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Showing posts from 2010

Happy New Years!

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While cleaning up my craft room, again, I found a stash of fabric I bought back when I first started quilting (over a decade ago). They were pre-cut squares in different themes. I found I had a bunch of tiny squares that were done in holiday fabric. I had a selection of velvet blocks that were also pre-cut out. I just haven't used them and wasn't sure what to do with them. I've decided that this year I will jump into things. I'll try them and see where they take me. I noticed that I lost all of my napkins and table runners during the fire, so I decided to use them to make a table runner. It took me about a day to finish. There wasn't any cutting really, just assembly. I sketched out trees on a piece of paper and used it as a template for the quilting of the runner. Happy New Years. I can't wait for 2011 and all of the crafting that will happen then!

W.I.P December 23

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I started this lace pattern from Anne's Shakespeare club a long time ago. I've been meaning to get back to it and have taken the past few weeks to make some progress. Turns out that one small mistake early on was causing me problems so I frogged and got back to it. This shawl has its own tray to keep it organized and ready for work. The pattern is called Cleopatra.

F.O. World War II Watchman's Cap

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Project Detail: Well this is the exact same hat that I made just a few weeks ago for a co-worker that I've now made for Mike. It is currently in his stocking (so don't tell him). I liked the pattern just as much the second time around. I used stashed Plymouth Yarn Encore DK in a dark gray color. Size 7 needles gave me 5"/inch (which was close enough to the gauge). I didn't modify that pattern at all, but I did go with the inches (for counting how tall the hat is) and not the number of rows. The number of rows seemed to be off a bit. I started on December 12 and finished on December 18. I believe that this is the last of the holiday knitting. Yep. Done for a whole season!

W.I.P December 17

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I'm working on another WWII Watchman's Cap. This one is for Mike for Christmas. So don't tell him. I'm going with a gray color which I hope he likes. My goal is to have it done today before he gets home from his latest trip. I've started spinning some new roving. I'm having a hard time with the length of fiber though. It is a bit sticky and seems to not hold together very well at the same time. So, getting an even finished product is bugging me. I figure with a bit more prep maybe it will come out better. I've started dividing it and fluffing it up a bit - we'll see how that works.

New Ravelry Swap Project

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I've started a group called Sole Sisters for a Valentines Day swap of mittens or socks. It is international and already getting a lot of great people. Come check it out!

Destashing ... A Feeling.

The stash I posted is leaving - some packaged for shipping - some to be dropped off at knitting - some on hold for a knitter to decide. I've never destashed before. It is a liberating feeling. Getting rid of things I know that I'll never use or make anything with and knowing that someone else will get good use out of them is fantastic. Feels great!

Destashing!

Yep. I've decided to destash a bit. There are some strange yarns, super finds and good old standards. Please take a look and message me if you want/need any of these beauties.

F.O. Mobius Cowl

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I have a friend who is more of a nerd than I. Her wedding band is a mobius. I saw this pattern and knew I had to do it for her. She loves the color blue and when this blue showed up from my holiday exchange I was positive she would love it. Project Details: Started on December 3rd. Finished on December 5th. The contrast color is about 6 yards of my handspun. It was sport weight so I held two strands together to match the other blue gauge. I knit this on size 7 needles and the blue yarn is Cascade Cloud 9. It only took one skein. I'm sure that my friend will love this and I'll probably do another one of these again at some point.

F.O World War II Cap

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This is a fast fun knit that is going to a co-worker as a Christmas gift. The pattern was free on Ravelry and comes with options to change up the top of the hat. Project Details: I used stash yarn. A full skein of knit one crochet too - color green. I started it November 30 and finished it on December 3. I did the first option in the pattern. Mike is in love with this hat. I might have to make him one!

W.I.P December 3rd

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On my list of holiday gifts is a World Word II Cap for a co-worker. I'm trying to make some good progress .. but the ribbing on the bottom is 6 inches. Six whole inches. Crazy I know.

Holiday Exchange Package.

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On Ravelry I joined a group that did a holiday exchange. My partner sent me this amazing package. She is from Oregon and sent me the most amazing gifts. The chocolate is dreamy, the yarn is yummy and I love Tim's. I love Tim's so much that when in the Northwest I buy a car full. It has been a fun group and I'm so happy that I joined it. I hope that the lady in South Africa that I sent a package to enjoys hers.

F.O. Holiday Designer Rock II

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I decided to make a couple more of these rocks. I came up with this pattern myself, but in total it took only an hour to work up.

F.O. November 30

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I was really worried that this vest wouldn't fit. It seemed so small on the needles. Once it was blocked it came out perfect though. Project Details I started on August 22 and finished on November 28. I didn't work on it all the time. I'm sure with the bulky yarn it would be easy to have finished this up in a month or less. I think the size is true to size - but getting a yarn that is super bulky was hard. I used Elann Peruvian Highland Chunky and held two strands together. It was the only way I could get a thick enough yarn. I used a total of 12 skeins which worked out to be just less than 1000 yards of yarn. I wouldn't change a thing about this pattern. I think I will really enjoy wearing this.

Montana King

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You saw this un-quilted before. Here is a close up of the quilting - can you see the little blue quail? Well it is quilted and the binding is done and as a matter of fact is is already wrapped and in a box to be mailed to my dad. YIPPY! Of course now Mike wants one too. But, the batting is wool and the quilt is heavy without being too heavy. It is perfect. I think I'll have to finish up the leaf quilt and then one for Mike and I.

