happy halloween

 Hope you all had a happy Halloween!  Autumn is my favorite time of year, and Halloween comes just when the leaves are changing and the pumpkins are ripe for some yummy homemade soup.  I got to carve a pumpkin with some friends the other day, and it was pretty fun.  Jennifer took these photos--see more here.  Mine is the winking nerd pumpkin.  He's winking at me because we're both wearing glasses this week.  (I have to wear glasses every day now.  Ugh.  I do not like it.)

liberty print tova top

top photo taken by Jennifer Sarkilahti

Liberty Print Tova Top, size Medium, in the Wiksten shop.  I love this fabric.  I took photos for the pattern instructions while I was making this top.  I don't know what I was thinking--this fabric isn't easy to photograph, but it's so darn pretty.

eat with friends

Had lunch at Eat in Greenpoint last week with friends.  It was lovely and delicious.  It's been awhile since I've eaten quite so healthy.  I could get used to it.  Now if only the weather would stay nice so I could walk there more often...

baby sweaters

Lena and I are going to start knitting baby sweaters.  Her baby is due in December, and he needs some snuggly, warm knits.  I've never made any baby sweaters before, only baby booties.  I found some cute patterns on Ravelry, only I can't really decide which one to make.  What do you think?

Clockwise from top left:  Harvey Kimono, Child's Placket-Neck Pullover, Baby Sophisticate, B11-27 Hooded Cardigan in Eskimo, Ribbed Baby Jacket, Duffle Coat.

around my studio

My studio space has been a constant work in progress since I first moved in, and I think it's finally evolved into something in which I feel comfortable.  One of the most recent additions is a new industrial table for sewing to match the one I use for pattern drafting.  The added table space has already made a huge difference in productivity.  Also I made a bulletin board by covering a piece of homasote with linen so that I can always have my inspiration and calendar within eyesight.  (The calendar really helps me plan my schedule because juggling tasks and keeping track of deadlines can be so difficult.)

Other than that all of the changes have been purely cosmetic.  Like my home, I prefer my workspace to be cozy, which to me means color and pattern.  I painted one of my walls a pale greenish/grayish blue (this color to be exact), and I love it.  It goes with the antique rug that I got on eBay from this store.  See more of my studio here.

tova patterns, here they come!

My intern Lissa and I have been very hard at work getting the Tova patterns ready to ship.  Lissa even stayed until after 10 PM on a Friday night!  (She's an angel, you should know.)  We've been making stickers and note cards for packaging, taking instruction photos, sewing test samples, and folding, folding, folding.  You name it, we've done it.  I'll get these patterns out at the end of the week even if it kills me.

A few folks have been a little confused about the ship date.  The Tova Top Pattern preorder description stated that patterns would be shipped at the end of October.  October 29 is the exact ship date.  I set a long lead time on the preorders this time in order to keep my sanity.  So look for your patterns in the mail during the next week or so!

mom's visit

My mom came to visit over the weekend, and I prepared the guest room for her just in time.  It used to be my office, and there's just enough room for a twin mattress on the floor.  Talk about luxury.  Once I got the room put together I couldn't decide if the all the crazy colors and patterns made it look insane or charming (something I also wonder about my personality at times).  My mom claims charming, but then again she herself is the one who raised me to throw a bunch of colors and patterns together and call it a day.  Sophia seemed to really like it, as she spent the entire weekend curled up at the foot of the bed.

When my mom arrived we exchanged presents--she gave me a copy of the November Martha Stewart issue that I'm in (I hadn't even seen it yet!), and I gave her a copy of Brooklyn Diary and a pair of socks I made.

We did a lot of fun things during our time together.  Here's what:

1. Made eggplant stew.  Yum.

2. Went to see a stupid romantic comedy.  I never get to do that.

3. Bought books at The Strand.

4. Visited my studio at Dobbin Mews.

5. Saw a quilt exhibit and a Henry Darger exhibit at the Folk Art Museum.

6. Walked around Central Park, ate at the boat house, and went to the zoo.

7. Watched three old movies that my mom got at the library. 

8. Went to Purl for yarn and fabric and New York Central Art Supply for beautiful paper.

9. Worked my CSA volunteer shift together.

10. Went to dinner at Vinegar Hill House with Joe.

11. Ate pot pie and people-watched at the Blue Stove.

Phew.  Nice and busy weekend.  I miss her.

hello most beautiful dresses in the world

My new obsession is these insanely awesome dresses by Mina Stone.  At Domahoka.  I mean, jeez.  These are just all kinds of crazy good.  I don't even know if that sentence made sense, but I tend to get a little tongue-tied by clothes this special.

arrow necklace

Got some film developed last night.  Here are some more pics of the Arrow Necklace from my collaboration with Sarkilahti.

photos by Jennifer Sarkilahti

Ugh.  Finally!  Wiksten shop is open for business.  I'm sorry if I inconvenienced anyone with such a late shop opening!

technical difficulties

photos by Jennifer Sarkilahti

I'm having problems with my internet connection, so the shop update will be a little late.  I really hope people aren't waiting around--this is so frustrating!

knitting season

Wiksten handknits for sale in the online shop starting Tuesday, October 12 at 10AM (Eastern).  Stay tuned for more photos!  Sarkilahti already bought these from me at the open studio night, and they were my favorites.

awesome way to recycle toilet paper rolls

Love these tiny scenes by Anastassia Elias.  (Found here.)

dobbin mews party pics

Phew.  What a night, folks.  It was a lovely soiree to be sure and a little magical.  Wish you all could have been there.  There were fairy lights and fairy flowers aplenty, and I think we all drank our weight in Rosé.  These photos capture the quiet, still moments before the party was in full swing.  See the rest of the party here and check out Sarkilahti's gorgeous (as usual) photos here.

indigo striped dress preorder

I have preorders for the Indigo Striped Dress available in the Wiksten shop now.  Choose your size between XS-L, and dresses ship October 29.  I've been putting these dresses off for awhile now because they're so much work, but I need to use up the rest of the fabric.  According to the weather here fall has arrived, and this dress is a good layering piece for chilly days.  

I'll have to post some party pics tomorrow!  I spent the whole weekend and today sick in bed so I haven't had the energy to sort through the photos yet.