The Grateful Project: Day Seven

Today I am grateful for days spent lazily.

After a very busy and wonderful week I awoke yesterday feeling a bit run down. So instead of the usual routine I popped in a movie and enjoyed the cloudy weather from my couch with my knitting.

I am also grateful for my favorite mug and yerba mate lattes.  My brother saw this mug in a previous Etsy Finds blog post and bought it for me for Christmas last year.  I use it every day.  Gabe, if you're reading, thank you!

It's raining here today and I finished a new hat for my bestie.  I don't think purple is her favorite color anymore, but it was when we met (we were twelve) so she's still a purple person to me.  In other knitting news, I bought some really lovely Quince and Co. yarn from a kind raveler yesterday and now I'm on the lookout for the perfect scarf pattern.  And my last (or second to last if I want to keep that lovely blue shawl) Christmas shawl is almost complete.

Today life is simple.

FO: Traveling Woman Shawl

Pattern: Traveling Woman (rav link) by feministy.com
Yarn: Merino Cashmere Lace by Squoosh in the Ink colorway
Needles:  Knit Picks Interchangeable in Harmony Wood, size US 8 (5.0 mm)

Oh my goodness, this must be my favorite FO (finished object) to date.  The yarn is amazing, the pattern is amazing, the entire project is amazing.

I held the yarn double for a more substantial weight to the shawl and I am so glad I did. Made from merino, cashmere, and nylon, this yarn is labeled as lace weight, but I'd call it more light fingering and held double it fell somewhere between sport and DK weights.  The yarn is soft and heavy all at the same time, and the color, wow!  Classic and simple but really complex and sophisticated all at the same time.  Wilson liked the yarn, too, and somewhere around the second lace repeat he chewed through the ziploc bag in which the project was housed and proceeded to string yarn around table legs, under the couch, through my spinning wheel, through the cat door and into the bathroom (yes, our bathroom door has a cat door. It's a long story.), back into the living room and into my office.  I spent around 2 hours untangling and re-balling the yarn.  I had to cut it in a few places and was forced to cook my cat for dinner.  All in all I used around 795 yards (or 397 yards held double) but there were a lot of unusable scraps left over from Wilson's adventure.

The pattern is lovely and straightforward and I imagine it would be great for beginner lace knitters, as all you need to know is yo and sl1k in order to make the lace border.

I got an impressive 68 inch wingspan from this project with a 24 inch point.

I haven't taken it off my shoulders since it finished blocking.  It is slated to be a Christmas present for someone special but if I can knit another for her before Christmas, I'm keeping it for myself.  Naughty.

The word "Delphine".

I want to start dressing more like a French woman.  Source unknown.

Is just one example of the amazing things I like today.  I woke up with this word tumbling around my brain this morning and as I contemplated the word over my morning tea I discovered I like it for two reasons.  One, it's French, and I like everything French.  And two, it sounds like the word dolphin (imagine 'dolphin' coming from the sultry lips of a foreign stranger and you'll understand) and that word is filled with freedom, splashes, swiftness, rubbery goodness, and intelligence.  So as I sat staring dreamily out the window, warming my hands on a steaming mug of yerba mate, I came to the conclusion that it only makes sense to name something/one Delphine (to be said in between puffs of a French cigarette (but not really because cigarettes stink) and the tying of scarves). 

I'm also loving bed time stories today.  I've been crawling into bed lately with my ipod and a 'book on tape' (that or foreign films spoken in romance languages with the hope that through osmosis I will become an Italian speaking woman with a French name like Delphine).  I've been listening to "Eating Animals" by Jonathon Safran Foer and I've enjoyed it immensely, however, the story is almost over.  I'm now taking recommendations for my next bedtime story.  What's on your bedside table?

Loving also how when I head to my bathroom all three of my cats race me there and come within an inch of their lives as I close the door.  They like the toilet flushing.

 Moonrover clapotis came out of hibernation.

