Hi Friends,
I'm pondering changes. Dusting off the cobwebs... Figuring out if I should re-purpose my blog.
Anyone out there?
I am getting ready for Rhinebeck and my Artichoke French sweater is fresh off my needles. Now to weave in all the ends and graft some little areas like the neck and underarms. Love this garment! I highly recomend it.
Ravelry link to pattern is here:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/artichoke-french
It all started on Saturday when I decided I should order this book
Thanks to Amazon prime I had it in my hot little hands by Sunday. Fast forward to Tuesday, I had to make my way over to Imaginit and pronto! I was over due for a stash enhancement ha ha...
Sheesh, it had been a really long time since I had come across a book that I was so enamored of...that I wanted to knit practically everything in it! KnockOut Knits definitely Delivers! Check out some of the gorgeous projects:
For my first KnockOut project, I think I will cast on the Las Cruces Shawl. So darn pretty in Noro Taiyo sock yarn
The Taiyo Sock Yarn color I picked for my shawl is called S44, and it looks like this when it is knit up:
I really hope it is not too brite... Oh boy... it looked awesome in the skein. Help, i'm a wee bit scared. Did i make the right decision on color? Or should i have gone with a more muted color scheme?
There will be other pretties destined to be special Christmas gifties for loved ones. I am plotting... So I cannot divulge any more juicy information ATM. All will be revealed in due time:)
For now, I leave you with this: My current work in progress. The lovely Moonraker shawl in all it's Fall color glory:) More photos to come... I have two more sections to finish
Peace, Love, Knits & Fluevogs!
Two of knitting hottest rock stars, together for the first time! Stephen West and Steven Be are embarking on a 12 stop tour in July and we are thrilled to be one of their stops. On Wed July 2nd from 5-9pm, this magical team of knitting and design inspiration will host an amazing evening of fun, fashion & Fluevogs at our Haight St location. If you have a love for both knitting and Fluevogs this is an event you won’t want to miss!
StevenBe from Be Inspired
Stephen West from WestKnits
Nadine Curtis from Be Sweet
Gina Wilde from Alchemy Yarns
RSVP TO THE EVENT
Date: Wednesday July 2nd
Time: 5 - 9 P.M. Place: John Fluevog Shoes 1697 Haight Street, San Francisco, Ca
RSVP 415 436 9784
Or leave a comment or email me letting me know you are coming!
Friends I have something fabulous to share!
Because we Knitters LOVE our Fluevogs as much as our knitwear. And because Vogs and Yarn are made for each other…
In addition, I have partnered with Tina owner of Blue Moon Fiber Arts for some most special Fluevog “Themed Spring 2014” Colorways!!
These colorways are ready to be dyed as you order and available for purchase now at www.bluemoonfiberarts.com
Look in the Multicolor Wave Section for:
1) Blue Box Fever: Very Iconic... It had to be done!
2) FlueMarket Find,
3) It’s a Collection, Not an Obsession!
In addition to the yarn, there will be a wonderful event:
Knitters+Shoes Shindig!
Eric, his Fluevog staff, and I are co-hosting an upcoming event where Yarn+Vogs will be featured together. Because yes you can buy yarn and shoes at the same time!
Event Details:
Place: John Fluevog Union Square - 253 Grant Avenue , San Francisco , CA
Date: Saturday, May 24th, 2014
Time: 6:30 – 9:00 P.M. (store will close at 7:00 p.m.for our private event)
RSVP: [email protected]
For those attending the Union Square Shindig, message me and RSVP if you are coming to the event. I can send you an eVite. Also, we can do a group buy, and you reimburse me for your yarn. I am planning on bringing the yarn to this event so you can pick it up there while you partake in the fun, and shop for your favorite shoes!
Fun Venue Planned:
1. Refreshments will be served
2. Fluevog gift bags for all that attend and want one (please RSVP)
3. Knitterly and Fluevogy Door Prizes (random drawings to be held)
A million Thanks to Tina from Blue Moon Fiber Arts, and Eric manager of the Union Square Fluevog store for agreeing to do this for us knitters.
Yes the LOVE between Knitters and Fluevog runs deep!
My Stitches West Damage!
I was much more methodical this year... More practical in my purchases for items I know i wanted to knit and wear:) At least I would like to think so ha ha...
