New FO’s! (This post is not for younger brother’s by the name of Jonathan, to read) :) December 21, 2008

This time of year is ripe with Fo’s.  Mostly because they are gifts.  And because I am sure that no one, and I mean no one, actually reads this blog I have no problem posting them on here so satisfy my thought that someday, someone might actually read this.  Anyway, here is my Frontier Blues Jacket, finally done, buttons on.  I’m not modeling it as it is going to my mom.  I figure i’ll take pictures of her in it when I give it to her.

I also finished this hat for my brother.  I’ll be sending it to him via his girlfriend when she goes to visit him in Kentucky right after Christmas.  I really hope he likes it.  The yarn is Naturwolle by Black Forest Yarns and is hand spun in Germany. The color is Wattenmeer  It is gorgeous stuff and I know if anything he will appreciate the fact that it is from Germany.  I used this pattern that I found on Ravelry.  Love it, will definitely do it again…

I will probably be back in a few days with a couple more FO’s.  Until then, happy holiday knitting, shopping, baking, whatever your fancy!  And stay warm and safe…

Frontier Blues Jacket Blocking! December 18, 2008

The Frontier Blues Jacket is blocking as I speak! It’s starting to look a lot better now that it is pinned and stretched. I’m so excited to give this to my mom!

I’ve been working on this Camouflage hat for my dad.  I have already ripped it out twice.  Last Christmas I made him a really nice hat to wear while he had no hair during the chemo treament he was undergoing.  He seemed to like it, but his one comment was that it didn’t have a cuff on it.  “Some people like to cuff thier hats you know,” he said.  I chalked his grouchiness up to the chemo (it made him really cranky, ask my mom) but deep down I was a little hurt.  I guess this year, i’ve taken that into account while making him this silly hat.  So yeah, i’ve ripped it out twice but keep going back to the same original plan, 2×2 rib throughout and long enough to cuff.  I hope he likes it.  The yarn is Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted in the Camouflage colorway.  He’s a Hunter so I think he will really appreiciate the thought on the color.  The yarn is really cool, actually, it’s knitting up really nicely.  Here is the hat so far, man oh man i’m so ready to be done with it!

Later today I am hoping to start on another project, for my brother which I won’t be able to post here as he may read this, and also a couple of other gifts.  7 days left until Christmas and I haven’t even started Nick’s gift yet!  Time to get knitting!

Dead moose, dead moose…. December 18, 2008

On my last trip to the Goodwill, I got Wallace this adorable little stuffed moose.  It has a festive little holiday scarf on it.  Since it’s entrance into our home, Wallace had proceeded to make it his new favorite toy by first ripping out it’s eyes and then pulling Moosey’s head stuffing out through his eye-holes.  I only hope that Wallace does not decide to someday make Nick or I his favorite toy.  What a way to go…

I’ve been busy knitting the last few days.  So what else is new, right?  I finished the sweater for mom last night.  It is the Frontier Blues Jacket from Knitscene Magazine and designed by Wendy Bernard.  Here is a picture of it pre-blocking (the picture isn’t that nice and the color looks all funky, my apologies):

I’m looking forward to giving this to her.  It’s pretty cute on, I hope she likes it.

In other news it’s been snowing like crazy here.  Well, it snowed a couple days ago and there is more on the forecast for tomorrow.  After two days of sunshine, our front yard still looks like this:

That is how cold it has been.  Burrr!  I think the high the other night was something VERY cold for Reno like 17 degrees or something.  Now, I am sure anyone from the Midwest would probably laugh in my face right now but, you know, it’s all relative…

Lastly, amidst all of my frantic knitting, I found time to make our Christmas cards this year.  I got the idea from Angry Chicken when she posted about this awesome stamp set she picked up at Michaels.  I know it’s very Martha Stewart of me (ironically, these stamps are Martha’s brand) but I grew up doing this stuff with my mom.  It’s taken a while for me to get back into it.  I’m excited to send these out.  I had fun making them.  Here’s a preview…

Anyway, back to my knitting….

Life, Knitting, and the pursuit of Happiness. December 15, 2008

So I know i’ve been on a major hiatus, but i’ve been gone, dealing with a death in the family, starting a new job, and knitting like a feind.  Lot’s of craziness going on around here.  First, Nick and I went to San Diego (which to my surprise was pretty cool) for my friend Liz’s wedding, yay Liz!  Then, on the way back we stopped at my parent’s house to pick up Wally boy and found out that my Grandfather’s condition was going downhill very quickly.  I went to the hospital to say my goodbyes and he passed away a few days later.  It was really hard for me since i’ve always been very close with him.  I’ve had a lot of support from close friends and family and I am very grateful.

Since then, I have been working at Jimmy Beans Wool, our lovely local yarn shop.  It. Is. Awesome.  I have found new inspiration to go home and knit everyday.  I spend my days touching amazing fibers and I love, love, love it!  It is so much fun seeing what other people are working on and designing new projects for myself.  It’s fantastic. It’s also nice because we are busy, busy, busy! I’m amazed at how JBW (Jimmy Beans Wool) has been able to grow this last year in an economy that has taken a down-turn. We do 80% of our business through our website so that definitely helps. Anyway if you are looking for yarn, check us out!

I recently did The Holiday Art on the Lawn craft fair with Never Ender showcasing my Neckies. Lavender Ridge in Reno hosted it and it was so much fun!  I sold quite a bit of stuff which was great.  I’ve been trying to find new ways to market my little neck warmers, but the economy isn’t helping.  It’s okay, though, I am leaning in the direction of pattern design for the future of my business anyway.  I’ll be keeping the remaining Neckies in my Etsy shop for a while.

I’ve been knitting like crazy recently, as I mentioned above, but mostly Neckies and Christmas Gifts like this sweater (that I am almost finished with) for my mom:

The pattern is the “Frontier Blues Jacket” by Wendy Bernard of Knit and Tonic.  It was featured in the Winter/Spring 2008 KnitScene.  I started this sweater back in May with the intention of making it for myself, but I got busy and never finished it.  As time wore on, I realized that my mom would really love this sweater so Voila!  Christmas Gift.  I hope she loves it.  Actually, since I took these photos, I have attached the sleeves and done about 4″ of yoke.  I’ve just started to shape the shoulders.  I’ll post pictures of the finished project after I have it blocked.  I’m excited to have it finished!

I’ve been working on lots of other small projects. Many of my gift recipients are recieving hand-warmers this year so I have been making those like crazy.  I am making my dad very traditional a stocking cap out of this cool Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted Camouflage yarn since he is the big hunter in the family.  It’s knitting up quite nicely but the pattern is super boring.  Last year I tried to do something more modern and fun for him and he complained about how the hat didn’t have a brim he could fold up.  Here you go dad, this year you are getting a boring stocking cap, hope you love it!  At lease the yarn is cool and fun to work with…

Projects on the horizon (and oh there’s a long list) include this lovely Sylvi Coat from the Winter Issue of the Twist Collective.  I am so excited to get started.  I’m making it in a beautiful deep eggplant color called Aubergine.  It’s gorgeous!  Here’s a sneak peak at that:

Anyway, so you can see how full my plate is right now.  I am going to try and be better about posting.  Hopefully at least a couple times a week.  That way I don’t have to do any more gargantuan posts on here.

It’s snowing right now and I have a cup of warm tea next to me.  I love winter!  I’ll be back shortly with more pics of my knitting adventures and updates on my new foray into vegan cooking and baking!  Until then, happy cozy winter days to you!