Small Details

I was watching a movie the other evening that opened with a quote from the haunting Edgar Allan Poe poem The Raven:

"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary..."

I think I'm starting to find this winter a bit long and dismal. And dreary. 

So I decided I needed a good house project...something to warm things up a bit. I started by first ripping up the rug in the bedroom. A previous owner covered the beautiful hardwood with a flat brown carpet. So, that long overdue change was my first move. Carpet gone....a new color scheme was needed. I love grey but sometimes find it too cool, a bit austere. But lately I've seen it paired with tan. While I would have thought the warm and cool don't work....I was totally wrong. They create such a great balance! So, I've worked a bit with what I have, hunted through the attic for tucked away linens and added some new purchases. Although this is a project that will take a bit of time...I'm all happy for some new details.  

For starters, I ordered a super soft throw blanket from Pottery Barn that is done in a great knit stitch. The color is Smoke Grey. I already had two grey wool cable knit pillows that I loved. I added those in with a large black faux fur bolster pillow that is perfect for reading. I found two amazing decorative pillows at TJMaxx/Home Goods. One is a shimmery tan with a grey print. The other is cream with grey sequins in a tile design. I feel like I'm well under way....

Happy Weekend! xo

My more than slightly frozen street...

Pottery Barn Blanket in Smoke Grey.

Cozy pillows for the tan reading chair.

Cable knit pillow that I found at Pottery Barn years ago. Sequin pillow from Home Goods.

Picture Perfect

My daughter Lily is ten years old and has been knitting about eighteen months now. She learned on size US 10 needles using Lamb's Pride yarn by Brown Sheep. She's actually quite the perfectionist...ripping out stitches and rows until it's exactly as she wants it. I saw this print on Etsy in the shop EvaJuliet...it would be perfect for Lily's room!

There was a time I sold my knitting and I loved making custom items for clients. It was always such a pleasure to design something completely unique as a gift. I came across these wooden care tags recently....they are really clever & lovely! Whether you knit primarily for yourself or as a business...Happy Knitting! xo

Amore

I often write about my love of things on Etsy but few shops have inspired me as much as Silvia66. This artist has created beautiful, unique work for years. From Italy, the knits offered here are amazing. Peek at her shop....you're sure to find a favorite! I saw, today, these two striped scarves...inter-wrapped...and both done in kid mohair. The colors are lovely and I love the soft drape. This scarf set is really just perfect! xo

Fringe Benefits

I taught a knitting class a couple of weeks ago and I spoke to all my beginner knitters about saving all your yarn scraps. How they are invaluable when you want to fringe a scarf..all those bits of wool, angora and mohair coming together...it's like jewelry for your scarf. I save all of my extra pieces in a pretty case so they are all safely in one place. But....I saw this idea today and I love it! These oversize, vintage spools are amazing! If you're watching the games on this cozy Friday evening...may your team win! Happy knitting! x0

Perfect wrapping

I have never knit a blanket. I am, however, continually drawn to images of the amazing work of others who have done so. I just love the look of these blankets in particular. Both images are from tumblr. I don't have photo credits for both but they are equally beautiful so I very much wanted to include them here. I love the fine gauge of the first one here...and the tiny ribbing is stunning....

And I love the chunky oversized knit shown here...as well as the inky richness of the color!

Truly beautiful knit that I saw on Pinterest. Photo credit: http://quincewithsugar.tumblr.com/post/61666291576

Right Angle

I feel like I've been writing about winter forever but as I watch the Winter Olympics in Sochi I can't help but notice that while it's a spring like 60 degrees there....it is exactly zero degrees here this morning! So, with the frigid temperatures holding on...I just want wrappy warm cowls and scarves. I saw this on Pinterest. This angular, wrappy scarf is from Ravelry. I love everything about it! Peek at this great project here...it seems like a perfect February knitting idea! If you would like to buy this pattern, it can be purchased on Ravelry.

Simply Beautiful

First....I don't know how to crochet. (I did learned once...years ago....I was maybe seven. My grandmother patiently tried to teach me, however, I just had a horrible time catching on.) But this heart pillow is enough to make me want to give it a try again....seriously. I just simply love this! It's stunning and vintage-y and just beautiful. The artist gives all pattern instructions here! Maybe it's time to learn something new....xo