Travel and progress

Last weekend was hectic and exciting between a visit from my best friend and a visit to the Asheville, North Carolina area for the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair. I have passed up the chance to go to SAFF the past two years, but this year I went and I am certainly glad I did!

I had the opportunity to meet some new people there, especially some dedicated farmers. I also ran into some people I know, including Liz (Carolina Knits). I spent a lot of time with the alpacas because they are the cutest, someone even brought a little baby! I wish I had taken the time to take more photos, but it was an overwhelming event!

I have been trying to finish some of my older WIPs lately, including my Nymphalidea, which is looking very nice. The colors are starting to grow on me, even though they are unconventional.

I have also been crocheting quite a bit, including starting on this Kitty Nest. I am hoping that it will be large enough for kitty to fit in, she is a very big kitty! I'm using some t-shirt yarn I made last month. I didn't think I would like the process, but it was quick and fun to do! 

You may recognize this yarn, it was a part of a blanket that is no more. I loved how it was looking, but I did not like how the resulting fabric felt, I doubted the ability of it to stay together over time. So I ripped it all out and went for the tried and true granny square style. So far it is looking very nice and I am happy with my decision.

What have you been working on? Have you changed your mind about a pattern recently?

Too many things to knit with so little time

I've been going through a challenging time in my life lately. It's been one of those inevitable periods where everything feels frustrating and difficult. I often reflect on how working with wool has provided me with the calm and focus I've needed to continue through several taxing life experiences. I've heard this sentiment from many other knitters and crocheters, that the simple rhythm of their work has helped them through loss, injury, and various other challenges. I find that fact incredibly inspiring, it connects us as a community in a profound way.

I feel as though each of my projects have been dragging on in a sense, I forget that they are each fairly large and ambitious. I've been fighting the temptation to cast on a hat for quick satisfaction.

Nymphalidea has been such a joy to work on, I've really been able to get into a comfortable rhythm with this project. The pattern is super easy to memorize and the construction is very different from the traditional shawl design. If you are like me and find shawls tedious, you'll probably find this pattern a nice change in pace. I'm not sure how I like the colors together yet.

Sock Art Forest and Malabrigo Sock (Candombe colorway)

Antique yarn blanket is reaching the point where one circular needle is not enough to contain it. I really wish I could convey the lovely smell of this yarn too, it is akin to the scent of an old book.

Antique wool yarn, unknown producer

Guston for the boyfriend is almost finished, I've knitted all of the body, except for the back of the yoke, and finished the sleeves (painfully knitted flat rather than in the round). I simply adore Rowan Pure Wool, you'll never find me knitting with any other 100% wool option again, it is a joy.

Rowan Pure Wool Worsted

Lastly, I want to share two things that have brightened my life recently:

The Irish film Frank, the trailer is not a fantastic representation of what this film has to offer, but I thought it was deep, creative, and easy to become immersed in. It is also definitely worth seeing in theaters.

If you haven't checked out maria_levine on Instagram yet, you must! She posts several times each day with gorgeous yarns and inspired cabled hats and gloves. She also has the sweetest kitties.

I hope you are all well and creating beautiful things every day!

Daybreak Shawl

I don't think I ever mentioned this project here on the blog, but I recently finished my Daybreak Shawl. This was such a quick, fun knit and a great way to use up fingering weight scraps. It also makes a gorgeous final product.

The pattern was Daybreak by Stephen West. Every pattern I've ever knit by him as been well-written and free of errors. I did have a brief issue with understanding a part of the pattern, but that was just me not double-checking my work. It was fun and easy to get into a rhythm with.

My mother also helped a bit on this one because she was low on projects to work on at the time, so that makes it even more special!

The yarn was some left over Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in the Venetian and Stargazing colorways. As always, I frequently wondered why I knit with anything other than Madelinetosh, there is nothing I don't love about their yarns. Perfection!

Also, I think I deserve some applause here, because I actually pulled out all the stops and blocked this shawl right after binding off. I suffered through it, painstakingly pinned it down, and Kitty napped on it while it dried. A good time was had by all and ultimately I was glad I did it!

Vacations and inspiration.

