Happy 2012

Happy 2012... this year I decided to return to blogspot and close my website.  I'm trying to figure out if I can transfer my postings from the last 6 months.  If not, I will be doing lots of copying so please forgive any double entries you might have already seen.  I've done a lot in the last 6 months and would love to have everything posted on one blog.

But, for now, Happy New Year to everyone! 

My 2012 Wishes

1. Improve the health of my family by cooking and eating healthy. I'm NOT going to say "diet" because that is such a nasty little word.

2. Tell my family I love them and hug them EVERYDAY and thank God for blessing me with them.

3. Exercise! Dust off that old treadmill and get my family off the couch and away from video games!

4. De-clutter my house. This one started off with a bang today. I accomplished cleaning out the pantry and the kitchen. Now, on to my very LONG list...

5. Get the garage cleaned out so I can get out some spray paint and have some fun with new furniture projects when the weather clears up.

6. Enjoy knitting without the stress (and guilt) of feeling like I should be doing other things around the house.

7. Take a family vacation with just the 4 of us, no one else!

8. Plan a getaway with my husband. We so need it, even if it's just for a few days. Would love to surprise him with something bigger though.

9. Finish up all those projects I have stashed away, which includes digging out my blocking board for my finished pile of knitting.

 10. Become debt free (minus the mortgage of course) and finally follow that budget my husband came up with. I know I can do it and he would be so happy!

 11. Fill my life with people who make me smile and stay away from those who bring me down. Call my friends more often too.

(I am so not a phone person but I need to try harder).

 12. Find reasons to be happy EVERY day, don't dwell on the past and look forward to each bright, brand new day and what adventures it might bring!!

I hope that your 2012 is filled with some fun "wishes" too. I hate to use the word "resolution" because I'm always so disappointed in myself when I don't follow through. Good luck with your list and have a wonderful 2012!

New Website

I now have a new website and blog... to check it out go to http://www.knittingnerdcreations.com/.  Thanks so much.  Hope you enjoy the new site.

Burgundy Spice

Burgundy spice... I just love that name.  That is the colorway of a soft, yummy, beautiful yarn from Sandra Singh (http://www.sandrasingh.com/).  It is her 1 ply merino worsted yarn that was so great to knit with.  I just loved the feel of the yarn in my hands, it reminds of malabrigo.  I forgot to get a picture of the yarn before I started knitting a sample of a new design by Lisa Ellis (http://www.lisaellisdesigns/) that was designed for Sandra Singh.  But, here are pictures of the finished projects:

With 3 skeins I was able to complete the hooded scarf and a cowl.  Depending on how you knit, a second cowl may be possible.  The way I knit I usually end up using more yarn than most.  The pattern, which can be founds at https://id306.securedata.net/sandrasingh.com/merchantmanager/product_info.php?products_id=3422, can be made in 4 different ways.  Here is Lisa's description of this pattern:

Four simple styles, from top down to bottom up and cowls in the round or flat. Pick your style and skill level. Nothing too complicated but extremely satisfying!


1 skein makes both cowls
2 skeins make top down hooded scarf and turtleneck cowl
3 skeins make bottom up hooded scarf and buttoned cowl


Top down scarf uses provisional cast on and kitchener grafting
Bottom up scarf uses picking up sts and kitchener grafting or 3-needle bind off

Here is the Ravlery link to see more designs in more colors, http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hooded-scarves-and-cowls.  If you get a chance to knit with this wool yarn from http://www.sandrasingh.com/ I know you won't be disappointed.  It blocked really nice and the colors are just beautiful!!

Winter flame turns to spring...

I'm so proud of myself... I finished up a pretty spring scarf and actually blocked it the same day.  Funny this pattern is called Winter Flame when it is perfect for spring.

I think this is one of my new favorite scarves.  It is lightweight, made with Madelintosh Sock yarn in a very pretty raspberry (or maybe wine) color.  The pattern was wonderful and the design is just beautiful.  The pattern is a free download on Ravelry and can be found at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/winter-flame.

Knitting Retreat...

Today was the first day of the Madrona Fiber Arts yearly retreat.  Last year I only took one class and I really wasn't that impressed.  But, this year I decided to try again and take more classes.  Today was my first class and it was a mini class on blocking your knits.  Considering I have about 7 projects waiting to be blocked I thought maybe this class would give me the inspiration to go to work on those projects.  I have to say, it was a GREAT class.  I learned some things I already knew but I learned a lot of things I didn't know about.  The instructor was wonderful, the 1-1/2 time frame was perfect and I walked out of there feeling like "I can do it".  I don't have any pictures to post from today but I hope to have all my finished, blocked, perfect sweaters done in the next few weeks so that I can finally show them off.

Now I need to go get some sleep... must get up bright and early and ready to learn some wonderful new things about socks!!

Something new...

I feel the need to knit something new... I'm tired of knitting the same old things.  But, I can't put my finger on what to make.  Any suggestions?  Maybe I need to start leaning my brain power towards designing... what to do, what to do? 

What crazy knitter made this:

Birthday Gift...

Yeah... I can post this now.  Made the coolest gift for Lisa's birthday (http://www.lisaellisdesigns.com/).  I was quite pleased with myself, even though I made a few mistakes it turned out really good and it was a big hit.  What is it?  It's a custom made, just for Lisa, tote bag with pictures of her knitting designs.  I thought it would be the perfect tote for her to take out in the field.  Here are a few pictures... what do you think?

This was a really fun project.  Will there be more to come?  The jury is still out on that one.