Archive for the 'Knitting' Category

 

I have long admired yarn bombing “installations” that I have seen around the country and decided that I would add a little color to my own backyard. I stand in awe of all of the yarn bombers who artfully and intentionally take their time to create these beautiful pieces for all to enjoy. BUT…as a busy mama of three littles, I didn’t want to spend my precious free time knitting for my tree.

So on my thrifting excursions over the last month, I have focused on rescuing discarded hand knit treasures.

And then I tied them all to my tree. And they make me happy.

*my favorite book on yarn bombing is this. love. and another gallery of knitted goodness here.

A follow up to yesterday’s “create a space you love” post…I just finished a little piece of sunshine to add to my kitchen! All the details on my Ravelry page.

I tend to knit more in the winter and hoop more in the summer. The leaves are falling and snow is flying…so it’s time to KNIT! The familiar tap tap tap of my favorite Addi Turbo needles brings a special joy to my heart
Here are a few projects that I’ve finished lately.

The “GAPtastic Cowl” for my sister’s birthday.

An alpaca cowl for my midwife and dear friend, Rebecca.

All patterns and details can be found on my Ravelry project page!

What are you knitting right now?

I’ve been having a blast knitting knitting knitting! Here is a cowl that Bella started and I finished. Super chunky and yummy.

Of course, Lucy had to get in on the action. So I whipped one up for her too! She would check in with me every 10 minutes to feel it and say “….oooooh squishy!!”. The chunky wool is so fun because it only takes a few hours to finish something like that.

Here is my first coffee cozy…knit up for a mama friend. I love how it turned out!

AND THEN…I went to my very first knitting gathering! Although I had to drive all the way to Iowa for it! This last week, we took a last minute trip to Iowa for 8 days while Matt was working on a remodel in North Dakota, so I took full advantage and gladly spent a lovely evening with the “Natural Parenting Fiber Artists”.

Lisa graciously hosted. Lisa has lots of yarn. LOTS. And she’s a great knitter. You should check out her very funny blog, Meanest Mommy.

It was a VERY serious night.

I am putting all of my projects up on my Ravelry page…and will have a few more to add soon. Thanks to all of you who added me as a friend! I’ve been having fun checking out all of your yarn goodies.

I’ve been knitting on straight needles and in the round,  using some yummy yarns, trying new things and learning along the way.
It’s good exercise for my mama brain.

 

The weekend is coming to a close…and it was lovely. On Friday, we spent some time with friends in Longmont. On Saturday, Matt went snowboarding in Vail with my brother and his friends, and today we checked out a new church in Boulder and really enjoyed it.

Some favorites from the weekend: my newest passion is in full swing…and I’m LOVING it! It’s so fun to take a piece of string and make something pretty with it. I so look forward to finally sitting down in the evening and knitting for an hour or so.

The sunrises have been phenomenal lately…this particular one took my breath away! (photo is SOC/no filtering! Just the God filter )

Yes, more green! This one was juiced…apple + lemon + kale. So simple, but so delish. Trying to get lots of greens in every day…mostly in whole foods, but juicing is fun too.

Oh, and as a side note, I’m still very pregnant. At 27 weeks, I’m just entering the 3rd trimester…and feeling larger by the day. And emotional. And sore. And ready to meet this baby! Let the final countdown begin…

We had a wonderfully productive weekend…cleaning, purging, & re-organizing. It’s so amazing to me how different I feel when I have clear spaces and an uncluttered life. Oh what joy! If you want to declutter your life, but have no idea where to begin…check out the 30 Day Clutter Bootcamp. This is the perfect “kick start” for your decluttering resolutions

This little space is right off of our kitchen…I like to call it my “mama cave”. I just hung some white twinkly lights and added more fabric for diffusing the sun. I like to keep white Christmas lights up year round! Here is a great compilation of spaces that do the same (including my friend Denise’s bedroom).

I finished my first “wearable” knitting project this weekend! What a thrill. It’s so fun to get it off the needles and realize that all that work ends up in something beautiful. This cowl is so warm and softer than anything I’ve ever felt! For those of you that are knitters, I used Mirasol Ushya in cornflower with a size 17 needle.

On another note, it was my 5 year dreadiversary yesterday! I will be writing about it soon. The rainbow-colored dread on the right is wrapped with the yarn I used for my first knitting endeavor…to remember the journey!

Next up…a scarf for Lucy’s new baby “Ali”.  I have another cowl in the works with the most amazing yarn that seems to be sold out everywhere. The Malabrigo Rasta line…it’s so fantastic! I was able to find the arco iris color at the yarn shop in Bozeman when we were there…and now I wish I would have bought more! I LOVE Piedras as well.

Here is what it will look like Delicious.

Helping Daddy is so much fun! We had a little snow over the weekend…and Lucy enjoys any excuse to get out into it. It’s always fun to get snow on the weekends when Matt is home…we snuggle in by the fire,  make yummy food, and enjoy the change of scenery together.

We had a birthday party for Baby Ali…complete with play dough cake. So sweet to see my girls take care of a “baby”…as I know they are preparing their hearts to welcome the real thing

My mom and dad gave me this bible study for Christmas and I can’t wait to start it. Most Beth Moore studies are done in small groups, but I’ll be doing this one self-paced and using the downloadable online videos. Looking forward to being challenged!

I enjoyed a huge green smoothie yesterday after not having one for MONTHS! I go in and out of craving them when I’m pregnant. This one had banana + peach + pineapple + water + spinach. For those of you new to green smoothies, here is my “how to” video and you can purchase a Vita-Mix from me here.

* * * * *

And now…as I write, I’m listening to Bon Iver.
Thinking I might go knit something.
Or read a little bit.
Right after I put my babies in the bath and to bed.

Enjoy your evening…xxoo

**Please note: some links in this post are “affiliate” links, which means that if you click and purchase them, I get a little bit of that sale. Thank you for supporting me in this way!

 

I’ve always loved yarn. There is something magical that happens when I touch it & look at it. But that’s as far as it goes I am not a knitter, but I am certainly envious of those with great knitting skill (which at times seems like ALL of my friends). I bought these so that I can wrap my dreads with them and use them for art with the girls.

HOWEVER…we want to become a knitting family!!

We have tried half-heartedly a couple of times, but we’re serious now. I would love some advice from some of you more experienced yarn women.

• What needles and type of yarn should we buy?
• What is your favorite online tutorial? Or is it better to seek out a class? Books?
• How did you start knitting? I’d LOVE to hear your stories!!

*Edited to add: I just signed up for Ravelry under “livelightly”. Add me as your friend so I can become a knitter!