And lastly, there are few things I love more in the world than renewed inspiration.  It could have something to do with the soothing rain, or maybe it's the excitement of impending warm weather, maybe it's the large super secret project that is nearing completion, but whatever it is, I like it.  Yesterday I took stock of all of my WIPs and hibernating projects and took some to the frog pond (that means I ripped them out, for all of you non-knitters out there.  And while we're talking about frogging, I have something to say on the topic.  While casting off that last stitch is just about the most gratifying experience in the knitting universe, pulling needles out of 200 live stitches is pretty gratifying, too.  Especially when you've outgrown a project and have visions of that beautiful pink yarn turning into something besides its current sock fate.  Never underestimate the power of frogging.), some came out of the hibernation cave (right, this one was supposed to be a Christmas present.), and some went into the deep slumber.  I discovered projects that I had lost the itch to finish that were too close to completion to frog, items that I had cast on for and never gotten more than three rows in, items that were beautiful and full of the perfect combination of yarn and pattern.  So I'm pulling out all the stops and finishing, frogging, frolicking in yarnish delight.

Today I am knitting in fuzzy boots with a cup of tea at my side and Sigur Ros on the ipod.

You can call me Delphine.

Around here...

There's been a lot of sniffles and snuggles and searching for inspiration in clouds and fog.  It seems that my immune system threw in the towel (after a whole season of no colds!) for the first day of spring and finals week.  It never fails that finals stress me out to the extent of getting ill.

But today I'm on the up swing and I'm sitting here with my yerba mate latte (ohmygosh I have to tell you about the most amazing thing in the world.  I usually stay away from my foodie/nutritionist side here on this blog because I spend so much time thinking/worrying/talking about it in real life that it sort of exhausts me.  But in short, I have a dairy allergy and soy milk doesn't work for me either.  So in my quest to find a suitable milk substitute I've stumbled upon the nectar of the gods.  Trader Joe's Vanilla Rice Drink. Oh. My. Word.  Creamy, slightly sweet, no weird aftertaste, and SO good warmed up in your morning tea.  Go, try, revel.) and a long day off ahead of me.  This morning we took a nice little jaunt on the beach, the wildflowers are just amazing this time of year!  I love going to the beach on rainy Mondays... Living in a tourist town lends itself to really appreciating the quiet days.

I spent the weekend getting ready for my shop update on Wednesday and there some really pretty braids of roving that will be up for grabs!

I'm also working on some super secret projects and I'm so excited about them I'm just bursting to tell you!  But alas, you will have to wait.  But don't worry, there will be lots of things to keep you engaged until the big unveiling.  Like an awesome theurchiness gift certificate giveaway!  On Friday head on over to the beautiful Virtue Natural blog for a chance to win.  Don't worry, I'll come back and remind you when it's time.  :)

And now, time for some more relaxation.  I'm almost back to my old self and I'm thinking tomorrow I'll have my energy back.  The awesome thing about being sick is how far along I'm coming on my knitting!  I'm working on my first garment project, a sweater vest in amazing Cascade Venezia Worsted...  It's a silk/merino blend and it's to die for.  I'm almost half way through the sweater and I'm sort of bored and sort of loving it all at the same time.

Stay tuned this week for a new tutorial!  Happy Monday, lovelies.

Friday

Well, what do you think of the new site re-design?  I think I like it, but I'm still getting used to it.  There are some more buttons and tabs to come... A place for tutorials and customer images and even some patterns to download!  I'm working on writing up Mops' sweater patten (The Collegiate Canine) and doing one more test knit before releasing the pattern.

It's raining here today and Geoffrey and I are both staring longingly out the window and wishing for the sun to come back.  The pups are sleeping peacefully next to the fire and I'm in the company of a steaming cup of gen matcha tea and some delicious sourdough toast.  And the sound of the pounding rain (and the occasional flickering of lights... Pray my power holds out for me!).

I finished my hat this morning and I quite like it, I'd recommend the yarn and the pattern.  Both made for a spectacular knitting experience.  I don't think this will replace my Porom as being my favorite knitted hat, but at least now I can shake things up a bit.

One more thing before I get back to photo editing for the dye tutorial...

My new foster kitty talks in her sleep.

Saturday Afternoons are made of this...

Well, wordy Friday got away from me there, didn't it?  Oh well, today is a new day... With puppies and tea and yarn, oh my!

It's been a busy week for me.  Between the shop update on Monday, taking my dog to urgent care (he got something stuck in his soft pallet... I swear that dog will be the end of me.  Or at least drive me to financial ruin.), then new foster puppies who are a whole giant mess of cuteness and work, seeing Alice in Wonderland (go see it, it was great.), and more errands than I can count, I have no idea where the time went.

I'm still trying to get some stitches in now and then... What are you all working on these days?  I'm knitting up a gorgeous orchids and fairy lights (rav link) hat in a super soft cotton blend.  It's a little slow going and it's my first time making bobbles!  They're kind of annoying, but I think the end result will be worth it.  And again, I thank the knit goddess that is grumperina for her awesome tutorial on cabling without a cable needle.


