Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Burgandy Lace Wrap

I've spent the past two months knitting and ripping out lace shawls. Mostly ripping if truth be told. In fact,  I have another triangle shawl that I put aside because I need to rip back 8 rows and I just don't want to look at it for awhile.  But, even though these patterns are challenging me mathmatically, I really like the look of lace.

So I decided to try doing a simple rectangle wrap design with the KISS (Keep it Simple, Stupid) mentality. With the rectangle wraps, there are no changes in the number of stitches each row and it is easy to keep track of.  The result is this ZigZag Lacy Wrap.

What makes this simple design special is the yarn that I used to knit it ~  my own handspun alpaca, merino, silk blend in a gorgeous burgandy with subtle shade changes.  This wrap is soft, flowing and drapes beautifully. 

This photo shows the gradiant changes in shades:





The yarn is in between fingering and sport weight and I used 10.5 US needles to make the zigzags pop. 

I think it is perfect for cool summer evenings as a wrap to keep the chill off.  Or it can be worn as a scarf in the fall too ~ 

I really had fun making this easy lace and knitting with some of my handspun. Sometimes doing something simple will help build confidence for the more complex designs!

Now, off to rip and finish my triangle shawl that awaits me ~~

Keep you needles clicking!

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? 

Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Reversible Cable Scarf

It is almost the end of February and we woke up to yet more snow today.  I was kinda hoping that spring would be showing her face soon, but here we are covered in white.

Today I can't help but show off my newest scarf. I combined some of my own hand spun alpaca yarn that has a bold colorway that goes from yellow to orange to reds with a commercial solid orange alpaca, merino, silk blend. The alpaca gives it softness and the merino gives it memory while the silk provides just a tad bit of sheen.


The cables are on both sides, making this one totally reversible and there is absolutely no curling in on the sides. It drapes perfectly and if I do say so myself, is just about the best one I've ever made. Now - I could be a bit too attached as I've spun the yarn and knit the scarf. Almost like a mother being proud of her babies.

In any event, here it is ~ Orange Colorway Cable Handknit Scarf in Alpaca Merino Silk Blend



The front has 3 rows of cables while the back has 2 rows. I worked the cables on the back while purling, which is something I have never done before.  It isn't much different that working them on knit stitches.  The only difference is I held the cable needle in the back rather than front when purling. 

What are you working on this weekend?  I would love to hear from you!

Fresh From the Wheel ~ Alpaca Merino Silk Blend

I had such a fun time spinning this alpaca merino silk blend.  It was exceptional during the spinning process and just flowed through my fingers. 

The roving was purchased from Corgi Hill Farm on etsy and was one of my most pleasant spinnings yet! 



Here is a little about my process: 

After spinning 2 spools,  I respun them together in the opposite direction.  (Called plying) 

 Once that was done, the yarn is wound on a Niddy Noddy to keep it all straight and managable

 I then soak it in conditioner for about 20 minutes and let it hang dry for 2 days.

The end result ~  3.5 oz of gorgeous soft yarn,  just waiting to be made into something special

This is yarn is listed for sale in my etsy shop, but if it isn't sold by the time I finish my current projects, I may just pull it out of the shop and use it myself.  It's just lucious!

Sunday Morning Knit Wit - Alpaca

I really love working with alpaca fiber. And I really like the results of a knit alpaca scarf even more.  Alpaca is one of the softest and warmest natural fiber. 

My newest etsy listing is a handknit 50% alpaca 50% merino wool scarf with 3 rows of subtle cables. It is knit on smaller needles that I usually use and is very delicate and drapes perfectly.  I loved knitting with this yarn due to the softness.

Again, I used the cable pattern that doesn't use a cable needle, so it knit up quickly. 

I'm also spinning some of my own 100% alpaca.  I'm not sure about the colors quite yet, but looking forward to seeing them combined when plyed together.  I think I'll call this Arizona Sun Rise.....

What is your favorite yarn to knit with?  One of my goals is to try everything available at some point in my life.  I guess I'd better get knitting! 

Until next week ~  Keep you needles clicking!

Sunday Morning Knit Wit - Spinning

I am so new to this spinning thing and I must admit that I have gotten a bit frustrated at times.

But so far, I've found that I have taken a wrong approach about learning to do this right.  First of all, I was looking for sub-standard roving to practice with. I found out now, that that is a big mistake!

I've been struggling to spin a consistent yarn with some really bad roving. This morning I bit the bullet and told myself to try the super soft alpaca.  OMG ~ What a difference!

I'm not spinning a perfect yarn yet, but boy-oh-boy... this is so much easier to work with!

Take a peek at what I've spun this morning:

Not bad, if I do say so myself!

So now it is starting to make sense to me and I'm getting into the groove and rhythym. 

My first advise to a new spinner - don't work with low grade roving... it will only mess you up!

Happy Knitting!  (or spinning!)

Sunday Morning Knit Wit - Red Triple Cabled Scarf

Everyone needs a classic red scarf.  It just isn't winter without one!

I finally finished knitting up this super soft triple cabled scarf in 50% alpaca / 50% merino wool.   I will admit that it took awhile.  It was one of the projects that gets set aside and picked up again, over and over again.
But I made myself sit down and finish it yesterday and I'm so very glad I did. 

It is a long flowing scarf with a great drape and is just so cuddly and warm.

Happy Knitting!

Till next week.....

New This Week

Today I am showcasing some super fun new items in my shop. I hope you will stop by and take a peek!

This pink vessel is one of my favorites ~  make with a wool and silk blend yarn and adorned with some very unique vintage buttons forming a flower. 

This morning glory hair pony will just look lovely on a little girl ~ handknit and felted in wool

Or this hip shasta daisy hair pony in blue and lemongrass green!

I had fun knitting this clutch in plum ~ perfect size for checkbooks, passports or bare necessities!

Looking for a mini wool bowl to keep your tiny items organized?  This felted bowl in wool, alpaca and camel blend is perfect!

Also - check out my clearance section ~  I'm housecleaning to make room for new work and passing some great savings on to you ~   You'll find some felted slippers for children, felted bangles, some neckwarmers and a couple felted bowls. 

Until next week ~  Stay Warm!