sheep in the city

Crochet...here I come.

I finally found a how-to crochet book that I can understand and really learn from. I should have known that it would be from Debbie Stoller because I absolutely loved Stitch and Bitch when it came out. I hadn't been knitting that long, and I'm pretty sure that it was the first knitting book that I ever bought! Last night my mom and our friend Jan and I all went to the booksigning at the Tattered Cover. It was so fun meeting Debbie in person and hearing her funny sense of humor come out. She had a whole bunch of samples from the book with her...and I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised, I would actually make quite a few of them! Of course, I had to have her pose for a picture with me after she signed the book. I really liked the shrug that she had on...maybe that will be my first crochet project? I'm hoping to really dive in and try learning to crochet this summer.

I'm hoping to get some good knitting time in over the weekend. Maybe catch up on a couple neglected projects like the Liam Blankie...I only have 2 of my 14 squares done! Got to keep moving on that since the end of June will be here before I know it! Have a good weekend everyone!!

No knitting, just...

...a bunch of new stuff! I didn't finish a square this week, so there isn't going to be an afghan update. But I will have one next week! In the meantime I have a couple of fun things to show off!

Can I tell you how much I LOVE the new Big Girl Knits book! I love, love, love it...that's how much! There are about 6 or 7 things that are going on the must-knit-someday list, starting with the cover sweater because really, don't I have to knit a sweater thats called "The Stacy Pullover"! (even though they didn't spell it right! Ha!) The other books are Toys to Knit, Knitting Rules, and a little book that I had never seen before called Knit it! Greeting Cards. I can't wait to make some little cards with mini scarves and sweaters on them!

The yarn was purchased at a couple different stores around Denver. At Colorful Yarns on Saturday I picked up the 2 pink Mauch Chunky colors to knit some clogs for a friend, with a little extra for me! Then I was there again on Monday and this orange Kid Merino came home with me! It is destined to become a Kiri Shawl. The ArtYarns Supermerino was purchased at Midinight Sun Fiber Arts yesterday over my lunch hour and it has no purpose other than I just couldn't resist it! For those that are interested, it's color number 130! (click for a brownand pink close up!! Yummy!)

I'm headed to go meet Debbie Stoller of Stitch and Bitch fame at my local bookstore tonight for a booksigning and trunk show! Hope to see some of you there!!

All music, all the time!

These are some of my favorite albums of all time...just in case you wanted to know what kind of music I listen to!

A few new projects...

...because I finished one project recently, that means I get to cast on for 5 more, right?! This is kind of a pattern for me, I really shouldn't be surprised. What am I knitting on? Well, I started some felted clogs on Saturday (they're almost done!) for a friend. Click here to see a close-up of the novelty yarn! It's all bubblicious, of course I have no idea what it's going to felt like! Everybody cross your fingers...and I'll be sure to take pictures before and after I give them to my friend and she felts them. I'm knitting some secret baby projects for Liam, plus a couple projects that my sister knows about. (the community Liam blankie and a newborn hat for him to wear in the hospital) I started a Koigu Clapotis because that's one of the classes that I'm going to teach this summer. I still haven't finished my toe-up sock yet. Basically, I'm all over the place! Here's a picture of some of the projects...can you tell which is which?!

This week is flying by...I can't believe that it's already Wednesday!

Heaven, in a yarn shop!

You all know how much I love Koigu, right? Well...Saturday afternoon I was in Koigu heaven! My mom and I went to String to knit and hang out with Cassidy and Judy for a while...and before long, we started playing with the Koigu and just couldn't stop! Cassidy ended up letting us organize all the colors, so we pulled all the bins out and all the overstock and made a huge pile on the floor! If only my Koigu stash was this big! I just can't say it enough...I love this yarn! String has a huge selection of Koigu right now and I know they ordered more when they were at TNNA. (it probably won't be here until October, bummer) The pink cubby was my favorite, but the green was a very close second! Here are the Koigu shelves after my mom and I were finished! Aren't they so pretty?!

I'm also excited to announce that I'm going to be teaching classes at this shop starting in May. Since the summer tends to be the "slow" season in knitting (not to me though!), I'm starting out with 3 classes, some of them being offered twice. I love teaching people to knit, and have done that since I learned 4 years ago, but I've never done it in a formal setting before. I'm kinda nervous, but mostly just really excited! I'll keep you updated on the developments!

