Sunday, March 27, 2011

Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Knitting for Spring

The calander says it is spring but someone forgot to tell Mother Nature that spring is here in Central NY.  Although it is sunny and I do hear some birds chirping here and there, we woke up to a cold 5 degrees again today. 

But I know that it will begin to feel like spring soon and I already have spring fever. And that doesn't mean my knitting needles are put away for the season.  In fact, I love knitting on the porch during the summer months, especially in the early morning. 

I'm also looking forward to seeing the daffidols, tulilps and other fabulous flowers.  And what better way to show these great flowers than in a unique vase?

My newest item available on etsy is a hand knit cabled vase cozy in soft pink.  This item comes with the vase and is ready to show your spring flowers.  (A perfect Mother's Day gift as well!)



I'm already working on a lovely lavender alpaca version with 'claw' cable design which is sure to be just as pretty. 

So don't put away your knitting needles and wool just because spring is here.  Keep knitting and make something wonderful for the season. 

What are some of your favorite spring projects?  I would love to hear and see what you are working on, so please leave a comment and link to a photo! 

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Cowls

Cowls are so cool.  Well, warm and toasty actually. They seem to be in fashion lately and I can understand why.  They are easy to wear and easy to bring with you to use when you need extra warmth.

My newest cowl combines a lattice ribbed stitch with drapes of leaves to surround the neck.  Knit with washable wool that is next to skin soft in a lovely colonial blue. 

I used double yarn and large 10.5 (US) needles to give it a chunky look.  I'm already working on a sister pattern that uses single strands for a softer, more delicate look. 




Be on the look out for the pattern to be released in the near future if your interested in knitting this one yourself!


This finished Lattice and Leaves Cowl is now available for sale in my etsy shop.


This year I have promised myself that everyone close to me will get a hand knit item for Christmas and that I will start early.  So far, I have one gift completed!  I'm very, very excited about that and plan to start the second one this week.  Has anyone else started knitting for Christmas?  If so, what are you working on? 

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Ascot Cable Neckwarmer

Today I a featuring a knit neckwarmer using a diamond cable design.   This lavender beauty is knit with Sandnes brand Alpakka yarn and is super soft.  I used 2 strands of yarn and the project took just over 2 skiens of yarn to complete.

This stitch is easy to memorize and is the same stitch used in some of my other work, including a hat and headband. I'm working on perfecting the pattern for this ascot neckwarmer which will be available after testing has been completed.

I found that I definately needed to block this item as it rolled in the worst way. This is just the right length to fit in the bottom of my bathtub - so I layed a towel down and blocked it right there in the tub for 2 days.

My slow season is approaching so I've started to use this time to knit some Christmas gifts for my family. So I won't be able to show what I'm working on here because I never know if my family checks in here or not. All I can say is this - my goal for 2011 Christmas season is for everyone close to me to receive a hand knit gift of some sort.

What's on your needles today? 

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Fresh from the Wheel - Midnight Purple Merino Yarn

This week's spin is 3.5 oz of beautiful midnight merino. 

I love this color combination with purples and blues!



What's on your wheel? 

Monday, March 7, 2011

Cocktail Party

Last year I was commissioned to make several felted planters for the Earth Day cocktail party at The Atrium, one of Lincoln Center's newest spaces in the David Rubenstien Atrium in NYC. The space was sustainably designed (LEED Certified) “green” building on the Lincoln Center campus.

Today, I received the pictures of my work as they were set out for the party.  I am so thrilled to have a little piece of me in this amazing building - even if it was for just an evening. 


This photo is of the atrium with a live garden wall. 







A sample of my little bit of the party



Tables with my contribution, but check out the wall with the yellow and grey circles all made of wool!  Incredible


I just had to share ~ I'm grinning from ear to ear today.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Sunday Morning Kit Wit ~ Grey Cable Scarf and Olive Green Leaf Design Neckwarmer

I couldn't decide which project to feature this week, so I have included two this week.

While I was browsing through my knitting stitch book this week looking for some fun edgings to try, I came across this fun leaf design.  I felt that it would make a great edge on a cowl or neckwarmer, so I got to work on it right away.  I used Mission Falls Washable 1845 washable yarn in deep olive green.  This yarn is wonderful to knit with!  The cables in the neck area give the illusion of branches swirling down to the leaves and the wooden toggle button to keep it together adds a bit of woodland feel to the design. 

Already, I am thinking of other ways to incorporate this edging in my designs, so be on the look out for some new patterns using this edge in the future.








My lastest creation is knit with super soft silver alpaca (my own hand spun) and grey wool (Paton's Classic).
Because it is knit on larger needles and the yarn is held double throughout, this scarf is airy, light and super soft.

I took the basic cable design a step further and incorporated a design that flows and swirls through the entire scarf.  I also made cables on each edge for the scalloped look. 




Both are available in my etsy shop and make perfect gifts.  Just beware:  If you are purchasing them for someone else, you just may keep them for yourself once you feel them!

What is on your needles?  I'd love to hear what your current projects you are working on.  Leave a message here or stop over to my FaceBook page and leave a photo too! 

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Fresh From the Wheel - Merino in Lovely Teals

My lastest spinning project is a beautiful teal combination in merino.  I purchased this roving from slimchicken on etsy and I have to say that slimchicken is becoming one of my favorite shops!  This roving spun smoothly and was a pleasure to work with.

I put these two colors together during the plying process.

 







And the result:  250 yards of beautiful handspun wool in teal blend:



I'm very pleased with the way this one turned out.  I see a neckwarmer here....

What's on your wheel?