Just a Spark

The transition to spring is here.  In the past my family marked the occasion with colored eggs and felted eggs.  It was a fun way to add a spark of color.

We won't be doing either of those things this weekend, but I have my own cheery collection.

Happy Spring!

The other day I spotted my first sign of spring out in the wild.  This week's color inspiration . . .

Peeking through the snow.

Heels and Toes

Yesterday was a day of waiting, and I've found the only thing that helps with waiting is knitting.  I decided to keep it simple, so I focused my attention on this sock.

This is Luxor - the February installment of Yarn Knot Socks.  I've included mini skeins with each shipment, and this Pond Scum was the splash of color I needed for lively heels and toes.  I almost didn't mind waiting . . . 

Monday Update

Over the weekend I realized my show schedule was out of date. 
See the right sidebar for a quick update.  I have some things brewing in the background, and there's more to come so stay tuned.

If you're within driving distance of York, Maine, check out the Fiber Marketplace.  This relaxed event is held at a stunning location on the coast with a fun mix of vendors.

Knitting update on Vertices Unite.

More stripes, stitches on hold . . . I can't quite put the pieces together.  
Sometimes the only solution is to blindly follow the directions.

Just One More Row

I've been completely immersed in my newest project.  From picking colors to color placement, it was loads of fun before I even cast on.

Vertices Unite.  The first section is almost finished . . . just a few more stripes.  This project twists and turns every which way, so the entertainment value is high.  Definitely a just one more row kind of project.

This week's color inspiration . . . 

Warm neutrals.

Just Five

Sometimes I'm ready to start a new project, but it can take a lot of prep before it's actually up and running. 

There's the little matter of color selection, and for this particular project I need five of them.  To make the decision even harder, I started with one combination that morphed into several others.  So many color options.

This will be fun.

In Between

Usually I have a list of new projects ready and waiting.  That way when I bind off, I can cast on without delay.  Last week was good in terms of production.  I finished a couple bigger projects, but I failed to settle on anything new.

I'm itching to get started on a fresh project, but for today I'll give this sock some attention and contemplate the possibilities.

Yes, that's another just-off-the-needles hat in the background - a One Beer that my daughter requested.

The Challenge

My personal challenge continues, and I have another project off the needles.

Amsterdam Avenue Cowl.

This design features two colors and some back and forth between striped and solid sections.  It knits up in no time and is a great 
on-the-go project.

I used this cowl to test a new DK weight blend.  I paired a sprinkle color with a tonal.  Now I want to make another one . . . maybe two neutrals.

Tomorrow I'll have this sample and some yarn bundles at Romney Ridge Yarns & Wool.

Stop by if you're out and about for the Knit North Yarn Crawl.

I love the snow, and this week's color inspiration is storm related.

Snow globe.

Blowing and Drifting

Yesterday, as promised, the snow came, and it kept coming.

Before it was all over, we had blowing and drifting.  An official blizzard. 

Today the world is fresh and white.  And there's a lot of shoveling to do.

The other day it felt liberating to bind off Your Slip is Showing, and now I'm motivated to finish a couple smaller projects.

These two are both well on their way, and it won't take long to set these needles free.  But first I have to shovel a path for the mail carrier.

A quick schedule note.  The Knit North Yarn Crawl is happening this weekend.  On Saturday I'll be at Romney Ridge Yarns & Wool with an assortment of yarn, bundles and samples.  Stop by and take 10% off any Dirty Water DyeWorks purchase.  This offer is good only on Saturday.

Your Slip is Showing

Last week I was hit hard with a bug - not the flu but I was flat out in bed.  I couldn't knit, and I didn't have an appetite for coffee.  According to my sickness barometer, that's pretty bad.  My weekend recovery included rest and a healthy dose of knitting.  Today I'm back at it with a project off the needles.  

As another nor'easter rolls in and brings a foot of snow, here's a taste of spring.

Your Slip is Showing.

This design uses four colors and slip stitches to create a substantial shawl.

Selecting colors is part of the fun, and the pattern includes a schematic to help with color planning.

The slip stitches create a fabric with depth and texture.

The yarn is Lillian in Biscuit, Gooseberry, Piglet and Wineberry.

Go bold and bright or choose something more subtle.  Pick four favorites and have fun.

Since It's Still Winter . . .

Another nor'easter is bearing down on New England, so it's a good thing I'm still stocking up on winter accessories.  I started the winter with a limited selection of handwear.  When I blew out the thumb on my favorite mittens, I knew I had to get busy.

This is the beginning of my Bonner Mitts . . . a balanced combination of cables and ribbing.  Never mind that black yarn lurking in the background.  That's for a hat my daughter just requested.  I found her raiding my pompom stash, and it seems she caught the bug.

Leuty Hat

The hat parade continues.

Leuty Hat.  This project was on and off the needles in no time.  I made a slight change and used a smaller needle for the brim.  Other than that I followed the pattern as written, including the suggestion to use a tubular cast on.  

The yarn is Norma, colorway Peacock.  This design uses knit-purl combinations to create a dense, comfy fabric.  

And I topped it all off with a pompom.

This might not be the end of the parade.  I had a dream about hats last night . . . 

Stormy Weather

With a nor'easter raging, it's a good day to hunker down with knitting and coffee.  I already have a couple projects under construction, but my pompom stash is still taunting me, so I cast on another hat.

Leuty Hat . . . hot off the press.  This pattern was released just the other day, and I fell in love with the squishy texture.  I have a couple pompoms vying for the top spot.  When the hat is finished, I'll see which one tickles my fancy.

This week's color inspiration has a little bit of everything.

Mural magic.