Subway Knitter

Mystery Subway Crocheter of the Week (Grumpy Gus Edition)

2008-05-09T16:13:48Z

New York. It takes all types.

Take this crocheter for example. Or rather, take the black case that you see in the left corner of the photo. It contains some kind of musical instrument. Goodness knows exactly which one. Anyway, it belongs to the woman who is the focus of this story.

Maybe she just found out the results of her Music Under New York audition. Maybe she was jealous of my shorter commute. Maybe she was angry that she couldn't afford gas for her car so she must take the subway to and from Union Square each day where she makes $20 squeaking out tunes. Maybe she's just a mean and nasty person. But for whatever reason she took issue with the fact that I was taking that picture surreptitiously. Not a picture of her, mind you, but a picture of someone else.

Anyway, she gave me her two cents about it. Something about "exploitatating" people and "living in a zoo" Get the picture?

Luckily my stop came up quickly. I made sure to give her the address of this blog--so that she could see where and how I posted this photo. Maybe this woman is reading (slowly) right now. Hello!

Why Did Nobody Warn Me?

2008-05-06T11:05:02Z

Yesterday after work, I headed to Midtown to visit M&J Trimming. You see, I have a pair of shoes that will not stay on my feet. These things should not, technically, be called shoes. "Flingers," perhaps. But, "shoes"? I don't think so.

Besides the fact that they don't stay on my feet, these "shoes" (for lack of a better term) are quite cute. Patent leather ballet flats with a trim of grosgrain ribbon.

It was the trim that gave me the idea. What if I had a cobbler sew lengths of black ribbon to the shoes? Then I could tie a little bow that would a) look cute b) keep these damn things on my feet.

So, it was off to M&J I went in search of this ribbon.

Let me preface these pictures by writing that if you need any kind of trim for any reason M&J will have it. Trust me. My first thought when entering the store was "Holy guacamole!" [Especially appropriate for Cinco de Mayo, no?]

I spent about 15 seconds walking around looking dazed when someone (the manger?) approached.

"Can I help you?"
"Oh, yes. I need some grosgrain ribbon. But first, I need to soak in this place."
"Ok. The ribbon is right here. [Lead me to the 10-foot high Wall of Ribbon]. But take as much time as you need."
"Wow, uh, thanks!" I was totally dazed by the amount of ribbon.

Then I checked out the trim sections. Again, I was completely overwhelmed by the selection. And, again, I stood there for way under a minute before I was approached by an employee asking to assist me.

So, suffice it to say, the staff at M&J is all over helping out their customers. If you go, you will most definitely be taken care of.

More pictures:

Crystals, anyone?

Finally, I'll leave you with the biggest buttons that I've ever seen. Just to give you a sense of scale, those buttons below the large ones are probably about one inch in diameter.

These had to be about as big as the palm of my hand.

Catch y'all tomorrow, with a sweater update!

Subway Inspiration

2008-05-02T14:39:00Z

If you ever want to feel like you need a wardrobe overhaul, please ride the MTA with me. Conversely, if you ever want to feel like a fashion maven, please accompany me on my next subway excursion.

I guess what I'm trying to convey is that the subway, like New York City itself, is the great fashion equalizer. Sure, you'll be able to find a person (or in my case, more than one) who is dressed better than you. On the other hand, look around, you'll also be able to find someone who is, well, fashion challenged.

I guess that what I'm also trying to convey is that I've learned to filter out what my fellow riders are wearing (although I ever saw this guy in person, it might get a little difficult). With the odd exception, of course. This morning, I encountered an exception.

Now, I don't have a picture. I was standing very close to this woman, and if I had whipped out my camera it would have been unavoidably noticeable. In which case I would have had to ask permission. And really, the only appropriate response to "Can I take a picture of your skirt hem and your legs?" is "Hell, no! Get away from me, you freak." So, the image is seared into my memory. Unfortunately, I can't download that memory into Photoshop.

But, she was wearing a cute box-pleat skirt with navy stockings and cute-as-a-button Mary Janes. The fabric of the box-pleat skirt was small, random, vertical stripes. Somewhat like this:

(this photo came from Fabric Lovers Unite where this particular selection is on sale).

