Blue Skies Shawl

Blue Skies Shawl - Ravelry project page here.

Approx 660 yards of yarn!

73" x 18" at deepest point of curve

I started this project so I'd have some brainless knitting to do on a long flight to Ireland and back last fall. A nice garter stitch shawl with just enough stripes to keep it interesting. But before I got back to the States, I ran out of yarn. An online friend sent me what I needed. Thank goodness for the internet!! When the lace edging was 80% complete, I ran out again (!). So I completely ripped out the lace. The same online friend had more yarn - so I finally got around to reknitting the lace, which only took about 4 days. So this project yielded a bit of frustration and took several months instead of a couple weeks.

It's very cozy - and large! At 73" from tip to tip, this shawl is perfect to wrap up and snuggle in! Great for sunny, but chilly, spring days.

First Knitting FO in 2012

Finished my first knitting project of 2012! Actually, these were started around Christmas, so not completely done this year, but who's counting? I bought this yarn knowing it'd be great in this zig zag pattern, but they're not the most comfortable socks. That's because the fabric is on the bias and gives no stretch. I still like them a lot - they put me in the mood for spring!

size US 1 circular needle

Pattern: Jaywalkers (Ravelry link)

Yarn: Opal Feelings, by Zwerger Garn (discontinued color 1702)

used 337 yd, or 72.5 g of yarn

Winter Woolies

It's mid-October, and oddly enough, we're in a steamy 80 degree day. Ugh! I've been baking fall comfort foods but it's hard to enjoy them when a cool fruit salad really fits the weather.

These orange sweet rolls (or bread if you just put it in one pan) are my most recent discovery. Wow, are they delicious!! I under baked this batch, but will definitely add them to my special-breakfast repertoir. I found the recipe over at the giverslog.com, which is a wonderful blog for many things in addition to food.

Cold weather is coming, and so the necessary knitting is in progress. First off my needles is this squishy ear flap hat.

My son was a trooper to model a wool hat on an 80 degree day. He'll be rewarded. :)

It's apparent what this son thought of putting a wool hat on his head. Stinker.

I think I'm going to add a fleece lining to it - the report from my boys is it's a bit itchy - and a fleece lining should help that plus add an extra layer of warmth. This will likely be a gift since we already have a ton of hats. It only took a couple of evenings to knit and used up a fair amount of yarn from my odds-n-ends jar.

Random Bits

I keep telling myself Autumn is approaching. It may not feel like it yet outside my back door, but eventually it will get cooler and fingers will need some warmth. I finished this pair of fingerless mitts for my friend's birthday last week.
It had been awhile since I did any cables, so a little Celtic knot was in order. All those criss-crosses can sometimes get confusing, but this one wasn't too bad. For an extra twist of excitement, I mirrored the cables from the left mitt to the right one. This was a "snack" project - fun and fast. I really like these and think I might have to make another pair or two!

The cuff around the fingers is great - just fold it down if your fingers need extra warmth!

And here's the Nina - completely unrelated to knitting, but what family doesn't enjoy a good old fashioned OJ carton-turned-boat project? Our kids are deep into the Spanish explorers, so a bevy of boats has provided a lot of entertainment lately. "Let's sail to the New World! (family room)" "OK, now let's bring our loot back to Spain! (kitchen)" "Aack! Hurricane! (5 yr old + fan)" A bit silly, but memorable for the kiddos.

Creative Burst

Oh my, the bug has bitten me! We're gearing up to start school again in a few weeks, so I'm trying to finish up a bunch of projects so I'm not distracted.

Noro Cash Island & Noro Kureyon scarf, improvised the pattern and love it. Half way finished!

Daughter said "I have no shirts to wear!" and so I went into action. Gingham, pintucks, and vintage buttons! The lace is reclaimed from one of great-grandma H's handkerchiefs. I kind of improvised this pattern too...it's not as short as it looks, the camera lens did some strange things here. The neckband needs to be finished and I'd like to adjust the sleeve bands a bit to allow more ease. This reminds me of 4th of July picnics for some reason.

The England Swings charm square bag is DONE! I used a solid yellow for the lining and added some purse rings to the straps. Also added a button and loop closure.

Here are two pockets on the inside using leftover charm squares.

Our deck is done! This was a big project (which we did not do ourselves). I had a lot of fun dreaming up an outdoor space suitable for entertaining larger crowds. Our builder did a great job of catching the vision and making it reality! Now to dress it up - flowers are starting to go in around the front...
...purple coneflowers and an orange tiger lily, and no summer is complete without red geraniums.

