On the Needles | Spring Knits...

As spring arrives, the pace of life changes just a bit and I can feel the hustle and bustle let up just a wee bit. We had a nice warm spell about a week ago and it was perfect for remembering how much I enjoy our front porch - hubby and I were even able to spend an entire evening out there last weekend. Things cooled down (again) this last week, but I'm still remaining optimistic that I'll be able to wash and retire my thick wool sweaters within the next week or two. My fingers are crossed. 

After giving myself a reality check with cataloging my WIPs last week, I'm happy to report that I have 2 projects fresh off the needles, so I decided I could cast on a new one and I've taken full advantage of that as you can see here with my morning coffee...

"What is it?" you ask. I'm (happily) knitting this lovely tank... 

© Quince & Co.

Togue Pond is knit in Quince & Co. Kestrel that's a new arrival at Firefly Fibers. I'm really loving knitting with aran weight linen and this is the first of two summer tops I have planned for Very Shannon's Tops, Tanks & Tees Knitalong that runs through May 27th. I do have to say (because I've been asked a few times at the shop) that this yarn doesn't look the best while knitting/pre-blocking, but after a good wash and block, it's super soft and has amazing drape.

If you want to try some linen yarn and join Shannon's KAL, we have both Sparrow and Kestrel at our brick-and-mortar shop along with a variety of patterns, so either visit us or contact the shop by phone or email and we'll help you get everything you need to cast on - FYI, Quince & Co. stockists can only sell Quince yarns via their brick-and-mortar shops, but we are able to do mail/phone orders if you want to reach out to us. 

The next Simply Handmade-along project will be coming your way very soon *squee*, I'm just waiting for the arrival of some new goodies at the shop and then we'll be on our way! Stay tuned...

As for the rest of my weekend... I'm going to get back at the knitting, record a podcast with Mr. Yarnista and either cook supper or throw some leftovers together. 

CHEERS!

SIMPLY HANDMADE-along | April

It's April, already. I'm ready for spring - we woke up to snow and ice again this morning - and I'm busy dreaming of warm weather knits and this could be why I'm about to cast on a new linen sweater, even though I still have 2 on the needles from last summer.

When thinking of the perfect warm weather accessory, I think of open fabric with drape and Janina Kallio is one of my favorite designers for shawls and scarves. Janina has an amazing selection of one-skein projects and keeping with our theme of something simple and quick'ish... for our April Simply Handmade-along project, we'll be knitting Orbit - a dk-weight scarf. 

APRIL | ORBIT BY JANINA KALLIO | THROUGH APRIL 30

© JaninaKallio

"Sweet and simple scarf with just one skein of DK weight yarn. So fun & quick to knit you may find yourself making one for everyone you know." ~ Janina Kallio

© JaninaKallio

Isn't Orbit lovely? If you're new to lace knitting or want a quick'ish knit with a special skein of dk yarn, here ya go!

As you know, I love Julie Asselin's yarn and her Leizu DK is not only gorgeous, but wears really well, making it extra perfect for Orbit as a warm weather accessory and I have my eye on a skein of Birch for my version...

So, you want to join the Simply Handmade-along fun this month? We'll be having a wee giveaway later (details coming soon), so be sure you're "officially" signed up and you could win a goodie later this month. 

The pattern for Oribit is available here on Ravelry and a new delivery of Leizu DK just arrived at Firefly Fibers (including several skeins of that lovely Birch), but it would also be lovely in Tosh DK or another dk weight yarn. I really don't think you can go wrong. 

You can find Janina WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | RAVELRY

CHEERS!

A milestone birthday...

I've been fairly absent here on the blog, on Facebook, and Instagram lately. Rest assured, I'm alive and doing well... March is just a CRAZY month - it's still the "busy" season at Firefly Fibers (yay!), classes and knitalongs need to be planned and launched, Mr. Yarnista and I vended at Madison Knitters Guild (it's a ton of fun AND a ton of prep), we have several birthdays (including mine) to celebrate, the pesky taxes need to be done (are you groaning at this one, too?), and then Life decides to rear its (sometimes) ugly head at the most inconvenient times (you know, just to keep things interesting).

With all that had to be done in March, I set a deadline. Yesterday. I made it to the finish line (mostly) not exhausted - although our boys probably thought I ran away from home and hubby has been a bachelor for the last 2 weeks - and I'm pretty much caught up and even worked a bit ahead on some things. Whew! 

Why yesterday as a deadline? Well, today is my birthday and not just any birthday, it's a milestone - at 12:50PM CST, I'll be 40. There. I said it. 40. I remember thinking 40 was SO old, and maybe it is, but I think I'm feeling okay. So far.

I had a lovely trip to Door County last month with one of my most amazing gals and we had a fabulous time - a million thank you's to hubby for "manning" the shop so I could get away and not work for a couple days. My gal took this photo of me and it makes my heart smile so big. 

And, just because I love this photo from our Door County trip (I promise I will share all the details soon), I feel like sharing it, too... 

Getting away for a bit, made me realize that I need to make more time for "time off" and what better day for that, than my birthday?! 

With that.... let fabulous 40 begin! Today will be full of food, family (hopefully all of my boys remember me), relaxing, and maybe even some knitting (I hope I remember how to knit). I'm off to open birthday cards and a special birthday package from my dear cousin before we start our day. Hope you have a lovely day and relax a bit, too!

CHEERS!