Monday, December 30, 2013

A Look Back and A Look Forward

Can you believe it another year gone by. It seems a year slips by in a blink of an eye,  so much happens we almost forget what projects we started 2013 with.  It seem such a long time ago. 
Looking back  to the beginning of 2013 I tried my hand with weaving. I purchased the "Knitters Loom" from Ashford and love it, then I borrowed a 4 shaft table loom and wow the possibilities.  I am now more and more curious about it. To me its another way to enjoy all the yarns that I have accumulated.  Especially the very fine weights.
I do knit more then any other craft. I find it relaxing, sit back a good movie and off I go in my own world.
The curiosity of weaving, I suspect will grow in 2014  working with a loom making cloth, It is so fascinating how a string becomes cloth either knit, crochet or weave.  Just love all the results.

What do you for see yourselves doing in 2014? Will you want to learn a new craft/hobby? Its a great way to keep you young and happy!!

Happy New Year Everyone!!

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Let the Festivities Begin!!




                



Thanksgiving came and went, left overs are gone as well, the work week began and the mad rush to Christmas is on!!  Holiday knitting in full swing, I just realized there's only 19 days left till Christmas. Oh Boy I'm really late.  I have been on Pintrest posting pictures of yarns with links to free patterns to match. Such as     Filatura Di Crosa,Lupo 4 skeins will make a great and quick scarf cast on 8 sts on size 15 needles and k2, p2 till end of yarn.  A quicky scarf for sure.    Lupo is a fluffy, soft yarn and fur accents are everywhere.


Fable Mitts


These wonderful fingerless mitts are perfect, love making them and wearing them.  Imagine knitting these with ArtYarn Ensemble Light!! find the free pattern here  justadaydreamarts.wordpress.com  
and  you know where to purchase the yarn nonnasyarnstudio.com  :-)

Ravelry: Jasper project galleryThere are more ideas in the Pintrest site  http:http://www.pinterest.com/nonnasyarn/yarn-holiday-shopping-at-nonnas///  !  Any questions post here I will assist anyway I can!! or email me Josephine at nonnasyarnstudio@gmail.com








How about this hat also a quicky and the yarn is an oldy but a goody loved this yarn so much I kept some after Berroco discontinued it.  Only a few left on the site.  First come first serve. Jasper is 100% wool and its a very soft wool.  We used it for felting made some hand bags and felted hats. And if you go to the site its on the closet out so its priced quite low.
Patter is also a free pattern on the Yarn Holiday Shopping at Nonna's board.  Go see you will enjoy Pinterest !!


Tuesday, November 26, 2013

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!

WISHING ALL 

A VERY 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 

OR AS WE SAY IN MY HOME 

"HAPPY TURKEY DAY" !!


Hope you enjoy my "flyer" and the info is clear to all 
don't forget first 10 orders receive a gift!!

Friday, November 22, 2013

Almost Complete

A sleeve is done!  yes one more to go,  this was the easiest sleeve I ever knitted.  I hate knitting sleeves I usually knit them at the same time cause I know I'll never finish them or they are different lengths  but knitting this sleeve was really quick and fun to knit.  I have to split my time from knitting the sleeve, knitting scarves for my cousin in Yonkers, she is having a "Ladies night out" event and needs to fill a booth with wears so I was asked if I would be interested to sell hand knits scarves and  hats or any small item. The knits need to be in by December 3rd, plus Thanksgiving planning, and website management, what do you think, can I do it all?  I shall definitely try.  So got to go.  PS  Just ordered some really pretty yarn from Hampden Hills Farm, Mass.  can't wait plus they sell hand woven dish towel that I have been drooling over so I ordered two.  Okay gotta go..  Pictures soon!!

Thursday, November 14, 2013


Remember the ArtYarn Oct 2013 KAL that I  joined? 
Just put all the tails in this afternoon I need to block it still, but I'm so excited I needed to share.  It's magnificent just as is But I am knitting on the sleeves now.  I did the ribbing in the Beaded Silk and Sequins. It's just beautiful.  I hope to finish the sleeves in two weeks to wear for Thanksgiving!!!



