Friday, May 30, 2008

Fess Up Fiber Friday #23

Yarn Details
Brand: Katia
Yarn name: Linen
Color: Natural #7
Content: 50% Linen/ 50% Cotton
Skein Weight: 50g/122yds

Project Plans: A Knitted Lace Sampler

Comments: This lovely pattern was designed and knitted by Linda Pratt. Linda has designed numerous patterns; we have all seen much of her work in Vogue, Knitters, and Interweave magazines. This particular scarf was a find in the July/August 2001 Piecework/Interweave publication. With the 11 different motifs and lace edging, this is sure to be a delightful knit! The cast on for this lace sampler is just around the corner.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Knitting Bag Whore

Okay, so I am a Knitting Bag Whore!

I was quite proud of myself as there had been no knitting bag purchases for me lately. Then on a casual visit to my LYS (Knit Picky), I spied the new Namaste Laguna bag and knew immediately I had to have one! Knit Picky had just received a new shipment and had a wonderful color selection of Hollywood Pink, Lime Green, Olive, Saddle and Charcoal. Of all the bright festive colors, I chose the Charcoal. The bag is so soft, so large, so many exterior and interior compartments, and so beautiful with the stylist buckles and hardware! Namaste has hit a home run with this one, I love everything about it!

Laguna is a perfect fit for me...................

An excellent bag to sport my little knitted sweater (a gift from Ms.Laurie!

Friday, May 23, 2008

Fess Up Fiber Friday #22

This Fess Up Fiber Friday will cover not one, but two different lots of Cascade Yarns - Kid Seta that are held in my stash for a Stole and a Scarf.

Yarn Details
Brand: Cascade Yarns
Yarn Name: Kid Seta
Content: 70% Super Kid Mohair/30% Silk
Skein Weight: 25g/230 yds

First Project Plan: Scaruffle by designer Bess Haile. Don't you love the name Sca-Ruffle!! This pattern is found in the fabulous book, The Knitter's Book of Yarn. The Sca-Ruffle is knit using only 1 ball of Kid Seta. Second Project Plan: Feather Lace Stole. This is a major simple lace piece that calls for 2 balls of Kid Seta. I chose a beautiful shade of turquoise for the project. Look for this pattern in the Exquisite Little Knits book.

Ms. Sophia Progress

Ms. Sophia's back is complete and blocking. The Debbie Bliss Rialto is a dream to knit and the cables really are finishing up nicely in this yarn. I was in hopes the piece wouldn't need blocking, but with the stockinette stitch the sides curled unbelievably...so blocking was necessary even before sewing the project together.

The back of Sophia was knit in 2 weeks and I actually worked on a couple of other small projects in between. Cables without a cable needle really speeds up the knit...I call it Cable Freedom!!

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Girls Day Out and Laurie's Birthday

Jeannie, Laurie and myself finally got together to celebrate Laurie's (the chick in the pink) birthday. With every one's hectic schedule, work and family, our day out and Laurie's birthday event was a couple of weeks belated. No problem, we still had a wonderful "Fun" day together.

Laurie opened gifts during an early lunch, then it was on to visit some LYS (it was a first time visit to these shops for Laurie). She particularly loved This & That, a unique little shop with a most knowledgeable and helpful owner that sells yarn, clothes and jewelry! The day was complete with a stop at Cold Stone's for some yummy birthday ice cream.

Girls just wannna be Girls!

Jeannie, Me (middle) and Birthday Girl Laurie (chick in the pink).


Friday, May 16, 2008

Meet Lambchop

Lambchop was knit especially for me by my Special Buddy, Jeannie! I thought the girls at Knit Night were going to snatch him right off my neck.

Check out the entire gift box of Goodies, a beautiful hand knit flower and a Lady Bug for Good Luck!

Thanks soooo much Jeannie - Love Ya Girl!

Isn't Lambchop Fun????

