Day 7: My knitting and crochet time

Write about your typical crafting time. When it is that you are likely to craft – alone or in more social environments, when watching TV or whilst taking bus journeys. What items do you like to surround yourself with whilst you twirl your hook like a majorette’s baton or work those needles like a skilled set of samurai swords. Do you always have snacks at hand, or are you a strictly ‘no crumbs near my yarn!’ kind of knitter.

Well, I will start off by saying that I don't typically get to knit everyday...although I'd like to. A big reason why I knit is because for me, it is often a stress reliever. Knowing that, it makes sense that after a long day, I would want to knit when I get home or before bedtime. But sometimes if, for example, I'm working on a pattern that takes a bit of brain power, I am just too tired to work on it and opt for some TV time instead. :) With that being said, here are some answers to today's posting topics...

• I do enjoy knitting alone (like I said, to relieve some stress)...but I also enjoy social knitting as well. When I lived in Monterey, I belonged to a knitting/crocheting circle and we met at various restaurants around town. It was something I always looked forward to, because we would get together and talk about all kinds of things...what was going on in our lives, or swoon over the Sunshine Yarns update that week. :) I loved it! And now that I'm in Charlotte, I have also started going to a knitting group everyday Sunday, put on by a LYS closeby. For me right now, it's a great chance to get out of my apt. and meet new people, while getting to practice my hobby and learn new things!
• I...
• DO take my yarn on travel trips (whether in the car, as a passenger of course, or flying)
• DO knit while in line for a *special* midnight movie premier (Jenn...you know I'm talking about Eclipse here!)
• DON'T knit while in line for the grocery store...I have read about how people do this, but honestly, I'm never in line for that long. I feel as though I would no more get my knitting out and ready, and it'd be my turn to check-out.
• Other things I will do while knitting:
• Talk on the phone
• Watch TV
• Watch a movie I've seen a million times, because then I really don't have to pay attention :P
•  Things I will consider having around me when I knit:
• Wine :)
• Big cup of tea

*Well, hope you enjoyed my Knitting & Crochet Blog Week! :) Tune in next year!!

Day 4: Where are they now?

Write about the fate of a past knitting project. Whether it be something that you crocheted or knitted for yourself or to give to another person. An item that lives with you or something which you sent off to charity.


There are a lot of different aspects to look at when looking back at a knitting project and it can make for interesting blogging, as much of the time we blog about items recently completed, new and freshly completed. It is not so often that we look back at what has happened to these items after they have been around for a while.


How has one of your past knits lived up to wear. Maybe an item has become lost. Maybe you spent weeks knitting your giant-footed dad a pair of socks in bright pink and green stripes which he then ‘lost’. If you have knit items to donate to a good cause, you could reflect on the way in which you hope that item is still doing good for it’s owner or the cause it was made to support.

I've decided to talk about 2 projects or knitted objects and where they are now. One is a scarf that I knitted for myself and have gotten quite a bit of wear out of. The other scarf is one that I knit for a good cause...

(1) Dipped Infinity Scarf (pattern by Laura Chau)

I stumbled upon this pattern because Dani over at Sunshine Yarns (you do realize my obsession by now, right?!) started dyeing yarn for these kits. She has created various color schemes and sold the yarn, along with the pattern, as a kit. I ended up buying the Secret Garden color scheme and I just love the way the colors blend together. The pattern was very easy to master and a quick knit!

I have worn this scarf many a time (although for some reason, I don't have any pics of me wearing it)...it really goes great with a lot of different outfits and it keeps my neck SO warm! Here are some pics of the scarf, which definitely showcase the amazing colors:

What do you think? Aren't the colors gorgeous?! I imagine I will continue to get lots of use out of this one!

(2) Red Heart HeartScarves (designed by Treva McCain)

"HeartScarves provides handmade red scarves to members of our WomenHeart Support Networks and to women undergoing cardiac procedures. The red scarves offer comfort; support and encouragement for any woman with heart disease and become a part of her healing journey. For every kit purchased Red Heart will donate $3 to WomenHeart." ~ Red Heart website

I bought this kit last Spring, knit it up and sent it off with a hand-written note. I really hope it found its way to a woman undergoing cardiac issues and provided some comfort and support to her through the difficult time.  

Day 1: A Tale of Two Yarns

Topic: Part of any fibre enthusiast’s hobby is an appreciation of yarn. Choose two yarns that you have either used, are in your stash or which you yearn after and capture what it is you love or loathe about them.

Well, the first yarn that I am going to talk about has been mentioned MANY times before on this blog. Anyone that has read my knitting/yarn-themed posts, has read about my obsession with Sunshine Yarns!! This yarn is hand-dyed by the super talented Dani and she sure knows how to dye yarn! She uses luscious base yarn (not sure what kind it is) and combines colors that just scream amazing. She also creates themed colorways, such as for characters in the Twilight series (Alice's Porsche, Esme Island, Jasper), Harry Potter series (Lupin, Slytherin Green), Alice and Wonderland (Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter), etc. It's so fun to see her interpretations of these colorways and I always check back for new items that I can't resist! :)

This is just some of my Sunshine Yarns stash!

