Sunday, October 28, 2007

The real meaning of SSK

SSK: slip, slip, knit? No, sew, sew, knit. Because I have been making tees. (We are going to ignore the stupidity of this in October, ok?). Sew 1, Sew 2:
both tees

Both using Simplicity Pattern 4589 and fabric I bought in Japan. My sewing, as ever, could be better, but they're fine if you don't look too closely. The ladybirds one was way too big, even after taking it in, so I cut a size down for the robots (and made it on the smaller side) and it fits perfectly. The ladybirds one looks fine under a cardigan though, or if you don't mind the super-smock look.

Next up, the knit. The pattern is my own, from the first edition of Yarn Forward. As I've posted before, it was inspired by bubbles in a champagne glass, but the eyelets in this green version are making me think of light coming through tall trees.

tee at college2

I'm really pleased with the result - it's come out exactly as I hoped. I wish I'd charted it though - if anyone's trying the pattern, email me and I'll see what I can do (though I can't promise anything instantaneous). I used Euroflax Linen in emerald. It's strength gives a nice 'tree-like' construction to the sleeves, and it's softening up nicely even if it was pretty rough to knit with. It's sportweight, not the 4ply of the pattern is written for, so I cast on for the smaller size.

tee at college t(r)ee-top tee at college - shoulder

Yet, for me the true meaning of SSK will always be a geeky one: Sociology of Scientific Knowledge. And on that, I'm going to a History of Science conference in DC this week, giving a paper on the Professor Branestawm books. Then I have a week off (last real break before thesis hand-in at Easter). I'll wander around DC for a bit, then I'm visiting a friend in LA, taking a bus trip up to San Fransisco and, as my flight home goes through Newark, finishing off with 24 hours in NYC.

Any tips for things to do, places to go, people to see? Kirsty's given me £10 to bring her back some inspiring craft 'stuff'. Where should I go? (bearing in mind I'll mainly be getting around by foot, though like any Londoner I do enjoy a bit of public transport)

19 comments:

Joan said...

I adore all three of those tops! I think the Ladybug one looks like it fits you okay.

I don't know what exactly you'll have time for in nyc, but Kirsty and I were talking about stationary on email a while back and Kate's Paperie is full of wonderful, inspiring goodies!
http://www.katespaperie.com/

The A.D.D. Knitter said...

Good luck with your paper. My husband (aka the Darling Resident Marxist Curmudgeon) is also a History of Science scholar and usually attends that conference. Have a great time! And that Japanese fabric is killing me...

Oiyi said...

Those tees that you sewed are quite cute! They look like they fit you well.

The pattern you designed is fabulous! Do you know if they sell that magazine in the US?

I live in NYC. Maybe you can stop by Purl Soho (for yarn) and Purl Patchwork (for fabric). Seaport Yarns is a great place to wander in for a while (it's big).

spajonas said...

oooh, i love each of these tops. sewing is so much fun. i wish i had the space to do it more often.

Anonymous said...

You probably won't get time, but I'd recommend this place when you go to NYC:
http://www.superherosupplies.com/

The LA chapter doesn't have an associated shop, but there's this in SF:
http://www.826valencia.org/store/

Have a wonderful time.

Anonymous said...

Those tops are all beautiful. You're making me wish I could sew at all!

Amy said...

Great FOs! I love the sweater.

If your bus tour from LA to San Francisco goes up the coast, I have some suggestions for you.

Pig wot flies said...

Nice work. I love the green Bottoms up. Mine's still hanging around waiting for me to finish what I'm knitting and start the sleeves.

The conference looks interesting. Have a fab time!

Anonymous said...

Have fun here in DC! Definitely visit the museums, and there's a few Metro-accessible yarn stores if you're interested (I recommend Knit Happens, in Alexandria, closest to the King Street Metro stop on the blue line or Stitch DC on Capitol Hill, near the Eastern Market station on the blue/orange lines). And with the current exchange rate, why wouldn't you be??

Anonymous said...

Just adorable!

wazz said...

Have a great time at the conference! On my last trip to NY I enjoyed the vintage fabric here:

http://www.brooklyngeneral.com/

mmmm....

littlelixie said...

The tops are all really lovely.

littlelixie said...

Meant to add this too! http://lixieknitsit.blogspot.com/2007/05/new-york-knitting.html

Lolly said...

I love the tops - all of them! you have a great eye :)

I do hope you enjoy your time in DC - it is a pretty cool city. A hidden gem is the Textile Museum, located a few blocks up from the Dupont Circle red line train station. Another very cool museum is the National Building Museum - right off the red line station at Judiciary Square. If you are into design and architecture, I think you will like it. The Smithsonians always have something good going on too - check out the Freer Gallery and the Hirschorn sculpture gardens :) Another good one - especially since you are a scientist - is National Geographic, located closest to Farragut North (also on the red line). All of these museums are free, and pretty accessible by train and foot. If you do make it to Dupont Circle, there is a great cafe/restaurant: Teaism is a Asian-style tea house with delicious veggie foods. One of my favorite places :)

Have fun~and safe travels all over the States!

schrodinger said...

I love those tops!! You're right the robots one is a really great fit.

Sounds like you have a bit of travelling ahead of you. I'd say that school products can be a great place for cashmere (I say can because sometimes the selection can be a bit 'meh'). To my shame, I've never been to habu (and I work so close to it, I hang my head) anyway, you should check it out for more unusual fibres.

Hope you have safe and fun travels.

Penny said...

Have a lovely trip. I hope the paper goes down well.

I thought I'd have a break from looking into History of Science research degrees, and this was the first blog I looked at!

Jackie said...

GREAT tees! I love them! I should sew more often.

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