Craft Mojo still going!!!

Hello my beautiful people. I know you all miss me. You probably just gave up on checking my blog because there hasn't been any new posts. I am so sorry, but I was busy getting myself into some more crafty stuff. Don't worry... my knitting hands still work. So, let's rewind a bit.


I left for my trip to Trinidad in the beginning of February. Before I left, I tried to attend as many knitting-related events as possible. I figured that I might as well work on my Top Down Raglan Cardigan, because it would be straight stockinette knitting, and easily transportable since it was 1 skein of yarn.


So, here is a picture of it during knit night. (I forgot what night it was, as it is all a blur now)
The next morning, I found this big boo-boo on my Raglan decreases. Ummmm... did they spike my coffee at the shop? Geez!!!

So, the next step was to do this.

Yes, I got pissed off and frogged the whole thing. Since I Spit-spliced the yarn, this is a picture of two full skeins wound into 1 yarncake. I didn't think it would be possible on my regular-sized ball winder, but a bit of pissed-off-ness and vengeance helped to wrap it really tight. LOL!

I met up with Deborah for some knitting therapy and was able to finish this Crochet Scarf for her before I flew out.
Aside from that, I participated in the Knitfiti event on January 15th at the Time Warner Building to help Jamba Juice promote their delicious steel cut Oatmeal. I was interviewed, and here is the VIDEO to prove it. It was so much fun!

So we move on in the time scale to Feb 5th. I am on the plane in Miami, waiting for my connecting flight to take off. There is some oil spillage in the engine, and the plane is grounded for about 1.5 hours before takeoff. Luckily, I had my MMMMmmalabrigo laceweight yarn and some size 4 bamboo needles. 5 days later, this pretty Hemlock Ring exposed itself. I thought it would be difficult, but the pattern is very easy. It is not your typical plane knitting, but I only had 1 mistake and was able to fix it fast. The flight attendant said " you're not done with my shawl yet?" LOL!! A lot nicer than the other horror stories that I have heard about knitting while flying.

So, I put the knitting down for a while, because I decided that I want to make my carnival costume. So before I get into that, I want to explain a little bit about carnival. It is derived from the time of Colonists and Slaves in the Caribbean, and was the only day that they slaves had any freedom. They wore costumes to mock the slavedrivers and danced to drum music. It has evolved into a whole culture of music, food, fabulous costumes, competitions, and a big money-maker for the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. When you "play mas" (short for masquerade) you have the opportunity to pay for the privelage of being part of the parade for 2 days. My particular band, TRIBE, offered us an all inclusive package complete with a gorgeous costume, port-a-potty truck, mobile cool-down unit, premium drinks, breakfast, lunch, snacks, goody bag, the hottest DJ's, and top of the line security. Not to mention a sea of other masqueraders/hotties to dance with. However, it is customary with TRIBE that their band members wear the bikini tops for both Monday and Tuesday. Many people do that without any problems. However, I am a different story. Trinidad is Hot, Hot, Hot, and I sweat if I walk down 1 block. So, I decided to make my own outfit for Carnival Monday.

The theme this year was Birds of a Feather, and my costume was the Hummingbird.... Hence the purple and green colors.

This is what I had to work with.

Starting the sewing.

1 hour later

Finally done

I just want to make one disclaimer. Although the costumes are a tad bit skimpy, what I see when I look at them is the beauty and the art and the craft of Mas-Making. It is such an amazing thing to see the amount of work and intricate detail that goes into making these fabulous costumes. Check out me and this depiction of a Brazilian Macaw

So, who is coming with me next year?

Farewell to my Hat Attack Victim

Hello FloridaMo. I have written you a little poem.

This Mulberry hat is a poisoned treat.
For it's arrival is so bittersweet.
A warm toasty hat to put on your head.
But I am sorry my friend, you are dead.

I shipped it today. USPS says D-day is in 2-3 days. Isn't she lovely?

I must say that I am happy to be back home, in my warm comfy bed. But I hate the fact that every day is less than 20 degrees out, and I had to walk through the snow to get home, while I had on my suede boots. Thank goodness for waterproofing spray. So, my head is still in the clouds in Trinidad, and I am anxuously planning my next trip there. The date has not been set at the moment.

But guess what? I found another knitter in Trinidad. She has a craft tent in Woodford Square, in the country's capital of Port of Spain. I bought a few plastic-canvas decorations from her, and told her that I am very crafty and used to make those when I was small. I told her that I was an avid knitter. She asked "Do you do two bow knitting, or do you use the circular needle". I was taken aback by the "two bow" knitting description, but I caught her drift. I told her that I did both, and she proceeded to show off her skirt that she made using the circular needle, and her tank top. I think both she and the articles of clothing are adorable. She was surprised that I wanted to take her picture.

I told her that I was impressed that there was a knitter in Trinidad. She was even more impressed that I was young, and interested in the craft. When I told her that I was a certified instructor, she almost fell to the floor. I told her that in the States there are many people my age who knit. She said that she was very happy to see that the youth was picking up the craft again. Of course, I had on no makeup that day, so I barely looked a day over 20... but I will take a complement when I get one. I replied that she looked a lot younger than some of the older folks that I see knitting in New York. She blushed at that one. For the life of me, I cannot remember her name (please excuse me... I was running on E from too much partying and no sleep). And I regret that I didn't ask her if she knitted Continetal or English style. Trinidad was a British colony, and gained it's Independence in 1962. So, I really wonder what style she really knew.

On a side note, I spoke to two handsome firefighters who saw my knitting pictures and mentioned to me that they learned to knit and crochet in school growing up. They were very impressed with my talent, and inquired about a sweater. Sorry guys... no ring, no thing. LOL!!! I will not succumb to the sweater curse.

More pics and progress reports later. Have a wonderful day, everyone!!!

Guess who I met in Trinidad?

Carnival_2008_MikeEaly
Originally uploaded by shamekaknits

Look at this hottie!!! Yes, the one and only Michael Ealy from Sleeper Cell, Barbershop, and 2 Fast 2 Furious. Isn't he gorgeous???? Oh, and what a nice personality. He was just enjoying himself in Trinidad. This pic was taken on Tuesday during Carnival.... the greatest show in the world. I had so much fun!!!!