hard days knit

valentine socks

2012-01-28T23:04:00.000-05:00

I am determined to blog more. What better way to get back into the swing of things with a pair of socks!

Yarn: Culture Pop Swizzle Twist Sock Yarn

Colorway: Peppermint Twist

Needles: US size 1 dpns

Pattern: plain stockinette cuff down socks

This is my first time using this yarn and I love it! I love any socks with a high twist in it and the color is to die for. I can't wait to get my hands on some more of this yarn, but unfortunately there is an update only every month or two.

It's Back!

2011-06-30T21:41:00.004-04:00

My spinning mojo is back. After a 6 month hiatus I am back into the spinning scene!

Fiber: Fat Cat Knits superwash in "pedal pusher"
393 yards fingering weight
navajo ply (chain ply)

Potholder Success

2011-06-27T08:09:00.000-04:00

Last week my Nana asked if I could make some potholders to bring up on her Rhode Island trip as gifts. How could I say no to my Nana?!

I was planning on just doing the boring but practical origami style potholders. I started browsing Ravelry for some inspiration and found some really gorgeous ones!

Here's the ones I decided on!

Pattern: African Flower Mandala Potholder
Hook: size H
Yarn: scraps of lily sugar n cream

I think these ones are my favorite out of the bunch. I didn't make any mods.

Pattern: Scalloped Potholder
Hook: size H
Yarn: Lily Sugar n Cream in "tea rose" and "white"

These ones were the most fun to make. I used these mods I found on Ravelry to add in the row of bobbles.

Memristor String Theory Colorworks KAL

2011-06-25T18:08:00.004-04:00

I finished my 1st pair of socks for a KAL. I've never really participated in sock KALs before because I really don't like that many patterned socks (I'm more of a plain stockinette or ribbed kinda girl). In the KAL over at the String Theory Colorworks ravelry group, the only requirement is that the project must be made out of String Theory Colorworks yarn.

So here they are!!!

yarn: string theory colorworks entanglement in "set theory"
needles: US size 1 DPN knit picks nickel plated
pattern: basic 64st stockinette socks

I really love this yarn base. When you have them on your feet they are really smooth and lightweight. The only thing I would do differently with my next socks with this yarn is cast on 68sts and decrease down to 64 on the foot. The cuff came out a little snug.

I am already planning on joining another KAL in the Three Ewes Twisted in Fiber Ravelry group. It starts July 1st. You should join!

Happy Memorial Day!

2011-05-30T20:03:00.003-04:00

Happy Memorial Day to everyone! What better way to spend the day then finishing up a super colorful and stripey pair of socks!

Yarn: knitterly things wee skein kit
needles: US 1
pattern: plain old stockinette

Sticks and Stones Socks

2011-02-13T11:23:00.007-05:00

I started these socks in the middle of December in hopes of finishing them for my Dad for Christmas... well he ended up getting one sock for Christmas and the second for his birthday (February).

yarn: knit pic ks felici sport in "sticks and stones" colorway
pattern: my simple socks pattern
needles: US size 1 DPNs

2 Years Later...

2011-02-07T20:04:00.012-05:00

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." - Roger Caras

It's been 2 years today since we adopted little Sophie. Happy anniversary!

Summer Tweed Dishcloths- In Progress

2011-02-07T08:09:00.001-05:00

It seems lately that all I knit is dishcloths and socks. Here is my newest project that I'm really excited about. I'm planning on knitting a set of 5 Clover Tweed Dishcloths out of bright blue, pink, orange, yellow, and green Sugar n' Cream. Each color will be coordinated with white mill end cotton that I found at Pat Catans the other day. It was a bag of 3 huge skeins and was a total of 16oz. I paid about $6 for the bag!

I have a feeling these will go to my Nana for Mother's Day though...

Wicked Witch Socks

2011-02-06T13:54:00.003-05:00

This week I finished my Wicked Witch socks. I had originally started them in October and was hoping to finish them by Halloween. That obviously didn't happen thanks to my severe cases of startitis and Second Sock Syndrome.