F.O. Holiday Designer Rock

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Project Details: I stated this on November 23rd and finished on November 25. My next one will be smaller than this rock. I used almost a whole spool of embroidery thread and size 9 crochet hook. I'm thinking fantastic Christmas gifts.

Friday Spinning.

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Here is the original roving. This is 100% wool called Dragon's Breath I think. It is from a buddy on ravelry. Check out her site ! I got 196 yards of worsted weight yarn out of it. I decided to try for something thicker than thin because I'm thinking about doing mittens out of it. I feel happy to finally get something off the wheel.

Seoul & Back.

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I spent last week in South Korea, which let me tell is was one of the best holidays I've spent overseas. I know, you would think my Italy trip would have been better. Or the UK. Or France. Or somewhere like that ... right? But, nope. To date the best overseas trip that I've taken. Could it have been because I'm just a bit older and know what I like to see and do I start with a plan? Could be. Or maybe it was just that the people of South Korea are possibly the nicest people I've met. People working on English and walking to talk with me. Friendly people who want to give directions. I always felt safe, comfortable and at home. If you want to see a bunch of photos they are on Flickr . I took two pairs of socks that I needed to work on the second sock. I did not, however, get any real knitting done. Go figure right. Before I left however, I did get a little bit of knitting done. I finished up the left from of the vest I've been working on and cast on f

Montana King!

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My father has been bugging me about a quilt ever since he read on my blog that I bought a bunch of fabric. He told me the last quilt he had was as a child which his grandmother made for him. He said he used it, loved it, and has missed it for over 60 years. I decided to make him one for Christmas this year. I pushed to finish the top so that the local quilter could do a fancy stitch of walking quails and 100% wool batting. The back will be fleece and the final size is larger than anything out there. My dad is a big guy. I will pick it up the week of Thanksgiving. I'll post more photos then!

Another Pattern.

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Psst. Can't tell you much - other than it is on the needles and almost finished. Another project.

Needle Point - Found.

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Since the fire, and things being returned, I'm trying to finish up projects that are just sitting around. This needle point I bought in Vienna and really want to finish up. It is back up and being worked on. I hope to get most of the blue done this week!

Finally On It.

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Remember my father asking for a quilt. Well I bought this fabric months ago. It is washed and ready to go - but I have been slacking on getting the quilt started or even close to finished. I know my dad wants it for Christmas. I really think I need to move on it more. But, at least I'm working on it and getting somewhere!

W.I.P November 7th.

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These are for a secret holiday exchange that I've joined. I decided to make something that someone who I don't know could use and love. Project Details: These are lavender sachet from More Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Started on November 6th and finished on November 7th. I made 3 of them. Size 2 DPN. My exchange partner loves blue so I just used blue yarn I had around the house. The lavender I grew in the garden and harvested in July.

F.O. Giant Granny Square Blanket

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Project Details: I used Sugar n' Cream cotton yarn balls for this. It took 37 skeins which is 4400 yards of yarn. Yep. A heck of a lot of yarn. This is nearly king size and oh so heavy and feels great on your lap. I started June 11 and finished it on November 3rd. Five months. I know that seems like a long time - but I wasn't working on it all the time. I love this so much I might make another one.

Video Game With YARN!

Last October Package.

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This club has been so fun. A bag and a skein of sock yarn for each week in October. Next year I think I'll mix in roving with the yarn. Great fun!

W.I.P November 2nd.

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I'm still working on the vest. I've cast off for the sleeves just this weekend. I wonder how long the front will take?

W.I.P November 1st.

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I'm making some serious progress on the giant granny square blanket. I hope to finish it up this week. I'll take photos of it out and large and pretty once I finish!

F.O. Yogini Bolero

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This was a KAL with my buddy Robin from Yarn Crawl . We decided to knit up a bunch of Wendy Bernard, this was the first. Project Details: Started on September 22 and finished on October 22. I used Brooks Farm Acero yarn. It is fingering weight yarn, but I held two strands together at once. I had 3 skeins of gray and one skein of the multi color. This used 1680ish yards (but remember the real yardage is about half of that). This was a fast knit and I think I'll be wearing it as a layer piece. It is currently blocking and I think the length in the chest will be a bit longer once it is finished blocking. I also made the sleeves 3/4 length instead of full length. I figured this would make it more usable during transition months. Next on the list from Wendy will be something from her book!

Halloween Bags - ON SALE!

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50% off all the Halloween bags. Order while they are still spooky!

October Club.

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I joined this October Club. Each kit comes with a sock yarn (or roving you get to decide). A bag and loads of goodies. This is this weeks. Each week for four weeks a package shows up and it is amazing. I can't believe how quickly October is flying by - and I only know it is cruising so quickly because of these packages. Twiggi Knits is the lady who has the club, but to join you'll have to wait another full year! Worth the wait though.

W.I.P October 19

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I'm making progress on the bolero. I'm getting close to finishing up the second sleeve. After that I just need to do the trim and it will be done. I'm hoping by the end of the week to have this finished. I've finally figured out exactly what is happening with my secret sock pattern. Thank goodness because I thought I was going to freak out and have to kill it. I got my row done on the crochet blanket this weekend. Keeps me from having to do the painful leg toss exercises with Katie. I'd say that I'm 3/4 of the way finished with it as well!