Namaste Knitting Bookbag

Todd gave me a new Knitting bag. It's from Knitpicks.com. I love it!

Here are my recent projects: a necklace made from my angora bunny yarn (see last post), a kindle cover based on Nicky Epstein's design, a menu board based on an idea from Pinterest.com.

Book Recommendation -
As a nurse with an oncology background, I truly enjoyed Jodi Piccoult's book, My Sister's Keeper.

Lovely Angora Bunny Rabbit Yarn

Carolina Fiber Fest 2012

I had the best time exploring my first ever fiber festival located at the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh this May.  I made two purchases: A yarn bowl by Sue Henshaw (www.Suehenshawpottery.com) and a ball of bulky weight angora yarn by Marlene Cicalese (www.marlenesangora@yahoo.com).  No more tangled covered in dog hair yarn for me :-)




So Many Projects, So Little Time

Since last time I posted, I finished my Fairy Leaves Shrug.  I made it out of a silk blend yarn I purchased from KnitPicks.com based on a pattern by Nicky Epstein.  It looks complicated, but really it is just constructed by sewing together many blocks.  To finish it, you have to pick up stitches and add a border... intimidating, but much easier than I would have thought.  









During the Easter season, I knitted Bunny Nuggets.  You can find the free pattern on Rebecca Danger's website, http://www.rebeccadanger.typepad.com/.  I also completed another project by Rebecca Danger called Gabby, the Garden Monster.  It is so fun to knit these monsters.  They are quick and easy projects that really brighten my mood :-)









I knitted my mom The Ericka Scarf for mother's day and knitted a cowl with the leftover yarn ...

You can find the pattern for the rainbow scarf in Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders by Judith Durant.

I love my new cashmere bag.  I knitted it based on a pattern, Linen Bag from Luxury Yarn One-Skein Wonders also by Judith Durant.  Instead of using linen yarn I used a cashmere blend that I purchased from KnitPicks.com.  Also, I doubled the width of one half of the bag to make it a little roomier.







Book Recommendation
I highly recommend Night Road by Kristin Hannah.  Once you start reading this book, you will not be able to stop.  It is a wonderful story.
 

Spring is finally here :)

What's Happening?

     I'm so sorry it's been so long since I have posted.  I started a new job and moved to a new house.  So, life became a little too busy.  But, I've missed my blog, so I'm back just in time for spring.

     Since I last posted I lost 20#.  How?  Weight Watchers Points Plus Online, Zumba class once a week, and beginner's ballet.

What's off my sticks?

 The photo above is a pic of the socks that I knitted for my sister's Christmas present ...

Here's a blanket I knitted for the den.  I think that my Shih-Tzu, Daisy likes it the best.

Here's a monster family I knitted for a friend of mine.  She just added a second set of twin boys to her family!

Knitting News

     I found a new knitting book I love written by Nancy Epstein.  She gives you tons of patterns for knitting blocks and explains how to take the blocks to make bigger projects such as blankets, scarves, wraps, bags, etc.

What am I reading?

      I've been reading lots since I last posted ...

On Audible.com,  I've read ...  

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (*****),

The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank (***),

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (****),

The Next Always by Nora Robers (***), and

Seriously ... I'm Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres (****).

I just started The Next Thing on My List by Jill Smolinski.

On my Kindle Fire, I've read ...

A Life in Stitches by Rachael Herron (***),

The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club by Gil McNeil (***),

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain (***** AWESOME BOOK!),

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (***** Seeing the movie tonight), and

Then Again by Diane Keaton (****).

I just started Catching Fire the second book in The Hunger Games.

Knitting @ the Beach

 What's happening?


My husband & I just returned home from a fun beach vacation.  We went to Myrtle Beach.  I had lots of time to knit and read while sitting on the beautiful beach in South Carolina.  We both had a wonderful time.  


What's on my sticks?


I'm still procrastinating on the Teddy Bear Sweater project.  I started the "Striped Wrap" from Vogue Knitting's Shawls & Wraps instead.  


What's off my sticks?


I finished my "Summer of Love" bag from Nicky Epstein's Knitting a Kiss in Every Stitch.  I made a few changes too it: I used different handles that I found at the craft store, and I lined the bag.  This is my favorite project I have completed so far.  I love this bag.  It's pretty big and functional.  


Knitting News ~

I found some fun yarn on sale at the craft store.  It comes in super bright colors and is 100% wool, it would be excellent for a felting project.  I'm using it for my brightly colored "Striped Wrap."  If it's too itchy, I might line it with cool looking fabric.

Summer of Love Bag

What's happening? 

I just returned from spending Memorial Day Weekend with my family in Virginia.  They are coming to North Carolina this weekend.  Next week, Todd & I go to Myrtle Beach for vacation ... can't wait!

What's on my sticks?

Well, I haven't started my Teddy Bear Sweater yet.  I was distracted by another project in Nicky Epstein's book, Knitting a Kiss in Every Stitch, called the "Summer of Love Bag."  So far I have knitted about 80 rows or 10".  We'll see how it turns out.  I would like to finish it before I go to the beach, we'll see.  After that, I'm going to get back to the Teddy Bear sweater project.

Knitting News ~

I bought a set of knitting needles from knit picks and I love them!  I ordered the "Straight Harmony Knitting Needle 10" Set."  They are fun to knit with and beautiful, I also love the case they come in.