WIP - Aidez

I've chosen to knit the body of Aidez in one long piece.
It was initially a bit frustrating because there are so many cables to work, but I think I've finally hit my groove.

I'm SO glad I pushed myself to finish the sleeves. Can't wait to finish up so I can cuddle up in it!

Another part of the L.A. landscape...walking from school to the playground.

Not something you see so much in Ohio or New York.

too bad this is sold out. isn't it dreamy? 

magnolia cowl

First project from the ISLAND collection:

z

Arbutus cowl in Madtosh DK

colorway: Magnolia Leaf

This scrumptious yarn was so easy to knit with, I couldn't resist snapping pre-blocking photos. 

See the squish!

The cowl looks like a triple loop but is knit in one piece using short rows. This was also my first time doing a cable cast-on. It was fun to learn a new technique.

The first time I saw this colorway I knew I had to have it, because the area around our new home is lined with magnolia trees. I wish I could capture the color better...
Happy Election Day!

ratatouille

Fun to say, fun to eat!

I made ratatouille last night. I'm sure I'm the last person on earth who's seen the movie Ratatouille to make this recipe, but oh well. 

I used this recipe for the instructions but modified it a lot to my personal taste. This is quite a forgiving recipe and I'm sure I will be making it again. Hubs was like "what the heck is that" but then gobbled up half of it. ha.

I also got my digital copy of Island. What an accomplishment for Jane and Shannon! can't wait to cast on...

Rainbow Cowl

Before I jump into holiday knitting...I had to make this cowl.

the Stasia Cowl, pattern by luvinthemommyhood

A simple pattern with a twist

Yarn: Noro Kureyon Worsted

Can't beat the colors, and with size 13 needles the fabric is squishy and so warm.

I had a lot of fun knitting this!

It was my reward for finishing my Aidez sleeves and casting on the body. hee hee.

misty

Just Knit It  pattern by Susan Ashcroft

yarn: Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock in Mist colorway

love the curvy shape

improvised a 3-row crochet border 

(took a lot of experimentation to get it right, but it was fun to try different things)

the Sweet Georgia is just so shmooshy, esp. after blocking.

the drape is incredible.

I just love it!

LYS

For those not in the knitterly know, LYS stands for "local yarn store/shop".
I was kind of feeling bummed by all the gushing reviews of Knit City everywhere so I decided to console myself by checking out my new LYS. So this morning I dragged Ellie with me to this shop while Noelle was in school:

Wildfiber in Santa Monica

Cutest.yarn.shop.ever.

Today and tomorrow is their "yarn tasting" event, which, as you can see, allows you sample different lovely yarns and even knit with them. 

Ellie had as much fun as I did, truly! I was so happy the ladies were so cool with me having her in there. In the course of our time there Ellie managed to lose her stuffie which instigated a store-wide search by all the locals...it was so sweet. 

You can imagine Ellie's face when she saw this table!

Notice the Spring Garden tee on the wall?

The shop samples were well executed and well curated.

This is a blurry shot but I was kind of snapping pics with my phone like a very uncoordinated spy!

Pros: So many! The ladies who work there are energetic, helpful without being in-your-face, and have computers in the front hooked up to ravelry for easy access to pattern information.

They also have a "knit night" on Wednesdays. 

It's not an official one, but all are welcome and they are open until 8. 

The traffic today was a good mix of young and older knitters, exemplified by the mix of people on the couches, including the paper-reading bored-ass hubby and the two Japanese grandmas who were occupying the comfy couches. They were such fast knitters!
It really felt like everyone knew everyone, like Cheers. It was such a great vibe.

The only slight con was that they are not a ginormous shop so they didn't have many of the items I was planning to try out. But, it will not deter me from visiting again. My experience was too good!

Not to mention...

Madtosh DK in Magnolia Leaf. I've been lusting after this colorway for a while.

Noro. I personally love the rustic nubby feel of this wool. and the colors? To die for.

Happy Weekend everyone! 

Back on track

I was a little thrown off by the final decreases, but I finally bound off my first sleeve of Aidez:

After I knit Julissa I find myself only wanting to knit patterns with cables and/or lace. 

Lookit these pretty cables.

I want to cast on for the body so badly but I know I should just crank out the second sleeve while the pattern is still fresh in my mind. 

I ended up cabling without a needle, which is surprisingly easy and makes me feel like a knitting superhero every time I do it! haha.

Several ladies have already finished their Aidez and I'm loving all the fall colorways that are popping up. I still love my Malabrigo though...sigh. So Soft. 

Also finished this tiny little dress...love baby crochet. So easy and fast.