The yarn is Cascade Pacific which is fast becoming my go to yarn for a washable super soft yarn for kids and babies things.
All this one needs is a quick wash and dry and it will be off in the mail the first of next week.
Friday, October 04, 2013
Finally Friday
My almost fave day of the week. And Miss Mona Lisa's daycare blanket is finished! Another great blanket from the Cascade Yarns book 60 Quick Baby Blankets!
Thursday, October 03, 2013
Two! Two Posts In One
I very dislike seaming. But, I have decided in the last 12 hours that I very dislike sewing in ends when there are no seams.
Just when you think you have them all woven in, more of them crop up and then those pesky little ends that pull themselves out, no matter how much you tug on the piece and think you might have them taken care of.
Just when you think you have them all woven in, more of them crop up and then those pesky little ends that pull themselves out, no matter how much you tug on the piece and think you might have them taken care of.
However, last weekend I did re-find a website that has the nicest videos on little knitting techniques. I am going to use it as a resource for my beginner knitters.
Very Pink really helped me with all these annoying ends to run through on my garter stitch blanket. I plan on checking out some of her other videos as well.
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
Sunday, September 29, 2013
The Mailman Delivers!
I was so excited yesterday when I looked down on my step and saw a box that the mailman delivered. I purposely ordered from Schoolhouse Press on Wednesday hoping that they would get my order out and it would be here by the weekend. And they did!
My Unspun Icelandic came along with a pattern I ordered.
The pattern is not an immediate cast on, but one that I will save for later this winter. But, the yarn, oh it was an almost immediate gauge swatch! And a quick cast on, well not a quick cast on because it takes a while to cast on 400+ stitches, but I did get my Stora Dimun Shawl, cast on.
Today, I'll knit a bit on it IF I get to the point on Miss Mona Lisa's daycare blanket and the Karma shawl done. Thats the deal I have made with myself. Gives me a little incentive to work on those two things, eh?!
My Unspun Icelandic came along with a pattern I ordered.
The pattern is not an immediate cast on, but one that I will save for later this winter. But, the yarn, oh it was an almost immediate gauge swatch! And a quick cast on, well not a quick cast on because it takes a while to cast on 400+ stitches, but I did get my Stora Dimun Shawl, cast on.
Today, I'll knit a bit on it IF I get to the point on Miss Mona Lisa's daycare blanket and the Karma shawl done. Thats the deal I have made with myself. Gives me a little incentive to work on those two things, eh?!
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Kicking Back on a Weekend
It would seem that there is a bit of a bug around here. Both the Tall Guy and Baby Boy B are at the ends of it with the coughing and stuff. I think I might be trying to get something and rather than head out to the shop and infect everyone today seemed like it would be a good day just to kick back, do some knitting interspersed with laundry and ventures into the yarn room.
I had to rip back my Arachne's Bower shawl to it's roots because in my excitement to cast on, I failed to read the all important directions and knit that first row after casting on. I had just merrily jumped into the chart. So, this morning, while I am fully awake, I ripped it back and cast back on.
Miss Mona Lisa's daycare blanket is on the decreases part. I will save the knitting on it for later this afternoon when the Cardinals are on. It is a great baseball knitting project. I am hoping to finish it this weekend, but may need some more purple yarn which would have to wait for a run out to the shop on Tuesday. I want to have this in the mail to her by Thursday of next week.
One of the other projects slated for completion this weekend is my Sequim shawl out of Berroco Karma. This is another great baseball knitting project and should be great to work on tomorrow for the final game of the regular season.
Yep, I've got my weekend planned out for knitting. The Tall Guy and Baby B are going to work a bit on the remodel of the front porch. And, finally, we have made a decision on the kitchen remodel. Calling the contractor on Monday to confirm. Finally!
I had to rip back my Arachne's Bower shawl to it's roots because in my excitement to cast on, I failed to read the all important directions and knit that first row after casting on. I had just merrily jumped into the chart. So, this morning, while I am fully awake, I ripped it back and cast back on.
