Friday, February 25, 2011

Dress to Impress!!!

Today I am devoting my blog piece to my friend, and knitting partner, Ms. Jennifer. Jen brought in this stunning piece this morning to the office to show off. Can you believe it? Jen bought the yarn needed for this only a month ago at the Vogue Knitting Live event and it is already completed? This pattern, the Ishbel by Ysolda Teague is stunning. For more information on this pattern, please visit

So please everyone, take your hats off to Jen today. This is an absolutley stunning piece. I have to say I am actually very jealous. My handwarmers and scarf in my "fancy knit lace pattern" are the devil to me. I guess I have to get more used to working with lace before I will even like it. To leave Jen your comments, please either post here or visit her Ravelry page

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

I must apologize for me recent absence. Let me give you guys a quick recap of the last 10 days.

1. Spent two days sick as a dog with a stomach bug. I could go into more detail here, but you don't want it.
2. College friends in town for the weekend. Best weekend ever! Love spending time with old friends. How is it that even after spending months apart, when we all come back together again it feels like no time has passed at all?
3. Working way too much...as usual

The Phonathon has started back up here at work, and so now I am relegated to sitting at my desk and slaving away for hours upon hours. It is really really difficult.

Anyways, because of all this hubbub I  have not had much time to knit. However, I  have started a new project. Against Randy's wishes (and probably my better judgment) I have started knitting a sweater for little Miss Abby, our 1 year old terrier. I know she doesn't need it but it's just too darn cute! Updates to follow and I hope to have a picture up here tomorrow or Friday. Does anybody else have great dog/cat knits they have done? Please post!

Until Next Time...And I Promise That Will Be Soon,
Broke Knitter

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Sick As A Dog

I am sorry faithful readers that I have been a bit out of touch. I have an AWFUL stomach virus. So awful in fact, that I cannot imagine picking up my needles for fear of transferring these germs to my wonderful handmade pieces.

I promise I will return again as soon as I am able.

Broke Knitter

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Dreaming....

When the world gets really busy and I don't know how to handle another minute in my office I think about my dream. In my ideal dream I have the cutest sweetest yarn shop. I haven't decided if I am in the city yet or not, but here are some things that my ideal shop would have...

1. A BIG area in one corner for at least two large class tables. This way there is plenty of room for knitters who are taking classes.
2. A few nicely dispersed couches and armchairs for those who like to spend time relaxing and knitting with me and my fellow employees.
3. A "yarn tasting" area. (Okay, so I stole this from one of the booths at Vogue Knitting Live but I LOVED it) In this area knitters could test out some of the new yarns I have just brought into the store. Do they like knitting with it? Is it something they could use for their next project?
4. A bragging area. Here I would love to have two or three projects on display for 2 weeks. Customers could hang their handmade items for all the world to see and admire.
5. Lastly, I want a "bragging rights wall" that has photos of the handmade items people make for their friends/children/grandchildren etc. with a preference toward people wearing the items they were gifted.

In my ideal little shop nothing can bother me. I really don't care about being rich in this world. Money really doesn't buy you everything. I just want a quaint and comfortable yarn shop where I can spread my love for fibers with the rest of the world. Is that too much to ask?

Broke Knitter

Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentine's Day Celebration

Love is in the Air. Cupid has shot his arrow straight into my rear end. However, this year I am not only celebrating my wonderful love for Randy, the most wonderful man in the world, but also for knitting.

My Salute to Knitting!!!!!

Knitting keeps me warm when I am cold.
Knitting keeps my hands busy so I don't eat.
Knitting gives me the ability to design, create and embellish.
Knitting allows me to be creative.
Knitting allows me to show my love in a tangible way.
Knitting allows me to keep a piece of my heritage alive.
Knitting allows me to clothe those who need clothing.
Knitting allows me to shape new ways of thinking.

