The Kitschy Apron

Here it is, the one and only Kitschy Apron. I made it for DD3, Sophi, whose birthday was yesterday. It's a modified version of the apron featured in Knitty in 2004. I made the skirt shorter and gathered, and did a different stitch for the bib. I found this great microfiber fuzz from Fur Real called peacock, and it was perfect--fluffy, incredibly soft, sort of like a feather boa attached to the straps and edges. Sophi likes it a lot, and that is gratifying.


So why knit an apron, and why knit one for a 15-year-old? Well, she is quite the cook these days and is working on her vegan repertoire, as this summer, she had to omit dairy (lactose intolerance). And she is channeling the happy spirits of a couple of dingy 50s housewives who were never able to be who they really were, so she wears the pearls and heels and 50s dresses found at turnaround shops and Goodwill. She even likes red lipstick! Yikes! I have half jokingly referred to her as a cross between June Cleaver, Betty Crocker, and Courtney Love. The zany Courtney, not the crazed, out of control one.

Anyway, it was fun to knit, exhausting to knit, dreadful to knit (cotton is not fun), and wonderful to finish. And I feel that I learned about six important things from this project.

Secret Pal showers recipient with gorgeous gifts!

I have been remiss! Since school started, I suddenly have a life, but the result is that I have not kept current with my knitting blog.

First, Rhonda has revealed herself as my very kind and color-savvy secret pal from the One Skein project this summer. I am way too fortunate! These are the gifts she sent me this week. First she made the felted purse from the book (now how did she know I would love that shade of teal???). See that totally cool clasp? It's a silver button, the likes of which I've never seen but am really curious about, and a short string of seed beads that loops around the flower to close the clutch. I can't wait to use this purse.

But WAIT! THERE'S MORE! She sent me a skein of my beloved Karaoke, in shades of blues and teals, that knocks my socks off. See how I have already started a project with it (in the time I don't actually have). I am making a soft, stretchy hat. Don't know if I'll be able to part with it! :^)

Rhonda also sent me a sweet card with a really cool knitting basket sticker; this goes with me to school tomorrow so I can adorn my desk bulletin board. Anyway, thanks, Pal! In a minute, I'm going to check out her blog to see what SHE likes to knit.

Almost done with the secret project that is now actually a LATE project. I will have the recipient model it when I give it to her later today. Again, I am knitting with time I don't actually have. But it has been so much fun, and I have made enough mistakes that I feel especially prepared now to deal with the unexpected. I have also watched a shocking number of episodes of Law and Order. Why is all this so much more attractive than grading student exams??

Well, cheerio! Happy knitting. See you soon.

Can you keep a secret?

Well, I'm working away on a variation on the Knitty apron featured in the Spring '04 issue, "Party Apron," by Jordana Paige. I'm making it for DD3 who turns 15 on 9/3, and who is a strange combination of Betty Crocker, Martha Stewart, and Courtney Love. And it's a GOOD combination.

I'm using solid aqua Plymouth Fantasy Naturale, and for the frou-frou trim I chose Fur Real in peacock. I intend to use the trim for embroidering along the vertical lines of the lower apron, as well as on the straps that tie at tie neck. I may also put it along the edges of the bib portion. I want it to be really over the top, as that captures Sophi's personality perfectly. Will post finished pix, but right now I have the pedal to the metal for the opening of school, and am only knitting when I can get away with it because I have to be at a meeting or presentation. But that works for me!

PS I got a great t-shirt from Stitch Divas that has a spoof of the iPod ad campaign, with a woman holding up her knitting needles and yarn, in silhouette, and the words "iKnit" and "Modern Yarn" on the edges. I love it!