Wednesday 29 May 2013
From K - Get Together
Monday 27 May 2013
From A - Back to Business
The fact that it was basically a large square of fabric with hems made it quick and totally painless to pull together.
Tuesday 21 May 2013
From K - Bears and Knitted Firsts
The hubs and I spent this past May long weekend out at our family cabin, and while we were there I had a couple of knitted firsts. Upon finishing up another pair of socks (post to follow), I decided it was about time that I learned how to ball my own yarn.
I followed an excellent YouTube tutorial (found here) on how to use a piece of a paper towel roll to create a center pull ball of yarn.
The first roll turned out fantastic and I was really happy with how quick it was for me to to roll up myself. The second skein I tried wasn't quite as glamorous though, and ended up in 17 balls!
On our drive out to the cabin we drove past a grizzly bear, a black bear, 2 elk and two separate herds of big horn sheep (27 in total!). One of the herds that we passed actually stopped traffic on the highway and the sheep wove in and out of the stopped cars. It was a truly incredible drive through the Rockies and I'm not sure if we could ever top it again, but I know we won't forget it anytime soon.
On our drive home we spotted a brown phased black bear cub scavenging for some supper just off the road. I couldn't believe how close this bear got to our car, this photo was taken only a few yards away (from the passenger side of our car with a cracked window of course!). Spring has officially sprung if the bears are out of their dens!
Thursday 16 May 2013
From K - Moroccan Tea and Knitting
This past week I spent 100% of my downtime laid out with a spring cold. In my world, this typically equates to spending far too much time browsing Ravelry, shopping for wool online and a whole lot of tea drinking!
Since visiting Morocco last fall, I prefer my mint tea extra sweet. Wonderful, delicious, Moroccan tea *sigh (here's a shot I took last September while bartering over some treasures in the medina).
When I was able to pull myself away from Ravelry, I made some progress on a pair of socks that I intend to gift soon. One sock down, one more to go!
Since I can't seem to shake Ravelry from my mind, and because I'm always interested, what have you been adding to your project list lately? I'm thinking it might be time for me to venture beyond the world of socks; maybe a scarf, shawl or cowl - your suggestions are welcome! If you feel so enclined, feel free to check out what Amanda and I have been drooling over on our accounts here and here.
I'm off to sip more tea, browse more patterns, and finish that second sock. Wish me luck!
Wednesday 15 May 2013
From A - Little Pieces Everywhere
Lovely, don't you think? I decided to use a palette of aqua, yellow, cream, and navy. A bit of a departure for me but I was trying to push outside of my comfort zone a bit.
Every week, I go to class, cut out and mark the pieces for each block and work on sewing a few together. Unfortunately, I haven't had much time to work on it between classes. While heading into week 7 of the class, I've only finished the first (and simplest block): the Lemoyne Star.
This has created a veritable confetti of tiny, (mostly) bias cut pieces. These are the pieces for only three of the six blocks.
Aside from my endless paranoia that I'll loose a piece or stretch a bias edge beyond recognition, I'm really enjoying slowly piecing all those little bits together to make something beautiful.
Friday 10 May 2013
From A - Decisions, Decisions
Up first we have the dark center layout
Up next is the alternating layout
Lastly, is the light center layout.
Monday 6 May 2013
From K - Trip Socks
I followed a free pattern that I found on Ravelry called Medallion Lace Socks, posted by Andrea Fox. Her instructions were excellent and I especially liked her heel and toe detailing. Such small elements can really make or break a project like this. I'll definitely be knitting this one up again in the future.
Is it just me or are socks really awkward to photograph? I'll leave you with a true-to-colour photo so you can drool over its prettiness the way I do. This colour is called moon purple and I would buy it in bulk if I could.
After this pair of socks, I'm definitely a sucker for a good semi-solid yarn now!
Sunday 5 May 2013
From A & K - NYC Crafting Haul
Amanda walked out with 4 yards of a gorgeous Liberty print that she's had her eye on for months now.
Amanda was so excited to start sifting through the lovely things at Brooklyn General that she couldn't even wait until Kelsey was smiling to take this photo! Meh, close enough!
This place was WELL worth the trip. Look at these shelves! As a visitor it would be easy to lose an entire day there - this photos is just the yarn selection. There's still plenty of fabrics, notions and patterns to sift through.
a healthy stack of delicious yarn.
Wednesday 1 May 2013
From A & K - NYC Adventure
Time square at dusk.
Kelsey sitting on the John Lennon memorial at Strawberry Fields in Central Park.
Evening view of the Empire State Building from the Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center observation desk).