February is Flying By

Well, I haven’t done much knitting in the last two weeks.  I have been busy working.  But, I should now be back to normal and will have more time for what I want to do.

I did finish the Shaelyn Shawl, but I need to block it.  Once blocked, I will take pictures and post them.

Also, I completed the February dishcloth KAL.  The pattern is called Linen Stitch Cloth by Janet Nogle.  I used a size 7 needle with Sugar and Cream in hot purple.  It was a fun knit, but I wish I had used a striping cotton yarn.

I have been spending time on Ravelry and found a pattern for a turtle called Sheldon and and blanket to go with it.  So, I had to buy yarn to make it.  I got Knitpicks Shine.  The Turtle is called Sheldon and the blanket is the Sheldon Blanket.  I also bought some Knitpicks Dishie since I ordered yarn from them.  I’m going to try to cast on tonight or tomorrow.

From the top, It’s Dishie in Aster and Swan, on the bottom is Shine in green apple, peapod, french blue, and cream.

I also couldn’t resist getting more sock yarn in a striping color.  This is from Lollipop yarns and I found it on Etsy.  It comes from  Tennessee.  I love the colors.  The yarn color is called Giggles.

This week, I have a Fair Isle class at the Knitter’s Edge.  I’m looking forward to learning more about Fair Isle.

January is almost over

It’s so hard to believe that we are at the end of January.  The good news is that the weather hasn’t been too bad except for rain and a few days of colder weather.  I hope the weather stays decent for the next two weeks.

I finished the Nubby Noro Mittens and I am very happy with the results.  I didn’t use Noro.  Instead,  I used Madelinetosh Vintage in tart and I love this yarn.  I am using a size 5 needle.

Here is the front of the Mittens:

Here is the back of the Mittens with the thumb:

I loved the vintage so much that I bought two more colors for projects that I have in mind.  I got Betty Draper Blues for a shrug and Tern for a scarf.  I have other projects in mind, so I will be buying more of this yarn.  Thank goodness my LYS is getting more of this yarn.

Since, I finished several projects in the past two weeks, I cast on the Hitchhiker using Wollmeise in Am Kalten Polar.  I am using a size 3.0 mm needle, which is normally a size 2.5, but I didn’t have that size.  I did have an Addi Turbo Lace in that size and it’s a size 2.0 for that brand.  I am enjoying this knit.  It’s just an 8 row repeat, but it will get longer as I go along.

I also started another sock.  I am using a pattern from the December CookieA shipment.  It’s called Rambutan.  I am using a size 1.5 needle with the Bugga yarn I got from CookieA in the color way called Heuschrecke.  The pattern of the sock in only on the leg.  I love Bugga and this is probably one of the last skeins of yarn that the Sanguine Gryphon made (so sad that they split, but I have much Bugga and Skinny Bugga to keep me busy).  Can’t wait to see what we get in February.

My local yarn shop is having a class on Fair Isle Knitting in February and I signed up since I am making the Min Ulla scarf and want to learn the right way of using 2 handed stranding.  There is homework, so I had to buy two different colors of a worsted yarn.  I got Encore Worsted in a gray color and Encore Colorspun Worsted in a multi pink color.  I am looking forward to this class.

Well, this will be a busy week since I have to work 4 days.  I’m not use to that.  I am going to relax the rest of today and tomorrow.  So that includes knitting and reading.

First Snow for 2012

We have been lucky so far, but today we had snow.  It looks as if it was at least 6 inches.  I’m kind of glad that it was on the weekend.  At least I didn’t have to worry about driving in it.  There is something about when it snows outside.  It makes you want to snuggle up in the house and hibernate.  It was a good day for knitting.

I completed the Mid Month Dishcloth KAL for January.  The pattern is called Moss and Leaf Cloth by Andi Worthy.  I used a size 6 needle with Peaches and Crème in Verde Green.

I also finished the Christmas Socks I was working on.  I used a basic sock pattern with a size 1 needle and I used String Theory Colorworks yarn in Kinetic Energy with an afterthought heel.  So I’m all set for next Christmas.