I finished the binding on my Christmas quilt today! This was supposed to be finished for Christmas 2010, but it got a bit delayed. :) This used a honey bun of Glace by Three Sisters, plus additional yardage for the red border (same for backing). The rest is Kona cotton in khaki. I cut my teeth on straight line quilting with my new walking foot on this one. I'm waiting to see what it looks like after a run through the wash....

Whew! That's a bit this week! It feels so good to finish projects, but then again I love to start projects! I just cut out the pieces to make a rain hat for myself with some laminated cotton. Can't wait to see how that sews up! When that's done, then my creativity will be turned fully onto the school plans. Perhaps I can sneak a little sewing in during breaks. :)

February Lady Sweater

I'm so excited to share this with you! I just finished this sweater, and I couldn't be happier with it. The yarn, Shepherd's Wool, is so extrememly soft without a hint of itchiness. It's spun in a mill near East Jordan, Michigan by little woodland fairies (ok, maybe not, but I can't come up with any other reason why 100% wool is so soft and wonderful). The pattern is the famous February Lady Sweater. Maybe not famous to you, but if you visit the Ravelry site, you'll see there are over 10,000 people who've made this pattern!


This is the perfect spring sweater. 3/4 length sleeves, open airy lace to ventilate, and just-warm-enough-wool to chase the chill. Did I mention I love this sweater?!

The buttons reminded me of the silver and turquois jewelry that is found in all the knick-knack shops in Northern Michigan. They were on clearance for $0.50 each - gotta love that! But I think I need to move the 2nd button - see that ripple on the button band? I can't decide if it's because the button is in the wrong spot or if they're a bit heavy for this fabric. I might add a grosgrain ribbon facing to stabilize the button bands. In a contrasting color, perhaps? It seems to lay flat while I'm wearing it now. My 8 yr old photographer isn't into photo styling details (yet).

Spring can drag it's feet all it wants. Look for me snuggled up in blue!

February Lady

The kids' flu bug has now bitten me. I'm slowly getting back up to full speed, but wow. I felt too sick to even KNIT (but just for a day. My fingers start twitching after that long). And knitting is about all that's been happening around here lately. I'm trying to finish this sweater with hopes of wearing it once or twice before the Southern spring weather finally sets in.

detail of the gull lace pattern - don't you love those yellow undertones in the yarn?

It's the February Lady Sweater (Ravelry link). I figured if 10,000 people have knit this, than it can't be a miss! It's knit in Shepherd's Wool. This is the softest 100% wool yarn I've ever felt! mmmmm! I picked up the yarn while visiting Michigan; the Stonehedge Fiber Mill that produces it happens to be up there, too. And the color? "Lakeshore." How could I resist? It actually reminded me more of the turquoise jewelry you find in the souvenir shops in northern Michigan. I bought some silver buttons for 50 cents each that fit right in with the detailed turquoise & silver rings I've collected from trips to Mackinaw Island.

I'm halfway through the body, knitting from the neck down. Sleeves will get added after the body is complete. It'd be nice to get my "Febrary Lady" done while it's still February!

Pair #8!

The 10 pairs of handknit socks in 2010 are a bit (ahem) overdue. But last night I finished up pair #8 - Leyburn Socks in a springy Koigu KPPM yarn.


On to finish pair #9, which is about 40% complete.

Creative blahs

It's the new year, a time when most people are energized by new resolve and determination to alter their lives in some way. I'm just not feeling it this year. Perhaps it was 2 months or more of creative sprinting that has me feeling worn out. It's like the post-Christmas blahs have set in. The ol' brain just isn't getting those creative lightning strikes that keep me up, scratching down ideas on my sketchbook in bed.

So I figured I might as well get some old projects finished. There's nothing as UN-creative as digging up an old project, something that has lost all love and therefore been cast aside and is now a wrinkled mess in the bottom of a work basket, and trying to figure out where you left off and how on earth you're to proceed (not to mention where the rest of your supplies might be!).

Here are my Leyburn Socks - one sock neatly finished, lonely like Adam in Eden. Pretty, yes, and not even that hard to knit. I did cast on the second sock this week, and all went just swimmingly until I messed up the heel flap and had to rip back. Ugh. Old projects AND mistakes. Oh well, it's a lesson in perserverance. At least I have the fond memory of getting a parking ticket while purchasing this yarn in Philadelphia. I hope to finish this pair in the next few days.

