Sharp Pointy Sticks

Color

Day 6 of A Month of Craft Photos.

These yarns have spent quite a bit of time on my desk. I love them and don't want to send them down to the rest of the stash. I'd say that there's a strong chance that at least one of these will make it into one of the Moon Shawl designs.

Speaking of the Moon Shawl series, tomorrow is the date of February's full moon which means there will be a new pattern available tomorrow. Watch this space.

An Old FO

Day 3 of A Month of Craft Photos--An Old FO.

The oldest FO (Finished Object) of mine is my first FO.

A simple garter stitch scarf with wide stripes. I made it during the summer of 2004 shortly after I began knitting. The yarn is a bulky Rowan something or another; those details are long gone. It was a good beginner project. It's not really long enough for my taste, but it's still quite wearable.

Craft Tools

I missed the beginning of this, but I love the idea of craft photos so I'm joining in for A Month of Craft Photos. I think it's so inspiring to see other people's crafty lives.

Yesterday, was Day 1--You in Action. Just imagine me knitting while on a couch. I'm wearing pajamas and surrounded by notebooks and paper. I probably have a pencil or a needle (or both) stuck in my ponytail.

Today is Day 2--Craft Tools. Here is my toolbox. It's a little pencil case from Target. It fits all of my necessary knitting tools minus the needles. The box fits neatly in my knitting bag.

There's a little notebook on the bottom for taking notes, a couple of crochet hooks for beading or for picking up dropped stitches, cable needles, a row counter, scissors both big and small, a beautiful glass vial with my tapestry needles, a little butterfly case with stitch markers, a nail file, and cuticle cream. There's usually a pencil or pen in there along with a small amount of money, maybe a dollar or two. 

 

Happy Mail

I received my package from a swap on Ravelry. Allison sent me these lovely goodies.

The pumpkin cups were a hit with the kids. Juliana claimed the purple one immediately. There's an awesome pair of doily earrings and a tea towel. I haven't seen this Manos yarn before so I'm excited to have it. I think it would make an awesome pair of fingerless mitts. I really, really love the little teacup.

It's a little ball of yarn! Love it!

Yarny Presents

A couple of weeks ago, I went to dinner with the rest of my fellow LYS employees (Didn't I tell you I'm working at my LYS now?  Just a day or two a week, but it's working out great.) to celebrate the holidays.  We did a gift pass, and I received the best presents from Jenny.

See that?  So nice.  It should be enough yarn for a hat or pair of fingerless mitts. 

Little sheepies with flowers on a pair of knitting needles.  Made by Jenny, of course.

It was such a great package full of gorgeous stuff.  I'm going to have a lot of fun picking out just the right pattern for the yarn.

 

Christmas in July

Here's a quick little project that I knit for our guild's Christmas in July program.

Pattern: Bells on My Toes from Heartstrings Fiber Arts

The yarn and beads were part of a kit so I'm not sure where they're from, but the yarn was fingering weight.  This project could easily be worked up in an hour or two.

And...if you're a knitter in the Cincinnati area, please come to a guild meeting.  We're the Flying Needles Knitting Guild of Southwest Ohio, and we're a very welcoming bunch.  We meet the second Thursday of every month in West Chester on Tylersville Road, right off I-75.  We have an educational program every month.  We've talked about dyeing yarn, slip stitch knitting, entrelac, basic crochet, and knitting with beads.  We'd love to see you there!

It's going to be a bit random.

Well.  I kind of fell off  the Knit and Crochet Blog week wagon at the end.  We have been so busy lately so forgive me for the randomness of this post as I try to catch everything up.

Kid Stuff

• Liam is getting glasses.  He had his opthamologist appointment at the end of April and got a prescription for the first time.  We ordered the frames from Specs4Us.  I'll post a picture when he gets them.
• Liam's school had a Spring Social last week.  He was completely overwhelmed by all the people there, but he enjoyed eating pizza and meeting Clifford the Big Red Dog.  He also really liked seeing his teacher and listening to her read a story.
• We have an IEP progress meeting tonight.  I'm expecting a good report.  He knows his colors, numbers, and shapes.  He can talk about the weather and nature.  He knows everyone at school.  When he's really focused, he can count to thirteen with some prompting.  
• Juliana is showing signs of being ready to potty train.  She tells us when she needs a new diaper and has told us she's going to "pippit" before she does.  After pippit, she goes around saying, "ucky diaper, ucky diaper!"

Knitting Stuff

• I've got one sleeve left to graft before the Vine Yoke Cardigan is finished.  I would like to graft and block it soon.  This week is drizzly and chilly, and the cardigan would be perfect to wear before the heat and humidity come back.
• I cast on for the Belmondo Shawl (Rav link) last week.  Super fast project.  It's over halfway finished with only three-ish hours of work.
• I cast on for a sock of my own design and have ripped it out at least three times.  I'm fiddling with the stitch pattern to see if it can do what I want it to do.
• I've been dyeing yarn or working on yarn things almost every weekend.  There's yarn in the Etsy shop and more yarn to be photoed and listed.  I've got more yarn to dye too.
• I joined a new knitting guild.  The Flying Needles Knitting Guild (Rav link) is based here in my suburban area and is affiliated with TKGA.  If you're a local, you should come to a meeting.  We have an educational program each month, and we've got plans for more programs and activities as we grow. 

Good Mail

From the lovely Maggie for the CESOB Spring Fling Swap: a big box of crayons for the kiddos, a sheep tape measure from Lantern Moon, Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, and a skein of Araucania Itata yarn.  Not pictured are the dark chocolate covered pomegranate seeds.  For the record, Juliana absolutely loved the pomegranate seeds.  Liam did not.

I love the color of this yarn.  I think it's destined to be a Cedar Leaf Shawlette.

Knitting Olympics 2012

It's the time of year when most knitters are knitting furiously.  The Yarn Harlot explains it the best, probably because it's all her idea.

My project for this year is the Vine Yoke Cardigan by Ysolda Teague.  Probably not a great surprise that I chose a Ysolda pattern since I love her designs. 

Friday night, I was at my LYS for the Opening Ceremonies.  We had plenty of good food to eat.  There were some events and medals handed out.

 

Hallie, Alisha, Donna, and Lesley are prepping for the Blindfold Knitting event.

I came in fourth in this event.  If I didn't knit with my tail end of yarn from the cast on, I may have medaled.  I placed next to last in the Speed Knitting event.  

I cast on for my project during the Opening Ceremonies.  I've been knitting as much as I can.

 

This was my progress as of around 7:30 last night--most of the right front of the cardigan.  As of this afternoon, I've finished the right front and have attached the right sleeve to the yoke.

 

My workspace at the kitchen table.  Excuse the crappy pictures.  It was dark and gloomy last night. 

 

I've failed to medal in the past two Olympics.  I will not fail again.

Citron

 

Pattern:  Citron

Yarn: Knitting Notions Classic Merino Lace in Stormy Seas

Needles: US 6

Pattern Mods: None

A very cute and easy little shawl. 

Why, yes, I am still wearing my pajamas in the above picture.  It is a lazy Sunday.