Tarted Up

Warning! Picture heavy post ahead - apologies to dial-up users

HOLY CRAP!!!!

Sorry, I just had to say it again. What a weekend! As if Thursday and Friday weren't good enough, the birthday vibe saturated the entire weekend. Saturday was lowkey. Cyd came over to work on altering a wedding dress for her theater company's new production and I sat for most of the day, watching movies and working on Klaralund's final sleeve. By dinner time I had it finished and ran it through a cold water, delicate cycle in the washing machine and was ready to block it. Pic on the left is during the pinning stage. Click for full-blown image. I didn't have any T-pins, so I used my large head quilting pins and laid the pieces out on the floor in the girls' room. Since they're not home, it was the ideal place and the Berber carpet worked fine. (Side note, I almost never wet block unless I'm doing lace, but I knew the Kureyon would soften up and bloom a bit in the wash.) Kevin went a bit nuts on the pics, so on the right are all the pieces blocking.

I was so high on finishing all the knitting that I decided I could push myself a little further. I had my kitty bed to felt and a Kureyon Not-Booga Bag that I wanted to run through another felting cycle. What the heck, I thought, I can whip up a little purse to match Klaralund. Two episodes of Coupling (the UK version) later, I had a tiny little purse with a 3-stitch i-cord handle ready to pop in the washer. I ran it through two cycles with the other feltables and half a dozen tennis balls and then hung it on my bedroom door handle stuffed with a plastic shopping bag.

Sunday morning, while still in my jammies, I unpinned the pieces and began the process of finishing Klaralund, knowing that I had the huge deadline of the KnitOut. Seaming with the Kureyon was a pain in the @$$. It was like sewing with velcro. The strands kept breaking and I was sewing as fast as I could, grumbling and growling the whole time. Thank goodness for Kevin, who made me tea and PopTarts while I frantically seamed away. Finally I was ready, took a quickie shower and ran out the door. But Klaralund was finished and I was wearing her.

I arrived at Temescal Cafe a bit later than I'd planned, but Rachael was waiting for me with a big hug and surprises! I was a dork and left the digital camera at home. Hopefully Rachael will post pics to her blog, cuz she took a bunch! My Secret Pal was tres sneaky and plotted with Rachael to have my birthday gifts delivered to me at the KnitOut. Some gift!!!!!!! Five skeins of sock yarn, sizes 0 & 1 bamboo dpns, the book Sock Whimsy, pale green tapers, wool wash, cedar eggs, an Article Pract tape measure, needle point protectors, hand salve and the most darling card. But that wasn't all.... Underneath the wrapped box was another box from La Farine, a French bakery in Oakland. The most beautiful fruit tart I've ever seen emerged when I lifted the lid. Oh My GOD!!!! It is beyond delicious. I swear, it is the best pastry cream I've ever had, and I consider myself a bit of an expert on the subject. Creamy dreamy indeed.

I sat and chatted with Silvia, Mystery Guest Claudia, JStrizzy and many others (including my friend Amy of Amy and Steve). Eventually, Amy, Strizz and I headed over to Article Pract and I was surprised again when the woman behind the counter offered me a "Special Discount". I was trying to be good, but Alpaca Silk at a discount was too good to pass up. I also got some Addi Turbos that I needed. Then I stopped by Amy and Steve's for a while.

Back at home, Kevin had dinner waiting for me (I was so excited at the KnitOut that I forgot to eat!) and then he snapped a couple more shots of the finished Klaralund. Here's the official shot. But you know that I couldn't resist doing The Rachael.

Thank you, Rachael, for making the KnitOut possible! Thank you, Secret Pal for showering me with such wonderful gifts. I am not worthy! Thank you to all the knitters who showed up and offered such warm and wonderful companionship! Thank you Article Pract for the lovely birthday discount! Thank you all for making to the end of this post! Happy Monday!

Comments

[amy]

If I ever feel confident enough to knit a sweater it will be like YOURS! What a beauty!!

[Rachael]

Hee hee! what fun!

[emily]

Hi! It sure was fun to meet you in person at the knit-out. That sweater was even more gorgeous in person-- plus I love reading about the epic finishing! Also it was cool to finally see the fabled Onde yarn in person. That looks like it will be a really good sweater. We should definitely get together for coffee and knitting sometime- since we live so near by each other.- shoot me an email!

[Jackie]

I love your Klaralund...and the matching bag is just too cute. Sounds like a great day.

[Secret Pal II]

So glad you had a great birthday! Rachael and I had fun scheming your treat, and I'm glad the sock-heavy gift was welcome - I know socks are still new to you, so hopefully you'll have some fun. Happy Birthday! You did look lovely in your Klaralund, even better in person than in these pics, which is saying something! xoxo -SP2

[Eklectika]

I agree - those colors are great on you - very nice!!!

[Margene]

Your Klaralund makes me want to make one...I want to make everything I see however. But seeing you look so good...makes me want to make her. You really look fabulous and glad the b-day went really well for a lucky, lovely grrl...you!

[maggi]

Wow, that was fast, and she is beautiful! You, too. I love the little purse idea, but I chose to order a couple more balls to go with the leftovers and will make Boo cardigan (Knitty) for Wee C. My Klara pieces are blocking now -- any seaming tips?

[cari]

Klaralund looks beautiful (as do you)!

[LisaPrit]

Amazing job! Klaralund looks beautiful. You should give yourself a pat on the back.

[Kathleen]

Klaralund looks fabulous. The colors are perfect on you. What a terrific birthday. I love the Alpaca Silk--I want to knit that DB sweater so badly but have no good reason to buy more yarn--but a birthday discount! That's great. BTW, I agree, Kureyon sucks to sew up with.

[Marta]

Wow, you really look gorgeous in your Klaralund!
Congratulations, you did a very good work.
And the little felted purse is so beautiful, too.
It sounds like you enjoyed the past days and your birthday a lot. And so much knitting success!

[Wendy]

Great Klaralund! You look fabulous!

[Lolly Lauren]

Great pcitures, and your Klaralund is so lovely. The colors are perfect for you. I am happy to hear that you had a nice time at Knit Out! :)

[patti]

Wow, your Klaralund is gorgeous! I just got my silk garden for her yesterday and can't wait to get started. If mine turns out half as pretty as yours I will be thrilled!
I am glad you had a nice birthday!

[Emma]

You look stunning in your most beautiful Klaralund.Fab post describing a great day.What are you planning for the delicious Alpaca Silk ?

[Rubber-Sol]

Klaralund turned out FAB! And what a wonderful gift basket! So jealous! :)

[Norma]

You are a STUNNER in that Klaralund. I've seen some around the web and if I may say so, yours is the best and the most suited to you -- its colors couldn't be more perfect for you. What the heck is Claudia doing way over there? This is highly suspicious! You had such a nice extended birthday with so many wonderful gifts -- you must have done something very good in a prior life, no?

[Heidi]

Your Klaralund is beautiful as are you! It was fun reading along, too--it sounds like there might be more knitting outings up north than there are down here in San Diego!

[Brenda]

Klaralund looks great! Gotta go work on mine now. I'm using Kureyon as well, and hope it turns out as well as yours.

[Lauren]

Wow, gorgeous Klaralund. Reading the play-by-play was fun.