White Willow

It Has Begun

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:48:00 +0000

I have started on my hoody vest...and I la-la-love it!!! Can't wait to finish it :) This yarn is sooooooo much fun to work with and provides much needed post holiday instant gratification...sigh...

Another holiday knit

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:54:00 +0000

Here's another pair of socks that I made for my mama's hubby, using my favorite "quickie knit" pattern, the K2P2 rib. He was a bit shy in posing as a sock model for me, so my mom donated her feet for the cause. Don't they look all comfy-cozy in front of the woodstove?

Yarn: Lornas Laces Shepherd Sport Colorway: Black Watch

Woo- hoo! I got called a hussy :)))

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 00:13:00 +0000

That's so funny~ I LOVE that word~ makes me grin every time I hear it used! It's so reminiscent of a long ago era...not my era mind you *grin* Well, I'm still trying to bribe people into sending me their pics of the holiday knits I made for them. (For some reason I passed them out before taking pics of them *the sound of me smacking my head*) I did get one back and this is the tank top that I was working on a few months ago, from Interweave Knits...this turned out sooooo awesome and it was a quick/fun knit. I am going to be making one for myself shortly for the summertime. It's so soft and light... love it! Anyway, this went to my bestest buddy in Florida, Misty. I think it looks fabulous on her :)

I'm not sure if you can see the cabling, but you can see close-up's on my Sept. 6th and 16th posts. There's also more info on the yarn used and where to find the pattern in those posts.

Here's a picture of my mom's holiday gift. This has got to be another one of my favorite knits so far. I found the pattern for it in VOGUEknitting's Fall 2005 issue. It was in Nashua Handknits Special Advertising Section on page 38/147. I saw it and instantly fell in love with it, especially for my mom, because she's a big vest wearer. (I'm putting in the zipper for her, which is why I have it back right now). I modified it a bit to fit her tastes, by changing the hoody into a K2P2 collar. This was such a quick knit, due to the Super Bulky weight, and it was fun to work the basketweave pattern. It's such a pleasant little pattern, darnit! The yarn is called Equinox Stripe and the colorway is called Storm, and if you hurry, methinks Ram Wools is having a sale on it right now...a big sale...it's normally 16.00 a skein and it's on sale for 4.95...wow! You would need 6 skeins for size Small (Bust 40), 8 skeins for size Med/Large (Bust 48), 10 skeins for 1X/2X (Bust 56), and 12 skeins for 3X/4X (Bust 64). It's a bah-gain! Don't miss out :) I highly recommend knitting this vest. I just ordered more yarn for my very own~ I'm going to keep the hoody on mine, and am going to use Fiesta (which is the colorway shown in the magazine) :) The yarn is so soft and amazing to work with...what are you waiting for? Go and get yourself some!

...Because i'm a slacker...

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:20:00 +0000

...I haven't posted here in ages! I am gathering up all of my holiday knitting photos and will be doing a montage here in a few days :)...really...I am! *grin*

I've been extremely busy lately...

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:18:00 +0000

...was feeling like coming on here to catch up and blog, but I'm not feeling like doing it now. Actually I'm feeling kinda bitchy, and yes I do realize that I have to blog 4 times a month for a certain swap...and yes...there are 10 more days in the month...

Whatever. I hope you have THE most FABULOUS Turkey Day!

Here's a pic from Halloween, with my knight in shining armor :)

Thanks Secret Pal!!

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:25:00 +0000

Thank you so much to my super special Secret Pal on the other side of the world! I do believe you said you are in Singapore :) I can't wait to find a pattern to turn this pretty purple wool/alpaca blend into a warm pair of mittens and hat for moi :) I'm soooo excited! Thank you also for the patches for Eli, the needles, tape measure (also taken over by Eli :), and the cute cell phone charm which is currently dangling off of my phone as we speak! I had faith your package would arrive- silly faith I still have in the postal service- and it was filled with some great surprises:

Pumpkin carving...Eli's first carving session with the fam...much fun had by all :)

...and...his second pair of mama-knit socks (yes, there is only one in the photo, but I swear, the other one exists!!) The little man is becoming one super spoiled handknit sock wearing little man...and I love it!

