Practically finished!

The following items are DONE! Hooray! Well except for the fact that they both need their ends woven in, and to be blocked.. minor finishing details aside, they are done!

The first is The Queen's Christmas scarf. This was the gift for this past xmas, not this coming one... But we did Christmas in February, if you remember, so I'm really only 6 months late, not 2/3 of the year.


Anyhow so the yarn is Alpaca, and I don't have any more information with me on it. I used size 6 crystal palace straight needles. and one ball of each of the three colors... Which I am sure would be more useful to know if I knew what the yarn was (I'll update my Ravelry page when I know). It is a Lynn Wilsons Design, Slip Stitch Sampler Scarf Pattern, which is not on rav. It was a fairly simple pattern, once I got the hang of it. You knit one half, and then knit the second half exactly the same and do a three needle bind off. I ended up adding a ton of extra rows, and switching the color orders around in the end to ensure that the scarf would be long enough. I love how it turned out, despite the frustration of it taking forever, I think I just got annoyed that I had to do the same thing all over again to make the second piece, and I lost interest. Hopefully it will enjoy it, and get use out of it.

The second thing that is almost finished, is Stella! She is a beaut! I cannot wait until she is blocked and ready to wear! I just hope she will block out a little longer.. she is the perfect width, but a little extra length would go a long way, so we'll see. She was knit in the Stacy Charles Stella yarn on size 6 Crystal Palace circulars. The pattern was a freebee from Ravelry call the "Diamond Lace Rib Bolero" and I quite like how it worked up. I first worked on this last summer in the Hampton's, so it only seemed appropriate to bring it this year, and finish it here.

So excited that these are both ready for blocking! I can't wait to get them home to start the stretching!

North Haven Knits

North Haven is the name of the village of the Hampton's that we are technically staying in this year. It is 5 minutes from downtown Sag Harbor, and I love the vibe! It is not overly ritzy like the area we were in last year, but it is still amazingly gorgeous!

So last year I got a little carried away with bringing projects to the Hampton's to work on... but this year I think I did a more practical job of packing knits.

From Last year.. Remember Stella? This year She will be completed!


Also ready to be finished is The Queen's Christmas 2010 Present! I know, I know, it has taken way more than it's share of time.. and I have gotten sick of it, and started and finished other things in the meantime... but it is time to finish it once and for all! I want to mail it out by the end of the month! And for the record, I only have about 15% left to finish anyway.


Recently cast on is a knit along cardigan. The pattern "Corinne" is a knitty pattern, that my LYS chose for a knit-along. I decided to do it because it seems like a quick mindless cardi, that is knit in a different way. So far it is coming right along, with the Left front completed, and half of the Left sleeve short rows done! I'm hoping to have it completed by Mid September..depending on how much knitting time I actually get here...



And the final craft the got to come along is my drop-spindle. I got this a few years ago at the CT Sheep and Wool fest... I tried it out a couple of times when I first got it, but hadn't really used it consistently at all... but it is very portable, and easy to get the hang of. It is also very soothing and almost entrancing. Needless to say, it joined the bag of crafts, and I am excited to keep practicing with it!

So that's it for the fiber crafts... for other entertainment, I brought whichever Melanie Travis Mystery I am currently on, my Nook, and have already purchased a knitting mag at the local bookstore. I shall be plenty busy crafting while I'm not busy working.

Any fun August projects or summer finishing going on?

Mid-Summer Mystery Shawl

About a month ago, I participated in a mystery knit-along. I did it with my mom, Channon, and a few gals from the LYS. It was really great to be doing it with so many friends. What a wonderful bonding experience!

I knit mine in linen by EuroFlax, So that it would be nice and light for a humid summer evening. I have even had a few opportunities to wear it! I love it. And I should since I knit it 3 times before I was finished. I added an extra repeat to the body to make it larger... and although I don't have any photos of it blocked, it became even larger and even more lovely.



I love the color, and although the texture of the yarn took some getting used to, I quite like how it feels after soaking.

Happy knitting!

1 Year Down...

1 year to go!!

I just finished spring semester, it was significantly more challenging than fall, but that's how it works sometimes i suppose. No grades yet, but I expect a B average this time around.

