tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61893948171836080882024-03-12T16:01:54.200-07:00Amy KnitsA place for me...Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-25882091290470915232011-09-06T11:10:00.000-07:002011-09-06T11:10:59.156-07:00And finally!And, finally, my last post for the day.<br />
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This is a test knit I finished up over the weekend. This tank turned out beautifully. The design and shaping was effortless to knit. None of this, <i>"...bo 2 sts at each end over the next 6 rows..."</i> business. The result is a classic, tailored tank that is so heavenly soft against the skin. I am truly amazed at the beauty of this design! I will definitely be looking forward to more designs by <a href="http://dilettantknits.blogspot.com/">Amanda Bell</a>. The pattern hasn't been published yet so I don't have a link to a pattern yet.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/6120666739/" title="Tank_Collage by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="Tank_Collage" height="640" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6186/6120666739_9918e0a5b7_o.jpg" width="640" /> </a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://dilettantknits.blogspot.com/2011/07/woohoo.html">Castanea Sativa</a> by <a href="http://dilettantknits.blogspot.com/">Amanda Bell</a></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: <a href="http://www.sunshineyarns.com/index.php">Sunshine Yarns</a> - Silk Cashmere 2 ply</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Color: Feather</span><br />
<a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/cs"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ravelry </span></a><br />
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If you've been keep up with today's post, you will notice that all these projects have been knit with <a href="http://www.sunshineyarns.com/index.php">Sunshine Yarns</a>. Yes...my current obsession. It does hurt that Dani lives here in town so her yarn is so easily accessible. And it doesn't hurt that she delivers it to me at knit night on Tuesdays. And it doesn't hurt that she's one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet. If you haven't used her yarn, do it! The colors are so beautiful and that Silk Cashmere is <i>the softest</i> yarn I have ever knit with!</div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-50591923961681685162011-09-06T10:41:00.000-07:002011-09-06T11:26:45.881-07:00Stitches Midwest 2011I WENT TO STITCHES MIDWEST!!!! It was so fun! My first Stitches event. It was such a quick trip. I was in on Saturday morning and out Sunday morning. I met up with some awesome people and bought lots of yarn! My only disappointment...I didn't run into <a href="http://brooklyntweed.net/blog/">Jared Flood</a> or <a href="http://westknits.com/">Stephen West</a>, both of whom were in attendance on Friday night (so I heard).<br />
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It all started when my friend, Lynna, asked if I was going. She said she'd be taking the bus down for the day with some people from her neck of the woods. Well, that was all I needed to get the ball rolling. Next thing I knew, I had a room booked and an airplane ticket purchased! And the next thing Lynna knew, she was driving herself in for the two days, shuffling me back and forth from the airport, and shacking up with me in my hotel room! :-)<br />
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While I was there I met up with a designer, Sarah Burghardt from <a href="http://sarahbearcrafts.blogspot.com/">Sarah Bear Crafts</a> and a good friend from here in Colorado, <a href="http://btknitsboulder.blogspot.com/">Bich-Thu</a>. Unfortunately, I forgot to get a pic of Sarah and I together...but we did buy yarn together. :-)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/6120476337/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="2011-08-27 13.33.27a by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="2011-08-27 13.33.27a" height="480" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6083/6120476337_ee3a56abc0_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Bich-Thu and I standing at the entrance of Stitches. Not a great pic because it's from my phone.</td></tr>
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While I was there, I just <i>had to</i> stop by the <a href="http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/">Malabrigo Yarn</a> booth. I was hoping to check out the new bases that I've heard about but no such luck. They didn't have any samples for me to fondle and oggle over. But to my surprise and delight, the sweater that I knit as a sample almost two years ago, was hanging in their booth!!! Can you say, "Squeeee!" I know, I normally don't like that word but I was just so excited!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/6121017906/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1753a by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1753a" height="480" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6207/6121017906_3da02a5b68_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The blue sweater just to the left of my head is the sample I knit.</td></tr>
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And last, but definitely not least, this is a picture of Lynna modeling the cowl I knit for her as a thank you gift for schlepping me to and from the airport. Of course, I forgot to get a pic of us together, at Stitches, but she was kind enough to take photos and send them to me for sharing on my project page (and blog). <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">This cowl is so, so heavenly in this yarn. I will definitely be making another one for me. :-)</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/6118796657/" title="HCTS_IMG_5608 by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="HCTS_IMG_5608" height="422" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/6118796657_83204ba566_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/here-comes-the-sun-5">Here Comes the Sun</a> by <a href="http://www.woolandhoney.typepad.com/">Melissa Kelenske</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: <a href="http://www.sunshineyarns.com/index.php">Sunshine Yarns</a> - Silk Cashmere 2 ply</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Color: Feather</span></div>