I'm sitting here with my third cup of tea (late night last night in the world of Underland) and there are two little puppies bouncing about with unspun superwash corriedale bits hanging out of their mouths.   This morning I spent finishing up an English essay and dyeing up some lovely roving for the update next week.  And I took pictures of my process so that I may share it with you!  I still need to edit the photos, but keep an eye out for a dyeing tutorial soon.

I've also been doing lots and lots of research and brainstorming for my etsy shop (and eventually the lys I hope to open).  There are some exciting new things happening this year!  I can't believe how much time and effort goes into having your own business...  I'm passionately loving every little hiccup.  Because what could be better than sleeping in every day, playing with puppies while photos upload, and watching Mad Men while packing up orders?  (Speaking of Mad Men, omg I am SO glad Joanie didn't leave for good and thank goodness Betty is marrying someone else, and when the heck does season 4 start?)

Tonight I'm off to the in-laws for dinner and tomorrow is a housework day.  I'll be back next week with a dye tutorial and a shop update on Wednesday at 1:00p PST.

Happiness is a huge basketful of puppy toys, is it not?

Hello Darlings. Let's catch up, shall we?

First things first, eh?  Meet Penelope.  She is our newest foster and she is the sweetest and mellowest (Is that a word?) female kitty we've ever had the pleasure of sharing our home with.  You can read more about her here.

Second, this morning I woke up to the prettiest kind of rain.  It's the kind of rain that is steady, but light.  The temperature outside is warm enough to leave windows open and the sound of the droplets pattering on leaves is just the loveliest soundtrack for this lazy Sunday morning.  The lobster is still snoozing (Mops joined him) and my kitties are scattered on various windowsills, watching the birds and quivering leaves.  It's almost time for my second cup of tea and I'm loving the smell of forest pine incense.  (To throw a loop into this pretty picture I'm painting for you... The reason I'm burning said incense is because two days ago I made asparagus for dinner.  It was a lovely dinner of polenta in pink sauce, red potatoes with sour cream and chives, and oven roasted asparagus with lemon.  But in the process of oven roasting the asparagus I dropped a stem onto the bottom of the oven and promptly forgot about it.  Then this morning I preheated the oven to 400 degrees and hopped in the shower.  Yeah, not so good.)  It's quiet here for the moment and everyone is snuggly and grateful to be under a (leaking) roof.

Third, yarn!  How was that to get you drooling?  I've been spinning up a storm (and you've been buying up a storm!) and I have some dyeing to do this week for a roving update.  My roving updates have been so overwhelming due to announcing them on ravelry (join my rav group!) and on flickr.  The braids disappear from my shop so fast that it's not really fair to new customers!  So I've decided that once a month I'm going to do a surprise roving update where I shan't announce the time and date and you'll all be very surprised to see my shop stocked with pretties.  This, of course, is in addition to the regularly scheduled updates where my repeat customers can reserve braids as they are listed.  As for yarn, well, I list new yarn (those three up there ^ are still available, get them while they last!) almost every day so that means you'll just need to visit often!  OH!  And!  You have one more week to buy to participate in the birthday drawing!  See my shop announcement for details on that one.

Fourth, knitting projects.  I'm working on two of my own designs right now, how cool is that?  The first is a Noro dog sweater for Mops (spoiled!) and it's turning out quite well I think.  I've been meaning to knit him a sweater for quite some time but every pattern I found didn't work the way I wanted it to.  So custom sweater it is! I finally feel as though my knitting skills are up to par with creating my own patterns... It's quite liberating!  The other project is a secret, still.  It will be up for sale in my etsy shop at some point, so I'll keep you posted on that one.  Hint: It has something to do with handspun.  :)

Fifth, I have a very busy and important day of doing nothing scheduled.  What are you beautiful people up to today?

A new rhythm...

We've begun to settle into a new kind of home. This home only has two kitties, but they are well loved. There are less cuddles to go around, but the lobster doesn't have to sleep with his feet hanging off the bed. There are less kitty kisses that smell like cat food and chives, but my window garden is growing.

Today I'm feeling much more emotionally capable... The dishes have been done, the lobster is home from his trip (useless, because he's sore, dehydrated and exhausted, but home.), a decision has been made (we're staying in this humble abode until the end of the year... YAY!), and I've thrown myself back into school and work.

