Radiating Star Blanket

It’s a perfect day just to stay home in the cool indoors, watch a Lifetime movie and of course, knit, knit, knit.  I’m working on a wonderful pattern by Alexis Layton ~ “Radiating Star Blanket” ~ for a baby gift for my hubby’s manager (he and his wife are expecting their first baby).  So far this project is fast, easy and will turn out very pretty.  I can’t wait to see how it looks when I’m done.  I’ve chosen Bernet Softee Chunky yarn in cream for this project, but I’m planning to knit a few more for Christmas gifts and will use organic or wool yarns.   This is such a neat pattern and reminds me of heirloom pieces of long ago.

Alexis Layton ~ Radiating Star Blanket

Bulky Cardigan

I just finished up my bulky cardigan that I’ve been knitting in Lion Brand’s Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, using a sweater pattern that I highly modified.  This was a very fast project that knitted up very quickly, which I love.  Downside, the sleeves turned out quite a bit wider than I would have wished for and next time I will make then a little less wide.  All in all, this cardigan will be great for road trips, staying warm in the house and for walks this winter.  I’m still laughing a bit at myself, as it doesn’t quite get cold enough in Phoenix for heavy sweaters, but I have to have bulky cardi in my closet!

 

 

Happy knitting!

Cap sleeve cardi…..

I finished my bulky weight cardigan that was knitted up using yarn from my stash ~ Lion Brand Thick & Quick in Hazelnut.  At first, I was going to knit a pull over sweater, but when I finished the back, I decided to create a cardigan instead.  It turned out fairly well and it will be nice and toasty warm, but now I’m laughing.   I have no clue when I’ll be able to wear this finished cardi, as it never gets cold enough in Phoenix, but as hubby mentioned, it might come in handy when we travel.   I truly hope that will be the case, otherwise my Mom might inherit a new cardigan for her birthday this year.

Meantime while  perusing patterns on Ravelry, I came across a “Cap Sleeve Cardi” by Debbie Bliss.  This sweater is perfect for summer wear and will also be great to layer with.  I can’t wait to get started and have decided to use my stash of Schachenmayr Denim in Blue.  I love cables and think this will be the perfect summer project, in between all the others I’ve got going.

I’ve been enjoying the Cast On  podcasts today.   Brenda Dayne provides such fun, informative and different points of views to knitting, and she interviews terrific folks.  It’s great to knit and listen to what she has to say.

Happy knitting!

Happy 4th!

Today is a day of remembrance, the day we gained our Independence, our freedom, and the freedom to worship.  What would our nation be today, if our fore fathers hadn’t fought and died to give us these freedoms!  God bless America!  Also, thank you to all the men and women of our armed forces that protect and serve our country so we can continue to have these freedoms ~ let “freedom” ring!

I have posted a fun and very patriotic project, so please take a peak ! (photo: Knitting on the Net)

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

What sheep am I?

I just read about this quiz on a friends website and had to take it.  According to the  quiz  I just took on Clara Parkes website, I’m  a Shropshire, a “Down and Down” type wool.  “Down and Down type wools feel bouncy and crisp, and they are often used as filler in wool yarns because they give lightweight bulk to the finished product.” ~ Clara Parkes, from the “Knitter’s Book of Wool“

Saturday and knitting

Ahh…. Saturdays – a time for peace, quiet and tranquility from the hustle and bustle of the city.  I’ve been enjoying my Saturday.  Today has been a time to organize, clean, straighten, write and sit down with a cup of coffee  to knit.  I haven’t really had the desire to go out of the house today, well I mean out, like shopping and things.  It’s been a pleasant morning of catching up with friends and family, and to give that pooch of ours a trim and bath.

I’ve been working on a warm cardigan that I’m knitting from my stash of ever growing yarn.  I can’t wait to get it finished to take photos – it’s going to be great for traveling.  I’m using up skeins of Lion Brand Thick & Quick.  I love this yarn – it’s fast knitting.  I’m rather improvising my pattern, so hopefully it will turn out as good as I hope.

Oh how I miss the coolness of the mountains today and the four seasons of Kentucky.  I did venture out to my LYS for just a bit as I was in much need of four more skeins of the Vintage Wool by Berroco.  It’s really hard to knit using wool when you live in a desert and since I’m a “fall” person by nature, I don’t get too excited about summer knitting.   I also really miss Sophie’s Fine Yarn Shop in Louisville – Barb was the friendliest person ever, as well as her employees.  I miss friendly – here, everyone is in a rush to get you out of the shop.  Maybe soon we can venture back to Kentucky or to a cooler climate.  Until then – it’s knit on!

I did manage to get a close up of our little female hummingbird.  She’s a cutie!

Happy knitting!

A little “Bach” anyone

My dearest friend just sent me the neatest video and I had to share.  What fun and it’s amazing that it actually sounds like Bach!  Enjoy and happy knitting.

Cable Eye Glass Case

I just finished a fun little project that is perfect for using left over wool yarn, or any other type of yarn for that matter, and is a cable eye glass case.  This pattern is very fast and great for a beginner knitter learning cables.  I just posted the pattern on Ravelry and you can visit my “Pattern” page for purchasing.  Happy knitting~

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

July 15th is just around the corner and I can’t wait to see this movie! 

It’s time for a little Harry Potter knitting – think I need to knit a hat, scarf and mittens.  Ahhh… but what to wear to the HP movie as it’s the middle of summer and very hot in Phoenix???? 

Maybe Gilly Weed Socks by Rosemary Waits …. Hmmm, better get to knitting!

Hummingbirds and Bunnies

My hubby and I have been having loads of fun trying out our new camera.  This morning, I got really good shots of our visiting hummingbird and the sweetest photo of the bunny that visits my in-laws yard every day.   I love taking photos of birds, bunnies and nature ~ it brings a calm and peace to the ever stressful world we live in.  So, I thought I would share a couple of photos to bring a smile to your face.  Enjoy and of course, happy knitting!

 

Hummingbird enjoying our red sage

 

Two friends (above)

Enjoying the grass