CouCou Cable Chapeau

Gah! Has it really been that long since we talked?!?!  I've missed you and am hoping to get back into the swing of things.  Especially since I've released a ton of patterns recently and haven't much of a chance to talk about them!  There needs to be more knit-chat in my life.

I'll start with the most recent one: the CouCou Cable Chapeau.

It's worked in two layers.  The outer layer is in 100% wool (worsted weight) (Wool of the Andes) and the inner layer is in a brushed alpaca nylon blend (Reverie).

The best part is that the pattern is available for free on the Knit Picks website!!!

I don't know how the model didn't melt wearing such a warm hat in the summer heat,
Joyce

Photo Credit: knitpicks.com

Spring is here

And the air is full of pollen.  But I'm okay with that because everything is in bloom!  (And I have anti-allergy medicine.)

Happy Spring!
Joyce

Crazy life and the Qboro Cowl

Things are still crazy here, but that's nothing new, right?  I would like to say that hopefully they will settle down soon, but I am always hopeful that things will settle down and they rarely do.

I often hear myself say "After the end of the semester," "During this upcoming break in classes," and so on.  However, I'm beginning to realize (boo, maturity!) that when that break gets here or the semester ends, there will still be craziness, whether it's from work or it's just me.  So I've decided to embrace the crazy.  And why not?  It certainly makes life more interesting.  (This also works if you have a crazy family, but really, don't we all?)

Sometimes, when the crazy gets to be a little too much, I like to take comfort in an oasis of soft, colorful yarn and a simple pattern.  It's for that reason that I designed the Qboro Cowl (that's pronounced Q(like in quack)-boro).

It calls for 220 yds of worsted weight yarn.  Pictured here in KnitPicks Swish worsted in Wonderland Heather, it would be great for any single skein of worsted that happens to be hanging out in your stash.  Plus a cowl would be a fast project to knit for both the guys and girls in your life that you want to keep nice and toasty (cough cough Christmas knitting cough cough).  Oh, and did I mention the best part?  The pattern is free!!!

Speaking of things that drive me crazy (but are still super cool and awesome), Polly had a birthday last month.  She is officially a year old.  (Look at that face! No, wait, don't.  It will make you want to do things like give it Snausages and Beggin' Strips.)

Don't let the grey beard and old man looks fool you, she's still a crazy youngster.  She will often try to persuade me to do what she wants, such as give her my yogurt.  Usually it involves this face (and that hair!):

which, I'm only slightly ashamed to admit, I find irresistible. 

Don't be silly, Polly doesn't want a cracker (at least, not without cheese),

Joyce

World Wide Knit in Public Day (Week?!?!)

WWKIP day (which I've recently discovered has since expanded into a week) was this past Saturday.   The knitting ladies and I usually spend it in Bryant Park at Knitty City's annual celebration.

Gertrude Stein is nice and toasty on a warm June day.

There are usually over 30 knitters that turn out and sometimes there's even live entertainment and snacks.  Last year there was a great turnout.

We even had our own designated table and a hand made sign.  Pearl from Knitty City makes all fiber crafters feel like old friends.  That's why I think Knitty City is the best yarn store in the world.

Our table sign.

We are the Astoria Knitting ladies. (And we really like our sunglasses.)

This year, however, we had to miss the Knitty City gathering to attend a different more awesome event: Brandy's bridal shower!  She's getting married in September and her family and friends got together to celebrate.  We're super happy for her and her groom.

Brandy in her ribbon bonnet.

And there was, of course, still knitting in public that day.  You can't keep a good (obsessed, whatever!) knitter down.  There were three shawls, a sweater, and a blanket all being worked on while Brandy opened presents.  We heard a lot of' "I should have brought my knitting (crochet, etc.)" as people passed our table, but my favorite was "Oh! You really ARE the knitting group!"  