Miss Mona Lisa's daycare blanket is on the decreases part. I will save the knitting on it for later this afternoon when the Cardinals are on. It is a great baseball knitting project. I am hoping to finish it this weekend, but may need some more purple yarn which would have to wait for a run out to the shop on Tuesday. I want to have this in the mail to her by Thursday of next week.
One of the other projects slated for completion this weekend is my Sequim shawl out of Berroco Karma. This is another great baseball knitting project and should be great to work on tomorrow for the final game of the regular season.
Yep, I've got my weekend planned out for knitting. The Tall Guy and Baby B are going to work a bit on the remodel of the front porch. And, finally, we have made a decision on the kitchen remodel. Calling the contractor on Monday to confirm. Finally!
Friday, September 27, 2013
Just A Little Cute For A Friday
This was a week ago when we had Fall like temps. Miss Mona Lisa is wearing her hat from what was her Spring ensemble. It is good to know that she'll still have some cool little knits to wear this Fall!
Thursday, September 26, 2013
I Am Not A Spinner
but I love this magazine about spinning and wheels and fleece and color.
I love a good magazine and Jacey Boggs has hit this one out of the park. Printed quarterly, $36 a year.
It may make take me into another world...someday.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Wednesday Website
Schoolhouse Press
Ooo-la-la. I am heading over to buy at least one of the new colors of Unspun Icelandic for a shawl. Can you guess which one?
Ooo-la-la. I am heading over to buy at least one of the new colors of Unspun Icelandic for a shawl. Can you guess which one?
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Words of Wisdom
Before I went merrily casting on with all of my Christmas projects from yesterday, a conversation came back to me that I have had with a knitting friend. The conversation kind of finished with the question, "why do we feel the need to knit something for everyone we know for Christmas?"
{Sigh of relief} when I rememberd that. Right after I posted yesterday, I kind of went into a frenzy looking at the calendar and seeing the magnitude of the knitting I thought I needed to do. I'm better now and back on track for knitting for me. Merry Early Christmas, Penny!
{Sigh of relief} when I rememberd that. Right after I posted yesterday, I kind of went into a frenzy looking at the calendar and seeing the magnitude of the knitting I thought I needed to do. I'm better now and back on track for knitting for me. Merry Early Christmas, Penny!
Friday, September 20, 2013
Are You Sitting Down?
Or rather, what are you doing reading this, you should be knitting! Christmas is less than 100 days away. Eeek! I have some knitting to do!
On my list:
Two Stephen West Purl Ridge Cowls for the two ladies who I supervise at work. I bought the yarn last Spring at the Knitting Pipeline Retreat.
I had a crazy idea the other night to knit this sweater for my two great nieces, and for Miss Mona Lisa. They would all look so darn cute in the same sweaters, I don't have the pattern or this colorway in yarn.
But, I do have it in this one. Sonic Lavendar.
I really think Miss Mona Lisa needs Spud and Chloe on the Farm, but after seeing that she has a little farm set last weekend, I think I may save this for her for next year's birthday.
But definitely, she needs some Topsy Turvy knits for her Christmas this year. And I am wondering if a five year old is too old for one of the Topsy Turvy Dolls?
And before we even get to Christmas gift knitting, I want to knit the youngest great-niece and Mona Lisa a pre-Christmas sweater! And a Fall sweater!
Perhaps rather than asking what are you doing reading this, I should ask/tell myself, what are you doing on the computer ? Go go go knit something!
On my list:
Two Stephen West Purl Ridge Cowls for the two ladies who I supervise at work. I bought the yarn last Spring at the Knitting Pipeline Retreat.
I had a crazy idea the other night to knit this sweater for my two great nieces, and for Miss Mona Lisa. They would all look so darn cute in the same sweaters, I don't have the pattern or this colorway in yarn.
But, I do have it in this one. Sonic Lavendar.
I really think Miss Mona Lisa needs Spud and Chloe on the Farm, but after seeing that she has a little farm set last weekend, I think I may save this for her for next year's birthday.
