MIA

Well I've been missing in action for a while.  I started a new job 6 months ago and I decided to go into sales.  I absolutely love it.  I haven't had anytime time to knit or spin.  And I gave up my yarn shop on Etsy because it's difficult for me to dye yarn in the winter.  You really need to keep dyeing all year round to keep up with clients and refresh the store with new colorways.  I still have a lot of fabulous colors left over and of course I'll find projects for them.  I may dye some more this summer but only use natural dyes...indigo, etc...

And so to replace my "yarn dyeing hobby,"  I have moved onto another love...which is shopping!  I have a new love of hitting estate sales and picking up hard to find vintage pieces.  Please visit my little shop.  If you love vintage things...you may find something you like. My favorite finds are anything to do with needlecraft projects.  I have found three kits so far, from the 70s. Hard not to keep them for myself.  Love them.  See store gadget to the left.

Back to knit/spin talk.  I decided to go through my ufos this weekend and I think I will continue to spin my "friendship" wool that has been growing cobwebs on the current spool and pick up my "mitten" project.  The pattern is called Magic Mirror by Krystel Nyberg...using Lana Grossa Chiara in brown.  I'm copying someone's exact project on Ravelry.  I hate to be a copy catter but if you check them out, and you love browns, you'll love this finished project.  Check out Hellskitch on Ravelry...her projects are stunning and that's where these mittens are to see.

Also, in two months to help my knitting mojo...I'm going to a knitting conference in Jeff City, MO with a friend of mine.  I haven't seen her in a long time and it will be good to catch up.

Pictures to be posted as my mitten project progresses.

Noni's Cornucopia Pattern

I finished the Noni Bag and I am quite pleased with it. I'm not sure I'll make another one. I would have to say that it is a beautiful project and a tad complicated for me. However, I got through it, so I'm glad I can check it off the list. Please see my project on Ravelry for extra notes and comments.

 

New Etsy Purchases...

I found a terrific vintage shop on Etsy...Bountiful Bird has really great finds.  I found this adorable little metal container to hold notions.  It is just too cute and I love anything pink.

 

Bountiful Bird

I've talked about the Loop before and if you want a centered pulled roll...you will have to sign up with her shop email list to know when Steph updates the store.  And once she does...you have to click click fast because the color that you want will be gone instantly.  I would even have your password for paypal handy!  My latest roll...

Loop

Another great store is Atelier de Soyun.  She is a terrifc seamstress and she makes incredible pouches for knitting and crocheting.  I picked this up one to hold one of my spindles for spinning wool.  I love how bright her color choices are and the quality is excellent.

 Atelier de Soyun



New Yarn for TKL

Slowly getting back into knitting/dyeing yarn/and spinning.  I started a new position and unfortunately I've been working more hours than I anticipated.  : )  But, I'm happy to have this job and now that I'm settled in a little bit, I have more time for my love of fiber. 

I handyed another bunch...very hard work, but I'm happy with the results.

 

 

New Yarn Posted on Etsy

The weather in St. Louis is still going strong with the high heat!  It's been the hottest summer in a long time, however, I was able to hit the dyeing pot.  New yarns posted in my etsy shop...The Knitted Loop. 

I am currently working on my free crochet patterns posted in Ravelry.  My Hippo Hippo pattern seems to be the most popular and there are few comments about the construction of the hippo...so I need to re-do the instructions and take more pictures to relieve some anxiety that my knitting/crocheting friends are having in putting the pieces together.  : )

Skeins on Sale...

I have 2011 skeins of handpainted yarn on sale.  New colors coming in July.  I took a break during the winter and now with the warm weather...I can dye yarn again.  : )

Vintage Cookie Press

By night I am a knitter/spinner, however, by day I work in an appliance showroom.  And fortunately for us, we have a full working kitchen and we have the privilege of testing lots of recipes. 

Each year we hold a cookie exchange party for our kitchen designers and this year someone had a vintage metal cookie press from the 60's.  Well, I absolutely had to have one and I found one on Etsy for $15.  Luckily, it came with all of it's little decorating plates, cookie press and recipe book. 

I gave it a go by using the Spritz Cookie Recipe and the pinwheel shaped plate.  The press worked great and the cookies tasted fantastic! I will definitely use this again!  Next, I will try the camel shaped plate.  I think that one is my favorite. 

