Saturday, December 1, 2012

Leopard what?

I've always said I'm not going to knit with the latest 'fad' yarn, and here I've done it again!

I stumbled on to this yarn at Stitches East this year. Once I saw it I knew I ~had~ to knit it up for my sister. She LOVES leopard print. It was going to be a Christmas present, but since I found her something else I decided it was to become a 'just because' gift.


Pattern: Own - CO 5, Knit, repeat
Yarn: Tecido Trico by Circulo Yarns
Colorway: Leopard Print
Needles: Knit Picks Nickle US 7
Ravelry Page

I think my sister likes it, whether she does or doesn't I hope she doesn't kill me for posting this photo. :-)

I'm officially between jobs. So, hoping to get a couple more projects in this coming week. In the meantime I'm enjoying the warmth of the house, putting up Christmas decorations and times with special friends.




Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving - A reflection

It has been quite a year here. During which we have had ups, downs, the highs & lows, the excitement, frustration, disappointment, loss and new life.

There is no time like the present to take a moment to reflect.

  • From the grief of losing my Gram, our family matriarc, comes peace that she is watching over us, while playing scrabble with Grampa.
  • A birth of Lil Miss into our family. Who already has brought so much joy! I'm lucky to be able to plan my Auntie sitting weekends around her.
  • My sister who not only dealt with bringing in a new life to this world, but showing me how to fight and win, yet never losing her positiveness when you get one of those diagnosis.
  • A husband, of 19 years, who puts up with a lot. He truly makes me whole.
  • Very dear friends who have become very pivotal in my life. From a mentoring sessions over glasses of wine or offering an encouraging word when needed. Only a text away day or night. Both of which have been quite supportive in all aspects of my life.
  • New job that starts in a couple of weeks. This is going to be a great challenge and truly a 'perfect' job for me. (well, the next best thing to becoming a yarn shop owner!)
  • Grateful for a meeting in July at a local restaurant that started a path that would forever change the rest of my life. (and I wasn't even there!)
  • Losing one of the best VP's I've ever worked for. He taught me many things, at the top of the list is what it is like to work for a true business professional. I'll never look at French cuff-links the same way again. 
  • One of the most relaxing vacations this year. A house in Maine right on the water. 
  • Celebrating the last birthday I'm ever admitting to. 
  • Our house that now has new windows and roof. We will be warm and no raining inside when the snow melts this year!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Saturday, November 3, 2012

What to do with no power for 3 days?

Knit the husband a hat.





Pattern: Regular Guys Beanie
Yarn: Berroco Remix
Colorway: Forest
Needles: Knit Picks Harmony US 8mm
Ravelry Page

I was initially thinking picking a black yarn project to knit while we were out of power wasn't going to be the best idea. However, with the silver needles and the lantern over my shoulder it worked really good.

Now that we have power back it is time for some quick projects to knit up. Then, I'm going on the record that I'm knitting myself a sweater after that. I was originally hoping I would have a new sweater to wear for Thanksgiving...however I'm changing that to Christmas to take the pressure off of finishing a sweater in 19 days.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Booties and a hat

The outfit wouldn't be complete without matching booties and a hat.

Just give an Aunt, who adores her niece so much, a few hours on a weekend to get it done!


My Ravelry pages are listed below.

Hat
Booties

I'm off to work, yes when a hurricane is approaching (they close for nothing!). Here is hoping I arrive home safely!

Monday, October 15, 2012

Lil Miss Surprise Sweater Finished!

YES! I did it and it actually looks like a sweater! I even had time to sew the buttons on. Of course they are bunnies with my love of them.


Pattern: Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman
Yarn: Universal Yarn Cotton Supreme Batik
Colorway: Pink Lemonade
Needles: Knit Picks Circulars US 8mm
Ravelry Page

I did lengthen the body of it, since Lil Miss is a bit long. Ok, who has a pattern for a matching hat & booties?

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Stitches East 2012

Interrupting the sweater news with a post about Stitches East 2012.

The DH was my companion for 3 days. Of course I didn't totally abandon him, I had a good balance of knitting time and vacation time with him!

I did a little bit of shopping Thursday night:

Blocking Roll (have you felt how light these are?)

