for people, and I haven't gotten off my derriere to mail them out, nothing to show at the moment. And the sun is hiding, so photo shoots have to wait. But I can write about the selfish knitting :)
You can go see my finished socks on the Purl Diva blog [link]. What you can't see in that oh so flattering picture is the picot hem I re-knit after not liking the 1x1 ribbing I knit at the top - it just looked floppy, and since I'd already knit the socks on US0 needles, I wasn't going to get smaller needles for the ribbing. Picots are all pretty and girly, anyway.
I knit up Ishbel (along with lots of other folks) with a little less than one skein of Malabrigo Lace. It needs blocking, and my wires are in NYC, so it will get blocked some time next week when we're back in the city. The yarn is so yummy, and of course I love the color (Blue Surf).
I finished a sweater (my own recipe, which will probably become my next freebie pattern, since I'm not ready to grade a pattern yet) in Schaeffer Nancy, and it's become my go-to pullover when things are a little chilly, That yarn is yummy and bouncy and interesting, and I totally lucked out with not alternating skeins. The dyeing is more in short bursts, I think, so you don't get pooling, even switching from the narrow circumference of sleeves to the wider body and yoke.
I've swatched with Berocco's Vintage Wool, a new yarn for them, to knit up a Ditto along with the folks at Purl Diva for a KAL. I was thinking of starting with a sleeve, my usual M.O., but I'm not sure if I want to stick with the short sleeves as written or make them longer, so I guess I'll start with the body.
And there are two ideas, one knit up, one all sketchy and swatchy, that I may send out into the big, wide world.
On top of that I'm about half-way through a dress for Isobel on the sewing machine. I wish I were a better sewer, but I know it takes practice, which is hard to come by in this little cottage without doors - sewing is a little too loud during naptime, and when Penelope isn't napping she'd like some attention.
Busy busy busy with no photos to show for it. Lame, I know.
You can go see my finished socks on the Purl Diva blog [link]. What you can't see in that oh so flattering picture is the picot hem I re-knit after not liking the 1x1 ribbing I knit at the top - it just looked floppy, and since I'd already knit the socks on US0 needles, I wasn't going to get smaller needles for the ribbing. Picots are all pretty and girly, anyway.
I knit up Ishbel (along with lots of other folks) with a little less than one skein of Malabrigo Lace. It needs blocking, and my wires are in NYC, so it will get blocked some time next week when we're back in the city. The yarn is so yummy, and of course I love the color (Blue Surf).
I finished a sweater (my own recipe, which will probably become my next freebie pattern, since I'm not ready to grade a pattern yet) in Schaeffer Nancy, and it's become my go-to pullover when things are a little chilly, That yarn is yummy and bouncy and interesting, and I totally lucked out with not alternating skeins. The dyeing is more in short bursts, I think, so you don't get pooling, even switching from the narrow circumference of sleeves to the wider body and yoke.
I've swatched with Berocco's Vintage Wool, a new yarn for them, to knit up a Ditto along with the folks at Purl Diva for a KAL. I was thinking of starting with a sleeve, my usual M.O., but I'm not sure if I want to stick with the short sleeves as written or make them longer, so I guess I'll start with the body.
And there are two ideas, one knit up, one all sketchy and swatchy, that I may send out into the big, wide world.
On top of that I'm about half-way through a dress for Isobel on the sewing machine. I wish I were a better sewer, but I know it takes practice, which is hard to come by in this little cottage without doors - sewing is a little too loud during naptime, and when Penelope isn't napping she'd like some attention.
Busy busy busy with no photos to show for it. Lame, I know.
02 July 2009
Ravelry Eye Candy
I may have lost a day (or five) to this Project search. I *know* that Ravelry is filled with tons of creative knitters and crocheters, but the amount of original stuff is pretty amazing.
I have four almost-FOs to share, but the BSJ needs its buttons, the (original design) sweater is rolling at the bottom hem and *something* must be done about it before sharing, the socks need to be picot-ed (right now they have a ribbed top, which is bleah), and Dad's belated Father's Day present needs it's ends woven in and some thought given to its photo.
So, I'm about to start the charts on Ishbel. I love the Malabrigo Lace (now called Baby Lace, apparently) and hope to squeak a large one out of this skein as other Ravelers have done.
Go check out that eye candy, and if you're not a Raveler yet, what are you waiting for? Apparently, sign-ups are being processed on the same day now, so no waiting.
