WIP Wednesday: ACTUAL Progress

Happy End of 2014!! I hope this year has been wonderful for you and that you’re so excited to start the new one.  My knitting has transformed a bit and for that I’m pleased.  It’s not just a pile of scrunched up grey stockinette anymore!  The back is finished and a sleeve is being worked on!

My wonderful momma cast on this sleeve when I visited over Thanksgiving and got a few inches into it before I left, every little bit counts and I’m thrilled to have had her help in this.

Having the two biggest pieces of the sweater done makes me feel like the sleeves, blocking, sewing and neckline will move along fairly quickly, or perhaps I’m just feeling the “Finished a Piece Mojo” that comes with a long-awaited bind off.

What are you knitting this last day of 2014?  Selfish knitting? Wrapping up belated gifts?

Wrapping Up 2014, Planning 2015

As most other folks are doing this time of year, I’m contemplating my next moves and looking back at what the past year has done for me (although I must say, I’m much more excited about what lies ahead than behind).

2015 is already full of possibilities and probabilities – collaborations are underway, patterns are in various stages of the pipeline to be released, prints are being added to the new shop, adventures are being planned and the pup and I are excited for what’s headed our way.

One of the first exciting things we’re going to start off 2015 with is a Knit-Along so be sure to check back on Friday for more of those details!  There will be a coupon and prizes, camaraderie and plenty of knitting, I certainly hope you’ll join us 🙂

Do you have any resolutions or goals you’re preparing for 2015?  Knitting or otherwise?

FO Friday: Cutesy and Last Minute

I made a two-handed mitt for my honey (project page here).  Kind of Totally last minute but I cranked this out with US 8 and 10 needles (5 and 6 mm, respectively) in less than 2 or 3? days.  I used some KnitPicks Swish and Hikoo Simpliworsted that I had lying around from other projects.

Stash busting, quick and a gift we can both enjoy? Totally winning!

I decided to present the present (teehee, the English language, man) during a date outing in which we’d get immediate use – touring the Denver Botanical Gardens at Chatfield and looking at the holiday lights they’d put up.

Did you make any gifts this holiday season?  Are you a last-minute maker-gifter or do you do a better job of planning ahead than I do?

 

January Class Schedule

Did you miss the first set of classes I taught at Grandma’s House the past few months?  Don’t worry, I’ll be teaching again at the beginning of 2015!  More classes, topics and projects will be coming in the next year as well, so keep your ear to the ground (or to my Facebook page) for details on those.

January 7th and 14th will be more Beginning (Level 1) Knitting Classes and we’ll be working on similar projects – a mini scarf and hat perfectly sized for your favorite beer bottle!

And instead of following it up with the Intermediate Class where we learned how to knit small sweaters the first time around, this time we’re going to learn how to knit washcloths!  I still consider this a beginner class – it builds on the basic knitting skills but also teaches students how to work different stitches including increases and decreases.  These Beginner (Level 2) Classes will be held on January 21st and 28th, same time (6pm-8pm) and same place (Grandma’s House Brewery).

Classes are $50 for the two sessions and I will bring all the materials with me, you don’t need to bring a thing! Except a friend, you can certainly bring those.  And if you *do* bring a friend, you can each get a discount and pay only $40 each for the two sessions and all materials!  That leaves plenty to get yourself a delicious brew from Grandma.

WIP Wednesday: Moving Right Along

I’m still working on the sweater for my Aunteeee but didn’t want to post more pictures of a grey stockinette pile so I decided to get a bit more creative and show you how the pieces are coming together!

Based on this picture, its safe to say I’m approaching the armholes of the back of the sweater although the shaping is going to be a simple dropped shoulder so there won’t be any actual armhole shaping involved.

After the back is finished, I’ll just have two sleeves, blocking and seaming then the neck which will be a cozy cowl-ish type style. Easy peasy…..**nervous cough**

What are you working on this week? Preparing for the holidays?

Pints & Purls Edition 37: Slope Style

This is the thirty-sixth in a series of installments that will highlight one of my favorite brews and which knits to go with it!  None of the breweries or yarn companies are compensating me – these are just my opinions on my personal experiences!

