Sunday, September 30, 2007

Lovin' It.......

While surfing the web, I found this Asymmetrical Jacket from Drop Design . I couldn't believe my good fortune when I realized the pattern was Free! :0)


My stash of Red Debbie Bliss has been awaiting the perfect project. I printed the pattern and the Jacket has now been placed on my "Future Knit List"!


Yea, I'm.....Lovin' the Jacket and Lovin' working from my fat (very fat) stash!

Wet Bar to Yarn Bar

I was bit by the knitting bug and quickly found my "wonderful fibers, books and knitting goodies" bulging from the little straw storage box I purchased from Joann's. I housed yarn and projects in the little straw box, felted tote bags, paper and plastic bags and even the back of my SUV! I felt totally out of control! The fact that I had surrounded myself...maybe indulged myself... with beautiful yarns and all those lovely books (OKAY, I need to learn and be inspired...right??) didn't bother me, it was the fact my new prized possessions were in total disarray, I could never find anything!!!! You will learn I am an insanely organized gal.

Stressing over my dilemma, out of the blue, came an ingenious idea.....The Wet Bar!!!

We have an older home that has a wet bar off the den. We had never used that bar and what a shame to let the space go to waste...right??? you know where I'm going with this???? Well the glasses and aged bottles of whiskey were moved out and the delicious yarns and needed notions took over. That little Wet Bar, I mean Yarn Bar, is now all mine and I am ever so organized :-) Check out the Pink Elephants -they came with the house!

I may just take the prize for Weird Stash Location.






Saturday, September 22, 2007

Round and Round on One Needle

I have tried to get into a Magic Loop class at several of the LYS in my area. Finally, I had my first Magic Loop class today at Common Threads...a lovely new shop with a super staff and super yarn selection. All my socks have been knitted on dps and now I have visions of whipping out socks in a flash using The Magic Loop method, eliminating SSS (second sock syndrone)...right????

I have finished 6 pair of socks (that I love by the way) and completed 2 mateless Jay Walker socks!!

Friday, September 21, 2007

Grey's Anatomy Season 4 KAL Invite and Birch

I'm in a Grey's mode! I received a Borders 40% off coupon for any DVD gift box, sooooo that was excuse enough to purchase Grey's Season 3. My Grey's DVD collection is now complete with all three seasons!

My Grey's Anatomy Season 4 KAL invite was received this week. You may knit whatever you want in whatever color you want (but grey is cool) while watching Grey's Anatomy. Just so happens my stash included 3 balls of Rowan Kidsilk Haze in the colorway Smoke. I made this purchase months ago for the Rowan lace shawl "Birch". Of course when I received my Grey's Season 4 KAL invite, it was like an aha moment and I knew exactly what my Grey's special project would be.

Birch now cries to be knitted since I personalized the instructions! I have detail count sheets, 'cause..................
1. I love to create and work from a count sheet/chart
2. feeling organized turns me on
3. no super memory here, I have to tick off every completed row :(
Okay...I never said I was the smartest knitter around!


Thursday, September 20, 2007

When Oh When Will My Ravelry Invite Arrive???

My Ravelry Stats:
I signed up for a Ravelry invite on 8-6-2007
I am 23567 on the list
8261 people are ahead of me
10803 people are behind me
(Sorry, but I'm a Stats sort of person)

At least there are MORE folks behind me than ahead of me now!

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

A Favorite Knitting Spot.......

After reading knitting blogs and talking with other knitters I find it most interesting that everyone has a favorite knitting spot. Some may have a favorite spot for morning knitting and a favorite for day and evening. I can spend hours (and have spent hours) in my little spot knitting a current project or planning my next knitting venture! Trust me, I have seen far too many late nights and worked into the wee hours of the morning to knit that last row, cast off that last stitch or finish that final mattress stitch....now, how I feel the next morning at 5:00 a.m. is best left for another post :(


A corner of my den sofa is my favorite knitting spot...do you have a favorite knitting spot?



Saturday, September 15, 2007

1950 Something.......



Cute huh? Wish I could say I am responsible for the drawing...not! You must check out Betty Cornell's 1952 Teen Age Knitting Book, it is wonderful! The captions are priceless and the 1950 something styles and patterns are most entertaining. A cool book!

