New Beginnings

We are in the process of revamping our blog/website/etsy/storenvy store right now!!  We are so excited to be getting things up and running.  Let us know if there is anything you would like to see us have or sell, and any tutorial type things you guys would like!!!

So excited to start this journey!!

So many baby showers!

I managed to finish one of my baby blankets! That's two down, two to go.  Man, it seems like everyone is having babies these days!

This is the blanket for Rachel, one of my coworkers.  It was knit with Bernat Pipsqueak on US11/8.0mm needles.

I finally took a photo of the blanket for Kathleen, too. It was crocheted out of an unknown baby yarn from my stash.

I also finished spinning Professor Plum!

I ended up with about 120 yards, and I think it's probably a bulky weight. As soon as I have free needles/brain space, I'll be using it to cast on a shawlette/scarf for myself.

Still on the needles:

My beau's socks;

Lisa's dishcloths; and

Tara's shawl.

And new on the needles:

A Citron shawl

Mandy's baby blanket.

Lots to knit! And so little time to do it!

That didn't last long...

Well, I tried to post regularly... But life has thrown a pile of curveballs lately.  We have had a couple of snow days and half-days from weather, which was great the first time, and not as great this week.  The first one, two weeks ago, I got to spend the day at home knitting.  Awesome, right? This week, though, was less fun. I was rear-ended last weekend, and I banged up my right wrist, elbow, and shoulder, and so I did not spend these last half-days knitting.  Boo.  

But I have finished some things since the last entry, so here we go!

My Oceanic socks are done! These were knit on US 1.5 / 2.5mm needles with Premier Yarns Wool-Free Sock in the colorway Oceanic.  Yeah, creative naming on my part, I know.

Pink Vampire Socks!  Also knit on US 1.5 / 2.5mm needles, using XRayAnn's merino/nylon/sparkle blend in the colorway Hot Pink Sparkler.  They're superfun to wear, and less scratchy than I expected sparkle yarn to feel, so yay!

More socks! These are Crazy Socks, a toddler-sized tube sock with a spiral pattern, as requested by my sister.  They're also on US 1.5 / 2.5mm needles, using Koigu KPPPM. They're already in the mail, so hopefully I'll have a happy niece soon.

I totally fell for the Malabrigo Mecha yarn when I knit the Maize mitts by TinCanKnits.  I did the fingerless version, because I wasn't sure I'd have enough yarn for the full mitts - I had used part of the skein for a secret project. I want to go buy more of this yarn, and make more of these mitts.  In fact, my sister and her whole family may get pairs for Christmas next year. They were so simple, but so pretty.

I finished the first of the four baby blankets for work, but I don't have a full photo yet. The yarn is leftover from another blanket, but I have no idea what it is, other than acrylic.  One down, three to go.  Yeesh.

And then I finished a lot of hats.

This was my fifth (yes, that's right, FIFTH) Drizzle.  I love this pattern.  This one was knit from Bernat Alpaca in two colors on US 4 / 6mm needles in the medium, slouchy size.  A former coworker mentioned on Facebook that she had just started chemo and was out looking for hats, so I sent one off to her. Hopefully, it'll fit well.

This is Sir Fox's Hat, a preemie hat for my friends' tiny baby boy.  He's still in the NICU, but they're hoping that he'll be home with them next week.  I can't wait to finally meet the little guy!

Another preemie hat, because the first one was so adorable. I'm not sure if the colors are right for him, but I'll see what his parents think.  If it's not right for him, I'll donate it to one of the many groups collecting them.

I also crocheted a test pattern for Owl Luv Crochet, but it hasn't been released yet, so I can't share photos yet.  Let's just say it's cute!

Of course, I still have lots on the needles.  I started another pair of socks for Jim, using the Nordlys yarn that I got a couple weeks ago. I'm also working on the second baby blanket for work.  I'm still working on Paul's scarf for next year, and dishcloths for Lisa.  I'm also on the second 4-oz section of my Professor Plum fibre, and I'm hoping to be able to ply it this weekend.

In other crafty news, I started working on a Tinkerbell cross stitch pattern, and found the birth announcement cross stitch pattern for my youngest niece, which I really should finish sometime before her birthday...