I think the next sock I knit will be one from the December shipment of the Cookie A sock club.  The yarn is Bugga in the Heuschrecke colorway.  This is one of the last skeins of yarn from the Sanguine Gryphon since they have split up.  Tomorrow, I will wind the yarn.

I am close to finishing the Nubby Noro Mittens.  I am using Madelinetosh Vintage yarn in the tart color way with size 5 needles.  I finished one mitten except for the thumb and the second mitten is almost finished too.  I used the kitchener stitch for the top of the mitten and changed the instructions for the thumb on the left mitten to make it easier.  I can’t wait to use these mittens. 

I’m still working on the Shaelyn shawl.  I have finished the fourth repeat.  I believe that I will do an extra 2 repeats before doing the edging.

I did get some new yarn.  This was yarn I ordered before the end of last year.  It’s from Fibernymph Dye Works.  She does wonderful striping yarn.  I got Peanut Butter and Jelly, Popeye’s Revenge, and Fruit Loops in her Bounce base (80% superwash merino, 20% nylon).

I really love the Fruit Loop color!

New Yarn Makes me Happy and Warm

Well, I’m trying not to buy any new yarn, but the Loopy Ewe got in a new yarn from Skein and I had to bite.  It’s a Merino Cashmere Fingering yarn.  I got it in two colors Fig and Organic.  I plan to use the Organic to make the Thin Ice Shawl by Laura Linneman.  But, I need to finish my Shaelyn Shawl first.  Not sure about the Fig colorway…. could be a sock?

I’m really loving the Noro Nubby Mitten pattern using Madelinetosh in tart.  I’m getting close to the decreases on the first mitten.  I am using size 5 needles and decided to use circular needles instead of double points.  It’s just easier.  Problem was that I only had two 16 inch cable circular needles in a size 5.  I used them until I got to my LYS and bought another size 5 in a 24 inch cable (I already had one size 5 in that cable size).  I like the 24 inch cable much better.

Today was the first day it really felt like winter here.  The temperature really dropped and it was very windy.  We even had snow flurries.  Guess winter has finally arrived.

First Finished Project for 2012

Well, don’t get too excited.  I only finished a dishcloth.  The pattern is called Side by Side and it’s by Janet Nogle from my Monthly Dishcloth KAL group on Yahoo.  I used Sugar and Cream in cornflower blue with a size 7 needle.

I did finish one Christmas sock except for the heel.  I am doing an afterthought heel for this sock and will do that once I finish the second sock.  I am using String Theory Colorworks yarn in Kinetic Energy with a size 1 needle.

I am moving along with my Shaelyn Shawl.  I am on the third repeat.  I am using Madelinetosh Pashmina in the grasshopper colorway with a size 8 needle.  This is an easy knit and I am loving the pattern.

I cast on for the Nubby Noro Mittens, but I am using my left over skein of Madelinetosh Vintage in tart with size 5 needles.  As you can see I haven’t gotten too far with this project.

I did get some new yarn:  Madelinetosh Vintage for a Saroyan Shawl.  The color way is Cosmos.

I also got some yarn from Desert Vista Colorworks.  I got a gradient colorway in Grape Jelly to make the Savina Shawl and a fingering weight yarn in a striping yarn.  The color is called You’re a Mean One.  She really has some nice colorways in her shop.

Podcasts I love

Do you listen to podcasts?  I love them.  I love to listen or watch them (there are now video casts) while I’m knitting.  When I’m watching a video cast, I feel as if I am knitting along with them.

Here are some that I like:

PODCASTS:

Knitting Pipeline:  Paula has such a soothing voice, it relaxes me.  She talks about nature and of course knitting.  Occasionally,  she is joined by her friends (Bronwyn, Chaar, or Sarah) and that makes it fun too.

Betty in the Sky:  Betty is a flight attendant and talks about her experiences in flight and her travels.

Just One More Row:  Dana and Brittany, who live in Tennessee talk about knitting and spinning.

