Monday, November 28, 2011

Wedding Fever!

For those of you looking for a knitting post today, I must admit you will be a little disappointed. But Broke Knitter has BIG news! I BOUGHT MY WEDDING DRESS!

Sunday afternoon I trekked out to the bridal salon with my mother and sister (also my Maid of Honor) in tow. I tried on several gowns and thought I had found the perfect one until my bridal consultant, and new favorite person in the world, Jessica, suggested I try on a gown that was a bit unlike anything I had described looking for.

Well, when I came out of the dressing room and saw myself in the mirror I just knew! It was so beautiful and I didn't want to take it off. To cap the whole experience off, Jessica put on the matching veil and blusher and I knew it was all over! I teared up and so did Mom.

Shopping for a wedding dress is by far the most fun and emotional experience I have ever had while shopping. As a newly engaged (and also newly slimmed-down) woman you panic about everything at your wedding being perfect. Now I know that with the perfect man, and the perfect dress, that all will be well.

I promise to update you all on knitting stuff tomorrow. I had a great day with my new knitters and their projects are coming out great!

Until Next Time,
Here Comes the Bride!
Broke Knitter

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Want to Go To Vogue Knitting Live for Free?!

Hey Ladies,
I know I am double posting and it's probably freaking you out. Anyways, I just wanted to pass along this great information that was just sent along from the group at Vogue Knitting.

For those of you looking for a cheaper way to get into the conference, Vogue Knitting is looking for volunteers. For volunteering you will receive:
     1. A choice of a discounted class or FREE lecture
     2. A $25 gift certificate to vogueknitting.com
     3. Vogue Knitting Live Volunteer T-shirt
     4. A non-transferable two-day marketplace ticket
     5. An advance copy of Knitting with The Color Guys by Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably

PRETTY SWEET DEAL IF YOU ASK ME! Anyone who is interested please visit: http://www.vogueknittinglive.com/system/files/VKL_Become_Volunteer.pdf

Vogue Knitting Live promises to be a spectacular event. Good luck volunteering!

Broke Knitter

Little Babies Taking Wing!

I had one of the sweetest and most joyful knitting experiences occur yesterday. We had a meeting of our bi-weekly "Knit for a Cause" and one of the girls was SUPER excited because she finished her scarf. She laid her scarf out on the table as lovingly as a mother displaying her newborn child. I was so excited for her!

Now I will say the first 1/3 needed some repair work but the other 2/3 had me glowing with pride! You could see how she was understanding how the process works and even looking out for her common mistakes. I was so proud and I know that she is super excited to donate the scarf to a NYC woman in need.

I am bringing my camera to our next group meeting which is Monday after the holiday so check back to see some of the fabulous work of my new Knitters-In-Training!

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Thursday, November 17, 2011

NYC Manners

One thing that I find very interesting about New York City is every individuals ability to ignore their surroundings and  phase out everything around. I guess with all the crazy homeless people yelling at people (or themselves) on subway platform or loud vocal fights on subway cars you have to tune it out. This phenomenon really seems to dissolve, however, when I take out my knitting on the bus or subway. People all around start to stare and many times people ask what I am making, how I learned to knit, etc.

Today, however, I encountered a "stranger-danger" knitting related experience unlike anything ever before. While standing on the subway platform waiting for the E train a woman came up next to me and proceeded to stare at my moving fingers. That was not surprising on its own, but she then started with this, "You know, you're not doing it right."

I was shocked. While I know that there are many different styles of knitting and that everyone kind of looks a bit different while doing it, I was SHOCKED! But the story doesn't end there. She then sidled up RIGHT next to me and insisted on showing me the "right way" to knit. I could not believe it!

You would have been so proud of me too! I didn't come back with a nasty comment or rude gesture, I just thanked the woman for her interest and declined her offer. Moving away slowly I could feel the daggers she was staring in my back. It was the first time on a New York City subway platform that I was actually worried about being attacked.

