feather and fan blanket

I continue to operate under the belief that one can never have too many blankets.  And hey, a girl needs something to knit while she's watching movies!  Here's my most recent product, made from cheap acrylic yarn (easy to wash and just keeps getting softer) and knit this past month while taking in some good (and some bad) television/movies.

I think I'll start another one soon.  Maybe make it a little teensy bit bigger.

stripe study shawl

Despite the extremely high temps outdoors (or maybe because of them) I've managed to finish another knitting project.  This Stripe Study Shawl was fun to make, even though the color I chose for the stripes didn't quite turn out the way I wanted it to and that particular yarn ended up being a big dislike for me.  However, I still have a pretty, colorful, warm shawl to wear around whenever the weather decides to turn.  Something tells me that will be later, rather than sooner...

endpaper mitts

Time for a knitting update!  I'm so proud!  My first color work project COMPLETE and not too shabby looking!

These here are the Endpaper Mitts by Eunny Jang and I looovvvee them!  This being my first project of the kind, the color is a little wonky here and there, but I'm pretty sure I'll be the only one to notice.  I took these photos on the patio yesterday evening after they were blocked and dried and couldn't wait to get them off again, they were so warm.  Another project added to my winter stash of "things I made."

garter yoke cardigan

Remember when I said I wanted to knit a sweater in 2011? Well, not only have I done it, but I have surpassed my greatest expectations and done it twice! This weekend marked the completion of my Garter Yoke Cardigan. You know, that project I've been working on forever?


I would have finished it earlier, but I mean, it's 100 percent heavy-duty wool! And it's hot outside.


However, I'm pleased with the outcome. It fits nicely (a little snug, but I think that it will stretch out a bit as worn) and it will certainly be warm! (I promise to check and move the tp out of the way of the shot next time...)


Choosing the buttons turned out to be the best part of this project. These aren't the most fun ones ever, but I like that they look kind of Celtic-y.


Anyhow, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! And I'm already planning the next one! One thing is for sure, I'm not going to be cold this winter.

love?

Or hate? I mean, I like this sweater and I don't even mind the color (a little greener than in the photo), but I'm tired of knitting it! But no. I'm turning a new leaf. I'm finishing things now. Knitting projects (like this), books, letters, etc. I need to finish things before moving on to the next. No matter how boring it is.

I'm sure this will be great when it's done. If it ever gets done.

summer knitting

I've been (re)bit by the knitting bug lately - nothing says "summer" like knitting with wool! - and here's the latest result. It's from a pattern entitled "Sugared Violets" by Rose Beck. Pretty, easy, fast and still pretty! When I saw the name of the pattern I just had to whip it together for Esther. She's been on a violet kick for a while now. That, and as pretty as this yarn is, it's just not a color I would ever actually wear. So, yeah. The knitting needles are back out!

endpaper mitts

I'm terribly excited about my new knitting project! Presenting... the beginning stages of my very own Endpaper Mitts!


This is my first project attempting color work and I'm already hooked! It's not easy per-say, but much easier than I would have thought. Also, you don't get bored, cause you are always changing colors and working the pattern! AND the neato patterns make small projects, like these soon-to-be fingerless mittens, so special.

Pardon my fuzzy photos, but if you'd like to see some much nicer ones - and a view of the way these babies are supposed to look should I manage to do them correctly - click on this Ravelry page. More photos to come when I have gotten a bit further along.

umbrellas and shawls

Like I said, it's raining cats and dogs out today. Luckily, my brand-spankin-new umbrella is up for the challenge!

Peeking out from underneath it this morning I was reminded of this knitting pattern: the Stripe Study Shawl by Veera Valimaki...


Cool huh? I think I know what my next project is going to be!

great success

May I present... my first successful sweater!!




Excuse the less-than-studio-quality photos... it's not easy to take pics of yourself with one hand! This is the Oatmeal Pullover design by Jane Richmond. I was a bit skeptical about it, as it was my first sweater and the pattern called for Lion Brand yarn, but it turned out perfectly! I'm pretty happy about the whole situation and plan to get some use out of it before it gets too warm here (hopeful thinking...).

waiting for spring

I'm officially tired of Winter. So tired, in fact, that I've had to start some wishful Spring knitting. Maybe a cardigan in a pretty green will help me be patient while Spring takes its own sweet time lollygagging on its way here!


I sure hope so!

at least his feet will be warm

President's Day weekend here was full of knitting. There are a few projects I had started that I need to finish already!! Soooo, I buckled down and got to work. Here's a quick knit I whipped up this weekend upon realizing that I had nothing for Jason for Valentine's Day (when he gets back to town). This is my prototype for the slippers I plan to whip up for the grandparents this next weekend. I have to admit... I almost just made them in my size and got him a card! They look comfy and warm, perfect for this terrible weather we keep having.

knitting by the fire

It was so nice to have an extra day off today! Although we had big plans here, Beulah and I ended up doing just this. You can't see her, but she's asleep with her head on my lap in this picture... It was rainy and the temps started to drop, so we made the most of it and hunkered down.

Sweater pics coming soon!

new beginnings

This past month or so has marked some new stuff in my life; new place to live, about 15 new knitting projects (started and not completed!), new commitment to living lightly!! This year is shaping up to be yet another set of surprises and challenges. That's life, right?

