I finally had a chance to look at the new Twist Collective today! It came out a few days ago but i’ve been so busy I hadn’t really taken a good look. Anyway I am in love with several of the designs–namely Pisara and Pyoree (both by Mari Munionen who designed the Sylvi Coat I am about to start), the Aran Waistcoat, and the Blossom and Netherfield socks. Also the Sleepy Monkey blanket, Little Liza Jane and the Ladybug and Sunflowers dolls make me wish I had little ones of my own to knit for. Lastly, the articles were great but I especially liked the historical piece on Jane Gaugain by Kate Davies (the gal who designed the fabulous Owl Sweater I just finished.) Anyway, overall I was very pleased with this issue of the collective, now I just need to decide which ones to make…
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.
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.
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!
Sneak peek… January 22, 2009
This is Nick wearing the hat I made him for the holidays. It is a very basic beginner fair isle pattern that I made kind of up as I went along and I am working on matching mittens too! I’ll be debuting this as part of a group pattern release in another month or so. I hope you like it!
My First Fair Isle Hat
New Year, New President, New Goals. January 21, 2009
Happy New Year everyone! I know i’m a little late, but i’ve been so busy already this year. I first want to say how tickled I am that Barack Obama was sworn in as President today! This year is already off to a good start!
So, I guess I should back up a bit. I had a really nice holiday season spending a little time with my family who generously showered me with new cookware (Le Cruset to be exact) which I am very excited about and it’s already been put to good use. The gifts for mom, dad, and bro were recieved well also. My mom especially loved her Frontier Blues Jacket. Also, Nick gave me the most awesome thing ever…a Cuisenart!
New Years was spent at Lake Tahoe at my friend Matt’s family cabin. We had good times making Pizza, drinking god beer and wine, and playing lots of Bandu–the best game ever! Thanks to my brother Jon, Nick got his own copy of the game for Christmas (which is no longer being produced and was found on a vintage game website) so we can play anytime we want!
Let the games begin!
Elle's already off to a bad start...
Micah and I had a build-off...
Clearly I won that one...
Notice Elle is wearing a scarf and hat, both made by yours truly!
Happy New Year!!!!
I’ve been working on my Prudence Sweater for the yarn shop. It’s my very first shop knit so I am kind of eager to please. I’m taking a leap and converting the pattern to a bottom-up sweater knitted in one piece. It’s already a raglan so i’m not too worried about the conversion. I’m going to be posting all the modifications I make on the Jimmy Beans Project Log so that customers can reference that if they want to knit it the same way I did. The pattern is from the Amber book by Kim Hargreaves for Rowan. She is known for her vintage-style patterns and subtle elegance. I am so in love with this yarn! It is Rowan Bamboo Soft (100% Bamboo) but it feels and drapes like silk. I love that it is eco-friendly and so nice to knit with.
Prudence
I have decided recently to focus more of my energy on knitting pattern design rather than making and selling Neckies. I’ll still keep a few for sale on Etsy, but I really want to venture more into design. I’m working on about five patterns right now actually to hopefully be debuted through Jimmy Beans. I’ll keep you all posted on my progress.
Lastly, I’ve been recently inspired by another blogger to do an experiment this year. Seeing as last year was kind of an experiment in how frugally I could live on my AmeriCorps Salary, I thought it only fitting to begin a new experiment for the new year. In an effort to cut back on needless spending and consuming as well as the desire to work more on my sewing skills (and knitting, of course), I am going to begin a year-long, no clothing shopping experiment. I will not be tempted by sales or even the Goodwill, my favorite place ever. I will learn to take better care of the clothing I already own by darning things more often, taking the time to make my own clothes and better my sewing and knitting skills, and re-inventing clothes I am bored with or don’t fit quite right. I’ve just been feeling for a long time that I need to do something like this. It’s just too easy to go out and buy something new to wear. Cheaper too i’m sure. But the bottom line is, where does it end? When do we start to value our clothing like our ancestors did? My grandmother has always made most of her own clothes. I have always admired that in her. She is a very accomplished seamstress and quilter. My mother too is also very talented with a sewing machine, always making clothes for my brother and I when we were young (until we started begging her for store bought stuff of course.) As I get older I want so badly to cling to these roots and to go back to a time where people bought less, made more, and treasured and cared for the items they owned. I’ve never been what you would call “trendy” or “hip.” I’ve always just worn what I feel good in. It’s much easier to feel good in well fitting clothes, and it’s even easier for them to fit you well when you make them yourself. So that is my new experiment, and in the end, I hope I find a new appreciation for the clothes I wear and the skills I have gained. Goodbye Anthropologie and Goodwill, hello Singer Sewing machine!
I must add however, that in this experiment, I am giving exceptions to the following garments:
Shoes- as I can’t make those and I will be in desperate need of a new pair of running shoes soon
Undergarments-I will not torture myself with trying to make these and I really don’t foresee this being a need in the near future, however you never know.
Jeans-always in search of the perfect pair and seeing as I only own one pair right now that actually fit, I could really use another.
Also, I will be able to buy fabric, yarn, patterns and notions as needed for new items but I will be trying to use up some of my stashed fabric and yarn this year. So that is the grand plan. I think I will begin by making this cute smock by Meg from Sew Liberated. I’ve had the pattern for over a year and haven’t taken the time to make it yet, I love that it’s reversible. Wish me luck!
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!
