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 3: Tidy mind, tidy stitches

How do you keep your yarn wrangling organized? It seems like an easy to answer question at first, but in fact organisation exists on many levels. Maybe you are truly not organized at all, in which case I am personally daring you to try and photograph your stash in whatever locations you can find the individual skeins. However, if you are organized, blog about an aspect of that organisation process, whether that be a particularly neat and tidy knitting bag, a decorative display of your crochet hooks, your organized stash or your project and stash pages on Ravelry.

Unfotunately this post is going to be an epic fail!! :( So, you can see the topic for Day 3 above (and I even checked out the "wildcard" topic to see if I could go with that one instead...but no)...and unfortunately I'm not going to be able to show you how I keep my yarn/knitting organized. Since I just recently moved, I only got to take SOME of my yarn (yes, you can all gasp now), therefore it is literally all in one storage bin. And it's really not even worth showing. The rest of my stash IS coming to me soon though, via the hubby!

I have great plans (someday down the road) of having a fiber room...yes, a whole room dedicated to my yarn, knitting and crafting supplies! I can't wait!!! And I'm hoping to at least get to the point here in my new apt. where I can dedicate an area of the bedroom to my stash (all in neat little bins...maybe, sorted by color)! :) Doesn't it sound lovely?? Like this...

source

Haha...okay, so my stash isn't that big, but OMG, it's awesome, isn't it?!

Whenever I do get organized, I'll make sure to re-do this post and showcase it all!

Day 2: Skill + 1UP

Look back over your last year of projects and compare where you are in terms of skill and knowledge of your craft to this time last year. Have you learned any new skills or forms of knitting/crochet (can you crochet cable stitches now where you didn’t even know such things existed last year? Have you recently put a foot in the tiled world of entrelac? Had you even picked up a pair of needles or crochet hook this time last year?

Well, I wouldn't say that I have really increased my skill level(s) much since this time last year. Unfortunately, I've just been moving all over the place this past year, so there was a lot of time in which I haven't been knitting (I know, crazy huh?!). I will note a few things:

• This time last year, I had just begun to learn to crochet...and although I still prefer to knit, I did crochet a few projects and learned a handful of stitches, before I left Monterey. Why you ask before Monterey, well one of my good friends there is an avid crocheter, so I had a go-to person that I could ask a million questions to. :) Thanks Jenn! Pics of a few crochet projects:

Turtle that was given as a baby gift:

Another baby blanket:

• I typically have "single sock syndrome" which means that I have no problem finishing 1 sock, but that second sock always gets me. I get done with the first one and just can't seem to find the motivation to start (let alone, finish) that darn, 2nd sock! ;) So, I learned how to knit socks 2-at-a-time over the past year...but to no surprise, I haven't come anywhere close to finishing the pair! Hehe...

I will say though, that I enjoy this method and I believe that once I pick this project up again, that I will successfully complete 2 socks at the same time and jump for joy! :P (P.S. The socks above are knit with Sunshine Yarn, and for all of you Twilight fans, the colorway is called: Edward's Volvo!! It's so lovely)

Honestly...that's all I got! I know, I feel like a slacker...but I have high hopes for this next year, in terms of learning more skills and gaining knowledge on my craft(s)!! :P Here's a list of things I want to learn:

• Double-knitting
• Intarsia
• Socks - toe up!
• Mastering the...SWEATER!
• Fair isle

***Wish me Luck!***



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

Upcoming: Knitting and Crochet Blog Week!

Stay tuned...

 

Re-Cap of 2010

Well, 2010 was definitely an interesting, enjoyable...but difficult year. A lot happened and when thinking about some of things that I accomplished, I am pretty pleased! :) But I still feel like I can do more and I intend to in 2011! So, here are a few things that stand out to me when thinking back on 2010:

• I started off 2010 by becoming a vegetarian...well, more like a pescetarian (I still ate seafood)...it wasn't very difficult for me to do and I felt like I made much better choices for the most part, incorporating a lot more fruits/veggies into my meals.

• I started my blog and began writing posts related to food, crafting and events occurring in my life. I still struggle with posting regularly, for some reason I just can't post everyday...and I definitely feel as though my blog lacks focus. I have brainstormed a few ideas and, who knows, maybe the blog will change with the new year! ;)

• I learned how to crochet...I was taught how to knit back in the summer of 2007 and have knit ever since, but just this past year I picked up crocheting. I would still say that I prefer knitting, but it's great to know both because they both create very different-looking end products.

• The hubby bought me a sewing machine and I began learning how to use it, attending sewing class with my friend Jenn and knitting up various items: zippered pouches, knitting handbags, and even an apron! I am still learning but it is a very fun hobby to have!

• My sister got married in the summer...in Seattle, WA, where they live. I got to see and spend time with all of my immediate family and we had a great celebration to be remembered for sure!