HOPSALOT by tiny OWl knits

I found this adorable pattern on Ravelry.  I love tiny owl knit patterns.  They are so unique and fun to knit up. I have a couple of them in my que along with many other patterns of course.  I knitted these up for myself and a great friend of mine.  Super fast project and great for tv knitting!

The pattern directs you to hand felt them, which didn't take as long as I thought it would.  I probably agitated them in hot water for a good 15 minutes.  After the slippers dried up, I added the ears, and then felted them again, to help crinkle up the ear.  I skipped the bunny tails because I didn't want little pom poms on the back interferring with my lounging in them while my feet were up.  : )

Cornucopia Bag by Nora J. Bellows (Noni Pattern)

I'm getting ready for Stitches West in Santa Clara next month.  On my needles is this fantastic handbag designed by Noni.  Nora aka Noni. I purchased this kit at Rhinebeck last year and I'm finally getting to it.  Hopefully I will complete it in time for this conference.

Casting on was not enjoyable, since I was a little confused.  Not because of the pattern, but because of my skill level.  Once I figured it out and switched to one long circular needle, it really took off.  The pattern calls for two size 11 circulars, however, switching to magic loop, made it much easier for me to manage.  It does require intarsia knitting, in which I have never attempted before.  This is an excellent beginner project for intarsia knitting. 

Christmas Holiday Lights Pattern

If you like "vintage" things...I re-created the old fashion Christmas Light bulbs in a crochet pattern and I posted it for free on Ravelry.  My dad used to put these up all around the house during the holidays.  He never really put them in specific places, just kind of threw them in a tree, hung them half way around the front house, just where ever there was a plug nearby.  At the time, it used to bother me that our lights weren't all matching, organized and hung perfectly straight like the neighbors, but I got over it.  In fact, now it makes me laugh to see them up in crazy places each year.  To this day, my dad who will be 78, still just kind of flings lightbulbs up wherever he sees fit.  How can you not appreciate that. 

So why am I talking about these bulbs after Christmas...well I was approached by a store called Anthropologie a couple of weeks ago.  They would like to see a finished sample and decide if they want to include them in their holiday line-up this year.  Whaaaat?  I couldn't believe it.  I love that store.  And even if they don't pick my little bulbs...I'm just happy they asked about them.  I should be hearing from them anyday.  My fingers are crossed! Update:  They called me back and politely told me that they were too vintage.  ; )  Hmmmm...it's okay...I can take it. 

 

If you want to make these for yourself...the pattern is posted on Ravelry for free.  My Ravelry ID is "Knitblue19".  Please friend me too.  Note...you must crochet these tight, so that the stuffing doesn't show through.  No gauge...it just doesn't really matter.  You can make these small, medium, or large...whatever you want to do.  Very fast project.  Lots of comments on the wimpy chain stitch to make the long "wire" for holding the bulbs, but I tried to keep it easy for crocheters...if you are a knitter too...then I would i-cord a heavier wire to hold the bulbs. 

 

 

Cerus Scarf Frogged

I decided to frog my Cerus Scarf.  I didn't like how the colorway was turning out...it seemed too light for my complexion. I'm going to cast-on a new colorway...it is a mixture of copper, brown, and puple.  This should turn out beautifully.  It definitely gives me a warm, cozy, fall feeling.  We'll see!  Hopefully I can re-create these colors again.  I don't really take notes, since I like to experiment with different dye colors and I'm not really into mass producing the same color.

Felted Entrelac Backpack

Here is the finished entrelac backpack.  I finished it before our Rhinebeck trip, except for the strap.  So I had to leave it behind and finish it up when we returned home.  I did add a beaded tassel, however, it was so heavy, I decided to remove it.  I absolutely love knitting entrelac and felting is awesome.  I followed my friend's advice about agitating it in the washer twice and it came out great. Thanks Judi for that great tip!  I will probably knit a couple more of these.  This is considered potato chip knitting, as the Knitmore Girls would say it.  Once you get started, you can't quit!

