Masterpiece: My Hitofude Cardigan

One of my goals this year, as you may have read from yesterday's post is to love my wardrobe. Part of that is to increase the lightweight handknit work appropriate cardigans. My work is pretty loose with what we can wear but I'd like to put more effort into looking nice. Don't get me wrong...there will be days I will still go to work in jeans, flip-flops, and a t-shirt but you get the idea. The first one of these cardigans I already had been knitting...and now it's complete! yay!! 
Project details
Ravelry Project link
Pattern: Hitofude Cardigan by Hiroko Fukatsu
Yarn: The Fiber Seed Sprout Solids in Elephant
Cast on: September 13th, 2014
Finished: January 4th, 2015
Notes: When I first saw this cardigan, I wasn't sure how it would look on my body frame.  I loved it but just couldn't visualize it.  A friend in my knit group happened to finish hers so I asked if I could try it on and instantly fell in love with it!  It fit nicely and I thought would be a great addition to my wardrobe.

The pattern is all knit in one stroke or strand of yarn...so essentially no seaming.  I liked that idea.  The cast on is a bit confusing but you really just have to trust the pattern and it works out.  Same goes for when you are doing the sleeve join.  I read through the pattern completely but I just couldn't see what I was expected to do until I was actually doing that step.  In the end it worked and I'm so happy I knit this up!  I might make another one but using a yarn that has silk in it as I think this will drape nicely!

Happy Knitting!

Where to begin...we'll start with 10.

Where do you being when you have been on a 6 month hiatus from your blog?  How do you get back to posting on your blog when there is just so much to say?  These are the questions that have gone through my mind over and over again the last couple months.  I haven't forgotten this space I've called home for OVER 7 years!  I've often thought about moving on and starting a new blog or finding a new theme or or or...but I keep coming back to I've been blogging here at Barknknit since I started blogging and I just can't let it go yet.

For my first post back since January, I'm going to just recap the past 6 months.  So, here are 10 important things that have happened in the Barknknit family the last 6 months:

1. My girls are both 6 months older and when it comes to little kids that is a LONG time!  Both are now going to the same preschool and are learning new things so quickly.  I feel if you look at them long enough, you can actually see them growing before your very eyes! hehe! JK.

2. Special K and I went on our first weekend away without the kids!...I may actually write an entire post about this one but for now I'll just share that it was so good for everyone.  I'm glad that Special K and I got to spend some quality time being a couple and enjoying what makes us us.  This was also the first vacation in 6 years that did not involve visiting family so there is that...

3.  Maria learned to walk(at 10 months just like her sister)...this changes the game but it's so exciting!  Again...she's just growing up too quickly!

4. My father came to visit from Panama...He spent 3 weeks with my family here and we spent most this time celebrating his 80th birthday!  The girls enjoyed every minute with him here and we miss him so much.  Looking forward to his visit this winter.

5. Carmen had her 2nd ballet recital...this one was tap and while she had a little bit of a meltdown when she saw us watching her, she did great!

6. Maria turned 1!  I can't believe the year went by so fast!  She is such a smart, happy, and loving toddler.  She talks a lot and is always trying to do what her sister is doing.  She's also my climber but I know this and do what I can to prevent major falls.  She is such a blessing.

7. Grandma Shari came to visit...Special K's mom came for a weekend visit and we had so much fun!  The girls enjoyed having her here and we all went to a Rays game...along with so much more!

8. Promotion at work into management...I was promoted earlier this year at work into a  management role.  This has been exciting/stressful and my first time managing a team of at first 20+ but thankfully now my team is 9-10 people.  I've learned so much already and learning more every day!

9. Podcasting again...yes, I've starting podcasting again!  I'm so so excited about this.  My friend Alicia and I started a new podcast Mastering the Knits!  We talk about our journey through the Master Knitter Program, beginning with the Hand Knitting Level 1.  We also talk about our life, crafting, and more.  It's been so fun and we are so happy we've had such great feedback from our listeners!