Except not at all. Blues dominated, somewhat like this:

(thank you Photoshop)

Except for the fact that the actual fabric was more subdued--there was a lot less white.

It got me thinking about sewing again. I picked up a pattern recently for a dress. I haven't had time, however, to explore fabrics. But now I think that I have a plan. And since my classes finish next week (Meetings of one class are, actually, over. The other ends next Thursday.) I think that I can give myself permission to sew.

KIP Follow Up...

2008-04-30T13:29:21Z

Many people have asked me if anyone ever recognizes themselves as a "Mystery Subway Knitter of the Week". It's happened once.

Although yesterday something somewhat similar happened. I logged on to Ravelry (like you do) and noticed that I had two new messages. Am I the only one whose heart does a little skip when you see that you have messages? Probably not.

The messages were from Mary. [Click through to her Ravelry page, if you can, and read her profile. It's really funny.] One to add me as friend, and another to say "Hey! Remember me? You took my photo in Zaftigs in August 2006."

So I did. Actually, I remember the evening well. To say that August 2006 was an unsettled time in the life of Subway Knitter would be an understatement. To offer some support, some fabulous friends met me for dinner at Zaftigs. It was a fun evening, and really took my mind off of a few things.

And, like it or not, Mary was a part of that evening. And, now, she's a part of my Ravelry network. Awww!

Slip Stitch Patrol

2008-04-29T14:11:03Z

I'm consistently having a problem with slipped stitches with the Provence.

This problem is specifically confined to purl stitches.

To combat it, I do a thorough check ever couple of rows. If I see that long bar of yarn, indicating that there's a missed stitch behind it, I work over to that stitch, I grab my crochet hook, undo the column, and then reloop, picking up the missed stitch.

It's more of an annoyance than anything else, and probably due to where I'm doing most of the knitting (the subway, of course). When I'm on the train I tend to look anywhere else BUT my knitting (I can do this with stockinette). Purl stitches are a bit harder for me to knit by feel. Because this yarn is so slippery smooth, it's prone to popping off of the needle before I've looped it through the stitch.

Still, this yarn feels so wonderfully smooth and soft that it's worth risking a few (easily fixed) slipped stitches. And, I'm almost at the shoulder shaping, so it's not impeding my progress one bit.

More Cardigan

2008-04-23T10:00:54Z

If I had met the Pope last weekend, I would have taught him to knit. Long hours on Shepherd I would be a good time to knit all of the Cardinals red scarves for Christmas. When you're the Pope, you've got to start your Christmas knitting early.

I'm most decidedly not Christmas knitting right now. I'm working up the back of Thea's fine cardigan (non Ravelry link here):

When I'm not busy knitting, I'm busy enjoying spring. Because we live in an apartment rather than a house, "enjoying spring" does not include yardwork (I think that I am the sworn enemy of yardwork). But you know, we city people still have it tough. I was in Midtown last week and noticed this project:

How many of you suburbanites are painting your skyscrapers this year? Hmmm?

Recovery!

2008-04-22T10:11:39Z

Congratulations to everyone who ran the Boston Marathon yesterday! You Bostonians might not believe it, but yesterday in New York, people were going about their days as if it was just a regular Monday! I think that some New Yorkers were not even aware that there was anything the least bit special about the third Monday in April.

Go figure. I guess, however, that the city was still recovering from the Pope's visit. Geez Louise, you might have thought that the Pope's visit was The Most Important Thing Ever to have happened in the history of the city. [Now, I'm not getting down on anyone's religion. If you thought the Pope's coming was cool, then I'm genuinely happy for you. And after the whole Devil Mitten Debacle of 2008, some of you might have thought that he was here to see me personally (he was not).] But, this is New York City. Nothing that happens here is the most important thing ever.

You might know that he celebrated a Mass for many thousands of people at Yankee Stadium. Now, at first I was concerned that this might give the Yankees an unfair advantage. I mean, he is the Pope. But then I remembered that this is the last season for the current Yankee Stadium. Furthermore, although that Red Sox jersey was removed from the new concrete, there must be some lingering karma. I think that we're even-steven on this one.

