Arts and Crafts

Ramona/CC recently went to a friends birthday party, held at the family's home, and the kids all did arts and crafts (butterfly and fairy themed), which I thought was a fantastic, and cost efficient way to celebrate. When discussing plans for her upcoming birthday, I suggested a holiday craft-themed party and she thought it was a great idea! Unfortunately, she couldn't invite the cast of hundreds she had for her party last year (gymnastics) but she confidently narrowed the guest list down to 7 friends...some old, some new...and we sent the invitations out!

Before proceeding with the party plans, I should mention that the invites did not get mailed without a hitch. I wrote out the Smurf invitations in pink marker, as instructed, and looked up the friends addresses the Monday before Thanksgiving. I purposely did NOT let CC seal them because I wanted to remind myself to put the return address labels and stamps on before mailing them the following morning. On Tuesday I woke a little early, grabbed the return labels and sealed them before I left the house. Once I got out of the subway I started toward my office before remembering to mail the envelopes. I pulled the stack from my bag, brought the mailbox handle down, placed them inside and released the bar only to, at the last second, realize I had not put the stamps on! [INSERT slow-motion, low-bellied sounding, "noooooooooo!" here] What could I do? It was out of my hands...literally. I emailed the mom's of the guests later that morning and they all got a kick out of my story. A few days later most of them wrote to say that the post office had delivered the invitations...without marking them "postage due". No wonder the USPS is low on funds! Anywhoodles...

The process of finding easy holiday craft ideas for a party of 8 six-year-olds. And here's some what we've come up with (these are other people's images...I'll be sure to post mine once the party is over):

Reindeer Head (I traced and cut out CC's hands - super cute and fun!)


Snowman ornaments (using sticky foam circles!)


And the piece de resistance...SNOW GLOBES! I'm still working on getting the jars prepared, but I have all the "ingredients" ready to go - these are going to be so cool! [Side note: In wanting to cover all my bases, I did another internet search for these yesterday and it looks like stupid Taylor Swift was featured in People magazine because she's making these for all her friends/family this season. Let it be known - I had the idea first - she stole it from me because it's so awesome.]




My evening agenda for this week:

Monday - go to Michaels and pick up remainder of supplies

Tuesday - begin prep of cut-outs (I did 117 in all!!) and put together goody bags w/ CC's help

Wednesday - go to grocery store and find perfect jars for snowglobes; bring them home, clean off labels and scuff inside of lids; cut more snowman circles

Thursday - glue ornaments to inside of jar lids (and hope they stick!)

Friday - bake a million and a half cupcakes (half chocolate, half vanilla, by request)

Saturday - clean house, ice cupcakes, install plastic sheeting all over dining room in preparation of sparkles/paint/glue + 6 yr olds!!, order pizza, greet kids, throw best party, say goodbye to kids, say hello to grandparents, get MC off to hockey for game, get grandparents in vehicles to travel to said game, see game, get home, collapse!

Maybe I'll get back to some knitting next week :o)

ISO: The World's Best Yellow

For years, I've been obsessed with finding the perfect "yellow" yarn.

I came very close with The March Hare yarn I purchased at Rhinebeck back in 2009 (or 08?). I used it to make Kirsten Kapur's Snow Drops and Snap Peas shawl...which I love (and all of my friends want to steal).

Then I purchased some Shibui Knits sock yarn in Finch...so much brighter! I made Socktoberfest socks in 2010 and I want to live in them on all the cold days!

I've used...
Jamieson's Shetland in Goldenrod
Berroco's Comfort in Buttercup
Berroco's Pure Pima in Jojoba
Berroco's Vintage in Sunny
Knit Picks Gloss in Dandelion
Malabrigo's Worsted in Cadmium
and even purchased...
St Denis' Nordique in Honey Glaze

But I have a BIG project I need to work on and REALLY want a nice worsted weight in the PERFECT yellow. I thought of trying Cascade 220 (they have a great selection of shades) but I'm afraid the final feel of the sweater needs a little alpaca in it. So then I considered Berroco's Ultra Alpaca, but no one seems to sell the Masa color online. I guess I can start calling around to yarn shops but man, the effort!

Does anyone have any ideas, suggestions, recommendations?

You know I'm a nerd for the yellows...please help!

