WINNER!

Thanks to our good buddies at Random.org, here is the winner of the Purl Soho tote bag:

dustbunnies

email me at: allie [at] alliepleiter [dot] com with your snail mail address and your choice of one of my books (check the list here) and I'll get it right out to you!

Knit Along: Stirrup Socks from Purl Soho - DONE!

It’s a pity these will probably never get worn on bare legs because they are so incredibly soft and comfortable.  Fiber leg hugs all done up in resplendent purple.  Tuck these inside my pair of happy polka-dotted rain boots, and the weather simply will not be able to get me down.  Even Bella the diva dog thinks they’re grand, as you can see.

Long-legged gal that I am, I wisely added an inch to their length so they’d reach almost to my knees.  It proved a valuable modification.  Also, I think color is an important consideration in these.  They need to be in bright colors, even if a creamy white seems doable.  They require an element of cheer in these for them to do their job.  I might cave for a fuzzy winter-white mohair, but it’d take a lot of convincing.

Rainboots are a must where my daughter goes to college, so these would make a superb gift for her fall or springtime wardrobe.  Nice thought, but she’s not getting mine.

This is your last chance to comment and enter the drawing for the Purl Soho “P” totebag, so chime in!

Next up?  Knitty City’s fun, curly ruffle scarf.

Knit Along: Stirrup Socks from Purl Soho - Day 5

The needles don't pin me down, they hold me up

Goodness but that took much longer than I was expecting, even with focusing on one sock.  I just found my original timetable, and this post should have occurred two weeks ago.  I love my life and my fabulous job, but I just wish everything were a little more predictable.

To my surprise, as I stared down at this taking-forever-but-worth-it sock, I found myself missing our days in the hospital.  Not having a sick son--I hope cancer never darkens the path of anyone in my family ever again--but the pure distilled nature of life in a hospital.  The simplicity of utter survival.  No one expected anything of you but to receive information, make a few decisions, and essentially just exist. As my son’s doctors told him, “Your job is to just lie there and take it.  We do everything else.”

Crises of the hospital inpatient variety involve a lot of downtime.  A lot of sitting around waiting for tests, procedures, doctors, even waiting for the other shoe to drop and disaster to come.  As I look back (it’s one year ago tomorrow that my son was admitted), I realize what a tremendous blessing knitting was to me in that time.  Knitting allowed me to be where I was, focusing enough of my attention on my son to be what he needed, but occupying enough of my attention that I managed to wade the edges of worry instead of drowning in it.  The progress I made on projects was a reminder the the world hadn’t ground to a complete halt, even when it felt like it had.  

People were impressed that I could knit.  People were impressed that I could complete a sentence, actually.  But there was only one horrid dark night where I couldn’t even knit.  The rest of the time, I HAD to knit to keep myself together.  A soothing project like the ribbing of these stirrup socks would have been exactly the type of project I’d crave.  

Looking back today, as I round the final corner--or stirrup, actually--of this sock, I say a prayer of thankfulness for all the yarn and needles in my life.  And the fellow knitters, like you, who wield them toward a more comforting world.

Knit Along: Stirrup Socks from Purl Soho - Day 4

You know, I thought I’d be so much farther along by now.

Isn’t that always the way?  You plan something out, think you’ve given yourself enough time, and suddenly you find yourself with the knitting equivalent of an all-nighter.  Luckily, it’s not Christmas and these socks are not destined to be anyone’s birthday present.  But I am beginning to wonder if Spring will have sprung by the time I am finished.

So what’s a girl to do?  Bail.

Well, not really bail.  If I were bailing, I’d be running straight toward the short sock option on the pattern (even though you’re supposed to start out with less stitches).  I’m not going to do that, I’m sticking with my long socks because that’s what I want.  

So, I prefer to think I’m adapting.  Realist that I am, I have come to the conclusion that I cannot get both socks done at the same time and still keep to a timetable that will not bore you to tears (anyone realize I’ve faced this particular issue before????).  Unfortunately, those nice folks at my publisher will not accept “I had to get the socks done” as a reason for why my book isn’t in on deadline.  Not that I didn’t toy with the idea.  Writers everywhere will tell you even tuckpointing looks attractive when you’re doing anything to avoid buckling down to meet a deadline.

So I will do these socks the old fashioned way:  one at a time.  Yes, I got out my dpn’s today and separated our fibrous conjoined twins.  As a courtesy to you, DestiKNITters, I’ll only make you watch Thing Number One.  Thing Number Two will get done on Spring Break post book deadline, alongside the very cool scarf that is our second knit-along from New York.

Onward!  Well, after I get today’s word count done on the manuscript.  Which I’ve avoided by writing this blog.  See how this works?

Knit Along: Stirrup Socks from Purl Soho - Day 3

Worth the Wait...

