Casting On and Casting Off: WIPs and fun!

20 02 2012

I love having a day off, especially if I have the day to myself.   For me it’s a time to organize and get my ideas together for projects and that’s what I’ve been doing most of the morning.   I’ve casted on two projects over the weekend and  I’m looking forward to a bit of spinning today.

I casted on a pillow cover using my very own stash of handspun.  I love using handspun as it has a soft, earthy feel and just seems to echo the word “home” and “handmade”.

Project details:   My pillow cover is a simple basketweave stitch pattern that will be covering a 16″ x 16″ throw pillow.    I’ve casted on 75 stitches and working a pattern of k5, p5 for six rows and then p5, k5 for six rows.  This is really showing off the colors in my handspun and if I don’t have enough yardage for the complete project, I have a great piece of fabric I can use as a back to compliment the front.

Yarn:  200 yards of colorway Teddy Bear Picnic  BFL in 2 ply from Dyeing For Ewe.  I purchased this yummy fiber last summer and spun it up during Tour de Fleece.

Needle Size:  US size 11 (8.00 mm) straight needles

The second project that I casted on is Vorticity by Alice Yu, from her book, Socktopus.   I’m knitting this pair of socks for two KALs ,  the Springtree Road KAL and the Socktopus Book KAL.

Project Details:  This project is cuff-down and incorporates a simple lace stitch pattern that gives a slight way to the design.   Alice’s written instructions are very easy to follow, as well as the charted instructions for the pattern stitch.  I knit my socks with two circular needles and so far this pattern has adapted quite well.  I think I will do an anklet to mid-calve length.

Yarn:    1 skein of  Springtree Road Muscandine Sock Yarn  in Tanis, which is 460 yards (420 m) 4-ply fingering weight in a soft blend of 75% superwash merino and 25% nylon.

Needles:   2 circular needles 16″ size US  1½ (2.5 mm)

 

I’m very excited about Carina Spencer’s new design, Zuzu’s Petals.  This creative design is perfect to show off my handspun and it’s not a large project, so it should knit up pretty quickly.

All the style of a shawlette without the fuss of trying to keep it around your neck! This easy to wear cowl is designed to mimic the look of a shawl casually draped as a scarf. ~ Carina Spencer

Project Details:  This pattern has excellent written instructions, along with a chart for the lace stitch pattern.  Carina has written the pattern to include two sizes, small and large.  The small calls for approximately 220 yards of sport weight yarn and a size US US 5 or 6 (3.75 or 4mm) 20″ circular needle.  The large calls for approximately 155 yards of worsted weight yarn and a US 8 or 9 (5 or 5.5mm) 20″ circular needle.  Since I’m using my stash of handspun, I will be making the large.

Yarn:  260 yards of handspun blend of 75% BFL and 25% Tussah Silk from Springtree Road in the colorway Tumble.

Needles:  US 8 ( 5.0 mm) 20″ circular needle.

 

 

I’m hoping to have time to do a bit of spinning this week and want to start with a lovely 100% Romney in a dusky rose color.  I’ve never spun Romney fiber before, so this will be a new adventure.  I purchased this fiber last October at the Fiber Factory in Mesa, along with a few other colors.  I’m thinking that combined, they would make a great striped shawl!

Romney Fiber from the Fiber Factory

 

Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!


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Categories : Casting On and Casting Off, spinning, Wool

A fun day of thrifting!

17 02 2012

Yesterday I enjoyed hitting all the local thrift shops and picking up a few great finds.  I couldn’t believe what I came home with and didn’t spend that much.  Most of my finds came from one of the local Goodwill stores and I was quite amazed to find so many great quilting patterns and knitting books for not too much.

Here’s what came home with me:

A few lovely vintage linens for a total of $7.00

A variety of quilting patterns for a total of $6.00!

