a few hidden treasures.

Looking for yarn in the Little Apple? Look no further!

First and foremost we have the Wildflower Yarn and knitwear located at 300 Poyntz Avenue in Manhattan, Kansas. This shop is ran and owned by Kennita Tully who is a knowledgable and friendly woman that won't mind you standing and gawking at the yarn for an hour or more in my case. :) Her hours are pretty great. She is open from Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm and she is open until 8pm on Thursdays. 

Another fun place to visit is one I just learned about. The Wicked Stitch Yarn & Fiber is located in downtown Wamego, Kansas at 523 Lincoln Street. This lovely little shop is owned and ran by Jennifer Schermeerhorn. If you are interested in learning to spin your own yarn this shop is definitely the place to go. Her summer hours are Thursday-Saturday 11am-4pm. The first Wednesday of every month they have a social gathering at 7pm where knittings, crocheters, etc are invited and welcome to go hang out. If you are free go check in out this Wednesday evening at 7pm. Her website says 6-8pm, but I swore she told me 7 so I'm not entirely sure on that... great blogger huh?

no kids, nope

My two wonderful children are off to Gramma's house for the day and night. To be honest I am a little lonely without them, but I plan on taking full advantage of the solitude. Lunch with my sister for some Chinese I know I'll regret later and then I plan to hit up my favorite local yarn store, Wildflower Yarns on Poyntz.

Am I the only person who absolutely loves buttons? I love them enough that I decided to hot glue a pair of buttons to some earring studs. Cheap, easy, && so adorable. Unfortunately my sensitive ears will not allow me to wear them longer than a minute before the heat and itching sets in. I need to invest in empty gold studs so I can actually wear these little cuties. I mean- jeepers- I have no hair to block the view of these bad boys so I need to wear them before my hair grows back!

Have a wonderful Friday everyone and be safe this weekend!

Continental Vs. European Knitting

There are two main different styles of knitting and each style has about a million variations to it. There really is no right or wrong way to knit. Recently, as in last evening, I decided to try and learn the Continental style of knitting as I have been doing the European style. 

Basically in European knitting your yarn is being "thrown" over by taking your right hand over the left hand needle (for righties of course). Continental knitting is where your yarn is kept in the left hand and basically pushed over your needle using a finger which is also known as "picking."

I am trying my hand at Continental as I said and I feel like I'm a beginner again. I feel like the movement is smoother, but working on teaching my hands to move in a new way is proving semi challenging. I'm hoping to get it down quickly and begin to knit in the Continental method soon.

Twirling Yarn in the Park

While the children played in the splash park. I decided to take advantage of their distraction.

There is nothing more satisfying than teaching a sibling to love something you love. While I crocheted a doily, she continued to knit a wash rag for her children's bathroom.

The weather was beautiful under the protection of these trees.

I have to admit my "to-knit" list is getting deliciously long. Ah the afternoons I will spend enjoying the company of my needles while I kindle the fire of my yarn love-affair.

Good Morning

"Really, handknitting is a dreamy activity, built into many people's thumbs and fingers by genes already there, itching to display their skills and achievement possibilities."

- Elizabeth Zimmermann

Is there a better way to start the day?

Lost Battle

I want to turn this neck warmer into a table runner by doubling it and then making it long enough for a table.... Who knows if I will ever be able to do it!

I have attempted this pattern several times. Seeing it was one of the reason I got back into knitting. For the life of me I cannot seem to get my hands to do it right without messing it up! 

I did however manage to get further than I did before. I succeeded at making one leaf and leaving a giant hole on the other half. I won't show you the hole- that is slightly embarrassing. Once again I will remove this from my needles and find another project until I get brave enough to tackle this one again. 

I splurged on some FUN

I have to admit cabling intimidates me, but my goal is to learn! Buying fun new needles by Lantern Moon is a good way to start!

I have been wanting a new needle case because mine was just a tiny crochet hook zip case that was unbelievably stuffed full of all my "stuff"so this impressive piece is not only gorgeous, but completely functional as well.

I am also growing into my new hair do. I keep reminding myself that I. Am. Not. My. Hair. I am still the same beautiful girl I was before. God has shown me that I can be a beautiful person no matter what my outer appearance may be because it truly is what is inside that counts!