Pattern: My simple socks pattern
Yarn: String Theory Continuum Self Striping (CASHMERE!!!)
Needles: Knit Picks Nickel DPNs Size US 1

The Perfect Fit : A Sock Recipe

2011-01-16T12:18:00.005-05:00

I had posted this sock pattern on my old blog, but wanted to make it available here so it would be easier to find. This isn't really a pattern more than a recipe, as it is just the different numbers and techinques that I use for all of my simple socks. I call it the perfect fit, because it fits me (with my super chunky legs and size 8 feet), both my mom and nana (with their skinny legs and size 6 feet) and I have even used this pattern for my Dad.

Here it is!

- Cast on 72 sts with 4 DPN needles (18 sts on each needle) size US 1.

- 2x2 rib for 1 1/2"

- Decrease down to 64 stitches and switch to stockinette. Decrease 2 stitches on every needle, I k2tog at the spot where there is k2 in the ribbing.

-Continue in stockinette until the entire leg (including cuff) measures 6 1/2". Feel free to make your leg longer, but I find that there is no difference between 6 1/2" and 8". I once tried on both lengths at the same time and they hit the exact same spot on my leg.

- Work HEEL FLAP over half stitches in just plain stockinette, slipping the first stitch purlwise on every row. Continue heel flap for 28 rows or until you have 14 loops running up the sides.

- TURN HEEL- K17, ssk, k1. TURN. sl1, p5, p2tog. TURN. sl1, k to the stitch before the gap, ssk, k1. TURN. sl1, p to the stitche before the space, p2tog, p1. Continue this way until there are no more spaces/gaps.

-Now work in the round again and pick up and knit 16 stitches (14 loops and 2 extra stitches to avoid holes)

- DECREASE by k1, ssk, knit rest of sts on needle 1, NEEDLE 2: knit to last 3 stitches on needle then k2tog, k1. Knit next round. Repeat these 2 rows until 64 stitches remain.

-Continue stockinette for foot until the socks hits the base of your toes when you try it on.

- TOE DECREASE: *k1, ssk, knit to rest of sts on needle 1. K to last 3 sts on needle 2 and k2tog, k1*. Repeat from * Knit all of stitches for the next round. Repeat these 2 rows until you have a total of 24 sts left (6 on each needle).

- Place 12 stitches on each of 2 needles. Graft stitches.

There you go! My recipe for the perfect fit socks. You may have a pattern or a special little trick for your perfect fitting socks, so please feel free to post a comment about it, I would love to hear some ideas!

2010 Knit Picks Felici Sock Yarn

2011-01-14T09:52:00.000-05:00

My collection of 2010 Knit Picks felici colorways is done. I finally collected all 8 colorways. I received the last colorway (Abracadabra) for Christmas. I seriously cannot wait for late March/early April (the reported release date of the new 2011 collection of Felici)!

Attack of the Garden Gnomes!!!! -in progress

2011-01-12T09:26:00.002-05:00

Another pair of simple socks in the works, from more Christmas yarn! These totally remind me of garden gnomes; the red hat, blue shirt, green, pants, white beard, and brown boots!!!

Cattywampus Socks

2011-01-11T11:42:00.003-05:00

Poor neglected blog! Let's try to catch up on projects. Here is my most recent FO and my first Socks that Rock experience.

The yarn is Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Lightweight in the Cattywampus colorway. My Mom gave me the yarn for Christmas along with the Sherbet colorway. It is my first time trying STR, and I have been wanting to try it forever, considering it is one of the most popular sock yarn on Ravelry!!! The yarn base is wonderful, it makes a great stitch definition, it's sproingy and durable. The colors are obviously to die for!

Along with being my first time working with STR it is also my first time working with my new 6 inch Kollage square DPNs (another Christmas gift). They are AMAZING!!! I decided to go with US size 1 1/2. I had read on different sites that you should go up a size as the square needles make your tension tighter. I only went up a half a size as I was worried they would be too big if I went to size 2. I'm glad I did, I get about the same tension with these as with my knit picks size 1 nickel plated needles. I definitely noticed a big difference with these needles. My stitches are much more even (especially the ribbing) and it makes knitting socks much faster and comfortable!!!

Just used my basic go to sock pattern for these, which I'm planning on posting the recipe on here soon :)

Waffles a la Mode

2010-09-08T23:14:00.004-04:00

Alright, this is really embarassing to admit, but I knit these socks in 3 days and it took me 3 months to weave in the ends and 2 more months to take pics. Can you say LAZY?!

