Shop News: Miss Sailorette Series

I have finally put my heavy winter accessories away but there are still those days when I wish I had lighter gloves to keep my hands warm. For this Spring transition, I have created the Miss Sailorette Series for my Etsy shop The Sparkling Cocktail. 

Made in a soft Merino wool the open work lace pattern is perfect for the transitional seasons. Ribbing on the top and bottom keeps them snuggly and there is a side opening for the thumbs. Decorating each wrist is a pretty anchor button sewn with red thread. 

Miss Sailorette is available in: 

Red

Marine Blue

Sail White

My Projects: Gray Day Scarf

I finally have photos of this open work scarf I finished about a month ago. It's perfect for these brisk days in March where it feels like it's warming up yet the chill still gets to your bones. 

I call it Gray Day Scarf.

We went for a walk along New York Harbor. The sun was trying to come out yet winter is not ready to let go.

Made from a an easy open work pattern on large needles, this scarf is a quick knit. I used two strands of bulky yarn in two shades of heather gray. 

The pattern is from the same designer as my Asphalt Infinity Cowl I finished not that long ago.

Pattern: Misti Net Scarf from Knit1LA. This pattern is free and easy! 

Yarn: Knit Picks Biggo in Dove Heather and Cobblestone Heather. One skein of each. 50% Merino and 50% Nylon. Super soft!

Needle: Size 19. 

Verdict: Love Knit1LA's patterns! Large knits that are easy, fast, and stylish. Also love the fringe! Will remake in other colors. Also great for quick last minute gifts. 

My Projects: Asphalt Infinity Cowl

I recently finished this super snuggly cowl. I call it the Asphalt Infinity Cowl. 

Last weekend I wore it out for a wintry walk through the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, a place I love to go to get away from the city noise and asphalt! The snow filled garden and covered pond was beautiful. 

Despite the open work, this cowl is warm! 

Pattern: The Openwork Infinity Scarf from Knit 1 LA. Super easy and super quick! One long scarf seemed together to create a loop. This is a free pattern available here.

Needles: Size 19. Big! Wish I had used straight needles to be honest. It was difficult to bring the loops back onto the actual needle. 

Yarn: Knit Picks Biggo in Asphalt Heather. I used two skeins held together. This yarn is super soft and is made up of merino wool and nylon. 

Verdict: I would make more of these in a heart beat and certainly want to test it out with different yarns and colors. It's great to have a quick project on hand when working on a longer more involved one. Also, who doesn't love snuggly scarves when it's 20 degrees outside?  This one is a winner! 

On My Wish List: Yarns & Patterns

It's the time of year when we start compiling shopping lists and wish lists. I have to say, I can't seem to get enough yarn. I keep stockpiling new yarns in new textures and colors and my project queue has increased in size dramatically in the past year. Well, that doesn't mean I can't keep dreaming of more yarn and projects! Here's a couple yarns from my Halcyon (a wonderful yarn store in my home state of Maine) wish list and the pattern I would use them for. You can see my full Halcyon wish list here.

This is Cascade Eco Duo. It comes in glorious two tone colors and is made up of Baby Alpaca and Merino wool. I've been super curious to see how this will knit up! 

I'd like to try the Cascade with the lovely Big Herringbone Cowl from Purl Soho. I'm not sure if I'd use the contrast two-tone yarn shown above or a more tone on tone coloration. Either way, I'm sure I will love it! This pattern is also free! 

This yarn is Plymouth DeAire Merino. It's a super bulky weight which will make it a quick knit or crochet plus it's super soft. I love the cream color but it is also available in several vibrant colors. 

I've recently just discovered the Crochet Brioche Sweater from Karen Clements and am in love! This would be perfect in the Plymouth DeAire! I've yet to do a bulky weight crochet project, this might have to be the one. I should add a size Q crochet hook to my wish list, too! 

What crafty supplies, patterns, kits, or otherwise are on your wish list this season? 

Images from Ravelry and Halcyon Yarns.

Mid-Week Inspiration: Knit Interior

Pretty cozy! 

via: Giant Knitting

Mid-Week Inspiration: Sophia Knitting

More Sophia inspiration. Love those knit stockings, too! 

