'Maters everywhere...

The explosion has begun. In my garden, that is. I have tomatoes ('maters if you're from the south) everywhere. Also in my garden I planted cucumbers, yellow squash (I make a killer squash patty), Japanese eggplant, jalapeno peppers, yellow bell peppers (I think or they might be red) and onions. I *love* to play in my garden. I go outside every day and pinch the little "suckers" off the 'mater plants.

Shop News: It's here! The Nature's Palette Silk & Wool Laceweight yarn. Hand dyed from natural dyes by Darlene Hayes of Hand Jive Knits, this tightly spun yarn is a winner. I love it. I haven't been this excited about a silk blend yarn in a long time. This is the yarn that Clara Parkes gave such high reviews a couple of weeks ago on her site, Knitters Review. Clara is also author of the fabulous book, The Knitter's Book of Yarn: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Using, and Enjoying Yarn.

We also have some great lace patterns to compliment this fabulous yarn. For beginning knitters to those who love a challenge.

Gone But Not Forgotten

Andrew Stanford Blount
Born and Became an Angel on May 9, 2008

When Rebecca went into labor Friday morning, I literally hopped around my office in excitement. It was the day we had been waiting for, and even though it didn't end like we thought it would, it was still a day of celebration.

When Rebecca arrived at the hospital, she and her husband learned that Andrew had no heartbeat. He had passed sometime in the 2 days before.

Out of heartwrenching sadness has come joy and love. As Rebecca and Billy's family and friends came together during that week, new friendships were formed, old ones were healed, and relationships were enriched. Little Andrew has changed us all, and we love him more and more everyday.

The Blounts wanted the memorial service to be a celebration of Andrew's life, so I made these Fairy Godmother Pins (I'll post the pictures tonight) for myself and the other 2 FGMs (as we're calling ourselves). All Rebecca could say was "Oh oh, those are perfect. Those are perfect." The whole day was perfect- we celebrated Andrew and his parents, laughed about Rebecca's pregnancy, cried about our loss and ate lots and lots.

Rebecca and Billy have been the epitome of grace and humility through out this experience. I'm humbled and touched by how they have let this strengthen them and not tear them apart. Chris and I are lucky to be called their friends.

I will always remember my first Fairy God Son, and he will always have a special place in my heart.

Blocking ... ?

I thought I would show the progress on my Easy Flame Scarf, knit with Malabrigo Laceweight in Dusty Olive. Gorgeous yarn and a restock is in at The Yarn Grove this week. This pattern is free on Knit and Tonic's blog .

Now my question is, how do *you* block your knits? What I am currently using is an apparatus that I bought years ago to help my mom block her needlepoint canvas. It is merely a ceiling tile (of some sort) and someone drew a 1 inch grid on white muslin and stretched it on the tile, stapling it on the back. While it is okay, it is hard to push the pins in.

So I'm curious... What do you use to block? Does it have grids or lines on it?

I've been spinning! ... but not with wool...

Yes, the old vertigo came back after being dormant for about 6 years. Last Sat. am I woke up in a real spin. All I can say is - it is horrible. Long story short, my vertigo is usually when I lay down then I spin for about 10 seconds and it stops. I had gone to an ENT 6 years ago who did this strange maneuver on me and poof! I was healed. I thought he was the miracle man. There is a name to this manuever as well and I can't remember it either.

I went back to another ENT (because I couldn't remember his name and picked a different clinic) and they think I might have some inner ear disease which has a name I cannot pronounce. The best news is ... it's gone! I know it could be worse. A friend of mine had it so bad she couldn't walk for 3 days. Anyway, I am back to my old self and glad for it.

Not too much knitting - but we did get some new Pagewood Denali colors in and also in their Chugiak. If you have not tried this yarn, you must. It is might nice. Also we are going to have a sale in our shop beginning Sat through Monday, May 10 - 12.





Still plugging away on my toe up on 2 circs socks and as I always do, have started the mate already. I know me and me would end up with single sock syndrome. This way, I alternate working on them. I am enjoying this 2 circular method very much. One set of needles is the Hiya Hiya stainless steel and the other is the Hiya Hiya Bamboo circs. I love them both.



Happy Mother's day to all of you moms out there, both of the 2 legged and 4 legged kind!

Knit Embellishments

Check out these simple instructions for this adorable knit embellishment! Imagine how far you could take it- you could even cover an entire baby sweater in these cute flowers!

Have ya'll seen the new Interweave Knits? GREAT summer stuff!

