Impression, Sunrise

I'm finally done with the "Impression, Sunrise" scarf!  Hopefully I will be able to schedule a photo shoot soon so that I can list it.  I'm starting on the Starry Night yarn next.  Here are a few pictures!

The process

Before grafting

Trying it on!

I wore the scarf all day yesterday.  It was so hot out, but the scarf is made of organic cotton so it wasn't unbearable to wear.  It's definitely suitable for all year round, though admittedly, probably not the best option for the 90 degree weather we've been experiencing. 

I've bought so much yarn lately!  The past couple of days, I've wandered around downtown Chicago with a friend and felt that I had to visit some of the yarn shops since I'll be going back to Michigan for school soon.  I'll take some pictures of the yarn later and post.  All of them are absolutely gorgeous!  However, from now on, I WILL NOT buy anymore yarn.  I have way too much!

That's all for now! Happy knitting!
-MC

Sneak Peak!

I have been totally awful about posting lately.  I think that this may be a sign that I need to change my posting schedule, instead of just looking as my lack of posts as a failure.  Plus, I will be going back to school soon, so posting daily might just be unreasonable anyway!  Regardless, I'm super excited about new things for the shop!  I received my famous art-inspired yarn a few days ago.  I cannot thank Lynda from FiberDyet enough! They are gorgeous.  Right now, I'm knitting a scarf with a simple seed pattern that I plan to graft into an infinity scarf.  Here is the progress on the Impression, Sunrise scarf!

Clearly, she has captured the soft pastels from Monet's famous oil painting perfectly!  And since I've been so excited about this yarn, I've been cruising right through the scarf.  The ball is almost gone!  And the yardage looks like it's going to be just right for a versatile scarf. 

In other news, I've decided to keep my earwarmers marked down for the entire month of July in honor of my 21st birthday!  Both the Stretto and Scherzo Ear Warmers are available for just $21!

Scherzo Ear Warmer

Stretto Headband

Updates

It's been a very long time since writing!  Probably a week, which is near unforgivable.  In the meantime, I've visited Kalamazoo, celebrated my 21st Birthday, and learned to knit socks (almost).  Well, I've started toe-up socks.  Not to mention, I've received some lovely yarn samples from FiberDyet!  I'll upload pictures soon of what they look like, but I'll tell you that I am very excited to start knitting with them!  These two skeins are the beginning of my line of scarves inspired by famous works of art! The two that she has dyed for me are based on Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh, and Impression, Sunrise by Claude Monet.  I have to say, they are completely gorgeous.  I can't even contain my excitement right now.  Hopefully I'll be able to list them soon!

With that, I'll leave you with a markdown! For this week only, in honor of my 21st birthday, enjoy both of my headbands listed for $21! Stock up for winter with the Scherzo or Stretto Ear Warmers!  Both combine current trends with total functionality to create must-have items for the colder weather.

Scherzo Ear Warmer

Stretto Ear Warmer

That's all for now! Happy Knitting!
-MC

Happy Birthday Mom!

Posting again today on honor of my mom's birthday!  She really doesn't know how much she means to me.  I didn't quite know what to get her this year, so what better than an Etsy gift card!  Accompanying this gift card, I created a treasury of items I thought she would like (though she obviously can spend it on whatever she wants).  Her favorite colors are orange and green, so the treasury includes a lot of items featuring those colors, both separate and together!  I also included some Finding Nemo finds (her favorite movie) and hand-made Western Michigan gear. 

My parents and I after one of my WMU Symphonic Band Concerts (2011)

I also suggested that she could buy some hand-dyed yarn with her gift card so that I could make her a truly one-of-a-kind item.  Who knows what she'll buy, I'm just so excited that we could celebrate her today.  She's definitely the best mother I've ever had! 

-MC

Favorite Shops: ColorShiftYarn

I haven't purchased anything from this shop yet, but I've been wanting to for quite some time.  Erica from ColorShiftYarn dyes multiple skeins of yarns in many different gradations so that you can create a beautiful spectrum of color in your knitted or crocheted pieces.  She offers gradients of one color and also a variety of beautiful multi-colored kits as well.  Here is one of my favorites from her shop which features a gradient from a bright coral red color all the way to black. 

 

Clearly, Erica does beautiful work.  I hope to soon purchase one of her gradient sets.  She also sells patterns featuring colorwork that display her gradients in a lovely way.  

Don't forget!

This whole week, use the coupon code SHIPJUNE1 for free domestic shipping on orders of $20 or more in my shop!  www.etsy.com/shop/mcadenzaknits

Mega-Post!

I went camping over the weekend, and put off posting instead of creating one that would upload automatically.  So today's post will be full of Inspiration and Mark-Downs!

First off, I'm continuing to give teasers on my line of knit goods inspired by famous works of art.  Lynda from FiberDyet has sent me a picture of what she has come up with for the Starry Night yarn.  Hopefully I'll be receiving a sample soon!  It looks wonderful and luxurious and I'm so excited to begin knitting with it.  The colors look great!

I'm very eager to get this line started and listed in the shop.  Especially with such beautifully dyed yarn.

Now for the Mark-Down section!  For this whole week, enjoy free shipping on domestic orders over $20!  Just use the coupon code SHIPJUNE1, which is valid until Sunday June 30.  Stock up for this winter, or get some one-of-a-kind beaded knitting needles! 

www.etsy.com/shop/mcadenzaknits


On another note, the fisherman's rib scarf is proving to take slower than I hoped.  Working hard to get it done for Friday's post!

-MC

Pattern Friday: Fisherman's Rib Infinity Scarf

It's that time of the week: Pattern Friday!  Last week's pattern was the Cabled Mini Scarf by tinkerknits on Ravelry.  I have to say, it turned out beautifully!  I didn't get the chance to take a better picture, but here is what it looks like artfully selfied on Instagram:

Mine ended up a lot shorter than the pattern instructed, but it fits perfectly!  I used some triangular buttons that I picked up from my LYS.  The Malabrigo Chunky yarn that I used is so soft and cushy, I really just can't wait until it's cold so I can wear it! (Well I can wait, summer can stay for awhile if it wishes :)). 


For this week's pattern, I've decided to continue a scarf I've already started.  It was mentioned last week in the footnotes of a post, but I'm going to finish the Fisherman's Rib Stretchy Infinity Scarf, which can be found on Cynthia Gilbertson's Ravelry page.  So far, I've only been able to complete about a half of a foot because of time, but I will finish it for next week.  Here is a picture of what the stitch looks like:

This pattern uses the technique of knitting in the stitch under to make the scarf squishy and warm.   When I started the pattern, I used needles a size smaller than directed and also cast on 2 more stitches.  If you do knit this, don't be too worried about the stitches looking loose!  They even out as you continue.  Happy Knitting!



Announcement: I added FOUR new items to my Etsy shop yesterday, including those beaded knitting needles.  Feel free to check them out here!

-MC