Bakersfield Shawl

So, you all know by reading this blog I have a fondness for Handmaiden Sea Silk. I couldn't resist knitting up this shawl pattern again in it.

Pattern: Bakersfield Shawl by Corrina Ferguson
Yarn: Handmaiden Sea Silk
Colorway: Salt Spray
Needles: US 5mm
Ravelry Page

We spent time last year, over a big birthday of mine ending in 0, in Bermuda. This was the project I chose to bring and knit up during that time. It makes for a wonderful memory!

Purless Pullover

This was a sweater I knit for myself last fall, however I just got around to weaving in the ends.

Pattern: Purless Pullover by Kirsten Hipsky
Yarn: Valley Yarns Goshen
Colorway:  Persmission
Needles: US 8 (I think, I didn't update Ravelry)
Ravelry Page

This is one of the squishiest sweaters I own. Love it!!

Simple Baby Cap

Nothing like whipping out a little baby cap for a precious newborn!

Pattern: Simple Baby Cap by Susan B. Anderson
Yarn: Universal Yarns Cotton Supreme Batik
Colorway: Pink Lemonade
Needles: US 7mm
Ravelry Page

A finished tomato

This was my 2013 goal, to learn colorwork. I got this in right under the wire, as I finished the color section on New Years Eve!

For those of you familiar with Wendy's Tomato pattern, you'll know I really customized this sweater. I added long sleeves, made it more tailored through waist shaping and raised the front collar.

Pattern: Tomato by Wendy Bernard
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpaca Worsted Cotton
Colorway: Periwinkle & Sleet
Needles: US 8 mm
Ravelry Page

So, as I enjoy the foot of snow falling outside I'm toasty warm today in my sweater!

Candy Cane Hat

I couldn't resist knitting up this cute hat for Lil Miss. She spent a good hour with it on her head last weekend. She played with her dollhouse, looked at pictures of herself on my cell phone, texted with her mommy all while wearing the hat....a winner I say!

Pattern: Candy Cane by Susan B. Anderson
Yarn: Tahki Yarns Cotton Classic
Colorway: White and Pink
Needles: US 7
Ravelry Page

Stepladder Scarf

This was the very first completed knit of 2013.

Pattern: Stepladder Scarf
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Luscious Silk
Colorway: Copperline
Needles: US 7
Ravelry Page

This picture does not do this color justice. It is a beautiful copper orange and the silk is just divine on your neck on a cold winter day here in New England.

Trying this photo for color.

Ahhhh, THAT is more the color.

Vitamin D

2013 was the year I knit my second sweater. I was able to find the perfect yarn in 2012 when I went to Stitches East and visited the WEBS booth.

The linen in the yarn really brought out the stitch definition. I just enjoy the feel of this sweater on my skin. It shows that it is one of my favorite knit items to wear as I probably wear it once a month!

Pattern: Vitamin D by Heidi Kirrmaier
Yarn: Classic Elite Yarn Allegoro
Colorway: Green (although I think more slate blue)
Needles: US 6
Ravelry Page

You really see the short rows I did. I even modified the pattern for more, as I wanted it a little longer than the pattern in my size provided. 

I can't believe I have blogged this much already in January...maybe I have my blogging grove back!

Monstahs...

I just love knitting these monsters from Rebecca Danger. For me they are quick knits that make me smile when I finish them.

Just need some stuffing and eyes.

The one on the right is one I knit some time ago. I think I am up to 5 now.

Patterns: Toothy Joe the Mailbox Monster (with modifications) & Bea the Basement Monster
Yarn: Knit One Crochet Two Ty-Dy
Needles: US 7
Ravelry Pages here and here

These were part of my Christmas gift to lil miss since she enjoys playing with the big green one on the right so much!

Until next time.....happy knitting!

Funky hats for Lil Miss

I had some fun knitting up some of what I called Funky Hats for Lil Miss. I figured the more I had her try on the hats, the more comfortable she would be with hats.


The issue I ran into is she was growing like a weed!
 
Ravelry Page

Ravelry Page - Funky Hat



Both of these didn't take me much time, and well at least I got one photo of her in them.

Granlibakken

One of the shawls I completed in 2013 that I'm most proud of is the Granlibakken. If you follow my Ravelry projects, you'll notice I've knit many from Carrie. I just love her patterns! In fact this photo is featured on her pattern page.

Pattern: Granlibakken
Yarn: Halcyon Yarn Gemstone Silk 2/5
Colorway: Salmon
Yardage: 520
Needles: US 7
Ravelry Page

Knock Knock...anyone home?!

A whole year since I have been here. An awful lot has been going on. Let me see if I can just summarize it and get back to the knitting:

• New employer
• Above & Beyond Award
• Work, work work.
• New car
• Lil Miss turned 1 and is now nearly 19 months old!
• A lot of knitting has been happening
• I've been keeping Ravelry updated, not so much this blog.
• Made my own marshamallows
• Gained a few pounds (actually more than a few)
• Finally caught up to all the Harry Potter movies
• Sister battled radiation treatment. 
• New job title/new job responsibilities, including managing a team!
• Chose to not stress out this year for knitted Christmas gifts (only knit one for moi!)
• Spent my 40th birthday in Bermuda! My favorite place in the world!
• Bought a Tread Climber and I am using it
• Mastered the best homemade pizza dough
• Fell in love with fresh mozzarella
• Climbed a lighthouse 
•  Took 3 long weekend trips that were the best times with DH!
• Came face to face with a live possum and didn't scream
• Can't say the same for finding the dead mouse in the basement!
• Kept in touch with dear friends more this past year!
• Learned to let go a few things. 
• Installed a new counter top

Phew! Quite a year!

I'm excited to see what 2014 brings. Including bringing you up to speed on what I've been knitting.

First up:

Pattern: Victorian Lace Baby Shrug

Yarn: Cascade Yarn Ultra Pima

Colorway: Primrose

Yardage: 176

Needles: US 7

Ravelry Page

As you can see it fit perfectly...with a little room to grow!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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?

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.

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.

Lil Miss Surprise Sweater Progress

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

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!"