March 2011

March was sample month.
Yes, those socks are still on the needles and haven't been touched.  So I won't bother with a picture that is the same as last month. 

I am knitting spring samples in the the hopes that spring will actually arrive.  No luck so far. But here goes....

I did finish the Trapeeze Tee knit with Arucania's Ruca.  It is cute and soft and drapey.  A great top for summer.

Then a new yarn and new pattern book.  Summer Stripes from Sirdar.  It's a cotton arylic blend and knits up in fun stripes.  This sweater is knit form their book Summer Safari.  There are lots of cute sweaters in the booklet, it was hard to choose.

Then inbetween a new chunky yarn came in from Noro.  It screamed baby blanket to me, so... a baby blanket.  It only took 2 skiens and I machine washed it, no problem.

Then another new yarn and a more challenging sample.  This yarn is intresting, it is called Ripple from Tahki and it is a thick and thin cotton.  The knitting was interesting.  The back is straight, easy.  The fronts are knit in a different direction, still not quite sure which one. So, I had to have faith and just follow the pattern, something that is hard for me....  But, I did and it worked!  I tried it on and it is really cute on.  This one might get some wear this summer.

More samples... On my needles, expect a pattern and completed picture by Monday.  Watch our Facebook page for the completed sweater.  This is Chaiten from Arucania, 100% silk.  As you can see I am on the last sleeve, so after that is done and buttons are sewn on, it will be done.  Tonight I hope!

And on the needles... A pretty sweater from a Sirdar booklet in Louisa Harding's Jasmine.  It is a cotton/silk/bamboo blend with a touch of metallic.  Hard to tell anything yet, but it will be a very pretty sweater....soon!

And I've pulled yarn for 2 more projects.....  Who knows what next month will bring.

'Til then, happy knitting!  Nancy

February 2011

So seriously, don't you think we've had enough winter?  I do!

I finished up a cool weather sweater and now for some warm weather knitting.  New yarns for spring are coming in, so it's sample knitting time.

First, from last month, I finished up the Noro Kogarashi sweater.  It turned out cute and I have even worn it, even though it is now on display in the shop.  It looks nice with a turtleneck under it or as a spring jacket.


I also finished my son's tie, in time for Valentines Day.  He was thrilled and can't wait to wear it.  Ella Rae's Lace Merino, I love, love , love this yarn.


As I mentioned last month we had a baby shower to go to for sisters who are both expecting in May.  A boy and girl, so since they will be cousins, i thought they needed matching sweaters. One blue and one pink, of course!

Another gift.  I will be needing a gift for a friend later this spring and so I decided on a shawl.  It is knit with Berroco's Seduce and I think will be perfect for spring and summer.  I was really happy with the results, I hope she will be too.  But shhh.... I don't give it to her for a couple of months.

Then a sweater, a sample of new yarn.  This is Louisa Harding's Ondine.  A beautiful cotton with tweedy coloring.  I thought this sweater from one of her books was really pretty, so, here it is.  The sweater is shown with 3 options, one plain, one with contrasting colors and one with beads.  I chose beads.  I think this will be really cute with a little cami under it for spring and summer.



And on the needles, Arucania's Ruca made from sugar cane, that's right, sugar cane, is a wonderful yarn that we have had in shop for a while without a sample, so, I am working on one.  The yarn has wonderful drape and I want to take advantage of that, so I am working on a trapeze style top for summer.  As you can see I still have a ways to go.



I also have a pair of socks started.  Socks?? Yes, socks.  I scheduled a class for knitting 2 socks on 2 circular needles, so I needed a sample.  But.... no one signed up for the class.  Shall we take bets on how long it will take to finish the socks....

And last but not least, a swatch.  For the Entrelac dress I've been talking about since January.  Some day soon it will be started.  It is again, Ella Rae's Lace Merino and will be knit on 3's.  So don't expect to see quick results on this one.  I expect you will be hearing about this for the next year or so.  That's ok, I enjoy working on the yarn so I won't mind dragging the project out for a while.

