I started this Entrelac Scarf this past Spring and finally finished it the end of August. I love it. And I loved working with the Noro Silk Garden (45% Silk/45% Kid Mohair/10% Lambs Wool) too. I used color 87 as called for in the pattern. While doing the entrelac technique, the colors in this yarn pretty much stayed in the pattern as a color block quilt would--quite neat. I've also been busy knitting a little something for a friend's fundraising auction for Type I Juvenile Diabetes. I chose to do the Tahki Lana Pebbles Scarf. I used Lion Brand's Vanna's Choice yarn in the color, linen. I'm thinking of starting up some of those novelty ruffle scarves as well as finishing my daughter's "Gymboree" inspired scarf next.

Labels: accessories, charity knitting

This scarf is a gift for a friend, but I just might make myself an identical one. I think I have enough leftover yarn. It's very spring-y. Light green, purple, pink and blue throughout the sparkle thread. With the variegation, you could wear this scarf with a number of colors.

I used one ball of Katia Gatsby in color 3806 (variegated pastel colors) and for the last two rows (last row and bind-off), I used Katia Gatsby Lux in color 88500 (all white sparkle).

Labels: accessories

Right now, my knitting addiction is spiral and flouncy scarves. Can't stop knitting them!

This pattern was found on the internet. Simple pattern of:
Cast on 100 sts.
Knit next row.
K1 YO next row (200 sts)
Knit next row.
K1 YO next row (400 sts)
Continue in pattern until you have 1600 stitches.

I find you may want to use a light weight yarn for these scarves--they're lighter and fluffier that way.









I used Department 71 Sweetheart Sequins yarn in Grape Slush. 93 yards / 50 g per ball (you'll need two balls for scarf). 60% Acrylic/40% Polyester. Cute little heart sequins in the yarn but can be a pain to knit with as they catch on everything.

The intended recipient of THIS particular scarf is C. Here she is trying it on:



More spiraling to come.

Hit the "Super Bowl" sale last week at The Creative Stitch and got some Happy Feet yarn. Can never have too much sock yarn after all.

Labels: accessories, shopping

Pattern: Berry Sparkle Scarf Pattern Number L0417 from Lion Brand (Free Pattern).
Yarn: Vanna's Choice 100% acrylic (100 g {170 yards}): #148 Burgundy and #149 Silver Grey (1 ball ea.).
Vanna's Glamour 96% Acrylic, 4% Metallic Polyester (50 g {202 yards}): #189 Garnet and #150 Platinum (1 ball ea.).
Needles: Clover Bamboo US 10 straights.
Comments:
Beginner Knit. The pattern calls size 10.5 needles, but I used size 10. I changed the colorway: substituted Burgundy for Magenta; Silver Grey for Charcoal Grey; Garnet for Jewel; and Platinum for Moonstone. The pictures below don't really capture the sparkle that's in the scarf. I plan to use this as an accessory around my belted silver turtleneck I wear at Christmas. Finished the scarf last night.




Here are some more pictures of Baby V's blanket when it was still on the needles:

Labels: accessories, baby blankets

Started this in August and finished last week.

An afghan to keep baby V warm this winter (my husband's cousin's new baby girl).

It's a pattern from a Leisure Arts pamphlet called "Lacy Baby Afghans." Pattern name is Diamond Pattern Afghan by Mary Ellen Yanich.





You might be amazed at how many of my knitting bags contain half-finished baby blankets that might have been meant for your new wee one, dear reader. It's nothing personal--my own son's blanket is in one of those bags lying around the house. That's right, he never got a blanket from his knitting-mom. My daughter on the other hand did. There is no rhyme or reason to it. Blankets are lovely, but boring to knit and if you get a blanket from this ADHD knitter, consider it a miracle.

Moving along to my current work-in-progress:
Lion Brand's Berry Sparkle Scarf. Mine is not very berry. I substituted with my own colors -- same brand yarn called for in pattern, just different colors. Not sure how I like my colorway, but I think once the next band of color is started, I'll have a better idea.




*MY DEEP THOUGHTS ON HOBBIES*

Do you have a hobby? If you do not, I encourage you to make it your resolution this year and find one.

Find something that allows you to create, develop, or use your imagination (or all three!). Whether it be photography, woodworking, gardening, reading, bird-watching or small engine repair, a hobby allows you to get passionate and focus on something other than the every-day mundane.

I know a woman who no longer works. She doesn't read, doesn't cook, doesn't sew, doesn't garden. No hobbies. So my question is this, what on earth does she do?
I myself grew up in a household where you were encouraged to find something to do (other than sit and watch tv). Both of my parents garden and cook. My mom crochets. My dad tinkers with engines and woodworks. I cannot imagine life where there was nothing to do but meddle in other's affairs or always going out to eat because you can't cook. The horrors!

I am also a better mom because I have interests outside of the home.

I work in the city and found three amazing women who I will be knitting with on Wednesdays in a conference room. You never know who you will find that shares your interest.

To quote Bethenny Frankel from "The Real Housewives of New York City," "GET A HOBBY!" You will be a more interesting, well-rounded individual for it.

Labels: accessories, baby blankets

It's finished--yay! B is enjoying wearing it to kindergarten and in this cold, cold weather we've been having.

I wove a ton of ends in on this one and then sealed the knot with some fabric glue. The scarf curls in on itself as it's mainly stockinette--but I kind of like that effect as it doesn't show the 'wrong' side of the knitting.

Yarn is acrylic, Vanna's Choice in black, mustard, terracotta, chocolate, and colonial blue. I repeated these five colors eight times.
Ten rows of each color with size 8 bamboo straights.





I'm now knitting the same patterned scarf with Herrschners Worsted yarn (acrylic). I want to knit two of these but C's will have to wait (I'm knitting MINE first!). I'm modeling this after a Gymboree scarf I saw but it matches my ice pink winter jacket!

Labels: accessories, children's knits