The Great Knit-In of Blizzard 2016

January 25, 2016

Did everyone survive the blizzard? Our total in my neck of the woods reached 31", though you can't tell for sure due to all the high winds and resulting drifting. Nevertheless, it was a boat load of fun... for Nick, who spent all day Sunday shoveling a path to civilization so I could get to work today. Also, the dog was not amused.

After doing some work around the house and making yummy "we're stranded" breakfasts and hot chocolate from scratch, I managed to work in a couple hours of reading and nearly completed my Duchess of Devonshire shawl while binge-watching Scream Queens on Hulu. All I've got to do now is finish the border, soak, and block, and then it's ready to wear. The green makes me think of spring, which is definitely not happening any time soon.

What did you knit on while we were all stuck inside with cabin fever? Did everyone maintain their sanity? And how are the roads like by you? It's a bit nightmarish here, not gonna lie.

In the meantime, I'm:

Knitting: Just Another Vanilla Sock - Christmas Edition
Reading: Da Vinci's Tiger (my December 2015 OwlCrate book)

Weekend Woolgatherings - 01/22/2016

January 22, 2016

So, what's everyone planning on knitting while we're all snowed in this weekend?

I, for one, will be knitting on my Duchess of Devonshire shawl designed by Kay of Bakery Bears fame. I cast it on last weekend after staring far too long at the yummy yarn I'd bought specifically for the project over Christmas. The yarn is Frabjous Fibers Cheshire Cat in the Little Busy Bee colorway. It's a beautiful bright green with hints of gold. I bought it looking for something a bit outside my comfort zone (ie: not something pink and sparkly) and I think this color will be nice on me come spring. So far, it's working up beautifully and I couldn't be happier.

Otherwise, I plan to do some minor cleaning around the house and overall just relaxing for a change. It's been a stressful few months for me and I'm kind of excited to get back to the way things used to be.

Oh, and I received a few more Yarn Crush boxes to review, so look forward to a video of those in the coming week or two. I've been chomping at the bit to open them, but have waited just for you :)

How about you?

2016 Knitting Goals

January 18, 2016

My resolution this year was to not make any resolutions. In case it's not obvious, I've already failed - just like the rest of the world.

But really, it's important for me to inventory what I accomplished (knitting-wise) in the previous year and set some crafty goals for myself in the year to come. There are so many patterns and techniques I want to try that it just makes sense for me to organize and prioritize.

And it gives me something to write about. But I don't know what writer's block is or anything...

So I may be a little late to the party, but here's what I've come up with for 2016:

Knit 12 pairs of socks - That averages to one pair per month, which I feel is doable, and I'm sure I can use one or two pairs as Christmas gifts next year. Any time I can knock off two tasks in one go is A-OK to me. Plus, I have a lot of sock yarn, so this goal will be an excuse to busy through my quickly-accumulating stash. I've already got three going on the needles, so it's just a matter of finishing them and pushing through. Right? RIGHT?!

Want to join me in knitting one pair of socks per month, but don't know how? Then check out this "Beginner Sock Knitting" class over at Craftsy.
No obligation knitting - This is a new one for me and a bit difficult to wrap my head around. If someone asks me to make something, I'm going to say "no". I'm even going to put my Etsy shop in semi-permanent vacation mode. In the past few years, I feel like my knitting has almost exclusively been for other people. And not gifts I wanted to make for people (which is fine), but items that other people wanted; however, last year, I got into making things for myself and learning new techniques. It's not often I've had a chance to enjoy that because I'm constantly making the same things ad nauseam, trying to meet deadlines imposed on me as a result. I want my hobby to be fun again and I want to expand my horizons (Christ, that sounds so cliche, but so be it).
Forge ahead with my unhealthy Stephen West obsession - So, did you guys know Stephen West hosts a class on Craftsy? If you did, have you signed up? Do it now, because I sure as heck am. I love all his shawl designs, I love his use of color, and I love the tutorials that accompany his patterns. It only makes sense that I should take this class.
Stop hoarding - I never thought I'd say this, but I have too much yarn. Yes, you read that right. I collect yarn, which is not only an expensive hobby, but even worse if I'm not using it. The truth is, so much of my stash seems too pretty to use until I find "that perfect project", and sometimes, no project seems perfect enough. Well, enough of that. I'm on a self-imposed yarn ban until at least March, which should hopefully put me in a place to use what I've got and decrease the craft room clutter, too. Oh, and make room for more Rhinebeck acquisitions come October. I know what's important.

