knits and tails

What's up around here…

2010-06-13T11:08:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in a while. I have been knitting like crazy, but no new photos of that yet. I am working on 3 things. My Ishbel could/should be finished any minute. I'll get it on the blog very soon.
I did actually knit four Aegean Mitts (Amy Polcyn). I said in my last post that I would try but I hate knit something 2x's right in row. I did it, I suffered through. The second pair (mine) are wee bit shorter. I was afraid of running out of yarn. I made the cuff 1/2" shorter and the body length a 1/2' shorter and a few rows less on the final ribbing. It's been so long since I finished them that they were worn a few chilly mornings in April.
Other than knitting all eyes are on the flower garden this Spring. I took some lovely photos over the past month. Here are a few to share.

Easter knitting

2010-03-21T17:45:00.000-07:00

I finished one fingerless mitt for my niece. I hope to have the other done by next weekend. So far, they are coming out beautiful. I love the yarn, its Manos 5ply, worsted merino. I love the pattern; Aegean Mitts by Amy Polcyn, from knitscene, special issue, winter/spring 2010. I just got so excited with the nice weather and first mitt coming out so nicely, I ran outside to take some pictures.

2010-03-14T17:39:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2010-03-14T14:19:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day. I finished my Irish Moss Toque a few weeks ago and have been happily wearing it almost everyday. I Love this hat. Not something you can knit without paying attention, but it's something to be treasured once it's done. It's knit with O'Wool Organic worsted weight yarn. I made the mistake of going up a needle size thinking it would fit my huge head better, but it has stretched and is a bit loose now. I have rewashed it and let it dry next to the wood stove (which works great) bringing it back to the right size for a while. I bought the pattern on Ravelry it was designed by Alexandra Charlotte Dafoe.

Looking back

2010-03-14T13:42:00.000-07:00

I had forgotten about the scarf I made for my friend Carol for Christmas. I found these photos and realized I should blog it! So here goes… It's sweetgeorgia yarns "cashsilk fern" scarf. It's a free online download and its a lovely scarf. Although I have not bought anything from sweetgeorgia, I drool every time their email newsletter arrives.
I know someone does buy from them and she assures me its a gorgeous in person as in photos.I knitted Carol's from Jojoland Melody superwash 100% wool. The yarn was fine to use for lacework. I can't remember the colorway number, but it looked just like the colors my friend Carol wears and not surprising… she loved it. I have 3 skeins in purples colorway for myself. I don't know what I'll knit with it since I almost never knit the same thing twice?

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T06:56:00.000-08:00

Today seems the perfect day to finally post my Dahlia pictures from last fall. Sure to evoke thoughts of spring. Happy Valentine's Day. Enjoy…

End of May Hat

2010-02-02T18:21:00.000-08:00

Finally a blog post. Short but sweet. Here's a picture of the hat I made for My friend Sara for Christmas. It came out beautiful. The pattern was well written, easy to follow and fun to knit.
I bought the pattern on Ravelry, its titled "End of May color stranded hat" by Mandy Powers.

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T10:25:00.000-07:00

Here are all my little fluffy friends. Suri Merino, Brushed Alpaca. Thanks to resurrection fern for the tutorial and inspiration. So cute, so fun…

Wish I could learn to blog backwards? Last but not least.

2009-04-02T14:12:00.000-07:00

Ahhh… the cowl I did keep. It's Malabrigo worsted, Continental Blue—super soft. Another Ravelry free download. The Crofter’s Cowl, Designed by Gudrun Johnston, Shetlandtrader. I love it, super soft, great color. A fast knit, the grafting of 80 stitches was a little tedious for me and you can see my grafting, it's far from perfect. More than likely I will make this again and again. It can be completed in an afternoon, making it a good gift. The Malabrigo lends itself nicely to the design, its thick to thin transitions and slight color variation help to hide the grafting and it's so soft you just fall in love the minute you put it on. That's it for today. My last cowl for March. I have two patterns on my studio desk and of course if my friend Rebekkah from Bowerbird Knits writes her pattern I'll be casting on immediately!

cowls, cowls, caplet, cont…

2009-04-02T14:09:00.000-07:00

cowls, cowls, caplet, cont…

2009-04-02T13:44:00.000-07:00

Then I made Burnished Leaves Cowl. Designed by Chrissy Prange, a free Ravelry download…thanks Chrissy. A fun, quick and beautiful knit. I was thinking of keeping this one, but in the end it was gifted.
It's knitted with a Cascade 2020 Heathers, blue green, very pretty. Cascade always knits up nice, it's pretty soft, washes well, and holds its shape. I didn't even block it, it just washed and dried so nicely that I didn't have to.

