My Sister's Knitter

Knitting project preferences...

 

Hello there loves!

 

 

Yay- it is Sunday! Time to sit, relax and chat with my peeps. Being able to sit and catch up with you all it a huge highlight of my week. How was your week?  Hope you are all safe from these crazy Summer storms the U.S. has been having. Other than dealing with unrelenting heat, I have no room to complain in comparison.

 

 

What does one do when they need a travel project, they cast on some vanilla socks of course. Traveling means for me work. :)  So I scooped up this yarn that my sister bought me for Christmas last year. A conversation between my mom, my sister and I got me thinking about how some of us gravitate towards particular projects and how others do not.

 

 

 

It is no secret that I like knitting socks, for a number of reasons. They are something I can wear for at least 4-5 months of the year in Arizona. The portability factor of sock knitting is always a factor for me. Socks are the first thing I learned to knit and the love affair has continued.  While I have knit blankets, stuffies, cardigans, shawls, scarves and hats, I admit 85% of my completed projects are socks.

 

 

The conversation that I mentioned went a bit like this. Mom and me~ During a phone call she asks me what am I knitting on. I say socks. She says, you should knit something else, you are always knitting socks. Sister and me~ Tell sister Mom tells me that I should knit something other than socks. Sister tells me, " Well, it is kind of weird that you just knit socks.".

I think my first reaction was to be defensive, but then I realized I do knit a lot of socks. Of course I know I knit socks predominately, I just had not ever thought they it may come across as odd to some people. Do you feel you have unintentionally typecast yourself into a certain type of knitting project and what is it about that particular type of project that keeps you coming back for more, (by project I mean shawls, socks, sweaters, etc.,).  Inquiring minds wants to know. :)

On to the giveaway that we had a couple weeks back. I have drawn a winner for this beautiful skein of Dyed In the Wool Yarn Co's skein of DK weight yarn...

 

#37-

Beautiful colors! I see fingerless gloves done with it.

Posted by: Joanne 

 

 

Congratulations, Joanne.  Thank you for all who entered. I will leave you with a wonderful maker video from Etsy and wish you the best day today!

 

 

 

 

 

XO,

andi

July loves...

 

Hello and happy Sunday, loves!

 

 

How have you been since we last talked? This morning finds me knitting on my Let it Shine socks with a nice cup of coffee along with very grey skies.  Bliss, I tell you.  Can everyday please be like this Sunday?

 

 

I finished some secret sample/test knit socks for Knotions magazine. Explains why they are folded in such a way, right?  Bonus, I have yarn coming in the mail for another pair of sample/test knits socks coming soon. Whoo hoo!

 

 

A wee bit of progress on my KAL shawl happened this week. Plans are to get in a few more rows today then to switch gears and work on the sample knit cardigan (pic below). So many things on the needles!

 

 

Overall, a very knitty week, just how I like it.  

We have already reached the end of July. Which means it is that time for July loves.  Hope you enjoy your visits around blogland and thereabout. :)

 

• There are those blogs where the stunning photos draw you in and the stories keep you coming back for more. Jean's is on of those blogs. Love her most recent posts on what is Yarnscape.
• Attending a knitting retreat is a long time dream of mine. Andrea shares a retreat she attended in my favorite state Colorado and I am in love.
• Over the last couple of weeks a few knitty friends of mine on Raverly have shared they are suffering from pain when knitting. Not being able to knit strikes at the heart of every knitter, so it was interesting when I read this article by Chloe Benjamin.
• Love this post from Shannon about how she is going to slow down her Summer. Sometimes we all need to step back and reprioritize our lives.
• I am adoring Leslie's What the Fade progress and those tassels equal insta-love.
• Enjoy doesn't even begin to cover how brilliant is has been to read through Helena's post about on the Jyväskylä Knit Festival 2018.  
• It is always a "Merry Meet"  whenever I visit Fin Folk and Oak and there are times I never want to leave.  
• I will never get enough of Autumn Geisha's progress pics, especially as they are primarily socks.  Tien is my sock and yarn muse.

 

Alright, I will stop monopolizing your time and ask that you enjoy a song.

 

 

 

 

Have the best day today!

xo,

andi

Knitting in the heat...

 

Hello loves!

