Helloooo friends,
We had 90 comments with one duplicate, so we're drawing out of 89...
Congrats to our winner, Xilan! One Teal Deer is coming your way...
Are you excited for tomorrow? Because I am! More yarny goodness and another chance to win!
Thanks so much to everyone who entered, and good luck next time!
- YX
31 May 2012
29 May 2012
Queued: Abalone
I'm not a big fan of short-sleeved sweaters.
I guess I don't get it. Like vests, it just seems odd to put merino on your torso and leave your extremities open to the elements. If I'm cold in Houston, it's due to the air conditioning-- which means I need sleeves to combat it.
So of course, I'd queue this:
Color me hypocritical. It's Abalone, by Beata Jezek, and it is my new best friend. I want to hug it and squeeze it and cast on for it immediately.
I love the border on the sleeves, which is substantial enough to balance the body of the sweater. Look how the edge curves away toward the back, with the same motif on the button band:
Super flattering shape and styled so well with the long sleeves. I could see it being cute over a basic tank for warm days, too. Warm but not hot, that is. Since it's already in the 90's here, I think my spring sweater ship has sailed for the year.
A few more shots for giggles:
The pattern's calling for a worsted weight, but I'd absolutely sub in a sock yarn to keep it light. I am absolutely in love with the silk/merino one ply suggested in the pattern. This colorway is out of control gorgeous, too. Neutral but interesting!
Alright, I'm off to work on my Pinctada... I'm about halfway to my desired length at 11 repeats... Just 11 more to go!
- YX
(You know the drill- giveaway entry is almost up!)
I guess I don't get it. Like vests, it just seems odd to put merino on your torso and leave your extremities open to the elements. If I'm cold in Houston, it's due to the air conditioning-- which means I need sleeves to combat it.
So of course, I'd queue this:
Color me hypocritical. It's Abalone, by Beata Jezek, and it is my new best friend. I want to hug it and squeeze it and cast on for it immediately.
I love the border on the sleeves, which is substantial enough to balance the body of the sweater. Look how the edge curves away toward the back, with the same motif on the button band:
Super flattering shape and styled so well with the long sleeves. I could see it being cute over a basic tank for warm days, too. Warm but not hot, that is. Since it's already in the 90's here, I think my spring sweater ship has sailed for the year.
A few more shots for giggles:
The pattern's calling for a worsted weight, but I'd absolutely sub in a sock yarn to keep it light. I am absolutely in love with the silk/merino one ply suggested in the pattern. This colorway is out of control gorgeous, too. Neutral but interesting!
Alright, I'm off to work on my Pinctada... I'm about halfway to my desired length at 11 repeats... Just 11 more to go!
- YX
(You know the drill- giveaway entry is almost up!)
24 May 2012
OMGAWESOME
So remember our May sponsor, Sheepy Time Knits? She just (and I do mean just) tweeted this awesome photo of her Avengers-themed yarn!
I'm not much of a comic book person, but this is awesome on many levels:
1) The colors are based on characters: (L to R) Captain America, Loki, Iron Man, Hawkeye, Thor, Black Widow, and Hulk.
2) It's really easy to READ those colorways to determine the character. Look at the Black Widow skein! I love it!
3) The bases are specific to the character. Captain America's, for instance, has a bit of sparkle. Hulk's is a bulky weight yarn.
Awesome, right? Which is your favorite?
If you like what you see, maybe you should consider entering the giveaway for more awesome yarn from Sheepy Time!
- YX
I'm not much of a comic book person, but this is awesome on many levels:
1) The colors are based on characters: (L to R) Captain America, Loki, Iron Man, Hawkeye, Thor, Black Widow, and Hulk.
2) It's really easy to READ those colorways to determine the character. Look at the Black Widow skein! I love it!
3) The bases are specific to the character. Captain America's, for instance, has a bit of sparkle. Hulk's is a bulky weight yarn.
Awesome, right? Which is your favorite?
If you like what you see, maybe you should consider entering the giveaway for more awesome yarn from Sheepy Time!
- YX
21 May 2012
Retail love: Allsaints Spitalfields
Have you ever found a clothing store that fits your personal style so closely that you could see yourself wearing everything they offer? While in London, I found All Saints, a cute little store with a great window display:
Vintage sewing machines! The store is a chain, and I saw a few different shops during my wanderings... Everything I saw in the store is something I could see myself wearing, which is quite an accomplishment. Soooo how about I share some cool knitwear from the store?
