My Sister's Knitter

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

Talking about socks and favorites...

It will come as no surprise to any of you that I love to knit socks. Past posts may have defined me as a crazy sock lady.

Why do I knit socks? Living in a state that only has "winter" weather 2 months out of the year, doesn't offer any explanation. Maybe it was because it was the first thing I learned to knit. Sort of like your first love.

In my heart I know it falls more along the lines of what Jared Flood says on his Ravelry profile, "I have secret fantasies about a perpetual winter that would facilitate year-round wool wearing."

Looking around at all the blogs, it seems socks are a hot knit right now. As with any type of knitting project, it runs in cycles. Kind of how the 80's fashions come into our lives every 5 years. :)

 

• Evelyn at Project Stash blog has proclaimed she has the sock bug. I love her approach of trying many different techniques.
• Finding herself reaching for a sock for comfort knitting, Janet knit up some beauties.
• Knitting from sock hanks is something I would love to try. Jody's socks are going to be fab!

 

The never ending beautiful sock yarn selections  that call out to me are endless. Leaving me with no choice to cast on all socks. Here are some of my favorites.

• Butterfly Bush Yarns. Ruth's beautiful hand-dyed sock yarns occupy a large amount of my sock stash.
• Spinning Fates. Laurel has amazing sock yarn selections, self-striping included.
• Blue Moon Fiber Fiber Arts. Variety is a big attraction when it comes to their STR. I love how great they knit up and last.
• Felecia from Sweet Georgia serves up some real loves.

My obese sock yarn stash was never acquired with a set pattern in mind. I envy those of you who only purchase yarn with a pattern in mind.  My next sock(s) cast on is usually decided on a whim. There are those patterns that I gravitate towards knitting again and again.

• Hermoine's Everyday Socks
• Breaking Hearts
• Monkeys

Whew...lots of sock talk right? I am off to knit some...you know. Enjoy a song and have a wonderful rest of your Sunday!

 

 

 

XO

Andi

 

P.S- For those of you who received SPAM from my email address, my apologies. Hopefully the problem has been rectified. I hate getting SPAM and even worse sending it out unintentionally! 

Finished items and newbies...

Good morning/afternoon/evening! It is time for a Sunday post. I have some FOs to show you as well as I will introduce you to some new bloggers. Here we go.

Can I just say, this is one of my favorite scarves ever? I love everything about it. The yarn is Kauni and rustic as all get out. It was my first time knitting with it, but  I see many more projects in my future. I have seen sweaters knit up with this yarn, but I sweat just thinking about how warm it would be.

A second pair of socks has come off the needles. They are a basic vanilla pattern. One of my knitting goals was to knit more from my stash this year. This Loopy Legends has been in my stash for over three years, so it was a good feeling to cast these off. Bonus they unexpectantly stripes, which you know makes me squee! That is all for FOs, not too shabby.

Getting back to patterned socks, these will probably be the next one's off the needles. This is the second time knitting this pattern. The yarn is from Butterflybush Yarn and the colors are singing to me. What song are they singing to me? Girl on fire by Alisha Keys. Do you ever find certain songs sticking in your head that are inspired by what you are knitting, or am I odd?

As you can see knitting production was up this week, but catching up on all the wonderful blogs was a fail. But I do want to mention some newbies to the knitting blogworld. We all can remember how it was to start a blog and wonder if anyone our there would ever read it.

• My dear knitting friend (guru), has finally started a blog. I have only mentioned to her a million times that she should create one. The theme of her's is documenting her journey of knitting and crocheting  through her stash.
• CJ left a comment on my blog and I am glad she did. Currently working her way towards what I am sure will be a fantastic Bee Keepers Quilt.
• Ruth is not new to blogging, but has created a new fun blog. It features many of her adventures of spinning and knitting with her yarn. The socks on her needles have me drooling.
• I may have mentioned Lolly before, but in case I didn't here she is. Her blog is filled with lovely knits for friends and herself.

Aren't they fun? Have you found any new bloggers lately, if so let me know. I would love to check them out.

I am outta here. Enjoy your day and your craft!

XO

Andi

On Progress and Inspiration...

Happy Sunday! I can't believe I didn't let this Sunday go without a post, as this week seemed to get away from me. How about if we start off with an FO. I know it surprised me too.

Sock stats:

Pattern: Vanilla Latte Socks

Yarn: Biscotte & Cie Felix sock yarn in the color Loopy Elves

Needle: Size 1.5

Maybe it helped that I stopped casting things on? Who would have thought that would work? heh! As I mentioned last week to help me get things off the needles, I tried to work on finishing one project at a time. Since one of the five socks has been finished, work on this Hitchhiker has begun again.