10. There has been knitting and spinning...oh has there been so much knitting in the last 6 months!  I'll have to dedicate a couple posts to update you all on all that I've finished!  Here is a snapshot of one of my finished objects...a hat for my dad modeled by Carmen.

Hope you enjoyed this list!  I look forward to talking to you all more!

Happy Catching up!

What have you all been up to in the past 6 months?  Please comment and say hello!

Knitting: Pretty in Pink

I am SO very excited to share these pictures with you!  This weekend was the Fiber Arts Show at the gallery up in OH!  My friend was able to pick up the wedding shawl I knit for my SIL for the show!  While she had it, she took some amazing pictures for me of it!  I never got a chance to get good ones so I'm excited to share these with you! If you look at the close up shot, you can see the beads in the edging.  I love how subtle they are!

This shawl was knit using Juniper Moon Farm Findley in Pink and the pattern is the Haruni Shawl by Emily Ross.  I love this pattern and the yarn...can I just say the 50/50 merino/silk has a lovely ply and is delightful to knit with!!  I want more of this in my stash!! I really love how delicate this piece came out!  It's nice and light and flowy, which is exactly how I had envisioned it.  If only I was more confident of my skills for my wedding shawl, but my wedding shawl was the first lace item I ever knit!

The show this weekend went great!  I am so bummed I couldn't be there but glad it was a success! I didn't sell any of the items that were for sale but Lish said that I could have sold the wedding shawls and Spectra a couple times over. :)  I just couldn't part with them!  She also said that the Calligraphy Cardigan out of my hand spun was a topic of conversation on several occasions and several people asked how much it would sell for.  I couldn't even put a price on it as it's just my favorite item I have ever created!  I had Lish keep all the items I knit for sale in the shop and hope to knit up some more to send her before the holidays!  Here are some pictures of my stuff on display!

The shawls on the right are my SIL and my wedding shawls and then 2 of the items on the left are my handknits.

The Maroon Cardigan and scarf up front are my hand knits.

Hope you enjoyed the round up of all things knit.  I have some fun posts coming this week but I just haven't had time with all the unpacking and cleaning to get the pictures I want for them!  I will try tonight!

Happy Knitting!!!!

Shalom Redux completed and Spinning, Spinning, Spinning!

he weekend has gone by fast!  Since I posted yesterday, I spent Saturday evening knitting the Shalom Cardigan, spinning, and watching Trueblood with my friend Catie.  We had a great time!  I was able to finish the Shalom Cardigan by Meghan McFarlane, weave in the ends and sew on the buttons!  And for those of you keeping track, it was knit in 7 days!! I beat my goal of knitting it within 14 days!  YAY!  It came out so much better this time. I think it fits great and doesn't bunch in the yoke.  It is now blocking and will soon be worn at work in the arctic called my office.

Shalom Cardigan completed

After I finished the cardigan, I pulled out the spinning wheel and continued spinning the merino.  I'm making good progress and today I finished the first of four bobbins.

Merino bobbin completed

This morning I was up early!!  Special K went golfing with his dad at 8 so he was up early.  I was hoping to sleep in today but I couldn't get back to bed after he got up at 7:15 so I just stayed up.  I had coffee and a scone and started recording the podcast.  I was having difficulty recording and my friend called to see if I wanted a bagel, so I took a break. :)  After I got back from my bagel break, I finished recording the podcast before Special K got home for the family fantasy football draft.  I went over to my sister's house and took my wheel to watch the chaos over there while they drafted.  That was where I finally finished the first bobbin.

Spinning at Tammy's

The draft was entertaining...:)  Afterwords, I came back home, edited and posted the podcast and now plan to go back to spinning. Have I mentioned lately that I'm really enjoying spinning?

Well, I hope you all had a great weekend.  I'm off to spin!

Happy Knitting, Spinning, and Podcasting!

Knitting, knitting, and doggies!!

