Yay 20th post :)

Good morning everyone. Though I'd give you a quick update on the knitting and crocheting. I have no FOs and I'm horribly behind on the 52 pair plunge. I think this week we were supposed to have something like 6 pairs done and I'm done even finished with 3. I'll catch up after my elbow heals up and this wedding is overwith.
I think I'm going to make my own facinator/birdcage veil for the reception. I've found some tutorials online and if I do wind up making it I will share a brief description of the process. I'm almost done with the 2nd shawl (I was supposed to have that done last month, whoops). I need to start busting my butt on that. I'm also considering starting a business after the wedding madness and Christmas madness is over. I'd like to start a yarn dying company and I think I have a pretty unique niche to fill, though I think all yarn lovers will enjoy the product.
I'm also thinking of doing a giveaway after all the wedding madness is overwith. I'm going to have a TON of this Knit Picks Gloss in the Fiesta colorway left over from the wedding and I don't think I'm ever going to want to look at this color again after making 4 shawls with it. I have an idea that it's going to be a charity kal/cal (knit along/crochet along for those playing at home) for my favorite charity. For those of you who don't know I'm a huge animal lover so keep that in mind. More details to come on that in November.
Hope you are all doing well!
Liz

Yay an FO

Hi everyone. I just wanted to pop in to give a quick update. I have an FO :D

You may recall this is a basic toe up socks made from See Jayne Knits Yarns Superwash Merino in the Fishy Wishy in a Dishy coloway. WOHOO :) 

I'm going to be casting on the Ashokan Shawl with Knit Picks Telemark in the Grass colorway. I need to get a long enough needle first though.

That's about all that's going on right now. I haven't had the brain power to make a new pattern lately. Maybe after the wedding. Also please make sure you check out my podcast, the No Idle Hands Podcast available on  iTunes. You can find the shownotes here.

Take care everyone!!

Lots of news..

Hello everyone! First and foremost:

I'm engaged! Wedding date is Nov 5th, we are so excited. You can see hidden pictures of my fiance in the Men's Glove pattern that was on a previous entry. Also, his shoe is in the above photo. I have 3 patterns that I designed and will be posting here throughout the week. Here's a preview:

Garter Ridge Shawl:

The Gabby Headband:

Stockinette Shawl:

I've been knitting ALOT in the last few weeks. I've also not been in the best of health, which is the reason I haven't been blogging lately. I'm better now so you should expect regular blogs from me now. I have lots of pictures to share with you.

Firstly, I finished the Wurm Hat. This pattern is very easy and nice to knit. It was the first time I ever did a knitted hem and I really like the way it looks. I knit it from Knit Picks Imagination in the Frog Prince colorway. Again, I love Knit Picks Imagination, though it does look a bit hairy from the alpaca fiber content.

Next I knit 2 The Age of Brass and Steam kerchiefs. The first one I knit from Noro Kureyon. I really don't like this yarn. It had a lot of knots in it and it wasn't the softest yarn (it actually rubbed a raw spot on my finger). I love the colors though. I'm going to try the Silk Garden to see if it's easier on my hands because I really do love the colors.

The second on I made from Shunklies Superwash Merino sock yarn in a blue green variation. Colors are nice are bright and the yarn is super soft. I'd recommend looking into this yarn. I was really impressed with the communication and the packaging that she sent. She sent a cute little stitch marker and a hand written thank you note. It made me feel like a valued customer. 

Next I have pictures of my Holden Shawlette. Again, this pattern is awesome and fun to knit. I was having one more row syndrome knitting this whole shawl and I think it came out perfect. I knit it in Knit Picks Imagination in the Looking Glass Colorway.

I'm actually knitting another Holden right now in Knit Picks Stroll Sport in the Aloha colorway. It looks a bit like camouflage but I still like it. Most of the items I knit are going to be gifts with the exception of the Wurm and the Holden Shawlette. They are too perfect to give away. 

Now I need to think about wedding knitting. I'm still trying to find the perfect shawl to knit for myself and as a gift I'm planning on knitting shawls from my 2 beautiful bridesmaids. So the last few weeks have been overwhelming and exciting. If anyone has any suggestions on patterns I'd really appreciate it. I've been thinking that the Seascape Shawl from Knitty would be the closest to what I'm looking for. A nice lacy stole would be perfect. If you can't tell I've been a little kerchief crazy lately, they're fun to knit and a relatively quick project. I'm actually gearing up to knit my first sweater. I'm ordered the yarn and pattern for the Twist Cardigan from Chic Knits. I can't wait!

