Wonderful One

I haven't been knitting that long (like 4 1/2 years), but I have knit 92 projects, with 17 of those consisting of lace projects, so that should afford me the knowledge to know there is something special, something satisfying about every lace piece. Now, with that said, let me share my latest lace knit...The Lace Capelet from the 2010 Summer issue of Vogue. This capelet is a gorgeous thing and I love it in unbelievable ways. It is a simple lace pattern that is easily memorized and should not intimidate a beginner lace knitter. I opted to use the printed instructions instead of the chart and found the pattern to be clear and preside. The lace body moved along at a quick pace while the border was very very easy, but went on and on!

Once the knitting was complete it was time to begin the finishing process. The pattern called for a three needle bind off to attach the border to the body, but I opted for the mattress stitch and was very pleased with the results.

For me, the key to a successful verizon of this capelet is a yarn with spectacular drape. I used 9 skeins of Sirdar-Flirt in a grey colorway and delighted with my choice.

This is a Wonderful One!

Noro and Citron Combo

Noro is the best; every project holds a design surprise with each beautiful color change. I have knit many pieces since my last Noro project and I'm still amazed just how much I've missed the lovely Noro (any Noro) fiber. Simply put...Noro doesn't let one down, even with the straw bits, the occasional thorn and even a weed here and there.

This sock yarn tends to be on the scratchy side, but the good bath softened it to anyone's delight!Citron is beautiful knit in the Kureyon Sock yarn and is a fabulous pattern that covers the fiber spectrum! There are no bounds with this free Knitty design; it's an easy and very mobile knit, just stuff the project in your purse and Go! Citron journeyed with me thru Dancing with the Stars and American Idol finales, North Carolina Beach travels and two River outings!
This truly is a one skein wonder when knit with Noro Kureyon Sock yarn.

Knit one - bet you'll love it too!

Summer Wrap

Have I told you about my latest knit??? I don't think so. Now how in the world did I overlook sharing such a delicious process with you!! Anyhow....here is the wrap, all finished, all yellow and all loved.

Yum. Yum! Such a wonderful shaw when knit in 100% cotton and it even gets better when knit with Blue Sky Cotton...life just doesn't get any sweeter. All six skeins of this fiber were purchased about 2 years ago on a visit to Yarn Paradise in Ashesville, NC. And this story gets even better when I tell you the purchase was made at 30% or 40% off the orginial price. I mean, how could I possibly turn the cheek on such a deal.

At the time of purchase I thought it would be a wonderful yarn for a baby blanket, but look what happened..............a wrap for me that is softer than any bathrobe and much more attractive! This simple project is the #074 Summer Wrap by Leslie Scanlon from Mac & Me. If you are familiar with Mac & Me, you know what fabulous designs they share with us. I have a baby blanket and ruffled scarf pattern by Mac & Me that I also look forward to knitting. I adore everything about this wrap. No disappointments to share with you on this one!

sooooo scholar-like

Our next door couple is expecting a wee one the first of June. That was the only excuse I needed to knit a sweet little baby set...right??? Early into my research I saw a sweater I seem to gravitate towards, I continued to look at other options only to return to this charming little sweater for my little neighbor boy. It's not pale baby blue or lacy or dripping with sweetness, but it is charming and all scholar like!

My Baby Sophisticate sweater is a "free" on line pattern by designer, Linden Heflin. It is a charming, simple and quick top down design that doesn't require any seaming. When knit in a Cascade 220 Superwash brown tweed and closed with dark brown leather buttons you truly have a sophisticated little cardigan.

Now remember I said I wanted to knit a set. So with the completion of the sweater, the hunt was then on for the accompanying hat. I chose The Basic Rolled Brim Hat by Joanne Turcotte. This wonderful little hat was found in my book, Knitting for Peace ( a fabulous book full of great patterns and articles on knitting for peace). I knit the size small on # 8 needles and worked to 4" instead of 6" before beginning the decreases.

This is a totally awesome and handsome set for any special little boy. Not only do I love it, but my DH really really L.O.V.E.S it....and that is a major accomplishment.

Willow

Willow is a cute top down vest by Tree Knitter Designs. I take much pride in telling you this is another project knit from my stash.

The ribbon ties are cute, but just for a bit of variety there are plans to knit two I-Cords......'cause it's always nice to have different options! While the golden color is a tad outside the box for me, I find it delightful when teamed with a coral tee!

Details............

Yarn: Austermann - Mosaico

Content: 45% Polyaamid Nylon

30% Cotton

25% Polyacryl Acrylic

Yardage: 50 g/105 yds

Color: 0004

Needle Size: US #7 - 32" Circular Addis

Size: 38

This is a quick knit and one to be enjoyed all summer.

momma's gotta brand new bag

Look what I found at my LYS!

It's a Patchwork Carpet Bag by St Clair Designs. These bags are gorgeous and are handmade by Megan DeSmidt in Woodland Park, Colorado. Each bag is a one-of-a-kind and perfect for a variety of uses, including as a knitting bag, travel bag or as a diaper bag. Of course mine will be used as a **knitting**bag for projects and accessories. These bags are made with high quality fabrics, typically intended for upholstery and feel extremely sturdy and durable. Oh...did I mention just how beautiful they are? I L.O.V.E mine.

Nicholas loves the bag too, but not as much as he loves momma! Now back to the bag.......
The stiff bottom is sewn in and made of carpet. This gives the bag structure and eliminates any issues created if the bag got wet.

My carpet bag is in beautiful shades of blue/green/brown and a bit of orange with a black fabric adjustable over the shoulder strap with the cutest ever dragon fly here and there. My bag is lined with in a fabulous blue tone on tone stripe material. Handsome oak hand made handles grace this bag and are made in the designer's Dad's workshop. There are three very useful Huge deep interior pockets. I have carried this bag for over a week now and have yet to find anything I wasn't 100% pleased with.

These pictures were made while spending Easter Sunday at my Twin's river house. We had a super fun day with temperatures in the upper 70s.

It was a perfect day for DH to do a little fishing with his best friend, Nicholas!

Hope you all had a Special Easter Holiday!

972

....that's the number of cast on stitches for this Koigu Ruffled Neck Wrap, now that's like a serious, no non-sense cast on! The fun didn't stop there as there was also a 972 bind off. In between the stockinette ruffles are the 28 rows of seed stitches.This is a hearty, delightful neck wrap that could not disappoint any knitter. Hopefully we will see one more day of temperatures in the 50s so I can profile it before the full fledged beginning of summer. My Koigu purchase was made while on a day trip with BFF (Laurie) to this beautiful yarn shop. The designer of this knit works at the shop and happened to be wearing her wrap the day of our visit. I knew immediately I had to have one and was then faced with the almost impossible task of selecting a favorite colorway....I mean, they are all so b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l!!! I think everything about my wrap is to be loved and many of my knitting buddies are wanting a wrap of their own.

The skinny:

Pattern: Koigu Ruffled Neck Wrap

Designer: Stacey Stern (Designed for Yarn Paradise)

Yarn: Koigu KPPPM, Color #P4703

Amount: 3 skeins

Content: 100% Merino Wool

Yardage: 175 yds/50 G

Needle Size: #4 & #6