#46 - ON THE NEEDLES

Just thought I'd share a quick post with what's on my needles at the moment, especially since I'm in a major bout of startitis. Between holiday knitting and commissions, I need to get my needles moving! In the meantime, I have a few little projects that I'm actively working on:

First off, Mama Sue's Reading Mitts, which I'm knitting for my brilliant mom. She picked the yarn, Rowan Purelife British Sheep Breeds DK in Bluefaced Leicester. And wow, that lady has good taste. I'm in love with this yarn. I'm finished with the thumb gusset increases for mitt #2, so these should be off the needles in no time.

Ravel it!

Next, the Crazy Vanilla Socks, formerly the Nutkin Socks, in Crazy Zauberball, which I frogged because the pattern was (for reasons unknown to me) boring me to death. Keeping these in my bag at all times.

Ravel it!

I recently frogged yet another WIP to cast on the Mara Shawl in LB Collection Superwash Merino. Super simple and I foresee great stitch definition on this one.

Ravel it!

And finally... I swatched for the Beatnik sweater! This is Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in Dove Heather and it's going to be so lovely in cabled goodness. I can feel it already.

I've been knitting up a storm, so I suspect there will be much more to share quite soon. What crafty shenanigans have you been up to lately?

#43 - STASH BUST ARMY

I've been knitting a lot of small projects as of late, trying to bust some of my impossibly growing stash (Yes, it's taking over the living room), along with lots of lovely Twitter knitters in the StashBustArmy. You may have already heard about it from @Voolenvine on the Yarngasm podcast or the Electric Sheep podcast from @hoxtonhandmade - we simply knit from yarn we already own and share projects and inspiration for busting stash! Nonetheless, I highly recommend that you search for #stashbustarmy on Twitter to see some brilliant knitters and crocheters using up some of that languishing yarn.

First off, I have a few balls of Noro Silk Garden Sock, despite the fact that I'm not typically a sock knitter (I really can't help myself around such lovely colors), so I knitted one up into a Lacy Baktus with the intention of keeping it for myself. But as my mom began to ogle it, I set my selfish tendencies aside and realized the colors look amazing on her - so look who got to keep it!


ps, Isn't my mom just gorgeous? She hates having her photograph taken, but my silliness behind the camera brought out some real smiles.

I also knit up a pair of Toasty fingerless mitts for myself after seeing the pair done up in Malabrigo by Nitters on Ravelry. I have a few balls of Amy Butler for Rowan Belle Organic in dk weight, and oh my goodness, I cannot recommend this yarn enough.


So soft and squishy, perfect for gloves or scarves that will be right against your skin. My only complaint is that the yarn can be a bit splitty, but I have a tendency to use tight gauge, so that is a likely culprit.


I knit these extra long above the thumb gusset to keep my fingers warmer than regular gauntlets. They're so cozy that I never want to take them off.

Now, I'm working intermittently on some sweaters, a lacey scarf, my first ever pair of socks, and the Peak's Island Hood from Ysolda Teague. Startitis got me. At least I'm busting some more of my stash along the way, right? :)

#26 - BLOG THERAPY: MY ANTISOCIAL TENDENCIES

From Knitting, etc.

Back for another round of blog therapy. So yes, my friends joke that I'm known for occasionally dropping off the radar. When things get busy or I feel overwhelmed, I'll retreat in my apartment. I start ignoring phone calls, forgetting to reply to emails, spending hours upon hours napping in bed over the weekends rather than going out.

But even when I feel like I'd prefer to be completely alone rather than dealing with the world around me, I find myself becoming more connected to the lovely crafters on Ravelry. I've found a few amazing groups of supportive people (especially in Got Friends?) who celebrate each other's triumphs and comfort one another in defeat.

From Knitting, etc.

But I took it one step further and started swapping. I didn't realize how much fun I'd have choosing and making knitty gifts for a total stranger. And the friendships that form after makes swaps all the more rewarding. Above is my first ever swap package - I knitted up a Robin's Egg Blue hat in Cascade Venezia bulky, which was so soft with a subtle sheen to it. With it, I sent pattern markers and stitch markers from Andrea Jene Designs, and a skein of Claudia's Hand Painted Yarns in Eat Your Veggies. My awesome swapette said she's thinking of knitting up the yarn into a Reverie beret, and I think it's the perfect choice.

Even though I'm working on getting myself out a little more often and returning those phone calls a little more promptly, I know I can stop by Ravelry and always feel at home with some people I feel honored to refer to as friends.