Time sure does fly

I have been very negligent when it comes to my little home here at Knitting Chica. I have so many dreams and wishes as to what I want this place to be, to become, but life is funny. It takes you down many twists and curves.

Rest assured that even though this place has been quiet, I have been working on the background. Working on ways to make my dreams a reality. Learning from the Universe and applying them to my life.

I have been so singular in my views on how I want things to be that I have strayed from here. When in fact I should have kept interacting, how else am I supposed to foster the community that I envision if I stay holed up in my little corner not sharing anything?

So here I am today, letting go, and continuing my trip down this road, but this time I am sharing it with all of you.

First up, my last post was about the Rose Garden Shawl, I am said to say that I gave up on the pattern. There are just some projects that are not meant to be. I loved the idea of this project, but my brain did not like it. Such simple stitches, but I think it was the simplicity of the stitches that kept my brain traveling to Never, Never Land whenever I worked on it.

I did pick back up the Leftie Shawl:

I am further along than what is shown in the photo above. The colors are just wonderful and as always MissBabs yarn's are just a dream to work with.

I never shared her on the blog, but I am a mommy to a Ewe who I named Lucy. Since becoming her mommy, she has gone and become a mommy herself.  She had twins, a Ram who I named Bam Bam and a sweet Ewe who I named Pebbles. Lucy is a wonderful mom and the babies are adorable.

Speaking of sheep, I have a collection of soft, wonderful sport weight yarn that I will be dying. I had to put a temporary hold on dying yarn because of our epic move. But now that we are all settled I can begin production. I am in the process of looking for a new farm to source my yarn from. I really would like a place that is local to the MD/DC/VA area.

Finally, here is a project completed with one of my hand dyed yarns. I do not know the name of the project she made, but the yarn is 440 yards of Finger weight Superwash Merino in the colorway "Sun Goddess".  It totally screams summer and beach fun.

There is so much more in the works, a new website, new online shop, new projects and tons of yarn. So hang in there things are about to get a lot more fun around here.

Until next time, Happy Knitting!

~Knitting Chica

Rose Garden Take 3

In an effort to finish my work in progress I am back to the beautiful but pain in the neck Rose Garden Shawl.
I fell in love with the shawl when I first saw it in the Summer 2012, Jane Austen Knits magazine. I loved it so much that I even bought the same exact yarn in the same color as the one made for the magazine. But even with all that love, this pattern has brought me nothing but heartache. It is almost as if the knitting gods did not want me to complete this project.

 Think I am exaggerating? Well, lets see:

•  First the yarn was so tangled that I tried to untangle it for a month, gave up and threw it in a box.
• One of my knitting friends took pity on me and took on the task to untangle said yarn. Which now means I can make the project.
• Nope, I started working on another big project and put it aside and I forgot about it.
• Finally I started it. It was going great I finished the first repeat and I found three major mistakes early in the project. I was so frustrated I decided to put it aside. 
• I finally decided to pick it up a second time and I did the same exact thing I did above! I mean the SAME EXACT MISTAKES ON THE SAME SPOTS!!
• Now I am back to my third try and so far so good. No mistakes, no emotional breakdowns, no tangle yarn. Just a shawl that is knitting up nicely.

Hopefully the saying "Third times the charm" will hold true for me and I will be able to finish the shawl this time around. 

Until next time, Happy knitting!!
~Knitting Chica

Good-bye 2013 and Hello 2014

Previously I blogged about my failings at keeping to my knitting plans so today I will blog about what I managed to accomplish in 2013. By the close of the year I was able to finish 13 projects.The damage was:

• 3 Pairs of Socks
• 6 Hats
• 1 Cowl
• 1 Scarf
• 1 Cardigan
• 1 Top

Seems that I was really into hats in 2013, though I must say that 2 of the 6 hats were Christmas presents, Socks came in second with 3 pairs completed.

Knitting aside, as I mentioned in my last post, I finally put my Spinning Wheel together:

I did not get much spinning accomplished in 2013 but I do plan on changing that this year.

Another thing that I got into was dyeing my own yarn. Unfortunately I did not document my yarn dyeing adventures as well as I should (another thing I need to work more on, documentation). But here are two out of the half dozen or so that I dyed this year:

For 2014 I will not make a project plan as I did before. My goal is to work on other techniques that I generally try to keep away from. Such as:

1. Fair Isle
2. Intarsia
3. Bottom up Projects ( i.e: Sweaters, toe up socks)
4. Entralac
5. Steeking

Aside from working on new techniques, I have to work on a sweater for Mr. P and complete two projects that I have had on the needles for a while.

