Ravelympics socks!

I will have to add photos after I get my own computer and get internet back, but I have finished my new socks! I am thrilled with them, and my foray into lace socks. They are beautiful, and my favorite pair of socks to date. I used Dream in Color smooshy on them and the yarn is fabulous. I have learned that the base yarn is available for sale, so I'm thinking I may have to look it up to self - dye some!

I have cast on sock 2 of my malabrigo socks - the pattern for these is Easy Going, on size 1 needles. I broke one of my size 0's on the Ravelympics socks, so I will have to find another alternative - long bamboo 0's are not for me!

My mom fell in love with my Moebius Cowl (knit from my handspun alpaca), and I happened to have more of the yarn with me, so I knitted that up for her in the last 2 days - super quick knit, and having done the Moebius cast on once, this time went much easier. The cowl came out gorgeous; I am very proud of it. Mom loves it - it helps keep her warm at work! And there's nothing I love more than knowing my knitting is appreciated!

I bought some Mini Mochi at a Richmond LYS last month (my first purchase moving back to OH), and today started looking at some patterns for it. I'm thinking a Fair Isle hat should be appropriate, given the weather up here! I need a new winter hat anyway, and I found some gorgeous uses of the Mini Mochi colorwork on Ravelry. I think that will be my next project after the Malabrigo socks. While I still need a few more pair of socks to make a full stash (and I have all the yarn here ready to go), I am thinking I need a bit of a break from socks!

A moving we will go

Life has been busy lately - fear not, gentle crafters, my knitting has not suffered, but my blogging has.

So what has kept me away from the computer, you ask?

Moving halfway across the country, that's what!

In December, my hubby got a new job in Ohio, back where our family lives. So in January we listed our NC house, spent a househunting trip in OH where we found a house and put it under contract, spent enough time in NC to pack up, and moved in temporarily with family in OH.

Where we have since suffered the wrath of 3 snowstorms.

Welcome north.

We are supposed to close next week (fingers crossed!), and should move in the next week then. Yay! We also put our NC house under contract today, so we're hoping all moves smoothly with that.

In more crafterly news, I have been sock knitting like a fiend. Most of my own socks have developed holes, so I've been stocking up on sock yarns and sock patterns, and am now putting them to good use.

The first pair I knitted in Ohio went to my mom, as she was in love with them and they were a tad short for me anyway. The second pair is with my Malabrigo sock, and I love them, but had to put them on hold while I started my Olympic project - Seaweed Socks in Dream in Color Smooshy (another first!). My first toe up socks, and a pretty lace pattern to boot. I finished the first sock this morning and have already cast on the toe of the second. They are named Olympic socks because I'm working on them as I watch the Olympics...I'm participating in the Ravelympics this year (those crafters on Ravelry know what this is!). I'm participating with a great group who all use yarn from the Dizzy Sheep - if you don't know the site, check it out. It's like woot, for knitters and crocheters (and every once in a while for spinners!) - www.dizzysheep.com.

So I'd like to finish up my Malabrigo sock next, but mom borrowed my 100% handspun alpaca moebious cowl a couple days ago and she wants one just like that. And honestly, what higher praise can I get? So I'm pretty excited to be able to knit for someone who values the product :)

I will be without internet in our new house for a bit - that's taking the back burner to several other things (one being closing on our NC house!), but I will update once we have the information superhighway back up and running. In the meantime, I'd like to post pics while I still have internet - so I will get kicking on that project too :)

Knit on friends...knit on :P

I Really Have Been Busy

So I knew I'd been neglecting the blog of late, but I didn't realize I was 2 months behind until today - eek! So I'm showcasing some of my recent projects, sorry for the lack of details!

These are actually from this morning. My baby (sniff sniff) turns 2 tomorrow, and her present is a wooden kitchen set that daddy has been busy painting for her. So this morning I sat down and made oven mitts and a hot pad for her little set. I have also knitted a towel and washcloth for her to use with it. These mitts were so easy, and it was my first experiment with quilting - success!

These are 2 corduroy dresses I made for Lucy for this winter. Both use the same pattern and sewed up very fast.

