5 (or more) on Friday

At the beginning of the summer, I promised myself that we would not waste it just hanging around the house. So, we have been going and doing and playing. The Chicago weather hasn't allowed us to do alot of pool time, but it has been great for outings. We've been to Brookfield Zoo, the Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier, Millennium Park, and horseback riding. Our friends from Texas have been to visit. My nieces have been here from downstate. I've been pushed into giving knitting lessons tMaggie and my nieces. Maggie lost her first front tooth.

I'm exhausted!





1. Untitled, 2. Millennium Park, 3. The Bean, 4. Millennium Park, 5. IMG_3410, 6. Inside the Bean, 7. IMG_3402, 8. IMG_3401, 9. IMG_3420, 10. IMG_3419, 11. IMG_3398, 12. IMG_3395, 13. IMG_3394, 14. IMG_3382, 15. IMG_3381, 16. IMG_3378, 17. Taste of Chicago, 18. Taste of Chicago, 19. Buckingham Fountain, 20. IMG_3355, 21. Taste of Chicago, 22. Spring Sprouts, 23. IMG_3350, 24. Spring Sprouts, 25. Spring Sprouts, 26. Knitting Lessons, 27. IMG_3335, 28. IMG_3333, 29. IMG_3320, 30. IMG_3317, 31. IMG_3314, 32. IMG_3307, 33. IMG_3310, 34. IMG_3266, 35. IMG_3279, 36. IMG_3265


What I haven't been doing is knitting. I think I needed a break. The knitting mojo just hasn't been there. I'm plodding along on a new sock design that I hope to make available next week. In the meantime, I'm headed out to see Harry Potter and Half Blood Prince tonight. Tomorrow I'll be at the Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Fair. I always come home inspired (not to mention loaded with new yarn)!

Schools Out!

Just a drive-by posting today. Last week was the first week of summer vacation and we're all adjusting. I just had to post a picture of the adorable monkey I made for Maggie teacher. She has a monkey theme in her classroom, so this was perfect. I hope he keeps her company and makes smile in class for many years to come.


















Pattern: Boyish Monkey by Barbara Prime
Yarn: Cascade 220 and Wool of the Andes - just a little of each
Needles: US # 5

There's a few more pictures here on Flickr.

Just a little stash enhancement

I have been on a yarn ban with my group of knitting friends since January. I have done very well. Knitting only from the stash with only 2 purchases. I bought 1 ball of Plymouth Encore to finish a blanket. ( I totally don't think this purchase even counts as I needed it to finish.) I also bought 4 balls of Knit Picks Shine Sport to test knit the spring Sprouts Tank because I had nothing appropriate in the stash. I also fell down and got a couple skeins of Felici at the same time because the color I was coveting was almost gone. Don't judge. It's my favorite sock yarn. Anyway...

This past Saturday was the annual anniversary sale at Gene Ann's Yarns. It was 50% off everything. Ban over, right? Right! I limited it to only a few items for a couple designs I have brewing. I got a few skeins of Cascade Alpaca Lace for a cardigan. Yep - lace weight cardi. Remind me later that I thought this was a good plan.





















I also picked up two skeins of Anne by Schaefer Yarns. I love these semi solids. They are both for new sock designs, as well as gifts for my mom and sister.




































That's it. This is officially the least I have ever spent as this sale, but it's the start of the summer yarn show season and I have plans to attend Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Fair, Stitches, and maybe Wisconsin Sheep and Wool. Despite what I'd like to believe I just don't knit fast enough to justify more. Let's not discuss what's already marinating in the stash.

Squee!

Designing and still so new to me. I get so excited about each new design and all the possibilities.

I found out last night that 2 of my patterns were accepted for the Knitting Pattern a Day Calendar 2010! Moose's Argyle Vest will be used for August 18 and the Butterfly Dreams Mittens are the bonus pattern for September. Both of these patterns were originally published in KnitCircus' Fall 2008 issue and are available here and on Ravelry.

Spring Sprouts Tank

The Spring Sprouts Tank pattern is now available!

Sizes 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
Finished Measurements:
21, 23, 25, 26, 28"

Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows to 4" in stockinette on US #5 needles

DK or Sport Weight Yarn:
260, 310, 390, 460, 500, 550 Yards

Sample knit in Dale of Norway Svale

US #5 needles, 20-24", Circular
US #6 needles, 20-24", Circular
US #5 Double Pointed Needles

Explanation in pictures

I finished the test knit of the Spring Sprouts Tank. I think and hope it's rather straight forward, but there is a small section (the shoulder straps) I thought might benefit from a photo tutorial.


In picture 1, I've completed the 1st section of applied i-cord and continued to make the i-cord shoulder strap.








Here are the remaining stitches waiting on the holder.









I've transferred the stitches to a needle.










I've added the 3 i-cord stitches in front on those remaining stitches.










I begin the second section of applied i-cord.









Here I've completed the last of the applied i-cord.











Now, I just need to graft the strap to the beginning.











I pick up 3 stitches and graft / kitchner stitch them together.









Done!























I'm working on the final copy of the pattern now. It will go live on May 30, or maybe a little sooner if I can manage it.

Happy Monday!

It's been quiet weekend, which means I got quite a bit of knitting time. The weather was beautiful, so I sat in the yard and worked on the test knit of Spring Sprouts while the kids played on the swing set.


















I'm ready to do the decreases for the empire waist and then it's on the bodice. It should be done in a day or two. While we were in the yard I got the cutest picture of our Sheepadoodle ( 3/4 standard poodle and 1/4 Old English sheepdog ) puppy, Sock. He's the youngest and biggest of our pack of 3. He just turned a year old on Friday.



















I've had a little idea for a new sock rattling around in my head for days, so Sunday afternoon, I finally cast on. I think it's going to work out. It's a toe-up anklet with a feathery lace pattern off centered in the top of the foot. I'm working it up in a leftover ball of Regia Silk. I hope there's enough.

Moving in

Well, I guess it was time to have a home base of my own. I'll still try to pop in at Insaknity now and then though.

I've been working on setting up the blog today and learning how to add patterns to the side bar. It wasn't too hard, but I'm not telling you how long I spent on it. I'm not 100% happy with it all, but I think it's good enough to move ahead.

You may notice that the side bar shows the new pattern Spring Sprouts. It's in test knitting now. (Thank you LeaAnna and Karen!) I'm loading it to Ravelry today and hope to release the pattern by the end of May.