07.29.08
Posted in Lace Knitting, Scarf, Sweater(s), fashion at 3:35 pm by delipics
A&D Sweater Support is on hiatus due to some really big news: Alex is now busy with the new Brideshead Revisited Boutique. I’m so happy for Alex and Emily and their next big step in their bridal accessories business. Check-in with the Brides Head blog for official opening events.
Back to the sweater, I really only have to finish the sleeves on the Cozy v-neck, but life seems to have gotten in the way of knitting. I’ve been working on a big work project and staying late at the office to get it done, coming home brain dead and vegging out with season one of The Tudors. There have been fun things too keeping me busy - familly/friends events on the weekends (like driving to Nyack and using my fine-tuned knitting store radar to find a parking space right in front of Knitting Nation). I did get in some knitting time on the Lace Ribbon scarf while on the train to and from Boston one weekend, and I’ve got another vacation coming up where I’m definitely scheduling in knitting time. The biggest obstacle on my plate right now is the memory issue with my computer. Until I get buy more memory, I can’t download photos or update software, but I don’t think I’ll get to it until mid August with my crazy schedule. Phew - vacation is coming at a much needed time for my sanity and for my knitting.
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10.31.07
Posted in Art, NYC, Textile(s), Weaving, fashion at 4:36 pm by delipics
Last Sunday I went to see Tapestry in the Baroque: Threads of Splendor
at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The fiber-artist in me felt it was an obligatory pilgrimage. The tapestries are massive. I am amazed at the craftsmanship and time that went into each piece. When I looked closely at a tapestry, my mind was staggered at the level detail and complexity of the design. This is a show that deserves a second visit.
What stands out the most for me is the history connected to the art. I only thought of creativity and craft with the tapestries but there was much, much more: war, upset economies, intrigue, royalty, religion and the art market. Knowing all that background information only makes the art work more interesting.
Another show that’s worth the trip is the Luxury exhibit at FIT. Hurry because it is closing November 10th. After making your way through Luxury, go downstairs to see Chicago Chic. These are my two favorites from Luxury - Chanel and Rodarte. Why are beautiful clothes so satisfying?
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07.04.07
Posted in Photos, Textile(s), fashion at 2:34 pm by delipics
One of things I’ve been fooling around with since I can’t knit.
I find it to be a bit amazing that Yahoo is culturally sensitive and has Filipino clothing and backgrounds for selection. I wonder how it was decided to design these Filipino avatar elements. Did they get emails requesting it? Is there an influential Asian executive who insisted on it? Was it the marketing department who looked at demographics and saw a mass of people who like to shop? And why lavender for this dress? This dress should have embroidery or beading - I’ve never seen a Filipino formal dress this simple.
This background is the Philippine Vigan town. (Type “vigan town” on Google to see many links about it.) I also could have chosen from rice terraces, Philippine bay walk, Jeepney background or Philippine nipa huts. I was feeling literal at the time and just couldn’t see my avatar in this gorgeous outfit strolling along the rice terraces or in traffic with jeepneys speeding by. So here she is, all dressed up with a flirty flower in her hair - maybe she’s going to a festival.
Yahoo called this the “tagalog dress”. I have never heard this dress called a tagalog dress. When I was a little girl, I always knew it as the butterfly dress because of the sleeves. A quick search on Google again and I learned this dress is called a terno. I also found a possible inspiration for the style of the dress here.
This is my one dress from the Philippines, but I’m not sure if this is called a terno. It’s not as formal but it is dressy.
I remember my mother used to have beautiful ternos when I was still a little girl. I always wondered what happened to those dresses.
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06.24.07
Posted in CTS/RSI, Photos, Scarf, Travel, Yarn, fashion at 5:05 pm by delipics
Still no knitting but I was busy with this guy -
His name is Soso and this is his friend Vladimir -
and their third companion is Gizmo.
In between keeping these guys happy I went to The Little Knittery and Steinberg & Sons where I bought the requisite cute L.A. summer dress to show off at the reopened Griffith’s Observatory. This is me telling my honey to puhlease take the photo already - note the attractive wrist bands as the hot accessory for the CTS/RSI gal-on-the-go!
And I bought Misti Chunky Alpaca to be made into Patty’s scarf.