Monday, November 11, 2013

The "Buttery Soft Shawl

BUTTERY SOFT SHAWL
Materials:
*2 skein of Lotus Yarn Handspun Cashmere one in Brown/Black (A) one in Black (B)
*1 US size 10 29” circular *One marker
Note: This shawl is your basic top down triangular shawl you begin at the center neck and increase 6 times every other row.

Cast on 3 sts with A
Row 1: K1, yo, k1, yo, k1
Row 2: Purl across
Row 3: k1, YO repeat to last stitch, k1. Change to B
Row 4: Purl across
Row 5: K1, yo, k1, yo, k2, yo, pm, k1, pm, yo, k2, yo, k1, yo, k1. Change A
Row 6: Purl
Row 7: K1, yo, k1, yo, k to center marker, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k to last 2 sts, yo, k1, yo, k1.
Row 8: Purl
Row 9: K1, yo, k1, yo, k to center marker, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k to last 2 sts, yo, k1, yo, k1.
Change to B
Row 10: WS, Purl
Row 11: "Eyelet Row" rs, k1, yo, k1, yo, k2, yo, ssk, yo, to marker, slip marker, k1, slip marker, yo,     k2tog to 4 stitches left on left needle then yo, k2, yo, k1, yo, k1. Change to A
Row 12: Purl
Row 13: k1, yo, k1, yo, k to center marker, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k to last 2 sts, yo, k1, yo, k1. 
Row 14: Purl
Row 15 : K1, yo, k1, yo, k to center marker, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k to last 2 sts, yo, k1, yo, k1.
Change to B
Row 16: Purl
Row 17: "Eyelet Row" rs, k1,YO,k1,YO, k1, YO, ssk, YO to marker, slip marker, k1, slip marker, YO, 2tog to 3 stitches left on left needle then YO, k1, YO,k1,YO,k1, Change to A

Rows 6 thru 11 form pattern. Repeat till no more yarn. Color A will end first I used color B for bottom trim as follows:
**RS work Eyelet row (11), purl back, knit back, purl back, then repeat Eyelet row (11) ** repeat edging to end BO.

Keeping this pattern of increase at the edges and center. Alternating colors 4 rows of A change to B for 2 rows. The change happens in the purl side (wrong side).

Designed by Josephine Scimeca for Nonna’s Yarn Studio.
All rights reserved.  Pattern for personal use only.
Any question contact me at Nonnasyarnstudio@gmail.com

Saturday, November 9, 2013

New Site !!!!

After so much work and believe me it's still a work in progress, the website is actually live-- so, so nervous--!!

I hope all who go to glance stay and like what we have accomplished. I like to thank Ken from "Calvada Disign" who has done a wonderful job. I really appreciate all his hard work and patience.  

Please go and check it out, you will see loads of yarns and more to come.  This is just the beginning I hope to grow and grow but for now I like to start slow.!  So anyway here is the link:  http://nonnasyarnstudio.com/ 

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Baby's Cozy Sweater!!

This is Joy's finished "Baby's Cozy Sweater"  knit in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky. 
Joy knitted the 6 mos size just to try out the pattern and it came out just so adorable. 
The lighting for this picture is not very good. The actual color is teal.

Here Joy is planning on sewing these cute little rosebuds as buttons
(Snaps on the side) and also she changed the collar,
came out really sweat don't you think?!

Here's the original "Baby's Cozy Sweater",  I think I will make
another with Joy's collar change!!!

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Just Gorgeous!!

  


This picture doesn't do it justice it is magnificent!  I used a flash so you could see the lace.
I really loved knitting with this yarn.  Sport weight and yet it I was able to knit with a size 5 needle ( I knit kind of on the loose side).  The pattern also was a fun knit, I would definitely knit it again also with Dream in Color Perfectly Posh Sport love this yarn!!
This is a Drops pattern with some tweaking



this is without flash

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Yarn/Fiber overload at Rhinebeck, NY 2013



