simple

The Simple Collection is a learn-to-knit series of *free* patterns by Tin Can Knits. Made up of 8 patterns utilizing garter, rib and stockinette stitches, these patterns are simple and beautiful, wide-ranging and fun to knit for beginners and not-so-beginners (like me). 

This is the "Barley" hat from the collection.

I knit it to be less slouchy as I'm finding I prefer my hats to be.

garter, stockinette, 1x1 rib. 

Yarn: Plymouth DK merino superwash. Squish!

Also from the Simple Collection, this good-lookin' pullover: 

Flax pullovers for the whole family!

(photo from the tincanknits website)

I'm finally knitting D a sweater! It's only taken me ten years to cast on! ha!

I love the garter panels on the sleeves and the simple shape. Just right for D.

It's also the perfect project to knit for the Big Bang Theory KAL,

going on right now in the luvinthemommyhood group on Ravelry. 

here's my "WIP Wednesday" progress shot. 

The Knitter and the Dr. Scientist. I love our little nerdy family.

ONWARD

JOURNEY, the latest collaboration between the Jane Richmond and Shannon Cook, was released for pre-order HERE. It is an inspiring collection of classic but modern pieces and I can't wait to delve into it!
I was privileged to be a part of the test-knitting process. I knit the "Onward" shawl.

It's the largest shawl I've knit and for me is as useful as a cardigan. I chose a blue that has turned out to be fairly neutral and works with many colors. 

I like to wear it (giant) kerchief style.

The shawl is reversible and patterned throughout, which makes for an engaging and fun knit.
 

 

I knit the shawl using 3 skeins of Spud & Chloe "Sweater" yarn. 

It gave great stitch definition and was easy on the hands for a wool-cotton blend. 

No pilling issues and I've been wearing the heck out of it!

All in all it was a pleasure and an honor to be a part of this "journey". 

Best of luck to shannon and jane!

a girl and her tools

What's inside your knitting bag? That is the question...posed by luvinthemommyhood (you can have a peek inside her knitting bag here.
Here's what's in mine

Clockwise from the top:

Knitpicks needle sizer

cheap-o stitch counter

darning needle, crochet hook (for fixing stitches), straight cable needle

round thingy to keep stitches on needle

clover tape measure

japanese super sharp scissors

large cable hook with two sizes removable stitch markers (clover and KP)

brass plain stitch markers

hi-liter for charts and marking finished rows.

Yes, it's all very exciting!

Knitting ISLAND

There is currently a Knit ISLAND Challenge going on in the Jane Richmond ravelry group. 

And I'm in.

No, I'm not going to Knit City. And I only currently have Grace on the needles.

 But why not seize the opportunity to knit up the entire ISLAND collection. Yeah. 

Not crazypants at all.

These are all stash yarns (bonus) that have been waiting to turn into happy ISLAND knits. 

Here we go! Woohoo!

Squishy Stripes

Who's that sneaky bandit! It's me! Sneaking in an FO instead of a Grace progress report.I'm bad that way. 

I was itching to finish this and so I just bore down and went for it.  

The look of love...bahahah

It also makes for a deliciously squishy cowl when wrapped "just so". 

As you know I am not one to shy away from bold colors. I think of hot pink as a neutral. 

Garter stitch. Stripes. Hot pink. oh.yeah.

I knit this using tosh SOCK (stovepipe) and knit picks stroll glimmer for a little touch of bling.

It hardly makes a quiet statement but it is squishy and warm and I will wear it with everything whether "they" think it matches or not. Holla!

Happy Wednesday y'all.

So it begins...

the blog has been silent on account of a much needed break from everything. 

being at home with my parents was great for me and the girls to "refresh" and get ready for our new routine.

i'm going back to work in September and will have two girls in full-time school. 

 Noelle is so ready!

wish us luck with our new routine! 

hopefully this blog will see a little more activity as we learn to balance everything.

Saturday Sewing

Summer is finally here, and I finally had time to reunite with my Janome...

I had to literally dust her off poor thing.

Using Shannon's nifty FREE reversible project bag tutorial I finally made myself a project bag.

The pattern is so clearly written and was a great way to get my sewing legs back.

I used the same fabric for the whole bag, but I don't think it diminished the cuteness factor at all!

This random calico print reminds me of Little House on the Prairie.

Cute corners to help the bag stand up...

pinning, and sewing. I used to be lazy about this but the pinning is essential for a cleaner look.

This bag is such a great size, perfect for socks or bigger WIPs.

I used bias tape instead of cording. Need to find something a bit sturdier but this will do for now.

I'm so glad I dove back in!

Happy Weekend, y'all.

Leafy Bias

So yeah, it's my birthday...and i'm cuddled up in a brand new shawl...happy birthday to me!

the pattern is Leafy Bias by Susan Ashcroft.

She is such a prolific designer and I noticed that her simple patterns are really all about the yarn, which I appreciate.

The yarn is Malabrigo "Rastita" in colorway Aguas
Sooo soft but the leaves. 

It's long enough so I can easily wear it like a scarf 

(how I prefer my shawls) without worrying it will unwrap.

I loved knitting these leaves! It was such an interesting knit but not overly complicated.

Artistic guitar shot. Haha.
I love my new shawl to distraction.

happy feet

Slightly embarrassing factoid about these socks...apparently I cast them on almost a year ago! What the? Anyway, they're finally done and boy are my feet happy!

look at the cute happy stripes.

I honestly didn't want to take them off to take this shot! haha.

My gauge weirdly has changed significantly between socks, so one is a bit bigger than the other. But who's going to be looking at them side by side? 

It's not a beauty contest. I refuse to let it bother me. 

The short-row heel.

I used JSSBO as the bind-off. 

It's a little loose but I have weeny little calves so I wasn't expecting them to be anything but.

This little person definitely enjoys them too!

happy hump day!

Elfe

I finished  my top for the TTTKAL hosted by luvinthemommyhood.

The pattern is Elfe designed by Astrid Schramm. 

This is the first sweater I've made using fingering weight wool, and it really is such a treat to wear! Very drapey and light, but still warm. 

The delicious yarns I used:

Dream In Color Smooshy with Cashmere in Aqua Jet

Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock in Boysenberry

It's a little big in the arms, but otherwise I love the looser fit of it. And the colors can't be beat.

Like Ellie's matching outfit?

This KAL was super lively and full of amazing projects. Great job ladies! Check out some of the awesome tops in the "starrring you" post on luvinthemommyhood later today!

birthday craziness

Mother's Day was sort of uneventful, everyone was sick and D was working. However, got a sweet reminder from Noelle of just how blessed of a mama I am:

The girls celebrated their birthdays on the 18th with a joint par-tay.

Little chefs stirring up cupcake batter. 

goofy smile.

 
The finished product.

Oh, happiness!

Finished object to share tomorrow. Until then, enjoy the cuteness! Haha.

Yarn Crawl 2013

Welcome to Yarn Crawl 2013!

notice I am wearing my Gemini top. hee hee yarn dork!

I decided to hit one stop: knit culture studio.
i have been meaning to check out this LYS and it was AWESOME!
The yarn crawl included seven trunk shows including...

Jane Richmond...

It was so nice to see the patterns knit up in real life!

A few of the lovely Botanical Knits by Alana Dakos...

Squishy yarn!

ISLAND Knits...

A rack of gorgeous cardigans and cowls...I was bug-eyed and drooling...

Ellie sporting her Yarn Crawl button

I bought the Seedling Hat pattern and two skeins of Mad Tosh.

Tosh Sock in Stove Pipe and Tosh DK in opaline

my swag bag. hee hee. 

I had so much fun!