Fiber Friday | 8.24.18

Fiber Friday | 8.24.18

It’s a 2-fer Friday! I finished up my AC-esque tee yesterday, I also finished weaving in the ends of last years End of Summer MKAL and I love them both!

I learned so much in the construction of this tee and I absolutely want to do this again! One thing I know for sure is that I need to practice stitches! Even a simple running stitch performs differently in knit materials. I see some more stitch sampling in my future! Ha! Also, AC patterns run small… holy cow. However, a quick fix of a side gusset solved that problem. I used one of Steve’s no longer worn Old Navy tee shirts which I cut apart and put back together. The front pieces are double layer (with a white tee shirt). I love how this double layer worked! It feels so substantial and is really much nicer than just a plain old tee shirt. I think for my first try, this worked very well!

 

Now, the End of Summer Wrap…it is huge!! I used Briar Rose Fibers Joyful and it is so soft! However, I am ashamed to say that just 3 partial days of knitting were all that stood between unfinished and finished. The unique construction of this shawl is also just wonderful! And, the huge rectangle shape is so wearable! It’s pretty sad that it languished in a basket for the better part of a year, however, I think this will be in heavy rotation this fall!

How about some links?

First up, Beth Brown-Reinsel has a couple of new Gansey books out: Gansey Style Accessories and Knitting Ganseys

Churchmouse Yarns & Teas has released a new fall collection that has some really lovely pieces! Plus, they included a little bonus hat pattern that is free!

Not a sweater knitter? This week has some lovely things for you!

The Sweater Was Strong this week:

And, finally… this one is for Carole! Beach Hair Don’t Care

That is all I have for the week! See you back here on Monday!

Fiber Friday | 8.10.18

Fiber Friday | 8.10.18

There is a part of me that is entirely ready for the neighborhood kids to all be back in school… really.badly. However, that will mean that summer is ending. Yeah, the inner debate is most interesting, let me tell you! Ha!

BUT!!! I am so excited to do a little test run of the Endless Summer Tunic! I have a MUCH too large Dress No. 3 that will work perfectly, and this brings me to the bottom of my re-purpose stack! I traced the pattern out yesterday and plan to do some cutting this morning! All this sewing has really made clear that I need to do some re-ordering of my “craft office” … I need a space for the sewing machine to live where it is easy to access, but not in the way. I have been mulling this over in my mind all week so if there is any rain at all this weekend, operation craft room reorganization will be underway!

I also have this insane urge to cast on all the things… really, every day there is something new on Ravelry that catches my eye. AND, Kym taunted me yesterday with her start of Tegna…But, I am determined to ignore this urge and knit faster on Rock the Lobster! I now have about 3 inches to go before the ribbing and then the STEEK!! And, I want to thank you all for the GREAT zipper tutorials!

So, how about you? Are you craving a new knit? Here are some links to tempt you!

Stop the presses – have you all seen the Autumn Issue of Pom Pom Quarterly? I especially love Sky Map – the stitching possibilities!

Have you seen this gorgeous cowl by Erica Mercer knit with my friend Carla’s CJKoho Designs yarn!

Eddy Hat and Cowl the “lite” version of The Eddy Sweater/Wrap

Sweater season is fast approaching: St Catherines and Lambert both caught my eye!

And, finally… a new take on a knitted beverage accessory: Dreieck (and it is free!)

And, that’s a wrap for this week…my list today also includes the utilization of some of the Basil from the Basil Jungle in a libation for Happy Hour tonight. I will let you know how it turns out on Monday! Have an awesome weekend!

Fiber Friday | 8.3.18

Fiber Friday | 8.3.18

I don’t know about you, but I am having a really hard time with the reality that it is August…my brain doth protests much and seems to be stuck in July.

However, yesterday when I posted about a Blanket for Annie… I had hoped that I might get a few knitters who wanted to help. But, I never ever imagined that I would have TWELVE knitters! I have emailed Ann and Kay and I am waiting patiently to hear from them. Blanket knitters… look for an email later today and THANK YOU!! I am so excited!

I had so many finishes this week, but not the Mystery Shawl! KK’s beautiful bind off is slow going but I love how it looks. Also, I think I am doing one too many petals in my flowers, but I like how it looks so I am continuing with the extra petal but, as you can see, I have more than enough yarn. I will settle in this morning with Paris in the Present Tense and see if I can make some good progress on it!

