Karma Studio's blog

Stash Enhancement and Sew What?

Sept 26 Bounty

So, I had a bit of fun this week, between my favorite LYS, Haus of Yarn, and my favorite online yarn store, The Loopy Ewe. Pictured on the left is my "bounty" from this week: 4 balls of Jojoland Rhythm, a super-soft (and I mean so soft you can't resist touching it) hank of Misti Alpaca Chunky, a beautiful skein of Misti Alpaca Hand-paint Lace, a gorgeous skein of Colinette Jitterbug, and a to-die-for skein of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock. Each one has a special project already in mind for it (as if I needed more projects to do...) so none of it will go to waste. I have in mind a cowl, 2 neckwarmers, a shawl, and a scarf, and I can't wait to get started on them all!

Of course, I need to get on the ball and finish some projects already on the needles, but that is another story. :)

 

sewing machine

Also new this week, look what I found in my parents' storage shed! This was actually my sewing machine that I begged for when I was about 10 or so, but the sewing bug never really bit me, so the machine got packed away. I was amazed to find it in pristine condition. It does 22 different stitches and all of the bobbins, extra feet,  and the instruction book were with it in the case. No, this does not mean that I am giving up knitting for sewing, as sewing in a straight line isn't one of my strong suits, but it does mean that the next time I need to sew a lining for a knitted purse I don't have to spend countless hours sewing it all by hand. I'm also thinking of trying to make a needle case and maybe a knitting bag with it, but that probably won't happen anytime soon since I am really covered in knitting projects that need to be done.

I think that in October I will scale down my yarn buying so that I can save money for Christmas (and I mean it this time), but that doesn't mean that I am going on a full-on yarn diet. I have some Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock coming my way as we speak via The Loopy Ewe, and I only have 1 more order to place to make me an official Loopy Groupie! I'm hoping to place that 6th order next payday, so stay tuned for the awesome goodies that will come with that.

Until next time,

Happy Knitting!

~t.

Yarn booty, and an FO!

Haus Loot 2

So, I made another trip to the super-awesome Haus of Yarn here in Nashville on Friday after work, and what you see to the left is what I ended up getting. I got another skein of Chameleon Colorworks Bambino in "October", because I was dying for this color ever since I first saw it. :) I also got some Rhythm by Jojoland so that I can make a cool cowl with it, and I'm pretty excited about that. The book "101 Designer One-Skein Wonders" was also a Haus purchase, and it even features a couple of designs from people that work at the HoY, so that is neat. There are lots of great patterns in this book to help me use up those leftover skeins of yarn that I have, and I'm so glad that I finally went ahead and bought this book. 

 

LL Shepherd Sock-Flames

My most favorite thing this week came from The Loopy Ewe in the form of some sweet Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in "Flames". I'm going to attempt the "Firestarter" sock pattern with these and I can't wait to see how the colors work up in the socks. They are sooooo gorgeous in the hank. Also, the shipping was once again really fast. I ordered on a Friday and my package arrived Monday! Plus, I got some nice little treats from Sheri and the Loopy Elves, and that always brings a smile to my face. I can't wait to place my next order with them. :)

 

  

 

KP Cotlin-Fiesta Pink

The last of my yarn indulgence this week comes from Knit Picks. I ordered some Cotlin yarn in "Fiesta Pink" to knit up some cute ballerina slippers. I always wanted to be a ballerina, but I was told that I was too tall and awkward, so it never came to happen. Once I knit these slippers I can pretend to be a ballerina even if I'm just schlepping about the house in my pj's. (and I'll probably be watching Spongebob....I know, it's like I'm 5 years old, right? lol)

 

 

  

Dad's Work Mask

And now, to top off my mostly productive weekend, I present to you a scary-looking me modeling the ski mask that I made for my dad. The mask is really cozy, so now my dad won't have to worry about his face getting cold when he works outside this winter. He likes this one so much he wants me to make him another one in black so that he has a mask to wear when he's painting handrail. He said I didn't have to do all of the "fancy" ribbing stitches or anything, so working in straight stockinette will probably make this project go by even faster. It feels so good to finally get this done. He's only been asking for it for about a year.... :P

And that caps off this post. I wanted to post yesterday, but we had a brief power outage following by a long internet outage and I couldn't get back on until this morning. I was so bummed. But, I did get some more knitting done, so it all worked out. I'm working on 3 different projects right now, so hopefully my "Finished Object" posts will be more frequent from now on.

Until next time,

Peace and Happy Knitting!

~t.

What yarn diet....?

 

 

Haus of Yarn loot

I was absent last week because I was visiting with relatives from out of town, but I'm back now to share some more stashy goodness.

I've decided not to be on a yarn diet anymore. It just wasn't working out for me, and besides, it's not like my stash is so huge that it's putting me into bankruptcy or anything. There are simply too many great yarns out there that I'm dying to try! I'm still working hard on finishing my projects and diminishing the stash, but I just can't live by the hard and fast rules of not buying any yarn at all.

First off, I finally made my first trip to my LYS, Haus of Yarn, and I LOVED it!! I have to admit that I was a little overwhelmed by all of the yarn that was before me, everyone was so nice and helped me find what I was looking for (thank you, "putasockonit" a fellow Raveler!). My reason for just HAVING to go yesterday was that I saw on the HoY website that they had a really awesome pattern for the "Swirl Shawl" from Jojoland. I fell in love and it looked like it was a lot of fun to make, so I picked up 3 balls to make the scarf. I also got a hank of Chameleon Colorworks' Bambino to make a fun pair of socks. I got the color "Briar Rose" and I was having such a hard time choosing between it and "October", so I'll probably go back soon and get that one as well. It was also cool to meet a fellow Raveler in the flesh, and she is sooo nice and helpful. I envy her sock yarn stash. :)

 

Loopy Ewe goodies

Earlier this week, it was time to discover what all the fuss was about The Loopy Ewe. I had heard about how everyone was so friendly and about the little shopping perks, so I wanted to see for myself. One trip to their website and I was in love! It's a sock knitter's paradise. The shipping was indeed very fast, and the little extras were even better than promised. I ordered a keychain sock blocker for making tiny little socks with leftover sock yarn, and a notebook that has all sorts of space for needle inventory, favorite sock yarns, and writing down sock recipients' measurements and favorite colors. I placed my order on Wednesday, and it was here by yesterday morning. My second order is already on the way. :)

I hope everyone had a nice holiday weekend last week. I didn't get as much knitting done as I wanted to (if any) so I'm making up for it by knitting my brains out this weekend. It's nice and rainy today thanks to Hurricane Gustav, so it's perfect for staying inside and relaxing. Hopefully I can finish dad's mask/hat. I'm one inch of stockinette away from getting to shape the eyeholes, so wish me luck!

Happy knitting everyone!

~t.