My Sister's Knitter

Starting the weekend...

It is Saturday peeps !

I have so much that I need to get accomplished this weekend, so much I don't know where to start. So in typical Andi weekend style I will start with some blog reading, breakfast, and a few stitches ( because I like to multi-task).

On the subject of breakfast, the above pictured porridge has been my everyday morning grub for a couple weeks. I make this recipe on Sunday night and it is enough for  me to have a bowl everyday. I add a lot of different toppings depending on what I have on hand. This morning I had some bananas, apples and walnuts. During the week I had some wonderfully sweet blackberries-yum! A bowl keeps me going well into lunch and helps me not to snack in between meals.

These socks are being finished, I am on the last toe! This means my pair will be done by the deadline-take note Jody (inside joke).Even with the end of the month fast approaching I decided to cast on another pair of socks with the beautiful gifted yarn from my friend Maryse.

The pattern is Hedgerow, while it is not an exciting knit, I think it shows off this lovely yarn perfectly.

Okay, now I really need to get my butt in gear and get some chore done. I will leave you with a video that Kiwiyarns Knits shared on her blog. It makes me laugh out loud.

Have a great weekend everyone!

XO

Andi  

Need To Be Enabled?

No problem...how about some lovely yarn from an Indie dyer?

I know, right? One of my goals this year was to purchase sock yarn from only Indie Dyers. I saw this yarn knit up into some wonderful Monkeys by Gail, and it didn't take long before I had some of my own. While I was visiting See Jayne Knit'sshop, some stitch markers jumped into my cart, not sure how that happened but I am glad they did. heh!

I just love me some cute stitch markers. If you decide to take a look at See Jayne Knit Yarn, all I have to say is good luck. You will want everything!

Oh, look what else I got. I have been waiting for these to come out for a couple of months.

Hiya Hiya Sharps! Most of my needles are Hiya Hiya, I am glad to add these to my collection. They are perfectly lightweight and the joins are  smooth.  Within minutes of receipt, these were holding a new scarf pattern.

As if all the lovelies above are not enough, how about some enabling links?

• I want one of these tote bags. How cute would they be carrying my knitting projects?
• I think these salts would be perfect for seasoning a nice piece of fish or veggies.
• Swooning over these socks!
• Enjoying meeting a new sweet friend and enjoying her blog.
• In awe over the talents of someone so young.
• New scarf pattern from an inspiring designer.

 

It's a lot to take in, isn't it? Pour yourself a glass of wine and go visit. You will be glad you did.

Have a great rest of your week!

XO

Andi

Back to my love...

...socks. I have a love affair with knitting socks and I think I always will.

They were the first thing I learned to knit (not counting a garter stitch square), and I don't feel complete without a least one pair on the needles. I no longer knit socks out of  need, since I seem to have quite a few now. I simply knit them because I love to.  I am trying to finish up my Dublin socks by the end of the month so they can count as a finished project for this Ravelry Group. The month of February is the letter D. I only have a little time left in the month, so I better get on it.

Speaking of finishing. My test knitting is complete and the pattern has been released by the designer. That allows me to show you my finished project.

• Pattern: Karkom Wristwarmers
• Designer: Robin Lynn
• Yarn: Madeline Tosh Sock- Gossimar
• Needles: 3

This is a lovely pattern and if you can imagine it is free. Robin is just an amazing designer and person. You should cast these  on!

Well loves, it is very late Sunday night and I need to be getting my beauty sleep. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Enjoy a tune from my favorite girl.

 

XO

Andi

 

Yarnies make the best friends....

They really do. Since I started my blog only a couple short years ago, I have had the opportunity to "meet" some amazing people. Some have become really good friends. Maryse is one of them. I found her after she commented on my blog in 2010, (feels like a long time ago). That comment gave me the opportunity to check out hers . I became instantly smitten with Maryse and we have been friends ever since.

After a long tough week (not bad, just one of those) , I received a package in the mail from Canada.

Look what I got !

This yarn is made in Quebec and it could not have received a happier home  here in the states. Sometimes I think Yarnies have a sixth sense of when you need a pick me up.

To all the friends I have made here on my blog, Flickr or Ravelry,  I treasure you. Thank you for taking the time to visit me. Your words of support and love make my days all the better!

XO

Andi

Yarn Along...

I have so enjoyed being involved in Ginny's YAL. So here I am participating in another.

I finished Stones from the River, which I highly recommend. I am still reading Little Bee and oh is it ever wonderful. Judging from last weeks comments, many of you agree with me. This week I was looking for a little humor and who better to dole that out then Ellen. This is one of those books you do not want to read in public because you will get strange looks when you bust out laughing.

On the hook this week is a baby knit. The sister has asked for a baby blanket for a friend who has done a lot for her. She supplied the yarn and I supplied the hookery. The pattern is A Neat Ripple Pattern and is my go to for baby blankets because of the ease of it. I have made enough ripples for everyone else, one day I am going to have to make myself one. There is nothing like squishy ripple to cuddle with.

Want to see some other lovely blankets?

• This one is just fantastic. I have never seen a pattern like this.
• She says Noro is happy making, well it sure did make me happy seeing this!
• The queen of beautiful blankets, has another lovely starting out. I am excited to see what it becomes.

Don't all these blanket just want to make you snuggle? Me too!

I hope you all are having a wonderful Wednesday.

XO

Andi

Yeah FO!

