The Sweatshop of Lovers Blog

I big thank you to Mercedes at Kitchen Sink Dyeworks for featuring my Bow Headband in her latest blog post!

Fashion Trend – Girlie-Girl Headbands

And let this be a lesson to all: The one time you take pictures of yourself with no make up on is the one time your picture will be on the front page of a major yarn shop! Everyone be sure to check out all my freckles and under-eye bags.

I used Kitchen Sink Dyeworks Luxe Merino Fine for my headband and have enough yarn left over for 30 more.

Thanks again, KSD!

1. I have to buy my own peanut butter now. 12 jars at a time.

2. I have to find a new financial adviser. That I might actually have to pay.

3. Waking up is terrible. My brain goes: “It’s light out. Hi kitties. What time is it? Oh, my grandpa died. That really sucks.”

4. Sneaky tears. I saw a bag of Brazil Nuts in the store and lost it. His handwriting is suddenly on all of my possessions, and his picture on all of my walls.

5. Despite how I am about weddings, I always kinda thought he would walk me down the aisle.

6. I needed directions yesterday and it took three people to answer my question. Thus taking three people to fill Papa’s shoes.

7. Yesterday my grandma says to me, ‘You can still call and talk about sports. I always tried to keep up with you two.’ I will never recover from that.

8. He was the only man in my family to take any interest in me and to take me seriously.

9. He was the only person to be constantly impressed by all the parties I went to. Like two a month.

10. My kids will never get to hear the good morning song sung by the inventor of the good morning song. “Good morning! Good morning! It’s time to rise and shine! Good morning! Good morning! It’s time to rise and shine!” And being annoyed and giggling at the same time.

I’ve been hesitating to call this my February Sweater for the Knit a Sweater a Month Challenge because, well.

Body Mostly Done

I accidentally almost finished the body of Caitlin’s Sweater.

Cabled Front Edging

Original Cabled Fronts

There is a crocheted button hole band and neck edging, so other than that, which is a finishing touch, I think it looks pretty good!

Sweater's Body Stitch

I’ve got the body stitch down and it isn’t driving me too crazy. It’s like the lazy man’s seed stitch. And you all know I am a lazy man when it comes to seed stitch.

Half Rib Seed Stitch Thing

So this sweater is perfect!

I jumped the gun on the January Sweater (blasted January Sweater) so I don’t want to do it again. I was sad and I wanted to knit a sweater. Maybe I’ll have it finished by the 1st so I can start another sweater?

I might have a problem.

Beginner Knitting: *One spot left for Tuesday February 2nd’s class!* Did you get on this mailing list in the hopes that eventually you will have the time to learn? Sign up for this beginner knitting class and learn how to cast on, bind off, and knit and purl. Tuesday February 2, 7-9pm and Monday April 12, 7-9pm, $25

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Toe Up Socks: *Two spots left!* Once you knit a sock you can knit anything. One ball of sock yarn makes one tall knee sock. With the toe-up sock you just knit until you run out of yarn! Part One is the toe, Part 2 is the heel. Mondays February 8 and 15, 7-9pm. $40

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Beginner Crochet: This is a great opportunity to learn the basics of crocheting! In this class we will learn to make a chain, single, half double, double, and treble crochet stitches, and how to crochet in the round. Use these mad skillz for Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace, Granny Square Workshop, and Granny Square Slippers. Wednesday February 3rd, 7-9pm and Tuesday April 13, 7-9pm, $25

~~~

Knitting Needle Knitting Bag: I’ve knit a couple of these for other knitters and they love them. They are intended to be for your knitting projects, but I’m using mine as a purse! Pam Allen’s Knitting Needle Knitting Bag is the perfect project to help show off your knitter status. Part one is the berry stitch body of the bag, part two is assembly. Please note the classes are two weeks apart so you have time to finish the body of your bag! Wednesdays February 10 and 24, 7-9pm. $40