Knit Knit Café:  A Mother and Son (Abby and Ben).  Abby lives in New York and Ben is out west in Oregon (I think).  They talk about knitting and spinning.

Knitmore Girls:  A Mother (Gigi) and Daughter (Jasmin) who live in California.  They talk about knitting and spinning and sometimes sewing.  Jasmin is pregnant with her first child and is due in January.  They have gone on hiatus until the baby is born.

She Knits:  A wonderful podcast from Sharon who is the mother to 7 children and lives in Illinois.  Sharon designs felted bags and shawls.

Stash & Burn:  Two friends, Nicole and Jenny, who live in California and talk about knitting and some spinning.

2 Knit Lit Chicks:  Another Mother (Barb) and Daughter (Tracie) podcast.  They talk about knitting and what books they read.

Never Not Knitting: A podcast by Alana Dakos, one of the authors of Coastal Knits.  Alana has a wonderful podcast, but she is on hiatus since she just had a baby.

VIDEO CAST:

Knit 1 Heart too:  Two friends from the Boston area (Wendy and Sheila ) who talk about knitting and spinning.

Knitabulls:  Diane from Colorado who has a great video cast about knitting and some spinning.

Stockinette Zombies:  Two friends, Megan and Amy, who live in Minnesota.  A fun video cast about knitting.

Round the Twist:  One of the first video casts.  Carin did help out on the Lime and Violet podcast, when Lime was busy.  Carin talks about knitting and spinning.

The Knit Girllls:  Two southern girls (Laura and Leslie), who are great fun.  They talk about knitting and spinning and do quite a few reviews of books and magazines.

90% Knitting:  Lisa from the Pittsburgh, PA area who also is a dyer and owns Fibernymph Dyeworks.  She talks about knitting and spinning and what yarns she is putting up in her shop for the week.

All of these podcasters and videocasters have groups on Ravelry (except for Betty in the Sky), where you can learn more and participate in KALs.

Since the podcasts are audio, they are easier to take with you and listen in the car, while the video casts are nicer because you can see what yarns and projects they are talking about.  I listen to these through itunes, but I have linked to their websites, so you can listen to them online too.  I do listen to other podcasts, but the above are my favorites.  Enjoy!

Happy New Year

Well, it’s time to look back at my goals from 2011 and what goals I want to accomplish in 2012.

GOALS for 2011

1. Finish organizing closets and cabinets and purge items – I accomplished this goal.  I donated quite a few things and had a yard sale.  I am pretty cleaned out, but could go back through the house again to get rid some more things.

2. Update blog at least once a week – Accomplished, I had 59 blog posts.  I didn’t always blog once a week but made up for it in other weeks when I did more than one blog.

3. Knit 12 pairs of socks – Accomplished, I knit 14 pairs of socks.

4. Finish some UFO’s – Accomplished.  At the beginning of 2011, I had 24 UFO’s.  I frogged 8 projects and finished everything else, except 3 projects.  At the beginning of 2012, I have 8 UFO’s (including the 3 left over from 2011).

5. Join Weight Watchers – Well, I did kind of accomplish this goal.  I did join WW, lost some weight, and then quit and gained it back.

6. Read 65 books – Accomplished, I read 72 books.

7. Stash bust – I did some stash busting, but probably brought in more yarn than I used from my stash.

8. Recycle old electronics – Accomplished, I got rid of all old electronics when they had a recycling event in my county.

GOALS for 2012

1. Read 65 books

2. Definitely Stash Bust

3. Knit 12 pairs of socks

4. Lose Weight

5. Knit at least one toy

6. Finish knitting a two color project (this is already on the needles and I want to finish it)

7. Finish my Central Park Hoodie

That is all the goals I am going to set for 2012.

WHAT I KNIT IN 2011

I completed 71 projects in 2011, which was great.  I only finished 47 projects in 2010.