How to count sweaters? (yes, it's a question)

As the end of 2011 fast approaches, my Ravelry project page reminds me that I did not, in fact, knit 20, or 22, or as many sweaters as my friends joked I might. I will have knit, approximately, 15 1/2

But wait...because maybe I've knit a few more...I'll let you judge how to count sweaters!

Sweaters for 2011 (mostly for me, unless otherwise noted, all Adult sized):

1. Aidez
2. Abi
3. Tashmoo (for MIL)
4. Washington Square
5. As yet unpublished sweater
6. Little Blue Sweater
7. Beatnik
8. Erin Cardigan (for Erin; CCK Design)
9. Gavotte
10. Beagle (for Ken)
11. As yet unpublished sweater
12. Owl sweater (CCK Design)
13. Ramona DRESS (CCK Design; counting this as 1.5 sweaters)
14. George Street
15. Nebula

Subtotal: 15.5

Sweaters for CC (kid sized):

1. Ana
2. Ramona Jr (short sleeves)
3. Ramona Jr (long sleeves)
4. Dagmar
   
5. Striped Princess Raglan (lengthened body and sleeves; count as .5)

Subtotal: 4.5

GRAND TOTAL: 19

So you see my dilemma. How to count sweaters? If I push myself to knit a 20th...would it REALLY count as a 20th?

And don't even get me started on shawls...Kirsten Kapur has converted me into a shawl junkie! Ha ha

Happy Knitting Y'all!

Friends and Knitters and The Beginning

It's amazing how something you love can change your life.

When I learned to knit in the late 90s, my grandmother handed me a ball of Lion Brand yarn and a long pair of straight aluminum needles. Armed with these two tools, I learned how to knit and purl...well, I attempted to learn. In the two years that followed, I made a few scarves, and 3.5 sweaters. And then I put my needles down. For a long time.

As most know, I knit periodically through the years: a baby blanket, a scarf, anything square or rectangular; but never anything "more".

After my daughter was born, everything changed. When Ramona was 7 or 8 months old we took a trip to Martha's Vineyard to visit my in-laws and something inside me said "bring some knitting". I started scouring the internet and discovered Knitty, and some knitter/bloggers like Stefanie Japel, Carrieoke and *Nonnahs. I felt a sense of excitement and decided to not only knit the sweater for my wee baby, but to keep going...knitting garments THAT FIT and learned new techniques like...yikes...CABLING! This led to socks and shawls and sweaters (mostly for myself). And then there was Ravelry!

I remember my friend, Alyssa, sent me an email that said "you have to sign up for this website! there's a waiting list but it says the list goes fast and you may only have to wait a few days to get on!". I kind of thought "wait, what? A knitting website with a waiting list? For reals?" So I looked into it and it asked for a user email to get on the list...and I panicked! I didn't want to use my "regular" email address. Was I going to be asked to set up a user name? These were tough decisions to make. Seriously...HARD. DECISIONS.

Seeing as I was doing most of my knitting on the train, the handle "choochooknits" seemed like the right fit. Yeah, some folks still wonder what it means, but once they hear about my commute on the train, well, it all falls into place.

Jump ahead several years. After my family, knitting is probably the next most important thing in my life. And when I said "knitting" I truly mean: friends, fibers, projects, patterns, etc. Because knitting has come to mean SO much more than just the actual act of working up yarn. It, quite literally, winds though my day-to-day existence to become the fabric of my life. I look at my project page on Ravelry and think "oh, I knit that on the train with my old knitting group and accidentally broke a dpn that day" or "I remember Gab seeing that I hadn't sewn my armhole closed as I was getting to head off to Rhinebeck S&W". Oh the times we've had.

I've made friends, both near and far...and while there are a few I've never met IRL, I consider them to be some of my closest friends in the world. And through these friends, I've met more knitter/friends and have been blessed by their kindness and generosity...as though we had known each other forever.

As testament to the power of knitting and the bond of strangers-turned-friends, I'll end this post with a photo of The Rhinebeck 12 (minus Misa, who was taking the photo)...my newest group of FRIENDS. I love you all!



(L to R: Michelle, Gab, Yvonne, Angela, Shameka, Deb, Kim, me, Kirsten and Meganne; awww, Stephanie was missing too!)

What's in a name?

I posted the following comment on twitter a few days ago:

Post Rhinebeck Sad: I miss calling people by their real first name and using screen name as last name. e.g. karen choochooknits

And this really got me to thinking about how much I kinda really love naming people in this fashion. Not only does it utilize the individual's REAL first name, but keeps them anonymous by using their chosen moniker (which usually indicates something about them) for their "last name".

