Sunday, January 13, 2008

Accents

We are always busy with juggling a few projects in the home improvement area, just like I have multiple projects on the needles. Yesterday, the painters were back to do accent walls. I love how they came out!

Accent Color

Main wall color: Nutmeg Brown
Accent wall color: Hot Cocoa

I love these two colors together. The neutral tan color throughout the house and three little areas of this rich, warm, chocolaty brown. We did a faux finish in the area where the two colors came together on this wall in the retreat. They were trying so hard to get a straight line, but it just didn't work. I suggested they think out side the straight line and go for something different. And this is what we came up with. A ragged on faux finish. I loved it immediately! But I was a little concerned about how DH would like it, since he was at work when this was inspired. But he does like it and I am happy about that! So maybe there will be more creative painting in our future! I am thinking about when the bathrooms get painted....

So for now the painting is done. Today, we are onto light fixtures. There has been must discussion recently between DH and I about light fixtures. We both like alot of light in the house. So we will be upgrading existing lights and adding in fixtures as well. We both like overhead lights more that lamps. Dimmers are also wonderful things, we agree on that too. I am very thankful that WH is so handy!

Both Chandeliers

Both of these chandeliers going in the formal living room. We decided the larger one will go above the door, as most do. And the smaller one will go in the opposite diagonal corner. It is not a large room, but as I said, we both like a lot of light. Originally, the smaller chandelier was chosen for the dining area, but it is just not going to work there.

Ok, enough about the house already, this is a knitting blog after all! First of all, let me tell you that I got my Ravelry invite. YEAH! and so fast! My user name is BloglessMJ. I haven't done much there yet, but I will get up to speed soon.

I snagged some Christy handspun at knitgroup yesterday.

Christy Handspun

Christy Handspun

I also picked up some goodies from the Llama store, since that is where we met this week. I got some sock yarn and stuff. But best of all I got a new book.

One Skein Wonders

I love how these books are arranged by weight of the yarn. So easy to use, and logical! This one does not disappoint, there are lots of new ideas for just one skein! Sometimes I am amazed! and inspired!

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

A Very Fast Scarf

I finished the Noro-ish Striped Scarf this past Saturday at knit group. That was a very fast knit! Less than two weeks for a scarf! It is so simple, yet the color changes kept my attention.

Noro-ish striped scarf

Noro-ish striped scarf

Yarn: Plymouth Boku # 4,7, 3,11
Needles: size 8 Brittany
Pattern: cast on 35 stitches, 1X1 ribbing
Finished Length: 84 inches

I started and finished another project on Saturday. Another Noro hat. Simple and quick knits are just what I am into lately.

Noro Hat

Noro Hat

Yarn: Noro Kureyon #102 1 skein
Needles: Addi Turbo 16" sizes 6 & 8
Pattern: my own (previous post)

I started another helmet liner for myself. These are perfect for walking the dog on the trail by our house!

Another Helmet Liner

Yarn: Brooks Farm Four Play, semi-solid grey from Estes
Needles: Addi Turbo 16" sizes 6 & 8
Pattern: here

I'll leave you with a shot of my backyard when I got home from work today:

Little Tree in Snow

Now, I am going to make a cup of coffee and snuggle up by the fireplace and knit.

Thursday, January 03, 2008

I signed up today

Yup, Ravelry.
I am such a follower.
Everyone else is on, so I will be too.
Eventually.....

Ravelry checker (to see where you are on the list)
You signed up on Today
You are #79647 on the list.
6483 people are ahead of you in line.
33 people are behind you in line.
91% of the list has been invited so far

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

First Day of the New Year

What a wonderful way to begin a new year! Today was fabulous! I spent most of the day relaxing with my husband and puppy. There was knitting, a walk, and a cute movie.

We are settling into the new house. It takes time to adjust - and unpack! I found my camera and the cord - YEAH! So I have new pictures of knitted items that were completed recently but that I had not had a chance to photograph until today. So, yes, there has been knitting. Since this is primarily a knitting blog and all, thought I would share....

(as always click on any pic to enlarge)

Forest green hat
Forest green hatForest green hat

Yarn: MJ handdyed KnitPicks Palette
Needles: Addi Turbo, size 3 and 5 16 inch
Pattern: Basic Tam Pattern from Knitted Tams by Mary Rowe
Modifications: increased needle size, body 6 inches before decrease clockwise swirl decrease


I finally made a helmetliner for myself
I love it - it is so soft and very warm!

MJ Helmetliner
MJ Helmetliner

Yarn: Brooks Farm Four Play, Nantucket
Needles: Addi Turbo 16" sizes 6 & 8
Pattern: here

Just finished this yesterday at knit group.
We had a bonus meet since alot of us were off for the holiday.

Noro hat
Noro hat

Yarn: Noro Kureyon #95 1 skein
Needles: Addi Turbo 16" sizes 6 & 8
Pattern: my own
Cast on 92 stitches size 6 needle
2X2 ribbing 1 1/2 inches
change to size 8 needle and stockinette
knit 5 inches
knit 11 K2tog
knit 1 row plain
knit 10 K2tog
knit 1 row plain
etc until 7 stitches
break yarn pull yarn thru remaining stitches

I am currently obsessed with knitting this:

Noro-ish striped scarf
Noro-ish striped scarf

Noro-ish striped scarf

Yarn: Plymouth Boku # 4,7,3,11
Needles: size 8 Brittany
Pattern: cast on 35 stitches
1X1 ribbing


I got this yarn from Christy:

Christy Art yarn

Christy Art yarn

Very cool "Art" yarn she spun up.
Her description "It has big glass beads in it, curlicues of locks trapped in the plied yarn (which was plied around a core of crochet cotton in green), and coils, where I let the spun yarn ply loosely around the core of crochet cotton and then smushed it together."

So that about catches me up on knitterly things from Nov/Dec when the craziness of moving started. I am looking forward to the new year with eager anticipation of good things to come! Hope yours is joyful and peaceful and full of knitting! Enjoy!