I think that is it for February.  March will bring a few more samples and hopefully a little progress on some of the above things. (except maybe the socks..)  Until then, Happy Knitting, Nancy

January 2011

I didn't think I accomplished alot this month, but glacing back, I guess I did.

To start, I finished my son's vest.  It is wonderful, if I do say so myself.  Love the yarn!!  loved knitting with it and now that it is done and blocked, I love the results even more.  It is Ella Rae's Lace Merino.  Fingering weight. I know, but it's worth it. The yarn has a beautiful twist giving it great stitch definition and the finished sweater is so soft with a wonderful drape.  Ok, I'll stop going on and on about the yarn. 

Then I had to knit a shawl for a customer.  Sorry, I didn't take a picture, but it was the Landscape Shawl knit with Mountain Colors Wool Crepe. 

Now one to "Me Month".  I started one sweater for me.
Well.... then we got a new DK weight yarn, Indulgence 6py from KFI,  in that does fair isle striping.  Baby Surprise Jacket.  That won't take too long.  Then there was yarn left over (from 1 skein!) so of course, a hat to complete the ensemble.  I really like the way the yarn turned out in the sweater.  Cute!


I also had some yarn left over from my son's vest and thought wouldn't a tie using the reverse colors be cool.  Well, it will be when it's done.

 

 So, as I said, I started... and finished one sweater for me.  The knitting and designing of the sweater was as much for me as the finished sweater.  I love seeing the picture in my head turn into something that actually resembles the picture in my head.  This one did pretty good.  It is a swing jacket knit with Berroco's Ultra Alpaca.  I knit the "skirt" side to side using different colors and short rows to give it the "swing".  You then pick up from the skirt and knit the bodice and sleeves.  I am pretty pleased with the way it turned out.

I mentioned last month a skirt and top using entrelac and the Lace Merino yarn (again).  I only got a swatch done on that so far and I am still debating the right needle size for the project.  This might get started soon, but I might save most of it for out Knitting Weekend in early March.

That doesn't mean I was done for the month.  Once again I ripped out a sample I didn't like and am reknitting it into something much cuter.  It is with Noro's new yarn, Kogarashi.  This is the beginning of the back.


Then there is a yarn, Noro's Retro, that I've been wanting to knit a sample with.  I just couldn't find the right project.  It is an interesting yarn.  Angora, Silk and Wool.  Dyed solid, but each fiber takes the dye a little different so there is subtle striping.  Walking around the shop the other day (friday) I figured it out!  It would look great in one of those short sleeved vests (you wear over a turtleneck) that they are showing in all the stores right now.  So that is what it became.  Knit from the top down, in one piece.  I am looking forward to wearing it.

So, January was busier than I thought.  February will finish the Kogarashi sweater and bring a couple of baby sweaters.  I was invited to a baby shower for the girl who used to babysit my kids.  She and her sister are pregnant and the shower is on the 19th.  That is next on the list.  I also have to do a pair of socks, crazy, I know.  But if you check the class schedule there is a class on 2 socks on 2 circular needles, so, I am committed
I hope your January had more "Me" knitting than mine.  We can extend it into February, March and..... if you want! 
Happy Knitting, Nancy 

December 2010

Happy New Year!!

Finally all the holiday knitting is done, well almost.  Just one straggler hanging on....  So what did I accomplish in December? 

Remember the socks I've been claiming to be knitting for more than a year now?  DONE!!!  They look and feel great, not sure if he's worn them yet....  I knit them at the same time on 2 circular needles with Berroco's Ultra Alplaca Fine.  I love the yarn and am a fan of getting 2 socks done at the same time.

My daughter's sweater, knit with Berroco's Soft Twist, was finished and fit perfectly.  That is always a thrill, when the gift fits and is liked!.

I also finished up some gifts that I couldn't talk about before.  I knit 5 lace scarves out of Filatura di Crosa's Superior for 5 people I love!  This is a silk and cashmere blend and is as light as air. Ahhhhh....