**look at the cute little Offhand Designs bags that Cassidy got in! So cute!**

Better late than never...

Yes, it's Friday...the day after I'm supposed to show you the progress on my afghan. Thursday just got away from me. I had breakfast with a friend before work, busy day at work, tried to donate blood in the afternoon, and then had a knitting group to go to that night. I think my day just got filled up and the blog got put on the back-burner. But...since I am loving this rambling rows project I couldn't go a week and not fill you in. (plus I had someone remind me that it was Thursday, and there was no update! So, I promised her I'd update!)

This week's square was knit with yarn given to me by my good friend and knitting buddy Wanda. It's a little hard to see in the photo, but there are bright colored flecks of turquoise, pink, purple, and green in the Noro yarn that she gave me. It was really hard to photograph because the yarn is so dark...but this is totally Wanda yarn. She loves jewel tones and all the colors are of that family, plus she usually uses yarns that are on the more conservative side but with a little kick to them. The picture below is the afghan next to my computer that has a rotating screen saver on it...ha! That's Wanda and I at my Olympic knitting party, and I'm wearing her recently finished Marilyn sweater! I didn't want to give it back to her after trying it on...so I went out and bought yarn to make my own! Wanda is always inspiring me with her finished (that's the key word for me!) sweaters. Thanks Wanda for always inspiring me!

Details, details!

...and a little more info for those of you that asked!

Some of you asked where to find the pattern and here are a couple of options. You can ask at your local shop, especially if they carry Koigu yarn because it's a Koigu pattern called "Charlotte's Web". It's usually around $5.50. If you can't find it there, most online yarn sellers that carry Koigu have it...like PatternWorks. (I have no affiliation with them...I just know that they have a lot of Koigu in many colors! If you are interested in the colors that I used, I have listed them under the next picture.

How many skeins of Koigu does it take to make a Charlotte? Well...I used the recommended 5 skeins and I had almost the whole yellow skein leftover because you only use it for 12 rows, and they are the small rows at the beginning of the shawl. Here's a picture of the yarn that I used before and after!

Here's the before...

My colors from top to bottom: P118, P627, P611X, P808, P211L

...and here's the after!

You can see from the pictures that you don't really need all 5 skeins in their entirety. I chose to follow the pattern exactly as written for this first time. If I ever make another Charlotte, which I'm sure I will, I may have less color changes and just make the repeats longer. I hardly made a dent in the first yellow skein that I used. As the rows get longer you end up using more and more of the skein. My advice on choosing color is that the color you love the most, use last because it's going to be the dominant color!

As far as how many skeins you really and truly need...I hate to try and guess, then have you come up short. But...if I had to guess, I'd say you would probably need 3 complete skeins. Maybe a fourth if you want fringe. Don't be upset though if you come up short! Overall, this project was a perfect first lace project for me. The yarn is thicker than lace weight, and it's an easy pattern to get into the rhythm of. My advice to all of you sitting on the fence wondering if you should break down and knit one is, "go forth and Charlotte!"

Easter eggs were everywhere!

Easter was so fun this year with Alice being old enough to really get into all the activities. My mom and I hid 47 eggs in the back yard (I know, that's alot for one little girl:) and she found them all! She was so funny to watch. She'd spy an egg and just take off running! Seriously...I have the cutest niece ever!! (Here's one picture of the Charlotte in action. There will be a better shot of the back of my Charlotte tomorrow, along with answers to all the questions people asked me about it!!)

Some of you asked if I'd show you the Camo-eggs that my mom had for the adult egg hunt. Well, here they are...and they were indeed harder to find! All the eggs had either money or candy in them. It was anything from a penny to a twenty dollar bill. I found the most eggs of everyone, but Drew (the brother-in-law) had more money in his 4 measely eggs than I did in my 12! I think at least 6 or 7 of my eggs had candy in them! Oh well...I'll beat him next year!

Our family still gives Easter baskets to each other. Of course Alice had the most because it's just so darn fun to buy stuff for her! My mom loves to find the perfect gifts for people, and she's so generous that at holiday times she goes all out.