Well, there you have it. It's not a lot, and the only goal I put a number to is the socks, if only because it'll help broaden my techniques while busting stash. Overall, I'm happy with them, and am crossing my fingers I won't be too disappointed with myself when I review my short-but-to-the-point list at the same time next year.

Bring on 2016!

Full disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to products I know you'll love!

2016 Vogue Knitting LIVE! Recap

January 17, 2016

This past weekend, I had the chance to experience the overwhelmingly-worth-it event that is Vogue Knitting LIVE! in NYC thanks to a bus trip organized by my LYS, The Knitter's Edge.

It was a great day, and I'd like to thank my October trip to Rhinebeck for helping to brace myself for hoards of people pushing/shoving their way through tight aisles to grab all the pretty. Of course, Rhinebeck is about 12x the size of VKLive (or something like that), but nevertheless - I came prepared with my list of must-see vendors and an idea of yarns I'd buy immediately if I came across them.

That doesn't mean I didn't stray from my path. Oh, no-siree-bob. For example, I promised myself I wouldn't stop by the Dragonfly Fibers booth because I gorged myself on their yarn back in October, but haven't yet knit any projects with it. Suffice it to say, I failed as soon as I saw they only had one lace-weight hank left of Lady Liberty, their exclusive VKLive colorway. Not being one to tempt fate, I bought it with no regrets.

After a long day, it seemed like I had spent my entire bank account on yarn, only to come home and discover that... well... I really hadn't brought much back with me. That's okay, though, since I'm supposed to be on a yarn ban (sponsored by my friend Erin and Clare of bobwilson123 fame) until at least March. Maybe I'll push it back a month. Or a year, even, until the hoarding gets under control. Er... or perhaps a decade, since I'm pretty sure my stash outlives my life expectancy.

Here's a full list of all my stash, starting with the Plymouth Encore tweed in the top left of the photo:

Plymouth Yarn - Encore Tweed - 1316 (this yarn, as well as two free patterns, snacks, and water, were graciously provided to us by The Knitter's Edge for participating in the bus trip)
KnitCircus Yarns - Greatest of Ease - Kaylee
Loop - Bullseye Bumps - Double Rainbow
Clara Dress Pattern
Dragonfly Fibers - Squishy Lace - Lady Liberty (VKL 2016 Exclusive!)
Hedgehog Fibres - Twist Sock - Genie
Narwhal Needlework - Rogue - Mermaid Hair

Aside from the Marketplace, my favorite parts of the day were the fashion shows. Not only did they provide a nice rest from walking around in my ill-chosen heavy winter boots, but we were able to check out some new yarns and patterns from companies like String Yarns, Koigu, and Universal Yarn.

Also, I didn't get a chance to take too many photos, but here's what I was able to snap:

All-in-all, a fun but exhausting day! I was excited to come home, drool over my yarn, and then pass out comfortably in my bed. Now, if only I could decide what I want to knit up first...

I'm an AllFreeCrochet Top Blogger of 2015!

January 8, 2016

Woohoo! For the second year in a row, I've been named a top blogger on AllFreeCrochet!

You can check out the pattern (my Really Easy Slouchy Beanie) that helped award me this claim to fame by clicking here, as well as read a brief history of slouchy-hat fashion. The pattern currently stands at #9 AFC's "What's Hot" list.

PS: The pattern is also included in AFC's ebook: 14 Free Crochet Hat Patterns. Click here to download your copy.