Another Tie for my son, this time from Berroco's Sox.  It seems I was going to be done in time, so I just kept adding projects.  It wouldn't be Christmas if I didn't work until the very last minute.

And in that spirit, I also knit the Kimono Sweater for my Mom.  This was knit with Sirdar's Escape and was finished on Christmas Eve.  It was still a little damp from blocking when it was opened.  I love this sweater, the style is flattering on everyone and it looks so nice in so many different yarns. 

I had a few spare moments before the holidays, got a little over zealous and started a vest out of fingering weight yarn for my son.  Needless to say, it was not done in time and it's still not done, but getting closer.  He doesn't even know it's for him yet.  It is knit with Ella Rae's Lace Merino.  I LOVE this yarn and have something planned for myself with it very soon.  Hopefully this will be done this week.

As I said last month, Spin A Yarn would like to declare January "Me Month" and we encourage you to knit something for yourself, now that your holiday knitting is done.  And in that spirit, I have 2 projects that I am excited about, just waiting for me.  First I have to finish a shawl for a customer order then, fun knitting for me.  A skirt and top from the Entree to Entrelac book.  This will last past January, since it is going to be knit with the Ella Rae Lace Merino on 3's and a fairly drastic revision of a sweater in the latest Knitter's magazine.  I'll keep you up dated on my progress.

So, until next month, I hope you find a project to knit for you that you can't wait to start!  Happy Knitting, Nancy

November 2010

November has definately been gift knitting month. Not quite sure why I waited until now to knit a bunch of gifts for Christmas, but, I did and here it goes.

First I'll start with a finished project from last month. I was knitting the Comfy Cardi with Noro's Shirakba. Since the pattern is written for multi gauges, I wanted a sample in a heavier yarn than the original. I am very happy with the results and you'll be surprised to hear I like the color, haha.  I added a shawl pin (they are new at the shop) and tried it closed.  I like that too!


Now, gifts.  I am working on a couple of gifts that I can't talk about here, but I will take pictures and share them at the end of December.  I don't want to spoil any surprises.  But I can talk about a few things for people who won't see this.

I just finished up a Bag for a birthday gift actually.  It uses the Paper Bag pattern but is knit with Arucania's Pehuen.

Inspired by the handknit ties I saw in Italy, I wanted to knit my son a tie.  He liked the ones with triangles.  So, the search began.  The yarn for the ties I saw looked like a medium weight cotton.  Hmmm... I worry about cotton stretching in a tie and looking sloppy and medium weight seems heavy when it is tied. I really want to do fingering weight and more of a wool.  I look again at the picture and the tie has 3 colors.  Looking at my sock yarn I see three colors that will look good together, but 3 100gm skeins of sock yarn for 1 tie?  I won't even talk about how much this tie would have cost.  How can I get a similar effect with out 3 skeins of yarn.  I wandered around the shop for a while and spotted the popular multi directional scarf - hmmm, what it I use a self striping yarn and turn this into a tie?  - Done!  The pattern adjustments are available as a free download on Ravelry or at the shop.

I also decided a family member needs a sweater for Christmas (I won't mention who, just in case).  The very popular Kimono sweater would be nice.  And I decided to use Berroco's Lustra.  I was going to do it in brown and decided, just for the heck of it, I'll look at Ravelry and see what others have down with the sweater.  I have made one in a multi color, which turned out pretty, but I saw one there in two tones.  Why didn't I think of that?  Love the idea (and the sweater!)





A friend that I meet for coffee once a week was wearing this cute necklace one morning.  I complimented her and she showed it to me.  It was many strands of a ladder type yarn (such as Eros or Nocheros) chained and looped.  I can do that!!  So I did.  Super easy and another free pattern download on Ravelry or at the shop.




I almost forgot.  I have this very cute Snowball yarn from Sirdar at the shop and I finally got a sample knit up with it.  Too cute!!  Baby Snowball is combined with Baby Bamboo to make this adorable set.


