My Sister's Knitter

Keeping the knitting focus...

 

Happy Sunday!

 

Yarn~ Dyed in The Wool Co. in the color Macaroon  Pattern~Hermione's Everyday socks

Hello loves! Sunday is here and honestly I am not ready for it to be Sunday. Greedily I wish it were Saturday so that I could be better prepared for a relaxing knit-worthy Sunday. Due to a bad cold (which it would seem everyone in the U.S. has), I haven't been able to do all the things I wanted to do this weekend. You know how that is. :)

 

Yarn~ Knitting a Love Song in Vintage   Pattern~ Impossible Girl

Despite having a case of the icks, I was well enough to knit. Which has me thinking should I really complain? Now here is the problem, working on a test knit with a fast approaching deadline has me not being able to work on things that I want to work on, which is everything but the test knit.  Don't get me wrong, the test knit is a wonderful knit and the yarn incredible to work with. It is just that the stubborn knitter in me wants to knit everything except for what I should be.

 

Yarn~ LittleBeanCrochet in the color Molly Weasley

The point I am crawling towards is that I need inspiration in order to stay focused on the test knit. Keeping me company and away from all the pretty yarns has come from a number of different areas.

Podcasts (my watch lists are ever changing depending on my mood). Now this may sound off but considering that the test knit I am working on uses organic wool, my choice is podcasts follows along that inspiration. Is that odd?

• Ninja Chickens
• The Gentle Knitter
• Fiber Trek
• Skeindeer Knits
• Knitography p4chen

Then are the television shows. These too are determined on what helps me to focus on my wooly intention.

• Vikings (odd choice I know but within the blood and fighting there are glimpses of weaving and beautiful wools).
• Lord of The Rings

Then we have beautiful Instagram feeds, because for me seeing beautiful wools and knits in action ignites inspiration.

• xtinawithwolves
• jaykay_knits
• leighsideknits
• seabluewool

Then we have the music...always the music. :) 

I adore, Indie Feed Music.

 

So the question of today, how do you keep yourself focused on a monogamous knit? I know there are many of you out there that have no issues avoiding the temptations that haunt non-monogamous knitters like me, but how about those of you who tend to feel the itch of knitting all the things?

Enjoy a song and we will chat again next Sunday.

 

Have the best day today!

XO,

Andi

Fall knitting has begun...

 

This is the season for yarnies everwhere!

 

Socks~ pattern: Woodpile socks by Bethany Hill  yarn: Hazel Knits Artisan Sock in the color Tulip

Nothing like cooler temps and the changing of colors in our landscape, to bring out the needles. 

Do you find your knitting mojo increasing with Fall's arrival? Helping get me into the "mood", are these lovely treats made for me by my sweet friend Katie.

 

 

The perfect fall knitting project bag, handmade stitchmarkers with autumn leaves and yarn ball stitchmakers she picked up for me at a festival. Makes you want to cast on, right?

Then Jesse mentioned this competition featured on NRK TV.

 

Image from the LA Times

Five hours of spinning and knitting bliss. Okay, maybe not bliss to all, but for me it was. I have seen it compared to watching paint dry. I guess, but I tend to feel the same way when watching fishing or golf on t.v. :)

Met up with a new knitting friend for dinner at one of my favorite local restaurants. Can you believe I didn't bring my knitting? Mary did, and here is the progress of her Featherweight cardigan knit up in Malabrigo laceweight.

 

 

In one of my previous posts I mentioned my love affair with the book, The Little Prince. A lovely reader of the blog surprised me with the most wonderful gift.

 

 

I feel it was destiny that I would someday own this yarn. Now if only I could bring myself to knit with it.

Thankfully it is early Sunday, which means there are many more hours to my weekend. I am sure more knitting will happen, possible cleaning, and maybe some cooking.

Recipes I have been thinking about:

• Gypsy Soup
• Smoky Corn Chowder
• Earl Grey Latte
• Potato and broccolini frittata

 

Off to enjoy the remainder of my Sunday. Hope your Sunday is filled with all the things you love. I will leave a sweet tune form Damien Rice. I could listen to him sing for hours.

 

 

 

XO,

Andi

That's why I'm easy...

...like a Sunday morning, that is. :)

My week has ended with some reading, knitting, watching football and cooking. 