Cerus Scarf

I decided to try out a new yarn for my etsy shop...new soft singles!  It is a 40/40/20 mix with Alpaca/Wool/Silk.  It is super soft and I love knitting with it.  It dyes really well.  I'm testing it out by knitting up the Cerus Scarf.  This pattern is available via Ravelry and it is pretty simple with a great look by using the linen stitch.  I've never knitted anything with the linen stitch.  I have seen finished objects using this stitch and they look incredible...almost as if you weaved it.  You do have to cast on a lot of stitches and it can be a tad boring, however; it's great tv knitting.  We'll see how it ends up! 

Cormo fresh from the Mill

I received my cormo from Rhinebeck this week and I already started spinning it.  I dropped off 8lbs for processing and I received 5lbs back.  There is a tad bit of veggie matter and I know from listening to different knitting/spinning podcasts that it would drive some spinners crazy.  However, this batch is my first one and I am still very excited to spin it.  Next time though, I will inspect the fleece a little more carefully and not purchase just by color.  The color of this fleece just grabbed my attention immediately...I love brown colorways!  Straw is sort of brownish...isn't it?  It will just blend in with my yarn just fine.  We'll call it art yarn.

Chic Knits - Mondo Cable Hood

 

I loved knitting this project...it is the Chic Knit Mondo Cable Hood that I started a few days ago.  It was definitely potato chip knitting.  Every spare moment that I had...I spent knitting this little guy up.  I used DK weight and the pattern called for aran weight...I probably should have used aran weight, however this is turning out nicely too with size 8 needles.  There is more of a drape and it doesn't feel chunky underneath my jacket.  Again...I really enjoyed knitting this project.  I purchased this pattern via Ravelry and I give it a thumbs up!  Update:  This pattern is discontinued.

Rhinebeck, NY Sheep and Wool Festival - 2011

My husband and I attended Rhinebeck over the weekend and it was quite the experience.  I never saw so many "knitting" related vendors in one location. Unfortunately, due to the rainy weather, 2/3 of the parking lot was closed and it took us 1.5hrs to travel 3 miles in Rhinebeck to park.  I highly recommend going early and waiting for the festival to begin, instead of arriving after it opens, especially if the weather is so-so.  My husband was very patient - waiting to park.  Thank you hubby - you're the best hubby!

Lookie...sheep at Rhinebeck...so sweet!  I wanted to take them home and keep them.

Some of my favorite vendors...Loop (also an etsy store and Stephanie, the owner is as hip as can be - super nice), NONI - terrific vendor with yarn, kits, and patterns for the most beautifully felted bags (met Nora aka Noni and she was very helpful and nice), Woolen Whimsies - specializing in punch needle work, Looking Glass Wool...wool and rug making materials, Berry Hill Farm - (family owned - selling cormo fleece), signature needles (I couldn't afford them this go around, however, they were fabulous to knit with - must buy one day!), and Woolen Mill - processes wool. 

My most exciting purchase was buying raw fleece for the first time from Berry Hill Farm.  I bought 8lbs of dark brown cormo sheared from Sangria. Sangria must be beautiful - her coloring is terrific.  I dropped it off with Woolen Mill for processing and it should arrive in roving form sometime in December.  I can't wait to receive it.

Rhinebeck and Hyde Park are the cutest little towns. I had no idea there was a Vanderbilt home to tour and a Franklin D. Roosevelt home to tour, I would've schedule some time for that.  I love seeing historical homes.  We then headed back to NJ along the Palisades Parkway and swindled our way into West Point, just to see the campus.  Wow is it big and very nice!  What a great experience for the cadets! 

Well that's about it.  We did spend a little time in NYC, ate great pizza, had a fine dinner in Little Italy, purchased jewelry in China Town and did a little shopping on Madison Avenue (my favorite).  Overall...we had a fantastic weekend!  If I were to rate Rhinebeck from 1 to 10, 10 being the greatest festival ever, at this point I would give it an 8.  I don't have any other festivals to compare it too yet and I'm not sure I have to go back to Rhinebeck.  : )  I think our next festival will be the Maryland Wool and Sheep Festival, someday!

Baby Cardigan

I finished the baby cardigan...adapted from the Comfy Angel's Nest pattern.  I have never knitted with cotton before and I will have to say it isn't my favorite.  I love the feel of it, but it doesn't stretch at all, well it stretches but it doesn't stretch back.  : )  I had few bumps in the road knitting this up, but I think it is still sweet.  The couple that I knitted it up for will have a smile on their face when they receive it and that's all that matters.  Oh and that Savannah is looking lovely in her little sweater!

