So, being a classic movie buff, I frequently decide that so-and-so is my favorite actress or actor.

This month?  I'm all about Barbara Stanwyck.  Stanwyck was in so many darned movies during the 1930's and 40's (she was one of Frank Capra's early muses), my favorites of which are "The Lady Eve," and "Meet John Doe" and of course "Double Indemnity."  She was knonw for being particularly gutsy, referring to herself as a tough broad from Brooklyn, she wasn't afriad to play somewaht underhanded characters.  Though impeccably glamorous (evident to the right) she was also often cast as a bit of a fallen woman: a murderess, petty criminal, unwed mother, etc.

For the purposes of this blog, however, we must talk fashion!  Stanwyck s always who I think of when I think 40's glamor.  Her clothes in "The Lady Eve" are simply fantastic.  As a wily gambler attempting to lure in poor Henry Fonder while crossing the pond, she unleashes every trick in the book.  I particularly love this architectural neckline and cinched waist.  Get me on a transatlantic voyage this instant!

And look at the shoes ... I swoon, and dream of my future life as an independently wealthy lady with trunks of glamorous things and nothing better to do than hop from ship to ship showing them off.

And knitting of course!

No, this post is not about dreamy fellas and holding hands - I'm talking first sweater girl love.   That's right, the first time I fel in love with a vintage sweater pattern.  Here it is: I loved it from the moment I saw it.  Now, keep in mind that this was also my frist sweater, period, so I was delighted to find a pattern that was essentially stockinette stitch and ribbing, but still had such a stylish design.

Now, of course, being my first sweater it didn't turn out perfectly.  That adorable straight-line yoke in the photo?  It kind of chokes me if I button it up all the way.  And, of course, the first time I attempts to make buttons and button-holes line up, I ended with a slightly less-than-perfect result.  I am a huge fan of the 1/2 length sleeve, so I went ahead and made them a little shorter than the pattern called for.  Even with the problems, I still think it's pretty great for my first attempt at a real live sweater, and I've gotten lots of compliments on the finished produced.

It's made from Cascade 200, 10% merino wool, so it's back in the Rubbermade container until next winter and I'm eagerly working on some coton beauties so I can keep my motivation up during the hot Southern Summer!

Woo, what a couple of weeks it's been!  I got tremendously ill (don't worry, it's not swine flu) fought my way through a week of work, lost my engagement ring (or thought I had for a few hours, at least) and struggled not to injure myself while taking up yoga.  Typing it out, it doesn't sound like that much, but boy have I been stressed out.  And what makes me feel better?  Yarn, naturally.  But what doesn't make me feel better in these harsh economic times?  Spending money.  How, gentle reader, is one to handle these competing impulses?  The desire to partake of a healthy dose of retail therapy combined with a serious spending money guilt complex?

In a word: rummage.  I visited my local SPCA rummage store, which has the benefit of being inexpensive and supporting the wonderful animals at the local shelter.  And look what I found!  This picture is terrible, I know, but if you look closely, you can see four, count them, four recycled yarn sources!  The green is 100% cotton worsted, the white is the softest darned acrylic worsted weight, the orange is a light finger/lace weight 100% cotton, and the tan is a fingering silk/ramie combo.  It was the perfect solution to my new yarn needs, and each cost me only $2.00!  And, don't worry, all those kinks will come right out when I knit, plus I know they're enough for a sweater because they were all large sweaters to begin with!  The orange was even a men's large, which makes me very excited because I've been dying to take on a lace weight project.  I think it will be the next in my queue ... but what pattern?  Oh, the joy!  I need to finish my 1930's pullover so I can get going.  I've been so exhausted due to my illness that I haven't had the energy to do anything when I come home from work.  But, I promise that this will change and I'll have more projects and more updates to the site very soon!