~~~

Granny Square Workshop: Another way to use crochet! Granny squares are fun stash busters that you can’t mess up because they are supposed to be ugly, these little guys can be used for anything. Bags. Coasters. Blankets. Change purses. Granny Square Slippers. Saturday February 20, 1-4pm. $40 with materials

~~~

Granny Square Slippers: Know how to crochet granny squares and want a fun way to use them? Did you take my Granny Square Workshop and want to use all the knowledge I dropped on you? Crochet up some of these fun Purl Bee Granny Square Slippers. Part one is granny squares, part two is assembly. Tuesdays March 9 and 16, 7-9pm. $40

Bow Headband: Quick, easy, and adorable, this double moss stitch Bow Headband is the perfect way to start working hand knits into your wardrobe! This is a great project for beginner (and knits up ridiculously quick if you’ve got some experience under your belt!). Monday March 15, 7-9pm. 2 hours, $20

~~~

Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace Workshop: Ok the crocheting is out of control this season! Put this whole Stefanie Fail of A Common Thread Ruffled Bib Necklace together by the end of this three hour workshop! Saturday March 20, 1-4pm. $40 with materials

~~~

Madison Lace Cowl: A little daintier than the my Cabled Cowl, this cowl is great for staying warm during the Chicago thaw and unbuttoning for some stylish warmth inside. The Madison Lace pattern is fun and intuitive, and the buttons add a fun pop! And don’t forget to knit up some matching hand warmers! Wednesdays April 7 and 14, 7-9pm. $40

