My Sister's Knitter

One of those days...

 

By one of those days, I mean one of those good days.

I don't have many down days. Most of my days are spent up. That is not to say by any means that my life is perfect. It is to say that on those days when maybe my health is not that good or work not at all gratifying, I have many great things in my life to bring me to the surface.  Today is one of those days where I can't help but look at everything and be grateful. Don't you love those kinds of days?

 On such days, playing with yarn is a must. The top picture is a scarf I cast on after being inspired by this one. The crochet is a long time requested bobble blanket for the sister. Ironically I am not a fan of bobbles, yet I am finding them soothing to hook.

As a way to make my body feel as good as my spirit does today, I made a trip to Trader Joe's for ingredients for a salad I have been wanting to try. For me, no trip to TJ would be complete without getting my bucket (yes bucket) of mini chocolate chips cookies. No one says soul food needs to be healthy all the time. :)

I am not one for gratitude journals, but I felt it important today to note things that really stood out today:

• Shopping trip with my mom. I live close enough to her that spending time is not difficult. As I get older I appreciate her as a person more and more.
• Friends are on my mind today. I am so very lucky that I have such important relationships with so many great people near and far.
• My health. Been dealing with some slight health issues for over a year now. But when I look at the fact that I can still work, laugh, walk, and live, I am very grateful.
• Crafting. What an amazing thing to be able to create things with my hands. It serves as an outlet for frustrations as well as relaxation.
• My blog. A wonderful way that I have been able to get to know so many talented, inspiring, and overall good people.

Do you ever have one of these days? Maybe you have many. I sure hope so! What are you grateful for today?

XO

Andi

Knitting lessons learned and loves...

A wise friend told me a way to beat my "all over the place" knitting mindset was to cast on something new.

Ah, this friend is so smart. It was exactly what I needed. That is not to say, that I did not like the projects I was working, but I needed something different. Something new and shiny. Ironically working on this shawl has given me the focus I needed to work on other WIPs. It can't be explained, but it is working for me. Lesson learned: Cast on all things if it makes you happy.  

The shawl is Simple Lines and is being knit in a very coveted color of Madelinetosh. I had been holding onto this yarn for a while. It has been sitting in my stash, just being admired for it's beauty. As I went in search of yarn for my new cast on, I passed up these skeins because in my mind they were too pretty. Then, it came to me...wasn't the reason I purchased the yarn was to to knit it? It does me no good sitting there. Lesson learned: knit with your beautiful yarn that is what they are for. 

One of the WIPs I have been working on are these socks. Perfectly simple knitting. I was enjoying working with bamboo needles again and the yarn is super soft. Then I notice an odd color change. Do you see it? Yes that is some greenish color, smack dab in the middle of my stripes. Before I would have just frogged them out of frustration, this time I tinked back to the place prior to the color change, and cut it out. Lesson learned: It's no big friggin' deal, just a small glitch. Move on with it, so that you can end up with some wonderful squooshy socks.

I often need to remind myself that I do not need to control everything. All does not need to be in order, finished, perfected. Everyone needs to have that secret messy closet or space where chaos is allowed to happen. Mine just happens to be in my crafting world.

Okay enough about lessons. How about if we move on to some loves around Blogland?

• Combine beautiful yarn, pattern and knitter. You get this beautiful shawl from Harmony and Rosie.
• I have been drooling over the progress of what will soon be the most magnificent blanket.
• I know that my first socks looked nowhere as good as Monica's. Bravo!
• A girl after my own heart, knit up these beauties.
• I could stare at the images on Nicole's blog for days and constantly be inspired. Her Spring Leaves has given me the push I needed to cast on my own.
• Two new to me bloggers visited me this week, giving me the opportunity to visit their wonderful blogs. Amanda and Julia!

 

A lot of places to visit. Enjoy. Hope all of you Mother's are getting spoiled as you deserve. Whether you are a mom to little humans, four legged children or your yarn (me! ), have the best day.

XO

Andi

All Over The Place...

Yep, that would be me and my knitting this week.

I am knitting on these socks, other socks, a cardigan, a blanket...the list goes on.

While I enjoy knitting, somedays I feel like a hamster on a wheel. Not sure what I am in the mood to knit, so I knit a bit on everything. One row here and there, obviously does not add up to a lot coming off the needles. Often I have to remind myself that it is ok and to enjoy the process.

Thankfully, I finished my Sushi striped socks this morning. May be just the thing I need to motivate me to finish up some other things? Then again...

