My Spicy Yarn

Boyfriend Blues

2011-04-27T22:59:00.001-04:00

First I have to say it has been one year ago today exactly that I wrote my last blog. I've gotten a few complaints....life grabbed me by me girl balls! I will try my best to keep up with blogging stuff.

This blog is in honor to those of you have complained (LOL) and in honor to the the "DRAMA" life has bestowed on me this past year. Hope you enjoy!!

Ok, so we all know boys can give us ladies the blues.....be it your husband, lover, brother, friend or even you pet. However this little number just might give them the blues, blue balls that is. Let's exclude the pet and brother on that comment!

I came up with this fun number while knitting a pair of socks for a friend. The pattern just happened to be called "The Boyfriend Sock" by designer Alice Bell. I was knitting these socks in the same beautiful yarn as the "Naughty Nymph",knit in Cashwool from Lana Borgorsesia, (love how that rolls on the tongue), except in a beautiful denim blue.

As I was knitting the socks, a name "Boyfriend Blues" popped into my head and I thought "What a great name for a pattern." Oh, and let me tell you my juices started flowing....

I played around with that in my head....umm, what would be a good design for a pattern with a title like that, when it hit me! I love wearing a mens clothing, be it his t-shirts, boxers or a button up.....you know what?... they love it too!

My first design and idea was going to be a t-shirt, cause I really love men's t-shirts....they're are the best to sleep in or put on after or before......I had the perfect t-shirt in mind! My favorite t-shirt, "Boyfriend Tissue T" from J. Crew for women. The fabric feels sooo good on my skin, plus it makes me feel SUPER sexy.

I completed the socks, bought more yarn and started measuring the t-shirt, sketching and swatching.

In honor of the socks, I used the inner twinning cables to go up the center front and around the neckline

Now that I had the top done, I wondered should I do a bottom, and the answer was "Hell Ya!"

I now had to do a version of sexy boy shorts, cause boys like those and so do I! The cabling is all around, but I had to make sure to have the inner twinning cables go up the center front and center back.....guess it's something about the cables that twinned together, in and out....hee, hee, hee...

front

back

This boyfriend number is sexy and makes me feel SUPER sexy. What I love about the top is I can wear a contrast bra for a "WOW" effect, but if I wear a nude colored bra, I get the real "WOW" when I go out. It's fun, GOTS to keep them guessing!!

The Naughty Nymph

2010-04-27T17:27:00.000-04:00

Spring has finally sprung, so this is a perfect time to spring this new post.

Several years ago I was taking belly dancing classes, yes I did say belly dancing, I designed a few costumes. One costume in particular was very whimsical, flowery, with a goddess touch.

About a year ago while visiting San Francisco, I went to a Yves St. Laurent show at the De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. I was walking thru the exhibit admiring his creations and there it was my belly dancing costume!! The only difference was mine had tons of sparkle and his was a wedding dress.

Now my head was spinning with inspiration!! I immediately started sketching only this time with knitting in mind. I channeled fairies, flowers, white, lacy and gauzy fabric all with a bit of naughtiness.

When I got back to NJ I started going thru yarn stash for inspiration colors and stitch pattern books for the stitch. I found the colors, the stitch, and another book filled with flowers, leaves, and butterflies called "100 Flowers to Knit & Crochet" By Lesley Stanfield. The stitch I found is from the book "Knitting Lace of Estonia" By Nancy Bush. I immediately began swatching and fell in love! I mean how could I not with a stitch called "Double Fig", the forbidden fruit of all things.

Now that I had the swatch and gauge, I decided to make a hat. Why you ask, cause they are cute and flirty. Also, it was going to be a great challenge to keep the pattern going while decreasing. Needless to say it turned out beautiful!!

Next I moved on to the top that I designed based on one of my pj tops, which just happened to be similar to my sketch. After beginning the top, I realized I had to modify the design. The decreases at the sides weren't looking right. I finished the top by adding adjustable straps. The bottom came next, a tie at the sides g-string. It only seemed right, right?

My next move was to take my "inspiration colors" to Michael's to get embroidery floss for the flowers and such.

I made flowers, leaves, butterflies and bees! After making a lot, I started the painstaking process of placing them on the hat, top and bottom. Once all the adornments were perfectly placed I sewed them all in place.

