Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Radical Lace…

Taking advantage of President's Day, Jenn and I went to the Museum of Arts & Design to check out the exhibit of Radical Lace and Subversive knitting. What a great presentation. The exhibit included everything from lace made from car parts to a crocheted table topper with 3-D skulls around the edge. There was also a video of the infamous flag that was knit with telephone poles by Dave Cole (what is with guys and size, the whole thing was a little phallic). My favorite piece was a large piece of felt that looked like it was made from roving with snowflakes on it. It was so tranquil. I think I could have stood there for an hour looking at it. I also enjoyed the lamp that was crochet out of optical glass fiber. In fact, I kind of want to make one for myself. There was also a full sized knit body suit that is stabed with knitting needles, ironicly the piece was knit on a machine. I seem to have lost touch the past few years with the whole art scene, which is bad considering I have a B.F.A. from SCAD. But this got me really inspired and thinking once again about creating things for art sake. I would go back again. The exhibit is free on Thursday nights so that might be a good time to check it out. The exhibit is up till June 17. Check out the Museum's website for more information. I'll leave you with a few pieces from the show…




Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

OK, maybe secret knitting isn’t done?!?!?

So after trying some of Heather’s suggestions, I was still really unhappy with secret project I. So I asked Sharon if I could turn in the bag late, ordered more yarn from Elann, and started again. However, this time I am being much smarter. I figured out a way to make it in the round with a few short rows at the top to make a nice curved top. So at least it will go faster. In fact I started last Wednesday and I am about half way done. I should be done by this weekend. And I also thought of a really cute way to make a pouch for small things that get lost at the bottom of a big bag. Everyone…cross your fingers it works this time!

In the mean time I started the socks for my mother, whose birthday was last Sunday. Good thing I told her ahead of time not to expect her present on time this year. The last pair of socks I made for her she thought were too short. So I deiced to make toe up socks this time and just knit till a run out of yarn. I found this great link for Turkish Cast On. This makes a beautiful closed cast on and is super easy once you get the hang of it. I highly recommend it if you are planning toe up socks.

Even though the cold has finally hit NYC, I am starting to think about spring knitting. I am thinking about making this tank from Vintage Knits in some yarn I got at Rhinebeck this year.



I made this for my friend Amie once (actually twice, I had to re-knit it as it was too big for her). But this time I think I am going to make it in the round (it’ll go a lot faster (do you see a trend here) and build up the neckline so it’s more work appropriate. I even can use some of the left over yarn from Secret Project II for the trim, how perfect is that?