Some examples...and a bunch others which need no further explanation:

Karen Choochooknits
LibLiz
Cathipink
MegFab
Misa Craftivore
YarnyOldKim
GabFab
Marie Bklynhandspun
Michelle Boringknitter
Andrea KnittingBicycle
Laura MyHouseKey
Caro Splityarn
Deb StitchyMcYarnpants
Kirsten ThroughTheLoops
Sarah NotScarlett
Chawne CauchyComplete
Carrieoke
Cathy Runnergirl713


Every single one of those names makes me smile to know their owner. Hooray for knitterly friends!

Rhinebeck Recap

So, for those of us in the Northeast, and, to be honest, all over the country, the third weekend of October is generally treated as a holiday...no, not for that Columbus dude...for the holiest of holies...RHINEBECK SHEEP AND WOOL FESTIVAL!!!

As most of you know, this was my first time staying the entire weekend - and gosh, what a blast it was!! The ever lovely Kim (yarnyoldkim) arranged for our house back in March (!!!) and it could not have been better for our large group. There was plenty of space for knitting and spinning...and finishing sweaters to be worn the next day! Oh, and don't forget the food...yum. While unable to partake in all things cheesy, the company of friends, old and new, certainly made the atmosphere perfect.

Our caravans of knitters all arrived on Friday night and a group of us went to a diner in Red Hook for dinner. While not exactly "homemade from scratch", it was a great time to chat with new friends and ease into the weekend festivities.

On Saturday we all headed off to the festival around 8:30, in time for the gates to open at 9am. Some of us, me included, flew off to find the Jennie the Potter booth, while others split off to go to Sanquine Gryphon. When the potter group was finished, some of us were snagged by Caro and Stitchy to "volunteer" to model handknits for a Cooperative Press book. What a great way to start the morning! Then it was off to go see what was happening at Sanguine Gryphon ourselves. HO-LEE-CAN-NOLI!!! The line to pay was already 30 (??) people long! Lucky for us, Misa (Craftivore) was already on line, which gave the rest of us an opportunity to peruse the yarn and then join her. While we were waiting, and waiting, and waiting, Ann Weaver walked by with her husband, Chris, and the rest of our 2 hour wait blew by like the breeze! Ann was able to sell some of her new book, White Whale Vol 1, and I didn't realize, until I was going to bed that evening, that she listed my name in the book as a Sample Knitter. Oh, hooray, that was cool!

After S.G. we wandered here and there, looking at vendors and eventually jumped on line for Artichokes at 11:15...which was perfect timing because when we finished eating, it was time for the Ravelry meet-up! And there were SO many folks to hug and meet IRL!! I saw Cathy, Chawne, Maryse, Pam, Ysolda, Danielle, Heather, Jaya, Elspeth, Stacy, Andrea and so on and so on. Everywhere I turned...friends! The hugs were abundant and the smiles were wide.

From there I wandered with Gab-Fab to the food building for a little R&R...which was just in time for the rain storm where many of our friends got soaked! For the next hour or so, the food demonstration area became our "home base" as folks (mainly me) came and went to do quick meet ups or get food. During this time I was able to meet LibLiz (zomg, I wanted to stick her in my pocket and bring her home with me) and Marie (Courtney, Lilly and Caroline too!!). It's so nice to see people who you've swapped with and spoken to and emailed with for years.

The rest of the day is kind of a blur - there was yarn, books, food, walking. Then crash and burn at the house! Seeing as I had been fighting a cold since the week before, my allergies caught up with me and I had full-on sneezes and runny nose - blerg. I opted to change out of my festival clothes and into my pj's - and decided to stay home and have a pb&j for dinner (instead of going out). In the end, about half of us stayed home to knit, spin and rest while the others went over to Fork in the Road for a yummy meal. Afterward, some others hung out at our house and, after much torture, I finally gave in and accepted a drop-spindle lesson from Kirsten! Yes, I've gotten a taste of the dark side!! It was another late night and we fell into bed around 11pm.

Alas, Sunday inevitably arrived and our happy group started packing to leave for a few more hours of wandering at the fairgrounds and our drives home (from heaven)! My family came up for the day and I met up with them around lunch time. We made the usual food vendor visits, played a few kiddie games, and even got hot chocolate for the ride home. I also purchased some fiber from Into The Whirled since Kirsten was nice enough to loan me one of her drop spindles. Yeah, she's a great enabler!

