I am so proud to be a part of this amazing group that meets twice a month at our local Hospice Home.
Friday, February 28, 2020
Finally Finished Friday
These are not all mine, only one of the 49 in this pile, but I just had to share what a great bunch of shawls and blankets came in this week at Hospice.
I am so proud to be a part of this amazing group that meets twice a month at our local Hospice Home.
I am so proud to be a part of this amazing group that meets twice a month at our local Hospice Home.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Wednesday Website
Let's talk stash. We all have one, right? Well, what if you are like me and actively wanting to use your stash or as I like to call it now My Personal Yarn Shop? What if you don't have the yarn called for in your current want to cast on right away project or your local yarn shop doesn't carry the particular yarn called for?
Try searching for a yarn substitution at https://yarnsub.com
Enter a yarn and see all the possibles!
Happy Hump Day!
Try searching for a yarn substitution at https://yarnsub.com
Enter a yarn and see all the possibles!
Happy Hump Day!
Monday, February 17, 2020
Episode 38 - The Weekender
Episode 38 is up on You Tube. You can find it here
In this episode, I show you my Knitmas gifts and all about The Weekender sweater I finally finished.
Show notes can be found in the pjknits group on Ravelry.
Show notes can be found in the pjknits group on Ravelry.
Sunday, February 16, 2020
Morning Has Broken
I love Cat Stevens, and so his song this morning, 🎼 Morning has broken 🎼 is a perfect backdrop to the scene that greeted us this morning when we woke up.
Since then, the sun is shining and it is a blue sky, and a bit of the snow is starting to melt. With temps tomorrow in the 40's and rain forecasted, we should have a bit less of the snow around.
And if it is Sunday, I am taking it easy with a cuppa, my knitting and some planning. Since I finished The Weekender, I have been all over the place with my knitting, with probably a half a dozen different things that I want to be knitting. I won't bore you with all of them, but I do want to share a couple that I am really excited about.
First up, I really want to finish some projects that have been hanging around for awhile, and first up is Ouzo by Baby Cocktails. I bought the yarn specifically for it from Stitches Midwest at least three years ago and knit the back right away. The front has been cast on for some time, and recently, I was looking at my friend, Susan Rainey's finished object on Ravelry, and her notes made me think about the pocket.
The pattern has you knit the pocket separately and then sew it down, but Susan knit a pocket lining, and knit the lace and rib as part of the front. Genius move, so I copied hers and now I can motor along to the top.
Two new cast ons have happened this weekend...what can I say I could not resist.
Regular readers will remember that when Debbie and I were at January Thaw, she gifted me two skeins of yarn. A little plotting and planning occurred while we were together that we would knit a wrap together. We chose Shadows in the Rain, by Nomadic Knits. We picked out some yarns and she went off to Florida with hers and I cast on mine.
I wasn't too sure when I cast on yesterday that I was going to like the blue to start with and maybe I should recast on with gray, but the more I knit with it the more I like it.
Stay tuned to see the other colors as the shawl continues. It's going to be a bright one and perfect for Team Unicorn at ZK.
For a couple of weeks now, I have been searching my stash for just the right yarn in DK or Sport weight to knit Shot Reverse Shot as part of the ZK contest for February/March. The pattern is one of the Designers in the Designer Showcase and gives bonus points for using one of their patterns. And additional bonus points for using Vendor Market yarns and even more bonus points for February/March if you knit a wrap/shawl/poncho.
What a win, if only. I do pretty good about adding my stash to Ravelry, and so was pretty bummed that I did not have something in DK. I just don't tend to buy DK, but it seems like every designer is using DK. So, I gave up.
I had a couple of other options, maybe holding two finger weights together so I headed up to my personal yarn shop this morning to look. Et, Voila, why was only one of these listed in my stash and where did the others come from? I don't care, all I know is I am loving them so far and cannot wait to see this all evolve.
My head is swimming with all the knitting I want to do. Now, I just have to decide what project to work on first or the most.
Hope your are having a great weekend! Catch you on the purl side!
Since then, the sun is shining and it is a blue sky, and a bit of the snow is starting to melt. With temps tomorrow in the 40's and rain forecasted, we should have a bit less of the snow around.
