by Kat | May 20, 2016 | General, Making
We have had several foggy mornings here this week, above was the view from yesterday. This morning it is clear and SUNNY and I am so happy it is Friday!!
I am linking up with Rachel today for her Fibre Friday! The sock knitting continues, as does the drop spindling. I work on one at night when I watch a bit of television and the other when Sherman goes outside.
I hope to have the sock finished by Monday, and I only have 4 more bits of fiber to finish spinning, and at the rate I am going, completion by the end of the month is very feasible, especially since the weatherman says that there is more rain in the forecast, although there is supposed to be some sun on Sunday!
My poor garden is so waterlogged and the grass is growing so rapidly that we Steve is mowing twice a week. I have some flowers to get planted and my poppies are filled with buds this year! We picked up a Tri-color Beech that we will get planted in a new bed that we Steve has dug up. I will move some things around into there to fill in the space. It is a slow process to get gardens in order!
I do have some fun links for you this week:
It is never too soon to start the prep work if you are planning to Tour de Fleece!
Ysolda brings us Bruntsfield and it is just lovely!
Staying with the “Y” for just one more – Ysabel
Headlands is another divine Design by Romi
Oh Hei!
Like a mystery?
Bristol Ivy shows us how to miter a sweater in two offerings: Waits and Newsome
Short-row chic (oh and it’s free!)
Kate Davies has something new The Book of Haps!
Knitting One Sock in the MDK Sock-Along? How about 2 half socks?
Or maybe you are more adventurous – how about toe up with cables?
12 Days of Christmas Mitten Garland KAL is a thing, and FREE! (There are a mere 218 days until Christmas, in case you were wondering!) Or, if you’d really rather an Advent Calendar made from Mittens
This is not new, but really, I think that Vicki of Knitorious needs to make this for her darling grandson!
Lastly, I found a recipe for a yummy looking cocktail that I think would work with White Zinfandel as well! Frosé
That is all I have for today, have a great Friday and an even better weekend – whatever your weather! See you back here on Monday!
P.S. Want to join the Summer Knit-Along? Everything you need to know is right here.
by Kat | May 19, 2016 | General, Making
Tell me, dear Knitter, have you previously been lured in with a summer long knit-a-rama and all you achieved was epic failure?
Yeah, me too.
And, this topic expanded more when I was talking with my friend, planetKnit, about our usual summer knit along that we had both participated in for the last three years and I told her I was not attempting it this year. I was lacking in time and, quite frankly, the energy to knit three months of new projects. And, it occurred to me that if I felt that way, others surely must as well!
And out of that was born this idea. One that allowed knitter’s (or crocheter’s, stitcher’s, or spinner’s) to participate in whatever fashion they wanted (Heck, you can even participate in other whatever-alongs!)
My questions for you are:
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, then I just might have the solution for you! Join me for a summer long knit along where you will find the motivation and encouragement you are looking for!
I have started a Ravelry Group where there will be encouragement and discussion!
There will be cocktails and recipes (more than occasionally!)
And, lots of fun!
So, if you want to have a summer where you knit at your pace (whatever that might be) then, please join us!
We will begin Memorial Day weekend, but there is no penalty for starting earlier, and we will knit through Labor Day Weekend. There is no deadline for project completion, and you can use any kind of yarn you want in whatever amount! You can post photos to your Ravelry project, or not – the choice is yours!
The only requirement is, really, no requirement! This is all focused on helping you get done what you want to get done – from one project to multiple projects – where do you want to be on Labor Day?
Are you in? Feel free to grab a button for your blog! The more the merrier!
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by Kat | May 18, 2016 | General, Making
Today is Yarn Along, and the light has finally appeared at the end of the reading tunnel! I finished Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo and I liked it a bit more than I did his first Harry Hole novel. Harry was not drowning in the bottom of a whiskey bottle this time, and again, I did not see the ending coming at all!
And!!!
I should have Mink River done today!
I know, there may even be a bit of a dance of joy with its completion!
On the knitting front, Ann and Kay are having a little mini KAL through the end of the month – the goal to finish that “second sock” which is perfect, because I had finished the first Morwenstowe sock and had started the second one. Since the kickoff on Monday I have been knitting a bit each day and am on the heel flap! The heel should be turned today and then just cruising down the foot in the race to the toe! Perhaps, I can even get this dreaded pair of socks finished before month end.