~~~

Madison Lace Hand Warmers: No more mittens! Quick to knit, a great introduction to lace pattern-work, and the perfect last minute gift. Wait, what am I saying?! WE AREN’T KNITTING GIFTS! You know you want a pair of these cute hand warmers for yourself to match the Madison Lace Cowl you just knit yourself. Thursday April 15, 7-9pm. $20

~~~

Group Knitting and Crocheting: Come get help starting a project, finishing a project, picking a project, picking materials, or learning something new! 2 hours, $15

Knitting Book Club: Our next book club meet up will be Monday, February 1st at 7pm. We are reading The Sister (A Novel of Emily Dickenson) by Paolo Kaufmann! If you are interested in joining the book club, send me an email. Please don’t come with knitting questions as I won’t be teaching anything (so the book club can be free of course), just come to knit and chat about our book!

Last update of January! We’ve got FIVE DAYS to finish up our January sweaters. And by the look of things y’all have nothing to worry about.

We all know how my January Sweater, Minimalist Cardigan, turned out. (SAD FACE!!) I’d much rather talk about all the beautiful January sweaters I’m being sent pictures of!

Elsie Cardi

This adorable Elsie Cardigan was finished by Ksana (rav) for her niece. Those cute buttons add so much to the simple design! I want some for my next sweater!

Baby Surprise Jacket

And another finished baby sweater from Rachel-Marie (rav, twitter)! I love how this sweater is assembled! Y’all know how much I hate seeming.

Diva Tunic

This beautiful deep V tunic was knit by Liz (rav). Is that the most flattering neckline for her? This tunic would look great with pants, a skirt, or just leggings. Find the Diva Tunic pattern here.

Mr Greenjeans

Helen (rav) finished up a beautiful version of the very popular knitty.com pattern Mr Greenjeans (rav, Helen’s rav page). This simple cabled cardigan is so understated and elegant in the deep charcoal Helen chose.

Cindy's Sweater

Cindy at A Sparkle a Day finished her sweater after quite a struggle! She was feeling discouraged that we were all pumping out such amazing sweater, and then look what she did: She pumped out an amazing sweater!

Must Have Cardi

Marsha (rav) knit this beautiful Must Have Cardi , which couldn’t look any better on her! Isn’t that sizing perfect? The placement of the cables on this sweater are really flattering.

Less is More

Lin (rav) knit this beautiful cabled pullover! I can’t stop staring at the shoulders amazed at how good that cabled seaming is! It’s absolutely lovely.

Tiered Baby Jacket

Don’t tell my mom, but all these adorable baby sweaters make me wish I had a little baby to dress! Like, someone else’s baby that I can just dress in the morning, then go home. This Tiered Baby Jacket was knit by Ksana and how much do you love the subtle color change in the tier?!

In The Piazza

Melanie finished this super fun In the Piazza sweater in the loveliest blue and green colorway. How cute with this look over a simple black dress?

Easy Baby Cardigan

Zaynab (rav) whipped up with Easy Baby Cardigan in 9 days! Now that is what I call easy. AND that is what I call a gender neutral color! It is the absolute perfect shade of green.

I couldn’t be more proud of everyone. It is truly amazing what we can do with just one little month.

Alexandra made a comment on our Finished January Sweaters forum on the Ravelry KaSaMC group (now going 131 strong!) that sums up my exact feeling: “I am so happy I joined this group! Fantastic sweaters, beautiful colors! And, best of all, talented people! Whenever I check this ‘FO thread’ or the ‘shared projects box’ I feel happy and it stimulates me to knit some more!”

I couldn’t agree more. Five days until February! Get knitting!

Man Cowl

PT has been joking for a few weeks now that he wants a Man Cowl. I’ve been telling him for a few weeks that he really doesn’t want a Man Cowl. He isn’t really the Man Cowl type. What would he do with a Man Cowl? He would just look at it and not know what to do with it.

Man Cowl? For PT?

I made PT a Man Cowl about a month ago for his birthday.

It’s just a double moss stitch rectangle seamed together off center so it folds a little.

Ready to Fold

Will he wear it? I’m still not sure. He says he likes it and he was wearing it around the house after I gave it to him.

Does this translate into a knitting joke gone right? Only time, with the help of falling Chicago temps, will tell.

Remember my Summer Sweater I knit last summer? I rocked it out last night!

Summer Sweater Winter Style

And Here Less Angry!

I had an outfit planned for last night that was not this outfit. It involved a Sweater That Shall Not Be Named, and that is still an open wound so lets not talk about it! lalala

I had my heart set on a Style Your Knits post, so I had to make it happen.

While it is unseasonably warm in Chicago this weekend, it is nowhere near summer levels but I thought, why can’t this be an all year around sweater? I can make it happen.

And I did! How cute it is with the black belt and tights combo? Instant winterization.

Sweater #2

I threw a black sweater over it, too. Little did I know Relax Bar, the scene for PT’s birthday party last night, is kept to a near hell like temperature. See my shoe option two in the back ground? Flats would have been just too easy.

Summer Sweater

I love this top. It’s so fun and pretty and was fun to knit. And I got groped all night by adoring fans of this lovely sweater. Win win!

(AND a very happy birthday to Mr. PT!)

Top: Summer Sweater, knit by me

Sweater: Kohls

Belt: Stolen from PT

Skirt: Made by me from an old pair of pants

