Happy Holidays!!!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

I ordered quite a bit of yarn this month . . . . I know I am a bad girl.  But I am resolved to not buy yarn for at least 3 months!  We will see if I can last that long.

I am proposing a stash down as well . . . .  hopefully I last longer than last year.  I am going to start and finish 2 projects a month.  One charity project and one personal project.  For January I am going to be making two sock weight Jerry the Musical Monkeys and a simple hat for charity.

I got some really gorgeous Madelinetosh Vintage this month . . . . super yummy.

Knitpicks Felici Sport

I ordered some of this yarn  with my last Knitpicks order.  I had put the order in for a couldn't of swaps I am participating in right now.  I decided to make myself a pair of mittens with the groovy colorway.  Wow I am super impressed with how soft it is and how much I love knitting with it.  If you haven't tried it, you should!!!

Swap!

Right now I am knitting the monster for a halloween monster swap!  I am super excited to get this monster sent out!  I want to send it out next week so I have to get to the fabric store to get the material for the costume!  I need to shop for some extras this week as well.

I have also finished a super cute baby hat for our friend's future baby.  I used Malabrigo sock in Archangel.

Knit Motivation

When the heat of summer came, my knitting motivation had left.  Now that it is cooler at night and I feel fall in the air my knitting motivation is back!  I am making a themed monster for a Halloween swap which I died the yarn for.  It is looking awesome right now and I can't wait to finish it!  Here is the yarn I dyed!

I have also started the beekeepers quilt which I love so far.  I have only finished one puff and it will take me a year or more to get it done but I can't wait to knit another puff!!!!

I have recently finished test knitting 4 patterns.  They turned out great and the patterns were well written!

Looking forward to some of the projects I have planned for some special people in my life.

Dyeing

So this is my third time dyeing yarn and I love the result. I used Wilton's icing dye in Teal and Violet and Lime Kool Aid. The Violet has red #3 in it that will break if you add vinegar to the dye before dyeing. I decided to try it out anyways to see how it looks. It turned out awesome. I love how there are some more vibrant spots or lighter spots of purple.

Here it is!

Cedric the Monkey

P1010665, originally uploaded by loveofwool.

I finished Cedric the Monkey tonight! This was my first time knitting with Dancing Dog Dyeworks yarn. It was amazing! I will definitely be ordering more of this yarn. The colors are amazing and it is dyed by an independent dyer. The yarn I used was waltz worsted in Love my Gnomies and Beach Glass. Check out Michelle's yarn! Dancing Dog Dyeworks

Dancing Dog Dyeworks

This was my first time ordering from Dancing Dog Dyeworks and I think I am going to end up being a return customer. The yarn is gorgeous and it is the best Etsy order I have ever done. Michelle pays a lot of attention to detail. The yarn is wrapped nicely and she includes a treat (tootsie pop) and a sample of soak to wash your finished project. Once I have finished knitting my Jerry the Musical Monkey I will post pictures.

Enough talking here is the yarn!


P1010654, originally uploaded by loveofwool.

Finally Posting

It has been awhile since I have posted!  Sorry about that.  So some exciting news!  I finally have some Dancing Dog Dyeworks yarn on the way.  I am really excited about being apart of the Monster Yarn Club.  If only Canada Post could get this strike resolved!  I also ordered some Love my Gnomies in Waltz Worsted.  I just need a skein in Looking glass so that I can make myself a Jerry!

I really can't wait to get this gorgeous yarn.  I have a feeling I will be hooked.

I am also thinking of dyeing some yarn this weekend!  Maybe using Wilton Icing Gel or Kool Aid!  I want to do up some varieted monster yarn!

New Dangercraft Pattern

Rebecca Danger has a new monster pattern out!  It is Presley Cash the Monster!  All of Rebecca's patterns are awesome and I really can't wait to knit this one up.  It is also the June KAL in the Danger Craft group on Ravelry.

If you have never knitted one of Rebecca Danger's patterns I reccomend you try it.  They are well written and easy to follow.  The monsters are seriously adorable too!

Meet Travis the Travelling Monkey

I have finally finished my DH's monkey.  He has named him Travis!  Here are some pictures from his first photo shoot.

Travis is the first of the WIP I wanted to finish up!

Sigh . . . More yarn

P1010622, originally uploaded by loveofwool.

I have bought way too much yarn recently. I admit I was excited that my friend got pregnant and have great plans for baby stuff, but I still could have used stash lol. Anyways here is my latest haul from Knitpicks.  Isn't it gorgeous!!!!  It is mostly Stroll Tonal. Starting from the upper left corner it is Stroll Tonal in Deep Waters, Blue Yonder, Blue Violet, Golden Glow, and Spring time.  Bottom row starting from the left is Dishie in Conch and Aster, then Stroll Tonal in Thunderhead and Pearlescent.  The Golden Glow and Pearlescent are even more gorgeous than I thought they would be.

