tentenknits

Emerald

Recently I have been anxiously awaiting the release of the new shawl pattern by Kirsten of Through the Loops called Lavalette.  She generously posted the pattern for free with the hope that if you chose to make it you will donate to Alzheimer Research.  Her goal is to reach $5000 by July 22nd, and at this rate I think we can help her bust right past that goal!

My grandmother, Norma, was a wonderfully creative and talented woman.  She sewed, painted, crocheted, cross-stitched. Anything she put her hands on she was able to  do something beautiful with.  She passed down this trait to my mother who continues to amaze me with all the things she does right down to her perfect handwriting.  I, of course, try to live that forward with my knitting and can only hope to create things that would make them both proud.  When my grandmother starting showing signs on her sickness she stopped doing all those creative things.  It was hard to see her not express herself through her craft.

I made this out of my summer favorite, Rowan's Linpur Linen on Size 6 needles (Ravelry Link).   The size is perfect for a summery night when all one needs is a kiss of warmth.  I dedicate this shawl in memory of my grandmother and hope that you will also decide to make one and to donate to Alzheimer's research.  Thank you again Kirsten, for sharing your talent and generosity!

a book report: Vintage Baby Knits

I'm just about hitting that wave of my life when everyone around me seems to be getting preggers or having babies!   My dear sfam (sister from another mother) blog friend Nonnahs, my first college friend, a friend from hs, a family member - everyone has got wonderful news to share.  And what is "Aunty" Margaux to do?

To be honest, I only have made very limited baby things. When I say Limited I really mean Two Things - a baby hat and dress.  I tried to make a Wallaby sweater for my husband's cousin and didn't even get past the sleeves and I believe it's sitting in a dark corner of Patricia's shop (remind me to get that from you, ok, Trish!?)... so when I saw that there was a baby book signing at TNNA I figured well why not but I did not have faith I was going to find anything to make from it.

Enter, Vintage Baby Knits by Kristen Rengren. HELLO!   Patricia can attest to the fact that I couldn't PUT IT DOWN.  This book is chock full of great baby/toddler knits!  I am so excited to make not one, not two, not even Three, but like four things from this wonderful pattern book!

Kristen Rengren has done a fantastic job at collecting such wonderful and classic knits.  From baby bonnets, to sweaters, to cute toys she has combined that sense of vintage/classic with the modern.

I am reminded by something a wise yarn wholesaler at TNNA said to Trish and I when we were talking about how much we both loved this book.  She said, "If you can put your fingers over the cute face of the kids in the book and still want to make that sweater than you know it's good!"

Now, try not to get your monitor all messed up with your finger prints ;-)... And does this blanket look familiar to you? 

It seems that the honeycomb stitch is going to be very popular one this fall!

I cannot say enough how excited I am about this excellent collection of wonderful and inspiring baby knits. The only problem now is to decide which to cast on first!  Run don't walk to your LYS to get yourself a copy!

Throwback Knit

In doing some re-organizing in my apartment this past week I came across this long lost FO.  The Cable Eight top from Interweave Knits, Spring 2005 (ravelry link).  It's funny what you can and cannot remember about your old knits.  Like I can't remember working those cables or weaving in the last yarn but I can remember getting the yarn it called for at my new-to-me LYS. I can remember knitting this on my flight to Honduras that summer and I remember having to crochet the borders of the arm openings thinking there was no way I was going to get that right but being so happy and proud of myself that I did.

It was one of the first actual garment pieces I made and therefore went blindly into trusting the yarn and directions.  I even got the same color as the modeled piece in the magazine. As a new knitter you do that, you get each piece the exact same because in some way you think it will help in the success of getting that "perfect FO".

I probably have worn this top about 3 times since 05.  The tank itself is a little on the heavy side which is what doubling the cotton worsted weight will do.  If I knit it again I may opt to just use a bulkier cotton like the Blue Sky.

Oh and if you think I stopped at just making one of the Bumble Up scarves, guess again.  My AC has been cranked in order for me to whip out another!

I just loves my summer knitting.

Bumble Up!

Wow that was fast.

Pattern: Bumble Up Scarf (Ravelry Link)
Yarn: Spud & Chloe Outer in Soapstone & Flannel
Size 11 circs
1 fabu button!

I cannot tell you how much I wanted to make this scarf since I first saw the cute tease cards that Spud & Chloe sent to my LYS.  I love just  the look of the honeycomb stitch, and its unbelievably SUPER easy. (I really mean it this time!)