Once the grey started, I was uber happy. Grey yarn just has that affect on me. So there you go a short progress report, but still progress.

In other news I received a sweet and unexpected gift on Love day. BTW, I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's day and felt the love. Okay back to me...hehe!

My dear friend Jody sent me some lovely yarn and the best card. Way to perk up your week! Is there anything better than the gift of yarn? Okay maybe a load of cash, but still yarn is still right up there.

Okay..now back to you. How was your week? Anything special, exciting, inspiring happen? Basic goodness happens here all the time, therefore this week was no different. I have been craving a casserole. Not sure what kind, just a good comforting casserole. Any recipe recommendations?

I am going to head out, and will leave you with yet another inspiring video. I just love the art of creating and those who create. Have a lovely week!

 

 

XO

Andi

The need to focus and some loves...

This weekend finds me dealing with something that I knew may be inevitable, considering my addiction to knitting socks. I now have 5 pairs of socks on the needles.

Above is a glimpse of a few. I have never been one to suffer from second sock syndrome, so I have no real explanation. I chalk it up to the fact that I have this overwelming need to knit all the things. And no, my increase in WIPs does not only include socks.

You are seeing that correctly. I have two Hitchhiker's on the needles.  Then as if I needed more knitting projects, I cast on the NoFa Shawl.

What's a girl to do with all this knitting gong on? I have a plan. I am going to put my WIP basket in another room, out of site. Then I will only have one project within arms reach, I will finish that project then move on the next. Only then, it seems I can get a handle on my cast-on frenzy.

Maybe if I were to stop and self-evaluate why I am casting on all things, I may uncover deep issues (hah). Since I feel no need to that, I will just blame the wonderfully chilly weather we are having here and blogland's beautiful and inspiring crafts. How about if I share some of my loves from blogland?

• Must admit I feel a bit of a pain in my heart when I see Andee's Leaves (considering my Leaves met an untimely end). Yet at the same time I am in love.
• Dona's coasters are just perfect. Bonus she designed them as a free pattern on Ravelry.
• Thanks to Bethany, I was able to tour Jared's workshop. I fear my out of control casting on would only increase if I had this space to create in.
• The sweetest combo can be found here. Beautiful knit and even more beautiful little one.
• Is it just me or have you noticed that stiching has come back into play big-time lately? I am itching to finish working on some long neglected stitchery after seeing this project.

 

Hope you all have a lovely rest of your weekend and are keeping warm with your knits!

XO

Andi

Some knitting progress and knitting woes...

Hey there! Happy weekend all. Took a short unintentional break from the blog last week. Nothing wrong, it just seemed the week got away from me. How about if we catch up on some current projects and knitting woes?

Super fun socks are on the needles. I know, all sock knitting is fun, but this pattern is really fun.

Work has been slow and sleady on my first cardigan. Of course me being me, my cardigan is being knit in fingering weight yarn, which makes progress snail pace.

You may remember that for the last couple of posts I have been KAL'ing with this fun group. I posted this progress pic, which was the last repeat before the edging.

Above is the knitting before. Below is the knitting woe.

It is ugly and if you would like to hear what happened, you can read it here. Boo! It has been a couple days since the incident, so I am over it. Have you experienced a knitting mishap such as this? If so share, so I won't feel so alone. :)

A perfectly timed gift from my dear friend Katie, was received in the mail. It is too sweet not to share. I may have mentioned a couple hundred times how envious I was of the snow images on her blog.

Short and sweet post. On to enjoy the weekend and what will hopefully be a great Superbowl games tomorrow. I will be back next weekend to share some serious blog loves. Enjoy this lovely video and have a fantastic weekend everyone!

 

Handmade Portraits: 99 Feelings from Etsy on Vimeo.

 

 

XO

Andi

Starting off the New Year with finished socks...

Because I need more socks! Yah, right. As many of you know I have a slight addiction to knitting socks. I have come to terms with this, and now I just knit them without a care in the world. It may read on my gravestone...crazy sock lady and I am o.k. with that.

This lovely pair was started well before the New Year. They were a test knit for my talented friend Robin. The pattern has since been released and it is free. Wonderful, clear pattern with beautiful results. If you are thinking of knitting up some pretties, choose these, you won't be sorry.

• Socks stats:
• Pattern:My cup of a tea
• Yarn: Sweet Georgia Toughlove Socks in the color Orchid
• Needles: size 1.5

Next pair finished are the socks that Football playoffs knit. I may have mentioned I cast these on because I needed something to keep my hands busy, while I wanted a nerve wracking football game. Once I began, I couldn't stop.