Shop News: Tweed Cables Series

I have a new handmade series in my Etsy shop, The Sparkling Cocktail! Tweed Cables is a series of a hand knit cabled fingerless gloves in a soft wool tweed in four different heather gray colors. I love the intricate cable pattern on these and the right and left hand mirror each other. The palm side is a flat knit. Ribbing makes up the top, bottom, and thumb. These are really warm, enjoy!

Storm Gray Heather

Charcoal Heather

Oatmeal Heather

Graphite Heather

Mid-Week Inspiration: The Sweaters of Volver

Volver, an amazing film by Almodovar, was released in 2006. But it wasn't until last week when we rented it from Netflix that I finally saw it. Not only is the film great, but the fashion is as well. In true Almodovar style the colors are bright and there are several prints. If I saw this film when it came out, I would have loved the fashion as much as I do now, but since I wasn't a knitter then, I wouldn't have been nearly as inspired by the wonderful sweaters in the film. Or at least not inspired to want to make them!

This bright leafy green one was my favorite. Several of the sweaters in this film are lacey open work, so truly I am wanting to get my hands on the patterns!

It's a dark scene in the film when Penelope Cruz's character Raimunda is wearing this red one. I found myself studying the stitches!

Gingham! Need I say more? 

And another textured knit, this time a set! 

Have any films inspired your knitting? 

My Projects: Mid-Week WIP's

I don't have as much time as I would like to work on my sewing and knitting projects. Mostly weekends and even those can be limited. So here is a mid-week look at my WIP's.

Queen of Hearts Bikini: I am knitting a bikini for a friend! This pattern is from the first Stitch N Bitch book. I bought that book when I decided to learn how to knit. My friend shrieked with delight when she saw the photo for this pattern and wanted me to make one for her. Well, I finally am! This is my first color work project and I have already completed one heart! The yarn is Cascade Yarns Fixation Solids which is a cotton lycra blend. Perfect for a skimpy bikini. My friend just moved to LA, so this will be perfect for her! 

Tweed Fog: This is one of a pair of fingerless gloves with a glorious cable pattern going down the front. These have been a great exercise for me. Not only am I practicing my cables but I also learned how to knit with the magic loop circular method. It's great, especially since I hate working with double pointed needles.  The yarn is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Tweed in Wellies Heather that I had leftover in my stash. I'm really loving these gloves and I can't wait to show you the finished product!

My Projects: Miss Sailorette

Sometimes an unexpected trim can make a project change personality. Or at least lend itself to a new name. While in progress, these were simply called Red Lace Fingerless Gloves. Now I introduce to you Miss Sailorette!

While trim shopping last week, I fell in love with these anchor buttons and thought they would be perfect for these gloves. These gloves are lightweight enough for spring and really add some life and color after a grey and cold winter.

This is also a great pattern to learn or practice lace stitching. You could almost replace that stitch with any other to create your own version!

What do you think? What other colors would you like? 

For pattern and yarn information visit my Ravelry or Craftsy page. 

My Projects: Red Lacy Fingerless Gloves

Currently on my needles are these really fun lacy openwork fingerless gloves! I've been focusing on doing lighter knits with some lace stitches. I started working on a lace shawl, my first in fact.  I don't have any photos of that project yet because I have had to frog it several times and start over. New stitches with a fine sock yarn can test your patience! 

So, I started knitting these gloves. They incorporate some of the same stitches as the lace shawl, but in a DK weight and larger needles. I am loving how they are turning out and they are a lot easier than I thought they would be! 

Right now, they look like mini sweaters! 

Click here for the pattern. They yarn I am using is Knit Picks Swish DK in Serrano. 

My View: Winter Hats

Winter is coming to an end! Finally! The past few months have been about hibernation and bundling up to go outside. I've been busy knitting warm hats or enjoying putting some vintage ones into rotation. This was a season where need overshadowed fashion, but hopefully we pulled off both! 

Here's a sampling of just a few of the hats from this Winter that were put to the test:

It was a sunny day, but freezing! Here I am sporting my Maple Leaf Turban. This hat is really warm, and with my Mother's brooch I could channel my Canadian ancestry to keep warm!  