And if it is Sunday, I am taking it easy with a cuppa, my knitting and some planning. Since I finished The Weekender, I have been all over the place with my knitting, with probably a half a dozen different things that I want to be knitting. I won't bore you with all of them, but I do want to share a couple that I am really excited about.
First up, I really want to finish some projects that have been hanging around for awhile, and first up is Ouzo by Baby Cocktails. I bought the yarn specifically for it from Stitches Midwest at least three years ago and knit the back right away. The front has been cast on for some time, and recently, I was looking at my friend, Susan Rainey's finished object on Ravelry, and her notes made me think about the pocket.
The pattern has you knit the pocket separately and then sew it down, but Susan knit a pocket lining, and knit the lace and rib as part of the front. Genius move, so I copied hers and now I can motor along to the top.
Two new cast ons have happened this weekend...what can I say I could not resist.
Regular readers will remember that when Debbie and I were at January Thaw, she gifted me two skeins of yarn. A little plotting and planning occurred while we were together that we would knit a wrap together. We chose Shadows in the Rain, by Nomadic Knits. We picked out some yarns and she went off to Florida with hers and I cast on mine.
I wasn't too sure when I cast on yesterday that I was going to like the blue to start with and maybe I should recast on with gray, but the more I knit with it the more I like it.
Stay tuned to see the other colors as the shawl continues. It's going to be a bright one and perfect for Team Unicorn at ZK.
For a couple of weeks now, I have been searching my stash for just the right yarn in DK or Sport weight to knit Shot Reverse Shot as part of the ZK contest for February/March. The pattern is one of the Designers in the Designer Showcase and gives bonus points for using one of their patterns. And additional bonus points for using Vendor Market yarns and even more bonus points for February/March if you knit a wrap/shawl/poncho.
What a win, if only. I do pretty good about adding my stash to Ravelry, and so was pretty bummed that I did not have something in DK. I just don't tend to buy DK, but it seems like every designer is using DK. So, I gave up.
I had a couple of other options, maybe holding two finger weights together so I headed up to my personal yarn shop this morning to look. Et, Voila, why was only one of these listed in my stash and where did the others come from? I don't care, all I know is I am loving them so far and cannot wait to see this all evolve.
My head is swimming with all the knitting I want to do. Now, I just have to decide what project to work on first or the most.
Hope your are having a great weekend! Catch you on the purl side!
Saturday, February 15, 2020
It’s The Weekender!
The perfect sweater to wear for the weekend - The Weekender by Andrea Mowry.
I am totally going to get a lot of wear out of this. The yarn has been in my stash for several years, purchased from Chris at Briar Rose Fibers sometime ago.
It is a departure from my normal colors, but still has my signature blue in it, and it totally goes with the green turtle neck.
I have made a few mods on the pattern to fit me, I'm just not the positive ease kind of person along with I like my necklines close. The mods are on my Ravelry project page, so you can check them out there.
Have a great weekend!
I am totally going to get a lot of wear out of this. The yarn has been in my stash for several years, purchased from Chris at Briar Rose Fibers sometime ago.
It is a departure from my normal colors, but still has my signature blue in it, and it totally goes with the green turtle neck.
I have made a few mods on the pattern to fit me, I'm just not the positive ease kind of person along with I like my necklines close. The mods are on my Ravelry project page, so you can check them out there.
Have a great weekend!
Friday, February 14, 2020
Sunday, February 02, 2020
Sure You Can
celebrate Christmas in February!
We just got home from Iowa where we finally got to celebrate Christmas with my kids and grandkids. I'll share pics of them later next week.
But, when I arrived home my Knitmas present came from Becky out in Virginia. I was hoping for a box and Santa Mail delivered while we were gone.
It was so much fun digging into the box for all the reveals!
The knit was dead on, and I will get so much wear out of it. I have been wanting to knit this cowl from Curious Handmade and now I don't have to. Becky sent along the leftovers and they are being saved for a mitered square blanket for me that I want to do out of all the colors of the ocean...you know Caribbean Blue/Turquoise!
