My oh my!

I had absolutely no idea it had been this long since I posted anything. I have running blog posts in my head all the time and I just assume that they will somehow magically appear on my actual blog so everyone else will know what I'm thinking and doing.  I guess it just really doesn't work that way. Bummer...
 
So much has happened in these last 18 months. I got a job at a gun store, quit the job at the gun store, got a job with the state and got promoted twice. My daughter started and finished kindergarten (finally!  It's a long story...) and is currently in first grade. I am another (ahem) two years older, though I still remain 29 and probably will for awhile longer. ;-)
 
We built a house and moved in only to have a neighbor build a house directly behind us literally taking up the entire view outside of our windows. So now we're thinking about selling but we're not sure anyone will buy it.  We're not in any hurry though, and our home is quite beautiful and comfortable, as long as you don't look outside.
 
Besides all of that, I have been knitting some great things for family and friends. I have found that I am a stress knitter and, once I found my job with the state, there was a lot less stress in my life. It's amazing how calming having a steady income can be. I haven't been knitting a whole lot but I did make a new pair of socks, a sweater for my husband, a shawl for a friend at church, and various other shawls and scarves. Now with winter coming on, my fingers are 
getting that familiar itch to make more.
 


My darling husband modeling his sweater



 
 
 
 

Some very pink mittens

I just finished some mittens for my daughter, and I am currently working on a lace-weight scarf test pattern for Red Tiger Designs. Once I finish the scarf, I am hoping to make myself something for a change. I found this beautiful cabled sweater pattern in the latest issue of Creative Knitting Magazine and I really want to try it. It's called "Diverging Paths Pullover" designed by Patty Lyons. Click here to get to the magazine's main page and check it out. It's really beautiful.
 
Feel free to send a message and tell me what you're working on. I love to look at other people's work.
 

New Pattern Coming!

Yup, that's right! I have a new knitting pattern coming and I will soon need some testers!  Okay, well, it's not going to be like next week or anything.  I just created the pattern and now I am testing it for myself just to see how I should assemble it and what level of difficulty it is.

I don't have any pictures yet but I can tell you that the colors I chose are gray, aqua, blue, and purple and it looks like stained glass.  (Well, the pattern does, not sure yet how the actual product will turn out.)

I can't wait to have it done!  It's been a while since I created my own pattern.  Let me know if you want to be a tester and I'll put you on my list!

Price Reduced!!!

I created this scarf pattern in January, 2013 for a friend's daughter. I love the way it turned out. It can be made with or without beads. I also have two completed scarves in stock; dark teal with black beads (as pictured) and navy blue with blue beads.

I have marked down the price of the pattern for an out-of-season discount from $4 to $2.99! Get yours now at www.etsy.com/shop/slowbutsteadyknits

And I will be having a contest soon with a free giveaway. Stay tuned!

Product Review - Sunapee Yarn

First off, I want to say that I have no affiliation with Patternworks or any of their products and I am receiving no endorsements.

That being said, I recently purchased some of their new Sunapee yarn. It is 55% cotton and 45% silk and comes in balls of 153 yards/50 grams. I chose the color eggplant and bought enough to knit the Patchwork Pullover, my free pattern choice with my purchase.

I placed my order a few days ago and I got it in the mail today. It took less than a week to get it. I was very eager to check it out.

When I opened the package I was mildly concerned. The color was exactly what I wanted, but the texture and look of the yarn gave me pause. It felt a little rough and looked like the cotton you would use more for dish towels than garments. Needless to say, I bought it and I was going to use it, no matter what.

I diligently cast on all of my stitches and began knitting. Now, I can never tell how a yarn is going to perform until I'm a few rows into it. Having completed only six or seven rows of my top, I can already say, I love this yarn!

It is exactly how the product is described, "firm yet smooth and soft". I can already tell that my top going to have a great drape. I am very excited to finish it and show everyone!

You can find the yarn and pattern I am using in their current Spring 2013 catalog (page 27); or you can visit their website and take a look. It is very affordable, easy to work with, and creates a beautiful product.

If you try it, let me know what you think!