My Sister's Knitter

Well hello there...

 

Hello loves!

 

 

I am back, a day later than promise...but some days are just like that. :) I have missed you loads. Thank you for being so understanding about my time away. I know that it did me a world of good and it feels like my words have come back. How have you been?

 

© Anne Podlesak

Knitting has been happening while I was away. Mostly sample knits for the talented designer Anne Podlesak. I was so excited to be able to show you the above sample knit! This gorgeous pullover is named Spring Frost and what a joy it was to knit.

 

 

A new KAL/CAL has started in the My Sister's Knitter Group. If you know me, you know I am thinking about knitting up some socks. With so many wonderful and talented designers it is rather hard to focus on just one, but I think I have narrowed it down. When I decide I will let you know.

I currently have another stranded color-work knit on the needles for Anne Podlesak which is requiring much of my attention at the moment, but once it is off the needles I will get to my KAL knitting. 

Oh and I almost forgot, I completed a color-work sample hat...but only got the progress pic.

 

 

As you also may have noticed there has been a lot of reading taking place.  We will have to chat about that soon. :)

For now I will leave you with a song and wish you the very best day. Thank you again for being so kind about my time away.

 

 

XO

andi

 

 

 

April loves...

 

Hello loves!

 

Yarn~ BAERENWOLLE BAERfoot in the color Lucy in the sky with diamonds   Book~ You by Caroline Kepnes   Tea~ Yogi Kombucha Green Tea.

Here we are- we made it to another weekend! Well done us.:)  It is going to be an amazing day, do you know how I know? Because my coffee tastes exceptionally good this morning- I view that as a sign.  Today the plan is to get in a bit of reading and of course some knitting.

 

 

I will apologize now as my projects lately have been all about the socks. May have something to do with our temps being near 100. Light projects that don't sit on my lap...priceless. The socks above are my Woodland Walk socks and there has been progress.  Not too much as I have had a serious case of cast-on-it is.

 

Pattern~ Socks on a Plane   Yarn~ Great Lakes Tweed Yarn in the color Surrealistic Pillow

I started this pair last weekend and they are done. I blame it entirely on the yarn. Great Lakes Tweed yarn was one I featured last year when I celebrated some of my favorite Indie dyers. I have been hoarding the above yarn and happy to report it has served it's purpose. To knit into some truly gorgeous socks that I cannot wait to wear this Fall/Winter.

 

 

A sign that I need some more of this yarn is in the fact that I cannot stop staring it at. :)  Then of course more socks cast on. Many more than pictured below...many more.

 

 

This yarn has been in my stash for almost 10 years. It is Knitpicks Bare and was dyed up during a knit night party at my casa. Experimenting in Kool-aide dying. Think it is about time to knit it up, right?

Alright, let's get to loves before I bombard you with all the socks.

 

• Woolen Wilderness has long been an inspiration to me. Her gorgeous projects have caused many of cast-on parties.
• Michelle has a wonderful podcast called My So Called Handmade Life. She is already on episode 9- which means, I am late to the game, but no less smitten. It is like her blog coming at you live.
• Not being one to swatch, ( because I knit mostly socks), if anything could get me to swatch it would be Michelle's gorgeous post.
• I haven't knit a stuffy in what seems like forever, but the sight of all these tiny knit dresses Little Cotton Rabbits designed for her stuffed friends has me rethinking that.
• Following along the process of Patricia's Birkin sweater in this post equals pure bliss.
• I am in constant awe of all you talented peeps who are multi-craftual. That is why this post by Melissa is one of my loves.
• I have seen some gorgeous knit models, but I have to say Simcha takes the cake. The cowl he is modeling is beautiful which is a good thing because were it not, it may just look like a handsome model wearing yarn. :)
• Despite being in the throws of sock knitting paradise, that doesn't mean my mind and eyes haven't been wandering.  Faith's Half Moon Oracle is one of those projects that makes me think that maybe a fun shawl would be something I could add to the menu.
• Leave it to Julie to come up with a wonderful feature, Knit Stories. Brilliant idea.
• Choosing a word for the new year is such a lovely idea. Julie has chosen the word adventure, packaged up mystery bags filled with yarn and patterns for shawls. Seriously, I want to peek into all her bags!
• Change...not one of my favorite words. I like things to stay the same, but wisely understand that change is inevitable. Loved this post from Karen.

