alice thelma » pillow

At this rate, I’ll probably finish one pillow per year

admin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 23:35:15 +0000

It was exactly one year ago today that I posted another finished pillow. But actually my rate of pillow making is not entirely accurate. To be fair, I have finished one other pillow between now and then. In fact, I’m working on another BOCP, which has been hibernating, in my basket for some time now. *sigh* Such are pillows.

This pattern is from Vogue Knitting Holiday 2005 issue and while it’s not difficult at all, it does require a fair amount of sewing and you know how I feel about sewing or maybe I haven’t made that clear. On any given day I’d rather be knitting than sewing and anything that takes from my knitting time is a chore to say the least. blah blah blah so let me make that perfectly clear…I HATE SEWING!!!!!!

whew! I feel so much better.

Not much else to report in this part of the world but here’s a parting shot from a little knitting group I attended at Artfibers last Sunday. Come on down if you’re local or visiting. While some of us were bundled up for winter and others were sweltering (yours truly) the setting is quite lovely any day of the week.

Yes, I made another Obama-rama pillow

admin — Sun, 24 May 2009 19:08:29 +0000

Well I still have to knit the back. I ended up giving the first one away to a very deserving person who turned 30 (and I hope she likes it).

If you are interested in making one for yourself, you can find the pattern here.

Everything’s Coming Up Roses – Move over Ethel Merman

admin — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:43:41 +0000

The impetus to start this pillow came out of nowhere. I was sitting quietly (!) on my sofa one day when I realized that I had the yarn for the Rose Pillow (rav link) in my stash, found the pattern and cast on. Maybe I thought it could be a gift (if I can bear to part with it). The pattern can be found in Vogue Knitting, Holiday 2005, and it’s so simple, the entire pattern is about two paragraphs.

I must tell you that the roses are easy, quick and quite addictive – as you can see. I think I’m up to 14. I need 25 total. They knit up in a snap and they even make a great traveling project. Nothing like whipping out the Lion Suede when you’re in line at Trader Joes.

In any case it’s fun to be in the midst of spring knitting, being attracted to lighter colors and breaking from my fascination with all things gray (grey?).

More on my spring knitting projects tomorrow.

Introducing the Sideways Grande Hat and Fall Poncho Pillow

admin — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 23:42:30 +0000

Sometimes a project comes out exactly as written/pictured/anticipated and sometimes it doesn’t come out that way at all. Today I have examples of both. The Sideways Grande Hat (rav link) from the book Boutique Knits by Laura Irwin is an example of the former. A splendidly simple yet original, well-written and easy-to-follow knit here modeled by an unwilling Alice (“Mom, I have to go!!!!!!!). It’s a little on the big side even for my ginormous head and were I to knit it again (unlikely) I would probably cast on fewer stitches. But then I’m notorious for NOT knitting swatches and I should have known better and used smaller needles to begin with. Ah well I think it’s a lovely hat nonetheless. It’s one of frecklegirl’s favorite hats.

Now onto the second FO featured in this post which is an example of a project that did not come out as planned but was transformed into something completely different by the suggestion of a fellow knitter. What started life as the Fall Poncho (ravelry link) morphed into the Fall Poncho PILLOW (It’s actually the Union Square Shawl/Poncho from the book Weekend Knitting).

After months of knitting those phony little cables the resulting rectangle was much too small for a poncho (should have used BIGger needles in this case) but hey, who couldn’t use another pillow? Thanks Kirsten!

The President Barack Obama presidential inauguration commemorative hand knit pillow is finished

admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:50:33 +0000

And just in time for it’s first term.

I’m not sure if it looks better on the sofa or the chair. What do you think?

Only twelve days to go – but who’s counting?

admin — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:58:00 +0000

obama-rama pillow progress, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

hope (my official obama presidential inauguration commemorative hand knit pillow)

admin — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:51:00 +0000

obama-rama pillow, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

Believe it or not, the stealth gift knitting is just about finished although nothing I can blog about for fear that intended parties will see their gift before official gift giving. Maybe the solstice this year? Or possibly Christmas eve? Whaddya think guys?

In the meantime, I have begun my official President Obama Commemorative Pillow, which I’m hoping to have finished by inauguration day, January 20, 2009.

The pillow is based on the pattern called Obama-rama by Laura Birek and when I showed it to my sisters on Thanksgiving they talked me out of the sweater version. Would I ever really wear it, they asked? I decided on the pillow version to proudly display on my couch year round. Who knows – it might become a collector’s item.

The photo of the sweater was shot by kristi.nicole and I originally discovered this design through my favorite BC knitting blogger, flying pig knits. It’s all based on Shepard Fairey‘s original poster.

I also changed from Vanna’s Choice yarn to Lion Wool-ease which felt better in my hands. The cold snap we’re experiencing has made it an optimal time for knitting. Are you taking advantage of freezing temps to knit something nice for yourself?

I’ll have more to show you tomorrow. Stay warm!

max and "ken"

admin — Tue, 27 May 2008 18:33:00 +0000

max and ken, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

Max had requested handknit gloves from me and since he is moving to Indiana, and he’s probably going to need them this winter, I decided to get started on a pair. Inspired once again by BT who referred to the free pattern Ken, I cast on without a second thought. These babies are going fast! Knit on size 7 dpns in KP Swish Superwash, I’m already on finger four. I’ll have one glove finished before Max flies off on Sunday and that will give me a template for knitting the second one. It’s been 15 years since I knitted a pair of gloves and I’d forgotten how simple and straightforward they actually are.

Speaking of Swish Superwash, I finished the Cable Cushion and I’m also sending that off with Max as a housewarming gift. I hope I’m not overloading him and that they’ll allow him on the plane without charging him extra. The gray yarn certainly matches the gray daze we’ve been experiencing lately. I’m sure the sun will come out…tomorrow.