Monthly Archives: September 2013

Andean Treasure

AndeanTreasure

Have you taken a peek at Andean Treasure lately? It’s one of those yarns that I forget about until I see a project in it and then I’m instantly reminded about how wonderful it is. This time it was the utter adorableness of the photo we just took for the catalog.

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Desert Color

After a pretty busy summer, I was finally able to take a vacation. Of course for me, vacation equals very little human contact and lots of dust. It was off to the desert for me!

I love the high desert of Oregon, and spend as much time there as possible. When I’m back in civilization, I notice that I tend to favor desert colors in decor and clothing. So it should come as no surprise that the colors of Wool of the Andes Superwash that I’d picked out to play with are straight out of no-man’s land.

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Announcing our “Yarn with a View” Instagram Contest

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The most important thing I’ve learned from our recent foray into Instagram is that you folks are taking your knitted and crocheted works-in-progress EVERYWHERE:  parks, gyms, schools, buses, planes, beaches, literal mountain tops, you-name-it.

That’s why I’m pleased to announce “Yarn with a View”, our first-ever Instagram contest! It’s a chance for you to share the gorgeousness of your projects, your versatility as an on-the-go crafter—and maybe win a delightful $50 Knit Picks gift card in the process.

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Podcast Episode 223: Getting Out of Your Knitting Comfort Zone

This week, Kelley expresses her gratitude for knitting and how it adapts to whatever you need it to be in your life. Whether you are looking for comfort, a distraction or a challenge, you can turn to knitting no matter where life takes you.

In recent years, Kelley has found knitting as a comfort in her life and in this episode, she shares how she is ready to get out of her knitting comfort zone in order to search out new challenges and take on new techniques. Hear more about Kelley’s knitting goals in addition to which techniques she is looking forward to trying out.

Knit Free-Sole Socks by Anna Zilboorg

Next, Kelley reviews a DVD from Anna Zilboorg in which she shows how to work her ingenious technique for socks that allows worn soles to be reknitted as often as needed in addition to a few other books to help inspire your own knitting goals. Finally, Kelley catches you up on her currents WIPs and what she has planned for her upcoming projects.

Reviewed Books & DVDs:

Knit Free-Sole Socks by Anna Zilboorg (DVD)
150 Scandinavian Motifs by Mary Jane Mucklestone
Knitting Counterpanes by Mary Walker Phillips

3 easy ways to listen…

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Garter Ridge Hat in Stroll Tweed

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About once a catalog cycle I hear myself saying “Oh… I should really make this one” as I hold up one garment or another from a pattern collection during a photo shoot. That list keeps getting longer and I find myself forgetting about them once the catalog mails and some gorgeous project photo catches my eye on Pinterest or Ravelry. This time however, I managed to mentally “earmark” the Garter Ridge Hat from the Light Basics pattern collection as a project that would make a a lovely hat for my dad.

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Daydreaming of Autumn in Summer: My Crocheted Infinity Cowl

During the height of summer, I was perusing one of my all-time favorite crochet books, Simple Crocheting by Erika Knight, when I was struck with the need to make the Classic Snood. The image of a large tweedy wool cowl paired with my favorite fall coat would not escape me, so I naturally spent an afternoon searching through my stash to find just the right yarn.

simple crocheting  crocheted infinity cowl

Looking back, it’s easy to see how the pages of cozy knits and oh-so-lovely photography transported me out of the sweltering summer heat and into the world of comforting winter accessories. Plus, who doesn’t love having a few freshly finished accessories ready for the first day of cool autumn weather?

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My point of view

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Hah! You were expecting knitting weren’t you? Well, I spent last week on a horse trek through southern Utah and Northern Arizona. I did take along a tatting project since it didn’t take up much room but I have to confess I didn’t get any tatting done. Each day was quite full of horse trekking activities.

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Favorite Fall Colors

Fall is without a doubt my favorite season. Crisp, windy days, plaid blankets, roaring fires, flushed cheeks and the promise of Christmas around the corner. Yummy!

In addition to making me eternally happy, the splendors of autumn translate into beautiful color palettes, especially in tweed yarns.

City Tweed Cookies

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Choose your own knitting adventure!

When I was a nerdy little kid (as opposed the nerdy adult I am now), I LOVED the Choose Your Own Adventures books! Remember those? You are the protagonist of the story and determine the outcome by making decisions every few pages or so. I ate these up in my elementary and Jr High years and was excited to learn that my nephew loves them too so I could pass them along to the younger generation!

Well, obviously, I’m not the only one who loved these books, as one of my favorite designers Lee Meredith has a brand new eBook based on them!

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