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<a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/hcts2"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ravelry</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/badges/redirect?p=here-comes-the-sun-5"><img src="http://api.ravelry.com/badges/projects?p=here-comes-the-sun-5&t=.gif" style="border: medium none;" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was really nice to finally be able to attend a Stitches event. Though I wasn't able to take any classes this time out, I will definitely plan on it next time. I was fortunate to be able to meet up with Lynna, a woman I've been friends with for almost two years now. She found my blog and we've been friends from then on. This was our first opportunity to meet in person. We vowed we will get our families together, eventually. And to be able to meet up with Sarah was a treat because she's famous to me. :-) She's as sweet in person as she is online. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>ETA: Ooops! I forgot to show off the loot I purchased!</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/6121258490/" title="StitchesLoota by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="StitchesLoota" height="640" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6088/6121258490_9b63a6e709_o.jpg" width="640" /> </a> </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>1. <a href="http://www.mirasolperu.com/">Marisol Yarn</a> - <a href="http://www.mirasolperu.com/sulkayarn.htm">Sulka</a> - Truffle (206)</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>2. <a href="http://www.missbabs.com/">Miss Babs</a> - <a href="http://www.missbabs.com/store.php?cat=60">Yummy Superwash Sport 3-ply</a> - The Gothic Queen</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>3. <a href="http://www.ellarae.com.au/">Ella Rae</a> - Lace Merino - no colorway given</i> </span></span></div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-79894040839899838592011-09-06T09:40:00.000-07:002011-09-06T11:46:56.285-07:00As promised...As promised, I have a few knits to blog about. I think I'm gonna just post about them all separately. <br />
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I'll start with my Stephen West, Westknits Mystery Shawl, aka Earth & Sky. I was <i>so</i> excited to start this. But I had issues from the get-go. I am <i>awful</i>, absolutely awful about choosing colors to go together. So after much deliberation, I sought advice from an expert...<a href="http://www.sunshineyarns.com/blog/">Dani</a> from <a href="http://www.sunshineyarns.com/index.php">Sunshine Yarns</a>. I've received <i>so many</i> compliments on the colors of this shawl but I can not take credit.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/6090738594/" title="IMG_1756a by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1756a" height="576" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6196/6090738594_28608cbd68_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/westknits-mystery-shawl-kal-2011-earth--sky">Earth & Sky</a> by <a href="http://westknits.com/">Stephen West</a> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: <a href="http://www.sunshineyarns.com/index.php">Sunshine Yarns</a> - Single Ply Merino Fine</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Colors: (a) Rose Garden; (b) Plum Wine; (c) Jungle Green</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/wmsk2es">Ravelry</a></span> </div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/badges/redirect?p=westknits-mystery-shawl-kal-2011-earth--sky" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://api.ravelry.com/badges/projects?p=westknits-mystery-shawl-kal-2011-earth--sky&t=.gif" style="border: medium none;" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">If you know my project history, you know that I do not, often, choose patterns with intarsia or stranded knitting. This pattern had both. The intarsia I didn't know about until I was well into the second clue of this mystery knit. But the stranded knitting I knew about and opted for the challenge. I love the final result of the shawl but I will have to admit that I wasn't fond of knitting it...for the reasons I just stated. Had I known ahead of time, I would have preferred to end the shawl's larger stripes with the Plum Wine versus the Rose Garden. As a result, I changed up the color variation on the border. All-in-all, I am happy with my shawl and will definitely use/wear it. I've decided, recently, that I prefer semi-circular shawls or shawls that arc versus a triangular shape. The wing span of this shawl makes up for the triangular shape making it much more functional.</span></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-13049140418051778222011-08-19T08:02:00.000-07:002011-08-19T08:02:33.355-07:00Summer is over...Summer is over...for us that is to say. They boys started back to school and are now in 1st grade. I can hardly believe that they are actually full grown kids and no longer babies! There are lots of firsts this year. First year they will be at their new school, first year <i>not</i> in the same class, and of course, 1st grade. They both did fine on their first day of school yesterday and were very excited about the day's events. We'll see what the second day brings. :-) This is them posing in front of their new school on their first day. They've got goofy expressions on their faces because the sun was in their eyes and by the time I had taken this picture, they were at their wits end with posing for me. :-)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T1QvGZAYuRs/Tk562vAx9II/AAAAAAAAAgA/7bVznvm2A-E/s1600/Boys_1stGrade.a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T1QvGZAYuRs/Tk562vAx9II/AAAAAAAAAgA/7bVznvm2A-E/s320/Boys_1stGrade.a.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Now that school has started, I will, again, have two whole free days to myself, a week. That means more time for knitting, cleaning, and...blogging! Yes, it's been awhile and I've been quite lax in my efforts. I have a lot of projects on the needles (quite unlike me to do so) so I should have plenty to blog about in upcoming weeks. <br />
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-24090595761903296172011-08-17T09:42:00.001-07:002011-08-17T09:48:01.440-07:00Funny for the dayMy friend sent this to me today. I just had to share. It made me smile (and laugh out loud).<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/6052892851/" title="amy knit noodles by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="amy knit noodles" height="363" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6052892851_032b95aa86_o.jpg" width="601" /></a> </div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-22816889807908171282011-05-24T11:47:00.000-07:002011-05-24T11:47:36.678-07:00Kindergarten GraduationYes, there's a graduation ceremony for that, too. At least we didn't have to have one for pre-school. I say that, not because I think they're silly, but because these things wreak havoc on my emotions! Last night I attended the first school program for my children. It was so sweet. They sang, performed...and graduated. They are now officially grade schoolers. I have to admit...I did cry...but I didn't blubber. :-)<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/5755886008/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="KGrad_Collage by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="KGrad_Collage" height="602" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5264/5755886008_24e3cedbeb_o.jpg" width="602" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their before and after.