Big Sky Yarns & Crafts

Caffe Finished!!

I am thrilled this vest is finally a finished piece of clothing on my bod:

I love the vertical lines, though see the bulky left front that is under the right front? That is the only thing I am not thrilled about, so I left it open and liked that look:

I may add a button to the inside to smooth that out. And the back:

As a review, the vest is Caffe by Berroco. The body is worked in Voyage, a heavenly chainette yarn in 93% super fine alpaca and 7% polyester, color Mossy.The fabulous faux fur is Nanuk in Narwhal. The faux fur is a refined one and I love the effect on the collar and trim:

I worked the 44" and used almost every inch of Nanuk but still had a hank of Voyage remaining. I used more of the Nanuk because I picked up more sts than the pattern called for. For the armholes, the pattern listed 70 sts for all sizes but when I picked up one stitch for every bound off stitch and 3 stitches for every 4 rows (my standard equation for edgings that I learned from many a knitting article. I read it so many different times I decided they must be on to something with stitches being wider than they are tall, so I have stuck with it ever since), I picked up 80 sts. The front and lower edgings numbers were close to what I picked up, but the collar stitches listed in the pattern I deviated a bit. The collar listed  53-21-53 sts to be picked up while I did 65-30-65. I used two sizes larger needle to bind off the collar.

I envision fabulous mittens in the fall with the extra Voyage and so I bought another Nanuk for the trim. Here is the vest pre-trim which is always an interesting moment:

As always, I omitted the shoulder shaping by working those rows straight and worked a three needle bind off for the shoulder seams. Consequently, the sides was all I needed to seam. The curling edges were remedied quite nicely with the Nanuk trim.

With the cloudy cold weather we have had lately in Billings, I have enjoyed the vest already. It is the perfect layering piece and kept me a perfect temp.

With the end of school approaching, Paul had his last orchestra concert:

Beautiful music was also made by Kate, an acorn, in her school musical, Nuts:

"Mom -- show the leaves more!!" Okay -- here is a close up of the leaves, made by Paul ("I should be charging her for this") and her the night before:

Do you think a brown shirt could be found with spring here instead of fall? No sirree. So, a yellow acorn we are.

Wade had a concert as well, of course:

To top it off, my mamacita is visiting and a good time is being had by all:

Hope you are enjoying melodious music in your neck of the woods. Knit on!

 

Sock Contest!!

Ren at Purl Yarn Boutique has a new sock contest in conjunction with my sock patterns. Post a pic of any sock worked in one of my patterns on Facebook by May 25th and you are automatically entered to win sock yarn and one one my patterns. Does it get any better than a FREE yarn? I don't think so either, so post your pix pronto. Here are my sample socks enjoying their day job at Purl:

Happy knitting! Enjoy your weekend. I hope your weather is as beautiful as it is right now in Billings.

Happy Mother's Day!

Hope you are enjoying Mother's Day doing your favorite things. I am about to knit on my patio listening to an audio book -- two of my favorite things. If you add chocolate, it couldn't get much better. Wait! I do have chocolate...

The kids and Dan decided to celebrate early and this is what I came home to Thursday night:

A perfect chocolate cake with Kit Kats in the frosting and sprinkled on top. Why Kit Kats? Don't know, though any chocolate is a good move in my book.

The proud chefs:

Kate, the watercolor artist, painted me this pic at school:

I am on the left, taking care of her while she is sick in bed. My dad wanted to point out I am a blonde in the pic. Hey, I do pay for my highlights, so I figure the judgement is legit, no?

Progress on my vest is pitiful because of deadline knitting, but did find some yummy yarn to share instead:

I was born in Eugene, Oregon. Consequently, I am a big Oregon Ducks fan and their colors are green and yellow. When I saw this Artyarns yarn, I couldn't say no because I had been curious about their yarn for some time and looked forward to taking it for at test drive. It has a lovely sproinginess you would be most pleased with. Wouldn't some socks be perfect in that? Especially in winter when a little color is a dire need.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday -- knit on! I leave you with the most perfect pink flowers, another favorite thing:

 

 

My New Book: Expand Your Knitting Skills

Really? YES!!! I am so excited to show you something very official:

These are the covers of my new book, Expand Your Knitting Skills, from Leisure Arts. They just sent me these pix. It is a mixture of my previously self-published patterns and brand new ones as well, 17 projects total. It will be available in August, retail price is $12.95. (Less than a buck a pattern people  -- whoo hoo! What a deal!) And now it is official. I am so excited, I think I will celebrate with knitting and chocolate. Does it get any better?