Now I'd like to say I am almost done my Holiday knitting, but nope! 
My daughter requested a sweater.  So she will get one.  Knit with Berroco's Soft Twist, I am doing a V-neck variation on the Comfy Cardi.

And I am determined to finish the Socks I've been showing you glacial progress on forever.  They are still being knit with Berroco's Ultra Alpaca Fine and progress is being made!  My husband will enjoy them (or else!) because they feel amazing.

And one more... another sweater (I hope) I haven't started yet and I can't tell you who or what, but I will later.

I decided that at Spin A Yarn we should declare January "Me Month".  The gift are knitted, they have been worn and cherished by the recipient and now it time to knit something for you!  So, start thinking about what you want to knit next (I already have a few ideas in mind).  It will make the gift knitting go quicker and you will have something wonderful to look forward to knitting in the new year.

So, to each and everyone of you, I wish you a wonderful holiday season.  May you finish all your projects, enjoy your friends and family and take the time to sit back, if even for a minute and enjoy the love that surrounds you.  Happy, Happy Holidays (and Knitting), Nancy

October 2010

Whew, October blew by. The first two weeks I was busy knitting and the second two weeks I was busy traveling. (a little more about that later, I'll even try to relate it to knitting)

First the knitting and a few finished projects.  I finished the two sweaters started last month.  First a Swing Sweater made from Noro's Yuzen.  It think it's really cute.  It's hanging in the shop right now, but I am looking forward to wearing it. 

Next, I finished the double breasted cardigan from Twilley's Spirit.  I really like the way this turned out too.  The yarn is  DK weight wool and very nice to knit with.

Then a few other projects, I knit a quick scarf in School Colors for a friend who took a job with Kings College. This is knit with 2 strands of Berroco's Comfort. 

I decided I needed a small bag for my trip.  There is an adorable bag in the new book Entree to Entrelac. (as well as about 5 other projects that I'd like to knit.  You'll see more on that coming up soon, after the holiday knitting is done)  So, I reached into my stash (and the shop) and made this purse.  Isn't it cute?  I lined it and put a magnet in it to keep it closed.  It is made with Berroco's Suede and Sensuwool and Plymouth's Superwash Merino.  I know you are surprised at the color!

I also decided to remake a sweater I wasn't completely happy with before I left.  I remade it using the Comfy Cardi pattern and smaller needles.  The yarn is Flirt from Sirdar.  A wool and bamboo blend.  Now I'm happy.  I finished it the night before we left.  This is me wearing it on the top of the Domo in Florence, Italy.

Before I left I started another Comfy Cardi for the shop in a different yarn.  The pattern is written for different gauges and I thought another sample would be good.  Besides, I've been wanting to knit with this yarn  It is Shirakba by Noro.  It is mostly Cotton and Silk with a little wool.  I am not too far, but hopefully it will be done before long. 

I also took with me a few Christmas gifts to work on while I traveled.  Shhhhsh...  I will take pictures and show you in January.

Now, the traveling part of the month.  My son is in Italy for a semester and we went to visit him.  We also took a 7 day cruise while we were there to celebrate our 28th Anniversary.  We had a wonderful time and while we were wandering around Rome with my son, I saw a few knitting related sites I thought you might enjoy seeing.  I also have a few pictures of myself wearing some of my sweaters. (just to prove I really do wear them, they just don't hang in the shop.)

 

A Yarn Shop! (and bras)  Love her door handle.

 

Another yarn shop (and hosiery)  Is there a trend? Actually, when Lily Chin was here teaching for a guild weekend, she said all the yarn shops in Greece were in Lingerie stores.  Must be a European thing.

We walked past this window display - Handknit ties - Cool!  All in garter stitch. My son might be ordering a few.  I'll have to enlarge the picture to figure out what to do.

 Knits everywhere!

 

And finally, me wearing the Sweater knit with Superior to dinner and the Drawstring Top knit with Lonco for a day of touring. 

And that's it for October, on to November and some holiday knitting to get under control.  Until next month, Happy Knitting , Nancy