Been busy!

Hey gang.
I have been busy, but sadly absent from this blog community.
Sorry about that... I just always sit at the computer and get sucked into other kinds of stuff (like pintrest........ don't judge me)

Let's see what I have to report.
I spent an afternoon a few weeks ago getting a pile of baby burp cloths ready for sewing. Turns out that we have to prep for a new family member from both sides, as well as several family friends....

so I got prepared. They are cut, paired and ready to sew up. Now all I have to do is get my kitchen table cleared off! 

I picked up a new, larger cutting mat with one of the famous 40% off coupons from a well known big box and it worked out really well. as you can see from the variety of fabrics, I have anticipated both genders. In some cases families find out the sex and in others.... we wait.

In addition I was dealing with the last of the summer berries.

I picked enough blackberries just down the street from our home, to fill two large freezer bags. It really is nice to live so near farmland. 

There were other things going on during weekends of course...... the Yarn Harvest was two weeks ago and I really should show you what I picked up as my gals and I toured the local yarn shops...... yes, must get that stuff photographed!

Husband and I are trying to get a creative studio set up in our second bedroom, and we have been pulling out the carpet to allow us to be a bit dirty back there. I have been consolidating my fabric, yarn ans craft projects as much as I can so they are reasonably easy to move around and store if we need to put them in the attic or under the stairs while we move things. It will be great, I can get my pottery wheel up and we can organize the leather working area too. 

Did I mention pintrest? Yes...... I may not be on social media. But pintrest grabbed me. Dang it...... so much to see. Drop me a line if you want to link up..... I'd love to see your boards. Okay, I have stuff going on behind me so I will end here and drop in for another post later. :) Happy crafting!

Keeping busy

This week had flown by. I think that somtimes it's not a good thing even if work goes quick. I have stuff to get done and if my week is over so fast, how will I get to it all. I have a goal list for 2011 that I have yet to share here, and I keep forgetting honestly. Sounds silly, but the reason I wanted to make another list this year is because I felt that last year it kept my head in the goal game.

That being said I would like to share it.

But first, what I have been dabbling with this weekend.

The green/ orange/red tube is a new hat for my niece. I tried to make her one already, but it was only big enough to fit my nephew who is one month old. Ooops... take two. Good news is my sister liked the yarn, and it's a washable wool so it will keep the little head warm. I do so  love knitting for my family!
Secondly, I was trying my had at CROCHET! I love the look of granny square blankets, and it's on the list this year, so I figured I better familiarize myself. I am not understanding the instructions in the book so far, but I am going to try the Attic 24 blog tutorial and  see how that goes. She makes lovely blankets.

Okay so on with my knitterly goal list for 2011. Even though it's late Feburary, I assure you I have had this list since at least mid-Janurary. LOL

1. A Yoke Sweater (to be determined)
2. A Bog Sweater in Purple Cascade 220
3. Fair Isle Inspired vest or sweater
4. Urban Aran sweater modified to a Cardigan
5. New sweaters for the kids in my life (6)
6. Crochet Granny Square Blanket
7. Rogue Kit knit up
8. Green Superwash top-down sweater
9. Brown sweater or vest for husband
10. Nephew's Christmas Stocking
11. Wedding shawl for a special bride
12. All 2010 WIP's complete or resolved.

Ta da! There it is. I am feeling pretty good about it so far. I have my own set of rules to go with it. One of which is a re-evaluation in July, to allow myself revisions. I am keeping track of yarn used for the 100 ball challenge and I am not restricting myself to JUST THIS LIST (as you may have noticed with my other project post this month) Too much restriction = no fun. That isn't the point. I really just have a few things I want to get done, so I think that this is helpful. Three of the WIP's from last year are sweaters that were on the list. Just need some finishing.... or a front, or some sleeves...... and I'm done! Progress to come of course. Can't wait to show you wha't up next. Oh! On that note......

