It's Been Some Time

Hello Friends, 

It has been a while, sometimes life takes over and you have no control over it.  June/July brought HS graduation for my youngest and then a chain reaction of college visits.  Till he decided and then more college visits and paper work and get ready to pack up.  That's where we are at now, finalizing all that is required and he will be off by the end of the month.  Quite exciting for him, overwhelming for me.  

My knitting is what is keeping me sane and focused, what I keep doing is begin new projects. I am up to 5 different patterns, a couple of cardigans, a top, a shawl, and of course an afghan for my college bound child.  Also needed some instant gratification and crocheted 2 shawls and completed. But my latest cast on is  a shawl which  keeps me knitting right now, this project I am really enjoying.  It's a stitch I found on Pinterest (Love Pinterest) but what makes it fun is combining yarns and colors that work with a particular stitch.
Here below are some pictures,

this is the afghan for my youngest, its much larger now

its coming along

If you look back in May  I began this project.  I was in a cotton/summer mood and decided to knit a top which I take with me when I need an easy mindless project. It will eventually grow up to be a A-Line top.

 This is the Mimi  Mink  yarn cardigan,  I look at it and promise myself to finish it.  Can't have it on sleep mode for too long cause then I will forget what my plan was.

Here is another project on vacation!  This is an old yarn from Debbie Bliss, the 100% Cashmere chunky from my stash.  Love this yarn and I stocked up quite a bit of this color.

And when I'm in an instant gratification mode I jump to crochet.  This was a great feeling to finishing in 2 days.  Also this is some yarn from my stash. I just had enough to finish this shawl.  
An original pattern!

 Here is another, this was crocheted with E.L. Silky wool and thread.

Another original pattern. 

How do you like?












And now this is what I am working on now and kind most excited about it.  I love the colors and the stitch.  The color of the yarn work perfectly with this stitch and a little "copper" sparkle goes a long way. The yarn is Done Roving Frolicking Feet DK in "Copper Pennies".  This shawl/wrap is working up rather quickly or should I say I am working it more and more.  I'm aiming to finish this one!!






















At the beginning of this post I stated 5 projects well as you can see it's actually 7.  Wow I must stop adding new projects and finish some. 

This is a good way for me to keep track, how many of you have this same itch of starting"ites" ?

Till next time !!

Have you ever worked with Noro Yarns? 
We Love Noro any Noro the colors and the feel are magnificent.  As a matter of fact I just received a box of new yarns and most of it is Noro ** Silk Garden ** all time favorite and some **Aytori** and a new yarn **Kibou**  If you want to see all the different Noro yarns just visit Knitting Fever website, very difficult to decide on just one. 

Knitting Fever just posted this link on facebook and I had to share please go take a look press tab 2 and its a video on the manufacturing and ideas of the Noro company founder!!

 http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/tv/greatgear/recent.html

Below you can see how much we like the Noro Yarns!!

the log cabin blanket is knitted with all left over *Tayo* hanks and its still in progress.  It's my go to in between project.
Get yourselves some Noro and have fun!!!

The Zoom Jacket!!

Remember my new obsession with the zoom loom?  I made a table mat but that was too quick for me so I'm experimenting on making a cardigan for Nickie.   I found in my stash of yarn a-plenty  a Filatura di Crosa "Tiffany" a sparkly cotton blend (only 3) then I supplemented with a bamboo to match also only 3 in stash.
Here in the picture below the cardi is almost done I still have add to the length. It's a little too short it's like a bolero therefore I have one more skein of bamboo which I'll use to add to the length.

More pictures to come soon!!

bloglovin

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Cuddly Cotton and Zooming Away!!

First off I want to tell you about the Cuddly Cotton, originally I purchased it for weaving,  well I decided to knit a swatch  just to see how the color worked up and  to feel the fabric drape. The stitch definition is just right the drape on size 6 needle is light and soft so forget the weaving design myself a summer top.  Went to my software and designed a A-Line shaped top with raglan 1/2 length sleeves and round neck with a little collar. The stitch I decided on is the broken rib which is a simple stitch to remember.  This is how far I am.  My gauge 24 sts 34 rows in stitch pattern = 4"


















 You can see more of the colors on the website http://nonnasyarnstudio.com/euro-baby-cuddly-baby and for this month its 40% off !!!

Cuddly Cotton, 100% cotton, 100 gr. 202 yds color 105 Lot 31 

.