But definitely, she needs some Topsy Turvy knits for her Christmas this year. And I am wondering if a five year old is too old for one of the Topsy Turvy Dolls?
And before we even get to Christmas gift knitting, I want to knit the youngest great-niece and Mona Lisa a pre-Christmas sweater! And a Fall sweater!
Perhaps rather than asking what are you doing reading this, I should ask/tell myself, what are you doing on the computer ? Go go go knit something!
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Ima Bit Peeved
This morning, before I headed off to work, I decided I would block my baby afghan and peapod for my hairdresser (I wanted to take it tomorrow night).
I put the afghan on the dining room table and decided to grab one of my fluffy white towels and spread the peapod out on it on the yarn room floor. When I got home tonight, it was a bit dark in the room and I felt it, and it was quite wet still. So, I decided to move it to the dining room table where the fan is directly over it.
When I pulled up my nice white fluffy guest bath towel, this is what I found!
Seriously, I have never had this happen. And there was absolutely no dye in the water when I washed and rinsed it.
I'm glad I didn't buy anymore of this for peapods.
I've got the towel down soaking in a bleach bath, I sure hope it comes out. I need to warn my friend who is knitting a couple of these to beware of putting it on white towels to block.
I put the afghan on the dining room table and decided to grab one of my fluffy white towels and spread the peapod out on it on the yarn room floor. When I got home tonight, it was a bit dark in the room and I felt it, and it was quite wet still. So, I decided to move it to the dining room table where the fan is directly over it.
When I pulled up my nice white fluffy guest bath towel, this is what I found!
Seriously, I have never had this happen. And there was absolutely no dye in the water when I washed and rinsed it.
I'm glad I didn't buy anymore of this for peapods.
I've got the towel down soaking in a bleach bath, I sure hope it comes out. I need to warn my friend who is knitting a couple of these to beware of putting it on white towels to block.
Monday, September 16, 2013
This Doesn't Really Count
Yes, it looks like a new project that has been cast on, but it really is more of a class sample/teaching sample/using up leftover yarn that is doing double duty as a project.
I am teaching three ladies (two that I used to work with and one of their friends) to knit. We started last week, and this week, the plan was to move them towards increases and decreases.
While I was over in Iowa, Baby Boy A was telling me how they took their own sheets to day care every week and a blanket for Miss Mona Lisa to nap under. He did not want to take the one I knitted for her at her birth because he was afraid of what may happen to it.
Enter my stash/leftover yarn. I figured I have some stash that would be great for a day care blanket. And if something happens to it, so be it, I have more stash. I have been eyeballing this pattern to use some stash Cascade Pacific up and this became the perfect pattern for this blanket.
And best of all, I can use it as a demo piece for increases and decreases. too. Only problem is, I don't have a whole lot of the light pink left so I may have to sub with this darker pink or cream.
So, I really didn't cast on something new, well, yes, I guess I did. But really, it doesn't count, does it?
I am teaching three ladies (two that I used to work with and one of their friends) to knit. We started last week, and this week, the plan was to move them towards increases and decreases.
While I was over in Iowa, Baby Boy A was telling me how they took their own sheets to day care every week and a blanket for Miss Mona Lisa to nap under. He did not want to take the one I knitted for her at her birth because he was afraid of what may happen to it.
Enter my stash/leftover yarn. I figured I have some stash that would be great for a day care blanket. And if something happens to it, so be it, I have more stash. I have been eyeballing this pattern to use some stash Cascade Pacific up and this became the perfect pattern for this blanket.
And best of all, I can use it as a demo piece for increases and decreases. too. Only problem is, I don't have a whole lot of the light pink left so I may have to sub with this darker pink or cream.
So, I really didn't cast on something new, well, yes, I guess I did. But really, it doesn't count, does it?
Sunday, September 15, 2013
I'm Really Trying
But it is so hard. I want to knit on just one thing. I want to finish projects. I don't want to cast on anything new. I am trying to knit stash.
And I have been really good on the last one, but the others, there are so many tempting things I want to cast on since coming home from Iowa this weekend and visiting this little precious one.
