Hiya Hiya Interchangeable Accessories and ....

Hiya Hiya has introduced Single Point Adapters.  These versatile attachments for your 4" or 5" Interchangeable needle tips are great.  Attach one and you have a straight needle.  Add a Panda Cable Stopper and you have a functional straight needle, all for a low cost. Shown below with the optional purchase of a Panda Cable Stopper.

Next up, Hiya Hiya KnitSaver Interchangeable Cables, in both Small (US 2-8) and Large (US9-15) for your interchangeable needle tips. Lifelines are a fabulous way to protect your stitches while knitting complicated lace patterns.

Looking for a small gift for that special friend/family member who loves to knit?  Check out all the wonderful and unique accessories offered at The Yarn Grove.

I have been knitting and have finished two shawls; however, I have yet to block them.  My least favorite thing to do but the most rewarding, once it's all said and done.  Coming up next on my needles will be another Shipwreck Shawl.  One of my all time favorite patterns.  Amazingly a quick knit.  My hold up currently are the holidays and another gift I need to finish.

I have been going to a knitting group on Wednesdays at our local Barnes and Noble.  It is a fun group and after several years, there have been deep friendships formed. It was only fitting that when one of our dear friends found out she was battling her illness once again, it was decided by one to knit her a shawl.  Another friend became the drill sergeant.  She found the Stephen West Kenzie pattern and chose Madelinetosh Sport Weight yarn and started the drill.  Believe me, it was knit with so much love, but she made sure we kept it going. It worked out perfectly that each one of us knit a stripe. We then passed a journal with it, put a strand of our yarn color that we knit and wrote her a message.  Within 3 weeks, this extra large shawl was done.  We all met on a Wednesday night at our friend's place, scrumptious appetizers, love and laughter and presented her with this shawl.  I'm so glad we did.

I been sewing and quilting.  Baby quilt - done.  Small gifties for Christmas - done.

The colors are much prettier in person.  

Love. Peace. Laughter to each of you this holiday season.  Don't sweat the small stuff.  Life is short.

Some of this and a lot of that...

It's July.  The 6th to be exact.  Wow.  I've started thinking of gifts to make for some of my peeps for Christmas.  Yesterday I went to get a fabric fix at Intown Quilters and what a fix it was.  I bought 3 quilt kits (2 Halloween for wall hangings for my boys) and one for myself of Ruby Star Rising by Melody Miller (this one is going to be a challenge, one I look forward to).  18 fat quarters to make Yellow Brick Road in some funky fun colors.  This one is earmarked for my 87 yo mom who is visually impaired but would be able to enjoy these brights. (these were photographed on my ironing board so the other blue/olive retro flowers you see are just the cover of my board.)

On the knitting front, I have two projects going.  Both just shawlettes which I love knitting.  I just recently blocked this 100% Wolles Creation Cotton yarn and what a fun yarn it is to knit with.  I wasn't so sure when I first started which is why I stuck to a simple garter stitch pattern.  But while it is a tiny, very loose 4-ply cotton strand, I never split not one stitch.  Loved it so much I bought two more color ways.  This is a light weight scarf and soft as ever.  Her yarn is so popular now that you have to contact her to special order.  Doesn't take long at all.  LOVE IT.  Already have worn this a dozen times.

My plan today is to fiddle with this kit I bought 2 years ago.  Saw it on a blog, don't remember which one, and she was selling these kits.  I bought one.  It is called Funky Peppermint Table Runner and is a Christmas table runner.  Loved it, bought it, and I hope to start it today.  We'll see.  Lots of pages of instructions and also paper piecing which always takes me a while to get started!

On The Yarn Grove side of things, all is great.  Hiya Hiya SHARPs continue to sell like gangbusters.  I encourage all who are on the fence about trying a Hiya Hiya SHARP to purchase one SHARP interchangeable tip, either 4" or 5" and one interchangeable cable (in several lengths) and give them a try.  While having a whole set is great, it's not necessary if you don't knit with some of the sizes that come in the 2 different sets.  Coming soon are some new SNIPs, ever so popular.

It's been a rainy 4th of July here in GA so I think it is the perfect day for sewing.  I won't even give one thought to the GA corn that I bought to put up this week or the baby English cukes I bought from a farmer to make pickles.  Maybe tomorrow for those...

Stitches South

Stitches South was just here in GA - April 11 through April 14, 2013.  I was able to scoot over there on Sunday, the 14th.  Usually I spend a couple of days there but it did not work out for me this year.

It was awesome as always.  Something happens to my senses when I get around that much fiber, yarn and beauty.  I walked through 3 times before making any purchases.  I was in complete control - even though I usually am armed with a list of projects and yarn ideas for these projects prior to attending.  I had not had the chance to do that.

In the photo, left side - Madelintosh Meriono Light in Stargazing.  Possibly for a Spectra .  Next up Lang Jawoll Magic in Rainbow and also in a blue/green mix.  Something in my Ravelry queue but I can't remember.  Love this yarn.

In the back, a Yarn Pop project case.  Love owls , love this bag.  I will eventually get the larger one with a shoulder strap but for now, this works great.  In the front from Lovin' Knits , this glorious ball of Freia handpaints ombre yarn.  This was kitted with a shawl pattern from KnitWhits.  Not sure if I will keep the yarn for this pattern, but couldn't resist.

The cream color yarn and pattern in the right rear is Shibui Staccato and Shibui Silk Cloud.  The pattern is Shibui Mix which is an ethereal shawl.  I will use Shibui Staccato but instead of Silk Cloud, I bought Habu Textiles Silk and Stainless Steel.  This "yarn" makes the shawl look like it is really floating.  I saw it knit up as a sample at Cast On Cottage booth and it is stunning.

Then last but not least, Miss Babs in Pewter (photo does not show the beauty of this gray)Yummy Sock and Baby yarn along with Yummy Toes in Naples.  This will become Leftie .  I saw several of these knit up in different booths and there are endless options to knitting this shawl.  Did not see one I didn't like.

So there is my Stitches South, summed up.  And I was able to meet up with several of you !

Off the needles - Little Shells (Ravelry)- knit up in Shibui Staccato and Shibui Silk Cloud.  Yes, I love this yarn.  One strand each, held together.  My mother claimed this one.

That's it for now!  Happy knitting, sewing, or just plain craftin'.

Pandas are here from Hiya Hiya!

The Pandas have arrived and they are absolutely adorable and fun.  These are the Point Protectors for your needles.  Small set of Pandas fit US 0- US8 and Large set of Pandas fit US 9- US15.  I am told the Cable stoppers are still in the work for the interchangeable needle sets, but they have not been released as of yet.

I have also started carrying select Clover accessories such as Chibi, Wonder Clips (which are terrific for knitting, quilting or even scrapbooking) and more.

Large Panda is on the left and Small Panda on the right.  Also arrived at The Yarn Grove are some new accessory cases from Hiya Hiya.  Lots of fun stuff!