Since my grad classes ended this week, I found a little more free time on my hands. Naturally, my mind began to think up all of the projects that I can work on, both knitting and craft-related. I hope to have more final products to show for this month!
I am off to a pretty good start…
This is the back of Saunshine’s lovely “Ruby” tank, and after some good quality knitting time, it is almost complete! Since my tank is in fact green, I thought “Emerald” would be a good name for her, keeping with the whole jewel theme.
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The pattern is a great quick knit, and I can see that this will become a staple summer wardrobe piece! Saun sells this pattern in a package deal with another beautiful lace v-neck tank on her blog. (Did you see Kate’s finished one? so pretty!) I think I may tackle this easy lace repeat in order to have that lovely tank in my closet as well! The great thing about her designs is the layering factor. I am a first-rate layerer, so these garments will easily make the transition into fall/winter wardrobe with a collared shirt, or a long sleeved tee. Thanks Saun for the versatile design! |
I am using the Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece that I found in NYC in March, in colorway Holly Green. (Not to Christmas-y though, right?) I prefer to think of it as kelly green. The yarn is 80/20 of cotton and Merino wool, and has a nice texture. It will require some blocking when I am finished, but I think it will hold shape very well. I do like working with cotton, so I am sure more of this lovely yarn will show up around these parts again.
Although I have not made the leap yet, I am also planning to take on *another* sock-knitting technique. I am still reserving complete judgement for the knitting socks on 2 circular needles until I finish my Lollygirl socks, but in the meantime, why not add another work in (almost) progress? Look at that yarn! how can I say no?
This yarn was a sweet gift from Kira, after last year’s Socktoberfest. It is the handpainted sock yarn SweetGeorgia line, dyed and sold by Felicia. This yarn is so beautiful, and I just can’t wait to cast on!
Of course, all of this probably won’t happen this weekend – because this weekend is filled to the brim with activity! Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival! It would be an understatement to say that I am excited about this. I will be there BOTH days – Saturday and Sunday. If you are attending the Festival, I would love to meet you. Please come and say hi! You will find me in the pavillions with beautiful yarns in my hands! After the festival, there will be the KnitBloggers’ Ball meetup (Clyde’s in Columbia, 7pm!) and some other fun activities. Can’t wait!
I tried to be prepared, and organized about the whole excursion; we’ll see how that works out for me. I went through my ever-growing bookcase of knitting/craft books and magazines, and found the patterns that I just adore… the ones that I dream about making… and I wrote down all of the information about the yarn, and even the suggested retail price (I want to know that I am getting a deal!) I found that Yarndex was a great source for this information. There are many great substitutes available, especially from some of the local sources, and I am planning to purchase for at least one of the projects on this list. Here is a glimpse at my list – this only includes three of the ones I have highlighted. I think I have 10 projects in all that I *really* want to find yarn for.
(This could also be my handwriting sample, like that meme that was going around, right?)
Here, I have some highlighted Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton designs, and one from the new Norah Gaughan masterpiece. I also have a good representation of Interweave Knits patterns. We’ll see what I come home with… I hope I can keep to the list (with only a few diversions for Morehouse Farm, and Tess Designer Yarns) Speaking of, did you see the festival COUPON for Morehouse on their website? Right click – Print!
I am off to the city to meet Zarah and do a little touring, and a little knitting. She has been in DC for the week, and I am excited to meet her! The weather has turned a little gloomy, so I hope that the rain stays off through the weekend (I know what wet wool smells like, and it is not pleasant!)
For that last little bit of green, I thought it would be fun to show off some of our plants. I would love to see some of yours too – so get out there in your garden, or to that windowsill, and show me your little bit of green!
Have a wonderful weekend!
PS – Thanks for all of the lovely comments on our backyard pond project! I will show more as we stock it with fish, and plant some new aquatic plants.
I can’t WAIT to see you! Last year our time was so brief. Unfortunately I won’t be able to stay for the Knitbloggers Ball, but you will be at the meet up right? What are you doing tonight?
Hmm…I might check to see if that cotton fleece would be good for Something Red, which I plan to knit for my first sweater (in green!). Looking forward to seeing the finished project.
Do you find the Cotton Fleece to be splitty? I used it for my March Project Spectrum sweater and it was so splitty that I don’t know if I would use it again. Not sure if I got a bad batch or what…
I’ve found that I can’t go near large supplies of yarn without having a list, or I just buy stupid things for no reason, and I don’t have the budget for that. Lists are my friend.