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Can you tell my gauge on Seamus's vest was a little tighter than Ronan's?)</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-42491066892698775262011-05-24T10:54:00.000-07:002011-05-24T11:07:37.513-07:006 Year Olds in the House!!!I now officially have two six year olds living in my house! The boys turned six on May 19th. People say it all the time, but I <i>really</i> cannot believe how the time has flown. I just love watching them grown and become their own little selves. The future holds a lot of changes for them. As first graders, they will be going to school all day, attending a new school, be in separate classrooms, and wear uniforms. Wow! I hope I can do a good job of easing them into it all (at once). Here are some pics of them before and after (becoming six year olds).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/5755725554/" title="IMG_0969b by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0969b" height="480" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3162/5755725554_22774a8fa7_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before...their last night as five year olds...getting into bed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/5755183405/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_0979a by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0979a" height="480" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5755183405_80fbe7f112_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After...the night of their birthday...finally getting to blow out candles...before bed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>In the past we've typically had a week long (or so) of celebrations and activities surrounding their birthday. This year is a bit low key. But fear not..there will be more to follow!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-31319433356805125962011-04-24T22:34:00.000-07:002011-04-24T23:29:01.568-07:00Happy EasterHappy Easter! I can't help but share a pic of my boys in their first hand knit garments, by me. I was so excited for Easter to arrive so that I can see my guys wearing their vests all day...together. I couldn't stop looking at them and saying, "You're so handsome!" I'm such a (corny) mom! :-)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/5652688908/" title="Easter Vest_Collage by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="Easter Vest_Collage" height="602" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5652688908_cfbff098ed_o.jpg" width="602" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.patternfish.com/patterns/8570"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Basic Vest for Children by Diane Soucy</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: <a href="http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/">Malabrigo Yarn</a> - <a href="http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/sub_yarn.php?id_sub_yarn=5">Merino Worsted</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Color: Verde Adriana - 117; Continental - 26; Pale Khaki - 602</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ravelry: <a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/2bvfc2">Seamus's vest</a>; <a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/2bvfc">Ronan's vest</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/badges/redirect?p=-256-basic-vest-for-children"><img src="http://api.ravelry.com/badges/projects?p=-256-basic-vest-for-children&t=.gif" style="border: medium none;" /></a> </span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Notice the picture in the upper right hand corner of the blog page? That was the boys three years ago on Easter. I tried to replicate their poses (unsuccessfully). I wasn't a very good knitter back then. Those vests were given to the boys for their two year birthday from a friend of mine. They are not hand knit but I still loved them none the less.</span><br />
</span></div></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-27083381662147668182011-03-01T08:02:00.000-08:002011-03-01T08:02:01.632-08:00Let the Madness begin!It's March! And that means it's time for Malabrigo March Madness!!! Yes, it's a crazy month for me and I"m already off to a bad start. I started swatching at midnight last night and was unsuccessful at getting gauge. I may have to change my thoughts on this. Last year I finished ten Malabrigo projects and one non-Malabrigo project. I'm not confident I can do that this year as I have two (maybe three) sweaters on the list, two pairs of socks, and two vests for the boys. Acht! Now that I've just typed that out, there is no way!!!! One can hope, huh? Well, that's the plan for now, we'll see how I fare at the end of the month. Oh, I'm co-leading another KAL this year, General Accessory group. Good luck to all you Malabrigo Marchers!!! Happy knitting!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-64513778858060300562011-02-20T00:04:00.000-08:002011-02-20T00:04:32.530-08:00SalsaI cooked! It's a rare occurrence for me. I typically only cook (or prepare) the simplest of recipes. This recipe has four ingredients...yeah...that's it...so I figured I could handle it. The ingredients are jalapeños, garlic, lime juice, and oil. It actually turned out pretty darn good! My birthday and two others (on my husband's side) are February birthdays and they were all celebrated today. Fish tacos were on the menu for today's fête. This recipe has been on my radar so I decided to give it a try. I think I added too much lime juice because it was kind of watery. Regardless, it turned out to be a huge hit and the bowl was empty at the end of the night. Recipe can be found <a href="http://www.lottieanddoof.com/2011/02/creamy-roasted-jalapeno-salsa/">here</a>. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/5460299097/" title="Creamy Roasted Jalapeño Salsa by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="Creamy Roasted Jalapeño Salsa" height="502" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5460299097_23fc243ed6_o.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-27335880133854014062011-02-15T13:21:00.000-08:002011-02-19T10:03:19.472-08:00MandelI'm so excited about my latest knit! This was a test knit for a fellow Raveler in Germany, Anke (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/fallmasche">fallmasche</a>). Mine didn't turn out quite as refined as her's nor some of the other test knitters' but I'm still in love with it, none the less. I love everything about this sweater. The saddle shoulders and pleats on the side make for a really flattering fit...which is the case for every test knit I've seen thus far. It did end up big under the arms and above the bust line and the sleeves were a bit too long. Though not pictured here, I did remedy most of that by dampening the sweater with water and throwing it in the dryer on high heat. Normally, I wouldn't recommend this but the yarn <i>does</i> say machine washable. I know, typically, that doesn't equate to mean <i>really</i> washable but in this case, it worked out just fine. I'm definitely going to knit this again in a short sleeve version and/or at a tighter gauge. I'm sorry the pattern is not yet published so I can't share a link with you but as soon as it is published, I will update this post. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(eta 02.19.11 - pattern is published and links added)</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/5448583049/" title="Mandel_Collage by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="Mandel_Collage" height="604" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5448583049_0b7d8427da_o.jpg" width="604" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mandel">Mandel</a> by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/fallmasche">fallmasche</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: <a href="http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns.aspx">Rowan</a> - <a href="http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/Felted-Tweed-DK.aspx?testid=6">Felted Tweed DK</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Color: <a href="http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/Felted-Tweed-DK.aspx?testid=6#">Clay - 177</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/m2"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ravelry</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/badges/redirect?p=mandel"><img src="http://api.ravelry.com/badges/projects?p=mandel&t=.gif" style="border: medium none;" /></a> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-86521915749688233922011-02-11T14:39:00.000-08:002011-02-11T14:39:41.664-08:00A few more...Keeping up with a theme, today's post will show off a few hats that I knit recently. And from these two knits, I've realized that adding cables to a hat provides added thickness and warmth making 'em that much cozier.<br />
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The most recent hat I finished was a test knit for <a href="http://www.breeanelyse.com/">Breean Elyse</a>. And since knitting it, I've fallen in love with cabled hats. I can't stop looking at them or for them. This one was a special treat because it was for me. Zinc is one of my favorite <a href="http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/">Malabrigo</a> colorways. And the hint of taupe really helped make the cables pop!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/5408661018/" title="IMG_0201a by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0201a" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5408661018_41318f21bf_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Obstacles Hat by <a href="http://www.breeanelyse.com/">Breean Elyse</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: <a href="http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/">Malabrigo Yarn</a> - <a href="http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/sub_yarn.php?id_sub_yarn=18">Twist</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Color: Zinc - 613</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/oh"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ravelry</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/badges/redirect?p=obstacles-hat"><img src="http://api.ravelry.com/badges/projects?p=obstacles-hat&t=.gif" style="border: medium none;" /></a></span></div><br />
Now this hat was knit on a whim. This was for a friend's mother that recently had brain surgery and as a result needed hats to help protect her from the cold Minnesota winter. I wasn't even looking to knit a hat but when I saw the pattern and noticed it called for some yarn in my stash, I cast on! I didn't do the best job paying attention to the plain knit rounds so it isn't as slouchy as the pattern called for but I'm not so sure that's a bad thing. Because of the chunky yarn and the cables, the hat ended up being fairly heavy so a slouchy hat may have resulted in a hat that wouldn't stay on the head (at least that's what I'm tellin' myself). :-) I hope this does the trick and helps keep her head warm!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/5324891569/" title="IMG_0104a by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0104a" height="480" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5045/5324891569_286041b86e_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://cherylbeckerichknits.com/hat_patterns">Slouchy Braid Hat</a> by <a href="http://cherylbeckerichknits.com/">Cheryl Beckerich</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: <a href="http://www.berroco.com/">Berroco</a> - <a href="http://www.berroco.com/shade_cards/vintage_chunky_sh.html">Vintage Chunky</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Color: Lilacs - 6183</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/sbh"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ravelry</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/badges/redirect?p=slouchy-braid-hat"><img src="http://api.ravelry.com/badges/projects?p=slouchy-braid-hat&t=.gif" style="border: medium none;" /></a> </span></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-77659898894220692772011-02-01T17:25:00.000-08:002011-02-01T17:25:52.851-08:00I Don't Know WhyI don't know why I haven't blogged in awhile. When I think maybe I will, my next thought is, "I could be knitting." I always seem to place these self imposed deadlines on myself and then the thought of blogging instead of knitting gets me all stressed out. Ach! There could be worse things, huh?<br />
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Well, I have a lot to share since my last post. I'll start with a few shawls that I finished up recently....<br />
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This first one is a (belated) test knit I did for <a href="http://nuttycreations.wordpress.com/">Debbie O'Neill</a>. I am really please with the end result of this shawl. I wasn't so sure about the color as I was knitting it, but after blocking, I'm in <i>love</i>. The bamboo in this yarn resulted in such a light airy feel and the silk gives it such a nice sheen. This will be perfect for those spring/summer evenings when a sweater would be just too much. The stitch pattern transitions nicely from one section to the next without getting too long. I enjoyed this knit, very much.