The Jagger Cardigan is gorgeous and drapey without being fussy. Would be super pretty over a lace or satiny tank.
Next is the Summer Court Jumper Dress in a similar color. I love the diversity of patterns here, not just in texture but also in opacity. I'd love to see densities mixed like this on a knit pattern. I bet there would be quite a bit of picking up stitches!
The Paleka Pullover makes use of some awesome drop stitches and cables. This sweater over a neon tank? Love it.
Love them all! Too bad the brand, as cute as it is, is WAY out of my price range for clothing! I'll never understand how people can afford expensive stuff like that! I have yarn to buy!
But you don't! You can get some for free right here!
- YX
Vintage sewing machines! The store is a chain, and I saw a few different shops during my wanderings... Everything I saw in the store is something I could see myself wearing, which is quite an accomplishment. Soooo how about I share some cool knitwear from the store?
The Jagger Cardigan is gorgeous and drapey without being fussy. Would be super pretty over a lace or satiny tank.
Next is the Summer Court Jumper Dress in a similar color. I love the diversity of patterns here, not just in texture but also in opacity. I'd love to see densities mixed like this on a knit pattern. I bet there would be quite a bit of picking up stitches!
The Paleka Pullover makes use of some awesome drop stitches and cables. This sweater over a neon tank? Love it.
Love them all! Too bad the brand, as cute as it is, is WAY out of my price range for clothing! I'll never understand how people can afford expensive stuff like that! I have yarn to buy!
But you don't! You can get some for free right here!
- YX
19 May 2012
Never a dull moment
After getting home from London, I was immediately faced with the arrival of my mom from Columbus. My parents had been watching my dog while we were overseas, and Mom was returning her to us. The plan was that she'd come in in Saturday and leave the following Saturday.
Well, Tuesday night, everything changed. My dad called, complaining of pain in his chest, sweats, and fatigue. He called 911, was transported to the hospital, and was told he had a minor heart attack. We changed her return flight and I bought a ticket to go with her the following day.
It's funny how knitting can be so many things at once. There are days when it's a frustrating challenge (like in my last post!). There are days of incredible accomplishment, where sometimes you surprise yourself with how well something turned out. There are days when it's tedious, interesting, or used to keep you from boredom. And there are days when it's a distraction.
I distracted myself on the 2 1/2-hour flight. Then again on the cab ride home. In the hospital, too, as we waited on doctors and nurses and time to pass. Time is so weird in hospitals... Five minutes takes an hour to pass, and suddenly you look up, and the day has gone by in seconds. Luckily, Dad's heart attack was minor, the damage is barely noticeable and may heal, and he feels fine. He was discharged from the hospital yesterday, and I flew back to Houston today.
And on the plane home? I distracted myself:
Hopefully next week will be more conducive to fun patterns, and not so much personal stuff. I have some new stuff in my queue that is dying to be shared... In the meantime, do me a favor and get a cholesterol test at your next physical, and of course, try to win some fun yarn before the month's end!
- YX
Well, Tuesday night, everything changed. My dad called, complaining of pain in his chest, sweats, and fatigue. He called 911, was transported to the hospital, and was told he had a minor heart attack. We changed her return flight and I bought a ticket to go with her the following day.
It's funny how knitting can be so many things at once. There are days when it's a frustrating challenge (like in my last post!). There are days of incredible accomplishment, where sometimes you surprise yourself with how well something turned out. There are days when it's tedious, interesting, or used to keep you from boredom. And there are days when it's a distraction.
I distracted myself on the 2 1/2-hour flight. Then again on the cab ride home. In the hospital, too, as we waited on doctors and nurses and time to pass. Time is so weird in hospitals... Five minutes takes an hour to pass, and suddenly you look up, and the day has gone by in seconds. Luckily, Dad's heart attack was minor, the damage is barely noticeable and may heal, and he feels fine. He was discharged from the hospital yesterday, and I flew back to Houston today.
And on the plane home? I distracted myself:
Hopefully next week will be more conducive to fun patterns, and not so much personal stuff. I have some new stuff in my queue that is dying to be shared... In the meantime, do me a favor and get a cholesterol test at your next physical, and of course, try to win some fun yarn before the month's end!
- YX
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