Busy, busy, busy

I have been quiet because I've been busy...busy getting ready to go on a trip.  This past winter my dad emailed me a flight itinerary and suggested my daughter and I join him and my mom on a trip to Florence.  Quite frankly, it got me through this winter, spring, and lots of ups and downs knowing that for 10 days I would be with my girl before going to college and my dear parents who I never get to see often enough.

As I have mentioned in my bits about how I name patterns, I have an Italian heritage on my dad's side.  My aunt, her 2 daughters, and their children all live in Florence.  I last saw my aunt in 1994 on my honeymoon.  My daughter has never met her or my Italian cousins.

We will be staying at one cousin's villa for two nights.  She usually has it rented out to guests and while we are there she has invited us for the two nights no one is there.  I decided to weave her a set of placemats as a thank you gift.  I picked the log cabin pattern and set to work on July 9th.

Warping for log cabin takes a bit of organization and patience.  You have to keep the warp threads in coordinated clumps for when you pull them through the heddle.  I love how the pink bows look on the warp.

I loved how it was looking from the start - it is an addictive weave.

Here's how they look all done - they came off the loom on July 22.  I was busy - busy weaving!

Here they are all ready to pack and present to my cousin, Alessandra, as a hostess gift.

The placemats I made for my friend, Jane, were presented to her over 4th of July weekend.  She was so excited for them and asked how long they took to make.  All I could say is "they are a gift of love".  Isn't that true about anything you make for someone?  Time doesn't matter, effort doesn't matter that much - the love matters.  

The other thing I am making with love is for my mom.  When she saw my Tahiti Before and After Scarf, she said she loved the color.  So I cast on and am almost done making her the exact same scarf.  I had envisioned she could use it to dress up an outfit while in Florence.  Well, Florence is in a horrible heat wave (102 for a few days and in the upper 90s now).  It will go to Florence but I don't think it will be worn.  It's the love that matters.

I probably won't post remotely - I'll try.  I have my knitting packed.  Do you overpack knitting projects like I do?

Sconset Wrap

Cobblestone Designs has another new pattern - this one is quite fun.  Sconset Wrap (named after Sconset Beach on Nantucket) is a versatile wrap uses cleverly placed buttons to allow you to have several clothing options.  It uses 2 skeins of Jaggerspun Zephyr held double (there is some confusion on Ravelry about this yarn but the skeins I used had about 1200 yards each).

Button along one edge and you have an asymmetrical poncho.

Shift it around and it works a whole other way.

Button it another way and you have a fabulous shrug.

Or forget the buttons all together and wrap it around your shoulders or wear it like a scarf.

How will you wear your Sconset Wrap?

Not A Stitch

This past 4th of July weekend, we drove to NJ very early Thursday morning.  As usual, I find this to be excellent knitting time of 4 1/2 hours in the car.  I worked on my Custom Fit Cushing Isle cardigan which has been in a bit of hibernation.

Upon our arrival, all knitting stopped.  Seriously, it hit me on Sunday afternoon I did not knit a single stitch all weekend.  Anyone who knows me would think something was drastically wrong.

What did I do?  I hit the beach and I read.  I read A LOT!  About a book a day.  Nothing worth reporting on as they were trashy beach reads.  I have to admit it felt great.  Knitting has cut into my reading (even though I can knit and read) and it was good to just read and read.

We got back in the car Monday morning and thanks to my DH for driving so I could resume what I do best and most - KNIT.  I am almost done with the fronts of my cardigan and then onto the sleeves.

The other thing that did not happen last weekend was my model had a friend down for the weekend.  I have two designs waiting to release and they are in limbo as we never had a photo shoot on the beach.  I think a field trip into Boston tomorrow will get them all done.

My happy place to read when I'm not on the beach.  Comfy chair, glass of wine and a good book.

Got To Love A Shout Out

A few weeks ago I got a Ravelry message from Tonia Berry speaking on behalf of Classic Elite Yarns.  They have a weekly newsletter and every now and then they highlight indie designers who use their yarns.  She had noticed my Just One More Scarf pattern which uses Classic Elite Bella Lino and asked if she could include it in the newsletter.

I'm sure you can imagine how quickly I said yes.  Well, I waited and waited and then yesterday afternoon I opened my gmail and found this!

That photo on the right is my design!  There it was - issue 401 of their newsletter with my scarf in it.  Made my day!  Isn't it nice when you get a shout out?

I have a few more designs going on - photo shoot this weekend with releases happening soon.  Stay tuned!