Here's the details:

Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in Neapolitan Colorway
Needles: size US 3 and 2 DPNs
Pattern: Blueberry Waffle Socks

I cast on 56 sts with size 3 needles. Knit 2x2 rib for 2 stripes. Switched to size 2 needles and 2x2 rib for 1 more stripe. I then started stitch pattern until the entire leg measures 8". When I got to the heel I switched to the center of the yarn and then switched back to outer yarn after turning the heel, this is so that I could keep the striping repeat.

Then just knitted until it fit my foot, decreased for toe, graft, and procrastinated weaving in the ends. At the end, I barely had any yarn left, only a few yards.

My final thoughts are that I love this yarn! Of course I love it, I love all knit picks yarn, and I can be a pretty brutal yarn snob. Their yarn is just so soft and buttery and it washes up like a dream. Not to mention the great price and fab colors.

Even though this is a "sport weight yarn" I definitely cannot see using anything bigger than a size 2 needle for the whole sock.

The pattern was so fun and I will definitely be using it again. Great if you like the fit of a 2x2 rib sock, but don't have the patience for it.

Funky Fresh Flower

2010-08-24T12:42:00.005-04:00

This is totally cute! It takes about 15 minutes to crochet and you can use up scraps of cotton. I used leftover Sugar n'Cream cotton and a size H hook. Mine measures approx. 5 inches wide and I even crocheted a little button looking thing for the center. I need to make more, definitely makes a statement!

I attached a double prong clip to the back. You can get a pack of 15 single prong clips for $2 at Hobby Lobby or a pack of 12 double prong clips at Sally’s Beauty Supply for $2.20. They are on sale right now for .99 cents!

I'm debating whether or not I should write up the pattern and put it up for free on Ravelry???

Summer Knitting

2010-08-23T17:40:00.004-04:00

Poor neglected blog :( I've been having too much summer time fun! Being outside, working on my new shop, road trips, and spending time with the family. So I'm going to ease myself slowly back into blogging. Here's just a quick project that I finished in a couple of days.

The first dishcloth on the left is the ever so popular Ball Band Dishcloth. The middle cloth is the clover tweed pattern and the last washcloth is a Waffle Knit. I used some extra Sugar n' Cream and size 7 needles.

I really love this color combo and had fun with all of the colorwork. I made a smaller size ballband which I actually found that I like much better than the original size. You can find instructions for the small size here.

Fringe Element

2010-04-02T09:20:00.000-04:00

Here's the spinning project I"m working on now.

Its Fat Cat Knits superwash merino in "Fringe Element". I navajo plied the first 2oz of it and its about 200 yds of fingering weight yumminess! Still have yet to spin the rest of it and I already started a pair of socks out of this and they are gorgeous!

Sophie's bandana

2010-04-01T17:04:00.003-04:00

I not only knit, I can also kinda sorta sew! I decided Sophie needed a cute Spring bandana since the weather is so gorgeous right now!

I basically just cut a triangle, folded and seamed all the edges (is that the right terminology?) and then sewed a strip of pretty matching blue ribbon across the top. Easy peasy!

SCORE!!!!

2010-02-19T20:19:00.004-05:00

Alright! I'm soo excited about scoring this Pigeon Roof braid that I had to share with you.

I was on the Pigeon Roof group reading about the fibre club and seeing the beautiful roving and feeling sorry for myself that I couldn't afford the club. Then a few days later a Raveler put hers up for trade and I happened to have the exact PR colors she was looking for! Woo hoo!

I'm in love with this colorway, it's so orange and vibrant! Will be perfect for autumn. The colorway is "Phoenix Rising" and its 4oz of south african merino. Yum!

Grey Gardens

2010-02-18T11:45:00.006-05:00

Aaaah! I just noticed I forgot to post about my recent handspun project that I'm totally in love with.Started out as 4 oz of yummy SW merino from FatCatKnits. Colorway is Grey Gardens.

I then spun half of it and navjo plied it into 190 yards of fingering weight yummyness.
Then I couldn't wait to see how it would knit up, so I cast on the 1st sock figuring I would have enough time while knitting the sock to spin up the rest of the fibre. I was wrong! Finished the 1stsock in a record 2 days. I still have yet to start spinning the second skein because of my serious case of sock startitis. I am determined to start spinning it this weekend!!

