Have You Ever Met a Tree?

Every tree has a season given by Mother Nature.  And I love this one.

Every tree, every growing thing as it grows, says this truth:  You harvest what you sow.

With life as short as a half-taken breath, it tells me don’t plant anything but love.

Everything I see has its roots in the unseen world.

The forms may change, yet the essence remains the same.

Every wonderful sight will vanish, every sweet word will fade.  But I will not dishearten.  The source they come from is eternal, growing.  I will not weep.

The source is within me.  And this whole world is springing up from it.

The source is full.

Its waters are ever-flowing.

Drink my fill.   Embrace the current season of my life.

Subduction Zone Cowl (in mico colorway) modeled above is one of four shop samples I received from Twisted last week.  I cast on the cowl–designed by Kat Buckspan–this morning and finished it in the evening.

Once the set-up row is in place, there was no need to look at the instruction again.  Very intuitive.  Cabling keeps me zen. Counting the waves…going with the flow. When it’s in Tosh Merino, it’s heavenly.  (You’ll need two hanks for this 8″ by 50″ infinity scarf/cowl.) 

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

My Toolbox

I’m always finding more tools for my toolbox

This free global online event is one for sure, especially, as I read the first few lines…Do I feel that my life is speeding up?

That life everywhere is becoming more chaotic?

…and at times seeming to spin out of control?

My answer is YES…

It looks to be fascinating.    Will you join me at this “energizing” event?  ♥

Here in the high desert, the leaves are constantly changing.

Are you looking for knitting inspiration, deals on yarn, holiday gift ideas?  What about a beanie?

Or a beret?  In green/gray Malabrigo Twist?  The 100% Baby Merino Wool yarn is perfect for this beanie. It is soft and knits up beautifully.  Where my swallowtail lies would be replaced with buttons by Twisted, the shop in Portland.

It’s a one-skein wonder, super duper fast and fun to knit-up project for a selfish knit or a gift for someone special.  This one was knitted twice, all in an evening.  I kid you not.

I love most about the seamless cable brimmed hat is the knit-on i-cord edge and the braid–designed by Shannon Squire–super pleasant to make and it’s stylish.

What fall projects are you working on right now?  

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Greatness

In the past year, I have arrived at not merely accepting whatever comes in life.   My parents told me at young age I was born for greatness.  I was created to be a champion…in life.

The ultimate prize isn’t out there as many believe.  I’m fully convinced that the only prize is the one I have inside.  I have gifts and talents unlike anyone else in this world.  If I have something to give–something wonderful and special–I’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen.

I may be anything and everything.  That’s what I keep reminding myself.  I choose to not hate ‘cuz someone broke my heart, my parents’ constant bickering while growing up, or my close friends betrayed you.  I choose to not be concerned with things I have no control over.

I choose to cry when I need to, then let go when it’s time.  Letting go is easy, simple as removing my hand from a pool of water.

Greatness exists in all of us.  Today, I choose to create.

Imagine.

Inspire.

Share something wonderful.

Meet new people.

Make someone’s day.

Follow my dreams.  (More on this shop-sample hat tomorrow.)

Live my life to its full potential.  Just live.  Let go of all the not-so-wonderful things in my life and just live.

And one day, when I’m old(er,) I will look back with no regrets.

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

When Walking Past a Leaf

do you grab one and start tearing it?  I do with mint, sage, lavender, thyme, basil, tarragon, oregano….and sniff the fingers.

Leaves evoke feelings of spring and summer, but, this scarf would make a great accessory for any time of the year.

The gauge is not critical.  I simply adjust the needle size to suite my yarn and achieve the size and look I prefer.  The first one in Caron SPA was worked–two at a time–in two identical halves using moebius cast on (one form of provisional cast on,) then grafted the cast-on edges together–knit to knit, purl to purl–to make the seam as invisible as possible.

The joint wasn’t as clean as I would have liked. Since it’s a test for  Grace Mcewen aka KnitchicGrace, I followed the instructions–both written and charted forms–as written.  Applying “Kill the Acrylic” blocking technique was the right call for this 8″ by 37″ bamboo scarf.  The drapey, silky result is beautiful.  It’s just the thing for my friend Myria.

A few notes may help others choosing to work with non-wool fiber:
1) Absolutely Do NOT slip first stitch of each row! (Just take my word on this particular design…but, go ahead if you like to know the reason why…at your own risk. )
2) Keep edge stitches loose.
3) Keep Last three decreasing rows loose.
4) Drop stitches on both ends first before grafting ‘em together, washing, or blocking.

Second scarf is completely seamless, with no grafting necessary.  When I got done with the first half, simple turn my work around and start knitting the second half.

This worked a thousand times better.  It is the only way I do provisional cast on and joining two identical pieces together (when not test-knitting or working a shop sample.)

The Lacy Vine  explore what happens to the edges of knitting when yarnovers and decreases are offset.

