Dawn Brocco's Life & Design Blog

Always not as much as I want/need, but I am 9 designs ahead and I did reformat and PDF all my older books, as well as my 80+ patterns, back in February - which was just as time-consuming as designing

The one thing I really wanted to accomplish, though, was the selling of this house, and try as I might for the past 2, count 'em, 2 years, I can't get it sold.

The accolades for how beautiful and clean it is, though nice, had no weight whatsoever.

So, when I think about what I want to accomplish in '08, my first thought, again, is selling this house, with all the time away from my business that it entails to do so.

I would also like to get 12 designs done this year, 1 per month, if not more. I've not had the time to churn them out fast enough, so that knitters have something new on a regular basis, to consider making.

AND I was hoping to put my organic veggie garden back in this year, after a 3-year hiatus, thanks to The House's needs.

Reality says it ain't gonna be possible. All 3 things, in addition to running the household and dealing with aging dog behavior, is more than what one person can do, particularly at my peri-M-adjusted health and energy level.

So, although it is New Year's Eve, I haven't set any solid resolutions. All I know is that I need the coming months to result in MUCH more positive results than '07, or '06 for that matter, or '05 (retina detachment year). Yeah, am overdue for some good news. Here's hoping!

Labels: resolutions

I've just started a group on Ravelry for fans of my designs and books:
Dawn Brocco Knitwear Designs

Gonna be busy the next couple days, so 'til Monday - have a great weekend all!

Labels: Ravelry

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Christmas!

This is the first year we neither decorated, nor put up a tree. But that doesn't mean we didn't have an enjoyable holiday, made even more yummy thanks to all the chocolate gifts we received this year. Petits Fours, Godiva Truffles, Harry & David Truffles, Lindor Truffles, and a mass of Ghirardelli chocolates, fudge sauces, squares, brownie mix, and drinking chocolate.

There's enough chocolate in this house right now to drown myself in! And if sweets aren't your thing, there's pounds of homemade lasagna and meatballs to sink into or get sunk by - usually the latter!

The holidays are dangerous food events.

Reading
Why is it that the one thing I enjoy almost above everything else - reading - is the very last thing I ever get to do!?

Son asked me recently if I've read the newest HP book, knowing how much of a fan I am. Nope, not yet. I need an entire weekend in which I don't need to do a darn thing, in order to devour a HP book.

I can't stop and start when it comes to novels. And it's not a recent thing. When in grammar school, I used to go to the library on Saturday morning and get enough books, so that I could read the entire weekend. Not a normal kid. Reading was a wonderful escape, and still is, though I don't need to escape, as I did then.

When mid-evening hits (about 10 pm), and it's been a tiring day, I generally pull out just 2 or 3 books from my knitting/craft shelf, to, at least flip through, if not actually read a bit of.

The first 2 are Annemor Sundbo's: Everyday Knitting and Setesdal Sweaters. I must have been Norwegian in another life, as I LOVE Norwegian sweaters, both traditional and modern, ala Lise Kolstad and Tone Takle. I also love looking at the photos of underwear and swimwear that Norwegians used to knit, back before lycra existed.

And I wouldn't mind owning a shoddy factory, as she does, but I doubt that here in the US, there'd be enough people within local communities wearing out enough wool to warrant a shoddy factory. The recycling of old sweaters into wool quilt batts is good recycling. But what do we use here inside quilts? Polyester or thin, cotton batts.

The third book is an all-time classic: EZ's Knitting Around. I love to read about her fascinating and adventure-filled early life. Inevitably, though, I read 2 pages then I'm falling asleep. Not from boredom, just tiredness. My body has an on and off switch, nothing in between.

There is one other book I pull out now and then: Wendy Keele's Poems of Color. I love the Blue Shimmer pullover, and one day I will adapt it to a larger gauge, and, using a non-angora blend yarn (allergic) knit it up.

It's weird, I've worn low-percentage angora blend sweaters, and had no problem, but knitting angora blend yarns means dealing with the angora fibers that come loose as one works. The eyes, the nose, the throat all become a mess. Not worth the suffering.

Accounting
In between Christmas and New Year's, I begin the year-end accounting, which continues into January. I'm always eager to know how good or bad the year's been, though I usually have a good sense of it as the year goes on, naturally. All I can say is that next year had better be better than this year or I might as well give up designing and get a job hawking fries.

Now to figure out how to make that so, whilst hoping beyond hope that the housing market turns around and gas prices lower to a sane price.

Labels: books, chocolate, lasagna, reading

How many times can one knit the same skirt? In my case, twice!

I once knit a skirt. In Plymouth Yarns Alpaca Boucle in a grey/black tweed. Don't remember ever wearing it. Gained a few pounds = skirt was way too snug on rump and thighs.

So, took apart skirt and used some of the yarn for other things.