Becky added so many goodies including a cross stitch for my knitting room, a tuft soap, a snoopy ornament for my snoopy Christmas tree, some wonderful chocolates from Finland, sock yarn for socks just for me
And this Calma Llama that if it doesn't cure stress and make you laugh, well there is just no hope for you or me!
We just got home from Iowa where we finally got to celebrate Christmas with my kids and grandkids. I'll share pics of them later next week.
But, when I arrived home my Knitmas present came from Becky out in Virginia. I was hoping for a box and Santa Mail delivered while we were gone.
It was so much fun digging into the box for all the reveals!
The knit was dead on, and I will get so much wear out of it. I have been wanting to knit this cowl from Curious Handmade and now I don't have to. Becky sent along the leftovers and they are being saved for a mitered square blanket for me that I want to do out of all the colors of the ocean...you know Caribbean Blue/Turquoise!
Becky added so many goodies including a cross stitch for my knitting room, a tuft soap, a snoopy ornament for my snoopy Christmas tree, some wonderful chocolates from Finland, sock yarn for socks just for me
And this Calma Llama that if it doesn't cure stress and make you laugh, well there is just no hope for you or me!
Friday, January 31, 2020
Finally Finished Friday
I had to wait until my Knitmas partner received her box, before I could share this finished object with you all on the blog.
The pattern is Foolproof.
The red yarn is Poison Apple in the Callback base by Leading Men Fiber Arts and the gray is London Fog in the MCS base by Sun Valley Fibers.
It is a fantastic construction as there is no joining or sewing and all garter.
I loved knitting it and finally having it on its way!
Sunday, January 26, 2020
Episode 37 January Thaw
Hi All! I have been away all weekend in Madison for the annual Sun Valley Fibers January Thaw retreat with my roomie, Debbie. While we were there, we did a podcast together and you can find it here
We scooted out a day early to get there and a day early to get home, since there was a forecast of snow on Thursday and wanting to get home on Saturday to have a nice day at home before work again on Monday.
It snowed every day we were there, but we were prepared with sweaters to wear. We had a wonderful view of the roof out our window, but could still see the freeway to see how the cars were moving.
It was a great weekend, where we met up with lots of friends and met new friends. I am so excited for my knitting right now, retreats can do that!
Have a great weekend!
Monday, January 20, 2020
Episode 36 -20.20.20
Click here to watch
the latest episode of PJKnits. It is January 20, 2020 and 20 degrees outside at upload. This is what behind the scenes looks like today.
Here is some of what I am podcasting about today.
Corralling your saves on Instagrams.
My Turtle Dove II and a finished project I cannot talk about yet, but it involves an empty bag.
Some projects to take to knit with at next weekend's January Thaw in Madison.
A possible 2020 Christmas present or two, or a 2019 Christmas present.
Winter has finally returned to Central Illinois, hope you are warm and toasty and knitting something fun this week!
the latest episode of PJKnits. It is January 20, 2020 and 20 degrees outside at upload. This is what behind the scenes looks like today.
Here is some of what I am podcasting about today.
Corralling your saves on Instagrams.
My Turtle Dove II and a finished project I cannot talk about yet, but it involves an empty bag.
Some projects to take to knit with at next weekend's January Thaw in Madison.
A possible 2020 Christmas present or two, or a 2019 Christmas present.
Winter has finally returned to Central Illinois, hope you are warm and toasty and knitting something fun this week!
Friday, January 17, 2020
Finally Finished Friday - Turtle Dove II
This Sweater!!
I love it! I love the yarn, Drops Air which is so squishy and soft. It is the second version of the same sweater from Espace Tricot. I knit the first version a year ago out of Woolfolk, which is heavier yarn than the Drops Air. This one is just a tad bit lighter weight but, still substantial enough for the return of Winter to Central Illinois this weekend.
As always, I made some modifications on my sweater dealing with heavier arms and needing to add extra stitches there, then modifying the decreases on the arm to get to my tiny wrists (oh why could my body not match my wrist size?)
Lately, I seem to be drawn to the split hems, What is about the split hem that I love so?
And an inch longer on the back hem than in the front is just perfect to come over the bum a bit. It is a winner for sure for me, and I am going to love wearing it!
