Wisdom is always useful but not always fun. I had planned to tell you all a drippingly sarcastic story about the goings on here at The Motel but Wisdom, uppity anti-social booger she is, advised me not to. Sorry, I probably should have kept even the mention of the idea to myself. Here's a teaser, "bathing everyday is a GOOD thing." and "if the ants don't pay rent, they should not be allowed to shack up here!"

On the flipside of the script, I had intended to put up a Throwback FO on yesterday but after looking at all of the poor pictures I took of stuff back in the day I decided not too. I may just go ahead and put them up anyways. But I don't want you all to be distracted by the psychedelic lighting effects where the whites look green, the greens look purple, and the purples look like doo doo brown. Consider yourself forewarned!

Not to leave the elephant in the room ignored. I'm bored to the diz-eath with my current knitting projects. Oh lack of money! The bane of my knitting existence has unwittingly kept me away from knitting and posting on my blog. At least I've lost some weight. Yippee!

Here are some websites and great blogs both crafty and lifestyle (irreverant) that I have been rendezvousing at. I'm sure you'll find at least one to add to your blog reader or your favorites. I'm sure that if I notice an undisclosed drop in your blog posts I'll know where to find you! ;-P

• Let's Knit2gether
• WikiKnitting
• Me, Myself an Eye
• Rhymes With Snitch
• Fashion Nette-Work
• MochiMochi Land
• Expert Village
• Yarn Harlot in Los Angeles
• Knitwerk

Kamika

Summer Pain

Tis what it tis... I've been away from blogland. No not really, I've just been away from my blog flat and have been laying on the couch of some other great bloggers through my Google Reader. So much has been going on here at The Motel but nothing actually here on the premises to pique your interest. Everything has been happening either off site, or in my mind.

I've been knitting and languishing, hitting the treadmill, and languishing. Sweating like a greek in the sauna that is my bedroom waging war on the damned ants! The California heat this August is not much different than in previous years, I just can't get to a room that doesn't have wood paneling and be able to layout in my underoos at the same time. And the ants! Oh the horrible ants are taking damn over! We've had so many ants that I think immigration laws are in order.

The ants are coming out of every crack and crevice here at The Motel. They're not even looking for food but have attacked my water! Water! What sound-minded bug runs to the water? I know it's dry outside and we didn't get much rain this past winter but dang! They ain't gonna be saved running to the water. No salvation for ants.

On the knitting front I have been miserable. The worsted weight silk blend I was using to make Notorious just didn't feel good in my hands. I think it was entirely too thick for the top. With a little research I learned that it would thin out after handwashing and blocking, but I didn't want to take that chance. Secondly as you can see from the photos, I made great headway on my Anthro Redux project but unfortunately I had to quit quick fast and in a hurry. I broke out in a rash all over my neck and parts of my face and hands. Why? Because I have wool sensitivities and the wool fibers mixed with the sweat I made from the hot temps didn't mix well. My neck got bumpy and two shades darker (TMI? sorry but I'll save you the pictures). I had to cover those areas with vaseline and shea butter to stop itching and to soothe the burning of my skin. I don't think there was anything wrong with the actual yarn as a milder version of this has happened before when I was wearing a wool hat-- pure wool and I just don't mix. I was chancing it working with the Berocco Ultra Alpaca but I had no problems with it.

The ultimate solution for my wool rash was to bag up those skeins and start all over with some Lion Brand Wool-Ease which is an acrylic and wool blend. It was a great alternative and I was able to get it in one of the hottest colors of the season, grey. My goal is to have the mock up finished by this weekend. From there I plan to use the design elements and confidence I've gained from taking this leap on actually designing and creating my own garments. I have so many ideas in my head. BTW, thanks for all the sweet compliments on my previous posts and on Ravelry. I so appreciate it!


Kamika

Throwback Thursdays ~ FO: Cleaves

Cleaves. A great concept but not truly suited for the buxom knitter. Originally made for myself but ultimately given to some one who didn't want to learn to knit it themselves. Designed by Katherine Summer O'neal for Knitty Spring '05.

Time: Oct. 2006 - Nov. 2006
Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky, Lemon Drop, 5 skeins (125 yds each)
Needles/Hook: US 11 circs and dpns

Kamika

Throwback Thursdays ~ FO: Aran Weight Lace Shell

In continuing with Throwback Thursdays, peep the Aran Weight Lace Shell. This was my first lace project (I can be ambitious at times). Originally made for myself but better suited for my older sister so I gave it to her. The pattern is from Elann.com.

Time: March 2006 - April 2006
Yarn: Elann Endless Summer Connemara, Cashmere Blue, 7.5 balls (91yds each)
Needles/Hook: US 7

Kamika

Redux You!

The Anthro Redux is working out nicely. I'm finishing up the right front and will be switching to the left front before the days out. I'm very excited about this project. I've been in an emotional slump of late and usually when I find myself in this place I need to do something fantasmic to pull myself out. There's nothing like creating something fresh and new to do just that.

