xMeePx

Sandy

Hurricane Sandy as chronicled on my iPhone.

One of my Sandy projects, Tallin by Kate Gagnon Osborn.

My LYS had a pre-Sandy sale where I picked up some nice new yarn and needles for my mom.

What else do you really need when the world is ending?

Pre-Sandy baking.

Sandy project #2, Rocky Coast Cardigan by Hannah Fettig.

My mom's first ever knitting!

We were lucky enough to still have gas and hot water so there was a lot of pre-bedtime baking to warm up the house for the night.

Once it got to dark to knit, out popped out the cheesy romance novel.

Mom casting on her first scarf out of Rowan Big Wool.

My sister reading me a bedtime story for my daily 3pm nap.

I hope that this post find you and your loved ones well. Sandy was definitely an experience that I would never want to live through again. While we had no power for five days, we were able to cook and shower thanks to our gas not being cut. Many people in Jersey City and Hoboken weren't as lucky as I was. Please visit the following links to help donate to the cause.

Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/hurricane-sandy, call 1-800-HELPNOW, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10.

Rebuild Hoboken Fund: www.rebuildhoboken.org

Shawl-athon 2012: Part One

So here I am one day, sitting at my computer wondering what to knit next when I recieve a text message from none other than the lovely Margaux Hufnagel. What was in that text you might ask. Well, it was this link: BT Fall 11. I quickly opened it up, because who could really resist? After drooling for a few minutes, I promptly responded with something along the lines of, don't you realize I'm in school this semester you evil person!?!?!

But evil, she is not. If anything Margaux is one of my many knitwear enablers and I love her for it. We quickly made plans for an Ashby knit-a-long. While the KAL didn't work out quite as planned, (have you even started yours yet M?) I did manage to whip it out in about a months time.

Pattern: Ashby by Leila Raabe
Yarn: Classic Elite Yarns Kumara in Crema
Needles: US #8 & 9
Ravelry Link

Knitting this pattern was a wonder. I absolutely love Kumara, it's so soft and silky as you knit it up, adn the stitch definition is absolutely beautiful. The pattern was very well written, and the construction is ingenious. I actually think that this would make a really beautiful heirloom baby blanket, if time ever allows me the oppotunity to whip one up.

Until next time,

Happy Knitting!

Sundays @ Patricia's Yarns

Pattern: Reversible Rib Cowl #124 by Mac & Me
Yarn: Rowan Big Wool, 3 skeins in Glum
Needles: Addi Clicks US#13, 40"
Ravelry Link

This pattern is really simple and another perfect pick for a quick holiday knit. We decided to cut the pattern a bit short, and you definitely don't lose any of the bulky yumminess. If you follow the complete pattern instructions, it would be knit for another 6 inches for a total of 5 skeins of Big Wool. Either the full version or the slightly less wide one we knit would be great.

Until next time, happy knitting xo.

Sundays @ Patricia's Yarns

I have been blessed with many things in my knitting life. One of these is that I have found a great friend in Patricia, owner of my LYS Patricia's Yarns in Hoboken, NJ. Through the years, we have become better and better friends, and I now even have a little voice in my head asking "what would trisha do?" One of the many benefits of our friendship, is aquiring a knowledge of the yarns, and thus being asked to fill in a few weekends a month.

What is a girl to say to a proposition like this? Hey Mia, would you like to fill in a few days a month and sit and knit samples out of your beautiful yarns? Heck yes!!! So here is the first instalment of Sundays @ Patricia's Yarns.

Pattern: Flexible Flyer by Tonia Barry
Yarn: Classic Elite Yarns Toboggan in Salmon, 2 skeins
Needles: Addi Clicks US#13, 24"
Ravelry Link

This pattern is amazing. Super simple, and super quick. It would make the perfect last minute or holiday knit. The yarn is super duper soft and easy to work with. It was a pleasurable experience all around. I will definitely be making a few more of these this holiday season.

Thanks Jamison for posing for the picture!

Until next time, happy knitting xo

How did I survive before...

Purchasing blocking mats?!?!?!

Boy was I living in a cave! Second installment of Shawl-athon 2011 coming soon.

WIP Wednesday

Ridged Triangular Shawl by Leslie Weber out of Cascade Pima Silk in color 6902

WIP Wednesday

After a long radio silence due to a mis-placed camera, WIP Wednesdays are back with a few update posts to follow.

Naomi Scarf by Meghan Fernandes out of Classic Elite Kumara in Crema

lazy links scarf

After a few people have contacted me through Ravelry, I have decided to post the pattern for the Lazy Links Scarf. This scarf came about after a day of rummaging through my LYS's bargain basket I found two lonely balls of Rowan Cocoon. After looking through all of my pattern books and trying to decide on the perfect balance between the "perfect pattern" and the "pattern that would allow for the longest possible scarf," I came up with this. I hope you like it!

Lazy Links Scarf

Materials
Yarn: Rowan Cocoon [80% merino, 20% mohair; 126yds/115m per 100g skein]; color: #801 polar, 2 skeins.
Recommended needle size: US #11/8.0mm
(Note: Gauge isn't too important in this project.)

Notions
Tapestry Needle
Stitch markers
Cable needle

Abbreviations
K: Knit
P: Purl
SM: slip marker
Seed St:
Cluster: k2, p2, k2 from left-hand needle, slip these 6 stitches onto a cable needle. Wrap yarn twice from front to back around these 6 stitches. Slip these stitches back onto right-hand needle.

Directions

CO 32 sts.
Work 4 rows in Seed St. On last row, place marker after first 3 sts and before last 3 sts.

Row 1 (RS): K1, p1, k1, sm, p2, *k2, p2; rep from * to marker, sm, p1, k1, p1.
Row 2 and every WS row: P1, k1, p1, sm, k2, *p2, k2; rep from * to marker, sm, k1, p1, k1.
Row 3: K1, p1, k1, sm, p2, *cluster, p2; rep from * to marker, sm, p1, k1, p1.
Row 5: K1, p1, k1, sm, p2, *k2, p2; rep from * to marker, sm, p1, k1, p1.
Row 7: K1, p1, k1, sm, p2, k2, p2, *cluster, p2; rep from * to 4 sts before marker, k2, p2, sm, p1, k1, p1.
Row 8: P1, k1, p1, sm, k2, *p2, k2; rep from * to marker, sm, k1, p1, k1.
Rep these 8 rows until 1" less than desired length is reached.

Work 4 rows in Seed st. Bind off in pattern.
Weave in ends. Block lightly.

Special thanks to Leila for posing.

©Copyright 2010 Mia Rosa. All rights reserved. This pattern is to be used for personal use and may not be reproduced for sale or reprinted without designer's written consent.