FO Fair Isle Hat. February 26, 2009

So, here is the fair isle hat that I started last week and finished a couple of days later. I have just been lazy (and working on another invent-as-I-go knitted piece) and haven’t posted it yet. So here it is! I’m also still working on those patterns I am promising to debut this month at Jimmy Beans. They will probably be out mid-month in the e-newsletter along with video reviews. So stay tuned! Anyway, here is my lovely hat. I am pretty pleased with how it came out.

I had to rip it out and re-draw the grid 4 times! It was kind of a PIA (Pain in the Ass) but it came out pretty nice. I can still see ways to change it for the next go-round but I suppose if I didn’t I couldn’t really call myself a designer then could I? Anyway, I am really excited about the new piece I am working on right now. I’ll just leave you with a little clue, it’s the perfect little spring-colored sweater and will be great for layering. Also, it’s quite girl-ish. I’m loving it!

Also, i’ve been obsessing over this home collection by Orla Kiely for Target. I read about it on the Kitty Genius blog which I have been reading for sometime. I just love Ashley’s artwork! Anyway, I love the pear tablecloths and the chair cushions. I am probably going to invest in some. The best part is that the tablecloths are huge and far too big for my little vintage formica kitchen table. I’ll probably cut them down and use the remaining fabric to make matching dishcloths or potholders or napkins! Oh the beauty of sewing machines! I love it.

Feeding an Obsession February 19, 2009

So, I have been sheepishly shy about admitting my obsession until now. I have decided I can’t hide it anymore. I HAVE A STRANGE FASCINATION WITH NEEDLEPOINT ART! There, I said it. Now some of you might not quite understand what I mean by this and if so, I am going to give you a walking tour of some of my best pieces. I must have 10 or so of these in my house now and every single one of them has come from the local Goodwill. I just can’t imagine anyone wanting to give these treasures away! What spurred this sudden admission of my fixation you may ask? Well, yesterday, my lovely housemate Carolyn brought home this little gem to add to my collection since she knows how much I love Owls, and I just had to share it with you all:

Here are some of my other favorites:

So yeah, now you all know my secret. Feel free to laugh. I don’t mind. I’ll just stay in my house all day and knit while enjoying my needlepoint art, drinking coffee and listening to NPR. Call me crazy if you want, but boy would I be happy!

Things I am excited about… February 16, 2009

This hat I started last night. I have no idea what the rest is going to look like yet, it’s all experimental…

Also, it’s been snowing here a bit. Even though we need more than this, it still means the mountains were getting pounded so that is really good… When you live in a desert, every little bit of water counts.

Thanks to everyone who has given positive feedback on my Owls here and on Ravelry. I’m still loving them, especially because it’s been cold.

Be mine. February 14, 2009

Yeah, so it’s Valentines day. I don’t care for the holiday too much so I never really get into it in the weeks before-hand. However on the day of, I always feel a little bit more lovey-dovey than usual. What gives? I want to be anti- but somehow, I never really can. Maybe it’s because I always loved the holiday as a kid. I always looked forward to signing all of those little cartoon valentines to each of my classmates and then taking them to school and putting them in the little construction paper mail folders we would hang from our desks. I loved eating those awful candy hearts with the sayings on them and reading each of my valentines as if all of the givers really meant the sentiments that were written on them. Nothing says valentines day like Bugs Bunny playing basketball. “You’re a slam-dunk, Valentine!”

My Valentine and I

I have no idea why, but this feeling has carried into my adulthood. It even survived my years of singledom. I can’t explain it exactly. But anyway, even though I definitely want to barf at the cheesy diamond commercials that pop up around this time of year, and the hearts flowers and candy cliche, I still like to subtly celebrate the holiday in my own way.

With that, Nick and I are doing what we usually do: staying in, cooking dinner together, maybe watch a movie. None too exciting, but for us, it’s the best possible evening. We don’t feel that we need a holiday to be affectionate to each other, we do that all year round. Okay, you can stop the fake barfing noises now.

So, all that silliness aside, I wanted to share some fun things that have been inspiring me lately. First, this made me laugh hysterically. It kind of expresses my sentiment about the whole over-the-top nature of valentines day. This cozy and cute blanket by Ysolda reminded me that I hadn’t yet bought her new knitting pattern collection “Whimsical Little Knits.” I need to get on that. There are so many projects from it that I love! These mittens from Flint Knits. Love. Love, love, love. This Beret from the Shetland Trader. And finally, I was intensely envious of this. How awesome is a bouquet of yarn in lieu of flowers for the holiday? Pretty freakin’ amazing if you ask me! Happy Valentines to everyone out there!

The Owls have landed. February 13, 2009

I present to you my version of the Owls! I finished two nights ago but then needed to buy buttons and block it. I am so excited to wear these little guys! My housemate Carolyn and I took Wallace to the dog park today and frolicked out of the pasture and into the nature walk area. We were able to get a few good pictures of me modeling the sweater. I didn’t need to modify it that much, only added a couple of inches to make it more tunic length on me. I could have made it a bit shorter actually but i’m pretty happy with it. Here they are:

I’m taking the Owls roller skating tonight. My friend Dan is having a roller skating birthday (silly, I know) but I have a feeling that for him its going to include some amount of alcohol and lots of silliness. For me, it should be interesting. I haven’t roller skated since that one night in my freshman year of college when we got bored and decided to go. It’s been about 8 or 9 years since that night and i’m not sure if i’ll remember how to do it. Anyway, should be interesting!

I forgot to mention… February 7, 2009

I completely forgot to mention this yesterday as I was so excited about the Owls! Kim over at Kim’s Crafty Apple, who I sold a Neckie to earlier this fall, interviewed me for her blog and then published it a few days ago. If you are interested, please take a look at the interview and also her blog. She is a lovely gal who makes some very cute things as well. Thanks Kim for the feature!

By the way, there are still some cute Neckies for sale in my Etsy shop, and winter isn’t quite over yet!

New FO and beginning of the Owls… February 6, 2009

So, I took a little break last week and knit up this cute little beret designed by Ysolda. The pattern is called “Verity” and I absolutely loved knitting it! This one is going to be sent to a friend as a belated holiday gift, however, I will be making one for myself. The yarn used is Manos del Uraguay 100% Space-Dyed-Wool in the Wildflowers color. I’ve had it in my stash for about 6 years just waiting for the perfect project. I’m so glad I used it for this. Now, I did modify the pattern a bit when I got to the headband. I tried the original headband twice but was having problems focusing on the pattern so I just ripped it out and knit a seed stitch which I like just as well. I think my friend will like it. I hope…

Also, I have begun working on the Owl Sweater. I finally got the yarn and started on it Monday evening. I finished the body today and am about to start on the sleeves. I’m hoping to have it finished by the end of the weekend. We are house-sitting for Nick’s parents this weekend so I will be enjoying a few quiet, knitting-filled evenings.

I’m teaching my first hat class this weekend at the shop. I am not nearly as nervous as I get before a Knitting 101 class. I think it’s because students should already know how to cast on, bind off, knit, purl, etc. I’m just teaching them to work on dpns, circulars, and to do decreases…it shouldn’t be too bad. Anyway, wish me luck!