5 Hats

28 Dishcloths

1 Toddler Sweater

2 Puppets

14 Pairs of socks

1 Bib

5 Shawl

1 Stole

6 Scarves

1 Pair of Mittens

2 Cowls

1 Shrug

1 Baby Blanket

1 Blanket

1 Afghan

1 Kitchen Towel

 

UFO’s

Min Ulla Scarf

Copykat Shawl

Olivia Sweater

Cat Bordhi Sock

Central Park Hoodie

Soft Waves Afghan

Christmas Sock

Shaelyn Shawl

 

So, let’s see what 2012 brings.  Hopefully, I will do as well in 2012.

Have a Happy and Healthy New Year!

I Love to Read

Well, it’s my final list of books that I have read for 2011.  I love to read or listen to books.

Crown Jewel – Fern Michaels

Maine – J. Courney Sullivan

Distant Shores – Kristin Hannah

Viola – In Reel Life – Adriana Trigiani

Queen Takes King – Gigi Levangie Grazier

Boardwalk Empire – Nelson Johnson

There’s Something About Christmas – Debbie Macomber

Here Come Trouble – Debbie Macomber

Christmas Treasures – Debbie Macomber

The Next Always – Nora Roberts

Patterns in the Sand – Sally Goldbaum

Explosive Eighteen – Janet Evanovitch

The Christmas Pearl – Dorothea Benton Frank

A Turn in the Road – Debbie Macomber

That makes 72 books read for the year.  Well above my goal and the same amount I read last year.  On to 2012!

Finishing and Casting On

2011 is almost over and I am finishing up some projects and I started two new projects.  I also keep adding projects to my to do list.  That is bad.

I finished the December Mid Month KAL from my Dishcloth group.  The pattern is Shades of Christmas by Janet Nogle.  I used a size 7 needle with Peaches in Crème in Mistletoe and Red.  I believe we did this pattern earlier in the year under another name.  I liked it before, but really wasn’t too happy with the colors this time.  It’s too red.  But, it isn’t too bad.

I also finished the North Wind Hat  I used a size 8 needle with Madelinetosh Vintage in tart.  This pattern was really easy and I loved the yarn.  I am just a Madelinetosh fan.  I like this kind of hat because I can put all my hair into the hat and the band covers my ears.  It feels as if it will be really warm.  The only problem I had was that I ran out of yarn when I had 6 rows to go.  Lucky for me, my LYS had one skein left and it matched.  Since, I have most of the skein left, I plan on using the rest to kit up a pair of mittens.  I will probably casting on for the mittens shortly (Another project on the needles – just what I need).

I had planned to make some Christmas socks, but because of the Christmas knitting I had to finish, I didn’t cast on these sock until a few days before Christmas.  So, I won’t have them for this Christmas, but will have them for next Christmas. I am using String Theory Colorworks in Kinetic energy with a size one needle.  I love this yarn because of the striping.  I plan on doing an afterthought heel for these socks.

Lastly, I cast on for the Shaelyn shawl.  The Knitting Pipeline group had this pattern as a KAL.  It’s an easy pattern and I have been wanting to cast this on.  I am using a size 8 needle with Madelinetosh Pashmina in the color grasshopper.

I had a really nice week this week.  Getting ready for Christmas was so hectic and this week I really took the time to just relax and do what I wanted to do.  I really needed it too.  Next week, I start working.  It will only be until mid February and it will only be two days a week.  That isn’t too bad.  So, I am going to enjoy the rest of my time off to knit and read.

Ready for Christmas?

I’m about as ready as I can get.  I have a few things to do, but I have all the presents I need and only have to wrap one more box.  I finished my Christmas knitting today.  Carter’s sweater is finished.  I used the Button’s cardigan pattern with a size 5 needle and Dreambaby dk yarn in the color 0310.  It feels so good to have finished this.  The pattern was easy and it was great to knit this top down with no seaming.

My family will be here for Christmas Eve and I am looking forward to it.  Tomorrow, I am going to my LYS to knit for me!

Yikes! Christmas is a week away

I am into power knitting at this point.  I did complete the Snowman rolled brimmed at for my great nephew Carter.  Because the hat was small, I didn’t put in a mouth.  I used a size 11 needle with Holiday Lights and Dreamland Fancy yarn in a white color.  I think it got cute.  I hope it fits him.

