What's On The Needles This Week?

It's the second day in a three day weekend.  Most of the weekend has been taken up by this "little" sweetie.  We have gotten our exercise, had a ton of fur around the house and enjoyed the heck out of him.  But, now he is back with Baby Boy B and the rest of the weekend can commence.

And now, it is all about the knitting. I've got some knitting on the needles that I am having some fun with.

 First up, is Featherweight out of Three Irish Girls yarn.  I bought the yarns last year at Stitches Midwest in gradient colors of caribe blue except for the cream that it starts with.
This one is so cool!  One strand is mohair, the other a finger weight.

Just cast on this morning while watching the Indy 500 is Ground Pepper, a kit from Leading Men Fiber Arts, in wait for it, green, not caribe blue in it.

Both of these sweaters could count for the ZK contest and that is mainly why I am even knitting on them right now.  I don't really thing that either will be done before June 10th, but if not, they are going to be great retreat knitting sweaters.

I really want to cast on all the things this weekend.  The real kick off for

will happen on Tuesday after the holiday.  For the kick off,  I've got my Sweater Knitting bag out featuring the boys of Summer.

My sweaters will live in it for the next few months while I knit sweaters through the Summer and into the Fall.  Join me in knitting sweaters and wearing sweaters we knit in the coming months.

Have a terrific Memorial Day, catch you on the purl side!

Friday Friday Friday!

It is the start of a long holiday weekend, the start of Summer (unofficially, but the weatherman predicts it is going fully feel like Summer here at Chez PJKnits.

Here are a few fun pictures to catch you up to what is going here.

Last weekend we were in Iowa, attending a mini meet for this little Gymnast!  Oh, what fun!
Baby Boy A also converted to Catholicism and we had a special surprise, that I'll blog about down the road.

I recorded episode 6 of pjknits on you tube yesterday.  I talked about and showed my knitting theme collection.  Here is what the prep looked like.  pjknits on you tube

And at the end, I revealed what I won in the Retreat in A Box contest from Lupine About Group on Ravelry  I am going to use everything this weekend!

Have a great holiday weekend!  Catch you on the purl side.

pjknits on You Tube Episode 5 - ZK Knitting Prep

Zombie Knitpocalypse   http://www.zombieknitpocalypse.com

Stockinette Zombies on You Tube

ZK2018 Contest
Teams:  #zkteamlol and #zkteamluv

On The Needles
Friendship Road

Sharp Arrow


Wishful Thinking
Ground Pepper

Suburban Wrap

Books and Bags
Minnesota 52

SilverShedUSA

Hers Tote

Finished d'Object
Cotton Cropped Cardi

Just A Little Something

Catching Up!

It's been spotty here at Chez PJKnits lately.  I can only blame it on work.  It has been a bit stressful the last couple of months, and most nights when I get home, all I want to do is sit.
Hopefully, it will all calm down in the next month and a couple of projects will come together, and I'll be able to enjoy the Summer and some knitting vacations I have planned.

But, in the meantime, lets catch up.  Whats on the needles?  Well, right now, I am really trying to concentrate on some Summer sweaters, but it is hard, because I want to cast on all kinds of things.  Right now, I am knitting away on my Friendship Road Sweater.  I am finally at the rib!

I am hoping to finish by the first of next week, I am so ready to move on.  Hey, I think these capris might be a great match for wearing with soon to be new sweater.

I'm trying to read more this Summer,  even though there is not a whole lot of time for reading these days, I do try to read a bit every day from the latest of Diana Gabaldon's books.  Have you all been watching Outlander on Starz these last couple of years?

Every morning lately, I have been shutting off the t.v. after the first half hour of getting up.  I get ready for work and then sit and spend a couple of pages with The Joy of Color by Janine Bajus.  As soon as I have my fill of Summer sweaters, I am going to embark  some color work knitting for Fall and Winter.  I figure by the time Knitting Camp in July is done, I'll be so psyched to knit some color work that I'll be nice and prepared.

That's the latest for now, Happy Belated Mother's Day to all you Moms and stand-in Moms!  I was particularly moved this Mother's Day, when my nephew texted me to wish me a Happy Mother's Day and then responded, and thank you for all you've done over the years.

Flowers from my boys, spouse, fiancee and grandkids.  

Finished D'Objects

I can post this one as it was a baby shower gift for today.  Little did I know how long it would take me on size 2 needles.  Finished last night, blocked and gifted today.  I actually bought the kit while on holiday in Naples.  Could not pass it up as it was just like the baby blankies I love knitting, Heavenly Heathers, just a bit finer yarns.

Did I show this one yet?  It was a 2 day project - Cropped Cotton Cardi by Cori.  It is going to be the perfect little top for Casual Fridays and I ordered a dress that it will go under as well.

Spring/Summer Sweaters are on full swing here in at PJKnits!

