Time flies

Really, two months goes by so fast! I have lots to share

On the knitting front, I lost my mojo about halfway through my pregnancy that could be contributed to my physical state or the extreme heat but actually I think both. I managed to get a few things done for the baby and a lot of things almost done except for the finishing. Actually everything I posted about last time is done-- just needs to be finished!

I made this adorable hat for our little girl to wear home (or maybe in the hospital). Modeled by her fuzzy lamb for now. Its way to big for him but you get the picture. I made the pattern up-- just 2x2 rib over 90 stitches worked for 4 inches and then decreased evenly. I hope it fits her for more than the first week but I can always put it in her scrapbook!

I have two sweaters that I'm making for myself.

The first is the February Lady sweater that everyone and their grandmom is making.

I've actually put this in hibernation because the lace patter was boring me during my lack of knitting desire. I *might* get this done in time to wear as a maternity sweater but frankly I'm not going to kill myself to finish. I have finished the body and am on the first sleeve.(Its in Tatamy Tweed Worsted if you're interested)

The second is the Placed Cable Aran from Interweave Knits Fall 2007.

I added about 4 inches to the bottom before I started the cables because sweaters are usually to short on me and I've added about 10 inches girth wise in the past few months and really want to wear this now! The yarn is my very own Aster worsted in Turkey Feathers. The patterns in that mag are my absolute favorite. I will be knitting at least 2 more things from it!

The baby's growing by leaps and bounds too. I only have about 4-8 weeks to go. I can't believe that it went sooooooooo fast. I feel pretty huge at the same time so I'm ready to be done!

In Starbugknits news, I've added more worsted weight to my etsy shop. Most of them are kettle dyed colors which I prefer for larger projects and really there is a lot of variation just in one color! I love 'em all!!!

Starbugknits also went to the PA Endless Mountain Fiber Festival at the beginning of September. It was a great experience even with the rain and the manure splattered wall right behind my beautiful display. I hope to do more festivals in the coming year and already have my eye on several along the east coast for 2009. I'll try to post on those as soon as I know which ones I'll be at.

Starbugknits is also in stock at Yarn Calling in Kutztown. If you want to see it in person, there's a good place to go!

That's all here. I'd like to say that I'll be posting more regularly in the coming weeks but none of you will believe me! I'll try to get some pictures up of the baby when she makes her arrival so if you don't hear from me before then. . .

Boy, I've been neglecting the blog even more than usual these days and that's saying a lot!


I haven't been very busy this summer. I've been on one small vacation to Cape May on the 4th of July but other than that I've been home. We've grown a ginormous garden this year and now I have about 20 pounds of pickling cucumbers staring at me with no hope for canning right now!


I'm having yet another sale at Starbugknits on sock yarn so I can clear out some inventory for some new colorways this fall. So I'm selling it all off at $10 a skein!


I've been knitting a couple of things for the baby and I have a super amount that I still want to do! So far I've knitted:


a daisy sweater



a little fuzzy lamb



and I'm almost done the blanket!


I have the yarn for a Christmas sweater from Dale of Norway 191 that I picked up with my birthday coupon at Mountain Knits and Pearls in East Stroudsburg. There are such cute things in that book! I like too that it has different weight yarns not just Baby Ull.

I am deciding against much Christmas knitting this year. I would normally already be planning that but I know my track record of finishing the night before and with a newborn that is soooooo not going to happen. I *might* knit some socks for my mom and some Christmas ornaments. Other than that everyone's getting gift cards!


The summer is going by so fast I just can't believe it. I'm reminded by my growing belly that November will be here before I know it! Back in March it seemed forever away!


I should be getting some new starbugknits news this week and I will update as soon as I do!

SUMMER SALE AT STARBUGKNITS

HUGE SALE ON ALL SOCK YARN AT MY ETSY SHOP.
All sock yarn is $12 June 20-30!
Visit http://starbugknits.etsy.com

Hey, Hey, less than two months between posts. . .

