the knitting buzz

perpetua red lace wrap

It's complete! 

Perpetua Lace Wrap and Scarf pattern is now available on Ravelry. 

It's knit with Fiber Optic Merino/Silk Laceweight plied yarn, a 50% merino 50% silk blend, in an orange-y red one-of-a-kind colorway on US# 3 needles.  I thoroughly enjoyed working with the yarn. Kimber Baldwin (Fiber Optics) is so gifted, her colorways inspire. 

I am really happy how it turned out.  So much so, that I had started one in a teal blue color of Mountain Colors Winter Lace.

New on the needles is a Purple Portofino Wrap made with the Wollmeise Lace Garn.  Originally, I was not happy with how the yarn was performing while knitting Carlisle and frogged it.  But LOVE how its knitting up in Portofino...... perseverance pays off!

    
Additionally, a new design is on the needles using Mithril from Sanguine Gryphon.  The yarn is 100% merino is somewaht similar to the texture of the Wollmeise which I was not expecting.  So far so good on the first 58 rows. 

 
The number of lace projects on the needles may be getting out of hand.....even for me.   Happy Knitting!

a very productive day

Feeling very productive today.

I credit the beautiful crisp day for the found energy, enthusiasm and focus.  Temps in the 60's, it awesome out.

I have been knitting, listening to an audiobook, swatching with Wollmeise Lace Garn, blocking and a whole host of other chores.  I love productive days!



To started getting ready for winter, I need to reblock most of my lace wraps, which can be quite the process, (I have a few).  Since the weather is so nice, I am taking advantage of getting this blocking project started (with the help of Xander). 

The knitting of my Perpetua (Red) Lace Wrap & Scarf  pattern design is nearly complete. And with fingers croseed, I will be updating its completion sooooon.  (no updated pictures today)

A while ago, I ended up frogging my second Carlisle, only because the Wollmeise laceweight yarn I was using was slightly too thick for this project.  Carlisle really needs a thinner yarn to pop the pattern.

This led to lots of swatching, frogging, more swatching, more frogging......



Until blocking my Portofino Wrap (above). 

I have wanted to knit another Portofino Wrap for quite some time (can't lie, I really love this pattern). But it had fallen down pretty far in my queue of projects.  So after blocking, I gave it a shot in the Wollmeise and its going to look super great on a US #4 (3.5mm) needle.  I really can't wait to get started.  Anyone interested in a KAL?  I'm game. 

Hope you are having a wonderful day!



side notes

Have come to some resolution about finishing the red lace wrap/scarf. 

For the last three days, (not getting as much knitting time as I had hoped), I was sure I was just one repeat away from knitting the ending border edge.  And yet it still doesn't seem long enough. Luckily I have plenty of yarn to console this inner fight.

Just moments ago, I was ready to just be done with it and begin the border. 

Then it struck me......what was I thinking...... I will be emphasizing the width when I block it, which the laws of physics tells us, that it will then get shorter in length.  So there is the answer.....KEEP KNITTING!!!

On a separate side note,  the red lace wrap/scarf finally has a name.  I have decided to name and publish this design as Perpetua Lace Wrap and Scarf. 

Once the knitting is finished, the wrap is blocked, photographed, finish writing  & tech editing the pdf, it will be available at Knitting Buzz Designs Ravelry Store.

On a completely different side note...

I have finished knitted monster #3 (its little and sparkly) and have started #4. 

I thought my little sparkly monster would be great to include in with a Christmas gift to hold a piece of jewelry or something like that.....BUT Xander eyed my sparkly monster and insisted that he needed a pocket monster.  "Pocket monster"....isn't that cute!   Who could resist the needs of a three year old.

The monster craze has me in its clutches..... but really who could resist Rebecca Danger's adorable creations.  ADDICTIVE!!!!!

the cookie jar i couldn't resist

As long as I can remember, I have always had a facination with cookie jars. However, I'm not certain if the facination is for the cookie jar OR what's inside the cookie jar.....that's another story all together.  For now, its the cookie jar......

Cookie Jars always give a cozy, fresh baked cookie feeling to any kitchen.....even if the "fresh baked" cookies were Oreo's.  The feeling was still cozy & homey all the same.

Here are some that I remember and longed for over the years....

     

Yet, over the years, I have resisted purchasing a cookie jar, even though I was tempted ..... it always seemed like a frivolous purchase.  

UNTIL NOW......

I did it.  I just bought myself this adorable cookie jar. It's a HOOT!  It will look perfect in my kitchen.  Anthropologie has an entire line of Owl motif cookie jars. Must be feeling frivolous.  Will now have to work on some fresh baked cookies to keep it filled.  

 

OF COURSE.....

Can't go a whole post without chatting about knitting in some fashion, so here is a random photo for your enjoyment.

 
Based on the lamp in the background....I bet Joan had a cookie jar.....

I apologize, I couldn't resist.

Happy Knitting and enjoy your cookies whatever they are stored in.

stash busting monsters

Monster #2 is finished, this knitted monster went from a bunch of pieces and yarn that was original intended as a felted tote to.....

 

a pear shaped super cute monster. A girly monster accessorized with a hair bow or rather ear bow.

 A stash busting success......and a win win. 

WIN:   I feel great about using some yarn of a project that had lost interest/desire...... and......

WIN:   it's new owner is thrilled to have such a fun monster that doubles as a pillow.

A STASH BUSTING SUCCESS!  I am now looking at my yarn closet with a renewed inspiration.  The best part is that the monsters come in multiple sizes and can use left over yarn from previous projects too......it doesn't get better than that.....RIGHT? 

 

So I have now started knitting monster #3 and this one will be sparkly.  More sooner than later.....this one shouldn't take too long to knit, its on the smallish size..... as monsters go, that is. 

I think this sparkly monster will be the perfect compliment to a holiday gift. 

Knitting monsters are definitly more fun than socks...... don't get me wrong, I love socks..... but socks are not quite as fun to create & give as much stash busting satisfaction.....but undeniably, also not as useful.

Useful can be over-rated....right? 

RIGHT!!!!!!........of course!