There has been lots of knitting!  For a couple weeks, I stopped knitting because my brain was fried!  I was working on the Moonfleet Shawl and i messed up.  After the mess up...my brain just couldn't fix it...there it lies waiting for the day I feel like tackling the mistake.   In the meantime, I've been knitting simple ribbed or stockinette items.  I started with the Warm Ribbed Winter Hat by Lucy H. Lee.  I grabbed yarn from my stash and knit a hat and a half with some burgundy Malabrigo.  Then my sister bought yarn so I could make her one.  Here's a picture of hers.  It's made in Cascade 220 Superwash.

Tammy's warm hat.

I then realized that hey, babies are being born soon and have been born and I have not knit for them!!  So, I grabbed some other yarn from my stash and started making newborn hats using Easy Peasy Newborn Sock Hat by Keri McKiernan.  So far I've finished two and have another cast on.  The first one I finished for my cousin who had her baby last week.  It's going to be in the mail tomorrow!  Here is my sister's dog Roxy modeling it for us and yes, it has been washed before I send it.

Roxy, my sister's dog in newborn hat

Next, I knit a hat for my friend who is having her baby soon.  This was made in some fun yarn I had leftover in my stash.  I think this one is pretty cute too! I couldn't get my sister's other dog to model for me so I used Abby. :)

Abigail Grace in a newborn hat.

This weekend we increased our dog count to four...just for a week. :)  Two of my sisters and their families and my other niece are on a road trip and we are taking care of Lucky, my sister's schnauzer and Roxy, her Scottie.  They are both really cute and have little attitudes at times.   They had so much fun on Saturday, or it was just too hot on Sunday but this was them laying around the house while I was watching a movie and knitting.

Lucky and Roxy lounging.

And of course since they must be by me lately.

Abby and Jackjack taking up my couch space.

Well, there is a recap of my knitting and some cute doggie pictures!!  I'll be back with more!!  Happy Knitting!!!

Casting on, a swatch, a WIP and some blocking.

Tonight, I dropped of Special K at the airport so he can fly up to Ohio and help his mother move. I'm going to miss him dearly but he'll be back on Sunday so he won't be gone too long. After I dropped him off, I stopped by the book store and actually bought a knitting book. I try not to use up too much stash money on books but sometimes I just can't resist. I bought the Knitalong: Celebrating the Tradition of Knitting Together by Larissa Brown and Martin John Brown. I picked it up because I was looking for one pattern but then started reading some of it and had to buy it! It looks like it's going to be a great read. I'll give it a proper review once I finish reading it.


I picked it up because I've been looking for something to do with all my left over bits of sock yarn. I have small feet so most the time I end up with a ton of left over after knitting my socks up. So, I figured the perfect way to use it would be to make a sock yarn blanket. I've seen others making the Barn Raising Quilt and love how it looks. I was also inspired by Mary Catharine's squares. I cast on tonight at knit group and honestly was NOT happy with the dpns at first but once I got a couple rows in...I was having fun!!
This is my first blanket of any major commitment...so I may need some encouragement in finish it.

For the sweater yarn I'm working on, I knit up a swatch of my hand processed, handspun yarn and let me tell you I LOVE the finished swatch! I really can't wait to finish cleaning the fiber so I can start carding it up and then spinning it...then I get to knit it up!! And after all that I get to WEAR IT! Such a wonderful process. Please remind me I'm so excited about this when I'm spinning 1500 yards of yarn and then knitting it. Ok? Anyway...look at my pretty swatch. :)
I had people pet it and some smelt this at the knit night. Everyone thinks it's very soft and most thought it smelled great...that is thanks to Soak in the Celebration scent. :)

I also have been really trying to finish this Table Runner which is supposed to be a gift so I need it done and blocked soon! So far it's coming out lovely!
Manda came to the knit group and she brought me some blocking boards so as soon as I got home I soaked the shawl and scarf and pinned it up. I've never blocked this way so I'm curious to see how it all comes out.Well...I hope you enjoyed my round up of projects in different stages of the knitting process. :) I definitely have become a non-monogamous knitter. I'm all over the place and never have been more inspired in my life! I'm really enjoying my crafting lately. My spinning mojo is back and I have finishitis and castonitis. :)

Good night everyone and I hope you all have a great Dogs on Thursday tomorrow. I'm off to get some rows in before sleepy time.