I love it! I love the yarn, Drops Air which is so squishy and soft. It is the second version of the same sweater from Espace Tricot. I knit the first version a year ago out of Woolfolk, which is heavier yarn than the Drops Air. This one is just a tad bit lighter weight but, still substantial enough for the return of Winter to Central Illinois this weekend.
Lately, I seem to be drawn to the split hems, What is about the split hem that I love so?
And an inch longer on the back hem than in the front is just perfect to come over the bum a bit. It is a winner for sure for me, and I am going to love wearing it!
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Throwback Thursday - Yarn Stash
Last night, I was a bit bored and decided to look way back at the beginning of the blog and see if there wasn't a Thursday post that I could do a blog post on.
Oy, it was really sporadic in the beginning, but I came across this picture of what was my stash.
We had such a tiny house then, and with two growing boys in one bedroom and us in the second bedroom, the stash/computer had to go along a wall in the dining room and into the living room.
Oh how the years have changed! The stash size has definitely changed and now I have a whole room on the second floor for my personal yarn shop.
What hasn't changed since that time, is the need to knit from my stash! So far for 2020, I have done pretty good, only buying two balls of yarn at my local yarn shop yesterday to make a lamb scarf for my oldest granddaughter! It was a specialty yarn, so I could buy it!
Oy, it was really sporadic in the beginning, but I came across this picture of what was my stash.
We had such a tiny house then, and with two growing boys in one bedroom and us in the second bedroom, the stash/computer had to go along a wall in the dining room and into the living room.
Oh how the years have changed! The stash size has definitely changed and now I have a whole room on the second floor for my personal yarn shop.
What hasn't changed since that time, is the need to knit from my stash! So far for 2020, I have done pretty good, only buying two balls of yarn at my local yarn shop yesterday to make a lamb scarf for my oldest granddaughter! It was a specialty yarn, so I could buy it!
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Wednesday Website
Sorry I have been MIA from the Blog, I am not sure what happened or where all my time has been spent since the first of the year, but all of a sudden, I turned around and it is mid January!
Wednesdays this year I am hoping to continue something I started a few years back on the blog, Wednesday Websites or Wednesday WIPS.
This Wednesday I want to share with you Helene Magnusson's website
Icelandic Knitter
I am a fan of Icelandic sweaters. I know a lot of my knitting friends would find Icelandic wools scratchy and itchy, preferring soft and cuddly yarns to those used in Helene's sweaters, but for those of us who worship at the knee of Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen, you will get our fandom of Icelandic yarns and sweaters.
Helene's website has some gorgeous knits on it and if you scroll back her periodic posts you will know what I mean.
The tabs on her website intrigues me as she sells yarn and kits, has some great pictures, along with a tab for Knitting Tours that sound like a Knitter's dream trip, that is if you are a fan of Iceland and would love to put that on a bucket list of trips should I ever win the lotto.
Be sure and check out her bio Here I think you will enjoy reading all about her.
Wednesdays this year I am hoping to continue something I started a few years back on the blog, Wednesday Websites or Wednesday WIPS.
This Wednesday I want to share with you Helene Magnusson's website
Icelandic Knitter
I am a fan of Icelandic sweaters. I know a lot of my knitting friends would find Icelandic wools scratchy and itchy, preferring soft and cuddly yarns to those used in Helene's sweaters, but for those of us who worship at the knee of Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen, you will get our fandom of Icelandic yarns and sweaters.
Helene's website has some gorgeous knits on it and if you scroll back her periodic posts you will know what I mean.
The tabs on her website intrigues me as she sells yarn and kits, has some great pictures, along with a tab for Knitting Tours that sound like a Knitter's dream trip, that is if you are a fan of Iceland and would love to put that on a bucket list of trips should I ever win the lotto.
Be sure and check out her bio Here I think you will enjoy reading all about her.
Wednesday, January 01, 2020
New Year New Knitting
It is January 1st and cast on day for all kinds of new knits.
First up the Testing Menu Mystery KAL with Tellybean Knits.
A clue a week and I chose this kit from lolodidit yarns in the Sour colors. This ought to be one bright wrap/shawl for the bleak mid-Winter.
Dotted Rays by Stephen West and the yarns are from La Bien Aimee.