Cheers!

Liz

Not Dead Yet

    Hi All. I'm not dead just working on things for my brand. I'm hoping I'm going to be able to release them on March 1st so stay tuned for that. In other news, I discovered Knitting on the Square on Friday and I'm so happy there is such a nice LYS not too far away but far enough I won't be spending every day there spending all my money! I'm planning on being at the Friday night knitting group with my shawl project for my mom in tow. I'm currently working on a shawl out of Knit Picks Felici Sport the colorway being Waterscape I believe. I'm using the pattern Citron from Knitty. The plan is to give it to her on Mother's Day. Last year I made her some soap that was good for her sensitive skin and crocheted her some roses. She was estatic so I hope this year has the same results.
    I know it seems early but I need to think about what I'm making everyone for Christmas. I don't usually knit for my boyfriend and my stepdad. I usually give crocheting supplies to my mom. Last year I did ornaments for the cousins, aunts and uncles and grandparents. This year I would love to do mittens and fingerless gloves and probably a few hats. I need to contact everyone so they can put their orders in. Does anyone else have crazy Christmas ambitions?
    Knit Picks has one of my favorite yarns on sale, Felici Sport. I'm doing everything I can not to clear them out right now. I bought my first Noro purchase on Friday and I think I've found a patterns for it. 198 yds. of Heaven , which is a free download on Ravelry. I've also discovered the Knitmore Girls and what a pleasure they are to listen to. I downloaded all of their episodes and started at the beginning like I did with the Knit Picks podcast. I have to say I actually prefer the old set up for the Knit Picks podcast better than the new one. I miss listening to Kelley's knitting stories and getting weekly lessons from her about how awesome I Cords are and about steeking. She will always be one of my knitting heroes.
Well that's all for now! Take care and TTFN!

Sleepy Saturday

Hello everyone, welcome to another sleepy Saturday in Cleveland. This blog is orientated to all things yarn related and, well, whatever else I feel needs discussed. I think a run down of all my current projects is in order, in case anyone really cares.
Today I started on the 2nd of a pair of gloves for my beloved and, alas!, I had enough yarn to knit the first 2 gloves and the first thumb and them I ran out of yarn. Since I was not feeling motivated at all to go to JoAnne's (which is the only place around here to get that particular yarn) I decided that I'd finish up a bag I've been working on. I was knitting the gloves in Bernat Alpaca Blend in a dark gray colorway. Bernat Alpaca blend is soooo soft and super warm. It's my first time working with it and I must warn you now, the fibers from the yarn come off and stick to your clothes when you're working on it so don't work with it if you're going to be going somewhere where you don't want to look like you're covered in dog hair. I'm going to put up the pattern for the gloves as soon as I'm done with them. They're very simple but I must say there is a great need for men's patterns that they would actually need and fits them.
Now for the bag I'm working on. I was at first going to make a fat bottomed bag out of Lion Brand's Amazing yarn, the colorway being Aurora. This was all fine and dandy until I waited a week to make the 2nd panel and I completely forgot how may rows was between the cables. Oh well. So I folded it in half and did a single crochet up 2 sides on the wrong side to make it a small bag. I'm going to weave in some ribbon for a drawstring.
Just a note on Lion Brand. I'm obsessed with them. I'm not going to lie, they're pretty much amazing. The yarn they put out is top notch and the LB Collection yarn. Don't even get me started on that. I would be so broke if I lived anywhere near the studio in NYC. Thank god I don't!! If you haven't already, you should check out their website and their podcast. Also the Knit Picks podcast is quite entertaining. I just discovered it a few weeks ago and I liked it so much that I downloaded all of the episodes and I've been listening to them at work. I think I'm like on episode 60 something and there's 151 so I have a bit of catching up to do.
Oh yeah, we were talking about my projects. I'm also currently working on a Harry Potter scarf for a friend, 2 afghans that were supposed to be graduation presents for last year (oops) and I'm learning how to knit socks.
I'm a fairly new knitter but I've been crocheting for almost 15 years. I think my main issue with knitting has always been trying to think of crocheting solutions to my knitting issues. I've been having a hard time with picking up stitches on the heel of a sock and it's been really frustrating. I had to put it down for a few days so I don't break any needles.
Well I think I've talked your ear off enough so TTFN!! Take care.
Liz