I’m still slowly knitting on my Pinwheel Vest – it’s coming along quite nicely and I’m so looking forward to being able to wear it. I’ve combined the yummy hand spun blend of Soy and Merino that I purchased from Laura of Flutterby Fibers at last years Fiber Fest along with Plymouth’s Suri Merino. It’s going to be very soft and so nice to wear.
Posted in Knitting | Tagged Knitting, Pinwheel | 4 Comments »
It’s a beautiful morning here in Arizona and hubby has been busy building me two new planter boxes for me to add more plants to the back yard – one must keep the hummingbirds happy. While today has a slight breeze, the sky is a crisp clear blue and is perfect for working out in the yard. We’re getting anxious and can’t wait to get the remaining plants in our yard before summer comes. It will truly be a hummingbird paradise!
The "blue sky" of Arizona.
Here's hubby building one of the planter boxes .... and yes, he's wearing shorts in February.
Here's our doggie, Sparkles, enjoy the sunshine.
Our lavender and stock both have been blooming non-stop since I planted them in their pots.
Posted in Stuff | Tagged garden | 4 Comments »
I just listed two new patterns on Ravelry and soon will be listing on Etsy too. These patterns feature the yummy BFL handspun by Maya of Springtree Road. I had a lot of fun creating these two and delighted to be able to use such a soft and squishy yarn!!!
Gypsy Cables Headband
$ 4.75 USD
Thinking the 60’s or even the 70’s …. This headband is sure to bring back memories.
Knitted in a gorgeous Blue Face Leicester hand-spun by Maya of Springtree Road, the Gypsy Cables headband is not only a portable project, but a very quick and easy project too! Featuring a lovely Celtic style cable stitch pattern, this headband is kept in place with one button, or could easy have an I-Cord attached at each end for a cute tie.
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The second pattern I created was inspired from the Julie Andrews movie, “Thoroughly Modern Millie”. Set in the 1920’s, the yummy red color of this BFL handspun made me think of a cloche. This is a super speedy project that can be done within 6 hours or less. Created using a gorgeous Blue Face Leicester hand-spun in Red Delicious by Maya of Springtree Road this hat is very versatile and fun to wear.
Modern Millie, Vintage Style Cloche
Modern Millie, Vintage Style Cloche
$ 4.75 USD
Posted in Hats, Knitting | Tagged Knitting, Patterns, Headband, handspun | 4 Comments »
This weekend hubby and I watched a great show on HGTV featuring Jamie Durie, host of the Outdoor Room. This show featured the true “fiesta” feel of the southwest and included a trip to Mexico. During this show, we became very intrigued with the jet black pottery of Oaxaca (pronounced wahaca), Mexico and thought it would be a great item to collect. What is so intriguing about this type of pottery is that is can only be found in Oaxaca. Living in the southwest, you are always surrounded by the color and beauty of the hispanic community. This is just one tiny part of that beauty.
Today, we were so excited to pick up three pieces to start our collection – two vases, one that is about 5″ tall the other about 12″ tall and a one piece that was collection of small pots.
This will be a fun thing for hubby and I to collect together. While we don’t plan to go over board with this collection, it will be a great treat when we find a piece we just can’t resist. Next is shelving and lighting to house our new treasures!
Posted in Stuff | Tagged oaxaca, pottery | 6 Comments »
I recently joined Clara Parkes “The Knitter’s Book of Wool” group on Ravelry in hopes to learn even more about wool. I’m excited to report, that I will!!! The first wool-along starts in February featuring Cormo Wool. I’ve never used this particular wool and just ordered my very first skein of worsted fingering weight in white from the Elsa Wool Company. I’m trying to decide whether to use this wool for the Offering Mitts pattern or for Clara’s Sweet Fern Mitts from the KBOW. Decisions …….. Either way, I can’t wait to try out this new yarn!
Clara’s Sweet Fern Mitts – photo courtesy of Potter Craft
Posted in Knitting | Tagged Clara Parkes, Cormo Wool, Knitting | Leave a Comment »
This morning, hubby and I had tons of fun looking for books in our local thrift shops and used books stores. Our last stop before coming home was a stop at a used book store we’ve never been into but have been told many times by my parents that we should go. Needless to say, we were so thrilled that we did stop in.
