Front Row Seats

Dash Dot and Dear

The Dash Dot Triangle Hat has been my favorite since the beginning. It seems to be your favorite too, because I have made more of these hats than any other (I have 10+ stacked up on my blocking board as we speak). I knew in the bottom of my heart that at least one watermelon pom would have to go with this hat because favorite + favorite = ALL time favorite. The other one waits in the front-line, ready to jump on to the next hat at any moment.

And if things couldn't get any cuter, may I introduce you to Tuesday Bassen (yes, that is her real name, aren't you jealous?). I met Tuesday a few weeks ago, she is a student at MCAD and my long-lost friend. We have almost everything in common, and how about those glasses? Tues is a bright spot and looks wonderful in her new Dash Dot Triangle Hat, don't you think?

WOW!

Hundreds of pom-poms have been made this winter season. Crystal has been busy working her magic upstairs and every time she drops off another batch I am delighted by her continuing innovation in pom design. These watermelon poppers really take the cake, though. Numero uno! These plush gems are pure bliss, shouting winter and summer at the same time. You want to eat them, but you can't! Right now there are only two and they are sitting proudly atop a huge pile of friends. Who will get them? Nobody could ever know!

Picot Tricot!

I am in the process of buying a new knitting machine! My whole knitting world is about to turn upside down, I am nervous and excited. While I was researching different options, I came across a few techniques that I had always meant to try but never had the right project for. The picot hem is one of those things, and it is right here on this sleeve! I wanted to do a contrast tipped hem to really maximize the picot-ness of it all. There are other methods for achieving this same look that I'm anxious to try too, specifically the double-knit version. I used the same treatment on the hem of this garment, using different colors of course. Can't wait to show you more!

I Love You!

Love Fool

I am a new person now that the weather has turned to a beautiful, balmy, 40 degrees. Life is wonderful! Just one day above freezing is enough to turn my mind to biking, running (yes, I said it), veggie boxes, and other outdoor-non-knitting activities. And so, I have dismissed my crotchety grumpy self for the moment in hopes that spring is truly on the way. The spring update is planned for mid-March, stay tuned for more details. Here is another preview of new goods to come, no foolin'.

Time Out New York

Speaking of New York, I received my copy of the January 27th - February 2nd issue of Time Out New York in the mail last week. I am pleased to be included in the "Ski-Weekend Essentials" spread, featuring looks for both on and off the slopes. I admit, the Freestyle Scarf 001 doesn't have any performance features, but I would much rather be on the slopes than off, in the company of that perfect yellow helmet and sporty boots. I even used to ski, if you can believe it. Not frequently, since there aren't any mountains in my part of the country, but I've been down a few black diamond routes in my day. Those days are over, actually. I'll see you off the slopes afterall...

Desert Topping

Give me summer, or give me death! Get me out of here!
I have been a Mid-Westerner my whole life. There are many things I like about this region of the country, but I complain about the weather just as much as the next person. It's a way of life here, a coping mechanism. I need the sunshine, fast. This year, around the house, we developed something called the "3-Layer System." It's very simple, it just means that there should always be three layers between your bare body and the outside world. Today I have the 5-Layer System. I am wearing five shirts right now and my fingers are freezing. It's a nightmare, being this cold.

And so, this brings me to a few different topics. One being the anticipation of a spring update in the ALL Shop, where you will find pleasant icons like cactus and confetti. Here is a sneak peek of what's to come, expect...multiples! Help me, I need a name for this sweater! The second topic has to do with getting out of here, for real. If you live (or have lived) in New York, I could use some tips on where to look for places to live, both neighborhoods and apartment listings online. (What happened to Craigslist? It's a mess!) If you have any advice, you know where to find me!

Nest

Que Bueno!

I love the color red. Red calls attention like no other color, it trumps neon in this respect. Even true neons seem destined to fade, but red is a strong, lasting color. Red is also a unisex color, it looks great on a lot of people. It's basic and classic. If you can only have one color of nail polish, let it be red. That's what my mother said when she took me to Walgreens five years ago to buy the only bottle of nail polish I have, red, of course. Red can be spicy and cheerful, chock full of pizazz and character. Red looks great with cacti, yes, it most certainly does.