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/5399113978/" title="IMG_6551a by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6551a" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5099/5399113978_a83b7f2b3f_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://nuttycreations.wordpress.com/2011/01/06/ariel-shawlette/">Arielle Shawlette</a> by <a href="http://nuttycreations.wordpress.com/">Debbie O'Neill</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: Araucania Itata Solid</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Color: 2009</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/as"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ravelry</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/badges/redirect?p=ariel-shawlette"><img src="http://api.ravelry.com/badges/projects?p=ariel-shawlette&t=.gif" style="border: medium none;" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">My next knit flew off the needles. Unlike the last shawl, this one has more of a crescent shape. The colors of this shawl are absolutely gorgeous! I just love pink and brown together. For those of you heading out to <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/stitches/west">Stitches West</a>, stop by <a href="http://www.sunshineyarns.com/">Sunshine Yarns</a> - booth 1139, as <a href="http://www.sunshineyarns.com/blog/">Dani</a> will have this on display at the booth for all to touch. :-) When I finally received the much anticipated <a href="http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/booklet3/">Malabrigo Book 3</a> booklet, I was (pleasantly) surprised to find that <a href="http://westknits.com/">Stephen West</a> has three patterns in the book! He did not mention a peep about it. Though the shawl is crescent shaped, per his usual style, it still has nice angles and symmetry. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/5408367018/" title="IMG_0190a by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0190a" height="480" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5251/5408367018_4d87c126a0_o.jpg" width="640" /></a> </span></span></div><div class="value"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lakedale Shawl - <a href="http://westknits.com/">Stephen West</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: <a href="http://www.sunshineyarns.com/">Sunshine Yarns</a> - <a href="http://www.sunshineyarns.com/category.php?category_id=24">Classic Superwash Sock</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Color: Badlands (pink) & Coal Creek (brown)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/ls2"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ravelry</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/badges/redirect?p=lakedale-shawl"><img src="http://api.ravelry.com/badges/projects?p=lakedale-shawl&t=.gif" style="border: medium none;" /></a> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-3953673151010032172011-01-03T19:27:00.000-08:002011-01-03T19:27:57.581-08:00Instant GratificationAh...isn't it nice when you can get an FO in less than an hour from start to finish? These little gems are instant gratification. I busted out 6 of them in less than 5 hours of knitting time. These are my final FOs for 2010.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/5319866003/" title="IMG_0092a by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0092a" height="409" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/5319866003_2f4edffdd9_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.knitcircus.com/backissues/summer2010.php">Café</a> by Miss T (page 42)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: Dream in Color - Classy & Malabrigo - Rios</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/c3">Ravelry</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/badges/redirect?p=cafe"><img src="http://api.ravelry.com/badges/projects?p=cafe&t=.gif" style="border: medium none;" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I've been off the grid for a while because I was working on a sample knit. That sample knit was the biggest knitting project I've ever worked on...<i>ever</i>! And the longest thing I've ever knitted on a consecutive basis. I can't post any pics until the pattern is published but I'm very excited to share it!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy New Year and here's to many happy FOs this year! </div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-78449178526498279612010-11-21T21:39:00.000-08:002010-11-21T21:39:43.860-08:00Sea Princess...and how...isn't she! <br />
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This was, by far, the most challenging <i>and</i> rewarding test knit I've ever done. I really love how this little sweater turned out. And I had a hard time parting with it. This pattern gives you a lot of bang for your buck. It comes in sizes 6 months to 14 years (depending on the yarn you choose)! The pattern is very comprehensive so nothing is left to guessing. I finished this test knit back in October but waited to blog about it until it was gifted. This was a late birthday gift for a friend's daughter. It's a perfect fit and I couldn't be happier that she has it. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/5197009105/" title="Sea Princess_Collage by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="Sea Princess_Collage" height="404" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5197009105_0ba74d051c_o.jpg" width="404" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://moreknits.blogspot.com/2010/11/sea-princess.html">Sea Princess</a> by <a href="http://moreknits.blogspot.com/">Anadiomena</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Color: Angel Delight - 168</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/sp"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ravelry</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/badges/redirect?p=sea-princess"><img src="http://api.ravelry.com/badges/projects?p=sea-princess&t=.gif" style="border: medium none;" /></a></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-65299985428487109112010-11-18T07:08:00.000-08:002010-11-18T07:09:25.883-08:00Christmas Knitting...Now that Thanksgiving is just one week away, I think most of us have lined up what we'll be knitting for gifts and started knitting or planning. A friend of mine shared this with me this morning and I just had to share it with my fellow knitters.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Christmas Knitting</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/edIlyY5_6EU?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/edIlyY5_6EU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-85757490900727718792010-11-11T09:46:00.000-08:002010-11-13T12:27:42.057-08:00Yo! Yo!Our first accumulation of snow this morning. Perfect timing for Ronan and Seamus's winter hats that I finished sewing the buttons on last night. Every year it's a struggle to find a hat pattern that all of us (me, my husband, and the boys) like. For me, it's a struggle finding a pattern that I really want to knit. For my husband, it's finding a hat that won't look too crafty. And for the boys, it's finding a hat that they will actually wear. After (only) one evening of searching and deliberating, I settled on Stephen West's Piece Out hat pattern. I always want to cross my arms in front of my chest and holla "Yo, yo!" when I say the pattern name. :-) Anyway.... This is my first project in Malabrigo Rios. Heavenly! It's really soft and the colors are so rich! I have the same colors in the Malabrigo's Merino Worsted base and it's just not as vibrant. Ha! Not like that will get me to stop using it, though.