My Sister's Knitter

Sunday chat and knit happenings...

 

Happy Sunday!

 

In my cup~ David's Tea Cream of Earl Grey.

How was your week? Mine was relatively peaceful, just how I like it. My attempts at slow knitting is continuing and I am really enjoying it. I have been making sure to take breaks and stretch as we talked about last week. Thank you for sharing all of your thoughts and suggestions on the importance of not causing unnecessary injuries from repetitive knitting. I enjoyed watching videos and trying techniques that you all recommended.

 

Pattern~ Simple Skyp Socks Yarn~ Blue Moon STR in the color Pink Granite

The result of focusing on one knit at a time has paid off in the form a finished socks! The squish is strong with these ones. These are actually going to a friend.

 

Pattern~ Traveling Cable Hat by Purl Soho Yarn~ Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK

As my reward for finishing the January socks, I cast on a hat. This hat is destined for the sister, because after all the blog is named My Sister's Knitter. ;)

Also I am planning my next project that is to be cast on only after completing the above hat (see I really am learning). My Sister's Knitter group on Raverly has begun a new KAL- Gift KAL/CAL. The theme is to knit, crochet, weave or spin from yarn, fiber or patterns that have been gifted to you. I know I have accumulated some truly wonderful gifts from friends and what better reason than a KAL to work on them?

 

I have changed my mind at least five times as to what I am going to knit, but think I have an idea pinned down now. I will post more about it next weekend. 

Have the best day today and enjoy a song!

 

 

 

XO,

Andi

Last Loves of 2015...

 

Happy Sunday!

 

 

 Pattern ~ My own vanilla pattern  Yarn ~ Opal Van Gogh line color Café Terrace

 My first love that has to be mentioned, is you all. Thank you for making this year even more wonderful than the last. I approach 2016 full of the gift of friendship and I owe it to each and every one you. Thank you for visiting me, commenting and sharing with me.

 

 

A new year-long KAL/CAL is on the horizon for the My Sister's Knitter group on Ravelry. Knitting down the sock yarn stash is something I look forward to.

 

 

I am ready with my own mystery bags at the ready. :)  New fresh things are something to look forward to and sort of the message of a new year, right? No knitting resolutions for me this time around, other than to enjoy every stitch. Do you have any plans for knitting resolutions in 2016?

 

Let's now go visit the last loves of 2015.

 

•  Because I can relate and because it made me laugh out loud, how about Andrea's Ten Knitting Lesson's post.
• Dances with Wool's little tree just makes me smile (mental note make this next year).
• My friend Anne of the wonderful shop, Wooly Wonka Fibers has come up with a brilliant idea. The colors of New Mexico self-striping yarn. Check it out, looks like a whole lotta fun!
• Knotions has posted their first issue since their relaunch. Chalked full of beautiful patterns and a great interview.
• Tea and sock knitting...I mean really, it is me after all. Of course I am going to love it!
• Out of the Thistle's Mice and snowmen and bears post. I want it all.
• New to me podcast, The Charm of Knit. Eva is fantastic and inspiring and bonus seriously cute pets are cohosts.
• The kindness of knitter's to share their talent and the love is brilliant. Helena knit some out of this world socks for Stephen West. Gotta love that.
• Alina's Reindeer Cable cardigan pattern...wow!
• A parade of knits is always a cause for glee, thanks you LunaKnit.
• I love to try new recipes and Becky is sharing a recipe for Bacon Gingersnaps...I am so there.
• One of the most special love's...the arrival of beautiful baby James. Congratulations, Julie!

 

Last song I will share with you this year~

 

 

 

 

 Lastly I will leave you with one of my favorite New Year's message:

“May Light always surround you;
Hope kindle and rebound you.
May your Hurts turn to Healing;
Your Heart embrace Feeling.
May Wounds become Wisdom;
Every Kindness a Prism.
May Laughter infect you;
Your Passion resurrect you.
May Goodness inspire
your Deepest Desires.
Through all that you Reach For,
May your arms Never Tire.”
― D. Simone

 

 Happy New Year to you my friends. Have the best day today!

XO,

Andi 

The allure of seasonal knits...

 

Happy Sunday!

 

Pattern~ Monkeys by Cookie A.  Yarn~ Koigu Painter's Palette.

While it may not seem evident at first, upon further inspection of my WIPs it would seem that the allure of the season is part of my yarn and project choices.

