KnitQuest

Here, There and Everywhere

Saturday I had the privilege to teach at Wild Fibers in Mt. Vernon. Sarah (the owner) is welcoming, sweet and the kind of person you want to hang out with. The students were enthusiastic and the shop is adorable. So colorful and cheerful. If you are ever in the area be sure to stop by. I can’t wait to go back.

Okay, I can wait. I have quite a few other places I have to go first. Tomorrow I’m on the train to PDX for a visit to Blue Moon. I’ll be there “coordinating” design things and helping with sock club until Saturday. Then my BFF since the first grade is picking me up so we can have a day of not getting into too much trouble together (no trouble is just too unrealistic to even be imagined).

Todd, the kids, and the dogs plan show up Saturday evening. Then the whole gang is headed to Nana & Papa’s for a few days of Spring Break fun. And just to make sure I get everywhere, we will be spending one of our days with my family taking a day trip to the coast.

I’ll be back home next Wednesday with a lot of pictures, some hopefully finished new projects and a likely case of whiplash.

Puppy Love

While this may not look like puppy love, it is. Moxie’s littermate Mbali came over for a visit last week and they had the best time together.

They ran the Basenji 500 around the kitchen island.

They made funny faces at each other.

They played with toys.

They had so much fun that Moxie slept for 4 hours solid after Mbali left. Good stuff. Maybe next time they’ll hold still long enough for a decent photo.

Meet Aventurine

Wondering where I’ve been the last week? Working on this…

Blog meet Aventurine. Aventurine meet Blog.

Aventurine will the third sweater in the Sweater for all Seasons club. As you can see, it’s a top-down hoodie with a deep v-neck, worked mostly in stockinette. Sounds kind of boring, but I think it’s not.

This sweater is all about making the most impact with the least work. The little bits of accent pattern and color really pop on the simple background. The slight shine and drape of the yarn give the sweater a sexy feel without turning it fancy or formal.

As usual I’m infatuated. I hope you all like it too.

Announcements, Announcements, Announcements

Any who has ever been to Sock Camp is now hearing the announcement song in Cockeyed’s voice running through their head. I know I am. Anyway…

Are you ready for big news?! Any idea what it might be? Have I waited long enough to really enhance the drama? Do you think I’ve been watching too much American Idol? Well yes I have, but that’s not it.

My big announcement is …

I am officially the new, the one and only, the Blue Moon Fiber Arts Design Coordinator.

Can you believe that?! I’m still pinching myself, but I have the email address to prove it so I’m going with it.

It means I get to do all sorts of cool things, work with fantastic people and work my butt off too. Pretty fair trade in my opinion. I couldn’t be happier to be working for Tina and with the rest of the crew. In fact I feel like I won the job lottery. Really, how many people get a phone call offering them their dream job. I feel pretty blessed.

I must however point out that the phone call happened in January and that I think I deserve some kind of medal for keeping it a secret this long. The first couple of weeks I seriously thought I might explode from not telling people, or that I’d reach my breaking point and start running through the grocery store singing, “I’m working for Blue Moon, I’m working for Blue Moon.” I managed to keep it together, but I am so relieved I can talk about it now.

If you’re thinking, “But what about all the other stuff?” don’t worry I’m still doing that too. The sweater club will go on as scheduled, I’m still teaching, and I’ll still be designing for both for myself and Blue Moon.

And if that doesn’t make you happy how about this?

Moxie has got to have the cutest puppy face ever.

Release: Obsession Ridge

I’m so happy to say the second Sweater for all Seasons club extra pattern Obsession Ridge is ready!

photo ©KathyCadigan

If you’re a member of the club check your email for a new download link (if you’re not you’ll have to wait until September).

I had more fun knitting and writing this pattern than I’ve had in a long time. In fact I got a little addicted. I’m knitting my fourth hat even though I have no need for it and even less time to be knitting something I don’t need.

photo ©KathyCadigan

I’m not sure if it’s using up all my leftover sweater bits, thinking about all the options I can try, or watching the decreases from all those lovely symmetrical lines on the top that keeps me coming back but I can’t stop.

photo ©KathyCadigan

If you know me and don’t want a hat for Christmas you’d better start praying that I come up with an equally interesting yet simple and portable project soon.

The hat pictured was knit, modeled and photographed by my lovely friend Kathy. You can find the yarn used and other details on her project page.

The Details:

The beauty of this hat is in its versatility. The pattern comes in two sizes with three variations for near endless possibilities. The design makes it easy to add a bit of color, some sparkle or a few beads without the hassle of dealing with them for the whole project. The brim of the hat is double thick for extra warmth and a seamless finish inside and out.

Materials
MC for all hats: 180[210] yards or 1 skein. Blue Moon Fiber Arts BFL Sport (100% blue faced leicester; 661 yds/604 m per 226g skein). Shown in color My Blue Heaven (hat A) or
Blue Moon Fiber Arts Woobu (60% merino, 40% bamboo; 620 yds/ 566 m per 226 g skein). Shown in color Thraven (hat B) and Jasper (hat C).
CC for hat B: 40 yards or 1 skein. Rowan Kidsilk Night (67% mohair, 18% silk, 10% polyester, 5% nylon; 229 yds / 210 m per 0.8 oz skein). Shown in color Starry Night.
CC for hat C: approx. 10 yards or 1 skein. Rowan Kidsilk Haze (70% super kid mohair, 30% silk; 229 yds / 210 m per 0.8 oz skein). Shown in color Cream.
1 US size 6 (4 mm) needle, 32 inch or longer circular 0r DPNs, or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch Markers
Tapestry Needle
480[504] Size 8/0 seed beads if making hat C
Gauge 21 sts and 32 rows over 4 inches in St st after blocking. Do not take gauge measurement from brim.
Size small [large]
Finished Measurements 21[22.5] inches (53[57] cm) circumference at brim
9 inches (23 cm) from bottom of brim to crown

Obsession Ridge is part of the Sweater for all Seasons club and can not be purchased separately until September 2011. If you are interested in the club you can see all the details on the Ravelry page or my previous post.