Knitty Gritty Thoughts

A Fo a Day: Polar Morn Shrug

Oh my goodness at a FO a day I feel like I've run out of things to say!  Luckily this one doesn't need much explanation.  I suppose it's only fitting that I should end my Fo a Day week with another malabrigo FO, 3 out of 5 this week were all made with malabrigo! 

I was very inspired by craftoholic's version - I am such a HUGE fan of grey shrugs that I had another must-cast-on moment and went searching for the same yarn - malabrigo worsted in polar morn.  It was sold out everywhere but fellow knit bud Hilary came through for me - her yarn store carried it and she ran down and picked up the last two skeins!  Aren't knit buds the greatest?  Thanks so much Hilary! =)

This was a fun and easy knit - the brioche stitch is easily memorizable and the way it's designed you only have to change needle sizes to increase and decrease- easy peasy.  I did lengthen it overall by about 8 inches so it would hit just past my elbows to be more flattering.  You can add the length in any section but I chose the 10.5.

I have to be honest, it turned out a smidge small on me since I'm so tall I have wider shoulders.  I haven't decided what to do - if I'm going to give it away or let it marinate.

Details as always on ravelry.  That concludes my Fo a Day for 5 days series - I hope you enjoyed it!  I feel so much lighter now that I've organized my WIP queue and pending projects for the end of the month.  Now to get my next projects I want to start ready to go.  Happy Friday and Leap Day all!

A Fo a Day: Baby Surprise Set

Oh my goodness, I didn't know if I was going to make it blogging a Fo a Day for 5 days but I'm almost there!  Only 1 more day to go!

Today's Fo is actually two items, but since they go as a set I wanted to post them as one.  It's a super cute BSJ by EZ in the most scrumptious yarn Hello Yarn Fat Sock with matching Saartje's booties too.  I was able to squeeze both out of two skeins.  It is so, so cute, that's all I could say to myself over and over again as I took photo after photo.

So, so cute.

I had a annoyingly hard time finding the perfect buttons for this set.  I really wanted to find a set that had smaller ones for the booties and larger ones for the jacket but coordinated overall which is darn near impossible (who knew?)  I finally found some that worked and while I think they're cute I'm not IN-LOVE with them, so I'm keeping my eyes peeled for another set.

Details on ravelry as always, the jacket here and the booties here.  If you haven't knit either pattern yet, I highly recommend it, both are an enjoyable knit.

A Fo a Day: Thorpe Hat

Well today's FO of the day is a hat.  I know what you're thinking, what's so special 'bout that?? (Hey I rhymed! ;)  Haha!

Anyhow - I seem to be on a MmmmMalabrigo (thanks for the term, rohanknitter! ;)) binge lately and I have always wanted to knit a earflap hat, there's something so fun and rustic about it.  I just loved knitting this pattern (Thorpe, you can download it from her sidebar or on ravelry). 

It's easy to knit, well written and a quick knit at that.  I had a "must cast on" moment when I saw Pat's pretty version and I was sold.  I went stashdiving immediately but only had malabrigo worsted, not chunky. :(  No matter...I easily rejiggered the numbers and converted it for worsted and I was ready.  All the ravelry details here.

If you're doing something similar what I did was check my gauge (4.5sts/in) on US 8, increase until I had 88 stitches total, then knit as described.  When it came time to do the earflaps  I bound off 36 sts instead of 30, knit 17 instead of 12, placed 19 sts on a holder and bound off 22 with 19 stitches remaining.  Sorry it's cryptic but I want to make sure I don't give any of the pattern away.

Anyhow - here's a parting mirror shot - it's quite hard to take a pic of yourself, plus I just generally don't look good in hats AT ALL so there was slim pickin's, so there you go! =)  (Hilary says she has the same problem with her hat's but I just don't believe her - she always manges to look fabulous! ;))

Tomorrow - cute baby stuff and I manage to use a yarn OTHER than malabrigo (shocking I know! ;))

A Fo a Day - Handspun Cowl

A FO a day keeps the winter doldrums away right?  That's what I keep telling myself at any rate.  So I figured I would share with you a FO a day this week so I can get caught up on my projects and also it will work perfectly for me to transition to a new month as well as my new project planning I'm putting into place for myself (more on that later).

Anyhow  - this particular FO I don't believe I blogged about as a WIP either...I talked a bit about the yarn, which started as batts from Erica as a gift when I was in Germany and spun into the most scrumptious yarn!  I had to let it marinate for awhile to find the perfect project for it, but it finally came to me - a cowl!  Last minute knitted gifts has a cute one in it if you need a pattern but I just winged it.  This particular yarn is a dk weight and based on my goal neck circumference and gauge I cast on about 110 stitches on US 4 needles and knit around and around until I ran out of yarn.  Easy peasy, right?

I didn't plan any of the color changes when I was spinning,
but somehow it just turned out that way.  Pretty and what a great use of handspun - <4oz!