Of course....I love it. My sister gave me the basket. It zips shut and has a handle on the top. She bought it last summer when she was in Kaui. Inside she gave me some mercerized cotton (for my ever-growing cotton stash) and some Mary Kay stuff I needed. Gotta love my sister...she's good about balancing the practical with the frivolous. My mom gave me a cool Mahjong keychain with an "S" on it and a little Offhand Designs teeny-tiny clutch called the Tia. So cute! Here's a peek at the inside! Sunday was a great day...tiring...but so much fun! Of course I couldn't stay in a dress all day long, so I'll leave you with a picture of my new favorite tee-shirt that I got on Saturday at Colorful Yarns. You can also pick one up online at Buy Olympia. Isn't it the coolest?!

Debut of my Charlotte!

The day is finally here...I blocked my Charlotte this weekend! Of course I forgot to take a picture of her all pinned out on my bedroom floor, but you've all seen stuff pinned out before, right?! I'm totally new to blocking lace and I was a little nervous at first, but I quickly got over that. Here are the steps that I took:

1. Dunked the shawl in cold water. I got it completely soaked, and then gently got most of the water out by rolling it in a dry towl.

2. Took it upstairs and stretched the crap out of it and pinned down all the sides directly into the carpet.

3. Aimed a handy dandy fan right onto the shawl (to speed the drying process because I wanted to wear it to church on Easter Sunday...the next day!) and left it for the rest of the afternoon and evening to dry.

4. I got home from babysitting Alice and presto! it was dry! I wove in some of the ends then and did the rest on the way to church the next morning! Ha! I am such a procrastinator!

Can I just say that I am in love with this shawl. Seeing it all blocked and beautiful makes me want to immediately cast on for another one in a completely different colorway. I brought it to work with me today and it's resting on the back of my chair because I couldn't stand to leave it at home...I wanted to be able to see it today. I'm such a dork, I know...but I just love it when a knitting project turns out just the way that you wanted it to and just the way that you envisioned it! Now for more pictures!

Yarn: Koigu KPPPM in 5 different colors. Starting at the top smallest section, these are the color numbers: P118, P627, P611X, P808, P211L

Needles: Addi Turbos- size US 6

Knit: November 2005-March 2006 Don't let these dates throw you off, this is not a difficult knit! I just took my sweet time getting her done...plus I always have a ton of projects going on at the same time!

This isn't the best picture, but I tried to show the gradation of color in my Charlotte. This project was all about color for me...and the Koigu was a dream to work with!

(**my Dad took pictures of me wearing it on Sunday but he hasn't given them to me yet, so check back for live action shots!**)

Knit-Bloggers Afghan Thursday!

Well...it's Thursday again, so that means it's time to show you the progress I've made on my Rambling Rows Afghan. This week has been a busy one for me. Between starting the Liam Blankie and taking the sock class I've only had time to knit one square! But it's a good one ladies and gentlemen! I love that my afghan is getting a bit brighter! Plus...this square is knit with Koigu!! Who would send me Koigu for my afghan you ask? My mom...that's who!

Yarn:
Koigu KPPPM in color number ?? (of course I left the tag at home! I will fill this in later!) I held this yarn doubled.

Reason behind it:
My mom knows of my love of all things Koigu and she just happened to have this really bright skein of greens and turquoise and a little bit of dark red. It's not a color that she would normally pick out for herself. Then when I was looking through my stash of Koigu the other day, I noticed that I had a skein of the same color. So, what you see knit up is a strand from my mom's skein of Koigu and a strand from my skein of Koigu. Now, not to be too cheesey, but I love that it's my mom and I knit together in this square. Okay, enough mushy stuff!

I have the day off tomorrow because our office is closed for Good Friday...guess what I'm going to be doing? Knitting! My friend Nachaele (who just started a blog by the way, go check it out and welcome her!!!) is coming over at 9:00am and we are going to knit the day away...only breaking for snacks! I hope that everyone has a good Easter holiday and are able to spend some time with their loved ones! I know our family is going to have a blast with Alice's first Easter Egg hunt. My mom's even planning an egg hunt for the adults...complete with camouflage eggs! It's going to be a great weekend!

