The tony awards... Part 1

Okay, so it really happened. I went to the Tony Awards... And yes, it was amazing!!!

I've known for about 2 months or so that I was going, and when I first heard I was quite literally walking on air!! I had to force myself to start calming down so that I didn't look like a complete idiot when I arrived at the event.

My sister Jen and I arrived in New York, and headed out to decide what show we would see on Saturday night. Being tony weekend, things like Matilda and kinky boots were not possible, but we did get tickets to Peter and the star catchers... More on that show later (FYI, it is awesome)

On Sunday we spent quite literally the entire day preparing for the Tony's. hair make-up, etc. as we were seat fillers, we had to arrive at radio city music hall at 4pm for the 7pm "pre-telecast"production.

Have you ever been to radio city? If you haven't, do it. It's one of those places where you just feel elegant. To think of this history in this space, the rockettes that fan kicked on that stage, and the amazingly elegant women and men who sat in those same seats. It's truly amazing.

So, being a seat filler is pretty serious business, and a live telecast is really amazing to be a part of. So the reason you never see people moving on camera, they aren't allowed to. People get up at commercial breaks, and cannot go back to their seats until the next commercial break. The seat filers are kept in "holding areas" and sent to the empty seats, and it moves fast.

So, once we were briefed, it was time to watch the stars of broadway arrive, and that was just so cool. I won't lie, seeing Abby lee miller sort of made me squeal , I think because I wasn't expecting her... Yeah, I'll say that.

We saw Debra messing, will chase, John Glover, and so many other people arrive, and that was just a blast.

The pre-telecast was so cool for me to see because I was able to see Ming cho-lee receive his lifetime achievement award. I had the honor of working with Ming on a production of Moon for the Misbegotten at long wharf theatre. not only is this one of my favorite plays, it gave me the opportunity to experience an incredible artist at work, and my friend stef hot to paint a rock for him!! having worked with him and seen his dedication in person, being able to see him receive this award was just incredible.

Then we got to see the Huntington Theatre Company receive their regional theatre tony award. Living in the Boston area, this was just such a joy to see. There Is amazing theatre being made in Boston, and throughout he country. I have had the honor of working at 3 tony award winning theaters, and I know how much pride that brings to the staff. That award will mean so much to the Huntington, and the city of Boston as a whole.

Okay, you've read a lot. I'll take a break, and do a part 2... The actual telecast.

Tony shawl

So here it is folks!!! If you are watching the tony awards keep an eye out for this shawl, cause that is me!!!!!

Exciting news

So, I guess I've been gone for awhile, not because I've been bored. Work has been crazy, I've been settling into a new church, and I've been working on my shawl to wear to the Tony Awards.

Yup, you heard me correctly, I am going to the Tony Awards!!!

I can't quite believe it myself, but here I am, getting ready to pick up my dress, booking my hotel, and on Saturday morning I head to new York, on Sunday I will be amidst all of the broadway elite. I could have never imagined that this would happen.

So of course I will be wearing a hand knit to the event, duh!

You can check out all of the details on ravelry, sorry I can't upload the pics from the iPad..

 I used kidsilk glamour, and it was amazing. I used the Rowan cravat, scarf, and wrap pattern


 This pattern will be knit again, and it will be lovely. I promise to post as many pictures as possible from the tiny awards.

Library Staple

So, everyone has their favorite knitting book in their library, maybe you have a bunch. I know that I have more than one, but very high on the list is Mason Dixon Knitting.

I call this a favorite because I am constantly going back to this book for inspiration and ideas. It has the simplest of patterns (baby genius burp rag, the baby bibs) and it has some "adventurous" patterns (moses baskets,and multiple log cabin blankets). Some day I will totally splurge on some fabulous silky yarn and make that After Dark Robe !! I also live how this book isn't pretentious. Many of the baby items call for peaches and cream, they even give a shout out to woolly thoughts with a photo of the curve of pursuit blanket.

