Tuesday, February 9, 2016

This is getting out of hand....

OK, I thought I was posting every two weeks.  But that doesn't seem to be the case.  Whoops!  Well, this is catch up time.

First off, for you sampler lovers out there, I did start yet another sampler.  It's All Creatures Great and Small by Barbara Ana Designs.  I've done more of the border since this picture, but it wasn't worth showing that part.


Not the greatest of pictures -- sorry.  I'm using a vintage piece of 40ct. Lentil from Lakeside Linens, and the called for Anchor floss.  I'm loving this one!

I've also finished a couple of knitted items.  First is the Flying Geese Cowl by Peg Blechman for Quince & Co.  I used Brooklyn General Store Barnwool for this one.  The spring green matches my winter puffer coat exactly!


Mason Dixon Knitting started a "Bang Out a Sweater" KAL on February 1.  The sweater in question is the Stopover by MJ Mucklestone.  The idea is to get the sweater knitted in plenty of time for wearing this winter.  It's a quick knit because of the large, relaxed gauge.  And yup, I made it in plenty of time!


I couldn't believe how fast this knit up (although while I was knitting it, it felt like it was going slowly -- all that stockinette!!).  And I loved doing the Kitchener stitch for the first time ever -- the underarm areas had to be grafted together.  A very magical stitch -- Kitchener must have been very clever!  (BTW, if you are interested in the history of the Kitchener stitch, here is a link.)

I used the colors that MJ Mucklestone used for her Stopover in the Lettlopi yarn.  They were what made me fall in love with the sweater in the first place.  (I did use a lighter red than called for just because it was what I could find.)

I have yet to try the sweater on.  My gauge unblocked versus blocked for the Lettlopi yarn is hugely different, so I have to wait till the sweater is dry to try it.

And yes, I cast on February 1, and finished the sweater today around midday.  Hooray!

Father Type and I managed to make it into the city (despite some snow earlier in the day) this past Friday evening -- to see The Lion King on Broadway!






It was so amazing!  I just loved it, and the Father type did too.  I'm hoping we can manage to get the kids coordinated to drag them to see it sometime.

Mia has gone back to her quiet life of leisure.  I think she's contented, but misses the excitement of having the boy child around.


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


35 comments:

Brigitte said...

Nice catch up, Margaret. And I'm glad it's out of hand and not out of sight, lol.
I'm one of those sampler lovers although I rarely ever stitch one. This Barbara Ana sampler is so very interesting, I have to add it to my wish list. Look at these funny piggies with their little piglets. I think I really have to have this chart :)
Wonderful knitting, too. That sweater is gorgeous.
You seemed to have a great time when watching and listening to The Lion King.

Brigitte said...

.... I forgot the only: ONLY out of hand. Lol.That's when you write too fast.

Lynette said...

So many things to comment on in your post Margaret! I have recently bought the Barbara Ana sampler but haven't started it yet - having seen yours, I don't thonk it will be long before I do!
Love your gorgeous sweater - beautiful colours!
We took two of our grandchildren to see the Lion King in Cardiff (Wales, UK) about 15 months ago and we all thought it was wonderful!

Sherry said...

Wonderful new start. I look forward to following your progress. The flying geese cowl looks cool. I love the quilt pattern flying geese so and this is just like it.

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

That sampler is awesome! Love the barn and the farm animals--I may have to add this one to my stash

cucki said...

The sampler is looking so sweet..it's so pretty
Happy stitching x

woolwoman said...

what a great post Margaret - I was checking for you on Monday - glad you are well and happily stitching and knitting. So awesome you got to see Lion King with DH. OMgosh - that Stopover sweater is amazing. So beautiful - I bought the new VK Winter issue and there is an article on Swedish Bohus knitting with several of that style of yoke knitting in there. very tempting indeed. Yours is lovely, I presume you use a fair isle technique for the color work yolk? Love the cowl too. you really are "banging out" the knitting. YGG - frankly I love miles of stockinette, a time to rest the brain and just enjoy the wool. Love your new sampler start, I've been tempted to download this one but after plundering thru stash looking at all the samplers I have started and stashed - I should never buy another thing HA! for now I'm resisting but I love yours and vintage lentil is a great color for this.

Vera said...

Hi Margaret! Love the piggies on the sampler - too cute!! And your knitting...swoon. Love both the cowl and the sweater. I am still moving along (slowly) on the baa-ble hat and I am enjoying the stranding work...so maybe I'll attempt a sweater (LOL). Also knitting another pair of sox (and still have not finished the sweater for my son started 2-3 years ago...sweater for myself started last summer and a shawl I started in the fall). YIKES!!! Cute Mia - such a sweetie.

Barb said...

I was just thinking about your blog yesterday and wondering if I'd somehow missed a recent post - and then, ta-da! Here you are today! Yeah!!