When we got over there on Friday night, she was walking a bit, holding onto things here and there. And then last night, she is going like a house a fire, albeit a little wobbly at times, but I think she will be a full fledge walker the next time we see her. It was so much fun to be a part of that!
When we got there, she was again quite shy of us, but by last night, she was walking up to me while I sat on the floor giving hugs, wet kisses and sitting on my lap so I could read the endless books. Made my little heart swell and dream of retirement in Iowa, someday!
On the way over I got a lot of knitting done on my Scallop Shawl and it is the only thing I took in the house with me, so I was forced to knit on it when she was napping.
I am changing it up every other pie piece to do stockinette, which means there is a tad bit of purling on it, rather than all garter. I like the changes, but it really would be faster to do all garter which is another option. But, for now, I have committed to the stockinette, so this one will go as it is.
I did the spit splice on the join. I am not really sure that I will continue with that for the next one, may go back to the russian join for the next one.
It is damp and cool in Central IL today, finally we got some rain. I know that I should be knitting on this shawl, but after a weekend with Mona Lisa, I am anxious to be knitting on something for her for Fall. Stay tuned!
And I have been really good on the last one, but the others, there are so many tempting things I want to cast on since coming home from Iowa this weekend and visiting this little precious one.
When we got over there on Friday night, she was walking a bit, holding onto things here and there. And then last night, she is going like a house a fire, albeit a little wobbly at times, but I think she will be a full fledge walker the next time we see her. It was so much fun to be a part of that!
When we got there, she was again quite shy of us, but by last night, she was walking up to me while I sat on the floor giving hugs, wet kisses and sitting on my lap so I could read the endless books. Made my little heart swell and dream of retirement in Iowa, someday!
On the way over I got a lot of knitting done on my Scallop Shawl and it is the only thing I took in the house with me, so I was forced to knit on it when she was napping.
I am changing it up every other pie piece to do stockinette, which means there is a tad bit of purling on it, rather than all garter. I like the changes, but it really would be faster to do all garter which is another option. But, for now, I have committed to the stockinette, so this one will go as it is.
I did the spit splice on the join. I am not really sure that I will continue with that for the next one, may go back to the russian join for the next one.
It is damp and cool in Central IL today, finally we got some rain. I know that I should be knitting on this shawl, but after a weekend with Mona Lisa, I am anxious to be knitting on something for her for Fall. Stay tuned!
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Finished Friday .
In April, I had a nice long week off where I did just what I wanted to. Made some trips to my local yarn shops and knitted. This little gem, Kudo is what I bought to make another Knitting Pure and Simple Sumer Cardigan. The yarn just looked so summery!
I knitted on it for a while and then it was set aside for most of the Summer while other things were being knitted. After, I finished my Sierra Quatro top, I decided to knit one more of my Summer WIPS. I thought it would take me just another week, but I got kind of bored with it, and really didn't knit on it for a couple of days. I was really wanting to cast on something new, but I stuck with my original decision to knit WIPS until Autumn officially starts. And besides, it was almost 100 degrees here in Central IL. I figured I would have plenty of time to knit and wear it.
I will still be able to wear it now that it is finished. I don't really think that these below 70 degree days we are going to have in the next few days are really here to stay. I am pretty stoked now that this one is done. It feels so good to finish something, strike it from the list and post both here and on Ravelry in my projects.
I changed this pattern up a bit, adding considerable length to the bottom and making the sleeves 3/4 length. All of the bands on the sweater have seed stitch rather than the ribbing that does nothing for me on this sweater. The pattern had you do some decreases in the waist which I did, but I also did the increases too to take care/hide those pesky hips.
The sweater has all kinds of possibilities for wearing of tanks underneath as there are so many colors to choose from it's pallet.
So, that is the end of my Summer Sweaters for this year. I am pulling a couple more WIPS out now that are most definitely for Fall! I love progress.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Fall for Shawls
It certainly is shawl weather here today! I cannot believe the change. I went into work yesterday and it was hot and muggy. Came home from grocery shopping and it was cooler outside than it was inside with the air on. This morning is crisp and is barely going to reach 70 degrees. Now, I know that it isn't going to stay like this, because we will have some warmer temps, but I do believe the really hot stuff is gone!