Almost there!! Hooray :)

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 15:35:00 +0000

Ravelry update...because it's fun for me to watch the numbers :)

You signed up on August 27, 2007
You are #29114 on the list.
427 people are ahead of you in line.
14981 people are behind you in line.
58% of the list has been invited so far

Randomness

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 14:08:00 +0000

Today I'm feeling random...here's a picture of me showing Eli how to shove a sheep!...kidding of course...we were at the County Fair when they were doing the sheep judging...sigh...how cool is that? Please pay no mind to my Miami Vice tribute dress...found it in a vintage clothing store one day...ummm...OK, consignment store, but who's counting...and at the time, I thought it was a great idea! *grin*

Second, a little late I am, (many apologies) but I must show you some really great hand dyed yarn that I traded Jana for over at http://www.whiteoakstudio.blogspot.com/. She calls her product TVYarn. She matches up her colorways to pop culture tv shows and movies...how cool of an idea is that?! This particular colorway is called The Color Purple. Thanks so much for the great trade! I'm loving it so much :)

Last on the list of randomness....ravelry...sigh...stillllllll waiting, but alas, I'm making progress! Here's my stats:

You signed up on August 27, 2007
You are #29114 on the list.
2543 people are ahead of you in line.
13174 people are behind you in line.
60% of the list has been invited so far

Fabric samples

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:44:00 +0000

This post is for Francine and Ayako. Sorry it took so long:

Francine, this is the horse fabric. It's really pretty :)

Ayako, here's the two different shades of Zodiac fabric:

Another trip to the hospital...

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 13:59:00 +0000

It's been awhile since my last post- I was in the hospital all last week with my little man, because he was verrrrrrra sick. The doctors diagnosed hime with Kawasaki Syndrome. He had a fever of 104-105 for 6 days, a rash all over his body and a very worried mama...

He's doing better now. We're home...sigh...

I love yarn in the mail :)

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 17:36:00 +0000

Yup, I sure do...anything that is not a bill, I sure do love :)

I received my big ol' bundle of Nashua Equinox Stripe, which is a bulky yarn (quick knit! woo-hoo!) and this is the last you will see of it until after the holidays...ummmm...so if you know who you are, who will eventually be wearing this...look away now!! *grin*

SAFF in October

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 12:59:00 +0000

Well, here's where I'll be in late October- The Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair! I'm so glad I stopped over at Jana's blog, or I would have still been in the unknown. I'm hoping that a few of my NC bloggerland buddies will want to meet up for this? It's going to be a rather smashing time, if I do say so myself :))))))

Check it out:
SAFF

Also, a progress pic of the tank that I'm working on...I am sooo in love with this yarn/pattern. It's a fun, quick knit, that you can do while being climbed on by a toddler. I may have chosen a different color, for this very reason alone, but hey, it was on sale :)

A Day at the Faire

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 12:19:00 +0000

Over the weekend, I took Eli to the annual Fort Loudon Trade Fair/18th century reenactment. It was sooo much fun, but manna, was it hot out. It felt to be about 110 in the sun. That didn't stop us from having a good time though. While we were sitting in the shade, Eli looked up...

...and saw a donkey and pig rider coming our way. Look closely at these costumes, ladies and gentlemen...very clever...

He was immediately taken with Harry Donkey :)

After we had a bowl of red beans and rice, served hot out of an iron kettle, the battle reenactment got underway. They relived a typical skirmish between the English and French, with a bit of humor thrown in for good measure.

I would have to say that this guy was my favorite from the day though...A big man and his little pipe...He was with the group representing the Cherokee Indians that were/still are in the area.

His buddy had the right idea to sit in the shade and do some sewing. He was practicing one of their Native American artforms, called quilling (I believe), where the quills of a porcupine are taken off of the animal (in most cases already dead:) and sewn into rawhide. Very impressive and looks to be dangerous work :) *sigh* A man who sews...

New Yarnin's

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 19:28:00 +0000

Don't you just love the postlady? Well, I certainly do, when she pulls up to my door, honks her horn and hands me two packages full of sunshine :) I ordered some Classic Elite Premiere Yarn off of Ebay last week, because I've had my eye on a certain pattern in the Fall Interweave Knitscene, called the Two-Over-Two Vest. Why it's called a vest when it's actually a tank, I'll never know, but I'm not going to sweat the little details. :) I also received my skein of handspun yarn from Kristie at kristiehaynes.etsy.com, called Plum Puddin'...126 glorious yards of wool/mohair. Maybe good for a new winter hat? hmmm...

Of course I cast on immediately...

A picture speaks a thousand words

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 13:18:00 +0000

The Story of Life

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 17:38:00 +0000

This advice was given to me a long time ago...

