6th Grade Biology: Embroidery Style

Earlier this Fall my girl was given a very standard 6th grade Biology assignment: 

 Make a model of a cell and label all it's parts.  

All on her own she realized she could embroider a cotton napkin and make the assignment FUN!

I need you to know I had nothing to do with this project besides having a studio FULL of supplies she could easily use.  Well, that's not totally true, I did teach her how to embroider....

I adore the detailing she did on this, using the running stitch to outline items, and some smaller stitches and scribbles to delineate cell parts... and just look below at the key.  This Mama is PROUD!

Miss B was about 9 when she learned how to embroider... do you think your kid(s) might enjoy this type of handwork?  If so, Maya has a great post about embroidering with children that you should check out! 

It's the last day of NaBloPoMo, and I made it, WOOT!  No worries, I still plan on blogging, though I think I'll take a break for a few days, ok?

Mademoiselle Socks!

Introducing Mademoiselle Knee Highs!

I originally designed these for Rae's Yarn Boutique in Lansing Michigan for their 2011 sock club.  Copyright has reverted back to me, so now you get to knit them too!

These eyelet knee highs are worked toe-up with a triangular shaped heel gusset and eyelet shaping for the calf along a sturdy back seam.  The beauty of toe-up socks?  You can try them on as you knit them to make sure they fit YOU and then adjust for perfection.

I used one of my favorite sock yarns, Schaefer Anne for these... it's generous 560 yard put up meant I could get a pair of knee highs out of one skein.  The mohair content makes for a lovely bloom that allows the eyelets to soften.  Think delicate fishnet with these babies!

You can read more about them, and purchase the pattern, here.  

If I Had More Hands... III

Well, I haven't done one of these posts in quite a while.... and there are a few things I wish I had more hands for right now!  I am DEEEEP into secret knitting and I have to get some present making started!

copyright rockandpurl

Glacial by Ruth Garcia-Alcantud
I need a new cardi, and I love the collar and shaping on this one!

Image copyright ronsfavoritewife

Cowboy Booties by Corinne Fourcade
These are the PERFECT 'lil girl baby present, and I might just have some Alisha Goes Around Tidings of Magpies in Peony leftover from another project that are destined to be these!

Copyright Kate Davies

Sheep-Heid by Kate Davies
I have leftovers from my Venezia that WILL be this hat... though I want to find some purple for the sheep... this hat must have purple sheep!

Also, the giveaway for my brand-spanking new, not yet released Ribband kit is still going strong : )!

Last Day of Vacay... wah!

Well... for the first time this month of couldn't think of a post for #NaBloPoMo, so I will torture you with some pics of our Florida vacay, ok?

The cutest Dog-Faced Puffer Fish at the South Florida Science Museum.

Great Balls.... of Yarn, need I say more?

Hand Painted Turkish tiles at a local tile store that gave me the "wants."

Last night's appetizer: Ipswich Steamers

Last night's dinner: Lobster : )!!!!!!

Soaking up all the short and sandal wearing we can... it's going to be silk long johns and boots for the next 4 months!

Beads!

One of the things I love about Florida?  The bead stores!  One of Ithaca's only drawbacks is it's lack of a beading store. Whenever I travel, along with visiting yarn stores, I always hit a bead store or three!

Yesterday I dragged 3 generations of Nelkins to Boca Beads... my mom patiently sat and chatted with some ladies at the main table (it felt surprisingly like a knitting store in this regard) as the girl and I roamed the aisles.  Boca Beads has a GREAT selection of size 6 and 8 beads and I "did some damage" as they say!

Want to see?  

One set of beads I got is for the next Mystery KAL I am planning for January.... my girl did some stringing for me last night and I stayed up a bit too late casting on.  I am SO EXCITED for this design, I think it is going to knock your socks off.  More information will be coming about the KAL in December!

Giveaway: Soon to be Released Ribband Kit!

Well, it's the last Friday of NaBloPoMo, which means this is the last giveaway for a little while... so I want to make this one special!

Who wants to win one of my not yet released kits?

Introducing The Ribband Kit:

This 32 inch long beaded strand can be worn as both a multi-looped bracelet or a necklace. Made with a lace weight Alpaca/Silk yarn and over 450 beads (both glass and Czech Crystal). The 4 stitch pattern is repeated over four rows... making Ribband great "take along" knitting during this busy season!

Ribband is being released next week first through an exclusive deal on Craftsy... it won't be available in stores until January 2012, so that makes this giveaway extra special!

To Enter:
Leave a comment and a way to get in touch with you... Comments will close Tuesday November 29th at 12 noon EST and I'll pick a winner via random number generator! 

Feeling Thankful!

To all of you who celebrate Thanksgiving enjoy your festivities!

Today, I am feeling thankful that my parents decided to move to Florida and that it is over 40 degrees warmer here than at home!  

