Quick Knits

~ Branislava ~ Leave a comment

Sometimes, you just need a quick knit to make you feel accomplished.   I love all of my current WIPs but I feel like there has been no progress because I have no finished objects to show for it.

I started knitting the hat when the morning news started.

image

Now the news is over and the hat is already off the needles and ready for seaming.

image

After seaming, I will give it a little character 😉.  You will have to wait for an update to see what I mean.

The yarn is from Wool and the Gang and it is so soft and squishy.   It is from their Crazy Sexy Wool collection, which is 100% Peruvian wool.  The colorway is Fireball Orange.  An easy choice, since orange is my favorite color. 

Being from the land of cheese, Wisconsin, I, of course,  think it is the color of cheddar cheese.  What can I say?  I am a Cheesehead through and through.

Now, it is off to work with the satisfaction that I will have a finished object under my belt shortly.

Fiber Mail

~ Branislava ~ Leave a comment

Mail, mail and more mail.  This arrived over the weekend.

image

The arrival this time is fiber for a quick knitting project.  It is a hat I have wanted to make for myself.  It is a little something to break up the winter doldrums and inject a little humor into the long Wisconsin winter.

Since I spend a lot of winter outdoors snowshoeing, hiking and cross country skiing, I am always in need of warm gear.  How can you beat wool…especially,  when it is orange?

Here’s a sneak peek at the wool.

image

All of the mail this week has me so excited for the end of tax season.

Well, enough dreaming about future projects and all the beautiful fiber that awaits me.

Have a great week, everyone!

More Mail

~ Branislava ~ Leave a comment

More amazing things have arrived in the mail.  All a part of my post tax season planning.  This shipment is courtesy of Tolt Yarn and Wool.

Serendipity is a wonderful thing.  I learned about this wonderful place from following Karen Templer’s blog, Fringe Association.  It was a blog post about her Anna Vest KAL that led me to “Farm to Needle: Stories of Wool” by Anna Dianich.  A book that gives a glimpse into the world of wool.

The book is beautifully photographed and it features stories about where the wool we, makers, use comes from.  You get to learn about the process of yarn becoming wool.  More importantly,  you get to meet makers…just like all of us, who are passionate about what they do.  There are knitting patterns in each section featuring yarn that has come from the farmers, spinners, dyers and designers profiled in the book.

When I opened my package, this is what I found.

image

Everything was packaged so nicely.  There was a little sample of the yarn and a lovely thank you note.

image

Here are two patterns that I can’t wait to start.

The first is Karen Templer’s, Anna Vest.  I never thought I would want to knit a vest for myself.  Then I saw some knitters FO photos of this vest and now, I must make one!

image

The second is Dianna Walla’s, Aspen Socks.  I am going to make the leg warmers.  The stitch pattern is beautiful and the neutral color is gorgeous!  Living in Wisconsin,  these will come in handy.  Plus, this pattern will give me more experience working with charts.

image

I am looking forward to the end of tax season so I can let my creative juices flow.

One more thing before I go:

I have to say that buying from small, independent retailers/artisans/makers is a real pleasure.  You get first-rate service from people who are passionate about their products and what they do.  It shows in all of the little touches, like how your purchases are packaged or that they take the time to write you a thank you note.

Also, you are supporting a small, local business and you are buying American made products.

Have a great weekend!

It’s Me Again

~ Branislava ~ Leave a comment

Well, just when I think I am going to have more time to knit year-end rolls around and now, it it tax season.  Two more weeks of working away before I can start on some new kitting projects.

All of the work life busy has gotten me on a kick to get organized since last fall.  My “kick” has literally had me go through every room, closet, and cabinet.  This has also spilled over to my projects.  This led me to purchase some new tools.

Behold, yesterday’s mail!

image

First, thing I saw when I opened my box was this lovely bag with all of my treasures tucked, neatly, inside.

