Fresh From The Cauldron
Posted by Nina on Aug 25, 2010
I’ve been doing a little kettle dyeing lately.. I am testing out some different dyes and dye mixes and I am also experimenting with different ways to dye. I’ve been saying for a while now that I have an etsy shop just waiting for the big listings.. well that moment is right around the corner! I have nursing covers ready to list and I will also be listing some fibers for those of you who knit and spin!
Here’s a little sample for you to see what I am working with and what my colors are coming out like! This week I will be testing out some natural dyes.. The rovings photographed here are just plain wool combed tops.. nothing at all fancy about them except their newly found colors! I can’t wait to spin up this first one! and the first 2 skeins of yarn you see are planned to be used in a scarf while the bottom skein I am thinking to knit some simple socks.
Bellatrix and Poison
Posted by Nina on Aug 24, 2010
Some years ago I fell in love with Wollmeise’s Poison #5 colorway, but it was always sold out and super hard to get a hold of so I asked YarnLust to custom dye me this colorway and we worked together to create the perfect color for my Bellatrix socks. I loved everything about this colorway.. the feel of the yarn, how the colors blend together, e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. I knit one sock up in a hurry and then single/second sock syndrome (SSS) hit.
You would think that would be impossible with socks as awesome as these, right?! No. I often say that I am an ADD knitter and get distracted by shiny new projects all the time so this was nothing new to me… but during the month of August I have been trying to finish up some of my long-time works in progress (wip’s) and these were at the top of my list. The need to wear them came back with a vengeance and I couldn’t wait to cast them off! Only, I found that they were not so forgiving.. like Bellatrix Le Strange, they were temperamental, cunning, and deceitful. I knit to the toe and started the decreases as usual, only to find I needed to work 1 pattern repeat more! I had to rip them back and reknit the toe before I could bind off.
Let me just tell you…. these are absolutely without a doubt my most favorite socks ever. Period. End of story. No socks were ever more awesome, never fit better, or felt better on. For all of you yarn/knitting geeks, you can read the details below… for everyone else, I promise more photos later!
Pattern: Bellatrix by Monkey Toes
Needles: US 3 – 3.25 mm (used to cast on), US 2 – 2.75 mm (used to knit the rib), US 1½ – 2.5 mm (used to knit the sock)
Yarn: Yarn Lust Soft n Sturdy Sock in Custom Colorway
Date Started: November 17, 2008
Date Complete: August 20, 2010
On Ravelry.
Finishing Up!
Posted by Nina on Aug 6, 2010
This happens to be my 3rd Noro striped scarf and a project that has been at the bottom of my knitting bag for quite some time! It really is beautiful so I am not sure why I wasn’t motivated to finish it earlier but I couldn’t be more thrilled that it’s done now! It resembles my previous scarf but is quite different. The rainbow colors really blend beautifully with the transitioning red stripe and I am really looking forward to wearing it this fall! You may have noticed that I like my winter knits to carry some bright colors .. I think that is because Michigan is so gray in the winter that I need that splash of color or I’ll blend in with the snow!
Do you remember my dragon that looked like a .. well… you know.. ? Well here he is all finished and looking like a dragon! I knit the egg to go along with him and the blue yarn sparkles.. I figured every ice dragon needs to hatch from a shiny icy egg, right? He’s a good size for a dragon and currently resides on my fireplace mantle.. I am still looking for the perfect place for him to live in our home.. so meanwhile, he sits where I can keep an eye on him.. as they say.. you can never really trust dragons!
Since we spent most of July in Greece, Prague, & Belarus I didn’t have a lot of time to do much knitting but I managed to finish this cute little pixie hat! I had bought the yarn online and while the color says “petite peach” it is in reality a very rose-pink color. I am a little sad that little boys won’t be able to wear it… I am planning to knit up a few more in different colors but I have no desire to knit this again in the very near future… I have way too many other exciting projects coming up that I cannot wait to share!! So for now, only moms of little girls 3mos and under can enjoy this hat in my studio.
I can’t believe I forgot to share this with you!!! In the last post about newborn props.. I finished this adorable giraffe set at the same time! The flower is totally removable (as you can tell from the pixie hat) so little boys can use it as well! This would be an adorable newborn Halloween costume if you’re looking for ideas! The sack knits up quite quickly and tightly so it will keep your baby feeling safe and secure!
