Yarn It: My life as I Live It and Knit It

Tweedy BOMB!!!

The Tweedy Waistcoat (Rav link) is a Tweedy Bomb.  I have to admit....this is the first non-wearable FO I have had in a long time.  I have frogged a few WIP's but my FO's have been coming out quite nice lately!  Not this one - though technically it is not an FO because it still needs the edging for the armholes.  However, once I tried the vest on I figured it wasn't even worth it.  This baby is off to frogland!

Let's take a look at the problems:

 

Yikes!  Bulges in ALL the wrong places! I don't need any garment to give me bulges there.

 

Ummmm - again, more bulges where I do not need them.  Not to mention the fact that I don't like the way the entire middle poufs out above the bottom ribbing. Not attractive.

 

Another picture of the back.  We tried to get a picture of the armholes because they gape open but we didn't get any shots that showed it very well.  After the pictures were taken, the right lapel kept flapping up and hitting me in the face.  If I decided to keep this, which I will not, then I would need to tack it down.  I steamed blocked this.  Do you all think wet blocking may help?  I am not too inclined to try it because I think this yarn will be used for another project.

On another note - this was my first "photo shoot" with Scott.  It was interesting.  I couldn't pose worth a darn because he was having fun snapping all these random shots of me.  All I could hear was the click of the camera before I was ready.  And here are the looks he got from me:

 

Are you nuts?  What are you doing?

 

Hmmmm.....maybe I need to revert back to my OLD photographer (Camille).

 

An example of a random shot.  He had fun - I think he liked to take pics of me in my knitting.

Oh, do you want the details on this horrific FO?

Pattern:  Tweed Bomb...er....I mean Tweedy Waistcoat in size 36"

Yarn:  Rowan Scottish Tweed - 5 balls in brown and 1 ball in cream (pattern calls for 3 balls of cream and I only used one)

Needles:  US 7 for the body, US 8 for the lapels, US 6 for the ribbing

If I made this again then I would add waist shaping.  It would probably prevent the vest from bulging so much.  I also would have made the 33" instead of the 36".  It just way too big all around.  It is supposed to have a bit of positive ease so I really made the wrong choice in size.  If I had knitted a smaller size with waist shaping this probably would have turned out to be really cute.

I do have other things to show you but we are having friends over to for dinner tonight so I need to get cooking.

On a side note, look what we found in our backyard today:

Wild Turkeys.  We actually woke up to the sound of their gobbling on Thanksgiving morning.  It cracked us up.  This was the first time we saw them - we counted 10.  We also have bear and a mountain lion.  The bear tipped our trash can over the other night and carried a bag of trash down about 20 yds into the forest.  He opened it up and rummaged through it but didn't tear it to pieces like a dog would do.  Kind of crazy.  We have not yet seen the bear but a friend of mine has and she said it is huge.  Needless to say, the kids come inside when dusk hits. 

Stayed tuned for some more knitting goodness - as long as I am not jinxed by this vest!

Thankfulness

As we all know, Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for all the wonderful things in our life.  I guess it can be a time to be thankful for the not so wonderful things that have happened to us because sometimes those things open up doors to more wonderful things.  Despite the hard times in my life over the past couple years I have always had so many things to be grateful for.

I am thankful that I have four wonderful children who are happy and healthy.  Sophie, who has struggled with breathing problems since she was four months old, still struggles from asthma but no longer has the severe problems that have landed her in the hospital and have caused hours and hours worth of breathing treatments at home.  I am thankful she has grown out the severe nature of her case.

I am thankful for my parents who have given me unconditional love and support throughout my entire life - especially during the hard times.  When my ex-husband and I separated in 2000 my dad came to see me every Wednesday to take the kids and I out to dinner (I only had two at the time), help me bathe them and get them to bed.  He did this every Wednesday for over a year until Brad and I got back together.  My family has helped me emotionally and financially.  Not only am I thankful for them but I realize how fortunate I am to have strong and supportive parents.  They have sacrificed so that I am ok.