Aren't we all so excited about that!

So much to tell you all about, too! Wow, where to begin!?!?!?!


List formats seem to get it done so here we go:


1. Made a new and very basic navigation website on Starbugknits.com. I'm trying to branch into wholesale and wanted to send everyone to the same place.



2. Updated the etsy shop with some new fantastic colors:

Sweet Pea

Pool

3. Finished the epic pink project of doom and I think the recipient liked it.

4. Quit my job because I couldn't sit down longer than 10 minutes!
5. Am having a baby in November(see #4)

That's about it here! have a great day!

Hey there stranger!

OH my word! Has it really been since February 16th that I last blogged?!?!? I just can't get over it!!!
Still plugging away at work-- not for too much longer though. I'm toying with the idea of quitting soon but that means I have to find another job. What a pain!
It just occurred to me not 5 minutes ago too, that some of my etsy listings had expired on April 19. April 19, people!!! I check that all the time and just didn't notice!

Knitting has been restricted to the pink project of doom but were at a count down of days now so hopefully that'll pick up too.

Starbugknits is getting a big update in the next week or so with a ton of worsted weight in all your favorite colors. If there's one you'd like to see in worsted just give me a holler.

Its been a busy month!


I started a new job and actually that's about it. I know that its big news for anyone, but when you haven't had a job in a few years it seems like a monumental occasion! I like it(in case you cared) and its nice to get out of the house and make some money!


I have been doing a bunch of knitting. For now the new job is like that. We have a bunch of down time and I've been knitting. I get a bunch of jealous looks since everyone else is just sitting around waiting and I'm busy knitting away!


I finished my Tilted Duster:

I love it! I still haven't blocked it properly and it smells like sheep but its one of the best things I've made. I'm wearing it right now!


I bought some yarn.

Yarn Nerd was having a sale on an overdye color(math nerd) and I snatched one of those up right away. His yarn is a little finer than mine and I'm looking forward to trying it out.

I also bought some Ultra Alpaca Light for my snail mittens. I decided to wait until I got a new coat before I made new mittens. I'm glad I waited because my coat is not colors I would normally pick.

I found just the right (heathered!) yarn to match at Knit Witz in Hellertown.


I'm stocking my yarn at Knit Witz too and I've sold a couple of skeins there. I just put 7 there to see how it would go and now I need to restock! Its fantastic.


I also have some yarn at Yarny Goodness which opened today! Pam did a great job on the shop and she has some colors that aren't available on my etsy shop so check it out!


My current knitting project is top secret but hopefully that'll be done soon and I can post some pictures with the recipient. I'm very excited about so I wish I could tell you but it might be found in my Ravelry pages within the next week so you can see it there.


The high speed internet fairy has visited my house so more blogging to come.

After much deliberation the winner of the January 2008 Name That Colorway Contest is. . . .

MH1982

with her suggestion of

Krakatoa

Having been a huge fan of the book 21 Balloons in elementary school I was thrilled with this suggestion. Krakatoa?
This great new yarn will be up in my etsy shop very shortly so make sure you get a skein before it sells out.
As an added bonus all entrants in the contest will receive $2 off a skein of their choice for this week only. Just enter your Ravelry name in the comments and I'll adjust the price and send a new invoice.
I'll also be updating with another new color and also some more of the Kettle colorway in sock weight by tomorrow. Head on over.

Name that colorway contest!

I had such a great time with the last color contest that I decided to do it again!

Here is the color:

gray(lt. to dark) and bright red

The rules are the same:

1. Leave all entries in the comments of this post.




2. You can submit as many entries as you want.




3. Make sure to leave an email address or blog site or Ravelry user name with your entry.(No contact info, no entry)




4. The winner will receive on skein of handdyed yarn in the colorway of your choice from starbugknits.etsy.com.(I will also do a custom dye if you wish)

Now, have at it!

ETA: Contest ends January 10 @midnight EST.