I napped for a few hours after I got back home and tried to get as much sleep as possible. It's now the end of the work day on Monday and I am, truly, running on empty. Some say we're Rhinebeckoholics who have Rhinebeck overdosed. But the truth of the matter is - when you're with the people you love doing the craft you love, there is no other way to feel afterward, except sad and tired from the natural high.

Here are my Rhinebeck designs...and a couple other goodies :o)

Rhinebeck!!!!!

Yes, another annual email about Rhinebeck...my favorite event of the year!

This will be a year of Rhinebeck firsts...

• For the first time, I'm staying the ENTIRE WEEKEND, not just making it a day trip with the family. I'm staying with an awesome group of knitters and am both nervous (new people) and excited (old friends) about it. I'm also planning on lots of fun and shenanigans (**coughKIMandYVONNEcough**) and being EXHAUSTED by the time Sunday rolls around.



• For the first time, I'll be a SQUARE on the Rhinebeck BINGO board!!! Haven't heard of it or signed up...well Stitchy is running it and all the details can be found here!



• For the first time, I'll be wearing TWO new sweaters at the festival...BOTH of my own design!!! Y'all remember Ramona, right? Well, picture her in Christmas Green! She's my current WIP so I don't have any pictures to share, but believe me...NOM! The other sweater is brand spanking new, is still blocking and I'm hoping to seam up the sleeves tonight or tomorrow. It's a comfy oversized sweater with some intarsia. The plan is to publish it this fall...just need to get it edited and photographed...hooray!



• For the first time, something I knit will be published in a booklet, available for purchase at Rhinebeck! Ann Weaver is planning to release her newest booklet, "White Whale Vol 1" hot off the presses, while at the festival. If you see her - ask her about it!!! And make sure you ooh and ahh over the pretty rectangular shawl (orangy in color) - knit by yours truly

So is EVERYONE as excited as I am?!? Where are you staying? When will you be there? Pretty please, with sugar on top, say "hello" if you see me! I promise to deliver hugs and smiles :o)

I knit....

...this (Ann Weaver)


...and this (Kirsten Kapur)


...and this (Nipper Knits...look for me under #3)

And I'm donating this... (making a shawl for a charity KAL contest)

And worked on these... (tech editing for TTL)


can't wait to show you everything (in person) soon!

Uber Bad Blogger

Yeah, I've been WAY BAD at blogging lately...whoops!

I've been working on some pretty fantastic test and sample knits which will be published this fall - so keep your eyes peeled for my name popping up on other peoples blogs...hooray! One of these was published yesterday, but I'm somewhat ashamed to say I haven't yet finished mine. To my credit, I'm about 70% done, the pattern is easy to follow and I did the lace edge on the cast on edge...so, in theory, i did test it 100% :o) Check out Kirsten's new shawl design - you'll want to wrap yourself in one RIGHT AWAY! Also, bonus points for me since I'm using "inherited" yarn stash from (Brooklyn Handspun) Marie, by way of (Gleek) Stephanie!

Also, can we talk about Rhinebeck (canwecanwecanwe ohpleaseohpleaseohplease)? Ken's 7th (WOOL) anniversary sweater was finished on time and he's been wearing it with the miserable chilly rain weather we've been having - score one for me! He'll wear it to Rhinebeck - feel free to check out the sweater but not in a Faith Hill/Tim McGraw concert sort of way (although Ken would be flattered - ha ha). As for my Rhinebeck sweater plans, well, like last year, I'm sure I'll be knitting it the week/days/hours before - and possibly on the drive up with Kim and crew. I'm thinking of reknitting a dress I designed (top down) but that may be too ambitious? Ugh, decisions decisions!

Well, more pattern excitement as I'm able to announce...happy knitting everyone!

A Contest and Prizes (from me)!

Do you need a little something to keep you warm in your chilly office? Have you been looking for a light-weight project to knit on those hot summer nights?

My good friend Kirsten Kapur is running a Summer Shawl KAL. With each shawl you compete during the contest, you will earn you a chance to win a prize. Loving her designs and wanting to support her, I've just made the following prize offer:

"Don't have time to make all the shawls in your Ravelry Queue? choochooknits has offered to knit one winner a TTL shawl, in a yarn/colorway to be determined after a brief consultation. This prize can be for you...or a gift for that special someone! Winner will select from TTL patterns currently available from the TTL online shop."

