Tag: Knit and Tonic

Hooked on a feeling. Or at least a Hunch.

Categories alpaca, Current projects, Yarn StoresLeave a Comment on Hooked on a feeling. Or at least a Hunch.

That’s pretty much how I feel about California…I am pretty sure I need to move back rocky_haunchesto New York, but really, it’s just a hunch. But shouldn’t you trust your hunches? Or your haunches? (Like Rocky).

Or your guts? Lily Tomlin said, “What is reality anyway? Just a collective hunch.” lilytomlinSo if I have an individual hunch, is it just as valid? Well, I’m going to go for it. We’re moving back to Brooklyn! I’ve got a feeling, a hunch, a Karen Smith weather alert, and we’re doing it.karensmith

In honor of the intuitive reckoning that drives detectives, Quasimotos, and, well, me, I present the Hunch hat, by Wendy Bernard of the fantastic blog Knit and Tonic. I knitted this extra slouchy (took the 1.5″ suggestion), using a bulky yarn that I frankly don’t consider bulky – Lion Brand’s Martha Stewart Craft line, alpaca blend. I’ve used this many times before, and it’s inexpensive, soft, and incredibly versatile. Imagine my horror when the kindly Lion Brand store employees told me it was half off – because they’re discontinuing it! Say it ain’t so, Lion! Or Martha. Or whoever. I immediately bought as many as I could take on the plane. A couple of skeins of Buttermilk, which I used in this pattern here, also used to make the previous Chevalier Mittens project for my friend Devon (I made a pair for myself too), and a couple of skeins of Pea Coat Blue, a pretty, almost marbled dark blue that’s not quite navy. No idea what to make with that at the moment, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out.

hunchinprogressBack to the Hunch…this knit up fairly quickly, as you might imagine with mostly all stockinette, but I particularly enjoyed top down knitting. Don’t think I’ve ever done that before, but it gave me more control over the slouch and allowed me to check the fitting more accurately (I think) as I went along. And the finished product? I’m pretty proud, not the least of which because Greg actually said, “Hey, you can like, wear that!”. I have a hunch that I can.

hunch_grin

Something actually wearable

Categories Current projectsLeave a Comment on Something actually wearable

So I’ve knitted a few projects so far. Hats, socks, ipod case etc and they turned out ok. I then turned to more ambitious projects, like sweaters. They have all sucked. Unflattering, gaping holes, mismatched sleeves and downright unwearable. It’s mostly because I like to knit it order to turn my brain off a bit, and not think about my job or my expanding waistline, and I don’t pay attention to the actual knitting. Also, perhaps in my defense, most patterns I see are appropriate for someone approximately age 76 and bear significant resemblance to a potato sack.

However, I purchased an excellent pattern from Knit and Tonic (she had me at the title) and I’m paying attention. It seems to be working. I think this may actually be wearable, and not birdcage lining (if I had a bird). Fingers crossed!

In the meantime it’s rainy (but oddly not cold) in late October Brooklyn. Which means: movie day. The man-friend and I are watching a Jean-Pierre Jeunet marathon, starting with Amelie, then City of Lost Children, ending with the very depressing but wholely awesome A Very Long Engagement. I have a feeling I will be very sick of the adorable-ness right around midafternoon, but I think we can push on through. The jokes are kind of like watching Family Guy – so obvious, milked for all their worth but usually worth it.