coming

Posts Tagged ‘coming’

Coming out of Hibernation

Posted on April 14, 2012 at 6:18 am, by Admin
in Category Knitting | Tags: coming,Hibernation

*rubs eyes*

Since this blog has been dormant for the entirety of the winter season (as mild as it was), I guess I can say that it was hibernating… and now that the VERNAL EQUINOX is here, she wakes up!

*blink blink*

In short, the last few months have been great. 2011 threw me for a loop with unexpected changes and a long adjustment period; I welcomed 2012 with open arms and a renewed sense of purpose… and things are working out quite well!

What have I been up to all this time? I like infographics, so I’ll use one to show you:

If you follow me on Goodreads or Twitter, then none of these things will come as a surprise – I have been reading and writing like a fiend. Unfortunately, the writing did not translate to blog writing (yeah, I know, doesn’t make sense – but no time like the present, right?) More on that later…

I have been traveling and road tripping. Eastside coasting right up and down Interstate 95 and beyond: many trips to Pennsylvania – both the far west to Pittsburgh for a anniversary / hockey-filled weekend and Philly in the east to visit my parents and most recently, the Philadelphia Flower Show (also stopped by several PA spots in between: Gettysburg and Hershey), many times to northern Virginia to see my sister and my nieces who moved in January, and a long weekend fun trip to North Carolina over the President’s Day holiday). Next month, we’re off to Wisconsin, and then I’m planning a super big + super fun road trip for May…

Gardening and hiking are picking up with the unseasonably warm weather, and I plan to share more of what we’re up to there too. …and my cooking? well, I am enjoying it now more than ever before – I love every bit of the process, and now with the beginning of the season, I look forward to many months of fresh produce and creativity in the kitchen. I will share some of what I have cooking with photos and recipes.

The biggest project – the one that has picked me up and helped me wake up with a smile on my face – is actually a return to something that I have always loved. I am writing a novel. I started preliminary work in January, and really dug into research in February. The process is teaching me a lot about personal discipline and commitment – it is hard work! I joined a local writer’s group, and last week I shared an excerpt in front of the whole group. I was nervous, but it turned out really great. This whole process of writing and researching is the kind of stuff that really makes me tick (always a librarian, I guess!) and while I have loads of work to do, I am so excited about this project. (Teaser: it is a historical piece inspired by real events in the early 1900s).

…and the knitting will just have to wait for the next post… while the writing and research have been my #1 in the attention department, I have managed to knit several things too! Stay tuned.

Oh, and by the way – Thanks for reading my blog!

(and if you would like to leave a comment, it is easy: click on the title above “Coming Out of Hiberation” in this case, and the comment form will be at the bottom of the post) This new blog format has prompted several questions about commenting.

LollyKnitting Around

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Winter is Coming

Posted on November 21, 2011 at 1:46 am, by Admin
in Category Knitting | Tags: coming,Winter

Making plans for winter sweaters is the highlight of my knitting year. With a million pattern choices (and a growing number of great ones everyday) it takes times to find the ones that you really want. You match them up with yarns in the stash, or take a trip down to the LYS. While I reserve the right to add or subtract, I am fairly certain that both of these sweaters are going to be on the needles in the coming weeks. The Super Soul Cardigan by Mary Jane Mucklestone has been in my queue for a good while – I loved the geometric stranding and the pockets on this cozy cardigan. Once I cast on, I will be using Berroco Vintage DK in navy for the main color, straw for the contrast, and I may pop it up with one more color – a wine red. Mmm. Can’t wait. I’ve been dreaming of more colorwork (it never really stops…) and this will fit the bill nicely.

Kris’s anniversary sweater (this will be the 8th year and 8th sweater!) is always a cause for excitement. This Brownstone is my first BrooklynTweed pattern. I have some yummy grey Bartlett Yarn 2-ply in the stash that would work nicely… but I will admit that the Shelter that the pattern calls for is calling me too. Maybe I will just do two? I plan on some light modifications. I see this as a nice sweater to add to the growing repertoire! (See Kris’s other anniversary sweater here on Ravelry).

Winter is coming! (yes, a Game of Thrones reference, and stating the obvious seasonal shift), but I couldn’t be more happy – I do love this season most of all.

LollyKnitting Around

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February is Coming to an End

Posted on February 28, 2011 at 2:26 pm, by Admin
in Category Smocking | Tags: coming,February

Are you tired of shoveling snow? Are you ready to start seeing spring flowers?