Speaking of work... Shop news.


First, my yarn was featured on the front page of etsy! Oh my goodness! That's me, in the bottom right hand corner... my pretty bamboo yarn, Rumpelstiltskin.

Second, fiber club spots are going to open in the middle of February for March, April, and May.

Third, Fiber update has been postponed a week or two, look for it before Valentine's Day.

I think that's all the shop news for now... Things have been slow there on my end (not on yours, though! I reached my monetary sales goal for January and I'll be making a huge donation to Docs w/o Borders tomorrow... I'll let you know the total when I tally it all up. You guys rock.) but I'm hoping to pick things back up this week.

In other news... Are you ready to die from the cute?


I knit this little creature up last week for my bff and she loved him. I used leftover sock yarn and size 1 needles that made my fingers want to fall off, but he is totally worth it. Here is the pattern (rav link) for those interested. The pattern was really well written and easy to follow... All of the shaping is done with short rows! So clever.

A bit of blog news...

I'm still working (in between other types of work like homework and design work) on the kinks here on the blog so be patient with me. The side bars are still a mess and the navigation bar isn't working yet, and I noticed an issue with comment spacing. Be patient with me! :)

I've decided to add a new weekly feature... I want to try 52 lists this year. Once a week until next January, similar to hulaseventy (add this blog to your follow list immediately. She is so inspiring!) and borrowing prompts from listography.com.

And I promise to bring back "Things I Love" soon.

I think that's it for me right now... Sean and I have a big night of burritos and Netflix planned. What are you guys up to this fine and sunny Sunday?

FO Love

Pattern: Habitat by Jared Flood
Yarn: Vermont Organic Fiber Company O-Wool Balance (Worsted, Cotton/Merino)
Needles: Size 7 16" circular and DPN's
Mods: Knit entirely on size 7 needles rather than switching to 8's for the body of the hat.
Made For: My darling little brother for his birthday.

Notes: Excellent yarn, excellent pattern, excellent fit. It didn't take long to knit up, considering what it is (a cabled mess of goodness) and I found myself falling in love with cables again. This is due to cabling without a cable needle... A great tutorial is found here.



Pattern: Fetching by knitty
Yarn: Mirasol Qina (Worsted, Alpaca and Bamboo)
Needles: Size 5 DPN's
Mods: None
Made For: A beautiful aunt of mine

Notes: Easy easy easy and super quick! Less than three hours and you have a Christmas gift, does it get better than that? And this yarn is the most heavenly yarn EVER. These turned out rather small (tight gauge and I would call this yarn DK rather than Worsted) but the recipient is a rather small person, so it's okay.



Pattern: Rose Red by Ysolda Teague
Yarn: Skacel Collection, Inc. - Adagio (Worsted, Silk and Llama)
Needles: Size 7 DPN's and 16" circular
Mods: Cast off early
Made For: Commissioned by David for Kourtney

Notes: This one turned out big and wonderfully slouchy. The yarn was a little splitty for my taste, but soft as all get out!

FO Love

I can share this with you, now, since it went to its new owner this evening.

Pattern: Ishbel by Ysolda Teague
Yarn: Knit Picks Imagination Hand Painted Sock Yarn (A note about this yarn: It is great for what it is. What it is is a cheaper version of nice quality sock yarn. The color is even, the yarn soft, and alpaca content predictable. It knit up quite nicely for being $4.00 a skein.)
Needles: size 7 24" Knit Pick Harmony circular (LOVE LOVE LOVE)
Made for: My darling Michelle for her 26th birthday

Wednesday Loves

... Khaki capelets? Yes please!


... Socktoberfest! Just feast your eyes on these lovely knitted socks.

Rav page here for these good enough to eat neapolitan socks.


Rav page here. (These red ones are stitchywitch, link below.)


Rav page here. Handspun and glorious!

... This pattern for Transition gloves (rav link). These are so fantastic and I want to CO a pair immediately but am restraining myself because I have too many Christmas projects to work on first. (Photo and project below by stitchywitch on ravelry, so inspiring! Her knitting blog is here.)


... Apple chai. Instead of mixing milk with chai you use apple juice and it tastes like a better version of caramel apple cider.

... Have I told you how much I love bugs? I love them (except for cockroaches) and I especially love when they are made into unexpected things like jewelry and plates.


... Knitted leg warmers. I love them.


