What I didn’t mention last week was even though a lot of spring cleaning was taking place at Studio Chic, lots of furniture moving was happening as well.
My apartment has one of the most common layouts in Chicago. It is on a lot that is 25 ft by 125 ft. It is a three-story, three unit building and although it was built about a decade ago, its appearance from the outside mimics the rest of the circa 1885 buildings all over this neighborhood. Except for the inside…
During the building boom of a few years ago, lots of places were built that took the smaller rooms of the typical Chicago flat and made them into soft lofts. Now the phrase “soft loft” is one of those realtor terms like “den”. My unit was described as having a “den” which was really just an extension of the living room area over the downstairs entrance lobby. So, “soft loft” means instead of building some functionality into the mix, walls were omitted; one big room made do for three with a counter across one end of the room, making what was left over “the Kitchen”.
The thinking was everyone after 1999 did not use their dining rooms any more. Why not just open it up because after all, everyone always ends up in the kitchen during a party any way!
Well, I’ve taken it one step further.
And because I love to move furniture (number two after making U-turns), the dining room table, a huge piece made from antique distressed pine slabs from Europe, now became my work table in my studio…
The living room furniture went into the den (fitting perfectly – making now “a parlor”!) and the entire space by the bay window that was concealed by a couch now is a mini-studio for this:
It’s always a challenge to grab the light around this town – where the weather is rumored to change every 10 minutes, one has to run for cover occasionally, even with camera in hand.
But now I can check my WIP on the mannie in a flash!
Here it is so far: I’m almost done with the lace section in the body of this VONICA which I’m making for moi, but will be shown at the TNNA Columbus show in a few weeks. It works well in wools (this is Cascade 220 Sport SW) and I am always in need of more charcoal grey in the olde wardrobe…
I have a need to wear charcoal, as well. But I don’t always want it in my knitting bag.
This is beautiful. Such a lovely “lady-like” classic piece, too :)
oooh, it’s gorgeous! will you be sharing some photo’s of your newly re-decorated home? sounds lovely.
Beautiful! Is Vonica written for sport weight or will that come out soon? If it’s already there, I’ll be purchasing it soon (to be knit in red).
Thanks!
The pattern was written with DK weight yarn in mind, however, since there is so much variation on how yarns are actually put up, some sport weight yarns work very well with this too. The yarn I’m using is working very well, and it is a sportweight.
The gauge is 5 sts per inch which makes a lovely drapey fabric.
SO, the secret to the sucess here is, but of course: swatching.
You might have to go down a needle size but what you are shooting for is a drapey fabric (but not loosey goosey). :)
HTH.
I love charcoal; I love wool!
I love this sweater.
Your new charcoal sweater would look lovely over the pink romper in the previous post! Seriously though, I really like this sweater in the sportweight. It is almost enough to make me wish for fall to come early.
Your ‘loft’ sounds just like the old greystone I lived in in Chicago – it’s not on W. Briar by any chance? Ours was in an original greystone, but with the rooms opened up just as you describe, including the extra ‘room’ over the downstairs foyer and the bay window overlooking the street. I loved living there, one of my favorite places ever.
Lucky you!
This is beautiful
Sounds like a cool look; you should take some photos of your space. Also, loving the Vonica!!