tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53148457317317689312024-02-19T22:01:39.485-08:00Loop the Stitchloopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-88237570139489352622010-05-05T20:27:00.000-07:002010-05-05T20:33:13.802-07:00Read IT.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); text-decoration: underline;"><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 96.0px Gulim"><a href="http://loopthestitch.blogspot.com/p/project-gallery.html">THE</a></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 96.0px Gulim"><a href="http://loopthestitch.blogspot.com/p/project-gallery.html">CENSUS</a></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 96.0px Gulim"><a href="http://loopthestitch.blogspot.com/p/project-gallery.html">CHRONICLES</a></p></span></span></span></span>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-39472399390757374732010-05-05T11:12:00.000-07:002010-05-05T20:07:59.118-07:00The Selby<div style="text-align: center;"><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">By now, I think everyone pretty much knows Todd Selby and his awesome series of photos that feature the homes of renowned designers and artists all over the world. On a rainy day, I sat at my local Borders and flipped through a copy of his first and most recent book. The pictures were beautifully shot and they kind of reminded me of my college days where my friend, Dorothy, and I would dedicate the first few days solely to decorate our rooms. We would drive back and forth to Big Lots, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls to spot our bargain furniture, pick out color schemes, find curtains that matched, and contemplate how to arrange our beds. Our dorm, LATHROP, would host its annual “best dorm room” competition where the winner would get a free pie of pizza. Sigh, how I miss college sometimes. My freshman year room looked like a total janitor’s closet because I had a roommate that didn’t share the same sort of fine taste (okay, maybe not fine... more like) whimsical living. My sophomore year room had a giant Andy Warhol poster, a treasured gift, and all these random wall hangings that I had purchased in France. I chose light blue and white as my colors. I also incorporated some Asian flair with my tatami mat and random hello-kitty decors. My junior year room paid homage to my travel to Japan from the previous summer. I also had random shit from the hyaku-yen store sprawled all over the room. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9E_7YcBU-RPaiTUQe06p4gruijxjiwxApVWwrJFqIARZB5yQ8H6X-UG8F_DPFq14Qk6qsFfEh0qJ-dZ1CvEZf8Zs3suG1-ijNSSP4V06dH77VNthGber62TLb1wMkKAYRVgF28PbsoQ0/s1600/Slide1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9E_7YcBU-RPaiTUQe06p4gruijxjiwxApVWwrJFqIARZB5yQ8H6X-UG8F_DPFq14Qk6qsFfEh0qJ-dZ1CvEZf8Zs3suG1-ijNSSP4V06dH77VNthGber62TLb1wMkKAYRVgF28PbsoQ0/s400/Slide1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467858684437926034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJp8gcXWc5V32cbVu6kbv3W0Ie7A5b0lNyeRZQRnZfFr68L4zllpda7LzFpjMJ_c9T82WTfnTYEZAPQU1KnFFlRXtL5D8lcG3gq_lquC79TeuEO3HAooYZiifirupEbUUmpvqkd4stj8/s1600/Slide1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJp8gcXWc5V32cbVu6kbv3W0Ie7A5b0lNyeRZQRnZfFr68L4zllpda7LzFpjMJ_c9T82WTfnTYEZAPQU1KnFFlRXtL5D8lcG3gq_lquC79TeuEO3HAooYZiifirupEbUUmpvqkd4stj8/s400/Slide1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467858593177875730" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEG6uXYrRcZxVMd5-ReHOZ6XhJ3_m13YFnZo6_BJedik01imumakg9DkdwR3a7ZbLURO5VP4R9Z6hkySObunZiyjaLgXmzmNSMEpwdX0i-bHsWfh7krLWPr1C96TSVQ_7nX5A5NV8KgQ/s1600/Slide1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEG6uXYrRcZxVMd5-ReHOZ6XhJ3_m13YFnZo6_BJedik01imumakg9DkdwR3a7ZbLURO5VP4R9Z6hkySObunZiyjaLgXmzmNSMEpwdX0i-bHsWfh7krLWPr1C96TSVQ_7nX5A5NV8KgQ/s400/Slide1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467858476743492034" /><br /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuypcu2bCt45HDZOrs6mBGlCilkNQyCD6SGJkcWl2kQx2sSBu9TkSW1JbuVHULb2jQ540_blON_kIWEXpR_7f744Oqcky_SCcCYM5UilLVWSeyJBl6B4NlcskBMurtjVca3Itow1BYV0/s400/DH+Dorm+Room+Wall.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467858843146065874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span>(A picture of the wall of Dorothy's room. 2006.)</div></div>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-27759557255230693532010-04-27T18:04:00.000-07:002010-04-27T18:09:07.735-07:00Turning Handicrafts into Opportunity<div style="text-align: justify;">As published in Vassar's Alumnae/i Quarterly - WINTER 2010 Issue.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px;font-family:Arial;font-size:18px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; font-family:Arial;font-size:13px;"><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Perhaps unsurprisingly, Klein ended up majoring in sociology, a course of study that led to a job working with international students while raising her family in Princeton, New Jersey. Her work involved helping the students adapt to American culture, which made her realize that she wanted to experience other cultures at a deeper level than just as a visitor. “I knew I understood how to work with other cultures,” Klein says, “but I needed to have something specific to do.”</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">While searching for such a project, Klein learned about an organization called Aid to Artisans, which helps create economic opportunities for traditional crafts people around the world. Around the same time, she learned about the Time-Out Grant, an anonymously endowed grant for Vassar alumnae/i over the age of 40 “who wish to make a career change or to take time out to pursue a strongly desired endeavor, but lack the financial resources to do so.” Klein applied for the grant with a proposal outlining her desire to work in Armenia on a crafts project — and got it.