...in plain sight...

Remember this?  Well, I have been ready to publish this pattern for a couple of days now, but one thing has been in my way.  I have not been able to find the cowl ANYWHERE.  And by anywhere I mean not in a single place in my house, car, knitting bags...ANYWHERE.  And the problem with this is that I don't have any photos of it for the pattern.  I have a few casual shots but nothing that I really want to use for the actual pattern layout.

Today, I was out at Blue Moon visiting with Tina and I told her about the missing cowl.  We commiserated about lost things and I told her the thing that was most upsetting was that the buttons were from my Grandmother's (Ida) button box, were very old and I only have one more of them.  The cowl calls for two.  After a bit of feeling sorry for myself, I knew what I needed to do.  I went out to the barn and asked Debra to put one skein of STR Heavyweight in Tumbleweed on the production list.  We talked about how disappointing it was to have lost the cowl, but I said I'd just knit another one and try to find some buttons that would work.  While we were talking about it, Becky said "You know that as soon as you knit the second cowl, the first one will show up."  I said I thought that would be fantastic, but didn't really believe that would happen.

I came home and went into my studio to wind up a ball of yarn that I needed for another project I'm working on and while winding that yarn I happened to glance over at the mannequin that I use for my photo shoots.  Yup, you guessed it.  The cowl was on the mannequin...hiding in plain sight.  For all of my looking, searching, cursing and near weeping I had looked right past the thing.  It had been there the whole time.  I called the barn and cancelled the skein I had ordered.  Becky was right, and thank goodness I didn't need to knit the second cowl before I found the first one!

So that being said, you should be seeing the Erin's Cowl pattern really soon!  Assuming I don't misplace the darn thing again.  Maybe I should just wear it....

...Twisted...

Finally, I am able to tell you that I will be one of the designers for the 2012 Twisted Shawlette Club!  I am really excited about this, especially since I will be working with Tina's yarn!  You all know how much I love that!  And check out the list of other designers and yarn companies.  WOW!

2012 TWISTED SHAWLETTE CLUB 2012 is just around the corner! Reserve your space now for next year's Twisted Shawlette Club. We'll be upping the ante on yarns, including more luxury fiber blends and some exciting new designers. Here's the 2012 line up (subject to change): March 2012: (Blue Moon Fiber Arts & Debbi Stone) May 2012: (The Plucky Knitter & Shannon Squire) July 2012: (Black Trillium & Kristin Spurkland) September 2012: (Big Alice Dyes & Larissa Brown) November 2012: (Hazel Knits & Star Athena) January 2013: (Little Red Bicycle & Carrie Sullivan)

If you are interested in signing up for the club you can go to the website and sign up there!  I hope you decide to join us.  It's sure be great fun!

...now available..

The Stitches of My Life Designs patterns are now available at All About Yarn, a local yarn shop in Tigard, Oregon!  

All About Yarn has a great selection of yarn and a really helpful staff.  If you have a question, need help with a project or are looking for a great yarn for your next project, All About Yarn is the place for you.  They have special events and classes happening at the shop, including a book signing with Deb Accuardi, author of Created In Oregon: A Knitter's Datebook, and a lace class with Sivia Harding coming early in the new year.  

If you are in the area, stop by and see what they have to offer and while you're in there check out their great selection of patterns!

      

...making a list...

and checking it twice or at least now I have a list to go from.  If you haven't seen this book yet, let me introduce you to The Knitters Life List by Gwen W. Steege.

It's a book of things, as the covers say, to do, to know, to explore, to make.  The book contains information about yarn and fiber, styles and traditions, tips and techniques and personalities to meet.  Some of the chapter include yarn, know-how, sweaters, sock, bags, home dec and much more.  The chapters include  master lists of suggestions to discover, meet, do/try, learn, go, etc.  The author states that this book is by no means the be all, end all list of things for knitters, but rather a starting point to help knitters create their own "bucket list".

I am only a couple of chapters into this great book, but I can tell you that I am already starting my own list.  The book is a great tool for inspiration and creativity.  I has me really thinking about how I am going to plan out my knitting for the future.  There are definite things I want to see, do and learn, and there are many people highlighted in this book that I would love to meet.  I think it will help me develop a plan for classes I want to take and the people I want to take them from.

The Knitters Life List is a must have for every knitters library.

Thanks to Susan for introducing me to this great book!

...game day...

Today the annual Civil War game between our Oregon State Beavers and the Oregon Ducks was played.  We weren't expecting a win but were excited about the game none the less.   We have a really young team this year;  many of our player are true freshmen, including our quarterback.  We have seen some great football this year and some not so great football this year.  Even with the loss today we are excited to see what future seasons have in store for this team.  Regardless of the score we have been very proud of our team.  They have shown poise and integrity this season and we are very proud to call ourselves Beaver fans.

