a few of my cast ons

Looks like we have a bit of catching up to do...so let's get right to it!

This Winter knitting scarves/shawls and hat sets seem to be "my thing"! Unfortunately we had another extremely warm winter and I didn't get to wear the pieces as much as I would have liked.  First up is the Multi stripe Kidsilk Haze suite.  If you haven't experienced this wonderful fiber yet, you should do so.  The new Rowan Stripe, my colorway selection of #00202, is beautiful and was a fun knit.  The shawl is a take on the scarf pattern on the ball band. I simply cast on 120 stitches for the width and knit 2.5 balls in stockinette ( I had great plans for the remaining .5 ball). This project was my constant buddy to knit anywhere:anytime!  I found I wear this shawl more as a scarf  'cause it is so fluid and airy and simply lovely wrapped around the neck, so why not??

The accompanying hat is the Jared Flood pattern, RoseBud.  Don't you adore Jared and his patterns? My RoseBud was knit with 1 skein of Malabrigo Sock Yarn, #853-Abril, and about .5 skein of the remaining Stripe Kidsilk Haze.  All I can say about this Slouchy Hat when knit in the Malabrigo/Kidsilk Haze combination is W.O.W!

 The sock yarn was held doubled with one strand of the Kidsilk Haze that resulted in a gradual color change that eliminated any harsh stripes and a hat that is just scrumptious! Don't take my word for it, be your own judge....

 A Sweet & Easy Set Treat!

Next up is the Horseshoe Scarf by Kat Buckspan (a free pattern..don't you just luv that) and the Picot Edge Hat that...I.COULD.JUST.EAT.!

The Horseshoe Scarf was knit on #5 needles with Queensland Collection-Kathmandu-Aran in colorway #164 and Rowan Purelife in colorway, Alder Buckhorn.  The gold and black combination is totally out of the box for me, but a nice change! This is an easy 4 row repeat lace pattern that is great for a scarf and hat set.  What an awesome pattern for gift giving.

Now about that Picot Edge Hat (that I.COULD.JUST.EAT).  This hat could have numerous looks (check out Rav) and seems every one's is most unique.  I knew I wanted my hat a bit fuller than the original pattern.  The brim was cast on with 17 stitches and knit to 18 1/2" long or 84 garter ridges.  For the hat I picked up 84 stitches, knit the first row then increased the following row to 126 stitches.  It was knit working the custer pattern till it measured  7 1/2" from tip of picot.
                                        (this pic is a tad yellow but I liked the close up shot)

The flower is also a free pattern I found on line called "Sweet and Simple Rosette" by Eileen Vito.  The flower is adorned with a vintage earring from my Grandmother's collection.

Gift it or Wear it and listen to the Rants and Raves!

Hugs & Purls!

working the stash and more

After soooo many shawls it's time for a Sweater!

  My sweater selection was selected from my stash and has been in waiting for a couple of years.

 Now is CIA's time. 

 Cia is a Louet pattern knit with Kidlin, a sweet fiber of 49% linen/35% kid mohair/16% nylon. 

 

 And let me say, "Loving. Cranberry. Colorway!!!

 

Enough about the new, time now to entertain you with my Rockefeller!  This is another Stephen West pattern that provide lots of twists and turns for quite the eventful knit. 

 

The project was most interesting, then came those wings you see in the front.  I sort of made up the wing color combination to ensure I had enough of the colors used to complete a second wing. Just an after thought, I think I would have liked wider stripes, but all is OK and I still think it is a lovely piece.

 

The burnt rust colorway is quite "outside the box" for me...but I do find it quite pleasing and happy with the color combination!

 

 My Rockefeller was knit with 5 different colorways of Simply Shetland - Silk & Lambswool (discontinued) and 1 skein of Madelinetosh tosh merino light in the colorway, Moss. #3 needles was used on this project.

Till next time, be well, be happy and try something out of the normal for yourself real soon!

 

Hugs & Purls!

 

first prize

My Garden Party

by designers:  Two Old Bags

Pattern  purchased at SAFF in 2008!

This pattern was in a protective sleeve and placed in my shawl notebook along with my very long list of "to be knitted someday".  It was when I saw a co-knitters's (Patrice) version of this design that it caught my attention again! Patrice's gift of color is fabulous and all you Rav knitters out there should check her out...what a treat!

 It  was much to my surprise when I reviewed the start and finish date of this project and realized it was knit in 10 days!  That was pretty fast for such a slow knitter as myself. Perhaps it was all the color change and simplicity of the pattern that kept it speeding along.  In any case, I ADORE IT and I LOVE IT!

 The piece was knit using all Koigu KPPPM on #6 needles. Here are the main colors used: P6l6, P854, P511,P848 and P3275.  I added occasional rows of stash Koigu here and there just for fun and a little punch.