Tights: Target

Shoes: Ann Marino, again

I’d like to preface this post by saying that, while acknowledging that I’ve got a lot on my emotional plate right now, I had to crop my crying face out of most of these pictures, and that is a bit of an overreaction.

Minimalist Cardigan Fail. And I cried. I’m staring at it right now, actually, wanting to cry. It’s like knitting masochism.

Curly Front, Pre-Block

These pre-blocking pictures kill me. Had I known that this would be the last time I’d be wearing and loving my sweater I wouldn’t have just thrown it over the long sleeved t-shirt I wore yesterday.

Nice Normal Sleeves!

I also would have cleaned my mirror before taking these pictures.

I was just finishing up the sleeves in my last Knit a Sweater a Month Challenge post. Sure, I was getting sick of the double moss stitch, but I was still rocking it out and loving it so much!

Remember how in love with this sweater I was when I started?! I still felt that love, even if it was a little boring.

So I finished knitting up the sleeves, seemed it all together, and I thought it was looking good! The size was right on. The only problem was that the front panels were super curly, but I saw that while I was knitting it. I knew a quick block would take care of it, no problem.

Stupid Huge Sweater

As soon as I had it in the bath the light bulb went off:

Fingering weight yarn+larger than gauge needles+lacy stitch=STRETCH

Really, Really Big

I mean, look at those sleeves. Look at the length! It’s supposed to be a cropped sweater with 3/4 length sleeves. I just look like a midget. With wide shoulders.

Stupid Wide Shoulders

But that got me thinking. What if I re-seam the shoulders to make them hit higher? That would pull the sleeves up and at least make it look like I knew how to dress myself.

Pinned? Maybe?

It puckered in the front but kind of cutely!

Back View... hmm

It puckered in the back in a not so cutely.

Not Re-Seamed

Re-Seamed

And, while seaming the shoulders up did make it look a little better, I snuggled it, dried my tears, and decided to give it to my mom for her birthday.

So, happy early birthday, mom. With a tear, because I really wanted this sweater! But I know you will love it. Because it is psychotically beautiful, and your favorite color, and will look fantastic on you.

I’m glad it is getting a good home. Now I’ve got to get more Woodland Sage Knit Picks Gloss because I need this yarn to be in my life. In sweater form.

Sigh. Double sigh.

Last night my friend Jamie hosted a Jersey Shore party. I, along with most of the people at the party, had never seen Jersey Shore. Apparently it is the most amazing show on television and I’ve totally been missing out.

I mean, I know my reality TV and the trashier the better. If I can string together 12 episodes of The Real Housewives of New York I’m happy for… well about 12 hours. What can MTV teach me that Bravo can’t?

1. Muscles are HOTT.

The Situation

I had no idea. I’ve been living my life thinking skinny white boys who don’t even know what a gym is were cute. Clearly, I have been way wrong forever. Pictured above is ‘The Situation’. He has so many muscles that his stomach looks like… well, kind of like 6 cartoon hearts dancing around a hot hole.

2. Boys Should Tan and Wax. A Lot.

Jersey Boys

Again, this is probably the Midwestern thing, but I’ve been dating boys with beards and pasty white skin WHEN I COULD HAVE been dating boys who wax their eyebrows and tan three times a week. Even Vinny is tanner  than any boy I’ve ever talked to and he looks albino compared to the rest of them.

3. I Don’t Know How to Dance.

Here I’ve been bouncing around adorably to cute hipster pop when I could have been rubbing my vag on people and doing back flips to show off my thong, attracting boys left and right!

4. I Get This People of Walmart Reference!

I haven’t seen her fist pump, but I bet her Jersey shore name is “Cindy Lou Who”. New Jersey

5. And This Slaughterhouse 90210 Reference!

“The more stupid one is, the closer one is to reality. The more stupid one is, the clearer one is. Stupidity is brief and artless, while intelligence squirms and hides itself. Intelligence is unprincipled, but stupidity is honest and straightforward.” — Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov

6. I Don’t Know How to Dress Myself.

Jersey Girls

I do silly things like wear pants, specifically pants with no holes in them, when I leave the house. I also like to wear shirts with fronts and backs to them. And a bra. And I wear that bra as underwear and not as an accessory.

7. My Shore Nickname? McBoring.

When I go out I grab a couple beers with friends, go home, and in the morning I remember everything that happened. I go to work on time. I don’t bring strangers home, or sit naked in a hot tub with them. I don’t have screaming fights because a boy I’ve known for 3 days is talking to a different girl. I don’t threaten to leave the premises if no one is paying attention to me. I don’t make out with girls. I knit. I knit a lot. And read. It’s almost embarrassing.

So, thank you, Jersey Shore. Watching you is like watching the National Geographic Channel when they profile animals that no one knew existed before being discovered by a special rain forest explorer.

Bow Headband: *January’s class is FULL!* Quick, easy, and adorable, this double moss stitch Bow Headband is the perfect way to start working hand knits into your wardrobe! This is a great project for beginner (and knits up ridiculously quick if you’ve got some experience under your belt!). Thursday January 28, 7-9pm and Monday March 15, 7-9pm. 2 hours, $20