As always, all projects can be found on my Ravelry page.
Newborn Props & Stuff
Posted by Nina on Jun 28, 2010
My favorite sessions are almost always newborn sessions.. There is just something so fun about brand new parents and teeny tiny little babies, and most parents are eager to let you put them in cute little costumes and funny hats. I’ve had a lot of little boys born this year so I needed plenty of gender neutral props so I started with this cute little hammock.
It’s a perfect prop for newborns. They just fit in the center and there isn’t a lot of fabric for the baby to get lost in. Most of my props that moms choose are neutral colored so I decided to keep this hammock in creams and browns. I do want to knit a couple more in different colors and possibly add some fringe to them.
Next is this adorable little pea pod! How cute is this!?!? I finished this set right before this newborn session only to find that the father hates peas with a passion! It was a total coincidence but we used it anyway! I am sure this is one sweet pea that the father will love… or so I hope!
Last but not least are these adorable little baby booties! They look like little moccasins with socks inside but they aren’t! These aren’t photography props, they were a gift for my client turned friend’s brand new little boy. They are quite possibly the cutest baby booties ever! Oh and see that throw the baby is laying on? The mom hand spun the yarn and hand wove the fabric. Yes, she’s that talented!
Hogwarts: Charms Homework
Posted by Nina on May 4, 2010
Dear Friends,
Life at Hogwarts is sure to be exciting this year! I have been selected to be the Gryffindor enabling roving reporter for our class newspaper! This means that I get to not only enable fiber and stash buying, but I get to teach and advise too! I hope this will be a great learning experience for me as well as for my fellow classmates.
While the news of my reporting is exciting, I have a rather frightening thing to report to you but it ends well so do not be too worried! You see, the first class I was to finish this term was Charms. I was to study the lapifors! spell which turns a small rabbit statue to life. Well.. I got distracted while in class (big surprise, right?!) and my lack of attention to my spell turned a beautiful little blue sodalite statue into an angry bunny!
Don’t worry though.. once we coxed the kitchen knife out of his hands and convinced him we truly meant no harm.. he was much more likable! I have grown quite fond of him and have promised to try and conjure a friend up for him in Potions class so that he isn’t so lonely at night in the castle.
He now is doing quite well and he has been enjoying the lion cookies and the fire whiskey in our common room… don’t tell the professors! I don’t think fire whiskey is allowed on the castle grounds, but friends tell me they have nicked it from Professor Hagrid’s cellars.
I hope all is well with you at home and you are all not missing me too badly. I will see you all soon. Please send treats with my OWL upon receipt of this letter.. I sure miss Grandma’s peanut butter cookies!
Much Love,
CherrySprinkle of Gryffindor
Hogwarts
Pattern: Albert the Absent-Minded Monster by Rebecca Danger
Needles: US 5 – 3.75 mm Addi Turbo Lace Circs
Yarn: Bernat Baby Bouclé in Spring Breeze
Date Started: May 1, 2010
Date Completed: May 2, 2010
Return to Hogwarts
Posted by Nina on Apr 28, 2010
I’ve just signed up for my 2nd year at Hogwarts (aka. HPKCHC)! Last term I had very little time to do anything but knit… and I literally finished my OWL on the very last day of term! This time.. I am going to plan my time much better and get everything done on time! I will not be having sleepless nights this term, oh no, I will be budgeting my time much better!
This term there will be spinning, there will be weaving, and there will be lots of knitting and crocheting! What you see in the photo above is my OWL proposal.. this year I will be attempting (and succeeding!) in a Care of Magical Creatures OWL by hatching a dragon! Do you see my trusty book that I have borrowed from Professor Hagrid? I will be hatching a Siberian Ice Crest dragon.. more on this later.. but I give you my swatch!
What? Stop laughing! It’s going to be a dragon! REALLY! IT IS!!! That is it’s head… oh dear, I am really not helping matters here any, am I? Just trust me, it’s a dragon.