Polar Fleece kit (*not in photo) & extra skein
The Sassy Skein - hat kit
The Sassy Skein - Jelly Fish Yarn
The Sassy Skein - dress pattern
Circulo Tecido Trico Yarn
Classic Elite Yarn - Verde Collection Allegoro
Valley Yarns - Goshen
Handmaiden Sea Silk - Wine
Handmaiden Sea Silk - Tourmaline
The Uncomplicated Knitting Machine book

Not bad! I mean it could have been much worse!!

The class I took this year was Fixing Mistakes in Lace Knitting by Brooke Nico. I would recommend taking her classes. She is a fun instructor, who explains things a few different ways to make sure everyone gets it. I learned a few ways to fix things. I hope in having learned what I did, I can finally tackle that Ishbel (version 4!). 

The DH and I also ate quite well, there was Salmon, Grilled Chicken, Rotisserie Pork, hamburgers, Chicken wrap, Brick fired Pizza....and who can forget delicious desserts:






Hartford, CT is such a great city to walk around in. We had some great daily walks around the Riverfront area and the bridge. Except for that one night that it was FREEZING!!

We will have to see if we can make it there next year.


Thursday, October 11, 2012

Lil Miss Surprise Is It Really A Sweater?

This is where I had to stop today. I am trying to have faith in the pattern that this is all going to work out, since it certainly doesn't LOOK like a sweater.


I just checked out Ravelry to make sure I am on the right track. Time will tell.

I am leaving shortly for Stitches East! I hope be done this sweater by the time I get back.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Lil Miss Surprise Sweater Progress

There is nothing like being able to knit all day...





Saturday, October 6, 2012

EZ Surprise Jacket aka Sweater

Like I mentioned a post or so ago, it is time to knit Lil Miss a sweater.

I had previously purchased this yarn from The Loopy Ewe once we found out my sister was having a girl.

To me, the colors say cute little girl.

The next challenge was finding a pattern. I had read much about the Elizabeth Zimmerman Baby Surprise Jacket I thought it would be a good fit. So, into the shopping cart it went.

The pattern just came a little bit ago and I have to say it seemed overwhelming at first read through.

Until I just decided to put my mind in it and just CO.

Here we go:


I am really liking how the stripes are coming out. In fact, I'm probably annoying my DH with the "Look at this..." "LOVE LOVE these stripes!"

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Nicer photos of recent FO's

I had DH take some nice photos of my recent finished objects.

Enjoy!




Monday, October 1, 2012

Finished my Cream of Sugar Cane Scarf

Love this!

It did stretch quite a bit during blocking. While I was disappointed about that at first, I've grown to like it now - as I can wrap it around my shirt collar twice.


Pattern: Cream of Spinach Scarf by Larissa Brown
Yarn: Araucania Ruca Solid
Colorway: Blue
Yardage: 263 yards (full skein used)
Needles: Knit Picks Harmony Circulars US 7 
Ravelry Page

Love how DH's camera picks up the various shades in the blue!

Now that I've knit something for me, back to knitting for Lil Miss! Since Fall is upon us she needs a warm sweater!


Sunday, September 30, 2012

September 30th? Seriously?!

I feel like this past month has come and gone in the blink of an eye.

Yes, I am still working on my Cream of Sugar Cane scarf. I want to use up a full skein (it will leave me with one for something else), so we keep knitting and knitting....






and after 7 tries to rotate the photo, I give up. You can see I just have another few inches to go and it will be done.

I really like this pattern, as it is easily memorized and makes for good TV knitting.


Saturday, September 1, 2012

I'm calling it Cream of Sugar Cane

The original pattern name is The Green of Spinach Scarf. However, I'm knitting this with 100% sugar cane yarn, hence my name for it.

I purchased this yarn last year from Debbie Macomber's yarn store in Washington state.

Just a few inches in, this yarn is dreamy!


It is hard to see in the light today, but it has different shades of blue that add some great depth.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Stay-cation = much needed knitting time

You know, this thing called a job really puts a damper in my knitting. It has been amazing how much knitting I've accomplished while having 5 days in a row off!

Unfortunately, there are bills that wouldn't be paid if I was to stay home permanently. I mean I would need a roof over my head to knit.

I was able to complete my Circumnavigate:

Pattern: Circumnavigate by Heidi Kirrmaier
Yarn: Cascade Ultra Pima
Colorway: Blue
Needles: Knit Picks US 7mm
Ravelry Page

I'm so glad I finally knit this up. I can't wait to wear it around a white button down shirt to work. IF I do go back to work! (just kidding DH!)

