Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Namaste Bags ...


The Namaste Cali Collection bags in the Laguna style are back in stock here at The Yarn Grove. Also in is their new seasonal color which is Peacock. Great knitting bag or just all around functional purse...

We heard you ! So now stocked at TYG is 20" Hiya Hiya Stainless Steel circular needles. Perfect for socks on 2 circs...

I started the Casablanca KAL and it is a fun knit for me so far. Anyone else doing it?

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Had to Have it...

I'm a sucker for cute things and this book is no exception. Last night at our Noble Knitters, Knitting Friend, Donna, found this book, Love from Woolly. She bought one, Lauri bought one and I bought the other. Why? I shall save it for the Woolly Wonder (aka) future Grandchild ... It is adorable and a great gift! From now on, all new babies in my life will receive as follows:

One itty bitty hand knitted, made with love from my hands item

-and-

Love from Woolly Book.


News at The Yarn Grove ... More Namaste Cali Bags arriving any day now. More colors of O~Wool Organic Classic are here.

Adorable new patterns from Katie Park of Caffaknitted - distributed by the wonderous Gardiner Yarn Works. Peg and Tulip are waiting to be knitted up - try some organic - would make a great gift for a youngster!



Also a photo of my pickins' of the day. One jalapeno, several cherry 'maters, plum 'maters and one green pepper. That pepper smells divine... I expect a serious explosion of red ripe 'maters any day now - friends - look out...


Orange Boy and Cheryl are coming. Yay! You *know* I'll have a marvelous weekend and hope all ya'll do too...

Monday, June 16, 2008

Strawberry-Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Here's my recipe for the perfect summer salad-

Salad
1 pint strawberries (sliced)
1 lb spinach leaves
1/2 cup sliced almonds (or the nut of your choice)

Dressing
1 cup salad oil
1/2 cup sugar (don't you dare use Splenda!)
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp poppy seeds
Serve dressing on the side

Serve with raspberry lemonade and crusty bread on the back porch.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

No one is safe now...


Yep, I got a new camera. My sweet husband gave me one for my birthday last week and I have been playing around with it. It has come to the point where even the birds scatter and cover themselves with their wings when I go outside to look for my next *subject*. I have a Nikon Coolpix P80 and I have a lot to learn about it but am having a blast.
Knitting? Not so much but have started a new pair of socks and will show them soon. I am actually waiting for the Casablanca KAL to begin which I hope will be this Friday.

Here are some of my latest *subjects*... Back soon with some knittin' to show but in the meantime, here is my first 'mater but no squarsh yet...

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

It was meant to be

I made a promise to myself- no more shopping for yarn until I reduce my stash down to 2 drawers (right now it is crammed into 3) so yesterday, when I logged onto Ravelry, I knew my pattern search would be limited. I want to make a cool, earthy wrap for a friend, but my stash is mostly a mish-mosh of leftovers, samples and dying experiments. But then, fate took its course...

I found this pattern which calls for Pakucho Organic Cotton...the very yarn I bought 6 skeins of at Christmas!!! PERFECT!!!

I finished 6 rows last night, so I'll post pictures when the pattern begins to appear.

In other news...have ya'll seen Sex and the City yet??? It was spectacular.

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Socks and Dental Floss...



I have finished the Edgewater socks from Lorna's Laces. I am pleased how they turned out - simple toe up. I used 2 circ method - one set of bamboo circs from Hiya Hiya and the other set of stainless steel circs from Hiya Hiya. Honestly? I can't pick a favorite... Loved them both.

In other yarn news, I am saddened about the Malabrigo Yarn mill fire but glad that no one was hurt. Our thoughts continue to be with this great yarn company as they begin the rebuilding process.

And new in the shop - some more Opal sock yarns! The cotton Collection is here as well as Rendez-vous. And The Yarn Grove will be one of the shops that will carry the Harry Potter Sock Yarn from Opal in October! I'm thrilled about that...

And my new fun thing? Beads on yarn... with dental floss. I am getting ready to begin Casablanca Shawl KAL and it calls for beads. A couple of weeks ago at Noble Knitters, Ellen demonstrated both the crochet and dental floss technique to attach beads to yarn. I immediately decided that the dental floss technique was for me. Now this isn't just any dental floss - it is Super Floss! I understand there are tutorials on You-Tube showing the methods but I was fortunate enough that our resident lace knitting guru, Pat, demonstrated the floss method to me again last night. It is too fun!

And of course I had to visit a local bead shop, Bead Boutique to get some delectable beads... This is only *part* of my bead stash from that trip... oh boy.
Do you bead? If so, what is your favorite method of attaching the beads to yarn? I'd love to hear from you!

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Time Does Fly...



Happy 2nd Anniversary, Chris and Cheryl! and it seems like yesterday...




Much love, hugs and laughter,

Momma

Monday, June 02, 2008

Still Here

Hey ya'll! I'm still alive- just been without internet for 2 weeks. Don't worry Comcast is supposed to come this week, then I'll be back to my picture posting, blogging self. I can't wait to show you all the sewing and painting I've done around the new house!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

'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.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

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.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

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?

Friday, May 09, 2008

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!

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

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!

Friday, May 02, 2008

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!

Thursday, May 01, 2008

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?

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

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!

Friday, April 25, 2008

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!!!

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

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?

Thursday, April 17, 2008

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...