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">In 1993, Klein began her Time-Out Grant adventure in the newly independent Republic of Armenia, which had been a part of the Soviet Union until 1990. But after a terrible earthquake in 1988, and a war with neighboring Azerbaijan, “there was limited electricity and hot water,” she says. “In fact, there was very little of anything.” Under such severe circumstances, she began her collaboration with Aram Sharambeyan, who, with his sister, Anoush, had founded the Armenian Craft Enterprise Center. “They were trying to help artisans make a living after a complete collapse of the economy,” says Klein. Many Armenians had traditional craft skills, she says, but no market for their creations. “We would meet in his car because the heat worked there and nowhere else,” Klein recalls. Sharambeyan asked Klein what she could do to help. “I don’t know,” she remembers telling him, “but we will figure it out as we go along.”</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">With Klein’s help and her understanding of grant writing, specialty markets, and quality control, the Sharan Crafts Center, as it is now known, got off the ground. The center is thriving as an exporter of children’s knitwear; it employs over 600 women.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">The Time-Out Grant, since its inception in 1989, has helped nearly 20 Vassar alumnae/i change their lives. But Klein’s career has actually been transformed by a second program for Vassar graduates. In 2006, Klein convinced her brother Robert to accompany her on an AAVC trip to India. While on the tour, Klein struck up a friendship with the tour leader, Rachna Dushyant Singh, who had started a crafts project called the Agency for Non Konventional Urban Rural Initiatives, or ANKURI, in the hills of the Himalayas to help craftswomen in remote rural communities connect their knitting handicrafts to niche markets in India. Singh used her income as a tour guide to support her fledgling organization.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">At that point, Klein had worked for 13 years in Armenia—after the Sharan Crafts Center was on its feet, Klein also worked with Armenia Tree Project, an environmental organization—and Singh’s project seemed like a perfect fit for Klein’s interests and abilities. “All of the signs were unfolding infront of my eyes,” she says. “I told Rachna I would come back to help her, something she had heard many times before from people on tours who were interested in her venture.” Perhaps Singh didn’t expect anything to come of it—“but she didn’t know me,” says Klein. Soon Klein had a place to stay in New Delhi, five hours south of the city of Dehradun, in the Indian state of Uttrakhand, where ANKURI is based.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">The work Klein does in India is very similar to her work in Armenia, connecting local artisans with wider markets for their creations. In Armenia, Klein recognized that the products needed to be exported to other countries; in India, however, the markets are domestic. ANKURI has connected regional craftswomen with the leading Indian chain of high-end stores, FabIndia, which now sells their handcrafted products. Also drawing on her Armenian experience, Klein has helped ANKURI develop an education component, a health component, and an extensive program of volunteer opportunities.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Klein currently divides her time between the United States, Armenia, and India. “It is a real privilege to be able to live in other cultures,” she says. “I’ve gained so much!” After Armenia and India, perhaps there’s still another opportunity in store for her farther north, working with the Eskimos.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; "><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">—Diane Asadorian Masters '80</span></span></span></em></p></span></div>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-80891593331356303292010-04-27T17:31:00.000-07:002010-04-27T17:51:14.311-07:00WORD.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5CLkcbgDYu4DGt00WlZkhHDzOB6a1CyhKgUlN1-43pH89gnGr3Bq2Pz8bb9vg7YYZmfNeztfBiOxhD5LxapzO6DWNd4RKQqqEOQ_I3jXA7YIP4DrqzA1mmZV_a5nCYP369h5yfD-phpI/s1600/Slide1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5CLkcbgDYu4DGt00WlZkhHDzOB6a1CyhKgUlN1-43pH89gnGr3Bq2Pz8bb9vg7YYZmfNeztfBiOxhD5LxapzO6DWNd4RKQqqEOQ_I3jXA7YIP4DrqzA1mmZV_a5nCYP369h5yfD-phpI/s400/Slide1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464983383073868258" /></a><br /><div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Words are grabbing my attention... nasty words, pretty words, words that make witty statements. When I came across Mary Ping's "Ballet Flat," I was amazed by the simplicity and overall super chic n' creative design. Who would have thought printing "BALLET FLAT" across a shoe would be so adorable and not tacky at all? I always knew Ping had a keen eye for style with her five-fold birkin bag...</div><div> </div><div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Top left: an image from <a href="http://lovelytextiles.blogspot.com/2008/03/janet-morton-knit.html">Jane Morton</a>'s exhibit, Top right: an intarsia chart of the capital letters for knitting, Below left: another intarsia chart for lowercase letters for knitting, <a href="http://www.slowandsteadywinstherace.com/">Mary Ping's</a> SSWTR ballet flat shoes.<br /></div><div> </div>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-69941300045704494532010-04-27T17:08:00.000-07:002010-04-27T18:00:00.375-07:00Has it been awhile?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrkEQXJ5O3WwEjYMNkSstLEL8ZS74OzVT_ZeJ9l4-325yni5ZH1GcF7pPs86_5rI1J8XvcTCy_2QWABNuxYB_r7QoRjGfzuG1jAm96Ybd8TPE8H2UTS4pJxZOb-b9kdAEuu-HFERrp9c/s1600/face.