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

One Last Batch of Baby Burp Cloths...and the Sock lives on

Well, if you've been reading this blog with regularity, you will have noticed that several of my friends have had babies this year. MK had a little girl in mid-June and I am sending her gifts out tomorrow in the mail. I made another two Baby Genius Burp Cloths from Mason Dixon, and found this cute Letter A washcloth pattern for A to have a big sister gift. They are all made from Lily Sugar 'n Cream in a variety of colors.

Next up, we have two Burp Cloths for J, my sister's best friend. She had a little boy almost on the same day that MK had her little girl. She says that she can't get enough burp cloths as he seems to be using them left and right. This is also made from Lily Sugar 'n Cream.

Once I got through the baby knitting, I got back to making an item for myself. I am tragically behind in my Rockin' Sock Club patterns, but have been making better headway as of late. The picture doesn't do any justice for the colors. I'm not a red person, but I am enjoying this (Dragon Dance). The pattern has been calling for me to learn many new techniques. I figured out short rows, thanks to a couple of forum posts on Ravelry that were answered by the designer herself, and this great video from Cat Bordhi on YouTube. Thank goodness for YouTube! I'm almost at the toe, and between packing up and moving this week, it may have to wait a bit. I have the goal of starting on the second sock as soon as I wrap up the first so that the pair can be complete.

-B

Bouncy Baby Gifts

I have several friends who have had babies or are approaching motherhood, so I've been churning out some more burp cloths and baby bibs. My friend, M, is due in September and is waiting to find out what she is having. This gave me some freedom to personalize the bibs and cloths as I didn't feel like I had to make gender specific colors. M loves red and so I used up the last of my Lion Brand Cotton in red for one cloth, and used Lily Sugar 'n Cream in Ecru for the two bibs and the other cloth. I went button hunting at a flea market a couple of months back and found the cute red and blue buttons there. I'm happy to be back to knitting on a nightly basis and should have some more cloths to show later this week for new mom, MK.