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.  

no boring shawl here

I was pleasantly pleased today with the versatility of this piece.

When I actually put Heartbreak on this morning I found myself wanting to wear it in formal  boring shawl fashion…you know, shawl simply hanging over shoulders. BUT I realized this knit had more surprises in store when worn with point in the front.............

or crunched around the neck.................

or point on the side................

 and worn in a much more casual, fun and informal fashion!!

 The Scoop:

Pattern:   Hearbreak

Fiber:      Dream in Color Smooshy with Cashmere

Color:     Canary Caper

               Brown

Amount: 1 1/2 of each color

 Needle:  #4 US

(accent orange color - Isager Alpaca 2 held double)

Heartbreak may not be as easy to gift as planned.

Sundry

A wrap with the wearability of a shawl and a scarf.

 This is a knit that combines two colors with much interest featuring a Houndstooth Slipstitch and plenty of good old Garter Stitch.

 I really like this wrap and loved finishing it off with the Picot bind off.  I considered eliminating the Picot Edging, but sooooo pleased I revisited that thought.  The edging is a sweet and lovely addition and proof again we should all think outside the box!

 The Skinny:

Pattern:   Sundry by Jennifer Dassau

Fiber:  String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn

Selku

Colors:  Alexandrite (1 skein)

Pewter  (1 skein)

Needle Size:  # 6 US 

 This was my first experience with String Theory and was a most pleasing one.  This is a strong ever sooo soft fiber with a wonderful sheen. Yeah...for tasting a new fiber!

Until next time, enjoy your Sunday and be open to the new experiences and ideas life brings you!

seasons

Seasons come and go in everyone's life and I seem to be in a Shawl/Scarf Season, with 6 of my last 8 projects being a Shawl or Scarf!

  My last completed scarf is Carlisle!

 There is so much to adore about the simplicity of this pattern that allows a knitter to branch out and let the creative juices to flow!

Keep it simple with solid color blocks or go all out and even a little funky mixing stripes, tweeds and different textures if you like. The color and block size options are endless with this scarf that can be wrapped and wrapped or wrap once and let the colors dance while casually hanging loose.

 I chose to knit Carlisle on #6 needles with 1 skein each of Koigu PPPM, #P129, P118A, P803, P137, P855, P531 and P309.

A.n.y.h.o.w, I'm still in this Season which sees me in the mist of Sundry! Much progress has been made on this project and I'm loving the construction of the piece and the luxurious 50%-Merino Wool, 50%-Silk blend of String Theory Fiber.

As I hold steadfast in this Season there are already plans and excitement building to begin knitting The Stole and The Shades of Truth!!

Until next time, here's wishing you happiness in whatever Season you are in these days.

a sidekick

Meet my new sidekick, "Betty" Draper! And yes I have big plans for "Betty" and hopeful she will get to model many new and fabulous knits down the road. 

Today she makes her debut wearing a favorite summer cotton shawl of mine, Nina.  And I must say, I think Nina looks lovely on her....keep up the good work Betty!

 Soon, very soon, my colorful Carlisle will be off the needles.  Take a look at the colorfulness of this  knit. It's like pure Circus Fun!

I could just die from all the cheerful, happiness of this piece!  Betty should "heart" modeling Carlisle for you in the next few days. I'll give you all the project details in that post....the one thing I will share is that this project was knit with Koigu.  I just can't get enough of that fiber!!

Well, better go, we knitters always have lots going on.  Bye for now.

lots of satisfaction

Goodness Gracious!

I think I may have a new favorite shawl (or it has at least moved toward the top). I L O V E this one!

 Kind of Nautical. Kind of Preppy. Kind of Classic. Kind of Sophisticated. Just my Kind of Shawl!

 A Special Thanks to my lovely knitting friend, Natalie, for her guidance thru out this project.  She suggested I use the Lucy Neatby provisional cast on and she took time to walk me thru the attached i-cord and i-cord cast off process.  The i-cord cast off makes for a wonderful finished edging.  This is a very slow process, but is a million times worth the time investment.  Again, Thank you Natalie, you are a constant source of inspiration! 

 The Isager Wool Fiber was a perfect selection for this project (truthfully I can't wait for my next Isager project)! After a nice cool bath, this earthly yarn is now an airy, light, soft and elegant fiber. Again...I L O V E it!
  

With lots of knitting on #3 needles and learning two new knitting techniques, finishing my Volt left me with a real sense of accomplishment and GOSH, more satisfaction than I had imagined. 

Hugs & Purls!

volt and parenting

Living life in the fast lane and I don't even get to look back!

I am now in celebration of my Mom's total recovery from a broken pelvis bone. There were the normal (whatever is normal) ups and downs that come when any change occurs in a family's structured life. But Mom is now 100% Mom again and we are elated to have her back in the driver's seat!!  I can't wait to share another Mothers Days with her!

One would think with all the extra activities that come with family injuries/sickness, it would be "the time" to have a soothing project on the needles; thus, the beginning of my much beloved VOLT!  I purchased the 8 skeins of  Isager months ago to knit an exact copy of the modeled shawl in this book.  O.K.  All that was a good idea and the pattern is really quite simple.  Many knitters chose to knit all the increases and decreases on the same row, but I really wanted to knit to the pattern and knit the decreases on the right side and the increases on the wrong side.

My problem with the pattern came with my obsession to count every single stitch. OMG!!  Each row has about 380 stitches! That counting is insane!!  I mean I couldn't watch NCIS or Downtown Abbey (what a downer).  After way more hours than I want to admit, caution was thrown to the wind and I decided to relax and enjoy the process by visually following the pattern on my needles.  Easy... Peasy and this project is now serving me well.

Volt is an interesting and now the soothing knit I had hoped for, while the Isager wool is a wonderful earthly fiber that is softening with every stitch.  I can assure you this will not be my last knit using Isager.  Perhaps this will be my next Isager project. Love.Love.Love.

During my delightful visit with Mom this week-end I kept hearing much laughter regarding  my 15 year old Great Nephew's new duties for the week-end.  All 9th graders are required to complete the "Parenting Class" - Real Care and Reality Works! This involves full parenting responsibilities for caring for a new born baby.  So Kannon James Anderson came home with The Nephew on Friday afternoon and will be diapered, feed, burped, cradled as needed and all cries satisfied when necessary. He will be graded based on results of data collected from his wrist band. 

(see wrist band and New Born, Kannon)

Of course, I had to see this to believe it....and how cute! I did sneak a picture of The Nephew but knew better than to post such evidence (with face forward).  We can all relate to how a 15 year old boy of all boys might feel about such a venture.

Anyhow, here is a shot of Kannon and he appears to be loved and very well taken care...Looks like an A+ for the Nephew's parenting abilities. 

Muted Color Affection

Calling all knitters that are looking for an interesting and just plain fun project....this one could be just The One!

 There really is a lot of knitting (all garter stitch) in Color Affection but on the other hand it's amazing how quickly it knits up.  Guess it's all that gartering going on!

 The Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light makes for a very light and airy shawl that will be worn even in the spring and summer.

The scoop:

Fiber:  Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light

Colors:  Nector

             Toast

                            Golden Hickory

Needle:  #5 

Completion Time:  20 Days

This is my second one and I would find it difficult to pick a favorite.

You seriously should give Color Affection a try, I think you will love the simplicity of the pattern and love all the striping going on!