October is shaping up to be a little busy around here. Getting a yellow Labrador puppy around Halloween, but I've got lots to learn so I'm busy reading. Taking the kids to Louisville, then I'm going to NYC/Rhinebeck from there. The week after we all go to Yosemite. Got another nerve root block for my back/leg yesterday. Life is good, hectic, occasionally painful (that last one) and full of anticipation. And dirty laundry. But I've got photos... or Yarn Porn according to some nice knitters on the Knitter's Review boards. Thanks for your emails and compliments.
This...
is becoming this:
Sorry this is a little blurry, the breeze and my oh-so-tired she just couldn't hold it still one second longer eight year old weren't cooperating. This drama just moments before two hours of water balloon fights and bike riding. Guess it gives it that watery effect. The colorway is called Medici and so far it's not pooling oddly. The River pattern from the latest Rowan Magazine is pretty easy so I don't need the book anymore, which makes it a bit more portable. I've added on another repeat since this was taken. You can join the fun over at Savannahchik's KAL.
A little Rowan Cashcotton goodness:
Which is on it's way to being a garment.
I've not gotten back to this in a few weeks because I need to concentrate on the shoulder shaping.
Sleeves should be straight forward, but then I still have that all-the-frickin'-way-around ruffle which I fear will go on forever.
I've still not cast on, but have picked the pattern for the first denim sweater: a cabled cardigan called Lizzie from the first Rowan Denim book. Not planning on knitting the tie - this will be a toss-it-on and relax cardigan.
Yes, those are my new Denise needles. Explored the west coast branch of Noble Knits a few weeks back and took Tess's enthusiastic recommendation. I like them so far. Great thing about crafting... a week or so later I was at the pattern tables in JoAnn's and there was Tess wearing an oh-so-chic felted Manos hat. We started chatting and suddenly a voice piped in from behind and there was a student from my former stamping class days who also liked Noble Knits and recognized Tess. We were joined by more customers and a pleasant hour and a half passed in crafty talk. All ages and backgrounds brought together by a love of creating things. It's good to get out sometimes.
What can I say? It's lovely and very soft. Elann's Peruvian Baby Silk. Her prices and very effective "get it while you can" sales strategy strikes again. Shawl probably.
This really falls in the "What can I say???" category! Was in a bad/funky mood and didn't want to touch yarn for fear of ruining something. Cutting up plastic bags proved very therapeutic. Mine isn't as tightly knit as Knight's from Simple Knits with a Twist, but I'm just having fun being soooo ironic with my bag made of bags to hold bags. Will hang it on the laundry room wall with poo/litter bags.
On a more traditional front, I pulled out this poor forlorn sock over the weekend and added on several inches while passing time at my nephew's birthday party. Cast on a good three years ago on two circulars and just didn't click with that technique. Transferred it to dp's last year, but then it got shoved back in the depths of my closet. Seems too beautiful to leave languishing forever doesn't it?
Btw, this is my 3 yr old's delicate foot, not my Cro-Magnon appendage.
The fabric passion continues:
The kitchy fun fabrics are for Christmas presents for my kids and niece. I think I'll look for some tweed to go with the French prints in the middle. The remaining on the right are just because. I really like this on-line only fabric store, Cia's Palette. She shipped on the day I ordered and everything came so perfectly folded and wrapped with a little sample cutting too. I'm so inspired by Jackie's cute bags that I'm itching to get the machine out again.
You can see from these photos that I've yet to get more than narrow stripes of sunlight anywhere in the house during the day. We get the most direct light in the winter when the sun moves south. Don't buy a house with perfect S/N orientation. The garage door gets the best light for most of the year and the back patio goes dark all winter - it's criminal from an architectural standpoint. We didn't buy the house, we grabbed the lot and said thank you. No choice about the house. Such is real estate in coastal North County San Diego.
I'll leave you with a recent photo of my angelic butterfly. Yeah, sure. Couldn't get her to pose facing the light. Oh no, that would be helping Mommy. Does this look like a sweet, helping expression? Total imp. Yarn is so much better behaved!
Maybe it's not a sweet, helping expression, but a lovely one it is!
Posted by: betty | September 29, 2005 at 02:18 AM
I love that expression! It says so much more than a simple smile. Of course, what it says may not be something a mom wants to look at all day......
I have been dying to see that KSH in person. I was thinking it might make a nice Butterfly camisole, but wondered if the dying would take away from the lace or make it too busy for my small frame. Something to think about. My luck there would be this awful pooling, so I suppose I would have to work off two skeins. Oh well, luckily I have plenty to keep me busy whilst I give it a good thought.