Are you ready? Good, but first you must look at this door. Close your eyes and imagine the

"The Naughty Nymph"

The Hat

The Top

The Bottom

The End............

BBB = Big Bulky Blanket

2010-02-14T12:50:00.004-05:00

Well, it's been almost a year since I started and mentioned BBB, and i've finally finished it!!!

Let me give you some history, so you do not think I was being a lazy ass!!

I lost my job in May 2009 and I had been commissioned to make a blanket in March 2009. I did speak to my customer several times before I lost my job. I gave my card and specifically told him how he could/be able to get in touch with me.

The summer goes by and I've made several calls to him leaving messages with info and that i'd like to get the project done but final dimensions, please call me. Well after many times I decided not to call anymore. I mean look, I gave him my number too many times plus I gave him my card. Basically he can call me..

January 2010 comes along and I'm looking at this huge box of yarn thinking i'll call him one last time in March 2010, that would be one year, and if didn't hear from him I would try and sell the yarn. Well, wouldn't you know he got in contact with me, He told me he "forgot" and that it was his client that asked him "where is my blanket"?

I hauled ass and got it done. I even took a bad spill down my stairs. Yes I was doing too much, but if I didn't have a heavy ass blanket piece I might not of fell. Needless to say, despite the massiveness of the blanket/decorative bedspread I got it done!!!!!!

Yes I suffered physical injuries, allergies, and constant fluff everywhere. I mean everywhere blankets, rugs, couch, face towels, etc... It's everywhere!!! It is the blanket that gives the gift that keeps giving, LOL!!

I truly am proud that I completed this HUGE/MASSIVE project. It is King size and more, knit on #17 straight needles! I'm just so happy I can finally clean and be free of a project that lasted too long! Thank God I can be back to my "tiny"needles!!!!

I can say now that i've knit a king size bedspread on #17 needles. Not too many many people can say that. Not to mention it took around 72+ skeins of yarn and weighs 20+ pounds!!!! Oh yeah, and it was a natural color, cream.

These are 2 panels, and they use whole ironing board!

All I can say is that I did it, completed it, got paid, and it's gone from my home!!!! No more fuzz/fluff, no big needles, no heavy panels!!!! Praise God!!!

These are the panels I put together right after my fall! The bruise was much worse, sensitive to the touch and swollen! My tail bone is still recovering!!!

This is the final product! Doesn't it look like a huge area rug?

Rolled up it doesn't look so massive, but let me tell you it was a cardio work out!!

Now that's a stuffed box!

That's The End!!

One Thing Tho

2010-01-14T15:43:00.000-05:00

It is so annoying getting the picture position right, especially since the draft and preview show them differently. Who knows maybe one day i'll get this computer crap figured out.

So No Story This Time Just.....

2010-01-14T15:40:00.000-05:00

One

Two

Three

Are you ready?

Bloody Tah Dah!!!!!!!!

Poison

2009-11-19T12:00:00.000-05:00

Ya'll are lucky you're getting two posts in a row!

A few months back, I was told by an old customer that I was "poison", but in a "good way". She continued to say, like the beautiful apple in Snow White. Tempting, but once you take a bite you never know what you're gonna get. Hmmm, am I naughty or am I nice? I'd like to think i'm both, like yin and yang.

Oooh, why does Nina Simone have to be playing in the background "I Put a Spell on You"?

I can tell you that one thing my customers got from taking a bite, was me challenging them to find their true knitting potential. None have been privileged to my naughty side, LMAF!!!! Just teasing! That's what you get for reading spicy!!!

Anyway, while my customer was telling me this, she was holding a skein of Alchemy Bamboo, a gorgeous yarn. She suggested that I should make an apple hat.

I took this into consideration. Well, don't you know my creative and overactive imagination came up with this.

Do you like how I did the twist with the snake? It's got the Adam and Eve vibe, I think anyway.

Now having said that, my brain went into full speed. My "poisoned" mind decided to take it one step further and designed the matching pasties and thong!! Do you like? Poison Apple, Snow White, and the Garden of Eden. How Tempting!!!!

For you knitters one skein made the set and I used scrap yarn for the rest. I hand beaded the veins in the leaves, and all beading/sequins. The snake eyes are swarvoski crystals. I also made the snake and leaves on the thong using needles ranging in size 0-0000.

