Monday, November 16, 2009

twist love

I really shouldn't be sitting here... but here I am in the middle of moving and all I want to do is cast on about four sweaters! The new Twist Collective is out and I'm in LOVE. There are so many great designs worthy of getting excited about.

First and foremost... I'm going to cast on for Skara Brae just as soon as possible. I have some lavender Ultra Alpaca that would be perfect. This sweater is knit from the top down with some unique construction. It's heavily patterned without being bulky like mega cables.

Kirigami: again, unique construction... afterthought shoulders!? I'm intrigued! tiny stripes = big stashbuster for me. I have enough gray and red Berroco Vintage to knit this one up. I love the button detail... I would definitely wear it unbuttoned. Lovely!

Kelmscott by Carol Sunday is stunning. Knit with an angora blend... what a lovely dressy sweater this would be. This would be a good project to cast on midwinter when the winter daze has really set in.

I really like the lines of Mystere. Although I don't see the need to knit it in pieces. It'd be a cinch to knit this one in one piece. I totally want to use pearl grey Malabrigo for this one.

I also love the mittens by Veronik Avery although I probably wouldn't knit the liners. I have some Classic Elite Fresco in my stash that would work well for the outer mittens, too.

Frost Tapestry is an eye catching set of winter accessories. First of all, I tend to gravitate toward black and white, so the color combo really grabbed me. Secondly, it's stranded which I love to do. Thirdly, the cowl is steeked, which is a technique I haven't done yet and really have wanted a smaller project to do it with.

Ok! I'm outta here!

twist love

I really shouldn't be sitting here... but here I am in the middle of moving and all I want to do is cast on about four sweaters! The new Twist Collective is out and I'm in LOVE. There are so many great designs worthy of getting excited about.

First and foremost... I'm going to cast on for Skara Brae just as soon as possible. I have some lavender Ultra Alpaca that would be perfect. This sweater is knit from the top down with some unique construction. It's heavily patterned without being bulky like mega cables.

Kirigami: again, unique construction... afterthought shoulders!? I'm intrigued! tiny stripes = big stashbuster for me. I have enough gray and red Berroco Vintage to knit this one up. I love the button detail... I would definitely wear it unbuttoned. Lovely!

Kelmscott by Carol Sunday is stunning. Knit with an angora blend... what a lovely dressy sweater this would be. This would be a good project to cast on midwinter when the winter daze has really set in.

I really like the lines of Mystere. Although I don't see the need to knit it in pieces. It'd be a cinch to knit this one in one piece. I totally want to use pearl grey Malabrigo for this one.

I also love the mittens by Veronik Avery although I probably wouldn't knit the liners. I have some Classic Elite Fresco in my stash that would work well for the outer mittens, too.

Frost Tapestry is an eye catching set of winter accessories. First of all, I tend to gravitate toward black and white, so the color combo really grabbed me. Secondly, it's stranded which I love to do. Thirdly, the cowl is steeked, which is a technique I haven't done yet and really have wanted a smaller project to do it with.

Ok! I'm outta here!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

good things...

Thank you for making me feel a little better. Thanks for brightening my dark day. I appreciate you all for supporting me even on days when I'm having a major pity party. You are the best.

Now on to things that make me feel happy today...

(click to enlarge)

This sunset photo was taken at about 4:45 in the afternoon over Sebago Lake. The sun goes down so early now!

My little man is doing well. He's cruising along in school and is making progress in all areas. He's turning in to such a little dude... growing up faster than any of us realize. Even he isn't used to how big he's getting. He's a little boy in a big boy body. He's in to comic books, creating powerpoint presentations, all things lego and DS. His feet are also officially bigger than mine.


My baby isn't so baby anymore! All of the sudden he's talking up a storm. He can identify basic colors, he can count to ten, we're about halfway there with potty training. He continues to stop shopping carts and doting ladies in their tracks wherever we go... the curls, the blue eyes... they get them every time. He still sleeps in his crib and doesn't even attempt to get out of it. He sleeps like a champ and is always up for a good snuggle and a pile of books. He still calls himself Baby and tells people that is his name although he can pronounce his name now. Can you believe he'll be 3 in March!?

