Wednesday, December 11, 2013

A New "Project"

Sorry I have been MIA for a while - but I promise it is for a good reason. As I have mentioned many times before, my grandmother, Anne Robinson, was a huge influence in my life. She could always be found with knitting needles in her hands and a smile on her face. It has been four years since she passed away from her battle with Lymphoma but I still think about her every day.

I am training for a half marathon this April 27th and raising funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as a participant in their Team In Training program and I'm asking you to help by making a donation to my fundraising campaign. These 13.1 miles, in her memory, will commemorate a huge accomplishment for me and will greatly enhance the abilities of LLS.
  
Please take a moment to visit my page. I am chronicling my training program and will also share stories I hear along the way. While you are there, please take a minute to make a quick and secure online donation toward my efforts. You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation.
  
  http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/nj14/jpalmedo

Each donation helps accelerate finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Nearly 958,000 Americans are battling these blood cancers.  I am hoping that my participation in Team In Training will help bring them hope and support.

Additionally, I am happy to include the name of any family, friend, or loved one on my singlet on race day in their honor or memory at your request.
 

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

VIP REGISTRATION!!!

I woke up to a WONDERFUL surprise this morning - my VIP registration email for New York City's Vogue Knitting Live. Who is excited?! This guy!

I am currently perusing the class schedule and picking out classes. I will register by tonight!!!!

Who else is looking at classes? What is popping out to you?

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Friday, August 30, 2013

Rain Rain Come My Way

Were any other New Yorkers a little bit excited to see that the Labor Day holiday weekend was going to be a wash out?! I certainly was!

For those of you who do not know, Randy and I have been traveling every single weekend this summer. While we have been at weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, bachelorette parties and clam bakes my knitting stash has been sitting in a corner of our apartment. I think my stash is starting to feel neglected!

With three days of rain and storms headed toward the Big Apple I am looking forward to hunkering down in my apartment with my amazing husband while enjoying some wine, movies and knitting (though preferably not in that order!).

Wishing everyone a wonderful and safe holiday weekend!

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Rock-a-Bye Baby

Do you ever find yourself lost in the fabric of a project you are working on? Or maybe your mind drifts off whenever you pick up a certain UFO?

This has happened to me as I have begun my baby bunting for Baby O'Neill. I do not know what it is about this project but I keep finding my mind wandering to thinking about who this little girl will be when she is born. What will she look like? What will she like to do for fun? Will she have her mother's brilliant blonde hair or her father's blue eyes?

Baby O'Neill will be the first baby born to a college friend. I guess I am having some sort of weird moment when I think about her arrival - we are getting old! It is weird to think of how many baby projects I will be working on in the near future!

Does this happen to anyone else? Please share.

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Baby Explosion!

I guess I am getting to that age but I cannot believe the sudden appearance of so many pregnant woman around me! So many of my friends and colleagues are announcing their due dates every week and I, for one, cannot believe that I am old enough for this to be happening to me!

With all of these babies on the way I am going to have to pull out some books on baby knits. Any suggestions for baby knitted gifts? I am really sick of giving everyone a baby blanket. I am thinking maybe some toys, snugglies and maybe some cute costume type outfits.

Any suggestions?

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Monday, August 26, 2013

Now You See Me - Now You Don't

How is it Labor Day Weekend already?! And how has Broke Knitter been MIBA (missing in blogging action) for so long! I cannot believe how quickly this summer has flown by. Randy and I have been traveling every weekend since Memorial Day and I cannot even explain to you how messy our apartment is.

But never fear, even though my blogging has been negligent my knitting has, of course, been active! I have just begun on a beautiful baby project for my friend Ariel. Her daughter is due to arrive in October and I thought a Mom on the Go could use a cute car seat baby bunting. I am just starting this project and I cannot wait to see how it comes out!

Pattern and Photo Courtesy of Design by Louise
Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

NYC Sleepover!

Randy and I have our first official house guests since we moved to Manhattan! My younger sister and her boyfriend arrived in town on Monday and are staying until tomorrow. It has been SO AMAZING spending a few days with my sister.

To top it all off, Randy and I had dinner on Sunday night with my younger brother and his girlfriend. I cannot believe I get to see both my siblings in NYC this week!

With everything going on in Boston it is the perfect week to be surrounded by family!