Knit on!

Happy 1st Anniversary, Purl!

Is there anything better than a full new bag of yarn?

 

Purl Yarn Boutique is celebrating their one year anniversary with a sale (and a party tonight at 7 if you are a Billings-ite!) so these just had to come home with me on this par-tay day:

These lovelies are Berroco's Ultra Alpaca Tonal in Ura (#6321, purples) and Oliva (#6318, greens). I had enough for a sweater in Ura and Oliva reminded me how much I enjoy purple and green together and so Oliva jumped on board for some accent knitting. At 215 yards per hank, there is mega-yardage for your knitting dollar. Plus, the 50% alpaca, 50% wool is soft without drooping.

To help celebrate, I designed the Beartooth Cowl and Scarf:

It is worked in a new favorite from Berroco, Remix. Two balls (one of each color) will make two cowls -- one for you and one for a friend! Garter stitch in two colors is always such a satisfying knit; it looks so difficult yet is just knit every row. Reverse stockinette stitch gives a lovely rolled edge, also with minimal effort.

For the men in your life, here is the scarf:

Best of all, it is a free pattern through Easter! (It then resumes "regular" pattern status for $4.95 each, as always.) Run over to Purl, pick out your favorite colors of Remix and pick up your free pattern as well.

Happy 1st Anniversary, Purl ... and happy knitting as well!

 

New Addi Lace Clicks (and Rainbow Girl!)

I have no business buying new needles, but look what came in the mail today:

 

New Addi Clicks Lace!!! (Cheering from my computer!!) I have the original Addi Clicks, but am finding as my knitting preferences change, I am liking the pointier needles to get into those stitches faster and manipulate them quicker. 

I have a credit with DreamWeaverYarns.com and finally couldn't resist this set. They have it on sale as well -- click here -- and, well, that put me over the edge.

No tools equal quick needle changes with the cords, which I didn't realize how much I liked that until I have had other sets that screw on and/or need special tools. The Addi needles are quick and easy and stay in place.

There are 8 pairs of needles, sizes 4 to 11, and all come in this handy little case that measures only 9" x 7":

It is one large envelope with strong magnets to keep the flaps in place:

The back has a zipper pocket for the cords:

The five blue cords are 16", 20", 24", 32" and 40" and the set also includes 1 connector if you need more room. The tips are 4" and are a bit shorter than the Turbo needles as seen below:

The case itself is much sturdier than I expected and are quite secure with a special staple to keep each elastic in place:

The 8s were promptly excavated to start the fronts of my vest:

When I mentioned I read somewhere to work both fronts at the same time, I realized, I was not giving proper credit to my MOM!! How wrong is that? I totally spaced that she was the one that turned me on to this method. I also do this with sleeves. It has helped me a immensely so that I don't have to figure out all the math again to make sure each sleeve/front is indeed identical to its twin. I've added stitch markers to each end so that I know when I have reached the actual end and don't turn in a middle of a row.

I leave you with Rainbow Girl. It was so warm today she even had to take her high tops off as soon as she got home:

 

Caffe (think accent at the "e")

When Berroco released their Fall booklets last year, the knitting muses insisted I make this:

Caffe knit with Voyage and  Nanuk from Booklet #314 Berroco Voyage & Berroco Nanuk. 

My sweet papa gave me a gift card for Purl for my birthday and it went immediately to this vest. I have to say, I tried to not be a total groupie and pick different colors than the sample, but this is what I came home with:

Voyage has a chainette construction that is so squishy and flexible while the 93% super fine alpaca and 7% polyester makes it pretty much knitting heaven. 4 stitches per inch make is quick knitting. I absolutely fell in love with the million colors in this color, #4026, Mossy. You can see all the colors well in the color card here. And that is why it had to come home with me -- all those colors. How could I say no?