Ribbing is calming.  Maybe too calming.  

Truth be told, I’m getting a little bored here.  Sure, I’ve got to wrangle a decrease every seven rounds, but the other six are...well...tedious.  That’s good “television” knitting, good “boring meeting” knitting, but I haven’t had much time for either of those lately.    

I look at my row chart and see something like 12 more repeats of this decrease stuff and it stretches before me like a flat, straight highway.  It’s times like these when you start gaining an appreciation for size 13 needles.

Still, these socks have such a marvelous elasticity. I love the subtle color changes in the heathered purple of my yarn.  These remind me of the leg-warmers I adored back in high school and college (eek, showing my age here).  And I’ve just the rain boots for these with spring coming.

And so it is that I return to my biggest knitting challenge: patience. In knitting and life, I’m an impatient gal.  It’s not lack of skill that has botched so many bind-off’s in my knitting career, it’s impatience to finish the project.

So practice patience alongside me:  these are going to take a while.  But like most things long in coming, they are sure to be worth the wait.

Kind of like Spring in Chicago.

Knit Along: Stirrup Socks from Purl Soho - Day 2

"If they're looking at the back of your calves..."

I think of ribbing as calming. Like the ocean waves, two knit, two purl, etc.  A heartbeat.  Yin and Yang if you’re into that sort of thing.  I love the texture, the hills and valleys, the elasticity of a ribbed piece.

Throw a decrease in there, especially one that supposed to look nice, and all my zen is gone.  I get the concept of the decrease.  Mentally, I know what’s supposed to happen.  And I’ve been knitting for years, so I should be able to tell what’s a knit, what’s a purl, and whether or not I really did decrease last round.  Ha.

There is now a pen and paper in my knitting bag, and you can guess why.  The pattern calls for decreases every seven rows, and my first twenty rows ain’t lookin’ so purdy, if you know what I mean.  Of course, these are the top of the socks, the things everyone can see.  Eek.  It’s time to call forth my usual knitting slogan (stolen shamelessly from EZ) that “if I man running for his life can’t see it, it’s not a mistake, but a design element.”

And to adapt a phrase from my late mother, “If they’re looking at the back of your calves, dear, then you’ve done something wrong already.”

With any luck, I’ll have get the hang of it and have stunning stirrupped ankles.  Clear plastic rainboots, anyone?

And just because I can’t resist, check out this photo of me enjoying a houndstooth smart car at the Chicago Auto Show.  Yes, I knit the scarf I’m wearing (but not the car). Think of the possibilities here!  The DestiKNITionsmobile... although in reality, I must  confess to being a massive fan of the Nissan Cube.

Don’t forget to comment so you can win!

Knit Along: Stirrup Socks from Purl Soho - Day 1

A good ribbing...

I’ve decided we don’t give nearly enough credit to the rib.

Actually, I’ve worn enough socks to remind me I don’t respect ribbing enough.  You know the kind of rib-less, mass-produced sock I’m talking about--usually from a department or discount store.  They’re deceptive, making you think thin and synthetic is sleek and chic.  They lure you in with their perky, clever patterns...

...until you go to take them off at the end of the long day.  There, facing you below your knees, is a clear, disturbing dent in your calves from where they were too tight on top.  You begin to wonder what kind of cellular damage has been wrought throughout your day, wonder if these strangulating socks were indeed the reason for your never-ending fatigue and general crankiness.  After all, nothing as cozy as socks should ever leave a mark.

It is then that I run to a pair of hand-knit socks, sure to hug my tender cankles in soft, forgiving ribbing.  No marks, no scars.  Unless, of course, these were toe-up socks and I botched the bind off (okay, it’s been known to happen).

I hold these hand-crafted socks from Purl Soho and know, just by how the first inches feel, that they will be comfortable, warm, and a delight to wear.  It’s in the give of the wool, the rhythm of the rib, the artistry of a good pair of hand knit socks.

These will be like that, I can just tell.  You can probably hear my sigh all the way to New York.

Chime in with your comment to win this “P” totebag from Purl Soho.  I’ll even throw in an Allie Pleiter book of your choice if you like, just because I think you’re spiffy, too!

NEW YORK CITY- Part two: Soho

Knit More of the Big Apple

For this part of our adventure, head to the other side of the island, equally famous for a whole host of different reasons: Soho.  

Get off the subway at Houston Street to start your adventure with--of course--coffee at:

Local

144 Sullivan St (between Prince St & Houston St) 

New York, NY 10012

212-253-2601

Truly local, neighborhood-y places like this are treasures.  Although my sources called it their favorite grab-and-go coffee place, I found all kinds of sandwiches and more substantial fare here, too.  As the name implies, Local uses local ingredients.  The place has that indescribable factor, that vibe that makes you want to hang out and feel cool.  And really, how many places have a good popover like Local has? By the way, if you’re a Law and Order fan, there’s a reason why one of the two owners looks familiar: Craig Walker spent time as a member of the cast.