Other creative pursuits require my mind to get back in gear: a wedding, some historical org charts, and SCHOOL. Yes, it's time for the kids to hit the books again, which means this mom needs to get prepared. I start my last kid in Kindergarten tomorrow, which means four kids K-4th grade, and about 25 separate lesson plans each day to teach them. Now if that's not a creative challenge, I don't know what is!

2010 Sock challenge Update

2010 draws to a close, and with it my self-imposed sock knitting challenge. Remember my goal? It was to knit 20 socks, or 10 pairs, in 2010. Let's see how I did:

Hmm, didn't quite get the full 10 pairs in! Honestly, I burned out on knitting socks somewhere around September or October. By the end of November, I didn't even want to think about socks, so all WIPs were retired to the basket. I have one full sock of pair #8 finished, and a good 75% of a sock (knee sock with beads, no less!) of pair #9. Pair #10 never materialized.

I realized that I have a drawer stuffed full of handknit socks, enough for a good number of winters. It's probably a good thing I didn't knit all 10 pairs! Two of the pairs I made this year were given as gifts. I'll work on finishing the last 3 pairs this winter and maybe give some of those as gifts as well.

So....what did I learn through all this? I don't like knitting patterns with large row repeats in a motif (like the red pair). The asymmetrical concept (black socks) is unique, but not very practical for socks as the sock wants to twist around on your foot all the time. Sport weight yarn (red pair) is my favorite for socks - nice and squishy but still fits in your shoes. Finer yarns are beautiful, but I find that I'm mending those types of socks and not the thicker ones. I'll keep my fine yarns for shawls and spring scarves.

There are still 4 days of 2010 left...perhaps I'll finish pair #8.....or do a quick sock pattern for #10! Can I really do a pair of socks in 4 days??? My record so far is 9 days.... *dashing off to dig up needles and yarn*

Christmas Knitting

I did a few last-minute handknits for Christmas gift this year. I was excited to try out Kristin Nichols's book "Color". There are so many eye-popping designs in here! I raided my stash and came up with some yarn to make these mittens for my daughter, to match the hat I knit earlier this year.

Even stitched her name on one palm!


My son has invented an imaginary land called Boyland (genius name, eh?). It's ruled by the high emperor, Elishar, and his semi-tamed polar bear Turfa. Like most polar bears, this one is extremely mischevious and snobby about his food. He'll only eat Honeycrisp apples! It's been well over a year that my son (and the rest of the family, by implication) has created Turfa. I wanted to remember this stage in my boy's life before he outgrows it, so I knit up a Turfa hat for him. The fair isle knitting bug has bitten me hard!! It came out pretty big; it fits me just fine but drowns the boy. I guess he'll never outgrow it, right?



Hmm, maybe a bit of blocking would even out those stitches. I'm still perfecting my Fair Isle knitting!

Sweetness

Ever make a baby gift and wonder its fate will be? Loved and cherished? Or lost in the back of the closet? When I knit this sweater over a year ago I had no doubts about that. This pattern is a perfect match for this sweet little girl, who was kind enough to let the crazy lady with the camera take her picture. "Stand by the blue wall, honey. Stop wiggling, there's not much light. No, sister can't hold you. Yes, she will stay close by. Of course you can hold your baby. Don't move. Ok, I don't care if you don't smile, just wanna see the handknits, k?" Really, her face says it all, don't you think? She wasn't going to let big sister wander too far away, though!

I knew when I knit this that it would be awhile before the little 'un could wear it. I think she needs to stop growing now. Or I'm gonna have to get my knitting needles out again (well, I think I'll teach the big sisters to knit instead!). It is so satisfying to see my hours of knitting loved by another!!

Back in the swing of things

The blog has been quiet, but my hands haven't! All this pre-holiday crafting and preparation is keeping me very busy. I try to plan ahead and get as much done as possible so our family can enjoy the weeks before Christmas, but I've discovered that it makes for a busy November! Here's a visual collage of what's been in the works lately (of course I can't say what these are for...just in case they're meant for gifts!):





This wool coat for my daughter has been the big project lately. It finally has the lining inside, and just needs to be hemmed and a few buttons added. I'm really surprised at how well everything came together. Not a difficult pattern as long as you go slow and follow the directions. Our weather has turned warmer again (72 today!) so perhaps I can procrastinate a few more days on finishing it!