Anyway, the Pope's visit gave me a chance to stop and reflect. I will never think of my subway rides in the same way again:

Cable Me Beautiful

2008-04-17T10:13:39Z

One of the details that drew me to Thea's wonderful cardigan design was the long row of cabled ribs at the bottom. To top it off, there's a cool little cabling technique about which I knew nothing before this week.

Instead of using a cable needle to hold the unworked stitch, or slipping the stitches off of the needle, twisting, then knitting them, you first knit two together (K2Tog) then you knit again into the first stitch. The whole shebang then goes off your left needle and onto your right. Boom: cable action!

Most of you probably have known all about this technique for years and years. Not me! This is going to revolutionize my cabled projects. Could cabled socks be far behind?

Mystery Subway Knitter of the Week!

2008-04-16T10:07:01Z

Hooray!! As the flowers bloom, the subway knitters are coming out of the woodwork:

I wonder if she just cast on for a spring cardi. Like me!

Swatch This!

2008-04-15T10:33:19Z

After the Classic Elite Provence arrived in my mailbox, I didn't waste any time winding it up and casting on for a gauge swatch. The label says I can get anywhere from 5.25 to six stitches per inch using US5s to 6s.

And that's exactly what I got. I tend to knit on the loose side, so I knew that if I wanted to get Thea's gauge of 5 stitches per inch, I needed to swatch with a US5.

Upon measuring my (pre-washed) swatch, I got 5.25 stitches per inch. And I was happy. Why? Because I can easily achieve the pattern's five stitches per inch when I block the pieces. Or I can just leave it as is and know that gravity and wear will eventually give me the gauge that I want. As a beginning knitter, one who was still learning about how fiber works, I completely discounted a fiber's ability to stretch. And then I wondered why things never fit right after the first few wearings.

Now, if I had six or seven stitches per inch, I wouldn't be so nonchalant about it--I would reswatch with a bigger needle. You can't compensate for that much difference with blocking. [Conversely, if I had 4.75 stitches per inch, I would reknit a swatch with a smaller needle. You can't block something smaller.] But a quarter of a stitch? That's easily addressed, either by you or by gravity.

Color Me Surprised

2008-04-14T10:57:18Z

Like much of Blogland, I heard last week about the end of MagKnits. And, like much of Blogland, I heard about it via Ravelry. I don't mean to ascribe too much significance to this event, but I think that Ravelry's roll as a hub for exchange about this event, along with other recent happenings (MCY thread-crack anyone?) has cemented its place as the CNN of the knitting community.

I won't give yet another blow-by-blow, here's-what-happened account. The Lumpy Sweater wrote an excellent post that (to my reading) is an objective synopsis of last week's events, if you haven't already heard.

I'm sure that Kerrie felt justified in her actions, much like those who heaped complaints on her felt justified to be complaining. It is honest to write that, as a designer who had a pattern on MagKnits, I'm extremely disappointed at how this was handled. While I don't think that Kerrie had a life-long obligation to pay for server space to keep my pattern "alive" she needed to reach out to us designers with a warning about what she was about to do. As far as I know, there was no attempt made to contact anyone but the most recent contributors. Having written that, I never had the sense that MagKnits had the attention from Kerrie that it deserved, or that Kerrie was comfortable with the amount of time that she could devote to MagKnits. So ultimately this is for the best, although it seems like a bad way to go out.

Just as Kerrie has decided to move on, so have I. I'm happy to have the opportunity to repost the pattern right here, on my blog. I can finally include the cable charts that were omitted from the original posting (and despite a few polite emails to MagKnits very early on, the charts were never included on the MagKnits site). This always bothered me, and now there's something that I can do about it!

And, while I will morn the loss of MagKnits, it has engendered (via Ravelry, or course) some discussion of other online Knitting magazines that are out there. How exciting! I didn't know about any of them (besides Knitty).

Mystery Subway Knitter of the Week (Almost Edition)

2008-04-11T10:26:23Z

Sometimes you just know that you're sitting next to a subway knitter. For example...

See the yarn in her bag? Could this mean that she was traveling to a learn-to-knit class? Perhaps we're witnessing a subway knitter in the making! This is indeed a historic moment.

