Pitter Patter Knits

Hi Knit Friends,

Man…this weekend was spend relaxing or at least catching my body up with my mind. I am filled with nerves. I think this might be a feeling that I am not used to sitting with. Normally when I feel nervous my body has a way of shutting down. I’ve got too much going on to give in to those emotions. I feel like I am finally living the mantra “living in a comfort zone is not living”. Or maybe I just made this up. I’m sure I whispered this ‘silent’ prayer to help me do better. My knit life has been on hold because of all the good things that are happening. I am learning to lean into this speed of life. To enjoy the benefits of my hard work. But also to not take too much comfort in my rewards because there is always more that could be done. I am sharing some IG images that are giving me “Knit palpitations”. I feel like if i generate a list then on my gloomy days I have more to choose from.

Photo credit from IG @anglovesgnomes in #lemmykshawl in @threeirishgirlsyarn Guinness colourway.

I need a nice holiday knit. And my next project will be…a fabulous cowl with delicious colorwork. Thanks to Donna Smith’s new design

Photo Credit IG @donnasmithdesigns #shallmillenssnood

Last week I met a friend at a LYS near work. It was such fun because we work in the same industry and have similar knitting preferences. I have been scared to do anything adventurous. It only takes small encouragement or agreements to KAL for me to cave. It isn’t a hardship because I finally found a sweater that I can envision myself making and wear. I cringe a bit because I have VERY LONG arms, but the cables are sooo inviting that I’m sure I can convince myself to do it. Or if I’m that sick of it by the time it’s over…I can become a vest. I am not that great at math, but my knit friend said she would hold my hand. When she described how she reworks and organizes her notes to make a sweater… my mouth dropped. How does she make it sound so simple. She said that since the front and back are cabled that I should knit them at the same time. Who ever said knitting is not a team sport— is a fool.

Nora Gaughan’s Mohr made with Brooklyn Tweed. I’m not into Tweed so I’m going to use Blue Sky Worsted in a light grey. It has a 4 out of 5 skill difficulty. I’m all about going hard especially for my first garment project. I have a good teacher. I feel lots of wine in my future (no while knitting).

Photo credit by Brooklyn Tweed, Nora Gaughan’s Mohr

 

Cable cherry popped

Hi Knit Friends,

These last several weeks have been filled with fun and business. I’ve neglected my blog for a couple of weeks within reason. A couple of job interviews and personal commitments kept me away.

My sweet Eddie has brought so much fun and love to our lives. Just seeing his sweet face makes me melt. He made it through a couple of baby booster shots with bravery. I’m a wimp when it comes to needles and doctors. I realized that I almost maxed out my data plan by listening to audio books. And I’ve been experimenting with Twitter for the past two weekends. #SupersoulSunday got me all in my feelings with @Momastery Glennon Melton and Wes Moore’s The Work.

I managed to reach another scary knitting goal: Cables. I sat in my LYS as two friends coached me through. It was a simple 1/1 left-right basic cable. I did a deep stash dive with a 3 year old skein of Brooklyn Tweed yarn. This lovely project was inspired by @kate_1973 (via IG) — see 2nd pic. I know my photo is probably for a kiddie sized hat. P.S. I haven’t blocked it yet so it could stretch a bit.

I am very satisfied and feel like I can take on some new cable challenges. I’m looking to get the new Nora Gaughan’s Knitted Cable Sourebook.  It will become available in mid-October. One dear knit friend suggested I now knit a sweater. I laughed because even though I like a challenge, I’m not ready to tackle 2-in-1. I have my heart set on a Jared Flood inspired Cowichan-style vest.

The following list are some gorgeous Fall inspired pieces I’d love to knit. I might have to consider a pre-Fall retreat next year to knit for a long weekend. Photo credits are cited with IG handles in the lower left corner.

Tickleberry shawl knit by @Knottybykniture

Bough (hat) made with favorite Qunice and Co.

 

 

Pretty Alba designed by Melissa LaBarre

 

Eyenhat by Bristol Ivy featured KAL affliated w/ @agatheringofstitches

 

 

My knitted soul is full. What’s on your needles or stirring in your knit queue?

Bye August and Hello Fall Knitting

Hello Knit Friends,

I’ve ghost in August for many good reasons. My new furbaby Eddie has been settling in with the old cats Sage & Pumpkin. I made great strides in accomplishing my career goals of presenting at a library conference. It was hard work and exciting. I’m so addicted now. There is a possibility of two trips next summer to do the madness again. Interviews and school have taken over my life in August so there has been hardly any knitting. I’m experiencing knitting blues again. I define Knitting blues as a state of perpetual sadness after finishing a knitting project.  I have read two separate posts from fellow IG knit bloggers littleminky93 and This Knitted Life who have talked about Fall Knitting lineups. I’d love to share my Fall knitting list with everyone:

A possible knitting crush visit to nearby LYS in early September to meet Jared Flood. I want to give him love for his  Cowichan-style Knitalong vest he created during #fringeandfriendskal2015  last year. I’m so sick-in-love with this man’s mind. I’m crazy in love with the colorwork and steeking doesn’t look too scary.

My office is super crazy cold this summer, so I can never have enough cowls or shawls. I have my eye on this beauty that I found

I enjoy Fall weather so much and fell in love with boot liners. I am going to make sure to get a pair of nice & durable fallish/winter boots for casual wear. Pam Allen’s Honey Boot Liners. These have been on my list for at least six months.