Weird dude, weird!

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Thursday, November 10, 2011

NYC - My Home Sweet Home!

For some reason as I walked to streets of the Upper East Side this morning on my way to work I couldn't help but think about how much I love living in the Big Apple. Everywhere you look there is something new and exciting to see. You see things you would never see anywhere else, like a homeless man with a shopping cart to hold his adorable orange kittens (and yes, that is a true story!).

New York City's hustle and bustle never ceases to amaze me. During the normal week the subway stations are so jam packed with people who all move in this amazing blob but never seeming to really step on each other's toes or bump into one another. It amazes me!

I guess over the past two and a half years the things about NYC that amazes me the most is how I have changed and grown. When I first moved to Queens the thought of living in Manhattan was out of the question. The loud streets, the constant crowds and grime just turned me off. However, not I cannot get enough of it.

It's weird to think of myself as the little Boston girl now. While I will never let my love for the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins or Celtics die I have to admit that the New York City girl that sits here typing away at her computer is here to stay.

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter in NYC

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Broke Knitter a Teacher?!

I know my mother will be shocked to hear it but Broke Knitter actually helped lead a beginner's knitting class today! I KNOW! It's amazing and you are not going to believe it but I had the patience to do it!

A new off-shoot from the Community Service club has started at the institution where I work. A group of female students wanted to learn how to knit so that they could make some items for charity knitting. How could I say no when they offered to supply the yarn! Well, I jumped right on this opportunity to do some free knitting and I actually had a WONDERFUL time today teaching a few students how to cast on and knit their first row.

We are starting with just garter stitch scarves, a good starting point. I am going to use this opportunity to try some of the cable patterns in the back of my Melissa Leapman "Cables Untangled."

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Knitting Literature

While I feel like time is flying by at work, it seems as though January and Vogue Knitting Live is SLOWLY CREEPING up! I want the conference now!

Last year I really went all out buy new and interesting projects. This year I am forcing myself to relax a little bit and remember that there is only so much of a stash you can have in a 1 bedroom apartment in NYC (or at least that is what Randy keeps telling me!). This year I am hoping to pick up some new books. I would love for some suggestions on neat knitting books whether its a pattern book, a book about fibers or even fiction and literature.

Please pass along any suggestions!!

Until Next Time,
Broke (and bookworm-y) Knitter

Monday, November 7, 2011

Christmas Time Already!

It's November 7th, and while I prepared WAY in advance my to-be-knit Christmas presents I cannot believe that I have actually not started really any of them! HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

I have 3 projects to do this pre-holiday season. Does anybody else feel like me? Like even though you prepared you don't know how the time got away from you? Well, the time crunch is not going to slow this knitter down. Short time be damned, Broke Knitter will accomplish her Christmas goodies. Who is with me?

Broke Knitter
A.K.A. The soon to be crazy Christmas Elf

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Broke Knitter's Big News!

I must apologize to my readers for not getting back to blogging sooner but I have been slammed lately. But, unlike most of my other blogging absences, this is for reasons much more fun and exciting.

I AM ENGAGED! Yes, finally, after six wonderful years Randy got up the nerve to propose on our anniversary trip to Walt Disney World. It was wonderfully romantic and perfectly sweet.


My Beautiful Engagement Ring
The Leo Diamond from Kay Jewelers

Now the real fun begins! Wedding plans are, of course, coming very slowly and bit stressful but I know that everything will be spectacular and beautiful. We are planning our big day for Boston, MA where I originally grew up. It will be a huge extravaganza and I cannot wait to see so many of my family and friends together in one place!

Anyways, I am now getting super excited for Vogue Knitting Live weekend! It will be marvelous to once again share the experience with my mother as well as our very good friend Diane (who will just be recovering from surgery). I hope we can find some retail therapy to help Diane feel better!

Until Next Time,
Broke - but Diamond-studded - Knitter