<![CDATA[Marji's Yarncrafts - blog]]>Sat, 05 May 2012 08:57:35 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[F I N A L L Y]]>Thu, 03 May 2012 07:51:21 -0800http://www.marjisyarncrafts.com/1/post/2012/05/f-i-n-a-l-l-y.htmlFinished my "ADRIFT" cardigan!!! I started it on vacation in late march and finally have it done. I made it out of a discontinued yarn from Tahki, called "Dream", which is a fine 80%wool, 20%nylon. This is my second sweater made with this yarn and I really love it. Probably no one else loved it because it is soooo fine and, frankly, seems endless when you are knitting. The pattern actually calls for a lightweight yarn on size 6 needles, but I had to use size 4 on this stuff and make a much larger size because my gauge was so tiny.  I don't know what gets into me......
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Anyway, now I'm working on a few things that will give me almost-instant gratification. First, "Topsy Girly" from Maddy Laine, in a self-striping cotton yarn, and a lightweight summery scarf out of a sparkly cotton blend. AND, some (non-knitted)  beaded wrap bracelets just for variety!! 
]]><![CDATA[a knitting frenzy]]>Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:40:08 -0800http://www.marjisyarncrafts.com/1/post/2012/03/a-knitting-frenzy.htmlI have really been knitting like a crazy person the past few weeks. I have made 2 baby hats, a braided cowl, a cupcake purse, lacy scarf and a few things that got started and then abandoned just because the weren't cute yet.
That's a great phrase that my knitting friends have used for years - "Is it cute yet?" This is usually reserved for something that one has been slaving over, perhaps even re-knitted, and the finished result is not looking like it is going to shape up! Many times this is what we'll say when we have added our own touches and edited the pattern because we were so sure it was going to be a fabulous idea. Then, as you are putting the thing together, it looks nothing like it did in your ever-so-wild imagination. That's when you timidly ask yourself "is it cute, yet?" Just remember, if the answer is no, it probably isn't going to get any cuter with age!

Here's a picture of the braided cowl in progress. It was fun to work on and actually did come out cute :-)

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]]><![CDATA[Hibernation]]>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:07:50 -0800http://www.marjisyarncrafts.com/1/post/2012/01/hibernation.htmlI'd like to say that the reason I haven't been writing is that I have been knitting like crazy. However, not so much. I have been trying to get some of my older projects done and did succeed in finishing my second Flyaway Cardigan. I also produced some silly things; a very ugly hat that will never see the light of day and the start of my new long-term project 'The Beekeeper's Quilt". I am excited about using my vast collection of koigu scraps for the quilt, though if the truth be told, I have made exactly 3 of the 350-or-so little puffy hexagons that will make up the finished product. A little over-confident of my knitting time, you might say....
I suppose you might have a point. ;-) ]]><![CDATA[The Dark Side]]>Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:31:28 -0800http://www.marjisyarncrafts.com/1/post/2011/11/the-dark-side.htmlYou would think that being out of power for 5 days, in the house, shop closed, etc. would be a real knitting bonanza. Nope. No TV, no knitting. I am such a creature of habit and I seem to need my junky tv shows playing in order to be able to knit, unless I am being held captive in a car and even then my attention wanders off and my eyes glaze over. 

This week, I am trying to catch up. I have finished all the knitting on the koigu jacket, just have to weave in the ends. Then,  will embellish it somewhat with a contrast color and be done. I have set a goal of finishing it tonight so we know it will be at least another week. I have some great stuff on the list for what I will knit next and all the yarn picked out and in a basket lest I forget my plans. Kind of overwhelming when I look at it, but I am telling myself that having it all sit there like that will keep me on track!?!?

I think, by now, those of you who lost your power must be on again. I sure do hope so! I hope that you found some time to knit or read and that your lives are getting back to as normal as they can be! ]]><![CDATA[Too much sleeping, not enough knitting...]]>Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:53:10 -0800http://www.marjisyarncrafts.com/1/post/2011/10/too-much-sleeping-not-enough-knitting.htmlReally. I don't know what makes me think I have a ghost of finishing my adult size "baby Kendyl" jacket in one week's time! However, I am plugging away and have both sleeves done and with any luck I'll get the bodice finished in the next two days! Thank goodness most of the tv series are into the new season, because I sure have been sitting in front of the tv every chance I get.
Stitches is NEXT WEEK!! And, maybe I'll be ready! I'm starting to pack this weekend so I can be ready to load and start setup on Wednesday. I am really excited, Ellyn Cooper will be bringing some new models and I haven't even see them yet! All the stuff from Rowan will be arriving directly at the Convention Center, so that will be an exciting treasure hunt. Of course, I am also waiting on a last-minute shipment from Koigu to add to what is already going! Can't wait! ]]><![CDATA[Panic Knitting]]>Thu, 08 Sep 2011 05:41:57 -0800http://www.marjisyarncrafts.com/1/post/2011/09/panic-knitting.htmlOkay, I got the body done on my second FLYAWAY and the sleeves are left but..... suddenly I am all in a panic because STITCHES EAST is in 6 weeks and I have to get some new stuff knitted!!!!!!! So, out goes the cardigan and I picked up another UFO: the BABY WRAP SWEATER from Churchmouse Classics. I actually started this one in anticipation of last year's Stitches and ran out of steam - as usual! Once I am done with that, I still have an adult jacket in Koigu KPPPM that is started. Well, "started" may be a bit of an overstatement - I have about 3" done one one sleeve - but it is on the needles so I guess that counts :-)
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]]><![CDATA[First Post!]]>Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0800http://www.marjisyarncrafts.com/1/post/2011/08/first-post.htmlPicture
Hooray! I have finally finished my sumer linen top. Just in time to hopefully wear it once before I hang it in the shop! I don't know why it's taken me so long; perhaps it's because I haven't actually been at the top of my "knitting game" this summer! Every time I sit down to knit, I relax and fall asleep, nodding over my needles. One night I didn't even get a whole row knitted even though I jolted awake many times to knit a stitch or two. 
    It came out well, though (my top, not the row...). I like the drape of linen and it is a very comfortable fiber to wear. 
    So... on to the next project. This one is a UFO from last spring. I am knitting my second "Flyaway" cardigan. I have one hanging in the shop, but I thought I'd make a second one so that I would have one to use,too. This will work way better than my usual method, which is to come trotting downstairs to the shop , fully dressed but for a top, to frantically look around for what might go with the day's outfit!
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