Friday, December 30, 2005

Nappy was back for a limited engagement, bringing a bit of sparkle to what was an otherwise lackluster couple weeks. A mention of robin's egg blue got the tired mind thinking of fun retro-colors, my Danish grandma's pink kitchen and Deer Isle granite. A lovely pattern came up in a search that got me thinking all about Bergman, Arija and Marimekko. Now I'm thinking that I want to see Smiles of a Summer Night as soon as possible and get myself a little bit of fabric to make a summer dress with. Since my birthday's coming up (and it's a half milestone), I could manage a little indulgence, maybe.

What a wonderful train-of-thought ride.

15 comments:

Yogo said...

Those are great fabrics. I wish I knew how to sew.

Be said...

I'm not great at it. In fact, I kind of detest it. You inspired me, though. Thanks for that!

Yogo said...

I saw a show, I think it was Martha Stewart's old show or something similar, anyway--they made a summer dress for a small girl. It was a pillowcase (king size?) with strips of fabric for shoulder straps. Cute. Not as cute as the duck hat, but still cute.

Be said...

Oh...I think I might have seen something similar in one of her magazines. I know that her October magazine featured some really nifty costumes made out of lawn-and-leaf bags, etc.

Oh, pshaw. You know: Hal's sister in law (for whom I'm working on reconstructing an aran sweater-two years after I got the materials, she finally gave up the original so I could chart it.) asked if I could make her an adult version of the ducky hat. For her, I'd reknit the world, and not just because she gives me really nice yarn (this year's possum from NZ) for gifts. So, that's another project.

Yogo said...

I'd love the duck hat and socks too. But not the adult version. Oh, if I could knit.

Be said...

Oh, Nappy - it's easy to knit! Hell, I learned and I'm about as spastic as they come.

If I weren't left-handed (I'm assuming you're a righty) and we weren't so far away, I'd show you myself. Some good reference points for starting are:

craft yarn council site

family circle easy knitting (I like their presentation a bit better.)

***

for mano-a-mano instructions with real people, try your local
stitch n bitch
or take a gander at the nearest Michaels (or indy yarn shop).

There are TONS of free patterns on the web in varying degrees of difficulty. This would be something cool to do while watching the game or when you need to calm yourself down. It has a wonderful meditative effect for me.

Too much information? There are only a few things I get really passionate about: knitting's one of them.

Yogo said...

Ok, I'm going to visit those pages and learn. Is the duck hat a beginner's project?

Be said...

It's a fairly easy one, but a little bit more advanced beginner, as you're going to have to learn a.)how to knit with double pointed needles
b.)how to make what's called a "turkish toe." (Middle eastern sock design's different from Euro design in that we start from the cuff down and they start from the opposite direction. I believe the rule is that you're supposed to knit towards the heart.)

Knit yourself a few swatches and then give it a try...actually, not that I'm their saleswoman or anything, but why not grab the latest (Christmas edition?) of Family Circle Easy Knitting and take a look at the beginner (beyond scarfs) projects: quick, easy, most all the basics needed to hit the baby cap.

Or, better yet...download the pattern, take it into a yarn shop, tell them you want to learn how to knit that, could they please help...seriously.

Yogo said...

I'll do it. With assistance, of course.

Be said...

You'll do great. You have a little one in mind?

Yogo said...

I do.

Be said...

Care to elaborate? Or is that Too Much Information...

Yogo said...

Not TMI, it will just be a nice gift for someone. Give me your email so I can write when I need help.

Be said...

Well, I do have a link on my website...but the better address is bebere@rcn.com

My real name's Beverly, by the way.

Yogo said...

Thanks.