loot

mom and i had a great time in nyc.

with the exception of the extra

40,000 people there to run the

NYC marathon.

we went to the new purl store.

it was heaven.

it was perfect.

it was inspiring

and it was crowded.

here is some of the loot

i could not live without.

handspun cashmere

echino oilcloth

chunky zippers

friday knitting

back by special request.
friday knitting.
but lets be honest.
i  have not knit much lately.

it is cold, grey and blustery today.
so i pulled out this sweater
that i knit last winter
while pregnant
with bean.

it was knit in one piece.
the picture on the pattern
was pretty blah
but i liked the shape.
its great for layering.

i used jade sapphire cashmere.
its dreamy.
i wish i could  knit everything in cashmere.
this would be a great with long sleeves.
maybe i am onto something.

this cold weather is making me want to knit....

enjoy

destashing

since i seem to be in full nesting mode, i decided to go through my yarn stash, believe me i have quite a stash, and have a little sale. some of this yarn is left over from my yarn shop days, some of it i bought thinking i would use it. you know how that is. but i have come to terms with the fact that this yarn is not going to be knit with my hands, and should go to a home where it will be loved and appreciated.

if you are interested in any of this yarn, email me and i will send you an invoice via paypal. i have included all the yarn stats beneath each picture. prices include shipping. sales are on a first come first serve basis. prices are for number of skeins offered as a group, not per skein. happy yarning.

SOLD***manos del uruaguay kettle dyed wool. 138 yards per skein. 14 to 18 stitches to 4 inches. needle size 8-10. color 30. 2 skeins available. retail price $13.00 per skein. your price $15.00

manos del uruaguay kettle dyed wool. 138 yards per skein. 14 to 18 stitches to 4 inches. needle size 8-10. color 14. 2 skeins available. retail price $13.00 per skein. your price $15.00

malabrigo worsted wool yarn. 216 yards. 4-5 stitches to 1 inch. needle size 7-9. color brown. 1 skein available. retail price $10.50 per skein. your price $5.00

SOLD****blue sky alpacas suri merino. 164 yards. 5-6 stitches to 1 inch. needle size 5-7. color 423, 413 and 410. 1 skein of each color available. retails for $16.00 per skein. your price $20.00

SOLD****blue sky alpacas dyed cotton. 150 yards. 4-5 stitches to 1 inch. needle size 7-9. color 627 and 615. 1 skein of each available. retail price $9.50 per skein. your price $10.00

suss yarns old fashioned. 70% merino and 30% cotton. 100 yards. 4-5 stitches to 1 inch. needle size 8-10. color grey. 10 skeins available. retail price $10.50 per skein. your price $40.00.

suss yarn brushed alpaca. 100% alpaca. 50 yards. 3 stitches to 1 inch. needle size 9-11. color ecru. 16 skeins available. retail price $17.50 per skein. your price $75.oo

SOLD***fable handknit pure baby alpaca. 145 yards. 22 stitches to 4 inches. needle size 7. color grey.9 skeins available. your price $ 35.00

SOLD****solstice by classic elite yarns. 70% organic cotton, 30% wool. 100 yards. 4-5 stitches to 1 inch. needle size 7-8. color ecru. retail price $6.00 per skein. your price $10.00.

a sweater and a winner

yesterday i finished the bean's first sweater, i figure i should knit as many as i can before he decides that they are not cool. and yes i know i have some time......i used the spud and chloe sweater yarn, which is great for babies and kids because it is machine washable and it is a blend of wool and cotton. i think it is around a 6-9 month size. i say think because i played with the gauge a bit to make it bigger, eliminating the need to redo the knitting math.

i think it is as cute as can be.

and yes, this was photographed in the bean's room, so you have a little sneak peek of the wall color.

