Well over the weekend I got a SURPRISE visit from one of my long time blog friends Shameka!!

She just happened to be in the area and made sure we connected! :o) I was so delighted b/c we have been chit chatting about anything and everything for awhile now. So it is always great to meet someone you've been having an e-friendship with Haha!

Of course we had to go out and eat!! Went to my fav sushi restaurant in the area where she was visiting fam.
Yep had to get some pineapple martinees with the sushi..Hey! It was a Friday night ;o)

I believe I started reading Shameka's blog first and noticed she was in the knit world with other bloggers I followed like Rosi G. and Jeanine...luv them gurls!!! So it was kinda like I was meeting them indirectly too (well in my mind at least! Haha)...Heeeeeey y'all! :oD

We had a great time chit chatting had our tempura mango dessert and then of course we whipped out our knitting (well...I was hookin' it up! Haha)Shameka's sock bug may have bit me so I can see another pair in my future again very soon! ;op
My granny square blankie has been addictive in that it is so mindless that I can't get enough of it. More crochet blankies are definitely in my future.

Shameka gurl thanks for connecting with me while you were in the rainy QC! Hoping you make your way back when we have better weather!!
Really wish you were still here so we could hit the yarn shop! Hopefully next time!!

And another SURPRISE is up as those who read my last blog b-day post in its entirety realized I had a hidden contest! :o)

There was four lucky folks who entered and Heather (check out her Shallowtail) was the name that shuffled out from the Randomizer and won herself some

Congrats!! Be sure to pick out which color you would like to try out for yourself!

Happy that you are willing to explore different types of yarn ;o)

That is all for now,

Make it a great week with purpose!!

Every time I pulled this project out to work on it I always got lots of inquisitive questions about the yarn, what it was made out of, and lots of touches!

Especially on the white steel yarn

Really it is soft! And you are literally knitting with thread which takes every ounce of concentration and patience within you to work on it!

But it was kind of neat to have a conversation starter in my little knit bag! :o)

Needles: I don't think I have ever used this many needles on one tiny/delicate project!

Here is the running list:

US 10
US 8
US 6
US 4
US 3

So I casted on very excited and....even had a mini KAL with some of my knit pals trying to keep each other accountable with weekly status updates and.....

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeell......

It was like birthing a freakin' baby because 9 months later I finally decided to complete the scarf!!! I swear it stayed at 98% completion For-freakin-ever! Haha! ;op

What I learned: I know, that I know, that I know, that I know I have more determination and patience than I ever thought! ;op LOL

You are also truly your own designer!

As you can see I decided to do mine Neapolitan style with three different colors

Reminds me of the ice cream :o) Come on you remember having those three flavors at b-day parties!! How perfect for this since it is my blog b-day! :oD

I doubled the steel and silk together in the first block, then doubled the silk in the middle block, and then on the last block just the steel.

Because there is SO many ways you can make this scarf with different color combos and yarn selection (silk/merino wool = felt/unfelt).
I just luv stalking this project to see all the different ways everyone is making this scarf!!

So there aren't any modifications for this project since you can knit to your heart's desire, but below is how I decided to do it for myself (luckily I took notes on this way back when and stored it on Rav):

CO 68 (US 10) Changed to US 8 and then accidentally did 3 rows of garter. Switched to SS. Did all the decreases per instructions to the 48 stitches. Knitted with both until double the size.
Then switched to only the pure silk doubled (still US8 needles). Decrease that until 38 sts. Added back the steel by itself knitted 2 rows on US8 should have switched to the US6 needles immediately, knitted until I felt like changing to US4 and likewise for the US3s. Knitted the last 3 rows in garter like I did in the beginning. Finished loosely. So this is a buried blog bday treat to see if you are really reading all of this, so you must comment to be entered by letting me know all three items on if you ever tried stainless steel yarn, if you liked it, and if you would knit with it. Then I will do a random selection within one week of this post to announce who got this tricky blog treat. But I am confident there will be more who catch this then I thought would so this will be fun to see who responds back. Because really who goes thru all the modifications.