Here is the yarn and needles ready to begin the Christmas Stocking for my nephew. No time like the present. I anticipate begining the bridal shawl in the next month. Happy crafting!

Completed

Well, the stocking went well. I have been given rave reviews and lavish praise, which is great for my ego, but honestly I am just glad that my sister liked it. My niece won't care for a few years yet.

I guess I just want what all aunties and knitters who create things for children want. To create something that a child feels is special. Maybe they drag the blanket you knit around forever, or maybe the toy you make is the one that makes car rides go smoothly. To knit comfort into an object. In a way I have jumped that hurdle with this project and again in the new year when I knit the matching one for my nephew. It's a Christmas stocking, you only get one, and you know what it means when every year it gets pulled out of the decoration box. On that thought, I guess I should give her something to keep critters away. I would hate to see it ruined by little moth mouths.

A note on the pattern. The toe notes I found on ravelry I mentioned last post, but I didn't see any notes on the finishing method. This pattern calls for a turnover row and hem edge. Not a problem, except it wants you to continue in the box colours so there is a bit of a scalloped effect if you are not careful (I thought I was, but apparently not enough) and it asks that you fold it inside and tack down the live stitches. Not really possible using DPN's. So I turned the stocking out and tacked down the stitches that way. I felt that this was a good solution to the finishing, but that tacking down live stitches left a bit of waver in the end result...... so I may try to cast off then tack next time, that way I can pin it into position and hopefully eliminate any bunching.

 I don't think the scalloping of the edge is really any worry, at least not for me, I like it. If I hadn't told you it was an oops, the only way to know would be to find other projects. Any how, to finish it off before I gave it away, I rolled up a towel, stuffed it inside and gave it a good steaming with my iron. Worked like a charm. Hope your Christmas projects turned out well. I will have more next post. Happy New Year!

Some pics and Happy Thanksgiving!

It is a lovely fall Thanksgiving day! the sun has been shining all weekend, so I have taken some pictures of recent stuff for you!As you can see I have made some stash enhancement. The two dark skeins at the bottom were purchased at the Thanksgiving sale at 88 Stitches.. another LYS. Berroco ultra Alpalca Fine and Malabrigo Lace in Purple Mystery.

The top three were dyed, and in the case of the pink/red overdyed the other night with some friends... who knew a dyepot party could be so fun! mow all I want to do is buy more white to dye it! LOL. The pink is Orangi Filati Merion Oro. The pink wasn't me, I bought it to match the Hanami stole pattern, but that is a mistake huh... never buy the yarn colour the pattern is in unless it is flattering! LOL

The other two are a Patons Classic Merino and another Berroco Ultra ALpalce Fine. They turned out very bright... but I love them. The flashes of white, and the pop of purple. Fantastic!!

This has been my easy "on the road "project but it is at the end so I am moving on soon. The was an experiment in log cabin. I made it off centre, but I am unsure if it was succesful or not. Glad I tried it though.

I also have a Multnoma shawl on the go in a green skein of West Coast Colours dyed by the owner of Knitopia the other lys. I was planning on making socks or a baby jacket, but the colours are a bit more suited to this project. This shawl has been a bit of a hit on Ravelry and I think that I would make more, maybe with some modification. I do really like it though. The begining is all garter stitch with increases that are very easy to follow. I think that I have been knitting this in the car and at work primarily in the last week, because it is really so easy. The Manic Purl Podcast has been talking about it too. The host has made two, in a larger size. Check hers out.

So a pal of mine has mentioned that a group she is in in Ravelry are having a finishing month. No new projects, just completion. I like the idea, but I won't comit to it, I really am trying to finish off all the outstanding projects on my needles, but what fun is it if you can't cast on something new when you feel like it! LOL

I suppose, because I have been frogging and einishing fairly wel; recently, I am really not too worried about this. I will be completing finishing on a few projects this week for sure, and that is always a nice thing. to use the items, or pass them on tho the rightful recipient.

