WIP: Squishy Mittens!

This mittens project is currently in progress, and I'm looking for people interested in test knitting it.  The pattern is ready for testing!  I am being sponsored by the squishiest yummiest organic yarn yet.  If you'd like to learn more about my yarn sponsor, Rosy Green Wool, you can check out the website here.  She's a local Munich gal, and totally interested in the welfare of the sheep and the process of making yarn...

This pair of Squishy Mittens was made with Big Merino Hug in color Coffee Bean.

If you'd like to test-knit this pattern, check out our testing group on Ravelry here for details.

Yarn eye-candy...

Knit: Orange Blossom Camisole

Just published yesterday, my design "Orange Blossom Camisole" is now public.  It was published by the European Fiber Network who is developing a calendar (spelled "KALendar") so people can knit along!  On Ravelry, you can find it here.

This pattern was inspired by the orange blossoms of my hometown, Miami.  I interpreted the blossoms into a lace motif with a nupp at the center.  Dare I say a bobble/nupp tutorial is heading our way?

Block of the Month: August

This month is my birthday month, and so far it's been non-stop work and only a few pieces of cake.  no, that's an exaggeration.  It's been good news for my portfolio, but it makes sewing time and hobby time a premium.  So, when I had time during these past few weeks, I cut the pieces for this month's squares.  Then, finally, I had time this afternoon to put them together.

The theme for the month of August was stars...

Ohio Star Block

Double Star Block

P.S. If you do plan on making these blocks, especially with the double star block, make sure it's really a scant 1/4" throughout.  My block came out a bit under in length on one of the sides.  I was "in the zone" whilst sewing and lost track of the "scantness" in my 1/4" measuring.  I'll mark it on the throat plate next time.

Twist Collective: Illustration!

The latest Twist Collective went live and so did two of my illustrations!
These illustrations accompany a story about the origins of silk written/adapted by Daryl Brower, you can read it here if you'd like.

I took a screen shot for you all in case you're not already following Twist.

The illustrations were part digital, part watercolor, part ink on transparency.  And, lots of fun to put together!

Garden Goodies

I was off to a late start planting my anemone corms/bulbs.  When they all got root rot, I thought they were goners even after replanting them all with more sand mixed in the soil.  So, I was really pleased to see that even through my follies I have one bloom!  Also, I'm glad I took a photo when I did because later that day (yesterday) there was an insane hail storm that tore the flower up.  Poor thing.

Anemone "Mr Fokker"

The latest drama in the balcony garden flower boxes...
I had to replant all the anemone corms to stave off rot because I didn't mix in enough sand for drainage.  Then as soon as the anemones started sprouting healthy shoots, a gang of entrepreneurial ants started using my oxalis plant as an aphid farm.  Then a spider set up shop between and above the flower boxes and likely ate my little ladybug larvae that I bought to stave off the aphid farm.  Or maybe it was the crazy grasshopper chewing on my pepper plants and then shedding its exoskeleton on my gladiolas--maybe he ate my aphid-eating ladybug larvae!  Gardening drama is so much fun.

Oxalis "Iron Cross"

In pepper news, the pepper plants I picked up from a generous dude who had too many are doing really well.  I have tons of green chiles and jalapeños.  I think I may leave some jalapeños on the plant and see if they turn red... I usually don't have enough patience to wait for true maturation.

Plentiful Jalapeño peppers