Yarn prices are already going up so at least this way I have lots of stash to work with for the next 10 years lol. Oh well so many great plans for it I just need more time to knit.  I am excited to knit some baby stuff since I have found out my friend is pregnant.  They find out the sex of the baby early July so I have to wait until then.  I might knit some hats now and just put them in my gift box if I want to make them something else.

Projects coming out of my ears!

The wip situation has gotten out of control! I have so many great projects in mind! I think it is really time to buckle down and I also need to start Christmas projects.  I can't believe it is May already!

So for the next few weeks I plan on clearing out some projects! I want to get at least 4 done.  This weekend I finished one of the projects I wanted to get done.  My Ruffled Feathers shawl.  It just needs to be blocked.

WIP to finish

Steve's Monkey
Baby Shrug - going in the gift box for later
Gothic Monster - Only needs a tutu
Abalone Sweater - Only edging left

I will block my ruffled feathers when I have a few more things to block.

My Christmas knitting list is getting pretty long too so I want to get started on that!

Monkeys!!!!

So my favorite pattern right now is Jerry the Musical Monkey by Rebecca Danger.  I love all of her patterns really.  They are all very detailed and fairly easy to knit.  She does a great job of explaining how to sew limbs on, where to get eyes, and how to finish off your critter/monster.  Everything I have made has turned out excellent.

Right now I am making a blue and green monkey for my hubby.  I am just waiting on my glittery eyes from 6060 on etsy to finish it up!

I'm a bad bad girl.

Not like that . . . . get your mind out of the gutter!

Anyways I bought more yarn.  Well in my defense I don't have alot of good monster yarn. I went to the yarn store looking for something for a swap and came out with more Cascade 220! I love all of these colors! I can't wait to make them into monsters or monkeys!  Rebecca Danger has a new pattern out Jerry the Musical Monkey!  The blue with a cream or grey would make a really great monkey!  The orange and green are brighter in person too!

Knitpicks order!!!!!!!

P1010585, originally uploaded by loveofwool.

Here is my latest Knitpicks order. Since we got our tax refund I had some extra money to use towards yarn! Knitpicks was having a sale on City Tweed and Gloss so I got some. The Stroll Tonal in Blue Violet is for a shawl. Ever since I saw it knitted up I have wanted it!

But now sadly I must go on a yarn diet. I am going to do it to save money for the deck and a patio set. I am thinking of starting my Christmas knitting though. It would be nice to have that done early this year!

Super Secret Monster Swap

I started a monster for the swap but the yarn wasn't doing it for me.  Now I have started a new monster with a really gorgeous yarn.  I love working with Malabrigo.  It is a joy to work with everytime with it's soft texture and beautiful colors.  I wish I could knit everyting out of Malibrigo!

I can't wait until I can finish this up and send it to my awesome swap partner Erin! 

Oh and my knitpicks order comes in on Thursday.  Super excited to see all the yarn.  I really should start on Christmas presents too.  I have so much I want to knit for myself as well so I better get cracking!

Swap!

P1010580, originally uploaded by loveofwool.

I just got an awesome package from the Knitpicks Swap on Ravelry. I was also sent the Ruffle my Feathers pattern. I can't wait to use the Stroll Tonal in Canopy for the Ruffle my Feathers shawl! Everything else is amazing and I can't wait to use the mug. The chocolate and Jellybeans are delicious. I can't wait to try the coffee and the key chain will have a place of honor in my knitting room!  The buttons are really cute and have the Wizard of Oz quotes on them!

Monster Mania!

Monster Chunk, originally uploaded by loveofwool.

Here is one of the monster chunks I did up!

So I am on to my latest addiction. Knitting monsters! Yesterday I finally sent out my package for the Knitpick's swap. I have also started on my monster for the Monster Swap in the Danger Crafts group. I am not 100% sure if this is the one for the swap though. I will probably end up knitting a few before I decide which one I want to send.

But I need to get it out before the end of the month so I only have so much time!!!!!!!!!!

Monsters!!!!!!

My latest obsession is Monsters!!!!  Especially the ones by Rebecca Danger.  I have The Big Book of Knitted Monsters on order through Chapters.ca.  I really hope it get's here soon.  In the meantime I couldn't wait so I purchased the pattern for Olivia the Audacious Monster.  She is so freaking adorable!  I absolutely love her tutu the best.  I am making a badass version of Olivia in Magenta Cascade 220 with a black tutu and maybe some combat boots.  I really can't wait to be done!!!!!!!!!!!

I have also joined a monster swap!  First I have to finish my Knitpick's swap though and I hope to get that one together this weekend.

Socks!

Here is the start of my first toe up socks! I am using Diamond luxury collection Soxy. So far I love the yarn. It is very soft!

Hello, my name is Cindy and . . . . .

I am addicted to knitting.  Seriously.  I did finish up my Hedera's socks yesterday just in time for the end of the KAL on the knit.sock.love. board on Ravelry.  And I started a pair of Monkey socks.  Another Cookie A. pattern for another KAL lol.  I can't help myself I love knitting socks right now.

But in the spirit of Finishitupitis March I am working on existing projects!

Oh and my wrist is feeling better.  I have started wearing a brace when I am not knitting to help!