This was my very first time going to Rhinebeck  and boy ho boy it sure was all everyone says it is and then some!  Isadora and I had so much fun loved seeing all the yarns the colors the people it literally was amazing!  I just wish I could have had more time to visit with all the vendors especially with Hampden Hills Alpacas  loved all their fibers and the wovens.   I have been admiring their yarn and woven hand towels.  I did get to go and caress it all but it was at the end of our visit.  I wanted to make sure that we went thru all the barns before we left.  I really don't think we made it thru all. But it sure was fun trying!
I did notice that there was quite a bit of tencel blends and the Miss Babs booth had a line that never ended.  I didn't dare. Too much to see to spend it on a line that long. I did do some purchases of course yarns and I love wine & cheese. Did purchase 3 wine bottles and 2 kinds of cheeses!!!  Yum

Monday, October 14, 2013

Happy Columbus Day!!


playing with color placement

 This weekend was "I Love Yarn Day (Weekend)!  Did any of you knit a special something?  I sure did!!!
I have in stock Lotus Yarns, Handspun Cashmere the Mink yarn company,  in two color ways a black and a brown/black and my hands were itching to play with it and look at the results!!



decided on color placement, now stitches


















 All done very easy did some yarn over, k2tog for some lacey look, it took one of each as that was the plan on size 10 needles and Voila it is done. 

















It can be worn as a cowl with the point in front, it will just feel heavenly on your neck!








Or on your shoulders.  It is 100% Cashmere,  I don't know if you ever worked with cashmere it is soft as butter it literally glides on your needles.  Once you knit this cuddly shawl you will be wearing it always I know I am.










Patter you ask, I am in the process of putting it on paper, and will be free with purchase of this gorgeous cashmere!!





Saturday, October 5, 2013

October 2013 ArtYarn KAL

I have connected  the two triangles, boy that was really quick even if I knitted on size US4.  I thought it would take a while but it just was so much fun and easy it really knitted itself :) can' wait now for   part 2!! Here's the progress

Friday, October 4, 2013

North Jersey Fiber Art Festival

 
Lockspun from Rainbow Twist Handspun!! 











 Today Karen and I went to the North Jersey Fiber Art Festival!  We had such fun meeting all the wonderful artist!!  This was our second booth our first purchase.  I just could not resist there were so many one of a kind hanks I wanted all but had to settle for one and soon as I got home my daughter claimed it!  You can actually feel the lanolin its so soft!!


100% silk from Apple Tree Knits Yarn



                                                  
The next stop was at this very colorful booth with so many amazing hanks of yarn just hanging around for you pick!!  I took my time but when reached this one section of 100% silk I didn't move anymore! Karen and I just stood with our eyes set on these gorgeous hanks well of course had to have at least one.  It has 1094yds, its lace weight,  my hook is itching to get to work!!



 That's my loot three hanks the last is also a silk 100% cultivated  from Swoon Fibers and they also had some amazing fibers, but I had to limit myself.  And I was thrilled to find a yarn bowl. Plus some really cool stitch markers from June Pryce Fiber Arts also an Etsy seller. She also had some really interesting buttons interesting on how you apply to your knitting.  You need to see her Etsy shop!!





My new Yarn bowl and guess which yarn has already taken a seat?   :-)

Friday, September 27, 2013

Drops Cardigan

This is my progress!
The picture doesn't do it justice

ArtYarn's KAL


Okay you know that I am knitting a great Drops pattern see previous posts with a soft beautiful yarn the Dream in Color Perfectly Post. Its all in one piece from bottom up to arm holes. then you separate and work the fronts and then the back, well I finished both fronts & I'm ready for the back.

At the same time I got pulled into  the ArtYarn October KAL,  I love Iris's patterns.  Iris conducts KAL on Ravelry here's the link   http://www.ravelry.com/groups/artyarns-knitalongs-and-patterns    



This is the yarn "Ensemble Light" H26 love love the color and I'm planning on doing the ribbing with the sparkle!!

This is how far I've gone on the cardigan!  Its actually going pretty quick!





Therefore which to do?  Heck both









 

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

A Time for Baby

Had to take a break from knitting my cardi.  I only had less then a week to complete a baby gift (my fault not good at planning) so what to do?  Chunky yarn and big needles will get me there quick right.  Went through my stash of yarn and found 2 pink, 2 green, 1 purple, and one red Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky, Perfect!!  Love the Cashmerinos.  Then made a gauge and look up patterns.  Found something similar to this on Ravelry or Lion Brand not sure which.  Anyway in 2 days I was done knitting the pieces!! 