After discovering that you can watch all the back episodes of Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie, I needed to cook. This soup is wonderfully quick and easy. Today I decided my soup needed some homemade bread, therefore there are a couple of loaves of french bread baking in the oven right now. Seriously is there a better smell than baking bread?

Nice way to end the week. Oh, and it's been a bit since I have shared some new additions to the stash.

These were purchased using a gift certificate from a friend. Don't they look soft? They are so soft. My gray lovelies will grown up to be a nice cardigan, when I decide to venture into those waters. Helping me face my fears have been friends who have gifted me some gorgeous sweater patterns on Ravelry. Who knows, if the winds are right and the stars allign...I may have a cardigan to show you in the coming months.

Bread is done baking, so I will leave you with some wonderful Flickr favs.

1.Red leaves  2. Mittens! 3. Blue Bench

4. Hats  5. Fall  6. Red Scarf

 

XO

Andi

Taking it outside.

Before the temps reach over 100 degrees, I thought I would take my shawl out for a little photo shoot.

The Shaelyn pattern was surprisingly easy, but with lovely results. The only modifications I made was on the yarn weight and needle size.

The colors look a little washed out here, but it was 6:00 a.m. in the morning. :)

That's better. Here you can really see all the beauty that is this yarn. First time working with Twist & Twine yarn and I see many more in my future. Now back to working on my Dewdrops shawl.

For those of you who were interested in seeing how the newest stripey yarn on the needles was stitching up, here you go.

Wonderful right? I want to add this yarn is such a pleasure to knit with. It is soft, squishy and stretchy. If you want some of this great yarn, head on over to LadyBug Fiber's Etsy shop. There are so many to choose from! I can't say enough about how brilliant this yarn is!

As you can see I have plenty on the needles to keep me occupied this weekend. I discovered this series on Netflix and have been happily knitting away while watching. How I do love my U.K. crime shows. In addition I need to play catch-up all all the lovely blogs out there.

Hope this weekend finds you sheltered in your cool homes from the crazy temps torturing the U.S.

Happy Yarning!

XO

Andi

 

Stuff...

Since I recently frogged a couple of projects, I cast on what seems to be everything in sight!

The pattern is Autumn Leaves Stole. The yarn is Wooly Wonka Fibers in the color Pewter. That pattern is insanely wonderful, then again all of Jared Flood's patterns are.

Some more gray has been cast on for this Shawl. I am using Blue Moon Fiber Laci yarn that I used from a previously frogged project. The yarn is working great with this pattern. Only goes to prove to me that frogging was a good idea.

I have wanted to cast on this shawl ever since I saw Dona's. I mean who wouldn't?

Now I will be saving you from saving you from so much gray and assaulting you with some serious color. These Monkeys have been cast on for a sock swap partner who requested a pair of bright socks. I think these will fit the bill. :)

These bright socks bring the total pairs I have on the needles to three. Yeah!

Changing it up a bit, I have been dabbling in some stitching. After drooling over images of Chawne's beautiful work I decided to work on my own. Here is the start of a blackwork sampler I am working on.

Whew I have a lot going on. Doesn't feel like it because it is all so fun. That is the point right?

What else..hmmm..oh cooking some soup from a recipe that my mom gave me for Potato and Escarole soup.

A perfect soup for these chilly Arizona days. Heh- chilly as in 100 plus degrees. :)

While all this craftiness is going on, I have been watching some episodes of Felicity. Remember that show? It is cute and has just enough drama to keep me entertained. Talk about entertaining I am addicted to the new series of Game of Thrones. Have you seen it?

I will leave you with a trailer of Game of Thrones and wish you a wonderful rest of your week!

 

See you this weekend!

Happy Yarning!

Andi

It's Monday, how about some love?

Happy Monday peeps! I know, I know...it's Monday, what is there to be happy about? How about some finished items?

My swap socks are finished. The pattern is Shur'tugal. A great pattern with enough detail to keep your attention. Now to pick up some goodies  for my swap partner.

My Hedgerow socks came off the needles are well. I mentioned earlier that the pattern was a bit boring, but they served as a nice change from the Shur'tugals. The yarn was a gift from my friend, and once it came in the mail I knew it would be perfect for this pattern. Socks are done!

