handmade by stefanie

There's not very many WIPs I can share on this blog as we come down to the wire for holiday gift knitting. Perhaps that was the reasoning behind starting this mesh top for myself using the Shangri-La I scored at VK Live? That, and I have no self-control. How many times have I sworn off laceweight at this point in my knitting life? Too many to count, I'm sure. Yet I'm still optimistic that this laceweight top will succeed. Stranger things have happened, I guess! Yarn: Shangri-La (50% yak, 50% silk) Pattern: Filtes Shetland Openwork Dolman by Michelle Porter And now for something a little different, though it is a project that is very near and dear to my heart! A few readers may already know that I'm in a band with my husband called shalloboi . Just last week, our Kickstarter project was approved, so I thought I'd share our musical work in progress on this blog, as it's something we've been working on for quite some time now. I know there are lots of ...

Even though this week has been busy with work and preparation for VK Live! this weekend, I've still been finding time to knit (is anyone surprised?). I've made considerable progress on my Malabrigo baby blanket . Of course, since it's just an endlessly-repeating pattern, it's not super interesting to see progress shots...unless there is a cute kitty in said photo, right? I also started a project that has been in my queue for a while now, Marly Bird's Gradient Serendipity Shawl . I'm using the Himalayan Trail I bought from Bijou Basin Ranch at the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival back in September, rather than the Lhasa Wilderness used in the pattern. I love the other projects I've made with Lhasa Wilderness - Narwhal Mittens and the Union Long Beanie - but wanted to try something new. Plus, I love the natural brown color, and it's soooo soft. It's knitting up quite nicely; the cast-on is the hardest part (336 stitches!). Once you work ...

My Narwhal Mittens have been done for several weeks - they turned out so well! I used Lhasa Wilderness from Bijou Basin Ranch - I love the way the hand-dyed goldenrod looks agains the natural brown color. They are sooooo incredibly soft, too - the yak/bamboo blend is nothing short of heavenly. These will be my extra-warm mittens of choice this winter - yak fiber is very warm and insulating, plus the colorwork provides a thicker fabric, all the better to keep my hands toasty in the sub-zero winter months. Pattern: Narwhal Mittens by Ysolda Teague Yarn: Lhasa Wilderness in Goldenrod and Natural Brown Needles: Knitter's Pride US #3 Dreamz DPNs Modifications: No inner lining....I like to live dangerously.

Yet another hat has come off the needles, this time it's Connie Chang Chinchio's Union Long Beanie !  Ever since Weekend Hats came out, I've longed to make this hat.  I snapped up two skeins of Lhasa Wilderness in Teal via Craftsy (I am still addicted to their deals!) and knit this up fairly quickly - the only thing that took longer than picking out the perfect button, however, was the amount of time it took me to post about it here on my blog! Thanks to Tyler, we have yet another silly backyard FO photo (I assure you, I am merely stopping to sniff the lilies): Incidentally (and this is probably wholly inappropriate after such a silly photo), I'd just like to say thanks to everyone who's commented, e-mailed or texted me recently to say that my family is in their thoughts.  I really appreciate it, more than I could say in any blog post.  My family, friends, and even clients (who, quite honestly, I consider among my friends at this point) have been so supportiv...

I am participating in two KALs this month - both for cowl projects!  Finally, I found the perfect way to combine my Mad Cowl Disease, Startitis, and new-found addiction to KALs into one perfect storm. Both KALs involve patterns I've been ogling for quite some time.  The Zuzu's Petals KAL was the perfect excuse for me to finally knit with Madelinetosh yarn.  Yes, you read that correctly:  up until this very point in time, with some eight-odd years of knitting under my belt, I HAVE NEVER PURCHASED, STASHED, OR KNIT WITH ANY MADELINETOSH YARNS.  Even I don't know how that is possible, but alas, it is so. Fortunately, it has also been remedied, as I cast on May first with a gorgeous skein of Tosh Sport in Cousteau.  Here is a very early progress shot: My second KAL cowl project is a lacy cowl design by Marly Bird using one of Bijou Basin Ranch's newest yarns, Seraphim.  A hazard of my job is self-enabling, and I confess that this is a prime exam...