Just in case...

I don't know if anyone ever reads this blog, but just in case, I actually have a new one.

Goldenbrook Photography

:)

Geez It's been awhile!

So some of my Two Peas cohorts reminded me today that I haven't updated in awhile. I have mostly been blogging on my new Photography Blog Golden Brook Photography so this blog has been sorely neglected. However I have knitted tons of stuff since the last time I updated (obviously) and decided to post a few!

First off my clapotis scarf that I gave to my MIL for Christmas!





Pattern: Clapotis
Needles : Size 8 Bryspuns
Yarn: BMFA Socks that Rock heavyweight in the color "purple rain"
Modifications: I only did 3 repeats to make this more scarf like. I really like it this size, I had a REALLY hard time giving it up after spending so much time on it! It took me a loooooong time to knit it, LOL.

Second up I have one of my cutest FO's to date. It is the Baby Mine Sweater by the Harlot:



and LOOK at these buttons I found at Hancock!



I am in love.

Pattern: Baby Mine
Needles: Size 5 Bryspun circs
Yarn: BMFA mediumweight in "Lucky"
Modifications: None. This is a GREAT pattern, I am definitely going to be using it in the future for my go to baby sweater. It went really fast and used just under a full skein of mediumweight for the 6 month size.

That is what I have for today to not be too overwhelming, but I have tons more projects to share in the (hopefully near) future!

Heaven is...

When I say "Hey Crystal? I love you!!"

"I love you too mom!"

"Hey Oliver? I love you!"

"TOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"


:)

Rainbow Sophie

A couple of weeks ago we were discussing on Knitty the subject of knitted toys. I ran across Sophie a sweet little girlie bunny. Well I have been wanting to knit Oliver a toy, and the pink bunny wouldn't work. So I decided to make a boyish Sophie.



Pattern: Sophie

Yarn: I used the yarn from my Funky Sock Monkey kit, Fire on the Mountain and Sherbert, both STR heavyweight.

Needles: Because I wanted a bigger bunny than the original pattern called for, I used size 6 needles instead of 2's.

Notes: Like I said I upped the yarn size and the needle size. Other than that I followed the pattern exactly.



I love this bunny. I don't think it turned out too girly, and it is the perfect size I envisioned.



Adored the pattern, extremely easy to follow and I can't wait to make the next patterns in her collection, the elephant and the polar bear!!

Here is the Ravelry Link: Sophie

Tweedy Mr. Greenjeans

Well, she's done. After languishing for 3 months with only a sleeve and a button band to do, I got a push from my knitty friends and finished it. It is a GORGEOUS sweater, with the perfect yarn. I will definitely be using the Kathmandu again, it is so soft and beautiful.

Here is a pic:



What? Oh you noticed that isn't me?? Yeah, that is because the sweater doesn't fit me. Again. Third time is NOT a charm to me apparently. Want proof?



See that? Too short in the waist. Too big in the boobs.

Now, I know the pattern has issues with being too big in the chest area already. But I also stopped nursing my son, and lost 12 lbs since I started making this sweater. The combo is a sweater that just doesn't fit me. Dammit.

However, look at how good it looks on my mom who is 3 inches shorter then me:



She also has big boobs, which helps. Takes the sting out of it a little bit. Plus her birthday is coming up, and I didn't know what I was going to get her, so I guess that dilemma is solved.



It really does look so much better on her. That picture of me up there? it was the most flattering I could find. It really isn't a great sweater for me. It would be fab if it had a smaller chest and longer waist. Will there EVER be a sweater that I will make that I can wear? (sob.)

Pattern: Mr. Greenjeans

Yarn: Queensland collection Kathmandu Aran

Needles: KP Harmony DPN's and my Denises

Notes: I got the buttons from Joann's. I lenthened the sleeves by decreasing down to 48 stitches (the sleeves actually fit my arms well) and then knitting 3 inches before starting the cabling. Also added 4 buttons instead of just one. Definitely a fun knit, but I am a slow sweater knitter because I always have so many WIPS at a time.

