Casting On and Casting Off: A quick lace project and a touch of leaves!

28 05 2012

I joined the Ravelry Group, 12 Shawls in 2012 the first part of this year but I’m slightly behind so I decided the month of May was the perfect month to catch up a bit and knit at least two small shawls.

I love quick projects and this past week I casted on Arroyo by Sarah H. Wolf using my stash yarn of Wisdom Yarns in Poems, a very light fingering weight sock yarn.  This took me a total of five days, including the time for blocking.  If you are a beginner lace knitter, this is a very easy pattern and would be perfect for you to try.

Pattern: Arroyo
Yarn: Wisdom Yarns Poems Sock in Ivy Trails.
Needles:   US 4 (3.5 mm)
Modifications:  I added beads on rows 10, 18, and 26 of the lace pattern, and I added an eyelet row at the very end before binding  off.
Start Date: May 23, 2012
End Date:   May 28, 2012
Ravely Project Page: Arroyo

This will look great as a scarf for this fall!

Showing a close up with the beads.

I’m looking forward to wearing this as a scarf this fall and can’t wait!  This evening I’m casting on a beautiful project, the Double Leaf Saroyan by Liz Abinante and I’ll be using my stash of Malabrigo Rios in the colorway of Zarzamora.  This will be another quick knit project that I should be done with in less than two weeks!

What quick knit lace projects do you enjoy?

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


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Yarn Along: Knitting with a bit of reading!

23 05 2012

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs.  I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well.  So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?  ~ Ginny from Small Things

 

I finished my Oaklet Shawlette last week and I love how it turned out.  This was truly a fun knit that worked up fairly quickly.   I’m still working on my Vodka Lemonade and hope to separate the sleeves in the next few days.  This project has been slow going, but I really don’t mind.

I also finished my books, the  Poyson Garden by Karen Harper and  Knit with Love by Lisa Bogart .  I really enjoyed them both and have now moved on to The Fellowship of the Ring  by J.R.R. Tolkien.  I’ve never read any of J.R.R. Tolkein’s books and with the upcoming release of the Hobbit this fall, I thought it would be fun to read the entire series.

Happy knitting and reading!


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Progress report and lovely beads!

22 05 2012

This past weekend I made quite a bit of progress on my Vodka Lemonade.  It was the perfect project to take with me on a road trip hubby and I took on Saturday and I was so happy with how much I got done in a day.  I have about 18 more rows to go before I separate the sleeves, but it’s taking shape and I love not only the pattern but the MadTosh that I’m using for this project.

Compared to the others in the KAL in the MadelineTosh Group, I’m way behind but that’s ok, I’m knitting at my pace and was told not too long ago that “knitting is not a race”, and I so agree!

 

As I mentioned in an early post, I’m taking Laura Nelkin’s online Craftsy Class, Knitting with Beads.  I loved it when she mentioned that our bead stash would grow like our yarn stash, and she’s right!

As I go through Laura’s class, I am already planning projects to incorporate beads and recently purchased two tubes of Miyuki Beads size 6 online from a great Etsy shop, Edwards Jewelry Supply.  This shop has a lovely collection of Miyuki beads in a wide array of colors.

I chose a tube in Metallic Matte Silver Gray to go with my stash of Zen Yarn Garden Serenity Silk  in colorway Silver Moon and a tube in a Teal mix to go with my stash of Malabrigo Sock Yarn in colorway Indiecita.

I haven’t quite decided on what pattern I will be using or if I’m knitting both as shawls, or one shawl and one scarf.  I do know that I love how beads look on knitted pieces and think I have found yet another technique to enhance my knitting.

 

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


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Categories : All Knitting, KAL, Lace Knitting

Let the games begin!

17 05 2012

Courtesy of the Ravelympics 2012 Group

The 2012 Summer Olymics , starting less than 71 days in London, has quite a few folks excited and ready to watch the summer events.

To get into the Olympic spirit, Ravelry is hosting the 2012 Ravelympics .  With over  5,000 members already signed up, interested fiber enthusiasts will find teams made up of  Harry Potter lovers, countries, cities, podcast listeners, shawl knitters, and is open to those who knit and crochet, who are beginners to advanced and who are ready for a fun loving competition.

During this seventeen day event, Ravelry members will challenge themselves to complete projects they’ve never done before.  While some may complete an entire sweater,  others may choose to tackle smaller projects or even WIPs.  This competition starts the very moment the Olympic games kick off in London, July 27th at  7:30pm (BST) or your timezone, and will end at the closing ceremony on August 12th at approximately 11:59:59 (GMT) or your timezone.  You can find more about the basic rules online in the Ravelympics Group.

