Radiance Lace Headband Contest UPDATE...and, "Where the HELL is the top of my head?"

After many frustrating (but hilarious) tries of taking a pic of the top of my head, I finally got my arm caught on something and the camera shot a picture that was just right. Figures. Have you ever tried to take a pic of the top of your head? It's more difficult than you think. Your head is not actually where your arm thinks it is. And since there isn't anyone home but me and Ben (who can't really use the camera yet), we are left with strange pictures. VERY STRANGE

Anyway, here is the accidentally good picture of me wearing the "Jacqueline" headband I knit for myself in cotton...going up a needle size (to accommodate for the worsted weight) and casting on fewer stitches. I must say that I really liked using the Peaches and Cream 100% worsted cotton, but the only problem was that the knot I used to tie it on my head was just WAY too bulky. Should probably stick to the fingering weight.



And another pic, where (once again), the top of my head is curiously absent. Oh, well.



I wanted to remind all of you super-duper-headband-knitters that you have less than 2 weeks to send me pics of you wearing your headband. I'm adding two more books to the Winning Stash..."For the Love of Knitting" by someone (great coffee table book with fantastic pictures) and "America Knits" (ditto) by Melanie Falick.

More giveaways: AMAZING Lorna's Laces yarn in Sherbet colorway and a skein of something luxurious and yummy....will update with pic later on....just to tease you.

Plus, remember the other FANTASTIC STASH STUFF from this post....yarn, books and soaps...woo-hoo!

**Please visit the updated GALLERY at the right. One of the next FIVE people who send me pics will be chosen to win a cool Knit and Plenty Kit!**

Remember that the deadline is May 31!

KNITTING UPDATE

I've been knitting a little on my Wavy scarf, but keep getting confused with what row I'm on...not good.

Sad that I have little excitement for spinning and knitting. Thought I'd take everyone's advice and start a new pair of socks, but was looking at all the wips I have and couldn't do it. MUST FINISH SOMETHING!!!

It's pretty much for certain that I'm dumping the Myrtle Lace Shawl pattern in favor of a less horrific and stressful one. Not that the lace pattern isn't beautiful, but it's so frustrating! My brain needs something easy.


SPINNING UPDATE

Nothin' doing. damn Even have all that lovely new fiber...

LIFE UPDATE

Feeling a bit depressed because of the constant damp and rain. Trying not to buy something to cheer myself up...saw some perfume that I really liked...but no. NO. I won't do it.

Maybe I'll go get a Ben Hug. That always makes me feel happy. Have a great weekend, everyone!!

P.S. Been working on the podcast...slowly coming along...should I stop doing them, you think?

Help....I've Lost the Will to Knit!

Yes, you've read correctly. I-have-lost-the-will-to-knit. I think it has 100% to do with the fact that I am knitting "Lace in FrigginLand". I've been living there since May 1st, when I cast on for the Myrtle Leaf Shawl. There are three things wrong, as I see it:

1. The Lacey Lamb laceweight yarn, though truly lovely, is like thread. Thread, I tell you! I've knit with laceweight before. I've knit shawls before. I've knit laceweight shawls before. And this is totally different.

2. The pattern, on row 13, is incorrect. I've read the corrections, wrote them down, seem to understand them...and, yet, the row never comes out right. What's up with that?

3. I can only do a maximum of 2 rows done at a time while Ben is in the house. I think he hears when I pull out the chair to sit down and the slight "whip" and metallic "tink" as I knit the lace row. Not that it's his fault, of course, he's just a little guy wanting attention, but I'm getting up every few moments and that causes MAJOR screw ups. MAJOR. I've ripped out the 13 row repeat approximately 3 times. I may be going for a 4th soon.

Blogless Amanda, how are YOU doing on this?? Help me, please!

Everytime I take out my knitting, I'm cringing. It's even affecting my spinning. I haven't been able to start spinning any of the gorgeous fibers I got from Sheep and Wool on Saturday. (pics later on in this post)

Any ideas? Can someone "jump start" my knitting enthusiasm? Should I try another lace pattern? Should I try another yarn? Hmmm...???? Whatza Whatza??

Okay, now that I've whined a bit....I'll go on to the good stuff...

Exhibit A: Flowers from My Garden

Lovely Lilacs almost in bloom



Beautiful Tulip, not sure what kind



Exhibit B: My New Fridge

Yes, I know...I'm lame...but I love my new bottom freezer fridge.