This Valentine's Day salute your other loves in life. I know I certainly spoiled myself today when I finished my beautiful RED (how appropriate!) shrug from the Nicky Knits collection.

Until Next Time...
Still in Love
Broke Knitter

Friday, February 11, 2011

Luke...You Must Go to the Degobah System

So as my title implies, this Young Padawan is heading home for the weekend to the land of her fore-knitters. I am very excited to travel to the Degobah System where I can spend time practicing with the jedi-knitting greats.

Okay, sorry for all those of you who don't get the Star Wars references. When my grandmother became very ill due to rheumatoid arthritis she became very very frail. Since she was the master knitter, I started calling her Yoda as a joke. It was a personal favorite in our house. Then I started to call my mother Obi-Wan. I like to think of myself as a young Luke Skywalker, still learning the ways of the force. My brother, of course, makes the joke that I could be Darth Vader. Only time will tell.

Sorry for the digression and I am sure (and hopeful) that many of you are giggling at my silliness. But can you tell how excited I am to go home and see my Mama?! I am sure that I will have great tales of wandering skeins when I return on Monday.

Yoda now calls me home - "Learn and travel, you must."

Until Next Time..
Have a WONDERFUL weekend
Broke Knitter

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Cool Cat

Wow, so I have gone a shockingly long amount of time without revealing how much of a "knitter" I am. You heard it here today, the Broke Knitter has a cat. Of course she does. Can I be any more stereotypical? I guess I have realized that I enjoy a nice cup of tea, my knitting and my kitty cat and there is nothing wrong with that. I might as well embrace who I am, it's not like I am trying to impress anyone.

Anyways, I needed to share with all of you this photo from this morning. My cat, Pickle, is probably the most stereotypical cat on the face of the Earth. He enjoys pets and treats, but honestly, he really could care less if I disappeared. He is such a disengaged cat. He is also the King of the Castle. Our bedroom is his domain. Many days I come home to find Pickle sprawled out on the bed, snuggled into my pillows and even sometimes under the blankets like a little cherub. However, Pickle is also a major bed hog. Here is what I woke up to this morning. P.S. the purple pillow is my pillow.

Is this a cat or what? I am so sorry I was intruding on your space this morning Mr. Pickle.

Having worked at an animal shelter in the past, I know that Pickle is not the only cat who thinks that his Mom and Dad live only to take care of him. Please feel free to share your personal cat and dog stories.

I leave you for the day with my all time favorite animal saying, "Dogs have masters. Cats have staff."

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Cowl is the New Pink

Living in NYC, especially during one of the coldest winters on record, I have become fascinated with people's "cold weather" garments and accessories. Whether it is hats, mittens, shawls, wraps, scarves, etc. You name it and I love it! I have become obsessed with trying to figure out if things are hand made or not while sitting on the subway or the bus. It is amazing to me how often I am seeing more hand made items. I think it is definitely a trend that is increasing.

One thing I have noticed above all else, is New Yorkers fascination with cowls. They really are the hippest thing to have this winter season. Now, trust me, I am by no means a fashion expert, but cowls are EVERYWHERE this winter. Maybe it's because this is my first winter commuting into the city by public transport, but I think that cowls are really on the rise.

Young and old, male and female, rich and poor. Everybody is wearing cowls. So, of course, this has prompted me to start a new bulky cowl of my own. Check out my Ravelry page (YoungPadawan) and check out the progress of my Baby Alpaca Chunky Cowl. It's a free pattern download! I link to it right on the project page.

Until Next Time..
Stay Warm
Broke Knitter

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Danger Will Robinson...Danger!

The last few days have been quite quite trying. I am using all of my favorite readers to help me circumvent some of the stress. Abby, our beloved 1 year old terrier "puppy" decided she wanted to get very very sick. I am talking gross sick. Let me tell you, I used to work in an animal shelter. I saw some of the most disgusting medical things I could imagine, but this was nasty. Anytime the word puss can be used then you know you have a problem.

