July 31st, 2009

Sometimes, I am really, really, lucky! This week was one of those times. As a designer, it’s always fabulous when yarn companies are eager to work with you, especially ones that you love and buy yarn from anyway! This week the ups guy brought me a lovely big box of yarn from SWTC. If you know me, you know this is my go to yarn – the majority of my designs are in SWTC flavors – I just adore that the yarns are so delicious and good for mother nature. Here’s a piccy of the deliciousness and a couple of pics of just what i’m doing with it. I’m working on a collaboration with the wonderful women of Stitch Cooperative, and having a blast.

I just checked my FB and have to congratulate Jonelle and Kat – Socks a la carte just hit #1! wooohooo! 

July 31st, 2009

Are finished, have been photographed and winging their way to Portland right now – lots of piccys and info tonite – just as soon as i can figure out how to turn a Tiff into a jpeg. 

July 31st, 2009

The delightful Mary, who won the scarf naming competition recently, was as thrilled with her prize as we all were with the name Pendenza! Can’t wait to see you soon! 

July 31st, 2009

Firstly, apologies for not blogging in a week. There was a slight incident involving bbq sauce, my youngest son and a certain keyboard……. the less said the better, however, I’ve been without a reliable keyboard since then.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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July 17th, 2009

Just popping in to say that I’m upto the calf shaping on the Sunny knee socks, and think I’m going to take a break and spend the rest of the evening crocheting – why do I feel like I’m cheating? 

:)

July 17th, 2009

Ok, I’m into day three and still going strong. I finished Toad in the Hole, and I have to say, I’m thrilled with the results. The yarn label boasts that the colors will not give pooling or flashing, and although I was a little skeptical, as you can see, there really isn’t any – just a delightful blend of colors that really enhance the pattern. I started working on Sunny Side Up yesterday, and ran into the same problem as the last pair I knitted in Martha’s yarn. I couldn’t find my US1 circs? They’re knitpicks harmonies – if you’ve seen them, give me a jingle – cos I’m really missing ‘em! Anyway, I struggled through the provisional cast on and increases on unwieldy dpn’s until there were enough sts for the piece to be manageable. Don’t get me wrong, I adore knitting socks on dpn’s, especially bamboo ones, but they just don’t really work for me on toe up sock construction :(

Throughout the frogging, tinking, and saying of words that I can’t print here, the yarn behaved itself admirably. It took three attempts to get the bloody thing going. How, I ask you, can I have a toe up sock with half a purl row? And why didn’t I notice it until four rows on? ARGH! RRRIIIIIPPPP! If they gave out medals for yarn abuse, I’d have to give it to this skein. As much as I tortured it, it didn’t split, break, lose it’s shape or springiness. Woot for KSDW yarn – omm, nom, nom! I’m in love! It’s 10. 17 as I’m writing this, and I’m past the short row heel and heading towards calf shaping. Wonder where I’ll be this evening? 

July 15th, 2009

I have to start with a pic of my front garden – it’s at it’s best right now. The miniature hollyhocks are splendid  the best they’ve ever been, although my regular hocks are suffering from a serious bug problem – something laid eggs and ate all the lower leaves – trying to find an organic repellant is not easy. Anyway, here is my front yard :)

It’s been a phenomenal week for yarn. Firstly, a collaboration with The Fiber Company has me as excited as can be. I’ve designed a twin-set knitted in their bamboo/baby alpaca/merino blend for Yarn Forward. It is absolute heaven to work with and I can’t wait to pick up the needles and continue. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, all knitting projects are on hold for a week as I work on a self-imposed challenge to knit three socks in one week as samples at Sock Summit. The lovely Mercedes of kitchensinkdyeworks sent me the yarn which arrived yesterday and I’m already at the gusset of my favorite Toad pattern. I’ll post updates every day – who thinks I can do it? 

July 11th, 2009

Congratulations to Shannon and Arabella on the opening of their new collaborative studio – I can’t wait to head up there tonight for the grand opening! 

Hope you can make it there too! It promises to be a great evening!

 

July 6th, 2009

For some daft reason, I thought it would be a good idea to have Mark take a photo of me in the second pendenza hat. I don’t like having my photo taken at the best of times, and I really don’t like the way I look in hats, however, this one is so cute, that I thought we should give it a try. Imagine my surprise when the best pic turned out to be the one where Mark said – do blue steel! It was definitely a Zoolander moment! Thanks Cake! 

June 30th, 2009

Huge thanks to everyone who entered the competition to name my new scarf and hat. I was thrilled with all the names, and would have been very happy with each and every one of them. You certainly got my creative juices flowing with some of them! Imagine my delight with the name that was picked out of the hat: Pendenza. It means slant in italian. I love it! Huge thanks to Mary for the suggestion – and congratulations to her – she’ll be receiving a goodie bag of TNNA fabulousness very soon. 

Five of you also will be receiving a pdf of the pattern in your mailboxes tomorrow, and everyone else will have a special coupon for a special price on the pattern!

Thanks so much for the love everyone :)

You can find the scarf for sale here