Why dreaded you ask? Well, dark yarn on size zero needles makes for very difficult knitting. As in, I can only see clearly in bright sunlight to knit the damned things! No rainy day knitting or watching TV knitting with these socks!
Please note, that will only work if the Monsoon Season that has arrived (apparently to stay) in Western PA is replaced with some bright and sunny days.
I am not holding out much hope.
However, tomorrow I have some really fun and exciting news to share with you! I hinted at it last week, and tomorrow all shall be revealed!
Until then, Gentle Reader, what exciting things are you knitting or reading today?
by Kat | May 11, 2016 | General, Making
It’s already Wednesday?? Does anyone else feel like this week is just flying by?! Here it is the week is almost half over, I still have lots of stuff on my “To Do” list. This is perhaps because my list this week is filled with things I really don’t like to do and I just cannot procrastinate about them any longer.
Yes, I am an expert at procrastination!
However, today is Yarn Along and I should be sharing what I am knitting and reading today, but I have been carding rolags to spin for a sweater. My basket was full of rolags and I started spinning yesterday, and have two equal bobbins that are ready for plying.
I also pulled out the November Sheepspot Fiber Club Coopworth roving and spun half of it up last night. I will ply it today and get the second half of the fiber spun up.
Beth shared a great post yesterday and her Instagram feed has been nagging me lately. I have a couple of fleeces that I need to get washed and she may have supplied me with the motivation to get it done! She certainly makes it look easy.
My reading has been in fits and spurts. I read nothing all weekend and have two books that I need to get finished so I can return them to the library. I am about halfway through both of them and it is really inexcusable that I have not finished them! I am a reading slacker!! But, we have more rain in the forecast so the outdoor gardening work is in a holding pattern so I think I will find time to get them finished this week.
The leaves of Pincha are growing slowly and I have a sock in the wings as well.
As you can see, I have plenty to keep me busy, but my list calls! What is nagging you on your list this week?
by Kat | May 4, 2016 | General, Making
We have had more than our fair share of rain recently. Although, I believe that this is the direct result of the lack of snow over the winter months. However, this makes for a soggy, wet backyard that has become the cultivator for mushrooms of all shapes and sizes! There is a plethora of dandelions thrown in for good measure as it has been too rainy to put down any weed and feed (and maybe there just needs to be a weed option, sans feed because with this rain, the grass is growing so rapidly it needs to be cut twice a week!)
All this wet weather does not make it conducive to be out working in the garden, but it is a bonus for knitting, spinning, and reading! (Along with laundry, vacuuming, and housework!)
In the finished object category – I finally finished my TTL Mystery socks. I only had about 3 inches of each foot left to knit – so it is really sad that I put the finishing off so long, but the last clues had me concerned as I was not I was not sure how great the leaf motif would feel on my toes. So I changed them up a bit, I continued knitting the top of the foot in the seed stitch pattern to the toe decreases and then changed to plain stockinette to finish the sock off. I think they turned out nicely this way and they will get a little soak later today.
I am plugging along on my Morenstowe socks and will have some uninterrupted passenger time when we head to Maryland on Friday so I am hoping to get them finished over the weekend.
I am working my way through the Sheepspot Cormo on my drop spindle – and I have 2 turtles done. I am enjoying how portable this really is and how fun! I still have a good bit of fiber to go yet, but should end up with about 300 yds of dk weight singles from my spinning.
I am almost done with Mink River and waiting in the wings is Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo.
That’s it for me this dreary Wednesday, I am linking up with Ginny on the Yarn Along today, but I will leave you with the masterful words of Longfellow from his poem, The Rainy Day:
Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.
by Kat | Apr 29, 2016 | General, Making
Whatever plans I had for today went right out the window when the mail-woman brought this gem to my doorstep yesterday! A huge thanks my dear friend for loaning it to me! Fabric stash contemplation is commencing in three, two…
But, before I go, I do have some amazing links to brighten your weekend!
If you count yourself a maker, then perhaps this will interest you!
You still have time for a Whistle Stop
Interested in some color work that is modern?
A metronome for knitters
Do you fear yarn pooling?
Perhaps a quick trip to Etton is in your plans
Are you multi-craftual, then Kollabora might be the spot for you!
It’s a beautiful day to honor Mr. Rogers, so put a sweater on!
Have a good one, gentle reader! See you back here on Monday.
I do have some fun links for you this week:
