Mission In Progress: Bust This Stash!

Scarf Pattern: Scrunchable Scarf by Susan McConne (on Ravelry)

Earwarmer Pattern: Super Duper Ribbed Earwarmer by theblondeknitter (coming soon!)

Fiber: Blue Sky Alpacas Bulky in Orange(a D/C'd color) 

Needles: sz15 Boye circulars

I'm on a stash bustin' mission and these are my first FO's. It felt so good to use up this yarn that has been patiently waiting to be crafted into something fun and usable. The end result is what I'm calling them the Super Duper Xtra Long Scarf and the Super Duper Ribbed Earwarmer. Because the scarf is so long--a whopping 91 inches with the fringe--it did take a few nights to complete. The earwarmer is a pattern I designed on the fly and there will be a *FREE* PDF up for anyone to download ASAP. (I need to knit up another one and actually write down what I did!)

Well, there's plenty more stash to get through so I best skidaddle and CO another project...or several...

Imagine That!

I can do color work! WOO HOOOoooo!!!





Wednesday Hat by Kate Jackson
Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Hand Dyes
Chocolate, Red, Aqua, Ecru
sz7 Brittany dpn's

Talk About Cowliscious!

I have had the Sherbrooke Cowl pattern in my Ravelry queue for quite some time now and have only recently managed to make it appear, in all it's yummyness, as an FO. I am in love with this cowl. I truly, seriously am. Lolly, my dear, thank you.

Yes, it probably has a lot to do with the scrumptious fiber I chose to create it with. After all, it IS Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted. It may also have to do with the oh-so-fab shade of aqua that goes surprisingly well with my coloring. It definately has something to do with the simplicity of the pattern that amazingly shows up as a beautiful interweaving of seemingly intricate detail.

For me, this is the 'whole package', as far as having all the necessary ingredients in making the 'perfect' knit object which are simplistic in and of themselves. The recipe? Pattern ease, great yarn, time needed. Together, they have culminated into such a warm, soft and very, very wearable piece of knitty goodness. (And I was a cowl sceptic~shhhhhh)

Match Maker, Match Maker, Make Me A Match...

I have been really getting into making matching winterwear objects. It just seems right. Think about how lonely a hat would be without a pair of mittens to keep it company. Think about a scarf, all alone, with no hat or mittens to play with. Just think of it! It's a travesty really. It should not be so! I have resolved to remedy that with my knitwear.

So far, I have made this scarf. It needed a pal, so I made this beret for it.

Great has been the joy of the scarf!

But i cannot stop there, oh no. I am in the process of deciding on a pair of mittens to make that will round out the items to make a sweet trio of handknits. And there will be more joy!

Now, back to the needles!

I Just Have To Say...

Can I just say, I love Ravelry?
Can I just say, I love swaps?
Can I just say, I love BSA yarn?
Can I just say, thank you to Jenna (thelostsock) my spoiler?
Can I just say, I love how Jenna spoiled me during the swap on Ravelry that gave me BSA yarn and all those other perfect goodies?

Thank you. I just had to say that.

Sample, Thy Name Is Aqua

I know I've mentioned how much I love knitting for Blue Sky Alpacas, but, it really is very true. These are the BEST yarns I've worked with. They have such FABULOUS colors. They keep turning out GREAT patterns. AND, I have yet to meet a yarn I didn't like from them. I am in deep smit over these fiber purveyors and I am proud to admit it. The only thing that is challenging is trying to choose which yarn to knit with next, and then, what color?! I guess I'll just have to find a way to get them all. Bummer. ;)

Two Button Hat Set in Worsted Hand Dyes (Aqua 2017) pattern by Sylvia Hager

For You Stash Voyeurs

Q: Isn't it nice when others share photos of their stash with people who will really appreciate it?
A: YES! so I am. or is it so am I? hmmmm...

these are the latest additions to my ever-growing stash pile (cheshire cat-like grin). meet my BSA worsted *NKOTB in green, purple, cranberry, chocolate, rusty and red. these colors are just fabulous. i had a hard time getting the color just right and i can tell they're still not perfect. they're very vibrant and man is this yarn soft! i have big plans for you, my new pretties...big plans...

