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!

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!

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July! Hope that everyone is having a spectacular and safe day.

My husband and I have been working on remodeling our master closet. Lot's of stuff is being donated. The walls are waiting for a fresh coat of paint. The lighting is being upgraded as well as the organization system. All of that translates to hard work, money out of the door and not much knitting or grilling.

I was able to spin a gorgeous Ashland Bay Multi-Colored Merino Top that I bought from The Woolery. Colorway is Rose Quarz.

Two ounces of Fiber, woolen spun, two ply yarn at around fourteen wraps per inch which could pass for sports weight. Yardage still to be determined.

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.

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.

From the farm...

...to the stash.

Some of my treasures are rustic, simple, un-dyed. And I cannot like them more!

Humbug Farm 2 ply Border Leiceter Worsted, 4 oz, 230 yards per skein

Ross Farms 2 ply Jacob Worsted, 3.8 oz, 250 yards per skein

Snowshoe Farm, Alpaca-Merino-Nylon Sock, 500 yards per skein

Grand View Farm, Gotland Roving

Let's all wish for peaceful time for admiring our treasures and enjoying our pleasures.

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

What's with the purple?

When you are non sock knitter, every completed pair is a victory. I just finished the second Crazy Zauberball sock!!

I was one pair of socks short on the three I planned to knit last year. Rather than being defeated, I opted for extending the time frame of such goals. I am the boss of my knitting :-)

My three pairs of socks are somehow the same colors. Totally unplanned, but amusing.

I also finished spinning, plying and washing the Merino fiber. I got close to 480 yards. I am looking for a good matching color for a shawl. A bright fuchsia might look good.

Hope that you are having fun with your wool. Have a great day!

Spindrift...a gem!

I now understand all the rave about Helen Stewart's patterns. Spindrift was a joy to knit! The shawl is beautiful. Knitted in Malabrigo Sock provided for a great color and drape.

My mother has requested the same shawl in this gorgeous Lost City yarn. It is the first time that I knit a pattern twice, back to back. That should tell you something!

Hope you are enjoy your current projects. Have a great weekend!

Being in the right place at the perfect time

A few weeks ago we found ourselves on a mini vacation three hours north...more specifically: in Nashville, Tennessee. A great city that rarely disappoints in two areas that are utterly important for this family: food and crafts.

After checking in the hotel, we headed to the 12 South District. We ate at Burger Up with all the intention of stopping by Craft South with a full stomach.

Craft South is a beautiful place. From knitting to sewing to embroidery...the store carries a great supplies selection, all beautifully arranged. The staff is as friendly as the famous store owner, Ana Maria Horner, whom I I had the pleasure to meet and chat. What a beautiful, sweet and talented woman she is.

Already in cloud nine, I noticed that Natalie Chanin, from Alabama Chanin, was teaching a workshop right next to us. I have been following Ana Maria and Alabama Chanin's blogs for a long time. Their books are part of my small library. I am a fan; now more than ever.

My souvenirs are two skeins of Malabrigo Rastita in Mostaza and Quince & Co. Owl in Acacia.

Stash with moderation

My newest wool is from Boho Chic Fiber Co. It was my first time buying from this dyer. I was pleasantly surprised by the super fast shipping, nice packaging, cute note and coherent branding. Love supporting small business that have their act together!

Yarn: 75% SW Merino, 25% Nylon, 460 yards, Fingering weight

Possible patterns: High Plains Drifter or Graphic Kerchief

Fiber: Merino, Mohair and Silk Noils, 2 oz.

Enhancing the wool collection doesn't get old! As with everything, self control is key. Stash with moderation.

The trip and the yarns

We spent a few good days in New York City. Can't complain of anything but a drastic transition of ending vacation on Monday to working long hours the next four days. Oh well, that job also pays for my wool.

In NYC, I visited the usual suspects--Knitty City, Purl Soho and Lion Brand Studio.

From Knitty City, I picked out my first Malabrigo roving. I've read that these rovings spin like a dream. Hopefully I can get enough yarn to make a shawl like these ones--all knitted with handspun yarn.

From Purl Soho, I got yarn for hats.  The skein of Purl Soho's Merino worsted weight yarn is for the warm hat that I desperately need. The Cascade Eco Due is for a gift. I am in between Graham or the Super Soft Merino Hat for these hats.

I couldn't leave the store without choosing my first Brooklyn Tweed Shelter yarn! I got two skeins with hopes that I can get a cowl out of them. We shall see.

From the Lion Brand Yarn Studio, I got yarn for a sweater.  Below are about 1220 yards of LB Collection Superwash Merino.

We ate yummy food at places like The Grey Dog and Empanada Mama. We walked miles and miles and had a great time. I can't wait to go back. There is something magical about Manhattan!