Sick Puppy and injury

So I am going to be slowing down on my stash down.  I have been having some issues with pain in my arm and neck so I need to slow down my knitting for awhile.  I am going to try and finish my Hedera before the end of the month but we will see.

Also we got some bad news about our 4 year old Cockapoo Ellie.  It turns out she has calcification in her lower spine and is in a fair amount of pain.  We thought she was having gastro issues all along because she has had other gastro symptoms but it turns out it was her back.  She is on anti-inflamatories now so hopefully that helps.  We might try some holistic medicine and see if that helps.

Hopefully things start to look up soon!

March . . . finishitupitis

So March is my official finish-up month.  I am going to try and finish 5 projects that I had started prior to this stashdown.  I am finding it hard to complete my stashdown projects while I want to work on these projects.

So the projects I want to finish are:

Blackberry cowl - sew on buttons
Abalone - only have the edging and blocking to do
Meta Mittens - halfway through first mitten
Pirate Sheldon - working on shell
Citron - 1/3 done

It will feel really good to get these projects done!

I am also going to start my Christmas knitting soon and will incorporate that into my stashdown challenge.

Happy Valentines Day

Forgot to put that in my last post! Dh likes to do little romantic things for me all year round but today he sent a bouquet of chocolate covered strawberries to my work! They are delicious!

Finish it up March?

Ok so I know I haven't been doing my stash down for long but I am in serious need of finishing month. Rules are that I can't cast on anything new until I finish 5 projects. I really need that!  I will post which projects I plan on finishing at the end of this month!

Chroma!

I just love the way this looks in a cake!

Hubby's Vday gift

Last year it was the Turn a Square hat. This year im making a simple neckwarmer out of yummy Malabrigo Rios. River City Yarns just got some in so I went in and got a hank.  It is so soft and lucious. My hubby is going to like this! 

There are some other surprises too ;)

February Stashdown

So I have changed my selections for my stash down this month.  Yes I know I am bad but I got the newsletter from Ewe Asked for it and in December they will be collecting hats and mittens for kids in need from local schools.  So I am going to focus on making childrens hats and mittens for my charity knitting.

So my February projects will be:

Hedera from Knit. Sock. Love - Stroll Tonal in Queen Anne
Pescovegetarian Beanie - Swish Bulky in Blackberry - Charity

I had to frog my Hedera and re-start so I am going to use it for my Feb Stashdown!

Stashdown results - January

I finished both projects!  Well kind of . . . . I went on a trip to San Antonio this month and planned to knit my charity project on the plane.  Well the pattern didn't work out so I ended up doing a basic neck warmer with some ribbing and plain stockinette.  It turned out really well but it wasnt the pattern that I had chosen.  The yarn and needles that I had ended up having too many holes from the knit in the back loop. So to make it warmer I decided to do a plain neck warmer.

But I finished both projects!

Pictures will follow later today!

February Projects!

Self-designed cowl out of Diamond Fine DK Merino Superwash in black
Turn a Square Hat out of Cascade 220 (colors not chosen yet) - Charity Knit

I also have to finish my Hedera for the Knit. Sock. Love group KAL!

Going to be a busy month!

Alexander's Mittens

P1010561, originally uploaded by loveofwool.

So I am finally getting around to posting about my final Christmas present! Here are the mittens I made for my BIL. They are the first mittens I have lined with fleece and they turned out excellent! I will be doing this again for mittens!

Last Knitpicks Order and Stash Down Update

P1010553, originally uploaded by cindyv19.

So I am getting closer to getting my Emma's mittens done. I am on the second mitten now and I have modified them to be fingerless mittens so they no longer apply for the 11 mittens in 2011 but I will end up wearing them more! I haven't started my charity project yet but hope to soon!

On the bright side I am getting closer to having Abalone done. I only have the main edging to do! Both arms are done.

I am also being tested by Cookie A's new book Knit. Sock. Love. I have joined the knit.sock.love. group on Ravelry and really want to cast on for the first KAL for Hedera. I am thinking of using some of the Stroll Tonal I just got in yesterday.

Oh yeah here is my last order of 2010! It just took awhile to come in. Isn't the new Chroma gorgeous! The one on the left is prism and the rigth is pool party.

Emma's Mittens Started!

I finished up my BIL's mittens and started Emma's Mittens for my Stashdown 2011 challenge.  I still have quite a few other projects to finish up so hopefully I have time to get those done too!  I better get working.

I lined my first pair of mittens!  My BIL's mittens.  It gets pretty cold in Yellowknife!  I used Techknitters guide and they turned out awesome.  Now my hubby wants a pair!

My Emma's mittens are turning out great!  I love Cascade Eco for mittens.  It end up being surprisingly soft.  It washes and wears well too!

I want to finish up my Abalone soon as well so that I can start wearing it.  I spilled some Bailey's on it and it had to take a bath!  I am just doing the arm holes right now.  So just that and the edging left.  The yarn is turning out really nicely as well!

So many things, so little time!

The snow is really flying here today so I predict a night of knitting ahead of me!

Happy Knitting!