Deep Winter

Boston, like most of the East Coast, was hit by a big storm yesterday into last night ~ reminding us that we're still caught in the grips of winter. The cold and dark of of this season makes it hard to motivate to do anything other than stay inside where it's cozy {plus there's knitting to be done}. So, while this post is full of knitting, remember that there's not much else that can be done after a day of research! And at the same time, I'm having a hard time finishing any one project before starting another one. Slowly, but surely, each will get finished. Without further ado ~ my current knitting lineup::

Tree JacketPattern from Zephyr Style
Yarn ~ Lion Brand Cotton Ease

I'm a bit further along than this picture shows. I've finished half of the sleeves, so if I keep chugging along, I should be able to finish this one soon!

Counterpane Carpet Bag ClutchPattern from Handknit Holidays
Yarn ~ Cotton Classic, 100% Mercerised Cotton

I still have to add the lining and finish the zipper end. I sewed in an extra long zipper that I plan on covering with some of the lining material to create a sort of handle/strap for the clutch.

Buttony

Pattern from Ohmystars
Yarn ~ Brown is Handspun Camel*, and blue is Kathmandu Aran

*I'm sooo excited about the camel yarn, I purchased it at Piedmont Yarn and Apparel in Oakland from the fantastic Lady while I was in CA last weekend. This was the first time we met in person, and while our visit was short (because my weekends out there seem to be packed!), I definitely hope that we'll have more time in the future to sit down and knit together.


And if you made it this far - I know that I still owe some folks the second double knitting tutorial. I had a dream this past week that I had finished it! Unfortunately, I just haven't had a chance to knit and take pictures during the day, when the light is right for taking some precise tutorial photos...

a weekend

Snow and sunshine are such a great combo! We spent most of the weekend inside doing work, but with a few jaunts out into the snow.


I knit up this Norwegian hat on the plane ride out to CA, literally - all of it was knit on the plane! It's such a quick knit and the striped yarn worked so well, that I started another one last night, and I'm sure it'll be finished before the plane touches down in Boston tomorrow morning.

This afternoon I'm off to visit The Lady at Piedmont Yarn and Apparel ~ it should be fun!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I've finally finished my pink Jaywalkers, and I couldn't be happier! They fit great, the colors are amazing, and the little zig-zags are in the shape of Vs for Valentine's Day. Ok, the last point was a stretch, but the socks are great.

I've left the soggy Boston weather behind for some sunshine in Berkeley and some snow in Tahoe. And while there weather's not suitable for swimming, these beautiful flowers are blooming everywhere I look out here. Seeing these in the middle of February definitely takes away any mid-winter blues that may be lurking!

Not to rub it in, but the weather's SO beautiful that I just want to walk around all day exploring and taking pictures, but alas, I'm sitting in a cafe with C doing research (and typing up this post). If I get enough done, there might be some time for exploring this afternoon. *fingers crossed*

A note to readers::

To Louise, and all double-sided knitters out there,

Hello! and thanks for your comments on the double-sided knitting tutorial. I'm sorry I haven't posted "Part 2" yet. I've been a bit busy, and I guess I needed that extra bit of encouragement to know there was a request for it! Although I will admit that it's been a while since Part 1 was posted.

I'll try to post something for Part 2 this weekend (I hope that's soon enough!).

I really love any and all comments that are posted on the blog. So a big *THANKS* to you.

Have a great afternoon,
Katie

ps. Louise is my middle name! But I didn't leave the comment, that was another Louise:)

Good Stuff

So, behind the scenes this week, there's been some fun blogger/knitter related interactions.

First ~ the Lady Knits nominated me for the You Make My Day award. Thanks, I'm so honored! *and blushing* This is just a little award that's been floating around the blog world. If you're nominated, you feel good and you pass on the good karma to other bloggers by nominating 10 that make your day!
And the bloggers making my day are::

the Lady Knits - she's in Berkeley, I'm in Boston, but we may get to meet this week!
Veghead Designs/Schwartz Family Files - I'm 27, I've known Nik for 27 years. Following her blogs are such a great way to feel like we're still right next door even though we're hours away.
Mamieknits - Rockin the world with twin boys and still finding time to knit!
Angry Chicken - Inspiring me to put down my knitting needles once in a while and try out some new crafts.
Posie Gets Cozy - Ditto & did you see the new dish towels she just designed?!
Port2Port - great photography and amazing goods from her little press.
SouleMama - more good stuff, and makes me want to take a drive up to Portland, Maine.
Knitting Philistine - amazing sock knitting here, and she makes me miss Philly.
Grumperina - she brought us jaywalkers and is always good at the methodical/scientific approach to knitting, whereas I'm all about finishing one project so I can start another!
Chocolate & Zucchini - a food blog! in Paris! yum.


