Journey-Along | Winners & FO's

The time has arrived to wrap up our Journey-along and that means I have my final projects to share and a the giveaway winners to announce! First up, the FO's...

This was done quite awhile ago:

This amazing shawl is currently on display at Firefly Fibers and I can't wait to wear it! Knit in a worsted weight yarn with a very generous finished size, it's super warm and snuggly and great for snowy days like today.

Pattern: Onward from Journey by Shannon Cook

Yarn: Pure Wool Worsted by Rowan in Bottle

Raveled: Onward

I also finished these:

Climb was so much fun to knit (all 3 times) because the stockinette patterning makes it perfect for 'on-the-go' sock knitting. I cast these on during out trip to Colorado this last summer and threw caution to the wind and knit from both ends of the ball - my inner perfectionist squawked a little at the uneven stripes, but I eventually got over it because, after all, how serious can I get about crazy fluorescent socks? 

Pattern: Climb from Journey by Jane Richmond

Yarn: Fluormania by Regia in Neon Flowers (7188)

Raveled: Climb - v3

And, this was finally finished:

I can honestly say that I love this sweater and the yarn. The project sat hibernating for quite awhile, but once I picked it back up this fall, it went fast. With the cold winter we have ahead of us, this is one sweater that is going to get a workout - I've barely taken it off since it was dry just over 2 weeks ago. I really love it!

Pattern: Inland from Journey by Jane Richmond

Yarn: Nature Spun Chunky by Brown Sheep in Grey Heather

Raveled: Inland

Time ran out and I didn't get to knit Shannon's gorgeous Antrorse, but it is in the queue and it will be cast on since I have some sweater fun planned for 2015! Details coming soon...

Enough about me - let's get to the giveaway! Using a random number generator, the winners for each of our final prizes are:

Prize #1 Winner...  Elizabeth (Ravelry ID: jelin) You've won one skein of Extra (55% baby alpaca | 45% fine merino) and a Pretty Cheep project bag! 

Prize #2 Winner...  Teresa (Ravelry ID: tmmiller1) You've won 2 skeins of Sport Weight (100% baby alpaca) and a Pretty Cheep project bag! 

Congratulations to both of you and I'll be in touch regarding your prizes!

One final thank you and a huge 'shout-out' to all the fabulous knitters that joined and have been clicking along since last February - it was so much fun and I wouldn't have been as motivated without you! You. Are. Awesome.

Stay tuned for more 'along' fun and some other goodies!

Cheers!

Journey-Along | Final Giveaway

It's hard to believe that tomorrow is the end of the Journey-along, but that doesn't mean it's the end of knitting projects from Journey - for me at least. I really wanted to knit all 6 projects and that was my goal, but I came close and with Antrorse being the only project left to knit (and it will be knit). Even so... I managed to finish what I feel is a respectable number of Journey projects and I'd like to wrap things up with all Journey WIP's in FO status. That being said, today and tomorrow I'll try to get my 3rd pair of Climb's off the needles and with ~5" to go on the cuff, I'm optimistic.

But this post isn't about me... it's about the lovely knitters that have spent the last 10+ months knitting along with me. A very warm thank you for joining me in this knitting fun - it wouldn't have been the same or nearly as fun without you. For the knitters that came along on this 'journey', I will be drawing 2 names for 2 really wonderful prizes.

It's no secret that I have a huge crush on Blue Sky Alpacas - they are wonderful to work with and I love each and every one of their yarns. I've stocked Blue Sky Alpacas at Firefly Fibers since we opened and we now carry just about every yarn in the line. The first prize is their newest yarn, Extra...

One Journey-along'er will receive one skein of Extra (55% baby alpaca | 45% fine merino) and a Pretty Cheep project bag! Since the arrival of Extra last spring, there's been one Journey project that is a perfect fit for this yarn, Spate by Jane Richmond...

A Journey-along'er read my mind and knit up Spate in Extra and they are divine! I hope to knit up a pair for myself in the near future. Cross your fingers for me.

The second prize is Blue Sky Alpacas Sport Weight - this yarn is a staple and the very first Blue Sky Alpacas yarn we brought into the shop...

One Journey-along'er will receive 2 skeins of Sport Weight (100% baby alpaca) and a Pretty Cheep project bag! This yarn has made it to my needles twice for Swift by Shannon Cook...

Yes, I loved this yarn/pattern combination so much that I actually knit it twice and I'm sure it will find it's way to my needles again.

The Journey-along wraps up tomorrow and I hope everyone had as much fun as I did - don't forget to post your FO photos on Ravelry (tag with #journeyalong) and I'll get my final projects uploaded for you, too. I'll be back in the near future with a wrap-up post and to announce the two Journey-along'ers for our final giveaway. Stay tuned....

Which Journey project was your favorite? 

Moments | Our Little Family

It's been 4 weeks since our little family got a little bigger and I'm happy to report that things are going very well. Rollo and Logan are playing to their hearts content and bonding over digging holes together and then getting in trouble after. They really are a very cute pair, even when they're naughty.

Now that we've all settled in a bit, here's the story of how this all unfolded... 

To be clear, we weren't planning on adding to our family and this was all quite a 24-hour whirlwind for us. We had seen Rollo (previously Olaf) on the Dodge County Humane Society Facebook page back in July and had a soft spot for him. We almost went to meet him, but then he was adopted and I was happy for him. Then a few weeks later, he was on the Facebook page again and I just couldn't get him out of my head (or heart). I mentioned to Mike that he was back and even forwarded his photo to my cousin in Colorado, yet I insisted that we weren't going to get him. I'm awfully foolish sometimes. 

Without knowing that we were already interested, a friend emailed his photo to me. She's a volunteer at the Humane Society thought of us for the husky named Olaf. I tried to resist, but as the day progressed she filled me in and my heart melted hearing that he was depressed, not eating, and in need of a family that understands huskies. She also said that a family had been coming out to take him for walks with their huskies, brought him some food, and they had sponsored his adoption fee - obviously this little guy was very special and we had to meet him.

With all of this, it just seemed "meant to be" and met Olaf (soon to be Rollo) that night. We fell in love, the boys played, and we turned in our adoption application. I was, of course, on pins and needles waiting for the "approval" phone call the next morning. I picked up our new boy that afternoon and he has indeed, found his Forever Home.

As you can see, he's settling in very nicely.

Even though Rollo's adoption fee was sponsored, both Mike & I felt it was important to still donate to the shelter to help them care for the other animals and help them find their Forever Homes. Everyone we worked with at the Dodge County Humane Society was so kind and it's clear that they love the animals and are passionate about making their lives better - many thanks to them and to the dear family that cared for our boy before we met him.

All of our pups have come from a shelter and they've all been so special, including our dearly missed Joey. It's been one year today since we said goodbye to our handsome boy and we've thought of him frequently with our new addition. We will always miss him, but I can't help smiling because Joey would love Rollo and I laugh thinking of the trouble that they would get themselves into, with Logan not far behind.

Cheers!