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Circumnavigate

I have such problems spelling that word. Great pattern, just not an easy word to spell out yet it sounds just like it is spelled.

Nothing like the start to a stay-cation to get some real progress going on this.






I LOVE LOVE LOVE how it is coming along!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Circum-what?

My wrist has been feeling so much better. I'm now in the habit to wear my wrist brace while I sleep and it seems to be doing the trick.

So....I can knit more!!


I had a fellow Raveler message me a little bit ago and ask if I had about 10 yards of a particular yarn she desperately needed to finish a sweater. I didn't need all I had and set up a trade. If she bought me this pattern I would send more than she needed (just to be sure!).

This is my Circumnavigate. I fell in love with the pattern a year ago, added it to the queue, bought the yarn and well a year later I'm finally casting off.

This is starting to be a great knit as it plays well into my OCD tendencies as it is symmetrical and made up of 4 sections that are mirror images.

Pattern: Circumnavigate
Yarn: Cascade Ultra Pima (can you tell I love this yarn? for those keeping score 4th project)
Needles:  Knit Picks Circulars US 7
Ravelry Page


Sunday, August 12, 2012

Ravellenics Conclusion

Did you guess the last project? It was a monster. Or as DH has named him the 'Monstah'.

I was getting really nervous that I wouldn't be able to finish the monster, as I developed wrist pain last Thursday. I went back to wearing my brace at night and stopped knitting for 2 days.

So, today was a race to the finish, considering what it looked like a few hours ago:


I had to knit another 2 arms and a foot, whip stitch the pockets down, attach arms/feet, stuff, eyes and mouth.


Oh yes, I was determined to finish, pain or no pain.


Pattern: Leila from The Big Book of Knitted Monsters
Yarn: Knit Picks Simply Cotton (leftovers from my afghan)
Colorways: Prussian Heather & Blaze Heather
Needles: Knit Picks US 7 mm
Ravelry Page

I am so glad I was able to prove that I can knit 2 projects in two weeks. So, my plans for tonight are to watch the closing ceremonies with ice on my wrist.

I wonder what I shall knit next?



Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Better photo and Ravellenics Project #2

Ahhh a beautiful picture by DH and the fancy camera! I just need to find the perfect button.

Pattern: Lilianna by IrishGirlieKnits
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima
Colorway: Purple
Needles: Knit Picks Circulars US 8
Ravelry Project Page

Like I mentioned in my last post, I started my second Ravellenics project.

Guess what it is?





Monday, August 6, 2012

Lil Miss' Sweater for Ravellenics is DONE!

I finished this last night during some severe weather. I had every light on in our living room at 5PM! (and due to that, the color of this beautiful sweater is really off).


I just need to find the perfect button and block it. I'll wrap up the project later, with a better photo after it has been blocked.

No rest for the weary, I've already cast on for the next project I hope to complete by the end of closing ceremonies.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Lil' Miss' Sweater for Ravellenics

Here in the Northeast we are having quite the heat and humidity. So, when DH and I left the house this morning at 9AM, it was 75 degrees, when we returned less than 2 hours later it was 90 and very humid.

The kind of humidity that you flip a coin with DH to see who is going to make all the trips from the car to the house with our shopping bags.

Then, it was knitting time....
How is your head tilt?

One more repeat to go!!


Friday, August 3, 2012

Sweater for Ravellenics

Work really puts a damper on my knitting time. Then again, without the job I would not be able to purchase the yarn...vicious circle.

Well, this is all I was able to get done the past few nights:


The color is accurate more in this photo than in previous. The DH was gracious enough to take this for me tonight, with his fancy camera. (thank you!) It is a beautiful purple for a beautiful little girl!

Considering how fast lil miss is growing these past few weeks, I'm glad I am knitting a small 12 month size. It should fit her nicely come spring.

My plan for the weekend is to finish this, then start my next project that needs to be finished by the end of the closing ceremony.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Ravellenics Update

I got to the lace section of the sweater while watching the water polo match yesterday. The lace is really giving this sweater a nice little girl look to it.


Two and a half lace sections to go.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Ravellenics 2012

Last time I left you with fabulous baby photos of Lil Miss. If you missed it, you can find the post here.