I feel like being bold…cutting my hair so that I can actually start wear more hats. I loved having short hair for this reason. I can’t make it out to the Shetland Wool Festival, but they have their annual knit themed free pattern. I’m salivating over Ella Gordon’s Crofthoose Hat.  (image:top) Another lovely hat that has my affection is Louise Robert’s Nova Scotian Sheeps pattern hat & gloves (image: bottom photo credit by Biscotte Yarns)

I feel like I’m on time out with socks….

Don’t tell my sock knitting friends. I couldn’t get my brain to configure gauge. I re-knit half a sock twice of Hunter Hammersen’s Marooned sock. I think I’m putting it on ice. I’m too tired to remake it in my size. I think it would be better gifted. I’m sure I’ll probably make another post soon to celebrate September’s arrival. I’m feeling the urge to make a shawl. Knit friends, what’s on your needles? Any sweaters in your future?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#knit intentions

Hello lovely knit friends,

August is almost over and it had thoroughly kicked my asparagus  *sighs* One of the many things that I am grateful for is my new furbaby Eddie. A sweet pomeranian. 

I’ve only had him for about a week and I don’t miss my sleep that much. He has such an awesome personality and the cats are slowly warming up to him. There is an unspoken agreement and Eddie had felt the need to chase them yet. I’m so happy to have a little face to come home to. Cats are great, but sweet puppies make the world bareable.

And the Olympics was come and gone and I haven’t done a lot of knitting. I’m sad, but understandably Eddie has shifted my priorities. I won’t miss my Thursday knit night so hopefully I’ll be back on my schedule. I’m stick knee deep in my Hunter Hammersen socks Marooned. I managed to suck it up and re-knit them the right size. If they don’t fit then they will be the best gift for somebody.

#Ravellenics2016 Never have it ever

Hi Knit friends,

Never have I ever been so excited about this year’s Ravellenics. What better way to mix and match the Olympics with knitting. I have fond memories of my first Olympics in 1996. It was in Atlanta and I managed to get a job as a parking lot attendent. It was a great start of my work journey. Alas, I picked up knitting several years later. I’m excited to be on a team related to my LYS. Ironically I’m using Brooklyn Tweed that I bought 3 years ago. I like the way it holds texture, but not the way it feels. It’s good that there are plenty of yarn choices for crafters. Perhaps I’ll change my mind if I find a knit worthy object. 

My first Ravellenics project is #eventhat the lovely This or That Hat I found on IG designed by Melissa Schaschwary. I’m doing a new technique using a provisional cast-on. I sat at my LYS for support while casting on the project. It looks like smooth sailing so far. The yellow waste yarn holds the live stitches. I even talked a couple of friends into joining #teamwhostemptingewe2016 

Knitting + Courtesy flushes

Hello Knit friends,

I have had an interesting week filled with business and surprises. I was shocked that this week went by faster than I’d liked. I’m not trying to rush things, but my favorite day of the week is Thursday. Thursday is knit night at my LYS. It is a place where I can ‘download’ from the busy week. Knit nite for me is the equivalent of a man’s Poker Nite. Yes– I’m using sexist language too. I enjoy knit nite because our gang always plays “never have I ever” or at least conversations that I’ve had at knit nite would make a priest blush.

In the past, I have shared that knitting has become my meditation. Going to knit nite and hanging out with the ladies is fun because I feel no stress or drama. I will admit that I might ‘misbehave’ at times, but it is always in good company. Many belly laughs are shared amongst friends.

Now for the story of courtesy flushes…

My knit friend Dae and I talked about the common protocol for using public restrooms. She is in the #teamcourtesyflush and I’m with #teamIllflushwhenready. Here is a morsel of our conversation:

Me: I hate when people walk into the restroom and choose the stall right next to me. There are 3 other ones perfectly vacant

Dae: Yeah, that’s seriously a violation

Me: If they want to sit next to me, we might as well make it a community rest-stop where everyone sits in a circle and poops.

Dae: I do believe in courtesy flushes…

Me: What…no way. What happens in the WC stays there. If I am dropping a hot one I need no interruptions… courtesy flushes included

We had one lady that was so tickled with laughter that she announced that she’d never heard of courtesy flushes. See knit friends…. who knew what useful non-knitworthy things you can discover.

Below is my missed contribution to Wednesday’s #HumpdayKnitting

After finishing the test knitted hat, I’ve decided to try the Shetland hat with colorwork this time… Plus excitement for the upcoming Spring sock by Hunter Hamersen’s (unnamed). I’m trying to find the best Tempting Ewe colorway. It’s probably a denim blue with sparkles. (i.e. click the photo to see caption. All photos are credited by IG in the corner left hand side).

Shetland’s official hat credit by IG

New sock by Hammersen next Spring

 

 

Adventures of #testknitting 2

Hi knit friends,

This weekend was nice and quiet because of the hot temperature. I spent time knitting a quick hat, Kakano designed by Francoise aka Frenchie of Arohaknits. I like projects like this that provide texture. The lovely Madelinetosh BFL/ DK silk Marigold colorway was a yummy combination. The mashup of purl & knit stitches makes a quick gratifying project. I’ve set a record for most completed projects for 2016. This is getting me prepared for the upcoming Ravellenic Games. The pattern will be out at the end of the month.