I had a wonderful trip to Western Massachusetts last week. It was just what I needed to clear my head and reset after a stressful academic challenge. Although I love the climate and outdoors offerings of North Carolina, I really find myself missing the culture and pace of life in New England.

After a blissful direct flight (isn't that the best?), my mother and I headed off to Webs for yarn shopping. I really wanted to purchase some yarn for some special projects and no other place has that kind of selection.

First I bought some nice gray wool for a sweater that I am knitting for my boyfriend, I have to admit that I am a little nervous about the dreaded sweater curse, but there is nothing better than pouring yourself into a project for a loved one. The sweater is Guston, published by Brooklyn Tweed and I decided that the texture of Rowan Pure Wool would complement it well.

I also found some super soft and pretty Grignasco Springfield Vintage on sale, a perfect match for Asimina's new pattern, Kusafiri. I'm so excited to be working on one of her patterns because I adore her sense of style.

..My family and I also went to the little town of Harrisville, New Hampshire to visit Harrisville Designs, one of the few remaining woolen mills left in the US. I was disappointed that the mill itself was not open for visitors; however, the beauty of the setting and their fantastic store made it worth the drive. 

..I spent some time with my brother, an apprentice woodworker, on designing a drop spindle prototype. I'm amazed at how talented (and modest) he is, it was so much fun watching him transform a small block of wood into something functional and beautiful. You can see an example of some of his recent furniture work on my mother's Flickr.

It was a fun trip, but now it's back to work! I hope you are all well and that your weeks are full of creative energy!

Age of Brass and Steam Shawl

Here's another finished project that has been hanging out waiting to be photographed and documented for several weeks now.

The Age of Brass and Steam Shawl was a quick knit when I needed something simple and relaxing to work on around final exam period. 

 

The pattern is The Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief by Orange Flower.  It was exactly what I needed at the time, not complicated and soothing.  Now you can tell that I haven't gotten around to blocking this, one of these days I'll get my act together and have a blocking party. 

I dyed the yarn myself sometime last year.  From what I can remember, it is 100% superwash merino dyed using Jacquard.  I'm glad I had just enough for a small shawl!  Too bad it is too warm to get any use out of it for a while.

What do you find yourself knitting/crocheting as a soothing project?

Azzu's Shawl

I have finally been able to find a little bit of time to update!  Thank you all for the very kind words and for those of you who continually post amazing work on your own blogs, you inspire me.

I finished my Azzu's Shawl many days ago but hesitated in writing about it because I cannot seem to get it to behave...

That is me attempting to show you the design of the shawl, which is pretty, but this fabric loves to curl up.  I've attempted two blockings, actually taking the time to pin it down perfectly.  But no, still not behaving.

I even blocked it in the world's best blocking sink ever (when I first saw my apartment, this was the thing I was most excited about).

The pattern was Azzu's Shawl by Emma Fassio, it was an simple, easy pattern that was perfect for mindless knitting.  It did get a little boring, but rows of yarn overs helped break up the bordom.  Also, when looking at the pattern page, mine turned out a little smaller than others even though I made gauge (I think..) and did the proper number of repeats.

The yarn was Regia Hand-dye Effect, you all probably already know how I feel about this yarn.  But I completed my goal, to complete a project with it, so I'm ready to move on to bigger and better things.

Work-in-progress Wednesday - #14

I apologize for being so absent lately, graduate school has been challenging and very time-consuming.  But I've been finding little bits of time to work on my projects.

I also have some very photogenic projects right now too!

My very own sweater design is going pretty well, I've been trying it on as I go to ensure I have a good fit.  As always I am thoroughly enjoying the process of working with Ultra Alpaca, I could knit with it ages and never get tired of it!

Next is my Azzu's Shawl, which I'm about halfway through with.  I've started to like the yarn at little bit more as I knit with it more, but I still don't love it. 

That's about it for now!  Right now I've been living vicariously through all of your beautiful projects!  Keep up the wonderful work, you talented people!

I hope that you are all having a great Wednesday and I hope that you also join in for WIP Wednesday with Tami's Amis.

The unloved yarn

Do you have an outcast in your stash?
The yarn that you just can't seem to find that perfect project for?
The yarn that you can never get the right gauge with?
The yarn that you must have been crazy to purchase?
The yarn that has been frogged so many times it has that funny halo?