Camping and Knitting

The annual church campout was this past weekend. It involves lots of kickball games, dusty kids, tons of food, dirty children, a talent show, filthy boys, teaching sessions, and really grubby little people. Catching on yet? Fun and Dirt are the usual theme. :)

A break from routine was great - it offered lots of time with my family and lots of time to knit! Along with working on my Leyburn socks, I whipped up this easy hat for my daughter. The pattern is called Felicity (ravelry link). Sorry for the dreary at-night photo!

Sock love

OK, I admit I was burning out on the knitted socks. As in a total loss of love for the art form. They're just socks, right? Nobody ever sees them except me. Why bother? It's all the same cables or lace or ribs just repackaged. Blah. Variegated yarns were becoming my bane - just a mottled mishmash of colors with no meaning or direction. Apparently that's all I ever buy! Where are my solid yarns?!?

Maybe it was the recent 10 inches of rain sogging my brain, but the sun came out and I've fallen back in love with little sticks and strings. This great yarn that's been waiting patiently in my stash helped. (Koigu - *sigh* Thank you, Canada for Koigu!)



These pastel Easter-egg colors drew me in on a dark November day in Philly, PA. I'm normally NOT a pastel person. So when would I use this? But then I saw this pattern and how those floats danced around and played up all those colors, I knew I had a winner! No cables, no lace, no ribs. I even changed to a girly picot cuff to go with these foo-foo colors. And you know what? It's making me very happy.

(to the knitters out there who are wondering what on earth I did to my picot cuff - yes, I know it's not right. That big lumpyness is a result of just winging it and not following any directions. Socks as artform, yes - but they're still SOCKS. The second one will be better, that's part of the charm, right?)

For Baby

Another baby shower coming up, and this little will be getting another rendition of the handknit Autumn Leaves Cardi with the Tie Top Dress (pattern by Made by Rae).



A lovely vintage sheet was used to make this dress! I love those peach bouquets!

Sock Pair #7 for 2010

Here's my 7th pair of handknit socks for the year. Three more to go!

I kind of feel like I cheated with these since they're made with worsted weight yarn and #5 needles. But a pair of socks is a pair of socks, right? They'll be perfect as slipper socks around the house!

Pattern: Quickies from "Joy of Sox"
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted Multi in "Rockefeller", .75 skein
Needles: US 5 dpns
Start: Sept 14, 2010
Finish: Oct. 1, 2010
size: yeti sized

Six Socks

Sock pair #6 for 2010 is finished!

On our 10th anniversary trip to Cape May, NJ, I picked up this yarn because it reminded me of the colors of the sand and sea we enjoyed so much together. I wanted to find a pattern that would be a lasting reminder of the rippling waves and sand there. It took over a year to find something that was JUST right, but I love the outcome! It's a very stretchy sock, so I'll have to keep this in mind as a good gift sock pattern.

Pattern: Koi socks (ravelry link)

Yarn: Fortissima Socka Cotton Colors (used 72g out of the 100g skein)

Needles: US 2 circular

size: fits women's US 10

Baby Love

Two friends expecting babies - both girls and both within a week of each other! My last three kids were boys, so some girly crafting was long overdue! Now that the babies have arrived (welcome Eva and Faith!), I can share with you what I made for them. This has been very hard to keep secret - I absolutely LOVE these sweaters and dresses!

For Eva, a Southern gal, a short sleeve cotton sweater and sundress:

The sweater pattern is Autumn Leaves Baby Cardigan by Nikki Van De Car. The dress fabric is from the "Love" line by Amy Butler. Those bits peeking out of the neck are cute little knotted ties on the shoulders of the dress. Sweetness.

And for Faith, a Northern sweetheart, similar sundress but with something warmer on top:

Fabric is also from the "Love" line by Amy Butler. This sweater is called Baby Roots Cardigan (Ravelry link). Below you can see the dresses on their own - I gave up on trying to put piping on the gathered waist seam on the purple dress. That nearly killed me the first time 'round. (This dress pattern is a free pdf, but I've misplaced the link right now. I'll post it after I do some digging).

Hot Rods, Wheat Sheaves, and rolling in the hay

My fifth pair of socks for the 20/10 sock challenge is complete! Half way! For July, the solid sock knit-a-long group over at Ravelry challenged us to knit a solid colored sock inspired by our flag's colors. I found a sport weight yarn called "Hot Rod Red" - what could be more American than hopped up muscle cars? Then I saw this pattern by Gina House and knew I had a good match.

The textured diamonds and ribbing reminded me of the star field and stripes on the US flag. The stitch pattern is called "Wheat sheaves," another icon of midwestern America. Even the title of the pattern, "A Roll in the Hay" reminded me of some twangy country songs I've heard.