For projects to count, tags are crucial.  Make sure to tag all your projects with special tag  ravelympics2012, then choose your event and team tags.  Remember,  every project needs it to be counted, so make sure to tag correctly as the tag (ravelympics2012) gets you into the stadium and officially adds you as a participant.

Even though the Ravelympics Committee is still hammering out the complete listing of events, here’s a sneek peek at what can be expected:

  • afghan marathon
  • baby dressage
  • bag-n-tote backstroke
  • balance beads
  • british cricket
  • cable steeplechase
  • cast-on trap shoot
  • charity rowing
  • colourwork crosscountry
  • cowl jump
  • double-knit boxing
  • felted freestyle
  • frogging trampoline
  • hand-dye high dive
  • handspun heptathlon
  • hat dash
  • holiday hurdles
  • home stuff hammerthrow
  • lace longjump
  • mitten medley
  • modular relay
  • rhythmic machinastics
  • scarf hockey
  • shawl sailing
  • single skien sprint
  • sock put
  • swatching coxswain
  • sweater triathlon
  • synchronized stash busting
  • toy toss
  • weaving vault
  • wips wrestling

Not only does Ravelympics provide an intense personal challenge to all those who participate,  but an extreme team challenge as well.   Ravelympics is open for all Ravelry members to participate, just pick a team, sign up, enjoy watching the Summer Olympic events and let the games begin!


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Categories : All Crochet, All Knitting

Yarn Along: Knitting with a bit of reading!

16 05 2012

Two of my favourite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs.  I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well.  So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?  ~ Ginny from Small Things

I’m very excited to have started the lace border for my Oaklet (design by Megan Goodacre, a.k.a. the Tricksy Knitter).  This project should be off my needles by Friday and hopefully I’ll be able to get it blocked over the weekend.  I have to admit that my shawl project has been my main focus so I haven’t been  knitting too much on my Vodka Lemonade.

As far as reading,  I’m still reading the Poyson Garden by Karen Harper and I totally forgot I received a copy of Knit with Love by Lisa Bogart at TNNA in January.  Lisa was so much fun to meet and I’m truly looking forward to reading her book.

Happy knitting!


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Just a progress report!

14 05 2012

I’ve been bad this past week and haven’t been too devoted to my knitting, but I am slowly making progress.

First, my Oaklet is coming along nicely and I really love the deep dark browns in the  colorway, called Dark Chocolate.  Each time I look at my progress, I seem to have a craving for chocolate covered caramels!  I’m just about ready to start the lace portion, so the following photo is about three days old.

Progress photo of Oaklet

My Vodka Lemonade is coming together as well but I have neglected it terribly!  So far I’m still working on the increases in the sleeve section.  I really do like Thea’s design for the sleeve section, gives it details with a bit of texture.

Progress photo of Vodka Lemonade

I’m hoping to get both of these projects completed by the end of the month so I can concentrate on my two Craftsy classes – Knitting with Beads with instructor Laura Nelkin and The Perfect Fit Seamless Crazy Lace Cardigan with instructor Myra Wood.  I have two lace projects that I want to attempt this summer, and one has beads!

I have found quite a few cardigans and sweaters that I want to knit this year, as well as years to come.  One brand new design that caught my eye today incorporates two elements I love, knitting and crochet.   Evelyn Siatra‘s new release, Silk Knitted Jacket with Crochet Embellishments, is quite stunning and shows how we can use crochet as a lovely edging to any style garment.

Courtesy of Creations by Eve

 

 

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


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And the winner is …..

13 05 2012

I want to thank all of you for entering my recent giveaway featuring Skipperdee designed by Julia Farwell-Clay of Moth Heaven.

Please remember you can find more of Julia’s designs online at Ravelry and on her website, Moth Heaven.  You can also find her online at Twitter.

Photo ©Caro Sheridan – Used by permission by Julia Farwell-Clay

And the winner is …… Entry#11, Rachelle of Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand.  Congratulations Rachelle, you will love this pattern!!!

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


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Knitting with beads, a new adventure!

12 05 2012

Recently my friend Bonny told me that she was taking a Craftsy.com class learning to knit with beads and that she just finished making a beaded cuff.  I love beads and I love how they fit into crafts, especially with knitting.

Since one of my goals is to knit a few more shawls this year, I decided to enroll in Laura Nelkins Craftsy class , Knitting with Beads, the same online class as Bonny.   Like all the Craftsy classes, you can start and go at your own pace, which I love!

Courtesy of Craftsy.com

A Note from Laura Nelkin, Instructor of Knitting with Beads

Beads add texture and surface interest to your knitwear, making this class perfect for anyone looking to add some sparkle to their knits. In addition to my exclusive patterns for a dynamic cuff and two multi-sized shawls in both lace-weight and fingering-weight yarn, my online class, Knitting with Beads, shares with you the techniques you will need to incorporate beads into any of your projects. With these new skills, you will become the independent knitter you’ve always wanted to be. Join me in this class, get my patterns, and enjoy a whole new level of knitting!

