January Update

Ok, technically it's February, but I haven't updated in a while, so I thought I'd share what I've been doing this past January.  Anyone else think it's insane it's already February???

Knitting:

One of my resolutions for this year was to successfully knit a pair of Cookie A. Socks. I decided to try and conquer Rick after trying once before back in 2011. I have been working off and on on these, but now that I have the cuff pattern down, it's going really fast! I am about half way into the required repeats but I think I am going to cut it short at 10 (instead of 18). I am not sure if they are stretchy enough to go that high up on my legs and I am not a fan of super long socks anyway.  I am a bit nervous about the rest of the socks, but I am sure it will go fine.

This month's project for the Knitting Monthly was a top from Kennita's new e-book, Tuscan Knits.  Although I was a bit hesitant at first to be spending MORE money on yarn, I fell in love when I started the project.  The structure of the it is so unique to me (knit flat and then seamed up the sides) and the stitch pattern was so easy. Pair that with the fabulous new yarn from Tahki Yarns and you get this gorgeous top. I finished it in a WEEK! That's what happens when you don't have school to worry about I guess. 

I've also been spinning on my Merino/silk that I have had for about 3 years now. I finally got all of the singles spun and have been working on plying.  I realized I had some 'bobbin' (toilet paper tubes) that were thicker than others, so I was trying to pair a thick with a thin, but I got to the point where I had more thin that thick. Luckily, I had some practice from the very beginning that was super thick, so I've been going back and attempting to unspin and respin that. We shall see if that works! I am really loving the feel of the yarn all plyed up. It's so squishy and bouncy. I think I will have close to 500 yards - enough for something extra special!

Art: 

Having graduated, I lost my studio space on campus.  So I moved all my stuff into the spare room of my apartment. I've been working on a painting there and it's been going ok.  The lighting isn't ideal and the ventilation is minimal (fan and window) but you do what you can. I am kinda liking my painting, but it's not there yet (but it's further along than this photo shows).

I also finally got hi-res images of all my gouache paintings. That being said, I am going to try something. As you probably know, I am very passionate about my local Relay For Life.  I have decided to sell fine art prints of a special gouache painting I am working on (see here what I have done so far) for $50 a piece.  $40 of that money will go to my Relay event. I haven't finished the specific painting to be sold, but I am taking advanced orders. If you know you will want one of my special cancer fighting knit worlds, feel free to comment or email me :) And of course, any donation is always accepted, even if you don't want a print in return. 

Life:

I've been working 30hours a week at my preschool for about a month now, and it's going ok. Those kids sure are crazy some days though! They wear me out, and I'm off work by 1...it's a miracle anything else gets done.  I've been binge watching movies from the library and of course knitting like crazy.  And trying to stay active. I hit the gym at least 3 times a week and enjoy every minute of it.

Why I felt you needed to know that is a mystery.  

I hope everyone has a great February. I have a feeling it's going to fly by :) 

~Lisa 

Trying to Stay Optimistic.

Happy Sunday friends! I haven't posted in a week or so, so I figured it was due. I have a couple of WIPS but nothing major. A pair of socks that isn't super far and a secret swatch for a KnitScene Submission. So no real photos to share there.

However, I have been working on my stash. As I mentioned in a few previous posts, my LYS - Wildflower Yarns and Knitwear - just went out of business this past December. From mid-October on the owner was having a huge clearance sale, and that for me meant a chance to add some things to the stash I never expected to add.

We were at a knit club meeting and I realized that not many people had been buying the cotton yarns. Apparently since it's winter here, people were stocking up on wools. So I broke down and picked up 5 skeins of Cascade Ultra Pima, a yarn I have been wanting to use for awhile now. This is destined to be a nice summer tank top. 

That same day I decided to get some Tahki Ripple.  I have been wanting to knit with Tahki yarns for awhile, but have never really had to money to buy enough for a project. Well at 40% off, I couldn't resist. I think I already have a project picked out for this one - Diamond Tee. Can't you see that pattern in my lovely blue?

A few weeks before I went on the cotton spree, I was feeling generous so I picked up 5 skeins of Universal Renew Wool. Partially because there weren't many options left for wool and partially because I have never used this yarn. I figured it'd make a nice warm weather garment at some point. Maybe a sweater next fall? I like the nice pale blue. 

I've been wanting this yarn since the day she started stocking it. Camino Alpaca is such a lovely worsted/bulky yarn. Although a sweater would be amazing in this yarn, even at 40% off I couldn't afford that much. So I settled for enough to make an oversized cowl. Or at least that's the plan. I have been wanting one of those for awhile now anyway, but I was hoping I would have started it by now. Maybe next winter....