Vintage knitting & crochet books for a total of $6.00

A few knitting books for a total of $10.00

A bit of quilting fabric for $ 10.00

The quilting fabric might have been a tad high, but for my $10.00 I got a full size Christmas panel, 4 fat quarters bundled together and two pieces of fabric at 1/2 yard each.   The books and vintage books to me were quite the find and I didn’t mind what I paid for them.  The highlight of the day though was the vintage linens that only cost me $6.00 for a wonderful card table cloth and two pineapple crocheted doilies.

I don’t get out to the thrift shops as often as I would like but when I do, I’m always so tickled with my finds!


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Categories : Crochet, Knitting Patterns, Patterns

Time for another yarn pairing featuring shawls!

16 02 2012

It’s been a long time since I’ve done a yarn pairing  and there have been so many beautiful new shawl patterns being launched on Raverly,  as well as gorgeous fibers from Indy dyers, that I thought today would be the perfect day to share a few ideas.  So today my goal is to inspire you to pick up your needles and hooks !!

First up is Caryl Pierre’s lovely new design, Saifya.  This design calls for  approximately 400 yards (366m) of worsted weight yarn and a Size US 9 (5.5mm) circular needles (at least 32”/80cm long) or size needed to obtain gauge.  I think this design would be lovely knitted up in Miss Babs Yowza in Cloak Monochrome.

Courtesy of Caryl Pierre

Courtesy of Miss Babs

Next is Tabasco designed by a verybusymonkey.   This simple garter stitch shawl with a delicate lace border requires approximately 400 – 450 yards (366 – 411 m) of fingering weight yarn and a size US 6 (4.0 mm) needle.  This is a quick one skein project that would look yummy knitted up in Springtree Road Julep in the colorway Boreal.

Courtesy of verybusymonkey

Courtesy of Springtree Road

Next is Kitman Figueroa’s Rev.   This design calls for fingering weight yarn and needles sizes US 9 ( 5.5 mm) and US 6  (4.0 mm).   This design would knit up lovely in At Bullard Farm Fingering Weight Yarn, and I’m thinking the color of Straw would really set off the stitch design.

Courtesy of Kitman Figueroa

Courtesy of At Bullard Farm

Next is Anna, a sweet little shawlette from Valerie’s Gallery that incorporates lace with a lovely cabled edge.  You will need approximately 240 – 260 yards (219 – 238 m) of worsted weight yarn and a US size US 8 (5.0 mm) needle.  Wouldn’t this design look lovely knitted up in Sunflower Yarns Windham in colorway Silver Gray!

Courtesy of Valerie's Gallery

Courtesy of Sunflower Yarns

For those of you who enjoy crochet, Persephone by Anastasia Roberts is an elegant piece requiring  650 yards of light fingering weight yarn and a crochet hook in size US D (4.25mm).  This lacy creation would look gorgeous crocheted in Yummy Yarn Studios Baby Alpaca Silk Cashmere blend in the color of Celery.

Courtesy of Anastasia Roberts

Courtesy of Yummy Yarn

Another delightful crochet design is Sumac Berry by Chicken Betty published for Valley Yarns at Webs that features open lace crochet and a fan stitch edge.  This project requires approximately 650 yards of lace weight yarn and a crochet hook size US E ( 3.5 mm).  This shawl would look beautiful crocheted in Briar Rose Angel Face Lace Weight in Angel 2222.

Courtesy of Valley Yarns

Courtesy of Briar Rose Fibers

 

I truly hope that a few of these shawl designs and yarns have inspired you today.  Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!


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Categories : Crochet, Knitting Patterns, Yarn Pairing

Progress and a new project is beginning!

11 02 2012

I’ve been steadily working on my pineapple vest and love how it’s turning out.  I plan to do one or  two more repeats of the pineapple lace stitch pattern before I do the finish work on the vest.   I’ve decided to crochet a simple shell stitch for the bottom and around the front edge.  As far as buttons are concerned, I’m not sure if I will incorporated them or not – maybe I’ll just use a pretty pin on the front as a closure.