Not the best picture, but they never made it the blocking stage. Instead these puppies jumped right on my feet!

• Sock stats:
• Pattern: Basic Vanilla Pattern
• Yarn: S.R Kertzer On your Toes socks
• Needles: 1.5

I may or may not have two more pairs on the needles. I am not telling for fear of being ran out of town as the crazy sock lady. Not everyone is as understanding of my condition as me. :)

Okay, now I have to add this complete and total fan girl moment I had today. Actually a few minutes before creating this post. My friend Melanie and I have long had a friendship crush on Jolie from the blog Joeycake. I am not ashamed to say there are time when we discuss Jolie's posts as if she were our best friend. There are even text messages between us, where the topic will be , " Did u c Joeycake's blog post 2dy. omg u hve 2 read it, I almst p'd my pnts!".  We have even gone so far as to say, things like, "Can you imagine if she were our friend?". Please don't judge us, we are good people. There are just people out there in blogland that you feel a connected to, (not in a creepy way). Getting to the point, she commented on my blog! Which resulted in an immediate text to Melanie! I will spare you the message, since I am sure you get the idea from the previously mentioned texts.

If you have never visited her blog and are looking for great recipes and some serious laughs, go now. Topping my favorite is this post, and this one where she met Carole King.

I will stop shoving me and Melanie's new BFF in your face and leave you with a video.  Happy Knitting and have a great rest of your weekend!

 

 

 

XO

Andi

 

 

 

 

 

Love of Football and other loves...

Here are the socks that football anxiety knit.

Nothing special, just some plain vanilla socks with a workhorse yarn. The fact that I didn't have to wind it, made it exactly what I needed to watch my Denver Broncos in the playoffs. I didn't want to risk working on my Leaves of Grass for fear of messing up, during what turned out to be an extremely anxiety riddled game. My boys did not win, but thankful my Leaves did not suffer in the process.

Today will consist of watching more playoff games. Knitting will continue on the shawl, since the nerves have now settled. I will send you all off on this blissful Sunday with some loves from blogland.

• C's ripple blanket would have come in handy last night, with our temps in the 30's.
• In awe of this treasure of beautiful buttons that Annie acquired.
• Robin's stole. I mean seriously, are there words?
• This post from Raina really made sense to me.
• Everything is happy when it comes to Kate's blanket.
• Dawn's quaint heart, makes mine sing.
• Watching the beautiful progress of the Leaves of Grass KAL.

 

XO

Andi 

Open to Change...

Remember when I told you it has took me a while to settle on the colors for my Leaves of Grass? Well, my mind has changed again. Thank you all for the wonderful compliments of the original colors I chose from my KnitPicks Palete stash, but the stress of trying to find the perfect time to switch colors was just too much for me.

That means, I had to go deep stash diving again and caught me a winner.

 

I found some Dream In Color Baby in Fuschia, that is working out quite nicely. Yeah!

Since it is pink, you know I am in my knitting comfort zone now. :)

In the name of pink, check out this wonderful sock yarn the sister got me for Christmas. 

 

 

Speaking of my colors, check this beautiful yarn I received from my sister for Christmas. Does she know me or what? Love!

Showing off the yarn my sister got me, reminded me that I had not shareed with you all the incredible Christmas package I got from my bestie,  Ruth. An amazing shawl, she knit out of her handspun. Three skein of her gorgeous hand-dyed yarn! A skein of Malabrigo lace yarn and another one of her perfect project bags. Seriously I was overwelmed with the magnitude of this wonderful lot!

In addition to these wonderful gifts, I have also received many great patterns from friends on Ravelry. I plan on knitting ever one of them this year. Next week I will share my plans,  as well as bring you up to date on loves that I have found in blogland.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend and that things are back on schedule after the holidays.

Enjoy a song and have a brilliant day!

 

XO

Andi

New year and new things...

One of the things I planned for my knitting goals this year was to enjoy the process more. I feel like last year I kind of bulldozed through projects in order to meet certain goals I had set for myself. This year, I plan on taking my time and really enjoying it.

As a beginning project this year, I joined a KAL with Lori and many other new friends. She gifted me the pattern for Jared's Leaves of Grass, (you know I can't turn down any of Jared's patterns).

I went deep stash diving and found I had plenty of KnitPicks Palette that would work.

My Leaves of Grass with many different colors, which will be exciting.

I am not setting a deadline, nor am I adding any additional pressure to finish. As stated before, I am just going to be knitting-a-long with some friends and enjoying it.

Hope all of you are enjoying the new year so far!

See you this weekend!

XO

Andi