Sweetness and Light

Gifted

 

 
An early birthday present welcomed with a smile! I'm so pleased he loves it :) Happy weekend friends!

Yarn Along {new wips}

Joining Ginny and all the knitting and reading goodness over at Small Things today...

I had very little time to concentrate on my Xander this past week, in fact I was so busy that I barely got time to look at all the loveliness at last week's yarn along, so I apologize in advance for not being able to comment on all the pretty projects started and finished out there. Because my time was mostly in snippets and in the car alot, I chose to cast on some more manageable knitting, you know the kind that will fit in a small bag with instructions that are mostly repeats :)

First up, a beautiful cowl I'm knitting for my boys' cello teacher ~ It's the January Cowl from Jumper Cable Knitting (Ravelry pattern here, my notes here.) I am loving this easy pattern and lovely Knitpicks Wool of the Andes Peruvian wool. It might look fairly orangein the photo, but it's softly heathered and actually a really muted shade that matches it's name "Persimmon".

 
(See my little dish holding the yarn ball, I use it to keep my ball from rolling off my lap while I work, it's very handy if you have a ball that is not pulled from the center.)

A little project I've been wanting to start for myself is the beautiful Shalom cardigan. It is a delightful pattern and I am so pleased with the yarn I chose for this project ~ some Knitpicks Bulky Swish in "Stormy". It's 100% Merino Superwash and so soft. (Raverly notes here, Shalom pattern here.) 

 
The color is a little brighter in this photo, should have turned off the flash I guess, anyhoo, it's a deep, rich grey that I am loving!

I am back to reading I Capture the Castle, taking a break from The Children's Book (sort of) it's getting a little weird.

Hope you're having a great week and enjoying some great reading and handiwork time with all your sweeties!

Yarn Along {finishings}

Finished a few projects and made some great headway on the Xander ~

 
This is my Kindle Cozy, (Ravelry pattern here.) It was fun to knit up and I was excited to find four matching buttons to compliment it from Violet's great-grandmother's button box :)

 
Violet's Bulky Mini Cardi is mostly finished, just need to sew the arm seams and find some fun buttons. It's pretty snug, shouldn't have sized down, but it will be fun with jeans or a cute skirt.

 
This is the back of the Xander, and am just today starting on the front shaping. (Ravelry notes here.) I wish my stockinette stitch was a little cleaner, but I keep reminding myself this a sweater for a boy to wear, not hang on his wall, LOL!

I'm still plugging away at The Children's Book.

What are ya'll knitting and reading this week?? Be sure to visit Ginny with a nice hot cup of tea :) Many blessings in your day and week ahead!

Yarn Along ~ Xander {redux}

Okay, so the first attempt at this sweater was not well received by my eye nor my hands, the gauge was off and it was clear to me that the beautiful Quince Lark was not to blend well with my stash of RYC Cashsoft Baby DK (duh!!).

Here we have the Redux ~

 

It's knitting up so beautifully and I love the color combination. Almost finished with The Children's Book and listening to The Book Thief, sorry my book offerings have been the same for the past few weeks, reading time has been slower. Sean-Paul and I are still delightfully working through Princess and the Goblin  and I'm also reading St. Dominic and the Rosary  with Seamus!

What are you all knitting and reading this week?? Head over to Ginny's and enjoy :) Many blessings to you all. 

Yarn Along {WIP}

A Yarn Along and a Giveaway at Ginny's today! Stop by and see all the yarn goodness :)

My offering is a WIP today ~ A Chunky Mini Cardi for Violet (Ravelry notes here). It's from a great book of wonderful patterns called Fitted Knits by Stephanie Japel. Love this one! Hope to make many projects from it...someday :)

 

My ever faithful clipboard, for scratching my notes as I sized down a bit for Violet creating an XSmall from the Small in the pattern.

Still reading The Children's Book on my Kindle and listening to The Book Thief while I knit (they are both fairly long).

What are you all knitting and reading this week?? Thanks so much for stopping by, many blessings in your day :)

Ripples in the Sand Dishcoth ** UPDATED **

I am awaiting some yarn for my Xander sweater (yes, frogged it and ordered more Lark to go with my Snap Pea), so decided to whip up some dishcloths and created a new pattern and wanted to share it with you!

 

Violet aptly named it Ripples in the Sand 'cause she said it looks like the sand on the beach when the waves are just retreating :)

It's a very simple pattern and feel free to alter your size by adding or subtracting your count. I used a 4 + 4 pattern repeat.