Progress photo:

Two years ago I did a book review on  the paperback version of Crochet Inspiration by renowned colorist and knit wear designer Sasha Kagan.

When I decided to change the lace pattern for this vest, I started looking through this book to find my inspiration and fell in love with the pineapple stitch motif.  I’m really enjoying this book and I love the easy to follow instructions and charts for crochet.

If you crochet and haven’t seen this book, I do recommend it for your reference library.

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This weekend I’m casting on socks using my lovely skein of  Springtree Road Muscandine Sock Yarn  in Tanis.  I was thinking that I might cast on a pair of Spring Forward socks but  have decided to cast on Vorticity by Alice Yu, from her book, Socktopus.

Have you seen Alice’s book Socktopus ?  If you haven’t, you should.  This is a very well done book featuring 17 of Alice’s beautiful sock patterns, a full chapter on sock yarn basics, including a review of sock fibers and yarns, how socks should fit and the anatomy of socks.   I love the detailed step-by-step instructions,  which include charts for various designs, instructional photographs and several unique, and even amazing, heel techniques!  If you love knitting socks toe-up or cuff-down, consider adding this book to your library.

To view all 17 sock patterns, take a peek online at Raverly.   You can purchase a few  single patterns that are included in Socktopus, such as Farmer McGregor, Fliori di Zucca, Mince Pie Mayhem , Rumpled, Spring Shoots and download one free copy, Shur’tugal.

You can join the Socktopus Book KAL on Ravelry here, where they have a detailed KAL planned for the year!

From the publisher:

Everything to knit really cool socks. If you love knitting socks or want to learn how, you’ll love Socktopus – it’s packed with inspiring designs, how-to instruction, creative patterns, and expert tips. Knitting socks has never been so easy or so much fun!

17 patterns from a top designer. Written by the renowned designer Alice Yu of the UK, it features 17 of her amazing patterns, each sized in small, medium, and large. And no more worries about getting the right fit. Just follow her simple directions for shaping toes, turning heels, sizing a sole, and fitting for a high arch for a custom fit.

Love yarns? You’re in for a treat. Because so does Alice. She devotes a complete section to exploring the subject, acquainting you with wonderful yarns and fibers – in all their infinite variety. Another way this book gets your creative juice flowing.

Intriguing possibilities.Socktopus will inspire you with ideas for creating your own one-of-a-kind socks so you can dive into knitting socks feet first!

Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!


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Categories : Knitting Patterns, Lace Crochet, Review, Socks

Wednesday Pattern Spotlight: Let there be hearts!

8 02 2012

I thought today would be perfect to highlight a few patterns that would be wonderful as Valentine gifts!

Courtesy of Simone Van Iderstine

The Queen of Hearts by Simone Van Iderstine  of Sand and Sky Creations is a beautiful stranded color-work hat that is worked completely in the round and includes corrugated ribbing.    This hat would make a very special gift and is perfect for Valentine’s Day!

Simone’s pattern is very easy to follow, includes written instructions along with a detailed chart for the heart design.  This project calls for 125 yards (114 m) of fingering weight (14 wpi) yarn in both main color and contrast color for the smaller hat.  Or 135 yards (124 m) of fingering weight (14 wpi) yarn in both main color and contrast color for the longer hat.   You will also need a US Size  US 2½ (3.0 mm) 16″ circular needle as well as a set of DPNs.

For an adorable quick knit for a little girl, check out the Heart Party Shrug by Jenny Williams that was in the Summer 2010 Issue of Petite Purls.

This easy to follow pattern includes sizes 4, 6,8, and 10, requires 204 yards of yarn, a size US 3 and 5 needle and a set of US3 DPNs.   This is a very inexpensive project with adorable results.  I actually made this shrug for a dear friend’s little girl and it turned out perfect. (Photo courtesy of Jenny Williams)

Give a cozy that will wrap a mug with love using Valentine Mug Cozy designed by Kristen TenDyke for the  Classic Elite Web Letter.  For this project you will need 1 hank of Elite Renaissance Yarn for the main color (7155 Renaissance Red) and  1 hank for the contrast Color ( 7119 Rose), US size 8 needles, and a yarn needle.

