A Flower Grows in Brooklyn?

This lovely fushia colored Magnolia flower sits right outside my balcony in my backyard. This lovely flower only blooms for a short time, but boy does it brighten our coarsely groomed yard. The pink Magnolias are in my neighbor's backyard and that tree really blossoms generously. Flowers do bloom in Brooklyn. . .Enjoy the photos.

Baby Booties

These little cute booties were knitted on US#5 needles with Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn in white. I guess by now you must know how much I love Debbie Bliss yarns. I can't seem to get away from this lovely yarn. Its so soft and plushy. Try it, you'll like it.

Maxcine's Hat Pattern - Update

Some of you have asked if the pattern is free, where you can find it on the net or place where it can be purchased. When I received this pattern from the designer, it was with the condition that I could not distribute the pattern. I was given permission to share a photo and nothing else. I agreed to this condition. So, in keeping with my word I cannot share the pattern details. When this pattern becomes available for purchase from its owner, I will definitely let you know via this blog page. Thank you.

Maxcine's Hat Pattern

This is the second time I attempt this hat pattern. It was supposed to have been a test pattern. The first time I made the hat I ended up not following the pattern as instructed but sort of let my hand flow with the rhythm of the stitches. The second attempt I had to force myself to stay within pattern. The results were lovely.

Take a look at the crown of the hat, its absolutely beautiful--if I should say so myself.

I used Lang's Silkdream (combination of wool and silk) in two colors, black and aqua, using US#6 circular needle.

Baby Beanie Hat with Socks

Now isn't this cute? I love this pattern by Debbie Bliss. Its called Baby Striped Hat, but I didn't use two different colors but rather used variegated yarn by Zitron Lifestyle. I knit this hat in the flat on US#3 needles. I love the way it came out. The socks were also by Debbie Bliss using the same yarn and same size needles. I realized after knitting these socks, which were done on flat straight needles, that I don't like knitting socks flat. I prefer using my double pointed needles for the task.

I usually knit my socks on dpn's concurrently as I have not taught myself how to do socks on the Magic Loop.

e-Bay Purchasing Experience

Okay, I have never purchased anything through e-Bay. I'm one of those individuals who is a little skeptical about these auction sites and worry excessively whether my money and myself will be taken on a 'wild ride' that at this stage of my life, I would not welcome nor would be in any condition to undertake.

But, one day I went 'net' surfing and came across a site that was auctioning MeiMei DPNs. It was a set of 12, yes you read it right, 12 sets of Bamboo DPNs, 5" long, and a nice variety of sizes. The price: $9.99 (Canadian). Well I couldn't resist, but was a little hesitant as I didn't know the ropes of how to bid, etc.

I went ahead and registered and placed my bid. Well to my amazement I won the bid!!! at $10.75 US. I purchased four sets, yes four sets, because whenever I do socks and/or mittens/gloves, I do both feet/hands concurrently so that I do not end up with one shorter or different than the other. I have not yet learned the Magic Loop technique, nor the two socks at a time on a circ. Between you and I, I just love my DPNs anyway. I love the strange looks I get on the train and how these little but complicated looking needles beget conversations from onlookers. Just love it!!!

Oh, by the way, the other two sets which were purchased were not for me, but for a friend who has adopted the concurrent method of knitting socks/mittens too.

So, I will share with you my picture of these lovely needles. What's so cool about them is that the sizes are lazer etched on each needle both in metric and inches.

Scarf / Lopi Yarn from Tongue River Farm

This is the Lopi Yarn I purchased from Tongue River Farm at http://www.icelandicsheep.com/

This yarn was great to work with and easy on the hands and eyes. I used US#10 needles on this cable scarf. I just kept knitting until my yarn cake came to an end.

Horns

Please know that although I purchased these horns, they did come from animals that were alive at some point, but were not killed in order to obtain the horns. I love animals and was concerned that my purchase would put these animals at risk. The owner/proprietor did inform me that the horns were removed after the death of the animal. Sometimes the animals died from accidents, natural causes, or old age.

Lessons from Geese

This was submitted by my daughter's friend. Its a lovely thought. Goes quite well with the Flying Geese Socks I made in 2007.

Double click on it and it will open bigger so that you can read it.