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Brew: Slope Style Winter IPA

Brewer: Boulder Beer

Malts:

Hops: Horizon

IBU:

ABV: 6.4%

Flavors: Full-bodied with a malty intro and a hoppy outro, this beer combines elements from a good red ale and your IPA needs into one brew.

Knit Pairings:  This beer is perfect for winter drinking after a day at the slopes – cozy and filling.  I suggest pairing it with a good wooly chunky knit with possibly some cables to add some cushy-ness or maybe you’re into stranded colorwork and want to make a classic ski cap with some seasonal motifs!

Notes:

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Let me know what you think!  Suggestions for future beers, more/different information to include, this is a work in progress so I won’t be offended by constructive advice!

A New Venture

In addition to my freelance knitwear design and technical editing, I’ve recently opened a shop specifically for my photography.  Until recently, taking pictures has been something done for my personal pleasure – something to learn more about, something to help me see the special details in the world around me and something to share with you! Now, we’re taking that sharing to a whole other level – we can share wall art.

Two dimensional art is a popular category in my family it seems.  My uncle is a painter, print maker and all-around phenomenal artist.  My little brother is a ridiculously talented film maker, videographer, everything-to-do-with film and photographer. It’s a bit intimidating being surrounded by such skilled folks but with the support that my family and friends provide, I feel privileged to be a part of it.

Photography by Holly P. will focus primarily on my nature photos and I’m looking forward to watching this new side of things grow!

I apologize for the non-knitting content of this post, if you’re here for the yarn – it’ll be right back in my next post!  If you’d like to see more about my photography developments, let me know in the comments and I’ll be sure to share of that in the future, otherwise I’ll probably just keep this space to knitting 😉

 

FO Friday: Stocking for Leland

The latest stocking project has been finished and shipped off to it’s new home and so I can share it here with you!

This is the third stocking I’ve knit and the first for someone I’m not related to (that last bit put more pressure on me for some reason – family can love the quirks that come with handmade things, but can strangers?).

Knit with a variety of worsted weight yarns – white acrylic, red and green KnitPicks Swish and some tweedy brown – it was a fairly quick knit even though the stocking measures about 20″ long.  The recipient/gift giver requested something classic and clean, she likes deer, trees and wanted the kiddo’s name on it but other than that gave me creative license.

I really like the stripey garter bits at the cuff, heel and toe combined with the crisp white and simple colorwork.  I added the name with duplicate stitch on the way to and from snowboarding on Thanksgiving.

Have you finished anything lately? Are you working on holiday stuff?

WIP Wednesday: Polar Warmth

This week I’m primarily working on the sweater for my Aunteeeee J and happy with the progress!

The front is completed, the back is moving along and over the weekend I coerced my knitting momma to help me start a sleeve.

All that I need to do is finish the back and sleeve, knit another sleeve, block and sew the pieces together then do the cowl collar. That’s not too much to get done in time to ship it for Christmas, is it?

The yarn is Mrs. Crosby Plays Hatbox and, I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again, I’m loving it!  The colors are gorgeous (I’m being careful to alternate skeins every few rows because it is hand-dyed and has it’s quirks) and the yarn is very pleasant to knit with.

What are you working on this week?

My Holiday

I’ve been away from the city, the internet and cellphone service for a few days hanging out with my folks in the mountains of Southern Colorado over the Thanksgiving Holiday. It’s always amazing how renewed, refreshed and rejuvenated I feel after some time with family in the mountains!

I hope your weekend (holiday in the US, regular November weekend for the rest of the world) was just as renewing as mine.

I know I’ve got another month left in the year but the calendar is already chock-full for December!  I’m going to be teaching some knitting classes beginning on Wednesday (more beginner classes will be scheduled for January!) and I plan on freshening up the shop as well, but most of my plans consist of cleaning out 2014 and preparing for an amazing 2015!

What are you up to for the rest of this year?  Seems like a short one, no?  It just flew right on by!

The above photo was taken at Yarn in Durango, Colorado (I just love visiting that store!)