The Leaf Scarf expands and contracts, emphasized by a leaf motif with cables “grow” up the middle.

This scarf is fun to knit and stitches dropped as you watch it take on a life of its own!

I love the sculptural, architectural feel to the second take in Red Heart Boutique Treasure,  Mosaic colorway, using Size Needles 10.5.

The scarf is designed more as an ascot-length, neckerchief-type scarf than what most people think of for knitted scarves these days.  The second one–12″ by 48″–is a foot longer than specs.  Model photos have to wait…I’ll be busy working up swatches for next batch of shop samples and a test knit.

Which is your favorite?  Drapey solid–the former?  Or textural variegated–the latter?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Compulsive

a compulsive knitter means that I usually cast on another immediately when one project is finished.

Since another batch of shop samples is well on its way in transit, I needed something relatively simple and quick.

Well. Some would consider me crazy.

But hey, as I see it, it’s cheap entertainment and therapy!

This philosophy has led me to many successes.

Besides, I have a lot of yarn that I am not sure what to do with now. Does this sound familiar?  (Shown below belongs to Caitlin, one of my knitting peeps.)

I don’t know about you.  (Below picture:  Kristin on the left and Julie–on the right–showing off her modified Multnomah, designed by Kate Ray of Hello Knitty.)

But, I do have ideas in my mind of what I want to create with them and what I want it to look like (especially at the time I made those impulsive purchases.)

It’s totally liberating when everything comes together…pairing up pattern design with yarn. (Details on this 8″ by 37″ scarf will be revealed on a later day…yep, I’m a tease.)

Are you as compulsive with your hobby as I am?  Happy Flag Day, my friend.

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

Fashion Icon

Fashion.  Beauty.  And Life.  Hello, June!

Once in a while, I feel dolls have better clothes than I do.

Do you have the best wardrobe you could have?  Have you noticed, for the most part, quilters are very creative people? I find they don’t only quilt.  They can’t keep their creativity bottled up. It’s spread around in garments, paper art, knitting, crocheting, felting, beading, home decor, etc.

Me? I only have so many hours in the day I may devote to crafting and branching out. And doesn’t my family loves it? Kid you not. My small home looks like Project Central.  I’ve always thought that I can make anything if I set my mind to it. Here is a good example.

In midst of cleaning last week, I rediscovered the 18″ vintage naked Barbie. Hubby thought best she puts some clothes on.

Gotta love his wonky sense of humor. ♥

Why not? I was between projects and couldn’t resist but to seize the opportunity

to test out some designing ideas!

There you have it…a glimpse of my day. What’s yours like?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)

What History Was Made

in 2011?  I am not going to talk about Bin Laden’s death, disasters in Japan, The Arab Spring, EU fiscal crisis, U.S. economy, Penn State scandal, Gadhafi’s fall, U.S. Congress, Occupy Protests, or Congresswoman Gifford’s shooting.  Rather, it’s about a year of cables, a small fraction of knitwear I’ve made in 2011.  A picture’s worth a thousand words.

Some were test knits.  Some shop samples.  Some my own design. A few gifted or donated.  Why can’t I stand back and admire the things I have physically produced? It should be incredibly satisfying. Instead, one look at the photo montage, I felt a big let-down comparing it with my accomplishment in the year before.

Clearly, the rise of the internet–of blogging, YouTube–it’s much easier to learn knitting from a video than a book–Facebook, Twitter, handmade marketplaces such as Etsy, Pinterest, Ravelry…have contributed to the rise in knitting’s popularity since 2003. What fun is being had. The launch of Facebook pages has been mega for knitting too. Every knit and fiber shop, meet-up, knit-up entity I know now has a presence on Facebook. So, what new cabling skills/techniques have I added to my tool box in the last year? Was I over my cardigan flu? Besides a baby sweater for a charity, the only project I am proud of was the Owlie Tree of Life blanket I designed and knitted for a local fundraiser earlier in the year. Most stitches were excerpts of Japanese stitch dictionaries with slight modifications. Nothing extraordinary or impressive was made since then.

What am I doing about it? It will be different. I am already feeling the change by implementing the kanban system. Take a look of a modified St. Brigid. Don’t you just love it.

A quick list of changes I plan to incorporate in to my very first Starmore knitwear:

1) Swan Island, Brooklyn Tweed Loft, Elsebeth Lavold, or MadelineTosh Pashmina?
2) Needle Size 3 or 4?
3) Seamless to saddle shoulders/sleeves
4) Provisional Cast-on to add on Braided Hem later, no fringes.
5) Braided neck instead of turtleneck
6) A-line. Waist Shaping: Decrease every 4 or 6 rounds in the moss stitch pattern to 2 stitches then increase back up to original number of stitches
7) Sleeves two-at-a-time, in a round. Less increase on sleeves and keeps them tapered.
That’s a starter. More modifications as I go.

What do you think? A good plan? Any sound advice?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

(still doesn’t do texting, MySpace, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt…but caved into Facebook!)