So Cute!!!

2008-04-10T10:27:54Z

It's a six pack of cuteness.

The Details:

Pattern: the Baby Bootie pattern from this Filatura di Crossa booklet. Yeah, I had all sorts of plans to use a new pattern, but in the end I didn't have time to make gauge adjustments. I knit what I knew.

Yarn: Odds and Ends. The brown and white pairs are cotton. I know that the white is Peaches 'n' Cream. The brown is a mystery yarn that I picked up years ago in a Knitsmiths swap.

Needles: US 7s and 6s.

Will I knit this pattern again? Undoubtedly.

With these three pairs all ready for gifting. I guess that I'm ready for the next knit. This one, of course, will be all about me.

It is Here!

2008-04-09T10:08:48Z

My yarn has arrived. My next project may now begin.

"What is it?" you ask.

(photo is totally snagged from Thea, but I saved it to my own server)

Thea announced the existence of Golden on her blog, just about a month ago. I beat a cyber path to her bloggy door begging (pleading!) to let me be her test knitter. She graciously consented, and even gave me some time to play around with baby booties.

But the yarny call of Golden was too much to ignore. When Thea mentioned last week that WEBS has placed this yarn on sale, I knew that the time was right. I wanted a navy blue. Apparently, Classic Elite doesn't dye the stuff in that colorway. I think that I got as close as I could:

It's "Marine" and it's got a touch more green in it than a navy would have. We'll ignore the fact that I bought a very similar colorway in wool last month at Brooklyn General. I know what I like.

Because this is a test knit, I need to swatch and wash, first.

Dear New York State DMV,

2008-04-08T10:40:37Z

Ten minutes. What's up with that? I think that it took me longer to walk there and back.

I decided that it was high time that I surrendered my Massachusetts driver's license in favor of one from the Empire State. I went through the rigmarole of getting my Social Security card reissued (I must have had one before this, I have a Social Security number after all, but I've never seen an actual card in my name before last week.) Prior to Monday, I would have said that the Social Security Administration's Brooklyn office had the market cornered on efficient bureaucracy, but you, NYS DMV, have got them beat hands down.

I await the results of your institutional photography skills.

Sincerely,

Subway Knitter

I went prepared for a long wait. Indeed, when I stepped inside I noticed a few poor souls perched on those light-wood benches in the middle of the room. I walked up to desk number one (the desk where your paperwork gets a cursory review for completeness, and you get directed to the correct line), and I was told to go see the guy at the camera immediately--where there was no line. The camera guy quickly looked at my documents, made some scribbles in a red marker pen, and took my photograph (I hope that my hair was okay). He then gave me a printed receipt with a number, and told me to sit on a bench and wait for my number to be called.

"Ah, ha!" I said. Here's the wait. How much knitting am I going to get done? What's blinking on the board up there...K42. What does my ticket say? K42. Hey, that's me! I was summoned to window 16 without a chance to sit down.

At window 16 I was relieved of $45; my passport, Social Security card, and Massachusetts license were all scrutinized for authenticity. More scribbles were made on my application form. Stamps were used. Getting a driver's license is a serious business these days. I remember when my 16-and-a-half-year-old self showed up at the RMV (it's a "Registry" in Massachusetts, compared with a "Department" in New York) with little more than a copy of my birth certificate and some form that got stamped by the registry cop who administered my driving test. When I officially moved to Rhode Island in 1997, all that I needed was my valid Massachusetts license. When I moved back to Massachusetts, the RMV simply took my Rhode Island license and reissued my yet-to-have-expired old license (yeah, that was some good record keeping there--move to another state and they forgot to cancel my file.) Heck, I applied for my passport with less documentation than what I needed to show yesterday morning.

Anyway, I was done at window 16 in about five minutes. The entire transaction took (and I am not making this up) less than 10 minutes. I left with a paper receipt, a temporary license, and a promise that the real license would arrive in my mailbox within two to four weeks.

So obviously, I am one of a select few eligible to operate a motor vehicle under the flag of New York State. And I don't even own a car! If I did, though, I am disappointed to report that this registration is already taken: