Just had to mention....

I was so excited when I heard about the Martha's Vineyard Fiber Farm and their yarn CSA. It's a great idea for knitters and yarn lovers to support a growing small business and get to know where their fiber is coming from. For me personally, it's a nice way to stay connected to the Island that I love so much.


(She really has my dream job!)


You can buy shares or individual skeins here.
Visit their site here.
And subscribe to their blog.

Going for the gold!

I wasn't going to post this yet, because the dress isn't quite finished (all I have left to do is shorten the hem) but I needed an excuse to blog!


This may be my last post for awhile. Friday I am leaving to drive across country and live with my boyfriend in New Mexico -- a big change from New England where I have lived all my life. I don't know when I'll have internet access or be settled in yet, so this type of thing may be put on hold for a bit, but you can guarantee I will still be knitting and sewing and creating something...

Now seems like the perfect chance to look back and say what a wonderful thing having this blog has been! Three years ago I started photographing and sharing my knitting adventures publicly and I have come to meet a number of wonderful bloggers, crafters, sewers, knitters and friends. I'll still be checking in on all your blogs daily and invite you to keep up with me on flickr. Please, please stay in touch!!


Oh, and about this crazy gold dress! I made it from a vintage pattern I bought from an awesome etsy seller, Selma Lee. I bought some other great patterns too and can't wait to start making those soon! The fabric is Michael Miller and, again, I don't know what I was thinking going with a wild pattern that I will probably never wear. I guess a metallic gold polka dot dress is something every girl should have in her closet no matter what state she lives in!

Thanks again for reading, sharing, commenting and to those who made purchases from my store. I hope you all carry on in your creative ways and find passion in the process of making so many wonderful things.

Most importantly, have fun!

slow stitches.

I am always impressed when knitters whip up an amazing project in just a few days or less. Haven't quite figured out if I am too distracted, lack focus or just enjoy taking my time, but I am officially not a speedy knitter! I've worked on this scarf for several months now -- 5! -- sometimes stitching for lengths of time while tuned into NPR or my ipod, other times just picking up a row here and there while I waited to my coffee to perk or during commercials on Project Runway.


One of the tricky things I learned about knitting lace is you can't multitask. No knitting while I'm on the phone or watching tv as I usually do, this precise pattern forced me to count every stitch and keep track of what row I was on, never straying far from the instructions which were printed out nearby on a sheet of scrap paper. Many times this summer I felt too consumed by work, company and warm weather activities to really care what row I was on or if this project would ever be completed, but now that it's done I love it and can't wait to add it to my fall wardrobe!


I'm really happy with how it came out. Blocking the scarf made a huge difference in revealing the details of the intricate lace. I simply soaked it in room temperature water for a few minutes, gently rang it out and then let it dry flat on a towel outside. You don't have to dry it outside, I just thought the warm, late summer air would make it a bit more special.


So now it's on to the wintery knits -- ribbed and cable knit hats, maybe a neckwarmer or cowl, and that sweater I really want to finish. But this is not it for me and lace! I really loved making this scarf and look forward to tackling some more complicated knits. Please, if you have any patterns you love, do share them with me! I'm always up for the challenge of something new.

film fantasy.

It's been awhile since I blogged about something someone else is doing. Like these brilliant polaroid composites from photographer Patrick Winfield.



I really like the ones of trees and landscapes, but also love the more random "freestyle" ones that remind me of quilts!



You can see more here at his site, and also some of his other work. All done with polaroid.

counting raindrops.

It's been kind of cool and rainy here lately, not what you would typically expect for August. We've had almost a week of drizzly days and lightning storms late at night. Nothing like rumbles of thunder to awaken you at 4 am! I guess this is the perfect time to work on finishing up my April Showers scarf which I started back in, uhm, April.


The scarf is another purl bee project that I couldn't pass up. It's my first time knitting lace and though it's repetitive (what knitting isn't?) I found the lightweight fiber and airy knit to be a perfect summer project. Now I've only got a few rows to go before I block it. Anybody have a good technique for blocking lace? This is all so new to me... I'm excited to learn!



The fiber I used was Blue Sky Alpaca's Silk, a 50/50 silk and wool blend. lovely, lovely stuff!

Quiet Time.

Hello... I'm still here.

It has quite possibly been awhile since I last posted (a month!) mainly because I haven't had much to post about. Between working, going out, swimming in the ocean, working some more and spending quality time with my houseguests, I haven't had a single moment to sit down and stitch. No knitting, sewing or crafting for awhile! That's not to say I haven't enjoyed the last month of summer time fun. I've been doing everything good that you should be doing when you live on a gorgeous New England island in the summer -- including a little relaxation!


I've also been keeping up with so many of my favorite blogs, glancing at them each day on my lunch break. I'm get so many ideas for knitting, crafting and photo projects as well as fall fashion inspiration.

I'll be back with plenty of new and completed projects soon! Hope you all enjoy the rest of the summer!

Sewing Up a Summer Storm

First off, I'd love to say.... Thank You!

I had a lot of fun making that dress and I really appreciate the feedback I got from you lovely readers! Some of you I have never even met, but I look forward to your blog posts whenever I see them in my google reader and smile when you comment on my little creations. I love that this blog has become a place where I not only get to show off the things that interest me, but where I can correspond with others who love to knit, sew, shop and all around appreciate the handmade! so.... thanks, just for being out there on the other end of the line!


And now... bring you my next endeavor. Another garment!


I bought this fabric with making pillow cases in mind. I loved the print but thought it was too bold to wear as a dress. It sat neatly folded on my sewing table for a few weeks and the more I looked at it, the more I wanted to add it to my wardrobe. so.... I decided to make a casual top. I ordered the pattern from Vogue and I plan to modify it so it can be a dress. Consider this colorful creation to be a practice run!



I've officially been bitten by the sewing bug lately. Having my own set up and plenty of space to work in has definitely been a motivator. I do miss my knitting and although I haven't felt like picking up the needles all that much, I know I will again soon! Right now I'm happy to be sewing again and I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

All Dressed Up.

Here are some more photos of the dress I just finished! The fabric is Amy Butler and the pattern is Butterick B4443. Its a pretty simple fit. I really love the fullness of the skirt. I think I'm going to wear this a lot!





mmmmm... nothing better than homemade iced coffee on a lovely, summery Sunday! Even Midge was in the spirit for posing!


It felt really good to finally finish this! Now onto more projects... I have a scarf I've been knitting since April. Hopefully I'll finish sometime before the fall! I'm really excited to do some more sewing, though I'd also be happy to knit one of these. So much inspiration from you wonderful bloggers!

hello summer!

What a perfect day for a new summer dress! I finally finished sewing this dress I began last September. It wasn't all that tricky... I just didn't feel motivated until the warm weather was upon us. And now, here it is!

(action shots are coming soon. )

oh, the internet.

I just added a bunch of new blogs the I like to the sidebar on the right. check them out!! some of them are far from knitting related, but things I find interesting and inspiring!

(more knits to come, I promise.)

Pre-Summer Update.

Hello.

I've moved (again) and started up working full time. I must say, I am ridiculously happy to be here, both on the Island and back at my old job. This is a place I missed so much over the winter -- it just feels good to be waking up here again! I've been trying to get a little bit of crafting time in before the craziness of summer and, as you can see from the image, I've been doing a little sewing. Perhaps I'm influenced by my talented roommate, or just the desire for a summery dress for the sunny days ahead. More photos when I am done... because I will be soon!

Hope you are all enjoying the warm weather... what sort of projects does it inspire you to make?

summertime wishlist.

for work:


and for play:

nothing much here.

hi!

I am just dropping by to say hello! I don't have much to show you except buckets of sunshine and anticipation of warm(er) weather. I know winter ended months ago, but I feel like spring is just starting to show it's face around these parts and things are just beginning to bloom. It's lovely, but kind of a distraction from my projects and I think I may already be nearing the point of my blogging summer hiatus! In just a few weeks I'll be living in a new house, start my full time summer job and finally see all my friends I've missed over the winter. I apologize in advance for the neglect, but please stay tuned... because there's always a few polaroids or finished projects to share!


the knitting part.

Oh, I do have one question, for those of you who have knit lace before...
I'm working on a scarf and having a ton of fun (though I don't want to show it off until it's done!!) I've neared the end of one skein of yarn and am wondering how to start the second with out it being too noticeable. I feel like with the delicate, airy fibers it will be tricky to hide!

any suggestions?


Thanks and happy spring!!

*photos from my recent visit to las cruces, nm, where spring was already well under way.

on my reading list

If you're a self taught knitter (like me) then half the time you don't know what the heck you're doing! Having a little book to answer questions or give tips is always helpful. Vicki Howell put together the perfect, purse sized volume, Knit Aid, and she does a great job selling it:



I totally want to be her when I grow up! Haircut and all.

Where to begin?

