Books That Can Be Loosely Linked to Knitting: Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann

In this new feature to the blog, I will be posting brief book reviews on books that can be loosely (in some cases, extremely) linked to knitting.  Why not, right?  Everyone enjoys a good read...especially when we can related in some way.  Please keep in mind that, though I love to read, I am not a book worm.  I enjoy it when it is enjoyable.  I like reading entertaining books and am not an intellectual book snob.  This is not a place for me to list my literary conquests, so please expect some fluff reading to be mentioned.

For the first book, I would like to introduce you to one of my favorites.  Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann.

"A witty philosophical murder mystery with a charming twist:  the crack detectives are sheep determined to discover who killed their beloved shepherd."

This story introduces you to a flock of merino sheep that are far more savvy then one would assume due to the strong literary background they have developed thanks to their loving, book sharing shepherd.  However, when the shepherd is discovered affixed to the ground with a garden spade, they must use their newly developed wit to help solve the murder.  

Learn more here.

Song to Knit To: Kings of Convenience "Misread" Where does it take you?

First of all, I love these guys!  So classy and sleek...if sleek can even describe music.  Every time I listen to their music, I feel transported to some European beach resort where I'm sitting on a lounge chair wearing a big, floppy hat sipping some tropical drink with an umbrella sticking out.  How does it make you feel?  Maybe it transports you somewhere different?  Love how music can do that.  Enjoy!

Delancey Cardigan KAL

I am so excited to start my first knit along on February 6th!  Allyson over at the Sweatshop of Love blog is hosting the KAL with the Delancey Cardigan from Alexis Winslow.  Love this sweater with its vintagy (yep...just made up a word) shawl collar color contrasting and chevron stripes.  I also love the color combo in the picture below, but I decided to go with Swish DK Cobblestone (MC) and Serrano (CC) from Knit Picks.  Can't wait to start!  Now, to finish my hubby's broken rib cardigan by February 6th.  I can do it!

Wow! Someone actually created one!

A couple years ago I admired Ralph Lauren's team USA beanie that Lindsey Vonn wore during one of her downhill races.  Loved the design, didn't love the price.  I wondered if there was a pattern out there, but at that time there wasn't one and I was a real novice anyway.  However, as I was scouring Ravelry for a pattern to knit up with my lovely new Malabrigo worsted, I came across this:

Love this and can't wait to try it!

thank you

I was so excited to find out that I scored my first giveaway prize!  It's funny too because I had no idea that there was a giveaway going on on this particular blog.  I never usually win stuff like that anyway...I guess everyone says that, right?  Anyway, the yarn came from an amazing knitter over at The ADD Knitter.  It's Malabrigo merino worsted in Buscando Azul.  I love it and can't wait to work something up!  Thank you so much Heather!

the sweater

I'm just taking a small moment to show my progress on Branden's Broken Rib Cardigan.  I know it's taking time, but soon it will all come together quite nicely!

It would even make a sharp vest as well!  ;)  Have a nice weekend.

Stitch by Stitch

Even though there haven't been many posts and photos of current WIP's or FO's, they do exist!  I just finished two projects and sent them overseas to my brother and sister-in-law in Spain.  They are belated Christmas gifts and I am hoping to have them take some destination pictures of each that I can feature here.  In the meantime, I've been exploring the world of sewing--my sewing world is a bit limited, but I will become more worldly with time--and working on Branden's Broken Rib sweater.  I know, I know...I have no excuses.

As a means to gradually immerse myself in sewing, I picked up the book Stitch by Stitch:  Learning to Sew One Project at a Time by Deborah Moebes and have begun sewing my way though.  I've started small, but started I have:

Stitch by Stitch Mini Project 1: Stitch Sampler

Stitch by Stitch Mini Project 2:  Thread Drawing

Stitch by Stitch Mini Project 3:  Appliquè

Sew far, sew good!  Haha!  Happy knitting and sewing all!

Sew sew busy!

So far, the new year has been full of new endeavors.  I am starting some classes to get an endorsement on my teaching license to teach the Gifted and Talented program.  I'm super excited about this!  I am now also the proud owner of a Janome DC 2010 sewing machine!  I have been yearning to learn how to sew ever since my sister in law started making adorable aprons with her sewing machine a few years back.    Her designs inspired me.  Before that I also had the bug to sew, but was intimidated by the prospect.  However, as a knitter I find that anything is possible with needle and thread.  That being said, like knitting, I dove in head first!  In addition to my fantastic knit nook, I created a space for my sewing nook.  I bought these perfect pegboards at Joan's for my spools of yarn, and used a sewing basket handed down to me from my grandma as a place to store fat quarters of fabrics and such.  A perfect little addition to my craft space!

I am also working on several projects right now that I cannot post just yet.  They are belated gifts to some very special people.  I also tried my hand at designing and designed a cute little headband for my grandma.  She loves narrow headbands, so I figured why not just put one together myself.  It was pretty simple, and it allowed me to get a start on a collection of original designs.  I will be posting the pattern as soon as I've given it a few more test drives.  Here is the finished headband.  It's worked up in Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk Aran.

The design is a simple cable with a garter stitch edging that gradually gets a bit wider in the middle.  The simplicity is perfect for my grandma's taste, but next time I will definitely design a headband with some pizzazz.