I love your stitching project - those piggies are so adorable. I am most impressed with your very speedy knitting! WOW! So fast and so beautiful! Thanks, too, for the link about the Kitchner stitch - very interesting. I've only attempted it once and need to work on doing it better but it is a fascinating technique isn't it?

Thanks, too, for the Mia pictures - she is a beauty!

Vickie said...

That little lad in the sampler is so sweet. And the piglets!
Wow! That is fast for a sweater! And an awesome one at that. Love the colors.

Natasha said...

Great strategy on creatures.... I look forward to seeing your progress. Glad you both had a great time at the show. Have a great day

Natasha said...

Great strategy on creatures.... I look forward to seeing your progress. Glad you both had a great time at the show. Have a great day

Annie said...

I love that sampler (and pretty much anything Barbara designs). I've never used Anchor threads. Any difference that you see from DMC, other than the shades of course?

Your knitting needles are really revved up! I can't believe how fast you turn things around, even when learning new techniques. So pretty and snuggly!

Lucky you to see Lion King. It's nice to be close enough to NYC to see a show on Broadway occasionally!

Vicki said...

What a fun stitch! I can see why you're enjoying it. And, as always, your knitting is awesome. You just make the most beautiful projects, Margaret.

Melissa said...

Everything is beautiful! You are amazingly fast with your knitting needles, just like you are with your stitching!

Ann at Beadlework. said...

You are such a quick knitter Margaret. I love those pigs.
My son saw The Lion King in London a few years ago and he really enjoyed it.

Syd said...

What a beautiful sampler!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

I am so tempted to stitch this sampler too, Margaret! I love the whimsy of the whole thing! Your sweater is just beautiful - I'll bet it feels as good on as it looks. The cowl is lovely, too.
I would love to see the Lion King and when it comes to Detroit, I am going to make every effort to do so. Glad to hear you loved it.

Rugs and Pugs said...

You knitted a sweater in 9 days??? AMAZING & beautiful!!!
Hugs :)
Lauren

Anonymous said...

Your knitting is gorgeous. Makes me wish I didn't quit knitting a long time ago! Looks like the winter called the stitching needles out for you as well. Love all of your samplers! Thanks for sharing the photos of the Lion King on Broadway! Super!

Elaine said...

love your sweater! that was fast!! The green is beautiful

Dawn said...

How fantastic to live close to NYC. So much opportunity!
Love all your stitching projects.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

You are going gangbusters on the sampler!! And Lion King IS fabulous, I've seen it too - it came to IU. Love your sweater and that sweet Mia!

Cathy Lloyd said...

Oh to live in New York and visit like you do! You're so so busy! ♥

Penny said...

So long as you don't quit posting altogether. :) Love this sampler! Your knitting is beautiful - I really like the colors! Sounds like a fun time in the city!

Glenna said...

I agree--you must keep posting, as often as you want, of course. Love the colors in your cowl and sweater, and of course, as always, we have similar taste in samplers. I'm about to start "All Things" also.

Carol said...

Oh, how cute that sampler is--gotta love those little piggies :) And what a lovely job on your sweater, Margaret--hope it is a perfect fit.

I've heard the Lion King production is fabulous--lucky you! If it comes to Pittsburgh, I'll have to talk my husband into seeing it with me (he is NOT into musicals at all!)...

Happy Valentine's Day--give Miss Mia a hug for me :)

Kaisievic said...

Gorgeous start on your new sampler and thank you so much for the link to the Kitchener stitch - so fascinating! TraderVic and I love The Lion King when we saw it last year with DD - fabulous spectacle, isn't it? Your new jumper looks really fab, too, Margaret, you are so very talented. xxx

Jan said...

Love the new sampler. I have it ordered and am going to stitch it on a piece of 40ct Parchment. I can't wait to get it started. I want to hand it next to my And they sinned.

Jan

Anonymous said...

Oh that farm sampler is a must-have! ;) And your knitting! It's all so drool-worthy!!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Love the Flying Geese Cowl and your sweater! Beautiful job on both.

I love the pigs on the stitched project! It's a gorgeous piece and it must be fun to stitch all the animals. How's the tree going?

Teresa S. said...

DH and I took our 10 yr old grandson to see The Lion King when it was here in Seattle. It was so great! Especially when the characters walked down the aisle of the theater at the beginning.
But when he found out it was replacing our annual trip to the Great Wolf Lodge waterpark, he had a cow! And told us never again! lol Hopefully he'll change his mind when he's older :)

Beth said...

What a beautiful sweater - love the pattern and the colors you used. I enjoy Barbara Ana designs - she has a unique style. Always good to hear from you and see that Mia is doing well.

Sally said...

Your sweater is beautiful as is your sampler. Such a cute piece!

Oooh how wonderful seeing the Lion King!

Gio P. Cruz said...

Hola, llegué a tu blog a través del blog de otra amiga. Tienes trabajos muy bonitos. Me quedo siguiéndote para no perderme nada.
Saludos!!!
Gio.