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be (possibly your roommate, neighbor, coworker, long lost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger), *but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment they will affect your life in some way.*
And sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower or heart.

*Everything happens for a reason.*

*Nothing happens by chance or means of good luck.*

Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight , flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless. The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become.

*Even the bad experiences can be learned from.*

In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones. If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautios when you open your heart. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.

*Make every day count.*

Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up, because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you. You can make your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets. MOST IMPORTANTLY, if you love someone, tell him or her, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store.

And learn a lesson in life each day that you live.

These words of advice are my gift to you. Bright blessings :)

Some WIP's

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 19:19:00 +0000

Thought I'd post a few pics of my WIP's...soon to be FO's! I'm almost done with the socks for my mom's DH's holiday gift, and I'm coming around the bend with my shrug :) I'm adding the cuff and viola! A shrug!

Of course, Eli just had to make sure the length of both cuffs was equal...

Can you tell he's mine? He comes from a long line of wool smellers...*grin*...that's my boy!

SP 11 Questionaire

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 12:23:00 +0000

Hooray for SP 11!! I know I'm late in posting this, but better late than never :) Life just carries you away sometimes.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? Handspun yarn is my TOTAL weakness right now...cant't get enough of it :) I'm also addicted to sock yarn :) I love superwash and superwash blends.
What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Squeeky acrylic :( It will always have a special place in my heart, because that's what I learned with as a child, but it doesn't have a place in my knitting basket anymore:)

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? A cardboard box...gasp!

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? I started knitting when I was 7- my grandma taught me how- yay grandma! I put it down when I discovered boys and didn't pick it back up until a few years ago when I came to my senses!
Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I'm intermediate, I do believe. There are still a few things that elude me...

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Not anymore. I think I'll create one though...

5. What's your favorite scent? I love spicy and I also love fruity. I'm not into heavy florals, but a light one can be nice. I also love Cookie/Food scented candles.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? I have a sweet tooth, but not for chocolate. I like hard candy- sour balls, lollypops, etc.

7. Favorite candy? See above :)

8.What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? I really don't have alot of time for other crafts right now, with a toddler running around! I do like to sew, though and do cross stitch

9. Do you spin? Very little- It's another thing I'll pick up after the boy is grown.

10. What kind of music do you like? I like folk music, rock, bluegrass, basically anything with a good beat.

11.Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) My computer can play CD's.

10. What's your favorite color(s)? I love purple, pink, raspberry, and red. I really like jewel tones- green and blue, but then again, I like earthy colors as well, when mixed together, like sage, violet and grey...I think I just love color

11. Any colors you just can't stand? I'm not a fan of yellow.

12. What is your family situation? I am a single mom, with a toddler- he's two and a half. I work full time from home, to be able to keep him out of daycare, and pick-up work on the weekends to supplement the income. I'm tired alot lately, but it's worth it :)

13. Do you have any pets? I have one kitty- an old siamese cat named Sam.

14. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? All of the above except for ponchos. I've just moved from Florida to Tennessee and am looking forward to wearing wool this year!!!

15. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I'm addicted to sock knitting. I also love hats gloves, bags and am working on my first sweater :)

16. What are you knitting right now? Socks...of course :) Holiday presents, a sweater and two bags.

17. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? I adore handmade gifts :)

18. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I use them all, but I definitely prefer natural materials- wood and bamboo.

19. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Both

20. How old is your oldest UFO? Over a year...gasp!!

21. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween

22. Is there anything that you collect? Yarn..haha!! Refrigerator magnets (lost all of mine in the move), small blue glass bottles, garden gnomes, stained glass sunlight catchers, good recipes.

23. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I would love to try some addi's. I also would love some size 2 ebony DPN's for knitting luxurious socks! *grin* Books- I'm wanting the sock book that Vogue put out, with their best patterns in it. There's also the Knitted Tam's book that I've been eyeing.

24. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?hmmm...must think on that...

25. Are you a sock knitter? Yup

26.What are your foot measurements? I wear a size 9 US shoe. My foot circumference is: 8 inches

27. When is your birthday? Jan 25th

28. Are you on Ravelry?Not yet
If so, what's your ID?

Some Cool Halloween Fabrics :)))))))

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 02:14:00 +0000

My favorite day of the year is coming up....yes, I do realize it's August, but it's coming up, I tell you! *grin*

Here's some new fabrics I've picked up. Love them!