This cozy is knitted using the Stranded Colorwork or Fair Isle knitting technique.  When using this method,  you will carry  two colors of yarn across the same row and will alternate between the two to form a color-work pattern.  While one strand is being worked, the other is carried behind it (or in front of it on the WS rows).  This technique gives a thicker and much warmer knitted fabric. (Photo courtesy of Kristen TenDyke)

I hope you enjoyed a few of these ideas and for a couple of more, click here for last year’s ideas.

Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!


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Categories : All Knitting, Hats, Patterns, Review, Wednesday Patterns

Crochet WIP and more.

6 02 2012

As mentioned in my post yesterday, I’ve started a second Birch Vest  by Kristin Omdahl but when I got to the lace portion, I decided to make a small change.  Instead of crocheting the same stitch pattern for the body of the vest, I’ve opted for a pineapple stitch design and I love it!  I still love Kristin’s original design and will make this one again but needed something a bit different.

Here’s my progress photo that shows one full repeat of my stitch pattern ….

 

This evening I will be winding my skein of  Springtree Road Muscandine Sock Yarn  in Tanis with hopes of casting on my Spring Forward socks later this week.

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Next week is Valentine’s day and in honor of this very special day, I will be hi-lighting fun finds!  Today’s find is the Hand Knit Family Love Washcloth by Gail of The Widow’s Walk.  I love this washcloth and can see this being given as a gift to a special friend, a sister or a mom.  Wouldn’t it be perfect paired up with a lovely bar of handmade soap like Lilac Rose Soap by DeShawnMarie !

Courtesy of The Widow's Walk

Courtesy of Deshawn Marie

 

Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!


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Just Catching Up!

5 02 2012

Since it’s been a week since my last post, I thought it would be good to catch up and get back on track.   This week was a little tough on me as my Grandmother went home to God, so I wasn’t feeling up to the task of writing my blog or staying in touch with everyone as much as I typically do.   Basically, I was in what I call a slight “funk” but I’m much better now and have refreshed feeling, yes, life is good!

With that being said, let’s see what has happened ….

Back in January I showed you a progress photo of my 198 Yards of Heaven,  which I started January 7th and  finished January 25th.   I used almost a full skein of my stash of  The Sanguine Gryphon Little Traveller Uljin (Yardage: 1 skein = 560 yds and I used all but .40oz of this skein)  and it blocked out to a nice size of   26” x 54”.

In the Springtree Road Group on Raverly, we’ve started a KAL for the month of February to about the second week of March.  I still haven’t casted on my socks for this KAL, but plan to knit a pair of Spring Forward  socks by Linda Welch in my yummy stash of Springtree Road Muscandine Sock Yarn in Tanis.

I’ve started a crochet vest creating a slight modified version of the Birch Vest  by Kristin Omdahl.  Instead of crocheting the same stitch pattern for the body of the vest, I’ve opted to use a pineapple stitch, which turning out really nice and I will post a photo soon.  I’m very happy to finally be using up my stash of Queensland Collection Rustic Wool DK and look forward to wearing this vest before the summer heat kicks in.

So, speaking of stash.  As many of you may know from a recent post on my FaceBook page, one of my local yarn stores closed their doors the end of January.  I was blessed to pick up quite a few new skeins of yarn, as well as a new collections of books, at a very low price.  Since the stash grew so large, my husband insisted that we turn our unused spare bedroom into my new studio.  After moving everything, re-organizing, etc… I’m so happy to have a great space that is quiet and very peaceful.

Looking in from the hall.

Looking from the desk

Craftsy has officially launched the ability to purchase patterns directly from their site and I’ve actually already sold a few.  If you’re a designer who reads my blog,  I encouraging you to post your patterns online with Craftsy.  It’s free and truly easy to set-up!  If you’re a crafter, you now have another venue for purchasing patterns which includes:

I know there must be lots more I’m forgetting but I feel much better to have caught up.  I have a couple of reviews to post soon and I’m thinking it would be fun to post something for Valentine’s Day!

Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!


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Categories : All Crochet, All Knitting, Yarn & Fiber

TNNA Part 4, Saving the Best for Last

29 01 2012

It has been exactly a week since I attended the TNNA convention and I’m still can’t believe that I had the good fortune to go.  On a late Thursday evening, I received a message from someone asking if I was attending as she wanted to meet me in person.  That someone was Cornelia Hamilton.

Cornelia has been such an inspiration to me, not to mention encouraging, generous, giving and so very kind.  I was trilled that we were going to finally meet and that I could show her in person the scarf I designed using her beautiful Heaven’s Hand in Wool Classic !

Even after a week has gone by, I’m still so very excited that I got to meet this remarkable and talented woman.  Even if she doesn’t realize it, she has made a huge impact on my life and has been such a huge motivating factor for me to try to succeed in the knitting world.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you Cornelia!!!

Cornelia Hamilton

About:  Cornelia Hamilton’s career started in New York where she developed her talent during the early 80’s. There she designed for the better knitting magazines and to a private clientele. The high point of her time in NY was a handknit collection under her own label that was sold to select boutiques in 20 states from Florida to Alaska.  A move over the Altantic to Mariefred, Sweden has given her the peace and harmony to live with her family and develop her artistic creativity even further. Here she has a small boutique, runs her business Hamilton Design and writes articles on knitting for American and Scandinavian publications.

 

For those who would like to know more about Cornelia’s Heaven’s Hand Classic Wool, please visit Clara Parkes, Knitter’s Review, where Clara did an in-depth review of Cornelia’s yarn.  You can find Cornelia online at Raverly, FaceBook and online at her website, Hamilton Designs.  I personally can attest that this yarn is quite lovely to knit with, holds it’s shape and is soft to the touch!

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The scarf I was designed based upon the sand paintings created by many of our Native American Indians, especially those in Arizona.   Unique in design, this scarf is completely reversible. One side gives the appearance of cables with a touch of lace, while the other side echoes a raised textured design mimicking designs of the southwest.   This scarf is created in two panels and then grafted together using the Kitchener Stitch.

This pattern will require approximately 300 yards of Cornelia Hamilton’s Heaven’s Hand Wool Classic ( or any worsted weight to match a gauge of  22 stitches = 2 inches in stockinette), a pair of  US  size 8 (5.0 mm) and a tapestry needle.

Finished size: 6”/15.2 cm x 70” /177.77 cm (fully blocked)

This pattern is available for $4.50 USD


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TNNA Comes to Phoenix, Part 2

23 01 2012

I was so excited to meet so many people at this convention that I have had the pleasure of visiting online with over the last two years.

I got to meet Anne Kuo Lukito of Crafty Diversions , who had a booth displaying her wonderful designs.  I can say that Anne’s designs are even more beautiful in person and it was loads of fun being able to try on her beautiful Weekend Shawl.  I also got to see one of her latest designs, Lakedale, a gorgeous jacket that features small two-color brioche cable columns along the front and a two-color brioche edging.  I must try knitting this soon!

Left to Right: Karen, Tina and Anne

I also got to meet the fabulous Stefanie Japel, Manager of Marketing and Community and Knitting Instructor for Craftsy.    I’m very excited about the new Indie Design program that Craftsy is launching in February, which allows designers to list their patterns free.  This is huge kudos in my book and I encourage designers to sign up for this wonderful opportunity.  This new venue is a great way to further your ability to market your designs to a community dedicated to crafting.

Did you know that over 470,000  crafters (and growing!) visit Craftsy.com each month? Build your design business and offer patterns on Craftsy!

