KnittinTales

Spring in Seattle brings many things; rain, mowing lawns, weeding gardens, and spring knitting!!! This is the first Spring I have knitted Spring/Summer type garments....and I LOVE IT. So much fun knit a cute tank top for your favorite friend or kid than a big bulky winter sweater. Less is more, right?

You'll notice to the left side that my 'On the Needles' list keeps growing. I seem to have startitis pretty bad right now. I have some gifts to give this summer so I wanted to get them on the needles. I have three baby gifts, a Best Friend Gift, a Birthday Gift, and some summer knitting for Taylor. I need to get movin'

Watercolors Baby Blankie in Pink
I LOVE this yarn....Lion Brand Yarns seems to be getting better and better with their newer yarns....or maybe I'm just getting used to them.

Boatneck Tank in Lime Green (Wow) - made in Lion Brand MicroSpun

Onde Knitalong

Still plugging along at this one.....about 1/3 finished on front....almost there.

There is light at the end of the tunnel....a former WIP now Finished.Look at that beauty....ohh.. the hat's cute too. :)

Also, a super thank you to my Secret Knit Pal from Taylor and I. We received the cutest hair scarf and chapstick holder....all hand knitted by you I assume. I must have that pattern for the hair scarf, Taylor wants many more. I assume I'll be the coolest mom on the block if I can make them for all her friends too. Doesn't she look like she loves it?!?

Secret Packages

Secret Packages are always fun to receive, look what I got.

As I start to tear into it, I got slowed down by remembering to take pictures....LOL

How appropriate since my B-day was the 11th....Cute Card!!

And I open the package further to find THIS!!!!

What a wonderful package, I've never seen this colorway in Noro Kureyon #31...it must be discontinuted. I can't wait to get started on a new tote bag, I pretty sure I'm gonna LOVE those handles. :) Thank you Thank you Thank you Secret Knit Pal. You made my day!

In LOVE with Onde

I have to say that this is the most FUN yarn I've used in a while.....so easy to knit, beautiful color change and works up quickly.

Here's a pic of half the back

And before I could get to a working computer to post; look what happened

I was hoping to get this done for Easter Sunday for my daughter, but it seems like that won't happen; it's okay though, we have a back up Church attire plan.

Sorry for the delay in posting. I sure do like posting more regularly; but it seems that the computer monsters have eaten my machine. Please be paitent with me as I get back up and running.

Also, I wanted to send a public thanks to my Secret Knitting Pal. I got the cutes little pocket knitting 'fact' book.....very interesting read, about the history of knitting in other countries.

That's all for now folks....:)

12 Step Program

I admit it....I'm a yarn-aholic. It's my drug of choice. In a recent trip to Longview, WA for a not so fun event, afterwards.....I found a yellow pages, I turned to the Y section and sought out a Local Yarn Shop for a pick-me-up. I found this place and spent a good hour in there, browsing, dreaming, & shopping. I was even there so long that the UPS guy came with a shipment of Opal Yarn......OMG what a site....boxes full of Opal....made my day!!!

Lookie what I took home with me....

and this.....

and a pattern....

I am going to use this pattern for my Phildar Onde Kitalong. I changed my mind from the Eyelet Cardi on Chicknits because I was concerned that the color shading would come out all wrong. Know I just have to modify this worsted weight pattern to DK weight yarn. Hmmmmm....me thinks me make it too difficult...Pics to follow soon.

I realized that haven't yet talked about my knitting partner.....Smokie, my Cat that is. Considering that I put it right in the title....you were starting to wonder if I even had a cat, huh? She is usually right on my lap or legs while knitting and will follow me around waiting for me to sit down and jump on my lap.

Here is one of her other favorite places, right behind my shoulders....gets a good view that way.

Until next time......

Time flies when you travel...

Wow...boy do I feel guilty for not updating my blog sooner. I had an eventful trip to Long Beach, WA & Salem, OR this past weekend. One of the biggest bummers of driving alone, is no Knitting time!

I went for a Product Launch of my Country Bunny Bath & Body business. Check me out:

email me for samples or info if you'd like.

