1Year Today!

It is my blog anniversary! Yes, I can hardly believe it has been one whole year since I started blogging.

I have learned so much. I have made really wonderful friends that I treasure deeply. :)

i have knitted things in the past year that I previously thought impossible thanks to my friends who inspire and show me the way when I've dropped a row (or two). Now I don't fear new stitches or patterns; I invite them in. I love to try new things and feel new yarns in my fingers making different stitches.

Another thing I have always wanted to do I finally worked into my schedule; going to my LYS once a week to sit with other knitters and just enjoy the community that comes with crafting.

Speaking of community; I made sure to include charity giving in my crafting. For to me giving back is as important as breathing. I even ran a charity for orphans in the Fall.

Speaking of running things; our home store Vixenpath made its official debut at Spring Fling and it was so much fun we went back for Fall Fest. My DH learned to make chain-mail and he has some of the most beautiful jewelry I have ever seen IMHO.

What a wonderful year! And thanks you to you just for looking!

Bright blessings,

Happy Crafting,

Ruinwen
:)

Branching Out Scarf

ETA:  photo lost - this yarn was very purple with dark accents

I've been wanting to try Knitty's Branching Out Scarf for a while now but I've been working on so many other things. I wanted to do it for the Olympics but I just wasn't sure I could get it done in time. But I cast on anyway and here is what I got done while watching it snow today.

It is a 10-row repeat pattern and this isn't the best picture but I am enjoying this project immensely.

The yarn I'm using is Cascade Peruvian wool and it has a lovely blue sheen that really makes it shine. This was really a test to see if I could make this scarf and it really was no problem. After I finish it I will make another one in my long-forgotten handspun angora that my sister gave me last year for my birthday. I think it will really show off the lacy pattern.

I'm pretty excited! I also have two more balls to wind of merino and I will finally begin my heart shawl! I looked over the pattern today and there is nothing in there I haven't done before...only 52 rows repeated 12 times. LOL Okay so it will be October before I can wear it...but I will get it done this year...Goddess willing. :)

Be safe where ever you are in blog land and happy crafting.

Ruinwen
:)

Mike's Feather and Fan Blanket

I love this pattern! It is so much fun! I have never knitted feather and fan before but I really like it! The merino I am using is so beautiful that it is really a joy to knit.

Can you tell I'm really happy about this baby blanket? LOL

Happy crafting everyone!

Ruinwen
:)

Mike's Baby Blanket

ETA: Lost this photo. The yarn for this looked like a Victorian garden with sunshine.

How I loved casting it on and knitting a few rows just to let the merino wash away the stress from my last project.

I love the feel of merino. It slides on my addis and I find myself lost in the simple rhythm of its beauty. I feel like I am soaking in a hot tub of bubbles and I find myself totally refreshed. Ahhhhhh! :)

I love this yarn! It is so beautifully hand-painted. This is a new pattern for me and I am excited to try feather and fan for the first time! :)

Happy crafting!

Ruinwen
:)

The Baby Blanket From He-double Toothpicks

ETA: Another photo lost.

 Never has a project vexed me more than this blanket. Normally a blanket takes me a week to make; this took 2 months I'm ashamed to say.

What did I learn? If you make a mistake and you know that you need to fix it - don't hesitate! If you are talking on the phone while knitting; don't let the yarn drop off your needles. And finally, don't let the yarn win.

As you can see the blanket didn't even want to pose for its debut. The colors are dull compared to what they truly are and it would not come into focus no matter what I did.

But it is done and in the mail tomorrow! :)