Fess Up Fiber Friday #21

Yarn Details

Brand: Berroco

Yarn Name: Ultra Alpaca

Colors: Misc

Content: 50% Alpaca/50% Wool

Skein Weight: 100g/215 yds

Project Plans: The Great American Afghan

Comments: This Grand Afghan is from the Cascade Yarns Book, The Great American Afghan. The project will be knit between other projects and will probably take me months and months to finish; no big rush on this alpaca luscious afghan. I'm anxious to learn many new and advanced stitches with this project. Bring It On!!!!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Joyful...Cheerful Nina Shawl

Nina was started July, 2007 and finished on May 9, 2008. Quite unusual for me to have such a lingering project in the works. Actually this was an on again off again knit between other sweaters, bags, hats, dishcloths, toys, gifts and such. Had I any idea how much I would love Nina, I probably would have finished her off in quick fashion. Nina is knit from Tahki Cotton Classic yarn and will be used year round. I did make a few modifications, added 12" to the length by widening some of the stripes, knit the ruffle to 4" instead of the 2" per the pattern (I LOVE THE RUFFLE), and I changed 2 stripes to another pink/orange fair isle stripe. Let me tell you, the pink/orange fair isle ROCKS!!! The inches added to this shawl was worth the cost of the additional yarn and extra knitting involved (no problem right??? more knitting is always a good thing). My shawl is just the right size for wearing out or just relaxing at home...while watching Grey's Anatomy and McDreamy!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Cable Needle Abandonment

Sophia has been started! This cable project will be slightly different from other cable pieces of the past. Thanks to Grumperina, Sophia will be cabled Without the aid of a cable needle. I read many instructions on cabling without a cable needle and found Grumperina's to be by far the easiest to follow. Thanks Grumperina!! It was a very very slow go at first, but I am now moving swiftly and lovin' it.

See my process on the back, So-Far-So-Good!

Friday, May 9, 2008

Fess Up Fiber Friday #20


Yarn Details

Brand: Malabrigo
Color: Natural #63
Content: Kettle Dyed Pure Merino Wool

Skein Weight: 216 yards

Project Plans: Sweater-Perhaps the Drops Jacket


Comments: This yarn has been in my stash for a couple of years. With 10 balls, I'm sure to have enough for any sweater selection!

Saturday, May 3, 2008

NOTE FO: Noro Cropped Sweater

I share few thoughts with you about knitting books, but this is one you simply must have if you love Noro Yarn, quick knits and both classic and current styles! Now Hear This....I Love This Noro Designer Mini Knits Book! Numerous knitting friends have purchased this same book and share my enthusiasm.

My knit choice was Design 26, a cute cropped sweater to be worn 9 months of the year! The sweater was finished and ready to wear on Tuesday of this week and I have already worn it twice and I love it. Mom and I shopped today and I was pleased with the numerous compliments!


Check it out.........................................................
I elected to use Noro - Taiyo, color 3. My objective was to have a whimsical and colorful sweater and I think that was accomplished. (Seems I have this thing about color lately)


There is an error in this pattern in the Sleeves- Raglan Shaping. Thanks to Ravelry, I was aware of this mishap and the process was not slowed down. You may find the Errata at http://www.designeryarns.uk.com/errata.php.



The buttons are such Fun! I didn't want anything too serious and thought these were fabulous for the sweater. The round blue button has a wine faceted crystal in the center that comes alive when you move...far too much fun. These buttons came from my LYS in an assortment of four.



Friday, May 2, 2008

Fess Up Fiber Friday #19

Yarn Details

Brand: Debbie Bliss
Yarn Name: Rialto
Color: #23004 - Slate
Content: 100% Merino Wool
Skein Weight: 50/g

Project Plans: Sophia

Comments: Another sweater with an interesting touch of cables. The yarn has been on Back-Order for over a month, soooo I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when all 12 balls arrived on my door step! This sweater will be started this week...I can hardly wait to get back into a large project.