I have four almost-FOs to share, but the BSJ needs its buttons, the (original design) sweater is rolling at the bottom hem and *something* must be done about it before sharing, the socks need to be picot-ed (right now they have a ribbed top, which is bleah), and Dad's belated Father's Day present needs it's ends woven in and some thought given to its photo.
So, I'm about to start the charts on Ishbel. I love the Malabrigo Lace (now called Baby Lace, apparently) and hope to squeak a large one out of this skein as other Ravelers have done.
Go check out that eye candy, and if you're not a Raveler yet, what are you waiting for? Apparently, sign-ups are being processed on the same day now, so no waiting.
01 July 2009
10 on Tuesday: Ten Guilty Pleasures on TV
Yes, it's Wednesday morning, which means it's time for me to (maybe) get around to 10 on Tuesday. This week: Ten Guilty Pleasures on TV.
1. ANTM (America's Next Top Model, in case you're too cool to own a television or observe pop culture or something) - Rich of the FourFour blog does awesome recaps
2. Absolutely Fabulous - nothing beats some quality time with Edina and Patsy, poor Safron
3. RHONY (Real Housewives of New York) - it's fun to see how the "other half" live in New York
4. RHONJ (Real Housewives of New Jersey) - it's a little frightening to see how some people live across the Hudson, but, oh, so entertaining; great recaps by Richard Lawson on Gawker, who also recapped RHONY brilliantly
5. Coupling (BBC version) - so funny, a brilliant combo of Sex and the City and Friends, only British and way better
6. Project Runway - even more fun now that I occasionally shop at Mood Fabrics; hopefully it won't be ruined by Lifetime Television
7. 30 Rock - j'adore Liz Lemon
8. The Simpsons, now and forever
9. Top Chef - we don't have cable/satellite here in Maine, so I'm missing Top Chef Masters, though, oddly, I don't mind
10. The Fashion Show - much as I love Isaac Mizrahi, this show is not living up to be a ProjRun replacement for me, but I still watch
1. ANTM (America's Next Top Model, in case you're too cool to own a television or observe pop culture or something) - Rich of the FourFour blog does awesome recaps
2. Absolutely Fabulous - nothing beats some quality time with Edina and Patsy, poor Safron
3. RHONY (Real Housewives of New York) - it's fun to see how the "other half" live in New York
4. RHONJ (Real Housewives of New Jersey) - it's a little frightening to see how some people live across the Hudson, but, oh, so entertaining; great recaps by Richard Lawson on Gawker, who also recapped RHONY brilliantly
5. Coupling (BBC version) - so funny, a brilliant combo of Sex and the City and Friends, only British and way better
6. Project Runway - even more fun now that I occasionally shop at Mood Fabrics; hopefully it won't be ruined by Lifetime Television
7. 30 Rock - j'adore Liz Lemon
8. The Simpsons, now and forever
9. Top Chef - we don't have cable/satellite here in Maine, so I'm missing Top Chef Masters, though, oddly, I don't mind
10. The Fashion Show - much as I love Isaac Mizrahi, this show is not living up to be a ProjRun replacement for me, but I still watch
29 June 2009
Midcoast Maine Yarn Crawl
On another grey, rainy day I thought I'd plan my next theoretical yarn crawl, this one in my little neck of Midcoast Maine. Working our way up, starting in Freeport:
Grace Robinson: You can see the sign for Fine Yarns and Needlepoint from I-295 (directions on their website). It's a large, open store with an entire garment rack of samples. They carry Rowan, Colinette, Berocco, Dale of Norway, Mountain Colors and many others. I've only been there once, and the shop didn't have that warm, cosy feeling of the modern yarn shops, though that could have been because I was the only customer at that moment. They were nice, but the vibe was more the old-style yarn shop where customers follow flat-knit patterns to the letter, even using the same color yarn as in the pattern, and then pay someone who works for the shop to sew the sweater up for them. But maybe that's just me. They had a great selection of yarns, and if you are in Freeport and can't convince your traveling companions to drive a few more miles north, you will find yarn to satisfy your itch. They do also have a large selection of needlepoint supplies, so I will take my mom there when my parents visit. Open daily.