Nanuk looks suspiciously like the novelty yarns of old, but take heart! This one is rich, manageable with a chic, understated tangled look. 67% wool and 33% nylon also feels wonderful without too much plastic running around. 3 stitches per inch make this one even faster.

Here is the perfect project bag that had to come with me as well:

I just finished the back:

 

I have all the stitches on waste yarn because I never EVER do shoulder seams anymore. Since gravity rules, I do not work the "steps" that often is written in shoulder shaping. Instead, I work the same rows straight, put the live stitches on waste yarn or stitch holders, do the same for the fronts, and then use the three needle bind off for the shoulders. After I do the three needle bind off for the shoulders back, I will bind off the rest of stitches on the back.

I also have started something different if my project is worked in pieces. Somewhere I read to work the fronts at the same time, with two different balls of yarn, so that it is easier to work the shaping because it is worked at the same time on both pieces. I decided if I make a "mistake" it happens at the same time (hence, both pieces are still even) and instead it is a design "element." Perfect!

On the reading front, if you like a bit of the supernatural in your fiction without flat out "unicorns in the sky" that exists in science fiction and fantasy books, this one is for you:

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern paints a captivating picture of life of the circus, which is a character in itself in this book. If watching this amazing circus in our minds isn't enough, we start getting to know the players, find out their histories, and see this whole incredible world. The writing is simply stunning, tight and mesmerizing. I absolutely loved this book.

Happy knitting! 

Knook and Books!

My latest design for Leisure Arts, yummy one cable Hand Mitts, with three sizes available in the pattern:

The pattern is featured in their new book, Learn to Knook:

Though I was skeptical at first, it truly is knitting with a crochet hook. The crochet hook acts as one "needle" and the cord hanging from the crochet hook is the second "needle." Here I am testing out the Knook:

This is no surprise, but I did miss my second "needle" but then I love knitting and am in no way looking for anything to replace it. I can see, however, if the whole knitting thing makes you run in fear as I have heard things like "What! Two needles! No way. I can't organize two needles," then the Knook may be your answer. Depending on which way you enter the stitch, a purl or knit stitch can be created with the crochet hook. It reminded me of picking up stitches for an edging of a sweater. I pinky promise I did all of the above stitches with my cute little Knook. 

The booklet has tons of beautiful, easy to see and understand how-to photos and 3 projects:

I purchased The Knook Beginner Set for medium weight yarn, which has even more projects in the mini-booklet enclosed:

The yarn I used for the hand mitts is a super squishy worsted weight yarn,  Alpaca Love by Stitch Nation by Debbie Stoller. It is only $4.99 a ball and is 80% wool, 20% alpaca, 130 yards, 3 oz, color: #3810 Lake. Even if the yarn wasn't so affordable, I would love it. Take it for a spin if you can; I was thoroughly impressed.

I also have some fabulous new or new-ish (or, frankly, just new to me) books to share. For The Hunger Games fans out there, comes Matched and Crossed, both by Ally Condie:

They are part of a trilogy with the third to be published in November, her blog claims. I sure hope this is true but I don't see a listing yet.

The first is Matched, a story of our teenage heroine in a future utopia, which doesn't stay ideal for long. For the first time ever I think, I actually prefer the second in a series. Crossed is much more of an adventure story, though Matched is still a necessary introduction to learn about this world. As with Hunger Games, both are engrossing stories with only smidgets of teenage-ish moments.

On a totally different planet is a delightful historical teen novel (I have been on a teen bent, apparently) A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly:

Mattie Gokey, our headstrong teenager is ahead of her time (and trying to do more than merely survive) in the early 1900's. As she struggles to find what she wants out of life, we see the realities of that time period brilliantly shown by Donnelly. As only extraordinary literature will do, I felt transported. Amidst her struggles, a murder is committed at a hotel that Mattie works at, the same event that inspired An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser. The characters and setting are stellar in this unforgettable boo and is a reminder why I enjoy historical fiction.

