January loves...

 

Hello there!

 

 

The first loves of a new year, how fun is that? Thankfully this month didn't seem to fly like the months of 2015. Maybe that is how 2016 is going to be, (hopefully). How did the first month of the year treat you?

 

 

Did you start your year as you intended? I think I am on the right track with my knitterly goal and some of my life goals, so I am a happy camper.

 

Pattern~ Low Country by Judy Marples  Yarn~ Neighborhood Fiber Co in the color Sheridan Circle

Shawl progress is happening and my football team is going to the SuperBowl...what  is not to love?

 

Yarn~ Shalimar Yarns Zoe Sock in the color Juniper Berry

Since I finished my January socks, I now selected my February sock yarn from my mystery bag. Still debating on a pattern but that is half the fun, right?

 

Now how about we go visiting around blogland and thereabouts  for some loves?

• I've been a long time reader of Manderine's blog. Her wonderful knitter's wish list post was spot on as I want it all.
• One of the most beautiful people I know had welcomed a gorgeous new love to her family. Congratulations, Nicole!
• Growing up in Colorado I adore snow. I miss it everyday and beg friends (Jody), for snow pics so that I can imagine I am there.  When I saw this post it from Nicole my heart soared!
• As I am working on my sock yarn blanket, seeing other blankets drives my desire to finish despite my fear of it ending.  Danie's blanket has a fun border and has given me some ideas for my next one...and yes there will be a next one.
• I think I could lose hours visiting this blog. The Aspiring Farm Wife is beautiful and entertaining. Love it when I find treasures like this.
• Felicia's Stash Less series is always a fav. I really enjoyed this one in particular about the paradox of freedom.
• Monica's blog has been a constant love for me. I am happy that she is back to posting and her point about missing blogging is one reason I post every Sunday. I think my word would indeed be gloomy if I couldn't visit with you every week.
• Always the forever teacher, The Pattern Duchess has a wonderful series on How to design a shawl.
• I love that as yarnies we have some of the most amazing events and retreats to cater to our every desire. While I cannot attend, Yarn Culture is hosting a fantastic workshop by designer Melanie Berg February 5th- 7thin New York.

For your shopping pleasure lets go window shopping...

• My grabby hands are feeling the love for this project bag and this yarn from Circus Tonic Handmade.
• And because I can't seem to get enough speckled in my life this yarn from Druzy Rising.
• Marvelous Maya of The Wool Barn is always on my list of loves and my desire to try out a sock blank has increased after seeing this stunner.

My mood this Sunday is of a slow and peaceful nature, so for me that means listening to some Chet Faker and knitting.  Enjoy a song and have the best day today!

 

  

 

XO,

Andi  

Comments

[Nicky]

Sounds like a wonderful start to the year. Happy Sunday lady!

[Debbie]

Wonderful post! I love the posts where you share what you have found. I appreciate your efforts.

The big thing that sticks out in my mind is the Denver Broncos coffee cup! Yes! I want one! Where did you buy that? I am a big fan of the Broncos, because I love Peyton Manning. I am from Indiana. When he left my favorite football team, the Colts, I was devastated. I naturally followed him on to Denver and became a Denver fan. This will be his last game, and I will be an emotional mess. I hope they can win. Here is an article you might enjoy:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/acatholicthinker/2016/01/why-peyton-matters/

I appreciate your great post. There is a lot of wonderful knitting going on too! It's not all about football!

[sam]

Thank you for the link love - I always enjoy what you share in this section. I'm not a fan of football, but having the home team in the super bowl is pretty exciting! Peyton Manning jersey might be in the shopping cart for Naomi this weekend!

[Linda]

Hi there! Just found your blog. I have been knitting or trying shall we say off and on for several years. The most I have made is several plain scarves, a pitiful too small hat. This month however I did manage to make a nice hat that fit my four year old granddaughter! I finished it just in time for what was probably and hopefully our one and only snow/sleet storm.

I would say I am very much on track for my goals of this year. I want to improve my knitting skills by a lot. I started trying to learn Continental. I can manage the knit stitch fine but not the purl so I have decided just to stick with English knitting. After trying both I don't think I'm as slow as I thought I was. And last night I taught my daughter (27) the knit stitch! I'm so excited that she is going to be a knitter!!

I have to say that I am a Panthers fan. Only just this year though. I have never really cared one way or the other but this year I actually find it exciting! I even watched the game that decided who goes to the Super Bowl.