We spent the afternoon with our Beaver friends that we tailgate with during home game.  As usual, there was a lot of great food, fun and laughter.  We always have a great time!

I did get a little bit of knitting done during the game, and in honor of today I knit with orange and black.  It's a new design I'm working on and I can't wait for you all to see it!

knit in Kollage Glisten
75% Alpaca, 20% Silk, 5% Estillina

    Until next football season...GO BEAVS!

...two coasts, two hats, one brain...

Finally, I am done with my Lotus Blossom hat.  I finished the knitting last night and blocked it this morning. 

I really love how it turned out but I was a little bit afraid that it wasn't going to fit.  When Marcy and I started this project we were pretty excited.  As I said, we spotted the hat at Rhinebeck and knew that it had to be our bi-coastal KAL.  So we started it and after my rip out and re-start it was finally coming along.  But it was about half way through the hat that I started to think it looked a little small.

Marcy and I were on iChat one morning when I casually mentioned this.  Neither of us had done a gauge swatch because we were both sure of gauge.  I am always on gauge,  I never have to change needle size.  We talked about how it had to fit, we were using the right needles, and yarn called for in the pattern, right?  Uh-oh.  We were using the needle size called for and we were using Green Mountain Spinnery Simply Fine yarn (9 stitches to the inch).  The only problem with that is that the pattern calls for Green Mountain Spinnery Sock Art Meadow or Forest (7.5 stitches per inch).  Which I might add are completely different yarns with completely different gauges.  Yes, my gauge would have been perfect if we were supposed to use the Simply Fine, but that's not the yarn the pattern called for.  No wonder the hat looked small.  

We decided to keep knitting and if nothing else I said Paytan would be getting a new hat.  She's the only one I know with a head that small...

Marcy finished hers first and blocked it.  She sent me a text message that said, "All blocked, fits perfect!"  How could that be?  I'm not sure but now that mine is blocked it fits perfectly also.  Maybe the knitting gods were smiling down on us but for whatever reason, the thing does fit.  I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Lessons learned: 

1.   ALWAYS DO A GAUGE SWATCH, EVEN IF YOU ARE ALWAYS ON GAUGE.  Thank god this wasn't a sweater.

2.  ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK THAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY BUYING THE RIGHT YARN FOR THE PROJECT.  I think we were so excited that all we did was grab the yarn that was in the bin under the hat and figured it must be the right yarn.  (head slap)

Anyway, I love how the colorwork turned out.  I don't do a lot of colorwork but I can tell you that after this I will be doing more!

Marcy and I got together on iChat this morning to compare hats and we really do love them!  

We just need to make sure that we double check what we are doing.  As my day would say, "If we had a brain, we'd be dangerous....

...thankful...

Today is Thanksgiving, but more importantly, today is our oldest daughter Erin's birthday. 

just 1 hour old...

always laughing...

1st day of kindergarten

wedding day...

It seems like only yesterday that she was a baby. And now she is a wife and a mother of her own little girl.


Happy Birthday Erin!  We love you so much!

In honor of Erin's birthday all of my patterns are on sale today through Sunday!  Just use the coupon code birthday at the check out and get 20% off!

...and the answer is...

Easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies!

I got this idea from my friend Leianne (thanks Leainne!) and this is the recipe I used. Super easy and really good!  They freeze and are the perfect snack (even right out of the freezer.  Ask me how I know....)  

I love all of the ideas you guys had!  I now will be trying muffins, cake and bread using the same ingredients!  Congrats to Acornbud, dianne, and Amy for the correct answer!  Email me at thestitchesofmylifedesigns@gmail.com with your choice of pattern and I'll get that right off to you!  You can go here to see all the patterns that are available!

Hey Knittinggolfer...get these done for Super Snack Monday!  The kiddos will love them!!

...what would you be?

If you were these three things put together...


...what you you be?  Post your answer in the comment section by 7:00 am pst tomorrow (November 23rd) and the first 5 people that are correct will get a copy of one of my patterns (your choice!  Let me know which pattern you'd like when you leave your answer).  Good Luck!

Here's a hint:  It ain't a pie......

...keeping warm...

As promised

Warm and cozy mittens or fingerless mitts that are quick to knit up. 

The cuffs are long enough to fit inside or outside of a jacket or sweater sleeve.  Which ever you prefer, your hands will thank you for this bit of coziness while you’re out in the chilly air!

The fingerless version is perfect to put on when you need a little warmth but want your fingers free.  Perfect for when you are texting or taking photos!

Cuffed with a beautiful cabled band that is finished with a smart decrease and buttonhole, they are the perfect project to show off those special buttons you might have in your collection. 