Thanks for visiting!!

Little baby socks and a BSJ!

I have been really bad at blogging lately. I blame Ravelry. It is much easier to just upload all the info, fill out the forms and voila you are done. I have decided to try to blog all my projects too though, just for my own personal satisfation. :)

So I am on a baby sock making kick. I have a friend due in May, so I made her a Baby Surprise Jacket and had enough yarn left over from the December shipment of the Rockin Sock Club to make some little socks to match:

Yarn: STR lightweight in Bella Coola from Dec. RSC shipment
Needles: Jacket, size 5 bryspun, socks size 3 KP harmony circulars





The socks are the Little Sky Socks from "New Pathways for Sock knitters" by Cat Bordhi. Super cute and easy to knit!



Then I also made some Little Coreolis socks for another friend in STR lightweight in the colorway Sherbert:



This is much closer to the true color:



(um yeah, I really need to bleach my grout apparently)

I have also made 2 more pairs of baby socks and another pair of Saartje's booties, but haven't uploaded the pictures yet.

The trouble with Big Projects...

and a knitting blog, is that you don't update very often. But luckily I am updating right now!! I have finished the Tilted Duster!

I didn't mind knitting this sweater at all, which is an improvement. My Cardigan for Arwen took forever because after I finished the first two halves I couldn't get through the miles of stockinette on the back.

It took about 5 weeks, which really isn't too bad considering how little knitting time I get nowadays. (My youngest is a climber. Keeps me on my toes constantly.) Unfortunately this sweater, while originally for me, looks HORRIBLE on me. Seriously. I couldn't even wear it to take pictures in. Luckily my sister tried it on and it looks as though it was made for her. So she will get the sweater, and was nice enough to model it for me for the blog and Ravelry!!



Pattern: Tilted Duster by Gaughan

Yarn: Berocco Peruvia in Tobacco

Needles: Size 9



Notes: First off, this yarn, while some of the softest I have worked with and honestly SO soft against the skin was a BITCH to seam with. Seriously I wanted to poke myself in the eye with my darning needle the yarn broke so many times. I honestly think it will be the time I do a sweater in one ply. Also the stitch definition was difficult to see because of the halo of the yarn.



The pattern itself was actually a pretty fun knit. Mostly mindless, with just enough decreases and increases to keep it interesting. Overall, I really enjoyed knitting it. It was my first time with set in sleeves and while I don't think I did that great of a job, I also don't think I did a terrible one. Over all, I give this sweater a B.



The only reason it didn't get an A is because it didn't fit!! :(

Took me long enough...

But here are the pictures of what my Rut Busting Secret Swap pal sent me!! I literally gasped when I saw THIS goodness come out of the box:



How incredibly beautiful is that yarn? The colorway is called "Playing with Matches" and seriously that is the perfect name for it. LOL

And she also sent me a ton of other goodies!!



What you see here is a clear project bag from The Loopy Ewe which I LOVE and have been wanting to try. My hat in progress is in there right now.

There is also an ADORABLE sheep tape measure (thank you, I am down to one of those) some hand balm, a really cute little pink knitting notebook, some SOAK wash (I have been really really wanting to try these, I am so glad I have an excuse) and a sock blocker key chain!!

Thank you so much Crazyknits, you are an AWESOME pal!!

Best mail day in awhile!!

I got goodies from Tink, my SP and from my Sock Swap Pal Petra!!

*warning, Picture heavy post!!*

So first let's talk about the swap from Petra. She lives in Sweden, so we decided to do a yarn swap in addition to a sock swap.

Upon receiving hte package I ripped it open and actually remembered to take a picture:



I laid everything out:



then ripped everything open. I got some Evilla Artyarn which I have been DYING to try. For like a year, seriously. I am so excited to have this in my hot little hands:



That is the rainbow colorway. I also got some Jitterbug that I have been totally jonesing for:



This color is so amazingly gorgeous.

And finally the pies de resistance:



The absolutely most beautiful socks I have ever seen in my life. No joke.



