Out with the old, in with the new…

So, my last post was on October 20th? Which I feel like doesn’t even count because it was a Musical Monday. After.. another Musical Monday.

Crazy things have happened.. My first semester of junior year began and ended; passed all my classes, even French, despite my worries; everything that has happened with my younger brother, Joey. These past couple weeks have been a whirlwind, haha. So many good things happened this past semester as well.. too many to list, haha.

Christmas is over! 2015 is here! Did I get all my Christmas knitting done in time? No. Did I get any of my Christmas knitting done in time? No. Thats okay, haha. The events of the past couple of weeks have caused knitting to fall lower on the priority list, and thats fine. There were more important things to be done!

In the mean time, while I get back on track with FO posts and such, here are a couple pictures, in no particular order, that I took during the semester with full intention of blogging about them, but never got around to it. Silly school! ;-)

It was a full year. It was a full semester. Its a full life! I have no clue what 2015 holds for me, but I know that its going to be good. Christmas of 2014 held some of the worst moments of my life.. but also some of the absolute best. I also received the best Christmas gift I’ve ever gotten. We had a Christmas miracle this year… God showered not only His mercy and blessings on us, but also His peace and strength.

I hope everyone had a marvelous Christmas and end of 2014, I know I did.

My Creative Inspirations

Recently, I was asked by lovely Melody (Mandarine’s is her blog and it is absolutely stunning!) to participate in a fun blog hop and answer some questions about inspirations, creative processes, and why I do what I do!

I thought these questions were really interesting and I enjoyed answering them! They questions that are really intriguing to think about!

Question 1: What am I working on?

Sadly, I know I could go on for days talking about the things I have on the needles. But being in college and having my solid knitting time pretty much chopped in half (if not more! *sad face*) I’ve become more monogamous (though not 100%.. or even 80%, haha!) So, I mainly consider things I’m working on things that I’m always thinking about, and are in rotation of what I might bring with me to class or not (depending the size :-P) I’m working on the Bellows Cardigan as a KAL with my mom; the Monte Rosa hat pattern, and a Tunisian crochet blanket.

I also have some pattern ideas in mind… I’m feeling the need to make some mittens, but with flaps for the thumbs and fingers. Because its impossible to text with mittens on! Which is sad, because if you have adorable handspun mittens you knit and you have text messages to answer, you have to constantly take them on and off! Which only results in cold hands, haha. I know there are patterns out there with these design elements. But none of them seemed to fit the gauge I wanted or the construction didn’t make sense! I’m really excited about this! I love the look of handspun mittens, and I definitely have more than enough handspun to make multiple pairs :-P

Question 2: How does my work differ from others?

I wouldn’t say that my work is so much different than anyone else’s. Everyone crafts in their own way, unique to themselves. Same thing with writing, people write in a way that is special to them! One thing that may set me apart (though there are a lot of us out there) is my age and how that affects how I approach crafting and writing. Not a good or bad a thing, but something that definitely affects what I do!

Question 3: Why do I write/create what I do?

To me, knitting, crocheting, spinning, any kind of crafting, is a form of art, its a form of expression (a wooly wonderful form of expression :-P) Knitting and writing are things that are familiar and comfortable to me. I go to them when I need Me Time or need to cool my jets. The idea of having something that I’ve made and can use when I’m done! Theres nothing quite as comforting has going to take a hard test or do something difficult with having a hand knit cowl or sweater (or both!) on. Knitting can have memories woven into each stitch. Good ones, bad ones… Both are encouraging! The good ones for obvious reasons, haha. But also the bad ones because you can look back and see what you’ve gone through, how you made out alive, despite the tremendous difficulty… reminding you that its not the end of the story! The project is finished… you survived! I wear some of my cowls and sweaters and am reminded that God is faithful, He brought me through my hard times.

Question 4: How does my writing/creative process work?

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found myself to be inspired by more and more things… big and little! It could be anything like groups of colors together, something in nature, pictures of knitting, things people have made or more seemingly-random things like reactions of people I’ve observed, sounds or music, or things I’ve read! Another thing I do when I write, is I try and write in a way that is similar to the way I talk (minus the occasional grammatical errors :-P) I, personally, enjoy reading blogs that write in a conversational manner. So, I try and write in a way that seems more like a chat that might be happening at a yarn store during a knit group :-)

Thanks again to Melody for inviting me to do the blog hop… even though I’m almost a week late (this past week was absolutely insane with school. So many things due and tests!!) This was a little glimpse into my creative process!

Being creative is such a joyful and happy thing. Its fun to see how everyone does it differently!

(picture taken at Yarntopia! If you’re in the Katy, Texas area, check it out!!)

