Episode 7 - More Stitching than Knitting (again)!

FOs

Lizzie Kate "Things Unseen" Mystery Sampler

36 ct. Vintage Pearled Barley by Lakeside Linens, Weeks Dye Works (1 over 2)

Shepherd's Bush "My Home Fob" from the Shepherd's Fold 2014 series

32 ct. hand-dyed linen, various hand-dyed cotton and silk threads (1 over 2)

WIPs

The Scarlett House "Sarah Redfearn 1826"

40 ct. Examplar by Lakeside Linens, Belle Soie and Dinky Dyes silks (1 over 2)

Blackbird Designs "1861 - Antique Sampler" from the "In Friendship's Way" booklet. 

Toe-up Vanilla Sock using Must Stash Perfect Sock in the "Pippi" Colorway

Stash

Blackbird Designs and With Thy Needle & Thread Charts from 123stitch.com

I forgot to mention that I received a sock yarn mini exchange package from Karin (Gehirnlos22 on Ravelry).  It was so sweet - Thank you Karin!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.  

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!

Ginger

We adopted a new cat a couple of weeks ago.  We were looking at kittens at Petco in the top cages and this sweet girl in the bottom popped her head up.  We pet her through the cage and was loving the attention and purring very loud.  We went home and I couldn't stop thinking about her.  The next day we went back and got her.

She is getting along with Oreo pretty well.  There was a little bit of hissing in the beginning, but now they greet each other and touch noses.

I have been stitching and knitting a little bit.  This is what I'm working on... 

I finished an autumn design for Plum Street Samplers.  I can't show you the design, but I can show you the pretty thread colors.

I started a sock using Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Multi (Cool Colorway). The pattern is Vanilla Latte Socks.  I'm using size 1.5 dpns.

Next, is my Shepherd's Bush Fold project.  I finally got all the grass filled in and started working on the top portion.

I finished the cat on Charlotte Clayton and I also got Isabella Fox back out and worked on it a little bit, but what I really want to get back to is Plum Street Antique's "Crown Sampler."  I just love this one!

I just need more time in my day!! :)

Sorry!

Hi Everyone,

I'm so sorry I've been such a bad blogger lately.  My life has gotten so busy since I started working full time last fall.  I also feel like I've lost my blogging mojo.  I still post pictures on Instagram when I can.  I have been doing a lot knitting, crocheting and some stitching when I find the time.  I finished two pairs of socks...

"A Nice Ribbed Sock"

"Nine to Five Socks"

A wrap...

"Wiggle Wrap"

I have also started a few crocheted blankets, but I have yet to finish one.

"Soft Waves Ripple Afghan"

"Granny Stripe" - ripped out and restarted

"Granny Stripe" restarted using Annie's Place Rainbow Colour Sequence

Lastly, I started and finished a small Shepherd's Bush kit...

Shepherd's Bush "A Quaker Heart" kit

I have started another Shepherd's Bush piece recently - A Full Heart, the Shepherd's Bush 2014 Fold piece. 

I'm just doing a lot of filling in right now.  So that's what I've been up to for the last few months!  Hope you all had a great Mother's Day!  Hopefully, my next post won't take so long.  Until then, I can be found on Instagram!

Knitting and Stitching

Since starting work I have to knit and stitch when I can.  Lately it's been in the car before work or during my lunch hour, with marathon stitching on Saturday.  Saturday is usually my day to do nothing!

I finished a pair of socks...

Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock (size 2 dpns)

I used this pattern - An Anklet a Day.  

I also started Hourglass Throw by Brooklyn Tweed.  I have had this yarn in my stash forever!

Debbie Bliss Merino Aran (size 8&9 needles)

I have also been working on Manor at Peacock Hill.  I decided to change the called for green colors for the peacock to a more teal color to match the pattern picture.  The colors I chose are GAST Brethren Blue and CC Shamrock.

35 ct. Olde Town Blend (various cotton over-dyed threads, 1 over 2)

I'm pretty happy with how it's turning out.  I also couldn't resist starting another With Thy Needle & Thread project - Paper Snowflakes.  

40 ct. Vintage Pecan Butter by Lakeside (Various cotton over-dyed threads, 1 over 2)

I'm loving it!  Too bad I can't stitch at my desk! :)

Pink Socks!

