New cardi

I need a new cardigan. Badly. So when the yarn I got off of Ravelry (thanks Ina!!) came in the mail the hunt was on! I decided on the Alexa Capped Sleeve Cardi (Rav Link) I think the tweed will work great with the cables and that I will easily be able to wear this most of the year as well as with most of what I own or will own in the future. It has been very enjoyable to knit so far. My only complaint is that the pattern is written in a rather irritati

ng way in regards to the cable pattern. I find myself wishing for a chart, or even just for each row to be one one line instead of three or four.I plan on retyping it but the kiddos have not been co-operating with that so for now I will just deal with it. I have surprised myself in that I enjoy knitting sweaters in separate pieces. I think it is easier for me to get my head around and have a goal to work towards. I don't think seaming is really so bad after all :) Then again we'll see what I think after I seam this baby! Here is a pic of my progress. Hoping it will grow quite a bit today!

Also a little update in the shop today!

Looking for a gift for a fellow crafter? I put up Gift Certificate in the shop for $25 and $50!

Have you read the Yarn Harlot's latest post? I was just telling a friend yesterday...I really want to learn how to weave!

December already!?!?

Whew a lot has happened since I last posted!! As I am sure for most people this time of year. I always feel busy year round, but the time just seems to be running at a constant fast-forward speed during the holidays.

So here's a photo run down!

Thanksgiving!

Corbin's 3rd Birthday!

oh and here's a photo of him and I when he was new :)

and my latest project off the needles - a birthday sweater for my big boy!

Phat Fiber - Home for the Holidays

With moving and "The Upheaval" as I like to call it, I took a break from contributing to Phat Fiber. It feels good to be back! This is a great group of artists and definitely have a great sense of community! I love being a part them.

So yesterday my box came!! It is one of the best yet...I think I say that every time, heheh.

So I was on top of it and took my pictures and am ready to post 'em!

Fiber:

• Frosted Spruce: 2 samples in one! A little bit of white Alpaca, and some beautiful spruce SW Merino. Silver Sun Alpacas
• Timmy Knocked Over the Christmas Tree! - Ok I can't help but love this one - the blend is great and the name just describes it perfectly! Wild Hare Fiber Studio
• Through the Woods (To Grandma's): Wool top, Flax (so cool!), and Firestar. The firestar is the perfect christmas colors and gives the greatest sparkle! Giffordables
• Turkey Stuffing: I was so excited to get one of Brittany's samples! I have never gotten one before and it does not disappoint! It's a merino and silk blend. Boho Knitter Chic
• Green Beans and Cranberries: A great bodied domestic longwool. I love the colors in this sample and the name describes it perfectly!! Natchwoolie
• Next Day Leftovers: This delicate yet rich colorway is beautiful and soft with a great variety of fibers. Beesybee Fibers
• Glowing Embers: I have been dying to see what this luscious fiber blend is like and I can't wait to get it on the wheel. 80/10/10 Merino/Cashmere/Nylon. The colorway is just gorgeous it has a lot of depth. The Sassy Sheep
• Fall on the Farm: Beautiful. It is just a classy and lovely batt. I admit I teared up when I read the sweet family story that had inspired the colorway. a reminder of why it is so great to buy from the artisans themselves! Knit It Up

Yarns:

• A upcycled yarn, in a really pretty purpley pink color. Jag's Funky Fibers
• Gobble, Gobble. A gorgeous BFL handspun in fall colors. I LOVE the way she packaged it. The yarn makes the "tail" of the turkey. My whole family thought it was great!! Melissa's Kre8tions
• Sugar Plums, yummy sock yarn in 70 sw merino/30 Seacell (LOVE) I have been eyeing this shops yarns...they are all so pretty and this one is no exception! Anzula Luxury Fibers. Oh and I really like her logo!
• Peacock Feathers, sw merino sock yarn. Lovely blues, purples, and turquoises. Shelby B's Designs
• Mom's Harvard Beets, I loved her tag and colorway. I am not a fan of eating beets, but I LOVE the color. Great naturally dyed yarns in BFL or Organic Merino. A really lovely yarn! Vibrant Fibers
• Spin Girl Fiberarts socks sample is a really beautiful dusty autumnal colorway. I think it would make BEAUTIFUL socks.
• Winter Colorwheel, a lovely 2ply sock yarn. I was really hoping to get this sample! I was so happy to see it nestled in my box. It is a self striping sock yarn and I can't wait to knit it up! Also Nancy from Fireweed Dyeworks is another Alaskan!
• Gingerbread was another sample I was really hoping to get. It is just beautiful!! Wool, Camel, and tussah silk. Seriously yummy yarn!! By Rebekah with Love. Plus I gotta say I love her name :) My sister is a Rebekah also...