The Solemate/Brickhouse Giveaway Winners!

Alrighty... this is a fun post as I'm announcing the winners of my giveaway with Lorna's Laces with embedded videos, so get prepared to dance!

Ready?  The GRANDPRIZE Winner is....

Megan! with Stevie Wonder's Sign, Sealed Delivered

The runner ups (who all get a pdf of Brickhouse) are...

Jen- Muppets From Space: Brickhouse 

Knitterly Designs- Train: Soul Sister

Kacy- KC and the Sunshine Band: Get Down Tonight  

RachelR- Otis Redding: These Arms of Mine

ChristiD-  The Commodores: Easy

Thanks for playing everyone... please get in touch to win your prize(s)!  I hope those of you that celebrate are gearing up for a lovely Thanksgiving!

Pattern Re-release: Munchkin

Remember Munchkin?  Well, Schaefer discontinued their super bulky yarn Kathleen last year and I've been wanting to revise the pattern and re-release it in a new yarn.  I was searching for the perfect replacement when I stumbled across Malabrigo Rasta in Archangel last spring at Knitty City. 

I made the replacement hat in a night, and then waited six months to see my favorite model for a photoshoot.  Want to see more?

I've re-formatted the pattern, and updated the photos... though you can see still pics of my girl (when she was younger and I was allowed to hug her all the time) here.

Munchkin is a great beginner hat that you can whip up in no time at all for a quick gift, or just to keep warm. The pattern is sized for the whole family, and is an unbelievably quick knit so be prepared to make more than one! It is started by making both ear flaps, these are then joined together with sts for the front and back of the head and worked around in box stitch pattern for the brim. Then it's stockinette in the round all the way up until the tassel... easy peasy!

Guest Blogger on Craftsy!

Howdy Everyone!

Well, I'm just so into this NaBloPoMo thing that this is my second post of the day!  Guess I am a bit of an overachiever....  I'm the guest blogger over on Craftsy.com where I talk about handmade holidays.  I even waxed a bit philosophical about holiday gifting... so grab a cup of tea and check it out!

One thing in there you won't want to miss?  There is a sneak peek of my new kit!
Check it out!

I've landed in Florida and have decided that perhaps this is paradise afterall.....

See you tomorrow!

Video Tutorial: Soutache

Here is a video to help you learn how to work beaded i-cord like I used in Soutache.  I've got another simple design in the works for the stitch and I promise to share it with you when it's ready!

Soutache

Have you seen the latest edition of Creative Knitting?  Well, it's got a new design of mine!  

Introducing Soutache:

Soutache is based on four strands of beaded i-cord that are braided together to create textural rope.  

I'll be back tomorrow with a video tutorial to help show you how to knit it!

My NEW Stitch Strap!

I had a VERY good mail day yesterday! Guess what came?

A new camera strap in my friend Betz's new fabric line Stitch, made by another friend Caro. Can I just take a moment to say... I LIKE MY FRIENDS! These two ladies creative genius' has resulted in the coolest camera strap ever! 

I've had my eye on Caro's camera straps for quite some time and was just waiting for the perfect fabric to get one made in.  It was HARD to choose which one of Betz's new fabrics to get it made in... see?

Stitch by Betz White in Garden

Stitch by Betz White in Lagoon

Betz wears many hats very well, she is a designer, sewer, felter, mom, graphic artist, teacher, and friend! Stitch is her first fabric line and is printed on 100% organic cotton... I love how she took her passion for hand work and transferred it to a print line. I have some project bags in the works out of more of it.... how could I not? I found it on-line here in case you need some too!

One thing I would like to add as a PSA... it is VERY hard to take a picture of your new camera strap, while the camera strap is on the camera you want to take the picture with.... you will NEVER see the out-takes from this shoot, I promise!

Brickhouse and SOLEmate Giveaway!

It's Friday, which means it's time for a NaBloPoMo giveaway... I am TOO excited about this one!!!   Are you in?  First get in the mood by clicking play below and then keep reading!

Last June Lorna's Laces was looking for patterns for their new yarn Solemate... I quickly suggested Brickhouse, one of my favorite patterns which I believe needed a little love!  Aren't they a perfect match?

This version is knit by Becca in Watercolor and Grant Park two colors that work SO well together!  Thanks Becca!  You did a beautiful job on it!

So, we've decided to do a conjoined giveaway that is a bit more fun that usual... Ready?

Giveaway:

Solemate Yarn Pack, 1 Brickhouse Pattern, AND The Best of the Commodores 

5 runner ups will receive Brickhouse Pattern

(6 winners TOTAL)

To Enter:
Leave a comment BOTH here and on the Lorna's Laces blog with your favorite song that has SOLE...bonus points if you include a link to the youtube video (and a way to get in touch with you!)

