My Sister's Knitter

Dwindling down...

Things are getting done and I am pleased as punch. Before I show you my finished projects, let me just add that I did not mean them to be so matchy-matchy.  I have noticed a trend in my knitting projects, where I seem to knit the same colors at the same time.

The pattern was an easy wonderful knit, made more wonderful since it was part of this KAL. The yarn proved to be surprisingly soft, and after a soak was like buttah.

Next up socks that you may be tired of seeing. In my defense they are blocked now, since blocking makes everything better, I had to show you.

Heh, told you they were matchy. The unintentional color theme seemed to be orange-pink-yellow combos. 

Two projects off the needles, that leaves me with nine projects still on the needles or hook. I am really holding myself back from casting on anything new till the WIPs are more manageable. That will not stop me from tempting you from casting on, because  I am evil. How about I show you some lovely projects from around Blogland?  

• Chantel's Damson is tempting me.
• Oh hello, Michelle's cute socks.
• Speaking of cute socks, must mention Dona's. She is a sock addict such just like me!
• Look here another Wholehearted finished and it's a beauty, and this one too...wow.
• This Oak Shawlette is killing me...but I must stick to my plan.
• Bethany you are your Spectra are fab!
• Marlyn's beautiful shawl...that color is yum.

A whole lot of temptation right? I will leave you with that, but I promise I will be back midweek with some yarn enabling. It has been a little while since I have done a shout out to some of my new favorite Indie Dyers.

Have a wonderful rest of your weekend and happy yarning!

XO

Andi

 

Let me..enable you!

Lately I have been spoiling myself. So I feel it is only fair that I share with you some of the goodies  I have treated myself to, in hopes that you treat yourself.

What is not to love about this coffee cup? I purchased my owl man from Danmade at Etsy. I had my eye on Octomug, but this guy won in the end.

I am a sucker for themes...therefore, I needed  this Bazinga (Big Bang Theory), self striping sock yarn from SpinningFates.

Continuing my theme addiction, GnomeAcres sock yarn-color Hermione (Harry Potter)

If you are a Downton Abbey fan, you must have these. 

All the Etsy shops provided excellent customer service, but Knitcubby was brilliant. Brittany sent me  emails saying they enjoyed making these for me. Nothing feels better about purchasing items from small businesses than comments like that.

Now I wouldn't be me if I didn't also enable you will some beautiful projects around blogland!

• Kate's Mizzle Shawl.
• Always beautiful stitches, Chawne's latest is a new fav.
• Jesse's afghan in progress is tempting me.
• I think Claudia's Hootie would go well with my new coffee mug.

Enough enabling? I know, sometimes I have to just walk away from blogland or else I will never finish anything.

Thank you for all your wonderful comments on my most recent giveaway. We all have so much to be grateful for, your comments confirmed that. I will be back to announce the two winners on Saturday. Till then, have a great rest of your week. Don't forget to spoil yourself!

XO

Andi

 

Baby, what took you so long?

Happy Saturday everyone! It is here and it's a good one. Maybe because I have an FO?

Ever have one of those projects that you are not sure why it took so long?

This was one of those projects for me. Once I set my mind on finishing it, it only took a couple of days to complete.

Details:

Pattern: Arroyo

Yarn: Fiberphile Yarns Super Squish Sock-Lowtide

I may have mentioned before that I am not much of a shawl wearer. I just really like knitting them.This one lays more like a scarf, so it will be put to good use this coming winter. The pattern itself was a breeze. It was well written and should take someone a week to finish (obviously not me).

Want to see some other incredible shawls?

• Lori's Plains Shawl is now complete. It is quite fantastic.
• Dona's third Shetland is the most beautiful yet.
• Monika's Chevry..I mean wow.

It is a shawl-a-palooza! :) Before I go I want to share this video that may help those of us who need to know different ways to wear a shawl. Have a wonderful weekend!

XO

Andi  

 

A Sunday Post...

The weekend is almost over.

New projects hopped on the needles. Yes, all by themselves.

