Scarlet's Sweater and Bonnet

This is a sweet sweater set knit for a Special neighbor's first Great Granddaughter!  Scarlet will be welcomed into this world early December and I hope the new Mommy will be pleased with this adorable set when received at her baby shower in October.

The Feather and Fan Baby Sweater is a design by Kimerbly Conterio and can be found in this fabulous book. I chose to knit the project from my Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino stash and realized once the sweater was complete, I had enough remaining to knit a matching hat.  Thanks to Ravelry I found the Sourball Bonnet (knit in the same Feather and Fan design) that fit the bill perfectly!   

Everything about this project is sweet and girlie...even down to the tiny seed pearl buttons.

Here's a peek at my newest quest...AKA: Earth and Sky by Stephen West. I didn't get on board with this project during the Mystery period, but found the design to be quite interesting and couldn't resist.

The Blue Sky Baby Alpaca is always a dream to knit and this is no exception!  So far I'm really loving the fiber and pattern combination.   

Rhodocrosite

Rhodocrosite and Nicholas

 Rhodocrosite and Dusty

 Just headless me and Rhodocrosite

 All finished. Seriously there is a lot to be said for a knit that is well written, fast, and just plain fun.

 I did knit an extra pattern repeat and pleased with the size that allows it to be worn as a scarf or shawl.

The project blocked beautifully and is soft, fluid, nice and drapy!

So hooked on Madelinetosh yarn that I started this sweater in the same Madelinetosh line in an ohhhh sooooo pretty blue! 

clue # 2 and how 'bout a muffin

In a prior post I mentioned my new mystery project,

Through the Looking Glass Shawl

and here it is......

The shape of this shawl is a lovely Farosese, with a central lace spine and two wings and provides directions for nupps or seed beads or Both.  I haven't decided if I want to deal with those nupps or just eliminate them altogether and stick with only beads.  That decision needs to made pretty quickly as I hear the nupps and bead work starts in clue #3.

I'm into the second clue and really enjoying the fiber and pattern.  There was a small hick-up on row 17 of clue #2, but thanks to knitting friend, Belva, she had figured out the error on the written part of the pattern and shared it with me! Seriously, you need to check out her mystery shawl...her color selection is both beautiful and just fabulous. 

 Check out my beads. 

OK...I seldom never share recipes, but I think this one is certainly worth the effort and is by far my all time favorite muffin. The Gardener and MIL love them equally. Credit and Thanks must be given to my sweet dear neighbor for sharing this healthy special treat.

Oatmeal Muffins

1 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup sifted whole wheat flour
1/2 cup sifted white flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
l/2 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup buttermilk (low fat)
1/4 cup egg beaters
1/4 cup veg oil
1/4 cup applesauce
1 cup brown sugar (Splenda)
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup craisins

Mix as follows:
Sift dry ingredients and add to eggs, brown sugar and shortening mixture THEN add buttermilk/oatmeal mixture.
(oatmeal/buttermilk mixture:  pour the 1 cup buttermilk over the oates and let stand 1 hour before adding the mixture)

Fill muffins cups 2/3 full
Bake at 400 degrees for 17 to 20 minutes
Makes one dozen

For any of you Weight Watchers, I checked the Power Points to be 5 points per muffin.

I snapped these pics right from the oven today!

belated birthday wish

Even with every good intention and keeping an eye out...I still missed it!  So here's wishing Knitting on Cloud IX a belated "Happy Blogoversary"!  Plans were to post a few of my past headers during the last 4 years, better late than never I guess. 

Do any of these look familiar to you?? 

I usually crop my pictures on my computer then head over to Picnik and add the text.  I like the font and effect selections there and they really have some cool features.  Oh, did I mention Picnik is free??

Molly over at A Foothill Home Companion has great information on how to make headers.  You should check it out!

Hugs and Purls!

Rainbow Striped Study Shawl

 A painless knit that was over too quick.

 Maybe I was just ready for some good old garter stitch or perhaps it was the joyful colors that kept my interest at a peak of excitement!  In any case, I am seriously happy with the entire process and knit.

 This pattern got my attention from the first time I saw it, but it was when I saw Larisa's that I knew one had to be mine. And why not???? I had stashed the Aade Long Artistic 8/1 fiber for a couple of years waiting for that special pattern.  Thanks Larisa for the inspiration!

 A few notes...

The pattern is original and clever using the wrap and turn techique to form the shawl into such a unique piece.

I knit 13 stripes of the bright and cheerful piece for a usable 36" x 75" shawl.

Yarn was carried up on the right side.

Color bleeding was a major concern of mine.  No worry....I used 1 cup distilled vinegar in my bath water (just swished the knit by hand - no soaking) and added another 1 cup distilled vinegar to the rinse water.  WoooHooo....NO BLEEDING!  My contrasting snow white fiber remained snow white!

 Now on to my next project that is my First Mystery Project ever!!  It's a knit along for "Through the Looking Glass Shawl" using a fingering weight fiber by The Unique Sheep. I just received my yarn and first part of the pattern last Thursday evening.  Oh and this will be my first project using beading...so excited..so pumped!  You know how I love to learn new techiques!

Be looking for my yarn selection soon.

good things in twos

Here is a quick look-see at my latest two knits!

First is a  shawl from Volume 7, of Norah Gaughan's Collection

RHODOCROSITE

 This pattern knit in Madelinetosh, Tosh Merino Light, is lovely; while the colorway, Mare, is knitting up as handsome as I thought it would. 

 Now on to that second knit....

STRIPE STUDY SHAWL

Maybe I should just let the colors speak for themselves...and speak loud and clear THEY DO.

 A friend at knit night last week asked if I was loving this project and I replied, "really not yet". But guess what??? Now I can say I'm really starting to love it and this will be a seriously fun knit to wear in all seasons.  

There's only one more section of color to knit...then it's on to four inches of the solid white border.

Only if you're interested, this shawl is knit with a skein of Aade Long Artistic 8/1 (sport weight) that's  been in my stash for several years! 

So anxious to get this one off the needles and on my back!   

  

Christmas in July around here and little bits of life through my lens

I realize it is July, but man I was so temped to leave my new hand knitted Christmas Stocking hanging for a few days "just because" I LOVE IT.

I have admired and desired the Elegant Heirlooms Christmas Stockings for several years now.  They really are lovely and rather fun to watch them come to life with all the beads, garland, glitter, bows and bells.  There are many different stocking patterns to choose from and all are so fun and whimsical that selecting just one can be a most difficult one.

With this project complete, I have learned a new technique, Intarsia!  Such excitement here as I have wanted to know how to do Intarsia....like forever!  It is basically pretty easy, just remember, "Old Over the New!!!  (wonder how many times I said that line during this knit)

I already have my second kit in hand (it will be knit for The Gardener).  His Elegant Heirlooms Stocking is The Christmas Tree!  Surely it will be completed in four months and ready for some Christmas goodies.

Did you know I have Granddoggies??  This is me and my Granddoggie, Rusty, on a Saturday afternoon! He loves Grammy's visits as much as she loves him. 

Hugs & Purls!