My Tee

Although I was a lil disappointed with this project, I decided what the heck it will do for wearing around the house and I paired it with my funkadelic jeans...lol.

Ambidextrous Tension!!!!

I am constantly experiencing stretching or sometimes just pure straining. It’s such a nuisance, regardless of what I do to make it right… the tension is back. I try every chance I get to be mindful that I need to be in a relaxed mode, as I move along I think ahhhh! its all good and then BAM!!! - the tension is back. No I’m not talking about body experiences….lol - I’m talking about tension and knitting.

Ok, let me explain it a lil better…. *giggling* - I just finished My Tee, which I modified from the Ballet Tee by Loop-d-Loop (check the site, such lovely designs). The Ballet Tee version is top-down and I worked bottom-up, and followed the Ballet Tee’s number of stitches for my size. I also followed the armhole shaping and from there basically winged it. With all the modifying, ratifying, defying and testifying…. my tension was all over the place. I did take into consideration the substitute yarn, but geezous… can a gurl just knit without all that tension going on...lol

I’m slowly learning that my tension can change according to how I knit or depending on my mood, or just darn right change! I am constantly experimenting to find the right tension, by playing with the pinky wrap method or just playing with the yarn between my fingers, sometimes the yarn glides smoothly, then at times I find I’m struggling with it. Oh, don’t let me get started on purling, my tension is so wonky, I have to wrap the yarn nearly around all my fingers to get it right...lol

I tried it on and it fits nicely but I can see where some stitches are stretching and straining, but after all is said and done… I'll just have to learn to work around my Ambidextrous Tension!!!!

Well, here is my latest piece done in Bernat Baby Softee yarn in Lemonade, I crocheted the neck opening and sleeves.

Share with me how you control your tension when knitting, inquiring minds want to know.

The very 1st time and it was June …

2007, I was home alone and needed something new and challenging to do. I had finished a crochet project for my daughter (the Lila Cardi), but was experiencing that need to do something more. I sat at my computer humming along to whatever was playing as the computer booted up. As I pulled out my keyboard tray, laying there was my 2006 Vogue Knitting mag. (I could’ve sworn the model on the cover was whispering to me...knit, knit, knit). Just as the computer announced it was ready for my blogging marathon - it hit me… Knitting!!! I’d tried several times to learn how to knit and just couldn’t grasp it, but always purchased knit mags to inspire me. I jumped up, ran to my craft room and pulled out my Knitting Made Easy DVD and prepared to learn how to knit. I spent a good 4 hours practicing. After about an hour of practicing cast-ons, I was humming… I can do this! - I can do this! - and continued on. By the third hour, I started thinking why learn to knit when I can crochet, the act of learning how to pierce a loop, yo and carry it over to the right needle and trying to avoid piercing my belly button was becoming too much to bear. The craftiness in me egged me on and in no time I was knitting and purling. I am still learning how to pick-up dropped stitches, control my tension and read patterns. So far I’ve managed to make 3 garments (Summertime Tunic -1; Summertime Tunic 2; Ballet Tee - Modified) and mixed crochet in too.. Crocheting & Knitting… what a perfect combination.

I would like to hear about your first time and name one of your proudest pieces.

Fabrics - Sewing - Knitting

Happy Saturday All, the weather is beautiful today, a lovely 76 degrees. Perfect day for food shopping. Once a month I go food shopping with my sister & mom and our shopping excursion normally last a good 6 hours and boy-o-boy is it a funny, hungry and tiring filled day.

I started another knit project, which is a simple knit tank following the Ballet Tee with modifications, I decided to do 3" of ribbing this time around. I'm using Bernat baby Soft yarn in Lemonade.

I also ordered some yarn from Elann, their delivery time is fast. I ordered Rowan Classic Yarns Cashsoft in Weather grey. Its so soft, not sure what plans I have for it but evenutally I will and I stopped at Seaport Yarn and picked of 3 skeins of Perry Primrose.

I also did some fabric shopping, I'd plan on going to a huge Sav-a-thon I spotted while heading home one night, but dh diverted me and took me to his friend's fabric shop. I said to dh - your just telling me about this...? He just laughed and said if it means I can keep from driving all the way across town to that new Sav-a-thon... well yes...lol The Fabric store called Le Soleil Fabric Store - located on Rogers Avenue in Brooklyn had bolts and bolts of luscious fabric. I was looking for polyester/rayon/spandex blend fabrics and the local fabric shop I normally frequent didn't have the colors I wanted. Well Joel had what I wanted and I was like WoW!! Joel was really helpful and understood I wanted washable fabrics... so he directed me to a wall full of cotton/spandex fabrics. I fell in love with the brown/pink polyester so I had to get that.

Joel only sells fabric and a couple of days later I stopped at my local fabric store and picked up some patterns. I actually picked up a pattern to make a coat... so I need to look for some heavier material. (I have a gut feeling I may have purchased one of the patterns already....lol)

Lastly, I finished another skirt using a Navy Blue cotton blend material and purchased a 4" decorative trim and used it as a yoke.

Well that's all my show-n-tell, now I need to get to work...uhhh!! mom has arrived... time to go food shoppping...lol. Enjoy your weekend Dear Bloggers.

Ballet Tee (Modified)

Final touches - I crocheted the sleeves and the bottom of the tee to make it a lil longer and to prevent it from curling, this is a definite repeat.... Thanks Adrienne.

Ballet Tee -w- Modifications

Happy Saturday All,

I'm sure all had a good week - well not the whole week - for those in New York, Wednesday was a total horror. It amazes me how rain can shut down a dayummm city... go figure. I spent the better part of 5 hours... yes, 5 dayumm hours getting to work - can I say dedicated....lol. I was also able to get quite a bit of knitting done too.