 

Thank you as always for visiting with me. Enjoy this sweet video and have the best day today!

 

 

XO,

andi

Knitlandia: A Knitter Sees The World: Clara Parkes, review and give-away...

 This giveaway is now closed~ Thank you for all who entered.

Let me begin with vowing my love for Clara Parkes. I want to be best friends with her and I know that I am not alone in my desire. When I read The Yarn Whisperer ( three times and counting), a term that I normally felt uncomfortable with "fan girl", was for once a real thing and I was one. I heard that Clara was coming out with a new book, but someone the knowledge of this got pushed to the backburner of my mind with the holidays and such. Then I was contacted by a lovely angel, Traci from ABRAMS books about a review. A review about a book written by my pseudo best friend...heck yah!

 

 

Knitlandia: A Knitter Sees The World, is not only a dream read but my true to life dream. While other's plan our their possible lottery wins by listing homes for parents and paying off debts, I list an across the world yarn store and knitting event crawl.

Being one the last knitters in the world not to experience knitting events to read this book was like being there. Clara takes us along to TNNA in Columbus where we get to experience all the wonderful joys to be had.

 

MIGHTY SCOOPS AND PHO TO G O : Celebrating TNNA in Columbus

BOOKSELLERS HAVE BOOKEXPO AMERICA, the gift industry has NY NOW, and in the knitting world, industry folk converge twice
a year for TNNA, our largest and only trade show, sponsored by the National NeedleArts Association.

Here, the people who make our world go ’round—the manufacturers, distributors, designers, agents, and retailers, to name a few—come together to network, take classes, and conduct business for the coming season. TNNA is where trends are launched, competitors are eyed, and closely held secrets are revealed. Are we headed toward novelty yarn again? You’ll get your answer at TNNA. Is the pompom back in style? A quick walk through the show floor and you’ll know.

 

  Clara shares with us stories of Jeni's Ice Cream that I have heard about in what I thought were fairy tales...

 

The Farmer's Market sundae at Jeni's, featuring delicious lemon frozen yogurt and boozy berries and a dollop of freshly whipped cream

And because us knitters not only go to the event and ignore what the community has to offer, we get to experience a Pride Parade.

 

 

gay pride parade. 

We needle crafters take it all in, or so I read and heard.

 

storm clouds over North Market

 So if you are like me and long to experience travel through a knitter's eye, you really should read this book. In true Clara Parkes style there will be many moments when you laugh aloud, so maybe you shouldn't read in public if you are easily embarrassed.

Lucky for me ABRAMS Books not only provided me a copy of the book to review but also offered up a copy for one lucky reader. Leave me a comment telling me about your favorite knitting event or if you are like me and have yet to experience one, what your dream knitting event is.

This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian entries only. Giveaway will close March 4th at midnight (PST) and I will announce the winner via a blog post on March 6th. I will be in contact with the winner and forward your info to ABRAMS Books. Good luck!

There are more stops on this fantastic book tour~

Feb 22           Knit and Tonic 

Feb 26           Mary Jane Muckelstone 

Feb 29           Knit Circus

March 2          Yarniacs 

March 4          Leethal 

March 7          Tin Can Knits

March 17          Marly Bird (Yarn Thing Podcast)

 

Have the best day today!

XO,

Andi

Knitting with a side of reading...

 

Happy Sunday and November!

 

 

A new month...ahhh. You know how I feel about new months, much how I feel about a new year, it is a fresh new time but bite size. 

 

 

Cooler months equate to an increase in knitting, but also reading. While I do read all year long, my appetite for written and audible words increases during the Fall and Winter months.  Much like my knitting projects, my book selections tend to fall into a theme. When the days shorten and darkness comes earlier I crave creepy mysteries.

