Sugar & Cream Cowl

I have been meaning to write this review for a month and a half. Things have just been a little crazy, but it's raining outside and the plumber is here (eek!) so I thought this would be the perfect time to do a little catching up.

I adore the Sugar & Cream Cowl! I have already worn it 5 or 6 times. My only complaint is that the yarn has very little elasticity because of the silk content. When I make it again I will use 100% wool. The pattern worked up relatively quickly, I just didn't have very much free time to work on it.

I used Cascade Yarns Heritage Silk Paints which is SO soft and a pleasure to work with, but like I said it has no elasticity. The colorway is Misti Blue. I used 80g of yarn so do NOT try to get away with using a 50g skein of sock yarn.

<3

More Hexipuff Bags!

Can't wait to see the Etsy listing??? Go there now!

I have to admit, I died a little when I saw this fabric. Is that not the cutest fattest little owl with his toadstools?

And really?! A Gnome Home fabric. You're killing me Tina Givens!!!

And this is some lovely Fairy Land/ Elvish fabric. Needless to say I had  a great time at my LQS the other day!

I hope you love the new fabrics! Want something custom? Convo me!

Trousseau Shawl

Trousseau is a gorgeous half circle shawl that was published in the Spring 2011 edition of Twist Collective.

I was a little scared of this pattern, because I thought that it would be really complicated. It's not. Throughout the pattern there are really only two different rows of patterned lace, they all just start in different places.

A lot of people said that they had problems running out of yarn, I used about 600 yds where the pattern says the large size could use up to 750, so I had plenty of yarn left, and I didn't even try to get gauge, but I'm assuming it was a little larger because I knit quite loosely.

I used some stashed discontinued yarn for this by Hedgehog Fibres. It's a fingering called Merino Bamboo Silk. It's to die for! I really wish it was still being produced.

I definitely want to knit the small version of this shawl at some point. It was definitely a joyful knit!

Cedar Leaf Shawlette

I absolutely ADORE my Cedar Leaf! The colors turned out so fantastic! I used lovely Yarn Chef Cider in colorway Crab Grass. As usual, the yarn was awesome to work with.

Cedar Leaf is a really EASY knit. Almost too easy for a lace addict, but it was totally worth getting through all those rows of sockinette for the finished product.

The leaves are knitted on, but it didn't take as long as I thought it would to do. My last experience with a knitted on border was awful and took 3 years so I was a little worried...

Blocking took a little bit to master. I ended up putting wires through the top and patted the leaves out flat. When I used the wires on the leaves, it just made them look all funky and geometric :/

While I was out taking pictures of the shawlette, I found saw that our Mulberry Tree is loaded down!

The fig bushes are full as well. I'm hoping I will be able to start picking them sometime in May!

This is just 2 of our fig bushes :D

Have a Wonderful Earth Day!!!

Caricia Shawl

I just finished my second Caricia shawl by Anne Hanson. I made the first one I made I completely knit it without a center stitch (back in 2009). This one is AWESOME though. It's much larger than I thought it would be. 70" across the top and 35" deep. My favorite part is the lace edging, it ads such a sweet little detail!

The pattern is clearly written and the charts are nice and bold. I LOVE Anne's patterns!

I used Yarn Chef Creme Brulee in Stormy Skies. This is one of my favorite yarns. Ok, it probably IS my favorite.

Everyone always asks me who my shawls are for. This one is for me =]

The outdoor photos are much truer to the actual color of the yarn, but you still can't see all of the gorgeous variations!

Now, what shall I knit next?

French Calico Hexipuff Project Bags

Visit the shop and purchase them here!

I love this fabric! I just finished these bags and they are a limited stock of 6. Perfect for the shabby chic, or French lover!

All the Hexipuff bags have flat bottoms and will stand on their own!

 The interior matches the exterior!

On a side note, the Azaleas and Figs are starting to bloom! I'm so excited! I can already taste the fresh figs!

Luciole Shawl

 I knitted this awesome little shawl for Emily a week or so ago. This is her first shawl and she loves it! She had been asking for one for quite awhile. I was a little worried she wouldn't like it after it was completed, thank goodness I was wrong! Ok, even if I was wrong it would have been ok, because I would wear it!

 This gorgeous little pattern is Luciole by Anne Hanson of Knitspot. Her patterns are of the highest quality and worth the little extra that you may have to spend on them. The yarn is Yarn Chef Minestrone (fingering  in the Tidepool colorway (no longer available.) I used about 335 yds on the Mini size.

If you want to gauge size Emily is 10 and about 4'10, I didn't measure the shawl afterwards, but it fits her perfectly and would make a great little scarf for a grown woman.

Original picture from the Yarn Chef store when purchased.

Knitting Lenore, Sewing Bags

I just finished knitting Lenore by Lisa Mutch. It's a very nice shawl turned cardigan pattern knitted from fingering weight yarn so it's not too hot to wear in the south. I think this would also make a nice vest. Although the pattern calls for 1700 yards for a size 32" I only used 1100. I shortened the cardigan by a few inches, but I didn't think I would save 600 yards of yarn! I have an extra skein and a half of Malabrigo Sock  leftover. I used colorway Cote d'Azure, a Christmas gift from Husband in 2010. I'm sure it will turn into a shawl at some point.

I have new fabrics for hexipuff bags! I don't know if I will get them finished and listed today or not, as it's raining and we are under a tornado watch (pictures must be taken outside) but I am hoping to have them posted by Sunday.

Hexipuff Bags!!!

I just finished adding the beautiful Hexipuff bags to my Etsy shop! I've already sold out of the floral print, but I still have the frogs and hives available!

I am giving away one medium sized hive bag on 2/12, to enter for the drawing reply to this post on Ravelry!

While these are intended to be used while making hexipuffs you can certainly put any little project in there!

Don't know what a Hexipuff is? Go here to find out and to purchase the lovely Beekeeper's Quilt Pattern from Tiny Owl Knits

Happy Knitting!

Woodland Spring Shawl

Last week I knitted my mom a shawl. She was complaining that I had never knit her one before. In my defense I have knit her PLENTY of socks!

I used the Woodland Spring Shawl pattern which is a really nice, well written pattern. I used more yarn than called for, but I figured I would. It blocked easily as well. The shawl is HUGE though. It has an 80" wingspan! My mom loves it and I think it looks great on her. I used Spud & Chloe Fine yarn. I was a little worried about the texture when I was knitting it, but after blocking (and I soaked it for abut two hours) it turned out great!