My Christmas cactus is about to bloom. I love this plant... my husband gave it to me as a birthday gift ten years ago. I can't believe I've kept a house plant alive that long. It makes me think of the plants my parents have had for decades. They have this one ginormous jade plant that they received as a wedding gift 33 years ago. That's crazy!

I've heard that Christmas cacti bloom when they're under stress... isn't that ironic? Mine seems to bloom this time of year and again at the end of the winter right around St. Patrick's Day. I've never transplanted it... I'm too nervous about killing it. I need to get a few starts off of it and get them going before I do that. Also -- I did knit the felted plant cozy that it's in. It was actually a failed attempt at a felted purse. I cut the top off and it fit my plant perfectly. I love it a lot.

good things...

Thank you for making me feel a little better. Thanks for brightening my dark day. I appreciate you all for supporting me even on days when I'm having a major pity party. You are the best.

Now on to things that make me feel happy today...

(click to enlarge)

This sunset photo was taken at about 4:45 in the afternoon over Sebago Lake. The sun goes down so early now!

My little man is doing well. He's cruising along in school and is making progress in all areas. He's turning in to such a little dude... growing up faster than any of us realize. Even he isn't used to how big he's getting. He's a little boy in a big boy body. He's in to comic books, creating powerpoint presentations, all things lego and DS. His feet are also officially bigger than mine.


My baby isn't so baby anymore! All of the sudden he's talking up a storm. He can identify basic colors, he can count to ten, we're about halfway there with potty training. He continues to stop shopping carts and doting ladies in their tracks wherever we go... the curls, the blue eyes... they get them every time. He still sleeps in his crib and doesn't even attempt to get out of it. He sleeps like a champ and is always up for a good snuggle and a pile of books. He still calls himself Baby and tells people that is his name although he can pronounce his name now. Can you believe he'll be 3 in March!?

My Christmas cactus is about to bloom. I love this plant... my husband gave it to me as a birthday gift ten years ago. I can't believe I've kept a house plant alive that long. It makes me think of the plants my parents have had for decades. They have this one ginormous jade plant that they received as a wedding gift 33 years ago. That's crazy!

I've heard that Christmas cacti bloom when they're under stress... isn't that ironic? Mine seems to bloom this time of year and again at the end of the winter right around St. Patrick's Day. I've never transplanted it... I'm too nervous about killing it. I need to get a few starts off of it and get them going before I do that. Also -- I did knit the felted plant cozy that it's in. It was actually a failed attempt at a felted purse. I cut the top off and it fit my plant perfectly. I love it a lot.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Late Fall


(click to enlarge)

The above photo was taken near Buckfield this past Sunday. Beautiful area. Even though most of the leaves are gone, the Oaks have added their russet hue to the landscape. It's still stunning. As the leaves have fallen, the woods have opened up again. No longer do they have a dark canopy that shrouds the hills... All of the sudden you can see deep in to the woods. It's once again, a different landscape.


(click to enlarge)

Today I took the babe down to the Portland Head Light for a walk around... what a treat we were in for! The waves were incredible. Bigger than the hurricane waves that we encountered earlier this year. I didn't do any research, but I'd chalk it up to high tide combined with a full moon. If you want to see a visual example of how the moon phases affect us, just watch the tides.





Late Fall


(click to enlarge)

The above photo was taken near Buckfield this past Sunday. Beautiful area. Even though most of the leaves are gone, the Oaks have added their russet hue to the landscape. It's still stunning. As the leaves have fallen, the woods have opened up again. No longer do they have a dark canopy that shrouds the hills... All of the sudden you can see deep in to the woods. It's once again, a different landscape.


(click to enlarge)

Today I took the babe down to the Portland Head Light for a walk around... what a treat we were in for! The waves were incredible. Bigger than the hurricane waves that we encountered earlier this year. I didn't do any research, but I'd chalk it up to high tide combined with a full moon. If you want to see a visual example of how the moon phases affect us, just watch the tides.