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrkEQXJ5O3WwEjYMNkSstLEL8ZS74OzVT_ZeJ9l4-325yni5ZH1GcF7pPs86_5rI1J8XvcTCy_2QWABNuxYB_r7QoRjGfzuG1jAm96Ybd8TPE8H2UTS4pJxZOb-b9kdAEuu-HFERrp9c/s320/face.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464986792796821954" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Hello Cyber World!<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's already been about two weeks since I've last posted something. I've been super busy studying for a major exam and working for the US Census. My first day of training for the Census canvassing job was today and I am exhausted... eight hours of reading about various conversations, what to say to strangers in case they have questions about the five-minute questionnaire (seriously, how many questions can a person ask about a five minute questionnaire?), and procedures for follow-up when we are unable to get in touch with someone after our seventieth time of visiting him/her. There are some things that I'll just never understand... such as the need for so many rules and contracts in this country or how much we waste paper printing redundant shit. But then again, maybe it's not just this country and maybe it's not even the government's fault.. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was away this past weekend at a church retreat. I got around to a half-hour of knitting, but nothing else. I also visited Redeemer Presbyterian Church on sunday and heard Tim Keller preach about peace. It was really nice and a perfect way to end the weekend. I'm considering going back in two weeks to hear his message on kindness. It occurred to me a few days ago that I really do not know how to be kind... And I don't mean just performing random acts kindness or saying nice things to someone.. I do not know how to be genuinely kind - that ooey-gooey warm fuzzy feeling deep down inside, you know?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've been recovering from a cold. I don't enjoy the feeling of being sick - it makes me feel so... powerless. I can't move around, dance around, or act like my crazy self when I'm sick. Instead, I'm just this limp noodle. Ugh, I hate limp noodles. On my long car ride back from the retreat, I found some awesome things that I would like to share with the world... Stay tuned! I will reveal them in my upcoming posts.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-50767440060934970732010-04-10T01:06:00.000-07:002010-04-15T15:29:51.875-07:00Coco Before Chanel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRU6Z1S9qTzcJalPHNwNbmjQ-ngKRJNDp33_IoWxEP2R7vKI_aFZxKSDddde8k8dVPF2nRIewxpygQJu4yNANHYcH7DpdcloiE0m3GCnAzg5EIYiT7uemHT5fsK09yQGLmTpVlf9hTkfw/s1600/coco+chanel+-+nyt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRU6Z1S9qTzcJalPHNwNbmjQ-ngKRJNDp33_IoWxEP2R7vKI_aFZxKSDddde8k8dVPF2nRIewxpygQJu4yNANHYcH7DpdcloiE0m3GCnAzg5EIYiT7uemHT5fsK09yQGLmTpVlf9hTkfw/s400/coco+chanel+-+nyt.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458417426324872674" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; line-height: 22px; font-size:15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; ">Over the weekend, I had the chance to watch Anne Fontaine's film, "Coco Before Chanel." The film focused less on the life of Coco (Gabrielle Chanel) as a designer and more on the designer's childhood and her pre-iconic days. Immediately, we learn that Coco has a very strong sense of self and is obsessed with the color black.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Although many reviews criticized the film for not focusing on Coco’s life as a designer and for not being literal enough, I personally believe the film's overall subtlety makes the film more real and beautiful. In many ways, the film's slowness serves as an accurate illustration of the daily life as an aspiring designer. You begin your career by making a hat or two day, a painfully slow and doubtful process – and once you’ve made enough hats, it’s time for you to move onto some dresses and suits. Until then, it's hard for you to tell if you're as gifted as everyone says.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; ">On a side note, here's the rating from a NYT article (he he): “Coco Before Chanel” is rated PG-13 (Parents strongly cautioned). It has sexual situations and a lot of cigarettes. No nudity, though, which would be a distraction from all those lovely clothes.</span><br /></p></span></span>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-78677286068006975652010-04-08T23:03:00.000-07:002010-04-15T15:53:45.684-07:00What's in a name<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjw0k8mwXYyD-zixoVRiUJOnmoMGthzNnBEm0_jINDR0wdZUgmchC95-5eF4qX8-J92P0AG9uLVB273KRo0w3x4WuaiYV98eAb5m5B2Ngzc9KsB9IqMK7zdfDK-KV21QXQFO-KheQzPt4/s1600/26c.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjw0k8mwXYyD-zixoVRiUJOnmoMGthzNnBEm0_jINDR0wdZUgmchC95-5eF4qX8-J92P0AG9uLVB273KRo0w3x4WuaiYV98eAb5m5B2Ngzc9KsB9IqMK7zdfDK-KV21QXQFO-KheQzPt4/s400/26c.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460501169069451026" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">I thought of some names today as I ran on the treadmill. I wondered how the names of different brands were developed. I thought about Opening Ceremony and then thought it would be nice if I named my future label, "Intermission" and then discarded that idea because it seemed so unoriginal and a lot of the stuff I make looks NOTHING like Opening Ceremony. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">My middle name is Joan. Not Jo-ann, but Joan. I was named after Joan of Arc, who my father grew to love and admire during his college days when he studied French History and Lit. He envisioned that I would be independent, strong-minded, and respond to duty just like she did. Yeah... not sure how all of that really fits into the overall picture of me. I suppose I do have a tendency to be really INTENSE when necessary.