yarntherapy

what I did for love

You know, sometimes my job just totally SUCKS. The whole working on weekends thing is particularly annoying. Yesterday, I really wanted to be in Union Square with every other knitter on the planet instead of being stuck in a windowless room bringing joy to the masses. And don't get me started on how I've never been to Rhinebeck and this year will probably be no different. Grrr.

I did have plans to go up to Knitty City after work to see the Yarn Harlot hold court - I had my copy of At Knit's End (which I got from my Secret Santa last year!) all ready for her to sign, and I was looking forward to meeting up with other knitters and hanging out - having the event be from 6-8pm was perfect for me and I was hoping I'd get to act like a real person for a bit.

But. Then along comes one of those moments where my job is actually pretty freaking cool. My boss worked on the original production of A Chorus Line, stayed for the entire 15 year run, and continues to be involved with the costumes of many productions of the show (ever wanted to know where the original finale costumes wound up? My boss's storage space in Jersey.) A Broadway revival of A Chorus Line is about to open, and last night was the invited dress rehearsal. And my boss offered me her extra ticket.

Sorry, Harlot. See you the next time you're in NYC.

Wow, what an amazing thing to sit in the mezzanine (front row!) surrounded by alumni of the orginal production swapping stories of their time "on the line". Invited dress rehearsals are always a blast, just a big love fest with an audience full of Broadway people supporting their own. This was even more special because of the history of the show and the number of people involved. The show was great - "Sing" and Paul's monologue were unexpected standout moments. And "One" - the audience just went batshit crazy every time the first piano notes were played. There's just no way you don't get chills watching that finale!

So, yeah, that's what I did last night. I'm going to try to make a real effort to see the new shows this season, so this is one to cross off the list. It's hard for those of us who work on Broadway to actually see shows because we're all on the same schedule, but during previews most shows have a few Monday night performances so I'm going to try to arrange my tickets next week. My list includes The Times They Are A-Changin', High Fidelity and Mary Poppins.

Now for some knitting news - I told you I had a finished object!

(Wow, what is with my cleavage? Va-va-voom!)

This is quite possibly my most favorite thing I've ever made. It's definitely the most useful. This is Sitcom Chic, in TLC Cotton Plus, with a vintage glass button I had in my stash. This cardi came out so much cuter than I ever thought it would! I just wanted something to throw on at work when the AC is cranked to the point I can't feel my fingers and I wound up with a super cute, flattering sweater that I now wear nearly every day. The yarn was dirt cheap and machine washable, and the pattern was easy. What's not to love?

fall knitty - now that's more like it!

After several rather disappointing issues of knitty, I was thrilled to see that the new issue has several things I would actually consider making (like this, this, and this), and a few that I can totally admire even though I will probably never ever knit them - like this one. And this one. And I love this men's cardigan - I need to find someone to knit it for!

A knitting story I've been meaning to write for ages - a few weeks ago one of our new stage managers came in wearing the cutest little strapless knit top. My thought process upon seeing it went as follows:

1) Hey, that's a super cute top!

2) Hey, you made that, didn't you?

3) Heeeey - I have that pattern!

Yeah, I didn't even know she was a knitter, and I was able to peg her as not only a knitter, but an internet-savvy-craftster-reading knitter, because what she was wearing was the adorable Lelah top from Knitting for Boozehags (best blog name ever) which has been in my pattern file for ages. She's working on the Anthropologie-inspired capelet/shrug thingie now, and it looks great. It turns out that our other new SM and the new hair guy AND one of our new actors are all knitters as well. Where were they during the Olympics? Think of how big Team Wicked could have been!

....still here.......

Yeah, I'm still here. Not sure exactly why I developed such a severe case of blog ennui. It's not that I haven't been knitting - I have! I even have a finished object! I hate to say it, but I guess I just haven't been as inspired by the blogging world lately as I normally am. (sorry y'all!)

I think it's all the damn socks.

I don't like socks. I don't really like wearing them and I have no interest in making them. Does that make me a baaaad knitter?

Anyway, I've found a few things other than socks to knit. Like this:

Mmmmm, pretty. Also pretty:

Yeah, I just HAD to make the Glampyre sweater in the scrumptious Tilli Tomas yarn. Best decision I've made in a while - this is the most expensive yarn I've ever purchased, but it's also the softest and most..... glorious? luminous? I have no words for how gorgeous this stuff is. I keep fondling my swatches and I can't wait to wear it.

I got the yarn from Dreamweavers - the only place that had a wide selection of Tilli Tomas. Awesome service - super quick, personal emails when I had questions.

I got the Pure & Simple and Disco Lights in the Moss color - a bit brighter than the Olive shown in the pattern photo. SO. PRETTY.

Needlewise, I  am using the awesome new Knitpicks needles in size 4 - I find it hilarious that I am knitting the most expensive yarn I have ever bought with the cheapest needles I've ever used. These needles really rock - so nice and pointy, and the cord is completely flexible. And purple!

More later - Bush is yakking on my TV and I may need to hurl.