Leftover

Yarn.   What do you do with ’em?  In a jar?

On a stick?

In a bowl?

Another great way to use up the leftovers is to create an eye-catchy fashion statement.  Would you wear this hair piece??  I certainly would.

Yarnball ornament?

Yarn-filled ornaments?

But wait…how about a cool window display?  It’s so easy and whimsy too, with just some styrofoam balls and fishing line!

If you make one, where would you hang yours?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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

Power Within

There’s a power within that can change my world. It’s all mine.

I own it. Whether I use it is simple.  I choose to.  It’s that easy.

All that “stuff” going on around me, the noise, the confusion, the chaos.  I can tune it out. Doesn’t mean I ignore those things as if they don’t exist?

The difference is in perception.  What I see in the world is a reflection of me.  Change the way I see myself changes the way I see the world. 🙂

I choose to make each day count.  There’s a power that allows me to pick up the paint brush each day and paint it how I choose.  A clean slate. Fresh start. Each day.

Though I stumble, rumble, and fumble a lot, it’s the only way to live.  So I’ll just keep going.  Always progress, not perfection.

Featured handmade today isn’t about knitting or sewing.

Last special–Sellwood Crocheted Cowl—Twisted had for 2013 Rose City Yarn Crawl a few months ago.

This wonder is designed by Megan Dalrympleo in Blue Moon Socks That Rock MediumWeight, colorway Ka-Pow!, pa-Tina!  The special-dyed yarn is available at Twisted, but, you’ll have to call or stop by in person.

It’s absolutely fabulous.

Beautifully textured, in perfect weight and drape.

I run into troubles hooking this up mainly because I didn’t have a sample picture to compare the stitches with. Once I conversed with sweet Megan in person and close-up picture received, it was much easier to comprehend. I had some own trials with missing a dc here and there and ended up to unravel the rounds over and over. Plus, this is a shop sample and new, I counted each loop, each round to insure correctness, thus, the reason why this project take a few days to finish.

On the repeat rounds, it moved along quickly and swiftly as the pattern’s set and embossed in my brain.  It flew intuitively and swiftly. The crocheted fabric felt fabulous, squishy on the neck double wrapped…sad to take it off and send off to the shop.

Be sure to “test drive” it while you are in the Portland area. ♥

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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

Simple Wisdom

There is no failure except no longer tryin’.

It’s my own thoughts that hold the key to miraculous transformation.

A new cycle begins every day.

Indeed, every moment.

Today, I recognize one thing and what it symbolizes:  What’s meant to be will always find a way.

That’s the miracle of the endlessly continuing Cycle of Life.

Amen for trying to balance in all areas of my life.

Thanks, Caitlin, for the fun photo shoot and modeling the sweater.  It sure looks better on you than it is on me 😀

Initially, I wanted the cowl detachable in Madelinetosh Pashmina Baltic.  Once I got the cowl done, I changed my mind.  That’s okay though…now I have a cowl that goes practically with everything in my wardrobe.

Many changes to my Rhythmic Candombe aka Natasha Cowl Sweater, designed by Vera Sanon, one of my favorite designers, to suit my disproportional figure and personal liking are:

• knit partial lace neckline, hem, and cuffs.
• Main color (frame) in Malabrigo Arroyo Candombe
• Alternating main color with one of 5 Dyelot Stimulus Package Yarn, 104-yard Deborah (50% Silk 50% Fine Merino,) for striping portion.  (1 gram left unused)
• On the fourth waist increase, instead of 4-stitch increase, I increased 12 stitches to 192 stitches for matching 24-round lace hem. Added braid round after last round of increase. Used Size 6 needles for last 6 rounds of lace pattern.  1 round 1×1 rib after lace.
• Stretchy Bind-off in established rib pattern.
• Sleeves:  Started stripes after 1.5”. Decreased every 9th round 6 times to 52, then every 8th round 3 times to 48 stitches. Added an Estonian Braid round, then 8 rounds of lace in Size 5 needles, next 8 rounds of lace in Size 4 needles, and last 8 rounds of lace in Size 3 needles with stretchy bound off.

The pattern’s super fun to knit up.  You don’t need to make any change as I did.  And the yarn?  Malabrigo Arroyo is so awesome–next to skin–I had enough in my stash to knit three or four more full-on sweaters.  Just love it.  You ought to try it if you haven’t already.

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!)