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/5167157498/" title="IMG_6205a by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6205a" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/5167157498_8ba2596987_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/5170873997/" title="IMG_6210a by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6210a" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/5170873997_18e0a46f6d_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://westknits.com/index.php/pattern/hats/piece-out/">Piece Out</a> by <a href="http://westknits.com/index.php/blog/">Stephen West</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: <a href="http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/index.php">Malabrigo Yarn</a> - <a href="http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/sub_yarn.php?id_sub_yarn=27">Rios</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Color: Paris Night - 52, Lettuce - 37</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/po"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ravelry</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/badges/redirect?p=piece-out"><img src="http://api.ravelry.com/badges/projects?p=piece-out&t=.gif" style="border: medium none;" /></a></span></div><br />
And on to other knitting news. I'm really frustrated with the number of WIPs I've got going on right now. I'm hoping to get two more finished up before the weekend starts...because I'm gonna be adding two more WIPs! :-) These hats were a nice reprieve from all the test knitting that I've been doing. I do love test knitting...it gives me the opportunity to knit something I otherwise probably would not knit. (How's that for sounding passive?) :-) But I do enjoy it...and hopefully, I'll be blogging more about those in the upcoming month.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-81873796425647569172010-10-31T17:36:00.000-07:002010-10-31T17:36:56.260-07:00Happy Halloween!!<div style="text-align: center;">Happy Halloween! Only one of my boys was able to trick or treat tonight because the other one is home sick with a fever and cough. He's so sick he doesn't even care that he's missing out on trick or treating...poor guy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/5133443505/" title="IMG_6138a by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6138a" height="480" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1411/5133443505_3832f221c5_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ronan (Anakin Skywalker - Jedi) with his neighborhood buddies</span>.</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-10365570678837832412010-10-08T21:05:00.000-07:002010-10-08T22:10:48.910-07:00Anderson Farms - 2010Fall is officially here. Today was our annual trip to<a href="http://www.andersonfarms.com/"> Anderson Farms</a> with <i>lots</i> of friends. But this year was different. This year's trip included a new BFF from the boys' kindergarten class.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/5064160538/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Anderson Farms - Collage by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="Anderson Farms - Collage" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/5064160538_dd73d9904c_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-17464957103258926422010-10-08T16:07:00.000-07:002010-10-09T09:31:57.670-07:00Mermaid DreamsThe pattern is live! This was a test knit that I finished a few weeks back but didn't have a modeled pic of it until now. I finally got around to shipping it off to the recipient and her mom took some beautiful pics of Pria and the top. Speaking from a test knitter's point of view, there was a lot of hard work and consideration, by the designer, to make this a well fitting top. Taking a look at the number of test knitted FOs is a testament to this. In fact, I would say this tank fits better than any other child's top pattern I've ever seen. As knit, this top should fit a child ranging from 6-8 years old and took less than 300 yards in a worsted weight yarn. The pattern is quite comprehensive in that it offers sizing from newborn to 6 years, in three different yarn weights, several length options, and finally, many hem alternatives. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/5063046953/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Mermaid on Pria.Collage by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="Mermaid on Pria.Collage" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5063046953_370b621b6a_o.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mermaid-dreams">Mermaid Dreams</a> by <a href="http://minicuteture.com.au/store/19">Anne McCrea</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: Stacy Charles - Mosaic</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Color: Magenta</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/mdv">Ravelry</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/badges/redirect?p=mermaid-dreams"><img src="http://api.ravelry.com/badges/projects?p=mermaid-dreams&t=.gif" style="border: medium none;" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Doesn't Pria's mom, Lynna, take beautiful pictures? I could never do this top justice. And it fits Pria perfectly!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-67249795133738136692010-09-24T13:38:00.000-07:002010-10-08T16:09:50.445-07:00Testing, testing......yes, I've been doing a lot of test knitting. All this test knitting has give me the opportunity to stock up on hand knits for my twenty year high school reunion fund raiser. It's still undecided if I can go but it looks like it probably won't happen. Not only is that disappointing in itself, but that gives me less knitting time as I need to account for shipping.<br />
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This test knit was for a fellow Malabrigo Junkie, <a href="http://knittingkninja.com/">Kristen Hanley Cardozo</a>. The Maple Leaf Rag Hat isn't published yet but I know a lot of people have been chomping at the bit for the pattern. The hat can be knit in two different styles, cloche or slouchy. The first time knitting this pattern I knit the slouchy version. I fell in love with it...this hat will be hard to part with. My only consolation is that it's such a fast and easy knit, I know I can whip out another one in no time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/4994421334/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_5774a by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5774a" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/4994421334_c92d226a84_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://knittingkninja.com/2010/09/30/maple-leaf-rag/">Maple Leaf Rag Hat</a> by <a href="http://knittingkninja.com/">Kristen Hanley Cardozo</a> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Yarn: <a href="http://www.dreamincoloryarn.com/">Dream in Color</a> - Classy </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Color: <a href="http://www.dreamincoloryarn.com/">In Vino Veritas - VM250</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/mlrh"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ravelry</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since