Browsing: / Home
Shortlink

Big and Little Gifts

By lolly on 11/02/2011 in

Many thanks to all who entered my little contest for The Knitter’s Book of Socks!  I enjoyed reading the comments and seeing the variety of responses.

The winner of this contest is Judy from Vermont, who had this to say:

I got the sock bug about three years ago and haven’t stopped since. I devour as many books as possible always trying to improve my technique or challenge myself with new patterns. I love Clara Parkes and have her first two books. This would be a nice addition to my collection especially during the long winter nights in Vermont where socks are required!

Judy, may you have lots of fun and very warm feet!

…and don’t forget to add this book to your holiday wishlist :)

Psssst… here’s a free pattern for this Stepping Stones pattern by Clara Parkes!

Mixx Delicious Digg Facebook Twitter
Shortlink

Yosemite: Day Hikes, Domes, and (Really) Huge Trees

By lolly on 11/01/2011 in , ,

Seems that I got a bit out of order in chronology of my posts.  Here I am telling you about the things that I just finished knitting, but I didn’t tell you WHERE I was knitting them… so, allow me to back track and share last month’s trip to California.

We had planned this trip for months – it was the first big “together” trip for my family since our family has grown by marriage and babies. Along with my youngest sister Sarah and her husband, Andrew, we decided to visit Yosemite National Park first, and then rendezvous with everyone several days later in Lake Tahoe. Extension to Yosemite was worth every second. As you know, Kris and I love hiking and photography, and Yosemite is a paradise for both.

El Capitan

Half Dome B/W

We stayed outside the southern entrance to the Park; each day we drove in with plans to hike new trails.  We technically hit the Park in its off-season, so the crowds were down.  That was a nice perk on many of the trails and in-roads so we could take our time and stop whenever we pleased.  Kris and I should have made a sticker for the back of our rental car: Vehicle Makes Frequent Stops to Photograph.  Our feet were the best mode of transportation though – with the vast trail system, we were out and about every single day.

Sunlight over Domes
Mist Trail to Vernal Falls

Glacial Domes

We hiked with all of our camera equipment, which made the hike a little heavier, but worth the effort after seeing the processed photos.  Long exposures, HDR, and macro photography – all things that I had the time to play with and the scenes to shoot.  If we had had more time and the appropriate gear, I would have jumped at the chance to do some back country camping and backpacking.  However, this trip focused on the highlights – Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, Mariposa (Giant Sequoia) Grove, the various falls, Tuolumne Meadows, and the glacial lakes.  Maybe next time on the backpacking?

Olmstead Point

Tioga Pass Lake


[Full Set of Yosemite Photos on Flickr]

Since we took over 20 gigs of photos in the Park, I have many more to add to this photo set… it takes time to go through them all!  As you can see, we had beautiful weather and clear skies – a perfect combination for memorable hikes and photographs.

Mixx Delicious Digg Facebook Twitter
Shortlink

Knitter’s Book of Socks

By lolly on 10/31/2011 in ,

Many thanks to Potter Craft for sending this copy of the newly released The Knitter’s Book of Socks by Clara Parkes!  The release of the book coincided perfectly with Socktoberfest this year. If you are familiar with Clara’s writing, you know that this book is well-researched and is chocked full of useful information for all knitters.  Clara goes in-depth into what makes sock yarn – reminiscent of her work in her other books.  Quality information that you can use on your next trip to the yarn shop.

From Potter Craft’s site:

To help put the principles into practice, The Knitter’s Book of Socks offers 20 fresh, original patterns from today’s sock-design luminaries, including Cookie A, Cat Bordhi, Ann Budd, Nancy Bush, Anne Hanson, and Melissa Morgan-Oakes. The socks presented here run the gamut from simple knit-and-purl combinations suitable for beginners to innovative designs with lush colorwork, swirling cables, and delicate lace.

Understanding the elements of yarn is the first step on every successful sock knitting journey. With this book as your guide, you’ll learn how to make any sock yarn shine and love every pair of socks you knit.

Hickory Socks

I wish I could show you all of the patterns because they are all fun – ideal for all knitting styles and skill levels.  You can see a small slideshow on the publisher’s website, but it doesn’t do the book justice!  It will keep you busy knitting for years to come.

Want to try knitting some of these patterns?  I’m doing a book giveaway for the finale of this year’s Socktoberfest!  All I need from you is a comment telling me how long you have been knitting socks.  Are you a brand new knitter wanting to try? Are you a seasoned pro who has seen it all?  Bring it on, and this lovely book could be yours!

I will choose the winner randomly on Wednesday, November 2nd and contact the winner and announce it here.  Stay tuned!

Mixx Delicious Digg Facebook Twitter
Shortlink

Knit a Squarey

By lolly on 10/30/2011 in , ,

The allure of Jess Hutchinson’s knit toy designs (Rav link) is that they are simple, yet so cute.  Take Squarey for instance:

Two 12 x 12 squares, sewn together with arms and legs, eyes and mouth around a pillow form:  An anthropomorphic pillow doll!  Squarey is a gift for my niece V, who just celebrated her 2nd birthday.  V also just got a baby sister – Baby Lulu was born on Friday!  That means I am auntie 4x over, and I just love it!  Hopefully V will be willing to share Squarey doll with her sister when they cuddle up to read or watch a movie.

I used some sample yarns that I received from the good people at Red Heart -Debbie Stoller’s Stitch Nation Washable Ewe worsted weight wool, and a few worsted weight scraps of my own to make Squarey’s stripes.  Arms and legs are filled with bamboo polyfill.  Squarey is soft and comfy and after making him, I kind of want one of my own now. Would make a nice computer chair pillow!

Mixx Delicious Digg Facebook Twitter
Shortlink

Penn’d

By lolly on 10/27/2011 in

The most exciting thing about my parents’ move to eastern Pennsylvania is that when I visit them, there are so many new places to explore.  Mom told me several times “You are going to love it here!” and when I drove up for a two-day stay last month, she was right!  The historic homes, the old trees, and the rolling hills won me over immediately.  A trip to the stunning Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square sealed the deal.  (And I liked it so much that I even did a write-up about my trip for National Geographic Traveler’s blog Intelligent Travel - see it here!)

Chrysanthymum

Spider Mums

Fountains

DuPont Residence


The mums were part of their Autumn Colors display and a foretaste of the chrysanthemum spectacular that is still going on now.  Mom and I had a lovely time at the Gardens, and I look forward to seeing this place again – the beauty of the garden is truly in its ever-changing nature from season to season.

Further evidence of fun in PA – a great yarn shop!  Mom and I stopped by Slip Knot in Newtown Square.  Aside from the helpful and friendly staff, this store offered some beautiful yarns.  Two skeins of Madelinetosh Light later… This yarn didn’t linger in the stash for long, because I already started on a project with it! (More details on that to come later)

Spider Mums

Mixx Delicious Digg Facebook Twitter