 

Yarn~ S.R. Kertzer On Your Toes with Aloe.  Pattern~ Vanilla

Happy Sunday! With all these summer storms in the U.S., I hope everyone is safe and happily knitting away. Knitting is happening here, it is hot but that is not keeping me from knitting all the things. If anything I am having to hold myself from casting everything.

 

 

Case in point, I finished these loves earlier in the week and for some reason I kept telling myself that I deserved to cast on 3 more socks as a treat since I had an FO. Thankfully my brain took over and reminded me that I already have a million things on the needles.

 

 

These socks were so wonderful to knit. Yes, they are just plain vanilla socks, but those colors and stripes kept me going at full steam. Quick note about the yarn, this pair is my 6th finished pair of socks that I have knit out of Spinning Fates Yarn. I have 2 more skeins in my stash that I am hoarding but would really like to cast on. Spinning Fates was one of my earliest Indie dyers and obviously the love affair has never ended,(I am eyeing her colorway, Purple Reign big time).

 

Pattern~ Emily's Favourite Socks  Yarn~ Circus Handmade in the color Galah.

Progress on my Emily's socks is still happening. I think if I keep with it, these will be done fairly soon. Excuse the dark lighting, sometimes Monsoon weather darkens things up a bit. But if you know me, the greyer the better when it comes to skies.

How has your Summer been treating you?

Enjoy a song and have the best day today!

 

 

XO,

andi

To Knit-along or not...

 

Hello loves!

 

Yarn~ Spinning Fates Twisted Sisters in the color Lady Meux   Tea~ Taylors of Harrogate Sweet Rhubarb.

Happy Sunday!  whoo-hoo, we made it to the weekend. :)  The week flew and now thankfully the weekend feels like it is moving nice and slow. I am totally savoring it.  Some knitting has happened on my fraternal twins socks, as well as my sample knits.

 

 

A new KAL (knit-along) is starting in the My Sister's Knitter group today.  I really enjoy knitting along with people as for me it provides me with a feeling like I am knitting with a local knitting group. I am constantly in awe for how kind, supportive and inspiring the group members are.  While preparing for this next KAL it got me thinking, why do you knit along or why don't you?

 

Yarns~ Dream in Color Baby.

For me, KALs provide me with a knitting community that I don't have here in Arizona. The original reason I started the group in 2013 was because I wanted a way to expand my blog in a way that allowed me to connect on another level through knitting. Now, I say knitting but our KALs also include crochet, weaving and sometimes spinning.

 

Pattern~ Let it Shine   Yarn~ Neighborhood Fiber Co. in the color Victorian Village.

When creating the KAL is the group, I try to make them as open to all as possible so that everyone feels the project they create will fit into the theme. Of course this is not always possible, but I like to think that for the most part the themes are something everyone can join in on.

Your turn...do you join KALs?  If so, what do you like about them and what don't you? If you don't KAL, why?

Enjoy a lovely video that has me green with envy ( knitting and camping=my heaven), and have the best day today!

 

 

XO,

andi

Knitting chat and a giveaway...

 

* Thank you for all who entered! This giveaway is now closed*

Hello there!

 

 

Happy Sunday! Did your week treat you well? Were you able to squeeze in some knitting time? My week was good and yes, that is primarily because knitting time was made.  I was a bit all over the place with my knitting, a row here and a row there.  Progress on my Cadence socks is coming along. There is something about this pattern that makes it seem that it knits itself.

 

 

The original plan (if you could call it that), was that I was going to finish up the Cadence socks and work on the sample knits.  Then the postman arrived and all plans went out the window. A lovely friend sent me a surprise gift from one of my favorite dyers, Spinning Fates.  Pink and grey...they were begging to be cast on. The color is Lady Meux.

 

 

I took some advice from the recent post about Second Sock Syndrome and decided to knit these babies in unison. It is working and I think the fact that they are fraternal twins makes it all the more exciting.

 

 

On a totally different note, I had to share Carl with you all. My sister crocheted me this little cutie and he is everything!  I mean how could you not look at that face and smile?

Now, I have a treat for you all. One of my dear friends and very talented dyer, Vanessa of Dyed in the Wool Yarn Co. surprised me by asking if she could send me some yarn and she would include a skein for a giveaway.  Since I secretly wish I were Yarn Santa and able to gift all the yarn, I said yes!

So my friends thanks to the generosity and pure kindness of Vanessa...

 

this gorgeous skein will go home to one lucky winner.