Duly fortified, meander on over to Broadway and head south for one of the best stretches of fabulous shopping and highly entertaining street life you’ll find anywhere.  Vendors, musicians, and just plain citizens (although Soho contains no “just plain” citizens of any kind!) make for no dull moments and you wander the sidewalks.  Make note of Dean & Deluca’s as you walk by...we’ll be stopping there later.  For now, wander several blocks to Broome Street and Head east until you reach one of NYC’s most iconic yarn stores:

Purl Soho

459 Broome Street

New York, NY  10013

212-420-8796

www.purlsoho.com

Lots of knitters know this place from their exquisite blog, www.purlbee.com.  There’s a distinct, hip/vintage vibe to both the blog and the place--every detail oozes “they don’t make ‘em like this anymore” right down to the rolling shelf ladder and the French Flea Market white of the fixtures.  Every detail feels perfectly crafted to give the overall feel of the store, which artfully combines knitting and crochet products with quilter supplies.  

Yes, it was busy--crowded, even--but the artful order of the place and the exceedingly helpful staff still gave me a sense of peace.  As if any project that came home with me couldn’t help but turn out perfectly.

Our Knit-A-Long from here will be a lovely pair of stirrup socks, destined to peek out in all their purple perfection from the awesome pair of black leather boots I bought for this trip.  Done up with Anzula’s “Squishy” superwash merino and patterned for short and long versions, they’re ideal for poking out of a pair of wellies, or snowboots.  I love that the pattern comes in a plastic-sleeved half sheet, just the perfect size for tucking into your knitting bag.  

Another project sure to catch your fancy is the Purl exclusive “Super Easy Baby Blanket.”  You can pick your own palate, but given the artful quality of the store, I’d opt for the kit containing seven pre-selected skeins of Alchemy Temple.  Sure, it’s all garter stitch, but it looks like so much more.

With the exclusive “Winter Hats for Everyone” pattern and your choice of Jade Sapphire Zageo six ply cashmere, you’re sure to turn heads and make friends.  The pattern offers three sizes of hats and three choices of “toppers” to mix and match.  With this and a set of size 5 needles, you’ve got everything you need to keep all the heads you love warm and cozy.

The kind folks at Purl Soho also offered up one of the coveted “P” totebags that you’ll be able to win in our comment drawing so stay tuned.

Give your eyes a change of pace and walk to Crosby and Spring Streets for an entirely different kind of design excellence:

MoMA Design Store

81 Spring St # A

New York, NY 10012-3904

(646) 613-1367

http://www.momastore.org

“Clever” is the word I always associate with this store.  It’s fun to drool over the catalogue, but it’s bliss to walk in and touch everything.  From spiffy versions of everyday objects to drop-dead stunning art and furniture, it’s here. Watches, scissors, coatracks, desk items, everything is in this store puts the WOW factor in everyday life.

Now make your way to Prince Street between Lafayette and Mulbury to visit:

McNally Jackson

52 Prince Street

New York, NY

212-274-1160

mcnallyjackson.com

I don’t know how they managed it, but this store has a clean-lined, Crate & Barrel feel but still has all those cozy nooks and crannies you look for in a a bookstore.  The stock of books is diverse, independent, and very high quality.  You don’t mind the bright lighting--I found myself enjoying the spaciousness of the place.  It has the requisite cafe, and a big, busy feeling that still manages the quiet I crave in a bookstore.  It sounds like a big juxtaposition, but somehow they work it all in a perfect harmony.

By the way, the beatiful Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral is just up Mulberry if you want to find a little more perfect harmony of the inner variety.  

Our final destination is one of the great “foodie,” spots:

Dean & Deluca

560 Broadway 

New York NY 

(212) 430-8300

www.deandeluca.com

Sure, they deliver, but that’d spoil all the fun of wandering the upscale aisles of this gourmet market and cafe.  Eat dinner, buy dinner supplies, or get your gourmet snack on--this is definitely the place.  Where else can you buy gold chocolate Buddha icons (at least I think they were Buddha, I didn’t ask), a $150 birthday cake, or ten pound chocolate bars?  They make a Blackout Cake (remember the cupcake from earlier?), that looked really wonderful.  I can’t remember when I’ve seen a bigger assortment of cookies or a more jaw-dropping produce section.  I’ll consider myself to have “made it” when I can do my weekly grocery shopping in an establishment like this.

There you have it--two distinct, memorable slices of New York.  No one can do this city in one visit--probably not even in three--but I hope I’ve whet your appetite for further exploration.

Next up, we pamper our feet by slipping them into PurlSoho’s stirrup socks.