Monday, January 27, 2014

Knitting and a gift

Having 3 different crafts that I want to do makes for difficult choices in which one I pick up.  With the cold weather, I seem to be tending toward knitting at the moment.  I cast on the Lightweight Pullover by Knitbot (Hannah Fettig) this week, using the Verdant Gryphon's Bugga yarn in American Rubyspot.  I'm almost ready to start the raglan increases!


I also worked some more on the Color Play Mohair Wrap.


My problem with this project is I dislike working with mohair.  lol!  It's like working with an extra hairy Mia, mohair all over the place.  Bleagh!

I also kept up with the Fussy Cut Fridays by making another star.


I had to cake up my Bugga yarn before I started the Lightweight Pullover, so I pulled out my trusty yarn swift and ball winder.  The father type was very interested in the process and asked if he could do the winding.  He had a great time!


(Please ignore the mess -- we hadn't picked up from the boy child's packing at the time.)

I received a lovely consolation prize from KimM's giveaway on Wisdom with Needle and Thread.  She sent me these lovely hand stitched gift tags!


They're all so lovely and tiny and delicate!  I love them, Kim!  Thank you so much!

Like so much of the country, we've been experiencing too too cold temps, and snow too.  Mia has not liked it anymore than I have.  She's been finding ways to keep warm though.


(Yes, she gets in there by herself.)

Thanks as always for stopping by and saying hi!  I hope everyone has a wonderful week.

(Hooray for Stan!)

36 comments:

Vickie said...

Yes, knitting looks like a nice warm thing to do! It is bitterly cold here today too. The younger two have school cancelled today and tomorrow.

Laurie in Iowa said...

Hooray for Stan the Man indeed! Your knitting is gorgeous...even if it is hairy. Glad the father type is assisting you with your knitting pursuits. lol :-)

Cari said...

Beautiful knitting going on there Margaret !! Those fussy cut stars are so much fun. This one is very interesting to 'stare' at. And Mia is one smart girl. Warm hugs from Florida.

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

Beautiful love the way you describe working with mohair! Mia is a very smart girl. Ahh love that your hubby wants to get involved with projects

Sherry said...

I would love to learn how to knit. The yarns are so beautiful. Your fussy cuts are looking great. Here's hoping this cold will be over soon and we can have an early Spring!

Lanie said...

Oooohhh your mohair wrap looks so cozy even if it is a little 'hairy' to work with!
I am soooo ready for a break in this weather. Here in western PA temps to be below zero at night and single digits during the day until middle of the week ... too much!
Our oldest daughter is in her senior year studying meteorology and she never complains about the weather, but last week even she finally said "Enough Already"!

Ann at Beadlework. said...

Lovely shade of red yarn, mohair can be very hairy to work with but it gives beautiful results. Cats know how to keep warm, they expert at finding the right place to sleep.

Melissa said...

Mia, that clever cat! She looks adorable in that blue quilt.

I can understand with the cold that knitting is the perfect thing to do right now! Very cozy!

Melody said...

Cats always seem to find a way to stay warm and snuggly. Mia looks very cozy. We are still freezing here as well. Your knitting is looking good!

The Inspired Stitcher said...

It's always fun to see all your projects. Love the knitting and the star is awesome. Have a great week and stay warm!

Anonymous said...

beautiful knitting, what a cute tags you won

Annie said...

You pick the prettiest yarns! Until I read that line about not liking to knit with mohair, I was already reminding myself not to get carried away and buy some of that yarn for the very reason you don't enjoy knitting with it. But I love the finishes!

Very cute gift tags. Nice idea for making them.

Your DH really comes in handy sometimes, doesn't he?

And Mia has not lost her ability to charm as she grows up!

Erica said...

I am in the same boat! Can't decide whether to stitch, knit or quilt. I always like to mix it up a little or I get bored.
Love the colors in that mohair wrap, but I totally get it about the mohair. I can't abide the stuff at all! All I have to do is look at it and I start to itch!
Mia is a little joy!

Deb said...

All your projects look fabulous. I turn to knitting when it gets cold too but lately I've been picking it up even though it is HOT... 39 C here today.

Linda said...

Love all your projects Margaret. Especially love the color of the red yarn. Cute pic of Mia.