Exhibit C: My Wonderful Mother's Day

I had the most wonderful, relaxing and sweet Mother's Day ever. Ian bought me gorgeous flowers, Ben made me a homemade card (with his very own scribbles), and Tim created an animated-and-totally-awesome card on the computer. Tim and Ian made me dinner (using Tim's cookbook from school)...mini pizzas and ham/cheese cups with blueberry ice cream and brownie crumbles for dessert. YUM! Ian even took the kids out so I could have some time to myself. I am SO lucky!



Exhibit D: NH Sheep & Wool

Jackie and I met up with a bunch of the ManchVegas Knitters (GiGi, Amanda D, Laurin, Ericka, Chris, Melissa, Vicki, and Heather) for lunch after shopping. Wow! What a difference from last year's flood/downpour! The day was cool, sunny and gorgeous. I even got to see the llamas, alpacas and other adorable fiber animals. They are SO adorable! Here's the group at lunch:



Here is the adorable, "teddy-bear-like" alpaca that I loved:



And here is the fantastic Spunky Amy...who I was thrilled to get to see and meet her sweet family, too



Exhibit E: New Stash Aquisitions

I was much better this year than last year. I actually could SEE over the load of stuff I bought (unlike last year, right Laurin?) and I didn't get any yarn. Jackie was my "Stash Officer and forced (I mean, helped) me not to buy things I didn't need. Like more drop spindles, yarn and excess fiber...oh, that lovely kid mohair I didn't buy! Here is my fiber haul (one of the fibers is for a Blog Friend):

(2 bags of llama from West Mountain Farm, batt called, "The Mystery Bump" (LOVE THAT!), wool/angelina batt from FoxFire Fibers, 2 bags of baby camel/tussah silk from the same place, and Lambspun Merino/Silk roving in a beautiful fern green)





Also got an alpaca coloring book for Ben, some honey sticks for Tim and handknit finger puppets for both of them. So cute!

Oh, and here is the new Weavette that I got....it's a 2x2 weaving loom frame...and I'll be using it with my leftover odds and ends of handspun to make small squares of woven fabric to make flowers. Cool, huh?



And, lastly, I got some adorable bunny cards and a Heal My Hands cream in Lavender Mint....wonderful stuff!

Conclusion:

The weekend was chock full of fun thing to do, enjoyed myself immensely and only wish I could revive my will to knit. Will be accepting all cyberhugs, ideas, suggestions and virtual (or actual) yarn gifts (LOL!) to restore my love of knitting until midday on Wednesday....at which time I will be freaking out trying to decide what I will do at knitting group. So please, HELP ME!

Podcast 12: Lace Race

Good morning, wonderful knitters!

I'm excited to say that I've cast on for the Myrtle Leaf Shawl! The lace cast on wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be...but that Jade Sapphire Lacey Lamb is sooo thin!




Here is the button for knitting lace in May (please link back to me)....which can include knitting the Radiance Lace Headband....so grab the pattern, yarn and size 4 needles and start knitting! The Radiance Lace Headband Contest ends May 31, so remember that as well ; )



Also, check the side bar and this post for the Sleepy Eyes Tipsy Sock pattern...download for free....would love to see the socks you knit!

Go to the Sleepy Eyes Etsy Shop and buy the very last skein of Alien Invasion sock yarn....100% superwash merino...beautiful twist and 440 yards of fingering weight dreaminess!

If you liked the music on this podcast, here are the talented artists to look up....

Love = Action with "Waves" and Beatrice Ericsson with "Starting All Over"

WEBSITES to VISIT for LACE:

Knotty Daisy for her gorgeous "Fir Cone Wrap" and progress on a new lace project.

Knit Picks for Options needles, lace patterns, yarns and books.

Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson

Shawls and Scarves from the Best of Knitter's Magazine

A Gathering of Lace by Meg Swanson

Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls by Martha Waterman

Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby

YARNS:

Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud

Spunky Eclectic Laceweight

Jade Sapphire Lacey Lamb

Rowan Kidsilk Haze

K1C2 Doceur et Soie

LACE PATTERN WEBSITES:

Heart Strings Fiber Arts

Fiber Trends

Knitter's Review Lace Tutorial

Heirloom Knitting Lace

Hope you become inspired to knit some lace this month and I'd LOVE to see your works in progress or finished lace objects!!!