__________________________________________________________

and now for the winner of the pure knits book giveaway.

precious husband picked a random number and the comment that corresponded with that number belonged to bonnie m. yay bonnie! so bonnie, send me your mailing address so i can send you your book.

and if i don't hear from bonnie, by the end of the weekend, i will have precious husband pick another random number.

and two for the bean

this weekend while watching football, i made two hats for the bean. i used my knot baby hat pattern and played with the stripe pattern. i really like the vertical stripes. i think that will be his "coming home from the hospital" hat. both hats were made with spud and chloe yarn, which is great for little ones because it is machine washable.

lots of cashmere

during my time in santa fe, i managed to knit two new hats for myself. i found both patterns on the purlbee and both are knit using jade sapphire cashmere. i think my hand are now forever spoiled. ( side note, cooper LOVED cashmere. we will see if the bean does as well.)

the first hat is called simple pleasures hat. it is knit using jade sapphire cashmere and silk, along with rowan kid silk haze. i have loved wearing this hat. it is lightweight and super warm, and better yet it doesn't give you hat head.

the second hat is called the dimple hat. it is knit with the jade sapphire 6 ply cashmere. it is a more refined look and fits more like a skull cap. i absolutely love the color of the yarn. the stitch pattern looks complicated, but once you get into a rhythm its all good.

i do love knitting with cashmere, if only it didn't cost so much, but these are great projects that don't break the bank. and were a nice indulgence for someone who has 7 more weeks of being pregnant.

next up..... a couple of hats for the bean.

walk in the park

i have been doing a lot of creating for others lately, and decided i needed to make a few things for myself. i am hoping that having something new to wear will help my mood. so i made list of things i want to make before the bean is born, some are small and some are more substantial. i saw the walk in the park hat and fell in love. its perfect for our sunday walks with the dogs.

i used one skein of the new cascade superwash 128 yarn. what a fabulous yarn! its soft, squishy, and knits up fast. i bought two skeins and only used one so i think i am going to take it back and make another hat in grey. i made it a little shorter in the length, mainly because i would have to use some, but not all of the second skein and i wasnt so sure if i would like the slouchy look on me. i am pleased with the results.

i am looking forward to some cooler weather and a walk in the park with my precious husband and dogs.

a blanket for the bean

i have never been a fan of garter stitch, so i was a little skeptical when i found this pattern on the purl bee. but i was in love with the yarn, specifically the colors. i carried alchemy yarns in the yarn shop for a short time and knew that their product was exceptional. i hemmed and hawed because the price was, well expensive for a baby blanket. but those colors kept calling to me. and the yarn is washable, a definite plus for a baby blanket. so i bit the bullet and placed my order.

anything for the bean, right?

i had no idea garter stitch could be so luxurious. its soft and squishy, has great stitch definition and those colors are even better in person. this pattern may be my new favorite baby blanket pattern. it looks great with the bedding that i picked out and cant wait till all the little creative details i have planned for the nursery come together.

i think that the bean will love his blanket.

i wish

i wish i had this yarn two years ago. a lovely kid silk haze like yarn with loads of tiny beads already strung on the yarn. it would have made making this dress a whole lot easier! in case you are wondering, i made this dress to wear to my little brothers rehearsal dinner. this was the knitting project that brought me to my knees, between the lace pattern and randomly hand crocheting tiny beads every 5-6 stitches, it literally kicked my ass. but i am stubborn and persevered. i had just started dating my precious husband when i started this project, he would call, and my response was always "cant talk, i am working on THE dress". i am amazed he stuck around, but he says it was worth it in the end!

friday knitting

dear knitting needles,

i want you to know that you are still my favorite, that there is nothing better than sitting on the couch with you in my hands, making something. i know you are probably feeling a little neglected and replaced because i am spending so much time with the sewing machine, looking at fabric and sewing patterns.

but dont worry, i have a big order of spud and chloe coming any day and have some big design ideas for that yarn, so you and i will be creating together very soon.

no sewing machine, or amount of fabric could ever replace you, dear knitting needles.

xo
luc