Let's see how quickly I can tell you a whole crapload of crafty stuff before we go out for the evening, shall we?
First, the very cool and talented Jared of Brooklyn Tweed graciously shared his enormous collection of Blackberry Ridge color cards with me so I didn't have to wait for them to arrive before placing a yarn order on Lorin's sweater (The Icelandic Yoke Pullover from The Opinionated Knitter). The two choices to which I narrowed it down are below. The grey will be for the body. The main yoke color will be the natural white with the other two as accent colors. Note that they appear much brighter on my monitor than they were in person (the light blue, for instance, is the most amazing soft periwinkle in reality), but you get the idea:
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We'll have to see what Ms. Lorin thinks. I would lean orange, but then, that should be no surprise.
Second, I could not be more thrilled with my Knitpicks order! While I haven't tried knitting with it yet, the caliber of the colors in the Telemark I ordered is a noticeable notch above Knitpicks' usual selection, which in my opinion runs a little flat. These are deep and rich as can be. I've heard rumors, however, that some colors of Telemark bleed. We'll cross our fingers that's not true. These will be used for two norwegian hats intended as holiday gifts:
Next item: my dear friend Amanda sent me her impeccably finished strips for the Circle of Friends Baby Blanket, so I'd better get my arse in gear to complete my last strip and seam the thing. Here is a very poor photo:
And on the apartment front, we've built, painted, and installed our own wall shelving. Hurrah!
I think that counts as "crafting," don't you?
10 minutes = QUICKEST POST EVER!! Good weekends, everyone!
Posted by jess at September 22, 2006 8:11 PM | TrackBackLet us know if they let you take the knitting needles on the plane. Since the latest tightening of hand luggage allowances I've been wondering about that.
Posted by: Francesca at September 22, 2006 8:56 PMJessica - I love that light fixture in your apartment! The shelves look good, too.
Zimmermania is awesome! :)
(re the above comment: I've taken needles on planes a few times since then and it's been fine.)
Posted by: natalie at September 22, 2006 10:53 PMCrafting shelves qualifies! They look very spiffy.
Posted by: carol at September 22, 2006 11:38 PMI go for the blue colorway myself - but blue is my favorite color so of course I would pick that.
Doesn't it feel good to get shelves up? I love getting organized.
Posted by: stephanie at September 22, 2006 11:47 PMThis blog post may have the highest good-stuff-to-time-spent-posting ratio ever! Great projects, all.
Posted by: Mary-Heather at September 23, 2006 12:18 AMYou'll have to share your thoughts on the Telemark once you start knitting with it. I'm thinking of knitting the hubby a sweater using it.
I love the shelves. Organizing always feels so nice.
Your fig and plum cake looks delicious! I discovered fig trees on the abandoned property in back of my house this summer and loved making cakes with them. Next year I'll have to add some plums.
Posted by: Casey at September 23, 2006 12:56 AMYay! Great job.
Posted by: colleen at September 23, 2006 7:50 AMi like those knitpicks colors! i'm not familiar with telemark though. i never received a fall catalog :(
love the shelves!
Posted by: gleek at September 23, 2006 9:46 AMLike the orange. LOVE the lamp.
Posted by: jenna at September 23, 2006 10:27 AMI'm totally impressed by the shelving - you must have a table saw hidden in your apartment?
I could actually use a few shelves, and a craft project, hmmm...
Posted by: MeBeth at September 23, 2006 11:09 AMHurrah for you! I remember my excitement when I put up similar shelving in my daughter's room, all by myself. Love the light fixture - I was just admiring (a similar? the same one?) in the Ikea catalogue this morning. :0)
Posted by: Charity at September 23, 2006 11:10 AMif you think the telemark colors are nice, try some of the new gloss. i have burgandy pumpkin and some tealy color - really rich colors
Posted by: gretchen at September 23, 2006 7:07 PMnice shelves! that's damn crafty in my book.
Posted by: amisha at September 24, 2006 9:30 AMThe apartment is looking fantastic! I always love your apartment photos....
Posted by: Jessica at September 24, 2006 4:41 PMYour post reminds me that I need to update my addy with Knit Picks... I didn't get the last catelog either. Love the office. Looks so much more together than mine does right now. Some day...
Posted by: kristiface at September 24, 2006 6:00 PMthat light fixture is amazing! where did you get it?
Posted by: xie at September 25, 2006 10:32 AMI would lean go orange, too. But I'm sure the sweater will look gorgeous either way!
Posted by: Nonnahs at September 25, 2006 8:33 PM