Finally, I picked this up back when she first announced the sale. I wanted to make a bike helmet cover, since this yarn has strands in it that reflect light (perfect for after dark!). But them my bike got stolen :/ So now it's just in my stash.  Maybe it'll be another hat. Who knows.

My stash bins are pretty much overflowing now, which is something I have never had before. I don't usually buy large amounts of yarn without a project in mind, but when it all went on sale, it was hard not to. I'm trying to stay optimistic about it all. After all, no LYS within 30 minutes means no spending money on things I don't need. It also means that I can work from my stash more.  However it also means no more knit nights, which were always so much fun. We are trying to meet once a month for get togethers, but it's not the same as being able to just walk into the shop and see people knitting.  Kennita, the owner, didn't close up due to finances (thankfully!) but because she is also a designer and is starting to really take off with her designs. She said the shop was just becoming too much work and stress for her.  She's really excited to see what will happen next with her designs. I am too, but I am still sad for no LYS.

Her current project is this amazing e-book - Tuscan Knits - and I can't wait for it to come out.  All knit in Tahki yarns, the patterns are really lovely and show just how much she loves designing.  She's also hosting a monthly knit club - the knitting monthly - which I have been in since it started in September of 2012.  The patterns and techniques are always fun.  You don't have to be in my area to join either! Much of it is all online. :)  

Image copyright (C) Kennita Tully 

So has anyone ever knitted with any of these yarns? What are your thoughts.  I hope everyone is having a great new year and getting back in to the grind of work and life. I know I'm trying to, but getting up at 5:30 for work is kinda rough sometimes!

~Lisa

2014 Goals and Stuff

Happy Saturday everyone! I just got back from a knit group and now I feel very inspired and thus I must post.  I finished up a pair of socks for my brother (and didn't get a photo before handing them off) today. Basic stockinette in my left over from my hoodie, so no big deal there.

I wanted to share with you all my goals list for 2014, seeing as I always make lists. This year I am not planning on being as gung ho about actually completing said list but I still like to make one. Also, I am participating in MySistersKnitter Knitting Resolutions KAL and therefore a list had to be made anyway.

2014 crafting goals: 

-knit 1 pair of Cookie A. Socks successfully
This is the first thing I plan to work on starting tomorrow (or tonight). You may remember when I was working on Rick - way back in October 2011. Well those got ripped, due to major lace issues (you can read about in that post). The yarn, Happy Feet, has tried to become a couple other things since, but I have decided to give Rick another go.  Maybe if I take it slower and don't do 2-at-a-time I will find success.

-CONQUER THE STASH.
Wildflower just closed (Sad day) and I now have enough yarn for a couple sweaters as well as everything else. This year I think I may actually be able to conquer that stash. 

-Knit atleast 3-4 full sized garments (with stash yarn if possible) 

-Finish, or come close to finishing, my mom’s wrap
Maybe to get her to stop asking when she'll get it...

-Finish my Finally Fall Shawl -- started 2 falls ago…it’s been finally fall twice already haha 

-Finish spinning the merino/silk blend (mentioned here and a few other posts)that’s been on my spindle for a couple years now.
Well, I am getting a lot closer, but spinning has been on the back burner a lot lately.

-Spin atleast one other yarn 

-Finish the friendship spinning project I have started with my friend Ivy. 

-Conquer something with intense colorwork
I am drawn to this (pattern on cover) right now. 

-Design and publish at least 3 items 

-Submit proposals to at least 2 publications

And finally: 

-DON’T LET KNITTING TAKE PRIORITY OVER PAINTING/REALITY/LIFE.
Much easier said than done of course :) 

Well, it all seems doable right? I think I say that every year also. What are your goals for the new year? I hope that whatever they are, you are excited to get going on them. With no classes now I feel so lazy. I really should get myself back into studio and work on some more paintings...

~Lisa

2013 -In Review-

Well, 2013 ends in 2.5 hours over here and I can't believe everything that has happened. This past year I've had so many experiences - mostly good - and learned so many things. I've produced the best art work of my life, received TWO BFA's,  and finished almost 25 knitting projects! Whew what a year!

For the past couple of years I have made a "Fiber resolutions/goals list" and every time I go all crazy with it at the beginning the fizzle out by Summer. But I still want to take the time to look at it right now.

1. Knit a pullover/in the round type sweater: 2012 was the year of cardigans and vests, I want 2013 to be the year of pullovers! And I really want to start with this one: 
Ok so 2013 was not the year of pullovers but I did get one done! Dragonflies

2. Going off of the last one, I would love to knit a bulky yarns sweater, because there are so many pretty ones :)

That didn't happen... sadly I got distracted by other things I guess.
3.Last year I wanted to conquer lace and I feel like I did. Well this year I want to FINISH something lace, with very few mistakes. I have some amazing bison blend yarn that would make a lovely lace scarf! 

