the process



It's so great. Watching flowers come to life. Honestly, these beauties make me so happy. And to be able to enjoy these flowers from now until September. So good.
I would love to be able to enjoy the process of making my second slouchy cardigan. However, while making my second anything, it's all about the end result. The slouchy pattern is available from the Greetings from Knit Cafe book. That pattern (along with many others in the book) has a bunch of corrections. I have them written in my book because of the first time I made that sweater. So, if you are getting ready to cast on for a slouchy cardigan, make sure you check out the corrections.
I would also love for everyone to win a book. Unfortunately I only get to have the random number generator choose one. #210, Kim from Love is all you knit. Please e-mail me and I will make sure you get the book.

another one

It's been warm around here. Mid to high 80's. No complaints.
Still, I knit away with lovely yarn while sitting at the pool. I started another slouchy cardigan. A.) Because I LOVE that sweater. (I think it has been my all time favorite sweater that has gotten the most wear of anything that I have ever knit.)
B.) Because I had some charmed in my stash that I scored on sale while it was being discontinued. (Why oh why would they discontinue this lovely yarn?) I actually saw that someone over on Ravelry had 11 balls in their stash. Definitely enough to make a slouchy.
Have you seen Vogue Knitting Stitchionary 5? The 5th in the series that is an amazing reference that would benefit every knitters library, lace knitter or not. It is full of clear instructions and charts of over 150 different designs. I sort of got lost in the photographs. They are absolutely gorgeous. I just love this book sitting on the coffee table.
Anyhow, I have one to giveaway. If you are interested, leave me a comment by Saturday the 26th at 12p.m. EST and I will draw a name.

a winner

So sorry it took me so long to get back to you with the name of a winner. As usual, the beginning of the summer is pretty much kicking my butt. I'm craving a day where there is absolutely nothing on the schedule. Anyhow, the random number generator chose number 242. Martha, you are the winner of Veronik Avery's book. Please email me with your address and I will pop it in the mail.

the weekend

You know what last weekend was? TNNA, where like past years, my mother and sister and I had an awesome girls weekend. I saw some amazing yarn, and MANY sweaters I would love to knit.
Check out this display at blue sky alpacas. Can you stand it? All those beautiful hand knits! I wanted to move right in. Posters and all. (Would love to make that sweater in the top right.)
Spud & Chloe. I know. Cute, cute, cute. (How about that baby and pattern in the poster!)
Classic Elite. One of my all time favorite booths to check out. SO many great patterns for the fall. I am in love with that sweater up there. That one over there. The one with the purple shirt under it. I know! I would love to make it.
Amy Butler. Did you know she has a line of organic yarn? Yep. And a pattern book to boot. Chalked full of beautiful things. (I wanted to move right in here, too.)
Veronik Avery. Veronik has another new book out. Filled with fabulous projects from small to large.
And guess what? She gave me a signed copy to give to one of my readers. If you are interested, leave me a comment by Saturday the 19th at 12 p.m. EST. I'll draw a name.
Oh, happy knitting.

gathered cuff cardi

I think I have my new summer "always take with" me sweater. It's light, soft and the perfect weight for those cool mornings, evenings and days.
A pretty straight forward stockinette sweater with just enough interest in the gathered cuff details. Which by the way is the only part of the pattern that I felt required some extra thought. There are increases inside of increases inside of short rows. A little tough at first for my mind to wrap around, but it finally clicked. I love when that happens.
Pattern: Gathered Cuff Cardi
Needles: US 7
Yarn: Classic Elite Premiere 7 hanks 523 favorite blue
Size: small, 35 1/2"
I do feel that this sweater grew a bit after blocking. The pattern calls for blocking pieces and then sewing them together. I always sew my sweaters together and then block them. That is how my mom taught me and that is what I will probably always do. Can't teach an old dog new tricks. (Although we are trying.)
Have a fabulous weekend!

who doesn't love a popsicle?

Okay. I just had to share our favorite new obsession. I first saw this pop maker when Martha posted it. We used it a little last summer, however, never finding the perfect "recipe". I played around a little with a recipe I found in "body and soul" (I think), changing it a bit, and found one we all love. It makes a perfect amount that fits into the 10 molds. Oh, and I must admit the metal top is a little tough to get off. But totally worth it. (Just run hot water over it.)
1 1/2 cups vanilla rice milk::1 banana::1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen berries (we like a mix) and 1/4 cup agave syrup. Puree in blender until smooth. Pour mixture into popsicle molds and freeze.
Have fun.

summer '10

They jumped. Just like in the past. (Except with bigger feet. Lead in their legs. And a dog named Trouble standing by to witness the craziness.)
I guess that makes it pretty much official. Summer '10 has begun.
And to celebrate, my sweet friend, Michelle, treated the kids to delicious cupcakes. That made everyone extremely happy.
Making me happy... seeing the rhubarb and strawberries in my CSA share. Pretty sure I'll be making this. Oh, and there were garlic scapes in there, too. Really looking forward to making this again. SO good.
Happy Days.

this and that

After two attempts at each sleeve, I finally finished the gathered cuff cardi. It wasn't the eyelet rows that gave me the trouble, (although that did require reading that part of the pattern over and over until it finally sunk in) it was just my lack of focusing. Forgetting the increases all the way up the sleeve. Doing the decreases every other row instead of every 4th row like the pattern states. Hate when that happens. I plan on sewing this baby together today.
Last weeks cookie was quinoa cloud cookies. I have never used quinoa flour. Nor have I ever toasted my flour. Happy to try something new. I also used a really delicious chocolate bar that I have been holding onto for the perfect use. And this was pretty much it.
Just as expected no cute little cloud cookie cutter in my "cookie cutter collection". I seem to have a lot of holiday cutters.
I thought about cutting them into the shape of butterflies or stars and moons or flowers, but in the end opted for a plain old circle. Mostly because it was my grandmothers. And since I don't really use cookie cutters all that often, I wanted to use hers.
I packed the last of these in lunches this morning.... as I packed my last round of lunches of the '09-'10 school year! A half day tomorrow is all we have.
Have a great day!