But all those things in progress will have to wait a couple more days, until I'm feeling more like myself.  Man, not knitting is driving me up the wall!

Stashing!

I had two FOs this week - a matchy-matchy set of dragon hoodies!  The pattern is the Cute Creatures Hooded Sweater by Paula M (available for purchase on Ravelry). It's the same basic pattern as the owl hoodie I made for my niece, but with different appliqués.  They were a gift for a friend who is expecting her second baby any day now - she said that she's not normally a fan of matching outfits, but that dragons are definitely an exception!

I worked on my Oceanic socks, and I've finished the first and started the second.  I'm not even halfway to the heel, though... Hopefully, I'll get a lot of good knitting time this weekend so I can finish these and then start on a new pair, because I got new yarn!

I updated my stash on Ravelry tonight, because I have had a lot of enhancements in the past month, but didn't get around to adding them.  First, Christmas present yarn!

 Shiny pink yarn from Colby and David! They know me well ;) It's from XrayAnn's Etsy shop, and it's a superwash merino/nylon blend with sparkle.  It's going to be my next pair of socks, and I can't wait.

Next, souvenir yarn:

I found some gorgeous lace yarn while I was up visiting my family at Christmas, and now I'm on the hunt for the perfect shawl pattern.

I also got some prize yarn:

Green and sparkly, from Jen of the Commuter Knitter podcast.  I can't decide if it will grow up to be socks (it's a merino/nylon blend) or a shawl.  I'm leaning towards socks.., and matching handwarmers.

I also got club yarn, thanks to my sister who got into the Sunnydale Yarn Club from Dizzy Blonde Studios:

I'm excited to start this, but I'm not sure if it'll be socks or handwarmers or a hat or a shawl, or something else entirely.

And then there was yarn because I found new yarn shops:

 This pretty stuff came from FLEECE in Cumming, Ga, and will end up as a pair of socks for my beau.

 These came from the Cast-On Cottage and Needlepoint Garden in Roswell, Ga, and will be a gift for my sister... So you may not hear any more about them until she gets the finished object!

And finally, I got two skeins today, because it's Thursday:

I'm turning into such a Malabrigo fan! I've already started working with it for a secret project on Ravelry, and also a pair of handwarmers for myself.  I also got a skein of Koigu, but I somehow forgot to take a photo of it.  It's super-bright, and will eventually become socks.

Wow.  I think, maybe, it's time for a yarn diet...

Testing, testing!

This past week, I participated in a test crochet for Owl Luv Crochet on Ravelry. The pattern has been released as "Cute Creatures Hooded Sweater" by Paula M. I made an owl in the 12-18 month size, using Red Heart Super Saver. It might not be the softest yarn, or the schmanciest, but it works well for a kids' sweater that needs to be machine washable. I think it turned out adorable, and I'll be sending it off for my niece this weekend. 

Tonight, I finished sewing a project bag for myself. It's long and skinny, but I think it's going to work for several projects I've  got in mind. It took less than two hours, and I've already figured out a few things that I will change for the next one I make. I've already got the fabric and zippers - just need more time!

WIPs:

I'm working on a pair of socks for myself. I turned the heel of the first one last night while waiting for my cookies to bake, and I should have time to finish the first sock this weekend, and maybe start on the second. 

I'm also working on a secret project for BatGirl and Sir Fox (my friend's kids), but I won't say any more until the gifts are given. 

With all the upcoming baby showers at work, I've started on a yellow baby blanket. I've got plans for three more. Sigh. 

And I'm still working on Tara's shawl and Paul's scarf... They're on my list of 2014 goals!

So I've got lots to keep me busy! But I love it. I hate just sitting still.

Well. I dropped the blogging ball, didn't I?

Hello again!  It's been more than two months since I last blogged - oops.  Although I can't say I'm surprised.  Would you like to hear my excuses?  It's quite simple.  My family came to visit in October, and I wanted to spend time with them, rather than at the computer. In November, I participated in (and won!) NaNoWriMo for the tenth consecutive year, which meant that my evenings and weekends were spent writing instead of knitting.  I also had a conference to attend for work, which kept me away from both writing and knitting for the better part of a week.  And December? The first part was spent recovering from November! And then I spent nearly two weeks back home with my family.  

