by Kat | Mar 2, 2018 | General
Yes, March has some lion-like qualities here in the ‘Burgh today. The mild weather we had been joyfully experiencing has been replaced with the rude return of winter. Snow, cold, and blowing winds are what my world looks like today!
However, there were some good things to reflect upon as the week ends.
It appears my fix on my Carbeth is a winner! I would have soaked and blocked it again – but this weather has pre-empted that because I am wearing her today!
Last week I had a visit with the optometrist who confirmed there is a change to my prescription… new glasses arrived on Wednesday and my eyes are rejoicing at all the things they can clearly see! (If you follow me on IG, I will post a photo of both the new and improved Carbeth neckline and my new glasses there later today!)
My forsythia has NOT bloomed yet, so I am hoping to avoid the catastrophe that happened last year when they bloomed and then the cold returned destroying all the flowers!
AND, the weekend is here! Which is always a very good thing! I will be heading to JoAnn’s for some Bear in a Bunny Suit stuffing…
There were some very good links this week as well!
First up, a new Sally Melville pattern: Necessary Neutral I really love this, and she is so right with this statement: “Whether or not we knit socks, we buy fingering yarns.”
Twisted Threads and Gravity of color wrap both caught my eye for different reasons. Both are a most wearable shape and they are both currently free.
As winter so harshly reminded me this morning, he is not quite ready to move on so perhaps some mitten knitting is a good idea: Long Reach Mittens or Dreyma Mitts
Oh My Sheep is about the cutest thing ever. Someone should knit one for Vicki’s new grandbaby!
Puddle Studies is also so cute!
Finally, Sarah Jordan has a new sock pattern out: Palestra
That is all I have for today! Have an awesome weekend and I will see you back here on Monday!
by Kat | Feb 23, 2018 | General
The weather did indeed cooperate for a few brief moments yesterday and with that lull in the rain we scurried outside to grab a few photos.
Carbeth in all her glory! I absolutely love the tunic changes I made to the pattern, but the collar… not so much. I fussed with it all day yesterday and then I saw some of these examples (like this and this) without the fold over neck and an idea was hatched. THEN, Carbeth as a Cardigan was born! I love her idea of the fold over neckline, which will give it some additional stability, which my sweater needs I think, as she is a bit weighty. I love the length, I love the yarn, and once I change the neckline, it will be perfect! Now to figure out a yarn for the cardigan version! What a perfect “uniform” that is!
Other than that, it was a whirlwind week with too much stuff going on and I am more than ready for the weekend! And, I fear that it will just fly by as well with it being of a “normal length”! Boo!
Now, how about some links to close out this week?
First up, a new issue of Laine Magazine is out and it is filled with all kinds of great things!
I really love Harmony!
In case you, like me, have lopapeysa’s on the brain: Hjarta Lopi and Dreyma
Need a diversion to transition into spring? Romi’s Mystery Shawl begins April 6 and you can get a kit here, there are currently still a couple left!
Sudden Bliss is stunning!
Pussy Hat creator Kat Coyle brings us Evil Eye Gloves!
But Tiriltunge Newborn Onsie, Nyfødtbody takes the cake for cuteness this week!
That’s all I have for this week! Have an amazing weekend and I will see you all back here on Monday!
by Kat | Feb 16, 2018 | General
Yes, Gentle Readers, the sweater progression is moving rapidly along! Last night I joined the sleeves to the body and this morning I am ready to begin the decreases and I am going to take Ann’s recommendation on how to work them. This is such a fast knit, it feels like it is just flying off the needles! I am thinking that I might be done today or tomorrow. And, not that I am hoping for more winter, I do hope that I will have a few days that I can wear it yet this season!
It is a grey and rainy day here, perfect for knitting and watching some Olympics! I even have a few links for you all today!
These socks are so cute! (And, free!)
Dying for a Team USA Closing Ceremony Hat? (also, free!)
Hasukai Cowl (scarf?) Free until March 10! And, this would be a great accessory piece for the Uniform shift!
My obsession with Lopapeysa’s continues: Hjaltlandspeysa
I really love Quince’s Piper 2018 collection.