My Knitmas project that is an absolute secret, so you will just have to imagine what is in the bag.
There are so many more knits on my list, perhaps knitting will keep me from eating so much junk, LOL!
What are your New Year Knitting Plans? I would love to know!
First up the Testing Menu Mystery KAL with Tellybean Knits.
A clue a week and I chose this kit from lolodidit yarns in the Sour colors. This ought to be one bright wrap/shawl for the bleak mid-Winter.
Dotted Rays by Stephen West and the yarns are from La Bien Aimee.
My Knitmas project that is an absolute secret, so you will just have to imagine what is in the bag.
There are so many more knits on my list, perhaps knitting will keep me from eating so much junk, LOL!
What are your New Year Knitting Plans? I would love to know!
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Happy New Year!
Every December 31st, I post the same thing...here is my tally for 2019 of Finished Objects:
Cowls - 16
Scarves - 12
Hats - 3
Dishrag/Potholder - 2
Poncho - 1
Shawlette - 1
Baby Blanket - 3
Fingerless Mitts - 1
Headband -1
Socks -1
Hospice Shawl - 1
Sweaters - 7
Total Knitted Objects for 2019 - 49
Cowls - 16
Scarves - 12
Hats - 3
Dishrag/Potholder - 2
Poncho - 1
Shawlette - 1
Baby Blanket - 3
Fingerless Mitts - 1
Headband -1
Socks -1
Hospice Shawl - 1
Sweaters - 7
Total Knitted Objects for 2019 - 49
Monday, December 30, 2019
My Knitting Journals
Episode 35 is up on the PJKnits You Tube Channel. You can find it here
In Episode 35, I talk about my Journals and my love for making lists and plans. Below is the short version of the podcast. Show Notes can now be found in the Ravelry Group - pjknits.
I have been using this journal for most of 2018 and 2019 to document my cast ons, knits and just some knitting related items in general. I do document finished items here and on Ravelry, but my notebook sits next to my chair and is easily accessible when I want to make notes in it. It serves as my notes for what I put into Ravelry as well.
Happy New Year Knitters!
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Monday, December 23, 2019
Christmas Gifts from Knitters
I love knitting related Christmas gifts, don't you?
It seems like everyone is getting into the knitting themed wrapping paper!
Yarny goodies and when they come with a pattern so you don't have to think much are so nice to receive.
For those travel times, it is nice to be outfitted with a blanket that plugs into the 12volt battery slot, along with some knitting necessities and extras.
And it is always nice to have a nice Christmas candle, a little snack and some relaxing scented bath balls to get you through the season.
Now, I wonder what Santa will bring?!
It seems like everyone is getting into the knitting themed wrapping paper!
Yarny goodies and when they come with a pattern so you don't have to think much are so nice to receive.
For those travel times, it is nice to be outfitted with a blanket that plugs into the 12volt battery slot, along with some knitting necessities and extras.
And it is always nice to have a nice Christmas candle, a little snack and some relaxing scented bath balls to get you through the season.
Now, I wonder what Santa will bring?!
Friday, December 20, 2019
Friday Finds and Finally Finished Objects
I just had to add a couple of bags to my collection this year. The Snoopy design is from Molly Klein Designs and the plaid is from MultiCraftyGuy who makes them out of recycled men's shirts.
While I was off, I finished this baby blanket and knit a hat for my assistant's grandbaby!
And we made three batches of my Mom's famous peanut butter fudge for gifts and eating.
Happy Friday!
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
What Have I Been Up To?
Well, I went back to work last Friday after being off for 2 months, it wasn't super bad.
I went to hospice where we had a record number of shawls and blankets.
We celebrated this sweet thing's 1st birthday.
I have been knitting a mitered square a day as my advent calendar.
Oh, and I have been doing Vlogmas over on the PJKnits Channel on You Tube. Won't you join me
here in the shenanigans?!
What have you been up to?
I went to hospice where we had a record number of shawls and blankets.
We celebrated this sweet thing's 1st birthday.
I have been knitting a mitered square a day as my advent calendar.
Oh, and I have been doing Vlogmas over on the PJKnits Channel on You Tube. Won't you join me
here in the shenanigans?!
What have you been up to?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)