Stressed? Then knit (and wash your hands!).

Stressful times call for casting new projects and liftfing the quaratine on current WIPs! 

This week I have been working on a free pattern named "Cotton Lustre Wrap". The yarn, a cotton and linen blend, is providing for a wonderful  drape and texture to the shawl. So far, my hands are not suffering while kntting this. Their mad dryness is due to world record number of hand washing. Let's not even discuss if these three colors go together. Ignore that the combo might remind you of  low calorie, organic and gluten-free naepolitan ice cream. There are bigger fish to catch out there. After all, the yarn is discontinued. Found six skeins on clearance at my LNS --long time ago when social interactions at less than thee feet apart were seen as normal.

Until the next time. Lather, rinse, knit and be kind!

Warm hands

Two new mittens finally received a well deserved wash and block. Both pairs were finished last year with very special yarns. 

Pattern (free): Lambing Mitts by Veronica Jobe. Link here.
Yarn: Cestari Traditional Collection Sock Weight, a Targhee & Columbia blend, in Natural Light. To my surprise, as I washed them, the water quickly turned light brown. I enjoyed knitting with this yarn and would definitely consider it for a larger project. 

Pattern: Squad Mitts by Ann Weaver included in Mason-Dixon Knitting Field Guide No. 1. Link here.
Yarn: Two ply Merino handspun that I dyed blue at home and Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport in Stone.

Antlers on

The Antler toque is a wonderful, and free, pattern by the talented Tin Can Knits team. I used "Imperial Yarn Columbia" in the Teal Heather color way. This is an Aran weight yarn. The recommended yarn for this pattern is worsted weight. 

I should have used different size needles as it turned out a bit tight for my big "brain". You live, you learn. It is still getting a lot of use. Baby, it is cold outside!

Handspun Scarf

Who would have thought I would enjoy knitting a very long scarf so much? Perhaps the success was due to a nice match of yarn and pattern. 

The handspun Alpaca was marinating in my stash until I searched, in Ravelry, for patterns knit in Alpaca and found the beautiful Trellis Scarf + Wrap from Purl Soho. Is there any design from them that you don't want to knit? 


Project details: here.

What a great feeling it is to have this scarf that I love  -- after so much time and effort spinning and plying the singles and finally knitting the yarn. I used almost 500 yards on this project. I cannot wait for winter to wear this over and over.

Work in Progress: all the chocolate

I cannot live without chocolate in my pantry...or in my stash, apparently. On my needles are "two cocoa" projects.

First, a hat using Blue Sky organic cotton in color number 623. The yarn is super soft and pleasant to knit with.  I am entering this in the Glidden Hat KAL hosted by Blue Sky Fibers. Head over to the forum for more information. Enabling Alert: there is a discount code for the pattern :-)

Also on the needles is a pair of plain vanilla socks in Online Supercocke 100 color number 904. I have been caught myself smiling at the yarn!! Perhaps due to my constant craving for all things chocolate. My favorite is dark chocolate with any kid of nuts or dried fruit. What kind of chocolate person are you? ;-)

Twins!

I am the proud mama of twin...socks! They are fraternal. It wasn't planned. Is what happens when one buy too much yarn. But, who am I to judge?

The first pair was knit with Regia 4 ply in color 7200 Moewe.

The yarn for the second pair is Opal. Unfortunately I cannot find the ball band to list the color here :-(

Both pair of socks softened when blocked. They fit wonderfully! I guess one cannot go wrong with either Regia or Opal - both workhorse yarns with fun (similar) colors.

Spinning and stashing

Another week and my master closet is not done. We are still waiting for the hardwood floor. Jumping of joy for more days of having to tour the house to complete an outfit. Shoes in one corner. Tops in the spare room and bottoms in the crafty room. Confession time: I've been wearing the same shoes out of laziness.

Also in progress is some spindle spinning. Of course, I discovered another bag of blue fiber after I was done with three skeins (blogged here). My goal is to be done tomorrow. We are going on vacation and I want an empty spindle to start a new project.

Spinning here and stashing there. Multi tasking in other words. Who could resist these two skeins of Sunshine Yarns Classic Sock? Left: Inner Child  and right: Sunstone

Talk to you after vacation. Knit, eat and smile at every opportunity!

Now a Flicker

A few weeks ago I learnt about flicking! If you are late to the party just like me, flicking is a variation of the English knitting method. Similar to Continental, flicking facilitates both hands to stay in the needles instead of dropping a needle to throw the yarn as you do with traditional English knitting.

Fascinated by the possibility of reducing hand movements and therefore knitting a bit faster, I've watched a good number of YouTube videos to learn the technique. If interested, I recommend you do do a search on "Flicking knitting" in YouTube.

Knitting a cowl with simple knit and purl stitches is providing good practice on this new to me technique. I am a convert, my friends!

There is not much to say now about my WIP as it is just a few rows in. I will blog about the pattern and yarn in a later post.

About Stash Enhancement

Still valid is my goal of being mindful about stash enhancements. I am not one to get stressed about any upcoming show update. I don't have to knit with the hottest yarn in the market. But, if a skein strikes my fancy, I will let it come home without guilt.

I am enamored  with this Swans Island yarn. Check out their beautiful website: here.

Organic Merino | 525 yards | Fingering Weight | Natural Color Collection

The second skein screams "tropical spring" to me. It is from Three Irish Girls.

Adorn Sock | 430 yards | Fingering Weight | Wendy Darling colorway

Don't you think the yarns go along well? I need pattern ideas. Suggestions are very welcomed.