 

Pattern~ Vivi  by Anita Jaensch  Yarn~ Neighborhood Fiber Co in Charles Centre.

When skies turn to overcast and the possibilities of rainfall happen, I reach for yarns to reflect it. Case and point, the shawl above was once pink. While pink is still a favorite color and a usual go to, the more I knit with it, the more it felt wrong. Too bright and much too summery. In stepped gray as the replacement. Funny how that happens sometimes, right? Have you found yourself reaching for the colors that represent Fall as well?

 

 

In honor of Fall, My Sister's Knitter Raverly group has a new KAL beginning. Hopefully it will relate to you as it is a sort of, "What do you knit in the Fall months" type of KAL. Maybe you use these months to get your Christmas or gift knitting done? Then there is a chance you begin the mission of tackling the WIPs so that you can start the new year with nothing on the needles? So join us for a bit of fun and support whatever Fall knitting means to you. :)

Enjoy a song and have the best day today!

 

 

 

XO,

Andi

 

Revisting the WIPs...

 

Hello and Happy Sunday to you all!

 

Change of Heart

How was your week. From my visits to blogland it would seems that this past week has been busy for most. I have to say, the holds true for me as well.

 

 

My Sister's Knitter's Ravelry group began a new KAL on 5/15. This new KAL has allowed me to revisit some older knits. While normally I don't mind casting on all the projects, a need to finish some of my older WIPs has crept into my mindset.

 

Banana Leaf Shawl

Maybe this go round this beautiful wispy scarf will finally get finished. Of course I am a long way from even the half way point, so I will be relying on group members to keep my mojo going. :)

I think sometimes it can be fun to go back and knit some of the projects that have been put on pause. There can be a fresh new feeling to them and that feeling can lead to a desire to complete it. At least that is what I am hoping for. Do you ever find that renewed love for a project once you step away from it a bit? Please say yes. ;)

Before leaving you it is time to announce the winner of the Spinning Fates Giveaway. Random number generator has spoken and the winner is...

 

#9- Leigh

I am just finishing my first pair of socks and loved knitting them!  This skein is gorgeous!!  If I had to pick a striping sock combo?....hmmmm.... black, lime green, charcoal grey, and maybe a bit of aubergine ....  Thanks for a fantastic give-away!  Happy knitting

 

Congratulations Leigh, I will be sending you an email a little later today. Thank you for all who entered and shared your lovely self-striping color way combinations. I know that you have given Laurel (Spinning Fates) some great ideas.

 

Have the best day today!

XO,

Andi 

December loves...

 

Say it isn't so...December's end is right around the corner. Time to roll out the red carpet for brand spankin new January.

 

 

Tie up the loose ends of 2014 and prepare for 2015. Our thoughts turning to goals or ideas for when the calendar changes.

 

 

For some this year has been especially tough. My wish for you is that the new year is extra kind to your hearts and spirits.

 

 

Plans are being made for a new KAL/CAL for the Ravelry group. A group that has easily become an extended family this last year.

December seems to be a favorite month for many as it brings us closer to family, friends, and great memories. This month proves to be difficult when reviewing my monthly loves. So much eye candy around blogland. For you, I will try to narrow it down and not send you away for too long.

 

• I dream of Christmas parties like PomPom's.
• A standing ovation is in order for KiwiYarns' Year of Socks post.
• This image that Alexis shared on her blog is adorable
• The Return of the Moose post made me smile.
• A very dear friend is now in possession of the one ring to rule them all. Congratulations Audry!
• One of those blogs where I could easily spend hours and not even notice.
• A lovely post that reminds me that I need to start thinking about my goals or wishes for the new year.
• No link as it would be too long. A special thank you to each and every one of you who made my 2014 special. I cherish your visits and your friendships. Happy New Year!

 

Of course we can't forget the winner of the Addicted to Socks eZine!

#107~Amanda Keeys

Whaaaat there is a sock knitting ezine??? I have to go check it out immediately. What do I love about sock knitting? You can never get bored. There is always a new yarn, new colourway, new pattern, /something/ new to try out.

Amanda, I will be passing your email address on to Debra. :)

 

 

Enjoy a pretty song!

 

 

 

 Have the best day today!

XO,

Andi

Inspired to finish...

 

Happy Sunday! Can you believe that I have more projects off the needles to share with you this weekend? I owe it all to being inspired by the season, additional knit time, and most importantly the Ravelry Group.

