Friday, August 24, 2012

Wish list

Area for projects I wish I could make but it's too hot here...

Area for projects I like for their aesthetics ...may or may not knit...

Area for things I would but to make my knitting life easier if price was no object....

Accessories

Chica bags
Cd case for circular needles
O ring stitch markers
Gummy bear stitch markers
Tiny scissors
DIY coil needle holders
Yarn ball winder
Nostepine vs turkey baster
How to make a ten count stitch count bracelet, with diff beads for wrong side
Reviews and photos coming.....

Project Hand dyed wool

$32 at LYS for lace skein
Or do it yourself for $6
Kool Aid, vinegar, yarn, crock pot, Wilton food dye
Recommendations for purple...and blue
How to overdye
Patons lace undyed
Fisherman wool undyed
Review.....tutorial...and photos coming....

Project felted wool cat cave

Photos of the cat cave
Process for wet felt
Review and photos coming,,,

Project Wounded Soldier Charity Lap Blanket

Yarn used
pattern used
Photos and review coming....

Projects rainbow shawl

Graduated Rainbow shawl
Yarn used Fishermans wool
Kool Aid dyed techniques
Pattern used
Review and photos coming....

Needles Clover Bamboo

Review the straights and the circs
What I like about them and what I dislike
How to make the surface smoother
How to make the circ plastic softer and more manageable
Review and photos coming....

Needles - Addi Turbo

Addi turbos
Am I the only person in the world who does that like these?!?
They make my hands smell like brass
Like holding a handful of cheap coins in your hands
Not point enough
Circular plastic tubing stiff hard to work with
Photos and review coming....

Needles - signature needle arts

Signature needle arts reviews and photos coming....

Yarn stash Bernat Mosaic Psychadelic

Bernat Mosaic Psychadelic
Wild bold colors
Chunky to worsted
Looks homespun
Soft for acrylic
No knots
Good strength, have not broken even though I'm a tight knitter
Photos coming...
Review coming...

Yarn stash Patons Silk Bamboo

Silk Bamboo in hot pink
Silk bamboo in jade green
Photos coming...
Review coming...
Include why I love this so much, price is not too $$$$, can but at JoAnns, I'm not allergic

Yarn stash Alchemy Temple of Transformation

Alchemy yarns
Silk purse -lettuce green
Haiku - Blood Orange
Haiku - hot pinkish
Photos coming....
Review coming....
Include Alchemy charity work that impressed me
Wild bold colors
Kai's goldfish story broke my heart

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Yarn stash

Crystal Palace Chunky Mochi (soft kitty warm kitty...)
Photos coming soon...
Review coming soon...

My Precious Pearl...*cough cough* I mean my most beautiful and treasured yarns

Like most of you...I have a stash (not weed)...a hoard...a collection...and probably more yarn than I can knit in my lifetime.  Some are saving food for the zombie apocalypse, I'm saving yarn.  Because when the Michaels's and Hobby Lobby's are wiped out and overrun with craft zombies I'm going to be set.

No pictures of my stash because my craft room is in progress = messy.  But let us go through my lovelies and talk about the top drawer stuff.

I have one of the most newly coveted yarns...Pearl by The Yarn Sisters...#465 in Limited Edition of 500 I can't believe I was able to get a skein of this incredibly soft and luxurious yarn, I'm always a day late to everything.  But thanks to my early email from Vogue I was able to be put on a waiting list at my local yarn store Yarnivore.  They got some in and refused to sell by mail, it was a treat for local customers only.  So when I got my call that the yarn was in store, I rushed out to get mine before they were all gone.

Let me describe my experience.  I ask for my yarn, my name is searched for on the list....so reminiscent of the "IT" list at a club....hmm hmm yes here you are....the clerk reaches behind the counter...what no vault...no glass doors...no security tether...just the counter...the clerk carefully places a black velvet jewelers box in front of me...opens the box to show me the authentication tag....whoo hoo I got 465 out of 500...like it matters because I'm never going to sell this...it's mine all mine...all miiiiine....$45 for 617 yards of silky beauty...cool beans...here's my credit card.

Okay time to be serious.  The insert reads:  50% Pearl Fiber/50% Tencel
Pearl fiber is produced via a highly refined and sophisticated production process where nano-grade pearl powder is added into the cellulose spinning process.  The pearl powder evenly covers the inside and outside surface of the fibers and is permanently bonded.  The pearl fibers viscose base allows for excellent breath ability and the pearl nano-powder provides a smooth, luxurious velvet touch.  Pearl fiber is Ultra soft touch, anti-ultraviolet, skin nourishing, reducing freckles, keeps skin smooth if worn regularly, fabrics have good moisture management properties and breathability.
100 grams or 617 yards
Size 0-1 size needles

It's a very smooth lace weight yarn.  So cool and silky to the touch.  It has a clean fresh smell to it that reminds me of Pearl face cream (purrrr cream).  I'm contemplating making a short shawl and fingerless gloves, I should have more than enough.  Even the Mr. Purl thought it was pretty, or he was just humoring me because I was so happy and excited.  Happy dance all over my kitchen kind of excited.

Now time to find the perfect pattern worthy of My Precious Pearl

Pearls and Purls

I recently received an email from Vogue Knitting showcasing the Fall 2012 30th Anniversary Issue, dedicated to Pearls...you know traditional the 30th Anniversay gift.  Can I just say wow.  For those who may think knitting is old fashioned or ugly have not experienced the beautiful creativity of todays designers both professional and amateur(Ravelry ).

Anyhoo, I saw the most beautiful sweater coat that I must make!!!  It's pretty, delicate, and just warm enough to hold back the air conditioned chill of an office or a movie theater anything else would be way too hot.  I can see it paired up nicely with a spaghetti tank top and jeans...gonna look purty on date night! 

Designer:  Brooke Nico
(insert picture)

I just love the lace work.  I can't wait to begin this pattern, I will probably make one in hot pink for me and a green one for my daughter.  I'll go thru my "lovelies" and "preciouses" in my next post.  Maybe have a poll to see what yarns you think would make this pattern shine.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

My first knitting project

This is my first completed knitting project. 

I can admit it was pretty ugly.  I made some mistakes that I had no idea how to fix so I just carried on.  My lovely daughter wanted a warm fuzzy caterpillar scarf to match her Invader Zim Gir hoodie so I obliged.  It never gets really cold here to warrant coats and mittens, we just make do with hoodies and scarves...and maybe a beanie hat.


I used a size 13 Boye Single Point Knitting Needles, I think I was drawn to them because they were pink and shiny...yeah I'm like that.
I used LionBrand Hometown USA in Electric Lime that I picked up at the big box store, and fringed it out in pink yarn that I had left from another craft.

Yes I know...bad bad me...support your local yarn store!  It was my first experience knitting so I didnt know better.  But I learn fast, and quickly found a world of fiber that I did not know existed.  Not that there is anything wrong with big box brands....there isn't...I just can't wear acrylic but we'll get to that later.

Hi Y'all

Welcome to my little piece of the internet, here you will find my opinions on Knitting, Yarns, Accessories, and any odd bits of  ramblings... all from the point of view of a Southern Texas gal.  As you can imagine the oppressive heat and the five minute winter makes knitting a different animal here so my viewpoint will be a little different from Northern gals.  I hope you like my blog and twisted sense of humor, if you do please recommend me to your friends...because it's not a party until you've ruined a priceless family heirloom, in other words the more the merrier!