Professor Meow

I am still working away on my Spark Cardi and feeling slightly more confident that I'll have it finished by Stitches but just in case I didn't I decided to quickly knit up a Professor Meow pullover for myself.

 

I knit the exact same sweater for Jenny for X-Mas in December 2020.

 

The Knitpicks Wonderfluff is SO fluffy and this is such a cozy sweater to wear!

 

I wore it to meet up with Julia in Fremont last week.  It was our first time hanging IRL literally, since Stitches West 2020.

I just really, REALLY wish we lived closer!

Fluorite Socks

I already posted about the Fluorite Socks I just knit on IG but then I forgot to document them on my blog.  They are designed by Andrea Mowry.  I bought the pattern a few years ago but it took me a while to find the exact yarn I wanted to use with it.

This flamboyant sock yarn 5 colorway fade kit from 29 Bridges just screamed at me while I was at "Rhinebeck".  Whenever I'm organizing a faded garment project, I separate all of my cakes into numbered bags so I can keep track of them.

 

The fun part about these socks is that they are knit from the inside out!  

 

I learned 2 new techniques while making them: the totally amazing seamless Turkish cast-on and smoothly contoured Fleegle heel, which is very conveniently worked in the round with Magic Loop.

 

I knit the body of the socks on size 0 needles and I knit the cuff on size 00's using Jenny's Super Stretchy bind-off.

 

Of course, they fit me just perfectly and the beautiful fade just needs to be seen IRL to best be appreciated.

 

I enjoyed knitting this pattern so much, that I've already cast on another pair.  This time I'm not fading and just using a single hank of hand-dyed sock yarn.  

 

I just wanted something on my needles for the playground.  I already finished one sock but I'm putting the 2nd sock on hold while I desperately try to finish my Spark Cardi before Stitches West (next week).

This is a progress shot from yesterday.  I still have a long way to go!

Even if I don't get it finished in time for Stitches, my consolation will be that it'll probably way too hot to wear it up there anyway.  

Millowski recently tried her hand at naturally dye-ing her own yarn with yellow onion skins and she sent me some delightful fruits of her labor.  Then my friend, Freddie, in Toulouse mentioned that he was having a daughter and he and his baby mama liked neutral colors.  So Emily's yarn was destined to become a baby sweater.  I had plenty of leftovers and I just passed them onto Samantha (who is currently taking my Saturday Beginning Knit class).  I can't wait to see what she makes out of it!

The photo above is of the sweater pre-blocked.  Below is how beautiful it turned out after a few days on the mats.

The sweater was very pleasantly received and I can't wait to see Baby Joe as soon as she grows into it!

Yarn Bowls and Project Bags

Recently I purchased a few fabulous fiber arts related accessories that I really want to share with others.

My friend Aaron's dad in Williamsburg, VA makes yarn bowls and I recently ordered 3 different ones from him.  You can buy them directly from his Etsy shop.  

 

This one was turned from Walnut and it makes a cozy home for Aran weight and light yarns.

This one is turned from Oak.  It's the biggest yarn bowl I've ever seen and it even fits a cake of super chunky yarn inside!

This one is turned from Ash and perfect for anything from lace to worsted weight.

A few years ago when I first met Julia, we were brainstorming/fantasizing about what would make the ultimate fiber arts project bag and since then she has turned that fantasy into a reality.  Julia is very prolific crocheter but during the pandemic she's gotten really into sewing and quilting.  She combined her love of fiber arts with her sewing skills to create a fun, functional and flattering design.  The bags remind me of classic Lilly Pulitzer on steroids.

  

 

These bags are loaded with inner and outer pockets.  They come with complimentary detachable notion and accessory bags.  What I love about them most is how roomy and sturdy they are.

 

This yellow and grey patchwork color combo is 100% me.  You can buy project bags and a variety of handmade delights directly from Julia's Etsy shop.  You can use the code: preciousowl to receive a 30% discount.  The code never expires!

I also ordered this bright/dark high contrast bag to coordinate with all of my bold outfits.

 

Look for me carrying one or both of these bags at Stitches West in Sacramento in a few weeks.  Can you believe it's finally almost that time again?!  I was so crestfallen that it was cancelled last year but understandably, it was the safest and only choice.  To compensate for not being able to attend Stitches West or Stitches SoCal in last year, this year Kristine and I decided to splurge and instead of staying at either of the show hotels, we booked ourselves into a posh suite at the Citizen.  I just bought our tickets for the Marketplace Preview last night and I now I am officially excited!