Take 2

I've been working so much these days that my time and attention to crafts has been really limited. I seem to get home, do some knitting, go to bed, wake up in the morning, realize what I was knitting is totally wrong, unravel it, and begin again that evening. I'm obviously just too tired, and it's just totally maddening.

A while ago, my knitting guru Linda gave me the advice that once you've finished knitting a pattern you love, you should cast on again and make another one right away. That way, you can easily make changes to the pattern once you know it quite well. I've rarely taken this advice (there's so many new patterns to try!), but when times get so busy, I like to return to my favorite patterns. I made the three below a second time, and changed the first two to knit them in the round instead of constructing pieces and finishing them later. Even though a good amount of time has passed, I remembered more of the patterns than I thought I would. It's amazing how you never forget anything...it's always stored in your brain somewhere, isn't it?

This Owl Sweater is my favorite. I gifted this one (made of Louet Gems Sportweight), but already have the wool for a third. I really think every child I know should have one. You can buy the pattern here.

I found this mushroom patch and thought it, with coordinating mushroom buttons (if you can see), would be the perfect addition to a great onesy. I originally knit it here, and this one is also out of Rowan Cashcotton 4ply..

Everyone who knits a Baby Surprise Jacket knits another. This is my second one, in Colinette Jitterbug like the first, perhaps for someone's future Prince?

ADmiration

I fell in love with this animated natural gas commercial when I saw it recently: Click here to check it out.

Now I'm even more in love with it, as I found the making of it online HERE. I think everything about this commercial is lovely. I especially enjoy the music.

And as a final note on the ad I worked on, the company did their own Behind the Scenes video. I'm pulling some pretty funny faces in it! Click here to check it out. Can you tell I live in Europe by the club mix music?

It's No Surprise

My best friend is giving birth to her third at the beginning of next month! She knew this baby was a boy from almost before he had DNA and picked out his birthday (her C-section day) months and months ago. She celebrated a milestone birthday herself this year, but wanted it barely acknowledged. That's right, she hates surprises.

So there was nothing better to knit for the new addition than Elizabeth Zimmerman's legendary Baby Surprise Jacket. Most knitters will know (and love) this pattern, as it was written in the 60s and has been knitted by thousands of people (over 10,000 documented on Ravelry alone!). You knit the amorphous shape above, which looks like nothing much, and fold it to form the cutest baby jacket you've ever seen (below). The magic of the knitting oragami is truly addictive. For more information, I'll direct you to Jared and Amanda, who both extol this pattern in all it's deserving glory.

I used Colinette Jitterbug yarn for mine (or his), in color "Popsicle". The name of the yarn sold it to me as much as the colorway: bright and eccentric, much like the new baby will be, I'm sure. Aren't all youngest children full of surprises? Good luck in bringing him into the world, my friend. I love you, and can't wait to meet him!

Behind the Seams

I worked on a really fun advertisement recently, and thought you might like to see it. It was an ad for the clothing label "George" by ASDA (which is the UK Walmart). Because I had sewn under the camera before, I was recruited out of my seat in front of a computer to advise and reenact all things sewing.

Please add Hand Model and Art Director of Sewn Elements to my resume. Here's the result:

It was a really different job for me, if only because there was no animation, and no elements to composite afterwards. It was a two day shoot, with a Phantom HD camera, which specializes in high definition slow motion filming. Did you see that shot of the buttons dropping and spinning? Want to know how it was done? The camera was put on an arm, which the cameraman swung really fast as the Prop Master dropped buttons from above. The falling buttons were filmed at 1000 frames a second. Here's a sneak peak at the quick moment of filming:

All in all, a really fun day at work, with some extra sewing supplies to take home at the end!

And now, back in front of the computer, I'm dreaming of some time to use them.

Thinking of Bob

Oh, friends. When work gets crazy and I have no time for crafts, I start thinking about the mundane. Like a haircut, which is what I think I need pretty soon. I'm thinking about a bob of some variety, and found these photos from Anthropologie. Isn't the hair so pretty?


Of course, since I've never paid over $25 for a haircut, it'll probably all go wrong and I'll end up looking just like I did as a baby:

Hrrmph.

Maggie and Mildred meet Mr X

Remember these ladies? Well, Maggie and Mildred have been found by MrX Stitch, who runs a great blog devoted to all things stitchery. I've done a small interview with him that you can find here. The french blog "Bohemia" has also featured my film, with a mention over here.

"Maggie and Mildred" will be playing at the Sarasota Film Festival, April 9th-18th. I wish I could see it in the Florida heat! You can see "Maggie and Mildred" online, by clicking here.

Work (in Progress)

My work has been getting really interesting lately, as my hands have been sewing (and touching fabric, and grabbing pins...) in front of the camera again.

I can't wait to show you the finished ad I've been working on, and maybe some behind the scenes footage!

Bristol Knitting II: Woolies for Willow

While I was in Bristol, my friends there told me that Willow was rapidly outgrowing her clothes, specifically her socks (could it have been a hint?). So, with my nightly hotel time, I crafted this little set for her out of Madeline Tosh Sock Yarn (color: Grasshopper).

The hat is the Stella Pixie Hat from my favorite baby book. The hat pattern is available for free here, and the only alterations I made were on the tie, which I changed from a button band. I simply cast on 60 stitches once I was done with the hat, picked up stitches along the bottom edge, then cast on another 60 stitches and knitted back and forth for about 15 rows, then cast off.

The socks are my own pattern, but similar to the striped ones in the same book. I simply used my own trusty sock pattern and altered the numbers a bit to make it miniature. If you'd like either my personal sock pattern, or my baby sock pattern, leave a request in the comments. If there's enough interest, I'll write them up!

Anyway, I think the new woolens were a success. Even though it's still cold out, it's nice to know the Garden Gnomes are around, thinking about a Springtime return!