tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80592770099329497922024-03-04T22:47:36.438-08:00yarn & yarnsJolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-62034303445992590252014-03-21T09:41:00.002-07:002014-03-21T10:29:58.712-07:00WOOF: I've Moved! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmRQrMfaAN18I4UAmDjP-wswKXoS0wljyId8A3qR-HwdttSgWIoVYIXnzo99JchOy-zqYjQ0U7Qx0fsiQ0SPghGdVnCVgXnb8NymvmT7_jDqa6esCQoZtLJgw1MWL_dUFDq0tg2-OJbNC/s1600/woof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmRQrMfaAN18I4UAmDjP-wswKXoS0wljyId8A3qR-HwdttSgWIoVYIXnzo99JchOy-zqYjQ0U7Qx0fsiQ0SPghGdVnCVgXnb8NymvmT7_jDqa6esCQoZtLJgw1MWL_dUFDq0tg2-OJbNC/s1600/woof.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>You can now find me at <a href="http://www.yarnandyarns.com/">www.yarnandyarns.com</a> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Click or wait 10 seconds and you'll be redirected there.</span>Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-50377872685478168362013-12-15T11:50:00.000-08:002013-12-15T11:57:09.938-08:00FO: Canyon Flower SocksConsider the subtitle to this post "Ode to Elizabeth Bishop." Or maybe just "<a href="http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15212">One Art</a>: Part 1." The hardest part about moving cross country is that there's always people and places left behind. Let's just say I was especially missing the splendid colors of a New Mexico sunset when I knit these socks for the <a href="http://tanisfiberarts.blogspot.com/2013/11/tfa-holiday-kal.html">TFA Holiday KAL</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/11181294075/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="canyon flower 2 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="canyon flower 2" height="268" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2849/11181294075_678feabb52.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pattern</b>:<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fair-isle-flower-sock"> Fair Isle Flower Sock</a>
by Candice DeWitt
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Yarn</b>: TFA Blue Label OOAKs (Canyon & Blue Iris)</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/11181474183/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="canyon flower 1 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="canyon flower 1" height="268" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5471/11181474183_0d2fc111ab.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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They've been finished for nearly two weeks now and even worn and laundered. Just took awhile to document them here. Slowed, no doubt, by my scramble to finish up a pair of KAL mitts by this Friday and some covert holiday knitting.<br />
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Don't get me wrong: Minnesota is home and always will be... Yet, January is sure to be good sock knitting weather and I have a pair of Maryland socks in mind. Albuquerque and Baltimore — two lovely cities.<br />
<br />Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-43801825748810573572013-11-17T12:54:00.000-08:002013-11-17T12:57:33.390-08:00FO: Second Socks for IzzyLet the kiddo pick out her own sock yarn at <a href="http://www.michaels.com/">Michaels </a>— the right price-point for a growing teen with a tendency to be extra tough on her clothes. I'll give it to her: Izzy located a skein with cashmere in it. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/10911949724/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="izzy-socks2 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="izzy-socks2" height="400" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3701/10911949724_6e82541d01.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pattern</b>: Yarn Harlot's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sock-recipe-a-good-plain-sock">Sock Recipe</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Yarn</b>: Loops & Threads Luxury Sock (Ocean)</div>
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These socks also mark a first: major surgery. When both pairs were done, Izzy tried them on...only to discover that I'd made the foot too short. So I snipped apart the toes, ripped back to the start of the toe decreases, added a good 1/2", and then finished them up again. Can't tell you how clever it made me feel.<br />
<br />Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-30226283332307993222013-11-08T15:58:00.001-08:002013-11-08T15:58:56.113-08:00FO: Primavera SocksIt's Friday night and I have a new FO — what better way to kick off the weekend?<br />
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No chance of my new love affair with socks waning after this pair. These are now hands-down (feet-down?) my new favorite socks. To start, there's the yarn — isn't it lovely? Not sure how she manages it, but that <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/tanisfiberarts#">Tanis </a>continues to outdo herself with each Etsy update.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/10743695663/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="tartan primavera by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="tartan primavera" height="268" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7385/10743695663_b26480c745.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Yarn</b>: TFA Blue Label in Yellow Tartan (OOAK)</div>
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<b>Pattern</b>:
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/primavera-socks">Primavera Socks</a>