I have fallen and I can't get up!

I have fallen in love...(Yes, I'm still in love with Special K and this does not change my love for him)...but I have fallen in love with a spinning wheel and she is called a Suzie. This past week I posted on the Ravelry Florida Spinning board about where I could go to try out a spinning wheel. As of last week I had spun on two wheels, both where Ashfords. One was a single treadle Traditional and the other a double treadle Traveler. I really wanted to try several different kinds.

So, Allison, who works at Uncommon Threads in Palm Harbor, sent me a message and told me that she is teaching a class on saturday and there will be wheels there and that I could try hers. So, I spoke to my friend Sheryl and asked her if she wanted to go for the ride. She said OF COURSE!! I called my high school friend who has shown interest in learning to knit and lives up by the store and told her we'd meet her there. She didn't show but oh well. I'll keep trying.

Off we went on Saturday and when we showed up everyone was very nice. It was the first time I met Rosemary, the owner of the shop and she was very sweet and helpful. I waited until noon when they broke for lunch and Allison said I could spin on her Lendrum. For a visual click here. I sat down and had to relearn how to draft since I haven't been using my spindle as much I should be. But I spent 30 minutes getting to know the wheel, which is a double treadle. I liked it. It seems to be easy to use and a good height for my shortness.

After I had been sitting for a bit, Rosemary came over and said I could try out her wheel. She has a Majacraft Suzie, which is also a double treadle. I sat down and started to spin and OH MY was it nice. It seemed to be so much easier to spin on than any wheel I had sat down on. I spent 15 minutes on the wheel and I could have spent hours more. I realized then that I had found my wheel. After I finished trying her wheel and the class resumed I spoke to Rosemary a bit about the wheel and she is a dealer which is great. The wheel was really sweet and again perfect for my size. I left smiling and knowing that some how I was going to have to find a way to get me a Majacraft Suzie. There are three different Suzie's and I would take any of the three. :)

I now am in search for ways to make some extra money to go towards my spinning wheel fund. I have decided that any money I make on crafts will go straight to that fund. I know that right now it's going to be hard to save for a wheel while saving for a wedding. So, I have to categorize where this money is coming from. :) So, I guess I'll be busy for a while! :) You'll just have to check back and see how I decide to make this money!

Hope everyone is well!! I have been knitting on my sweater and am almost done with the second sleeve! I should be done tonight and have pictures for you tomorrow!! Ravelympics is going strong!!!

Happy Knitting, Spinning, and dog walking!!

Catching up!!

This past week has been interesting and I can't believe I haven't written a post in over a week. I think my longest stretch with no post. Well, just to let you know I'm alive and well. I tried to stay away from my computer while on break so I would get out and do more. I spent time at the beach and the pool and enjoyed myself. I knit but not as much as I thought I would.

I did work on my Sock Madness 2 Round 2 socks but didn't make it into round 3. Here's my progress as of the weekend. I've finished both heels and am on the foot. I plan to finish these socks by the end of April. I love the pattern but it's a lot of work. The pattern is called Reversai and it's a reversible sock. The problem with that is there is a TON of purling going on. :) I am enjoying working with the Lorna Laces.
I don't plan to work on anymore of the Sock Madness patterns for now. My next month sock will be the Bellatrix sock from Gigi Silva for the Sock knitters Anonymous group on Ravlery May Sockdown. I already have the yarn picked out and have been waiting to start this pattern. Gigi Silva was the sock designer that passed away in February and she was a wonderful sock designer and started the Socktopia group. She designed the pattern Fawkes that I knit back in November December.