Some of you know I have a much cherished Vera Bradley pink elephants bag and love it love it love it. When I had the opportunity to buy a yard of the fabric I jumped on it like nobody's business. I have several small projects in mind (and have a travel mug that now matches my purse), but this is one of my favorites I have done with it.
Here are 2 of the waldorf dolls I have been working on. Each of these has a firefighter outfit and an army outfit.
I have also made two dolls for my own kids, but alas, they are still naked. I have 10 days until Christmas, so I need to get hopping on some clothes for them! I spent 2 nights trying to knit up a sweater, but in frustration I threw that down yesterday and haven't had the patience to try again...it may not happen for a couple days.

And I will be working up a step by step process on the waldorf dolls - the pics have been taken, but that tutorial won't be available until next year!

These are some booties I knit for a friend

And a cashmere scarf I knit for a raffle...it is so soft...wish I could have kept it for myself!
Ok, all I used on this project was glue, but he was one of our Halloween decorations this year and I just adore him.
My first attempt at entrelac and I am in love! I also learned backwards knitting on this one and it was so smooth! I can't wait to do another of these, but I am waiting for the right yarn to come along.
A vest I sewed for my son...he picked the fabric and all :)
Ok, so I am caught up! Now I just need to finish these mittens, some clothes for the dolls, some handpuppets for Christmas present...oh dear, not enough time!

Autumnfest in Review

After months of prep work, Saturday was the big day - our local craft festival! I was not on my own - a couple friends and I went in together, and I was really happy with how I did.

These are some of the things I had up for sale:












The hats did well, so I know to keep up with those.

Now it's time to start thinking about Christmas!

Swallowtail Shawl

Posting pictures of the finished swallowtail shawl, after blocking.


The points are not as sharp after wearing it around the house for a day, so I may starch it a little after I block it next time. I am so pleased with it though, it turned out just lovely and the perfect size :)

Sneak Peak - Waldorf Doll!

First up, here's a sneak peak at the Waldorf dolls I've been working so hard on - this one is Tobys...and actually, while it was my first try at the head, so far I think it's worked out the best. Not sure what I did different, but the others just haven't come out as well.

And this is the Tirmisu Blanket I made...just because. No recipient in mind, just had the yarn at hand and loved the pattern!
Ok, off to more spinning and doll making!

I have been working....

Just not posting!

I haven't even been taking time to photograph my projects - bad, I know! But I have about 10 minutes before I need to leave this morning so I'll type fast :)

I am prepping for a craft fair with several of my friends, and my number one item will be swiffer covers...super easy, but they tend to bore me, so after doing 8 of them, I'm taking a break this week to finish up my swallowtail shawl for myself...need it before fall descends upon us anyway! It's made of cotton, so not too not, but a nice little layer over my arms when needed. I have another night, maybe 2, of knitting to finish it up. I'm also doing some baby items for the craft fair - hats, socks, etc. Just a little of this and that. I will be working a lot more on those, but I needed a break this week!

Earlier this week I tried a few reusable sandwich baggies for hubbies lunch...I just got them washed and ready to go, so they haven't been tried out yet, but they look nice! And if they don't work for bread, they'd definitely work for chips.

Here's a picture of the alpaca I've been spinning and the new spindle I picked up while in Ohio. The alpaca is working up beautifully - I've finished my singles and wound them into a ball ready to ply, but just haven't had the time to ply it up yet. I don't have a project in mind for this - need to see what my yardage is first - but it will be something special for me.
I'm working on 4 Waldorf dolls - just got my materials this week and have 1 half done already. I will be taking lots of pictures of the progress and sharing - they are just lovely, and the fabric is very high quality - a dream to work with. I ordered from Dancing Rain Dolls, and am very pleased with what I got.

I'm also doing some sewing for the kids. Last weekend I made Toby a fleece sweatshirt for fall/winter - need to photograph it yet, but it came out very nice. I have material for another sweatshirt and a fleece vest for him, as well as some cotton for button down shirts if I get to it, and some corduroy for dresses for Lucy. So the machine will be very busy in the next couple weeks!

Last week one of my jewelry-talented friends helped me make some stitch markers - they are lovely, but I haven't taken photos yet - need to do that!

Ok, I feel better now that I've updated!