My Umaro Blanket

The Umaro is a pattern by Jared Flood and Brooklyn Tweed. 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE The patterns put out by Jared.  I think I have like 4 in progress right now.  It's pretty bad. 

But I FINALLY finished one!!

His use of pattern and structure is feminine without being floofy and I adore it.

For this project I was on a budget so I had to find a more inexpensive yarn that what the pattern called for.  So I found a sweet stash of Harmony by Amy Butler.

I think it turned out beautiful!!  Look how cozy!!

Knit Finds for September: Yarn Bowls

Si I haven't posted anything in like....well....a year or something.  Oops

Life kinda took a few turns.

My dad died, my husband had to leave state for work for a while so he was gone a lot, I had a new baby, I moved, I got a job....

And here I am.  Finally settled.  

I've grieved the passing of my father, I have relinquished the luxury of staying home with my kids, and I am now a woman of family and career. 

But I still have to do something to stay sane!!  So knotting hasn't gone away.  

Just about time I start blogging about it again,  

So while I finish up my more recent project I'll share some of my latest and greatest knit finds from this month!!  

This month:  The yarn bowl

First of all....my yarn bowls from Red Hot Pottery broke in the move.  

RedHotPottery

Alas.....I miss that beautiful yarn bowl...

So While I have been trudging by without knitting bowls just fine...I still like having them on the floor next to the couch...keeping my yarn nice and tidy.  It's little luxuries.  So I went perusing on Etsy (because that's where you find all the good stuff) and found this!!

Maid of Clay

MaidofClay

I bought this one today,  Don't tell the hubs.  

Here's some more delightful yarn bowls....That may or may not end up in my home at some point....

Island Girl Pottery

Island Girl Pottery

Love love love

Blue Room Pottery

blueroompottery

Blue Room Pottery.  Also makes some beautiful vases etc.

Dandelion Pottery

Dandelion Pottery

You also have to check out the berry bowls and mugs!

Barruntando

Barruntando

Has some of the CUTEST little sculptures and figurines too.  Really want these bat magnets. 

Lenny Mud

Lenny Mud

I thoroughly enjoy this etsy shop.  It's epic.  You just have to look.  It's some of the more unique pieces of pottery I've ever seen.  The store is named after his cat.  

aaharrison

aaharrison

MM Ceramic Design

mmceramicdesign

Earth Wool Fire

earthwoolfire

And lastly....if your're in the market for a luxury yarn bowl..  WOW.

These guys at Earth Wool Fire are true ceramic artists.  I'm saving up for this one myself...

Amazing!!!!

Well that's all I have for this month for knit finds. 

Next month:  Geeky knits.  Because we geeks love to knit 

Shops with Cool Reward Programs

So I do a lot of in store yarn shopping when I can.  I love the feel of yarn.  And it always looks different in store ya know....

But sometimes that just isn't possible.  My local yarn store may carry a certain brand of yarn but not the color I'm looking for.  That;s when you head online.

Now I like a deal.  I like coupons and reward points and all that when I shop.  Makes me feel like I'm getting more for my money.  And for all of us who have a yarn addiction (you know who you are), we can use to save every penny.

Because that's just more yarn we can buy!

So I have compiled a quick list of online yarn stores (who also have physical locations if you happen to be near them) that have some pretty awesome reward programs.

1.  Eat.Sleep.Knit (Smyrna, Georgia)

This website is so fun to shop.  It's colorful and I love the little kitties.  They have a program called the Yarnathon going on. 

 It's a marathon...but instead of running you buy yarn (whish life worked that way...I would be super thin).  Basically every yard of yarn you buy goes towards your total "yards run".  When you reach a goal mark you get gift certificates or surprises. (they explain it way better on the site)  It runs the whole year so you have plenty of time to rack up the yards.  Your also put on a team to help you reach your goal.  I'm on the Roboknits Team.  Your team helps you reach the finish line.  Anyway, it's a super fun way to shop.  And they carry a ton of hard to find brands as well.  Most of my favorites!  :) They also send you a "lotto scratcher" with every order...you could win anything from $5 credit to $100 if your super lucky.  

Ahhhh.... The first post....

So here I am ...

test test...

This is the place where I will occasionally chit chat about my knitting habit hobby.

It's late...and I JUST got the header edited...and yes, it needs more work... I have plans for a full scale reno but for now this is readable and function-able and I'm good with that.

I'll hopefully begin posting next week...I'm working on a lot of stuff :)

Till then

-Ali