****************
I did a k1p1 twisted rib for the border with the purple and sewed it up the fronts.  The eyelets give it a little interest instead of just plain stocking stitch. The yarn was just the right amount, very little left over.

************************



Very happy the stripes actually managed to match! 
Only have a day left, need to sew it and get rid of all the yarn tails, that is the pain when dealing with striping colors.  I did carry some of the yarn but when I do big chunks of color it really is impossible to carry up.  So I cut then deal with tails.





**************************
Ta...Da!!  
Button on blocked and ready for wrapping!! I didn't do button holes I added snaps instead, easier on mom I think.
Already delivered and it will be going to Sicily to my nieces baby who will be turning 1 in December!!

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Drops Pattern

Here I am knitting away with the gorgeous yarn Perfectly Posh Sport not think just going and when I reach the section of chart 3  something seems different.  Well I misunderstood "Diagrams show the pattern from the right side" I thought it meant that the symbols were for the right side only and no wrong side was showing. WRONG the chart is showing both.  Off the needle it goes. 
I am back at that same point and  it really is better! Now it makes sense.


Well stay tuned now it should be a breeze!!

Saturday, September 7, 2013

On To The Next Project!!

 Okay so as you can see there my next project, this one is a cardigan from Drops. It has some lace  with charts to follow.  Not too difficult!! The yarn Dream in Color, Perfectly Posh Sport is quite amazing, the stitch definition if remarkable. When I hear sport I think tiny yarn small needles (size 2 or 3)  I knit a little loose so I always need to go down sizes.  But guess what I'm using size 5 and the stitches look perfect. 
 

Spring Daisy Wrap

It looks and feels amazing!  
This yarn, Rhapsody Glitter Light is such a joy to work with, it just glides through your needles!!

 Look how the light makes it sparkle!

Thursday, August 29, 2013

The First to the Finish Line!!

Yeah for Karen she has reached the finish line!!  And look at how amazing the wrap is.   The feel is just so scrumptious, it such a wonderful art to take a beautiful string of silk, Kid Mohair and lurex and make a stunning wrap!!
 I don't know if you can see the stitch, but its really a simple 4-row repeat and using ArtYarn Rhapsody Glitter Light really makes it a wonder to stitch up!! Oh the color # 172 Silver for Karen and in Gold for the other 5 of us.  Patter free with purchase of  yarn

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

The Daisy Wrap

 
 
One afternoon I was browsing through ArtYarn's website (love the new look) and was intrigued by this colorway I thought it would probably be more of the cream color and just some blotches of bright colors here and there.  So I decided to order it in silver, can't go wrong with some glitz!!
 
Love it!  It's Silk Rhapsody Light color 172 Gold! When it arrived at the shop couldn't wait to start so I wound one up and look at how the colors show up interesting.   I started swatching, what shall I make with it?  It definitely will be a shawl or wrap, only have 2 hanks.  So I start!!!


Knitted with size 8 stst. look where the colors fall, size 8 is too big, I knit kind of loose, went down to 7 still too loose then changed stitch.  I found it in my little book the daisy stitch,  I sounded interesting so I gave it a try.  It's only 4 row repeat,  not difficult where I can loose track but not so boring that I will give up, just the right amount of interest.
well as it happens in a yarn shop (at the time) several of the ladies fell in love with this yarn and stitch.  Therefore now we are 7 knitting the "Daisy Wrap"

this pictures shows 2 hanks finished I needed a third, so I called ArtYarn and ordered one more for each of us.  I am almost there,  it is so Luxuriously Yummy soft!!
 

Friday, August 23, 2013

Thursday we had our first sit n stitch here at the studio.  We had so much fun and there wasn't that many of us.  We had a little show and tell and knitted away the time.


 Here is Karen Taylor wearing a knitted creation.  Karen modified and rearranged the stitches to flatter and fit.


 Here is Lauren Miller modeling the "Summer Vines" knitted out of Lucci Yarns "Pima Cotton" Doesn't she nautical?


This is a wonderful wrap it the luxurious silk from ArtYarn knit by Pam Morrison