Outside of school, life is good! I actually hae time to knit again, and have been knitting away at The Queen'schrismas '11 scarf...it is gorgeous...and i hate it! So in much need of a knitting time-out, the Queen herself recommended we knit along with a mystery shawl! How fun is that?! I popped into my lys yesterday and picked up a lovely steely violet linen, and discovered that one of the gals from the shop is knitting it to! So now I'll have my mom calling and checking the blog for updates, and some local gals at my store to check in with as well! I havea feelinghat this shawl is going to fly off the needles! And what a wonderful break it will be from that scarf!

Ive had a few mini trips too, that i will post on as soon as i get the photos uploaded!

Happy knitting

Been a while

I finally found time to update!

After that last post, literally the same day, I was coming home from a jog, and got swarmed with Hornets! I recieved 5 stings, along with the information that I am not allergic to them whew! That was the last big thing to happen during the Hamptons trip.

We arrived home a few weeks ago on Sunday, and then School stuff began. My orientation was that Monday, and my classes were that Wednesday. My apartment had one full suitcase, and a full duffle from the trip, waiting to be unpacked, and between work, school, meeting up with friends I hadn't seen in a month, and the rest... I must admit, I still haven't unpacked the duffle! (Aren't you glad to find out that I am updating you before unpacking?!)

School has been going very well! I am taking classes towards finishing my Interior Design Degree, and I love all of my classes! Even the math. But there are a lot of hours put in to doing the whole school thing.. both inside and out of class. I am noticing a huge difference this time around in taking my classes. I am so motivated to accomplish everything and finally be able to start my career, and finally call myself an interior designer, instead of a nanny! (Not that there is anything at all wrong with being a nanny.. look where it's gotten me!) The point of this rambling is that I am loving school, and everything about it!

The Bean Family is all good as well, work is great, I love the kids and the 'rents are great too! They are working around my classes, and we are all making it work. We have finished the first Freddy book, Freddy Goes to Florida and started on the second, Freddy Goes to the North Pole. Because of my classes though, I haven't really been here to read bed time stories, and we haven't ready any of it since we arrived back in CT. They are great books though, I'm not sure who is enjoying them more, me or the kids! I'll try to keep you posted on our adventures, even though I'm busy with school!

My knitting has been receiving about the same amount of attention as my blog has. I am going to continue trying to make it to my weekly SnB. I think 2 hours of knitting a week is allowed. I am currently knitting on my Blue Tweed Vest, the pattern is from knitty, and is called Milly. I am almost finished with the Right front, and I took it to our Stitch and Pitch this past Sunday. It was such fun!

Okay, School, Work, and Knitting... that completes the update... sorry for a photo-less post. Hopefully I will find time to update soon!!

Happy Tuesday :)

What do you See?

I cast on project number two on Monday, and it is knitting up fairly quickly. The only problem is, my creativity for naming has run out. So, What do you see?


Any names just pop into your head when you look at this. Now really it isn't that big of a deal, I just want to give it a proper name for Ravelry. But when I knit it, that is all I can think about... and I'm drawing blanks.

Here is a bit of info about it, to get you started... the pattern is called Diamond Rib Bolero. The yarn is Stella, in Black. It has a gold strand in the twist, which I wrongfully thought might be subtle, so due to its prominence, it will be an evening wear thing. Anyway, it is almost complete, and you won't get a Finished Object Report until I have a name.

Happy Knitting!

Finished Lace

I finished my Hydrangea Shawl! Well that is what I have decided to call it because, the pattern looks like it has leaves in it, and the color the yarn is called is Hydrangea.


The pattern is called Springtime Bandit.
The yarn is Lobster Pot Cashmere Lace, hand dyed in bright hydrangea blue.
The needles are Addi Turbos size 9.

For this one, I didn't check gauge, or anything. The yarn that the pattern called for was much heavier, but as I was doing it in this fabulous yarn, and as it is lace, I didn't much care for gauging... although I have been a lot better about doing gauge swatches lately because I find that things are more likely to turn out how you expect them to when you swatch! (imagine that!)



So I finished it on the 23rd of July, then blocked it the following week so that I could have it ready to bring with me this month. The FO report had to wait as I wanted to get these lovely seaside images. These were taken by my helper at the beach, Freddy!

Happy Friday, and Happy Knitting!