Bolt and the summer

So, I said that if I didn’t post after my finals were over, I had probably been eaten or something. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case! Two big-o trips happened very shortly after school ended, which did result in much knitting time… but not the best for taking pictures/editing/blogging, haha.

I am home now. And will be for awhile. I have summer plans, it’ll be a busy summer. But I am back ^_^

But to slip back into the flow of things, just like old times… Heres *one* of the things I’m working on right now d^_^b

I’m doing a KAL with Marie from the Frogged Designs! We’re knitting the Bolt shawl by Veera Välimäki! We cast on on May 19th, and its been so much fun to knit! Its completely garter stitch, which makes it perfect for school knitting (in Marie’s case ;-P) or travel knitting or Bluegrass competition watching/cheering on friends who are competing (in my case :-P) (more on that later!) We don’t really have a time frame, so feel free to join in! #boltKAL

The yarn I’m using is Brooklyn Tweed’s LOFT in Old World (the navy) and Woodsmoke (the cream/super light brown). The first wedge and first stripe was done while I was somewhat distracted by something (I can’t remember what, but it must have been important, haha!) and consequently, put the one stripe on the wrong side. Except I like the way that looks, actually, so I didn’t worry too much about going back and changing it, heehee. I’m not sure if I’ll the rest like that, but I’ll figure it out when I get there. Theres a chance I might make the same mistake again, and end up doing it on accident, haha!

This will also be put towards my Stash Dash 2014 count. Which I don’t have anything uploaded or photographed yet, but I’m getting there! I have a pile of things that need to be washed, ends woven in, buttons sewn on, a couple rows left to be knit… I’m super excited about getting things done and being able to use the items ^_^

So yes, I’m back. I’m knitting. I’m blogging. I’m working. I’ll be taking some online classes (both for actual school and for fun ^_^). And I’m excited for everything that summer holds for me.

(ALSO! TOUR DE FLEECE IS COMING..!!)

Spirited Away became a Brickless

I started something with my Spirited Away skein from Gynx Yarns, I got a couple weeks ago d^_^b

I picked Brickless by Martina Behm . Its perfect (as are all her patterns!) for variegated yarn.

Ever since Brickless came out, I really wanted to make one. Didn’t know what yarn I wanted to use, and didn’t really have the time to devote to finding the perfect skein, haha! But after a little thought about what to make with my Gynx skein, it became obvious what it needed to be.

So, either this past Thursday or Friday, I cast it on. Took the plunge and jumped on the knitterly band-wagon. I can’t say no to that knitterly band-wagon. Its just gotta happen.

This was the knitting that I brought with me on the RUF (Reformed University Fellowship!) Fall Conference that happened over the weekend. Best mindless knitting ever! The colors were (and still are!) making it continually interesting, then the different textures in the pattern. It was not boring, but simple enough to work on during the four messages that were given while we were there.

Going to Fall Conference was kind of a last minute decision, but holy cow, I’m so glad I went! It was so amazing! Lots of friends, chatting, hanging around, listening to really amazing and encouraging messages, worship with several RUF groups from other Texas colleges, knitting (obviously d^_^b) and just wonderfulness. Oh, and an epic dance party combined with the A&M vs Ole’Miss game, which led to a (rather stressful, haha!) win for us Aggies, which then led celebrating in all the traditional Aggie ways.

It was epic. I’m so glad I went – I can’t wait for Summer Conference and next year’s Fall Conference ;-P

Spirited Away!

Yarn acquisition! An amazing acquisition, no doubt about that.

I ordered this from Gynx Yarns! Its on her Strong Sock base in the Spirited Away colorway. And holy cow! Its absolutely amazing! The picture in the shop looks epic, but in person? Its the best combination of every color!

Gynx Yarns is super awesome, I love to knit with it! Laura is super nice, and has a video podcast called the Dyer’s Notebook! Its definitely one of my favorites!

Definitely go check her yarns out, all her colors are absolutely gorgeous and the quality is epic!

I’m not quite sure what I’m going to be making with this… I could get two small things… or who knows! I can’t wait to cast something on with it though – the colors are so amazing!

Cranberry Muffins

A couple weeks ago, I was gifted a cook book of muffins from an extremely sweet friend (Hi, Erin! ^_^)! Haha, upon opening it, I was super excited, there were multiple ones I wanted to try out right then and there. I narrowed it down to one… went downstairs, determined I was going to make some muffins. And realized we didn’t have any flour at the time, haha.

Which is kind of imperative for muffins. And a lot of things, haha.

But, I eventually got flour, so the muffins could be made!