I am thankful for the love of my children.  They are such good kids and they are loving kids.  I am never without hugs, kisses and "I love you's".  It makes me happy that they are so loving and affectionate.

I am thankful for good friends - especially Lisa and Ginger.  I always call Lisa my "soul sister".  I have only known her for a year and a half but I feel like I have known her my entire life.  We clicked immediately and we understand each other so well.  When we get together we laugh so much - and sometimes we cry.  She is the most amazing friend I have every had and I love her so much.  Ginger is a very generous friend - she is very loving and giving.  She has been there for me a lot the past couple years.  I am thankful for her constant friendship.

I am thankful that my Grandmother has survived cancer for the second time in her life.  I am thankful that I have more time to spend with her and that time will not be taken for granted. 

I am thankful for a house that I feel happy in, that is beautiful, serene and peaceful.  I am so thankful that I can come home to a house that provides comfort and good feelings.  It provides light - not darkness.
I am thankful for Scott, whom is the most loving and accepting man I have ever known.  He loves me like crazy and never fails to tell me - or show it.  He loves my children and is so good to them.  I am thankful to finally be able to love someone completely and I am thankful that I have a soft place to fall when things are hard. 

I am thankful that, after a long period of "darkness", I can finally see the beauty of the world around me again.  I am thankful that this Fall, I was aware of the beauty of the leaves on the trees changing colors.  I can't tell you how many times Fall passed me by and I didn't notice how beautiful it was.  It wasn't until this Fall when I noticed the trees - and realized I hadn't see it for many years.  I am thankful that my eyes are opened to this again. 

These are things I should, and usually am, thankful for everyday.  But it is always good to put focus on these things and realize that we need to be thankful everyday and not just today. 

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by people you love.  I will be with the people I love the most in my life:  my mom and dad, my brother and his sweet family, Scott and my little kiddos. 

Knitting News:  I have an update on the Tweedy Waistcoat and I will soon be able to show you the Not-A-Poncho-City-Cape.  I also have some other knitting goodness on.   

For The Love Of Yarn

First, I would love to thank those of you whom have helped me to de-stash.  Not only did it take yarn off my hands, but it is going to help with Christmas for my kids.  I would love to buy more yarn - but then de-stashing would be somewhat pointless!  I listed more yarn today and I am still not sure that will be the end of it. 

As I was going through my stash I seriously had to think about what yarn I wanted to keep and what I didn't.  I really didn't want to part with any of it but I knew I wouldn't knit from all of it.  I began to wonder why I bought all that yarn in the first place.  There were probably many reasons.  I was in a depression at the time and knitting and yarn were my outlet.  I found peace and comfort in knitting for all the reasons most of you have.  Yarn was an outlet because I took a lot of joy in looking at yarn (online and in stores) because I mostly enjoyed the colors and feel of it.  I always thought I would make something out of the yarn I bought even if I didn't have a project in mind....but that didn't always happen. 

I think my love of yarn has evolved now.  It isn't just about the colors and the way it looks or feels.  It is about what I can create from it.  What will the finished fabric look like, how will it feel, how will it wear.  I put a lot of thought into what will become of the yarn and I think it is simply because I have a better understanding of knitting and knitting concepts. 

I started off loving yarn because of it's novelty - but now I love yarn because of what I can do with it.  If you read through the comments of my last post, Raina said, "wow, that is a serious stash. I definitely think you should be fine knitting from that for six months. think of how cleansing it will be!! :) I love decluttering - it's like my favorite thing in the world so the concept of knitting a stack of yarn down to nothing seems so exciting". 

I agree with her so much.  This weekend I spent a lot of time adding the stash I am keeping to Ravelry and I have been trying to figure out what will become of the yarn.  It has been exciting - and fun - and I can't wait to knit from the stash and the yarn I really love.

P.S.  On a knitting note.  The City Cape is almost done.  It is blocking and then I need to add all the "notions".  The Tweedy Waistcoat will be a disaster, I am quite sure.  I will post pics tomorrow because I could use your opinions this matter!