Over all, I guess I did not do so bad. I just need to be focused and be more organized.

What are your goals for 2014? How did you do in 2013?

Until next time, Happy Knitting!

~Knitting Chica

  

The End is Near

Another year is coming to an end and I have completely failed at sticking to my plans. Maybe I am just not meant to set goals. Maybe I need to just go where the wind takes me. Who knows, all I know is that I did not complete all the projects I set myself for this year and I sure as heck did not stick to the no buying yarn thing.

Shameful really. I have managed to only complete nine projects this year. Out of those nine finished projects only three where from my project list that I posted about here and here. I have three projects that are work in progress, one of those is a long term project as it is a patchwork blanket made from left over yarn. Here is the link for the pattern page for the blanket, it is perfect for all the left over yarn and you do not want to do the Beekeeper's Quilt. 

Now, I must say that even if I did not make my Knitting goals, I did complete project plan # 3. This project consisted of me finally finishing, putting together and learning how to use my Ashford Kiwi 2. While I will not call myself a master at using my wheel. I am proud to say that after getting a 2 hour crash course on how to spin on a wheel, I am well on my way to becoming a spinner.

Another goal that I accomplished was to dye yarn. I did a bit of it this year and all the yarns I dyed were a success. I failed to photograph most of the yarn that I dyed, but I am so much more confident in my dying skills and cannot wait to get better.

I do not think I am going to set myself project goals for 2014. I think I am going to work on getting better at my craft and getting better at documenting my journey. In order to do that I have armed myself with tools to help me because it is not just about needles and yarn.

Tools for a better Fiber Artist and Blogger

Shown above Simplified Planner for planning projects and posts, my personalized May Designs Notebook for notes, My Olympus to take photos and of course my trusty Mac Book.

So here is to a more productive 2014!

Until next time, Happy Knitting!

~Knitting Chica

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Knitwear

The weather is getting colder and all I have rolling around in my head is wearing cozy, big fluffy knits. Unfortunately, I have not made much progress when it comes to my projects. But yesterday a girlfriend and I went to watch The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and I felt a new surge of inspiration and desire to bust out my knitting needles and knit myself some cozy knitwear.

As soon as I made it home I got to work to find movie stills and hunt down patterns. I almost feel like I need to watch the movie once more to catch the other knitwear that I missed. But until that time here are three piece's that Katniss Everdeen, character played by Jennifer Lawrence wore in the movie:

Cowl designed by Maria Dora

Sweater designed by Alice Lemoine

Top by unknown designer

The Costume Designer for the movie was Trish Summerville , the knitted Cowl shown above is by Maria Dora. I have not had any luck finding patterns for the second and third photo or even a better photo of the third photo. I am sure eventually patterns will show up for them so for now all I can do is dream about them.

I do think the second sweater shown above is a  Le Moine Tricote piece. Here is a photo of the sweater:

Alice Lemoine for Le Moine Tricote

I am a huge fan of Alice Lemoine's knitwear. I have been a fan of hers since her days with Rick Owens so is no wonder that I fell head over heels for this sweater. But at the same time it makes me sad because there is no chance that I can afford it. I mean seriously, check out Barney's and get ready for sticker shock.

Now on a happier note I did find a few patterns on Ravelry for the Cowl that Katniss wears in the movie which was designed by Maria Dora.

Katniss Cowl by Katharina Schnorr

Katniss Cowl by Anaid Designs

The Katniss Cowl by Lollyknits

My favorite of the three patterns shown above is the one by Katharina Schnorr*. While I am not a fan of the color choice for it, I think this one is the most wearable piece. It covers more of the body and the neck is smaller so you are getting real protection from the cold. Another added bonus is the it is a free Ravelry download.

If you do not like any of the Cowls shown above, you will be happy to know that Maria Dora the designer of the Cowl is planning on releasing a pattern for the Cowl. I do not know if it will be exactly the same Cowl or one inspired by the original, but either way I am sure it will be amazing.

It is amazing how I view movies now compared to how I viewed movies before I became a knitter. While I have always been interested in the costuming in movies, now whenever I see knitwear that I like in the movies I start to envision how I can make it and work it into my wardrobe. Now all I am hoping for is to see more patterns inspired by the movie to pop up.

Have you seen the movie? What do you think of the Knitwear? Which is your favorite piece?

Until next time, Happy Knitting!!

~Knitting Chica

*You can click on any of the pattern photos and it will take you to the designer page on Ravelry.

