My Sister's Knitter

That's why I'm easy...

...like a Sunday morning, that is. :)

My week has ended with some reading, knitting, watching football and cooking. 

After discovering that you can watch all the back episodes of Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie, I needed to cook. This soup is wonderfully quick and easy. Today I decided my soup needed some homemade bread, therefore there are a couple of loaves of french bread baking in the oven right now. Seriously is there a better smell than baking bread?

Nice way to end the week. Oh, and it's been a bit since I have shared some new additions to the stash.

These were purchased using a gift certificate from a friend. Don't they look soft? They are so soft. My gray lovelies will grown up to be a nice cardigan, when I decide to venture into those waters. Helping me face my fears have been friends who have gifted me some gorgeous sweater patterns on Ravelry. Who knows, if the winds are right and the stars allign...I may have a cardigan to show you in the coming months.

Bread is done baking, so I will leave you with some wonderful Flickr favs.

1.Red leaves  2. Mittens! 3. Blue Bench

4. Hats  5. Fall  6. Red Scarf

 

XO

Andi

Taking it outside.

Before the temps reach over 100 degrees, I thought I would take my shawl out for a little photo shoot.

The Shaelyn pattern was surprisingly easy, but with lovely results. The only modifications I made was on the yarn weight and needle size.

The colors look a little washed out here, but it was 6:00 a.m. in the morning. :)

That's better. Here you can really see all the beauty that is this yarn. First time working with Twist & Twine yarn and I see many more in my future. Now back to working on my Dewdrops shawl.

For those of you who were interested in seeing how the newest stripey yarn on the needles was stitching up, here you go.

Wonderful right? I want to add this yarn is such a pleasure to knit with. It is soft, squishy and stretchy. If you want some of this great yarn, head on over to LadyBug Fiber's Etsy shop. There are so many to choose from! I can't say enough about how brilliant this yarn is!

As you can see I have plenty on the needles to keep me occupied this weekend. I discovered this series on Netflix and have been happily knitting away while watching. How I do love my U.K. crime shows. In addition I need to play catch-up all all the lovely blogs out there.

Hope this weekend finds you sheltered in your cool homes from the crazy temps torturing the U.S.

Happy Yarning!

XO

Andi

 

Stuff...

Since I recently frogged a couple of projects, I cast on what seems to be everything in sight!

The pattern is Autumn Leaves Stole. The yarn is Wooly Wonka Fibers in the color Pewter. That pattern is insanely wonderful, then again all of Jared Flood's patterns are.

Some more gray has been cast on for this Shawl. I am using Blue Moon Fiber Laci yarn that I used from a previously frogged project. The yarn is working great with this pattern. Only goes to prove to me that frogging was a good idea.

I have wanted to cast on this shawl ever since I saw Dona's. I mean who wouldn't?

Now I will be saving you from saving you from so much gray and assaulting you with some serious color. These Monkeys have been cast on for a sock swap partner who requested a pair of bright socks. I think these will fit the bill. :)

These bright socks bring the total pairs I have on the needles to three. Yeah!

Changing it up a bit, I have been dabbling in some stitching. After drooling over images of Chawne's beautiful work I decided to work on my own. Here is the start of a blackwork sampler I am working on.

Whew I have a lot going on. Doesn't feel like it because it is all so fun. That is the point right?

What else..hmmm..oh cooking some soup from a recipe that my mom gave me for Potato and Escarole soup.

A perfect soup for these chilly Arizona days. Heh- chilly as in 100 plus degrees. :)

While all this craftiness is going on, I have been watching some episodes of Felicity. Remember that show? It is cute and has just enough drama to keep me entertained. Talk about entertaining I am addicted to the new series of Game of Thrones. Have you seen it?

I will leave you with a trailer of Game of Thrones and wish you a wonderful rest of your week!

 

See you this weekend!

Happy Yarning!

Andi

It's Monday, how about some love?

Happy Monday peeps! I know, I know...it's Monday, what is there to be happy about? How about some finished items?

My swap socks are finished. The pattern is Shur'tugal. A great pattern with enough detail to keep your attention. Now to pick up some goodies  for my swap partner.