Ram's Horns Project Cont'd

Here are the final photos of my Ram's Horns. You can see that the boney matter is similar in shape and size to its outer counterpart. Once the inside has been removed the second photo shows how clean and hollow it is. The third photo shows the actual boney substance that was inside the horn itself and the final photo is the finished product. I don't plan on varnishing it or mounting it to any planks of wood. I want to keep it as is.

"These horns are from the same ram. Rams fight and bang up their horns taking chunks of them. The fibers found may be the fiber from the ram he was fighting with.

Horns are supported by bone that grows about 1/2 way into the horn. This bone supports the horn and makes it rigid and attaches it firmly to the skull. The bone part is alive and has a blood supply to it. The horn part is not alive (kind of like fingernails). S.B of http://www.icelandicsheep.com/ "

God has made such beautiful creatures and its amazing to see the wonders of His hands. These animals produce fiber for clothing, meat for consumption and beauty for the eyes. We must learn to treasure these animals.

Ram's Horns Project Cont'd

Now, my dear husband who has the patience of a saint drilled into this boney matter and was pleasantly surprised to realize he didn't have to work too hard to remove it's insides. It all came out in one piece as you can see in the photos! I must tell you that our home 'stank' something real bad!!! I don't think I will ever do this again.

Ram's Horns Project

I recently purchased Ram's Horns from a farm I found while surfing the internet, http://www.icelandicsheep.com/ . I also purchased two skeins of Lopi Wool in a creamy white natural color. The yarn is absolutely wonderful and fun to knit up. Unfortunately I discovered this yarn much too late in the season to be able to purchase other natural colors. They were all sold out. But I got to purchase a pair of horns!! You might wonder why in the world would I purchase these horns, and all I can tell you is that there is a connection at least in my mind between wool, sheep, rams, and horns. You get the picture? Well I thought to display these horns in my knitting room. After all, wool comes from sheep, right?

Well my poor husband was put to the task of drilling the inside boney matter of the horns. As you can see by the pictures, it was an interesting task. The first snap shot is the horn as it is, then you must immerse it in water and boil it for several hours to soften the inside boney matter.

My Zitron LifeStyle Socks

Well, I finally finished another pair of socks. These will be for me. All the other socks I have made have been given away and what a lovely pleasure to give such beauties away. But, these I definitely cannot part with. Why you might ask? Well the yarn was purchased by my daughters over the Christmas holiday for me, and so I made these socks for me and while thinking of my girls. They were knitted up using Zitron's LifeStyle Blue colorway on US#2 needles. I love the fabric this yarn created!!

Baby Ruffle Hat

The baby's hat was created using Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn in White; US# 6, 16" circular needles. This was a very fast project. I think this would look great in two colors or variegated yarn.

Stitch Therapy Brooklyn "Test" Hat (NOT)

This hat was supposed to be a 'test knitting' hat for the owner of Stitch Therapy Brooklyn. Unfortunately I got so into the rhythm of knitting the ribbing that I totally forgot to do the alternate row so that the pattern would be created. Ah well, it still turned out lovely. I used Lang's Silkdream (combination of wool and silk) in two different colors, using US#6 circular needle. This was my first time incorporating another color into the mix. I was always afraid to add color for fear of my not adding it correctly. As you can seem, it turned out rather nice. I gave this hat to my brother --

I hope I didn't disappoint STB's (Stitch Therapy Brooklyn) owner too much. . .

Alpine Cable Scarf

This scarf was created using Malabrigo's Gruesa Super Bulky Thick & Thin Kettle Dyed Pure Wool in colorway Lupine Pearl, US#10. The pattern came from Andrea Tung's Hats, Mittens & Scarves. Easy and quick pattern to do.

And Yes, Another Hat!

This was made in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, US#6 needle. The pattern is from Hats, Mittens & Scarves by Andrea Tung -- Bloombury Clouche Hat.

And More Hats!!

Both hats were made using double stranded Malabrigo Kettle Dyed Pure Merino Wool yarns on size US#10 needles. The pattern is by Colinette and the name of the pattern is "Iris". The blue hat was made using Malabrigo's blue/purple color and the other hat was made in the same yarn colorway Autumn Forest. These yarns were a pleasure to work with and quite soft. The colorways are quite beautiful. Presently a set of fraternal twins, girl and boy, are enjoying these hats!