With love, Sleepy Eyes : )

It's ALL about JACKIE......

Introducing the BEAUTIFUL Jackie wearing her namesake, "The Jacqueline" Radiance Lace Headband!



Can she look any more vibrant? Jackie, did you know you were vibrant? She used the merino/tencel fingering weight yarn that I dyed for her a while ago, called "Mermaid" and created a truly better looking beaded fringe than I wrote for the pattern.

I'm so excited...this is the second Radiance Lace Headband to be completed....shall we try to have at least 8 more done by the end of May???? Come on, I know you can do it! (I mean, I AM bribing you with yarn, soap and knitting books!) Amanda, can I hope that you'll be third??? Perhaps wearing YOUR namesake headband??? (pweease?....lip out...)

Do you know what I spent this lovely Saturday doing? Would you believe that 7 of us Manchvegans went to Barnes and Noble in Manchester to teach beginners knitting? Even more incredible.....do you know how many we taught? NONE!

Either it was our lack of advertisement (well, besides the little write up that B&N put in their fliers)....we had no big sign saying "Stop Here and Learn to Knit" or the crazed look we all had while we were all (mostly) knitting on socks. Ericka did her very best by creating a small sign out of notebook paper and using my pink (!) pen to make a mini sign...hung it on the balloons we had on the table....but no dice. (or maybe it was the STENCH of all the acrylic yarn) Look how pretty our table was!



Chris, Ericka, Caroline, Jackie, Lora, GiGi and I did our best with trying to get people to come over but, sadly, it wasn't meant to be.

Only two people really stopped to talk....Blogless Amanda's little protege, Rachel (she is SO cute and the recepient of my gift bag full of beginner knitting books/patterns, VERY nice wool mini balls, bamboo needles, accessory bag and bigger knitting bag) and a woman whose name I completely forgot. First, here is the adorable Rachel....(Amanda, she asked for you and I gave her that yarn you gave to me to give to her....ummm...is that right?)



The Woman-Without-A-Name came up and started asking us about our knitting...we babbled on and on and then I asked her what she was working on. Here is the resulting conversation...not quoted, but as I remember it....(which could be COMPLETELY different from reality...so bear with me):

WWAN: I'm working on a lace shawl.

Me (very excited): Oh, which one?

WWAN: It's from the Victorian Lace Today book....

Me (cutting in, shouting): REALLY????? Which shawl?

WWAN: Um, I think it's the Myrtle Leaf Shawl.

Me: (HUGE GASP, jumping out of my chair) Oh, Wow! I was going to make that, too! Actually, a few of us in the knitting group are going to make that! What yarn are you using?

WWAN: (stepping back slightly) Uh, it's the Misti Alpaca Lace in black.

Me: (practically jumping up and down) Wow! (again) Our friend Mike is using that SAME YARN!!

WWAN (stepping back more and looking at me wearily): Yeah, well, there's a mistake in one part of the pattern...yada yada yada.....

(see...here I started writing things and went into a lace zone-out, so I forget what she really said....something about k2tog and it being a knit 1 not knit 2 or something.)

Here she is, that poor soul....who probably won't ever come and visit our group again (even though I gave her our card.....):



Ericka and I chatted with her more about spinning and things like that and then she left...looking a big relieved, I must say.

Guess who else came to the knitting "class"? Our very own, "LITTLE JACKIE"! Complete with her mini Wicked and jeans...just like "Grown Up Jackie"....but not known as "Big Jackie". Aren't they adorable together? (psst...I think Jackie may be planning evil deeds with her tiny counterpart...I believe they want to RULE THE WORLD!!!) Not that that would be BAD.....especially since I will be Mrs. Jackie someday!



Two more Show and Tells....

1. A rare and wonderful shot of the beautiful GiGi, modeling a lace scarf knit by my SpinToKnit pal, Naomi...who had given it to Ericka when THEY were pals. Doesn't she look great?



2. A fantastic surprise I got in the mail on Friday from the always lovely and prolific, Cayli. A skein of Mountain Colors Barefoot (one of my favorite sock yarns) in a super colorway...my older son has already put his name on it for a pair of socks!



All in all, a fun, if not successful day. I'm working on so many knitting projects at once (can't seem to get my mind focused on one thing at the moment) and I'm SOOO behind on getting the next podcast out! ARggh!