Verdict: It was like a p.leasusre/t.orture knitting on this scarf as it is soooo beautiful but takes soooo long to get any progress on it with the light weight yarn...le sigh..

But it was all worth it!! It truly is a work of knit art!

I also figured having this project done in time for my blog anniversary made it even better! :o) It is such a great spring accent that keeps you warm!

P.S. Thank you to everyone that wanted to make sure I was feeling okay from a couple of posts ago. My allergies turned into a bad sinus/chest congestion cold and all is getting better now. I normally don't get sick so your well wishes and concern meant a lot to me. Really appreciate you all for checking-in on me. Thank you for being so caring!! :)

So I just had to make a "better" one...

Yep! I made another Buckethead! ;op

I did gift the last one to Apryl who was my "Willingness to Help" Angel during my first buckethead and we did a quick yarn swap too. Thank you for being so helpful to me Apryl!!

~ Project Details ~

Pattern: Solaris' Modified A Better Bucket

Another "Raveler" Solaris modified the original pattern to make it bigger and the brim flare out a little bit more. And I must say it is a wonder what 4 little extra CO stitches will do! ;op

Her revisions did the trick! All pattern mods at the link above in her project notes.

Size: For a bigger head! ;op 22"

Time: Start and finished within 24 hours! Zipped thru it since I didn't have to wrangle over the PCO this time go round.

Got it under the buzzard as my last project for Malabrigo March KALs, but of course will not be the last time you all see Malabrigo from me! ;op

Needles: Harmony US 7 & US 8 - per modified version

Yarn: Malabrigo in Stonechat & Burgundy

Cost: $11

What I learned: That I really am in luv with both of these colors! ;op So it was worth the do-over with the new mods, as it fits better on me!

Modifications: See pattern info link above & my other blog entry.

I also only knitted 6" of body rather than 6.5". Will more than likely grow after blocking.

We also have a Blogversary Winner!!

First let me say how I really enjoyed reading everyone's responses and was delighted about some some readers "de-lurking" for some fiber! LOL

Macoco surprised me and mentioned one of my oldest and my 1st "something that is not a scarf" project - my Bobbilicious! Thanks for digging so far back!! :o)

I really appreciate ALL who took the time to wish me a Happy Blog Anniversary and that continue to keep reading me!!

Each comment made me feel so warm & fuzzy and was a great blog present to me! :o) Thank U!!

And I must give a great big e-hug to Adrienne, Erica B., Mrs. Purls, Turtlegirl and Patrice because all of them have been there supporting me since Day #1 when my blog doors open!! YAH!!

Thank You Ladies!!

Okay! So there can only be just 1 Winner for my blog anniversary contest! :o)

Someone will can get 3 skeins of Malabrigo! 2 of their choice and 1 selection by CrimsonPurl.

Results were generated from an electronic randomizer site.

And.......................

the...

winner...

is....

Congrats Liz!! Be sure to checkout her fabulous BTS vest that fits her to the tee!! I must finish mine up very soon!

And another big countdown has started....8 days until my birthday! :oD

I don't speak often about love on here, but I am surely filled with it.

Love for my blog buddies, love for my family, love for my very close friends, and most importantly love for GOD.

And my own Romeo is coming real soon, but I actually prefer to call him my Boaz (Ruth 2:1, 19)

In keeping in the spirit of my "Finished Object" I will give Romeo some love too as my Juliet is all done!! ;o)

She came hot off the needles yesterday and straight from my blocking towel for a great field trip (more to come about that too).

Time: Of course all of our knits wait on us and our time. So as you know it is what you make of it! ;o)
For me it took a little over a week, but swear my needles and desire was in overdrive! My little 'blogvacation' helped too! :o)

Needles: Harmonies US 10.5 and for binding off US 11
When I did my swatch (see below) I realized I would have loved my Addis on this knit instead! Oh well! I would have needed to switch out for my bind-off and Addis does not offer that very nice interchangeable option that I just love so much! ;o)

Speaking of interchangeable, I really don't like the fact that my Harmony Options does not have "cable connectors" where I can add on to try on my garment as it is a WIP...ugh!