I also completed a hat for my husband.  It’s called the Manly Man hat and I used a size 9 needle with Pur yarn in 1968ombre color way.  This knit up fast.

Now, I just have to finish up Carter’s sweater.  I did the sleeves and I’m finishing the body.  I have 41 more rows to knit.  I think I can make it until the end of the week.  I figure that I need to knit 10 rows every day and I will have no problem finishing it.

I did get my last shipment from the CookieA sock club for 2011.  The yarn is Bugga in the color Heuschrecke.  I really enjoyed this club and did sign up for 2012.  We also got a project bag with it.

Christmas is coming too fast

Why is that?  We run around like chickens with our heads cut off getting ready and it’s over in an instant.  It also doesn’t help when you start last minute projects to try and finish in time.

At least I finished the dog puppet for Carter that I was working on.  It came out really cute and I think he will love it.  It came in a kit with Cotonade yarn in nutmeg and small pieces of black and red yarn (for the tongue).  The pattern and yarn came in a kit. I used size 7 needles for this. 

I started a Snowman Rolled Brim Hat for Carter as well.  I finished the hat and did the eye (but have to attach them) and just need to knit the carrot nose.  The hat also has a mouth, but since this is a toddler hat, there isn’t any room to put on the mouth, so I’m eliminating it.  The yarn is Plymouth Dreamland Fancy in white and a half skein of Holiday Lights.  Plus you need some black and orange yarn for the eyes (mouth) and nose.  This was also in a kit. I used a size 11 needle for this hat.

I did finish the December Monthly Dishcloth KAL.  The pattern is Tree of Christmas by Janet Nogle.  I used Peaches and Crème in emerald green with a size 6 needle.  The pattern called for a size 7, but I used a size 6.

I also started the North Wind Hat using Madelinetosh Vintage in the tart color.  I love Madelinetosh.  I am using a size 8 needle.  This hat is for me and I’m not in a hurry to finish it by Christmas.

I do want to knit my husband a hat for Christmas, but he may have to wait until after Christmas to get it.  The yarn I want to use is Pur by Schoppel Wolle.  The color is 1968 ombre.  The pattern I will use is called the Manly Man hat.

I still have to finish a baby sweater for Carter.  I have one sleeve finished and will be starting on the second sleeve.  After that is complete, it shouldn’t take long to finish.

I also bought another skein of Lorna’s Laces solemate in the pine colorway.  Love this green and I love the yarn.  I finally wore the first pair that I knit from the Cookie A sock club and I love them.

I couldn’t resist more Lorna’s Laces.  I bought a skein of  Shepard Sock and Worsted in the color Christmas Holly.  This was a special color dyed for Serendipity Needle Works in Alabama.  I won’t get anything knit with this for Christmas.  But there is always next year.

Having a hard time getting in the Xmas mode

I think it’s because the weather is warmer than normal.  The high today was 62.  It’s November 29th!  It’s not suppose to be that warm!  At least I started Christmas shopping.  I bought one present and finished a knitted gift (see below).

I only bought two skeins of yarn since last time.  I got Crofter’s DK by Sirdar (a Fair Isle effect yarn) to make a cool pattern that could either be a cowl or a hat.  Now to just find the time to make it.

I did finish the Basic Sock using Gales Art yarn in Crayon box with a size 1 needle.  I really loved this yarn.  No pooling and I didn’t have to worry about trying to match both socks.

I also completed the November 2011 Mid Month KAL.  The pattern was the Starburst cloth by Dione Reed.  I used Peaches and Crème in Sunrise with a size 7 needle.  This cloth got quite big.  If I knit it again, I would knit it on a smaller needle, but the pattern was easy.

I completed a Christmas gift for my great nephew, Carter.  It is a Wooly Wormhead hat called Doodie.  I used Plymouth Dreambaby in a green color (0125) with a size 4 needle.  This was an easy knit.