You Cannot Call Me Al

My first project for 2013 was supposed to be You can Call Me Al sock pattern from Knitty Fall 2012. But while working on the pattern I found some issues that I did not like. So I decided that I would scratch that pattern and just make it up as I went along and thus the "You Cannot Call Me Al" socks were born. I did not know what else to call them since I made up the socks on the fly. I thought that I would write out the pattern and upload it to Ravelry, but after searching on Ravelry I found similar sock patterns so I decided to not do it. If I ever design my own pattern I want it to be as different as possible to other patterns.

I really love the yarns from Cephalopod. They are always so bright and the yarn always feels amazing! So far this year I have made two projects with their yarn and there are more in my future.

Until next time, Happy Knitting!

~Knitting Chica

Pink Monkey

Pattern: Monkey
Designer: Cookie A.
Pattern Book/Site: Knitty Winter 2006
Yarn: Cascade Yarns, Cascade 220 Fingering
Needle: US 2 - 2.75 mm
Pattern Rating: 5 out of 5

You can kiss my 2013 Project Plans good-bye. I started out with good intentions but I have totally failed at keeping them. I have made some of the projects on my list but for the most part I have cheated and worked on other things.

Today I bring you one of the patterns I cheated with and it is the all famous Monkey Socks by Cookie A.

My Monkey Sock Mascot. Found somewhere online

 I can totally see why this pattern is so popular. It had me addicted from the start. It was easy enough that I could work on them while watching TV but interesting enough to keep me going. The first sock took me a little while to make because real life kept getting in the way, but the second sock I was able to finish in 3 days. If you have not made these socks I highly recommend them. I am already plotting my next pair.

As for the yarn that I used, I loved the color, bright and totally girlie but I do not know if I will work with it again for socks. It was always splitting, it is very annoying when you are working on small needles. If you do not mind the splitting then I recommend it, the price value is very good, colors are fun and it does not feel bad in your hands.

Photos of my Pink Monkey Socks:

You can read more on the project and view more photos on my Ravelry project page here.

Until next time, Happy Knitting!

~Knitting Chica

Hand Dyed Yarn: Emerald Isle

Meet Emerald Isle, 440 yards of very yummy Worsted weight Superwash Merino Wool. It was a lot of fun dyeing this yarn but man is Emerald a hard color to get. It was worth it, I think it came out beautiful.

What do you think?

Until next time, Happy Knitting!

~Knitting Chica

Burning the Midnight Oil

 I usually get idioms wrong. You know the saying "Killing two Birds with one Stone"? More than likely I have said "Killing a Bird with two Stones". Actually, I have said it that way. I get it all twisted, that is why for the title of this post I had to do a Google search to assure that I was saying the idiom correctly. My brain works in mysterious ways my friends.

Today's blog title is because it is passed the mid-night hour and I am sitting here in the semi-dark typing away. I prefer to be sleeping right now, but my body decided it was time to get up so here I am. I was thinking of picking up my March project or my April project and working on that, but my wrist is still feeling tender from whatever it is that I did to it on Friday.

Which means that today you get mostly my sleepless ramblings, Ravelry pattern day dreams and maybe a confession or two. Like, I have not been able to keep to my "no Yarn buying till November plan". Yeah, I cheated at the Homespun Yarn party last weekend. I only bought two skeins, but I still broke my yarn diet. I have no self control. For my second confession, I plan on breaking it again at Maryland Sheep and Wool in May.

By the way, what is up with Bottom-up tops? What is the point of designing and knitting or crocheting a garment from the bottom-up? I have found so many nice tops that I would love to make but I see the dreaded bottom-up tag and it is automatically vetoed. I have to try on tops as I make them, my main fit concern is at the top, not the bottom of my tops. I want to make sure that I make all pattern adjustments early on and the only way to do that, at least in my world is by trying it on as I make it. I have other pet peeves but I think I will stop here since I am sure you do not want to read all my crazy woman complaints.

Let us move on to the good stuff. Ravelry patterns that I currently covet. Folks, I must tell you that I can never die, my Knitting/Crocheting wishlist will take me a life time or two to complete. But I am sure I am not the only one with that problem.

First Pattern up is Miss Holloway:

Not my photo. This is the Ravelry project photo.

I love this pattern! It is by Sarah Wilson a.k.a The Sexy Knitter who I am a big fan of. If you look at my Ravelry queue you will find a hand full of patterns by her. Mind you there is no way in gods green earth that I will make the above pattern or some of the ones in my queue, such as this one. Why? you ask. Because I do not have the body requirement for such a garment. I would look like one big round-square. Yes, ladies and gentleman, I have created my own shape. It is called the "Knitting Chica Body". But it is a pretty pattern and I must put it out there for the masses that have the right shape to make this pattern work.

Next up is Fannie Fouche:

Not my photo.This is the Ravelry project photo.