More Hats!!

Well, this holiday season has brought out in me the desire to knit HATS and MITTENS!! I hope you like these attempts, and if not, that's okay, I like my attempts.

This beautiful red Rosina Yarn's 100% Australian Merino Wool is so lovely to knit. I knitted this cute little hat using US #6 and 4 needles.

The multi-colored Helmet Hat w/Mittens is knit up using Punta Del Este Yarns Merisoft Handpainted 100% Merino Wool. The hat was knit using US #10 and 11 needles, double stranded yarn. The mitts were knit up using US #4 needles to get a nice dense fabric.

Hats!!

I have finally attempted and completed my mission on knitting hats!! I completed "The Helmet Hat" by Lang in Boucle Yarn (both helmet hats are the same, just different lighting); completed another so called helmet hat in Punta Del Este Yarn, multicolored and used two strands and the last one was a sort of pillbox variation knitted up in Bernat Yarn.

My Latest Purchase @ Stitch Therapy Brooklyn

I have to just rave about the owner at Stitch Therapy (http://www.stitchtherapybrooklyn.com/), she is such a good sales person. She never makes you feel like you HAVE to buy something or anything. But, she has this wonderful Table Top Sale going on right now and she adds to the stash of yarn on the table. So one of the first things you see is that special 'stash' and you just cannot resist acquiring some of it. I just can't say enough about this store. Everytime I go in she is either unloading a new stash of yarn shipment, adding labels to the stash, rearranging her table top sales and, more importantly, interacting with customers.

Well as you can see I walked away with two balls of each of the items in the picture. This is yarn is called Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk Aran and the two bottom yarns are also by Sublime Kid Mohair Blend. Lovely stuff. . .

Latest on Fingerless Mitts/Gloves

My mom finished blocking the red mitts which she insisted needed to be 'blocked'. I also finished the Moss green fingerless mitts which I then decided to block as 'mother knows best'. They look great and because they worked out so well, I went back to Stitch Therapy Brooklyn and picked up some really nice neutral colored yarns in aran weight. I also picked up in the same neutral colors (ivory and taupe) kid mohair yarns to add to the aran weight yarn so that I could add some texture to basic pattern for more fingerless mitts.

Who are they for you might ask? Well I don't know. I am making them and will see where the road will take me. Maybe some for the upcoming holidays. . .

Fingerless Mitts

I have now journeyed into the land of 'Fingerless Mitts and Gloves'. Not too different from socks in that you are knitting in the round using double pointed needles. I recently visited my local yarn shop called "Stitch Therapy a Fine Yarn Shop" www.stitchtherapybrookly.com . Small shop, but loaded with beautiful yarns. The owner is always willing to help you figure out patterns and always encouraging her customers to try out this or that. Great place. Please visit this store, as the saying goes 'great things come in small packages' and you will definitely not be disappointed.

Well, she had finished knitting up a lovely fingerless mitt for a floor display. I toyed with the sample while visiting and that night fell asleep thinking about this glove. I just had to try it. Well, I went back the very next day, purchased a lovely red yarn by EXTRA - 100% Australian Merino, Shrink Resistent yarn.

What a pleasure to knit with this yarn. The ply is beautiful and there is this lovely slight sheen to the fabric. I presently do not have a picture of the finished product as my mom, once again, is blocking the set of fingerless mitts at her home.

You will notice, by viewing the second picture, that I have started my second pair of fingerless mitts in Artyarns Supermerino colorway 119. Using US #4 needles.

When I started knitting the mitts, I decided to do both at the same time using two sets of double pointed needles in the same sizes of course, so that I could finish both basically at the same time. One is a little more advanced in the pattern than the other, but will soon reach its mate quickly. This is a really easy pattern to do.

I have a slight problem with my knitting in that I do the first mate correctly and then somehow the second mate is tighter!! I have no idea why this happens to me, although some have suggested that maybe I feel more confident with the pattern, thus I am knitting tighter in order to finish the entire project. Who knows, but I aim to conquer this little dilemma.

