Memorial Day

My American friends, did you have a nice Memorial Day? My husband and I tiled our kitchen backsplash, which has been bare drywall since we moved in and renovated the kitchen back in September. Luckily, this is the last big project for the kitchen, and having the extra day off this weekend allowed us to get it done. I also did quite a bit of knitting in the evenings, since I was so tired from the work. I'll have to show you all where I am on Meridien in my next post.

My two grandfathers served in the armed forces. My dad's dad was in the Navy during WWII. He was stationed in Hawaii and worked as a pharmacist's mate. My mom's dad was a Marine radio repairman, who was able to keep his bum knee a secret to enlist. I'm thankful for their service to our country, as well as the service of all former and current armed forces members.

I thought it would be fun to look at some military-inspired knits in honor of the holiday. The first one is simply called Military Cardigan, by Jessika Lane. Super pretty and tweedy, it's a softer version of a more traditional military sweater. The large ribs on the button band help create the illusion of soutache across the front, from button to button. If you make this sweater, that button placement (on the ribs) is essential to create the look. Otherwise, it's just a double-breasted cardigan.

Next is #32 Military Coat, by Helen Sharp for Vogue Knitting. Classic and keeping with our military theme, it's a bit more flattering because it's single-breasted. I like the long length and luxe collar, but the bottons really make this.

The last one, like the first, is called Military Cardigan by Veronik Avery. The picture I have is great, but there are other great detail shots on the project page. My problem with this cardigan is that I'd have to buy an entire book to get to it. I wish these book publishers (or designers, or whoever) would make these patterns available individually. It's too easy to find similar stuff on Ravelry without the trouble of hunting down and buying a whole book.

Did you do anything special for Memorial Day? Do you have favorite military patterns? Show me show me show meeeeeee

- YX

How to: Use RSS with Ravelry

I really love Ravelry's RSS options for monitoring friend activity, so I thought I'd show you how I keep tabs on everyone! My queue grows more by the day, but it's definitely a way I locate the patterns I love to show you guys!

For best results, click on the Youtube Icon in the video window and watch it at Youtube's website. Otherwise, you can click next to the Youtube Icon (on the right) and view the video fullscreen.
- YX

A tumblr!

For those of you who love gifs, I've created a tumblr with some observations I have about all things knit-related. There's also a link to it in the top navigation bar. I hope you enjoy it!

- YX

Queued: Sunny Delight Shawl

How cute is this? It's Brian Smith's Sunny Delight shawl.

It'd be a great scrappy shawl, especially if you had some great complimentary colors you could cut with a neutral. Seascape colors- mint, navy, light blue, a cream, sand... AMAZING.

The increases are a nice design element, too, and I like how the swaths of color overlap in a natural way. So pretty.

BEST PART ALERT: It's ONE BRITISH POUND. That's like, $1.60! And the best part? I'm gifting this pattern to the first person who replies to this post! 

- YX

May Giveaway!

Okay, I'm finally back in the states and ready to share this month's giveaway with you!

It's a gorgeous project bag from Daydee's Doodads! It's a great size, about 10x12 inches, enough to fit a good-sized project in it. Definitely a small sweater. And look inside!

PURPLEEEEE! Can you see the stitching detail, too? See how it's a reverse of the colors used on the bag? I love details like that. Here's a close-up:

Love everything about this bag. It's really well made, too, guys. I was particularly impressed with the reinforced stitching, which means this bag will stand up to a lot of opening and closing. In addition, the ribbons that act as drawstrings have a good amount of friction, so the bag won't always be falling open when you take it on the go. Here's a last shot with a few skeins of yarn inside:

So this month, to enter the giveaway, head on over to Daydee's Doodads and take a look around. Then, come back here and leave a comment telling me what your favorite bag is! Don't forget to leave your Ravelry username or another method to contact you! I'll draw a winner at the beginning of June. Good luck!

- YX

Italia!

Where in the world have I been? I realized that I haven't updated since the 22nd, right before my parents came into town, my semester grades were due, and I had a whole trip to Italy to prepare for!

I feel like the past month has been a blur... I'm surprised I even ended up with the right amount of clothes in my bag, and I haven't been on Ravelry in ages. I DID stop by my LYS to pick up three skeins of Madelinetosh sock in Antique Lace for a pullover (?), but alas, no photos.

I also don't have photos or an ad up for my May giveaway, which really stinks because it's awesome!

I can at least tease you with a link to the shop... :)

This sponsor is VERY near and dear to my heart, as she's a good Ravelry friend and a personal hero of mine- a lung transplant recipient and Cystic Fibrosis butt kicker, Daydee (Talana) does incredible-quality work on her project bags. I was quite blown away when I opened her package in April. I have a gorgeous project bag to give away, and I'm so tempted to ferret it away for ME ME ME!

Luckily for my grabby hands (and wallet), Daydee's Doodads is offering up the goods for everyone. Check out this announcement from her store page:

"May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. CF is a fatal genetic illness that affects the lungs and digestive system, and I am one of thousands of Americans that live with CF. I am offering no specials this month, but instead will be donating 20% of gross sales to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for all sales made in the month of May. I am alive today because of research that has been funded by the CFF.

Also, the item of the month is the rose fabric bags seen below. I'm donating an even greater piece of sales from these to the CFF.

To learn more about CF, please visit http://www.cff.org"

I'll get pictures and an ad AND a contest entry post up as soon as I return from my Italy trip. In the meantime, why not peruse her project bags now? They're one-of-a-kind and have fabrics that will tickle many fancies!

-YX