I decided at the last minute to join the Ravellenic Games 2012. Being that we now have a new baby in the family, of course, I had to sign up to make baby items. For those that do now know about these games, the basics are you need to cast off during opening games and be completed by the end of the closing ceremonies.

So, I cast on Friday for a sweater that will fit Lil Miss. Sorry for the awful photo - we have had quite the storms in the area the last couple of days. I was able to complete the set up rows Friday night, so onward to the lace section.

Pattern: Lilianna by Irish Girlie Knits
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima 100% Cotton, DK weight
Colorway: Purple
Needles: Knit Picks Circulars US 8
Ravelry Page

I hope to finish this up in the next day or so.

I still have yet to photograph my finished object. I completed the vest I had been working on. Maybe "the sun will come out tomorrow"!





Sunday, July 22, 2012

A baby, vacation and finished object

Not necessarily in that order.

Since I last posted, we went on vacation, a half done project was finished, but more importantly my sister gave birth to a beautiful little girl.

So, I officially introduce you to Lil' Miss!

As many of you know, my husband and I do not have any children of our own. After being a science experiment for more years than I care to recall, my husband and I realized we would forever just be a 'couple' not a 'family'.

So, for me, the arrival of Lil' Miss is the closest I will ever be to a next generation, blood relative. I shall forever be known as Aunt D. A position I'm taking quite seriously....

As you can see we already have quite the bond going there. That is the photo I have on my desk, and computer desktops, it always brings a smile to my face and a small chuckle - every time. In fact in that photo she looks exactly like my sister did as a newborn.

And as always, they grow up so fast. This is just 4 days later:
As she has totally stolen her parent's heart, she has mine as well. I look forward to watching her grow up, taking care of her, teaching her things and being there for whatever she may need. I hope at some point I can also say, the next generation knitter!

I'll share my vacation and FO's later and end with a note to Lil Miss.

Your Aunt D is so very glad you are here, arriving safely and being so perfect and beautiful in every way. I am so grateful that you brought other things to our attention at such an early point. I thank you for the joy and love you have brought into our hearts when you arrived! Now please just let your mommy get a couple more hours of sleep in a day...xo



Monday, June 18, 2012

A blocked rectangle

I have to admit this is a quick knit!

I finished the initial rectangle and have blocked it to the dimensions I need. I think I'll finish this in no time!


The color is so off - being that the yarn is wet and taking this after the sun went down, doesn't help.

It is going to spend some time drying then we start the back.If you need a quick vest to knit, I highly recommend this one!


Saturday, June 16, 2012

Cherish Vest

Well, my needles finally came in for me to cast off on my vest. I'm such a tight knitter that I had to go up to a US size 11, to get the gauge I needed. I'm making an in between size to the dimensions given, so I'm adjusting my stitch counts according.

So, after swatching, frogging, then starting the project for real, here is where I am:

Pattern: Cherish by Mi
Yarn: Berroco Glint
Colorway: #2903 Zeus
Needles: Knit Picks US Circulars size 11
Ravelry Page

This is a yarn that feels a bit rough in the ball, however when you knit it up it becomes really nice to be a garment. 

I plan on knitting this whole section, then using my SOAK and block it. I want to make sure that this ends up being a perfect rectangle.



Sunday, June 10, 2012

What comes after a sweater?

Why a monster. Or rather a monsta!

I spent the last two days thoroughly enjoying this knit.


Pattern: The Big Book of Knitted Monsters - Hugh the Couch Potato
By: Rebecca Danger
Yarn: Knit Picks Simply Cotton Worsted
Color: Green Tea Heather
Needles: Knit Picks Circulars US 8, yes I did the whole thing by magic loop
Ravelry Page

So, now I'm back in between projects. I have a vest that I really want to knit, the cherish by Mi, but I'm still in the swatch mode (since I want to knit them with the nickel needles not wooden).

We will see how my work day goes tomorrow, maybe I'll be daring and CO!

Saturday, June 2, 2012

A finished sweater

Well, I did it...I finished my sweater! I'm over the moon with excitement about it!!