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Last December, after hours of trying to come up with a name for my website, I settled on the name, Loop the Stitch, for my blog. When you loop something, you keep it on repeat. And since the art of knitting is related to the idea of passing the craft down one person to next, I thought "loop" would be fitting. For now, I haven't done much but share pages and pages of verbal vomit, but I hope to share some of my secrets about knitting (and other stuff ha ha) in the near future with you as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-3092425805000738712010-04-08T22:57:00.000-07:002010-04-08T23:02:39.919-07:0004.08.10<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8X0Iu_WYsv4o0uUgRHS0KOU6TOFNJt8JujvsqGLyUbwIS5dTYLxKIHUkqi0s-5wDE1v213BFF1qZmMiYQCrMQgDoLUJ2F2uLQdP18liHsvAk50MP4qNfSX7auHqzW9oIL-Gn38Qe3KPY/s1600/Michael+Cera+-+Francois.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8X0Iu_WYsv4o0uUgRHS0KOU6TOFNJt8JujvsqGLyUbwIS5dTYLxKIHUkqi0s-5wDE1v213BFF1qZmMiYQCrMQgDoLUJ2F2uLQdP18liHsvAk50MP4qNfSX7auHqzW9oIL-Gn38Qe3KPY/s400/Michael+Cera+-+Francois.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458014038071454674" /></a><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div>"He was so bad, that's what made him so good."</div><div><br /></div>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-15721951363324300272010-04-08T11:45:00.006-07:002010-04-08T11:48:37.549-07:00Clear blue skies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWx-qlH65uTRwOL-AGdaxuOgw5q0Q3VFdcxvYJMD_SAxDaFROr8jsN2Hpqg7FBgP50vX8xF-E5pG5iTge0iv4MIyin3GW80b-RzExvpYuAwVSRO8ek-ctwS7P8W5BCEDwN-WgLuA2odUw/s1600/Sky+With+Clouds+(Edit).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 255px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWx-qlH65uTRwOL-AGdaxuOgw5q0Q3VFdcxvYJMD_SAxDaFROr8jsN2Hpqg7FBgP50vX8xF-E5pG5iTge0iv4MIyin3GW80b-RzExvpYuAwVSRO8ek-ctwS7P8W5BCEDwN-WgLuA2odUw/s400/Sky+With+Clouds+(Edit).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457840416462740898" /></a><br /><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">It feels like summer.<br /></div><div> </div><div> </div>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-7233134427241841182010-04-06T02:34:00.000-07:002010-04-08T11:45:36.866-07:00Progress Report<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">Oh my goodness. My heart is pumping with excitement right now as I access the wi-fi at starbucks! It feels so great to have internet that works super fast (just like how my life was back in college). Oh, sometimes one must deprive herself of the ordinary joys in life in order to feel a greater joy later. I am in a state of bliss (for now, at least).</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GtToJqq3Z9zh0P9Vc-Tk17xZNdQrd0a7UgDlecHbMttBKD83B35qRVwwBtmnQEaBtoKnA6B2sxMyWFyZk61DceZoE6iM_ijZ9cjaeuyB4uSzd4CuUfCN5zTBqcqEZi5iv95AX8AxE7I/s400/Starbucks+(4-6-10).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456971629168487154" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">So, there have been so many things that I wanted to share with the world these past few weeks, but I never got around to updating my blog. First, I've been catching up on some reading. Currently, I'm finishing up <a href="http://www.ruthozeki.com/weblog/">Ruth Ozeki'</a>s "All Over Creation." A recommendation to my tree-hugger friends (and even the environmentally apathetic ones): you should definitely check out Ozeki's books, "My Year of Meats" and "All Over Creation." Her books are relatively simple, quick to read, and absolutely hilarious! I simply can't get enough of her sarcastic comments and back-handed criticisms towards both liberals and conservatives... And it's just great that she's able to tackle even the most sensitive subjects (asian-fetishism, racism, radicalism, weight issues) in a fairly humorous and light-hearted way. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLINQT_9Wa_KG6u9Ah2VUgKzIGwab8Rv4fVoQT7rtRN0Nffr6HMXOil5txw-sFaVpOmRZOukDtjivLLhfMszTapuDKreHEI09rRhMhFFbzbmOEPSmx7gP0xIVMDIT-MAtztAmsCrZA34/s400/Ruth+Ozeki.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456972156845251234" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 181px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">After a two-month hiatus, knitting is finally back on my priority list. Also, there are some things that are not on my priority list, but I consistently do - such as watching hours of trashy TV (yes, fellows Real Housewives fans... you remind me that I am not alone), playing with my toes, wasting money on manicures that don't last for longer than a week, and taking narcissistic pictures of myself on iPhoto that I'm tempted to upload onto my blog or facebook, but really shouldn't. I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> should </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">really take on something more useful and outdoor-sy like gardening or hiking or golfing... except that I hate bees and I do not like walking on steep hills, which could be a tiny tiny problem.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">So, here are some upcoming topics that I'll cover (hopefully, very soon):</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">What's in a name? </span>- "One sunday morning, I wondered about my (lost) identity... and where I came from"</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Spring Inspiration Board</span> consisting mostly of flowers and playful prints that I've encountered on my little journeys.