I took this picture on my last trip to San Franciso. Do you think this is poisonous?

Bloody Bloody Bloody Update!

2009-11-18T17:36:00.000-05:00

Just a quick update for those you who have inquiring minds. I am now about 7 inches away from completing the skirt portion of this bloody dress. I can't tell you how much I want this done. I had put it back down for a while, picked it up again oh lets such say recently, and now i'm hauling ass!!!!! I just thought that i'd fill you in. Oh and i'm proof reading my next blog entry. I'll be introducing another level of spiciness!!! Tsss

Those Summer Days

2009-07-20T19:26:00.000-04:00

Let's see, one summer about 8 years ago I saw this fabulous bikini in a spring issue of a magazine. I loved it!!! It was a string bikini (tie top and bottom). Red, black, beige, and white camouflage. I needed to have this!!! I immediately went to the back of the magazine to see who made this suit. It was from Burberry.

I knew my local mall had a Burberry store, so I decided one day to go, hoping they would still have the suit being it summer and all. I walked into the store straight to the swim wear, and didn't see the bikini. A sales person saw me searching. I was searching as if i'd find it magically. She came over and asked if I needed help. I told her of the bikini, and she said they had put out the new collection, but would look in the back for the bikini because she thought she had seen one. She also mentioned that she thought it was a small. I was so thrilled, that I said please find it even if it's a small.

I just knew I wouldn't fit it, designer and all, but what the @!?*, right? She came back with the small. I rushed to the dressing room praying it would fit, and like Cinderella and her g

lass slipper it was a perfect fit! I got dressed and told her "I'll take it". I didn't even flinch at the price. The most expensive bathing suit i'd ever bought, but wouldn't you know I still have it.

This bikini is still one of my favorites, the cut is great, even with my weight fluctuations.

I've always wanted to knit or crochet a bikini, but never found a pattern that I liked. So, I guess about 2 summers ago I decided to make my own. I was going to base it on my Burberry. It me a minute to figure out my approach. Was I going to knit or crochet? How was I going to measure the shaping, especially the bottom?

First I laid the pattern out on pattern paper and pinned it down, so I could get the exact shaping without the elastic pull. I traced it, then put it on foam board, so i'd be able to pin down my fabric as I was going. I tried knitting, cause that usually isn't as bulky and looks pretty. Wow, was that a pain!! Trying to pin it down to see if I was getting the shaping. I then decided crocheting was my best bet. Bingo, I was right!!

Now that I got that down, I picked my yarn. It needed to be fabulous, so picked from my stash "Star" by Tahki/Stacy Charles. It's a multi colored metallic, it is so beautiful on my sk

in.

While working on it I got a lot of compliments, except for one person in her snotty and jealous way said "That's going to be itchy", I replied "No it won't". Haters need to stop!!! BTW, the suit is far from itchy!

Needless to say the bikini turned out perfect in every way!! I do have to say although the yarn was nice in the hand, once cut it unravels like crazy! I had to make knots at the ends until I could weave in the e

nds.

The moment you've been waiting for, Ta Dah!

Update and the Revival of Red

2009-06-10T22:35:00.000-04:00

Well it's been awhile since i've posted. So many things have been going on, and haven't had the motivation to write. There have been a couple things I wanted to blog about, but it's been too long that I feel it's mute now.

A quick review of things I wanted to post. I have a celebrity that now has my fingerless, opera length gloves. It's Audrina Patridge of "The Hills".

I went to Northern California for my annual knitting retreat with my mom, the special quest was Nancy Bush, love her!

I lost my job at the yarn shop a couple weeks ago, and i'm now enjoying not working!!!!!!

The other day, a customer and now a part of

my knitting group, (not started by me, but by madamefoo.com), asked me "Have you finished the red dress?" No!!!!! Haven't you read my lastblog?

Any who, red got revived this weekend!! It's the only thing I can work on right now with out having to paying attention.

I have been working on a "spicy" line of things and they are naughty!!!!! I'll definately have to post those and even show pictures!!!!!

I've started the "BBB" that is the Big Bulky Blanket! I've finished 2 panels, and i'm waiting for the guy to give me the next measurements, it's been awhile! I've called him several times and even ran into him, but no such luck. Thank God the yarn is paid for and I already got a deposit.