Breathe Deep

I would never buy yarn without a pattern!  Unthinkable, right?  It’s a great motto when I first transitioned to a single-income family and had to plan for every dollar.

Over time, situation improved.  I adjusted and so was my stash.  It laughs and laughs and continues to multiply with a sound of rustling ziplocs…

and now into stackble, clear plastic bins (only 10th of the stash.)  Obviously, I’m not super concerned or too nutty about the amount of stash I accumulate.  With some luck, I could have another 50 years to polish it off.   Since I check into the news occasionally, I also foresee the price of textiles increasing–and/or the quality dropping–so I had no qualms about doing a little stockpiling…until now.  I’m talking about hoarding nearly a full yarn shop in my home!  APOCALYPSE.  Oh wait…with the droughts/flooding in cotton and wool-producing areas looking bad for the foreseeable future, it may not be a bad idea as long as I store ’em properly.   Yarn doesn’t go bad!

Nowadays, I jump on yarn without projects in mind if it’s on sale; something I really want–lusted and fondled; the type of fiber I know I would use that feels terrific and in colors I love; or a rare chance that it won’t come around again–you know when a seller creates scarcity on purpose to get you to buy?!

When such opportunity presents itself often, can I still call it a splurge?

A vague idea was instantly formed around Pashmara where they were spotted…some wavy, lace shawl.  What it ended up to be now is another story.  The cashmere, silk, and super fine merino blend is heavenly to knit with, silky/smooth yet sticky so I just knit directly off the hank without winding up as ball.  (Much vibrant, richer purple and turquoise than I’m able to capture below.)

It’s an interesting construction, fun piece of test knitting for Anne Lernout.  I never thought that I would be working on anything so important that I’d have to keep it a secret…but it’s happened!  Though I can’t share details online until the pattern is ready, it’s nice to reveal an itsy, bitsy corner.

What do you think?  Do you like to see designs in progress or be surprised by a big, exciting pattern reveal?  I think I like to see the pattern come together, get snippets of what to look forward to as the designer progresses.  That’s just me.

As much as I love the first run, it isn’t a good representation of what the designer had in mind.  Instead of tinking the border rows for the third time–over tens of thousands of stitches, I am keeping this organic, cascading cardigan my new summery swing.

Soon…I will cast on another one for Anne.  Good thing I do love knitting sweaters 😀  Isn’t summer just the best for perking up your knitting mojo? 

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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

Love, Peace, and Happiness

I’m still industriously knitting away.  Really, I have been and still am.  Rusted Root designed by Sarah Moore aka ZephrStyle is one of my proof, finished nearly a month ago.  (Scroll down towards end of the post for helpful tips in greater details.)

The close-fitting–with 2″ negative ease in lace–sweater top is knitted entirely in the round, from top down. Kid you not.   The top was done over two-night seating!

My favorite detail about this piece are the puffed sleeves…not very noticeable, but, it’s there.  The poof tends to vanish due to the tiered increases–for example, XS and S have same number of increases–thus sleeves in XS will be puffier than that of the Small in proportion to rest of the top.  Same is applicable  to M/L, and XL/XXL.  No matter.  They are adorable, don’t you agree?  If this wasn’t a shop sample, I would definitely make a few, easy changes to give ’em more poof.

Tahki Cotton Classic (#3841) is a joy to work with, perfect for all kinds of projects–from baby to adult–accessories to sweaters to blankets.  No need to wind up the DK mercerized cotton in balls.  You will need five full hanks for a size small top, 250 grams or 540 yards.  Both pattern and yarn are available at Twisted.

The color is femininely beautiful (more accurate hues shown in-progress pictures above.)  It is a universal natural color with several attributes associated with it…a calm, cool, and a soothing color. It symbolizes distance, love, spirituality, peace, and happiness. Rusted Root is a perfect summer knitting and comfy wear with a camisole underneath it.  Or, sew a fabric backing onto the lace panel to cover the see-through.  Rusted Root makes a good-stable…comfortable and stylish…with room to customize to your liking.  I would make this again.