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">A Knitted Wedding</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Head Gear </span>that I found online - we're talking some really weird shit.. knit robber (ski) masks with mustaches and an octo-legged scarf... no, they're not all pretty things.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-weight: bold;">Photos of random stuff from International craft and fashion magazines - </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); ">aka</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); ">. magazines </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); ">I can't afford to buy and instead, spend hours snapping bad-quality photos using the iPhone without getting caught by Borders man, who eyes me from his corner register. Meow.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">'killa and Her Baby Blanket </span>- Sounds like an awesome title for a children's book. It's about my friend, 'killa, with her hand-crocheted baby blanket that has dinosaur stains on it.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">VC Alum Quarterly.'s </span>story on hand-knitting.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I have this huge desire to return home and do some yoga in my living room right now. The only problem is mama Chang magically transforms into a moody cat from 5-7 am., guards the sofa, and hisses at me to leave if I go anywhere near it. Guess I'll have to hit the gym instead.. Good day, world.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-7685114573936059812010-04-05T19:43:00.000-07:002010-04-05T19:53:35.752-07:00Working on it.<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">I </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">will</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"> be productive tonight.</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMSjt0-eOspIAke4XtFT7m0Ul-uXsKNa27QQA6ckARxVKpMUXaMk_l2-xAJ4pHDfp0n97ngn0A5aaQNMl0JY5w7Vttgh55-ie8GeLR7ARncLFIgofXR3dbvF2bLe9lzRESQkDawvgnh0/s1600/Red+Heart+Umbrella.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMSjt0-eOspIAke4XtFT7m0Ul-uXsKNa27QQA6ckARxVKpMUXaMk_l2-xAJ4pHDfp0n97ngn0A5aaQNMl0JY5w7Vttgh55-ie8GeLR7ARncLFIgofXR3dbvF2bLe9lzRESQkDawvgnh0/s400/Red+Heart+Umbrella.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456850426420109554" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I heart hearts and umbrellas.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div> </div>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-31778171227304312332010-03-24T21:05:00.000-07:002010-03-25T15:45:35.928-07:00In those jeans...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZi8UnxkJdC_NTmf5GBVm4PBvalDSH0dfyMO9q0yUM7_NWmyiLQCohMmZpX20Rz_bBAlYfBgB193tztTHF2rA_nky2hgmFHAoL55exhDYS7-Ugua1RGH86GRG2iCMwHUpvjzL6sf_Rmk/s400/Slide1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452606019607350002" /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.psimadethis.com"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">PS. I made this </span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">did a fun post on denim shirts that were Chloe inspired. I don't know if the whole cowgirl gone chic look is really my thing (def. not a big fan of the patched look), but I can appreciate the three hanks of yarn that are hanging out in the back of the collage. I've worked with Rowan's Denim yarn before and I must admit that it's not my favorite. If you're looking for a good yarn with a denim effect, go with the Chiara yarn by Lana Grossa that I mentioned in one of my posts. Though the price gap is relatively large - a 50g ball of Chiara easily goes for 10-15 dollars and a 50g ball of Rowan Denim yarn goes for 6 dollars, I think you're probably better off with the Chiara. After all, don't you want your sweaters to look soft, squishy, and expensive. Squishy is my new fave word in case you haven't picked up...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Denim People, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">a knitting book that features unique denim-inspired sweaters, is one of the few mainstream knitting pattern books that I don't find absolutely repulsive. No, none of that fluffy, crazy, ugly furry shit going on here.. My favorite look from the book is the Wallflower Sweater that, with its intarsia motif, resembles the Opening Ceremony Squiggle Sweater Dress from F/S 07' (from Oogabooga.com).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:18px;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:18px;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNlf_80bHRlBKAQ-tu-X2c-84Tzhlu6S9PmQNbxXhCPFypSlV9UyGBAOKkGmtAjPlldLM_eTM-dQGPq1oFg76EOo6pjDYSJi4TWJ9Sao7hEbjkFh3wd2GXqmwSUUYFyVXQIRsd7oIsls/s320/Opening+Ceremony+Squiggle+Dress.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452706110379102386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 320px; " /></span></div>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-4053101712185311692010-03-23T01:04:00.001-07:002010-03-25T15:47:33.317-07:00Oh jelly?<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7jBnZgSB9sz2fWS5EugYSoB-_GKeV0GklbIeIP2duV7ZzLsyMT5DOL0hZPo8ONOtfY4JP5wp6l224HhHuWc2R040VpErlkdmpMesamQJZCNNxyN2ejVDL-BR6OL8TXCikv4qVk0iI1Y/s1600-h/Slide1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7jBnZgSB9sz2fWS5EugYSoB-_GKeV0GklbIeIP2duV7ZzLsyMT5DOL0hZPo8ONOtfY4JP5wp6l224HhHuWc2R040VpErlkdmpMesamQJZCNNxyN2ejVDL-BR6OL8TXCikv4qVk0iI1Y/s400/Slide1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451744012684758738" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">It is four o'clock in the morning and I am here to tell you about my latest internet shopping obsession. Nothing exciting, really. But really, can a girl ever have enough shoes... ever? Don't answer that.