For a very practical discussion about stash enhancement, I recommend watching episode three of the "Hand Me My Knitting" podcast around the 22:41 time mark. Link here.

My Quiet Journey

Anyone out there? It is so nerve wracking to post after a long hiatus.

My unintended break gave me space to accept that I cannot do it all every single day. It gave me stenght to recognize that something gotta give. Knitting, spinning, posting, social media took a back seat as I was too overwhelmed with changes, unrealistic expectations and some failures. Things took a turn when I came back from a short vacation and decided to embark in a healthier eating and exercising journey. Slowly, but steadily, getting back to crafting eased my mind and changed my mood. Body and mind are now in a calmer and happier state.

With that...here is a finished object!

My Quiet Journey is finished. The pattern was a gift from a dear friend, Andi of My Sister's Kniter. I want to knit this again but in Fingering weight.

The shawl used three skeins of O-Wool DK Legacy, base that is apparently discontinued. Luckily, O-Wool still carries Classic Worsted.

Look at that color and stitch definition...can I ask for more?

Project page: here.

Another week, another shawl

This pattern cannot be more simple; endless garter stitches with purl rows here and there. Some might find this very boring. I decided it was a perfect source of relaxation after hectic workdays. Call it garter therapy.

The yarn is the protagonist. Tern is, like other Quince & Co. yarns, a pleasure to knit with. The shawl is light and easy to wear. I think it will transition well into Spring.

I love the wrong side of the shawl...apparently...hmm...see above for details :-)

Pattern: The Big Blue by Meg Gadsbey
Ravelry project page: here

(Public service announcement: dark chocolate is full of antioxidants = good for you, good for me!)

Having a great time

Hello February! You are my favorite, my birthday month. Trying to make this month all about pampering and having a great time doing what I love most...

I was eager to knit with Quince & Co. Tern. It is an exquisite 25% linen and 75% wool blend. I am using two skeins of color Kelp. I want this yarn to shine; to be the center of attention. Hence a simple pattern: The Big Blue by Meg Gadsbey / Atelier Yarn.

It is quite a relaxing project. Even more enjoyable has been to keep my hands soft and hydrated with these Loccitane lotions -- thanks Santa for a perfect knitter's gift!

Hope that you are finding peace everyday--no matter how stressful the daily world (and US politics) news can be. Be kind to yourself. Retreat, meditate and knit. It makes the difference.

Let's cast on 2017

I am ready for washing and blocking my last knit of 2016. I have high hopes for this scarf!

Nothing beats the excitement of planning the first projects of the year. What would that be? It might be a pattern from Home & Away by Hannah Fettig. Think Lesley Pullover. Perhaps it is spinning a gradient. Or both? I declare this the year of no-guilt crafting!

Endless possibilities. Feels good. Let's cast on 2017.

Pop of color

Blocked and seamed is this cowl inspired by the Mustard Scarf by Jane Richmond. Cast on the number of stitches per pattern but keep knitting until there wasn't any yarn left.  Then seamed the edges and voila!

Three loops, two loops....

Apparently, orange is my new black. Latest handspun, hats and cowl? All orange!

First time using Rowan Pure Wool and definitely not the last one. It is not the softest but nice enough to be close to my skin.

Project page: here

The making of...

...the last handspun of the year!

On a beautiful day, divide fiber with gusto and find a beautiful box to store it.

Second, try out your new fiber toy to ply singles.

Third, dance to your favorite music while admiring your last handspun of the year.

Last, post on the blog and wish everyone who reads a Happy, happy New Year! xo

A New Way to Think About Hats

A new way to think about hats: one cannot have too many.

In my opinion, a perfect hat must fit comfortably and be fun to knit. The following met the criteria.

One of those days that I felt like re inventing the wheel, I combined hand-dyed fibers from my stash to create some crazy happy yarn. It was perfect for a Rikke hat.

Hat number two made an appearance on the blog as a WIP in...2015 (shame!). Pattern is L'Arbre by Cirilia Rose.

The Vermonter by Abi Gregorio is the definition for instant gratification. I have some left over yarn for a pom-pom!

Hope that you all enjoy the holidays with our loved ones. Wishing you love, peace and more knitting time in the New Year. 

Forget FOs, think WIPs

Today is my first of a few days off work. I want nothing but to have a joyful time with my family, spinning wheel and knitting.

First project in the needles is this scarf inspired by a free pattern from Jane Richmond, Mustard Scarf. I plan on using up all the yarn, making it longer than instructed. I am almost decided on seaming the ends and converting into an infinity scarf. I will make the decision after blocking.

Also in progress are the Maine mittens from Carrie Bostick Hoge's Swoon Maine book. They are very easy and quick to knit. One done, one to go.

Finally, I have been spending quality time with my spinning wheel and some Pigeonroof Superwash BFL. The colors are spectacular!

What are you working on? If you are in the United States, I hope you have a nice and safe holiday.

Handspun warmth

"Life must be lived and curiosity kept alive. 

One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life." 

--Eleanor Roosevelt

And with that...let's turn our attention to wool.

The iconic Age of Brass and Steam came back home. This time with a few modifications such as: handspun Alpaca yarn (dark brown), stripes and picot edging. This is my third Age of Brass and definitely not the last.

I am amazed of how well the stitches look considering most of the shawl is my handspun. The light brown is commercial Brown Sheep in Sports weight.

Keeping the handspun theme, this is my latest skein. It is Corriedale handprinted by the wonderful and local Gale's Art. And art it is.

Have a mindful, peaceful weekend. Keep creating....