I have been following the Karen Templer’s blog,  Fringe Association , for quite some time.  Her company, Fringe Supply Co, has beautiful products for makers.  This is what was inside.

image

A new tote bag so I can have multiple projects available at all times. A requirement for any knitter! I upgraded my tools, too.  I purchased Removable Stitch Markers and Bonsai Scissors.

image

Also, inside was a Field Bag.

image

Since I first laid eyes on it, I knew I wanted one.  It has pockets inside and three grommets to feed multiple balls of yarn.  It is perfect for traveling.  It easily can hold multiple small projects or one big one.  The color I chose is toffee.  It reminds me of the Carhartt work clothes my love wears when working on his beautiful property.

It is simply…perfect.

There is more mail on the way and I can’t wait for it to arrive.  Who knew mail could make you so happy?

New Project

~ Branislava ~ Leave a comment

I have been busy on my first sweater.  A lovely, caramel-colored cardigan.  Truthfully,  it has been underway for a while.

It is the Martina Cardigan from We Are Knitters  My aesthetic is clean, simple lines and a mix of classic and modern.  This cardigan fits the bill.  I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it.  The pattern is not difficult and all of the pieces are knit separately and then seamed together.

I purchased the kit.  The yarn is their Petite Wool and I chose the beige colorway.  The kit came with everything you need to complete the project.

I absolutely love this yarn.  It is soft and it knits like a dream.  The yarn is 100% Peruvian wool.  As I have been knitting my cardigan,  I have been thinking of other projects I would like to make with this yarn.

I have completed the back and both front panels.  Now, I am working on the first sleeve.  Here is a sneak peek.

image

The Wisconsin weather is starting to turn cold and I can’t wait wrap myself in it.

In the meantime,  I will keep my needles clicking along.

Warmth

~ Branislava ~ Leave a comment

In the matter of one more hour, I had my beautiful Nantucket Throw completed. I am so pleased with how it turned out. It is so warm and it will be terrific for snuggling up on the couch during another cold, Wisconsin winter.

What I love about this super chunky yarn is it draws your attention to the architecture of the final knitted fabric. The stitch definition lets you see the beauty of each knit and purl. Sometimes there is so much beauty in simplicity.

image

Hello Again!

~ Branislava ~ 1 Comment

After a long absence, I am back in the saddle again.  This year has been a bit of a rebirth for me.  After losing my father at the end last year, I have spent much of my time finding my way back to me.

I read an article on grieving and it referred to this time as thr “Year of Firsts.”  In this age of “putting yourself out there” through social media, I decided to take a little break and be present in my Year of Firsts.  It has been a beautiful journey that has left me so filled with gratitude.

It has also been a time of reorganization, completion of projects that have been long overdue and a rededication to my professional life and all the things that I have loved doing.  Of course, knitting was at the top of the list!

Even though I haven’t been blogging, I have been knitting.  Along the way I have taken photos and I will be posting them in the future.

The other day a box arrived.  It was my Big Loop Merino from Loopy Mango.

image

I have wanted to make the Nantucket Throw ever since I saw it pinned on Pinterest.  The pattern is available for free on the Loopy Mango website or through Ravelry.

One of my favorite bloggers, GG Made It , would agree that you can’t beat that instant gratification of a few hours work and…poof!…a finished object. (Make sure you check out Gaye’s blog.  It is terrific!)

This skein was so big!  If you don’t believe me check out this photo.  (Sorry there is a shadow…it was midnight and I couldn’t sleep.)

image

After about an hour and a half of knitting…

image

This is what’s left of that monster skein.

image

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!  It’s time to get my needles clicking again.

Baby

~ Branislava ~ 5 Comments

It has been really busy in my professional life.   A good thing because it pays for all of the yarn to feed my fiber obsession.  The only downside is that I don’t have as much time to knit and post.

Even so, I have been making progress on my WIP.  We had the baby shower for my co-worker, Monica, on Friday.   She received many beautiful gifts.  I am happy to say that three of us gave her handknitted gifts.  Connie made her an adorable hat and sweater set and Kaye made her a baby blanket.  I am going to ask them both if they have photos so I can share their beautiful projects.

