Fiery Featherweight

Whooo it is done!


This one felt like it went on and on forever, with all those stitches in such fine yarn. At times I was ready to tuck it in a corner and let it collect dust for a while, but NaKniSweMoDo spurred me on -- I was a month behind my self-set goal and this cardigan was the closest to completion. I'm glad I persevered because it is sooo very lovely, soft, airy and doesn't scream 'hey I made this'.


Pattern: Hannah Fettig's Featherweight
Yarn: Malabrigo Lace, just a smidge over 2 skeins
Mods? Not many - I knit the body and the sleeves a tad longer than the pattern calls for. And instead of the stocking stitch collar that has a tendancy to roll, I plumped for a matching K1P1 rib border... which at first looked like it was going to pull up the edges of the cardigan, but after a little blocking, lies perfectly flat.


So this is NaKniSweMoDo09 for August. Better get busy if I'm going to catch up and whip something out for September...
(Oh yes, and that's a sneak peak at my baby bump - 16 weeks along!)

Slipper Season

It's getting a little cooler here and there are flashes of autumnal colours in the neighbourhood trees. That's right, it's officially the start of slipper season!

Each year I produce a batch of felted clogs for dear family members to keep their toes toasty. They've become a much sought after item, and by now I'm thinking I should be able to crank them out in my sleep.


First up this year were my step son's slippers. He moved from sunny warm Florida to come live with us and his proto-man toes aren't used to Colorado's chillier climes. I won't share the pics - boring, boring grey man slippers.

And then there's my Mum's. Mum can easily go through 2 sets in one wintry season, and since I believe it's also chillier back home already I needed to get hers out in the mail pronto. Women's slippers are far cuter than the boring man version - I can give them 'flair'! :o))) I'm really fond of the colours in these and the ribbon fringe cuff.


I tried to get Buster to model them, but as you can see he's less than impressed about the whole modelling gig. Which, to be honest, just cracks me up even more. Just wait 'til I have my wee one to do some modelling for me as well... I can hear it now, 'Awww Mum, do I have to?'

So that's 2 pairs down, and I think 6 to go...

BOB

I'm about to join the masses of knit bloggers who are blessed with kiddos. I couldn't be happier :)

That's right, I have a Baby On Board - BOB to friends and family.
(The name originated with my 6 yr old nephew when I was asking for potential baby names - his first suggestion was Bob, followed by Thomas, and then Spiderman - which apparently would be very cool!) Bob kind of stuck around here and evolved to stand for Baby On Board. I think it's cute so it became a keeper.

Although BOB isn't set to make his/her debut appearance until March 7th, he/she is already the recipient of some super lovely gifties from Grandma and Grandpa. Super lovely and especially awesome because they are handmade:


BOB's first knitted item of clothing - a super duper jumpsuit that will be perfect for a cold, snowy Colorado March, April and May.




And BOB's first toy - what could be more perfect for the child of a crazy dog lady, than a toy puppy. And one that's personalized, no less. Love this A LOT!


Yep, BOB's going to be one lucky ducky surrounded and clothed in handmade goodies, and the recipient of much love, kisses and cuddles :)

Thank you Mum, I was really touched by the parcel (and it probably won't surprise you that I welled up when opening this ;)
Love you both xoxo

Precious Pinwheel

A dear knitty friend is due to have a bouncing baby boy very soon... I'd learnt about this some time ago and started working on a small baby blanket for her new bundle of joy.

Pattern: Pinwheel Baby Blanket from the Knitalong book
Yarn: Rowan All Season Cotton - a mix of blue/cream for the center and beige/cream for the seed stitch border
Modifications: I made the seed stitch border a bit wider than the pattern calls for, but that's it.

This is a great simple knit. Movie knitting, if you like :) It's knit in the round and only has a few ends to weave in. Perfect portable project. And I do like the All Seasons cotton it wears really well after being thrown in the machine and dryer... ease of care for a new Mom.

Halloween papercrafting

The other week I was hanging out and stamping with my friend Cheryl. She taught me to make some cute Halloween goodies:


There's the card of course, but also the 2 candy carriers. One is a little gift bag that's made from scratch, the other is a decorated recycled/cleaned Frappuccino bottle that's filled with M&Ms. Cute heh? I love these little giveaway/party favour ideas.

