So I have very limited time to write because I have yet another slipper to knit this morning but I wanted to share the fun of making this slipper. The pattern I used is the Retro Thrummed Slipper from the Imperial Valley Yarn people. It was alot of fun to get the thrums ready(cuz I love roving you know). You have to break up the knitting if you can because your knit fabric needs to be tight so that it wears better. So I have pictures to show you the furry inside animal that you create.

The other project I have to show you is so gratifying to complete so quickly..It is called the Rasta Neckwarmer and is out of Malabrigo book 3.

Recently I was invited to be a presenter at one of the Grindstone Knitting Guild meetings. I wanted to share a technique that I thought would feature some of the new bulkier yarns that are popular this season. Lo and behold the new shipment of Plymouth's Adriafil Collection came in that day. I couldn't decide which yarn I wanted to use...the Malizia with it's sparkle or the Mito with it's organic homespun feeling.....the result of being nondecisive is the By Day, By Night Scarf. I wrote the pattern up so that the Indian Cross Stitch was featured and you can now download the pattern here. I used one ball for each half. If you are going out on the town, put the sparkly side forward; have errands and just want to be warm, put the non-sparkle side forward. The members of the guild and I had a wonderful time, and I now have a great pattern to share with you. I am proud to say that we were recently the featured shop in the recent Plymouth newsletter and our pattern was part of the mailing.

I fell in love with the simplicity of the Purl Bee Bandana Cowl….With a studio full of yarn I knew I had to find just the perfect elegant, simplistic yarn to make this baby….it is all about the drape(oh and let me tell you by experience…the detail) I looked at Ravelry a number of times to see what other knitters had created that I liked…The review of finished projects made me decide very quickly that I wanted an natural looking fiber. Finally I decided on my all time favorite: Blue Sky Alpace worsted. Whenever I knit with this yarn I am amazed at how it feels in my hands. I recklessly launched into the project. Well that was all fine and dandy until I looked closer at what my wonderful yarn was showing me…that I was a reckless knitter(no slack being cut here). I didn’t pay attention to the detailing of the decreases…there is a very clear line up the first couple rows of garter(I like to think of it as the little line that runs up from the center of your lip to your nose).. that was all a mess..no little line…my short rows….messy… I had not paid attention …thinking I was above it all. Well let me tell you, my yarn scolded me. I looked at my cowl…not so beautiful right now…put it down…walked away. Decided I needed to start all over again…fresh approach. So humbling a simple project can be, so much more enjoyable when you pay attention.