Yarn details-

Darn it DK   Color is Birds of a Feather    250 yards    SW Merino   Weight- DK

 

To win tell me what you would like to knit with the gorgeous skein (you know my mind went to squishy  DK socks), in the comments. Make sure to provide your email address when it prompts you. Giveaway is open world wide and will close on July 31th at midnight. The winner will be announced on August 5th's blog post.

Thank you for all who entered! This giveaway has now closed.

 

I will leave you with a song and wish you the best day today!

 

 

XO

andi

June Loves...

 

Hello loves!

 

Yarn~ Neighborhood Fiber Company color Victorian Village   My favorite knitting notebook~ is from Lisa The Knitting Artist.

Welcome to Sunday (or whenever you read this)!!  It has been a crazy week filled with all sorts of things and all I can say it I was very grateful when this wonderful weekend arrived on my doorstep. One huge highlight of my week was reading through all the great comments about your stash. It was brilliant to read how each and everyone of you feels about your stash- so thank you!

 

 

As it was a crazy week, I pulled out the arsenal...tea and knitting. It worked! Speaking of tea, I have received questions about my favorite teas. While at times it can be overwhelming to choose because it is similar to picking a favorite yarn, I have displayed a small (very small) sample of my go-to- teas. One exception listed here is the NU TE, it was in a swap package that I received from a lovely friend in Switzerland and have been on the hunt for it ever since.  Let me tell you, that tea is amazing!!!

 

 

I don't have a lot of knitting progress to share as my projects this week have been focused on some sample knitting.  This huge bundle of yarny goodness is for a colorwork cardigan that I am  knitting for the talented designer, Anne Podlesak and is for The Yarn Guys shop.

 

 

This is all I have to show for it right now. I may be able to share a tad bit more in the coming weeks.

 

 

Then we have the second sample knit I am working on. This pattern has not been released so this is a sneak peek of it.  The test knit is for Knotions Magazine and the yarn is Wooly Wonka Fibers Rhiannon sock yarn in the color Forget Me Nots.

It may appear that I have no knitting happening for me this week and I don't, but I will be working on some side projects (probably socks), just to be able to have some knitting to share with you all. For now I will share my loves for June!

 

• I am really into Michelle's Zara Tee. It looks like the perfect knit for the warmer months. Also, in case you didn't know Michelle has a great podcast on Youtube. Win-win.
• One of my favorite things to read on blog is vacations. TinCanKnits is sharing Vol.1 of her trip to Iceland and it is pure joy to read.
• Amongst my mass chatter and ramblings about knitting, there are times even I forget that I used to crochet. Still enjoy it (although it has been a while), and it is nice to see posts about it on Kelbourne Woolens blog. Especially as my sister now crochets.
• I adore Steph and reading about her lost mojo and now found mojo woes, makes me chuckle. She is one of those bloggers that makes me laugh, relate and get inspired.
• After socks, shawls would have to be my second favorite thing to knit. Woolenberry's Passeggiata shawl is giving me all the feels.
• Knitting progress photos and stories are my jam. Love them. Katherine shares the progress and woes of her Incunabula Cardigan and I want more.
• I have a long time love for Tiff ( Dottie Angel) and reading about her on Fringe Association's True Confessions and Our Tools, Ourselves was fantastic.  
• If you are looking for a fun and challenging KAL, you may want to join up with my friend Tina for the Olive Knits Bee Keeper Cardigan 4 day Sweater KAL. If I didn't have so many deadline projects on my plate, I would be very tempted to join in.
• Oh fantastic yellow tweedy socks from aquatique's blog, Eternal Spring Socks.
• Looking for a fun sock along, how about Little Skein's 3rd annual Sock School?  It looks like serious fun.
• Brioche has really become something big in the last year (sort of like speckled sock yarn), and many who are interested may be afraid or confused on where to start. Knitosophy Designs has posted a great video tutorial on how to knit 2 color Brioche.
• Knotions Magazine has recently released a series of videos previewing the launch of their  June 2018 issue. Love it!

 

My last love is a Ted Talks video featuring the inspiring and creative designer, Kate Davies.

 

 

XO,

andi

Regarding our yarn stash...

 

Hello there!

 

Pattern~ My Own Vanilla   Yarn~ The Loopy Ewe Legends in the color Michelle's Pretty Pink Cactus  Tea~ Stash Earl Grey.