Ok, now I'll show you

Here it is ladies and gents! My summery, vintagey, flowery sundress- and entry to the ASG Creativity Contest. I used my Sublime Stitching kit to hand embroider the yoke, and the rest was a zip. Literally...I had to alter the pattern to include a zipper. The pattern called for stretch knits, but I made a few changes here and there to accommodate my fabric choice. Whether I win or not, I can't wait to wear it!

Sock love...

I am experiencing some new found sock knitting love. It all happened while talking out loud at my last knit therapy meeting at Noble Knitters. I was chatting with Phyllis who knits gorgeous socks. She was knitting the magic loop (which I have never learned... yet) and I said that I would like to learn it because I really am annoyed with the ladders I get on the 4 dpns I use. She said, "why don't you just knit on 2 circs". What an eye opener. Heck, when I cast on my toe up socks, I do so on 2 circs. Always have. Then I always *used* to switch to 4 dpns. Well, no more!

Here is where I need your help. I just noticed when photo-ing my new toe up Lorna's Laces new color - Edgewater sock on my too cool martini sock blockers from Scout's Swag that I can *still* see a ladder. Arrrggghhh. Any suggestions please? Does anyone else have or have had this problem? Maybe it will go away with washing?

ASG Creativity Contest

Well, its that time again! I'll be submitting my entry to the American Sewing Guild Contest this Friday. Here is a sneak peak at my entry:

I won't show the whole garment until AFTER the deadline...just in case.

Haven't been knitting at all lately. Just sewing, packing, painting the new house, and trying to survive finals week, Jill leaving, and everything else thats going on. Rebecca is due in 2 weeks so I'm SUPER excited about that. I still haven't finished the curtains for the nursery...I guess I should get crackin!

The Albuquerque Bird Flies West

The Albuquerque Bird was the featured drink this week at Aromas (the birthplace of the Cast Aways Knitting Club). The Albuquerque Bird is a vanilla soy latte, Jill's favorite drink. Jill left this morning to move to Albuquerque, New Mexico. She will be working for an environmental consulting agency, researching and studying the effects of construction on songbirds. Jill has spent the last 2 years here in Alabama earning her Masters in ornithology (a vocab term I picked up last night at dinner). :)

In addition to being the most talented knitter I know (LOOK at these!!)....

...Jill is the coolest, most laid back, sweetest, funniest, most caring girl in the world. I can't believe she's gone. I'm going to miss her so much.

Jill,
Knitting club won't be the same without you. I'm SO glad we're friends. Thanks for all the laughs, tears, smiles and knitting lessons. LOVE YOU!!!

Snow Sister

Look at my beach babe sister gone snow bunny! Looks like a GREAT trip to Colorado. I hope she had some good knitwear!!!

Happy Earth Day!

It's Earth day. Sit back and reflect on what you can do to help Mother Earth. One quick and easy way is to stop using plastic throwaway bags. There was an article in the current People Magazine about various bags to use instead of those plastic throwaway and one of them featured was ChicoBag. We are so proud to be a supplier of these great re-useable, multi-purpose bags!

In honor of Earth Day, today The Yarn Grove is giving away a free ChicoBag with every $50.00 purchase. It is a special Earth bag - specifically in honor of Earth Day. This offer is effective through April 22nd.

In other shop news, we just received a huge order from Nature's Palette in Fingering Weight. Darlene has some new colorways such as Tuscan Ocre, Summer Sky and more we are excited to be bringing to you. Back in stock as well are some of your favorites such as Zinfandel, Spring Grass, Orchid and more! And yes, we will be getting her new wool/silk laceweight blend which I have already had the pleasure of knitting with. It is amazing and will be in our shop very soon!

Trivia question: Do you know what year Earth Day first began?

I give you ... One Baby sweater

It's done! Well, except for choosing and sewing on the buttons. This was a really fun knit for me. Seamless Yoked Baby sweater - free pattern from Knitting on the Net. Louet Gems Fingering weight in Willow is the yarn I used. Just a little over 1 skein. I think I'll make a matching hat since I have plenty left for that. This is for sure on my do again list. The only thing I forgot to do was decrease just before finishing the cuff but I believe it will be fine. This would fit a 6-9 month old baby. Since I don't have any of those ... yet ... I will be donating this.

Speaking of buttons, I used to have a real thing for buttons. My friend, Paula did too and she came up with the clever idea years ago that we should store them in an unused fish aquarium. So that's what I did. I just keep adding to it but it makes it really easy to scoop some out and sort through them. The majority of these buttons have come from estate sales, vintage clothing and the likes. Most are old but there are some new ones also in the mix. So I will pick some special ones out for this baby sweater.