 Good call when I decided to use a fingering weight yarn. I am in love!

My Saroyan is done! The colors lightened up dramatically after a super blocking. It still it a bit more brown than shown here, my lighting kind of stunk today.

Details:

• Pattern Saroyan
• Yarn Madelinetosh Merino Light
• needles  Size 5

This will be one of those patterns that I will knit again. I say this all the time , but it feels so good when a project comes off the needles. Especially since I do have quite a bit going on in the WIP department.

One if things going on this weekend is a test knit for one of my favorite designers. When she contacted me, I did not hold back my excitement. Yes indeed! Here is a little sneak peek. If you follow the link above, you can see hers in a fantastic pink.

The pattern is so well written and a pleasure to knit. The outcome is going to be beautiful! I will let you know when it is released.

I also have two baby blankets  going on. The first one, I won't post pics till it is done, because the recipient is a friend who checks my blog. The second one will not officially  start till tomorrow, because the sister needs to drop off the yarn, ( It is for a friend of hers). I am finishing up the Dublin socks here very soon, and still working on shawls. I know peeps, this is a whole lots of yarning.

I am heading out to enjoy a yarn filled weekend. I hope you all have a great one!

 

 XO

Andi

Yarn Along ...

It is Wednesday again! That means I will be yarning along with Ginny.

 

I am thoroughly enjoying this book. It is written beautifully. Thank you to those of you who recommended some of your favorite current reads! I have been adding them to my book list. :)

My knitting project this week is one of my WIPS, Saroyan. I knit this scarf before with a worsted weight yarn and it wasn't for me. Now I have cast on with Madelinetosh Light in Betine. This is more to my liking. Sometimes it is all about the yarn. This scarf seems to be flying off the needles. I should be finished before this weekend. That means an FO to show off-yeah!

To help you over this hump day, here are some loves that have captured my attention this week:

• Julie's latest pattern. There are no words to describe how in love I am with this!
• Allison's shawl. It is simple and lovely.
• Audry's Rocky Coast Cardigan. This cardigan just may be what I need to get my cardigan done, so that I can knit up a beauty like this.
• Bethany always post wonderfully inspiring videos on Sunday. This one is a new fav.
• I am having a serious blog crush on Lori times five.

I will leave you with this lovely man crocheting. I adore him. I especially like when he says, "..for those who know about crochetin', the bigger the beast is , the longer it takes to get around.". So true, Papa Al!

XO

Andi  

 

 

Are you ready...

...for some football?

It is one of my very favorite times of the year. I am soooo ready! Even if my team is not in the SuperBowl, boo.

The menu is overall not too harmful.

• Veggies and dip
• Hummus and pita bread
• Relish tray
• Mini meat tray
• Gas station nachos. You know the kind with the pump cheese (okay, so you gotta have some bad food)
• lots of beer! 
          

I will not be running short on projects to work on since the WIP list seems to be busting at the seams. Will you be watching? If football isn't your thing, what do you do on SuperBowl day? Maybe take advantage of some shopping?

So in none football news, I got a little suprise in the mail from a dear friend. It was unexpected to say the least.

I can't do this lovely bag justice, with my overcast weather, so here are some images from the brilliant Dawn herself. Dawn's beautiful crochet work has always inspired me. Bonus that we became such good friends. I will toot my own horn and say, I sure  know how to pick them!

Well loves I am off to enjoy the game ,some good grub, and of course funny commercials!

Enjoy your Sunday!

XO

Andi  

 

Yarn Along...

One of my New Year's goal was to read more books. That makes it also a great opportunity to join Ginny's Yarn Along.

I have had this book on my "To Read" list for a while. I can't think of a better book to kick of my year of reading. I will let you know how it is.

Along with the book is a new project on the needles. I have had a case of serious shawl envy lately. To solve that, I cast on Mountain Ash by Kate Gagnon Osborn. The pattern calls for DK weight yarn, but I cast on with Madeline Tosh Light in Well Water. Normally blue is not one of my favorite colors, but I am quite smitten with this color!

Want to see why I have a case of shawl envy? Be warned, these may cause you to cast on a shawl as well!

• Robin has two insanely beautiful shawls recently completed, this pink one and this red one. Guess which one is my fav?
• Maryse's progress-this is going to be amazing!
• What would a shawl post be without including Monika and her beautiful knit?

How about you? Any shawl envy?

XO

Andi

Visiting an old friend...

At one time or another, many of us go through that period in our knitting life where we decide that our WIPs need to be thinned out. Sometimes there are projects that we know we will never work on again. Other times there are projects that for one reason or another, fell off our radar.

As I was reviewing my obsese pile of WIPs, I came across my Miters. 

I am not sure if my heart wasn't it in it or what, but what faced me was 7 squares that were uneven and crappy. Maybe I thought I could bulldoze through these and somehow end up with a fabulous blanket. Instead I would have ended up with a blanket that I would have been ashamed to show anyone, due to all the mistakes. I made a decision. I ripped back quite a bit. I now approached these with the intention of crafting something I would be proud of and that was worthy of my time.

 

Now that is better!

My seven squares quickly went down to two, but I could not be happier. I am enjoying the rhythm that comes from the garter stitch. Much needed since I have been feeling a bit under the weather in the last couple of days. So, I have been watching Lord of The Rings (yes,again) , drinking lots of fluids, and all seems right again in my knitting world.

How is everything in your crafting world?

 

XO

Andi