by natalja </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/10743693453/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="tartan primavera 2 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="tartan primavera 2" height="268" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5488/10743693453_8608e2bdee.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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Then, the pattern: Easy to memorize and with a six-row repeat, it's the definition of potato-chippy. (Just one more repeat...) I also really like the look of the heel flap with the 2-stitch garter edging; tidy and makes picking up stitches <i>easy-peasy</i>. <br />
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Since this is a knitting blog, guess I should mention the two mods I made: Changed the p3tog to Sl1, P2 tog, psso (much easier on my hands) and added slip stitches between the garter ridges to make the heel sturdier.<br />
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Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-21113505023135582462013-10-24T05:00:00.000-07:002013-10-24T05:00:04.304-07:00FO Parade: Blue Iris RivercatsSo that sock pattern that wasn't quite right for the <a href="http://yarnandyarns.blogspot.com/2013/10/fo-parade-if-a-nutkin-falls.html">If a Tree Falls colorway</a> I got at Yarnover? It was perfect for this OOAK lovely from Tanis Fiber Arts. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/10258210685/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="riverbed 2 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="riverbed 2" height="268" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2864/10258210685_38f4152e7c.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pattern</b>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rivercat-sock/">Rivercat Sock</a>
by Brenda Patipa
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Yarn</b>: <a href="http://www.tanisfiberarts.com/">TFA Blue Label </a>(Blue Iris)</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/10258211425/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="riverbed by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="riverbed" height="400" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5485/10258211425_3dd0d628d7.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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So success on that front, but I should have gone down a needle size. They're a bit big inside shoes, but they will keep my feet toasty at home. Or be great layered over another pair for January outings. As you can see, they're too pretty not to wear.<br />
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And this brings our FO Parade to a close. Hoping to keep up better in October.Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-86612841871727208102013-10-23T05:00:00.000-07:002013-10-23T05:00:01.868-07:00FO Parade: Spiced Cotton ReelsWhy, yes. You are correct. I did already knit <a href="http://yarnandyarns.blogspot.com/2013/07/fo-maroo-mitts.html">another pair </a>of fingerless mitts this year. But in my defense, I live in Minnesota.<br />
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Plus, I used fingering-weight scraps to create these. So I'm feeling all “virtuous” in a waste-not, want-not way. (What's that, you say? My fingers are in my ears, so no, I can't hear you laughing.) <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/10258199545/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="cotton reel mitts by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="cotton reel mitts" height="268" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8268/10258199545_887b84e811.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pattern</b>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cotton-reel-mittens">Cotton Reel Mittens</a>
by Ysolda Teague
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Yarn</b>: <a href="http://www.tanisfiberarts.com/">TFA Blue Label</a> (Plum and Spice)</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/10258087114/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="cotton reel mitts 2 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="cotton reel mitts 2" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7394/10258087114_bb5966d461.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><br />
What do you do with your yarn scraps? I've got lots more itching to become <i>something</i>...Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-63767063092869535882013-10-22T05:00:00.000-07:002013-10-22T05:00:13.310-07:00FO Parade: If a Nutkin Falls...Nothing like washing away the taste of an FO Fail with a great pairing of yarn and pattern, is there?<br />
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I got this lovely skein at Yarnover last April. My first choice didn't work so well, but I knew to cut my losses early and frog before the heel flap. Love, love, LOVE how these turned out. The pattern is that perfect combination of interesting knitting but easy to memorize. Also, they're clearly too big for Izzy, who's modeling in the photos. Phew, that should keep them safe from sticky fingers.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/10258207526/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="nutkin by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="nutkin" height="268" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3763/10258207526_47bf278dce.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pattern</b>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nutkin">Nutkin</a>
by Beth LaPensee
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Yarn</b>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/vice-paradigm">Vice Paradigm</a> (If a Tree Falls)</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/10258104094/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="nutkin 2 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="nutkin 2" height="400" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3725/10258104094_d30c8a82b7.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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My current favorite socks. Sure another pair of these is in my future...
Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-55693115058717760092013-10-21T05:00:00.000-07:002013-10-21T05:00:15.576-07:00FO Parade: Dishcloths & DishtowelsIn case it wasn't clear in my earlier <a href="http://yarnandyarns.blogspot.com/2013/10/finishing-frenzy.html">Finishing Frenzy post</a>, September was one INTENSE month at work. What’s a gal to do when comfort knitting is in order? Dishcloths, of course!<br />
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And nice ones at that, since I had lots of well-marinated cotton left over from baby projects for Izzy and a <a href="http://yarnandyarns.blogspot.com/2011/01/looking-back-looking-forward.html">Log Cabin Blanket</a> knit years ago for my sister and brother-in-law.<br />
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The only problem? Shrinkage even in tepid water. (Insert obligatory nod to George Costanza.) Never mind that, let's just revel in the before photos...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/10258250913/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="dishcloths 2 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="dishcloths 2" height="268" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5483/10258250913_e46c7dfa41.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Patterns</b>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ballband-dishcloth">Ballband Dishcloth</a>
by Pisgah Yarn<br />
& <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/slip-stitch-dishtowels">Slip Stitch Dishtowels</a>
by Purl Soho
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Yarn</b>:<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/mission-falls-1824-cotton"> Mission Falls 1824 Cotton</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/10258153675/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="dish towel and cloths by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="dish towel and cloths" height="268" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8117/10258153675_ffb58db1ef.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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As for the end result... Well, they served their stress-busting needs so there's that. Plus, there's no shortage of spills to wipe up at our house — big and tiny.<br />
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Onward.Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-88635219089027946472013-10-20T13:29:00.000-07:002013-10-20T13:59:14.296-07:00FO Parade: Fall FieldsLast weekend, the<a href="http://yarnandyarns.blogspot.com/2013/10/finishing-frenzy.html"> Finishing Frenzy</a> continued with blocking and photographs. Most even made it into Ravelry before I ran out of time. Oh, for more three-day weekends...<br />
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I'm going to queue up some blog posts now that the FOs are truly and completely finished — and before this weekend fades away, too.<br />
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A <a href="http://www.freshstitches.com/store-spotlight-bella-lana-minneapolis/">local yarn store</a> closed its doors in August. Always a bitter-sweet event. Along with a half-priced sweater's worth of Malabrigo and all the Noro I need for the <a href="http://tincanknits.com/pattern-TCK-POPblanket.html">POP blanket</a> I intend to knit after I get this current wave of sock knitting out of my system, I picked up a lone skein. With all my favorite colors intertwined, I just couldn't pass it by despite the high acrylic and rayon content. In fact, I was compelled to cast on that very day. And talk about a <i>Pride & <b>Prejudice </b></i>moment: I love the result. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/10258204956/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="October Cowl 2 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="October Cowl 2" height="497" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7392/10258204956_3b83722055.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pattern</b>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fields-of-wheat">Fields of Wheat</a> by Varant Ekmekjian
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<b>Yarn</b>:<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/berroco-boboli"> Berroco Boboli</a> (Ginger Scone)</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/10258205536/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="october cowl by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="october cowl" height="267" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7415/10258205536_49f4b8c931.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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While fall seems to be a no-show this year in Minnesota, today's snowflakes up North are a clear sign this is about to get lots of use.Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-67657505345390330112013-10-06T16:24:00.004-07:002013-10-06T16:27:06.522-07:00Finishing FrenzyI've been busy knitting up a storm for the past two months, but not good about finishing and even worse about blogging. Gigantic work deadline got in the way. But now that the beta version of the <a href="http://www.sparticl.org/">site </a>has finally launched, it's time to get back to business.<br />
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Saturday, I went a little crazy. I started by weaving in the ends of five dishcloths and one dishtowel that I knit in a stash- and stress-busting frenzy that started mid-September. That led to weaving in more ends (a shawl and two cowls). Then adding the thumbs on a pair of fingerless mitts that had been languishing for more than a month. I finished the finishing by ripping back and re-knitting the toes on too-big socks. Here's the pile I ended up with; now for the blocking...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/10127009525/" title="october-frenzy by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="october-frenzy" height="460" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7321/10127009525_1f3fe7b073.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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And since I'm in catch-up mode, here are a pair of socks I finished in August and gifted to my mother.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/10127472136/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="cabin socks 1 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="cabin socks 1" height="400" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3716/10127472136_88e6c81fb8.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pattern</b>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sock-recipe-a-good-plain-sock">A Good, Plain Soc</a>k by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Yarn</b>: Crazy Zauberball (Spring Is Here)</div>