Posted by: Teresa C | September 29, 2005 at 03:46 AM
wow! yarn porn, indeed! All of, so luscious! you have some great projects in the works :)
Posted by: Moni | September 29, 2005 at 06:52 AM
oh wow, ur river looks wonderful. Lots of goodies :) And your little girl is just adorable.
Posted by: lauray | September 29, 2005 at 09:10 AM
Fabulous wool porn! Not even sure where to start. River is gorgeous (add that to my wannado list). You've been busy as usual :)
I can see imp written all over that picture! She's beautiful regardless. Love the wings.
Posted by: Risa | September 29, 2005 at 10:36 AM
N ~ I'm loving that KSH River ~ and the fabrics I just ordered, thanks to your tip about Cia's Palette! Happy travels ~
Posted by: Maggi | September 29, 2005 at 11:46 AM
That little chick looks angelic, I love your choice of all the yarns and that sock is divine - I have some really bright autumnal Noro that is about the same weight waiting to be knit up into a pair of socks. I agree with your comments about people who craft - nearly everyone has time to share stories and comments which is half the joy of the different past times.
Posted by: juliet | September 29, 2005 at 01:32 PM
So many lovely things, lace, yarn, fabric, but the loveliest if your little pink angel.
Posted by: erin | September 29, 2005 at 03:12 PM
Yes, your stash is gorgeous! I never noticed you had a stash gallery until I read of it in KR. I enjoy knitters' pics of their stash, esp. yours - which are really nice compositions. But really, like your other fans here - my heart melts when I see absolutely children (llike yours!!!)
Thanks for sharing your wonderful shots!
Posted by: terry | September 29, 2005 at 04:40 PM
Your yarns are yummy! Your knitting is awesome! I love the lace, someday I'll have to try that. Your projects abound! Your angel is beautiful. Enjoy the sun! Here in New England (Western Massachusetts) there is very little of it. Looks like it will be in the high 30's. Good temps to snuggle with some nice yarn. Love your blog! Your Imp (Angel) is precious!
Posted by: crzjane | September 29, 2005 at 05:49 PM
I've been looking at CTH patterns and just stumbled accross your blog. WOW. You've just inspired me to knit and knit and knit. (The patchwork fabric stash will have to be on hold for another couple of months.) I need to know if you have abandoned Rocktorp? I see the swatch is still in the basket ....
Posted by: Stephanie | September 29, 2005 at 08:14 PM
mmmmmmm... what a tempting display of yarn. Do I really need to work today? Maybe I'll just go buy some yarn and knit all day. And ended with such a cute portrait!
Posted by: carrie | September 30, 2005 at 06:12 AM
Oh - that Emily is gorgoeus! And all the yarn...I love the way you post Nancy...save it all up so we can salivate over so much beauty. I'm a bit jealous of your River, it looks great!
BTW - thanks for the link. ;)
Posted by: Jackie | October 01, 2005 at 05:33 AM
Thanks for more yarn porn : ) That spray looks awesome! I may have to get some...... yes... I may just do that.
My great aunt and I saw that thing about the shopping bags and we wondered where we could get all those different colors of bags.. All the ones we ever get are white or walmart blue..
I guess we don't shop enough.. lol Looks like a fun project though.
Posted by: Kim | October 01, 2005 at 07:00 PM
That KSS is really working up nicely for River!
Posted by: jody | October 02, 2005 at 03:25 AM
Are we living parallel lives? I just finished my Cashsoft Deli and bought that very same Kidsilk Spray colour. I think I might do the lacy poncho from Wrapstyle instread of River, though.
Thanks for the Denim swatch-off- very useful information.
Posted by: Paddy | October 02, 2005 at 07:37 AM
She has got to be the most angelic butterfly ever. What a fabulous photo!
Posted by: Julia | October 04, 2005 at 04:14 PM
Your photos are so beautiful. Understanding light is such a gift and you surely have it! River looks lucious.I'll be heading to Rhinebeck along with some other knitting lovelies from the blog world and my knitting group. Did you know there is a "Rhinebeck Ring"?
Posted by: SpiderWomanKnits | October 04, 2005 at 06:01 PM
I've been checking in on your blog here and there :) You're doing an awesome job, both knitting and sewing! It looks like you have some great fabrics with which to make christmas gifts with! Hopefully I run into you again!!! Glad you like the Denise needles!
Tess
Posted by: Tess | October 04, 2005 at 08:55 PM