Pigeon Roof Circus

2010-02-04T18:45:00.004-05:00

After 2 months I finally finished spinning some Pigeon Roof Studio merino that I got for Christmas.
Pigeon Roof Studios Merino in Circus colorway
426 yards fingering weight
2 ply

Handspun Shawl

2010-01-28T12:46:00.008-05:00

My 1st handspun shawl is finished and I LOVE it!!!

Pattern: Lion Brand Easy Triangle Shawl
Yarn: Fat Cat Knits Superwash Handspun
Needles: US 4 circular
Notes: Continued to knit until there was 145 sts on each side of center stitch. Did 3 rows of garter at end and CO with size 6 needles.

The shawl fits perfectly and I will be getting lots of wear out of it. Why didn't any one tell me knitting with handspun yarn is so FUN!!! :) Can't wait to start my next handspun shawl!

Knitting Disaster

2010-01-21T16:04:00.003-05:00

So I was working really hard on my Neapolitan socks. All was going great and dandy.I had knit in the waste yarn and was on my way to the foot. As I was knitting the foot I thought it was a good idea to try to do the afterthought heel. I got out my extra set of DPNs and spent an hour picking up the stiches (I had to go back and pick up about 5 dropped stitches). Once I got them on the needles I started knitting and decreasing, but with a little confusion. I had read another tutorial that sounded very serious when it said to always do 3 plain knit rows between each decrease row. I stupidly believed them and did 3 plain knit rows. Well, I sat there knitting for about an hour and a half counting rows and decreases. I looked at the heel and thought this heel would be big enough to fit an elephant. I bet you can guess what happened next... I threw the sock across the room and went to bed.

The next morning I buried it in the bottom of my knitting basket. I'm still grieving, so it will probably be about a month before I attempt to fix it or rip it out. I should have just followed the original directions I planned on. *Sigh*

So to console myslef I started a new spinning project:

Its Pigeon Roof Studios Merino roving in Circus colorway

Planning on doing a 2 ply and I am aiming for either sport or fingering weight.

I wasn't sure how the colors were going to mesh, but once I got spinning I am loving the way all of the colors are blending!

Neapolitan Socks

2010-01-10T16:08:00.005-05:00

I started a pair of socks last night.

Its plain stockinette (like always) on size 1 and 2 needles.

Yarn is Trekking XXL in colorway126

I am really anxious to learn how to do an afterthought heel. I love how it doesn't interrupt the striping pattern of the yarn, but have been intimidated by the technique. Today, thanks to the magic of google, I found this great tutorial with clear instructions and great pictures that show every step. It has given me a little more courage to try the afterthought heel.

Wish me luck!

Vibrant Discord

2010-01-07T20:45:00.008-05:00

I got a new light box today (YAY no more lugging my white canvases outside in the foot of snow!) so I could finally get photos of my latest handspun.

Fat Cat Knits Superwash Merino in Vibrant Discord
2 ply light fingering weight
586 yards

I know it seems like a lot of yardage for only 40z of fibre. But I checked and rechecked. I even spent a half hour winding a skein of commercial yarn on my niddy noddy to see if the yardage I figured out matched the yardage on the label... it matched! I don't know what happend, but I can't complain!

So this is obviously my favorite handspun yarn so far. It is so soft silky and squishy! If you haven't tried Fat Cat Knits fibre, go to her site now and buy some, I know you will love it. I already have 11 braids of hers :) She's my favorite!

Birdie Decoration

2010-01-02T13:41:00.006-05:00

Lookie what I made as a little Christmas present for my Mom!It's a little mini sized version of Attic 24's birdie decoration. I have made 2 full sized birdies before, but I was playing around and made this little mini one which is so cute and quick to make. I made it on Christmas Eve (nothing like last minute gift making) using some Sugar n' Cream cotton leftovers.

I hope everyone had a fun Christmas!

Oh Christmas Tree!

2009-11-28T16:52:00.006-05:00

Put up the tree yesterday! I think I went a little crazy with the lights. 12 strands= 1200 lights! This thing is brighter than the Sun, but it is beautiful!

Christmas Knitting

2009-11-24T20:05:00.004-05:00

It has become a little tradition that every Christmas I knit my brother, Gavin, a malabrigo hat. I made him one a few years ago and now he is a yarn snob! Everytime he sees me knitting he asks if it is "Malabrigo". If I say "no" he says "it's no good".

So here's the beginning of this year's hat.