My Hedgerow socks came off the needles are well. I mentioned earlier that the pattern was a bit boring, but they served as a nice change from the Shur'tugals. The yarn was a gift from my friend, and once it came in the mail I knew it would be perfect for this pattern. Socks are done!

What's next? Not sure yet, I am really trying hard not to cast on anything new and focus my attention on items that are currently on the needles. This has been difficult considering all the temptations in blog land.

• Helena's projects always seem to find their way on my list. Her Nuvem has me reeling!
• Oh Lori, what are you doing to me with this shawl? So many lovely blues being knit up lately.
• A new blogger to me, Jesse hooked up this wonderful blanket.
• Trying to stop myself from buying their entire stock of yarns. I may or may not have already purchased some. Ok I did! I will share with you soon.
• Check out these fantastic book ends. I have grabby-hands!  
• Thanks to Allison I have a new beverage for the summer (below).

In other news thank you all for you nice comments on my giveaway. Due to the amount of responses, I won't be replying to each comment, just know that I appreciate them! My fingers are crossed for you all. Remember you have till April 5th to enter!

I am outta here to enjoy some back episodes of this show. Do you remember this show? I love seeing Marilyn knitting at her desk. She makes me laugh. Happy yarning everyone.

XO

Andi  

Someone needs to get in gear...

That would be me!

  

If you remember at the beginning of this year, I thought a monogamous year was on the horizon. Reality kind of hit when I checked out my Ravelry project queue and realized I have 13 items on the needles.  You know what that means, I need to get it in gear.

So I have been picking up projects and trying to get them done. I have the Netflix streaming, MidSomer Murders ( I am one the fourth season-love it). Oh and guess what has started...Football! That means a lot of t.v time, therefore a lot of projects done?

Anyone else in over their heads in projects? Well if you are let me know, so that I don't feel so bad. :)

Enjoy a song and have a great Friday!

 

XO,

Andi

Getting It Done...

Whew, just made it. My April socks were finished last night with only about 2 hours to spare. I have no idea why they took so long. I started these in early March.

Pattern:Menehune Cobblestone Socks    Yarn: Pagewood Farm Alyeska-Bird of Paradise

 
I am still trying to get some of my WIPS done. I have been working on finishing up my Saroyan.As well as turning the heel on my May sock, It is a simple 3x1 rib pattern. The yarn is Cherry Tree Hill self-striping. I seem to have a thing for stripes as of late.

What else have I been up to?

• Discovering a fantastic blogger.
• Wanting one of these.
• Cheering on a friend who just finished her first pair of socks.
• Wish I were on this walk with my friend.
• Watching and wondering how much more devastation our world can handle.
• Was anticipating this.
• Caught a few highlights.

 
This felt like a very long week, now on to the next one. :) Enjoy a scene from my favorite movie ever. If you haven't seen the movie and want to don't watch this. It is a complete spoiler.

 

XO
ANDI

 

My time...

 

As of late my knitting and crochet time has become more important to me. If I could allow myself to do nothing but knit all day from morning till night, I probably would. Luckily there is the voice of guilt that tells me, that would not be healthy for me overall. I need to get outside and enjoy the weather, go to work, or sometimes go to bed. You know you have those times when you are so into a project and you keep looking at the clock, knowing that you are going to pay dearly at work for knitting till midnight?

On a side note- this is my favorite chair to knit in. It is from the sister and is very old.

 
Over the last year after the breakup of a very long relationship, I find that my knitting time has increased. Maybe because I am single now and the guilt of not making dinner for someone else is absent. The ex would often tell me he thought it was lazy to knit, in not so many words. Same guy who would paint in his studio for hours and hours. Hmm..one of the many reasons for the breakup. :) Anyhoo, I do think I jumped into the knitting full force now that my time is my own.

I do prefer to knit on the evenings. I use it as my time to wind down. Often when I knit/crochet I like to either listen to NPR or watch a T.V series on netflix. I am very enthralled with this show as of late.

Places I knit varies. I am not embarrassed to knit in a coffee shop solo or over a pint with the girls. How about you, do you have a favorite knitting spot in your home or elsewhere? Do you watch T.V or movies when you knit or crochet? Do you try to limit your yarn time?  Inquiring minds wants to know.