• We moved from Monterey, CA to Omaha, NE in the early months of Fall...BIG change, but it felt great to be back in the Midwest. Said goodbye to the ocean, some awesome restaurants/seafood and some amazing friends...and said hello to flat land, cold winter months and steak. But we are closer to family and we really like it here, so it was a good move.

• Ran the farthest that I think I have ever run in my life...began running on outdoor trails behind our apartment complex in Omaha and worked up to a total run of 6 miles! It wasn't easy and I ran very slow at first, but it felt like a big accomplishment...now that it's cold outside, the treadmill is unfortunately, my enemy! :/

• I started eating meat again, after a few months in Omaha...it was a decision I thought about for quite sometime. I still eat more seafood than anything and only occasionally eat red meat.

Some difficult things I endured in 2010:

• I spent 6 months apart from my hubby when he left Monterey for some military training (before our move to Omaha, NE). I wouldn't wish time apart like that for anyone...we would talk almost every day and I tried to keep myself as busy as I could, but it was still one of the hardest things about this past year.

•  I finally had my tonsils taken out...this has been on my to-do list since 2008. I have had numerous problems  with them over the years and decided to just get it over with. It was a ridiculously awful recovery, but I had great friends who visited and brought me liquids...and I got through it! (And yes, this occurred after the hubby left! :0)

• Living so far away, I didn't get to visit home very often...11 months, in fact, before I made it back to Illinois = home. 

********************************************************************************************

The hubby and I were able to spend the holidays visiting our families in Illinois...and it was so great to spend time with everyone!! There were lots of presents, tons of food and too many sweets! :) My favorite gifts were: a book I've been wanting: Breaking Night, the Eclipse movie (I know, right?! It's crazy that I hadn't bought it for myself when it came out), a Keurig one-cup coffee maker and some gorgeous new red dishes (that we have desperately been needing/wanting)...and lots lots more that I am enjoying! :) 

And then the hubby and I spent New Years Eve back in Omaha...it's crazy, because this is the only the second year (since we met) that we have spent both holidays together. It was nice!

Goals for 2011 to come...

Don't You Love When You Win Things?!

My knitting meetup group recently had a raffle to help raise money for the group and

I WON!!

Haha, I never win anything...and it was too funny...our group organizer who was holding the raffle was sitting next to me that night and she asked someone else to pull the winning ticket. I quickly volunteered, totally not expecting to pull my own name...but low and behold, I DID! Everyone was laughing and I was like, OMG, I totally didn't pull my name on purpose! It was too funny!

But look at all of the lovely goodies that I received:

A cute little basket with bow, including:

• A handmade project bag for one small knitting project
• A handmade "goodies" bag which can be used to tote necessary knitting tools (needles, scissors, etc.)
• A skein of Patons Pure cotton yarn
• A crochet hook
• Extra-long knitting needles
• Little notepad to keep in my knitting tote in case I need to make a pattern note or keep track of my stitches

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all of it and am so excited to use all of it! Thanks to Jenn and Heather especially for contributing to the raffle and its handmade goods! :)

Knit & Crochet Blog Week: Day 5

Location, Location, Location

Where do you like to indulge in your craft? Is your favorite arm chair your little knitting cubby area, or do you prefer to ‘knit in public’? Do you like to crochet in the great outdoors, perhaps, or knit in the bath, or at the pub?

Day 5:

I knit at home a lot on the couch...but I meet up weekly to knit with a group of girls/ladies at various restaurants/pubs around the Monterey area! We love it and it is so much fun to knit with others! We talk about knitting until we're blue in the face! ;)

Knit & Crochet Blog Week: Day 4

A New Skill

Is there a skill related to your hobby that you hope to learn one day? maybe you’re a crocheter who’d also like to knit? Maybe you’d like to learn to knit continental, knit backwards, try cables or attempt stranded colourwork.

Day 4:

My list of things I'd like to learn:

• Continental knitting (holding yarn with left hand)
• Stranded colourwork
• Knit backwards (I honestly have never heard about this)
• Learn how to crochet more (I did start crocheting earlier this year, but am not that great at it yet)
  

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

Day 2: Knit & Crochet Blog Week

Today's blog/Day 2:

An Inspirational Pattern

Blog about a pattern or project which you aspire to. Whether it happens to be because the skills needed are ones which you have not yet acquired, or just because it seems like a huge undertaking of time and dedication, most people feel they still have something to aspire to in their craft. If you don’t feel like you have any left of the mountain of learning yet to climb, say so!

My inspirational pattern:

Yeah, this puppy, right here!

It's a Seahorse Afghan and it's 50" x 60". I love how the pattern has the seahorses right next to each other, going different directions. I just think it's beautiful! But, come on...this thing would take months!!! It is definitely a project that would undertake lots of time and dedication. But I definitely aspire to complete it one day!