I had a totally different post for today, but in light of the cool temps and my need/want to be working on some Fall Shawls, I am saving my finished object for tomorrow's post.
Later today, we are heading over to Iowa to see Miss Mona Lisa. It is going to be a bit cool and I am always cold anyways, so I am going to pull out my Cheryl Oberle Best Loved Shawl to take with me and to wear for most of the weekend.
I did post earlier this Summer that it was the Summer of Shawls here at chez PJKnits. It was a bit of a fail on the shoulder shawlette front because so many other knits kept making their way to the top of the queue. I love those shoulder shawlettes for Winter as much as Summer. I wear a ton of them with a basic Evan Picone turtleneck that I bought in every freaking color a few years back. I still plan on wearing them this year again.
As much as I love the shoulder shawlette, I am totally in love with the bigger shawl! Thank you Cheryl for turning me onto those! I want something I can wrap my body in or throw over my feet, you know something substantial! They may not be what I will wear to work, but they are definitely going to be a part of my Fall wardrobe. As the weeks go by, here on the blog, I'll show you what I am knitting on and what is on my radar for knitting. Spring is a long way from September, isn't it?!
So, what is first in line? The Scallop Shawl from It Is Always An Adventure in Knitting has been on and off of the needles more times than I can count.
My local yarn shop Knit 4 Together has one in this exact color that when I get chilly, I throw on. After wearing it so many times, you would think I would just knit the dang thing. I am sure that is what they are saying when they see me throw it over me!
It has been knitted countless times in all sorts of yarns and this has several possibilities. Mine, hopefully is going to be a little longer because at the final rip back, I put it on a larger needle. This is a perfect shawl for keeping warm and because is you want it bigger, you just add more welts to it.
It is going with me to Iowa this weekend in hopes that going to and from, I can get a bit done on it and ready to wear really soon.
And it would be another finished object out of the corner! I am so excited on the shawls that are yet to come. Stay tuned for more updates in the weeks to come. In the meantime, go out and Fall for Shawls!
I had a totally different post for today, but in light of the cool temps and my need/want to be working on some Fall Shawls, I am saving my finished object for tomorrow's post.
Later today, we are heading over to Iowa to see Miss Mona Lisa. It is going to be a bit cool and I am always cold anyways, so I am going to pull out my Cheryl Oberle Best Loved Shawl to take with me and to wear for most of the weekend.
I did post earlier this Summer that it was the Summer of Shawls here at chez PJKnits. It was a bit of a fail on the shoulder shawlette front because so many other knits kept making their way to the top of the queue. I love those shoulder shawlettes for Winter as much as Summer. I wear a ton of them with a basic Evan Picone turtleneck that I bought in every freaking color a few years back. I still plan on wearing them this year again.
As much as I love the shoulder shawlette, I am totally in love with the bigger shawl! Thank you Cheryl for turning me onto those! I want something I can wrap my body in or throw over my feet, you know something substantial! They may not be what I will wear to work, but they are definitely going to be a part of my Fall wardrobe. As the weeks go by, here on the blog, I'll show you what I am knitting on and what is on my radar for knitting. Spring is a long way from September, isn't it?!
So, what is first in line? The Scallop Shawl from It Is Always An Adventure in Knitting has been on and off of the needles more times than I can count.
My local yarn shop Knit 4 Together has one in this exact color that when I get chilly, I throw on. After wearing it so many times, you would think I would just knit the dang thing. I am sure that is what they are saying when they see me throw it over me!
It has been knitted countless times in all sorts of yarns and this has several possibilities. Mine, hopefully is going to be a little longer because at the final rip back, I put it on a larger needle. This is a perfect shawl for keeping warm and because is you want it bigger, you just add more welts to it.
It is going with me to Iowa this weekend in hopes that going to and from, I can get a bit done on it and ready to wear really soon.