Being one who casts on all the things, I am usually reading more than one book at a time. On my "nightstand" right now:

 

• The Nothing Girl by Jodi Taylor (Audio)
• The Bat Jo Nesbo
• In The Woods Tana French

 

I'd be interested to know if your reading is on this increase in the cooler months. Does the type of book you reach for depend on the season? More importantly...what are you reading?

Enjoy a song and have the best day today!

 

 

 

XO,

Andi

Let's knit all the things, shall we...

 

...Or rather do all the things? Happy Sunday to you!

 

February self-striping socks, Yarn Little Dyeworks in the colorway MySistersKnitter (how cool,right?)

What a busy week. As the title suggests, it has been a knitting frenzied week. It actually feels like I have had my grubby paws in just about everything.

 

 Knitsch sock in the colorway Filibuster

 

Mystery sock yarn for February has been drawn. In case you have no idea what the mystery sock yarn is about. In the Raverly group one of our members Alice, came up with the idea of us doing a casual 12 month Mystery Sock Yarn KAL. I collected 12 sock yarns and put them in 12 project bags and each month I grab one and knit that baby up.

 

Swatch for Henny shawl. Yarn Love Anne Shirley in the colorway Pineapple Upside Down Cake.

 

Then the beautiful Liesl asked for test knitters for her new shawl pattern, Henny. I was so there with needles at the ready.

 

 Wooly Wonka Fibers

 

Designer extraordinaire Robin, asked if I would test knit on of her new designs with her lush yarn. Yes, please!  Only good things can come of all those blues, am I right?  

For fear of making all the monogamous knitters out there faint, I will fib and say that the above knits  are all that is happening. For the rest of you, let's just say there is much more. :)

 

 

More sweet sock scrap donations from Donna were received, among other fun treats. I can't wait to add these beauties to my blanket! Speaking of blankets, have you seen the stunner that Nicky finished? I have no plans to rush my blanket because it is very much about the process, but seeing Nicky's made me very excited.

As you can see it has been a week full of knitting, which is always a good thing. Book reading has also been happening. For those into book talk we have a thread in the group which has resulted in my GoodReads' want to read list to grow. Of course if you have books that you would like to recommend please share. Or if you would like to friend me on GoodReads scroll down near the bottom of my sidebar and you will find a link to my profile.

The books I read in January:

• Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris
• Under Wildwood by Colin Meloy

 

So we have knitting, reading and now cooking. Told you- it was a "do all the things" type of week. Our weather here in Arizona was on the cooler end the last couple of weeks making stews and soups top on the menu.

 

Chicken stew-no recipe as it was a mix of tips from friends and a little bit of this and that.

 

Now that our temps are on the rise, I am looking for some light Spring-like recipes. Can you help a girl out?

Alright, I feel like I have rambled on long enough. Funny that is the perfect way to describe this week, rambled. Before I go I have to announce the winner of last week's giveaway.

 

#23  Kepanie

~That Primrose Ascot catches my eye ever time!~

 

Congratulation Kepanie! I will be forwarding your information to the publisher.

 

Have the best day today!

XO,

Andi

Dress-to-Impress Knitted Scarves book review and giveaway...

 ~This Giveaway is now closed. Thank you for entering~

Thanks to the wonderful people at Stackpole Books, I have a lovely review and giveaway for you.

 

 

Pam Powers has recently released a gorgeous new book, Dress-to-Impress Knitted Scarves.

 

There are 24 patterns to chose from, which may turn out to be difficult when deciding which to cast on first.

 

 Triple Plaited Infinity Scarf

Bonus, the beauty of this book it that it has designs to meet everyone's tastes and styles.

Things I really enjoyed about this book:

• The something for everyone type of the patterns. They range from ruffles to mosaics, and everything in between.
• 6 pages of detailed and beautifully photographed techniques.
• How to Read My Patterns page from the author. I appreciate when designers add this feature because as we all know, no two designers write patterns the same.

 

 Mosiac Cowl

 If you would like a chance to win a copy of this book, tell me your favorite pattern in the comments below. You can take a glace at the Look Book here.