Advise: Get a deposit and have the yarn paid for before you do a project for money!!!

Until the next post!

Blood Red Update

2009-03-25T10:01:00.000-04:00

Alot of people have been asking me, "Is your red dress done? Well no, it's not. I've been working on a bunch of custom projects for customers and haven't really had time to work on it. I will be mentioning those projects in later posts.

On a recent Sunday, which is my designated day to work on Blood Red or any project that only has to do with me, I finished the second sleeve. Yes, in one day I popped that puppy out!!!

I then decided to start the skirt portion of the dress. I cast on 440 stitches and began the pattern. After a couple rows I got off the couch for whatever reason, and when I got back my instincts told me it was twisted, and it had got that way because I had put it down.

You'd think that I would have trusted my own instincts, but noooo I didn't. I re-looked at it and thought "It's not twisted", so I then proceeded to knit.

So i'm just knit, knit, knitting along, and i'm getting excited because i'm only about 1/4" away from my first set of decreases. That's when I realized my skirts really was twisted!

Well, you'd think I would be cursing and seeing "blood red", but I simply pulled off all 440 stitches, yes 440, and re-cast them on. I started knitting again.

I recently went on a trip to California for my annual knitting retreat with my mom. I took good Blood Red with me as my only project, so I could make a dent in it. I did make somewhat of a dent on the plane. I got to my first set of decreases, and I am now about 2" away from the next set of decreases.

Unfortunately, Blood Red will not be getting worked on for awhile. I just got an order for a huge project that is going to take all my attention, at least for the most part. This project is a king size bedspread, knit with Blue Sky Alpaca Bulky!!! I ordered 65 skeins last week.

Too all of you, remember this, if it looks like a mistake or even feels like one, take the time to make sure it is. A good friend of mine told me "A Stitch In Time, Saves Nine"

What's Up With The Love?

2009-02-26T11:41:00.003-05:00

So, my sister came to town for a visit last night, and she says "Have you seen the hat that mom

made me"? Of course I say no, because one, I haven't seen my mom in a year, and two, because I haven't seen my sister since July 2008.

I come up stairs, to see this beautiful fair isle earflap hat. Too cute!!!!!

She then tells me to flip it over and look what my mom did. She put her name in! Even cuter! So of course I have to try it on, a little big, but adorable. My sister tells me that our mom had made another one, but it the colors ran when she washed it, so she made her a new one.

While trying it on I saw that my mom also lined the flaps and band. Good idea! Madamefoo, this is what I was talking about.

When I gave the hat back to my sister, I was like "What's up with mine?" She responds, " You can have the other one and mom can put your name on it." I ask you why would I want a hat not meant for me or one that the colors bled?

Mom, I know you love me, but "What's Up With the Love?"

Back In Black

2009-02-23T12:01:00.000-05:00

A week before Christmas a woman comes in the shop that I work at, looking for yarn for a hat she is going to have made. She's trying to find a yarn very similar to a hat her friend has. This woman showed me a couple pictures and we choose 2 yarns. Happy that we found a some what similar fiber, she now wanted a pattern for the hat. I had to explain to her, that because this was a store bought hat there wouldn't be a pattern. "Oh" she says, well would I be able to look at the photos again and tell this person who is making the hat what stitch was used. I said yes not knowing that this person I was going to be talking to didn't speak that much english! During the next half hour I spoke to this person 2 times!

While the customer was paying, she asked me asked me if would make it instead, because she felt I knew what I was doing. I agreed for an obvious fee. I gave her an email address to send the pictures to and told her I wouldn't be able to get to the hat until after Christmas. Of course that was ok, but she kept pushing the before or even Christmas Eve. Whatever!

She then thought it would be better to see the hat. This took so long, because her friend didn't really want to have a copy of the hat. Her friend finally stopped by the store to let me see it. When I took this photo she got really uptight, " didn't her friend already send me a picture?" Too much attitude for me! When I spoke to the customer I told her, her friend was rude and that she didn't want her to have the hat. She says "I know".

I end up finding a better yarn than she choose. I told I would be starting the hat soon. We had a quick meeting, and from that point on she became slightly stalkerish! Then I started thinking no wonder your friend isn't wanting you to have the same hat. It was awful! Even my co workers were like what's wrong with her!