The bison yarn is still in my stash, but Salacia is by far my favorite finished project ever. And I even learned to seam in the process :) 

4.Felt something, anything. 

I did try felting a headband but it didn't work. And I accidentally felted a pair of socks in the washing machine. Do those count

5.Learn more cast-on's and bind-off's. Because I just didn't do it last year and I know it would be beneficial to know.

I don't remember any new ones by heart, but I did use new ones in several projects for my monthly knitting club. 
6.Design another pair of worsted weight socks. They always seem to go over so well. It's my dream to publish a whole book of worsted socks!

Oops, I guess I forgot...
7. Design a pair of sock-weight socks. Just for the fun of it!

Although not published, I semi-designed a pair for my knitting buddy Ivy!

8. Design and publish something other than socks and submit something to at least 2 publications. I didn't get into Knitty, but I got great response from the editor and I want to try again with them and others. 

I submitted Drehen to Knitty (no go) and Pixelexia to Knitscene (no go). I ended up self publishing Drehen. I also completely improvised my lacey babydoll top with only slight issues along the way (including running out of yarn and having to tie it with a cord)

9. Spin something other than worsted/bulky. I would love to make a fingering weight yarn. 

I didn't spin much of anything all year. I worked a bit on some merino/silk but it didn't get done (however it is pretty thin...)
10. Learn to blend fibers through plying when spinning (like merino and nylon). This goes back to the above point. 

See my response to #9
11. Learn different types of drafts and how to know when to use which. I am still stuck in a rut of doing the same thing every time, whether it works for that roving or not.

Yea, that didn't happen. Maybe this year I'll actually start spinning again. 

12.Learn how to properly dye with natural materials (flowers, roots etc)

I did dye a lot this year, but always with food color and kool aid. Although I didn't do natural dying, I am super proud of my new found abilities to dye with the sun. (Check out my shawl for proof!)

Once again, I did about half the things on the list. But I also did so much more this year. I finished so many amazing projects - 6 different full sized garments !! - and learned so many amazing things. What will this year bring? 

I plan on writing up another list, but I don't plan on making it my primary goals like before. I just want to collect my thoughts and get ideas.

What's on your list this year?

~Lisa

Long Overdue

Hello friends! This post is very long overdue, and for that I apologize. It's been such a long month (and year). This coming 2014 I plan to try and update much more.

It's been almost 2 weeks since I graduated (WOAH) and with graduation came the much anticipated BFA Art show. 

(Mine are the paintings, the other stuff is by other graduating seniors)

And of course, some of my knit night friends! 

And let's not forget the amazing shawl!

After all was said and done, I did the math and found out I put 194 hours this semester! Woah. Given I had 5 paintings, that's almost 40 hours per painting. Plus my other classes. I can only hope that I can keep it up in the future.

This is my favorite painting!

I also finally broke down and purchased a domain name. So if you want to see ALL of my works, go check out Lisa Urban Art and tell me what you think. I am really proud of it!

And guess what else happened that weekend?

And to add even more excitement, I am officially a college graduate. Talk about scary. The real world just is finally here. However, I am not sure if I'm ready. I secured a job at the preschool, 30 hours a week, but I am just not sure how excited I am for the next step in my life....

In other news, I finished my Boxelder Cardigan just in time for Christmas. I'm not sure how I feel about the buttons, but I'll probably leave it open more often than not anyway. I am really proud of it. The fit is perfect and I kind of like the raggedyness of it.

I had a great Christmas with my friends and family. I hope you all have too. I am looking forward to whatever the coming year brings, scary or not, I know 2014 will be good. 

~Lisa

Sasha got into the wrapping paper and stayed for 30 minutes!

November Update

Hi Friends! Sorry I have been so distant in the blog world again. I think after the next couple weeks get through I may be able to start blogging more regularly. But for now a quick update is in store.

Knitting:

Over the summer I self designed a gorgeous spiraling hat. I then submitted it to Knitty. I heard back a couple weeks ago - no go. But the editor liked my style. Long story short, it is now available on Ravelry as a self-published pattern.  

Drehen

This hat was knit in Wolle Rodel from the UK (a gift from my aunt) but can easily be adapted with other yarns. It has quickly become my go-to hat to wear in the chilly autumn/winter air.