Sunday, November 1, 2009

Full Beaver Moon


Nov. 2, 2:14 p.m. EST -- Full Beaver Moon. Now it is time to set beaver traps before the swamps freeze to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. Another interpretation suggests that the name Beaver Full Moon come from the fact that the beavers are now active in their preparation for winter. This is also called the Frosty Moon, and as this is also the next full moon after the Harvest Moon, it can also be referred to as the Hunters' Moon. With the leaves falling and the deer fattened, it is time to hunt. Since the fields have been reaped, hunters can ride over the stubble, and can more easily see the fox, also other animals, which have come out to glean and can be caught for a thanksgiving banquet after the harvest. - via space.com
I didn't take this photo on November 2. I actually took it while we were walking around the neighborhood trick or treating last night. It's a Halloween-y almost full moon... which I think makes it extra cool. It was such a neat night -- nearly 70 degrees and humid! Strange weather for Halloween night. Shortly after we got home it clouded up and started pouring. Tonight the moon is shining so bright and clear that everything has a moonshadow. Spooktacular!

The one good thing about doing the full moon post in advance is that I can let you all know to keep an eye out for the Full Moon tomorrow night!

With it being November, I thought we'd only have one more full moon but we actually have two more... there are two full moons this December. We'll have another full moon on Dec. 2, and another will occur on December 31. This is called a Blue Moon... 'Once in a blue moon' ... only occurs every 2.72 years. How cool that it falls on New Years Eve.

Socktober -- in November!

Happy November, folks! Can you believe it? The second to last month of the year! So much to reflect on... where did the time go? Time for parties, holidays, changing seasons... and another new year. It's not far off. Can't believe it!

Last month I was all excited about Socktober starting and I don't think I've mentioned it since! I've been off in my own world this month as far as being online. I haven't really been participating in message boards, blogging, facebook-ing or really anything. But I have been knitting.

I seriously lost interest in the mystery sock knit along last month. I just wasn't really feeling the pattern and my yarn choice that was pooling horribly. I didn't care to frog and start over. So I spent Socktober finishing off three pairs of socks that had been on my needles for long enough...

The first pair I finished are the Merino Lace Socks from the book Favorite Socks. I've had these on the needles since August. I really love the yarn -- The Woolen Rabbit Harmony sock yarn. It's a merino/nylon blend that is strong, soft and oh, so lovely. The colors look subdued, but really have quite the subtle variation which held my interest ... that's what I love the most about The Woolen Rabbit -- the semi-solid but still interesting colorways... my favorite. I also love that this yarn is from a talented dyer who lives about 45 minutes up the road from me. (Hi Ruth!)


Up next, I finished off the Lindsay socks from Cookie A's book Sock Innovation. I cast on the first sock back in May, knit it up quick and then just put it away. I wasn't feeling it. In the spirit of finishing things I got this one out and knit up the second sock and now I love them! I used Malabrigo Sock in the Ochre colorway which I bought at Purl Diva.


Lastly, I finished my Mountain Colors socks. I used the Oak Ribbed sock from Nancy Bush's book Knitting Vintage Socks. I used Bearfoot yarn which is one of my all time favorite sock yarns. The blend of wool, mohair and nylon is so warm and cozy! I will warn you though, don't machine wash this sock yarn.. .it will felt. Maybe not the first time, but it will eventually. I think it's the mohair's natural tendency to fuzz and felt on itself. I bought this yarn at Shuttles, Spindles & Skeins in Boulder, Colorado this past summer.

My needles were empty yesterday!! It was a wonderful feeling to be able to start another pair of socks with nothing else on the needles. I cast on for a pair of Monkey socks by Cookie A. I think this is my sixth pair of Monkey's. I am using Dream in Color Smooshy which I don't know why I keep buying. I hate it. But I love the colors. The yarn feels like acrylic to me and it dries out my hands like acrylic, too. I vow not to buy any more Dream in Color... I do have one skein of Smooshy left in my stash which I'm going to knit up and then I'm breaking up with this yarn for good.

So that's it for my Socktober report! Now I'm off to bask in a little bit of quiet time... doing what else... knitting on my current sock.

