Peacefully Knitting

What a fun day!  My husband Don and I had a blast yesterday at the Southwest Fiber Festival.  The sky was very blue, the temperature was perfect at 85 degrees and there was lots of fibery goodness in the air.  While I was busy strolling from vendor to vendor, my hubby was kind enough to play photographer.  He captured the essence of the festival very well and you can view complete photos on my Facebook Fan page, along with my first ever video, which was of the Danza Mexica Cuauhtemoc – dancers.

Here’s my new heart throb….. He was the cutest guy.

I didn’t get too crazy in buying yarn, but I did mange to buy 4 skeins that I can’t wait to wind and starting knitting with.

On the right:  Pleasant Dreams, Flying Solo Single by Flutterby Fibers - Merino/Bamboo Mix.  This yarn is super soft and has such a wonderful mix of colors. 

On the left:  Paca-Peds Superwash Alpaca sock yarn

I just received my daily email from Knitting Daily and in this particular email was a link to Kathleen Cubley’s tutorial for creating an I-Cord.

Here’s what Kathleen had to say about I-Cords:  “The venerable Elizabeth Zimmermann rediscovered and named the I-cord (the I-cord, called a “stay lace,” was mentioned in Victorian needlework manuals). The “I” stands for “idiot” because Ms. Zimmermann thought the technique was so simple anyone could do it (even an idiot, I guess!).  I think the “I” should stand for “ingenious.” The I-cord is simply a tube knitted in the round with two double-pointed needles (I’ve done it with a long circular needle, too).   The I-cord is one of those things in knitting that is endlessly useful. The technique is somewhat idiot-proof, once you get the hang of it, and it’s also really mindless knitting (especially if you need a long I-cord, like in the Greek Pullover)—the I-cord is something to do in front of the TV or with a good audio book on board for sure! “

Here’s a quick tutorial ~   With a double-pointed needle, cast on the desired number of stitches. *Without turning the needle, slide the stitches to other end of the needle, pull the yarn around the back, and knit the stitches as usual; repeat from * for desired length.  (The illustration shows knitting the stitches after you’ve slid the them to the other end of the needle.)  —- Photo and Tutorial courtesy of Knitting Daily

Check out the rest of her entry for great project ideas using I-Cords.

I have many Fiber Artists that I love to follow and purchase from. Since today is Fiber Friday,  and I thought I would share just a few with you……

SpringtreeRoad

LambsEars

Sheknitsigans

OnThe Round

Simplytwisted

Have a great day of knitting!

I just finished a very quick, easy and fun hat from Tot Toppers using 1 skein of Tahki Sky – 100% Organic Cotton Yarn.  This pattern, created by Kate Oates of Tot Toppers, is available on Ravelry, and for even more adorable patterns and hand knits, be sure to check out her Etsy Shop and her Blog.

This finished hat is a gift for a friend’s little girl and it will be just perfect to wear with a pair of jeans and a cute sweater.  My photos just don’t give the pattern justice, but here you go any way……

I’m so excited that I will be going to the Southwest Fiber Festival this coming Saturday.  It’s going to be tons of fun and even hubby is looking forward to it.   There’s going to be lots of vendors, demonstrations and classes, as well as competitions. 

Here’s what’s going on for competitions:  Spinner’s Choice Fleece, Skein Competition (Fine Singles, Medium to Bulky Singles, Fine Plied, Medium Plied, Novelty & Novice Spinner) and a Felters Challenge, as well as Felted Creative Landscape Challenge.

Vendors include:  KCL Woods, Grandma’s Spinning Wheel, Infinity Fibers, Partners in Fiber, Dreamer Weaver Alpacas, Desert Mountain Alpaca Ranch
Diamond Valley Alpacas, ,Bosque Ranch Alpacas, Robin Pascal ~ Perfect Buttons, Laughing Cloud Studio, Blackberry Bear, Van Helsland Studios, Kiwi Knitting Company, Square Top Ranch Alpacas and so many more.

Can’t wait to go!  Happy knitting all….

I just came across this song and wanted to share ~ make sure you scroll down to the very bottom on the page to stop the instant playlist before listening. Happy knitting……

I have officially completed my pattern for Marmee, the third in a series of vintage style hats and in honor of Amanda’s grand opening of her online store, this pattern will be available on November 1st as a PDF file Download on Ravelry and in my Etsy shop. 

This has been a wonderful joint project with Amanda (thank you Amanda!) of  NHKnittingMama, and her yarn is simply yummy to knit with.

I’m very pleased to report that I’ve finished my latest hat, “Marmee” and sent the pattern off to Amanda of NHKnittingMama for a review.  Amanda is very excited and plans to knit an exact copy, color and all, to  wear for her show coming up in November.  Both of us are two giddy little school girls right now and are very excited how this joint project turned out.

This pattern will be published soon – just need my photographer (a.k.a. hubby) to take photos, then it will be ready to place online in my Etsy store, my Website and in my Ravelry store. 

Meantime,  here’s a photo to entice you …..

If you’ve been looking for a great project to give as a gift for Christmas… check this out the Knitters Tool Bag from KnitPicks.  This bag is knit with US 10 (6 mm) straight needles and a 24″ circular needle. The finished size of the bag is 12″ wide x 5″ deep x 9″ high with a 30″ opening circumference.

Create this darling little tote, fill it full with yarn, books, magazines, needles, etc… gift wrap in cello, add a bow, and now you have the perfect gift that would make any knitter very happy this Christmas.