Check out the group and get knitting! There's a little under two months left - so you should be able to knit, oh, three or four shawls in that amount of time, right? Oh wait, that's ME - ha ha ha

Happy knitting all!

Flurries in July?

Well - a FLURRY OF ACTIVITY at least!

I've been blessed with so many knitting opportunities this month...continuing into August, unless I'm as fast a knitter as my friends swear I am and finish them all this week...ha ha. And I have to admit, yes, I feel a small amount of guilt for not sitting down and writing up some of my own patterns...but i DO love being able to help other people realize their visions. Perhaps being a facilitator is my true calling? I'm OK with that!

Since a bunch of these projects are for publication (in some form or another) I'm unable to share pictures...but the work is with some fabulous friends and talented designers...so look out for an abundance of information as the Fall arrives.

So, whatchu been up to fellow knitters and lovers of fiber?

Organizing

One of my recent projects at work-work involves going through OLD files and purging/sending for destruction.

In an attempt to bring this sense of organization into the rest of my life, I've been going through my stash, cleaning up old paperwork, putting things back where they belong (which is no easy task with a 5 yr old in the house), etc.

But hey, why stop there? I can organize my Ravelry project page too! Who knew? I set up a few folders, added a few tags, and viola!...organization everywhere! Pretty awesome...and EASY!

Check it out!

Remember me?

Wow. Yowzas. Zoinks.

It's been WAY too long since I last blogged. And I'm sorry for that!

Work-work has been keeping me busy and I'm just never on the computer at home (well, hardly ever). If I could mobile-blog, that would make things easier. I'm sure there's a way...do you know?

My Ramona sweater was well received, in my opinion, considering the fact that most sales came from word of mouth...so THANK YOU for your support, fellow knitters!

I've just designed a cotton, open-front (no button) cardigan and am trying to work out the numbers to share with you! I made the prototype for a friend's birthday gift. Since she likes green, low maintenance clothes, and never buttons her cardigans...well, this design was a no brainer!

I'm still cranking away on my needles every train ride I get...and am looking for ways to knit wool, even in the summer months. For those keeping track, I'm on my 9th sweater of the year, and also knit three sweaters for CC...so does that count as another 1.5 sweaters towards my goal of 11 in 11? Or do I shoot for 12? Also, *some* friends of mine suggested I could probably knit 24 sweaters...but that wasn't the initial goal so maybe I'll do 24 in 12 instead? Hmmm. Maybe I could knit sweaters in other sizes and then raffle them off as a fundraiser...now that's an idea!

So how's everyone handling their transitional knitting from spring into summer? Anyone planning their Rhinebeck knits yet? I know I am! I'm blessed to be staying in a house with a group of awesome ladies for the first time ever! My hub and CC will come up on Sunday so they get their "fix" as well. But which spectacular sweaters will i knit/wear?

Ciao, my good friends. Happy knitting!

Ramona is released into the world! Hooray!

At long last, my Ramona sweater pattern has been released and is available for purchase on Ravelry.

My sincerest thanks go to Kirsten Kapur for her guidance, patience and, above all, friendship while writing this pattern. I couldn't have done it without her! She's even blogged about it - squeeeeee!

Here are a few pictures to entice you...my version (Camel) is knit with Berroco's Ultra Alpaca; Kirsten's (milk chocolate) is knit with Stonehedge Fiber Mill's Shepherd's Wool. There are two hem options and the sweater is knit from the top down - try it on as you go!

Going and going and going...

As a mom who has a full time job, and knits almost as a second "job", life can get pretty crazy sometimes. And the one thing that REALLY gets away from me is blogging...and I feel guilty about it. Believe me, I love to write...but it's one of those things that doesn't always make the priority list. Know what I mean?

Since we last caught up, so much knitting has happened!

In mid-January I attended Vogue Knitting Live in NYC. It was held at the Hilton two blocks from my office, how could I resist? On Friday afternoon I took a menswear design class with Josh Bennett (boy meets purl) and he was fabulous...full of life, inspiration, and knowledge! I organized a dinner for a group of AWESOME knitters afterward, and we all had a great time meeting each other and dining on nommy greek food. We wandered back to a bar at the Hilton later, and hung out and laughed some more. I stayed overnight with a good friend and we headed back to the Hilton on Saturday morning.

