Bragging on my Bestie

 Some of you have met my Bestie from Georgia, Barbara. She recently made the Pretty Basic Shawl by Janina Kallio . It's a beautiful shawl pattern and I love what Barbara did with it.

 She used one of my favorite hand dyed yarns, in fact it's the yarn that I use for my picture here on the blog.

Please feel free to leave a comment for Barbara!

Foothills Sock

The Foothills Sock is now available on  Ravelry and  SmokyMountainColors. I have to thank Cristi for the inspiration for the sock with the Twisted Edge. It's awesome. Here is a link for you to check out her wonderful knitted items. http://turtlegirl76.com .


Now how about a little catch up. :-)


It's been way too long and I have really missed blogging. But, I now have a good reason for updating and loading you all with photos. This afternoon I am headed with my daughter to New Orleans where she will be working at Emeril's. One of Emeril Lagasse's restaurants. Also I have to brag on my son, he is getting so close to his dream of being in the military. He has lost 60 lbs. He looks so great, and he is so healthy, loosing the weight the right way. 


Right after I published the Foothills sock everything got crazy. Also going on at this time is my mom's health has declined and she has been pretty sick. I had to take her to the hospital Friday. We missed her brother's funeral because of it. So you can see, I have had my hands full. The good news is that I have some yarn that is waiting to get dyed. A few of you have requested a colorway that will be the first one I do. As soon as they are dry, you will get an email from me. You know who you are :-)


I have an update about the Foothills Sock. A friend of mine who is also a indie dyer, MoonT of Moon Holler (you can find her on Etsy and on Ravelry) is knitting my sock in some of her beautiful hand dyed. Check it out. I think it's amazing and refreshing when women can support each other. There is truly room for all of us and all our gifts and dreams.


I have a few new things for you on SmokyMountainColors. First off there is a new coupon code. The first Monday of every month use FIRSTMONDAY to get 20% off. Another code is for FREE shipping between March 9-15. Since these are the dates I'm in New Orleans, everything will be shipped when I get home. MARCH915 . 




Thank you for your patience and I can't tell you how much I appreciate you taking a minute to stop and read my blog. You are great!

Coralicious Socks & Kollage Yarns Sock-a-licious

A new thing for 2014 here on the blog is I'm going to start sharing a pattern and my thoughts on it and the yarn as I knit it. Maybe you will even want to knit a long with me and post your commits and questions. Here is the first one.

• Pattern: Coralicious Socks (found on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Kollage Yarns Sock-a-licious  (found Here )
• My Ravelry Project Page (found Here)

Over the years I have knitted many pairs of socks, but there has been one pattern that I have knitted that I always look forward to and actually hunt yarn to make these. A couple of years ago I made these socks for a place I worked as a sample to show how the Mountain Colors yarn would look made up. At that time, I knew this pattern was special. So recently I found a skein of one of my favorite sock yarns, Kollage Yarns, Sock-a-licious, on sale and knew when I seen the yarn it would be perfect for this sock.

The Designer is Paula McKeever and her blog is SnapperKnits. The link to Paula, goes to her Designer page on Ravelry so you will get to see all of her designs.


Coralicious is a very well written pattern. The sock pattern is knitted toe up and if you have not tried that, this is a good time to start. Personally I enjoy toe up socks, you have the ability to do some sizing and it's always a good thing after putting all the time into knitting a pair of sock that they fit. :-)
Here are a couple of photos from the beginning. 

After finishing the toe increases the stitch pattern begins. This stitch pattern goes quickly and is easy to follow. This is about the first 16 rows. I now have about 6 of the repeats finished and beginning the heel. More pictures and info about the heel coming next.

Please let me know what you think of the pattern, and if you have knitted it. And by all means check out Paula's designer page on Ravelry. You wont be sorry. 

Blessed Be

more pictures

It's been a beautiful day here in GA. today and it started out cool and foggy. That was at 4:30a. Now it's a little humid, a lot warmer, but bright and sunny. There is just a little bit of Fall in the air. We actually have trees that are starting to turn.

So I've been knitting and working on my Photoshop certification today and thought I'd add some more of my knitting photos to the blog.

Here's something that I started last night. Its called a Circle Cloth. Of course I found it on Ravelry. Since I had a huge, and I mean huge, skein of cotton, I thought it would make a really pretty dishcloth and I'm not disappointed. This pattern would be good for other things like lap-ghans, baby blankets, hand towels, etc.