As it turns out, for my monthly stamp club swap, the ladies chose a 3d swap. So I put my new candy-carrier-making skills into action and replicated the little gift bag that Cheryl had taught me how to make with some fun black stripe/red skully paper. I filled them with some Hershey's kisses so the stamping ladies can use as Halloween giveaways if they choose.


These are adorable, but they did take me all night to make! Well worth the effort as a one-off, but I don't think I'll be mass producing for the kids in the neighbourhood come Oct 31st!

A new crafty addiction?

Before Camp Wanna Knit Knit I was wracking my brain for what to contribute to the goody bags. I took a trip to Fancy Tiger because they have some really unique gifty type things there. Browsing around I came upon some gorgeous Japanese sheep fabric. That was it, I was going to make zippered pouches for everyone. I picked up a bolt of fabric and lots of matching zippers and headed home with my loot.


When I arrived home I pulled out my Mother-in-law's sewing machine, threw the fabric in the washing machine and set to planning out my next steps. Joe came in and asked what I was doing - well, I'm going to be sewing of course! I'm going to make some zippered pouches for everyone at camp. Looking a little surprised he mentioned that he didn't realise that I knew how to sew. Ah yes, it's been a while. In fact I can only recall making one thing on a sewing machine at high school and that was an elasticated skirt. To which he then wandered off shaking his head mumbling that he saw a disaster afoot! Giving his comment some thought; realizing that there were only 4 days 'til camp; testing his Mom's machine and understanding that it was less than fully functional I decided he might be onto something. It was time for Plan B! (which you can see in the post below).

But still, after seeing all those lovely fabrics, and knowing I now owned enough bits and pieces to mass produce zippered pouches I was eager to learn.


Stacey gave me the nudge -- Fancy Tiger have a zipper skirt class. We signed up for it.

But first I figured I'd take their 101 class. It was awesome. The lovely lady leading the 101 class showed us how to use the machine, load bobbins and thread yarn, try a multitude of stitches, and we even walked away with our first project - a cute eye glass case:


I was now ready for the skirt class the following day. Brimming with my newfound knowledge and a couple of yards of super cute fabric I headed to the store with Stacey. Another great class - the teacher was super helpful, friendly and fun.




I could hardly believe that a newbee sewer could walk away with a completely wearable, well-fitting skirt after just a 3-hour class.


I see many more sewing projects in my future... perhaps those zippered pouches next. But first a trip to the service shop with my MIL's sewing machine...

Camp WannaKnitKnit... belated post

I've been meaning to write a quick note about this year's Camp WannaKnitKnit -- I had such a fun time with my knitty girls.

Each year a few friends head up to the mountains and spend the weekend knitting, hanging out, laughing, eating good food, watching movies, playing games... It is bliss.



Unfortunately we didn't get a group shot this year which is a shame as we had fab new Camp WannaKnitKnit clothing to model! In addition it's become a tradition to come away with a goodie bag, and this year everyone chipped in to create something. Thanks all for the super gifts everyone - I love everything :)


I wrangled my sis into helping create my piece for the goodie bag. She made some super cute Shaun the Sheep resin badges. You can check out the details on her blog. I found some little tin pails and modge podged them with cute paper, and created a little matching notepad and added in some jelly beans - knitters need snacks!


I spent my time there working on Featherweight. It's a pretty pattern, and I love the malabrigo lace. But man, after a whole weekend of non stop knitting on this I was ready to tuck away for another day. There's a lot of teeny stitches to work on.


So tempest has come out of hiding again. I'll need to get a move on if I'm going to finish it up for August's NaKniSweMoDo.

Scrappy Cotton Ripples

Hi, sorry... been on a blogcation I guess. Maybe it's the summer weather but there's not been much knitting going on. And not much blog posting, or browsing for that matter.

I have been dabbling in some crochet occasionally. Inspired by all the lovely crochet goodness I've seen out in blogland this last year or so. I had a bowl full of scrap cotton yarn and figured it would be fun to try my hand at a ripple pattern blanket. Mixing the different cotton yarns and colours, and adding a white in between to help tie it all together. I used one of the patterns in Erika Knight's Simple Crochet book to get me started.