And, finally…a couple of weeks ago, Steve surprised Sherman with a BarkBox… to say he liked it would be an understatement. The toys are perfect, but the treats have been the biggest hit! You’d think we starve him because he sits and stares at the “treat cupboard” any time we are in the room!
That’s all I have for this week, see you back here on Monday! Have a great weekend everyone!
by Kat | Feb 9, 2018 | General
That’s right, Olympic Knitting starts now! Or rather at 6AM EST as Sprite so kindly advised me of. So, yes… I was up early and cast on, (not once but twice…grrr!) Above is my progress thus far on my Carbeth. I will be sitting down with Sherman Alexie and get some quality knitting time in today on this project. Also, the above photo is a much better example of the color of the color of my yarn. Kym asked me if I was making any modifications – and yes, I am! Because well… cropped sweater + mom-belly = super unattractive look (I am not saying Kym has a mom-belly, I am certain she does not, however, I DO have a mom-belly and I like to keep it covered, thank you very much!)
But, yes. I am making some mods to the knitting. Kym was worried about how this would look because the design is so perfect the way it is. So, excuse my poor rendering of where I am going… but I am doing less ribbing on the sleeves and shortening them a bit. And, I am adding 8 inches to the body…which for me nicely covers my mom-belly.
But, even with these mods, it should be a quick knit!
I am hesitant to share links today, because well… I am already knitting all the things! But, here go you!
Did you all see Rowan Denim Lace? Okay, I might have done more than oooing and ahhhing over this collection!
Also, the Spring Issue of Pom Pom Quarterly has some gorgeous designs!
Sarah Jordan has a new sock heel design that looks most intriguing!
If you need one more Ravellenic Project, Susan Ashcroft has one for you! Just Slip It (and it is free!)
This planned pooling is amazing
Svetlana’s Winter Story Mittens are so gorgeous!
And, finally… something to get us through the next season, Julie Hoover’s Hatcher
That is all I have for the week! Enjoy your weekend and go Team USA and Team Rules Schmules! See you all back here on Monday!
by Kat | Feb 2, 2018 | General
This post comes with a disclaimer… these links are dangerous!
I have cast on more things in the past week and there are at least 3 things linked below that I want to cast.on.right.now. I have some seriously knitsanity going on here.
Good thing it is Friday and there is sure to be LOTS of knitting time this weekend! (I know for a fact there will be because there is some crazy football game on Sunday night and yes, I will be knitting and watching!)
Add to all of that, Phil has seen his shadow, so more winter is on tap. Just the added inspiration (if I needed any!!) to keep on knitting! But, really Phil… thanks, NOT!
Yesterday, I started the Mystery socks… sock one is almost done. I hope to get through the cuff of sock two today. So far, so very good. Kirsten writes a great pattern. And, yes – I opted to go with the yarn that had some nylon in it.
Now, on to those links…and don’t say you weren’t warned!
Need a quick but luxurious knit? Azurine Hat and Cowl might be just the thing.
These socks might not be quick, but wow are they stunning!
Boho style Mosaic Cardigan…I mean really. I can’t even, it is so cute!
Ahem, Carole and Vicki…. Did you see Elwood?
Immortalists… oh my!
Brae Cove Tunic. I mean really…WANT! And, I love how this pattern came to be: “One afternoon, in a cozy cabin called Brae Cove, a group of knitters imagined the perfect knit tunic. It would be simply constructed for easy knitting, but it would also have a bit of optional colorwork for knitters who wanted more of a challenge. The design would be knit in the round, top-down, so you could try it on as you knit, opening the door to easy modifications. And the style could be worn on its own or layered, flattering a range of body types. With notes taken and inspiration blooming, lo and behold, the Brae Cove Tunic was born!”
Log Cabin Mitts…and free.
Joji has The Easy One and a Bulky version.
And, finally – Beth Smith is hosting a Rhinebeck Retreat…oh, and I am doing the cooking! You really don’t want to miss out on this!
That, my friends, is all I have this week. Have an amazing weekend and I will see you back here on Monday!
