Chevron is in timeout

I needed to have a couple of days of just not working on it. It is about 2 feet in length. I'm figuring I have about 2 1/2 more feet to go before I call it a FO. I also have just over 2 more balls of this yarn/colorway -  hence the approximation.

I've been concentrating on my tuscany shawl. I've been able to really make some big progress on it the past few days. It is amazing what you can get done working on a project that you enjoy - unlike SOME projects (~cough~chevron~cough~).

If you have followed my blog for sometime you already know how much I love the Handmaiden Sea Silk. I've used it in so many projects, recently in the present for my SIL this past Christmas. This particular colorway, called pumpkin, is so appealing to me.

I love how the various shades of orange come through. You also see that is isn't a bright orange, but a warm orange. I truly can not wait to finish this shawl and be able to block it. I've seen through my past projects with sea silk how the stitch definition really comes out when it is properly blocked.

I did put this on the scale it is 52 grams. I have 48 still left in the ball. So, I'll be curious how many more rows I can go with this.

A little yarn candy

My MIL had an interesting way to present me with a Christmas gift. I opened up a package and in it was a ball of yarn.

You know the kind, you start off winding it around one of your fingers and keep going until it is the size of a baseball or melon?! In fact being that it is so dense you could probably do some damage if it got a good wack to send it sailing!

I asked if I could cheat in the unwinding process. I mean we had a meal to eat and all, let us not delay food. So, out came the trusty old winding machine, the ball went into a box at my feet and a winding I went. I ended up with a very tiny box and in it was a bit of money specifically for the purchase of yarn.

So, off to one of my favorite yarn shops I go: The Loopy Ewe! I use a bit more funds from another gift certificate I received and scored these two gems:

Yarn: Handmaiden Sea Three
Colorway: Twilight
Weight: Worsted
Yardage: 254 yards

I'm in love! These colors are right up my alley...the medium to dark blue and then the black. Well, between those two colors you have accounted for 92.6458% of my work wardrobe!

I have a few patterns I'm thinking of using these for. I'll keep you posted. As you know I have a shawl and scarf that need attention.

Still knitting on this chevron scarf

For those of you who have knit a chevron scarf you know what I mean! This seems like it is going on FOREVER! Much like an online friend shared, she used sport weight to speed things along or she was going to poke her eyes out with the needles!

So, here is a photo of my progress. I've probably added another couple of inches after I took this picture this morning. I figured I might as well snap the shot then, as the sun was shining and it was beautiful. However, not for long, the weather man says prepare for 'ponds' during your morning commute! Fabulous!!

My tuscany shawl is in the same place it was the end of December. I've been trying to divide my time between this scarf - as it would be nice to wear it this winter, stealth knitting (more on that in about a week) and studying for a big test I have coming up. It also doesn't help that my work hours have been long - since the new boss LOVES 4PM meetings!

You know the kind of meetings were there is no way to leave around 5PM as there are still 6 items left to discuss on the agenda! She is such a peach.

In my recent blogging about gifts I got side tracked from the bunny photos. So here you go: this little cutie was given to me from my MIL for Christmas this year.

Christmas Finale

We celebrated our final Christmas tonight. So, here are the final knitted gifts.

This was my secret project from earlier this year. It was for my mother-in-law.

Pattern: One Row Scarf by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
Yarn: Schaefer Yarn Sandra
Colorway: Empress Wu Zhao
Yardage: 222 yards
Needles: US 7 mm
Co: 26 stitches

You may remember me blogging about that scarf earlier this year. I documented it in black and white, as to not give anything away.

The next scarf was for my DH's Aunt. Her name begins with the letter "P". This is the one I documented after I learned to design my own shawls thanks to Amy Singer!

Yarn: Mission Falls 1824 Cotton
Colorway: Blush
Needles: US 9mm
Yardage: 170 yards
Co: 28 stitches

Now that this holiday is over time to start thinking about next years! :-)

Actually I have a tuscany shawl and chevron scarf that need to be completed. They have both been given a back seat throughout this holiday season.