Have a great weekend everyone. Thank you all for you comments during my 7 day postings. It has been tough for me, since I tend to post at random. I am also not used to having to post on a particular subject. Your comments made this much easier.

XO
ANDI

 

 

 
 

Wordless...

 

 
   
 
 
 
  
 
   

 XO

ANDI
 

For the love of yarn, jammies, and anything British!

I am quite in love with my Saturday, and why not when it includes my three favorite things?

The sister picked me up some new yarn. Baby Bee by Hobby Lobby, the color is Little Britches. The sister needed some little crocheted flowers. While she is very crafty in her own right, she does not know how to crochet, but does like to include these little yarnies in her crafts.

 
 So I am crocheting away on these little babies, all while in my favorite attire- jammies. I might add that it is now 4:00 in the afternoon. Bliss!

New yarn and jammies are great in themselves, let's add something to watch on the television. Here is my something British.

I am telling you I am addicted to anything and everything British on t.v. Just ask my Netflix queue, it does not lie. The weather today is accommodating nicely with my UK state of mind. It is slightly overcast and cool which makes pretending even better. I don't quite know when my love affair with the Brits started, but I think it may have to do with one of my favorite authors, Maeve Binchey. To add to the desire, I read blogs from Attic24  with her wonderful flowers and pictures of her part of the world. I have made a friend through blogs, and she came to visit Florida and was actually talking about living here. Maybe the grass always seem greener, all I know is that I want to share a pint with the lot! :)

I don't want you to worry that with all these fun things going on that I am not getting my nourishment. I have some very messy drop cookies waiting to fill that need. 

 
No Bake Fudge cookies-Life is good!

XO

ANDI
 
 *****Recipe for cookies being added for my British friend*****

No Bake Fudge Cookies

 

3 Cups of Rolls Oats

2/3 cup Peanut Butter

2 cups of Sugar

1/2 cup of butter

1/2 milk

1/3 cup of cocoa

2 tsp vanilla

 

Combine oats and peanut butter in a bowl and set aside.

Add butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa to a medium saucepan. Stirring constantly, heat till

the mixture comes to a rolling boil. Remove from heat immediately add vanilla, oats and

peanut butter.

Drop onto wax paper. Setting times vary depending on your climate. Mine usually set within

a 1/2 hour.

                                                                                                                                                   

 

Weekend...ahhhhh

 
Happy weekend everyone!

Thank you guys for the wonderful comments on the blue scarf that I made for a fellow bloggy friend. She has not received it yet, so I am waiting on the edge of my seat. While I waited, I kept myself busy with yarn. Yarn shopping, knitting, and crocheting. Yesterday I visited one of my favorite yarn stores to fill my need for big cushy blanket yarn. As I have stated before, I covet I Love This Yarn, at Hobby Lobby. Thankfully HB stores seem to be popping up all over the states. A friend in the UK doesn't have any HBs there, and unfortunately on her visit to the US did not get to visit one, so I picked her up a couple skeins. Those will be in the mail tomorrow. What did I buy for me? Well, the sister was with me and picked out some yarn for a blanket that she spotted on Flickr. After studying the photo (there was no pattern), I realized it looked a lot like Granny Stripes. Don't you think?

 
Couldn't you die over this living room? The photo is from GatheringSpriggs on Flickr.                                               

Here is my attempt.

 Here is some more yarn that I picked up. I am thinking of this pattern for it?

I know there is blue in there! :)  

You know me- I am by no means monogamous to crocheting or knitting, nor to any one project. 

 A Chevron Scarf. Yummy colors brought to you by,  The Unique Sheep Verve in Cherry Blossom.

Another scarfusing very precious Malabrigo sock yarn in Primavera

 
 

A new hat. Yarn is Blush from Dark Horse Yarns.  

Whew...a lot of yarny goodness I must say. Luckily my football is on today so I can dip into each project and be an extremely happy girl. Now If you care about me at all, you will wish my Denver Broncos luck today because I have a super obnoxious Jets fan for a step-father and they are playing each other.

XO

ANDI