Fresh Findings

I'm feeling super inspired this weekend...and I am completely embracing my new found motivation to eat healthy and eat fresh. I'm trying to cut out processed food and be more aware of my choices. 

Yesterday, it was rainy and quiet here. I went to a great organic market and then made chai tea. Started a new knitting project using Rowan Kidsilk Haze. I am combining that with a soft merino Highland Duo yarn....beautiful eggplant color. I want to do a wrap with this color, chocolate brown and a stormy grey. Knitting in seedstitch....I'm only about an inch or two in....

tea....with my grandmothers antique tea set...xo

One For All

Having way too challenging of a week so I'm concentrating on project ideas to keep my mood positive. Maybe I should be concentrating on going to the gym but knitting has won out. And coffee...that too. 

I love this recent scarf I came across on Etsy. I love the clean lines, the pairing of colors and that it's perfect for women or men. Done in a wool blend...it's chunky but not overpowering. Handmade in Turkey....take a peek at this amazing shop! This artist's work is so inspiring! xo

Lengthy Project

As the weather gets milder I lean toward projects that require a lot longer to complete. In the middle of a blustery arctic winter I always want to knit fast so I can immediately wear my new scarf or cowl. But in warmer months....I can take longer without the rush and excitement of putting the item to use the next day or week. I completely love this Worsted Twist Seed Stitch Scarf from Purl Bee. The pattern is available at no charge on their page. I want to do this in shades of cocoa and camel with some cream mixed in too. Love the length and loftiness of this....just amazing! xo

Knitting Day

I have days where all I want to do is get the absolute basics done around the house and clear my entire afternoon and evening for knitting. I love my new yarn stash from Purl Soho and I also purchased (locally) new needles by Knitters Pride. Love these Dreamz  size US 11 needles. I love knitting with wooden needles....they have such a wonderful, warm feel to them. Such a great color too....so pretty!

Last night, I searched around for pattern ideas for a ribbed scarf. Came across the Sinful Ribbed pattern on Ravelry that's offered at no charge.  This great pattern, designed by Classic Elite Yarns, can be easily adapted to various widths. So excited for this project....happy day! xo

Strolling in Soho

I had the luxury of a perfect afternoon in Soho this past week. I loved walking the city streets, finding a perfect cozy cafe for hot cocoa and warm bread and then winding up at Purl Soho. Tucked in on Broome Street, this is my very favorite yarn shop. I often peek at their offerings on line and I'm constantly inspired by their projects on The Purl Bee. I grabbed four skeins of this amazing merino yarn...here are two whispery blue/grey skeins that I could not resist. Thinking of combining with a feather light mohair. Have a great Easter! xo

Cozy Saturday

Oh...I finally made it to the knitting store! After a crazy week, all I wanted on Friday was to gather knitting supplies. I was on my way out the door and the bell rang....a masonary giving an estimate on the chimney. I hadn't been contacted that he would be looking at some brick that was damaged in a windstorm last week. I basically said...there's the chimney, there's the fallen brick...I'm off to the yarn store! He looked at my like I was crazy!

Here's what I grabbed...two great Manos yarns...a silk blend and a soft merino. I may add a strand of mohair as well. Happy Saturday!

End of Week!

I'm so excited to finally have this week wrap up. Way too much running around. I want a quiet knitting weekend and I'm searching for a perfect pink yarn. I'm not a pink girl...but I have an olive green down vest from Banana Republic that pink would look great with. 

I found this pink hand spun on Pinterest but sadly the link is no longer avalable. I just love these deep, rich colors!

I also found a great Etsy shop from Canada that offers amazing, unique yarn. I love this pink....it's about 97 yards and a great worsted weight. You can peek at this beautiful shop here!

Warm Tones

I've never been much of a pastel person. I love rich neutrals and I am a huge fan of deep, warm oranges.  I feel like I somehow have ten different knitting ideas going on....but I love this simple, wrappy scarf the most. I'm working with two different spice-y toned yarns. I think I need a good movie to watch tonight so I can have a solid two hours to catch up on some of these knitting projects...

So Talented

I look online for knitting ideas all the time. I stalk Ravelry and Pinterest. When I go into a yarn store I literally cannot decide what to buy first....the textures and colors are all so amazing. But nothing inspires me as much as seeing a project a friend is working on. I have such creative, talented girlfriends. I mentioned that one friend is doing a cowl in linen stitch. Here's her work using Berroco Brio yarn...isn't it just fantastic?!

Love how this thick/thin yarn is infused with a shimmery metallic thread.

Monday Project

I need a good knitting project for the week. I have over-scheduled days ahead filled with talent show tryouts, school planning meetings, softball practices and orthodontist appointments. I need a fun, new project to keep inspired and focused during all this running around and waiting time. I also need to sit down with a good cup of coffee and map out a list of what's really essential to do this week and what's not.....

My first of what's going to be several cups of coffee this morning. Love this mug I found at Anthropologie. 

Tie One On

Over the weekend, I came across the beautiful work of the Etsy shop Doloris Petunia. I was on Pinterest and saw all these amazing bracelets, necklaces and cuffs. Too many favorites to feature here.....this shop has an amazing collection. Peek here to look at the work of this California based artist. Here are a handful of the bracelets I just love. Cannot wait to order

 this week! Happy Sunday! xo

Fresh Linen

There is one thing about my knitting...I tend to knit what I know. I knit because it's relaxing so I tend to not break out of my element because, to me, there's nothing relaxing about complicated stitches and hard to follow patterns. That said, I need to change things up a tiny bit. A girlfriend last night told me of a cowl she's knitting in a linen stitch. This I could try.....I googled around...there's also a half linen stitch. I've looked at lots of pages...I love these examples:

Serenity Knitters has beautiful ideas! Peek here to check out this amazingly creative blog!

Love this pretty yarn that I saw here at Enchanted Mama.

Perfect Wellie

I love my Hunter boots....I wear them constantly. I have a basic black pair that seem to go with everything this time of year..though both these pairs would be a happily welcomed addition to my spring wardrobe!

Fine Tuned

I am slightly obsessed with Glen Hansard's music since seeing "Once" last week. I cannot get "Falling Slowly" out of my head. I was surprised with tickets last week, by a thoughtful girlfriend, which made this show even more of a wonderful, unexpected treat!

I am considering officially putting away my winter coat and simply wearing cozy sweaters and a wrappy scarf for spring. I love this scarf I came across here at Churchmouse Yarns & Teas...so pretty and I love the various hues! I am addicted to Rowan Kidsilk Haze. One of my very favorite yarns. I'm off to the yarn store today to grab some light, fine mohairs and baby alpaca yarn. xo