Knitting in the Hamptons

I haven't had a tremendous amount of time to knit, but I have been fitting it in. Which I am more than thrilled about being able to do. It is my way to wind down at the end of the day... not that I'm not already exhausted from running around with the kiddos all day.. That is why I started with an easy, mindless knitting pattern.

I cast on Herbage while stopped in some parking lot after getting off the ferry boat. Mrs. Bean was feeding baby Jinx, and we were all just standing around for a few hours.. yes I did say hours. 2 to be exact. I figured that I could stand and knit.

I was using the long tail cast on method, and after trying, 2 times, I finally got it, with enough yarn for all the stitches, on the third time. That was all I accomplished while we were there... well that and drinking some more coffee!


Throughout the past 2 days however, I have managed to get in enough time to do just under 30 rows of the pattern. Not a huge amount, but I am satisfied with 15 rows a day while I'm working.

So that's that. Nothing to exciting. I will post withing the next few days about just the environment here in the Hamptons... all I can say is, so far, it's all good.

A Myriad of Knitting

Isn't myriad a fun word?!




So, I have been working hard to try and narrow down what projects to bring with me to the Hamptons. We will be there for an entire month, and I don't want to run out of options or things to do. I originally was going to start #21 Lace Tunic from the Spring 2010 issue of Vogue Knitting. However, I went to the LYS on Saturday, and couldn't purchase enough yarn.. or order it within the time we'd still be in CT.

So I retreated home, and started searching through Ravelry, and my own book/pattern stash. I decided to choose some things from my stash that I bought with the intent of doing certain projects. So here is what I wound up with:

Up first is the Rowan Felted Tweed in Midnight. This will become the vest Milly from the newest issue of Knitty. The front is simple, yet cute. But the back of it really puts it over the top. I love that it is lacy! This will be great for spring or fall... possibly even into the beginning of winter!


Next is Rowan Classics Bamboo Soft in a lovely shade of Lavender. I had cast on a sweater for this yarn at the beginning of last summer, and then moved on after finishing the back piece. Well now that I have lost weight the back piece is much too large, so I have frogged it, and I will be re-knitting it (this time I'll make all of the pieces, and maybe even put it together). The pattern is from Rowan Classics Booklet 18 Nature, called Herbage simple little cardi, with great ruffle detail!


Out of the same booklet I will be making a pattern called Monet. This yarn was not stashed, but, hey, I had the book, and needles already, so I really didn't do that much damage! The yarn is a sock yarn called Happy Feet by the Plymouth Yarn Co., They call the color Bronze, but it is more like the color bronze turns after being weathered for a dozen years.


Last but not least, is Stella, in Black. It is shiny, and wonderful. I wanted to do something small that could be a great accent for an evening out... nothing too over the top. I found this pattern on Ravelry... Diamond Rib Lace Shrug (bolero). It is cute, and the directions are so simple... you can make it to fit any size.


I told you it was a myriad! Do you think I have enough? Happy Knitting, and Happy Vacationing as well!!

Received Gift

Hooray! It fits! I don't yet have a picture of Laura in it that she would be okay with me blogging, but I did make my friend Lauren try it on before I sent it off, as they are similarly sized and I wanted to get an idea of the fit.

Project Details: Yarn-Lang Silk Dreams in Dusted Rose aka pale silvery pink. Pattern-Double V Cardigan from the Spring 2010 issue of Interweave Knits. Needles-Addi Turbo Circulars in Sizes 5 and 3, both 32" long.

I got all of the pieces done, and blocked it, but had never seamed anything before, so my friend Karen, from my SnB, helped me put it all together! It's good to have friends that share your hobbies so you can get help when you need it.


Today I am going to knitting group, then afterwards I will be attending a welcome home party for a friend who has been in the Middle East since just after Christmas. It is good to have her back, and it will be great to see her! Tomorrow, is Freddy's Birthday Party, which I have been helping a lot with, and will be there to make sure it all gets set up, goes smoothly, and then that it all gets cleaned up properly.

What are your weekend plans?

Finished Sweater!

I finally finished the SMS! Well actually I finished it a while ago, but I didn't want to blog about it until I had a picture of SM in her Sweater!

It took me just about a year to complete this start to finish, but it was worth it, as the fit looks pretty good, and she loves it!