Seriously folks, this Cardigan is beautiful. You have to go to the project page and look at the other detail shoots the designer has. I seriously cannot wait to make it and will be fitting it in somewhere into my knitting schedule. I may even knock off one of my 2013 planned projects just to fit this one in. I have already started hunting for just the right yarn and buttons for this cardigan. The designer Ellen Mason has some other very pretty retro deigns so be sure to check them out. There are two other cardigans of hers that I like but were vetoed due to them being bottom-up. :-/

Last but not least is Princess and The Pea:

You know a shawl had to be added to the list somewhere! This pattern was brought to my attention by my co-worker. It is a Lily Go design and if you know this designer you know she designs some of the most beautiful shawls. I currently have this and this one in my "I hope I get around to these patterns in this lifetime" queue.

Since this post is not already long enough I will add photos of my most recent sewing adventures. This was for a Google+ swap where we made each other project bags. Aside from the project bag I made my partner a tote bag so that she has something to carry any new yarn she happens to stumble upon.

Tote Bag

Project Bag, big enough to hold a cardigan.

Well, that is all I have for today. I am finally feeling sleep knocking on my door so I must go answer it's call.

Until next time, Happy Knitting!

~Knitting Chica

Sometimes you just have to start over

March is the month of Spring, the promise of a new beginning and the promise of summer. March is also the month where I work on the Peony Cardigan.

Not my photo. This is the project photo from Ravelry.

I really love this cardigan. I have to love it being the fact that I have been trying to make it since Spring of 2012. I especially have to love it because after working on it this month and getting past the third set of button holes I am starting it over.

Work In Progress

Even with all my reservations on the yarn due to my not so great experience with the brand I must admit that the color is beautiful and it makes a wonderful fabric. Of course cell phone photos do not do the color any justice. 

The problem

Exhibit A (photo above) shows the issue that is causing my anxiety and the reason why I have to start over. The hole on the seam of the sleeve. The hole that looks like the size of Texas on my perfectly stitched cardigan. Yes, I know it is not really that big the not so logical side of me sees it different.

This is what it should look like

Now the picture above perfectly illustrates what the seam of the sleeve should look like. See what I mean? There is no way that I can possibly continue to work on this project when I have two (did I mention there is another hole on the other side of the first hole?) holes mocking me.

So my March project will continue past the month of March, I am sure it will also continue past the month of April since I will be working on the Rose Garden Shawl next month. I just hope that this project will be completed by Fall so that I can finally wear it.

Until next time, Happy Knitting!

~Knitting Chica

I have been on a role lately, so far this week I have blocked three projects. Now I am just down to one more completed project to block and I am done.

You have seen the hat before here. I wore it for a long time with out blocking but I did not like the ripples and the point at the top of the hat so I finally decided to do something about it.

 The red top is my vacation top. This was a great and quick project to work on.

Now all I have to do is keep up this momentum.

Until next time, Happy Knitting!

~Knitting Chica

Work in Progress Wednesday: Al Socks

I finally started on my first 2013 project. I should have started this project sooner but it just did not work out. I first started the project using this yarn, but ran into a problem with the color, it was just too dark and the design of the socks just got lost in the color.

I decided to use another yarn and picked this one. Since the intended project for this yarn did not work out I stashed it away, I thought I was going to make the Mary Margaret Tam but that changed when I needed something for my socks.

I am very happy with my yarn choice now. The socks look great in the yarn and you can see the design. I am currently working on the right leg and I have gotten the 1st of 2 repeats needed. Now we will see if I can get it done in 16 days so I can stay on track.

Until next time, Happy Knitting!

~Knitting Chica

For the Love of Shawls

I LOVE making Shawls. They are easy to carry around, you do not have to worry about the fit and they make amazing gifts. I am always on the lookout for the newest design to pop up on Ravelry. I recently showed you some of my favorite from my Malabrigio post last week. So far this month these beauties have popped up on my radar:

I think is the stripes that got me with this one. I gravitate to almost everything with stripes.

Trilinear

Dreambird was found by one of my G+ buddies, what would I do without them?

Dreambird

This designer does some amazing work. I learned about her from one of my G+ buddies.

Fire-Drake

Are these shawls not to die for? I just love them all and really, really want to make them NOW. If only I could just sit around and knit all day. *sigh*

While looking for these months goods I ran into this pretty little number:

Fianna

Is that not just the prettiest shawl? The designer made this Shawl in Malabrigo Arroyo.


Do you like making Shawls? What Patterns are you currently coveting? Please post links, I would love to see your Shawl picks.

Until next time, Happy Knitting!
~Knitting Chica