by Kat | Oct 27, 2017 | General
The temperatures dipped into the frosty range last night, but today we are supposed to get up into the 70’s. This pairs with splotches of color finally showing up on the trees in my neighborhood! And despite this chilly start, I am so happy for the weekend to be here! I am committed to spending as much of it outside as possible since these warming days cannot last forever!
My friend, Beth has inspired me to get back to doing a little spinning and so after weeks months of my wheel standing idle I got it out this week and finished spinning up and plying this purple yarn. Sadly, I am not thrilled with the color and I also think it needs a bit more twist, so I will have run it back through the wheel to put a bit more twist in. I am not thrilled with the color of the purple yarn (I think it’s Targhee, but I am not certain). It looked very differently before I spun it up and my original plan was to combine it with this the fawn colored Shetland to become the yarn for Sarah Jordan’s Wynne. But, looking at them together in a photo I am not quite sure how much I like them together. So, what I thought would be a quick spin, is definitely not quick at all and has inspired much thinking and pondering.
And, speaking of thinking…I have been just wowed by Kym’s and Vicki’s “Arrows”! And, they have inspired me to begin gathering together all the leftover bits of yarn I have. I think Arrows would make a wonderful way to start off 2018! Anyone want to Arrow along with me?
And, because you can never do too much thinking…I saw this sweater in Traverse City and my daughter and I thought it was adorable (but it is not $51 adorable for a toddler!) So, I am scouring Ravelry for a pattern I can modify to knit this for Genevieve!
Now, how about a few links to think about this Friday!
That is all I have, see you back here on Monday!
by Kat | Oct 20, 2017 | General
How on earth is it already October 20?!? Amirite?
But, how is this perfect fall weather? Outside of Monday when frost greeted Sherman and I for our morning constitutional, it has been most gloriously beautiful. Crisp, cool mornings that give way to sunny, warm days. This weather can just stay for a good long while!
Operation List Completion went very well this week, surprisingly and I am feeling decidedly accomplished!
AND, I have some details to share about the Charitable knitting I completed and blocked! It is Justyna Lorkowska’s Close to You pattern, and this might become my “hitchhiker”. Super fun to knit, an easy-to-memorize pattern, and it uses just one skein of sock yarn. I used some deep stash that I got eons ago from The Loopy Ewe. It is Fleece Artist sock yarn (I think 2/8 BFL, sorry I am not sure and the tag is long gone). I love how it turned out and I am thrilled to be helping support this cause: The Foster Success Foundation.
In the book category – I did have a more than slight moment of panic last night!! Two audiobook holds have come through: What (the hell) Happened and Little Fires Everywhere. I have 21 days to finish them…can I do it? (Also, of course this happened after I started listening to Life after Life on a recommendation from Mary!)
For those that love Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown… he is in Pittsburgh this week! You won’t want to miss it! Really!!
Now, how about some links?
- First up, Marie Greene has a new sweater pattern: Azimuth
- Plucky Knitter has a new pattern collection out, but I especially love Martin. I love the versatility of a vest and this one has some cute details!
- There are some new things from Kirsten Kapur and Thea Colman! I love this yarn pairing and really wish I was going to the reception at Jill’s studio!
- Animal Bonnet is just in time for Halloween!
- Electra is beautiful (and it is a lovely shape as well!)
- Tamangur… I love the yarn and the construction of this sweater. (P.S. The yarn is lovely and very affordable!)
- These socks… or maybe these… oy! (And, really… the Socks of Narnia is an awesome collection and reading knitters are my favorite)
And, finally… I am doing a bit of work with my dear friend, Beth Smith. She has some new classes coming and some other wonderful surprises! If you are not on her mailing list, you should be!!
That is all I have for today, enjoy your weekend and I will see you back here on Monday!
by Kat | Oct 6, 2017 | General
So, the only knitting I have even done is to work briefly on this long-in-progress hat. It has been cold enough, I am wishing it was long-completed!
Tomorrow, a day of outdoor beer drinking festivities! But, I do have some links this week!
That is all I have for the week! Have a wonderful weekend and I will see you back here on Monday!
by Kat | Sep 29, 2017 | General
The final touches of packing are happening today. That’s right, we are heading out to visit my kids.
Woollelujah! has been packed and is ready to go. It contains a little bit of this and that – some pay attention knitting and some mindless knitting. My goal, one finished object before the trip is over and I think that is entirely doable!
And, there were some really excellent links this week!
Op Art Shawl is knit with an interesting yarn (and it is a free download!)
Baskerville Dawn to Dusk II is a collection of patterns knit up from another interesting yarn. I especially like Bristol Ivy’s Bovey
Issue 3 of Laine Magazine has some incredible knits in it. I might be planning a stop here to get a copy!
Ghostwood Mittens gives a lovely idea. Carry a strand of mohair/silk with your yarn to create luxury mittens (and super warm!)
Kindred Knits… so much cute here! Especially the cardigans!
Wearable Cardigan – entirely wearable but with shorter sleeves.
See you back here on Monday! And have a great weekend everyone!
by Kat | Sep 22, 2017 | General
Summer has apparently let fall know that she is not done yet. Even though every day the signs in opposition grow exponentially!
Take Boyce Mayview Park where Steve and I walk several times a week; when we were last there, the paths were clear. But now they are littered with fallen leaves and, sadly, the trees are showing evidence of the lack of water we had in the spring. They are dropping their leaves without them developing any fall color. I have seen one or two trees with bits of color, but this almost overnight leaf drop was surprising to both of us.
Our weather has been well into the 80’s all week, and it looks like that kind of warmth will be with us until we leave the next week to visit my kids! While we need rain desperately, I am not complaining about the warm weather at all!
But, I know cool weather will be here sooner or later and, Ponchetta is finished, I need to weave in ends and give her a nice soak and block her, but she is done! Photos coming next week!
I am also almost done adding some necessary length to Nekia. Up next, my 5-day Stillwater sleeves will get a little adjustment in sleeve length.
Now, how about some links?
Recently, several knitters in my Tuesday group have all decided to knit a Wallaby. Yeah, that is one bandwagon I am not getting on! But, then I saw the Sweatshirt Sweater! It is almost like a grown-up, more adult, and more flattering version of the Wallaby!
The Sermon, curious in a very good way. Inspired by Moby-Dick and Ad Reinhardt
The Slouches Collection – especially Slouch Cowl
Stillness Collection, so many great things there!
Knitty, Deep Fall came out this week. The last couple of Knitty’s fell flat for me so I was pleasantly surprised at the number of awesome, “Ooo! I want to knit that” patterns it has!
Tahoma – I love this sweater, but I am not so sure about the yarn choice. But, I am thinking about this in some lopi and liking that thought process lots! (Superwash in a seamless sweater seems like an epic failure, unless you want the incredible, growing sweater…)
Storm Clouds Shawl… great color choice and really lovely lacework!
Finally, for the kids: Aimee’s Rainbow and Lil’ Rosebud
That is all I have this week! Have an amazing weekend and I will see you all back here on Monday!