              ~ Erin's Mittens ~

                          

Yarn:

Valley Yarns Northfield

[70% Merino/20% Baby Alpaca/10% Silk,

50gm/124 yds] 2 skeins

or

Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Heavyweight

[100% Superwash Merino, 198gm/350 yds]  1 skein

Supplies:

US 6/4mm 32 inch circular needle

US 7/4.5mm 32 inch circular needle

1 set US 7/4.5 mm double points

or needles to obtain gauge

cable needle, markers, yarn needle, two 7/8" buttons

Gauge:

5 stitches/inch over stockinette

Finished size:

hand circumference:  7.5 inches

length from edge of cuff to top of mitten:  10.5 inches

Notes:  Pattern includes both charted and written instructions.

...frost on the pumpkin...

Fall seems to be fading into winter rather quickly around here.  And as the autumn leaves drop from the trees,  the cold nights and frosty mornings appear to be here to stay.  I am always sad to see the leaves fade away but I do love the chilly weather as it gives me every excuse to bring out the hats, scarves and mittens.

I have been trying to keep up with Marcy and our Lotus Blossom Hat kal. But alas, she is done......sadly, I am not...  But I hope to be done soon and I hope that the darn thing fits (more on that later).

As for scarves... there is something new coming soon from the design table.  It's pretty and I think you'll like it!

And as for mittens?   There have been hints along the way.  Check back here tomorrow..... : )

..can't talk now...

I'm tailgating. GO BEAVS!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

... Stash...

Out and about today, I discovered a new yarn shop called Stash.  It's located in Corvallis, Oregon and run by Sonia who refers to herself as Chief Stash Enhancer.  I love that!  It's even listed as her title on her business card. 
Sonia has a beautiful space with lovely yarn.  She highlights local yarns and designers.  In fact, Lorajean from Knitted Wit is there this weekend with her beautiful stuff!    
The shop has a cozy place to sit and knit and a darling place for little people to play!  Paytan even tested this out and put her stamp of approval on it.
You definitely feel welcome and at home when you step inside and I really love the philosophy of the shop:

If you find yourself in Corvallis, stop in and see Sonia.  You won't be disappointed!

...now I know the real reason...

that I love pistachios....


 


Everybody, get crackin...

...one at at time...

This is a public service announcement.  People, could we please just celebrate one holiday at a time?  I am all for holiday spirit, but I'd like to have the holiday spirit during the actual holiday season.  It seems that society is running at light speed from one thing to the next.  I was at the mall last weekend and heard Christmas music in more than one store.  I guess I could get over that but the kicker for me was that as we approached the food court area there was a large crowd gathering.  I said to my daughter, "What do you suppose that is all about?"  As we got nearer we could see that there indeed was a line forming for something.  Now, hang onto your hats.  The line was to see SANTA.  Yup, Santa is in the mall, having his picture taken with little people, hearing their wishes and handing out candy canes.  It was unbelievable.
Don't get me wrong, I am the biggest Christmas fan ever, just ask my family.  I love to decorate, bake and entertain.  I have a tendency to go overboard, kind of like this guy (again, just ask my family).

But even I draw the line on Christmas stuff before Thanksgiving.  Am I the only one out there that feels this way?  I guess not....

...busy bee...

I was sifting through photos the other day and found this. With the cold weather we've been having, this photo makes me remember the warm, sunny days of summer. 

This little bee was hard at work on the flowers of my rosemary plant I have in the back yard when I happened to snap his picture. Busy little guy...

...Meditrina...

Meditrina is the Roman goddess of health, longevity and wine!  What better name for this pattern that is in honor of my special knitting friends that I call the goddesses.   We goddesses knit together, travel together and drink wine together!  

The Meditrina cowl contains a lace pattern reminiscent of a wine glass and is edged with a button band that is perfect for showing off those special buttons in your collection!  Knit Meditrina and enjoy a glass of wine with your favorite goddesses!

~ Meditrina ~

Yarn:

Woolgatherings Silver Sock yarn

[63% Superwash Merino/20% Silk/15% Nylon/2% Silver,

100 gm, 420 yds]

Supplies:

US 5/3.75mm 32" circular needle

US 7/4.5mm 32" circular needle 

or sized to obtain gauge

markers

yarn needle

five 3/4" buttons

Gauge:

5 stitches/inch on US 7/4.5mm needle over stockinette stitch

Finished Measurements:

Length:  46 inches

Width:  15 inches

~ enjoy! ~

...coming along nicely...

After our weekend with Paytan I shuttled her back to her mama and papa this afternoon. The weekend flew by, probably because it's been quite a long time since we've had a toddler in the house. It was a lot of busy time but so much fun, and I can't even count how many memories were made while she was here. We miss her already.



