Afoot.

So, well, it seems I'm okay with doing sweater quantities.

I'm excited because a technique I've developed to keep the beautiful character of a hand-dyed skein but (!) having a true dye lot seems to be working.  I daresay alternating is not required, though I'd still do it a few rows before switching skeins just for insurance.  

I'm also dabbling (literally) into speckles.  This is Night Bokeh:

In other news, we've been lucky enough to get away for a couple of short family trips.  Specifically, we headed to Philadelphia and Williamsburg on two separate weekends.  We're discovering that short overnight trips are completely doable--and extremely fun--now that the boys are older.  

I need to go through my pictures but in case you are on Instagram, you can find me there, too (handle is 3pumpkinslittle).  Here's a fun one of the boys on the steps of Philly's Please Touch Museum--it was after I told them I was done shooting, which should give you an idea of how many photos I took.

Sandra

Think pink.

I have been working, ever so slowly, on a list of colors that I would like to dye up myself.  One color I’ve had in mind for a long time is a certain pink.  I have lots of “sophisticated” pink in my accessories and wardrobe.  But a certain shade of pink is strikingly absent around here.  A girly pink--some would say--so I suppose it’s no wonder in this house of boys.

In my mind’s eye it is a sweet pink.  I might shy away from it in a sweater quantity because, as I said, I feel pretty uninitiated to pink.  But for a cowl to throw on in February?  I think it’s perfect.

I’m calling the color Princess Cake.

This is on BFL Aran and its squish factor is incredible. 

Some sweets.

Before melancholy Sandra took residence, I was a busy little baker.  Lots and lots of cake pops for a neighbor’s niece’s shower.

And cupcake “apples” for the staff at our new elementary school.

Have I mentioned that our children are headed to a new school this year?  They adored (and I mean adored) their former school—especially their teachers, as did we.  At first, we were heartbroken to hear we were leaving.  But this brand new school is opening within walking distance of our home.  And luckily, it promises to be something very special as well.  

I'm on the inaugural PTO board and we’ve organized all sorts of fun things for the teachers and staff.  Most recently was a luncheon and I offered to bring dessert.  96 cupcakes later, I had these.

And because I wanted them to be cutely displayed at their luncheon, I assembled tiered stands out of dollar store finds.

Hopefully, the teachers who get Leo and Max this year won’t refer to me as the crazy cupcake lady who has too much time on her hands. 

Sandra

Summer weddings.

I had the good fortune to do two floral design gigs recently (I wear many hats you see).  I love summer weddings--especially when a bride embraces color.  Here are some favorites from the two events.  They were on the same day but so different—one was soft and romantic.  The other, bright and fun.  I loved both palettes and the resulting designs.  But most importantly, so did the brides.

 

The key to pretty flower arrangements?  Er…start with pretty flowers.  And don’t stress about the colors.  They all “go”…

Caryn and I have slowed down a bit taking on events—life and kids and real jobs and all that.  But every time I get to work with flowers, I must say, I fall in love all over again.

Sandra

Summer bag.

 

My knitting guru, Jenn, knit the cutest bag last summer.  Yup, last summer. She planned to line it but wasn't sure she could/would, so I happily offered. She handed it over at the end of the summer with some cute fabric.  She also tucked in a skein of Shelter as payment--which she shouldn't have.  No really.  She shouldn't have...read on!

Because then fall and winter came along and there was "no rush" as it's such a seasonal bag.  But I finally got it lined in spring.  But then!  Then a whole bunch of strange scheduling snafus prevented a handoff of her bag.  And suddenly (well, it felt like suddenly) it was summer and she was still without her bag.  I think she might have suspected some ownership via possession was afoot.

But we finally met up at an impromptu knit night and I am happy to report, the bag is with its creator.  Lined--with pockets and a key fob--and everything.  

Enjoy Jenn!

Sandra 

My color affection.

Isn't it funny how tastes change?  Especially with fashion?  I remember doing a double-take when jeans tucked into boots came back on the scene several years ago.  And now?  I went to a charity event a few weeks ago and 85% of the ladies were sporting riding boots over skinny jeans.  

I am not one of those types who likes to push a trend, especially ones that are, you know, trendy.  But I do enjoy appraising a look that's of the moment and settling into it, if it catches my fancy.  I am a girl, after all.  And I think most of us are hard-wired to care about that sort of stuff.