And it would be another finished object out of the corner! I am so excited on the shawls that are yet to come. Stay tuned for more updates in the weeks to come. In the meantime, go out and Fall for Shawls!
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Now This Is A Catalog
For years I have enjoyed the ads for Bergere de France in knitting magazines. Their sweaters were so different and so fashion forward. I tried my best to find shops who carried their stuff that I could actually see, but did not have much luck.
I was so excited when I saw that they had a catalog that you could get for free. It came today! I've been waiting and waiting and reading about it! This is the first time that it has been available to us.
I have had a love of everything French since I was in grade school and had a French pen pal, Martine from Strasbourg. In high school, I took four years of French and thought that one day I would be a French teacher. When I was 15, I was lucky that my parents gave me a 6 week trip to Europe in the Summer to study. The chaperone was my French teacher in high school, Pam Stephens. I fell even more in love with France, the language, the culture, the clothes, the art.
When I started knitting and dreaming of being a yarn shop owner, I thought a great name for a shop would be La Tricoteuse (the knitting woman). When it was being published, I loved the magazine Tricoter. Hey, it was French and it was knitting!
Fast forward to a few years back when I first started seeing the Bergere de France ads and then this catalog. It is not just a catalog but a book! I am so excited to have it in my hot little hands.
Pages with actual yarn samples you can touch and feel and dream about. A little je ne sais pas!
I am going to grab my cup of chai and have a look see and decide what I just cannot live without.
Did I mention how excited I am! Stay tuned.
I was so excited when I saw that they had a catalog that you could get for free. It came today! I've been waiting and waiting and reading about it! This is the first time that it has been available to us.
I have had a love of everything French since I was in grade school and had a French pen pal, Martine from Strasbourg. In high school, I took four years of French and thought that one day I would be a French teacher. When I was 15, I was lucky that my parents gave me a 6 week trip to Europe in the Summer to study. The chaperone was my French teacher in high school, Pam Stephens. I fell even more in love with France, the language, the culture, the clothes, the art.
When I started knitting and dreaming of being a yarn shop owner, I thought a great name for a shop would be La Tricoteuse (the knitting woman). When it was being published, I loved the magazine Tricoter. Hey, it was French and it was knitting!
Fast forward to a few years back when I first started seeing the Bergere de France ads and then this catalog. It is not just a catalog but a book! I am so excited to have it in my hot little hands.
Pages with actual yarn samples you can touch and feel and dream about. A little je ne sais pas!
I am going to grab my cup of chai and have a look see and decide what I just cannot live without.
Did I mention how excited I am! Stay tuned.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Wednesday Website
http://altadenasbabydesigns.blogspot.com
I don't know why, but I am in the baby knitting frame of my mind. No, no, there are no babies directly related me that are due anytime soon, I just feel like baby knitting.
I don't know why, but I am in the baby knitting frame of my mind. No, no, there are no babies directly related me that are due anytime soon, I just feel like baby knitting.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
I Had An Idea Tonight
You know I love those flowy down the front cardigans.
You know I have one that I bought several years ago that is getting quite pilled.
You know I started Walpole over a year ago because it kind of reminded me of the above,
You know I love top down and Knitting Pure and Simple patterns.
So, what if I took the wrap top down sweater, knitted it and didn't wrap it? Wouldn't it give me the look of the blue purchased one that is pilling that I really love wearing?
Things that make you hmmmmm, Arsenio. Might have to investigate that after I finish my Boku Sweater that is not quite finished, but really will be by this weekend!
You know I have one that I bought several years ago that is getting quite pilled.
You know I started Walpole over a year ago because it kind of reminded me of the above,
You know I love top down and Knitting Pure and Simple patterns.
So, what if I took the wrap top down sweater, knitted it and didn't wrap it? Wouldn't it give me the look of the blue purchased one that is pilling that I really love wearing?
Things that make you hmmmmm, Arsenio. Might have to investigate that after I finish my Boku Sweater that is not quite finished, but really will be by this weekend!
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