Ok, lets go back 40+ years to when I was learning to knit. My first project was a yellow and white, two strand pair of slippers. Yup, very similar to these. I can't begin to tell you how wonderful it was knitting these. At times I had some of the best memories of my Grandma, and us knitting. I wish she could see all that I have knitted. Her few hours of teaching me has brought a world of joy and happiness to me that nothing can compare.

Another pattern found on Ravelry. I made these slippers out of Simply Soft left overs. Its a wonderful pattern for using up scraps, and ends.

Here is the final shots on the Vortex Shawl/Blanket. I just got on a run and decided that I'd keep knitting till there was no more room on the 60" circulars.

Well, it's back to some studying. Have a wonderful weekend.

Blessed be

A New Pattern: Easy Airy Summer Baby Blanket

My cousin recently had her second child. A sweet little baby boy. Well I got busy and put together a baby blanket for him. I wanted it to be light, airy and soft. So here is the pattern that I came up with. It can also be changed in so many ways, so you can make it to fit your needs. Hope you enjoy.

Easy, Airy Summer Baby Blanket
By Saundra McBride
©2009This pattern is for personal use only.

A quick pattern that is great for knitters of all levels.Versatile enough that you can change yarn and needles size to make it your own.

Supplies
Needles: Size US 10 - 32” circular needlesYarn: any sport or baby weight yarn. I used 2 skeins, TLC Baby. 5oz. 141gr. 360 yards. Note: if you substitute yarn please adjust your needle size.

Seed Stitch Pattern:
Row 1: Knit 1, Purl 1, repeat these two stitches across the row. Row 2: Repeat Row 1

Blanket

Cast on 133 sts.

Work in Seed st. (refer to stitch pattern) for 4"

Row 1 (RS): *K1, P1* 6 times. PM. K across until you have 12 st. on the left needle. PM. *P1, K1* 6 times.
Row 2: *K1, P1* 6 times. MM. P across to marker. MM. *P1, K1* 6 times

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until blanket measures 36” from cast on.

Work in Seed st for 4".

Bind off all sts loosely. Weave in ends.

Abbreviations:

St.= stitches
K = knit
P = purl
* * = repeat between the two *
PM = place marker
MM = move marker
RS = right side
WS = wrong side

Wandering around in pattern world

After I finished the Hemlock Ring I thought for sure I'd start a pattern that I had really had planed to do for a long time. But, NNNNOOOOO. Found out that I wasn't in the mood for it. Have you been at that place before? So I spent days going through Ravelry. Every pattern, everything I had in favorites, etc. Finally I thought ok, I just need to knit something, I don't care what it is. (not like I don't have a few things on the needles right now, but they didn't interest me either) So I started a Moebius scarf. Check out this really cool moebius pattern. It turned out really well. I will be making a lot of these for gift giving. The picture is about 2 rounds before I did the bind off.



So that filled the knitting appetite a little, but I was still hungry. So back to the search. A search that I was beginning to believe would not end. And to be honest, though I have picked up another project, it isn't the project that is taking care of the "one" project. The best that I can compare this to, it's like having a craving for your favorite food, and not getting it for a few weeks. You eat things that you like, but it isn't THE thing you crave. So in the mean time while I am searching the THE project I started the first block on a Barn Raising Quilt
by Shelley Mackie & Larissa Brown. You can find it here.




But check out this website. If you would like to participate in something and feel the need to give of yourself. This is the site for you. This knitalong is for you. Click here. For a short time the pattern will be available for free. This is a picture of SenoraFuerte’s version.



It's a wonderful pattern to cut your stash down to a manageable size. I'm using all my leftover sock yarns. This pattern can be done EVERYWHERE. I love it. Here is the start of my first block.

So while I wander around for THE pattern I will work block by block, sock by sock.

For the love of knitting

Lately I have been doing a lot of knitting for friends that are going through some rough times. Even though my life isn't easy right now, these ladies are facing some terrible obstacles. I know they are strong and will make it through no matter what, but they will be changed and I pray for the better when all is said and done. No matter we have going on, we have so much to be grateful for. While you knit today, think about all the things you have to be thankful for. It will make your day so much better.