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Knowing How to Knit vs. Being A Knitter

It is funny how when you meet someone who knits you can quickly and easily place them into one of two categories:

   1.) A person who know how to/can knit
   2.) A Knitter

Someone who knows how to knit will ask you what you are making and tell you a story about how their grandmother or mother or aunt used to knit for the family when he/she was a child. They will usually tell you the treasured handmade item that they still have from that person as well. Lastly, they are super excited to tell you that they know how to knit.

A Knitter - notice the capital K - is VERY different. A Knitter is rarely seen without one of their own handmade pieces. A Knitter has a stash that has displaced a family member or friend in their home. When someone becomes a Knitter the identity becomes very overwhelming.

A picture of my favorite Knitter - My Mama


Send me a photo of your favorite Knitter!

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Monday, April 8, 2013

Marital Bliss!

Randy and I experienced our first weekend post-wedding/post-honeymoon this weekend. Saturday morning began with me wondering what I should be doing. It took me until about noon to realize the answer = NOTHING! It was amazing! Just spending time by ourselves with the ability to do whatever we want to do is a rather novel idea. It is pretty much marital bliss!

So, you may ask, what did Randy and I do with our new-found freedom? We watched a bunch of episodes of HBO's Game of Thrones. AMAZING show! I think I have found my new television obsession! We also took a long beautiful walk on Sunday with our dog, Abby. While she is still having a hard time getting used to the chaos of a Manhattan dog park, I think she enjoyed the time outside.

SPRING IS HERE! ENJOY IT!

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Notes or Knitting?

BrokeKnitter is sad to report that she officially feels as though she has rejoined the rest of the world and her honeymoon is over - sad face! This readjustment has also brought with it sudden pangs of guilt when I realize that I have yet to start the plethora of thank you notes that Randy and I have to write to our generous wedding guests. Last night's excuse - dinner with my best friend Meggles. Tuesday night's excuse - fixing that wrong row in my scarf pattern.

Tonight's big question - Notes or Knitting?

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

In Like a Lion - Out Like a Lamb!

Well March of 2013 definitely held up to its saying - in like a lion, out like a lamb. It was amazing to see how cold, dreary and snowy the beginning of the month was compared to the sunshine and cheery dispositions of NYC inhabitants at the end of the month.

Any good ideas for spring knitting projects?

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Practicality vs. Fun

When it comes to knitting I am always battling a line between being practical and having fun. Take for example my current project - a lace set of fingerless gloves and scarf. I bought the project after having taken a lace knitting course in my first year at Vogue Knitting Live so that I could reinforce what I learned about chart reading and lace work (well I had to reteach some of those skills in the two years since I bought the project....whoops!). Anyways, I am really happy with how beautiful the yarn is in this deep forest green color made by  Kramer, but I am starting to realize it is a really impractical project. When am I going to need lace weight fingerless gloves and a scarf?

So here is the big question, how much of knitting is for practicality's sake and how much is for the fun and joy of it? Now I know that most avid knitters would say that knitting is an addiction, a way of life, and so the projects are much more for the fun of learning a new technique or mastering a difficult pattern. However, for those of us in the low budgeted world of knitting, how much of our knitting passion can be invested in purely fun, decorative, and sometimes, impractical projects?

This is becoming quite a conundrum for me as a knitter. I think the best way for me to solve this problem is to make more money! Well, I don't think that is going to happen overnight. Until that happens I guess I will constantly be a bit between a rock and a hard place with this question. Then again, if this is a conundrum in my life, I guess I have to say things are going really well.

Does anyone have thoughts on the issue of practicality vs. fun when you are picking a new knitting project?

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Monday, April 1, 2013

A Victor Returned!

She did it! BrokeKnitter and Randy tied the knot on Saturday, March 16, 2013! I cannot believe the day went by so quickly! It was a beautiful day and this post-bride could not be more happy with how everything went. Thank you so much to all of you who helped coax me though this hectic time.

BrokeKnitter celebrates marrying the man of her dreams!
Now that I have some free time I have already picked up my bag of UFOs and hit the bricks. Lace work decorative scarf here I come!

Until Next Time,
Mrs. BrokeKnitter In NYC

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

17 Days and Counting...

I am sorry for those of you who have been checking back here for updates on a regular basis. Unfortunately knitting has taken a major back seat in my life right now with only 17 DAYS UNTIL MY WEDDING!

I must admit that while I miss the stress relieving properties of a good knitting project, my UFOs will have to wait until April for some TLC.