Full Beaver Moon


Nov. 2, 2:14 p.m. EST -- Full Beaver Moon. Now it is time to set beaver traps before the swamps freeze to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. Another interpretation suggests that the name Beaver Full Moon come from the fact that the beavers are now active in their preparation for winter. This is also called the Frosty Moon, and as this is also the next full moon after the Harvest Moon, it can also be referred to as the Hunters' Moon. With the leaves falling and the deer fattened, it is time to hunt. Since the fields have been reaped, hunters can ride over the stubble, and can more easily see the fox, also other animals, which have come out to glean and can be caught for a thanksgiving banquet after the harvest. - via space.com
I didn't take this photo on November 2. I actually took it while we were walking around the neighborhood trick or treating last night. It's a Halloween-y almost full moon... which I think makes it extra cool. It was such a neat night -- nearly 70 degrees and humid! Strange weather for Halloween night. Shortly after we got home it clouded up and started pouring. Tonight the moon is shining so bright and clear that everything has a moonshadow. Spooktacular!

The one good thing about doing the full moon post in advance is that I can let you all know to keep an eye out for the Full Moon tomorrow night!

With it being November, I thought we'd only have one more full moon but we actually have two more... there are two full moons this December. We'll have another full moon on Dec. 2, and another will occur on December 31. This is called a Blue Moon... 'Once in a blue moon' ... only occurs every 2.72 years. How cool that it falls on New Years Eve.

Socktober -- in November!

Happy November, folks! Can you believe it? The second to last month of the year! So much to reflect on... where did the time go? Time for parties, holidays, changing seasons... and another new year. It's not far off. Can't believe it!

Last month I was all excited about Socktober starting and I don't think I've mentioned it since! I've been off in my own world this month as far as being online. I haven't really been participating in message boards, blogging, facebook-ing or really anything. But I have been knitting.

I seriously lost interest in the mystery sock knit along last month. I just wasn't really feeling the pattern and my yarn choice that was pooling horribly. I didn't care to frog and start over. So I spent Socktober finishing off three pairs of socks that had been on my needles for long enough...

The first pair I finished are the Merino Lace Socks from the book Favorite Socks. I've had these on the needles since August. I really love the yarn -- The Woolen Rabbit Harmony sock yarn. It's a merino/nylon blend that is strong, soft and oh, so lovely. The colors look subdued, but really have quite the subtle variation which held my interest ... that's what I love the most about The Woolen Rabbit -- the semi-solid but still interesting colorways... my favorite. I also love that this yarn is from a talented dyer who lives about 45 minutes up the road from me. (Hi Ruth!)


Up next, I finished off the Lindsay socks from Cookie A's book Sock Innovation. I cast on the first sock back in May, knit it up quick and then just put it away. I wasn't feeling it. In the spirit of finishing things I got this one out and knit up the second sock and now I love them! I used Malabrigo Sock in the Ochre colorway which I bought at Purl Diva.


Lastly, I finished my Mountain Colors socks. I used the Oak Ribbed sock from Nancy Bush's book Knitting Vintage Socks. I used Bearfoot yarn which is one of my all time favorite sock yarns. The blend of wool, mohair and nylon is so warm and cozy! I will warn you though, don't machine wash this sock yarn.. .it will felt. Maybe not the first time, but it will eventually. I think it's the mohair's natural tendency to fuzz and felt on itself. I bought this yarn at Shuttles, Spindles & Skeins in Boulder, Colorado this past summer.

My needles were empty yesterday!! It was a wonderful feeling to be able to start another pair of socks with nothing else on the needles. I cast on for a pair of Monkey socks by Cookie A. I think this is my sixth pair of Monkey's. I am using Dream in Color Smooshy which I don't know why I keep buying. I hate it. But I love the colors. The yarn feels like acrylic to me and it dries out my hands like acrylic, too. I vow not to buy any more Dream in Color... I do have one skein of Smooshy left in my stash which I'm going to knit up and then I'm breaking up with this yarn for good.

So that's it for my Socktober report! Now I'm off to bask in a little bit of quiet time... doing what else... knitting on my current sock.