it was such a quick knit, I decided to work up the cloche version in a navy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/5019095702/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_5849a by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5849a" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/5019095702_4b0a961be9_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://knittingkninja.com/2010/09/30/maple-leaf-rag/">Maple Leaf Rag Hat</a> (cloche version) by <a href="http://knittingkninja.com/">Kristen Hanley Cardozo</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: <a href="http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/">Malabrigo</a> - <a href="http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/sub_yarn.php?id_sub_yarn=5">Merino Worsted</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Color: Paris Night - 52</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/mlrc">Ravelry</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">And, oh my goodness...take a look at this little thing. This test knit is <i>not</i> for the auction, instead will be gifted to a friend's daughter. I just love this little top. This can be knit in several styles as well. I opted for the tank version. This was a quick knit using a worsted weight yarn and can easily be knit up in just a few days (if you felt so inclined). :-)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/5019054290/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_5838a by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5838a" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/5019054290_f10353d525_o.jpg" width="371" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mermaid Dream by Anne McCrea</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: Stacy Charles - Mosaic</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Color: Magenta - 113</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/mdv"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ravelry</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(pattern not yet published - I'll update links when available)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">And...I can't forget to share a sample knit I finished up a little bit ago.</span> These samples are for <a href="http://nuttycreations.wordpress.com/">Debbie O'Neill</a>. With the pattern being on the back of the leg only, these knit up really quick, too. I just love how this colorway knit up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/4983972592/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_5728a by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5728a" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/4983972592_f2f76e4a8a_o.jpg" width="386" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cascading Leaves Socks by <a href="http://nuttycreations.wordpress.com/">Debbie O'Neill</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: <a href="http://www.pagewoodfarm.com/home.html">Pagewood Farm</a> - <a href="http://www.pagewoodfarm.com/about_our_yarn.html">Yukon</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Color: <a href="http://www.pagewoodfarm.com/yarn.html#31">Forest Camo</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/cls">Ravelry</a> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-1366781363824871112010-08-28T23:37:00.000-07:002010-09-01T16:19:25.254-07:00Some lace...I've recently finished some lace projects...not to be confused with lace <i>weight</i>. I love lace patterns because they are so forgiving. Lace stitch patterns tend to hide changes in my tension much better than garter stitch and and even more so than stockinette stitch.<br />
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I was fortunate enough to do another test knit for <a href="http://throughtheloops.typepad.com/">Kirsten Kapur</a> of <a href="http://throughtheloops.typepad.com/designs/">Through the Loops</a>. The Snow Drops & Snap Peas patterns can be purchased individually or as an e-book set. This set is a great gift giving knit because they're such quick and easy patterns. I finished each mitt in one evening and the hat only took a few more. I will be donating this set to the Salinas High School 20 year reunion's auction to benefit the Mr. Getris Scholarship Memorial Fund.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/4918796560/" title="IMG_5594a by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5594a" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4918796560_b78402955e_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://throughtheloops.typepad.com/through_the_loops/2010/09/snow-drops-snap-peas.html">Snow Drops & Snap Peas Slouch</a> by <a href="http://throughtheloops.typepad.com/">Kirsten Kapur</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: <a href="http://www.dreamincoloryarn.com/">Dream in Color</a> - <a href="http://www.dreamincoloryarn.com/pages/yarns.html#">Classy</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Color: Blue Lagoon - <a href="http://www.dreamincoloryarn.com/pages/colorpages/006.html">VM160</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/sdasps"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ravelry</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/4905982411/" title="IMG_5504a by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5504a" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4905982411_dd7ea16016_o.jpg" width="338" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://throughtheloops.typepad.com/through_the_loops/2010/09/snow-drops-snap-peas.html">Snow Drops & Snap Peas Mitts</a> by <a href="http://throughtheloops.typepad.com/">Kirsten Kapur</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: <a href="http://www.dreamincoloryarn.com/">Dream in Color</a> - <a href="http://www.dreamincoloryarn.com/pages/yarns.html#">Classy</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Color: Blue Lagoon - <a href="http://www.dreamincoloryarn.com/pages/colorpages/006.html">VM160</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/sdaspm">Ravelry</a></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">This next lace pattern was just something fun for me. After a summer of test and sample knitting, I wanted to knit something just because and just for me. This vest is perfect! It will still be warm for more than a month so I'll get to enjoy it without long sleeves for a little longer and it will help keep me warm in the cold office at my new job! :-) Oh...and have I mentioned how wonderfully soft this <i>madelinetosh</i> yarn is...heavenly! </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/4937009462/" title="IMG_5595a by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5595a" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4937009462_1bb0f1c02f_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">(<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yes...another crummy self portrait, but look at that sky and those Rocky Mountains!)