Pattern: Ribbed Beanie by Wolly Wormhead
Yarn: Malabrigo (of course) in "stonechat" colorway
Needles: Size 9 circular needles

Hope he likes it! If I have yarn leftover I think I am going to make him a pair of these.

Handspun Harvest

2009-11-21T23:07:00.006-05:00

I finally found some spinning time and finished my Harvest Handspun. I am so happy with how it came out! It ended up being sport weight and about 350 yds. It's 100% Merino that came from Black Trillium Fibre Studio.
I think this will become a cute entrelac scarf. The colors will go great with my black winter coat I think.
I'm now working on some tie dyed superwash that I am spinning into 2 ply sock yarn (I don't think I will be navajo plying anytime soon) :)

SQUEEEEE!

2009-11-18T13:32:00.003-05:00

Where to start?

I few months ago I had gotten an email from "Midwest Living" asking if I would be able to send some of my felted bowls from my Hard Days Knit etsy shop for a photo shoot. They said they would pay for shipping and send them back when they are done. I decided it wouldn't hurt because I didn't have to pay for the shipping and I was thinking about closing that etsy shop to focus more on Rebecca Jay Studios.

So I shipped them out and a month later I received them back. I didn't hear anything from them so I figured they decided not to use them. A little disappointed, but it was nice to even be considered.

So Today... I got an email saying that the owls are going to be in the January/February issue!

OH MY GOSH!!!!

They wanted to confirm the caption that is going to be under the the photo. Can you believe it?!

Here's the set of bowls that are going to be in the issue. If you get Midwest Living, keep an eye out for me :) I can'y wait to see how they photographed them!

You may not hear from me for a few days. I have many Christmas etsy orders to finish and I should start working on some more bowls just in case. Not to mention I have about 5 Christmas swaps that I signed up for. Looks like I'm gonna be busy this Holiday season. Weee!

Rainbow

2009-11-09T13:40:00.004-05:00

I finally finished spinning my rainbow sock yarn! I am so happy with it. It took forever to spin and after trouble with learning how to navajo ply I finally finished. Excuse the pictures, but this yarn didn't want to sit pretty for the camera :)

It ended up being 366 yards fingering weight. I would have had about 422, but alot got thrown away becasue of the lack of my navajo ply skills.

This navajo ply tutorial video helped me so much! I love it!

So tonight after I finish my etsy orders, I am going to cast on socks with this! I can't wait! I have always wanted rainbow socks! Weeee!

Amish Paradise

2009-11-08T10:10:00.008-05:00

Yesterday, my Mom and I took a little day trip to Amish Country. Destination :
DER DUTCHMAN! They have the best food ever! We got the family style where you get endles amounts of chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, creamed corn, and homemade rolls! And to end it was the grand daddy of it all... peanut butter pie! Yum! Der Durchman is so popular that while you are waiting in line there are signs that say "At this point it is about a 30 minute wait". It's like Disney World!

After that we went to Carlisle gifts just across the street that was all decorated for Christmas!

It was a great day!Came home with lots of little treasures and food! This is the amazing view that we saw throughout the whole ride!

yum!

2009-11-05T13:40:00.006-05:00

Yesterday, Mr.Mailman dropped off a package for me! Inside it was fibery goodness from The Urchiness. She's a newer seller on etsy, who sells both roving and handspun yarn. Check her out she has really cute items and usually has a sale going on :)

Here's what I got:
4oz Merino roving in "hello 80s neon"

4 oz Merino roving in "My Little Pony"

4 oz Merino roving in "Prom Night"

Now I have to decide what to spin with these, but first I have to finish the never ending Rainbow sock yarn *sigh*

mmmm...pumpkin pie!

2009-11-02T16:54:00.005-05:00

I did a quick little shop update today. New Pumpkin Pie sets!

Getting ready for Thanksgiving and making lists of everything I want to do for Christmas!

Spinning Adventures!

2009-11-01T18:35:00.007-05:00

I am officially addicted to spinning. I can't seem to stop! Here's some yarn that I have been working on:
THis is 2 ply light fingering 100% Merino Wool! It's about 521 yards. So gorgeous! I feel some shawl vibes coming from this skein.

2 ply DK weight corriedale wool. This is about 209 yards of fun Halloween yarn. I think I'm gonna save it for next year to make a Halloween Sophie for Sophie.