The weather calls for snow from tonight straight through until Sunday. I will be knitting away and singing "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"

Still not done documenting Christmas

and we still have another Christmas to celebrate this coming weekend, weather permitting!

Do you think I got carried away with the Calorimetry pattern?

There is actually one that is missing from this. It was the original one I knit for my sister BEFORE the hair cutting ceremony! I ended up frogging it and making it into the first pair of fingerless mitts. You should have read ALL about that earlier this week! So technically, you have seen it -  just in another project!

The two on the left were for my nieces. I made them out of Rowan Cotton Jeans. The one that is slightly orange (third from left) is Artful Yarns Fable. Of course I liked working with that yarn, and now it is discontinued!

The one on the far right is the new one that now belongs to my sister. The sister with the now shorter hair! (love you sis!!)

I have yet to photo the bunny related items I received for Christmas...and yes I STILL can not upload photos on my computer. My DH is really treating me by uploading all these!

As for now, it is time to put away the computer, bring out the snack food to settle in and watch the ball drop. Onward to 2010!

Christmas for my SIL

I made my Sister-In-Law a scarf for Christmas.

Pattern: Drop Stitch Scarf
Yarn: Handmaiden SeaSilk
Colorway: Renaissance
Needles: Addi Turbo Lace US 6
Cast on: 26 stitches

This scarf made me nervous with all those YO's and I didn't fully appreciate the look those until I blocked it. It was then that the scarf really opened up and showed off its wonderful design.

We were unable to be with my SIL when she opened her present, however we were speaking with her when she did. I was SO relieved that she liked it!

Yes, I do have more knitted gifts to blog about...stay tuned for next time!

Christmas gifts for others

I told you I've been a busy knitting elf this year! I've really enjoyed it. I feel that I have brought my knitting to the next level. Just like the f@cebook group I joined "I knit to stay sane!' While that may relate to my feelings many days, knitting for me is my calm in between my storms. I think you, even if you do not knit, can truly relate to that statement. With that said, what else did I knit for Christmas this year you ask?

I made this for my Gram:

Pattern: Baktus
Yarn: Sugar Bunny Boulevard Emeline
Colorway: Red Shoes in Autumn
Yardage: 400 yards (less than .07g left - thank goodness for the scale!)
CO: 4 stitches
Needles: Hiya Hiya US 7

As my Mom wore purple to Christmas, Gram wore red...so, this went well with what she was wearing. It was so funny, all this matching to your knitted present!

I've been asked what did I get for Christmas, well for starters my DH purchased the Knit Picks Harmony Wood Needle Set! I've started knitting a Chevron scarf with the US 4's and they are just wonderful needles! This cotton just slides right over them and the joints are just so smooth and the tips are perfectly pointy -  it is just wonderful!

The DH also gave me some Tussah Silk so I can try my hand at thrumming! I really can't wait to start that, although I have to finish this scarf and would like to finish the Tuscany shawl first!

I also received the page a day calendar by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. I really enjoyed this years so I can't wait to see what she has to say next!

I'll have to share my rabbit presents next time!

Christmas Knitting take 2

Oh yes these hands were knitting fast and furious to keep in line with the goals to provide each female member of the family a handmade gift for Christmas.

I can now fully share some of them with you, as we still have 2 Christmas celebrations to go.

Here is the scarf I knit for my mother:

Pattern: Amy Singer's Bailey
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Pearl
Colorway: Black Purl
Yardage: 220 yards (a smidgen left!)
CO: 22 stitches
Needles: Addi Turbo Lace US 6

I know I've said this before but I LOVE this yarn! It was ironic that Mom came to Christmas with a purple sweater and it matched quite nicely!

Christmas for my sister

I originally knit my sister a Calorimetry. This would have been back a few months ago. You know how I've blogged about my love of this knitted project. How the Calorimetry works well with people with really long hair yet keeps them warm.