Stash Sale!

I have a separate blog for the stash sale.  I don't have everything listed yet.  It takes a long time and my little girls want my attention.  So I will post more items later this afternoon.  All the information is on the other blog which can be found   here .  You never know....maybe you will find something you just have to have!

I am Feeling Overwhelmed......

......by my yarn stash.  Seriously.  Is it ridiculous or what?  Maybe it isn't considering most knitters have stash "issues".  I thought I had it all organized - and then I moved.  And I realized, I didn't have it "organized" I just had put it in one place where I could see it and it made sense.  I don't know what to do with it all!  I am going to go through all my yarn - skein by skein - this weekend to find projects for some of it and then I will sell some of it.  For you sock knitters out there - I have some Sundara Yarn that will be on the market because I just don't knit socks.  Her yarn is gorgeous - but again, I DON'T KNIT SOCKS!  Don't ask me why I bought sock yarn.  I am enticed by knitted sock patterns but I can't complete one. 

There was a time in my life when I was able to buy yarn when I wanted - even without a project in mind.  Now, if I buy yarn, I need to have a project in mind that I know I will complete.  And even then, I give it some serious thought.  I go to my LYS, I look around, I feel the yarn .  And then I go home and think about it.  I don't always buy it - but occasionally, if I have the funds, I will if I know I will knit the project.  

As I am looking at my stash and I am trying to figure out how to get rid of it, I figure I have enough yarn to knit from stash so that I would not need to buy yarn for the next - 3-5 years.  Of course, that won't happen.  But it certainly could if I only knit from stash.  So, after I go through my stash and assign projects, I am going to do my best to only knit from stash for awhile.  That won't be too difficult right now because I can't buy any yarn until after Christmas.  So....I am going to try to knit from stash for about 6 months.  Do you think I can do it?  Seriously, let me know if you think I can - because I am up for the challenge. 

The good thing?  I will spend this weekend up to my ears in yarn that I will either knit or sell.  I love yarn.  I think that is my problem.  I love yarn as much almost as much as I love knitting.  I know the two go hand in hand - but I do love yarn.  Even if I don't knit it.  And that is probably why I have a stash problem.

So, if you want to see my stash....look at the pics below.  And if you are intersted in buying yarn during these hard economic times and close it being very close to Christmas....then stay tuned.  I hope you all have a great weekend.

The House and Some Knitting!

First off, I am going to start off with pictures of our new house from the outside.  I am so in love with it - I just can't tell you.  Very quickly it felt like home and it felt like where we are supposed to be.  The kids are settling in perfectly and have so much fun playing outside.  Plus they have more space and that helps out a lot to.  This house just oozes with happiness and joy and we feel it when we are in it.  Things could not be more perfect in our lives right now - nor could they be more peaceful.

Close up of the front - isn't that maple tree amazing???

The front yard - and I LOVE the front porch!

I told the kiddos that this is their time out bench - heck, I would LOVE a time out there!

The view from our back deck - a greenbelt full of deer...and skunks.  Our dog got sprayed by one last night.  A total nightmare that I won't go into.  This is what we wake up to every morning if we don't close the slider blinds.  Gorgeous.  Especially when it is raining and misty.

Oh, and did I mention we have a hot tub outside our bedroom slider?  Couldn't get better than that!

On to knitting!

This is the Friendship Shawl from Laura at Fiber Dreams .  I am knitting this for my very dear friend, Ginger.  She is an amazing friend and has done so much for me over the last year and a half.  I originally saw this at Kristie's  blog, as she test knit the shawl, and when I read what this shawl symbolized, I knew I needed to knit it for Ginger. 

Ginger is the one on the far right - next to me.  Cheri is on the far left and that is Miriam next to her.  All are wonderful friends of mine.

