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When I woke up this morning and had an itch to cast on a new project, I went with it. Some days I just don't have the energy to fight back. I have a comfortable number of projects in the works right now, but I don't feel overloaded and there's always room for one more.
My spring tour of New England states continues. I'm heading to Maine later this week, so this Maine-inspired project was the perfect choice.
The KnitWit Cowl updated for 2017. It's the same pattern as last year but with a fresh color combination. Team KnitWit selected the colors, and the yarn is a sport weight blend of Merino, Cashmere and Nylon.
I made the 2016 version last year. It was my favorite cowl this past winter, and I got so many compliments on it. I'm excited to have another one. This yarn bundle is available only at KnitWit Yarn Shop. If you're driving through Portland, be sure to stop. Or contact the shop directly for more details.
Before I get too involved with this project, I have to do more packing and organizing for my Maine adventure. This weekend I'll be at the Maine Fiber Frolic. Look for my booth in Building 2.
I've been on a roll with a bit of spring cleaning around the house, and apparently it spilled over into my knitting. The other day I pulled out a languishing sock project, shook off the dust and got busy. I never understand why a sock project gets left behind (who doesn't love something small, portable, easy to knit), but it happens.
This particular sock had a couple issues. Apparently I'd been in a hurry and didn't tuck the needles properly because some of the stitches were in a free fall. After rescuing the stitches and figuring out where I was in the pattern, I was good to go.
As I was knitting the leg, I decided to spice things up with a little splash of color.
This is Movie Night Sock with a contrasting heel. I must have been feeling very adventurous because I strayed from my usual heel turn and used something different. Suddenly this project is fun and interesting again. Hopefully it won't bring my spring cleaning to a halt.
Yesterday I had a bit of a crisis when my keys went missing. Normally I wouldn't have been too concerned, but my truck was parked at the end of the driveway and was blocking the other family vehicles. One other detail. I have only one key for my truck, so it was imperative that I find it.
The keys didn't turn up after a quick search, so everyone scattered without the use of vehicles, and I started a more thorough hunt. My son was the last one to use the keys, so I set about retracing his steps. I didn't dwell on the fact that he recently lost both his driver's license and his passport in two separate incidents just days apart.
After tossing the house, checking drawers and cupboards, sifting through the trash, sorting through laundry baskets, searching the fridge and freezer . . . well, I gave up. I'm a firm believer in the notion that all missing things eventually surface, so I turned my attention elsewhere.
Since the keys seemed determined to remain missing, I threw myself into a major distraction that involved yarn and a new project.
Once I had settled on these, I started this.
I had a false start and a do-over, but I like it a whole lot better now. I think I'll like it even more when I have other colors in play.
And the keys? Later in the afternoon my daughter sent me a text asking what my keys were doing in her bag. Apparently my son tossed them on the table, and they landed in her bag? I don't know how they got there, but this proves my theory. All missing things eventually surface.
I'm not usually one for pink, but I have a greater appreciation for it these days. It's probably just a passing fancy, but here's my color inspiration for the week.
Any day now . . .
I'm coming up for air after taking a tumble down the Ravelry hole. I'm always jotting down pattern names when something catches my eye at an event, and I've been keeping all these haphazard lists and notes. It was time to finally make some sense of it all.
After an afternoon in front of the computer, I've narrowed down the list. There's still some tweaking to do, but I have a plan.
New booth samples are under construction.
On Saturday I had a long, busy day in Rhode Island, so when I woke up on Sunday, I was ready to take it easy. I shifted my expectations for the day and grabbed one of the knitting projects near the top of my heap.
When I first heard about the Starting Point MKAL, I was mildly interested. After I had assembled a few kits with different color combinations, I was in.
This MKAL is being released in a series of five clues, and already I'm behind. The second clue was released on Friday, but I'm still working my way through the first one. I finished one triangle, and now I need to knit another one just like it to complete the first clue. Only then can I start the second clue. I'm not sure I'll be able to catch up, but I'm playing by the rules.
Yesterday my daughter had a mishap at the gym and landed in the ER. Everything is fine. When we emerged several hours later, she was put back together with an impressive row of stitches. Now to convince her to take it easy for a couple days. As an aside, her doctor is a knitter. We had a lovely chat about knitting projects.
