MMM 11-13; Aidez

Day 11.

Handmade/refashioned sweater; thrifted/altered pants.


Day 12.

Handmade cowl. Hey there knitters -- I invented this one on the fly and am curious what others think of the pattern ... so if you like the cowl and want to knit one up and give me some feedback, just leave a comment or send me an email! Love to hear what you think =). I was looking for something drapey, with a fun stitch for visual interest, that wouldn't take up too much yarn and yet still be warm and cozy. I also imagined up a second iteration of it and would be curious for your thoughts.

Day 13.

Handmade sweater. You can't see it here, but I also straightened out my flaired jeans with a quick 10 minute refashion -- sweet!

Ah yes, so here is my latest finished handknit, the free Aidez pattern knit up in Cascade Eco stranded with Kidsilk Haze on size 9 needles. Wow was this an addictive sweater to knit! The various patterns were really easy to memorize and made it so interesting to knit up, and the large needles meant that I was just zooming along. I also knit both cardigan sides and both sleeves at the same time, and knit everything flat because I've discovered I don't like DPNs (or even magical loop or whatever its called). I'd rather seam -- knitting blasphemy!


I mean, isn't it unusual?

Somebody on Ravelry described it as "like wearing a blanket" and that is so, so true. Super warm and cuddly, it also has hangs like a blanket, which is not exactly my style but oddly it's growing on me, or maybe it's just the sweater. Four years into crafting and two point five years into making myself clothing, I love how I still get my moments of "Oh, this sweater has no waist shaping whatsoever ... lalala five weeks later ... hey wait a minute, why does this hang like a blanket? Oh. Right." But I think it rounds out my "lounging handmades" quite nicely, so that qualifies as "wardrobe gap."

Oh, and I think I'm officially converted to aran sweaters.


Friday night I was chatting with a friend from grad school about the catastrophe in Japan, and she mentioned that my grad school roommate had updated her Facebook status to indicate that she was OK, but that the tone of the update had been a bit panicked. Since I hadn't learned about the earthquake and tsunami until I got to work on Friday (where Gmail and Facebook are both blocked) and thus had no update on friends Japan, I hurriedly clicked over to Facebook and saw that my ex-boyfriend had updated as well with one word. "Alive."

Typical T terseness. His status was "liked" by many of our former classmates. Anyways, I've since had emails from both of them that they and their families survived, although much damage has been done. Terribly saddened by this course of events, and hoping that Hana is able to be with her family soon, and that T hears from his friends soon.