It's the perfect little neckwarmer to chase the dreary winter days away. =) Ravelry details here... Tomorrow - a hat!

Lacey Scarf

First order of business - the winner of the I (heart) felt book according to the random number generator is commenter #1 -

NIKI!

Congrats Niki!  I'll be emailing you shortly for your address.

I feel like I've been remiss in blogging my WIP's lately and then before I know it they're FO's.  Where does the time go??  Anyhow - this particular FO fits into that category.  Remember the tiny Malabrigo??  Well that little skein knitted up into a most scrumptious, long scarf!

With a beautiful edging....

Project Details on ravelry and inspired by the one I saw on ravelry here.  I even extended my edging the way she did to 31 stitches.  This pattern is SO easy and mindless and the instructions are perfect, a highly recommendable knit!

Speaking of scarves... remember Trinket by Kim Hargreaves??  It's a lovely, lovely scarf but I'm afraid I'm just not using it  - I've never even worn it once except for a FO picture.  I was wondering if anyone was interested in trading me some  yummy sock or lace yarn for the scarf??  It's just gorgeous and deserves to make someone very happy rather than sitting in my FO chest! =)

In other news I also did some major dyeing this weekend and tried dyeing yarn just for fun as well as some yummy roving for the shop.

These are some of my favorites for the weekend....

The top left is my fav-orite!

Laceweight for Angelika for our mermaid mitt swap ( I still need to reskein)

Fun sock yarn as well....

YummY! =)  Have a great Monday!

Book Review: I heart felt + Giveaway!

I recently had the opportunity to review a new book, I [Heart] Felt: 33 Eye-Popping Projects for the Inspired Knitter, by Kathleen Taylor a wonderful and talented writer of Knit One, Felt Too, fame and published by Taunton Press.

Now before you're tempted to scroll right past all the good stuff or close your browser if you're not interested in a book review, hold on a sec! =)  Make sure to scroll to the bottom for details on how to win a copy of the book!

The book itself is beautifully designed and as the title alludes, eye-catching.  All the project are fun and beautiful.  She starts off by explaining the basics of felt (great for beginners and advanced felters alike) and then moves into some new tricks and tips I had never heard of.  The one thing I really liked about the book is she used easily accessible, reasonably priced yarns.  Most everything was from knitpicks or cascade 220 which is a great thing.  Who doesn't have knitpicks or 220 sitting around your stash somewhere??

Here are a few of my favorite things...

I love this bag...so gorgeous and chic and
perfect for evenings out or farmers market days.

Adorable pumpkins and squash. 
Who doesn't want to make gobs of these
for your Thanksgiving table?? =)

So cute - my nieces would love these

And of course, couldn't forget the fingerless mitts -
you know I love me some fingerless mitts! ;)

Aren't all the projects cute??!  If you want a chance to win my review copy of the book leave a comment here between now and Saturday morning at 10am EST.  I'll pick a commenter randomly and mail you the book so you can have some felting fun of your very own.  I'll mail to US, APO and Canada only please, since it's a book it's too pricey for me to mail overseas.  Thanks so much and goodluck! =)  AND if you'd like 2 (!) chances to win a copy, head over here.  Kathleen is giving away a copy as well.  Oops I take that back, she just announced the winner, sorry!

Happy Thursday!

Cheapy Decorating

I've been traveling again, as you can probably tell.  When I disappear off the face of the blog planet for a few weeks, best guess is I'm probably traveling for work.  I enjoy traveling actually, driving up there is some great "me-time."  Plenty of good tunes, a hands free for my cellphone if I feel like chatting (as Angelika knows since I always call her! =))... I do my best thinking in the car.

The one thing I don't enjoy is all the prep-time.  I managed to only bring 1 kitchen sink this time unlike the usual two.  I even resisted packing up my wheel and sewing machine (but probably only because the hotel I was staying at would have been suspicious watching me drag it through the courtyard) =)  Getting ready to go takes me a good week or two and unwinding after that takes another good week or two, that doesn't even count the traveling time in between.  Whew!  Color me exhausted!

Anyhow - so I guess the timing was good - what else can I even remotely blog about that could possibly surpass the awesomeness of the ripple blanket?  I think I've been outshined! ;)   I did sneak a pic of my finished living room in there - and a few eagle eyes noticed, thank you for all your compliments on it! ;) 

I probably shouldn't say this, don't want to burst anyones decorating bubble of me, but I am a C-H-E-A-P decorator.  Everything in that room is from Target, bought on clearance, or with a 40% off coupon from Jo-ann's or AC Moore (the accessories) or preferably all of the above- aside from the few big items.  I absolutely detest spending lots of monies on decorating so I grab a few things here and there as I see them in the clearance aisles so it takes me a lot of time to find things, and a room is never really finished.

The next room I just "finished" which I wanted to share with you is our front-room which is an odd sort of space.  It's like a big dining room area right when you enter the house, but it's cut off from the rest of it so I spend very little time there.  Even when people come over they never really paused in that room, they alway continued right in to the bulk of the living space.  Anyhow, so I love books and reading nooks so I decided to make it into a reading room/library area.  What do you think???....

