Month: January 2015

I think I can…I think I can…

~ smyoo

 

Strips of afghan squares for my blanket
Strips of afghan squares for my blanket

I am having one of those days(okay maybe weeks) where I feel that I am so close but so far away from completing my project. I tend to be mostly a monogamous knitter. This last year I tended to have a few more projects on the needles (its neither good or bad, just different).

 

Various swatches for past and future sweaters
Various swatches for past and future sweaters

I just completed a test knit for a friend. It was so satisfying casting off. I want to do it again, and again. Unfortunately, none of my other projects are close, but this doesn’t mean that I can’t visualize the finish line for these projects. It is most likely that the first thing that will be done is the Sunshine Day Afghan blanket.

The hours that I have put in on seaming this seems pretty endless. I have a few more things left before I can do a couple of single crochet rounds around the border. Mostly, seaming and giving this a haircut (I won’t lie I find snipping ends satisfying, seaming less so).

 

Scraps from the Sunshine Day Afghan after giving the blanket a haircut:)
Scraps from the Sunshine Day Afghan after giving the blanket a haircut:)

 

Next is a toss up between Ashby and Acorn Trail followed by Northport. Here’s hoping the next time I post I have more things to report as completed (I might delay posting just so I can have something to list) as “Done”.

 

My Jenni the Potter mug finally arrived ( a friend of mine purchased this at Rhinebeck for me)
My Jenni the Potter mug finally arrived ( a friend of mine purchased this at Rhinebeck for me)

Aquisitions:

None ( I know I can’t believe it either)

 

Work In Progress:

Ashby

Sunshine Day Afghan

Northport and Acorn Trail Customfit

 

Completed:

Test knit

40 lbs. out 10 lbs. in……

~ smyoo
misc. stash
misc. stash

I’ve become a little more aware about how much and often I buy fiber related goodies.  At first I thought documenting the acquisitions which I thought would be fun and light hearted has caused me to take stock in of all  the pretty soft yarn that I have added to my stash( some might feel this is actually a good thing because my old house has no insulation, this is way cheaper than insulating my house), but the biggest  WTF moment came when I realized of the fourty pounds I have lost recently, a quarter of that amount,  will be added to my household (that’s right people 10 lbs. of yarn).

I remember when I first took stock of by how much yarn I had…. I sat down at the table with knitters and told them(drum roll, please…….) “I have 60 different color ways of yarn, and my stash was out of control!” They all proceeded to giggle and knowgly smile and say “that’s not too bad.”

Now I know what they are talking about;).

IMG_0157
and.. more stash…

 

Acquisitions:

  1. Pre order Crossroads Self-striping sock from Vesper socks

Works In Progress:

  1. Ashby by Brooklyn Tweed
  2. Sunshine Day Baby Afghan
  3. North Port by Amy Miller *New*
  4. Acorn Trail Customfit by Amy Herzog

Completed:

None

Put a Pom Pom on it…..

~ smyoo
Fluffy wonderful pom pons from TOFT
Fluffy wonderful pom pons from TOFT

Have you seen these Alpaca Pom Poms from TOFT out of the UK? (www.toftalpacashop.co.uk) Simply put…”I am obsessed.” I want to put one of everything. I want to buy more. It makes me want to knit nothing but hats ( more on why I can’t do that later).

I first saw these when I knit Fiona Alice’s hat “Take Heart” from POM POM Quarterly’s Issue #7 ( My favorite issue) and I was enamored of them. Fast forward to a year later when I finally figured out a place to buy them and I have a nice little assortment.

I was very happy to hear that no animals are harmed with the specific purpose to make the pom poms, rather the utilize animals that have passed from natural causes.

I have a tiny sense of guilt in announcing my latest purchases. I am still debating whether to post what I have bought or what has arrived on my doorstop (Please chime in!! I am so conflicted).

Acquisitions:
2 skeins of Trailing Cloud in ”Mind the Gap”(self striping sock yarn)
1 skein of Trailing Cloud in “Demeter” (self striping sock yarn)
Plucky Oxford:
2 in ”Highlighter”
1 in ”Thank You Note”
1 in ”Lake Placid”
1 in ”Left Coast”
1 in ”Icy Audrey”
1 in ”Think Pink! ”
Plucky Primo Fingering
2 in Left Coast”
Plucky Snug
1 in ”Left Coast”
2 in ”Modern Vintage”
Plucky Sophisticate
3 in ”Flannel”

Work In Progress:
Ashby
Sunshine Day Afghan
Acorn Trail CustomFit

Completed:
None

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Aside ~ ~ smyoo ~ 7 Comments

 

Snow flurries around the house
Snow flurries around the house

 

I was all set to blog about my latest distraction when I got waylaid by the flu. While being sick, I took a moment to  think about the important stuff:

  1. Breathing is pretty important.
  2. It is a good goal not to be a “Patient Zero” for your friends and family.
  3. I grateful I am for my family and friends.
  4. The only barometer I need for my health at this time is, if my desire to knit goes away.