And while I am on the subject of baby/small things, we just received the awesome and brand new Hiya Hiya 9" stainless steel circulars. We have had the bamboo ones (when we can keep them in stock) but now they have listened to your requests and are making them in stainless steel as well. These are fabulous for socks, small areas like fingers on gloves and such...

Six Sweet Sheep

Hi everyone! I'm alive! Sorry I haven't posted in forever, but I've been a shower planning fool the past week. Here's a picture of my finished Sheep Yoke Cartigan. I had a hard time understanding the chart on the pattern, but in the end it all worked out...aside from the fact that I was sewing on the buttons a hour before the shower. :)

I spent all day Saturday making the Tiffany's inspired cake...WITH homemade buttercream frosting...oh yes. It was so fun. I wish I could just cook, bake, knit, sew and play all day everyday. Instead, I'm workin for the man...and actually interviewing to work for another man who will pay me more. More on that later.

Making progress and Meet Shorty...

I am really enjoying knitting this little sweater. It is coming along nicely. This is knit from the top down, all in one piece. Tonight I will be able to take it to Noble Knitters group because I am just knitting and purling the body and that doesn't require my brain to think too much whilst talking!

I figured it was time to introduce the latest member of our family. Meet Shorty. Shorty is a brother to Junior and is currently 11 weeks old. I do believe he will be a little smaller than Junior - Junior weighs in at a large Silky Terrier size of 12.5lbs but is not overweight at all according to our vet.

Big Girl aka Lucy, our 14 year old lab is just barely tolerant of him. She has earned her right to be a little cranky and she is the queen of the pack. Everyday I see a little more age creeping into her but she is still pretty spunky!

Stop by The Yarn Grove where you will find a contest going on for Earth Day.

Some fiber goodness...

I just finished the Toyland quilt for a friend whose daughter is having her first baby. I am hosting a shower for her next Sunday. She is having a boy. Gosh, I haven't hosted a shower of any sorts in years and years so this has been a re-learning experience for me. It will be fun though, I'm sure.

I also decided to cast on for a baby sweater which is called Seamless Yoked Baby Sweater. Donna from my knit group had been working on one and I thought it was the cutest. So I cast on (free pattern) with Louet Gems Fingering Weight, not swatching of course, and I am enjoying it.

Earth day is coming up so stay tuned for a fun promotion about that at The Yarn Grove. Have a great weekend - I know I will. Orange Boy and Cheryl are coming to visit. Yay!

Second Hand Home

So, as you may know, Chris and I are moving into our FIRST house in less than a month! (Its tiny but cute...check out the pepto pink bathroom. We will be painting.) This is joyous in many capacities.

First and foremost- we will be OUT of the residence hall.

Secondly, Spottie will have a fenced in back yard, complete with squirrels and birds. She's quite excited.

And lastly, I will have a CRAFT ROOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (currently I have a craft corner that is so packed that I can't even sit in the chair)

Well, any crafty girl or boy is going to take this golden opportunity to explore some decorating ideas, right? And it just so happens, I'm a crafty AND thrifty girl. SO I've challenged myself to decorate my entire house using only second hand materials. Gasp! I know.

Check out my blog to see my projects. Look for tutorials and patterns as time goes on. http://www.secondhandhome.blogspot.com/

In other news my friend Jana, member of the Castaways knitting club is.....pregnant!!!!! YAY!!!

ChicoBag Winner!

Octopus Knits - you are the winner of the ChicoBag blog giveaway! If you will email me at janeAT theyarngrove.com with your first and second choice colors and your mailing address, I will get that out to you.

Thanks to all for your emails and comments. I just love giving stuff away! Have a wonderful weekend.

Do Just One Thing, March 24

This was Monday's green tip:

"Now that spring is around the corner, be sure to securely and naturally store your wool sweaters, scarves and mittens. Instead of using smelly mothballs made from a toxic substance called naphthalene, which in large levels can cause numerous health problems, choose natural lavendar. Dried lavendar doesn't just repel moths, it also keeps your clothes smelling lovely and fragrant."

I may use this tip for yarn storage!

Visor Tutorial

OK, so here it is...my FIRST pattern! I designed it for when I play sand volleyball, but its cute enough to wear for tennis, gardening, hiking, flea market shopping, dog walking...etc. The brim is short enough so that your vision is not limited, and its cotton, so if you sweat you can throw it in the washing machine.
Here is the pattern: (If something is unclear, or doesn't match up, PLEASE tell me!!!)