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">It seems as though the Jelly Flats are making their comeback this spring/summer (once again). Last year, we saw some really cool stuff from Givenchy with their cut-out sandals and some affordable and fashionable gladiator shoes from low-end brands such as Topshop and Payless. This year, things are looking a little different. Instead of relying on simplicity, designers have pulled out all sorts of embellishments, ranging from bows, rhinestones, studs, and cut-out decorations, to jazz up these magnificent squishy creations. I'm noticing that Jelly Flats are becoming less about functionality (not just reserved for those nasty rain days!) and more about unique design.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Speaking of unique (or rather, a lack of), I was surprised that MJ didn't kick butt with something amazing this season. Instead, he came out with these outdated, slightly boring cutout, tie, jelly wedges that look really similar to Givenchy's design (but not as cool) from last year. Totally something I've already seen before and totally not worth 100 bucks...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">My favorite has to be the Vivian Westwood bow flat. They are so cute! I love the giant bow and the leopard print insole. The Ferragamo Jelly Flats, on the other hand, look pretty terrible. Cheap but not chic. Just because you stamp an expensive label on a cheaply made shoe doesn't make it nice, people. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdn0T_20omC5KYwNvAhR7iI-fQp1tGx2fPVVbie-bQhyphenhyphencp4YRxkH6bhMOpgB3m5NHfXkPCFXb-7MYnQMEjoaDv6cA1zm-iGfKeiVCu_dSDExiemvMbO9cHj1Y-lyd8gOYvQqWRPvPG8x8/s200/VW+Bow+Jelly+Flat.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452706784069334610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 200px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></div>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-27264781603094054912010-03-16T17:12:00.000-07:002010-04-06T03:54:06.556-07:00The Mothers of Knitting.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4PaYSjpDak5ZhTa0MkjJI9dHIh3e6zPEULkNMfmVzT3RTJYpN9QkQW4xScZdpwD1d2gV6uNTpuFaZl6_WsWzgILlT6B389wYxbYalpAWEhrrlBwtppBtJRpllMiW15790r8hjrvbSAE/s1600-h/Slide1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4PaYSjpDak5ZhTa0MkjJI9dHIh3e6zPEULkNMfmVzT3RTJYpN9QkQW4xScZdpwD1d2gV6uNTpuFaZl6_WsWzgILlT6B389wYxbYalpAWEhrrlBwtppBtJRpllMiW15790r8hjrvbSAE/s400/Slide1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449389914439866306" /><br /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 24px;">They explain it better than I ever will.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Zimmermann">EZ</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.oneofsusannas.com/bohus.htm">BS</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div></div>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-43263917185731964522010-03-16T02:48:00.000-07:002010-03-16T14:15:49.698-07:00Add Some Color.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3zSYv7YmFdVlntwHJgNTIckV0_7q4oNEkqjqOHZjXW8pZueTW-LwdzKlZ9mYNMqeyzo7pzoV1ODe0IoO4fopV5560WJ3amLoFkxFbVJ91PsOeP-4W5dRrF3vJBE5jwAER0nS0VFOT0g/s1600-h/Slide1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3zSYv7YmFdVlntwHJgNTIckV0_7q4oNEkqjqOHZjXW8pZueTW-LwdzKlZ9mYNMqeyzo7pzoV1ODe0IoO4fopV5560WJ3amLoFkxFbVJ91PsOeP-4W5dRrF3vJBE5jwAER0nS0VFOT0g/s400/Slide1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449343442255999650" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The leopard print sweater on Alexa Chung. Boden hat and scarf (www.bodenusa.com). The fabulous Helena Bonham Carter from Alice in Wonderland. Wool and Mohair Sweaterdress from Missoni.</div>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-29326320830178864042010-03-16T01:10:00.000-07:002010-03-16T02:56:15.844-07:00What I'm working on...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueizfuWfEbpqzNoV-9xKqPUSz-C6g6CNyKsEuvxlZ4B8ItcgsbA508VdqSzRwH0G3oSskhg3iaZdCzkFCDaGJ20MXRc-3ShnfUpM_AHIbIk0sRIMH0LRRQJVDZMv1FRXMchDNiF5P_UY/s1600-h/chunky-bow-beret.jpg"><img style="text-align: center;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 159px; height: 200px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueizfuWfEbpqzNoV-9xKqPUSz-C6g6CNyKsEuvxlZ4B8ItcgsbA508VdqSzRwH0G3oSskhg3iaZdCzkFCDaGJ20MXRc-3ShnfUpM_AHIbIk0sRIMH0LRRQJVDZMv1FRXMchDNiF5P_UY/s200/chunky-bow-beret.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449141788893871538" /></a><div><img style="text-align: center;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUE2TppuC9oilrVsmRGrkD5LmRi7ug9gPcM3XYai2ANvDOReTrj_u0Js4bIXInPLKK3-g3Ti71Rl0_xCLpFLAOoTHzkZmNQK7p-LIVADkEvw3Kzc6l6keKm1xYpTHxqLyO8TBZoqotSwo/s200/2010011808323435818_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449141777890372194" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A giant bow headband + Cable earmuff headband... pictures will be uploaded as soon as I get my camera fixed (or I borrow my friend's - whichever happens first).</div>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-18786015906195986172010-03-15T03:25:00.001-07:002010-03-25T16:16:50.042-07:00Alice in the Wonderland, Spring Magazines<div style="text-align: justify;">So I've decided to read as many books and watch as many films as possible since my schedule is relatively free for now. I'll be updating my side bar with the current books that I'm reading and the movies that I've watched/am currently watching as I type out this entry.