Well, she went and cut her hair quite drastically....so the calorimetry got re-knit a bit thinner. I sewed the button on, tried it on myself a few times and I was pleased with the fit (her and I have about the same length hair now). So far so good!

My sister loves cute pigs as much as I love rabbits. So, I found this company that is featured on the Ph@ntom Gourmet. It is the When Pigs Fly bakery . I bought her this cute mug that changes pictures when a hot beverage is placed in the cup. The black pigs turn into small pink pigs with wings! Too cute!!

(no idea why that is not turning correctly!) So, I THOUGHT she was done for Christmas. A handmade gift and a little purchased gift. Check her off the list.

Then, she just happens to mention that when I get good enough to knit fingerless mitts she wants a pair. Good enough? (yes that was the exact term she used!) Well, you know me and challenges. I was determined to make her a perfect pair of fingerless mitts. I mean come on how hard can be be, I've made 3 pairs of socks, I know how to knit in the round.

The issue was that I didn't know what type of fingerless mitts she wanted and it isn't like I wanted to ask her details. Do I make individual fingers, or just an individual thumb, fancy pattern or basic rib...decisions decisions.

Well, I tried one mitt via DPN's. It wasn't going too well. In my sock knitting I was always had a knit stitch between the two needles, while the pattern for the fingerless mitts was a purl. I was having too much give between needles. So, I worked the pattern knitting them flat and figured I could test out my seaming abilities. Now that was going to be my challenge!

Off I went, one prototype pair of mitts later and my seaming was turning out much better on the second mitt. Off to make the final pair!

Now she was officially done! Thank goodness, as I still had a couple of more handmade items to finish.

Christmas Eve came and I received a call from her, she had just been presented with an engagement ring from her long time BF. So, now I was over the moon with that fabulous news, as I knew that fingerless mitts were going to go over big since she could keep her hands warm yet show off her ring at the same time! Score one for the knitter!

Christmas Day her BF presents her with a coffee machine, score two - as I got her a pig mug!

As it all turned out for the best, I do believe she liked her gifts, and the stories that went along with them.

I have to say, I'm SO excited for her on this big change in her life. She deserves something great and I do believe she has the right partner for life! Of course, we do have a photo of her ring (disregard the beaded ring in front, as it is holding on her engagement ring from falling off!)

Now should I go back and make a third pair of fingerless mitts with a hole in them, so the ring can show through?

Somehow I do not think so!

As for what I received for Christmas....I'll tell you next time along with more of my handmade Christmas gifts.

Waterford what?

Yes, a Waterford Bowl is my current yarn bowl. My DH really thinks I'm a yarn snob now! He even said so. In turn I told him he is being blogged.The bowl isn't something I would have purchased for myself. It was a gift from my company for hitting a milestone length of employment.

What is in the bowl at the moment?

Pattern: Tuscany by Amy Singer
Yarn: Handmaiden Seasilk
Colorway: Pumpkin
Needles: Addi Lace US 6
CO: 4 stitches

I just realized that I have some weaving in of the ends to some Christmas presents. So, bring on the snowstorm that is scheduled to hit us and bring out the Chibi and off I go...

Another WIP

Here is the Baktus I am working on. It is a great knit at night after a long crazy day. I love the cheerful colors of it!Pattern: Baktus
Yarn: Sugar Bunny Boulevard
Colorway: Red Shoes in Autumn
CO: 4 stitches
Needles: Hiya Hiya US 7

The base of this yarn is cotton, nylon & bamboo. It has a great squishy feeling to it. I love that I've found a yarn that I'm not allergic to that is hand dyed!

I also am rewarding myself with casting off on my Ishbel. I've wanted to knit one for about a couple months now. However, I didn't want to get into knitting something for me when I still have some gifts to finish and get so tied up in this that I leave the other items for last minute. So, I only allowed myself to knit a couple of rows at a time in between the gifts.

