my current knitting project: of course it's organic cotton... and of course it's a baby blanket.
and more summer goodness-- a boutique of flowers.talk to ya in july!
i've got new greenery for the back patio waiting for planting. it's a variety of herbs, tomatoes, peppers, and flowers.
in addition to all the human babies being born (to the lovely mama's i call my friends) in the past months, i have also been the proud on-looker of baby birds. their nest in the tree outside our front door has been a flutter of activity. in fact, i saw them early this morning (this picture is from last weekend) stuffed into their little home, but upon returning from errands they had taken their first flight and were gone.
my own fingers have been a flurry of activity trying to finish up the last of the moderne baby blankets for said arriving babies. unlike the other blankets knit, this one has a babe-in-waiting for it-- born a little before (my) schedule... and so, it must be done!
of course, there are other temptations lurking on the needles. i didn't have Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitter's Almanac added to my library for more than 24 hrs. before i had the wee February Sweater cast on (and crankin' along) using left over Cotton Comfort (i'm keeping this one for my own hope chest).
another batch of organic cotton has been purchased to make a baby blanket for the auction at my school/work later in the summer. my intentions were to knit it up in a garter-entrelac pattern, but the yarn camouflaged the pattern. needless to say, i'm going to use the same slip stitch i used for the previous organic cotton blanket. i guess i'm not done with the simplicity of the pattern yet.
and yet one more project cast on this week. using Lorna's Laces shepherd worsted in the sand ridge colorway, i'm making a lacy (like the easiest "lace" to knit: *k2tog, yo, repeat from * across. purl next row. repeat these two rows) scarf. it's part of a two-gal knit along (with rules: must use LL Shepherd worsted that was purchased while shopping together, must use same needle size, cast on same number of stitches, and must must must work on it ONLY when knitting with each other).
organic cotton baby blanket off to another babe (4th of 5th blanket to 2007 baby, tho i might just do a 6th for the school auction this summer. i'll keep ya "posted").
slip stitch pattern using 2 color-grown colors of Blue Sky Alpaca's Organic Cotton (i retained its chemical free nature by washing it in the machine with Boulder Laundry Detergent) on size US 8 needle. Garter stitch border. Used approx. 4 skeins of each color.
Cotton Comfort Sweater:
i'm simply in love
raglan/cap sleeve style from the neck down. picot-hem edges on sleeve, collar and bottom edge.
natural wood buttons along a garter stitch placet.
length to top of hip. gathered style waist in front and back.
fits like perfection.
did i mention this is my own design and pattern.
Cotton Comfort from Green Mountain Spinnery (and yes, i retained its chemical free nature by washing it in Soak before lighting blocking), approx. 8 skeins, size US 6 needles, and last but not least, i didn't write a damn thing down about it-- i figured it all out as i went knitting along.
Lorna's laces, shepherd worsted in color way Sand Ridge, 2 skeins. maggie and i went to a sale (danger, danger!) and we each got some; her's is the mother load color way. we decided we'll make the same project.
also at the sale: cotton comfort (the label speaks for it's self). i bought 10 skeins, and i'm dreaming up a cardigan sweater for myself (you know, the one you make and the one you love and the one you wear everyday). i've been scheming of the possibility to buy only organic or low-process yarns-- i don't know if i can hold to it because there are so many wonderful yarns out there. i do think i can make more projects with those yarns however.
close up on comfort cotton, silver
also new to the stash, is the 50% wool, 50%mohair custom spun yarn maggie gave me for my birthday (don't you just love when your birthday lasts a whole month?). she found it while on adventure in Taos, NM. It's so lovely, soft and special.
after 3 attempts of starting (#1: sure it was fitted, a little too fitted. #2: dye lot issue with skein 2, pulled out 2 and started with another skein. #3: dye lot issue not resolved. thought. pondered. checked labels. ah ha! the first skein was the "odd man out". pulled the whole damn thing out and started again) Rusted Root, i'm finally making progress. the actual color is not as fushia, but rather deep red. many thanks to meike for her motivation to continue, because really, i was starting to think it wasn't meant to be.
the slip-stitch baby blanket is growing. i'm in love with this project-- partly because i am in love with organic yarn-- but you knew that already. i think i'm going to crochet a border around the edge when it reaches the proper length.
here's a picture of the Nursing Shawl-- i really need a new name for it because i'm not making it with the intent to use it for nursing a wee babe. made of beautiful baby alpaca from blue sky alpaca on size US 8 needles. the lace and cable pattern is the perfect combination of easy knitting without being mindless (and being one of tara's patterns, she would want me to be mindful while i work on it-- and i am.).
