Thursday, December 8, 2011

Not sure where the remainder of November went...

However, when I left off I was literally heading out the door to Stitches East 2011.

Since I signed up for a class, I was able to head to the marketplace Thursday night. My list only had one thing on it, a DellaQ Double Interchangeable Case.

I also picked up a few other items;
  • Skein of Sylvie from Lisa Souza
  • Riveting by Kollage
  • Tundra by Rozetta (Universal Yarns)
  • Bonnie Jean Pattern by Kollage
  • Ribbon that says ‘Live Long Laugh Often Love Much’
  • DellaQ Double Interchangeable Needle Case

    Funny Story about the needle case. I had received an email from Della Q that they were going to be releasing that particular needle case in the Fall. I kept checking their website and just decided to email them. I received a prompt email back stating they would be bringing a limited few to Stitches.

    Needless to say I basically went right in the marketplace and made a beeline to the DellaQ booth. (which of course was one of the ones the furthest from the entrance doors!) and basically bought it at 5:10 PM. Miss DellaQ was there and asked if I was the individual that had emailed....I had to confess and she was glad I been able to purchase one in my favorite color!

    I was then able to leisurely walk the rest of the floor. Sure enough I round a corner and who do I see, the fabulous Debbie Macomber with Christina Skye. So, I'm marking my life list as having met Debbie 3 times in one year!

    The class I took was 8 Empowering Edges. I have fallen in love with the wonderfully talented Chris Bylsma. She is so funny! She also explains things very clearly and her handout is quite helpful. I highly recommend taking a class from her. Now having sat through her class I know I can put a good edge on this afghan. I just need to finish these squares!!

    I have been knitting for Christmas presents - so I need to keep those off the blog for another couple of weeks. I also finished another afghan square, however I need to take a photo. Next time...


Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Goodness that was a long break

So, where did we leave off? Oh yes, the Alaska trip. I did start a scarf on the trip. This was going to be a simple one row repeat, as to not miss any sights.

It was a couple days into our trip that I actually CO. Little did I know that I would have a darn of a time having the first stitch of each row be a YO.

Needless to say I had quite the practice with this - as it took me 7 times of CO and knitting a couple of rows before I would find an error and not have the correct amount of stitches. Frog.

Now in my defense, I did CO when we were in a lounge on the ship listening to a guitar player who could impersonate Gordon Lightfoot fabulously!

So, as you can see I started fresh, yet again, the next day. The lighting was much better and I had the correct stitch counts. Finally!

The following day we spent cruising through Glacier Bay, by this time I was on a roll.

Oh yes, nothing like a glass of Riesling and knitting with that kind of view. That is something I'll remember forever!

When I arrived home, I had my scarf looking like this:
A long way to go to finish this.

...and as you can see, finish it I did. As I was then, out that door to Stitches East 2011 minutes after this photo was taken.

Pattern: Lacy Brioche Scarf by Kirsten Hipsky
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Silk Thread II
Colorway: Lenore
Yardage:  I still have about half of the skein left, however, I really need to weight it for accuracy.
Needles: Signature Circulars 6mm, 24"


Details on my trip to Stitches next time.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Yarn Purchases

So, in seeing where I went, what did I purchase?

Not bad! I knew I had quite a stash at home, so just some different things came home.


To start with the Skeins Yarn Shop in Juneau, AK;

Handmade by Raven Frog Fibers in Sitka, AK
Yarn Name: Country Linen
Colorway: Raspberry Triffles and Cream
Content: 100% wet-spun linen
Skein: 300 yards

Also, they had those two buttons that I couldn't pass up. I am planning on using the heart button with the yarn.




From Churchmouse Yarns & Teas:

Shoalwater Bay Yarn
Cotton/Rayon
Colorway: Rainbow
Content: 65% rayon, 35% cotton
Skein: 345 yards

Be Sweet
Bambino Taffy
Colorway: Spearmint Gum
Content: 70% organically grown cotton, 30% bamboo
Skein: 100 yards (times 2!)
 *This has the cutest pattern on it called the Sweetie Pie Hat. Can not wait for a little girl to knit this up for!

The shawl pin I also picked up, it is aluminum and I had the exact same one in my Etsy favorites.


As for A Good Yarn Shop;

Araucania Yarns
Yarn Name: Ruca Solid
Colorway:  Ocean Blue
Content: 100% sugar cane
Skein: 263 yards (times 2!)

Yarn made out of sugar cane...how could I resist that one with my sweet tooth.

I also picked up a blue Chibi.


Now to find the perfect pattern for each skein, add it to the que and be off knitting.

Although, I do have this afghan that got sidelined during my trip.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Yarn shops in WA

Of course, even though I was on vacation I HAD to add in some yarn shopping!

This is a yarn shop in Juneau, Alaska. It was filled and I mean FILLED to the brim with yarn. There was so much yarn, you had to watch where you stepped as you walked around the shop, as many skeins were on the carpet.


After our week in Alaska, we picked up a rental car and hit the road. Our destination was Bainbridge Island.

