Cowl Update

I hit my knitting groove yesterday as I sat down to start the Pashmina Cowl from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I rented the first James Bond movie, Dr. No, from On Demand and settled in for two hours. Before I knew it, I was three inches into this cowl. I know that Ms. Hoverson has gotten some flack for her estimated times on how long these gifts really do take, but she may be accurate on this one. I am loving it and am especially thrilled with how the colors in this yarn are playing out. I am using Tlingit from STR in Mediumweight and am thinking about ordering another skein in order to make myself some standard socks to see how these colors play out again. The subtleties of the purples, greys, greens and blacks and beautiful to see. Even DH commented on how cool they were. I'm about half way done this project and will be working on it some more this evening. I should have holiday gift #2 under my belt by mid-week. Then, it's on to trying my hand at designing my own cowl pattern. -B

WIPs for October

Well, I'm slowly feeling like I am getting the hang of my new job, so there was some knitting in the month of October. I currently have two baby bibs blocking and a Calorimetry awaiting a button. I also wound the yarn needed for my sister's Clapotis and started on a Pashmina Cowl (Raveled here) as another holiday gift. I'm using Socks that Rock in Tlingit. It took me awhile, but I was excited to find a fingering weight cowl pattern so that I could use some of my sock yarn in something other than socks. I'll either be making two of these cowls for gifts or I may even try my hand at designing my own cowl. I've been playing with ideas as I knit the first one. In the meantime, I realized that I have never posted the fabulous needle case that S made for me a ways back. I needed to go buy some new needles for the cowl, so I had the case out while I checked on my needle inventory and grabbed a photo.

Also, I am a huge proponent of Etsy and as I have been looking at fibers to order, I have come across some other little handmade gems. These earrings are made by Bek. She sells her wares under the store title of Clever Girl Industries. The acorns and leaves have added to my whimsical collection of nature based jewelry and I get a ton of compliments on them. I also love the way that she presents her items. The wrapping, cards, and free notecards immediately put a smile on my face.

Finally, DH and I have been using our Netflix account to catch up on shows that we either missed when they were on or of which we only saw one season or even one episode. It's how we got hooked on Battlestar Galactica and caught up on House. Recently, we have been watching Felicity. The first two seasons were fairly light hearted and followed everyone through the fun, and occasionally awkward college dating years. But, we're currently in season four and dragging ourselves through each episode. Did anyone else notice how depressing season four was? We're not surprised that it did not make it past said season. So, we've decided to choose a comedy for the next go-around. Some ideas are Arrested Development, Scrubs, 30 Rock or Gilmore Girls. Any suggestions or recommendations? We need some laughs!

-B

Falling Into a New Hobby

As you can see by my picture, I have taken a step into a new sector of the fiber arts. I took a spinning class this past August at my LYS and fell in love with it. Since the school year has started, I've tried to get back to buy a wheel each week, but didn't get there until last night. I walked in for the knitting group that they host once a month and asked to buy the Ashford Kiwi. I popped it into the car and hung out for the next 2 hours with the group. I haven't bought any roving for it yet, but am shopping around online for a bit that catches my eye. I've got plenty in my favorites over on Etsy, but will need to narrow it down. For tonight, I'll be working on a second Calorimetry while we cheer on the Phillies. I figure it's a good project to watch with in case something really good happens and I toss it into the air while clapping and cheering ensue. Then, again that also means that it can be tossed in disgust as well. Let's keep fingers crossed for cheering.

-B

Back in the Knitting Saddle

The first month of school always seems to derail any knitting aspirations that I might have. I had intended to finish weaving in ends on one of my holiday knitting projects, but between moving and starting a new job, that languished sadly in the corner of the living room. But, I came out on the other end this month and have wrapped up the scarf. I love doing the Noro Scarf from brooklyntweed and have 4 more skeins of Noro that could be used for an addition scarf for the holidays. I love the way that the colors mix and mingle together with this pattern.

Up next in the knitting list is a Clapotis, also for holiday knitting. I started to wind this Brooks Farm Duet in a gorgeous black and will be ready to cast on today or tomorrow. I just have to unearth where my pattern binder may be located in the boxes of books that we moved directly into the attic.

Last, but not least, the reason why I may re-up my STR Rockin' Sock Club membership arrived late last week. The spoiler button was posted up top for those who don't want it to be revealed, but here is the actual photo. Tina had taken a picture of tide pools near her home in Oregon and the inspiration is magical in the colorway that it produced. It is by far my favorite of the skeins that we received this year. But, I am still wondering about signing up again or using my fun funds to try a new club like that of the Plucky Knitter or Sundara. I'll let you know when the jury comes back with a firm decision.

Sorry that it was so long between posts, I hope that everyone in the blogosphere is well and for those celebrating holidays this week, enjoy!

-B

Yes, i've been doing some knitting

Ok, so I put aside knitting for a little while, I had too much other work and wasn't inspired to do any knitting. However, I did do some quick knitting this weekend. I went out to California to my future sister-in-law's bridal shower. I thought I would add to kitchen theme and knit a couple of dish clothes for the party. I got 3 and a half done before the party. Don't have any pictures, but they were a basic star design from Emily Jagos that I found online in a plain cream color. was able to get 3 out of the ball of Lily Sugar 'n Cream.

Once I finish the last one, I'll take a picture of it and post it.

Alas, that'll be the last thing I knit for awhile. Still looking for a larger project to be inspired by.

-E

Stitch and Pitch - Phillies Edition

My sister and I had a blast the other night at the Phillies Stitch and Pitch. The seats were great, tons of people were knitting and crocheting, and we won door prizes! We each got a free skein of Cascade 220. She picked a teal and I picked a darker teal heather. I took my Noro scarf to work on and got a good bit done through the seventh inning. She took along a green Debbie Bliss garter stitch scarf that is her current project. The Phils ending up losing to the Marlins, but we had a great time chatting and eating Crab Fries from Chickie's and Pete's. I'll definitely get tickets again for next year.

-B

Let the Holiday Knitting Begin

Last year, I chose not to knit our holiday gifts because we were so busy and stressed out last fall. This year, I am getting a jump on things. I am sans camera currently as we are in the midst of a move, but I have started one holiday knitting project. I am doing the Noro Scarf by Jared Flood. I can't name who the gift is for in case that person is reading this blog. It's a fairly easy pattern and I am using the Noro Silk Garden yarn for the first time. I love the subtlety of the colors and will definitely look for something else to knit up with this yarn. It's going to be my Stitch 'n Pitch project for the game this week.

Also, I thought we were done with the babies, but apparently we have another friend delivering shortly. Mental Note: Must be better about keeping in touch with people this fall. So, for that friend, I have stepped away from bibs and the burp cloths and started a pair of Saartje's bootees. I have to look up some questions about doing it all in one yarn and making the button loops work, but other than that, I am off to a good start. Once we get settled, I'll post a progress photo on the bootees.

-B