Mohair Dreams

Go Team

I've been having fun learning to make buttons and made a couple for the Knitting Olympics.  Go Team California!

    

There is a button out there with Ah-nold on it but I needed a happy button.  If you decide to use one of these, please save it to your own server.

I still haven't figured out what to make for the Knitting Olympics but I'm working on it.

And of course, there have been more bags.

I ended making these bags as gifts.  They have been a huge hit and a nice change from giving scarves as gifts.  And best of all, they are so much faster to make.  Each bag takes me less than 6 hours to make.  I only have one more to knit and have to go shopping for some purse handles.  And best of all, I will be teaching a project class on this bag at Knit Cafe this weekend.  This is my first class and I'm very excited.

Call it Inspiration

It all began with a simple bag.

I finished this cute bag, my first FO of 2006 last week and I have been getting compliements everywhere I go.  I love being able to say "Oh, I made this."  Of course some friends want me to make them one as well so now I have 5 more to make.  But who wants to make the exact thing 6 times.  So, I got out my Vogue Knitting Book and started playing around with cable designs - plait cables and embossed cables. 

Oh fun!

Now, the news on the Sweater with Wide Collar.  Well, it's done and seamed and I hate the fit of the sleeves.  The seams pucker in the back and I am so bummed.  I'm going to rip it out and try again but if I can't get it to look right, I'll take it to a seamstress for help.  Aside from the sleeve seams, the rest of the sweater looks and fits amazing.  I just can't bear to post photos until I'm happy with the finished product.

I've joined the Knitting Olympics hosted by the Yarn Harlot.  I haven't chosen a design yet and am thinking of trying my hand at designing a sweater for the occassion.  The knitalong only lasts 16 days so I need to come up with something manageable.  I'll let you know as soon as I figure it out.

   

Treasures in my stash

The Stashalong that I have joined has caused me to be creative about using my stash for new projects.  I always find projects that catch my eye and then it's off to the yarn store.  Well, not this time.  I spent some time blog surfing while I was in Orlando and found a couple great new projects.

The first is The Somewhat Cowl from Knit and Tonic.  I am so in love with this sweater.  The pattern calls for a sportweight yarn and most of my yarn is worsted weight. I have some Blue Sky Alpaca that I put up for sale but I don't want this sweater in a natural color.  This fabulous sweater demands color!  Then I remembered a recent episode on Knitty Gritty on dyeing.  After some more surfing and I found lots of information and blog entries on dyeing with Kool-Aid.  Could this be the solution?  So, I scoured the grocery stores for Kool-Aid and on Sunday I played around with dyeing my yarn.  It was so cool!! 

Not bad for a first try.  So far Blastin' Berry Cherry (bottom row, left) is winning.  The next round of dyeing will include some new flavors and even some mixing of colors.  The only cost is the Kool-Aid which is $3 for 10 packs.  I may have to buy a skein or two of yarn to finish the project but I'm ok with bending the rules a bit.

I've already cast on the second project.  While reading some discussion threads on knit designer bags, I came across this pattern for a cable knit purse.  I am an absolute nut for cables and this project will work for the Fall Cable KAL as well.  Once again I turned to the stash, this time hoping to find some bulky yarn and there is was - a skein of Lamb's Pride Bulky (one of my all time favorite yarns) in this beautiful color they call Khaki but I call Sage Green.  Oh happy day!  It was left over from an Oregon Tote that I made as a diaper bag for a friend.  I made a trip F&S Fabrics to pick up some chocolate brown ribbon and found this sassy fabric for the lining...

I bought enough fabric to line 2 bags because I'm sure my sister will want one as well.  The only thing I'm not sure about is the handles so I'll decide on that later.  The cost before the handles is $7.34 which is well within the budget.  So for less than $15, I am on my way to 2 great projects.

Almost there

SWC is coming along beautifully.  I tried it on and I am loving the fit of the collar.  I only have one sleeve left.  My first FO is 2006 is almost complete!   

Knitting Tip:  Hair roller pins are great for seaming sweaters, etc.  They are cheap and you get a ton of them in a pack. 

Stashalong Goals

First of all, thank you so much for all of your concern and prayers regarding Amber's death.  Knitting has been such a wonderful hobby and has brought such positive energy to my life.  In addition to all the great knits that I made and given to special people in my life, I cherish the friendships that I have made with such wonderful fellow knitters through my LYSs, blog and Knit Couture.  I truly appreciate all of you :-)

In knitting news, I've joined a new KAL hosted by Kim to finally deal with my overflowing stash.  The "rules" for this KAL are to not purchase any yarn for the next 3 months and to knit projects from your stash yarn to make room for some new spring yarn.  I need to ease up on my yarn shopping so this is the perfect KAL for me.  I went through my stash to see how much yarn I have in my stash for socks, scarves and sweaters and I have enough yarn for 24 projects.  Egad, how did that happen!!  That is not including all of the yarn that I have for sale.  I seem to have become a collector of yarn!

My goals for this Stashalong are as follows:

(1) Purchase no yarn until April 1, 2006.  (It has been so hard to resist Jennifer Knits big New Years sale. If you are in LA, you don't want to miss it.)

(2) Knit 5 projects from my stash yarn.  Some potential projects are in my wish list. 

(3) Continue to sell off yarn that I realistically will not be able to knit. (My babies!)

So far on the needles is my SWC from my stash yarn.  I am almost finished with the front piece and hope to get to the sleeves by the weekend.  I'm in Orlando now at the Happiest Place on Earth so I'll post photos next week.

Amber

I lost my good friend Amber just before Christmas.  Her death was sudden and I still can't believe that she is gone.  She was one of the most fun people that I have ever known.  She always had an infectious smile, an encouraging word and an outrageous story that made you laugh so hard that you would cry. 

I'm partial to this picture because she is wearing a hat that I made for her in Noro Kureyon.

   

One of the last vacations that my friends and I enjoyed together was in Vail last year.  Each year, the NBS hosts several trips where thousands of African Americans gather to ski/ snowboard and party!  I attend these events with a large group of friends and we have the best time.  Amber wasn't really into skiing (she'd go out for an hour or two, if that) so she would hang out and save tables for us for the Happy Hour party.  These parties were a trip highlight and a chance to connect with old friends and make new ones.  Our trips will never be the same without her.

Between Amber's passing and the end of the year, I have spent alot of time reflecting on 2005 and planning my goals for 2006. Although 2005 had it's ups and downs, I am very thankful that I have made it through another year and for all of the blessings that I received.  Shannita posted some observations about 2005 to which I could really relate.  A few major changes last year included making a career transition, parting ways with my best friend and moving into a new place.  I hope for more positive changes in 2006 and look forward to what the new year will bring. 

I wish you all a happy and safe new year!!  The best is yet to come!