Use any cotton or organic yarn, like hemp (I heard it doesn't smell as cotton may after many uses).  Most Lily Sugar-n-Cream will afford 2-3 cloths depending on your size. I used Rowan All Seasons Cotton  for the ones pictured above.

Cast on 40 stitches. (I like the "Knitted" Cast on). 

Knit 4 rows in Garter stitch (knit both RS & WS rows)

Row 5* (and all WS rows) Knit 4, Purl to last 4 stitches, Knit 4

{Row 6, begin pattern: Knit 4, *Purl 4, Knit 4* repeat between **across to last four stitches, Knit 4

*Repeat Row 5

Row 7 Knit

*Repeat Row 5

Row 8 Knit 4 *Knit 4, Purl 4* repeat between ** across to last four sts., Knit 4}

Continue pattern repeat between { } Rows 6-8, six times, then knit in garter stitch for 4-5 rows and bind off.

Weave in ends and begin using!

UPDATED** Download Ripples in the Sand Dishcloth Pattern -2!

Enjoy and please let me know if you make one and share it here :) If there is any errata that you discover, do email me so I can update the pattern.

Many blessings and Happy Monday!

Yarn Along ~ Sweater

Yarning Along with everyone again this week. I'm so happy to report a few finished items. Numero uno: the long Pink Ruffly Scarf  is fini! Numero dos: Violet's Legwarmers, she wore them to ballet last night, yippee!

 

In other news, I'm reading The Children's Book, ooh, this is really good so far, and it's only the sample version on Kindle, think I'm going to have to buy this one, or at least check it out from the library...

Last week I cast on Seamus' "Xander" sweater and as you may have already seen on Monday, I received the second color and am just joining on now.

Here's my progress ~

 

I am truly smitten with the Lark yarn from Quince & Co. and I hope to place an order for some Osprey soon to start on an Annabel Cardigan for myself, it's a very lovely pattern.

What are you all knitting this week?? Be sure to visit Ginny and see all of the lovely creations and books to peruse! Happy Wednesday friends and God Bless :)

Bliss on a Monday

I not sure what is more exciting, receiving books or yarn in the mail...today it was the yarn :)

 
(my new favorite yarn company, thx Jenn)

 
(the second color for Seamus' birthday sweater)

Hope something has made you smile today :) Happy Monday friends, wishing you a sweet week ahead!! 

Merci Merci!!

Just a great big thank you to everyone who commented on my Milo from the Yarn Along today. I am flattered and so grateful for all your very kind comments, I'm blushing!

It's so nice to have visitors who appreciate all the hard work we moms put in to our jobs, especially the creative arts, of which knitting is my favorite (trust me, you don't want to see me draw ;-)

So thank you again and I'm so looking forward to the next project...hopefully a pullover sweater for my soon-to-be eight year old!!

Bon Nuit friends!!

Yarn Along ~ C'est Fini...

...the Milo, that is!! I bound off Monday afternoon whilst listening to The Book Thief. (If you ever want to swear in German, this is the book for you, sheesh, I had no idea, but the plot is growing on me, so I'm numbing myself to the poor language).

Allrighty back to Le Milo!! I was so happy to receive the Knitter's Almanac on my library hold shelf before the weekend and found her lovely "Sewn Bind Off" method. I also watched this Youtube and found it ever so helpful: Please enjoy ~ (I'll wait for you)...

 

I know it's a little boring, but precise, nonetheless!

And for the piece de resistance ~

 

And another...

 
I think the smile says it all, and the fact that he's wearing his homemade Christmas pj's is a double bonus!

I hope you'll stop by Ginny's today and see ALL the great projects and books. Thanks so much for visiting me and many blessings :)

Yarn Along #9

It's already Wednesday and time for another one of Ginny's great Yarn Alongs :) I hope you're all having a lovely week thus far. We have sunshine today, so as you can imagine, our spirits have harkened :)

Here is the progress on my Milo ~ I am just tickled at how this is coming along (pun intended). As you can see by my stack of books, I've been busy perusing some lovely finds...some old and some new.

 

As mentioned yesterday, I am reading The Princess and the Goblin to Sean-Paul, he's really liking it so far, we love George MacDonald here. I also see that Kimberlee has picked up quite a few as of late as well, fun stuff!

I'm still whittling away at my fluffy pink scarf and have completed one of Violet's leg warmers, about a 1/3 of the way through the second leg ;-)

Have a splendid rest of the week friends, hope there is sunshine somewhere in your day.

