Happy Halloween!

More WIPs

Work is crazy as usual so there's not a lot going on here apart from some subway knitting and frantic last-minute sewing for a going-away gift (based on this quilt) for a friend who's leaving New York on Saturday!

WIP Wednesday

Just a few of the many many things lying around here in various stages of (in)completion...

My very first Baby Surprise Jacket

Completing a Baby Surprise Jacket seems to be somewhat of a rite of passage for knitters. The BSJ, as it is known, is the number one pattern for babies on ravelry, which is how I came across it, and its author Elizabeth Zimmerman.

Elizabeth inspires total devotion from anyone who has read her work. As her obituary in the New York Times put it, she "brought a penetrating intellect and a sculptor's sensitivity to revolutionizing the ancient art of knitting." If you are thinking of learning to knit (or just picking it back up again), I would highly recommend Knitting Without Tears - a handbook full of basic tips and information that will serve you well no matter what you're working on. The best thing about EZ's work is that not only does it evince her obvious intelligence, but also her sharp and vibrant British wit, which makes it really fun to read (dare I say, even if you're not a knitter!).

Of the Baby Suprise Jacket, which is knitted in one piece and magically turns from an amorphous blob into a neat cardigan, she says, "Funny-looking object, isn't it? Well.. [some instructions for folding] ...hey presto eureka and lo - a baby sweater. The baby will be unmoved by this offering, but the parents may well be charmed and your friends will be AMAZED." She was right! When I finished knitting the jacket, I laid it out for 3 PhDs and asked them to try and make it into a cardigan with two simple folds. They were stumped... and, as promised, suitably impressed when I demonstrated the genius of the pattern.

This BSJ went to baby Maeve. Hopefully it will keep her warm now that the nippiness of autumn has really set in!

Right, I'm off to do my last long run before the marathon - only three weeks to go now!

August

August was a big one, with trips and visitors. Make a cup of tea and settle in for a long post!

It started with some crafting...

July

July was a killer, there's just no getting around it. I know I've moaned about it a lot already but the incessant, unbearable heat is the reason I have very little to show for July! In fairness, it genuinely was the hottest summer on record. We had to renege on our green/frugal principles and buy an air-conditioner (and use it, almost every night!). It really made me question whether I want to live in New York long-term.

Of course, that state of mind didn't last long... how could it, this is New York!? So what did we get up to (when not moaning about the heat)?

We picnicked by the Hudson on the fourth of July, and had a great view of the fireworks...

/

We went to visit Manny in Baltimore, for beer, oysters, guitars, and Lars' awesome jalapeño cairirinhas. Indeed.

/

/

...And there were birthday celebrations, brews, and old-school bowling. Happy days.

er.... what was I saying?

I feel like I just popped out for a litre of milk, but disappeared off on a two-month fugue. I have a hundred (bad) excuses for my disappearance... the interminable summer heat that literally sucked the life from me, the marathon training, and of course, work. But now the autumn is here and I have lots of things to show and tell! Starting with a summer summary. Tonight, June! Be prepared, it's a long post!

June started with a brief visit home to Donegal and Dublin, where we spent a lovely afternoon in Stoneybatter...

...had some great coffee in Lilliput, thanks to Sherlyn & Joe...

...and spent a wonderful evening drinking Guinness with friends.

Then...