cowls, cowls, caplet

2009-04-02T13:33:00.000-07:00

The next thing I know I'm making a cowl for my mother-in-law for her Name's Day (a Latvian tradition). I chose some beautiful light aqua blue Frog Tree (from my stash) and a light lacy pattern. A free pattern from Lion Brand website titled Lacy Luxe Cowl. In the end I sent two of the cowls I made to her. I told her to choose the one she liked best, and give the other to either my niece or sister in law as an early Easter gift. Well she chose the one a made with her in mind…it was a success!

cowls, cowls, caplet

2009-04-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

This all started with a Caplet for my niece Sondra. Then I got carried away. I thought it would be wonderful to own a cowl. Since, I have knitted three different designs from the Ravelry site. I have two more ready to go. I must finish my sweater sleeves first. Perhaps it will too warm by then they'll get put on the back burner. Sondra’s Aspen Caplet came out nice. The color is quite pretty, the yarn is Lopi, I doubled it because she loves purples and my LYS didn't have that color in the super bulky weight. It's a little scratchy and it was a little rough on the hands knitting doubled. I rinsed it in Eucalan…seems to have soften it a bit.

HAPPY SPRING…

2009-04-02T13:04:00.000-07:00

Catching up with all my favorite knitting blogs all day. What better way to procrastinate. I have a large design job that needs to get going and I just don't feel like it. Instead I went outside with my camera (notice the new header), took some emerging crocus shots and then attempted to take pictures of my Malabrigo sweater. I'm working on the second sleeve (finally) and thought it was a nice bright day to take pictures.
Well, too bright, they came out awful. I'll have to get back to you on that. Here's a nice picture of Josie enjoying a beautiful spring morning.

2009-03-15T12:50:00.000-07:00

Ilma's mittens. Sorry the pictures are not great. My husband helped me take them and he isn't a photographer (ssshhhh… don't tell him that). Can you say overexposed.

Backing up to the Holidays

2009-03-15T12:22:00.000-07:00

Here are my very first Fairisle projects. Two pairs of Kate Gilbert's Bird in Hand Mittens ravel it The first in liliac/pink Suri Merino and Cascade 220 dark brown. I knitted them on two size 2 circulars, 24". They came out a bit large, but very soft and SUPER warm. I kept them, I figure the first pair is a chance to make mistakes, learn the pattern and get a little comfortable with fairisle. I really enjoyed knitting these. I made a second pair for my sister-in-law Ilma. Ilma’s are knitted in Frog Tree DK weight and the colors are raspberryish plum color and this beautiful wheat (golden yellow brown) color. I absolutely love hers. They were a little small for me. I knitted them on size 1 circs, she has small hands. I left out one of the braids and one of the trim patterns, shortening hers by a good inch. I loved fairisle so much that I raveled a bunch of mitten patterns, bought the yarn, plan to knit many more…

A Note from the Universe

2009-02-24T18:45:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking a lot about my blog, just haven't had time to get back to it. My latest setback (excuse) is that this past week I've been down with a very bad cold. I have been keeping up with taking pictures and of course LOTS of knitting. This Sunday I was trying to take a picture of the capelet I made for my niece. I picked up my camera, turned it on and was surprised to find that it wouldn't work. A flashing symbol "CF". Argghhh… the memory card is full. I decided I better get those images on to my comuter, so I can finally update my blog. Happily…that much is now done.

Monday morning rolled around. Still feeling stuffy and somewhat miserable, and also feeling bad about possibly missing yoga. I agonize over whether or not to go to work. If I stay home I can work on my blog, finish my cowl, etc… I should go so I can teach my yoga class. While pacing and thinking I decide to check email.
Well, whattya know my daily "message from the Universe" has arrived and it reads…
"There are lots of reasons you chose to come to earth, Laura, and I am super happy to tell you that not one of them was to master being poor, lonely, or sick. Incidentally, neither did you have any intention of living your life without a blog."

After pondering that for a short time… I decided to go so I could teach my yoga class and I also decided to work harder at keeping up my blog. At the end of yoga one of my regular and very faithful students hands me a package and says something like "here's something for your knitting." Thinking it's yarn I stuffed it in my bag. Later in the evening I opened my bag, saw the package and said Oh yeah? When I opened it I realized I was holding a beautiful hand sewn knitting bag (THANKS Lisa)! Boy was I ever happy the universe sent me to yoga. And in case you didn't know you can get your daily email from the universe at theuniverse@tut.com.