The Liam Blankie Project

My family has decided to join together and make a special afghan for my new and soon to be delivered nephew (well...not soon enough for Whitney, she still has to wait until the end of June!). Yep, Alice is getting a baby brother! We are all very excited and of course this has led to us making a baby afghan. For guidance and inspiration I've turned to the Mason-Dixon girls. (heavy on the Mason side though because she is the Queen of the mitered square! Have you seen the gorgeous mitered afghan that she made from Tahki Cotton Classic!? I have been squirrelling away, I mean collecting that yarn ever since because I want one of my very own!!) Anywhoo, about a year and a half ago, Kay organized the "Jamie Blankie Project" and I fell in love with making little garter stitch mitered squares. So, we've decided that we are going to blatently copy Kay's wonderful idea and make our very own "Liam Blankie"!

My sister, who is way more organized than I can ever hope to be, put together this really pretty layout of what the colors will look like. (I'm going to try and post a picture of the chart, but I'm having trouble compressing the image, oops!) My sister can do anything though...she's a super cool sister. Back to the afghan though, all the squares will be striped with cocolate brown, so the colors on the chart represent the contrast color. Basically it's a big ol' brownand afghan! I love it! Michelle, can you stand it? Every square is brownand!!

There are 6 of us knitting squares, Me, my mom, my sister Whitney, my brother-in-law Drew, his mom, and my Grandma Sue. (who is one of Alice and Liam's 3 living great-grandmothers!) Cool, huh?! Over the weekend, I had a little help winding the yarn into little yarn muffins. Of course, she had to try doing it herself too!

The mint and brown square in the first picture is one that I knit, and the red and brown is one that Drew knit. Two down and only 78 more to go...luckily we have it split up so that I only have to knit 14 of them. What's one more project added to the many that I have on the needles right now?! This one is for a good cause though...the first grandson/nephew in our family!

Toe-up sock Q & A

I had a ton of people asking me questions about what kind of techniques I used in the sock class last weekend...so I thought I'd try to answer some of them! Here goes!

Linz asked, "What kind of cast-on did you use? That's a PERFECT toe!":

...well I don't know about perfect, but it sure was easy. I used the long tail cast on! Can you believe it? I thought that we would be using some really complicated funky techniques...but nope! Plain old long tail cast on, which is the cast on that I use most often.

Lynette asked, "...love the yarn. Where can I get some?".:

You are in luck because the Socks that Rock ladies are some of the nicest fiber people around! I guess I should call them the Blue Moon Fiber Arts ladies since that's the name of the yarn company, but Socks that Rock is so much more fun to say! The color that I have is called "Spring Fling" and it's not shown on their website, but you can always contact them to check on other colors. In fact, I encourage you to contact them because they might direct you to colors that you didn't know about. They are really great people.

Mademoiselle Caroline asked,"Is that knit on DPNs?" and Carolyn Mae asked," Looks like you are using circulars?":

Well ladies, I'm not using DPN's...I've been freed from the teeny tiny torture sticks! And you can drop that "s" from the word circular because I'm Magic Loopin' it! Oh yeah! I'm using one gigantic 32" needle and I'm loving it! The method that I'm using for the toe-up sock is a little different than the video that I've linked to, but hopefully after the second class this Saturday I'll be able to explain it a little more throughly! So check back after the weekend!

Amy Lu asked, "Which toe-up method did you use? It looks perfectly perfect!!!!! By chance, would you be attending Stitches Midwest?":

Oh Amy...you have no idea how badly I want to attend Stitches Midwest, but it's just not in the cards this year. Someday I'm going to make it up there though because I really, really want to! As far as what toe-up method I used for this sock...I'm not sure. I left my instructions at home today, and I know that she took some of the methods from the Magic Loop knitting book and then some she came up with on her own. I'll get some more info for you at the next class! It's been 5 days since my sock class...and I'm still enjoying working on the sock...that's a good sign! I may just become a sock knitter yet!

I'm all about the Toe-Up!

