Every once in awhile it happens. Right place, right time, right? This time it was the very special occasion of AMERICAN IDIOT being in town at the Oriental Theater, my fabulous friend D taking me for my b-day treat (OMG! Thank you!) and moi having to find something to wear in a flash!
Digging in my closet, I found a pullover from long ago with a silly message on it.
It’s a little something I made in 2004, with the letters duplicate stitched on it (but of course, in my favorite color). Actually, I was going through a duplicate stitch fever phase and remember excitedly trying it out on lots of stuff and finding all sorts of alphabets and decorations all over the place.
And, even though the Oriental is a rather fancy-schmancy destination, this musical, being the off-center, explosive celebration of punk rock that it is, was sure to forgive, nay, might even hug a little rebel-rebel…
So I threw it on over a dark T and ran off to see one of the most energetic paeans to Youthful Angst ever. Being a big Green Day fan, it was thrilling!
Here’s a snippet of the last show in New York, but what also happened last night in Chicago, (sans Billy Joe). During the encore, the entire cast took up guitars and good-byed the audience with a little musical love…
Help me celebrate this week’s cavalcade of special days and fun! There’s a copy of the new release of PRINCIPLES OF KNITTING waiting to wing its way to a special knitter here at le Chic.
Now if you love knitting, this book just might blow you away! The sections on shaping and short rows alone made my heart go pitty-pat!
Duplicate stitch is in Chapter 14: Surface Decorations(!) and if you’d like to enter a draw for this book, leave a comment below and tell us what thing you’d most like to learn. (We’ll random draw next TGIF and announce…)
I want to learn about shoulder and sleeves and also about shaping. Want to have my projects have great custom fit.
OOH…saw American Idiot on Broadway….phenomenal show…would love to see it again…I think there were some shows where Mellisa Etheridge played Saint Jimmy…
Not sure what’s in the book, but would love to learn how to fit my knits better!
I love to learn new techniques and get ideas for making my projects more flattering. Thanks for the chance to win this book and belated happy birthday!
Want to polish up my skills, could use some help with finishing techniques.
I love that raglan tee look! You totally look like a rockstar! I would love to learn how to make a raglan! :) And, color work, never tried it..
I’d love to learn short rows. I have such a hard time with them!
short rows..i still get confused on the wraps :)
I really can’t wait to look over the finishing techniques in this book, though I might hit something as simple as cast-ons and bind-offs to see if she discusses which ones match best. Exciting!!! Fingers crossed to get drawn, but if I don’t, I think I may have to get the Kindle version so I can have it with me everywhere!!!
I don’t have any knitting books and have been knitting for 3 years now! But I’m at a place where I need to know more about the process and why, not just the project. Thanks!
Short rows. I need to take control over short rows — sooner the better. Thank you.
more cast-ons. I usually on use reverse loop, long tail and german twisted. I hear there are 80 in the book!
I would like to learn the to use the wrap and turn short row method ,how to use it and when.
I’m always learning when it comes to knitting! My next lesson is determined by the project I’m working on. I want to know it all :)
I’d like duplicate stitch, how to wrap and turn, as well as how to best “fit” sweaters … so they look like they have shape. I’m not straight up and down.. so need some help in that direction!
I have been knitting for a long time, and know quite a few techniques, and have a number of knitting books. However, with all of the patterns out there (on Ravelry and elsewhere), I am always hearing about new cast on and bind off techniques that aren’t included in the books that I have. So I would love a really comprehensive collection of these.
However, if I had to choose one technique that I don’t know how to do, and I would love to learn–it is illusion knitting.
I have never been able to get a handle on duplicate stitch…. I’d love to learn!
I’d like to learn how to do steeking. I have a colorwork sweater by Eunny Jang in my queue, but steeking seems so scary!!
Books that blow you away are the best! And it takes away any alibi for not trying a duplicate stitch ;-)
Have a nice weekend, all! Ciao, Fleur (Fleurtje-Eliza on Ravelry)
I would loooove to get more info on tubular cast-ons, short rows (especially to avoid the stair stepping on the shoulders of sweaters), duplicate stitch, and i-cord cast-ons and bind-offs.
Double knitting, i-Cord bind off, and short rows/wrap and turn. I’ve heard good things about this book…bring it on!!
I would like to know all of the ways to do a left slanting decrease…I am still not convinced I have one that I am happy with…
I would love to learn about fitted knits, shaping, brioche stitch, and double knitting. I’d love to win this book!
I think I’m pretty good at basics after years of knitting, but I’d love to learn some advanced techniques so I can try some of the latest designs. Thanks!
Yay Green Day! The book sounds great; I’ve just learned short rows myself.
I would like to learn some finishing techniques and add-ons for my simple knits. Like flowers and beads.
I would like to learn to be unafraid when it comes to my knitting! Technically, I would like to learn to knit faster.
“American idiot” was terrific – I saw it at the St. James Theater in NYC on it’s opening weekend. Glad you got to see it, too.
I want to learn more about double knitting before I attempt a coat that I plan to wear next fall when I’m back in NYC (Deco design and it’s gorgeous) – I have all the yarn and all I need now is technique!
Colorwork is high on my list to master this year, but I’d also love to improve my shaping skills in my sweaters. The more technique books the better, right?
I would love to learn how to properly seam a sweater together.
The show sounds like a blast!
I would like to learn how to steek.
I would like to learn how to not be utterly intimidated by finishing. And how to do short rows without making a hole!
I’d like to be able to turn a cable with knit and purl sts without a cable needle.
I have two goals for 2012 knitting: steeks and intarsia. I love knitting in the round but have never mustered up the courage for steeks, yet! And colorwork, well, that is my nemesis – time to conquer it with some intarsia work.
I would love to learn about shaping and tubular cast ons
How to modify a pattern, shaping, changing a pattern for a different gauge yarn.
I’m a long-time knitter and still have so much to learn! I’m determined to try steeking this year; I’d also like to learn double knitting and improve my fair isle skills. Thanks for the chance to get this book.
Two color knitting in the round. And short row shaping. And entrelac. And probably a few other things; this looks like a great resource.
I am always looking for ways to overcome my finishing anxieties.
I’d love to learn steeking…scares the crap out of me! lol
I really want to learn about sleeves and fit.
I would LOVE to read the chapter on duplicate stitch to finish a sweater I started 14…yes, 14!…years ago. In addition to that, I’d like to better understand short row shaping and (gulp) maybe try my hand at stEEKing (notice the EEK in steek!).
Thanks for the great giveaway!!
I need some pointers on duplicate stitch… Am working on an afghan for my daughter to take to college this fall and I’d like to do some dup stitch to personalize some of the squares… Monogram, college logo, etc…
I really want to learn more about shaping. I know how to do short rows, but I don’t always know how to use them ti get the fit I want.
Wanting to learn how to shape things better. I can make them work for me, but I’m willing to rip back. An hoping to be able to better help others who may not be willing to do the same.
Would like to enhance my repertoire of cast-ons and cast -offs.
So so many techniques I’d like to try, learn, do. Double knitting and finishing techniques are top on my list.
I’d love to learn duplicate stitch. With all the toasty mittens, hats, and cowls I’ve been making recently, I can’t help but eye reversible designs for their visual appeal and extra warmth.
Learning more about shaping sounds great, especially short rows which still mystify me a bit. Also want to learn about steeks and colorwork.
I’d like to learn more about shaping and sizing garments to fit.