Yippee! Potter Craft News, the publisher of Annie Modesitt's soon to be released book Romantic Handknits has just released a teaser pattern. It's called Notorious-not quite a tank and not nearly a sweater. A great little number to transition from summer to fall with. This will be the perfect project for me to be able to use those 7 skeins of Rowan RYC Silk Aran I bought last week. Hey! They were on sale for 30% off! I had yard sale money! This was my only splurge, since the rest of my purse went to bills. I'm STASH BUSTING! I will actually be getting the book this weekend as it is being released on the 18th.

Yesterday, I found another great project. It's the Shedir hat from Knitty Fall 2004. Here's a really nice FO from Art Class Failure's blog. I plan to use that aubergine Tahki Cotton Classic I got from my Coffee Swap Partner Ann K.

Ahh! I'm feeling inspired again,

Kamika

Anthropologie Rising

I've been laying low since Thursday. Had a pretty heavy weekend what with the second garage sale and all. I didn't really sell anything this time around. Most items were bought last weekend. But then again I couldn't expect much to sell since my attitude was "I really don't want to sell it but if you give me some cash I guess I'll let you have it." Heck, I made enough to pay a couple of bills this week and buy some new storage. It worked.

I decided to step out of myself and start designing. I was on Ravelry at one of my groups and someone posted about Anthropologie's 2007 Fall Catalog. I immediately went to look and found this great cardigan that I just knew I could recreate. It's the "In Session Sweater" seen here in green. As a mock up I'm using the Deluxe Worsted 100% Wool, I had in my stash. You'll see on my dressform a blue jacket that I'm also using for shaping. I'm working this up so far on size 6US needles, which is going pretty fast and providing a good firm fabric. I plan to switch to size 7 or 8US to work the moss stitch shoulder shaping. I'm writing the pattern out as I go. Wish me luck!

Kamika

Throwback Thursdays ~ FO Edition

Consider this to be a sort of "digging in the crates" installment. Every Thursday I plan to show a project that I completed prior to blogging from my early knit/crochet days. Forgive me if some of the info is incomplete. My goal back then was to get stuff done and move on to the next project rather than to savor the knitting moment and be thoughtful about fit.

The first FO is Mrs. Beeton's from Knitty Winter 2005 and Marigold from Marnie Maclean. I made them as a set for my friend Rae Ann as a Christmas gift. Here she is modeling the hat. Enjoy!

Time: December 2006 (1 day)
Yarn: Sirdar Denim Aran, Just 3 balls (259yds each)
Needles/Hook: 8 US
Modifications: Beaded with larger pearls and attached second color on the inside instead of outside.

Kamika

FO: Chysanthemum Tea Shawl

Look Mom. No mods! Presenting the Chrysanthemum Tea Shawl from the Amazing Crochet Lace book. A love gift for one of my church sisters (I'm not saying which and all you church readers better not say nothing!). This took only 4 days to work up but was a lot more intensive than the Blue Curaçao. I hope she enjoys it.

One suggestion. If I make another in the future I will make it with a solid color. Eventhough the variegated yarn looks good, I think the leaves would have stood out more on a solid color. The solid colors to me provide for a more satiny filet look.

Time: July 31st - August 5th (ran out of yarn)
Yarn: Paton's Grace in Tangelo, Just 5 balls (136yds each)
Needles/Hook: I/9

Kamika

Blabblant

Blabblant - (adj.)

def. Not quite babbling because I do have some directed useful things to say, not blabbing because I've been giving up gossip and thus have no secrets to share, and most definitely not a rant because I'm not angry or annoyed just verbally observant.

ex. Kamika is quite blabblant about many things.

1. The View needs to just lay down and die! This show has gone to hell in a handbasket quick. It used to be somewhat well balanced (well tolerably anyway) and entertaining. I so miss Lisa Ling and Marilyn Viera. Now it's just a boring circus for castaways. Someone really needs to stop resucitating Baba WA WA. She looks brittle. All the regulars on the show are real catty. Not PMS catty but PMDD catty (you know you've seen the commercial - **a bunch of mess**). All the guests look like they stepped into a rumble and can't tell if they have on the wrong colors.

2. I've ripped back the Surplice Bodice Camisole two times due some undiscovered imbalance in my head. I don't know what was in my rose tea this morning but whatever it was it had me thinking that increasing on only one side of the garment would give me the balanced coverage I desired. Doh!!

3. Why isn't Knitty Gritty on ON Demand!? Do they think knitters aren't savvy enough to work a remote?

4. Stop being a snob and learn how to crochet! Yea you!!

5. Erica B. just finished some great looking jeans. She even embroidered the pockets.

6. I'm going to make a bunch of nappy-headed and curly-headed dolls so that Poppy Sassypants can have some multi-cultural friends. I'm sure she has some but they shouldn't look like teddy bears or Barbies. I'm thinking boucle.

7. Fall and winter are just around the corner. That means new boots!!

8. I need to figure out some way to kiss up to Sheila enough to have her help me jump start designing my own stuff.

9. You know, Ravelry really does rock!

Kamika is now done blabblanting. I will now get back to work. I need to finish the Chrysanthemum Tea Shawl from Amazing Lace. I have 1 1/2 rounds to go and I ran out of yarn. So off to Michael's today to buy one more ball of Paton's Grace. I also need to get digging on the Surplice Bodice. I hope to have this one finished real soon. I'm hungry.

Pics in the next post,

Kamika