~~~

Beginner Knitting: Did you get on this mailing list in the hopes that eventually you will have the time to learn? Sign up for this beginner knitting class and learn how to cast on, bind off, and knit and purl. Tuesday February 2, 7-9pm and Monday April 12, 7-9pm, $25

~~~

Toe Up Socks: *Two spots left!* Once you knit a sock you can knit anything. One ball of sock yarn makes one tall knee sock. With the toe-up sock you just knit until you run out of yarn! Part One is the toe, Part 2 is the heel. Mondays February 8 and 15, 7-9pm. $40

~~~

Beginner Crochet: This is a great opportunity to learn the basics of crocheting! In this class we will learn to make a chain, single, half double, double, and treble crochet stitches, and how to crochet in the round. Use these mad skillz for Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace, Granny Square Workshop, and Granny Square Slippers. Wednesday February 3rd, 7-9pm and Tuesday April 13, 7-9pm, $25

~~~

Knitting Needle Knitting Bag: I’ve knit a couple of these for other knitters and they love them. They are intended to be for your knitting projects, but I’m using mine as a purse! Pam Allen’s Knitting Needle Knitting Bag is the perfect project to help show off your knitter status. Part one is the berry stitch body of the bag, part two is assembly. Please note the classes are two weeks apart so you have time to finish the body of your bag! Wednesdays February 10 and 24, 7-9pm. $40

~~~

Granny Square Workshop: Another way to use crochet! Granny squares are fun stash busters that you can’t mess up because they are supposed to be ugly, these little guys can be used for anything. Bags. Coasters. Blankets. Change purses. Granny Square Slippers. Saturday February 20, 1-4pm. $40 with materials

~~~

Granny Square Slippers: Know how to crochet granny squares and want a fun way to use them? Did you take my Granny Square Workshop and want to use all the knowledge I dropped on you? Crochet up some of these fun Purl Bee Granny Square Slippers. Part one is granny squares, part two is assembly. Tuesdays March 9 and 16, 7-9pm. $40

Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace Workshop: Ok the crocheting is out of control this season! Put this whole Stefanie Fail of A Common Thread Ruffled Bib Necklace together by the end of this three hour workshop! Saturday March 20, 1-4pm. $40 with materials

~~~

Madison Lace Cowl: A little daintier than the my Cabled Cowl, this cowl is great for staying warm during the Chicago thaw and unbuttoning for some stylish warmth inside. The Madison Lace pattern is fun and intuitive, and the buttons add a fun pop! And don’t forget to knit up some matching hand warmers! Wednesdays April 7 and 14, 7-9pm. $40

~~~

Madison Lace Hand Warmers: No more mittens! Quick to knit, a great introduction to lace pattern-work, and the perfect last minute gift. Wait, what am I saying?! WE AREN’T KNITTING GIFTS! You know you want a pair of these cute hand warmers for yourself to match the Madison Lace Cowl you just knit yourself. Thursday April 15, 7-9pm. $20

~~~

Group Knitting and Crocheting: Come get help starting a project, finishing a project, picking a project, picking materials, or learning something new! 2 hours, $15

Knitting Book Club: Our next book club meet up will be Monday, February 1st at 7pm. We are reading The Sister (A Novel of Emily Dickenson) by Paolo Kaufmann! If you are interested in joining the book club, send me an email. Please don’t come with knitting questions as I won’t be teaching anything (so the book club can be free of course), just come to knit and chat about our book!