Truth be told, I didn't have high hopes for this project - it was just relaxing to work on, and made me happy to know that random scrappy bits of yarn were being put to good use. But I'm quite pleased with the end result. Not quite gift quality though, which is a shame as a few friends are having babies this year. But I'm sure I'll find a use for it...


Hope you are having a good summer,
Sam

Liesl in Sundara's Aran Silky Merino

I'm in love with Sundara's aran silky merino yarn - it is so very soft to the touch, and the colours are striking. A little while ago I was able to pick up 3 skeins in the colourway Viridescent, and have been eager to cast on with it. After an exhausting business trip last week, a lazy weekend of knitting was on the books. I picked up this yummy yarn and the pretty Liesl pattern and cast on.



The pattern is really well written and extremely flexible - wide neck vs tighter neck, short sleeve vs long sleeve, frilly picot edge vs standard cast off, buttons vs ribbon vs other... lots and lots of options to customize and make it your own unique version.



I used a slightly smaller needle than the pattern called for, and went up a size to compensate. I cast on for the wider neck because I figured the thinner yarn and smaller needle would end up producing a smaller neck than the one in the pattern - it turned out just as I'd hoped.



This is July's sweater for NaKniSweModo.
Pattern: Liesl by Ysolda
Yarn: Sundara Aran Silky Merino, Viridecsent - 2 skeins (only a very little bit left over)
Size: 36in
Needle: US 10.5

I'm so very happy with the end result. Just need to find a suitable button for the top.

Rowan Joy

I'm still plodding along with the NaKniSweMoDo challenge, and this top - Rowan Joy - marks June's contribution. That means I've passed the half way mark - yay!



This felt a little like another 'cheat' project to help keep the monthly FOs coming -- it was in the WIP pile, it's chunky yarn on big needles which always goes super fast, and there are no sleeves to work on either. Yippee!



Pattern: Rowan Joy, size medium
Yarn: Rowan Cotton Tape x 6 skeins
Needles: US 10.5 and 11
Modifications: None



With the exception of wrapping my head around the slip stitch/chain stitch edging (took me a few goes to figure it out, and then had to be careful that the 'chain' was appearing on the RS) this is a super easy and fast knit. And unlike most of the chunky yarn sweaters I've knit to date, I actually think this one turned out pretty nice and doesn't make the wearer look larger than they actually are.



Ooh what to work on next? Pull Tempest out again, maybe?

Cashmere Lace Ribbon Scarf

It truly is deliciously soft - this is the lace ribbon scarf that I was knitting for a dear colleague, out of a silk/cashmere blend. It has been a delight to work with, and will be difficult to part with.



I'd planned on finishing up sooner, but luckily our farewell luncheon had been pushed out until later this month. So I still get the chance to gift it in person.



Seems I like taking pictures of this type of scarf in a tree - I did the same with my last one. At least with the last one it was in the privacy of my Mum and Dad's back garden. For this one I was laid at the base of the tree in my front garden, snapping pictures up to the sky. I can only imagine what the neighbours must think about the eccentric English lady next door ;o)))



Pattern: Lace Ribbon scarf - free from Knitty.com
Yarn: Jade Sapphire Silk Cashmere in colourway Caribbean Mist, one skein

Rowan Geno

I just completed Geno for my NaKniSweMoDo (Knit a Sweater a Month in 2009) May sweater.



This one's been in the hibernation pile for a good while now. I'd started back in August 2008 - it was going to be my Ravelympics sweater (cast on during the Olympic opening ceremony; cast off by closing ceremony). I'd made a pretty good effort and just needed to knit the buttonband and then finish. But picking up stitches, and finishing in general, tend to be my least favourite parts of knitting, so it had been tucked away in my yarn cubbies.

It wasn't until I realised that I don't yet have a sweater completed for May's NaKniSweMoDo that I decided this would be a quick solution. (Technically you don't have to complete a sweater every month but I know myself well enough that if I don't there'd be little chance of completing 12 sweaters in the year).



I am thankful to have the nudge of the NaKniSweMoDo challenge - sewing the sleeves on seemed to be more problematic than I'd anticipated. The pattern was written with a little gathering at the top of the shoulder. I was trying to avoid excessivly poofy shoulders and instead ended up with poofy armpits the first time round! Erm, yes, not a look the best of us can pull off. It took me several attempts to make the sleeves sit to my liking, and if I hadn't committed to finishing this for KAL it probably would have been returned to it's former home, never again to see the light of day.