This is a very bad picture of the Tweedy Waist Coat  (Rav link). What you see is the front left panel, the left lapel (which is knitted separately) all laying on top of the back.  I loved this the moment I saw it in IK.  Scott said it totally looks like me.  It is really a quick knit.  I need to to knit the right side and lapel and then do the finishing work.  Let's just hope it fits perfectly!

That is about it for now.  I hope you all have a great weekend!

 

SP 13 Questionairre

Now I get to answer all these fun questions for SP 13.  I can't wait to find out who I get to spoil so I can start planning on fun things to send her.  I am so excited to participate in this again.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I love anything Rowan, I love Sublime and most Berroco yarns.  I do not care for yarns that split easily.  I am always willing to try new yarns.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have a special drawer in my yarn cabinet - one for my circulars and one for my straights.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I have been knitting for four years now.  I taught myself when the scarf craze started.  I figured it would be less expensive to make my own and I have always wanted to learn.  I taught myself how to crochet years ago.  I would consider myself advanced.  I haven't tried everything though....so who really knows!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

I do, but I bought the book that was on my list!

5. What's your favorite scent?

That's a tough one.  I love scents with vanilla tones and fruity florals.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

I have a major sweet tooth for ice cream....but since you can't send that in the mail I really love Snickers.  They are my favorite along with Good n Plenty's. 

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I used to scrapbook until the knitting bug bit me.  I haven't scrapped book since!  I do spin, but haven't in the past year because of school.  I would rather knit in my very rare spare time.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I am not a huge music buff.  I really like almost all music except for rap, techno, heavy metal....

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I love reds, purples, greens, oranges, browns, yellows.  I like blue but it depends on the shade and I stay away from pastels and super bright colors.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I have four wonderful children, a Boxer named Tiggs, a cat named Shadow and a bird named Twinkle.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I wear scarves, mittens and am currently knitting the Not-A-Poncho-City Cape from Custom Knits.  So that probably doesn't qualify as a poncho.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I mainly love to knit sweaters.  I am also going to be knitting some mittens and fingerless gloves for myself and as Christmas gifts.

13. What are you knitting right now?

I am knitting the Tweedy Waistcoat from the latest IK along with the city cape thing.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

I have no doubt that I would love it - it just hasn't happened yet.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I prefer circulars.  I pretty much only use them and I always use Addi Turbos.  I tried the Denise needles but all of the cables eventually broke.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

I own both and can't live without them.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

About three and half years old!

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?

My favorite holiday is Christmas.  I love it more now that I have children.  Their joy and happy spirits remind me of my childhood.  That is the winter holiday I celebrate.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Other than yarn, needles and knitting books?  Nope. Not since I started knitting!

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I would love to try Malabrigo lace.  I also love any worsted weight yarn because it is easy to find knitting patterns for that weight of yarn.  I only subscribe to IK right now but I do really love Vogue as well.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I would like to try a sweater using the stranded method again.  I would also love to knit something with steeks again!

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I tried it but couldn't get too excited about it.  However, I do have one pair of handknit socks and I love them.  I have a size eight foot.

23. When is your birthday?

December 31st.

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

Of course!  Yarnit.

Moved In!

Well, we are all moved in to our new home.  I spent all of this past week unpacking boxes and unpacked the last one this evening.  The move was hard.  It was pouring rain the entire day.  Everyone was soaking wet and I have a ton of furniture - mainly because there are four children.  It is just more furniture than an average family.  It was exhausting.  However, we made it through and are very happy with our new home.  It is comfortable, cozy, and we have plenty of space.  In my old house, Camille and Sophie shared a room and Davis and Exie shared a room.  Now Camille and Davis both have their own rooms (Camille has her own bathroom!) and the two little girls share.  The kids love it here.  The have had a ton of fun exploring the yard and forest behind us and have played many games of hide and seek.  It is so nice to see them so happy here.  It feels wonderful to start over in a new place.  This home has such happy energy - it just feels really good.

I hope to show you pics in the next day or two.  I need to answer some questions now for SP 13!

I hope you are all doing well and I plan on spending this next week catching up on your wonderful blogs.