<br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Despite the extreme weather in New York last night, my friend and I managed to go watch Alice in the Wonderland in 3D (not worth it if you're considering), try on a few glittery outfits at a nearby boutique, eat scrumptious gnocchi at a really cute pizzeria in my town, and flip through countless fashion magazines at a 24-hour grocery store at 2 AM... And I must say that there's really no better way to kill time than to stand at a pay counter, giggling and chatting about all the outrageous spring outfits that we either adored or found totally hideous. Then, we came across this one Ann Klein ad that had a huge ink mark on the model's face, which totally sucks for the model and we wondered if Ann Klein will be able to get a free ad out of it (not that any of this really concerns us). Anyway, I'm not completely sure how the workers felt about our loitering, but I'm sure they were somewhat relieved that we weren't as annoying as those high school kids that race their lame cars in the parking lot to see who can be the dumbest and fastest instead of studying for their SATs. Ah, it was one of those nights that reminded me of my college days when my bestest, Angela, and I would do our 4 AM Dunkin Donuts/Acropolis Diner run -- only now that I'm older (and slightly more efficient with time?) I've pushed the hours back by two. I suppose some things never change.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, my favorite character in Alice in the Wonderland was the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter). She is adorable, mean, and just plain adorable (repetition intended). I love her big head. I love her bright orange hair that goes with her big head. I love that her lips are in the shape of a heart. I love the blue eyeshadow. And I love that she resembles those Blythe dolls but with a much meaner look.... I think she should model for Moschino. In fact, I love her so much that I think I want to chart out an intarsia pattern of her to knit. Wouldn't she look really cute on a vest or a hat?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /><object width="580" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EflJOSEZfh8&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EflJOSEZfh8&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360"></embed></object><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(OFF with his head!... Poor Mr. Frog)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaK5GzZa3OAkwcrO6E6ALe1Yz7pJ-Gn6qabwS6aPGJT67pgaM-a4Pn6B4D0MYrnivliBzvlTHPPsHhOm5XHB1vzYIUjYx-lHt6uqjL3c1in9zHVnQ3q4bPCMHgGHqstAt-Wv4BDKTSlA/s320/Annie+in+Glitter+Cardi.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452708464197487970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div></div>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-49171231624940970722010-02-19T20:11:00.000-08:002010-02-19T20:52:57.812-08:00Some fine-gauge inspiration: Sonia Rykiel for H&M<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 2px; "><div style="text-align: justify;">In less than 10 hours, the Sonia Rykiel for H&M collection will be launched in H&M stores throughout NYC. As I walked past the brightly lit Macy's at Herald Square, I couldn't help but notice all the adorable fine-gauge knits that were displayed in the windows of the H&M store. Bold stripes and cute intarsia bows dominated the tops as well as delicate ruffles on little dresses that were to die for. The clothes combined cool London street-wear with some Harajuku whimsy (because of the bows). My favorite piece was the black sweater, which was made entirely of the loop stitch. The textured stitch reflected a subtle contrast between funky and chic -- and of course, the color black only completed the look.<br /></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUYIfUaZy7HjH08Xk27zk3Vqjr22u8d40Pf3BQpsabj6ROSNZH9YqFqZcKnd94xYz27ZjZM3sL9wMsccD2LckDKgqVYpxmikmwcdztsgnEGFHam_bggHRe4Z5FuNC6YwEbheIiD6Nxq0/s1600-h/Slide1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUYIfUaZy7HjH08Xk27zk3Vqjr22u8d40Pf3BQpsabj6ROSNZH9YqFqZcKnd94xYz27ZjZM3sL9wMsccD2LckDKgqVYpxmikmwcdztsgnEGFHam_bggHRe4Z5FuNC6YwEbheIiD6Nxq0/s400/Slide1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440183657963404146" /></a><br /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 15.0px Courier"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="letter-spacing: 2px;"> </span></p>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-32901755182759876522010-02-18T18:27:00.000-08:002010-02-18T18:52:48.373-08:00More pictures.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMjFdeuPtIFIFuBF0T8BJalspmSIozzHNvPL8IOywhv-ah45suRZJfskQJ-onZAlYATkWnF2Ih8zBNGgzwqdOOQniEz8V5O0FAixJ0-HLMvGOm9a2Xks6qvg-CgpYDWJqav24GZ44AAg/s1600-h/Slide2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMjFdeuPtIFIFuBF0T8BJalspmSIozzHNvPL8IOywhv-ah45suRZJfskQJ-onZAlYATkWnF2Ih8zBNGgzwqdOOQniEz8V5O0FAixJ0-HLMvGOm9a2Xks6qvg-CgpYDWJqav24GZ44AAg/s400/Slide2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439781294269428002" /></a>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-25873680952829293432010-02-18T18:09:00.000-08:002010-02-18T18:13:25.355-08:00Entrelac<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 15.0px Courier"><span style="letter-spacing: 2.0px">The stitch resembled a large version of the basket weave cable. When I looked closer though, I noticed that this stitch was much more textured with its woven structure clearly visible. So, as I tried to recall where I had last seen this pattern, I searched through all my knitting textbooks but disappointingly came up with nothing. That was when it hit me. I had seen this pattern not in a book of mine, but at the old yarn store where I used to work on the weekends. The pattern is created using a technique called entrelac, which is literally a bunch of woven squares. Basically, you knit and turn, knit and turn until you form these little triangles and squares. There’s some geometry and heavy shaping involved, but you get used to it after awhile. </span></p>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-54937636850445864172010-02-18T17:54:00.000-08:002010-02-18T18:06:22.911-08:00The Wool