I have now scrubbed my apartment like I have never scrubbed before. Needless to say, I was very hesitant to pick up my knitting and weave little Abby germs into my delectable fibers. Need a knitting fix big time!

Until Next Time...
Hopefully with more knitting time under my belt...
Broke Knitter

Friday, February 4, 2011

Knitting Under Duress

Does anybody ever feel like you get in a little over your head with your projects? I hope that some of you are raising your hands, because I don't want to feel like I am in this one all alone.

When I attended the Vogue Knitting Live conference, I was blown away with how much I could absorb. And while I was still pretty tame in the marketplace, I was definitely a little "eager" to get started on my projects.  I guess my biggest issue is boredom. One side of me is extremely organized, and, what most people would say is anal retentive. The other half of me is loving the creative process and wants to flit from project to project.

I am now feeling very torn about what I should do? I think that I am going to finish the two open projects I have before I pick anything else up. Then I will reevaluate. Does anybody have any advice?

Broke Knitter

Thursday, February 3, 2011

I love babies. Who doesn't? Those cute little smiles, peach-fuzz hair..Oh they are wonderful! But seriously people, stop having them all so close together.

Over the past year my life has experienced a dramatic influx of babies. Whether it's friend, family members, family friends, you name it! So, that being said I have to admit one of my biggest pet peeves with being known as a knitter - Becoming the "gift" knitter. Everyone I know asks me, "My so-and-so just had a baby can you make me a sweater? A hat?" All that good stuff...And you know that of course they pass the gifts off as their own...no credit to your truly!

As much as I love cute little hats and sweaters, I am very very sick of baby knits. I have now taken a stance against baby knits for the next few months. No more baby knits for six months.

Broke Knitter

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Salute Your Shorts

For those of you who were raised in the 90's, I hope you enjoyed my throwback reference to a great 90's Nickelodeon show.

Today, I wanted to spend a few minutes sharing with you some of my favorite knitted pieces I have seen on Ravelry so far. I have to admit, I am quite addicted to the site and I am always logged in. I might not look at it all day but I definitely page through it during a few minutes of down time. Ravelry has become an inspiration for me, I always find something new and fun.

Here are some of the greatest things I have found on Ravelry.



This is Catherine's "Tempting Cables" sweater. I think it is just amazing! (If you haven't figured it out by now, I am CRAZY for cables)
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Catherine/tempting






This is Suvi Simola's "Baby Cables and Big Ones Too."
Published in  50 villapeikkoa it is just so elegant.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-cables-and-big-ones-too







Lastly, this ADORABLE little girl knit is the "Oriental Lily" from Georgie Hallam. This pattern is available as a free Ravelry download. YAY!
Look out Caileigh, you have a new outfit on the way.







Does anybody else have any special patterns they find they cannot help but just adore?! Send them my way. Feel free to comment.

Until Next Time...
Broke Knitter

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Spread the Love....

Coming from college in Upstate, New York, I figured that the worst of my snow experiences we over. That is until I learned how messy snow can be in NYC. I cannot believe how much snow we have had here lately. Now, don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed sipping tea with my knitting and some good quality talk shows during our two snow days so far, but enough slush!

One thing I have to say about living in this cold weather, it has really only acted as a catalyst for my knitting passion. What better reason to knit than to keep your friends and loved ones warm on a cold day?!

That's why today, when everyone in New York City is grumbling about snow and slush and ice I am saying take stock of all that we have. While I call myself the Broke Knitter, I am so fortunate that I have a coat and mittens to keep me warm this winter time.

I am urging everyone to knit something for charity in the month of February. It's a month of coldness, but also the month of love. With Valentine's Day right around the corner, show humanity some love. Knit a hat, a scarf or mittens to be donated to a local group. I promise you wont feel so dreary thinking about a child in need warmed not only by your yarn, but also by your love.

Broke Knitter