4 Sweaters worth: Habu Wrapped Merino for a Veronika, 4 skns of Plucky Bello for an Elyse Cardi, 9 skns of Knitbot Linen for a Lineal Cardi, 4 skns of Euroflax for Coco Knits Liesel. The rest is for shawls: Two One hit wonders from plucky, 2 skns of Cashmere from PepperberryKnits, and 1 skn of gorgeous A Verb for Keeping Warm most special yarn --made just for stitches in Rumor for a Fuschia shawl from Romi.
Look at that gorgeous shawl pin that came with the kit. Oh and yes, there are two skns of shelter for a Gentian hat, a Dr. Who Spindle bag and stitch markers from Slipped Stitch Studios.
The most practical of all items was a yard counter gadget to converter to attach to my Mama Bear swift.
Thrown into the mix are a few project bags and some pretty victorian buttons for the Elyse cardi. oh there were those two books: Botanical Knits I and II from Never Not Knitting. Lastly, I found 8 oz of Yak/Merino fiber at Red Fish Dyeworks--so gorgeous!
Cross posted on FB this morning... Would love to stay and knit, but I really need to get ready for work instead... Oh well.
Thats a lot of damage in a 48 hr period! Better get busy with those sweaters:)
No. I checked... It still Winter. Are you sure Mother Nature? Because it sure feels like Late Spring - EarlySummer! How about that crazy weahter we have been having? Consitently 70 - 78 one week strait! Maybe even two:) I am not complaining mind you. It sure makes a nice way to break up the chill. Though its not good obviously since it most likey means we will have a drought. And yet, I am really digging the sunshine.
In general it puts people in a good mood you know. To get out there and do outdoorsy things. Like go for a walk, play raquet ball or tennis, run the track at your local outdoor foot ball field:) We have been trying to stay more health conscious and its paying off. By golly my husband and I have dropped the few pounds we picked up from Thanksgiving to Christmas! Yay!
Also, we have for three weeks now switched to making healthier choices. Quinoa is still big around here. I try to disquise it as much as possible. Clearly it is not going to pass off for rice.. But I try. As a matter of a fact.. A friend of mine passed me what seems like a really delicious recipe:
Cocunut Curry Lentil Stew:
Makes 12 Servings
|
2 cups quinoa
3 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 small onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
5 large tomatoes, chopped
1 cup water
|
1 (14 ounce) can coconut milk
1 tablespoon molasses
1/4 cup coconut powder
1 (4 inch) cinnamon stick
3 tablespoons curry powder
2 tablespoons ground coriander
2 cups red lentils
salt and pepper to taste
1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
|
Directions
Sure sounds delicious! Like new comfort food:)
BTW: I finished the Koolhaas hat! Love the way it came out. DH and DS loved it too. Since this one was for a friend of mine that has been begging for a knitted skull cap. It had to leave this morning with its rightful owner.
I did manage to take some good photos though on my Ipad. Here is Lil' C.. who is not so little anymore:
Pattern: Koolhaas by Jared Flood
Yarn Mad Tosh Chunky in Faded Parkah, 1 Skein
Needles: Addi Turbos Size 8, 16 inch cord
And now I must run off to make that Coconut Curry Lentil Stew:) Yum!
Must hurry --need to catch the final quarter of the 49er game.. Hey are we going to the superbowl?
7:01 PST - Update: The Stew is totally AMAZING:) NomNomNOM!
We lost the game--boohooo--no superbowl in our 49er's future this year:(
There has been much progress this week. In many facets of my life I am experimenting and getting out there trying new things.
Healthwise, my DH decided to do a Daniel Fast. To support him we chose healthier alternatives and went 80% Vegeterian. To be clear, The Hubbs is 100% on a Daniel Fast. My son and I are 80/20.
It proved to be a little more challenging but we managed. We enjoyed lots of salads, Lentils, Brown Rice, Potato Patties, Nuts, organic yellow popcorn, dates, Mixed whole grains and plenty of fruits and other veggies. I made Quinoa Sphaghetti in Marinara, and Mushroom Ravioli in Pesto sauce.We even Juiced this weekend. I basically took all the fruits I had and through inn some Kale for good measure! Yum.. What is even better my 10 year old loved it! The juicing I mean:) We went grocery shopping this afternoon and my son asked "hey mom, did we get some kale?". I said "Yes we did" he replied, "Oh good". Hallelujah! I found a way to get some better nutrition into this kid:)
From all of the above the hardest sell was The garden burgers, and Quinoa oatmeal. The Hubbs made a comment the other day that "those burgers tasted like Loofah" Yeah--I am thinking he must have bitten into the garden burger at the same time that the quinoa commercial came on... You know the one, where the guy throws a pattie on the grill, and the friend behind him makes a comment about it. What's that? A loofah?