Anyhow, I set a small goal for myself for the month of Feb. I need to finish this blanket for Afghans for Afghans, as well as the sweater I've undertaken. Both are pretty close. I just have to sit down and do them.

I figure if I keep my projects close to these daffodils (my favorite flower) I will remember to work on them!

12 months, 12 goals

Time for a combo post! Seeing as how several of my goals are knitting-based, I think I'll knock out two today.

First, I will knit a sweater! This is the year, I can feel it. I will not only knit a sweater, but I will knit one that fits. Specifically I will knit this sweater.


It's the Oatmeal Pullover, by Jane Richmond. The class starts this evening! I'm pretty durn excited.

Next up, fair isle. I want to learn to knit beautiful things like this:


I mean, how amazing are these? Sooo beautiful! It might kill me, but I will learn.

12 months, 12 goals

This next goal is one that has been brewing in my head and heart for a while now.

Goal 4 - contribute to a cause.

Forgive me for this, but I'm going to take a moment to share why this is important to me this year. During the year I spent in the Middle East I met a lot of Iraqis who were good people. I tried to make an effort to be the kind of American who left a good impression, rather than a negative one (I was in the position to do so) and so was lucky enough to get to know a few of these folks on a slightly more personal level. I shocked me to see first-hand the devastation of the country and the life of a people. Especially the women and children.

I feel that in many countries where large amounts of the population are suffering, it is the women and children who bear the brunt of the pain. I won't go into my personal thought on religion and patriarchy, but I feel an intense need to help others who are less fortunate than I and to focus my attentions especially on women and little girls. The other day my father sent me this story and it finally solidified the necessity of doing something to help.

So, this year I plan to find a way to help these sisters of mine. I plant to start with contributing handmade blankets to Afghans for Afghans. I'm just going to do small ones, as they have to be made of wool and let's face it... wool ain't cheap! But, my goal is to knit or crochet one each month for the year. Twelve total.

I'm starting with this pattern by Alicia Paulson, the Tiramisu Blanket. (photo from tamsi on Ravelry)


I've added a tab on the sidebar to Afghans for Afghans if anyone reading this would like to read about them. I will also start a flickr slideshow thingie to keep me honest on this. As I go through this year I have another organization planned to contribute to financially, but will speak more on that later; once I am able to actually start getting involved.

12 months, 12 goals

In the spirit of the New Year, and all it entails I think I'll spend the next few days sharing a few goals with you. 2011 is hereby the year of goals, not resolutions. Goals seem so much more do-able than resolutions, don't you think? This year I've decided to make (and meet) 12 goals, one for each month of the year.

Goal 1: knit pretty and practical things. I want to make things I can and will use, or can send to others to use. This is part-and-parcel of my overall life goal of building a life that is more meaningful.

So far so good. I present to you the first knitted object of 2011!! It's a small shawl for Oma, thanks to Mother's suggestion.

I had this gorgeous yarn laying around in my little stash and it was just enough to make this little shawlette. I'll be sending it off with love to Oma and maybe a little color will make her smile.

drool away

Since I was talking about it this morning, I thought you might like to see this beautiful yarn I have waiting for me to complete Christmas Knitting.


Go ahead and drool. I am. I want to start knitting these so bad I can hardly stand it. You'd think this would make me knit the other stuff faster, but not so much. Maybe tonight I'll make some headway and by the weekend I can touch one of these babies.

more knitting

Despite my bragging about my progress in Christmas knitting, there is still a fair amount of it going on in Chez Emily. I feel pretty comfortable talking about the remainder of it here, as it is all for Jason now. Almost certain he doesn't read this, at least let's hope not!

I'm busily knitting along, trying to finish up a pair of socks, a hat and a scarf before the big day. It's nice to have a stack of good yarn in a variety of soothing green shades and a few simple patterns to follow. This is the kind of knitting I like to do. Simple, practical and yet attractive and pleasant to the touch. Not to mention, it's so satisfying to complete a simple project and know that it has a use!

As soon as I get done with this last project I plan to start in on a few items for myself. It will be the first time this year I will have time to sit and knit for me. There's a beautiful stack of gorgeous yarn just staring at me, calling my name, trying to distract me from my goals!! I can't wait to dig in!

knit to the finish

It's finally happening. The moment I've been waiting for - working for - for about a month now...

I'm almost done with Christmas knitting! Whoo hoo!

As I knit my way through a number of projects, I came to a realization. I love to knit and I love yarn, but the projects I really enjoy are simple and practical. Unlike many folks who really get into creating beautiful pieces that are meant to be admired without necessarily a lot of touching, I am a practical kind of gal. Socks, scarves, blankets and hats are my cup of tea. The joy comes in making something that can keep the recipient warm, or feel soft against their skin. Things that have a purpose. Maybe that's not the most "artistic" way to go about things, but that is my niche. Pretty, but practical.

knitting geekery

Oh man, don't judge me too harshly here, but... I totally want to make one of these!

It's called the "Urban Troubadour" and it is "an original colourful modern rendition of a medieval cowl by Belgian designer Mary-Lena Lynx. It can be worn as a hood or a capelet by either sex. It comes in two colourways both dyed with dyes that could have been used 800 years ago in the time of the troubadour."

Maybe a project for the new year? Do I have the fortitude to knit 10 pages of charted instructions? I think this may be my Everest.

(Photos courtesy of Mary Lena Lynx on Ravelry. So pretty!)