Now back to knitting. My Lotus Blossom Hat is coming right along and I love how it's turning out. It's a pretty easy pattern to memorize and its great to have as my go to project. I think it will be the perfect hat for those cold mornings that are headed our way.
Also, coming off of the design table this week are two patterns ready for publication. I very excited about them and my test knitters have been working overtime. Thanks so much ladies!

I hope your weekend was filled with as much fun and as many memories as mine. And I hope your week to come is great!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

...if you build it...

Today was a big day.  Paytan, Aunt Kate and I went to Build-A-Bear.  It was a whole bunch of fun. First we let Paytan choose which animal she wanted.  She had it narrowed down to a dog and a koala bear.  So we set them on the floor and had her walk over and pick one.

She made quick work of that.  Sorry Mr. Dog, maybe next time....

On to the stuffing machine.  She was a little bewildered by the "flat" koala bear...

And she was pretty patient while the stuffing commenced.

But once that was done she was a happy girl.

Rest assured, this won't be our last trip to Build-a-Bear.  How could it be?

...full circle...

Paytan is here visiting us this weekend while her mama and papa are spending a little time together out of town for Erin's birthday.  Paypay, as we call her,  has been here only 24 hours and already the house has that "a toddler lives here" look to it.  There are toys everywhere (including the new ones we bought today), goldfish crackers in the cupboard and a pile of little clothes in the laundry room, and we wouldn't have it any other way.  

While she is here there will be baths in the kitchen sink...

Special time with Aunt Kate, including a trip tomorrow to Build-A-Bear.  More on that later!

And lots of play time.  And yes, that is Paypay with a sock monkey.  

More precisely, my sock monkey that my grandmother made for me when I was a child.  That sock monkey is a little tattered and worn, but Paytan doesn't seem to notice.  She loves him just as much as I did.

...I call her my friend...

Anyone that knows anything about the knitting world knows who Stephanie Pearl-McPhee is.  She is the author of many knitting humor books, two of which made it on to the New York Times Best Seller list including her most recent book All Wound Up (#24).  Steph writes about everyday life things and told by anyone else I'm sure would not be half as funny.  She can take an ordinary situation and find great humor in it, and she leaves me in stitches every time.

I first met Steph about 6 years ago at Madrona where she was speaking.  As I sat there listening to her speak I thought, I think I could be good friends with this woman.  Our paths crossed many more times in the next few years and in 2009 I had the good fortune to work for her and Tina on both Sock Summit 2009 and 2011.  It was a pretty great experience.

I caught up with Steph briefly at Rhinebeck, which was the beginning of her book tour for All Wound Up.  She was swamped with knitters waiting to speak with her and get their books signed.  We exchanged a quick "Hi" and agreed that we would see each other at the other end of the tour when she got to Portland for her last book signing.

I met up with Steph before her signing at Powell's in Portland.  We caught up and it was great to spend time with her before she headed home to Toronto.  I'm not sure when I will see Steph again, but I know that when I do it will be like no time has passed.  That's the mark of a good friendship.

Congrats, Steph, on the success of the new book.  Well done, my friend.  Now get some rest....

...favorites...

Here are a few of my new favorite things.  First up, project bags by erin lane.  I met Lindsay at Stitches East and fell hard for her bags.  They come in a several different shapes and sizes and about a zillion many beautiful fabric prints.  Note the one on the right....yup, bras!  I may have bought two or ten of these beauties will at Stitches and I don't think they will be the last that I purchase.

Next up, Knitter's Pride Needles from Webs.  While at Stitches I also got a set of these.  They are great!  Beautiful wood, sharp points and wonderful joins.  I can see more of them in my future.

Last, on the needles is a swatch for a super secret project that I can't talk about right now.  But let's just say it's going to be fun!  More info as soon as I can talk about it!

What are some of you favorite things?

...all will be revealed...

I have another pattern that will soon be released.  Here is a little peak at Meditrina, the goddess of health, longevity and wine.  The beautiful yarn that I used for this design comes from Woolgatherings.  

Kate dyes beautiful yarn and roving and I first discovered her at the Columbia Gorge Fiber Festival.  I have more of her beautiful stuff in my stash waiting to become something special!

Stay tuned to see what Meditrina is up to......

...little things...

Back in 2010 I found out that I was going to be a grandma for the first time.

I was able to attend the ultrasound where they confirmed that this little person was going to be a girl.  Girl or boy, we didn't care.  Just as long as she was healthy.  So even though Paytan was born one month early and a little on the small side, she was perfect in every way.  She continues to grow and thrive and we are amazed by just how wonderful she really is.  (Why we are surprised by this I'm not sure.)

She is the light of our lives and now we know that she will be sharing that spot with someone when Erin, Kris and Paytan welcome a new little person in July.  We could not be more thrilled and again boy or girl, we don't care.

I know that Paytan will be a wonderful big sister.  She's already practicing.....

Paytan and her bitty baby...