Fast forward to present time, lost 24 pounds = rump and thighs no longer an issue. Wish I still had that skirt. Got some of the yarn, have a few things I can take apart to recoup more yarn = yup, same skirt was cast onto ckns Wednesday night.

Except this time, instead of elastic at the waist, I may put a drawstring. This way it's more comfortable to slip it down a bit from the natural waist and secure it there.

Elastic, if it fits well at the waist, can then be too tight an inch or 2 off the waist. And lately, I can't stand anything pinching on or near my waist, so I'm gonna give the drawstring a go.

I want to get some black opaque tights and I have a pair of black, low suede boots bought several years ago = most of an outfit.

I know - all the black is very NYC - but I'll wake it up with a brighter sweater.

Just call me crazy.


I ran the 2 pairs of cords I have through several hot water washes and hot dries, and 1 pair did actually shrink-to-current size. The other pair (same make, same style, different color) shrank some but is still loose. The pair of pants I *always* wear, though, are unshrinkable, so they're still getting the safety pin treatment.

I have a small office, about 7' x 11" in which has a heavy metal desk, which holds my 85 lb. Phaser printer!, a 5" table which holds this pretty sunflower Mac and an Ethan Allen comb back Windsor chair I got at a yard sale about 14-15 years ago, for $5. Yup, just a fin, as there was only one.

But this isn't where I knit. Too cold, too uncomfie. Adjoining this room, is the family room. That's where I knit. And particularly, on this loveseat, which I moved in from the parlor. No use it sitting there unused, when it fits my bod perfectly.


Big wool blanket is nearby for the after-sunset chills. And on the little table, my scissors, tapestry ndl, a York mint, yarn for a project, and my lip gloss.

Good natural light, while we have it!, and a small lamp is all I need to work by. My blue eyes can't take more than a 40 watt bulb without wincing, and actually 25 watt bulbs suit me perfectly.

And here's where the mess accumulates. On the coffee table. Big hank of Bear Creek with swatch on ndls still attached, grey tweed skirt in progress, blue and white new sock design in progress, skeins of yarn underneath it all waiting to be swatched or worked up.


And, of course, Pickles, who positions himself so he can see me while I'm in my office. Gawd forbid I'm out of his line of sight! Attached at the hip.


And finally, buttons for the next design. Betcha can't guess what it will be.

Labels: Alpaca Boucle, bee buttons, pickles, Plymouth Yarns, skirt

I've finished 6 pairs of socks for CIC. Hope to do more in January, but this batch is going off on the 26th, so to miss the Christmas package rush. Knit in Peace Fleece and Oasis Yarns Aussi Wool.

Trying out a new sock design, while I wait for those 2 hanks of Mauch Chunky to arrive, for the 2nd tea cozy sample. I'm *really* enjoying this Naturally Nazareth yarn.


It's Eye of Partridge, but in 2+ colors. I designed kids' socks for issue 8 of my Heels and Toes Gazette, that used the EOP pattern in 2 colors for the cuff, heel flap and toes. This time, I wanted it on the leg and foot, for the extra thickness, and therefore, warmth it should give. the vertical heel stitch on the heel flap coordinates with the twisted rib cuff. I'm also planning on doing the same pattern in their Mauch Chunky.

And I have a large hank of Bear Creek that I think is telling me to become a fitted vest. If so, I'll need another hank for the first sample, unless it starts to say something else before I CO. I don't want to do a plain 'ole ordinary v-neck vest - even if cropped with a deep under the bust ribbing - but the muses haven't voiced alternative opinions yet. So, we'll see.
Onward.

Labels: Bear Creek, CIC socks, Kramer Yarns, Mauch Chunky, Naturally Nazareth

Of the 4 yarns sent to me (as a member of the Association of Knitwear Designers) to swatch for TNNA's GWOY, I used 3. The last was 85% cotton and I just can't get myself to want to knit with cotton yarns. Most cottons do nothing for me.

So, here's the 3 mini samples and backgrounds.



Though a handpainted yarn (which ya'll know I don't like), this was dyed in short color lengths, so the overall effect was less sharply variegated, more subtle haze, like a daydream. I had a whole 100 grams and immediately I knew I wanted a mini coat or jacket from it.

So I designed a kimono-style jacket, with waist shaping, shaped sleeves and a deep collar/front bands. For a closure (that would be less likely to be snatched while on display!), I found an assortment of colored safety pins in various sizes, at Joann's.

This yarn took a bit of thinking. I had no spontaneous design idea, as when I held and saw the Misti Alpaca yarn. Though a GREAT fiber blend, it's less soft than it could be, as it's more firmly spun than one usually sees. This, however, should be good for wear.

In the end, it was the color that decided the design - a long red stocking cap with a cabled fold-up cuff.