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And here is a baby hat that got the quickest of photoshoots before going into the gift bag.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/9560101792/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="dino by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="dino" height="400" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2891/9560101792_543f8f830e.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pattern</b>: Dinofied <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wee-balaclava">Wee Balaclava</a> by by mama cerise
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Yarn</b>: Cascade 200 (Lichen) & Ella Rae Classic (Yellow-Lime Heather) </div>
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Time for a break...aka, more knitting! ;-)Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-88657004327434334722013-08-04T12:53:00.000-07:002013-08-04T12:53:02.041-07:00FO: Katniss SocksI wanted to try socks with cables and this seemed the perfect gateway pattern — two simple braids running down the front and back centers. Just the toe of the second sock was left to knit when I packed them for the cabin. I finished them up that first night then blocked them the next day in the sun. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/9337539575/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="katniss socks 5 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="katniss socks 5" height="559" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7318/9337539575_c81d0b0c25_z.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Yarn</b>: <a href="http://www.tanisfiberarts.com/yarn.html">TFA Blue Label</a> (Spice)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pattern</b>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/katniss-socks">Katniss Socks</a>
by Rose Hiver
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/9340327016/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="katniss socks1 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="katniss socks1" height="559" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5548/9340327016_793195ffde_z.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Izzy (who's a big Hunger Games fan) came up with the firepit backdrop, which I like even better than the kicked back lake shot we started with.<br />
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These were a really fun knit and I'm sure I'll revisit the pattern sometime soon. Who'd have ever thought at the beginning of 2013 that I'd have four finished sock pairs done by mid-summer? Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-4589495199717114842013-07-25T08:38:00.002-07:002013-07-25T09:04:18.962-07:00FO: Maroo MittsNot only did our week at the cabin afford me time to <a href="http://yarnandyarns.blogspot.com/2013/07/yarn-pattern-not-so-much.html">knit to my heart's content</a>, it also gave me a great backdrop to take pics of some FOs. These fingerless mitts were finished and blocked a few weeks before our trip but fell victim to rainy weekends when it came to photography.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/9337447353/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="mitts 3 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="mitts 3" height="559" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2808/9337447353_7ab99dc005_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pattern</b>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/maroo-mitts">Maroo Mitts</a>
by Ambah O'Brien
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Yarn</b>: <a href="http://www.tanisfiberarts.com/yarn.html">TFA Blue Label</a> (Olive, Squash, & Olive Truffle)</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/9364005255/" title="mitts1 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="mitts1" height="559" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7441/9364005255_c86817c012_z.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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These were a fun, easy knit, and I'd like to give a special shout-out to the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/ambah">designer</a>, who offered up the pattern for free on her birthday. May her generosity return to her throughout the year!<br />
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The other blessing about the pattern was that it offered the chance to use some of my scraps. I especially love the Squash OOAK with its pinkish hits in the gold. And since I <a href="http://yarnandyarns.blogspot.com/2012/10/fo-nightlock-fail.html">gifted the shawl </a>I knit with it, this way I get to still enjoy the color and touch of cashmere. Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-36359281142933442662013-07-21T19:13:00.001-07:002013-07-24T20:32:08.751-07:00Yarn + Pattern = Not-So-MuchStubbornness will get you every time. I know this. I <i>know </i>this. And yet I was determined. I saw the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bavarian-socks">Bavarian Socks </a>pattern and thought, "Oooh, that would be stunning in that Fresh colorway I picked up at <a href="http://yarnandyarns.blogspot.com/2013/04/an-fo-and-yo.html">Yarnover</a>!"<br />
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Once I had the vision, that was it. It didn't matter that the yarn was a tangled mess when I put it on the swift. Or that I ended up having to undo the cake I'd started and wind the entire thing by hand — a less-than-pleasant experience since the yarn, as lovely and saturated green as it was, didn't have a lot of spring. Or that the whole winding experience pushed me from A-OK on time to running late while packing to leave. Remember, I was <strike>stubborn </strike>determined.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/9340537190/" title="snoopin 2 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="snoopin 2" height="286" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2875/9340537190_55bebb5f99.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Fast forward 24 hours to Day 1 at the cabin. In my haste to begin that morning, I misread row one of the chart and didn't realize my error until after I'd repeated it the 10 times for the ribbing. Trip 1 to the frog pond and a second cup of coffee. All was fine until the first set of long cables made me feel like I was wrestling an alligator. I dropped a stitch. I jiggered the cable together again. The first pattern repeat is always the hardest, right?<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/9337643311/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="first attempt by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="first attempt" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2876/9337643311_40c4a8ca49_z.jpg" width="357" /></a></div>
