Spring is in the air!

When I saw this pattern in Knockout Knits, I was immediately diving through my stash to find the perfect yarn.  I choose a laceweight yarn and adjusted the gauge to fit the pattern, and it turned out beautiful. 

I wanted a lace shrug for this Spring, something to keep me cozy but feel free in that warmth, this patter fit that perfectly.

I knitted this pretty darn fast, but the FO pics, took forever, and then just posting them took forever.  I have worn this a few times already, and keep it folded nicely in view because it looks so pretty.

I'm rather choosy these days for my projects, I like to aim for complex or outside the lines patterns, and this was a nice one, not difficult, but not your typical construction.  Laura is so helpful too, with any questions  on her patterns, that was awesome. 

Here are the final FO pics...

Pattern: Quadro Convertible Shrug
Yarn: Araucania Trauco

Started: 1/11/15
Finished: 1/31/15

Notes: Used laceweight yarn; errata fixed by Laura Nelkin; all notes can be viewed on my Raverly project page here.

I've got a few more things in the works, progress is being made, I'll post as I have time, which can be hard, but I'm excited for each day that gets closer.

I wish we had more rain, the drought is saddening, but I guess until then, we can all enjoy the warmth of Spring.  Happy Spring!!

For the love of knitting

As the title of this post indicates, I'm still passionate about knitting just as much as when I first learned to knit several years ago.   Even with my busy schedule, I've now finally learned to manage my knitting time, and get completed FO's.  One recent FO in particular I'd like to share, is a test knit I completed for Kirsten Kapur, designer of Through The Loops patterns.  I'm am a huge fan and follower of Kirsten's because she always designs very beautiful patterns and out of all the designers I've knit from, her patterns are always clear, concise, and very well structured.

Here is Montrachet, knit with yarn from my stash, which I'm happy to say is shrinking, as I've been really good about using my stash lately!  I have a number projects in the works this year, so please do stop by and check in to see what those are as I'll be posting them to my blog.  I know the blogging universe isn't as visible present day with all the Facebook and Instagram feeds, but I'll be using my personal site as the primary release of things to come.  Happy New Year everyone!  Thank you to those that visit my blog, and please do drop a comment if you can, I'd love to hear from you!

Pattern: Montrachet
Yarn: Hazel Knits Artisan Sock Yarn in Nickel, Wool Candy Meringue Merino Sock in Lucy.

Started: 11/21/14
Finished: 12/11/14

Dimensions: Approx. 12-13 inches deep x 65' wide

Notes: None

Remember When

Remember when blogs were the "it" thing to do and everyone had a blog? 

Well, I being one of those so called "bloggers", is now what you call a "die hard" in a sense, in that I can't seem to part with my blog.  With all the daily things to get done and life's way of taking over, I've had no time to keep up my blogging, let alone get in good quality time to knit.  Yet, I still love knitting, and if I could I'd always have a block of time each day to solely dedicate to knitting, but yah, it just doesn't work out that way.

To top things off, I bet there is nobody readying this???  Any followers I had may have all given up and I'm blogging to myself. (funny but yet sad)  Regardless, I'm stubborn and will still post with the hopes there is some reader out there who happens upon this. 

With that, I did, however, manage to complete a project, yes!  It is "Nymphalidea", a free pattern published in Knitty.  I was determined to use yarn from my stash, which actually did work out nicely and I used beads from my stash as well.  The pattern was very easy, good beginner pattern, in my opinion, but me being an overachiever, decided to add beads.  Adding beads isn't exactly overachieving, but it is when the beads in question, are cheap to be honest, and a pain in the bootie to pull the yarn through.  I silently suffered through this entire pattern with these beads, and believe me, I was so damn thankful to finish my last beaded row!  I believe, even given the limited knitting time I had, I would've finished this shawl much much faster, but no, the beads from hell held me back.  I finished Tuesday 4/29, blocked 4/30, and did my little photo shoot 5/1.

So, voila, here is Nymphalidea...

Pattern: Nymphalidea Deep Fall 2013 from Knitty.com
Yarn: Schoppell Zauberwolle color #1535ombre (blue) purchased at Green Planet Yarn, Hand Maiden silk purchased at Knitting Arts long time ago - don't have label, sorry.

Started: Unknown
Finished: 4/30/14

Dimensions: Cast off at 138 sts.  Wingspan 62.5 inches, 25 inches left ridge, 32 inches right ridge, from middle peak to base 16 inches.

Notes: I knitted beads on Welt Row 3. 

New Pair of Cranked Ankle Socks!

Since the move, all my yarn and projects, everything is packed, awaiting the development of my future office, for now it waits paitiently all boxed up. 

I recently finished another project and was itching to start a new project but just couldn't muster up the task of digging thru the packed boxes to choose a yarn and I'm being careful on my budget, so no new yarns for me 8(, gosh is that hard to stick too.  It's an addiction, I swear!

Anyways, I got lucky, and before we moved, I had stashed a few projects in my beautiful Lantern Moon Flower Power Bag.  I choose to finish the Cranked socks I had started back in April 2011 for the Knit Purl Hunter KAL.  I don't remember why I didn't finish the socks back then, probably moved onto another project.

I picked these up again this past week and turned them into ankle socks.  I absolutely love ankle socks, and these came out with a perfect fit. 

It's always nice to have a new pair of socks done. 

Pattern: Cranked for Knit Purl Hunter Trekking KAL
Yarn: Trekking Maxima Color #906 from Green Planet Yarn LYS.
Started: 04/15/11
Finished: 06/10/12
Mods: None

Now, onto another project, but I think I just may splurge and pickup some new yarn.....

New Pattern "Virgie's Fern"

The last 2012 Winter'ish pattern to release, still some days out there to enjoy wearing this, or to wear in the next Winter season.

This is "Virgie's Fern", a slouch hat, quick knit, using Bulky weight yarn.  The lace pattern repeat, is easy to remember and get into a rhythm.

Side View

Crown View

This is available at my pattern store at Ravelry or Craftsy.

I plan to have another pattern in the next month, the next one is a blouse, and I'm super excited about it! 

I hope you take a look at the new pattern!

~Rocky