Randy and I are almost ready for the big day and even more excited to enjoy some much needed vacation time in the Dominican Republic.

Does anyone have last minute wedding advice to share? Ways to de-stress?

Until Next Time,
Broke Bride


Friday, February 8, 2013

Bring It On Nemo!

As most of my fellow New Yorkers are running around in a panic over milk and eggs, Broke Knitter is so excited for this beautiful winter wonderland outside. As Nemo approaches I am just get happier and happier.

by Eleanor Swogger 
courtesy of Broke Knitter on Ravelry
Randy and I canceled out trip to Boston this week - obviously! - and we could both really use a wedding-free relaxing weekend. But what makes me most excited is the prospect of being locked inside with some cocoa and some knitting. I have started on a beautiful lace scarf to match my lace fingerless gloves made in a fruitful forest green yarn from Kraemer Yarns. I cannot wait to wear this beautiful scarf over a blouse in my office next week.

I am also so excited for my inaugural meeting with the Big Apple Knitting Guild! I am so happy to have joined a group of knitters here in NYC. They have already been so welcoming. I cannot wait to see what fun projects they are working on!

In all the craziness of this storm please don't forget to take a moment to slow down and relax a  bit. Snuggle up with someone you love and watch a good movie. Or order a pizza and pig out for a bit. Take some you time. Thank you Nemo!

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Bridezilla

Oh no! I think it is happening. This must be how Bruce Banner feels when he fights the urge to turn into the Hulk. Wedding planning sure is stressful! Now add in not have running water for a few days, plumbers ripping your walls apart and a Nor'easter on its way to the Big Apple.

Help Me!

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Friday, February 1, 2013

February Showers?

I made it through my cray-cray week at work and I am so excited to leave work tonight and head to Boston for my bridal shower. I cannot wait to have all of my favorite people that I love so much in one room at the same time. With all of the stress of wedding planning you really realize who your friends are. I am constantly surrounded by amazing family and friends who are more than eager to help Randy and I celebrate the big day.

Pictures to come! Broke Knitter with a silly bow bouquet.

Until Next Time,
Here Comes the Bride....in 43 days!
Broke Knitter

Thursday, January 31, 2013

The Tipping Point

Sorry that today's post is going to seem short and a bit scatter brained. I have been working 12-13 work days for the past two weeks now along with traveling back and forth to Boston every weekend for wedding planning. Needless to say, Broke Knitter is about to crack! I knew I had reached the tipping point when I was looking at funny Disney gifs on the bus this morning. HELP!

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Yarn vs. Wine

It's a debate as old as the ages - like which came first? The chicken or the egg? How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? - which is a better cap to a bad day? A glass of wine or some knitting?

I know this is a struggle that many of us (no, maybe it's just me?) go through every once and a while when work, personal life and commuting gets to be very stressful. With just 45 days until Randy and I tie the knot the pressure is building. Throw in the fact that I haven't been home from work before 10 pm in two weeks with no end in sight and you have all the makings for a toxic ulcer.

However, I have found the cure. It isn't yarn vs. wine - it is yarn + wine. Now of course this has to be done in moderation. Too much wine and your knitting project takes a nose dive. Too much yarn and you wind up crawling under furniture when you pull your ball for more yarn and it goes flying across the room. What you need to do to make this a perfect combination is work on an easy project - like a garter stitch hat in the round or a long and simple scarf.

It's like they always say - when life hands you grapes, make wine! Hehe

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Here Comes the Stress...I Mean Bride

With just 46 days until the wedding, I am starting to get a little bit stressed. Well, that is putting it lightly - I am super stressed! I feel like a huge big ball of nerves. Between correspondence with vendors, friends wanting to bring guests, numbers, finances, budget, it is all a blur!

But it isn't all stress. I had my first dress fitting last Saturday and it was AMAZING! I went with my mother, my sister (my Maid of Honor), and my brother's long time girlfriend (who is a bridesmaid and will be a future sister-in-law, I just know it). We all had our dresses on for the wedding together and I was so amazed at how beautiful everyone looked. My vision is finally coming together. Not everything is so up in the air now.

I was very nervous for my fitting since I haven't put the dress on in over a year. The moment I saw myself in the dress though all of my fears disappeared. I love my dress more now than the day I bought it. Now time to hit the gym!