I finished a pair of socks today.  I love how they turned out.  The pattern is BFF by Cookie A.

Yarn: Aslan Trends - Santa Fe - Color #1332

Needles: size 2 dpns

This is my second time knitting these socks.  I finished a darker pair a couple years ago.  I'm working on a scarf right now and then I plan to get back to Frances Pool.

P.S. Everything went fine with the inspection on the house - now we just have wait for the closing next month.  I can't wait!

Knitting and Stitching

I finished up my BFF socks last night! I'm so happy to finally have them done. It only took 2 1/2 years! :)

BFF Socks by Cookie A.
Yarn: Araucania Ranco Multy - Color #312
Needles: Size 2 dpns

I also started another pair of toe-up 2-at-a-time socks. I had to order a couple of 40" circular needles from Knit Picks, so I'm using different yarn this time. I like how they're turning out (even though it looks a little like a bra right now). :)

Claudia Hand Painted Yarns "Cabin Fever," Size 1 40" circular needle.

I also got Paradise Lost out last week. I would love to finish it up soon. Here's my latest progress pic...

40 ct. Vintage Light Examplar, NPI silks (1 over 2).

One last little thing that I also got from Knit Picks is this Namaste Buddy Case. I think it's just perfect for holding all my stitching accessories.

Well, nothing else going on here. Just need to clean (as always)! Write soon!

Shores and More Knitting

I worked on Shores a little bit over the weekend...

I also worked on my BFF sock. I'm down to the heel flap now!

This sock isn't actually this bright!

Unfortunately I had to rip out my other socks. I messed up on the increase - I'll start over soon (I need to brush up on some basics - it's been awhile).

I also decided to start a scarf. I have always loved this scarf made by Brooklyn Tweed. I went through my stash and found the perfect yarn (yarn I was using for a couple of sweaters that I know I'll never finish).

Noro Silk Garden #86 and Cascade Lana D'oro Tweed #7619

Hopefully, I can get it finished and the sock finished soon! Write later!

Antique Shop Find and Socks

I decided to go to my not-so-LNS, It's a Stitch, today. I needed to match up a skein of silk for Jane Tindall. Margaret let me know that two of 3734 are needed. Thankfully, they had one in stock and it matched!

On the way back I stopped at an antique mall and found a glass flower frog. I have always wanted one to hold my scissors. I found a little glass bowl there to set it on also.

It was great find and not very expensive at all! My next stop was Five Guys, for a very yummy and very peaceful lunch. My dh was so sweet to watch the kids so I could have a few hours to myself. After Five Guys I stopped at Barnes and Noble - first stop, Starbucks, to get a Tall Caffe Mocha! :) While there I found this knitting book - Toe-Up 2-at-a-Time Socks. I have always wanted to try toe-up socks and I have always wanted to try two-at-a-time. So I came home and cast on right away. I'm having so much fun knitting these.

Well, I'm going to get back to my socks! Thank you to everyone for your very kind comments on Margaret Havelock - They mean to much to me. Write soon!

Needlecrafts of all Sorts!

The rocks are finished! I was determined to get them done last night. Now I'm on to more solid stitching. A very nice change! Please excuse the wrinkles (too lazy to iron). :)

40 ct. Summer Khaki (over-dyed with Tan Rit Dye), NPI silks.

I went up to Amy's yesterday as planned. We had a fun day - not a stitching day, but a knitting and crochet day. She has always wanted to learn how to knit, so I brought some yarn, needles, and a couple books up with me. I showed her the basics of casting on and the knit stitch. She was doing very well, but decided to crochet a little (which she is an expert at). She started on a dishcloth and finished it up in no time, and she gave it to me, which was very sweet of her!!

I love it! Thank you again Amy! I decided to get out my old BFF socks. I love the one I finished and really wanted to finish the second sock. I was stuck on the pattern though. I couldn't remember how I did the cable increase. I tried it and ripped and tried it and ripped some more. When I got home I finally figured it out.

Hopefully, I'll be able to get them finished up soon!

In other news - I got a couple threads (still missing one - it's on back order with the dyer) I was needing for "Jane Tindall 1864." I just love this sampler. I hope to start it sometime in 2011. :)

40 ct. Pearled Barley, AVAS silks.


Yummy silks...

Well, nothing else going on here! Just cleaning, so I can relax and stitch (or knit). Write soon!