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Felted Evening Bag or Felted Sock Project Bag?

I have several felted Noni purses, perhaps this is my favorite one. All the yarn in this project is from my stash...you impressed yet???? Night Garden is an evening bag, but I find it to be just the right size for one sock project and certainly outside the box from the usual square, boxy sock bag. Hooray for being different and I have a cute sock bag to boot!

Sunday, September 9, 2007

On pointy sticks

Currently I have 2 projects on sticks. The Nina Shawl from the Mason Dixon book and a Wrap Cardigan from Jo Shark Contemporary Knitting . This post will only focus on the Wrap Cardigan. The front and back of my cardigan are blocking as I type. After finally completing the back, I feel the piece is practically finished. That back was a lot of cables! Tomorrow evening I will sew the shoulder and side seams and I can "try it on".... Tra La La! My goal is to wear this puppy to the fair this fall (let's have a moment of prayer for cool weather)! This cardigan has been such an enjoyable and simple knit. I used Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed and love the color of this fiber, it has the appearance of being washed several times, the tweeds are not stark but muted. The yarn is so soft I plan to wear it with a tank top of sort.



Smitten with Silver Belle...I am

The Silver Anniversary Collector's Issue of Vogue Knitting is fabulous! There are more gorgeous pieces in this issue than a knitting addict (like myself) should be exposed to in one evening. I have been smitten...okay, I admit it, I am totally obsessed with Silver Belle! I have talked myself out of ordering the Silver Debbie Bliss/Cashmerino Aran more than once in the last 2 weeks. Yea, Yea, Yea, I know it is just a matter of time till I finally break down, but just look at this resplendently beautiful sweater!!!! :)
I can visualize Silver Belle with two Large vintage buttons! What's the odds I will possess the fiber for her before the week is out?
To be continued..............................................

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Little Treasures




These are a few shots I made while spending a Saturday afternoon at a local garden. You never need to go far to find a treasure. Look at the treasures I found in only a couple of hours. Of course Jeannie and I had to find a shade tree to get some knitting in!!!
Knitting on my Nina Shawl (this project is half finished....woooohoooo!) and is that Tootie I see????
Jeannie peeks around her candy pink sweater.

Friday, September 7, 2007

IVY VEST - Elsebeth Lavold

I thought this piece would be "a real piece of cake" to knit up, but once I got into the groove I realized I was going to learn lots about short rows, shoulder shaping, working at the same time, and the importance to visualize the finished product while working thru a pattern. I love the Silky Tweed yarn and the Tanzanite color is remarkable!! The pattern suggested the lace be knitted in the same color as the vest, but I opt for a softer lace edging in a candlelight shade that resulted in a very feminine and I think romantic touch. What do you think???
I simply loooove this vest!

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Dogs in Black & White

Some photos I would like to share with you................

Sweet Jazz
Master Nicholas Charmer Dusty

Monday, September 3, 2007

A Shrug for Me

I can't wait for fall to wear this Alpaca Silk Shrug! The piece was started on 2-11-2007 and I finished it just as the weather was turning warm..actually I think I got to wear it one time. I used Blue Sky Alpaca/Silk yarn and #3 needles. The pattern was very uncomplicated and the garment really was a fast knit even when using #3 needles. Lookie...Lookie...............

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Monkey Socks by Cookie A.

These are the best fitting socks ever..so much so... I even purchased a pair of UGG sandals just to wear with the Monkeys (the sandals are more orange/red they are appear in the pic). The Artist Merino Sock Yarn was not a disappointment and I think the colorway, Autumn, is Fabulous! You know I can hardly wait for Autumn to profile around town with Monkeys and matching sandals. WooooHooooo............................



Saturday, September 1, 2007

Simple Shawl










May I assure you this is the first of many lace shawls for me! I loved every knitting minute of the project and actually finished the piece in 4 weeks.....the simple pattern was so addictive. I fell in love with the Stella Bamboo yarn and the color is Yummy! This shawl is a joy to throw around my shoulders and ever so soft on the skin.