Color Too

I love neutrals. I guess I have an understated, somewhat quiet personality. But one can't fade completely into the woodwork and I abhor monotony. So I generally wear a pop of color somewhere and I knit colors too. Above are a couple of samples in flame stitch  .... I love the classic little granny square as well. Wouldn't the Zigzag Scarf  be pretty in Kid Silk Haze? The afghan would be a very lengthy project but you can find this pattern for free from Rowan. .... So for all you sassy bold types .... we love you too. And have a lovely day.

Working With Wool

I recently purchased this book of wonderful photos and history of the West Coast Salish Knitting tradition. I was disappointed that no patterns were included in the book, but you can go online to find some authentic items knitted by Coast Salish Indians at West Saanich Woolworks. I especially liked the items pictured above and have purchase some roving wool (Lions Alpine Wool or Tahki Montana) to design my own.

Hello Dolly

This little red sweater pattern was adapted from Knitsimple's Doll Cardigan fall 2011 issue. The same pattern can be adapted to a child and woman's size. I made the little dress from Liberty of London fabric. I have kept myself busy with little projects like these while waiting for my daughter Samira. It only took me 9 months to have a baby, it has been 18 months waiting for a finalized adoption proceeding. 

Irish & Linen Stitch

1. I have had this pattern for awhile and it is looking like time to start on it. I am still collecting some koigu yarn ... enough for three separate scarves. One in green, another in blue and also plum. The scarf is worked entirely in a linen stitch and can be knitted from almost any stash of odds and ends. You can find this pattern at Churchmouse Yarns & Teas.   Oh and Happy St. Patty's .... I've shamrocks in the window and on the table and I have been planning my;

St. Patrick's Day Menu 

Guinness,

Chicken Sausage

Scalloped Potatoes & Spring Peas

Irish Soda Bread 

  Irish Coffee &  Oatmeal Cookies

The Irish Soda Bread Recipe came from a very dear little Irish Grammie who makes the bread for the Irish festival at the Hagley Museum every year.

Irish Soda Bread

3 c. flour

2/3 c. sugar

1 t. salt

2 T melted butter

2 eggs

1 T. baking powder

1 t. baking soda

1 1/2 c. raisins ( I like golden)

1 3/4 c. buttermilk

1 T. caraway seed (opt.)

Sift all dry ingredients. Stir in raisins and caraway seed. Combine beaten eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter. Add to the dry ingredients and mix with a fork till just moist. Don't over stir. Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Remove from pan immediately.

Simple

I've begun a blankie in the moss stitch. The wool is Rowan purelife (13 circular needles). I plan to toss over my favorite chair so I can snuggle. It is also a simple break from trying to figure out more complicated patterns.

Knitting & Upcycle

I do not only knit for myself. The above items are part of my nesting projects for Samira and perhaps some other children. I knitted and felted the hats (a free online pattern) to match some upcycled gloves on etsy from Felt Sew Good. The gloves, as shown to the right, are my own first attempt ... the little grey pair with the wayward thumbs. I did make about three more pairs, from thrift store sweaters, which turned out much better. I cannot show them because they all went under the Christmas Tree .... I may try to make a couple more, in the near future, as I promised my mother a set.

Basketweave Cowl

Done and finished this lengthy but lovely project. Above, with my cowl, are some pretty, little, recycled mittens from Felt Sew Good on etsy. Allthough they match so nicely, I am tempted to knit a set of mittens in the very same basketweave design. I did find a helpful site online, where you can graph and print a digital design for fair isle knitting or other motif. And so I am in the process of designing my set of mittens on Tricksy Knitter. You can find a link under my list of blogs and tutorials. My Basketweave Cowl is made from a Danish 100% wool from Kauni. My project required 2 skeins (150 g. each) with some left over for the mittens.

Norwegian Christmas Socks

So here are the Norwegian Christmas Stockings or "little red socks" I have been promising to blog to you about, dear reader. They are knit on #2 circular needles and double points.

As you can see I am stopped conveniently at the heel, awaiting the stamina to figure out the next step. I have a pretty good idea about how to proceed and may be able to show you at least one finished sock very soon. I have hung up the idea of making a set of Christmas Stockings for a pair of socks. These will be for just two little feet .... mine.

Kiss Me

Sam models one of my latest additions to Cotton Ginnie Studio, the Aran Sweater. It is a vintage find. Sam is a long time friend and team mate with Jon from WCS. And yes, he's Irish too.

The mittens were an emergency effort for my son Caelen who has his studio in the top floor of his urban row house. It gets very cold up there. Since I got one of his paintings for Christmas I responded with a pair of very masculine fingerless mitts so he will be encouraged to paint some more. Caelen and his wife feel very connected to their Scotch Irish roots but I had to remind him that he is nearly 1/2 french from his mum's side of the family.

Happiness Is ...

Returning to finish some of my pre Christmas efforts. I'm trying to finish projects in an orderly fashion but the Double Irish Chain is calling my name .... along with the little red socks .... Jon and Ashley get happy.

Finished & In Process

Above are a couple of vests I have finished. The blue and gold are in the UD colors. Above you see the beginnings of the Basket Weave Scarf. I have also finished a couple of extra Boater Scarves.

Knit Picks

Here are some patterns I would love to try! The Drops Design Patterns are available online under free patterns at Nordic Knits. There are so many free patterns I have only just begun to look through them in my spare time! I did purchase the glove pattern from Noble Knits because it compliments a free cable knit hat pattern that I have in my file. So many projects ... so little time. I have just completed a baby vest done in University of Delaware colors. And I've started a lovely intricate basket weave scarf (another free pattern). I seem to gravitate to these complicated projects .... proof that I do enjoy the process over quick sale .... somewhere there has to be a happy medium.

The Boater Scarf

I am loving this scarf! Spring is still a little chilly here in Delaware. You can find this great scarf (for men or women) with more details in my Cotton Ginnie Studio by me ... hair by Ashley (Hoard) 302-453-1113.

The Tweedy Hat

The Tweedy Hat is one of my latest projects. It is a new feature in my shop. I should probably come up with some patterns that I can whip out that would be cost effective but I do love Fair Isle type knitting. This is a herringbone pattern .... I love it. I do hope to have some little sweaters and mitts to go with but my model is growing up so fast someone else in the family may need to have a baby soon!