What's next? Not sure yet, I am really trying hard not to cast on anything new and focus my attention on items that are currently on the needles. This has been difficult considering all the temptations in blog land.

• Helena's projects always seem to find their way on my list. Her Nuvem has me reeling!
• Oh Lori, what are you doing to me with this shawl? So many lovely blues being knit up lately.
• A new blogger to me, Jesse hooked up this wonderful blanket.
• Trying to stop myself from buying their entire stock of yarns. I may or may not have already purchased some. Ok I did! I will share with you soon.
• Check out these fantastic book ends. I have grabby-hands!  
• Thanks to Allison I have a new beverage for the summer (below).

In other news thank you all for you nice comments on my giveaway. Due to the amount of responses, I won't be replying to each comment, just know that I appreciate them! My fingers are crossed for you all. Remember you have till April 5th to enter!

I am outta here to enjoy some back episodes of this show. Do you remember this show? I love seeing Marilyn knitting at her desk. She makes me laugh. Happy yarning everyone.

XO

Andi  

Someone needs to get in gear...

That would be me!

  

If you remember at the beginning of this year, I thought a monogamous year was on the horizon. Reality kind of hit when I checked out my Ravelry project queue and realized I have 13 items on the needles.  You know what that means, I need to get it in gear.

So I have been picking up projects and trying to get them done. I have the Netflix streaming, MidSomer Murders ( I am one the fourth season-love it). Oh and guess what has started...Football! That means a lot of t.v time, therefore a lot of projects done?

Anyone else in over their heads in projects? Well if you are let me know, so that I don't feel so bad. :)

Enjoy a song and have a great Friday!

 

XO,

Andi

Getting It Done...

Whew, just made it. My April socks were finished last night with only about 2 hours to spare. I have no idea why they took so long. I started these in early March.

Pattern:Menehune Cobblestone Socks    Yarn: Pagewood Farm Alyeska-Bird of Paradise

 
I am still trying to get some of my WIPS done. I have been working on finishing up my Saroyan.As well as turning the heel on my May sock, It is a simple 3x1 rib pattern. The yarn is Cherry Tree Hill self-striping. I seem to have a thing for stripes as of late.

What else have I been up to?

• Discovering a fantastic blogger.
• Wanting one of these.
• Cheering on a friend who just finished her first pair of socks.
• Wish I were on this walk with my friend.
• Watching and wondering how much more devastation our world can handle.
• Was anticipating this.
• Caught a few highlights.

 
This felt like a very long week, now on to the next one. :) Enjoy a scene from my favorite movie ever. If you haven't seen the movie and want to don't watch this. It is a complete spoiler.

 

XO
ANDI

 

My time...

 

As of late my knitting and crochet time has become more important to me. If I could allow myself to do nothing but knit all day from morning till night, I probably would. Luckily there is the voice of guilt that tells me, that would not be healthy for me overall. I need to get outside and enjoy the weather, go to work, or sometimes go to bed. You know you have those times when you are so into a project and you keep looking at the clock, knowing that you are going to pay dearly at work for knitting till midnight?

On a side note- this is my favorite chair to knit in. It is from the sister and is very old.

 
Over the last year after the breakup of a very long relationship, I find that my knitting time has increased. Maybe because I am single now and the guilt of not making dinner for someone else is absent. The ex would often tell me he thought it was lazy to knit, in not so many words. Same guy who would paint in his studio for hours and hours. Hmm..one of the many reasons for the breakup. :) Anyhoo, I do think I jumped into the knitting full force now that my time is my own.

I do prefer to knit on the evenings. I use it as my time to wind down. Often when I knit/crochet I like to either listen to NPR or watch a T.V series on netflix. I am very enthralled with this show as of late.

Places I knit varies. I am not embarrassed to knit in a coffee shop solo or over a pint with the girls. How about you, do you have a favorite knitting spot in your home or elsewhere? Do you watch T.V or movies when you knit or crochet? Do you try to limit your yarn time?  Inquiring minds wants to know.

Have a great weekend everyone. Thank you all for you comments during my 7 day postings. It has been tough for me, since I tend to post at random. I am also not used to having to post on a particular subject. Your comments made this much easier.

XO
ANDI

 

 

 
 

Wordless...

 

 
   
 
 
 
  
 
   

 XO

ANDI