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.southseasknitting.com/patterns/?p=37&o=1220,1404&u=d3fa6b606d7d67bf345b7c0bec8fe268">Crystal</a> by <a href="http://southseasknitting.com/blog/">Mel Clark </a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/c2"></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: <a href="http://www.madelinetosh.com/">madelinetosh</a> - <a href="http://www.madelinetosh.com/yarns-pashmina.html">pashmina</a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Color: Rose</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/c2">Ravelry</a></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </span></span></div></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-15064401579703045512010-08-14T22:32:00.000-07:002010-08-14T22:36:49.378-07:002010 Rockies Stitch 'n PitchLast night marked the annual Colorado Rockies Stitch 'n Pitch. A group of us from a local knitting group carpooled down to participate in the festivities. I didn't actually get much knitting done as I ended up messing it all up shortly after the game started. All was well in the end...it just allowed me to watch more of the game. The Rockies pulled thru with an exciting win! <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/4892460953/" title="Rockies Stitch 'n Pitch by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="Rockies Stitch 'n Pitch" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4892460953_ec50356d6b_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">That's me (in the pink) working on <a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/c2">Crystal</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo courtesy of <a href="http://emmylouhelmuth.blogspot.com/">Emmy</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-119871829172216212010-08-04T16:17:00.000-07:002010-08-04T16:17:47.138-07:00Curatio!When I say that in my head I feel like Harry Potter. :-)<br />
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This is a test knit I did for <a href="http://throughtheloops.typepad.com/through_the_loops/">Through the Loops</a> - Kirsten Kapur. It's a beautiful triangular shawl with such fantastic texture...the wrong side is just as beautiful as the right side. My gauge, of course, was much smaller than the pattern. I'm such a tight knitter and should know better but I always think I can block it out. When will I ever learn that blocking is not a cure-all? :-) Anyway, regardless, this is still the largest shawl I've knit to date. It's so beautiful! I know I keep using that word but I can't think of a better adjective. It's the pattern, the texture, the color, and of course...the yarn. The yarn was so soft and wonderful to knit with and only increased exponentially after washing. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/4854131667/" title="IMG_5457a by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5457a" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4854131667_507a292472_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ravelry: <a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/c1">Curatio</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pattern: <a href="http://throughtheloops.typepad.com/through_the_loops/2010/08/curiato-shawl.html">Curatio Shawl</a> by <a href="http://throughtheloops.typepad.com/through_the_loops/">Kirsten Kapur </a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: madelinetosh - Prairie</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Color: Winter Wheat</span></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189394817183608088.post-19351756158307962962010-07-14T11:11:00.000-07:002010-07-14T11:11:46.931-07:00Not for lack of...Though I haven't blogged in a bit, it's not for lack of knitting. I've actually been pretty busy...most recently with test knitting...and sock knitting. In this post I'll show off the socks that I test knit for <a href="http://www.cookiea.com/">Cookie A</a>'s upcoming book, <a href="http://www.cookiea.com/book/index.html"><i>Knit.Sock.Love</i></a>. The patterns I test knit had all been previously released but she wanted all the patterns test knit in the new book format. Here they are in order of completion.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/4764814108/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_5192a by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5192a" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4764814108_3a5c3bc2ac.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ravelry: <a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/m1">Monkey</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pattern: <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTmonkey.html">Monkey</a> by Cookie A</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: <a href="http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/">Malabrigo Yarn</a> - <a href="http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/sub_yarn.php?id_sub_yarn=16">Sock</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Color: Arbol - 858</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/4793254365/" title="IMG_5340 by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5340" height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4793254365_9486ea7714.jpg" width="500" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ravelry - <a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/h2">Hedera</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pattern: <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/PATThedera.html">Hedera</a> by Cookie A</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: <a href="http://www.sunshineyarns.com/">Sunshine Yarns</a> - Classic Sock Yarn</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Color: Split Pea</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amachael/4793442141/" title="Lissajous collage by Amy Machael, on Flickr"><img alt="Lissajous collage" height="404" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4793442141_bea4dc6a99_o.jpg" width="404" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">So these...are not done. I've only completed one sock so far. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ravelry - <a href="http://ravel.me/amachael/ls">Lissajous Stockings</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pattern: <a href="http://www.cookiea.com/patterns/lissajous.html">Lissajous Socks</a> by Cookie A</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yarn: <a href="http://www.louet.com/index.shtml">Louet</a> - <a href="http://www.louet.com/yarns/gems_fingering.shtml">Gems Fingering Weight</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Color: Cloud Grey - 21</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Monkey and Hedera patterns were surprisingly easy and fast! I loved knitting those patterns. The Lissajous Stockings turned out beautiful...but they were hard. Hard on my hands and hard to knit. The heel flap has cable crosses on the right and wrong sides...not an easy feat for me.</span></span></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15527132893013452732noreply@blogger.com1