We had a very warm month of January with highs in the 60′s while the majority of the Eastern United States was buried in feet of snow! I was starting to believe winter was over here in Oregon and spring was on the way. My dream for an early spring was tarnished a week ago after we received 9 inches of snow in one night. I figured ok, this was a random thing after all we have global warming here on the west coast. No we have had several storms since with the grandiose on saturday bringing another foot of snow. At this point, i’ve given up shoveling the walk and I drive over the mounds of snow.

Are you wondering why I am writing about the snow in Oregon? It’s simple. I am ready for Spring, fresh new flowers popping up in my flower beds, and new patterns.

Our new patterns for Spring are starting to slowly trickle in and I am thrilled because this means spring weather is around the corner and I no longer have to wear my Norwegian sweaters (ok but I love them), sorels, etc.

So without further ado here is the list we have of today available for pre-order! It’s very important to Pre-Order the patterns because they do Sell-Out and I know you want your customers to shop from you and not elsewhere.

Bonnie Blue:
Abigail (replaces Kayla)
Cassie
Holly Hunter (replaces previous Holly Hunter)
Jenna Leigh (replaces Lindsey)
Summer Irene

Pintucks & Pettiecoats
Baby Lyric Long Romper

Sew Sensible
Hope Joy Bubble Top & Skirt

Australian Smocking & Embroidery issue 93 has sold out! We are expecting Issue 94 in April.

Creative Smocking and CS Distribution, Inc.

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Eyja: Coming Together

Posted on November 29, 2010 at 11:02 am, by Admin
in Category Knitting | Tags: coming,Eyja,Together

Oooh, those colorwork yoked sweaters really are my favorites. Something about the simple construction that just makes me smile. There was Aftur, and then Jacquard, and the Védis Vest, and the most recent Liberec sweater for Kris … and the newest (in progress) addition: Eyja!

Body done and sleeves complete to the armholes – time to yoke up! I pulled out my long circular needle and counted around the 300+ stitches. Sure beats the 600 stitches I had going on for Kris’s sweater on size 2 needles earlier this year. Puts things in perspective!

I am making a small change to the colorwork chart, but I doubt it will be that noticeable. I am also planning to add one more color – a deep purple – for a 4 color yoke instead of the 3 colors in the pattern. Hoping it won’t be too *loud*. I realized as I was knitting the body together that the majority of yarns for this sweater (minus the ivory) were bought in Canada. The main color, the dark teal, was purchased in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia at Hands On Crafts (my fun day with Ingrid and Annie!) and the mustard yellow was purchased in Vancouver, British Columbia earlier this year while visiting Christa at Three Bags Full.

Can’t wait to start this colorwork!

PS: Looking for a little pattern inspiration? I am doing a crafty bookshelf sale – check out what I have here!

Lolly Knitting Around

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Long Time Coming: Eyja Pullover

Posted on November 7, 2010 at 4:54 am, by Admin
in Category Knitting | Tags: coming,Eyja,long,Pullover,Time

The summer was pretty quiet on the knitting front. One hat and two shawlettes over 4 months time. It’s not terrible, but for me, it’s less than normal. However, I had a great summer of travel, hiking, reading, gardening, cooking… so, it’s nothing to “sneeze” at.

By mid-September, I started to feel the urge to knit again – the “mojo” was dormant. Seeing the beautiful fall collections helped, but it wasn’t until I devoted time to actually finishing something that the desire came flooding back in. Happy to report that knitting mojo is at a very high level right now – thanks in part to this little number:

Eyja Pullover

Pattern: Eyja from Lopi 26
Yarn: Briggs and Little Regal (green + purple), Gala Wools (yellow) Davidson Mill (ivory)
Needles: Size US 7 and 8 circulars
Ravelry Notebook :: Flickr Photostream

Started back in the hot hot heat of July – and finished when the temperatures have mellowed out a bit (hopefully they will stay that way!) The pattern was one that I wanted to make for years, and I finally cast on. There are several modifications: pullover instead of a dress, slight omission in the colorwork pattern’s first yoked row (did not do the small crosses across the bustline), and a slightly different cuff and neckline. The original calls for an eyelet lace, and I opted for a simpler look – a hemmed sleeve cuff, and a regular ribbed crewneck. I am happy with my choice, and especially happy the sweater turned out so well. When I first put the yarns together – I was worried that it was a bit garish. I think the results are just what I wanted: colorful but not “loud”.

Happy to get my groove back just as the season is starting to change… what knitter doesn’t love sweater weather?

…and if you are planning to go to NY Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck in a few weeks, keep your eye out for this sweater This’ll be my first time, and I am pretty darn excited.