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The Best New Knitted Thing in the World

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Joyce Makes Art

With a tip of the hat to Rachel Maddow at MSNBC, I'm introducing a new occasional feature on this Blog — the Best New (Knitted) Thing in the World.

You know how we all stumble across things that are so fabulous that we want to share them with all of our fellow knitters? It happens to me all the time. From now on, when I run across them, I'm going to share them as Best New Knitted Things.

The impetus for this bold move was this yarn, which I discovered in, of course, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

This is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Bulky, dyed specially for Serendipity Needleworks in Tuscaloosa in the "Crimson Pride" colorway.

Serendipity Needleworks survived the tornadoes that hit Alabama and decimated parts of Tuscaloosa in April, and it's a good thing. They are a gem of a knitting store with an incredibly nice staff. And yarn that practically screams "Roll Tide Roll" at you. Crimson Pride. Really. Best New Knitted Thing in the World!

The First Week Of The Elliebelly Knit Along

Posted on August 27, 2011 by Joyce Makes Art

Two weeks ago we casted on for the first ever Elliebelly Knit Along. In the two weeks since, there has been masterly knitting, some early finishers, a lot of talk about pattern selection, tasty yarn pictures, and, exactly what I needed, encouragement for getting my fall knitting out and going strong.

Today I thought I would share some of the projects with you. They are all so beautiful, but I've got a few at random (the knitters who I was able to catch up with and insure it was okay to share their pictures and projects), so I will start with these few and show off the rest over the next couple of weeks.

You are in for some serious eye candy in this one!

Siobahn is knitting mitts for her Mom, a nurse. Actually, I should say past tense, knit, as she is so amazingly quick that despite using a sock yarn, Elliebelly Ellie-Blue BFL Sock, she is finished. Isn't her Mom lucky? The pattern is Alexandra Brinck's Fishtail Wristwarmers and the colorway is "Purple Rain."

Cricket is knitting this amazing sweater and bloomers set. She is using Carina Spencer's convertible bloomers pattern and Elliebelly's Ellie-Blue Aran BFL yarn in Cupcake.

My cousin Ann is knitting a Shoulder Scarf using some yarn she spun from Elliebelly Alpaca Roving.

She is an amazing spinner and knitter and my best role model. Isn't that scarf an artwork in its own right? It is so simple and so beautiful. I cannot wait to see it completed.

Clarissa is knitting the Storm Cloud Shawlette by Hanna Breetz. I'm particularly interested in seeing how this turns out as I have some yarn earmarked for the same pattern. She is using Elliebelly's Sea Wool in "Chihuly."

Tina knit Cappuchine for an incredible little model, using Elliebelly Ellie-Blue Bulky BFL. I've never noticed this pattern before, but now, I can't wait to knit it. Tina managed to show the yarn off to perfection.

The last bit of knit-porn for the day is Jenn's Citron, using Elliebelly's Juliet Sock Yarn in Marmalade.

Jenn's knitting is so pretty that I feel like she has captured a piece of the sun and is knitting it.

There is a lot of very cool knitting going on these days. I'm really grateful to everyone who is participating in the knit along for all of the fun and inspiration it's bringing me!

A Little Bit of Interior Decorating

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Joyce Makes Art

I haven't blogged much about the conversion of our house from World War III battleground (where small children, dogs, and cats fought for territory) to a decently presentable, comfortable living space since last summer. But, work has been progressing. What started as a new floor in the kitchen turned into a kitchen redo, with living room and study updates done to on the ground floor.

We then turned our attention to a much needed basement redo. This involved removing a whole wall of windows, because the temperature in our "playroom" was about 25 degrees for much of the winter, and absolutely unuseable. Now replaced with thicker, double glass and with windows repaired, our intrepid decorator, the wonderful Miss Sarah, has begun installing all of her wonderful finds, after turning the walls from a sickly shade of terra cotta to a perfect oyster white.

I am so sorry I didn't take before pictures. Suffice it to say, it was hideous. The difference is so incredible that it's as though we added a whole new room to the house. I'll have to add in more detailed photos when the work is complete, but will leave you with this snap of the cute shelves outside the door to my studio, which is just off of the playroom. I decided to fill them with yarn and knitting projects in progress, as a little taste of what is inside the door.

