I Swear I Took the Picture

Last Monday, after posting about the pending arrival of our new little, Joe and I headed off for a week of relaxation and sun in Mexico (or so we hoped for).

I figured since I was abandoning the blog, the Etsy Shop, and email in general for a whole week, I would have a great post planned when I got back.  It was to be called "The Anthology of a Scarf"  which would include a series of pictures.  Me knitting on the plane, on the beach, by the pool, etc.  I even thought that by then end of the week and all the down time, I would be able to have a second "Like a Lamb" wrap almost completely finished.

Hmm... how plans change.

Things started out just fine.  I took a picture while knitting on the plane.  I had about an inch completed and thought it would be a great intro to the series of pictures.

Then we got to Mexico.

Our first evening there featured a torrential downpour.  Water was leaking in hallways of our open- air resort.  There was almost no place to escape the dampness.

Next day- showers off and on, with a few planned activities to attend.  Then, about halfway through the day (keep in mind we haven't been here 24 hours yet), a slight tickle in my throat.

The next morning I awoke to a full range of fever, chills, aches, and an awful respiratory infection.   Later in the day we heard from my in-laws who were back home and diagnosed with Type A Influenza.  Yup, that fit the bill.

So, from here on out, between the storms and the sickness, not a lot was accomplished on the wrap.  I figured I would come home and share this dreadful story, along with the first picture of my knitting on the plane.  the post was then to be called "All I Have", in which I would explain that I only have one lousy picture for you.

So I sat at home, prepared to write, and opened my phone.

No picture.

Anywhere.

I know I took it.  I know I wasn't quite loopy yet when I took it.  Checked all individual apps- nada.

So now we all must settle for this- a whole week of knitting, sitting before you as I type this post.  What I thought would be 15-18 repeats is a measly 4.  It's just sad.  

And if you're thinking I may finish soon, you're probably wrong.  Free minutes are devoted to sleeping- I gotta kick this thing!

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Did I Forget to Mention?

That Elise will be a big sister in a few months?

Sometimes pregnant women can be so forgetful!

I'm giddy with excitement to share the news that we will be welcoming our second child into our home in the beginning of August.  I know many of you have been thinking this might be the case for a while now.  With my lack of posting and the fact that whenever I say I have an announcement everyone assumes a baby is on the way, I'm sure many of you had me figured out.  

Time for some fresh new baby knitting! 

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Easter Adventures

Or maybe this post would be more justly named if it held the title: "Trying to Get a Picture of a One-Year-Old in Handknits".  Sigh.

Off to an "ok" start...

Darn it- she's found her way to the flower pots which only contain dirt-

How can we get her to slow down?  Maybe a graham cracker...

Now we're getting somewhere...

yup- spoke too soon, there she goes

Oh no- not the rocks

Hmmm... at least we can see the back detail.  Maybe if we stand her by the bike...

Wait for it...

Darn it- out of focus!

Ok- Just make her sit in the chair:

She may have a mouth full of graham cracker, but alas- we're somewhat in focus, and she's looking.  I think we can consider that a win!

Pattern:  Olivia Petit by Connie Chang Chinchio

Size:  12 months

Yarn:  Shepherd's Wool

Raveled: here

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A Reveal

Remember my swatch?

I promised it turned into something grander and... well, bigger- and I am excited to share final pictures with you.

Without further ado, I am very pleased to introduce you to Like a Lamb:

 Spring has a way of coming “in like a lion, out like a lamb”.  But when chilly nights loom around, knitting cannot be forgotten.  *Like a Lamb* is a piece that will carry you from winter to spring, day to night.  A simple design complimented by lace weight cashmere creates a wardrobe classic-perfect for all seasons and climates.

Although this pattern is not quite ready to be released to the public, Knit Culture Studio Club Members will be receiving their pattern and yarn very soon as it is the March/April installment.  Not a member?  There are still limited spots available here.  A subscription is for a six month time period, with three shipments (one every two months) that include an exclusive pattern and the hand-dyed yarn needed to complete the project.  

Like a Lamb features Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere, and I can assure you it is a dream to behold.

ps... thanks to the lovely Jill (Knitterella )  For modeling my new wrap :-)

pps... pattern has now been added to Ravelry

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Easter Sweater

We here in Michigan were almost convinced that two weeks of 80 degree weather in Mid-March would continue through to summer.  And although it would have been quite an anomaly, we should all know that it just wasn't a possibility.  And suddenly, dreams of a warm Easter Sunday came to an end.

The result?

A new sweater for Elise, of course!

Plans for a lightweight shrug were quickly changed to accommodate the dropping temperatures, and to be quite honest, I'm glad they did- because how cute is this?

What I really fell in love with is the back detail:

And mine has been coming along bit by bit all week long:

The pattern is Olivia Petit by Connie Chang Chinchio, and although I swear I purchased it from the Quince & Co website in the past week or so, it seems to have disappeared.  Can anyone else out there find it?

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Weaving Days

Ok, ok- I know a made a promise yesterday about addressing weaving questions.  But first, we must rewind to June of last year, when I met the lovely Angela Tong at TNNA.

At the time, I knew her as a knitwear designer- it's quite possible you've seen her designs around.

She even recently had a design on the cover of Knit Simple Magazine.

As I started blogging a bit about weaving, Angela was always kind enough to comment, and even lead me to her Ravelry page of weaving projects.  From that moment on, I knew I had someone I could go to weaving questions (finally).

Fast forward a few more months where Angela was invited out to Craftsy Headquarters to film a class on rigid heddle weaving.

Very interactive
Ask questions, teacher will answer them
Take notes
Specific projects with a download of materials needed
print outs for calculations

If you do want to take advantage of this class, you can you this link and get a discount.


The only bummer about watching this video was that it kind of got me all excited to weave again, and by the time you read this, I will be stuck in Philly for a week of training- ugh.  My poor, lonely loom is just sitting at home waiting for me, what can a girl do?
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New Loom

Last year, my Cricket Loom (a wonderful first Mother's Day gift from Elise) hooked me on weaving.  I know, the girl went all out and set the bar pretty high for Mother's Day- hopefully she can live up to the standard this year :-)

The Cricket was perfect for learning to weave on a rigid heddle loom.  The compact size made it easy to move around.  I could work on projects on the couch, and there were even a few car rides that involved weaving.  Although I broke every weaving rule out there (I was clueless... and still am a bit!), I managed to come up with a few pieces that I *love*.

But, as my appetite for weaving grew- it was time for a larger loom.  Enter my Ashford 32" rigid heddle:

To tell you the truth, this was actually a Christmas present from Joe.  The loom has been sitting here warped since... oh... January (see, the blog isn't the only thing that has been neglected in my life the past few months!).   Time has gotten away from me a bit, work has distracted me that much more- and I also have a little color issue.

I know I won't have enough of this fingering weight Plucky Primo in Candy Apple seen as the warp.  I need to add some more color, and right now I'm kind of thinking of weaving in more of a true red.  But like I said, it's completely undecided and the hesitation continues!

I know every time I bring up weaving, I have a whole slew of questions coming in on the blog and emails.  People asking about how I learned, if I know of any good reference videos out there, questions on warping, etc.  Well, I am pleased to say that I finally have an answer for all of you looking to get in to weaving.

Want to know what it is?!?

I'll tell you...




tomorrow.


Stay tuned :-)



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