Whoo hoo-it's Sunday.  How was your week?  Hopefully it went by fast and now you are enjoying a peaceful week.  My Sunday is off to a great start, a cup of tea and some knitting. Basically, every Sunday should kick off with knitting. ;) A little later I am going to visit my yarn stash and do a bit of organizing. I want to chat a bit with you about your yarn stash, but first I will talk about this week's happenings.

 

Pattern~ My own vanilla pattern  Yarn~ Knitpicks Bare dyed with Kool-Aid.

I finished my June socks.  These socks despite being plain vanilla socks make me so happy. Actually it is the yarn that makes me happy. The yarn is Knitpicks Bare sock yarn and was dyed with koolaid more than 8 years ago, during a knit night at my home with a few work friends. Basically this yarn is full of memories and brings me joy.

 

Pattern~ Emily's favourite socks  Yarn~ Circus Tonic Handmade Reverly sock in the color Galah.

Now here is where we have a chat about our stash. I know that for some talking about one's stash can be like talking or discussing one's weight. It can be a sensitive issue and even raise some mild debates.  Regardless I am going to ask you your feelings on the topic of your yarn stash.

 

 Dyed in the Wool Yarn Co.

My friend Jody and I have  ongoing conversations about whether or not she should buy more yarn. She will let me know that she got the latest KnitPicks ad and spied "this yarn" or "that yarn", that she really loves.  My reply will always be, "Buy it!". Yep, I am an enabler with no shame. My view is that we work hard and maybe rather than shoes, purses, books, or whatever some people buy a lot of, we buy yarn. Of course there is no judgment from me if you are like Imelda Marcos and have a yarn stash that matches it.

 

Great Lakes Tweed sock in the color Girl Power.

Part of the sensitivity of talking about our yarn stash may come from the fact that our yarn is not cheap (deservedly so), and the fear that others will think that we must have a lot of money to be able to be able to have all this yarn. I can tell you that I am by no means well off and there have been occasions where I forgo something, like professional hair cuts or dinner out in lieu of a yarn purchase. Not that we should feel the need to justify our yarn purchases, but we do and that's okay.

My stash is rather large and in all likelihood, will take me years and years to knit through it all, I am okay with that. There is no embarrassment when I tell others, " I am going into the stash". There are many articles and posts about minimalism and how we have too many things, I understand where they are coming from , but the desire to minimize my stash is non-existent. Would I like to knit more from my stash-absolutely? At the same time, I enjoy new yarny treats being added to the stash family if I see yarn that I makes my heart go pitter-patter.

 

I would love to hear your feelings on your stash size? Also, please enjoy a song and have the best day today!

 

 

XO,

andi

 

Second Sock Syndrome battle...

 

Hello there!

 

 

Happy Sunday!  Yesterday I had the wonderful treat of grey skies and rain, which means that no matter what...my week was sublime. :)  I get that these sort of days may not be for everyone, but it is such a rarity here in Arizona that I can't help but feel grateful. 

 

Pattern~ Emily's Favourite Socks   Yarn~ Circus Tonic Handmade in the color Galah

Now normally these types of days lead to endless hours of knitting bliss, but for some reason it ignited my desire to clean all the things. If I were to over analyze (which I tend to do), I may come to the conclusion that I was avoiding my knitting because the desire to cast on a new pair of socks is strong and the I have too many single socks that need partners.

 

 

You may have noticed that sweet little tea bag stitch marker and I must mention that it was a out of the blue gift from my sweet friend Laura. It arrived attached to a super fat "mini" skein.

 

Pattern~ Cadence   Yarn~ Knit Picks Stroll Tonal in the color Summer Blooms

Alright back to the second sock syndrome issue I am having. Today after a quick visit to mom's,  I am going to focus on getting some partners in progress for all the lonely socks I have.  I notice that I suffer from SSS whenever my mind is a bit all over the place.  I just need to remember that knitting is something I have control over and that knitting in itself helps to clear my mind.

Do you suffer from Second Sock Syndrome? If so how do you battle it?

I will leave you now and wish you the best day today!

 

 

 

XO,

andi

May loves...

 

Hello loves!

 

 

Happy Sunday!  Was your week kind to you? My week felt like a whirlwind, nothing exciting but just like it felt like there was not a lot of breathing time.  Once the weekend came, I can tell you my body and brain was begging for some downtime. This meant minimizing computer time and upping my knitting and audio podcast game.