Right now I am working on some rainbow sock yarn. I have always wanted rainbow socks! It will be my first try at navajo plying. Wish me luck! Here's theroving I am spinning from. It is 4oz of superwash merino from Woolen Mill St. Yarns. It is so fun to spin!

Pink and Green Socks are Finished!

2009-10-04T18:08:00.009-04:00

Wow! I haven't posted forever!

Well I finally finished my pink and green socks... actually... I should say that I have finally grafted the toes of my pink and green socks. I finished them about a month ago, and for a month they were sitting on the needles waiting to be grafted! Here they are!

They are so cute! I did the leg 8 inches long instead of my usual 7. I had plenty of yarn leftover.

I also have this yarny goodness to share with you!

YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's Trekking Hand Art! The colors are seriously this vibrant! LOVE! Socks most definitely in this yarns future. I went into my LYS to try some Smooshy, but instead I came out with this and a skein of Pink Malabrigo sock yarn! PINK MALABRIGO SOCK YARN PEOPLE!!! But that's a post for another day :)

And here's one more photo of yummy color!

MMM... Knit picks shadow lace yarn! I got this when it was on sale for only $2.99! I love these colors! Why do I always end up posting pictures of yarn at the end of every post? Maybe its because I wish everything ended with pix of yummy yarn!

So what's in the future for Hard Days Knit? I'll give you a clue... It starts with an "S" and rhymes with pinning :) Expect much girly screaming on Wednesday!!!

1 down 1 to go!

2009-09-04T09:08:00.007-04:00

I finally finished one sock of these impossibly cute pair of socks! I am almost at the toe decrease so hopefully I can get them done while watching the airshow jets this weekend.

I couldn't be any happier with how this yarn is striping. They are nice thick stripes with beautiful vibrant colors. At first I thought this yarn was rough but once I had them on my feet they were perfectly fine. I also think that after they are washed they will soften up a little bit. If you have sensitive feet, this yarn may not be for you. Unlike me who has spent all her Summers running around on concrete and gravel barefoot which has made her feet like leather (maybe you didn't need to know that :))

One of the main culprits for me not getting any knitting done is my etsy shop!

I have been as busy as ever and I am so happy to say that I have made it to 150 sales!!!

Here are some new products I am working on and will hopefully be adding some more.

I'm having a labor day sale this weekend where you get 10% off your entire order when you enter "weekend deals" in note to sale. I just thought I would throw that out there.

Have a great 3 day weekend everyone (I hope you get lots of knitting done!)

8 A.M. Photo Shoot

2009-08-09T09:55:00.002-04:00

This morning I woke up early, brought my laptop outside, and had an impromptu "photo shoot".

Pink Zinnia

Morning glory

Sophie!

Yummy Yarn

2009-08-07T18:15:00.004-04:00

Today was the perfect day, so I gathered up my recent yarn purchases (this would normally be an easy task, but not for the amount I buy), brought them outside and took glamour shots.

I thought it would be fun to share with you!

Warning: pictures may cause drooling, seizures, and an empty bank account!

Knit Picks Shadow Lace Yarn.

New Knit Picks Stroll Hand painted Sock yarn (colorway is "playtime")

Knit picks kettle dyed.

Knit Picks Essential Multi in Confetti colorway.

Trekking XXL

Knit Picks Essential solid in Carnation colorway.

More Trekking XXL.

Knit Picks Essential Solid in Lantana

Koigu

Claudia Handpainted Fingering

Malabrigo Sock Yarn!!!

Are you still breathing?! I hope so :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

I LOVE you August

2009-08-06T19:14:00.001-04:00

Wow, August is here and what a wonderful month it has been so far! I got a new laptop, big box of knit picks yarn, “Julie and Julia is coming out and my etsy shop is doing great! What else could I ask for?!

Last Day of Weekend Sale!

2009-07-26T12:17:00.006-04:00

Today is the last day of my awesome weekend deal on Rebecca Jay! Here it is:

This weekend from Friday July 24 through Sunday July 26, I will be having a very special deal! With every purchase you will receive 2 FREE face scrubbies (1 pink and 1 green). So, for example, if you order a set of dishcloths and a bath puff you will receive 4 scrubbies!

