Something Cute!

I received this email from a customer/knitting instructor last weekend.  I thought it was the cutest.



This is what happens when I go to Starbucks without my After This Row sheet?

Just wanted to share!

Happy Knitting!

Joyce

Neglectful

I have been so neglectful of this blog!  I don’t have an excuse but I do have a reason, my daughter is on a dance team and her competition season begins in December and ends in March (February being the busiest).  I love to watch her compete but it takes up a lot of my time – practice 4 nights a week and some of the competitions run 2 days and those that don’t take up an entire day.  I often feel I’m neglecting the men in my life – 2 boys, 1 husband (realistically I’m sure they’re fine with my schedule as I’m not home harping on them to do anything).  I know you can all relate – kids, work, housework, laundry, cooking, etc. leaves you with very little time.  It’s crazy; admittedly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

One of her competitions took us to Florida where the girls performed at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Center.  My daughter was so excited to be competing here and I was excited for her.  Fortunately, the weather was good (high 60’s to low 70’s) and we were able to enjoy one day at Disney.  I kept my family up to date by texting and sending pictures of our goings on.  (I think my husband called me a brat… He was home in below 0° weather and shoveling snow).   Here are a few pictures I sent.

Before this trip I only saw this on TV!

 

My Dancer stunting in front of the castle - having jeans on made this a little difficult.

Me - being a brat.

How much knitting have I done?  Not as much as I usually do – some of the venues are just not right for me to knit. I didn’t get any knitting in on the Florida trip, not even during the flights.  I napped on the flight out and I believe I napped on the flight home as well.

What Knitting have I done?  Well, my spaghetti sweater is no further than it was at my last post.  I’m getting really close to that deadline – April 14^th.  I did order more yarn and I was right they did not have the same dye lot – it’s totally my fault I shouldn’t have waited as long as I did.  As I mentioned – I think I’m good for the sleeves just not the edging.  I ordered a little extra so I could possibly squeeze in a pair of fingerless gloves – we’ll see.

I did finish knitting my little shrug from Cascade yarns – notice I said “finished knitting”.  I still have to block it and weave in all those ends.  I really like the colors – do you think I can wear it this spring or do you think it screams fall/winter and I should put it away ‘til then?

The Ellipses Shawl by Rosemary (Romi) Hill was something I was able to knit pretty quickly and I just love it.  I knit it out of Brooks Farm Solo Silk that I had in my stash.  I have

approximately 4 rows to knit before binding off.  I think it turned out beautifully. 

Oh and congratulations to the Romi's Studio group on Ravelry they just reached 5000 members this week!  Very cool!  I chatted with them while knitting my Ellipses and they have some awesome members, they were all so nice.  They made me feel welcome from my very 1^st post – love that!  

I have one other update, Schultz; he is 6 months old now and just over 73 pounds.  Dog hair is all over my house, what I vacuum up he replaces it seems immediately.  My husband walks him almost every day and they both enjoy that. When it warms up I’ll walk with him, as I’m sure I’ve mentioned I am not a fan of cold weather.  My husband took these pictures last week, I’m still amazed at how big he is for 6 months and we still expect him to be, at least, another 40 pounds.

Thanks for stopping by and happy knitting!

Joyce

Joyce@afterthisrow.com

www.afterthisrow.com

Welcome to 2013!

I have some very exciting news to share with you!  Back in early December we received word that After This Row will be in the upcoming Spring Issue of Creative Knitting!  You can find us under the "This Just In" section.  We are so very delighted, grateful and very honored to part of this wonderful magazine.

I’m a little late ringing in the New Year with you.  Do you know I still don’t have all of my Christmas decorations put away yet. I actually, still have some things above my kitchen cabinets – I just haven’t felt like jumping up there to retrieve them.  Next month my plan is to get into the basement to go through all of my Christmas decorations, decisions of what to keep and what not to needs to be addressed.  I love Christmas but how much stuff does one household need? Except for the snowmen – they can all stay.