Last year I attempted beads in a hand-spun shawl and I really love how it turned out but haven’t done anything since.  I knitted Multnomah by Kate Ray and added beads on the right side row with 181 stitches before the increases. So, I did this:  k5, k1 w/bead and repeated up to 2 stitches before marker.  I then repeated this step on the 2nd half and loved it!   To me, beads just make your shawl shine and by adding a special touch, it becomes very unique. 

You can find out more about this project on my Ravelry project page and on my project page with Craftsy!

My Sea Colored Multnomah

I’m very excited about this class and think it will hone my skills not only in using beads, but in knitting shawls. Do you enjoy knitting with beads?  If so, what projects have you made incorporating beads?

If you love learning new crafts and more, be sure to check out Craftsy other classes to!

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


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Update on my 2012 Resolutions ….

11 05 2012

The last day of 2011, I made a list of goals for knitting projects for the new year.  Sometimes I get a bit carried away with goals, and this is one of those times.  After going back and reviewing my goals, I now realize I won’t be able to keep the majority of them, but that’s ok, goals are good for me!

So, here’s what I planned for 2012:

  • Knit at least 4 pairs of socks
  • Knit at least 8 shawls – I joined Romi’s lovely Pins & Lace Club, this will ensure I do this!
  • Knit at least 4 lace scarves
  • Knit 2 sweaters – one for me and one for my Mom
  • Create at least 6 new designs to include, hats, scarves and wraps
  • Learn new techniques such as two a time socks, Fair Isle/Colorwork, toe up socks
  • Development an understanding of lace knitting and hone my skills
  • When I join KALs (knit along) or SALs (spin along), I will be dedicated and I will finish what I start
  • Spin more fiber to create gorgeous handspun for knitting projects – I now have 3 wheels and they need to be put to use!  I joined the Raverly Group, 12 in 2012 , which has a goal to  spin 12 pounds of fiber over the year and I belong to the Spin a Shawl group.  I think both will help with this goal.

I haven’t done too bad, but I have to admit, I’m way behind on my knitting.  So, here’s what I’ve managed so far:

  • One pair of socks -  Nutkins the very first of the year.  I still have two sock projects on the needles,  Tanis Vorticity and Cabled Lagoons.  So I really should get these two projects of the needles so I can at least be close to my goal!
  • One shawl completed – A Second 198 yards of Heaven and one shawl on the needles, my Oaklet.  Hmmm… way behind on this goal.  I received two club kits from Romi’s Pins & Lace Club and  lovely skein of fingering weight from a dear friend, but still behind on my shawl goal.
  • For scarves, I’ve managed to knit one that turned into a design.  My Los Verdes, a textured lacy scarf.  I also did a test knit for Meghan of Meghan Knits, a great lacy cowl called Wanted.  I will add this to my goal of scarves, so I only need 2 more for the year.
  • I’m excited to finish one cardigan, my Cotton Raglan and I have Vodka Lemonade on the needles.  I still want to knit a sweater or cardigan this year for my Mom, so I might be able to do this!
  • I’m way behind on my goal for new designs this year, but as mentioned above, I did  release a new scarf pattern.

As far as the remainder of my goals, I’m  enjoying learning new techniques when it comes to knitting, especially garment construction and fit, as well as toe up socks.   I decided not to stay in the  12 in 2012 group on Ravelry as I will not be able to spin 12 pounds of fiber this year.  My spinning has been taking a back seat as I’m very much into my knitting, but a friend from England just sent me the most beautiful fiber that has enticed me to finish up my Romney that is currently on my wheel and start spinning the luscious yummy blend of Shetland and Silk.

Did you set goals this year? If so, how are you doing?

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


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Yarn Along ~ Knitting with a bit of reading !

9 05 2012

Two of my favourite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs.  I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well.  So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?  ~ Ginny from Small Things

 

I’m currently working on two knitting projects, Vodka Lemonade by Thea Colman of Baby Cocktails and Oaklet by Megan Goodacre, a.k.a. the Tricksy Knitter.  I’ve been working on the cardi at night and the shawl in the morning, which is really working at nicely.   Now that I’ve finished the collar and have started the sleeves, I really love how my Vodka Lemonade is starting to look.  My Oaklet is coming along nicely too and I really like the deep dark browns in the yarn.

As far as reading, well that’s been going slow as I’ve been outside enjoying the weather and working in the yard.  So, I’m still reading the Poyson Garden by Karen Harper.  I really have been enjoying this book and hope to be able to finish it by the weekend so I can dive into Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon .

Happy knitting!

 


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