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

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

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

Time Management

I have a confession to make........ I lack time management skills. No matter how much I try I end up overwhelmed and end up not getting anything done.

The last time I blogged was January 17th. Is not that I had nothing to blog about since the last post. I have had plenty. Such as finishing my socks and both of my February projects. I also have other books to review and I have not even shared my Birthday purchases.

March is only two days away and I am ready for my March project. I spent a few hours writing out the pattern onto excel and I got to say I understand it now and do not think I will have a problem completing it.

I will work on taking photos of the completed projects and get blog posts up.

Until next time, Happy Knitting!

~Knitting Chica

Emerald - 2013 Color of the Year

Rejoice Green lovers, Pantone has voted the color Emerald as the 2013 color of the Year.  

Emerald is one of my favorite shades of green but as much as I like it I do not own very much in the color. The dominating color in my closet consists of mostly black and grey, which fits the stereotypical uniform of a New Yorker. Without much success I have tried to introduce color to my pallet. Is not that I do not like color, my favorite color is red, the brighter the red the happier I am and I also love jeweled toned colors which Emerald would fall into the mix is just black is so much easier.

When I was planning out this year's projects I had already decided that I was going to add more color. I have projects that will be made in lime green, yellow, hot pink and other anti-me colors. I think it will be the beginning of a beautiful relationship with color or a total train wreck. 

In order to continue my trip outside of my color zone and in honor of the color Emerald, I will make one of my "2013 Projects" in Emerald Green. Being that I am still in one of my two yarn shopping months of the year, I am still keeping with my yarn diet.

The project that I will be making in the color of the year is Sotherton:

The designer sweater is already in a beautiful green color which sealed the deal for me to make it in the color. I have a few ideas for the yarn to use for this project:

Blue Sky Alpacas Sport Weight in Emerald

Louisa Harding Orielle in Emerald

Patons Fairytale Soft DK in Emerald

Rowan Baby Merino Silk Dk in Emerald

It is amazing the difference in the shades of Emerald from one yarn company to another. My favorite from the 4 above has to be the Louisa Harding Yarn. Not only is it a beautiful color green the gold metallic gives it a pretty sparkle. Not to mention it is 100% Baby Alpaca so you know it is super soft on the skin. 

What do you think of this year's color? Will you be embracing the 2013 Color of the year?

Until next time, Happy Knitting!

~Knitting Chica

Hi, Long Time No See

It has been a while since I blogged. It has taken me these few weeks to get adjusted to my new work schedule/commute. Now that things seem to be more balanced I can get back to my normal blogging routine.

I hope that everyone in the East Coast made is through hurricane sandy safely. We did not suffer much of a disturbance in the DC area, at least nowhere near the devastation that happened in NJ/NY.  

Rest assured that just because I have not been blogging does not mean that I have not been knitting or crocheting. I have been doing both and this month is turning out to be a busy project month, with 3 hat projects, 1 sweater project and a pair of socks. Yeah, yeah, I know I am nuts. 

I have completed 2 out of the 3 hats, I am working on the sweater and the socks I have had to frog and I plan to start soon. Depending how the month plans out and if I do not totally fail at keeping myself on task I may get a 4^th hat in the mix.

I also got the Noro Crochet book and it is to DIE FOR! I want to crochet all the things on that book. I know I won’t, but a girl can dream, right? I will have a post later this week reviewing the book.

Finally, I wanted to say that with the New Year the blog will get a new look! I am super excited and I cannot wait to share it with you all. I hope you all end up loving the changes that will take place as much as I do.

 My goals for 2013 are to blog more and get myself better organized. In order to reach those goals, I need to start by putting in some serious attention to the blog.

With that being said, what changes would you like to see to the blog? What can I do to improve? What would you like to see more off? Or what would you like to see that you have not seen on here yet? I would love to know what you all think.

Until next time, Happy Knitting!

~Knitting Chica

Let me see your Craft Space

Last night I decided to clean my knit area. I have a small table that I keep next to the place I like to sit on the Couch. On the table I keep my yarn bowl, my yarn basket, the case with my Crochet Hooks, a notebook with pen and a bottle of water. I also have a very pretty addition, a beautiful Orchid that was given to me by the company that I work for. Since I had just blocked my August CAL Doily I decided to place the flower pot on it. This is the first time that this space has been so clean. It looks so nicely set up I have spent more time looking at the table and less time Knitting.

My Knitting/Crocheting Area

Do you have a space in your home in which you have dubbed your Knitting/Crocheting/Craft space? If you do, post a link in the comments, I would love to see to see photos.

Until Next Time, Happy Knitting!

~Knitting Chica

Is this thing on?

I am sorry that I have been M.I.A.

Lately when I get home I start running around like a chicken with her head cut off. I need a lesson in time management. So many exciting things going on right now that I would love to share with you guys. I also need to catch up on reading all the blogs that I follow, need to see what Knitting/Crocheting/Spinning/Sewing/Everything goodness has been going on with you guys.

So please stay tuned, I will be catching up with in the next few days. Some of the things I will be blogging about:

1) My Kate Spade Sweater
2) Projects that are in progress
3) Dyeing Yarn
4) MD Sheep and Wool (I know, I know, I am late to the party)
5) New Books and Magazines
6) Future project plans
7) Show and tell, because I just cannot say no to new pretty yarn.

In the mean time I leave you with a cute animal picture:

Alpacas at MD Sheep and Wool

Until next time, Happy Knitting,

~Knitting Chica

3KCBWDAY2 - Photography Challenge

I am taking part of Eskimimi Makes 3rd annual knitting and crochet blog week. 

Topic of the day: 3KCBWDAY2 -  Photography Challenge Day!

Today challenges you to be creative with your photography, and get yourself in with the chance to win the photography prize. Taking interesting photographs in this instance isn't about flashy cameras or a great deal of technical know-how, it's about setting up a story or scene in a photograph and capturing something imaginative. Your photograph(s) should feature something related to your craft, so that might be either a knitted or crocheted item, yarn, or one of your craft tools. One example of setting a scene would be to photograph a girl in a knitted red cape walking through the woodlands with a basket of goodies, as in the Red Riding Hood tale, or you might photograph a knitted gnome hiding among the flowers in your garden. Photo editing is permitted for competition photos. 
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Once in a while when I have completed a project it ends up in the most unusual places. For instance my latest hat some how made it on to the head of Franklin D. Roosevelt's Scottish Terrier named Fala. So not only was Fala the companion of one of the greatest President's this country has had, he also had impeccable fashion sense:

Does he not look dashing in it, Darling?


Until next time, Happy Knitting!

~Knitting Chica