Creative Outlet

On our way back from our weekend trip we happened upon an outlet mall. I did some damage at the Banana Republic store but it would have been foolish not to buy t-shirts which are perfect for cold weather layering for several dollars each. And a sweatshirt. And an argyle sweater. And some other items. It was a fun day and I actually got quite a deal for my new clothes. I also popped into J. Crew and the Kate Spade store. Sadly the deals in those stores were not for me, at least not if I didn't want to spend any money for the rest of this month and next.

Both stores, like all the others, had some wonderful sweaters and knitted fall/winter accessories. Of course I thought to myself, well if I can't buy them, maybe I can make them, because I am in desperate need of more projects to cast-on and not-finish. Then I had an even better idea- I can make them for the holidays! Okay, I am not making anyone a sweater (babies excepted) any time soon because it is just too much. But, if I did have to make an adult-sized sweater (I am debating making myself a birthday sweater) it would be this one I saw in J. Crew. I am trying to find a pattern that is similar. I think it would look wonderful in Berroco Flicker.

Isn't it cute?

What I am thinking about making as a holiday gift is a set like this seen in Kate Spade.

The flowers each have a little bead in the center.

I just love it and I checked on Etsy and I found little felt flowers. I would do it in a different color, maybe teal or maroon and I am still thinking about how to go about making the scarf. Both sides looked like the knit side of stockinette stitch. There was also no curling at all- totally flat so I am wondering whether it was knit in the round and then sewed up as it was also thicker than the hat. I have seen a scarf pattern that is like that on Ravelry for a Harry Potter scarf but I don't know how the edges would look without tassels if sewn together. What stitch would I use? Kitchener? Three needle bind-off? Would I use a provisional cast-on? I am going to post these questions on Ravelry as this would make a really great looking gift if made properly.

Loft-y Aspirations

We were in Philadelphia a few weekends ago and I managed to visit the sweetest little yarn store- Rosie's Yarn Cellar (it really is in the cellar). I bought some nice soft yarn to knit up into a hat for my husband and I also found some sparkly yarn on sale. It is called Katia Gatsby and I have it in black. At the beginning of July, I discovered this amazing Blue Heron Rayon Metallic Yarn in a store in San Francisco. It was so nice to touch and glittery and spectacularly dyed but I had a cheap attack after hearing the price and didn't buy it. The Katia is my discount consolation prize. I have been searching Ravelry for patterns that would showcase it's sparkly-ness but which also didn't use up a lot of yarn, because I only have two skeins. After not finding what I was looking for on Ravelry (of course I have a very specific thing in mind) I saw some version of it in Ann Taylor Loft earlier this week. Behold the open-knit infinity scarf. I want to make something similar. Once I figure out what stitch is used. Any ideas?

Knitting Reads

One is red on blue with red tassles and the other is blue on red with blue tassels.

A friend of mine sent me this link earlier today. I am really excited about checking some of these books out. My relationship with the Kindle has been on the rocks for a while as I discovered that the library was a much cheaper way to enjoy books. This may be just the thing to get me back to it though (don't tell my husband!) and I think I want to start with Knitting for Peace and A Knitter's Home Companion. It is always fun for me to read about the lives of other knitters and I think I would like to knit for other people who might need knitted things instead of just making myself hats (although I am sure I will make some time for that also). One thing I am working on, and my mom too, is making scarves for the Special Olympics in 2012. Handknit scarves will be given to all the athletes, coaches, volunteers, families and supporters to show some love for taking part in this great event. You can check out how to get involved here. I am almost done with my second scarf yay!