New England Knitter: 2017

Sunday, December 31, 2017

Mora complete

I completed Mora on Christmas Day. I washed and blocked it and gave it to my sister on the following day. I think it fit her very well.

And I learned a few things about what I might do when I make my Mora.

Friday, December 22, 2017

To me, from me

I was out shopping for some yarn for my SIL when I found a few goodies for myself.

Although I haven't been writing, I have been knitting. In late October I started a sweater for my sister made from yarn she brought home from Iceland back in 2016. I'm in the home stretch, working on the yoke of Mora. I hope to have it finished to give to her when I see her next week. She has stopped asking about it, and I haven't told her that I started it, so it will likely be a fun surprise.

Knitting it has gotten me in the mood for more colorwork--which is good because I plan to make another Mora for myself--she brought home enough yarn for two sweaters. A few weeks ago some ravelry friends were mentioning the latest interweave knits. I haven't had any interest in Interweave since I let my subscription lapse a few years ago. But this issue was different. This winter issue had some sweaters that looked like things I would wear. So I grabbed it today.

I have also been intrigued by posts over the past few months by Sonya Phillips on Mason Dixon Knitting. They make me want to make my own clothes. I have some books about sewing, but maybe this one will get me going.

Looking forward to reading, knitting and sleeping over this winter break.

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Friday, December 15, 2017

10 year blogiversary

I was just looking over the blog and realized that I missed my 10 year blogiversary earlier this month. Though I haven't been keeping up with the blog much (let's face it, I'm the only one that reads it) I have been doing some knitting.

The long promised sweater for my sister (made from yarn and a pattern book she got in Iceland) is nearing completion. Arms have been joined to the body. Now to finish the yoke.

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Thursday, August 24, 2017

A decade of Ravelry

I just noticed that last week was my 10 year anniversary of being on Ravelry!
A lot has changed in 10 years, but Ravelry is still a fabulous resource that only gets better the more people post their projects.

Sunday, August 13, 2017

2017 Fiber Revival

The forecast threatened rain but 2017 Fiber Revival at Spencer Pierce Little Farm was dry with cool breezes.

The kids watched the end of an old timey baseball game while I shopped at Stitched by JessaLu, Spunky Eclectic and Mad Color Fiber Arts.

They saw the farm animals and we took a tour of the farm house.

And I now have an itch to purchase a charkha wheel.

Here are my goodies.

Monday, July 31, 2017

Not your typical blankie

I'll be seeing some family and friends in the next few weeks, and some of them have had babies.
Here is a baby blankie that is nearly done. Not your typical baby blanket, but it is super soft and machine washable.
Full details once it is finished.

Saturday, July 29, 2017

Washcloths

Getting back into the knitting swing of things by knitting washcloths.

Here is a sample but not all. Some are in the laundry.

Been thinking about making this pattern from the first Mason Dixon book since I acquired the book a decade or so ago.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ballband-dishcloth

I also made the swifty from the second book. Turns out there is an errata. I always forget to check these things.

Still needs some buttons. I was going to make it buttonless but the fabric snags in the little holders. I modified the flaps a little but likely would not the next time I make this.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/swifty

Friday, July 7, 2017

A new LYS in the neighborhood

Over the past few years several local (and not so local) yarn shops have shut their doors. I have gone from having an LYS within walking distance, and others in areas that we occasionally visit, to having to think hard about where one might go to get some nice yarn. Granted I don't need any yarn, having plenty on hand, but you never know when the urge to knit might strike. And when that happens you have to be ready.

I'd heard about a new outpost of another yarn shop in the area. Coveted Yarns is in Gloucester. I've been there, but only on a yarn crawl. They have opened a sister store in Groveland--not quite next door, but close enough that I might consider going out of my way to get there. Merrimack Yarns opened last week and I went today to check it out.

I was a little turned off by the location. The street was under construction and the yarn shop is squeezed into a shopping plaza where the main commerce seems to be a gas station and an old timey looking package store (that's a liquor store for those not in New England). This was not a good sign.

But when I went in I found a bright space filled with excited knitters, squeeing over yarns and patterns. At first the yarns themselves didn't jump out at me, and I didn't expect to buy anything. Then I saw a few samples. That is the kiss of death for me. If I see a sample that looks interesting I am much more likely to buy something.

Here are my purchases. Both destined to become cowls. One will be In The Mean Time Two. The other (much crazier yarn for me) will be an Interrupted Cowl. I expect I will return to Merrimack Yarns.