New Year Wrap Up

I haven't blogged as much as I thought I might this year. The coming of Ravelry saw to that. Adding pictures and projects on there makes the blog seem a little redundant. Blogging has also been slower than I thought with my dial up connection. This year it'll be different. I have a new camera that takes great pictures, and we're getting high speed internet in the next few weeks. So more to come. . .
As far as knitting goes I'm going to make a list of all the things I have knitted this year. Heck-- I might even throw in some pictures.
I made:
1. 4 pairs of socks (one for my sock pal, one for my sister, one for my mom, and one I frogged already for myself)

embossed leaves for Kari

2. 1 pair of mittens(bird in hand)

3. 3 adult sweaters
4. 4 children's sweaters
5. 1 purse
6. 5 pairs of felted slippers

first pair for Michael

7. one scarf

8. 2 headbands

one for my mil

9. 3 Christmas stockings

New Years knitting resolutions?

1. Try steeking(bought a Dale of Norway book so I'm half way there)


2. Knit Dan's sweater in time for our sixth anniversary


3. Knit Dan some socks.


4. Knit more socks in general


5. Finish up my UFOs that are hibernating on Ravelry


6. Make Christmas stocking for Dad, Mom, and my family.

Here's to a Happy New Year!

Hello, all my faithful readers(all two of you) I'm back to posting on this here blog a little more regularly, I hope.

Between not having a camera and Ravelry, I just haven't gotten the chance to get on here in so long! I've been super busy with Christmas preparations. I'm knitting a whole bunch of gifts this year but I'm almost done with the bigger ones.

Like three sweaters for the nephews:

I've since put the initials on the front and the rest of this afternoon will be devoted to weaving in ends and blocking!

Those are about the only Christmas presents I can show you since I'm not sure who in my family (still) reads my blog. I promise that I'll get plenty of post-Christmas knitty gifts up as soon as I can.

I do have some finished knitting although its been since Rhinebeck!

I finished this in enough time to wear it on Sunday at the festival. I've actually worn it lots of times since too but only got around to taking pictures of it today.

Its 93-27 Sleeveless jumper with belt from Drops. Super cute although I wish I would have added about 3 more inches to the bottom. That seems to be a big issue with me. I know its going to be too short, just reading the pattern, but the idea of knitting 2-3 more inches in plain stockinette when all I want is to change it up and do some decreasing is just too overwhelming for me. So I am forever fated to too short sweaters. Now I just have to buy a bunch more longer shirts to go underneath.

I did buy some yarn at Rhinebeck too. It occurred to me after we left that that day must have been a "red" day as the only yarns I got were:

Yup, almost the same exact shade too. However, the bulkier is slated for a Tilted Duster and the Chaco for Dan's Cambridge Jacket. Both will have to wait until after Christmas or I'll get nothing else done!

I am really enjoying Ravelry. I have gotten some really great feedback and some even greater yarn from swaps! Like 5 balls of this Nashua Vignette so I can try entrelac!

It has really helped the shy, introvert part of me actually promote Starbugknits.

I'm doing really well at the whole business stuff but my dye studio is still not completely done. I'm waiting on my propane tank for the stove and the sink hook-up. I have to talk to Dan about that! I'm getting so bored with my already dyed stuff and I am really anxious for a shop update!

Rhinebeck was AWESOME! THe YARN HARLOT WAS AWESOME!!! I BOUGHT TWO SWEATERS WORTH OF YARN!
That is all-- no pictures-- no explanation :)

Just because I haven't been blogging doesn't mean I'm not knitting.


Quite the contrary actually!


Lets see I'll do a list since time is short:


1. Andrew's Weasley is done except the letter on the front. Just a picture of the sleeve I'm afraid. Its just green and stockinette anyhow.

2. Evan's Weasley is almost to the armholes. I'm taking break from the yarn--its getting cold here and my hands are itching for some wool and alpaca.


3. After frogging a a sweater for myself twice, finally decided on a pattern Thursday. I finished the back and the left front and started the right front(almost 8 inches in). Its a Drops pattern that was exactly what I wanted and its using less yarn than I thought it would! So I'll definitely have enough to finish it! that has to be finished by Friday.

