Purls Just Wanna Have Fun!

Happy Birthday Golden Gate Bridge & Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Yes our beloved Golden Gate Bridge Turned 75 years old this weekend.

 

Interestingly enough, there are several great events happening this weekend. The Bridge turns 75, it is Memorial Day tomorrow, and today I heard rumors that San Francisco is also celebrating Carnival....   How did this happen?     In a way, maybe poor city planning... What will people choose?

In preparation for Memorial Day, the Boy Scouts headed out to the Presidio, and many other locations to plant flags.   Lil' Cowboy is now a Cub Scout... So yes he was out there for this awesome cause!

 

 

What an honor!  I'm proud of you Lil' C!

Happy Memorial Day Everyone!  Don't forget to pray and honor our fallen soldiers.

Also, whatever you choose to do, have a wonderful weekend!

 

Don't get pinched!

Remember to wear your green today!  We are all Irish after all on St. Patricks Day right?

The 411 on the project:)

Pattern: Challah Infinity Scarf designed by Pam Powers purchased at the Knitting Ranch

Needles: Size 8 Circulars, Straits, and DPNs... It's complicated.  I can explain if you really want me to:)

Yarn: 4 1/4 skeins of Shibuiknits Merino Alpaca worsted. Colorway: Green Tea. Purchased from the The Knitting Ranch

Time to knit: A leisurly 3 weeks (lots of in between projects)

End result.... Love 10,000!  Would make it again for sure! 

Happy St. Patricks Day!  Off to enjoy a Lil' Green Cerveza and Garlic Fries at Gordon Biersch. Yum!

Stitches West

How about a recap? Warning, warning... get some coffee, or tea...its going to be a super long post!

I arrived at convention center on Wednesday afternoon to help my friend Suzi set up for her booth "The Knitting Ranch". She rolled into town in her Suburban jam packed of yarnie, yarn, yarn and luscsious Offhand Design Bags:

We promptly proceeded to build the booth in order to welcome all the lovely knitters in real Ranch Style!

Even my Mimi had a an important job to do... display this oh so prettty Shibui Eustacia Cowl:

Thursday night, of course, was the first market day for those that were taking classess over the weekend.   It was quite interesting to see people walk in as we were front and center near the entrance:

As knitters walked in, you could see that they were on a mission. Making bee lines strait to their favorite vendors.   We had quite a few people stop by that night purchasing some of the gorgeous bags above.

It was a crazy busy weekend.  We had a really good location in front of the market place:)  It got so busy at times we had to carefully manage our breaks.   

Yours truly did manage to escape a couple of times.  As you all know.. I have my favorites too and of course I need my fix ha ha....

So where did I stop this year?

First there was Verb... I have a thing for Kristine's yarn and Romi's Shawl Patterns!

This pretty Even Tinier Annapurna in Indigo Blue Sky is destined for a Celaeno Shawl

And this Shimmering little gold "Nugget" skein will become a Fiori di Sole

Next up a visit with Laura from Knitifacts.  She has some really decadent natural fibers:

At her booth I found this super soft and cushy fiber mix in Conchita a 50/50 Alpaca and Romney blend.  I have 8 oz woohoow!  This is a pin drafted roving, and man I cannot wait to spin it:) 

Also equally decadent -- I could not leave without  at least 4 oz of Desert Sands an 80/20 mix of Alpaca and Tussah silk.......hmmm what can I make with 4 oz?  I guess I could call Laura for more:)

Laura also carries the most darling stitch markers.  Suzi surprised me with a Beer O'Clock mug.. Thanks Suzi!  I love it:)

After Knitifacts, I headed over to Red Fish Dyeworks... I am really digging her color sense.  It seems that I have now become accustomed to hoarding their 50/50 merino silk blend.  Hmmmm I detect a problem here ha ha...

Then there was Becoming Art. I soooooo love Becoming Art.  There is this color I have been lusting after for ages. Its called Sanguine Sky.   As I was walking by, I spotted two lonely braids of it in Agave fiber.  I couldn't very well leave them there...  Come to mama:) 

On my way back to the Knitting Ranch, I might have stumbled into Blue Moon.. You all know that Tina's yarn makes me weak in the knees:) 

I was on a mission to get me some Chicken Feet yarn and pattern:)  I love this new kit:

 To make the slippers you will need the bits kit, a Princess of Poultry pattern, and one skein of Twisted yarn.  