So far it is working!
Pattern: Ishbel
Yarn: Seasilk by Handmaiden
Colorway: Periwinkle
CO: 3 stitches
Needles: Hiya Hiya US 4mm

I'm truly in love!

I know I say this about all my projects, but when you you see a hank of yarn, pick a pattern and start knitting...soon enough, you have this handmade item that shows itself to you as something beautiful, you can't help but smile and fall in love with it!

You knitters out there know EXACTLY what I mean.

This bunny is one of the tiny ones I have. It is only about 2 inches from tip to tail! It is ceramic and hangs beautifully off my handmade Grandfather clock (yes, made by my Grandfather!).

Remember me?

The sporadic blogger?!

I'm still have issues uploading pictures. However, you can not have a blog without photos. So, the current workaround is getting DH to log into his computer, upload photos to our server...then, I can go in and get them from my computer.

So...what have I been up to? Knitting. I've been out straight at work that each and every night I come home and knit for a little while then head straight to bed from exhaustion.

The calendar shows November 14th. Do you how close Christmas is to today? That would be a mere 40 days. I'm doing well on my Christmas knitting....and I really should be, as I started in February!

With that said I'll show you what I'm working on over the next few blog posts. However, you'll get full pictures after the recipients receive them!

First off, a little something I learned from AMY SINGER!! This is her Bailey pattern:Pattern: Bailey - Amy Singer
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Pearl
Colorway: Black Purl
CO: Can't tell you right now
Repeats: Can't share that either
Needles: Addi Turbo Lace US 6mm

I LOVE this yarn! It is has a great feel to it and it is simply a pleasure to knit with. I'm waiting for The Loopy Ewe to get this back in stock as I would love it in other colorways.

I also spent some time with SLG, since my last post, which leads to this bunny photo. My MIL purchased this rabbit for me at a craft show. SLG and I had a ball painting it. The base color is called cherry, and we HAD TO HAVE a purple head. As this is SLG's favorite color. Do you see the polka dots? SLG thought a rabbit with dots on it would be funny!It certainly makes for a very colorful bunny!

Until next time....

Snowy Scarf

I used what I had learned in my Amy Singer's Plug & Play Shawl Design class back in September to create a patten design for this scarf.

It is another Christmas present I just finished today. I was able to use my graph paper to design the recipient's initial into the scarf. Since the initial would give away who this is going to, you are only going to see a portion of the scarf. I truly amazed myself at how the initial came out! I do hope the recipient enjoys it this winter!Yarn: Mission Falls 1824 Cotton
Colorway: Blush 410
Pattern: K1, repeat both sides
Yardage: 2 skeins, 170 yards total
Needles: Hiya Hiya US 8

My hands have been flying on the needles so much in the past few days that I didn't take a bunny photo this time, so stay tuned for next time!

Another Calorimetry

have I mentioned how much I LOVE this pattern?Pattern: Calorimetry from Knitty.com
Yarn: Rowan Classic Cotton Jeans
Colorway: SH 367 Hemp
Needles: Lantern Moon US 8 straights

This is the second one I have made. I just need to find the perfect button. It is so squishy I really want to keep it for myself. Unfortunately, it must go into the Christmas present bag.

These bunnies round out the ones that sit on or next to my quilt rack.

A Hurricane

as a finished object that is.Pattern: Hurricane Hat
Yarn: Misti International Pima Cotton & Silk
Colorway: 4338 - Light Blue
Needles: Hiya Hiya US 8
CO: 81 Stitches

I LOVE how this hat came out! I'm debating if I should use the remaining 2 skeins of this yarn for matching mittens....we will see.

I just caked this yarn skein up to start on another Christmas project. I really like the bright colors. I hope the recipient does as well!