2009-02-24T18:40:00.000-08:00

2008-11-12T03:44:00.000-08:00

Here it is, my little sketch, my not that original idea. A knitting bag with knitting needles as handles. I have needles in the most fun colors, lots of pinks and greens to choose from. You can see that the bag will be pink, raspberry, 50's green and light brown. I have purchased the yarn, but it I probably won't be able to work on it until after the holidays.

So much stuff

2008-11-11T17:53:00.000-08:00

I realized after reading my last post that I never identified the pattern for my first sweater. It's the Mock Cable Cardigan designed by Melinda Goodfellow, Yankee Knitter Designs. It's an easy to follow pattern, fun to knit, I would do it again.

Shortly after my last post (maybe even the same weekend) my husband came home with his garage sale finds, first thing he said "look what I got for you!"

At first I was thinking what the heck do I want with those? But then they started to grow on me and next thing I knew I was down on the floor dumping them out and scheming about what I might do with them? Suddenly I had a plan. So I enlisted a fellow knitter to cast on with me and one of these days we'll actually knit them.

Ready, Set, Knit

2008-10-11T18:35:00.000-07:00

I have embraced this fall weather, I'm so happy it's finally here. Walking with Janey in the morning in the crisp New England air, no rain, no bugs, no humidity, just the wonderful smell of all the neighbors wood stoves chugging along, it's so nice. Makes me want to knit (everything makes me want to knit), I started going through my sweater patterns. I bought yarn for two new sweaters, I bought yarn for a few Christmas gifts. Fall just arrived and all ready I'm in over my head, so exciting…

Then I thought back to last years sweaters and got them out and stared wearing them in the mornings. I decided to honor my first sweater (from just a few years ago) by taking a picture of it and posting it on my blog. I gathered my equipment, my assistant and outside we went. As you can see from the pictures the sweater is very nice, its a beautiful worsted weight, Jo Sharp Tweed, light green (I can't remember the name of the color but they still produce it) it was beautiful day, and my assistant was absolutely exhausted when we were done.

Pink Bliss, so sweet…

2008-09-14T18:16:00.000-07:00

At about 7:00 this lazy rainy Sunday morning I suddenly woke up and jumped out of my dream where I was in my stash looking for yarn to make the Cuffed Tweed Mittens in the latest Interweave FELT Magazine (pg. 32). I quite often dream about knitting and have experienced these rushes of pure need to create a certain project. I once stayed on the sofa all day creating a pair of fingerless mittens from my own pattern that came to me in a dream. Anyway, the demands of life and the day took me away from the project, however the episode was a catalyst to posting a blog, so something good was achieved… and I will be doing those mittens soon.

The photo is of Debbie Bliss Donegal Tweed and I am so in love with the color it makes squeal.

I bought a few skeins (3 to be exact) on a shopping trip with some fellow knitter friends.

Buying more wasn't an option because it was very expensive and I didn't have a project in mind. Now that I'm on the opposite side of the state plenty of projects come to mind. My three skeins are going to become fingerless mitts and a hat for me, me, me. It's so sweet isn't it?

Other fun knitting things for me this past month have been a trip to the Knit & Crochet Show in Manchester, NH on July 25th (did I forget to mention this in my last blog?). It was great fun and I bought a few things. A couple of patterns, a new set of Lace Addi Turbo's, some beautiful navy blue worsted weight, hand dyed yarn from The Yarn and Fiber Company's booth. My friend and fellow knitter Susan's car was rear ended in Manchester on the way to the show, but and other than 3 mild cases of whiplash a fun day was had by all.

I recently purchased the Kate Gilbert's Bird in Hand pattern (checkout Ravelry) as a gift for a friend. It's beautiful. I am not a fair isle knitter but I might have to give it a try, so lovely. The variations on Ravelry are just incredible. I also recently purchased the new Autumn Pattern book from CEY (Classic Elite Yarn), everything in it is gorgeous. I've already purchased my Frog Tree for one of the patterns.

Last but not least this Wednesday I'm going to WEBS. Norah Gaughan the designer for Berroco is coming and bringing their new yarn and knitted samples of her sweater patterns, it should be a wonderful evening and I'll be sure to post about it (and not to wait a month before posting).

Well, for now it's way past my bedtime and I have the last 30 pages of the Friday Night Knitting Club to finish. Sweet dreams for all… zzzzzzzz…

2008-08-10T17:53:00.001-07:00

Just blocked my scarf, it came out very nice. I'm pleased with it. It's a solid 60" in length and approximately 6" wide. It'll make a nice gift. I can't help but think about doing it again in fuzzy alpaca for myself, but it will have to wait. My list of unfinished projects is REALLY long…

I started a baby blanket for my great nephew due in October. The baby blanket pattern from Stitch & Bitch, it's so fun, seed stitch, seed stitch, seed stitch, texture, texture, texture. Two weeks to finish, Yikes… I hope the little fiber fairies visit me instead of Rebekkah this week. I need help! I want to make socks for Owen and a hat before the baby shower on August 24th. I better get busy, goodnight to all.