More sock news...I got some sock yarn. My sister Fleas and her family flew out to San Diego to visit my other sister Cris and her husband. I took them to the airport last Tuesday at 4:10 and picked them up late Sunday so she brought me back some gifts. First off was some pretty pretty sock yarn. It's Lana Grossa in this lovely purple. It's soft and beautiful. The other gift not pictured was some wonderful coffee from Panakin. It's one of my favorite coffee places in Encinitas, CA. It's in this old railroad station and they have lovely coffee, tea, and breakfast food. I had my first cup of it this morning and it was delightful.

During my spring break, I spent a lot of time relaxing and doing nothing that I needed to do. I started cleaning one day but only got around to reorganizing my stash. :) I had more yarn that needed to be stashed away so I went to the dollar store and bought more bins and ziploc bagged the yarn. I organized all the bins into sock yarn, scrap yarn, misc yarn, discloth yarn, and fiber. Yes, I have a fiber stash!! Special K thinks it's funny that I call it my stash...he claims it sounds like my drug stash. I have no valid response so if anyone can help me with that one that would be great. hehehe. Here's a picture of my stash....it's not that big....yet. :)
So....my week back at work started and I am tired and not happy I'm back. The only saving grace is that in two weeks I'll be in DC with the 8th graders. I'm excited to go back. Will be my third trip in a year. I went with the class last year and with Special K the week after that. I love the city and all the culture and history we see. I need to plan my travel knitting and make sure what buildings will allow me to bring it and which ones won't.

Well....Monday I got home from work and I was tired and Jack and Abigail were very excited that I was finally home. I went to put my purse and things that were in my hands down...I forgot I had my cup of coffee from the morning that had a little bit of coffee still at the bottom in my hands. I tipped it into my purse and got coffee on everything. It wasn't much but my purse was wet and smelled like coffee. My ipod sock got some on it too so I decided to wash it. Well since I was washing one handmade I figured why not wash all my socks too. So, I got them all out and it was sock washing day! Here's a pictures of them all laid to dry.I still can't believe I've already knit this many socks since I started knitting them last September. My first two pair took me forever. The first pair are for show because the toe didn't hold up and I haven't fixed them. They are all so pretty laying there.

Last night Special K and I went to the home opener at Tropicana...the home of the Rays. I know that they are still the Devil Rays but I swear if you don't notice the Devil Ray on the arm they kind of look like the Sun Rays. :) We had a good time and it was nice to get back to watching some baseball, eating hot dogs, peanuts, and having a cold beer. The Cubbies aren't doing that bad this year. They need to pick it up but they are 4 and 3. We need them to go all the way this year!! Lets go CUBBIES!!

Tonight is knitting night and the plan is to cast on for the Dog Bone Blanket, which I'm doing as a baby blanket for my friend Kelly. There is also a KAL on the Barknknit Podcast Group on Raverly. If you want to join us, please go over and let us know. If you'd like to participate but are not on ravelry, feel free to email me and let me know. :)

Well...hope everyone is well. I'm back and plan to post more and keep you all up to date.

Happy Knitting!!

PS...regular scheduled posts will resume next week.

Christmas Decorations, Dogs on Thursday, and Backyard Fun...

Please keep Sharimom, Special K's mother in your prayers. Her father's funeral was today and I know it's not an easy day for Special K's family. Also..Happy Birthday to Sharimom as well. Her birthday was yesterday.

I promised Sharimom pictures of our house a LONG time ago. So...finally here they are.

Our lights outside.

Our pretty Christmas Tree!! We got a fake tree this year from Special K's boss. I miss the pine scent but I love my tree. The crucifix that is hanging next to the tree was my grandmother's and has been in our family for a long time. She passed it down to my father and I asked him for it and thankfully he gave it to me. I've never been too fond of crucifixes but this one has a lot of meaning.

Dogs on Thursday post is a BIG thank you to my DOT Ornament Swap Pal, Vivian. She did a great job on my package. She sent Jack and Abby toys and treats. This picture was great but notice they won't even look at the treats because they were told to leave it. :) I'm actually pretty proud of both of them for not stealing it early.
I was really proud of these pictures too. They sat there until I was done taking the pictures and then when I said "ok." They looked at me like are you sure and then both separated and chowed down.

