Put a Pin in it....

 

 Have you heard of this site called Pinterest? I don't quite remember how I got onto it - probably in one of those crazy alternate reality loops the internet throws me into every once in a while. It's a site kind of like facebook or craftgawker - you "pin" things you like from other websites and create "boards" with them. Other people can crib off of your pins, and you can crib off of other peoples.
  
The site itself and everything on it is really pretty, which is why every time I go on there I get very excited, very "pinterested" you could say. I imagine all the boards I can make, organizing all my thoughts and internet ideas and wants into one gorgeous little collaged package. But, I don't know....I just can't do it. I'm afraid my real life laziness has seeped online. All that mouse clicking and style hunting just seems exhausting.

So far, all I can manage on the site is to drool over other people's pins and boards. Sometimes I just want to cut and paste someone's whole user page into my life. So, in that vein, here are some lovely knitted related things I've found on pinterest from all the lovely, stylish people who aren't lazy....

Amy Butler has knitting patterns? Who knew! I want me some nautical stripes this spring:
http://www.lolalina.com/2010/10/06/new-amy-butler-knitting-projects/

 

Also on my spring knitting agenda - rock star drop stitches baby!

And Voila! The perfect bus to ride in on my rock star tour!

But perhaps the best thing of all, if I had to choose, would be to have this office:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/woodleypark-zoo/3008584209/in/faves-lovelydays/

Yes, the chunky throw backdrop is awesome and ingenious. But really, I want the whole office. I want the clean, organized desk. I want the knick knacks arranged just so. I want the calming, pretty blue walls. Ahhh me.... the internet really knows how to make you and your house feel like crap. But let me just say....if I had this office, I could pinterest with the best of them.  A girl can dream, can't she?

Swift!!

I think people assume I'm the craftiest person in my family, you know, given all the hours and devotion and hand strength I've devoted to crafty pursuits in my life. And I certainly am craftier than Annie the sidekick (opposable thumbs help), though she can be crafty in a sneaky sort of way. And it's true, while I never forget how sweet my husband can be, I do sometimes forget that he has a whole lot of crafty in him too. Want some proof? Check out this handmade, 100% one-of-a-kind yarn swift he made just for me!

I know! It's amazing! Not only is it lovingly handmade, but it's made from all recycled materials too. He certainly earns the top crafty award when it comes to creative reuse. For instance...

Leftover metal from a broken bar stool and wooden feet from an old ottoman become this....

Wood scraps and a mini jar of paint from when we were deciding on colors for our bedroom become this...

And a whole boxful of old school "beginners"pencils? Well, you get the point.

Put it all together and you get a very happy little yarn ball maker....

Yup, I am fully in love my new yarn swift. I never knew our garage was so full of goodies (well, I guess it's not that surprising for someone who only goes in there say... 4 times a year).  But look!

Pretty, rugged looking tools and surfaces.

 Old paintings I made and then abandoned.

And best of all, a lovely array of plumes from our pampas grass in the backyard. It's been so cold and wintery, I almost forget about the bounty it bursted out with at the end of summer. So silky and shiny and pretty, these plumes have to be one of my favorite things ever (after my new yarn swift, that is). In fact, I think it's about time they moved inside the house. I'm feeling crafty already....

It's beginning to feel a lot like...

I'm really starting to feel the holiday spirit this week. I waited on a record setting line at the post office this morning. Nothing says Christmas to me like swarms of procastinating gifters. Also, there's a whole lot of sweets bedecking our kitchen counter - I also know it's Christmas when chocolate starts appearing out of nowhere. Plus, I've been knitting a whole lot of gifts (for other people to give to other people, but they are gifts nonetheless) and to further my giftiness, Becki over at Neighborhood Notes included me in their local pdx gift guide! Yay! I'm feeling the love, indeed :)

Check it out here:
http://www.neighborhoodnotes.com/news/2010/12/gift_guide_local_goods_for_gals/

Crafty Wonderland!!

