FO: Flame Orange Tinder

It's no secret that I love secondhand things. And I'm lucky enough to have found a friend in Seattle that loves them just as much. Dear Sarah. This is wonderful for many reasons, from epic dual thrift raids to just being able to discuss the various merits and past scores of treasure hunting. What's doubly lovely is that we have very similar taste. These two things combine to create what is essentially another thrifting "me" who is out there scoring for finds even when I am not. As a result, there are often little lovelies left outside our door on any given day that seem to have appeared there by magic, or handed off in person accompanied by a very amusing "find" story.

The yarn for this sweater was just one such find. If I am not mistaken, Sarah found it at a thrift sale associated with the Pacific Northwest Needle Arts Guild and just couldn't help but scoop up the entire bunch. A move I very much approve of and would have certainly done myself. She then presented about ten skeins of it to me to do with as I wished. It's a lovely vintage 70's wool in the most obnoxious shade of flame orange. I refuse to call it by any other name, including the most obvious sportsman-friendly color. If you know what I mean (and I think you do).

I have to admit, I was at first a little skeptical of the color. It's so, so, so bright! In a good way...but I wasn't sure about it for a whole, one-color sweater, especially in this weight. I was originally thinking of combining it with a grey for a stranded, color-work yoked type sweater. But as I thought about it more and more I decided to just go for it. I started to envision a longer coat-style sweater with a textured stitch pattern and a funnel neck collar. I also found these lovely leather buttons at an antique store that paired wonderfully with the yarn.

After some pattern searching I found Tinder. Perfect. The only thing I didn't like about the pattern was the fact that it was knit in pieces and seamed. I HATE seaming, especially when it can be easily avoided. So, I did some simple maths (can't remember exactly what, but if you're interested I'm happy to count stitches and share) and went forward with knitting the left front, back, and right front all in one piece to the underarms. I then worked the pieces separately to the neck, still keeping a two knit stitch "seam" on the sides. The sleeves were also knit in the round to the underarm, then worked flat.

I'm thrilled with how it turned out and took advantage of the small stretch of chilly days we've had recently to wear it a few times. I also feel like this sweater was a big accomplishment for me because it's right in line with my goal of knitting more sweaters this year and doing it properly. I did the most legit gauge swatch of my life with this sweater and it paid off 100%. No re-knitting, tearing out, or over-vigorous blocking required. Which is a first I think. Here's to finally becoming a proper sweater knitter!

For the detail oriented...
Yarn: Brunswick Germantown, 100% wool, worsted weight
Pattern: Tinder by
Needles: Size 6 for ribbing, Size 7 for body and sleeves
Summary of Modifications: Fronts and back worked in one piece to underarms, sleeves knit in the round. Two inches of length added to arms, yo + k2tog buttonholes.
Raveled here.

These pictures were taken on Alki Beach on a beautiful evening. I couldn't help but snap a few pictures of the skyline, which I now cannot help but share:

That Time We Went to Vegas

This was super long ago, but I haven't shared any photos here yet - and there are some real gems - so I've decided to post now. A few months back Kevin had a work conference in Las Vegas and I decided to tag along. I've been to Vegas once before with my family in the 90's. I didn't know it at the time, but we were Midwestern victims of the wiles of the now somewhat defunct Family Vegas campaign. Of course we stayed at the Excalibur, rode every roller coaster on the strip, and spent our money at M&M world. I distinctly remember seeing a poster advertising Michael Jackson's show and remarking, "who is that?" to my parents. In hindsight, WHY DID WE NOT SEE MICHAEL JACKSON!!

While I do have very fond memories of our family trip to Vegas, I was also looking forward to going back as an adult. Because everything's different when you go back as an adult. Both because you get to re-see something you saw as a kid - which makes it feel familiar - but also because it feels new at the same time. Also, this was Kevin's first time visiting Las Vegas, which made it fun.

Here's some things we did, as taken by our phone cameras and organized here in list fashion:

1. Got things started off right with some beers on the plane. And knitting for me of course. Pros of drinking on the plane: your flight goes super fast and it's soooooo fun. Con: the needs of my super small bladder.

2. Relived a childhood memory with the around-the-world tasting tray at Coca-Cola World. So, so, so much sugary syrup. Still a fun little stop.

3. Visited the Neon Museum! Way cool. Highly recommended. Not only do you get to see fabulous retired signage but you also get to learn lots about Vegas history. It's a pretty small place, but they've got some real gems. We went during the day because a nighttime visit wasn't going to work with our schedule, and it was still really cool to see the signs. Here are a few of my favorites:

4. Held true to our travel philosophy of late by seeking out as many diner-style eateries as we could find, preferably ones that are open 24 hours. Vegas had some real winners. First up, Tiffany's Cafe. I have to quote this article from The Guardian, which I found in my diner researching and which pretty much sold me on this place and describes it perfectly, "no amount of hipster irony can prepare you for a place so utterly out of time." No disappointment there! Next up was the Peppermill. After visiting the Neon Museum, this place was like...well...a second Neon Museum. So much neon. The menu is great, too, with lots of classic dishes (think marshmallow salad) and absolutely the most gigantic banana split you've ever seen.

5. Selfies on The Deuce. Alongs with some really great eavesdropping and people watching. Ironically, I tried to take my coffee (in a lidded travel cup mind you) on the bus one morning and the driver turned me away. Really, Vegas?!?! I can guzzle a cocktail on the street but can't take my completely sober self on the bus with a coffee in my hand? This town is backwards. 

6. Me doing lots of this during the day while Kevin was at the conference. The weather was hot but too hot, which was a welcome surprise. 

7. And finally....walking the Strip with my very own pina colada slush in the best leg cup ever. 

Not pictured is our endless wandering through just about every casino on the strip. We didn't end up gambling...not really on purpose, but just because it was a short trip and we were well occupied with other things. The photo booth in the arcade of our hotel, New York New York. Fremont Street. The wasted brunch we had at EAT in downtown Las Vegas (Not that it was bad, but, why did we go to a place that's just like every brunch place in Seattle?? Thanks Sunset magazine). A super fun comedy show at The Laugh Factory that was a lucky pick from a last-minute Groupon purchase. And probably lots of other little things I'm now forgetting....

All in all, a successful first trip to Las Vegas. We'd hit it up again for sure.