Thanks, everyone, for your positive comments in response to my big move. I am very excited for it! Not only will it be fun to live in a different part of the country, but to reunite with my boyfriend and see him more than a few times a year. I can hardly stand it! As I said, I don't know what I'll do yet for work or school, once I get out there, but I am not too worried. I think the thing that is causing me the most anxiety at this point is the move itself. Embarrassing at it sounds, I just don't know how to move that far and only take so much stuff. I am a hoarder: clothes and shoes, books and records, photo and art supplies, yarn and fabric. How do you choose what is significant enough to take? How do you let go of it all and start fresh? Any tips or personal experiences you would like to share I look forward to reading.

I know that I can always leave things here at my dad's house while I am gone, and I plan to leave a lot. The idea of traveling light seems nice. Also, my volvo can only hold so much! But really, with packing, where do I begin?

inspiration!

I'm still working on my sweater here... not much excitement besides nearing it's completion. Rows and rows of yellow yarn. No exciting photographs can be made of it, really, so I decided to post some other knitting/crocheting projects that look tempting and beautiful.

If only I could crochet....


I'd make this from the purl bee! They have wonderful patterns, designs and fibers. I wish I had the patience, time and skill to knit them all!

Thinking ahead to next winter, I'd like to whip up a pair or two of these:

The pattern is free on Lion Brand's site.
Also on the purl bee site is this wonderful Bird Seed Scarf. I'm thinking of an easy project to knit up when I am on the plane this week (yes, traveling on friday!) and a scarf might be the perfect thing to get lost in while I listen to my ipod and drift above the clouds.


What projects have you been working on lately?

just in time...

We're getting to the point where it's warm enough outside to not need hats and gloves (yay!) but it's not too late for this simple accessory. I finally finished these armwarmers, made from this pattern on knitty.com, and love how they came out. They supply the perfect amount of added warmth for, say, taking the dog for a walk at sunset, or walking around town with a refreshing ice coffee in hand. Plus the yarn, with it's fading shades of green, is quite lovely to wear.



It took only one skein of yarn to make these. I like the variation in color and the asymmetry of the pattern. I'm trying to decide if I should use the other skein to make another pair... or something else. hmmm?


pattern: voodoo found on knitty.com
materials: Tosca by Lang Yarns

sweater update.

I am totally hooked on knitting this sweater at the moment. I just don't want to do anything else. I knit while I am on the phone, while I watching tv and while someone else makes me dinner because I can't stop knitting and do it myself! And when I am at work, out with a friend, walking the dog or doing anything else, all that goes through my head is the fact that I am not knitting! Truly, I am obsessed.


I am making my way through the pattern slowly... and backwards. I started with the two sleeves and am working my way up the front right panel. I figured this way, since the back takes the longest, I could work on that last rather than get frustrated with how long it takes to knit. So far, this system works for me. I feel good about the progress I've made, though I worry that sweater patterns were designed in a certain order for a reason, and I am about to find out why!


OK, enough babbling from me -- and back to my knitting.
What projects has everyone else been hooked on lately?

springtime, for knitters!

I think I chose the perfect time to start knitting a sweater. I've been talking about making one for awhile, but first I had to get through all the winter projects, the inventory for my store, gifts and orders and, ahhh, now it's time to knit for me! And springtime, too. Working with inexpensive acrylic yarn yields a perfect weight sweater for spring and keeps the cost of materials in a realm that makes me feel ok if my first finished garment isn't perfect. Plus the color I (finally!) chose is warm and sunny and a delight to work with, mostly because I can't wait to wear it!


I ended up knitting an entire sleeve (instead of a swatch) with the yellow yarn I was indecisive about the other day. Comparing the colored yarns I was debating with the colors in my closet (as suggested) I found the rest of my wardrobe is mostly black, denim, and more black so any splash of color is warmly welcomed! I had a yellow sweater in mind before I even began, so I decided to go with that.


I picked the pattern for my sweater (shown in purple, above) from Lion Brand's collection of free patterns, but the inspiration for springtime knits came from many places. Rosemary sent me a link to these cardigans from Little Grey Bungalow, a great blog with vintage inspired looks. Patterns for both of these spring sweaters are there, too!



The Gap has an adorable (but tiny!) waffle knit cardigan on it's shelves this spring. I feel like I could knit that up in a cinch and for less than $39.50, but I'm taking it one sweater at a time.


And as always, there's springtime at Anthropologie. sigh.... anthropologie!

They've got a bigger crop of lightweight, floral embroidered, warm-weather knits than I can cut and paste here! Now we just need the warm weather to cooperate. Maybe by the time my sweaters done!