Trades

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Joyce Makes Art

Blue Kitty Double Pointed Needle Roll $15

Has been very gently used, still like new.

original item

Delia Q Needle set cases — store your knitpicks, etc. interchangeable needles and cables. One in purple silk, the other in green.

$35 each

purple has been gently used, but is like new. green has not been used.

original item

Offhand design circular clutch $40

very gently used, still in like new, giftable condition

original item

Offhand Designs Switch Clutch for knitting needles and notions

Never used-brand new $50

original item

Brand New Off Hand Design Switch Cluth in Limited Edition Fabric (tag still in bag)

$50

Yarn 1 — from Top left

1.5 skeins Misty Alpaca Bulky in a multi-colorway. $30

This is leftover from the Shrug I knit for my daughter, which you can see here

[This is the only yarn in the trades that isn’t Elliebelly]

1 Skein Elliebelly Bulky BFL Treasure, wound into a ball. $20

this may be slightly less than a full ball, as I believe I swatched off of it.

4 skeins Crayon Bulky British Premium Merino

Bottom Row:

2 Skeins Elliebelly Tree Star on Premium British Merino $55

2 Skeins Crayon on Elliebelly 100% Silk Arabesque $70 (aran/heavy worsted)

1 Skein Crayon dyed on Baby Alpaca and handspun into approximately 200 yards of sport weight yarn $28

1 small skein Bulky BFL in a paintbrush colorway $22

3.5 Skeins of Merino/Alpaca in Eco $24 a skein

here is an example of it knit up

1 Skein (already wound) of Single Ply Silk Merino in the Copper Patina Colorway $30

you can see in the picture I swatched a bit a the beginning of the skein, but have never knit it up

This is almost all Bulky Superwash Merino Wool (except as noted) — the Superwash cousin of Elliebelly’s Talia $25 each. From top, left to right:

Nightingale

1 Skein Sheila’s sparkle sock yarn, $22

Handspun elliebelly alpaca 2-ply 237 yards laceweight $20

2 Skeins Sacajawea

.5 skein Crayon

1 Skein Farmhouse

1 Skein Dark Treasure

1 Skein Moulin Rouge

1 Skein Sunshine

1 Skein Urban Myth

1 Skein Agatha Wants to Win

2 Skeins Talia Bulky (not superwash) Merino in Farmhouse

$55

Snow Day

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Joyce Makes Art

Snow — or perhaps more appropriately, ice — day. We've had a morning of exploring and sledding. Now, some time for hot chocolate with peppermint marshmallows and knitting.

New Years Day Round Up

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Joyce Makes Art

Happy New Year!

New Years Day wouldn't be complete without a little bit of bubbly — the Judge likes to make Mimosas. I thought I would share a few of our holiday traditions today. Most of ours involve food. Please share some of your family's traditions in the comments!

It wouldn't be New Years without a little bit of knitting time. I set aside my Far Away So Close shawl to work on Christmas presents several months ago. I picked it back up today. It's warm and soft and oh so very comforting to knit on a rainy day.

One of our favorite holiday traditions, new in the last several years, is this delicious Kringle cake from a bakery in Racine, Wisconsin. Our neighborhood grocery store is owned by a guy who relocated from Wisconsin to Birmingham about a decade ago. He brought this delicious coffee cake along with him, and every year they have a stack in the bakery every morning during the holidays. You have to be early to snag one!

We are delighted to have farm fresh eggs from our friend Joyce Darby's farm. They are delicious with one of the kids' favorites — the rest of the Honey Baked Ham they had for dinner last night.

We'll have the traditional southern supper. Collard greens, cooked with a ham hock.

Black-eyed peas go along with the collards. Instead of eating them solo, this year I'm mixing them into an Osso Bucco. Hopefully this will increase the chance the kids will eat them. This meal is definitely not a favorite of theirs, but eating this traditional meal insures good health and financial success in the new year, so it can't be skipped.

However you celebrate, here's wishing you the happiest of new years. Welcome 2011!

New Year, New Yarn

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Joyce Makes Art

The winner of the skein of Wool 2 Dye 4's Sparkle, dyed in the Pink Love colorway, is Holly, who commented:

What a great way to start out the new year-knitting a pair of pink socks for my daughter!!

I can't think of a better way to start out the New Year either. I hope Holly's daughter enjoys her socks!