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That night after a blissful day of lakeside lounging and grilling, I picked up the socks again...and found myself struggling just as badly. WTF? I'm a loose knitter on even the most stressful days. And I was <i>relaxed</i>. <br />
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I put the needles down in disgust and went to bed with a headache. As I lay there, I heard it emerge from the throbbing: This. Yarn. Does not want to be. This. Pattern.<br />
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Hmmm. Yarn with little give and complex cabling on size 1-1/2 needles? Yeah, not so much. My hands and sanity would not survive. <br />
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At least I had the common sense to pack more projects than I could complete. And I'm happy to report that this pile-o-knits all behaved themselves quite nicely.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/9337446805/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="pile-o-knits by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="pile-o-knits" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2822/9337446805_5a80fba746.jpg" width="357" /></a></div>
Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-90688008026265640542013-06-30T10:38:00.000-07:002013-06-30T10:40:16.987-07:00FO: Color Affection 2Another June, another Color Affection? I seem to be a creature of habit even more than I realize.<br />
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This time rather than purchasing yarn specifically for the project, I went digging in my stash. How glorious to find three TFA lovelies seemingly meant for each other. Made me feel (slightly) less guilty about the size of my hoard.<br />
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Love this yarn and love this pattern. Nothing else to say, so let's proceed to the glory shots...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/9174558163/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="color affection 2 blocked by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="color affection 2 blocked" height="300" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3704/9174558163_9a780dd09d.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pattern:</b> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/color-affection">Color Affection</a> by Veera Välimäki</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Yarn:</b> <a href="http://www.tanisfiberarts.com/">TFA</a> Blue Label OOAKs (Cornucopia and Olive Truffle) and 75/25 Merino Silk OOAK (Sprout)</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/9174612105/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="color affection 2 detail by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="color affection 2 detail" height="286" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3724/9174612105_dfc84ea2b1.jpg" width="400" /></a>Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-71621791685817587692013-06-30T09:36:00.001-07:002013-06-30T09:36:46.862-07:0012 CandlesWow. How did that happen? How did we go from this...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/9174359467/" title="my sweetie by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3709/9174359467_102de77cc4_z.jpg" width="400" height="559" alt="my sweetie"></a><br />
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...to this in such a flash?!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/9176350560/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="birthday-skirt by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="birthday-skirt" height="560" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7401/9176350560_dc97ed7298_z.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Yesterday, Izzy celebrated her 12th in style. (Nice of the calendar to cooperate and give us a Saturday birthday.) She started the morning making the skirt she's wearing above at a class courtesy of <a href="http://karengustafsonstudios.com/home.html">Autie</a> and Uncle. (Side note: The fabulous fabric at <a href="http://www.craftyplanet.com/">Crafty Planet</a> now has me itching to start sewing again.) Then we headed to Target Field to watch the Twins beat Kansas City (Izzy's choice instead of a party this year). <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/9174126145/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="twins-game by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="twins-game" height="559" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3827/9174126145_c1839d034c_z.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Last night she declared it a great birthday. (Violet still holds the title of <a href="http://yarnandyarns.blogspot.com/2010/06/wordless-wednesday_09.html">best birthday present ever</a> — and I'm guessing will for many years to come.) What a great 12 years I've had being her mom!Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-5055022281662452662013-06-18T19:19:00.001-07:002013-06-18T19:32:05.002-07:00FO: Gramps Cardigan and HatI've long admired this pattern and was thrilled to have the chance to make it for a good friend expecting her first baby. Nothing more satisfying than setting the needles to work for a fellow knitter, is there?<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/9079575965/" title="gramps2 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="gramps1" height="286" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5543/9079575965_d9ed8abdc4.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pattern</b>: <a href="http://www.tincanknits.com/pattern-9M-gramps.html">Gramps</a> by tin can knits</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Yarn</b>: Plymouth Yarn Worsted Merino Superwash Solids (Caraway Heather and Cinnamon)</div>
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Not only is the pattern put together really well, it has a <a href="http://blog.tincanknits.com/gramps-tutorial/">fantastic blog tutorial</a>. Total win. Wish I was even half as pleased with the yarn. I liked the colors and springiness while knitting (nearly) enough to deal with how splitty it was.<br />