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Monday, January 28, 2013

Dollar Dollar Bills

The long wait is over! Time to talk about the Vogue Knitting Live New York City Marketplace. While this is by far one of the biggest draws for me to attend the conference, I must admit that I was very tame in the marketplace this year. I think that was mainly because I was so disappointed this year.

I mean no disrespect at all to the vendors. Each and every vendor had beautiful displays and was wonderfully helpful. However, the venue had the marketplace set up to fail.

I never minded the split level marketplace at the Hilton, but at the Marriott it just did not work out. You had to completely leave one floor's marketplace to reach the second floor. I found that very annoying. Also, the marketplace was WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY too small and narrow. In case you didn't catch my point, the marketplace was frighteningly small. I had to leave several times because I was so claustrophobic I was panicky.

I think my last major disappointment with the marketplace is that Vogue Knitting still has not figured out the timing right. If you are attending the conference in the package you have barely anytime to shop! The marketplace should be open for the preview hours the night before the conference begins when you can pick up your registration materials (i.e., Thursday of this year). It should then be open ALL DAY on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Who is with me?

I would love to hear your thoughts about the marketplace this year. Tomorrow's news - Broke Knitter had her first wedding dress fitting and a bit about the upcoming nuptials in 47 days!

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Friday, January 25, 2013

A Gala-Galore

I promise I will get to my comments about the marketplace, but I have to keep you guys wanting more right? Today I want to talk about the cocktail party and gala dinner at last weekend's Vogue Knitting Live.

I enjoyed this year's cocktail party much more than last year. While the venue was beautiful last year the whole process of getting on the bus and then having to wait in the lobby for a half hour before the venue opened was a pain in the behind! This year it was so lovely to simply take the elevator down a few floors. I really liked the large open layout and especially loved finding the small side room with tables and chairs to rest. I thought the food was splendid and the drinks were flowing. People really seemed to be enjoying themselves. It was also great to have some time to speak one-on-one with the teachers. It still amazes me how the celebrities, the Kniteratti, will mingle with us pleebs. I loved spending time chatting with Rosemary Drysdale about our class - boy is she a riot! The one thing that bummed me out was the silent auction and sweater auction. For starters, the sweaters were beautiful but they were displayed so far in the back of the room that I didn't see them until the party was almost over. Also, I know that the money was for a great cause but I think after spending hundreds on the conference people did not want to spend $350 on a sweater that they have the pattern for. The silent auction this year was a bit of a let down as well. Last year's auction had some really unique items like collectibles, signed book collections and artwork. I think this year the baskets were a bit of an easy way out. I was disappointed by that.

I am still not exactly sure how I felt about the gala dinner. For starters, the wait staff was incredibly rude! If you put your fork down for half a second they were sweeping up your plate and bringing the next course. I felt like I was in some sort of speed eating competition. I also was very disappointed by the keynote speaker, Karen Allen. I enjoyed the beginning of her presentation where she talked about how she fell in love with knitting but then she spent over a half hour talking about machine knitting. I am not trying to put anyone down who is a machine knitter but I just felt that the majority of the room was very let down by her emphasis on the machine knitting. I know a lot of people were also very disappointed by the fashion show winner. I was rather indifferent about that. I did really like the handsome gentleman representative from Zealana. A nice looking Kiwi if I may say so! The best part of the gala dinner for me was sitting with Jean Moss and her son. She had our whole table wearing the silly orange paper glasses from the goody bags all night. As you saw from the photos, we looked ridiculous! The funniest part about that was a woman at my table went outside after the dinner to have a cigarette and totally forgot to take them off! To make that better, she was wearing the paper glasses over her real glasses. Boy did we look like crazies in Times Square!

Who else had thoughts on these two events? I would love to hear your thoughts!!

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Is It Just Yarn Ladies?

It's over. Go home! It's over!

Anybody else in the post-Vogue Knitting Live blues state? I can tell you that I certainly am! It is always such a bummer when the conference ends and the high wears off. Another year until the next one? I cannot wait!

Today I wanted to talk about the add-ons for the weekend but I have to spend some time talking about a lecture I attended that really opened my eyes this past weekend. I have to admit, I skipped many of the lectures to spend time with family in the marketplace. However, I could not skip John Brinegar's lecture "It's Just Yarn Ladies." But after the class I left thinking, is it just yarn? Isn't it so much more than just yarn?