Had a great time, saw a FABULOUS New Catalog, and great friends....Love ya Marissa!

Knitting News

I don't have any pics as of now, but I recieved my Phildar Onde in the mail for the Onde Kitalong. Boy is it pretty. But I am torn, I'd really like to make the Chicknits Eyelet Cardi for my daughter....but most of the patterns I've seen make up the sweater in front/back seperate vs. knitting in the round, I worry that the color shading will be all off if I do this. Anyone have some advice on this?

I've finished the Color work handbag/purse. I'm know dragging my feet, cause I need to weave in all those skeins and sew up the side.....grr...I hate that part.

Trying to finish two pairs of socks quickly so I can start on my Onde Knitalog.....oooooh...new project to cast on....TOO FUN!!

Pictures Galore

Wow! What a week. Lots to report on knitting and non-knitting related. Our trip to Whidbey Island was beautiful. Contrary to popular belief; it doesn't rain ALL the time in Seattle area.

This is my daughter, Taylor.

Finishing Rewards
Finished a few projects this week. The Red Felted Tote bag; but unfortunately my camera was low on batteries so the picture didn't come out well before I mailed them off. But the Opal Red Croc Socks; I have to say are great!! One of these days I'll finally make myself a pair.

Kudos
Thanks so much to Debbie at The Creative Cottage for being a life saver. I've been hunting all over town and the web for Trendsetter Perla - White/Mother of Pearl Eyelash Yarn. No body has had it, and it's been on order at my LYS for weeks. I needed it a hurry to finish a project, and boy did she come through.....thanks again Debbie. I needed to finish this:

Learning Something New

That's one of the things I love about knitting; there is always something new to learn. I may not like it at first; but with some time it tends to grow on me. I've been eyeing this 'Fair Isle' or 'Two Handed' knitting technique for a while, especially since I've been reading Wendy's Blog; the Fair Isle Queen! I found this great little bag/purse pattern during a visit to Leavonworth, WA and decided to give it a try....I am hooked. What FUN is this!!! This just opened up a whole new world of knitting to me......but my wallet will most likely hate it. Here is my first attempt at Fair Isle/two handed/chart reading knitting

Well I think that's just about enough for one day.....I will try and post more during the week, and not a bunch on weekends.

~Toodles

Secrets.....I love Secrets

Thanks to Sandy for starting the Secret Pal program. These are so much fun and can't wait to get started.

Not alot of progress that is photo worthy, but chugging along on my Red Croc Opal Socks. I gave into the itch to cast on....started a 12mos size Sundress (no pattern, designing myself) in Debbie Bliss Cotton DK....I'm not so sure I'm happy with it yet, so I'm contimplating using a lighter weight yarn....will visit my LYS this week for some help.

I'm off to beautiful Whidbey Island tomorrow for a day of visiting family.....will be searching out the LYS in Coupeville, WA....and get plenty of knitting time in while waiting for the ferry.

Knit on....~Tara

Aluminum?

You are pink aluminum.
Retro, straightforward and fun, you love classic
things. If they're 99 cents at Goodwill all the
better! You are moved by striking colors and
tasty morsels, and you like a stitch-n-bitch
session in the sun. Just remember, while
you're being kitschy cool, don't get too cold.
Ice cubes are best kept in your cocktails,
baby!


What kind of knitting needles are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Where have you been?

create your own visited states map

How fun.....

Itching to cast on...

You are Merino Wool.
You are very easygoing and sweet. People like to
keep you close because you are so softhearted.
You love to be comfortable and warm from your
head to your toes.


What kind of yarn are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Good thing I love Merino wool. I'm not so sure I'd call myself easygoing and sweet....hmmmm

I am really testing my self-control today. I have three, count 'em, three new projects I am dying to start. But I have not allowed myself, until my others are FINISHED. it seems to be a knitter's disease.....startitis.

Here is the current project I'm racing to finish. A black felted tote bag with a trim of red foo-foo yarn. I used Brown Sheep Co. in black & Lion Brand Fun Fur in red. This is a variation of the Booga Bag, a great
FREE pattern on boogaj

Pre Felted....stay tuned tomorrow for the final version