Ian's putting the little guy to bed tonight, so I hope to get more of SOMETHING done! (while having a delicate cup of Wild Sweet Orange herbal infusion with clover honey...usually it's peppermint tea only, but I went wild tonight with something new)

Good Knit! (oh, I mean, Good Night!)

P.S. I forgot to tell you!!! BTG (Body Talk Guy) was at B&N....and it wasn't even Wednesday! Someone in white shorts, a white tshirt and a bandana (YES, a BANDANA!!!!) said hi to me in line at the cafe...I said hi and then realized it was HIM!!! He's like, "Fancy seeing you here on a Saturday!" and I'm thinking...oh, god...where is someone I know?? Luckily, Lora came quickly to my rescue and I only had to talk to him about his idea to write a book about his pet peeves for a couple of minutes....one of them being people talking too loud on their cell phones...but only when the subject isn't about "body talk". EWWWW!

Headband Contest Stuff! (also, an Alien Invasion)

Radiance Lace Headband CONTEST

What do you need to do?? Well, read on....

1. Buy my pattern (on right or at One Planet Yarn and Fiber...they also offer kits!)...many cyberhugs will be sent your way.

2. Buy the Yarn Botanika 100% superwash merino/tencel yarn here for the headband and size 4 needles. (This yarn comes in fingering weight or dk)

3. Knit up the headband (either the Jacqueline or Amanda) and take a picture of it...if you want to take one of yourself wearing it, that would be even better!

4. Send me the picture(s) via email, your name, blog (if you have one) and yarn info.


What will you win? Well, read on more...


*Everyone who sends me a pic will be put into a drawing to win something great!*


1. Ericka has donated two of her luscious handmade Down to Hearth soaps.....Soft Rose and Lavender Eucalyptus.



(sorry, that third soap is my Lilac one!)

2. Two books: Special Knits by Debbie Bliss and Luxury Knits by Amanda Griffiths



3. YARN:

-2 skeins of pale purple Online Punta
-2 skeins of Lane Cervinia sock yarn (greens, turquoises, purples)
-1 skein of Berroco Air
-1 skein of Berroco Boho

(and more to come!)



First Prize: First choice of 4 skeins of yarn, 1 book and soap.

Second Prize: Second choice of 2 skeins of yarn, book and soap.

Third Prize: Rest of the yarn (will be at least 1 ball or more)

I will mention your name and blog address on the following podcast as well.

DATES:

From now until May 31st. June 1st, I will pick the winners. Good luck!

Oh, and you wanna see the newest yarn I dyed up? It's in my Etsy Shop right now!

It's called "Alien Invasion":

What do you think??



[oh, by the way, the podcast is a WEE bit late coming out this time. I'm trying to add in my newest sponsor and organize all of the discount codes some will be offering. Thanks for being patient!]

Absolutely NO willpower....

No, I'm not talking about dieting (which, of course, I have no willpower for either...or I wouldn't be dieting constantly)...I'm talking about the Lizard Ridge afghan.

After seeing (and feeling) a swatch of the afghan at Yarn and Fiber on Sunday, I just couldn't wait any longer.

I've been trying my VERY BEST to put off starting this....I was trying to finish at least two or three of the current projects I'm working on, but....alas, it wasn't meant to be.

So far, I've completed one of the 24 "squares". I'm using colors 40 and 183 right now...of the Noro Kureyon. The designer has written the pattern so that you make 24 of these "squares" and then sew them all together. You'd have to sew 6 of them end to end to make one long panel and then sew the 4 long panels together to make the afghan. I'm going to save myself a WHOLE lot of sewing and just continue on through the squares (without binding off and casting on again) so that I make one long, continuous panel. Then, make 3 more. I'll only have to sew up the 2 long center side panels that way. (and I'll save some yarn, too)

I'm LOVING the pattern, too. The first time you go through the 12 row pattern, it's confusing (or at least it was for me). I also didn't realize that the pattern was written so that the bubbly parts are SMOOTH at the edges and not ridged, like the one I saw at the yarn store. I had the hardest time figuring out how to make the sections BUMPY...until I had a sudden "DUH" moment...instead of doing the 5 transititon rows in stockinette, you just do it in GARTER! DUH!

