Happy Daylight Savings! The clock just struck 2am on my clock and 1am on my computer. I am super tired, but really excited about the new/old music I have acquired thanks to the mister and am revisiting the album Give Up by The Postal Service. Ahhh, freshman year at UC Irvine. Livin’ in Prado. How I miss it, but not too much.

Today was somewhat of a “couch potato” day. I haven’t watched that much TV in a really long time. I think I started with the LA Ink marathon, Millionaire Matchmaker, then 16 and Pregnant, onto some movies – Welcome to the Dollhouse and California Suite. After that it starts to get blurry. Although I sat on the couch all day (except for that part of the day I spent traveling to and from the Post Office and seeking out cupcakes), I was knitting up a storm. Yes, knitting. I’ve been crocheting like a madwoman (if madwomen crochet) for a few weeks and decided to switch it up for a day. It was nice until I realized how much longer it takes to knit an item vs. crocheting it. Hot damn. But, in the end, knitting worked out better for this project (seen above). It should be launching in the shop in the next week or so. Keep an eye out! I’m really excited about it.

Oh, so many things to write about on this somewhat quiet Tuesday evening, but in efforts of trying to update this blog a little more, I’ll break it up into two entries… second half to come tomorrow! But for now, I met up with my good friend and fellow knit-enthusiast Kate earlier to catch up and also so I could absorb some of her knitting wisdom.

She is my  Mr. Miyagi. Purl on, purl off! Isn’t that scarf amazing, btw? Yes, she made that. Also, I feel like Knitting with Kate should have a theme song similar to that of Fishing with John:

Seriously. She should have her own TV program. It’ll feature Kate knitting in different environments with different celebrities (or regular people, like me). I’d watch. We could start with the best knitting spots in San Francisco, which, according to me are: Dolores Park, Coffee to the People, Washington Square Park, and of course, MUNI and BART (only if you are seated!).

Isn’t that freakin cute? Haha. I don’t know if I’d actually wear it, but I thought it was a neat etsy find from Destination Design.

In other non-news, I have been super busy lately, which is cool. I love being busy. But at the same time, I miss my free time. Mostly because I miss FILLING my free time with knitting. Speaking of knitting, I think brooklyntweed is amazing. Always inspiring. I want to make this:

Yes that is a lace pattern. And yes that is a mother effing BLANKET. Do I have the patience for this? Probably not. Do I love it enough to try? Yes. We’ll see if I decide to give it a whirl. Or as Justin Bobby likes to say “Truth and time tells all.” Puahaha.

And that concludes this Friday late afternoon post that really didn’t serve a purpose. Off to Coffee Bean after all!

It’s true. Knitting is not for the impatient. But I (and many others) have found hats to be a great project when you want to accomplish something quickly. Also, with the warmer weather, hats can still be worn without making the wearer look as silly as someone who may sport a chunky scarf in 75 degree weather. Anyway, here are some of the hats I’ve made recently!

I found the pattern for the hat above on Ravelry, although I can’t seem to find the pattern anymore. Anyway, do sign up for ravelry if you’re down with the “open source” knitting world. It’s a fantastic site with lots and lots of patterns all for free.

I couldn’t get my sister to stop laughing when I was trying to photograph her in this hat.

This hat was made during my trip to Chicago. You can say I was a knittin’ fool. I knit in the airport, on the plane, etc. Anytime I had downtime I was knitting. Hey! It was my vacation. Anything goes. I like knitting on trips because then I have those memories associated with my projects.

Speaking of knitting on trips, this past weekend I made a quick visit to San Francisco. Ahhhh, love. I went to the Urban Knitting Studio to check out their selection. What a great shop! The owner was really helpful and friendly. I picked up some white and gray wool and some bamboo double pointed needles. Yes… I am making another hat.

Anyway, like I was saying, I was Spring Cleaning the other day and realized I had a bunch of half-completed projects laying around. I hate it when that happens. I feel guilt for neglecting projects that should be loved. One of which was completed but forgotten about, so here’s that one. (The bag, not the dress).

And then one that was half finished and then put aside while I worked on something else. This one was a custom order from my cousin. But good news for her! Her birthday is this Saturday, so her custom order has turned into her birthday present! Voila!

In other news, I’ve been really motivated to make some new clothes. Currently I’m working on a sleeveless variation of this pattern (the blouse on the right):

…. and a really cool (hopefully) lined vest that I started a year ago. I’ll post photos when finished.

Oh yeah! KUCI is having a Program Design Contest, so I’ll be working out a couple of design ideas in the next week or so to submit. How fun. I’ll be sure to post those as well. OH RAIN! OH COLD WEATHER! Where the heck are you?

Here’s a really sweet email my fellow knitting pal sent me a week or so ago. It brought a smile to my face, and hopefully it will make your Monday a little brighter.

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Subject: Warm Fuzzy

Hey Tati-

Random Story I thought would make you smile… I was sitting outside at lunch knitting like crazy (I mean I want to get to that uterus before mines out of usage you know) when this total stranger comes up and starts asking me about if I know any knitting clubs on campus or anything. Heheehe… it was this total fun crafters unite moment and I was telling her how I just learned from one of my awesome knitting friends (aka your awesomeness!).

Anyways… just thought you’d like to know that your lessons are bringing the world together… less war more knitting!!!

Love,

Traci

So, last night I got back into my knitting after trying to think of something to make a friend for her 24th birthday. She too knits and crochets. It’s always a little hard thinking of things to make for someone who can make anything they want themselves. (I feel like that last sentence had a lot of pronouns, sorry). Anyway, after perusing my roommate’s Stich N Bitch Nation book, I decided to make this:

So far it’s coming out really well. I’m using a vintage-looking mustard yellow yarn. Homegirl will totally be able to pull this off, whereas I would probably not be able to. )

In other news, being in close proximity to yarn and new patterns makes me itch for bigger projects. I REALLY want to make an afghan. I was thinking of going to the library after work to check out some books but then it dawned on me… YOUTUBE. And I found all of my answers! The best video (series) I’ve found so far is this one. And not only does it show you how to switch up the colors… a man is crocheting. Yes, a MAN. I love it.

In other, more dramatic news, check out my friend’s play! Watch the video to get a better idea. The costumes look amazing.

I Gelosi

Where?
3116 2nd St
Santa Monica, CA 90405

When?
Now running through June 14th

How Much?
$20, or $10 with Student ID

I STILL don’t get it.
This may help.
Here’s the synopsis according to the website:
I GELOSI (“The Zealous Ones”), written and directed by David Bridel, tells the story of Italy’s first great traveling theatre troupe. In the late 16th Century the Gelosi company takes the provinces by storm, thanks to the beauty, wit and charm of Isabella Andreini, one of the very first women ever to play on the stage. Invited to perform at the Court of King Henri III of France, the Gelosi become the toast of Europe – until they risk the wrath of the Pope with a virulent theatrical satire. Hounded from the French Court, the company’s fortunes sink, despite the increasing brilliance of Isabella’s talents. Finally the company returns to the poverty from which it came.

Featuring masks, music, and costumes from the period, I GELOSI lovingly recreates the world of the commedia dell’arte and the actors whose life’s work consists of portraying the vivid archetypes Pantalone, Arlecchino, Il Capitano, and others. Yet dwelling beneath the glittering comedy of the play lies a vital question: is the theatre merely an entertainment, or is it a voice for the dispossessed?