Next up ~

I received a few requests for my lamb washcloth pattern. Here you go!

EDIT - I've added a PDF version of the pattern in the left side-bar - if you click on it, the PDF should automatically download. (the PDF version contains a picture of the final washcloth)


This gentle lamb of a washcloth which was inspired by the ferocious Roar that was published in the Summer 2007 edition of Knitty. So if you’re looking for a compliment to your lamb washcloth, knit a lion too!

Materials:
Blue Sky Organic Cotton, in your choice of color. 1 skein (this would be plenty for at few washcloths)
Blue Sky Organic Cotton, in a complimentary color for embroidering the lambs’ eyes and nose.

1 pair US 7/4.5mm straight needles
2 US 7/4.5 mm double-pointed needles (for I-cord)
Embroidery needle


Pattern Notes:
ML – make loop. K1, but don’t drop stitch from the left needle. Bring yarn between needles to front of your work. Hold your left thumb in front of work, and wrap yarn around your thumb to create a loop that is approximately 1 inch long. Take yarn between needles to the back of your work and knit into same stitch, dropping stitch from left needle as usual. Again bring the yarn forward, this time over the right needle, then between the needles to the back of your work, creating a loop around the right needle. Pass the 2 stitches just worked over this loop.

You can adjust the loop size to your liking, shorter is better for a fluffier lamb, while longer loops will give you a lamb with a bit of a shagJ


Pattern:
CO 32 stitches.

Row 1 [RS]: Sl 1, *k1, ML* repeat to last stitch, k1.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl 1, knit to end of row.
Row 3 [RS]: Sl 1, *ML, k1* repeat to last stitch, k1.
Row 4 [WS]: Sl 1, knit to end of row.
Repeat rows 1-4 6 times (for a total of 24 rows).

Row 25 [RS]: Sl 1, k9, *ML, k1* repeat to end of row (you’ll have made 11 loops on this row).
Row 26 [WS]: Sl 1, k22, p7, k2.
Row 27 [RS]: Sl 1, k9, *k1, ML* repeat to last stitch, k1 (you’ll have made 10 loops on this row).
Row 28 [WS]: repeat Row 26.
Rows 29-36: repeat rows 24-27 2 more times.
Row 37 [RS]: repeat Row 25.
Row 38 [WS]: Sl 1, knit to end of row.
Row 39 [RS]: BO 29 stitches. Slip remaining 3 stitches to a double-pointed needle. With these 3 stitches, work I-cord until it measures 4 inches. Keep RS facing you at all times while working the I-cord.

Ears:
The ears are little squares knit onto the side of the face. Please look at the picture above to get a better sense of how they are positioned before you start picking up stitches.

The [RS] of the ears are the sides of the ears facing the face area.

Right Ear:
With RS facing you, start at the top right corner of the face area, and pick up 3 stitches on the side of the face where you want the ears to be located.
Row 1 [RS]: knit all stitches
Row 2 [WS]: purl all stitches
Row 3 [RS]: bind off all stitches.

Left Ear:
With RS facing you, pick up 3 stitches on the left side of the face area, but this time start at the bottom of the ear.
Row 1 [RS]: knit all stitches
Row 2 [WS]: purl all stitches
Row 3 [RS]: bind off all stitches

Face:
Use complimentary yarn to embroider eyes and a nose on your sheep.



Enjoy!

It's been a hectic week around here. Between a little stomach bug and a lot of research, I've been a busy lady. BUT I wanted to pop in and say Hi!

I'll be back this weekend, and I'll have a lamb washcloth pattern all typed up!

Have a great Friday,
-Kate

Some would say ~

The devil is in the details. You tell me...

We have ~ this bird pin holding Soph's pinwheel sweater closed::

Or ~ this single winter rose brightening my room::

There's a new-to-me detail ~ the little lady sewing on the Singer logo::

And then there are the additions to knits ~ these rivets::

Used for these ribbon loops::

That hold these snaps::To snap the mittens together when they're not being worn!

Have a great weekend!