But if you can drive a few miles further North, take the Route 1 Midcoast exit and head to Brunswick where you will find "YARN" (as in a big sign proclaiming "YARN" on the front of a charming Victorian set back from the road) at Purl Diva. This is really my LYS-away-from-home. Ellen is awesome and has been the Diva for three years. Before that she was an Upper-West-Sider, so we have more than just a love of yarn in common. There is a wall of hand-dyed sock yarn to set you drooling right when you walk in. She stocks Fleece Artist, Madeline Tosh, Malabrigo, Berocco, Peace Fleece, Dream in Color, Misti Alpaca, Sheep Shop, Lorna's Laces, and many others, as well as tons of patterns, books, needles, notions, and some fiber, too. The last time the whole family visited, Nick said he now understood about the wool fumes. If you're hungry, stop at the Brunswick Diner (wonderful lobster rolls amongst other things), then, when you pull out of their parking lot continuing North on Route 1, get ready to turn right at the next street and you're there! Purl Diva is set back from the road a little, and be sure to park in back. Closed on Tuesdays
If you have any yarn money left and would like a cuppa while browsing, don't turn left at the intersection after leaving Purl Diva and head for The Knitting Experience Cafe where you will find the big red couch, coffee and tea, and yarns such as Blue Sky Alpacas, Jojoland, Noro, Spunky Eclectic, and more. When checking out the website (where you can order yarn if not on a yarn crawl), be sure to check out the About Us section and then consider making a Knitted Knocker. They are right behind the Curtis Library, which has it's annual book sale the weekend before Independence Day, which you might also want to visit. Closed on Sundays.
Now, get yourself back to Route 1-North and head to Bath, which is both charming with its antique houses and cobbled sidewalks and a real, working town with Bath Iron Works building ships to order. Once you're under the bridge you will see the big, old warehouse that houses Halcyon Yarn on your left at the light. Turn! If you knit, crochet, spin, weave, braid rugs, tat lace, or dye fiber or yarn, you will be so excited to visit. It's a big place, and there is a lot to see including Brown Sheep, Misti Alpaca, JaggerSpun, Noro, Malabrigo, Halcyon's Signature Collection, and more. There is also a room filled with books (and a little gas stove for those chilly days), plenty of notions, and bargain bags, not to mention the baskets of fiber off to the right. Open daily in the summer (closed on Sundays the rest of the year).
Now, go have something to eat at Byrne's Irish Pub or Café Creme, which has free WiFi, so you can add all your purchases to your Stash on Ravelry, or Marnee's Cookie Bistro, which also has WiFi, then get yourself back to Route 1-North and head over the bridge to Woolwich. Yes, Woolwich.
A couple of miles along you will see a "YARN" sign on the left. Follow the signs and visit the lovely farm full of sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, ducks, and rabbits and, more importantly, the yarn shed. You have reached Romney Ridge Farm, home of hand-dyed and sometimes even hand-spun yarny goodness. Kelly is very talented and clearly loves her flock. I enjoy reading her blog, too, which allows me the adventure of having a sheep farm without having to get up so early. My sister's Sassymetrical is from their yarn. I can hardly wait to visit again this year. Open daily, Sundays by chance.
Here's hoping the weather improves!
Grace Robinson: You can see the sign for Fine Yarns and Needlepoint from I-295 (directions on their website). It's a large, open store with an entire garment rack of samples. They carry Rowan, Colinette, Berocco, Dale of Norway, Mountain Colors and many others. I've only been there once, and the shop didn't have that warm, cosy feeling of the modern yarn shops, though that could have been because I was the only customer at that moment. They were nice, but the vibe was more the old-style yarn shop where customers follow flat-knit patterns to the letter, even using the same color yarn as in the pattern, and then pay someone who works for the shop to sew the sweater up for them. But maybe that's just me. They had a great selection of yarns, and if you are in Freeport and can't convince your traveling companions to drive a few more miles north, you will find yarn to satisfy your itch. They do also have a large selection of needlepoint supplies, so I will take my mom there when my parents visit. Open daily.