My project was the Umbilical Cord Hat from Stitch ‘N Bitch: A Knitter’s Handbook.  I love this hat because it is an easy,  quick knit.  It’s simplicity makes it adorable.  I try to find a luxurious, soft yarn to knit with.  I chose Blue Sky Alpacas’ Worsted Cotton in the honeydew colorway.

image

The best part of this project was there was enough yarn to make a scarf too.  The scarf is a go-to pattern I love.   On the right-side, you knit and on the wrong-side, you K1 P1.  It produces two lovely patterns and makes the scarf reversible.

I also started a pair of socks for the baby.  The pattern is from Debbie Bliss Simply Baby, Two Tone Socks.  The pattern is designed to accommodate three sizes (3-6 months,  6-12 months and 12-18 months).  I have been working on my first pair of socks so I thought I would try another pair.  The pattern was well-written and easy to follow.  I loved the way the pattern did the decreases in the heel flap.  You K2tog tbl, that is, knit two together through back of loops.  It rendered a beautiful seam.

I am using Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, a blend of merino wool and cashmere.   Since Monica is having a girl, I chose the Baby Pink and Ecru colorways.  The first sock is completed and the second one is underway.

image

I also wanted to mention that Knitting Sarah is doing a Summer Sock KAL (Ravelry link).  The socks are all going to be shorties.  I am going to participate and can’t wait to see what patterns Sarah selects for us.   If you are interested,  check out her blog (link above) or her Ravelry page.

Happy Knitting!

Projects, Projects and More Projects

~ Branislava ~ Leave a comment

I think I have knitting ADD. My love and need of new projects is a bit out of control. I am not sure I should admit this, but I have 7 projects cast on and started. Is this wrong for a fiber lover?

The truth is I am so happy about it. I have projects on my needles for people I love and care about and several for me (insert a very big smile here).

As all of us who knit know, projects for us somehow end up being someone else’s. My beautiful alpaca scarf became my sister’s. She loved it so I gave it to her. It happens all the time. I figure, eh, I can knit another one for myself. Yet, I never seem to get to making mine.

Instead, my ADD kicks in and I am on to another project or determined to find the perfect project for another amazing skein of yarn.

The two projects I am working on today are the socks for my guy and a hat for a soon-to-be Mom that I work with.

I have really been enjoying knitting my first pair of socks. The Malabrigo Sock in the Persia colorway is so terrific. My guy loves the color and how it feels. Last week, he was saying how he needed some new dress socks. Little does he know he will be getting his wish. Don’t you just love surprises?

I am getting close to starting the heel flap; only about an inch to go!

image

The Mom-to-be is going to be the lucky recipient of several knitted gifts. Two lovely ladies we work with have been busy making her beautiful baby things too.

I am making my go-to baby hat. The Umbilical Cord Hat (link to the pattern on Ravelry). The pattern is great for someone learning to knit in the round. I love its simplicity and the rolled edge makes the hat adjustable. A great thing considering how quickly kids grow.

The yarn is Blue Sky Alpaca’s Worsted Cotton. It is unbelievably soft and 100% organic. Perfect for a baby. The colorway is Honeydew.

image

I am about to start the decrease and move to double-pointed needles to finish up. I think there might even be enough yarn for a matching scarf.

Today, I stopped at one of my favorite yarn shops, Cream City Yarn to pick up a few balls of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. This deliciously soft yarn will become socks for the baby. As always, the ladies at Cream City Yarn took good care of me. They are so wonderful!

As for the other projects, I have two summer sweaters, a jacket and a hat in the works. I will have more to share in my next posts.

Happy knitting!

Serendipity

~ Branislava ~ 1 Comment

image

Thanks to Knitting Sarah (blog link) and the Dyeabolical Yarn (blog link) giveaway I am now the proud owner of this amazing skein of ID Squishy Sport Single in the Sebastian colorway.

I couldn’t be happier!   It is soft and beautiful.   I will have to find the perfect project for this special yarn.

If you adore yarn as much as I do, you can feed your addiction at the Dyeabolical Yarn Website.  They have gorgeous colorways and custom dye it on your choice of yarn base.  What makes it even better is you get to support an artisan.

Don’t forget to check out both of their blogs using the links provided above.

I will keep you posted as to what this pretty skein will become.

Happy knitting!