Wondering why I've been so scatter-brained and absent on this blog? Check it out!

This is where me and good ol' Neeka Knits will be this weekend, along with all the knitted friends I've been obsessively making for the past few weeks. (My hands are this close to surrendering, but I'm not letting them yet. I just use my circular needles as a whip and slap them back into submission).

What's funny is, I keep feeling like I haven't knitted enough, until I realize it's like I've made gifts for every single friend I have all in three weeks. Usually one hand knit birthday present takes me months. So I guess it's a lot. Who knows. I'll take pictures of my boothage to show you all and you can be the judge. Or better yet, if you're in Portland this weekend, stop by and see for yourself!

Shop, Shop, Gobble, Gobble, SALE, SALE!

Ahh, the Thanksgiving weekend of excess, the holiday madness has begun. The gluttony started yesterday at my family thanksgiving feast, to which I contributed a lovely sweet potato combo:

 That yummy marshmallow-bespeckled casserole is actually this recipe made from sweet potato orzo! It got all browned and chewy.....ah chewiness, a much missed texture on the Thanksgiving plate.

Then the shopping began this morning. Now, let me clarify. I am not a Black Friday shopper. Never have been. Crowds. Lines. Disgusting displays of greed and wanton spending. It's not my thing. But when I found out my local yarn store was having a Black Friday sale with additional discounts for wearing your PJs? Well, greedy and wanton yarn shopping is another story. I picked up a bushel of puffy Burly Spun and I do believe I'm feeling the post-sale after glow.

 Indeed, I'm feeling so festive, I decided to host an After Thanksgiving Pattern SALE on my Etsy shop! All Patterns are 2 for $5 now through end of day Monday. Stock up now and that way when you realize you need some fast, last-minute gifts in a few weeks, you'll be ready!

Check out the SALE here and feel free to pass the news along.

Meanwhile, I have some leftovers to attend to.....

Kerchief Cowl - Updated!

The weather outside is freezing and not really that delightful. It was supposed to snow here, the weather peeps on TV have been attempting to whip up us into a snow-crazed frenzy for an entire week. But a little night-time snow shower was all we got, and it isn't pretty. My yard is sprinkled with small crunchy white bits that look and feel, but do not taste, like Nerds (the candy that is). Either that, or as if I decided to decorate my yard with 5 year old confectioner's sugar. Oh well. Maybe they're saving the good stuff for Christmas.

The cold weather has at least been good for one thing. I've been doing a whole lot of knitting, as well as a good amount of snuggling with my winter accessories, specifically the Kerchief Cowl I designed last winter. It's the warmest, coziest thing I've got in my repertoire, and I wanted to knit some up to share the cozy love.  Of course, I couldn't knit the pattern as is, even if I did write the darn thing, so mods began popping up as they always do. First, I started with a bulkier, puffier, tweedier yarn. I skipped the textural garter rows and left off the bottom triangle. Then I added a big ol' huge vintage button.

Huh. Still cozy. And then I turned it inside out and upside down and poof!

It turned into a cool, kerchief bandana like thing, just like I wanted all along. So, if anyone out there is knitting this pattern, feel free to experiment. It'll keep you cozy no matter what. If instead, you'd like one of these new updated cowls all knitted up and ready to snuggle your neck, you can get 'em here. And if anyone else wants a pretty snow-covered yard...well, sorry, can't help you there. Give me a few weeks.

Oaxaca Highlights

Wow, I can't believe it's already been a few weeks since I got back from Oaxaca. I've been too wound up in a tangle of stressed-out holiday knitting to notice anything these days. So, before I forget (even more) and move on to different things, here are a few Oaxaca highlight pics. Oaxaca really is a magical place and the amount of craft and art everywhere is so inspiring! It made me want to lose myself in some detailed, elaborate, grand-scale sort of public art project....if only if my hands could knit faster....

Anyway, Enjoy! (And remind me that one day I really have to do a special post just on the amazing natural dye process the weavers use. It will blow your yarny mind!)