They fit like a glove. I am so impressed, they are absolutely perfect in every way.



So then I also received a package from Tinkerbell, my AWESOME SP.



How exciting is that picture??



Look at all that cotton? I am so excited, I have been wanting to try the peaches and cream, because all I have ever used is the sugar and cream, but this stuff is SO much softer then the sugar and cream.



It is so hot, I am thinking about casting on a dishcloth tonight actually!!

Missing from that photo is the chocolate that little C stole and ran off with.

So thank you so much ladies!! You totally made my week!!

Socks, Yarn and a Sweater!!

So I finished my Sock Pal's Socks!! They are Coupling from the latest knitty. All in all a very enjoyable knit, though I did get SSS and had to take a 2 week break between socks. They are now all clean and blocked, and as soon as I pack up the box, I will be sending them off to Sweden!!

Petra, if you want to be surprised, don't look any further!!



Pattern: Coupling from Summer 2007 Knitty

Yarn: Fleece Artist Merino Sock in a blue color I don't know the actual colorway

Needles: Size 1.5 KP circulars

Start: July 2007
Finished: August 2007



Also, I am getting better at this yarn thing:



And I finished the Tulip Baby Sweater!

Well it resembles yarn...

I went to Lambtown in Dixon on Saturday with my mom, and I got a drop spindle, a niddy noddy and some roving. I learned to spin there, and have been practicing all weekend. I give you, my first handspun yarn:







It looks like yak but it is getting way better now, much more consistent. I made some more and plied it together and it is soaking right now to set the twist. If it turns out halfway decent I am going to knit it into a swatch and see what happens!!

Tinkerbell Rocks!!

I am doing the SP 9 from the Knitty Coffeeshop and we just got our first package today!! My wonderful SP Tinkerbell sent us some stitch markers, delicious smelling coffee, some YUMMY sockotta, which I am planning on casting on asap (after my sock swap pal's socks are done) some gorgeous bracelets for my C and a book for the little man!

Thank you so much Tink, you rock!!

Mystery Stole 3...

I was one of the first 100 to join Mystery Stole 3, not realizing that I was going to be part of something so huge!! Currently there are over 6000 members, all knitting the same design. How freaking cool is that??

Anyway, Clue 1 and 2 are already out, but I just finished knitting clue 1 tonight while the kids and hubbo slept. I am using Zephyr wool/silk in the color Cassis with black iridescent beads. It is turning out really nice I think!

Here you can see the lace work better:



And here you can see the contrast of the beads:



I love it!! Even though it is hard and I can only knit it when my kids are asleep, I am loving it. :)

Rated G...

I guess my blog isn't even spicy enough for a PG rating. What did I expect though? It is about knitting and my life. All a bit rated G LOL!!

Mingle² - Online Dating

The Koigu Shawl

For Mothers Day, my mom got me a gift certificate to take a lace knitting class at the LYS because she knows I was loving knitting my Garden Path Shawl. I am so glad she did because I a) got to know the yumminess that is Koigu, and b) really really enjoyed knitting this pattern!!



Originally this was called the Gypsy Shawl by Koigu, but my instructor basically had to rewrite the entire thing, as the original shawl pattern basically made no sense.


Closeup of Top

It was such a joy to knit!! It starts out with a bunch of stockinette, which I modified to add the little "raspberries" you see above.


Close up of bottom

Then there are 3 different lace patterns for the bottom. The first is trellis lace, the second is feather lace and the third is little arrow lace. I don't know where my instructor got the stitch patterns, but I love them all.



And of course, my three year old had ot get in on the action again while photographing. She loves to model of my shawls!! She also helped me block it, and then proceeded to tell her dad exactly how to block things. "you get it in the sink and put water on it. Then you put lots of pins on the black thing that the cats scratch. Then you leave it alone and DON'T TOUCH IT or you get a time out."

Oh and I am well aware of the glaring error on the top of the shawl, but seing as I was about 6 inches past it and I had already ripped the sucker 5 times I decided to leave it.

Thanks for looking!