 


On Saturday, it got quite busy.  Most definitely the busiest market day of all.  It was pretty hard to schedule a break.  However, we managed, and Suzi was gracious enough to let Raquel and I take a break together.  Yes Rocky helped us out too.  Thanks Rocky!

We had planned on visting Cheryl Oberle, remember... I had slaved away on that Lacy Prairie shawl:)  I was determined to have her autograph my book and have her look at my shawl.  I think she liked it:)

We had a great time chatting with Cheryl. What a nice lady.  While there, we came across her new book on knitted jackets. 

There is one jacket in particular that a few of us plan to knit soon.  Its called Cusco.

This picture here does not do the pattern justice.  It is much prettier in person. Particularly, the tweedy alpaca version, and a pretty green one she had in her booth.  I think she used her Dancing Colors yarn for it.   I can see myself knitting a couple of these.  Suzi from the Knitting Ranch is also looking into yarn options to set this up as a possible future KAL. On Ravelry, Cheryl has a group for all of her patterns and fans.  In this thread, you can find photos of the two sweaters that were at the show.

A few booths over, Ysolda had a photobooth set up.  Such an ingenious idea.  This girl really knows how to market herself. Great Job!

  Rocky and I had a nice time trying on garments and taking photos with Ysolda

Aday from Verb was also there,  selling Ysolda's new books (two books on right above)  and she was nice and volunteered to take these photos of the three of us. Thanks Aday!

We then had to rush back over to the ranch to get back to work!  Sorry Suzi... It had to be done:)

There may have been some bag hoarding involved too... Yes, its not a surprise right?  Ya'll know I have a bag and shoe fettish... as a result, I have declared Suzi to be my "official" Offhand Designs Fairy Godmother ha ha.... 

and now for Da Bags:)  My fresh new Offhand Design ponies purchased from the Knitting Ranch:

Zelda Grand in Adelaide

Mia in Ariel

Scottie in Joan

Ursula in Rose Bloom

Wait, and what's this?  How did this Atenti Overnighter get in here?   Oops, i might have tripped into this booth on my way back to the ranch....   I'm blaming it on the cowboy boots I was wearing over the weekend...  Yes, yes, thats right... The boots made me do it!  I swear:)

What a fabulous weekend..  Such a pleasure to have worked alongside Suzi and Rocky, and Suzi's cousin Julie.  Thank you Ladies for the fun and GOOD TIMES!

Go Stiches West!  I'm ready for the next one:)  Well, maybe not so soon... My pocket book needs time to recoup ha ha....

 



Every Cowgirl needs a Cowl...

Well my friends Its that time of the year... Time for my favorite Rodeo...  Stitches West is coming to Santa Clara and I plan to be there!  Yes, you all know I would not miss it for the world.  I have been known to lie (those of you that know me, know the story), beg (as in for a ride), plead (with the DH), thankfully, no stealing. I do not believe in this last one.  But other than that, everything is fair in Love and Knitting. 

What kind of fiber artist would I be? If I were to not go to the grandest fiber show on earth?

This year I plan to help my friend Suzi from The Knitting Ranch for the duration of the show. We will be in booths 320-322.  So please stop by and say hello:)  Would love to see you!

In preparation for the show  I knit up a couple of samples.

Made with 4 skns of Shibui Heichi in the Canal colorway and Pattern by Pam Powers

The Cowgirl Cowl:

 

It has nice buttons down the back:

And a Tassell!  Woohoo I like tassells:)  Don't get to make these often ha ha...

And because this cowgirl needs her cowboy...  I could not resist...

Using 4 Skeins of soft and cushy Shibui Merino/Baby Alpaca in Ivory and also a Pam Powers pattern,  I knit up

A Cowboy Cowl:

Also nice touch with the buttons at the neck area to hold the cowl in place:

Suzi will have the yarn and patterns available for all the projects in this post this coming week at Stitches West in booths 320-322.  Stop by and see them.  I am really loving both the cowls and have plans to make another set after the show.

I have two more projects in the works: 

1) The Lacy Prairie Shawl in that gorgeous Smoke color from the Handmaiden Camelspin.  I am knitting as fast as my little hands can stitch, stitch, stitch

old photo... here.. More than half way there.. I can  do it! I can do it! I know I can!

 

2) I am working on a Challah Infinity scarf and am about 1/3 of the way... As soon as the shawl is done.. This lovely piece is next.  Thank goodness this ones does not require any blocking:) Oh by the way... this pattern is also by Pam Powers... Apparently I like Pam Powers!  Who knew?