Yarn Along #8

It's been a fruitful week of knitting as even though I had a cold prior to week's beginning, I could easily manage to knit in bed or on the couch :) I started and finished another Marian Cowl as I gifted the first one to Violet for Christmas. I really like how it knit up on the larger US size 19 (and originally called for) needles (only took me 2 hours from cast on to bind off and weaving in).  The Twinkle Soft Chunky is super soft and snuggly, perfect for around one's neck.

I also cast on a fun chunky scarf in Blossom Thick & Quick. I had planned this yarn for another project but, it's too bulky and I've always wanted a fluffy pink scarf :)

  
The most exciting knit that I just cast on however, is my first Milo vest. I am making it for Sean-Paul for Easter and I am so in love with the color "Spring Tickle" by Dream in Color Classy, it's lovely to work with and it is coming along nicely...

We scored on some thrift store books recently to add to our library, total cost $1.50. I am back to reading I Capture the Castle, had to return it before I got very far so now I have it back, it's really good. I see that there is also a movie, has anyone seen it?? 

What are you all knitting or crocheting this week??? Visit Ginny to see :)

Yarn Along #7

We're all in various stages of a cold here, so not much to report other than I've been devouring books on my new Kindle (thank you sweetie). Currently Sense and Sensibility and knitting up some Variable Stripe Legwarmers for Violet! They are K2 P2 Rib on size 4 double point needles. I think I cast on 60 stitches :)

 

Hope you're all healthy and happily enjoying the new year and all it's goodness!

Yarn Along #6

Wow, I can't believe it's another Yarn Along already, this past week has flown by for us!

Hardly anytime for reading, as I've been putting all my spare waking hours working on knitting projects, but I did manage a little more of I Capture the Castle...

Knitting for the week ~ Working on sets of Fun Facecloths for my kiddos from a pattern I spied at Handmade Home last year. It's fast and fun and I found some fun Sugar-n-Cream striping yarn in colors everyone is sure to love!

 

 
 
Finished up two more Skinny Scarves and Violet's Butter Lace, so I'm done with scarves for the year, I think ;-) I am also working on some matching Fingerless Handwarmers to go with Violet's scarf, they are going to be so sweet!! Also started a Thorpe, first time knitting this hat pattern...

 
 
 
Hope everyone has had a super week knitting and reading, can't wait to pop over to Ginny's and see all the fun!

God's Blessings on you all for this 3rd week of Advent!

Yarn Along #5

Becoming a Wednesday tradition here, please visit Ginny and all the great Yarn Along participants for some lovely reading and knitting (or crocheting) ideas.

Besides the myriad Advent books we are reading right now, my bedside read is I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith (yes, author of 101 Dalmations). It's starting out nicely and I love her writing style. Coincidentally my dd is reading Dalmations for a book club read right now.
Finished another Skinny Scarf with 12 CO stitches instead of 8 for my oldest son. I knit it with some Patons Wool Roving and it is SO soft, I hope he likes it :)

 
Some matching Gull Stitch Handwarmers I fashioned to go with my Lace Scarf. I used the pattern for these fingerless gloves as my guide and I like the way they turned out. Fun to have a matching set of something ;-) Here's a side view...

 
I'm still busily working on gifts and we're finishing up with school this next week to have a nice long break before the new year.

Wishing all my visitors, friends and family a blessed Feast of the Immaculate Conception today. I pray that Our Lady will wrap you in her mantle of care during this beautiful season of waiting for Our Lord's birth.

Yarn Along #4

Busy, busy these few weeks since the last Yarn Along. I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving with your family and friends. Ours was nice and quiet, just perfect!!

Let's get to the good stuff ~ I have definately been doing more knitting than reading (I know, gasp), but all for good reason. I want to complete as many homemade gifts this year in the early part of Advent so that I am more relaxed and less frazzled as we approach Our Lord's birth.

I have been perusing many knitting books, blogs and websites for ideas and of course Ravelry, absolutely do NOT go there if you haven't got more than half a day to gaze at all the goodness (nuff said).

{W-I-P}

**Skinny Classic Scarf from Speed Knitting by Kris Percival (this is a great book) I am knitting this for all my boys in different colors, it's so fast to knit, I completed the first 2/3's of Sean-Paul's last night watching news in bed! **Updated to add that I finished this in the car waiting for Seamus to finish his cello lesson today, woohoo!

 
(don't you love my candlestick model)

 

Sky Blue Double Moss Stitch Scarf (my own design) for my dear sweet husband. I hope he likes it, the blue is heavenly.