4. I started a Christmas stocking for Mrs. Polly. She's had two grandchildren born this year. Thanks to Steph and Kelly for keeping me in business!


5. I am almost done a pair of slippers for the gazillion people on my list. 1 down, 7 more to go.

I'm starting to get that nagging feeling that I won't finish in time. I keep pushing it aside saying "Its only October, you have plenty of time" but I fear I will not make it! I refuse to make a schedule because I know if I don't keep it I'll be depressed!
I bought some yarn from a destash on Ravelry. Cherry Tree hill Sock in Peacock! Lovely stuff!

In other news, I attended the National Apple Harvest Festival on Saturday. Mom, Dad, my two brothers and of course Dan went together. It was really fun! I also found a vendor selling yarn! I didn't buy any because. . .


We're going to Rhinebeck next weekend! I reserved our campsite! I'm so excited that we're going on Sunday because the YARN HARLOT IS GOING TO BE THERE!!!!!!!! Hopefully I'll remember to take the camera!!!!





I'm slowly getting the dye studio up and running. I'm still not sure about my heat and water sources but I think I'll just let Dan take care of that. I have soo many ideas that I can't wait to get started again! I want to do some alpaca and some different weights but I can't until the studio is going!

Yarn Sale at Starbugknits!

Sale went up on Starbugknits last night!
$2 off every skein purchased in October!
Reductions already taken!

We're moved into our new house finally! Upgrading to 3 bedrooms from one really is exciting. This is my craft room. A whole room just for crafts!!! Obviously we're not done unpacking yet but I can totally imagine how it'll be!

The best part and actually one of the main reasons we moved is for this:

Just a little shed but its home to me

The dye studio! Right off my back porch. NOT in my house! Can you tell how excited I am?

It still needs to be fixed up and have all spiders anhilated but soon I will be dyeing all the time. Making the biggest mess I can and not having to worry about my mom's carpet or the apartment walls!

In celebration of this great new development in Starbugknits, I'll be having a contest and a sale starting sometime next week(I need time to unpack:)

Staytuned and you won't be sorry!

I'm not going to apologize for not blogging but I will show you some of what I've been doing.


Moving day got moved up a month(which is something we wanted) BUT we also have to get the new house painted and ready to go. Our current landlord want us out ASAP so they can get in here and get the apartment ready for the new guy. As soon as the new carpet is installed, we'll be hauling some stuff over there, but we're not sure what day our actual move will be.

Which means, there is a general purge of crap going on at our house. I'm trying to destash some yarn, too. SO much is stuff I need for Christmas, etc. This is the current state of our bedroom(I'm almost embarrassed to show it). There are boxes, laundry, sewing projects, and shoes EVERYWHERE! AHHHHH!!!!! I'm really looking forward to organizing everything afresh at the new place( I know, right?)


In fiber related news, we attended the PA Endless Mountain Fiber Festival. I give it a "meh". It was small which is okay but it just felt really disorganized. I did manage to find some pretty yarn though.

Farmhouse Yarns "Summerspun" Silk, cotton, lambswool. 700 yards in cranberry. My mother-in-law LOVES it. Maybe Christmas?!?!


I'm looking forward to Rhinebeck in a few weeks. I'm making some tote bags for my mom and me to carry around. I have to put all that stuff away because I know I'll start working on them when I'm supposed to be packing!


Hopefully next time I blog I'll be in my new office and can share pics of the new dye studio!





Oh yeah, go check out my yarn already! There won't be any update until after the move and I'd like to get some of my first batches sold!

I always seem to be in a rush lately. Today, I have to squeeze in a quick run to the supermarket before I begin dyeing which I have to finish before 3.