Supplies:
Size 8 circular needles (9in)
1 skein (or 100 yds) worsted weight yarn (I used Misti Alpaca Pima Cotton)
1 sheet of plastic grid- to stabilize the bill
stitch marker, yarn needle, diet coke...oh wait that's optional

Get started!
CO 84 and pm to mark beginning of round
Make the band!
Rnd 1-11: Work in k2 p2 rib
Rnd 12: BO 44, k to end (these 40 live stitches will make the bill)
Make the bill! (working back and forth)
Row13-16: Work these 4 rows in st stitch
Row 17: k to 4 stitches before end, w&t (wrap and turn)
Row 18: p to 4 stitches before end, w&t
Row 19: k to 3 stitches before end, w&t
Row 20: p to 3 stitches before end, w&t
Row 21: k to 2 stitches before end, w&t
Row 22: p to 2 stitches before end, w&t
Row 23: k to 1 stitch before end, w&t
Row 24: p to 1 stitch before end, w&t
Make the pocket (for the stabilizer!)
Row 25: k to 2 stitches before end, w&t
Row 26: p to 2 stitches before end, w&t
Row 27: k to 3 stitches before end, w&t
Row 28: p to 3 stitches before end, w&t
Row 29: k to 4 stitches before end, w&t
Row 30: p to 4 stitches before end, w&t
Row31-34: Work these 4 rows in st stitch
BO all stitches
















Finish it!
Stitch side ends of pocket together (it's only 2 stitches)
Cut a piece of stabilizer to fit snugly into pocket.
















Insert stabilizer and stitch pocket closed. To make the stitching discrete, pick up only one loop per stitch from band.
Weave in ends

Free Bird

Inspired by a towel I saw at Anthropologie, I used my Sublime Stitching embroidery kit to make this little bird towel. Now please know, the cage is more like this birdie's home- he likes it in there. He can come and go as he pleases. There will be no caged birdies on my watch. No sir-rey!
Happy Easter by the way! The Easter Bunny came to my house and brought my favorite, Cadbury Eggs, a rather large assortment of Chris's favorite candy. Hmm....suspicious, huh? I made cinnamon buns from scratch for a breakfast treat. We've pretty much been fatties all weekend. BUT we did play tennis yesterday...so that justifies the sweets, right?

Bahhhhhhd Directions!

My little cousin, Zak, sings "Bah Bah black sheep, hanenenei wool?"


Here's my progress on the sheep sweater. I can't say I love it. It may just be me, but the pattern doesn't make any sense!!! I looked for other knitter's working on the sweater on Ravelry, and they all had written things like "The pattern makes so much sense" and "She doesn't make you guess!" So...I guess it is just me. Anyway, the body is about 25 stitches too short which may not make a big difference- I don't know. I abandoned the pattern many rows ago. It my be frogged quite soon. But things do look better once you've blocked them, don't they? Hmmm...

I'm in love ... with these bags! Giveaway too!

Just in to The Yarn Grove are ChicoBags. I love this bag! I stuffed my sample bag full of yarn the other night to take to Noble Knitters and had so much fun showing it off. It has its own integrated pouch- complete with carabiner so you can clip it on your purse, belt loop or wherever! You pull the bag out of its pouch and poof! you're ready to stuff it full of yarn (of course I guess it *can* have other purposes than a yarn stash stuffer). It's all one piece, bag and pouch.

I feel like giving one of these away. If you will leave a comment or send me an email to janeATtheyarngrove.com and answer this question:

Are you currently: Paper, Plastic or recycled? I will announce the winner on my blog on Friday, March 28.

Fetch some of these

(Now if that isn't southern lingo, I don't know what is. )

Here is a photo of my Fetching gloves knit up in Lorna's Laces Worsted Weight Khaki colorway. I knit these late last year and just wanted to show off my mitten/fingerless glove blockers that I got from Spunky Eclectic a few weeks ago. Love them! It took a little fiddling with them for their first photo shoot since the thumb is a seperate piece but I love the result.

I am still plugging away on my Flickering Flames scarf in Malabrigo Dusty Olive and am in love with this yarn.

Speaking of yarns, stay tuned for some new ones ... coming soon.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I always celebrate the wearing of the green by this button my crafty Island Girl made for me when she was in the 3rd grade. I treasure it.

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Piece-a-Cake!

