Today officially kicks off the music portion of the SXSW (South by Southwest) festival. Over the course of the next 4 days, over 1600 bands will play multiple shows in bars, clubs, coffee houses, parking lots, stores… basically anywhere that has an amp-worthy power source. This is the week that Austin annually earns it’s title of “the live music capital of the world”–and let me tell you, never have you seen so many edgy hair cuts, boys with skinny jeans, girls with cowboy boots and skirts, and well, frankly, free beer.
In the past, I haven’t really participated in the festival because a.) it’s a madhouse (that we locals tend to avoid at all costs) and, b.) one might suggest that dragging two children from one deafening drinking hole to another is, ummm what is word…. oh yes: inappropriate. This year however, my boys will be with their dad for a couple of days, so I will partake. Yay!
Actually, the only real reason I’m venturing out of my recent hermit state is because a few of my friends will be here performing and I’m excited to support them. My friend Victoria’s husband Marko (from Sugarcult) is playing with his new band, The Playing Favorites tomorrow at the Suburban Home Records party. For you indie music buffs out there, members from Me First & the Gimme Gimmes and Lagwagon are also part of this band.
(Note: For those of you who get annoyed when I talk about music, hang tight–I promise the knitting content is coming. :))
On Saturday, my buddyLeo Allen will be doing stand-up at the same, all day show at Waterloo Park that The Breeders are headlining. For those of you playing along at home, two of The Breeders’ members are the Deal sisters, namesakes of the color “Kim & Kelley” in the my collection’s ROCK yarn. Some of you may also remember Kelley from when she was a guest on Knitty Gritty ( her project was the Swiss Darned bag). Anywho, all this music-y goodness has me feeling mushy-gushy about the theme of said ROCK yarn so in honor of the festival, I thought I’d post a simple scarf idea knitted in one of the variegated colorways (Jonas).
This is the perfect project to have stashed in your bag as you travel from venue to venue, and to pull out and knit while you’re waiting in line or listening to bands play. It’s a simple, mistake rib pattern so it’s easy to memorize and quick to work up! Here’s how:
Materials:
2-3 Balls (depending on desired length) of ROCK (Hemp/Soysilk/Wool)
Needles Size US size 7
CO 31 sts. *K2, p2 to last st., k1.
Repeat this row until scarf is desired length. BO. Weave in ends. Vwoy-la, c’est fini!
Oh, and only because I’m proud that I learned how to make filled-in stars in Photoshop (thanks Jenny, for the tutorial!), here’s the postcard I whipped up to pass out this weekend. 🙂
Arts & Drafts (the knitting/craft group that meets at the Rio Rita on Thursdays) is going on a SXSW field trip tonight…
We are going to meet tonight at The Rio Rita around 7:00 PM, like usual, to get our craft on… and then…. we’re going cruise over to the East End Craft Gallery for their grand opening party around 9:00 PM.
The East Side Craft Gallery is less than half a mile from Rio Rita!
Ellen–No, I didn’t! I woul’ve checked out his show, if I’d known.
Justine–That’s because you and I like similar stuff. 🙂 BTW, Ive been feeling regret about important cds I forgot to mention in the interview for your mag!
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Vickie Howell is a on-air host, designer, instructor & community builder in the D.I.Y. genre.
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When I came across this Knitting Needle Patent greeting card by @patentpress , I couldn’t resist selecting it as one of the items for the YarnYAY! September box! (Link in @vickiehowell bio or got to YarnYAY.com)
What looks like part circular knitting needle, part Tunisian crochet hook is illustrated as the patent drawing for flexible knitting needles. This greeting card memorializes the creation of tools that we stitchers can now, not do without!...
The sample yarn for both palettes of this year’s 12 Days of YAY! Advent Box have arrived. I cannot wait for stitchers to open up a new color everyday!
I don’t want to spoil the shade surprises, but I can share just how much yarn we’re sending you this year — FIFTEEN mini hanks of beautifully hand dyed yarn, by two rad boss-lady dyers.
Historically, we have sold out of these so I’d you’re prone to FOMO, be sure to pre-order tour 12 Days of YAY!
Nineteen years into this knitting career, it’s crazy-pants that I’ve never had Learn to Knit or Learn to Crochet kits before. So, I finally made it happen. If you know someone, or ARE someone that wants to learn — while also making something wearable— check out our new hats and scarves kits in the YarnYAY! Shop!
Arts & Drafts (the knitting/craft group that meets at the Rio Rita on Thursdays) is going on a SXSW field trip tonight…
We are going to meet tonight at The Rio Rita around 7:00 PM, like usual, to get our craft on… and then…. we’re going cruise over to the East End Craft Gallery for their grand opening party around 9:00 PM.
The East Side Craft Gallery is less than half a mile from Rio Rita!
Opening is 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM.
More info at: http://www.myspace.com/eastendcraftgallery
Directions to Rio Rita here: http://www.riorita.net/about
i love it when you talk about music!!
justine
My hubby just came back from the interactive media portion of SXSW..He had a nice time!! Have fun!!
Did you happen to see my cousin Corey, the fab knitting drummer, at SXSW?
Ellen–No, I didn’t! I woul’ve checked out his show, if I’d known.
Justine–That’s because you and I like similar stuff. 🙂 BTW, Ive been feeling regret about important cds I forgot to mention in the interview for your mag!