*extra points if you read this and got it without thinking about it or needing to reread it!

Finished Fetchings

Blue Sky Alpacas recently came out with their Skinny Cotton so of course, I NEEDED some. I had been wanting to make a pair of fingerless gloves and cable work had already begun lulling me to her, so I figured Fetching by Cheryl Niamath would be a good place to jump in.

I cast on for the first and fell in very deep like. Easy cables, great yarn, perfect cherry red color...what more could a girl want? I admit, I got distracted (again) so these could have been done sooner. Life just seems to blow in and take over and alas, knitting seems to be a casualty.

I dare say I'll make another. I've received a lot of compliments on them already and my boss has even commissioned me for a pair~of course I'll oblige. In the meantime, I'll be working on a few other little goodies as the weather cools off more and more. brrrr...At least I'll know my close rellies will be warm this year!

The Ravelympics Are About To Commence!

all righty, i'm getting geared up for the event of the year, The Ravelympics on Ravelry! if you haven't joined, or even heard of this and you're a fiber artist of any sort, you're missing out on a heap of fun!

it's fashioned very much like the real Olympics and starts the same day, 08.08.08.

there are teams: a ton-including international ones. i'm on Team BSA-naturally.

there are events: the ones on my sidebar-as well as the sock put, amigurumi-n-toys toss, afghan marathon, cable steeplechase, shawl relay, vest vault...the list goes on.

there's even a Ravelympic Village to hang out in and meet new people, talk to teammates, get encouragements...

they are really putting on the show for this and i'm so excited to be a part of it!

Stories of Knitting and Fishing Stories

so there really has been a lot of knitting going on, it's just all been behind the scenes! we got back from camping, cleaned up and then started right back in to our lives. the trip was great. we had fun. it rained on my birthday BUT we had DQ ice cream cake in the in-laws camper while we played card games and we even braved the rain and did some fishing! yes, in the rain. it was so much fun. i even caught a small mouth bass! woo hoo! it was about 18 or so inches long and pushing 2 pounds-a definite keeper. well, it would have been, if the extremely large and apparently hungry snapping turtle hadn't decided he wanted a snack! no kidding, the head on this turtle was as big as my hand and it's body was the size of both my dogs put together. it was like the Loch Ness monster only in Minnesota in Lake Schumway. i lost my fish, but it was very intriguing to watch him devour my fish. i just stood there, mouth gaping in awe. of course i left me camera in the camper to stay warm and dry so you'll just have to believe my fish tale. it really happened. honest. just ask my brother in law who found the fish head still strung to the line with no body! his reaction was priceless.

Sneak Peek Pattern from Blue Sky Alpacas!

here's a sneak peek at another sample i did for Blue Sky recently. i'm told the pattern, Two Button Hat Set, will be out soon. it's an quick and easy knit done in their Worsted Hand Dyes. it's lightweight but nice and warm. the color used here is Putty. i knit these lovelies on size 9 Addi circulars and boy was it smooth and fast. i bet the toughest part was picking buttons!

I'm Outta Here!

i know, i finished these a little while ago. i am so very behind on my blogging and i am playing 'catch-up'. being out of town next week camping with family won't help, but don't worry, i'll leave you with a few visual goodies. ;) i hope you all have a great week and that knitting is a part of it! see ya next week!




here is my Lovebug modeling her new Hat & Wristlets. i used Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Hand Dyes in Midnight Blue and their Suri Merino in Earth. i knit them using Clover bamboo dpn's, size 11.

we had so much fun doing these 'photo shoots'. i can't believe how my wee little Princess Lovebug has grown! it's still kinda hard to think about her turning 15 this July. 15! my birthday is this Friday and i'll be turning 34 years young. man does time FLYand i'm glad to say we've even had some fun!

Baby Hoodie--A Pictorial Journey