What are you knitting, something for yourself or someone else?   I have a couple of each, the Spaghetti sweater for my sister-in-law is still a work in progress – I am nearing the end though.  I have just picked up the stitches for one of the sleeves.  I will admit I set this sweater aside for a bit because I’m fearful I’m going to run out of yarn. I believe I can get both sleeves done with what I have left but it’s unlikely that I’ll have enough for the front band.   I did purchase this yarn from Knit Picks so I know I can get more yarn – it’s the dye lot I may not be able to get.  I just have to make that phone call and I’ve been putting it off – I know it’s silly to do that because the longer I wait the likelihood of them having it lessens.  I am definitely calling them tomorrow.

A while back I also began a cute little shrug from Cascade Yarns for myself.  

A few changes to the pattern and colors were made, with help from Linda and Betsy at Elgin Knit Works, my local yarn shop. It’s a fun knit and I think it’s turning out very cute.  This is not one of my social knitting projects though; I don’t want to take a chance of messing up my color work.  I really like this style; it’s perfect for keeping the chill off!

I’m also still working on a few gifts – Sunglasses Socks.  Have you made one of these?  I made one for myself last year and I love it.  It is absolutely perfect for your sunglasses and it is a great way to use up left over sock yarn, which I happen to have a lot of.  

Mine made over from left over yarn from socks made for my miece.

Gift in progress - you may recognize the yarn from a pair of Christmas Socks.

They are also very easily spotted in your handbag!

I very much enjoy making shawls and I mentioned in my last post that I was going to participate in the Knit-A-Long with Paula Emons-Fuessle of Knitting Pipeline (knittingpipeline.com or you can find her group on Ravelry).  The project was the sweet Ellison Bay Shawl designed by Paula herself.   I am happy to report that I have completed the shawl and it turned out so nice.  I also have to tell you that the Chickadee yarn from Quince & Co. (Quinceandco.com) is dreamy to work with.  My stitches look so nice and uniform.  I highly recommend it.   All I have left to do is blocking.

Just getting started

Completed

This truly was a delightful shawl to knit, once I got started I didn't want to stop.

Also, Thank You to all of you who downloaded the complimentary copy of the Ellison Bay “After This Row Project Sheet” and for all the kind notes and messages you sent.  I truly appreciate your feedback and I’m delighted that you enjoyed using it to keep track of your rows while knitting this lovely shawl.  It is still available on the website but, only for a few more days.

Elgin Knit Works is having a shop Knit-A-Long.  The featured pattern is “Taiga” by Svetlana Volkova.  It’s a short sleeve cardigan style sweater with color work.  It’s very cute!  I’ve decided to knit mine in Cascade 128 in similar colors (green and purple). I'm excited to get started on it - first I need to make my gauge swatch! 

Happy Knitting! 

Joyce

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

I had not intended on taking such a long hiatus.  Shortly after Thanksgiving I fell ill.  I thought it was, perhaps, something I ate, but when my family remained healthy I realized I caught some type of bug.  Shortly after that bug, I contracted another bug – this time I am convinced the kids brought it home to share with me. When I began to feel better I had to shift it into high gear.  Shopping, decorating, cleaning, cooking and gift wrapping all had to be done and I only had 10 days to do it in.  I was a crazed woman on a mission.  I was so afraid that I wouldn’t get it all done!  I do work best under pressure but the deadline was fast approaching for my comfort level (next year, I swear, I will be better prepared).  I will also admit I did not go all out on the decorating, not just because of the fast approaching holiday but because of Schultz, the puppy.  I was a little afraid (actually, a lot afraid) of what he would get into and what could possibly hurt him (everything goes in the mouth - just like a baby).  So, I did keep it to a minimum.  He, thankfully, did very well and only had to be told NO a few times.

Can you believe he's almost 4 mths. old?  He's gotten so big!

  

I was also successful getting all of my gifted socks completed and mailed out on-time.  I was pleased that my visit to the post office took all of 13 minutes (that, I think, is a record) and everyone received their packages on time.  

I do hope you all had a Very Merry Holiday!