 I bought this vintage 1960's fur hat in Memphis last Summer. I always find the best vintage winter wear in warm climates! I love this hat, it's very chic and stylish. I am actually looking forward to wearing this with a late Fall or early Spring ensemble. This hat is very warm but does not cover the ears which is crucial during freezing temps. 

This one I knitted up for my husband with the Peace Fleece I purchased in Maine last Fall. Blue is his color! If you're looking for a simple watch cap or Jacques Cousteau style pattern, this is the one. 

What was your "go to" hat this Winter to keep the chill away?

 All of these photos were first shown on my Instagram feed. If you want to keep the "insta" in Instagram follow me @bobbinbombshell.

My Projects: Maple Leaf Turban and Super Speedy Cabled Cowl

I have finished the Maple Leaf Turban! This is such a great and easy pattern to make!

I also had enough yarn left over to knit up a cabled cowl. This was my first cable project and I am thrilled with how easy it is. 

Quick and easy- and super warm! These look great together as a pair!

The turban is a series of knit and purl rows that are "wound" together in the front. I gathered an extra row of knitting to give it a stronger turban look. 

I had been looking for a place to use my Mother's 1960's Maple Leaf pin. I really love it here! Quite fitting. 

This cowl knitted up super fast, hence the name. It's also super cozy.

My first cables! I didn't realize they would be so easy. I'm ready to tackle another cabled project!

Yarn and pattern information can be found at these links:

Maple Leaf Turban

Super Speedy Cabled Cowl

My Projects: Maple Leaf Turban

I have a new knitting project on the needles!  You may remember the Mid-Week Inspiration last week on Turbans, well let's just say I was inspired to make one of my own. 

I've long been a fan of Diane Serviss' work and her Etsy shop Pixiebell. I bought the digital download of this lovely turban pattern from her shop. Finally, I am trying my hand on one of her patterns!

I am using the super soft Cascade Yarns Magnum in color Koala Bear. This is the first time I have used a super bulky yarn. Needles- size 13.

Here's the start of it! So far so good. I'm going to attach a maple leaf brooch that belonged to my Mother to it. Winter fabulous! 

More information can be found on my Ravelry page. 

My Projects: Seed Stitch Scarf

Well, you may remember from this post that this scarf was to be a Christmas gift for my husband. I didn't finish it in time, but it is now finally done! How handsome is he modeling it? 

It's pretty basic but for some reason, knitting scarves take me forever. I am much faster at crochet. For this scarf, cast on 32 stitches and knit, purl, knit purl until you reach your desired length. The texture is really wonderful!

I used Cascade Ecological which comes in large skeins of 478 yards! When the ball was wound I couldn't believe how big it turned out. I used every bit of it. No wonder this scarf took forever. It finished over 6 feet long!

Here is a detail of the seed stitch as posted previously. You can view more details on my ravelry page. This scarf is super warm and my husband loves it!  

Mid-Week Inspiration: Chanel Fall 2013

I love this ad campaign from Chanel! I think you have to be knitting to float in space. 

Isn't it adorable?


For more inspiration, any day of the week, follow me on Pinterest.  

My Projects: Knitted Gifts!

The Holidays are coming! Do you make your gifts or do you join in the shopping frenzy?

I like to do a little of both, especially if that means I can practice my knitting! 

This is a simple one but I'm enjoying it.  I'm knitting a seed stitch scarf for my husband. It's something that would take a day for an experienced knitter. For me, I'm happy to get a couple of rows done after working a long day before my eyes get too sleepy. I'm hoping to have this done and a hat (ambitious!) in time for Christmas. I will keep you posted! The yarn is Cascade Ecological and it's a dream to knit! My husband loves that it's un-dyed and natural.  See more info on my Ravelry page. 

This cutie knitted up real quick and is for a dear friend of mine. She's about to give birth any day now!! I call this the Pea Pod U-Cord Hat and it's super newborn size so I've got to get it to her quick! These hats are fun to make and adorable. You may remember these similar versions I made earlier this year. I used Bernat's Cottontots Solid yarn and it's soft, perfect for a baby. For more yarn and pattern info check my Ravelry page.

What are working on? Will you get your gift projects done in time?