 
(get this book, it's a gem ;-)

Still working on the Butter Yellow Diagonal Lace Scarf  for Violet. I ran out of my Rowan Baby Cashsoft DK {802} Limone, so it is in the mail on it's way so I can hopefully finish it this weekend, it is turning out so beautifully, I really am in love with this pattern.

My Lace Scarf  is coming along nicely, I'm almost finished and think I'll knit up some lacey handwarmers to go along with it :)



 

(notice how much longer it is, yippee!) 

{Finished}

 
Rosy Handwarmers  for Violet. I really liked how these turned out, and so quick to knit.

 

Petit Knitted Bear "Henri" from this adorable pattern. I hope to get started on a Mouse soon too and maybe a bunny and a lion for my other kiddos. Henri is for Sean-Paul.

 
(I know it looks like he's missing an ear, it's there, just tiny and hidden...)

Hope everyone had a restful weekend and that your first week of Advent is going well so far! Thanks for dropping by :) Can't wait to see what everyone else is knitting!

Yarn Along #3

Week 3 of Ginny's Yarn Along fun! We're gearing up for Thanksgiving and beginning many secret projects around the house, myself included :) Seamus and I finished up reading Francis and Clare a week or so ago and decided to begin Saint Anthony and the Christ Child. He loves these vision books, and especially the ones about boys who became Saints!

 

Secret knitting projects this week {Buttery Yellow Diagonal Lace Scarf} for Violet and I just couldn't resist casting on a pair of these darling {Fingerless Handwarmers} for her as well that I spied at Sarah's a week or so ago (thanks Sarah :) I had both these yummy yarns in my stash and knew these projects would be perfect for them.

I finally got around to updating my Ravelry profile and loaded several projects. It's such a nice place to be, makes me happy to gaze at knitting patterns, take in all the creativity and decide which new projects I'd like to try :)

Hope your week has gone well so far and thanks again to Ginny for all the knitting and reading fun! Here's a parting shot from last nights sunset our my kitchen window...

 Peace and blessings in your days together.

Yarn Along #2

Joining in again for week 2 of Ginny's Yarn Along. I have been slowly working on another Tasha Tudor Shawl for the past year. It's a relaxing garter stitch that I can easily do while watching a movie with the kids or my dh and packs well for car knitting. I am almost ready to start adding the lace border, the fun part :) Hope to have it completed before next year...

 

Reading a beloved and well-worn copy of Little House in the Big Woods aloud with the younger boys and Violet and I are stealing away every afternoon to read Pride & Predjudice together. Truth be told, she's reading aloud to me while I knit!! Doesn't get much better than that :)

Happy Wednesday and happy knitting and reading!

Yarn Along* Updated

Thought I'd jump in on the Yarn Along over at Small Things since I'm a lover of books and knitting as well, as they encompass much of my very little spare time ;-)

 

I'm re-knitting this very simple First Lace Scarf a project I abandoned a few years back for some other projects. It's only 40 stitches and and easy to remember the repeating YO, K2, ssk, K2tog, K2, YO, K1, YO pattern over 9 stitches alternating on rows 1 & 3 with purling on the even rows.

Just starting on Carney's House Party, looking forward to buying the combo re-print with Winona's Pony Cart, I know they will be treasured for many years to come!

So that's it for now, happy Wednesday! Holy Souls, pray for us!

**Updated to add more scarf pattern details:

Cast on 40 stitches (I like the knitted cast-on) Purl 1 row (WS)

Row 1 (RS): K2, *K1, YO, K2, ssk, K2tog, K2, YO* Repeat from *

Row 2 (WS): Purl

Row 3 (RS): K2, *YO, K2, ssk, K2tog, K2, YO, K1* Again, repeat from * (this row just slightly differs from row one to give the offset wavey pattern)

Row 4 (WS): Purl.

Repeat rows 1 -4 until piece measures desired scarf length, my pattern sheet says to use 2 skeins Baby Alpaca (109 yds each) on a US size #5 needle. I chose US size #6 needles and am using Classic Cashsoft Baby DK #805 in Cloud and I'll probably go with about 2 skeins (mine are 50gram balls). It's very soft and knits up beautifully.

Would love to hear if you try this one :)

Progress Report :: Socks

One down, one to go!! I actually finished it early last week but am just getting around to uploading.

It's not perfect and it's actually a little small pour moi, but Violet's dainty ballet feet will fit them just fine :)

Hope your weekend is going well. We're off for an afternoon at the lake for some playtime with the grandparents!!

Sock pattern here!

"He that dwelleth in the aid of the Most High, shall abide under the protection of the God of Heaven." (Gradual, First Sunday of Lent)