On top of it all it was superfast to knit up.  I started this scarf yesterday afternoon at around 3pm, took it with me to happy hour and finished it this afternoon.  My other project right now is the Featherweight Cardigan using lace yarn and size 6 needles so you can only imagine my joy to knit this.

The yarn is soft and shed only a little bit. I would so use this again for another scarf and maybe a matching hat.   I really think this stuff is going to fly off the shelves.  Love!

Time to pump the AC in my apartment so I can wear this around for a while before I have to store it for the winter.

bumble

A little instant knit gratification doesn't hurt now does it?  My LYS, Patricia's Yarns just got in her shipment of Spud & Chloe yesterday.  I skipped my knit butt over there and promptly casted on for this gem, the Bumble Up Scarf.  I have a gut feeling that I will be making more of these, a whole lot more.

The yarn is soft and very lovely to knit with.  It's been shedding only a little bit, but that's to be expected with a chunky cotton blend.

The sun has finally shown itself after what it seems like a month long absence and too many overcast skies.  Coincidence?  I think not.

Re-knit-ergized

Ohio.

Buckeyes.  LaBron James.  Presidential Primary.   TNNA?

Well for the last two years I've been involved in the knit industry (if i can really say I'm involved) has lead me to the great city of Columbus to the ever inspiring Needle Arts Trade show.  I was ever so happy to join Patricia owner of Patricia's Yarns in Hoboken to offer whatever two cents I could.  We documented our day to day on Patricia's shop blog PY Knits - trying hard to seeing everything and everyone!

Patricia and I walked the show again this year with fantastic shop owner, Craig, from Loop. Booth after booth was filled with yarn, patterns from old and new vendors alike.  My favorite booth by far was Blue Sky.  They have a fantastic new line of yarn coming out called Spud & Chloe.  ADORABLE.

It was also so fun to put faces to names and voices to pictures that I've only encountered through the internets.  Kate from Fibre Company was one of the first people I was excited to see and learned that one of her more popular and unpublished works was finally going to be coming to a LYS near you!  Wait for it, Wait for it... ;-)

I also enjoyed randomly crossing paths with Kate Gilbert who I totally felt was following me and not the other way around. (ha, as if!) Or perhaps I like to think I was just being pulled in by her fantastic knit designing gravitational pull.  Either way, it was a delight to see her and to learn that while her patterns are phenomenal, so is the designer behind them!

I also met a fantastic new (to me) designer Coralie Meslin.  Her patterns have been featured in Vogue Knitting (Ravelry Link), Takhi Stacey Charles magazines, and in the fall I'm sure we'll see her stuff in Interweave and beyond. It was fun for me to pick her brain and to hear how and when she got started.  Persistence is key people!  Just keep trying and submitting and designing. (now to only find some time ;-))

It's no wonder one can feel so inspired to knit and design - you're in a huge room with hundreds of talented people. Their creative wavelengths are bound to cross yours - not to mention knit sensory overload.  Everywhere you looked there were either gorgeous hanks of yarn or beautiful knitted sweaters. 

As if my knitting fingers weren't going fast enough they now have more incentive to get moving.  What's great about this 'knit high' is that I can share it and hopefully get others as excited about knitting as I am.  Thank you again to Patricia for generously having me with her... :-)

If you happen to be in town this weekend we are most definitely doing something for World Wide Knit In Public Day!

 

Hope to see some of you there!

Happy Knitting!

L,
M

Cedar

I cannot believe I waited forever to stitch this baby together! I guess I was a bit busy ;-)

Pattern: Minimalist Cardigan, Fall 07 IK (Rav Link)
Yarn: Foxfire Fiber, Cormo Silk, about 6 hanks
Needles:  US  7 Circs

I started this cardigan last October - I had dreamed it up to be something I would wear in the winter but it got a little sidetracked with what else, that big ol' Wedding I was planning.  I haven't fully blocked it out yet but I love the fit so far!

The yarn is a dream.  I remember picking it up in Rhineback a few years ago.  It was was (and I know you won't believe me) my first and ONLY time going!  Somehow each October that weekend is filled with an event I have to go to, so sadly I haven't been back and have been envious of all those who have since.  I do remember when I bought the yarn, browsing some other booths and running into none other than Janurary One Cara, herself!  I remember being so excited to meet her and she wanted to see what yarn I had bought and exclaimed at seeing how many hanks of the Cormo that were in my unassuming bag. I had no idea what she was so excited about - but BOY do I now!

