The Way from Brighton

I am still plugging away at my mom's Trail Jacket.  Although, I am just about finished with the body portion of the cardigan, I am getting the itch to start another project.  This always seems to happen  when I am about three quarters of the way through a project.  I've heard this condition referred to as startitis (which cracks me up every time I hear it).  I think I suffer from a irreversible case of startitis.  Why is it so much more fun to start a new project than finish one in progress???

Someone who never seems to struggle with this affliction is Jessica (Twinfiber on Ravelry).  She is a knitting machine - cranking out one impressive project after another in record time.  I'm convinced she must knit in her sleep!  She recently finished knitting The Way from Brighton - a gorgeous shawl by talented pattern designer, Joji Locatelli using two skeins of Luna Grey's Zeta yarn in the dusty purple, Enchanted colorway.  I love this shawl!  Jessica said that the fringe bobbles were a little tedious to knit, but the result is so unique and fun, don't you think?    
 

 All photos by Jessica (Twinfiber)

Talent Pool

While searching Ravelry the other night, I was once again blown away by the plethora of material out there!  I was just looking for a sweater pattern for myself.  Something simple, but not too simple.  Knit in a fingering weight yarn, at a loose gauge (size 7 or 8 needles).  I would like to use my new base yarn, Altair for the sweater.  I am kinda obsessed with it at the moment as it takes color so beautifully.  And, is super soft and silky.  I am sure it will feel amazing on!  

Photo by Hannah Fettig

I have such admiration for pattern designers.  A few talented designers in particular consistently blow me away with their elegant designs and beautiful photographs.  Hannah Fettig is just so cute and creates very wearable, timeless patterns.  Jane Richmond has such a fun, fresh style.  I love all of her designs.  Amy Miller is a new one for me.  But, she's sweet as can be and has been super prolific lately - putting out a new pattern every other week, it seems.  She's currently creating something using Luna Grey Orion in "Harbor".  I can't wait to see what she knits up!

Photo by Amy Miller

The pattern I ultimately decided on for my sweater was Cecily Glowak MacDonald's Breakwater.  I love the wide, ballet neckline and little button detail.  It looks like a sweater I would wear all the time and I figured it would showcase the subtle color differences of the Altair Harbor yarn perfectly.

Photo by Cecily Glowak MacDonald

Do you have a favorite pattern designer?  How about an all-time favorite pattern?

  


 

Better Late than Never

Since moving into the house across the street earlier this summer (Yeah, I know...Aren't we lucky?), my mom has made my life immeasurably easier.  She has volunteered to help me wind and package yarn orders, pick up the boys from school while I dye yarn, volunteer in their classroom, make us dinner, run my errands, water my plants, walk the dog, the list goes on and on.  (Again - How lucky am I?)  It's her nature to think of others and how she can make their lives easier.  I am beginning to wonder how I ever got anything done without her help!    

Well, every year at about this time I come up with grandiose plans to knit her a sweater.  I have gone so far as to purchase the pattern and all the yarn.  Then, I put the whole lot in a bag and shove it into the bottom of the closet.  I'm not sure why.  It's as if I want the sweater to somehow be commensurate with all that she does for our family.  Unfortunately, the project never quite seems to measure up.

I promise, I am getting to the point here...
Shortly after moving to Colorado, my mom joined Weight Watchers and joined a gym.  While she wasn't terribly overweight, she felt sluggish and wasn't happy with how her clothes fit.  In just a few months she's lost 20 lbs and looks and feels fantastic.  I am so proud of her and figured a good way to show it would be to finally knit her that sweater.  I chose Hannah Fettig's Trail Jacket pattern and Luna Grey Aurora yarn in the Emerald colorway.  Hannah has a great style and her patterns are so well written.  The pattern seemed like a good choice, as my mom could wear it as a jacket in the spring and fall.  I am so pleased with the way the project is knitting up.  My mom looks beautiful in deep, jewel tone colors, so I can't wait to see her in this sweater!    

A Welcome Back Giveaway

Mr. Pickles

Is it possible that more than eight months have passed since my last post?  Well, I suppose it is.  I never intended to be absent from this space for so long.  But, life certainly got in the way of blogging for a while.  Many of you know that last month we lost my sister-in-law after her courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.  I must say that losing her knocked the wind out of our sails.  Life is slowly returning to normal.  We miss her every day.  But, are comforted knowing that she is no longer suffering.

Despite the crazy hot summer that we had here in western Colorado, I have lots of knitted projects to share.  Before my sister-in-law's passing, I knit her Jane Richmond's popular, Gemini top.  It was such a fast, easy knit.  And, the resulting top is so flattering and comfortable.  I must say that I had never considered wearing a short-sleeved sweater before knitting this pattern.  But, I love the way it turned out and want to make another one using Luna Grey Zeta yarn.  Maybe with 3/4 length sleeves??

Oh, yes!  There's some big news to share...Luna Grey yarn will be available at the soon-to-open yarn shop, Claddagh Yarns in Berkeley, California.  Owner, Amanda Fernandez, is just the sweetest thing and is promoting small, independent dyers.  If you're in the Bay area, stop by her shop and tell her that Jackie sent you.

 
There will be a few changes in the shop this fall.  A few yarn bases will be discontinued (Bellona, Cosmic and Stella).  And, a few new ones will be added including an awesome new fingering weight yarn called, Altair.  It's a 75% Superwash Merino / 15% Nylon / 10% Tencel blend, 4-ply, sock yarn.  It has a nice tight twist with great stitch definition and is next to the skin soft.  It's sproingy and lofty and just all together wonderful!  Here's a sneak peek...

I saved the best for last!  I wanted to kick off September / Knitting Season with a giveaway!  The prize?  One skein of Luna Grey Titan thick and thin, bulky, 100% merino wool yarn in the popular Mushroom colorway.  To enter, simply leave a comment sharing your favorite colorway in the shop.  Make sure your email address is included in your comment.  I will select a winner using random number generator on Wednesday, September 11th.  Sorry...This giveaway is open to US residents only : )

This giveaway has ended.  Congratulations Amy (of www.bookandyarn.blogspot.com).  You are the winner of our giveaway!!!