We are here to discuss knitting, ultimately, I realize, so I leave you with this impressive volume: The Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt:

Do not let this cute little thumbnail cover fool you. It is the size of a huge college textbook and when it says comprehensive, it is by no way misleading. This is an amazing book with an incredible amount of information; well worth your knitting dollar. Plus, it is completely revised and updated.

Knit on.

Linsey, Sorolla ... and more!

So much to share! Amidst this semi-winter we are having in Montana, we all enjoyed the sunny skies in Arizona for a makeshift Spring Break. Of course I spent more time trying to decide on what knitting to pack than on any other part of the vacation. Surprised? No, I didn't think so.

My latest favorite spring yarn is Linsey from Berroco. It is a supremely soft 64% cotton, 36% linen worsted yarn with supreme drape. I can't say enough good things about this, though you do know I am already a Berroco groupie. In fear of not being able to finish, I chose the perfect summer scarf, Sorolla:

However, if you see something like "900 tassels" in the instructions you should just. put. the. pattern. down. Alas I could not!! I absolutely had to have it. But because I love the self-striping colors, I chose these:

I want everything to look fetching with a pair of jeans so I chose Aquinnah #6509 (blue/green/purple) as my main color and Oak Bluffs #6503 (pinks) for the tassels. The scarf required almost all of the three skeins called for and the tassels two. TWO. Yes, it is true. Many, many, many tassels.

Instead of stockinette, I worked the entire scarf in garter stitch because a fellow knitter on Ravelry did so and I loved how rich the fabric looked. (Do you see the snow in my hair? Dan and I are trying to act like it is NOT snowing. I should have had the official photo shoot in Arizona.) Here it is modeling for you in all of its triangular glory:

The tassels were a total pain in the *&^%$# but once I got in the groove with a good no-brainer movie and an official tassel maker (sorry, no pix, I left it with my mom - think the size of the gauge/needle metal tool we all have in our knitting notions bag with "steps" for different sized tassels) from Susan Bates I found on eBay, it wasn't nearly as bad as it looks. I promise.

My mom is knitting one in stockinette with blue as the main color but she was not near as determined as I was to actually wear it, so I cannot show you hers. I have worn it a handful of times already and thoroughly enjoy that little extra bit of warmth on chilly days.

While in Arizona, we visited The Phoenix Zoo with my cousins and their kids, my mom, in-laws and aunt and uncle. We were quite a tribe to be reckoned with, I have to say.

Here is my cousin Mike and his wife Andie's two girls Alexa (left) and Lilly (right) enjoying the non-real very large animal:

But no Arizona trip is complete without the obligatory cactus shot, I realize, so here is my uncle, mom and Paul:

My other cousin Joan with her hubby Joe:

Paige and their son Liam are very close in age. Look at charming pic of the four of them at my mom's house for a barbecue:

Dave, Wade, Kate and my mother-in-law enjoyed a fierce battle of croquet:

Alexa and Kate lounged in the hammock nearby:

I have to show you this pic too. Rarely are so many of us together, so here is a group shot outside a breakfast restaurant. 

Hope all is well with your world so far this year ... knit on!

 

The Zipper Almost Won

Notice the word "almost":

Right after I blogged about this little number, I did try to put the zipper in. Turns out in my last minute change from a size 2 to a size 4, my zipper was too short.

So the sweater and too small zipper rode in my van for almost a week while I avoided the unavoidable. I did finally get a longer zipper and through h-e-double hockey sticks and multiple tries, with both hand and machine stitching, the zipper is finally attached to the fabric in a semi-permanent state.

I finally decided to machine stitch it in to keep it as durable as possible for kids who do not care about zippers:

I did take a couple tries to be pleased with a zipper that was even on both sides. That weird squiggle in the green yarn on the bottom left turns out is a single crochet controversy and not a zipper issue. But I decided that was "charm" and not a "problem." Perception makes all the difference, see?

A fine feature of this sweater I neglected to mention was the garter stitch at the neck edge for about an inch that acts as a "hinge" for the rest of the collar. A trick I will put in my arsenal. Fabulous!!

Hope your projects are going well in this new year.

Knit on.