The pattern itself is pretty wonderful too.  I guess people out there already know that since there is about 350+ of these on Ravelry.  There's something comforting to me about the moss stitch.  If I could I would moss stitch everything!

 

Yea! A finished knit!  I was so excited about this last night I just had to get some shots and wouldn't you know my bathroom has some pretty good lighting!!  Hah!  Anyway, I'm off to Boston this weekend for a friend's wedding!  I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

If Bruce Wayne was a knitter

While sitting with my two dear friends at my LYS yesterday, Patricia showed us her newest acquisition which I wasn't leaving her shop without. 

The Knit Kit.

This little swiss army knife-like gadget is an all-in-one kit that pretty much contains everything you need to combat any knit-villains that come your way.  Evil Dr. Dropped Stitch won't even see you coming. POW!

Tape measure, counter, stitch markers, heck, you could even deflect bullets with this thing. BANG!

It also comes with a handy little cutter should you not want to whip out the TSA approved mini scissors that's located in it's secret back compartment. Holy convenience, Batman!

I know I carry my knitting everywhere and enjoy the fact that this will fit snugly in the corner of my gargantuan purse rather than the huge zip-pouch I previously carried.  I also enjoy that the Joker won't be able to thwart my knitting prowess and thus be foiled once again.

To the bat cave.

This FO even needed a wardrobe change

So all that crazy knitting and here I am 5 days later with an FO! Woot!

Pattern: Shetland Triangle from Wrap Style
Yarn: Rowan Lenpur Linen, 4 balls
Needles: Size 6 circulars
Details: I did 9 repeats before the edging.  I decided to not wet block it because I didn't want all the sharp points so I just steamed it to open up the leaf motifs.  I am so excited to wear this every night this summer!

I became obsessed with wanting to make this since I saw one in my many browsings on Flickr.  The pattern of course is bonafide greatness and I actually had made my mom a Shetland Shawl back in 06. Knit Flashback: 

This one was started in June and finished in September! I remember loving that yarn too but unfortunately cannot remember what it was!

 As you all know I became a woman consumed by knitting and knitted at every down time moment  I had. The yarn helped a ton because ofter the first repeat I was just anxious to get to the end! Lenpur Linen is so soft and has such a gorgeous drape.  My LYS got a nice summer shipment of Rowan so I was excited to pick up a few balls for the shawl.  It really has worked perfectly for a nice summery scarf. 

Yea!

So what's next on the knit-agenda?  I got some yarn for the Zigzack Tunic and need to seam up a very patient cardigan.  Till next time, keep knitting! :-)

with a cherry on top

 My fingers hurt and it feels SO good.

A lot of people have asked me if I miss my wedding and I do, but I don't miss the the planning and I am loving the facts that I'm not expected anywhere nor that I have any obligations to fulfill.  It's done.  I'm married and I can do whatever my married self wants and right now I want to knit. A LOT.

I have so many projects I want to knit I seriously feel like I cannot knit fast enough. It's like coming off a diet and wanting to eat ALL your favorite foods AT ONCE.  The mouth can only handle so many cookies and chicken fingers.  The husband has been cool with this since I feel like he's happy to get back to his destresser activity, too - the Playstation.  Of course I've been taking some breaks to look at him and let him know I'm still his wife.

And while I'm on it that topic, married life is going well and honestly it feels the same as my unmarried life only now we look at each other every once in a while and realize we made a Really HUGE PROMISE to each other and OH My God we're in this For Life.  Pinky swear infinity.

But let's go back to my knitting, never has something been absent from my life that I've wanted to jump right into with no sense of pride or etiquette.  Seriously, I will ignore you to knit. 

I am knitting on two projects at the moment, switching between the two at my hearts content - fulfilling every knitty need.  Something mindless, something hard, something small that fulfills the FO need, and something longer that fulfills the long term need, something for me, something for a friend, all of it MY choice. Ahhhh, it's just so good.

I am knitting everywhere too.  At the cafe in my old hometown

In the park

In my LYS

Knit knit knit knit knit, I am laughing that I even took the time to write a post because I know I'd rather be knitting! ;-)

I apologize for nothing. Tie me up in yarn and let me be...