I also managed to finished my color wheel shawl a few weeks ago, which is perfect because the plan is to wear it over a simple outfit for my BFA Show reception. I don't have any model photos yet, but those will be up in the next few weeks :) Overall I love how this turned out. It's big enough to wear as a wrap and keeps my shoulders nice and warm ! 

Finally, I started a hoodie at the beginning of the month, and despite my busy school schedule it is going very very fast. The Boxelder Cardigan by Maria Leigh from the Winter 2013 Knitscene (which btw has a TON of amazing patterns in it!) is being knit in Cascade 220 superwash. The photo does no justice, but this is such a hard project to show mid-way. Take my word for it, it's looking good!

(c) Knitscene/ Harper Point

Art:

The countdown to my BFA Painting show has begun. I officially have 1 week left. And yet here I sit, not in studio. Hahaha. Seriously though, most of my paintings are done. I have one left to finish up but I think I'll be good. Maybe I'll work on it later. 

To get you excited, here is a thumbnail preview of my favorite painting:

I also have all of those smaller gouache paintings at a local coffee shop right now, and everyone so far seems to think they look good! I haven't had a chance to take photos of the 'show' (I feel weird with people I don't know being in the photos) but here's a snippet of some of them all framed up nice.

Life:

I had this past week off for Thanksgiving break, which was a much needed reprieve. I still got a lot done school wise, but the pressure was a lot less, which was nice. 

I've been hunting around for jobs and art opportunities, as graduation is a mere 2 weeks away (WOAH). Let me just say - job hunting sucks.

In other random news: Has anyone seen Disney's Frozen yet? I saw it on Thanksgiving with my family. It didn't quite live up to the hype it's been given, but it was a good movie with good songs. Some parts weren't needed, while others were amazing. The animation reminded me a lot of Tangled (not sure if that's a good thing or not). But I'm glad Disney is cranking out good movies again. And the song "Let it go" has been stuck in my head all week. 

With that being said, I finally finished my summer mission: Watch all 52 Disney movies IN ORDER before Frozen comes out. I was able to finish the day before seeing Frozen. Man it feels good to say I have seen EVERY Disney movie. :)

(PS Idina Menzel is amazing - but it's hard not to think of Wicked when I hear/see this song)

I hope everyone is having a great fall. Christmas is on it's way and then it'll be a new year. Where did the time go???

~Lisa

October Update

Happy October! It's been a good month around here with lots of exciting things going on. I wanted to take a quick minute or two to share some of them with you all.

Knitting: 

Last weekend for some odd reason I had a desire for instant gratification - I needed to knit something that would be done within a day. Luckily I had extra time as well as a few single skeins I have been meaning to use up.

I started with this cowl, which I designed myself on the fly (I really do LOVE designing!). It's basically one giant cable that I then seamed together. And it only took one night and an hr the next day to finish. Talk about instant gratification. 

24hr cowl knit in Louet Bonnie

After finishing up the cowl I had a craving for a hat (which is what I was going to knit originally with Bonnie...)So I pulled out my skein of Nashua Granite that I've had for awhile. And began designing again. This bad boy took a couple days but was worth it! It fits absolutely perfectly. 

Flying Arrows knit in Nashua Granite

**Stay on the look out - both of these patterns may be published soon!**

I am also making headway on my current WIPs. The art shawl is getting HUGE and thus a much slower knit. But I think I can get it done in time :) 

Epic Art Shawl knit in hand dyed Cascade 220 sport

My sister's scarf is also a little over half done. The pattern is written to where you knit 2 parts then seam them together. I finished the first part last weekend and am now on the second part. It will be done in no time if I keep putting off the art shawl. It helps that Malabrigo is a dream to knit with!

Art

With 5 weeks left on my countdown, my paintings are slowly becoming faster. This is my third one. It will be done by Friday, I can feel it and I literally started it a week ago. Now that's speed. 

I have been having fun with color in printmaking class as well! I've been overlaying colored inks onto my line etchings. What a fun process that has become.

Life:

Monday was my birthday (23!) so I spent the day doing my usual business. I also got some knitting and carved a super cute pumpkin. 

I ran a 5k on Sunday morning. Well more like jogged and walked, but 37 min 53 seconds is a pretty good time considering. I have really been enjoying working out and making my body fit.

And now for the somber news. I found out last Wednesday that my LYS - Wildflower -  will be shutting it's doors come mid December. Kennita has decided to focus on designing and teaching and the shop is holding her back. And so she has decided to move on and close. No one can really afford to buy her out, so everything is 25% off and come December I will be LYS-less. I always hate to see such places go, but thus is life I guess.

Well, I hope everyone enjoys the rest of October. I will try my best. The time just seems to be flying by!

~Lisa

Halloween Kitty Bomb!