Friday, December 31, 2010

Last year you saw the ring...

that would be referring to my sister's engagement ring. This year (okay technically it isn't 2011 quite yet!) she is getting MARRIED! Needless to say we are all thrilled!

In finding out what I would be wearing I wanted a little something to wear at the reception. A couple weeks ago I found at The Loopy Ewe some Handmaiden Sea Three in ivory. I thought that yarn would be perfect to make a simple shrug from.

Of course it doesn't take long to find the right pattern with Ravelry at your fingertips. Pam Allen calls it the Little Silk Shrug.

CO we go. This is a great 4 repeat pattern that is just flying along. There will be no problem finishing this in time for her big day!

After 2 solid days:
I'm roughly 14 inches into it. I do have another 12 inches to go, at least. This yarn does grown upon blocking, so my hope it that it will be nearly to my elbows.

...and with that 2010 is coming to a close and I'm off to celebrate.

I wish you a Happy New Year!

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Knitted Christmas Presents....part 2

So my sister-in-law was also given a couple of scarves...
The yarn on the left is Cascade Fixation, while the right is Panda Cotton Bamboo. These were a fun little knit. Maybe next time they will get hats!

The next picture really needs no explaination:
I had all three recipients open them at the same time and I do believe the house was shaking from all the laughing. It was just what was needed!

I've already CO my next project for a very special event coming up. I'll take some photos and show you next time!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Knitted Christmas Presents....part 1

I know I said earlier this year I was spending the year knitting for myself. However, I knew it really wasn't going to happen. I bargained with myself that I would knit one special item and a few little ones.

So, for my special item, I decided to gift the Le Petit Pont scarf. I truly am in love with this scarf, as you heard me say a few times this past fall, the pattern was great, the yarn was dreamy. Off to my nephew's long time girlfriend's home it went. She has beautiful brown hair and I know it will be in a good home.
The next couple of gifts were sent across the country. I used the Dish Rag Tag pattern. I know they will be used for many a dishes!
I also was able to knit up the martini dishcloth for my sister-in-law. I now want to make myself one.
I totally ran out of time, so it went out the door unblocked so I could also knit her a little something else to keep warm. However I'll have to keep you in suspense until tomorrow...

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Finished Mini Scarf

This took no time. Actually it was less than a day!

I'll have to take a better photo when the weather is better - maybe this coming weekend with daylight hours. Until then all I have is this:
Pattern: Mini Scarf
Yarn: Artyarns Beaded Pearl & Sequins
Colorway: Burgundy
Yardage: 80 yards, 4 inches left over!
Needles: KnitPicks Harmony US 7, 24" circulars

It does look very beautiful on!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Mini Scarf

I couldn't help but start a project with this fabulous yarn,

I found a nice pattern called Mini Scarf on Ravelry.
I love this! I do not expect this to take long, rows are so fast when you only have 10 stitches in them!

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Christmas Stash Enhancements

Starting from left, we have 2 (edited - try 3!) skeins of Ty-Dy Cotton, Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts, Mission Falls Illustrator, Great Adirondack Yarn Company Bamboo Cotton, Artyarns Regal Silk & Artyarns Pearl & Sequin Silk.

Fabulous stash enhancements from a wonderful man! (the husband, verses Santa!)

I hope you all had a nice holiday! We still have a couple of Christmas celebrations to still get through. In the meantime, the weather shows us in quite a snowstorm with the potential of up to 2 feet of snow...great knitting weather!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Friday, December 24, 2010

'Twas the night before Christmas in a knitters house....

A Knitter's Christmas Eve,  a poem by Nancy Massaroni 


’Twas the night before Christmas and all around me
There was unfinished knitting not under the tree.
The stockings weren’t hung by the chimney with care
’Cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
But I had not finished the caps for their heads.
Dad was asleep—he was no help at all.
And the sweater for him was six sizes too small.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I put down my needles to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash.
Tripped over my yarn and fell down in my stash.
The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow
Reminded me how far I still had to go.
When out on the lawn I heard such a noise,
I was sure it would wake up both Dad and the boys.
And although I was tired and my brain a bit thick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nic.
Yet what I heard left me very perplex-ed
For nothing I heard was what I expect-ed.
"Move Rowan! Move Patons! Move Koigu and Clover!
Move Shelridge! Move Starmore! Move Spinrite! Move over!
Lopi, don’t circle around, just stand there in line.
Pay attention you sheep and you’ll work out just fine!
I know this is hard, as it’s just your first year,
But I’d hate to go back to 8 tiny reindeer."
I peered over the sill.What I saw was amazing!
Eight wooly sheep on my lawn all a-grazing!
And then in a twinkle, I heard at the door
Santa’s big boots stomping on the porch floor.
I rose from my knees and got back on my feet.
As I turned around, St Nic I did meet.
He was dressed all in wool from his head to his toe
And his clothes were hand knit from above to below.
A bright Fair Isle sweater he wore on his back,
And his toys were all stuffed in an Aran sack.
His hat was a wonder of bobbles and lace,
A beautiful frame for his rosy red face.
The scarf on his neck could have stretched for a mile,
And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.
On the back of his mitts was an intricate cable.
And suddenly on one I spotted a small label:
"S.C." in duplicate on the cuff.
So I asked, "Hey, Nic, did YOU knit all this stuff?"
He proudly replied, "Ho, ho, ho, yes I did.
I learned how to knit when I was a kid."
He was chubby and plump, a well-dressed old man,
And I laughed to myself, for I’d thought up a plan.
I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,
And the next thing he knew, he was tied to a chair.
He spoke not a word, but looked down in his lap
Where I had laid my needles and yarn for a cap.
He began then to knit, first one cap then two.
For the first time I thought I might really get through.
He put heels in the stockings and toes in some socks,
While I sat back drinking a scotch on the rocks.
Quickly like magic his needles they flew,
Good Grief! He was finished by two!
He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,
And over his shoulder he looked back at me.
I heard him explain as he sailed past the moon,
"Next year, start your knitting sometime around JUNE!"

Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

FO Ripley

YES! I made my self imposed deadline by 2 whole days!!

Pattern: Ripley by Knit Whits
Purchased: Stitches East 2010
Yarn: Tahki Cotton Classic
Colorways: Dark Purple, Ash Rose, Anthracite, Rust, Slate Blue, Goldenrood
Needles: Knit Picks Harmony Circulars US 4 then Crystal Palace Bamboo DPN's US 4

Off to relax the fingers as that final ripple round made them ache...