Hooray! The patter is from the book Button Up your Top Down. It was the second sweater from this book, the first one being my gray sweater. The only changes I made to this sweater was that I added some ribbing in the sides and some darts in the ribbing so that the sweater would have more of a waist shape, as that was the only thing I didn't like about my sweater.


For the yarn and complete details you can check my Ravelry project page. Happy knitting!

Baby Booties!

A finished object!! No, it isn't the sweater previously posted about this week-I'm not that fast of a knitter!

It's booties! One of the families that I work for on occasion just had a baby. She is the third child, and the first girl! First I found the buttons, and then I knew that I had to make her Mary Jane's! The pattern is a free one I found on Ravelry called, Mary Jane Booties, by Lucie Sinkler and the pattern is actually from TLC, found here.

The yarn was Debbie Bliss Cotton Denim Aran, in a dark Charcoal. I found these super cute buttons, and I knew that I had to do them in black or something dark gray so that I could showcase these adorable pink buttons. And the yarn was stash yarn...even better!


I knit it on Addi Turbo's.. some of my favorite needles by far. I did them 2 at a time, I find that is the easiest way for things that are pairs. It was a simple pattern to follow, and they were finished in no time at all! Baby knits are the best, not only are they super cute, but they are super quick as well!

FO turned WIP

(that's finished object turned work in progress for all you non-knitters)



Last year I decided to make a sweater for my bff Laura. I finished it in time for Christmas, however the size was much to large for her skinny mini frame! Sense I bought the yarn with Laura specifically in mind, I decided to frog it (rip-it, rip-it) and make something that fits her. I also did not want to make the same sweater again, not only because it would be boring, but also because it was a combination of three different patterns, and I don't want to re-do the math!!


Here is the progress on the new sweater...


I'm moving on up the back piece. The pattern is from Interweave Knits spring issue. It is the Double V Cardigan, from their section on "New Lace". It is a simple laced repeat, and because I have been loving lace lately, it is perfect. So everyone cross your fingers that it fits this time, because if it doesn't, I'm done trying. I actually did swatch for gauge before casting on, so it should turn out ok..


Happy Knitting!

Finished Object Report

Can you believe it?! I actually finished something!

This is my Sunflower Top! The pattern is "Coquette Lace Top" from the book Fitted Knits. The problem is that if I wouldn't have added shaping, it wouldn't have fit very well at all. The Yarn is Rowan's Purelife Organic Cotton, in a lovely shade of yellow. Needles: Addi Turbo's in size 5. I tend to be a size up in my gauge, so I try to always knit a size down in the needles. (Does anybody like swatching for gauge?) The yarn was fabulous to work with, it is a great lightweight yarn that will wear wonderfully in the summer season..I cannot wait! The ribbon goes in to help keep the top up, and can be changed out if I want a different look. I bought the yellow ribbon at a local craft store, but didn't love it, so I bought the purple velvet ribbon from M&J Trimmings in NYC.


It was a pretty quick and easy top, the lace repeat is simple enough... I knit the first time around it only took me 2 weeks of non-stop knitting to knit from start to finish; but after frogging it and re-knitting it with the added shaping and the appropriate size, it knit up in another month.

Blog Neglect

I'm guilty!

I have no excuses either! I am down to 2 days a week at my current job, and I am filling in the rest of the days with random babysitting gigs for now, and my new Nanny job is set to start on the 22nd.

Instead of blogging in my spare time, I have been taking Charlie for long walks, working on my knitting, and just hanging out. My knitting is going well. I finished my coquette lace top, but then the bust was much too roomy, it fit everywhere else, so I decided sense it was a quick knit I would frog it and start over. It is in the process now. I am also working on DW's sweater. I have one sleeve down, one sleeve, end weaving, and buttons to go... my goal is to have it completed by the time my sister is her (the last weekend in March) so that she can take it back with her. I have been plugging away more on my coquette top, than DW's sweater, though so I'm going to need to get to a stopping place (or just finish it real quick) and get back to DW's sweater! I let you know which way it goes, and when they are both completed.

Other than that, no blog news here. I will try to be good, and post again soon. In the meantime, I have yarn for a shrug that I want to make to go over the coquette top, as well as many other summer ensembles, but I can't find a pattern I love. I would prefer a free pattern, and just something simple so that it is versatile enough to have options. If you can think of anything let me know! Thanks!

