Good company and some knitting is all I need

Staying a couple days in a really nice place doesn't hurt. I have forgotten to post about our weekend away. 




We had a great time at Château Élan. We got there Friday afternoon and stayed until Sunday morning. The first night we had dinner at Versailles, one of the seven restaurants at the inn. The next day we went to the spa and then celebrated St. Patricks at the Irish Pub inside the resort. On Sunday, we walked around the gardens and then headed back home. The food was amazing, the spa treatments awesome and having some couple time was priceless. The icing on the cake: I had time to knit! I borrowed the book Vintage Modern Knits from the library and cast on the Madeleine shawl. I adore most of the patterns in this book. I am definitely buying it. Of course, I will check it out at half.com (Thanks for the tip Andi.).

I have yet taken any pictures of my shawl. But here are some pictures of our trip.






I would go back to Château Élan without hesitation. But being home with my family and friends is what I want at the end of the day. All I need is good company (and some knitting).

Have a wonderful week. Don't forget to stop to smell the roses.

FO: Mittens

My mittens are done. Just in time for the next winter season.


mittens


These mitts are worked sideways and sewn on the edges. I am not a fan of seaming and that showed with my first mitt. It was knitted and mutilated (not seamed) with a bulky yarn. Not having enough yarn to re do it, I (a) had to switch yarns, (b) gain back lost confidence. I didn't take me long to do both. Mittens no. 2 and no. 3 were done fast.


mittens

mittens & love


Overall, this is a well written pattern; suitable for beginners. I assume an advanced knitter can modify the pattern to work the mitts in the round.

Have a great weekend! Don't forget to laugh out loud.

Pollen has nothing to do with yarn bombing

Atlanta is covered in a lovely shade of yellow. Yesterday’s pollen count set a record high. Given the choice, I would rather cover myself with Malabrigo than with pollen.

What else is going on? Well, knitting or crocheting with balloons is “in”. Did you know about a knitter that has been yarn bombing the Big Apple? Look no more and please meet Agata Olek. Mrs. Olek is a Polish knitting and crochet artist with a bulky resume. She exhibits her art in New York City, where she lives.






All images above are from agataolek.com

Need more? Check her website or her “Synthetic Nature” exhibition at the Krause Gallery in NYC. Her latest work is about crocheting with balloons. Pretty cool!

I know my limitations. I need to master knitting with yarn before moving into something else. And, I am shy…so yarn bombing is not for me unless I can remain anonymous. What do you think?

Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day

What are you doing to celebrate St. Patrick’s? You can find me here during the day and at this pub later at night. The Mr. and I are taking a much needed weekend away from all responsibilities. He has been traveling a lot. I have been behaving for more than a week. Is time for a change and some time together. The grandmother will spent quality time with our toddler. We all win!

I would love to be knitting any of these patterns with the exact same yarns. Don’t you like them? Some say that green represents tranquility, good luck and health. I would add Saint Patrick’s.


 Images /credits / projects:

1 - Leafy Greens by Shannon Squire
2 - Big Green Cowl by Shannon Squire
3 - Sagano Shawl by Laura Chau 

Enjoy the weekend!

FO: Baktus

Baktus no. 2 is done. I am so tempted to cast on this again. This project is so flexible that  you cannot wrong with it. Choose whatever yarn, knit with a glass of wine close by and you would be the proud owner of a Baktus in a snap. You can even practice your German, Portuguese, Dutch, Italian or Spanish as the pattern has been translated in all these languages. Isn't that nice?

My mother kindly accepted to model the Baktus for me. 





Changing topics, we have been up and down - literally. Yesterday morning I played a tennis match at Cumming. That is an hour north of Atlanta. Sadly, my partner and I lost in the second round of the playoffs. It takes "skeins" to admit that the opponents were better players and deserved the win. Later at night, the Mr. and I headed to a birthday bash in Peachtree City. That is an hour south of Atlanta. A fun crowd, karaoke and some rum helped me recover and prepare for the week ahead.

What have you been doing to re charge batteries?

Don't try this at home

I've been looking for a yarn winder. I am afraid of tree climbing.

This print by Gretchen, available at june at noon, makes my day!
"Winding Wool" from june at noon (via Etsy.com)

Pretty Amazing Gift from Pretty Amazing Woman

Last week I got a surprise in the mail. It means a lot because it was sent by someone who has become very special to me in a relatively short time.




I have been following Andi’s blog for a while but it was not until late last year that I decided to write a comment at it. I probably commented once or twice at other sites before that mostly because as a newbie knitter I felt that I had nothing to say in the big leagues. Shortly after that first comment Andi visited this little blog. Eureka! Woohoo!

Fast forward a couple months and I still can’t believe how fortunate am I to get to know Andi. She’s always cheering up my “ultra simple / what the heck is gauge” projects. She knits the most amazing socks ever. Legend says that when she sneezes a pair of socks comes out. I also think that she is able to cook some yarn. Can I tell you a secret? I have dreamed about the yarn that she posts at My Sisters Knitter. Andi's yarns are the Manolo Blahniks at Sarah Jessica Parker’s closet.









Andi, thanks so much for your words, support and most amazing gift. You are not only a sweet, funny, beautiful and talented soul but an inspiration for many of us!

XO!