Off and On...

That seems to be the knitter's mantra: "One thing off, another on".  My last couple of weeks are no different, as many things are off and yet several things are also on.

First thing off is a second Lucente, a pattern by my friend Kennita Tully.  She designed it with Thaki Stacy Charles Yarn, but I chose to use Schachenmayr select Solavita in a beautiful green colorway. Definitely not "Fall" but still perfect to throw over a long sleeve tee.  I just love the ease of this pattern and highly recommend it to everyone. 

Second off is my "Woven Colors" Shawl, which was self designed.  After blocking it I decided to tie the end together so it's almost like a shrug. I wish it was longer, it's at an awkward height as it is, but that's what happens when you run out of yarn I guess. Also, the loose, hanging ties are deliberate so I may take them out if I wish.  I love the colorwork motif and definitely want to do it again on something. 

The last two weeks of knitting have been consumed by these wine sweaters, which I did in TX A&M colors for my current location, in hopes they would sell at a bazaar I went to this past weekend.  Sadly, only two (of my six) sold, but I'm hoping to get some nibbles online. 

I caved last night and invested in two new knitting books.  "The Best of Knitscene" and "Knitting 24/7". Both have some beautiful patterns and for the price I couldn't say no. I am already planning my next projects out of them. 

Including this one! The Geodesic Cardigan with some blue-jean lace weight (!!!!) yarn by Lorna's Laces.  Here's hoping that this turns out, because lace weight and sweater should not even be in the same sentence. 

Finally, life does have a few other things happening, one of which is a commission for a former employer.  A painting of her granddaughter, which is turning out decent so far considering I am awful at painting the human.  

Weekly Inspirations:

Art: Although I cannot attend due to work, the EAST Austin Studio tour is currently happening and there are some fantastic things to be seen. Check out the website for new inspirations!

Food: It's been soup weather.  Specifically chicken soup.  I have been teaching myself to make homemade stocks.  Did you know that you can boil down carrot, celery and onion scraps into a delicious veggie broth?

Knitting:  I WANT IT ALL! TexasDyedWool

Life: I have been re-reading "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" series since August. I finished book four last night, all that is left is the one where they are grown up - "Sisterhood Everlasting". Reading these for so long feels like a part of me is missing now that I'm so close to being done.  

I hope everyone has a fantastic week! I can't believe it's almost half over again. Where does time go?

~Lisa

Short, Busy Weeks

It's been one of those weeks.  The kind that seem super busy yet nothing really gets done.  Yea, those.

This week should have been more eventful, what with all the Halloween/Work/Life things going on. But alas, it was not so much. And thus a quickie update.

The best place to start is by letting everyone know that I FINALLY updated my Etsy shop with the abstract watercolors I made last month for a local art fair.  While not knitting themed, they were fun to do and experiment with.  Check them out if you want a cheap, original piece of art!

On the topic of art fairs, I am doing a holiday market in two weeks. I have decided not to focus so much on art as on knitting stuff for this one and am busily preparing lots of winter headbands, hats and such.  It may be Texas, but people still need these things for the (brief) cold snap we will get later. 

I decided to give the cute wooden lap loom a try and have begun playing with color and design.  I am also learning how tight to pull to keep things from sinking in.  I have no idea what I will actually make with these besides random squares, but it's still fun!

Our local poetry group, Mic Check, started a workshop at a local high school this past Monday, while not a stellar poet like many of the others, I decided to volunteer some time. Man, the kids were amazing! We gave them the prompt of writing about being misunderstood or ignored.  The above was my response.

Weekly Inspirations:

Art: The (former) President of Mic Check, the amazing Madi Mae Parker is currently touring the lower states.  Her show, One Thousand Promises, is amazing, She and her partner, Franchesca, performed at Mic Check last week and blew the lid off it!
Food: I am planning to get back into the less sugar diet again this week. Sugar makes me depressed.  First plan of attack! Stop eating this amazing gelato - Talenti. 
Knitting: A fellow member of my knitting group has some real talent for designing simple, FREE patterns.  You should check them out!
Life: Halloween came and went. I went to a party last night, that was fun.  I also traveled to Austin recently for a school tour - I'll talk on that next week.  Seems like there is inspiration everywhere these days, I just need to find it.

Hope everyone has a great start to a new month!

~Lisa