Once again I was grateful that I'd had the presence of mind to grab the knitting bag in my mad dash to get out the door. It turns out the ER is a good place to knit a bunch of cubes.
This morning they were on the blocking board.
Cubetcha.
This entertaining project takes 1 skein. I used Sparkles, colorway Poolside. I finished this shawl just in time for a little road trip. The sample and the yarn will be with me tomorrow at Rhode Island Fiber Festival.
This week's color inspiration . . .
Vivid and bright.
I've fallen hard for cubes.
This is Cubetcha. I love the adventure of experimenting with a new technique, but I prepared myself for a bunch of fiddly maneuvers to make these little cubes. Instead I discovered the cubes aren't tedious at all. They're fun to make! Just another pleasant knitting surprise . . .
After a busy weekend in New Hampshire, I don't have expectations of accomplishing much today. A wet and windy Sunday forced most of the outdoor vendors indoors. A couple friends pitched in and helped me move the booth. I felt like a nomad vendor.
The weather didn't keep people away, and it was a delightful time overall. Thanks to everyone who came out. It was great to see so many familiar faces.
I did a quick events update. This Saturday I'll be at the RI Fiber Festival. See the right sidebar for more details.
For the rest of the day, I'm taking it easy.
I have a busy weekend ahead, and I have one more sample for the road.
Ardent.
Apparently I haven't had enough garter stitch and lace. The repeats in this design are easy to memorize, and it knits up quickly. Correction. It wasn't so quick when my stitch count was off, but I blame that on late night knitting.
This shawl is light and airy . . . perfect when you need just a little something.
The yarn is Lucia, colorway March Sky. Gray is a personal favorite because it goes with everything, but you could also have fun with a bright splash of color.
Later today I'll post updates with my exact booth location at New Hampshire Sheep and Wool. For details keep an eye on Instagram, Twitter, Ravelry or Facebook.
I'm still hooked on flowers. This week's color inspiration . . .
Between red and orange.
Fresh out of the dye pots . . .
Sparkles. This fingering weight blend of Merino and nylon includes stellina . . . perfect for adding a little shimmer and shine to your project.
And what good timing. Sparkles skeins will be available this weekend at New Hampshire Sheep and Wool.
It's a new week, and I'm starting off with a splash of color.
I took these.
And knit them into this.
Plethora.
Blocking board shots will have to do this time. I had planned on pictures with a live model, but this morning she was only here long enough to walk the dog. I guess I need to schedule in advance.
This pattern features an easy 10-row repeat of garter stitch and
lace . . . almost mindless with just enough going on to keep it interesting. The fabric is light and airy - a good project for warm weather knitting.
This design has options. Make it big or small. Use a solid or mix and match colors.
I used a Lucia 28 Bundle, but it would also be fun in a Lillian Gradient Bundle.
New Hampshire Sheep and Wool is this coming weekend. I'll have the sample and bundles in my booth. Stop by and take a look. I'm an outside vendor. Later in the week I'll know my exact booth location and will post updates on Twitter, Instagram and Ravelry.
Since I'm just about finished with one project, it was time to get busy with a new one. I've been working with all kinds of crazy colors, so apparently I needed some kind of balance.
Back to basics.
Website Update. Joji's Mystery Wrap KAL is all the buzz. Based on her color recommendations, I've put together several kits. Check them out if you're looking for ideas and inspiration.
Many of the spring colors are short lived, so I'm trying to savor them while they last. This week's color inspiration . . .
Delightful pink.
The other night I proved once again that late night knitting can be risky business. I was making great progress (or so I thought), but when I called it a day, I had a sinking feeling something was off. Maybe it was my stitch count. Maybe it was the pattern repeats. I went to bed and told myself I would sort it out in the morning.
Once again my intuition was right. In the light of day I realized what the problem was. I had finished one color the night before. I was determined to keep going, so I picked another color and knit for a while longer. The problem was I grabbed the wrong color.
I didn't hesitate. I ripped out several rows and got busy with the right color.
Now I'm making up for lost time.
Lesson learned. Always listen to my intuition.
Last week I was scurrying with show prep. I even managed to finish a new sample for the trip to Connecticut.
Sea Grass.
This is an entertaining design with alternating panels of lace and stripes.
The yarn is Lillian, colorways Malachite and Biscuit.
There are so many fun color combinations. Endless possibilities.