 


 The reason why I am only up to that point is that I just had an over whelming feeling to purchase a Zoom Loom and boy am I on a roll, put all knitting down for now 2 weeks and just Zooming away.
Its the most satisfying feeling to finish a square in just 20 min. a square is complete with the minimal amount of yarn.  I have been weaving all the little bits of yarn I can't and wont throw away!  ;o)
My enthusiasm was so contagious that Karen just could not resist and purchased one for herself. Now we are going crazy designing with squares.  We discovered that we can make triangles with this loom which gave us more ideas we can do shaping such as cardis or tops.  First thing I did after sampling all different yarns is a table mat because that's how far the yarn went.
This is a yarn from Cascade called Copa.  It really  is 100% Viscose.  It come in small tubes and it's a little stiff so it comes off the loom in a perfect square. I only had partial tube in my stash and I managed to get 16 squares then took cotton thread and crocheted around each square and attached as I went.   Here are some pictures of my sampling different yarns!!

The beginning!!

 Then when I played with the above yarn another old yarn from stash  Filatura Di Crosa "Tiffany" a cotton blend with 103 yds (I have only 3) I managed to make 13 squares from one hank so my plan is to make a small cardigan. Next will be a Noro yarn maybe the sock weight can you immagine!!!

By the way these are Karen's squares made with Prism yarn!

















 Till next time  Happy Mother's day to you all!!!!

Baby Blanket completed!!

Well What do you think?   It turned out to measure 23 X 31". Only 2 hanks!!  It grew a bit when wet blocked.  This would make a beautiful wrap just I would cast on less like half the amount and go for it. Can  you imagine,  there are so many gorgeous colors available!!!

Diagonal Cluster Lace

How cute is this stitch?  I have 2 hanks of this yarn Done Roving, Frolicking Feet DK, Superwash Merion, each hank has 350 yds so  a total of 700yds and I need to knit a baby blanket with it (mom likes all the colors, Blue Ridge Bobbies).  Well I played with about 4 different stitches until I came across this particular stitch.  I think the color work perfect with it.  I am alternating hanks which is always suggested when using hand dyed yarns.
Okay the pattern:





Diagonal Cluster Lace
Multiple of 3 sts

Row 1:  (WS) Purl
Row 2:  K2 *yo, k3, pass first of the 3 knit sts over the 2nd and3rd sts; rep from *, end K1.
Row 3:  Purl.
Row4:  K1, *K3, pass first of the 3 knit sts over the 2nd and 3rd sts, yo; rep from * end K2.
Rep rows 1--4 .

I crochet cast on 160, sts knitted a garter st border of 13 rows giving me 6 ridges then I am keeping 8 sts in garter then started the pattern (144 sts) I knit kind of loose so I am knitting with a size US5 needle. I like it to be a loose knit rather then tight or to gauge knit.  It makes for  a very bouncy soft feel. so far it measures about 30" wide and  it should be enough to make it at least 30" long.

By the way go http://nonnasyarnstudio.com/   to see all the other colors that are available.

"Shimmery Elegance"

Let me introduce you to my "Shimmery Elegance" shawl!
It is elegant but at the same time it can be worn with jeans.

I really enjoy knitting shawls, never having to worry about fit. This shape is one that will remain on your shoulders and not fall off like your other triangular shawls.

New on the website are these kits that I put together for you all to enjoy.  They are simple and quick to knit.

The kit has a hank of hand dyed ribbon yarn (I've had a tough time parting with ) and one skein of mohair blend, knit on size 11 circular needles and believe me it will go pretty quick.

There are only 10 kits in stock.  Go to website to see all the available colors.  These are it, once they are gone, they are gone.

        

                              

in all its glory!!

 

Here is one of the colors!  Can you imagine how pretty this will be?       

Mohair The "Diamond" Fiber!!

As I was researching for newsletter I came across this definition from Wikipedia: 
**Mohair usually refers to a silk-like fabric or yarn made from the hair of the Angora goat.    It is one of the oldest textile fibers in use.  It is notable for its high luster and sheen, which has helped give it the nickname the "Diamond Fiber", Mohair is warm in winter as it has great insulating properties, while remaining cool in summer due to its moisture wicking properties. It is durable, naturally elastic, flame resistant, crease resistant, and does not felt. It is considered to be a luxury fiber, like cashmere, angora and silk, and is usually more expensive than most wool that comes from sheep. **  

I love the term "Diamond Fiber"  Especially since TSC- S. Charles,   has a mohair with a hint of sparkle that looks like it was sprinkled with diamond dust called Luna. We have 4 different colors in stock of this particular mohair. Let me show you:

There are more on website go over to see all the available colors.  (click under fiber - Mohair) Also while you are there go and sign up to receive our emails.  Today I sent out an email with a special code that gives everyone that purchases any Mohair 10% discount plus Links to some free pattern showcasing this fabulous yarn. Just for you and for this one time I'll share the code with you [2222] ;o)

We will actually be doing a KAL using mohair beginning next Thursday.  I have prepared kits for the ladies and we will start knitting next week.  I'll share some pictures then.

Check out Nonna's Yarn Pintrest page as well !! http://www.pinterest.com/nonnasyarn/yarn-shopping-at-nonnas/
See you next week !!