Since we are in still in discovery mode... I yelped Mongolian BBQ --you know for a little veggie stir fry... and what did I get back?
Enjoy Vegeterian Restaurant. A Chinese Vegeterian restaurant! It was soooooooooooooo good!!! Who knew that veggie ham and pork, meat, and chicken would be so good. I swear the veggie chicken---Tastes just like CHICKEN!
As for knitting. I have an update. I am happy to report that I think I am beginning to chip away at the iceberg that was preventing me from getting my knit-on! Finally, some consistency and intensity. There is much love for the stitches comming off of my needles:)
The Koolhaas is coming out great. The color and depth of this yarn are simply amazing! So much so, I made a point of re-visiting Imagiknit today to collect those last 3 skeins of Mad Tosh - Faded Parkah. I love this chunky yarn. It has such memory and great weight.
In terms of the the Jimmy Beans Wool KAL. I got through the intro and will need to begin week two tonight. Here is what I have so far... its a little meager--but gorgeous color don't you think?
Other new to me things... These wonderful soaps by Wooly Washers. I found them at Rhinebeck and wanted to try them out. Look they are wrapped in the most scrumptious fiber:
As for Lucuma... Pronounced Lu-Ku-mah
Lucuma is a nutrient dense fruit from Peru and is an excellent source of carbohydrate, fibre, vitamins and minerals as well as lots of beta-carotene, niacin (B3) and iron. The fruit is known as the “Gold of the Incas”... Who knew that when I walked into Mitchells Ice Cream today I would be walking out with a new flavor?
Its nice to take a break sometimes and venture out to find new to you delectable surprises. LIke this Lucuma ice cream:) Yum!
Dear friends, If you were not already aware --this year on New Years Eve we had a new moon. This is a very rare occurrence. I understand that the last time this happened was 19 years ago. What an amazing way to kick off the new year, as New Moons signify a time of new beginnings, of fresh energy, a time of focusing our attention and intentions.
I for one am in need of a fresh start. Seeing things differently, shiny and new:) Workwise, I intend to embrace new learning opportunities and face challenges as such. Familywise, I itend to listen more and judge less. Be more patient in general:) Its not easy sometimes. My son is growing up and has a mind of his own. How did he get to be 10? when did this happen?
Knittingwise, I am knitting with attention and intention, re-learning as necessary and enjoying every bit of the ride. On New Years Eve, a friend of the family gently reminded me that I had promissed to make him a hat. Being the tactful young man that he is... He said so me "So Marisol, how much do I owe you for that yarn for my hat? Can I give you some money for it? " I replied "Oh no that's O.K. let's wait until the hat is finished. You can pay me then". Oh oh.. I thought to myself. I guess I better get started on that project.
Feeling a tad bit guilty for making him wait, I cast on for what will be my 3rd Koolhaas Hat with this lovely skein of Brooklyn Tweed Shelter in color # 24 Soot
I knit away on it for a couple of hours until reaching about an inch and a quarter for the border of the hat. I also started the cabling bit and realized..... OMG! I have forgotten how to cable without a cable needle! How am I going to get through this hat? I cannot use a cable needle, that would take forever!
Sheesh... could this really be possible? That I could I forgot how to knit something? On no! Has it really been that long since I have applied this technique? Thankfully, there is such a wonderous thing as YouTube! So needless to say, there I sat for a couple of hours, hunting for video after video that displayed how to twist stitches, and cable without a cable needle. Thank you Youtube and folks that have volunteered to film themselves in order to teach others. Youtube you saved my butt for sure!
After a couple rows and re-learning the technique, I realized that this yarn (while lovely) was not the best suited for this project. I was not happy with the look and feel.. So back to the stash I went. After an hour of searching for just the right yarn (oh and one that I was willing to part with -because yes IAMSELFISHTHATWAY HA HA), I realized that i had nothing. Nothing that resembled that Shokay Shambala that I had used before:(
The shokay was dense and perfectly round, yet soft at the same time.
So off I went to Imagiknit on a quest for the perfect yarn.. and needles. I needed Size 8, lace circs in a 16 inch cord. How is it that I don't have the proper needles in my stash either? What happened?
I found this: Madeline Tosh Chunky in Faded Parka - LOVE at first sight!