HELPFUL TIPS:

• Gauge obtained with Size 6 needles; ribbing in Size 4 needles.
• No schematics provided.   As sample, I knit as instructed.   No problem there.  For me–more on the larger scale of the Small range , I would  add stitches and try on as I go for a looser fit.
• Reason to pick-up neck ribbing (P.3) and not do provisional cast-on or just start knitting ribbing neck is to “frame” the neckline so it doesn’t stretch out of shape over wear and time–especially in the lace section, losing shape and definition.
• Made ribbing proper by using k1fb to increase one on each sleeve.
• No stitch put on hold or cast on at underarms.  I’d add 8% of sleeve stitches for comfort.  Not a gripe…more a personal preference.
• For shaping decreases, I prefer symmetrical–SSK/K2tog on either side of a seam–over asymmetrical (k2tog on one side or center of a seam.)
• No shaping increase.  Again, it’s a personal choice.  I’d want mine with some gradual increases to properly accommodate my pear-shape figure.
• Would put in Elizabeth Zimmermann’s faux seams on the sides before starting the ribbing which prevents it from twisting with wear.  Knit every stitch in sight and forget about the side seam until you make it up to the armhole.  Then while the stitches are still on the needle, drop that one column of stitches. Ladder it all the way to the bottom.  Now grab a crochet hook and hook every stitch back together in a column of knits up the back.  It goes fast, really.  EZ did this with two-rows-knit-together…same effect as remembering every other row to knit one into the stitch below.
• Bind-off loosely on sleeves are critical as the fabric here is very tight fitting.   Sewn bind-off for the sleeves to make them stretchy and a suspended bind-off in rib for the hip.  I’d definitely add more increases to ACCENTUATE the puff element thus gives the sleeve circumference more room for comfort and eliminate extra stretchy bind-off.
• I like my lace charted so I just created one for periodic check.   I would change K3tog on Row 1 to p3tog and P3tog on Row 9 to P3togtbl.   Replace sl1-k1-psso with ssk.
• Suggest to add a few stitches for armhole and sleeve gussets.  Start shaping 4” (instead of 3.5”) down from armhole.
• Instead of 2,  do 3 knit-rounds between shaping.
• Not a lot of information about the techniques used such as M1, cast-on…best to read through the pattern for your size at least once before jumping in.  

I really love the puffed sleeves on this classic-cut top.  I like my clothes fairly simple, but, with little details that make them slightly out of the ordinary.  The sleeve is a perfect touch.   A successful sweater top on all counts.  Thank you, Shannon, for another pleasing assignment!

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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

Making a Sweater

that I, a knitter, would actually wear–more than once!–is a challenging undertaking, to say the least. Although you may not want to admit it, folks–me included, no exception–can be awfully picky about our clothes.

Before I start on a project, I spent gobs of time deciding how to make the best style, color and fiber choices, my preference, and what kind of clothes I see myself wearing.  It has to be classic, stylish, and versatile.  Am I asking too much?   What, exactly, do you want in a sweater?

Thankfully for shop sample knitting, I get to try out different styles and yarn.  This Rusted Root is knit up in two days with ends left to weave in, wash, and to block.  More to come.

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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

The Famous Pose of Marilyn Monroe

is on a world tour…currently residing in downtown Palm Springs, California.  The 26-foot Marilyn Monroe statute, titled Forever Marilyn,  mimics the signature pose of Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch with Tom Ewell.  Vulgar or divine?

After a few fun days of frolicking in the sun, it’s nice to relax with my yarn.

As I am under the gun, there won’t be much of “staged” progress report or details over next few days. This Tahki Cotton Classic top is one of three sweaters to be completed in less than a week…thankfully, the first one is nearly done since cast-on yesterday.

Kid you not…I’m in a flurry of madness to meet a pressing deadline.  No time to wind up to balls.  Knitting straight from the hanks to save precious time.  Do you do that?  Love or Hate it?  Easy peasy or end up with a tangled mess?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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

How Others See

me is not important.  How I see myself means everything.

Like the life of this beaded i-cord necklace,

crying out to be unique.

Everyone has different preferences.

I love how intuitive the design flows

from trinity lace stitch as seen in my recent shop sample cardigan

to Arans cabled texture

to gingko-leaf lace…then finished off with double-strand i-cord.

Not only was short-row knitting instrumental in this top-down, seamless, yoke design play for building up neck, hip, sleeves.

It saves me at the finale–wrapping up my unvent one-row buttonhole bands.

It’s nice to create another technique in my bag of tricks…and a new layering vest for summer days to come. ♥

Do you have a trick or two up the sleeves you like to share?

Building up my confidence, values, and convictions matters. So is living enlightened. What does matter to you?

Happy crafting and keep those creative juices running!

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