Opal Ankle Socks

This is another pair of socks I recently finished. I love this yarn as it is self-patterning. It almost looks like Fair Isle knitting, but NOT! This yarn is lovely to work with and very forgiving. I encourage everyone who knits to always use a yarn that will be pleasing to the eyes so that you don't get bored with it. This yarn, you will definitely not get bored.

These socks are simple basic ankle socks, knitted on US #2 dpn needles.

Update on Latest Socks

Well, finally I finished the Flying Geese Socks. My dear mom blocked these socks for me and let me tell you, they look fantastic blocked! I didn't realize what 'blocking' can do for your knitting pieces.

I must share with you that I have discovered that I tend to knit my first socks of a pair nicely. Its mate usually never looks the same. Case in point: I did the first sock of the Flying Geese Pattern and it came out beautiful, granted there might have been one or two little 'signature markings' but overall it came out beautiful. Its mate on the other hand, did not as you will see from the picture.

First of all let me share with you that knitting can be very very relaxing, but when you are under a surmountable stress value as I was on the day I attempted to finish this sock, you will quickly come to realize that you will make terrible mistakes that you will regret for the life of that sock.

The mate to this sock went through much distress at my hands. I started grafting the toe way way before I was supposed to. I realized my mistake, but by this point I had already 'cut' the yarn. I attempted to go back and undo the grafting, add yarn to the existing yarn and continue the pattern until I really arrived at the place of grafting the required stitches. Well, my toe area ended up looking like a 'roach killer' sock!! Meaning that it was pointy rather than rounded as it mate was.

By the end of this finished product, I can tell you I was NOT relaxed, but more distressed than when I started. My daughter said not to look upon it as a 'mistake' but rather that the sock itself had 'character'. Suffice to say, I took her advice and left the sock as is.

Colinette Jitterbug Yarn, et al

The Jitterbug hanks I have at home, and I have lots, come in hanks of 100 grams, approximately 267 meters and according to the label and LYS owner, one hank is enough for a pair of socks. I always purchase two hanks of everything if making socks, because I am always afraid that I won't have sufficient yarn to complete the project.

I recently completed a pair of socks in the Crystal Palace Cotton Panda, 170 yards, 50 grams. And one skein completed two socks although I did use a small amount of yarn from the second skein, but virtually one skein completed the pair. I used size US #2 needles.

Flying Geese Pattern Socks

Here is the Flying Geese Sock finished. And, yes, I am in the process of creating its mate. Jitterbug is a wonderful yarn to work with. I love the flecks of cranberry color scattered throughout the yarn. If you see this yarn in any of your travels, pick it up. You won't be disappointed.

Yarns

My blog's description does have the wording 'luxurious yarns' and so here it begins. These yarns have a feel so soft and light. The HandMaiden's 4-ply Cashmere is totally soft, almost like a newborn puppy's or kitten's fur. The Fleece Artist's colorways are totally crisp and bright. Lorna's Laces blend of silk and wool is quite striking and Lanas Puras out of South America, is a lace weight yarn. I can't wait to create something beautiful from these yarns. If you click on the picture, the photo will open up a little bigger and you can see details and the description of the yarns.

Knitting Circles

I recently joined a knitting circle in my neighborhood sponsored by the local yarn store. At first I was a little nervous about going because I didn't know what it would entail, besides 'knitting'. Well I was so pleasantly surprised. I met some really nice ladies there. Its a wonderful experience to share the very basic commonality of knitting. I've been learning little things here and there about knitting and realizing that knitting is 'fun'. When I first started on this journey of knitting, I was in a mode of 'beat the clock' syndrome, but now I am learning to enjoy each stitch as I go along, enjoy the fruit of my labor and labor of many who put these beautiful yarns together. I am understanding there is a deeper connection between the movement of my knitting fingers/hands and the fibers. Fibers have come from live animals, and hopefully still alive, and my hands/fingers are alive as well. Something is happening something is connecting. Something is become an heirloom for someone to cherish.

At the knitting circle we are each creating, exchanging, laughing and learning. If you haven't joined one yet, check one out in your neighborhood or even start one. You won't regret it.

New York City's Subway System and Sock Knitting

I have heard that there is a 'snobbery' that happen with knitters. I was a bit skeptical about that labeling until I realized I became a 'knitting snob'. I must say there is nothing wrong with it. . .

