Wednesday, June 30

Moving on up

I'm moving up in the world - technologically. My newest fun gadget is the fabulous, awesome, magnificent Kindle! And I am in love. Can you tell?
And the first book I purchased for it?

Okey has quite the reputation of being a top-notch authority in the knitting world, so this should indeed be a great read. I'll be sure to give you a review when I am done.

Monday, June 28

A Fiber Day!

I thought you'd enjoy seeing the recent additions to my fiber stash! Yum!

Western Sky Knits FOTM Club - "Ellie's Rainbow" on Merino/Tussah Silk (this one is super special to me...)
100_5262

Mosaic Moon - "Morning Dew" on 80s Superfine Merino
100_5253

Mosaic Moon - "Ravensong" on 80s Superfine Merino
100_5257

Traci Bunkers - "Cranberry" in Tencel/Merino
100_5263
Which is turning into this...
100_5248

You'll have to be satisfied with the pictures today as I can't mention the super secret project that I am working on in collaboration with my lovely friend Jill. But, it'll be good.

Tuesday, June 22

Oopsie!


That is CORRECT spelling for my new pattern. LOL An Italian Raveler was fabulous to point out the error and so, since the pattern is so new, I went ahead and changed it. Feel free to laugh away. =)

New link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sorelle-felici

Monday, June 21

Sorelle Felici

s officially for sale now! Woot!! Rigorous testing from some of my favorite knitters and detailed screening by my tech editor have resulted in a (in my humble opinion) fabulous child's tank top pattern.

100B4672 100B4761

$4.75

This sweet little tank was designed with my charming daughters in mind, two happy sisters who love playing together in the bright sun of summer. “Sorelle Felici” is pronounced ‘sor-rehl-lay feh-lee-chee,’ which is Italian for… you guessed it, Happy Sisters.

The tank skirt is worked in the round and then divided to work the front and back in rows. To be able to knit this top, you should be able to knit, purl, follow simultaneous shaping instructions, decrease, measure armhole depth, seam shoulders together, and know (or be able to learn) Twist 2 Front (a cable stitch).

SKILL LEVEL: Adventurous Beginner to Intermediate

SIZES
Child’s 18mo (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12)yr – Instructions are given in the smallest size, with larger sizes in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
This is a close-fitting tank, so choose the chest size that is ¾ to 1 inch larger than actual body measurement.
Chest: 19 ¾ (21 ¾, 23 ¾, 25 ¾, 27 ¾, 28 ¾, 30 ¾) inches
Length: 12 ¾ (13 ½, 14 ¼, 14 ¾, 17, 18 ½, 19 ½) inches

YARN
MC Green Strings by Sugarbubbie Invigorate Superwash Merino DK (100% superwash merino; 280yd/256m per 4oz/56g skein) in Chrysalis; 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2) skeins
CC Green Strings by Sugarbubbie Invigorate Superwash Merino DK (100% superwash merino; 140yd/128m per 2oz/113g skein) in Pink; 1 skein

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
24 length-inch length US 5 (3.75mm) circular needle
US F (3.75mm) crochet hook
Tapestry Needle

GAUGE
24 ¼ sts and 32 rows in stockinette stitch = 4 inches/10 cm
26 sts and 28 rows in twisted rib pattern = 4 inches/10cm
Take time to block and measure gauge swatch to ensure a perfect fit.

Please be aware that the licensing for ‘Suore Felice’ is for personal, private use only.

Tuesday, June 15

Playtime is Nice

It is so nice to be able to play, play, play and the final result be awesome.

100_5227

The fiber, BFL Superwash dyed by A Time To Dye in "World of Illusion" was nice to spin. Lamar did a fantastic job, I think. The yarn is so squishy as thick & thin singles. Remind me to come back tomorrow with pics of the fiber and yarn I snapped up at Estes Park!

Friday, June 11

A Trial Run

I'm not cool enough to head to TNNA yet, but I am planning on it in January (assuming all goes according to plan). In the meantime, I thought I'd give myself a trial run at self-promotion this weekend at the Estes Park Wool Market. The worst that could possibly happen is that I spend lots of money on yummy fiber (shhhhh..... let's surprise the hubs, ok?).

So, I went nuts knitting up a tank to prove I can actually knit. Not my proudest achievement by any means, but alas, it is what happens when you go into a project with zero planning time. But, I DID get it done like I said I would. With time to spare, even!! The malabrigo is luscious and soft, yet it is nicely lightweight enough for the tank. Layer is in order as I went a little too wide in the back...

100_5213

100_5215

100_5212

I even made myself some fancy cards to hand out. tee hee. Now, if only I had a wingman to push me towards the booth. lolol

Monday, June 7

I'm a wee bit crazy

Most likely, my insane decision yesterday is what led to the very first real gray hair that I discovered this morning... alas.

Yesterday, is a dawning of desperate realization, I decided to design and knit a tank top for myself to be completed by Friday afternoon at the latest. Why the insanity? Estes Park Wool Festival is this weekend, something I have been planning to attend for the past year. It will be my practice run before TNNA (in January), where I will woo the yarn companies with my charm, my style, and hopefully my design skills.

At least, that's what I tell myself will happen.

Tee hee.

But, I can't do that unless I am wearing something I have designed!!!

Hence the craziness.

So, I hopped in the car and headed to the Fancy Tiger. Mostly because I have never been there. Funky, cute, full of style. They have some super yummy yarns and, thus, I picked up this Malabrigo for the tank

100_52051

Oh yes! It is indeed as squishy and soft as it looks! My swatch is drying as we speak, so now I need to go work on my numbers. All else will have to wait until it is completed.

Wish me luck!

Thursday, June 3

I took a break from the clicking of knitting needles today to get a much needed hair cut. I look pretty, cute, I think!

But, these socks (Koto w/o Pink) are rocking the beauty boat the most. Nicki, the winner from Stephanie's fundraiser will be thrilled!
 My poor husband was sad to not have them for himself. I told him that if he didn't have such freakishly large feet, I would be happy to knit him some. Since I don't see that changing any time soon... well, he'll just continue to be sad. Mwahaha

We took a trip out to Gunnison for the hub's mountain bike race. He's not the happiest with the outcome, but I thought he was fabulous. And we got to see pretty scenery. So, a great weekend. It also gave me the chance to play with photoshop. SO not good at it, but I am having too much fun to care

Now, on to more knitting!