Squam Teacher Feature

I mentioned before how excited I am to head out to New Hampshire this summer to take part in the legend known as Squam.   If you really knew how excited I was, you would know that I visit the Squam blog almost daily, stalk the Squam Ravelry group page, and get a little giddy when a new post from Squam Art Workshops pops up in my Facebook feed.

Now that you have all learned that I can get a little obsessed inspired by upcoming events, it is safe to share why I am excited about today.  Over at the Squam blog, guess who holds the Teacher Feature for February 15th 2012?!  That's right, yours truly.  Make sure you hop on over to say hi and learn a little more about me from my Squam interview.

On another (albeit related) note, have you had the chance to check out the Squam store?    There is always a new handmade offering, available for a limited time.  In the past weeks I have seen the most beautiful hand thrown cups and tumblers, gratitude journals, and now something specifically catered to us knitters.  A kit featuring a fingerless mitts pattern and yarn inspired by the beauty of Squam Lake.

The pattern comes in three sizes, two length options, and two cuff options- making it versatile for a range of knitting skill levels.  The designer of the pattern, Natalie Selles, and the dyer of the yarn, Jill Draper,  will both be teaching at the Spring Squam session (have I mentioned how excited I am to be included in such a talented group of teachers?).  Didn't make it into Squam before it filled up (and it happened so quick!)?   Ordering this knitting kit may be exactly what you need to tide you over until next January when the Squam 2013 session opens up!

Kits are available in your choice of one of the two colors shown above.  It is $30 for the kit (you'll receive the pdf pattern immediately upon ordering, your yarn will arrive in a couple weeks), but you can also buy either the yarn or pattern separately.   Find more details over at the Squam Store- and make sure you keep your eyes open in the coming months for other creative handmade offerings!

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My Funny Valentine

A little early Valentine's gift for one of my Valentines:

Heart Hat by Lelah Olender 

And although she is quite silly these days (we often find her laughing out loud, looking for a reaction when she throws something over her head to 'hide' or has 'accidentally' lodged her finger in a piece of food.  Yes, this house is filled with an abundance of giggles these days), she is not the funny Valentine I am talking about.  The real goofiness is found in the yarn for this hat.

It was my first time working with Malabrigo Twist, and just like Malabrigo Worsted, it is soft to the touch- a gift for a knitter's fingers (with the added bonus of a little more consistency).  Not sounding funny yet?  This part came when I was done with the knitting- blocking time.  You see, here is a picture of the leftover yarn used for this hat:

Looks a little different from the pictures above, huh?  When I got the hat wet my red started to bleed quite a bit.  At first I tried to scrub it out, but it was too hard where the colors met.  Then I decided- I do have a little girl- she can handle a pink and red Valentine's Day hat.  So, into a bucket of warm water went said hat.  I quite like the pink and red combo, I'm happy with the results, and glad I got to learn my mixing color lesson this way.

In other news, today is a big day for me.  Today is the first day of the last week of my 20s.  How did that happen so quickly?  I remember when Joe turned 30, back in 2007- he told me I would be there in no time.  In the moment I laughed, now I see how fast it really does happen.

Now, I have to figure out how to make this last week epic.  It's been quite a decade- any suggestions?

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January Highlight

Although January was a bit of a crazy month for me, I did enjoy a fabulous visit with my good friend, Knitterella. Just a few hours of getting together to talk knittin' can get me through a cold a dreary month.  It's so nice to have a friend who shares your passion about a topic, and in our case- we are knitters, through and through.

Although the kids were a bit stand-offish and shy when we first arrived, it wasn't long before these two little ones just wanted to "nuggle" in bed.

     *I think we can all agree that Elise was pretty enamored with this "big kid"

And it wasn't long before I was chumming it up with this new little guy:

*Bonus points for those who remember this sweater

I also got a chance to help Jill finish her Anthro-Style Plaited Head Wrap:

*cute, yes?!  Find more details here.

All in all, a fun and relaxing day, with three super cute kiddos:

*everyone together now:  Awwwww!

And to follow up from the other day: no, I am not being so productive as to be working on a new pattern.  But for those of you you guessed I cast on a Levenwick for myself, you are correct!

Oh, and I also got a couple comments on my super cute stitch markers (which they are).  You can find a post about them here.

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Once Again

Not sure how it happened, but I've seemed to have done it again.  I left the blog alone, out the cold, totally abandoned.  Sometimes I'm not quite sure how a couple  few week can just fly by like they do, but it happens.

I promise you the silence is not all in vain, and there is a very good reason for my less frequent posting (how's that for a teaser).  But I can tell you this- January did not go completely by without some selfish knitting:

Any guesses?

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A New Sweater

As if this little girl didn't already have enough hand knit sweaters, right?!

But, for Christmas,  we had to make something special.  This pattern was completely dreamed up in my head and it was fun to see it 'come to life' over the holidays.  It was a little complicated with all the colorwork and sizing- so things may have been "fudged" a bit, but it came together.  For that reason, I wouldn't count on a pattern coming out of this- my notes are mere scribbles, and my charts are hand drawn with multiple dark lines being drawn through.

I'm not sure why it has taken me so long to post. When I take a break, it's always hard to come back.  I feel I owe some sort of apology or really impressive post, but then I realize I just need to start up to get the ball rolling.  The holidays were grand, complete with much time visiting family and friends.

Unfortunately, Joe and I started 2012 off on the wrong foot, with a dreadful case of (what we believe to be) food poisoning.  I'm really not sure how we would have gotten through that situation without family nearby, but we have pulled through and finally seem to be on the other side of it.

I hope your holidays were wonderful and that you are now enjoying some selfish knitting- it is time for that, right?!

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We Have a Winner!

After 220 entries, random.org provided us with a winner for the by Annie Claire yarn giveaway.

And the winner is:

Evelyn

who wrote:

Perhaps it's because the weather is getting nice and chilly that I'm attracted to the cobble handspun bulky in Annie's shop ... oh, it's lovely. This holiday season has reminded me how important it is to slow down and gift things that are made my hand (it's a commitment that I'm managing to fulfill). Annie's "pasture to pullover" is a philosophy that I would love to support. Thanks for the giveaway!

Evelyn, I've contacted you on Ravelry, just let me know where I can send your beautiful, all natural yarn. 

To the rest:

Thanks for all the support for the giveaway.  Today I'll be finishing up Elise's Christmas sweater (all the seaming and weaving is now done- phew!) and I'll try to get some pictures to you within the next week.   I have the week off work and family in town, so things may be quiet over here.  Have a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year!

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Just a Little Christmas Block Party

Sorry for the silence over the past few days- I've been busy...

After 4-5 days of not having time to knit a stitch last week/this past weekend, I was starting to worry that I wouldn't have enough time to work on Elise's Christmas sweater.  After just a few evening knitting sessions, the sweater prevailed!

Just a reminder- today is the last day to win free yarn from by Annie Claire, make sure you enter before midnight EST.  And on that note, have you seen her winter collection yet?  It's live and it is gorgeous- go check it out (and make sure you click on each photo to get a description of how each is made/dyed- so interesting!).

ps... this pictures shows just why we can never have all hardwood floors in our house.  That's right, I just lay down a towel and pin my washed knits into the carpet- works like a charm!

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