Yarn: Sugar Bunny Boulevard - Emeline
Purchased at: The Loopy Ewe
Colorway: Red Shoes in Autumn
Yardage: 400 yards

It is made up of 55% Bamboo, 24% Cotton & 21% Elastic. It feels wonderful in the hands. The bonus is that you can either machine or hand wash it! Perfect!

While I do quilt & sew a bit, I can't imagine sewing up something this small!

Shawl That Jazz

Completed!
Pattern: Shawl That Jazz
Co: 248 stitches
Needles: Hiya Hiya US 8
Yarn: Knit One Crochet Too 2nd Time Cotton
Colorway: Borealis

LOVE THIS! It hasn't been off my shoulders since I've completed it! Well, just to sleep last night.

I immediately cast off for another Calorimetry. I just really enjoy this pattern. I got the yarn for this one at WEBS. It is a Rowan Classic Cotton Jeans and, like any Rowan I've tried, it is a lovely yarn. It has cushion, gives enough stretch in the knit/purl pattern and feels good in your hands. I wonder who is getting one for Christmas?!

Ms. B wanted one of her toys to make it into the Bunnies on the blog. Here you go...
It has a plastic bell in the center and she loves to pick this up and fling it all around the room. It makes us smile just hearing it and knowing she is happily playing with her bunny toy!

Calorimetry

A what? A Calorimetry. Leave it to my Amy Singer to publish a pattern on her Knitty.com for one.
Pattern: Calorimetry from Knitty.com
Yarn: Artful Yarns Fable
Colorway: Goldie Locks #94
Needles: Lantern Moon US 8 straights

I do need to find the right button for this. Ideas are welcome. I can definitely see more of these in my future...watch out!

Are you still submitting your guesses to how many rabbits I have around the house? Here is another one. This is actually a salt and pepper shaker. Although I think she looks best on my quilt rack.

Amy Singer is my knitting hero

We all need one. Someone we look up to that has helped us in our knitting. For me, it is Amy Singer. She, like myself, is allergic to all things wool.

Her No Sheep For You book is fabulous! I do personally hold her responsible for my tastes in expensive non-wool/mohair/angora yarns!

I enjoyed her lecture on Thursday night. I truly felt like a groupie when, at the end, I asked her to sign my book and pose for a picture. This would be Amy Singer signing my book:You can see from Live and Let Learn!'s blog that they even got Amy to play a bit on the Uke. Wool Free and Lovin' Knit also has written up a nice write up on the lecture.

Friday's class was really good. I found that I can actually read a chart. I thought for years that they were so overwhelming that I would cringe and pick a pattern that was written out instead. However, she broke it down in such a manner that I actually get it! So, me and my seasilk are working on a lace pattern called Coraline! How great is that?

I have to say I'm SO GLAD I went!

Amy Singer tomorrow...

...it is only a day away!

Tomorrow is the No Sheep for You lecture by the one and only AMY SINGER!! WOOT!

Friday is the Shawl design class....WOOT!! WOOT!!

I'll talk to you after my AMY SINGER fix!

Any knitting going on here?

Yes. I've been knitting like a mad woman. You can tell the stress level at work is high.

Let me see where I left off....my lutea shell is completed:Pattern: Lutea Lace Shoulder Shell Tank
Yarn: Classic Elite Yarn - Sundance
Colorway: 6204 - Slate Gray/Blue
Needles: US 8 Hiya Hiya 24" Circulars

I'm also progressing on my Shawl that Jazz. The last photo I had of this was about 2 inches in....20 inches later:I am at the point where I'm knitting the edge. So, if you picture a triangle I'm going around two sides, each row is taking me about 45-50 minutes! Yikes! For measurements, it is roughly 25 inches long and 48 inches for wingspan.

I'm determined to finish this within the next week or two. You know, BEFORE I meet Amy Singer!

I also finished my second ruffle scarf. I love these scarves. This one is green.
I also found more bunnies around the house. This one was given to me from my sister-in-law about 17 years ago. You are also getting a bonus bunny as I have a bunny frame in the background that was given to me by my Gram.