Now that I've shown you a picture I'll let you in on my cheapy decorating tips.  The bookshelves are from ikea (billy of course) with a few tweaks to make it look more built-in and custom and upgraded with doors and new fixtures.  The leather ottoman is from costco, but it looks like the one from pottery barn (see I told you I'm cheap!) =)  Candles and accessories are from Joann's and AC Moore (40% off coupons always).  The chairs are from Cost Plus with an end of season clearance sale (<50 bucks each, retails for @200 regular).  The rug is something which needs to go shortly, I bought it from walmart for Elle for her surgery so she didn't slip for 20 bucks but I have my eye on a replacement.  And that ugly planter has got to go too! =)

The accessories are hand-knit (Entrelac Shawl) by me and the pillows were another end of season sale at Costplus (5 bucks).  So - all in all a great deal for that room.  So what do you think?  Too much decorating information?? ;)

And if you're only here for the knitting and spinning, here's a few of my latest items. ;)

More hand-spun sock yarn that I just love....

From top left: Lisa Souza Hand-dyed BFL in Emerald City, Spun 2-ply into a sock yarn, approx 450yds/4oz; My Hand-carded Lichen Battlets in Scrumptious Merino/Alpaca, TussahSilk and Camel spun into a sock yarn, 432yds/4oz; Funky Carolina Fiber Club Offering, "Chill" in a superwash Merino/Tencel.  Sock yarn, 360 yds in 4oz and gorgeous colors!

I also finished my Kaffee socks!  You might remember them from a while back, I had the brilliant (said sarcastically) idea to do an afterthought heel?  Well short-row heels just make me nervous, I had never really figured out the process like my regular old-stand-by top-down?  Well - I DID IT! =)  I figured it out!  I'm so excited, now I just want to short-row everything!

Wendy's generic toe-up pattern really helped me, I was able to convert her short-row heel (which can be done toe-up or top-down) into my 72 stitch sock on 2.25mm and I was good to go.  I just love the fit of these socks, these are my new favorites! =)  The stripes lined up and they're perfect for spinning!

Happy Tuesday after a long weekend!  Hope everyone had a great one! =)

Ripple... Complete

I wanted to change the tone and talk about something happy today - my finished ripple!  This FO brings me so much joy, it was a long time in the making.

It took me a long time to find the perfect yarn, order the perfect colors, and even LEARN to crochet.  This is my first real crochet FO and it's so special to me on so many levels.  I'm really happy that I was able to take on something like this, teach myself crochet, and be able to complete the blanket in less than a year.  That is nothing short of miraculous to me.

It took a really long time to do - and I dropped it back in it's basket many a time, starting to get bored with the pattern. I  had originally started making what I thought was a lap blanket size, but due to my no-crochet knowledge, ended up with something to cover my queen size bed!  Yes, this is a queen size spread, in DK yarn(!) and if I even think about doing it again, please stop me =)  grab the yarn and hook out of my hand will you? =)

This was an exercise in persistence, I ran out of yarn many a time and had to order more.  If I had realized how much yarn I was going to use on this giant monster I probably would have stopped, but I'm glad I didn't. I wanted to chose a yarn that was superwash, had a big color palette, and would be durable (wool).  I dreamed about making something that would be a heirloom for the ages, something that would be loved, enjoyed and best of all -USED- for decades to come.

What did I learn?  Check your gauge even if it's crochet to make sure you're not making the biggest ripple blanket known to man!  Find a yarn you love and stick with it.  Find a good crochet hook (I love my clover soft hook) and make sure it's comfortable, you're going to be using that sucker for a long time.

Here it is in it's natural habitat - on the back of the couch, where I hope it stays for a long time to come. (Clicky all pics for big)

So what's next for crochet?  Now that I've tackled this, my next goal is to make this blanket, out of all my own handspun (scroll down), maybe in the next decade or so!  Now that's a project! =)

Project details
Yarn: Rowan Pure Wool DK
Hook: Clover 4mm
Number of balls for yarn: Approx 30
Initial Chain: ~220
More questions?  You can read all about my ripple musings here

Thanks everyone! =)
 

Unexpected News

I was going to blog about the ripple today until I just received some unexpected news.  A coworker and good friend of mine passed away suddenly, they were only 29.

It's funny how you can just go on be-boppin' through life, expecting that those in your life are always going to be there.  We have these silly/cute little awards that we send to people virtually letting them know that "they make our day."  I caught myself thinking how often do we do that to people in real life?  Do we send them little cards or emails letting them know that we're thinking of them?  That who they are and what they do are special and matters?

I know I personally all too often take people for granted, that those in my life will always be there.  That's not always the case, things can change, life happens and people are taken away from us in an instant.

I just wanted to have a moment of silence, to reflect on those who make a difference in our life, but we just don't tell them often enough.

Amen.