Are you ready to ride?  I know I am... I can hardly wait!

 

Yarn P0RN Friday People!

Hi Folks,  I haven't showed you any pretty yarn in a while... Today I bring you pictures of some lovely yarn babies I received from the Knitting Ranch.   More Handmaiden in Camelspin in the Pewter coloray.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE...  I agonized over getting this yarn  'cuz IDONOTNEEDANYMOREYARN!   As you can see, I do still trip from time to time...

 
Its amazing to me how after all these years pretty yarn can still intoxicate me, and dull my senses with color, texture. The yummy look and feel still gets me every time!  These next ones are Verb yarns: On the Left we have Alpaca Silk in Chartreuse's Sister and on the right: Metamorphosis in Jade.

Don't they look pretty together?  They are for two sister shawls that I itend to make. I have chosen The Arcadian shawl by Krisen Hanley Cardozo.  Available on Ravlelry here.   There is a version there made in these exact yarns and its abosultey gorgeous! This is what the fabric will look like:
Here is another pretty version:

 

and a shot of my newest yarn babies:  Just lovely:)

Also included in my package was the loveliest row counter which Suzi made.  Believe it or not, this is my very first row counter... I have for 7 years always used pen and paper...little tic marks...

This bracelet allows me to move the beads back and forth to count my rows.  It also doubles up as pretty jewlery... I LOVE jewlery:)  It makes me happy....

What do you think?  isn't pretty?  Feel free to add your comments/thoughts about the row counter. Do you use row counters?  What are your preferences and why?

And then... there was Virtual Knitting

Dear friends... First and foremost, the HAPPIEST of NEW YEARS to you all!  From the looks of it I have been keeping myself busy....  New goals, new spinning, new projects... yes... quite a few new projects in the works!  You'd think that after all that crazy, busy, stressful holiday knitting...I'd take a break. 

Nope. Not this time... from the looks of it, the Selfish knitting mindset has set inn and with a vengence... really seriously out of control....

As mentioned in my last post, on New Years Eve I was casting on for a Lacy Prairie Shawl designed by Cheryl Oberle.  I did just that and had a wonderful time.  I spent the evening with family and friends. Zipping champagne, munching on yummy food and delighting my senses with this decadent Handmaiden Camelspin yarn. The color is Smoke. Its is soo pretty:) 

 

If you are interested, you may find it here at my friend Suzi's shop: The Knitting Ranch "Where Suns Set & Dreams are Knit"

This is the type of project you can take and knit anywhere, or do anything... Straight forward garter stitch lace... Love these types of projects!

The following weekend after new years, Suzi launched the first of many more to come... Virtual KALs.  What a fun and inventive way to hook up with your knitting buddies across the country.  Many of us have met through ravelry, knitting conventions, retreats, blogging, etc.  We wish that we could live next to one another so that we could have a buddy to knit with..    Well my friends, through virtual knitting and tools like your computer, a simple web cam, and online apps like Webex...    The Knitting World is your Oyster:)  

The first Virtual KAL for the Knitting Ranch is Veyla by Ysolda Teague.. you know the ones... these pretty little things:

 

The pattern is very well written.  It is one of my first Ysolda patterns.... I had to pay attention at the beginning.  But then quickly got the hang of it. 

For these I am using yarn from A Verb for Keeping Warm. The color is Tidepools.  LOVE it!  I heart these so much, I am going for the gold and knitting two pairs out of the one skein of floating that I purchased--also from the Knitting Ranch. 

The cute buttons were found today at my LYS Imagiknit.  They had 16 buttons exactly. Yay!

You'd think these two projects were enough...  Nah....

The third project I cast on (also within the first week of 2012) is: Kristen Kapur's TTL Mystery Sock 2012. My dear friend Raquel sent me a little Christmas prezzie<3  

For this one I chose one of my pretty skeins of Bugga in: Sharpshooter Leaf Hopper. Very nice twisted stitch action going on with this one:)

 

Thank sooo much dear Rocky!  This is going to be an awesome pair of socks.. I think it may actually go quite nicely with my February Lady sweater from a few years back.

and lastly...  because a girl needs more than one shawl per year:)  when another Ravelry knitting buddy Knitwitch39 mentioned Susanna IC was also starting a  Mystery Shawl KAL... welll heck... I jumped on that band wagon too!