Hope fall is treating you well and you are cozy with a pot of tea and some great knitting... maybe a book too. Have a great week and a holiday for those of us up in Canada. Take time to be thankful! I know I am!

What a great idea!

Hey there gang... I am so happy that it is cooler here in the Lower mainland! Summer is great but heat is not my thing! Don't get me wrong, I love the sunny days, I just enjoy the cooler days too!

So I am happy to also report that I am making good progress on the baby kimono, I don't know if this pattern is the best way to do this, but hey.... gotta try things out. I am using way more yarn than the pattern sggested, and as you may know that is a bit of a concern. I don't feel like the size of the kimono is extrordinary so I don't think that I am making the "amazing humongous baby jacket" I promise to update on if that happens or not.

I was also making great headway on a purple blanket that I was knitting, and then I ran out of a yarn.... but a friend of mine is going to be saving my ass from having to buy more yarn! This is going to be a gift blanket, and it knits up so quick... as I am using huge needles and double stranding the yarns. A great baby or child blanket. Honestly it is a great blanket, and I have made several for gifts, they have several great things going for them..... washable, cushy, and warm. Double stranding means that I use up more of my stash in less time!

My plan for stash busting, is going okay. The last couple of months I have felt that I have not made as much progress as i wanted to. Som months were really slow! I have a few projects that I am knitting in pieces so I don't finish a ball as I finish a piece..... so I am making progress on my projects but not knocking down my stash. Oh well I am keeping up with my goal for knitting my stash down.

Now that 2009 is half through (yikes!) I am going to count all yarn used. purchased recently or not. I will start that next month. I don't think that it will have much bearing on my tally, as I am still planning on knitting from Stash primarily.

Okay.....so the link in the title and the image at the top.

I have been listening to some new podcasts, and the KIPing It Real podcast is a new one for me.

(more on new podcasts in another post)

Anyway the host mentioned an intresting project that she had hear of. The 3-50 Project is basically an idea for supporting the local Brick-and-mortar stores in your local area. You budget 50 dollars each month and split it between three local shops that you would HATE to loose in this economy. Thereby supporting the locals but not breaking your monthly budget! I encourage you to pop by and check it out. I have already tried to begin this idea, but I wasn't supporting three stores..... just my LYS. :D Let me know what you think.. I would be intrested.

Trying to keep up...

but the world is going so fast!!!!

LOL

So here I am again with cute animal pictures!

I have several things to babble about, but I have no idea if I will hit you with it all at once. I am having a mini vacation this weekend. I am off four days in a row. We were camping this weekend already, but there was much rain so we came home this morning instead of tomorrow morning.... well that is sometimes how it goes!

We do camp in a lovely area.

See?

Pretty. Aside from the sad state of the dead pine trees due to the pine beetle infestation here in BC. This area is about 2 and a half hours north from home here in Langley. The spike buck you see in the upper photo thought we were pretty intresting to look at, he visited every day! LOL Even the dog didn't bother him.

Okay enough of that. I have completed the Crimson and Coccoa baby Blanket. Thank goodness! I am seriously falling out of love with this blanket style, but I have to admit they look great and don't take too much time. I think the verrigated yarns are the best to use though, they keep your interest longer. When I finally got to the border, I felt very put upon! lol but I wanted to finish it off so I can get it in the mail soon.

Speaking of mail... I have several packets to get out. Sorry guys, I suck and I have a small amount of play money at the moment. The will be gone before the next month. I apoligize profusley, and you know why!

I am working on a Baby Kimono for my niece at the moment as well as the Central Park Hoodie, Hunters Vest and the other straggler projects! The Kimono pattern is one I have never knit, so it has been intresting so far. I think the pattern is very clear and so far so good.. seperation for the fronts and back is mere centimeters away.