But if you can drive a few miles further North, take the Route 1 Midcoast exit and head to Brunswick where you will find "YARN" (as in a big sign proclaiming "YARN" on the front of a charming Victorian set back from the road) at Purl Diva. This is really my LYS-away-from-home. Ellen is awesome and has been the Diva for three years. Before that she was an Upper-West-Sider, so we have more than just a love of yarn in common. There is a wall of hand-dyed sock yarn to set you drooling right when you walk in. She stocks Fleece Artist, Madeline Tosh, Malabrigo, Berocco, Peace Fleece, Dream in Color, Misti Alpaca, Sheep Shop, Lorna's Laces, and many others, as well as tons of patterns, books, needles, notions, and some fiber, too. The last time the whole family visited, Nick said he now understood about the wool fumes. If you're hungry, stop at the Brunswick Diner (wonderful lobster rolls amongst other things), then, when you pull out of their parking lot continuing North on Route 1, get ready to turn right at the next street and you're there! Purl Diva is set back from the road a little, and be sure to park in back. Closed on Tuesdays
If you have any yarn money left and would like a cuppa while browsing, don't turn left at the intersection after leaving Purl Diva and head for The Knitting Experience Cafe where you will find the big red couch, coffee and tea, and yarns such as Blue Sky Alpacas, Jojoland, Noro, Spunky Eclectic, and more. When checking out the website (where you can order yarn if not on a yarn crawl), be sure to check out the About Us section and then consider making a Knitted Knocker. They are right behind the Curtis Library, which has it's annual book sale the weekend before Independence Day, which you might also want to visit. Closed on Sundays.
Now, get yourself back to Route 1-North and head to Bath, which is both charming with its antique houses and cobbled sidewalks and a real, working town with Bath Iron Works building ships to order. Once you're under the bridge you will see the big, old warehouse that houses Halcyon Yarn on your left at the light. Turn! If you knit, crochet, spin, weave, braid rugs, tat lace, or dye fiber or yarn, you will be so excited to visit. It's a big place, and there is a lot to see including Brown Sheep, Misti Alpaca, JaggerSpun, Noro, Malabrigo, Halcyon's Signature Collection, and more. There is also a room filled with books (and a little gas stove for those chilly days), plenty of notions, and bargain bags, not to mention the baskets of fiber off to the right. Open daily in the summer (closed on Sundays the rest of the year).
Now, go have something to eat at Byrne's Irish Pub or Café Creme, which has free WiFi, so you can add all your purchases to your Stash on Ravelry, or Marnee's Cookie Bistro, which also has WiFi, then get yourself back to Route 1-North and head over the bridge to Woolwich. Yes, Woolwich.
A couple of miles along you will see a "YARN" sign on the left. Follow the signs and visit the lovely farm full of sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, ducks, and rabbits and, more importantly, the yarn shed. You have reached Romney Ridge Farm, home of hand-dyed and sometimes even hand-spun yarny goodness. Kelly is very talented and clearly loves her flock. I enjoy reading her blog, too, which allows me the adventure of having a sheep farm without having to get up so early. My sister's Sassymetrical is from their yarn. I can hardly wait to visit again this year. Open daily, Sundays by chance.
Here's hoping the weather improves!
26 June 2009
WIPs June 2009
And then there are the projects for which I have yarn here. It's hard being away from the stash, but I'm surviving.
Guess all that will keep me busy. Man, I'm frustrated about the edging on the Hap Blanket. I can't believe I didn't notice before row 25 (of the 36-row edging). Sigh. Oh, well, that's the way the cookie crumbles. I'm off to read Eloise in Moscow with Isobel while Penelope naps. Enjoy your day!
P.S. Sorry there are no pictures! I couldn't bear to snap the incorrect Hap Blanket. Plus, I'm working on Nick's machine, since mine won't pick up the Wi-Fi signal. Sigh.
22 June 2009
FO: Sassymetrical for MB
Pattern: Sassymetrical by Gay Schiff [Ravelry link]
Yarn: Romney Ridge Farm Hand-dyed 64% wool 36% mohair blend in Green, 360 yards, and I used just about every last one
Needle: US8
This one is for my sister. I gave the yarn to her for Christmas and told her she could knit something herself with it or have me knit something, though I could make no promises as to when any item would be complete. She opted for my making something, and here it is. The Sassymetrical pattern is fun and quick. I like the little puff to the sleeves. Sadly, it is too warm, even with it's little cap sleeves, for her to wear now, especially as she leaves for two months of research work in Afghanistan. But the wool/mohair blend will be ready to warm her up in Berlin this fall where she is working on her Ph.D.
Pardon the flash photography - it was rainy in New York, and it's rainy here. Some day we'll have bright daylight again and proper photography. But I've been meaning to blog about this one for a while and wanted to do so before MB leaves Wednesday morning. Hope you like this little sweater, sis!
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