Happy knitting, and blogging!

Picture this:

Right now, I am reclining on the sofa, next to my pooch who is also quite relaxed on the sofa, the blinds are open, and although we've had mounds of snow, beautiful springlike weather has been warming things up nicely and there are bright rays of sun streaming in and casting a nice warmth over Charlie and I.

This is what I call a relaxing Sunday! I have the entire day off (which I feel a little guilty about, but I promise to push those feelings away, and enjoy it.) I have had a very accomplished weekend up to this point. I am almost to cast off point on my Coquette lace top, and I have put it down to finish DW's cardi. I have 35 more inches of sleeve work to go in total, and then just weaving in ends, and sewing on buttons... it is getting there and I am excited to complete it, as it has been almost a year. So my plans today are to catch up on some of my favorite shows that I have missed the last couple of weeks, knit, and snuggle with Charlie. It's a pretty great plan if I do say so myself! And hopefully I will have not just one, but two FO reports!

Happy Relaxing Sunday :)

I have been knitting!

I have put my dad's wife's sweater on hold while I was waiting for a measurement (which I now have). While I was waiting, I cast on a top for myself! It is from a book borrowed from a friend, and it is called the Coquette Lace Top. It is a tube top with a little lace panel down the front, very cute, and so far it is knitting up quite fast. I have added in some shaping in the waist, and made some minor adjustments, but all in all the pattern is great as is.

In my ravelry, it is referred to as the sunflower top, because sunflowers are my favorite flower of all time, and the yellow that I am working with reminds me of a sun flower. I am also using a sunflower stitch marker set (that the queen made for me).

Anyhow, I cast on about a week and a half ago, and I have about 40% to go. Can't wait for it to be finished, and even more so, I cant wait for it to be spring time so that I can wear it!

Happy knitting!

Rockin Sock Yarn

One of the wonderful gals in my SnB gave me this absolutely delicious yarn for helping her move into her new place.


I love the colors in it, and I can't wait to work with it. The only problem, is that I don't knit socks. I love looking at sock patterns, and I love wearing my hand knit socks, however I have no desire to make them myself.



So now I am asking you to help me decide on some patterns of what to make from my Socks that Rock Yarn. I would love to make something for myself out of this yarn, I can't remember the last time I was knitting for myself, and I can't wait to be excited about something for me. I am however not opposed to knitting it up for someone else, as long as I get to work with it soon! Let me know what you think. I have 360 yards of this new love of mine, so plot away!

Pictures of a Finished Knit

Here are the photos of the fingerless mitts that I knit for my sister:





You can get the details on them through my ravelry project page. If you are a knitter and you don't have Ravelry, get it! It is a great way to meet other knitters, display your projects, and fine patterns for new things...and much more, you should check it out! In the meantime, I blogged about these mitts before I had pictures on this post, and you can read the info there as well.

Happy Knitting!

Raveling

Well, I have been instructed, by my mother dearest, to update my blog, and my Ravelry!

So this morning I updated my Ravelry, and now I will update my blog...
I have completed a lot of projects sense I last updated the Rav. And now that it is after Christmas, I have added all of the pressies that I had sense cast on and then cast off.

The list is as follows: Mom's Shawl. Pattern: Luna Moth Shawl. Yarn: Saphire from Road to China Light. It turned out pretty well for my first real lace project, and I even think she likes it, I have been stressing about whether or not she would sense I got the yarn. Which was ordered from Clementine's Dry Goods.


Jessica's Mitts. Pattern: His and Hers cabled hat and gloves by Lynn Wilson Designs. Yarn: Indigo by Thaki Torino Chunky. These also turned out well, silly me didn't even take a picture of them, but I'm sure the sis will send me a picture soon so y'all can see them. I loved the cables in these, and have sense been wanting to do more cables.

Anderson Family hats. You've seen.

Also Laura's Sweater, cropped cardigan thing. Pattern: A combo of patterns that I combined different elements from. Yarn: Lang Silk Dream in dusty pink. The outcome is that she got it for Christmas, and it was too large, so she is sending it back, and I am sending her her alternate gift, re-knitting it to hopefully fit and be done by her birthday in July... plenty of time!

And now I am working on finishing the last of the hats for the W family. I have completed 3 of 4 and will post more on them when I have finished.

There, everyone is up to date!