For this shawl I decided to steer away from my happy place.  Venture into another color way. Something reminiscent of spring. So stashdiving I went into my beloved Sundara stash.  In my Fingering Silky Merino stash i found some orange. Yes orange:) The color of Marigold. 

 
As you can see.  This one is still in the baby shawl stages.  I have some catching up to do this weekend:)

No more knitting on the Veylas....  I love those dearly, but must push forward and give all of these lovely knits the love and afection they deserve ha ha.....

So what's on your needles?  How is this fresh new year treating you so far?

Cheers and once again Happy New Year my friends!

 P.S.:  If you are interested in the virtual KAL and or the verb, or handmaiden yarn above contact Suzi at the Knitting Ranch.  She is awesome!  Not to mention all the amazing, luscious Offhand Design Knittng bags she carries... Yes as you know I do have... ahem.... shall we say a tiny bag problem:)

 

Goodbye 2011.... Welcome 2012!

As every year about this time, and many others.... I too am looking back at 2011 and recounting. The good, the bad and the ugly... yes there was some ugly in their too:)

What did I work on this year?  It seems that I was not as prolific as other years... Could it be the spinning? I suppose it takes longer starting from scratch.   Nonetheless, I know I enjoyed both knitting and spinning.   I also learned a great deal while at it.  This is always good. Learning and deepening your skills.

Also it seems that this year... I was more giving:)  70% of these projects were made for others, sample knits and gifts:)  This is good for a selfish knitter like me:)  Hmmm it looks like I am growing in a good way hee hee...

As for memories: I had the opportunity to partake in many fun events, and create lasting memories with friends and loved ones!  Knitting Retreats 2, Family Vacation 1 big one, Knitting Events 2 or 3... Including Sock Summit!   Lets see what else? Two 80s Parties!  Can you believe it?  Man those were a blast!

I do not know what 2012 holds for me.  I am waiting expentantly for GOOD Things. Much love, laughter, good health, fitness, and overall well being.  I am hoping that many of us will have good fortune. Make good decisions that will empower us to excel in those areas that we hold dear, and or want to improve in.

To all my family, Knitty friends, and acquaintances - I wish you all the Happiest of New Years!

Have a wonderful evening, have fun, and be Safe!

I will do the same.  I plan on visiting mom, sister and brother and having dinner there.  Later, I am staying home with the DH, taking in a couple of good movies, a champagne toast or two... and a put in a good start to the last cast on project of the year...  Lacy Prairie Shawl by Cheryl Oberle.

I will be spening some quality time with these babies: Hand Maiden Camel Spin in Smoke. Man is it decadent... So luxurious....

Happy, Happy New Year to All, and All the Best in 2012!

Chicken Soup for the Soul...

Now that the Earth has shifted and the cold weather is upon us more and more…  There are many of us that are a bit under the weather.  I do not have a cold or the Flu but did have a short few days of feeling icky back in October and November.  As I read some blogs here and there I noticed that others too are suffering from the pesky sniffles… 

With this in mind, I thought I’d share my Mommy’s Chicken Soup Recipe.  She is turning 80 today. December 14th!  I thought I would celebrate with all of my readers as well by passing this down....

This is a family recipe of course, passed down from my Mimi (Granny) and her Mother before her.  

 

Mamás Sopa de Pollo

 (Med Soup Pot)

1 whole chicken cut up plus more breast meat, if desired

2 to 3 juicy lemons

two Roma tomatoes (cut in quarters)

1 bag baby carrots (1lb)

5 red potatoes (halved or quartered)

2 Zucchini (cut in rounds)

1 Chayote (cut in lg pieces)

2 corn on the cob (halved)

Fresh mint (a few sprigs)

1 small squash (Kabocha or Acorn)

2 quiquisque peeled (whole)

1 maduros (cut in thick rounds)

1 handful of uncooked rice

2 to 3 tablespoons chicken broth granules (knorr)

1 head of garlic (peeled and sliced thin)

1 Medium onion (thin slices)

1/2 Goya flavor packet

Garlic powder (if needed)

Pepper

1)       In large soup pot fill half with water, add chicken, onion and garlic. Let boil until chicken is tender.

2)      Take chicken out and put aside. Flavor the broth with Knorr Chicken Broth granules, lemon juice, pepper and garlic powder, if needed.

3)      Add vegies that need longer cooking time first and add rice. Once those vegies are somewhat tender, add all other vegies.

