Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who helped me destash a little!  I lowered some of the prices later today.  I was asked by Laura (Maude and Mozart) if I was giving up stitching, and that is a big No!  I could never give up my stitching.  I really want to get back to Charlotte Clayton and get it finished up soon (I'm sounding like a broken record)!  I just needed to purge a little.

Now that I'm working full time, it's definitely harder to pick up the stitching.  Knitting and crochet has been easy.  It's especially great to take it to work.  I keep it in the file drawer in my desk and I can throw it down quickly if I need to answer the phone or help someone out.  There are periods when it's super busy and then there are times when it's very slow and my needlework keeps me from getting too bored and keeps me sane. :) I'm really lucky I found the job I did.  My co-workers very quickly became my friends and I have met some really great people.  There are many days they have my laughing until I'm crying!  Anyway, It's been great!

So, I haven't stitched in awhile, but I have been knitting.  Currently, I'm working on the Pendulum Shawl by Amy Miller.  I copied the first shawl in the picture on the project page by DragonInk.  I'm using the same yarn she used, which is Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in the same colors she used - Goddess, which looks black, but is actually a very dark purple and Calligraphy.

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I'm fairly happy with how it's turning out.  My short row turns are a little wonky, but I'm hoping it won't show as much once it's washed and blocked.  I am also getting a little tired of garter stitch.  I just finished a garter stitch shawl recently.  The Yowza Weigh It Shawl #1 by Susan B. Anderson.  I love this shawl.  It's so warm and squishy.  I can't wait to wear it this fall/winter.

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This yarn is Miss Babs Yowza in the Perfectly Wreckless colorway.  

I also finished two pairs of socks.  I have discovered that I now love toe up socks and magic loop.  Two things I thought I'd never do!

Funky socks are finished! #knitting #sockknitting #toeupsock #fishlipskissheel

I knit these socks in five days! They were a blast. I love how funky they turned out.  They're so soft and warm too.  I did the Fish Lips Kiss Heel for this pair.  I like this heel, but I may need a little more practice.

The second pair are my Kool-Aid socks.  I decided I was going to dye some bare yarn I've had in my stash for years.  I used grape, pink lemonade and cherry.  I have dyed yarn before and I don't remember it being so difficult.  I lost about 100 yards in the process.  It got so tangled that I just tossed it.  I still had enough to make a decent size pair of socks.  These socks took even less time - four days!  Love that magic loop!

Kook-Aid socks

I have tons of projects that I'm thinking about.  I have really been obsessed with knitting lately.  I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I started watching knitting podcasts.  Oh wow, where have I been??  I recently binge watched all of Dianne's Suburban Stitcher podcasts.  I have really enjoyed them.  She is the one that made me give toe up and magic loop another try.  I have even thought of doing my own podcast, but I don't think I'm ready for that. I have tried recording myself and just feel so awkward and self-conscience.  Maybe one day.... 

I do hope to keep up with the blog though.  It feels good to be writing again!

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Knitting and a Little Stitching

Hi Everyone!  I'm so sorry it's been so long since I posted.  As I said before, I have been mainly hanging out on Instagram.  It's such a quick and easy way to share what I'm up to.

I have been knitting a lot lately and teaching myself new techniques.  Like making a sock from the toe-up and trying out a new heel - Fish lips Kiss Heel.  It's been a challenge!  I was not happy with the first sock I made.  The yarn was all wrong, so I started over yesterday and I'm loving it!

Cast on a new pair of socks. I wasn't not happy with that other pair. I'm loving this one! #knitting #sockknitting #toeupsock #sweetgeorgiayarns

I'm loving the funky colors in the sock! It's so much fun. I have had this yarn in my stash for several years, I bought when Sweet Georgia just started out on Etsy. #sockknitting #knitting #sweetgeorgiayarns
Toe-Up Sock using Sweet Georgia Yarns Sock Yarn

I'm so thankful to have great bosses that allow me to knit when it's not busy at work.  I couldn't have asked for a better job!  

To see my knitting finishes for this year click here.  I have been stitching a little bit too.  I have been mainly working on Charlotte Clayton. I'm really close to a finish.  

And here is the whole sampler so far. Not too much more to go! #charlotteclayton #reproductionsampler #crossstitch
40 ct. Vintage Sand Dune by Lakeside Linen, NPI silk thread (1 over 2)

I do plan to get back to it very soon!  I'd love to get it finished and framed this year!