Oh, surely I'm not the only one!

This is Regia Hand-dye Effect, my outcast yarn.  It is fingering weight 70% wool (scratchy wool...), 25% nylon, and 5% acrylic, so I was already destined not to like it because I strongly dislike most yarn with that much nylon and acrylic content.

It also has this odd thread plyed into it (to balance? to make it hold together? to make it fancy?), which drives me crazy.  At the time I probably bought it for the colors, perhaps I was mildly intoxicated as well, who knows?

It has almost been three separate pairs of socks and a shawl, and each time frogged violently.  I've been gradually trying to force myself  to do something else with it.  Seeing Lisa magically turn her skein of this stuff into the most gorgeous Wingspan certainly gave me courage. 

So now every last yard will become a shawl (Azzu's Shawl), which will not be immediately frogged, if it's the last thing I do!

Now come on, I can't be the only one with problematic yarn

                                           do tell. 

Wholehearted Shawl

I finished my Wholehearted Shawl this weekend, which makes me a little sad.  I really enjoyed working on this project and I guess that part of me wanted for it to go on forever.  Now I understand why so many people cast on another for Evelyn's KAL (she just finished hers too, take a look!), it is such a fun pattern and knits up really quickly.

I could sing my praises for Araucania Itata Multy all day if you let me, the range of amazing colors this yarn comes in is simply fantastic and it makes great socks.  I chose these two colors because they were the one's in my stash and because frankly, I love the contrast between the pinks and oranges and the charcoal gray.

As a proud red-headed individual (technically I'm a daywalker, not a ginger, according to South Park standards), I think it looks great with my hair color.  I also like to wear shawls as scarves, I think they are more functional that way.

Also in the background of this photo note my TV and Xbox hidden under a blanket of dust and scattered papers from my frantic attempts at studying for one of the most difficult final exams I have ever had.  Needless to say, this semester cannot end fast enough.

Anyways, I've really enjoyed this project and I would highly recommend the Wholehearted pattern although there are a few mistakes in there that might confuse someone who has never knitted a shawl before.  The edging was probably the best part, I definitely want to use that style of bind off again in the future.

Many other talented people knitted this pattern alongside me in this KAL and I would recommend you take a look on the pattern page, what a collection of beautiful shawls!

Wholehearted Shawl KAL

The wonderful Evelyn of Project: Stash recently started a KAL featuring the Wholehearted Shawl pattern.  The KAL ends at the end of May, and until then the proceeds from the pattern sales will be donated to the author's daughter who is rebuilding after a horrible house fire.  

Evelyn kindly donated the pattern to me and I had the perfect yarn for it, so of course I had to join my first ever KAL.  It is really neat to think that there are a bunch of other knitters out there working on the same project! 

This is a very simple, but a seriously fun pattern to knit.  It is perfect for me right now because I can knit it without having to really pay attention.  I also think that I will very likely wear it frequently (well, when it gets cool outside again...)

I'm also really enjoying working with the yarn, Araucania Itata Multy, which I have raved about extensively in the past.  Lucky me having two colors that work so well together stashed away!

If you are looking for a quick, fun project, I would highly recommend this pattern, then you could also join me for the KAL!

I'm making great progress on this and should be able to easily make the deadline if I don't get too sidetracked in the meantime. 

The project that dragged on and on and on...

It is finally complete and I'm very surprised to say that I love, love, love it.  I proudly wear many of my knit creations (those that I don't end up spontaneously gifting to people), but this particular project feels like one of those favorite outfit additions that will always live on in my closet.

The reason this took so ridiculously long to complete is because I have this irrational hatred for projects with mostly garter stitch.  I need a stitch pattern to keep things interesting or it will always be the project I put aside. Also, this pattern features ribbing (shudder).  But the pattern Mara by MadelineTosh, is wonderfully simple and makes for a lovable finished product.

I've talked about the yarn here before, Tosca Light (Lang Yarns).  It was another reason why I had some trouble with this project.  The colorway is so beautiful that I have yet to take a photograph that can show the colors properly.  However, it is partially acrylic, which I don't enjoy knitting with most of the time.

Hooray for FO!