Noro Newbie

I had heard of Noro quite a while ago and then saw it at my local fancy yarn boutique.  I held it, squeezed it and mooshed it in my hands...it was quite nice.  Until I saw the price for one skein.  Nicey, but pricey... never mind, Noro could wait.

That is until last summer when I decided to pop into the same fancy yarn boutique one day.  The lovely store owner pointed out to me the small clearance section in the back.  Lo and behold, way down at the bottom, hidden by piles of skeins, was a full bag of 10 skeins of Noro Taiyo in the same dyelot.  $50 for all of it.  Ooohhh what a deal :-)

So here I am a year later, knitting with Noro for the first time and enjoying it immensely. 

The fiber is a combination of cotton, silk and nylon.  Despite the Fall/Winter-ish colors, it's actually lightweight and comfortable to knit with during these warm days of Summer.

It's fun to see the striping take place...and the funky colors unfold...you don't really know what you're going to get.

The plan is a poncho...basic stockinette stitch in a rectangle layout, then sewn up the sides leaving an opening for your head.  Or it may become a simple wrap.  We'll see what it feels like when all is done...

Have a great end of the week!  Maybe you'll discover something new to try :-)

Crazy for Cushions

Now that our kitchen project is almost complete and things are making their way back into place, I'm so happy to get back to some desperately needed hooking time!  I was having serious withdrawal issues over the last month...

Off to my hook and needles to complete some pillows that languished in my WIP pile. 



Classic granny with several rows of single crochet edging.



I made 2 of these, one large and one small.  Forgot to photograph the backs of the cushions which are simply one big granny square done in the cream yarn.

And this knitted cable stitch cushion that was a complete joy to make.

The backing done in stockinette with a garter stitch edge.

Envelope back for easy removal.  I like the idea of changing out cushion covers as the mood strikes.

Trio of cushions.  Apologies...not your vision, just a poor photo on my part!

And so they'll rest here on the loveseat for a while...

Wish I could join the cushions for a rest myself, but a busy day lies ahead.  I'm off to help with a charity auction.

I hope you have a weekend filled with good things :-)

Cable Courage

Like so many of you, I love to crochet.  But then I came across this in blogland recently and became entranced by these lovely, lovely knitted pillows.



You can see the post here at Mias Landliv.  Really gorgeous stuff throughout Mia's blog, right?!  This one really caught my eye because I've wanted to learn how to knit cables for the longest time, but was intimidated by them.  Lately I've also been appreciating colors like the pale hues of pink, and grey, in all its varying tones.  So this photo captured it all for me...I'm drooling over this loveliness as I write.

I have basically not been able to function since discovering this pillow.  In order to cure myself of this, I knew exactly what I had to do.  DROP EVERYTHING - including the granny blanket I've been working on as a birthday gift - and get to my knitting needles straight away!

Dropped this project like a hot potato...

 And taught myself how to knit basic cables...

...from this beautiful knitting book.  It's a treasure trove of classic patterns, stitches and techniques.  Not sure why I was afraid of trying because cables really aren't that difficult.  Discovering this made me very happy!

The cable sample I knitted above will become a 14" x 14" pillow.  Now that I have the courage to knit cables, I'm heading to my special sacred stash for the next one...

I wish you could feel the softness of this blend (extrafine merino/ microfiber/ milk / silk).  For someone who works with acrylic most of the time, this yarn is a real treat!  Supremely luxurious in every sense.  I cannot wait to get this on my needles!

Before signing off, I wish to send a heartfelt hug to the lovely and talented Andrea at Apples and Pears, who passed along this award to me...

Thanks a million, Andrea, you're the best :-)

I believe I'm supposed to convey this to 7 bloggers with less than 100 followers.  I have 3 at the top of my mind to whom I would like to send this award:

Kate at Creative World

Annie at Annielizabeth's Heart to Heart

Gail at Yankee Teapot

Sending you wishes for creative happiness today :-)

Rest & Relaxation

What a wonderful week of holiday festivities, food and family.  Now... time to relax with a cup of tea and lose myself in a yarn project.

After exclusively crocheting for the last 6 months, I've switched gears and picked up my knitting needles.  Someday I'd like to try knitting cables, but haven't worked up the courage to try yet.  In the meantime, I came across this "mock cable pattern" and enjoy it immensely.  Not difficult, soothing to work, yet just enough concentration needed to make it interesting and satisfying.

A scarf in the making, using one of my favorite acrylic yarns, Caron Simply Soft.

I discovered this pattern through the lovely blog, My Sewing Serenity.  Here's the pattern if you'd like to give it a try:

Mock Cable Rib (Pattern Stitch)

(Multiple of 4 sts plus 2)

Row 1:  (RS) *P2, k2; repeat from *, end p2

Row 2 and 4:  *K2, p2; repeat from *, end k2

Row 3:  *P2, k2tog without slipping sts from needle, then k first st again, drop both sts from needle;  repeat from *, end p2

Repeat rows 1-4 for pattern st

Example:  Worsted weight yarn cast on 46 sts.  Work for desired length.  Bind off.  Approx. 240 yds for ~ 9 1/2 " x 49" scarf.

Enjoy some down time and quiet moments :-)

Imagine

...the possibilities.  I so enjoy yarn shops and all the endless colors.  My own collection has grown because I can never resist adding to it when I visit my favorite yarn places.  Here's a peek at some of my stash...


Sugar & Cream 100% Cotton



Hap'i 100% Tanguis Cotton and Jo Sharpe Aran

Hmmm...what to create with all this fiber goodness?  I'm joyfully overwhelmed with the possibilities.

I wish you yarn abundance and joy today :-)

Works in Progress

Some of my ongoing projects to be picked up now and again as the mood strikes...
 

Little granny squares (Caron Simply Soft Yarn)



Like yummy cookies on a tray...



Inspired by Attic24



Knitted scarf in a seed stitch variation (Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky)



I have in mind to finish with a crochet edging all around

More granny squares (Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran)

I envision a blanket developing here...

Do what makes you happy today :-)