I took a class with John last year and he made me laugh so hard. He is such an amazing teacher. I know that I have been guilty of having my shoulders pushed down by John in a class. I need to relax more! This lecture was hilarious! John had knitters go around the room and share embarrassing knitting stories like how you hide your stash.

I loved that John told his horror stories from working in a knitting shop when customers would come in needing help and just being very upset. My mother, Diane and I were in stitches (haha...like my pun here?). I know that a lot of times when I get frustrated with my knitting I get totally irrational.

The best part of the lecture for me was when John asked people to raise their hands if they were 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th generation knitters. I was amazed at how many were 4th generation knitters. As a 4th generation knitter myself I find that knitting is not only a great hobby but a way of life. A way of learning and connecting with the wonderful women in my family who came before me.

With my wedding coming up in just a few weeks I often find myself thinking about my grandmother who passed away in November of 2009. She was such an inspiration and role model for me growing up. I cannot remember her without a pair of knitting needles in her hand. I think I have mentioned before that we have home videos of me at a year old with two knitting needles and a ball of yarn in my lap and I am just smacking the needles at the yarn because my grandmother was asking me to show her how I knit. Not having her there in person on my wedding day will be very hard, but I know that she will be there in spirit. Spending time knitting when I am stressed with wedding planning reminds me that my wedding is just one day - the knitting, the family, and the memories will last a lifetime. I am so fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful family who celebrates such a great tradition to pass down from generation to generation - knitting.

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

VKL: The Classroom Experience

As promised, today I wanted to share my thoughts on my classes from the weekend. I enjoyed my classes so much this year - much more so than in years past. I think the biggest difference for me this year was I really challenged myself and took classes outside of my normal realm of interest and knowledge. If I am going to pay a lot of money for this conference, I might as well get new things out of it.

Here is a breakdown of my classes:

1. Beyond Entrelac with Rosemary Drysdale
I took Entrelac with Rosemary at Vogue Knitting Live New York last year and I really enjoyed the class. I was really interested by how unique and different the yarn worked up from last year's class so I decided to take a second level course this year. In this year's class we learned how to work more intricate patterns into your Entrelac, like ribbing or cables.

This class was the perfect way to start my weekend. It was very very challenging trying to refresh my memory from last year and incorporate the new material. I will honestly say that I made MANY mistakes during this class BUT I learned so much! Rosemary and I were talking during the cocktail party after class about the material and she told me that she purposefully puts some challenging and deceptive pieces into the material and chart so that we have to learn from our mistakes. This was so wonderful for me personally. I feel that having learned from such accomplished knitters I have spent a lot of my knitting "career" just following a pattern or chart and when I need help, Mom fixes it. I need to learn more about the process of knitting, the mechanics, and that learning from your mistakes is often more important than the ability to straight read a pattern or chart.

2. Two Color Double Knitting with Melissa Leapman
Anyone who follows my blog knows that I am quite a Melissa Leapman fan. I have made it a goal to take a class with her every Vogue Knitting Live and I have never been disappointed. This class was especially great for me because it combined my love for Melissa with a new and challenging course. I LOVED this class. It was so much fun to work on something completely new but that you see the effects of the pattern-work immediately. The only thing that bummed me out was that Melissa sold out of her book "Mastering Color Knitting" before I could buy a copy and have her sign it! Sad face!

3. Icelandic Chevron Mitten with Ragga Eiríksdóttir
The Icelandic Chevron Mitten class was the one I was most intimidated by. I do not know why I was but maybe the combination of the instructor's name with the fact that I knew I would be knitting a mock little mitten on dpn's did it for me. (Just a side note, I HATE knitting on dpns because I feel like I am always one odd move away from impaling myself or losing an eyeball). However, I was VERY happy with this class.

Ragga is such an interesting woman. She made me laugh so much during this class. There were so many great aspects to this class but I think the part that really sold it for me was Ragga's incorporation of the Icelandic culture into this learning experience. First things first, Ragga asked us to purchase Einband, a traditional Icelandic yarn for the project. It had such a different feel and (I know my mother is going to love this comment), the most amazing natural smell. Once we got going on our mittens, Ragga then started playing Icelandic music and showed us a slide show of images she has taken while on knitting tours throughout the country. This was such a neat experience. I do not know much about Iceland at all so I LOVED getting to learn a bit about knitting and about the Icelandic culture as well. Sign me up for an Icelandic knitting tour!