Day 1: Knit & Crochet Blog Week

So, it's Knit and Crochet Blog Week (who knew?) :) meaning there will be a new post everyday regarding knitting/crocheting! I know, you all may get tired of reading about my knitting obsession, but I support my craft!!

Another blogger, Eskimi Knits, came up with this idea, to host a Knit & Crochet Blog Week, and also created the topics for each days bloggings:

Here's todays:

Starting Out

How and when did you begin knitting/crocheting? was it a skill passed down through generations of your family, or something you learned from Knitting For Dummies? What or who made you pick up the needles/hook for the first time? Was it the celebrity knitting ‘trend’ or your great aunt Hilda?

So...

I began knitting in the Summer of 2007. I had just started graduate school at SIUC earlier that year and had met a good friend, Susan, as she was one year ahead of me in my program. I found out that she was a knitter the year prior when I came for a departmental visit. At the visit, we met all of the current students, including Susan, and she was just knitting away on a couch in the department lounge. After my first year was over, I realized that I needed a de-stresser and something to take my mind off school/thesis/etc., even if just for an hour at a time. And Susan had been nudging me to take up knitting...and that she'd teach me. She did, and I became obsessed. While we were still in school together, we worked on a few projects together, which included fingerless mittens (so cute!) and we continue to share projects and talk knitting every once in awhile...even though we're states apart! Thanks Susan! You were such a great teacher and I'm so glad you started me on such a great hobby! :)

Here's us in action on our mittens:

Knitting in Circles

So, a couple of weeks ago, I decided to join a meet-up group that involved knitters/crocheters. If anyone doesn't know what meetup.com is, it's a website where you can search for groups around your area that are tailored to specific interests (running, knitting, yoga, etc.)...one of its major goals is for people who have just moved to an area and don't know many people to, you guessed it, meet new people!

Well, my first meet-up was last week and I had a blast! The group meets once or twice a week at various restaurants, pubs and coffee shops around the Monterey area. Everyone is so friendly and I mean, sitting around with fellow knitters/crocheters...talking about knitting...my kind of get-together! :) I've been knitting for quite some time, but I feel like I've been kind of out of the knitting "loop" for awhile...and now I feel refreshed and ready to continue my obsession.

A couple of the girls told me about a woman, living in Colorado, who dyes her own yarn. Now, dying yarn is a complicated and tedious process...not just anyone can pick up the trade! I go to check out her website, and holy crap...she has some of the most beautiful yarn that I have ever seen! She is literally a genius in this stuff! I mean, I couldn't resist...

"Esme Island"

How beautiful is that skein of yarn??!! And yes, some of you might recognize the name "Esme Island"...she has an entire collection/line of Twilight-inspired yarn. Bella's Truck, Forks, Edward's Volvo...just to name a few! Let's just say she is one talented yarn dyer and I plan to continue to purchase from this woman. Oh, and let me tell you...she updated her store this past week and the new yarn that she put up literally sold out in a matter of minutes (I watched it happen)!! You can find her yarn at Sunshine Yarns *Check it out

I also ordered this kit from Red Heart yarns for HeartScarves.



Basically, it's a kit that comes with everything you need to knit/crochet a scarf (yarn, needles, pattern) AND after you knit the scarf, you send it to the WomenHeart Support Network and they deliver it to a woman undergoing cardiac surgery or rehabilitation.

I mean, come on, how awesome is that!! The whole program was designed so that everyday knitters' scarves could offer support, comfort and hope to a woman undergoing cardiac surgery or rehabilitation. I just started on it, but will definitely post pics when I'm finished...the pattern is really pretty.

Finally, (I know, I told you I was back to my knitting obsessed-self), I taught myself how to crochet last weekend. Well, I only learned one stitch, the single crochet (sc) but it was quite weird to use only 1 needle, versus 2 in knitting. I just decided to practice by using up some old yarn that I had and crochet a scarf...here's the work-in-progress and the finished product:


P.S. I am almost finished with my veggies...all that's left is 1 pea pod, so I will definitely post pictures as soon as I get the whole group together. Those things were pretty tricky...swearing was definitely involved at times! ;)

Well, I must go run some errands...I hope everyone has a great Saturday and a fun Super Bowl Sunday!

Veggie Tales

I got this new knitting book on sale after Christmas called Amigurumi Knits...

"Amigurumi", derived from the Japanese, literally means encompassing knit. It has basically come to include any knitted, or crocheted, plush creation that can be described as cute! So the book contains mini-creations such as veggies, underwater creatures, and backyard critters.

Check out the cute veggies I have made so far...

A luscious eggplant and a ripe tomato

I mean, come on...how cute are they?? Harley seems to think that they are toys, so I keep having to make sure he doesn't start chewing on them. :) I plan on giving them to one of my friends who has kids...they would be great for children to play with while they are learning to talk and identify objects. If anyone wants dibs on them, just let me know!!

*Stay tuned for more veggies...a carrot, cucumber, pea pod and garlic