However, my favorite finish is my Notorious Dress inspired by Vicki! I love it!

How about some links to round out your week and perhaps give you some inspiration?

The sweater was strong this week on Ravelry: Sweatershirt and Shamrock if you are a “pullover” person. Or Soyokaze and Margot (Lady) if cardigans are your jam. Don’t like sleeves? Joji has just the thing for you in fingering or sport weight!

Want to knit sweaters for wee people? Bean Cardigan and Waszka

There was some amazing inspiration in the Rectangle Shawl Category this past week as well: Fauxtarsia Wave, Obvious are all gorgeous. I love that eelliotknits posted more yarn ideas for her Fauxtarsia Wave on IG yesterday.

Like short-rows? Then Arabian tales and Summer Dunes have exactly that!

And, for you wash cloth knitters… who can resist Macaron Cloths?

And, I love Cover Your Plans and I might need to do this for the planner I carry in my purse!

That is all I have for this week! Have an amazing weekend and I will see you all back here on Monday!

TGIF with a side of links, please!

TGIF with a side of links, please!

I am taking a page from Kym today and sharing a TGIF post, because I am pretty sure you are sick of seeing photos of in-process-but-not-finished knitting!

T – Thinking About: Books to fill in spaces on my second bingo card. As you can see, I have a few filled in. I need some help from you all though with a couple of squares: “With an unreliable narrator” and “Audiobook with multiple narrators.” As you can see, those two squares will be crucial in being able to get a bingo or two!

G – Grateful For: Kristen Kapur’s brilliance at writing an extended clue 6 for those of us who will have extra yarn! That’s right, I don’t even have to think about how much more to knit, she has plotted it all out for me! And, the bind off! Oh my! I am not sure I can get through 55 rows today, but I am eager to get this shawl done to share with you how amazing it is!

I – Inspired By: The Smitten Kitchen’s cocktail recipe last week – so much so that I have a peach “shrub” that has been brewing in my refrigerator all week! I will be doing my own riff on her Bourbon Peach Smash for tonight’s happy hour.

F – Fun: More sewing for Genevieve is on deck and I am thinking about all the other possibilities to make for her. Things on my radar include the Geranium Expansion Pack, the Pierrot Tunic, and the Charlie Bundle.

Now, how about some Friday Links?

Do you use Slack? Did you know there is a very active knit community there? Knit Chats is an online community with teachers and scheduled “help” time available. The community is quite active and there is always a KAL going on. And, there is no cost involved!

Marie Greene has a new pattern out today: Whiskey & Rye

This week there is some amazing inspiration with combining two yarns: Watching Over You and Margila

The Mojave Collection from Kelbourne Woolens is just gorgeous!

Negative Spaces Scarf includes a “photo tutorial on how to knit the square holes without cutting the yarn”

Marettimo… oh my.

That is all I have for this week! Have a great weekend and I will see you all back here on Monday!

Fiber Friday | 7.20.18

Fiber Friday | 7.20.18

I am making progress on sleeves…slowly. But, there is progress!

Frankly, it has been far too nice out to be indoors. And, I have found plenty to occupy my time with outdoors but, hopefully I will find more than a minute or two this weekend to knit!

However, I did get one Geranium done for Genevieve! No red buttons, but I did find some blue ones that will work! And, the pockets! I love how they turned out! (click to see bigger images)

 

Now how about some links?

Did you all see Acoma? I love it! And, Miss Babs has some kits available! Just sayin’

While I am not eager to say it… Laura Aylor’s Summer’s End MKAL starts soon.

But, for those not wanting to usher in the end of summer, perhaps Linaria or maybe, Cascata are more palatable!

Lillian Short Sleeves Pullover for wee ones is just darling!

The Tern 2018 pattern collection is most lovely!

For those thinking about transition pieces there were some lovely things this week: Irving Pullover or Hops Cowl

And, finally… there is even something for the Bird and Bike lover!

That’s all I have for this week! Have an amazing weekend and I will see you back here on Monday.

P.S. To my blog friends in Iowa, you are in my thoughts today. I hope you are all safe.

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