Ohh, maybe I should have posted a warning on this one. Sorry it's a little bright.

Other than some knitting and spring cleaning, not a whole lot happening at the casa. Since I am a little boring this weekend, I will send you to visit blogs that have stuff going on. 

It is the time of year for giveaways. (Don't forget about mine)

• The boys at According to Matt are having a doozy. Go look and tell me it isn't.
• Sweet Jesse has the most adorable prizes for a hers.
• Tanis, oh Tanis, who wouldn't want to win some of that yarn?

Others...

• Lori!! These images just made me say wow, over and over again. The shawl put me over the edge.
• When it comes to beautiful images, Jane always has my vote.
• As if the blanket wasn't already fantastic, teaming it up with gorgeous pics...ugh!
• Beautiful socks..what more could I want?
• Want eye candy...Sarah never disappoints.

Enough links to keep you busy for a little while. I will be back on April 6th. ;)

Happy Yarning 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

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 ...

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

Part two of FOs...

The sister was gracious enough to be my model, so that I could display my 2nd finished object of the week.

Thankfully the weather cooperated by being overcast, giving the day the feel of a chilly winter's day.

Pattern: Pasha by Jane Richmond
Yarn : Cascade 220 sport in Natural

In addition to be a cute model, the sister was a good sport about it. Not to say that her services were free. Payment was made via lunch and one of the requirements was a nice Lager.  I guess you can say it was a win for me as well.

Don't worry, we did not have a liquid lunch, there was some food involved. Boy was there ever! I am sorry I didn't take a picture of it  but let me tell you, it involved a burger with a pretzel bun and sweet potato tots. Too incredible, which explains why there is no picture, it was devoured without so much as a thought of capturing it for your viewing pleasure. Sorry.

So there you go the second finished object this week. This is definitely not the norm for me, so I can't get too excited.

I will leave you with some wonderful things that caught my attention this week in blogland, enjoy!

• These fabulous knee socks from Helena.
• There is something about Raina's photos that make want to knit. She could take a picture of food and I want to knit, eat better, looks better. and on and on.  Can't explain!
• Michelle's adorable finished object. Bonus, after knitting an object like this that it look that cute on.
• I have been listening to Podcasts a lot lately. The vary from the Naked Scientist to Cast on. A new one is from Andrea and her friend Mary. It is so much fun, it is like being at your knitting group with your friends.

 

Hope you are having/had a wonderful weekend that involved yarn and good food!

XO

Andi

A little bit of this and that...

The extended weekend allowed me to do a little bit of this that.  Cleaning and organizing chores were done. As much as I don't like to, it sure does feel good when it is done, doesn't it?

Oh and some knitting was worked on this weekend as well. Rebecca and Shannonare hosting a KAL. It is the Warm Up To Winter KAL, and I could not resist. I have been itching to cast on hat for myself for a bit. I went back and forth over a couple patterns and settled on Pasha. In the spirit of  Winter, I cast it on in some lovely white Cascade. It has been a quick knit and I should have it done within the next couple of days! Let us all forget that I already have tons of WIPs on the needles-heh.

In addition to chores and knitting, I baked and cooked. I know, I was on one crazy roll this weekend. I baked up these cookies and made a big pot of soup.

Just your basic throw everything in type of soup. I added some cooked chicken, a bag of frozen veggies, and some whole grain pasta to some chicken broth and seasoned. I had to balance out the cookies I made with some healthy soup. Who hoo- dinner and lunch for a couple of days.

How about you did you do anything fun this weekend? Make any good grub that you would like to share with me? I will share with you some recipes I would like to try in the next couple of weeks.

• Any of these soups from Jody. I love it when she posts recipes!
• I have been seeing Brussel sprouts and bacon all over the place this year. I must try these very soon.
• This time of year I am on a soup kick, so this soup has me drooling.
• Don't get me started with my love for Cajun food! This recipe will be made very soon!

Hungry yet? Don't worry I will share (maybe).

Have a wonderful week everyone!

XO

Andi