Hello to Churchmouse Yarns & Teas. What a great yarn shop! It was nice and airy. If I owned a yarn shop this is the one I would replicate. It had such a great selection of yarns, I had a hard time choosing what would be purchased.

and of course a visit to one of my favorite author's yarn shop:

I have no idea why I'm not smiling in this photo. I had just received a hug from Debbie Macomber and was just beaming! I was in the process of cashing out with my purchases and in walks Debbie! I was a little in awe!

Remember I had met her last year at Stitches East?! I'm glad I have that photo from last year, as I didn't manage to get one this time.

Debbie mentioned that she had just had lunch at her daughter's tea room, which is right across the parking lot. So, off we went for lunch...
I had a turkey club on what has to have been the best bread I've ever eaten!

So, what did I purchase? Stay tuned....

Sunday, September 18, 2011

The other side of the country...

I've spent some time traveling during my absence in blog land. We spent some time in Alaska and in/around Seattle, WA.

If visiting Alaska isn't on your bucket list, it really should be!

I am still in total awe of the sights I have seen in Alaska. It is just a stunning area! I have a hard time putting the beauty in words, and well, the photos doesn't even capture the tip of it. When we arrived home there were just under 1800 photos in the camera.

Enjoy these few:








Monday, August 8, 2011

Someone I just met...totally knit worthy!

I was recently introduced to someone who is expecting twins next month. How could I resist knitting up two cute little projects?

Pattern: Modern Cable Bib
Yarn: Knit Picks Simply Cotton Worsted
Colorway: Green Tea Heather
Needles: Knit Picks US 8mm
Ravelry Project Page

I LOVED knitting these bibs! I am definitely making more of these! They were quick knits, only took about 2 - 2 1/2 hours a piece. They make for really good TV knitting.

All bundled up and ready for delivery.

If she happens to be reading this...I thank you for what you have done in my life in a very short amount of time.

...and now back to that afghan, September is around the corner!

Monday, August 1, 2011

Stash Enhancements

I've always wanted to try yarn from Black Bunny Fibers. The hand dyed creations by Carol Sulocki.

I mean I'm a bunny lover, just from her name alone I needed a purchase, however, I couldn't resist once she listed up her no wool sock yarn.

So, these two lovelies just happened to arrive in my mailbox this past week:

The colorways are Rainbow Sherbert and Veronica. The sherbert colorway is destined to be socks for me. The other I'm not sure of yet.

You can check out her shop here and buy yourself some nicely dyed yarns.

I also received my final color for my Sampler Afghan. The dark gray. This goes so much better with my other colors, dark navy, burnt orange and forest green.


Off a knitting I go....these squares need to get done!

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Snack anyone?



It has been HOT around these parts! Looking back at the weather for the past 2 weeks our temps ranged from 98 to 86 and can you say humid?

I did finish the last square I last left you with. I have to say it is so nice to be working on a small project like this during this type of weather.

Pattern: King Charles Brocade Square from Sampler Afghans
Yarn: Knit Picks Simply Cotton Worsted
Colorway: Blaze Heather
Needles: Knit Picks Circulars US 8mm
Ravelery Project Page

I also think I'm going to change the name of this project from GAA to Sampler Afghan. I think it is only fair since I now have more square from the Sampler Afghan book that The Great American Afghan book.

My work schedule looks good for the next week, so I hope to knit up a few more squares.

Hope you are staying cool where ever you may be!

Monday, July 18, 2011

GAA Orange?!

Yes I'm adding orange. The color is actually a burnt orange that goes really well with the navy blue and dark green.
I had some time out on the deck yesterday and managed to get this much done of the next square. I should be able to finish this with another free night at some point this week.

I've really thought about my color choices and I'm definitely sticking with the darker colors. However, that only gave me three colors when I really wanted to have a 4th. So, I just put in an order through Knit Picks for the Basalt Heather.

I think that is it! Now that I've decided on those, I feel much better about the afghan as a whole.
 
I'm also holding off purchasing the yarn for the edging, as I want to concentrate on knitting the squares, place them, knit them together THEN decide about the edge.

The rest of the weekend was spent doing chores...you know all those that I ignored during the week since I was busy knitting squares! 

We also had quite the meal on Saturday night as DH and I decided to have a surf and turf night.
Delicious!

Saturday, July 16, 2011

GAA Hearts

This is my favorite square so far:

Pattern: Sampler Afghans #27 Valentine Hearts
Yarn: Knit Picks Simply Cotton
Colorway: Prussian Heather
Needles: Knit Picks Nickel US 8mm
Modifications: Did not repeat final row
Ravelry Project Page

It is probably since I've loved the color blue since I knew the color....or that there are hearts all over it. Or both. However, one thing is certain my fingers need a break!

So, I decided this afternoon to put my finished squares together:
and I do not like the colors together.

I like the 'navy', 'dark green' however the other two colors I do not like. So, technically I'm back to having 2 squares completed.