 

Project stats~

Pattern: Stripe Study

Yarn:  The Woolen Rabbit Harmony Sock in the color Birchbeer & unknown white yarn sock yarn from my bestie in England.

Needles: Size 5 3.75mm

My Stripe Study has been finished. This one big shawl, just like I like them. This baby was on the needles four months. Not because the pattern was difficult but rather because of all the projects I had on the needles.

 

Socks stats~

Pattern: My own basic vanilla socks, with an eye of partridge heel

Yarn: Gnome Acres Gnome socks in the color Hermione

Needles: 1.5 2.5 mm

We have more socks off the needles!  While there is something to be said about highly patterned socks, the same can be said for vanilla socks.  I love knitting and wearing basic socks with no real pattern.

 

 

There are times when wildly variegated yarn needs to stand on it's own with out a pattern to compete with. This yarn provided one of those times.

What is about the change in season that brings out the knitters? I love seeing all the new Fall-themed posts and knits. On a completely unrelated note, when I say knits in my brain that includes crochet and spinning. Okay back on topic...have you been noticing the increase in projects this Fall? Amazing and inspiring, right?

Then we have the MySistersKnitter group on Ravelry. Perhaps I gush a bit much about this wonderful group of yarnies, but it is not about to stop anytime soon. We have the Tackling the WIPs KAL going on and it is difficult not to get drawn in to all the excitement of tons of projects coming off the needles. 83 projects have been finished for the month of September, yep 83!

Really how could I not be inspired to finish my projects with Fall's arrival and the amazing Ravelry group? Are you feeling inspired lately to cleay off your needles, do tell. :)

Have the best day today!

XO,

Andi

August loves...

 

Whoosh! That is the sound of another month flying by us. Where did it go? It is possible that because our lives are so filled with things day in and day out  that our weeks and month seem to go so quickly.

 

My attempt at another sock yarn blanket.

The closing of August means it's time for the monthly loves post.

 

 

Speaking of love, snail mail is high on that list. The fact that someone takes a moment out of their day to jot a note and add some chocolate is a treasure.

 

 

Beautiful flowers from dear friends to remind me that they are there for me when one chapter in my life ends and another begins.

 

 

Beautiful treats from a generous and beautiful friend.

 

project: A Grey Loop   yarn: Wooly Wonka Aerten sock yarn  color: Gray Goose

 

The start of a new project reminds me of how fun and brilliant My Sister's Knitter Group is. 

Enough about me, let's check out loves around blogland and other places!

 

• Lori has recently came back from an amazing Shetland trip and has brought back so many photos to make us feel like we went as well.
• Everyone have a favorite blogger that leaves for a bit? How exciting it is when they come back to continue to inspire us? So glad to see Ivy again!
• Watching from the sidelines the fun casual Hitofude KAL between Karen and Stephanie.
• Madeline's Imagine When is causing my knitting needles to clink in excitement. Psst...Madeline also has a lovely Etsy shop that is filled with adorable project bags and yarn.
• If you knit socks, love socks, blog about socks, you will be on my love list. As you all know I love socks. Bethany features many brilliant socks in this post and Dona's just off the needles have made me very happy!
• As you saw above I was gifted with some beautiful yarn. So beautiful in fact that I had to cast on immediately and a new love affair has begun. Ami's yarns are beautiful and after visiting her Etsy shop I am quite sure I will be knitting with more of her yarn in my future.
• There are those blogs where before you know it you have been there visiting for hours. Sallock's blog is one of them for me.
• Being a person who craves Winter weather at all times, this post from Melissa is chalked full of blanket love. Now I want to cuddle with one while it snows outside. This thought of course is a fantasy considering yesterday was 111 degrees. Boo!
• I can't leave before sharing a bit of Etsy love. While there is so much to see and buy, this adorable needle holder stole my heart. I mean seriously, how fabulous is it? Casey knows the way to our hearts with all of her treats.

 

Wow, that was jam-packed right? Hope you had fun. For those in the states I hope you have a relaxing Labor Day tomorrow!

Have the best day today and enjoy a song.

 

 

 

XO,

Andi

Clearing out the WIPs...

 

Happy Sunday! First off I want to say thank you to all who wished me a good week after posting about my stressful one. I felt the love and I did indeed have a better one this time around. I think sometimes we all need to have bad days in order to truly appreciate the good ones. :)

Now, let's talk about knitting!