 

 

New socks were started earlier this week. I revisited an old friend (pattern), Cadence. I forgot how much enjoyable this pattern is to knit. Bonus deep stash diving happened and my Knitpicks Stroll Tonal in the color Summer Blooms.

 

 

I am having a hard time calling this next knit a project because it was an obsession. This obsession was fuel in large part after seeing a friend's scrappy cowl project. I have been craving knitting on a scrappy project and since temps here in AZ are above 100 right now, the scrap blanket is out of the question.

 

 

So obsessed that I finished up these socks in about 4 days. Unheard of so you know I was in a knitting frenzy. Which was nothing but happy knitting. I am in love with these and I may or may not have already cast on another pair. ;)

How about we get to visiting blogland. There was much to love in May, so let's go!

 

• Adore Christine's FO. Despite not really being a garment knitter, I can still appreciate the beauty of a gorgeous knit.
• Since Spring really doesn't exist here in my part of Arizona, seeing Patricia's Spring images allow me to imagine all the yarns in all the shades of those blooms.
• Anytime I see  Katherine's Once Upon a Sock posts, I run (not walk), to read it. I mean really it is sock talk...how could I not.
• Seriously when I see Kahrine's Cosy socks, I imagine myself snuggling up in these while in a mountain cabin. This means, I need to knit these.
• If you are looking for that perfect cardigan, then look no further than Karen's Rainwater Cardigan. Seriously the perfect weight and fit.  
• Don't you love those knits where you say, "oooh" immediately when you see them. That was my exact reaction to Cortney's Windswept.
• Monique had me with the title, Happylicious socks.
• I constantly tell Julie that we were separated at birth because we are music and food twins. Julie proved it with her Shockwave Shawl, not only is it a stunning knit but her colors are colors that speak to my soul.
• I have been recently deep stash diving and have come across many (so many) variegated yarns that I fear will pool like crazy.  So when I saw Meaghan's Island Wood Socks I was excited as what a great use for those crazy variegated yarns.
• This post from Susan is chalked full of fun knits.  You know, I am all about the Going West sock kits.
• I am always looking to expand my knitting skills, love this video on how to do the Norwegian Purl.  
• My dear friend Claudia is solely responsible for my need to knit from my large mini stash with this post.  Cannot stop drooling over her Land of Sweets pastel cowl.
• Very enjoyable and informative post from Andrea on Ten things she learned about dyeing yarn so far.
•  Bethany's blog Wool Fable makes my day. Yarn and books...yep, heaven.

 

Hope you enjoyed the May loves! Have the best day today!

XO,

Andi

Knit going ons and chats...

 

Hello loves!

 

 

Can I just say that there is nothing like coming home after a long week (very long), to the most delicious cup of tea and knitting? See this tea above, well it was a souvenir from the sister from London.  Why oh why does all my favorite teas come from overseas? Anyhoo...it is now the weekend and there is no whining allowed on my weekends. Except when the topic is weather related. ;)

 

Yarn~ Fondant Fibre Superwash Polwarth in the color Harmony.

Guess who finished her May socks? Can I just mention what a treat this pattern was to knit? Woodland Walk Socks is a pattern from Olivia of This Handmade Life. It is one of those patterns that where you are excited to finish each leaf and before you know it, you have a finished sock. I love those kinds of patterns. 

 

 

Now, I am not sure about you but one of the best things about finishing up a pair of socks is that it provides me with mini skeins. One of these will be saved for my "taking forever" blanket and the others I will swap with others.  If you are interested in a mini skein swap, there is a thread in the My Sister's Knitter Raverly group  where you can get your swap on. It tends to be quite during the warmer months, but if you post that you are wanting to swap, you will no doubt get a taker.

 

 

Okay so I mentioned the souvenirs that my sister brought me back from London. Tea and an adorable tea strainer. Seriously does it get better than that? Of course yarn would have been brilliant, but if you can believe it the sister did not visit any yarn stores. I did advise her that she may have to turn in her crocheter badge. ;)  Then again I am that person that dreams of going on an across the U.S. yarn crawl, one where I visit each state for the sole purpose of visiting the yarn stores there. Heh.

I am going to leave you with a sweet song and wish you the very best day today!

 

 

XO,

Andi