Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Fresh and Fun


Hi Knitters,
I am in the midst of editing the pages of my book this week. The deadlines are still lingering about for me. Photography has been taking place over the last week, so that is exciting but there is still so much to be done. This morning, while shuffling book pages back and forth, I did squeeze in some yarn winding while taking a short break. 

I started the Piper's Journey Shawl, by Paula Emons-Fuessle of the Knitting Pipeline. It is a hard one to put down partly due to the squishy Quince & Co. Chickadee dk weight yarn and partly due to the quick, simple and clear pattern. Working with the Iceland heathery gray, 100% wool is a treat. There is such bounce to the garter stitch fabric. It appears that this will be a fairly quick and addictive knit. I'll keep you posted.

I am trying out some new needles, US size 6, 4mm, that were gifted to me. I'll tell you more about that later with a complete review.


I love seeing that raglan increase line develop as you work from the neckline down on a top-down cardigan. I keep picking this up for a couple of quick rows and putting it back down to do my other work. As the rows get longer and longer it isn't such a fast moment to complete two rows. Once I get past the armholes I suspect it will move very quickly. What an easy, easy cardigan pattern. This would be a perfect first cardigan pattern for a new sweater knitter. Ribbing and stockinette and you are done!

Click here for more information about the Calligraphy Cardigan, by Hannah Fettig.



A new handcrafted item recently added to the wicker table, next to my comfy studio chair, is the mosaic coaster my son made for me. I just love it so much. Every time I set my hot coffee mug or my big glass of ice water down on it I stop to admire it for a moment.

Can you see what it is? It is a piece of buttered toast made from cuts of glass. I love how he made the pat of butter melt out, too. I make this particular son toast every single morning, sometimes four slices at a time, so it is a fitting gift between us. I am a sucker for anything my kids make. Can't get enough.


In staying with the fresh and fun theme, I was sent an enormous stuffed to the brim box of some of the yummiest, squishiest yarn around in a fantastic assortment of weights and colors! I can't believe my good fortune lately. It was just sent for fun. I now have a huge project planned using this yarn because it is so compelling. I will hopefully get a chance soon to start sharing progress on this one! It is just so tempting right now, I seriously may have to move it out of my eyesight until I get these pages edited.

You should have seen TC and me opening the box of yarn. We were ridiculous with the squeals and ooohing and aaahing. It was pretty funny and I am glad to have a partner in yarn crime around here. I'll tell you more about this later. 

So now it is back to work for me.... I am leaving you today with an incredibly cute and funny and knitterly video put out by Webs (one of my favorite yarn shops). I am sure many of you have seen it already but it is worth putting up to be certain you don't miss it. One of the main points of appeal is the star of the video. I think her name is Emma and she is simply adorable, likable and funny. The whole thing is spot on. Well done to Webs!

If you are interested in all of the knits Emma is wearing in the video, click here for the blog post with all of the project information. 

I keep this blog G-rated so I hope you don't mind the curse word (sort of) in the title. There isn't any cursing of any sort in the actual video, it is completely family friendly.

Enjoy!
best, susie




20 comments:

Tanknit said...

Oh, my goodness! That is hilarious! My fav is where she is photographing the hat on the fire hydrant.

Amanda J Anson said...

Oh that is to funny! I love it! And I think it captures us knitters pretty well too!

Reneelynn said...

Susan, that video is SO funny that I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes!!!! So much I can relate to! Sneaking yarn into the house!!! Not that I ever do that. ;) It made my day. Thanks.

Kristi said...

Your son's coaster is so cute - I actually thought at first glance it was a family holding a yellow baby! I guess I have babies on my mind!

Eric and Joanna Johnson said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tiphanie said...

That video was so funny! It had me in stitches! (sorry, couldn't resist)

I really love the coaster your son made you. You have such a creative and talented family. I can totally see the melting butter spreading out on the toast. I love the special meaning of it, too. Really sweet.

Stefanie said...

That is so cute how your son chose that particular design for your coaster. That is mama appreciation for ya.
Like, like the box of yarn. I see some Lorna's Laces in there!
I LOVE that WEBs video. I posted it on FB to show my friends and ohana, that is how we roll in our world.

Blonde said...

Ohhhhh! All that gorgeous, beautiful yarn!!!! Wow!!!

I saw that video a week ago and I'm happy to watch it again. I am not alone!!!! :-)

Cathy said...

Cute video. I've said a few of those phrases myself!

How special that your son made you a toast coaster. I can see the family holding a baby, almost like a nativity coaster. But then, I see a teddy bear in the bark of the tree outside my dining room. What does that say about those of us who can see those things? Right brain? Left brain? Just bat crazy?

Love your blog!

2knitncrochet said...

I do love the video. I dont know about hiding the yarn with onions though?

shannon said...

Hilarious! I laughed out loud. Thanks for sharing!

Dorothy said...

Oh, I enjoyed everything in this post. Your son's gift to you is so sweet; I keep everything my kids made for me, much to their dismay. And being a yarn hoarder and sniffer, I thorougly enjoyed the video. Thank you!

Suze said...

That video is hilarious!
I can't wait to see what you make with those lovely colors.
And I'm a sucker for what my kids make, too. fortunately, they're still little enough (age 6 and 4) they still like what I make for them, too!
Happy knitting, as always ;)

Paula said...

The video is hilarious! We've all done the holding the camera at arm's length and trying to get your head in the photo, haven't we. Very cute.

Heather said...

That is a funny video, thanks for sharing.

One question for you, what do you have to do to get a box of yarn like that delivered to your house????? LOL Lovely, lovely yarn, have fun with it.

Heather said...

That video is funny, thanks for sharing.

My question for you is ... What do you have to do to get a box of yummy yarn like that delivered to your house, I need one???? LOL Have fun creating with all your new yarn.

Gabi S said...

Not only do your entry's give my eyes a treat, now they give me a chance to really see the dangers of Knitting with a huge laugh to boot!

Carol said...

That video is the most hilarious! And just so because it's ALL TRUE. I cannot wait to send it to all my knitterly friends and thank you for sharing because I might not have seen it otherwise. It is sure to go VIRAL...

carrot

Armida said...

I'm so glad to see that you try to sneak in some "for fun" knitting into your days, even when you have a big workload. I've been having a very stressful day and could really use a pick-me-up tonight, so I may have to find something special that's just for me to start knitting :) Thank you for always inspiring me in so many ways!!

P.S. The coaster is awesome!! My Dad is a huge toast fan, and I can hardly keep up with the homemade bread demand! lol

Helen said...

Gauge swatch? What is that?