Over the weekend I took a toe-up sock class at my local yarn shop, A Knitted Peace. Let me just say that it rocked my world! I love this technique! I think I just may start loving to make socks! The other thing that I know...I love my Socks That Rock yarn. This is the yarn that Judy gave me on the retreat. (and yes, she finally started a blog!! Yeah Judy! Now you have to stop lurking and leave some comments every once in a while!) The color is called Spring Fling...and it is knitting up so beautifully. They really do make some of the prettiest yarn. Some day I'm going to have a collection like Cara...did you see her STR stash when she flashed it?! (scroll down to the very last picture!) Oh my, oh my...it made my heart flutter! And if you don't read her blog (why not, I ask?!)...you might not have seen that I won a signed copy of the Mason-Dixon book!! I wanted a signed copy, so this is my back-up just in case I end up not being able to road-trip it to Kansas City to meet them in person. I'm still trying to figure it out...where there's a will, there's a way, right?!

Next weekend I'm taking the second half of my sock class. I need to knit up to the heel by then, which shouldn't be a problem since I'm loving working on these babies. I also need to remember to take some pictures in class. My mom, sister, and Cynthia are all in the class with me, and both my mom and sister are using Socks That Rock! More photos of that to come!

**on another, more exciting note...my knitting buddy Jenifer has a pattern in the new Knitty! Go look at the T-Twist tee! Congrats Jenifer!! I already am trying to figure out what yarn I have in my stash for this project! I love it!**

Knit-Bloggers Afghan Thursday!

This week has gone by so quickly! I have loved getting started on this afghan project, it's a pretty mindless, sit in front of the TV and knit project. The first square that I knit up was from Jae. We both participated in the International Scarf Exchange this past Fall, and she started up her blog in November. If you haven't checked out her blog, Some Knitting Required, go check it out! She's knitting some really beautiful stuff.

Yarn: Manos del Uruguay, Color #115
Reason behind it: She wears a lot of neutral colors, but knitting is a different story! She loves bright reds, and greens, and turquoise when she's knitting! This is a favorite yarn of hers, particularly this colorway! Thanks Jae!

The yarn for my second square is from my friend Cassidy. She doesn't have a blog...yet...but she does own a yarn shop! (She is one of the owners of Highlands Ranch String: A knitting boutique. I love this shop) One of these days I'm going to wear her down and get her to start a blog of her very own!

Yarn: Trendsetter Kashmire
Reason behind it: The yarn that she gave me is very special because it's the first yarn she got when she met with a yarn rep for the store, before it even opened. It also just happens to be one of her favorite colors too! Thanks Cassidy!!

Here's a shot of the whole thing so far. I'm already onto the third square...let me just say again that I'm loving knitting on this afghan!!

Buena Vista- part 2

I had to post the pictures that Michelle took of the 2 views we had at the Liar's Lodge where our knitting retreat was. (thanks Michelle...all my pictures from outside turned out a little too light or too dark, and yours were just right!)

View from the front:

View from the back:

It was so beautiful and relaxing. I highly recommend that everyone go on a knitting retreat at some point...it's just so cool to be surrounded by other creative people! Especially ones who are as obsessed as you are! We arrived Friday night, unpacked the car, settled in and had an amazing meal. (one of many over the weekend) Marilyn, of Black Water Abbey Yarns taught us a class on two color knitting using her Jean Purse kit. Some of us chose to put together our own colors, myself included, and it was interesting to watch how they all came together.

Mine, of course, is the pinkest one in the picture, on the left hand side:) I just loved the oranges and browns and the little bit of pink thrown in. I loved the colors so much in fact, I bought 3 skeins to make one of Marilyn's Mitered Square Tote Bags! (I'm using Chestnut, Rust, Sunset, and Pink Heather...it's going to be gorgeous!) We took a break from "class" and headed into town to the little local yarn shop, Serendipity.They just happened to be celebrating their 1st anniversary...and having a sale! Bonus! I managed to pick up a few things.

I picked up some Trekking XXL sock yarn, because I just can't get enough of this stuff, and a needlecase for my DPN's. The needlecase is from Ashland Sky and they specialize in "Knit Stick Sacks". I also received an early birthday gift from my mom, in the form of my dream bag! I have been coveting her Offhand Design bag for a while, and I've looked and looked at all the color options on their website...never quite deciding which color to choose. Well, now I have one of my very own! I love this bag.