I didn’t get a chance to comment on your pond, but it’s beautiful! I’m making socks for Project Spectrum and you guys made a pond!
Have fun at MS&W, touch some yarn for me!
The sweater is looking great & so appropriate for PS May!
I’m jealous about the trip to MSW – I love your organized list of projects to buy for – definitely the way to stay focused in the midst of so much lovely yarn!
Love the plants – I had already been planning that part of PS May green would be for greenthumb!
Have an amazing weekend! I also made a list last weekend before CT S&W and will do the same before NH next weekend.
Thanks for the tip about the coupon! I have Morehouse on my list and can’t wait to see what they bring this year. I hope to see you this weekend! BTW~ very cool pond!
Beautiful green tank! How did I miss those great patterns? Adding them to the ‘list’ right now-I need some warm weather knitting projects ASAP! The green is gorgeous-not to Christmas-y at all, and I really enjoy that yarn. I’ve used it on a couple of baby sweaters for gifts and it has held up well. It is going to look beautiful on you with your coloring-can’t wait to see it!
Have fun at the festival. Maybe some year I can make it, sounds like a real blast! Take lots of pics so you can share with us (I know you will!).
Have a fantastic weekend!!!!
xo,
-T
Hooray for finishing your classes! MSW is a great way to celebrate, yes? I look forward to seeing you tomorrow and thanks for the coupon!
That green tank top is going to be GREAT!
Have a blast this weekend! Wish I could be there, too!
I look forward to your thoughts on the magic loop technique. Maybe I should give that one a whirl too. Have fun this weekend!!
happy shopping and hopefully i’ll see you tomorrow!
oh that green top is going to be so pretty! and i love sweetgeorgia yarns. i want more of them
That green is pretty and I love the tank.
I’ll be at the festival on Saturday. Hope to see you there!
Hi there! A couple weeks ago you threw in a guess for my baby’s birth weight and guess what! You won!
So if you’d like, when you get a chance, email me your address so I can send you your prize! 
And also, I LOVE the green that you’re using for that tank. Can’t wait to see how it looks finished, it’s a great color
Ooooh, love that emerald green yarn! Your top is going to be so pretty – and perfect for Project Spectrum. Very impressive pond-building, as well – I know for a fact I could never do that!
I have yet to plan a green project. All I can think about is Sudu and Zeb’s visit and Daniel’s return. I am kind of in teh clouds lately. I have about 13 more days until I see my man!
The sweater is looking yummy in thay green. I love the low neck with the cami underneath. I would want to wear that everyday…great pattern.
Yeah for school being over(for a month)!!
Love You So Much!
Can’t wait to meet you at MDSW this weekend!
I’m putting one of my May Project Spectrums up on my blog right now. This is DEFINITELY a good color month for me!
So many pretty greens!! Especially the Norfolk Island Pine!!! I had one I carried here from Virginia and the hot Florida sun killed it
Have a GREAT time this weekend Lolly!
Good call on making that tank, it is so wondeerfully layerable. You know that I love that too – I wear my tanks all year round.
You are coming to the festical with a plan of attack – and how awesome that you’re shopping for the medium size! Yay, I’m soo excited we get to go together!! See you tomorrow early!
as ever fantastic knitting ideas are given the heads up from Lolly – what a great inspiring post for the start of May!
Enjoy your free time (mine’s coming in about a month… counting the days)
you’re right – that color is def. kelly green. it will look great on you! enjoy md s&w – wish i was going! take care-
Ohh – I have so been wanting to try Cotton Fleece. I have to find something to make with it! Hard to believe the Festival is TOMORROW! I won’t be able to sleep I’m so excited!
The mini pond is so great! I love how it’s enclosed by the bricks!
Can’t wait to meet all you guys at Cara’s meetup, then at Clydes!
May is by far my favorite month! I just love green!!!
have fun at MSW! unfortunately i will not be going this year, too many things going on at the moment.
love the little pond! way to go for DIY! there are so many things we need to do to our house, but only getting down to New Jersey on the weekends really doesn’t leave much time to do everything we want to do! oh well! so goes life!
OOOh. I am loving that sweater! So pretty.
Emerald will be lovely when finished Lolly, and perfect for May Project Spectrum!