That's all for today folks, real life has taken hold and I have a plateful to deal with today. I hope you're all having a magical Wednesday full of the fantastical world.

Warm, buttered, toasted...

Zucchini bread wristers.

Pattern: Toast (rav link inspired by one of my favorite catalogs)
Yarn: Zucchini Bread handspun by the ever lovely sagefox (etsy link)
Needles: size 7 DPN's, 6" inch
Mods: Cast on 36 instead of 34

Notes: Took about 5 hours and this pattern is perfect for showing off expensive and glorious handspun. I have more coming in the mail and I'll definitely make another pair of these! More pictures here and here.

These are the thoughts...

Impulsive and new hair! Pixie like and soon to be fire engine red.


Regina Spektor (music vid link) reminds me of beginnings and dreamy sorts of stories.

Knitting projects are coming right along... Cast on a nice miski hat for a swap and the minty mitts are looking pretty fabulous. I've sort of run into a block with these because I've finished the first leaves and it's all easy from here on out. Once I figured out which colors to cable with the pattern became easy. I think I'm doing the back twists in the incorrect colors but I sort of like the way it looks. Makes the leaves more authentic (or I really hate it and I'm justifying the mistake so that I don't have to frog all of that hard work).


Today is farmer's market day and spend time with Mr Lobster (urchin and lobster... sea creatures... get it?) so I'll be back tomorrow to do the Things I Love on Sunday (thinking of changing the day to Monday since Sean and I switched our days off together and now I spend Monday working and Sunday playing). Okay, breakfast time for me! Have a relaxing and lovely Sunday!

Catching up (and my breath).

Well my lovelies! It's been a few days. I know you're all breathless with anticipation for a Things I Love Sunday, and it will come tomorrow. Promise! In the meantime...

My life turned from quiet (alone, dreamy, routine, peaceful)


to busy (messy, crowded, chaotic, lovely) with the arrival of these two beauties on Friday.

We went to my favorite tea place (came away with 2 ounces of thai tea and 3 of genmaicha... yay!), the aquarium to see the sea dragons, to visit a beautiful local yarn store (not exactly local to me but beautiful and full of soft things nonetheless. The spoils are stunning.), went to thai food at my favorite place in Soquel (used to live right down the street from it and I miss it), and had a craft party with wine and kittens! And that was just Saturday. :)

My life has been full of pretty people these past few days. It makes me appreciate my friends and family and their kooky ways.

Other things going on:

... Harry Potter was only okay.
... Made my first etsy sale!!
... Inspired by being able to make thai tea at home.
... Working on some mittens (rav link) that may very well be too complicated for me and loving the challenge (that's the minty green picture at the top).
... Taking care of school business and studying like mad for a test I forgot about.

With that said... enough distraction. I've got to read about lifespan development.

Hi folks.

A little crafty and not so crafty update.

Some things I'm loving today:
... Fall colors... Oh how I long for autumn!



... Emiliana Torrini. This lovely mentioned her on her blog this morning and I'm completely obsessed now. She voice reminds me a bit of Chantal Kreviazuk and Stephanie Dosen.

... Learning a new technique specifically for a very special woman's birthday.


... My grapefruit green tea (and Ally if you're reading this please oh please can you restock me??)

... This hat hasn't left my head since it came off the needles.


... The quiet moments before Sean gets out of bed and the kittens are loose and the dogs are running around the house waiting for breakfast. I like to steal these moments for myself (and for you this morning). Side note: I love my honey but how is it possible that one human being can make so much NOISE?

... Want to knit some pretty berets for the coming season in reds, golds, and oranges.

... My house is so much better when kittens are involved. Imagine sitting on the couch doing homework with this next to you? Speaking of homework. I got an A on my humanities test. Go me! I'm actually studying!


... Excited that next weekend we get to go up to the city on a field trip to the SFMOMA. I'm looking forward to culture and inspiration. I love where we live (more on the possible move later) and these cities are full of extremely diverse people (creative people) but I find that the art around here isn't as inspiring as it once was... Partly because I see it all the time, but partly because the ideas seem stale to me.

Well, I suppose that's all for now. Sean is awake and grumbling about breakfast. It was kind of nice when we had no food... I didn't feel guilty about not going grocery shopping, but I do feel guilty not cooking. What does that say about me?

Probably that I have my mom's blood in me and I want to feed and fatten anything with a pulse. Have a super Monday!