Knitting & Crochet Blog Week: Day 1 & 2

So I totally forgot that this week was Knitting & Crochet blog week, so I dropped the ball yesterday (whoops), so I just figured that today I would combine the two.

Day 1: Part of any fibre enthusiast’s hobby is an appreciation of yarn. Choose two yarns that you have either used, are in your stash or which you yearn after and capture what it is you love or loathe about them.


I haven't been knitting really all that long compared to a lot of people. Combine that with the fact that I'm cheap, and it's no surprise that I have yet to try most of the yarns many people probably blogged about during day 1. So far, one of my favorite yarns to use is Malabrigo - and I love it all. Lace, worsted, silk - it's just amazing. And the colors? Don't get me started.

{lavender haruni}

{hooded scarf}

And while I love yummy, out-of-my-budget yarns, I must admit I also love Knit Picks. Gorgeous yarns at a more-in-my-budget price? Who could say no? I have yet to meet a Knit Picks yarn that I don't love.

{spring swallowtail}

{pumpkin spice handwarmers}

Day 2: Look back over your last year of projects and compare where you are in terms of skill and knowledge of your craft to this time last year. Have you learned any new skills or forms of knitting/crochet (can you crochet cable stitches now where you didn’t even know such things existed last year? Have you recently put a foot in the tiled world of entrelac? Had you even picked up a pair of needles or crochet hook this time last year?

This time last year, I had just started working a Girasole blanket for my Grandparents, which was a huge undertaking (literally! it ended up being over 8 feet!).

{love & comfort}

I feel that this is the year I've improved the most - both in techniques and knowledge of craft. I made my first sweater, tried my hand at stranded colorwork, and knitted my first socks.

{comfy cozy socks}

{between green and grey}

{oatmeal pullover}

If there's one thing I've really realized the past few months it's that I've been knitting in my comfort zone, and it's time to step out. 2011 will hold many things for me, knitting-wise, and I'm so excited about it.

Beautiful Dawn

The leaves are slowly turning here in Asheville and fall is definitely in the air! We went hiking on Sunday and enjoyed a nice drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, taking in all the sights, sounds and smells of Autumn. And, of course, with Autumn comes....

Wooly worms!! Ahh, I love these guys. Near Boone, where I went to college, every year there is a wooly worm festival - it's so awesome. People bring a furry little worm and they have races, and the winner is used to help predict winter. They were out in full force during our hike, so I had to snap a few pictures - they're just so cute! The scenery around here is just amazing - I'd almost forgotten how beautiful it is in the mountains....

The weather is starting to get chilly, the colors are rapidly changing, and life is good.

I've got a new pattern available! A few months ago, I picked up a gorgeous skein of thick and thin yarn from Maya at SpringtreeRoad. I have a thing with thick and thin yarn - it's just simply beautiful. I love the way it looks. But what do you do with it? It creates such an interesting fabric when knitted up, I just knew it needed to be turned into something beautiful. So, here's what I came up with....

The Beautiful Dawn Neckwarmer

I absolutely love it! The cable is beautiful and runs the entire length of the neckwarmer. The texture is amazing - and the versatility of it even better. The buttons are placed so that it can be worn multiple ways, and because of the fabric of the thick & thin, there's no need to make button holes! It's available on Ravelry and Etsy, and you can find plenty of yummy thick and thin yarn in Maya's shop!