Again Thank you so much Vivian....from Jackjack and Abigail.

Last but not least our weekend outdoor fun... our sod....And yes, we laid sod in December....only in Florida can you do that. :) Special K's dad, Coach Dad, promised it should turn green in a week if we water it every day. I've been diligently watering and hoping to come home to green where our sand pit used to be.

Also we have this shed in our backyard that holds our washer and dryer and it must be the oldest shed that was not put together well. The door has been driving Special K and I crazy for months. This weekend Special K, as I was laying the sod, decided to rehang the door and replace the latch so it will stay closed. Kind of a bad picture but the latch totally works and is great!!! GO Special K and his handy work!!!

Well, I hope everyone is having a great holiday season. Today was technically my last day at work but since I'm saving up to pay for the rest of my dress I decided to work extra-care at school for the break so I can make some extra money. That means I'll be back here really early tomorrow to take care of the elementary school kids...and a couple times over the break. I don't mind extra-care on most day so we'll see. I'm going to bring my knitting so I can finish up on my Christmas knits.

Happy Knitting/Dogs on Thursday!!!

PS....Our St. Pete Stitch n Bitch is going great. We had so much fun last night. I organized a small holiday gift exchange and it went well. I'm so glad I started this group and have met such great people!!!

Knitting...actual knitting!!

Ok. Yes, I do realize that this happens to be a knitting blog...hence the knit in Bark n Knit. :) So, I figured I'd have a post with actual knitting in it. Wow...what a concept. :) I have been using knitting needles and creating stuff. First off here's the first project I'm working on. Which is a Christmas present for Surfer Girl. I've had a bit of trouble with this hat. NOT because of the pattern but first off I took it to Wed SnB and had to rip back a couple rows...I was not paying attention. Then for some reason Jack and Abby have discovered my ziploc bags which contain yarn and knitting and have decided to open them up with their teeth and find out what's inside. I spend quite a bit of time yesterday untangling the yarn. Ye.s, they are still alive. :) The pattern is Utopia Hat from Smariek Knits. It's been an easy knit and for my second cable project a fun one.

To update those of you not following along on my ravelry projects. :) Here is the finished Fawkes Sock number 1. I've cast on for the the second one but slow progress.



I also wanted to share with you a Thank you gift from my Dishcloth swap pal Heathir. What's horrible is that I guess I never even noticed that she posted on her blog about my package. I had been checked when I sent it but totally missed it. You have to admit November was a strange month but I'm slacking. Well..if you want to check out the package I sent her, which I'm so glad she liked, go check out her blog. She is also the first person in a swap who sent a Thank you gift. Which by the way is a great idea that I need to think of doing and her gift was even greater. She sent me a needle roll and an awesome keychain sock blocker sock. :) AWESOME!!!

There's some knitting....finally. I have a couple of catch up post to come too.

This weekend we spent a lot of time working on the house and our yard, very little knitting got done. Today Special K's dad showed up with a ton of sod and we laid it in the backyard where all the sand is now. We also went to Home Depot, one of my favorite stores, and bought a new hose, sprinkler, hose nozzle(I LOVE IT) and some fertilizer. I never knew how fun spreading fertilizer with a spreader was either. :) FUN!!!

So...I'm sleepy now and I'm planning on curling up in bed and watching the Iron Chef America's Holiday Dessert battle. OH What fun it is to watch people cook!! If only the TV could let us taste the food too. :)

Have a great night and hope everyone had a good weekend.

Dogs on Thurday!!

First off we are doing a swap for Dogs on Thursdays!! Go over and check it out...Should be fun. I'm helping Paula with it. It's a Dog Ornament Swap.

Ok...these pictures were taken when I was trying to get them together for a picture for my header. They are funny and were not cooperating as well as I'd hoped. Too many squirrels around.

They are just too cute!!

Happy Dogs on Thursday!!

PS. I'm getting picked up in 5 minutes to head to the airport. I'll be in NC for my friends wedding until Monday. I probably won't post but you never know. I have my travel knitting packed and ready to cast on!!