While, I think that most of these items  are pretty self explanatory. I have to confess I totally failed at number two; in addition to infecting my friend, and my daughter, there was one other person infected. My daughter upheld the tradition and after  heroic efforts by my husband  and mom of providing childcare to her; she passed the flu to her daddy.  With her infinite wisdom, this afternoon while I was working from home she told me that I needed to go to bed because I had made the castle sick (This still make me chuckle…).

Enjoying a spot of tea in my new sock monkey flannel PJs
Enjoying a spot of tea in my new sock monkey flannel PJs

 

I am so thankful how much my husband and mom chipped in when I was down. It wasn’t asked for but very much appreciated.

 

So true!!!Also true!

 

This brings me to my next topic when the desire to knit leaves you, you know something is seriously wrong. When the doctor told me the temperature I wasn’t surprised, I mean if its tough to  knit and purl than something must be seriously wrong with me. A few days later and after some much needed rest I am rediscovering the joy of knitting again and it makes me smile (literally as I am typing this there is a big stupid grin on my face).

 

Flurries everywhere!!!

 

I was overcome by all of the comments I received for my first post.  Thank you so much!!

Now for the fun part!

Acquisitions:

  1. Several patterns from the New PluckyKnitter and Amy Miller collaboration “All Bundled Up”
  2. Ordered some ready to ship Plucky Oxford in Big Sky, Cornucopia, Pollen, Oatmeal, Good Old Days
  3. Bello in  the Plucky Knitter in Lawn Ornament
  4. Twinkle Lights Self-striping sock from Vesper socks

Works In Progress:

  1. Ashby by Brooklyn Tweed
  2. Sunshine Day Baby Afghan
  3. North Port by Amy Miller *New*
  4. Acorn Trail Customfit by Amy Herzog

Completed:

None

Resolutions…

~ smyoo ~ 13 Comments

Its been a longtime coming that I have wanted to blog about the things and fiber arts in my life. As the calendar moves from 2014 to 2015 it seems as good a time as any to start blogging about my adventures in the knitting world.

I should start with a little introduction and what are my expectations for this blog. A knitter since 2010 I have  gone down the rabbit hole of knitting. Simply put, “I love to knit. I love yarn.”

Owl Quince & Co
Owl Quince & Co
Fancy Tiger Crafts Heirloom Romney
Fancy Tiger Crafts Heirloom Romney

I found that with the birth of my daughter the things that could be made with two sticks and some yarn were far from what I remembered when I thought of my mother’s knitting and that of the older generation.

So I guess I should probably explain the reason behind the name “Squirrel! & Stash.” I tend to get really distracted when it comes to knitting; whether it is a new yarn or a pattern I tend to rubberneck when I see something new and shiny in the realm of knitting. If you really don’t believe me please see the snapshots I took today when I visited Tolt Yarn & Wool in Carnation, Washington. My goal for 2015 is to post at least once a month, well that and become more of a sweater knitter( Goal is 4 sweaters with a stretch goal of 8). I hope you enjoy my adventures in knitting as much as I enjoy posting them.

Wool Acorns at Tolt Yarn & Wool (Carnation, WA)
Wool Acorns at Tolt Yarn & Wool (Carnation, WA)

 

Tolt Chalkboard at Tolt Yarn & Wool (Carnation, WA)
Tolt Chalkboard at Tolt Yarn & Wool (Carnation, WA)

 

Goodies from Tolt Yarn and Wool
Goodies from Tolt Yarn and Wool

 

Acquisitions:

  1. 4 skeins of Quince & Co. Owl
  2. 1 skein Snoqualmie Valley Yarn
  3. 3 skeins of Heirloom Romney
  4. Copies of Lullaby Knits and Madder Anthology 1
  5. 2 Tolt AnniversaryMugs
  6. Fiber Trends Slipper Bottoms
  7. Tolt Hearth Slipper pattern by Dianna Walla
  8. Tolt Anniversary Project Bag
  9. 2 Horn Shawl Pins
  10. Printed Beach Tote
  11. Tolt Tapestry Needles in Wood Case
  12. 4 Horn Toggle Buttons

Work In Process:

  1. Acorn Trail Customfit by Amy Herzog
  2. Ashby by Leila Raabe
  3. Sunshine Day Baby Afghan by Alicia Paulson

Completed:

None