4. 10 Things Your Mother Never Taught You with Candace Eisner Strick
The last class that I took on Sunday morning was with Candace Eisner Strick. My mother has been telling me for years that I have to take a course with her. Candace was A RIOT! I was dying laughing all class. This was a very good nuts and bolts type of course and I think it is important to take one of these every lecture. While I did not learn as much in the ways of knitting techniques, I did greatly enjoy spending time with Candace. I will never forget, for as long as I live, how to do a double decrease because of her jokes.

All in all, I really enjoyed my classes this year. I am happy to say that I think I am learning more and more every day that I knit.

Tomorrow we talk about the extras - the cocktail party, gala dinner and the lectures! Please share your comments with me about what you liked or didn't like about your classes!

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Coming Down From the Clouds

I apologize I have not been on here sooner to blog about Vogue Knitting Live New York City but I have just been so tired! The high from this three day event is amazing, but boy does it wear you out! Like the past two years, I am going to spend a few days debriefing you all on the conference and today I would like to talk about the venue: The Marriott Marquis in Times Square.

I had very mixed feelings about this year's venue. My favorite part of this was that all of the classrooms, and parties and celebrations took place inside the hotel. This was a vast improvement since last year's cocktail party was off-site and took forever to travel to via bus.  I enjoyed the classrooms more in this venue as well and I liked that the knitters had taken over! The knitters lounge area was nice and large, however the lighting was TERRIBLE.

I do have one major complaint about the new venue - the marketplace. It was WAY too narrow and way too crowded. I actually had to leave the marketplace twice because I was starting to have a panic attack I felt so claustrophobic. I know I am not the only person who felt this way and I am sure it negatively impacted the vendors sales throughout the weekend.

Who else had thoughts on the venue? Tomorrow I talk about my classes!

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Gala Dinner

More to come tomorrow but here are a few quick photos of Broke Knitter, Mama and Ms. D enjoying our gala goodie bags!



Cocktails in Paradise

Last night's VKL cocktail party topped the last two years by far. Year one I felt like 500 women were chasing around one tray of appetizers. Year two's party was beautiful but the long bus trip and waiting outside was excruciating.

I had a wonderful time chatting with Rosemary Drysdale, especially after having spent so much time and effort in her Beyond Entrelac class. That class was wonderfully challenging but at the end I had experienced a great brain workout. Rosemary is so funny and I really enjoyed getting to know her.

I also enjoyed getting to talk with Carol Sulcoski who I took "Yarn Substitution Made Easy." That is by far the best class I have ever taken and I pull out the notes from that class all the time! I think it important to remember the nuts and bolts no matter how experienced you are.

Day 2 has me rearing to go!

Until Next Time!
Broke Knitter

Friday, January 18, 2013

Class #1

First class begins - Beyond Entrelac with Rosemary Drysdale! Lets see how it goes!

And So It Begins....

Stay tuned this weekend for live updates from Vogue Knitting Live New York. I will be uploading photos, comments, and maybe even a few quotes from notable Knitteratti members! I am so looking forward to my lecture at noon!!

Until Next Time.
Broke Knitter

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Packed - Sort Of

With Mom on her way to the Big Apple and only hours away from registration for Vogue Knitting Live, Broke Knitter is getting a little bit worried. Let's just say the mounds and mounds of laundry she did last night was impressive! However, staying up until 11 PM (which is late for this one on a weeknight) doing laundry stinks! I have yet to pack but I did put all of my supplies/homework for each class into individually labeled Ziploc bags to make the weekend much easier to maneuver.

Who is excited? VKL in T-8 hours!!!!

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

P.S. Anybody have a suitcase I can borrow? I want to stay in the hotel and feel pampered with Mom and Diane!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Blogger on the Go

EXCITING NEWS! I just installed the iPhone app for Blogger. Now I can post on the go! Look to this blog for up to the moment news and photos from Vogue Knitting Live NYC! I will chronicle everything I am doing for those of you who are missing out on the big weekend.

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Prepping for the Party

Phew - we have almost made it! Just 48 hours until the start of 2013 Vogue Knitting Live NYC! With Mom and Diane packing their bags to make the trip down tomorrow I am getting horrifically excited! A whole weekend of yarn! It really is a dream come true.

I have to say an extra special huge thanks to my mother for this year's conference! With my wedding just 59 days away this was a huge expense for us to undertake and I am so grateful to spend an amazing weekend with great friends and great fibers! Thank you very much Mom!