No pictures today, I'm afraid. The knitting I'm working on now is for Christmas and I'm also designing a kit for my shop. Its a first-- secret knitting on the blog.
The weasley sweater is going good. I finished the body and now I have to find a tutorial online for knitting two sleeves at once on two circulars. I think I get the concept but just need to make sure.
What a boring post! Better one on Monday, I promise. We're heading to the PA Fiber Festival on Saturday and I'm sure I'll have SOMETHING to show you then.

'Til Monday then. Look forward to a shop update soon!

Quick update!

I thought I'd throw in a little post today, but my to do list is pretty long AND I have to finish it by 3:00.

Lots of knitting going on. I cast on for a top-down raglan for myself with some yarn that I messed up dyeing(did you know over dyeing in brown will turn it black?:)) So its a nice basic black fingering weight on large(sz. 8) needles. I hope it turns out nice and lacy. I'm calling it the black hole raglan since its just a mass of black and its hard to tell what it looks like at all :)

I also started a pair of Embossed leaves. I had to rip out to the heel yesterday as is standard for me with a new pattern. The yarn is my own hand-dyed. Unfortunately the exact color will probably never be available since it was done before I wrote down instructions. I love it though so I will attempt to replicate it in the near future.
Also, to start my gift knitting, I have cast on for my first Weasley sweater for the nephews. I have three to make so I started with the biggest first. I was going to try intarsia in the round for it but that gave me a headache. The initial will be stitched on with duplicate stitch later. Sorry there's no pictures.Next post, maybe a finished object.
I finished my mom's sweater too! No time for a pic as she was headed out the door for a weekend away. Turned out nice, I think. I 'll get her to model soon!
Did I mention that i finished the Trellis too? Just in time, since Eric and Lucy moved 6 days later to Indiana! I love it!

Speaking of hand-dyed yarns, I had my first order last week! It was a great day! I sold my only skein of "Kitty" and it was in a smaller put up. I hope the buyer really enjoys it!

In non-knitting land, we'll be moving in less than two months.(!) Not far really but far enough that I'll probably have to find a new knitting group. Maybe I'll start one. I'm looking very forward to moving to a bigger place but not the actual moving part.

Have a great day, everybody!

A shop update went out this morning. There are a couple of pretty amazing colors if I do say so myself. Among them, Evensong. Quantities are limited so hurry on over.

Its been about a week since my super fun trip to New York with my sister and our two friends so I thought I'd better post about it before I forget everything.

It was a pretty basic fiber tour, only about two stores but I think we did pretty good.

First Mood Fabric was so overwhelming that we had to go back after we'd had something to eat.

If you've never been there you should really go. Floor to ceiling with the most beautiful fabrics in 60" widths. There was a whole row of silk(chiffon, brocade, etc.) and cottons and everything. I picked out two:

The reddish is cotton knit, the striped is a soft cotton print.I don't have any ideas what to make from them but they are beautiful!

We went to School Products too. To be honest, I was a little dissappointed in their selection. The prices were good but there wasn't a whole lot too choose from. I will be going back soon, though. I wish I would have gotten some cashmere to make a few Christmas scarves. Oh well. I did getthis cone of brushed wool/nylon lace weight.

There's almost 35oo yards on that one cone! I have a secret project that I'm starting with that soon. I'll blog soon(I hope) about that!

Have a great day, and don't forget to checkout Starbugknits.com

And the winner is. . .

After much deliberation, the winner of the first ever contest on Starbugknits is:

Knitography

with her suggestion of Evensong.

This was a great turn out! I had 85 ideas left in my inbox with only 3 repeats!
Excellent! A huge thank you to everyone who participated. I'll be doing this again soon, so keep checking back! And don't forget to check out starbugknits.com. I'll be updating the shop with "Evensong" and a few other new colors tomorrow!

Name that Colorway!

I love the colors(navy and purple) but just can't think of a name!




Please submit your idea in the comments with your email address.



The winner will receive one hank of handdyed sock yarn from Starbugknits.com in the colorway of their choice.



Deadline for entries is Friday,August 17 at 10 pm EST.Winner will be announced on Monday August 20.
Good Luck!