Baby Schulz

A good friend of mine is patiently awaiting the arrival of her first grandchild. We are both knitting for a baby girl that is still in the womb for yet several more months but I was anxious to get something made up. This sweater and matching hat is one of my favorite "go to" patterns that features sweet little decorative rows in a soft dk superwash merino yarn called Pixie.

Hat for My Love

My husband isn't the kind of knitwear kind of man that I can make many things for so when I saw this watchman-style hat by Yarn Harlot I knew it would be perfect for him. Ribby for a good fit and tough looking! Made from Vintage DK on #5s.

The Sassy Knitta!

She's such a sassy knitta sporting her knitwear and hanging around holding all my new stitch markers on a clasp metal ring.

DIY: Stitch Markers

Knittas can never have too many stitch markers! I like to make these for myself and as gifts. Catch a 50% off sale at Hobby Lobby and get all these jump ring findings for $3.98 in sizes 9mm, 12mm and 15mm. You'll save yourself a bundle and have a supply that will never run out.

Fresco Slouch

I'm so into this shade of green lately and it goes well with this slouchy hat out of Berroco Vintage DK. The kind of hat I can throw on to go with a t-shirt and peacoat. Sitting here posting another completed project makes me realize I must be stressed to be knitting like such a mad woman.
And then here's another in alpaca. Started this morning while riding the stationary bicycle, worked on during my lunch hour and finished tonight while winding down from the day watching tv. Such an easy knit and oh so slouchy!

Kansas Alpaca Yarns

While at Heartland Farm, Sister Terry asked if I would knit up some items out of the luscious Prairie Winds Conference yarns sponsored by six alpaca farms across Kansas and processed at The Shepherd's Mill in Phillipsburg, Kansas. The fingering yarn a 70% Kansas alpaca / 30% merino blend in shades of blue Summer Skies, Golden Wheat and Winter Grasses. It's going to be an honor to pick out some special patterns and get my Knit On!

FiberSpace 2013

This weekend I had the opportunity to volunteer and help the Sisters at Heartland Farm (outside of Great Bend, KS) with an overnight fiber arts retreat. I assisted those wanting to learn spinning and drop spindle with alpaca and wool fiber. The Sisters also provided instructions for weaving and bobbin lace. Everything at this organic farm has a beginning and end like the alpacas that provide a fiber to knit with to the chickens that provided us with a tasty meal. It's always a peaceful and inspiring place to visit and recharge.

Everything at the farm has a simple use and purpose:



Several years ago I found a rigid heddle weaving loom at an estate sale but didn't know if I had all the pieces or even how to use it so I brought it along. Sister Terry helped me set it up and to my delight all the pieces were there and now I'm on my way to weaving a small project like coasters. I discovered that I really enjoy working with a drop spindle to make a lace-weight yarn. So much fiber and so little time...

DIY: Turquoise Bracelets

I was feeling creative today, sat down with my assorted bead collection, charms, stretchy beading elastic and made some great bracelets.

Cerrillos Citron

Off the needles and loving this shawl. The fourth one I've made with this one in a hand dyed merino lace-weight yarn by Lost City Knits. The designer, Denise, explained to me she named the color of this yarn Cerrillos (head of the turquoise trail) when I bought it from her back in September at the Walnut Valley Festival.

DIY: Upcycled Christmas Cards

On Ravelry, I came across instructions to recycle Christmas cards into gift tags. So, using the cards I received this year, I cut out the pictured fronts in ovals, circles and rounded squares, evenly whole punched and crocheted with acrylic yarn (sc through the hole and chain one) all the way around. Some I chained 50 stitches before and after for ties and others chain 10 for a loop on top. I packed them away to use on gift packages next Christmas.