Ishbel

I picked up spinning in 2009 and I love buying fiber.  My favorite stores are Loop on etsy and Abstract Fiber.  Right now I'm spinning silk from Abrstract Fiber in a grey colorway.  My friends and I bought the same fiber last year at SOAR in different colorways and we are knitting the same pattern called Ishbel.  It is a symbol of our friendship, so therefore we call it our friendship shawl.  Of course they are finished and I still have to catch up and spin.  I'm the slow one in the group.  : ( But eventually I will catch up. 

The wheel that I am using is the Schact Ladybug.  It is so easy to spin on...if you are looking to buy your first wheel...this is a great wheel to own!  If you would like more info on this wheel, feel free to send me an email.

Entrelac BackPack

I have two projects that I am trying to wrap up fairly quickly, even though it isn't in my nature to wrap them up quickly.  I'm going to try and change that.  I am working on a baby gift for a friend and one backpack for me for my upcoming trip to RHINEBECK.  It will be my first time visiting and I can't wait to go in two weeks. 

Project #1 is an entrelac backpack that is felted...unfortunately no pattern is available.  However, it is knitted in the round, using size 9 circulars, each block is 11 stitches wide and 22 rows long.  There are 12 blocks in each round for the body and then I will decrease to close it up. 

To decrease each round, depending on what side you are working on, you will need to knit two together at the beginning and at the end of the first row.  Then rows 2 and 3...either sssk or knit 3 together to decrease.  Decrease down to 3 stitches, then cinch up the remaining stitches.

The i-cord strap will be knitted with size 9 dpns.  The pre-washing length will be about 4 yards and it should shrink up nicely for the final strap size.  The yarn is Patons Classic Wool.  I prefer Cascade 220 for felted projects, however, they didn't really have the colors below. 

Please email me if you would like more details!  I am happy to help out.

Project #2

A newborn topdown project, using a pattern called "Comfy Angel's Nest" - I purchased it on Ravelry.  I ordered the yarn from elann.com, since my LYS didn't quite have the colors that I needed. Yarn brand is Nepal - 100% organic cotton in color shade 1(beige) and 11 (white). Knitting on size 8 circulars.  I have quite a bit to do...today will be all about this project.  But I snapped a pic to show you color #1.  I am going to also shorten this up into a little cardigan...since little Savannah was born and will need to wear this before she outgrows it. 

TKL Silk Sock Yarn Sample

I love dyeing yarn, especially silk yarn.  It takes dye so well and it just shines with warmth.  I have two awesome friends that live out of town and they are kind of enough to sample my yarns.  Below were knitted up by my friends Judie aka "E" and Judi P.  They both gave me thumbs up on the quality of the yarn and the colorway.  It is really important to me that I offer a luscious knitting yarn for projects. 

The pattern below is "Mix-and-Match Rib Toe-Up Socks" by Chrissy Gardiner.  Definitely a great looking sock pattern!  Of course, it is in my queue of 1000 other projects to knit.  I'm great at starting them...finishing them is another story. 

Thank you "E" and Judi - both of you are the best!

Boro Boro Colorway - Knitted by "E"

Ireland Colorway - Knitted by Judi

Japanese Craft Books

Japan Lovely Crafts on Etsy is a wonderful store that sells the most creative and craftiest books. Nobuko is the owner and extremely sweet.  I am very loyal to her store.  Anyway...look at the book covers below...is it just me, or do you want to just buy them up and start a collection?

And you ask...are the books written in Japanese?  Why yes, they are, however, they have illustrations and fantastic charts for each pattern.  In fact...I purchased a zillion crochet books and taught myself how to crochet amigurumi by looking at their charts.  I'm not sure how I accomplished that but they made it so easy to interpret them.  And now, I create my own quirkly little patterns to share with my fellow ravelers.

  

I have five more new books on their way now.   I can't wait to receive them.  The books and shipping is a little expensive, but well worth it.  Give it a try...buy at least one with a pattern that you may want to challenge yourself with.  You'll be so proud that you finished a project from a book in a different language.  Or maybe not.  Maybe the pictures will be fun enough for you to look at and enjoy!