Tina and Stefanie

Roxanne Yeun of Zen Yarn Garden was there too!   I got to finally meet this talented Indy dyer in person and was so excited to see Roxanne’s new Crystal Colorways, as well as many of her other colorways, and was able to touch this incredibly soft yummy yarn.  It was awesome!  Roxanne also had a few of her lovely designs on display, which was lots of fun to see.

Crystal Colorways

Darn, my eyes were closed but I'm sharing anyway!

I also got to see fellow Arizona designer,  Yumiko Alexander of DanDoh Designs.  Yumiko’s line of designs keep growing.  This talented designer creates beautiful garments for both knitting and crocheting, as well as a combination of both techniques.

Yumiko Alexander

It was fun to meet Kate Oates of Tottoppers, who corraled Ysolda Teague and the young lady for Deep South Fibers  into my photo.   Kate is busy working on a book and as you can see, is also expecting a new baby that is due in May.

Julie on the left, Kate in the Middle and Ysolda on the Right

I also received a hand-autographed copy of Lisa Bogart‘s book, Knit with Love.  I can’t wait to sit down and read this book!

Knit with Love, Stories to Warm a Knitter’s Heart -  shares amazing anecdotes of more than 40 knitters, from a Staff Sergeant in Iraq who started a group of knitting soldiers, to a high school guidance counselor who recruited athletic and academic students alike for knitting during the lunch hour. It also includes a fascinating look at knitting throughout history, the many ways knitting can contribute to the community, various tips and tricks for the knitter, even a step-by step plan for starting your own knitting group.

Lisa Bogart, author of Knit with Love

I will have two more posts about my adventures at TNNA, so do stay tuned.  Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!


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The National Needlearts Association (TNNA) comes to Phoenix ~ Part 1

22 01 2012

I had a very rare and unique opportunity to attend the TNNA convention here in Phoenix for one spectacular day.  A very warm and special thank you to Karen Sadow, owner of One Planet Yarn and Fiber, who generously offered to give me a badge so that I could attend this event.  I had a blast tagging along with Karen and Terri, owner of the Fiber Factory of Mesa, all day on Saturday.  I can honestly say I was in pure heaven and cannot believe that I as able to see so many gorgeous skeins of yarn, braids of fiber, needles and accessories all underneath one roof!  It was almost overwhelming.

Since I was there for only one day, but took so many photos and met so many wonderful people, I’m going to do a four-part series of my experience at TNNA.  This is for a couple of reasons, one, there is some much to tell you about and two, there are a few folks that just need a post dedicated to them.

It was very exciting to be able to finally see and even touch a few of the fibers I have heard about and that have received great reviews.  There were also fabulous hand-knits that had been knitted up for samples to show case these wonderful fibers, and many were simply amazing.

Each photo that follow will have the company name and simply click the photo to be taken directly to their website.

Are you ready for a fiber adventure?  If so, here we go!!!

Hand Painted Knitting Yarns

Mountain Colors Hand Painted Yarn - By the way, that's Cat Bordhi wearing the shawl

Be Sweet Yarns - Karen of One Planet Yarn & Fiber and Terri of the Fiber Factory

Jade Sapphire Yarns - Gorgeous Knitted Samples

The Fibre Company - In the back is Hannah Fettig co-author of Coastal Knits

Anzula Luxury Fibers - Yarn and Fiber for spinning

Imperial Yarn - American Grown Wool Yarn Company

Alchemy Yarn - Alchemy Tweedy ... this was stunning!

Beautiful display by Kollage Yarns

Lorna's Laces Hand Dyed Yarns

Red Barn Yarn

A beautiful shawl display by Manos del Uruguay Yarn

Aurora Yarns

Berroco Yarn - A yarn bar hosted by designer Norah Gaughan

Norah Gaughan was hosting a fun event, a knitting bar where you could sample the new lines by Berroco Yarn.  After you knitted a bit, you could take one of the containers that contained samples.  Norah was a lot of fun and was enjoying all the knitters that were gathering around.  She was also a good sport when I asked her if I could take a photo.

There are many more photos to share but I will save those for another day.  Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!


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