Let's Get Cozy

Even though the sun is shinning bright today in my neck of the woods, I will not be deceived by the current warm weather. I know this is Fall which means Winter is right around the corner.

It's time to figure out where you put your boots from last winter. Time to plug up the electric blanket to make sure it works before the first frost. Time to pull out the long underwear and break open that box marked, "Winter Clothes".

If you are anything like me, you can never have too many sweaters. And the approaching cold front is as good of an excuse as any to add another one to your collection.

Marc Jacobs is keeping with the classics this winter with a cute little Aran sweater.

Marc Jacobs Cable Knit Sweater

Debbie Bliss got you covered with this Aran pullover.

Aran Sweater by Debbie Bliss

Feeling the need for a little fur? Well Thakoon gives us a new take on the wooly look with this number.

Thakoon Striped Kalgan Lamb Sweater

I know what you bought last summer? Don't be ashamed. We've all done it. While pulling out the winter gear you most likely came across it. Instead of stuffing that bag of fun fur and eyelash yarn in the back of your closet again why not pull it out to for this little number.

Fluffy Sweater by Rebecca Design Team

In the mood for something more subtle this winter? Have no fear. Leave it to Fendi to remind us of the joys of having a really good chunky cardigan that you can through on with just about everything.

Chunky Knit Alpaca Cardigan by Fendi

You can toss this baby on whether you are stepping out to work or just stepping out to grab the mail.

Long Cardigan by Bernat Design Team

Considering just how much a shake and shiver during the winter, I'm thinking of knitting this thicker cardigan that makes me feel warm just looking at it.

Chunky Cardigan by Bernat Design Team

So, what is your must-have fashion staple for this winter?

Hello? Is this thing On?

Wow, long time no see. Well, I would like to tell you that I've been working on some fantastic knitting book or traveling the country teaching knitting classes, but nope, nothing cool like that ever happened. Instead, my life has been filled with the ups and downs of just getting through life. You know, sometimes life just gets in the way of blogging about life.

So, have I been doing any knitting while I've been away? Unless you count the little blankets I've been knitting for princess' ever growing Barbie collect, really not much.

Somewhere along the lines I got hooked on needle tatting and really haven't had a reason to pick of the needles again. Until now.

With so many of my friends breeding like rabbits these days, I've gotten the itch to knit baby items. I am currently working on a sweater from the book Special Knits by Debbie Bliss.

Wait, what about the sock knitting you ask? I haven't been inspired to produce anymore socks lately. I think my sock knitting muse has left me for good. I think my refusal to make Lady Gaga- inspired socks was what finally did it.  Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

So, now what will I be talking about on my blog? Not sure, but whatever it is, I'm sure it will be fun and involve yarn.

Right now you can catch me musing about my tatting at simplyjoi.blogspot.com.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="299"] Special Knits by Debbie Bliss[/caption]

 

Swatching for Fun

I know the title of this blog sounds strange, but it's true. I knitted up a swatch just for fun!

I've been drawn to the pocket design on the tweed jacket featured in the Fall/Winter 2010 issue of Debbie Bliss knitting magazine. (Don't ask me why. I stopped questioning my own logic and thought process a long time ago.) So, I stash dived until I found some leftover yarns that I could use to knit up my own little version.

As you can tell, I went my own direction with the colors used and I really like the way it turned out. I'm thinking it would look even better with a brighter punk-rock-pink instead of the dusty rose pink that I used.

Naturally, as I was knitting this I thought of how I could translate this pattern for a sock design. Hmmmm. . .

Some Girls Like Chocolates, Others Like. . .

Some girls just drool over a box of chocolates. They savor every bite and keep their stash well hidden from others so that they can keep their guilty pleasure all to themselves. Well, omit the word 'chocolate' and replace it with the words, 'knitting magazine', and you got a pretty good idea of how I feel when I get a new magazine.

This knitting magazine by Debbie Bliss is my current box of chocolate. At $7.99 an issue it is truely a guilty pleasure for me. I've read the magazine about five times already and I still can't get enough of it! If there is still a copy avalible at your local book store, then buy it. You will not be disappointed.