31 August 2009

Yarn Coordinator

So, I have much to report from the nation's heartland (photography class with Franklin Habit at Loopy Yarns and checking out two brand-spankin' new yarn stores in Door County with my mom), but that will have to wait because I need your advice, dear readers.

The groovy people at Soho Publishing, publishers of Vogue Knitting amongst others, is looking for a Yarn Coordinator. Right here in NYC. ... I know! It sounds like one of those potentially thankless-to-some jobs that we Virgos love: all organizing, coordinating amongst editors, designers, and yarn companies, making lists and spreadsheets, ooh, maybe databases, and stuff like that (according to the job description).

The problem is that I have to write a cover letter. And it's been a while since I wrote one of those. I have no idea what to say without sounding like a fan-girl or a space cadet or a senior art director, which is what I was in my past life. What do I write?! "Hey, I love yarn and am an 'exquisitely focused knitter' (I prefer that phrase to 'obsessed') who needs a job. I'm highly organized and love setting up databases to keep everyone else around me organized as well."

I never liked writing cover letters, but at least in my last few job searches I could let my design samples and resume do a lot of the talking for me. Having spent the last couple of years hanging out with preschoolers and the screaming bébé (thank goodness she's turned into a delightful almost-toddler) hasn't helped my business communication skillz.

So, if you have any ideas on how to phrase things, let me know.

Free Patterns: Seven Knit Cardigans

Knitting Daily has another free e-book offering on their website with patterns for the Katharine Hepburn Jacket with cables and lace from Lace Style, Amber Beaded Cardigan from Michelle Rose Orne's Inspired to Knit: Creating Exquisite Handknits, Aran Duffle Coat, Pam Allen's Refined Aran Jacket, Sienna Cardigan, Side-Ways Rib Cardigan by Norah Gaughan, and Curry Cabled Cardigan. You must be a member of Knitting Daily, but it's free to join. [link]

18 August 2009

KSA: Triangular Shawls (Knitter's Service Announcement)

Want to make a triangular shawl? Only have a limited amount of that delicious yarn in your stash? Check out the exhaustive list Vicki of simpleknits put together organized by yardage; free patterns are in boldface. Summer is the perfect time for a little lace, and there are still a couple of weeks left! [link]

17 August 2009

FO: Grandma's Birthday slippers



Pattern: Amy March's Slippers by Tiny Owl Knits [Ravelry link]
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Bulky from Purl Diva
Needles: US10/6.0mm
Notions: Hot pink ribbon from Joann's
Mods: Judy's Magic Caston and my version of the short row heel, which is just a little different than that in the pattern

Another pair of Amy March's slippers! This pair is for my grandmother, as she wore out the pair I sent her last mother's day. Love these! And the lipstick-red-with-touches-of-hot-pink yarn really is that bright - the hot pink ribbon which is for the straps on a dress for Isobel (should I ever hem it) is perfect. Grandma likes bright, cheerful colors.

16 August 2009

Fiber Revival and Twist Collective


Momma and baby alpacas

Can I get an "Alpaca, Amen!"?


Jill/Tink and Carolyn/Wink in their floofy skirts

I had a fantastic time at Fiber Revival yesterday down in Newbury, Massachusetts. Such a good time that I only took a few pictures. But I got to see deardear Tink and Wink with their traveling version of the best little yarn shop in Massachusetts, along with Knit Night pals Joanne and Suzanne who were doing their best stash management by buying fluff instead of finished yarn - takes longer to use it up if you have to spin it first!


The beginning of my two-handed fair isle hat in Malabrigo Merino Worsted - though my little Isobel has already claimed it for herself

I took a two-handed fair isle class from Isobel Abelson (yes, spelled like my daughter Isobel), who was great. And now I get it! Weaving as you go is so much better than wrestling with floats. All sorts of new ideas are bubbling around in my brain. It was fun to talk Knitting with someone so knowledgeable. And we had a little two-person Joan Schrouder fan club. To top it off, Isobel had a great idea to fix something elegantly on a design project, rather than having to rip out the neckline and reknit it. In the small world files: Isobel and her husband lived one block away from our apartment when he was at Columbia Law School ... with Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whom she said was a mensch, which I heartily agree with even though I've never had the good fortune to meet the lady. To make the class more fun, it was held in "Screen House B", which was one of those mesh screen tents. Ours was set up around back of the house near the chicken coop, which was also home to a big, white tom turkey who stalked around our tent with his tailfeathers unfurled.


The chicken coop by Screen House B


Tom Turkey


There was only a tiny bit of stash enhancement, but it was so pretty it had to come home with me: Sereknity Ayre Laceweight in Blue Lagoon (4 oz./1250 yards of 50% merino wool, 50% tussah silk). I'm mulling over ideas of just what to do with my new pretty...



And I got to meet Julia. I was having such a good time talking to her (and then had to dash to drive the two hours home) that I didn't get to look at the binder she casually mentioned. The binder with pictures of all the new Twist Collective projects. [facepalm] What?! Seriously? I felt like such a doofus last night. Thank goodness the new issue launched today, so I only had to kick myself for twelve hours or so.

So, have you seen the anniversary issue? Go! I'll wait... Really lovely, eh? Very nice patterns and a great mix.

I thought Cher Underwood Forsberg's men's sweater Urbanite was really handsome. Loved the Rococo gloves by Julia Mueller (I knit her Knotty Gloves for my grandmother last year). And I am adding the Cottage Garden pullover by Cheryl Burke to my queue right away - perhaps just for the adorable double-picot hems, though I'm itching to try my two-handed colorwork skillz. And let's not forget Mari Muinonen's Luminen - my problem is I have a white, wool, long jacket, but it doesn't have a hood, or those amazing cabled pockets, or those snowflakes on the back, nor is it out of Mountain Mohair. What's a knitter to do?

But the sweater I really want to knit isn't a pattern in there - the sweater Elizabeth Zimmermann knit for her goddaughter. Jared Flood's photographs are lovely, aren't they? I'm crazy about the sleeves. I've already sent an email off to Schoolhouse Press asking about it (see the article). You should, too!

15 August 2009

Knits in Action: Impressionist Tempest


I finally have a decent picture of my Impressionist Tempest in "the wild" when we went to the lobster dock the other night. This sweater is my favorite at the moment - light yet warm. Of course the "action" is not very active. Quelle suprise.