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But then the wet blocking almost. did. me. in. Not only did it grow to ginormous proportions, but a couple of carefully woven seams started to come apart. Thankfully, I was able to save it with a long timeout in the dryer. (I've never been so happy to be working with superwash.) But just look at this before shot to see how tidy the pocket seams/joins started out. Sigh... <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/9081799774/" title="gramps by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="gramps" height="286" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5535/9081799774_6119849b03.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Light at the end of the tunnel? Knowing that not a single person will be looking at the seams once it's keeping a cute little boy warm!Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-43645652891209891332013-06-09T17:01:00.001-07:002013-06-09T17:06:54.659-07:00FO: Socks, Fully GrokedI went <i>several </i>decades without ever attempting a sock. In fact, in that time I don't think I even considered knitting socks for a combined five minutes. Beyond that irrational fear of turning a heel, I had one other reason: I'm very particular about how my socks fit.<br />
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Yes, re-read that last line as I smack my palm on my forehead. It was only after I'd finished two pairs and taken that <a href="http://yarnandyarns.blogspot.com/2013/04/an-fo-and-yo.html">Yarnover Grok the Sock</a> class that the full stupidity of that statement sunk in. Well Golll-ly, you can customize them to fit your feet exactly. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/9000762973/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="grok-socks-2 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="grok-socks-2" height="560" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2863/9000762973_d5f2c53d8d_z.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pattern</b>: Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's recipe fully customized </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Yarn</b>: Schoppel-Wolle Crazy Zauberball (Arroyo)</div>
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These are pretty spot-on (despite the twisted toe that came while trying to photograph my own feet).<br />
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What surprise insights has knitting brought your way?Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-74234247872427422692013-04-28T08:16:00.000-07:002013-04-28T08:28:54.832-07:00An FO and a YOI got a bit more adventurous with my second pair of socks, but not so adventurous that I couldn't get through them pretty fast. See, I had a goal with a nice, crunchy carrot dangling in front of me.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/8689390282/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="second-socks2 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="second-socks2" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7047/8689390282_3a1fa24657.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pattern</b>:<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/simple-skyp-socks">Simple Skyp Socks</a>
by Adrienne Ku
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Yarn</b>: Knit Picks Stroll Tonal (Blue Violet)</div>
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Turned out it was a perfectly timed carrot, as well: My first pair of socks was too small (and went to Izzy) and this second pair was too big (but not so big, thankfully, that they don't make good bed socks). In the quest for a "just right" pair, what better help could there be than the <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/">Yarn Harlot</a>, herself?<br />
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Yesterday, I attended my first <a href="http://www.knitters.org/component/content/article/2-static-content/51-whats-yarnover">Yarnover</a>, kicking off the morning with a Grok the Sock class taught by Ms. Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. It's why I wanted at least two pairs of socks under my belt... Nothing motivates like potential humiliation.<br />
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My self-imposed deadlines and stress were definitely worth it. What a great class, and what a great teacher! Here's my in-progress baby sock in the foreground, with classmates' photo opp. in the background.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/8689390420/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="grok-sock1 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="grok-sock1" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/8689390420_2db8fe91f0.jpg" width="357" /></a></div>
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And here's the finished baby sock, which I <a href="http://yarnandyarns.blogspot.com/2013/04/an-fo-and-yo.html">Kitchenered </a>last night. And what's that in the picture? Yep, it's the start of pair #3, fully informed and on its way to that "just right" fit. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/8689390540/" title="grok-sock by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="grok-sock" height="268" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7043/8689390540_068040b463.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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I had more time than planned over lunch since my friend <a href="http://www.squakk.com/">Susan </a>got a nasty bug and couldn't attend at the last minute (no swapping of notes). So for better or worse, I then took full advantage of the market. (A thank-you shoutout to my sister and brother-in-law for the birthday bucks that bought both sets of fabulous vintage buttons.)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/8689390080/" title="yarnover by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="yarnover" height="268" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7048/8689390080_28baa592b6.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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I finished up the day with a Celtic Cables class by Melissa Leapman, where I managed to execute the following two swatches to my disbelief and pure joy. As you might guess from the book, I'm jazzed to bring on the cables in another project or two.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/8689393492/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="celtic-cables by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="celtic-cables" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/8689393492_994c1532c5.jpg" width="357" /></a></div>
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Except for the missing Susan part, a fantastic day. Already planning for next year.
Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-22470655216970337682013-04-19T07:23:00.000-07:002013-04-19T07:24:13.524-07:00Enough Already!Last Friday, I awoke to this view outside my hotel window in San Antonio. Sure, I had to work all weekend, but it seemed a fair trade since it was spitting sleet and snow in Minnesota when we headed out to the National Science Teachers Association.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/8663334282/" title="san-antonio by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="san-antonio" height="286" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8251/8663334282_e5c2565917.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Much of that mess had melted by the time my plane touched back down on Sunday afternoon. And it continued to melt over the next few days. Since I like to think of this blog as family friendly, I'll skip sharing my initial outburst at awaking to this view today.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/8662236199/" title="minneapolis by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="minneapolis" height="286" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8244/8662236199_805f19026c.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Two thing helped cheer me up...slightly. 1) I'd already arranged to work from home today. 2) Izzy gleefully grabbed three FOs to layer up for her walk to the bus.<br />
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That said, I'd like to make it loud and clear that as much as I appreciated Minnesota bringing the knitting weather this fall and winter, I'm ready for spring. Now. Enough already and (hopefully) enough said.Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-43769351622483204452013-04-07T07:17:00.003-07:002013-04-07T13:47:10.128-07:00FO: Fiddlehead MittensThe good news? I can check off Fair Isle and mittens from my <a href="http://yarnandyarns.blogspot.com/2013_01_01_archive.html">2013 Knitting goals</a>. (And when you add in those <a href="http://yarnandyarns.blogspot.com/2013/03/fo-first-socks.html">first socks</a>, I've hit everything on my list by early April.)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/8604667050/" title="fiddleheads1 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="fiddleheads1" height="286" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8251/8604667050_9a1e9f3585.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pattern</b>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fiddlehead-mittens">Fiddlehead Mittens</a> by Adrian Bizilia</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Yarn</b>: Mirasol Yarn Tupa (Tiger's Eye) and Plymouth Yarn Kudo (49: Green, Teal, Brown), lined with After the Sheep Panda (Butterscotch)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/8604657990/" title="fiddleheads2 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="fiddleheads2" height="286" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8390/8604657990_240bb8e362.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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The bad news: They're too small — I clearly overcompensated when I frogged the too-big third of the first mitt. So guess who got lucky?</br />
<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/8603557077/" title="fiddleheads3 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="fiddleheads3" height="286" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8116/8603557077_c884dfd55e.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br />
Yes, Izzy really was that excited to claim them as her own. There's that. And there's the fact that they coordinate with the <a href="http://yarnandyarns.blogspot.com/2013/03/fo-dowager-escargo.html">too-small hat</a> she also claimed. <br /><br />
So after a brief mourning period, I did what any good knitter would do: I ordered <a href="http://www.tanisfiberarts.com/">more yarn</a>. And since I enjoyed this further foray into colorwork, I'm excited to cast on another pair.<br />Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-67705194169352526812013-03-30T16:10:00.001-07:002013-03-30T22:02:47.436-07:00FO: Easter Bonnet (MN-Style)<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/8604569466/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="izzy-leaves by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="izzy-leaves" height="320" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8533/8604569466_6ef54c0866_n.jpg" width="228" /></a>I was thrilled to have my four seasons back this year, waxing poetic about <a href="http://yarnandyarns.blogspot.com/2012/09/fo-izzys-fingerless-mitts.html">crisp fall days</a> and <a href="http://yarnandyarns.blogspot.com/2012/11/fo-winters-coming-sweater.html">snowy holidays</a>. But now that it's nearly April, I'm more than ready for winter to be over.<br />
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This morning began with a gentle spring rain. You could see the anticipation and relief on the faces of people out walking their dogs and in the aisles at Target. But not so fast, apparently. They're calling for a return to 38° F (3° C) for Easter Sunday. So while this wasn't intended as a holiday gift, it seems the FO timing is just perfect. At least the color makes it feel like spring.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/8604569172/" title="pressed-leaves-top by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="pressed-leaves-top" height="383" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8538/8604569172_06831ab064.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pattern: </b><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pressed-leaves">Pressed Leaves</a>
by Alana Dakos
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Yarn:</b> TFA Yellow Label (Iris)</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/8604569348/" title="pressed-leaves-bottom by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="pressed-leaves-bottom" height="383" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8604569348_0f6f59be89.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-78750901019972724792013-03-24T19:21:00.002-07:002013-03-24T19:26:55.169-07:00FO: First SocksAfter the<a href="http://yarnandyarns.blogspot.com/2013/02/s-is-for.html"> knitting-tweaking-reknitting cycle</a> that was the first (keeper) sock, the second one seemed to fly off my needles. Throughout all that knitting, though, I was skeptical about the yarn. It had a slightly twine-like roughness, but thankfully became all fuzzy soft after a good soak.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/8588349052/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="first-socks by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/8588349052/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="first-socks by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="first-socks" height="286" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8374/8588349052_55eb26410d.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<b>Yarn: </b>Opal Regenwald / Rainforest (Buffalo Bill) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pattern: </b><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knitmore-girls-vanilla-sock">Knitmore Girls Vanilla Sock</a></div><br />