The hazy days of summer

2008-08-05T07:27:00.000-07:00

The hazy days of summer.

I was reading my friend Rebekkah's blog , bowerbirdknits.blogspot.com, she inspired me to post a blog. Although I have little knitting to discuss, I will be finishing my scarf today and hopefully will get the chance to block and photograph it. It's quite lovely and will make a nice gift for someone (who will remain nameless or should I say blogless). Anyway, I agree with Rebekkah, I'm ready for fall. This summer has been too wet, to humid, and too long for me. September will be wonderful as always, still somewhat warm and sunny, but fall will be welcome at my house. In the meantime (August that is) I was thinking of some of the positives of summer. Even though this summers' weather hasn't been great nature goes on… we have two sets of baby robins within easy site of our windows. One directly above our dinning room windows. Mrs Robin built her nest on the little ledge that runs right above the windows and it's truly breath taking to watch them. One is all ready flying back and forth one another one is climbing out of the nest and teetering along the edge.

I can't keep my self away from the window and every time I look, they look back with a question in the their eyes…are you a really big worm?

They're here!

2008-07-27T14:49:00.000-07:00

Blueberries, blueberries, blueberries…

No knitting for me, only picking. Last year we sold over 300 pounds. This year seems less prosperous but still picking is a big job and it's taking all my free time. I need to quit my job and knit all the time (ahh… a dream come true). I've been working on a lace scarf from Fiber Trends. I't approximately 40 inches in length so far, in Lanet light green superwash merino. One of my favorite sock yarns, it's super soft, comes in great colors, and it's washable wool.

I would really like to be finishing up my right side vest. I'm knitting the CEY Four Season's "Man's" Vest with 2 friends (one of who owns my LYS, The Knitting Knook) and they are each farther along then I. I must admit I'm grateful for the rain that moved through today. Josie, Janey and I took a knitting break and hung out in the living room. Since Queen Josephine rarely spends time with Janey Dog it was really great for their relationship. Tomorrow… it's back to picking bluberries.

2008-07-08T13:24:00.001-07:00

2 years on the needle

2008-07-08T12:48:00.000-07:00

Finally after WELL over 2 years I finished my light blue Knitting Pure & Simple Neckdown V Neck Shaped Cardigan. It's knitted with Debbie Bliss Cashmerino which makes it incredibly soft and extremely warm. It also makes every increase, decrease, new yarn addition, and mistake show up brilliantly “bet you can't miss me, I'm, right here, ”

I'll wear it, I'll probably end up absolutely loving it,

the color is beautiful…

If anyone plans to make this sweater I would advise them not to do the increases in the sleeves. I ended up re-knitting one sleeve because I couldn't stand the width and weight of the sleeve. Some the problem is with the weight of the yarn, it fairly heavy, dense, but even so I don't think anyone really needs sleeves 15-18 inches around? Last but not least, I did not use the increases asked for in the the pattern (make ones), as my increase method because they tend to create holes in your garment. I just knitted into the front and back of the stitch to create my increases.

I am planning to block it sometime soon to try to iron out a some of the construction debris like the increases up the sides of the body. I'll report back on whether or not it helps.

Tails Against Knitting Enjoyment

2008-06-25T08:55:00.000-07:00

I was thinking the first thing I should do on my blog is to introduce what Stephanie Pearl-Mcphee calls (TAKE) my team against knitting enjoyment.

I call them the tails against knitting enjoyment. We don't have children, we do however have a house full of animals and neighborhood children. All wanting attention…

First it's our 2.5 cats. Queen Josephine, AKA Josie Jo, then there's Princess Franchesca, AKA Fussy Frankie, last but not least there's Pete, he's our half a cat, he doesn't live here? Our neighbors claim him as theirs, but he clearly confused, he frequently sleep over and arrives every morning for breakfast without skipping a beat. All three are extremely spoiled, very vocal about their needs, and have dirty little feet causing me to spend many hours vacuuming and mopping when I would much rather be knitting. Last but definitely not least is Janey Dog. Clearly we love animals but a lot more knitting would be going on if they could feed, walk, and clean up after themselves.

The tails that keep me from knitting

2008-06-22T13:55:00.000-07:00

I'm finally finding the time to try blogging.

My first thought was, what can I say? I never have time to knit. A house full of animals always wanting my attention. Seems that spending time with my husband, our pets, and occasionally friends, there's never enough time left to knit. Still, I love knitting so why not???