The perfect color depth.. Perfectly round and sturdy enough for the multiple cabling. All in all, a magnificent yarn!
So here we go again. Second time is a charm right:)
And because we are on the subject of new.. Guess what is new tonight? Huh, huh? Any ideas? Well its a sort of uptight Novella. Yes thats right -one that is really juicy, interesting, very sophisticated because it involvest he filthy rich... Oh alright --its Downton Abbey! I know I for one cannot get enough of The Crawleys:). Particularly Lady Mary. I love her fashion sense!
Yes the season 4 opener is tonight! And guess what my friends.. For those of us that love Knit Alongs... Jimmy Beans Wool is hosting a mystery KAL! It looks like it will be easy peasy, but fun. They are equating it to a drinking game sort thing.. You know something happens in the Novella, then you drink.. I mean knit something! How fun! Hmmm maybe I should bring out some Champagne or vino for the occasion.
This here is the chosen yarn for KAL. Its Lornas Laces in the Bated Breath colorway. Very pretty.
However, because I have more yarn than I can ever knit --in a lifetime! I decided I needed to be prudent. So there I went, stashdiving some more. What did I find that could possibly live up to the likes of Lady Mary? What yarn, what yarn?
It needed to be decadent, luxurious, soft, yet strong at the same time. It needed to be dark. Because yes Lady Mary (as we know) can be dark... So what did I find in my yarn coffer?
Geisha from BlueMoonFiberArts - Yay!
Content: 70% Kid Mohair/ 20% Mulberry Silk/ 10% Nylon
Weight: 8oz. / 226g
Length: 995yds / 910m
Gauge: 7 stitches per inch (2.5 cm) on size 3 (3.25 mm) needles
I think thats plenty of the good stuff, don't you?
Note: I am thinking of using size 6 needles. The pattern calls for size 7s. I think this yarn may look to flimsy in a 7. So 6 it is for now. Lets see what happens.
So folks, is anyone else out there joining Jimmy Beans for the KAL? Any other Downton Fans out there? Come join in on the fun... Its not to late. I reviewed the instructions for the cast on later tonight. It's pretty simple!
Drop me a note if you are in the KAL --it is always fun to know that there are others along for the ride:)
Cheers, and best wishes for living with intention in 2014.
First and foremost, let me begin by admitting that I have a certain weakness for knitting bags. For those of you who know me, this will come as no surprise. I carry them out in the open, for every day use even. Yes, I take them to work with me with a little project nestled inside... Just in case I have a few minutes to steal away and knit a couple of rows.
Also, another given fact (which I know I am not alone) I usually have at least 8 projects in the works at any given time. I keep them organized by giving them their own home. A progect bag here and there, or its own knitting bag. This way, anytime I am on the way out the door, I can just grab a bag with a project appropriate to the occasion. A meet up with friends, a party, tea with jam and bread... You get the idea.
Now let me divert your attention for a moment. To a trip down memory lane... There are bags involved. yes bags!
Long long ago Offhand Designs made what we OHD Knitting Bag Lovers (addicts really) called ponys. Bags made from gorgeous upholstery fabrics with whimsical designs and and cut velvets. A few of my personal favorites were: Chicks in a Row, Punch Bloom, Ebony and Ivory, Jack (from Jack & the Bean Stalk), Cosmo Bloom, Capucchino Bloom (the owner likes the word bloom apparently). Moss Crewel, Sunshine Bloom, Madeline....
I will never forget the first time I laid eyes on one of these precious bags. It was at my very first Blue Moon Fiber Arts - Sock Camp. I met a wonderful camper there that had just come from Church Mouse Yarn and Teas --a most special little yarn shop on Bainbridge Island (photo from my trip there after camp that year)
Anyhow, this camper was sporting this bag a OHD Maude in Jack:
I was smitten and could not take my eyes off of it. Later during that trip as mentioned above I had the chance to go to Church Mouse... I fell in love. I now understood why this little yarn shop was so special. It was warm and welcoming, it was beautiful.. in short what every yarn shop should be.