I’ve never seen such a wonderous collection of good vintage/antique books and at such a reasonable prices. My find today was 1902 edition of “A History of Lace” by Mrs. Palliser. The original book was published in 1875 and this particular book is a fourth edition. It’s in excellent shape with very minor wear and I paid very little for it. The amazing thing, I can’t believe that I’m the proud owner of a book that is over 100 years old! What a wonderful find and it’s loaded with so much historical information ~ a true value to me!
Posted in Knitting, Stuff | Tagged Lace | 8 Comments »
I’m so excited ….. as a huge Jane Austen fan, I’m so happy that Emma is premiering on Masterpiece Theater this coming Sunday. I simply cannot wait to watch it !!!
Posted in Stuff | Tagged Emma, Jane Austen, Masterpiece Theater | 6 Comments »
I just finished my 2nd KAL for the month!!! I participated in the lace KAL for NHKnittingMama on Ravelry, and now I’m sporting a nice new pair of Duckies! If you love sock knitting with a little bit of lace thrown in and haven’t tried this pattern, give it a shot. It’s fun, quick and so easy to memorize ~ perfect for a beginner sock knitter who wants to learn a new technique! The yarn is fantastic and please do visit Amanda of NHKnittingMama – she has a great line of yarn available in many weights, and she just loaded about 40 new skeins!
Posted in Knitting, Socks | Tagged Knitting, Socks | 6 Comments »
It’s been a very chilly and rainy day in Phoenix today, but I’m not complaining in the least. For me, it’s been very enjoyable to see the dark skies, gentle rain falling and the trees slightly moving with a whisper of a breeze. It’s a perfect day to say the least and has been filled with knitting. While relishing my day of projects, I have also finished Wives and Daughters, which was very enjoyable and I do love my period movies. If you love Elizabeth Gaskell’s Cranford, you’ll really like this video too.
I’m so happy to finish my 2nd KAL of the month, Alix’s Prayer Shawl, for the A Good Yarn Ravelry group. I decided to make this particular pattern a shawlette in place of a full-size shawl and I really love the results. I had chosen Malabrigo at first for this project, but due to the color it was very hard for me to see the stitches, so I frogged it and went with the Queensland Collection Haze, a blend of Corn Viscose and Cotton. It’s oh so soft!!!
My Prayer Shawlette
I decided to share a photo of my little corner of the universe, what I call my knitting studio. I had lots of fun trying out the “panorama” setting on the camera, so it might look a little odd, but thought it would be fun to share. I do love my little area of knitting …. it’s eclectic and quaint. You are welcome to “click” on the photo for a better view.
Posted in Knitting | Tagged Knitting | 12 Comments »
Recently, I have been totally enthralled with the look of vintage knitting from a historical aspect, especially the lace, hats and gloves. I’ve been really drawn towards the “romantic” appeal of the Victorian time period and the true simplicity of their lives. I think that’s one reason I’m so excited about the 4th annual issue of Piecework. This issue is featuring many gorgeous patterns to try, especially the Offering Mitts by Nancy Bush (photo to the left and courtesy of Interweave Press), which is just the thing I need to try a little bit of lace work. I was tickled to see a KAL on Ravelry start up for these mitts and I joined into the fun. I’ve also joined a few new groups on Ravelry, including the Victorians, Historical Knitting, Crafting From the Past and the Knitter’s Book of Wool. These groups are great and I really like the threads ~ full of good information and ideas.
So, as mentioned, I’m really on a vintage, Victorian and historical kick, which has gone into movies and books. I just purchased the entire Tudor series by Jean Plaidy to read (9 novels in all) and just finished I, Elizabeth. Hubby and I are working on season 3 of the Tudors, which is just as awesome as season 1 and 2. I’m also very excited about the new movie that was just released into theaters here in Phoenix called The Young Victoria . It looks fantastic and my sweet hubby has promised me a trip to the theater very soon! I’m also watching Cranford and Return to Cranford, which can be watched online at Masterpiece Theater, and anyone who loves Jane Austen, Masterpiece Theater is introducing a new production of Emma airing on Sunday, January 24th ~ the trailer looks good.
This year I plan to do a wee bit more of vintage style knitting and use many aspects of historical knitting into my projects. I’m looking forward to a really exciting year of “mixed elements” and “mixed designs”.
Posted in Knitting, Stuff | Tagged Knitting, piecework, victorian | 6 Comments »
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