This weekend, my neighbor and artist, Joan Harvey http://www.joanharvey.com participated in Open Studio 2014. Walking up a black top driveway hidden behind a sliding garage door appeared an eclectic ensemble of women. Women of our time, your time, and their time expressed by creating a visual narrative through the absence of facial features, the presence of fashion and style. 
Conversing with Joan inspired me to participate in Open Studio next year!
This week, I am preparing to go on a road trip. After dropping off my car for service at Auto-Tec located in Campbell, CA, I discovered some of my fine feathered friends on a road trip of their own. On my 4.5 mile hike home, I decided to take digital photos along the way. The photo on the right definitely captures the drought on the West Coast. I typically hike 15 miles a week plugged-in, but at times silence is golden.
Well, it’s finally happened…my computer’s hardware (CPU) is too old. I’ll not be blogging for awhile because I need to make a major decision. Apple or HP???
Happy blogging and I’ll be back soon!
Two days this week, I took a journey to San Francisco. I stayed at The Hilton, centrally located and within walking distance to good food, shopping and fabric.
The first day of my exploration began with a trip down the Macy’s escalator to the basement for lunch. Boudin Bakery has the best sour dough bread bowl with clam chowder. Even though I was excited about my trip, I began to reminisce about my daughter and our lunches together at Boudin’s. I dusted the bread crumbs from my lap, wiped the tears from my eyes and headed to Britex http://www.britexfabrics.com/.
Four floors of bliss…fabric, buttons, and notions. Everyone who reads my blog knows I love Missoni. Guess what I found at Britex? I purchased 1-1/2 yards of Missoni knit fabric for a skirt. I’ll probably end up admiring the knit like a painting and never touch it with a pair of scissors. On the next floor, I found some interesting trim and buttons. 
With all the shopping and walking up and down the streets of SF, I stopped in for dinner at Cafe Mason http://cafemason.net/. The chicken picatta was delicious and the service was fantastic.
The next day, I shopped at Macy’s and on my way back to the hotel, I walked to China Town. I wanted to capture the cultural architecture decorated with beautiful red lanterns.
I finally finished the Seaport Skirt from Modern Top-Down Knitting by Kristina McGowan. I knitted the skirt in the yarn the pattern called for and I’m very happy with the design and fit. The cables definitely encourage the “skirt to hug in all the right places (and forgive in all the others), resulting in a fit that is flattering and comfortable.”
At the same time, I’ve been working on Trapezoid, a design by Kirsten Johnstone for Shibui Knits http://www.shibuiknits.com. The pattern called for Shibui Merino Alpaca, but I decided to knit with Filatura’s Zara 8. Knitting in a twisted stockinette stitch using Zara 8, visually creates a fabric of texture and dimensionality. I’m trying to decide whether I’m going to complete the sleeves in a 2 x 1 rib using sock yarn as the pattern suggests, or finish the garment as a vest. On one of my shopping for yarn days, I found Ella Rae sock yarn, a wonderful compliment to the garment, if I decide to incorporate the sleeves.
Two days ago, I decided to deactivate my Facebook and disengage from the Twitterati. Why do these two decisions deserve such attention? Well, why should the fact that I still own a “clam shell style” cell phone define me as not current with technology or put me in a particular age demographic? Just out of curiosity, I went to a 2004 edition of Merriam-Webster Dictionary to look up the definition of twitter n…1: a slight agitation of the nerves 2: a small tremulous intermittent noise (as made by a swallow) 3: a light chattering. I also looked up social media’s definition of Twitter just for kicks, which basically uses the same definition. I’ve realized I want more. I am not interested in a surface level agitation of my nerves or a conversation consisting of a limited number of characters. 
This is what matters to me.
This evening, I put the finishing touches on instructions for a new class tomorrow at the Very Knit Shop in Los Gatos, CA. The instructions consist of 334 rows and eleven different yarns knit in K2 P2 rib, stockinette stitch, reverse stockinette stitch and garter stitch. Combining different yarns and textures together with knit and purl stitches creating patterns of knitted fabric, suit my fancy these days. The first scarf I designed, sold during the holiday season.
On display, a second piece of “neck candy” has created quite a buzz. To meet the demand of our curious knitting public, I’ve scheduled a workshop. The eleven different yarns used in the Yarn, Stitches and Textured Scarf are various Habu yarns, SMC Select Pertinio and Debbie Bliss Angel.
I’ve got an idea.
Happy New Year everyone!
Today I received a visit from Judy and her granddaughter, Sarah modeling one of my designs. A couple of months ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Judy’s granddaughter, Sarah from Las Vegas. Judy wanted Sarah to pick out yarn and a pattern. Sarah was drawn to my design, “Woven Mesh Cowl” knit using SMC Select’s Pertinio.
Sarah graciously let me take a of picture of her while Judy, the proud grandmother, looked on.
Sticks-a-GoGo 
You must be logged in to post a comment.