Most of the knitting and crafting that I did during these months was for gifts, so I couldn't have posted them anyways - I'm never sure who's going to be reading this, and I'd hate to ruin a surprise.

But it's a new year, and I'm back at it!  And because it's a new year, I'd like to take a moment to review 2013 in crafting.  Last year, I made a lot of stuff.  A lot.  The projects included:

- 10 pairs of socks 

- 3 Drizzle hats (pattern by mskiknits, available on Ravelry)

- 2 matching Christmas sweaters for my nieces

- 5 other hats

- 8 baby blankets

- 9 sets of handwarmers

- a sweater and a tank top for myself

- a Cornish Pixie

- a shawl for my mum

- 2 scarves

- 2 mug cozies

- 16 tiny baby bunnies

- 5 necklaces

- 2 pairs of baby booties

- a picnic blanket

- a cute ugly monster

Wow.  That's a lot.  I have 57 completed project pages on Ravelry for 2013.  I still have 9 WIPs hanging out there, too, and I'm hoping to get through several of those before the end of this year.  I've joined a few KALs this month to work on reducing the stash and WIP pile, so expect to see more FOs in the next few weeks.

And speaking of FOs, here's my first of the year:

These are my Christmas socks, using my own vanilla sock pattern and the Fish Lips Kiss Heel.  They're knit from Never Enough Thyme's SW Merino/Cashmere/Nylon in Starlite Mint.  It was my first time trying a different colored toe, heel, and cuff, and I'm quite pleased with the results!

I also finished this:

This is my second-ever handspun yarn.  It's a single, 1 oz, approx 30 yards, spun from La Tea Da Designs' Golden Browne Alpacas Yuki.  I LOVE suspended spindling! I've already started on another ounce, and I can't wait to get more fibre.

I think I'll hold off until next week for my 2014 goals, but I can tell you that I've got a lot... But given what I accomplished in 2013, I'm sure I can do it!

Until next week, make more stuff!

Catching up

I'm not sure how many followers we have at this point, but if you were wondering where we disappeared to, I'm sorry about that.  Karen was actually here with me for tow weeks, along with her husband and kids, AND our parents! It was a big ol' family vacation (except for the part where I still had to go to work). 

So while they were here, I didn't do much knitting, because we spent most of the evenings doing things.  We enjoyed a lot of dinners out, and did a LOT of shopping.  And when I did have time to make stuff, I did little things, and I decided not to worry about blogging.

But I'm back, and full of updates!  Here's what I've finished since last time:

My KSP1 KAL Handwarmers v2, knit with Inspiration Dyeworks Basic Sock in the Knitting Samurai Plus 1 colorway on US 1 needles.  I LOVE these! Going down a needle size made a huge difference, and they fit just the way I like them.

My Hamrick fingerless gloves, made from a mystery yarn from my stash, on US 2 needles.  I made this pattern up as I went, and finished them in a day.  I really like these, too, as a kind of fancy look, and I've decided that I'm going to write out the pattern and put it up on Ravelry.  The name comes from the event - I knit them up to wear to a friend's wedding.

Mum's Moonlight Shawl!!! I finished the knitting last night, got it soaked and blocked, and it's almost dry - it's going to be ready for Christmas! I'm so excited!  I knit this in Cascade Yarns Alpaca Lace Paints on US 1. I also added some teeny tiny seed beads, which don't show up in this photo very well, but add a really pretty sparkle in real life.

I also finished one of my Hermione's Everyday Socks, and I cast on the second.  I'm just past the toe, about two repeats into the pattern on the top of the foot.

I don't have any photos yet, but I also made a few crocheted necklaces for my mum.  I'll try to get photos of those soon, and I'll post them at some point.

So all of that is done!  But there is still so much to knit!  So here's what I've got on the needles:

- my beau's Christmas present

- KSP1 KAL Handwarmers v3 

- my Hermione's Everyday Socks

- my monster sweater

 

Why is it called my monster sweater? Because it looks like I'm knitting a muppet-type monster!

And there's still so much to knit before Christmas!