Trekking XXL Socks

Yarn: Trekking XXL sock, ?? colorway

Pattern: 2x2 rib cuff, short row heel, traditional toe

Comments: This sock is a long time coming. I bought the yarn probably 3 or 4 years ago. Started it when we first opened the shop. Had a falling out with socks shortly thereafter and threw the first half completed sock in my stash drawer. I started it again after finishing all of my UFO's and felt guilty that the sock was languishing in my drawer. I actually kinda sorta enjoyed working on it. Maybe I'll give socks another chance.

2007 Knitting Tally

I enjoying comparing my knitting from one year to another.

Sweaters - 11
Bears - 5
Afghans - 2
Skirts - 1
Socks - 1
Shawls - 3
Misc Small Projects - 10

Kate Jacobs & some old FO's

Sheryl and I had to wonderful opportunity to participate in a knitting segment that will be shown on Great Day Houston this March. The segment began with and interview with Kate Jacobs, author of The Friday Night Knitting Club. Kate was a doll. Y'all should check out her book! The second segment had Sheryl teaching the interviewer how to knit. She did an awesome job. Here is a picture of Sheryl, Kate Jacobs, and myself.

I've had this sweater done for some time, but with all of the craziness going on, just didn't have time to post pictures.

Pattern: Twinkle Hoodie from Twinkle's Big City Knits


Yarn: Twinkle Handknits Soft Chunky in #23 Haze


Comments: The first incarnation of this yarn was the Karate Sweater from the same book. The fit was awful on me, so I promptly frogged. I am much happier with the results this time. It is a great fit, quick knit, and was fun to do.

Pattern: Aquila from Venezia Una Volta by Louisa Harding

Yarn: (all Louisa Harding yarns) Grace #12, Kimono Ribbon Pure #1, Kimono Ribbon Pure #5, Kimono Angora Pure #5, Glisten #16

Comments: FULL DISCLOSURE - I did not knit this. I started to knit this, and I wimped out. While we were in France, we had the extreme pleasure of meeting Miriam Tegels, the world's fastest knitter. She graciously accepted my offer to pay her to knit this for me. It took her a couple of weeks, I kid you not. She is phenomenal.

Louisa Harding

Can I just say, I am a HUGE Louisa Harding fan. Her yarns are scrumptious. Her color choices are so sophisticated and modern. Her designs are best in the business. Seriously, if y'all haven't checked her stuff out, go right now to your LYS and see it.

I had the pleasure of meeting her on two other occasions at TNNA (the national yarn market), but yesterday she came to our store. She spoke for a little over an hour to a packed house. Afterwards, she allowed our customers to see and even try on several of her new designs, including some from her not-yet-published summer book Summer Classics.

Listing her talk about her background and how she gets her inspiration was fascinating. I feel more energized about knitting now than I have been in quite some time. Thank you Louisa!

The sweater that Louisa is wearing is from her upcoming Summer Classics book using her new yarn Jasmine. It is a cotton/bamboo blend that has a thin metallic thread run through it. I'm wearing Marie knit out of Thalia from her current book Dauphine. After trying it on, I'm in LOVE.

She also signed autographs for both of my girls. Along with her sweet note, she drew caricatures of the girls wearing crowns. So cute.

Peggy's Bear Delivery

Last week, our local paper wrote an article about Yarntopia's Peggy's Bear project. It is a really sweet piece. You can check it out here. Thanks again to all of y'all who donated. Keep those bears coming. Here are a few pictures from the delivery.

Vogue Knitting - Lookie!

Did you see Yarntopia mentioned on pg. 12? The article is entitled "Cyberstitches". There is a picture of my Peggy's Bear too.

Catching up

Boy, I haven't posted in ages. Things have been crazy (in a good way) at the shop. Not to mention, I had a little health scare. I'm on the mends now! Looking what I've been working on.

Pattern: Men's Convertible Fingerless Gloves by Knit Picks

Yarn: Atacama #509 by Araucania

I made these for Mr. Lovie to wear hunting. He seems to like them, although it hasn't been cold enough yet for him to wear.

Pattern: Pull Kimono by Phildar

Yarn: Rowan Kid Silk Night #608, Phildar Sunset in Argent

I bought the yarn and the pattern in Montpellier, France while vacationing there. I had the pattern translated when I got home. The Kid Silk was substituted for an incorrect Phildar mohair I bought by mistake. I love the bat-wing sleeves on this sweater. The Phildar Sunset is a metallic that really gives it some "bling". All in all, I adore this sweater. Not just because it is different, but because it reminds me of my wonderful trip to France.

Pattern: Salvador by Louisa Harding. From Venezia Felia Mai Dopo.

Yarn: Louisa Harding Sari Ribbon #20, Louisa Harding Kashmir DK #16

My second sweater in a row with a Dolman sleeve. Again, I am SO pleased with how this sweater turned out. I was afraid that the ribbon would be scratchy, which it isn't. It is hard to tell from the picture, but the sweater is knit in a really cool lace pattern. The design is a one-size-fits-all, so it is baggy on me. The fit is slouchy, which I like as well. I made this for Yarntopia's upcoming visit by Louisa Harding herself. Hope she likes it.