Under the Red Umbrella

Monday, October 31, 2011

Halloween Weekend in Numbers

Number of:

Last-minute costumes prepped: 2

Dollars spent on costumes: 15

Potato Roquefort soup and Homemade Bread

Bowls of homemade Potato Roquefort soup consumed: 1

Slices of homemade bread consumed: 1

(all made by Chris)

Last-minute costumes worn (to great effect): 2

"What, you're just old-timey? WAIT YOU'RE MARY POPPINS!!!" said - 1

Pieces of this outfit I had to buy: 1

(Just the umbrella - yes, I already owned every other piece of this costume)

Rooms reserved at Lincoln Karaoke - 1

Dudely Rosie the Riveter at karaoke - 1

Amazing muppets* at karaoke - 2

Statler & Waldorf at Karaoke - 1 (pair)

socks** finally being finished - 1

* Yes, everyone was dressed as muppets, because we were going to throw a muppet-themed Halloween party, but it was thwarted by the bugs. Chris and I were going to go as Gonzo and Camilla, also thwarted by the bugs.

** I am whipping through all unfinished projects. The Habu scarf is done and I am determined to have a pair of socks by the end of this week.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

steppin' out of my comfort zone with a Habu Textiles scarf

I had never heard of Habu Textiles until my friend, Susan, asked me to attend a workshop with her in August. There were tons of samples and they talked through reading a Japanese schematic pattern, and my interest was surprisingly piqued. You know me, I'm usually drawn to thick, cable-y sweaters - not light, airy Japanese designs!

But I couldn't help but be drawn to the skinny cones of merino wool and silk stainless steel. What strange fibers to knit with! What tiny needles I'd need!

I bought a kit, simply named "Kit 78." Through a little Ravelry research, I discovered that the pattern is the Kusha Kusha Scarf, which was also published on the Purl Bee.

So that, my friends, is my excuse for knitting an entire scarf in stockinette.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

the bugs...

It's been a rough two weeks. Sometime last week I began to suspect that we had bed bugs. Yes, bed bugs. So we bagged up every textile in the house (including 3 bags of fabric and 2 bags of yarn), and an exterminator came. Since then, we've been working our way through all the laundry you see in the picture above. Needless to say - I've been a bit negligent with my online duties.

Wish me luck on the laundry, and I'll do a craft-related post tomorrow.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

the finished Aidez cardigan!

Aidez is finished!

Pattern here.

I cast off a week and a half ago, and seamed it up last weekend. Kind of a bitch to seam, but I love the finished look! I've been busy doing some freelance costume stitching, so these pictures were taken in the early hours before heading to work, when it was definitely cold enough to wear this wooly sweater.

I love the finished sweater, knit in Cascade Eco Wool. I made no changes to the pattern and knit a size Large. My gauge came in a little skinny, and my measurements fell between the Medium size and Large size, so I went with the bigger size. Total success.

I love all those cables - am I the only one who finds cables totally addicting? The only problem I have with this sweater is the lack of closure. I wore it all day on Monday and ended it up pinning it closed with safety pins while I was working. I think I'll be knitting a little belt, so I don't have to wear it like this:

Want to knit one of your own? You're in luck - the Sweatshop of Love is hosting a knit-along for this sweater, and they just cast on!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

weekend in numbers

Number of:

log brooches stitched: 5

doses of Sudafed taken: 4

boxes of tissues used: 2

mini fair!

new mini craft show set-ups designed: 1

craft fairs attended: 1

dollars made: 2

snaps bigger than my thumb

hours of freelance costume stitching: 12

bear suits sewn & trimmed: 4

bunny ears made: 2

Friday, October 14, 2011

Tomorrow: Urban Folk Circuit!

Tomorrow - Saturday - I'll be at my first Chicago craft fair since June, the Urban Folk Circuit craft market!

It's at the Bottom Lounge in the West Loop from noon to 5pm. There will be live music, food & drink, and plenty of craftiness, so come out and say hi!

ps. My shop page is all updated with future craft fairs, if you'd like to know where I'll be over the next few months.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Featured Blogger, Huzzah!

I was the Featured Blogger on Blogher today! Welcome, if you just clicked over!

In other news:

got back to Chicago late Monday night
immediately came down with a cold
been doing some freelance costume-stitching
finished knitting Aidez - just seaming, now!
finished sewing a self-designed, lace skirt with my sister
have a new embroidery class offering with Sweatshop of Love - go here for details!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

aidez progress

I was doing so well. Prepping for craft fairs, sewing, painting and ignoring my Aidez cardi. Then I saw this.

So now I'm one back and half of each front through it, and can't put it down. Why are cables so addictive?

Ps. I'm still at my parent's house in Michigan until next week, when I will resume my regular posting/sewing schedule. If you're in Michigan, I'll be at the Liberty Local fair at the Ann Arbor Art Center this Saturday and Sunday!

Monday, October 3, 2011

two weddings in two weeks (in instagrams)

This past weekend wrapped up what I like to call "WEDDING FEVER 2011." This year, Chris and I were invited to nine weddings, and attended four. I captured the last three using Instagram on my iphone - do you you use it? - and I think it makes for some intimate pictures of my experience of each wedding. I hope the couples (and you) enjoy these photos as much as I do!

Erica & Jeff - October 1st, 2011