Handspun Nightsongs
Posted by Nina on Mar 31, 2010
I’d started this project in January with a deadline of March 31st to finish. I had to spin the batts I purchased to make the yarn and then begin to knit. The shawl was started for a little project badge in the Harry Potter Knit & Crochet House Cup (HPKCHC) group. I finished it with only hours to spare! I did 8 center repeats of the pattern with the 9th being the edging. I cannot tell you how much I love this thing! It’s so soft and has subtle shimmer when the light hits it and it’s just entirely too beautiful!
I would have finished an entire day ahead of time but I knit without lifelines and I had to rip back an entire days worth of knitting so that cost me a lot of time.. but I did it!! I made it!! and all for this little badge, worth 150 points in the group!
Pattern: Gail (Nightsongs) by MaweLucky/Jane Araujo
Needles: Addi Turbo Lace US 7″ circs
Yarn: my own handspun, Black Lagoon from Uniquely Yours.
Started: January 3, 2010
Completed: March 31, 2010
Cabled Cup Cozy
Posted by Nina on Mar 27, 2010
This adorable little thing will keep your hot beverages hot and your cold beverages from sweating! It took just a couple hours to knit and used very little yarn. I opted not to knit the bottom so that it would fit any mug. I also used crochet loops to attach around the cup handle instead of ties. I just love the cable work! It’s a great little project and would make nice stocking stuffers I think.
Pattern: Cabled Mug Cozy by Kerin Dimeler-Laurence
Needles: Knit Picks Options US 8 5.0mm
Yarn: Vanna’s Choice in Aran
Started: March 27, 2010
Completed: March 27, 2010
Calorimetry & Cheeseburger Pizza!
Posted by Nina on Feb 24, 2010
I’ve finally found a solution to my problem! I often wear my hair up or back in a ponytail because it’s so long.. but living in Michigan doesn’t always make it easy, especially in the winter, to stay warm when you wear your hair up.. and I don’t know about you but… putting a hat over a ponytail is uncomfortable and it looks ridiculous.. I’ve known about the calorimetry pattern for awhile but never had any desire to knit one before, especially since they are so popular.. but I decided if you can’t beat ‘em – join ‘em.. now I see what all the fuss was about! They are warm and pretty and they don’t interfere with buns or ponytails at all! I knit mine up in black acrylic yarn with a celtic knot button.
Since I have been testing recipes so long, I turned to a cookbook for a quick and easy no-brainer dinner.. and who should come to my rescue but Sarah Kramer.. this is ‘the joint’s cheeseburger pizza’ recipe from La Dolce Vegan. You know how to make a cheeseburger right? well there you go.. you know how to make this pizza lol.. it’s exactly what I needed during this crazy month of little time! It’s delicious.. tastes like a real cheeseburger and this was the first time I ever got Vegan cheese to melt!! win-win! Thank you Sarah, for giving me some much needed rest and kick-ass food!
test crocheting & spinning
Posted by Nina on Feb 23, 2010
I’ve got a friend who has written a pattern and plans to submit it to KnitPick’s for you to be able to purchase! Since I have had a lot of experience crocheting I offered to be the tester for the advanced user. I had to go up a needle size and make about 2 extra rows to fit but over all, everything worked out exactly the way I wanted it to! I had no idea what the pattern would look like when I offered so I was pleasantly surprised that it was a beautiful cap!
I’ve chosen this beautiful gold color simply based upon my hair color lol. I thought the gold could compliment my red hair and fair skin pretty well.. and the button I used for the center is a beautiful clear button with glitter in the very center totally encased inside the button. I love the little bling! I need my husband to take some shots of me wearing this.. hopefully this weekend for my Ravelry project page.. anyway, I did not find any errors in the pattern and the most complicated thing about this pattern would be using magic loop for beginners.
During the olympic events at Ravelry, I joined in the flying camel or spinning event.. I have been working like crazy to finish projects and spin so here are two yarns that I spun super fine and plied with Rowan Kidsilk Haze mohair.. it ends up being a light lace weight yarn and each skein is over 270yrds. When I say I have been busy, I mean busy! I am now afraid that I won’t finish everything I need to before the end of the month.. but I am still working to finish 33% of my Nightsongs shawl and finish up the Imbolc shawl I started a long, long time ago!