The hat didn't take too long to make. I ended up crocheting it. It turned out really nice. The photo below is the finished product, although I did end up having to make it about 2" bigger since I was fitting it to my had, not realizing her head was longer. I think I did a good copy, what do you think?

p.s. cocoa butta storyteller, if you're reading this, thanks for reading my blog and loving my dress! I would wear a black strapless bra, and a skin toned slip. Ironically, the dress is made from the same yarn as the had. It's GGH Mystik a cotton viscose blend

Happy New Year Ya'll!

2009-01-12T11:21:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone is having a great start to this wonderful New Year!

Leading up to my New Year's Eve plan, I took a wrong step in these beautiful gold clogs! I've done the "wrong step" before, but never really damaged my foot like this.

Ouch! Needless to say I wouldn't be wearing my New Year's Eve shoes!

Actually, I wouldn't have worn them anyway, cause it was so damn cold. I couldn't even wear my dress!

I made this dress in the summer. The pattern at the top is the same at the bottom

I started with the bodice, so I could get the lace pattern working that direction. I then picked up the stitches around the waist so the stitch pattern would go the opposite direction. It's very sexy on and makes me feel that way too!

In my family, and in other families across the USA, we have a tradition of eating black-eyed peas and greens. These signify good luck and money.

Several years ago I started my own tradition of making a savory pie using these ingredients. I altered a recipe I got from Martha Stewart, so It would be my own special pie! I wasn't able to make it New Year's Day, but my mom said "As long as it's made and eat'n in the first 7 days it's ok" Thanks Mom!

I made the pie on Friday the 2nd. It turned out beautiful and umm, umm, spicy good!

Here's to the New Year!!!

Blood Red

2008-12-22T13:42:00.000-05:00

As I sit here pondering what to say on my newest and 2nd post. I thought it only appropriate to name it "Blood Red", seeing how my cherry was just burst.

I love, love, love vintage knitting patterns! The designs are fantastic. The detailing and the construction incorporate sewing (lining, zippers, etc), and they are generally knit on tiny needles, which I love too!

One day, I was searching on Ebay, great spot for vintage knitting patterns, and stumpled upon a great book from the 1940"s. As soon as I saw this I decided I needed to have it. Thank God

I won!! When it finally arrived, I was so excited!

I immediately starting thinking of a color and how to update this dress (cover) to be "spicier", cause that's me.

I went to work the next day, and went on line to one of my local yarns shops, that I know has a decent selection of lace weight and fingering yarn. With a click of a button the heavens opened and I found the yarn! With this, I decided when I got off work i'd walk right over to the store to see it it person.

Wow! It was exactly what I imagined, the most beautiful red! Guess what the name is? Blood Red. I bought the 4 balls,

and the next day from my job ( a yarn store) ordered 4 more balls from the company. Just my luck

they have the same dye lot, and now I can get a discount on the yarn. That's a benefit from working at a yarn store.

How pretty is the yarn? I lov

e the packaging too!

The yarn Jade Sapphire "Lacey Lamb" It's 100% extrafine lambswool. It feels like cashmere!!!

Can't wait to have it on my skin.

I started playing with gauge. I got gauge holding 2 strands together on a size 1 needle.

I decided to make the neck line a little

lower, cause I like cleavage! I think i'll leave the hemline the same, it's about top calve length. Besides it adds mystery, and who doesn't like a little mystery.

I've finished the back, front and almost one sleeve. Here is front because for whatever reason I can't get the back photo to upload. The bottom portions are in stockinette stitch, and the top in a seed and cable. I was going to show the sleeve too, but i can't get the picture position right, oh well. The sleeve has the seed and cable at the cuff and then a cable running up the center.

This dress is going fast believe it or not! Here's to my red dress.

Stay Tuned & Happy Holidays!!!

I'm no longer a virgin

2008-11-17T22:32:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that i actually have my own blog now! I'm no longer a virgin, the cherry's been busted. LOL!!!!!

I think i'm going to enjoy this.

I never thought i would do something like this, but because of certain forces, it feels like a good move.

I'm new to this so bare with me, cause i might bare it all, ya not really, but one never knows!

I do hope to share with you spicy stories, spicy knits, spicy yarns, and whatever spiciness comes to mind.