Everyone knows that I love Entrelac knitting. And I was fortunate to find on Ravelry this great pattern. Triangle Entrelac Shawls by Diane Conroy . This was the perfect shawl to make for my friend Suzan. She's a tiny lady and needed something big, snugly and warm. This is a wonderful pattern, easy to knit up and Diane also has some other Entrelac patterns that you might be interested in.

Update: 4/14

My friend sent me a picture of her and the prayer shawl/blanket. She looks great with it.

Once I finished the Triangle Entrelac Shawl, I started Jared Flood's Hemlock Ring. This is also a gift for someone. I have done a lot more work on it, and I love how it's coming together. I have made the inside a light yellow, and then change out to a pale blue. It's coming out really well. You can find the pattern info not only on his blog but on Ravelry.

I'll be posting more pictures soon.

Blessed be

Pictures from Stitches South 2009 Atlanta

STITCHES South 2009 Atlanta

We had such a great time. We saw some beautiful yarn and talked to so many people. My daughter and one of my knitting students went with me and since it was our first time to Stitches we oogled over everything. LOL. I don't think that they had ever seen so much yarn in one place. ;-)

Well let me take you through the pictures.

This is a closeup of Tradewinds by Creataively Dyed Yarn. Color: Java. it's 100% superwash merino. 500 yards of beauty. You can find her on Ravelry also. Her user name is Creative, and she has a group. Here is her link. http://www.ravelry.com/groups/creatively-dyed.

Here's the full hank picture. I got the ball winder out this morning and while I had my morning coffee I got this all ready. Now I have to find the perfect pattern.

This is called Rick Rack by Interlacements. It's 1200 yards and hand dyed by Judy L. Ditmore. It's 100% Rayon which I've not used before, but they had a shawl made up in this and it was breath taking. So this is shawl bound.

This is the full shot of the yarn.

Break time with the goodies. Just behind were we were sitting was The Knit Witch's booth. I had a great time there.

On the way out Victoria wanted a picture by the socks. Though we got in a little trouble for it, we still got the shot. LOL. OOOOOPPPPPS!

This is my daughter Sara and me leaving. I didn't want to go. But my feet and wallet insisted. They just didn't seem to have a sense of humor.

And here are the "girls" Victoria and Sara. They had a ball. I am so glad that I had a little part in opening up more of the knitting world to them. They are great knitters and great women.

So that was our Market Day together.

He's turning 20!!!

One of the crazy things I started when my kids were little was if a birthday fell on a Monday, (which isn't a very fun day for a birthday) we would celebrate all weekend. Well, GT's birthday is Monday (tomorrow the 6th) and we have been celebrating. Yesterday we went to Longhorn Steak house and had a great time and great food. Today we went to the King Tut exhibit in Atlanta

It was a wonderful experience and we had a lot of fun. I stood there in front of this huge statue and just could not believe how old it was, how beautiful it was and that it was actually in his tomb. There wasn't any part of it that wasn't amazing. If you ever have a opportunity to visit anything like this please do it will be well worth it. When we finished we headed off to Wolfgang Puck's Express Restaurant. Dang they serve a huge amount of food. But it was good and I have a doggie bag to snack on tonight!

Knitting wise, since I didn't' drive I got to knit in the car, so I finally started the cuff on the TOFUTsies. I know that wearing those will be a lot of fun. I looked at all the socks I have queue on Ravelry I have no idea which pattern I'm going to pick. Probably what I'll end up doing is looking at my stash and letting the yarn decide.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

Blessed Be

I've been busy

I'm a few minutes from leaving for a long weekend in Tennessee but I wanted to post a few pictures of what I've been doing. (when I'm not on Ravelry, LOL)

A neck warmer pattern for my knitting students. As they finish theirs I'll post pictures of them.

I LOVE these socks. If you are like me and think that you are the last knitter on earth to make a pair of Monkey socks (found on Knitty.com) go ahead and start a pair. You will wonder why you waited so long.

This is Cindy. She is modeling her "Beacause I Care" shawl I made for her.

I'm suppose to be in Tennessee

My bags were packed, the Cruiser was ready, and my throat was so sore and my fever was 101.3 so I didn't get to go on my weekend trip. I really need to get away for a couple of days and check on mom. Plus I seriously need to go to the Smoky Mountain Spinnery. But mom sent me a few pictures to make me feel better.

