Today’s challenge was transport. I have to say, I was a bit perplexed and didn’t know where to go with this. But my mind took me back to India. A place where things are hard, but life is still beautiful and there’s peace. Where intricate saris roam freely and textures rule.
Here’s another I posted to Instagram moments ago:
Another photo from my trip to India. I imagined this bundle transported was wool or silk being transported to be processed.
Water.
I figured I need water to hydrate while I’m creating 😀
Join the fun on Instagram! I found it just in time. I’ve already taken today’s pic, so come take yours, #yarnpadc and #knittingphotochallenge. See you there!
Cotton candy?
Pie?
Sugar pop?
Pistachio ice cream?
Yes! The answer is a resounding YES! All of the above!
I went to a yarn tasting at Knitting Nation in Nyack, NY on 9.24.13 for Cascade.
It. was . a . beautiful. thing.
There was a beautiful spread of all the Cascade yarns (the food spread was great as well). I can see why Cascade 220 is a fave among us knitters…not sure why I never bought any. Lack of availability maybe? I don’t know, but it is reasonably priced. But once my stash gets to a certain point it will be in it!
A few of my faves are: Cloud, 220 superwash, and Eco Wool Eco+. I loved the softness and stitch definition, as well as the weight. I can’t say I’m a fan of lightweight yarns though. I like aran/worsted and heavier.
A very cute alpaca farm in Yorktown Heights invites you to visit…. Check them out! And yes, there is yarn available for purchase. (smile)
Who’s going to Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival this year?
It’s October 19-20, 2013.
Be there or be square!
What’s in my [travel] toolbox? A lot. And yes,there is a difference… I have a larger toolbox holding all my needles and notions and other equipment. I recently added one more thing to my toolbox when I began my Zolotoi top… A row counter.
This solitary tool changed my knitting life and especially so with this top! No more counting rows and after every row making a check mark which subsequently slowed my knitting time! This is amazing. When I was new to knitting (about 3 years ago) I bought it, but I didn’t know what it was and I was confused on how to use it. It helped me keep an accurate track of my rows so when I needed to replicate it, I had no trouble.
I suggest buying tools as you go instead of buying arbitrary things just because someone or magazine says its cool. What’s good for the goose isn’t always good for the gander. Know what I mean? Buy tools that suit your needs.
My tools of the trade…
Top large segment: tape measure, yarn snipper, plastic pins, highlighter tape, a metal stitch correction tool (mini crochet hook on top), row counter, large plastic seaming needle and cable needles… All sorts of cable needles.
Compartments from top left, clockwise: needle protector, crochet thread for lifeline (trust me, I need it), stitch markers, plastic safety pin stitch markers (small size), plastic safety pin stitch markers(large), point protector, round plastic stitch markers(mixed sizes).
How I use them:
Most of these are pretty standard and obvious for the use i.e scissors, needles, plastic pins and cable needles so there’s not a need for me to explain.
Highlighter tape: I use it to “highlight” the row I’m working on in a chart.
Stitch corrector tool: I use it to fix dropped stitches, seam, and as a cable needle.
Lifeline thread: I place it at the completion of every repeat or after a particularly difficult row or when I’m getting ready to graft /kitchener.
Plastic safety pins: I use it to identify the WS of my work, holding stitches, stitch markers, pinning project pieces together, to indicate how many pattern repeats done and soon enough, I will be using it for Japanese short rows
Assorted round plastic stitch markers: I use these to indicate set sections of a pattern so I don’t have to keep counting.
Point protector: I use these for the ends of dpns when I knit with them; it keeps the stitches from falling off.
That’s it!
What do you have in your toolbox? Any regrets? Any superstar tools? Anything you want/need?
Unfortunately, this will be last posting (for a while) about Yarnbox, as this is the last one in my birthday subscription. Unlike July’s box, I really did love this yarn and I’m glad it was a chunky weight.
I love working with chunky weight for obvious reasons… It knits up faster and produces a warmer fabric. This yarn was like a mint green and turquoise “thread” entwined in a grayish off-white background. It is really a gorgeous yarn.
I just want to be clear that I’m only saying it will be a while before another yarn subscription period and not specifically Yarnbox. I have a sizeable stash that I need to tackle as it is.
Overall, I must say that I was happy with Yarnbox… They did it for me 2 out of 3 times. In my book that ain’t too bad! I must say that I did love having the yarn subscription because it did expose me to yarn companies I had never heard of and I appreciated that and most of all, it was not a bill! Lol
I’d like to apologize for the delay in posting this. The Yarnbox was received last week Friday 8/23 and that was when the film was done as well. Enjoy.
After a long day at work with continued stress and aggravation on almost aspects of my life, I came home to a treat. This certainly lightened my mood, even if only temporarily. A smile came to my face when I examined my mail. I think it came right when it was meant to.
I entered a contest hosted by Wisher celebrating Singapore’s independence which coincidentally is right after my home country of Jamaica. I wished Singapore well wishes and I was entered in the contest.
Shortly afterwards, I received notice that I was one of 2 (I think it was just 2 prize packages) winners. Both prizes consisted of I think a yard of fabric, tea/soup and small souvenirs from Singapore.
Without further delay, let me show you what I received.
I love it all! Thanks again to Angela! I really appreciate it. The only bad thing is, I had an accident opening the package (I was so excited) that my magnet fell and the actual magnetic piece popped out and wouldn’t go back in. I’ll fix it though. My favorite thing is the fabric! I absolutely love the print!
As you know, I redid the 3rd square due to some sizing issues. I finished this on Saturday 8.24.13. And I couldn’t be happier with the results!
In hindsight, I’m actually glad that I had to redo the piece as I had an opportunity to learn this stitch pattern. It also taught me patience and to have more pride in my work.
This time around, the stitch pattern did not require so much focus and I was able to memorize it and even watch Bollywood movies!
This was a fantastic pattern and showed me how, just even small changes in how we knit can produce a beautiful pattern that looks complex but isn’t.
Great pattern! On to number 4… I may go back to basics with some knit and purl based stitch patterns.
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Tales of a Knitterly Hooker.
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