This yarn is handpainted, as well, but also in fingering wt., which I never use - a double whammy for me! I (briefly) considered a mini sock, but I really don't like to knit with US 0's or 1's, even for a small sample, so I doubled the yarn and made a stockinette watchcap with a twisted ribbed cuff. Doubling the handpainted yarn further softened the changes in color.

The photos are not as good as I'd like, but after retaking them several times, I got weary! Here's one last photo showing the size of the samples against a ruler.


Onward.

Labels: GWOY

And more Winter is coming on Sunday. Hubby will be SO pleased. He's SO not a winter guy - hence his all-encompassing desire to move to the Cape if ever this house could sell (not that they don't have cold there, but there's far less snow, and for him, that's a major improvement).

A plow blade for the truck would be ideal, but ideal is too expensive, so a garden tractor with small plow blade it is, but he was all stiff and in pain this morning, and that was just after 1 plowing of the driveway and both parking areas yesterday.

Inches more was falling as he plowed, which is why he's out there now doing it all over again, before he drags himself to work.

Am making progress on the wee samples for the GWOY at TNNA. One small kimono style jacket done, one stocking cap done, and one ribbed cap OTN. I need a small closure for the jacket - good thing we're going shopping Saturday for the few gifts we need to buy as I can scoot into Joann's and hopefully find something.

There's one hank of yarn remaining to swatch up. It's cotton with a small bit of silk in it. Feels nice, but I don't DO cotton, but maybe either a small lace shawl or a sock, as it looks ell made enough for a sock yarn.

Photos of all the mini knits will be posted when they're all done.

I've been thinking about doing a KAL come the new year. I've not ever done one before, I've not ever followed one before, but I think I'm willing to give it a try, if knitters are willing to be patient with me.

The question, then, is WHICH of my designs, IF any!, would be most desired for a KAL?

Hubby's taken the day off to get the snow tires onto the car, get the mower deck off the tractor and get the snow plow onto it, so he can keep up with plowing the 5-10" we're expected to get. His arm's gonna be killing him later, from lifting and lowering the plow.



Moi - Christmas gift wrapping, punching and binding a book order, continued work on the little knits for the GWOY (I prefer mini garments to swatches, as I think they stand out more), updating databases, laundry, always laundry, and shoveling the bluestone walks. Oh and let's not forget walking the little pisser 4 or 5x during the day, in addition to hubby walking him twice. He's getting old (13+), and can't help it, I guess, but his timing has been known to be less than ideal!

Labels: snow

Presenting my 2 newest designs -


Not to fear - duplicate stitch is employed, to avoid stranding with 3 colors. I love the visual effect that using more than 2 colors give, but see no reason to have the knitting of it be torture!

The easiest way to get a richly-colored design - use variegated yarn dyed in short color lengths!

They are both sampled in Kraemer Yarns Naturally Nazareth, a 100% domestic wool worsted wt. yarn. These make for inexpensive last-minute holiday gifts. Available in hard copy and PDF versions.


Nany Tutu's
Nancy James
3745 Cleveland Ave., Wellington, CO 80549
(970) 568-4195

My Sister Knits
Julie Luckasen
1408 West Mountain Ave.. Fort Collins, CO 80521
(970) 407-1461
Email:julie@mysisterknits.com

The Fiber Exchange
Jodee Anderson
624 Lincoln Ave., Steamboat Springs, CO 80477
(970( 879-9090
Email:info@thefiberexchange.com

Also, Woolen Treasures, in Loveland CO, will have patterns after Jan. 3rd. Shops are also on my retailers page.

More designs coming...

Labels: Kraemer Yarns, new designs, new shops, tea cozies

In stark contrast to the ice-covered stillness of the outside, is the hubbub going on inside -


When the peri-M isn't ruining perfectly good afternoons and evenings, here's what a busy designer's day consists of (as one of my brothers keeps telling me - it's tiring just listening to it all):

retake design photos
adjust said photos and create hi-res and web versions
edit and proof 2 patterns
re-colorize, jpg and size 2 charts
print and collate 12 books
write up 3 shops' invoices
print and mail 2 retail orders
print 2 new patterns
write up and print 6 design intro letters for reps and catalogs
add 88 design #'s to my wholesale catalogs
print hard copy of same and snail mail to west coast rep
create PDFs of same and send to rep
work on blog post
check Ravelry forums twice
read list emails
move Paypal $ to my account

and life:
pay bills
go through snail mail
do 2 loads laundry
do dishes
put clothes away
straighten up family room
walk dog 4x
handwash wool socks
print more Wall Street Journal puzzles, to work on in between WORK
work on CIC socks, in between WORK

and today doesn't look to be any less busy. Should have these 2 new designs online sometime today.

Labels: new designs, tea cozies

Busy day today - 4 new-to-me shop orders to work on printing up, print a book order for Unicorn, 2 loads of laundry, 2 tea cozy patterns to proof and edit, and retake, yet again, the photos for one of the cozies. Not to mention the gift-wrapping I gotta get started on!