on the knitting front i can now show you 2 more of the log cabin moderne baby blankets i made (crappy photos, sorry). both made from brown sheep cotton fleece, size US 6 needles.
one for alex
and one for erica
the third is for katie, who received her's with the needles still on, cause honestly, i have until june to finish it-- and i'm gonna take advantage of the time.
sure there's more going on (like the 3 times i had to restart my rusted root... thank the knitting gods that Meike started one too and i was totally inspired to try it again. oh, the all the new yarn i am the proud mama of. okay.. that's another post.) bye.
Now that this has been sent to the proper babe, i can reveal it to ya'll.
Log Cabin (guidelines from Mason Dixon book) cotton blanket for a Boy.
Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, needles US 6
when you see some of the other baby blankets (coming soon) you'll see i've been in Garter Stitch Land... or channeling the spirit of Elizabeth Zimmerman.
in an oops-my-credit-card-slipped-at-kpixie moment, i am now the very proud owner of 8 skeins of blue sky alpacas 100% baby alpaca, sport weight in a natural (duh!) color. i am using it to make a shawl from Nature Babies. love it! have mentioned in this post yet that BSA is my favorite yarn company? well, it is! also part of my order was the pattern for Rusted Root (i need help picking a good color) and Samantha.
In an effort to save The Fiber Whorl, my pal in Helena Montana has become of vital member to fund raising. one of their campaigns is a calendar-girls style calendar. she was kind enough to send me copy in part because it features my handiwork (does that mean i am now published?). i made that brown triangle shawl you see in mid-line-up.
see here: i made these socks
You're probably so tired of hearing about these socks, but i'm darn proud of 'em. Needless to say, the Fiber Whorl needs lots of support. If you find yourself near Helena, MT make sure to give them some love.
Mary and I always sit together and open our gifts.
We littered the floor with a rainbow of tissue paper. i'm obviously thrilled about something (more home/hand made soap)!
We compared presents.
and shared cards. notice we have the same gift? We each got this.
I have however received a new "injury" (this one will not effect knitting, whew!) a lovely red blister that i managed to tear open while skiing. lovely.
in knit-knews: i'm makin' burp cloths. they're easy and functional. and for a gift. edit: i used the pattern from the Mason-Dixon book, size US 6 needles and cotton sugar 'n creme yarn. 
gotta run, Rome is on.
i thought i was going to have to make a 'special' trip to Telluride-- the last place i had laid my pretty little hands on it!
i wanted to show a picture of the holiday ornament that is inspiring my Nordic sweater. The swatch is still in the "swatching" form-- which means i haven't done anything new to it. I'll keep ya posted. I used Cascade 220 for my swatch but now i am wondering if i want to use Knit Picks Telemark (i think might be better for a "two layer" garment and way cheaper), or O~wool's Classic (i think the yarn is too thick?)-- both would require some new swatching for mathematical sake.
During the time at home i took a small break from gift knitting to make myself a Calorimetry. It took a little knittin'-and-rippin' to get a good size and the short row holes resolved. I used Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran on size US 6 needles and by mere chance had a perfectly-pink button in my jar. And by golly, it sure does help to keep me warm when i have my hair pulled up. 
I also got my VERY FIRST pair of skis-- in my entire life. As a colorado native, i've never once been on skis, gone skiing, or been to a ski resort with snow-- it's a long story, but it never peaked my interest. But i was recently thinking about trying cross-country skiing-- warming up the idea of renting a pair and trying. Then the snow fell-- lots of snow fell. And while out one snowy day Tom cleverly drove me by the North Boulder Park-- groomed for cross country and skate skiing. I was down right giddy with excitement sitting in the truck, mesmerized by the activity. And then everything fell into place (sale prices, discounts and friendly tech information) and i found myself (and Tom too) set up ready for skiing--anytime there is snow. I'm pretty darn excited-- better go treat my new ski boots (also part of the christmas haul along with new wool socks, gaiters, wool base layer, snowshoes, nordic "Norway" hat, and a Johnny Cash cd) with water proofer.
I swatched (I only do when i absolutely have to) my thoughts for a new Nordic (of course) sweater based on a kindred childhood character (which also inspired the Saint Lucia Christmas)-- who i have in ornament form. Turns out it will be a bit of a modified fana sweater-- and i'll create/write the pattern.