Comments will be open until 12 noon EST on Tuesday November 22nd and then we'll choose the lucky winners via random generator. 

Let's get this party started!  I can't wait to groove out on your favorite SOLE tunes!

A Mini-Staycation

I've just gotten to have the most fun mid-week staycation with my friends Anne and Cookie!  They are on their way to the Knitter's Retreat this weekend in Canandaigua and we decided to take advantage of their proximity of a little bit of Finger Lakes fun!

Of course, the first thing we did was hike Taughannock... it's how I initiate all my guests!

We had a super silly, down right hilarious, photoshoot for Anne's latest pattern Motheye.  This shawl/scarf is stunning, and I had a chance to wear both of them as Cookie and I practiced our mad modeling skills for Anne's lens.  There are TONS more pics on Anne's post... check them out!

After the shoot we did some wandering up and down the east side of Seneca Lake.

A stunning willow is taking it's time to accept that winter is really truly almost here... it's the last tree with leaves and not giving up!

Rows and rows of grapevines as far as the eye can see...

We started at a winery where we were treated to a relaxed tasting.

And then we found Fingerlakes Distilling which was just a bit TOO interesting, I'd never seen a micro-distillery in action and we learned alot from our expert tasting tour guide.

Bourbon Whiskey aging in oak barrels.... need i say more?

I adore this picture of Anne... it really captures the relaxed mood we were all in : )!

I see a tradition in the making... an annual Fall Fingerlakes Staycation is just what the doctor ordered!

The Winners!

Howdy! 

I am taking the day off and plan to hike, eat, and knit my visiting friends but I wanted to stop in quickly to let you know who the Friday giveaway winners are:

10 Secrets of a Laid Back Knitter:  Silly Little Lady

"I've been eying this book for a while :) I 'spose my secret is that although I'm usually up to do whatever my friends want to do, mostly I'd prefer to stay at home and do nothing."

Iota Capelet Kit:  Katy Girl  

     

"I think I agree with the previous commenter who said a cape(let) is something open that closes in front while a poncho is a one-piece, closed garment. But to be honest, you could call it a porkchop and I'd still want to knit it - it's beautiful!"

Adorn Bonus: Latus Cuff

As promised here is the second Adorn Bonus.... The Latus Cuff!

The Latus Cuff is a miniature version of the Latus scarf, as it is based on the same garter stitch short row structure but changed to work for your wrist! 

Latus Cuff uses only 12 yards of fingering weight yarn... so yes, this pattern is perfect for those mini skeins you have been collecting!  I used a simple clasp attaching each end to the backside of the cuff at each corner.  The two yarns I used were special ones I've had in my stash just waiting for this design.  The blue is Kitchen Sink Dyeworks Silver Spoon in Zissou and the orange is Miss Babs Yummy Toes in Firecracker.  I adore this combination of colors together!

 

If you have subscribed to Adorn an e-mail has gone out to you with an updated version... if you haven't and you want this pattern... what are you waiting for?????

48 hours of NYC!

The girl had off the second half of last week and we decided to go down to NYC with her (and my!) friend Devon... SO.MUCH.FUN!!!!  I think I really do want to be a teenager again... seeing the city through their eyes was a serious treat.  Want to share in our adventure?

We started off at the Met... after soaking in the classics we headed into the Modern sculpture and painting section.

This "coil" of rope by Liza Lou and artists in Kua-Zulu Natal is actually 1 mile of beaded cord... handwork of this magnitude amazes me.

Our reflection in a stainless steel wall hanging by Anish Kapoor.

When we had our fill at the Met the rest of the day was spent wandering in the sunshine in Central Park and Fifth Avenue where we couldn't afford anything we liked but candy at FAO Schweetz!

The next day we headed downtown... we started on Broadway at the Brooklyn Bridge and walked north... I stumbled upon my new favorite fabric store.. Jem.  Jem is a chaotically creative fabric warehouse dedicated to supporting young artists and designers.

I already regret what I didn't buy there, and know I will be back!

I might regret not buying these boots too.... (I kinda have a boot thang)

I did FALL in love with the Anzula at Purl Soho.

We saved the best for last... Anna Hrachovec's Gnomes Vs. Snowmen: The Battle for MochiMochi Land at Gallery Hanahou The girls loved this exhibit as much as I did... I kept hearing peels of laughter from them as we wandered looking at the installation. Gnomes vs Snowmen is based on the Bayeux Tapestry depicting the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century. If this exhibit ever makes it to a gallery near you, it is not to be missed!

Here are a few sections of the display that really tickled our funny bone!  Clockwise from top left: Gnomes Discover that Scarves are Great for Beheading the Enemy, A Trojan Carrot, PG-13 Gnomes, The Truce.  (go to my flickr stream if you want to see larger versions of these!)