As the publisher is sending out this book, it will be open to US residents only. Please ensure you include your email address when prompted in the comments so that I can forward that to Stackpole Books. This giveaway will close Sunday February 8th at midnight (PST). I will announce a winner via blog post on Monday February 9th.

Good luck!

XO,

Andi 

What's happening...

 

Happy Sunday!

 

 

It has been a brilliantly quiet week. I have been nose deep in a test knit (above) and some lovely secret knitting (below).

 

 

The color has been altered on the secret knitting to prevent revealing the recipient. I am knitting along with Liesl's Mystery Hat Swap. Such fun to knit for someone who all your know is their favorite colors and hat style.

 

 

Another project for one of Liesl's knit alongs. These finished sock are my January submission for the Monthly Sock Challenge.

 

pattern~ Pillars   yarn~ Western Sky Knits in the colorway Double Pink Rainbow

Lots of yarn in my week, right? As I mentioned in a previous post there is something about the new year that all knitting feels shiny and fun, whether it is a WIP or new project. Are you finding the same thing?

Because I have a test knit on the needles, I took a page from Olivia's book and listened to There's No Such Thing As A Fish podcast. It is hilarious and the perfect companion for my knitting.

 

 Yes, I realize that the your should be you're. :) Too late to correct as this imperfection is already out in the world.

Trying to keep my New Year's resolution to be a better person. I have been making little bookmarks and leaving them in library books for someone who needs them to receive.

Another resolution or goal of mine was to read more this year. Ever since knitting has taken a hold of my life, reading has fallen to the waist side. This year I am challenging myself to read 12 books. In true Andi-form, I have three books on my reading list. Much like my knitting, I don't always focus just on one at a time.

 

Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls

An Unfinished Life

 

That is my week in a nutshell. Knitting, listening, and reading, not too shabby. How did your week treat you? Did you find yourself on task with things you wanted to accomplish?

Before I leave you we have a winner for the Legendary Knits Vol. 3 giveaway!

 

~#58

I like all the patterns, but the Little Mermaid sweater is very charming. Thank you for a chance to win.

Margene

 

Thank you to to all who entered. There will be another book review and giveaway on Monday February 2nd. :) Margene, I have forwarded your email address to the designer. 

 

Have the best day today!

XO,

Andi  

A Book Review: Follow The Yarn

A little over a month ago I was contact by a lovely lady named Reba, asking if I would be interested in reviewing her book.

As many of you know, I love to share things I find around blogland that strike my fancy. Sometimes it may be yarn, Indie dyers, fellow yarnies projects, and newly released books/patterns. I was very honored to have someone contact me to review their project.

I didn't dally around with a reply, after reading Reba's reason behind her book:

 

"I recently completed a book called Follow the Yarn, due out next month in paperback. In brief, the book is based on the tips and techniques I learned from my amazing knitting teacher, Ann Sokolowski, who, sadly, passed away nine months into the beginner’s knitting class I took with her. In addition, the book is the story of how meeting Ann helped me find my voice as a person and as a writer."

 

You all know how completely and utterly in love with the yarn community I am,  therefore how could I say no to such a lovely tribute to one of our own?

This book is without a doubt one of the most wonderful reads. Through Reba's words we are introduced to an amazing woman, Ann Sokolowski, and given some excellent tips and tricks for knitting. A few of my favorites were:

 

• Making mini balls of yarn
• Tips about holding your yarn
• Having more than one project going
• Measuring for sweaters.
• Blocking

 

Thanks to Reba, not only did Ann teach her class at the Y these purls of wisdom, but now us as well. I was not prepared to love this book as much as I have. Granted I knew I would enjoy it based on the passion with which it's author promoted it. Could be something she learned from Ann?

 

"Know your own worth. Know what is worth your time and craftmanship- and what is not."