This is life without knitting. Pretty damn good but I’ll sure be glad when I can pick up the sticks again.
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04.29.07
Posted in Crochet, Knitting, Lace Knitting, Music, Photos, Techniques, fashion at 4:04 pm by delipics
I changed my mind about my project for The Knitting for Pleasure class because I was concerned about what I could actually complete within the time frame. I’m aiming for a lacy vest/tank combo - empire waist, ribbon laced at the bustline, good for layering. Bit vague sounding but it’s still in the developmental stage.
I decided on the Chain Stitch from the Mon Tricot Knitting Dictionary. Yes, the same yarn as for my Lace Shawl. I thought about buying more yarn but common sense prevailed and I decided to go with what is already in the stash.
I want to use this pattern for the body and a rib pattern for the bust area. The first time I did the rib, it didn’t line up with the chain stitch. See how it is all the way to the right at the top?
I frogged and and re-knit the rib pattern to line up with the eyelets. I did a practice decrease on one edge so I could envision what a v-neck may look like. Learning how to do all those ssk and K2tog tbl from the Lace Shawl was good practice for figuring this part out. (Does anyone else find this kind of stuff exciting? I figured out which way to do the decrease - on my own - and I was just so pleased!)
I also did that picot bind-off as a possible edging. Not sure if I like it, maybe if I space it out more? The wrong-side of the swatch - hmm, maybe I should do the rib for the body and the chain stitch for the bust area?
I’m also going to sent this off (finally!) to my sis - another Santa Cruz Hat. I really enjoy knitting this pattern. I used up the free Patons SWS soy/wool yarn from The Yarn Harlot event at FIT. It looks a little blobbish here on the ground . . .
. . . so I took a quick pic (actually, not so much quick as acrobatic arm-wise so you don’t see the camera in the mirror) of me wearing it so you can see the pattern stretched out over my head.
End Note:
Bjork wearing this incredible crochet costume designed by the Icelandic Love Corporation, and Bjork wearing a crochet mask here (click on photo on the right to see a larger pdf version).
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10.12.06
Posted in fashion at 4:50 pm by delipics
Last night I was hanging out with the Spa Chicks at the kick-off party for Spa Week.
While at the party, there was a fashion show by Tao Freedom. They have the most flattering knits - comfortable, sexy, unique. The best part about the fashion show - real people of all shapes and sizes - not stick-thin fashionistas!
I just learned that Layers on 349 Atlantic Avenue (click for map) carries Tao Freedom - thank you Juuli!
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08.17.06
Posted in Knitting, Photos, Travel, fashion at 5:58 pm by delipics
Has anyone read the knitting mysteries?
To pass the time before I met friends for dinner last night, I went to the local B&N to check out the new fall knitting magazines. While browsing, I spied a book cover with the word yarn on it and a cover picture of yarn and knitting needles. Talk about niche marketing . . . should I buy it to read on the plane?
Where is this plane going? What is this “W” event? It’s my brother’s wedding and it is taking place in glorious, beautiful, tropical Hawaii!
I’ve got my 50 spf sunscreen, a new bikini, and a wardrobe of clothes to haul cross-country. For my running around and exploring days, I bought a new pair of Keen shoes to take me from the ocean to the trail path, and I am going to bum around in casual pants and work-out tops. I like how the atheltic tops wick away the sweat and they are comfortable. Then I have my resort-look. I decided to make my life easy and pack mostly white - with one or two black items for evening.
What will you wear to the ball Cinderella? That is the eternal question.
Exhibit One: Silk dress with beading (Loehmann’s - a girl’s best friend)
Exhibit Two: Linen dress with tropical flower embroidery (from Pema, favorite boutique in Williamsburg, Brooklyn).
I know - it’s apples and oranges. I’ve been told to dress island elegant, for the men, jacket, no tie suggested. The nuptial event starts around 6 p.m. Suggestions? Guaranteed, I will be deciding that afternoon. Men are lucky - Darren is going to wear a gray suit and he doesn’t have to worry about anything else. For women, once you have the dress, then there’s the bag to select, the shoes, the jewelry, make-up . . . yada yada yada! Trying to think big picture here - it is about the celebration with family and friends. I am going to stick a flower in my hair and dance, dance, dance!
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