Pattern: Greenfield Cardigan from New England Knits book
Yarn: Cascade Ultra Pima
Colorway: Juniper
Yardage used: ~ 4.2 skeins
Needles: Knit Picks Circulars US 6 (neck) then US 8
Ravelry Page


I won't bore you with all the details. I mean how much garter stitch can I truly document. I heard from others that they would have brought the neckline in, so I used a US 6 for the first few rows, it seems to do the trick. I also wanted it a bit longer, so I modified the waist line to not only take my shape into consideration but add in length there.

I learned how to use magic loop for the sleeves. I will never go back to DPN's again! I also used the chart for the leaves. This was another first for me, as when I only had a chart I would write it out.

I've worn it twice already, in between gave it a good wash with SOAK. Love that stuff!

It got finished well before my deadline of June 30th with The Loopy Groupies. Maybe I can sneak in another project for Lil Miss!


Wednesday, May 23, 2012

We interrupt sweater knitting for a Baby Shower...

It was a beautiful day at a beautiful location!


To honor my sister on her next role, as a Mother.


So, you say why did a few hours interrupt my sweater knitting? It was the favors. I had to come up with the idea that I could hand knit for every attendee. Well, I did it, at having to put off my sweater for a few weeks! We ended up wrapping them around ball jars full of home made facial scrub.


I mean why not? I'm only throwing my sister a baby shower once, and she deserves the very best I can provide!

Now, as we anxiously await the arrival of 'lil miss...the sweater knitting is back in full gear!



Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Waist Decreasing

I'm still knitting away....as it shows in this photo I've started the waist decreasing.


You can also see the first modification I've done. Yes, I'm daring enough to modify the pattern on my very first sweater! It was just adding 3 more rows before the decreasing for the waist, but it is still a modification!

I have another 2 rounds of decreasing to go. I hope to get through that this week, leaving the increases for this weekend.

I realized that I will need DPN's to do the sleeves. So, off to Webs I will need to go.

In the meantime, I've developed a food addiction. Thank you Pinterest! It is, as I call it, Cinnamon Pull-A-Part Bread. Again, I modified the recipe....and it is highly addictive!


Don't say I didn't warn you!

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Sleeve Caps

Well this weekend didn't turn out the way it was planned. DH came home from work on Friday really sick. So, in staying home all weekend to make sure he was okay - it provided more knitting time.

So, here is what my sweater looks like as of 2 hours ago:


Here is a close up of the sleeve caps:

I did just put in a life line (you can barely see it on the sleeve a row back) and tried it on.

Shocking me...it fits well! I know the knitting on it will be a bit slower this week, dang day job, but I'm thrilled at the progress!

I also took some time to make pizza for lunch today, while it wasn't as good as my nephews, it was edible...considering the real chef in the household was/is still in bed sick. The dough was from my bread book, Peter Reinhardt's Artisan Bread Every Day.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Neck done

I've finished the shaping of the neck with the short rows with the smaller needles.



You can see the section that will become the sleeves, flanked by YO's. I also have one button hole done.

I wonder how much I'll be able to get done this weekend.

I've also been sidetracked by making Cinnamon Pull-A-Part bread....can you smell how delicious this is?

Sunday, April 8, 2012

A what?!

A sweater. I'm finally knitting myself a sweater. My first.

In reading a Ravelry forum in where someone else posted they wanted to start their first sweater but realized something was holding them back. The group was stating basically go for it. There are no knitting 'police', take the time you need, and just do it. So, I took their advise and voila:

Pattern: Greenfield Cardigan
Source: New England Knits; Timeless Knitwear with a Modern Twist
Yarn: Cascade Ultra Pima
Colorway: Juniper
Needles: Knit Picks Circulars US 6 & US 8
Ravelry Page

I actually swatched for this! I know, amazing! I tried on the US 6 that the pattern suggests, however I wasn't making gauge. Tried US 7, still off...so I ended up going up to US 8. I realize I'm a tight knitter, but 2 needle sizes...this better fit when I'm done knitting it! :-)

I've already made my first modification. Go ahead, ask me if I'm crazy to deviate from the written pattern on my FIRST sweater?! Well, in reading the reviews many people wished they had make the neck a bit smaller, so I started on the US 6 for the short rows, then changed to the US 8's.


I'm also participating in the Loopy Groupies Second Quarter Challenge. So, that means this sweater needs to be done by June 30. Notice I use the word 'needs to be', that is MY goal. Feel free to join us here.