Gathering, NYC<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaf5ZmMz4tGo_o2zoMJWMvsXCbaomHWsRwh8ztjUMtXlApgI52ua9wAefiWl1O-sR2IQXVxJvJaCYwZlyOFCDB267HP8_4S3o-kAs3lO82QXmQPt-JJA_9ttYi3Fu9oYhQYRompijAeQ/s1600-h/photo-4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaf5ZmMz4tGo_o2zoMJWMvsXCbaomHWsRwh8ztjUMtXlApgI52ua9wAefiWl1O-sR2IQXVxJvJaCYwZlyOFCDB267HP8_4S3o-kAs3lO82QXmQPt-JJA_9ttYi3Fu9oYhQYRompijAeQ/s320/photo-4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439767414718872018" /></a><br /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 15.0px Courier"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="letter-spacing: 2px;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 15.0px Courier"><span style="letter-spacing: 2.0px">I visited a yarn store in NYC called The Wool Gathering. The store is small but clean. I didn't like how the wool was arranged (everything was put into baskets and you had to dig through every basket to find a ball of yarn). The yarn was a tad overpriced (a single skein of Misti Alpaca Chunky went for 16-17 dollars - usually it's 14-15 dollars). But, I liked the wood floors, the friendly sales lady, the store's classic American feel, the different colors of yarns, and the Mongolian cashmere. Actually, I love the cashmere.</span></p>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-75112884263669050372010-02-18T17:51:00.000-08:002010-02-18T17:53:52.576-08:00A Chunky Cowl made with FEZA Yarn.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaj7H29WfKQuzqZt7Ey6S9CZkRX0OUdMPCxUXMYVxEFvstoe_lIQIbTK3LJxS6vT4qTcW-GAfuAHSOO0yBQ0-yeR-sdvRTjDd3Q9wd1V0q6SIjL-r0MaxOtmh0mHkqcQ4LXpu2d8V1D00/s1600-h/Slide3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaj7H29WfKQuzqZt7Ey6S9CZkRX0OUdMPCxUXMYVxEFvstoe_lIQIbTK3LJxS6vT4qTcW-GAfuAHSOO0yBQ0-yeR-sdvRTjDd3Q9wd1V0q6SIjL-r0MaxOtmh0mHkqcQ4LXpu2d8V1D00/s400/Slide3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439766854452803826" /></a><br /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 15.0px Courier"><span style="letter-spacing: 2.0px">'Candy Cowl'</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 15.0px Courier"><span style="letter-spacing: 2.0px">(If you saw the color picture, you’d know why I call it that.)</span></p>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-10804105648907235062010-02-17T23:54:00.000-08:002010-02-18T01:21:30.380-08:00Don't bother me. I'm knitting. Oh, smile for the camera? Where?!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEwocXDBcbqA0fxu50sY99pWdrabsC6wphoyV1tg_d3uUn0hYa6xI-bg1fE06UVlLAx5YkhtETH_zJasRNfY8XcgzCrxNmDk_3uMN89bOO7qPtJWvyHKV6UH40kQ0mHS0mwRg00PreBM/s1600-h/Slide1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEwocXDBcbqA0fxu50sY99pWdrabsC6wphoyV1tg_d3uUn0hYa6xI-bg1fE06UVlLAx5YkhtETH_zJasRNfY8XcgzCrxNmDk_3uMN89bOO7qPtJWvyHKV6UH40kQ0mHS0mwRg00PreBM/s320/Slide1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439488981906474738" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: 22px;font-family:courier;font-size:15px;"><br /></span>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-14525937821047019442010-02-17T23:53:00.001-08:002010-02-17T23:53:45.929-08:00EZ's Baby Surprise Jacket<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 15.0px Courier"><span style="letter-spacing: 2.0px">I’m not a big Elizabeth Zimmerman (EZ) fan because I find so many of her patterns difficult to follow, but I greatly appreciate her bold and innovative approach to color and shaping. The only pattern of hers that I’ve completed so far is the Baby Surprise Jacket (version II, modified by Meg Swansen), which I found in a back issue of Vogue Knitting magazine earlier this year. Since I felt like I was lacking a classic piece in my collection, I thought that the EZ Baby Surprise Jacket (BSJ) would be the perfect addition to my collection of handmade knits.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 15.0px Courier"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="letter-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 15.0px Courier"><span style="letter-spacing: 2.0px">My favorite part of knitting the BSJ was seeing the shape of the jacket take form. Initially, the BSJ instructions didn’t make much sense to me as I read about the random increases, but with slow progression, the shaping grew more apparent with each row and I was stunned by the jacket’s sophisticated look. Quite marvelous.</span></p>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314845731731768931.post-25485281458340943432010-02-17T23:51:00.000-08:002010-02-17T23:54:03.934-08:00Ombre<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 15.0px Courier"><span style="letter-spacing: 2.0px">I’ve never knit anything in ombre before. As a fledgling knitter, I fell in love with a beautiful ombre skirt in Wenlan’s Twinkle’s Big City Knits. The skirt was made with three-strands of mohair held together and knit so that the color transitions were smooth and practically invisible. What struck me as odd yet totally awesome was that the skirt didn’t have the gradation of a single color. Instead, it incorporated four (or was it five?) different colors. Finding the right colors is probably one of the greatest challenges in design. And if done incorrectly, it could turn out to be a total disaster… like a 80s hot mess.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 15.0px Courier"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="letter-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 15.0px Courier"><span style="letter-spacing: 2.0px">Tonight, I spent two hours working on a swatch for EK in ombre. As I’ve said before, I’ve never worked ombre in knits.. It’s not very challenging but you have to keep switching each color back and forth for about six rows in between each color change which gets kind of tiresome.</span></p>loopthestitch@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11130837588217798770noreply@blogger.com0