I've been admiring the pair on the sock blockers for at least a week now — a bit scared to actually step on all that hard work. Maybe another week and I'll give them a test run. Ever had a knit that you were afraid to wear? I'd love to hear about it! Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-18188482601589067402013-03-19T16:08:00.000-07:002013-03-19T16:09:15.812-07:00FO: Lucky Penny CowlLike so many others, I was led down the Honey Cowl path by those <a href="http://www.masondixonknitting.com/archives/2013_01.html#003291">Mason-Dixon <strike>pushers</strike> knitters</a>. Not that I'm complaining. In fact, it was a great mindless/mindful knit and I suspect another one will grace my needles soon. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/8546461130/" title="lp-cowl-3 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="lp-cowl-3" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8229/8546461130_a450eb6451.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pattern:</b> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/honey-cowl">Honey Cowl</a></div>
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<b>Yarn: </b>TFA Yellow Label (Lucky Penny) </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/8546449996/" title="lp-cowl-2 by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="lp-cowl-2" height="559" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8367/8546449996_f1e757a080_z.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />And can I just say I'm completely in love with this new TFA color? Fighting the urge to order it in every base — but stash diving tonight so I can clear out some room...Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-11811593649556703512013-03-07T21:05:00.001-08:002013-03-07T21:42:42.312-08:00FO: Dowager Escargot<b>Me:</b> I do enjoy the look of a good hat — just not on my head.<br />
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<i><b>The Other Violet:</b> Don't be defeatist, dear. It's terribly middle class.</i><br />
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<b>Me:</b> Well, it is knit... What's the harm in trying it on?<br />
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<i><b>The Other Violet: </b>Oh, my dear, in my time I wore the crinoline, the bustle, and the leg-of-mutton sleeve. I'm not in a strong position to criticize.</i><br />
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<b>Me:</b> Um, yeah. Next time I'll skip the ill-conceived mods.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/8538795828/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="downton-living by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="downton-living" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8376/8538795828_52b4c55d16_o.jpg" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pattern:</b> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/escargot">Escargot </a>by Veronica Parsons </div>
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<b>Yarn:</b> Knit Picks Chroma Worsted (Bittersweet Heather) and<br />
TFA Green Label (Turquoise Water) </div><br />
Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8059277009932949792.post-79772905302560711132013-02-27T18:35:00.000-08:002013-02-27T19:42:14.649-08:00"S" Is for...Sock!As you'll see, I was so happy to have this finished that I stuffed it onto the sock blocker before properly dealing with all the goo from the peeled off price label.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25735619@N04/8513495703/" title="a-sock-at-last by YarnAndYarns, on Flickr"><img alt="a-sock-at-last" height="344" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8525/8513495703_07e2074caa_z.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<h2><b>
"S" Is Also for Sisyphus</b></h2>
What you don't see is that this is the hundredth go at knitting my first sock. (OK, it's actually the ninth. Just felt like the hundredth.) I scrapped the first try about half way down the cuff — couldn't bear the ladders I was seeing. It was also a little tight. I cast on again with my trusty DPNs... And then ripped back. <br />
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I started reading anything and everything I could about how to avoid those tell-tale culprits. Yet, no matter how many times I went back to the ribbing and restarted, I couldn't get it right. In fact, it got <i>more wrong</i>. Minor ladders became swinging bridges. I feared monkeys on the lookout for jungle vines were soon to be headed my way. <br />
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Knitting this sock became personal. In the worst sort of way.<br />
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Enter the sanity-saving <a href="http://hiyahiya-usa.shptron.com/c/hiyahiya-circular-needles_hiyahiya-9-inch-steel-circular-needles">9" HiyaHiya circulars</a>. My fingers were cramped but those ladders were gone. Make that banished! Funny thing is, when I got to the instep shaping I used my DPNs and <i>all was just fine</i>. I couldn't begin to explain why. Nor did I tempt fate with the foot, returning to the circulars.<br />
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With my first sock finished, I slipped it on my foot only to discover a flopping, too-long toe. Sigh. (OK, actually it was much cursing.) So I started and finished the second sock with the correct modification (shown above) and it fits. <i>I feel like Cinderella!</i> <br />
<h2><b>
Is "S" for Irony, Too?</b></h2>
The too-big first sock has been frogged and the yarn is now on its way to becoming my second sock. As I was working on it last night, a thought occurred to me: <a href="http://yarnandyarns.blogspot.com/2011/08/for-love-of-pete-aka-first-fo.html">"S" is also for slipper</a>.<br />
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My tenacious Grandma would be so proud. (And this time, yes, I will make the pair.)<br /><br />
Jolenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715694966164747499noreply@blogger.com2