I have become a little more comfortable with my knitting in public. I can actually work on my socks while standing at the platform waiting for the train. I don't need to sit in order to knit my socks. Socks are wonderful. They are portable, the needles don't get into others' 3 feet of space limitation and gives a quick gratification for those who need to see some results yesterday rather than today!!

Well recently, I had to stand all the way home as I was not quick enough to grab a seat. So I stood against the door, although all New Yorkers know we are not supposed to lean against the door, but as New Yorkers go, we do nevertheless. Anyway there I was knitting away at a sock I had just started. For those of you who do not knit socks, the first fews rounds are a little awkward and sometimes the needles flay ever so slightly. Well I was happily knitting along when all of a sudden a woman screeches out "are you knitting socks?" to which I shyly said yes. All heads in the particular train car looked my way. I just wanted to melt into the door. I don't like attention brought to me, I am more comfortable being a wallflower. Anyway she continued to tell me how she knitted only one sock, of which she was quite proud of, in a neon green no less was the color chosen for her sock and how she found it quite boring. Well that she found socks boring made for less conversation. . .mind you, all this was said at the top of her lungs and everyone was listening. All I could do was nod nicely and nicely nod I did.

I couldn't wait for her to stop talking so I could get back to my knitting. She finally got a seat to which I gladly did not push her over so that I could get that seat and I finally got back to my sock!!! As all knitters know, every minute wasted is a minute a stitch could be knitted. I realized then I had arrived. I became a 'knitting snob' and proud of it I am!!!!

Colinette Jitterbug Yarn

Some have asked me how do I like this yarn. I must say I love it. Of course, I compare all yarns against Jade Sapphire's Mongolian Handspun Cashmere yarn and nothing compares to the softness of that yarn, but this yarn is fun to work with. Because I am not as experienced at knitting as some others are, I find that I cause the yarn to split. This yarn is excellent in that it did not allow me to split it easily. The ply was a tight ply unlike the Cotton Panda yarn which split too easily, that doesn't mean I didn't like Cotton Panda, I loved it and loved the product it produced. Jitterbug feels very substantial in the hand, and I noticed that with the heat it would get a little crunchy, possibly because my hands were starting to sweat. Who knows, but overall the yarn lent itself to the pattern very nicely and it has a little sheen to it. I don't think that can be seen in the picture but it does, trust me. Very slight sheen, which I like. Would I use this yarn again ABSOLUTELY!!! The color is very pretty. That moss green color has little flecks of cranberry spotting throughout and it falls ever so nicely on the sock. Just love that about the yarn.

Free and Easy Pie Wedge Shawl from Lorna's Lace - Helen's Lace Yarn Division

I started a shawl from a free pattern I got when I purchased Lorna's Lace Hand-Dyed Yarn's Helen's Lace colorway Black Purl. The shawl is made in the short row technique similar to socks' heels. I am using US #8 circular needles.

Flying Geese Pattern Socks

These socks are my very first attempt at following a pattern that contains a graph chart with corresponding symbols for each stitch to be created. It was a good exercise in learning to read charts, doing my very first cable stitches and my very first attempt at an 'intermediate' pattern. Whoa!!! I think I'm doing pretty good. . .wouldn't you agree?! The yarn is by Colinette 'Jitterbug' colorway #75-Moss, using US Needles #3 and 4. You can click on the photo to enlarge it and you can see the design of the 'Flying Geese', pattern by Needful Yarns.

Working with Panda Cotton Yarn

Working with this yarn was lovely. It has a nice elasticity and cool feeling. My socks came out with a nice drape and 'heavy' or substantial feel to it different than the first pair of socks made in Opal superwash wool. The colors are bright. I used one 50 oz. skein to virtually complete the pair. I only had to use a little yardage from the second skein. So now I can make another pair, maybe shorter in the same material. The only feature I didn't like about this yarn was the splitting of the plies. I found that I had to be careful not to split the plies and when I had to rip back a few stitches I found that the yarn would separate its plies. Other than that the yarn was terrific and the end result was quite satisfactory.

Panda Cotton - Socks Finished

My Panda Cotton socks are finally finished!!! These socks feel so comfy and drapey. The fabric is luscious! Panda Cotton by Crystal Palace Yarns and knitted on US #2 needles.