That special place that holds our little crafty dreams:)
During that trip the yarn shop had another Maude: This one was called "Rumpelstiltskin" I had to have it! It was not Jack... But gorgeous nonetheless. So it came to live with me
Because these bags had been in production for a while they were hard to find. So my research on what was available began. It was 2008. I searched, and searched and then studied all the bags. Through this process, I came to find a bag that I wanted and felt I needed above all others. The one knitting bag that would make all my project storage dreams come true! Only the bag in this special fabric was no where to be found. The print was called "Ruby Butterfly". During my meticulous search i managed to find one lonely needle case:
I loved this needle case (I confess) more than any others in my collection. I would lovingly carress it and take it out for use once in a while. Then once again I would search, and search the internet (ebay, etsy, craigs list, ravelry...) Call Yarn shops that once upon a time carried these bags or maybe still did.
Then fast forward to December 1st 2013... My dream came true! there it was on an ebay listing! A Zhivago Knitting bag in Ruby Butterfly! I squeeled with delight! There it was my Unicorn!
I had to bid and it had to be a good bid! I needed to plot, employ a eSnipping tool even. This bag had to come home to me!!! I had waited so long, searched many times.... Long story short, I sniped this bay and it arrived just before Christmas. Merry Christmas to me right!
It was here and I was delighted. I carried it to work on day. I admired it lovingly all day long:) Then I was getting ready to leave and shutting everything down. I picked up my bag to throw it over my shoulder and I began to smell something funny. Noooooo it couldn't be. It couldn't be MYPRECIOUS! Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! It smelled like it had been sprayed by a CAT!!!
Needless to say I was heartbroken. I still couldn't believe it so I called in reinforcments. Co-workers that had cats. They confirmed it. It was probably cat piss!
Another long story... For what seemed llike weeks of research on the Internet and on Ravelry (yes you can consult on ravelry with your knitty friends who understand you). I was given what seems like very sound advice. So I haggled back and forth with the seller and was able to retrieve half of what I paid. In the end we settled. Either she gave me a partial reimbursement... or the bag was going back! She knew what she had done...so she settled.
Fast forward a little more. I finally got my nerve up to mix the recipe and clean the bag. Here is what I did
I mixed in a clean spray bottle:
I then began to spray the whole bag inside and out with the solution. Blotting with a clean white towel. Hoping and praying that the fabric would not bleed. The red velvet butterflies into the cream colored linen.
The results so far, much better than expected! No bleeding, no discoloratin, nothing on the white towel!
I did however find quite a few white CAT HAIRS! Dam Liar! Why do dirty rats on eBay do this!
Oops. From the looks of it I neglected my blog this year. I could not let the year end without writing something here. Somehow, I did very little knitting and spinning as well:(
I think maybe a handful of garments were completed?
Lets see shall we? In no particulary order....
For baby Micah in November:
Belle Pullover pattern from Coco Knits - Modeled at Stitches West in February
And a pair of Veylas for a Halloween swap from October:
Some New Years glitter from Januray:
Cowl, Fingerless Mitts, and Hat I made for my trip to the Big Apple in January. Remember Vogue Live!
This little set saved my life... Brrrrrr it was frosty over there. I8 degrees I think. It even snowed for a bit.
Speaking of trips... I made a BUCKETLISTTRIP People! I went to Rhinebeck!!!!!! OMG!
and yes I fell pretty hard. I bought everything that I saw and wanted...
For when my knitting mojo decides to come back:
For when my spinning bug nestles back inn...
and I HAVE No REGRETS! None. NADA. Sylch!
Here are more pictures of the most fabulous knitting trip evah...RHINEBECK 2013!
Wow... I guess that's it... Knitting Mojo where have you gone? I need to recapture and embrace you once again in 2014! I know you are out there...
So what is on my needles right now? Items I started and need to complete. 2014 - I can do it right:)
Ginny's Cardigan from Harry Potter Knits:
A couple of socks:
Le Striped socks using self striping from Rainy Days and Wooly Dogs:
A Mystery KAL from last year... With some Sundara sock:
An Ombre sock patter using a gorgeous design from Big Foot Knits:
To go with my new custom Fluevog Mahalos:
And a Loop-d-Loop Scarf by Teva Durham:
Come on Knitting Mojo!!! Can't you see I need you!
There were few more false starts lying around the house: a couple of shawls, cowls, cardigans... so sad...
All I can say is: Wow what a Roller Coaster this year this has been. Lots of downs. Yes DOWNS, followed by really really highs. Up turns. Like you are on top of the world up! Lots of emotional moments. Good and Bad.
2014 I hope you are good. Soothing. That you hold loads of serenity and wisdom. Let my knitting mojo and spinning bug return strong!
I'm a Business Systems Analyst, Platform Strategist, Wife and Mother
Recent Comments