But all's well that ends well - I'm really happy with the cardi. In fact I'm thinking it could be one of my handknit faves so far.



Details:

• Pattern: Geno by Marie Wallin from Rowan 43
• Yarn: Rowan 4-ply soft (instead of Rowan 4 ply cotton as is used in the original pattern)
• Size: 34
• Needles: US 2 and US 3
• Cast on: Aug 8, 2008
• Completed: May 30, 2009
• Mods: None (that I can recall)

Temporarily distracted

In the back of my mind Ive been thinking that I should be working on the scarf that I'll be gifting early next month. Or the sweater a month KAL project - I still haven't completed anything for May.

Instead I've been distracted making these barn raising squares:


On Friday night I picked up a bag of Pagewood Farms 'sock bites' (think a bag jammed full of mills ends) and couldn't wait to try out the yarn and different colourways.


Although a little fiddly to start, once you get going they are great 'on the go' projects.

I'm completely hooked!

Bright and Cheerful

That's the theme for May's card swap at stamping club. I decided to use the "Wild about you' stamping set - I just love the Elephantika. I don't think it comes more cheery than this little guy.


As I was in the stamping swing I also put together some thank you cards - I've been a little overdue in sending some out for my birthday bootie :)


It's gorgeous here today in Colorado (after a rainy night) and so I spent the afternoon doing some much needed work in the back garden. Hope you are having a great weekend too.

Now back to the scarf...

Still knitting...

It's true. Despite what you'd think from my recent blog postings :)
I'm currently trying to stay focussed on another lace ribbon scarf.


It's a gift for a dear friend at work who has been a mentor to me over the last couple of years. She will be leaving our company at the end of the month and I'm sorry to see her go. I wanted to show my appreciation... and well, isn't this what us knitters do?


The yarn is scrumptious! It is Jade Sapphire's Silk/Cashmere 2 ply and is soo very lovely to work with. The colour is pretty too with some slight changes in depth of shade. So it's proving to be an enjoyable knit... good thing too... I am trying to complete this by a week tomorrow. Wish me luck! (Yes, if you read my blog regularly you'll know that I don't learn from past experiences :o)

Birthday Crafty Goodies

Joe and I have been away celebrating my Birthday this last week - first to Disney in Florida, and then a few days relaxing by the beach. We had a lovely time and I thoroughly enjoyed what turned out to be a birth'week' (vs a birth'day'! :)


In usual fashion I was spoiled rotten with lots of fabulous gifties - a BIG thank you, and much love to friends and family. xoxo

Amongst the birthday goodies were a bunch of crafty gifties:

My Grandma got me these really pretty Cath Kidston sewing accessories -- pin cushion, sewing kit and needle holder. I'm really loving the Cath Kidston designs and was tickled pink with this set. The other thing that made this so special is that it complements the sewing basket that she had put together for me when I first left home for University (what seems like many, many moons ago). I still have, and cherish, that basket today. It's nice to add to it with these beautiful new accessories.


My sis, Jac, sent me this fabulous 'Big Birdie Skirt' sewing kit -- how cute is this! Can't wait to try my hand at it. (First a 101 sewing class at Fancy Tiger methinks). Oh, and if you have a wee one I'd definately recommend checking out their clothkits website as some of the designs for kiddos are too cute for words.


Jac also sent me this resin fishy key chain. I love it! She's been crafting some fun and funky resin jewellry recently and I got to receive some of the spoils. I always love a good hand made gift :) Thanks sis - this is cool!


Mum and Dad sent me some brilliant craft inspiration books - one for polymer clay beads and another for pottery. I enjoyed making the polymer clay stitch markers and now I have some pointers on how to achieve different effects. I'd also been thinking about going back to our local rec center to take some more pottery classes - they have great facilites and a wonderful teacher. I really like the projects in these books and am eager to try my hand with the clay crafts again. Thanks Mum and Dad xoxo.


Lots of wonderful birthday goodies tempting me to keep the crafty bug alive and kicking!

On top of all this, the lovely Dany had also sent me a package with some really pretty Italian yarn, and a pattern she has written for a skull cap. The pattern is really cute and will be perfect for those snowy Colorado winters! Thank you Dany I really appreciate your thoughtfulness :)


All in all another wonderful birthday!