My Sister's Knitter

Let's Yarn Along...

It has been a couple weeks since I participated in Ginny's Yarn-Along. So I fixed that.

Heck, it has been a couple weeks since I have been able to pick up a book and read. This week's project came out of a funk I was in. I needed a break from a very detail oriented pattern and for some reason I had no desire to work on an anything I currently had on the needles. You know those funks don't you? So I cruised my scrap yarn box and casted on this Granny Mandala designed by the wonderful Alice. Now she did say it was addicting and she did not lie.  I pulled out four colors, (No idea what yarn they are because the labels all fell off) and went to town.

The book I picked off my shelf is Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy. Maeve is one of my very favorite authors. Whenever I need just a good book, I gravitate towards any of her books. I thought I had read them all and was pleasantly surprised that I had not read this one. So far so good.

Are you Yarning Along this week? If not, what types of Springtime/Summertime books or projects do you seem to pick out this time of year?

Because it Wednesday and I need a little "pump it up", here is a song for you!

  
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

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  

 

 

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

Sunday...

Two posts in a week is a rarity for me. Maybe something new? Maybe not. I had to drop it because I received Clue #2 from the Mystery Sock KAL. Although it is just a heel flap, it is too lovely not to share.

 
The pattern so far is lovely. The yarn, now that takes it to another level. It is so decadent. I finished Clue #2 which was the heel and the heel flap. That means off to do the usual Sunday cleaning, work on getting some WIPs done, watching some preseason football, and reading a few lines here and there of a quick summer read.

 
Since the mom works at a library, she is constantly referring books for me to read. This one is a young reader book, but I like it. It is simple, yet thoughtful. While the mom devours books, I do not. So, sometimes short and sweet is on the menu .

Off to enjoy some ice coffee! Have a great Sunday,

XO

Andi

 

May Socks...

Whew, another pair down. May socks were finished! Although I am just posting the pick now, they were finished with still a few days left.

June socks are on the needles. I am going to try not to push it till the last few days this month. (Yeah right) Let's see, what else have I been up to? I have been finishing up putting together the granny scrap blanket. I joined another swap, which I have no business doing. I will be starting a little knitted beanie that the mother requested for her sock monkey. Then just try to finish up some WIPs in the month of June.

Outside of yarn, I am still working out with my personal training. Love the energy, hate the soreness the next day. :) I  am still reading my book and thoroughly enjoying it. Oh and checking out many, many lovelies in blogland.

• Love Dottie Angel's  thrift store find. Especially when I see little Olive sleeping on it.
• Drooling over these socks. Bonus they are pink!
• Always making it a point to visit here, for wonderful links and beautiful photos.
• Envying the patience it took to make this gorgeous shawl.
• Watching my friend work away on a "ginormous" scrap granny blanket.

Can't help but wanting to hug this little determined ballerina;

 

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend and well on your way to having a great week!

XO

Andi

 

The Conversation goes...

"No, I love you." " No I love you". This goes back and  forth and ends with me winning as usual. "No Sunday, I love you the most!" Sunday resigns. :) It has been one of those Sundays where you sit back and go ..ahhh. What has made it so? Some hooking, reading, cooking and winning.

We will start with the hooking.

 
I needed a little break from knitting. Decided to hook a couple more grannies. When I laid them all out, I realized that I don't have much further to go. Yeah! ( look at all those ends that need weaving, I really need to start crocheting them in as I go)

I picked up a book, that I know everyone has read before me. Sometimes I am late to the game. The movie coming out has prompted be to pick it up. I prefer the books to the movies.

Craving some fresh veggie pasta and baking bread. Although my bread was not the pretty, it sure was tasty.

 
So we have covered hooking, reading,cooking,...oh on to WINNING!

Nova had her annual Novakkah celebration. I won one of her many fabulous gifts!

 
You are wicked jealous aren't you? Heck I am jealous of myself! 2 skeins of Shibui (Wasabi), A skein of Wollmeise (Fratello) and Interweaves Knit magazine. I already have the patterns picked out for the yarns! Nova is most definitely the most fantastic person, to gift on her own birthday. Happy Birthday Nova, you wonderful soul and thank you!

In other news I finally got to see, The King's Speech. Beautifully shot and the acting was perfection. Great movie.

You tell me, what is not to love about Sunday?

XO

Andi

Home...

Don't get me wrong I love vacations, but nothing feels as good as coming home and sleeping in your own bed. Now I have a full Sunday to get ready to go back to work. Believe it or not, I did not get much accomplished in the knitting or crochet department. Don't ask me why. Who doesn't dream of knitting by the pool?

 
I brought along a quick knit scarf, that was perfect for sitting outside and catching up on my reading.This of course was a must since the nephew was making sure that I was up to date on the latest rap videos, music and popular terms such as, "That's salty".

 
The time spent with my nephew was priceless.(I already miss him). I can't forget my constant four legged companions.

This is Riley and below is Sugar.

 
BTW-Although they looks very angelic in their pics, they were extremely naughty!!!! :)

Ah, and then there was food. My body is completely rebelling after matching the eating habits of a 16 year old for 7 days. We are talking about Wings, Cheese Steaks, Taquitos, Subs, and lots of chocolate. The nephew made brownies.

I must tell you I did drop by my casa to check my mail. I got an extremely lovely surprise package from my dearest friend Ruth. Inside a new knitting bag to replace my soup stained one.

As well as some Spring flowers to brighten up my book shelf. ( I need to remember to take this down when the sister visits, she will steal them)

 
Priorities today should be laundry, grocery shopping, and cleaning. Most likely I will be working on squares for my Raverly swap and visiting blogland. :) 

 
 
Since my priorities seem to be in place, I am off to clean knit/crochet. 

Enjoy a song (my mom's fav) and your Sunday!

 

XO

Andi

 

P.S. I completely failed on this Potholder Swap. Maybe next year- boo! :(
 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Soup days...

Here is Arizona is a soup kind of day and according to the news, everywhere else. Taking full advantage of this rare winter day, soup it on the stove. I just threw together a lot of veggies and voila' warm comfort in a bowl.

 
Working on some comfy socks for me.

Also sqeezing in a little reading.

 
Grannies are still in progress. Oh,the granny square lesson with the sister did not happen due to some things coming up. Hopefully we will be able to get together soon or i fear I will be making both blankets. :)

I hope you are all staying bundled and enjoying lots of hot soup!

XO

Andi  
 
 
 

 

The day after...

 
Whew. That was fun wasn't it? The Christmas holabaloo, that is. Is it sad that I am kind of glad it is over? I think that may have something to do with the unnecessary stress we place on ourselves. In my last post I was contemplating casting on one final project. With less than a week I cast on a project that the Ravelers who made it stated, took them forever. All I can say is after I finished it at 11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve. I thought about running outside yelling ," I am king of the world!!!" I will posting a picture soon. As you can guess it was a gift and since it was up till the last minute the receiver is going to take some photos for me. Hopefully very soon. (Hint Hint)

So on the day after Christmas I am lazily watching football, crocheting, and flipping through some knitting magazines. Check these out, my little mama found some older Vogue knitting magazines.

 
 

Excuse the the bottom one being so blurry, but I had to show you. What year does it look like? To me it looks like the 80's-nope it is 2007/2008. Weird how styles come back.

I am reworking my nephews blanket that I had wanted to finish by his birthday (November 2010-haha). The Ripple pattern just did not seem like him. So it took it all out and now I think I am on the right path. It is a little boring but I think it will be perfect for him.

I hope you all have had a day to recoup from the festivities.

Have a great Sunday!

XO

Andi