And This Little Pig said...

Well Mia is keeping herself lovely and warm. Love your knitting, wish we had such lovely yarns here without them costing the absolute earth. Libbie :@

Chris said...

Lovely knitting, so nice to have a craft that keeps you warm too.
The gift tags are very sweet.
Stay warm!

Krista said...

What beautiful knitting, Margaret! The colors are gorgeous! I would imagine Mia would find that ball winder quite fun too :) She has the right idea of snuggling up! So funny, my Gigi does not like to be under blankets at all. Sometimes I think she is more dog than cat, lol! Have a great week Margaret! Stay warm!

Mugwump Woolies said...

Gorgeous red yarn! Knitting is a perfect pastime when the cold sets in for a long stay. Your DH is is a keeper! Have a great week and stay warm!
Robyn

Patti-Rocky Mtn Stitcher said...

When I start knitting I don't want to stitch LOL They look wonderful

Evelyne said...

At this moment I'm knitting to .The last time was Thirty years ago,I'm knitting also with kid mohair and I understanding the hair problem!
I love you knitting projects very much.
Lovely picture off Mia!

Nice week, Evelyne

woolwoman said...

Oh Margaret - LOVE that bugga - I was just looking at some reds on the Loopy Ewe. I like Knitbot patterns - I am about to do her cradle cardi for a friends first grandchild so wish me luck! the mohair wrap is beautiful and that quilt OMGosh - so dramatic! I love that your DH enjoyed the winding - wheeee - what fun ! stay warm - we are even having bad weather this far south - warm and wooley thoughts to you ! Mel

Jackie's Stitches said...

My husband likes winding too! I do it most of the time though. It's nice to have the swift and ball winder set up to use any time I need it. Your sweater is looking fabulous and it'll be a great color on you.

Roberta said...

Love your knitting projects especially the hat for boy child from a few messages back. It is amazing how some of our women devices fascinate our men!

Carol said...

If I could knit, I would definitely be picking knitting to do, too, Margaret! Will this frigid weather ever end? I'm so tired on waking up to sub-zero temps!!

Lovely colors you're working with... Stay warm now--Miss Mia has the right idea :)

Lois said...

With all that cold weather knitting is the perfect thing to do these days!!! Hope it warms up soon. (Happy for Stan!!!!)

Dawn said...

Lovely knitting. You have quite the assistant winding yarn!
Mia has the right idea in this weather...

Anonymous said...

Hi Margaret...love the colors of that yarn! Great projects. Winter is always a nice time to knit. I can sympathize with too many hobbies...one simply doesn't know where to choose! Thanks for your kind words on my blog!

Karoline said...

Great projects Margaret. I love the colours in your mohair wrap although like you I don't like knitting with the stuff

Melanie said...

You know what? I don't like working with mohair either. It feels like it gets in your NOSE. So itchy! No thanks. (LOOKS fabulous though.) You are just a knitting fool lately. I need to step up my game. Heh.
Goodness those stars look complicated! Very neat.

Brigitte said...

I know that feeling all too well - sometimes I'd like to have at least three pairs of hands in order to do all the lovely handcrafts I have in mind, all at the same time, lol.
Great stitching you are doing with some wonderful colours. And the new star would be perfect for my DIL as she loves blues and turquoise.

Solstitches said...

Gorgeous yarns make for two very lovely projects.
The star block is awesome.
Clever Mia. That is such a cute picture. She looks very cosy indeed.

Margaret

Anne said...

Love your knitting projects Margaret! That mohair one looks like it'll be great once done although you'll have mohair everywhere!! I got a kick out of the father type getting into the wool winding. Men seem to like the gadgety part of our crafts!! Hugs to you and little Mia! May you all stay warm during the cold snap!

Cathy B said...

I have always wanted to learn how to knit; it looks so relaxing. Too much cross stitch stash at this point to take up a new hobby! Don't apologize for the mess; your house looks lived in- like a home.

Scrap said...

hello ! beautiful work ! Love all your projets !
ha a nice week

Annette-California said...

The mohair yarn that you knitting with looks so beautiful, warm and inviting to touch -lol. Your knitting projects are so beautiful.
Mia has the right idea - to get and stay warm.
love Annette