Neither Hip Nor Funky

There have been many knitting pattern books released recently that are focused on knitting patterns. They promise to deliver patterns that men will like and wear. But I’m going to go old school on you because one thing that these new pattern books lack is…

pictures that include polo gear.

And don’t forget ice skating,

oddly placed megaphones,

and pipe smoking.

P-funk has requested this last knit to help fulfill his mission of dressing like an older British man. I’m swatching for it in some lovely tweed.

The patterns are from Minerva Men’s Book from 1934 that I picked up at the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival. The pictures are amusing, but there really are some nice classic knits in it. I also like the design in the ice skating picture. You can see more images from the book in my flickr set here.

Ain’t no party like a sweater finishing party,

‘Cause a sweater finishing party don’t stop

In order of appearance:

• Own Design in Sundara Worsted Merino in Chocolate over Cherry & Yarn Nerd in Mustard Wine
• Holly Jacket in Skacel Urban Silk in Fig
• Tweedy Aran Cardigan in Skye Tweed in Marmalade
• Autumn Rose in all sorts of Shetland Spindrift

Okay, so only the first two have a shot at me finishing them up this weekend.

My first plied handspun all knit up:

Simple sideways garter scarf + rustic* handspun in gorgeous colors= success

*code for inconsistent, beginner spinning

(The color is accurate in the first photo)

My name is Cupid Valentino, the modern day Cupid*
And I just want to say one thing:

Happy Valentine’s Day
Every day the 14th!
I don’t think y’all heard me!
I just wanna say Happy Valentine’s Day!

Can y’all dig that?
Now when arrows don’t penetrate, see
Cupid grabs the pistol

(Uh, yeah, now, now lookie here!)
And he shoots straight for your heart
And he won’t miss you!
That’s alright ’cause y’all won’t believe in me anyways
But..

Ya won’t believe in me, but you would fancy
leprechauns or groundhogs
No thank you, Easter Bunny!
(There’s all this talk about Santa Claus, but see
love will reign supreme)

Happy Valentine’s Day
Every day the 14th! (You got it!)
When Cupid knocks at your door
You can’t ignore me!
There’s no need to run!
So, Happy Valentine’s Day (Hey!)
Every day the 14th!
I may have it all wrong, see
If you know what loves mean, well
Well, somebody tell me!
‘Cuz they just don’t believe in me!

Song: Happy Valentine’s Day by Andre 3000 (Outkast)
Pattern: Sweetheart Socks by Chrissy Gardiner from Holiday 07 IK
Yarn: Smooshy in Lipstick Lava

*Blame the Philistine, bad songs set to knitting make her day. Although unlike the other two musical posts, I actually quite fancy this song (even though I’m not a big Valentine’s gal in general).

Thanks for all the political spinning love. I have actually already transformed the pretty, pretty candidate of change into a nice scarf to wrap around me, pictures to come soon. Go vote this Tuesday my mid-Atlantic peeps. That includes you family (and please, fam, pick up that Democratic primary ballot in VA; it’s much closer this go round).

I can only hope my candidate is on fire tomorrow. How’s that for an awesome segue into my Project Spectrum Fire projects…..awww yaaa-aa–AH.

This is a theme I should have little problem with: orange? check; red? check; pink? I got some of that too.

And I have another single sock that has met its mate

Charade knit out of STR Firebird.

So with my other projects on the needles, I should have easily been all fire all the time,

But this slipped onto my needles also:

Yum