I had a very pleasant surprise this year as compared to previous years - almost no homework! I cannot wait to get home tonight and pack for the party! I will post pictures tomorrow of my wares and projects for the weekend!

Happy Packing!

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Pre-Marketplace Shopping

One of the best and worst things about the Internet I discovered today - the ability to scope out the websites of many of the vendors who will be selling at the Marketplace of Vogue Knitting Live New York this weekend. This has been a great way to learn a bit about the local shop vendors and their products (not to mention that the holes in my pockets have no been pre-selected!).

I am very excited to explore this weekend's marketplace, but I am going to share with you the three booths I am dying to visit:

1. Annie and Co. Knitting - http://www.annieandco.com/
As a new resident of the Upper East Side I am looking forward to meeting Annie and Co. Being very close to my new home I would love to learn about the local yarn shops and get a feel for a new shop to call my NYC home.

2. Full Moon Farm - http://www.fullmoonfarmny.com/
You need to visit this website! I cannot wait to see what they bring. Here is how they describe themselves on their website,"Family owned and operated, Full Moon farm offers grass fed beef, lamb, and goat as well as pastured pork and chicken. And that's just what's edible! From our herd of happy sheep, we produce fine wool as well as a line of handcrafted clothing and accessories." I cannot wait to support this 300+ acre farm from Upstate New York.

3. Long Island Livestock Co. - http://www.lilivestockco.com
The products available on this website run the gamut from bath and body products to yarns! I cannot wait to see this Long Island company - especially since I spend so much of my summer just down the road from them!

I hope you are all getting as excited as I am to shop till you drop this weekend!

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Monday, January 14, 2013

Badge Central

Just a few days until Vogue Knitting Live! I was so excited to receive my official entry badge for the conference via the mail this weekend.

This badge is especially important to me because it is probably the last official thing I will have with my current last name on it! With the wedding just two months away I am starting to get very sentimental. Changing my name is going to be so weird!

 
Until Next Time,
Counting my pennies for the marketplace
Broke Knitter

Friday, January 11, 2013

Seven Days!

With only a week left until Vogue Knitting Live I decided to peruse through my stack and UFOs last night. With Randy out for the evening it was the perfect time to lay everything out and see what projects I have not finished. I am actually a little upset at myself! I found a project I bought two VKL conferences ago that I never started.

Moral of the story - you are called Broke Knitter for a reason.

Trying to control my excitement for the marketplace. I cannot buy anything at the marketplace until I finish my three UFOs!

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Thursday, January 10, 2013

A Proper Send Off

With just a week until the start of Vogue Knitting Live NYC I can barely contain my excitement! This annual conference has been the highlight of the past two years for many reasons - from the vibrant marketplace, amazing classes, chance to rub elbows with the Knitteratti, and most importantly, a weekend with my mother.

This VKL will mark a special occasion for my mother and I - the send off of one of our dearest friends. Miss Diane joined us last year for New York's VKL and I do not know if I have laughed harder in any three days in my life. Diane will be joining us again this year and I am sure hilarity will ensue. However, Diane is moving to the West Coast this spring and will have a much harder time spending this amazing weekend with my mother and I in New York.

So Diane, this weekend is for you!!!! I love you!

Until Next Time,
Broke Knitter

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Snug as a Bug in a Rug

Have you ever had one of those weeks where it seems like nothing is going right and you just don't want to do anything? Well, I am having one of those weeks! With just 67 days until my wedding my life has been taken over by wedding planning, calls with vendors, and, of course, sweating for the dress. Randy and I are starting to feel settled in our new apartment, but this morning, after waiting a month for our new couch to be delivered, we were informed that the couch will not fit through the doorway into the apartment. UGH!

But, all is not lost! While I am so unbelievably frustrated I do have amazing news to share - Broke Knitter's best friend is pregnant with her second child! I am so excited for her and her husband! You know what this means - back to the baby knits! Knitting for a baby is by far the most enjoyable knitting experience. Nothing makes me happier than when a new mom or dad sends you a photo of a happy little baby all snuggled and cozy in something you personally hand made for them. I think it is also one of the most personal and thoughtful gifts you can give to new parents. We all know that knitting ain't cheap, but it means so much more to personally hand make something than to just go out and buy a onesie or a stroller.

I cannot wait until January 23rd to know if I should get out the pink or the blue!!!

Until Next Time,
"Auntie" Broke Knitter