I hope you drop by :)

Fiesta

2009-07-21T10:03:00.008-04:00

I finished a new line for Rebecca Jay Studios! It's called Fiesta (aren't the colors fun?!)

The line includes facecloths, a small bath puff, and face scrubbies.

This yarn is so fun to crochet with!

Happy Birthday!

2009-07-18T10:57:00.007-04:00

Happy Birthday Gavin!!!

Today is my bother's birthday! Let's play a guessing game. I will give tell you our plans for today and you guess how old he is!

Okay, 1st we are going to my Nana's for pizza and ice cream cake.

Then open lots of cute packages (wrapped by me)!

After that we will take a trip to the movie theater and see the new Harry Potter movie.

So did you guess???

Is that your final answer?

Are you sure?

The answer is...

23!!!

LOL. I know it sounds like plans for a 5 year old. In my family we take Birthdays seriously. No envelopes full of money in our house!

Tah Dah!

2009-07-17T21:50:00.007-04:00

I finished them yesterday and I love them soo much. They fit perfectly and the colors are amazing!

I would highly recommend this yarn! It is so soft and has elasticity. And how can you ignore these colors?!

A drum roll please...
The pink and green Opal socks! Aren't they cute?! Pink and green with fake isle, what can be better? (Maybe if they were malabrigo or cashmere).

Eye Candy

2009-07-16T21:03:00.005-04:00

Well, today I finished my ty dy socks and started on my pink and green opal socks (they are really cute, I will post pictures of both tomorrow)! I don't have much time to blog tonight so I will leave you with some eye candy and wish you a good night.

It's easy to see that I get a lot of my inspiration for tulip and willow from my garden full of zinnias!

New Flowers

2009-07-15T12:57:00.003-04:00

I have finally finished all of my orders and found time to make new sets of flowers. Designing new sets and working with new colors is what I love to do best. So here are a few new sets. What do you think?

Maybe with all my free time today I'll be able to start a new pair of socks with some new yarn that I bought from a sweet lady on Ravelry. Its pink and green Opal! PINK AND GREEN! Can you believe it?!

Before and After

2009-07-13T13:52:00.001-04:00

It is July and Sophie is officially 7 months old. She has changed a lot physically in these few months, but she still acts like a demonic puppy (I have to get to work on this). For one thing she doesn't event look like the same morkie that I got 5 months ago!

She's a completely different color and she ways about 4 lbs heavier ( I know, that's not alot, I probably gain that much in a month)

5 months ago.

Now. I promise you it's the same dog!
(I love all the little puppy paw prints in this picture)

Now that I've done that little fun before and after of cuteness, I gotta get back to work finishing my Ty Dy socks and filling orders!

Summer Ty Dy

2009-07-11T13:32:00.001-04:00

This yarn is soo fun! It's "ty dy" by Knit One Crochet too. I am using US size 1 DPNs for these so that I can take them everywhere.

I love doing just plain stockinette sock with fun stripey yarn. It keeps my attention ( I am entertained easily).

I have my own little special sock pattern that took me years to perfect. They fit me perfectly and it is my absolute favroite.

Here are the basics for you if you would like to make the most perfect socks ever!

Materials:

100gms of pretty sock yarn
US size 1 and 2 DPNs or circulars (sometime I make them on DPNs, sometimes I do 2 at a time on 1 big circular).
tapestry needle for grafting the toe and weaving in the ends.

Basic Directions:

Cast on 64 sts using size 2 needles
Do 2x2 rib for 1.5 inches (I can't seem to rib for any longer than that. LOL)
Switch to size 1 needles and stockinette for another 5.5 inches
Do your most favorite heel for 28 rows.
Do a short row heel.
Pick up gusset stitches. ( I pick up 16 sts on each side)
Decrease until you are back to 64 sts.
Work plain stockinette.
Try your sock on periodically, when it is at the base of your toes you can start decreasing)
Decrease until you have a total of 24 stitches left for each sock.
Graft your toes and weave in the ends!

Easy peasy! I can't wait to finish the second pair, but then I have to wait for fall to wear them :(

I'm here!!!

2009-07-10T14:18:00.000-04:00

I'm all ready to go on my new blog here on blogspot!

I got tired of wordpress. The lack of options and it was barely customizable.

So I am ready to go here and hopefully post more often! I'm looking forward to sharing my knitting life with everyone!

Oh yeah, if you would like to see my older posts, they are here!