Catch Up Session

 So, seeing as I have been just awful at keeping up with my blog this past month, I thought I owed it to everyone to do a general recap of April and May...  Get ready for a picture overload!

Photo from the Rossana Orlandi Gallery in Milan during the Salone Di Mobile, and international design market that takes place in Milan every year.  Furniture stores and galleries show present the most innovative ideas in furniture and interior design all around the city. 

Another room in the Rossana Orlandi space during Salone Di Mobile.

One of hundreds of displays along Via Turino during the Salone.

A nice shot of our apartment building on a beautiful sunny Saturday!

I took a trip to see my best friends Marley Caitrin and Katie in Seville Spain!

I was lucky enough to be in Seville during their week long festival called Ferria where they dress up in traditional Spanish flamenco dresses and celebrate their culture and history with a big carnival and lots of parties. 

Caitrin and I at the festival.

A real Spanish Churro! mmmmmm

The Wisconsin Gang!

In Spain we took a day trip to Rhonda to go climbing and exploring.

The famous Puente Nuevo in Rhonda.

Hiking down to the waterfalls. 

The famous Plaza de Espana in Seville. Absolutely stunning.

After returning from Spain Sydney and I had some visitors. Sydneys brother and Caitrin came to Milan and we took a weekend trip to Cinque Terre.

Watching the sunset over the Mediterranean.

Just climbing some rocks.  We were much better at this the second time around.

Look famliar? Sydney and I took the same photo our first trip to Cinque Terre in September right before the awful floods and landslides. 

Home sweet home.  They have put docks out on the canal which is obviously our new favorite spot to hang out with a bottle of wine in the evenings. 

Knitting Update

Here is a little visual update of the knitting stitches and techniques I have been working on for the past couple of months.

Cable Knit and Ribbed swatch made on the 5 gauge Brother machine.

Tuck stitch with 2x2 rib boarder made on the 7 gauge Coppo machine.

Cable and all needle rib made on the 5 gauge Brother machine

Ottoman stitch made on the 5 gauge Brother machine.

Box pleats with stripes made on the 5 gauge Brother machine

Embossed design made with plating on the 5 gauge Brother machine.

Rib and Racking made on the 5 gauge Brother machine

Another variation of racking made on the 5 gauge Brother machine

Ottoman stitch with stripes made on the 5 gauge Brother machine

An image of the 8 gauge Dubied machine in the Politecnico knit lab

A work in progress on the Dubied machine

The result! Ottoman stitch with stripes

Close up of the ottoman stitch

My cardigan in progress- knit with a combination of the cardigan (fisherman) stitch and all needle rib on the 5 gauge Brother machine

Detail of the box sleeve - more pictures to come when it is finished!

My Polo pressed, folded, and finished (well except for the buttons!) - Plain jersey stitch with embossed detailing created on the 5 gauge Brother machine

Detail of the placket attached by the looper machine

Detail of the collar

Pasqua in Roma

I spent the past four days in the incredible city of Rome for holy week and let me tell you it was an experience I will never forget!  Rome is the oldest and most beautiful city I have been to this far.  Walking around the city felt like I literally stepped into a history book or the movie set of gladiator.  I went to visit my best friend Amanda who is studying there and she showed me all of the sites and gave me the scoop on the amazing ancient city.  I am planning on going back before I leave because Rome is a city that is so vast and magnificent one needs to spend more than just a couple of days there if possible.  We all know that a picture is worth a thousand words, so rather than rambling on here I will let you see for yourself!

 

the pantheon

Drinking wine on the famous Spanish Steps.

A fort that I cannot remember the name of! opps

The stunning  Tiber river

Amanda and her friends refer to this monument as "the birthday cake" because history tells that it was built and given as a birthday gift to an Emperor in Rome.

Ruins from the center of ancient Rome

Snap shot in front of the Colosseum

Amanda and I in front of the Colosseum

There are natural fresh springs all around Rome that double as wonderful drinking fountains and water bottle fill stations!

Trevi Fountain

Alyssa and I throwing a coin into the fountain to make our wish come true!

Out on the town with Amandas friends

The beautiful streets of Trasevere, one of the most beautiful and fun areas of Rome

 

Picnic at Parco Sempione

Two weeks ago the weather in Milan was absolutely stunning so we used it as an excuse to have an all day long picnic in the park! It was an amazing day of rest, food, a little bit of soccer, and an amazingly adorable chiwawa named Bella.

 

Just being a little touristy while soaking up the sun!

I need to buy one of these before I leave!

The gangs all here.

The most adorable dog I have EVER seen!

Nap time for everyone.