Not only did I take my time in the marketplace, but I signed up for a last minute Lace/Charting class with Tanis Gray. She was a delight to meet...even though she told me I was way beyond the class level :o) Later on I went back to the marketplace and ran into so many friends I've met at workshops and book signings: Joanna Johnson was at Knitty City signing her new book; I ran into Jill from VA, who I met at a Knit A GoGo event a few years ago; a woman I met at the Shirley Paden workshop at Sticks and Strings last fall; and the list goes on. I also met Erin (Minty), Ysolda, The Kelbourne Girls (Kate & Courtney), and Cirilia, Connie, Melissa W, Colleen, Deb, Amy and Kat for the first time; and saw Kirsten, Kim, and Caro again. Everyone was just so nice...which is what I love most about knitters!

To note, my designs for Decadent Fibers were well received and I can't wait to see projects popping up on Ravelry in the coming weeks!

I've continued to do some test knitting for Kirsten - and she just finished knitting my Ramona sweater pattern (I am SO blessed!!!). I'm ironing out the last of the sizing issues and hope to have it released in the next week or so. I think you're going to love it as much as we do!

On the needles right now...
- a sample scarf for Buffalo Gold of Kristin Omdahl's new pattern "I Do Diamonds"
- Frost Flowers and Leaves Shawl from A Gathering of Lace. I started this last July and have a personal goal to finish it within a year. I'm getting toward the end of the major repeat section and there are a gazillion stitches - wish me luck on the final push!
- Colorwork mittens for a swap. No, I'm not generally a colorwork knitter - but I do like a challenge. Since they are a surprise for the recipient, I'll just say that my own ability has quickly surpassed my expectations. Ruth...you will not be disappointed :o)

That's all for now! Happy Valentine's Day to all...and Happy B'day to my amazing husband!!!

All my best,
Karen

Busy Knitting

In the past week I've cranked out SO many projects...it's almost surreal!

Back in November (or October?) I signed up for a Funky Carolina handspun hat swap. With thanks to Kirsten, I was able to knit with some yarn she spun (because y'all know I don't dare take on another addiction!). I recalculated/rewrote my Falling Leaves hat pattern for worsted weight and the new version looks so cute in handspun! Like the original chunky version...it's free on Ravelry...check it out here

I also knit a second Lolly Go Round double-cowl using Decadent Fibers Creme Brulee (a mix of merino, silk and mohair). I'll be bringing it, and some printed patterns, to Vogue Live on Friday. Stop by the D.F. booth to see it...as well as two other patterns I designed for them.

Also, if you happen to see me at Vogue Live (I'll be there Friday afternoon and most of Saturday), please stop me and say hello! I'll have some discount cards that can be used through the end of the year...and many exciting patterns will be published...so hang onto it for future use.

In addition to the above knits, I also whipped up another Darth using Cascade 128 Superwash...and have a second one, in a different color, on my needles as I write. These two hats are for the friend of a friend...and need to be done by Thursday. First of all, if you've never used this yarn - you're missing out! It's soft and a real pleasure to work with. Second, and I know that I'm a little biased because, after all, it's my own pattern - but hot damn, this pattern works up SUPER fast!!!

A test knit (sekret for now) and another Lolly Go Round are on the menu for this week...and I hope to have them done in time to model on Friday and Saturday! Hooray!

How's your productivity been? Happy Knitting Tuesday to all!

Inspiration/Addiction/Obsession

Last fall I took a day off from the hustle and bustle and drove down to Philly with Kirsten to visit our friend Andrea for lunch and some yarn shopping. Our first stop was Loop and we each picked up a couple skeins for quick projects and went on our merry way.

Only I haven't just gone on my merry way. I've obsessed. Often.

You see, there was a beautiful peony colored cowl that I have NOT been able to get out of my head. Once I got home that afternoon, I called Loop and asked about the pattern/yarn. Then I went online and *ooohed and ahhhed over it (and, if this entry were a pattern, I would say "rep from * to end" - ha ha).

Isn't it lovely?


It could be that I'm in love with the color...because I knit a hat using Quince & Co's Rosa Rugosa and everyone compliments me whenever I wear it. Or maybe it was the texture/fiber...so SO soft and luxe. In any event, I haven't forgotten...and am torn on what to DO about it? Do I just give in and order the pattern and yarn once and for all. Do I set a goal: If I knit X number of skeins from my stash I can place an order? Oh gosh, the decisions!

Any recent projects you've seen that you can't get out of your head?

happy knitting all!