Ok, on to knitting news - Adrienne did a fantastic job on the Ballet Tee, which is a tank worked in the round from the neck down. I really like the simplicity of it and had to cast on.

Thanks to Adrienne I casted on for the Ballet Tee and was doing well up until Rnd 13. I fumbled and fumbled and just couldn't get it right. I ripped out what I'd did and started again, and low and behold if I didn't have the same darn problem. Of course, Adrienne was gracious to extend any help I needed. Being that I'm always on a quest to do something different I casted on for a 3rd time and decided I'm gonna work this sucker from the bottom up. I'm using LB Cotton Ease, I had 2 balls of taupe left and 1/2 ball of terracotta after completing my knitting bag.

Here is the bottom and working upward (I lightened the pic b/c it was too dark - hence the difference in the last pic)

I did experience some problems working with large needles and concerned that the stitches were too loose, but I pushed on. Once I got to the bust part I divided for the armholes following the pattern by doing a temporary crochet bind-off of 20 sts.

Ok... your probably saying what is a temporary crochet bind-off - well I didn't knot the end of the last crochet bind-off b/c I knew I had to undo the bind-off to join the front and back to create the neck opening, I will say it was tricky but with a couple of cups of java.... I got it. I will continue on with the neck opening and then work the sleeves... can you say a lil prayer for me...lol

I was able to try it on and so far its looking ok. I'm also trying to focus on simple projects, b/c I some how keep ending up with purl stitches, when it should be knit sts... but with practice I will eventually get it right and be able to move on to intermediate projects.

Window Dressing

My sewing venture always focused on home décor (duvet covers, curtains to re-fashioning chair cushions) and recently I’ve taken to trying my hands at garments. I’ve taken to frequenting clothing stores to gleam the latest fashions and check-out the composite of their garments, which gives me a better idea of what to look for and how to finish my garments. I’m also known for stepping-out-of-the-box, when it comes to accessorizing my home - I look at the items and try and find other purposes for them. Something as small as using liquor decanters to hold my sugar and coffee instead of its intended purpose, which makes for a nice display...lol. Well I’ve taken the stepping-out-of-the-box (SOOTB) approach when looking for fabric now.

I love jacquard/damask fabric and use them often to make curtains or pillow covers. Well I came across a lovely pattern while out shopping with my mom. You know I got a lot of feedback from her, “you’re buying those to make what!! -or- Daughter of mine… that there is some foolery–or- didn’t you tell me something about some sheets… you made what!!! Pants… you need to get out more and not just to work"…lol

Lastly, I must admit a lot of sewing inspiration comes from reading Blogs of Sewing Divas, just to name a few:

Sewing Fantatic Diary
Erica Bunker
Life Happens to be Positive
Real Life: Live & Unscripted

Well looky here... while out shopping with Momma Dearest... this caught my eye.. ummmm... *my brain is churning every so slowly*

Mom and I went into a Linen store to check out some comforters and the store was having a curtain sale - Panels for $4.99. We browsed the various sale items and I zeroed in on the gray-blue panels by Springmaid and they also came in a soft lavender... Darn - now that I think about it I should of bought that one too.

Fabric 51% Cotton/49% Polyester - Size 50" x 84"

I used New Look 6569 and opted not to use the Lining.

I totally love the fabric with its tonal floral pattern. The Care instructions read Dry Clean only but I figured cotton/polyester can definitely be washed and washed it I did w/o any problems.

While out window shopping I noticed a lot of Big Bold Floral skirts and decided the curtain panel was perfect to make a skirt. Although I mentioned that I would make one more skirt with New Look 6569... I realized I purchased quite a bit of material for skirts... so back to the sewing board.

ANNNNNNND THE NOMINATIONS GOES TO....

Sheilaz Crochetz, Threadz & Knitz....

THANK YOU!!! Crimson Purl so much for this wonderful Award. Ok.... just bear with me.... *eyes are blurry*.... ok... I got it together now... I prepared a little somethin' somethin' to show my gratitude... here goes....

I would first like to Thank......

Haha.... did you think I was actually going to do a speech.... ROFLOL!!!!

Thanks again Crimson Purl.

To keep the momentum going I nominate ALL MY BLOGGER FRIENDS... and you know who you are so snag the award and post.

Scrumptious Sunday

Well Adrienne keeps posting some delicious receipes and got me taking a second look at cooking. (Adrienne, I'm listening to Doing Da Butt as I type...lol) So I marched my behind into the kitchen today, putting aside all the reasons why I shouldn't cook today (one being its too darn hot!!) but I kept it moving and whipped up a scrumptious meal for the family.



Sunday's dinner consisted of rice (we are bona fide starchers), smothered steak, red beans, mac & cheese and string beans.



I cooked the steak in the pressure cooker (10 pieces) and then placed them in a skillet with olive oil and seared them and once done I prepared the gravy. I use Gravy Master/Flour/Water and poured it over the steak while its cooking at a high temp, thereafter let simmer. While I'm moving and groving with the steak, I prepare the rest of the food to ensure that everything is done simultaneoulsy. Can I say delicioso. Thanks Adrienne for the gourmet inspiration....lol.

Summertime Tunic Repeat

I love the Summertime Tunic by Katie Himmelberg/IK Summer 2007 - its so comfortable and with that I casted on for another one. A few knitters used variegated yarn and I loved the way theirs came out - Check-out Knitters Delight and Yarn Fettish and since I'm a lover of it, it was only natural to cast on using Bernat Softee Baby Solid & Prints - for the drop-waist part I used a solid blue for contrast and a baby blue ribbon - I also crocheted along the top and armhole openings. By doing the tunic a second time I learned to do crochet bind off, which is easier and neat. Well on to my next project.