Yes, yes we are,

Joyce

P.S. Brandy isn't the only lady in our group that's getting married this year.  (I'd worry that it's contagious except I've been married quite a while now.  Which means I'm a carrier!) The other one, however, is getting married on Rhinebeck weekend.  Luckily Rhinebeck is two days, so we don't have to make any awkward decisions. (Who am I kidding? We wouldn't dream of missing her wedding!  But maybe I should distribute a calendar of important knitting dates next year.)

Catching up - Graduation

Yep, you heard me right.  I graduated!!!  I'm officially a Dr. now! (of the PhD kind, so please don't ask me about your mole.  Unless you're just looking for someone to go 'EW!' with you because I can totally do that!)  There was cake and everything!

My defense was held on Dec. 21, 2012.

Yes, the day the world was supposed to end.  I figured either way it was a win/win situation for me.  Either the world would end and I wouldn't have to defend.  Or the world would keep on spinning and my defense would be over by the end of the day.  Happily the world didn't end and I successfully defended my thesis!!!  (If you're wondering, yes, the picture above WAS part of my defense talk.  Had to give a shout out to my love of fibery things.)

Gigi came up for my defense and for graduation.  She surprised me with a 'congrats on your successful defense' hat with beetles on it.  I had already made myself an awesome highlighter scarf out of Madtosh Pashmina to celebrate the occasion.  They don't match at all, but they kept me toasty all through winter.

Graduation was great! Gigi, Elle, the twins (TK and KT), and of course Hubbie all came. (There were a limited number of tickets otherwise it would have been a madhouse!) The cap and gown for graduation were pretty ridiculous.

Hubbie joked that I looked like I was doing Harry Potter cosplay. (Not that there's anything wrong with that.)  It rained really hard that morning which made me happy. (I love the rain!  It also helps that I didn't get soaked. :-D)

Gigi and the twins gave me flowers.  Peonies all around. (My favorite! They were SO pretty!!!!)  GiGi brought me one from her garden at home.

It still doesn't feel quite real.  I've been asked several times if I have a PhD, and a couple of times I've almost said no.  But I'm getting there.  How can it not be true?  There was cake and balloons.  They wouldn't lie, right?

I'll try not to let it go to my head,
Dr. Joyce

Dusty... Where did the time go?

Shew! This blog is covered in dust!  Where's my rag?  ::wipe, wipe, ACHOO!::
There, that's better.

It's been crazy around here since the last time we talked.  Turns out that a lot can happen in a year and a half.  I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to tell you all about it over the next few weeks while we catch up. Can't talk much today though 'cause I'm feel a nap coming on after all of that dusting.

Before I go, I absolutely have to share one of the amazing things that happened since we last spoke.

This is Polly Prissypants!  (We got a puppy!!!!)

Here she is at 7 weeks...

And now, nearly five months later...

She's Chihuahua/Terrier mix (A cheerier!!!) and about 8.5 lbs right now.  And I love love love her! (I'm sure you couldn't tell, right?)

Excuse me while I go give puppy kisses!
Joyce

And we have a winner!

As knitters, aren't we all winners?

Congratulations Lindr!  I sent you an email with more details. (Hopefully you got it!) I also love MMario's work.  He designs such amazing shawls!

I think that all knitters (crocheters, crafters, artisans, etc.) are amazing and ingenious.  Being able to turn something as simple as string into something as complex as fabric still amazes me.  I'm surrounded by crafters (in person and online) that have their own unique style and way of producing their craft.  I think each and every one is brilliant for trying (whether or not they succeed (because I know that I have at least three things on my list of crafts that I just can't seem to get my brain, or hands, to do)).

As a thank you to everyone who entered (and those that just stopped by) I'm offering 10% off of your entire purchase of the patterns in my Ravelry store for the next week. Just use the coupon code:  contest110 

Eligible patterns include my latest release: the Quetzal Shawl.

If it wasn't for EZ, I may never have figured out how to purl continental style,
Joyce
ETA: EEK! I made a mistake when making the coupon, so it may not of worked for some of you.  It should be working now.  I've pushed back the expiration date to June 25th.  Sorry for the confusion.

P.S. Coupon can only be used once.  Expires June 18, 2012 at 11:59 Eastern US time zone.