Episode 4 - Scrappy Things

It is up on You Tube under pjknits

On the needles:
Friendship Road from Minnesota 52
Baby Gradient Blanket by Feza

Books and Bags:
Knitting With Bits and Pieces - House of White Birches
Patchwork Knitting - Horst Schultz
Knits From Painter's Palette
Bag - WhimzeeStitches

Scrap Blankets:
Memory Blanket by Georgie Hallam
Make A Long Story Short Blanket
Crochet Blanket

Winner of Episode 3 Molly Klein Design Bag:
Anita

Stash Enhancement:
60 Quick Knits for Beginners
Sharp Arrow Shawl
Suburban Stitcher Sock Yarn - Sari Silk and Sweet Adeline

Friday Finds!

Yarn!  Of course and I really need to stop buying, but "needed" these for a couple of projects that I am dying to cast on.

I started out with the one on the left for a particular shawl.  But, then I thought what if when I get it, it really isn't the colors I was looking for.  So, I added the one on the right, you know just in case.  Then, I got them.

And what is so cool, is that they really look good together.  So, now I am torn.  Perhaps, I need to re-assess my choice in pattern.

I am so starved for real Spring weather, and something quick and easy to knit, something with instant gratification and something that will count towards some grams for the ZK Contest, that I bought some colors of Ultra Pima to supplement my caribe blue and white that I had in stash.  I'll show you later this weekend, what I am knitting with them all!

But, aren't they so springy?!!

And because I could not resist when I was at Fiber Universe, I picked up this colorways for Hospice Blanket that just screams me!

I want to cast on all the things!  Spring Fever, that is definitely what it is!  Happy Friday!

A New Day A New Week

My earlier post from today has been deleted.  It was just too dang depressing and that is no way to start a new week, now is it?

Thank you Rick!  I needed this.  The world has been trying very hard to change my smile these past couple of weeks.  It's a new day!   And there is so much knitting that I want to do, so be happy 😃 in whatever or however many projects you want to knit.  You are your own knitter.  Have a a great week! And smile 😊!

Episode 3 - Books and Bags

Books

  Interpretations 4

Pom Pom Magazine

Interpretations 5

Laine Issue 4

Bags

Molly Klein Design

Finished Objects
Pavement Sweater by Veera Valamaki
  Briar Rose Fibers - Sea Pearl Yarn

Diagonal Garter Blanket
Hayfield Baby Blossom DK

Castle Creek Studio    I am pretty sure I called this Cabin Creek in the video oops!

Finally Finished Friday

A Hospice Blanket.  This is so squishy and soft! Yarn is Baby Blosson DK and came from Castle Creek Fibers in Naples!

Tomorrow, show notes for Episode 3 on You Tube!  Have a great weekend.

Sunshiny Day

Finally!  It is a beautiful day in Central Illinois!  And lunchtime knitting means knitting in the sun in the car.

Finally Finished Friday

My Pavement Sweater by Veera Valimaki out of Sea Pearl Yarn by Briar Rose Fibers.  This was worth the knit.

It is no secret that I have fit issues and this was a pretty simple knit, but I took my knitting and fitting skills and I have to say I love this one!  It fits and I love the feel and the drape of the yarn.

Happy Easter!

Friday Finds

Look at all these cool books/magazines my LYS had this week. 

They just had to follow me home!  I have to support my local shop in someway, if I am not buying yarn, right?!

Whats On The Needles

I'm working away on the Hospice Blanket still.  Thank goodness, I am onto the decreases now. 

Because I really want to cast on the Suburban Wrap out of these lovelies!

I'm hopeless in the cast on department!  I want to cast on all the things!

Friday Finds

It's another great book from the Lost City Knits twosome, Denise and Chris!

Not only are the designs are to die for, but the pictures and the stories make for some great reading!

The problem is what to knit out of it first?!

Although the temps are not very springlike, it is officially Spring.  How about some Spring Sweater Knitting?  I want to!  Join me?!

On The Needles This Week

There are so many things that I want to be knitting right now, but isn't that the case with every one?!

But, there are two that I am concentrating on right now, despite my penchant for flitting from project to project!

I'm on the first of the sleeves of my Pavement Sweater.  This sweater can also be known as a wing and a prayer sweater.  

I am not 100% sure the hemline is one that I am going to like.  But, still, I am knitting on and hoping the tunic style blocks out to a good length.

I've also done some mods on it through the body accommodating for the hips and the sleeve width.  The best part of knitting this sweater is the yarn.  I love Sea Pearl from Briar Rose Fibers which my stash is more than indicative of.

My other main project is a Hospice Blanket.  I'm having fun knitting on this blanket, but man oh man, it is taking a bit of time just to get it to the halfway point.  I was hoping to have it done for next Thursday's hospice meeting, but I don't think that is happening this week, despite working on it a lot.

Each of these lovelies remind me so much of Spring which is coming this week!  YEA!!