So, I've decided to work a little on it here and there so I can start using it once the cooler weather comes in October/November. I figure, if I can make one part of the 24 in less than one day, then it will only take me a month or less (have to figure in sewing the panels and doing the crocheted border) to make the whole thing. So, I have PLENTY of time, right?? Right?

I also have a picture of ONE of the finished handspun skeins of yarn I made from the Coopworth fleece that I washed, combed, etc. I only used 1/4 of the finished fiber and I got 75 yards of 3 ply worsted weight yarn....about 12 wpi. It is MUCH softer than I thought it would be (but not like angora or cashmere...or even merino) and so "homey". Now, if I can finish spinning the rest, I have plans to make Ben a hat and mittens for next winter.



And, dum dum dum dum (drum roll please), I have the long overdue picture of the first Radiance Lace Headband pattern completed! Well, one besides the two I made!



It's Cayli of Spin A Yarn for Ewe!!!

Cayli not only knit my headband pattern (the Amanda), but also spun the yarn herself!!! And, not only that, but she used our very own Heather's handpainting roving!!! It's the Beaches colorway and in the superwash merino/tencel fiber...you can find her fiber HERE. Isn't that amazing? Like a partnership of handpainting/spinning/knitting/designing all at once. Doesn't she look fantastic in this?



And, lastly, here is the yarn I spun for lovely Donna. It's only 1/2 of the 2 oz of merino/bombyx silk fiber from Chasing Rainbows...the Moonstone colorway I spun up here is the third from the left. I got 75 yards of 3 ply sportweight from 1 oz of the fiber. It's super shiny and I hope she likes it. I'm working on her Ashland Bay purple-ish merino top right now.

Any more headbands in the works????

Radiance Lace Headbands!

I am SO excited to announce the release of my pattern, "Radiance Lace Headbands: Jacqueline and Amanda"!!!

This is the "Jacquelilne" headband: (named after the beautiful Jackie)



And this is the "Amanda" headband: (named after the wonderful Blogless Amanda)



Both have easy lace and patterned sections and have beads for the fringe. You can alter the headband length and even make a pretty belt out of it instead. Here is the detail of the fringe of each:



One Planet Yarn and Fiber has just put the pattern up on their website. They're also offering a kit with enough yarn for one headband and the pattern in booklet form. Here's the KIT and it's only $17.50! You can purchase the pattern from their website ($5.00) or from me (see right sidebar), also the same price (though I'd love for you to purchase from me!) Both are immediate .pdf downloads...so no shipping fees, either.

If you decide to purchase the yarn for this pattern (both styles are included), you can find Yarn Botanika's Radiance yarn HERE in fingering weight or HERE in sport/dk weight.

This yarn is a 50% superwash merino and 50% tencel mix...has beautiful shine and softness.

If you buy the yarn from this lovely company, there is a discount code that I can send you to use when buying this yarn. Just email me at gina@YogaGardenNH.com before purchasing : )

Heather of Sereknity will also be selling a handpainted 50%/50% Superwash Merino/Tencel (I just bought her Pink Lemonade (pinks, yellow, and whites) shade!) yarn that is perfect for this headband pattern. Other colors she had were: Lilacs in Bloom (gorgeous shades of purple), Martian (cool greens), and one in blues that I cannot remember the name of....darn it!

You'll notice that I also have my Haiku Flower Socks pattern up for sale as well. You can find the utterly gorgeous sport/dk 100% Black Pearl Cashmere yarn HERE. It's wonderful!!! And, of course, my pattern for these socks are also available at One Planet Yarn and Fiber, too.



Both of these patterns, Radiance Lace Headbands and the Haiku Flower Socks, only take 1 skein of yarn. You can't beat that!

KPixie also sells the Yarn Botanika Radiance yarn, the Black Pearl Cashmere and both my patterns as well, if you'd like to check them out there.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments about the patterns, okay?

I'll be starting a GALLERY for all of the finished headbands and socks...so, if you make one, send me a pic and I'll be putting your name in for PRIZES!!! (and there are three more Down to Hearth Soaps in this giveaway, too!....Berrywine, Lavender/Eucalyptus and Soft Rose PLUS handdyed yarn or fiber from ME!! and other goodies) So, please...buy my patterns and START KNITTING!!!

What do you think???

(more about my sweater disaster tomorrow or when my brain in back in my head...ugh)