Remember this project? This has been on the needles since March 2011. Yes, you read that right. It was brought out of hibernation this weekend  and so far all I have done is stare at it.

Do you ever go through these knitting lulls? Short post this week as my brain, much like my knitting, is all over the place. I will be back next Sunday to share some fantastic loves from Blogland. Enjoy your weekend!

XO

Andi

Making time...

Happy Sunday to you!

Thought I would share another message from my tea. My tea is wicked smart! I always try to follow it's advice, because as I stated it is smart. Seems messages are being sent to us from so many different sources, this one I found quite amusing and this one delish.

I followed my own advice this week and made time for my craft. When my thoughts are all over the place, brain's overworked, and plain ole's stressed out...I reach for my yarn. Not only do I dish out these pearls of wisdom to myself, often times my family received them as well. While they do not play with yarn, they have their own crafty goodness to partake in. Shouldn't everybody?

 

I also made time for ice cream. One should always make time for ice cream. See, now I am sending you all an inspirational message. :)

Short post this week, as I may have mentioned my brain is a tad fried. Today will be about rebooting my body's computer. I think it is important to do that sometimes. How do you refresh your mind and body?

Have a lovely day. Hope you enjoy this cute and creative video.

 

MY KNITTED BOYFRIEND from Noortje de Keijzer on Vimeo.

 

XO

Andi 

A Finished Object...

As the title implies, I have a finished item to show you.

A new love to wrap up in.

Shawl stats:

• Pattern: Cameo

• Yarn: KnitPicks Stoll Solids-Agate and Sunrise Fiber and Company-Orchid

• Needles: 5   3.75 m.m

 

This shawl taught me so many things about perseverance. It was a lot of long rows of garter. At times I thought they would never end. The end result was so worth it, as it is with anything. I would not call the pattern boring, it was the perfect project for some much needed mindless knitting.

This week mindless knitting has been much needed with all the pain and suffering our world has been through. Whatever your craft or hobby is, I hope you are finding comfort in it.

I enjoy the video series,Fifty People/One Question. I enjoy this one in particular and ask you...Where would you like to wake up tomorrow?

 

Fifty People, One Question: Brooklyn from Fifty People, One Question on Vimeo.

 

Me? I would like to wake up in my dream cabin in Colorado. :)

XO

Andi 

Guilt-Free knitting and Some Loves...

Happy Sunday!

Knit happenings? Everything is on the needles and I am okay with that. It has been a week of guilt-free knitting.

So guilt-free that as I am nearing the end of this shawl, I am already thinking about my next one. Here is a suggestion for those of you who are thinking about knitting the largely coveted Color Affection Shawl, try Cameo. It requires only two colors and has a very similar affect.  Just a thought. :)

The Cameo shawl has been such a fun knit that I have hardly worked on any of my other WIPs. But then came a suggestion from Bethany. How about a casual sock KAL? Really, who would I be, if I turned that offer down.

If you would like to join us, we are chatting mostly on Ravelry. There is no group or anything just conversations via PMs.  There we share yarn ideas and progress. I wasn't planning on casting on this weekend, but the excitement got the better of me.The pattern is Cadence and it will be fun!

Did I mention that I have some loves to share with you?

• I feel as though I am playing catch-up on my blog reading this week. So, when I saw this incredible shawl, I was like..how did I miss this?
• How could anyone not love cables, especially after seeing this hat?
• I am a bit transfixed watching the progress on C's stitching.
• Jesse's two shawls, yes two, are beautiful.
• Easily one of my favorite ladies, Amanda knit these fabulous longies.
• A new KAL has started with this group. I will be joining and this time I will steer clear of the nighttime cold medicine.
• I have a passion for beautiful photos of yarn and knits in progress. May explain my love of this blog. But really does there need to be a reason?
• One of the most beautiful FOs!!!
• Enjoying watching the journey of Audry's venture into the creative world of designing.

That was quite a list, wasn't it? Go visit! Then if you like come back and share some of your loves this week with me.

XO

Andi

 

 

 

Quiet knitting...

Happy Sunday!

It has been a nice enjoyable Sunday. How about yours?

A comment on one of my images on Flickr got me thinking about my knitting environment. That is the best way I can think to describe it. The comment on Flickr asked if I was a multi-tasker, knitting and reading at the same time. I can knit and read at the same time, usually only when I am working on a basic sock. Most of the time I do have to be watching T.V. or listening to a podcast while knitting. Something always has to be going on in the background in order for me to really get into my project. I work best in noise. I remember when I was in school, I had to have the radio on when studying. It felt too difficult to focus if it was quiet.