I love how you wrote out everything you need on a list. That Ruby Tank is going to look wonderful in this green cotton fleece. I love the month of May and my B-Day is May 31. I hope you can find me at the festival!!
what lovely green yarn! I’m jonesing lately for a cottony project. Bring on spring knitting!
I hope to see you tomorrow at the meetup. I’m working on a project in green Cotton Fleece as well, limelight rather than holly.
We’re here in Maryland and looking forward to tomorrow! If I see you, I’ll say Hi!
I love your fish pond. I cannot believe that you built it in a weekend. It feels great when your so productive in such a short time doesn’t it. I love your green Cotton Fleece. We cannot get that in Australia unfortunately. You are very lucky with your yarn selections in the States. I love green, my favourite color. Cannot wait to see the projects for this month. I adore your green sock yarn too. How gorgeous. I hope you have a wonderful time at MS&W. I am so jealous I wish I could go too but Australia is a bit too far away.
Mmm, love all that green! And the cotton fleece! And the frog pond! You have been busy…
Hi Lolly, I posted some green Green pics for you on my blog. Enjoy MS&WF for me!
I am loving those tanks! Might have to add them to the list!
i live to magic loop. i hope you love it as much as I do.
Oh, that Emerald is definitely NOT Christmasy – lovely! It will be fun to see those socks shape up in that yarn. Have fun at MDSW!
Hi Lauren – it was great to see you at MS&W today. I SOOOO wish I could have stuck around for the Knitbloggers Ball, but alas, I had to return to Richmond this evening. Hopefully next year I can make a weekend of it.
I hope you bought some cool stuff – I got the Monet Scarf and Monet Shawl kits from Morehouse (yeah coupon!). I also bought a glass shawl closure from Moving Mud – did you see their stuff?!? Simply gorgeous. I picked up a few other things as well, but those were the best.
Catch you later!
Congrats on finishing your classes! I still have to finish one paper then I can officially being my summer vacation. I do not think Emerald is too Chrismasy, it is a beautiful bright color, it is going to be a lovely tank.
Amanda
Yay for being done with classes! It is such a great feeling! Love love the tank! I wish it came in a maternity version!
I love that scoopy tank! I’ll have to get that pattern. Cotton Fleece is one of my favorite yarns and I have to say, I’ve always had pretty good experiences blocking it.
So good to meet you this weekend! I was in a daze most of the time I was there (so overwhelming in so many ways) but such a good experience…
Hope you had a lovely time at the festival…. I expect lots of lovely pics!
Hey Lolly! I saw you on the hill during the blogger meetup Saturday, but didn’t get a chance to say hi before you had left. Pooh! My posse and I were staying at the Homewood Suites in Columbia, and were exhausted on Saturday, so we didn’t make it to the Knitbloggers Ball — how was that? At first I wasn’t sure if we needed to go to MS&W both days, but it was SO WORTH being there on Sunday, too. This was my first time, and I had a BLAST!
I like your idea of going with a list of patterns and yarn requirements — such a great idea to be so organized! Maybe I’ll try that someday, when I’m a “grown-up” knitter.
VERY late response (I seem to be doing a lot of that today), but I just wanted to say a couple things…
I can’t wait to see your finished sweater! I bought both of those patterns too and hope to get to them before the summer/fall is completely over!! haha.
I hope you had tons of fun this weekend (I’m so jealous of everyone who got to go!!)!
sorry, it’s back to work for me..
Happy Monday!!
.♥.
I love that yarn! Cotton or cotton blends are my favorite to knit with also… i dislike the feel of most wools and I don’t like that it comes from an animal ^^
I live way to far for this festival, and I keep hearing about how great it will be. I am a little sad =( Oh well, have fun!
It was great seeing you this weekend! I didn’t get a chance to read your latest entry before I left for Maryland, but I liked seeing your green plants. Hope we’ll see each other again next year.
I love all the green! May is my month! I have so many FOs because of your great incentive.
I ordered those patterns from Saunshine a while ago – I can’t wait to knit them both! Hope you had fun at the festival!
Love the tank patterns! I’ll have to check the stash and see if I can add a couple of them to my wardrobe myself. I’m a little behind on the blog reading but I just wanted to say I *love* the pond you guys made. Such a cool idea!
i love those patterns! and what a pretty green! watch out with that magic loop method… I loved it so much i gave away all of my DP’s!!!!