I was given an idea by someone at common cod fiber guild. She has a gift box. If she finds a pattern he wants to knit, she just does it, even if he doesn't have a reason or a recipient in mind. That way when she needs a gift to give, it's already made. What an awesome idea.

This weekend I cast in the Baby Genius Burp Rag 4 times. I've always been a process knitter, but this one took the cake. Really, its going to get puked in and you're worried about how the colors look? Get over yourself Betsy. But it's true, none of the colors were working for me. So that got frogged, and I cast on the baby kimono. It's adorable and I'm excited to have this be the first
gift box item.

So, What's your favorite book in your library? Why can you not live without it?

Selfish knitting

With all of the gifts that I make, and all of the charity knitting that I do, I have decided that I want to be a bit more selfish about my knitting this year.

I know, I know it's not really "nice" but hey, we all need a bit of selfishness in our lives.

I've had Anne Budd's "Knitted Gifts" book in my library for a long time. It's got some great patterns. I have always loved the hat and mittens on the cover, and since I need a new hat and mittens, and I had some great yarn in the stash, I cast them on for myself.

I am pleased with how these came out. A few comments

1. It calls for worsted weight year and sized 9 needles. I am surprised that it calls for that sized needle. I had a bulky weight yarn, and size 7 needles for the hat and size 6 for the mittens.
2. It's a loose fitting hat, so I started the decrease early. It's a loose fitting hat.
3. I also like a close fitting mitten. The next time I make these (and I will) I will probably cast on fewer stitches for the cuff of the mitten.
4. The mitten says to start the thumb gusset at 2 inches or 1 cable repeat. I will do 2 cable repeats. I think a mitten should be long and go under your coat cuff.
5. While I love the yarn that I used (rowan plaid) I'll use something that gets better stitch definition next time. The cable doesn't stand out enough for me.
6. I love this cable pattern. It's one of those charts that you can really "see" as it develops.

This year I really want to learn new techniques. What did I learn on this mitten? Bobbles. Yup, just never did them. I think they could be fun in moderation.

Kitchener stitch!!!! I see this as being a learning process. Once again, the cast on bind off book has totally come in handy here and I did well.

My apologies for the lack of links, I can't do them on the iPad app, and I am minus a computer till the wallet allows.

Wingspan Wedneaday

Okay, I know I've been gone for awhile, we'll discuss that later. But guess what? I, like many others on Ravelry, have made a wingspan!!!


I love it. I intend to revisit this pattern again. Next time if I use a sock yarn, I'll use smaller needles. While some like the design aspect of the "short row holes" I'm not a huge fan.

You all know me, I'm a sucker for ANYTHING with short rows, I think they are fabulous.

So much has been happening for me from a "fiber" perspective. I attempted ignitecraft Boston, Fiber Camp 2013, I completed holiday knitting, I signed up for my first Craftsy classes, I'm working in my 2013 knitting queue, I finished an afghan in less than 12 months, and PatPats Hats is going AMAZINGLY well.

But that will come later. Today you can enjoy my pretty pretty wingspan made out of line and violet intentions yarn (yup, you remember lime and violet don't you?)

Happy to be back blogging. Sorry for the lack of links, this is a mobile post.

PatPat's Hats 2nd Annual donation

I can't believe it, I am sitting here making arrangements for our second donation to Yale new Haven hospital for PatPat's Hats . I am doing this because of the kindness of people around me. Some of the people are family, some are friends, some are complete strangers. Whoever they are, these people have ensures that I was able to supply children with warmth.

We have been able to donate over 1500 hats this year!!1 We have reached out to hospitals, individual children, private organizations, and people affected by Hurricane Sandy in both New Jersey and Staten Island.

People come up to me and thank ME for what has been done. I guess I'm modest, maybe too modest. I know it was my idea, but I this wouldn't have happened if people like YOU hadn't kept this going!!!

So, if you are thinking about sending us some hats, get those hats in the mail!!!!

You can send your hats to:

PatPat's Hats
PO Box 318
westbrook, CT
06498