 So what sort of things do I like to watch or listen to when yarning?

Video podcast

• A newer podcast, Must Stash podcast, is a favorite.
• Stockinette Zombies is one that I knitting a long to frequently. I enjoy that they are knitting while podcasting. It makes me feel like I am at my knitting group.

Audio podcasts

• Doubleknit Podcast. Always great projects going on.
• Stuff you Missed in History Class. So interesting!
• The Naked Scientist.

TV series

• Sherlock
• Downton Abbey
• Bones
• Doctor Who

How about it, what type of envir0nment to you craft best in? Do you have favorite podcasts or shows you would like to recommend? I will leave you with a lovely video that you can knit to. :)

 

Shetland Fine Lace Knitting from Dave Hammond on Vimeo.

 

XO

Andi

Happy Easter and a Winner...

Happy Sunday and Happy Easter to you if you celebrate.

Not to complain, but my day started a tad earlier than expected. By tad earlier I mean at 1:45 a.m. I have been battling what started as a sinus infection and now has settled in as a cold. No big deal, but my nightime medicine decided that I needed to be wide awake in the wee hours. Thankfully I had some knitting and a book to help me deal with this very early morning.

A new shawl has been added to the needles to replace one that got frogged. More on that later, as I am sure you guys would like to know who the winner of my 3 year blogging anniversary is. Am I right?

At 2:30 this morning I put everyone's comments into the Random Generator. Not sure what the time has to do with anything, but there it is. :)

 

#31

hee hee andee. socks yes! i would even knit socks if i won this scrumptious yarn. or maybe a shawl, but i would def take lots of pictures of it and just look at it for awhile first. LOVE LOVE jade. happy blog birthday andi, here's to many more years of knitting loving and connecting!

Posted by: lori

 

Lori, I will be contacting you to get your info so that your lovely new yarn can be on it's way to you. Thank you to all of you who entered. So many nice and wonderful comments!

Have a wonderful day today!

XO

Andi

 

Inspired to knit?

If I am to be perfectly honest, it doesn't require too much inspiration for me to pick up the needles.

It could be something like a the perfect pattern and yarn combination.

At times I can be found staring at my beautiful yarn, trying to decide what it wants to be. Where is the yarn whisperer when you need one?

A good old mystery show makes my needles click with happiness. Especially if the star is knitting.

(source Flickr-here)

Blogland! Inspiration in abundance.

• The beautiful Lori and her images around NY with her fantastic cowl.
• Christina's lovely cushions.
• I want to make this hat so much after seeing Kate's.
• Even the tons of ends is not squashing my want to hook this blanket.
• Socks get me everytime, especially Bethany's.

...and great videos.

The woolly-walk-along from Michael Cannon Miller on Vimeo.

 

What inspires you to knit or crochet? Inquiring minds want to know.

Have a lovely Sunday!

XO

Andi 

Winning an argument with myself...

Let me give you some background info on me. Something that most of you will not know. I am a tad argumentative. I have been this way since I was a wee one. Over the years I have harnessed my need to be right, as I have learned being right is not all that it is cut out to be. This knowledge did not stop me from having a debate with myself over my latest knitting project.

My Kleio started innocently enough and developed out of an idea to knit with coveted yarn. I figured rather than these pretty colors just sitting in a yarn bin, they could make me happy in shawl form. It started with wonderful row upon row of comforting garter stitch. As I knit, I kept thinking why have I not cast on this pattern before?

Then I remembered, there were three Latvian braids that were included in this knit. I conquered the first one with teeth on edge. I did not like it. but I liked the effect. As I worked on the lace there was a dread knowing that after the lace came the second braid. Here is where the argument with myself started. Should I continue? Should I knit the rest without the remaining two braids. Would I be cheating myself of the perfect shawl? I buckled down and completed the next braid. This was only after many whining emails to my friend Jody.

    With the second braid done, the decision about the third one was fast approaching. I decided I could not knit another one. Nor, was I going to do the edging that other's on Ravelry remarked took them a week. 

The result of the argument, was a beautiful shawl that was modified in the end. Maybe I will remember with my next project not to fight with myself and that knitting is supposed to be enjoyable.

Happy knitting everyone!

XO

Andi