I am not going to frog the other 3, however I'm putting them aside. The next square I'm going to start is the dark orange colorway and I'm thinking I may add that to the dark green and navy.

What is that song, two steps ahead, one step back?! Who knew it applied to knitting.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

GAA another square

Ok, so you can tell I've been parking in front the TV. In my defense, the past 2 days have been in the 90's with high humidity....

Pattern: Sampler Afghans #60 Cloverleaf Eyelet
Yarn: Knit Picks Simply Cotton
Colorway: Envy Heather
Needles: Knit Picks Nickel US 8mm
Modifications: Ended last repeat at row 6
Ravelry Project Page

So, I have 4 done...although there is laundry to get done, workouts that have been skipped for 2 days....

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

GAA Progress

The last I left you with the Great American Afghan, I had knit the following two squares (before I went back to lace knitting!):

Flower square


 Heart square

Well, within the past couple of days another has been finished:
Pattern: Great American Afghan
Square: Seed Square
Yarn: Knit Picks Simply Cotton
Coloway: Green Tea Heather
Needles: Knit Picks Nickel US 8mm
Ravelry Project Page

I really need to step this up if I have any hope to knitting all my squares by the end of September!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Summer Wind FO

Well it certainly helps when you have an extended weekend full of quality knitting time!

This is what my Summer Wind (or wing) looked like heading into this weekend:


here on Monday morning:

and by Monday afternoon:
Pattern: Summer Wind by IrishgirlieKnits
Yarn: Yollage Creamy
Colorway: Coral Shores
Yardage: just under 400 yards
Needles: Signature US 6MM
CO: 268
Ravelry Page

This is is definitely one I'm keeping for myself!

I am going to start back on my afghan squares. Since they feel a bit neglected and well my deadline to finish all the squares will be here in 3 months!

Monday, July 4, 2011

July 4th


Happy 4th of July!

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Summer Wind

I really LOVE this pattern! Although I keep typing it out as Summer Wing...not sure why exactly.

I've finished the border and I'm just starting on the middle section. I originally cast on for the smaller size, then realized I had not 400 yards of this but 600, so I added the additional CO's to make it the larger size.

I can not wait to wear this!

If you want to join in on our KAL. The details are here.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Bakersfield FO

Well, I didn't expect it to take me a week to snap a photo of my finished shawl and post it. Even with these photos I didn't even get a nice shot of the entire shawl.


Pattern: Bakersfield by Corinna Ferguson
Yarn: Panda Cotton
Colorway: Sable
Needles: Signature Needles US 6mm
Ravelry Page

It was a very nice knit, and I'll add a fast knit. These photos really show the middle pooling I ran into. I think it is neat!

I believe this shawl is going to get worn often. I can see it with my black sleeveless dress, around my black riding coat in the fall, inside my winter coat during winter....oh just love the options! The yarn is so soft and swishy.

From one finished object to starting another one...I've already picked out my next project. I recently purchased some Kollage Creamy in Coral.... Remember the scarf I knit for my then nephew's girlfriend? Well, now they are engaged. I loved knitting with that yarn and wanted a project for me.

My Ravelry que brought me back to Irishgirlieknits' Summer Wind pattern.
LOVE!

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Bakersfield Shawlette

I started this shawl last week. I wanted to do a sideways shawl and in searching my Ravelry Que, I noticed a few patterns from this designer. So, I purchased all her patterns in an e-book.

I have had this Panda Cotton yarn in my stash for a couple of years now (yes I admit that!). I thought the colors would work with a nice black sweater and/or blouse that I own or even a dressing up to my black jacket during the fall.

My concern was knitting a sideways shawl up with a yarn that has a bit of elastic in it. I was concerned about how the edges could curl.

....so I blocked it early on Saturday and put it in front of a fan.

It did retain it's shape well, so onward I went.

This is what it looked like by Saturday night (in all fairness all day on Saturday was primary spent knitting
Today I was hoping to get it finished, however there were others things to do. (like all those items I failed to do on Saturday!)

The way this is knitting up I'm sure I'll have it finished in a day or two.

Pattern: Bakersfield
Yarn: Panda Cotton
Colorway: Sable
Needles: Signature US 6mm

Monday, June 6, 2011

Mystery Shawlette KAL Finished

What a fun shawl to knit! It was also the quickest, I started it on May 22 and finished it on June 4.


Pattern: Mystery Shawlette by Wendyknits
Yarn: Handmaiden Sea Silk
Colorway: Ocean
Needles: Signature US 6, 24" circulars


Now back to knitting my squares for my afghan...or another shawl...



Saturday, May 28, 2011

Mystery Shawlette KAL Part 2

Well, I finished part 2 this morning.

Here is what it looks like on the needles:

Then, with a few pins to show the design:
Since part 3 (which includes 70+ rows!) was already released on Thursday, I'm going to be knitting quite a bit this weekend. Well, after the chores are done. You know the weed maintenance, house cleaning, grocery shopping, planting the window boxes & front pots....

Good thing I have 4 days off in a row!!