I plan to follow your blog and hope to learn a lot!
Linda

[Linda]

What an interesting post, thank you! Love the music too. x

[lilirious]

Lovely post! I'm so glad things are working out for you this year! <3 One of my main goals for 2016 was to blog more, read more blogs and to knit more. So far it's working out. I've also been following your advice on focussing on 1 knitting project at the time and so far it's working out! I've finished something w00h00!

[Leah (Good Enough Knits)]

Your shawl is gorgeous so far - really amazing colour. I am also really into the fabric of the project bag in the next photo. Did you make it?

[Teresa]

I'm from Colorado too, living far from home now. Snow will be leaving home and coming here in a few days. Yay. Snow and some yarn!

[Tracey]

My January has been pretty awesome, although I do wish the days would slow down a bit, tomorrow is February?! Gosh.

I love seeing all the snow photos too, now if I could just get some here!

I have a hot cup of tea-ginger lemon and nothing to do, but click away on all your lovely links, thanks so much my dear friend!

[Camilla]

Love the quote- love that quote!
So many great links and blog links- always fun to find new inspiring folks in blog land...wishing you a wonderful February ahead.

[Cimorine]

This month has been a little crazy. I went from forcing myself to crazily knit Christmas gifts to VOLUNTEERING to crazily knit gifts. It is the end of January and I have already started the following things:
1, an owl hat for a speaker at a Theology-on-tap night (and another one on smaller needles for a co-worker's grandson, both of which are finished)
2, a sweater for myself out of some pesky sock yarn.
3, a prayer shawl for my cousin who needs prayers of healing.
4, a pair of Frozen mittens that need to be completed
5, two Avatrix hats, one the smallest size and one the largest size (these are also finished)

On top of these, I'm thinking of making:
2 pairs of socks for myself, one for my sister
1 bulky-weight lap blanket
another fingering weight sweater (for the same cousin)
next year's Advent Angel sweater.

And when I say "thinking of making" I mean, "I've already bought the yarn and know the pattern and I just need to cast on."

It feels like something in me just became ultra-precise and focused. I've noticed this intensity in my Weight watchers journey as well (I started tracking every day). I'm not complaining at all, but it's just interesting that I've suddenly developed this new part in my personality. I will have to see where it goes. (If it leads to sweaters for the cat, my family has been notified and will dutifully hold a funeral for my sanity).

[Dee]

Some beautiful new blogs for me to check out.

I hope you have a wonderful week ahead.

[Maryse]

Already planning for your second pair of socks? That's why I love coming here :) Thanks for the loves!

[Andrea @ This Knitted Life]

I also just stumbled upon The Aspiring Farm Wife and have really enjoyed it. I look forward to checking out the rest of your links as well. As always, thank you for sharing. Enjoy your Super Bowl knitting. I'm sure it will be extra special this year.

[karen]

love that first mug :) off to go blog hopping!!

[Julie]

Such a lovely knit you've got on the needles, and your January loves list was great! I love those yarns from Druzy Rising and Circus Tonic, so beautiful!! I can't get enough speckled yarns, either.

[Kat]

It does feel like 2016 is passing more smoothly and in less than a rush than the beginning of 2015 did. I'm glad that you're already making some progress on your different goals for this year!

[Tahnee]

Beautiful list of loves once again! My January didn't quite start of knitting-wise as I'd hoped, because I'm still working on a hopelessly delayed cross stitch birthday gift. But I managed to get a lot of stuff done at work and been working on my health too, so not all is bad :)

[Lisa]

Thanks for sharing Andi, I am so glad you have had a wonderful January!

[Audry]

Which team is your team?

We are currently hunkering down and trying to avoid all the terrible traffic that the Super Bowl has brought.... on top of the usual terrible traffic.

[Annie]

Such pretty blue yarns!

I always need to allocate extra time to reading these posts so I can enjoy following all the links. Thank you for brightening my day Andi :)

[Melissa C.]

Hi Andi,

I love this! I'd like to get in touch with you privately with a question I have for you. What is the best way to do so? :)

[Danielle]

Yay for first loves of the year! January just flew by. Have a great week!

[PrairieGirlDanie]

I love the idea of the sock project mystery bags. I have mine in brown paper bags (which are not as fun), but I wasn't very successful with them last year. I'll just continue on this year. Surely that yarn is still good.

I'm so honored to have made your list with my sock yarn blanket, but maybe more honored to find another knitting Broncos fan. I don't want to brag but my Broncos socks (with the word "WIN" knit in the ribbing of the sock cuff) really pulled us through the AFC championships...well that and the defense.

[Angela]

We are now preparing for Valentine's Day. I never watch anything related to super bowl but perhaps as I get older it will happen.
Great color for that shawl Andi!! Fun links! Have a great week!!