4 stitches per ... yard?

yarn love

I wasn't even going to mention the fact that I have been mostly absent from posting recently. But, here I go typing it anyway! :) I just haven't felt much like blogging ... I've felt more like livin' (e.g. livin)

Aaanyway, things are in the works ... another trip to California for just me and my Little Bird (Molly-Fae's nickname). We'll arrive just in time for Halloween trick or treats, and stay through Thanksgiving. My mom's happy about that! One of my goddaughters is getting hitched ... I say "one" because she is a twin - the oldest one by 8 minutes, if memory serves me right. (Yep, there's a WIP ready to be cast on for that occasion - I hope the bride likes it/them/not giving it away)

Bird and I have also been spending a whole lotta time at the local libraries and I am getting my shnoz back into books, where it belongs, instead of the fridge :) She loves to pick up books about Clifford, "Four Friends in the Garden" and Caillou. I use my library card to NOT spend more money on books, but renting them instead. My latest obsession is the manga Bleach, and I'm totally hooked. I'm also looking deeper into home-school and Montessori style teaching. And recently one of our "play dates" has actually turned into more of a play school on Friday mornings, offering more structure to it. Sometimes it can be akin to hearding cats but the kiddos love it and they have a lot of fun while learning new things. I'm loving it a lot too!

a recent "classroom" - she loves nature walks!

As for knitting; I am involved in a "Scarf Travels" knit-a-long. I made my square and sent it on to another knitter in N.C., then rec'd a square from my sender to add on to.

my starter square

I will be sending her bit along Monday, while anxiously awaiting the next square! The anticipation is so much fun! I have no idea what yarn or pattern I will knit until I see the scarf to be worked on, and touch it. There's 10 of us involved around the States, and by the time we receive our own finished scarf, it should measure about 50 inches. Yay! I'm stoked :)

And for my personal knitting ... Ysolda. Ysolda. Ysolda Teague! I am just in knit love (not to mention a girl crush ... nothing stalker-ish, don't worry!) with her patterns! They often look like they could be draped on the lush profile of a black and white picture film starlet, but are just as at home in the 21st century, worn by a fabulous mom like myself, with dreadlocks and blue jeans.

simple and pretty ~ Damson

a ways to go on my own Damson ...

The yarn from 100 Pure Wool. Merino fingering weight in Aigua. Yum! I am so glad I got 2 hanks!

And in parting, I leave you with this ...



peace!

rainy day knits

Inspired by the rainy weather, and the (knit) cozy feeling it brings with it, I decided to look up knitting patterns using the keyword "rain" today. Here are a few rainy day projects worthy of staying in and getting your craft on!

First up; a great reason to cast on your very first sock! (or continue to be a sock maven!) Rain Drops Beaded Socks by Sandy Pruett. Not so many beads you'll shriek! Just enough to be "perfect!".


Things that make me say ... Yes! Si! Oui! Purple Rain by Nikoleta Nutley - a delicious scarf you'll want to wear on sunny days too. I love The Sodapop Queen's list of reasons for naming it what she did!

I might just be inclined to dance in just my stocking feet in the rain if they were the Rainy Day Socks by Yuliya Sullivan! Don't be intimidated by the "holes" in the pattern, sock rookies and lace avoiders! I'm not saying "it's over simplified easy", but what I am saying is, "you can do eeeet!"

From Rainy Day Goods, I have coveted this caplet from afar for so long now, I may have the pattern memorized just from viewing it so many times. Lace Caplet by Mary-Heather Cogar. Kick back and check out not only her works in progress she shares at Rainy Day Goods, but the photos found there are pretty special too.

(PS: you have to hit up page 2 and look at that Voodoo Poncho! T.D.F!)




























Snag this pattern! Rain Drop Shawl Scarf available as a PDF file for download from the KnitChicGrace shop @ Etsy.com. Deliciousness for $4! And don't stop at the Rain Drop Scarf, that was only the beginning to the lovely scarf and shawl patterns discovered there ...























I just love this ... who wouldn't love their very own Rainycloud? This and way more adorable creatures and creations are waiting to be perused by you at Mochimochi Land Seriously, Anna Hrachovec, I honestly can't decide which one I love best!


And lastly ... this is a shot from our rainy day in. My little one decided she was going to wear her swim suit :)
Well, I hope you enjoyed this rainy day tour, and if your pattern is in the post, please drop me a note! Or, if you're inspired to take on one of these projects, please share your WIP!

I'm off to go finish up my lace drop scarf that's been aching for some affection. It's been a long month/week/day but I think knitting is the remedy I need right now.

ciao! peace ...

reliving the past

I have been fighting *something* ever since we got home from California on Sunday. Not much of my knitting has seen the light of day this week :( I'm just too blah to stay awake for it right now. So, until I am ready to play pick up sticks again, I figured I'd share a few shots of me winding my hanks at a new LYS in Old Town Alexandria, Fibre Space. It's a tactile paradise, abundant with sheer bliss and happiness in the form of fiber! You can't help but paw at every bit of yarn while you're there. And speaking from personal experience, the ideas just pop every time you turn to gaze at another bin of yarn just waiting to become something fabulous!