I think that I will be re-starting the blanket for my pal James. I don't know where I am in the thing, and I think that is what is keeping me from completing that paticular project. oh well.

I am feeling a bit of Startitis coming on... two shawls are calling to me. That may be bad! LOL oh well, gotta knit for myself a bit this year! I plan on using the rest of tonight and a bit of tomorrow to get ahead on the CPH I think, and maybe cast on a new shawl! :D

I am a bit tired so I will leave you with that update. Hope you are all well and more productive than I!!

Long Weekend update!

Hello!

Happy Victoria Day Long weekend gang! I plan on being productive, since our camping trip fell through. Since my last post was so heavy on the rambling... this one won't be.

So some updated things for you...

A new detail on the Stitch It charity blanket that I have had for WAY TOO LONG

My Neice Arabellas' blanket

made in Linonbrand Homespun... totally washable and care-free, my sister picked it out.

Riely Foremans' blanket

All cotton, all the time.

The Blanket for Sebastian that I have just begun.

Bernat Satin, again mommy colour preference. I think this one is going to look so fantastic, just wait!

Completed Endpaper mitts for my gal-pal.

Knitpicks Pallet wool, totally economical for this type of gift, the brown was leftover from another gift and I only used half the ball of blue!

oh and a pet pic.....or two,

Sam

Simon.

Have a great long weekend if you have one, and if not, enjoy anyway!

Sadly... not as much progress as I would like.

I planned on swatching for a Central Park Hoodie.
I planned on having another BSJ done.
I planned on being ready to put the decoration on the Barnyard Dance blanket.
I planned on reading or listening to a book.
I planned on getting some more of the Sea Shawl done.

Sadly none of this happened. I think I was over Zealous, and since I decide that this weekend I really did want to eat and sleep, and I had chores to get done.....I was less astoundingly productive than I wanted.
Progress was made however on the Barnyard Dance.....
I started two BSJ (I am unsure if the yardage on one wil be sufficent so I am hedging my bets and have a second one just barely begun.)
I have to Sew up Jelly Bean, but it is done and I will share photos shortly... I just sooo want to share the fantastic and amazing construction wilth the girls at knitting on Wendesday. I MUST show it off... that EZ she was a genius!
I highly reccomend it.
Pictures in a bit...... have a good Monday!

Update.

Alright, so I have completed four projects this month and completly knit 9 balls of yarn.

Meet my new yarn bank!

Not bad!

Here is the first Log-cabin styled blanket. Plain cotton, white alternated with a purple/green verrigated. Simon felt like being helpful and testing it out....

I did have to buy another jumbo ball of cotton to complete this project, but as it is a new purchase it is not included in the totals. I went ahead and cast on another cotton based blanket and have almost use up the whole new jumbo ball of white. LOL may be I will count it after all.....

I have also completed the Confection Blanket that was hanging outhere for a long time... I would have to check on ravelry to see when it was started, but honestly it was ages ago. Probably 6 months. Done now, and waiting for a new home with one of the pregnant ladies I know.

Hmmm... let me see, I completed the Twlilight mitts as you know and have seen.... and the fourth is escaping me at the moment..... I think the mitts I made for my mother were done this month too. Dang, I know I was very happy to have completed four projects.

I have some great plans for this month. I am going to knit two baby sweater patterns. The Baby Suprise Jacket and the Two needle Feburary Sweater, both created by Elizabeth Zimmerman. To search the project lists for these two sweaters is staggering! I think that there are over 2000 Baby Suprise Jackets already knit on Ravelry, and it is in over 3000 queues! There are so many variatons, and intresting yarns, bet that if you have one ball of something worsted at home, you may be able to make the BSJ! LOL I have several balls of wool and other washer-friendly yarns that I am going to try to use and get out of my stash for these two cute projects!

I have taken a few pictures of the gifts from our Christmas swap, but I will share them next time, I feel like I have given you enough bandwith-clogging pics for today! LOL Have a great week!