I have finally mastered the kitchener stitch!

I can't tell you how many of my hand knitting projects have gone oh so wrong because I had never taken the time to learn how to properly execute the kitchener stitch.
These socks make my brain so happy. I love flip flops but I live in Chicago and flip flop weather is brief indeed. My mother is going to shake her head at me and say "child go put on some shoes".
I'm 35 years old and my mom is still trying to dress me. Gotta love her though.
I think I will be making a pair in white as soon as I get to the craft store to pick up some more yarn. I like it when a project comes together.

End of Summer

As the little bit of warm weather we get here in Chicago is going to wind down pretty fast thoughts of what I want to knit to keep me warm this winter are swirling around in my head. I have missed my daily knitting over the summer. I still knit but not as feverishly as I do when it's cold. I haven't touched my knitting machines at all in the past few months and I look forward to continuing to learn how to use them. I think leg warmers will be my first order of business, I am a child of the eighties after all.
I have a lot of quilt work on my plate right now as well that I can't wait to finish so I can relax and make something for myself. I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed as of late because I have had so much to do. In addition to just taking care of the homestead I have remodeled my sewing room, done a lot of work to get ready for my website re-launch, written content for the re-launch of my quilting podcasts, and started writing a guide for people whom are organizing group quilt projects. It has been difficult organizing my thoughts and taking my business more seriously as I get more work. I have never been good at the business end of things but have discovered that I have to get good at it and it has been a long road full of resistance to specifics and planning. I'm an artist and I just like to "do" but if I want to continue on and be successful I have to make plans and carry them out.
I don't even know why I just rattled all that stuff out, I guess it's been heavy on my mind.

I'm still alive

I have been knitting but I have just been to swamped with work and remodeling to share. I'll get back in the swing of things soon.

Knitty goodness

The summer Knitty is up! I will be casting on the Seascape stole tonight.

My obsession with knitting is good for my soul

Just in general I try not to be too new age-y when it comes to spirituality but sometimes it just works. When I am knitting I find myself feeling very calm and at ease. There is only the stitch.
The type of work I do is always detail work. I need good light. I have to wear glasses. I have to pay attention. When I knit things like hats or scarves I can make a mistake and fudge a little to make things work but when I am knitting lace every stitch has to be correct for the pattern to emerge. As I knit I mentally say each repeat of the stitch pattern to myself like a mantra. When I am done the lace is a testament to my patience care while I was knitting. I have blended my daily meditation into my craft. The knitting has helped me to be more present and take more care in my quilting projects and in my everyday chores. Being still and doing something very repetitive give me a chance to think about my concerns, my fears, and my goals.
In this world full of distractions I have found a way to be quiet. I am thankful for my knitting. I am thankful for the meditation. And it doesn't hurt that I have something useful when I am done.

I'm in love

Yes, another shawl

I had to do it. I had to make another swallowtail shawl. I made it larger than the pattern called for by adding a few repeats. I think it turned out just gorgeous.

Ooh shiny!

I'm adding beading to my knitting for the first time. Having the right tools for the job really helps in this instance. I have a tambour beading hook that makes sliding the beads onto the stitches go like a dream. I can't wait to finish and block it.

How addictive is knitting?

It's a good question. I feel like I should be going to meetings to deal with my addiction. I have been knitting lace shawls non-stop. Why does no one tell you that when you start knitting lace that you will never stop?
Now for the loveliness:

And don't even get me started on my renewed love of crochet...
I am still learning how to use my new knitting machines but I have only made samples. It's getting easier. Ok, off to knit some more.

I am such a yarn whore

More finished objects

mmmm yarn

Ooh, the spring Knitty is up!

Coffee and Knitting

Oh so many projects

It has been very cold and I have been feeling under the weather but I have still been knitting like a mad woman. I haven't been playing with my machines much because of the under-the-weather-ness but it it easy to knit in bed. I'd go into more detail but I am tired, so click the pictures to get to the patterns.