So I'm going to fix me a hot toddy, kick back and knit, and sleep, and knit, and sleep... I may play on Ravelry some too. ;-)

Blessed Be

Happy Halloween

For my daughter and I this is our favorite time of year. So before I start posting about my knitting I want to wish everyone a very Happy Halloween. This weekend I will post pictures from the party we are going to tonight.

Now to knitting. For some strange reason I'm going through another phase of starting projects. LOL. Most of them are easy projects that will be finished in time to give away. Thank heavens.

Yesterday before my knitting class started a woman who works in the office there at Hobby Lobby walked in to chat a little and fell in love with the "Because I Care" shawl I'm working on. She asked me to make her one in black. So I got the yarn and started on it last night. Then, I remembered that in about 3 weeks a dear friend of mine will be having a birthday. So since she is a big North Carolina fan, I found some light blue and white and started her a scarf.

This scarf is going to be a little different that my others. I'm making it on circulars in a tube shape so it will be doubled and extra warm for her. It's coming together really quickly so I'll have it done in plenty of time. For a change I'll be adding fringe to it. It's been awhile since I did that.

From my past posts you all know that I recently started my Ravelry page. That is the best place in the world. LOL. I can spend hours there looking around, at the patterns, groups, yarn, etc. If you aren't there yet, you should go ahead and do it. You won't be disappointed.

I hope you all have a wonderful day, and that you take time to get in touch with your inner witch and have a fun Halloween.

Blessed Be

Back in Georgia

WOW, it was just beautiful in the Smokies over the weekend. I have a couple of pictures to show you. From when we got there till we left to come back it was busy. I think we spent 90% of the time there out running the roads. Gatlinburg was just fantastic as always. I love that place.

While I was there I did find time in the evenings to finished my Alternate Moss Stitch socks. They turned out pretty good. Tomorrow I will give them to my friend Suzan who went nuts over them while they were still on the needles. LOL.

More pictures coming soon. (that is if I can leave Ravelry alone enough to come here and blog :-)

Blessed Be

My Ravelry

The late bloomer to Ravelry here, loves it. I'm still working on setting it all up, but I've found all kinds of good stuff. Today at my morning knitting class I'll be telling all the ladies about it.

I've started another shawl to give away. This time I know exactly who it's going to. Many times I start a project and as I'm knitting on it, the person comes to mind, but after about 5 stitches I knew. There is a lady who lives close to my mom that is having some very serious health problems, and she has been on my mind so much. So the shawl will go to her. Here is a picture of the start of it. The first two pictures are of the right side, but the third picture is of what the patterns says is the wrong side. I really like how the "wrong side" looks. There is one other thing about this shawl that is nice. The pattern it's self knits up nicely and is easy to remember.

Well I'm off to knitting class, I have two new ladies coming to it this morning. I can't wait!

Blessed Be

Pictures for you

Well I thought since I only have a couple of things on the needles right now, I'd get a few pictures of them up on the blog.

These socks are going to be sooooo nice when they are finished. I'm using Lion Brand's new Sock Ease yarn in Toffee. We'll see how the yarn wears pretty soon. LOL. The ribbing is a 4 stitch rib, with the typical 2 knit, and then the Moss stitch, that you have to see pretty much up close to enjoy, but I think it may become my favorite ribbing.

The next pictures are of a project I started out of frustration. For some reason knitting wasn't relaxing me so I got the drop spindle out a few weeks back and started hand spinning.. Then I decided that I wanted some yarn that was thick and thin, for the up and coming cooler weather. So I started spinning whatever I reached in and got. ;-) And this is what it's become. I'm naming it Neapolitan, since it reminds me of strawberry, vanilla and chocolate.

OMG, Ravelry! I know I'm a late bloomer and all that, but I have to say that I could seriously waste a lot of time there. LOL. I'm still getting setting things up and looking around but I hope this coming weekend that I can get a lot done on it. Keeping track of projects, needles, etc will be so nice.

I have one more picture for you. Everyone knows that my daughter is a Pastry Chef. (don't we all love her? ) But over the weekend she turned 22 and did her own birthday cake. Now let me explain a little about Sara. Since she was about 2 years old her favorite holiday has been Halloween. When she was 3 or 4 she wanted me to change her birthday to Halloween, so you can see where we are going here. ;-)

Blessed Be