Ellison Bay Shawl - designed by Paul Emons-Fuessle

 

This year I’m starting the new year a little differently, I am participating in a Knit-A-Long with Paula Emons-Fuessle of Knitting Pipeline (knittingpipeline.com or you can find her group on Ravelry).  The project is the sweet Ellison Bay Shawl designed by Paula herself.   You can find the pattern and yarn (Chickadee) at Quince & Co. (Quinceandco.com).  Also, I have created a customized “After This Row Project Sheet” just for the Ellison Bay KAL and you can download it for free at www.afterthisrow.com.  Why don’t you join me in knitting this beautiful shawl.

My yarn from Quince & Co. arrived today and I’ve attached a photo of how it was packaged.  So sweet, right?  The color I chose is Egret, it is so creamy.  I purposely chose a neutral color as I have a feeling my daughter will be borrowing it.  It is very lovely and I’m anxious to work with it.

I have a list of things I want to do in the coming year, as I’m sure you do too.  What will be your first project of the New Year? Will it be to finish your WIP’s  or will it be something you’ve been longing to do?  My usual new year’s resolution is to finish all of the projects that are currently sitting on needles.  This year will be no exception. I have 4 items to complete, all in varying stages, and I’m still happy to be working on them.  I have the next 2 weeks off and I plan to be in my chair doing a lot of knitting. 

After This Row has a group on Ravelry, please stop by and join us.  I think perhaps we could have a knit-a-long too; maybe we could try a stash busting project (my friend Kassandra’s idea). Leave a comment on what you’d like to do.

and Happy Knitting!

Joyce

The Holidays Are Here!

Happy Thanksgiving Knitting Friends,


I keep saying this but I can't believe the holidays are here already.  I know they’re on the calendar but it just doesn’t feel like it.  The weather is still fairly decent – tomorrow (Thanksgiving) is supposed to get up to 60°.  (I’m not complaining mind you, I prefer warm over cold any day.  Anyway, I’m sure the holiday feeling will grab me soon.) I feel very fortunate that I am not hosting Thanksgiving this year.  I was requested to bring lasagna and taffy apple salad.  Better still, I only had to make the “gravy” for the lasagna my husband handles the rest of that dish. I’d say I got off easy wouldn’t you? Love that!

How many of you are planning on braving the shopping centers on Black Friday? Actually, I thought I heard some stores will be open Thanksgiving night – I hope you all have a great time and find lots of spectacular deals.  I usually sit Black Friday out, I did it a few times when my kids were smaller but I didn’t find it all that enjoyable. I instead will be putting Christmas decorations up. 

Completed Projects

I wish I could say that I finished everything I had on the needles but I can’t.  I did finish the socks; they are much cuter than I originally thought so I will give them as a gift after all. That’s it, that’s the only thing I finished. Better than nothing I suppose.


On My Needles

The Spaghetti sweater is coming along; I am much further than I was before.  Doesn’t it look great? It is so much fun to knit.  There is one mistake in it (I was watching TV) – I debated on whether to leave it in or rip it out – I chose to leave it in – way too much unknitting.  It’s not very noticeable; I’m hoping that remains the case after I block it. I was hoping to be done with this project before Christmas but it’s not looking good.

See that little knot?

I began another pair of socks using Ty Dy Socks.  I again like the colors better in the skein than I do knitted.  And another thing… A KNOT in my yarn, in the middle of a skein – this kind of thing really upsets me especially when the item is to be a gift! Not to mention I like my socks to match exactly, or as close as I can get them, a knot completely throws off the colorway!  I could frog these and start again but I’m quite far so there’s no sense in that. So, I’m still left with making another pair before Christmas.  

The Adagio Shawl is still waiting to be finished as well.  I really need to get a move on!

Purchases

I picked up Holiday Issues from Interweave, Knit Simple and Vogue.  I have just briefly gone through them.  Knit Simple has quite a few things I’d like to make: an Eyelet Keyhole Shawl (pg. 29), and a cabled afghan and textured pillow shams (pgs. 40 &41).  Interweave also has a few pillow shams I’d like to make, beautiful stockings and a really cute Snowflake Cowl (on the cover). Vogue has featured a number of beautiful hats, a cute little evening bag and a very pretty sweater by Wilma Peers. All things to add to my “Want to Make List”.

Knitting Tips and Tricks I use:

I use plastic bread closures to keep my yarn ends tidy.

 

I wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving Day!

Joyce