I did follow a couple of my own rules: 1). I knit the eyelet row, the row before and after the eyelet row in yellow  and 2). whatever colorway used Before starting the eyelet setup row was picked up again at the end of the eyelet rows.  I think these steps allowed a little formality in the piece and eliminated the possibility of a hodge-podge result.   

At times I find myself feeling a bit guilty when I look at all those patterns and books (and let's not even think about the stash fiber), but, Ohhhh The Satisfaction when that pattern that had been forgotten or overlooked for so long is once again renewed and exciting!   It's like winning First Prize or something and in this case my First Prize was Garden Party.

going to the dogs

The Gardener with our Italian Greyhounds!

It's hard to believe our IGs are 12 and 11 years old. 

They may be looking older, but still jump, run like a Standard Greyhound at a race track in West Virginia and pranch around the house in great  pony fashion.

this is "My Stole"

The Stole is a super straightforward knit by designer Theresa Gaffey.

 The pattern is found in the publication, Wearwithall - Knits for your Life! This book includes several knits that appeal to me, like this, this and this! 

Now back to The Stole, or should I say, My Stole!  I chose colors close to the original pattern (I understand the original colors were discontinued or renumbered).  Anyhow, my shades are right on!

 

 What a Grand project for the beginning knitter with the simple Knit/Purl Rib Pattern. One might think knitting all that ribbing would work itself into a state of boredom, but that is the furthest thing from the truth. This was a relaxing and intoxicating knit that lead from one pretty color to the next, just let the fiber do most of the work for you .

 

 The Skinny

Fiber:  Isager

 Alpaca 2 (fingering)

Needle:  #3 US (40" circular)

Knitting Schedule:  August 7 -  September 19 

 The Stole is my second project using Isager and certainly will not be my last. Both the lace weight and the fingering weight resulted in the softest, best feel against the skin goodness you have ever experienced.  I simply can hardly wait to knit my next Isager project! 

 

LYS that carry Isager are few and far between.  I purchased my Isager by mail from HillsboroughYarn, and as always, was most impressed and pleased with their helpful, experienced team and major quick delivery! (I hear they are the largest Isager retailer in the states) 

  The Stole and Isager are all the buzz with knitters in my area and may be just that knit you are dreaming for....!

  

Hugs & Purls!

happy stuff

It was September 9th and my BFF, Bronna, and her family were enjoying her birthday celebration here! In the meantime, I was home all comfy on my corner of the world sofa, listening to an audible book and Knitting; when my IPhone dings with a pic of Bronna AKA "The Birthday Girl"............. 

 

My thoughts were, "Man, Bronna looks like a Happy Birthday Girl"!  I mean Happy as in ...one for me now and one for me later...Happy Stuff! Then her daughter Connie also sends me this text

 2 massages for mom's birthday. One for you and one for her and then a gift

certificate to Bonefish for dinner after. I knew she wouldn't get the massage

unless you went too so I bought you one too

 

Isn't that about the coolest thing EVER!  It was then that I understood the HUGE smile on The Birthday Girl's face and Connie, what a darn and creative gift for your Mom (and me).

 

Well, this week Bronna and I had that dinner at Bone Fish Grill that consisted of Grilled Scallops and Shrimp with all the fixings and lots of yummy bread, good conversation and a little taste of knitting at my house afterwards. 

 

The massages/facials are in the planning stages and just waiting for the taking!!!

I am extremely blessed to have a Special and Dear Friend that also comes with such a Warm, Thoughtful and Awesome Family.

Till next time, be well and savor those special occasions in your life...'cause those are some of life's Happy Stuff!

a little this and that

This is my third Koigu Linen Stitch Scarf  AKA  My Spring Linen Stitch Scarf!  Again I used Koigu (KPPPM) and again totally enjoyed the fiber and pattern.

 

  

The Koigu Pastel colorways used for my Spring Scarf are P539, P130 and P454.  The plan was to complete this project in time for Spring but I was side tracked with other knit temptations and just finished it on September 9th.

 

This 3rd Linen Stitch Scarf isn't my last as I still have "The Twin's" to knit for Christmas and I can hardly wait to see the lovely Koigu greys and blues melt together on that one.

Are any of you familiar with Rowan's Kidsilk Haze Stripe yarn?  The striped pattern is a delight to knit and will make an easy to wear scarf/shoulder shawl.  I'm using the pattern on back of the yarn band for the base of this project, but cast on 120 stitches instead of 51 stitches. The pattern is called "1 Ball Scarf"....guess I'll call mine "3 Ball Scarf" as that's how much larger I plan to knit mine.

 

A great project to simply knit enjoy  a little here and there.  This one is kept in my project bag at all times.

 

Plans are in order to start my Garden Party Shawl.  Look at the color selections! And yes, more Koigu...aren't they AWESOME colors!

 

Stay tuned as "The Stole" will be completed in the next couple of days! Lots of knitting involved in this one, but totally an enjoyable knit.