This productivity level makes up for yesterday, which bombed.

I tried on 6 bras (as the lingerie section in Macy's is right near the door we usually enter. None of them fit. Then, between 3 stores, I tried on 14 pairs of slacks, cords and jeans - all didn't fit right, didn't look right, were too thin, too young or were too large.

The ONE pair of cords that were made in a really yummy fabric (not the usually either stiff cord fabric or wrinkled-looking thin cord fabric) were only available in an 8 as the smallest size, and as I thought, I've shrunk to a size 6. LOTS of 10's, 12's and 14's to buy, but no 6's. And women complain that everything is in tiny sizes - ha!

So, pooped and clothing-less, we dragged ourselves home for an hour, then went to dinner with my size 8 pants safety-pinned at the waist, hidden by my sweater. This was to be our anniversary dinner, so we were trying a new restaurant - not the Italian ristorante I thought we were going to, but a seafood place - no problem, I love seafood. What a bomb. The Bowery Dugout, in Kingston.

First, the comfort level of the seating was more quick lunch, than leisurely dinner - hard cafe chairs, tiny table, no ambience. The Long Island Iced Tea I ordered - way too strong, The shrimp cocktail - 12 mediumish shrimp (at $10 a cocktail) were tasteless.

So, we complained about the cocktails and the drink and cancelled the rest of our dinner and went to Red Lobster. The food is decent and the seating is far more comfortable The Dugout was busy, but maybe the locals don't know what seafood should taste like. We've been to Maine and Cape Cod and had excellent seafood. Live and Learn.

All this work is waiting on me. Hopefully my next post will bring the 2 new cozy designs.

CIC count - almost done with pair #6.

Labels: new shops, seafood

As a member of AKD (Association of Knitwear Designers), I signed up this year to do a few swatches for the Great Wall of Yarn (GWOY), which is displayed at the January TNNA show. The yarns came in today and they're all lovely. I can't be at TNNA, but at least some swatches will be.

In the box is 1 hank each of (right to left in the photo):


Now to come up with some fab ideas, which I'll post as they're done, and design some really neat hang tags.

Working on the tea cozy photos - only a matter of days now....

Labels: AKD, GWOY, TNNA

Tomorrow is our 20th wedding anniversary, though we've been together 22 years and went steady about 2 years in high school. (Our love story had a twist and turn, but worked out just fine in the end!)

Because it's a weekday and hubby works 2nd shift, we can't celebrate til Saturday. But he's booked a reservation at a new-to-us ristorante (thanks to a most generous gift from DMIL!) and I'll be making one of his dessert favs - a lemon meringue pie.

But first - a trip to the mall. My clothes are 8's and 10's and I think I'm either a 4 or a 6 now, thanks to what seems to be the peri-M literally burning the weight off me. When I get my really hot hot flashes (more like all-nighters), he's clocked me at a temperature of 103.

So, nothing fits and I look like a bag lady with a safety pin holding my pants up, and wads of fabric flowing around me! So, 1 new pair of slacks and shoes are needed (my white Keds sneakers just won't cut it!) I'd tempt fate by looking for a bra as well, but finding shoes will be hard enough - unless my feet shrank too, in which case, that chore might finally become less of a chore. I can't wait to find out!

On the design front
Those tea cozies are coming along as quickly as I can! The yarn for a 2nd sample hasn't arrived yet, so I may release 2 of the cozy designs first, then the 3rd one, once I can get the other sample done.

Back to work...

Labels: anniversary, tea cozies

Sunday was so relaxing with no showings to stress over!

Hubby made pot roast and mashed potatoes - one of our new fav weekend meals - and except for printing up a shop's pattern order, I did nada for work. Instead, I continued to work on the CIC sock count - 5 pairs done, 6th pair OTN.

Back to tea cozy knitting and pattern-writing, from frosty cold Saugerties...

Labels: CIC

In between continuing to rework one of the tea cozy designs, I also continued on with CIC sock knitting (no stress knitting) last night, whilst listening to Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (one of my fav movies).

3 more shops:

Sew EZ Too
603 West Garland, Spokane, WA 99205
509-325-6644
mail@ezknit.com

Justa Knitting Basket
1920 County Line Rd., Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006
215-355-2666
justaknittingbasket@yahoo.com

Colonial Yarns
7 Front St., Suite 100, Shiremanstown, PA 17011
717-763-8016

On the life front
YET another hesitant buyer. LOVED the house, yada, yada, then a change of mind. Nearly every RE agent our agent has spoken with is wondering why our house hasn't sold already. TELL me about it. It's coming off market today and thank goodness. I need a break from all this go-nowhereness.

Gotta clean and put away for another showing this afternoon, first. They made it just under the wire.

Labels: shops