Ladybugs :)

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:31:00 +0000

When I was walking through Cades Cove the other day, I found this little lady on the side of the trail. I've always been partial to the little bugs, and I found an interesting site on ladybug lore and legend, for anyone who's interested :)

This is my favorite of the legends: If a Ladybug is held in the hand while making a wish, the direction that it flies away to shows where your luck will come from.

How exciting!

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 16:58:00 +0000

I received an email yesterday from Peachy at Lime & Violet, and I thought I would share it :)

"Hi! I just wanted to drop you a quick note to say that we selected your etsy shop as our Etsy Site of the Day over on Lime & Violet’s Daily Chum. (It’s at http://limenviolet.com/blog )Your site will be featured this or the following week (I’ll email you the date once I know it), and we’ll probably post a picture of your header graphic or something that you’re selling so that people can see the loveliness and click through to find you. Let me know if you have any questions I can answer or if there’s more information you’d like me to add! Thank you, and congratulations!

Peachy- Lime & Violet Daily Chum Staff Writer"

I'm sooooooo EXCITED about this! I'll be featured on Wednesday, for anyone who's interested :)

Yesterday...

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 12:37:00 +0000

...I really should have gotten some work done, but did I? Nahhhh...How could I when the mountains were calling me? :) The hills were alive with the sound of music- ~lol~

How do you solve a problem like Maria...?

These were taken from the center of Cades Cove, in the Smokies. It was a perfect day for a picnic :) I'm looking forward to cooler weather, when I can bring my knitting along with me...sigh...a little slice of Heaven...wish everyone could join me!

Playing with Roving

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:34:00 +0000

Can I just say how much I love wool...:)

This is called Lovespell.

Rainy Day

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:23:00 +0000

Not much is happening in the mountains today. It's kind of overcast and rainy, which = cold and damp, which = wool sock wearing weather!! Woo-hoo!! Yippee!! We're dancing through the countryside as you read this :)

For your viewing pleasure, because I know you just want to see my feet, I'm wearing a pair of socks that I picked up in Ireland and Eli is wearing his first pair of handkint by mama socks! Please excuse the one red toe! I was trying to economize by using up leftover stash yarn (Bryony ;) and ran out!

An early start on the holiday gifts...and other fun things I've been doing :)

noreply@blogger.com (Brooke) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 23:49:00 +0000

First of all...Thank you to everyone for all your comments and kind wishes :))))) They really warmed my heart! I love you, man!!! lol! I just wanted to recognize everyone, before I go rambling on...and on...;P

I am one heck of a holiday procrastinator, but this year, I'm getting a head start. I want to do a Laura Ingalls Wilder holiday this year and give only handmade items. I have 8 people to cover...I guess you could take that literally! *grin* First on the list is my Mom's new husband Jack. He is going to get his first pair of toasty warm, made with love, wool socks :) I fugured that it would be safe to post this, because he doesn't read the ol' blog. I'm making a standard "guy" sock, using the Garter Rib pattern. I love how quickly this knits up! Lorna's Laces Shephard Sport in Black Watch was my choice for him. I have one done and I'm onto the second, surprisingly, I'm not suffering from second-sock-itis.

I've also been working on my first official wool garment for myself, other than socks or shawls I've made for other people...*gasp* I have never had any need to make sweaters in FLA, but now is my time to shine baby!! I traded someone super lovely for the yarn. ( I hope you're feeling better sweetness!) It's some gorgeous super-soft worsted Malabrigio in Tortoise Shell. For some reason the picture came out dark, but I think you can still see it. I'm making the Retro Redux Shrug from the book Lace Style. It's a really simple two-row brioche stiche, that is easy to remember, so I can work on it while Eli is awake! Can I get an Amen for that!

I've also spent the last few days finishing up an order for a super great California knitter, which I packed up this morning and shipped off to her. I had to take a picture, because I absolutely love seeing all of this color together...I was sad to see it go, but I know they're going to a good home.

Last but not least, I thought I would share a few pictures from my final days in Ireland. In my haste last month, I never got to finish up. Here is the castle that we stayed at, Ashford Castle in County Mayo:

At this castle, they offered falconry lessons, and it had to be one of THE most magnificent experiences I've ever had. The feeling of holding something so wild was amazing. The bird that I got to fly was a Harris Hawk.

When Eli gets a little bit older, I'll be looking into adopting my own falcon or hawk to work with, now that I'm in the proper area to have one :)

Ya'll have a good night now, ya hear! ;)