And this is relevant to what, exactly?  Well, shawls.  Because even though it was less than a year ago that I proclaimed I favor shawlettes--not shawls--to wear as scarves, it seems I've done an about-face.  You see, I am now firmly, and unapologetically, in the shawl camp.

Here is what I wrote on my Ravelry page:

When I re-learned to knit a year and a half ago, to be honest, I didn't "get" shawls.  But then I knit a few small shawlettes and started feeling some twinges.  Still, those were worn like scarves and I've always been a scarf girl.

But now?  Sigh.  I can't help but wonder if Color Affection will be the gateway to a shawl-y path I never expected to travel.  

That said, I'm still not a hundred percent convinced I will actually *wear* a shawl as a shawl.  I know that I want to knit them.  And that I'll daydream about wearing them--this knit in particular--looking all stylish and fabulous like so many beautiful Ravelers.  I will also undoubtedly cocoon up in it on the couch while knitting.  *But.*  Will I actually reach for it to drape around my shoulders when I leave the house?  Hmmm. 

Well, now that I've knit one (specifically, a Color Affection by Veera Välimäki in Plucky Primo), I can tell you this:  I will wear it.  And I love it to bits.  Because I can wrap it around any and all outfits--even when I'm a wreck--and leave the house looking pulled together.  It's like lipgloss for my wardrobe.  I should note that it helps greatly if I'm wearing my skinny jeans and boots.

Sandra

p.s.  Max took these shots.  Isn't that something?

Blue.

Dear Caryn. 

I know I had you on blue yarn watch.  I know I asked you to intervene and steer me away when I try to beeline for skeins with bluesy names like chambray, denim, midnight, wedgewood, cobalt, nantucket, azure, ultramarine, cornflower, and cerulean.  I could go on, and often do, but that's enough for now, right?  Because you know and I know that there is not a solitary shade of blue yarn that, once created, I won't feel compelled to stash.  I love blue yarn beyond reason. 

But guess what?  I picked up some skeins recently that weren't blue.  They were devoid of blue, in fact.  They were white.  Too white it turns out.  So they...and I...and my dyepots...well, we intersected.  And now, you guessed it, they are blue.  We blue addicts are sneaky. 

Sandra 

Chambord.

Well, it looks like I could have waited a day for yesterday's post and skipped the sneak peek.  Babycocktails released the Chambord pattern today and I can't say enough good things about it.  It's such a clever little number, shaped to disguise some extra holiday squish if you know what I mean. 

And if you do not know what I mean, I'm not sure we can be friends.

Project notes here.

Sandra

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy.

I say that a lot around here.  I have three boys you see...and am spectacularly unoriginal at times.  But this time when I said it, I was talking about a freshly blocked new knit.  And yes I was rubbing my hands together like a child about to get a treat because this is my kind of confection.  I can only reveal a bit for now because it's a test knit for this pattern. 

A test knit, you ask?  Why yes.  For Thea Colman.  You know,  Babycocktails. 

What's that?  Oh sorry.  I did indeed drop that.  Here, let me pick up that name. 

Can you tell I'm giddy that I got to test knit one of her knits?  I sort of have a crush on Thea's designs.  They make me appear to be a far more skilled knitter than I actually am.   I'm knitting her Drambuie next. 

I had a bit of a panic attack that the color (MadelineTosh DK in Nectar) was all wrong.  But then I received some positive feedback on Ravelry so I'm good.  Plus, my knitting guru Jenn commented on the project page that pink is a necessity in February.  And one should always listen to their knitting guru. 

Sandra   

Knitterly Resolutions.

I am still working on my full 2012 NY Resolutions.  But I'm ready to share my Knitting category.  It is the second half of January after all.

Projects Wish List (need to still select patterns for each)

• Winter hats for the boys
• Matching mittens
• Charlie's hat
• Charlie's sweaters (at least two)
• Toy knitting!
• At least one knit bag
• At least one pair of slippers
• Three pairs of socks
• Mitts for myself
• Create a handknit gift stash (thinking hats, cowls, coffee cozies, etc.)
• I'm thinking 6 sweaters for myself.  Last year I did 9 but that didn't leave much time to knit sweaters for others.  And by others, I mostly mean Charlie because I keep bumping his sweater off the top of the list.

Get organized:

• Organize my Ravelry queue
• Organize my stash
• Photograph and post stash on Ravelry
• Destash any yarn I do not love

Techniques to conquer in 2012:

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