Yarn Purchase

I broke the yarn diet, but not really since it was not money from our bank account. My mom and grandad gave me some cash for my birthday I had been searching for a 4 shaft table loom but found that some of the prices were above my meager means and so I did the next best thing, bought yarn on sale at Joann's every skein of yarn in the store had a percentage off, I was so pleasantly surprised.
Naturally Caron Spa - Acrylic Bamboo Blend -Ocean Spray I'm planning on using it for this pattern the yarn feels soft and light.

Then there was the sock yarn, I really like the way this yarn knits up.

I got the Rainbow Classic for this pattern which is a vintage shawl. I've never used this yarn before so this is an experiment to see if it goes on the approve list of yarns that don't trigger my allergies.

The Sage Aunt Lydia's are for some weaving I finally was able to find the right green to compliment some other cotton I have stashed for a table runner.

And this is the yarn I've been using for the place mats, its called Tiara Ombre, I know weird name but we don't get to choose those

although I wouldn't mind giving them suggestions.

Baby Alpaca Yarn

This is the final purchase of yarn for me this year ::sigh:: the yarn was on clearance for only $ 3.99 a hank, I couldn't resist and have the perfect lightweight cardigan pattern for it. I promised Mr. Deepend that I would not buy anymore yarn until I put a dent in the current stash, I have promised this before and failed with panache, but this time it has to be a commitment. Mr. Deepend's company is reducing salaries yet again, but keeping the employees and still paying for health insurance, which in a way is a double edged sword. You are thankful for not standing at unemployment and having health care, but also trying to figure out how to be able to pay for all the things you have without going broke or dipping into the savings every month to compensate.

I've been carrying it around with me to work and back(in my knitting bag I knit at lunch time) so I can touch it, I just can't believe this fiber is so so soft and lovely. I can't wait til I start the new cardi, as I have finished my Hermia sweater that I wanted to wear for Thanksgiving, and I can! I'm so excited that I completed it, well it needs hemming, washing, iron (I want to kill the acrylic) and button, but really it's finished ;0)

I hope everyone has a great weekend, don't eat too much candy!!

Knitting Up a Storm

I'm up to my dish pan hands in knitted dish towels this is the latest pattern Clover Tweed Dishcloth. I loved the pattern and thought it would be great for my SIL, since her kitchen is all ocean inspired. I have exactly three more to go and I'll be finished with the knitting of the these for Christmas, whew I can't wait after a while knitting these get tedious although they are a great knit for Knit Nite, I don't need to think and I can gab all nite without making any mistakes.

This, on the other hand is my sweater it's the February Lady Sweater pattern which I fell in love with in August. I purchased Universal Yarn LP in WW in 75% acrylic 25% wool, I using my Harmony needles with a 60" cable. I have to say it is really soft and squishy yarn I love the feel of it as I knit, I also appreciate the long print of the colors they almost get around the entire sweater before a color change happens. This is my first top down raglan sweater and it's going well. I learned to make button holes from cable cast on instead of the usual YO, which was really interesting and a new technique. Best of all I love the colors they are just what I would wear and I hope that there will be some kind of winter this year so that I could get some use out of the sweater.I don't have any weaving pics because well it looks the same only with more yardage, so I won't bore you guys with it. I hope to finish sometime this weekend and start to do the embroidering, I guess then the pics will be worth taking.

A Bit of This and A Bit of That

Thanks, for the comments on yesterday's question, I found your thoughts and answers interesting and creative. Now I don't feel so bad with my answer and I'm glad that creative minds have a quick wit. :)

I just got some goodies, because if you can believe this "ALL THE YARN I OWN IS PLANNED FOR A PROJECT"!! WHOA!! YAY!! Not that I am by any stretch a yarn collector, my inner organizer can't justify over buying until I use what I have, really it keeps me and my poor family in some kind of a controlled environment, plus clutter makes me itchy. (I'm sure it's some type of OCD) Since I can buy more yarn, I did (hehehe impishly wiggles the eyebrows). Look at this:

These are called Citrus blend they are 4 oz each = 1500 yds.

The bottom four are 3oz each mix lot = 272 yds/per





The top fourteen are 2oz each mix lot = 187 yds/per.





All are cotton chenille sport weight soft and airy really nice yarn, although I have heard all the horrors of weaving with chenille I'd like to take my chances and try it out myself. I have planned an afghan for the Citrus mix, since the interior of my house is in the green stage of it existence, we've been through the beige, yellow and blue stages so naturally green was next. If I encounter too much worming which seems to be the major compliant I can always knit the rest.





If your interested in some Jenny of Pretty Yarns is a wonderful Ebay vendor, fast as lightning shipping and a real pleasure to deal with.





On the weaving front; after four tedious hours of undoing my latest fiasco (huh) attempt at weaving, we have so far only this,

I know not impressive, but I plan on finishing it tonight getting the rest of the warp on and rolling it ever so carefully on the back beam and for Peg I will take pics of the direct warping which I call ala Ashford style. This shawl has really tested my patience, the DH thinks I'm nuts, he's asked several times, "why don't you just start all over"?, he doesn't get that this is starting all over.

NEW SHAWL, CABLE SWEATER AND MORE

It didn't take me too long to get started on a new shawl. This one will be a ruana, I'm going to make two shawls and crochet them together to make the ruana (this one is actually for me). I started last night and decided to do 12 blocks of heather grey and 4 blocks of cream white. You can almost see it in the picture, I figure once I get some more done I'll be able to notice the color change. (keep watching for progress pics).

On the cable sweater front I had to frog the hoodie, yes it was painful, but I couldn't get it to attach to the sweater the way I wanted it to so, I shifted gears and changed the pattern, (it's easier to do this if your the designer and not a pattern hehehe, trust me I use the word designer very loosely) I'm now knitting a collar instead. If I counted right ( you all know that's my challenge counting stitches and rows) the collar should work out just right. I'm planning to make a loop for a button but I'm not really sure yet I'll have to see once I finish what kind of details I will add.

On a happier note I received my Jo-Ann package today with you guessed it more yarn!!! It's called "Beach" it's blues, greens, lime and turquoise terrific deep ocean colors, I LOVE IT. The yarn is Red Heart Grande, super bulky. I'm planning another sweater, on the larger gauge looms the KK long looms I'll have to do a swatch and see what would work out.

I just found out that my kids will be graduating different days one on May 29 and the other on June 1, which is the week of Memorial Day on Monday, guess who's going to miss a lot of work?? WOOHOOO!!!! I'm so proud of them, to think not so long ago they were babies. Scary how time flies by.

I was emailed a website that I thought was so inspiring check it out you wouldn't regret viewing this presentation. http://www.pathways-to-peace.com/ Touch the ‘view presentation’ button