I chose the cranberry muffins… which the recipe had you sprinkle parmesan on top before sticking them in the oven, for a more savory muffin; but you could switch it would with sugar. So, I went with sugar (because we didn’t have any parmesan ;-P) and hooooly cow, they were so tasty!

I also threw in some nutmeg and cinnamon, and it gave it a really nice fall-ish flavor (because fall can be a flavor? haha!) Also, I didn’t have the kind of cranberries it called for, so I just used craisins ^_^

Super easy, super fast and super tasty! The book is called “Muffins: Tantalizing recipes for delicious muffins” from the Love Food series.

If you ever feel the need to just stop whatever you’re doing and make something (particularly muffins, cookies, or brownies) seize the moment! Stop, if you can, and just make something tasty. It makes things super happy ^_^

Rosemary Cardigan ups and downs

Before leaving home, one of the things that was really sad for my mom and I was that we couldn’t knit together anymore! That was one of the things we both really loved doing together (haha, which is why we both learned together 7 years ago.. crazy how time flies!) whether we’re watching/listening podcasts, listening to audiobooks, watching a movie or a tv show or just chatting… that time would be gone!

So, we decided to have our own little KAL ^_^ Haha, and I’m sure this is the first one of what will be many :-P

We picked the Rosemary Cardigan by Cassie Castillo from the Fall 2013 issue of Knitscene. Both of us want to make almost everything out of that issue, haha. Absolutely adorable items, with really popular styles, colors, and textiles!

Both of us have gotten pretty far, my mom is actually ahead of me, haha! She’s had a bit more knitting time than I have ;-P Both of us loved the one in the magazine that we got the same color and yarn that was in the pictures. Its Cascade 220 Heathers in the Liberty Heather color ^_^

But, I have a sad story with a really happy ending about this cardigan, haha!

So, this is what I’ve been taking with me to school to knit on during lectures, since its just back and forth with a couple decreases and increases. No problem! After about a week of working on the body, I was finally ready to divide for the fronts and the back, wooo! I did that early this morning (like 6:45, haha) while waiting for the bus. Got to school, found out my French class had been canceled (which doesn’t have any affect on the knitting, haha. But it was part of my day yesterday ;-P) headed to my Shakespeare class with the goal of finishing one of the fronts and maybe starting the second one.

That goal was totally accomplished! Almost smashed out of the park! When I finished the first front, with about 30 minutes of the lecture left, I thought “Hm… this seems a bit big… oh well. No worries. On to the second front!” Picked up the live stitches, went on my merry way. Got about halfway through the second front before class ended.

Stuck around on campus for a little bit, then headed home! Since I’ve been on top of all my assignments, I decided to dedicate my afternoon to blogging/knitting/reading/napping/happy things. So, I lay out my Rosemary cardigan on the floor to take pictures. Annnnd noticed something funny about it.

One side *was* a bit bigger than the other. Counted the stitched I had cast on. Looked at what the pattern said. And for some really stupid reason, I cast on *10 more stitches* than the pattern called for. I must have been really zoned out, haha. Anyway, I freaked out, texted my mom a picture and was like “I have to frog it *weeps*”

Then I tweeted about it… and Amanda of the OwlPrintPanda blog and etsy shop (her stitch markers are the best, I love mine!!) tweeted back and was like “Couldn’t it be a slightly baggy sweater?”

I got this tweet while I was taking a nap (which ended up being one of the best naps ever. I’m always amused by how naps and sleep become especially more precious during school, haha!), and when I read it.. I thought “You know.. I actually haven’t liked tried it on yet… Lets do that. Maybe it would be cute slightly baggy!”

After trying to figure out a way to pin/clip it to myself, I found (to my great delight!) That Amanda’s suggestion was brilliant and it was adorable the way it was! Though it looks a little balloony right now, the ribbing keeps folding up. A little blocking will fix that :-)

I ended up using three hair clips and one bobby pin (yep, I was quite surprised it worked, haha!) to attach it in order to take the pictures.

That was a bit long story, haha! But its now a part of the sweater, haha!

So, moral of the story: when you find out you have to frog something or re-do something drastic… consult your knitterly friends first! They’ll see it with a different eye and might be able to come up with a way to get around your problem without having to do the painful process of frogging ;-P

FO!: Long Sands Cardigan!

I love finishing something. Its one of the best feelings ever!

This is my Long Sands Cardigan by Amy Christoffers (Who is one of my favoritest designers ever!)

I was gifted this pattern by the extremely sweet Mel of the Single-Handed Knits podcast a couple weeks ago… and I so excited to cast it on ^_^

(lets just ignore the fact that my head is kind of chopped off, haha!)
My yarn is Cascade’s Ecological Wool in the Tarnish colorway.