 

 

Do you remember the project above? If not that is okay as she has been in hibernation for a bit. It is my featherweight. As I was going through my WIP piles (yes plural), I saw her hiding out on the bottom and thought I would really like to wear my featherweight this winter.

 

 

I am not sure if this happens to you, but once I visit the WIPs and hibernating projects I have this overwelming need to revist those stitches. The visitation, as you can see above is much like opening a can of worms. Above are just a few of the knits laying in wait.

 

 

Then the lightbulb went off. My Sister's Knitter Ravelry group's current KAL came to an end on August 15th, a new one was due to start and we needed a theme. Why not a knit along that will help us  all to tackle our WIPs?

 

 

If you are feeling the weight of your WIPs on your shoulders you should join us it starts September 1st.

For those of you like me who tend to  cast on all things, have you visited your WIPs from long ago lately? Maybe you have gone through them and made decisions to frog them rather than knit them?

Hopefully today finds you with you plenty of time to play with yarn. Most importantly I wish you to have the best day today. :)

XO,

Andi

Knit chat and winner annoucement...

 

Happy, happy Sunday. It felt like an amazingly long week, therefore this weekend feels much needed. We have Father' day to celebrate, World Cup watching, and the start of a KAL. Are you doing all three this Sunday?

 

 

I have one covered, I have began my project for MySister'sKnitterSockYarn KAL/CAL. Stripe study has been one of those patterns that I have been thinking about casting on forever. As luck would have it a wonderful friend gifted me the pattern, giving me that little extra push to cast on.

 

 

If you missed me mentioning it in an early post, we have a group on Ravelry which  hosts a number of KAL/CALs. Most recent is the sock yarn KAL, it starts today and runs through August 15th. Already there is happy chatter going on, yarns being shown off, and pattern selections being posted. I couldn't ask for a better group of knitters and crocheters to knit along with.

 

 

Progress on the not blue, Peacock colored Dew Drops shawl continues. I really can't wait to get this baby off the needles. Not because knitting on it is not a luxury, but because I can't wait to see the lace all blocked out. You know that feeling.

 

 

And as if my life was already full of wonderful knitting, I received the most beautiful yarn in the mail for a sample/test knit. This will be my first time knitting with yarn that has Yak in it.

Okay, I am quite sure that most of your would like to know who won this beautiful skein of yarn from Little Dyeworks.

 

 

The winner was # 61~ Karen

I love the stripes and it seems that thicker stripes are in and I haven't any in my old sock stash, thanks for the giveaway! Have a lovely rest of a Sunday :)

 

Thank you for all who entered and purchased yarn from Ashley's wonderful shop, Little Dyeworks. Never fear as you may remember this is the year for Indie Dyer yarn giveaways. There will be plenty more chances to win lovelies in the coming months.

Have the best day today all of you!

XO

Andi  

Knit happenings and other stuff...

 

Happy Sunday! We made it through another week. Hopefully you have earned some much needed time with your needles or hooks, and have been able to squeeze in some yarn.

 

 

I have as you can see, cast on yet another project. Now here is the odd part, I have been addicted to knitting on only this shawl for a whole week. No desire to knit on the ever mounting pile of WIPs, just this shawl. Who am I?

 

 

Is it possible that this pattern is my kryptonite? The pattern that calms the beast that casts on all the things? Maybe it is a fluke.  Have you ever had a pattern that has grabbed your attention like this? 

 

 

Could it be the yarn, Quince & Co. Finch? Okay really last question...why is the color Peacock so hard to capture on camera? My monitor makes it look like a navy blue, yet in real life it is a rich dark teal or Peacock if you will.

 

 

Okay enough blabbing about the wonderful shawl, will you take a look at these sweet little treats. Lovely tea and adorable stitchmarkers from my friend Leigh. I treasure gifts that make me think of the person as I am knitting. You may have noticed that the turquoise one is adorning the WIP above. This was Leigh's way of thanking us for knitting along with her. How thoughtful! Speaking of KALs, My Sister's Knitter group on Ravelry will be starting a new KAL/CAL on June 15th.

 

 

As always I look forward to be inspired by the brilliant group. If I do say so myself, they are quite possibly the most fantastic people you will ever meet. You should join us, we are wicked fun.

I will leave you with this video that Mary in our group alerted me to. Enjoy!

 

The Magic of Our Hands from Endless Echo on Vimeo.

 

Have the best day today!

XO,

Andi