The second yarn I'm going to mention is a new yarn that I just started working with...Mirasol Sulka. It's 60% Merino Wool/20% Alpaca/20% Silk and it is so lovely to work with!! I am currently making a cowl out of the book Mirasol Mini Knits that I picked up from a LYS. It's so soft, easy to work with, and comes in an array of beautiful colors...I highly recommend picking up some of this for your next project!

Mirasol Sulka in Snow White

Surprise Package

I was super excited when I opened up the mailbox yesterday and found a package from one of my good friends, Jenn, over at Piles of Patterns! She has always been so thoughtful and knew just what I needed:

A thoughtful note, yummy Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark & some of my favorite yarn (this one's called "Sunshine Yams")...isn't it gorgeous?! Very pumpkin-y and fallish :) I can't wait to knit something up with it. 

Thanks so much Jenn! You're the best :)

Time for an Update

Well I figured it was time for an update...things have been a little crazy around my neck of the woods. Hopefully they'll calm down here in a few weeks. So here's what's been going on:

• All of our stuff arrived from the movers...I opted to unpack it (when the military moves you, you can have the movers unpack your boxes for you) so that I could go through everything and put things where I wanted them to go. Here's the aftermath of the unpacking:

It was madness I tell you!!

• My mother came to Omaha again to help me unpack...she was a godsend! She is amazing at cleaning and organizing...she did so many loads of laundry and loads in the dishwasher. Thank you MOM! :) Anyway, we got to explore a little bit more around the greater Omaha area...I took her to Garden Ridge (it's one of her favorite stores). If you don't know or haven't ever been to a GR, it's basically a large decor store (frames, mirrors, pictures, pillows, candles, holiday decor, etc....at REALLY good prices)! Plus, we checked out Texas Road House (Mmmm!) and the Nebraska Brewing Company (the beer was awesome, food was so-so...I'm eager to try it again with the hubby).

• I finished a knitted pair of socks...my first ever FINISHED pair of socks! I have attempted 3 other pairs and have yet to finish any of them...I have the '2nd sock syndrome' and just couldn't seem to get over it. But, the knitting group that I was involved with in Monterey had started a sock-a-long (basically a version of a knit-a-long in which a group of knitters start a project together and vow to finish it in a timely manner). The deadline is at the end of September so I'm proud to say that I finished in plenty of time! :) Here they are start to finish:

 I even used some of my yummy Sunshine Yarns yarn that I've been dyeing to work with...this one is called 'Bella'

• The apartment is coming along very nicely...I know I've promised pictures and they are coming. I just want to surprise the hubby when he gets to Omaha, and since he's a follower of the blog, I don't want him to see anything that might ruin the surprise! ;) But, I promise, I can't wait to show you guys what all I've accomplished with it. It's so much more homier than when I first got here and is really starting to come together.

• Speaking of the husband...he is finally done with his training. He left Monterey 6 months ago for some training and other than seeing him a few days in May...it's been a LONG, LONELY, HARD couple of months. He is done and I will be seeing him in a few days...and I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to see him and for us to be back together. 

• And, I am happy to report that I've been working out pretty regularly. And it feels great! There's a small fitness center in the clubhouse of our apt. complex, so I've been running on the treadmill, riding the bike and working my arms out a bit. I've also been alternating that with running outside about 1-2 miles. I hate running...but I know I should do it and after awhile, it won't be so hard!

That's about it for now...just mainly working, watching TV (I think DVR is the greatest invention ever...this is my first time having it), and hanging out with the pups. Happy Hump Day!

Knit & Crochet Blog Week: Day 3

One Great Knitter Write about a knitter whose work (whether because of project choice, photography, styling, scale of projects, stash, etc) you enjoy. If they have an enjoyable blog, you might find it a good opportunity to send a smile their way.

Day 3 Answer:

Well...my answer will be a little bit different that the description above. Because, currently a knitter/professional yarn dyer that I enjoy and admire is Dani from Sunshine Yarns!! I first heard about Dani's yarn after joining the knitting meet-up group that I attend weekly. A few girls in the group were talking about this yarn dyer who had Twilight-inspired skeins of yarn. I was like...hold up! What?! Oh my gosh, I've got to check this out...and I've been addicted ever since. She has become so popular, in fact, that on the days of her store update (usually Tuesdays at 11 MST), her yarn sells out in approx. 20 minutes!! It's insane!

Her eye for color and color combos is extraordinary!! She can see a picture or see something in nature and imagine a skein of yarn with those exact colors...and execute it down to the last detail! You just have to check it out. But, not only does she dye her own yarn, she also knits, blogs and personally deals with her customers in such a heart-felt way! She is amazing, basically!

For all you Twilight fans...she has colorways for Bella, Edward, Edward's Volvo, Twilight Baseball, Rosalie, Alice, Alice's Porsche, Bella's Truck, Bella's Lullaby, New Moon, Wolfsong...just to name a few. There are many more. Oh, and she has Harry Potter colorways as well. I'm telling you, she's got good stuff! :)

My FIRST Sunshine Yarns purchase..."Esme Island" in sport weight