4)      Add the chicken back in the pot, add Yerba Buena (Mint) and cilantro.

 Enjoy!

I cannot say enough about this soup… My favorite piece is the chicken breast (what can I say, I’m a white meat kinda of gal), all the veggies are pretty delish too…  try it and let me know what you think...

If you are feeling a bit under the weather, please take good care and have someone make you some Chicken Soup to help you get back on your feet sooner rather than later.  If not this recipe then another.

Here is a cool shot of a Woman making some chicken soup somewhere in Nicaragua:)

P.S.  If you do not find some of the items let me know perhaps you can substitute. Also, the spices, if not locally available and you really want to try the spices let me know and I can find them at the market here:)

This Little Piggy went to Market

November 12th after returning from the Knot Hysteria color retreat (sigh such a wonderful retreat.. more on this later) I had the opportunity to visit my favorite yarn shop: A Verb for Keepitng Warm!

Ysolda was in town and was teaching and doing a book signing:) for her ooooh so fabulous book: Little Red in the City. 

I cannot recommend this book enough. It is soo detailed. An excellent resource on how to take a pattern and customize it to fit you!   As a matter of a fact, the class that Ysolda taught that weekend at Verb was based on this. Customizing your patterns to fit....

Ysolda is so adorable!  She is so nice and gracious too.  Totally down to earth:)

Ysolda was in town to help celebrate Verb's annual anniversary of having opened their wonderful shop in Oakland. Earlier that week there were many festivities enjoyed by customers and the local kniteratti from the SF Bay Area...

I walked around the shop as usual. Exploring, oooohing and aaahing over all the maginificent yarn. Both from Indie Dyers and Kristine's very own handy work.

I for one go there for Kristine's yarn.. It is so gorgeous!

And her depth of color is TDF!  I can't wait to get my hands into the skeins above and this Magic Bean 50/50 below....

My visit was quite lovely... I sniffed and fondled the most amazing yarn and fiber.  I met new friends and hugged Kristine and Adrienne.  I met Ysolda again.

What can I say... This Little Piggy went... "Wee, wee, wee" all the way home!

(a shot of my Verb for Keeping Warm Fiber Collection) Magic Bean is on the bottom left most corner:)

Knitting from the stash.... Oh yeah!

 Finally,  I never thought I'd see the day when I would go back and knit, knit, knit from the stash.  I mean have little temptation for what is out there fresh and new stuff.. 

Thankfully, the day has come!  What changed?  It's the spinning.  It seems that when I took up spinning, the crazy burning desire to purchase, and fill my bins with yarn sort of dried up a bit!  Now I still love yarn, fresh new yarn. The smell, look, and feel of it (yes I sniff yarn).  I may trip from time to time...  More like fall hard shhhh...... 

But not like before:)  Lately, I have a new found desire to explore here... Stash dive and pick out  pretty skeins that have been waiting years to be be knit:)

Last weekend I purchased this adorable skirt from Zoe Chen on Etsy:

 

So darn cute and comfortable! Its like a second skin, soft and flowey...  I am getting ready for my Portland trip and am looking of course to build my wardrobe for the Sock Summit.  After trying it on and loving it! I realized I need a top to go with it.  

I quickly realized there was this sweater I had been wanting to knit for ages.  By Stefanie Japel (Ms. Stefanie herself in this photo):

I had the yarn in my stash for the Spicy Fitted V-Neck Tee from Fitted Knits.  Off to the Stash Room I went:).  I cast on last Saturday.  Turned out to be a quick knit.  I bound off the body today.  A few more hours should render the sleeves and neckline:)

 

 

The back is pretty sexy too!

 
a couple of cosmetic fixes and finishing touches and it should be good to go:)

Also, while diving, I came across these pretty skeins of Sundara ASM:

I have a couple of cool tank tops that need a little something.  Enter a second project --for when I'm on the road or bart... Nice easy knit: The Dream in color shrug. Here is a nice picture of one from Ravelry:

I managed to finish a sleeve and barely start the lace pattern over the weekend. We drove out to Moutain View twice... Trip to frys electronics, great pizza parlour Frankie, Johnny & Luigis, Tide House, and Golfland. 

 
To be continued on bart and or during the day when I can steal a few moments to knit.

During the evenings, my plan is to work with this pretty yarn for a top secret project:)

 
I don't think there is any harm in disclosing the yarn: BFL Sport from Blue Moon Fiber Arts in Briar Rose. Gorgeous!