I've been dying to roll fondant for sometime now, and Rebecca's impending baby shower was the perfect excuse to finally give it a whirl! I found a great website that gave step by step instructions...although nothing can quite prepare you for the experience.
You start with melted marshmallows and 2 lbs of powdered sugar. Oh yes. As soon as you stick your hands (which MUST be greased with copious amounts of crisco) into the mixture, the warm marshmallows stick to your hands like some kind of nuclear sludge. No matter how much you scrape and pull, you can't get it off! I was home alone, and I actually started to panic! It was a horrible feeling. You're only chance to save your hands is to get the powdered sugar incorporated into the marshmallow sludge. After a few minutes it turned into a lovely white dough. Whew!
You have to knead for 8 minutes to get the fondant to the right consistency. It should soft enough to stretch and not crack, but be tough enough to work with.


Then you grease your counter, roll it out and put it on your cake. First you must cover your cake with buttercream frosting, which serves as the glue. Then you must lick the knife. :)

This is my practice cake. The shower is in 3 weeks. I'm very pleased with it if I do say so myself!

Some Pagewood Socks from Monica Knits!

I just had to blog about these socks, Makin' Waves from Monica of Monica Knits. She used Pagewood Farms - Glacier Bay in the Navajo colorway and they are gorgeous. Pattern? Her own of course. And not only that but Monica has 2 designs in the brand new Vogue Knitting book - Cables on the Go. I have been checking at my local B&N and Borders but haven't been able to snag a copy yet. Way to go Monica!

We also have on order lots of Pagewood Farms Chugiak Sock yarn which is a 2ply tight twist. Look for it soon in our Pagewood Farms aisle.

In other knitting news, I just made a quick cell phone case for my mom out of my own hand dyed worsted weight. Now that dyeing day was an experience. I have done this before but honestly only with kool-aid. This was the real stuff. Needless to say, this color was not what I had in mind but is kinda an oops. Can't stand to waste any yarn so I will use it.

And my car swerved into the parking lot of my local Goodwill (GW as I refer to it) and that is always a fun time for me. I found Knit Knack Kit which includes little patterns - fresh in the box, unused with needles, etc. for $1.71. That is where I got the pattern for the cell phone.

What I need to learn to do is knit with reckless abandon. I *think* I can't knit without a pattern. I hate to admit it but I still have to refer to my pattern for short row heels on my socks. Maybe once I knit a drawer full, that will change.

So let me put it out there to the Knitting Universe. Can *you* just think up something in your head you want to knit and knit it?

Baby Beret

I can't seem to get enough of knitting caps and hats. Hats have always been one of my favorite things to knit. Perhaps because I enjoy starting new projects frequently? And usually only have one going?

I decided to knit Woolly Wormhead's Baby Rollin' Beret to match the other Beret I did from her. I quickly chose one of my favorite worsted weight hand dyed yarns from Cheryl B. Design Studio and this time chose Grape Smasher. Love all the blends of purples and blues. Yumm.

I photographed it from the top because it is still drying. I did block it just a bit but I really don't know if it was necessary or not.

It is cute as can be... And going to a fashion plate baby...

Happy Birthday, Island Girl!

To my funny, smart, animal advocate, tree hugging, vegetarian, hard working, loving Island Girl, Happy Birthday. I know you hear it every year (I feel her rolling her eyes) but I don't know where the years have gone. Wow.

Happy Happy Birthday Stephanie.

Mattress Stitch Tutorial

Hiya! How is everyone on this windy March morning? I came across a great tutorial I wanted to share with you all. Mochimochiland.com has provided step by step instructions for a vertical and horizonal mattress stitch used for garments and toys. If you've never done it, you'll LOVE this magical seaming stitch!

Love, Lily

Flickering Flames... Try saying that a few times!

I decided my next project will be in Malabrigo Laceweight. I chose colorway Dusty Olive which is a very interesting colorway. Dark greens along with deep pinks make for an interesting knit.

I plowed around a little on Ravelry and decided on the scarf - Flickering Flames by Knit and Tonic. I only knit a little last night and really enjoyed the pattern.

I also re-cast on Ribbletts by Monica Knits. I usually don't have 2 projects going at the same time. I am normally (well not *normal*) a one project - finish it - start another project knitter. We'll see how this goes... The Malabrigo Laceweight is so soft and the colorways are gorgeous.

This week brings to Duluth, GA the Sewing Expo. It comes once a year and I always look forward to it since I love to sew and love gadgets. There is also going to be a knitting corner so if you're in the area, stop in at the Gwinnett Civic Center.