And for serious… this is my new favorite cardigan. Its one of the most snuggliest things ever, and I can’t wait till it gets colder when I get to wear it all the time ^_^

Plus, it went super quickly… I’d definitely knit another one! Maybe in cream or a light grey…

FO!: Handspun Norie

My goodness, things have been busy! But busy with good things! And lots of awesome things have happened as a result of being busy… so its all good d^_^b

One of these things, was that I had my NSC (New Student Conference) at A&M last Thursday+Friday… which is where we got kind of oriented and registered for my classes! Yessss!!!

And of course, I brought a long my knitting… I can’t bear to sit still for long periods of time (or any time at all, haha!) without knitting or doing anything with my hands. I had two goals for the two days.

1) I was going start and finish Norie (a hat pattern by Gudrun Johnston) the first day.

2) I was going to at least start, and get some progress on a pair of socks knit with some A&M yarn that my bosses (who are some of the sweetest people ever) gifted me.

Tada!! I got my first goal done! In one day! BAM! Haha, if you follow me on Twitter or on Instagram, you probably saw my progress through out the day :-P

I don’t think I’ve mentioned my yarn before… I finished it pretty shortly before we left, and I didn’t get the time to write a post about it :-P

But this was the last braid that I got from before the Tour de Fleece from Daybreak Dyeworks (which now I have to decide which of Dawn’s new colors I’m going to get… ohhh, the trials of a spinner ;-P)

(Bertie couldn’t restrain himself and just *had* to be in the picture… he just *had* to.)
The colorway name is Dance Fever, and its some of the softest most vibrant things *ever*!

When I started to spin it, I had a hat in mind.. so I was super excited to find out that I had gotten what I wanted/needed – a DK weight with a ton of yardage (404yds in total… I used about 200ish for the hat)

Once again, its a fractal spun 2 ply ;-P Haha, I don’t see the pattern of fractal spinning will be changing any time soon.. its so much fun!

So, as soon has I finished it and got it niddy-noddied up, I threw it in a bath so I could get it ready in time in order to knit Norie while walking around campus and sitting and listening to people talk about financial aid.

It actually didn’t dry in time.. but I set it in front of a fan, and that fixed things real quick d^_^b

I am super duper happy with how the hat turned out… I followed CatReading’s mods by excluding the Cat’s Paw lace sections and just putting in plain stockinette instead. Also, because I was using size US6s instead of US5s, I didn’t do as many repeats before starting the decreases.

In my rush to get everything ready to go, I forgot DPNs, haha! And my tape measure (which Sarah of Knit York City replied to my tweet of despair with a recommended measuring tape app, haha. Thanks, Sarah!) So that was a huge bummer… thankfully, I was able to squeak by at the end with two circulars (I have a 10″ circular I carry around in my notions bag… super handy, haha!)

The hat can be worn so many different ways, and its really long… but not too long to look goofy, haha! And its the perfect pattern for handspun :-P

I’m definitely going to be making more of these… I foresee many Nories being made for Christmas presents d^_^b

FO!!: Pomme de Pin!

Upon which I complete finish my Pomme de Pin cardigan and can’t express how much I absolutely love it.

Pattern: Pomme de Pin Cardigan by Amy Christoffers
Yarn: Brooklyn Tweed’s LOFT in the Snowbound colorway (I used 4 skeins, and had about 10 yards left over. Cuts it close!)
Needles: US 4 and US 5 (3.5mm and 3.75mm)
Mods: None that I did. But if I knit it again, I’d probably knit the sleeves a size larger. They fit perfectly now, but that’s after two blockings and a bit of a stretch. d^_^b
Project page!

Like… ohhhhh my goodness. New favorite sweater! It drapes so nicely (which LOFT does extremely well ^_^) it fits perfectly, its cozy but not too much for Houston. When it gets colder, it’ll be really nice with a long-sleeve shirt, maybe.

(This was my reaction to Joey saying “Do something else besides just standing there”.)

(Along with that one, haha!)

So, the colors are a bit different in all the pictures. I’m trying out this new photo editing program, Pixelmator, and so I’m still getting used to figuring out what everything does, and then trying to get everything look the same, haha! Its a really nice program though, its super easy to use, and only 14.99$ or something. Its made specifically for Mac users, so you can get it through the App store. Heehee, so I apologize for the random looking pictures… just experimenting! d^_^b

If you haven’t made this sweater, and you are still on the fence about it… DO IT. You won’t regret it! The lace is interesting, but easy enough to memorize. I would have gotten it done a lot sooner if I hadn’t been working on other projects.