You might be thinking, "Where's the pink? Where's the orange?" I decided to branch out a little and I love the chartruese green with the turquoise. It looks so retro...like it could have been the material that a little old lady upholstered her couch with in the 1960's. One of my favorite features is the way that it opens up. It has one of those metal "jaws" that stays open on it's own. So cool. These bags are a little pricey, but they are very well made and will last forever. It has tons of pockets inside...and I guess I could go on and on about it, but I won't! If you want to look at the other designs they make, check out Offhand Designs. The style of my bag is called the Zelda Tote.

Over the course of the weekend I was given two gifts, one from Judy, the hostess of this retreat. We all got to pick a wrapped package out of a bag...and look what I chose!! Yep! That's "Socks That Rock" in the Spring Fling colorway! My mom kept laughing at my face because I was so shocked...in a good way! Thanks again Judy!

And, as if that wasn't enough, Nachaele gifted me with some one of a kind Serendipity yarn as a thank you for inviting her on the retreat! Awww! Thanks Nachaele! The weekend continued on with lots of good food, lots of knitting, and for me, a lot of late nights and early mornings! I woke up at 6:00am each day! I immediately went downstairs to the great room and picked up my knitting. Before long we were all sitting around, drinking coffee and knitting in our pj's. What a great way to start the day! Sunday morning we had a quick class on cabling without a cable needle. I have to say, I think that I've finally got it. I've had people show me before, but this time the light went on and I understand it. Overall, the weekend was a great success, none of us wanted to leave...or maybe none of us wanted to face packing the car! Ha!

p.s...I finished my Charlotte!! I'm hoping to block it this weekend! Yippee!!

Buena Vista- part 1

This is what happens when you have 4 knitters riding in the same car to a weekend knitting retreat. We all knew that we would be working on class projects, but that didn't stop us from hauling yarn and other random stuff with us. I have to admit, I had the most "stuff" with me! (go figure) Check out the car...we couldn't have shoved anything else in there! We all laughed when we realized that we would be visiting the local yarn shop while in Buena Vista...and we'd have to get all of our purchases home somehow!

Then there were the snacks. I asked all the girls I knew that were going to bring some kind of snack food with them...and boy did they!! Check out the bounty that was the snack table!! (FYI...click the highlighted words!) There will be more tomorrow on the first day of class, a trip to the local yarn shop, and much more!

Flash it baby!

I'm sitting in the great room at the B & B in Buena Vista...the mountains are RIGHT THERE outside the window. It's beautiful. Thanks for all the prayers and encouragement about my Dad. I really and truly appreciate it...again, I'm blown away by the love and support that I get from this community of knitters.

About my stash, many of you have seen it before. It's nothing new...but I'll show you anyway. I took pictures before I left of all the little "pockets" of yarn all over my house. Here goes...be warned, there is a lot of yarn folks!

This is my loft where all my yarn lives. I love the cubby-hole shelves...I have Cynthia to thank for the cubby hole shelves, she found them on Craig's List. They are originally from Target. Go right now and buy them...it makes your stash look like a yarn shop:) Here's a messy picture of my whole loft...click to see the picture!

Here's my little Kitty Koigu picture. My Koigu has been living in my bedroom in a big basket because I just love having it out where I can play with it. Awww...Jesse was sweet enough to pose for me!

These are going to be felted clogs...they have been my TV knitting lately. I love Brown Sheep Orange You Glad and RPM Pink together...go figure. Did you guys know that I love pink and orange together? ha!

This is the overflow that doesn't quite fit in the loft. I've organized it into bins and it lives above all my bags. Yes, I have a closet that is filled with mostly with bags...hey, what did you think I did with all those bags that I buy?! Luckily, I have 2 closets in my room, and they're all mine! I don't have to share with anyone!

My yarn for the infamous Noro Shrug...it lives downstairs where I walk by it everyday. I'm going to finish this thing!!! I know that I keep saying that, but I really love the yarn and It's close!

This is my Bucket of Peace Fleece yarn to make Rogue. It makes me happy.

Lastly, the bottom container holds miscellaneous works in progress and the top container holds the afghan yarn. That's all folks...I'm sure that there is stuff that I'm missing, but this is all I have time for. I've got to get back to my knitting!!