 

If you have a love of knitting and knitters, this is a must read book. There will be other amazing stops on this book tour:

Tour Schedule

Weds, Nov. 13: review, http://daydreamknits.wordpress.com/

Tues, Nov 19, 6pm: radio interview, http://www.artistfirst.com

Thurs, Nov. 21: radio interview, http://blogtalkradio/JaiKaur

Fri, Nov. 22: interview by Marie, http://undergroundcrafter.com/blog

Mon, Nov. 25: book give-away, http://www.crossroadreviews.com

Tues, Nov. 26: podcast book reading, http://nevernotknitting.blogspot.com/

Thurs, Dec 5: review by Renee at http://yarnaddictconfessions.blogspot.com

Mon, Dec 9: interview by Marcy Nelson-Garrison athttp://coachingtoysblog.typepad.com/product_mentor_coaching/

Tues, Dec. 10: review at http://www.nekomentsu.blogspot.com/

Plus, month-long book giveaway at http://www.Goodreads.com

 

Learn more at http://www.rebalinker.com/. All who sign up for Reba's newsletter from now to the end of the tour will be automatically entered in the Tour Contest for a chance to win Great Prizes. Extra chances to win great prizes will be given to our fans at https://www.facebook.com/FollowtheYarn2013 andhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Reba-Linker-Author/215275608492025

 

XO

Andi

Nothing but knitting on the brain...

 

Why is it when you have the time to knit, you don't. Then when you don't have the time to knit, you thinking of nothing else?

Maybe it's just me. Over the last couple of month I had unlimited knit time, yet nothing flew off the needles.

Rappaccini's Daughter Shawl  Yarn~Wooly Wonka Lace in True Blood

The days at the job, seemed to drag because my mind was on the fact that I would rather be knitting. Doesn't help that I listen to knitting podcasts while I work.

Thankfully the knitting gods did take some pity on me this weekend, and gave me the focus to finish some fun stripey socks.

Stats:

Pattern- Basic 64 stitch Vanilla pattern

Yarn- Desert Vista Dyeworks in the color Burano

Needles- 1.5 mm US

 

Good thing, because I was starting to  think I was spinning in circles on the knit cycle. Yet, when I think about it, what a lame thing to complain about. Boo hoo, so I am knitting all the things and nothing is getting done. Really not a good reason to complain is it?

So my Sunday will be about knitting, reading about knitting and then knitting some more. :) How about you? Are you knitting or playing with yarn this weekend? I hope you are.

Enjoy a song and have the best week!

 

 

 

XO

Andi

Who doesn't love a giveaway?

 

Some of you may remember a love that I listed in this post. This was where I stated I was eagerly awaiting the release of Audry's new book. Well, guess what? It is here.

 

Most yarnies I know, love books. When you combine books and yarn, you get Lit Knits.  Can't go wrong with that combination. Except when trying to decide what pattern to knit first.

Being me, it was instant love when I saw the pattern, Sail to Treasure Island. In my mind, I see myself knitting it in some lush squishy gray yarn. :)

My shawl cast on craze is not being helped along with seeing Avonlea. Can you believe I have never read Anne of Green Gables, which inspired this knit?  That will need to be remedied soon.

You knew there would be sock included, Black Beauty Rides On!

Didn't I mention a giveaway? The talented Audry has offered me the privilege to gift one very lucky person, an E-book copy of Lit Knits. Are you pumped?

I have already shared with you just some of my favorite patterns from Lit Knits, now it is your turn. To win a copy of the E-book, simply let me know what pattern you would knit. You can go here to check out all ten patterns to help you choose. There you will also find information about how to pre-order a copy of the book by September 25th.

Let's break down the details of the giveaway.

• Leave a comment letting me know what pattern you would like to knit
• Ensure that you leave some way for me to contact you in the comment. It can be a Ravelry name or email address.
• Deadline for this giveaway ends on September 14th at midnight PST.
• What was your nickname growing up? Heh, just kidding, but you can tell me if you want. :)

Good luck! I don't want you to be too disappointed if you don't win, as there are more opportunities on this Blog Tour. Choo-choo...next stop, Angela of Pans & Needles, September 10th!

 

Since today is my actual birthday, I will share a birthday favorite.

 

 

 

XO

Andi