Now, I need to get knitting on a sweater for Carter.  It’s started and I have about 1/3 rd of it completed.  I also have to knit him a dog puppet, but that shouldn’t take long to do.

Too Much Yarn and too many WIP’s

Yes, I keep buying yarn, but I keep finding projects that I want to make.

I was able to get two skeins of Numma Numma yarn in the last update even though I got there late.  I got Red clay Mocha in Doppio and Baba Ganoush in Toasty.  I couldn’t pass up the name Baba Ganoush, so I had to buy it.

Then I bought more Spud and Chloe Sweater from the Loopy Ewe to make animals by Susan B. Anderson.  I got a green (7502) and blue (7520).  I am going to start with the blue first and make a hippo.

From the Knitter’s Edge, I got Encore Chunky in green and gray to make a chula hat and Debbie Bliss Cashmerino in color 300014 (dark purple) to make a Slouchy hat called North Wind by Sweet Georgia Brown.

I did cast on two projects.  I am knitting a Wooly Wormhead hat called Doodie for my great nephew.  I am using Plymouth Dreambaby in color 0125 (green).  This should match the sweater I am making him.

Here is a picture of the Min Ulla Scarf that I started last week.  I am using Madelinetosh Pashmina in Moorland (green) and Antique Lace.  This is the first time I am knitting a project with two colors of yarn.  Wish me luck. I am using size 4 needles.

Now, I have 7 active projects on the needles and plan to cast on three more.  I was doing really good and got caught up on many old projects.  Here I go again, project barf.  I keep having to buy more needles to knit these projects! Hopefully, I will get get quite a few of them completed before the end of the year.  Wish me luck!

Christmas Songs on the Radio?

Can you believe it?  Yesterday, driving to my knitting group, I was listening to Christmas songs on the radio.  I was thinking, nooooooo, it’s too soon.  I haven’t wrapped my brain around Christmas yet.  But, it’s coming soon and I am not nearly ready.

I have worked on some knitting projects this past week.  I finished the November KAL for my dishcloth group.  The pattern is A Peacock for Tunie by Elaine Fitzpatrick.  Silly me thought it was a turkey.  I used Peaches and Crème in teal with a size 6 needle.

I also finished one sock using Gales Art in crayon box using a basic sock pattern with a size 1 needle.  I love how this sock knit up.

Then, I worked on a sweater for my great nephew, Carter.  I am using the Buttons Cardigan pattern #606 with Dreambaby yarn in color 0310 (a tweed color in green) with a size 5 needle.

I also started on a colorwork pattern.  It’s my first one!  Pictures and information coming next week, I hope.

Yarn, Yarn and More Yarn

I have been poking around Ravelry.  While I love Ravelry  but, poking around Ravelry isn’t a good thing because I have been finding more and more projects to knit and more yarn to buy for these projects.

I wanted to get a couple of more skeins of Hazel Knits Artisan Sock yarn, so I broke down and purchased 3 more skeins in the colors: Beachglass, Bronzeage, and Loosey Juicy. I will use these for socks or shawls.

Then I purchased some yarn from the Loopy Ewe.

From top to bottom, I got Alisha Goes Around Tracks of Bison in wine and Panoply of Peacocks in Estuary.  Then I got two skeins of Madelinetosh Pashmina in Grasshopper (the color did not photograph well, it’s more green than yellow).  I plan on using  the Pashmina for the Shaelyn shawl. On the sides, you will see Spud and Chole in gray and white to make some animals designed by Susan B. Anderson.  I signed up for the Wee One’s online class on the Craftsy web site.

Today, when I went to knitting at the Knitter’s Edge, I picked up more yarn.  I got Fantasy Naturale in Color 2550 (marine blue) and 5228 (green) to make some bibs by Laura Treadway.

And, I bought some DK weight baby yarn in Plymouth Dreambaby (color 0125 –green) and Sirdar Crofters (color 0152 – blue) to make a couple of the Doodie hats by Woolly Wormhead.

Now, I just have to get moving and start to knit.