Crochet hook: G

Yarn: You know that yarn I bought waaaaaaay back when I meant to make this garment! ;op (yeah back in October!!)

Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky, Color #21 Red Purple (all other pics are color of yarn)
Used 4 balls (even though I ordered the suggested 5 balls)

Special note about this yarn is that I love the stitch definition it produced and the economic factor it provided, but didn't realize it is made out of 15% angora...and better yet after I did my 1st spit splice that I was slightly allergic to it!
Every time I would knit with it I would get the "itches"...not sure if it was just in my head or not.
Funny thing is one of my favorite winter sweaters is out of angora....in fact I checked it, and it is 25%...but I am fine when I wear it, not sure if it is because it has already been washed and all.

I was also fine when I wore my Juliet all day on yesterday so I think everything will go smoothly. Especially once I soak it in some lavender solution, and wear it as a layering item.

Cost: $20 on the yarn, $3 for the button by Grandma Moses (an indie seller)

What I learned: I had a bumpy round after my 'set up' row with the lace repeats.

So much so that I had to rip back and try it again...only once though.
I was very frustrated, but remembered what Sheila said recently on her blog about if you are not going to take on the challenge now, then what will you do when the next challenge comes?? Well dang that made me sit up!! :o)

Juliet went in the naughty corner for about a day or so while I took a "break" from her LOL
We finally kissed and made up after I called in my extra special lifeline Robin!! :oD Thank you!!! Sometimes you just need that extra voice of confirmation, you know?

Realizing I misinterpreted....okay...ignored some of the instructions! Specifically, the last part in Row 3 & 5 "end last repeat with..."
Ooh!! And of course if I was off just one stitch in one row, as you all know it throws everything off!

So Robin reminded me about that thing called "swatching" LOL

Ummm yeah.....I never did that before! ;op So I definitely took her advice and for my sanity did it! Everything turned out just right, so it was smoooooth sailing from there!

Modifications: Okay going to give the run down real quick and easy.

I shortened the yoke area, made only 6 lace repeats, did 2 rows of plain garter after the sleeve split for stability, and did slip stitches on the 1st stitch in the lace portion for a "clean" edge look

Double stranded crochet button loop for durability. I also only did 2 rows of garter on the bottom edge.

So far I have only water spray towel blocked it....but have a feeling that it's going to be a mess to soak with that dang angora...Eww. Can you say purple sticky wool/hair everywhere! I also hear that the wool will make it "grow" too.

Verdict: My 1st completed ;op Zephyr pattern! YAH!! I am glad I did it, but won't knit it again. You know the whole "been there done that" type of thing.

Despite how much I really liked the yarn I used, more than likely I will never use this yarn again as well, since the whole 'cootie' factor may become a bigger problem and I don't want to find that out!

I would recommend this pattern to others with the modifications and warning of the serious negative ease! Great knit on thick yarn!
Now I can add my F.O. to the 3,237,961 other Juliets out there! LOL ;op

BTW...............
If you read this far then you are in for a treat!

Happy Blog Anniversary to me!! :o)

There is a contest of course!!

As I mentioned earlier I have love for my blog buddies!! Even more so my faithful readers, commenters, and lurkers!! ;op

First, let me tell you about The Goodies!

Since this is Malabrigo March and I started my blog in March....well the winner will get Malabrigo of course!! :o) Y'all already know how much I just love love love this yarn.

Three skeins of Malabrigo! Two will be selected by the winner based on their own preference, and one by Ms. CrimsonPurl herself ;o)

If you want the goodies you only have to Tell Me 2 Things!

Since this is a FO post and all...
1. What is one of your favorite 'finished objects' that CrimsonPurl has made (Hint: Click on the "Finished Objects" link to help you out!)

Also, this is only my 1st year of blogging! So I would also like to know...
2. How long have you been reading CrimsonPurl ;op (rough guesstimate is fine!)

To Get Entered you will need to:
1. Respond with BOTH of your answers in this thread only!
2. Please be sure I know how to contact you.

I will do a random electronic generator for the winner and all entries must be in by Friday, March 28th.

Lastly, this came from that beautiful bush that was behind me in my photos!