Classic Mittens

Well, here they are, my "Classic Mittens". I really love this pattern, simple, and yet they fit exceptionally well. Pardom the picture, as I have just shovelled the driveway in them and they were a bit, well, very damp!!!

The Pattern: An old 1960's leaflet purchased by my mother. Cost of the pattern in 1960 - 50 cents....amazing!!!

The Yarn: None other than Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in the Buck's Bar colorway.

The Time: One weekend.

I am definitely making more of these!!!!

My Pattern Got Published!!!

Guess what??? I've been published!!! I now have a pattern in the "Stitch n' Bitch" calendar by Debbie Stoller!!! It's been in the "works" for awhile now, but I just got the "check" which means it's official and I can announce it.

Well, what is it??? A knitted cactus. A knitted "Barrel" cactus inspired by my many trips (and dream of living in the desert) to Arizona. Let's face it, I cannot grow a damn thing. I have a "prayer plant" that manages to live only because they need very little maintenance besides water, and a bamboo plant because all that needs is water. So I figured, why not knit myself a plant. It was one of those "fluke" ideas that actually worked. I think I made it in an afternoon. It's easy, it's felted and (ahem) in MY opinion, super cute.

I "might" be able to offer the pattern here, but I need to check out this fact in case YOU want to make one too!!!

The Knitted Version

The Inspiration

Pictures for you....

Ok, I know I've been promising pictures and here they are! I know, try not to fall off your chair.

First, we have the Irish Hiking Wristlets. Everyone loves the Hiking Scarf pattern, including me! The yarn on these was Knitpicks Wool of the Andes. I like the yarn, but I would not make them again in it, due to the "washiblity" factor, especially if these are given as a gift. Not everyone follows washing and drying directions and these could end up rather felted and tiny!! The model is my friend Holly who scoffed these up on her latest visit to my studio!!!

Next, the "Fabulous Fetching" Wristlets. I ADORE this pattern. These I had finished quite some time ago, but did not want to post them as they were a birthday gift for a friend who just happens to read my blog! I didn't want to spoil the surprise!! The yarn on this was one of my favorite wools of all time, Mission Falls 1824. I have two more sets of these on the needles as we speak!

And finally, my new box of roving. It arrived the day I started to get the flu, so I opened it, admired it and it is still sitting in the studio. I have looked over the books I ordered on spinning from the library, and the one I got at Barnes and Noble, so maybe next week I can give it a "whorl"...ha!!! The Corriedale purple is so soft and the most gorgeous color. Everything came from Hello Yarn.

Happy Valentine's

Happy Valentine's Day dear blog readers. It's been awhile since I have posted and honestly, I have been very, very sick from the latest "stomach virus du jour". I always post more regularly on the "original" blog in case you like to read what I have to say (follow the link at the left ---->>). Seriously though, I am down for the count and have not even been able to knit, now that's what I call sick!! You can only imagine how BORED to TEARS I am right now. I just wanted to pop something up here to check in and say hi and I'll see you next week.

For fun V-day reading, The Yarn Harlot and Franklin have some seriously funny posts up today!!! Read and enjoy!!!

Spinning Is My New Hobby!!

OK, I'm horrible about pictures. I have taken some, but they are in the camera. I know, great place for them. I need to start one of those "Fliker" albums or something!! But, I just had to fill you in.

I ORDERED ROVING AND A DROP SPINDLE. I am weak, I have admitted that before. It sure didn't take long. Sunday morning I was waiting for a friend to stop over to go shopping and out to lunch and I had time to kill. So I ordered. I could have uploaded photos, or even did some sit ups....but no, I bought roving. Then I figured I would pick up a spinning book at good ol B&N. So my fate is sealed, I am about to become a spinner!!!

Also, I realized that I cannot knit on needles bigger than a size 11. I think I have said this before too. I started the "Fillipi Scarf" from "One Skein Wonders" (which is one terrific book) and promptly ripped it out (sorry everyone, I hate the term "frogging or frog pond". ew.) It called for a 13. I couldn't. I tried the 11 and it was a bit thin for my tastes. Hmm.... maybe the same pattern, more stitches, in a smaller gauge yarn. Aha!!! That's it!!! The pattern is super cute. It would be a shame not to make one!!!

I don't even know if anyone reads this, but do you want me to do a "6 Weird Things About Me" like everyone who blogs seems to be doing. Leave a comment. I would like to know if someone is out there!!! And just because I need to say it.....pictures soon!!! :)

The Yarn Binge

It's finally official, the yarn diet has turned into a yarn binge. You knew that would happen, right?? Well, I went to San Antonio recently (hence the complete lack of posting on the knitting blog...sigh). And I went yarn shopping with my good friend Donna. We decided to make a day of yarn shopping going to the only two shops in the area, but they were great shops!!!

First we went to the "Yarn Barn" on McCullough. This was a great shop. My friend knows the owner so we had a nice conversation with her while she showed us all the new stuff. She had these really cool "jelly" bags with a special yarn pocket and a nice "grommetted" hole coming out the side for your working yarn. Nice. Also, she had the BEST selection of needles I had ever seen. Every brand in every size!!!! I wish I lived closer!!!

So, then we hit "Sonic". OK, Sonic is a big deal to me because we just don't have them in MA. Too cold and icy I guess. Actually, I am glad we don't have them, because I probably would be there every day!!!

Next stop, "Yarnivore". This little shop in a strip mall was great!! The two owners are military wives, who happen to be from my neck of the woods!!! They had a nice selection and I managed to purchase a few skeins. Namely a wonderful bamboo in a gorgeous navy shade, and some angora in purple. I have no plans for these, but I love the colors. BUT, the big thing was the rovings. Now, I am NOT a spinner, at least not yet!!! :) Well, come to find out, Donna had purchased a drop spindle recently and I helped her pick out rovings. All I can say is one touch of the raw silk and I was sold. You know where this is going, right??

Did I buy spinning supplies? No. I did however order some spinning books form the library to do a wee bit of light reading before going all gung-ho and purchasing. After all, the attic does not need any more craft stuff up there!!!

Here are some pictures!

This is my loot!!! Not bad. After all, remember I had to pack it to get it home!!!!

This is Donna's car. This is Donna's car filled with yarn!
The bag on the right is mine. The rest belongs to her!! Yes, she went nuts!!!