Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Backstage pass (ish)

So a commenter has asked me to share how I store all my crafting supplies in a NYC apartment. I think I've posted this picture before, but here's my storage solution:


I have a whole armoire dedicated to yarn and fabric storage. I also have been making a concerted effort lately to keep my stash small and knit only from stash. So far it's worked. It is necessary in a small space not to waste too much of it on storing things you never use. But, I mean, there's a whole piece of storage furniture in my apartment just for craft supplies, so I'm certainly not a model of space-efficiency.

But I think the real reason I can do it is because I'm single. I have space for an armoire full of yarn because I don't need two dressers in my bedroom. That's also why I have been able to sew so much this summer. Normally, when my apartment is clean, my dining area looks like this:


But for much of the summer, that whole table was covered with piles of fabric, a sewing machine, a cutting station, and a blocking/ironing board. I could never do that if there were someone else living here -- let alone kids around.

Lemons, lemonade. Frankly I'd rather be married with kids, but in the meantime, I can knit and sew a lot.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Fall FO's!


My glorious, super-bright picnic blanket is done!


It's about 5' x 7', uses lots and lots of scraps, and is pleasingly puckered just like a well-loved heirloom. It has snaps to roll it up for toting to picnic locations and rock pockets to weight it down:


I've already used it once and am mightily pleased with myself. And what's this little lump sitting atop my picnic blanket?


Ah, yes, knitting. I've missed you, old friend.

Oh, and in other news, here's a lovely photo of the recipient of the "Sock Yarn Stranded" prototype, looking all cute and cuddly in her sweater:


I see lots of pills on those elbows. Hope that's from hard use!