Extras:

• Got a cute block printed bag from Ruddawg with her logo on it...super cute doggie!
• A beautiful glass button from Sea Air Arts, really would add a lot to any project! Seriously huge value here!! This is a (rightly so I might add!!) $21 value.
• The Luxury Spa Cloth Pattern - Gonna have to try this one out! I have some cotton yarn with it's name on it! Rule Out Fiber Addiction
• Very nice no snagging stitch marker with a shoo-fly charm AND! a Super awesome shoo-fly pie recipe!! Not to mention the awesome froggy thanksgiving pic on the card! Lampyridae
• No snagging very pretty stitch marker from Susan's Kitchen.
• A nice variety of business cards and discounts

Whew! Check out these shops! They are amazing!

Hand Knit Love

This is my son with the blanket that he has slept under from the moment that he was born. It was part of a layette that was made by my aunt (you can see it here....[rav link]). I washed it (not for the first time lol) and it was drying over a railing. Noah did not appreciate that whatsoever. In fact it infuriated him, and he could not be distracted. Finally after some food and a nap he snatched it from the railing (albeit a tad damp in spots) and ran around the house victorious. He was so happy to have it around him and it just reminded me of the love and time my aunt had put into the blanket. This is one of the major reasons I love anything handcrafted!

Also big update in the shop....five new colorways of my Borealis DK weight yarn that my Mood Lifter Slouch was written for. Also if you purchase Borealis DK and the pattern I will refund $2. I also put up some more Cashnyro Luxury Lite and Terino Luxury. Whew that was a lot of links! :)

Mood Lifter Slouch

I feel like a proud new mama (okay not quite as intense as with my boys - but you get the idea ;P )

My first pattern is now live! Up on Ravelry and in my shop! Soon it will be available for purchase on Ravelry as well. I am just waiting to be hooked up to their system as a designer.

I also have plans for making this up into kits. Dyeing up a bunch of yarn tomorrow if all goes well!

Another wrap!

My Mama requested and I delivered! Took way less time than my last one...then again I don't think children ever really get over wanting to please one's parents ;P I knit it out of a pretty fantastic new yarn....Hillside Linen, 80% Alpaca/20% Linen = yum! I had never knit with linen before and I have to say I liked it! I really would love to make the Soap Bubble Wrap (rav link) out of linen yarn as called for in the pattern.

I have also started two more projects as my fingers have just been itching for more variety.

Corbin's birthday sweater - a darling pattern called "Twisted Tree Pullover". I am loving it! I

have to say I am pretty entranced with twisted stitches, and I am even knitting this out of my stash, good ol' Cascade 220 in a nice goldish color.

Also more socks! Just a preview pic for now as Noah has decided that it is time to be up and playing....

Socktoberfest Wrapup!

Well the end of October is looming (must start and finish the boys costumes!) and it was my first "Socktoberfest" which I eased into by participating in The Through Loops KAL (old news if you've been reading) but! I finished them! Pretty in love with them though I am suspecting that I could have gone down a size. This was a very stretchy pattern. My first time doing any sort of "cool" heel and toe and overall thought it was a great experience, here's my pics....

Also I am working on a pattern, it involves this yarn that I just finished dyeing and I am hoping it will debut with my other samples in the Phat Fiber November box, so just a little taste :)


I am on a sock roll and will be starting my next pair as soon as I hit "Publish".